Patent Publication Number: US-2023135918-A1

Title: Manufacturing system

Description:
The contents of the following Japanese patent application(s) are incorporated herein by reference: 
     NO. 2020-125756 filed in JP on Jul. 22, 2020 
     NO. PCT/JP2021/025051 filed in WO on Jul. 1, 2021 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present invention relates to a manufacturing system. 
     2. Related Art 
     Patent Document 1 discloses about filling a beverage can, which has been manufactured in a metal can manufacturing factory, with a content in a beverage can manufacturing factory. 
     PRIOR ART DOCUMENT 
     Patent Document 
     
         
         Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-25521 
       
    
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1 A  illustrates an overview of a configuration of a manufacturing system  100 . 
         FIG.  1 B  illustrates one example of a configuration of the manufacturing system  100  more specifically. 
         FIG.  1 C  illustrates one example of a configuration of a manufacturing system  100 . 
         FIG.  1 D  illustrates one example of a configuration of a manufacturing system  100 . 
         FIG.  2 A  illustrates one example of a coupling method of coupling a container manufacturing line  10  and a filling line  20 . 
         FIG.  2 B  illustrates one example of a coupling method of coupling a container manufacturing line  10  and a filling line  20 . 
         FIG.  2 C  illustrates one example of a coupling method of coupling a container manufacturing line  10  and a filling line  20 . 
         FIG.  2 D  illustrates one example of a coupling method of coupling a container manufacturing line  10  and a filling line  20 . 
         FIG.  2 E  illustrates one example of a manufacturing system  100  that is in cooperation with a factory  300 . 
         FIG.  3    illustrates one example of a configuration of a manufacturing system  100  including a reserve material manufacturing line  30 . 
         FIG.  4 A  illustrates one example of a configuration of a container manufacturing line  10  including a partition unit  150 . 
         FIG.  4 B  illustrates one example of a configuration of a manufacturing system  100  including a partition unit  150 . 
         FIG.  4 C  illustrates one example of a configuration of a manufacturing system  100  including a partition unit  150 . 
         FIG.  5    illustrates a variant example of the container manufacturing line  10 . 
         FIG.  6    illustrates a variant example of the container manufacturing line  10  for manufacturing a DI can. 
         FIG.  7    illustrates a variant example of the container manufacturing line  10  for manufacturing a 3-piece can. 
         FIG.  8    illustrates a variant example of the manufacturing system  100  for manufacturing a labelled container. 
         FIG.  9    illustrates a variant example of the manufacturing system  100 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     Hereinafter, the present invention will be described through embodiments of the invention, but the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to claims. In addition, not all of the combinations of features described in the embodiments are essential to the solving means of the invention. 
       FIG.  1 A  illustrates an overview of a configuration of a manufacturing system  100 . The manufacturing system  100  includes a container manufacturing line  10  and a filling line  20 . In an example described below, a container  200  may be a metal can, but the container  200  is not limited to be the metal can. 
     The container manufacturing line  10  manufactures the container  200  from a reserve material  210 . When the container  200  is the metal can, the container manufacturing line  10  manufactures the container  200  by forming the reserve material  210  into a shape of the metal can. The container manufacturing line  10  may print any image on the container  200 . The image may be a symbol, sign, letter, number, figure, color, or a combination thereof, or a design composed of a combination thereof. A specific process of the container manufacturing line  10  will be described later. 
     The container  200  is for being filled with a filler in the filling line  20 . The container  200  may be a can, PET bottle, bottle, pouch, box, paper carton, cup, or the like. The container  200  may be anything as long as that can accommodate a filler that is filled in the filling line  20 . A shape and material for the container  200  is not particularly limited. 
     The reserve material  210  is a material used for manufacturing the container  200 . If the container  200  is the metal can, the reserve material  210  may be in a form of a coil of flat sheet used for producing the container  200 . Front and back surfaces of the coil may be laminated. If the container  200  is the PET bottle, the reserve material  210  may be a preform used for manufacturing the PET bottle. The reserve material  210  may also be an article such as a piece of paper, a resin sheet, or a film. 
     The filling line  20  is configured to fill the container  200  with a predetermined filler. The filling line  20  may attach a lid to the container  200  filled with the filler. If the container  200  is the metal can, the filling line  20  manufactures a beverage can made by filling a metal can with a beverage. A specific process of the filling line  20  will be described later. 
     In the manufacturing system  100  of the present example, the container manufacturing line  10  is coupled to the filling line  20 , and the container  200  manufactured in the container manufacturing line  10  is supplied to the filling line  20 . The container manufacturing line  10  and the filling line  20  coupled in this manner may be referred to as “being connected in a/the line”. The manufacturing system  100  of the present example can manage from the container manufacturing line  10  through the filling line  20  together by connecting the container manufacturing line  10  and the filling line  20  in the line. For example, the manufacturing system  100  can control operations of the container manufacturing line  10  and the filling line  20  depending on a line speed, a maintenance period, and the like. 
       FIG.  1 B  illustrates one example of a configuration of the manufacturing system  100  more specifically. The container manufacturing line  10  includes a pre-printing process  11 , a printing process  12 , a post-printing process  13 , and the first speed control unit  15 . The filling line  20  includes a pre-filling process  21 , a filling-and-sealing process  22 , and a post-filling process  23 . In the present example, the container  200  will be explained as being a metal can, but the container  200  is not limited to being the metal can. 
     The pre-printing process  11  includes a cupping-press process (CP), a body maker process (BM), a trimmer process (TR), and a heat set process (HS). 
     In the cupping-press process (CP), the reserve material  210  is a coil, and a metal plate in a sheet form is rolled out and a material member is punched into a circular shape in order to form a cup shape from the coil. In the body maker process (BM), a material member C 1  in the cup shape undergoes drawing and blanking through which a can body sidewall is stretched and thinned down, and then a can bottom is also formed, so that a can body C 2  is formed. In the trimmer process (TR), an unnecessary part at an upper edge of the can body sidewall of the can body C 2  may be trimmed down. Then, the container  200  may be heated in the heat set process (HS). 
     The printing process  12  includes a printing process (PR) for printing a predetermined image on the container  200 . In the printing process (PR), a content to be printed is not particularly limited. In the printing process (PR), the can body sidewall of the can body C 2  is painted and printed, for example. In the printing process (PR), the image is printed on the container  200  at a predetermined printing speed. In the printing process (PR), a printing speed may be constant, or may be variable. A printer for the printing process (PR) may include a printing press and a non-printing press. 
     The post-printing process  13  includes a spray process (SP), an oven process (Oven), and a necking process (Ne). In the spray process (SP), an internal surface of the container  200  is painted. The oven process (Oven) is for baking the container  200  in order to print printed ink on the container  200  by heating etc. The oven process (Oven) may include a method other than the heating, such as irradiating ultraviolet radiation. In the necking process (Ne), a mold is pressed on an upper part of the can body, and thereby a diameter of the upper part of the can body is reduced. If the internal surface of the can body has been laminated, the spray process (SP) may be omitted. 
     The first speed control unit  15  is configured to control a manufacturing line speed depending on a filling line speed of the filling line  20 . The first speed control unit  15  is configured to adjust the manufacturing line speed such that the manufacturing line speed corresponds with the filling line speed. This phrase “corresponds with” is not limited to mean that the line speeds are matched up at a same speed. For example, meaning of the phrase “corresponds with” may include performing a feedback control on the line speed so that the manufacturing line speed approaches the filling line speed. 
     The manufacturing line speed is a line speed of the container manufacturing line  10 . For example, the manufacturing line speed is a number of containers  200  per unit time, on which the image is printed in the printing process  12 . The manufacturing line speed may also be a number of containers  200  per unit time, which are transported from the container manufacturing line  10 . 
     The filling line speed is a line speed of the filling line  20 . For example, the filling line speed is a number of containers  200  per unit time, which are filled with the filler and sealed in the filling-and-sealing process  22 . The filling line speed may also be a number of containers  200  per unit time, which are withdrawn from the filling line  20 . 
     The first speed control unit  15  may control the manufacturing line speed such that the manufacturing line speed becomes greater than the filling line speed. The first speed control unit  15  may control the manufacturing line speed so that the manufacturing line speed becomes greater than the filling line speed by more than 10%, or more than 20%. The first speed control unit  15  may decide an increased rate for the manufacturing line speed depending on the filling line speed. 
     Alternatively, the first speed control unit  15  may preset a plurality of manufacturing line speeds, and select any manufacturing line speed among the plurality of manufacturing line speeds depending on a situation. For example, the first speed control unit  15  may set a first manufacturing line speed S 1  that corresponds to the filling line speed, and a second manufacturing line speed S 2  that is faster than the first manufacturing line speed S 1 , and switch between the first manufacturing line speed S 1  and the second manufacturing line speed S 2 . The first speed control unit  15  may preset three or more manufacturing line speeds. 
     In one example, the first speed control unit  15  is configured to change the manufacturing line speed of the container manufacturing line  10  depending on a change in a number of containers  200  in a predetermined process of the filling line  20 . The first speed control unit  15  may reduce the manufacturing line speed when the number of containers  200  is increased, and increase the manufacturing line speed when the number of containers  200  is reduced. The first speed control unit  15  is configured to adjust an amount of change in the manufacturing line speed so that the containers  200  to be transported to the filling line  20  will not be insufficient. 
     The pre-filling process  21  is a process on an upper line stream compared with the filling-and-sealing process  22 . The pre-filling process  21  includes a pre-filling inspection process (TST 1 ), and a cleaning process (CR). In the pre-filling inspection process (TST 1 ), quality of the container  200  is inspected. For example, in the pre-filling inspection process (TST 1 ), a defect inside or outside the container  200  is inspected. A container  200  determined as being defective in the pre-filling inspection process (TST 1 ) may be removed from the line. In the cleaning process (CR), the container  200  is cleaned before being filled with the filler. For example, in the cleaning process (CR), the container  200  is sprayed with at least one of gas or liquid in order to blow out a foreign substance and a water droplet. 
     The filling-and-sealing process  22  includes a filling process (FL) for filling the container  200  with the filler, and a sealing process (Se). The filler to be filled in the filling process (FL) may include, but not limited to beverage, food, oil, cleanser, cosmetics, or the like. For example, in the filling process (FL), the container  200  is filled with beverage at a predetermined filling speed. The filling-and-sealing process  22  may be in a maintenance period when a type of filler to be filled is changed. In the sealing process (Se), the container  200  filled with the filler is sealed. If the container  200  is a metal can, the container  200  is sealed with a lid. 
     The post-filling process  23  is a process on a lower line stream compared with the filling-and-sealing process  22 . The post-filling process  23  includes a sterilization process (St), and a post-filling inspection process (TST 2 ). In the sterilization process (St), the container  200  is sterilized. In the post-filling inspection process (TST 2 ), the container  200  undergoes inspection for its amount of contents and sealability. 
     The first speed control unit  15  may change the manufacturing line speed depending on a change in a number of containers  200  in the filling line  20 . For example, the first speed control unit  15  is configured to increase the manufacturing line speed in response to reduction in a number of containers  200  to be transported to the filling line  20 . Alternatively, the first speed control unit  15  is configured to reduce the manufacturing line speed in response to increase in the number of containers  200  to be transported to the filling line  20 . In this manner, the containers  200  in the filling line  20  can be prevented from being excessive or insufficient. In addition, the manufacturing system  100  of the present example can reduce stock of the containers  200  which are yet to be filled, by appropriately controlling the manufacturing line speed. 
     The pre-filling inspection process (TST 1 ) is provided between the container manufacturing line  10  and the filling-and-sealing process  22  of the filling line  20 . The pre-filling inspection process (TST 1 ) of the present example is for inspecting of the container  200  after being manufactured, and inspecting of the container  200  before being filled with the filler. That is, the pre-filling inspection process (TST 1 ) is provided once between the container manufacturing line  10  and the filling-and-sealing process  22 . In this manner, in the manufacturing system  100  of the present example, a number of times of the pre-filling inspection process (TST 1 ) can be reduced compared to a case in which a container manufacturing line and a filling line are provided in different factories and an inspection is performed in each of these factories. 
     In the pre-filling inspection process (TST 1 ), a defective container  200  may be detected. 
     For example, a distribution machine may be provided downstream from the pre-filling inspection process (TST 1 ) in the filling line  20 , and thereby the container  200  determined to be defective may be excluded from a line. 
       FIG.  1 C  illustrates one example of a configuration of a manufacturing system  100 . The manufacturing system  100  of the present example is different from that of  FIG.  1 B  in that this manufacturing system  100  includes a second speed control unit  25  in the filling line  20 . In the present example, what is different from the example of  FIG.  18    will be especially explained. The container manufacturing line  10  may not necessarily include the first speed control unit  15 . 
     The second speed control unit  25  is configured to control a filling line speed of the filling line  20 . The second speed control unit  25  may control the filling line speed depending on a manufacturing line speed of the container manufacturing line  10 . For example, the second speed control unit  25  is configured to adjust the filling line speed such that the filling line speed corresponds with the manufacturing line speed of the container manufacturing line  10 . The second speed control unit  25  may control such that the filling line speed becomes slower than the manufacturing line speed. 
     The second speed control unit  25  may also control the filling line speed depending on a number of containers  200  to be transported to the filling line  20 . For example, the second speed control unit  25  is configured to increase the filling line speed when the number of containers  200  to be transported to the filling line  20  is increased. On the other hand, the second speed control unit  25  is configured to reduce the filling line speed when the number of containers  200  to be transported to the filling line  20  is reduced. In other words, controlling the filling line speed depending on the number of containers  200  may also include controlling the filling line speed depending on a changed rate for the containers  200  rather than the number of containers  200 . 
       FIG.  1 D  illustrates one example of a configuration of a manufacturing system  100 . The manufacturing system  100  of the present example includes both of a first speed control unit  15  and a second speed control unit  25 . In the present example, what is different from the examples of  FIGS.  1 B and  1 C  will be especially explained. Note that, each of the first speed control unit  15  and the second speed control unit  25  may execute the control explained in the examples of  FIGS.  1 B and  1 C . 
     The manufacturing system  100  may maintain an overall line speed in the container manufacturing line  10  and the filling line  20  at a constant speed by changing at least one of a line speed of the container manufacturing line  10  or a line speed of the filling line  20 . For example, when the filling line speed is less than the manufacturing line speed, the first speed control unit  15  maintains the overall line speed at a constant speed by reducing the manufacturing line speed. When the filling line speed is greater than the manufacturing line speed, the second speed control unit  25  may maintain the overall line speed at a constant speed by reducing the filling line speed. 
     The manufacturing system  100  may control the manufacturing line speed depending on a number of containers  200  to be transported to the filling line  20 . For example, the manufacturing system  100  is configured to increase the manufacturing line speed when the number of containers  200  to be transported is less than a predetermined number. In one example, the first speed control unit  15  is configured to increase the manufacturing line speed by 10% when the number of containers  200  becomes less than an any threshold value, and reduce the manufacturing line speed by 10% when the number of containers  200  becomes more than the any threshold value. In this manner, the manufacturing system  100  can stably transport the containers  200  to the filling line  20 . A percentage of increasing or decreasing the line speed is not limited to that above. 
     The number of containers  200  may be measured at timing in any process upstream from the filling-and-sealing process  22 . The number of containers  200  may be measured by a sensor, or a changed rate for the number of containers  200  may be measured. In other words, the manufacturing system  100  may be for determining whether there is enough number of containers  200  to be transported to the filling line  20 , and not for necessarily measuring the number of containers  200 . 
       FIG.  2 A  illustrates one example of a coupling method of coupling a container manufacturing line  10  and a filling line  20 . A manufacturing system  100  of the present example includes a line coupling unit  110  between the container manufacturing line  10  and the filling line  20 . 
     The line coupling unit  110  is configured to couple the container manufacturing line  10  and the filling line  20 , and transport a container  200  manufactured in the container manufacturing line  10  to the filling line  20 . In other words, in the line coupling unit  110 , the container  200  manufactured in the container manufacturing line  10  is transported to the filling line  20  without being withdrawn from a line. As above, the line coupling unit  110  of the present example is configured to connect the container manufacturing line  10  and the filling line  20  in the line. 
       FIG.  2 B  illustrates one example of a coupling method of coupling a container manufacturing line  10  and a filling line  20 . A line coupling unit  110  of the present example is different from that of the example of  FIG.  2 A , in that this line coupling unit  110  includes an in-line accumulator  112 . 
     The in-line accumulator  112  is provided between the container manufacturing line  10  and the filling line  20 , and is for accumulating containers  200 . The in-line accumulator  112  of the present example is provided in a process before a process of the filling line  20 , and the containers  200 , which are transported at a speed faster than the filling line speed, are accumulated in the in-line accumulator  112 . In this manner, even when a line speed of the container manufacturing line  10  and the line speed of the filling line  20  are different from each other, the in-line accumulator  112  can stably supply the filling line  20  with the containers  200 . If the containers  200  are stably supplied to the filling line  20 , a filler can be prevented from being wastefully discarded due to the containers  200  being insufficient. 
     In addition, by virtue of providing the in-line accumulator  112 , the filling line  20  can continue its operation even when the manufacturing line speed is reduced. Therefore, the manufacturing system  100  of the present example can maintain overall production efficiency even when the container manufacturing line  10  and the filling line  20  are coupled and a line speed of a line is changed. 
     Note that, the in-line accumulator  112  may not be provided at the position between the container manufacturing line  10  and the filling line  20 . The in-line accumulator  112  may be provided between any processing of the container manufacturing line  10  or the filling line  20 . For example, the in-line accumulator  112  is provided downstream from a printing process  12  in the container manufacturing line  10 . Alternatively, the in-line accumulator  112  may be provided upstream from a filling-and-sealing process  22  in the filling line  20 . A plurality of in-line accumulators  112  may be provided in the manufacturing system  100 . The in-line accumulator  112  may be provided at any position in the manufacturing system  100  which has been explained in another example. 
       FIG.  2 C  illustrates one example of a coupling method of coupling a container manufacturing line  10  and a filling line  20 . The manufacturing system  100  of the present example includes a distribution machine  130  between the container manufacturing line  10  and the filling line  20 . The manufacturing system  100  also includes a line coupling unit  110  and an off-line accumulator  120  between the container manufacturing line  10  and the filling line  20 . 
     The distribution machine  130  is configured to distribute containers  200  manufactured in the container manufacturing line  10  to the line coupling unit  110  and the off-line accumulator  120 . The distribution machine  130  may decide a place of distribution depending on a manufacturing line speed and a filling line speed. Further, the distribution machine  130  may switch the place of distribution depending on stocking status of the containers  200  in the manufacturing system  100 . 
     For example, the manufacturing system  100  may distribute to a first accumulation process when the manufacturing line speed of the container manufacturing line  10  is faster than the filling line speed of the filling line  20 , and a number of containers in the filling line  20  exceeds a predetermined percentage to capacity of the filling line  20 . The predetermined percentage to capacity of the filling line  20  may be 100%, 95%, or 90%. The first accumulation process of the present example is the off-line accumulator  120 . 
     The distribution machine  130  uses any distribution method among a partition plate method, turret method, slider method, roller method, pick-up method, vacuum method, and air method. In the partition plate method, a partition plate for guiding the containers  200  is moved in order to change a line for the place of distribution. In the turret method, a turret, which rotates and transports the containers  200 , is used for the distribution. 
     In the slider method, the containers  200  are placed on a slider that is transported on a conveyor for the distribution. In the roller method, a rotating direction of a roller embedded on a front surface of a conveyor is changed for the distribution. In the pick-up method, the containers  200  are picked up by a robot in order to change the place of distribution. 
     In the vacuum method, a vacuum technique is used in the turret method, slider method, pick-up method, or the like in order to perform the distribution. In the air method, any type or air is blown onto a container  200  in order to change a line of the container  200  or drop the container  200  off from the line. 
     The off-line accumulator  120  is provided between the container manufacturing line  10  and the filling line  20 , and is for accumulating containers  200 . The off-line accumulator  120  of the present example is provided in a process before the filling line  20 , and the containers  200 , which are transported at a speed faster than the filling line speed, are accumulated out of a line. In this manner, the off-line accumulator  120  can supply the filling line  20  with the containers  200  at appropriate timing, such as after pausing time has passed for the filling line  20 . 
     The off-line accumulator  120  is configured to accumulate the containers  200  manufactured in the container manufacturing line  10  out of the line. Because the off-line accumulator  120  is provided out of the line, the off-line accumulator  120  is not coupled to the container manufacturing line  10  and the filling line  20 . For example, the off-line accumulator  120  is a palletizer for piling up the containers  200  on a pallet. The off-line accumulator  120  may provide the filling line  20  with the containers  200  that have been accumulated. In one example, the off-line accumulator  120  provides the filling line  20  with the containers  200  when the container manufacturing line  10  is paused. 
     The off-line accumulator  120  may have accumulation capacity greater than that of the in-line accumulator  112 . Since the off-line accumulator  120  is provided out of the line, it is easier to increase or decrease its accumulation capacity compared with the in-line accumulator  112 . If the off-line accumulator  120  is a palletizer for accumulating the containers  200 , accumulation capacity of the off-line accumulator  120  may be increased by increasing a number of palletizers. By virtue of using the off-line accumulator  120  when accumulation capacity of the in-line accumulator  112  is insufficient, a larger difference in line speeds can be covered. Further, by virtue of using the off-line accumulator  120 , timing to transport the containers  200  can easily be adjusted even when the filling line  20  is paused for a long time. 
       FIG.  2 D  illustrates one example of a coupling method of coupling a container manufacturing line  10  and a filling line  20 . A distribution machine  130  of the present example is configured to distribute containers  200  to an in-line accumulator  112  or an off-line accumulator  120 . A manufacturing system  100  of the present example is different from the example of  FIG.  2 C  in that this manufacturing system  100  is provided with the in-line accumulator  112  in a line coupling unit  110 . 
     The distribution machine  130  is configured to distribute the containers  200  manufactured in the container manufacturing line  10  to the in-line accumulator  112  or the off-line accumulator  120 . For example, when accumulation capacity of the in-line accumulator  112  becomes insufficient while the distribution machine  130  distributes the containers  200  to the in-line accumulator  112 , the distribution machine  130  changes a place of distribution to be the off-line accumulator  120 . 
     The distribution machine  130  may cause to accumulate in a second accumulation process when the manufacturing line speed of the container manufacturing line  10  is faster than the filling line speed of the filling line  20 , and a number of containers in the filling line  20  exceeds a predetermined percentage to capacity of the filling line  20 , and a predetermined percentage to accumulation capacity of a first accumulation process. The predetermined percentage to accumulation capacity of the first accumulation process may be 100%, 95%, or 90%. In the present example, the first accumulation process is the in-line accumulator  112 , and the second accumulation process is the off-line accumulator  120 . 
     Each process in the manufacturing system  100  may have pausing time due to maintenance of a machine, and the like. For example, in the container manufacturing line  10 , a printing process  12  may be paused due to replacement of a printer. In the filling line  20 , a filling-and-sealing process  22  may be paused for cleaning a machine at a time of changing a filler. The container manufacturing line  10  and the filling line  20  have different line pausing periods or line pausing frequencies from each other. In addition, there may be difference in time for replacing the container manufacturing line  10 . 
     The manufacturing system  100  of the present example is configured to decide a place of distribution for the containers  200  to be distributed by the distribution machine  130  depending on line pausing time for the container manufacturing line  10  and the filling line  20 . Alternatively, the manufacturing system  100  may change the place of distribution to which the distribution machine  130  distribute, depending on the line pausing time for the container manufacturing line  10  or the filling line  20 . In this manner, the manufacturing system  100  can embody a combination of lines having line speeds and maintenance periods different from each other. 
     For example, if the container manufacturing line  10  has been paused, the containers  200  accumulated in the in-line accumulator  112  or the off-line accumulator  120  can be transported to the filling line  20  in order to maintain a constant filling line speed. In contrast, if the filling line  20  has been paused, the containers  200  are distributed to the in-line accumulator  112  or the off-line accumulator  120 , and transportation of the containers  200  to the filling line  20  is paused. The distribution machine  130  may distribute to the in-line accumulator  112  when the filling line  20  is paused for a period of time shorter than a predetermined timeframe, and may distribute to the off-line accumulator  120  when the filling line  20  is paused for a period of time longer than the predetermined timeframe. 
     Note that, the distribution method performed by the distribution machine  130  is not limited to those in the present example. The distribution machine  130  may distribute the containers  200  to a line coupling unit  110  having no in-line accumulator  112 , and a line coupling unit  110  having an in-line accumulator  112 . Alternatively, the distribution machine  130  may distribute to any of a line coupling unit  110  having no in-line accumulator  112 , a line coupling unit  110  having an in-line accumulator  112 , and an off-line accumulator  120 . 
       FIG.  2 E  illustrates one example of a manufacturing system  100  that is in cooperation with a factory  300 . The factory  300  is a different factory from the factory having the manufacturing system  100 . 
     The manufacturing system  100  may dispatch the containers  200  accumulated in the off-line accumulator  120  to the factory  300 . On the other hand, the filling line  20  may fill a container  200 , which arrived from the factory  300  and is in the off-line accumulator  120 , with a filler. When the manufacturing system  100  includes a plurality of container manufacturing lines  10 , the off-line accumulator  120  may accumulate containers  200  manufactured in a container manufacturing line different from the container manufacturing line  10 . 
     The distribution machine  130  may distribute a portion of containers  200  to the in-line accumulator  112 , and distribute the rest of the containers  200  to the off-line accumulator  120 . In this manner, the manufacturing system  100  can transport the portion of containers  200  to the filling line  20 , and dispatch the rest of the containers  200  to the factory  300 . 
     As shown with  FIGS.  2 A to  2 E , by means of appropriately selecting a coupling method of coupling the container manufacturing line  10  and the filling line  20 , it becomes easier to control the filling line speed at a constant speed. In addition, stock can be appropriately managed in the manufacturing system  100 , and thereby a waste of material can be easily prevented. 
     The manufacturing system  100  may change the coupling method of coupling the container manufacturing line  10  and the filling line  20  depending on the manufacturing line speed and the filling line speed. For example, the manufacturing system  100  changes the place of distribution depending on a degree of difference in line speeds. The difference in line speeds refers to a difference in line speeds of the manufacturing line speed and the filling line speed. 
     Alternatively, the manufacturing system  100  may change the place of distribution depending on a ratio of line speeds. The ratio of line speeds is a ratio of the filling line speed of the filling line  20  to the manufacturing line speed of the container manufacturing line  10 . In other words, the ratio of line speeds=the filling line speed/the manufacturing line speed. The farther the ratio of line speeds gets from 1, the larger the difference in line speeds becomes. The closer the ratio of line speeds gets to 1, the smaller the difference in line speeds becomes. 
     When the difference in line speeds is relatively small, the manufacturing system  100  may transport the containers  200  to the filling line  20  via the line coupling unit  110 . In one example, when the difference in line speeds is relatively small is when the difference in line speeds is small to an extent that the accumulation process is not required. For example, it is when the ratio of line speeds is from 0.25 to 1.80. In this case, the manufacturing system  100  may couple the container manufacturing line  10  and the filling line  20  with the line coupling unit  110  as illustrated in  FIG.  2 A . Alternatively, for the example of  FIG.  2 C , the manufacturing system  100  may distribute the containers  200  to the line coupling unit  110  by means of the distribution machine  130 . 
     When the difference in line speeds is modest, the manufacturing system  100  may transport the containers  200  to the filling line  20  via the in-line accumulator  112  or the off-line accumulator  120 . In one example, when the difference in line speeds is modest is when the difference in line speeds is at a degree where the accumulation process is required but the off-line accumulator  120  is not required. In this case, the manufacturing system  100  may include the in-line accumulator  112  between the container manufacturing line  10  and the filling line  20  as illustrated in  FIG.  2 B . Alternatively, for the example of  FIG.  2 C , the manufacturing system  100  may distribute the containers  200  to the off-line accumulator  120  by means of the distribution machine  130 . For the examples of  FIGS.  2 D and  2 E , the manufacturing system  100  may distribute the containers  200  to the in-line accumulator  112  or the off-line accumulator  120  by means of the distribution machine  130 . 
     When the difference in line speeds is relatively big, the manufacturing system  100  may transport the containers  200  to the filling line  20  via the off-line accumulator  120 . In one example, when the difference in line speeds is relatively big is when the difference in line speeds is big to an extent that the off-line accumulator  120  is required. In this case, for the examples of  FIGS.  2 C,  2 D , and  2 E, the manufacturing system  100  may distribute the containers  200  to the off-line accumulator  120  by means of the distribution machine  130 . 
     The manufacturing system  100  may mount a label printed with any image on a container  200 . A type of the label may be any label type including a shrink sleeve label, stretch sleeve label, roll label, adhesive label, and the like. The label may be mounted in any of the container manufacturing line  10 , the filling line  20 , or the line coupling unit  110 . When the label is used, the printing process  12  may be omitted. 
       FIG.  3    illustrates one example of a configuration of a manufacturing system  100  including a reserve material manufacturing line  30 . The reserve material manufacturing line  30  of the present example may be appropriately provided to the manufacturing system  100  according to the another example. 
     The reserve material manufacturing line  30  is provided upstream from the container manufacturing line  10 , and manufactures the reserve material  210 . The reserve material manufacturing line  30  is configured to manufacture the reserve material  210  at a predetermined reserve material manufacturing line speed. The reserve material manufacturing line  30  is coupled to the container manufacturing line  10 , and is for supplying the container manufacturing line  10  with the manufactured reserve material  210 . In other words, the reserve material manufacturing line  30  of the present example is connected to the container manufacturing line  10  in a line. 
     The reserve material manufacturing line  30  may be a lamination line for laminating the reserve material  210  in a film laminating method, an extrusion laminating method, or the like. The film laminating method is a laminating method in which a pre-formed film is attached on a metal base material by means of thermal bonding, an adhesive, or the like. The extrusion laminating method is a laminating method in which a molten thin film of thermoplastic resin pressed out of a T-die is attached on a metal base material. 
     The third speed control unit  35  controls the reserve material manufacturing line speed depending on the manufacturing line speed and the filling line speed. For example, the third speed control unit  35  controls such that the reserve material manufacturing line speed corresponds with the manufacturing line speed and the filling line speed. The third speed control unit  35  may control such that the reserve material manufacturing line speed becomes greater than the manufacturing line speed. 
     The manufacturing system  100  may further include a first speed control unit  15  and a second speed control unit  25 . The manufacturing system  100  may control such that a line speed on an upstream side becomes greater. For example, the third speed control unit  35  is configured to control such that the reserve material manufacturing line speed becomes greater than the manufacturing line speed and the filling line speed. In addition, the first speed control unit  15  may control such that the manufacturing line speed becomes greater than the filling line speed. By virtue of causing the line speed on the upstream side to be greater and accumulating the containers  200 , insufficiency of the containers  200  can be avoided. 
     For example, the manufacturing system  100  may adjust each line speed such that the line speeds satisfy any of the following (1) to (3). 
     (1) The reserve material manufacturing line speed=the manufacturing line speed=filling line speed 
     (2) The reserve material manufacturing line speed=the manufacturing line speed&gt;the filling line speed 
     (3) The reserve material manufacturing line speed&gt;the manufacturing line speed&gt;the filling line speed 
     The manufacturing system  100  of the present example can further reduce wastes of stocks by connecting the reserve material manufacturing line  30 , the container manufacturing line  10 , and the filling line  20  in a line. The manufacturing system  100  of the present example can reduce wastes in stocks for both of the container  200  and the reserve material  210 , and provide stable manufacturing at a same time. Note that, an accumulation process for accumulating the reserve material  210  may be provided between the reserve material manufacturing line  30  and the container manufacturing line  10 . The accumulation process between the reserve material manufacturing line  30  and the container manufacturing line  10  may be provided in a line or out of the line. 
       FIG.  4 A  illustrates one example of a configuration of a container manufacturing line  10  including a partition unit  150 . The container manufacturing line  10  of the present example includes the partition unit  150 . 
     The partition unit  150  is configured to surround a predetermined process. The partition unit  150  is for partitioning space, and thereby controlling an environment in the partitioned space. The partition unit  150  is used for controlling at least one of room temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure including positive pressure and negative pressure, smell, or cleanliness in the space. For example, the partition unit  150  is a curtain or a wall. The manufacturing system  100  may include a clean room formed with the partition unit  150 . 
     The partition unit  150  may be provided for at least some process among the processes of the container manufacturing line  10 . The partition unit  150  of the present example is provided for a printing process  12 . The partition unit  150  is for surrounding a machine used in the printing process  12 . In this manner, the partition unit  150  prevents smell of ink etc. from flowing out from the printing process  12  into a filling line  20 . The manufacturing system  100  may also prevent smell from flowing out into another process by controlling airflow of an air conditioner in the factory. 
     The partition unit  150  may provide a cleanliness class different from that in another process. The partition unit  150  may be a wall of the clean room. For example, the partition unit  150  is for providing the container manufacturing line  10  with a cleanliness class higher than a cleanliness class of the filling line  20 . 
     The manufacturing system  100  of the present example can control environment by partitioning a predetermined process with the partition unit  150 , and thereby provide stable quality. In addition, the manufacturing system  100  of the present example can reduce influence from another process by partitioning the predetermined process with the partition unit  150 , and thereby improve hygiene. The partition unit  150  may be provided across a plurality of processes. 
       FIG.  4 B  illustrates one example of a configuration of a manufacturing system  100  including a partition unit  150 . The manufacturing system  100  of the present example includes the partition unit  150  in a filling line  20 . 
     The partition unit  150  is provided for at least some process among processes of the filling line  20 . The partition unit  150  of the present example is provided for a filling-and-sealing process  22 . In this manner, the partition unit  150  prevents a foreign substance from being mixed into the filling-and-sealing process  22 . Therefore, even when the filling line  20  is connected with a container manufacturing line  10  and a reserve material manufacturing line  30  in a line, mutual influence between them can be reduced. Note that, the partition unit  150  may be provided in both of any process in the container manufacturing line  10  and any process in the filling line  20 . 
       FIG.  4 C  illustrates one example of a configuration of a manufacturing system  100  including a partition unit  150 . The manufacturing system  100  of the present example includes the partition unit  150  for a reserve material manufacturing line  30 . In the present example, a cleanliness class of the reserve material manufacturing line  30  is higher than a cleanliness class of a container manufacturing line  10 . In other words, processing of processes of laminating a metal can coil, manufacturing a PET bottle preform, and the like are performed in an environment in higher cleanliness class than those in a printing process for a container  200  and the like. Note that, the partition unit  150  may be provided in other processes in the container manufacturing line  10  and the filling line  20 . In this manner, even when the reserve material manufacturing line  30  and the container manufacturing line  10  are connected in a line, influence from the container manufacturing line  10  and the filling line  20  on the reserve material manufacturing line  30  can be reduced. 
       FIG.  5    illustrates a variant example of the container manufacturing line  10 . A container  200  of the present example is a metal can provided with a resin coat on its inner and outer surfaces. Because the resin coat of the container  200  functions as lubrication fluid, a cleaning process (WM) can be omitted after forming. 
     In the container manufacturing line  10  of the present example, an oven process (Oven) is included after a printing process (PR) of a printing process  12 , whereas a spray process (SP) and an oven process (Oven) are not included in a post-printing process  13 . Also, because the container manufacturing line  10  of the present example manufactures the container  200  without using lubrication fluid, no cleaning process (WM) may be needed after formation. 
     The manufacturing system  100  of the present example includes a first speed control unit  15  in the container manufacturing line  10 , and controls manufacturing line speed depending on filling line speed of a filling line  20  by adjusting speed of the printing process (PR). Note that, the container manufacturing line  10  of the present example may appropriately be used in combination with the manufacturing system  100  of another example. In other words, the manufacturing system  100  may include a second speed control unit  25 , or include both of a first speed control unit  15  and the second speed control unit  25 . 
       FIG.  6    illustrates a variant example of the container manufacturing line  10  for manufacturing a DI can. A container  200  of the present example is the DI can. The DI can is formed into a bottomed cylindrical shape by performing a DI process (i.e., drawing and blanking process) on a material member C 1  in a cup shape. A pre-printing process  11  of the present example includes a cleaning process (WM) after a trimmer process (TR). Note that, the container manufacturing line  10  of the present example may appropriately be used in combination with the manufacturing system  100  of another example. 
       FIG.  7    illustrates a variant example of the container manufacturing line  10  for manufacturing a 3-piece can. A container  200  of the present example is the 3-piece can made by joining members through welding. The container manufacturing line  10  includes a slitter process (SL), a welding process (W), a spray process (SP), an oven process (Oven), a necking process (Ne), a seamer process (SM), and an empty can inspection process (TST). 
     In the slitter process (SL), a reserve material  210  is cut into a size of one can of the container  200  in order to form a metal plate in a sheet form. The reserve material  210  in the sheet form may have been printed with any image before being manufactured into the can. In the welding process (W), both ends of the reserve material  210  in the sheet form are welded and joined in order to form the container  200  in a cylindrical shape. In the spray process (SP), inner and outer surfaces of the welded part of the container  200  is sprayed with coating and thereby protected. In the seamer process (SM), a bottom lid is seamed to one opening of the container  200  in the cylindrical shape. In the empty can inspection process (TST), leakage is inspected on an empty container  200 . 
     The first speed control unit  15  may control a manufacturing line speed by adjusting a speed of the welding process (W) depending on a filling line speed of a filling line  20 . Alternatively, the first speed control unit  15  may control the manufacturing line speed by adjusting a speed of a process other than the welding process (W). Note that, the container manufacturing line  10  of the present example may appropriately be used in combination with the manufacturing system  100  of another example. 
       FIG.  8    illustrates a variant example of the manufacturing system  100  for manufacturing a labelled container. A container  200  of the present example is a labelled container made by mounting a label printed with any image on a container. The container  200  may be a labelled can made by mounting the label on a metal can. 
     A container manufacturing line  10  includes a pre-labelling process  16 , a label mounting process  17 , and a post-labelling process  18 . The pre-labelling process  16  and the post-labelling process  18  may include processes similar to those of the pre-printing process  11  and the post-printing process  13  in another example. In a case of the labelled container, there may be no need for the container manufacturing line  10  to include a printing process  12 , but the printing process  12  can be included in addition to the label mounting process  17 . 
     The label mounting process  17  includes a labelling process (L) for mounting the label printed with any image on the container  200 . A type of the label may be any label type including a shrink sleeve label, stretch sleeve label, roll label, adhesive label, and the like. The label mounting process  17  is provided between the pre-labelling process  16  and the post-labelling process  18 , but the label mounting process  17  can be provided after a necking process (Ne) of the post-labelling process  18  instead. 
     Alternatively, the label mounting process  17  may be provided in a filling line  20 . The label mounting process  17  may be provided before a pre-filling inspection process (TST 1 ) of a pre-filling process  21 , provided in any process between a sealing process (Se) and a post-filling inspection process (TST 2 ), or provided after the post-filling inspection process (TST 2 ). 
     A first speed control unit  15  may control a manufacturing line speed by adjusting a speed of the label mounting process  17  depending on a filling line speed of the filling line  20 . Alternatively, the first speed control unit  15  may control the manufacturing line speed by adjusting a speed of a process other than the label mounting process  17 . Note that, the container manufacturing line  10  of the present example may appropriately be used in combination with the manufacturing system  100  of another example. The manufacturing system  100  may be used in combination with a second speed control unit  25 , or used in combination with the first speed control unit  15  and the second speed control unit  25 . 
       FIG.  9    illustrates a variant example of the manufacturing system  100 . A manufacturing system  100  of the present example includes an identification information providing process (ID) in a pre-printing process  11 . In the identification information providing process (ID), individual identification information ID for identifying an individual container  200  is provided. The individual identification information ID may be used for identifying an individual container  200  in each process of the manufacturing system  100 . A filling line  20  of the present example is configured to identify a container  200  by using the individual identification information ID provided by the container manufacturing line  10 . In this manner, there is no need to provide the individual identification information ID in the filling line  20 . 
     The identification information providing process (ID) has been provided before a cupping-press process (CP), but a position of the identification information providing process (ID) is not limited to this position. For example, the identification information providing process (ID) may be provided after a cupping-press process (CP), a body maker process (BM), or a trimmer process (TR). In the identification information providing process (ID) of the present example, the individual identification information ID is provided to a coil to be punched, but the individual identification information ID can be provided to a container  200  that has been punched instead. 
     The manufacturing system  100  of the present example can share the individual identification information ID between the container manufacturing line  10  and the filling line  20 , and control a manufacturing line speed. By using the shared individual identification information ID, the individual container  200  can be easily managed throughout the manufacturing system  100 , and it becomes easier to control a line speed. 
     While the embodiments of the present invention have been described, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. It is apparent to persons skilled in the art that various alterations and improvements can be added to the above-described embodiments. It is also apparent from the scope of the claims that the embodiments added with such alterations or improvements can be included in the technical scope of the present invention. 
     Note that the operations, procedures, steps, stages, etc. of each processing performed by a machine, system, program, and method shown in the claims, specification, or diagrams can be performed in any order as long as the order is not indicated by “prior to,” “before,” or the like and as long as the output from previous processing is not used in later processing. Even if an operation flow is described using phrases such as “first” or “next” in the claims, specification, or diagrams, it does not necessarily mean that the processing must be performed in this order. 
     EXPLANATION OF REFERENCES 
       10 : container manufacturing line;  11 : pre-printing process;  12 : printing process;  13 : post-printing process;  15 : first speed control unit;  16 : pre-labelling process;  17 : label mounting process;  18 : post-labelling process;  20 : filling line;  21 : pre-filling process;  22 : filling-and-sealing process;  23 : post-filling process;  25 : second speed control unit;  30 : reserve material manufacturing line;  35 : third speed control unit;  100 : manufacturing system;  110 : line coupling unit;  112 : in-line accumulator;  120 : off-line accumulator;  130 : distribution machine;  150 : partition unit;  200 : container;  210 : reserve material;  300 : factory.