Abstract: A method for estimating a temperature of a light emitting module having a plurality of light emitting elements is provided. The method includes based on a lighting pattern of the light emitting module, which represents an intensity of light emitted from each of the plurality of light emitting elements, determining an amount of electric power to be supplied to the light emitting module for obtaining the lighting pattern and based on the lighting pattern and the determined amount of electric power, calculating estimated temperatures of the plurality of light emitting elements that are operated in accordance with the lighting pattern.

Abstract: To provide a technique of continuously imparting favorable water-repellent performance to a vehicle exterior member for a long period. A method for setting a condition for recoating a vehicle exterior member with a water-repellent coating film, the method including: a peeling step of peeling a water-repellent coating film formed on a surface of the vehicle exterior member; a recoating step of forming a water-repellent coating film onto the surface to obtain a coating-film-formed vehicle exterior member, the recoating step being subsequent to the peeling step; and an assessment step of adhering a test liquid drop onto the water-repellent coating film formed through the recoating step, and making a water-repellency assessment, wherein the assessment step includes making, when a fall-off angle of the test liquid drop is not greater than 20°, an assessment that a recoating condition used in the peeling step and the recoating step is an acceptable recoating condition.

Abstract: A capping machine includes a gripper having a pair of gripping arms provided on an outer peripheral portion of a rotating body and configured to grip a cylindrical portion of a vessel, an opening and closing device configured to open and close the gripping arms, and a capping head liftably and rotatably provided on the rotating body. The gripping arms are arranged symmetrically with respect to a radius of the rotating body. The gripper has a protrusion for preventing the vessel from rotating on a vessel gripping surface of the gripping arms. The gripping arms have outer and inner gripping surfaces which are connected in a V shape. The protrusion is formed only on the inner gripping surface of a right gripping arm. A cap held by the capping head is screwed onto the vessel while sticking the protrusion into the cylindrical portion.

Abstract: A capping machine includes a gripper having a pair of gripping arms provided on an outer peripheral portion of a rotating body and configured to grip a cylindrical portion of a vessel, an opening and closing device configured to open and close the gripping arms, and a capping head liftably and rotatably provided on the rotating body. The gripping arms are arranged symmetrically with respect to a radius of the rotating body. The gripper has a protrusion for preventing the vessel from rotating on a vessel gripping surface of the gripping arms. The gripping arms have outer and inner gripping surfaces which are connected in a V shape. The protrusion is formed only on the inner gripping surface of a right gripping arm. A cap held by the capping head is screwed onto the vessel while sticking the protrusion into the cylindrical portion.

Abstract: A metal cap 12 is fitted over a vessel (vial 2), into which a rubber plug 4 is driven, and using a pressure block 10, a load is applied to the cap 12 through the top surface 12b thereof to maintain the rubber plug 4 compressed. Under this condition, a tightening roller 14 folds a skirt (lower end 12c of a cylindrical portion 12a) of the cap 12 inwardly to perform a tightening operation. Subsequently, the load applied to the top surface 12b of the cap is once released, and then a load is applied again starting from a value FB which is less than the load FA applied during the tightening operation, gradually increasing to a higher value. In the course of increasing the load, a load FC at the instant when a displacement in the elevation of the top surface of the cap is detected, and this load FC is determined to be a seal load upon completion of the tightening operation. By detecting the load FC upon completion of the tightening operation, a seal capacity of the rubber plug 14 can be confirmed.

Abstract: A metal cap 12 is fitted over a vessel (vial 2), into which a rubber plug 4 is driven, and using a pressure block 10, a load is applied to the cap 12 through the top surface 12b thereof to maintain the rubber plug 4 compressed. Under this condition, a tightening roller 14 folds a skirt (lower end 12c of a cylindrical portion 12a) of the cap 12 inwardly to perform a tightening operation. Subsequently, the load applied to the top surface 12b of the cap is once released, and then a load is applied again starting from a value FB which is less than the load FA applied during the tightening operation, gradually increasing to a higher value. In the course of increasing the load, a load FC at the instant when a displacement in the elevation of the top surface of the cap is detected, and this load FC is determined to be a seal load upon completion of the tightening operation. By detecting the load FC upon completion of the tightening operation, a seal capacity of the rubber plug 14 can be confirmed.

Abstract: A capping apparatus 1 includes torque sensor 12 which detects an output torque when a chuck 7 is driven for rotation by a motor 9. Initially, a cap 5 is held by the chuck 7. The cap 5 is fitted over a mouth of a vessel 2, and then the chuck 7 is rotated through one revolution in a clamping direction. A resulting output torque is detected by the torque sensor 12, and the output torque rapidly increases at the position where the threads on the cap 5 and the vessel 2 abut against each other (an incipient position of meshing engagement P). The cap 5 is rotated through a given angle of rotation as referenced to the incipient position of meshing engagement P, thus threadably engaging the cap 5 with the vessel 2. The invention allows a uniform clamping of cap 5 at the completion of the capping operation.

Abstract: A capping apparatus 1 includes torque sensor 12 which detects an output torque when a chuck 7 is driven for rotation by a motor 9. Initially, a cap 5 is held by the chuck 7. The cap 5 is fitted over a mouth of a vessel 2, and then the chuck 7 is rotated through one revolution in a clamping direction. A resulting output torque is detected by the torque sensor 12, and the output torque rapidly increases at the position where the threads on the cap 5 and the vessel 2 abut against each other (an incipient position of meshing engagement P). The cap 5 is rotated through a given angle of rotation as referenced to the incipient position of meshing engagement P, thus threadably engaging the cap 5 with the vessel 2. The invention allows a uniform clamping of cap 5 at the completion of the capping operation.

Abstract: A capping apparatus 1 includes torque sensor 12 which detects an output torque when a chuck 7 is driven for rotation by a motor 9. Initially, a cap 5 is held by the chuck 7. The cap 5 is fitted over a mouth of a vessel 2, and then the chuck 7 is rotated through one revolution in a clamping direction. A resulting output torque is detected by the torque sensor 12, and the output torque rapidly increases at the position where the threads on the cap 5 and the vessel 2 abut against each other (an incipient position of meshing engagement P). The cap 5 is rotated through a given angle of rotation as referenced to the incipient position of meshing engagement P, thus threadably engaging the cap 5 with the vessel 2. The invention allows a uniform clamping of cap 5 at the completion of the capping operation.

Abstract: A screw capper includes a capping head which comprises a chuck for holding a cap, a motor for driving the chuck for rotation, a cam mechanism for elevating the chuck, and an air cylinder for imparting a load to the chuck. A load imparted by the air cylinder is controlled by a controller to be zero from the beginning of a screwing and tightening operation until an angle of rotation of the chuck exceeds a specific angle where the load is changed, and is controlled to a higher value upon detection of an angle of rotation of the chuck which exceeds the specific angle in the course of the screwing and tightening operation. The arrangement allows a reliable screwing and tightening to be achieved as compared with the prior art while preventing a damage to threads or the occurrence of a cocked cap.

Abstract: Hydraulic pressure is controlled, which has such advantages that a generation of peak pressure (shoot pressure) can be lowered, mis-operation due to biting of particles can be reduced, or the cost thereof can be reduced. First, a large amount inflow command current is supplied to a proportional solenoid from a time point t1 to a time point t2. Consequentially, pilot pressure rises in a pilot pressure receiving chamber, so that a pressure control valve allows a large amount of hydraulic fluid to flow in a clutch or brake cylinder. At this time, potential detected by a pressure switch becomes zero level. Next, at the time point t2, a filling command small current is supplied to the proportional solenoid, thereby decreasing the amount of hydraulic fluid, which flows from an input port to an output port. This state is maintained from the time point t2 to a time point t3.

Abstract: A screw capper includes a capping head which comprises a chuck for holding a cap, a motor for driving the chuck for rotation, a cam mechanism for elevating the chuck, and an air cylinder for imparting a load to the chuck. A load imparted by the air cylinder is controlled by a controller to be zero from the beginning of a screwing and tightening operation until an angle of rotation of the chuck exceeds a specific angle where the load is changed, and is controlled to a higher value upon detection of an angle of rotation of the chuck which exceeds the specific angle in the course of the screwing and tightening operation. The arrangement allows a reliable screwing and tightening to be achieved as compared with the prior art while preventing a damage to threads or the occurrence of a cocked cap.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for controlling hydraulic pressure are provided, which has such advantages that a generation of peak pressure (shoot pressure ) can be lowered, mis-operation due to biting of particles can be reduced, or the cost thereof can be reduced.

Abstract: A capping apparatus 1 includes torque measuring means 12 which detects an output torque when a chuck 7 is driven for rotation by a motor 9. Initially a cap 5 is held by the chuck 7. The cap 5 is fitted over a mouth of a vessel 2, and then the chuck 7 is rotated through one revolution in a clamping direction. A resulting output torque is detected by the torque measuring means 12, and the output torque rapidly increases at the position where the threads on the cap 5 and the vessel 2 abut against each other (an incipient position of meshing engagement P). The cap 5 is rotated through a given angle of rotation as referenced to the incipient position of meshing engagement P, thus threadably engaging the cap 5 with the vessel 2. The invention allows a uniform clamping of cap 5 at the completion of the capping operation.