Method for sorting sanitary paper bundles and method for manufacturing sanitary paper bundles

Abstract

To provide a method for properly sorting sanitary paper bundles into multiple conveyance paths.SOLUTION: Method for sorting sanitary paper bundles B uses a wide conveyor 12, a sorting guide 20 provided on the wide conveyor 12 to guide the sanitary paper bundles at a position sandwiching the bundles from both sides, and a plurality of individual conveyors 13(a)-(c) provided in parallel on the downstream of the wide conveyor 12. The sorting method consists of a process of moving the sanitary paper bundle B horizontally on the wide conveyor 12 so that the leading end of the sorting guide 20 moves horizontally to form a plurality of parallel conveyance paths on the wide conveyor 12, and a process of conveying the sanitary paper bundle B by the wide conveyor 12 downstream along a conveyance route and passing the sanitary paper bundle B to a plurality of individual conveyors 13(a)-(c) provided at the leading end of the conveyance route.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for allocating a transport path of a stack of sanitary paper such as tissue paper during transport.The present invention also relates to a method for producing a sanitary paper product in which a stack of sanitary paper is wrapped in a flexible film or the like. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, products in which sanitary paper such as tissue paper is packaged in a resin film (so-called soft pack products) have been known (Patent Document 1).

[0003] Furthermore, tissue paper is generally manufactured using a method in which a continuous sheet fed from multiple rolls is folded by a multi-stand interfolder, and then cut into individual sizes by a cutter to obtain a sanitary paper bundle (Patent Document 2). This method makes it possible to obtain sanitary paper bundles at high speed and continuously.

[0004] Furthermore, a packaging machine for automatically storing a bundle of multiple articles in a packaging bag made of a resin film or the like is also known (Patent Document 3). This type of packaging machine is configured to expand the opening of the packaging bag, and then push the multiple articles into the packaging bag through the opening while maintaining the expanded state of the packaging bag. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-133981 [Patent Document 2] JP 2012-011170 A [Patent Document 3] JP 2014-125228 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Incidentally, when manufacturing soft pack products in which a sanitary paper bundle such as tissue paper is wrapped in a resin film, it is possible to adopt a manufacturing process in which a multi-reel machine is used to continuously produce a sanitary paper bundle at high speed, and then a packaging machine such as that described in Patent Document 3 is used to push the sanitary paper bundle into a packaging bag. However, as described above, a packaging machine for resin film needs to go through a procedure of pushing the sanitary paper bundle into the packaging bag while maintaining the state after spreading the packaging bag, so there is a problem that it is difficult to store the sanitary paper bundle into the packaging bag at high speed. In particular, since both the sanitary paper bundle and the inside of the packaging bag are soft, in order to properly store the sanitary paper bundle in the packaging bag, the sanitary paper bundle needs to be pushed into the packaging bag at a relatively low speed. Thus, while a multi-reel machine can continuously produce a sanitary paper bundle at high speed, a packaging machine for film cannot sufficiently keep up with the production speed of this multi-reel machine, which is a problem in the manufacturing of soft pack products.

[0007] In order to address the above problems, the present inventor has been considering, mainly when manufacturing soft pack products, distributing and transporting sanitary paper bundles obtained by a multiple machine to multiple transport paths, and arranging a packaging machine for each transport path and packaging the sanitary paper bundles sequentially by the multiple packaging machines. Therefore, the main object of the present invention is to provide a technology that can appropriately distribute sanitary paper bundles to multiple transport paths. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A first aspect of the present invention relates to a method for sorting sanitary paper stacks. In the sorting method according to the present invention, a wide conveyor, a sorting guide, and a plurality of individual conveyors are used. The width of the wide conveyor is wider than the sum of the widths of the plurality of individual conveyors. The sorting guide is provided on the wide conveyor and configured to guide the sanitary paper stack at a position sandwiching the sanitary paper stack from the left and right. The plurality of individual conveyors are provided in parallel on the downstream side of the wide conveyor. Here, in the sorting method according to the present invention, first, the outlet end of the sorting guide is moved in the horizontal direction, and the sanitary paper stack is moved in the horizontal direction on the wide conveyor so as to form a plurality of parallel transport paths on the wide conveyor (moving step). Note that the horizontal shifting of the outlet end of the sorting guide includes rotating it about a predetermined fulcrum (moving it on a circular orbit) as described later, as well as moving this outlet end in parallel. Next, the wide conveyor transports the sanitary paper stack downstream along the transport path, and delivers the sanitary paper stack to multiple individual conveyors provided at the outlet of the transport path (delivery process). In this way, by installing a sorting guide on the wide conveyor, it becomes possible for the sorting guide to efficiently sort the sanitary paper stack to multiple transport paths.

[0009] In the sorting method according to the present invention, it is preferable that the sorting guide is configured so that the outlet end rotates back and forth horizontally about a predetermined fulcrum. In particular, it is preferable that the predetermined fulcrum is provided near the inlet end of the sorting guide. This makes it possible to efficiently sort the sanitary paper stacks that have been continuously transported along one transport path into multiple transport paths by the sorting guide.

[0010] In the sorting method according to the present invention, the sorting guide is preferably configured such that the tip of the sorting guide extends in accordance with the transport of the sanitary paper stack in accordance with the sorting operation to support the sanitary paper stack. For example, when the sorting guide switches the transport path of the sanitary paper stack to another transport path, the tip of the sorting guide is extended in accordance with the transport speed of the sanitary paper stack by the wide conveyor. This allows the sanitary paper stack to be guided to another transport path while being reliably supported by the outlet end of the sorting guide. In particular, since the sanitary paper stack is a stack of thin and lightweight sanitary paper, it is prone to losing its shape during transport. Therefore, it is preferable to appropriately support the sanitary paper stack by the sorting guide when switching the transport path so that the sanitary paper stack does not lose its shape during transport. Note that the extension / contraction of the tip of the sorting guide is not essential. If there is a sufficient gap between the sanitary paper stacks B, the sanitary paper stacks B can be sorted without extending the tip of the sorting guide. Specifically, if the distance between the sanitary paper stacks B is 70% or more of the product length (length in the conveying direction) of the sanitary paper stacks B, there is no need to extend the leading edge of the sorting guide.

[0011] In the sorting method according to the present invention, the sorting guide is preferably configured with a transport belt (belt conveyor) that sandwiches the sanitary paper stack from the left and right and transports it downstream. Since the bottom surface of the sanitary paper stack is in contact with the wide conveyor, it is transported downstream as the belt of the wide conveyor rotates. In this case, by configuring the sorting guide that sandwiches the sanitary paper stack from the left and right to similarly transport the sanitary paper stack downstream as the belt rotates, it is possible to transport the sanitary paper stack more reliably while suppressing deformation of the sanitary paper stack.

[0012] In the sorting method according to the present invention, it is preferable to further use a sensor that detects the sanitary paper stack. In this case, it is preferable that the sorting conveyor shifts the outlet end in a horizontal direction so as to switch the transport path based on detection information from the sensor. Specifically, it is preferable to identify a gap between the continuously transported sanitary paper stacks based on the detection information from the sensor, and shift the outlet end in a horizontal direction to match this gap and switch the transport path for the sanitary paper stack.

[0013] A second aspect of the present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a sanitary paper bundle product. The sanitary paper bundle product referred to here is a product in which one or more sanitary paper bundles are packaged. The package for the sanitary paper bundle is preferably a packaging bag made of resin film or the like, rather than a carton. The manufacturing method for a sanitary paper bundle product according to the present invention includes a step of sorting the sanitary paper bundle by the sorting method according to the first aspect described above, and a step of packaging the sanitary paper bundle sorted by this sorting method. As described above, a multi-reel machine can produce sanitary paper bundles at high speed and continuously, whereas a packaging machine for film cannot adequately keep up with the production speed of the multi-reel machine. Therefore, by providing a packaging machine for each of the multiple transport paths for the sanitary paper bundle and packaging the sanitary paper bundle at each transport path, the sanitary paper bundle produced by the multi-reel machine can be efficiently packaged even when the packaging speed of the packaging machine is relatively slow. Effect of the Invention

[0014] According to the present invention, sanitary paper stacks can be appropriately distributed to a plurality of transport paths. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a method for producing a sanitary paper bundle product. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a sorting device for a sanitary paper stack. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a plan view that illustrates a method for sorting a sanitary paper stack according to an embodiment. [Figure 4]FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a specific example of the distribution guide. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 shows an example of the rotational movement of the sorting guide. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a schematic diagram of another embodiment of a sorting device for a sanitary paper stack. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flow diagram showing an example of a method for producing a sanitary paper bundle product. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a plan view showing an example of a deceleration step in the manufacturing method for sanitary paper bundle products. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a plan view showing an example of a gap adjusting step in the manufacturing method for sanitary paper bundle products. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below, and includes appropriate modifications of the embodiments described below within the scope obvious to those skilled in the art.

[0017] FIG. 1 shows a process for manufacturing a sanitary paper bundle product, in which a sanitary paper bundle B obtained by using a multiple-reel machine 1 is packaged by a packaging machine 4. As shown in FIG. 1, the multiple-reel machine 1 folds and stacks sanitary paper P (base paper) fed from a number of base rolls to form a continuous stack of sanitary paper P. The multiple-reel machine 1 is provided with a number of base rolls corresponding to the number of stacked sheets of sanitary paper. For example, to obtain a product in which 200 sets of tissues each consisting of two sheets (a total of 400 sheets) are stacked, 200 sets of base rolls each consisting of two rolls (a total of 400 rolls) are installed in the multiple-reel machine 1. Such a multiple-reel machine 1 (multi-stand type interfolder) may be a known one. Next, the stack of sanitary paper P formed by the multiple-reel machine 1 is transported downstream and cut at predetermined intervals by a cutter 2. This results in individual sanitary paper bundles B. A known rotary cutter may be used as the cutter 2. In this way, sanitary paper bundles B can be produced continuously at high speed. In sanitary paper stack B, each sheet of sanitary paper is folded approximately in half, and halves of two sheets of sanitary paper are inserted between each sheet of sanitary paper, one above the other, so that when one sheet of sanitary paper is lifted up, the sanitary paper underneath is also lifted up, forming a pop-up style stack.

[0018] Thereafter, the plurality of sanitary paper stacks B are conveyed downstream in a line by a conveyor or the like. There is a speed difference between the conveying speed of the sanitary paper stack B in the cutter 2 and the conveying speed of the sanitary paper stack B by the conveyor immediately thereafter, and the conveying speed of the sanitary paper stack B by the conveyor immediately thereafter is set to be faster. This widens the gap between the sanitary paper stacks B. A sorting device 3 is provided downstream of the cutter 2. The details of the sorting device 3 will be described later, but this sorting device 3 has a function of sorting the plurality of sanitary paper stacks B conveyed in a line along one conveying path into a plurality of conveying paths. In addition, it is preferable to install a known discharge device that detects defects in the sanitary paper stack B and discharges the sanitary paper stack B that is determined to be defective in the conveying path between the cutter 2 and the sorting device 3. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the plurality of sanitary paper stacks B are sorted into three conveying paths. In addition, the number of conveying paths for the sanitary paper stack B is not limited to three, and may be two, or may be four or more. At this time, as shown in FIG. 1, it is preferable to switch the conveying path every time a predetermined number of sanitary paper stacks B are conveyed. For example, in the example of FIG. 1, the conveying path is switched every four sanitary paper stacks B. In other words, the sorting device 3 repeats the process of directing a predetermined number (four) of sanitary paper stacks B to a certain conveying path, switching the conveying path, and then directing a predetermined number of sanitary paper stacks B again to another adjacent conveying path. When switching from the conveying paths on both sides to the conveying path on the center side, it is preferable to send out a predetermined number (e.g., four) of sanitary paper stacks B to the sanitary paper stacks on the sides twice (e.g., eight stacks), and then switch to the conveying path on the center side. This results in an equal amount of sanitary paper stacks B being ultimately sent out from the conveying paths on both sides and the conveying path on the center.

[0019] Further, a packaging machine 4 is provided downstream of each conveying path. The packaging machine 4 may be one that has the function of packaging one or more sanitary paper bundles B in a flexible packaging bag made of resin film or the like. The packaging bag is preferably made of a resin such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyester, or polyvinyl acetate. However, the packaging bag may be a paper bag. As such a packaging machine, a known one such as that disclosed in Patent Document 3 may be used. In this manner, a sanitary paper bundle product (so-called soft pack product) in which one or more sanitary paper bundles B are packaged in a packaging bag can be manufactured.

[0020] Fig. 2 shows one embodiment of the sorting device 3. As shown in Fig. 2, the sorting device 3 includes a conveyor device 10 for transporting the sanitary paper stack B, and a sorting guide 20 for sorting the sanitary paper stack B.

[0021] The conveyor device 10 includes, in order from the upstream side, a main conveyor 11, a wide conveyor 12, and a plurality of individual conveyors 13(a)-(c). Each of the conveyors 11-13 may be a general conveyor having a structure in which an endless belt is stretched around pulleys including a driving pulley and a driven pulley. The main conveyor 11 conveys the sanitary paper stack B in a line and transfers it to the wide conveyor 12. A sorting guide 20 is arranged on the wide conveyor 12, and the sorting guide 20 switches the transport path of the sanitary paper stack B on the wide conveyor 12. A plurality of individual conveyors 13(a)-(c) are arranged in parallel on the downstream side of the wide conveyor 12, and each of the individual conveyors 13(a)-(c) corresponds to a transport path. In other words, the wide conveyor 12 transfers the sanitary paper stack B to one of the plurality of individual conveyors 13(a)-(c) according to the transport path switched by the sorting guide 20. As shown in FIG. 2, the wide conveyor 12 has a width at least equal to or greater than the total width of the individual conveyors 13(a)-(c).

[0022] As described above, the sorting guide 20 is disposed on the wide conveyor 12. The sorting guide 20 is configured to sandwich and guide the sanitary paper stack B, which is transported downstream by the sorting guide 20, from the left and right. In other words, all the sanitary paper stacks B transferred from the main conveyor 11 to the wide conveyor 12 are once introduced into the sorting guide 20, and after being guided by the sorting guide 20, are sent out from the sorting guide 20 and transferred from the wide conveyor 12 to any one of the individual conveyors 13(a)-(c).

[0023] As shown in Fig. 2, the sorting guide 20 includes a left guide portion 21, a right guide portion 22, and a fulcrum 23. The left guide portion 21 and the right guide portion 22 extend downstream in the conveying direction, and a guide path through which the sanitary paper stack B passes is formed between the left and right guide portions 21, 22. Therefore, the sanitary paper stack B is conveyed downstream by the wide conveyor 12 while being sandwiched between the left and right guide portions 21, 22. The left and right guide portions 21, 22 rotate at their exit end portions in the horizontal direction with respect to a predetermined fulcrum 23, i.e., on the conveying surface of the wide conveyor 12. Specifically, the fulcrum 23 for the rotational movement of the left and right guide portions 21, 22 is provided on the introduction end side (i.e., the end side that receives the sanitary paper stack B) of the left and right guide portions 21, 22. For this reason, the positions of the introduction ends of the left and right guide parts 21, 22 are substantially fixed on the wide conveyor 12, but the exit ends of the left and right guide parts 21, 22 move significantly on the wide conveyor 12. Such rotational movement of the left and right guide parts 21, 22 about the fulcrum 23 can be achieved by a known actuator such as a motor or a piston. In addition, the rotational movement of the left and right guide parts 21, 22 is controlled by a control device (not shown) such as a computer.

[0024] The sorting guide 20 also includes a left telescopic section 24 and a right telescopic section 25. The left telescopic section 24 is provided on the outlet end side of the left guide section 21, and the right telescopic section 25 is provided on the outlet end side of the right guide section 22. The left and right telescopic sections 24, 25 extend and contract at the outlet end sides of the left and right guide sections 21, 22, and have the function of lengthening or shortening the guide path of the sanitary paper stack B by the left and right guide sections 21, 22. The telescopic action of the left and right telescopic sections 24, 25 may be achieved by a belt conveyor with a telescopic function as described below, or may be achieved by a known actuator such as a piston or slider.

[0025] The sorting guide 20 also includes a sensor 26 near the outlet end or within the guide path. The sensor 26 is disposed for the purpose of identifying gaps between the sanitary paper stacks B led out from the sorting guide 20. Specifically, the sensor 26 detects the presence or absence of the sanitary paper stack B near the leading end of the sorting guide 20 or within the guide path, thereby identifying that a gap between the sanitary paper stacks B is approaching the leading end of the sorting guide 20. A control device (not shown) controls the sorting guide 20 based on the detection information of the sensor 26, and rotates the sorting guide 20 at the timing when a gap between the sanitary paper stacks B occurs near the leading end of the sorting guide 20, thereby switching the transport path of the sanitary paper stack B. The sensor 26 is not particularly limited as long as it can detect the presence or absence of the sanitary paper stack B, and may be a known sensor such as an optical sensor (photoelectric sensor), an ultrasonic sensor, or a pressure sensor. In addition, the transport path can be switched by setting a timer after the sensor 26 detects a gap in the sanitary paper stack B (switching can be performed after a predetermined time has elapsed after detection) or by adjusting the position of the sensor 26.

[0026] Next, referring to FIG. 3, the operation of the sorting guide 20 will be mainly described. As shown in FIG. 3, the sorting guide 20 rotates the lead-out end side around the fulcrum 23. This causes the sorting guide 20 to switch the transport path of the sanitary paper stack B introduced between the left and right guide parts 21, 22. In the state shown in FIG. 3, the first to third individual conveyors 13(a)-(c) are arranged in parallel at the transport destination of the wide conveyor 12. Here, in the state shown in FIG. 3(a), a plurality of sanitary paper stacks B continuously transported by the main conveyor 11 are guided by the sorting guide 20 on the wide conveyor 12 and sent out to the third individual conveyor 13(c).

[0027] 3(b), when the sorting guide 20 has sent out a predetermined number (e.g., four) of sanitary paper stacks B onto the third individual conveyor 13(c), it starts a transport path switching operation to send the next predetermined number of sanitary paper stacks B onto the second individual conveyor 13(b).At this time, based on the detection information of the sensor 26 provided on the outlet end side of the sorting guide 20, the control device determines that a predetermined number of sanitary paper stacks B have been led out from the sorting guide 20 and that the gaps between the sanitary paper stacks B have reached the vicinity of the outlet end of the sorting guide 20, and controls the sorting guide 20 to start a transport path switching operation.

[0028] As shown in Fig. 3(b), the sorting guide 20 first extends the left and right expandable sections 24, 25 provided on the lead-out end side, and at least the leading sanitary paper stack B' located closest to the lead-out end side is sandwiched between the left and right expandable sections 24, 25 from the left and right. In this way, the left and right expandable sections 24, 25 are extended to maintain the leading sanitary paper stack B' within the guide path of the sorting guide 20. At this time, the left and right expandable sections 24, 25 are controlled so as not to interfere with the sanitary paper stack B (the last one of a predetermined number) that has already been sent to the third individual conveyor 13(c). Specifically, the speed at which the left and right expandable sections 24, 25 are extended may be set to be approximately equal to the speed at which the wide conveyor 12 transports the sanitary paper stack B.

[0029] 3(c), the sorting guide 20 rotates around the fulcrum 23 while gradually extending the left and right expandable sections 24, 25 in accordance with the transport of the sanitary paper stack B. By rotating the sorting guide 20 in this manner, the sanitary paper stack B present in the guide path of the sorting guide 20 slides on the wide conveyor 12. Note that since the transport of the sanitary paper stack B by the wide conveyor 12 continues even during the rotation of the sorting guide 20, the sanitary paper stack B is transported downstream by the wide conveyor 12 while being caused to slide on the wide conveyor 12 by the sorting guide 20. Furthermore, since the transport of the sanitary paper stack B by the main conveyor 11 continues during the rotation of the sorting guide 20, the sanitary paper stack B transported by the main conveyor 11 is continuously introduced into the introduction path of the sorting guide 20 from the introduction end side of the sorting guide 20.

[0030] 3(d), the sorting guide 20 rotates about the fulcrum 23 and stops its rotation when it reaches the conveying path for sending the sanitary paper stack B to the second individual conveyor 13(b). This completes the switch from the conveying path for sending the sanitary paper stack B to the conveying path for sending the sanitary paper stack B to the third individual conveyor 13(c) to the conveying path for sending the sanitary paper stack B to the second individual conveyor 13(b). The ratio of the length of the guide path of the sorting guide 20 to the swing width of one pitch when the sorting guide 20 switches the conveying path is preferably 1:5 or more, more preferably 1:8 or more, and particularly preferably 1:10 or more. If this ratio is small, the swing angle becomes large and the sanitary paper stack B is likely to wrinkle or collapse, so it is preferable to ensure this ratio at 1:5 or more.

[0031] Furthermore, when the switching of the conveying path is completed, the extension operation of the left and right expandable sections 24, 25 is also completed. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 3(e), the sorting guide 20 may simply contract the left and right expandable sections 24, 25 and return them to their initial positions (see FIG. 3(a)). Such contraction operation of the left and right expandable sections 24, 25 is performed at a higher speed than the above-mentioned extension operation in order to be in time for the next switching of the conveying path. Although not shown in the figures, the sorting guide 20 also performs the rotation operation, extension operation, and contraction operation in the same procedure when switching from a conveying path that sends out to the second individual conveyor 13(b) to a conveying path that sends out to the first individual conveyor 13(a). The same applies when switching other paths. In this way, when the conveying path is switched by rotating the sorting guide 20, the left and right expandable sections 24, 25 provided on the outlet end side of the sorting guide 20 are extended in accordance with the conveying speed of the sanitary paper stack B, so that the sanitary paper stack B (especially the leading sanitary paper stack B') in the guide path of the sorting guide 20 can be stably sent to the next conveying path.

[0032] Fig. 4 shows a specific example of the sorting guide 20 capable of performing the various operations described in Fig. 3. In the example shown in Fig. 4, the left and right guide sections 21, 22 of the sorting guide 20 are each formed of a belt conveyor. The belt conveyors forming the left and right guide sections 21, 22 sandwich the sanitary paper stack B from the left and right with the belts 21a, 22a, and transport the sanitary paper stack B downstream as the belts 21a, 22a move.

[0033] Specifically, the belt conveyors constituting the left and right guide sections 21 and 22 each include an endless belt 21a, 22a, a drive pulley 21b, 22b, an expandable pulley 21c, 22c, an adjustment pulley 21d, 22d, and a vent pulley 21e, 22e. The belts 21a and 22a are stretched across these pulleys. The drive pulleys 21b and 22b are pulleys that rotate and drive themselves to move the belts 21a and 22a in a fixed direction, and are disposed closest to the introduction end of the sorting guide 20 among the pulleys. The expandable pulleys 21c and 22c are configured to advance and retreat along the guide direction of the sanitary paper stack B, and the advance and retreat movement of the expandable pulleys 21c and 22c causes the guide path of the sanitary paper stack B by the sorting guide 20 to expand and contract. The adjustment pulleys 21d and 22d are configured to move in the opposite guide direction to the telescopic pulleys 21c and 22c, and play a role in adjusting the length of the entire belts 21a and 22a and the tension applied thereto so as to be kept constant even when the telescopic pulleys 21c and 22c move forward and backward. In other words, when the telescopic pulleys 21c and 22c move forward, the adjustment pulleys 21d and 22d also move by the same amount, so that the length of the belts 21a and 22a is kept constant, and the tension of the belts 21a and 22a is also constant, so that no slack occurs. The vent pulleys 21e and 22e are for bending the moving path of the belts 21a and 22a between the telescopic pulleys 21c and 22c and the adjustment pulleys 21d and 22d, and the positions of the vent pulleys 21e and 22e do not change even when the telescopic pulleys 21c and 22c and the adjustment pulleys 21d and 22d move forward and backward. Of the telescopic pulleys 21c, 22c, the adjusting pulleys 21d, 22d, and the vent pulleys 21e, 22e, the telescopic pulleys 21c, 22c are disposed in a position closest to the guide path of the sanitary paper stack B, the vent pulleys 21e, 22e are disposed in a position farthest from the guide path of the sanitary paper stack B, and the adjusting pulleys 21d, 22d are disposed between them. When the belts 21a, 22a are driven by the drive pulleys 21b, 22b, they pass through the telescopic pulleys 21c, 22c, the adjusting pulleys 21d, 22d, and the vent pulleys 21e, 22e in that order.

[0034] 4(a) shows the belt conveyors constituting the left and right guide sections 21 and 22 in the most contracted state, and FIG. 4(b) shows the belt conveyors constituting the left and right guide sections 21 and 22 in the most extended state. As shown in these figures, when the guide path of the sanitary paper stack B by the sorting guide 20 is extended, the telescopic pulleys 21c and 22c are advanced along the guide direction, and the adjustment pulleys 21d and 22d are retracted along the opposite guide direction. On the other hand, when the guide path of the sanitary paper stack B by the sorting guide 20 is contracted, the telescopic pulleys 21c and 22c are retracted along the guide direction, and the adjustment pulleys 21d and 22d are advanced along the opposite guide direction. This allows the guide path of the sanitary paper stack B to be freely adjusted by the forward and backward movements of the telescopic pulleys 21c and 22c and the adjustment pulleys 21d and 22d. In addition, the drive pulleys 21b, 22b continue to drive the belts 21a, 22a even while the telescopic pulleys 21c, 22c and the adjustment pulleys 21d, 22d are moving forward and backward. Therefore, according to the example shown in Fig. 4, the guide path can be extended and retracted while continuing to transport the sanitary paper stack B. The forward and backward movements of the telescopic pulleys 21c, 22c and the adjustment pulleys 21d, 22d are controlled by a control device such as a computer. The forward and backward movements of each pulley can be achieved by a known actuator capable of linear reciprocating motion, such as a piston or slider.

[0035] FIG. 5 shows the position where the pivot 23 for the pivoting operation is provided for the sorting guide 20 shown in FIG. 4. In the configuration shown in FIG. 5(a), the entire sorting guide 20 pivots around one pivot 23. That is, the left and right guide parts 21 and 22 constituting the sorting guide 20 are configured to pivot integrally around one pivot 23. On the other hand, in the configuration shown in FIG. 5(b), the sorting guide 20 has two pivots 23a and 23b, and the left and right guide parts 21 and 22 pivot around different pivots 23a and 23b. That is, the left guide part 21 pivots around the first pivot 23a, and the right guide part 22 pivots around the second pivot 23b. When individual fulcrums 23a, 23b are provided on the left and right guide parts 21, 22 as in FIG. 5(b), it is preferable that these two fulcrums 23a, 23b are aligned on a straight line L perpendicular to the conveying direction of the sanitary paper stack B.

[0036] Either the configuration shown in FIG. 5(a) or the configuration shown in FIG. 5(b) can be adopted. In the configuration shown in FIG. 5(a), when the sorting guide 20 is inclined with respect to the conveying direction of the sanitary paper stack B, the sanitary paper stack B often comes into contact with one of the guide sections 21 and 22 first when entering the introduction path between the left and right guide sections 21 and 22. In the example of FIG. 5(a), it can be said that the sanitary paper stack B comes into contact with the left guide section 21 first. In this way, in the configuration shown in FIG. 5(a), especially when belt conveyors are used as the left and right guide sections 21 and 22, it is difficult to simultaneously sandwich the sanitary paper stack B by the left and right guide sections 21 and 22 when the sanitary paper stack B enters, and there may be a difference in timing for sandwiching the sanitary paper stack B. In that case, the sanitary paper stack B may wrinkle or lose its shape. On the other hand, in the configuration shown in FIG. 5(b), the fulcrums 23a and 23b of the left and right guide sections 21 and 22 are aligned on the straight line L. For this reason, even if the sorting guide 20 is inclined with respect to the transport direction of the sanitary paper stack B, the sanitary paper stack B will come into contact with the left and right guide sections 21, 22 at almost the same time when it enters the introduction path between the left and right guide sections 21, 22. For this reason, the configuration in Fig. 5(b) can prevent the sanitary paper stack B from becoming wrinkled or losing its shape when it enters.

[0037] On the other hand, consider the case where the sanitary paper stack B exits from the introduction path between the left and right guide parts 21, 22. In the case of the configuration of FIG. 5(a), even if the sorting guide 20 is inclined with respect to the transport direction of the sanitary paper stack B, the contact between the sanitary paper stack B and the left and right guide parts 21, 22 is released almost simultaneously. For this reason, with the configuration of FIG. 5(a), it can be said that the sanitary paper stack B can be prevented from being wrinkled or losing its shape when it exits from the introduction path between the left and right guide parts 21, 22. On the other hand, with the configuration of FIG. 5(a), when the sorting guide 20 is inclined with respect to the transport direction of the sanitary paper stack B, the sanitary paper stack B often releases contact with one of the guide parts 21, 22 first. In the example of FIG. 5(b), it can be said that the sanitary paper stack B releases contact with the right guide part 22 first. 5(b), particularly when belt conveyors are used as the left and right guide units 21, 22, it is difficult for the left and right guide units 21, 22 to simultaneously release the sanitary paper stack B when the sanitary paper stack B exits, and there may be a discrepancy in the timing of releasing the sanitary paper stack B. As such, the configurations of Figures 5(a) and 5(b) each have their own advantages and disadvantages, so it is sufficient to decide which configuration to adopt based on these advantages and disadvantages.

[0038] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing another embodiment of the sorting guide 20. The embodiment shown in FIG. 6 differs from the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 mainly in that the sorting guide 20 additionally includes left and right auxiliary guides 27, 28. The left and right auxiliary guides 27, 28 are attached to the outlet ends of the left and right expandable parts 24, 25, respectively, and function to make the outlet direction of the sanitary paper stack B coincide with the conveying direction of the wide conveyor 12 when the sanitary paper stack B is led out from the sorting guide 20. That is, as shown in FIG. 6(a), when the sorting guide 20 is inclined with respect to the conveying direction of the wide conveyor 12, the sanitary paper stack B advances along the guide path of the sorting guide 20, so that the advancement direction of the sanitary paper stack B is also inclined with respect to the conveying direction of the wide conveyor 12. In this case, even when the sorting guide 20 is inclined with respect to the conveying direction of the wide conveyor 12, the auxiliary guides 27, 28 form a guide path parallel to the conveying direction. For this reason, the sanitary paper stack B temporarily moves parallel to the conveying direction of the wide conveyor 12 along the guide path of the auxiliary guides 27, 28. Thus, by providing the auxiliary guides 27, 28, the sanitary paper stack B can be made parallel to the conveying direction of the wide conveyor 12 when it is led out from the sorting guide 20.

[0039] The left and right auxiliary guides 27, 28 are rotatably attached near the tips of the left and right expandable parts 24, 25, respectively. When the expandable parts 24, 25 are not attached to the left and right guide parts 21, 22, the auxiliary guides 27, 28 are attached near the tips of the left and right guide parts 21, 22. The orientations of the left and right auxiliary guides 27, 28 can be controlled with the pivot shaft as a fulcrum. Specifically, the orientations of the left and right auxiliary guides 27, 28 may be controlled by a known actuator such as a motor. Also, as shown in FIG. 6, in order to ensure the gap between the left and right auxiliary guides 27, 28 (i.e., the guide path for the sanitary paper stack B), the left and right auxiliary guides 27, 28 may be connected by a connecting link 29. This connecting link 29 is a member having a certain length corresponding to the width of the guide path, so that the gap between the left and right auxiliary guides 27, 28 is always maintained by the connecting link 29. In the case of the linked type, the position of the exit part can be controlled by controlling the left and right expansion and contraction or adjusting the swing angle in the expansion and contraction return operation. The angle of the exit part can always be kept parallel to the conveying direction of the sanitary paper stack B. Note that Fig. 6 shows the process of switching the conveying path by the sorting guide 20 in Figs. 6(a) to 6(d). Even in the embodiment having the auxiliary guides 27, 28, the process of switching the conveying path is basically the same as the process described with reference to Fig. 3.

[0040] As in the embodiment shown in Fig. 6, the configuration in which auxiliary guides 27, 28 are provided at the outlet end of the sorting guide 20 is advantageous when the left and right guide sections 21, 22 are rotated about different fulcrums 23a, 23b, respectively. As described above, when the left and right guide sections 21, 22 are configured to rotate about different fulcrums 23a, 23b (see Fig. 5(b)), there is a risk that the sanitary paper stack B may become wrinkled or lose its shape when it exits the introduction path between the left and right guide sections 21, 22. In this regard, by using the auxiliary guides 27, 28 to guide the sanitary paper stack B to run parallel to the discharge direction of the wide conveyor 12, it is possible to prevent the sanitary paper stack B from becoming wrinkled or losing its shape when it exits the guide path.

[0041] Next, Fig. 7 shows a flow diagram from distributing the sanitary paper bundle B to a plurality of transport paths to packaging the sanitary paper bundle B on each transport path to obtain a sanitary paper bundle product. As shown in Fig. 7, the manufacturing method for the sanitary paper bundle product preferably includes a distributing step (S1), a decelerating step (S2), a spacing adjustment step (S3), and a packaging step (S4) in this order.

[0042] The sorting step (S1) is a step of sorting a plurality of sanitary paper stacks B that are continuously transported along one path into a plurality of transport paths. Details of the sorting step are as described above.

[0043] The deceleration process (S2) is a process of decelerating the conveying speed of the sanitary paper stack B in each conveying path after the sorting process. As described above, the multiplexer 1 (see FIG. 1) generates the sanitary paper stack B at high speed, and the sorting device 3 sorts the sanitary paper stack B to each conveying path while maintaining the conveying speed. At this time, the packaging machine 4 provided in each conveying path may not be able to handle the conveying speed after the sorting process. Therefore, it is preferable to decelerate the conveying speed of the sanitary paper stack B to a speed that the packaging machine 4 can handle after the sorting process. In particular, when the interval between the sanitary paper stack B is set to 55% or more with respect to the product length (length in the conveying direction) of the sanitary paper stack B, the deceleration process is essential after the sorting process. FIG. 8 shows an example of this deceleration process. In the example shown in FIG. 8, multiple deceleration conveyors 14, 15 are arranged downstream of the individual conveyor 13 in each conveying path, and the conveying speed of the sanitary paper stack B is gradually decelerated. If the conveying speed of the sanitary paper stack B is suddenly reduced, the gaps between the sanitary paper stacks B may become too narrow, causing the sanitary paper stacks B to collide with each other or to lose their shape, so it is better to gradually reduce the conveying speed of the sanitary paper stack B. In the example shown in Fig. 8, for each conveying path, an individual conveyor 13 that receives the sanitary paper stack B from the wide conveyor 12, a first deceleration conveyor 14 that has a conveying speed slower than that of the individual conveyor 13, and a second deceleration conveyor 15 that has an even slower conveying speed than the first deceleration conveyor 14 are arranged in this order. This allows the conveying speed of the sanitary paper stack B to be gradually reduced to a speed that the packaging machine 4 can handle.

[0044] The interval adjustment step (S3) is a step of adjusting the intervals between the sanitary paper stacks B in each conveying path after the deceleration step. Since the intervals between the sanitary paper stacks B distributed to each conveying path may vary, it is advisable to adjust the intervals between the sanitary paper stacks B to be somewhat uniform before the sanitary paper stacks B are introduced into the packaging machine 4. Here, an example will be described in which the interval adjustment step is mainly performed for the purpose of widening the intervals between the sanitary paper stacks B. As described above, it is preferable to decelerate the speed of the sanitary paper stacks B in stages in each conveying path, and in this case, the intervals between the sanitary paper stacks B become narrower in stages. That is, in each conveying path, a predetermined number (for example, four) of sanitary paper stacks B are conveyed in a row, but for example, when the first sanitary paper stack B is transferred from a conveyor with a high conveying speed to a conveyor with a low conveying speed, the first sanitary paper stack B will be decelerated. As a result, the second sanitary paper stack B following behind will continue to be transported by the faster conveyor, narrowing the gap between the first sanitary paper stack B and the second sanitary paper stack B. Therefore, it is advisable to perform a gap adjustment in order to widen the gap between the sanitary paper stacks B that has narrowed after the deceleration process. Note that if the conveying speed of the entire facility is slow, the deceleration process (S2) is not necessarily required, and the gap adjustment process (S3) alone will suffice.

[0045] FIG. 9 shows an example of this interval adjustment process. In the example shown in FIG. 9, a first interval adjustment conveyor 16 and a second interval adjustment conveyor 17 are arranged in this order on the downstream side of the deceleration conveyors 14 and 15 described above in each conveying path. In this case, the downstream second interval adjustment conveyor 17 is set to convey the sanitary paper stack B at a faster speed than the upstream first interval adjustment conveyor 16. In this case, the sanitary paper stack B accelerates when it is transferred from the first interval adjustment conveyor 16 to the second interval adjustment conveyor 17, and at that time the interval between the sanitary paper stacks B becomes wider. In addition, the downstream second interval adjustment conveyor 17 may be set to convey the sanitary paper stack B at a slower speed than the upstream first interval adjustment conveyor 16. In this case, the sanitary paper stacks B slow down when they are handed over from the first gap adjustment conveyor 16 to the second gap adjustment conveyor 17, narrowing the gap between the sanitary paper stacks B. In this way, the gap between the sanitary paper stacks B can be adjusted by using the first gap adjustment conveyor 16 and the second gap adjustment conveyor 17, which have different transport speeds. For example, in this gap adjustment process, adjustments can be made to narrow the gap between the sanitary paper stacks B that have spread apart into groups (several stacks) during sorting, to make the gaps between the sanitary paper stacks B closer to equal, or to dispense the sanitary paper stacks one by one on the conveyor just before packaging in accordance with the timing of the packaging machine.

[0046] 9, an operation of widening the space between the sanitary paper stacks B is performed for every predetermined number (e.g., four) of sanitary paper stacks B. In other words, a group is formed with a predetermined number of sanitary paper stacks B, and the last sanitary paper stack B of the first group is 1 and the first sanitary paper stack B in the next second group. 2 The intervals between the sanitary paper stacks B in each group are not adjusted. Specifically, when the intervals are not adjusted, the conveying speeds of the first interval adjustment conveyor 16 and the second interval adjustment conveyor 17 are made approximately equal. On the other hand, when the intervals between all the sanitary paper stacks B in the first group (sanitary paper stacks B 1) is placed on the second interval adjustment conveyor 17, and all sanitary paper stacks B (including sanitary paper stacks B 2 At the stage where the last sanitary paper stack B of the first group is placed on the first interval adjustment conveyor 16, the conveying speed of the second interval adjustment conveyor 17 is made different from the conveying speed of the first interval adjustment conveyor 16. In the example shown in FIG. 9, 1 and the first sanitary paper stack B of the second group 2 For example, the second gap adjustment conveyor 17 is accelerated to set its transport speed faster than the transport speed of the first gap adjustment conveyor 16. At this time, the transport speed of the first gap adjustment conveyor 16 may be decelerated, or the first gap adjustment conveyor 16 may be temporarily stopped. As a result, the sanitary paper stack B 1 and sanitary paper stack B 2 The interval between the sanitary paper stack B can be increased depending on the situation. 1 and sanitary paper stack B 2 It is also possible to control the conveying speeds of the first and second gap adjustment conveyors 16 and 17 so as to narrow the gaps between the groups. In this case, the first and second gap adjustment conveyors 16 and 17 are made to perform the reverse operation to that described above. This makes it possible to make the gaps between the groups somewhat uniform.

[0047] In the packaging step (S4), after the interval adjustment, the sanitary paper bundles B are packaged using packaging machines 4 arranged for each transport path to obtain sanitary paper bundle products. The packaging machines 4 may package each sanitary paper bundle B in a packaging bag, or may collect multiple sanitary paper bundles B and package them in a packaging bag. In the example shown in FIG. 9, groups are formed for each predetermined number of sanitary paper bundles B (for example, four). In this case, it is preferable to collect and package multiple sanitary paper bundles B belonging to each group.

[0048] In the above example, the deceleration step (S2) and the interval adjustment step (S3) are performed after the sorting step (S1), but these deceleration steps and interval adjustment steps may also be performed before the sorting step. The slower the conveying speed of the sanitary paper stack B and the wider the intervals between the sanitary paper stacks B, the more room there is for the sorting operation and the more stable the sorting can be. In other words, the wider the intervals between the sanitary paper stacks B, the more room there is for the sorting operation and the more stable the sorting can be. The method of spacing the sanitary paper stacks B can be achieved by transferring to a faster conveyer when transferring to a conveyer before the sorting equipment. When speeding up to widen the intervals between the sanitary paper stacks B, the above-mentioned auxiliary guides 27 and 28 are particularly effective (reducing trouble). When the intervals between the sanitary paper stacks B are widened to increase the room, the amount of movement of the tip of the sorting guide 20 can be reduced.

[0049] In the above, in order to express the contents of the present invention, the present specification has described the embodiments of the present invention with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and includes modifications and improvements that are obvious to a person skilled in the art based on the matters described in the present specification.

[0050] For example, it is possible to have a guide on the receiving side that moves left and right, and move one pitch in the opposite direction to the distribution. This halves the distribution width, which leads to a reduction in distribution time, stabilizes distribution, and reduces the extension range, making it possible to make the equipment more compact.

[0051] It would also be preferable to have a function to adjust the allocation destination by detecting the quantity of sanitary paper stacks on each line after sorting using a sensor, etc. If thinning occurs due to a malfunction or other problem, the balance can be automatically corrected.

[0052] Also, for example, if the conveying path (line) stops at a portion after the individual conveyor 13 after the sorting process, the sorting guide 20 may be controlled in response to that signal to stop supplying to the corresponding conveying path. In this way, the sorting guide 20 is controlled by the control device to sort only to the conveying paths that are in operation. Also, if a partial stop occurs in a portion of the conveying path downstream of the sorting guide 20, the sanitary paper stack will overflow if it continues to be supplied at the same speed, so it is preferable to control to slow down the conveying speed of the conveying path upstream of the sorting guide 20 and the cutting speed of the stack of sanitary paper by the cutter 2. Since sorting involves skipping one line and doubling the movable width, it is necessary to deal with this by slowing down the speed. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 1...Multiple machines 2...Cutters 3… Sorting device 4… Packing machine 10...Conveyor device 11...Main conveyor 12...Wide conveyor 13...Individual conveyor 14...First deceleration conveyor 15...Second deceleration conveyor 16: First gap adjustment conveyor 17: Second gap adjustment conveyor 20...Dividing guide 21...Left guide section 22...Right guide part 23...Pivot point 23a...First fulcrum 23b...Second fulcrum 24...Left telescoping section 25...Right telescoping section 26...Sensor 27...Left auxiliary guide 28…Right auxiliary guide 29…Connecting link 21a, 22a...Belt 21b, 22b...Drive pulley 21c, 22c...Telescopic pulley 21d, 22d...Adjustable pulley 21e, 22e…Vent pulley P…Sanitary paper B…Sanitary paper stack

Claims

1. A method for sorting a sanitary paper stack, comprising the steps of: A wide conveyor, a sorting guide that guides the sanitary paper stack at a position sandwiching the stack from the left and right on the wide conveyor, and a plurality of individual conveyors that are arranged in parallel on the downstream side of the wide conveyor are used, a step of moving the outlet end of the sorting guide in a horizontal direction and moving the sanitary paper stack in a horizontal direction on the wide conveyor so as to form a plurality of parallel transport paths on the wide conveyor; A sorting method including a step of transporting the sanitary paper stack downstream along the transport path by the wide conveyor, and transferring the sanitary paper stack to the multiple individual conveyors provided at the outlet of the transport path.

2. The distribution guide is configured so that the outlet end portion is reciprocally rotatable in a horizontal direction with respect to a predetermined fulcrum. The method of claim 1.

3. The sorting guide extends a tip end of the sorting guide in accordance with the transport of the sanitary paper stack in accordance with the sorting operation, and supports the sanitary paper stack. The method for allocating according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The sorting guide is composed of a conveyor belt that conveys the sanitary paper stack downstream while pinching it from the left and right. The method for allocating according to claim 1 or 2.

5. Further using a sensor for detecting the sanitary paper stack, The sorting guide shifts the outlet end in a horizontal direction so as to switch the transport path based on the detection information from the sensor. The method for allocating according to claim 1 or 2.

6. A step of sorting the sanitary paper stack by the sorting method according to claim 1; packaging the sanitary paper stack sorted by the sorting method, A method for manufacturing sanitary paper bundle products.

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