Distribution system for connected individual packaging bag

Abstract

To provide a distribution system for connected packaging bags that can quickly and efficiently perform work for feeding a forefront individual packaging bag, cutting a forefront connected piece between the forefront individual packaging bag and the subsequent individual packaging bag and distributing the forefront individual packaging bag to a distribution destination, in distributing the forefront individual packaging bag.SOLUTION: A distribution device is provided with a transfer mechanism 3 that transfers a connected individual packaging bag 27, an adsorption mechanism 7 that can adsorb a forefront individual packaging bag 28, and a cutting mechanism 34 that can cut a forefront connected piece 31. The adsorption mechanism 7 comprises an adsorption pad 11 and a turning mechanism 8 that can turn the adsorption pad 11 annularly. The adsorption pad 11 adsorbs the forefront individual packaging bag 28 and then the adsorption pad 11 can release the adsorption of the bag by the adsorption mechanism 7 while turning in a direction crossing the transferring direction of the connected individual packaging bag 27 to distribute the forefront individual packaging bag 28 to a distribution destination 32, and also can turn further in the transferring direction from the distribution position to return to an original position, so as to adsorb the subsequent forefront individual packaging bag 28.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a dispensing device which stores food such as liquid soup, spices, seasonings, sauces, mustard, shampoo, medicines, etc., separates a number of connected individual packaging bags connected together via connecting pieces into individual packaging bags at the connecting pieces, and dispenses the individual packaging bags. [Background technology]

[0002] As shown in Patent Document 1, a dispensing device is already known in which a connected individual packaging bag made up of multiple individual packaging bags connected together via connecting pieces is transported by a transport mechanism, the end individual packaging bag located at the end of the connected individual packaging bag is adsorbed by an suction pad at the destination, and the connecting pieces are separated by a cutting mechanism to make the end individual packaging bag into a single individual packaging bag, and this end individual packaging bag is then inserted into a dispensing destination portion such as a container. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Utility Model Registration No. 3236962

[0004] Here, the dispensing method of the conventional dispensing device as described above will be described below. As shown in Fig. 16(a), first, the suction pad (112) is placed above the linked individual packaging bag (111) and at the feeding position (117) of the linked individual packaging bag (111), and then, as shown in Fig. 16(b), the leading individual packaging bag (113) of the linked individual packaging bag (111) is transferred to the feeding position (117) by the transfer mechanism (118). Thereafter, as shown by the arrow in Fig. 16(c), the suction pad (112) slides vertically downward in a straight line to suck the leading individual packaging bag (113), and the leading connection piece (115) is cut by the cutting mechanism (114) as shown in Fig. 16(d), and the leading individual packaging bag (113) is separated from the linked individual packaging bag (111).

[0005] Then, as shown in Fig. 16(e), the suction pad (112) further descends linearly, and the tip individual packaging bag (113) adsorbed to the suction pad (112) is placed in the distribution destination area (116). Then, the suction pad (112) releases the adsorption of the tip individual packaging bag (113), thereby completing the distribution of the tip individual packaging bag (113) to the distribution destination area (116). Thereafter, as shown in Fig. 16(f), the suction pad (112) slides linearly upward to return to its original position, and the next tip individual packaging bag (113) is distributed. The cycle of distribution operations shown in Figs. 16(a) to (f) is continuously repeated. DISCLOSURE OF THEINVENTION [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, in the conventional dispensing device, as described above, the suction pad is linearly slid up and down to distribute the tip individual packaging bags to the distribution destination area, so that after the distribution of the tip individual packaging bags to the distribution destination area is completed, the suction pad passes through the tip individual packaging bag feed position in the transfer mechanism as it slides upward toward its original position.

[0007] Therefore, if the next tip individual packaging bag is fed by the transport mechanism before the suction pad returns to its original position after the end of dispensing the tip individual packaging bag, the tip individual packaging bag and the suction pad may interfere with each other. To avoid this, it is necessary to temporarily stop the feeding of the next tip individual packaging bag by the transport mechanism until the suction pad returns to its original position. This makes it difficult to continuously feed tip individual packaging bags, and the temporary stoppage results in a loss of work time.

[0008] Therefore, the present invention aims to solve the problems described above and to quickly and efficiently perform the tasks of unrolling the tip individual packaging bag, cutting the tip connecting piece between the tip individual packaging bag and the next individual packaging bag, and distributing the tip individual packaging bag to the distribution destination when distributing the tip individual packaging bag. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to solve the problems described above, the present invention is based on a dispensing device for connected individual packaging bags, which includes a transport mechanism for transporting connected individual packaging bags formed by connecting pieces containing individual packaging bags containing contents, a suction mechanism adjacent to the transport mechanism for sucking up a tip individual packaging bag located at the tip of the connected individual packaging bags transported by the transport mechanism, and a cutting mechanism for cutting the tip connecting piece between the tip individual packaging bag and the next individual packaging bag adjacent to the tip individual packaging bag.

[0010] In addition, the suction mechanism in the present invention includes a suction pad and a rotation mechanism that enables the suction pad to rotate in a circular shape, and after the suction pad has adsorbed the tip individual packaging bag, the suction pad rotates in a direction intersecting the transport direction of the connected individual packaging bag to release the suction by the suction mechanism, thereby enabling the tip individual packaging bag to be distributed to the distribution destination section, and also rotates further in the same direction from the distribution position to return to the original position, enabling the next tip individual packaging bag to be adsorbed.

[0011] The suction pad may be attached to the rotating mechanism in a horizontal direction and be rotatable while being maintained in the horizontal state. By maintaining the suction pad in a horizontal state as described above, when the suction pad is attached to the upper surface of the tip individual packaging bag, the entire suction pad can be brought into surface contact with the upper surface of the individual packaging bag, so that the tip individual packaging bag can be reliably attached by the suction pad and the attached state can be well maintained.

[0012] The suction pad may be rotatable in a circular or elliptical orbit by rotating a single motor provided in the rotation mechanism. By making the suction pad rotatable by a single motor in this manner, the configuration of the rotation mechanism can be simplified, and by making the suction pad rotatable in a circular or elliptical orbit, the operation of the rotation mechanism can be made smooth. Effect of the Invention

[0013] As described above, the present invention is configured so that after the suction pad adsorbs the tip individual bag, it rotates in the transport direction of the connected individual bag or in a direction intersecting the transport direction to release the suction of the tip individual bag, and then further rotates in the same direction to return to its original position before the suction operation began.

[0014] Therefore, since the suction pad of the present invention rotates further from the suction position in the transport direction of the linked individual packaging bags or in a direction intersecting the transport direction without passing the payout position of the tip individual packaging bag after suctioning the tip individual packaging bag, there is no risk of the suction pad moving toward the original position passing the payout position of the tip individual packaging bag as in the conventional technology. Therefore, after the dispensing work of the tip individual packaging bag by the suction pad is completed, it is possible to quickly pay out the next tip individual packaging bag and move on to the dispensing work of the next tip individual packaging bag without having to wait for the suction pad to return to its original position to pay out the next tip individual packaging bag as in the conventional technology.

[0015] As a result, the suction pad, which has rotated to return to its original position after the end of the dispensing operation of the tip individual packaging bag, can immediately start suctioning the next tip individual packaging bag that is already waiting at the payout position by the transport mechanism. As a result, in the series of dispensing operations of the tip individual packaging bag, the payout of the tip individual packaging bag, the cutting of the tip connecting piece between the tip individual packaging bag and the next individual packaging bag, and the distribution of the tip individual packaging bag to the distribution target portion can be performed quickly and efficiently. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side view showing a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing a rotation state of the suction mechanism of the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the first embodiment and another different embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a method for distributing linked individual packaging bags according to Examples 1 to 5. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a suction mechanism according to a second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram showing a rotation state of the suction mechanism of the second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a suction mechanism according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a suction mechanism according to a third embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram showing a rotation state of the suction mechanism of the third embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a suction mechanism according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a conceptual diagram showing a rotation state of the suction mechanism of the fourth embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a suction mechanism according to a fifth embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a conceptual diagram showing a rotation state of the suction mechanism of the fifth embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is a conceptual diagram showing a conventional method for distributing linked individual packaging bags. Example 1

[0017] A first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below. As shown in Fig. 1, (1) is a device main body, and a transfer mechanism (3) is provided on the outer side (2) of the device main body (1) extending horizontally along the side (2) of the device main body (1). The transfer mechanism (3) is capable of transferring a linked individual bag (27) formed by linking a plurality of individual bags (5) via linking pieces (4) horizontally toward the front (6) side of the device main body (1).

[0018] As shown in Fig. 1, a suction mechanism (7) is attached to the device body (1) at a position opposite the transfer mechanism (3). The suction mechanism (7) includes a rotating mechanism (8) and a flat suction pad (11) attached to the rotating mechanism (8) via a pad shaft (10). As shown in Fig. 2, the rotating mechanism (8) includes a cube-shaped casing (12), and the casing (12) divides the internal space into three parts in the left-right direction by a first partition wall (13) and a second partition wall (14). The casing (12) includes a motor (16) protruding outward from the center of an outer surface (15) thereof, and a rotating shaft (17) extending horizontally from the motor (16) is inserted horizontally inward from the center of the outer surface (15) of the casing (12) via the first partition wall (13).

[0019] In the casing (12), as shown in Fig. 2, a first gear (18) is connected between the motor (16) and the first partition wall (13) to the rotating shaft (17) of the motor (16), and one end of a first link (20) is connected and fixed to the opposite side of the first partition wall (13) from the first gear (18) so as to be rotatable with respect to the first partition wall (13). A second gear (21) is attached directly above the first gear (18), and the upper end of the pad shaft (10) is connected to the other end of the first link (20) so as to be rotatable with respect to the pad shaft (10). One end of a second link (22) is connected to the pad shaft (10) so as to be rotatable with respect to the pad shaft (10) on the opposite side to the connecting side of the first link (20) and between the pad shaft (10) and the second partition wall (14).

[0020] A fourth gear (23) is rotatably connected and fixed to the second partition wall (14) via the second partition wall (14) on the other end of the second link (22) opposite the engagement side of the pad shaft (10). A third gear (24) is rotatably connected and fixed to the second partition wall (14) directly above the fourth gear (23) and facing the second gear (21). Furthermore, a first idler gear (25) and a second idler gear (26) are adjacently engaged and disposed between the third gear (24) and the fourth gear (23).

[0021] The operation of the suction mechanism (7) configured as described above will be described below. First, by operating the motor (16), the first gear (18) and the first link (20) rotate. At the same time, the second gear (21), the third gear (24), the first idler gear (25), the second idler gear (26), the fourth gear (23), to which power is transmitted from the first gear (18), and the second link (22), to which power is transmitted from the fourth gear (23), rotate in synchronization with the first link (20).

[0022] 3(a)-(d), the pad shaft (10) rotates, and the suction pad (11) attached to the tip of the pad shaft (10) rotates while maintaining a horizontal position. The suction mechanism (7) is attached to the suction mechanism (7) for the device body (1) so that the rotation of the pad shaft (10) attached to the rotating mechanism (8) allows the suction pad (11) to rotate in a direction intersecting the transport direction of the linked individual packaging bags (27) by the transport mechanism (3), as shown by the arrows in FIG. 5(a)-(d).

[0023] As described above, the suction mechanism (7) of the present embodiment is a double-link type in which the first link (20) and the second link (22) are attached to both sides of the pad shaft (10). With the above-described configuration, although the number of parts increases, the operation of the pad shaft (10) can be stabilized, and the rotation height of the pad shaft (10) can be made lower as compared to the other embodiments described below, as shown in FIG. 3.

[0024] In addition, as a method of adsorbing the individual bags (5) using the suction pad (11) in this embodiment and the following embodiments, any conventionally known method can be used, and for example, it may be possible to connect to a vacuum pump (not shown) and switch between applying vacuum and releasing the vacuum, thereby making it possible to adsorb and release the suction of the individual bags (5).

[0025] As shown in Fig. 1, the tip side of the transfer mechanism (3) is provided with a cutting mechanism (34). As shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 6(a), the cutting mechanism (34) has a pair of cutter blades arranged facing each other in the vertical direction, one cutter blade (35) is arranged above the transfer mechanism (3) and the other cutter blade (36) is arranged below the transfer mechanism (3).

[0026] Then, as shown in Fig. 6(b), when the tip connecting piece (31) located between the tip individual packaging bag (28) located at the tip of the linked individual packaging bag (27) arranged in the transfer mechanism (3) and the next individual packaging bag (30) adjacent to that individual packaging bag is transferred to the position of the pair of cutter blades, one of the cutter blades (35) slides vertically downward to the position of the other cutter blade (36) as shown in Fig. 6(d). As a result, the tip connecting piece (31) is cut in a direction perpendicular to the length direction of the linked individual packaging bag (27), and the tip individual packaging bag (28) is separated.

[0027] 1, a distribution target portion (32) for distributing the end individual packaging bag (28) cut off from the linked individual packaging bag (27) is disposed below the transfer mechanism (3) and outward of the end of the transfer mechanism (3). The distribution target portion (32) may be a container that stores the end individual packaging bag (28) therein, or in another embodiment, a conveyor may be used as the distribution target portion (32) and the end individual packaging bag (28) may be placed directly on the conveyor.

[0028] A method for distributing linked individual packaging bags (27) using the dispensing device configured as described above will be described below. First, the linked individual packaging bags (27) are set in the transfer mechanism (3) as shown in Fig. 1, and the transfer mechanism (3) is operated to pay out and transfer the leading end individual packaging bag (28) of the linked individual packaging bag (27) to a payout position (33) in the transfer direction, further than the leading end of the transfer mechanism (3), as shown in Fig. 6(b).

[0029] In this state, the rotating mechanism (8) is operated to rotate the pad shaft (10) of the suction mechanism (7), so that the suction pad (11) of the suction mechanism (7) is suctioned to the upper surface of the tip individual packaging bag (28) arranged at the payout position (33) as described above, as shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 6(c). When the tip individual packaging bag (28) is suctioned by the suction pad (11), the tip connecting piece (31) is arranged at the corresponding position of the cutting mechanism (34) as shown in Fig. 6(c). Therefore, by operating the cutting mechanism (34) to slide one cutter blade (35) downward as shown in Fig. 6(d), the tip connecting piece (31) is cut, and the tip individual packaging bag (28) is separated from the linked individual packaging bag (27).

[0030] In this state, as shown in Fig. 6(e), the pad shaft (10) rotates further, so that the suction pad (11) that has adsorbed the tip individual packaging bag (28) rotates further in the same direction while holding the tip individual packaging bag (28) horizontally, and moves to a position above the distribution target section (32) as shown in Fig. 6(e). In this state, the suction pad (11) releases the adsorption of the tip individual packaging bag (28), so that the tip individual packaging bag (28) is stored in the distribution target section (32). Thereafter, as shown in Fig. 6(f), the pad shaft (10) of the suction mechanism (7) rotates further in the same direction to return to the original position shown in Fig. 6(a), and the next tip individual packaging bag (28) is distributed, and this cycle is repeated.

[0031] As described above, after the suction pad (11) adsorbs the tip individual packaging bag (28), it does not pass again through the payout position (33) of the tip individual packaging bag (28), but rotates further from the adsorption position as shown in Figures 1 and 6. Then, as shown in Figures 5(a) to (d), after the suction pad (11) adsorbs the tip individual packaging bag (28), it moves in a direction intersecting the transfer direction of the linked individual packaging bag (27) without passing again through the payout position (33) of the tip individual packaging bag (28), as shown by the arrows in Figures 5(a) to (d).

[0032] Therefore, after the suction pad (11) has completed its suction operation of the tip individual packaging bag (28), it is possible to quickly pay out the next tip individual packaging bag (28) by the transfer mechanism (3) immediately after the suction mechanism (7) has adsorbed the tip individual packaging bag (28), without having to wait for the suction pad (11) to return to its original position before paying out the tip individual packaging bag (28), as was done in the conventional method.

[0033] Therefore, the suction pad (11) that has finished distributing the tip individual packaging bag (28) can immediately suck the next tip individual packaging bag (28) waiting at the payout position (33). Therefore, when distributing the tip individual packaging bag (28), the payout of the tip individual packaging bag (28), the cutting of the tip connecting piece (31) between the tip individual packaging bag (28) and the next individual packaging bag (30), and the distribution of the tip individual packaging bag (28) to the distribution destination portion (32) can be performed quickly and efficiently. Example 2

[0034] The rotating mechanism (8) in the first embodiment is configured as a double-sided link type in which links are arranged on both sides of the pad shaft (10), whereas the rotating mechanism (40) in the present embodiment is configured as a single-sided parallel link type in which links are arranged only on one side of the pad shaft (41). The suction mechanism (42) in the present embodiment will be described below. As shown in Fig. 7, the cubic casing (43) constituting the rotating mechanism (40) in the present embodiment is provided with a motor (45) that protrudes outward from the center of the outer surface (44) of the casing (43), and a motor gear (46) connected to the motor (45) is inserted into the inside of the casing (43).

[0035] In the casing (43), a first gear (47) and a second gear (48) are disposed in engagement with each other above and below the motor gear (46) as shown in FIG. 7. The first gear (47) is connected to one end of a first link (50), and the second gear (48) is connected to one end of a second link (51) via a partition wall (52) that divides the inside of the casing (43) into two in the left-right direction. The other end of the first link (50) and the other end of the second link (51) are connected to the pad shaft (41) so as to be rotatable relative to the pad shaft (41). As described above, the rotating mechanism (40), the pad shaft (41), and the suction pad (54) constitute the suction mechanism (42) of this embodiment. The configuration of this embodiment other than the suction mechanism (42) is the same as that of the first embodiment.

[0036] The operation of the suction mechanism (42) configured as described above will be described. First, the motor gear (46) rotates when the motor (45) is operated. The rotation of the motor gear (46) rotates the first gear (47) and the second gear (48). As a result, the first link (50) connected to the first gear (47) and the second link (51) connected to the second gear (48) rotate via the partition wall (52). As a result, the pad shaft (41) rotates while keeping the suction pad (54) horizontal, as shown in Figures 8(a) to (d).

[0037] As described above, the suction mechanism (42) of the present embodiment is a one-sided parallel link type in which a link is attached to one side of the pad shaft (41), and can be formed with fewer parts than the double-sided link type of the first embodiment, thereby making it possible to reduce costs.

[0038] In addition, the pad shaft (41) is attached to the suction mechanism (42) parallel to the height direction of the device body (53) as shown by the arrow in Fig. 7 so as to rotate vertically, but in other different embodiments, it is not limited to this, and the suction mechanism (42) can be attached at an incline so that the pad shaft (41) rotates in a direction intersecting the height direction of the device body (53) as shown in Fig. 9(a) and (b) depending on the position of the distribution destination section (32) or the passing speed of the conveyor or container constituting the distribution destination section (32). Even in this case, the suction pad (54) attached to the tip of the pad shaft (41) is configured to be rotatable while maintaining the horizontal direction as shown in Fig. 9(a) and (b).

[0039] A method for distributing linked individual packaging bags (27) using the dispensing device configured as described above will be described below. First, as in the first embodiment, linked individual packaging bags (27) are set in the transfer mechanism (3) as shown in Fig. 6(a), and the transfer mechanism (3) is operated to feed and transfer the leading end individual packaging bag (28) of the linked individual packaging bag (27) to a feed position (33) in the transfer direction, further than the leading end of the transfer mechanism (3), as shown in Fig. 6(b).

[0040] In this state, by operating the rotating mechanism (40) to rotate the pad shaft (41) of the suction mechanism (42), the suction surface of the pad comes into surface contact with the upper surface of the tip individual packaging bag (28) located at the payout position (33) as described above, as shown in Fig. 6(c). When the pad suctions the tip individual packaging bag (28), the tip connecting piece (31) is placed in a corresponding position of the cutting mechanism (34). Therefore, by operating the cutting mechanism (34) to slide one cutter blade (35) downward as shown in Fig. 6(d), the tip connecting piece (31) is cut, and the tip individual packaging bag (28) is separated from the connected individual packaging bag (27).

[0041] In this state, the pad shaft (41) rotates further, so that the pad rotates further downward while holding the tip individual packaging bag (28) horizontally, and moves to a position above the distribution target section (32) as shown in Fig. 6(e). In this state, the pad releases the suction of the tip individual packaging bag (28), so that the tip individual packaging bag (28) is stored in the distribution target section (32). Thereafter, the pad shaft (41) of the suction mechanism (42) rotates further as described above, returning to the original position before the distribution operation as shown in Fig. 6(a), and the distribution operation of the next tip individual packaging bag (28) is performed. By repeating the series of cycles shown in Figs. 6(a) to (f) as described above, the distribution operation of the linked individual packaging bag (27) is performed smoothly. Example 3

[0042] In the rotation mechanisms of the first and second embodiments, the links (68) are disposed on both sides or one side of the pad shaft, but the rotation mechanism (72) of this embodiment is configured to rotate the pad shaft (63) along the linear rail (62). The suction mechanism (61) of this embodiment will be described below. As shown in Fig. 10, the rotation mechanism (72) of this embodiment includes a flat fixed plate (64) that is mounted parallel to the height direction of the device body (65), and a motor (66) that protrudes vertically from the fixed plate (64) below the fixed plate (64). A rotating shaft (67) connected to the motor (66) is inserted and disposed rotatably relative to the fixed plate (64).

[0043] One end of a link (68) is connected and fixed to the tip of the rotating shaft (67) via the fixed plate (64), and the pad shaft (63) is connected to the other end of the link (68) so as to be rotatable relative to the pad shaft (63). The fixed plate (64) is provided with a linear rail (62) that extends linearly downward from the center of the upper end of the fixed plate (64) on the side opposite to the side where the motor (66) is assembled. A linear block (70) that can engage with the linear rail (62) is connected to the upper end of the pad shaft (63) so as to be rotatable relative to the pad shaft (63). As described above, the rotating mechanism (72), the pad shaft (63), and the suction pad (71) constitute the suction mechanism (61) of this embodiment. The configuration of this embodiment other than the suction mechanism (61) is the same as that of the first and second embodiments.

[0044] The movement of the rotation mechanism (72) configured as above will be described. First, the motor (66) is operated to rotate the link (68) together with the rotation shaft (67). Then, as the link (68) rotates, the upper end of the pad shaft (63) connected to the link (68) is restricted in its vertical movement by the linear rail (62), and the lower end of the pad shaft (63) rotates while performing a pendulum motion as shown in Figures 11(a) to 11(d). Then, with the pendulum-like rotation of the pad shaft (63) as described above, the suction pad (71) provided at the tip of the pad shaft (63) rotates in an elliptical shape. The method of distributing the linked individual packaging bags (27) using the suction mechanism (61) of this embodiment configured as described above is the same as in the first and second embodiments. Example 4

[0045] The suction mechanism (81) of the third embodiment described above is configured to have the pad shaft (83) engaged with the straight linear rail (62), but the suction mechanism (81) of the present embodiment is configured to have the pad shaft (83) engaged with an annular cam groove (88). The suction mechanism (81) of the present embodiment will be described below. As shown in Fig. 12, one end of a link (86) is connected and fixed to a rotating shaft (85) of a motor (84) disposed in the horizontal direction, and the upper end of a pad shaft (83) is connected to the other end of the link (86) so as to be rotatable with respect to the pad shaft (83).

[0046] A cam floor (82) is provided on the pad shaft (83) below the link connection portion (87) of the pad shaft (83) on the opposite side to the engagement side of the link (86). An engagement plate (78) that can engage with the cam floor (82) and has a cam groove (88) formed in an annular shape as shown in FIG. 13 is attached in parallel to the device body (90) on the opposite side to the arrangement side of the motor (84). As described above, the rotating mechanism (89), pad shaft (83), and suction pad (80) constitute the suction mechanism (81) of this embodiment. The configuration of this embodiment other than the suction mechanism (81) is the same as that of the first and second embodiments.

[0047] The movement of the suction mechanism (81) configured as described above will be described below. First, by operating the motor (84), the link (86) rotates together with the rotating shaft (85). Then, the pad shaft (83) engaged with the link (86) due to the rotation of the link (86) rotates while its movement is restricted by the cam groove (88) since the cam floor (82) provided on the pad shaft (83) moves circularly along the cam groove (88).

[0048] 13(a) to 13(d), the pad shaft (83) rotates in a circular shape along the cam groove (88), and the suction pad (80) provided at the tip of the pad shaft (83) also rotates in a circular shape while being kept in a horizontal direction. The method of distributing the linked individual packaging bags (27) using the distributing device configured as described above is the same as in the first and second embodiments. Example 5

[0049] The suction mechanisms of the first to fourth embodiments are configured to rotate the pad shaft itself, but the suction mechanism (91) of the present embodiment is configured to fix the pad shaft (92) to a sliding plate and rotate the pad shaft (92) via the sliding plate. The suction mechanism (91) of the present embodiment will be described below. As shown in Fig. 14, a fixed plate (95) is attached vertically to the rotating mechanism (106) of the present embodiment. A motor (96) is connected and fixed to the fixed plate (95) in a direction perpendicular to the fixed plate (95).

[0050] 15, a pair of first linear rails (97) are provided parallel to each other in the horizontal direction along the upper and lower ends of the fixed plate (95) on the side opposite to the motor (96). A first sliding plate (98) is disposed parallel to the fixed plate (95) at a position facing the fixed plate (95). The first sliding plate (98) is provided with a pair of first linear blocks (100) engageable with the first linear rails (97) at positions corresponding to the first linear rails (97) of the fixed plate (95), and the pair of first linear blocks (100) are disposed so as to engage with the pair of first linear rails (97).

[0051] The first sliding plate (98) is provided with second linear rails (101) extending in the vertical direction along the side of the first sliding plate (98) in parallel to each other, as shown in Figures 14 and 15, on the side opposite to the side where the first linear block (100) is arranged. The second sliding plate (102) is attached in parallel to the first sliding plate (98) on the side opposite to the engagement side of the fixed plate (95), as shown in Figure 14. The second sliding plate (102) is provided with a pair of second linear blocks (105) that can be engaged with the pair of second linear rails (101) provided on the first sliding plate (98) at opposing positions of the second linear rails (101), and the pair of second linear blocks (105) are respectively arranged to engage with the second linear rails (101).

[0052] As shown in Fig. 14, a pad shaft (92) is fixed in the vertical direction on one side of the second sliding plate (102). An L-shaped link (103) is connected to a rotating shaft (107) of the motor (96), and the link (103) is assembled in a state in which it passes through the centers of the fixed plate (95) and the first sliding plate (98). A cam floor (104) protrudes from the tip of the link (103) on the side opposite the motor (96). The configuration of this embodiment other than the suction mechanism (91) is the same as that of the first and second embodiments.

[0053] The movement of the suction mechanism (91) configured as above will be described. First, the motor (96) is operated to rotate the link (103) together with the rotating shaft (107). The rotation of the link (103) causes the cam floor (104) of the link (103) to move, causing the first sliding plate (98) and the second sliding plate (102) to slide appropriately in the up-down and left-right directions along the first linear block (100) and the second linear rail (101). The up-down and left-right sliding of the first sliding plate (98) and the second sliding plate (102) causes the pad shaft (92) fixed to the second sliding plate (102) to rotate in an annular shape while being fixed in the vertical direction, as shown in Figures 15(a) to 15(d).

[0054] As a result of the rotation of the pad shaft 92 as described above, the suction pad 93 provided at the tip of the pad shaft 92 rotates in an annular shape. The method of distributing the linked individual packaging bags 27 using the distributing device configured as described above is the same as in the first and second embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] 3 Transfer mechanism 4 Connecting piece 5 individual bags 7,42,61,81,91 Adsorption mechanism 8,40,72,89,106 Rotation mechanism 11,54,71,80,93 Suction pad 16,45,66,84,96 Motor 27 Consolidated individual packaging bags 28 Tip individual packaging bag 30 Next individual bag 31 Tip connection piece 32 Distribution purpose part 34 Cutting mechanism

Claims

1. A dispensing device for linked individual packaging bags comprising a transport mechanism for transporting linked individual packaging bags, each of which is made up of multiple individual packaging bags containing contents connected together via a connecting piece; a suction mechanism adjacent to the transport mechanism and capable of adsorbing a tip individual packaging bag located at the tip of the linked individual packaging bags transported by the transport mechanism; and a cutting mechanism capable of cutting the tip connecting piece between the tip individual packaging bag and the next individual packaging bag adjacent to the tip individual packaging bag.The suction mechanism comprises a suction pad and a rotation mechanism for rotating the suction pad in a ring shape, and after the suction pad adsorbs the tip individual packaging bag, the suction pad rotates in a direction intersecting the transport direction of the connected individual packaging bags to release the suction by the suction mechanism, thereby enabling the tip individual packaging bag to be distributed to a distribution destination portion, and also rotates further in the same direction from the distribution position to return to its original position, enabling the next tip individual packaging bag to be adsorbed.

2. 2. The dispensing device for linked individual packaging bags according to claim 1, wherein the suction pad is attached to the rotating mechanism in a horizontal direction so as to be rotatable while maintaining a horizontal state.

3. 2. The dispensing device for linked individual packaging bags according to claim 1, characterized in that the suction pad can rotate in a circular manner while describing a circular or elliptical orbit by rotating a single motor provided in the rotating mechanism.

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