Bag-making and packaging device

Abstract

To provide a bag-making and packaging device capable of suppressing a decrease in productivity of individual packaging bags and an increase in cost even when a connection part between films is formed without adjusting a position of the connection part.SOLUTION: A bag-making and packaging device includes a conveying unit that conveys a first film or a second film in a film conveying direction; a registration mark detection unit that detects a registration mark for alignment; a bag-making and packaging unit that cuts the first film or the second film based on a position of the registration mark to produce individual packaging bags; and a connecting unit that forms a connection part. When a pitch between the first and second registration marks on the first film is shorter than a preset registration mark pitch, the bag-making and packaging unit cuts the second film based on a position of a third registration mark, and when the pitch is longer than the preset registration mark pitch, the second film is cut based on a position of the second registration mark.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] One aspect of the present invention relates to a bag manufacturing and packaging apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 below discloses a paper splicing method for a form-fill-seal machine. By using this paper splicing method, after forming the end of the old strip of packaging material, the start of the new strip of packaging material to be unwound from the new packaging roll can be butted up on the surface of the new packaging roll against the end of the old strip of packaging material pulled back onto the new packaging roll. Thus, an operator can butt up and splice the end of the old strip of packaging material and the start of the new strip of packaging material while visually checking them on the surface of the new packaging roll. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-90311 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-127093 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Packaging materials used in Patent Document 1 and other publications may have not only the splicing described above, but also registration marks, such as letters and figures for alignment purposes, printed at regular intervals (pitch) to be used in bag-making operations for the packaging material. When using a splicing method that uses such registration marks to adjust the position of the joints (seams) between packaging materials, problems can arise, such as the complicated control and configuration of the device, which can lead to increased costs, and the time it takes to perform the splicing. To avoid these problems, it is desirable to realize an automatic splicing method that does not require adjusting the positions of the joints.

[0005] However, when packaging materials are joined together without adjusting the position of the joints, the pitch of the registration marks around the seam between the packaging materials can become irregular. If the pitch between two adjacent registration marks across the seam becomes shorter, control such as temporarily slowing down the conveying speed of the packaging material becomes necessary. This makes it impossible to produce the individual packaging bags at a constant speed, which increases product costs. Therefore, a possible control method is to not use the registration mark located immediately after the seam when a seam is detected. If this control is used, if the pitch between two adjacent registration marks across the seam is long, the amount of packaging material used for defective products increases, which increases product costs.

[0006] An object of one aspect of the present invention is to provide a bag making and packaging device that can suppress a decrease in productivity and increase in costs of individual packaging bags even when the connection points between films are formed without adjusting the position of the connection points. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] (1) A form-fill-seal device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a first holding unit that holds a first film roll around which a first film is wound, a second holding unit that holds a second film roll around which a second film is wound, a conveying unit that conveys the first film or the second film in a film conveying direction, a registration mark detection unit that detects registration marks for alignment printed on each of the first film and the second film, a form-fill-seal unit that forms the first film or the second film to form a bag-shaped molded body in which an article is contained, and then cuts the first film or the second film based on the position of the registration mark detected by the registration mark detection unit to form individual packaging bags, and a cutting unit that cuts the first film or the second film based on the position of the registration mark detected by the registration mark detection unit. and a connection portion that forms a connection point for connecting the films, and when the registration mark on the first film that is closest to the connection point in the film transport direction is the first registration mark, the registration mark on the second film that is closest to the connection point in the film transport direction is the second registration mark, and the registration mark located immediately after the second registration mark is the third registration mark, if the pitch between the first and second registration marks is shorter than a preset registration mark pitch, the bag making and packaging section cuts the second film based on the position of the third registration mark to make individual packaging bags, and if the pitch is longer than the preset registration mark pitch, cuts the second film based on the position of the second registration mark to make individual packaging bags.

[0008] In this bag-making and packaging apparatus, the bag-making and packaging unit cuts the second film based on the position of the third registration mark to produce individual packaging bags when the pitch between the first and second registration marks is shorter than a preset registration mark pitch, and cuts the second film based on the position of the second registration mark to produce individual packaging bags when the pitch is longer than the preset registration mark pitch. In this case, the second film can be cut at an appropriate location without changing the feed speed of each film, depending on the pitch between the first and second registration marks that sandwich the splice location. Therefore, by using the above-mentioned bag-making and packaging apparatus, it is possible to prevent a decrease in productivity and increase in costs for individual packaging bags, even when the splice location between the films is formed without adjusting the location of the splice location.

[0009] (2) The bag-making and packaging apparatus described in (1) may further include a splice detection unit that detects splices upstream of the registration mark detection unit in the film transport direction. In this case, it is possible to prevent splices from being mistaken for registration marks.

[0010] (3) In the bag-making and packaging apparatus described in (2), the registration mark detection unit and the splice detection unit may each include a photoelectric sensor. In this case, it is possible to effectively prevent the splice from being mistaken for a registration mark.

[0011] (4) In the bag-making and packaging apparatus described in (2) or (3), the registration mark detector or the splice detector may detect the position of the splice based on a change in the output detection signal. In this case, it is possible to effectively prevent the splice from being mistaken for a registration mark.

[0012] (5) The bag-making and packaging apparatus according to any one of (2) to (4) may further include a printing unit that prints on the first film or the second film based on the detection result of the splice detection unit. In this case, the occurrence of defective individual packaging bags due to imperfect printing can be reduced. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to one aspect of the present invention, a bag making and packaging apparatus can be provided that can suppress a decrease in productivity and cost increases of individual packaging bags even when the connection points between films are formed without adjusting the position of the connection points. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing a weighing, bag-making, and packaging system including a bag-making and packaging apparatus. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing part of the control block of the weighing, bag manufacturing and packaging system. [Figure 3] FIG. 3(a) is a schematic plan view showing an example of a main part of a film, and FIG. 3(b) is a schematic plan view showing another example of a main part of a film. [Figure 4]FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing the main configuration of the bag-making and packaging unit. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an external view of the film supply unit as seen from the rear right side. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of the film supply unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description of the drawings, identical or corresponding elements are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate explanations will be omitted. In the following description, terms such as "front," "rear," "up," "down," "left," and "right" may be used to indicate directions. In this embodiment, "front," "rear," "up," "down," "left," and "right" are defined by the direction of the arrows in the drawings. In addition, in this specification, "A or B" may include either A or B, and does not exclude the inclusion of both A and B.

[0016] [Outline of the weighing bag manufacturing and packaging system] FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a weighing, manufacturing, and packaging system including a bag-making and packaging apparatus. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a portion of the control block of the weighing, manufacturing, and packaging system. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the weighing, manufacturing, and packaging system 100 places weighed items C in a formed film F and produces bags by forming the formed film F into bags to be filled into individual packaging bags. The weighing, manufacturing, and packaging system 100 includes a weighing device 101 and a bag-making and packaging device 102. The bag-making and packaging device 102 is disposed below the weighing device 101. In one example, a touch panel 111 and operation switches 112 that can operate the bag-making and packaging device 102 and the weighing device 101 together are provided on the bag-making and packaging device 102. As shown in FIG. 2, in the weighing, manufacturing, and packaging system 100, the operation of the weighing device 101 and the operation of the bag-making and packaging device 102 are controlled by a control unit 110 included in the bag-making and packaging device 102, but this is not limiting.

[0017] [film] FIG. 3(a) is a schematic plan view showing an example of a main portion of the film F, and FIG. 3(b) is a schematic plan view showing another example of a main portion of the film F. The film F shown in FIGS. 2 and 3(a) and 3(b) corresponds to a member in which a first film F1 unwound from a first film roll FR1 and a second film F2 unwound from a second film roll FR2 (described later) are integrated at a joint CP. In the film F shown in FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b), the first film F1 is positioned downstream of the second film F2 in the conveying direction MD, but this is not limited thereto. Depending on the operation timing of the bag-making and packaging apparatus 102, the first film F1 may be positioned upstream of the second film F2 in the conveying direction MD. Hereinafter, even when there is no need to distinguish between the first film F1 and the second film F2, they may be simply referred to as film F. Multiple registration marks R are printed on each of the first film F1 and the second film F2. The registration marks R are marks for alignment used in bag manufacturing, etc. The pitch of the registration marks R along the conveyance direction MD is constant on both the first film F1 and the second film F2. The pitch on the first film F1 and the pitch on the second film F2 are the same and are stored in the memory device of the control unit 110 as a preset value (registration mark pitch PP). In addition to the registration marks R, characters, patterns, designs, etc. (not shown) may be printed on the film F.

[0018] In FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b), the registration mark R on the first film F1 closest to the splice point CP in the conveyance direction MD is designated as the first registration mark R1. Similarly, the registration mark R on the second film F2 closest to the splice point CP in the conveyance direction MD is designated as the second registration mark R2. Additionally, in FIG. 3(a), the registration mark R located immediately after the second registration mark R2 is designated as the third registration mark R3. In FIG. 3(a), the pitch P1 between the first and second registration marks R1 and R2 adjacent to each other across the splice point CP is shorter than the registration mark pitch PP. In FIG. 3(b), the pitch P2 between the first and second registration marks R1 and R2 adjacent to each other across the splice point CP is longer than the registration mark pitch PP. Each of FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b) shows the cut portions CU, CU1, and CU2 that will be cut later, and the preset registration mark pitch PP stored in the storage device of the control unit 110. Each of the portions to be cut CU, CU1, and CU2 is set along the corresponding registration mark R in accordance with predetermined conditions. In the present embodiment, for example, the portions to be cut CU, CU1, and CU2 are set based on misalignment information (described in detail below) output from registration mark detection units 122A and 122B (see FIG. 6), which will be described later. In the case shown in FIG. 3(a), because the pitch P1 is shorter than the registration mark pitch PP, the portion to be cut CU1 is set first on the second film F2 based on the third registration mark R3, not the second registration mark R2. In the case shown in FIG. 3(b), because the pitch P2 is shorter than the registration mark pitch PP, the portion to be cut CU2 is set first on the second film F2 based on the second registration mark R2. Note that each portion to be cut is set by, for example, the control unit 110.

[0019] [Measuring device] The weighing device 101 is, for example, a well-known combination weighing machine and includes a plurality of pool hoppers 24, a plurality of weighing hoppers 25 located below the plurality of pool hoppers 24, and a collecting chute 26 located below the plurality of weighing hoppers 25. The items C that are the objects to be weighed and packaged (packaged items) by the weighing, bagging, and packaging system 100 are, for example, foods such as snacks, as shown in FIG. 4 . To weigh and package the items C, the items C are first supplied to the upper center of the weighing device 101. Next, the items C are distributed into a plurality of radial paths and then supplied to the corresponding weighing hoppers 25 via a plurality of pool hoppers 24 located at the end of each path. Some of the weighing hoppers 25 are selected so that the weight of the items C weighed in each weighing hopper 25 falls within a predetermined range. The items C stored in the selected weighing hoppers 25 are discharged to the collecting chute 26 based on a discharge request signal from the control unit 110. The articles C discharged from the collecting chute 26 are supplied to the bag-making and packaging device 102.

[0020] [Bag making and packaging equipment] As described above, the bag-making and packaging apparatus 102 includes a packaging unit 5 (bag-making and packaging section) that packages items C into bags to produce products, a film supply unit 6 that supplies film F to the packaging unit 5, and a control unit 110 that controls the operation of the packaging unit 5 and film supply unit 6. Items C discharged from the weighing device 101 pass through a funnel member 11 attached to the packaging unit 5 and fall into the internal space of a tube 12 included in the packaging unit 5. The items C then fall through the internal space of the tube 12. The bag-making and packaging apparatus 102 accommodates the items C via the tube 12 in a tubular film TF (described in detail below), and then simultaneously horizontally seals the bottom end of the tubular film TF with the top end of the preceding bag B (individual packaging bag). This completes the production of bags B that will contain items C. The film supply unit 6, located behind the packaging unit 5, supplies sheet-like film F to the forming mechanism 13 of the packaging unit 5. The film supply unit 6 is located upstream of the packaging unit 5 in the conveying direction MD of the film F (film conveying direction).

[0021] 1, 2, and 4, the packaging unit 5 is a unit that forms a film F to form a tubular film TF, which is a bag-shaped molded body in which an article C is contained, and then cuts the film F to form bags B that contain the article C. The packaging unit 5 includes a forming mechanism 13 that forms the sheet-like film F into the tubular film TF, a pull-down belt mechanism 14 that conveys the film formed into a tube shape (the tubular film TF) downward, a vertical sealing mechanism 15 that vertically seals overlapping portions TF-1 at both ends of the tubular film TF, and a horizontal sealing mechanism 17.

[0022] The forming mechanism 13 has a tube 12 that guides the article C into the tubular film TF, and a former 13a that is arranged to surround the lower part of the tube 12. When the film F supplied from the film supply unit 6 passes through the gap between the former 13a and the tube 12, it is formed into a tubular shape that conforms to the outer peripheral surface of the tube 12. At this time, the upper surface of the film F becomes the inner peripheral surface of the tubular film TF, and the lower surface of the film F becomes the outer peripheral surface of the tubular film TF.

[0023] The pull-down belt mechanism 14, which has a pair of belts 14c arranged on both the left and right sides of the tube 12, is a mechanism that adsorbs and transports downward the tubular film TF wound around the tube 12. The pull-down belt mechanism 14, together with the film supply unit 6, functions as a transport section that transports the film F.

[0024] The vertical sealing mechanism 15 is a member that heat-seals the overlapping portions TF-1 at both ends of the tubular film TF while pressing them against the tube 12 with a constant pressure. The vertical sealing mechanism 15 has, for example, a heater block (not shown) and a metal belt (not shown) that can run around the heater block in sync with the tubular film TF.

[0025] The horizontal sealing mechanism 17 horizontally seals the bag B formed from the tubular film TF, simultaneously heat-sealing the top end of the bag B and the bottom end of the subsequent bag (tubular film TF). The horizontal sealing mechanism 17 horizontally seals the tubular film TF, for example, when an item C has passed through the tube 12 and fallen into the tubular film TF. This forms a bag B containing the item C. The horizontal sealing mechanism 17 is composed of a pair of sealing jaws 51 with built-in heaters and a drive mechanism (not shown) that moves the pair of sealing jaws 51 toward and away from the tubular film TF. The horizontal sealing mechanism 17 also has a cutter (not shown) that cuts the first film F1 or the second film F2. The cutter separates the bag B from the subsequent tubular film FT and cuts a predetermined portion of the horizontal seal formed on the tubular film FT (for example, the intended cutting portion CU shown in Figures 3(a) and (b)). This prevents misalignment of characters, patterns, etc. printed on the bag B.

[0026] 1, 2, and 4 to 6, film supply unit 6 includes first holding section 81, second holding section 82, multiple rollers 91a, 91b, 91c, 92a, 92b, 92c, 93a to 93o, roll drive motors 61 and 62, a film switching section 63, a connection point detection section 121, and registration mark detection sections 122A and 122B. An example of the device configuration and operation of film supply unit 6 is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-192268, which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0027] The first holding unit 81 is an air chuck that holds the first film roll FR1 around which the first film F1 is wound. The first film roll FR1 may be placed in the first holding unit 81 manually by an operator, or automatically by a mechanism or another device (not shown). The second holding unit 82 is an air chuck that holds the second film roll FR2 around which the second film F2 is wound. The second film roll FR2 may be placed in the second holding unit 82 manually by an operator, or automatically by a mechanism or another device (not shown). In the latter case, the process may be fully automated or semi-automated. The first holding unit 81 and the second holding unit 82 are configured to be rotatable by roll drive motors 61 and 62, respectively.

[0028] The roll drive motors 61, 62 are components that rotate the first holding unit 81 and the second holding unit 82, and together with the pull-down belt mechanism 14, function as a conveying unit that conveys the film F. Rotation of the first holding unit 81 unwinds the first film F1 from the first film roll FR1. Similarly, rotation of the second holding unit 82 unwinds the second film F2 from the second film roll FR2. In one example, the roll drive motor 61 has a mechanism that detects the remaining amount of the first film F1 wound around the first film roll FR1. Similarly, the roll drive motor 62 may have a mechanism that detects the remaining amount of the second film F2 wound around the second film roll FR2. The detection results of these mechanisms are output to, for example, the control unit 110. This enables automatic film switching by a mechanism (not shown) while minimizing the impact on the bag-making and packaging performed by the weighing, bag-making and packaging system 100.

[0029] The rollers 91a, 91b, 91c, 92a, 92b, 92c, 93a-93o are rollers that guide the first film F1 or the second film F2, and function as a conveying unit that conveys the film F together with the roll drive motors 61, 62 and the pull-down belt mechanism 14. In one example, the first film F1 unwound from the first film roll FR1 is guided by rollers 91a, 91b, and 91c, and then further guided by rollers 93a and subsequent rollers. In this case, the unwound first film F1 from the first film roll FR1 to rollers 91a and subsequent rollers may be performed manually by an operator or automatically by a mechanism or other device (not shown). In another example, the second film F2 unwound from the second film roll FR2 is guided by rollers 92a, 92b, and 92c, and then further guided by rollers 93a and subsequent rollers. In this case, the second film F2 may be unwound from the second film roll FR2 onto the roller 92a or the like manually by an operator, or automatically by a mechanism or another device (not shown).

[0030] The film switching unit 63 switches the films used in the bag-making and packaging. When the film switching unit 63 switches the film, the bag-making and packaging using the first film F1 or the second film F2 may be temporarily stopped or continued. As described below, the film switching unit 63 also functions as a connecting unit that forms a connection point CP that connects the first film F1 and the second film F2. Therefore, the film switching unit 63 can form a film F in which the first film F1 and the second film F2 are integrated. The film switching unit 63 has impulse sealers 64a and 64b, sealing tables 65a and 65b, a cutter 68, and an air cylinder 66.

[0031] The impulse sealers 64a and 64b extend in a direction intersecting the conveying direction MD and are spaced apart from each other in the conveying direction MD. The impulse sealer 64a is located upstream of the impulse sealer 64b in the conveying direction MD. The cutter 68 is located between the impulse sealers 64a and 64b in the conveying direction MD. The impulse sealers 64a and 64b and the cutter 68 are integrally formed and moved by an air cylinder 66. The film switching unit 63 is supported by a pair of support bases 63a and 63b. The film switching unit 63 is moved in the conveying direction MD by an air cylinder 69 separate from the air cylinder 66. In FIG. 5, the film switching unit 63 is located at the rearmost side (rear end position) in the conveying direction MD. By operation of the air cylinder 69, the film switching unit 63 can be moved to the frontmost side (front end position) in the conveying direction MD.

[0032] The sealing base 65a is a member that faces the impulse sealers 64a and 64b of the film switching unit 63, which is located at the front end position, with the film F sandwiched between them. The sealing base 65b is a member that faces the impulse sealers 64a and 64b of the film switching unit 63, which is located at the rear end position, with the film F sandwiched between them. The sealing base 65a is located between the rollers 91a and 91b. The sealing base 65b is located between the rollers 92b and 92c. The sealing bases 65a and 65b have the same configuration. Because they have the same configuration, the following explanation will be given using the sealing base 65a as an example. The sealing base 65a is divided into a first section 65a1 that can face the impulse sealer 64a and a second section 65a2 that can face the impulse sealer 64b. A space is defined between the first section 65a1 and the second section 65a2, allowing the cutter 68 to enter and exit.

[0033] In the film switching unit 63, for example, the overlapping first film F1 and second film F2 are sandwiched between impulse sealers 64a and 64b and a sealing base 65a or a sealing base 65b. The first film F1 and second film F2 are then heat-sealed, and the first film F1 and second film F2 are cut by a cutter 68. As a result, a connection point CP (see FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b)) is formed in the film switching unit 63, connecting the overlapping first film F1 and second film F2. In this embodiment, the first film F1 and the second film F2 are not aligned in the conveyance direction MD when the connection point CP is formed. Therefore, the pitch of the registration marks R along the conveyance direction MD at and around the connection point CP on the film F may differ from the registration mark pitch stored in the storage device of the control unit 110.

[0034] In the film switching unit 63, the impulse sealer 64a and the first unit 65a1 or 65b1 connect a portion of the first film F1 to a portion of the second film F2, and the impulse sealer 64b and the second unit 65a2 or 65b2 connect another portion of the first film F1 to another portion of the second film F2. This allows the beginning and surrounding portion of a new film (e.g., the second film F2) to be connected to the film being replaced. This eliminates the need to remove unnecessary portions of the second film F2 from the film F where the first film F1 and the second film F2 are connected (an example of the effects of using the film switching unit 63 is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-192268).

[0035] The connection and disconnection of the first film F1 and the second film F2 by the film switching unit 63 described above is performed, for example, when switching from bag-making packaging using the first film F1 to bag-making packaging using the second film F2, and when switching from bag-making packaging using the second film F2 to bag-making packaging using the first film F1.

[0036] The film switching unit 63 further has a first gripping portion 71 that holds down the leading edge of the second film F2 and a second gripping portion 72 that holds down the leading edge of the first film F1. Because the first gripping portion 71 and the second gripping portion 72 have the same structure, only the first gripping portion 71 will be described here. The first gripping portion 71 has a holding member 71a that includes an L-shaped member extending in the left-right direction, and a base 71b that also extends in the left-right direction. The holding member 71a can be manually or automatically switched between a state in which it is separated from the base 71b and a state in which it is pressed against the base 71b by gravity.

[0037] The splice point detection unit 121 is a component that detects the splice points CP included in the film F and is located downstream of the film switching unit 63 in the conveying direction MD. In one example, the splice point detection unit 121 is located between the rolls 93d and 93e in the conveying direction MD. The splice point detection unit 121 includes, for example, a photoelectric sensor. In this case, the splice point detection unit 121 may include a light source. Alternatively, the film supply unit 6 may include a light source that faces the splice point detection unit 121 across the film F. The splice point detection unit 121 outputs a detection signal that indicates the detection result of the film F. The detection signal is output to the control unit 110. In one example, the detection signal output when the splice point CP is detected is different from the detection signal output when a portion of the film F other than the splice point CP is detected. In this case, the splice point detection unit 121 detects the position of the splice point CP based on a change in the output detection signal.

[0038] Each of the registration mark detection units 122A and 122B is a member that detects the registration marks R and is located downstream of the splice detection unit 121 in the conveying direction MD. That is, the splice detection unit 121 is located upstream of the registration mark detection units 122A and 122B in the conveying direction MD. The registration mark detection unit 122A is located upstream of the registration mark detection unit 122B in the conveying direction MD. In one example, the registration mark detection unit 122A is located between the roll 93l and the roll 93m in the conveying direction MD, and the registration mark detection unit 122B is located between the roll 93o and the forming mechanism 13 in the conveying direction MD. In one example, the pitch of the registration marks R on the film F is calculated based on the detection of the registration marks R by the registration mark detection unit 122A. Based on the calculated pitch, the presence or absence of a deviation from the registration mark pitch is detected. The amount of deviation from the registration mark pitch is also calculated and stored in the control unit 110. Information (misalignment information) including the results of pitch calculation by registration mark detection unit 122A, the presence or absence of misalignment, and the amount of misalignment is output to, for example, control unit 110. Registration mark detection unit 122B also outputs misalignment information to control unit 110. Based on the misalignment information output from registration mark detection unit 122B, control unit 110 can instruct changes to the operation of the conveying unit and the like. Therefore, the misalignment information output from registration mark detection unit 122B can correspond to information that triggers a change in the operation of bag making and packaging apparatus 102.

[0039] In the film F shown in Fig. 3(a), the amount of misalignment corresponds to pitch P1. In the film F shown in Fig. 3(b), the amount of misalignment corresponds to the difference between pitch P2 and registration mark pitch PP. If the amount of misalignment is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, the conveying unit corrects the misalignment of the film F as described below (details will be described later).

[0040] Each of the registration mark detection units 122A and 122B includes, for example, a photoelectric sensor. In this case, each of the registration mark detection units 122A and 122B may include a light source. Alternatively, the film supply unit 6 may include a light source facing the registration mark detection unit 122A across the film F, and a light source facing the registration mark detection unit 122B across the film F. Each of the registration mark detection units 122A and 122B outputs a detection signal indicating the detection result of the film F. For example, the detection signal is output to the control unit 110. In one example, the detection signal output when the registration mark R is detected is different from the detection signal output when a portion of the film F other than the registration mark R is detected. In this case, each of the registration mark detection units 122A and 122B detects the presence of the registration mark R based on a change in the output detection signal. Alternatively, the registration mark detection unit 122A or the registration mark detection unit 122B may detect the connection point CP based on a change in the output detection signal. In this case, film supply unit 6 does not need to have connection point detection section 121.

[0041] [Control Unit] The control unit 110 controls the weighing device 101 and the bag-making and packaging device 102 individually or collectively, and is realized by a computer. The control unit 110 includes a control and arithmetic device and a storage device. The control and arithmetic device includes a processor such as a CPU or GPU. The control and arithmetic device reads out a program stored in the storage device and performs predetermined image processing, arithmetic processing, etc. in accordance with the program. Furthermore, the control and arithmetic device can write the results of calculations to the storage device and read out information stored in the storage device in accordance with the program. Information stored in the storage device includes, for example, the type of product C, the type of film F, and the registration mark pitch PP.

[0042] The control unit 110 controls the driving units of the packaging unit 5 and the film supply unit 6 according to parameters, operating conditions, etc. set on the touch panel 111, etc. The control unit 110 also controls the feeder of the weighing device 101, the pool hopper 24, the weighing hopper 25, etc. Specifically, the control unit 110 acquires necessary information from various sensors equipped in the weighing device 101 and the bag-making and packaging device 102, and performs various controls based on that information.

[0043] In one example, the control unit 110 controls the operation of the conveyance unit (pull-down belt mechanism 14, roll drive motors 61 and 62, etc.), vertical sealing mechanism 15, horizontal sealing mechanism 17, etc., based on the splice point CP detection result output from the splice point detection unit 121 and the misalignment information output from the registration mark detection units 122A and 122B. For example, if the misalignment amount included in the misalignment information input to the control unit 110 is less than a predetermined threshold, the control unit 110 operates the conveyance unit, vertical sealing mechanism 15, horizontal sealing mechanism 17, etc. in a normal manner. During normal operation, the conveyance unit, vertical sealing mechanism 15, horizontal sealing mechanism 17, etc., are repeatedly driven according to a preset normal cycle. For example, in the normal cycle, the conveyance unit conveys the film F by the registration mark pitch PP. The conveyance speed of the film F in the normal cycle is constant, except for, for example, the period during which the horizontal sealing mechanism 17 performs heat sealing and cutting (horizontal sealing and cutting period).

[0044] On the other hand, if the amount of misalignment included in the misalignment information input to the control unit 110 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, the control unit 110 controls the operation of the conveying unit, vertical sealing mechanism 15, horizontal sealing mechanism 17, etc. to eject defective products. This allows for accurate ejection of defective products including those with splices CP or those due to printing errors on the registration marks R. This effectively prevents mass production of defective products in which characters, patterns, etc. printed on the film F are not positioned in the predetermined positions on the bags B. During the defective product ejection operation, the control unit 110 controls at least one of the conveying unit, vertical sealing mechanism 15, horizontal sealing mechanism 17, etc. to operate differently from normal operation. Furthermore, during the defective product ejection operation, the control unit 110 may also control the operation of the weighing device 101 to operate differently from normal operation.

[0045] During the defective product ejection operation, the conveying unit may convey the film F by the registration mark pitch PP plus the misalignment amount. In this case, misalignment correction of the film F is performed during the defective product ejection operation. This eliminates the misalignment of the film F during the defective product ejection operation. The conveying speed of the film F may be constant or variable, except for the horizontal sealing and cutting period during the defective product ejection operation. In the former case, the conveying speed of the film F during the defective product ejection operation may be the same as the conveying speed of the film F during normal operation, except for the horizontal sealing and cutting period. In the latter case, the conveying speed of the film F during the defective product ejection operation may be changed, for example, so that the period of the defective product ejection operation coincides with the period of the normal cycle. This change is performed, for example, before or after the horizontal sealing and cutting period during the defective product ejection operation. In this case, the operation of the vertical sealing mechanism 15 and the horizontal sealing mechanism 17 can be the same during normal operation and the defective product ejection operation, simplifying the control of the bag-making and packaging apparatus 102.

[0046] The normal operation and the defective product discharge operation may be performed consecutively. Here, if the conveyance speed of the film F during the defective product discharge operation is the same as the conveyance speed of the film F during normal operation, excluding the horizontal sealing and cutting period, the normal operation and the defective product discharge operation can be performed consecutively. A stop time of the bag-making and packaging apparatus 102 may be set between the normal operation and the defective product discharge operation. In this case, for example, after the defective product discharge operation is completed, the normal operation resumes after a predetermined period. If misalignment correction of the film F is not performed during the defective product discharge operation, misalignment correction, registration mark alignment correction, etc. may be performed after the defective product discharge operation and before the resumption of normal operation, or after normal operation and before the start of the defective product discharge operation. In these cases, the conveyance speed of the film F may be the same as or different from the conveyance speed of the film F during normal operation.

[0047] After normal operation but before the start of the defective product ejection operation, during the defective product ejection operation, or after the defective product ejection operation but before the resumption of normal operation, the conveying unit may convey the film F by one or more registration mark pitches PP in addition to the above-mentioned amount of deviation. In this case, bags containing the splice points CP may be ejected in the form of a chain of bags. This allows defective products containing the splice points CP to be reliably rejected.

[0048] According to the bag-making and packaging apparatus 102 of this embodiment described above, when the pitch P1 is shorter than the registration mark pitch PP as shown in FIG. 3(a), the second film F2 is cut based on the position of the third registration mark R3 to form bags B. When the pitch P2 is longer than the registration mark pitch PP as shown in FIG. 3(b), the second film F2 is cut based on the position of the second registration mark R2 to form bags B. As shown in FIG. 3(a), when the pitch P1 is shorter than the registration mark pitch PP, during the defective product ejection operation, the second film F2 is first cut along the cut-off portion CU1, which is set based on the position of the third registration mark R3. In other words, during the defective product ejection operation, the second film F2 is not cut based on the position of the second registration mark R2. On the other hand, when the pitch P2 is longer than the registration mark pitch PP as shown in FIG. 3(b), during the defective product ejection operation, the second film F2 is first cut along the cut-off portion CU2, which is set based on the position of the second registration mark R2. Therefore, in this embodiment, the second film F2 can be cut at an appropriate location during the defective product ejection operation, depending on the pitch between the first registration mark R1 and the second registration mark R2 that sandwich the splice point CP. This prevents misalignment of characters, patterns, etc. printed on the bags B due to the formation of the splice point CP, even if the bag-making and packaging apparatus 102 does not include a mechanism for aligning the first film F1 and the second film F2, making it less likely that a large number of defective products will be produced. Therefore, even if the splice point CP is formed without adjusting the position of the splice point CP between the first film F1 and the second film F2, it is possible to prevent a decrease in productivity and an increase in costs for the bags B.

[0049] Additionally, in this embodiment, the normal operation and the defective product discharge operation are performed consecutively, and the conveyance speed of the film F during the defective product discharge operation may be the same as the conveyance speed of the film F during normal operation, except for the horizontal sealing and cutting period. In this case, the second film F2 can be cut at an appropriate location during the defective product discharge operation without changing the conveyance speed of the film F between normal operation and the defective product discharge operation. This allows the normal operation and the defective product discharge operation to be performed consecutively in an optimal manner, significantly shortening the downtime of the bag making and packaging apparatus 102 during the defective product discharge operation. This effectively prevents a decrease in productivity and increases in costs for the bags B.

[0050] In one example, the bag-making and packaging apparatus 102 has a splice point detection unit 121 that detects the splice point CP upstream of the registration mark detection units 122A and 122B in the conveyance direction MD. This prevents the splice point CP from being mistakenly detected as the registration mark R. This allows the second film F2 to be cut accurately at an appropriate location.

[0051] In one example, each of the registration mark detection units 122A and 122B and the splice point detection unit 121 may include a photoelectric sensor. In this case, it is possible to effectively prevent the splice point CP from being mistakenly detected as the registration mark R. This allows the second film F2 to be cut at an appropriate point with greater accuracy.

[0052] In one example, the registration mark detection units 122A, 122B or the splice point detection unit 121 may detect the position of the splice point CP based on a change in the output detection signal. In this case, it is possible to effectively prevent the splice point CP from being mistakenly detected as the registration mark R. This allows the second film F2 to be cut at an appropriate position with greater accuracy.

[0053] While the present invention has been described above with reference to an embodiment, it is not limited to the above embodiment and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in the above embodiment, the bag-making and packaging apparatus may further include a printing unit that prints on the first film or the second film based on the detection result of the splice detection unit. In this case, the occurrence of defective individual packaging bags due to improper printing can be reduced. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] 5...Packaging unit (bag making and packaging section), 6...Film supply unit, 13...Forming mechanism, 14...Pull-down belt mechanism (conveying section), 15...Vertical sealing mechanism, 17...Horizontal sealing mechanism, 61...Roll drive motor (conveying section), 62...Roll drive motor (conveying section), 63...Film switching section, 91a to 91c, 92a to 92c, 93a to 93o...Rollers (conveying section), 100...Weighing bag making and packaging system, 101...Weighing device, 102...Bag making and packaging device, 1 10...control unit, 121...connection point detection unit, 122A, 122B...registration mark detection unit, B...bag, CP...connection point, F...film, F1...first film, F2...second film, FR1...first film roll, FR2...second film roll, MD...conveyance direction (film conveyance direction), P1...pitch, P2...pitch, PP...registration mark pitch, R...registration mark, R1...first registration mark, R2...second registration mark, R3...third registration mark.

Claims

1. a first holding unit that holds a first film roll around which a first film is wound; a second holding section that holds a second film roll around which the second film is wound; a conveying section that conveys the first film or the second film in a film conveying direction; a registration mark detection unit that detects registration marks for alignment printed on each of the first film and the second film; a bag-making and packaging unit that forms the first film or the second film to form a bag-shaped molded body in which an article is to be contained, and then cuts the first film or the second film based on the position of the registration mark detected by the registration mark detection unit to form individual packaging bags; a connection portion that forms a connection point that connects the first film and the second film, On the first film, the registration mark closest to the splice point in the film transport direction is defined as a first registration mark; When the registration mark on the second film that is closest to the splice location in the film transport direction is defined as a second registration mark, and the registration mark located immediately after the second registration mark is defined as a third registration mark, The bag making and packaging unit includes: When the pitch between the first registration mark and the second registration mark is shorter than a preset registration mark pitch, the second film is cut based on the position of the third registration mark to form the individual packaging bag; If the pitch is longer than the preset registration mark pitch, the second film is cut based on the position of the second registration mark to produce the individual packaging bag. Bag making and packaging equipment.

2. The bag manufacturing and packaging apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a splice detection unit that detects the splice upstream of the registration mark detection unit in the film transport direction.

3. The bag manufacturing and packaging apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein each of the registration mark detection unit and the splice point detection unit includes a photoelectric sensor.

4. The bag manufacturing and packaging apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the registration mark detection unit or the splice detection unit detects the position of the splice based on a change in an output detection signal.

5. The bag manufacturing and packaging apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, further comprising a printing unit that prints on the first film or the second film based on a detection result from the connection point detection unit.

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