Packaging bag supply device, packaging bag supply method, and filling system

Abstract

A packaging bag feeding device according to one embodiment of the present technology is provided with a gripping conveyor unit. The clamping conveyor unit comprises a pair of clamping conveyors. The pair of clamping conveyors is used for clamping a packaging bag with a filling opening in the thickness direction before the packaging bag is filled with contents. The packaging bag in a first posture of a first position is conveyed to a second position different from the first position in a mode of being in a second posture different from the first posture when the packaging bag is supplied to a filling device, and the filling device fills the packaging bag with the contents from the filling port.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a packaging bag supply device, a packaging bag supply method and a filling system for supplying empty packaging bags to a filling device. Background Art

[0002] In industries such as food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics, there is a growing trend toward using environmentally friendly, more economical, and disposable packaging bags, rather than rigid containers like bottles and cans, to reduce plastic usage and fuel consumption for transportation. However, because packaging bags are flexible, they are more difficult to handle during supply and transportation than rigid containers like bottles and cans.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 describes a method for automatically feeding empty bags by stacking multiple empty bags staggered in the width direction and transporting them on a conveyor. Arranging the empty bags in this manner prevents them from becoming clogged and facilitates individual bag picking. In Patent Document 1, a suction cup is used to hold the topmost empty bag in the staggered width stack, which is then positioned vertically before being fed to a bagging and packaging machine.

[0004] In recent years, spouted packaging bags have become increasingly popular. These spouted packaging bags are easily replaceable with the container body, and can be used by using a portion of the interior while retaining the remainder. Furthermore, the spouted packaging bag can also be used as the container body. Due to their ease of use, demand for spouted packaging bags is growing year by year.

[0005] Prior art literature

[0006] Patent Literature

[0007] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-48121 Summary of the Invention

[0008] Technical problem to be solved by the invention

[0009] The method described in Patent Document 1 has limitations regarding the arrangement of empty bags and is difficult to apply to spouted bags with locally thick sections. Therefore, supplying flexible bags to automatic filling machines (also known as bag feeding) is typically done manually. Manually supplying bags to automatic filling machines is less efficient than automated filling by the machines, often presenting a hurdle in production.

[0010] As described above, in supplying packaging bags to a filling device, a technology capable of automatically supplying packaging bags to the filling device has been sought.

[0011] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present technology is to provide a packaging bag supply device, a packaging bag supply method, and a filling system capable of automatically supplying packaging bags to a filling device.

[0012] Technical solutions to technical problems

[0013] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a packaging bag supply device according to the present technology includes a gripping conveyor unit.

[0014] The gripping conveyor unit includes a pair of gripping conveyors.

[0015] The pair of clamping conveyors clamp the packaging bag with a filling port in the thickness direction before filling the contents, and transport the packaging bag in a first posture at a first position to a second position different from the first position in a manner that the packaging bag becomes in a second posture different from the first posture when supplied to a filling device, and the filling device fills the contents into the packaging bag from the filling port.

[0016] With this structure, a pair of gripping conveyors can grip a packaging bag, and then convey the packaging bag from a first position at a first location to a second position for feeding the bag to a filling device. This allows the packaging bag to be automatically conveyed from the packaging bag feeding device to the filling device, thereby improving production efficiency.

[0017] Alternatively, the packaging bag may include a packaging bag body and a bag spout, wherein the bag spout is attached to the packaging bag body.

[0018] The packaging bag is clamped by the pair of clamping conveyors in such a manner that the bag spout is located on the downstream side in the conveying direction.

[0019] The packaging bag has a spout presence region and a spout absence region arranged in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction.

[0020] The pair of clamping conveyors clamp only the spout non-existent region.

[0021] Alternatively, the opening of the bag spout may be used as the filling port.

[0022] The packaging bag supply device may further include a first conveyor unit configured to support only the spout-free region and convey the packaging bag to the first position in a first posture.

[0023] Alternatively, the packaging bag supply device may further include:

[0024] an input conveyor unit into which a plurality of packaging bags are stacked and input; and

[0025] The separation unit separates the plurality of accumulated packaging bags conveyed from the input conveyor unit into a single packaging bag and conveys the single packaging bag to the first conveyor unit.

[0026] Alternatively, the separation portion may be provided with:

[0027] an accelerating conveyor unit that conveys the packaging bag conveyed from the input conveyor unit at a conveying speed faster than a conveying speed of the input conveyor unit; and

[0028] The suction conveying unit sucks and holds the side surface of one of the packaging bags conveyed from the accelerating conveyor unit and delivers the bag to the first conveyor unit.

[0029] The conveying speed of the accelerating conveyor unit may be increased stepwise from upstream to downstream in the conveying direction.

[0030] The packaging bag supply device may further include a positioning member having a positioning abutment surface against which the spout abuts for positioning the spout in a height direction at the second position.

[0031] Alternatively, the bag spout may include a cylindrical portion and one or more flange portions provided on the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion.

[0032] When the spout is positioned by the positioning member, the positioning contact surface contacts the upper surface of the uppermost flange portion.

[0033] The packaging bag supply device may further include a supply device side guide rail configured to support the bag spout and guide the packaging bag in a suspended state toward the filling device.

[0034] The packaging bag conveyed to the second position is horizontally moved and conveyed to the feeder-side guide rail.

[0035] Alternatively, the packaging bag supply device may include a plurality of the clamping conveyor units.

[0036] The plurality of gripping conveyor units grip the packaging bag at a plurality of locations spaced apart in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction.

[0037] Alternatively, the first posture may be a horizontal posture, and the second posture may be a vertical posture with the filling port located upward.

[0038] Alternatively, the holding conveyor unit may include a first holding conveyor including a first holding conveyor belt, a second holding conveyor including a second holding conveyor belt, and a press roller.

[0039] The clamping conveyor unit has a first clamping area and a second clamping area in sequence from upstream to downstream in the conveying direction.

[0040] In the first clamping area, the first clamping conveyor and the second clamping conveyor serve as the pair of clamping conveyors to clamp the packaging bag.

[0041] In the second clamping zone, the first clamping conveyor and the pressing roller function as the pair of clamping conveyors to clamp the packaging bag.

[0042] The packaging bag supply device may further include a positioning member having a positioning abutment surface against which the packaging bag abuts for positioning the packaging bag in the height direction at the second position.

[0043] The positioning member contacts the packaging bag and moves in the thickness direction of the packaging bag to push the packaging bag to change the position of the packaging bag.

[0044] The pressing roller is coupled to the positioning member, and moves between a clamping position for clamping the packaging bag and a releasing position for releasing the clamping as the positioning member moves.

[0045] The present technology relates to a packaging bag supply method that uses a pair of clamping conveyors to clamp a packaging bag having a filling port in the thickness direction before being filled with contents, and transports the packaging bag in a first posture at the first position to a second position different from the first position in a manner that is different from the first posture when supplied to a filling device, and the filling device fills the contents into the packaging bag from the filling port.

[0046] The filling system according to the present technology includes a packaging bag supply device and a filling device.

[0047] The packaging bag supply device is provided with a clamping conveyor unit, which includes a pair of clamping conveyors, which clamp the packaging bag with a filling port in the thickness direction before being filled with contents, and transport the packaging bag in a first posture at a first position to a second position different from the first position in a manner that the second posture is different from the first posture.

[0048] The filling device fills the packaging bag supplied from the packaging bag supply device in the second posture with a content through the filling port. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0049] Figure 1 2 is a schematic top view of a filling system according to an embodiment of the present technology.

[0050] Figure 2 It is a perspective view and a plan view showing an example of a packaging bag.

[0051] Figure 3 It is a side view schematically showing the feeding portion of the packaging bag feeding device constituting a part of the above-mentioned filling system.

[0052] Figure 4 It is a side view schematic diagram of a part of the feeding part and the first separation zone of the above-mentioned packaging bag feeding device.

[0053] Figure 5 It is a side view schematically showing the vicinity of the second separation zone of the packaging bag feeding device, and is a diagram for explaining the delivery of packaging bags from the second separation zone to the rough positioning section.

[0054] Figure 6 It is a side view schematic diagram of the rough positioning part of the above-mentioned packaging bag feeding device.

[0055] Figure 7 It is a side view schematic diagram of the posture changing and positioning part of the above-mentioned packaging bag feeding device.

[0056] Figure 8 (A) is from Figure 7 (B) is a schematic diagram of a positioning member provided in the above-mentioned posture changing and positioning portion as viewed from arrow E, (B) is a schematic diagram of the bag spout as viewed from arrow E, and (C) is a diagram showing the positioning of the bag spout by the positioning member utilizing the shape of the bag spout as viewed from arrow E.

[0057] Figure 9 It is a side view schematic diagram for explaining the conveyance of the packaging bag from the posture change and positioning section of the packaging bag feeding device to the standby section.

[0058] Figure 10 It is a side view schematically illustrating the supply of the packaging bag in the standby section to the feeding section of the filling device.

[0059] Figure 11 It is a schematic plan view of a filling system according to a first modification of the present technology.

[0060] Figure 12 It is a schematic plan view of a filling system according to a second modification of the present technology.

[0061] Figure 13 These are a perspective view and a plan view showing a first shape example of a packaging bag according to a third modification of the present technology.

[0062] Figure 14 It is a perspective view showing second to fourth shape examples of the packaging bag according to the third modification of the present technology. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0063] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present technology will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, the same reference numerals may be assigned to existing structures, and description thereof may be omitted.

[0064] like Figure 1 As shown, a filling system 100 according to the present technique includes a packaging bag supply device 1 and a filling device 8 .

[0065] The packaging bag supply device 1 of the present technology is a device that transports packaging bags (empty packaging bags) with a filling port, before being filled with contents, into a suitable position for feeding to a filling device 8 for subsequent filling. By using this packaging bag supply device 1, in a filling system 100, packaging bags can be automatically supplied to the filling device 8 rather than manually, thereby improving production efficiency.

[0066] In the following embodiment, a packaging bag having a filling port is described using a spouted packaging bag 10 (hereinafter referred to as "packaging bag 10") whose filling port is a spout 14 as an example. The spout 14 is typically used as a pouring tool for discharging the contents contained in the packaging bag 10 to the outside. In this embodiment, an example is given in which the spout 14 is used as a filling port for filling the contents into the packaging bag body 13 in addition to the pouring port. It should be noted that the present technology can also be applied to packaging bags provided with a filling port for filling the contents in addition to the spout. In addition, in this embodiment, an example of a standing packaging bag is given in which the packaging bag 10 has a gusset at the bottom of the center spout.

[0067] <Packaging Bag>

[0068] Figure 2 (A) is a perspective view of the packaging bag 10 filled with contents and equipped with the cap 15 . Figure 2 (B) is a plan view of the packaging bag 10 in a state before the lid 15 is attached and before the packaging bag 10 is filled with contents, as viewed from the thickness direction Z.

[0069] [Overall composition of the packaging bag]

[0070] like Figure 2As shown in (A) and (B) of FIG. 1 , the packaging bag 10 includes a packaging bag body 13, a spout 14, and a cap 15. The packaging bag 10, with the cap 15 removed and before being filled with contents, is fed into the packaging bag supply device 1. Similarly, the packaging bag 10, with the cap 15 removed and before being filled with contents, is fed from the packaging bag supply device 1 to the filling device 8. In the filling device 8, the packaging bag 10 is filled with contents and then, after the cap 15 is attached, is discharged.

[0071] The packaging bag 10 has a width direction X, a height direction Y, and a thickness direction Z that are orthogonal to each other.

[0072] In this specification, “right” and “left” refer to “right” and “left” when viewed in the conveying direction in the filling system 100 .

[0073] In this specification, the side of the packaging bag 10 with the filling port is referred to as the "upper" side, and the opposite side is referred to as the "lower" side. In this embodiment of the packaging bag 10, since the spout 14 is used as the filling port, the side with the spout 14 is referred to as the "upper" side.

[0074] exist Figure 2 In the examples shown in (A) and (B), the packaging bag 10 is a center spout packaging bag, and the spout 14 is provided at the center in the width direction X of the top 16T at one end side in the height direction Y of the packaging bag 10 .

[0075] [Packaging bag body]

[0076] like Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 1A , the packaging bag body 13 includes two side films 131 and 132 forming the sides of the packaging bag 10 and a bottom film 133 forming the bottom. The packaging bag 10 can stand on its own by inserting a triangular insert (folded) at the bottom.

[0077] The packaging bag body 13 has a substantially rectangular planar shape when viewed in the thickness direction Z. It should be noted that the planar shape of the packaging bag body 13 is not limited to a rectangle, and may be any shape.

[0078] The spout 14 is provided at one end corresponding to one side of the rectangular shape of the packaging bag body 13 .

[0079] like Figure 2As shown in (A) and (B), the packaging bag body 13 has a sealing portion 18 along its periphery. This sealing portion 18 comprises a portion along the periphery of the top 16T and side 16S of the packaging bag 10, excluding the portion where the spout 14 is provided, where two overlapping side films 131 and 132 are heat-sealed and heat-fused. Furthermore, the sealing portion 18 comprises a portion of the bottom 16B where the overlapping side films 131 or 132 and the bottom film 133 are heat-sealed. In the packaging bag body 13, the sealing portion 18 is formed by overlapping and heat-fusion bonding multiple films, and thus has higher rigidity than other portions.

[0080] The empty packaging bag 10 before being filled with content has a flat and thin shape as a whole except for the portion where the spout 14 is provided.

[0081] The packaging bag 10 before being filled with the contents has the bottom film 133 forming the hem folded inward, so the thickness near the bottom where the film is folded is slightly thicker than the portion where only the two side films 131 and 132 overlap.

[0082] The thickness direction Z corresponds to the stacking direction of the two side films 131 and 132 that constitute the packaging bag body 13. The height direction Y is a direction perpendicular to the horizontal plane when the packaging bag 10 is placed upright on a horizontal plane with the spout 14 positioned upward. The width direction X is a direction perpendicular to the height direction Y that is parallel to the horizontal plane.

[0083] It should be noted that the horizontal plane is a plane perpendicular to the direction of gravity.

[0084] In this embodiment, in the packaging bag supply device 1, the height direction Y of the packaging bag 10 is substantially parallel to the packaging bag conveying direction in the packaging bag supply device 1. Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 1B , the packaging bag 10 has a spout-present region 148 and a spout-absent region 149 arranged in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction (here, corresponding to the width direction X of the packaging bag 10). In the center-spout packaging bag 10, the spout-present region 148 is located in the center in the width direction X, and the spout-absent regions 149 are located on the left and right sides in the width direction X, sandwiching the spout-present region 148.

[0085] In the posture changing and positioning unit 6, described later, the packaging bag 10 is conveyed by a gripping conveyor unit 60 comprising a pair of gripping conveyors, gripping a portion of the spout-free region 149. In this embodiment, the gripping conveyor unit 60 grips a portion of the spout-free region 149, more specifically, gripping each of the two side portions 160S in the width direction X of the packaging bag 10. The portion of the packaging bag 10 sandwiched between the pair of side portions 160S when viewed in the thickness direction Z is referred to as the central portion 160C. The spout-existing region 148 is located in this central portion 160C.

[0086] The packaging bag body 13 contains contents. The two side films 131 and 132 and the bottom film 133 forming the packaging bag body 13 are made of, for example, a thin plastic film that is somewhat rigid yet flexible. As described above, the packaging bag body 13 has a sealing portion 18 heat-welded to its peripheral edge, so that the packaging bag body 13 has a bag shape that is somewhat rigid yet flexible. Examples of contents that can be contained in the packaging bag body 13 include cosmetics such as lotions, emulsions, and beauty serums, beverages, jellies, ice cream, shampoos, conditioners, liquid soaps, and liquid detergents. In addition to liquids, the contents can be in the form of fluid substances such as powders, granules, and pastes.

[0087] Although details will be described later, an empty packaging bag 10 is fed into the packaging bag feeding device 1 in a horizontal position. For convenience, the side film located on the lower side of the packaging bag 10 in this horizontal position is designated by reference numeral 131, and the side film located on the upper side is designated by reference numeral 132. The side film 131 forms the lower surface of the packaging bag 10 in the horizontal position when fed, while the side film 132 forms the upper surface of the packaging bag 10 in the horizontal position when fed.

[0088] [Bag mouth]

[0089] The spout 14 is formed into a cylindrical shape that connects the inside and outside of the packaging bag body 13. There are no particular limitations on the material used, and any material that can be used as a conventional spout can be used. The spout's material is also not particularly limited; however, resin is typically used for ease of molding. The spout 14 is typically made of a highly rigid material, such as a plastic resin such as polyolefin.

[0090] like Figure 2 As shown in (A) and (B) of FIG, the bag spout 14 includes a cylindrical barrel portion 140 provided to communicate the inside and outside of the packaging bag body 13, a thread groove 143 formed on the outer peripheral surface above the barrel portion 140, a first flange portion 141a formed below the thread groove 143, and a second flange portion 141b formed below the first flange portion 141a and spaced apart from the first flange portion 141a.

[0091] The first flange portion 141a and the second flange portion 141b are formed to protrude outward in a direction perpendicular to the height direction of the bag mouth 14. The first flange portion 141a is the flange portion located at the top. The first flange portion 141a has an upper surface 145. A recessed portion 142 is formed along the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion 140 between the first flange portion 141a and the second flange portion 141b. In this embodiment, although the first flange portion 141a and the second flange portion 141b have the same shape and the same size, the shape and / or size may be different. Hereinafter, when the first flange portion 141a and the second flange portion 141b do not need to be specifically distinguished, they are referred to as the flange portion 141. The number of flange portions 141 is not limited to two, and one or more may suffice.

[0092] The thread groove 143 of the tubular portion 140 of the spout 14 is threadedly engaged with the thread groove of the inner circumference of the cap 15, sealing the opening 144 of the spout 14. In this embodiment, the opening 144 of the spout 14 serves as the filling port for the contents. The front end of the spout 14 with the opening 144 is referred to as the opening surface 147.

[0093] like Figure 2 As shown in (A), the outer shape of the flange portion 141 when viewed from above is roughly hexagonal. It should be noted that the shape of the flange portion 141 is not limited to this, and may also be circular, or may be other polygonal shapes such as a rectangle. From the perspective of stably supporting the bag spout 14 when a plurality of empty packaging bags 10 are suspended by the packaging bag supply device side guide 70 or the filling device side guide 80 described later, the flange portion 141 is preferably a polygon with sides. Moreover, as Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 1A , it is more preferable to arrange the spout 14 so that the pair of opposing, parallel side surfaces 146a and 146b of the flange portion 141, which has a polygonal (hexagonal in this embodiment) shape as viewed from above, are substantially parallel to the XY plane of the packaging bag body 13. Side surfaces 146a and 146b are perpendicular to the thickness direction Z and have a certain width (width in the X-axis direction). In the packaging bag 10, the side surface of the flange portion 141 on the side film 131 side is designated by reference numeral 146a, and the side surface of the flange portion 141 on the side film 132 side is designated by reference numeral 146b.

[0094] In this way, the flange portion 141 is made into a polygon, such as Figure 1 As shown, when a plurality of packaging bags 10 are suspended by the packaging bag supply device side guide 70 or the filling device side guide 80 described later, the packaging bags 10 can be supported in a stable posture. The details will be described later.

[0095] <Filling system>

[0096] Figure 1 1 is a schematic plan view of a filling system 100 according to an embodiment of the present technology. The filling system 100 includes a packaging bag supply device 1 and a filling device 8 .

[0097] It should be pointed out that in Figure 1 、 Figures 3 to 7 、 Figures 9 to 12 In each of the figures, the left side is the upstream side in the conveying direction, the right side is the downstream side in the conveying direction, and the packaging bag 10 is conveyed from the left side to the right side.

[0098] The packaging bag supply device 1 supplies empty packaging bags 10, before filling them, to the filling device 8 in the same position as when supplying them to the filling device 8 for filling. More specifically, the packaging bag supply device 1 changes the packaging bag 10 from a first position 11 at a first position P1 to a second position 12 and transports it to a second position P2. At the second position P2, the spout 14 of the packaging bag 10 is positioned in the height direction Y. Positioned in the height direction Y, the packaging bag 10 at the second position P2 is supplied to the filling device 8 in the second position 12. In the filling device 8, for example, while maintaining the second position 12, the packaging bag 10 is filled with the contents from the spout 14.

[0099] The filling device 8 fills the contents into the packaging bag 10 supplied from the packaging bag supply device 1 in the second position 12 through the opening 144 of the bag spout 14, attaches the cap to the bag spout opening 144, and seals the opening 144 with the cap 15. The filling process and cap attachment process in the filling device 8 are performed automatically.

[0100] The above-mentioned “first posture” and the above-mentioned “second posture” are different postures.

[0101] In the present embodiment, the “first posture” is a “horizontal posture” in which the packaging bag 10 is arranged sideways so that the side films 131 and 132 are substantially parallel to a horizontal plane.

[0102] In the empty packaging bag 10 before being filled with the contents, the packaging bag body 13 is thinner in the thickness direction Z, and the bag mouth 14 has thickness in the thickness direction. Figure 3 As shown, when the packaging bag 10 is viewed from the horizontal direction (viewed from the width direction X) when arranged horizontally on a horizontal plane, the top 16T where the spout 14 is provided is located at a higher position than the bottom 16B. Therefore, the side films 131 and 132 are not completely parallel to the horizontal plane. However, such a substantially parallel posture is also included in the above-mentioned "horizontal posture".

[0103] The "second posture" is a "vertical posture" in which the filling port (in this embodiment, the opening 144 of the spout 14 serves as the filling port) faces upward, and the packaging bag 10 is positioned upright with its side surfaces approximately perpendicular to the horizontal plane. This vertical posture includes not only situations in which the width direction X of the packaging bag 10 is approximately parallel to the horizontal plane, but also situations in which it is tilted. In the center-spout packaging bag 10 of this embodiment, the "second posture" is a "vertical posture" in which the top portion 16T of the spout 14 faces upward, and the side films 131 and 132 are approximately perpendicular to the horizontal plane, thereby positioning the packaging bag 10 upright with its width direction X approximately parallel to the horizontal plane.

[0104] [Packaging bag feeding device]

[0105] like Figure 1 As shown, the packaging bag supply device 1 has a first conveyor track L1 and a second conveyor track L2. The first conveyor track L1 and the second conveyor track L2 have the same structure. Empty packaging bags 10 conveyed on the first conveyor track L1 and the second conveyor track L2 are supplied to the filling device 8. In the filling system 100, there are two inlets for the packaging bags 10 to be fed into the filling device 8, and the filling device 8 is provided with two filling device-side guides 80. The packaging bags 10 conveyed by the first conveyor track L1 are supplied to one of the two filling device-side guides 80, and the packaging bags 10 conveyed by the second conveyor track L2 are supplied to the other filling device-side guide 80.

[0106] Thus, by providing multiple transport tracks, the burden of the operator in the input operation of the input portion 2 described later into the packaging bag 10 can be reduced, and work efficiency and production efficiency can be improved. In addition, the transport track and the input port can also be one, as described later as a modified example.

[0107] Each of the conveyor tracks L1 and L2 includes a conveyor for conveying the empty packaging bag 10. As the conveyor, a known conveyor such as a belt conveyor or a roller conveyor can be used.

[0108] like Figure 1 As shown, in the packaging bag feeding device 1, the packaging bags 10 are arranged such that their height direction Y is approximately parallel to the conveying direction (from left to right in the figure). The width direction X of the packaging bags 10 is approximately perpendicular to the conveying direction. Furthermore, in the packaging bag feeding device 1, the packaging bags 10 are arranged and conveyed such that the top portion 16T where the spout 14 is located is located downstream in the conveying direction, and the bottom portion 16B is located upstream.

[0109] The first conveyance track L1 and the second conveyance track L2 of the packaging bag feeding device 1 each include an input unit 2 , a separation unit 9 , a rough positioning unit 5 , a posture changing and positioning unit 6 , and a standby unit 7 .

[0110] (Investment Department)

[0111] Figure 3 It is a schematic side view of the input portion 2 of the packaging bag feeding device 1 .

[0112] like Figure 1 as well as Figure 3 As shown, multiple empty packaging bags 10 are loaded into the loading section 2 from outside the apparatus. Loading can be done manually, for example. The packaging bags 10 can be loaded in bulk with the bag spout 14 positioned downstream and the conveying direction roughly parallel to the height direction Y. Multiple empty packaging bags 10 can be conveyed in an overlapping manner in the loading section 2. In the loading section 2, the empty packaging bags 10 adopt a first posture (horizontal posture) with the side film 132 positioned on the upper surface and the side film 131 positioned on the lower surface.

[0113] The inlet section 2 is provided with an inlet conveyor unit 20. The inlet conveyor unit 20 includes an endless inlet conveyor belt 21, two driven rollers 23 around which the inlet conveyor belt 21 is wound, and a pair of left and right side walls 22 disposed on both sides in the left-right direction (corresponding to the width direction of the packaging bag 10) with the inlet conveyor belt 21 sandwiched therebetween.

[0114] The input portion conveyor belt 21 conveys the inputted plurality of packaging bags 10 to the separation portion 9 .

[0115] The side walls 22 prevent the packaging bags 10 from falling from the input conveyor 21 .

[0116] (Separation Section)

[0117] like Figure 1 As shown, the separation section 9 includes a first separation zone 3 and a second separation zone 4. A plurality of packaging bags 10 from the input section conveyor unit 20 of the input section 2 are conveyed to the first separation zone 3 in a stacked state.

[0118] In the first separation zone 3 , the amount of overlap of the plurality of accumulated packaging bags 10 is reduced.

[0119] In the second separation zone 4 , the packaging bags 10 are reliably separated one by one from the group of packaging bags 10 in which the number of overlapping packaging bags 10 has been reduced in the first separation zone 3 and are delivered to the rough positioning unit 5 .

[0120] In the separation section 9, the empty packaging bag 10 takes a first posture (horizontal posture) 11. It should be noted that although the number of overlaps is reduced due to the first separation zone 3, the reduced number of overlaps can also be one (that is, no accumulation) or multiple overlaps.

[0121] Figure 4 It is a schematic side view of a portion of the input portion 2 of the packaging bag feeding device 1 and the first separation zone 3.

[0122] like Figure 4 As shown, photoelectric sensors 17 may be provided downstream of the loading section 2, midway through the first separation zone 3, and downstream of the first separation zone 3. Each photoelectric sensor 17 includes a light projecting portion 17a and a light receiving portion 17b. The photoelectric sensors 17 detect the presence of objects in the packaging bag 10. Multiple photoelectric sensors 17 are provided to monitor the transport status.

[0123] ((First Separation Zone))

[0124] like Figure 4 As shown, an accelerating conveyor unit 30 is provided in the first separation zone 3. The accelerating conveyor unit 30 is driven by a motor 36. The accelerating conveyor unit 30 conveys the packaging bags 10 at a faster conveying speed than the conveying speed of the input section conveyor unit 20. This can reduce the amount of overlap among the plurality of packaging bags 10 stacked in the input section 2.

[0125] The accelerating conveyor unit 30 may be configured to increase the conveying speed of the packaging bag 10 stepwise from upstream to downstream.

[0126] For example, the accelerating conveyor unit 30 is as follows Figure 4 As shown, a plurality of conveyors 31A to 31E (belt conveyors in this embodiment) may be arranged in series along the conveying direction so that the conveying speed increases stepwise from upstream to downstream.

[0127] Conveyor 31A conveys packaging bags 10 at a faster conveying speed than the loading conveyor unit 20. Conveyor 31B conveys packaging bags 10 at a faster conveying speed than conveyor 31A. Conveyor 31C conveys packaging bags 10 at a faster conveying speed than conveyor 31B. Conveyor 31D conveys packaging bags 10 at a faster conveying speed than conveyor 31C. Conveyor 31E conveys packaging bags 10 at a faster conveying speed than conveyor 31D.

[0128] The conveyor 31E located at the downstream end of the five conveyors 31A to 31E has an endless conveyor belt 35, a drive roller 32 around which the conveyor belt 35 is wound, a motor 36 serving as a drive source for rotating the drive roller 32, and a driven roller 33 that rotates in accordance with the movement of the conveyor belt around which the conveyor belt 35 is wound and which rotates the drive roller 32.

[0129] Each of the conveyors 31A to 31D includes an endless conveyor belt 35 and two driven rollers 33 around which the conveyor belt 35 is wound.

[0130] In the conveyor 31E, the driving roller 32 and the driven roller 33 have rubber attached to their gears, and are driven to rotate by a transmission mechanism using the rubber.

[0131] In each of the conveyors 31A to 31D, rubber is attached to the gears of the two driven rollers 33 and the conveyors are driven to rotate by a rubber-based transmission mechanism.

[0132] In the adjacent conveyors 31D and 31E, rubber 34 is attached to the gears of the drive roller 32 of conveyor 31E and the gears of the driven roller 33 on the downstream side of conveyor 31D (the right roller in the figure). The driven roller 33 of conveyor 31D rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the drive roller 32. The number of gears on the drive roller 32 of conveyor 31E is smaller than the number of gears on the driven roller 33 on the downstream side of conveyor 31D. This configuration allows the conveying speed of conveyor 31E to be faster than that of conveyor 31D.

[0133] Similarly, in each of two adjacent conveyors 31C and 31D, conveyors 31B and 31C, and conveyors 31A and 31B, of two adjacent driven rollers 33 (for example, the driven roller 33 on the downstream side of conveyor 31C and the driven roller 33 on the upstream side of conveyor 31D), the downstream driven roller 33 has fewer gears than the upstream driven roller 33, and both are attached with rubber 34. Consequently, conveyor 31D has a faster conveying speed than conveyor 31C, conveyor 31C has a faster conveying speed than conveyor 31B, and conveyor 31B has a faster conveying speed than conveyor 31A.

[0134] Furthermore, rubber 34 is attached to the gears of the driven roller 33 on the upstream side of the conveyor 31A and the gears of the driven roller 33 on the downstream side of the inlet conveyor unit 20. The driven roller 33 on the upstream side of the conveyor 31A has fewer gears than the driven roller 23 on the downstream side of the inlet conveyor unit 20. As a result, the conveying speed of the conveyor 31A is faster than that of the inlet conveyor unit 20. In other words, the accelerating conveyor unit 30 has a faster conveying speed than the inlet conveyor unit 20.

[0135] Thus, the accelerating conveyor unit 30 of this embodiment is composed of a plurality of conveyors 31A to 31E connected together and driven by a single motor 36. Furthermore, by making the number of gears on the upstream side of one of the adjacent conveyors 31 different from the number of gears on the downstream side of another conveyor, the conveying speed of the packaging bags 10 can be increased stepwise in the conveying direction.

[0136] Thus, in this embodiment, the packaging bags 10 conveyed from the input conveyor unit 20 to the acceleration conveyor unit 30 of the first separation zone 3 are conveyed to the second separation zone 4 at a speed increased in stages (five stages in this embodiment).

[0137] The number of overlapping empty packaging bags 10 conveyed can be reduced by using a speed difference in the accelerating conveyor unit 30, and the number of overlapping packaging bags 10 can be gradually reduced by gradually increasing the conveying speed. By conveying the empty packaging bags 10 using the accelerating conveyor unit 30, the number of overlapping empty packaging bags 10 downstream of the first separation zone 3 is preferably approximately one to four.

[0138] It should be noted that while the above example shows a five-stage acceleration, this is not limiting. The conveyor speed and number of acceleration stages can be appropriately set based on factors such as the required production volume, the number of packaging bags 10 to be fed, the frequency of feeding packaging bags into the feeding unit 2, and the installation area of the filling system 100.

[0139] In addition, the accelerating conveyor unit 30 that increases the conveying speed in stages can use a known structure and is not limited to the above structure. For example, the accelerating conveyor unit can also be realized by a roller conveyor.

[0140] ((Second Separation Zone))

[0141] Figure 5 (A) to (D) are schematic side views of the second separation zone 4 of the packaging bag feeding device 1, showing the situation of transferring the packaging bag 10 from the second separation zone 4 to the rough positioning part 5 in time sequence. Figure 5 In FIG. 1 , the accelerating conveyor unit 30 is simplified and partially illustrated.

[0142] like Figure 5 As shown in (A) to (D) of FIG. 1 , the second separation zone 4 is provided with an adsorption transport unit 40 , a stopper 44 , and a photoelectric sensor 45 for detecting an object.

[0143] The stopper 44 is used to stop the packaging bag 10 conveyed from the first separation zone 3 from moving in the conveying direction.

[0144] The photoelectric sensor 45 detects whether the packaging bag 10 is present at the separation position 41A based on the detection result.

[0145] The suction transport unit 40 includes a suction device 41 and a suction transport rail 43 .

[0146] The adsorption conveying track 43 extends in the conveying direction from near the downstream of the acceleration conveyor unit 30 of the first separation zone 3 to near the upstream of the first conveyor unit 50 described later, which is provided in the rough positioning part 5. The first conveyor unit 50 includes a pair of left and right first conveyor belts 51. The first conveyor belt on the left of the pair of left and right first conveyor belts 51 is marked with the reference numeral 51L, and the first conveyor belt on the right is marked with the reference numeral 51R, and is referred to as the first conveyor belt 51 when no special distinction is required. The first conveyor belt 51L on the left and the first conveyor belt 51R on the right are located at positions spaced apart in the left-right direction. When the packaging bag feeding device 1 is viewed from above, the adsorption conveying track 43 extends to the middle of the first conveyor belt 51L on the left and the first conveyor belt 51R on the right. Therefore, in Figure 1 as well as Figure 5 , the range of the second separation zone 4 and the range of the rough positioning portion 5 are shown to partially overlap.

[0147] The suction device 41 is an actuator having a suction pad 42. The suction device 41 is movable between a separation position 41A and a conveyance position 41B on a suction conveyance track 43 in the conveyance direction and the opposite direction. The suction device 41 has a suction pad 42. The suction pad 42 is movable upward and downward.

[0148] Separation position 41A is located upstream of suction conveyor track 43. At separation position 41A, the tip of spout 14 of packaging bag 10 conveyed from acceleration conveyor unit 30 of first separation zone 3 strikes stopper 44, causing the stopper 44 to stop the bag from moving in the conveying direction. At separation position 41A, suction device 41 is positioned below packaging bag 10 stopped by stopper 44 and separates one of the stopped packaging bags.

[0149] The transport position 41B is located downstream of the suction transport track 43. The transport position 41B is where the packaging bag 10, attracted by the suction device 41, is transported to the rough positioning section 5 and placed on the first conveyor belt 51 of the first conveyor unit 50, described later, provided in the rough positioning section 5. At the transport position 41B, the suction device 41 is located downstream of the suction transport track 43.

[0150] The suction device 41 suctions and separates the packaging bags 10 conveyed on the accelerating conveyor unit 30 into individual pieces and conveys them to the rough positioning unit 5. Figure 5 Provide detailed instructions for the delivery steps.

[0151] like Figure 5 As shown in (A), at the separation position 41A, the packaging bag 10 conveyed from the acceleration conveyor unit 30 is stopped by the stopper 44. The packaging bag 10 is conveyed to the separation position 41A in a state where the number of overlapping is reduced to one to four by the acceleration conveyor unit 30. Figure 5 In the example shown in FIG. 5 (A), three stacked packaging bags 10 (packaging bag group) are present at the separation position 41A, and the suction device 41 is located below the packaging bag 10 and separated from the packaging bag 10 .

[0152] like Figure 5 As shown in (B), at separation position 41A, an air cylinder (not shown) gently pushes the stacked bag group 10 downward from above. Simultaneously, suction pad 42 of suction device 41 rises and suctions the lowest bag 10 in the group from one side of the side film 131 forming its side. In this way, while the number of overlapping bags 10 is reduced by accelerating conveyor unit 30, by squeezing the bag group downward from above and suctioning from below, only the lowest bag 10 is suctioned.

[0153] Next, if Figure 5 As shown in (C), while the suction pad 42 is sucking and holding the packaging bag 10 located at the bottom, the suction pad 42 descends, and the packaging bag 10 located at the bottom can be pulled away from the other overlapping packaging bags 10, thereby separating one packaging bag 10 from the packaging bag group.

[0154] Next, if Figure 5 As shown in FIG. 1 , the suction device 41 moves from the separation position 41A to the conveying position 41B on the suction conveying track 43 while holding the packaging bag 10 by the suction pad 42. At this time, the packaging bag 10 is located above the first conveyor belt 51 of the rough positioning unit 5.

[0155] The suction pad 42 then descends, and the right side portion 160S of the suctioned and held packaging bag 10 is placed on the right first conveyor belt 51R, while the left side portion 160S is placed on the left first conveyor belt 51L.

[0156] In this way, the packaging bag 10 is transferred from the accelerating conveyor unit 30 to the first conveyor unit 50 of the rough positioning unit 5 by the suction conveyor unit 40 .

[0157] (rough positioning part)

[0158] Figure 6 1 is a schematic side view of the rough positioning section 5 of the packaging bag feeding device 1. In the rough positioning section 5, positioning of the packaging bag 10 in the width direction X is performed.

[0159] like Figure 1 as well as Figure 6 As shown, a first conveyor unit 50 is provided in the rough positioning portion 5 .

[0160] The first conveyor unit 50 includes a right first conveyor 53R, a left first conveyor 53L, and a pair of left and right wall-shaped right guides 55R and left guides 55L provided on both sides in the left-right direction and sandwiching the left and right first conveyors 53R and 53L.

[0161] When there is no need to distinguish the right first conveyor 53R and the left first conveyor 53L, they are referred to as first conveyors 53. When there is no need to distinguish the right guide 55R and the left guide 55L, they are referred to as guides 55.

[0162] In the rough positioning portion 5 , the packaging bag 10 takes a first posture (horizontal posture) 11 .

[0163] The right first conveyor 53R and the left first conveyor 53L have the same configuration.

[0164] like Figure 6 As shown, the first conveyor 53 includes an endless first conveyor belt 51 and two rollers 52 around which the first conveyor belt 51 is wound. One of the two rollers 52 is a driving roller rotated by a motor (not shown), and the other is a driven roller. The driven roller rotates in response to the movement of the first conveyor belt 51, which is accompanied by the rotation of the driving roller.

[0165] In the rough positioning section 5, the right side portion 160S of the packaging bag 10 is placed on the first conveyor belt 51R of the right first conveyor 53R, while the left side portion 160S is placed on the first conveyor belt 51L of the left first conveyor 53L, thereby being conveyed. The pair of left and right first conveyor belts 51 convey the packaging bag 10 to the first position P1 of the posture changing and positioning section 6.

[0166] like Figure 7 As shown, the first position P1 is where the packaging bag 10 is fed into the posture changing and positioning unit 6 and is inserted into the gap between the first and second gripping conveyors. At the first position P1, the packaging bag 10 assumes a first posture (horizontal posture) 11.

[0167] like Figure 1As shown, in the rough positioning section 5, when viewing the packaging bag feeding device 1 from above, the right guide 55R and the left guide 55L are arranged to extend in the conveying direction, with the distance between them gradually narrowing toward the conveying direction. The pair of guides 55 adjust the orientation of the packaging bag 10, which has been separated into a single piece in the second separation zone 4 and delivered by the suction conveying unit 40, so that the width direction X of the packaging bag 10 is approximately perpendicular to the conveying direction. The guides also adjust the position of the packaging bag 10 so that it is located at the center of the first conveyor unit 50 in the left-right direction.

[0168] The packaging bag 10 is conveyed by the pair of left and right first conveyor belts 51 , while being oriented and positioned by the right guide 55R and the left guide 55L, and is conveyed to the first position P1 of the posture changing and positioning unit 6 .

[0169] When conveyed by the first conveyor unit 50 of the rough positioning section 5, the two side portions 160S of the packaging bag 10 abut against and are supported by the pair of left and right first conveyor belts 51. Meanwhile, the central portion 160C, including the spout area 148 between the two side portions 160S, is free and unsupported, without contact with the conveyor belts.

[0170] like Figure 6 As shown, photoelectric sensors 17 may be provided upstream and downstream of the rough positioning unit 5. These sensors detect the presence of packaging bags 10. By providing multiple photoelectric sensors 17, the conveying status of the packaging bags 10 (e.g., the number of packaging bags 10) can be monitored. The sensing results from the photoelectric sensors 17 can be used to control the motor 36 and vary the conveying speed.

[0171] (Posture change and positioning section)

[0172] Figure 7 It is a schematic side view of the posture changing and positioning portion 6 of the packaging bag feeding device 1 .

[0173] The posture changing and positioning unit 6 conveys the packaging bag 10, which has been conveyed to the first position P1 by the first conveyor unit 50 of the rough positioning unit 5 in the first posture (horizontal posture) 11, to the second position P2 while changing the posture 12. Simultaneously, the spout 14 is positioned in the height direction, thereby positioning the packaging bag 10 in the height direction Y. The second posture (vertical posture 12) of the packaging bag 10 at the second position P2 is the same as the posture in which the packaging bag 10 is conveyed to the filling device 8 for the subsequent filling process.

[0174] like Figure 1 as well as Figure 7 As shown, the posture changing and positioning unit 6 is provided with a gripping conveyor module 600 .

[0175] The gripping conveyor module 600 includes a right gripping conveyor unit 60R, a left gripping conveyor unit 60L, a positioning member 67 , a photoelectric sensor 17 , and a guide 69 .

[0176] ((Gripping conveyor unit))

[0177] The right gripping conveyor unit 60R and the left gripping conveyor unit 60L have the same structure. They operate simultaneously and in the same manner. In the packaging bag feeding device 1, the right gripping conveyor unit 60R and the left gripping conveyor unit 60L are located at positions spaced apart in the left-right direction. The right gripping conveyor unit 60R grips the right side portion 160S of the packaging bag 10 in its thickness direction Z. The left gripping conveyor unit 60L grips the left side portion 160S of the packaging bag 10 in its thickness direction Z. Only the left and right side portions 160S of the packaging bag 10 are gripped and supported by the right gripping conveyor unit 60R and the left gripping conveyor unit 60L, respectively. Meanwhile, the center portion 160C of the packaging bag 10 does not contact the conveyor belt and is in a free, unsupported state.

[0178] Hereinafter, when the right gripping conveyor unit 60R and the left gripping conveyor unit 60L do not need to be particularly distinguished, they are referred to as the gripping conveyor unit 60. In the drawings and the specification, the reference numerals affixed to the components constituting the gripping conveyor unit 60 may be described by appending an R after the number of the component constituting the right gripping conveyor unit 60R and appending an L after the number of the component constituting the left gripping conveyor unit 60L.

[0179] like Figure 7 As shown, the gripping conveyor unit 60 includes a first gripping conveyor 61, a second gripping conveyor 65, and a plurality of press rollers 68. The first gripping conveyor 61 and the second gripping conveyor 65 may be configured to be operable separately.

[0180] The first holding conveyor 61 includes an endless first holding conveyor belt 61a and four rollers 62 around which the first holding conveyor belt 61a is wound. One of the rollers 62 functions as a drive roller, and the remaining rollers 62 function as driven rollers. The drive rollers are rotated by a motor (not shown), which rotates the conveyor belt due to friction between the back of the belt and the rollers, causing the driven rollers to rotate as well.

[0181] The second holding conveyor 65 includes an endless second holding conveyor belt 65a and three rollers 66 around which the second holding conveyor belt 65a is wound. One of the rollers 66 functions as a drive roller, and the remaining rollers 66 function as driven rollers. The drive roller is rotated by a motor (not shown), which rotates the conveyor belt due to friction between the back of the belt and the rollers, causing the driven rollers to rotate as well.

[0182] The plurality of pressing rollers 68 are arranged at intervals along the conveying direction. The plurality of pressing rollers 68 are provided adjacent to the second holding conveyor belt 65a in the conveying direction so as to be continuous with the second holding conveyor belt 65a in the conveying direction. The plurality of pressing rollers 68 are located downstream of the second holding conveyor belt 65a in the conveying direction.

[0183] like Figure 7 As shown, the gripping conveyor unit 60 has a first gripping area 6A and a second gripping area 6B in this order from upstream to downstream in the conveying direction.

[0184] In the first gripping area 6A, the packaging bag 10 is gripped and conveyed by a pair of gripping conveyors: the first gripping conveyor 61 and the second gripping conveyor 65. More specifically, in the first gripping area 6A, the packaging bag 10 is gripped by the first gripping conveyor belt 61a and the second gripping conveyor belt 65a at its two side portions 160S, respectively, and is conveyed by the movement of the first and second gripping conveyor belts.

[0185] In the second nip zone 6B, the packaging bag 10 is conveyed by a pair of first nip conveyors 61 and multiple press rollers 68. The multiple press rollers serve as the nip conveyors. More specifically, in the second nip zone 6B, the packaging bag 10 is held between the first nip conveyor belt 61a and the press rollers 68 at its two side portions 160S, and is conveyed by the movement of the first nip conveyor belt.

[0186] In this manner, in the posture changing and positioning section 6 , the packaging bag 10 is constantly held and conveyed by the pair of holding conveyors, and one of the holding conveyors is switched from a conveyor belt to a press roller midway.

[0187] exist Figure 7In the illustrated example, the packaging bag 10, positioned at the first position P1 in the first posture 11, is conveyed while gradually changing its posture while its two side portions 160S are clamped by the first clamping conveyor belt 61a and the second clamping conveyor belt 65a, respectively. The downstream portion of the packaging bag 10 in the height direction Y is raised to a vertical posture, and when the opening 144 of the spout 14 faces upward, the bag 10 is clamped by the first clamping conveyor belt 61a and the press roller 68. The packaging bag 10 is then clamped by the first clamping conveyor belt 61a and the press roller 68, and conveyed to the second position P2 while gradually changing its posture as a whole to the second vertical posture 12.

[0188] When the packaging bag 10 is at the second position P2, the two side portions 160S of the packaging bag 10 are not in contact with the second clamping conveyor belt 65a and are clamped by the first clamping conveyor belt 61a and the pressing roller 68. After the height direction positioning of the spout 14 is completed at the second position P2, the pressing roller 68 is moved to release the clamping of the side surface film 131.

[0189] The height direction positioning of the bag spout 14 at the second position P2 is performed using the positioning member 67. Once the clamping of the pressing roller 68 is released, the packaging bag 10, which has been positioned in the height direction, is pushed by the positioning member 67 and moves horizontally in the thickness direction Z, thereby being pushed into a pair of guide rails 71 described later.

[0190] exist Figure 7 In the example shown, the gripping conveyor unit 60 includes three pressing rollers 68 arranged in the conveying direction. The pressing rollers 68 and the first gripping conveyor belt 61a grip the side portion 160S of the packaging bag 10. Figure 7 The number and spacing of the pressing rollers 68 can be appropriately set according to the size of the conveyed packaging bag 10. The pressing rollers 68 are connected to the positioning member 67 and are movable between a clamping position and a release position.

[0191] In the clamping position, the pressing roller 68 is located opposite the first clamping conveyor belt 61a in the thickness direction Z of the packaging bag 10. The pressing roller 68 in the clamping position is located on the conveying path used to push the packaging bag 10 in the second position P2 toward the pair of guide rails 71. Specifically, when the packaging bag 10 clamped between the pressing roller 68 and the first clamping conveyor belt 61a in the clamping position is viewed from the thickness direction Z of the side film 131, the pressing roller 68 is located at a position that overlaps the side portion 160S of the packaging bag 10.

[0192] On the other hand, the pressing roller 68 in the release position is not located on the above-mentioned conveying path. That is, when the packaging bag 10 is viewed from the thickness direction Z of the side film 131 side, the pressing roller 68 in the release position is located at a position that does not overlap with the side portion 160S of the packaging bag 10. As the conveying roller moves from the clamping position to the release position, the clamping of the side film 131 side of the packaging bag 10 is released, and the packaging bag 10 can move horizontally along the thickness direction Z of the packaging bag 10, more specifically, from the side film 132 side toward the side film 131 side ( Figure 7 Horizontal movement (from left to right in the middle).

[0193] ((Positioning component))

[0194] Figure 8 (A) is from Figure 7 An enlarged view of the positioning member 67 when viewed along the arrow E (a direction parallel to the thickness direction Z of the packaging bag at the second position P2). Figure 8 (B) is from Figure 7 An enlarged view of the bag spout 14 as viewed along the arrow E. Figure 8 (C) shows that Figure 7 14 is a diagram showing how the spout 14 is positioned in the height direction by the positioning member 67 when viewed along the arrow E.

[0195] The positioning member 67 is used to position the spout 14 in the second position P2 in the height direction, and further to position the packaging bag 10 in the height direction Y. In addition, the positioning member 67 is used to push the packaging bag 10 into the guide rail 71 .

[0196] like Figure 8 As shown in (A), the positioning member 67 has a receiving portion 670, which is a receiving space for receiving the bag spout 14 when the bag spout 14 is positioned. Figure 8 (A) and Figure 8 As shown in (C), the accommodating portion 670 includes an upper accommodating area 673 for accommodating the portion of the tubular portion 140 of the bag spout 14 above the first flange portion 141a, and a lower accommodating area 674 for accommodating the first flange portion 141a of the bag spout 14 and the portion below it. The width B of the upper accommodating area 673 (corresponding to Figure 8 (A) and Figure 8 The width A of the lower accommodating area 674 is narrower than the width A of the lower accommodating area 674. Furthermore, the inner surface forming the accommodating portion 670 includes a positioning abutment surface 671. This is the surface with which the upper surface 145 of the first flange portion 141a of the spout 14 contacts during positioning and is typically parallel to the horizontal direction. The positioning abutment surface 671 forms a portion of the inner surface of the lower accommodating area 674, more specifically, the top surface of the lower accommodating area 674.

[0197] Figure 9 It is a side view schematic diagram for explaining the conveyance of the packaging bag from the posture changing and positioning section 6 to the standby section 7 .

[0198] like Figure 7 As shown in FIG. 9 , the positioning member 67 has a pushing surface 675. The positioning member 67 is configured to be movable in the thickness direction Z of the packaging bag 10 at the second position P2. Figure 9 In the embodiment, the spout 14 of the packaging bag 10 is pushed laterally by moving from left to right (the thickness direction of the packaging bag 10 at the second position P2, and from the side film 132 toward the side film 131). This causes the packaging bag 10 to move from left to right in the figure and then be pushed into the guide rail 71. During the pushing, the pushing surface 675 contacts the spout 14. In this embodiment, the pushing surface 675 contacts the side surface 146a of the flange portion 141.

[0199] like Figure 8 As shown in (A), in the positioning component 67, the width dimension of the narrowest part of the lower accommodating area 674 of the accommodating portion 670 is set to A, the width dimension of the narrowest part of the upper accommodating area 673 is set to B, and the height dimension of the upper accommodating area 673 is set to C.

[0200] like Figure 8 As shown in (B), the width dimension of the first flange portion 141a located at the top of the spout 14 is denoted as a, the width dimension of the cylindrical portion 140 of the spout 14 is denoted as b, and the height dimension of the portion of the cylindrical portion 140 of the spout 14 above the first flange portion 141a is denoted as c.

[0201] The cylindrical portion 140 of the spout 14 typically has a circular cross section (a cross section when cut along a horizontal plane), and the width B corresponds to the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 140 .

[0202] The relationship between the dimensions of each portion of the positioning member 67 and the dimensions of each portion of the spout 14 is as follows.

[0203] A>a, B>b, C>c and A>a>B...(1)

[0204] The positioning member 67 is constructed in such a manner as to satisfy the relationship of the above formula (1), as shown in FIG. Figure 8 As shown in FIG. 6 (C), the spout 14 of the packaging bag 10 conveyed upward from below is inserted into the accommodating portion 670, and the upper surface 145 of the first flange portion 141a abuts the positioning contact surface 671 of the positioning member 67. This allows the spout 14 to be positioned in the height direction, and thus the packaging bag 10 to be positioned in the height direction Y.

[0205] In this manner, by providing the positioning member 67 with the positioning contact surface 671 that contacts the upper surface 145 of the first flange portion 141 a of the spout 14 , the spout 14 can be positioned in the height direction Y.

[0206] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the upper surface 145 of the first flange portion 141 a is used for positioning instead of the opening surface 147 having the opening 144. Furthermore, by configuring the positioning member 67 so that C>c, the opening surface 147 of the spout 14 and the positioning member 67 do not contact each other, thereby reducing the risk of foreign matter entering through the opening 144.

[0207] Furthermore, in this embodiment, while the upper surface 145 of the first flange portion 141a is used as an example when positioning the spout 14 using the positioning member 67, the present invention is not limited thereto and the opening surface 147 of the spout 14 may also be used. However, from the perspective of reducing the risk of foreign matter intrusion as described above, it is preferable to use a portion other than the opening surface 147.

[0208] In addition, Figure 8 In the example shown in (A), while the positioning member 67 is configured with a top surface provided on the receiving portion 670, as shown in the area D surrounded by the dotted ellipse, a configuration in which the receiving portion 670 is not provided with a top surface and is continuous in the height direction can also be employed. In this case, the height of the upper portion of the positioning member corresponding to the upper receiving area is not limited. For example, the height of the upper portion of the positioning member can be the same as the height of the portion of the tubular portion 140 of the spout 14 above the first flange portion 141a, lower than the height of the portion of the tubular portion 140 of the spout 14 above the first flange portion 141a, or higher. When the height of the upper portion of the positioning member is lower than the height of the portion of the tubular portion 140 above the first flange portion 141a, the upper portion of the tubular portion 140 protrudes from the positioning member 67. In this configuration, the opening surface 147 of the spout 14 and the positioning member 67 do not contact each other, thereby reducing the risk of foreign matter intrusion.

[0209] In addition, if Figure 8 As shown in (A) and (C), an inclined surface 672 with an inductive shape is preferably provided below the inner surface of the positioning component 67 forming the accommodation portion 670, and the inclined surface 672 makes the width of the accommodation portion 670 continuously widen from top to bottom.

[0210] Providing the inclined surface 672 allows the spout 14 to be quickly inserted into the accommodating portion 670 .

[0211] As described above, the positioning member 67 is configured to be movable from the second position P2 for positioning, and can also function as a pushing member for pushing the packaging bag 10 toward the pair of guide rails 71. Figure 9In the embodiment of the present invention, the positioning member 67 moves from left to right. By this movement, the positioning member 67 pushes the bag spout 14 of the positioned packaging bag 10 from left to right, thereby pushing the packaging bag 10 into the pair of guide rails 71.

[0212] The pair of guide rails 71 , the pressure roller 68 , and the positioning member 67 operate in conjunction with each other.

[0213] The pair of guide rails 71 are provided at intervals in the left-right direction, and when moved, support the spout 14 of the packaging bag 10 at the second position P2 by sandwiching it from the left-right direction.

[0214] In detail, the positioning member 67 is Figure 9 In conjunction with the movement from left to right, the pair of guide rails 71 also moves from left to right and is inserted into the recessed portion 142 of the spout 14 of the packaging bag 10 at the second position P2. Thus, the packaging bag 10 is supported by the pair of guide rails 71 in a suspended state.

[0215] The pressing roller 68 moves from the clamping position to the releasing position in conjunction with the positioning member 67. After the packaging bag 10 is supported by the pair of guide rails 71, the pressing roller 68 moves from the clamping position to the releasing position while pushing the packaging bag 10 further into the pair of guide rails 71.

[0216] The following is a detailed explanation.

[0217] like Figure 7 as well as Figure 8 As shown, once the positioning member 67 positions the spout 14 and determines the position of the packaging bag 10, the first gripping conveyor 61 is stopped, and the gripping and conveying by the first gripping conveyor belt 61a and the pressing roller 68 is stopped.

[0218] Afterwards, the guide rail 71 moves along with the positioning member 67. Figure 9 The guide rail 71 is inserted into the recess 142 between the first flange 141a and the second flange 141B of the bag spout 14. Thus, the packaging bag 10 is supported by the guide rail.

[0219] Then, the pressing roller 68 moves from the clamping position to the releasing position as the positioning member 67 moves from left to right. Figure 9 The bag moves from left to right by the movement of the positioning member 67, and at the same time, the bag mouth 14 is further pushed into the pair of guide rails 71 and moves to the position shown by the dotted line.

[0220] Then, air is blown toward the packaging bag 10 in the thickness direction Z from the side surface film 132 , so that the packaging bag 10 is horizontally moved and conveyed from the pair of guide rails 71 to the pair of packaging bag feeder-side guide rails 70 .

[0221] After the packaging bag 10 is conveyed to the packaging bag feeding device side guide 70, the positioning member 67 and the guide 71 return to their initial positioning positions, and the pressing roller 68 simultaneously moves from the release position to the clamping position. The first clamping conveyor 61 then resumes operation, and the clamping and conveying process between the first clamping conveyor belt 61a and the pressing roller 68 resumes.

[0222] Here, the first gripping conveyor 61 and the second gripping conveyor 65 can also be configured to operate independently. For example, once the packaging bag 10 has been conveyed to the second position P2, the first gripping conveyor 61 is stopped. While the packaging bag 10 is being pushed out by the positioning member 67, the first gripping conveyor 61 can also be stopped while the second gripping conveyor 65 is operated. This allows the packaging bag 10, which is then being conveyed to the second position P2, to be conveyed from the first gripping area 6A to a point before being fed to the second gripping area 6B, thereby improving production efficiency.

[0223] As described above, in this embodiment, the gripping and conveying of the packaging bag 10 by the posture changing and positioning section 6 is switched from gripping and conveying by a pair of gripping conveyor belts to gripping and conveying by the gripping conveyor belts and the press rollers.

[0224] By configuring the movable pressure roller 68 for clamping and conveying, the pressure roller 68 at the clamping position where the conveying path is blocked can be moved to the release position, and the packaging bag 10 positioned in the height direction Y at the second position P2 can be directly moved horizontally to be conveyed to the packaging bag supply device side guide 70 and then to the filling device side guide 80.

[0225] Furthermore, by moving the pair of guide rails 71 and the pressing roller 68 in conjunction with the movement of the positioning member 67 when the packaging bag 10 is pushed toward the guide rails 71, the packaging bag 10, positioned in the height direction Y at the second position P2, can be quickly moved toward the packaging bag feeding device-side guide rails 70. Furthermore, by using the positioning member 67 as a pushing member, the bag spout 14 can be pushed toward the pair of guide rails 71 while being maintained in its position in the height direction Y by the positioning member 67. This allows the bag spout 14 to be more reliably pushed toward the pair of guide rails 71 at the appropriate position.

[0226] As described above, in this embodiment, the positioning member 67 can perform positioning of the packaging bag 10 in the height direction Y by utilizing the shape of the spout 14 .

[0227] In the present embodiment, the packaging bag 10 whose posture has been changed to the second posture 12 by the posture changing and positioning unit 6 and positioned in the height direction Y can be directly moved horizontally and supplied to the filling device 8 .

[0228] It should be noted that the shape of the positioning member 67 is not limited to the shape described here. Since the shape of the bag spout 14 can adopt various shapes, it can be designed appropriately according to the shape of the bag spout 14.

[0229] ((Photoelectric Sensor))

[0230] exist Figure 7 In the example shown, a photoelectric sensor 17 is provided downstream of the first gripping zone 6A. Furthermore, a photoelectric sensor 17 is provided near the front end of the spout 14 of the packaging bag 10 at the second position P2. These photoelectric sensors 17 monitor the transport status of the packaging bag 10.

[0231] ((Guide))

[0232] The guide 69 supports the vicinity of the center portion 160C of the packaging bag 10 from the side of the side film 132 when the packaging bag 10 is conveyed by being clamped by the first clamping conveyor belt 61a and the pressing roller 68. The guide 69 is formed of a slightly curved metal plate at its lower portion so as to be away from the conveyed packaging bag 10. Figure 7 As shown, the packaging bag 10, held and conveyed by the first and second holding conveyor belts 61a and 65a, assumes a bent position with the side film 132 facing inward during the transition from a horizontal position to a vertical position. Consequently, the packaging bag 10 tends to bend slightly with the side film 132 facing inward. The provision of the guide 69 corrects this tendency of the packaging bag 10. This allows the packaging bag 10 to be conveyed to the filling device 8 in a straight, vertically oriented position.

[0233] (Standby section)

[0234] The packaging bag 10 , the posture of which is changed to the second posture 12 , is conveyed from the posture changing and positioning unit 6 to the standby unit 7 . In the standby unit 7 , the packaging bag 10 takes the second posture 12 .

[0235] like Figure 1 as well as Figure 9 As shown, a pair of bag feeder-side guide rails 70 are provided in the standby section 7. The pair of bag feeder-side guide rails 70 guide the bag 10 toward the filling device 8 while supporting and suspending the spout 14. The pair of bag feeder-side guide rails 70 are located at the same height as the pair of guide rails 71. Therefore, by moving the bag 10 supported by the pair of guide rails 71 directly horizontally toward the pair of bag feeder-side guide rails 70, the bag 10 can be transported while maintaining the second posture 12. Like the pair of guide rails 71, the bag feeder-side guide rails 70 engage with the recessed portion 142 of the spout 14, sandwiching and supporting the spout 14 from both sides. Consequently, the bag 10 is supported while suspended, with the spout 14 hooked on the bag feeder-side guide rails 70.

[0236] As described above, the positioning member 67 moves in conjunction with the movement of the pressure roller 68 from the clamping position to the release position, pushing the packaging bag 10 into the pair of guide rails 71. The packaging bag 10, pushed into the pair of guide rails 71, is then moved horizontally by air and conveyed to the packaging bag feeder-side guide rails 70. Using air to convey the packaging bag 10 on the guide rails allows for contactless conveyance, minimizing damage to the packaging bag body 13.

[0237] In this way, the packaging bag 10 , with the spout 14 positioned in the height direction at the second position P2 , can be conveyed toward the packaging bag supply device-side guide rail 70 while maintaining the second posture 12 and the height direction position.

[0238] Thus, the packaging bag 10 is supported by the packaging bag feeding device side rails 70 so that the opening surface 147 of the spout 14 is substantially parallel to the horizontal plane (the height direction of the tubular portion 140 of the spout 14 is substantially perpendicular to the horizontal plane) and the opening 144 faces upward.

[0239] It should be noted that although the example of using air to transport the packaging bag 10 on the guide rail is given, it is not limited to this and known transport methods can be appropriately applied. For example, contact transport by a robot arm can also be used, and known transport methods can be used.

[0240] As described above, by forming the flange portion 141 of the spout 14 into a polygonal shape, the plurality of packaging bags 10 can be supported with stable postures on the packaging bag feeder-side guide rails 70 and the filling device-side guide rails 80 described later.

[0241] Specifically, because flange portion 141 has a pair of side surfaces 146a and 146b, side surface 146a of a subsequent bag 10 conveyed previously to bag-feeder-side guide 70 (or filling-unit-side guide 80) is received by side surface 146b of the bag 10 conveyed previously. This prevents bag 10 from shifting during conveyance. This aligns the outer shapes of multiple bags 10, facilitating their arrangement in the thickness direction Z. This allows the bags 10 to be stably supported by bag-feeder-side guide 70 (or filling-unit-side guide 80).

[0242] Furthermore, two adjacent packaging bags 10 conveyed by the packaging bag supply device side rails 70 (or the filling device side rails 80) can be aligned and supported so that the side surface 146a of the flange 141 of the spout 14 of one packaging bag 10 contacts the side surface 146b of the flange 141 of the spout 14 of the other packaging bag 10. This reduces the likelihood of the packaging bags 10 rotating about the height direction Y as the rotation axis, and allows the plurality of packaging bags 10 to be aligned in a stable posture with their respective XY planes substantially parallel, while being supported by the packaging bag supply device side rails 70 (or the filling device side rails 80).

[0243] Thus, the packaging bag 10 can be supported in a stable posture by the packaging bag supply device side guide rails 70 , so that the packaging bag 10 can be automatically fed from the packaging bag supply device 1 to the filling device 8 in a more stable posture, thereby preventing feeding failures.

[0244] [Filling device]

[0245] like Figure 1 As shown, the filling device 8 includes a feeding section 81 and a filling and cap attaching section 82. In the filling device 8, the packaging bag 10 supplied from the packaging bag supply device 1 is automatically filled with the contents and the cap is attached. In the feeding section 81, the packaging bag 10 assumes the second position 12. Furthermore, in the filling and cap attaching section 82, the packaging bag 10 also assumes the second position 12.

[0246] (Feeding Department)

[0247] Figure 10 It is a schematic side view for explaining the supply of the packaging bag 10 in the standby section 7 to the delivery section 81 of the filling device 8 .

[0248] like Figure 1 as well as Figure 10 As shown, a pair of filling device side guide rails 80 are provided on the delivery portion 81 .

[0249] Similar to the pair of guide rails 71 and the pair of bag-feeding device-side guide rails 70, the pair of filling device-side guide rails 80 engage with the recessed portion 142 of the bag spout 14, sandwiching and supporting the bag spout 14. The bag 10 is supported in a suspended state by the pair of filling device-side guide rails 80. The bag 10 conveyed to the standby section 7 is fed from the pair of bag-feeding device-side guide rails 70 to the pair of filling device-side guide rails 80. The pair of filling device-side guide rails 80 support the bag spout 14 in a suspended state while the bag 10 is in the second position 12.

[0250] The pair of filling device-side rails 80 are located at the same height as the pair of bag supply device-side rails 70. Therefore, the bag 10 suspended by the bag supply device-side rails 70 can be moved horizontally while maintaining the second posture 12, and can be easily moved and supplied to the filling device-side rails 80.

[0251] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the flange portion 141 of the spout 14 has a polygonal shape. As described above, the plurality of packaging bags 10 are supported by the packaging bag feeder-side rails 70 in a stable position. Therefore, the packaging bags 10 can be moved from the packaging bag feeder-side rails 70 to the filling device-side rails 80 in a stable position, making it easier and more reliable to feed the packaging bags 10 to the filling device-side rails 80. Furthermore, the packaging bags 10 can be supported by the filling device-side rails 80 in a stable position.

[0252] (Filling and lid attachment part)

[0253] like Figure 1 As shown, a rotating conveying table 83 is provided at the filling and capping unit 82. Spout holders for holding the spout 14 are attached at equal intervals to the outer periphery of the conveying table 83. The spout holders hold the packaging bag 10 so that the opening 147 of the spout 14 is approximately parallel to the horizontal plane (the height direction of the tubular portion 140 of the spout 14 is approximately perpendicular to the horizontal plane). In other words, the packaging bag 10 is held so that the opening 144 faces upward and the height direction Y of the packaging bag 10 is approximately perpendicular to the horizontal plane.

[0254] The filling and capping section 82 includes a loading area for packaging bags 10, a filling area, a capping area, and a discharge area, sequentially arranged in the direction of rotation of the conveyor table 83. With the spout 14 of the packaging bag 10 held by the spout holding section, the packaging bag 10 is sequentially filled and capped as the conveyor table 83 rotates.

[0255] In the delivery zone, the packaging bag 10 is delivered from the filling device side guide rail 80 to the conveying table 83 while maintaining the second posture 12 , and the spout 14 is supported and fixed by the spout holding portion.

[0256] Next, the transport table 83 rotates and the packaging bag 10 is transported to the filling process area. In the filling process area, a filling nozzle is inserted into the opening 144 of the spout 14, which serves as the filling port, and the bag is filled with the contents.

[0257] Next, the conveying table 83 rotates and the packaging bag 10 is conveyed to the cap attachment area. In the cap attachment area, the bag mouth 14 is attached with a cap and sealed.

[0258] Next, the conveying table 83 rotates, and the packaging bag 10 is conveyed to the delivery area, and is then delivered from the delivery area to the outside of the filling device 8 .

[0259] <How to supply packaging bags>

[0260] A packaging bag supply method using the packaging bag supply device 1 will be described.

[0261] like Figure 1 As shown in FIG3 , a plurality of empty packaging bags 10 are fed into the feeding section 2 of the packaging bag feeding device 1 . The fed packaging bags 10 are conveyed by the feeding section conveyor unit 20 and fed into the accelerating conveyor unit 30 provided in the first separation zone 3 .

[0262] like Figure 4 As shown, downstream of the first separation zone 3, the number of overlapping bags 10 is reduced to about one to four due to the speed difference of the accelerating conveyor unit 30. This reduction in the number of overlapping bags makes it easier to separate the bags 10 into one at the second separation zone 4.

[0263] Next, if Figure 5 As shown in FIG. 1A , the tip of the spout 14 of the packaging bag 10 whose overlap has been reduced by the accelerating conveyor unit 30 of the first separation zone 3 abuts against the stopper 44 located near the downstream of the first separation zone 3, temporarily stopping its conveyance. The suction device 41 located at the separation position 41A stands by below the packaging bag 10 whose conveyance has been stopped by the stopper 44.

[0264] Next, if Figure 5 As shown in (B), in the second separation area 4, the packaging bag group is pushed downward from the top by a cylinder not shown in the figure, and at the same time, the adsorption pad 42 of the adsorption device 41 located at the separation position 41A rises and adsorbs the side film 131 of the packaging bag 10 located at the bottom of the packaging bag group.

[0265] Next, if Figure 5 As shown in (C), the suction pad 42 descends to maintain the suction state of the side film 131 of the bottommost packaging bag 10, and separates the bottommost packaging bag 10 from the other overlapping packaging bags 10. Thus, one packaging bag 10 is separated from the packaging bag group.

[0266] Next, if Figure 5As shown in (D), the suction device 41 moves from the separation position 41A to the conveying position 41B to maintain the suction state of the packaging bag 10, and the packaging bag 10 is conveyed to the top of the first conveyor unit 50 of the rough positioning section 5. The suction pad 42 then descends, placing the packaging bag 10 on the first conveyor belt 51, and the suction of the suction pad 42 is released. The right side portion 160S of the packaging bag 10 is placed on the right first conveyor belt 51R, and the left side portion 160S is placed on the left first conveyor belt 51L, with the central portion 160C provided with the spout 14 being free and not in contact with the conveyor belts.

[0267] Next, if Figure 1 As shown in FIG6 , the packaging bag 10 conveyed on the first conveyor belt 51 of the rough positioning unit 5 is positioned in the width direction X by a pair of guides 55. The packaging bag 10 is oriented by the pair of guides 55 so that the width direction X of the packaging bag 10 is substantially perpendicular to the conveying direction, and is positioned so that it is located in the left-right center of the first conveyor unit 50. Figure 7 As shown, the first conveyor unit 50 transports the packaging bag 10 to the first position P1 in the first posture 11 .

[0268] like Figure 7 As shown, the packaging bag 10 is conveyed by the first conveyor unit 50 in the first posture 11 to the first position P1. The two side portions 160S are respectively clamped by the first clamping conveyor belt 61a and the second clamping conveyor belt 65a, and are conveyed by the rotation of the conveyor belts. As a result of this conveyance, the upper half of the packaging bag 10 is vertically positioned, and the lower half is horizontally positioned.

[0269] Next, the side portion 160S of the packaging bag 10 is clamped by the first clamping conveyor belt 61 a and the pressing roller 68 , and the packaging bag 10 is conveyed to the second position P2 in a vertical posture as a whole.

[0270] At the second position P2, the positioning member 67 positions the spout 14 in the height direction. Subsequently, the positioning member 67 is moved horizontally, simultaneously moving the pair of guide rails 71 and moving the pressing roller 68 from the clamping position to the release position. Consequently, the packaging bag 10, which is positioned in the second position P2 by the positioning member 67 in the height direction, is pushed into the pair of guide rails 71. Subsequently, air is blown in, and the packaging bag 10 is conveyed toward the packaging bag supply device-side guide rails 70 while maintaining the second posture 12.

[0271] Next, the packaging bag 10, while maintaining its second posture (vertical posture) 12 on the packaging bag supply device side rails 70, is horizontally moved toward the filling device side rails 80, which are at the same height as the packaging bag supply device side rails 70. Thus, the packaging bag 10 is supplied from the packaging bag supply device 1 to the filling device 8. In the filling device 8, the packaging bag 10, while maintaining its second posture (vertical posture 12), sequentially undergoes the filling process and the cap attachment process.

[0272] Effects

[0273] As described above, in the posture changing and positioning section 6 of the packaging bag supply device 1 of the present technology, after the packaging bag 10 at the first position P1 in the first posture (horizontal posture) 11 is clamped in the thickness direction Z by the clamping conveyor unit 60 including a pair of clamping conveyors (a first clamping conveyor 61 and a second clamping conveyor 65, and the first clamping conveyor 61 and a pressing roller 68), the posture is changed to the second posture (vertical posture 12) when supplying the packaging bag to the filling device 8 performing the filling process in the subsequent step, and then the packaging bag is transported to the second position P2.

[0274] By changing the position of the packaging bag 10 to the position in which it is fed to the filling device 8 by gripping and conveying, the packaging bag 10 can be automatically fed from the packaging bag feeding device 1 to the filling device 8, eliminating the need for manual feeding of the packaging bag 10 to the filling device 8 and improving production efficiency. Automatic feeding of the packaging bag 10 to the filling device 8 improves production efficiency and relieves operators from the simple task of manually feeding the packaging bag 10 to the filling device 8, thereby saving manpower and making better use of it.

[0275] Furthermore, the packaging bag supply device 1 of the present technology does not need to use large-scale mechanical components that require specialized knowledge of robots, optics, etc.

[0276] One possible approach to automated bag feeding is to randomly place bags on a workbench and pick them up one by one using image processing and a robot such as a parallel link robot. However, implementing such a method would require large-scale equipment and expensive capital investment. Furthermore, proficiency in the equipment requires specialized knowledge in robotics, optics, and other areas, creating a significant barrier to deployment. For example, from a design perspective, the film used for bags is sometimes glossy. However, when processing images of such bags, the color (wavelength) of the lighting must be adjusted to account for light reflections on the film, complicating the setup of the equipment.

[0277] In contrast, the packaging bag supply device 1 of the present technique can automatically supply packaging bags to the filling device simply and reliably without using large-scale mechanical components.

[0278] In the filling system 100 equipped with the above-mentioned packaging bag supply device 1, as long as the packaging bag 10 is supplied to the input part 2 of the packaging bag supply device 1, it is automatically transported to the filling device 8, can be filled and further can be subjected to the lid attachment process, and can easily obtain the finished packaging bag 10 with the content filled and the lid attached.

[0279] Furthermore, just before the packaging bag 10 is fed into the filling device 8, the opening 144 of the spout 14 is changed from a first position (horizontal position) 11 facing sideways to a second position (vertical position) 12 with the spout 14 positioned upward and the opening 144 facing upward. This makes it difficult for foreign matter such as trash to enter through the opening 144 of the spout 14, minimizing the risk of foreign matter contamination. This ensures stable and high-quality contents such as cosmetics and beverages.

[0280] In addition, in the case of a packaging bag with a spout as in the packaging bag 10 of the present embodiment, during the gripping and conveying by the posture changing and positioning unit 6, it is preferable that the spout existing area 148 is not gripped, and only the spout non-existing area 149 is gripped by the gripping conveyor unit 60 to prevent the conveyor from contacting the spout.

[0281] This configuration allows for stable conveyance of the packaging bag 10 by gripping the thin spout-absent region 149, excluding the spout-present region 148 containing the thick spout 14. This allows the packaging bag 10 to be conveyed while being more reliably positioned in the desired position from the first position P1 to the second position P2.

[0282] During the gripping and conveying process in the posture changing and positioning section 6, at least one gripping conveyor unit 60 (in other words, the gripping conveyor module includes one gripping conveyor unit) is sufficient, but more preferably, multiple gripping conveyor units 60 are provided. Furthermore, as in the present embodiment, it is more preferable for the multiple gripping conveyor units 60 to grip the packaging bag 10 at multiple locations spaced apart in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction (corresponding to the width direction X of the packaging bag 10). In the present embodiment, two gripping conveyor units 60 (a right gripping conveyor unit 60R and a left gripping conveyor unit 60L) support the packaging bag 10 at two locations: the right side portion 160S and the left side portion 160S. Furthermore, in the posture changing and positioning section 6, the center portion 160C where the bag spout 14 is located is unsupported and free.

[0283] In this manner, by gripping and conveying the packaging bag 10 using the multiple gripping conveyor units 60, the packaging bag 10 is gripped at two locations spaced apart in the width direction X. This effectively prevents the packaging bag 10 from shifting in the rotational direction about the height direction Y, allowing the packaging bag 10 to be conveyed to the second position P2 in the second posture 12 without shifting in this rotational direction. This allows for smooth pushing and conveying of the packaging bag 10 onto the pair of guide rails 71, followed by conveyance of the packaging bag 10 onto the pair of bag supply device-side guide rails 70 and the pair of filling device-side guide rails 80, thereby preventing conveyance problems.

[0284] Furthermore, as in this embodiment, by gripping the left and right side edges of the packaging bag 10 for transportation, positional deviation of the packaging bag 10 in the rotational direction about the height direction Y can be further suppressed, thereby further reducing the occurrence of transportation problems.

[0285] Here, depending on the position of the spout 14 and the size of the packaging bag, it may be difficult to clamp the two side portions 160S of the packaging bag using a pair of left and right clamping conveyor units as in the present embodiment. In such cases, the number of clamping conveyor units 60 may be one or two or more, and the packaging bag may not necessarily be clamped at the two side portions.

[0286] However, because the packaging bag 10 is typically thin, flat, and flexible overall except for the spout 14, when the packaging bag 10 has spout-free regions 149 on both left and right sides, as in the present embodiment, it is preferable to have the gripping conveyor unit 60 grip the two side portions 160S of the packaging bag 10 during conveyance. This makes it more difficult for the packaging bag 10 to shift position within the XY plane and in the Z-axis direction (thickness direction), and allows the packaging bag 10 to be more reliably positioned and positioned for supply to the filling device 8 without conveyance problems.

[0287] It should be noted that when the packaging bag 10 is gripped and conveyed by a single gripping conveyor unit 60, a gripping conveyor belt having a certain width may be used for gripping and conveying the bag without contacting the bag spout, from the perspective of preventing positional deviation in the rotation direction with the height direction Y as the axis.

[0288] In addition, as in the present embodiment, the first conveyor unit 50 of the rough positioning section 5 that transports the packaging bag 10 to the posture changing and positioning section 6 is preferably constructed to support only the spout non-existent area 149 (the two side portions 160S in the present embodiment) of the packaging bag 10 in the first posture (horizontal posture) 11.

[0289] In this embodiment, the first conveyor unit 50 provided in the rough positioning section 5 includes a pair of first conveyor belts 51 spaced apart in the left-right direction. In the first conveyor unit 50, the packaging bag 10 is placed and supported by contacting the first conveyor belts 51 with the side portions 160S of the spout-free region 149. In other words, in the rough positioning section 5, similar to the posture changing and positioning section 6, the packaging bag 10 is in a free state, with the central portion 160C where the spout 14 is located being unsupported.

[0290] With this configuration, the packaging bag 10 can be reliably inserted between the first holding conveyor belt 61 a and the second holding conveyor belt 65 a of the posture changing and positioning unit 6 , thereby suppressing the occurrence of insertion failure.

[0291] Assume that the conveyor belt for the front section (here, the rough positioning section 5) that transports the packaging bag 10 to the posture changing and positioning section 6 is composed of a single conveyor belt, and supports and transports the packaging bag 10 as a whole, that is, also supports and transports the central section 160C of the packaging bag 10.

[0292] In this case, once the packaging bag 10 is placed horizontally on a conveyor, the spout 14 of the packaging bag 10 is considerably thicker than the thickness of the packaging bag body 13, and the vicinity of the top 16T of the packaging bag body 13 where the spout 14 is provided is raised from the conveyor. When the packaging bag 10 is conveyed to the posture changing and positioning unit 6 in the state of being raised near the top 16T of the packaging bag body 13, the height of the packaging bag supply device 1 ( Figure 7 In the vertical direction (in the vertical direction), the position of the top 16T of the packaging bag body 13 and the gap between the first and second holding conveyor belts 61a, 65a (the portion into which the packaging bag 10 is inserted) are likely to deviate. As a result, the packaging bag 10 cannot be properly inserted between the first and second holding conveyor belts 61a, 65a, and insertion failure is likely to occur.

[0293] In contrast, in this embodiment, the first conveyor unit 50 that transports the packaging bag 10 to the first position P1 does not support the spout existing region 148 of the packaging bag 10 but contacts and supports only the side portion 160S in the spout non-existent region.

[0294] This configuration prevents the aforementioned tendency for the top 16T of the bag body 13 to tilt upward due to the presence of the spout 14 before the bag 10 is conveyed to the position changing and positioning unit 6. Consequently, the height of the bag feeding device 1 can be easily adjusted so that the position of the side portion 160S of the bag 10, when conveyed from the rough positioning unit 5, and the gap between the first and second gripping conveyor belts 61a and 65a are aligned. This ensures that the bag 10 can be reliably inserted between the first and second gripping conveyor belts 61a and 65a without transport problems, thereby improving production efficiency.

[0295] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the stacked packaging bags 10 are separated into individual pieces by the separator 9 and then conveyed to the first conveyor unit 50. This prevents a plurality of overlapping packaging bags 10 from being conveyed to the posture changing and positioning unit 6, and allows the packaging bags 10 to be reliably conveyed to the second position P2 in the second posture by the posture changing and positioning unit 6.

[0296] By providing such a separator 9, multiple packaging bags 10 can be randomly and simultaneously introduced into the loading section 2, located upstream of the separator 9, simply by orienting the spout 14 approximately downstream. This improves operational efficiency. This eliminates the need for skill in stacking multiple packaging bags with staggered widths. Operators can automatically supply packaging bags 10 to the filling device 8 simply by pointing and inserting the packaging bags 10 into the loading section 2, without any operational constraints.

[0297] Furthermore, in this embodiment, in the separation section 9, the packaging bags 10 whose number of overlapping has been reduced to a certain extent by the accelerating conveyor unit 30 are suctioned and conveyed by the suction conveyor unit 40. This prevents the occurrence of an inconvenience in which multiple packaging bags 10 are suctioned and overlapped by the suction conveyor unit 40, and allows the packaging bags 10 to be reliably separated into individual packaging bags 10 by the suction conveyor unit 40, allowing the packaging bags 10 to be reliably delivered one by one to the first conveyor unit 50.

[0298] In this embodiment, the conveying speed is increased in multiple stages by the accelerating conveyor unit 30, thereby gradually reducing the amount of overlap. Therefore, even when a large number of packaging bags 10 are fed into the packaging bag supply device 1, resulting in a large amount of accumulation, the amount of overlap of the packaging bags 10 can be easily adjusted to achieve the optimal overlap when the packaging bags 10 are separated by the suction conveying unit 40 in the second separation zone 4.

[0299] In this embodiment, the positioning member 67 has a positioning contact surface 671 that contacts the spout 14 of the packaging bag 10, thereby positioning the spout 14 in the second position P2 in the height direction, so that the bag can be easily and automatically fed to the filling device 8 for the subsequent filling process.

[0300] When the positioning member 67 is used to position the spout 14 , the positioning member 67 is preferably configured so that the positioning contact surface 671 contacts the upper surface 145 of the flange portion 141 (the first flange portion 141 a in this embodiment) at the top of the spout 14 .

[0301] This configuration prevents contact between the opening surface 147 of the spout 14 where the opening 144 is located and the positioning member 67, reducing the risk of foreign matter entering through the opening 144. This ensures stable and excellent quality of contents such as cosmetics and beverages.

[0302] In the filling system 100 of this embodiment, the packaging bag supply device 1 can change the position of the packaging bag 10 to a position suitable for supply to the filling device 8 by gripping and conveying. This allows automatic supply from the packaging bag supply device 1 to the filling device 8. This eliminates the need for manual supply of the packaging bag 10 to the filling device 8, thereby improving production efficiency.

[0303] <Other>

[0304] While the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0305] In the following first and second modified examples, examples of filling systems are given in which the number of transport rails and the number of inlets to the filling device are changed.

[0306] As described above, the bag feeding device of this technology can simply and reliably automatically feed bags to the filling device without using large mechanical components that require specialized knowledge of robotics, optics, or other techniques. Therefore, the number of conveyor tracks and the number of inlets leading to the filling device can be freely varied, providing a high degree of design freedom for the filling system, allowing for flexible design based on production efficiency. For example, if multiple conveyor tracks are provided, they can simply be arranged in parallel. If the number of conveyor tracks differs from the number of inlets leading to the filling device, a track switching unit can be provided, as described in the second variant described below.

[0307] In the above embodiment, a stand-up packaging bag with a center spout is used as an example for description. However, the present technology can also be applied to packaging bags of other shapes, which will be described in the following third modified example.

[0308] [First Modification]

[0309] Figure 11 It is a schematic plan view of a filling system 100A according to a first modification.

[0310] From the perspective of reducing the burden on operators and improving operability and productivity, in the filling system 100 of the above embodiment, although an example of setting two conveying tracks L1 and L2 is given, it is also possible to Figure 11 As in the illustrated filling system 100A, there is one conveying track L. Alternatively, there may be three or more conveying tracks.

[0311] [Second Modification]

[0312] Figure 12 It is a schematic plan view of a filling system 100B according to a second modification.

[0313] In the filling system 100 of the above embodiment, two conveying rails L1 and L2 are provided, and an example is given in which the filling device side guide rails 80 are provided corresponding to the conveying rails L1 and L2. However, it is also possible to Figure 12 As in the illustrated filling system 100B, one filling device-side guide rail 80 is provided for the two conveying rails L1 and L2.

[0314] like Figure 12 As shown, in a filling system 100B, a pair of bag supply device-side rails 70 corresponding to the two conveyor tracks L1 and L2, a rail switching unit 73, and a central rail 72 are provided in a standby section 7B located near the downstream side of the bag supply device 1. Bags 10 supported by the bag supply device-side rails 70 corresponding to the two conveyor tracks L1 and L2 are conveyed to the central rail 72. The rail switching unit 73 is located between the bag supply device-side rails 70 and the central rail 72 of each of the two conveyor tracks L1 and L2. The rail switching unit 73 switches the direction of conveyance of bags 10 from conveyor track L1 to the central rail 72.

[0315] For example, in the filling system 100B, a plurality of packaging bags 10 waiting in the packaging bag supply device side guide 70 of the conveying track L1 can be supplied to the filling device 8 via the central guide 72, and while the filling and cap installation processes are being performed, the packaging bags 10 are stored in the packaging bag supply device side guide 70 in the conveying track L2.

[0316] In this manner, a plurality of conveying tracks may be provided, and the number of the filling device side guide rail 80 serving as a supply port for supplying the packaging bags 10 to the filling device 8 may be reduced to one, thereby improving production efficiency.

[0317] As in the first and second modified examples of the above-described embodiment, the configuration of the packaging bag supply device in the filling system can be freely selected according to the tact time of the filling device performing the filling process in the subsequent step and the number of inlets.

[0318] [Third Modification]

[0319] In the above embodiment, an example of a standing packaging bag having a central spout provided at the center in the width direction of a container (packaging bag) is given, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0320] For example, the spout can be located at a corner spout on the shoulder of the bag body. Alternatively, the bag can be a side-supported bag without a bottom film, a flat bag, or even a bag without a spout. This technology is applicable to bags of various shapes. Before filling any bag, the portion without the spout is thin, flat, and flexible.

[0321] Below, use Figure 13 as well as Figure 14 Other shape examples (first to fourth shape examples) will be described. In any shape of the packaging bag, the side with the filling port is defined as the "upper" side.

[0322] (First shape example)

[0323] Figure 13 (A) and (B) are a perspective view and a top view of the packaging bag 10A of the first shape example. Figure 13 As shown in (A) and (B) of FIG. 1 , the packaging bag 10A is a standing packaging bag with a corner spout. The packaging bag 10A includes a packaging bag body 13A, a spout 14 , and a lid 15 .

[0324] The packaging bag body 13A has two side films 131A and 132A and a bottom film 133A, and can stand independently by inserting a hem (fold) at the bottom.

[0325] The planar shape of the packaging bag body 13A, when viewed from the thickness direction Z, is a pentagonal shape formed by cutting off one corner of a rectangle at an angle. The side of the top 16T, which includes the corner and is located at one end in the height direction Y, includes a hypotenuse 161 inclined relative to the horizontal plane and a first side 162 parallel to the horizontal plane. The spout 14 is provided on the hypotenuse 161. The spout 14 is provided on the packaging bag body 13A so that the height direction of the tubular portion 140 is approximately perpendicular to the hypotenuse 161. The opening surface 147 of the spout 14 is located approximately parallel to the hypotenuse 161 and inclined relative to the horizontal plane. In the packaging bag 10A, the spout 14, which serves as a pouring port for removing the contents from the packaging bag, is provided at an angle relative to the height direction Y of the packaging bag 10A, thereby facilitating pouring of the contents. In the packaging bag 10 of the above-described embodiment, the height direction of the packaging bag body 13 and the height direction of the bag spout 14 are substantially parallel. However, in the packaging bag 10A of the first shape example, the height direction Y of the packaging bag body 13A and the height direction of the bag spout 14 intersect with each other.

[0326] like Figure 13 As shown in FIG. 1 (B), the packaging bag 10A has a spout-existing region 148 and a spout-nonexisting region 149 arranged in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction.

[0327] The packaging bag body 13A has a sealing portion 18A along its periphery. This sealing portion 18A comprises the heat-sealed and heat-fused portions of the overlapping side films 131A and 132A along the periphery of the top 16T and side 16S of the packaging bag 10, excluding the portion provided with the spout 14. Furthermore, the sealing portion 18A comprises the heat-sealed portion of the overlapping side films 131A or 132A and the bottom film 133A at the bottom 16B. In the packaging bag body 13A, the sealing portion 18A comprises the overlapping and heat-fused portions of the multiple films, resulting in a higher rigidity than the other portions.

[0328] Filling the empty packaging bag 10A with the contents can be performed using the same spout 14 as the packaging bag 10 described above as a filling port, or can be performed from a filling port different from the spout 14. In either embodiment, in the position changing and positioning section 6 of the packaging bag supply device 1, the packaging bag 10A with the corner spout, which has been conveyed to the first position P1 in a horizontal first position (horizontal position), is changed to an upright second position (vertical position) with the spout 14 positioned upward, similarly to the packaging bag 10, and then conveyed to the second position P2.

[0329] ((Example of using the bag spout as a filling port))

[0330] When the spout 14 is used as a filling port, the corner spout packaging bag 10A can also be conveyed in the second posture 12 at the second position P2 so that the opening surface 147 of the spout 14 is substantially parallel to the horizontal plane (the height direction of the cylindrical portion of the spout 14 is substantially perpendicular to the horizontal plane).

[0331] The packaging bag 10A is conveyed in the posture changing and positioning section 6 of the packaging bag supply device 1 by gripping the spout-absent region 149 with the gripping conveyor unit 60. In the case of a corner-spout packaging bag 10A, one or two gripping conveyor units may grip the spout-absent region 149. For example, when two gripping conveyor units are used, one gripping conveyor unit may grip the center portion of the packaging bag 10A in the width direction X, while the other gripping conveyor unit may grip the side portion of the packaging bag 10A where the spout 14 is not located.

[0332] In the case of a corner spout packaging bag 10A, in the first position P1 of the posture changing and positioning unit 6, similar to the packaging bag 10 described above, the packaging bag 10A is in a horizontal position in a first posture 11, with the conveyance direction and the height direction Y of the packaging bag 10A substantially parallel. Meanwhile, in the second posture 12 of the second position P2, the packaging bag 10A is in a vertical position, with the side film surface substantially perpendicular to the horizontal plane, but the oblique side 161 is substantially parallel to the horizontal plane. In other words, in the second posture 12, the packaging bag 10A is tilted, with the opening of the spout 14 facing upward.

[0333] In this way, in the posture changing and positioning section 6, in order to make the packaging bag 10A at the second position P2 be in a posture with its opening 144 facing upward and the entire body tilted, when the packaging bag is clamped and conveyed by the clamping conveyor unit, the standing angle of the packaging bag when standing up can be adjusted so that the posture gradually becomes vertical from the downstream side, starting from the horizontal posture.

[0334] Furthermore, similarly to the packaging bag 10 described above, the spout 14 can be positioned in the height direction using the positioning member 67 by utilizing the shape of the spout.

[0335] The packaging bag 10 can be supplied to the filling device 8 in a vertical posture (second posture) in which the opening surface 147 of the spout 14 is substantially parallel to the horizontal plane.

[0336] ((Other examples of using the bag spout as a filling port))

[0337] When the spout 14 is used as a filling port, the corner spout packaging bag 10A can also be conveyed in the second posture 12 at the second position P2, which is an upright vertical posture in which the first side 162 is substantially parallel to the horizontal plane and the height direction of the cylindrical portion 140 of the spout 14 is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane (the opening surface of the spout is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane).

[0338] In this case, positioning of the packaging bag 10A in the height direction Y at the second position P2 can also be performed using the first side 162 located at the top 16A of the packaging bag 10A. As described above, a highly rigid seal portion 18A is located at the edge of the top 16T of the packaging bag 10A where the spout 14 is not located. Positioning of the packaging bag 10A in the height direction Y at the second position P2 can also be achieved by abutting the first side 162 of the highly rigid seal portion 18A against the positioning contact surface of the positioning member.

[0339] The packaging bag 10A is conveyed in the posture changing and positioning section 6 of the packaging bag supply device 1 by being gripped and conveyed by the gripping conveyor unit 60 in the spout non-existent region 149 of the packaging bag 10A.

[0340] In this example, the guide rails 71 and 70 provided on the bag supply device, and the filler-side guide rails 80 provided on the filler device support the spout 14 so that the opening surface 147 of the spout 14 is inclined relative to the horizontal plane (the height direction of the tubular portion of the spout 14 is inclined relative to the horizontal plane) and the first side 162 of the packaging bag 10A is substantially parallel to the horizontal plane. In other words, the guide rails support the spout 14 so that the opening 144 of the spout 14 faces diagonally upward, and the packaging bag 10A is in a suspended state.

[0341] In the filling device, a filling nozzle is inserted into the opening 144 of the bag spout 14 facing obliquely upward to perform filling, and a cap attaching process is further performed.

[0342] In this manner, the spout 14 can also be supported in an inclined state.

[0343] ((Example of providing a filling port other than the bag spout))

[0344] When filling the packaging bag 10A from a filling port different from the spout 14, an unsealed portion of the two side films 131A and 132A can be provided at a position corresponding to the first side 162 of the top portion 16T, and the opening formed by this unsealed portion can be used as the filling port. In this way, even when the packaging bag 10A does not use the spout 14 as a filling port but has a separate filling port, the packaging bag 10A can be fed into the packaging bag supply device 1 with the lid 15 attached. A packaging bag 10A fed into the packaging bag supply device 1 and changed to the second position (vertical position) 12 with the filling port (unsealed portion) positioned upward by the position changing and positioning unit 6 maintains this position and is automatically fed to the filling device.

[0345] The packaging bag 10A is conveyed in the position changing and positioning section 6 by gripping only the spout non-existent region 149 of the packaging bag 10A with the gripping conveyor unit 60. The corner spout packaging bag 10A can also be conveyed in the second position 12 at the second position P2, which is an upright, vertical position in which the first side 162 is substantially parallel to the horizontal plane and the height direction of the tubular portion 140 of the spout 14 is inclined relative to the horizontal plane (the spout opening is inclined relative to the horizontal plane). Positioning of the packaging bag 10A in the height direction Y at the second position P2 can also be performed using the first side 162 located at the top 16A of the packaging bag 10A.

[0346] The packaging bag 10A positioned at the second position P2 takes the second posture 12 in which the opening 144 of the spout 14 faces obliquely upward and the opening of the unsealed portion serving as the filling port faces upward.

[0347] In the filling device 8 , after the content is filled into the corner spout packaging bag 10A from the filling port formed by the unsealed portion, the lid 15 is attached.

[0348] The method of conveying the packaging bag 10A positioned in the second posture in the height direction from the second position P2 to the filling device can be appropriately set according to the configuration of the filling device.

[0349] For example, similarly to the packaging bag 10 described above, the packaging bag 10A may be conveyed from the second position P2 to the filling device in a state where the spout 14 is supported and suspended by the guide rail.

[0350] Furthermore, the packaging bag in the filling device may be supported by a configuration different from that of the filling device 8 described above. For example, the bag spout may not be supported, and the filling process may be performed with the contents held by gripping hands above the two side portions of the packaging bag body 13A. As a specific example, the packaging bag 10A positioned at the second position P2 may be moved horizontally while maintaining its position and transported to a storage container provided in the filling device, where it may be stored. Furthermore, the packaging bag 10A stored in the storage container may be held by gripping hands provided in the filling device for filling and heat-sealing of unsealed portions. In the case of such a configuration, guide rails may not be used in the packaging bag supply device and the filling device.

[0351] In this manner, the support does not have to be performed using the spout 14, and a portion other than the spout can be used as a filling port.

[0352] (Second shape example)

[0353] Figure 14 The packaging bag 10B shown in FIG. 1A is a flat packaging bag with a center spout. The packaging bag 10B includes a packaging bag body 13B, a spout 14 , and a lid 15 .

[0354] The package bag body 13B has a substantially rectangular planar shape when viewed in the thickness direction Z.

[0355] The packaging bag body 13B has a sealing portion 18B formed by stacking two side films 131B and 132B to seal the peripheral edge excluding the spout 14 .

[0356] In the same manner as the above-mentioned packaging bag 10 , such a flat packaging bag can also be automatically conveyed from the packaging bag supply device 1 to the filling device 8 by the filling system 100 .

[0357] (Third shape example)

[0358] Figure 14The packaging bag 10C shown in (B) is a side-gusseted packaging bag with a center spout. The packaging bag 10C has gussets on both sides and, when filled with contents, has an overall, slightly rounded, rectangular parallelepiped shape. The packaging bag 10C includes a packaging bag body 13C, a spout 14, and a lid 15. The packaging bag body 13C includes a pair of side films 131C and 132C positioned opposite each other in the thickness direction Z, and a pair of side films 134C and 135C positioned opposite each other in the width direction X. Before filling the side-gusseted packaging bag, the films on both sides (side films 134C and 135C) are folded inward across the entire height from bottom to top to form the gussets. Therefore, in the empty packaging bag 10C, while the thickness near the two folded sides of the bag without the spout is slightly thicker than the rest of the bag, the overall thickness of the bag without the spout is thin and generally flat.

[0359] In the same manner as the packaging bag 10 described above, such a side-gusset packaging bag can also be automatically conveyed from the packaging bag supply device 1 to the filling device 8 by the filling system 100 .

[0360] (Fourth Shape Example)

[0361] Figure 14 The packaging bag 10D shown in (C) is a flat packaging bag without a spout. The packaging bag 10D includes a packaging bag body 13D and a sealing strip 19. The packaging bag body 13D includes a pair of side films 131D and 132D that oppose each other in the thickness direction Z. The side films 131D and 132D have a generally rectangular shape when viewed in the thickness direction Z. The packaging bag 10D includes a sealed portion 18D formed by heat-sealing the side films 131D and 132D, excluding the edge corresponding to the side provided with the sealing strip 19, along its peripheral edge.

[0362] Similar to the packaging bag 10 described above, such a packaging bag without a spout can also be automatically conveyed from the packaging bag supply device to the filling device.

[0363] In the case of a packaging bag 10D without a spout, a filling device having a different configuration from the above-mentioned filling device 8 is used. For example, the packaging bag body 13D may be filled with the contents while both side portions thereof are gripped by gripping hands.

[0364] Furthermore, in a packaging bag 10D having a sealing strip 19, an unsealed portion may be provided at the end opposite to the end where the sealing strip 19 is located. The opening formed by this unsealed portion may also serve as the filling port. A heat-sealed sealed portion other than the unsealed portion may also be provided at the end (top) where the unsealed portion forming the filling port is located. This sealed portion provides a high degree of rigidity.

[0365] In this case, when a filling port is provided at the end opposite to the end where the sealing strip 19 is located, an empty packaging bag 10D is positioned at the first position P1 in the position changing and positioning section 6 of the packaging bag supply device 1, in a horizontal position (first position) with the end having the unsealed portion serving as the filling port located downstream. The packaging bag 10D is then gripped by the gripping conveyor module 600 at its left and right sides and conveyed to the second position P2. The packaging bag 10D is then positioned vertically (second position) with the filling port facing upward and conveyed to the second position P2. The spoutless packaging bag 10D can also be positioned in the height direction Y at the second position P2 using the heat-sealed, highly rigid seal portion at the end having the filling port. Specifically, the packaging bag 10D can be positioned in the height direction Y by abutting the seal portion against the positioning abutment surface of the positioning member.

[0366] Next, packaging bag 10D, which has been positioned in the height direction Y and is now in the second position (vertical position) 12, is moved horizontally while maintaining its current position, for example, to a storage container located within a filling device. Within the filling device, the packaging bag in the second position (vertical position) 12 within the storage container is gripped by grippers on either side. By shortening the distance between the grippers, the unsealed portion is opened, forming an opening serving as a filling port. The contents are then filled from this opening (filling port), and the unsealed portion is then sealed to seal the packaging bag 10D.

[0367] The method for supporting the packaging bag in the filling device is not limited to that described here. The method for conveying the packaging bag 10A positioned in the second posture in the height direction from the second position P2 to the filling device can be appropriately set according to the configuration of the filling device.

[0368] In addition, this technology Figure 2 、 Figure 13 、 Figure 14 The portions (A) and (B) shown in FIG. 1 are more effective in automatically supplying the spouted packaging bag having thickness to the filling device, and can automatically and stably supply the packaging bag to the filling device.

[0369] This technology can adopt the following configurations. (1)

[0371] A packaging bag feeding device, the packaging bag feeding device is equipped with a clamping conveyor unit, the clamping conveyor unit includes a pair of clamping conveyors, the pair of clamping conveyors clamp a packaging bag with a filling port in the thickness direction before being filled with contents, and convey the packaging bag in a first posture at a first position to a second position different from the first position in a manner that is different from the first posture when being fed to a filling device, and the filling device fills the contents into the packaging bag from the filling port. (2)

[0373] According to the packaging bag supply device described in (1) above,

[0374] The packaging bag comprises a packaging bag body and a bag spout, wherein the bag spout is attached to the packaging bag body.

[0375] The packaging bag is clamped by the pair of clamping conveyors in such a manner that the bag spout is located on the downstream side in the conveying direction.

[0376] The packaging bag has a spout presence region and a spout absence region arranged in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction.

[0377] The pair of clamping conveyors clamp only the spout non-existent region. (3)

[0379] According to the packaging bag supply device described in (2) above,

[0380] The opening of the bag spout is used as the filling port. (4)

[0382] According to the packaging bag supply device described in (2) or (3),

[0383] The packaging bag supply device further includes a first conveyor unit configured to support only the spout-absent region and convey the packaging bag to the first position in a first posture. (5)

[0385] According to the packaging bag supply device described in (4) above,

[0386] The packaging bag supply device further comprises:

[0387] an input conveyor unit into which a plurality of packaging bags are stacked and input; and

[0388] The separation unit separates the plurality of accumulated packaging bags conveyed from the input conveyor unit into a single packaging bag and conveys the single packaging bag to the first conveyor unit. (6)

[0390] According to the packaging bag supply device described in (5) above,

[0391] The separation portion is provided with:

[0392] an accelerating conveyor unit that conveys the packaging bag conveyed from the input conveyor unit at a conveying speed faster than a conveying speed of the input conveyor unit; and

[0393] The suction conveying unit sucks and holds the side surface of one of the packaging bags conveyed from the accelerating conveyor unit and delivers the bag to the first conveyor unit. (7)

[0395] According to the packaging bag supply device described in (6),

[0396] The conveying speed of the accelerating conveyor unit increases stepwise from upstream to downstream in the conveying direction. (8)

[0398] The packaging bag feeding device according to any one of (2) to (7) above,

[0399] The packaging bag supply device further comprises:

[0400] The packaging bag supply device further includes a positioning member having a positioning abutment surface against which the spout abuts for positioning the spout in a height direction at the second position. (9)

[0402] According to the packaging bag supply device described in (8),

[0403] The bag spout includes a cylindrical portion and one or more flange portions provided on the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion.

[0404] When the spout is positioned by the positioning member, the positioning contact surface contacts the upper surface of the uppermost flange portion. (10)

[0406] According to any one of the above-mentioned (2) to (9), the packaging bag feeding device

[0407] The packaging bag supply device further includes a supply device side guide rail, the supply device side guide rail supporting the bag spout to guide the packaging bag in a suspended state toward the filling device.

[0408] The packaging bag conveyed to the second position is horizontally moved and conveyed to the feeder-side guide rail. (11)

[0410] The packaging bag feeding device according to any one of (1) to (10) above,

[0411] The packaging bag supply device includes a plurality of the clamping conveyor units.

[0412] The plurality of gripping conveyor units grip the packaging bag at a plurality of locations spaced apart in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction. (12)

[0414] The packaging bag feeding device according to any one of (1) to (11) above,

[0415] The first posture is a horizontal posture, and the second posture is a vertical posture with the filling port located upward. (13)

[0417] The packaging bag feeding device according to any one of (1) to (12) above,

[0418] The clamping conveyor unit includes a first clamping conveyor including a first clamping conveyor belt, a second clamping conveyor including a second clamping conveyor belt, and a press roller.

[0419] The clamping conveyor unit has a first clamping area and a second clamping area in sequence from upstream to downstream in the conveying direction.

[0420] In the first clamping area, the first clamping conveyor and the second clamping conveyor serve as the pair of clamping conveyors to clamp the packaging bag.

[0421] In the second clamping zone, the first clamping conveyor and the pressing roller function as the pair of clamping conveyors to clamp the packaging bag. (14)

[0423] According to the packaging bag supply device described in (13),

[0424] The packaging bag supply device further includes a positioning member having a positioning abutment surface against which the packaging bag abuts for positioning the packaging bag in the height direction at the second position.

[0425] The positioning member contacts the packaging bag and moves in the thickness direction of the packaging bag to push the packaging bag to change the position of the packaging bag.

[0426] The pressing roller is coupled to the positioning member, and moves between a clamping position for clamping the packaging bag and a releasing position for releasing the clamping as the positioning member moves. (15)

[0428] A packaging bag supply method,

[0429] A packaging bag having a filling port is clamped in the thickness direction by a pair of clamping conveyors before being filled with contents, and the packaging bag in a first posture at the first position is transported to a second position different from the first position in a manner such that it becomes a second posture different from the first posture when supplied to a filling device, and the filling device fills the contents into the packaging bag from the filling port. (16)

[0431] A filling system comprising:

[0432] A packaging bag feeding device including a gripping conveyor unit including a pair of gripping conveyors that grip a packaging bag having a filling port before being filled with a content in a thickness direction and convey the packaging bag in a first position in a first posture to a second position different from the first position in a manner such that the packaging bag is in a second posture different from the first posture; and

[0433] The filling device fills the packaging bag supplied from the packaging bag supply device in the second posture with a content through the filling port.

[0434] Description of Reference Numerals

[0435] 1: Packaging bag feeding device; 6A: First clamping area; 6B: Second clamping area; 8: Filling device; 9: Separating unit; 10, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D: Packaging bag; 11: First posture; 12: Second posture; 13, 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D: Packaging bag body; 14: Bag mouth; 20: Feeding conveyor unit; 30: Accelerating conveyor unit; 40: Adsorption conveying unit; 50: First conveyor unit; 60: Clamping conveyor unit; 60R: Right-side clamping conveyor unit; 60L: Left-side clamping conveyor unit; 61: First clamping conveyor (clamping conveyor); 61a: First clamping conveyor Belt; 65: Second clamping conveyor (clamping conveyor); 65a: Second clamping conveyor belt; 67: Positioning component; 671: Positioning abutment surface; 68: Pressing roller (clamping conveyor); 70: Side guide rail of packaging bag feeding device; 100, 100A, 100B: Filling system; 131: Side film; 140: Cylindrical portion; 141: Flange portion; 141a: First flange portion (flange portion located above the mouth); 144: Bag mouth opening (filling port); 145: Upper surface of the first flange portion (upper surface of the flange portion located above the mouth); 148: Bag mouth existence area; 149: Bag mouth non-existence area; P1: First position; P2: Second position.

Claims

1. A packaging bag supply device, comprising a gripping conveyor unit, The clamping conveyor unit includes a pair of clamping conveyors, which clamp a packaging bag with a filling port in a thickness direction before filling the packaging bag with contents, and transport the packaging bag in a first posture at a first position to a second position different from the first position in a manner that is different from the first posture when supplied to a filling device, and the filling device fills the packaging bag with contents from the filling port.

2. The packaging bag feeding device according to claim 1, wherein: The packaging bag comprises a packaging bag body and a bag spout, wherein the bag spout is attached to the packaging bag body. The packaging bag is clamped by the pair of clamping conveyors in such a manner that the bag spout is located on the downstream side in the conveying direction. The packaging bag has a spout presence region and a spout absence region arranged in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction. The pair of clamping conveyors clamp only the area where the spout does not exist.

3. The packaging bag feeding device according to claim 2, wherein: The opening of the bag spout is used as the filling port.

4. The packaging bag feeding device according to claim 2, wherein: The packaging bag supply device further includes a first conveyor unit configured to transport the packaging bag to the first position in the first posture while supporting only the spout-free region.

5. The packaging bag feeding device according to claim 4, wherein: The packaging bag supply device further comprises: an input conveyor unit into which a plurality of packaging bags are stacked and input; and The separation unit separates the plurality of accumulated packaging bags conveyed from the input conveyor unit into a single packaging bag and conveys the single packaging bag to the first conveyor unit.

6. The packaging bag feeding device according to claim 5, wherein: The separation portion is provided with: an accelerating conveyor unit that conveys the packaging bag conveyed from the input conveyor unit at a conveying speed faster than a conveying speed of the input conveyor unit; as well as The suction conveying unit sucks and holds the side surface of one of the packaging bags conveyed from the accelerating conveyor unit and delivers the bag to the first conveyor unit.

7. The packaging bag feeding device according to claim 6, wherein: The conveying speed of the accelerating conveyor unit increases stepwise from upstream to downstream in the conveying direction.

8. The packaging bag feeding device according to claim 2, wherein: The packaging bag supply device further includes a positioning member having a positioning abutment surface against which the spout abuts for positioning the spout in a height direction at the second position.

9. The packaging bag feeding device according to claim 8, wherein: The bag spout includes a cylindrical portion and one or more flange portions provided on the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion. When the spout is positioned by the positioning member, the positioning contact surface contacts the upper surface of the uppermost flange portion.

10. The packaging bag feeding device according to claim 2, wherein: The packaging bag supply device further includes a supply device side guide rail, the supply device side guide rail supporting the bag spout to guide the packaging bag in a suspended state toward the filling device. The packaging bag conveyed to the second position is horizontally moved and conveyed to the feeder-side guide rail.

11. The packaging bag feeding device according to claim 1, wherein: The packaging bag supply device includes a plurality of the clamping conveyor units. The plurality of gripping conveyor units grip the packaging bag at a plurality of locations spaced apart in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction.

12. The packaging bag feeding device according to claim 1, wherein: The first posture is a horizontal posture, and the second posture is a vertical posture with the filling port located upward.

13. The packaging bag feeding device according to claim 1, wherein: The clamping conveyor unit comprises: a first clamping conveyor including a first clamping conveyor belt, a second clamping conveyor including a second clamping conveyor belt, and a press roller, wherein the clamping conveyor unit has a first clamping area and a second clamping area in order from upstream to downstream in the conveying direction. In the first clamping area, the first clamping conveyor and the second clamping conveyor serve as the pair of clamping conveyors to clamp the packaging bag. In the second clamping zone, the first clamping conveyor and the pressing roller function as the pair of clamping conveyors to clamp the packaging bag.

14. The packaging bag feeding device according to claim 13, wherein: The packaging bag supply device further includes a positioning member having a positioning abutment surface against which the packaging bag abuts for positioning the packaging bag in the height direction at the second position. The positioning member contacts the packaging bag and moves in the thickness direction of the packaging bag to push the packaging bag to change the position of the packaging bag. The pressing roller is coupled to the positioning member, and moves between a clamping position for clamping the packaging bag and a releasing position for releasing the clamping as the positioning member moves.

15. A packaging bag supply method, A packaging bag having a filling port is clamped in the thickness direction by a pair of clamping conveyors before being filled with contents, and the packaging bag in a first posture at the first position is transported to a second position different from the first position in a manner such that the packaging bag becomes in a second posture different from the first posture when being supplied to a filling device, and the filling device fills the contents into the packaging bag from the filling port.

16. A filling system comprising: A packaging bag feeding device including a gripping conveyor unit including a pair of gripping conveyors that grip a packaging bag having a filling port before being filled with a content in a thickness direction and convey the packaging bag in a first position in a first posture to a second position different from the first position in a manner such that the packaging bag is in a second posture different from the first posture; and The filling device fills the packaging bag supplied from the packaging bag supply device in the second posture with a content through the filling port.

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