Horizontal type bag-making filling packing machine comprising detection device for accessory

Abstract

To provide a bag-making filling packing machine capable of detecting whether or not an accessory exists in a packaging bag in a predetermined state at a later timing, as much as possible, in a period in which a belt-like packaging material is bent into an approximately tubular shape and then the packaging bag is formed on a tip end side of the tubular packaging material by sealing means.SOLUTION: A non-contact type detection sensor 33 being a detection device is arranged at an outside position of a packaging material between a point of a bent packaging material Fc bent into an approximately tubular shape by passing a former and a point where a packaging bag is formed at the tip end of a tubular packaging material Ft. An accessory (deoxidation agent A) supplied to a belt-like packaging material in correspondence with a product P can be detected from the outside of the bent packaging material Fc after passing the former or the tubular packaging material Ft afterward through the packaging material and further until a later timing as much as possible. Since presence or absence of the accessory, or whether or not positional deviation is caused, can be detected, occurence of a defective packaged article and damage of an end seal unit 28 caused by biting of the accessory can be prevented.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a horizontal bag-making and filling packaging machine for continuously manufacturing a bag package in which a product is contained by forming a packaging bag on the tip side of a tubular packaging material formed by bending a strip-shaped packaging material into a substantially tubular shape by a former and then further forming it into a tubular shape, and sealing the product fed into the packaging bag by a sealing means inside the packaging bag, and is provided with a detecting device for an accessory that detects whether or not an accessory supplied to the strip-shaped packaging material is properly supplied in a packaging bag to be formed in the future.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, packages for products such as food are distributed and stored in a state where the product is hermetically sealed with a packaging material so that the quality does not deteriorate due to the intrusion of oxygen and moisture in the outside air, that is, so that the product (food) does not deteriorate or mold does not occur. Also, even for a hermetically sealed package, in order to prevent the quality of the product from deteriorating due to oxygen and moisture contained in the air inside the package, the package may be enclosed with a quality retention agent such as an oxygen absorber or a moisture absorber formed in a sheet or pouch shape. The oxygen absorber mainly contains iron powder and utilizes the property of absorbing oxygen when iron rusts (combines with oxygen and oxidizes) to remove the oxygen inside the package and prevent deterioration due to oxidation of the contents and the occurrence of mold. It is a freshness retention agent aimed at preventing the deterioration of the contents due to oxidation and the occurrence of mold. A moisture absorber such as a desiccant is a freshness retention agent aimed at absorbing moisture (humidity) inside the package and maintaining the flavor and texture of the food and suppressing mold. As a method of removing oxygen inside the package, there are other packaging methods such as vacuum packaging. However, vacuum packaging is a packaging method that removes air inside the bag by sucking it out with a dedicated packaging machine. When the product is a food with a brittle texture such as baked confectionery, the product may be crushed by the air pressure from the surroundings during vacuuming, so it is considered unsuitable. The quality retention agent is supplied in accordance with the filling of the product in a manner such as being attached to the packaging material or placed on the product by hand or an input machine in a packaging machine for packaging the product, and is hermetically sealed inside the package together with the product when the packaging material is sealed. Regarding the quality retention agent, since it is only enclosed in the package, it does not matter what the contents are, and since it is only supplied on the surface of the packaging material or inside the package by a mechanical device, it is relatively easy to handle.

[0003] As means and methods for confirming whether or not a quality retention agent is correctly supplied into a package, there are proposed: confirming that the quality retention agent is supplied in a packaging bag formed from a previously prepared packaging bag or packaging material, that is, before the package is manufactured, performing detection to confirm the presence of the quality retention agent by a photoelectric sensor; performing detection to confirm that the quality retention agent is present in the package by a proximity sensor installed under the unloading conveyor after packaging by a packaging machine; or performing detection by passing a detector through a further subsequent process of the packaging machine (such as a process of boxing after unloading the manufactured package).

[0004] An oxygen scavenger detection device for detecting whether or not an oxygen scavenger containing a ferromagnetic material is stored in a packaging bag containing an object to be packaged, comprising: a conveyor belt for placing and conveying the packaging bag on its upper surface; an arm disposed below the conveyor belt and swingable about a horizontal support shaft; a magnet roller rotatably disposed at the tip of the arm and provided with a magnetic force; and a rotation detection sensor for detecting the rotation of the magnet roller. By the action of the magnet roller rotatably disposed at the tip of the arm swingable about a horizontal support shaft and the rotation detection sensor for detecting the rotation of this magnet roller, it has been proposed to detect the oxygen scavenger with high accuracy while having a simple configuration (Patent Document 1).

[0005] A horizontal pillow packaging machine equipped with a discharge conveyor that generates, at regular intervals, a deoxidizer-sealed bag containing a deoxidizer containing iron powder and a package filled with a product to be packaged, and conveys the package. A proximity sensor is fixedly arranged close to the position where the package on the discharge conveyor is conveyed, and detects the presence of a deoxidizer-sealed bag in the package and outputs a detection signal. A packaging device is proposed that includes a discrimination device that discriminates whether a detection signal is output from the proximity sensor at a detection timing set based on a fixed cycle and outputs the discrimination result (Patent Document 2). According to this packaging device, a proximity sensor that detects the presence of a deoxidizer-sealed bag can be fixedly installed close to the position where the deoxidizer-sealed bag is conveyed by the conveying device. Even when there is not much space around the conveying device, it is possible to detect whether a deoxidizer-sealed bag is present in the package without separately providing a sensor for detecting the passage of the package conveyed by the conveying device.

[0006] As means for detecting the presence or absence of an iron-based deoxidizer, conventionally, devices such as metal detectors, proximity switches, and X-ray inspection devices have been used (Patent Document 3). A metal detector utilizes the phenomenon that when a magnetic metal such as iron enters the magnetic field generated when a current is passed through a coil, the magnetic flux is attracted, causing a change in the induced voltage of the coil. A metal detector is a relatively large machine with a precise structure and is costly. A proximity switch employs the same principle as a metal detector and is less expensive than a metal detector. However, due to its small size, the detection range is narrow, and there is a possibility that a deoxidizer that may move within the package cannot be properly detected. When multiple proximity switches are arranged in parallel to expand the detection range, there is a risk of mutual interference of the high-frequency magnetic fields generated from adjacent proximity switches. An X-ray inspection device requires complex and high-definition circuits and devices such as an X-ray source, its X-ray detector, a control circuit for handling them, and an arithmetic processing circuit. The cost of the inspection device is high, and it is also difficult to handle.

[0007] As a bag-making and filling packaging machine for enclosing a quality retention agent together with a product in a bag package, a horizontal bag-making and filling packaging machine is often used. As shown as an example in FIG. 1 which is a side view, the basic configuration of a horizontal bag-making and filling packaging machine is as follows: a packaging material supply unit 2 having a former 17 that conveys a strip-shaped packaging material Fw fed out from a raw material roll Fr in the longitudinal direction of the strip and bends the both side edge portions fe, fe of the strip-shaped packaging material Fw to be close to each other to form a substantially cylindrical shape; a product supply unit 4 that feeds a product (object to be packaged) P into the bent packaging material (hereinafter referred to as "bent packaging material") Fc at regular intervals; a center seal unit 20 that forms a center seal on the both side edge portions fe, fe of the bent packaging material Fc to form a tubular packaging material Ft; and an end seal unit 28 that applies an end seal to the tubular packaging material Ft having the product P inside in a direction crossing between adjacent products P, P. As will be described later, a cutter device for cutting the tubular packaging material Ft can be incorporated in the end seal unit 28, and the packaging material supply unit 2, the product supply unit 4, and the end seal unit 28 are each separately driven by a servo motor. A control device operates these devices and units in timing with each other. By such drive control, a seal is applied to the strip-shaped packaging material Fw to produce a bag, and a bag package (pillow package) Bp in which the product P is stored in the bag is continuously manufactured.

[0008] The above-mentioned means proposed so far do not detect the quality retention agent attached to the packaging material after the bag is formed and before it is sealed. Whether the deoxidizer is correctly placed at a predetermined position in the bag package (packaging bag) when the bag package is manufactured is usually detected before the packaging material is fed into the horizontal bag-making and filling packaging machine in order to avoid interference with various devices of the horizontal bag-making and filling packaging machine, or after it is manufactured as a bag package. In a structure where the deoxidizer is detected before the packaging material is fed into the horizontal bag-making and filling packaging machine, even if the deoxidizer is correctly detected at the time of detection, since the deoxidizer moves a considerable distance before the packaging bag is sealed to manufacture the bag package, there may occur unexpected situations such as the attached deoxidizer peeling off from the packaging material during the movement, or the deoxidizer that was only placed on the packaging material without being attached shifting in position or posture with respect to the packaging material. On the other hand, in a structure where the deoxidizer is detected after the bag package is manufactured, if the deoxidizer peels off from the packaging material or shifts in position or posture before the packaging bag is sealed, there is a possibility that the sealing means bites into the deoxidizer when the packaging bag is sealed, and it is difficult to avoid this. It may take time and effort to clean the sealing means that has bitten into the deoxidizer or to check for damage.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0009]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0010] Therefore, in a horizontal bag-making and filling packaging machine that continuously manufactures a bag package in which a product is accommodated by forming a packaging bag on the tip side of a tubular packaging material formed by bending a strip-shaped packaging material into a substantially tubular shape by a former and then further forming it into a tubular shape, and sealing the packaging bag with the product placed inside, it is necessary to solve the problem of detecting whether an accessory supplied to the strip-shaped packaging material is properly supplied at a position in the packaging bag to be formed in the future, until as late a time as possible after the strip-shaped packaging material is bent into a substantially tubular shape by passing through the former and before the packaging bag is formed on the tip side of the tubular packaging material formed by further forming the strip-shaped packaging material into a tubular shape.

[0011] An object of the present invention is to solve the above problems. In a horizontal bag-making and filling packaging machine that continuously manufactures a bag package in which a product is accommodated by forming a packaging bag on the tip side of a tubular packaging material formed by bending a strip-shaped packaging material into a substantially tubular shape by a former and then further forming it into a tubular shape, and sealing the packaging bag with the product placed inside, it is possible to detect whether an accessory supplied to the strip-shaped packaging material is properly present corresponding to the product until as late a time as possible after the strip-shaped packaging material is bent into a substantially tubular shape and before the packaging bag is formed on the tip side of the tubular packaging material formed by further forming it into a tubular shape. By doing so, it is possible to avoid the occurrence of defective packages as bag packages due to the lack of accessories and the work burden of maintaining the sealing means caused by the biting-in of the accessories by the sealing means, and to provide a horizontal bag-making and filling packaging machine equipped with an accessory detection device.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0012] In order to solve the above problems, a horizontal bag-making, filling, and packaging machine equipped with an accessory detection device according to the present invention forms a packaging bag on the tip side of a tubular packaging material formed by bending a strip-shaped packaging material into a substantially tubular shape by a former and then further forming it into a tubular shape, and seals the packaging bag with a product placed inside to continuously manufacture a bag package containing the product. A non-contact detection device for detecting an accessory supplied to the strip-shaped packaging material is arranged outside the bent strip-shaped packaging material or the tubular packaging material between the time when the strip-shaped packaging material is bent into a substantially tubular shape by passing through the former and the time when a packaging bag is formed at the tip of the tubular packaging material.

[0013] According to the horizontal bag-making, filling, and packaging machine equipped with this accessory detection device, the horizontal bag-making, filling, and packaging machine itself as a packaging machine is a normal horizontal bag-making, filling, and packaging machine. It forms a packaging bag on the tip side of a tubular packaging material formed by bending a strip-shaped packaging material into a substantially tubular shape by a former and then further forming it into a tubular shape, and seals the packaging bag with a product placed inside to continuously manufacture a bag package containing the product. The non-contact detection device for the accessory is for detecting whether the accessory supplied to the strip-shaped packaging material corresponding to the product is appropriately present in the packaging bag. Its arrangement is between the time when the strip-shaped packaging material is bent into a substantially tubular shape by passing through the former and the time when a packaging bag is formed at the tip of the tubular packaging material, and it is outside the bent strip-shaped packaging material or the tubular packaging material. Therefore, the detection of the accessory is performed at the position and timing from the time when the strip-shaped packaging material bent into a substantially tubular shape passes through the former to the time when the packaging bag is formed by sealing the tubular packaging material by the sealing means, and is performed through these packaging materials from the outside of the strip-shaped packaging material or the tubular packaging material. It can be detected whether the accessory is appropriately supplied at the position where it will be in the packaging bag to be formed in the future, that is, whether the accessory exists or not, or whether there is a displacement even if it exists.

[0014] In a horizontal type bag-making, filling and packaging machine equipped with a detecting device for this accessory, the horizontal type bag-making, filling and packaging machine is a pillow packaging machine, and the accessory supplied to the strip-shaped packaging material is attached to a wall portion that becomes the upper wall portion in the bent strip-shaped packaging material. Along the upper wall portion of the bent strip-shaped packaging material, an upper pressing plate is arranged to suppress the upward lifting of the upper wall portion toward the outside of the bending. The detecting device can be provided on the upper pressing plate in a manner that directly faces the upper wall portion. According to the horizontal type bag-making, filling and packaging machine equipped with the detecting device for this accessory, the horizontal type bag-making, filling and packaging machine is a pillow packaging machine, and the accessory supplied to the strip-shaped packaging material is attached to the inside of the wall portion that becomes the upper wall portion in the bent strip-shaped packaging material. Since the upper pressing plate is arranged along the upper wall portion of the strip-shaped packaging material, the upward swelling of the upper wall portion of the packaging material toward the outside of the bending is suppressed by the upper pressing plate. The detecting device is provided on the upper pressing plate in a manner that directly faces the upper wall portion of the bent strip-shaped packaging material, so that the accessory attached to the inside of the upper wall portion can be accurately detected.

[0015] In the horizontal type bag-making, filling and packaging machine equipped with the above upper pressing plate, a suction upper pressing conveyor can be arranged in a manner that extends along the upper wall portion without substantially leaving a distance from the upper pressing plate on the downstream side of the upper pressing plate, and sucks up the upper wall portion to prevent the downward sagging of the upper wall portion toward the inside of the bending. According to the horizontal type bag-making, filling and packaging machine equipped with the detecting device for this accessory, a suction upper pressing conveyor is arranged on the downstream side of the upper pressing plate in the feeding direction of the bent strip-shaped packaging material in a manner that extends along the upper wall portion of the strip-shaped packaging material without substantially leaving a distance from the upper pressing plate. The suction upper pressing conveyor sucks up the upper wall portion to prevent the downward sagging of the upper wall portion toward the inside of the bending, and pulls up the upper wall portion located upstream of the suction upper pressing conveyor along the upper pressing plate. Therefore, the detecting device provided on the upper pressing plate can more accurately detect the accessory attached to the inside of the upper wall portion.

[0016] In a horizontal bag-making, filling and packaging machine equipped with a detecting device for the accessory, the horizontal bag-making, filling and packaging machine is a pillow packaging machine. The accessory supplied to the strip-shaped packaging material is attached to the wall portion that becomes the upper wall portion in the curved strip-shaped packaging material. The running portion of the conveyor belt has a mode of extending along the upper wall portion of the curved strip-shaped packaging material and the tubular packaging material formed on the downstream side thereof, and suppresses the upward floating toward the outer side of the curvature of the upper wall portion and sucks up the upper wall portion to prevent the downward sagging toward the inner side of the curvature of the upper wall portion. A suction and suppression conveyor device is disposed. The detecting device can be provided in a mode of indirectly facing the upper wall portion by passing the conveyor belt through the upper wall portion inside the suction and suppression conveyor device. According to the horizontal bag-making, filling and packaging machine equipped with the detecting device for the accessory, the horizontal bag-making, filling and packaging machine is a pillow packaging machine, and the accessory supplied to the strip-shaped packaging material is attached to the inside of the wall portion that becomes the upper wall portion in the curved strip-shaped packaging material. Since the suction and suppression conveyor device is disposed in a mode where the running portion of the conveyor belt extends along the upper wall portion of the curved strip-shaped packaging material and the tubular packaging material formed on the downstream side thereof, the upper wall portion can be suppressed from floating upward in a mode of swelling toward the outer side of the curvature by the running portion of the conveyor belt of the suction and suppression conveyor device, and can be prevented from sagging downward toward the inner side of the curvature by being sucked up. On the other hand, the detecting device for the accessory is provided inside the suction and suppression conveyor device in a mode of indirectly facing the upper wall portion by passing the conveyor belt through the upper wall portion. Therefore, the detecting device can accurately detect the accessory attached to the inside of the upper wall portion through the conveyor belt.

[0017] In a horizontal bag-making, filling and packaging machine equipped with a detecting device for this accessory, the horizontal bag-making, filling and packaging machine is a pillow packaging machine, and the accessory supplied to the strip-shaped packaging material is attached to a wall portion that becomes the upper wall portion in the bent strip-shaped packaging material. The running portion of the conveyor belt has a mode of extending along the upper wall portion of the bent strip-shaped packaging material and the tubular packaging material formed on the downstream side thereof, and suppresses the upward floating toward the outside of the bending of the upper wall portion and sucks up the upper wall portion to prevent the downward sagging toward the inside of the bending of the upper wall portion. A suction and suppression conveyor device is disposed. The suction and suppression conveyor device is arranged in two rows in the feeding direction of the bent strip-shaped packaging material and the tubular packaging material formed on the downstream side thereof. The detecting device can be provided in a mode of directly facing the upper wall portion in the space between the two suction and suppression conveyors. According to the horizontal bag-making, filling and packaging machine equipped with the detecting device for this accessory, the horizontal bag-making, filling and packaging machine is a pillow packaging machine, and the accessory is attached to a wall portion that becomes the upper wall portion in the bent strip-shaped packaging material. The suction and suppression conveyor device is disposed in a mode where the running portion of the conveyor belt extends along the upper wall portion of the bent strip-shaped packaging material and the tubular packaging material formed on the downstream side thereof. Moreover, since the suction and suppression conveyor device is arranged in two rows in the feeding direction of the packaging material, the upper wall portion of the bent strip-shaped packaging material and the tubular packaging material formed on the downstream side thereof can be suppressed from floating in a mode of bulging toward the outside of the bending by the running portion of the suction and suppression conveyor device, and can be prevented from sagging toward the inside of the bending by being sucked up. On the other hand, the detecting device for the accessory is provided in a mode of directly facing the upper wall portion in the space between the two suction and suppression conveyors. Therefore, the detecting device detects the accessory attached to the inside of the upper wall portion not through the running portion of the suction and suppression conveyor device but in a mode of directly facing the upper wall portion, so that the accessory can be detected more accurately.

[0018] In a horizontal type bag-making, filling and packaging machine equipped with a detecting device for the accessory, the horizontal type bag-making, filling and packaging machine is a forward pillow packaging machine or a reverse pillow packaging machine, the accessory supplied to the strip-shaped packaging material is attached to a wall portion that becomes one side wall portion of the bent strip-shaped packaging material, and a side guide plate is provided along the side wall portion of the bent strip-shaped packaging material and the cylindrical packaging material formed on the downstream side thereof in a manner of extending outward of the bending of the side wall portion to suppress the upward floating. The detecting device can be provided on the side guide plate on the side where the accessory is attached in a manner of directly facing the side wall portion. According to the horizontal type bag-making, filling and packaging machine equipped with the detecting device for the accessory, the horizontal type bag-making, filling and packaging machine is a forward pillow packaging machine or a reverse pillow packaging machine, and the accessory is attached to a wall portion that becomes one side wall portion of the bent strip-shaped packaging material. Since the side guide plate is provided along the side wall portion of the bent strip-shaped packaging material and the cylindrical packaging material formed on the downstream side thereof in a manner of extending, the upward floating of the side wall portion to the outside of the bending is suppressed by the side guide plate. On the other hand, the detecting device for the accessory is provided on the side guide plate on the side where the accessory is attached in a manner of directly facing the side wall portion. Therefore, the detecting device can accurately detect the accessory attached to the side wall portion.

[0019] In a horizontal type bag-making, filling and packaging machine equipped with a detecting device for the accessory, the horizontal type bag-making, filling and packaging machine is a forward pillow packaging machine or a reverse pillow packaging machine, the accessory supplied to the strip-shaped packaging material is attached to a wall portion that becomes one side wall portion of the bent strip-shaped packaging material, and a side guide belt device having a running portion of a guide belt is provided along the side wall portion of the bent strip-shaped packaging material and the cylindrical packaging material formed on the downstream side thereof in a manner of extending outward of the bending of the side wall portion to suppress the upward floating. The detecting device can be provided inside the side guide belt device on the side where the accessory is attached in a manner of indirectly facing the side wall portion by passing the running portion of the guide belt through the side wall portion. According to the horizontal type bag-making, filling and packaging machine equipped with the detecting device for this accessory, the horizontal type bag-making, filling and packaging machine is a forward pillow packaging machine or a reverse pillow packaging machine, and the accessory is attached to the wall portion that becomes one side wall portion in the bent strip-shaped packaging material. Since a side guide belt device having a running portion of a conveyor belt is disposed in a manner of extending along the bent strip-shaped packaging material and the side wall portion of the tubular packaging material formed on the downstream side thereof, the side wall portion is suppressed from rising outward of the bending by the running portion of the side guide belt device. On the other hand, the detecting device for the accessory is provided in a manner of indirectly facing through the running portion inside the side guide belt device on the side where the accessory is attached. Therefore, although it is through the running portion of the guide belt, the detecting device can accurately detect the accessory attached to the side wall portion.

[0020] In the horizontal type bag-making, filling and packaging machine equipped with the detecting device for this accessory, the horizontal type bag-making, filling and packaging machine is a reverse pillow packaging machine, and the accessory supplied to the strip-shaped packaging material is attached to the wall portion that becomes the bottom wall portion in the bent strip-shaped packaging material. The intermediate conveyor belt conveyor device has a running portion of a conveyor belt extending along the bottom wall portion of the bent strip-shaped packaging material and the bottom wall portion of the tubular packaging material formed on the downstream side thereof, and supports the bottom wall portion by the running portion. The detecting device can be provided inside the intermediate conveyor belt conveyor device in a manner of indirectly facing the bottom wall portion by passing through the front conveyor belt. According to the horizontal bag-making, filling and packaging machine equipped with the accessory detection device, the horizontal bag-making, filling and packaging machine is an inverted pillow packaging machine, and the accessory is attached to the wall portion that becomes the bottom wall portion in the curved strip-shaped packaging material. Since an intermediate conveyor belt device having a running portion of a conveyor belt extending along the bottom wall portion of the curved strip-shaped packaging material and the bottom wall portion of the tubular packaging material formed on the downstream side thereof is disposed, the bottom wall portion is supported by the running portion of the intermediate conveyor belt device. On the other hand, the accessory detection device is provided in a manner of indirectly facing the bottom wall portion through the conveyor belt inside the intermediate conveyor belt device. Therefore, the detection device can accurately detect the accessory attached to the bottom wall portion through the running portion of the intermediate conveyor belt device.

[0021] In the horizontal bag-making, filling and packaging machine equipped with the accessory detection device, in the case of citing claim 5, the conveyor belt of the suction and holding conveyor device, in the case of citing claim 7, the guide belt of the side guide belt device, or in the case of citing claim 8, each of the running portions of the conveyor belt of the intermediate conveyor belt device forms a detour path structure following a path forming a recess, and the detection device is disposed inside the recess and can be provided in a manner of directly facing the wall portion to which the accessory of the curved strip-shaped packaging material is attached. According to the horizontal type bag-making, filling and packaging machine equipped with the detecting device for the accessory, a detour path structure that follows a path forming a recess is provided on each running part of the conveyor belt of the suction and holding conveyor device, the guide belt of the side guide belt device, or the conveyor belt of the intermediate conveying belt conveyor device. The detecting device for the accessory is disposed inside the recess of the running part in any of these cases, and is directly facing the wall part where the accessory will be attached in the curved strip-shaped packaging material. The wall part is the upper wall part of the curved strip-shaped packaging material in the case of the suction and holding conveyor device, the side wall part of the curved strip-shaped packaging material in the case of the side guide belt device, and the bottom wall part of the curved strip-shaped packaging material in the case of the intermediate conveying belt conveyor device. Therefore, the detecting device can more accurately detect the accessory directly facing the wall part without passing through the running part of the conveyor belt device, side guide belt device, or intermediate conveying belt conveyor device, regardless of which wall part the accessory is attached to.

[0022] When the detecting device cannot detect the accessory, by making the sealing operation of the sealing means, which should be performed on the packaging bag corresponding to the accessory if the accessory were detected temporarily, inoperative, the bagged package can be discharged as a defective product in a continuous packaging state in which the products are contained in a row. According to the horizontal type bag-making, filling and packaging machine equipped with the detecting device for the accessory, when a situation occurs where the accessory cannot be detected, by making the sealing operation of the sealing means, which should be performed on the packaging bag corresponding to the accessory if the accessory were detected temporarily, inoperative, the bagged package is discharged as a defective product in a continuous packaging state in which the products are contained in a row because the bagged package is not sealed between the products. Therefore, it is possible to prevent individual products without the accessory in the bag from being discharged from the horizontal type bag-making, filling and packaging machine as non-defective bagged packages.

Effects of the Invention

[0023] Since the horizontal type bag-making, filling and packaging machine equipped with the accessory detection device is configured as described above, it has the following special effects. That is, the horizontal type bag-making, filling and packaging machine as a packaging machine is a normal horizontal type bag-making, filling and packaging machine as described above, and the accessory detection device detects whether the accessory supplied to the strip-shaped packaging material corresponds to the product to be sealed in the bag package and is properly supplied at the position in the packaging bag that will be formed in the future. The arrangement position of the detection device is at least between the strip-shaped packaging material bent by passing through the former and the tip side of the tubular packaging material formed on the downstream side until the packaging bag is formed, and is at the outer position of the bent strip-shaped packaging material and the tubular packaging material. Therefore, the detection of the accessory is performed from the outside through the packaging material from the bent strip-shaped packaging material to the tubular packaging material, and is performed at the position and timing before the packaging bag is sealed to produce the bag package. That is, the position (time) at which the detection device detects that the accessory has fallen off or been displaced, which causes the absence of the accessory, is advanced as close as possible to the sealing means until just before the packaging bag is formed, that is, from the time when the strip-shaped packaging material is bent by passing through the former to the tip side of the tubular packaging material until the packaging bag is formed, so that it can be ensured. It is possible to surely prevent the occurrence of defective packages caused by the accessory being caught during the sealing of the packaging bag by the sealing means.

[0024] As described above, the horizontal type bag-making, filling, and packaging machine equipped with the accessory detection device can detect whether the accessory that should be present in the bag package is absent or not displaced from the predetermined position as far as possible at a position advanced close to the sealing means. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent, to the greatest extent possible, the occurrence of defective packages due to the accessory being caught during the sealing of the packaging bag by the sealing means, and to avoid, as much as possible, maintenance work that may occur on the sealing means, such as inspection and repair of damage to the sealing means or cleaning of the sealing means when the sealing means catches the accessory. Further, according to the horizontal type bag-making, filling, and packaging machine equipped with this accessory detection device, a bag package determined to be defective based on non-detection of the accessory can be discharged (continuous package discharge) in a state where the products are accommodated continuously in one packaging bag or in a state where the packages are continuous without being separated at the sealing portion. Therefore, it is possible to easily visually identify whether the bag package is a good product or a defective product.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0025]

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a horizontal bag-making and filling packaging machine equipped with an accessory detection device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings. FIG. 1 is a side view showing an embodiment of a horizontal bag-making and filling packaging machine equipped with an accessory detection device according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a main part related to the detection of accessories in the horizontal bag-making and filling packaging machine shown in FIG. 1. Regarding the present invention, the basic structure of the horizontal bag-making and filling packaging machine itself is equivalent to that of a conventional horizontal bag-making and filling packaging machine, and there is no substantial difference.

[0027] The horizontal type bag-making, filling, and packaging machine 1a shown in Fig. 1 (when collectively referring to the horizontal type bag-making, filling, and packaging machine, the symbol 1 is used) includes a packaging material supply unit 2 that supplies a strip-shaped packaging material Fw while feeding it out, a product supply unit 3 that supplies the product P to be packaged, and a packaging machine unit 4 that manufactures a bag package Bp by creating a packaging bag B from the strip-shaped packaging material Fw supplied from the packaging material supply unit 2, accommodating the product P supplied from the product supply unit 3 in the packaging bag B, and sealing it. It also includes a bag package unloading unit 5 that unloads the bag package Bp manufactured by the packaging machine unit 4 to the outside.

[0028] In the packaging material supply unit 2, a raw material roll roller Fr around which the strip-shaped packaging material Fw is wound is loaded on a horizontal support shaft, and a packaging material feeding mechanism 10 feeds out the strip-shaped packaging material Fw from the raw material roll roller Fr and sends it into the packaging machine unit 4. The packaging material feeding mechanism 10 includes a drive motor 11, a drive roller 12a driven by the drive motor 11, and a driven roller 12b that faces the drive roller 12a with the strip-shaped packaging material Fw sandwiched therebetween. The strip-shaped packaging material Fw fed out while being sandwiched between the drive roller 12a and the driven roller 12b is sent through a horizontal travel path Lh where a sufficient distance is ensured until it reaches the inversion guide roller 13. Reference numeral 14 is a guide roller provided at an appropriate position to guide the travel of the strip-shaped packaging material Fw.

[0029] The oxygen scavenger feeder 15 is disposed along the horizontal traveling path Lh. Although the oxygen scavenger feeder 15 is drawn relatively small in the figure, it is preferably arranged in a large space opened above the horizontal traveling path Lh so that a feeder of a considerable scale can also be implemented. At a timing corresponding to the product P to be packaged, the oxygen scavenger A is individually supplied from the oxygen scavenger feeder 15 onto the strip-shaped packaging material Fw. The oxygen scavenger A may be actively pressed against the strip-shaped packaging material Fw by pressing means such as a pusher provided in the oxygen scavenger feeder 15, and is adhered (stuck) to the strip-shaped packaging material Fw traveling on the horizontal traveling path Lh with an appropriate adhesive force such that it cannot be peeled off with a little force on its upper surface. The oxygen scavenger A is formed, for example, in a thin pouch shape or a thin sheet shape, and contains an iron-based material in order to combine with and absorb the oxygen of the pouch package Bp in a state of being accommodated in the pouch package Bp. The upper surface of the strip-shaped packaging material Fw traveling on the horizontal traveling path Lh becomes the bent packaging material Fc bent into a substantially cylindrical shape by passing through a former of the packaging machine section 4 described later, and then further forms a cylindrical packaging material, and thus is the inner surface side of the packaging bag. The strip-shaped packaging material Fw to which the oxygen scavenger A is attached is wound around the tension roller 16 and guided to the packaging machine section 4. The tension roller 16 applies a predetermined tension to the strip-shaped packaging material Fw and adjusts the entry angle and distance of the packaging material to the former 17 described later.

[0030] The product supply section 3 consists of a product supply conveyor device 18 in which pusher attachments 19b are attached to an endless chain 19a at predetermined intervals. The product supply conveyor device 18 is a conveyor device that sequentially feeds products P such as foods to the packaging machine section 4 at a predetermined speed and intervals (timing). The product supply conveyor device 18 may conventionally have the structure of a well-known chain conveyor transport device and is driven by a drive motor in a manner adapted to the overall operation of a horizontal type bag-making and filling packaging machine.

[0031] The packaging machine section 4 includes a former (tube former) 17 that bends the supplied strip-shaped packaging material Fw into a substantially cylindrical shape (a square cross-section in this example), a center seal unit 20 that is disposed on the downstream side of the horizontal extension of the former 17 and forms the packaging material (bent packaging material Fc) bent into a substantially cylindrical shape through the former 17 into a cylindrical packaging material Ft, and an end seal unit 28 that is disposed on the downstream side of the center seal unit 20 and applies an end seal in the transverse direction to the cylindrical packaging material Ft. The feeding direction of the bent packaging material Fc is the horizontal direction (i.e., the transverse direction). In this embodiment, the position of the deoxidizer A attached to the strip-shaped packaging material Fw is on the inner surface side of the upper wall portion of the bent packaging material Fc that has passed through the former 17. The product P fed into the former 17 by the pusher attachment 19b of the product supply conveyor device 18 moves in the transverse direction while being placed on the bottom wall portion of the laterally fed bent packaging material Fc.

[0032] The center seal unit 20 includes a center seal plate 21 that supports the bottom surface of the cylinder of the bent packaging material Fc from below. A slit extending in the longitudinal direction is formed in the center seal plate 21, and both side edge portions fe, fe of the bent packaging material Fc hang downward through the slit. The center seal unit 20 further includes film pulling rollers 22 that sandwich and pull the packaging material by sandwiching both side edge portions fe, fe of the packaging material hanging from the center seal plate 21 (referred to as "film pulling"), preheating heater bars 24 that heat both side edge portions fe, fe, crimping rollers 25 that crimp the preheated both side edge portions fe, fe, and scoring rollers 26 that score the joined both side edge portions fe, fe.

[0033] The film pulling roller 22, the preheating heater bar 24, the crimping roller 25, and the streaking roller 26 each have a paired structure for sandwiching both side edges fe, fe, and together with the center seal plate 21, they have a structure that is unitized by being sequentially arranged in the feeding direction of the packaging material on the lower side thereof. The film pulling roller 22 is driven by a film pulling motor 23, and its driving force is also transmitted to the crimping roller 25 and the streaking roller 26. The center seal unit 20 forms the center seal portion Sc by heat-sealing both side edges fe, fe of the strip-shaped packaging material Fw to each other, thereby forming the curved packaging material Fc into the cylindrical packaging material Ft. The cylindrical packaging material Ft (packaging bag B) is then sent toward the end seal unit 28 while being supported by the further conveying conveyor 27.

[0034] The end seal unit 28 is disposed downstream of the center seal unit 20 and includes a pair of end seal heater blocks 28a, 28b that are grooved and can be moved toward and away from the cylindrical packaging material Ft in the transverse direction. The heater blocks 28a, 28b approach and separate from the cylindrical packaging material Ft, for example, by a box motion operation, at positions where the product P is sandwiched before and after in the feeding direction of the cylindrical packaging material Ft, and perform heat-sealing on the cylindrical packaging material Ft during approach to sequentially form the end seal portions Se. The end seal unit 28 manufactures the bag packaging body Bp that contains the product P in advance from the cylindrical packaging material Ft, and creates the next packaging bag B for the subsequent cylindrical packaging material Ft.

[0035] The bag packaging body discharging unit 5 includes a belt conveyor type packaging body discharging conveyor 29 that discharges the bag packaging body (pillow packaging body) Bp manufactured by the packaging machine unit 4 to the outside. Although not shown, external devices such as an aggregating device for grouping a plurality of bag packaging bodies Bp or a boxing device for boxing can be additionally arranged in the bag packaging body discharging unit 5.

[0036] The attachment position of the deoxidizer A as an accessory may basically be anywhere as long as it is inside the packaging of the cylindrical packaging material Ft. Since the product P is usually fed in a state where it has a wide bottom area and a low height in consideration of its stability during feeding, in this embodiment, the deoxidizer supply machine 15 attaches the deoxidizer A to the central portion in the width direction of the strip-shaped packaging material Fw. When the strip-shaped packaging material Fw is bent into the cylindrical packaging material Ft, the deoxidizer A is positioned on the upper wall portion Ftu of the inner surface of the cylindrical packaging material Ft where a wide and flat state can be expected. In the bent packaging material Fc and the cylindrical packaging material Ft, the portion referred to as the wall portion is, for example, when the packaging material is made of a film, the portion that extends as a wall portion in the feeding direction of the film (such as the upper film portion).

[0037] In order to avoid the possibility that the deoxidizer A attached to the upper wall portion Ftu, which hangs down inside the bending, comes into contact with the product P when the bent packaging material Fc formed by passing through the former 17 reaches the end seal unit 28, it is preferable to keep the cross-sectional shape in a bent shape (in this example, a rectangular cross-sectional shape) until it reaches the end seal unit 28. On the other hand, on the outer side (upper side) of the upper wall portion Ftu of the bent packaging material Fc, a non-contact detection sensor 33 is fixedly arranged as a detection device for detecting the deoxidizer A attached to the upper wall portion Ftu. If the upper wall portion Ftu hangs down, when the product P is soft, it may damage the product P, such as causing chips by contacting the deoxidizer A, and at the same time, the distance between the detection sensor 33 and the deoxidizer A increases, and there is a possibility that the detection sensor 33 fails to detect even though the deoxidizer A exists. As a result, there is a risk of producing useless packaging defective products.

[0038] In order to ensure the detection of the deoxidizer A by the detection sensor 33, in the illustrated horizontal bag-making and filling packaging machine 1a, with respect to the curved packaging material Fc formed by passing through the former 17 and then the tubular packaging material Ft formed from the curved packaging material Fc and reaching the end seal unit 28, an upper pressing plate 30 is disposed above and along the upper wall portion Ftu of these curved packaging material Fc and tubular packaging material Ft. Immediately downstream of the upper pressing plate 30, a suction upper pressing conveyor 35 is disposed substantially without a distance from the downstream edge of the upper pressing plate 30. Inside the suction upper pressing conveyor 35, a suction box 39 to which a negative pressure is sent for suction of the upper wall portion Ftu is provided. Regarding the upper pressing plate 30 and the suction upper pressing conveyor 35, their outlines are shown as side views in FIG. 1, and the details are shown in FIG. 2 (perspective view) showing the main part related to the detection of the deoxidizer among the horizontal bag-making and filling packaging machines shown in FIG. 1.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 2, the upper pressing plate 30 is composed of a flat plate material except that the upstream end portion 31 of the cylindrical packaging material Ft is formed in a shape that is warped upward. When the cylindrical packaging material Ft is in a normal state where it is not hanging down, it is arranged along the upper wall portion Ftu thereof. The upper pressing plate 30 is made of metal, but it is preferably made of stainless steel so as to have little magnetic influence that may adversely affect the detection of the deoxidizer A by the detection sensor 33 and so as to be less likely to rust from the viewpoints of hygiene and quality assurance. By the upstream end portion 31, the cylindrical packaging material Ft smoothly enters the lower surface side of the upper pressing plate 30 with respect to the feed. A hole 32 penetrating the plate is formed at a predetermined position (the central portion in the longitudinal direction) of the upper pressing plate 30, and the detection sensor 33 is disposed in such a manner that it directly faces the upper wall portion Ftu of the cylindrical packaging material Ft through the hole 32. In the portion of the cylindrical packaging material Ft that is directly connected to the packaging unit in which one (downstream side) end seal is formed by the end seal unit 28 and is formed into the next packaging bag, the product P to be packaged next has already been placed. However, the most downstream position where the detection sensor 33 can be arranged can be set to a position where the deoxidizer A supplied corresponding to the product P to be packaged next can be detected. In the figures below FIG. 2, for the sake of convenience of illustration and description, the packaging material is assumed to be a transparent film, and the product P and the deoxidizer A are shown by solid lines.

[0040] The suction and holding conveyor 35 includes a drive-side roller 36a arranged on the downstream side, a driven-side roller 36b arranged on the upstream side, a suction belt 37 wound around both rollers 36a and 36b, and a suction box 39 arranged in a space surrounded by both rollers 36a and 36b and the suction belt 37 and in contact with the lower running path of the suction belt 37. A large number of suction holes 38 are formed in the suction belt 37 by punching at matrix positions in the longitudinal and transverse directions thereof. The suction box 39 is connected to an external negative pressure source (not shown), and the negative pressure inside the box acts on the upper wall portion Ftu of the bent packaging material Fc and the cylindrical packaging material Ft through the suction holes 38 of the suction belt 37, sucking up the upper wall portion Ftu to prevent the upper wall portion Ftu from sagging inwardly of the bending. Both rollers 36a and 36b are rotatably supported at both ends of a stay 36c provided with a handle 36d, and when the operator holds the handle 36d, the loading and removal operations of the suction and holding conveyor 35 to and from the packaging machine 1a are facilitated.

[0041] The suction upper suppression conveyor 35 prevents the drooping of the curved packaging material Fc and the upper wall portion Ftu of the cylindrical packaging material Ft. However, the suction action due to the negative pressure of the suction box 39 also reaches the range of the upper suppression plate 30 on the upstream side of the suction upper suppression conveyor 35. The upper wall portion Ftu is attracted to the upper suppression plate 30, and its further upward floating (outside the curve) is suppressed. The detection sensor 33 does not leave a distance from the deoxidizer A that is greater than the sum of the thickness of the upper suppression plate 30 and the thickness of the packaging material, and detects the deoxidizer A sent together with the upper wall portion Ftu in a manner that directly faces through the hole 32 of the upper suppression plate 30. Further, since the detection sensor 33 detects through the hole 32 of the upper suppression plate 30 by a magnetic action, the deoxidizer A can be reliably detected with little influence from the stainless steel material. In this way, the curved packaging material Fc and the cylindrical packaging material Ft maintain a rectangular cross-section (square shape) up to the vicinity of the end seal unit 28 without the upper wall portion Ftu drooping. Therefore, the detection sensor 33 can reliably detect the deoxidizer A, and the end seal unit 28 can perform a good end seal on the cylindrical packaging material Ft in a state where the cross-section is stretched into a rectangle. As a result, the bag package Bp can be manufactured in a good shape without the product P being bitten in or wrinkles occurring in the end seal portion Se.

[0042] The embodiments shown in FIGS. 3 to 6 are embodiments assuming that the horizontal bag-making and filling packaging machine equipped with the accessory detection device is the same positive pillow packaging machine as shown in FIGS. 1 to 2. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a main part of another embodiment of a horizontal bag-making and filling packaging machine equipped with an accessory detection device having the form of a positive pillow packaging machine. All of these embodiments are provided with means for suppressing the floating of the curved packaging material formed by passing through the former and the upper wall portion of the cylindrical packaging material formed thereafter, and detect accessories (deoxidizers) attached to the upper wall portion by the detection device disposed in the means.

[0043] Regarding the horizontal bag-making, filling, and packaging machine 1b shown in Fig. 3(a), components equivalent to those provided in the horizontal bag-making, filling, and packaging machine 1a shown in Figs. 1 to 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those used in the horizontal bag-making, filling, and packaging machine 1a, and thus the description thereof will not be repeated. The horizontal bag-making, filling, and packaging machine 1b does not include the suction and upper pressing conveyor 35 shown as being provided in the horizontal bag-making, filling, and packaging machine 1a. Instead, the upper pressing plate 40 has a length that extends to the range where the suction and upper pressing conveyor 35 of the horizontal bag-making, filling, and packaging machine 1a is disposed, that is, to the vicinity of the end seal unit 28. The upper pressing plate 40 is not different from the upper pressing plate 30 except for the different length, the point of including the upstream end portion 41, and the point of having the holes 42 formed therein. The detection sensor 33 detects the oxygen scavenger A sent directly below by the feeding of the tubular packaging material Ft through the holes 42 formed in the upper pressing plate 40. In this example, there is no action of sucking up the curved packaging material Fc and the upper wall portion Ftu of the tubular packaging material Ft and actively bringing them closer to the upper pressing plate 40. However, in such a case, for example, it is conceivable that the packaging material is a hard material and the cross-section of the tubular packaging material Ft can be maintained in a square shape only by the former 17.

[0044] The horizontal bag-making, filling, and packaging machine equipped with the detection device shown in FIGS. 3(b) and 3(c) are modified examples showing the main parts of the horizontal bag-making, filling, and packaging machine 1b, respectively, and show examples of structures designed to more actively keep the cross-section of the formed packaging material Fc and the subsequent tubular packaging material Ft in a square shape. In the example shown in FIG. 3(b), guide rods 43 extending along the feeding direction of the tubular packaging material Ft are provided respectively from the four corners of the outlet of the former 17 configured with a square cross-section. Each guide rod 43 is a bar-shaped angle material with a horizontal (lateral) extension from the four corners in correspondence with the shape of the four corners of the outlet of the former 17 and a cross-sectional L shape, and the outer surface of the guide rod 43 is a surface smoothly continuous with the surface of the corner of the former 17. Since the guide rod 43 has high bending rigidity with its longitudinal direction as the bending axis, it is difficult to be bent by its own weight even when moving away from the four corners. The guide rod 43 extends at least to the position where the detection sensor 33 is arranged, preferably extending to the vicinity of the end-sealing unit 28, and has a length to smoothly guide the tubular packaging material Ft to the position before end-sealing while keeping its cross-section in a square shape. As a result, the upper wall portion Ftu of the formed packaging material Fc and the tubular packaging material Ft does not sag even after passing through the former 17, and the oxygen scavenger A does not move too far away from the detection sensor 33, ensuring the detection of the oxygen scavenger A by the detection sensor 33. Note that the guide rod 43 is preferably integrally formed with the former 17 instead of being fixed to the former 17 with a connector.

[0045] In the example of the horizontal bag-making, filling, and packaging machine shown in Fig. 3(c), an air supply pipe 44 is provided that extends from the outside through the inside of the former 17 into the inside of the curved packaging material Fc and sends clean air into the curved packaging material Fc and the tubular packaging material Ft. The air supply pipe 44 can be, for example, a pipe drawn from the outside through the corners (two upper corners) inside the former 17 so as not to interfere with the product P fed into the former 17. The air supply pipe 44 does not send in a large volume of air, but rather replenishes the amount of air consumed in the production of the bag package Bp inside the tubular packaging material Ft, and it is sufficient to send air at an air volume such that the curved packaging material Fc and the tubular packaging material Ft can maintain a square cross-section by the internal air pressure until reaching the end-sealing unit 28. The upper wall portions Ftu of the curved packaging material Fc and the tubular packaging material Ft are subjected to the action of being drawn close to the upper pressing plate 40 without sagging due to the internal pressure, ensuring reliable detection of the deoxidizer A by the detection sensor 33. The guide rods 43 at the four corners shown in Fig. 3(b) or Fig. 3(c) and the air supply pipe 44 for supplying air pressure inside the tubular packaging material are applicable not only to this embodiment but also to the horizontal bag-making, filling, and packaging machines shown later. Note that to increase the pressure inside the curved packaging material Fc and the tubular packaging material Ft, a fan structure for supplying air pressure toward the inside of the former 17 may be arranged at the entrance of the former 17.

[0046] Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing a main part of still another embodiment when the horizontal bag-making, filling, and packaging machine equipped with an accessory detection device has the form of a pillow packaging machine. Fig. 4 shows the part from the curved packaging material Fc and the tubular packaging material Ft that have passed through the former 17 until they reach the end-sealing unit 28, similar to Fig. 3. However, the horizontal bag-making, filling, and packaging machine 1c shown in Fig. 4 does not have a configuration corresponding to the upper pressing plates 30 and 40 provided in the embodiments shown in Figs. 1 to 3. Instead, it is equipped with a suction upper pressing conveyor 45 that sends the upper wall portion Ftu of the curved packaging material Fc and the tubular packaging material Ft while sucking it. Since the horizontal bag-making, filling, and packaging machine 1c has an equivalent configuration to that of the horizontal bag-making, filling, and packaging machine 1b as components other than the suction upper pressing conveyor 45, the same reference numerals as those used for the horizontal bag-making, filling, and packaging machine 1b are given, and a detailed description will be omitted again.

[0047] The suction and holding conveyor 45 includes a drive-side roller 46a on the downstream side, a driven-side roller 46b on the upstream side, a suction belt 47 wound around both rollers 46a and 46b and having a large number of suction holes 48 formed in a matrix, and a suction box 49 disposed within the space surrounded by both rollers 46a and 46b and the suction belt 47 in a manner contacting the lower running path of the suction belt 47 and connected to an external negative pressure source. The suction and holding conveyor 45 has a structure similar to that of the suction and holding conveyor 35, except that the conveyor length is longer. That is, both rollers 46a and 46b are rotatably supported at both ends of a stay 46c, and by an operator gripping a handle 46d attached to the stay 46c, the operation of loading and removing the suction and holding conveyor 45 to and from the horizontal bag-making and filling packaging machine 1c is facilitated.

[0048] The suction and holding conveyor 45 functions in the same manner as the holding plates 30 and 40 that suppress the lifting of the bent packaging material Fc that has passed through the former 17 and the upper wall portion Ftu of the subsequent tubular packaging material Ft. That is, the negative pressure in the suction box 49 exerts a suction action on the upper wall portion Ftu through the suction holes 48 of the suction belt 47, and by sucking up the upper wall portion Ftu, the sagging of the upper wall portion Ftu is prevented. Further, the upper wall portion Ftu is attracted to the lower conveyor running portion of the suction and holding conveyor 45 and is suppressed from rising further.

[0049] A detection sensor 33 is disposed inside the space that is between the upper and lower conveyor running parts of the suction upper pressing conveyor 45 and is not occupied by the suction box 39. The detection sensor 33 is arranged in a manner that contacts the lower running path of the suction belt 47. The detection sensor 33 detects the oxygen absorber A attached to the upper wall portion Ftu of the bent packaging material Fc and the subsequent tubular packaging material Ft through the lower conveyor running part of the suction upper pressing conveyor 45. As the materials of the suction belt 47 and the suction box 39, those that do not interfere with the electromagnetic detection by the detection sensor 33 are selected, so that the oxygen absorber A is not misdetected (detected as non-existent when the oxygen absorber A exists, or detected as existent when the oxygen absorber A does not exist), and the oxygen absorber A can be accurately detected. The arrangement position of the detection sensor 33 is not limited to the illustrated position, and it may be arranged in a space secured on the downstream side of the suction box 39 or in an arrangement space secured within the suction box 39.

[0050] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a main part of still another embodiment when the horizontal bag-making and filling packaging machine equipped with the accessory detection device has the form of a pillow packaging machine. FIG. 5(a) is a perspective view showing the part from the bent packaging material Fc that has passed through the former 17 to the subsequent tubular packaging material Ft until it reaches the end seal unit 28, similar to FIG. 3. However, the horizontal bag-making and filling packaging machine 1d shown in FIG. 5(a) does not have a configuration corresponding to the upper pressing plates 30 and 40 provided in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. Instead, it is provided with a suction upper pressing conveyor 55 that feeds while sucking the upper wall portion Ftu of the bent packaging material Fc that has passed through the former 17 and the subsequent tubular packaging material Ft. Since the horizontal bag-making and filling packaging machine 1d has an equivalent configuration provided in the horizontal bag-making and filling packaging machine 1b shown in FIG. 3(a) as the component parts of each part other than the suction upper pressing conveyor 55, the same reference numerals as those used for the horizontal bag-making and filling packaging machine 1b are given, and a detailed description is omitted again.

[0051] The attracting and holding conveyor 55 is composed of two attracting and holding conveyor parts 55a and 55b arranged in parallel in the transverse direction of the curved packaging material Fc and the subsequent tubular packaging material Ft with respect to the upper wall part Ftu. Both attracting and holding conveyor parts 55a and 55b have basically the same configuration as the attracting and holding conveyor 45 provided in the horizontal type bag-making and filling packaging machine 1c shown in FIG. 4, except that the conveyor width is narrowed, and they are in a mirror-symmetrical relationship with respect to the vertical plane passing through the middle of the two. The attracting and holding conveyor parts 55a and 55b each include a downstream driving-side roller 56a, an upstream driven-side roller 56b, and a suction belt 57 wound around both rollers 56a and 56b and having a large number of suction holes 58 formed in a row. The attracting and holding conveyor parts 55a and 55b also include a suction box 59 arranged in a space surrounded by both rollers 56a and 56b and the suction belt 57 and in contact with the lower running path of the suction belt 57, and the suction box 59 is connected to an external negative pressure source. Both rollers 56a and 56b are rotatably supported at both ends of a stay 56c (arranged facing the outside of the attracting and holding conveyor parts 55a and 55b) with a handle 56d attached, and by the operator grasping the handle 56d, the loading and removal operations of the attracting and holding conveyor parts 55a and 56b are facilitated. The driving-side rollers 56a, 56a and the driven-side rollers 56b, 56b of each conveyor part 55a, 55b are axially connected to each other. The suction holes 58 are formed in a single row in each conveyor part 55a, 55b, but may be formed in multiple rows according to the size of the tubular packaging material Ft.

[0052] The suction and holding conveyor sections 55a and 55b apply a suction force to the upper wall portion Ftu of the bent packaging material Fc and the subsequent tubular packaging material Ft through the suction holes 58, 58 of the suction belts 57, 57 in the suction boxes 59, 59, preventing the upper wall portion Ftu from sagging by sucking it up. Also, the upper wall portion Ftu is attracted to the lower conveyor running section of the suction and holding conveyor sections 55a and 55b and is suppressed from rising further. Since the deoxidizer A is attached to the central portion (inside) of the upper wall portion Ftu of the tubular packaging material Ft, correspondingly, the detection sensor 33 is disposed close to the upper wall portion Ftu in the elongated space 55c between the two suction and holding conveyor sections 55a and 55b. In the illustrated embodiment, the detection sensor 33 is disposed at the most upstream side of the space 55c, but it is not limited thereto. The detection sensor 33 detects the deoxidizer A attached to the upper wall portion Ftu when the bent packaging material Fc and the subsequent tubular packaging material Ft pass through.

[0053] Figure 5(b) is a modified example of the arrangement of the two suction and holding conveyor sections 55a and 55b shown in Figure 5(a). In this modified example, the two suction and holding conveyor sections 55a and 55b are arranged in a diverging state (angle θ) from the upstream side to the downstream side in the running direction of the bent packaging material Fc and the subsequent tubular packaging material Ft, that is, slightly away from each other. By arranging them in this way, the upper wall portion Ftu of the tubular packaging material Ft is in a tensioned state where it is pulled in the width (left and right) direction with respect to the running direction by the suction action of the suction and holding conveyor sections 55a and 55b, and the sagging downward can be further suppressed. Since the drive-side rollers 56a, 56a and the driven-side rollers 56b, 56b of each conveyor section 55a, 55b are not arranged in a straight line, it is preferable to axially connect them with flexible joints 56e, 56e to obtain synchronized rotation of the rollers.

[0054] The embodiments shown in FIGS. 6 to 7 are horizontal bag-making and filling packaging machines equipped with an accessory detection device, which are horizontal bag-making and filling packaging machines having the same form as the upright pillow packaging machines in the above-described embodiments, and are embodiments when the accessory is attached inside the side wall portion of the tubular packaging material. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a main part of still another embodiment when the horizontal bag-making and filling packaging machine equipped with the accessory detection device has the form of a pillow packaging machine. This embodiment is an example in which the detection of the oxygen absorber attached inside the side wall portion of the packaging material having a square cross-section is performed in relation to the side guide for the side wall portion. In this embodiment, the oxygen absorber A supplied onto the strip-shaped packaging material Fw is attached to the inner surface of one side wall portion in the curved packaging material having a square cross-section.

[0055] The horizontal bag-making and filling packaging machine 1e shown in FIG. 6 includes an upper pressing plate 60 that suppresses the upward lifting of the upper wall portion Ftu of the curved packaging material Fc having a square cross-section that has passed through the former 17, similar to the upper pressing plate 30 in the case of the horizontal bag-making and filling packaging machine 1b shown in FIG. 3(a). The upper pressing plate 60 has an upstream end portion 61 that is warped toward the upstream side, but the upper pressing plate 60 is not formed with a hole 32 like the one formed in the upper pressing plate 30 for arranging the detection sensor 33. The horizontal bag-making and filling packaging machine 1e includes side guide plates 65a and 65b (collectively referred to as 65) that suppress the overhang of the left and right side wall portions Fts and Fts (only one is labeled) of the tubular packaging material Ft. The side guide plates 65a and 65b have a structure that is mirror-symmetric with respect to the vertical plane passing through the center in the width direction of the tubular packaging material Ft, and each has an upstream end portion 66 that is warped in a direction away from the side wall portion Fts in order to prevent snagging against the feeding of the tubular packaging material Ft, similar to the upper pressing plate 60. A hole 67 is formed in the side guide plate 65a on the side through which the oxygen absorber A passes for the detection sensor 33. From the viewpoint of component commonality, the side guide plate 65b may have the same structure as the side guide plate 65a.

[0056] The curved packaging material Fc and the tubular packaging material Ft having a square cross-section are restricted in their surroundings by the upper pressing plate 60, the side guide plates 65, and the center seal plate 21 (see FIG. 1), and their cross-sections are kept square. When the curved packaging material Fc or the tubular packaging material Ft is fed as the packaging process progresses, the detection sensor 33 disposed on the side guide plate 65a in relation to the hole 67 detects the oxygen absorber A attached to one side wall portion Fts.

[0057] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a main part of still another embodiment when the horizontal bag-making and filling packaging machine equipped with the accessory detecting device has the form of a pillow packaging machine. This embodiment is an example in which the detection of the oxygen absorber attached to the inner side of the side wall portion of the packaging material having a square cross section is performed in relation to the side belt device provided for the side wall portion. In this embodiment, the oxygen absorber A supplied onto the strip-shaped packaging material Fw is in a state of being attached to the inner surface of one side wall portion in the curved packaging material Fc having a square cross section, as in the case shown in FIG. 6.

[0058] The horizontal bag-making and filling packaging machine 1f shown in FIG. 7, similar to the horizontal bag-making and filling packaging machine shown in FIG. 6, includes an upper pressing plate 60 that suppresses the upward floating of the curved packaging material Fc having a square cross section that has passed through the former 17 and the upper wall portion Ftu of the subsequent tubular packaging material Ft. The horizontal bag-making and filling packaging machine 1f includes side guide belt devices 75a and 75b (collectively referred to as 75) for carrying the respective feeds and suppressing the protrusion with respect to the left and right side wall portions Fts and Fts of the curved packaging material Fc and the subsequent tubular packaging material Ft. Each side guide belt device 75 includes a downstream drive pulley 76a, an upstream driven pulley 76b, and a side belt 77 that is wound around both pulleys 76a and 76b and runs while contacting the side wall portion Fts on the side of the tubular packaging material Ft, and the running portion that runs on the side of the tubular packaging material Ft guides the feed of the side wall portion Fts. The structure and arrangement of the side guide belt devices 75a and 75b are mirror-symmetrical with respect to the vertical plane passing through the center in the width direction of the tubular packaging material Ft.

[0059] The curved packaging material Fc or the tubular packaging material Ft having a square cross section is regulated around by the upper pressing plate 60, the side guide belt device 75, and the center seal plate 21 (see FIG. 1), and the cross section is kept square. In relation to the side belt device 75a on the side through which the oxygen absorber A passes, a detection sensor 33 is disposed in the internal space surrounded by the side belt 77. The detection sensor 33 detects the oxygen absorber A attached to the side wall portion Fts through the side belt 77.

[0060] The embodiments shown in FIGS. 8 to 9 are embodiments of a horizontal bag-making, filling, and packaging machine equipped with an accessory detection device, which is a horizontal bag-making, filling, and packaging machine having the form of an inverted pillow packaging machine, and the embodiments are cases where the accessory is attached to the inside of the side wall portion of the tubular packaging material. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a main part of an embodiment when a horizontal bag-making, filling, and packaging machine equipped with an accessory detection device has the form of an inverted pillow packaging machine. In this embodiment, the detection of the oxygen absorber attached to the inside of the side wall portion of the curved packaging material having a square cross-section is performed in relation to a side guide provided for the side wall portion. In this embodiment, the oxygen absorber A supplied onto the strip-shaped packaging material Fw is in a state of being attached to the inner surface of one side wall portion Fts of the curved packaging material Fc having a square cross-section.

[0061] Since the horizontal bag-making, filling, and packaging machine 1g shown in FIG. 8 is an inverted pillow packaging machine, the center seal unit 20 including the paper feed roller 22, preheating heater bar 24, crimping roller 25, and streaking roller 26 provided in the upright pillow packaging machine shown in FIGS. 1 to 2 is arranged above the tubular packaging material Ft and in an upside-down state compared to the case of the upright pillow packaging machine. However, in FIG. 8, for simplicity, it is shown replaced with a box-shaped unit. The center seal portion (back attachment portion) Sc formed by bonding both side edge portions fe, fe of the strip-shaped packaging material Fw by the center seal unit 20 travels along the center of the bottom wall portion Ftd located above the packaging material as the curved packaging material Fc and the tubular packaging material Ft are fed. The oxygen absorber A is supplied onto the strip-shaped packaging material Fw as in the case shown in FIGS. 6 to 7, and then is attached to the inner surface of one side wall portion Fts of the curved packaging material Fc having a square cross-section and the subsequent tubular packaging material Ft.

[0062] This embodiment includes a side guide plate that suppresses the protrusion of the side wall portions Fts, Fts of the curved packaging material Fc having a rectangular cross-section passing through the former 17 and the subsequent cylindrical packaging material Ft. Since the side guide plate is equivalent to the side guide plate 65 shown in FIG. 6, a detailed description will be omitted by using the reference numerals used in FIG. 6. The curved packaging material Fc having a rectangular cross-section and the subsequent cylindrical packaging material Ft are in a state of being inverted upward by the side guide plate 65 and the intermediate belt conveyor device 69 that conveys and drives while supporting the curved packaging material Fc and the cylindrical packaging material Ft. The three surfaces (both side portions Fts, Fts and the lower bottom wall portion) excluding the bottom wall portion Ftd are regulated, so that the cross-section is kept rectangular. A hole 67 is formed in the side guide plate 65a on the side through which the deoxidizer A passes, and a detection sensor 33 disposed in relation to the hole 67 detects the deoxidizer A attached to the inside of the side wall portion Fts.

[0063] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a main part of another embodiment when a horizontal bag-making and filling packaging machine equipped with an accessory detection device has the form of an inverted pillow packaging machine. This embodiment is an example in which the detection of the deoxidizer attached to the inside of the side wall portion of the curved packaging material having a rectangular cross-section is performed in relation to the side belt device provided for the side wall portion. In this embodiment, the deoxidizer A supplied onto the strip-shaped packaging material Fw is attached to the inner surface of one side wall portion Fts of the curved packaging material Fc having a rectangular cross-section.

[0064] The horizontal bag-making, filling, and packaging machine 1h shown in Fig. 9 is an inverse pillow packaging machine similar to the embodiment shown in Fig. 8. For the components common to the embodiment shown in Fig. 8, the same reference numerals as those used in the embodiment of Fig. 8 are attached, and the repeated description is omitted. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 9, in order to suppress the protrusion of the side wall portions Fts, Fts of the curved packaging material Fc and the tubular packaging material Ft, a side guide belt device having the same structure as that provided in the embodiment shown in Fig. 7 is provided. For the side guide belt device, the same reference numerals 75, etc. as those used in Fig. 7 are attached, and the detailed description is omitted again. The curved packaging material Fc or the tubular packaging material Ft is guided by a side guide belt 77 that runs while contacting the side wall portion Fts, and the cross section is kept in a square shape by restricting the surroundings by side guide belt devices 75a, 75b and an intermediate conveying belt conveyor device 69. In relation to the side guide belt device 75a on the side where the deoxidizer A passes, a detection sensor 33 is disposed inside the side guide belt 77. The detection sensor 33 detects the deoxidizer A attached to the side wall portion Fts through the side guide belt 77.

[0065] Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing a main part of still another embodiment when a horizontal bag-making, filling, and packaging machine equipped with an accessory detection device has the form of an inverse pillow packaging machine. This embodiment is an example in which the detection of the deoxidizer attached to the inner side of the bottom wall portion of the curved packaging material having a square cross section is performed in relation to an intermediate conveying belt conveyor device provided for the bottom wall portion. In this embodiment, the deoxidizer A put on the belt-shaped packaging material Fw is attached to the inner surface of the bottom wall portion Ftd of the curved packaging material Fc.

[0066] The horizontal type bag-making, filling and packaging machine 1i shown in Fig. 10 is an inverted pillow packaging machine similar to the embodiment shown in Figs. 8 and 9, and the same reference numerals are given to the components common to these previously shown embodiments, and the repeated description thereof is omitted. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 10, the curved packaging material Fc and the subsequent tubular packaging material Ft are conveyed with the bottom wall portion Ftd thereof placed on the intermediate conveying belt conveyor device 69, and the position of the bottom wall portion Ftd is regulated by the intermediate conveying belt conveyor device 69 itself. In the inverted pillow packaging machine, the both side edge portions fe, fe of the curved packaging material Fc are on the upper side, and the oxygen absorber A attached to the inner surface of the flat bottom wall portion Ftd is laid on the product P. Since the oxygen absorber A attached to the bottom wall portion Ftd is detected, an upper pressing plate for suppressing the upward floating of the upper wall portion Ftu of the curved packaging material Fc and the subsequent tubular packaging material Ft and a side guide plate or a side guide belt device for suppressing the overhang of the left and right side wall portions Fts, Fts of the tubular packaging material Ft are not required. In relation to the intermediate conveying belt conveyor device 69, a detection sensor 33 is disposed in the lower space of the running portion of the conveyor belt 69a. When the oxygen absorber A attached to the bottom wall portion Ftd passes through the position of the detection sensor 33, the detection sensor 33 detects the oxygen absorber A through the conveyor belt 69a.

[0067] Fig. 11 is a perspective view showing a modification example in the case where the detection device is arranged in relation to the conveyor device in a horizontal type bag-making, filling and packaging machine provided with an accessory detection device. Fig. 11(a) is a perspective view showing the main part of a modified example in which detection of an accessory attached to the inner side of the upper wall portion of a curved packaging material (subsequent tubular packaging material) is performed in relation to a suction conveyor belt device provided for the upper wall portion in a horizontal type bag-making, filling and packaging machine equipped with an accessory detection device. The suction upper pressing conveyor device 80 shown in Fig. 11(a) is a modified example of the suction upper pressing conveyor device 45 shown in Fig. 4. Although illustration of the related horizontal type bag-making, filling and packaging machine and packaging material is omitted, it may be equivalent to the horizontal type bag-making, filling and packaging machine 1c and packaging material shown in Fig. 4. The suction conveyor belt device 80 includes a driving roller 81a, a driven roller 81b, a suction box 81c, and a suction belt 82 in which a large number of suction holes 83 are formed. Among the suction belt 82, a lower running portion 84 that suctions the upper wall portion of the packaging material is provided with a detour path structure that follows a path forming a recess 86 by four detour guide rollers 85a, 85b, 85c, 85d whose axes are placed parallel to the driving roller 81a and the driven roller 81b. The detection sensor 33 is disposed in the recess 86, and the suction belt 82 travels along a path that detours around the detection sensor 33. The detection sensor 33 faces directly the upper wall portion of the packaging material without passing through the suction belt 82, and can accurately perform electromagnetic detection of the deoxidizer A without being affected by the suction belt 82.

[0068] Fig. 11(b) is a perspective view showing the main part of another modified example in which the detection of an accessory attached to the inner side of the side wall portion of a curved packaging material (subsequent tubular packaging material) is performed in relation to a conveyor belt device provided for the side wall portion in a horizontal type bag-making and filling packaging machine equipped with an accessory detection device. The side guide belt device 90 shown in Fig. 11(b) is a modified example of the side guide belt device 75 shown in Fig. 7. Although the illustration of the related horizontal type bag-making and filling packaging machine and packaging material is omitted, it may be equivalent to the horizontal type bag-making and filling packaging machine 1f and packaging material shown in Fig. 7. The side guide belt device 90 includes two side guide belt device parts 90a and 90b that face each other close to the side wall portion of the packaging material. In one side guide belt device part 90a corresponding to the side where the oxygen absorber A of the packaging material is attached, a detour path structure (four detour guide rollers 95a, 95b, 95c, 95d and a recess 96 in which a detection sensor 33 is arranged) similar to that shown in Fig. 11(a) is formed in the running portion 94 of the side guide belt 92. Since the detection sensor 33 arranged in the recess 96 faces directly the side wall portion of the packaging material without passing through the side guide belt 92, the electromagnetic detection of the oxygen absorber A can be accurately detected. Although a normal conveyor belt without suction holes is used for the side guide belt device 90, it may be configured like the suction conveyor belt device 80 when suction is required.

[0069] Figure 11(c) is a perspective view showing the main part of still another modification for detecting an accessory attached to the inner side of the bottom wall portion of a bent packaging material (subsequent tubular packaging material) in a horizontal type bag-making and filling packaging machine equipped with an accessory detecting device. The intermediate conveying conveyor belt device 100 shown in Figure 11(c) is a modification of the intermediate conveying conveyor belt device 69 shown in Figure 10. Although illustration of the related horizontal type bag-making and filling packaging machine and packaging material is omitted, it may be equivalent to the horizontal type bag-making and filling packaging machine 1i and packaging material shown in Figure 10. The intermediate conveying conveyor belt device 100 includes a driving roller 100a and a driven roller 100b..., and a conveyor belt 102 wound around these rollers for supporting and conveying the bottom wall portion to which the oxygen absorber A of the packaging material is attached. In a running portion 104 of the conveyor belt 102 that runs close to the bottom wall portion of the packaging material, a detour path structure (a recess 106 in which four detour guide rollers 105a, 105b, 105c, 105d and a detection sensor 33 are arranged) similar to the above-described modification is formed in a part facing the bottom wall portion. Since the detection sensor 33 arranged in the recess 106 faces directly the bottom wall portion of the packaging material without passing through the conveyor belt 102, it is arranged at a position corresponding to the position where the oxygen absorber A is attached. The electromagnetic detection of the oxygen absorber A passing together with the packaging material can be accurately performed.

[0070] The accessory attached to the packaging material has been described as the oxygen absorber A, but it is not limited to this. As long as it contains a similar magnetically detectable metal component, it may be an accessory such as other premiums. As the non-contact sensor, for example, there are an inductive sensor that detects a change in inductance based on an eddy current generated on the surface due to the approach of an object, a capacitance sensor that detects a change in capacitance caused by a change in permittivity generated due to the approach of an object, and the like. Also, although an example of the product P has been described as food, it is not limited to this, and products that dislike oxygen (for example, soap, electronic parts, etc.) can also be targets.

[0071] Regarding the oxygen scavenger A, it has been described that when the bag package Bp is manufactured, it is detected from the viewpoint of whether it is surely sealed together with the product P inside the bag package Bp. However, if the oxygen scavenger A is present but the displacement from the predetermined adhesion position is large, when the end seal unit 28 applies an end seal to the tubular packaging material Ft, the heater blocks 28a and 28b for end sealing may bite into the oxygen scavenger A. Therefore, similar to the case where the absence of the oxygen scavenger A is detected, when the detection position of the oxygen scavenger A deviates outside the allowable range from the supposed existing position of the oxygen scavenger A calculated from the feeding speed and timing of the tubular packaging material Ft, it is preferable to deactivate the end seal operation of the end seal unit 28 to avoid the biting of the oxygen scavenger A by the heater blocks 28a and 28b.

[0072] When the detection sensor 33 fails to detect the oxygen scavenger A, the control device of the horizontal bag-making, filling, and packaging machine 1 deactivates the sealing operation of the end seal unit 28 for the packaging bag B when the product P corresponding to the oxygen scavenger A that could not be detected reaches the tip of the tubular packaging material Ft. As a result, a continuous package is manufactured in which the product P for which the oxygen scavenger A has not been detected and the next product P are continuously accommodated in a single long packaging bag. The operator of the horizontal bag-making, filling, and packaging machine 1 can immediately recognize that it is a continuous package, and it is automatically discharged outside the line as a defective package also at the bag package unloading section 5. Note that the distance between the installation position of the detection sensor 33 and the end seal unit 28 is uniquely determined at the start of the packaging operation of the horizontal bag-making, filling, and packaging machine 1, and also the feeding speed of the strip-shaped packaging material Fw (curved packaging material Fc, tubular packaging material Ft) is determined according to the packaging speed. Therefore, the relative position between the oxygen scavenger A and the heater blocks 28a and 28b and the sealing timing during the sealing operation of the end seal unit 28 can be managed in the control device. Therefore, even if the oxygen scavenger A is displaced, the biting in the end seal unit 28 is avoided, and the oxygen scavenger A is excluded as a defective continuous package at the bag package unloading section 5.

Explanation of Signs

[0073] 1, 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e, 1f, 1g, 1h, 1i Horizontal type bag-making and filling packaging machine 2 Packaging material supply section 3 Product supply section 4 Packaging machine section 5 Bagged package discharging section 10 Packaging material feeding mechanism 11 Driving motor 12a Driving roller 12b Driven roller 13 Reversing guide roller 14 Guide roller 15 Deoxidizer supply machine 16 Tension roller 17 Former (tube former) 18 Product supply conveyor device 19a Endless chain 19b Pusher attachment 20 Center seal unit 21 Center seal plate 22 Paper pulling roller 23 Paper pulling motor 24 Preheating heater bar 25 Crimping roller 26 Grooving roller 27 Conveyor 28 End seal unit 28a, 28b Heater block 29 Package discharging conveyor 30 Upper pressing plate 31 Upstream end portion 32 Hole 33 Detection sensor 35 Suction upper pressing conveyor 36a Driving side roller 36b Driven side roller 36c Stay 36d Handle 37 Suction belt 38 Suction hole 39 Suction box 40 Upper pressing plate 41 Upstream end portion 42 Hole 43 Guide bar 44 Air duct 45 Suction upper pressing conveyor 46a Driving side roller 46b Driven side roller 46c Stay 46d Handle 47 Suction belt 48 Suction hole 49 Suction box 55 Suction upper pressing conveyor 55a, 55b Suction upper pressing conveyor parts 55c Space 56a Driving side roller 56b Driven side roller 56c Stay 56d handle 56e, 56e flexure joint 57 suction belt 58 suction hole 59 suction box 60 upper pressing plate 61 upstream end portion 65a, 65b side guide plates 66 upstream end portion 67 hole 69 intermediate conveyance belt conveyor device 69a conveyor belt 75, 75a, 75b side guide belt devices 76a drive pulley 76b driven pulley 77 side guide belt 80 suction conveyor belt device 81a drive roller 81b driven roller 81c suction box 82 suction belt 83 suction hole 84 lower running portion 85a, 85b, 85c, 85d detour guide rollers 86 recess 90 side guide belt device 90a, 90b side guide belt device parts 92 side guide belt 94 running portion 95a, 95b, 95c, 95d detour guide rollers 96 recess 100 intermediate conveyance conveyor belt device 100a drive roller 100b driven roller 102 conveyor belt 104 running portion 105a, 105b, 105c, 105d detour guide rollers 106 recess Fr raw roll roller Fw strip packaging material Lh horizontal running path Fc curved packaging material Ft cylindrical packaging material fe, fe both side edges Ftu upper wall portion Fts side wall portion Ftd bottom wall portion θ angle Sc center seal portion Se end seal portion A deoxidizer B packaging bag P product Bp package (pillow package)

Claims

1. A horizontal bag-making, filling, and packaging machine that continuously manufactures a bag package containing a product by forming a bag on the tip side of a tubular packaging material formed by bending a strip-shaped packaging material into a substantially tubular shape with a former and then further forming it into a tubular shape, and sealing the bag with the product placed inside. A non-contact detection device for detecting accessories supplied to the strip-shaped packaging material is disposed outside the bent strip-shaped packaging material or the tubular packaging material between the time when the strip-shaped packaging material is bent into a substantially tubular shape by passing through the former and the time before a bag is formed at the tip of the tubular packaging material. A horizontal bag-making, filling, and packaging machine equipped with an accessory detection device.

2. The horizontal bag-making, filling, and packaging machine is a pillow packaging machine. The accessory supplied to the strip-shaped packaging material is attached to the wall portion that becomes the upper wall portion in the bent strip-shaped packaging material. An upper suppressing plate that suppresses the upward floating of the upper wall portion toward the outside of the bending is disposed along the upper wall portion of the bent strip-shaped packaging material. The detection device is provided in the upper suppressing plate in a manner that directly faces the upper wall portion. A horizontal bag-making, filling, and packaging machine equipped with the accessory detection device according to Claim 1.

3. A suction upper suppressing conveyor is disposed along the upper wall portion in a manner that extends along the upper wall portion without substantially leaving a distance from the upper suppressing plate on the downstream side of the upper suppressing plate, and prevents the upper wall portion from sagging by sucking up the upper wall portion. A horizontal bag-making, filling, and packaging machine equipped with the accessory detection device according to Claim 2.

4. The horizontal bag-making, filling, and packaging machine is a pillow packaging machine. The accessory supplied to the strip-shaped packaging material is attached to the wall portion that becomes the upper wall portion in the bent strip-shaped packaging material. A suction upper suppressing conveyor device having a running portion of a conveyor belt is disposed along the upper wall portion of the bent strip-shaped packaging material and the tubular packaging material formed on the subsequent downstream side, suppresses the upward floating of the upper wall portion toward the outside of the bending, and prevents the upper wall portion from sagging toward the inside of the bending by sucking up the upper wall portion. The detection device is provided inside the suction upper suppressing conveyor device in a manner that indirectly faces the upper wall portion by passing the conveyor belt through the upper wall portion. Horizontal type bag-making, filling and packaging machine equipped with the accessory detection device according to claim 1.

5. The horizontal type bag-making, filling and packaging machine is a right pillow packaging machine, The accessory supplied to the belt-like packaging material is attached to the wall portion that becomes the upper wall portion in the bent belt-like packaging material, It has a running portion of a conveyor belt in a manner extending along the upper wall portion of the bent belt-like packaging material and the cylindrical packaging material formed on the downstream side thereof, and suppresses the upward floating toward the outside of the bending of the upper wall portion and sucks up the upper wall portion to prevent the downward sagging toward the inside of the bending of the upper wall portion. A suction and suppression conveyor device is provided, The suction and suppression conveyor device is arranged in two rows in the feeding direction of the bent belt-like packaging material and the cylindrical packaging material formed on the downstream side thereof, The detection device is provided in a manner directly facing the upper wall portion in the space between the two suction and suppression conveyors. Horizontal type bag-making, filling and packaging machine equipped with the accessory detection device according to claim 1.

6. The horizontal type bag-making, filling and packaging machine is a right pillow packaging machine or a reverse pillow packaging machine, The accessory supplied to the belt-like packaging material is attached to the wall portion that becomes one of the side wall portions in the bent belt-like packaging material, A side guide plate is provided to suppress the upward floating toward the outside of the bending of the side wall portion in a manner extending along the side wall portion of the bent belt-like packaging material and the cylindrical packaging material formed on the downstream side thereof, The detection device is provided in a manner directly facing the side wall portion on the side guide plate to which the accessory is attached. Horizontal type bag-making, filling and packaging machine equipped with the accessory detection device according to claim 1.

7. The horizontal type bag-making, filling and packaging machine is a right pillow packaging machine or a reverse pillow packaging machine, The accessory supplied to the belt-like packaging material is attached to the wall portion that becomes one of the side wall portions in the bent belt-like packaging material, It has a running portion of a guide belt in a manner extending along the side wall portion of the bent belt-like packaging material and the cylindrical packaging material formed on the downstream side thereof, and is provided with a side guide belt device that suppresses the upward floating toward the outside of the bending of the side wall portion. The detection device is provided in a manner of indirectly facing the side wall portion by passing the running portion of the guide belt through the inside of the side guide belt device on the side where the accessory is attached. A horizontal bag-making, filling, and packaging machine equipped with the accessory detection device according to claim 1.

8. The horizontal bag-making, filling, and packaging machine is an inverted pillow packaging machine. The accessory supplied to the belt-shaped packaging material is attached to the wall portion that becomes the bottom wall portion in the curved belt-shaped packaging material. It has a running portion of a conveyor belt that extends along the bottom wall portions of the curved belt-shaped packaging material and the tubular packaging material formed on the downstream side thereof, and an intermediate conveyor belt conveyor device that supports the bottom wall portion by the running portion. The detection device is provided in a manner of indirectly facing the bottom wall portion by passing through the conveyor belt inside the intermediate conveyor belt conveyor device. A horizontal bag-making, filling, and packaging machine equipped with the accessory detection device according to claim 1.

9. In each of the running portions of the conveyor belt of the suction and holding conveyor device when citing claim 5, the guide belt of the side guide belt device when citing claim 7, or the conveyor belt of the intermediate conveyor belt conveyor device when citing claim 8, a detour path structure that follows a path forming a recess is formed. The detection device is disposed inside the recess and is provided in a manner of directly facing the wall portion to which the accessory of the curved belt-shaped packaging material is attached. A horizontal bag-making, filling, and packaging machine equipped with an accessory detection device.

10. In response to the case where the detection device cannot detect the accessory, by making the sealing operation of the sealing means to be performed on the packaging bag corresponding to the accessory inoperative assuming that the accessory has been detected, the bag package is discharged as a defective product in a continuous packaging state in which the products are contained in a row. A horizontal bag-making, filling, and packaging machine equipped with the accessory detection device according to claim 1.

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