JP5149100B2 - Foaming equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a foaming device that injects a fluid into a container that is transported to a capping device after being filled with a sparkling beverage and foams the beverage.

  In the packaging process of effervescent beverages such as beer, after filling the container with a beverage, fluid such as high-pressure water is injected into the container to foam the beverage, and the empty space above the container is generated by the carbon dioxide gas generated thereby. The air present in the section is expelled, and then the container is capped.

Patent Document 1 relates to an operation device such as a bottle. In this document, the injection nozzle is positioned in accordance with the operation speed of the transfer device, and the positioning arm supports the injection nozzle. It is described that it is done by turning.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 60-13689

  If the timing of injecting the fluid into the container is too early, the beverage may excessively foam and overflow before capping, resulting in poor taste. Conversely, if the timing of injecting the fluid into the container is too late, the foaming until capping is insufficient, and capping can be performed with air remaining in the empty space at the top of the container.

  In the present situation where containers having various shapes and volumes are used and various beverages are commercialized, the position of the injection nozzle only in a part of the arcuate conveyance path (the turning trajectory of the support arm) as in Patent Document 1. In the configuration in which the fluid can be adjusted, it is difficult to properly adjust the fluid injection timing.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above background. For example, the foaming apparatus can adjust the fluid injection timing (position of the injection nozzle) to a container filled with an effervescent beverage in a wider range. The purpose is to provide.

  One aspect of the present invention is to inject a fluid into a container transported to a capping device through a linear first transport path and a subsequent arc-shaped second transport path after filling with a sparkling beverage. The foaming device relates to a foaming device for foaming a beverage, the foaming device including an injection nozzle for injecting a fluid into a container, an arm for supporting the injection nozzle, a guide member disposed along the first conveyance path, and the arm. A movable block that is supported by the guide member and is movable along the first conveyance path, a first fixing portion that fixes the movable block to the guide member, and a direction of the arm A second fixing portion for fixing the arm to the movable block so that the arm is fixed, and the position of the movable block relative to the guide member and the direction of the arm are adjusted. It makes it possible to position the injection nozzle at an arbitrary position in the top of the first conveying path and the second conveying path.

  According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the foaming device further includes a lock mechanism that locks the direction of the arm in a predetermined direction when the injection nozzle is positioned on the first transport path. preferable.

  According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the guide member includes a first guide groove and a second guide groove, and the first guide groove includes a linear groove along the first conveyance path, Continuing from the straight groove and including a circular arc groove concentric with the center of curvature of the second transport path, the second guide groove extends parallel to the straight groove and includes the center of curvature, and the movable block includes: It is preferable to have a first engagement portion that engages with the first guide groove and a second engagement portion that engages with the second guide groove.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the foaming apparatus which can adjust the injection | pouring timing (position of an injection | pouring nozzle) of the fluid with respect to the container filled with the effervescent drink in a wider range, for example is provided.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of a processing apparatus in which a foaming apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is to be installed. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing one state of the foaming apparatus according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing another state of the foaming apparatus according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a partial configuration of the foaming apparatus in the state of FIG. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a partial configuration of the foaming apparatus in the state of FIG. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a partial configuration of the foaming apparatus in the state of FIG.

  The processing apparatus conveys the container 1 to the capping device 30 through the linear first conveyance path 10 and the subsequent arc-shaped second conveyance path 20 after being filled with the sparkling beverage. Capping. A timing screw 12 is disposed in the downstream portion of the first conveyance path 10. A star wheel 22 is disposed in the second transport path 20. The container 1 is delivered to the star wheel 22 while the interval and timing are adjusted by the timing screw 12.

  The star hole 22 conveys the container 1 to the capping device 30 through the arc-shaped second conveyance path 20 while rotating as indicated by an arrow A. The capping device 30 caps the container 1 while revolving the container 1 as indicated by an arrow B (that is, attaches a cap to the container 1). The container 1 capped by the capping device 30 is sent to the downstream device as indicated by an arrow C.

  The foaming apparatus is configured to supply fluid (for example, water or the like) to the container 1 that is transported to the capping device 30 through the linear first transport path 10 and the subsequent arc-shaped second transport path 20 after the foaming beverage is filled. And a beverage such as carbon dioxide gas is injected to foam the beverage. The foaming device includes an injection nozzle 40 for injecting fluid into the container 1, an arm 45 for supporting the injection nozzle 40, a guide member 50 disposed along the first conveyance path 10, and an arm 45 that is rotatably supported. And a movable block 60 that is guided by the guide member 50 and is movable along the first transport path 10. The foaming apparatus also includes a first fixing portion 80 that fixes the movable block 60 to the guide member 50 and a second fixing portion 70 that fixes the arm 45 to the movable block 60 so that the direction of the arm 45 is fixed.

  For example, the first fixed portion 80 may be configured by a male screw 82 attached to the movable block 60 and a nut 84 attached to the male screw 82, but may be configured by any other structure. A resin plate (not shown) for preventing slippage may be disposed between the movable block 60 and the guide member 50.

  The arm 45 may have an arm pivot 46 at its root portion. For example, the second fixing portion 70 can be configured by a male screw that passes through a through hole formed in the arm pivot 46 and a female screw formed in the movable block 60, but may be configured by any other structure. Good. A slip prevention resin plate 47 may be disposed between the arm pivot 46 and the movable block 60.

  By adjusting the position of the movable block 60 relative to the guide member 50 and the direction of the arm 45, the injection nozzle 40 can be positioned at any position on the first transport path 10 and the second transport path 20. The positioning can be performed in a state where the fixing of the movable block 60 by the first fixing portion 80 and the fixing of the arm 45 by the second fixing portion 70 are released. In this manner, by allowing the injection nozzle 40 to be positioned with respect to any position on the first conveyance path 10 and the second conveyance path 20, the timing of fluid injection into the container 1 filled with the sparkling beverage ( The position of the injection nozzle) can be adjusted in a wider range.

  The foaming device locks the direction of the arm 45 in a predetermined direction (typically, a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the guide member 50) when the injection nozzle 40 is positioned on the first transport path 10. 90 is preferably further included. The lock mechanism 90 can be configured by, for example, a lock pin 92 that is inserted into the hole 45 so as to penetrate the hole formed in the arm 45 and a lock groove 94 formed in the movable block 60. When the lock pin 92 is engaged with the lock groove 94, the direction of the arm 45 is locked in a predetermined direction.

  The guide member 50 can have a first guide groove 54 and a second guide groove 52. The first guide groove 54 includes a linear groove 54 a along the first conveyance path 10, and an arc groove 54 b that is continuous from the linear groove 54 a and concentric with the center of curvature of the arc-shaped second conveyance path 20. The second guide groove 52 extends in parallel to the straight groove 54a so as to include the curvature center. The movable block 60 includes a first engagement portion 64 that engages with the first guide groove 54 and a second engagement portion 62 that engages with the second guide groove 52.

It is a top view which shows schematic structure of the processing apparatus with which the foaming apparatus of suitable embodiment of this invention should be installed. It is a top view which shows one state of the foaming apparatus of preferable embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which shows the other state of the foaming apparatus of suitable embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of a part of foaming apparatus in the state of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of a part of foaming apparatus in the state of FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of a part of foaming apparatus in the state of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Container 10 1st conveyance path 12 Timing screw 20 2nd conveyance path 22 Star hole 30 Capping apparatus 40 Injection nozzle 45 Arm 50 Guide member 52 2nd guide groove 54 1st guide groove 60 Movable block 70 2nd fixed part 80 1st Fixed part 90 Lock mechanism

Claims (3)

A foaming device for injecting fluid into a container transported to a capping device through a linear first transport path and a subsequent arc-shaped second transport path after filling with a sparkling beverage and foaming the beverage. And
An injection nozzle for injecting fluid into the container;
An arm for supporting the injection nozzle;
A guide member disposed along the first conveyance path;
A movable block that rotatably supports the arm and is guided by the guide member and movable along the first conveyance path;
A first fixing portion for fixing the movable block to the guide member;
A second fixing portion for fixing the arm to the movable block so that the direction of the arm is fixed;
By adjusting the position of the movable block with respect to the guide member and the direction of the arm, the injection nozzle can be positioned at any position on the first transport path and the second transport path.
A foaming apparatus characterized by that. A lock mechanism for locking the direction of the arm in a predetermined direction when the injection nozzle is positioned on the first conveyance path;
The foaming apparatus according to claim 1. The guide member has a first guide groove and a second guide groove, and the first guide groove is continuous with the linear groove along the first transport path and the second transport path. And the second guide groove extends so as to include the center of curvature parallel to the linear groove,
The movable block includes a first engagement portion that engages with the first guide groove and a second engagement portion that engages with the second guide groove.
The foaming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein

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