CN117022742A

CN117022742A - Method for continuously transporting caps, cap transporting device, cap supplying device and filling system

Info

Publication number: CN117022742A
Application number: CN202311143622.5A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 杨国维
Original assignee: Kangmeibao Suzhou Co ltd
Current assignee: Kangmeibao Suzhou Co ltd
Priority date: 2023-09-06
Filing date: 2023-09-06
Publication date: 2023-11-10

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for continuously conveying caps, a cap conveying device, a cap supplying device and a filling system. The method for continuously conveying the cover comprises the following steps: releasing a first cover from the plurality of covers arranged in sequence to convey the first cover via a conveying track; detecting whether the first cover passes through a first position on the conveying track during conveying of the first cover; and releasing a second cover of the plurality of covers to transport the first cover and the second cover via the transport track when the first cover is detected to pass the first position. According to the method for continuously conveying the caps, the cap conveying device, the cap supplying device and the filling system, the conveying time of the caps can be remarkably shortened, and the requirement of a high-speed filling system can be met.

Description

Method for continuously transporting caps, cap transporting device, cap supplying device and filling system

Technical Field

The present invention relates to the field of packaging, in particular to the field of filling, and more particularly to a method of continuously transporting caps, a cap transport device, a cap supply device and a filling system.

Background

The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.

During operation of the filling system, the packaging boxes and caps required for filling the product are transported to the filling line. The cap supply device supplies caps to the cap supply rails, and then, the caps are respectively conveyed to the filling line via the cap supply rails. To increase production efficiency, multiple filling lines are typically operated simultaneously. For this reason, it is necessary to simultaneously convey the caps to a plurality of filling lines, and in order to further improve the production efficiency and to make the structure of the whole filling system as compact as possible, each cap supply rail is required to convey the caps to a plurality of filling lines, and for this purpose, it is necessary to shorten the conveying time of the caps as much as possible, and to improve the conveying efficiency of the caps so as to meet the demands of high-speed production of each filling line.

Disclosure of Invention

An object of the present invention is to solve at least one of the above problems.

One aspect of the present invention is to provide a method of continuously conveying caps, including: releasing a first cover of the plurality of covers sequentially arranged to convey the first cover via the conveying track; detecting whether the first cover passes through a first position on the conveying track during conveying of the first cover; and releasing a second cover of the plurality of covers to transport the first cover and the second cover via the transport track when the first cover is detected to pass the first position.

The method of continuously transporting caps further comprises: detecting whether the second cover passes through a second position on the conveying track during conveying of the second cover; and releasing a third cover of the plurality of covers to transport the first cover, the second cover, and the third cover via the transport track when the second cover is detected to pass the second position.

In one embodiment, the first location is proximate to a target location of the second cover; and the method of continuously transporting caps further comprises: when the first cover is detected to pass the first position, the first additional stopper at the target position of the second cover is brought to the stopper position.

In one embodiment, the first location is proximate to a target location of the second cover, and the second location is proximate to a target location of the third cover; and wherein the method of continuously transporting caps further comprises: when the first cover is detected to pass through the first position, the first additional stop piece at the target position of the second cover is positioned at the stop position; and when the second cover is detected to pass the second position, causing the second additional stopper at the target position of the third cover to be in the stopper position.

The method of continuously transporting caps further comprises: when each of the plurality of caps is released, a force directed in the cap conveyance direction is applied to each cap.

Applying a force to each cap in a cap transport direction includes: blowing each cap toward the cap conveying direction; or the front cover is shifted toward the cover conveying direction by the cover blocking member of the rear cover.

The method of continuously transporting caps further comprises: during the transport, the caps on the transport track are blown.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a cap transfer device including: a blocking cover assembly configured to block or allow passage of the plurality of covers arranged in sequence, the blocking cover assembly comprising a plurality of blocking covers, each blocking cover of the plurality of blocking covers configured to move between a blocking position in which the blocking cover blocks passage of the cover and a release position in which the blocking cover allows passage of the cover; a conveying rail configured to convey the plurality of caps to respective target positions; and a first sensor arranged to detect whether the cover passes a first position on the conveyor track. The flap assembly is configured to: in the process that the first cover of the plurality of covers moves to the release position to convey the first cover of the plurality of covers through the conveying track, when the first sensor detects that the first cover passes the first position, the second cover of the plurality of covers moves to the release position to release the second cover of the plurality of covers so as to convey the first cover and the second cover through the conveying track.

The lid delivery device further comprises a second sensor arranged to detect whether the lid passes a second position on the delivery track. The flap assembly is further configured to: and when the second sensor detects that the second cover passes the second position in the process of conveying the second cover, the third cover in the plurality of covers moves to the release position to release the third cover in the plurality of covers so as to convey the first cover, the second cover and the third cover through the conveying track.

In one embodiment, the first location is proximate to a target location of the second cover. The lid delivery device further includes a first additional stop disposed at the target location of the second lid, the first additional stop configured to: in the process of conveying the first cover, the first cover is in the releasing position before passing through the first position and is in the stopping position after passing through the first position.

In one embodiment, the first location is proximate to a target location of the second cover and the second location is proximate to a target location of the third cover. The cap transfer apparatus further includes: a first additional stop disposed at a target location of the second cover and configured to: in the process of conveying the first cover, the first cover is in a releasing position before passing through the first position and is in a stopping position after passing through the first position; and a second additional stopper disposed at a target position of the third cover and configured to: the second cover is in the let-off position before passing the second position and in the stop position after passing the second position during transport of the second cover.

In one embodiment, the first sensor and/or the second sensor is an electromagnetic induction sensor.

In one embodiment, the flap is a flap lever configured to be driven by the cylinder to move along a guide rail of the cylinder between a stop position and a release position.

In one embodiment, a gas supply channel is provided in the cover blocking lever, an outlet of the gas supply channel being located at a side of the cover blocking lever and being open toward the cover conveying direction, the outlet of the gas supply channel including one or more through holes.

The flap assembly is configured to: when the front cover blocking rod piece moves to the release position, the air supply channel in the rear cover blocking rod piece is supplied with air so as to blow air towards the cover conveying direction through the outlet of the air supply channel in the rear cover blocking rod piece.

In one embodiment, the cover blocking assembly comprises a star wheel, wherein a plurality of teeth are circumferentially spaced apart on the outer periphery of the star wheel, and a containing recess for containing the cover is formed between adjacent teeth. When the star wheel is driven to rotate so that the opening of the accommodating recess is generally oriented in the cover conveying direction, the cover in the accommodating recess is allowed to be conveyed via the conveying track. The cap is restrained within the accommodating recess when the star wheel is driven to rotate such that the opening of the accommodating recess is substantially transverse to the cap conveying direction.

The star wheel is controlled such that: when the first cover in the first accommodating concave part of the star wheel is conveyed by the conveying track and passes through the first position, the star wheel is driven to rotate so that the opening of the second accommodating concave part of the star wheel is generally towards the cover conveying direction, and the second cover in the second accommodating concave part is conveyed by the conveying track; and when the second cover passes through the second position on the conveying track, the star wheel is driven to rotate so that the opening of the third accommodating recess of the star wheel is generally towards the cover conveying direction, and the third cover in the third accommodating recess is conveyed through the conveying track.

In one embodiment, a blowing mechanism is provided on the conveyor track, the blowing mechanism configured to blow a cap on the conveyor track.

In one embodiment, the blowing mechanism includes a plurality of blowing holes disposed on the conveying track that are spaced apart from one another.

A further aspect of the invention is to provide a cover supply device comprising a cover conveying device according to the invention.

The cap supply device further includes a cap detection device configured to detect caps and supply caps that are qualified for detection to the cap transport device. The cover detection device includes: a rotating disc configured to convey a cap to be inspected; a plurality of shutters provided on the rotating disk so as to be spaced apart from each other, each shutter of the plurality of shutters being configured to rotate with the rotating disk and to be movable in a radial direction with respect to the rotating disk, and a radially outer periphery of each shutter being provided with a catching groove for catching the cover; a cam plate provided with a cam groove configured to guide the shutter to move with rotation of the rotary disk; and a cover detection section provided to detect the cover.

The cam plate is fixed, and the contour of the cam groove is configured such that the cam groove includes an arc-shaped portion concentric with the rotating disk and recessed portions connected to both ends of the arc-shaped portion, the recessed portions being located at positions corresponding to the cover detection portions and recessed radially inward to guide the shutter to move radially inward with respect to the rotating disk, so that at the cover detection portions, the cover held by the card slots of the shutter is exposed to the cover detection portions.

The cover detection device further includes a linear guide along which the shutter moves in a radial direction relative to the rotating disk.

Each shutter is fitted with a pin, the free end of which is inserted into the cam slot.

The rotary disk is provided with a plurality of through holes spaced apart from each other, and the positions of the through holes correspond to the positions of the grooves of the baffle plate. The lid detection device further includes a vacuum adsorption device configured to: during the inspection, a vacuum is supplied to the through hole on the rotating disk corresponding to the cap inspection portion to adsorb the cap at the cap inspection portion on the rotating disk.

The cover detection device further includes an arc-shaped groove member sealingly attached to the bottom surface of the rotary disk at a position corresponding to the cover detection portion to cover the corresponding through hole on the rotary disk, and the arc-shaped groove member is connected to the vacuum pump.

The cap detection device is further provided with a cap reject portion located between the cap detection portion and an outlet of the cap detection device in the cap conveying direction, and the cap reject portion is configured to: when the cap detected as defective is conveyed to the cap reject portion, the defective cap is removed from the rotary disk.

The rotating disc is driven to rotate continuously.

The cap supply device comprises one or more cap supply rails connected to the outlet of the cap detection device, the one or more cap supply rails having cap transport devices mounted thereon.

A further aspect of the invention provides a filling system comprising a cap supply device according to the invention.

In one embodiment, each lid supply rail of the lid supply device is configured to supply lids to two or more filling lines, wherein the target position of lids conveyed by the lid conveying device is a lid inlet of the corresponding filling line.

The present invention provides an improved method of continuously transporting caps, cap transport device, cap supply device and filling system. According to the method for continuously conveying the caps, the cap conveying device, the cap supplying device and the filling system, the conveying time of the caps can be remarkably shortened, and the requirement of a high-speed filling system can be met.

Drawings

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like features or components are denoted by like reference numerals and the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale and in which:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a filling system according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of a cap supply of the filling system shown in FIG. 1;

fig. 3 is a partial perspective view showing a cap transfer part of the cap supply device shown in fig. 2;

fig. 4 shows a partial top plan view of the cap transport device of the cap transport section;

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the cover stop assembly of the cover delivery device illustrated in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 shows a perspective cross-sectional view of one of the flaps of the flap assembly;

fig. 7 to 10 are schematic views showing a process in which the cap transfer device continuously transfers caps;

fig. 11 shows a partial perspective view of a cover stop assembly of a cover conveying device according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 illustrates a partial top plan view of the lid supply device illustrated in FIG. 2, showing a lid detection device;

FIG. 13 shows a partially cut-away perspective view of the cap detection device shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 illustrates another partial perspective view of the cap detection device shown in FIG. 12; and

Fig. 15 shows a plan view of the cam plate of the cover detection device shown in fig. 12.

Detailed Description

The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, like reference numerals refer to the same or like parts and features. The drawings are merely schematic representations, not necessarily showing the specific dimensions and proportions of the various embodiments of the invention. Specific details or structures may be shown in exaggerated form in particular figures to illustrate related details or structures of embodiments of the invention.

In describing embodiments of the present invention, directional terms used in connection with "up", "down", "left", "right" are described in terms of up, down, left, right positions of the views shown in the drawings. In practical use, the positional relationships of "up", "down", "left" and "right" as used herein may be defined according to practical circumstances, and these relationships may be reversed.

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a filling system according to an embodiment of the invention. The filling system 1 comprises a cap supply device 10. The cap supply device 10 is configured to deliver acceptable caps to the respective filling lines of the filling system 1.

Fig. 2 shows a schematic view of the cover device 10. As shown in fig. 2, the cap supply device 10 includes a cap storage mechanism 11, a cap sorter 12, a cap detection device 20, and a cap transport section 30. The cap storage mechanism 11 stores therein a plurality of caps to be conveyed. The cap sorter 12 receives caps conveyed from the cap storage mechanism 11 and sequentially conveys them to the downstream cap detection device 20. The lid sorter 12 may be a waterfall lid sorter or any other suitable type of lid sorter. The caps detected to be acceptable by the cap detecting device 20 are conveyed to the cap conveying portion 30, and are continuously conveyed to the respective filling lines of the filling system 1 by the cap conveying portion 30. Fig. 3 shows a partial perspective view of the cap transfer part 30. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the cap transport section 30 of the cap supply device 10 is provided with two cap supply rails, namely, a first cap supply rail 31 and a second cap supply rail 32. A cap transfer device 33 is provided on each cap supply rail. Next, the construction of the cap conveyance device 33 will be described in detail.

Fig. 4 shows a partial top plan view of the cap conveyor 33. As shown in fig. 4, the cap conveyor 33 includes a conveyor rail 311 and a flap assembly 40. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the conveying rail 311 is a stainless steel rail. And advantageously, blowing means are provided on the conveying track 311 to speed up the conveying of the caps along the conveying track 311. In the example shown in the drawings, the blowing means includes a plurality of air holes a provided on the conveying rail 311 to be spaced apart from each other. In other examples according to the invention, the blowing means may employ a plurality of blowing pipes spaced apart from each other arranged along the conveying track 311.

The flap cover assembly 40 is disposed on the conveying rail 311 and is configured to block or allow passage of a plurality of covers arranged in sequence. The plurality of caps are transported to respective target positions via the transport rails 311 after passing through the cap blocking assembly 40. A corresponding cover detection sensor is provided at each target position. In the example shown in the drawing, a plurality of caps can be conveyed to three target positions, i.e., a first target position P1, a second target position P2, and a third target position P3, respectively, via the conveying rail 311 after passing through the cap assembly 40. The first target position P1, the second target position P2, and the third target position P3 correspond to three filling lines (not shown in the figure) supplied by the cap conveyance device 33, respectively. And accordingly, at the above three target positions, a first cover detection sensor 312, a second cover detection sensor 313, and a third cover detection sensor 314 are provided, respectively, for detecting whether the covers reach the corresponding target positions, respectively. The first cover detection sensor 312, the second cover sensor 313, and the third cover sensor 314 are preferably optical fiber correlation sensors, but other suitable sensors may be used.

Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of the flap assembly 40. As shown in fig. 5, the flap assembly 40 includes a first mounting portion 41 and a second mounting portion 42 mounted on both sides of the conveying rail 311, respectively.

The first mounting portion 41 is mounted with a plurality of cover members and corresponding driving means which are movable independently of each other. In the example shown in the drawings, the barrier cover assembly 40 is provided to be capable of holding three covers at the same time, and four barrier covers, that is, a first barrier cover 411, a second barrier cover 412, a third barrier cover 413, and a fourth barrier cover 414 are mounted on the first mounting portion 41, respectively. It is noted that in other examples according to the present invention, the flap cover assembly 40 may be configured to hold fewer covers (e.g., two covers) or more covers (e.g., four covers) at the same time, and thus provide a corresponding number of flap covers.

Each flap is coupled to a respective drive means and is driven to move transversely to the conveying track 311 to either extend into the conveying path to a stop position to block the passage of the caps, or to exit the conveying path to a clear position to allow the passage of the caps. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the drive means for each flap use a cylinder arrangement. As schematically shown in fig. 5, each cylinder device includes a cylinder block 416 and a movement output 417 coupled to the cylinder block 416. The moving output 417 may be linearly moved toward or away from the cylinder 416. Each flap member is coupled to the movement output member 417 of the corresponding cylinder device to move with the movement output member 417, respectively. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the mobile output 417 has an L-shaped profile, comprising a longitudinal wall 4171 and a transversal wall 4172 extending perpendicular to each other. Advantageously, as shown in fig. 5, the top of the cylinder 416 is provided with a guide slot and the longitudinal wall 4171 of the mobile output 417 is provided with a corresponding projection. When mounted in place, the protrusion of the longitudinal wall portion 4171 of the moving output 417 is placed in the guide groove on the cylinder 416, and the moving output 417 can linearly move along the guide groove on the cylinder 416, so that the movement of the moving output 417 is smoother.

In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the first barrier cover 411, the second barrier cover 412, the third barrier cover 413, and the fourth barrier cover 414 mounted on the first mounting portion 41 are each in the form of a barrier cover bar. Fig. 6 shows a perspective cross-section of the second flap 412. As shown in fig. 6, the second blocking cover 412 includes a body portion 4121, a blocking end portion 4122, and a boss connection portion 4123. The stopper end portion 4122 extends from the body portion 4121 in the longitudinal direction of the body portion 4121, and the width of the stopper end portion 4121 is smaller than the width of the body portion 4121, so that when mounted in place, a space capable of accommodating the cap is formed between the stopper end portions of the adjacent stopper caps.

The second barrier cover 412 is provided inside with an air supply passage 4124. The air supply passage 4124 extends through the body portion 4121 into the stopper end portion 4122 in the longitudinal direction of the body portion 4121, but does not extend through the end wall of the stopper end portion 4122 in the longitudinal direction. The inlet end 4126 of the air supply passage 4142 opens to an end wall of the body portion 4121 and is connected to an air supply (not shown) via a fitting 415 (shown in fig. 5). One side wall of the stopper end portion 4122 downstream in the cap conveying direction X is provided with one or more through holes 4125. The through-hole 4125 forms an outlet of the air supply passage 4124 that opens toward the cap conveying direction X, so that when compressed air is supplied to the air supply passage 4124 via the joint 415, the compressed air is blown toward the cap conveying direction X via the through-hole 4125, thereby pushing the conveyance of the caps. In the embodiment shown in the figures, two through holes 4125 are provided in this side wall of the stop end 4122. It should be noted that in other examples according to the present invention, the number of through holes 4125 may be set to be greater or less as needed.

The boss connection portion 4123 extends laterally from the body portion 4121 and is provided with a mounting hole to be coupled to a lateral wall portion 4172 (shown in fig. 5) of the movement output member 417 of the corresponding cylinder device, so that the second flap member 412 can be moved integrally with the movement output member 417 to extend into the conveying path to be in the stop position or to retract out of the conveying path to be in the release position.

In the embodiment shown in the figures, the first flap 411 may have the same outer contour as the body portion 4121 and the stop end portion 4122 of the second flap 412, but without a laterally extending protruding connection. The inside of the first barrier cover 411 is not provided with an air supply passage, and thus a mounting hole may be directly provided on the body portion of the first barrier cover 411 to be coupled to the longitudinal wall portion 4171 of the moving output 417 of the corresponding cylinder device so that the first barrier cover 411 may be integrally moved with the moving output 417 of the cylinder device to extend into or withdraw from the conveying path. The body portion of each flap is typically in a position that is more accessible to a worker when installed. Accordingly, by providing the mounting hole on the body portion of the first barrier cover 411 to be coupled with the longitudinal wall portion 4171 of the movement output member 417, installation and debugging can be more convenient.

In the embodiment shown in the figures, the first flap 411 is structurally different from the second flap 412, the first flap 411 being coupled to the longitudinal wall 4171 of the mobile output 417 of the respective cylinder device and the second flap 4122 being coupled to the transverse wall 4171 of the mobile output 417 of the respective cylinder device. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. In other embodiments according to the present invention, for example, to achieve the benefits of mass production manufacturing, the first flap 411 may be constructed identically to the second flap 412. For example, in one example according to the present invention, the first barrier cover 411 and the second barrier cover 412 are identical in structure, are each coupled to the lateral wall portion 4172 of the movement output 417 of the corresponding cylinder device by a protruding connection portion, and may be each provided with an internal air supply passage as long as compressed air is not supplied to the first barrier cover 411 during operation. In another example according to the present invention, the second barrier cover 412 may be coupled to the longitudinal wall portion 4171 of the moving output 417 of the corresponding cylinder device by providing a mounting hole in the body portion 4121 without affecting the air supply passage 4124 inside the second barrier cover 412, without providing a protruding connection portion.

The second barrier cover 412, the third barrier cover 413, and the fourth barrier cover 414 all have the same structure. The above description about the second barrier cover 412 also applies to the third barrier cover 413 and the fourth barrier cover 414, and thus the description of the construction of the third barrier cover 413 and the fourth barrier cover 414 will not be repeated.

The flap assembly 40 also includes a plurality of sensors S. As shown in fig. 5, the sensors S are mounted on the first and second mounting portions 41 and 42, aligned with each other and respectively located between adjacent barrier covers for detecting the covers between the stopper ends of the adjacent barrier covers. The sensor S is preferably an optical fiber correlation sensor, but other suitable sensors, such as a capacitive sensor, may be used.

Referring again to fig. 4, the cap conveyor 33 further includes a first additional stop 51 and a second additional stop 52 disposed downstream of the cap assembly 40 in the cap conveying direction X along the conveying track 311. The first additional stopper 51 is provided at the second target position P2, and is configured to be able to stop the cover at the second target position P2. The second additional stopper 52 is provided at the third target position P3, and is configured to be able to stop the cover at the third target position P3. The first additional stopper 51 includes a first additional stopper 511, and the second additional stopper 52 includes a second additional stopper 521. The first additional stop 511 and the second additional stop 521 are each coupled to a respective drive and are driven to move transversely to the conveying track 311 to either extend into the conveying path in a stop position to block the passage of the caps or to exit the conveying path in a clear position to allow the passage of the caps. The first and second additional stoppers 511 and 521 may adopt the same configuration as the first barrier cover 411 of the barrier cover assembly 40.

The lid delivery device 33 further includes a first sensor 316 and a second sensor 318. The first sensor 316 and the second sensor 318 are provided for detecting whether the caps have passed the corresponding predetermined positions on the cap conveying path, respectively. The first sensor 316 and/or the second sensor 318 are preferably optical fiber correlation sensors, but other suitable sensors, such as capacitive sensors, may be used

In addition, the cap conveyance device 33 further includes a controller (not shown in the drawings) configured to be connected to the sensors and the driving devices and control the driving devices based on the detection results of the sensors, thereby controlling the movement of the caps and the additional stoppers to achieve control of continuous conveyance of the caps. The control of the cap transfer device 33 may be integrated into the control of the cap supply device 10 or into the control of the entire filling system 1, or may be a separate control.

The construction of the cap transfer device 33 is described above. A method and a process for continuously conveying caps using the cap conveying device 33 will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As shown in fig. 7, the flap assembly 40 retains the first set of flaps between adjacent flaps. When the transport of the caps to the respective target positions is started, the first additional stopper 511 and the second additional stopper 521 are each in the release position, and the first cap baffle 411 of the cap assembly 40 is driven to retract to exit the cap transport path to be in its release position, so that the first caps M1 in the first group of caps held by the cap assembly 40 are released and transported with the transport rail 311 toward the first target position P1. Also, advantageously, when the first barrier cover 411 is driven to its releasing position, compressed air is supplied to the air supply passage 4124 in the second barrier cover 412 via the corresponding joint 415 and blows the first cover M1 toward the cover conveying direction X via the through hole 4125, so that the first cover M1 can be accelerated in conveying by the blowing of the compressed air when released, thereby reducing the conveying time of the first cover M1.

In conveying the first cover M1 toward the first target position P1, the first sensor 316 detects whether the first cover M1 has passed the first position on the conveying rail 311. The first position is a position between the first target position P1 and the first flap 411. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the first position is close to the second target position P2 on the conveying track 311, and accordingly, the first sensor 316 is arranged close to the second target position P2, and close to the first additional stop 51. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the first position is close to the second target position P2 and downstream of the second target position P2, and correspondingly, the first sensor 316 is close to the first additional stop 51 and downstream of the first additional stop 51. However, the invention is not limited thereto, and in other examples according to the invention the first position may be close to the second target position P2 but upstream of the second target position P2, and accordingly the first sensor 316 is close to the first additional stop 51 and upstream of the first additional stop 51.

When the first sensor 316 detects that the first cap M1 has reached the first position, the second cap baffle 412 of the cap assembly 40 is driven out of the cap conveyance path to be in its release position, so that the second cap M2 is released, as shown in fig. 8. Then, the first and second caps M1 and M2 are conveyed toward the respective target positions via the conveying rails 311. And advantageously, when the second shutter 412 is driven to its releasing position, compressed air is supplied to the air supply channel in the third shutter 413 via the respective joint 415 and blows the second cover M2 toward the cover conveying direction X via the through hole on the side wall of the stopper end of the third shutter 413, so that the second cover M2 can be accelerated by the blowing of compressed air when released, thereby reducing the conveying time of the second cover M2.

During the conveyance of the second cover M2 toward the second target position P2, the second sensor 318 detects whether the second cover M2 has passed the second position on the conveying rail 311. The second position is a position between the second target position P2 and the second flap 412. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the second position is close to the third target position P3 and, correspondingly, the second sensor 318 is arranged close to the third target position P3 and close to the second additional stop 52. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the second position is close to the third target position P3 and downstream of the third target position P3, and correspondingly, the second sensor 318 is close to the second additional stop 52 and downstream of the second additional stop 52. However, the invention is not so limited, and in other examples according to the invention, the second position may be proximate to the third target position P3 but upstream of the third target position P3, and accordingly, the second sensor 318 is proximate to the second additional stop 52 and upstream of the second additional stop 52.

When the second sensor 318 detects that the second cap M2 has reached the second position, the third barrier cap 413 of the barrier cap assembly 40 is driven to exit the cap conveyance path to be in its release position, so that the third cap M3 is released, as shown in fig. 9. Then, the first cover M1, the second cover M2, and the third cover M3 are conveyed toward the respective target positions via the conveying rail 311. It should be noted here that, in other examples according to the present invention, when the third cover M3 is released, the first cover M1 may have already reached the first target position P1 while waiting for the second cover M2 and the third cover M3 to be conveyed to the respective target positions, respectively. Advantageously, when the third flap cover 413 is driven to its release position, compressed air is supplied to the air supply channel in the fourth flap cover 414 via the respective joint 415 and blows the third cover M3 via the through-hole in the side wall of the stop end of the fourth flap cover 414 towards the cover conveying direction X, so that the third cover M3 can be accelerated by the blowing of compressed air when released, thereby reducing the conveying time of the third cover M3.

In conveying the second cover M2 toward the second target position P2, for example, when the second cover M2 is let go and the first cover M1 has passed the second target position P2 or when the second cover M2 reaches the second position, the first additional stopper 51 is controlled such that the first additional stopper 511 is driven to protrude into the cover conveying path to be in the stopper position to prevent the second cover M2 from being conveyed beyond the second target position P2.

And, in conveying the third cap M3 toward the third target position P3, for example, when the third cap M3 is released and the second cap M2 has passed the third target position P3, the second additional stopper 52 is controlled such that the second additional stopper 521 is driven to protrude into the cap conveying path to be in the stopper position to prevent the third cap M3 from being conveyed beyond the third target position P3.

Once the first, second, and third caps M1, M2, and M3 are each at the respective target positions, as shown in fig. 10, for example, when the first cap detection sensor 312 detects that the first cap M1 is at the first target position P1, the second cap detection sensor 313 detects that the second cap M2 is at the second target position P2, and the third cap detection sensor 314 detects that the third cap M3 is at the third target position P3, the first, second, and third caps M1, M2, and M3 are further conveyed from the respective target positions to the corresponding filling lines, respectively.

During the transport of the third caps M3, after the third caps M3 are released to be transported through the first barrier cap 411 of the barrier cap assembly 40, the first barrier cap 411 is driven to extend into the cap transport path to be in the blocking position, and the fourth barrier cap 414 is driven to exit the cap transport path to be in the releasing position. The next set of lids is then transported to the flap assembly 40. When the sensor S of the flap assembly 40 detects that the set of caps is being delivered to the space between the stop ends of the respective adjacent flaps of the flap assembly 40, the respective flaps are driven to their stop positions to hold the set of caps in place within the flap assembly 40 awaiting release. When the set of caps are all in place in the cap assembly 40, the transport process described above in connection with fig. 7-10 is repeated to transport the set of caps to the respective target locations.

In the related art, when one set of caps is continuously conveyed, it is common that one cap is conveyed next after reaching its target conveying position. Thus, the conveyance time of each set of caps is the sum of the conveyance times of each cap. And as the number of caps delivered per group increases, the delivery time per group of caps correspondingly increases.

In the above-described cap conveying device 33 and method of continuously conveying caps according to the present invention, the second cap M2 is released while the first cap M1 passes through the first position upstream of its target conveying position (i.e., the first target position P1), and the third cap M3 is released while the second cap M2 passes through the second position upstream of its target conveying position (i.e., the second target position P2). Accordingly, the time for the second cover M2 and the third cover M3 to wait for release at the barrier cover assembly 40 can be shortened. Also, when each cap is released at the cap blocking assembly 40, the latter cap blocking member applies a force toward the cap conveyance direction to the front cap, so that the caps are accelerated when being released, which advantageously shortens the conveyance time of each cap. In addition, the air blowing device provided on the conveying rail 311 blows air toward the caps when the caps are conveyed along the conveying rail, further accelerating the conveyance of the caps, and further shortening the conveying time of the caps. In one test of the cap transfer device 33 of the filling system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the cap transfer device 33, when used for supplying caps to three filling lines, can shorten the transfer time of each set of caps by 25% because the second cap can be transferred simultaneously with the first cap, and the third cap can be transferred simultaneously with at least the second cap, and the transfer time of each set of caps is less than the sum of the transfer times of each cap. Accordingly, the cap transfer device 33 and the method of continuously transferring caps according to the present invention can significantly shorten the transfer time of each set of caps, and can rapidly and continuously transfer caps to a plurality of filling lines, as compared with the related art, thereby being capable of satisfying the demand of a high-speed filling system.

The cap transfer device 33 according to the first embodiment of the present invention and the method of continuously transferring caps using the cap transfer device 33 are described above. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the cap conveying device 33 conveys each set of three caps to three target positions, respectively, to supply three filling lines. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The cap transfer device 33 and the continuous transfer method according to the present invention can also be used to transfer each set of two caps to two target locations for supply to two filling lines, respectively, while still achieving the beneficial technical effects described above. Also, the method of continuously conveying caps according to the present inventive concept may be used to convey a set of more caps to more target positions, respectively, to supply more filling lines.

Fig. 11 shows a partial perspective view of the lid delivery device 34 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, showing a stop lid assembly 60 of the lid delivery device 34 according to the second embodiment. The cap transfer device 34 according to the second embodiment of the present invention is substantially identical in construction to the cap transfer device 31 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, except for the construction of the cap blocking assembly 60. Only the cap blocking assembly 60 of the cap transfer device 34 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described, and the same parts of the cap transfer device 34 as those of the cap transfer device 33 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will not be described again.

As shown in fig. 11, the cover assembly 60 includes a star wheel 61 and a drive 63. The outer periphery of the star wheel 61 is provided with a plurality of teeth spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction, and a receiving recess for receiving the cap is formed between the adjacent teeth. In the example shown in the figures, the star wheel 61 is provided with ten teeth, i.e., first tooth 611 to tenth tooth 620, so that ten accommodation recesses are formed between adjacent teeth. However, the invention is not limited thereto, and in other examples according to the invention, the starwheel 61 may be provided with more or fewer teeth circumferentially spaced from each other. The driving device 63 may be a servo motor, for example.

The teeth of the star wheel 61 act as a stop for the cover. When the star wheel 61 is driven to rotate to move the first teeth 611 out of the cap conveying path to be at the releasing position, the opening of the accommodating recess in which the first cap M1 is positioned is substantially directed in the conveying direction, and the first cap M1 is released. And in the process, the latter second teeth 612 apply a force to the first cap M1 toward the cap conveying direction, thereby accelerating the conveyance of the first cap M1. At this time, the second teeth 612 protrude into the cap conveying path to be in the stopping position, and the opening of the accommodating recess in which the second cap M2 is located is substantially transverse to the cap conveying direction, in which the second cap M2 is stopped by the second teeth 612.

Similar to the cap conveying device 33 according to the first embodiment of the present invention described above, in the course of conveying the first cap M1, when the first sensor 316 detects that the first cap M1 has reached the first position, the star 61 is driven to withdraw the second tooth 612 from the cap conveying path to be in the release position, the opening of the accommodating recess in which the second cap M2 is located is substantially directed toward the cap conveying direction, the second cap M2 is released, and the third tooth 613 applies a force toward the cap conveying direction to the second cap M2, accelerating the conveying of the second cap M2. When the second sensor 318 detects that the second cap M2 has reached the second position, the star wheel 61 is driven to withdraw the third tooth 613 from the cap conveying path to be in the release position, the opening of the accommodating recess in which the third cap M3 is located is substantially directed in the cap conveying direction, and the third cap M3 is released. When the first, second and third caps M1, M2 and M3 are in place at the first, second and third target positions P1, P2 and P3, respectively, they are further transported from the respective target positions to the respective filling lines, respectively. The above process is repeated to continue the transport of the other caps.

The cap transfer device 34 according to the second embodiment of the present invention can achieve the above-described advantageous technical effects similar to those of the cap transfer device 33 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, can shorten the transfer time of caps, and can rapidly transfer caps to a plurality of filling lines, satisfying the demand of a high-speed filling system.

Fig. 12 shows a partial top plan view of the cover supply device 10 shown in fig. 2, showing the cover detection device 20. The cap detection device 20 is configured to detect caps supplied from the cap sorter 12, and supply caps that pass the detection to the cap conveying devices of the cap conveying section 30.

As shown in fig. 12, the cap detection device 20 includes a cap feeding section 21, a cap carrying section 22, a cap detection section 23, a cap removing section 24, and a cap feeding section 25. The caps supplied from the cap sorter 12 enter the cap detection device 20 via the cap feeding portion 21, and are sequentially conveyed to the cap detection portion 23, the cap removing portion 24, and the cap feeding portion 25 via the cap carrying portion 22.

Fig. 13 shows a partially cut-away perspective view of the cap detection device 20, fig. 14 shows a partially perspective view of the cap detection device 20 from another angle, and shows the structure of the cap detection device 20. The cover carrying part 22 of the cover detecting device 20 includes a rotary disk 221 and a plurality of shutters 222 provided on the rotary disk 221 to be spaced apart from each other. The rotary disc 221 is provided with a plurality of through holes 2211 (fig. 14) spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction. Each of the shutters 222 is configured to be rotatable with the rotary disk 221 and movable in a radial direction of the rotary disk 221 with respect to the rotary disk 221. The outer periphery of each baffle 222 is provided with a card slot 2221. When the shutters 222 are mounted in place on the rotary disk 221, the catch grooves 2221 of each shutter 222 are aligned with the corresponding through holes 2211 on the rotary disk 221 so that the cover M can be accommodated between the catch grooves 2221, and the flange portion of the cover M is sandwiched between the shutters 222 and the rotary disk 221, thereby holding the cover M in place on the rotary disk 221.

The cover carrier 22 also includes a cam plate 223. The cam plate 223 is configured to guide each of the shutters 222 to move with the rotation of the rotary disk 221. Fig. 15 shows a plan view of the cam plate 223. As shown in fig. 15, the cam plate 223 is generally annular in shape, and is provided with a cam groove 2231. The cam groove 2231 includes an arc-shaped portion 2231A and concave portions 2231B connected to both ends of the arc-shaped portion 2231A. The recess 2231B is recessed radially inward relative to the arcuate portion 2231A. The cam plate 223 is fixedly installed such that the arc-shaped portion 2231A is concentric with the rotary disc 221, and the concave portion 2231B is located at a position corresponding to the detection position of the cover detection portion 23.

Each baffle 222 is mounted to a cam plate 223 by way of a pin P. One end of a pin P is fixedly mounted to a radially inner portion of the shutter 222, and the pin P passes through a slot extending in a radial direction on the rotary disc 221 and is inserted into a cam groove 2231 of the cam plate 223, as best shown in fig. 13.

The lid carrier 22 also includes vacuum suction means. The vacuum adsorption apparatus includes an arc-shaped groove 224, a connection pipe 225 (fig. 14), and a vacuum source (not shown). The vacuum source may be, for example, a vacuum pump. The arc-shaped groove 224 is fixedly installed at a position corresponding to the cover detection part 23, and is sealingly coupled to the lower surface of the rotary disk 221. One end of the connection pipe 225 is connected to the arc-shaped groove 224, and the other end of the connection pipe 225 is connected to a vacuum source (not shown in the drawing).

The cap detection section 23 is configured to take an image of the cap conveyed to the cap detection section 23, and perform processing based on the taken image to determine whether the cap meets the requirements. The cover detection section 23 includes a detection camera (not shown in the figure) mounted at the detection position, the detection camera being configured to take an image of the cover conveyed to the cover detection section 23.

The cap reject portion 24 is configured to remove the cap detected as failed by the cap detection portion 23 from the rotary disk 221. The cap removing portion 24 receives information of the defective cap detected by the cap detecting portion 23, and when the cap detected as defective is conveyed to the cap removing portion 24, the cap removing portion 24 removes the defective cap from the rotary disc 221 and collects it in the waste cap recovery device 241.

The cap passing through the cap detection unit 23 is detected to be delivered from the cap delivery unit 25 to the first cap supply rail 31 and the second cap supply rail 32 of the cap delivery unit 30.

During the process in which the caps M to be detected are conveyed with the rotation of the rotary disk 221, the end of the corresponding pin P of each shutter 222 moves within the cam groove 2231 of the cam plate 223. When the cover M moves to approach the cover detecting portion 23, since the recessed portion 2231B of the cam groove 2231 is recessed radially inward at this position, the pin P is guided to move radially inward so that the shutter 222 fixedly connected to the pin P moves in the radial direction with respect to the rotary disk 221. Advantageously, the rotary disc 221 is also provided with a linear guide 2212, so that the guide flap 222 moves linearly radially inwards with respect to the rotary disc 221 when the pin P moves into the recess 2231B of the cam groove 2231. Thereby, the shutter 222 releases the corresponding cover M so that the cover M is completely exposed to the photographing range of the detection camera at the cover detection part 23, thereby photographing and detecting the cover M. In this process, since the shutter 222 has been moved radially inward without clamping the flange portion of the cover M, in order to stably hold the cover M on the rotary disk 221, the vacuum suction means sucks vacuum into the arc-shaped groove member 224, and sucks the cover M on the rotary disk 221 through the through hole 2211 of the rotary disk 221 corresponding to the cover M.

The shutter 222 is guided to move with the rotary disc 221 by the provision of the cam groove 2231 so that the rotary disc 221 can be driven to continuously rotate, thereby continuously conveying the caps M to the respective stations in the cap detecting device 20. Therefore, the cap inspection device 20 according to the present invention can increase the speed of cap inspection and accordingly can rapidly supply the caps that are inspected to the cap transfer portion 30, which can satisfy the demand of the high-speed filling system, compared to the intermittent operation in the related art in which the carrying portion stays when the caps reach the cap inspection portion.

The above shows an exemplary embodiment of the filling system 1 according to the invention and its cap supply device 10.

In the embodiment shown in the figures, the first and second lid supply rails 31, 32 of the lid conveyance section 30 of the lid supply device 10 are each provided with the same lid conveyance device 33. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. In other examples according to the present invention, two cover supply rails of the cover conveying part 30 may employ cover conveying means of different configurations from each other, and/or the cover conveying part 30 may be provided with more cover supply rails that are the same or different.

Herein, exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, but it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described and illustrated in the above. Those skilled in the art will be able to make various modifications and variations to the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. All such modifications and variations are intended to be within the scope of the present invention. Moreover, all the components described herein may be replaced by other technically equivalent elements.

Claims

1. A method of continuously delivering caps comprising:

releasing a first cover from the plurality of covers arranged in sequence to convey the first cover via a conveying track;

detecting whether the first cover passes through a first position on the conveying track during conveying of the first cover; and

when the first cover is detected to pass the first position, a second cover of the plurality of covers is released to convey the first cover and the second cover via the conveying track.

2. The method of continuously delivering caps of claim 1, further comprising:

detecting whether the second cover passes a second position on the conveying track during conveying of the second cover; and

and releasing a third cover of the plurality of covers to transport the first cover, the second cover, and the third cover via the transport track when the second cover is detected to pass the second position.

3. The method of continuously transporting caps of claim 1, wherein the first location is proximate to a target location of the second cap; and

the method of continuously transporting caps further comprises: when the first cover is detected to pass the first position, a first additional stopper at a target position of the second cover is brought to a stopper position.

4. The method of continuously transporting caps of claim 2, wherein the first position is proximate to a target position of the second cap and the second position is proximate to a target position of the third cap; and

wherein the method of continuously transporting caps further comprises:

when the first cover is detected to pass through the first position, a first additional stop at a target position of the second cover is caused to be in a stop position; and

when the second cover is detected to pass through the second position, a second additional stopper at a target position of the third cover is brought to a stopper position.

5. The method of continuously transporting caps according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising:

when each of the plurality of caps is released, a force directed in the cap conveyance direction is applied to each cap.

6. The method of continuously transporting caps according to claim 5, wherein applying a force to each cap toward the cap transport direction comprises:

blowing each cap toward the cap conveying direction; or alternatively

The front cover is moved by the cover blocking member of the rear cover in the direction of conveying the cover.

7. The method of continuously transporting caps according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising: during the transport, the caps on the transport track are blown.

8. A lid delivery device comprising:

a stop cap assembly configured to block or allow passage of a plurality of caps arranged in sequence, the stop cap assembly comprising a plurality of stop cap members, each of the plurality of stop cap members configured to move between a stop position in which the stop cap member blocks passage of the caps and a clear position in which the stop cap member allows passage of the caps;

a conveying track configured to convey the plurality of caps to respective target positions; and

a first sensor arranged to detect whether a cover passes a first position on the conveyor track;

the baffle cover assembly is characterized in that: during the movement of a first one of the plurality of flaps to the release position to convey a first one of the plurality of caps via the conveying track, a second one of the plurality of flaps is moved to the release position to release a second one of the plurality of caps to convey the first and second caps via the conveying track when the first sensor detects that the first cap passes the first position.

9. The lid delivery device of claim 8, further comprising a second sensor configured to detect whether a lid passes a second location on the delivery track,

wherein, the shield assembly is further configured to: and when the second sensor detects that the second cover passes through the second position during conveying of the second cover, the third cover of the plurality of covers moves to the release position to release the third cover of the plurality of covers so as to convey the first cover, the second cover and the third cover through the conveying track.

10. The lid delivery device of claim 8, wherein the first location is proximate to a target location of the second lid; and

the lid delivery device further includes a first additional stop disposed at a target location of the second lid, the first additional stop configured to: in the process of conveying the first cover, the first cover is in a release position before passing through the first position and is in a stop position after passing through the first position.

11. The lid delivery device of claim 9, wherein the first location is proximate to a target location of the second lid and the second location is proximate to a target location of the third lid; and

The cap transfer apparatus further includes:

a first additional stop disposed at a target location of the second cover and configured to: in the process of conveying the first cover, the first cover is in a release position before passing through the first position and is in a stop position after passing through the first position; and

a second additional stop disposed at a target location of the third cover and configured to: in the process of transporting the second cover, the second cover is in a release position before passing through the second position and is in a stop position after passing through the second position.

12. The lid delivery device of claim 9, wherein the first sensor and/or the second sensor is an electromagnetic induction sensor.

13. The lid delivery device of any of claims 8 to 12, wherein the flap is a flap lever configured to be driven by a cylinder to move along a guide rail of the cylinder between the stop position and the release position.

14. The cap transfer apparatus of claim 13, wherein a gas supply channel is provided in the cap bar, an outlet of the gas supply channel being located at a side of the cap bar and being open toward a cap transfer direction, the outlet of the gas supply channel including one or more through holes.

15. The lid delivery device of claim 14, wherein the lid assembly is configured to: when the front cover blocking rod piece moves to the release position, the air supply channel in the rear cover blocking rod piece is supplied with air so as to blow air towards the cover conveying direction through the outlet of the air supply channel in the rear cover blocking rod piece.

16. The cap transfer apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein the cap blocking assembly includes a star wheel having a plurality of teeth disposed on an outer circumference thereof at intervals in a circumferential direction, receiving recesses for receiving caps are formed between adjacent teeth,

wherein when the star wheel is driven to rotate so that the opening of the accommodating recess is generally oriented in a cover conveying direction, the cover in the accommodating recess is allowed to be conveyed through the conveying track; and

wherein the cover is restrained within the accommodating recess when the star wheel is driven to rotate such that the opening of the accommodating recess is substantially transverse to the cover conveying direction.

17. The lid delivery device of claim 16, wherein the star is controlled such that:

when a first cover in a first accommodating recess of the star wheel is conveyed through the conveying track and passes through the first position, the star wheel is driven to rotate so that an opening of a second accommodating recess of the star wheel is generally towards the cover conveying direction, and a second cover in the second accommodating recess is conveyed through the conveying track; and

When the second cover passes through the second position on the conveying track, the star wheel is driven to rotate so that the opening of the third accommodating recess of the star wheel is generally towards the cover conveying direction, and the third cover in the third accommodating recess is conveyed through the conveying track.

18. The cap conveyor according to any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein a blowing mechanism is provided on the conveyor track, the blowing mechanism being configured to blow a cap on the conveyor track.

19. The lid delivery device of claim 18, wherein the blowing mechanism includes a plurality of blowing holes spaced apart from one another disposed on the delivery track.

20. A cap supply device characterized by comprising a cap transfer device according to any one of claims 8 to 19.

21. The cap supply apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the cap supply apparatus further comprises a cap detection apparatus configured to detect caps and supply caps that are qualified for detection to the cap transport apparatus, the cap detection apparatus comprising:

a rotating disc configured to transport caps to be inspected;

a plurality of baffles disposed on the rotating disk at a distance from each other, each of the plurality of baffles being configured to rotate with the rotating disk and to be movable in a radial direction with respect to the rotating disk, and a radially outer periphery of each of the baffles being provided with a clamping groove for clamping a cover;

A cam plate provided with a cam groove configured to guide the shutter to move with rotation of the rotating disk; and

and a cover detection section configured to detect the cover.

22. The cover supply device according to claim 21, wherein the cam plate is fixed, and a contour of the cam groove is configured such that the cam groove includes an arc-shaped portion concentric with the rotary disk and recessed portions connected to both ends of the arc-shaped portion, the recessed portions being located at positions corresponding to the cover detection portions and recessed radially inward to guide the shutter to move radially inward with respect to the rotary disk, such that at the cover detection portions, covers held by the catching grooves of the shutter are exposed to the cover detection portions.

23. The lid supply device of claim 22, wherein the lid detection device further comprises a linear guide along which the shutter moves in a radial direction relative to the rotating disk.

24. The cover supply device of claim 21, wherein each of the shutters mounts a pin, a free end of the pin being inserted into the cam groove.

25. The cover supply device of claim 21, wherein the rotating disk is provided with a plurality of through holes spaced apart from each other, the positions of the through holes corresponding to the positions of the grooves of the shutter; and

the lid detection device further includes a vacuum adsorption device configured to: in the detecting process, vacuum is supplied to the through hole on the rotating disk corresponding to the cap detecting portion to adsorb the cap at the cap detecting portion on the rotating disk.

26. The cover supply device of claim 24, wherein the cover detection device further comprises an arcuate channel member sealingly attached to a bottom surface of the rotating disk at a location corresponding to the cover detection portion to cover a corresponding through hole on the rotating disk, and the arcuate channel member is connected to a vacuum pump.

27. The cap supply device according to any one of claims 21 to 26, wherein the cap detection device is further provided with a cap reject portion that is located between the cap detection portion and an outlet of the cap detection device in a cap conveying direction, and the cap reject portion is provided to: when the cap detected as being defective is conveyed to the cap reject portion, the defective cap is removed from the rotary disk.

28. A cover supply according to any one of claims 21 to 26 wherein the rotating disc is driven to rotate continuously.

29. The lid supply device of any one of claims 21 to 26, further comprising one or more lid supply rails connected to an outlet of the lid detection device, the one or more lid supply rails having the lid conveyance device mounted thereon.

30. A filling system characterized by comprising a cap supply device according to any one of claims 20 to 29.

31. The filling system of claim 30, wherein each lid supply rail of the lid supply device is configured to supply lids to two or more filling lines, wherein the target location of lids conveyed by the lid conveying device is a lid inlet of the corresponding filling line.