JPH11100010A - Container post-processing equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Problem] To perform each processing of drainage, washing, and drying without stopping the flow of the line, and minimize the number of times of container transfer,
Ensuring transport reliability. SOLUTION: The present invention relates to a post-processing apparatus 1 for performing each processing of drainage, washing, and drying on a container 8 after immersion in a chemical solution, the intermittent operation of the post-treatment device after immersion in a fixed receiving position A. Conveyor means 2 for sequentially receiving the containers 8 and fast-forwarding during the intermittent operation, dividing the received containers 8 into a plurality of groups, and transferring the groups of containers to different processing positions C ₁ and C _2; Provided at positions C ₁ and C ₂ ,
At each of the processing positions C ₁ and C ₂ , a group of containers is received from the conveyor means 2, a nozzle 21 is inserted into each of the containers 8, a different type of fluid is ejected, and a plurality of processes for executing the above-described processes different for each processing position. Means 31, 32a, 32b and 32c.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a container post-processing apparatus for performing predetermined post-processing on a container after immersion in a chemical solution.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A steam sterilization method for steaming a container with steam is used for sterilizing a container for accommodating medicines and foods.
For sterilization of a container made of a heat-sensitive material such as ET (polyethylene terephthalate), a method of immersing the container in a hydrogen peroxide solution or irradiating the container with radiation is used.

[0003] When a container made of a heat-sensitive material such as PET is sterilized by a steam sterilization method, the container is deformed, which is inappropriate. In the case of sterilization using a hydrogen peroxide solution, hydrogen peroxide may be adsorbed and remained in a PET container or the like, and if the container is used as it is, it is harmful to the human body. Further, in the case of sterilizing the container using radiation, there is a problem that the equipment scale becomes large and personnel and equipment specialized in radiation management are required.

Accordingly, the present applicant has previously proposed a container sterilization method and apparatus using ozone water (Japanese Patent Application No. 9-60742).
issue).

[0005] This involves holding a plurality of molded plastic containers in an aligned state, inserting a nozzle into those containers,
The container is filled with ozone water as a chemical from the nozzle, and the containers are immersed in ozone water to sterilize the inner and outer surfaces of the container. Especially when the mouth of the container is small, such as an eye drop container, it is often the case that ozone water does not penetrate into the container simply by immersing the container in ozone water due to surface tension. If the nozzle is forcibly filled with ozone water in advance, the inner surface of the container can be completely sterilized.

[0006] After that, the container is kept in the aligned state, and then enters a draining / cleaning / drying process, in which the discharge of the internal ozone water, the cleaning with pure water, and the drying with hot air are sequentially performed. Thus, the container is sterilized, washed and dried, and the contents can be stored.

The chemical can be other than ozone water.
For example, if a disinfecting solution is used, the container can be disinfected.

[0008]

Incidentally, it is necessary to carry out these series of processes continuously on a line, and the post-treatment of the container after immersion in ozone water is no exception. On the other hand, as for this post-processing, there is a method in which a container is delivered to a processing device in the process of transporting the container, and the container is processed. At this time,
Three types of treatment, such as drainage, washing, and drying, must be performed. At this time, care must be taken so that the number of containers delivered does not increase unnecessarily. This is because, as the number of times of delivery increases, the handling error is cumulatively increased and the reliability of conveyance is reduced, while the overall processing time is prolonged as the delivery time is increased. On the other hand, since each process requires a certain amount of time, some measures are required to perform this process without stopping the flow of the line during the conveyance.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a post-processing apparatus for performing each of the processes of draining, washing, and drying a container after immersion in a chemical solution, wherein the container is immersed in a fixed receiving position by an intermittent operation. Conveyor means for sequentially receiving the subsequent containers, fast-forwarding during the intermittent operation, dividing the received containers into a plurality of groups and transferring the container groups to different processing positions, provided at each processing position, A plurality of processing means for receiving a group of containers from the conveyor means at a processing position, inserting a nozzle into each container, ejecting different kinds of fluids, and executing the above-described processing different for each processing position.

[0010] According to this, the conveyor means repeats the predetermined intermittent operation and rapid feed, divides the containers into a plurality of groups, and transfers the groups of containers to different processing positions. Thereafter, processing means provided at each processing position receives the transferred container group and performs predetermined processing. Because the conveyor means is fast-forwarded, the conveyor means may have empty portions, which can increase processing time and prevent the flow of containers from stopping. In other words, when a processed container is delivered so as to fill the empty portion when the empty portion comes, the processed container is always positioned at the discharging position of the conveyor means, and continuous discharging can be performed.

[0011] Here, the conveyor means is N-1 (N
(N is a natural number) It is preferable that between the Nth and the Nth intermittent operations, the stroke is fast-forwarded by a stroke corresponding to the N intermittent operations.
Further, it is preferable that the processing means comprises a drainage cleaning processing means for jetting a cleaning liquid from the nozzle and a drying processing means for jetting a dry gas from the nozzle. Further, the conveyor means preferably has a buffer function for temporarily storing the container.

[0012]

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a post-processing apparatus according to the present invention. As shown, a post-processing apparatus 1 includes a chain conveyor 2 as conveyor means and processing apparatuses 31, 32a, 32b and 32c as a plurality of processing means. And The chain conveyor 2 has a conveyor frame 4 that is long in one direction,
A pair of sprockets 5 are provided near both ends of the conveyor frame 4. The endless chain 6 is wound around these sprockets 5, and the endless chain 6 is turned counterclockwise (in the direction of the arrow) in the figure by a driving device (not shown).
It is designed to be driven in circulation.

A plurality of gripper mechanisms 7 (gripper means) are attached to the chain 6 of the chain conveyor 2 at equal intervals L. The gripper mechanism 7 includes a plurality of pairs of pawls 7a that can be opened and closed.
(See FIG. 2), and a plurality of containers 8 can be simultaneously attached and detached with these claws 7a. That is, the gripper mechanism 7 includes a pair of claws 7a for attaching and detaching one container 8 from its thickness direction, and a plurality of pairs of claws 7a for aligning one container 8 in the sheet thickness direction (cross-chain direction). Can be simultaneously attached and detached.

The container 8 is, specifically, an eye drop container as shown in FIG. 2, which is a relatively small plastic container having a small-diameter neck portion 9 and a storage portion for contents (eye drops). It is integrally formed with the body part 10 to be formed. The neck 9 defines the mouth of the container 8, but has a small diameter,
Therefore, when a fluid such as ozone water (chemical solution) is to be put into the container 8, it is necessary to insert a nozzle. The gripper mechanism 7 described above uses a pair of claws 7 a to hold the body 10 of the container 8.
From the bottom side.

As shown in FIG. 1, transfer devices 11 and 12 are provided above both ends of the chain conveyor 2 in the longitudinal direction. The transfer device 11 shown on the left is for supply, and the transfer device 12 shown on the right is for payout. These transfer devices 11 and 12
Is provided with the same gripper mechanisms 13 and 14 as described above that can move up and down and move horizontally while holding the neck 9 of the container 8. These gripper mechanisms 13 and 14 can also attach and detach one row of containers 8 at the same time. That is, the ozone water sterilization system sequentially performs line processing for each row of containers 8 including the post-processing step. Gripper mechanism 1 of supply transfer device 11
3 moves the container 8 after the ozone water immersion from the ozone water sterilization process on the left side of the figure, and transfers the container 8 to the gripper mechanism 7 (labeled 1 ) at the supply position A after descending.
In addition, the gripper mechanism 14 of the transfer device 12 for receiving receives the container 8 from the gripper mechanism 7 (labeled 31 ) at the discharging position B, moves up to the right after drawing, and moves to the right outside the figure to perform the content filling process. Hand over container 8 to

The processing devices 31, 32a, 32b and 32c are provided below the chain conveyor 2 at appropriate intervals, and while the container 8 is being conveyed from the supply position A to the discharge position B, the containers 8 are drained, washed and cleaned. Perform each drying process. That is, the processing device 31 on the uppermost stream side simultaneously drains and cleans the container 8 with pure water as a cleaning liquid, and functions as a drainage cleaning processing means. Further, three processing devices 32 on the downstream side thereof
a, 32b, and 32c perform drying of the container 8 with air that is a dry gas, and function as a drying processing unit.

Each of these processing devices 31 has a plurality of nozzles 20 arranged in a row in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor. As shown in FIG. 2, the nozzle unit 20 has an upward nozzle 21. The nozzle 21 is inserted into the mouth of the container 8 in an inverted state, and the above-mentioned various fluids are ejected. In addition, the nozzle unit 20 has a neck gripper 22 for receiving the container 8 coming above the nozzle 21. The neck gripper 22 has a pair of claws 23 that can be opened and closed by a rotation operation, and can be moved up and down. These nozzle 21 and a pair of claws 2
Reference numeral 3 denotes a plurality of rows arranged in the thickness direction of the paper so that processing and mounting / dismounting can be simultaneously performed on one row of containers 8.

In this case, (a) when the container 8 comes to the processing position as shown in the figure, the neck gripper 22 rises in the open state, and as shown in (b) the neck portion 9 of the container 8 is sandwiched therebetween. grab. Thereafter, the pawl 7a on the side of the chain conveyor 2 is opened and the container 8 is released, whereby the delivery of the container 8 is completed. Next, as shown in FIG. 4C, the neck gripper 22 descends while holding the container 8, and the nozzle 21 is inserted into the mouth of the container 8.

After the nozzle 21 is inserted in this manner, various fluids are ejected from the nozzle 21 to perform predetermined processing. That is, since ozone water is stored in the container 8 after immersion in ozone water and cannot be used for filling the contents as it is, it is necessary to discharge the ozone water, wash the inside of the container 8 and dry it. is there. In particular, the mouth of the container 8 is small,
Since natural discharge due to gravity cannot be expected even if the head is inverted,
Emissions must be compulsory.

First, ozone water drainage (drainage) and pure water, which is a cleaning liquid for cleaning, are ejected from the nozzle 21 of the processing apparatus 31 for a predetermined time. As a result, the ozone water in the container 8 is blown out from the gap between the mouth and the nozzle 21 and discharged, and at the same time, the inside of the container 8 is washed (rinsed) with pure water. On the other hand, aseptic air (warm air of about 40 ° C.), which is a dry gas, is blown out from the nozzles 21 of the processing devices 32a, 32b, and 32c for a predetermined time, whereby the inside of the container 8 is dried. Thus, the drainage, washing, and drying processes are performed on the container 8. After the processing, the neck gripper 22 rises while grasping the container 8 and delivers the container 8 to the empty gripper mechanism 7. Thus, the treated container 8
Is placed on the chain conveyor 2 and the payout position B described above is
Conveyed and paid out. The neck gripper 22
After the container 8 has been delivered, it descends as shown in FIG.
Wait open.

By the way, referring to FIG. 1, the chain conveyor 2 is adapted to sequentially transport the containers 8 by an intermittent operation. That is, the chain conveyor 2 operates by a stroke equal to the interval L of the gripper mechanism 7 every predetermined time t (here, 9 s), and moves the gripper mechanism 7 to 1 , 2 ,.
Stop only at each position marked with. Correspondingly, the interval between the nozzles 21 of the processing devices 31 is also equal to the interval L between the gripper mechanisms 7. In this device, N
o.1 position (the position marked with 1; the same applies hereinafter) is the supply position A, and No. 4 to 6 are the wastewater cleaning processing positions C ₁ , No. 13 to 15, No. 19 which are the first processing positions. 〜21, No.25〜27
The drying processing position C ₂ whose position is the second processing position,
The No. 31 position is the payout position B. The nozzle 21 is waiting at the processing positions C ₁ and C ₂ .

In particular, here, the chain conveyor 2 is fast-forwarded during the intermittent operation. That is, the operation of the chain conveyor 2 is specifically shown in FIG.
It is a time chart shown in FIG. As illustrated, first chain conveyor 2 receives a container 8 of the first column in the No.1 position at time t _1. After a lapse of a predetermined time t, the chain conveyor 2 operates by one position, and similarly receives the containers 8 in the second row at the No. 1 position.

Similarly, immediately after receiving the third row of containers 8 at time t ₃ , the chain conveyor 2 is rapidly advanced by a stroke corresponding to three positions. That is, the chain conveyor 2 operates for three positions within 1 / 2t of the normal time. This happens when time t _3.5 in the first column of the container 8 No.6
Position to the container 8 of the third column are transferred to the No.4 position, the container 8 of the received three rows is to be transported all the waste water cleaning position C ₁ corresponding to each. Immediately after this transfer, the processing device 31 receives the container 8 instantaneously.
The chain conveyor 2, operate one position in the remaining 1 / 2t, thereafter, receive the container 8 of the new first column at a time t ₄ No.1 position. The above is the basic operation of the chain conveyor 2, and the chain conveyor 2 repeats this basic operation.

The chain conveyor 2 repeats the receiving operation of the container 8 and the intermittent operation as before. On the other hand, during this time, the processing device 31 performs a drainage cleaning process on the received container 8. Here, by the above-described fast-forward operation and the subsequent operation for one position, an empty gripper mechanism 7 having no container 8 on the chain conveyor 2 is completed for three positions. Due to the intermittent operation of the chain conveyor 2, these empty portions advance one position at a time. And the first empty part is No.6
Immediately after the position is reached and the new first row of containers 8 reaches the No. 3 position (t ₆ ), the processing device 31 transfers the processed containers 8 to the empty gripper mechanisms 7 at the No. 4 to 6 positions. Hand over.

Thereafter, the chain conveyor 2 is fast-forwarded as before (time t _6.5 ). Then, the new three rows of containers 8 are transferred to the No. 4 to No. 6 positions, and the processing device 31 immediately receives these containers 8. By such an operation, the containers 8 are sequentially subjected to the drainage cleaning process with three rows as one group. And the supplied container 8 is 3
A column is divided into a plurality of groups with one group.

As such an operation is repeated,
The chain conveyor 2 alternates in units of three positions,
The part with and without the container 8 after the drainage cleaning process is completed. Then, when the time t _15.5 is reached, as shown in FIG.
It becomes just located above 2b, 32c.
When this happens, each of the processing devices 32a, 32b, and 32c immediately receives the container 8, and executes the above-described drying process on the container 8. At the same time, the drainage container 8 of the cleaning position C ₁ to 1 group is transported, again receives the container 8 by the processing device 31 is made, the waste water cleaning process is executed.

The drying process is performed until time t ₂₄ , and when the empty gripper mechanism 7 comes to the drying processing position C ₂ at time t ₂₄ , the container 8 is immediately transferred to these gripper mechanisms 7. At this time, before the drying processing position C ₂ container 8 group after draining the cleaning process is waiting.

Then, immediately after fast-forwarding at time t _24.5 ,
Drying processing position container 8 after C ₂ to come wastewater cleaning
The group is delivered to each of the processing devices 32a, 32b, and 32c, and is subjected to the drying process as described above. On the other hand, the containers 8 after the drying process are sequentially sent to the dispensing position B (No. 31 position), and are simply dispensed by the above-described dispensing transfer device 12 row by row at predetermined time intervals t.

As described above, in the chain conveyor 2, the supply and withdrawal of the container 8 at the simple supply position A and the withdrawal position B at every predetermined time t are performed. This is because the container 8 is sterilized at a predetermined time t in the preceding process, and the contents are filled into the container 8 at the predetermined time t also in the subsequent process. In order to prevent the flow of the container 8 from being stopped in such a line, the chain conveyor 2 is rapidly fed in the middle of the intermittent operation. Specifically, the chain conveyor 2, (eg, between the t ₃ and t ₄₎ N-1 (here, N = 3) th and during intermittent operation of the N-th,
It is fast-forwarded by a stroke corresponding to N intermittent operations (N positions). By this fast-forwarding, an empty portion can be created in the chain conveyor 2, and processing time can be saved while the empty portion is being sent. Specifically, in the case of the waste water cleaning processing, a processing time of 9 × 2 + 4.5 = 22.5 s can be saved. In the case of the drying treatment, since three groups (a total of nine rows) were treated simultaneously, a relatively long 9 × 8 +
4.5 = 76.5 s processing time is saved. After processing, a group of containers 8 may be collectively delivered to the empty portion so as to fill the empty portion, whereby the processed container 8 is always supplied to the dispensing position B, and continuous dispensing every predetermined time t is performed. It becomes possible. Thus, the smoothness of the line flow is sufficiently ensured.

On the other hand, the processing device 31 on the most upstream side simultaneously performs both drainage and cleaning by jetting pure water. This can be performed by washing with water after draining by air, but this requires the delivery of the container 8 separately from the processing apparatus. Therefore, if both processes are performed by one apparatus 31, the delivery of the container 8 becomes unnecessary, and the reliability of transportation can be improved by reducing the number of times of delivery.

In addition, in order to further reduce the number of times of transfer, one processing apparatus can cover all of the processing. Specifically, by switching the fluid supply source, water and air are sequentially transmitted from one nozzle. Although it is conceivable to cause ejection, the nozzle and the fluid passage in the apparatus are always in a wet state, and there is a possibility that the drying process cannot be performed sufficiently. In this apparatus, the processing device 31 for jetting water and the processing devices 32a, 32b, and 32c for jetting air are separated in advance.
Such a problem does not occur.

Further, in the present apparatus, the chain conveyor 2
Has a buffer function for temporarily storing the container 8. In other words, if a trouble occurs in the subsequent process and the container 8 cannot be dispensed, while the containers 8 are sequentially supplied from the previous process, the chain conveyor 2 is continuously circulated and the empty position is used. Container 8
Can be stored. In particular, if the container 8 is immersed in ozone water for an excessively long time, deterioration of the container 8 is not likely to occur. Therefore, storing the container 8 in this way is very convenient. Specifically, if the post-process stops due to trouble,
The dispensing transfer device 12 is stopped, and the receiving of the container 8 by the supply transfer device 11 is continued. By doing so, it is possible to prevent the whole line from being stopped due to a trouble in a post-process, and to execute a smooth line process. It is preferable that the number of empty positions is at least equal to or greater than the maximum number of processing rows in the previous process.

Other embodiments of the present invention are also conceivable. For example, the containers may be other than eye drops containers, and the containers may be processed and transported one by one instead of one row (plural). The chemical solution may be other than ozone water. For example, if a disinfecting solution such as hypochlorous acid, hydrogen peroxide solution, or disinfecting ethanol is used, post-treatment after disinfection is possible. The cleaning liquid and dry gas are not limited to pure water and sterile air as described above.

Here, it is assumed that N = 3, and each process and each operation are executed based on this number. However, the value of N can be appropriately changed as long as it is a natural number. Also in the front of the waste water cleaning position _{C 1 N × k (k =} 1,2, ..., this embodiment 1), is in front of the drying processing position C ₂ of the first one 2
It is possible to provide empty portions for N × 1 (1 = 1, 2,..., 1 in this embodiment) positions. However the front of the second and subsequent drying processing position C ₂ it is necessary to provide an empty portion of the N position min. Further, the drying processing position C ₂
It is possible to provide m units (m = 1, 2,..., 3 in this embodiment) with N units as one unit. N × n (n = 1, 2,..., 1 in the present embodiment) downstream of the last drying processing position C ₂ and upstream of the payout position B.
It is possible to provide an empty portion for the position.

[0036]

The present invention exhibits the following excellent effects.

(1) Drainage, washing, and drying can be performed without stopping the flow of the line.

(2) The number of times of transferring the container is reduced, and the reliability of transportation can be ensured.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a view showing a post-processing apparatus for a container according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view showing a configuration of a nozzle unit.

FIG. 3 is a time chart showing the operation of the chain conveyor.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 post-processing apparatus 2 chain conveyor 8 container 21 nozzles 31,32a, 32b, 32c processing apparatus A receiving position C ₁ the waste water cleaning position C ₂ drying processing position

Claims (4)

[Claims] Claims: 1. A post-processing device for performing each of draining, washing and drying processes on a container after immersion in a chemical solution, wherein the containers after immersion in the chemical solution are sequentially received at a fixed receiving position by an intermittent operation, Conveyor means which is fast-forwarded during the intermittent operation, divides the received containers into a plurality of groups, and transfers the container groups to different processing positions, and is provided at each processing position, and at each processing position, the conveyor means A post-processing device for a container, comprising: a plurality of processing means for receiving a group of containers, inserting a nozzle into each of the containers, ejecting different kinds of fluids, and executing the above-described processing that differs for each processing position. 2. The container according to claim 1, wherein the conveyor means is fast-forwarded by a stroke corresponding to N intermittent operations between N-1 (N is a natural number) and N-th intermittent operations. Processing equipment. 3. The post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said processing means comprises a drainage cleaning processing means for jetting a cleaning liquid from said nozzle, and a drying processing means for jetting a dry gas from said nozzle. . 4. The container post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said conveyor means has a buffer function for temporarily storing said containers.