Packaging material connecting device

Abstract

To provide a packaging material connecting device capable of avoiding foreign matter contamination of a packaged article.SOLUTION: A packaging material connecting device comprises a packaging material connecting part 30 for connecting a rear end Fe of a first packaging material F1 drawn out from a first web roll R1 in use and a starting end Fs of a second packaging material F2 drawn out from a spare second web roll R2. One of the rear end Fe of the first packaging material F1 and the starting end Fs of the second packaging material F2 has holes 5 penetrating a laminated packaging material F in the thickness direction. The one of the rear end Fe and the starting end Fs has a folded part 3 in which sealant base materials 1b and 2b face each other, and the sealant base materials 1b and 2b on a tip side portion 3b with respect to the holes 5 are folded in such a manner that the surface layers 1a and 2a side can be seen through the holes 5. The packaging material connecting part 30 comprises: a holding part 35 for holding the rear end Fe of the first packaging material F1 and the starting end Fs of the second packaging material F2 where the sealant base materials 1b and 2b of the first packaging material F1 and the second packaging material F2 face each other across the holes 5; and a sealing part 34 and 37 for joining the sealant base materials 1b and 2b by pressing the packaging material position where the sealant base materials face each other across the holes 5.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a packaging material connecting device that connects packaging materials pulled out from two raw material rolls used in a packaging machine. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a packaging machine that feeds out a strip-shaped film from a roll of packaging film wound up and forms the film to package an item to be packaged is provided with a film connection device that connects the film of the roll of film currently being used that is being fed out toward the packaging machine to the film of a new roll of film that is set as a replacement. It is known that the film connection device connects the starting end of the film fed out from the roll of film currently being used to the starting end of the film of the new roll of film in various ways when the remaining amount of film on the roll of film currently being used is low or when switching the type of packaged item, etc.

[0003] However, when using a laminated film in which the sealant layer is exposed only on the back side of the film, even if two new and old films are stacked with their surface layers facing the same side, the surface layer exists between the two films, and they are in a state of being isolated from each other. Therefore, even if the area where the two films are polymerized is heated, one sealant layer cannot be welded to the other sealant layer. Therefore, as a method of connecting such laminated films, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique of joining the new and old films with tape or the like. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 58-109347 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, when using tape to connect the old and new films, it is necessary to peel off the backing paper attached to the adhesive surface of the tape, and there is a risk that the backing paper may become mixed in with the packaged product as a foreign object.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a packaging material connecting device capable of preventing foreign matter from being mixed into packaged products. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, the packaging material connecting device of the present invention takes the following measures. First, the invention according to claim 1 is a packaging material connecting device for connecting laminated packaging materials (F1, F2) each having at least a surface layer (1a, 2a) made of a base material and an innermost layer made of a sealant substrate (1b, 2b), the sealant substrate (1b) at the rear end (Fe) of the strip-shaped first packaging material (F1) unwound from a first original roll (R1) in use around which the laminated packaging material (F1) is wound, and the laminated packaging material (F2 ... second original roll (R1) around which the laminated packaging material (F2) is wound. The laminated packaging material (F1, F2) has a packaging material connection portion (30) that connects the sealant substrate (2b) to a start end (Fs) of a strip-shaped second packaging material (F2) pulled out from a roll (R2). One of the rear end (Fe) of the first packaging material (F1) and the start end (Fs) of the second packaging material (F2) has a hole (5) that penetrates in the thickness direction of the laminated packaging material (F1, F2). The sealant substrate (1b, 2b) on the front end (3b) side of the hole (5) extends from the hole (5) to the surface layer (1a). The packaging material connection portion (30) is a folded portion (3) folded back so as to expose the surface layer (1a, 2a) side from the one of the holes (5), and the sealant substrate (1b, 2b) at the folded portion (3) exposed from the one of the holes (5) and the other of the sealant substrates (1b, 2b) at the rear end (Fe) of the first packaging material (F1) or the start end (Fs) of the second packaging material (F2) face each other across the hole (5). The sealing material (1b, 2b) is characterized in that it comprises a holding portion (35) which holds the rear end portion (Fe) and the starting end portion (Fs) of the second packaging material (F2), and a sealing body (34) which can come into contact with and separate from a packaging position where the sealant substrates (1b, 2b) face each other across the hole (5), and which joins the sealant substrates (1b, 2b) facing each other via the hole (5) by the sealing body (34) pressing against the packaging position.

[0008] According to the invention of claim 1, either the rear end (Fe) of the first packaging material (F1) drawn from the first original roll (R1) in use or the start end (Fs) of the second packaging material (F2) drawn from the spare second original roll (R2) has a folded-back portion (3) in which the front end (3b) side is folded back so that the sealant substrates (1b, 2b) face each other. The rear end (Fe) of the first packaging material (F1) or the start end (Fs) of the second packaging material (F2) has a hole (5) formed at an arbitrary position on the original roll (R1, R2) side from the folding position (3a) of the folded-back portion (3). The hole (5) is formed so that the sealant substrates (1b, 2b) between the folding position (3a) of the folded-back portion (3) and the front end (3b) of the packaging material (F1, F2) can be seen through the hole (5) to the surface layer (1a, 2a) side. In the holding section (35), the rear end (Fe) of the first packaging material (F1) and the start end (Fs) of the second packaging material (F2) are arranged to overlap with each other so that the hole (5) is located inside. As a result, the sealant substrates (1b, 2b) of the rear end (Fe) of the first packaging material (F1) and the start end (Fs) of the second packaging material (F2) face each other across the hole (5). Then, the sealer (34) presses the packaging material position where the hole (5) is formed, so that the sealant substrates (1b, 2b) of the first packaging material (F1) and the second packaging material (F2) are joined together through the hole (5). Therefore, the rear end (Fe) of the strip-shaped first packaging material (F1) pulled out from the first original roll (R1) in use and the start end (Fs) of the strip-shaped second packaging material (F2) pulled out from the spare second original roll (R2) can be connected without using tape or the like. Therefore, it is possible to provide a packaging material connecting device that can prevent foreign matter from being mixed into packaged products.

[0009] Next, the invention according to claim 2, which is dependent on claim 1, is characterized in that the folded portion (3) and the hole (5) are formed at the starting end (Fs) of the second packaging material (F2).

[0010] According to the invention of claim 2, the folded portion (3) and the hole (5) for connecting the laminated packaging material (F1, F2) are formed at the starting end (Fs) of the second packaging material (F2). As a result, for example, even while the first original roll (R1) is still being used, the folded portion (3) and the hole (5) can be formed at the starting end (Fs) of the second packaging material (F2) in parallel. Also, the folded portion (3) and the hole (5) can be formed in advance before the second original roll (R2) is disposed. Therefore, a decrease in productivity can be suppressed compared to the case where the folded portion (3) and the hole (5) are formed at the rear end (Fe) of the first original roll (R1).

[0011] Next, the invention of claim 3 dependent on claim 2 is characterized in that a hole forming section (20) for forming the hole (5) in the starting end (Fs) of the second packaging material (F2) is disposed between the position where the second original roll (R2) is disposed and the position where the packaging material connection section (30) is disposed.

[0012] According to the invention of claim 3, after the second original roll (R2) is disposed at a predetermined position, the starting end (Fs) of the second packaging material (F2) can be pulled out and transferred to the hole forming section (20), where the hole (5) can be formed in the starting end (Fs) of the second packaging material (F2). The starting end (Fs) of the second packaging material (F2) with the hole (5) formed therein is transferred to the packaging material connecting section (30) and connected to the rear end (Fe) of the first packaging material (F1). In other words, even if the second original roll (R2) in which the hole (5) is not formed in advance is disposed, the hole (5) can be formed in the starting end (Fs) of the second packaging material (F2) in the packaging material connecting device before being transferred to the packaging material connecting section (30).

[0013] Next, the invention of claim 4 which is dependent on any one of claims 1 to 3 is characterized in that either the rear end (Fe) of the first packaging material (F1) or the starting end (Fs) of the second packaging material (F2) is folded back so that the sealant substrate (1b, 2b) on the tip side of the hole (5) is exposed through the hole (5) to the surface layer (1a, 2a) side, so that the sealant substrates (1b, 2b) face each other, and at least a part of the opposing sealant substrates (1b, 2b) has a joint (6) joined by heating.

[0014] According to the invention of claim 4, the sealant base materials (1b, 2b) that are folded back and facing each other are joined at least at some locations by heating. This fixes the position of the folding position (3a) of the folded back portion (3), and can prevent the folded back laminated packaging material (F1, F2) from opening or the overlapping of the laminated packaging materials (F1, F2) from becoming misaligned. In addition, the folded back portion (3) of the laminated packaging material (F1, F2) can be easily positioned at the packaging material connection portion (30).

[0015] Next, the invention of claim 5 dependent on claim 4 is characterized in that the joint (6) is located on the folded-back position (3a) side of the hole (5) where the laminated packaging material (F1, F2) is folded back.

[0016] According to the invention of claim 5, the joint (6) is located closer to the folded position (3a) than the position of the hole (5). By providing the joint (6) at a location close to the folded position (3a) of the folded-back portion (3), it is possible to prevent the folded-back rear end (Fe) of the first packaging material (F1) or the folded-back start end (Fs) of the second packaging material (F2) from spreading in the thickness direction on the folded-back position (3a) side. This allows the surfaces of the opposing sealant substrates (1b, 2b) to be firmly overlapped at the location where the hole (5) of the folded-back portion (3) is formed. Effect of the Invention

[0017] The present invention can provide a packaging material connecting device that can prevent foreign matter from being mixed into packaged products. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a front view showing the packaging material connecting device and a film transfer path according to the embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a front view showing the packaging material connecting device and the transfer robot according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is a side view of a hole forming portion according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a plan view of a hole forming portion according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] 4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating a folded portion of the film according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a connection portion according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] 13 is a diagram showing a process of transferring the leading end of the second film to a hole forming section by a hand unit. FIG. [Figure 8] 1A is a diagram showing a state in which the starting end of the second film is placed on the holding part of the hole forming unit, and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing a step of forming a hole in the starting end of the second film by rotating a first rotating part of the hole forming unit. [Figure 9] 1A is a diagram showing a process of transferring the leading end of the second film to the connection part by the hand part, and FIG. [Figure 10] 1A is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the starting end of the second film is placed in the joint, and FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram showing a process in which the rear end of the first film and the starting end of the second film are joined. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] The present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in Fig. 1, the packaging material connecting device according to the present embodiment is a film connecting device that connects new and old strip-shaped films F1 and F2 (laminated packaging materials) that are pulled out from original rolls R1 and R2 and sent to a packaging machine.

[0020] The packaging machine of this embodiment is a bag making and filling device that forms the strip-shaped films F1, F2 fed from the original rolls R1, R2 into a cylindrical shape using a bag former 59, applies vertical seals along the film feed direction using a vertical sealing means (not shown) at the points where both the left and right edge portions of the cylindrical films F1, F2 overlap, and applies horizontal seals along the left and right direction intersecting the film feed direction using a horizontal sealing means (not shown) at points at the front and rear of the articles contained in the cylindrical films F1, F2 in the film feed direction, to produce pillow packaged products.

[0021] The films F1 and F2 (laminated packaging material) according to this embodiment are laminated films having a surface layer made of a base material and an innermost layer made of a sealant material. The raw roll R in use around which the laminated film is wound is called the first raw roll R1, and the spare raw roll R is called the second raw roll R2. As shown in FIG. 1, the first raw roll R1 is disposed in one of the paper roll set sections 12 of the raw roll loading section 10 described later, and the first film F1 drawn from the first raw roll R1 is sent toward the bag former 59 of the packaging machine. The second raw roll R2 is disposed in the other paper roll set section 12 of the raw roll loading section 10. The second film F2 drawn from the second raw roll R2 is connected to the first film F1 by a connection section 30 (packaging material connection section) described later. The first film F1 and the second film F2 are two-layer films, and as shown in FIG. 10, surface layers 1a and 2a are laminated on the front side and sealant layers 1b and 2b are laminated on the back side.

[0022] Next, a film supply path that transfers the films F1, F2 from the original rolls R1, R2 toward the bag former 59 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, an original roll loading section 10 is disposed at the most upstream of the film supply path. A film connection device is disposed near the original roll loading section 10. Downstream of the film connection device in the film supply path, guide rollers 50, 51 that wrap and guide the films F1, F2, first pay-out rollers 52, 53 and second pay-out rollers 55, 56 that pay-out the films F1, F2 toward the bag former 59 are disposed, and step rollers 54a, 54b are disposed between the first pay-out rollers 52, 53 and the second pay-out rollers 55, 56. An approach angle adjustment section 58 is disposed downstream of the second pay-out rollers 55, 56.

[0023] The original web roll loading section 10 includes a rotor 11 that is rotated by commands from a packaging control section (not shown) that controls the packaging operation of the packaging machine, and two paper roll set sections 12 that extend forward from the rotor 11. In the original web roll loading section 10, each of the paper roll set sections 12 supports a first original web roll R1 from which films F1, F2 are sent out toward the bag former 59, and a spare second original web roll R2. The first original web roll R1 and the second original web roll R2 are rotated by controlling the rotation of each of the paper roll set sections 12. A detector 13 that detects the starting ends Fs of the films F1, F2 is disposed above the rotor 11.

[0024] The film splicing device includes film cutting units 15, 16 that cut the first film F1 sent out from the first original roll R1, a hole forming unit 20 that forms a splicing hole 5 (hole) in the starting end Fs of the second film F2, a splicing unit 30 that connects the rear end Fe of the cut first film F1 to the starting end Fs of the second film F2, and a transport robot 40 that sucks and holds the starting end Fs of the second film F2 wound around the second original roll R2 and then transports the second film F2, and a packaging control unit (not shown) that issues drive commands to these units. In addition, between the film cutting units 15, 16 and the splicing unit 30, a guide roller 17 and a suction unit 18 that sucks and holds the cut first film F1 are provided. The film cutting units 15, 16, the suction unit 18, the hole forming unit 20, the splicing unit 30, and the transport robot 40 are all supported by the main frame on the rear side.

[0025] The film cutting units 15 and 16 each include a cutting blade housing 15 and a receiving unit 16. The cutting blade housing 15 is disposed at an upper position away from the film supply path. A cutting blade (not shown) having a length that crosses the films F1 and F2 is disposed in the cutting blade housing 15 along the film width direction that intersects with the film feed direction. The cutting blade can be moved back and forth between the upper position and the position of the first film F1 on the film supply path by a driving means such as a cylinder. The receiving units 16 are disposed at positions adjacent to the film rolls R1 and R2 set in each paper roll setting unit 12 on the rotating body 11. The receiving units 16 include a recess (not shown) that receives the cutting blade and a roller (not shown) for feeding the films F1 and F2. The film cutting units 15, 16 receive a film cutting command issued based on information from the packaging control unit that the first film F1 of the first original roll R1 in use has finished or original roll replacement command information and information on the film feed amount, and the drive means operates to cut the first film F1 of the first original roll R1 with a cutting blade.

[0026] The suction section 18 is a plate-like member extending in the film feed direction and has a suction surface that suction-holds the films F1, F2 from the sides of the surface layers 1a, 2a. This makes it possible to feed the first film F1 toward the connection section 30 while holding the rear end Fe of the cut first film F1 so that it does not fall downward.

[0027] The hole forming section 20 is provided between the position where the second original roll R2 is disposed and the position where the connection section 30 is disposed. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the hole forming section 20 includes a first holding section 21, and a first rotating section 23 and a second rotating section 24 supported by a subframe extending forward from the main frame. A first sealing section 29 is disposed below the first holding section 21.

[0028] The first holding section 21 is a housing and includes suction means for sucking the second film F2. A suction device is disposed inside the housing. A plurality of film suction holes 25 are formed in the upper part of one surface (right side surface) of the first holding section 21 along the vertical direction. The suction means is composed of the suction device and the film suction holes 25. In addition, a plurality of holes 26 aligned in a row in the depth direction are formed in the lower part of the one surface. The lower hole 26 functions as a hole forming die for receiving a punch 27 described later and forming a connection hole 5 in the starting end Fs of the second film F2.

[0029] The first rotating part 23 is a housing, and is supported rotatably about a rotation axis 23a supported by the subframe 22. On one surface of the first rotating part 23, a plurality of punches 27 are arranged in a row in the depth direction, and a first seal block 28 is arranged in parallel with the plurality of punches 27. The first seal block 28 is heated by a heating means such as a heater. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the surface of the first rotating part 23 on which the punches 27 and the first seal block 28 are arranged is usually directed upward, and when the second film F2 is held by the first holding part 21, the first rotating part 23 rotates toward the first holding part 21 and then returns to its original position.

[0030] The second rotating part 24 is a receiving plate, and is supported rotatably around a rotating shaft 24a supported by the subframe 22. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the second rotating part 24 usually has a plate surface facing upward, and when the second film F2 is held by the first holding part 21, the second rotating part 24 rotates toward the first holding part 21 side in synchronization with the rotation of the first rotating part 23, and then returns to its original position. When the second rotating part 24 rotates toward the first holding part 21 side, the second rotating part 24 clamps the start end Fs (folded part 3) of the second film F2 that has been folded back between the first sealing part 29 and the first sealing block 28 of the first rotating part 23, and performs line sealing. This forms the joint part 6. At this time, each punch 27 of the first rotating part 23 enters the lower hole 26 (hole forming die) of the first holding part 21, and forms a plurality of circular connection holes 5 in the start end Fs of the second film F2. Each punch 27 is heated by a heating means such as a heater, and each connection hole 5 is formed by thermally melting the starting end Fs of the second film F2.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 5, the starting end Fs of the second film F2 is formed with a folded portion 3 and a plurality of connection holes 5 by the hole forming section 20. The folded portion 3 is a region from the folded position 3a of the folded second film F2 to the tip 3b side. The sealant layer 2b in the folded portion 3 faces the sealant layer 2b on the second original roll R2 side from the folded position 3a. In the region of the second film F2 overlapping with the folded portion 3 on the second original roll R2 side from the folded position 3a, a plurality of connection holes 5 are formed penetrating the second film F2 in the thickness direction. Then, the sealant layer 2b on the tip 3b side from the folded position 3a peeks out from the connection holes 5 to the surface layer 2a side. The location where the connection holes 5 are formed is defined as the film position. Furthermore, on the folded position 3a side from the connection holes 5, a joint portion 6 is formed in which the opposing sealant layers 2b are sealed linearly along the width direction of the film F.

[0032] 1 and 6, the connection section 30 includes an upper support 31 disposed above the first film F1 on the connection film supply path, and a lower support 32 disposed below the first film F1. The main bodies of the upper support 31 and the lower support 32 are each cantilevered by a moving frame 33 disposed at the rear side of the upper support 31 and the lower support 32.

[0033] The upper support 31 is provided with a second seal block 34 (sealing body) that can move up and down relative to the main body. The second seal block 34 is moved by a driving means such as a cylinder. The second seal block 34 can come into contact with and separate from a position on the first film F1 where it overlaps with the film position (packaging position) of the second film F2. The lower end of the second seal block 34 is provided with a heating surface that is heated by heating means such as a heater. By moving downward, the second seal block 34 brings the heating surface into contact with the rear end Fe of the first film F1 and the starting end Fs of the second film F2 that overlap on the film supply path, heating these films F1, F2.

[0034] The lower support 32 includes a receiving platform 35 that is rotatable relative to the main body. The receiving platform 35 is connected to a rotating shaft 35a via a support member, and rotates around the rotating shaft 35a by a driving means such as a motor or a cylinder. The receiving platform 35 has a flat surface 36 in which suction holes 36a are formed, and rotates so that the flat surface 36 faces a position facing the heating surface of the second seal block 34 and a position facing the first holding part 21 of the hole forming part 20. The receiving platform 35 is also connected to an air pipe 39 that passes through the rotating shaft 35a, and holds the starting end Fs of the second film F2 sent out from the second original roll R2 by suction on the flat surface 36. The receiving base 35 functions as a second holding portion (holding portion) that holds the rear end Fe of the first film F1 and the starting end Fs of the second film F2, which are opposed to each other across the connection hole 5, by the sealant layer 2b at the folded portion 3 peeking toward the surface layer 2a side from the connection hole 5 of the second film F2 and the sealant layer 1b at the rear end Fe of the first film F1.

[0035] The receiving table 35 has a receiving surface 37 for holding the first film F1 and the second film F2. The receiving surface 37 is a surface with a central portion of the flat surface 36 of the receiving table 35 recessed inward, and extends along the width direction of the film. When the flat surface 36 of the receiving table 35 is rotated to a position facing the second seal block 34, the receiving surface 37 is located below the second seal block 34. The heating surface and receiving surface 37 of the second seal block 34 constitute a second seal section that holds the first film F1 and the second film F2. The second seal section bonds the sealant layers 1b and 2b facing each other via the connection hole 5 by the second seal block 34 pressing the film position.

[0036] The moving frame 33 is configured to be reciprocally movable in the horizontal direction (left and right direction) along a pair of upper and lower guide rails 33a, 33b arranged on the rear side. The moving frame 33 moves by a driving means (not shown) such as a motor or a cylinder upon receiving a command from the packaging control unit. The reciprocating movement of the moving frame 33 in the horizontal direction allows the upper support 31 and the lower support 32 to move together in the horizontal direction.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 2, the transfer robot 40 includes an arm unit 41 indirectly connected to the film F1 and a hand unit 42 mounted on the tip of the arm unit 41. A guide rail (not shown) extending in the left-right direction is provided on the main frame, and the arm unit 41 is supported by the guide rail so as to be movable in the left-right direction. Upon receiving a drive command from the transfer robot control unit, the transfer robot 40 rotates the arm unit 41 to freely move the hand unit 42 to a predetermined position in the horizontal and vertical directions, and can change the orientation (angle) of the hand unit 42 by rotating the hand unit 42 at the tip of the arm unit 41. The hand unit 42 includes a film holding means capable of suction-holding the starting end Fs of the films F1 and F2. The hand unit 42 holds the starting end Fs of the second film F2 by the film holding means with its longitudinal direction facing the width direction of the second film F2, and transfers the held second film F2 to each working position.

[0038] The packaging control section drives and controls the drive means such as the motors and cylinders described above. The packaging control section also issues drive commands based on operation signals (such as pulses) from encoders or the like attached to these drive means. The transfer robot control section has the operation pattern of the transfer robot 40, such as the movement path, position, and movement speed of the support surface of the hand section 42, preset before operation via an operation panel. The transfer robot control section receives operation command information of the preset operation pattern from the packaging control section and issues a drive command to the transfer robot 40. The support surface of the hand section 42 moves along its movement path based on a series of film threading movements preset and stored before operation. The packaging control section also receives information such as the angle and position of the arm of the transfer robot 40 and the position of the hand section 42 by mutual communication with the transfer robot control section, and drives and controls the drive sections that drive the rollers.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 1, the first feed rollers 52, 53 include a drive roller 52 and a driven roller 53 that form a pair and extend in the width direction of the films F1, F2. The drive roller 52 and the driven roller 53 are each supported by a support. When the drive roller 52 receives a drive command from the packaging control unit, the drive roller 52 is driven to rotate, and the driven roller 53 rotates following the drive roller 52 while sandwiching the films F1, F2 between the drive roller 52 and the driven roller 53. With this configuration, the films F1, F2 are sandwiched from the front and back and sent out toward the bag former 59. The driven roller 53 is configured to move in the vertical direction together with the support. When the driven roller 53 moves upward, a gap is created between the drive roller 52 and the driven roller 53, and the films F1, F2 can be passed from the front side by, for example, the hand unit 42 of the transfer robot 40.

[0040] The stepped rollers 54a and 54b are disposed between the first pay-out rollers 52 and 53 and the second pay-out rollers 55 and 56, and include a plurality of rollers that wind and guide the films F1 and F2. Specifically, the stepped rollers 54a and 54b include two fixed rollers 54a and three movable rollers 54b below them, and the films F1 and F2 are transported alternately via the movable rollers 54b and the fixed rollers 54a. As a result, when the amount of film supply is insufficient due to a film splicing operation upstream of the stepped rollers 54a and 54b in the film supply path, the movable rollers 54b move up and down to adjust the length of the films F1 and F2 being transported. That is, the stepped rollers 54a and 54b have a film storage function that compensates for the amount of film sent by the second pay-out rollers 55 and 56 toward the bag former 59. This enables continuous packaging.

[0041] Similar to the first pay-out rollers 52, 53, the second pay-out rollers 55, 56 include a drive roller 55 and a driven roller 56 that form a pair and extend in the width direction of the films F1, F2. A guide roller 57 that can wrap and guide the films F1, F2 is provided upstream of the drive roller 55 so as to be parallel to the drive roller 55. When the drive roller 55 is driven to rotate upon receiving a drive command from the packaging control unit, the driven roller 56 rotates following the drive roller 55 with the films F1, F2 sandwiched between it and the drive roller 55. With this configuration, the films F1, F2 pulled out from the stepped rollers 54a, 54b are sandwiched from the front and back and sent out toward the bag former 59.

[0042] The approach angle adjustment unit 58 is disposed downstream of the second payout rollers 55 and 56, and includes a guide roller 60 and a SCARA robot. The SCARA robot includes a first pivot arm 61 and a second pivot arm 62 that extend along the conveying direction and rotate. The first pivot arm 61 and the second pivot arm 62 each rotate by the driving force of a servo motor (not shown) that is driven and controlled by a SCARA robot control unit that receives a drive command from a packaging control unit. The second pivot arm 62 supports two guide rollers 63 and 64 at one end so as to extend in the depth direction perpendicular to the conveying direction. One of the two guide rollers functions as an approach angle adjustment roller 64, and can adjust the angle at which the films F1 and F2 approach the bag former 59. In this embodiment, the SCARA robot servo motor (not shown) is rotated by a drive command issued by a SCARA robot control unit (not shown), but the packaging control unit (not shown) may directly issue a drive command.

[0043] The bag former 59 is disposed downstream of the approach angle adjustment unit 58, and overlaps both side edges of the fed films F1, F2 to form a tubular film. The bag former 59 is structured such that the upper part of the bag former 59 main body is moved by a driving means (not shown) to separate the main body of the bag former 59 into an upper and lower part, the films F1, F2 are passed between the upper and lower parts by the transfer robot 40, and then the upper part of the bag former 59 main body is returned to its original position, so that the films F1, F2 are automatically set in the bag former 59, but a detailed description thereof will be omitted in this application.

[0044] Next, the process of connecting the films F1 and F2 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, a spare second original roll R2 carried by a dolly is set on the holding shaft of the paper roll setting section 12 by a robot (not shown). When the second original roll R2 is set on the paper roll setting section 12, the state is detected and a signal is sent to the packaging control section. The holding shaft of the paper roll setting section 12 rotates upon receiving a drive command from the packaging control section. Then, when the detector 13 detects the starting end Fs of the second film F2, the shaft rotates and stops so that the starting end Fs is located at a predetermined position. Based on information about the detected starting end Fs, the hand section 42 of the transfer robot 40 adsorbs the starting end Fs of the second film F2 and pulls out the strip-shaped second film F2 from the second original roll R2.

[0045] 7, the transfer robot 40 suction-holds the starting end Fs of the second film F2 with the hand unit 42 and transfers it to the first holding unit 21. At this time, the paper roll setting unit 12 holding the second original roll R2 is rotated in the direction in which the second film F2 is pulled out, and the hand unit 42 rotates about its axis to change the orientation of the support surface so that the second film F2 does not separate from the hand unit 42, transferring the starting end Fs of the second film F2.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 8(A), the hand unit 42 passes above the first holding unit 21 and fixes the second film F2 by wrapping it around the first holding unit 21 in a clockwise direction. As a result, the second film F2 is wrapped around the first holding unit 21 so that the sealant layer 2b of the second film F2 faces inward. The hand unit 42 moves to the lower side of the first holding unit 21 while smoothing out wrinkles in the second film F2 along the right side surface of the first holding unit 21. Then, the hand unit 42 abuts the starting end Fs of the second film F2 against the left side surface of the first holding unit 21. At this time, in order to form a joint 6 near the folded-back position 3a of the folded-back portion 3, the second film F2 is shifted below the first holding unit 21 and slackened. The second film F2 wrapped around the first holding unit 21 is sucked by the suction means. The hand unit 42 sucks and holds the starting end Fs by sandwiching the second film F2 between the hand unit 42 and the left side surface of the first holding unit 21.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 8B, when the second film F2 is wrapped around the first holding unit 21, the first rotating unit 23 and the second rotating unit 24 rotate in response to a drive command based on the detection information. On the right side of the first holding unit 21, a connection hole 5 is opened by heater punching in the starting end Fs of the second film F2. On the lower side of the first holding unit 21, a line seal is applied to the folded-back portion 3 where the starting end Fs is folded back. Specifically, the folded-back opposing sealant layers 2b are sandwiched between the first seal block 28 and the first seal unit 29 on the folded-back position 3a side from the connection hole 5 and welded by heat to form the joint 6. The first rotating unit 23 and the second rotating unit 24 rotate to return to their original positions. Then, the suction of the second film F2 by the hand unit 42 is released, and the first holding unit 21 continues to hold the starting end Fs of the second film F2, causing the folded portion 3 (starting end Fs) of the second film F2 to hang down.

[0048] The hand unit 42, which has released the suction of the second film F2 and moved away from the second film F2, moves toward the first holding unit 21 to suck and hold the starting end Fs of the second film F2 that is being sucked and held by the first holding unit 21. Then, as shown in FIG. 9A, the hand unit 42 transfers the folded-back starting end Fs of the second film F2 to the connecting unit 30. Specifically, the hand unit 42, which has sucked and held the folded-back portion 3, moves to bring the folded-back portion 3 into contact with the receiving base 35 (second holding unit) that faces the first holding unit 21 of the hole forming unit 20. The receiving base 35 sucks and fixes the folded-back portion 3 of the second film F2 on the plane 36 having the suction hole 36a. At this time, the connecting hole 5 formed in the starting end Fs of the second film F2 is disposed so as to face the receiving surface 37 (see FIG. 6). The joining unit 6 is located above the connecting hole 5.

[0049] As shown in Fig. 9(B), when the receiving stand 35 holds the starting end Fs of the second film F2 by suction, the receiving stand 35 rotates so that the receiving surface 37 of the receiving stand 35 faces the heated surface of the second seal block 34. As shown in Fig. 10(A), the folded-back portion 3 of the second film F2 is positioned so that the connection hole 5 of the folded-back portion 3 is located directly below the second seal block 34, and the sealant layer 2b on the tip end 3b side located below it peeks out from the connection hole 5 toward the surface layer 2a. The first film F1 in use is transported between the folded-back portion 3 of the second film F2 and the second seal block 34.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 10B, when the rear end Fe of the first film F1, which is cut by the film cutting units 15 and 16 and continuously conveyed toward the bag former 59, arrives below the second seal block 34 of the upper support 31, the second seal block 34 descends based on the detection information of the rear end Fe of the first film F1 and presses the film position from the surface layer 1a side of the first film F1. By the second seal block 34 pressing the film position, the sealant layer 2b of the first film F1 and the sealant layer 2b at the folded portion 3 of the second film F2 are overlapped and sealed via the connection hole 5. As a result, the rear end Fe of the first film F1 and the starting end Fs of the second film F2 are connected. When the second seal block 34 descends and is close to the receiving surface 37, the moving frame 33 moves in the film feed direction (rightward; downstream of the film transport path) at the same speed as the transport speed of the first film F1. As a result, upper support 31 and lower support 32 move together in unison with the flow of film transport, with first film F1 and second film F2 sandwiched between them.

[0051] After the splicing of the films F1 and F2 is completed, the second seal block 34 of the upper support 31 is raised and the movable frame 33 is moved in the opposite direction to the film feed direction (to the left) to return to its original position. Then, the rotating body 11 of the original roll loading unit 10 is rotated counterclockwise to switch the position of the paper roll setting unit 12.

[0052] The device according to the above embodiment has the following advantages. (1) The start end Fs of the second film F2 (second packaging material) drawn from the spare second original roll R2 has a folded portion 3 with the leading end 3b side folded back so that the sealant layers 2b (sealant base material) face each other. The start end fs of the second film F2 has a connection hole 5 (hole) formed at an arbitrary position on the second original roll R2 side from the folded position 3a of the folded portion 3. The connection hole 5 is formed so that the sealant layer 2b between the folded position 3a of the folded portion 3 and the leading end 3b of the second film F2 peeks out from the connection hole 5 to the surface layer 2a side. In the receiving stand 35 functioning as the second holding portion (holding portion), the rear end Fe of the first film F1 and the start end Fs of the second film F2 are overlapped and arranged so that the connection hole 5 is located inside. As a result, the sealant layers 2b of the rear end Fe of the first film F1 and the start end Fs of the second film F2 face each other across the connection hole 5. Then, the second seal block 34 (sealing body) presses against the film position (packaging position) where the connection hole 5 is formed, thereby joining the sealant layers 1b, 2b of the first film F1 and the second film F2 to each other through the connection hole 5. Therefore, the rear end Fe of the strip-shaped first film F1 pulled out from the first original roll R1 in use and the starting end Fs of the strip-shaped second film F2 pulled out from the spare second original roll R2 can be connected without using tape or the like. Therefore, it is possible to provide a packaging connecting device that can prevent foreign matter from being mixed into the packaged product. (2) By forming the folded portion 3 and the connection hole 5 (hole) for connecting the films F1 and F2 at the starting end Fs of the second film F2, for example, even while the first original roll R1 is still being used, the folded portion 3 and the connection hole 5 can be formed in parallel at the starting end Fs of the second film F2. Also, the folded portion 3 and the connection hole 5 can be formed in advance before the second original roll R2 is disposed. Therefore, a decrease in productivity can be suppressed compared to the case where the folded portion 3 and the connection hole 5 are formed at the rear end Fe of the first original roll R1. (3) After the second original roll R2 is disposed in the paper roll setting section 12, the starting end Fs of the second film F2 can be pulled out and transferred to the hole forming section 20, where a connecting hole 5 can be formed in the starting end Fs of the second film F2. The starting end Fs of the second film F2 with the connecting hole 5 formed therein is transferred to the connecting section 30 and connected to the rear end Fe of the first film F1. In other words, even if the second original roll R2 is disposed in which the second film F2 does not have a connecting hole 5 formed therein in advance, the second film F2 can be transferred to the connecting section 30 after the connecting hole 5 is formed in the starting end Fs of the second film F2 in the packaging material connecting device. (4) The start end Fs of the second film F2 is folded back so that the opposing sealant layers 2b are bonded together at least in some places by heating. This fixes the position of the fold-back position 3a of the fold-back portion 3, preventing the start end Fs of the folded back second film F2 from opening or the overlap of the films from becoming misaligned. In addition, the fold-back portion 3 of the second film F2 can be easily positioned at the connection portion 30. (5) The joint 6 is located closer to the folded-back position 3a than the position of the connection hole 5 (hole) in the folded-back portion 3. By providing the joint 6 at a location close to the folded-back position 3a of the folded-back portion 3, it is possible to prevent the start end fs of the folded-back second film F2 from spreading in the thickness direction on the side of the folded-back position 3a. This allows the faces of the opposing sealant layers 2b to be firmly overlapped at the location where the connection hole 5 of the folded-back portion 3 is formed. This makes it easier to position the start end Fs of the second film F2 at the connection portion 30. (6) The hole forming section 20 forms the connection hole 5 in the folded portion 3 by melting the film using heater punching. This allows the hole to be formed without producing film waste, making it possible to prevent foreign matter from being mixed into the packaged product.

[0053] <Example of change> The present invention is not limited to the configurations described in the above-mentioned embodiments, and various modifications, additions, and deletions are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. (1) In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the starting end Fs of the second film F2 was melted by heater punching to form a hole (connection hole 5). However, for example, a hole may be formed by punching out a part of the rear end Fe of the first film F1 or the starting end Fs of the second film F2 with a punch or the like. (2) The shape of the holes formed in the laminated film is not limited to a perfect circle, but may be various shapes such as an elongated hole, an angular shape, or an asymmetric shape. (3) The number of holes formed in the laminate film may be one, but more preferably, multiple holes. As long as each hole is located closer to the leading end of the film than the fold line of the laminate film, the holes may be arranged in a line or in a staggered pattern. It is more preferable to arrange the holes so that the peripheries of the multiple holes are aligned in a straight line at the position where they contact the fold line of the laminate film. (4) In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which line sealing was performed when the hole (connection hole 5) was formed in the starting end Fs of the second film F2 by the hole forming unit 20, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration in which line sealing is not performed may also be used. For example, when the starting end Fs of the second film F2 in which a hole has been formed is transferred to the connection unit 30 by the hand unit 42, a film holding means consisting of a claw or the like may be used to hold the second films F2 together in the folded-back unit 3 until sealing is completed. The film holding means is movable by being driven by a driving means such as a cylinder when the starting end Fs is attracted to the lower support 32 and the hand unit 42 releases the attraction to separate the film holding means from the starting end Fs. This can prevent the overlapping of the films in the folded-back unit 3 from shifting. (5) In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which a single robot (transfer robot 40) rotates the arm portion 41 to freely move the hand portion 42 in the horizontal and vertical directions, and changes the angle of the hand portion 42 to transfer the held second film F2 to each working position. However, this is not limited to this, and a configuration in which, for example, the packaging material (e.g., the second film F2) is held by multiple actuators while being transferred may also be used. (6) The laminated packaging material of the present invention is a laminated film having two or more layers and having a sealant layer provided only on one side, either the back side or the front side, of the film. The film material constituting the surface is not limited to resin but also includes packaging materials made of various materials such as aluminum vapor deposition and paper. (7) In the above embodiment, a connection hole 5 is formed in the second film F2 on the spare second original roll R2 side, and a folded-back portion 3 is formed in the second film F2. However, a hole may be formed in the rear end portion Fe of the first film F1 on the first original roll R1 side in use, and the first film F1 may be folded back. (8) The processing of holes or the like in the starting end Fs of the second film F2 of the spare second original roll R2 may be performed automatically or manually using a separately prepared hole forming device or the like before the second original roll R2 is loaded into the paper roll setting section 12. Also, the starting end Fs of the second film F2 may be automatically or manually folded back so that the sealant layers 2b overlap each other using a separately prepared film folding device or the like. By loading the second original roll R2, in which the holes (connection holes 5) and the folded back portion 3 have been formed in the starting end Fs in advance, into the paper roll setting section 12, it is only necessary to set the starting end Fs of the second film F2 in the connection portion 30, and therefore the entire device can be made compact when the film connecting device is installed in the packaging machine. (9) Furthermore, before the spare second original roll R2 is loaded into the paper roll setting section 12, for example, line seals may be applied automatically or manually to both sides of the starting end Fs where the sealant layers 2b of the second film F2 overlap, or dot-like point seals may be applied to multiple locations of the starting end Fs where the sealant layers 2b of the second film F2 overlap. This allows the worker to easily find and grasp the starting end Fs when pulling it out of the second original roll R2. (10) In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the starting end Fs of the second film F2 is transferred to the connection section 30 by the hand section 42 of the transfer robot 40. However, this is not limited to this. For example, the processes of loading the second original roll R2 into the paper roll setting section 12, pulling out the second film F2, and forming a hole in the starting end Fs may be performed automatically, and the process of setting the starting end Fs of the second film F2 in the connection section 30 may be performed manually by an operator. (11) The method of joining the old and new films F1 and F2 is not limited to a heating method using a heat sealer, but may be a heating method using ultrasonic sealing or the like. (12) The "rear end" of a film may refer to either the area near the end of the film in the film transport direction when the entire film in a raw roll of film in use has been used, or the area near the end of the film in the film transport direction when the film in a raw roll of film in use has been cut midway by a cutting means. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] F1: 1st film (laminated packaging material, 1st packaging material) F2: Second film (laminated packaging material, second packaging material) Fs: Starting end of film (packaging material) Fe: Rear end of film (packaging material) R1: First original roll R2: Second original roll 1a: Surface layer 1b: Sealant layer 2a: Surface layer 2b: Sealant layer 3: Folded portion 3a: Turn-back position 3b: Tip 5: Connection hole (hole) 6: Joint 10: Raw roll loading section 11: Rotating body 12: Paper roll setting section 13: Detection device 15: Cutting blade housing section (film cutting section) 16: Receiving section (film cutting section) 17: Guide roller 18: Suction section 20: Hole forming section 21: First holding section 23: First rotating part 24: Second rotating part 25: Film suction hole 26: Lower hole 27: Punch 28: First seal block 29: First seal section 30: Connection portion (packaging material connection portion) 31: Upper support 32: Lower support 33: Moving frame 33a, 33b: Guide rails 34: Second seal block (seal body, seal portion) 35: Receiving base (second holding portion) 35a: Rotating shaft 36: Flat surface 36a: Suction hole 37: Receiving surface (sealing part) 39: Air piping 40: Transfer robot 41: Arm part 42: Hand unit 50: Guide roller 51: Guide roller 52: Drive roller (first feed roller) 53: Driven roller (first feed roller) 54a: Fixed roller (step roller) 54b: Movable roller (step roller) 55: Drive roller (second feed roller) 56: Driven roller (second feed roller) 57: Guide roller 58: Approach angle adjustment section 59: Bag making device 60: Guide roller 61: First rotating arm (SCARA robot) 62: Second rotating arm (SCARA robot) 63: Guide roller 64: Guide roller (roller for adjusting approach angle)

Claims

1. A packaging material connecting device that connects laminated packaging materials having at least a surface layer made of a base material and an innermost layer made of a sealant material, a packaging material connection portion that connects the sealant substrate at a rear end of a strip-shaped first packaging material unwound from a first original roll in use around which the laminated packaging material is wound, and the sealant substrate at a start end of a strip-shaped second packaging material unwound from a spare second original roll around which the laminated packaging material is wound, One of the rear end of the first packaging material and the start end of the second packaging material has a hole penetrating in a thickness direction of the laminated packaging material, and has a folded-back portion in which the sealant base material on the tip side of the hole is folded back so that the surface layer side is exposed through the hole, The packaging material connection portion is a holder for holding the rear end of the first packaging material and the start end of the second packaging material, the rear end of the first packaging material and the start end of the second packaging material being opposed to each other across the hole, the sealant substrate at the folded portion peeking through the one of the holes toward the surface layer side, and the other of the sealant substrate at the rear end of the first packaging material or the start end of the second packaging material being opposed to each other across the hole; a sealing portion having a sealing body that can be brought into contact with and separated from a packaging position where the sealant substrates face each other across the hole, and which joins the sealant substrates facing each other via the hole by pressing the sealing body against the packaging position.

2. 2. The packaging material connecting device according to claim 1, wherein the folded portion and the hole are formed at a starting end of the second packaging material.

3. 3. The packaging material connecting device according to claim 2, wherein a hole forming section that forms the hole in the starting end of the second packaging material is disposed between a position where the second original roll is disposed and a position where the packaging material connecting section is disposed.

4. 4. The packaging material connecting device according to claim 1, wherein one of the rear end of the first packaging material or the starting end of the second packaging material is folded back so that the sealant substrate on the tip side of the hole is exposed through the hole to face the surface side, so that the sealant substrates face each other, and at least a portion of the opposing sealant substrates has a joint that is joined by heating.

5. 5. The packaging material connecting device according to claim 4, wherein the joint portion is located on the folded-back position side of the hole where the laminated packaging material is folded back.

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