JP2004224439A

JP2004224439A - Outer piston of constant volume filling device

Info

Publication number: JP2004224439A
Application number: JP2003054972A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Kozo Sakamaki; 弘三酒巻; Jun Hamazaki; 純濱崎; Yoshinari Suganuma; 良成菅沼; Kazuyoshi Enari; 和義江成; Makoto Takami; 誠高見
Original assignee: Daiwa Can Co Ltd
Current assignee: Daiwa Can Co Ltd
Priority date: 2003-01-24
Filing date: 2003-01-24
Publication date: 2004-08-12

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide the outer piston of a constant volume filling device capable of constant volume and filling contents by merely using a small number of seals and capable of easily cleaning contents adhering . <P>SOLUTION: In the outer piston 10 of the constant volume filling device, an upper member 11 and a lower member 12 are integrally bonded to form annular grooves having annular projections on the internal and external peripheries straddling the bonding surface, and one annular seal 22, 23 is mounted on each annular groove. For the annular seal, the central sections of the internal and external surfaces sliding a cylinder 3 and an internal cylinder 5 are each of cylindrical shape, expanded sections enlarged from the central sections to upper and lower ends are formed, and annular slanted grooves, which are each cut out almost in parallel with the expanded sections are provided on the upper and lower ends. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、容器に所定量の内容物を充填する定量充填装置の計量室に設置され、所定量の内容物を計量するために内容物を計量室に導入した後に、充填容器に導出するアウターピストンに関するものである。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
【特許文献１】特開２００１−３２８６０５号公報
【特許文献２】特公平７−１００４８６号公報
特許文献１に、カレー、シチュー、コーンスープ等の固形物を含み粘性の有る内容物をプラスチックカップ等の容器に定量充填する装置が記載されている。
また、特許文献２に、無菌充填ポンプのピストンの外周にシール溝を形成し、その中にＯリングとその外周にスライドリングを収めたシール構造が記載されている。
前記特許文献１に記載された形式の定量充填装置のアウターピストンに、前記特許文献２に記載されたピストンのシール構造を適用した定量充填装置の一例を図３に示す。
【０００３】
図３において、定量充填装置５０は、内容物を貯留したタンクの底壁２から垂下するシリンダ３と、その下端に設置されて下方に突出するノズル筒４と、シリンダ３内に下端がノズル筒４に取付けられたインナーシリンダ５とを備え、これらの部材は同芯に設置されてインナーシリンダ５の内径とノズル筒４の突出部の孔径が同径で連続している。
インナーシリンダ５の下端に内容物の出入り口７を設けてシリンダ３とインナーシリンダ５との間に環状の計量室６を形成し、この計量室６内にシリンダ３の内周とインナーシリンダ５の外周に摺動する環状のアウターピストン５１を設けると共に、インナーシリンダ５内に内容物の出入り口７とノズル筒４の突出部の孔を開閉するインナーピストン８が設けられている。
【０００４】
この定量充填装置５０は、インナーピストン８でノズル筒４の突出部の孔を閉鎖した状態でアウターピストン５１を上昇させると、タンクの内容物をインナーシリンダ５とインナーピストン８のロッドの間隙を介して内容物の出入り口７から計量室６内に吸い込み、アウターピストン５１のストロークを一定にすることにより計量室６内の内容物を定量とする。
前記の状態でインナーピストン８を上昇させてインナーシリンダ５の内容物の出入り口７を開き、その上方のインナーシリンダ５を閉鎖してからアウターピストン５１を下降させると、計量室６内の内容物がノズル筒４の先端からカップ４９へ充填される。アウターピストン５１が下死点に到達した状態でインナーピストン８を下降させてノズル筒４内に残った内容物を押出して充填を完了する。
【０００５】
定量充填装置５０のアウターピストン５１は、シリンダ３の内周とインナーシリンダ５の外周とをそれぞれ二重にシールするために、三つに分割した部材５２，５３，５４をリングシール５５を介在させたボルト５６で一体的に組付け、各部材５２，５３，５４間に形成したコ字状溝の内側に弾性Ｏリング５７，５８，５９，６０を抱持させ、これらの各弾性Ｏリングの外側に滑り性に優れた断面矩形のスライドリング６１，６２，６３，６４を装着してある。
【０００６】
定量充填装置５０は、内容物の充填作業が終了すると、洗浄液が噴射されて洗浄され、アウターピストン５１はタンクの底壁２に設けた三本のピン９の間に引上げられ、洗浄液が噴射されて洗浄される。
【０００７】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
前記の定量充填装置５０のアウターピストン５１では、弾性Ｏリング５７，５８，５９，６０とスライドリング６１，６２，６３，６４のような数多くのシールを必要とすると共に、これらのシール間や三分割した部材５２，５３，５４の間に侵入した粘性の有る内容物が洗浄工程で落ち難く、衛生上の問題が発生する恐れが有り、また、充填する内容物を変更する場合に、フレイバーの移行や色素の脱落の恐れも有る。
本発明は、上記のような形式の定量充填装置において、少ないシールを用いるだけで定量充填が支障なく行えると共に、アウターピストンに付着した内容物が容易に洗浄できる構成とすることを目的とする。
【０００８】
【課題を解決するための手段】
本発明は、タンクの底部に垂下するシリンダ内にインナーシリンダを同芯に設置し、該シリンダとインナーシリンダの間に環状の計量室を形成し、該計量室内に設置されて内容物を計量室内に導入した後に計量室から導出すための環状のアウターピストンを備えた定量充填装置において、前記アウターピストンは、同径の環状部を有する上部材と下部材を一体的に固着し、その接合面を跨ぐ内外周にそれぞれ環状溝を形成し、各環状溝にそれぞれ一本の環状シールを装着するものであって、前記各環状溝には、それらの上下開口端部にそれぞれ下上方向に突出する環状突起を形成し、前記各環状シールは、前記シリンダとインナーシリンダに摺接する内外面の中央部分を円筒形とし、その中央部分から上下の端部に向かって拡径する膨出部が形成され、上下の端面にはそれぞれ前記膨出部とほぼ平行に切取られた環状傾斜溝が設けられている定量充填装置のアウターピストンである。
【０００９】
【発明の実施の形態】
図１及び図２は、本発明の実施の形態を示すものである。
図１に示す定量充填装置１は、図３に示した従来の定量充填装置５０のアウターピストン５１を改良したもので、その他の定量充填装置としての構成及び作用は図３に示すものと同じであるので、同じ構成の部材に図３に付したのと同じ符号を図１及び図２に付するに止め、説明は省略する。
定量充填装置１のアウターピストン１０は、環状の上部材１１と環状の下部材１２に二分割され、両部材１１，１２は環状のリングシール１３を介在させてボルト１４で一体的に固定され、それらの接合面１５には階段状の段差を形成して液密性を持たせてある。
一体的に固定された上下部材１１，１２の同径の外周側には、それらの接合面１５を跨いで縦断面がコ字状の外側環状溝１６が形成されると共に、このコ字状の環状溝１６の外周端部にそれぞれ内側に向かって突出する環状突起１７，１８がそれぞれ設けられている。また、この上下部材１１，１２の同径の内周側にも、外側環状溝１６と同様な構造の環状突起２０，２１を有するコ字状の内側環状溝１９が接合面１５を跨いで形成されている。
【００１０】
外側環状溝１６と内側環状溝１９には、それぞれテフロン製の環状のシール２２，２３を嵌入する。
アウターシール２２は、図２Ｃに示すように、内周側が外側環状溝１６に嵌入して密着する寸法形状の密着部２４を有し、上下の両端面は環状突起１７，１８が食い込むように形成され、外周側は、外周面の中央部分２５が縮径された円筒形に形成され、この部位の長さはアウターシール２２のほぼ半分としてある。
アウターシール２２の外周側の上下部分は、中央部分２５から上下方向になだらかに直線状に拡がる膨出部２６，２８に形成され、円弧状の面取部２７，２９を介してそれぞれアウターシール２２の上下端面に繋っている。
アウターシール２２の上下端面と面取部２７，２９の継目付近に、それぞれ膨出部２６，２８とほぼ平行に膨出部２６，２８の始点に対応する深さを有する環状傾斜溝３０，３１が設けてある。
【００１１】
内側環状溝１９にも、図２Ｂに示すように、インナーシリンダ５側に膨出部３４，３６を向けた点が異なるだけのアウターシール２２と同様な構造のインナーシール２３を嵌入する。
【００１２】
アウターピストン１０は、定量充填装置１に組付けたときに、図２Ａに示すように、内外のシール２２，２３がそれぞれ環状溝１６，１９に密着部２４，３２を嵌入させ、内外のシール２２，２３に環状突起１７，１８，２０、２１が食い込んで保持され、上下部材１１，１２の接合面１５を液密に保ち、中央部分２５，３５がそれぞれシリンダ３の内周とインナーシリンダ５の外周面に接触し、面取部２７，２９，３２，３７で変形し易くしたそれぞれの膨出部２６，２８，３４，３６が環状傾斜溝３０，３１，３８，３９に向かって変形し、各環状傾斜溝は、それらの溝幅が僅かの隙間となるように変形し、その反発力でシール効果を高める。
【００１３】
内外のシール２２，２３を保持する環状突起１７，１８，２０、２１は、それぞれ対応する上下の頂点を結ぶ線が、アウターピストン１０の軸線方向と一致して配置してあるので、アウターピストン１０の作動中に確実に保持され、また、内外のシール２２，２３の膨出部は、それぞれ上下二箇所に設けられているので確実なシール効果を発揮する。
また、内外のシール２２，２３は、同様な構造に形成されて同様な構造の環状溝に嵌入して保持されているので、各シールの抵抗力の相違に起因するアウターピストン１０の作動時のブレを生じ難い。
【００１４】
上記のアウターピストンを備えた定量充填装置で、ミニストローネをカップ４９に８時間充填作業を行ったところ、内容物が内外のシール部で漏れることがなく定量充填されていた。
充填作業の終了後、アウターピストンの引き抜きに要する力も小さく、引き抜いたアウターピストンをピン９で支持し、８０℃、２％の苛性ソーダ水を噴霧して洗浄したところ、アウターピストンに残留付着物は見当たらず、洗浄性は良好であった。
また、タンクを空にした状態で、洗浄液を散布しながらアウターピストンをシリンダ３とインナーシリンダ５との間で上下に往復させる洗浄方法でも、洗浄性は良好であった。
【００１５】
【発明の効果】
本発明の定量充填装置のアウターピストンは、弾性Ｏリングやスライドリング等のシールを組合せて多数本設置する従来のアウターピストンに比べて、二本のシールを用いるだけで定量充填が支障なく行えると共に、内容物がシールの間に侵入することがなく、洗浄性が大幅に向上した。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の定量充填装置におけるアウターピストンの断面図。
【図２】図１の要部の拡大断面図。
【図３】従来の定量充填装置の要部を示す断面図。
【符号の説明】
１：定量充填装置２：タンクの底壁３：シリンダ４：ノズル筒
５：インナーシリンダ６：計量室７：内容物の出入り口
８：インナーピストン１０：アウターピストン１１：上部材
１２：下部材１６，１９：環状溝１７，１８，２０、２１：環状突起
３０，３１，３８，３９：環状傾斜溝[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is provided in a measuring chamber of a fixed-quantity filling device for filling a container with a predetermined amount of contents, and after introducing the contents into the measuring chamber to measure the predetermined amount of contents, an outer outlet to the filling container. It is about a piston.
[0002]
[Prior art]
[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-328605 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. Hei 7-100486 Patent Document 1 discloses that a viscous content containing a solid material such as curry, stew, corn soup and the like is added to a plastic cup or the like. A device for quantitatively filling a container is described.
Patent Literature 2 discloses a seal structure in which a seal groove is formed on the outer periphery of a piston of an aseptic filling pump, and an O-ring and a slide ring are housed therein.
FIG. 3 shows an example of a quantitative filling device in which the outer piston of the quantitative filling device of the type described in Patent Document 1 is applied with the seal structure of the piston described in Patent Document 2.
[0003]
In FIG. 3, a fixed quantity filling device 50 includes a cylinder 3 hanging down from a bottom wall 2 of a tank storing contents, a nozzle cylinder 4 installed at a lower end thereof and projecting downward, and a lower end of the cylinder 3 inside the cylinder 3. And an inner cylinder 5 attached to the inner cylinder 4. These members are installed concentrically, and the inner diameter of the inner cylinder 5 and the hole diameter of the protruding portion of the nozzle cylinder 4 are the same and continuous.
A contents inlet / outlet 7 is provided at the lower end of the inner cylinder 5 to form an annular measuring chamber 6 between the cylinder 3 and the inner cylinder 5, and inside the measuring chamber 6, the inner circumference of the cylinder 3 and the outer circumference of the inner cylinder 5 are formed. The inner cylinder 5 is provided with an annular outer piston 51 which slides, and an inner piston 8 which opens and closes an opening 7 of the contents in the inner cylinder 5 and a hole of a protruding portion of the nozzle cylinder 4.
[0004]
When the outer piston 51 is lifted with the inner piston 8 closing the hole of the protruding portion of the nozzle cylinder 4, the fixed-quantity filling device 50 transfers the contents of the tank through the gap between the inner cylinder 5 and the rod of the inner piston 8. Then, the content in the weighing chamber 6 is quantitatively determined by sucking the content from the entrance 7 into the weighing chamber 6 and keeping the stroke of the outer piston 51 constant.
In this state, the inner piston 8 is raised to open the entrance 7 for the contents of the inner cylinder 5, and the inner cylinder 5 above is closed, and then the outer piston 51 is lowered. The cup 49 is filled from the tip of the nozzle tube 4. With the outer piston 51 reaching the bottom dead center, the inner piston 8 is lowered to push out the contents remaining in the nozzle cylinder 4 to complete the filling.
[0005]
The outer piston 51 of the fixed quantity filling device 50 has a ring seal 55 interposed between three divided members 52, 53, 54 in order to double seal the inner circumference of the cylinder 3 and the outer circumference of the inner cylinder 5, respectively. The elastic O-rings 57, 58, 59, and 60 are held inside the U-shaped grooves formed between the members 52, 53, and 54, respectively. On the outside, slide rings 61, 62, 63, and 64 having a rectangular section with excellent slipperiness are mounted.
[0006]
When the filling operation of the content is completed, the fixed-quantity filling device 50 is sprayed with the cleaning liquid to be washed, the outer piston 51 is pulled up between the three pins 9 provided on the bottom wall 2 of the tank, and the cleaning liquid is jetted. Washed.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The outer piston 51 of the fixed quantity filling device 50 requires a number of seals such as elastic O-rings 57, 58, 59, 60 and slide rings 61, 62, 63, 64. Viscous contents that have entered between the divided members 52, 53, 54 are less likely to fall in the washing process, which may cause a hygienic problem. There is also a risk of migration and loss of pigment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a fixed-quantity filling apparatus of the above-described type in which fixed-quantity filling can be performed without trouble by using only a small number of seals, and that the contents attached to the outer piston can be easily washed.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the present invention, an inner cylinder is installed concentrically in a cylinder that hangs down from the bottom of a tank, an annular measuring chamber is formed between the cylinder and the inner cylinder, and the contents are installed in the measuring chamber and the contents are measured. In the fixed quantity filling device provided with an annular outer piston for taking out from the measuring chamber after being introduced into the measuring chamber, the outer piston integrally fixes an upper member and a lower member having an annular portion having the same diameter, and a joint surface thereof. Annular grooves are formed on the inner and outer circumferences straddling, and one annular seal is attached to each annular groove, and each annular groove projects downward and upward at the upper and lower opening ends thereof. Each of the annular seals has a cylindrical portion at the center of the inner and outer surfaces slidingly contacting the cylinder and the inner cylinder, and a bulging portion that expands in diameter from the center toward the upper and lower ends. Made is, the upper and lower end faces of an outer piston of the quantitative filling device inclined annular groove cut in substantially parallel to the bulged portion, respectively is provided.
[0009]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
1 and 2 show an embodiment of the present invention.
The quantitative filling device 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a modification of the outer piston 51 of the conventional quantitative filling device 50 shown in FIG. 3, and the configuration and operation of other quantitative filling devices are the same as those shown in FIG. Therefore, the same reference numerals as in FIG. 3 are assigned to the members having the same configuration in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 and the description is omitted.
The outer piston 10 of the fixed quantity filling device 1 is divided into an annular upper member 11 and an annular lower member 12, and the two members 11 and 12 are integrally fixed by bolts 14 with an annular ring seal 13 interposed therebetween. A step-like step is formed on the joint surface 15 to provide liquid tightness.
An outer annular groove 16 having a U-shaped vertical section is formed on the outer peripheral sides of the same diameter of the integrally fixed upper and lower members 11 and 12 so as to straddle the joint surface 15 thereof. Annular projections 17 and 18 projecting inward are provided at the outer peripheral end of the annular groove 16, respectively. A U-shaped inner annular groove 19 having annular projections 20 and 21 having the same structure as the outer annular groove 16 is formed on the inner peripheral side of the same diameter of the upper and lower members 11 and 12 so as to straddle the joining surface 15. Have been.
[0010]
Teflon-made annular seals 22 and 23 are fitted into the outer annular groove 16 and the inner annular groove 19, respectively.
As shown in FIG. 2C, the outer seal 22 has a contact portion 24 whose inner peripheral side fits into and adheres to the outer annular groove 16, and upper and lower end surfaces are formed so that the annular projections 17 and 18 bite. The outer peripheral side is formed in a cylindrical shape in which a central portion 25 of the outer peripheral surface is reduced in diameter, and the length of this portion is substantially half of that of the outer seal 22.
The upper and lower portions on the outer peripheral side of the outer seal 22 are formed as bulging portions 26 and 28 which gently and linearly expand in the vertical direction from the central portion 25, and are respectively formed via arcuate chamfers 27 and 29. It is connected to the upper and lower end surfaces of.
In the vicinity of the joint between the upper and lower end surfaces of the outer seal 22 and the chamfered portions 27 and 29, annular inclined grooves 30 and 31 having depths corresponding to the starting points of the bulging portions 26 and 28 substantially parallel to the bulging portions 26 and 28, respectively. Is provided.
[0011]
As shown in FIG. 2B, an inner seal 23 having the same structure as the outer seal 22 except that the bulging portions 34 and 36 are directed toward the inner cylinder 5 is fitted into the inner annular groove 19 as well.
[0012]
When the outer piston 10 is assembled to the fixed-quantity filling device 1, as shown in FIG. 2A, the inner and outer seals 22 and 23 cause the close contact portions 24 and 32 to fit into the annular grooves 16 and 19, respectively. , 23 are engaged with and held by annular projections 17, 18, 20, 21; the joint surfaces 15 of the upper and lower members 11, 12 are kept liquid-tight; and the central portions 25, 35 are formed by the inner periphery of the cylinder 3 and the inner cylinder 5 respectively. Each of the bulging portions 26, 28, 34, 36, which contact the outer peripheral surface and are easily deformed by the chamfered portions 27, 29, 32, 37, are deformed toward the annular inclined grooves 30, 31, 38, 39, Each annular inclined groove is deformed so that its groove width becomes a small gap, and the repulsive force enhances the sealing effect.
[0013]
The annular projections 17, 18, 20, 21 holding the inner and outer seals 22, 23 are arranged such that the lines connecting the corresponding upper and lower vertices are aligned with the axial direction of the outer piston 10. And the swelling portions of the inner and outer seals 22 and 23 are provided at two upper and lower portions, respectively, so that a reliable sealing effect is exhibited.
Further, since the inner and outer seals 22 and 23 are formed in the same structure and are fitted and held in the annular grooves having the same structure, the outer piston 10 is operated when the outer piston 10 is actuated due to the difference in resistance between the seals. Less blurring.
[0014]
The filling operation of the mini-strone into the cup 49 was carried out for 8 hours with the fixed-quantity filling device provided with the outer piston, and the fixed-quantity filling was performed without leaking the contents at the inner and outer seal portions.
After the filling operation is completed, the force required to pull out the outer piston is also small, and the pulled out outer piston is supported by the pin 9 and washed by spraying 2% caustic soda water at 80 ° C. And cleanability was good.
Also, the cleaning method in which the outer piston was reciprocated up and down between the cylinder 3 and the inner cylinder 5 while spraying the cleaning liquid with the tank emptied showed good cleaning performance.
[0015]
【The invention's effect】
The outer piston of the fixed-quantity filling device of the present invention can perform fixed-quantity filling simply by using two seals as compared with the conventional outer piston in which a large number of seals such as elastic O-rings and slide rings are combined. In addition, the contents did not enter between the seals, and the cleaning property was greatly improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an outer piston in a fixed quantity filling device according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part of FIG.
FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a main part of a conventional fixed quantity filling device.
[Explanation of symbols]
1: Quantitative filling device 2: Bottom wall of tank 3: Cylinder 4: Nozzle cylinder 5: Inner cylinder 6: Measuring chamber 7: Content entrance 8: Inner piston 10: Outer piston 11: Upper member 12: Lower member 16, 19: annular groove 17, 18, 20, 21: annular protrusion 30, 31, 38, 39: annular inclined groove

Claims

タンクの底部に垂下するシリンダ内にインナーシリンダを同芯に設置し、該シリンダとインナーシリンダの間に環状の計量室を形成し、該計量室内に設置されて内容物を計量室内に導入した後に計量室から導出すための環状のアウターピストンを備えた定量充填装置において、
前記アウターピストンは、同径の環状部を有する上部材と下部材を一体的に固着し、その接合面を跨ぐ内外周にそれぞれ環状溝を形成し、各環状溝にそれぞれ一本の環状シールを装着するものであって、
前記各環状溝には、それらの上下開口端部にそれぞれ下上方向に突出する環状突起を形成し、
前記各環状シールは、前記シリンダとインナーシリンダに摺接する内外面の中央部分を円筒形とし、その中央部分から上下の端部に向かって拡径する膨出部が形成され、上下の端面にはそれぞれ前記膨出部とほぼ平行に切取られた環状傾斜溝が設けられている
ことを特徴とする定量充填装置のアウターピストン。After the inner cylinder is installed concentrically in a cylinder that hangs down at the bottom of the tank, an annular measuring chamber is formed between the cylinder and the inner cylinder, and after being placed in the measuring chamber and introducing the contents into the measuring chamber, In a fixed-quantity filling device having an annular outer piston for drawing out from the measuring chamber,
The outer piston integrally fixes an upper member and a lower member having an annular portion having the same diameter, forms annular grooves on the inner and outer circumferences straddling the joint surface, and provides one annular seal for each annular groove. To be worn,
In each of the annular grooves, an annular projection is formed at each of the upper and lower opening ends to project upward and downward,
In each of the annular seals, a central portion of the inner and outer surfaces slidingly contacting the cylinder and the inner cylinder has a cylindrical shape, and a bulging portion that expands in diameter from the central portion toward the upper and lower ends is formed, and the upper and lower end surfaces have An outer piston of the fixed quantity filling device, wherein an annular inclined groove cut substantially parallel to the bulging portion is provided.