JP2002166469A - Sheet feed apparatus and method for sheet molding machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent such a phenomenon that a resin sheet is damaged or hung down under its own weight to come into contact with a radiant heater to be burnt in a heating device. SOLUTION: The sheet feed apparatus for a sheet molding machine is equipped with the heating device arranged to the feed passage of the resin sheet 17 to heat the resin sheet 17, the right-hand and left-hand guide parts 33a and 33b in the heating device arranged on both sides of the feed passage in the heating device so that the guide parts on the side of the resin sheet 17 connect the guide parts of upstream guide parts 31a and 31b and the guide parts of downstream guide parts 32a and 32b and a holding member for holding both ends of the resin sheet 17, and has linear members 37a and 37b running along the guide parts. The guide parts 33a and 33b in the heating device can be regulated so that the interval between the guide parts on the side of the resin sheet changes non-linearly.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sheet feeding device and a sheet feeding method for a sheet forming machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a continuous resin sheet is formed,
2. Description of the Related Art In a resin sheet molding line for molding a resin molded product such as a container for storing foods, beverages, electric parts, daily necessities, medicines, and the like, and a lid (lid) of the container, the resin sheet is fed into a sheet molding machine. A sheet feeder is used.

[0003] The sheet forming machine is an apparatus for forming a molded product on the continuous resin sheet by a thermoforming method.
It is conveyed intermittently by the length required for forming a shot, and sent to the sheet forming machine. A trimming device is provided on the downstream side of the sheet forming machine in the conveying direction of the resin sheet. In the trimming device, the molded product is cut from the resin sheet, separated, collected, packed, packed in a box, and the like. Is sent to the post-process.

Here, the sheet feeding device includes a belt,
Numerous holding means such as pins and clips attached to a linear body such as a chain, guide means for a linear body composed of guide rails and pulleys arranged on the left and right along a resin sheet conveyance path, the wire Driving means for moving the body, etc.,
The holding means conveys the resin sheet while holding both side edges of the resin sheet.

On the other hand, a heating device is disposed on the upstream side of the sheet forming machine in the conveying direction of the resin sheet. In the heating device, the resin sheet is heated to a temperature suitable for forming, and is heated by the sheet forming machine. Sent in. The heating device generally has radiant heaters disposed above and below a resin sheet conveying path, and heats the resin sheet by radiant heat from the radiant heater.

The radiant heater is at a high temperature of about 500 to 600 ° C. during operation, and a large amount of radiant heat is applied to the resin sheet. In extreme cases, it may burn off by contacting the radiant heater disposed immediately below. Further, even if the resin sheet does not contact the radiant heater, if the resin sheet is sent to the sheet forming machine in a hanging state, wrinkles (wrinkles) occur in the resin sheet during molding, and molding defects occur. .

In view of the above, the guide means of the sheet feeder is provided so that the distance between the left and right guide means is increased from the entrance side to the exit side of the heating apparatus in a predetermined range in the heating apparatus. As the sheet is conveyed, both ends of the resin sheet are pulled in the width direction by the holding means.

Therefore, the resin sheet is heated and softened by receiving the radiant heat from the radiant heaters arranged vertically in the heating device, but is expanded in the width direction by being pulled in the width direction by the holding means. Therefore, it does not hang down due to its own weight (Japanese Patent Publication No. 59-23535, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-194923, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open
No. 8543).

[0009]

However, in the sheet feeding device of the conventional sheet forming machine, the distance between the left and right guide means linearly changes within a predetermined range in the heating device. May be damaged.

That is, on the upstream side of a predetermined range in the heating device in the resin sheet conveying direction, the left and right guide means are disposed in parallel, and the interval therebetween is constant. On the other hand, also on the downstream side of the predetermined range in the heating device in the conveying direction of the resin sheet, the left and right guide means are arranged in parallel and their intervals are constant, Is getting wider. Then, in a predetermined range in the heating device, the left and right guide means are:
The path connecting the left and right guide means upstream and downstream of a predetermined range of the heating device is arranged in a straight line.

Here, the predetermined range corresponds to a range in which the resin sheet is heated and softened by receiving the radiant heat from the radiant heater in the heating device. It is prevented from hanging down by being pulled in the width direction by the holding means. Since the distance between the left and right guide means changes linearly, that is, linearly, the amount by which both ends of the resin sheet are pulled in the width direction by the holding means changes linearly. On the other hand, the change in the degree to which the resin sheet is heated and softened by receiving the radiant heat from the radiant heater is not necessarily linear.

That is, the total amount of heat received from the radiant heater by the resin sheet is known, and the degree of softening of the resin sheet that has received a certain amount of heat can be easily known based on the material and dimensions of the resin sheet. So you can
The distance between the left and right guide means provided downstream of a predetermined range in the heating device in the resin sheet conveyance direction can be appropriately determined. However, the amount of heat applied to the resin sheet at which it begins to soften greatly varies depending on the material and dimensions of the resin sheet. Further, since the resin sheet is intermittently conveyed and repeatedly stopped and advanced in the heating device, the relationship between the degree of increase in the amount of heat received by a certain portion of the resin sheet and the amount of conveyance is not linear. Therefore, in a predetermined range in the heating device, the relationship between the degree of softening of the resin sheet and the transport amount is not linear but extremely complicated.

Accordingly, since the amount of pulling in the width direction by the holding means on both side edges of the resin sheet changes linearly, the amount by which both side edges of the resin sheet are pulled in the width direction by the holding means softens the resin sheet. At a location larger than the degree, the resin sheet may be damaged. On the other hand, at locations where both ends of the resin sheet are pulled in the width direction by the holding means are smaller than the degree of softening of the resin sheet, the resin sheet hangs down by its own weight and contacts the radiant heater disposed immediately below. May burn.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems of the sheet feeding device of the conventional sheet forming machine, and comprises:
The path of the guide means connecting the guide means arranged on the upstream side and the guide means arranged on the downstream side of the heating device can be adjusted so that the path is non-linear. A sheet feeding device of a sheet forming machine in which the resin sheet is not damaged by the amount pulled in the width direction by the holding means, or the resin sheet hangs down by its own weight and does not contact the radiant heater disposed immediately below and burn. And a sheet feeding method.

[0015]

For this purpose, in a sheet feeder of a sheet forming machine according to the present invention, a guide portion on the resin sheet side is provided on both sides of a conveying path on an upstream side of a heating device for heating the resin sheet. The right and left upstream guide portions disposed so as to be spaced apart from each other, and the resin sheet side guide portions are parallel to each other on both sides of the downstream transport path of the heating device, and the upstream guide portion. The right and left downstream guides disposed so as to be spaced apart from a predetermined interval of the guides of the sections, and the resin sheet side guides on both sides of the conveying path in the heating device, The right and left heating device guide portions disposed so as to connect the guide portion of the upstream guide portion and the guide portion of the downstream guide portion, and holding means for holding both ends of the resin sheet; Side guide, downstream A linear body that runs along the guide section on the resin sheet side of the guide section and the guide section inside the heating device, wherein the guide section inside the heating device is such that the interval between the guide sections on the resin sheet side changes nonlinearly. It is adjustable.

In another aspect of the present invention, the plurality of guide members are arranged so as to be adjustable in the width direction of the resin sheet.

In the sheet feeding method of the sheet forming machine according to the present invention, the right and left upstream guide portions are provided on both sides of the conveying path on the upstream side of the heating device so that the guide portions on the resin sheet side have a predetermined interval. Are disposed on both sides of the conveyance path on the downstream side of the heating device so that the guide sections on the resin sheet side are parallel to each other, and at a wider interval than the predetermined interval between the guide sections of the upstream guide section. Right and left downstream guides are provided, and both sides of the conveyance path in the heating device are arranged such that the guides on the resin sheet side connect the guides on the upstream guide and the guides on the downstream guide. The right and left heating unit guides are disposed in the right and left heating unit guides, and the intervals between the resin sheet side guides of the right and left heating unit guides are changed nonlinearly.

In another sheet feeding method of a sheet forming machine according to the present invention, the position of the plurality of guide members of the guide unit in the heating device in the width direction of the resin sheet is adjusted.
The intervals between the guide sections on the resin sheet side of the guide sections in the right and left heating devices are changed non-linearly.

In a sheet feeding method for a sheet forming machine according to another embodiment of the present invention, the distance between the guides on the resin sheet side of the guides in the right and left heating units may be further increased on the upstream side in the heating unit. Vary linearly.

[0020]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a plan sectional view schematically showing a sheet feeder of a sheet forming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is a view taken along the line AA of FIG. 2, and FIG. FIG. 2 is a side sectional view schematically showing a sheet feeding device of the sheet forming machine.

In the figure, reference numeral 10 denotes a heating device, and a continuous resin sheet 17 stores foods such as cup noodles (skin), sashimi, jelly, drinks such as fruit juice, carbonated water, electric parts, daily necessities, medicines and the like. Container, a resin sheet molding line for molding a resin molded article 18 such as a lid of the container,
The resin sheet 17 is disposed on the upstream side of the sheet forming machine 20 in the resin sheet conveying direction, and is heated to a temperature suitable for forming the resin sheet 17 fed into the sheet forming machine 20.

The resin sheet 17 according to the present embodiment
May be any, for example, P
VC (polyvinyl chloride), PS (polystyrene), expanded polystyrene, PP (polypropylene), PE (polyethylene), PET (polyethylene terephthalate), P
C (polycarbonate), ABS resin, methacrylic resin, biodegradable resin and the like are used. In addition, a sheet in which a plurality of types of resins are laminated can be used in consideration of water resistance, gas barrier properties, and the like.

The sheet forming machine 20 is provided with a resin sheet 1 by a thermoforming method such as vacuum forming, pressure forming, draw forming, press forming and matched mold forming.
7. An upper mold 21 having a plurality of, for example, 4 × 2 rows of male dies, and a lower mold 23 having a plurality of female dies corresponding to the male dies. Consists of The upper mold 21 may have a female mold, and the lower mold 23 may have a male mold. Here, the upper mold 21 and the lower mold 23 include an upper mold driving device 22 and a lower mold driving device 24.
The resin sheet 17 is moved downward and upward respectively, and the resin sheet 17 is clamped by a male mold and a female mold, and a molded article 18 is formed on the resin sheet 17. In addition, the resin sheet 17 is intermittently conveyed, and the sheet forming machine 2
The male and female molds of 0 are stopped when the mold is clamped. When the male mold and the female mold perform one-time clamping, that is, when the sheet molding machine 20 performs a one-shot molding operation, a plurality of, for example, 4 (pieces) are formed on the resin sheet 17. × 2 (row) = 8 (pieces) molded product 1
8 is molded.

The heating device 10 is connected to the sheet forming machine 2.
However, in this case, since the temperature of the resin sheet 17 sent out from the heating device 10 is reduced, the heating device 10 and the sheet forming machine 20 may be disposed from the viewpoint of thermal efficiency. Are preferably arranged close to each other, and in the present embodiment, the common frame 13
Attached to.

The heating device 10 has an upper heater device 11 disposed above the resin sheet 17 transport path, and a lower heater device 12 disposed below the resin sheet 17 transport path. Here, the upper heater device 11 and the lower heater device 12 have an upper heater unit and a lower heater unit, respectively. Here, the upper heater unit and the lower heater unit are provided as a whole sheet heater by arranging a plurality of unit heaters including a sheathed heater, a porcelain heater, an infrared light bulb heater, and the like on the same surface. The resin sheet 17 is heated from above and below by radiation.

The sheathed heater, porcelain heater,
Which of the infrared bulb heaters etc. is selected
The heating temperature, the performance of the heater, the material of the resin sheet 17 and the like are taken into consideration. In general, when the resin sheet 17 is a PP, PE, PS, or ABS resin, a sheathed heater is selected. In the case of foamed polystyrene or a thick sheet, it is desirable to select a porcelain heater. The temperature of the upper heater unit and the lower heater unit is about 500 to 700 ° C. when the unit heater is a sheathed heater, and about 300 to 500 ° C. when the unit heater is a porcelain heater. It is desirable.

Further, a trimming device (not shown) is provided downstream of the sheet forming machine 20 in the resin sheet conveying direction. In the trimming device, the molded product 18 is cut from the resin sheet 17, separated, and collected. After that, it is sent to a post-process such as packaging and boxing.

The resin sheet 17 is composed of linear members 37a and 37b having a large number of holding means.
a and 37b, the sheet forming apparatus 2 is gripped at both ends by a sheet feeding device 30 having driving means (not shown) for moving the linear bodies 37a and 37b.
The sheet is intermittently conveyed by the length required for forming one shot of 0, and sent from the heating device 10 to the sheet forming machine 20. In the present embodiment, the linear member 37 is used.
a and 37b are composed of chains having clips as holding means (see Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 63-20664).
Other means such as a belt may be used. The guide means includes a guide member such as a width adjustment block, a rotating wheel, and the like.

Here, the sheet feeder 30 is arranged as shown in FIG.
As shown in the figure, a right side portion disposed on the right side of the resin sheet 17 in the transport direction and having an upstream guide portion 31a, a downstream guide portion 32a, and a guide portion 33a in a heating device, And a left side portion having an upstream guide portion 31b, a downstream guide portion 32b, and a guide portion 33b in the heating device.

In this case, the upstream guide portions 31a, 3a
1b is disposed on the upstream side of the heating device 10 in the conveying direction of the resin sheet 17, and the downstream side guide portion 32a,
32b is disposed downstream of the heating device 10 in the conveying direction of the resin sheet 17;
1a, 31b and a part of the downstream side guide portions 32a, 32b may be located in a region 16 to be described later corresponding to the heating device 10, as shown in FIG. The upstream guide portions 31a and 31b and the downstream guide portions 32a and 32b have guide surfaces as guide portions (not shown) for guiding the linear members 37a and 37b, respectively. 17 is formed on the opposite side.

The right side upstream guide portion 31a,
And the resin sheet 17 of the upstream side guide portion 31b of the left side portion
The guide surfaces on the sides are parallel to the center line of the resin sheet 17 in the transport direction, and are spaced a little wider than the width of the resin sheet 17.

Further, the downstream side guide portion 32a of the right portion,
And the resin sheet 17 of the downstream side guide portion 32b of the left side portion
The guide surfaces on the sides are also parallel to the center line of the resin sheet 17 in the transport direction. Further, the distance between the guide surface on the resin sheet 17 side of the downstream guide portion 32a in the right portion and the guide surface on the resin sheet 17 side of the downstream guide portion 32b in the left portion is determined by the resin of the upstream guide portion 31a in the right portion. The guide surface on the seat 17 side and the upstream guide portion 31 on the left side portion
The distance b is wider than the distance from the guide surface on the resin sheet 17 side.

Here, the guide portion 3 in the heating device in the right portion.
The guide surface 3a on the resin sheet 17 side connects the guide surface on the resin sheet 17 side of the upstream guide portion 31a on the right portion and the guide surface on the resin sheet 17 side of the downstream guide portion 32a, and the heating device on the left portion. The guide surface of the inner guide portion 33b on the resin sheet 17 side is the left side upstream guide portion 31b.
Guide surface on the resin sheet 17 side and the downstream side guide portion 32b
And the guide surface on the resin sheet 17 side.

Therefore, the guide surface on the resin sheet 17 side of the guide section 33a in the heating device on the right side and the guide surface on the resin sheet 17 side of the guide section 33b in the heating device on the left side are centered in the transport direction of the resin sheet 17. It is possible to incline in directions opposite to each other with respect to the line, and the guide surface on the resin sheet 17 side of the guide portion 33a in the heating device on the right side and the guide surface on the resin sheet 17 side of the guide portion 33b in the heating device on the left portion. The interval can be increased from upstream to downstream in the transport direction of the resin sheet 17.

The upstream guide portions 31a, 31
b is an upstream rotating wheel 35a, 35 comprising a pulley, a gear, etc.
b, and the downstream side guide portion 32a,
32b is also a downstream rotating wheel 36a composed of pulleys, gears, etc.
36b. Here, the upstream rotating wheel 3
5a, 35b and / or downstream rotating wheels 36a, 36b are rotated by a driving source such as a motor (not shown),
The upstream rotating wheels 35a and 35b and the downstream guide portion 32
The linear members 37a and 37b stretched between the members a and 32b are rotated.

The upstream guide portions 31a, 31b
Is provided on the upstream slide guide 14 with the resin sheet 17.
The guide surface of the right side upstream guide portion 31a on the side of the resin sheet 17 and the left side portion of the upstream side guide portion 31b on the side of the resin sheet 17 are slidably mounted in the width direction (vertical direction in FIG. 1). The distance from the guide surface can be adjusted. However, the guide surface on the resin sheet 17 side of the upstream side guide portion 31a on the right side and the resin sheet 17 on the upstream side guide portion 31b of the left side portion.
The side guide surfaces are kept parallel to each other.

Further, the downstream guide portions 32a, 32
b, the resin sheet 1 is attached to the downstream slide guide 15.
7, a gap between the guide surface of the downstream guide portion 32a in the right portion on the resin sheet 17 side and the guide surface of the downstream guide portion 32b in the left portion on the resin sheet 17 side. Is adjustable. However, the guide surface on the resin sheet 17 side of the downstream guide portion 32a on the right side and the guide surface on the resin sheet 17 side of the downstream guide portion 32b on the left side are kept parallel to each other.

The upstream guides 31a, 31b
The drive means (not shown) for sliding the downstream guide portions 32a and 32b in the width direction of the resin sheet 17 includes an actuator including a pneumatic cylinder device, a hydraulic cylinder device, a manual screw / nut device, and a screw / nut using a pulse motor. Although it is a device etc., any device may be used. Further, by the driving means for sliding, the upstream guide portion 31a of the right portion and the upstream guide portion 31b of the left portion, and the downstream guide portion 32a of the right portion and the downstream guide portion 32b of the left portion.
Are desirably linked so as to slide at equal distances in opposite directions to each other, but may be individually slid without being linked.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 16 denotes an area corresponding to the heating device 10, and reference numeral 25 denotes a sheet forming machine 2.
The area corresponding to 0 is shown.

Next, the configuration of the sheet feeding device 30 will be described in detail. Since the right and left portions of the sheet feeder 30 are symmetrical with respect to the center line of the resin sheet 17 extending in the conveying direction, only the right portion will be described below, and the left portion will be described. Is omitted.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view of the guide portion in the heating device according to the embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is an enlarged side view of the guide portion in the heating device in the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
6, FIG. 6 is a view taken along the line CC in FIG. 5, FIG. 7 is a view taken along the line DD in FIG. 5, and FIG. 8 is an enlarged view taken along the line EE in FIG.

In the drawing, reference numeral 41 denotes a common base plate of the guide portion 33a in the heating device, and both ends are connected to the upstream guide portion 31a and the downstream guide portion via an upstream rotation shaft 44 and a downstream rotation shaft 47, respectively. Each is rotatably attached to the portion 32a. The upstream rotation shaft 44
The downstream rotation shaft 47 is fixed to the upstream guide portion 31a and the downstream guide portion 32a, respectively. Furthermore, the location where the common base plate 41 is attached to the upstream rotation shaft 44 is a long hole, and allows the common base plate 41 to move in the transport direction (the left-right direction in FIG. 3) of the resin sheet 17.

On the common base plate 41, an upstream width adjusting block 42, which is a guide member for guiding the linear body 37a, is provided. Here, FIG.
And 4, the upstream width adjustment block 4
The second end of the resin sheet 17 on the upstream side in the transport direction is connected to the upstream guide portion 31 via the upstream rotation shaft 44.
a so as to be rotatable. The downstream end of the upstream width adjustment block 42 in the transport direction of the resin sheet 17 is rotatably attached to the upstream slide block 48 via the upstream slide rotation shaft 45.
In addition, as shown in FIG. 5, the upstream side slide rotation shaft 45 moves the resin sheet 1 on the common base plate 41.
7 is attached to the upstream slide block 48 that slides in the width direction (vertical direction in FIG. 3). Therefore, the upstream width adjustment block 42 uses the upstream rotation shaft 44 as a pivot to rotate the common base plate 4.
1. Swing over.

On the common base plate 41, a downstream width adjusting block 43, which is a guide member for guiding the linear body 37a, is provided. Here, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the downstream width adjustment block 43 is used.
The downstream end of the resin sheet 17 in the transport direction is
It is rotatably attached to the downstream guide portion 32a via a downstream rotation shaft 47. The upstream end of the downstream width adjustment block 43 in the transport direction of the resin sheet 17 is rotatably attached to the downstream slide rotation shaft 46. The downstream slide rotation shaft 46 is attached to a downstream slide block 49 that slides on the common base plate 41 in the width direction of the resin sheet 17 as shown in FIG. Therefore, the downstream width adjustment block 43 is provided with the downstream rotation shaft 4.
7 is pivoted on the common base plate 41.

Further, the upstream width adjustment block 42 and the downstream width adjustment block 4 on the common base plate 41
A plurality (for example, five) of intermediate width adjusting blocks 54, which are guide members for guiding the linear body 37a, are provided between the intermediate width adjusting block 54 and the intermediate member 3. Here, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, each of the intermediate width adjusting blocks 54 moves along the slide rail 59 fixed on the common base plate 41 on the common base plate 41 in the width direction of the resin sheet 17. Slide independently of each other. Since the intermediate width adjusting block 54 is regulated by the slide rail 59, it cannot move in the vertical direction in FIG.

On the side of the common base plate 41 opposite to the resin sheet 17, an upstream adjustment bolt support is provided at a position corresponding to the upstream slide block 48, the downstream slide block 49, and the intermediate width adjustment block 54. Plate 51, downstream adjustment bolt support plate 52
And the intermediate adjustment bolt support plate 53 are fixed respectively.

Here, the upstream adjustment bolt support plate 51 and the downstream adjustment bolt support plate 52 are formed with screw holes in which female threads are formed, and adjustment screw 55 is screwed into each of the screw holes. Are combined. On the other hand, the ends of the adjustment bolts 55 on the resin sheet 17 side are respectively attached to the upstream slide block 48 and the downstream slide block 49 so as to be rotatable and immovable in the axial direction. Therefore, the adjustment bolt 55
By rotating the upstream slide block 4
8 and the downstream slide block 49 can be moved in the axial direction of the adjustment bolt 55, that is, in the width direction of the resin sheet 17. The adjusting bolt 55 includes
It is desirable that a lock nut be screwed into a position sandwiching the upstream adjustment bolt support plate 51 and the downstream adjustment bolt support plate 52 so that the adjusted state can be maintained.

The intermediate adjustment bolt support plate 5
3 has a plurality of screw holes formed with female threads, and adjustment bolts 55 are screwed into the plurality of screw holes, respectively. On the other hand, the end of the adjustment bolt 55 on the resin sheet 17 side is rotatable with respect to the intermediate width adjustment block 54, and
Each is mounted immovably in the axial direction. Therefore, by rotating each adjustment bolt 55, the corresponding intermediate width adjustment block 54 is adjusted by the adjustment bolt 55.
, That is, in the width direction of the resin sheet 17 independently. It is desirable that a lock nut be screwed into each adjustment bolt 55 at a position sandwiching the intermediate adjustment bolt support plate 53 so that the adjusted state can be maintained.

The adjusting bolt 55 is manually rotated, but may be rotated by a rotary drive source such as a pulse motor. Further, instead of the adjusting bolt 55, an actuator having a shaft member that moves forward and backward, such as a pneumatic cylinder device or a hydraulic cylinder device, can be used.

Then, each intermediate width adjusting block 5
4 is a common base plate 41 as shown in FIG.
A slide base 61 slidably provided above, a chain guide 62 on the slide base 61, a top plate 64 on the chain guide 62, and the slide base 61, the chain guide 62 and the top plate 64 are connected and fixed to each other. It has a connecting bolt 67 to be connected. Further, a chain bottom guide 63 is fixed on the slide base 61 on both sides in FIG. 8, and an upper roller guide 65 is fixed below the top plate 64 on both sides in FIG. A chain fall prevention guide 66 is fixed to the slide base 61 on the resin sheet 17 side (the right side in FIG. 8).

Here, the linear member 37 in the present embodiment is used.
As shown in FIG. 8, a is composed of a chain in which a number of chain pieces 71 having rollers on the upper and lower sides are connected. The chain piece 71 has a lower clip member 74 protruding to one side and the lower clip. Each has an upper clip member 73 facing the member 74. Although the lower clip member 74 is fixed to the chain piece 71, the upper clip member 73 is fixed to the movable shaft 72 and can move up and down. Further, the movable shaft 72 is vertically movably inserted into a hole formed in the lower clip member 74 and is urged downward by a spring 75 in FIG. The clip member 73 is normally pressed against the lower clip member 74 by the force of a spring 75. Thus, the upper clip member 73 and the lower clip member 74 function as holding means for holding the end of the resin sheet 17.

The chain guide 62 is formed with a ridge and a ridge extending in the conveying direction of the resin sheet 17.
To guide the chains running in opposite directions along the transport direction of the chain. Further, the upper roller guide 65, together with one of the ridges, moves the upper roller of the chain piece 71 of the chain to the chain guide 62.
To prevent the chain piece 71 from coming off. Further, on the upper surface of the chain bottom guide 63, a concave streak extending in the transport direction of the resin sheet 17 is formed, so that the lower end of the chain piece 71 fits. Further, the chain overturn prevention guide 66 supports the side surface of the lower end of the movable shaft 72 from the resin sheet 17 side so that the chain piece 71 does not come off to the resin sheet 17 side.

Although the chain is not shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 for convenience of explanation, in FIGS. 6 and 7, the running state of the chain with respect to each intermediate width adjusting block 54 is easily understood. 3 shows the positions of the chain piece 71 and the movable shaft 72, and a part of the upper clip member 73.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the side surfaces of the chain guide 62 and the upper roller guide 65 are curved with respect to the direction in which the resin sheet 17 is conveyed. The width of the path of the roller on the upper side of the chain piece 71 constituted by the 65 side surfaces is wide at both ends (the left and right ends in FIGS. 6 and 7) of the intermediate width adjusting blocks 54 in the transport direction of the resin sheet 17. It is becoming. The same applies to the path of the lower roller of the chain piece 71 and the path of the lower end of the movable shaft 72.
Thus, even if the position of the adjacent intermediate width adjustment block 54 in the width direction of the resin sheet 17 is shifted, the chain piece 71 and the movable shaft 72 are moved in the conveyance direction of the resin sheet 17 of the respective intermediate width adjustment blocks 54. Since the chain does not catch at the end, the chain can run smoothly.

The sectional structures of the upstream width adjusting block 42 and the downstream width adjusting block 43 are almost the same as the sectional structure of the intermediate width adjusting block 54 shown in FIG. Guide 63,
The top plate 64, the upper roller guide 65, and the chain overturn prevention guide 66 have members having the same configuration. Then, at the downstream end of the upstream width adjustment block 42 and the upstream end of the downstream width adjustment block 43, the upper roller, the lower roller, and the lower end of the movable shaft 72 of the chain piece 71 The width of the passage is wider.

Therefore, the chain, which is the linear body 37a, is formed on the side of the resin sheet 17 side of the upstream width adjustment block 42, the downstream width adjustment block 43, and the intermediate width adjustment block 54 for guiding the linear body 37a. It travels along the envelope surface (the envelope in FIGS. 3, 6 and 7).

The sheet feeding device 30 of the sheet forming machine 20 has a control device (not shown). The control device has arithmetic means such as a CPU and an MPU, storage means such as a semiconductor memory and a magnetic disk, input means such as a mouse, a keyboard and a touch panel, display means such as a CRT and a liquid crystal display device, and an input / output interface. The operation of all or a part of the sheet feeding device 30 of the sheet forming machine 20 is generally controlled. The control device is not an independent device. For example, the control device is integrated with another control device as a part of a control device that controls devices such as a heating device 10, a sheet forming machine 20, and a trimming device in a resin sheet forming line. It can also be used.

Since the inside of the heating device 10 reaches a considerably high temperature, the sheet feeding device 30 of the sheet forming machine 20 is formed of a member made of a heat-resistant material, particularly in the region 16. There is a need.

Next, the operation of the sheet feeding device 30 of the sheet forming machine 20 having the above configuration will be described.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged plan view showing a first example of a guide section in the heating device according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10 is a second example of a guide section in the heating device according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is an enlarged plan view shown. 9 and 10, the positional relationship between the upstream width adjustment block 42, the downstream width adjustment block 43, and the intermediate width adjustment block 54 is shown.

First, in the resin sheet forming line, the resin sheet 17 is fed out from a device such as a feeding roll (not shown) arranged upstream (left side in FIG. 1) of the heating device 10 and fed into the sheet feeding device 30. It is. Then, in the sheet feeder 30, the resin sheet 17 is gripped at both ends by the upper clip member 73 and the lower clip member 74 as holding means for the linear members 37a and 37b, and is intermittently conveyed in the downstream direction. .

Here, the upper clip member 73 is normally pressed against the lower clip member 74 by the force of a spring 75, but when the upper clip member 73 passes through the upstream rotating wheels 35a, 35b of the upstream guide portions 31a, 31b. Then, the lower end of the movable shaft 72 is moved upward against a force of the spring 75 by a guide (not shown). Therefore, the upper clip member 73 is also moved upward, and separates from the lower clip member 74.

After the end of the resin sheet 17 enters between the upper clip member 73 and the lower clip member 74, the lower end of the movable shaft 72 is released from the guide, and the movable shaft 72 is moved by the force of the spring 75. Since it moves downward, the upper clip member 73 is also moved downward. Therefore, the end of the resin sheet 17 is gripped by the upper clip member 73 and the lower clip member 74. In this case, if a protrusion is provided on one surface of the upper clip member 73 and the lower clip member 74 and a recess corresponding to the protrusion is provided on the other surface, the protrusion cuts into an end of the resin sheet 17, so that the resin sheet 17 can be grasped more reliably.

Next, the upstream rotating wheels 35a, 35b and / or the downstream rotating wheels 36a, 36b are intermittently rotated by a driving source such as a motor (not shown), and the upstream rotating wheels 35a, 35b and the downstream Guide portions 32a, 32b
Are intermittently moved. In this case, the movement of the linear body 37a in the right part and the movement of the linear body 37b in the left part are synchronized. Thereby, the resin sheet 17 is intermittently conveyed toward the downstream side in the conveying direction. One stroke (stroke) of the intermittent movement of the linear bodies 37a and 37b generally corresponds to the conveying direction of the resin sheet 17 of the upper mold 21 and the lower mold 23 of the sheet forming machine 20. Slightly longer than the length of

The resin sheet 17 is heated by the heating device 1.
0 and is heated by receiving radiant heat from the upper heater device 11 and the lower heater device 12. The length of the resin sheet 17 in the conveying direction in the heating device 10 is about twice as long as one stroke of the intermittent resin sheet 17 conveyance.

Therefore, for example, the resin sheet 1 fed into the heating device 10 by the first intermittent conveyance is used.
7 is stopped and heated in a half area on the upstream side of the heating device 10 during a stop period following the first intermittent transfer,
By the second intermittent conveyance, the heating device 10 is fed to the downstream half area of the heating device 10, and during the stop period following the second intermittent conveyance, the heating device 10 stops at the downstream half of the heating device 10 and is heated. Heating device 1 by the third intermittent conveyance
After exiting from 0, the sheet is fed into the sheet forming machine 20 and clamped during a stop period following the third intermittent conveyance.

Here, the resin sheet 17 is heated by the heating device 1.
In the heating device, the heating device softens when heated within 0, but the heating device guide portion 33a on the right portion and the heating device guide portion 3 on the left portion.
The distance from 3b increases from upstream to downstream in the conveying direction of the resin sheet 17. Therefore,
The resin sheet 17 whose both ends are gripped by the upper clip member 73 and the lower clip member 74 as holding means for the linear bodies 37a, 37b running along the guides 33a, 33b in the heating device is pulled in the width direction. Therefore, it does not hang under its own weight.

In this case, the guide section 33a in the heating device is used.
As shown in FIG. 9, the resin sheet 1 of the upstream width adjustment block 42, the downstream width adjustment block 43, and the intermediate width adjustment block 54 for guiding the linear body 37a is in the state shown in FIG.
The envelope on the side of the seventh side is not linear. That is, although the inclination angle of the upstream width adjustment block 42 with respect to the center line of the resin sheet 17 is small, the downstream width adjustment block 43
Of the resin sheet 17 with respect to the center line is large.

Generally, in the upstream region in the heating device 10, the total amount of heat received by the resin sheet 17 from the upper heater device 11 and the lower heater device 12 is determined by the softening of the resin sheet 17. Hardly softens because it does not reach a certain amount. On the other hand, in the downstream region in the heating device 10, the sum of the heat amounts exceeds a certain amount, and the degree of softening of the resin sheet 17 increases rapidly.

Therefore, the upstream width adjustment block 4
2, the inclination angle of the resin sheet 17 with respect to the center line is reduced so that the amount of pulling the resin sheet 17 in the width direction in the upstream region in the heating device 10 is reduced, and the downstream width adjustment block is reduced. 43 resin sheets 1
The inclination angle of the resin sheet 17 with respect to the center line of the heating device 10 is increased so that the resin sheet 17 is pulled in the width direction in the latter half of the downstream region in the heating device 10.

In the first half of the downstream area in the heating device 10, it is determined that the degree of softening of the resin sheet 17 is not so large, and the resin on the envelope surface of the plurality of intermediate width adjusting blocks 54 is determined. The position of the intermediate width adjustment block 54 in the width direction of the resin sheet 17 is adjusted so that the inclination angle with respect to the center line of the sheet 17 becomes small. For example, the upstream width adjustment block 42 and the intermediate width adjustment block 54 are arranged on a straight line.

As described above, in the example shown in FIG. 9, the distance between the guide surfaces 33a and 33b on the resin sheet 17 side in the heating device changes nonlinearly.

Next, in response to a change in the material and dimensions of the resin sheet 17 or a change in molding conditions (for example, a mold having a different length is set), the upper heater device 11 and the lower heater device are changed. When the temperature of 12 or the transport speed of the resin sheet 17 is changed, the adjustment screw 55 is rotated to rotate the upstream slide rotation shaft 45, the downstream slide rotation shaft 46, and the plurality of intermediate width adjustment blocks 54. By adjusting the width direction position of any one of the resin sheets 17, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, the arrangement of the upstream width adjustment block 42, the downstream width adjustment block 43, and the intermediate width adjustment block 54 is changed. I do. For example, the intermediate width adjustment block 54 and the downstream width adjustment block 43 are arranged on a straight line.

The interval between the downstream guide portion 32a on the right portion and the downstream guide portion 32b on the left portion, and the interval between the upstream guide portion 31a on the right portion and the upstream guide portion 31b on the left portion are as follows. It can be adjusted as appropriate,
The case shown in FIG. 10 is the same as the case shown in FIG. Further, the intervals between the upstream width adjustment blocks 42 may be made parallel.

Further, in the case shown in FIG. 10, it is determined that the degree of softening of the resin sheet 17 in the first half of the downstream region in the heating device 10 is larger than that in the case shown in FIG. And a plurality of intermediate width adjustment blocks 5
4 so that the inclination angle of the envelope surface 4 with respect to the center line in the transport direction of the resin sheet 17 is larger than that shown in FIG.
The position of the intermediate width adjustment block 54 in the width direction of the resin sheet 17 is adjusted. It is determined that the resin sheet 17 hardly softens in the upstream area in the heating device 10 as in the case shown in FIG. 9, and the center of the resin sheet 17 of the upstream width adjustment block 42 is determined. The angle of inclination with respect to the line is reduced.

The inclination angle of the downstream width adjustment block 43 with respect to the center line of the resin sheet 17 is smaller than that shown in FIG. The amount of pulling 17 in the width direction is smaller than that in the case shown in FIG.

In this case, by turning the adjustment bolt 55,
By adjusting the position of each intermediate width adjustment block 54 in the width direction of the resin sheet 17, the inclination angle of the envelope surface of the plurality of intermediate width adjustment blocks 54 with respect to the center line of the resin sheet 17 is set to a desired angle. Can be.

As described above, also in the example shown in FIG. 10, similarly to the example shown in FIG. 9, the distance between the guide surfaces on the resin sheet 17 side of the guide portions 33a and 33b in the heating device changes nonlinearly. ing.

As described above, in this embodiment, the guides 33a and 33b in the heating device are
a, 37b, and an upstream width adjustment block 42, a downstream width adjustment block 43, and a plurality of intermediate width adjustment blocks 54. The upstream width adjustment block 42, the downstream width adjustment block 43, and the intermediate width adjustment block. The linear bodies 37a, 37 are formed along the envelope surface on the side surface of the resin sheet 17 on the side of 54.
b, and the distance between the guide surfaces on the resin sheet 17 on the right and left sides of the guides 33a and 33b in the heating device can be adjusted so as to change nonlinearly.

Accordingly, in the heating device 10, the amount by which both ends of the resin sheet 17 are pulled in the width direction by the upper clip member 73 and the lower clip member 74 can be appropriately adjusted.
The amount of pulling both side edges of the resin sheet in the width direction is larger than the degree of softening of the resin sheet 17 so that the resin sheet 1
7 is broken or the amount of pulling both side edges of the resin sheet 17 in the width direction is smaller than the degree of softening of the resin sheet 17, so that the resin sheet 17 hangs down by its own weight, and the lower heater device disposed immediately below 12 and does not burn.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can be variously modified based on the gist of the present invention, and they are not excluded from the scope of the present invention.

[0083]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, in the sheet feeding device of the sheet forming machine, the sheet feeding device is provided on both sides of the conveying path on the upstream side of the heating device for heating the resin sheet.
The right and left upstream guide portions, which are arranged so that the guide portions on the resin sheet side are spaced apart from each other, and the guide portions on the resin sheet side are parallel to each other on both sides of the conveyance path on the downstream side of the heating device. And, the right and left downstream guide portions disposed so as to be wider than a predetermined interval of the guide portions of the upstream guide portion, and resin on both sides of the conveyance path in the heating device. A guide section on the sheet side holds the right and left guide sections in the heating device arranged to connect the guide section of the upstream guide section and the guide section of the downstream guide section, and holds both ends of the resin sheet. Holding means,
A linear body that runs along the guide section on the resin sheet side of the upstream guide section, the downstream guide section, and the guide section in the heating device, wherein the guide section in the heating device includes a guide section on the resin sheet side. Can be adjusted so that the distance between the two changes nonlinearly.

In this case, in the heating device, the amount by which both ends of the resin sheet are pulled in the width direction by the holding means can be appropriately adjusted. The resin sheet is damaged by being larger than the degree of softening of the sheet, or the resin sheet sags by its own weight by the amount of pulling both side edges of the resin sheet in the width direction being smaller than the degree of softening of the resin sheet, It does not contact the lower heater device disposed immediately below and burn.

In a sheet feeding device of still another sheet forming machine according to the present invention, the plurality of guide members are arranged so as to be adjustable in the width direction of the resin sheet.

In this case, the distance between the guide surfaces on the resin sheet side can be finely adjusted.

In the sheet feeding method of the sheet forming machine according to the present invention, the right and left upstream guide portions are provided on both sides of the upstream conveying path of the heating device so that the guide portion on the resin sheet side has a predetermined interval. Are disposed on both sides of the conveyance path on the downstream side of the heating device so that the guide sections on the resin sheet side are parallel to each other, and at a wider interval than the predetermined interval between the guide sections of the upstream guide section. Right and left downstream guides are provided, and both sides of the conveyance path in the heating device are arranged such that the guides on the resin sheet side connect the guides on the upstream guide and the guides on the downstream guide. The right and left heating unit guides are disposed in the right and left heating unit guides, and the intervals between the resin sheet side guides of the right and left heating unit guides are changed nonlinearly.

In this case, the amount by which both side edges of the resin sheet are pulled in the width direction in the heating device can be appropriately adjusted, so that the amount by which both side edges of the resin sheet are pulled in the width direction becomes softer. The resin sheet is broken down by its own weight due to the amount by which the resin sheet is broken or the amount of pulling both side edges of the resin sheet in the width direction becomes smaller than the degree of softening of the resin sheet, and Does not come into contact with the lower heater device disposed in the lower heater and burn.

In the sheet feeding method of another sheet forming machine of the present invention, the positions of the plurality of guide members of the guide section in the heating device in the width direction of the resin sheet are further adjusted.
The intervals between the guide portions on the resin sheet side of the guide portions in the right and left heating devices are changed non-linearly.

In this case, the distance between the guide portions on the resin sheet side can be finely adjusted.

In the sheet feeding method for a sheet forming machine according to another embodiment of the present invention, further, on the upstream side in the heating device, the distance between the guide portions on the resin sheet side of the guide portions in the right and left heating devices is set. Vary linearly.

In this case, the total amount of heat received by the resin sheet does not reach a certain amount at which the resin sheet is softened, and both ends of the resin sheet have widths on the upstream side in the heating device where the resin sheet hardly softens. It is possible to reduce the amount of pulling in the direction, the sum of the heat amount exceeds a certain amount, the degree of softening of the resin sheet sharply increases on the downstream side in the heating device, the both ends of the resin sheet The amount of pull in the width direction can be increased.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional plan view schematically showing a sheet feeding device of a sheet forming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is a sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG.
FIG.

FIG. 2 is a side sectional view schematically showing a sheet feeding device of the sheet forming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view of a guide unit in the heating device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged side view of a guide portion in the heating device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a view taken in the direction of arrows BB in FIG. 3;

6 is a view taken in the direction of the arrows CC in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a view as viewed in the direction of arrows DD in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view taken along the line EE in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged plan view showing a first example of a guide unit in the heating device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged plan view illustrating a second example of the guide section in the heating device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 heating device 17 resin sheet 20 sheet forming machine 30 sheet feeding device 31a, 31b upstream guide portion 32a, 32b downstream guide portion 33a, 33b heating device guide portion 37a, 37b linear member 42 upstream width adjustment block 43 downstream Side width adjustment block 54 Intermediate width adjustment block 73 Upper clip member 74 Lower clip member

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. (a) Right and left upstream guides in which guide sections on the resin sheet side are disposed at predetermined intervals on both sides of a conveying path on the upstream side of a heating device for heating the resin sheet. And (b) on both sides of the conveying path on the downstream side of the heating device, guide sections on the resin sheet side are parallel to each other, and are spaced apart from a predetermined interval of the guide section of the upstream side guide section. (C) on both sides of the conveying path in the heating device, a guide section on the resin sheet side is provided with a guide section on the upstream guide section and a downstream guide section on both sides of the conveyance path in the heating device. (D) a guide portion in the heating device on the right and left sides arranged so as to connect the guide portion of the portion.
A linear body that runs along a resin sheet-side guide section of the upstream guide section, the downstream guide section, and the guide section inside the heating device, comprising: holding means for holding both ends of the resin sheet; e) The sheet feeding device of the sheet forming machine, wherein the guide portion in the heating device is adjustable so that the interval between the guide portions on the resin sheet side changes nonlinearly. 2. The sheet feeder of a sheet forming machine according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of guide members are arranged so as to be adjustable in a width direction of the resin sheet. 3. (a) Right and left upstream guide sections are disposed on both sides of a conveying path on the upstream side of the heating device so that guide sections on the resin sheet side are spaced at a predetermined interval. The right and left downstream sides of the conveying path on the downstream side of the heating device are arranged such that the guide sections on the resin sheet side are parallel to each other, and have a wider interval than the predetermined interval between the guide sections on the upstream side guide section. (C) right and left sides of the conveying path in the heating device so that the guide section on the resin sheet side connects the guide section of the upstream guide section and the guide section of the downstream guide section. And a guide unit in the heating device on the left side,
(D) A sheet feeding method for a sheet forming machine, wherein the interval between the guide portions on the resin sheet side of the guide portions in the right and left heating devices is changed nonlinearly. 4. The spacing between the guide portions on the resin sheet side of the right and left heating device guide portions is adjusted by adjusting the width direction positions of the plurality of guide members of the heating device guide portion. The sheet feeding method for a sheet forming machine according to claim 3, wherein the sheet feeding is changed. 5. The sheet forming machine according to claim 3, wherein an interval between guide portions on a resin sheet side of right and left guide portions in the heating device is linearly changed on an upstream side in the heating device. Sheet feeding method.