Bag making machine

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a bag making machine capable of reducing problems that can be caused by un-fused portions. The bag making machine includes a fusion device that fuses a body material and a belt member to each other within an interval in which the body material is intermittently conveyed by a conveying device, and a cutting device that is disposed further downstream than the fusion device and cross-cuts the body material and the belt member each time the body material is intermittently conveyed. The fusion device includes a pressurizing unit that pressurizes the body material and the belt member in a state in which the body material and the belt member are overlapped with each other, and a laser unit that irradiates a laser beam at a position further upstream than a pressurizing position of the pressurizing unit to the body material or the belt member to melt the body material or the belt member. The pressurizing unit and the laser unit are configured to be integrally movable upstream and downstream with respect to the body material in a state in which a relative positional relationship between the pressurizing position of the pressurizing unit and an irradiation position of the laser unit is maintained.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a bag making machine that sequentially manufactures bags from a continuous main material and a continuous tape member by laser irradiation and pressurization to fuse the main material and the tape member to each other. BACKGROUND

[0002] As disclosed in Patent Literature 1 and Patent Literature 2, a bag making machine that sequentially manufactures bags from a continuous main material and a continuous tape member is known. The bag making machine includes a fusion device that fuses the main material and the tape member to each other, and a cross-cut device that cuts the main material and the tape member along a width direction thereof after fusion to form bags.

[0003] The fusion device of Patent Literature 1 and Patent Literature 2 includes a pair of press rollers that face each other in order to pressurize the main material and the tape member, a conveyance device that intermittently conveys the main material and the tape member in a state of overlapping each other in a length direction thereof in a manner of passing between the pair of press rollers, and a laser device that irradiates a laser beam to the tape member at an upstream of the pair of press rollers.

[0004] After the tape member is irradiated with the laser beam, the irradiated portion is heated by the laser beam and is fused. Then, the main material and the tape member are guided to the pair of press rollers and are overlapped with each other. The main material and the tape member are pressurized by the pair of press rollers while passing between the pair of press rollers, and are fused to each other.

[0005] The temperature of the irradiated portion decreases from an irradiation position of the laser beam to a position at which the irradiated portion is conveyed between the pair of press rollers. In order to perform appropriate fusion, the fused state of the irradiated portion must be maintained until the irradiated portion reaches the pair of press rollers.

[0006] The main material and the tape member are intermittently conveyed. That is, the main material and the tape member are repeatedly conveyed and stopped. During the stop of the intermittent conveyance, the irradiated portion in a range from the irradiation position to the pair of press rollers cools and recovers from the fused state to a non-fused state. Then, after the main material and the tape member are conveyed again, the irradiated portion in the non-fused state is pressed against the main material by the pair of press rollers, and as a result, is not fused to the main material. In this way, an unfused portion that is not fused by laser irradiation and pressurization is generated every time the main material and the tape member are intermittently conveyed. The unfused portion becomes a cause of leakage when the bags are manufactured, and affects the quality of the bags, and further, there is a problem that the material can be lost.

[0007] The present disclosure provides a bag making machine that can reduce a problem that can be caused by such an unfused portion.

[0008] PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS

[0009] PATENT LITERATURE

[0010] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent No. 6023293

[0011] Patent Literature 2: Japanese Patent No. 5619268

[0012] Patent Literature 3: Japanese Patent No. 4819110

[0013] Patent Literature 4: Japanese Patent No. 4902796

[0014] Patent Literature 5: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2019-196238

[0015] Patent Literature 6: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2016-198218 SUMMARY

[0016] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a bag making machine that sequentially manufactures bags from a continuous main material and a continuous belt member. The bag making machine includes: a conveying device that intermittently conveys the main material and the belt member along the length direction thereof; a fusion device that fuses the main material and the belt member to each other in an interval in which the main material is intermittently conveyed by the conveying device; and a cutting device that is provided at a position more downstream than the fusion device and cross-cuts along the width direction of the main material each time the main material and the belt member are intermittently conveyed. The fusion device includes: a pressurizing unit that pressurizes the main material and the belt member in a state in which they are overlapped with each other; and a laser unit that irradiates a laser beam to the main material or the belt member at a position more upstream than the pressurizing position of the pressurizing unit, and melts the main material or the belt member by the laser beam. The pressurizing unit and the laser unit are configured to be integrally movable upstream and downstream with respect to the main material in a state in which the relative positional relationship between the pressurizing position of the pressurizing unit and the irradiation position of the laser unit is maintained.

[0017] For example, the bag making machine can further include: a sensor configured to detect the position of the fusion device; an indicator; and a control device configured to estimate, based on the detection by the sensor, the relative positional relationship between the position of the fusion device and a separation position separated by an integral multiple of the pitch of the intermittent conveyance along the conveying path upstream from the cross-cutting position of the cutting device, and display information related to the relative positional relationship on the indicator.

[0018] The information can include the offset distance of the midpoint of the downstream ends of the pressurizing position and the irradiation position with respect to the separation position.

[0019] For example, the bag making machine can further include a sensor for detecting a position of the fusing device, a moving device for integrally moving the pressurizing unit and the laser unit upstream and downstream while maintaining a relative positional relationship of the pressurizing position and the irradiation position, and a control device for controlling the moving device based on detection by the sensor to adjust positions of the pressurizing unit and the laser unit.

[0020] The control device controls the moving device based on detection by the sensor to separate a midpoint of downstream ends of the pressurizing position and the irradiation position from the cross-cut position by an integer multiple of the pitch of intermittent conveyance along the conveyance path.

[0021] For example, the bag making machine can further include a sensor for detecting a position of a printed pattern repeatedly printed on the body material, a moving device for integrally moving the pressurizing unit, the laser unit, and the sensor upstream and downstream while maintaining a relative positional relationship of the pressurizing position and the irradiation position, and a control device for controlling the moving device based on detection by the sensor to adjust positions of the pressurizing unit and the laser unit.

[0022] For example, the bag making machine can further include at least one sensor for detecting a position of a printed pattern repeatedly printed on the body material and a position of an unfused portion generated because the fusing device fails to fuse the body material and the belt member, an indicator, and a control device for inferring a relative positional relationship of the printed pattern and the unfused portion based on detection by the at least one sensor and displaying information related to the relative positional relationship on the indicator.

[0023] For example, the bag making machine can further include at least one sensor for detecting a position of a printed pattern repeatedly printed on the body material and a position of an unfused portion generated because the fusing device fails to fuse the body material and the belt member, a moving device for integrally moving the pressurizing unit and the laser unit upstream and downstream while maintaining a relative positional relationship of the pressurizing position and the irradiation position, and a control device for controlling the moving device based on detection by the at least one sensor to adjust positions of the pressurizing unit and the laser unit.

[0024] For example, the bag making machine can further include a moving device including a handle. The moving device can integrally move the pressurizing unit and the laser unit upstream and downstream while maintaining a relative positional relationship of the pressurizing position and the irradiation position in response to operation of the handle.

[0025] The pressurizing unit can include a pair of pressurizing members facing each other for pressurizing the body material and the belt member. The pressurizing position can be a clamping position of the pair of pressurizing members.

[0026] The pair of pressurizing members can be a pair of pressurizing rollers.

[0027] The laser unit can link the irradiation intensity of the laser beam to the intermittent conveying speed.

[0028] The bag making machine can further include a sealing device provided downstream of the fusing device and upstream of the cutting device, and sealing along a width direction of the body material each time the body material is intermittently conveyed. A distance along a conveying path from a cross-cut position of the cutting device to a center of a sealing width of a sealing position of the sealing device can be an integer multiple of an intermittent conveying pitch.

[0029] The bag making machine can be configured to make a bag from the body material and a continuous zipper as the belt member. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0030] FIG. 1A is a schematic plan view of an example bag making machine, FIG. 1B is a front view of FIG. 1A, and FIG. 1C is a side view of FIG. 1A.

[0031] Figure 2A 、 Figure 2B An example of a fusing method using laser irradiation and pressurization is illustrated.

[0032] Figure 3 An example of a relationship between a conveying speed of a body material and an irradiation intensity of a laser beam is illustrated.

[0033] Figure 4A is a cross section of an example belt member, Figure 4B is Figure 2A is a cross section of D-D of FIG. 1A, and is a cross section of a guide body.

[0034] Figure 5A is an example plastic bag, Figure 5B is Figure 5A is a partial enlarged view of FIG. 1A.

[0035] Figure 6 is a schematic view of an example moving device.

[0036] Figure 7A is Figure 6 is an E-line arrow view of FIG. 1A, Figure 7B is another example.

[0037] Figure 8 An example of position alignment using a moving device is illustrated.

[0038] Figure 9 Position alignment using a mobile device is exemplified.

[0039] Figure 10A 、 Figure 10B Position alignment using a mobile device is exemplified.

[0040] Figure 11 Position alignment using a conveying device is exemplified.

[0041] Explanation of symbols

[0042] 1: Main material

[0043] 2: Tape member

[0044] 3: Bag

[0045] 40: Conveying device

[0046] 44: Sealing device

[0047] 45: Cutting device

[0048] 46: Indicator

[0049] 47: Control device

[0050] 5: Fusion device

[0051] 6: Pressing unit

[0052] 60: Pressing roller pair (exemplification of a pressing member pair)

[0053] 7: Laser unit

[0054] 70: Laser beam

[0055] 8: Mobile device

[0056] 53, 87, 90, 91: Sensor

[0057] P0: Pressing position of the pressing unit

[0058] P1: Midpoint of the downstream end of the pressing position and the irradiation position

[0059] Pr: Cross-cutting position

[0060] Q: Unfused portion

[0061] q: Unfused range

[0062] qc: Unfused center

[0063] R: Irradiation position of the laser unit

[0064] S: Sealing position

[0065] Sc: center of sealing width DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0066] Hereinafter, a bag making machine of an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The same or similar structures in each embodiment are denoted by the same symbols.

[0067] An example bag making machine is shown in FIGS. 1A to 1C. The bag making machine successively manufactures a bag 3 from a continuous main material 1 and a continuous belt member 2. The belt member 2 has a width smaller than that of the main material 1.

[0068] The bag making machine includes a conveying device 40 that intermittently conveys the main material 1 and the belt member 2 that is to be fused to the main material 1 as described later along the length direction (continuous direction) of these. The direction Y1 indicates the conveying direction. In the embodiment, the conveying device 40 includes one or more pairs of drive roller pairs 400. In FIGS. 1A and 1B, two pairs of drive roller pairs 400 that are arranged at intervals are shown. The pairs of drive roller pairs 400 intermittently rotate in synchronization with each other in a state of sandwiching the main material 1 and the belt member 2, thereby intermittently conveying the main material 1 and the belt member 2. The conveying device 40 intermittently conveys the main material 1 and the belt member 2 at a conveying pitch determined in accordance with the size of the bag 3.

[0069] The bag making machine supports a raw sheet 1' at the most upstream thereof. The main material 1 is continuously wound out from the raw sheet 1' along the length direction thereof at a constant speed. The bag making machine includes a folding device 41 that folds the main material 1. The folding device 41 includes a triangular plate 410, a nip roller pair 411, and a guide roller 412. The main material 1 is guided by the guide roller 412 toward the triangular plate 410, and is folded by the triangular plate 410 and the nip roller pair 411.

[0070] After the main material 1 is folded, the main material 1 includes two main portions 10 as the two layers. The symbol 100 of FIG. 1A indicates a folded edge generated after the main material 1 is folded. The symbol 101 of FIG. 1A indicates two side edges that are aligned with each other by the folding of the main material 1.

[0071] The bag making machine further includes a slack adjusting device 42 that is provided at a position more downstream than the folding device 41. The slack adjusting device 42 includes a slack adjusting roller. The slack adjusting device 42 appropriately switches the conveyance of the main material 1 from continuous conveyance to intermittent conveyance. Therefore, an interval 420 more upstream than the slack adjusting device 42 is an interval in which the main material 1 is continuously conveyed, and an interval 421 more downstream than the slack adjusting device 42 is an interval in which the main material 1 is intermittently conveyed by the conveying device 40.

[0072] The bag making machine includes a welding device 5 disposed further downstream than the tightness adjustment device 42. The welding device 5 welds the body material 1 and the strip member 2 to each other in the section 421 in which the body material 1 is intermittently conveyed by the conveying device 40.

[0073] The welding device 5 of the embodiment includes a pair of expansion rollers 51 disposed further downstream than the guide roller pair 50 and further upstream than the press roller pair 60. The body material 1 is expanded by the pair of expansion rollers 51 in the section from the guide roller pair 50 to the press roller pair 60 on the side of the side edge 101, and a space is provided between the two body portions 10.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 1A, the strip member 2 in a continuous form is guided by the guide roller 43 to change the direction thereof, and is inserted between the two body portions 10 through the space ensured by the pair of expansion rollers 51. The welding device 5 welds the body material 1 and the strip member 2 to each other by laser irradiation and pressure. Specifically, the welding device 5 welds the strip member 2 to the two body portions 10.

[0075] The bag making machine further includes a sealing device 44 disposed further downstream than the welding device 5. The sealing device 44 seals the body material 1 as a whole in the width direction to form the transverse seal portion 11 every time the body material 1 is intermittently conveyed, specifically, every time the intermittent conveyance is stopped. Figure 5A In the embodiment, the sealing device 44 includes one or a plurality of pairs of sealing members (e.g., heat seal bars) 440. In FIG. 1A, two pairs of sealing members 440 are shown. The two body portions 10 are sandwiched by the pairs of sealing members 440, and the two body portions 10 are heat-sealed to each other to form the transverse seal portion 11. In addition to this, the sealing device 44 can ultrasonically seal the body material 1 by ultrasonic sealing to form the transverse seal portion 11.

[0076] The bag making machine further includes a cutting device 45 disposed further downstream than the sealing device 44, more specifically, at the most downstream of the bag making machine. The cutting device 45 cross-cuts the body material 1 and the strip member 2 using a cutter every time the body material 1 is intermittently conveyed, specifically, every time the intermittent conveyance is stopped. The bag 3 is manufactured from the body material 1 and the strip member 2 cut off by the cross-cutting every time. Figure 5A The cutting device 45 cross-cuts the body material 1 and the strip member 2 at the width center of the transverse seal portion 11. Therefore, the distance between the cutting device 45 and the sealing device 44 along the conveying path of the body material 1 / strip member 2 is adjusted every time the intermittent conveyance is stopped so that the width center of the transverse seal portion 11 is aligned with the cross-cutting position Pr at which the cutting device 45 cross-cuts the body material 1 and the strip member 2.

[0077] The bag-making machine also includes an indicator 46 for displaying bag-making conditions or information related to the position of various components of the bag-making machine. Bag-making conditions may include, for example, information related to the size of the bags being manufactured, the bag-making speed, and the temperature of the sealing member 440. The indicator 46 may be a display. The indicator 46 may include a touchscreen or buttons, and may be configured as an operator-operated mechanism.

[0078] The bag-making machine also includes a control device 47, which is electrically connected to at least the devices 40, 42, 44, 45, 46, and 5, and is used to control these devices. The control device 47 includes a controller.

[0079] The following describes the welding process using the welding device 5.

[0080] In this embodiment, the main material 1 is a plastic film. Therefore, the bag 3 in this embodiment is a plastic bag. The main material 1 is a multi-layered film, one surface of which includes a substrate layer such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and the other surface includes a sealant layer such as polyethylene with a melting point lower than that of the substrate layer. The main material 1 is folded in half by the folding device 41 with the sealant layers facing each other. After the main material 1 is heat-sealed by the sealing device 44, the two main body portions 10 are heat-sealed together by melting the sealant layers, forming a transverse sealing portion 11.

[0081] The main material 1 is not limited to the structure described above. The main material 1 may be composed of a single material raw material with polyethylene, polypropylene, or the like as the main component. Furthermore, the main material 1 may include paper as a substrate and resin coated on the paper. That is, the main material 1 may contain one or more raw materials as long as it can be used to make a bag.

[0082] like Figure 4A As shown, in this embodiment, the strip member 2 is a continuous zipper that allows the bag 3 to be opened and closed freely. Similar to Patent Documents 1 and 2, the zipper, as the strip member 2, includes a male material 21 and a female material 22 that are detachably fitted together. The male material 21 has a surface 20 welded to one of the main body portions 10, and the female material 22 has a surface 20 welded to the other main body portion 10. The strip member 2 is supplied in a state where the male material 21 and the female material 22 are fitted together and welded to the main body material 1.

[0083] The strip member 2 in this embodiment contains resin. In addition, as long as at least the welded surface 20 contains a raw material such as resin that enables welding, other parts of the strip member 2 may also contain other raw materials. That is, the strip member 2 may contain one or more raw materials as long as it enables bag making.

[0084] Figure 2A The positional relationship of the main components of the illustrated welding apparatus 5 is schematically shown. The welding apparatus 5 includes a pressurizing unit 6 for pressurizing the main material 1 and the belt member 2 that are overlapped with each other. In the embodiment, the pressurizing unit 6 includes the above-described pressurizing roller pair 60 as a pair of pressurizing members that face each other for pressurizing the main material 1 and the belt member 2. The main material 1 and the belt member 2 pass through between the pressurizing roller pair 60 in a state of being overlapped with each other by the conveyance device 40. The main material 1 and the belt member 2 are pressurized by the pressurizing roller pair 60 when passing through between the pressurizing roller pair 60. Therefore, in the embodiment, the pressurizing position P0 of the pressurizing unit 6 is a nip position of the pressurizing roller pair 60.

[0085] The welding apparatus 5 includes at least one laser unit 7 that irradiates a laser beam 70 to the main material 1 or the belt member 2 at a position more upstream than the pressurizing position P0, and melts the main material 1 or the belt member 2 by the laser beam 70.

[0086] In the embodiment, two laser units 7 are provided, each including a laser light source and an optical system, etc. One of the laser units 7 is configured to irradiate the laser beam 70 in a dot shape to one of the surfaces 20 of the belt member 2, and the other laser unit 7 is configured to irradiate the laser beam 70 in a dot shape to the other surface 20 of the belt member 2.

[0087] As in Patent Literature 1 and Patent Literature 2, the laser units 7 are respectively configured to irradiate the laser beam 70 to the belt member 2 at an irradiation angle θ (0 < θ < 90). As shown in FIG. 2, the surfaces 20 are respectively formed by light-absorbing layers 23 that absorb the laser beam 70. Figure 4A

[0088] As in Patent Literature 1 and Patent Literature 2, when welding using the laser beam 70 is performed in intermittent conveyance, in order to make the strength of the welding uniform, the laser units 7 make the irradiation intensity of the laser beam 70 link with the conveyance speed of the intermittent conveyance. When the main material 1 is conveyed at a high speed, the irradiation intensity is increased, and on the other hand, when it is conveyed at a low speed, the irradiation intensity is decreased. That is, the laser units 7 are configured to irradiate the laser beam 70 while controlling the irradiation intensity of the laser beam 70 according to the conveyance speed.

[0089] The above-described embodiment is illustrated in Figure 3 ​In Mode 1, the irradiation intensity is directly proportional to the conveying speed; when the conveying speed is zero, the irradiation intensity is zero (i.e., no laser beam 70 is irradiated). In Mode 2, the irradiation intensity is proportional to the conveying speed, but the irradiation intensity is controlled to prevent it from falling below a predetermined minimum value W1 (0 < W1 < W2; W2 is the irradiation intensity at maximum conveying speed). Therefore, the laser beam 70 is irradiated not only while conveying the main material 1 but also continuously when stopped. The laser unit 7 sets its output to zero in Mode 1, but not in Mode 2. Typically, the laser unit 7 is subjected to maximum load when outputting from a state of zero; therefore, it is preferable that the load on the laser unit 7 in Mode 2 is less than that in Mode 1.

[0090] like Figure 2A As shown, the welding device 5 includes a guide 52 that guides the strip member 2 so that it passes through the pressure roller pair 60 without bending. Figure 4B yes Figure 2A The DD line section represents the cross-section of the guide body 52. ​​The guide body 52 has a guide hole 520 through which the strip-shaped member 2 passes. Figure 4A , Figure 4B It can be seen that the guide hole 520 has a longitudinal dimension that is slightly larger than the longitudinal dimension of the strip member 2, and a transverse dimension that is slightly larger than the transverse dimension of the strip member 2.

[0091] like Figure 2A As shown, during the conveying of the main material 1 and the strip component 2 ( Figure 3 (t < t1), the main material 1 (main body 10) is guided by the expansion roller pair 51 to the pressure roller pair 60. The main material 1 and the strip member 2 overlap each other directly in front of the pressure position P0. In this embodiment, the strip member 2 is sandwiched between the two main bodies 10. At this time, one surface 20 of the strip member 2 is in contact with one of the main bodies 10, and the other surface 20 is in contact with the other main body 10. Then, the main material 1 and the strip member 2 are conveyed in an overlapping state to pass between the pressure roller pair 60.

[0092] The strip member 2 passes through the irradiation position R of the laser unit 7, which is located upstream of the pressurized position P0. Figure 2B When the laser beam 70 is applied to the surface 20 (light-absorbing layer 23), the surface 20 melts due to the laser beam 70. Then, the molten surface 20 comes into contact with the main body material 1 (main body 10) and passes through the pressure roller pair 60 in this state. As the main body material 1 and the strip member 2 pass through the pressure roller pair 60, they are pressed at the pressure position P0 by the pressure roller pair 60. As a result, the main body material 1 and the strip member 2 are fused together.

[0093] Figure 2B The time is represented as t1 (refer to...)Figure 3 ) when the main material 1 and the belt member 2 stop. Further, the portion of the hatched line of the line LI indicates a portion that is fused. In the section P0-P2, the surface 20 is irradiated with the laser beam 70 and is fused, but is not fused to the main material 1. Figure 2B Only one main body 10 and one press roller 60 are shown. For convenience, Figure 2B The end portion of the line LI irradiated with the laser beam 70 and the start portion of the line L2 to be irradiated with the laser beam 70 are separately described.

[0094] The portion of the belt member 2 located in the section P0-P2 during the stop of the intermittent conveyance is irradiated with the laser beam 70 at the time t = tl when the preceding main material 1 is conveyed, and thus the surface 20 thereof is in a fused state. However, during the stop of the intermittent conveyance, the temperature decreases, and the surface 20 returns from the fused state to a non-fused state (solid state). As a result, the main material 1 and the belt member 2 are not fused to each other even when pressed by the press roller pair 60 at the next intermittent conveyance (t > t2) because the surface 20 has just returned to the non-fused state. The laser beam 70 is irradiated from the position P2. Therefore, the portion of the belt member 2 located in the section P2-P4 at the stop of the intermittent conveyance is fused to the main material 1 at the next intermittent conveyance.

[0095] In summary, the intermittent conveyance generates a range in the conveyance direction Yl in which the main material 1 and the belt member 2 are not fused at all, i.e., a non-fused range q Figure 8 ) corresponding to the distance of the section P0-P2 each time the intermittent conveyance is performed. The distance of the section P0-P2 is specifically the distance between the press position P0 and the downstream end of the irradiation position R.

[0096] Further, because the cross section 700 of the laser beam 70 is in a point shape, the portion of the surface 20 in the section P2-P3 is partially fused and partially not fused. Therefore, the intermittent conveyance generates a non-fused portion Q Figure 8 ) corresponding to the distance of the section P0-P3 in which the surface 20 is irradiated with the laser beam 70 and pressed by the press roller pair 60 but is not fused by the fusing device 5 each time the intermittent conveyance is performed. The portion of the non-fused portion Q on the downstream side corresponding to the distance of the section P0-P2 becomes the non-fused range q defined in the described manner.

[0097] The press unit 6 and the laser unit 7 are configured to be able to move integrally with respect to the main material 1, the belt member 2, the sealing device 44, the cutting device 45, and the like, in the upstream direction (i.e., the direction Y2) and in the downstream direction (i.e., the direction Yl) while maintaining the relative positional relationship between the press position P0 and the irradiation position R.

[0098] To this end, the bag making machine further includes a moving device 8 (Figs. 1A, 1B) that integrally moves the pressurizing unit 6 and the laser unit 7 upstream and downstream relative to the main body material 1, the belt-like member 2, the sealing device 44, the cutting device 45, and the like. In an embodiment, the pressurizing unit 6, the laser unit 7, the guide roller pair 50, the expansion roller pair 51, and the guide body 52, i.e., the fusion device 5, are integrally moved by the moving device 8.

[0099] Figure 6 The illustrated moving device 8 of Fig. 1B is schematically shown. In Figure 6 Fig. 1B, the pressurizing unit 6, the laser unit 7, the guide roller pair 50, the expansion roller pair 51, and the guide body 52 are shown in solid lines, and the constituent elements located on the paper face side of these components are shown in single-dot chain lines.

[0100] The moving device 8 includes a support structure 80 that supports the pressurizing unit 6, the laser unit 7, the guide roller pair 50, the expansion roller pair 51, and the guide body 52 in the positional relationship shown in Figs. 1B and Figure 2A

[0101] In an embodiment, the support structure 80 includes two side frames 800 that are spaced apart from each other in the width direction of the main body material 1 with the main body material 1 on the conveyance path interposed therebetween, and are spaced apart by a larger interval than the width of the main body material 1 (folded). The side frame on the side edge 101 (Fig. 1A) side of the two side frames is denoted by the symbol 800, and the illustration of the side frame on the fold edge 100 (Fig. 1A) side is omitted.

[0102] The pressurizing roller pair 60 and the guide roller pair 50 are rotatably supported by the two side frames 800. The expansion roller pair 51 is rotatably supported by only one of the side frames 800.

[0103] The support structure 80 further includes two base shafts 801 that are rotatably supported by the side frames 800 and extend a prescribed length in a direction toward the non-illustrated side frame from the side frames 800. The laser unit 7 is supported by the base shafts 801, respectively. The base shafts 801 are rotated relative to the side frames 800, the irradiation angle θ is adjusted in advance, and are fixed to the side frames 800 in the adjusted state. Also, the support structure 80 includes a non-illustrated guide bracket, and the guide body 52 is supported by the side frames 800 via the guide bracket.

[0104] Therefore, in an embodiment, when the main body material 1 is set to the bag making machine, the laser unit 7 and the guide body 52 are disposed between the main body portions 10 expanded by the expansion roller pair 51.

[0105] Figure 7A is Figure 6 the E-line arrow view of Fig. 1B. As Figure 7A ​As shown, the moving device 8 includes at least one rack 81 and at least one pinion 82 as a mechanism for moving the support structure 80 in the direction Yl, the direction Y2. The rack 81 is fixed to the body frame 48 of the bag making machine, extending in the direction Yl. The pinion 82 is engaged with the rack 81, with its pinion shaft 820 being rotatably received by the support structure 80.

[0106] More specifically, the rack 81 is provided to the two side frames 800 of the support structure 80, respectively, and the pinion 82 is disposed to the upstream portion and the downstream portion of the two side frames 800, with its pinion shaft 820 being inserted through the side frame 800.

[0107] As shown, the moving device 8 further includes a handle 83 to be operated by the operator for moving the support structure 80, and a clamp 84 for fixing the support structure 80. The handle 83 is operatively coupled to the pinion shaft 820 of any of the pinions 82. The clamp 84 is configured to releasably fix the pinion shaft 820. Figure 7A

[0108] According to the above-described structure, the moving device 8 moves the support structure 80 (i.e., the pressurizing unit 6, the laser unit 7, the guide roller pair 50, the expansion roller pair 51, and the guide body 52) upstream and downstream relative to the main material 1, the belt member 2, the sealing device 44, and the cutting device 45 in response to the operator's operation of the handle 83. At this time, the relative positional relationship between the pressurizing position P0 and the irradiation position R (see FIG. 6) is maintained. Further, after the movement, the units 6 and 7 can be positioned if the pinion shaft 820 is fixed by the clamp 84. Figure 2B

[0109] The moving device 8 can also include a drive source 85 for automatically moving the support structure 80, as shown in FIG. 8, instead of manual operation by the handle 83. The drive source 85 is operatively coupled to the pinion shaft 820. The drive source 85 is, for example, a servo motor. The drive source 85 can be connected to the control device 47 and controlled thereby. Thus, the control device 47 can control the moving device 8 to automatically move the units 6 and 7 integrally upstream and downstream. The movement of the units 6 and 7 can be based on detection by various sensors described below, and can also be performed in response to the operation mechanism receiving an input operation by the operator. Figure 7B

[0110] Thus, the position of the unfused portion Q on the main material 1, which is generated as described above, can be adjusted relative to the length direction thereof. That is, the unfused portion Q can be adjusted relative to the devices disposed downstream of the fusing device 5, such as the sealing device 44, the cutting device 45, and the like. Thus, the problems caused by the unfused portion Q can be reduced. ​​​

[0111] For example, the bag making machine can have a non-illustrated scale fixedly provided to the body frame 48 of the bag making machine in a manner extending along the conveyance path. The scale, for example, takes the cross-cut position Pr of the cutting device 45 as a reference position, and indicates the distance from the position to the upstream position. The scale can indicate the approximate position or distance. Furthermore, the display accuracy can be improved within the movable range of the fusion device 5.

[0112] The object 86 to be detected is attached to the support structure 80 (e.g., the side frame 800) at the same position with respect to the directions Y1, Y2 as the pressurizing position P0. Figure 6 The sensor 87 for position detection of the fusion device 5 is fixedly provided to the body frame 48. For example, the sensor 87 can be attached to the body frame 48, the rack 81, or the scale. The sensor 87 is capable of detecting the object 86 to be detected. Figure 7A Figure 7B After the sensor 87 detects the object 86 to be detected when the units 6, 7 are moved by the moving device 8, the control device 47 estimates the position of the fusion device 5 on the conveyance path at the time of detection, specifically, any one of the positions P0 to P4, based on the detection by the sensor 87. For example, the control device 47 is capable of estimating the distance from the cross-cut position Pr to any one of the positions P0 to P4, and can display the distance on the indicator 46.

[0113] In addition to the above, the moving device 8 can be configured such that the sensor 87 is supported by the support structure 80 to read the scale on the body frame 48 or the object 86 to be detected. The sensor 87 can be an optical sensor (including a camera), a magnetic sensor, or the like. The structure of the object 86 to be detected can be selected depending on the type of the sensor 87.

[0114] The reference position can be provided on the conveyance path within the movable range of the fusion device 5. Furthermore, a digital sensor for position detection of the fusion device 5 can be used to estimate the position of the fusion device 5 with the reference position as a reference. Thus, the position of the fusion device 5 can be estimated with high accuracy.

[0115] The reference position can be provided on the conveyance path within the movable range of the fusion device 5. Furthermore, a digital sensor for position detection of the fusion device 5 can be used to estimate the position of the fusion device 5 with the reference position as a reference. Thus, the position of the fusion device 5 can be estimated with high accuracy.

[0116] Examples of the specific position adjustment of the units 6, 7 are described below.

[0117] The position of the units 6, 7 can be adjusted with respect to the sealing device 44 in a manner such that the sealing device 44 can seal the main material 1 including the entire un-fused range q. The reason for this is that the main material 1 and the belt member 2 are thereby sealed from each other in the un-fused range q, and as a result, the problem (leakage, etc.) caused by the un-fused portion Q can be solved.

[0118] Figure 8 ​The sealing position S at which the sealing device 44 (in the embodiment, the sealing member 440) seals is indicated by a hatched portion in the drawing. Figure 8 In the drawing, the hatched portion is an un-fused portion Q, and the range q in the un-fused portion Q is the un-fused range described above. As shown in the drawing, each time the intermittent conveyance is stopped, the positions of the sealing device 44 and the fusing device 5 should be adjusted so that the un-fused center qc of the un-fused range q is located on the sealing width center Sc of the sealing position S. Figure 8

[0119] Generally, the positions of the devices upstream are adjusted with reference to the most downstream cutting device 45, that is, the cross-cutting position Pr. That is, the sealing device 44 and the fusing device 5 (unit 6, unit 7) are adjusted with respect to the cross-cutting position Pr, as a result of which the sealing device 44 and the fusing device 5 are adjusted in position with respect to each other.

[0120] As described above, the positions of the sealing device 44 and the cutting device 45 are appropriately adjusted in advance. That is, the distance of the cross-cutting position Pr from the sealing width center Sc along the conveyance path becomes an integral multiple of the conveyance pitch.

[0121] According to Figure 2B and the description, the un-fused center qc corresponds to a position PI in the fusing device 5. The position PI is the midpoint of the downstream end P2 of the pressurizing position PO and the irradiation position R. Therefore, if the distance of the cross-cutting position Pr from the position PI along the conveyance path becomes an integral multiple of the conveyance pitch, the sealing width center Sc c and the position PI along the conveyance path also becomes an integral multiple of the conveyance pitch.

[0122] The unit 6, unit 7 is adjusted with respect to the cutting device 45 using the moving device 8 in such a manner that the distance of the cross-cutting position Pr from the position PI becomes an integral multiple of the conveyance pitch. As a result, the unit 6, unit 7 is adjusted with respect to the sealing device 44.

[0123] The irradiation angle θ and the distance of the interval PO-P2 are predetermined and thus are known. The control device 47, as described above, can estimate the position PI using the length of the un-fused range q obtained in advance and the structure for detecting the pressurizing position PO.

[0124] In the case of the manual-type moving device 8, Figure 7A the control device 47 can display information on the relative position of the cross-cutting position Pr from the position PI in the indicator 46 based on the estimated position PI. For example, the control device 47 can display the distance of the interval Pr-PI along the conveyance path with reference to the cross-cutting position Pr in the indicator.

[0125] ​Furthermore, the control device 47 can display the offset distance of position P1 relative to the separation position along the conveying path, which is an integer multiple of the conveying pitch, on the display, which serves as an indicator 46. Specifically, + / - is used when position P1 is offset upstream relative to the separation position, and - / + is used when offset downstream, displaying the offset distance on the display. This allows the operator to easily determine whether to move units 6 and 7 upstream or downstream.

[0126] In order to Figure 7B In the case of the automatic moving device 8, the control device 47 can control the moving device 8 (drive source 85) based on the detection of the sensor 87, and automatically adjust the positions of the units 6 and 7 so that the distance between the cross-cut position Pr (sealing width center Sc) and the position P1 becomes an integer multiple of the conveying spacing.

[0127] When using a plain-colored main material 1, adjustments can be made, for example, as follows. There is a considerable distance between the cutting device 45 and the welding device 5. The main material 1, which contains raw materials such as film, may expand or contract depending on environmental conditions, including temperature and humidity. However, in the case of a plain-colored main material 1, the conveying distance is fixed. If the distance between intervals Pr and P1 is adjusted to an integer multiple of the conveying distance, the unwelded center qc will not deviate significantly from the cross-cutting position Pr.

[0128] For example, the operator can visually confirm the deviation by observing the positional relationship between the unwelded center qc and the seal width center Sc. Then, the operator operates... Figure 7A The manual moving device 8 can eliminate the deviation.

[0129] With the structure including the digital sensor described above, the accurate distance between intervals Pr and P1 can be estimated, enabling more accurate positional alignment. Furthermore, due to the expansion and contraction of the main body material 1, even if the center of the seal width Sc deviates from the unwelded center qc, the operator can visually confirm the deviation and make fine adjustments using the moving device 8.

[0130] like Figure 5A , Figure 5B As shown, when manufacturing the bag 3 with the zipper 2, in order to completely melt and seal the male material 21 and female material 22 of the zipper 2, a filling part 30 with a width greater than the width of the transverse sealing part 11 can be formed. The filling part 30 can ensure the airtightness of the bag 3 (see Patent Document 6).

[0131] In the aforementioned case, such as Figure 9As shown, the bag maker can include a point sealing device 49 in the intermittent conveyance section 421, which point-seals the main material 1 and the slide fastener (tape member) 2 in a point shape to form the patch 30. The point sealing device 49 is provided, for example, at a position further downstream than the welding device 5 and further upstream than the sealing device 44.

[0132] The unwelded range q can be entirely included in the patch 30 formed by the point sealing device 49. For this reason, a sensor 90 such as a camera for detecting the position of the unwelded range q is disposed at a position upstream of the point sealing device 49 by a distance v. The unwelded portion Q is optically different from the portions around it, and thus the sensor 90 can optically detect the unwelded range q. The control device 47 estimates the position of the unwelded range q based on the detection by the sensor 90.

[0133] For example, the control device 47 can process (image process) the data obtained from the sensor 90, estimate the position of the unwelded range q, and estimate the distance of the range q from the point sealing position of the point sealing device 49. Then, the control device 47 compares the estimated distance with a prescribed threshold value, determines which side of the direction Yl or the direction Y2 the welding device 5 (unit 6, unit 7) should be moved, and further estimates the distance of the movement. Then, the control device 47 can display information related to the estimated direction and distance on the indicator 46. The operator refers to the information, adjusts the units 6, 7 with respect to the point sealing device 49 using the moving device 8, and includes the unwelded range q entirely in the patch 30. Also, the control device 47 can control the moving device 8 based on the detection by the sensor 90 and automatically perform the operation.

[0134] The control device 47 can also display an image of the data obtained from the sensor 90 on the indicator 46. In a case where it is difficult to automatically determine the unwelded portion Q using the sensor 90, the operator can also observe the image displayed on the indicator 46 to determine the position of the unwelded portion Q and manually operate the moving device 8.

[0135] The sensor 90 can be supported by the body frame 48, for example, in a manner capable of displacing in the direction Yl, the direction Y2. The position of the sensor 90, that is, the distance v can be adjusted according to the size of the bag 3 to be manufactured.

[0136] Sometimes, the main material 1 having a printed pattern is used. The printed pattern is repeatedly printed on the main material 1. In this case, the position of the units 6, 7 can be adjusted with the printed pattern, and in particular, a marker M (such as a positioning mark) included in each printed pattern as a reference. Figure 10B

[0137] For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the main material 1 having a printed pattern is used. The printed pattern is repeatedly printed on the main material 1. In this case, the position of the units 6, 7 can be adjusted with the printed pattern, and in particular, a marker M (such as a positioning mark) included in each printed pattern as a reference. Figure 10A ​As shown, a sensor 53 for detecting the position of the printed pattern is disposed upstream of and in the vicinity of the pressure roller 60. Specifically, the sensor 53 is capable of detecting the mark M (in the embodiment, a positioning mark). The sensor 53 is capable of moving integrally with the unit 7, the unit 8, by means of the moving device 8. For example, the sensor 53 can be supported by the support structure 80. The sensor 53 can be supported by the support structure 80 in a manner capable of displacement, and its position can be changed according to the size of the bag 3.

[0138] The distance of the detection position of the sensor 53 from the pressure position P0 along the conveyance path of the base material 1 is known. Therefore, the control device 47 is capable of estimating the relative positional relationship of the position of the printed pattern (the mark M) and the non-fusion range q on the basis of the detection by the sensor 53.

[0139] For example, as shown in Figure 10B if the distance on the design of the base material 1 on the base material 1 from the position Pr' at which the cross cut is to be made to the end edge Ms of the mark M is 96 mm, and the length of the non-fusion range q (the distance of the interval P0-P2) is 8 mm, then it is sufficient that the distance of the detection position of the sensor 53 from the pressure point P0 is 100 mm (= 96 + 8 / 2). Thus, as long as the sensor 53 detects the end edge Ms of the mark M at the time of intermittent conveyance stop, and the positional relationship of the cross cut position Pr and the mark M using a sensor or the like described below is adjusted, the base material 1 is ensured to be cross cut at the non-fusion center qc.

[0140] The sensor 53 and the pressure roller pair 60 are adjusted to the positional relationship in advance. The control device 47, in the case where the sensor 53 does not detect the end edge Ms at the time of intermittent conveyance stop, considers that the distance of the mark M from the non-fusion center qc is longer than the distance on the design, and therefore controls the moving device 8 so as to move the unit 6, the unit 7, and the sensor 53 slightly upstream (direction Y2) during the next conveyance.

[0141] On the other hand, the control device 47, in the case where the base material 1 is stopped after the sensor 53 detects the end edge Ms, considers that the distance of the mark M from the non-fusion center qc is shorter than the distance on the design, and therefore controls the moving device 8 so as to move the unit 6, the unit 7, and the sensor 53 slightly downstream (direction Y1) during the next conveyance.

[0142] This positional adjustment of the unit 6, the unit 7 is repeated each time of intermittent conveyance. Therefore, at the time of cross cut, it is possible to maintain a state in which the cross cut position Pr and the non-fusion center qc are always substantially coincident.

[0143] If the cross-cut position Pr greatly deviates from the un-fused center qc due to an unexpected situation at the time of cross-cutting, a situation where recovery is not easy even if the position adjustment is repeated can occur. In this case, the control device 47 can display a warning on the indicator 46.

[0144] As shown in FIG. 6, a sensor 91 for detecting the position of a printed pattern can be provided near and upstream of the cutting device 45. The sensor 91 detects the mark M as with the sensor 53 described above. The cross-cut position Pr and the detection position of the sensor 91 are in the same positional relationship as the press position P0 and the sensor 53. Figure 11

[0145] The control device 47 controls the conveyance device 40 to slightly increase the conveyance pitch of the next intermittent conveyance in a case where the sensor 91 does not detect the end edge Ms at the time of intermittent conveyance stop. On the other hand, the control device 47 controls the conveyance device 40 to slightly decrease the conveyance pitch of the next intermittent conveyance in a case where the body material 1 stops after the sensor 91 detects the end edge Ms.

[0146] This pitch adjustment is repeated each time of intermittent conveyance. According to the above, both the positional relationship of the mark M and the position Pl of the fusing device 5 (corresponding to the un-fused center qc) and the positional relationship of the mark M and the cross-cut position Pr of the cutting device 45 are maintained as the designed positional relationship. Therefore, at the time of cross-cutting, the un-fused center qc on the body material 1 and the cross-cut position Pr can be made substantially coincident. The operation can be performed simultaneously with the adjustment of the units 6, 7 using the sensor 53 described above independently.

[0147] In the embodiment, the distance from the seal width center Sc of the sealing device 44 to the cross-cut position Pr of the cutting device 45 is adjusted to an integral multiple of the conveyance pitch in advance. In addition to this, the positional relationship of the seal width center Sc and the body material 1 can also be adjusted using a sensor. For example, the bag making machine detects the position of the mark M of the body material 1 using a sensor provided near the sealing device 44 at the time of temporary stop of the intermittent conveyance of the body material 1. Then, the bag making machine decreases the intermittent conveyance amount of the body material 1 next time or moves the sealing member (for example, the heat seal bar in the embodiment) of the sealing device 44 (that is, the seal width center Sc of the sealing device 44) downstream in a case where the position of the mark M leads the designed position. On the other hand, the bag making machine increases the intermittent conveyance amount next time or moves the sealing member (the seal width center Sc) upstream in a case where the position of the mark M lags behind the designed position.

[0148] The method of adjusting the conveyance pitch of each device in the bag making machine and / or the body material 1 can be appropriately determined in consideration of the structure of the bag making machine as a whole.​

[0149] In further other embodiments, at least one sensor for position detection of the printed pattern and position detection of the non-fused portion Q can be provided. The control device 47 can estimate the positional relationship of the printed pattern and the non-fused portion based on the detection by the sensor, display information indicating the positional relationship on the indicator 49, or control the movement device 8 to adjust the positions of the units 6, 7.

[0150] For example, an optical sensor such as a camera is used as the sensor. The control device 47 performs image processing on the data from the sensor, estimates the relative positional relationship of the mark M and the non-fused portion Q (non-fused range q), and then displays information indicating the relative positional relationship on the indicator 46. In addition to this, the control device 47 can control the movement device 8 based on the relative positional relationship, and adjust the positions of the units 6, 7 as in the above embodiments. Of course, when it is difficult to automatically determine the non-fused portion Q as described above, the operator can judge the position of the non-fused portion Q by observing the image displayed on the indicator 46 and manually operate the movement device 8.

[0151] Further, the sensor for position detection of the printed pattern and the sensor for position detection of the non-fused portion Q can be different.

[0152] As described above, several embodiments set the mutual intervals of the welding device 5 (its position PI), the sealing device 44 (its sealing width center Sc), and the cutting device 45 (its cross-cut position Pr) to be integral multiples of the conveyance pitch. Thereby, the non-fused portion Q (non-fused range q) generated at the time of laser welding can be completely included in the transverse seal portion 11 and eliminated, and the cutting device 45 can cross-cut the base material 1 at the width center of the transverse seal portion 11.

[0153] Further, the embodiments using the base material 1 with a printed pattern adjust the positional relationship of the base material 1 and the devices 44, 45, 5 at the processing positions of the devices 44, 45, 5 with the printed pattern (mark M) as a reference in order to make the non-fused center qc, the width center of the transverse seal portion 11, and the cross-cut position Pr' coincide. Thereby, elimination of the non-fused portion Q (non-fused range q) and accurate cross-cutting at the width center of the transverse seal portion 11 can also be achieved. This is particularly effective in bag production using a base material 1 including a single material raw material such as polyethylene or polypropylene that has high stretchability.

[0154] The above has described each of the embodiments.

[0155] The mobile device 8 or its support structure 80 or the like can be appropriately changed according to the bag-making method. For example, when two separate main materials are used as in Patent Document 1, Patent Document 2, the base shaft 801 or the like can be supported not only by one side frame 800 but also by both side frames. The same is true in a multi-column bag-making.

[0156] In the embodiment, the tape member 2 is a zipper including a male member and a female member that are engaged with each other. In addition to this, the tape member 2 can be, for example, a male member of a zipper, a female member of a zipper, a male member of a hook-and-loop fastener, a female member of a hook-and-loop fastener, a hook-and-loop fastener including a male member and a female member that are engaged with each other, a tape, a sealing tape, a tape-shaped reinforcing material, a tape-shaped decorative material, a tape-shaped clasp of a bag, or the like.

[0157] In order to perform the welding, the laser beam 70 can also be irradiated to the main material 1 to melt the main material 1. In this case, the light-absorbing layer is provided to the main material 1, not the tape member 2.

[0158] The disclosure can also be applied to so-called pillow bag making and to bag making in which the main materials are welded to each other in the length direction (continuous direction) of the main materials.

Claims

1. A bag making machine that successively manufactures bags from a continuous main material and a continuous belt member, the bag making machine characterized by comprising: a conveying device that intermittently conveys the main material and the belt member along the length direction thereof; a fusion device that fuses the main material and the belt member to each other in an interval in which the main material is intermittently conveyed by the conveying device; and a cutting device that is provided at a position more downstream than the fusion device, and that performs cross cutting along the width direction of the main material each time the main material and the belt member are intermittently conveyed once, the fusion device comprising: a pressurizing unit that includes a pair of pressurizing rollers for pressurizing the main material and the belt member in a state of being overlapped with each other at the time of intermittent conveyance; and a laser unit that irradiates a laser beam to the main material or the belt member at an irradiation position more upstream than the pressurizing position of the pressurizing unit, and that melts the main material or the belt member by the laser beam, a portion of the main material or the belt member that is irradiated by the laser beam, during a stop of the intermittent conveyance, returns to a non-melted state due to a temperature drop in an interval from the irradiation position to the pressurizing position, thereby generating an unfused portion at each time of intermittent conveyance, the bag making machine further comprising: a moving device that moves the pressurizing unit and the laser unit integrally upstream and downstream with respect to the main material in a state of maintaining the relative positional relationship of the pressurizing position and the irradiation position; and a control device that controls the moving device to move the pressurizing unit and the laser unit integrally upstream and downstream during the stop of the intermittent conveyance, thereby adjusting the position of the unfused portion generated on the main material in the length direction of the main material.

2. The bag making machine according to claim 1, further comprising: a sensor that detects the position of the fusion device, the control device controlling the moving device based on the detection by the sensor.

3. The bag making machine according to claim 2, wherein a midpoint of the downstream ends of the pressurizing position and the irradiation position is separated from a cross cutting position of the cutting device along a conveying path by an integral multiple of the pitch of intermittent conveyance. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Images