JP7558121B2 - Water droplet removal device and water droplet removal method - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for removing water droplets from containers of beverage products, etc.

When water is sprayed from a shower or nozzle onto a sealed container filled with beverages or other contents for temperature control or sterilization, water adheres to the surface of the container. The water droplets adhering to the container surface are removed from the container surface using pressurized air prior to product inspection, boxing, etc.
The can washing water droplet removing device described in Patent Document 1 includes a conveyor for transporting containers, a water washing section for injecting water onto the containers, and a water droplet removing section for blowing pressurized air onto the containers. In order to remove product liquid adhering to the surfaces of the containers during filling, this can washing water droplet removing device injects water onto the top and side surfaces of the containers, blows pressurized air onto the top surfaces, injects water onto the top and side surfaces again, and blows pressurized air onto the top and side surfaces, in that order.

The water droplet removing section disposed at the most downstream position in the can washing water droplet removing device of Patent Document 1 is equipped with air knives installed on both sides in the width direction of the conveyor at an angle to the axial direction of the containers. The air knife has a slit-shaped discharge port that is continuous in the longitudinal direction of the duct-shaped main body, and blows pressurized air from the discharge port toward the side of the containers transported by the conveyor.
The air knife in Patent Document 1 is disposed so that the pressurized air blown out from the discharge port moves from above to below the side surface of the container as the container is transported.

Patent No. 6457224

The can washing water droplet removal device of Patent Document 1 removes water droplets by blowing pressurized air from the discharge port of an air knife onto the side surface of a moving container as the final step of can washing water droplet removal. Since the discharge port is inclined with respect to the axis of the container, the blowing position of the pressurized air on the side surface of the container gradually changes from above to below in the axial direction of the container.
Here, if the spraying position reaches near the bottom end of the container and the flow of pressurized air blown out of the outlet interferes with the conveyor supporting the bottom of the container and turns upward, there is a risk that the upward flow of pressurized air will cause water droplets to splash onto the sides of the container.
To avoid this, if the position of the bottom end of the outlet is set above the conveyor's transport surface and away from the transport surface so that the flow of pressurized air from the outlet does not interfere with the conveyor, water droplets may remain on the bottom end of the side of the container.

In view of the above, the present disclosure aims to provide a water droplet removal device and a water droplet removal method that can more thoroughly remove water droplets from a container.

The water droplet removal device of the present disclosure is a device for removing water droplets from a container, and includes a conveyor that transports the container in a transport direction while supporting the bottom of the container, and a first outlet that is arranged on at least one side of the container in a width direction perpendicular to the conveyor and continuously ejects pressurized air over a predetermined first section along which the container is transported.
The first discharge port supplies pressurized air to a side surface of the container moving in the conveying direction while changing the supply position of the pressurized air in one direction from one side of the axis of the container to the other side.
The first section includes a bottom-proximate region that includes one end of the first section and in which the position of the first outlet is closer to the bottom than the other end of the first section.
At least a portion of the bottom, at least in the bottom adjacent region, is open downwardly to receive a flow of pressurized air from the first outlet.

In addition, the water droplet removal method disclosed herein is a method of removing water droplets from a container, and includes a first water droplet removal step of transporting the container in a transport direction with the bottom of the container supported by a conveyor, while continuously ejecting pressurized air from a first outlet positioned on at least one side of the container in a width direction perpendicular to the conveyor, over a predetermined first section along which the container is transported.
In the first water droplet removal step, pressurized air is supplied through the first outlet to the side of the container moving in the conveying direction while changing the supply position of the pressurized air in one direction from one side of the axis of the container to the other side, and when the container moves through a bottom-proximate region that includes one end of the first section and in which the position of the first outlet is closer to the bottom than the other end, the pressurized air that reaches the container from the first outlet is caused to flow into an open space below the bottom based on the fact that at least a portion of the bottom is open downwardly so as to be able to accept the flow of pressurized air from the first outlet.

According to the present disclosure, a portion of the bottom of the container is open downward to receive the flow of pressurized air from the first outlet, so that when the pressurized air is blown against a portion of the side surface of the container close to the bottom to remove water droplets, the pressurized air that reaches the container from the first outlet can flow into an open space below the bottom. This makes it possible to avoid the flow of pressurized air interfering with the conveyor member, and therefore to sufficiently remove water droplets from the container by sweeping the pressurized air in one direction from one end of the container to the other end in the axial direction while avoiding the scattering of water droplets caused by the pressurized air being rolled back upward from the conveyor member.
By sufficiently removing water droplets from the container, subsequent processes such as container inspection and boxing can be carried out properly without hindrance.

1 is a schematic plan view of a portion of a beverage product production line according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the production line including a water droplet removal device; 1A is a plan view of a water droplet removal section in a water droplet removal device, and FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III in FIGS. 2A is a schematic plan view showing the water droplet removal section shown in FIG. 2A and the upstream and downstream of the water droplet removal section. (b) is a schematic cross-sectional view showing that the attitude of the conveyor plate supporting the bottom of the container changes as the attitude of the guide facing the side of the container also changes. (c) is a schematic cross-sectional view showing that the attitude of the conveyor plate supporting the bottom of the container also changes as the attitude of the guide facing the side of the container changes. 1A is a schematic diagram for explaining the effect of a first outlet port that discharges pressurized air to a side surface of the container, due to a part of the bottom of the container being open downward, and FIG. 10A is a schematic diagram showing a state in which pressurized air is discharged from a second discharge port toward the bottom of the container, and FIG. 10B is a plan view showing the bottom of the container. 13A and 13B are views showing another embodiment relating to the opening of the bottom of the container. 8A and 8B are diagrams showing a water droplet removing device according to a modified example of the present disclosure, where 8A is a view taken along line VIIIa-VIIIa in 8B. 9A is a diagram showing a water droplet removal device according to another modified example of the present disclosure, FIG. 9B is a diagram showing an arrowed view taken along line IXb-IXb in FIG. 9A, and FIG. 9C is a diagram showing an arrowed view taken along line IXc-IXc in FIG. 9A.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[Example of an applicable manufacturing line]
Fig. 1 shows a part of a line 1 for producing beverage products. The production line 1 includes a pasteurizer 3 that sprays water for temperature control and sterilization onto containers 2 (Figs. 2(a), (b) and 3) that have been filled with a product liquid and sealed in an upstream process (not shown), a multi-row conveyor 4, a single-row conveyor 5 and a single-row conveyor 6 that sequentially transport the containers discharged from the pasteurizer 3, a water droplet removal device 10 that removes water droplets from the containers 2, and a first inspection machine 7 and a second inspection machine 8 that inspect the containers.

The container 2 is, for example, a can made of a metal material in a cylindrical shape, or may be a bottle made of a resin material or a metal material, or a glass material.
As described below, in this embodiment, the container 2 supported by guides from the side is rotated around the axis A, so it is preferable that the cross-sectional shape of the container 2 be a shape that allows the container 2 to rotate stably, i.e., a circular shape or a polygonal shape approximating a circle.

The container 2 in this embodiment is a cylindrical can made of an aluminum alloy, and contains, for example, a carbonated drink. The container 2 has a peripheral wall 21 extending parallel to the axis A, a top 22 provided on the peripheral wall 21 at one axial end, and a bottom 23 connected to the peripheral wall 21 at the other axial end. The top 22 is provided with a pull tab (not shown). The bottom 23 is formed with a recess 231 (FIGS. 5(a) and (b)) recessed toward the top 22.

The containers 2 are discharged from the pasteurizer 3 onto the multi-row conveyor 4 in multiple rows, and then lined up in a single row on the single-row conveyor 6 after the number of rows is reduced by the single-row conveyor 5. The containers 2 are transported upright with their tops 22 facing upwards by the multi-row conveyor 4, the single-row conveyor 5, and the single-row conveyor 6, and are introduced into the water droplet removal device 10.

In order for the first inspection machine 7 and the second inspection machine 8 to properly inspect the containers 2 using a photoelectric sensor or the like, it is necessary that water droplets adhering to the containers 2 in the pasteurizer 3 are removed from the containers 2 prior to inspection. For this reason, the water droplet removal device 10 uses pressurized air to remove water droplets adhering to the surfaces of the containers 2 lined up in a row upstream of the first inspection machine 7 and the second inspection machine 8. The water droplet removal device 10 removes water droplets by blowing pressurized air against at least the side surfaces 24 (the outer surfaces of the peripheral walls 21) and the bottoms 23 of the containers 2.
In addition to inspection, other processes that require water droplets to be removed from the container 2 prior to processing include, for example, printing on the base 23 and packaging the container 2.

[Configuration of Water Droplet Removal Device]
2(a) and (b) show a water droplet removal section 30 as a transport path for the container 2 provided in the water droplet removal device 10. While the container 2 moves in the transport direction x through the water droplet removal section 30, pressurized air is blown against the side surface 24 and bottom 23 of the container 2. The water droplet removal section 30 is made up of a first section 31 corresponding to the side surface 24 and a second section 32 corresponding to the bottom 23.
The containers 2 are transported through the water droplet removal section 30 while being lined up in a row in the transport direction x. A gap G exists between adjacent containers 2 in the transport direction x. For example, the gap G can be provided between the containers 2 by using a screw device (not shown) that allocates a pitch between the containers 2.

As shown in Figures 2(a), (b) and 3, the water droplet removal device 10 comprises a conveyor 11 that transports the container 2 in a transport direction x while supporting the bottom 23 of the container 2, a support guide 12 that supports a side 24 of the container 2 from one side (y1 side) in a width direction y perpendicular to the conveyor 11, and a first discharge member 13 and a second discharge member 14, both of which discharge pressurized air.
The water droplet removal device 10, or another water droplet removal device (not shown), may be provided with a discharge member that discharges pressurized air toward the top portion 22. For example, water can be removed from the top surface by blowing pressurized air from above toward the top surface of the top portion 22 using another discharge member provided upstream of the first discharge member 13 and the second discharge member 14.

The water droplet removal device 10 can include a single or multiple first discharge members 13 and a single or multiple second discharge members 14. These first discharge members 13 and second discharge members 14 can be arranged in an appropriate order in the conveying direction x.

The conveyor 11 is, for example, a chain conveyor equipped with a chain, a drive sprocket, a driven sprocket, and a motor (none of which are shown). The chain is driven by the torque of the motor, causing containers 2 supported on plates 110 attached to the chain to move in the conveying direction x. The conveyor 11 is equipped with a large number of plates 110 arranged in the conveying direction x.

In this embodiment, the support guide 12 supports the container 2 in a state inclined toward the width direction y with respect to the up-down direction z (vertical direction) over the entire length of the water droplet removal section 30. In the water droplet removal section 30, the container 2 is inclined with the top 22 facing the y1 side and the bottom 23 facing the opposite side (y2 side).
The support guide 12 is formed, for example, from a single or multiple rod-shaped members 12A each having a circular cross section, but is not limited thereto, and the support guide 12 can be formed from a member of any suitable shape.

The support guide 12 of this embodiment includes two rod-shaped members 12A made of stainless steel. The two rod-shaped members 12A are arranged on a straight line A2 that is inclined toward the width direction y with respect to the vertical direction z. The axis A of the container 2 that is stably supported by these rod-shaped members 12A forms an appropriate angle _θ1 with respect to the vertical direction z.
When changing the type in accordance with the change of the products manufactured on the line, it is possible to raise and lower the support guide 12 and adjust the inclination angle _θ1 as needed. As for the first discharge members 13 and the second discharge members 14, the number of the first discharge members 13 and the second discharge members 14 installed in the first section 31 or the second section 32, the section length, the inclination angle, etc. can be adjusted as needed.

The plate 110 is perpendicular (90°) to the axis A, which is inclined relative to the vertical direction z, and stably supports the bottom 23. However, the plate 110 does not necessarily have to be perpendicular to the axis A, and may be disposed horizontally, for example, as shown in FIG. 7.

The first discharge member 13 is disposed on the y2 side of the container 2 in the width direction y, and discharges pressurized air continuously over the first section 31. The first discharge member 13 corresponds to a so-called air knife.
As shown in Figs. 2(a), (b) and 3, the first discharge member 13 of this embodiment includes a main body 131 including a duct 131A (Fig. 3) into which pressurized air is introduced from a compressed air supply source (not shown), and a nozzle 132 in which a slit-shaped first discharge port 132A is formed in the longitudinal direction of the duct 131A. The pressurized air introduced into the duct 131A is discharged from the first discharge port 132A of the nozzle 132 toward the side surface 24 of the container 2. When a direction perpendicular to the side surface 24 is taken as a reference, the first discharge port 132A discharges the pressurized air downward from the reference. The orientation of the first discharge port 132A is not limited to this, and the pressurized air may be discharged from the first discharge port 132A in the reference direction or horizontally.

The first discharge member 13 extends in the transport direction x on the y2 side of the container 2 and is disposed at an incline with respect to the axis A of the container 2. Both the duct 131A and the first discharge port 132A are inclined with respect to the axis A.
3, the nozzle 132 at the downstream end 13D of the first discharge member 13 is indicated by a solid line, and the nozzle 132 at the upstream end 13U of the first discharge member 13 is indicated by a two-dot chain line. The position of the nozzle 132 at the downstream end 13D is lower than the position of the nozzle 132 at the upstream end 13U.

Therefore, the first outlet 132A of the nozzle 132 supplies pressurized air to the side surface 24 of the container 2 moving in the conveying direction x while gradually changing the supply position of the pressurized air in one direction from the upper side to the lower side in the direction of the axis A.
The upstream end of the first discharge port 132A is set near the top 22 of the container 2, and the downstream end of the first discharge port 132A is set near the bottom 23 of the container 2. In order to supply pressurized air over the entire axial direction of the side surface 24 of the container 2, it is preferable that the first discharge port 132A is located above an upper end 241 of the side surface 24 at the upstream end 13U of the first discharge member 13, and is located below a lower end 242 of the side surface 24 at the downstream end 13D of the first discharge member 13.

Since the first discharge member 13 is installed at an angle, the position of the first discharge port 132A at the downstream end 31D (FIG. 4(a)) of the first section 31 is closer to the bottom 23 of the container 2 than the position of the first discharge port 132A at the upstream end 31U (FIG. 4(a)) of the first section 31. The region including the downstream end 31D of the first section 31 is referred to as the bottom-proximate region R1.

The second discharge member 14 is installed below the bottom 23 in the second section 32. This second discharge member 14 is equipped with a nozzle 141 into which pressurized air is introduced from a compressed air supply source (not shown) in order to discharge pressurized air toward the bottom 23 of the container 2. The second discharge member 14 may be equipped with a nozzle 141 capable of locally supplying pressurized air, or may be an air knife extending over an appropriate length in the conveying direction x. The second discharge port 141A of the nozzle 141 is formed in an appropriate shape, for example, circular or rectangular.

As described below, at least in the bottom vicinity region R1, a portion of the bottom 23 (hereinafter, the exposed portion 23A) is open downwardly without being covered by the plate 110. Therefore, the pressurized air discharged from the second discharge port 141A of the nozzle 141 is supplied directly to the bottom 23 without being blocked by the plate 110.

The second section 32 does not necessarily have to be adjacent to the downstream end 31D of the first section 31. The second section 32 can be set in any region in the water droplet removal section 30 where the bottom 23 is open downward, for example, in a region upstream of the first section 31.
In this embodiment, since the bottom 23 is open downward over the entire length of the water droplet removal section 30 including the first section 31 and the second section 32, the second discharge member 14 may be disposed immediately below any position in the longitudinal direction of the first discharge member 13. In that case, the second section 32 is included in the first section 31 as a part of the first section 31.

4A shows an example of the overall configuration of the water droplet removal device 10 including the water droplet removal section 30. The container 2 is not shown.
The conveyor 11 includes an introduction section 101 where the container 2 is introduced from the single-row conveyor 6, an upstream attitude change section 102 where the container 2 is tilted in the vertical direction z, a water droplet removal section 30, a downstream attitude change section 103 where the attitude of the container 2 is returned to an upright state in which the axis A is aligned with the vertical direction z, and a discharge section 104 where the container 2 is discharged toward the first inspection machine 7.
The water droplet removal device 10 may include a cover 16 that covers at least the water droplet removal section 30 .

In the introduction section 101, the axis A coincides with the vertical direction z, and the container 2 is transported in an upright position with the top 22 facing upward. At this time, the plate 110 is positioned horizontally.

In the upstream attitude changing section 102, the attitude of the container 2 is changed from an upright state to an inclined state by changing the attitude of the plate 110 supporting the container 2.
4B shows that the angle of the plate 110 with respect to the horizontal plane H gradually changes from 0° to _θ1 while the same plate 110 moves from the start point _IVA to the end point _IVB of the upstream attitude change section 102. For example, the plate 110 can be displaced by guiding the plate 110 by a twisted rail (not shown).
As the attitude of the plate 110 changes, the attitude of the container 2 on the plate 110 also changes, and the container 2 falls toward the y1 side toward the guide 15. Therefore, the container 2 is supported in a state inclined with respect to the vertical direction z by the plate 110 in contact with the bottom 23 and the guide 15 in contact with the side surface 24.

In order to stably change the posture of the container 2, it is preferable that the guide 15 is inclined with respect to the conveying direction x so as to gradually displace toward the y1 side toward the downstream in accordance with the displacement of the side surface 24 of the container 2 accompanying the posture change of the plate 110. Fig. 4(b) shows the position of the guide 15 at the starting point _IVA and the position of the guide 15 at the terminal point _IVB . A certain clearance is provided between the guide 15 and the side surface 24.

A step of removing water droplets from the container 2 is performed by supplying pressurized air from the first discharge member 13 and the second discharge member 14 to the container 2 transported in an inclined state through the water droplet removal section 30. This step includes a first water droplet removal step of removing water droplets from the side surface 24 by continuously discharging pressurized air from the first discharge member 13 over the first section 31, and a second water droplet removal step of removing water droplets from the bottom 23 by discharging pressurized air from the second discharge member 14 in the second section 32.

Even if guides (15, 17, etc.) are arranged on both sides y1, y2 in the width direction y in sections 101, 102, 103, and 104 other than the water droplet removal section 30, it is sufficient that the support guide 12 is arranged only on the y1 side where the container 2 falls in the water droplet removal section 30. The support guide 12 may be continuous with the guides 15 and 17 on the y1 side.

A part (exposed portion 23A) of the bottom 23 of the container 2, which is inclined toward the y1 side and supported by the support guide 12, extends beyond the edge 110A of the plate 110 toward the y2 side, as shown in Fig. 3. Therefore, the exposed portion 23A is open downward on the y2 side where the first discharge member 13 is disposed so as to be able to receive the flow of pressurized air from the first discharge member 13. The exposed portion 23A is also open downward so as to be able to receive the flow of pressurized air from the second discharge member 14.
In order to expose a portion of the bottom 23 from the plate 110, the width of the plate 110 is set narrower than the width of a plate supporting the entire bottom 23, if necessary.
It is preferable that the bottom 23 is open downward over at least ⅓ of its entire area. The area ratio of the exposed portion 23A to the entire area of the bottom 23 can be set to less than ½.

When the tilted container 2 rolls on the support guide 12 against the frictional force between the container 2 and the support guide 12 due to its own weight, the container 2 slides on the plate 110 supporting the bottom 23, rotates about the axis A, and moves in the conveying direction x at a speed slower than the moving speed of the plate 110. Then, for the same container 2 conveyed in the first section 31, the supply position of the pressurized air from the first discharge port 132A to the side surface 24 changes not only in the direction of the axis A but also in the circumferential direction of the container 2.

The downstream attitude change section 103 following the water droplet removal section 30 returns the attitude of the container 2 to an upright position. Fig. 4(c) shows the position of the guide 17 at the start _IVA of the downstream attitude change section 103 and the position of the guide 17 at the end _IVB of the downstream attitude change section 103. The guide 17 is inclined with respect to the conveying direction x so that it gradually displaces toward the y2 side from the position of the support guide 12 as it moves downstream. The side surface 24 is pushed toward the y2 side by this guide 17, so that the container 2 is displaced toward the y2 side and returns to the upright attitude.

The plate 110 may be arranged horizontally throughout the downstream posture change section 103, but it is preferable that the angle that the same plate 110 makes with respect to the horizontal plane H gradually changes from _θ1 to 0° from the starting point _IVC to the terminal point _IVD . In this way, the container 2 in an inclined state can be stably displaced to an upright posture.
In the discharge section 104, similarly to the introduction section 101, the container 2 is transported in an upright, standing state in the vertical direction z on a horizontal plate 110.

[Action and effect of the water droplet removal device]
The operation of the water droplet removing device 10 will be described with reference to Figures 5(a) and 6(a). Figures 5(a) and 6(a) show an example of the flow of pressurized air.

While the container 2 is being transported through the first section 31 of the water droplet removal section 30, pressurized air is discharged from the first discharge port 132A of the first discharge member 13 toward the side surface 24 of the container 2. Here, since the first discharge member 13 is installed at an angle, the position where the pressurized air is supplied from the first discharge port 132A of the first discharge member 13 to the side surface 24 of the container 2 moves gradually downward from the upper end 241 of the side surface 24 while the same container 2 moves through the first section 31.

Water droplets adhering to the side surface 24 of the container 2 are removed, for example, by being blown off by the supply of pressurized air or by drying the side surface 24 by the supply of pressurized air. In addition, the water droplets are removed from the side surface 24 by entraining them in the flow of pressurized air and sweeping them downward, and finally blowing them off at the bottom end of the container 2.

In FIG. 5(a), the flow of pressurized air when the supply position of pressurized air from the first outlet 132A to the side surface 24 moves to the lower end 242 of the side surface 24 as the container 2 moves and approaches the bottom 23 is indicated by F1. Also, the flow of pressurized air when the supply position of pressurized air from the first outlet 132A passes the lower end 242 of the side surface 24 and the reduced diameter portion 243, whose diameter is reduced relative to the side surface 24, downward due to further movement of the container 2 is indicated by F2.

The first outlet 132A is generally close to the bottom 23 of the same container 2 from the time when the pressurized air flow F1 is supplied to the lower end 242 of the side surface 24 of the container 2 until the pressurized air flow F2 passes downward over the lower end 242 of the side surface 24 and the reduced diameter portion 243 of the same container 2. At this time, the container 2 is located in the bottom proximity region R1.

Even if the first outlet 132A is close to the bottom 23 in the bottom proximity region R1, a portion of the bottom 23 on the y2 side where the first outlet 132A is located is not covered by the plate 110 and is open downward, so the flows of pressurized air F1 and F2 flow into the open space below the bottom 23 without interfering with the plate 110.

In the comparative example shown in FIG. 5(b), the plate 110 extends over the entire area of the bottom 23, so that the bottom 23 is not open downward. Therefore, in the bottom proximity region R1 where the first outlet 132A is close to the bottom 23, the pressurized air from the first outlet 132A is not only blown onto the side surface 24 of the container 2, but also onto the plate 110 supporting the bottom 23. In this case, the flow of pressurized air discharged from the first outlet 132A bends upward as it interferes with the plate 110, as shown by F3, and there is a risk that the upward flow of pressurized air will cause water droplets to splash onto the side surface 24 of the container 2.

In this embodiment, a portion of the bottom 23 is open downward to receive the flows of pressurized air F1, F2 from the first outlet 132A. When the pressurized air is blown onto the lower portion of the side surface 24 close to the bottom 23 to remove water droplets, the pressurized air that reaches the container 2 from the first outlet 132A can flow into the open space below the bottom 23.

As a result, the compressed air flows F1 and F2 discharged from the first discharge port 132A do not interfere with the plate 110, and the compressed air does not roll back as in the compressed air flow F3 in the comparative example, making it possible to more thoroughly remove water droplets from the side surface 24 by sweeping the compressed air in one direction from the upper end 241 to the lower end 242 of the side surface 24.

In addition, each container 2 transported in an inclined position through the first section 31 rotates about the axis A, so that the pressurized air can be blown not only to the y2 side where the first outlet 132A is located, but also over the entire circumferential direction of the container 2. This makes it possible to remove water droplets from the container 2 over the entire area of the side surface 24 in the axial A direction and the circumferential direction.

In order to uniformly blow the pressurized air discharged from the first outlet 132A over the entire side surface 24, it is preferable that the container 2 rotates at least once in the first section 31. The number of rotations in the first section 31 can be determined by setting the inclination angle _θ1 of the container 2, the length of the first section 31, etc.

Because the container 2 rotates, it is sufficient to have the first discharge member 13 installed only on one side (y2 side) in the width direction y. However, there is no prohibition on the first discharge member 13 being installed on the y1 side in addition to the y2 side.

Whether the first discharge member 13 is installed only on the y2 side or on both sides y1 and y2, the rotation of the container 2 makes it difficult for water droplets to remain in some areas on the side surface 24 (for example, the areas before and after the conveying direction x on the side surface 24). When the container 2 passes through the first section 31, the position where the water droplets are attached on the side surface 24 is indefinite, but the rotation of the container 2 supplies pressurized air evenly to the side surface 24, so that the water droplets can be removed from the side surface 24 more efficiently than in a case where the container 2 does not rotate.

It is acceptable that the container 2 does not rotate or does not rotate stably because the friction between the container 2 and the support guide 12 is small. In that case, it is preferable to install the first discharge member 13 on the y1 side in addition to the y2 side.

Since a portion of the bottom 23 is open downward, the second discharge member 14 can directly supply pressurized air to the bottom 23 to sufficiently remove water droplets from the bottom 23 .
In particular, when a recess 231 is formed in the bottom 23, it is preferable to discharge pressurized air toward the y1 side by the second discharge member 14 from a position directly below the recess 231 exposed beyond the plate 110 toward the y2 side, as shown in Fig. 6(a). In this way, the pressurized air can be sufficiently caused to flow into the inside of the recess 231 to remove water droplets.

Even if pressurized air is not necessarily continuously supplied toward the bottom 23 by an air knife or the like, the pressurized air discharged from the second discharge port 141A of the nozzle 141 reaches the inside of the recess 231 that is recessed upward from the plate 110. Therefore, from the viewpoint of removing water droplets present on the bottom 23, it is not necessarily necessary to continuously supply pressurized air to the bottom 23 while rotating the container 2. According to the results of tests performed by the inventors, water droplets can be removed from the entire area of the bottom 23 as long as at least ⅓ of the area of the bottom 23 is exposed on the y2 side from the plate 110.
The angle at which the pressurized air is blown out from the second outlet 141A toward the bottom 23 can be set appropriately.

The water droplet removal device 10 of this embodiment thoroughly removes water droplets from the container 2, allowing for reliable inspection of the container 2 and subsequent processing such as printing on the bottom 23 and boxing.

[Modifications]
In this embodiment, a mesh plate having a large number of holes formed therethrough in the thickness direction may be used as the plate 110. Since the bottom 23 is exposed through the holes, the nozzles 141 can be arranged below the mesh plate as well to enhance the effect of removing water droplets from the bottom 23.
However, as in this embodiment, if the bottom 23 is not covered at all by the plate 110 at least on the side of the first outlet 132A and is open downward, there is no need to employ a mesh plate, which is disadvantageous in terms of cost and rigidity compared to the non-mesh plate 110. Moreover, unless the opening rate of the mesh plate is significantly high, the effect of removing water droplets from the bottom 23 by pressurized air is greater than when a mesh plate is employed.

In the above embodiment, the container 2 is maintained in an inclined position throughout the water droplet removal section 30, and the bottom 23 protrudes from the plate 110 on the y2 side and is open downward, but this is not limited to the above. Based on the above-mentioned effect of the bottom 23 being open downward, it is sufficient that at least the y2 side of the bottom 23 is open downward in at least the bottom proximity region R1 including the downstream end 31D of the first section 31. If only a portion of the bottom 23 is open downward in the bottom proximity region R1, for example, a notch may be formed in the plate 110.

Unlike the above embodiment, the first discharge member 13 may be installed at an incline opposite to that of the above embodiment so that the supply position of the pressurized air from the first discharge port 132A to the side surface 24 of the container 2 changes from the lower end to the upper end of the container 2 as the container 2 is transported. In this case, too, by opening the bottom 23 downward in the area where the first discharge port 132A is close to the bottom 23, that is, in the area on the upstream end 31U side of the first section 31, the pressurized air from the first discharge port 132A can be sprayed directly onto the lower end of the container 2 without being obstructed by the plate 110. In this way, water droplets can be sufficiently removed from the lower end to the upper end of the container 2 in the entire direction of the axis A.

As another example of the bottom 23 being open downward, as shown in FIG. 7, only the peripheral portion 23B of the bottom 23 of the container 2 inclined toward the support guide 12 may be supported on the plate 110. In this case, since the bottom 23 is open downward over almost the entire area except for the peripheral portion 23B, it is possible to allow the flow of pressurized air discharged from the first discharge port 132A and the second discharge port 141A to flow into the triangular open space S between the bottom 23 and, for example, the horizontally disposed plate 110, even if the bottom 23 does not necessarily extend beyond the edge 110A of the plate 110 on the y2 side.

The water droplet removal device 10-1 shown in Figures 8(a) and (b) is equipped with a belt device 40 as a means for actively rotating the container 2. The belt device 40 is equipped with a drive pulley 41, a driven pulley 42, a belt 43 that corresponds to the support guide 12 in the above embodiment, and a motor (not shown) that outputs torque to the drive pulley 41. The side surface 24 of the container 2 is supported by the belt 43 that is installed at an angle with respect to the vertical direction z, so that the container 2 is given an attitude that is inclined with respect to the vertical direction z.

The motor torque drives the belt 43 in a direction opposite to the conveying direction x when in contact with the container 2, for example, as shown by an arrow in Fig. 8(b). If the belt 43 moves in the conveying direction x at a speed lower than the moving speed of the plate 110 in the conveying direction x when in contact with the side surface 24 of the container 2, the direction in which the belt 43 is driven may be either opposite to the conveying direction x (example shown in Fig. 8(b)) or the same as the conveying direction x. A torque corresponding to the speed difference between the belt 43 supporting the side surface 24 and the plate 110 supporting the bottom 23 is applied to the container 2, causing the container 2 to rotate. The container 2 moves in the conveying direction x while sliding on the plate 110.
By providing the belt device 40, the container 2 can be rotated more reliably and stably, so that water droplets can be more thoroughly removed from the container 2 by supplying pressurized air over the entire area of the side surface 24.

Figures 9(a) to (c) show an example in which the container 2 is not tilted and does not rotate. The water droplet removal device 10-2 includes a conveyor 11, guides 18 arranged on both sides of the container 2 in the width direction y, and first discharge members 13 (13-1, 13-2) arranged on both sides of the plate 110 in the width direction y.

The plate 110 is positioned horizontally and supports the bottom 23 of the container 2. The container 2 is transported along the first section 31 of the conveyor 11 in an upright position on the plate 110 in the vertical direction z.

The guides 18 run in a pair in parallel and guide the container 2 from both sides in the width direction y, thereby providing a predetermined trajectory for the container 2. In the first section 31, the pair of guides 18 has a y1-side curved portion 181 that is curved so as to be convex toward the y1 side, and a y2-side curved portion 182 that is curved so as to be convex toward the y2 side.

The y1-side curved portion 181 sets the relative positions of the plate 110 and the container 2, so that the bottom 23 of the container 2 protrudes from the plate 110 to the y1 side. At this time, the container 2 extends beyond the plate 110 to the y1 side and is therefore open downward. The first discharge member 13-1 is provided on the y1 side of the y1-side curved portion 181.

The y2-side curved portion 182 sets the relative position between the plate 110 and the container 2, so that the bottom 23 of the container 2 protrudes from the plate 110 to the y2 side. At this time, the container 2 extends beyond the plate 110 to the y2 side and is therefore open downward. The first discharge member 13-2 is provided on the y2 side of the y2-side curved portion 182.

As shown in FIG. 9(b), the position where pressurized air is supplied from the first discharge port 132A of the first discharge member 13-1 to the side surface 24 of the container 2 moves from the upper end 241 of the side surface 24 to a position beyond the lower end 242 of the side surface 24 toward the bottom 23 as the container 2 moves in the transport direction x. In the bottom proximity region R1 where the position of the first discharge port 132A is close to the bottom 23, the bottom 23 is open downward, so that the pressurized air can be blown from the upper end 241 to the lower end 242 without causing the pressurized air to roll back due to interference with the plate 110.

As shown in FIG. 9(c), the same is true for the position where the pressurized air is supplied from the first discharge port 132A of the first discharge member 13-2 to the side surface 24. Because the bottom 23 is open downward, the pressurized air can be blown from the upper end 241 to the lower end 242 without causing the pressurized air to roll back.

Since the first discharge members 13-1, 13-2 blow pressurized air from the upper end 241 to the lower end 242 on both sides y1, y2 in the width direction y, water droplets can be sufficiently removed from the entire side surface 24 without necessarily rotating the container 2.
In addition, since the bottom 23 is open downward, it is possible to remove water droplets from the bottom 23, for example, by adding a second discharge member 14 directly below the upstream ends 13U of the first discharge members 13-1 and 13-2.

In addition to the above, it is possible to select and discard the configurations given in the above embodiment, or to change them to other configurations as appropriate.
For example, the present disclosure is also effective for removing water droplets when using a nozzle having an outlet extending along the axial direction of the container 2 over the entire height of the container 2. In other words, if at least a portion of the bottom 23 of the container 2 is not covered by the conveyor transport surface and is open downward, water droplets can be sufficiently removed from the entire side of the container 2, including the lower part of the side of the container 2, by simultaneously blowing pressurized air over the entire height of the container 2 using a nozzle having an outlet extending along the axial direction of the container 2 over the entire height of the container 2.

[Additional Notes]
The water droplet removing device and the water droplet removing method described above can be understood as follows.
[1] The device 10, 10-1, 10-2 for removing water droplets from a container 2 includes a conveyor 11 that conveys the container 2 in a conveying direction x while supporting the bottom 23 of the container 2, and a first outlet 132A that is disposed on at least one side (y1) of the container 2 in a width direction y perpendicular to the conveyor 11 and that continuously discharges pressurized air over a predetermined first section 31 along which the container 2 is conveyed. The first outlet 132A supplies pressurized air to the side surface 24 of the container 2 moving in the conveying direction x while changing the supply position of the pressurized air in one direction from one side to the other side of the axis A of the container 2. The first section 31 includes a bottom proximity region R1 that includes one end of the first section 31 and in which the position of the first outlet 132A is closer to the bottom 23 than the other end. At least in the bottom proximity region R1, at least a part of the bottom 23 is open downward to be able to receive the flow of pressurized air from the first outlet 132A.
"At least in the bottom adjacent region R1, at least a portion of the bottom 23 is open downwardly to accommodate the flow of pressurized air from the first outlet 132A." corresponds to the structure "at least in the bottom adjacent region R1, at least a portion of the bottom 23 is open downwardly on one or both sides where the first outlet 132A is located in the width direction y."
[2] The water droplet removal device 10 includes a support guide 12 that supports the container 2 at an inclination with respect to the vertical direction z by supporting the side surface 24 of the container 2 from one side (y1) in the width direction y. At least in the bottom proximity region R1, the bottom 23 is open downward on the side opposite the support guide 12 (y2 side) of both sides (y1, y2) of the container 2 in the width direction y.
[3] The water droplet removal device 10-1 includes a belt 43 that contacts the side surface 24 of the container 2 as the support guide 12. When the belt 43 contacts the side surface 24, the belt 43 is driven in the conveying direction x at a speed lower than the moving speed of the conveyor 11 in the conveying direction x.
[4] The conveyor 11 includes a plate 110 that is disposed perpendicular to the axis A of the container 2 at least in the bottom adjacent region R1 and supports the bottom 23. The bottom 23 is open downward at least in the bottom adjacent region R1 by exceeding the plate 110 in the width direction y.
[5] The water droplet removal device 10-2 includes a guide 18 that faces a side surface 24 of the container 2. The conveyor 11 includes a plate 110 that supports the bottom 23 of the container 2 in an upright state along the vertical direction z. The bottom 23 of the container 2, whose relative position in the width direction y to the plate 110 is set by the guide 18, exceeds the plate 110 in the width direction y at least in the bottom proximity region R1, and is therefore open downward.
[6] The water droplet removal device 10 is provided with a second outlet 141A that ejects pressurized air toward the bottom 23.
[7] A method for removing water droplets from a container 2 includes a first water droplet removal step in which, while supporting the bottom 23 of the container 2 by a conveyor 11 and transporting the container 2 in a transport direction x, pressurized air is continuously discharged from a first discharge outlet 132A arranged on at least one side (y1 side) of the container 2 in a width direction y perpendicular to the conveyor 11 over a predetermined first section 31 along which the container 2 is transported. In the first water droplet removal step, pressurized air is supplied through the first outlet 132A to the side 24 of the container 2 moving in the conveying direction x, while changing the supply position of the pressurized air in one direction from one side of the axis A of the container 2 to the other side. When the container 2 moves through a bottom proximity region R1 that includes one end of the first section 31 and in which the position of the first outlet 132A is closer to the bottom 23 than the other end, the pressurized air that has reached the container 2 from the first outlet 132A flows into an open space below the bottom 23, based on the fact that at least a portion of the bottom 23 is open downwardly so as to be able to accept the flow of pressurized air from the first outlet 132A.

1 Production line 2 Container 3 Pasteurizer 4 Multi-row conveyor 5 Single-row conveyor 6 Single-row conveyor 7 First inspection machine 8 Second inspection machine 10, 10-1, 10-2 Water droplet removal device 11 Conveyor 12 Support guide 12A Rod-shaped member 13, 13-1, 13-2 First discharge member 13D Downstream end 13U Upstream end 14 Second discharge member 15, 17, 18 Guide 16 Cover 21 Peripheral wall 22 Top 23 Bottom 23A Exposed portion 23B Peripheral edge portion 24 Side 30 Water droplet removal section 31 First section 31U Upstream end 31D Downstream end 32 Second section 40 Belt device 41 Drive pulley 42 Driven pulley 43 Belt 101 Introduction section 102 Upstream position change section 103 Downstream position change section 104 Discharge section 110 Plate 110A Edge 131 Body 131A Duct 132 Nozzle 132A First outlet 141 Nozzle 141A Second outlet 181 y1 side curved portion 182 y2 side curved portion 231 Recess 241 Upper end 242 Lower end 243 Reduced diameter portion A Axis A2 Straight line G Gap H Horizontal surface
IV _A , IV _C beginning
IV _B , IV _D terminal end R1 Bottom vicinity area S Open space x Conveying direction y Width direction z Vertical direction θ ₁ angle

Claims (7)

An apparatus for removing water droplets from a container, comprising:
a conveyor that conveys the container in a conveying direction while supporting a bottom of the container;
a first outlet that is disposed on at least one side of the container in a width direction perpendicular to the conveyor and that continuously discharges pressurized air over a predetermined first section along which the container is transported;
a support guide that supports the container in a state inclined with respect to the up-down direction by supporting a side surface of the container from one side in the width direction ,
the first discharge port supplies the pressurized air to the side surface of the container moving in the conveying direction while changing a supply position of the pressurized air in one direction from one side of an axis of the container to the other side,
the first section includes a bottom proximity region in which the position of the first outlet is closer to the bottom than the other end of the first section,
At least in the bottom vicinity region, the bottom is open downwardly on one of both sides of the container in the width direction opposite to the support guide so as to be able to receive the flow of pressurized air from the first discharge port.
Water droplet removal device. The support guide includes a belt that contacts the side surface of the container,
the belt is driven in the conveying direction at a speed lower than a moving speed of the conveyor in the conveying direction when the belt is in contact with the side surface;
The water droplet removal device according to claim 1 . the conveyor includes a plate disposed perpendicular to the axis of the container and supporting the bottom at least in the bottom adjacent region;
The bottom is open downwardly by extending beyond the plate in the width direction at least in the bottom adjacent region.
The water droplet removal device according to claim 1 or 2 . An apparatus for removing water droplets from a container, comprising:
a conveyor that conveys the container in a conveying direction while supporting a bottom of the container;
a first outlet that is disposed on at least one side of the container in a width direction perpendicular to the conveyor and that continuously discharges pressurized air over a predetermined first section along which the container is transported;
a guide facing a side surface of the container ;
the first discharge port supplies the pressurized air to the side surface of the container moving in the conveying direction while changing a supply position of the pressurized air in one direction from one side of an axis of the container to the other side,
the first section includes a bottom proximity region in which the position of the first outlet is closer to the bottom than the other end of the first section,
The conveyor includes a plate that supports the bottom of the container in an upright position along a vertical direction,
A water droplet removal device in which the bottom of the container, whose relative widthwise position to the plate is set by the guide, exceeds the plate in the widthwise direction at least in the bottom proximity region, thereby being open downwardly to accept the flow of pressurized air from the first outlet. A second outlet port is provided for discharging pressurized air toward the bottom.
A water droplet removal device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 . 1. A method for removing water droplets from a container, comprising:
a first water droplet removal step in which, while the container is transported in a transport direction with the bottom of the container supported by a conveyor, pressurized air is continuously discharged from a first discharge port disposed on at least one side of the container in a width direction perpendicular to the conveyor, over a predetermined first section in which the container is transported in a tilted state with respect to the up-down direction by supporting a side surface of the container from one side in the width direction by a support guide;
In the first water droplet removal step,
The pressurized air is supplied to a side surface of the container moving in the conveying direction by the first discharge port while changing a supply position of the pressurized air in one direction from one side of an axis of the container to the other side,
A water droplet removal method in which, when the container moves through a bottom proximity region that includes one end of the first section and in which the position of the first outlet is closer to the bottom than the other end, the bottom is open downwardly on the side of the container opposite the support guide in the width direction so as to be able to accept the flow of pressurized air from the first outlet, and the pressurized air that reaches the container from the first outlet is caused to flow into an open space below the bottom. 1. A method for removing water droplets from a container, comprising:
a first water droplet removal step of conveying the container in a conveying direction while supporting the bottom of the container in an upright state along the vertical direction with a plate included in the conveyor, and continuously discharging pressurized air from a first discharge port arranged on at least one side of the container in a width direction perpendicular to the conveyor over a predetermined first section along which the container is conveyed;
In the first water droplet removal step,
The pressurized air is supplied to a side surface of the container moving in the conveying direction by the first discharge port while changing a supply position of the pressurized air in one direction from one side of an axis of the container to the other side,
A water droplet removal method in which, when the container moves through a bottom proximity region that includes one end of the first section and in which the position of the first outlet is closer to the bottom than the other end, the bottom of the container, whose relative position in the width direction to the plate is set by a guide facing the side of the container, exceeds the plate in the width direction at least in the bottom proximity region, and is therefore open downwardly to accept the flow of pressurized air from the first outlet, thereby causing the pressurized air that has reached the container from the first outlet to flow into an open space below the bottom.

Images