JPH0365782B2 - - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to a machine for producing telescopic double straws, and in particular to a double telescopic straw manufacturing machine in which the outer straw is provided with a stopper that prevents the outer straw from being retracted in the extended state. Regarding straw manufacturing machines.

(Prior Art) It is desirable that a straw attached to a beverage container be longer than the depth of the beverage container so that the straw does not fall into the container during drinking. However, a straw that is long enough to be comfortable for drinking is longer than the beverage container itself, so it is difficult to attach it to the container.
Therefore, it is desirable to attach a retractable straw that is in a contracted state when attached and expands when drinking. Some of these telescopic straws have a double structure. This double straw is constructed by inserting an inner straw into an outer straw, but when assembling the double straw, the inner and outer straws cannot be inserted unless they are properly positioned.

That is, as shown in FIG.
The tip of the straw is cut diagonally to form a sharp part 3, and when the inner straw 1 and the outer straw 2 are placed on the same plane, the tip of the sharp part 3 and the edge of the outer straw 2 are It will not be inserted at the abutting position. Further, even if the sharp portion 3 is located outside the outer peripheral surface of the outer straw 2, the inner straw 1 cannot be inserted into the outer straw 2. In order to perform this insertion, the sharp portion 3 of the inner straw 1 must be located inside the inner circumferential surface of the outer straw 2, as shown in FIG.

This positioning work cannot be performed easily, and therefore, if it were attempted to be performed mechanically and automatically, the mechanism would become complicated.
Therefore, the mechanical device becomes expensive. Moreover, if it is attempted to be carried out manually, the work is intuitive and complicated, which not only results in low work efficiency, but also increases the unit price of the completed double straw. Due to these problems, the double-layered retractable straw has not been widely used despite its high convenience.

Therefore, in view of the above problems, the present applicant has assembled a straw with a double structure that can be easily expanded and contracted so that the inner and outer straws can be easily positioned at the positions where they are inserted. A possible method has already been proposed (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 59-197214).
issue). In this method, at least one of the inner straw and the outer straw is inserted while rotating on substantially the same plane. The applicant also proposed an apparatus for specifically manufacturing double straws using the above method (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 197215/1983).

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) The device already proposed above has a method in which the diameter of the connecting portion side end, which is the tip of the outer straw, is reduced in diameter, and the diameter of the connecting portion side end, which is the rear end of the inner straw, is expanded. Since only a straw end forming device is provided, double straws manufactured by this device have the risk of the inner straw slipping out from the outer straw, and the inner straw being pulled out and elongated. There is a problem in that it is easy to be drawn in even when the situation is normal. In particular, the fact that this inner straw is drawn in is the next major drawback. In other words, this double straw is often used for drinking by piercing the aluminum foil of a container, and when piercing, the outside straw of the double straw is once stretched and the tip of the straw is thrust into the container. Often, as a result,
A major drawback was that the inner straw would not penetrate into the container, but instead would fall back into the outer straw.

As a result, this type of double straw not only prevents the inner straw from slipping out of the outer straw, but also ensures that once the inner straw is pulled out of the outer straw, it cannot be pulled in again. became desirable. That is, the shape is shown in FIGS. 22 and 23, and the end of the outer straw 2 on the side where it is connected to the inner straw 1 is reduced in diameter to form a reduced diameter part 5, and this reduced diameter part 5 is further connected to the inner straw. A tapered portion 6 is formed by extending an appropriate length in the direction in which the portion 1 extends. The connecting end of the inner straw 1 that engages with the reduced diameter portion 5 of the outer straw 2 is expanded in diameter to form an enlarged diameter portion 7. In addition, this outer straw is formed with a stopper 8 that protrudes inward at or near the reduced diameter portion 5 and prevents the inner straw from being drawn in. 7 is locked to the stopper 8 to prevent the inner straw 1 from being drawn in,
A reduced diameter portion 9 is also formed at the rear end of the outer straw 2 to prevent the inner straw 1 from slipping out from the opposite side of the outer straw 4.

The double straw having the specific structure shown in Figures 22 and 23 above is relatively easy to make by hand, but it is difficult to manufacture automatically or in large quantities using mechanical means. It is. However, since this type of straw is used in large quantities in the market and is disposable, it is meaningless unless it is manufactured automatically and in large quantities.

The object of this invention is to provide a new manufacturing machine that can automatically manufacture this new double straw in large quantities.

(Means for Solving the Problems) For this purpose, the present invention provides a straw conveying device that feeds straws at regular intervals, and a straw feeding device that supplies internal and external straws to the straw conveying device at appropriate intervals. a straw end forming device located downstream of the straw supply device, which expands the diameter of the joint side end of the inner straw and reduces the diameter of the joint side end of the outer straw; and a straw end forming device located near the tip of the outside straw. a stopper forming device that forms a stopper to be provided; a complete insertion device that fully inserts the inner straw into the outer straw and pulls out the tip of the inner straw from the tip of the outer straw; and a proximal side contraction device that reduces the diameter of the proximal end of the outer straw. The device is characterized by having a diameter device.

(Example) Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on the illustrated preferred embodiment.

In the figure, 10 is a straw conveying device, which conveys the inner straw 1 and the outer straw 2. In this embodiment, the double straws are manufactured in two rows as shown in FIG. One set of straw end forming devices are also provided on the upper and lower sides. 1 in the diagram
Numerals 1, 11, . . . are threaded rods constituting the straw conveying device 10, and a plurality of them are arranged in parallel. This screwed rod body 11
A screw groove 12 is formed in ..., and the inner and outer straws 1 and 2 are dropped into the screw groove 12, and the screw rod body 11,
It is placed on 11... A plurality of threaded rods 11, 11... arranged in parallel have threaded grooves 12, 1 formed therein.
2 are wound in the same direction, and further rotated in the same direction.

Then, on the outside of the threaded rod body 11' located at the end of the threaded rod bodies 11, 11... on the rotational direction side,
A stop plate 13 is provided along the threaded rod 11'. In this embodiment, the threaded rods 11, 11, . . . of the upper straw conveying device 10 in FIG.
Since it rotates clockwise, that is, to the right in the figure, there is a stop plate 1 on the outside of the threaded rod 11' at the right end in the figure.
3 is provided. Although this straw conveying device is desirably configured with a screw rod, it is not necessarily limited to the screw rod as long as there is another configuration that can feed the straw.

In the figure, reference numeral 14 denotes a straw swinging member for swinging the outer straws 2, 2... on the threaded rods 11, 11, on which the opposite end of the outer straw is placed in the operation described later. It is located at the location. The upper end surface of this straw swinging member 14 has an appropriate number of mountain-shaped parts 15, 1 for swinging the outer straw 2.
5... is formed.

In addition, from the vicinity where the straws 1 and 2 inside and outside the straw conveying device 10 start to be inserted, to the straw end forming device described later, the outer straw 2 is stopped from fitting into the inner straw 1 at a fixed position, and the position is maintained. An outer straw stop plate 16 is provided for this purpose. The position at which the outer straw 2 is stopped is a position where the ends of the inner and outer straws 1 and 2 can be reliably formed by a straw end forming device to be described later.

In the figure, reference numerals 20 and 21 are straw supply devices that supply the inner and outer straws 1 and 2, respectively, to the straw conveying device 10. In this embodiment, 20 is the inner straw 1.
21 is for supplying the outer straw 2. That is, the inner straw 1 is supplied upstream of the outer straw 2. In the figure, numerals 22 and 23 are feed rollers, which have grooves on their outer circumferential surfaces that can receive straws, and are fitted to rotating shafts 24 and 24 installed horizontally in the frame of a double straw manufacturing machine so that they can rotate freely. be. This feed roller 22,
23 and the conveying speed of the straw conveying device 10, the straws
... to be placed and transported at regular intervals.

The feed roller 22 for the inner straw 1 includes
The knife 2 is moved diagonally to the feed roller 22.
5 is provided, and a feed roller 2 for the outer straw 2 is provided.
3 is provided with a knife 26 in a right angle direction. Therefore, the sharp portion 3 is formed at the tip of the inner straw 1 as described above. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the straws are manufactured in two rows, upper and lower, and the upper and lower feed rollers 22 and 23 are integrated, so a knife receiving groove 27 is formed. . Further, 28 and 28 are rubber belts for holding the straws on the feed rollers 22 and 23, so that the straws can be dropped to appropriate positions on the straw conveying device 10 and can be cut with knives 25 and 26. . Further, reference numerals 29 and 29 shown in FIG. 1 are straw storage containers, from which the inner and outer straws 1 and 2 are supplied to the feed rollers 22 and 23.

30 in the figure is a straw end forming device,
It is fitted onto a rotating shaft 31 that is rotatably supported on the machine frame downstream of the straw conveying device 10.

This straw end forming device 30 includes a straw holding drum 32, inner straw forming molds 33, 33, . 34, 34... and a straw fixing device 35 consisting of an endless rubber belt.

As shown in the figure, the straw holding drum 32 is made up of three discs, each of which has a number of concave grooves formed on its outer circumferential surface to receive the straws. Transferred from the transport device 10. Then, the rubber belt of the straw fixing device 35 is attached to the straw holding drum 3.
The holding positions of the inner and outer straws 1 and 2 held by the straws 2 are fixed.

The inner straw molding die 33 has a conical tip 36 to enlarge the diameter of the proximal end of the inner straw 1, and there are dimensional regulations around the conical shape 36 to limit the maximum diameter of the enlarged proximal end of the inner straw 1. A tube 36' is provided. The outer straw molding die 34 has a recess 37 that fits into the end of the outer straw 2 so as to reduce the diameter of the tip of the outer straw 2, and also has a recess 37 at the center thereof that regulates the minimum diameter of the reduced diameter portion. A core 37' for size regulation is provided. These inner and outer straw molding molds 33 and 34 are connected to the straw holding drum 3.
The straw holding drum 32 rotates in synchronization with the rotation of the straw holding drum 32. These molds 33 and 34 are heated by electric heaters to facilitate molding of straws. In the figure, reference numerals 38, 38, . . . are immovable cam members, and the cam follower 39' of the actuating piece 39 for the straw molding molds 33, 34 is brought into pressure contact with the cam surface of the cam members. The tips 36 and 37 of the straws are adapted to engage and disengage from the ends of the inner and outer straws 1 and 2. That is, the ends of the inner and outer straws 1 and 2 are shaped when engaged, and the straws are opened when disengaged.

The ends of the straws 1 and 2 formed by the inner and outer straw forming molds 33 and 34 have, for example, the shapes shown in FIGS. 22 and 23, for example. That is, the outer straw 2
The end of the connecting portion with the inner straw 1 is reduced in diameter to form a reduced diameter portion 5, and the reduced diameter portion 5 is further extended by an appropriate length in the direction of extension of the inner straw 1 to form a tapered portion 6. has been formed. The inner diameter of this tapered part 6 is
The outer diameter of the inner straw 1 is made to substantially match the outer diameter of the inner straw 1 to such an extent that sliding movement of the inner straw 1 is not hindered. The diameter of the end of the inner straw 1 on the side where it is connected to the outer straw 2 is enlarged to form an enlarged diameter portion 7. The shape of the reduced diameter part and the enlarged diameter part shown in the drawings is a truncated cone shape, but it may be made to have a bell shape.

Further, numeral 40 in the figure is a stopper forming device for the outer straw 2, and in the illustrated embodiment, it is incorporated into the straw end forming device 30, but it is not necessarily incorporated into the straw end forming device 30. It may be provided at the final stroke position.

This stopper forming device 40 includes an operating piece 41 having a tip hook-shaped portion 42 that is pressed to form a stopper 8 near the tip of the outer straw 2.
and a cam member 43 that operates this actuating piece 41. As shown in FIGS. 12 to 15, the actuating piece 41 is pivoted 44 on the outer straw mold 34 so that its hooked end portion 42 is located facing the tip of the outer straw mold 34. The tip hook-shaped portion is normally kept in an expanded state by a spring 45, and is provided to perform differential movement with respect to the outer straw molding die against the expansion elasticity of a spring 46. When the cam member 43 pushes the inclined rear end 47 of the actuating piece 41, the tip hook-shaped portion 42
The stopper 8 is formed by narrowing it.

FIG. 16 shows another preferred embodiment of this stopper forming device, in which the actuating piece 41' is constituted by a linear spring, and its tip end hook-shaped portion 42' is formed by bending. It has a bulge 47' for cam operation, and a cam 43' which cooperates with this bulge 47' is disposed opposite to it. The supporting structure of the actuating piece 41' is made by bending its base end 48 at 90 degrees and forming a support hole 4 formed in the outer straw mold 34.
9 and is supported by a ring-shaped support metal 50. The actuating piece 41' is positioned in a vertical groove 51 or slit formed in the outer straw mold 34. With the configuration of this embodiment, by changing and adjusting the position of the tip hook-shaped portion 42', the stopper 8 can be positioned at the reduced diameter portion or the main body portion close to it. In the illustrated embodiment, the barbed tip 42'
Although this is a two-stage bending structure, this may be a one-stage bending structure with a tapered tip, and in this case, the stopper 8 formed on the straw will be dot-shaped. .

In the figure, numeral 52 denotes a straw dispensing device for conveying the straw whose end has been formed by the straw end forming device 30, and is constructed of a threaded rod like the straw conveying device 10.

The threaded rods 53, 53 and 54 are composed of three pieces as shown in FIGS. 17 to 21,
The two threaded rods 53, 53 on both sides are configured with grooves and rotations as shown by the arrows in the figure so that the straw advances in the direction of a guide wall 55 provided parallel to the rods.
The threaded rod 54 extending in the middle is also restricted to groove and rotate in the opposite direction, as indicated by the arrow in the figure.

In this straw dispensing device 52, a complete insertion device 60 for the inner and outer straws 1 and 2 and a proximal diameter reducing device 70 for the outer straw are arranged.

On the three screwed rods 53 and 54 constituting this straw dispensing device, there is a rotating rod 5 parallel to the three screwed rods 53 and 54.
6 and 57 are provided, and these are rotated in the directions of the arrows in FIGS. 18 to 21 to insert a complete insertion device 60 and an outer straw proximal diameter reduction device 70, respectively.
A screw roller or a jump prevention roller, which will be described later, is provided at the position.

The straw complete insertion device 60 includes a timing belt 61 that circulates at the same speed as the straw, and a straw flip-up prevention roller 62 positioned on the timing belt 61 side.
Screw roller 63 fixed to intermediate rotating rod 57
and these blocking rollers 62 and screw rollers 63
It consists of a screw roller 64 provided on the rotating rod 56 on the side of the guide wall 55 located slightly downstream. That is, here, as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the outer straw is sent to the timing belt 61 side, and the inner straw is pulled out to the guide wall 55 side.

Next, the proximal diameter reducing device 70 of the outer straw has a large number of forming recesses 72 at equal intervals on the outer periphery, a heat forming disk 71 that rotates about a central axis 73, and a position facing this disk 71. A screw roller 74 is fixed to the intermediate rotating rod 57, and straw flip-up prevention rollers 75, 75 are fixed to the rotating rods 56, 56 on both sides.
The screw roller 74 and the screw rod 5
4, the outer straw 2 is moved toward the disk 71, and its base end is pushed into the molding recess 72 to reduce its diameter.

A screw roller 76 is provided downstream of the blocking roller 75 on the disk 71 side to return the outer straw, and a blocking roller 77 is also provided downstream of the blocking roller 75 on the opposite side.

The operation of the double straw manufacturing machine of the present invention constructed as described above will be explained below.

The materials of the inner straw 1 and outer straw 2 are:
It is supplied to straw storage containers 29,29. In this embodiment, since the double straws are manufactured in two rows, the length of the straw material is equal to the length of two straws. This straw storage container 29,2
The straw material supplied to the feed roller 9 is continuously supplied to the feed rollers 22 and 23, and the straw material is cut approximately in half during the rotation of the feed rollers 22 and 23. Since the knife 25 provided on the feed roller 22 for the inner straw 1 is attached diagonally, the end of the inner straw 1 is cut diagonally to form the sharp portion 3 during this cutting. As the feed rollers 22 and 23 rotate, the inner and outer straws 1 and 2 are fed to the straw conveying device 10, respectively.

The inner and outer straws 1 and 2 supplied to the straw conveying device 10 are inserted during their conveyance.

In this embodiment, in the lower manufacturing row in FIG. 4, the threaded grooves 12, 12... are formed in a left-handed manner, and the threaded rods 11, 11... rotate clockwise in FIG. 10. When the threaded rods 11, 11... rotate, the inner straw 1 and the outer straw 2 placed thereon move in the direction of the arrow in FIGS. 4 and 7. The inner straw 1 has a sharpened portion 3 formed by cutting the end portion diagonally with a knife 25, and the feed roller 22
The threaded rod body 1
1, 11... and the feed roller 23 supplies the outer straw 2 to an appropriate position on the downstream side thereof. The inner straw 1 moves in the direction of the arrow mark in FIGS. 4 and 7, and finally its end abuts against the stop plate 13, after which it moves straight along the stop plate 13. Since the outer straw 2 is supplied downstream from the placement position of the inner straw 1, it is conveyed obliquely to the inner straw 1 which is already moving straight along the stop plate 13, and the inner straw 1 This will cause a collision. However, since the inner straw 1 is being pushed into the threaded grooves 12, 12..., it is rotating itself, and after the sharp part 3 is positioned inside the inner peripheral surface of the outer straw 2, the outer straw 2 is inserted into the inner straw 1.

The principle of inserting the inner and outer straws 1 and 2 is as follows. That is, when inserting the inner straw 1 into the outer straw 2, if the sharp portion 3 is located inside the inner peripheral surface of the outer straw 2, it can be easily inserted by simply pushing the inner and outer straws 1. . This is because the slope portion 4 on which the sharp portion 3 is formed is guided by the inner edge of the outer straw 2. On the contrary, if the sharp part 3 is not positioned inside the inner peripheral surface of the outer straw 2 and the inner straw 1 is pushed in, the slope part 4 will be guided by the outer edge of the outer straw 2. , the inner straw 1 cannot be inserted. However, even if the sharp portion 3 is not positioned inside the inner circumferential surface of the outer straw 2, the outer diameter of the inner straw 1 is smaller than the inner diameter of the outer straw 2, so If the inner straw 1 is rotated by an appropriate angle, the sharp portion 3 will always be located inside the inner peripheral surface of the outer straw 2. Therefore, a double straw can be assembled by inserting the straw while rotating either the inner or outer straw.

A straw swinging member 14 is provided so that the end of the outer straw 2 is guided by the straw swinging member 14 when the outer straw 2 is positioned near the position where it contacts the inner straw 1. It is set as. While the end of the outer straw 2 is guided by the straw swinging member 14, the insertion side end of the outer straw 2 moves up and down slightly, so that the inner and outer straws 1 and 2 can be inserted. It's easy. In this embodiment, in order to swing the outer straw 2, the straw swinging member 14 is provided in the middle of the transport path of the outer straw 2, but it may be provided in the middle of the movement path of the inner straw 1.

The outer straw 2 inserted into the inner straw 1 is
After the end of the straw comes into contact with the outer straw stop plate 16 provided in the middle of the straw conveying device, the insertion does not progress and the insertion position into the inner straw 1 is maintained. Then, while maintaining this position, the straw is transferred to the straw holding drum 32 of the straw end forming device 30.

The straw sent to the straw end forming device 30 is entrusted to the rotation of the straw holding drum 32,
During the rotation, the inner and outer straw molding molds 33 and 34 are guided by the cam members 38, 38, . The end portions are engaged with each other to expand and contract the diameters of the end portions, respectively. In this case, since the positions of the inner and outer straws 1 and 2 are fixed by the straw fixing device 35, the above-mentioned end portions can be formed smoothly.

The ends formed by this straw end forming device 30 are as shown in FIGS. 22 and 23. Therefore, the enlarged diameter portion 7 of the inner straw 1
Due to the engagement between the inner straw 1 and the reduced diameter part 5 of the outer straw 2, the inner straw 1 does not fall off from the outer straw 2 when the straw is extended, and the inner straw 1 is held by the tapered part 6 of the outer straw 2. Therefore, the inner and outer straws 1 and 2 are not bent at their joints.

At the same time, the stopper forming device 40 also operates, and as shown in the order of FIGS. The stoppers 8, 8 are automatically formed near the tip of the outer straw.

As shown in the upper part of FIG. 17, the straw sent out in this manner is in a state in which the inner straw is not fully inserted into the outer straw, and in the subsequent transfer, it is inserted to the extent shown in the figure. When this straw reaches the position of the fully inserted device 60, the outer straw is first advanced towards the timing belt 61 by a screw roller 63 as shown in FIG. 18, and then by the same screw roller as shown in FIG. 64, the inner straw is pulled out from the outer straw (FIG. 17 upper position state).

The straws sent sequentially in this way are
7, the position of the proximal diameter reducing device of the outer straw is reached. Here, as shown in Figure 20,
Under the action of the screw roller 74, the outer straw is transferred towards the thermoforming disc 71 and its proximal end is pushed into the molding recess 72. Then, the diameter of the base end of this outer straw is reduced (as shown in the upper state of FIG. 17). Then, when it is further fed, the screw roller 76
As a result, the outer straw is fed as shown in FIG. 21, and reaches the upper position in FIG. 17, and the double straw is completed and sent out.

(Effects of the Invention) As described above, the double straw manufacturing machine of the present invention includes a straw conveying device, a straw feeding device that supplies inner and outer straws to the straw conveying device at appropriate intervals, and a straw feeding device that supplies inner and outer straws to the straw feeding device at appropriate intervals. A straw end forming device located downstream that expands the diameter of the joint side end of the inner straw and reduces the diameter of the joint side end of the outer straw, and a stopper molding device that molds a stopper located near the tip of the outside straw. A double straw having a device, a complete insertion device that fully inserts the inner straw into the outer straw and pulls out the tip of the inner straw from the tip of the outer straw, and a proximal diameter reducing device that further reduces the diameter of the proximal end of the outer straw. Since this is a manufacturing machine, there is a stopper that prevents the inner straw from returning when the inner straw is fully pulled out from the outer straw, and a diameter-reduced portion is also formed on the proximal end of the outer straw. This device allows straws to be mass-produced mechanically and automatically, and has the effect of successfully achieving the intended purpose.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

The drawings show preferred embodiments of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of the double straw manufacturing apparatus of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a plan view thereof, and FIG. 3 is a front view of main parts; Figure 4 is a plan view, and Figures 5 and 6 explain the principle of inserting the straw.
It cannot be inserted in the state shown in FIG. 5, but it can be inserted in the state shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is an enlarged plan view of the main part, and FIG. 8 is a cutaway front view of the main part. Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line - in Figure 7, Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line -, and Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XI-XI in Figure 4, showing a portion of it. 12 to 15 are explanatory diagrams showing in detail the operating sequence of the main parts of the straw end forming device and the stopper forming device, and FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing another preferred stopper forming device. FIG. 17 is a partial sectional view showing the embodiment, and a plan view showing the straw dispensing device, the complete insertion device, and the proximal end diameter reducing device of the outer straw, and also shows the state of the straw at each position. . 18th
The figure is a partially cutaway side view in the upper position of Fig. 17, Fig. 19 is a partially cutaway side view in the same position, Fig. 20 is a partially cutaway side view in the same position, and Fig. 21 is in the same position. Some partially cutaway side views, FIGS. 22 and 23, show a telescopic double straw manufactured by the double straw manufacturing machine of the present invention.
The figure shows a diagram in a contracted state, and FIG. 23 shows a cross section in an expanded state. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10... Straw conveyance device, 20, 21... Straw supply device, 30... Straw end forming device, 40... Stopper forming device, 60... Complete insertion device, 70... Outer straw proximal diameter reduction device .

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A straw conveying device that feeds straws at regular intervals, a straw feeding device that feeds inner and outer straws to the straw feeding device at appropriate intervals, and a straw feeding device that is located downstream of the straw feeding device and that is located on the joint side of the inner straw. a straw end forming device that expands the diameter of the end and reduces the diameter of the joint side end of the outer straw;
A stopper forming device that forms a stopper provided near the tip of the outer straw; a complete insertion device that fully inserts the inner straw into the outer straw and pulls out the tip of the inner straw from the tip of the outer straw; A double straw manufacturing machine characterized by having a proximal diameter reducing device that reduces the diameter.