JPS6226966B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention is applicable to the work of correctly and completely fitting a thin outer lid made of soft elastic plastic or the like onto the top of a sealed container filled with contents. The present invention relates to a method for fitting an outer lid onto the top of a container and a device directly used for carrying out the method.

[Prior art] The conventional work operation for fitting this kind of outer lid onto the top of a container is to align and feed the outer lid from directly above the top of the container that is stopped at a fixed position on an outer lid fitting station. death,
The first step was to press down and fit the fitting edge on the outer periphery of the outer lid to the entire upper mouth of the container, but the outer lid itself was thin and did not have much mechanical rigidity, causing distortion in the container. In such cases, there is a particular problem in that the fitting edge does not completely fit into the top of the container, and a portion of the fitting edge may be crushed or bent, and the outer lid may easily fall off from the top of the container after work.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] In view of the above-mentioned conventional difficulties, the present invention provides a method for completely covering the outer cover without causing any part of the fitting edge to be crushed, bent, or distorted when fitting the outer cover. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for fitting the outer lid of the top of a container.

[Means for Solving the Problems] The stepwise operating procedure of the working process of the method of the present invention will be explained with reference to FIGS. 1a to 1e.

The method of the present invention begins with the outer lid fitting station S.
The first operation is to stop the container 4 filled with contents and sealed in a fixed position with the upper opening 3 facing a little lower than the outer cover 2 at a fixed position right next to the outer cover 2 with a fitting edge 1 formed on the outer periphery, which is waiting at a fixed position. In the process [see Figure 1a], the outer lid 2 is pushed horizontally in the direction of the arrow from the horizontal side to the upper opening 3 of the container 4.
Slide the top and align the center O ₁ of the outer lid 2 with the center O ₂ of the upper opening 3
The second positioning stop after passing by a small clearance distance l ₁
The working process [see Fig. 1 b1 and b2], and then the third working process [see Fig. 1 b1 and b2], in which the overstep side of the outer cover 2 is pressed down in the direction of the arrow and the overstep side fitting edge 1 is fitted onto the upper opening 3- side. 1c)], while continuing to press down the over-travel side of the outer lid 2, push the over-travel side end of the annular rib 5 protruding from the upper side of the outer lid 2 in the horizontal direction of the arrow from the horizontal position,
The entire outer lid 2 is slid over the upper opening 3 and moved back slightly in the retracting direction to correct the distortion of the upper opening 3 of the container 4 while fitting the fitting edges 1 on both sides of the outer lid 2 to the upper opening 3 on both sides of the flange 6. The fourth work step is to further promote elastic deformation of the outer cover 2 and return the center O 1 of the outer cover 2 to the center O ₂ of the upper opening _{3 by a small distance l 2 [} see Fig. 1 d1, d2] ], press down on the side of the outer cover that has been returned too far, completely fit the entire fitting edge 1 of the outer cover 2 onto the flange edge 6 of the upper opening 3, release the pressure, and use the elastic restoring and contraction action of the outer cover 2 to close the fitting edge 1 of the outer cover 2. is the rim 6 of the upper mouth 3
The fifth work step (see Fig. 1e), which firmly locks the

[Example] Examples of the apparatus of the present invention are shown in FIGS. 2 to 3.
The diagram will be explained.

The outer lid fitting device A of the present invention has a receiving hole 11 which is formed through a socket 10 in the center of each slat 9 of a group of 9 slats connected endlessly at equal intervals on both sides of the lower surface by parallel roller chains 7 and 8. The container 4, which has been fitted into the container, filled with contents, and sealed, and has a flange 6 around the outer periphery of the upper opening 3, is placed at a central position on a guide platform 12 horizontally installed on the right side of the outer lid fitting station S. An endlessly rotatable roller chain slat conveyor 13 that stops horizontally and can be rotated intermittently, and an outer lid 2 that is set to straddle a pair of parallel guide grooves 14 and 15 that are laid over the entire length in the left and right direction on the right guide platform 12. The container 4 is guided and regulated on both sides by the side guides 16 and 17, and is transferred from above the parallel guide grooves 14 and 15 while sliding the outer lid 2 onto the upper mouth 3 of the container 4, which is standing still and waiting. A slide pusher 18 that is slidably inserted therein, and a plurality of fence rods 19 that hang diagonally above the guide platform 12 and store a number of outer covers 2 in a stacked manner so that the outer cover 2 at the lowest level can be freely exposed. An adjustment holding screw 23 is screwed into a nut 22 fixed to the lower end of the fence rod 19 facing the L-shaped holding member 21 which has an outlet 20 at the bottom edge and is attached to the lower end of one of the fence rods 19. A stocker 24 works together with the stocker 24 to hold both side edges of the lowermost outer lid 2 to the extent that it does not fall due to its weight, and a vacuum cup 26 is fixed to the upright upper end of the L-shaped swinging arm 25 and fixed to the horizontal base end. The ring 27 is inserted and fixed onto the operating shaft 28, and is allowed to swing freely up and down intermittently through the notch 29 provided in the guide platform 12 between the parallel guide grooves 14 and 15, so that the ring 27 can be moved up and down from the outlet 20 to the lowermost outer cover 2. 1
An outer cover supply device 30 which is set to straddle the predetermined positions on the parallel guide grooves 14 and 15 for suctioning and taking out sheets using the vacuum cup 26, and an elevating rod (not shown) that stands above the outer cover fitting station S so as to be able to move up and down. Attach the locking screw 3 to the mounting bracket part 31 that protrudes from one side.
2 and 33, and when the container 4 is stopped at the lowest limit, only the right side in the figure of the top opening 3 of the container 4 that is stationary and waiting is released, and the three sides of the left front and rear are surrounded and regulated, and the container 4 is transferred to the top opening 3. A stopper piece 34 that positions and stops the forward end of the outer circumferential fitting edge 1 of the lid 2 slightly overshooting the upper opening 3.
is provided in the center on the left side, and the stopper piece 34
The planar U-shaped lifting guide frame 37 with notches 35 and 36 cut out on both sides and the top of the outer cover 2 on the left side annular rib 5 and the inner top plate 38 on the overstep side are pushed down and the overstep side fitting edge 1 is moved into the container. 4. A first presser foot 4 screwed onto the lower end of a lifting rod 39 that can be raised and lowered freely and fitted onto the flange 6 of the upper opening 3 and hanging above the outer cover fitting station S.
0 and a piston rod 42 slidably inserted into an air cylinder 41 on the opposite side of the guide platform 12 with the upper opening 3 of the container 4 standing still and waiting therein.
It is attached to the outer end and is movable horizontally.
The side surface of the annular rib 5 on the overtravel side of the outer lid 2, which is pressed by the presser foot 40, is forced to correct the distortion of the upper opening 3 of the container 4 through the notches 35 and 36 on both sides of the stopper piece 34 of the lifting guide frame 37. At the same time, the fitting edges 1 on both sides of the outer cover 2 are fitted onto the both side flanges 6 of the upper opening 3, and further elastic deformation of the outer cover 2 is promoted, so that the retreating end of the fitting edge 1 can be moved back slightly to the upper opening 3. The bifurcated semicircular return pusher 45 is pushed in the return direction by the arc-shaped pushers 43 and 44, and the outer lid 2 right side annular rib 5 outer top plate portion 38 of the outer lid 2 on the over-returned side is pushed down and pressed to remove the entire outer lid 2. The outer peripheral fitting edge 1 is attached to the lower end of the lifting support tubes 46, 47 which are vertically movable and which completely fit over the entire flange 6 of the upper opening 3 of the container 4, and the planar arc hangs above the outer lid fitting station S. It consists of a shaped second presser foot 48.

In the figure, 49 and 50 are the pushers 4 of the return pusher 45 that protrude from both outsides of the lifting guide frame 37.
3.44 guide tabs.

[Function] Since the device A of the present invention is configured as described above, before the outer lid fitting operation, the container 4 filled with the contents and sealed is hooked to the socket 10 by the flange 6. Then, the roller chain slat conveyor 13 fitted into the receiving hole 11 of each slat 9 is moved intermittently to place the container 4 sideways on the guide platform 12, and it is stopped at a fixed position on the outer cover fitting station S.

First, the operating shaft 28 is rotated clockwise by a predetermined phase angle, and together with this, the L-shaped swinging arm 25 is raised to the imaginary line position, and the vacuum cup 26 is brought into contact with the outer lid 2 of the lowest stage stacked in the stocker 24. Upon contacting the vacuum suction, the actuating shaft 28 is reversed counterclockwise by the predetermined phase angle, and the L-shaped swing arm 2 is integrally rotated.
5 is returned to the original position shown by the solid line, and the stocker 24 is moved back.
Take out the outer cover 2 for one sheet from the outlet 20, bring the outer cover 2 to the fixed position on the parallel guide grooves 14 and 15, release the suction at the same time, set it to straddle, and parallel to this, lift the elevating guide frame. 37 is lowered and stopped at the lowest position, thereby enclosing and regulating three sides of the left front and rear of the upper opening 3 of the container 4.

Next, the slide pusher 18 is advanced along the parallel guide grooves 14 and 15, and the pusher 5 at the tip thereof is moved forward.
1, the outer cover 2 is pushed forward, and initially both sides of the outer cover 2 are guided and regulated by the side guides 16 and 17 of the guide platform 12, and in the middle, the guide frame 37 takes over and the guide is regulated while the parallel guide grooves 14 ,15
It is transferred to the upper opening 3 while sliding, and continues to be pushed by the pusher 51 even if the center O ₁ of the outer cover 2 coincides with the center O ₂ of the upper opening 3, and finally the pusher 51 stops at the leftmost position, the forward end of the fitting edge 1 of the outer cover 2 comes into contact with the stopper piece 34 of the elevating guide frame 37.

Immediately after that, the first presser foot 40 descends and presses down the top plate portion 38 inside the annular rib 5 on the past side of the outer lid 2, so that the fitting edge 1 on the past side is fitted into the flange edge 6 of the upper opening 3, After that, the slide pusher 18 has parallel guide grooves 14,
15 to the original position.

Next, the air cylinder 41 is operated to return the pusher 45 integrally with the piston rod 42 and advance the pusher 45 so that the arcuate pushers 43 and 44 move into the notches 3 on both sides.
Immediately after passing through the annular ribs 5 and 36 of the outer cover 2, the outer cover 2 comes into contact with the side surface of the overtravel side annular rib 5, and pushes the entire outer cover 2 in the return direction against the elasticity of the first presser foot 40, and the fitting edges on both sides of the outer cover 2 1 into the flange edges 6 on both sides of the upper mouth 3,
Further, even if the center O ₁ of the outer lid 2 coincides with the center O ₂ of the upper opening 3, it continues to be pushed, and is finally returned to the pusher 4.
When the arcuate pushers 43 and 44 of No. 5 stop at the rightmost position, the retracted end of the fitting edge 1 of the outer cover 2 returns too far past the upper opening 3 due to the elastic deformation of the outer cover 2, and at that stage the elevating guide frame 37 and the first presser foot 40 return to their original positions and rise, and then the second presser foot 48 descends, pressing down on the top plate portion 38 on the outside of the annular rib 5 on the side of the outer cover 2 that has returned too far, and presses down the fitting edge 1 on the side that has returned too far. Upper mouth 3 rim 6
When the second presser foot 48 is completely fitted, the second presser 48 returns to its original position, and the return pusher 45 begins to return and retreat to its original position.

And roller chain slat conveyor 13
travels one pitch intermittently, and at the same time advances the container 4 fitted with the outer lid 2 after the work is completed to the outside of the outer lid fitting station S, and at the same time moves the container 4, which has not yet been fitted with the new outer lid 2, into the outer lid fitting station S. Proceed and repeat the series of cycle operations.

Incidentally, the coordination timing of the series of cycle operations of the device A of the present invention is controlled by a cam mechanism or by a sequence electric circuit, except for the return pusher 45.

Further, in the embodiments of the present invention, a case has been described in which a circular upper container 4 and a circular outer lid 2 are applied, but the shape is not limited to this, and the upper opening and outer lid shape may be square,
It may be rectangular, oval, polygonal, etc., in which case the socket 10, the socket hole 11, the outlet 20, and the pusher 5.
1, 43, 44, lifting guide frame 37, first
Needless to say, the shape corresponds to the shapes of the presser foot 40 and the second presser foot 48.

[Effects] Thus, in the outer cover fitting operation, the present invention presses the fitting edges 1 of the outer cover 2 in three steps on the side where the outer cover 2 has moved too far forward, on both sides, and on the side where it has moved back too far, and presses the fitting edges 1 in three steps.
Since it fits onto the flange 6 of the upper opening 3 of the container 4, it is easy to install the socket 10, the slide pusher 18, the lifting guide frame 37, the first presser foot 40, and the second presser foot 4.
8. Since the work is carried out gradually while being linked and pressed by the return pusher 45, the distortion of the upper opening 3 of the container 4 can be corrected and the desired purpose achieved despite the weak rigidity of the flexible material. There are no defects such as crushing, bending, or deformation of the outer lid fitting edge,
Excellent effects such as obtaining a container without gaps caused by incomplete fitting and without the outer lid falling off after operation are achieved.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a schematic process diagram of the operating procedure showing the stepwise work steps of the method of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a partially omitted plan view showing an embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, and Fig. 3 is a partially cutaway view of the same. It is a front view. A...Outer cover fitting device, B...Outer cover fitting station, _O1 , _O2 ...center, _l1 , _l2 ...center distance, 1...
Fitting edge, 2...Outer lid, 3...Top opening, 4...Container, 5
... Annular rib, 6 ... Flange, 7, 8 ... Parallel roller chain, 9 ... Slut, 11 ... Seat hole, 12 ... Guide platform, 13 ... Roller chain slat conveyor, 14 ,15...
...Parallel guide groove, 18...Slide pusher,
20... Outlet port, 26... Vacuum cup, 3
0... Outer lid supply device, 34... Stopper piece, 3
5, 36...notch, 37...lifting guide frame, 40...first presser foot, 45...return pusher, 48...second presser foot.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A container that is stopped at a fixed position on an outer lid fitting station and is pushed horizontally from the side of the upper mouth and slid over the upper mouth, has a fitting edge on the outer periphery, and has an annular rib protruding from the upper side. The center of the outer lid made of a soft elastic material is moved a little past the center of the upper opening, and the position is stopped. Next, the overtravel side of the outer lid is first compressed, and the fitting edge on the overtravel side is moved to one side of the upper opening. , and then presses the rib end of the outer lid on the over-travel side from the horizontal position against the pressure of the over-travel side of the outer lid, and moves the entire outer lid back in the slightly retracted direction to open the upper opening of the container. While correcting and shaping the distortion on both sides of the outer lid, the fitting edges on both sides of the outer lid are fitted onto both sides of the upper opening, and the elastic deformation of the outer lid is further promoted so that the center of the outer lid is returned a little too far from the center of the upper opening. . A method for fitting an outer lid onto a container top, which comprises performing secondary pressure reduction on the over-returned side of the outer lid to completely fit the entire outer lid fitting edge into the top opening. 2. A slide pusher that horizontally pushes an outer lid made of a flexible elastic material and having an annular rib projecting upward until the fitting edge at one end of the outer lid exceeds one end of the upper mouth of the container, and the slide. a return pusher capable of reciprocally and horizontally movable to push back the rib of the outer cover from the opposite side of the pusher until the fitting edge of the other end of the outer cover exceeds the other end of the upper mouth of the container; and one end and the other end of the outer cover. It has a first presser foot and a second presser foot that apply primary and secondary pressure to the sides from the upper side at different time intervals, and is configured to be able to fit into the top of the container while causing elastic deformation in the outer lid. A device for fitting the outer lid on the top of the container.