Patent Publication Number: US-6668517-B2

Title: Spout transfer method, spout transfer apparatus and spout positioning and supplying apparatus

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a spout transfer method and apparatus in which spouts positioned in a specified position are received and transferred to a plurality of spout holding members that are disposed on the circumference of a continuously rotating rotor and further relates to a spout positioning and supplying apparatus which positions and supplies spouts to the transfer apparatus. 
     2. Prior Art 
     Japanese Patent Application Kokai (Laid-Open) Nos. H11-208884, H11-124228 and 2000-62050, for instance, disclose rotary type spout transfer apparatuses. In these rotary type spout transfer apparatuses, a plurality of spout transfer means are disposed on the circumference of a continuously rotating rotor, spouts that are in a substantially stationary state in a specified position are held and conveyed by the spout transfer means, and the spouts are transferred to the spout holding means of an adjacent continuously rotating working rotor. 
     In particular, in Japanese Patent Application Kokai (Laid-Open) No. H11-208884, a transfer apparatus in which a plurality of clamping means are disposed on the circumference of a continuously rotating rotor is disposed between a parts feeder and a spout-equipped container manufacturing apparatus, spouts positioned in a receiving position at the exit point of these parts feeder are received by the clamping means, and the spouts are transferred to dampers disposed on the circumference of the continuously rotating rotor of a spout-equipped container manufacturing apparatus. 
     Furthermore, in Japanese Patent Application Kokai (Laid-Open) No. H11-124228, a transfer apparatus in which a plurality of neck-retaining levers are disposed on the circumference of a continuously rotating rotor is disposed between a conveying trough and a rotary filling machine, spout-equipped containers which are pushed out from the exit point of the conveying trough are received between the neck-retaining levers and the suspension stage of the rotor, and the spout-equipped containers are transferred to fingers disposed on the circumference of the continuously rotating rotor of the filling machine. 
     In Japanese Patent Application Kokai (Laid-Open) No. 2000-62050, a transfer apparatus in which a plurality of supply arms are disposed on the circumference of a continuously rotating rotor is disposed between the feeder part of a vibrating feeder and a rotary apparatus (spout-equipped container manufacturing apparatus), spouts are received from the feeder part by the supply arms, and the spouts are transferred to clamping members disposed on the circumference of the continuously rotating rotor of the above-described rotary apparatus. 
     In the above-described prior art transfer apparatuses, spout transfer means are disposed on the circumference of a continuously rotating rotor, and the spout transfer means receive spouts that are in a stationary state while the spout transfer means are moving, and the spouts are then transferred to the spout holding means of a working rotor that rotates continuously in synchronization with the spout transfer means. However, in the receiving process, it is generally necessary that the spout transfer means receive the spouts at the instant that the spout transfer means arrive at the spout position. Consequently, in cases where the processing speed (units/minute) of the transfer operation is increased, the receiving process abruptly becomes unstable, so that receiving errors (failure to receive, positional deviation, etc.) occur in large numbers. Accordingly, in spite of the fact that the transfer apparatuses (apparatuses in which spout transfer means are disposed on the circumference of a continuously rotating rotor) are used for the purpose of high-speed transfer processing, stable high-speed processing cannot be achieved. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, the present invention is to solve the above-described problems, and the object of the present invention is to allow stable high-speed processing in a spout transfer operation. 
     The spout transfer method of the present invention is characterized in that the method uses a transfer rotor that has a plurality of spout transfer means disposed on its circumference, wherein the transfer rotor receives spouts using the spout transfer means and conveys the spouts and transfers the spouts to a plurality of spout holding members disposed on a circumference of a continuously rotating rotor, and in which: 
     the transfer rotor is rotated intermittently by a specified angle at a time in a cycle that comprises stopping, acceleration, constant speed, deceleration and stopping, 
     the spout transfer means receives, when the transfer rotor is stopped, the spouts positioned in a specified position, 
     during a period of the constant-speed rotation the spout transfer means are rotated at a speed that matches a speed of the spout holding members, and both of the spout transfer means and the spout holding members are caused to run side by side, and 
     during this period the spouts are transferred from the spout transfer means to the spout holding members. 
     Furthermore, the spout transfer apparatus of the present invention receives spouts positioned in a specified position, conveys the spouts and transfers the spouts to a plurality of spout holding members which are disposed on a circumference of a continuously rotating working rotor, the spout transfer apparatus is characterized in that it comprises: 
     a transfer rotor which has a plurality of spout transfer means disposed on a circumference thereof, and 
     a driving means which causes the transfer rotor to rotate intermittently by a specified angle at a time in a cycle that comprises stopping, acceleration, constant speed, deceleration and stopping, so that the driving means causes the spout transfer means, during the period of constant-speed rotation, to match a speed of the spout holding members and causes the spout transfer means and the spout holding members to run side by side, during the period of constant-speed rotation; and wherein: 
     the spout transfer means receive positioned spouts when the transfer rotor is stopped, and 
     the spout transfer means transfers the spouts to the spout holding members during the period of constant-speed rotation. 
     This spout transfer apparatus is installed adjacent to, for instance, a spout insertion and temporary-sealing apparatus. The spout insertion and temporary-sealing apparatus comprises a plurality of spout holding members disposed on a circumference of a continuously rotating rotor and bag holding-and-insertion means that correspond to the respective spout holding members, and it opens the bags held by the bag holding-and-insertion means, fits the bags over spouts held by the spout holding members, and then temporarily seals the bags and spouts. 
     The spout holding members are, for instance, fork-shaped members which have clamping grooves that are oriented outward in a radial direction so as to hold groove portions located between flanges of the spouts, and tapered surfaces that open outward are formed in a vicinity of an entry point of the clamping groove. 
     Furthermore, it is desirable that a spout transfer means of the spout transfer apparatus have gripping sections that open and close, and head portions of the spouts are gripped by the gripping sections. The gripping sections open and close, for instance, in a vertical plane that is parallel to the radial direction of the transfer rotor. 
     In a case where the spout holding members have the above-described structure, it is possible that a conveying track of centers of spout holding positions of the spout transfer means and a conveying track of centers of the spout holding positions of the spout holding members are set to be close to each other, and the transfer rotor is rotated at a constant speed in a vicinity of a position of closest proximity of the two conveying tracks, so that the spouts held by the spout transfer means are introduced into clamping grooves of the spout holding members while the transfer rotor is rotating at the constant speed. In order to push the spouts even further into the centers of the spout holding positions of the spout holding members, a push-in guide member is provided. The push-in guide member has a guide surface that contacts spouts introduced into the clamping grooves and guides the spouts from the conveying track of centers of the spout holding positions of the spout transfer means toward the conveying track of centers of the spout holding positions of the spout holding members. 
     In regard to the transfer apparatus that is installed adjacent to the spout insertion and temporary-sealing apparatus, when a timing is set in the transfer apparatus so that spouts that correspond to bags supplied to the holding-and-insertion means of the spout insertion and temporary-sealing apparatus are received after the bags have been supplied, a detection device which detects faulty supply of bags to the holding-and-insertion means is provided, and a regulating means which stops receiving of corresponding spouts by the spout transfer means based upon a detection signal of the detection device is provided. 
     Likewise, when a timing is set in the transfer apparatus so that spouts that correspond to bags opened by the holding-and-insertion means of the spout insertion and temporary-sealing apparatus are received after the bags have been opened, a detection device which detects faulty opening of bags by the holding-and-insertion means is provided, and a regulating means which stops receiving of corresponding spouts by the spout transfer means based upon a detection signal of the detection device is also provided. 
     The present invention further provides a spout positioning and supplying apparatus that supplies spouts to the spout transfer apparatus. This spout positioning and supplying apparatus is comprised of: 
     spout supply rails which support bottoms of flange portion of spouts from both sides and guide the spouts into a single row, 
     a feed-in means disposed near an exit of the spout supply rails, the feed-in means driving the spouts on the spout supply rails toward the exit and advancing the spouts in a state of tight contact with each other, 
     an opening-and-closing stopper disposed at the exit of the spout supply rails so as to contact an leading spout and position the leading spout, and 
     a separating stopper that engages with a second spout and stops an advance of the second spout when the opening-and-closing stopper is opened, and releases the engagement with the second spout when the opening-and-closing stopper is closed. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic top view of the spout insertion and temporary-sealing apparatus and peripheral devices in the present invention; 
     FIG. 2A is a front view of one of the spouts, and FIG. 2B is a side view thereof; 
     FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the bag transfer device; 
     FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the spout insertion and temporary-sealing apparatus; 
     FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of the spout insertion and temporary-sealing apparatus; 
     FIG. 6A is a partial top view of the opening-and-closing mechanism of the holding members, and FIG. 6B is a partial top view of the opening-and-closing mechanism of the suction plates; 
     FIG. 7A is a top view of the spout positioning and supplying device, and FIG. 7B is a side view thereof; 
     FIG. 8 is a front view of the spout force-feeding device in the spout positioning and supplying device; 
     FIG. 9 is a top view of the positioning device in the spout positioning and supplying device; 
     FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of essential parts of the same; 
     FIG. 11 is a schematic top view that illustrates the spout receiving operation performed by the spout transfer apparatus; 
     FIG. 12 is a schematic top view that illustrates the spout transfer operation performed by the spout transfer apparatus; 
     FIG. 13 is a schematic top view which illustrates the spout push-in operation performed by the spout transfer apparatus; 
     FIG. 14 is a sectional view of the spout transfer apparatus; 
     FIG. 15 is a top view of a portion of the opening-and-closing cam mechanism of the spout gripping members; 
     FIG. 16 is a top view of another portion thereof; 
     FIG. 17 is a top view of still another portion thereof; 
     FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the holding-and-insertion means of the spout insertion and temporary-sealing apparatus; 
     FIGS. 19A,  19 B and  19 C illustrate the operation of the holding members; and 
     FIGS. 20A and 20B are side views of the temporary-sealing apparatus. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Below, the transfer apparatus of the present invention will be concretely described with reference to FIGS. 1 through 17. 
     FIG. 1 is a top view of the spout insertion and temporary-sealing apparatus and associated apparatus. Bags are supplied to the spout insertion and temporary-sealing apparatus  2  from a continuous bag supply device  1 , and spouts S (see FIG. 2) are supplied to the spout insertion and temporary-sealing apparatus  2  from a spout supply device  3 . Inside the spout insertion and temporary-sealing apparatus  2 , bags are fitted over the spouts (i.e., spouts are inserted into the bags), and the sealing portions are temporarily sealed by a temporary-sealing apparatus  4 , so that the bags and spouts are connected; then, the bags with spouts attached are transferred to a main-sealing apparatus (not shown) via an intermediate rotor  5 . Furthermore, in the spouts S, a, b and c are flange portion, and one of the grooves parts d and e between the flange portion is clamped by the corresponding spout holding member  26  (described later). The groove parts d and e are both formed by flat surfaces. Furthermore, f indicates sealing portions. 
     The continuous bag supply device  1  may be the same as the continuous bag supply device described in the U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/523,856 filed by the applicant of the present application. The continuous bag supply device  1  comprises a bag conveying device  6 , bag supply devices  7  and a transfer device  8 . Of these parts, the bag conveying device  6  conveys a plurality of bag holding members disposed at equal intervals in one direction along an annular track that has a pair of parallel sections; in this case, on one side of the parallel sections, the bag holding members are conveyed intermittently, with each conveying motion being performed for a distance that is an integral multiple of the attachment spacing of the bag holding members, while on the other side of the parallel sections, the bag holding members are continuously conveyed at a constant speed. A plurality of bag supply devices  7  are disposed side by side in a row on the upstream side of the bag conveying device  6  (on one side of the parallel sections), so that a plurality of bags are simultaneously supplied to the bag holding members in an intermittent action. The transfer device  8  is disposed on the downstream side of the bag conveying device (on the other side of the parallel sections); this transfer device  8  continuously receives bags from the bag holding members, and continuously supplies the bags to the bag holding means (holding members and bag bottom receiving stands described later) of the spout insertion and temporary-sealing apparatus  2 . Furthermore, a universally known continuous bag supply device other than the continuous bag supply device  1  may also be used in order to supply bags to the bag holding means of the spout insertion and temporary-sealing apparatus  2  in a continuous manner. 
     Here, among these parts of the continuous bag supply device  1 , only the transfer device  8  which has a direct relationship with the spout insertion and temporary-sealing apparatus  2  will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, this transfer device  8  is a rotary type transfer device which has a plurality of transfer means  9  disposed at equal intervals (intervals that are the same as the attachment intervals of the bag holding members of the bag conveying device  6 ) on its outer circumference. The transfer device  8  is equipped with a supporting stand  12  which is installed in an upright position on a base  11 , and a rotor  13  which is caused to rotate continuously by a driving motor (servo motor) not shown. Transfer means  9  that chuck the bags W by means of vacuum suction are formed in the circumferential surface of the rotor head  14 , and vacuum passages  15  formed in the rotor head  14  open in the side surfaces of the transfer means  9 . From the position facing the bag conveying device  6  to a position in which the vacuum passages  15  have completed approximately ⅝ of a revolution, the vacuum passages  15  are connected to a vacuum pump (not shown) via vacuum ports formed in the supporting stand  12 ; in a position in which the vacuum passages  15  have completed approximately ⅝ of a revolution, the vacuum passages  15  are connected to an atmosphere release port  17 . 
     The transfer means  9  of the transfer device  8  rotate in the horizontal plane at the same speed and with the same timing as the bags W that are continuously conveyed along the other side of the parallel sections of the bag conveying device  6 . The transfer means  9  chuck the bags W and continuously receive the bags W; then, when ⅝ of a revolution has been completed, the transfer means  9  transfer the bags W to the spout insertion and temporary-sealing apparatus  2 . 
     The spout insertion and temporary-sealing apparatus  2  is a rotary type apparatus; as shown in FIGS. 4 through 6, a table rotating shaft  22  is rotably supported inside a supporting stand  21  which is disposed in an upright position on the base  11 , and a rotating table (rotor)  23  is fastened to this table rotating shaft  22 . Furthermore, spout holding members  26  are attached at equal intervals (i.e., at the same spacing as the spacing of the transfer means  9  of the transfer device  8 ) via attachment supporting columns  24  that are disposed in upright positions on the outer circumference of the rotor  23 , and attachment plates  25 . The rotating table  23  rotates continuously, and is set so that the spout holding members  26  and transfer means  9  rotate at the same speed and with a matched timing. As best shown in FIG. 11, the spout holding members  26  are fork-shaped members which have clamping grooves  26   a  that face outward in the radial direction and clamp the groove parts between the flanges of the spouts S. Fan-shaped tapered surfaces that open outward are formed at the entry points of the clamping grooves  26   a . The attachment plates  25  are annular members, and recessed portions  25   a  are formed in these parts of the attachment plates  25  that are near the spout holding members  26  so that the attachment plates  25  do not interfere with the clamping of the spouts. Furthermore, the attachment plates  25  also function as stopper members that are contacted by the upper ends of the bags so that the rising ends of the bags are regulated. 
     A pair of holding members  31 , a bag bottom receiving stand  32  and a pair of suction plates  33  are disposed beneath each spout holding member  26 ; these parts correspond to the holding-and-insertion means referred to in the present invention. 
     The holding members  31  are members which are substantially V-shaped when viewed in a top view, and which each comprises an inner claw  31   a  and an outer claw  31   b . The members have a specified length in the vertical direction, and are attached to the tip ends of respective pivoting holding arms  34  and  35 . The holding members  31  open and close by swinging through a specified range. In an open state, the holding members  31  receive the bags W; the holding members  31  then close and hold both side edges of the bags W. The inner claws  31   a  have rectilinear holding surfaces that run more or less along the tangent of the rotational track of each inner claw  31   a , while the outer claws  31   b  have holding surfaces that face slightly outward. The pairs of claws are installed facing each other, and the spacing between the inner claws  31   a  of the respective holding members  31  is set so that this spacing is narrower than the spacing of the outer claws  31   b . Furthermore, the holding members  31  have cut-outs in two places, i.e., above and below, and bag introduction guides  36  and  37  which are disposed above and below the transfer means  9  of the transfer device  8  are positioned here. 
     Gears  38  and  39  are interposed between the holding arms  34  and  35  so that the holding arms  34  and  35  simultaneously pivot in an opening and closing action. Furthermore, the holding arm  34  is held so that it is pivotable on raising-and-lowering holder  41  via a bearing  42  (inner race  42   a  and outer race  42   b ), and an arm-swinging fulcrum shaft  43  is inserted into the inner race  42   a . Longitudinal ribs are formed on the outer circumferential surface of the arm-swinging fulcrum shaft  43 , and longitudinal grooves which slidably accommodate the longitudinal ribs are formed on the inner circumferential surface of the inner race  42   a , thus allowing the bearing  42  (and raising-and-lowering holder  41 ) to rise and fall relative to the arm-swinging fulcrum shaft  43 . Meanwhile, the holding arm  35  is arranged so that it is pivotable with respect to the raising-and-lowering holder  41  via an arm-swinging fulcrum shaft  44 . 
     A raising-and-lowering slider  45  is fastened to the inside-diameter side of the raising-and-lowering holder  41  (center side of the rotating table  23 ), and this slider  45  slides along a raising-and-lowering rail  47  which is vertically installed on a bracket  46  attached to the undersurface of the rotating table  23 . Furthermore, a cam roller  48  is disposed on the inside of this slider  45 , and as the rotating table  23  rotates, this cam roller  48  runs through the cam groove of an annular raising-and-lowering cam  49  which is attached to the supporting stand  24 . As a result, the raising-and-lowering holder  41  is raised and lowered (along with the holding members  31 ). 
     The arm-swinging fulcrum shaft  43  is supported so that it is pivotable by a bearing  51  in the vicinity of the lower end of the arm-swinging fulcrum shaft  43 . The bearing  51  is attached to a supporting plate  52  which is fastened to the lower end of the bracket  46 . A swinging arm  53  is fastened to the lower end of the swinging-arm fulcrum shaft  43 , and this swinging arm  53  is connected via a connecting rod (not shown) to one end of a cam lever  55  which is shaft-supported on a bracket  54  on the undersurface of the supporting plate  52  so that the cam lever  55  is free to swing (in a relationship which is such that swinging arm  53  swings in the horizontal plane when the cam lever swings). A cam roller  56  is disposed on the other end portion of the cam lever  55 , and this cam roller  56  runs through the cam groove  57  of an annular opening-and-closing cam  57  as the rotating table  23  rotates. As a result, the swinging arm  53  swings and the arm-swinging fulcrum shaft  43  pivots so that the holding arms  34  and  35  swing and the holding members  31  open and close. 
     The opening-and-closing cam  57  is fastened to the outer circumference of an annular attachment bracket  58 . A plurality of female screw members  59  are disposed on the circumference of this attachment bracket  58 , and rotating shafts  62  which are rotatably supported on a stand  61  disposed on the base  11  are engaged with the female screw members  59 , so that the attachment bracket  58  is supported in a horizontal position. Gears  63  are attached to the lower ends of the rotating shafts  62 , and the gears engage with the outer circumference of an intermediate gear  64  which is rotatably attached to the table rotating shaft  22 . Furthermore, a sprocket  65  is fastened to one of the gears  63 , and this is connected via a chain  66  and sprocket  67  to a rotating shaft  69  which is rotatably supported on a stand  68  disposed on the base  11 . Accordingly, when a handle  71  which is fastened to the rotating shaft  69  is turned, the plurality of rotating shafts  62  rotate by the same amount, so that the bracket  58  and opening-and-closing cams  57  are raised and lowered while maintaining a horizontal attitude. Furthermore, the height of the opening-and-closing cams  57  is adjusted in accordance with the width of the bags. 
     A bag bottom receiving stand  32  is disposed beneath each pair of holding members  31 . This bag bottom receiving stand has a receiving section which is substantially V-shaped as seen in a side view, and is elastically supported on a receiving stand holder  72  via a supporting shaft  73  and compression spring  74 ; the receiving stand holder  72  is fastened to a receiving stand attachment plate  75  by a high adjustment screw  76 . A raising-and-lowering slider  77  is fastened to the receiving stand attachment plate  75 ; furthermore, a raising-and-lowering rail  79  is fastened in a vertical position to a bracket  78  which is attached to the raising-and-lowering holder  41 , and the raising-and-lowering slider  77  slides along this raising-and-lowering rail  79 . Furthermore, a cam roller  81  is attached to the lower end of the receiving stand attachment plate  75 , and as the rotating table  23  rotates, this cam roller  81  runs over an annular receiving stand raising-and-lowering cam  83  which is attached to the base  11  via a bracket  82 . As a result, the bag bottom receiving stand  32  is raised and lowered. 
     In the meantime, when bags of different lengths are processed, it is necessary to adjust the height of the bag bottom receiving stand  32 . This adjustment can be done by means of the height adjustment screw  76 . Variation in the length of bags that have the same nominal length is absorbed by elastic deformation of the compression spring  74 . 
     A pair of suction plates  33  are positioned above the holding members  31 . The respective suction plates  33  are attached facing the tip ends of opening arms  86  and  87  that are free to swing in the horizontal plane about respective swinging fulcrum shafts  84  and  85 , and the suction plates  33  simultaneously pivot in an opening-and-closing action via gears  88  and  89 . The swinging fulcrum shafts  84  and  85  are fastened to an attachment base  91  which is disposed on the upper end of the bracket  78 , so that the suction plates  33  are raised and lowered together with the raising-and-lowering holder  41  (and holding members  31 ). The opening arms  86  and  87  are constantly driven in the opening direction by a compression spring  92 , and the opening distance of the opening arms  86  and  87  is restricted by a stopper  93  which is attached to the attachment base  91 . Meanwhile, a cam roller  94  is attached to the opening arm  86 ; this cam roller  94  contacts an opening arm swinging cam  95  which is disposed over a specified distance along the outer circumference of the rotating table  23 , and thus closes the opening arms  86  and  87  and suction plates  33 . 
     A rotary valve consisting of a rotating valve  96  which is fastened to the rotating table shaft  22  and a fixed valve  97  which is rotatably attached to the table rotating shaft  22  is disposed on the upper portion of the table rotating shaft  22 . The fixed valve  97  is fixed in place by means of rotation-stopping rod  98 , etc., and is elastically pressed against the rotating valve  96  by a pressing plate  99 ; furthermore, this fixed valve  97  is connected to a vacuum source in a connecting portion  101 . Furthermore, the suction plates  33  are connected to respective vacuum ports  102  of the rotating valve  96 , and the vacuum ports  102  are placed in communication with vacuum ports formed in the fixed valve  97 , or removed from communication with the vacuum ports formed in the fixed valve  97 , as the rotating table  23  rotates. Furthermore, a table rotating gear  103  which is connected to a driving source (not shown) is fastened to the lower portion of the table rotating shaft  22 . 
     Next, the spout supply device  3  will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 through 15. As shown in FIG. 1, this spout supply device  3  comprises a parts feeder  104 , a spout positioning and supplying device  105  and a spout transfer device  106 . Spouts which are fed out in a single row from the universally known parts feeder  104  are fed forward and positioned in a specified position by the spout positioning and supplying device  105 , and are then supplied to the spout holding members  26  of the spout insertion and temporary-sealing apparatus  2  via the spout transfer device  106 . 
     Furthermore, it would also be possible to install two or more spout supply devices  3  around the circumference of the spout insertion and temporary-sealing apparatus  2 . 
     As shown in FIGS. 7 through 10, the spout positioning and supplying device  105  comprises spout supplying rails  107  which support the flange portion c of the spouts from both sides and guide the spouts in a single row in the direction of length of the sealing portions f (i.e., the direction of width of the bags), a force-feeding device  108  which is disposed in the vicinity of the exit point of the spout supplying rails  107 , an air-blowing nozzle  109  which is disposed in front of the force-feeding device  108 , and a positioning device  110  which is disposed at the exit point. 
     The air-blowing nozzle  109  blows high-pressure air onto the spouts S that are fed by vibration, etc., over the spout supplying rails  107 , and drives the spouts S toward the exit point, thus causing the spouts S to advance with the spouts S being maintained as tightly in contact with each other as possible. Here, this nozzle  109  acts to assist the force-feeding device  108 . 
     The force-feeding device  108  is equipped with a pair of clamping plates  111  beneath the spout supplying rails  107 ; the clamping plates  111  repeat a cycle in which the clamping plates  111  clamp spouts S from both sides with the tip ends of the clamping plates  111 , advance in this state, and then release the spouts S and withdraw. The clamping plates  111  are attached to respective swinging arms  113  and  114  via plate springs  112 , and the respective swinging arms  113  and  114  are fastened to fulcrum shafts  116  and  117  that are shaft-supported on a supporting holder  115 . It is arranged so that the swinging arms  113  and  114  can be caused to swing symmetrically by the engagement of gears  118  and  119  fastened to the respective fulcrum shafts  116  and  117 . Furthermore, an intermediate lever  121  is fastened to the fulcrum shaft  117 , and a rolling roller  122  is attached to the end portion of this intermediate lever  121 . 
     The rolling roller  122  is free to roll inside a horizontal groove which is formed in the upper and of an opening-and-closing cam lever  123 ; this opening-and-closing cam lever  123  is raised and lowered by a raising-and-lowering cam  124  and a cam roller  125  which runs through the cam groove of this raising-and-lowering cam  124 , and this raising-and-lowering action is guided by a raising-and-lowering rail  126  and a slider  127 . Furthermore, the supporting holder  115  is connected via a bracket  129 , etc., to a reciprocating cam lever  128  which is caused to perform a reciprocating motion by a cam not shown, so that the supporting holder  115  also performs a reciprocating motion, and this reciprocating motion is guided by a rail  131  and slider  132 . Moreover,  133  and  134  indicate attachment stands for the spout supplying rails  107 . 
     The raising-and-lowering cam lever  123  rises and falls so that the swinging arms  113  and  114  swing, thus causing the clamping plats  111  to open or close so that the spouts S are clamped or released. Furthermore, the supporting holder  115  performs a reciprocating motion so that the clamping plates  111  perform a reciprocating motion; as a result, the clamping plates  111  repeat an operation in which the clamping plates  111  advance while clamping the spouts, and then release the spouts and withdraw. Consequently, the spouts are driven toward the exit point over the spout supplying rails  107 , and advance in a state of close contact with each other. Leakage in the supply of spouts during high-speed operation can be prevented by forcibly feeding the spouts in the vicinity of the exit point of the spout supplying rails  107  so that the spouts are placed in a state of close contact with each other. 
     Furthermore, since plate springs  112  are interposed between the clamping plates  111  and swinging arms  113  and  114 , the clamping plates  111  slip over the clamped spouts S when the spouts S are stopped at the exit point of the spout supplying rails  107  and packed in a state of close contact with each other. In this way, no excessive force is applied to the spouts S or the exit point of the spout supplying rails  107 . 
     The positioning device  110  is equipped with an opening-and-closing stopper  135  and a separating stopper  136  which are disposed at the exit point of the spout supplying rails  107 . The opening-and-closing stopper  135  is attached to a supporting shaft  137  on the upper side of the spout supplying rails  107 , and is caused to swing by a mechanism that will be described later. When the claw  135   a  on the tip end of the opening-and-closing stopper  135  closes off the exit of the spout supplying rails  107 , the front ends of the flange portion a through c of the leading spout S 1  that has advanced toward the exit contact this claw  135   a , so that the spout S 1  is stopped and positioned at this point. Furthermore, the separating stopper  136  is likewise rotatably attached to a supporting shaft  137  on the lower side of the spout supplying rails  107 . When the opening-and-closing stopper  135  is open, this separating stopper  136  closes, and the circular-arc-shaped surface of the pivoting claw part  136   a  of the separating stopper  136  contacts the sealing portion f of the second spout S 2  or a point slightly below this sealing portion f, and anchors this part so that the advance of the spout S 2  is stopped. When the opening-and-closing stopper  135  closes, the separating stopper  136  opens to that the anchoring is released, thus allowing the advance of the spout S 2  (which is the leading spout at this point in time). 
     The supporting shaft  137  is rotatably shaft-supported on a supporting holder (not shown) which is attached to the attachment stand  134 ; this supporting shaft  137  is connected to a swinging lever  141  via an intermediate lever  139  and air cylinder  140 . Furthermore, the swinging lever  141  is attached to a fulcrum shaft  142  which is caused to perform a reciprocating pivoting motion with a fixed timing by a cam (not shown), so that the swinging lever  141  swings. A stopper-opening arm  143  is fastened to the supporting shaft  137 , and a stopper-opening rod  144  is installed in an upright position on this stopper-opening arm  143 . Furthermore, a tension spring  146  is installed between a bracket  145  that extends from the attachment stand  134  and the opening-and-closing stopper  135 , so that the opening-and-closing stopper  135  is constantly driven and pressed toward the stopper-opening bar  144  (i.e., in the closing direction of the opening-and-closing stopper  135 ). Furthermore, an adjustable positioning stopper  147  that regulates the swinging end of the opening-and-closing stopper  135  is attached to the bracket  145 . 
     The opening-and-closing stopper  135  and separating stopper  136  are respectively connected at one end by a guide shaft  149  which has a compression spring  148  attached to its outer circumference; furthermore, this guide shaft  149  passes through a hole formed in the opening-and-closing stopper  135 . As a result, the separating stopper  136  and opening-and-closing stopper  135  ordinarily maintain a specified positional relationship with each other; furthermore, if a force is applied against the driving force of the compression spring  148 , this force is absorbed by a reduction in the angle between the two parts. 
     As a result of the above-described mechanism, when the fulcrum shaft  142  swings, the supporting shaft  137  is caused to pivot via the swinging lever  141 , air cylinder  140  and intermediate lever  139 ; accordingly, the stopper-opening arm  143  swings, and the opening-and-closing stopper  135  and separating stopper  136  pressed against this stopper-opening arm  143  swing, so that the above-described operation is performed with a fixed timing. 
     Furthermore, in the positioning device  110 , the swinging lever  141  always swings with a fixed timing, so that the opening-and-closing stopper  135  is ordinarily opened and closed with a fixed timing. However, in cases where some abnormality occurs, the air cylinder  140  can be actuated, so that the swinging of the swinging lever  141  is cancelled by the extension or retraction of the rod of the air cylinder  140 , thus causing the opening-and-closing stopper  135  to be kept in a closed state by the driving force of the tension spring  146 . 
     As shown in the simplified FIG.  11  and in FIGS. 12 and 13, the spout transfer device  106  is equipped with a transfer rotor  151  that rotates intermittently. Spout gripping members (spout transfer means)  152  which have gripping sections  152   a  that open and close are disposed on the circumference of the transfer rotor  151  (only the gripping sections  152   a  are shown in FIGS.  1  through  13 ), and the head portion h of the spouts S that are successively positioned at the exit point of the spout supplying rails  107  are gripped and received by the spout gripping members  152  (the opening-and-closing stopper  135  opens with a timing that is matched to this gripping action). The spouts are then conveyed and transferred to the spout holding members  26  on the rotating table  23  of the spout insertion and temporary-sealing apparatus  2 , the rotating table  23  rotating continuously. 
     The transfer rotor  151  intermittently rotates a specified angle (60°) at a time in a cycle that comprises stopping, acceleration, constant speed, deceleration and stopping. When the transfer rotor  151  stops, the spout gripping members  152  stop in the receiving position for the positioned spout (see FIG.  12 ). Meanwhile, the conveying track of the centers of the spout holding positions of the spout gripping members  152  is set so that it approaches and gets close to the conveying track  154  of the centers of the spout holding positions of the spout holding members  26 . It is arranged so that the transfer rotor  151  rotates at a constant speed in the vicinity of the transfer position B where the spouts are transferred to the spout holding members  26  (i.e., the position where both conveying tracks are in closest proximity to each other), and so that the spout gripping members  152  rotate at the same speed as the spout holding members  26 , with both parts running side by side. During this period of constant-speed rotation, the spouts S gripped by the spout gripping members  152  are introduced into the clamping grooves  26   a  (tapered portions) of the spout holding members  26  (see FIG.  13 ). Furthermore, after the spouts S have been introduced into the clamping grooves  26   a  of the spout holding members  26 , the spout gripping members  152  open and release the spouts S at the spout transfer position B. 
     A push-in guide member  155  which has a guide surface that contacts the conveyed spouts S and guides the spouts S from the conveying track  153  toward the conveying track  154  is disposed in a position beneath the transfer rotor  151  (below the flanges c of the spouts S) in the vicinity of the transfer position B. The spouts S that have been introduced into the clamping grooves  26   a  of the spout holding members  26  contact this push-in guide member  155  at a point preceding the transfer position B, and are guided by this push-in guide member  155  as the spout holding members rotate, so that the spouts S are pushed in as far as the centers of the spout holding positions of the clamping grooves  26   a  (see FIG. 11; the movement of the spouts S is shown in a time sequence). 
     In this transfer device  106 , the spouts S that are stopped and positioned in a specified position are received by spout gripping members  152  that are similarly stopped. Accordingly, transfer errors tend not to occur. Furthermore, since the spouts S are transferred from spout gripping members  152  that rotate at the same speed as the continuously rotating spout holding members  26 , high-speed processing is possible. 
     The transfer device  106  will be described below in detail with reference to FIGS. 14 through 17. 
     First, the transfer rotor  151  is attached to a hollow rotating shaft  157  that is rotatably supported inside a stand  156  that is installed in an upright position on the base  11 . This transfer rotor  151  is caused to perform the intermittent rotation by means of an indexing device  158  connected to a driving source (not shown), gears  159  and  160 , and the hollow rotating shaft  157 . Furthermore, the indexing device is a device which converts the input of a continuous rotation into an intermittent rotation and outputs this intermittent rotation; this device is in itself universally known. 
     A plurality of spout gripping members  152  are disposed at equal intervals on the transfer rotor  151 . The spout gripping members  152  are free to swing about fulcrum shafts  161 ; as a result, the gripping sections  152   a  open and close in a vertical plane that is parallel to the radial direction of the transfer rotor  151 . When the gripping sections  152   a  close, the gripping sections  152   a  grip the heads h of the spouts S between the gripping sections  152   a  themselves and the circumferential surface of the transfer rotor  151 . Cam levers  163  which swing horizontally about swinging shafts  162  are installed in positions that correspond to the respective spout gripping members  152 . One end of each of the cam levers  163  is connected to the rear end of the corresponding spout gripping member  152  via a connecting rod, and three cam rollers  164  through  166  which are rotatable relative to each other are coaxially attached to the other end (inside-circumferential end) of each cam lever  163 . One end of each cam lever  163  is driven toward the outer circumference, and the other end is driven toward the inner circumference, by a tension spring  150 . As a result, the cam rollers  164  through  166  are pressed against a cam (described later) on the inside. 
     A pivoting shaft  167  is installed inside the hollow rotating shaft  157  so that the pivoting shaft  167  is rotatable relative to the hollow rotating shaft  157 . Three cams  168  through  170  which have cam surfaces along which the cam rollers  164  through  166  run are attached to the upper part of the pivoting shaft  167 . A pivoting lever  171  is fastened to the lower end of the pivoting shaft  167 , and this pivoting lever  171  is caused to swing horizontally by a cam (not shown), so that the pivoting shaft  167  is caused to perform a reciprocating pivoting motion through a specified angular range with a specified timing. 
     The cam  168  is arranged so that the cam  168  is rotatable relative to the pivoting shaft  167 ; furthermore, this cam  168  is fastened via a rotating-stopping block  172 , fastening rod  173  and supporting column  174  to a fastening plate  175  installed on a stand  156 . As shown in FIG. 15, the shape of this cam  168  as seen in a top view comprises a large-diameter part which opens the gripping sections  152   a  of the spout gripping members  152 , and a small-diameter part which closes the gripping sections  152   a . In terms of the position of the spout gripping member  152 , the small-diameter part of the cam  168  is formed so that it extends from a point preceding the receiving position A to the vicinity of the transfer position B. 
     The cam  169  is fastened to the pivoting shaft  167 . As shown in FIG. 16, the cam  169  comprises a large-diameter portion and a small-diameter portion which respectively has the same diameter as the corresponding portions of the cam  168 . A cam roller  165  is caused to contact the large-diameter portion, so that this cam  169  pivots following the transfer rotor  151  from the position indicated by an imaginary line (i.e., the position where the large-diameter portion overlaps with the large-diameter portion of the cam  168 ) to the position indicated by the solid line (i.e., the position where the spout gripping member  152  reaches the receiving position A); then, when the cam  169  reaches the position indicated by a solid line, the cam  169  pivots in the reverse direction and returns to the position indicated by an imaginary line. This operation is repeated each time that a spout gripping member  152  rotates into the above-described position (i.e., six times in each revolution of the transfer rotor  151 ). 
     The cams  168  and  169  are used in ordinary operation. When the spout gripping members  152  perform an intermittent rotation accompanying a single intermittent rotational movement of the transfer rotor  151 , the cam roller  164  rides on the large-diameter part of the cam  168  so that the gripping sections  152   a  open. Then, the cam roller  165  rides on the large-diameter part of the cam  169 , and these parts rotate together until the receiving position A is reached, whereupon the cam  169  pivots in the reverse direction, and the cam roller  165  abruptly drops onto the small-diameter part of the cam  169  (at the same time, the cam roller  164  also drops onto the small-diameter part of the cam  168 ), so that the gripping sections  152   a  quickly close. 
     Meanwhile, the cam  170  operates in cases where some type of trouble occurs. This cam  170  is rotatably attached to the pivoting shaft  167 , and the cam  170  can be caused to pivot by an air cylinder  177  which is attached to a supporting column  176  installed in an upright position on the fastening plate  175 . As shown in FIG. 17, the cam  170  has a plan-view shape similar to that of the cam  169  and is ordinarily positioned in the position indicated by a solid line (i.e., the position where the large-diameter part of this cam  170  overlaps with the large-diameter part of the cam  168 ). When the air cylinder  177  is actuated, the cam  170  pivots to the position indicated by an imaginary line (i.e., the position at which the spout gripping member  152  reaches the receiving position A). Thus, the cam roller  166  rides on the large-diameter part of the cam  170 , thus preventing the gripping sections  152   a  from closing. When the corresponding spout gripping member  152  rotates from the receiving position A, the cam  170  returns to its ordinary position. 
     Next, the operation of the bag holding-and-insertion means (holding members  31 , bag bottom receiving stand  32  and pair of suction plates  33 ) in the spout insertion and temporary-sealing apparatus  2  will be described with reference to FIG.  18 . The following numbers in parentheses more or less correspond to the numbers  1  through  10  shown in FIG.  18 . 
     (1˜2) When the continuously rotating transfer means  9  of the transfer device  8  chuck the bags W held by the bag conveying device  6  and rotate by approximately ⅝ of a revolution so that the transfer means  9  approach the bag holding members  26  of the likewise continuously rotating rotating table  23 , the bags W make rubbing contact with the bag introduction guides  36  and  37 , so that the bags are guided toward the holding members  31 . At the same time, the transfer means  9  are connected to the atmosphere-release port  17  so that suction is stopped; as a result, the bags W chucked by the transfer means  9  to this point are respectively introduced into the gaps between the inner claws  31   a  and outer claws  31   b  of the facing holding members  31 . Needless to say, the opening of the pairs of holding members  31  is set so that the gap between the two outer claws  31   b  is greater than the bag width (see FIG.  19 A). However, the gap between the two inner claws  31   a  is always less than the bag width. 
     (3) The pair of holding members  31  are closed (in the direction of width), so that the gap between the V-shaped valley parts becomes approximately the same as the bag width, and both side edges of the bags W are thus held (see FIG.  19 B). Furthermore, the bag bottom receiving stand  32  begins to rise and receives the lower end of the bag W. 
     (4) The bag bottom receiving stand  32  is raised further, and positions the mouth of the bag W at an intermediate point between the suction plates  33 . The suction plates  33  initiate a suction action at this point. 
     (5) The cam roller  94  contacts the opening arm swinging cam  95 , and the suction plates  33  close and chuck both surfaces of the bag W. 
     (6) The cam roller  94  separates from the opening arm swinging cam  95 , and the suction plates  33  open, so that the bag mouth is opened. At the same time, the holding members  31  are closed further inward (in the direction of width), so that both side edges of the bag are held in accordance with the reduction in the width of the bag that occurs when the mouth of the bag is opened (see FIG.  19 ( c )). Meanwhile, a spout S is supplied to the spout holding member  26  from the spout gripping members  152  of the spout supply device  106 . 
     (7˜9) The raising-and-lowering holder  41  and the receiving stand holder  72  begin to rise at the same time, and the holding members  31 , suction plates  33  and bag bottom receiving stand  32  begin to rise at the same time. As a result, both side edges of bags W whose mouths have begun to be opened are held by the holding members  31 , and the bags W are raised vertically in a state in which the center of the bag in the direction of width is positioned at the center of the spout S, so that the bag is fitted over the spout S. During this period, the suction plates  33  cease to apply suction at the point where the upper end of the bag W crosses the lower end of the sealing portions f of the spout S, so that the bag W is released. 
     The raising-and-lowering holder  41  and the receiving stand holder  72  are raised and stopped in a set position. This position is set so that the upper end of the bag W contacts the attachment plate  28  (which functions as a contact member that restricts the rising end of the bag) and stops immediately prior to the stopping of the raising-and-lowering holder  41  and the receiving stand holder  72 . When the bag W stops, the bag bottom receiving stand  32  simultaneously ceases any further rise; on the other hand, the raising-and-lowering holder  41  and receiving stand holder  72  continue to be raised slightly to a set position, and the rise of the receiving stand holder  72  is absorbed by the compression spring  74 . The reason for using such an arrangement is to allow accurate positioning of the upper end of the bag W at the upper end of the sealing portions f of the spout S even if there is some variation in the length of the bags W. Such variation in the length of the bags W is absorbed by the elastic deformation of the compression spring  74 . 
     (10) The bags W and spouts S are rotationally conveyed to the temporary-sealing apparatus  4  in a positioned state. 
     Next, the temporary-sealing apparatus  4  will be described with reference to FIG.  20 . 
     The temporary-sealing apparatus  4  is equipped with a supporting stand  178  which is installed in an upright position on the base  11 , a frame  179  which is attached to the upper part of the supporting stand  178 , a rotating shaft  182  which is supported on bearings  180  and  181 , a holding shaft  186  which is caused to rotate via gears  183  and  184  and is supported on a bearing  185 , and a rotating sealing body  187  which is attached to the lower end of the holding shaft  186 , etc. This temporary-sealing apparatus  4  is heated by a heater which is not shown. As the rotating sealing body  187  rotates, a temporary-sealing portion  188  rotates with a timing that is matched to the rotation of the spout holding members  26  of the rotating table  23 . The temporary-sealing portion  188  is thus pressed toward the sealing portions of the spouts S held by the spout holding members  26 . In this position, bags W are fitted over the spouts S, and the sealing portions of the bags W and sealing portions of the spouts S are temporarily sealed. 
     The transfer device  106  is positioned so that after bags have been supplied to the holding members  31  in the spout insertion and temporary-sealing apparatus  2 , and the bags have been opened by the suction plates  33 , spouts S corresponding to the bags are received in the transfer device  106 . Furthermore, though not shown, a detection device which detects faulty supply of the bags (e.g., in cases where bags inside the holding members  31  cannot be detected by a CCD camera, this is judged to be faulty supply by the control device), and a detection device which detects faulty opening of the bags (the degree of vacuum in the piping of the suction plates  33  is detected, and if this degree of vacuum does not rise to a specified degree of vacuum during chucking, this is judged to be faulty opening (due to faulty chucking) by the control device) are installed, and in cases where there is faulty supply and/or faulty opening, the control device actuates the air cylinder  140  of the spout positioning and supplying device  105  for the spout S (that have been supplied) for the bag in question. In other words, in cases where the corresponding spout S has arrived at the head of the spout supplying rails  107 , the opening-and-closing stopper  135  remains closed, and the gripping sections  152   a  do not close at the receiving position A. Accordingly, the supply of an unnecessary spout is prevented. 
     As seen from the above, in the present invention, in a rotary type transfer device that transfers spouts positioned in a specified position to a continuously rotating working rotor, the spouts that are stopped and positioned in a specified position are received by similarly stopped spout transfer means. Accordingly, transfer errors can be avoided. Furthermore, since the spouts are transferred to continuously rotating spout holding members from spout transfer means that are rotating at the same speed, high-speed operation can be assured.