Filling packaging machine

Abstract

In a filling and packaging machine (1), a system capable of more accurately measuring and managing the heating temperature of each sealing unit is provided. In the filling and packaging machine (1), a plurality of fixed sealing parts (33) respectively have a heating surface (33a) extending in the tangential direction of a circumferential conveying path (35) and a resistance heating element (121) located behind the heating surface (33a) and heating the heating surface (33a). The filling and packaging machine (1) also has: a temperature detection part (130) arranged on the outside of the circumferential conveying path (35) and sensing infrared rays radiated from the heating surface (33a) of each of the plurality of fixed sealing parts (33); a power supply (123) outputting a constant voltage; and a plurality of voltage adjustment parts (128) respectively connected between the power supply (123) and the resistance heating elements (121) of the plurality of fixed sealing parts (33) and capable of adjusting the voltage supplied to the resistance heating elements (121) of each of the plurality of fixed sealing parts (33).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a filling and packaging machine. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a filling packaging machine that continuously folds a strip packaging material made of a laminated film including a plastic film, and heat-seals the folded packaging material at prescribed intervals in the conveying direction while conveying it along a circular conveying path, thereby forming a bag portion for storing filling material between a sealed portion and an adjacent sealed portion at a constant interval, and filling the filling material (for example, powder) in each bag portion.

[0003] [Prior art literature]

[0004] [Patent Literature]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2001-122208 Summary of the invention

[0006] In this filling and packaging machine, the quality of the final product is determined by the quality of the heat seal. Therefore, it is necessary to strictly manage the three factors of temperature, pressure and time when the packaging material is heat-sealed. Among them, the temperature is determined by considering the melting point, critical point and thermal shrinkage point of the plastic material constituting the plastic film. For example, it is important that the temperature does not exceed the softening point by a large amount and becomes a high temperature to prevent the film from becoming thinner. In order to perform heat sealing in a state where the laminated film is overlapped, it is necessary to apply appropriate pressure. For good film sealing, temperature and pressure are both important elements, but it is generally believed that the temperature should be set lower and the pressure should be set higher. In order to melt the plastic film, it is preferably spent time heating, but in order to improve productivity, the heating time is shortened as the machine is accelerated, so the allowable range of temperature and pressure deviation becomes smaller, which may become the cause of poor sealing.

[0007] As mentioned above, temperature, pressure and time are the three important factors that determine the quality of heat sealing. In particular, temperature is the most important factor that determines the quality of heat sealing. However, for a filling and packaging machine such as that described in Patent Document 1, which arranges a plurality of sealing units at constant intervals along the outer circumference of a rotating table and heat-seals a strip-shaped packaging material while rotating the rotating table at high speed, it is not easy to accurately calculate the heating temperature of each sealing unit that moves at high speed.

[0008] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a system which can more accurately measure the heating temperature of each sealing unit in the filling and packaging machine of the above type and feed it back to the temperature management of each sealing unit.

[0009] To achieve this object, one embodiment of the present invention is a filling and packaging machine having:

[0010] A circular transport path 35 centered on the vertical axis 26;

[0011] A plurality of sealing units 32 are arranged at regular intervals along the circumferential transport path 35, and each of the plurality of sealing units 32 includes a fixed sealing portion 33 and a movable sealing portion 34, wherein the fixed sealing portion 33 contacts the circumferential transport path 35 from the inner side of the circumferential transport path, and the movable sealing portion 34 can contact and separate from the fixed sealing portion 33 from the outer side of the circumferential transport path 35;

[0012] a moving mechanism M1 that moves the plurality of sealing units 32 along the circumferential transport path 35; and

[0013] a separation mechanism 38, which sets the movable seal portion 34 at a sealing position where the movable seal portion 34 contacts the fixed seal portion 33 in the sealing area 39 of the circumferential transport path 35, and sets the movable seal portion 34 at a non-sealing position where the movable seal portion 34 is separated from the fixed seal portion 33 in the non-sealing area 40 of the circumferential transport path 35,

[0014] The filling and packaging machine folds the continuously supplied strip-shaped packaging material 100 in half.

[0015] In the sealing area 39, the folded packaging material 100 is clamped by the fixed sealing part 33 and the movable sealing part 34, so that the packaging material 100 is heated and melted to form a seal 101, and a packaging material filling chamber 102 is formed between adjacent seals 101, wherein:

[0016] The fixed sealing portion 33 includes a heating surface 33a and a resistance heating element 121. The heating surface 33a extends in the tangential direction of the circumferential conveying path 35. The resistance heating element 121 is located behind the heating surface 33a and heats the heating surface 33a.

[0017] The filling and packaging machine 1 also has:

[0018] a temperature detection unit 130 disposed outside the circumferential transport path 35 and sensing infrared rays radiated from the heating surface 33a of each of the plurality of fixed sealing units 33;

[0019] a power supply 123 that outputs a constant voltage; and

[0020] The plurality of voltage adjustment units 128 are respectively connected between the power source 123 and the resistance heating elements 121 of the plurality of fixed sealing portions 33 , and can adjust the voltage supplied to the resistance heating element 121 of each of the plurality of fixed sealing portions 33 .

[0021] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system capable of more accurately measuring and managing the heating temperature of each sealing unit. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Figure 1 This is a front view of the filling and packaging machine according to the present invention.

[0023] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A top view of a filling and packaging machine is shown.

[0024] Figure 3 Yes means Figure 1 A perspective view of a portion of a filling and packaging machine is shown.

[0025] Figure 4 This is a front view showing a part of a continuous bag body manufactured by the filling packaging machine of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 5 Yes means Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the internal structure of a filling and packaging machine is shown.

[0027] Figure 6 This is a diagram showing the electrical connection between the resistance heating element that fixes the sealing rod and the power supply unit.

[0028] Figure 7 This is an explanatory diagram showing the positional relationship between a chute passing through a sealing area, a sealing portion, and the like.

[0029] Figure 8 It is an explanatory diagram showing the movement path of the eccentric rotating shaft and the chute.

[0030] Fig. 9 This is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of the eccentric shaft and the chute.

[0031] Fig.10 It is a three-dimensional view of the filling chute.

[0032] Fig.11 This is a block diagram of a system for controlling the temperature of a sealing unit.

[0033] Fig.12 It is a diagram showing the temperature detection area of ​​the temperature detection unit.

[0034] Fig.13 It is a diagram showing the movement trajectory of the heating surface in the fixed sealing rod.

[0035] Fig.14 It is a figure which shows the temperature distribution of the heating surface in the fixed sealing rod. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] Hereinafter, a filling and packaging machine (hereinafter referred to as a "packaging machine") according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0037] [1. Packaging machine]

[0038] like Figure 1 to Figure 4 As shown, the packaging machine 1 conveys a packaging material 100 made of a strip film or sheet in a horizontal direction, folds the packaging material in half along the center line in the longitudinal direction, and adheres or seals the folded packaging material 100 at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction (forming a longitudinal seal 101) to continuously form a bag portion 102, fills the bag portion 102 with a filling material 103, and adheres the upper end opening of the bag portion 102 to form a top seal 104 to form a continuous bag body 105. The continuous bag body 105 can be separated into individual bag portions 102 or a bag body composed of a plurality of continuous bag portions 102 by cutting along the longitudinal seal 101 between adjacent bag portions 102, or processed into a bag body with breakpoint holes 107 punched along the longitudinal seal 101 between adjacent bag portions 102.

[0039] like Figure 1 As shown, the packaging machine 1 has a main frame 10. The main frame 10 is fixed to the floor of a building or the like. The main frame 10 has a packaging material supply unit 13 for supplying packaging material 100. A laminated (multi-layer) film having a sealant layer is used in the packaging material 100, and the sealant layer can stably heat-seal the packaging material 100 after being folded in half. The main frame 10 also has a packaging material folding unit 14, which guides the packaging material 100 supplied from the packaging material supply unit 13 in a substantially horizontal direction, and folds the packaging material into a substantially V-shape with the center line of the packaging material 100 in the longitudinal direction as a fulcrum. Figure 1 to Figure 4 As shown, the main frame 10 supports: a filling material filling section 15, which heat-bonds the left and right packaging material sheets folded by the packaging material folding section 14 at a specified interval in the length direction, continuously forms a bag section 102 located between the longitudinal seal 101 and the adjacent longitudinal seal 101, and fills the filling material into each bag section 102; a filling material supplying section 16, which supplies filling material to the filling material filling section 15; a top sealing section 17, which heat-bonds the upper end of each bag section 102 filled with the filling material, thereby forming a top seal 104; and a cutting section 18, which forms a breakpoint hole 107 at the longitudinal seal between adjacent bag sections.

[0040] [2. Packaging material supply unit 13]

[0041] like Figure 1 As shown, the packaging material supply unit 13 is arranged at the front part of the main frame 10, and has a support shaft (rotating shaft) 22, and the support shaft (rotating shaft) 22 supports the roller 21 on which the packaging material 100 is wound, and the packaging material 100 is made of a strip film or sheet with a predetermined lateral width. The packaging material supply unit 13 also has a plurality of rollers 23, and the plurality of rollers 23 guide the packaging material 100 continuously fed from the roller 21 mounted on the support shaft 22 to the folding unit 14.

[0042] [3. Folding portion 14]

[0043] like Figure 3 As shown, the folding section 14 has a folding guide 24 having a substantially V-shaped cross section, and the folding guide 24 contacts the upper surface of the packaging material 100 conveyed in a substantially horizontal direction from the last roller 23 of the packaging material supply section 13. The upper opening angle (upper opening angle of the V-shaped cross section) of the folding guide 24 gradually decreases as it moves away from the last roller 23 along the packaging material conveying direction 112.

[0044] [4. Filling material filling part 15]

[0045] Reference Figure 5 The filling material filling portion 15 has a fixed cylindrical portion 25 fixed to the main frame 10. The fixed cylindrical portion 25 includes an outer cylindrical surface centered on an axis (central axis) 26. The rotating cylindrical portion 27 is concentrically arranged on the outside of the fixed cylindrical portion 25. A bearing 28 is arranged between the fixed cylindrical portion 25 and the rotating cylindrical portion 27. An external gear 29 centered on the axis 26 is fixed to the outer periphery of the rotating cylindrical portion 27. The external gear 29 is connected to the motor M1 and driven, whereby, based on the drive of the motor M1, the rotating cylindrical portion 27 rotates around the fixed cylindrical portion 25 with the axis 26 as the center along the packaging material conveying direction (counterclockwise when viewed from above) 111 (refer to Figure 2 )Rotate.

[0046] The fixed cylindrical portion 25 supports a circular fixed table 30 at its upper portion. The rotating cylindrical portion 27 supports an annular rotating table 31 at its upper portion. On the rotating table 31, a plurality of (for example, 20) sealing portions (sealing units) are arranged at predetermined intervals (angle = 360 degrees / 20) on the circumference of the axis 26 as the center. Each sealing portion 32 has: a fixed sealing rod (fixed sealing portion) 33; and a movable sealing rod (movable sealing portion) 34 arranged outside the fixed sealing rod 33. Figure 7As shown, the fixed sealing rods 33 are arranged at a constant interval on the circumference of the axis 26 as the center, and the heating surface 33a of the fixed sealing rod 33 (the outermost surface in the radial direction of the axis 26 as the center) is located on the circumferential conveying path (sealing reference circle) 35 centered on the axis 26. The circumferential conveying path 35 forms the packaging material conveying path 112 (refer to Figure 2 ), and the folded packaging material 100 is conveyed along a portion (sealing area) of the circumferential conveying path 35 while being supported by the heating surface 33a of the fixed sealing rod 33.

[0047] Back to Figure 5 The movable sealing rod 34 is connected to the fixed sealing rod 33 via an axis (rotating shaft) 36 extending in the tangential direction (direction parallel to the tangent) of the circumferential conveying path 35, and is supported to be pivotally rotatable so that it can be moved in the sealing position ( Figure 5 Position shown on the right) and non-sealed position ( Figure 5 The movable sealing rod 34 reciprocates between the two positions (shown on the left), wherein, at the sealing position, the heating surface 34a of the movable sealing rod 34 is pressed against the heating surface 33a of the corresponding fixed sealing rod 33 via the packaging material 100, and at the non-sealing position, the movable sealing rod 34 tilts outward at approximately 90° to separate the heating surface 34a of the movable sealing rod 34 from the heating surface 33a of the fixed sealing rod 33.

[0048] The position (sealing position or non-sealing position) of the movable sealing rod 34 is determined by the engagement of a guided portion (e.g., a bearing) 37 provided at the movable sealing rod 34 and a guide mechanism 38 or a switching mechanism (described in detail later) provided at the main frame 10. Generally, the movable sealing rod 34 passes through the sealing area 39 (see Figure 8 , Fig. 9 ), the movable sealing rod 34 is in the sealing position, and passes through the non-sealing area 40 (refer to Figure 8 , Fig. 9 ), the movable sealing rod 34 is in the non-sealing position. As shown in the figure, the non-sealing area 40 includes: an area (fully open area) 40a where the movable sealing rod 34 is in a fully open state separated by approximately 90 degrees from the fixed sealing rod 33; an area (gradually closed area) 41 where the movable sealing rod 34 gradually approaches the fixed sealing rod 33 from the fully open state; and an area (gradually opened area) 42 where the movable sealing rod 34 gradually separates from the fixed sealing rod 33 until the fully open state.

[0049] like Figure 2As shown, the guide mechanism 38 comprises: a first guide portion 241, which is arranged in the gradual closing area 41, so that the movable sealing rod 34 is transferred from a fully open state to a fully closed state in contact with the fixed sealing rod 33; a second guide portion 242, which is arranged in the sealing area 39, so that the movable sealing rod 34 is kept in the fully closed state; a third guide portion 243, which is arranged in the gradual opening area 42, so that the movable sealing rod 34 is transferred from a fully closed state to a fully open state; and a fourth guide portion 244, which keeps the movable sealing rod 34 in the fully open state.

[0050] like Figures 5 to 8 As shown, the filling material filling part 15 has the same number of lifting shafts 43 as the sealing parts 32 (20 in the embodiment). The lifting shafts 43 correspond to each of the multiple sealing parts 32, are arranged at constant intervals on the circumference centered on the axis 26, and extend in the vertical direction parallel to the axis 26. In order to make the lifting shafts 43 rise and fall in the up and down directions parallel to the axis 26, a plurality of shaft through holes 44 are formed at constant intervals on the inner side of the sealing part 32 at the rotating table 31 on the circumference centered on the axis 26. The shaft through holes 44 are formed at equal intervals (360 degrees / 20) on the shaft reference circle 45 centered on the axis 26 (refer to Figure 7 ) on the upper surface, the lifting shaft 43 inserted into the shaft through hole 44 can be freely lifted and lowered along the shaft through hole 442, and can rotate around the central axis 46 of the shaft 43.

[0051] like Fig.10 As shown, an arm 47 and a filling chute 48 fixed to the front end of the arm 47 are supported on the upper part of the lifting shaft 43 protruding upward from the rotating table 31. The filling chute 48 has: a filling chute cylindrical lower part 48a with an elliptical cross section; and a funnel-shaped upper part 48b connected to the upper end of the cylindrical lower part 48a.

[0052] Back to Figure 5 The lower part of the lifting shaft 43 protruding downward from the rotating table 31 has a guided portion (cam follower) 49 protruding laterally from the lifting shaft 43. Corresponding to the guided portion 49, a lifting guide cylinder 50 is fixed to the outer side of the fixed cylindrical portion 25. The lifting guide cylinder 50 has an outer peripheral cylindrical surface 51 centered on the shaft 26. The outer peripheral cylindrical surface 51 has an annular guide portion (guide groove) 52, and the guided portion 49 is engaged with the guide portion 52. As can be seen from the fact that the guide portions 52 shown on the left and right sides of the figure are arranged at different heights, a part of the guide portion 52 is located at a higher position than other parts, and when the corresponding filling chute 48 is approximately located in the sealing area 39 (refer to Figure 8 , Fig. 9), the filling chute 48 is in a lowered position, the lower end of the tubular lower portion 48a of the filling chute is located between the two packaging material sheets of the folded packaging material, and when located in a non-sealed area 40 other than this, the filling chute 48 is in an ascending position and does not interfere with the packaging material 100.

[0053] The lower end of the lifting shaft 43 has a connecting portion (arm) 53 that protrudes laterally from the lower end of the lifting shaft 43. An eccentric shaft 54 ​​is connected to the front end side of the connecting portion 53, and the eccentric shaft 54 ​​is parallel to the lifting shaft 43 and extends downward from the connecting portion 53. As the name implies, the eccentric shaft 54 ​​extends downward along another center axis (eccentric shaft) 55 that is eccentrically located a predetermined distance in the horizontal direction from the center axis 46 of the lifting shaft 43. The eccentric shaft 54 ​​has a guided portion 56 at its lower end. Corresponding to the guided portion 56, an annular guide portion 57 is fixed to the outer side of the rotating cylinder 27. In particular, the shape of the guide portion 57 when viewed from above is as follows: Figure 8 As shown, the guide portion 57 has a circular arc portion 59 extending along a circle 58 centered on the axis 26 and a non-circular arc portion 60 deviating from the circle 58 toward the outside. When the filling chute 48 is approximately located in the sealing area 39, the filling chute 48 is located on the circumferential conveying path 35, and the lower end of the cylindrical lower portion 48a of the filling chute 48 is located between the two packaging material sheets of the folded packaging material. When located in the non-sealed area 40 other than this, the filling chute 48 is located outside the circumferential conveying path 35. Thereafter, just before entering the sealing area 39, the long axis of the elliptical filling chute cylindrical lower portion 48a is directed toward the circumferential conveying path 35 (refer to Figure 7 ) in the tangential direction of the conveying path 112 and enter the filling area 39.

[0054] 6. Filling material supply unit:

[0055] Refer again Figure 5 The filling material supply unit 16 supplies the filling material filled in the bag unit 102 to the filling chute 48, and the filling material supply unit 16 has a circumferential conveying path 35 (refer to Figure 2 , Figure 7 ) The rotating shaft 62 (rotating shaft) is arranged perpendicular to the inner shaft 61 (refer to Figure 5 ). As shown in the figure, the shaft 61 is parallel to the shaft 26 and is separated from the shaft 26. The rotating shaft 62 passes through the fixed table 30. The lower end of the rotating shaft 62 is connected to the motor M2 and driven. Based on the drive of the motor M2, the rotating shaft 62 rotates in the counterclockwise direction (the same direction as the packaging material conveying direction 111) when viewed from above.

[0056] The rotating shaft 62 supports a measuring plate (measuring member) 63. A filling material supply hopper 64 (see Figure 3The metering plate 63 includes a metering hole 66 formed by a circle 65 centered on the axis 61 (see Figure 2 ) is formed by a plurality of through holes formed at regular intervals. The circle 65 is formed in the upstream area 80 of the sealing area 39 (refer to Figure 8 ) is substantially overlapped with the circumferential transport path 35, and the metering hole 66 is located above the funnel-shaped upper portion 48b of the filling chute 48. The interval between the metering holes 66 is substantially equal to the interval between the filling chute 48. Thus, the filling material supply area 67 (refer to Figure 8 ), the metering hole 66 is located above the funnel-shaped upper portion 48b of the corresponding filling chute 48, and a constant amount of filling material falls from the metering hole 66 and is supplied to the corresponding filling chute 48. In the area outside the filling material supply area 67, the lower end opening of the metering hole 66 is configured to be blocked by the movable shutter mechanism 68, and the filling material does not fall from the metering hole 66. The movable shutter mechanism 68 includes: a plurality of movable shutters 69, which are pivotally supported on the lower surface of the metering plate 63 to open and close the lower end openings of each metering hole 66; and a movable shutter driving unit 70, which sets the movable shutter 69 located in the filling material supply area 67 to the open position, and sets the movable shutter 69 located in the area outside the filling material supply area 67 to the closed position.

[0057] [7. Top seal portion 17]

[0058] like Figure 1 As shown, the top sealing part 17 has a heat sealing roller 71 , which contacts the upper end of the bag part 102 filled with the filling material 103 and bonds the upper end opening to form a top seal 104 .

[0059] [8. Cutting section 18]

[0060] like Figure 1 As shown, the cutting section 18 is arranged on the downstream side of the top sealing section 17 relative to the conveying direction of the packaging material, and is provided with a cutter for cutting the continuous bag body 105 at the center of the longitudinal seal 101 of the continuous bag body 105 and separating it into individual bag bodies 110, or a breakpoint hole cutter for punching a breakpoint hole at the center of the wide longitudinal seal section 101.

[0061] [9.Action]

[0062] The operation of the packaging machine 1 having the above structure will be described. When the motors M1 and M2 are powered on, the rotating cylinder 27 and the rotating shaft 62 (see also Figure 5) is rotated. The rotating table 31 connected to the fixed sealing rod 33 is rotated by the rotation of the rotating cylindrical part 27. As a result, the packaging material 100 continuously fed from the packaging material supply part 13 is guided upward by the plurality of rollers 23 based on the conveying force transmitted from the fixed sealing rod 33 and the movable sealing rod 34, and the main surfaces (front and back) of the packaging material 100 fed from the last roller 23 are parallel to the substantially horizontal plane. The packaging material 100 passing through the rollers 23 is conveyed along the lower surface of the folding guide 24 having a V-shaped cross section, while being folded with the center line of the longitudinal direction of the packaging material 100 as the boundary.

[0063] In the filling material filling unit 15, the rotating cylinder 27 and the rotating table 31 fixed to the rotating cylinder 27 are rotated counterclockwise around the shaft 26 based on the driving of the motor. As a result, the guided portion 49 of the lifting shaft 43 supported by the rotating table 31 is guided by the guide portion 52, as shown in FIG. Fig. 9 As shown, the filling chute 48 is in a lowered position in the sealed area 39 and in a raised position in the otherwise unsealed area 40 .

[0064] The guided portion 56 of the eccentric shaft 54 ​​is guided by the guide portion 57. Figure 8 As shown, outside the entry area immediately before the sealing area 39, the guided portion 56 is guided by the circular arc portion 59 of the guide portion 57, and the filling chute 48 moves along a circular trajectory centered on the axis 26. However, in the entry area immediately before the sealing area 39, the guided portion 56 is guided by the non-circular arc portion 60 of the guide portion 57, and once the filling chute 48 swings to the outside of the circular trajectory, it will move in a substantially straight line in the entry area along the packaging material conveying path 112. In synchronization with this action, as shown in FIG. Fig. 9 As shown, the lifting shaft 43 moves from the raised position to the lowered position, and the cylindrical lower portion 48a of the filling chute 48 enters the inner side of the folded packaging material 100.

[0065] The packaging material 100 conveyed to the sealing area 39 moves with the rotation of the turntable 31 while being supported by the heated surface of the fixed sealing bar 33. At this time, the cylindrical lower portion 48a of the filling chute 48 is located at the center of the adjacent fixed sealing bar 33 with respect to the packaging material conveying direction 111.

[0066] The movable sealing rod 34 has its guided portion 37 guided by the guide mechanism 38, and when passing through the gradually closing region 41 immediately before the sealing region 39, it is guided by the first guide portion 241 and moves from the non-sealing position (fully open state) to the sealing position (fully closed state). In the sealing region 39, the guided portion 37 of the movable sealing rod 34 is guided by the second guide portion 242 and maintained at the sealing position, and contacts the fixed sealing rod 33 via the packaging material 100. As a result, the packaging material portion sandwiched between the fixed sealing rod 33 and the heating surface of the movable sealing rod 34 is heated, and the longitudinal seal 101 is formed.

[0067] Next, in the filling material supplying area 67 , the filler dropped from the measuring hole 66 of the filling material supplying portion 16 is filled into the bag portion 102 via the filling chute 48 .

[0068] When passing through the sealing area 39 and entering the non-sealing area 40, especially the gradually opening area 42, the movable sealing rod 34 is guided by the third guide portion 243 (see Figure 2 ) from the sealing position to the non-sealing position. As a result, the packaging material 100 is released from the sealing portion 32. Next, the movable sealing portion 34 moves from the gradual opening area 42 to the full opening area 40a, and is guided by the fourth guide portion 244 (refer to Figure 2 ) remains in the fully open position.

[0069] The packaging material 100 after passing through the sealing area 39 leaves the circumferential conveying path 35 and is supplied to the top sealing section 17, where its upper edge passes through the preheating section 70 (see Figure 2 ) is preheated, and then pressurized by the pressurizing section 71 to form a top seal 104, thereby sealing the bag portion 102 to form a continuous bag body 105. Thereafter, the continuous bag body 105 is conveyed to the cutting section 18, where the longitudinal seal 101 is cut to separate the bags 110, or breakpoint holes 107 are punched at the longitudinal seals 101 between adjacent bags 110.

[0070] [10: Temperature Control]

[0071] The temperature control when the sealing unit 32 heats the packaging material 100 will be described.

[0072] In the packaging machine 100 of the present embodiment, in the temperature control system for controlling the heating temperature of the packaging material 100, at least the heating surface 33a of the fixed sealing rod 33 of each sealing part 32 that contacts the packaging material 100 is formed of a metal having excellent durability and thermal conductivity. Fig.11As shown, inside 20 fixed sealing rods 33 [33(1) to 33(20)] are disposed resistance heating elements 121 [121(1) to 121(20)]. The resistance heating element 121 can be either a metal heating element or a non-metal heating element.

[0073] The temperature control system has a power supply unit 122 that supplies power to the resistance heating element 121. As Figure 5 , Figure 6 shown, the power supply unit 122 includes: a power source 123; a power supply section 124 that is disposed opposite to the outer peripheral surface of the rotating cylinder section 27 and fixed to the main body frame 10; and a power receiving section 125 that is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the rotating cylinder section 27. For example, the power supply section 124 has stationary electrodes 126 connected to respective phases of the power source 123, and the power receiving section 125 has a plurality of movable electrodes 127 that come into contact with the stationary electrodes 126. In the embodiment, the movable electrodes 127 are configured to be arranged in a ring along the outer periphery of the rotating cylinder section 27 and fixed to the rotating cylinder section 27, and always come into contact with the stationary electrodes 126 during the rotation of the rotating cylinder section 27 to receive power supplied from the power source 123.

[0074] The movable electrodes 127 of the power receiving section 125 are connected to the corresponding resistance heating elements 121 [121(1) to 121(20)] via Fig.11 a plurality of (20 in the embodiment) voltage regulating sections 128 [128(1) to 128(20)] as shown. Regarding the voltage regulating section 128, for example, a power regulator VP series provided by Tokyo Institute of Technology Co., Ltd. (Japanese: 株式会社東京理工舎) can be ideally used. This power regulator includes knobs (regulating sections) 129 [129(1) to 129(20)] for regulating the output voltage, and the user can adjust the output voltage (the applied voltage to the resistance heating element 12) to 15 to 98% (Type A) or 7.5 to 98% (Type C) of the input voltage by operating the knobs 129.

[0075] The temperature control system also has a non-contact temperature detection section 130 that detects the temperature of the sealing section 32, particularly the heating surface 33a of the fixed sealing rod 33 that comes into contact with the packaging material 100 and heats the packaging material 100. As Figure 5 shown, the temperature detection section 130 has a radiation thermometer that senses infrared rays radiated from the heating surface 33a, and the temperature detection section 130 is fixed to the main body frame 10 such that the sealing section 32 faces the heating surface 33a of the fixed sealing rod 33 passing through the fully opened area 40a.

[0076] As for the radiation thermometer, for example, the THMX series of radiation thermometers for ultra-high-speed response of 0.1 mS provided by Japan Sensor Co., Ltd. can be preferably used.

[0077] like Fig.12 As shown in FIG. 1 , the temperature detection area 131 of the temperature detection unit 130, in particular, the horizontal width L of the temperature detection area on the circumferential conveying path 35 thereof is set to be larger than the width (lateral width) Lo in the same direction of the heating surface 33a of the fixed sealing rod 33. This is because when viewed from the direction of the fixed sealing rod 33 opposite to the front side (heating surface 33a), as shown in FIG. Fig.13 As shown, the heating surface 33a of the fixed sealing rod 33 is a plane, and the infrared rays collide obliquely with the start and end parts of the temperature detection area of ​​the temperature detection section 130, and cannot be accurately measured. In addition, when the fixed sealing rod 33 is observed from above, the circular moving trajectory 3310 of the center 331 is smaller than the circular moving trajectory 3320 of the two end parts 332, and the detection distance of the infrared rays changes, which cannot be accurately measured. In addition, the temperature detection area of ​​the temperature detection section 130 is simultaneously narrowed. If the temperature of the portion limited by the heating surface 33a (for example, the central portion) is to be detected, then since it is rotating at a high speed, a slight deviation in the detection time may cause the temperature detection position to move, and as a result, the detected temperature may deviate. Therefore, in an embodiment, the width L of the temperature detection area 131 of the temperature detection section 130 is set to be larger than the width Lo of the temperature detection area 33a as described above, and as Fig.14 As shown, the maximum detected temperature Tmax in the obtained temperature distribution 132 is used as the heating temperature measurement value of the fixed sealing rod 33.

[0078] Therefore, according to the embodiment, not only can the heating surface 33a be accurately measured, but also the individual temperatures can be comprehensively controlled and uniformed. As described above, as the speed of the machine increases, the sealing time becomes shorter. In order to compensate for this, the temperature has to be raised to the upper limit of the thermal shrinkage limit as much as possible. As a result, the allowable range of temperature deviation becomes narrower, which becomes the cause of poor sealing. In this regard, in the embodiment, for the narrowed allowable range of temperature deviation caused by the high speed of the machine, in particular, in order to make the temperature of all 20 fixed sealing rods 33 converge within the allowable range, the minimum temperature is set not for a single one but for the entire 20. If one is lower than the minimum temperature, power is supplied to all 20 resistance heating elements 121. In addition, on the contrary, a maximum temperature is also set. If one is higher than the maximum temperature, the power supply to all 20 resistance heating elements 121 is cut off. Since the temperatures of the 20 fixed sealing rods 33 are centrally and comprehensively controlled as described above, the temperatures of all 20 fixed sealing rods can be controlled above the lower limit temperature for maintaining the sealing strength and can be controlled within the upper limit temperature of the thermal shrinkage limit. Even if the speed is further increased, a reassuring quality management system can be established.

[0079] like Figure 5 As shown, the temperature detection unit 130 is connected to a display (display unit) 133 of an operation unit (not shown) provided on the front surface of the main frame 10 , and the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 130 is displayed on the display 133 .

[0080] According to the temperature control system constructed as described above, as the rotating table 31 rotates, the fixed sealing rod 33 separated from the packaging material 100 enters the non-sealed area 40a in sequence, and when passing through the temperature detection area 131 of the temperature detection unit 130, the surface temperature of the heating surface 33a of the fixed sealing rod 33 is detected. As described above, the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 130 has Fig.14 The temperature detection unit 130 thus obtains the maximum temperature Tmax in the temperature distribution 132 and displays the value on the display 133 .

[0081] Therefore, the user who sees the maximum temperature Tmax displayed on the display 133 operates the knob 129 of the voltage adjustment unit 128 corresponding to the displayed maximum temperature as needed to adjust the voltage supplied to the resistance heating element 121.

[0082] In the above description, the heating resistor 121 is housed only in the fixed sealing rod 33 , but the heating resistor 121 may be provided in the movable sealing rod 34 .

[0083] According to the filling packaging machine 1 including the temperature control system configured as described above, the heating temperature of the plurality of sealing portions 32 can be detected individually. In addition, all the sealing bars are controlled comprehensively, and the level of complete sealing achieved by heat sealing can be maintained. Therefore, all the sealing portions (vertical seals) can be sealed uniformly and reliably. In addition, since the width of the temperature detection area 131 is set larger than the size of the heating surface 33a, there is no detection error accompanied by a detection position deviation, and a stable detection result can be obtained.

[0084]

Explanation of symbols

[0085] 1: Filling and packaging machine

[0086] 32: Sealing unit

[0087] 33: Fixed sealing rod (fixed sealing part)

[0088] 33a: Heating surface

[0089] 34: Movable sealing rod (movable sealing part)

[0090] 34a: Heating surface

[0091] 35: Circular transport path (sealing reference circle)

[0092] 100: Packaging materials

[0093] 101: Vertical seal

[0094] 121: Resistance heating element

[0095] 123: Power

[0096] 128: Voltage regulation unit

[0097] 129: Knob (adjustment part)

[0098] 130: Temperature detection unit

[0099] 131: Temperature detection area.

Claims

1. A filling and packaging machine, the filling and packaging machine (1) comprising: A circular transport path (35) centered on the vertical axis (26); A plurality of sealing units (32) are arranged at regular intervals along the circumferential transport path (35), wherein the plurality of sealing units (32) respectively include a fixed sealing portion (33) and a movable sealing portion (34), wherein the fixed sealing portion (33) contacts the circumferential transport path (35) from the inner side of the circumferential transport path, and the movable sealing portion (34) can contact and separate from the fixed sealing portion (33) from the outer side of the circumferential transport path (35); a moving mechanism (M1) for moving the plurality of sealing units (32) along the circumferential transport path (35); as well as a separation mechanism (38) which sets the movable sealing portion (34) at a sealing position where the movable sealing portion (34) contacts the fixed sealing portion (33) in a sealing area (39) of the circumferential transport path (35), and sets the movable sealing portion (34) at a non-sealing position where the movable sealing portion (34) is separated from the fixed sealing portion (33) in a non-sealing area (40) of the circumferential transport path (35); The filling and packaging machine folds the continuously supplied strip-shaped packaging material (100) in half. In the sealing area (39), the folded packaging material (100) is clamped by the fixed sealing part (33) and the movable sealing part (34), so that the packaging material (100) is heated and melted to form a seal (101), and a packaging material filling chamber (102) is formed between adjacent seals (101), characterized in that: The fixed sealing portion (33) comprises a heating surface (33a) and a resistance heating element (121), wherein the heating surface (33a) extends in a tangential direction of the circumferential transport path (35), and the resistance heating element (121) is located behind the heating surface (33a) and heats the heating surface (33a). The filling and packaging machine (1) further comprises: a temperature detection section (130) disposed outside the circumferential transport path (35) and sensing infrared rays radiated from the heating surface (33a) of each of the plurality of fixed sealing sections (33); in the tangential direction of the circumferential transport path (35), a width (L) of a temperature detection region (131) of the temperature detection section (130) is set to be larger than a width (Lo) of the heating surface (33a) of the fixed sealing section (33) in the direction along the circumferential transport path (35); a power supply (123) that outputs a constant voltage; and A plurality of voltage adjustment units (128) are respectively connected between the power source (123) and the resistance heating element (121) of the plurality of fixed sealing parts (33), and can adjust the voltage supplied to the resistance heating element (121) of each of the plurality of fixed sealing parts (33).

2. The filling and packaging machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The voltage adjustment unit (128) has a knob (129) capable of manually adjusting the voltage supplied to the resistance heating element (121).

3. The filling and packaging machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: If at least one of the multiple temperature detection values ​​detected on the heating surface (33a) of the multiple fixed sealing parts (33) is lower than a set minimum value, power is supplied to all the resistance heating elements (121); if at least one of the multiple temperature detection values ​​is higher than a set maximum value, power supply to all the resistance heating elements (121) is cut off.

Images