Bag-making packaging machine

Abstract

To provide a bag-making packaging machine which can avoid lowering of productivity.SOLUTION: A bag-making packaging machine 1 includes an imaging part for imaging a film F, and an inspection part 38 for inspecting abnormality of the film F, wherein when the film F is abnormal as a result of the inspection by the inspection part 38, a control part 11 continues bag-making packaging operation of the film F predetermined times in a bag-making packaging part 3, and then makes the bag-making packaging part 3 perform processing different from the bag-making packaging operation on the abnormal film F.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a bag-making and packaging machine.

Background Art

[0002] A bag-making and packaging machine includes a bag-making and packaging unit that forms a sheet-like film into a tubular shape and seals the tubular film to form a bag shape, and a film supply unit that holds a film roll around which the sheet-like film is wound and sequentially supplies the film fed out from the film roll to the bag-making and packaging unit.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In a bag-making and packaging machine, the film fed out from the film roll is imaged, and the presence or absence of abnormalities (such as scratches and holes) is inspected based on the imaging result. In a bag-making and packaging machine, if there is an abnormality in the film, the operation of the bag-making and packaging machine is temporarily stopped, and a certain amount of film including the abnormal portion is excluded. Therefore, in a bag-making and packaging machine, if there is an abnormality in the film, the production efficiency decreases and the film is wasted, resulting in a decrease in productivity.

[0005] One aspect of the present invention aims to provide a bag-making and packaging machine capable of avoiding a decrease in productivity.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The bag-making and packaging machine according to one aspect of the present invention forms a sheet-shaped film into a tubular shape, and forms individual packaging bags by performing sealing on the tubular film in the order of longitudinal sealing by a longitudinal seal portion and transverse sealing by a transverse seal portion. It includes a bag-making and packaging unit that performs a bag-making and packaging operation, a film supply unit that holds a film roll around which the sheet-shaped film is wound and supplies the film fed out from the film roll to the bag-making and packaging unit, a film feeding unit that is located between the film supply unit and the bag-making and packaging unit and feeds the film supplied from the film supply unit into the bag-making and packaging unit, and a control unit that controls the operation of the bag-making and packaging unit. The bag-making and packaging machine further includes an imaging unit that images the film and an inspection unit that inspects for abnormalities in the film based on the imaging result of the imaging unit. When the inspection unit detects an abnormality in the film as a result of the inspection, the control unit causes the bag-making and packaging unit to perform a different process from the bag-making and packaging operation on the film containing the abnormality after continuously performing the bag-making and packaging operation of the film a predetermined number of times in the bag-making and packaging unit.

[0007] In the bag-making and packaging machine according to one aspect of the present invention, when the inspection unit detects an abnormality in the film as a result of the inspection, the control unit causes the bag-making and packaging unit to continuously perform the bag-making and packaging operation of the film a predetermined number of times. As a result, even when the inspection unit determines that there is an abnormality in the film, a predetermined number of individual packaging bags are formed by the bag-making and packaging operation for the film on the downstream side of the abnormal portion. Therefore, in the bag-making and packaging machine, the film on the downstream side of the abnormal portion can be used without being excluded, so that waste of the film can be avoided. Further, in the bag-making and packaging machine, after continuously performing the bag-making and packaging operation a predetermined number of times, the control unit causes the bag-making and packaging unit to perform a process different from the bag-making and packaging operation on the film containing the abnormality. In the bag-making and packaging machine, as a process different from the bag-making and packaging operation, for example, the film containing the abnormality is discharged in a form that can be distinguished from the individual packaging bags. Thereby, in the bag-making and packaging machine, the operation of the bag-making and packaging machine can be continued without temporarily stopping it. Therefore, in the bag-making and packaging machine, a decrease in production efficiency can be avoided. In this way, in the bag-making and packaging machine, waste of the film can be avoided and a decrease in production efficiency can be avoided, so that a decrease in productivity can be avoided.

[0008] (2) In the bag-making and packaging machine described in (1) above, a storage unit may be provided that stores the number of individual packaging bags formed between the position imaged by the imaging unit and the position where the bags are horizontally sealed by the horizontal seal portion and discharged, corresponding to the size of the individual packaging bags. With this configuration, for each size of the individual packaging bags, the predetermined number of bag-making and packaging operations to be continued (executed) in case of an abnormality can be appropriately set.

[0009] (3) In the bag-making and packaging machine described in (1) or (2) above, the process different from the bag-making and packaging operation may be the stop of all or part of the bag-making and packaging operation, the formation of a bag having a length corresponding to a plurality of individual packaging bags, or the formation of an empty bag. With this configuration, the film including an abnormality can be discharged in a form distinguishable from the individual packaging bags.

[0010] (4) In any one of the bag-making and packaging machines described in (1) to (3) above, a measuring unit for measuring the distance of the film being conveyed may be included. With this configuration, when the distance of the film measured by the measuring unit reaches a certain distance, the inspection unit can be configured to output an inspection result. By setting the certain distance as the size (length) of the individual packaging bags, the inspection unit can output the inspection result in units of individual packaging bags.

Advantages of the Invention

[0011] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to avoid a decrease in productivity.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail. In the description of the drawings, the same or corresponding elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted. In the following description, for the purpose of representing directions, terms such as "front", "rear", "upper", "lower", "left", and "right" may be used. In the present embodiment, "front", "rear", "upper", "lower", "left", and "right" are defined by the directions of the arrows attached to the drawings.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, the bag-making and packaging machine 1 is a device for making a bag (individual packaging bag) B that contains an article C supplied from a combination weighing device (not shown) or the like. As shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2, the bag-making and packaging machine 1 includes a bag-making and packaging unit 3, a film supply unit 5, a film feeding unit 7, a film inspection unit 9, a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, and an operation unit 13.

[0015] [Bag-making and packaging unit] The bag-making and packaging unit 3 forms a sheet-like film F into a cylindrical shape and seals the cylindrically formed film F to form a bag shape. The bag-making and packaging unit 3 includes a former unit 4, a pair of film conveying belts 6, a longitudinal seal mechanism (longitudinal seal portion) 8, and a transverse seal mechanism (transverse seal portion) 10. In FIG. 1, one of the pair of film conveying belts 6 is shown.

[0016] The former unit 4 includes a tube 15 and a former body 17. The tube 15 is a cylindrical member that extends in the vertical direction and has open upper and lower ends. The tube 15 receives the article C supplied from the combination weighing device through the upper opening. The tube 15 supplies the article C inside the cylindrical film Ft. The former body 17 bends the sheet-like film F drawn from the film roll FR and conveyed to the former body 17 so that the left and right ends of the film F overlap to form a cylindrical shape. The cylindrical film Ft formed by the former body 17 is guided so as to wind around the outer peripheral surface of the lower side of the tube 15 and is conveyed downward in a state of being wound around the tube 15.

[0017] A pair of film conveyance belts 6 are arranged below the former unit 4. The pair of film conveyance belts 6 are respectively arranged on the left side and the right side of the tube 15 of the former unit 4 around which the cylindrical film Ft is wound. The pair of film conveyance belts 6 convey the film F drawn from the film roll FR to the former main body 17. The film conveyance belt 6 conveys the cylindrical film Ft formed by the former main body 17 to the horizontal sealing mechanism 10. The film conveyance belt 6 adsorbs the cylindrical film Ft wound around the tube 15 and conveys it downward.

[0018] The longitudinal sealing mechanism 8 is a mechanism for longitudinally sealing (sealing in the vertical direction) the overlapping portion of the cylindrical film Ft wound around the tube 15. The longitudinal sealing mechanism 8 includes a heater (not shown), a heater belt (not shown) that contacts the overlapping portion of the cylindrical film Ft, and a drive mechanism (not shown) that drives the heater belt. The heater heats the heater belt. The drive mechanism drives the heater belt in the front-rear direction so that the heater belt approaches the tube 15 or moves away from the tube 15. The longitudinal sealing mechanism 8 longitudinally heat-seals the overlapping portion of the cylindrical film Ft by pressing the heated heater belt against the tube 15 with a predetermined pressure at the overlapping portion of the cylindrical film Ft. The longitudinal sealing mechanism 8 may seal the cylindrical film Ft with a heater block in addition to the heater belt.

[0019] The horizontal sealing mechanism 10 is a mechanism for horizontally sealing the cylindrical film Ft after longitudinal sealing by the longitudinal sealing mechanism 8, which is conveyed downward by the film conveyance belt 6. The horizontal sealing mechanism 10 has a cutter (not shown). The cutter cuts the horizontal sealing portion of the cylindrical film Ft at the central position in the conveyance direction of the cylindrical film Ft, separating the bag B from the subsequent cylindrical film Ft.

[0020] By the above configuration, the bag-making and packaging unit 3 forms a bag B by performing a bag-making and packaging operation of forming a sheet-like film F into a tubular shape and then sequentially sealing the tubular film Ft formed into a tubular shape with a longitudinal seal by the longitudinal seal mechanism 8 and a transverse seal by the transverse seal mechanism 10.

[0021] [Film supply unit] The film supply unit 5 holds a film roll FR around which a sheet-like film F is wound, and sequentially supplies the film F fed out from the film roll FR to the film feeding unit 7 (bag-making and packaging unit 3). The film F supplied from the film supply unit 5 is guided by a roller 24A disposed along the conveyance path of the film F and conveyed to the film feeding unit 7.

[0022] The film supply unit 5 includes a film roll support portion 23 and a feeding mechanism (not shown). The film roll support portion 23 rotatably supports the film roll FR. The film roll FR is mounted (inserted) on the film roll support portion 23. The feeding mechanism rotates the film roll support portion 23 to feed out the film F from the film roll FR.

[0023] [Film feeding unit] The film feeding unit 7 is located between the bag-making and packaging unit 3 and the film supply unit 5. The film feeding unit 7 feeds the film F supplied from the film supply unit 5 into the bag-making and packaging unit 3. The film feeding unit 7 has a plurality of rollers 24B, 24C, 24D, 24E, 24F disposed along the conveyance path of the film F. The roller 24B and the roller 24C constitute a tension adjustment mechanism. In the tension adjustment mechanism, a force is applied to the film F by the roller 24C, and the tension of the conveyed film F is adjusted. The roller 24E is disposed above the roller 24D and the roller 24F.

[0024] [Film inspection unit] The film inspection unit 9 inspects for abnormalities in the film F. Abnormalities include cases where the film F has holes, or the film thickness is thin, etc. As shown in FIG. 2, the film inspection unit 9 includes an irradiation unit 32, a first camera (imaging unit) 34A and a second camera (imaging unit) 34B, an encoder (measurement unit) 36, and an inspection unit 38.

[0025] The irradiation unit 32 irradiates light onto one surface Fa of the film F located at the film feeding unit 7. The irradiation unit 32 is, for example, an LED illumination. The irradiation unit 32 is arranged, for example, below the roller 24E and irradiates light onto the surface Fa of the film F. The irradiation unit 32 irradiates light over the entire width direction of the film F on the surface Fa of the film F. The irradiation unit 32 may extend along the width direction of the film F (the depth direction of the paper of FIG. 1), or a plurality of irradiation portions may be arranged side by side in the width direction.

[0026] The first camera 34A and the second camera 34B image the film F. The first camera 34A and the second camera 34B image the film F from the other surface Fb side of the film F. The first camera 34A and the second camera 34B are, for example, line sensor type cameras. The first camera 34A and the second camera 34B are arranged at positions facing the irradiation unit 32.

[0027] The first camera 34A and the second camera 34B are arranged at a predetermined interval in the width direction of the film F. Specifically, for example, the first camera 34A is arranged on the front side in the depth direction of the paper of FIG. 1, and the second camera 34B is arranged on the back side in the depth direction of the paper of FIG. 1. The first camera 34A images a region on one side in the width direction of the film F (the left side when viewing the film F from the surface Fb side). The second camera 34B images a region on the other side in the width direction of the film F (the right side when viewing the film F from the surface Fb side). The imaging regions of the first camera 34A and the second camera 34B may partially overlap. The first camera 34A and the second camera 34B output the captured imaging data to the inspection unit 38.

[0028] The encoder 36 measures the distance of the film F being conveyed. The encoder 36 is disposed at a position sandwiching the roller 24E and the film F. The encoder 36 contacts the film F to measure the distance (conveying amount) of the film F. The encoder 36 outputs measurement data to the inspection unit 38.

[0029] The inspection unit 38 inspects for abnormalities in the film F. The inspection unit 38 is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The inspection unit 38 inspects for abnormalities in the film F based on the imaging results of the first camera 34A and the second camera 34B. That is, the inspection unit 38 inspects for abnormalities in the film F based on the imaging data output from the first camera 34A and the second camera 34B.

[0030] When there are pixels brighter than a predetermined threshold value in the imaging data, the inspection unit 38 determines that there is an abnormality in the film F. The predetermined threshold value is set based on the characteristics (thickness, material, etc.) of the film F. The predetermined threshold value is set at the operation unit 13. The inspection unit 38 outputs the inspection result in units of the bag B. Specifically, the inspection unit 38 performs an inspection in units of the bag B based on the measurement data (conveying amount of the film F) output from the encoder 36 and the size (length) of the bag B. The inspection unit 38 outputs the inspection result (judgment result) to the control unit 11.

[0031] [Control Unit] The control unit 11 controls the operation of the bag-making and packaging machine 1. The control unit 11 is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), etc.

[0032] When the control unit 11 determines, based on the inspection result by the inspection unit 38, that there is an abnormality in the film F, after the bag-making and packaging unit 3 continues the bag-making and packaging operation of the film F a predetermined number of times, the control unit 11 causes the bag-making and packaging unit 3 to perform a process different from the bag-making and packaging operation on the film F including the abnormality. That is, when it is determined by the inspection unit 38 that there is an abnormality in the film F, the control unit 11 forms one or more bags B by the bag-making and packaging operation with the film F on the downstream side of the abnormal portion, and discharges the film F including the abnormal portion in a form other than the bag B (performs a defective discharge process).

[0033] The predetermined number of times is set based on the number of formed units (described later) stored in the storage unit 12. Specifically, when the number of formed units is “N”, the predetermined number of times is “N - 1”. That is, the predetermined number of times is the number obtained by subtracting 1 from the number of formed units. Specifically, for example, when the number of formed units is “5”, the predetermined number of times is “4”. The predetermined number of times corresponds to the number of bags B that can be formed by the film F without abnormalities.

[0034] The process different from the bag-making and packaging operation is the stop of all or part of the bag-making and packaging operation, the formation of a bag having a length corresponding to a plurality of bags B, or the formation of an empty bag. That is, the process different from the bag-making and packaging operation is a process for discharging the film F in a form distinguishable from the normal bag B. The bag having a length corresponding to a plurality of bags B may be, for example, a triple bag BA in which three bags B are connected as shown in FIG. 3. Also, the bag having a length corresponding to a plurality of bags B may have a length corresponding to three bags B and may be a bag without a horizontal seal.

[0035] After causing the bag-making and packaging unit 3 to perform a process different from the bag-making and packaging operation on the film F including the abnormality, the control unit 11 automatically resumes the normal bag-making and packaging operation. Note that the control unit 11 may automatically resume the normal bag-making and packaging operation when a predetermined operation is performed on the operation unit 13. Also, the control unit 11 causes the operation unit 13 to display that there is an abnormality.

[0036] [Storage unit] The storage unit 12 stores the number of bags B (hereinafter also referred to as the "formation number") formed between the position imaged by the first camera 34A and the second camera 34B and the position where it is laterally sealed and discharged by the lateral sealing mechanism 10, corresponding to the size of the bag B. That is, for each type of bag B, the formation number is associated with the storage unit 12. The data stored in the storage unit 12 may be set (input) at the operation unit 13, may be acquired via a network, or may be acquired via a storage medium.

[0037] [Operation unit] The operation unit 13 performs operations related to the bag-making and packaging machine 1. The operation unit 13 may have an input unit and a display unit. The input unit and the display unit may be a touch panel display. The operation unit 13 is communicably connected to the control unit 11 wirelessly or by wire. The operation unit 13 may be a device connected to the control unit 11 via a network.

[0038] At the operation unit 13, settings for processes different from the bag-making and packaging operation are made. That is, at the operation unit 13, settings for processes different from the bag-making and packaging operation to be performed on the film F including abnormalities are made.

[0039] As described above, in the bag-making and packaging machine 1 according to the present embodiment, when the control unit 11 determines that there is an abnormality in the film F as a result of the inspection by the inspection unit 38, the bag-making and packaging unit 3 continues the bag-making and packaging operation of the film F a predetermined number of times. As a result, in the bag-making and packaging machine 1, even when it is determined by the inspection unit 38 that there is an abnormality in the film F, a predetermined number of bags B are formed by the bag-making and packaging operation for the film F on the downstream side of the abnormal portion. Therefore, in the bag-making and packaging machine 1, the film F on the downstream side of the abnormal portion can be used without being excluded, so that waste of the film F can be avoided.

[0040] In addition, in the bag-making and packaging machine 1, after the bag-making and packaging operation is continued for a predetermined number of times, the control unit 11 causes the bag-making and packaging unit 3 to perform a process different from the bag-making and packaging operation on the film F including an abnormality. In the bag-making and packaging machine 1, as a process different from the bag-making and packaging operation, for example, the film including an abnormality is discharged in a form distinguishable from the bag B. Thereby, in the bag-making and packaging machine 1, the operation of the bag-making and packaging machine 1 can be continued without temporarily stopping it. Therefore, in the bag-making and packaging machine 1, it is possible to avoid a decrease in production efficiency. In this way, in the bag-making and packaging machine 1, it is possible to avoid waste of the film F and a decrease in production efficiency, and thus it is possible to avoid a decrease in productivity.

[0041] The bag-making and packaging machine 1 according to the present embodiment includes a storage unit 12 that stores the number of bags B formed between the position imaged by the first camera 34A and the second camera 34B and the position where the bag is horizontally sealed and discharged by the horizontal sealing mechanism 10 in correspondence with the size of the bag B. With this configuration, for each size of the bag B, the predetermined number of times of the bag-making and packaging operation to be continued (executed) in the case of an abnormality can be appropriately set.

[0042] In the bag-making and packaging machine 1 according to the present embodiment, the process different from the bag-making and packaging operation is the stop of all or part of the bag-making and packaging operation, the formation of a bag having a length corresponding to a plurality of bags B, or the formation of an empty bag. With this configuration, the film F including an abnormality can be discharged in a form distinguishable from the bag B.

[0043] In the bag-making and packaging machine 1 according to the present embodiment, the film inspection unit 9 has an encoder 36 that measures the distance of the conveyed film F. With this configuration, when the distance of the film F measured by the encoder 36 reaches a certain distance, the inspection unit 38 can be configured to output an inspection result. By setting the certain distance as the size (length) of the bag B, the inspection unit 38 can output the inspection result in units of the bag B.

[0044] As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described. However, the present invention is not necessarily limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible without departing from the gist thereof.

[0045] In the above embodiment, the form in which the irradiation unit 32 is an LED illumination has been described as an example. However, the irradiation unit may be in other forms (for example, a fluorescent lamp or the like).

[0046] In the above embodiment, the form in which the first camera 34A and the second camera 34B are line sensor type cameras has been described as an example. However, the first camera 34A and the second camera 34B may be other cameras.

[0047] In the above embodiment, the form in which the imaging unit includes two cameras, the first camera 34A and the second camera 34B, has been described as an example. However, the number of cameras may be one, or may be three or more.

[0048] The positions of the irradiation unit 32, the first camera 34A, and the second camera 34B can be changed as appropriate.

[0049] In the above embodiment, the form in which the film supply unit 5 holds one film roll FR has been described as an example. However, the film supply unit 5 may hold a plurality of film rolls FR.

[0050] In the above embodiment, the form in which the bag-making and packaging machine 1 includes a storage unit 12 and sets a predetermined number of times based on the number of formed products stored in the storage unit 12 has been described as an example. However, the bag-making and packaging machine 1 may not include the storage unit 12. In this configuration, the predetermined number of times may be obtained based on the size of the bag B and the measurement data of the encoder 36.

[0051] In the above embodiment, the form in which the film inspection unit 9 includes an encoder 36 has been described as an example. However, it may not include the encoder 36. In this case, for example, the number of pulses of the motor that drives the roller for transporting the film F may be counted to obtain the distance of the film F.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0052] 1... Bag-making packaging machine, 3... Bag-making packaging section, 5... Film supply section, 7... Film feeding section (bag-making packaging section 3), 8... Longitudinal sealing mechanism (longitudinal sealing section), 10... Transverse sealing mechanism (transverse sealing section), 11... Control section, 12... Memory section, 34A... First camera (imaging section), 34B... Second camera (imaging section), 36... Encoder (measurement section), 38... Inspection section, B... Bag, F... Film, FR... Film roll.

Claims

1. A bag-making and packaging unit that performs a bag-making and packaging operation of forming a tubular film from a sheet-like film and performing seals in the order of a longitudinal seal by a longitudinal seal portion and a transverse seal by a transverse seal portion on the tubular film to form individual packaging bags; A film supply unit that holds a film roll around which the sheet-like film is wound and supplies the film fed out from the film roll to the bag-making and packaging unit; A film feeding unit that is located between the film supply unit and the bag-making and packaging unit and feeds the film supplied from the film supply unit into the bag-making and packaging unit; A bag-making and packaging machine comprising a control unit that controls the operation of the bag-making and packaging unit, wherein: An imaging unit that images the film; An inspection unit that inspects for abnormalities in the film based on the imaging result of the imaging unit; and The control unit, if the film is found to be abnormal as a result of inspection by the inspection unit, causes the bag-making and packaging unit to perform a process different from the bag-making and packaging operation on the film including the abnormality after continuously performing the bag-making and packaging operation on the film a predetermined number of times.

2. The bag-making and packaging machine according to claim 1, further comprising a storage unit that stores the number of the individual packaging bags formed between the position imaged by the imaging unit and the position where the transverse seal is performed and the bags are discharged by the transverse seal portion in correspondence with the size of the individual packaging bags.

3. The process different from the bag-making and packaging operation according to claim 1 or 2 is stopping all or part of the bag-making and packaging operation, forming a bag having a length for a plurality of the individual packaging bags, or forming an empty bag.

4. The bag-making and packaging machine according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a measurement unit that measures the distance of the conveyed film.

Images