Bag-making packaging machine

Abstract

To provide a bag-making packaging machine that reduces consumption of a film when adjusting a characteristic of a sensor.SOLUTION: In a bag-making packaging machine 400, a conveyance of a belt-like film F is stopped, and the amount of the belt-like film F stored in a tension adjustment mechanism 180 is changed via a film supply part 100. As a result, the belt-like film F moves without being made into a bag. At this time, a controller 300 can adjust sensitivity of a sensor part based on the outputs of a first sensor 152 and a second sensor 154 when no registration mark is detected and the outputs when a registration mark is detected. Since the bag-making packaging machine 400 does not perform a bag making operation, the belt-like film F is not wasted.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a bag-making and packaging machine, and particularly to a bag-making and packaging machine that forms a strip-shaped film fed from a film supply unit into a tubular shape in a bag-making and packaging unit and produces a bag filled with an article.

Background Art

[0002] In a bag-making and packaging machine that makes a bag while packaging an article with a film with a registration mark, it is necessary to adjust the characteristics of a sensor that detects the registration mark. For example, in the bag-making and packaging machine described in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-25714), while the control unit feeds out the film via a feed belt, the sensor is made to detect the registration mark to adjust the characteristics of the sensor.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] However, in the above bag-making and packaging machine, since the characteristics of the sensor are adjusted while feeding out the film, the film is wasted. Therefore, a bag-making and packaging machine that suppresses the consumption of the film during the adjustment of the characteristics of the sensor is desired.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0004] The bag-making packaging machine according to the first aspect forms a strip-shaped film conveyed by a film conveying unit into a tubular film, puts an article into the tubular film, and then seals the tubular film to package the article. The bag-making packaging machine includes a storage unit, a sensor unit, a drive unit, and a control unit. The storage unit is provided in the conveyance path of the strip-shaped film and stores the strip-shaped film. The sensor unit is disposed upstream of the storage unit in the conveyance path and detects a registration mark attached to the strip-shaped film. The drive unit changes the storage amount of the strip-shaped film in the storage unit. The control unit controls the conveyance operation of the strip-shaped film by the film conveying unit, controls the drive unit, and adjusts the characteristics of the sensor unit. Further, when adjusting the characteristics of the sensor unit, the control unit stops the conveyance of the strip-shaped film by the film conveying unit, changes the storage amount of the strip-shaped film via the drive unit, and causes the sensor unit to detect the registration mark.

[0005] In this bag-making packaging machine, by stopping the conveyance of the strip-shaped film and changing the storage amount of the strip-shaped film via the drive unit, the strip-shaped film moves without bag-making. At this time, the control unit can adjust the characteristics of the sensor unit based on the output when the registration mark is not detected by the sensor unit and the output when the registration mark is detected. Since the bag-making packaging machine is not performing the bag-making operation, the film is not wasted.

[0006] The bag-making packaging machine according to the second aspect is the bag-making packaging machine according to the first aspect, wherein the storage unit includes a fixed roller and a movable roller. The fixed roller contacts the conveyed strip-shaped film and guides the strip-shaped film. The movable roller contacts the conveyed strip-shaped film and guides the strip-shaped film, and the relative distance from the fixed roller is variable by the drive unit.

[0007] In this bag-making packaging machine, since the drive unit changes the relative distance between the fixed roller and the movable roller, the strip-shaped film moves according to the change amount, so that the registration mark attached to the strip-shaped film can be detected by the sensor unit without performing the bag-making operation.

[0008] The bag-making and packaging machine from the third perspective is the bag-making and packaging machine from the first perspective or the second perspective, and the control unit causes the sensor unit to detect the registration mark by moving the strip-shaped film in the conveying direction via the drive unit.

[0009] The bag-making and packaging machine from the fourth perspective is the bag-making and packaging machine from the first perspective or the second perspective, and the control unit causes the sensor unit to detect the registration mark by moving the strip-shaped film in the direction opposite to the conveying direction via the drive unit.

[0010] The bag-making and packaging machine from the fifth perspective is any one of the bag-making and packaging machines from the first perspective to the fourth perspective, and the adjustment of the characteristics of the sensor unit is the sensitivity adjustment of the sensor unit.

[0011] In this bag-making and packaging machine, when the strip-shaped film moves, the control unit can adjust the sensitivity of the sensor unit based on the output when the registration mark is not detected by the sensor unit and the output when the registration mark is detected.

[0012] The bag-making and packaging machine from the sixth perspective is any one of the bag-making and packaging machines from the first perspective to the fifth perspective, and further includes a film supply unit. The film supply unit is arranged on the upstream side of the sensor unit in the conveying path, and supplies the strip-shaped film by rotating a film roll around which the strip-shaped film is wound. The film supply unit can switch between feeding out and rewinding the strip-shaped film by switching the rotation direction of the film roll. The film supply unit also serves as the drive unit.

[0013] In this bag-making and packaging machine, there is no need to provide a dedicated drive unit, and it has high economic rationality.

[0014] The bag-making and packaging machine from the seventh perspective is the bag-making and packaging machine from the second perspective, and further includes a position detection unit that detects the height position of the movable roller. When adjusting the characteristics of the sensor unit, the control unit moves the strip-shaped film in the direction opposite to the conveying direction via the drive unit when the detection value of the position detection unit is less than a predetermined value, and moves the strip-shaped film in the conveying direction via the drive unit when the detection value of the position detection unit is greater than or equal to the predetermined value.

[0015] In this bag-making packaging machine, if the height position of the movable roller is known, the storage amount of the strip film in the storage section can be known. According to the storage amount, it is possible to determine whether to move the strip film in the conveying direction or the opposite direction, so that excessive supply of the strip film to the storage section or excessive tension applied to the strip film by excessive pulling can be suppressed.

Advantages of the Invention

[0016] In this bag-making packaging machine, the conveyance of the strip film is stopped, and the storage amount of the strip film is changed via the drive section, so that the strip film moves without making a bag. At this time, the control section can adjust the characteristics of the sensor section based on the output when the registration mark is not detected by the sensor section and the output when the registration mark is detected. Since the bag-making packaging machine is not performing the bag-making operation, the film is not wasted.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] (1) Configuration of the combination weighing / bag-making packaging system 1 FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a combination weighing / bag-making packaging system 1 including a bag-making packaging machine 400 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of the bag-making packaging machine 400. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the bag-making packaging machine 400. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a strip film F used in the bag-making packaging machine 400.

[0019] In FIGS. 1 and 2, the combination weighing / bag-making packaging system 1 includes a combination weighing device 500 and a bag-making packaging machine 400. The bag-making packaging machine 400 is a device that makes a bag-shaped packaging material from a strip film F and forms a bag B in which an article C is accommodated.

[0020] The strip film F includes a printing surface Fa that is disposed on the outer surface side when formed into the bag B, and a non-printing surface Fb on the back side of the printing surface Fa. In FIG. 4, a print P is applied to the printing surface Fa. No printing is applied to the non-printing surface Fb. In addition to the print P, a registration mark M used for position detection of the strip film F is also printed on the printing surface Fa.

[0021] The article C is potato chips. However, the type of the article C is not limited to potato chips. The article C is supplied from a combination weighing device 500 installed above the bag-making packaging machine 400.

[0022] The bag-making packaging machine 400 includes a bag-making packaging unit 200, a film supply unit 100, and a controller 300. The controller 300 controls the operations of various component devices of the bag-making packaging unit 200 and the film supply unit 100.

[0023] The film supply unit 100 holds a film roll FR around which a strip-shaped film F is wound, and supplies the strip-shaped film F fed from the film roll FR to the bag-making and packaging unit 200. The bag-making and packaging unit 200 forms the strip-shaped film F into a tubular shape, and seals the tubular film Ft formed into a tubular shape to form a bag shape.

[0024] (2) Bag-making and packaging unit 200 As shown in FIG. 2, the bag-making and packaging unit 200 includes a former unit 210, a pull-down belt 220, a longitudinal seal mechanism 230, and a transverse seal mechanism 240.

[0025] (2-1) Former unit 210 The former unit 210 has a former body 212 and a tube 214. The former body 212 winds the strip-shaped film F conveyed to the former body 212 so that its left end and right end overlap, and forms it into a tubular shape.

[0026] The tube 214 is a cylindrical member extending in the vertical direction with upper and lower ends open. The upper part of the tube 214 is formed in a funnel shape with a larger diameter toward the upper end side. The lower part of the tube 214 has a uniform diameter. The article C introduced from the upper opening of the tube 214 passes through the inside of the tube 214 and is supplied into the inside of the tubular film Ft from the lower opening of the tube 214.

[0027] (2-2) Pull-down belt 220 A pair of pull-down belts 220 are respectively arranged on the left side and the right side of the tube 214 around which the tubular film Ft is wound. Each pull-down belt 220 has a drive roller 222, a driven roller 224, and a belt 226.

[0028] The pair of pull-down belts 220 adsorb the tubular film Ft wound around the tube 214 and convey it downward.

[0029] (2-3) Longitudinal seal mechanism 230 The longitudinal sealing mechanism 230 presses a heated heater belt (not shown) against the overlapping portion of the tubular film Ft onto the tube 214 with a predetermined pressure, and thermally seals the overlapping portion of the tubular film Ft in the longitudinal direction.

[0030] (2-4) Transverse sealing mechanism 240 The transverse sealing mechanism 240 has a pair of rotators 242 respectively arranged before and after the tubular film Ft. Each rotator 242 is attached with a seal jaw 244a and a seal jaw 244b having a built-in heater.

[0031] When the pair of rotators 242 rotate, the pair of seal jaws 244a rotate while drawing trajectories symmetric to each other in a side view. Then, the rotating pair of seal jaws 244a sandwich the tubular film Ft in a state of pressing against each other, and apply pressure and heat to the upper and lower end portions of the bag B to perform a transverse seal.

[0032] A cutter (not shown) is built into one of the seal jaws 244a. The cutter cuts the transverse seal portion of the tubular film Ft at the central position in the conveying direction, and separates the bag B from the subsequent tubular film Ft. The pair of seal jaws 244b also perform the same operation as the pair of seal jaws 244a.

[0033] (3) Film supply unit 100 FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of the film supply unit 100. FIG. 6 is an enlarged side view of the main part of the film supply unit 100. In FIGS. 5 and 6, in the film supply unit 100, the strip-shaped film F is guided to the bag-making and packaging unit 200 by a plurality of rollers 170 arranged along the conveying path of the strip-shaped film F.

[0034] The film supply unit 100 includes a first holding mechanism 110a, a second holding mechanism 110b, a tension adjustment mechanism 180, a frame 120, a frame shaft 130, a film feeding mechanism 116, and a film joining mechanism 160.

[0035] (3-1) First holding mechanism 110a and second holding mechanism 110b The film supply unit 100 includes a first holding mechanism 110a and a second holding mechanism 110b.

[0036] The first holding mechanism 110a has a first shaft 111a. A first film roll FR1 is mounted on the first shaft 111a. The first shaft 111a is rotated by a first motor 114a, and the first film roll FR1 also rotates together with the first shaft 111a.

[0037] The second holding mechanism 110b has a second shaft 111b. A second film roll FR2 is mounted on the second shaft 111b. The second shaft 111b is rotated by a second motor 114b, and the second film roll FR2 also rotates together with the second shaft 111b.

[0038] (3-2) Tension adjustment mechanism 180 The tension adjustment mechanism 180 is a mechanism that adjusts the magnitude of the tension acting on the conveyed belt-shaped film F.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 6, the tension adjustment mechanism 180 includes three fixed rollers 182, a movable roller displacement mechanism 184, a shaft 184a, an air cylinder 187 (see FIG. 3) that drives the movable roller displacement mechanism 184, and an encoder 188 (see FIG. 3).

[0040] The movable roller displacement mechanism 184 has two movable rollers 185 and an arm 186. The arm 186 is a member that supports the two movable rollers 185. The arm 186 is disposed on the left and right sides of the movable roller 185 and supports the ends of the movable roller 185.

[0041] The arm 186 is rotatably supported by a shaft 184a extending in the left-right direction. The air cylinder 187 rotates the shaft 184a.

[0042] The fixed roller 182 and the movable roller 185 are arranged on the conveyance path of the strip-shaped film F fed out from the film roll FR. The fixed roller 182 and the movable roller 185 are arranged between the film roll FR and the former body 212 in the conveyance direction of the strip-shaped film F.

[0043] The position of the fixed roller 182 does not change. The position of the movable roller 185 changes due to the rotation of the arm 186.

[0044] The fixed roller 182 and the movable roller 185 come into contact with the strip-shaped film F conveyed from the film roll FR and guide the strip-shaped film F.

[0045] When the strip-shaped film F is conveyed from the film roll FR, the strip-shaped film F is wound around the fixed roller 182 and the movable roller 185 so as to come into contact with the strip-shaped film F in the order of the fixed roller 182, the movable roller 185, the fixed roller 182, the movable roller 185, and the fixed roller 182 from the upstream side. Therefore, the tension adjustment mechanism 180 also functions as a storage part of the strip-shaped film F.

[0046] The fixed roller 182 comes into contact with the printing surface Fa which is the lower surface of the conveyed strip-shaped film F, and the movable roller 185 comes into contact with the non-printing surface Fb which is the upper surface of the conveyed strip-shaped film F.

[0047] The movable roller 185 presses the strip-shaped film F downward by the resultant force of the dead weight of the movable roller displacement mechanism 184 and the force for rotating the shaft 184a of the air cylinder 187.

[0048] As a result, the movable roller 185 applies tension to the strip-shaped film F. By controlling the operation of the air cylinder 187, the force with which the movable roller 185 presses the strip-shaped film F downward changes, and the tension acting on the strip-shaped film F changes.

[0049] At one end of the shaft 184a, an encoder 188 for detecting the rotation angle of the shaft 184a is attached. The detection result of the encoder 188 is used for controlling the position of the movable roller 185 by the controller 300. Also, the detection result of the encoder 188 can be used by the controller 300 to detect the end of the film roll FR.

[0050] (3-3) Frame 120 The frame 120 rotatably supports the first shaft 111a of the first holding mechanism 110a and rotatably supports the second shaft 111b of the second holding mechanism 110b.

[0051] (3-4) Shaft 130 for frame The shaft 130 for the frame is a shaft that rotatably supports the frame 120. When the frame 120 rotates, the first holding mechanism 110a and the second holding mechanism 110b also rotate around the central axis of the shaft 130 for the frame. Therefore, the first holding mechanism 110a and the second holding mechanism 110b can move at least between the film roll set position A1 and the film supply position A2.

[0052] (3-5) Film feeding mechanism 116 The film feeding mechanism 116 (see FIG. 5) rotates the first shaft 111a to feed the first film F1 from the first film roll FR1. Also, the film feeding mechanism 116 rotates the second shaft 111b to feed the second film F2 from the second film roll FR2.

[0053] The film feeding mechanism 116 includes a first motor 114a and a second motor 114b. The first motor 114a rotates the first shaft 111a. The second motor 114b rotates the second shaft 111b.

[0054] (3-6) Film joining mechanism 160 FIG. 7 is an enlarged side view of a main part of the film supply unit 100 of FIG. 5 in a state where the first holding mechanism 110a is moved to the film roll standby position A3. In FIG. 7, the film joining mechanism 160 includes a joining mechanism 162, a first clamp 163, a second clamp 164, a knife 166, pinch rollers 168, a first sensor 152, and a second sensor 154.

[0055] (3-6-1) Joining mechanism 162 The joining mechanism 162 heats and thermally welds the end portion F2T of the second film F2 wound around the second film roll FR2 and the start portion F1L of the first film F1 wound around the first film roll FR1 while sandwiching them between the guide member 119 fixed to the arm 122a.

[0056] (3-6-2) First clamp 163 and second clamp 164 The first clamp 163 and the second clamp 164 are arranged along the conveyance path of the strip film F when supplying the strip film F to the bag-making and packaging unit 200. The first clamp 163 and the second clamp 164 sandwich and fix the strip film F to suppress displacement of the end portion of the strip film F of the used film roll FR after adjusting the position of the end portion of the strip film F of the used film roll FR to the joining position of the joining mechanism 162.

[0057] (3-6-3) Knife 166 The knife 166 cuts the unnecessary strip film F after the end portion of the strip film F of the used film roll FR and the start portion of the strip film F of the replacement film roll FR are joined by the joining mechanism 162.

[0058] (3-6-4) Pinch rollers 168 The pinch roller 168 sandwiches the strip film F between it and other fixed rollers and moves the strip film F by rotating. The pinch roller 168 moves the strip film F of the used film roll FR in the first direction D1 (see FIG. 7) so that the end portion of the strip film F of the used film roll FR heads toward the joining position with the start portion of the strip film F of the new replacement film roll FR. The pinch roller 168 is a mechanism capable of changing the moving speed of the strip film F.

[0059] (3-6-5) First sensor 152 and second sensor 154 The first sensor 152 and the second sensor 154 are sensors that detect the registration mark M for position adjustment attached to the strip film F of the film roll FR while the strip film F is being moved.

[0060] The first sensor 152 and the second sensor 154 are arranged along the moving path of the strip film F by the pinch roller 168. In particular, the first sensor 152 and the second sensor 154 are arranged along the moving path of the strip film F on the side of the printing surface Fa of the strip film F moved by the pinch roller 168. The second sensor 154 detects the registration mark M for position adjustment attached to the strip film F upstream of the first sensor 152 in the moving direction of the strip film F by the pinch roller 168 (the first direction D1 in FIG. 7).

[0061] However, when adjusting the sensitivity of the first sensor 152 and the second sensor 154, the strip film F is moved in either the same direction or the opposite direction as the conveying direction during the bag-making operation. Therefore, the second sensor 154 may be upstream or downstream of the first sensor 152 in the moving direction of the strip film F.

[0062] When viewed along the moving path of the strip film F by the pinch roller 168, the distance between the position where the first sensor 152 detects the registration mark M attached to the strip film F and the position where the second sensor 154 detects the registration mark M attached to the strip film F is preferably 10 mm or more and 90 mm or less.

[0063] (4) Control of the operation of the bag-making and packaging machine 400 by the controller 300 (4-1) Controller 300 The controller 300 has a microcomputer having components such as a CPU and a memory. In the controller 300, the CPU reads and executes a program stored in the memory to control the operations of each part of the bag-making and packaging machine 400.

[0064] (4-2) Normal operation The controller 300 controls the pull-down belt 220 (see FIG. 2) so that the strip film F drawn from the film roll FR by the film feeding mechanism 116 (see FIG. 5) is conveyed at a predetermined speed.

[0065] During the bag-making operation in the bag-making and packaging unit 200, the controller 300 changes the feeding speed of the strip film F by the film feeding mechanism 116 based on the detection result of the encoder 188, that is, the position of the movable roller 185.

[0066] Further, the controller 300 controls the operations of the longitudinal seal mechanism 230 and the transverse seal mechanism 240 so that the longitudinal seal mechanism 230 performs the longitudinal seal of the tubular film Ft at a predetermined timing and the transverse seal mechanism 240 performs the transverse seal of the tubular film Ft at a predetermined timing.

[0067] (4-3) Characteristic adjustment of the first sensor 152 and the second sensor 154 Regarding the characteristic adjustment of the first sensor 152 and the second sensor 154, the sensitivity adjustment control will be described by taking the sensitivity, which is one of the characteristics, as an example.

[0068] (4-3-1) Adjustment of sensitivity The first sensor 152 and the second sensor 154 are configured to irradiate light toward the strip film F, receive the reflected light thereof, and output a voltage corresponding to the intensity of the reflected light. In the present embodiment, the first sensor 152 and the second sensor 154 detect the registration mark M of the strip film F shown in FIG. 4.

[0069] Regarding the sensitivity adjustment of the first sensor 152 and the second sensor 154, the first sensor 152 will be described as an example. Let Va be the output voltage when the first sensor 152 irradiates the base portion without the registration mark M and receives the reflected light thereof. Also, let Vb be the output voltage when the first sensor 152 irradiates the registration mark M and receives the reflected light thereof. However, Va > Vb.

[0070] The output voltages Va and Vb from the first sensor 152 are input to the controller 300. In the present embodiment, the controller 300 is configured to use the median value of the intensity of the reflected light from the base portion and the intensity of the reflected light from the registration mark M as a threshold value. Therefore, the controller 300 sets (Va + Vb) / 2, which is the median value of the output voltage Va and the output voltage Vb, as the threshold value Vs.

[0071] When the output voltage V from the first sensor 152 is smaller than the threshold value Vs, the controller 300 determines that the registration mark M has been detected.

[0072] (4-3-2) Sensitivity adjustment control FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the sensitivity adjustment control of the first sensor 152 and the second sensor 154. Hereinafter, the operation of the sensitivity adjustment control will be described with reference to FIG. 8.

[0073] (Step S1) In step S1, the controller 300 determines whether there is a command for sensitivity adjustment control. When there is a command for sensitivity adjustment control, the controller 300 proceeds to step S2. When there is no command for sensitivity adjustment control, the controller 300 continues to determine whether there is a command for sensitivity adjustment control.

[0074] (Step S2) In step S2, the controller 300 stops the conveyance of the strip film F by the pull-down belt 220. More specifically, the controller 300 stops the bag-making operation of the bag-making and packaging unit 200 and proceeds to step S3.

[0075] (Step S3) In step S3, the controller 300 detects the height position H of the movable roller 185 and proceeds to step S4.

[0076] In the present embodiment, the height position H of the movable roller 185 is calculated based on the rotation angle θ of the encoder 188 attached to one end of the shaft 184a of the movable roller displacement mechanism 184.

[0077] (Step S4) In step S4, the controller 300 determines whether or not the height position H of the movable roller 185 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value Hs. When the controller 300 determines that H≧Hs, it proceeds to step S5A, and when it determines that H<Hs, it proceeds to step S5B.

[0078] (Step S5A) In step S5A, the controller 300 rotates the film roll FR being used at that time so that the strip film F is fed out by a predetermined length and proceeds to step S6.

[0079] Since the movable roller 185 is configured such that a force acts in a direction away from the fixed roller 182, when the strip film F is fed out, the movable roller 185 moves in a direction away from the fixed roller 182, and the fed-out strip film F moves while maintaining a constant tension without slackening. At this time, the storage amount of the strip film F in the tension adjustment mechanism 180 increases.

[0080] (Step S5B) In step S5B, the controller 300 rotates the film roll FR being used at that time so that the strip film F is rewound by a predetermined length, and proceeds to step S6.

[0081] As the strip film F is rewound, the movable roller 185 moves in a direction approaching the fixed roller 182. Since the movable roller 185 is configured such that a force acts in a direction away from the fixed roller 182, the strip film F moves while maintaining a constant tension without slackening. At this time, the storage amount of the strip film F in the tension adjustment mechanism 180 decreases.

[0082] (Step S6) In step S6, while the strip film F is moving, the controller 300 samples the output voltage of the first sensor 152 and the output voltage of the second sensor 154 respectively and stores them in the memory, and proceeds to step S7.

[0083] (Step S7) In step S7, the controller 300 sets a threshold value Vsa based on the output voltage of the first sensor 152 stored in the memory.

[0084] Since the first sensor 152 is installed on the track of the registration mark M, when the first sensor 152 irradiates the base portion of the strip film F and receives the reflected light, the output voltage is larger than the output voltage when irradiating the registration mark M and receiving the reflected light. The controller 300 sets the median value between the maximum value and the minimum value of the output voltage of the first sensor 152 stored in the memory as the threshold value Vsa.

[0085] Similarly, in step S7, the controller 300 sets a threshold value Vsb based on the output voltage of the second sensor 154 stored in the memory.

[0086] Since the second sensor 154 is also installed on the trajectory of the registration mark M, when the second sensor 154 irradiates the base portion of the strip film F and receives the reflected light, the output voltage is larger than the output voltage when irradiating the registration mark M and receiving the reflected light thereof. The controller 300 sets the median value between the maximum value and the minimum value of the output voltage of the second sensor 154 stored in the memory as the threshold value Vsb.

[0087] The sensitivity adjustment control ends when the threshold value Vsa of the sensitivity of the first sensor 152 and the threshold value Vsb of the sensitivity of the second sensor 154 are set.

[0088] (5) Features (5-1) In the bag-making and packaging machine 400, the controller 300 stops the conveyance of the strip film F by the pull-down belt 220, and changes the storage amount of the strip film F in the tension adjustment mechanism 180 via the film supply unit 100. As a result, the strip film F moves without making a bag. At this time, the controller 300 can adjust the sensitivity of the sensor unit based on the output voltage when the first sensor 152 and the second sensor 154 do not detect the registration mark and the output voltage when detecting the registration mark. Since the bag-making and packaging machine 400 is not performing the bag-making operation, the strip film F is not wasted.

[0089] (5-2) In the bag-making and packaging machine 400, the relative distance between the movable roller 185 and the fixed roller 182 is variable by the film supply unit 100. By changing the relative distance between the film supply unit 100, the fixed roller 182, and the movable roller 185, the strip film F moves according to the change amount, so that the registration mark M attached to the strip film F can be detected by the first sensor 152 and the second sensor 154 without performing the bag-making operation.

[0090] (5-3) In the bag-making and packaging machine 400, the controller 300 moves the strip film F in the conveyance direction via the film supply unit 100, and causes the first sensor 152 and the second sensor 154 to detect the registration mark M.

[0091] (5-4) In the bag-making packaging machine 400, the controller 300 moves the strip film F in a direction opposite to the conveyance direction via the film supply unit 100, and causes the first sensor 152 and the second sensor 154 to detect the registration mark M.

[0092] (5-5) In the bag-making packaging machine 400, the strip film F can be moved via the film supply unit 100, and there is no need to provide a dedicated drive unit, which is highly economically reasonable.

[0093] (5-6) In the bag-making packaging machine 400, the height position of the movable roller 185 is detected to grasp the storage amount of the strip film F in the tension adjustment mechanism 180, and it is possible to determine whether to move the strip film F in the conveyance direction or the direction opposite thereto according to the storage amount. Therefore, it is possible to suppress excessive supply of the strip film F to the tension adjustment mechanism 180 or excessive pulling to apply excessive tension to the strip film F.

[0094] (6) Modification In the above embodiment, as a means for changing the storage amount of the strip film F in the tension adjustment mechanism 180, the feeding operation or the rewinding operation of the strip film F by the film supply unit 100 is used, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the following first modification and second modification can be applied.

[0095] (6-1) First modification For example, the pinch roller 168 can move the strip film F. Therefore, when it is determined in step S4 described in FIG. 8 that H≧Hs, the controller 300 may rotate the pinch roller 168 in FIG. 7 counterclockwise to move the strip film F in the conveyance direction.

[0096] Also, when the controller 300 determines that H < Hs in step S4 described in FIG. 8, the pinch roller 168 in FIG. 7 may be rotated clockwise to move the strip film F in a direction opposite to the conveyance direction.

[0097] (6-2) Second Modified Example Further, the frame 120 that supports the first holding mechanism 110a and the second holding mechanism 110b can rotate about the frame shaft 130. Therefore, when the controller 300 determines that H ≧ Hs in step S4 described in FIG. 8, the frame 120 in FIG. 2 may be rotated clockwise to move the strip film F in the conveyance direction.

[0098] Also, when the controller 300 determines that H < Hs in step S4 described in FIG. 8, the frame 120 in FIG. 2 may be rotated counterclockwise to move the strip film F in a direction opposite to the conveyance direction.

[0099] <Other Embodiments> (1) Configuration FIG. 9 is a schematic configuration diagram of a bag-making packaging machine 410 included in a combination weighing / bag-making packaging system according to another embodiment. In FIG. 9, a third sensor 156 for detecting the registration mark M is also provided between the tension adjustment mechanism 180 and the former body 212. Since other configurations are the same as those of the combination weighing / bag-making packaging system described in FIG. 2, the same reference numerals are given and the description is omitted.

[0100] The third sensor 156 detects the registration mark M in order to determine the printing position and the cutting position.

[0101] However, because the third sensor 156 is provided between the former body 212 and the tension adjustment mechanism 180, the film feeding operation or the film rewinding operation of the film supply unit 100 cannot be used for sensitivity adjustment of the third sensor 156.

[0102] Therefore, when adjusting the sensitivity of the third sensor, the pull-down belt 220 must be driven to move the strip film F in the conveying direction, and at least one bag's worth of film is consumed.

[0103] (2) Variant FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram of a bag-making and packaging machine 420 included in a combined weighing / bag-making packaging system according to a variant of another embodiment. In FIG. 10, a third sensor 156 for detecting a registration mark M is provided between a tension adjustment mechanism 180 and a former body 212, and a second tension adjustment mechanism 280 is provided between the third sensor 156 and the former body 212. Since the second tension adjustment mechanism 280 has the same configuration as the tension adjustment mechanism 180 in FIG. 2, the description thereof is omitted.

[0104] Other configurations are the same as those of the combined weighing / bag-making packaging system 1 described in FIG. 2, and thus the same reference numerals are given and the description is omitted.

[0105] When adjusting the sensitivity of the third sensor 156, if the strip film F is fed out by the film supply unit 100 without changing the positions of the fixed roller 182 and the movable roller 185 of the tension adjustment mechanism 180, it is possible to move the stored amount of the strip film F in the second tension adjustment mechanism 280 in the increasing direction (conveying direction). Conversely, if the strip film F is wound back, it is possible to move the stored amount of the strip film F in the second tension adjustment mechanism 280 in the decreasing direction (opposite to the conveying direction).

[0106] Therefore, according to this variant, there is no wasteful consumption of the strip film F in adjusting the sensitivity of the third sensor 156.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0107] 100 Film supply unit (drive unit) 152 First sensor (sensor unit) 154 Second sensor (sensor unit) 168 Pinch roller (drive unit) 180 Tension adjustment mechanism (storage unit) 182 Fixed roller 185 Movable roller 188 Encoder (position detector) 220 Pull-down belt (film conveyance section) 300 Controller (control section) 400 Bag-making and packaging machine F Strip-shaped film Ft Tubular film FR Film roll M Registration mark

Prior art documents

Patent documents

[0108]

Patent Document 1

Claims

1. A bag-making and packaging machine that forms a strip-shaped film conveyed by a film conveying unit into a cylindrical film, inserts an article into the cylindrical film, and then seals the cylindrical film to package the article, comprising: a storage unit provided in the conveyance path of the strip-shaped film for storing the strip-shaped film; a sensor unit disposed upstream of the storage unit in the conveyance path for detecting a registration mark attached to the strip-shaped film; a drive unit for changing the storage amount of the strip-shaped film in the storage unit; a control unit for controlling the conveyance operation of the strip-shaped film by the film conveyance unit, controlling the drive unit, and adjusting the characteristics of the sensor unit; wherein when adjusting the characteristics of the sensor unit, the control unit stops the conveyance of the strip-shaped film by the film conveyance unit, changes the storage amount of the strip-shaped film via the drive unit, and causes the sensor unit to detect a registration mark; a bag-making and packaging machine.

2. The storage unit includes a fixed roller that contacts the conveyed strip-shaped film and guides the strip-shaped film; and a movable roller that contacts the conveyed strip-shaped film to guide the strip-shaped film and has a variable relative distance from the fixed roller by the drive unit; and is the bag-making and packaging machine according to Claim 1.

3. The control unit causes the sensor unit to detect the registration mark by moving the strip-shaped film in the conveyance direction via the drive unit. The bag-making and packaging machine according to Claim 1 or Claim 2.

4. The control unit causes the sensor unit to detect the registration mark by moving the strip-shaped film in a direction opposite to the conveyance direction via the drive unit. The bag-making and packaging machine according to Claim 1 or Claim 2.

5. The adjustment of the characteristics of the sensor unit is the adjustment of the sensitivity of the sensor unit. The bag-making and packaging machine according to Claim 1 or Claim 2.

6. The bag-making and packaging machine further includes a film supply unit disposed upstream of the sensor unit in the conveyance path for rotating a film roll around which the strip-shaped film is wound to supply the strip-shaped film, wherein the film supply unit can switch between feeding out and rewinding the strip-shaped film by switching the rotation direction of the film roll, and the film supply unit also serves as the drive unit. The bag-making and packaging machine according to Claim 1 or Claim 2.

7. The bag-making and packaging machine further includes a position detection unit for detecting the height position of the movable roller. When adjusting the characteristics of the sensor unit, the control unit when the detection value of the position detection unit is less than a predetermined value, moves the strip-shaped film in a direction opposite to the conveyance direction via the drive unit, when the detection value of the position detection unit is greater than or equal to the predetermined value, moves the strip-shaped film in the conveyance direction via the drive unit, The bag-making and packaging machine according to claim 2.

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