Bag-making packaging machine

Abstract

To provide a bag-making packaging machine which can accurately inspect a film of a film roll.SOLUTION: A bag-making packaging machine 1 includes an irradiation part 32 irradiating one surface Fa of a film F positioned on a film feed-in part 7 with light, an imaging part for imaging the film F from the other surface Fb side of the film F, at a position facing the irradiation part 32, and an inspection part 38 for inspecting abnormality of the film F, on the basis of the imaging result of the imaging part, wherein when the film F is abnormal as a result of the inspection by the inspection part 38, the control part 11 stops all or a part of bag-making packaging operation, and conveys an abnormal place in the film F to the downstream side of a conveyance path of a lateral seal mechanism 10.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 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] Before being set in the film supply unit of the bag-making and packaging machine, a part (for example, about 2 m from the start end) of the film roll is pulled out and visually inspected for abnormalities by an operator. This is because in the process before setting the film roll (such as the conveying process), abnormalities such as scratches are likely to occur on the film constituting the outer layer (surface) of the film roll. Here, in the film roll, abnormalities may also exist other than the outer layer. However, it is not practically possible for an operator to visually check all of the film of the film roll. In addition, the visual inspection by the operator may vary in inspection accuracy depending on the proficiency of the operator and the like.

[0005] One aspect of the present invention aims to provide a bag-making and packaging machine that can accurately inspect the film of a film roll.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] (1) The bag-making and packaging machine according to one aspect of the present invention forms a sheet-like film into a tubular shape, and performs bag-making and packaging operations to form individual packaging bags by sequentially sealing the longitudinally formed film with a longitudinal seal by a longitudinal seal portion and a transverse seal by a transverse seal portion. A bag-making and packaging section that performs the above operations, a film supply section 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 section, and a film feeding section that is positioned between the film supply section and the bag-making and packaging section and feeds the film supplied from the film supply section into the bag-making and packaging section, and a control section that controls the conveyance of the film. The bag-making and packaging machine is provided with an irradiation section that irradiates light onto one surface of the film positioned in the film feeding section, an imaging section that images the film from the other surface side of the film at a position facing the irradiation section, and an inspection section that inspects for abnormalities in the film based on the imaging result of the imaging section. When the control section determines, based on the inspection result of the inspection section, that there is an abnormality in the film, the control section stops all or part of the bag-making and packaging operation and conveys the portion of the film with the abnormality downstream of the conveyance path from the transverse seal portion.

[0007] In the bag-making and packaging machine according to one aspect of the present invention, an irradiation section and an imaging section are provided, and in the inspection section, based on the imaging result of the imaging section, abnormalities in the film running through the film feeding section are inspected. As a result, in the bag-making and packaging machine, all of the film on the film roll can be automatically inspected during the conveyance process. Therefore, the film on the film roll can be inspected with high accuracy.

[0008] Further, in the bag-making and packaging machine, when the control section determines, based on the inspection result of the inspection section, that there is an abnormality in the film, the control section stops all or part of the bag-making and packaging operation and conveys the portion of the film with the abnormality downstream of the conveyance path from the transverse seal portion. As a result, in the bag-making and packaging machine, the film including the abnormal portion can be discharged in a form different from the normal form (individual packaging bags). Therefore, the film including the abnormal portion can be reliably excluded.

[0009] (2) In the bag-making and packaging machine of (1) above, the irradiation unit may be an LED illumination. With this configuration, sufficient light can be irradiated onto the film.

[0010] (3) In the bag-making and packaging machine of (1) or (2) above, the imaging unit may include a plurality of line sensor type cameras. With this configuration, even when the film has a predetermined width, the entire area of the film can be imaged by imaging with a plurality of line sensor type cameras. Therefore, inspection can be performed on the entire area of the film.

[0011] (4) In any one of the bag-making and packaging machines of (1) to (3) above, when there are pixels brighter than a predetermined threshold value in the imaging result of the film, the inspection unit may determine that there is an abnormality in the film. For example, when there are abnormalities such as scratches or holes in the film, light is likely to pass through at that location, so the pixels become brighter in the imaging result. Therefore, by determining that there is an abnormality in the film when there are pixels brighter than a predetermined threshold value, abnormalities such as scratches and holes can be accurately inspected.

Effects of the Invention

[0012] According to one aspect of the present invention, the film of the film roll can be accurately inspected.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] 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 duplicate descriptions are omitted. In the following description, for the purpose of indicating 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.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1, the bag-making and packaging machine 1 is a device for producing a bag (individual packaging bag) B containing 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, and an operation unit 13.

[0016] [Bag-making and packaging unit] The bag-making and packaging unit 3 forms a sheet-like film F into a tubular shape and seals the tubular-shaped 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.

[0017] The former unit 4 includes a tube 15 and a former body 17. The tube 15 is a cylindrical member extending in the vertical direction with upper and lower ends open. 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 tubular 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 tubular shape. The tubular 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.

[0018] 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 tubular 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 tubular film Ft formed by the former main body 17 to the horizontal sealing mechanism 10. The film conveyance belt 6 adsorbs the tubular film Ft wound around the tube 15 and conveys it downward.

[0019] The longitudinal sealing mechanism 8 is a mechanism for longitudinally sealing (sealing in the vertical direction) the overlapping portion of the tubular 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 tubular 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 thermally seals the overlapping portion of the tubular film Ft in the longitudinal direction by pressing the heated heater belt against the overlapping portion of the tubular film Ft against the tube 15 with a predetermined pressure. The longitudinal sealing mechanism 8 may seal the tubular film Ft with a heater block in addition to the heater belt.

[0020] The horizontal sealing mechanism 10 is a mechanism for horizontally sealing the tubular 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 tubular film Ft at the central position in the conveyance direction of the tubular film Ft, separating the bag B from the subsequent tubular film Ft.

[0021] The bag-making and packaging unit 3 performs a bag-making and packaging operation to form a bag B by forming the sheet-like film F into a tubular shape and performing sealing on the tubular film Ft formed into a tubular shape in the order of longitudinal sealing by the longitudinal sealing mechanism 8 and transverse sealing by the transverse sealing mechanism 10.

[0022] [Film supply unit] The film supply unit 5 holds a film roll FR around which the 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 arranged along the conveyance path of the film F and conveyed to the film feeding unit 7.

[0023] 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.

[0024] [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 arranged 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 arranged above the roller 24D and the roller 24F.

[0025] [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 36, and an inspection unit 38.

[0026] 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 disposed, 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 (the depth direction of the paper surface in FIG. 1) of the film F, or a plurality of irradiation portions may be arranged side by side in the width direction.

[0027] 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 disposed at positions facing the irradiation unit 32.

[0028] 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 surface in FIG. 1, and the second camera 34B is arranged on the back side in the depth direction of the paper surface in FIG. 1. The first camera 34A images a region on one side in the width direction (the left side when viewing the film F from the surface Fb side) of the film F. The second camera 34B images a region on the other side in the width direction (the right side when viewing the film F from the surface Fb side) of the film F. 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.

[0029] 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 (conveyance amount) of the film F. The encoder 36 outputs measurement data to the inspection unit 38.

[0030] 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.

[0031] 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 inspections in units of the bag B based on the measurement data (conveyance 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.

[0032] [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.

[0033] When the control unit 11 determines, based on the results of the inspection by the inspection unit 38, that there is an abnormality in the film F, it stops all or part of the bag-making and packaging operations of the bag-making and packaging unit 3, and conveys the portion of the film F with the abnormality to a position downstream of the conveying path from the horizontal sealing mechanism 10. Stopping all of the bag-making and packaging operations means, for example, stopping both the longitudinal sealing by the longitudinal sealing mechanism 8 and the horizontal sealing by the horizontal sealing mechanism 10. Stopping part of the bag-making and packaging operations means, for example, stopping either the longitudinal sealing by the longitudinal sealing mechanism 8 or the horizontal sealing by the horizontal sealing mechanism 10. By stopping all or part of the bag-making and packaging operations, the film F including the portion with the abnormality is discharged in a form different from the bag B. The bag-making and packaging operations in the control unit 11 when an abnormality occurs are set in the operation unit 13.

[0034] When the control unit 11 determines that there is an abnormality in the film F, it does not perform all or part of the bag-making and packaging operations in the portion downstream of the portion with the abnormality. The control unit 11 does not perform all or part of the bag-making and packaging operations on a predetermined length of the film including the portion with the abnormality, and conveys it to a position downstream of the conveying path from the horizontal sealing mechanism 10. The predetermined length includes the portion upstream of the portion with the abnormality in the film F. For example, the predetermined length may include a length corresponding to at least the length of one bag B upstream of the portion with the abnormality. The control unit 11 conveys the film F of the predetermined length to a position downstream of the conveying path from the horizontal sealing mechanism 10 based on the measurement data of the encoder 36.

[0035] When the control unit 11 conveys the portion of the film F with the abnormality to a position downstream of the conveying path from the horizontal sealing mechanism 10, it may cut the film F with a cutter (not shown) of the horizontal sealing mechanism 10. In this case, after cutting the film F with the cutter (not shown) of the horizontal sealing mechanism 10, the control unit 11 may automatically resume the normal bag-making and packaging operations, or may automatically resume the normal bag-making and packaging operations when a predetermined operation is performed in the operation unit 13.

[0036] Further, when the control unit 11 conveys a portion with an abnormality in the film F to a position downstream of the horizontal sealing mechanism 10 in the conveyance path, the control unit 11 may cause the operation unit 13 to display that there is an abnormality and stop the bag-making and packaging operation. In this case, after a predetermined process (such as confirmation by an operator) is performed on the film F, the control unit 11 may resume the normal bag-making and packaging operation when a predetermined operation is performed on the operation unit 13.

[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] The operation unit 13 sets the discharge form of the film F when there is an abnormality in the film F. That is, the operation unit 13 sets the bag-making and packaging operation to be performed on the film F when there is an abnormality in the film F.

[0039] As described above, the bag-making and packaging machine 1 according to the present embodiment includes an irradiation unit 32, a first camera 34A, and a second camera 34B. In the bag-making and packaging machine 1, the inspection unit 38 inspects for abnormalities in the film F traveling through the film feeding unit 7 based on the imaging results of the first camera 34A and the second camera 34B. Thereby, in the bag-making and packaging machine 1, all of the film F on the film roll FR can be automatically inspected during the conveyance process. Therefore, the bag-making and packaging machine 1 can accurately inspect the film F on the film roll FR.

[0040] Also, in the bag-making packaging machine 1, when the control unit 11 determines that there is an abnormality in the film F based on the inspection result by the inspection unit 38, it stops all or part of the bag-making packaging operation and conveys the portion with the abnormality in the film F downstream of the conveyance path from the horizontal sealing mechanism 10. As a result, the bag-making packaging machine 1 can discharge the film F including the abnormal portion in a form different from the normal form (individual packaging bags). Therefore, the bag-making packaging machine 1 can reliably exclude the film F including the abnormal portion.

[0041] In the bag-making packaging machine 1 according to the present embodiment, the irradiation unit 32 is an LED illumination. With this configuration, sufficient light can be irradiated onto the film F.

[0042] The bag-making packaging machine 1 according to the present embodiment includes a first camera 34A and a second camera 34B which are line sensor type cameras. With this configuration, even when the film F has a predetermined width, the entire area of the film F can be imaged by imaging with the first camera 34A and the second camera 34B. Therefore, inspection can be performed on the entire area of the film F.

[0043] In the bag-making packaging machine 1 according to the present embodiment, when there are pixels brighter than a predetermined threshold value in the imaging result of the film F, the inspection unit 38 determines that there is an abnormality in the film F. For example, when there are abnormalities such as scratches or holes in the film F, light easily passes through the affected area, causing the pixels in the imaging result (imaging data) to become brighter. Therefore, by determining that there is an abnormality in the film F when there are pixels brighter than a predetermined threshold value, abnormalities such as scratches and holes can be accurately inspected.

[0044] As described above, embodiments of the present invention have been explained. 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, fluorescent lamps, etc.).

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

[0047] In the above-described embodiment, an example was described in which the imaging unit includes two cameras, the first camera 34A and the second camera 34B. 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-described embodiment, an example was described in which the film supply unit 5 holds one film roll FR. However, the film supply unit 5 may hold a plurality of film rolls FR.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0050] 1... Bag-making and packaging machine, 3... Bag-making and packaging unit, 5... Film supply unit, 7... Film feeding unit (bag-making and packaging unit 3), 8... Longitudinal sealing mechanism (longitudinal sealing part), 10... Transverse sealing mechanism (transverse sealing part), 11... Control unit, 32... Irradiation unit, 34A... First camera (imaging unit), 34B... Second camera (imaging unit), 38... Inspection unit, F... Film, Fa... One side, Fb... The other side, FR... Film roll.

Claims

1. A bag-making and packaging unit that performs a bag-making and packaging operation of forming a sheet-like film into a cylindrical shape and performing sealing in the order of longitudinal sealing by a longitudinal seal portion and transverse sealing by a transverse seal portion on the cylindrically formed 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 conveyance of the film, An irradiation unit that irradiates light onto one surface of the film located in the film feeding unit; An imaging unit that images the film from the other surface side of the film at a position facing the irradiation unit; An inspection unit that inspects for abnormalities in the film based on the imaging result of the imaging unit, wherein the control unit stops all or part of the bag-making and packaging operation when the film has an abnormality as a result of the inspection by the inspection unit, and conveys the portion of the film having the abnormality to a downstream side of the conveyance path from the transverse seal portion. The bag-making and packaging machine.

2. The bag-making and packaging machine according to claim 1, wherein the irradiation unit is an LED illumination.

3. The bag-making and packaging machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the imaging unit includes a plurality of line sensor type cameras.

4. The bag-making and packaging machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the inspection unit determines that the film has an abnormality when there are pixels brighter than a predetermined threshold value in the imaging result of the film.

Images