Bag-making packaging device

Abstract

The bag-making and packaging device is provided with: a conveying unit that conveys a first film or a second film in a film conveying direction; an alignment mark detection unit that detects an alignment mark for position alignment; a bag-making and packaging unit for making a single packaging bag by cutting the first film or the second film on the basis of the position of the alignment mark; and a connection part forming a connection part, the bag making packaging part cutting the second film with the position of the third alignment mark as a reference when the distance between the first alignment mark and the second alignment mark in the first film is shorter than the preset distance between the alignment marks; when the distance is longer than the preset distance between the alignment marks, the bag-making packaging part cuts off the second film with the position of the second alignment mark as the reference.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a bag-making packaging device. Background Art

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-90311 discloses a method of splicing paper in a bag-making and filling packaging machine. By using this method of splicing paper, after forming the end of the old strip-shaped packaging material, the start end of the new strip-shaped packaging material to be drawn out from the new packaging material roll and the end of the old strip-shaped packaging material pulled back onto the new packaging material roll can be butted on the surface of the new packaging material roll. Therefore, the operator can butt and connect them on the surface of the new packaging material roll while visually observing the end of the old strip-shaped packaging material and the start end of the new strip-shaped packaging material. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Technical Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In packaging materials such as those disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-90311, not only the above-mentioned splicing paper, but also marks (alignment marks) such as characters and graphics for position alignment used in bag-making operations of the packaging materials are sometimes printed at constant intervals (pitches). In the case of adopting a method of splicing paper that uses such alignment marks to adjust the position of the connection part (joint) between packaging materials, problems such as the control and configuration of the device becoming complicated and causing cost increases, and the problem that it takes time to perform the splicing paper can be considered. From the viewpoint of avoiding such problems, an automatic splicing paper method that does not adjust the position of the above-mentioned connection part is also desired.

[0005] However, when connecting packaging materials to each other without adjusting the position of the connection part, the pitch of the alignment marks sometimes becomes irregular around the joint between the packaging materials. When the pitch between two adjacent alignment marks sandwiching the joint becomes short, control such as temporarily slowing down the conveying speed of the packaging material is required. Therefore, it is impossible to manufacture individual packaging bags as products at a constant speed, which causes an increase in the cost of the products. Therefore, when a joint is detected, control that does not use the alignment mark immediately behind the joint is considered. In the case of using this control, if the pitch between two adjacent alignment marks sandwiching the joint is long, the amount of packaging material used for defective products increases, which causes an increase in the cost of the products.

[0006] An object of one aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a bag-making packaging device that can suppress a decrease in the productivity of individual packaging bags and an increase in cost even when forming a connection part between films without adjusting the position of the connection part between the films.

[0007] Solution to the Technical Problem

[0008] (1)One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a bag-making packaging device including: a first holding unit that holds a first film roll wound with a first film; a second holding unit that holds a second film roll wound with a second film; a conveying unit that conveys the first film or the second film along the film conveying direction; a registration mark detection unit that detects registration marks for position alignment printed on the first film and the second film respectively; a bag-making packaging unit that forms a bag-shaped molded body for accommodating an article by molding the first film or the second film, and then cuts the first film or the second film based on the positions of the registration marks detected by the registration mark detection unit to make a single packaging bag; and a connecting unit that forms a connecting portion connecting the first film and the second film. When, in the first film, the registration mark closest to the connecting portion in the film conveying direction is the first registration mark, in the second film, the registration mark closest to the connecting portion in the film conveying direction is the second registration mark, and the registration mark immediately behind the second registration mark is the third registration mark, when the distance between the first registration mark and the second registration mark is shorter than a preset registration mark distance, the bag-making packaging unit cuts the second film based on the position of the third registration mark to make a single packaging bag; and when the distance is longer than the preset registration mark distance, the bag-making packaging unit cuts the second film based on the position of the second registration mark to make a single packaging bag.

[0009] In this bag-making packaging device, when the distance between the first registration mark and the second registration mark is shorter than the preset registration mark distance, the bag-making packaging unit cuts the second film based on the position of the third registration mark to make a single packaging bag; and when the distance is longer than the preset registration mark distance, the bag-making packaging unit cuts the second film based on the position of the second registration mark to make a single packaging bag. In this case, it is possible to cut the second film at an appropriate position without changing the conveying speed of each film according to the distance between the first registration mark and the second registration mark sandwiching the connecting portion. Therefore, by using the above bag-making packaging device, even when forming the connecting portion without adjusting the position of the connecting portion between the films, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the productivity of single packaging bags and an increase in cost.

[0010] (2)Alternatively, the bag-making packaging device according to (1) may further include a connecting portion detection unit that detects the connecting portion upstream of the registration mark detection unit in the film conveying direction. In this case, it is possible to prevent the connecting portion from being misdetected as a registration mark.

[0011] (3)Alternatively, in the bag-making packaging device according to (2), the registration mark detection unit and the connecting portion detection unit each include a photoelectric sensor. In this case, it is possible to preferably prevent the connecting portion from being misdetected as a registration mark.

[0012] (4) Alternatively, in the bag-making packaging device described in (2) or (3), the alignment mark detection unit or the connection part detection unit detects the position of the connection part based on the change in the output inspection signal. In this case, it is possible to prevent misdetection of the connection part as an alignment mark well.

[0013] (5) Alternatively, in the bag-making packaging device according to any one of (2) to (4), the bag-making packaging device further includes a printing unit, and the printing unit performs printing on the first film or the second film based on the inspection result of the connection part detection unit. In this case, it is possible to suppress the production of defective products due to printing defects of individual packaging bags.

[0014] Effects of the Invention

[0015] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a bag-making packaging device that can suppress a decrease in the productivity of individual packaging bags and an increase in cost even when forming the connection part between the films without adjusting the position of the connection part. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 is an external perspective view showing a metering bag-making packaging system including a bag-making packaging device.

[0017] Figure 2 is a diagram showing a part of the control block of the metering bag-making packaging system.

[0018] Figure 3 (a) of is a schematic top view showing an example of the main part of the film, Figure 3 (b) of is a schematic top view showing another example of the main part of the film.

[0019] Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view showing the main configuration of the bag-making packaging unit.

[0020] Figure 5 is an external view obtained by observing the film supply unit from the rear right side.

[0021] Figure 6 is a side schematic view of the film supply unit.

[0022] DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0023] 5: Packaging unit (bag - making and packaging section); 6: Film supply unit; 13: Forming mechanism; 14: Pull - down belt mechanism (transport section); 15: Longitudinal sealing mechanism; 17: Transverse sealing mechanism; 61: Roll drive motor (transport section); 62: Roll drive motor (transport section); 63: Film switching section; 91a - 91c, 92a - 92c, 93a - 93o: Rollers (transport section); 100: Metering and bag - making packaging system; 101: Metering device; 102: Bag - making and packaging device; 110: Control section; 121: Connection part detection section; 122A, 122B: Alignment mark detection section; B: Bag; CP: Connection part; F: Film; F1: First film; F2: Second film; FR1: First film roll; FR2: Second film roll; MD: Transport direction (film transport direction); P1: Pitch; P2: Pitch; PP: Alignment mark pitch; R: Alignment mark; R1: First alignment mark; R2: Second alignment mark; R3: Third alignment mark. Detailed implementation mode

[0024] The following refers to the drawings to describe in detail the preferred implementation modes of the present disclosure. It should be noted that in the description of the drawings, the same or equivalent elements are labeled with the same reference numerals, and repeated descriptions are omitted. In the following description, in order to indicate directions, terms such as "front", "rear", "upper", "lower", "left", and "right" are sometimes used. In the present embodiment, "front", "rear", "upper", "lower", "left", and "right" are defined by the directions of the arrows marked in the drawings. In addition, in this specification, "A or B" includes either A or B, and does not exclude the case of including both A and B.

[0025] [Overview of the metering and bag - making packaging system]

[0026] Figure 1 is an external perspective view showing a metering and bag - making packaging system including a bag - making and packaging device. Figure 2 is a diagram showing a part of the control block of the metering and bag - making packaging system. As Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown, the metering and bag - making packaging system 100 manufactures a single packaged bag by accommodating the metered article C in a formed body of the film F and making a bag for the formed body. The metering and bag - making packaging system 100 has a metering device 101 and a bag - making and packaging device 102. The bag - making and packaging device 102 is disposed below the metering device 101. In one example, a touch panel 111 and operation switches 112 capable of operating the bag - making and packaging device 102 and the metering device 101 integrally are provided on the bag - making and packaging device 102. As Figure 2 shown, in the metering and bag - making packaging system 100, the operations of the metering device 101 and the bag - making and packaging device 102 are controlled by the control section 110 included in the bag - making and packaging device 102, but it is not limited thereto.

[0027] [Film]

[0028] Figure 3 Fig. (a) is a schematic top view showing an example of the main part of film F, Figure 3 and Fig. (b) is a schematic top view showing another example of the main part of film F. Figure 1 and Figure 3 Fig. (a), Figure 3 Fig. (b) show that film F is a component obtained by integrating the first film F1 drawn from the first film roll FR1 described later and the second film F2 drawn from the second film roll FR2 at the connection part CP. In Figure 3 Fig. (a), Figure 3 Fig. (b) show that in film F, the first film F1 is located downstream of the second film F2 in the conveying direction MD, but it is not limited thereto. According to the operation timing of the bag-making packaging device 102, the first film F1 is located upstream of the second film F2 in the conveying direction MD. Hereinafter, when it is not necessary to distinguish between the first film F1 and the second film F2, it may be simply referred to as film F. In the first film F1 and the second film F2, a plurality of alignment marks R are printed respectively. The alignment mark R is a symbol for position alignment used in bag-making of the bag B and the like. In each of the first film F1 and the second film F2, the intervals of the plurality of alignment marks R along the conveying direction MD are constant. In addition, the interval in the first film F1 and the interval in the second film F2 are the same as each other and are stored in the storage device of the control unit 110 as a preset value (alignment mark interval PP). It should be noted that in film F, in addition to the alignment mark R, characters, patterns, patterns, etc. (not shown) may also be printed.

[0029] Figure 3 Fig. (a), Figure 3 Fig. (b), in the first film F1, the alignment mark R closest to the connection part CP in the conveying direction MD is set as the first alignment mark R1. In addition, in the second film F2, the alignment mark R closest to the connection part CP in the conveying direction MD is set as the second alignment mark R2. And, in Figure 3 Fig. (a), the alignment mark R located immediately behind the second alignment mark R2 is set as the third alignment mark R3. In Figure 3 Fig. (a), the interval P1 between the first alignment mark R1 and the second alignment mark R2 adjacent to each other across the connection part CP is shorter than the alignment mark interval PP. In Figure 3 Fig. (b), the interval P2 between the first alignment mark R1 and the second alignment mark R2 adjacent to each other across the connection part CP is longer than the alignment mark interval PP. Figure 3 Fig. (a), Figure 3Parts of the subsequent cut, i.e., predetermined cut parts CU, CU1, CU2, and the preset alignment mark pitch PP stored in the storage device of the control unit 110, are shown in (b) respectively. The predetermined cut parts CU, CU1, CU2 are set along the corresponding alignment marks R according to predetermined conditions. In the present embodiment, in one example, based on the deviation information (details will be described later) output from the alignment mark detection units 122A, 122B (refer to Figure 6 ), the predetermined cut parts CU, CU1, CU2 are set. In the case shown in (a) of Figure 3 , since the pitch P1 is shorter than the alignment mark pitch PP, in the second film F2, the predetermined cut part CU1 is set first with reference to the third alignment mark R3 instead of the second alignment mark R2. In the case shown in (b) of Figure 3 , since the pitch P2 is longer than the alignment mark pitch PP, in the second film F2, the predetermined cut part CU2 is set first with reference to the second alignment mark R2. It should be noted that each predetermined cut part is set by the control unit 110, for example.

[0030] [Metering device]

[0031] The metering device 101 is, for example, a well-known combination weigher, and includes a plurality of hopper bins 24, a plurality of metering hoppers 25 located below the plurality of hopper bins 24, and a collecting chute 26 located below the plurality of metering hoppers 25. An article C, which is an object (the article to be packaged) of metering and packaging in the metering and bagging packaging system 100, is, for example, as shown in Figure 4 , a food such as confectionery. When metering and packaging the article C, first, the article C is supplied to the upper center of the metering device 101. Next, after the article C is dispersed in a plurality of radiation paths, it is supplied to the corresponding metering hoppers 25 via the plurality of hopper bins 24 arranged at the terminals of the respective paths. A part of the metering hoppers 25 is selected so that the weight of the article C metered by each metering hopper 25 is within a predetermined range. Based on the discharge request signal from the control unit 110, the article C accommodated in the selected metering hopper 25 is discharged into the collecting chute 26. The article C discharged from the collecting chute 26 is supplied to the bagging and packaging device 102.

[0032] [Bagging and packaging device]

[0033] As described above, the bag-making packaging device 102 includes: a packaging unit 5 (bag-making packaging section) that bags an article C to manufacture a product; a film supply unit 6 that supplies a film F to the packaging unit 5; and a control unit 110 that controls the operations of the packaging unit 5 and the film supply unit 6. The article C discharged from the metering device 101 falls into the internal space of a tube 12 included in the packaging unit 5 through a funnel member 11 attached to the packaging unit 5. Then, the article C drops into the internal space of the tube 12. After the bag-making packaging device 102 houses the article C passing through the tube 12 into a tubular film TF (details will be described later), the lower end portion of the tubular film TF and the upper end portion of a preceding bag B (single packaging bag) are simultaneously sealed laterally. Thereby, bag-making of the bag B housing the article C is performed. The film supply unit 6 is a unit that supplies a sheet-like film F to a forming mechanism 13 of the packaging unit 5 and is located behind the packaging unit 5. The film supply unit 6 is located upstream of the packaging unit 5 in the conveying direction MD (film conveying direction) of the film F.

[0034] As Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 4 shown, the packaging unit 5 is a unit that forms a bag-shaped molded body for housing the article C, i.e., a tubular film TF, by molding the film F and then cuts the film F to make a bag B for housing the article C. The packaging unit 5 includes: a forming mechanism 13 that forms the sheet-like film F into a tubular film TF; a downward pulling belt mechanism 14 that conveys the tubular film TF (tubular film TF) formed into a tube downward; a longitudinal sealing mechanism 15 that longitudinally seals the overlapping portions TF-1 at both ends of the tubular film TF; and a lateral sealing mechanism 17.

[0035] The forming mechanism 13 has a tube 12 that guides the article C into the tubular film TF and a former 13a disposed to surround the lower portion of the tube 12. When the film F supplied from the film supply unit 6 passes through the gap between the former 13a and the tube 12, it is formed into a tubular shape along the outer peripheral surface of the tube 12. At this time, the upper surface of the film F becomes the inner peripheral surface of the tubular film TF, and the lower surface of the film F becomes the outer peripheral surface of the tubular film TF.

[0036] The downward pulling belt mechanism 14 having a pair of belts 14c disposed on the left and right sides of the tube 12 is a mechanism that adsorbs and winds the tubular film TF wound around the tube 12 and conveys the tubular film TF downward. The downward pulling belt mechanism 14 functions as a conveying section for conveying the film F together with the film supply unit 6.

[0037] The longitudinal sealing mechanism 15 is a component that heat-seals while pressing the overlapping portions TF-1 at both ends of the tubular film TF against the tube 12 with a constant pressure. The longitudinal sealing mechanism 15 has, for example, a heater block (not shown) and a metal belt (not shown) that can travel around the heater block in synchronization with the tubular film TF.

[0038] The horizontal sealing mechanism 17 performs a horizontal seal on the bag B formed by the tubular film TF, and simultaneously performs a heat seal on the upper end portion of the bag B and the lower end portion of the subsequent bag (tubular film TF). The horizontal sealing mechanism 17 horizontally seals the tubular film TF, for example, in a state where the article C has fallen into the tubular film TF through the tube 12. Thereby, the bag B for accommodating the article C is formed. The horizontal sealing mechanism 17 is composed of a pair of sealing pliers 51 with built-in heaters and a drive mechanism (not shown) that brings the pair of sealing pliers 51 closer to and away from the tubular film TF. The horizontal sealing mechanism 17 has a cutter (not shown) for cutting the first film F1 or the second film F2. This cutter is a component for cutting the bag B and the subsequent tubular film FT, and cuts a predetermined portion (for example, Figure 3 the (a) of Figure 3 the predetermined cutting portion CU shown in (b) of

[0039] As Figure 1 、 Figure 2 and Figures 4 - 6 shown, the film supply unit 6 has a first holding portion 81, a second holding portion 82, a plurality of rollers 91a, 91b, 91c, 92a, 92b, 92c, 93a to 93o, winding drive motors 61, 62, a film switching portion 63, a connection portion detection portion 121, and alignment mark detection portions 122A, 122B. An example of the device configuration and operation of the film supply unit 6 is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-192268, and is incorporated herein by reference.

[0040] The first holding portion 81 is a pneumatic chuck that holds the first film roll FR1 formed by winding the first film F1. Setting the first film roll FR1 on the first holding portion 81 and the like can be performed manually by an operator or automatically by a mechanism or another device not shown. The second holding portion 82 is a pneumatic chuck that holds the second film roll FR2 formed by winding the second film F2. Setting the second film roll FR2 on the second holding portion 82 and the like can be performed manually by an operator or automatically by a mechanism or another device not shown. In the latter case, it can be performed either fully automatically or semi-automatically. The first holding portion 81 and the second holding portion 82 are each configured to be rotatable by the winding drive motors 61, 62.

[0041] The roll drive motors 61 and 62 are components that rotate the first holding part 81 and the second holding part 82, and function as a conveying part for conveying the film F together with the pull-down belt mechanism 14. By the rotation of the first holding part 81, the first film F1 is drawn out from the first film roll FR1. Similarly, by the rotation of the second holding part 82, the second film F2 is drawn out from the second film roll FR2. In one example, the roll drive motor 61 has a mechanism for detecting the remaining amount of the first film F1 wound around the first film roll FR1. Similarly, the roll drive motor 62 may have a mechanism for detecting the remaining amount of the second film F2 wound around the second film roll FR2. The detection results of these mechanisms are output to the control unit 110, for example. Thus, while suppressing the influence of the metering bag-making packaging system 100 on bag-making packaging, the film can be automatically switched by a mechanism (not shown).

[0042] The plurality of rollers 91a, 91b, 91c, 92a, 92b, 92c, 93a to 93o are rollers for guiding the first film F1 or the second film F2, and function as a conveying part for conveying the film F together with the roll drive motors 61 and 62 and the pull-down belt mechanism 14. In one example, the first film F1 drawn out from the first film roll FR1 is guided by the rollers 91a, 91b, 91c, and then further guided by the rollers after 93a. In this case, the drawing out of the first film F1 from the first film roll FR1 to the rollers 91a, etc. can be carried out manually by an operator, or can be automatically carried out by a mechanism (not shown) or another device. In another example, the second film F2 drawn out from the second film roll FR2 is guided by the rollers 92a, 92b, 92c, and then further guided by the rollers after 93a. In this case, the drawing out of the second film F2 from the second film roll FR2 to the rollers 92a, etc. can be carried out manually by an operator, or can be automatically carried out by a mechanism (not shown) or another device.

[0043] The film switching part 63 is a part for switching the film used for bag-making packaging. When switching the film by the film switching part 63, the bag-making packaging using the first film F1 or the second film F2 can be temporarily stopped or can continue. In addition, as will be described below, the film switching part 63 also functions as a connecting part for forming a connecting part CP that connects the first film F1 and the second film F2. Therefore, by the film switching part 63, a film F integrated from the first film F1 and the second film F2 can be formed. The film switching part 63 has pulse sealers 64a, 64b, sealing tables 65a, 65b, a cutter 68, and a cylinder 66.

[0044] The impulse sealers 64a and 64b extend in a direction crossing the conveying direction MD and are separated from each other in the conveying direction MD. The impulse sealer 64b is located more upstream than the impulse sealer 64a in the conveying direction MD. The cutter 68 is located between the impulse sealers 64a and 64b in the conveying direction MD. The impulse sealers 64a and 64b and the cutter 68 are integrated and are moved by a cylinder 66. Further, the film switching section 63 is supported by a pair of support tables 63a and 63b. The film switching section 63 is moved in the conveying direction MD by a cylinder 69 different from the cylinder 66. In Figure 5 , the film switching section 63 is arranged on the rearmost side (rear end position) in the conveying direction MD. By the operation of the cylinder 69, the film switching section 63 can be moved to the foremost side (front end position) in the conveying direction MD.

[0045] The sealing table 65a is a member that faces the impulse sealers 64a and 64b of the film switching section 63 arranged at the front end position with the film F interposed therebetween. The sealing table 65b is a member that faces the impulse sealers 64a and 64b of the film switching section 63 arranged at the rear end position with the film F interposed therebetween. The sealing table 65a is located between the rollers 91a and 91b. The sealing table 65b is located between the rollers 92b and 92c. The sealing tables 65a and 65b have the same configuration. Since they have the same configuration, the sealing table 65a will be described as an example hereinafter. The sealing table 65a is divided into a first part 65a1 that can face the impulse sealer 64a and a second part 65a2 that can face the impulse sealer 64b. A space through which the cutter 68 can enter and exit is defined between the first part 65a1 and the second part 65a2.

[0046] In such a film switching section 63, for example, the first film F1 and the second film F2 that overlap each other are clamped by the impulse sealers 64a and 64b and the sealing table 65a or the sealing table 65b. Then, the first film F1 and the second film F2 are heat-sealed and at the same time the first film F1 and the second film F2 are cut by the cutter 68. As a result, in the film switching section 63, a connection portion CP (refer to Figure 3 (a) of Figure 3 and

[0047] (b)) that connects the first film F1 and the second film F2 that overlap each other is formed. In the present embodiment, when forming the connection portion CP, the alignment of the first film F1 and the second film F2 in the conveying direction MD is not performed. Therefore, in the connection portion CP and its periphery in the film F, the pitch of the alignment marks R along the conveying direction MD may deviate from the pitch of the alignment marks stored in the storage device of the control unit 110.

[0047] In the film switching unit 63, a part of the first film F1 is connected to a part of the second film F2 by the pulse sealer 64a and the first part 65a1 or the first part 65b1, and another part of the first film F1 is connected to another part of the second film F2 by the pulse sealer 64b and the second part 65a2 or the second part 65b2. Thus, the start end and its peripheral part of the newly used film (for example, the second film F2) are connected to the replaced film. Therefore, it is not necessary to remove the unnecessary part of the second film F2 in the film F connecting the first film F1 and the second film F2 (for example, an example of the effect brought by using the film switching unit 63 is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-192268).

[0048] The connection and disconnection of the first film F1 and the second film F2 performed by the film switching unit 63 described above are implemented, for example, when switching from the bag-making packaging based on the first film F1 to the bag-making packaging based on the second film F2 and when switching from the bag-making packaging based on the second film F2 to the bag-making packaging based on the first film F1.

[0049] The film switching unit 63 also has a first gripping part 71 that presses the start end of the second film F2 and a second gripping part 72 that presses the start end of the first film F1. Since the first gripping part 71 and the second gripping part 72 have the same structure, the first gripping part 71 will be described here. The first gripping part 71 has: a pressing member including an L-shaped member extending in the left-right direction; and a base extending in the left-right direction. The pressing member is manually or automatically switched between a state of being separated from the base and a state of being pressed against the base by gravity.

[0050] The connection part detection unit 121 is a component that detects the connection part CP included in the film F and is located downstream of the film switching unit 63 in the conveying direction MD. In one example, the connection part detection unit 121 is located between the roller 93d and the roller 93e in the conveying direction MD. The connection part detection unit 121 includes, for example, a photoelectric sensor. In this case, the connection part detection unit 121 may also include a light source. Alternatively, the film supply unit 6 may also include a light source that faces the connection part detection unit 121 with the film F interposed therebetween. The connection part detection unit 121 outputs an inspection signal indicating the detection result of the film F. This inspection signal is output to the control unit 110. In one example, the inspection signal output when detecting the connection part CP is different from the inspection signal output when detecting a part of the film F different from the connection part CP. In this case, the connection part detection unit 121 detects the position of the connection part CP based on the change in the output inspection signal.

[0051] The alignment mark detection units 122A and 122B are components that detect the alignment mark R, and are located downstream of the connection part detection unit 121 in the conveying direction MD. That is, the connection part detection unit 121 is located upstream of the alignment mark detection units 122A and 122B in the conveying direction MD. The alignment mark detection unit 122A is located upstream of the alignment mark detection unit 122B in the conveying direction MD. In one example, the alignment mark detection unit 122A is located between the rollers 93l and 93m in the conveying direction MD, and the alignment mark detection unit 122B is located between the roller 93o and the forming mechanism 13 in the conveying direction MD. In one example, based on the detection of the alignment mark R by the alignment mark detection unit 122A, the pitch of the alignment mark R in the film F is calculated. Based on the calculation result of the pitch, the deviation of the alignment mark pitch is detected. In addition, the deviation amount from the alignment mark pitch stored in the control unit 110 is also calculated. Information (deviation information) including the calculation result of the pitch obtained by the alignment mark detection unit 122, the presence or absence of deviation, the deviation amount, etc. is output to the control unit 110, for example. The alignment mark detection unit 122B also outputs deviation information to the control unit 110. Based on the deviation information output from the alignment mark detection unit 122B, the control unit 110 can instruct a change in the operation of the above-described conveying unit and the like. Therefore, the deviation information output from the alignment mark detection unit 122B can be equivalent to information that triggers a change in the operation of the bag-making packaging device 102.

[0052] In Figure 3 the film F shown in (a) of Figure 3 the deviation amount corresponds to the pitch P1. In the film F shown in (b) of

[0053] The alignment mark detection units 122A and 122B each include, for example, a photoelectric sensor. In this case, the alignment mark detection units 122A and 122B may each include a light source. Alternatively, the film supply unit 6 may include a light source opposed to the alignment mark detection unit 122A with the film F therebetween and a light source opposed to the alignment mark detection unit 122B with the film F therebetween. The alignment mark detection units 122A and 122B each output an inspection signal indicating the detection result of the film F. For example, this inspection signal is output to the control unit 110. In one example, the inspection signal output when detecting the alignment mark R is different from the inspection signal output when detecting a portion of the film F different from the alignment mark R. In this case, the alignment mark detection units 122A and 122B each detect the presence of the alignment mark R based on the change in the output inspection signal. In addition, the alignment mark detection unit 122A or the alignment mark detection unit 122B may detect the connection portion CP based on the change in the output inspection signal. In this case, the film supply unit 6 may not have the connection portion detection unit 121.

[0054] [Control Unit]

[0055] The control unit 110 controls the metering device 101 and the bag-making and packaging device 102 individually or integrally, and is implemented by a computer. The control unit 110 includes a control arithmetic device and a storage device. The control arithmetic device includes a processor called a CPU or a GPU. The control arithmetic device reads a program stored in the storage device and performs predetermined image processing, arithmetic processing, etc. according to the program. Moreover, the control arithmetic device can write the arithmetic result into the storage device or read the information stored in the storage device according to the program. The information stored in the storage device is, for example, the type of the article C, the type of the film F, the alignment mark pitch PP, etc.

[0056] The control unit 110 controls each drive unit of the packaging unit 5 and the film supply unit 6 according to the parameters, operating conditions, etc. set through the touch panel 111 or the like. In addition, the control unit 110 controls the feeder, the hopper 24, the metering hopper 25, etc. of the metering device 101. Specifically, the control unit 110 takes in the required information from various sensors equipped on the metering device 101 and the bag-making and packaging device 102, and performs various controls based on this information.

[0057] In one example, the control unit 110 controls the operations of the conveying unit (the pull-down belt mechanism 14, the reel drive motors 61, 62, etc.), the longitudinal sealing mechanism 15, the transverse sealing mechanism 17, etc., based on the detection result of the connection part CP output from the connection part detection unit 121, the deviation information output from the alignment mark detection units 122A and 122B, etc. For example, when the deviation amount included in the deviation information input to the control unit 110 is less than a predetermined threshold, the control unit 110 sets the operations of the conveying unit, the longitudinal sealing mechanism 15, the transverse sealing mechanism 17, etc. to normal operations. In normal operations, the conveying unit, the longitudinal sealing mechanism 15, the transverse sealing mechanism 17, etc. are repeatedly driven according to a preset normal cycle. For example, in the normal cycle, the conveying unit conveys a quantity of the film F corresponding to the pitch PP of the alignment marks. The conveying speed of the film F in the normal cycle is constant, for example, except during the period when heat sealing and cutting are performed by the transverse sealing mechanism 17 (the transverse sealing / cutting period).

[0058] On the other hand, when the deviation amount included in the deviation information input to the control unit 110 is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold, the control unit 110 sets the operations of the conveying unit, the longitudinal sealing mechanism 15, the transverse sealing mechanism 17, etc. to defective product discharge operations. Thereby, defective products including the connection part CP, defective products caused by misprinting of the alignment marks R, etc. can be discharged with high precision. Therefore, it is possible to effectively prevent a large number of defective products in which characters, patterns, etc. printed on the film F are not arranged at the predetermined positions of the bag B. In defective product discharge operations, the control unit 110 controls at least one of the conveying unit, the longitudinal sealing mechanism 15, and the transverse sealing mechanism 17 to operate differently from the normal operations. Additionally, in defective product discharge operations, the control unit 110 may also control the operation of the metering device 101 to operate differently from the normal operations.

[0059] In defective product discharge operations, the conveying unit may convey the film F by the deviation amount in addition to the pitch PP of the alignment marks. In this case, deviation correction of the film F is performed in defective product discharge operations. Thereby, it is intended to eliminate the deviation of the film F in defective product discharge operations. The conveying speed of the film F may be constant or variable except during the transverse sealing / cutting period in defective product discharge operations. In the former case, the conveying speed of the film F in defective product discharge operations may be the same as the conveying speed of the film F in normal operations, except during the transverse sealing / cutting period. In the latter case, for example, the conveying speed of the film F in defective product discharge operations may vary in such a way that the period of defective product discharge operations matches the period of the normal cycle. This variation is performed, for example, before or after the transverse sealing / cutting period in defective product discharge operations. In this case, since the operations of the longitudinal sealing mechanism 15 and the transverse sealing mechanism 17 can be made the same in normal operations and defective product discharge operations, the control of the bag-making and packaging device 102 can be simplified.

[0060] The normal operation and the defective product discharging operation can be continuously performed. Here, when the conveying speed of the film F during the defective product discharging operation is the same as the conveying speed of the film F during the normal operation except during the horizontal sealing / cutting period, the normal operation and the defective product discharging operation can be continuously performed well. It is also possible to set a stop time of the bag-making packaging device 102 between the normal operation and the defective product discharging operation. In this case, for example, after the defective product discharging operation is completed, the normal operation is restarted after a predetermined period has elapsed. When the deviation correction of the film F is not performed during the defective product discharging operation, the deviation correction, the alignment mark alignment correction, etc. can also be performed after the defective product discharging operation and before the normal operation is restarted again, or after the normal operation and before the defective product discharging operation is started. In these cases, the conveying speed of the film F may be the same as or different from the conveying speed of the film F during the normal operation.

[0061] Before the defective product discharging operation starts after the normal operation, during the defective product discharging operation, or before the normal operation is restarted again after the defective product discharging operation, the above-mentioned conveying unit may also convey the film F by an amount corresponding to the pitch PP of one or more alignment marks on the basis of the above-mentioned deviation amount. In this case, the bag including the connection portion CP can be discharged in the state of the continuous bag. Thereby, the defective products including the connection portion CP can be reliably excluded.

[0062] According to the bag-making packaging device 102 according to the present embodiment described above, when, as shown in (a) of Figure 3 , the pitch P1 is shorter than the alignment mark pitch PP, the second film F2 is cut with reference to the position of the third alignment mark R3 to make a bag B; when, as shown in (b) of Figure 3 , the pitch P2 is longer than the alignment mark pitch PP, the second film F2 is cut with reference to the position of the second alignment mark R2 to make a bag B. As shown in (a) of Figure 3 , when the pitch P1 is shorter than the alignment mark pitch PP, during the defective product discharging operation, the second film F2 is first cut along a predetermined cutting portion CU1 set with reference to the position of the third alignment mark R3. That is, during the defective product discharging operation, the second film F2 is not cut with reference to the position of the second alignment mark R2. On the other hand, as shown in Figure 3As shown in (b), when the pitch P2 is longer than the pitch PP of the alignment marks, in the defective product discharge operation, the second film F2 is first cut along a predetermined cut portion CU2 set based on the position of the second alignment mark R2. Therefore, in the present embodiment, it is possible to cut the second film F2 at an appropriate position in the defective product discharge operation according to the pitch between the first alignment mark R1 and the second alignment mark R2 sandwiching the connection portion CP. Thus, even if the bag-making packaging device 102 does not include a mechanism for aligning the positions of the first film F1 and the second film F2, it is possible to prevent the deviation of the characters, patterns, etc. printed on the bag B caused by the formation of the connection portion CP, and it becomes difficult to produce a large number of defective products. Therefore, even when the connection portion CP is formed without adjusting the position of the connection portion CP between the first film F1 and the second film F2, it is possible to suppress the decrease in the production rate of the bag B and the increase in cost.

[0063] Moreover, in the present embodiment, it may be that the normal operation and the defective product discharge operation are continuously performed, and except during the transverse sealing / cutting period, the conveyance speed of the film F in the defective product discharge operation is the same as the conveyance speed of the film F in the normal operation. In this case, it is possible to cut the second film F2 at an appropriate position in the defective product discharge operation without changing the conveyance speed of the film F in the normal operation and the defective product discharge operation. Thus, it is preferable to continuously perform the normal operation and the defective product discharge operation, and it is possible to significantly shorten the stop period of the bag-making packaging device 102 during the defective product discharge operation. Therefore, it is possible to well suppress the decrease in the production rate of the bag B and the increase in cost.

[0064] In one example, the bag-making packaging device 102 has a connection portion detection unit 121 that detects the connection portion CP upstream of the alignment mark detection units 122A and 122B in the conveyance direction MD. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the connection portion CP from being erroneously detected as an alignment mark R. Thus, it is possible to cut the second film F2 at an appropriate position with high precision.

[0065] In one example, the alignment mark detection units 122A and 122B and the connection portion detection unit 121 may each include a photoelectric sensor. In this case, it is possible to well prevent the connection portion CP from being erroneously detected as an alignment mark R. Thus, it is possible to cut the second film F2 at an appropriate position with higher precision.

[0066] In one example, it may be that the alignment mark detection units 122A and 122B or the connection portion detection unit 121 detect the position of the connection portion CP based on the change in the output inspection signal. In this case, it is possible to well prevent the connection portion CP from being erroneously detected as an alignment mark R. Thus, it is possible to cut the second film F2 at an appropriate position with higher precision.

[0067] The above describes the embodiments of the present disclosure. However, the present disclosure is not necessarily limited to the above embodiments, and various changes can be made without departing from its gist. For example, in the above embodiment, the bag-making packaging device may further include a printing unit that prints on the first film or the second film based on the inspection result of the connection part detection unit. In this case, it is possible to suppress the production of defective products caused by printing defects in individual packaging bags.

Claims

1. A bag-making packaging device, comprising: A first holding part for holding a first film wound into a first film roll; A second holding part for holding a second film wound into a second film roll; A conveying part for conveying the first film or the second film along the film conveying direction; A registration mark detection part for detecting registration marks for position alignment respectively printed on the first film and the second film; A bag-making packaging part for making a single packaging bag by forming the first film or the second film into a bag-shaped formed body for accommodating an article and then cutting the first film or the second film based on the position of the registration mark detected by the registration mark detection part; And A connecting part for forming a connecting part connecting the first film and the second film, When in the first film, the registration mark closest to the connecting part in the film conveying direction is the first registration mark, In the second film, when the registration mark closest to the connecting part in the film conveying direction is the second registration mark and the registration mark immediately behind the second registration mark is the third registration mark, When the distance between the first registration mark and the second registration mark is shorter than a preset registration mark distance, the bag-making packaging part cuts the second film based on the position of the third registration mark to make the single packaging bag, When the distance is longer than the preset registration mark distance, the bag-making packaging part cuts the second film based on the position of the second registration mark to make the single packaging bag.

2. The bag-making packaging device according to claim 1, wherein The bag-making packaging device further comprises: a connecting part detection part for detecting the connecting part at a position upstream of the registration mark detection part in the film conveying direction.

3. The bag-making packaging device according to claim 2, wherein The registration mark detection part and the connecting part detection part each comprise a photoelectric sensor.

4. The bag-making packaging device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein The registration mark detection part or the connecting part detection part detects the position of the connecting part based on a change in the output inspection signal.

5. The bag-making packaging device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein The bag-making packaging device further comprises: a printing part for printing on the first film or the second film based on the inspection result of the connecting part detection part.

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