Bag-making and packaging machine and film roll exchange system

Abstract

To provide a bag-making and packaging machine and a film roll exchange system capable of suppressing efficiency degradation of the bag-making and packaging machine following automatic exchange of a film roll in the bag-making and packaging machine.SOLUTION: A film supply part 5 includes a first film roll support part 31 and a second film roll support part 32 for respectively supporting film rolls FR so that a supplying film roll FR1 can be switched, and a joining part 34 for performing a joining operation to join a trailing end portion of the supplying film roll FR1 supported by one of the support parts and a leading end portion of a replacement film roll FR2 supported by the other support part. A bag-making and packaging machine 1 comprises a bag-making control part 6 for transmitting an exchange signal to a self-propelled film roll exchange device 10. When a joining operation is performed by the joining part 34 or when the supplying film roll FR1 is switched from one to the other of the first film roll support part 31 and the second film roll support part 32, the bag-making control part 6 transmits the exchange signal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a bag making and packaging machine and a film roll changing system. [Background technology]

[0002] An automatic consumable goods transport system is known that includes rolled film loading tables installed next to multiple vertical pillow packaging machines, and an automated guided vehicle that transports the rolled film consumed by the vertical pillow packaging machines, in which the automated guided vehicle automatically transports the rolled film to the rolled film loading table (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-173894 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above-described conventional technology, an automated guided vehicle automatically transports the rolled film to the rolled film receiving platform based on the predicted end time of the rolled film. However, for example, when the end of rolled film is predicted for multiple vertical pillow packaging machines, it can be difficult for the automated guided vehicle to automatically transport the rolled film. As a result, there is a risk of reducing the efficiency of the bag-making packaging machine.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a form-fill-seal machine and a film roll changing system that can suppress a decrease in the efficiency of the form-fill-seal machine that occurs when the film roll of the machine is automatically changed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] (1) One aspect of the present invention is a bag-making and packaging machine that includes a film supply unit that holds a film roll around which film is wound, and a bag making unit that pulls out film from the film roll to make bags. The film supply unit has first and second support units that support the film rolls so that the supply film roll that supplies film to the bag making unit can be switched, and a splicing unit that performs a joining operation to join the end of the supply film roll supported by one of the first and second support units to the start of a replacement film roll that is a replacement film roll supported by the other of the first and second support units. The machine also includes a transmitter that sends a replacement signal to a self-propelled film roll exchange device that transports the replacement film roll to exchange it for a used supply film roll. The transmitter sends the replacement signal when the joining operation is performed in the splicing unit, or when the supply film roll is switched from one of the film roll of the first support unit and the film roll of the second support unit to the other.

[0007] In a form-fill-seal machine according to one aspect of the present invention, the transmitter transmits a replacement signal when a joining operation is performed in the joining unit or when the supply film roll is switched from one of the film rolls of the first support unit and the second support unit to the other. Because the replacement signal is transmitted to the self-propelled film roll changer before the supply film roll is completely used up, the self-propelled film roll changer can transport and replace the film roll earlier than when the self-propelled film roll changer is instructed to replace the supply film roll after the supply film roll is completely used up. This makes it possible to prevent a decrease in the efficiency of the form-fill-seal machine due to automatic film roll replacement in the form-fill-seal machine.

[0008] (2) A film roll changing system including the form-fill-seal machine described in (1) above and a self-propelled film roll changing device may include a receiver that receives a change signal, a support unit that supports the film roll, a transfer mechanism that transfers the film roll between the support unit and the form-fill-seal machine, a moving device configured to be able to travel around the form-fill-seal machine, and a controller that controls the operation of the moving device and the transfer mechanism based on the change signal received by the receiver. In this case, a film roll changing system can be configured in which the operation of the moving device and the transfer mechanism is controlled based on the change signal received by the receiver.

[0009] (3) In (2) above, when the receiving unit receives the replacement signal, the control unit may move the moving device so that the support unit that is not supporting the film roll approaches the form-fill-seal machine, and operate the transfer mechanism so that the used supply film roll is transferred from the form-fill-seal machine to the support unit that has been brought closer to the form-fill-seal machine. In this case, the used supply film roll can be collected in response to the replacement signal received by the receiving unit.

[0010] (4) In (2) or (3) above, when the receiving unit receives a replacement signal, the control unit may move the moving device so that the support unit that supports the replacement film roll approaches the form-fill-seal machine, and operate the transfer mechanism to transfer the replacement film roll from the support unit that has been brought close to the form-fill-seal machine to the form-fill-seal machine. In this case, the replacement film roll can be transported and transferred to the form-fill-seal machine in response to the replacement signal received by the receiving unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to various aspects of the present invention, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the efficiency of a bag-making and packaging machine that occurs when a film roll in the bag-making and packaging machine is automatically replaced. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of a bag-making and packaging machine. [Figure 2]FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the bag-making and packaging machine. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of a self-propelled film roll changing device. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic front view of the self-propelled film roll changing device of FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic side view of the self-propelled film roll changing device of FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view for explaining the outline of collection and replacement of the film roll. [Figure 7] 1(a) is a plan view showing a first example of film roll collection and replacement, and FIG. 1(b) is a plan view showing a second example of film roll collection and replacement. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, terms such as "front," "rear," "up," "down," "left," and "right" may be used to indicate directions. These directions are defined by the orientation of arrows in the drawings.

[0014] 1 and 2, the make-fill-seal machine 1 is an apparatus that produces (makes) bags B containing items C supplied from a combination weighing device (not shown) or the like. The make-fill-seal machine 1 includes a bag production and packaging unit (bag production unit) 3, a film supply unit 5, and a bag production control unit (transmission unit) 6.

[0015] [Bag Making and Packaging Department] As shown in FIG. 2, 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.

[0016] [Film supply section] The film supply unit 5 holds a film roll FR in which a sheet-like film F is wound into a cylindrical shape, and supplies the film F unwound from the film roll FR to the bag-making and packaging unit 3 in sequence.

[0017] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the film supply unit 5 includes a film roll support mechanism 30, a joint unit 34, and a frame unit 35.

[0018] The film roll support mechanism 30 has a first film roll support section (first support section) 31, a second film roll support section (second support section) 32, a support frame 33, and a payout mechanism (not shown).

[0019] The first film roll support part 31 and the second film roll support part 32 rotatably support the film roll FR. The first film roll support part 31 has a core 31a. The second film roll support part 32 has a core 32a.

[0020] The cores 31a and 32a are cantilevered and protrude from the support frame 33 parallel to the rotation axis 33a at positions symmetrical with respect to the rotation axis 33a of the support frame 33. The central cylinder of the film roll FR is attached to the cores 31a and 32a, respectively.

[0021] 2, the first film roll support section 31 supports a supply film roll FR1, which is a supply film roll FR that supplies film F to the bag making and packaging section 3. The second film roll support section 32 supports a replacement film roll FR2 that is used after the supply film roll FR1 held by the first film roll support section 31.

[0022] The supply film roll FR1 is supported by one of the first film roll support section 31 and the second film roll support section 32. The replacement film roll FR2, which is a replacement film roll FR, is supported by the other of the first film roll support section 31 and the second film roll support section 32.

[0023] The support frame 33 supports the first film roll support unit 31 and the second film roll support unit 32 so that they can rotate about a rotation center axis 33a. The support frame 33 rotates (pivots) about the rotation center axis 33a via a belt 33c driven by a drive unit 33b. The rotation of the support frame 33 moves the supply film roll FR, which supplies the film F to the bag-making and packaging unit 3, to the left in the plane of the page in FIG. 2 (switching of the supply film roll FR1).

[0024] The unwinding mechanism unwinds the film F from the film roll FR by rotating each of the first film roll support part 31 and the second film roll support part 32. The operation of the unwinding mechanism is controlled by the bag making control part 6.

[0025] The joining unit 34 performs a joining operation to join the terminal end of the film F of the supply film roll FR1 to the starting end of the film F of the replacement film roll FR2. The starting end and terminal end of the film F may refer to portions including a predetermined length from the ends (starting end, terminal end) of the film F. The joining unit 34, for example, applies pressure to the terminal end and starting end of each film F and heats them with a heater (not shown), thereby thermally welding the terminal end and starting end of each film F. The joining method is not limited to thermal welding, and the terminal end and starting end of each film F may also be joined by ultrasonic welding.

[0026] The frame section 35 is the framework of the film supply section 5. The frame section 35 has, for example, a fixed frame 36 and a movable frame 37.

[0027] The fixed frame 36 is a main part of the framework of the film supply unit 5, and supports one end of the film roll support mechanism 30 on the far side of the plane of Fig. 1, and the joint 34. The fixed frame 36 includes a base 36a (see Fig. 6) made, for example, of stainless steel square pipes joined together in an H shape in plan view, and a wall-like erected portion 36b erected from one end of the base 36a on the far side of the plane of Fig. 1. The erected portion 36b supports one end of the rotation center shaft 33a on the far side of the plane of Fig. 1, and the joint 34.

[0028] The movable frame 37 adjusts the position of the film roll FR provided in the bag-making packaging machine 1. Adjusting the position of the film roll FR means adjusting the position of the film roll FR on the core 31a or core 32a in advance so that the widthwise position of the film F pulled out from the film roll FR is constant relative to the fixed frame 36 in order to suppress meandering of the film F. A constant positional relationship means that the relative axial positions of the air chuck 31b on the core 31a and the film roll FR are in a predetermined positional relationship that suppresses meandering of the film F, or that the relative axial positions of the air chuck 32b on the core 32a and the film roll FR are in a predetermined positional relationship that suppresses meandering of the film F.

[0029] [Bag making control section] The bag making control unit 6 controls the operation of the bag making and packaging machine 1. The bag making control unit 6 is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The bag making control unit 6 functions as a transmitter that transmits, for example via wireless communication, a replacement signal to the self-propelled film roll changing device 10 (described below) to instruct it to replace the film roll FR. The replacement signal may include information on the roll type, roll diameter, and roll width of the replacement film roll FR2.

[0030] The bag making control unit 6 sends a replacement signal when a joining operation is performed in the joining unit 34, or when the supply film roll FR1 is switched from one of the film roll FR of the first film roll support unit 31 and the film roll FR of the second film roll support unit 32 to the other. For example, the bag making control unit 6 may send a replacement signal when sending a signal to the joining unit 34 to perform a joining operation. The bag making control unit 6 may also send a replacement signal when sending a signal to the drive unit 33b to rotate the support frame 33.

[0031] [Self-propelled film roll changer] The self-propelled film roll changing device 10 is a device for transporting a replacement film roll FR2 to replace the used supply film roll FR1. The self-propelled film roll changing device 10 transports the replacement film roll FR2 to the bag making and packaging machine 1 that has sent a replacement signal, for example.

[0032] Fig. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of a self-propelled film roll changing device. Fig. 4 is a schematic front view of the self-propelled film roll changing device of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a schematic side view of the self-propelled film roll changing device of Fig. 3. As shown in Figs. 3 to 5, the self-propelled film roll changing device 10 includes a support unit 40, a transfer mechanism 50, a housing 60, a moving device 70, and a change control unit 80 (control unit, receiving unit).

[0033] [Support part] The support section 40 is a section that supports the replacement film roll FR2, and is disposed on the front side of the housing 60. The support section 40 has a support member 41 and a rail section 47.

[0034] The support member 41 supports the replacement film roll FR2 so that the width direction of the replacement film roll FR2 is in a direction that intersects the vertical direction. The width of the replacement film roll FR2 corresponds to the width of the film F when the film F is pulled out, and refers to the distance between the pair of bottom surfaces of the replacement film roll FR2. Taking into consideration the transfer of the replacement film roll FR2 to the bag-making packaging machine 1, the support member 41 supports the replacement film roll FR2 so that the axial direction of the replacement film roll FR2 is parallel to the cores 31a and 32a.

[0035] The support member 41 is, for example, a plate-like member whose longitudinal direction is the left-right direction (horizontal direction) when viewed from the front of the housing 60. The support member 41 includes a receiving portion 42 that supports the replacement film roll FR2, a pair of end plates 43 erected at both ends of the receiving portion 42, a partition plate 44 erected in the center of the receiving portion 42, and an extending portion 45 that is continuous with the receiving portion 42 on the housing 60 side of the receiving portion 42 and extends upward.

[0036] A remaining amount sensor 46 may be provided on the plate-shaped member on the front side of the receiving unit 42. The remaining amount sensor 46 is a sensor for measuring the remaining amount of the supply film roll FR1 when the used supply film roll FR1 held in the film supply unit 5 is collected. The remaining amount sensor 46 may be an optical sensor that uses laser light, for example. The remaining amount sensor 46 transmits the distance to the used supply film roll FR1 held in the film supply unit 5 to the replacement control unit 80 as remaining amount information.

[0037] The end plates 43 are plate members provided at both left-right ends of the receiving portion 42 so as to stand vertically from the receiving portion 42. A slit 43a is formed in the end plates 43 in a portion (e.g., the center portion of the end plates 43 in the front-rear direction) that corresponds to the axis of the replacement film roll FR2 supported by the receiving portion 42. The opening width of the slit 43a is larger than the outer diameter of the core 31a or the core 32a. The slit 43a opens at the upper end side of the end plates 43, and the support portion 40 can be lowered with the replacement film roll FR2 attached to the core 31a or the core 32a.

[0038] The partition plate 44 is a plate member provided in the center of the receiving portion 42 in the left-right direction so as to stand perpendicularly from the surface of the receiving portion 42. The distance between the partition plate 44 and the end plate 43 is equal to or greater than the width of the replacement film roll FR2, and is a distance that can accommodate the widest replacement film roll FR2 among multiple types. Because the receiving portion 42 and the end plate 43 are symmetrical with respect to the partition plate 44, for example, by changing the orientation of the self-propelled film roll changing device 10, both the left and right receiving portions 42 and end plates 43 can be used to collect or transfer the replacement film roll FR2.

[0039] The extending portion 45 is bent so as to follow the surface of the replacement film roll FR2 when viewed from the left and right direction, and extends in the up-down direction (vertical direction) between the replacement film roll FR2 and the housing 60.

[0040] The rail portion 47 supports the support member 41 so that it can move along the width direction of the replacement film roll FR2. The rail portion 47 supports the support member 41 so that the support member 41 can move relatively with respect to the housing 60 in the left-right direction when viewed from the front of the housing 60.

[0041] [Transfer mechanism] The transfer mechanism 50 is a mechanism that moves the support unit 40 up, down, left, and right. The transfer mechanism 50 transfers the film roll FR between the support unit 40 and the form-fill-seal machine 1. The transfer mechanism 50 may transfer a replacement film roll FR2 loaded in the support unit 40 from the support unit 40 to the form-fill-seal machine 1 for replacement. The transfer mechanism 50 may transfer a used supply film roll FR1 held in the film supply unit 5 from the form-fill-seal machine 1 to the support unit 40 for collection. The transfer mechanism 50 includes a vertical drive unit 51 that moves the support unit 40 up and down, and a horizontal drive unit 54 that moves the support unit 40 left and right.

[0042] The vertical drive unit 51 includes, for example, a feed screw 52 that moves the rail portion 47 in the vertical direction, a guide unit (not shown) that guides the vertical movement of the rail portion 47, and a vertical drive motor 53 that rotates the feed screw 52. The vertical drive unit 51 is fixed to the housing 60. When the feed screw 52 is rotated, the rail portion 47 moves while being guided in the vertical direction.

[0043] The lateral drive unit 54 includes, for example, a rack 55a attached to the surface of the extension portion 45 of the support member 41 facing the housing 60, a pinion 55b that meshes with the rack 55a, and a lateral drive motor 56 that rotates the pinion 55b. The pinion 55b and the lateral drive motor 56 are attached to the rail portion 47. When the pinion 55b is rotated, the rack 55a and the support member 41 move while being guided in the left-right direction relative to the rail portion 47.

[0044] [Case] The housing 60 houses the vertical drive unit 51 and the replacement control unit 80. The housing 60 has, for example, a plurality of frames 61 forming each side of a rectangular parallelepiped. The frame 61 may be made of, for example, a metal block or the like so as to have the rigidity necessary to withstand the loads of the horizontal drive unit 54, the support unit 40, the replacement film roll FR2, etc. An exterior plate 62 such as an aluminum plate or an acrylic plate may be attached to the surfaces of the housing 60 other than the front surface. A touch panel 63 or the like that can be operated by an operator may be provided on the rear surface of the housing 60.

[0045] [Mobile device] The moving device 70 is a device configured to be able to travel around the bag-making packaging machine 1, and may be, for example, an AGV that can travel autonomously using image recognition using magnetic tape, two-dimensional barcodes, or a camera. The moving device 70 has the support unit 40, transfer mechanism 50, exchange control unit 80, and housing 60 integrally mounted thereon.

[0046] [Guide section] The film roll changing system 100 may include a guide unit 90 that regulates the movement direction of the support unit 40 when the support unit 40 is brought closer to the bag-making packaging machine 1. The guide unit 90 is configured to position the self-propelled film roll changing device 10 relative to the bag-making packaging machine 1 so that the film roll FR can be automatically transferred from the support unit 40 to the bag-making packaging machine 1, and the film roll FR can be automatically transferred from the bag-making packaging machine 1 to the support unit 40.

[0047] The guide unit 90 may have, for example, a long guide rail 91 and a guide positioning unit 95. The guide unit 90 may have, for example, a long guide rail 91 and a guide positioning unit 95. The guide rail 91 may be provided in the self-propelled film roll changing device 10. The guide positioning unit 95 may be provided in the frame unit 35 of the bag making and packaging machine 1.

[0048] The guide unit 90 may have an optical sensor unit 94a and a light-emitting unit 94b that detect when the positioning of the self-propelled film roll changing device 10 relative to the bag-making packaging machine 1 has reached a certain tolerance. The optical sensor unit 94a is attached near both ends of the guide rail 91. The light-emitting unit 94b is attached to the positioning guide unit 95. The optical sensor unit 94a detects light from the light-emitting unit 94b. When the optical sensor unit 94a detects light from the light-emitting unit 94b, the optical sensor unit 94a may send a signal to the changing control unit 80 indicating that the positioning has reached a certain tolerance. When the positioning has reached a certain tolerance, the extension direction of the guide rail 91 is determined by the positioning guide unit 95, so that the axial direction of the film roll FR when supported by the support member 41 is parallel to the cores 31a and 32a.

[0049] [Exchange control section] The exchange control unit 80 controls the operation of the moving device 70 and the transfer mechanism 50. The exchange control unit 80 is composed of a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc. The exchange control unit 80 functions as a receiving unit that receives an exchange signal from the bag making control unit 6, for example, via wireless communication. The exchange control unit 80 is communicably connected to the touch panel 63 of the housing 60. The exchange control unit 80 receives information input by an operator on the touch panel 63. The exchange control unit 80 transmits information to be displayed to the operator to the touch panel 63.

[0050] The exchange control unit 80 controls the operation of the moving device 70 and the transfer mechanism 50 based on the received exchange signal. Based on the information received from the bag making control unit 6 and the information input to the touch panel 63, the exchange control unit 80 sends signals to the transfer mechanism 50 and the moving device 70 to operate the vertical drive motor 53, the horizontal drive motor 56, and the moving device 70.

[0051] When collecting a used supply film roll FR1 held in the film supply unit 5, the replacement control unit 80 may calculate the amount of movement of the vertical drive motor 53 of the transfer mechanism 50 based on remaining amount information from the remaining amount sensor 46.

[0052] [Self-propelled film roll changer in operation] 6 is a schematic perspective view for explaining an overview of film roll collection and replacement. The self-propelled film roll changing device 10, together with the bag-making packaging machine 1, constitutes a film roll changing system 100. A path 101 along which the self-propelled film roll changing device 10 can travel is provided around the bag-making packaging machine 1. A roll storage area for stocking replacement film rolls FR2 may be provided around the bag-making packaging machine 1 at a position away from the bag-making packaging machine 1.

[0053] When the self-propelled film roll changing device 10 receives the replacement signal, it can perform recovery by transferring the used supply film roll FR1 from the form-fill-seal machine 1 to the support unit 40. After the self-propelled film roll changing device 10 has finished recovering the used supply film roll FR1, it can transfer the replacement film roll FR2 loaded in the support unit 40 from the support unit 40 to the form-fill-seal machine 1 for replacement. Here, the self-propelled film roll changing device 10 may be the same device or different devices. First, an example of recovery and replacement will be described.

[0054] FIG. 7(a) is a plan view showing a first example of film roll collection and replacement. As shown in FIG. 7(a), when the self-propelled film roll changer 10A (10) receives a replacement signal at the exchange control unit 80, it may load the next replacement film roll FR2 and then collect the used supply film roll FR1. In this case, after the self-propelled film roll changer 10A has finished collecting the used supply film roll FR1, it changes direction and transfers the replacement film roll FR2 to the bag-making packaging machine 1. In the example of FIG. 7(a), a single self-propelled film roll changer 10A can collect and replace the film roll FR.

[0055] In the example of Figure 7(a), when the replacement control unit 80 receives a replacement signal from the bag making control unit 6, it acquires information about the roll type, roll diameter, and roll width of the next replacement film roll FR2, and controls the moving device 70 to travel autonomously toward the roll storage area. When the self-propelled film roll changing device 10A arrives at the roll storage area, the next replacement film roll FR2 is loaded onto the support unit 40, either manually by an operator or automatically by machine. The replacement control unit 80 controls the moving device 70 to travel autonomously toward the make-and-seal machine 1 associated with the bag making control unit 6 that sent the replacement signal, with the next replacement film roll FR2 supported by the support unit 40.

[0056] When the replacement control unit 80 receives the replacement signal, with the replacement film roll FR2 supported on one of the support units 40, the replacement control unit 80 causes the moving device 70 to travel so that the other support unit 40 that is not supporting the film roll FR approaches the form-fill-seal machine 1. The replacement control unit 80 operates the transfer mechanism 50 to transfer the used supply film roll FR1 from the form-fill-seal machine 1 to the other support unit 40 that has been brought closer to the form-fill-seal machine 1. The replacement control unit 80 changes direction and operates the transfer mechanism 50 to transfer the replacement film roll FR2 to the form-fill-seal machine 1 from one of the support units 40 that has been brought closer to the form-fill-seal machine 1.

[0057] 7(b) is a plan view showing a second example of film roll collection and replacement. As shown in FIG. 7(b), when the self-propelled film roll changer 10B (10) receives a replacement signal at the exchange control unit 80, the self-propelled film roll changer 10B (10) may collect the used supply film roll FR1 without loading the next replacement film roll FR2. In this case, the film roll FR may be collected by one self-propelled film roll changer 10B, and the replacement may be performed by another self-propelled film roll changer 10C (10). Alternatively, the film roll FR may be collected by one self-propelled film roll changer 10B, and the used supply film roll FR1 collected by that self-propelled film roll changer 10B may be unloaded, and the next replacement film roll FR2 may be loaded, and the replacement film roll FR2 may be transferred to the form-fill-seal machine 1.

[0058] 7(b), when the exchange control unit 80 of the self-propelled film roll exchange device 10B receives an exchange signal, it first causes the moving device 70 to move the support unit 40 that is not supporting the film roll FR toward the bag-making packaging machine 1. The exchange control unit 80 then operates the transfer mechanism 50 to transfer the used supply film roll FR1 from the bag-making packaging machine 1 to the support unit 40 that has been brought closer to the bag-making packaging machine 1.

[0059] After collecting the used supply film roll FR1, the exchange control unit 80 of the self-propelled film roll changer 10B or 10C acquires information on the roll type, roll diameter, and roll width of the next replacement film roll FR2 based on the exchange signal, and controls the moving device 70 to autonomously travel toward the roll storage area. When the self-propelled film roll changer 10B or 10C arrives at the roll storage area, the next replacement film roll FR2 is loaded onto the support unit 40, either manually by an operator or automatically by machine. The exchange control unit 80 controls the moving device 70 to autonomously travel toward the make-and-seal machine 1 associated with the bag making control unit 6 that sent the exchange signal, with the next replacement film roll FR2 supported by the support unit 40.

[0060] The exchange control unit 80 of the self-propelled film roll exchange device 10B or 10C moves the moving device 70 so as to bring the support unit 40 supporting the replacement film roll FR2 closer to the bag-making packaging machine 1, and operates the transfer mechanism 50 so as to transfer the replacement film roll FR2 from the support unit 40 that has been brought closer to the bag-making packaging machine 1 to the bag-making packaging machine 1.

[0061] An example of the collection and replacement operation will be described with reference to Fig. 6. First, as an example of the replacement operation, as shown in Fig. 6, the replacement control unit 80 controls the moving device 70 to autonomously travel toward the bag making and packaging machine 1 associated with the bag making control unit 6 that sent the replacement signal, with the next replacement film roll FR2 being supported by the support unit 40.

[0062] The moving device 70 autonomously travels along the passage 101 around the bag-making packaging machine 1 so that the guide rail 91 and the guide positioning unit 95 are at approximately the same position in the front-to-back direction when viewed from the housing 60. The replacement control unit 80 causes the moving device 70 to travel so that the support unit 40 that supports the replacement film roll FR2 approaches the bag-making packaging machine 1. The moving device 70 autonomously travels to the right as viewed from the housing 60 without changing the orientation (forward) of the front of the housing 60 relative to the passage 101 so that the guide rail 91 and the guide positioning part 95 are in approximately the same position in the front-to-back direction as viewed from the housing 60, and the guide rail 91 approaches the guide positioning part 95.

[0063] When the replacement control unit 80 receives a signal from the optical sensor unit 94a indicating that the positioning has fallen within a certain tolerance range, it controls the moving device 70 to stop traveling and also controls the vertical drive unit 51 so that the axial direction of the replacement film roll FR2 is an extension of the core 31a or core 32a. For example, based on roll diameter information of the next replacement film roll FR2 received from the bag making control unit 6 and pre-stored height position information of the core 31a or core 32a, the vertical drive unit 51 operates to lift the support member 41 and the replacement film roll FR2 so that the axial direction of the replacement film roll FR2 is an extension of the core 31a or core 32a.

[0064] When the axial direction of the replacement film roll FR2 is aligned with the core 31a or 32a, the replacement control unit 80 stops the operation of the vertical drive unit 51 and controls the horizontal drive unit 54 to insert the replacement film roll FR2 onto the core 31a or 32a. For example, based on roll width information for the next replacement film roll FR2 received from the bag making control unit 6 and pre-stored length and position information for the core 31a or 32a, the horizontal drive unit 54 is operated to push the replacement film roll FR2 into a predetermined position on the core 31a or 32a.

[0065] In addition, after inserting the replacement film roll FR2 into the core 31a or core 32a, the support part 40 may be lowered and moved to the left and raised while the replacement film roll FR2 is attached to the core 31a or core 32a, and the left end face of the replacement film roll FR2 may be pushed in with the right end plate 43 of the receiving part 42.

[0066] When the transfer of the replacement film roll FR2 to the bag-making packaging machine 1 is completed, the replacement control unit 80 causes the moving device 70 to move the support unit 40 that is not supporting the replacement film roll FR2 away from the bag-making packaging machine 1.

[0067] As an example of the recovery operation, the replacement control unit 80 controls the moving device 70 to autonomously travel toward the bag-making packaging machine 1 associated with the bag-making control unit 6 that sent the replacement signal while the film roll FR is not supported by at least one of the support units 40. As described above, once positioning falls within a certain tolerance, the replacement control unit 80 controls the horizontal drive unit 54 so that the right end plate 43 of the receiving unit 42 is to the right of the bottom surface of the rear side of the used supply film roll FR1. Once the right end plate 43 of the receiving unit 42 is to the right of the bottom surface of the rear side of the used supply film roll FR1, the replacement control unit 80 controls the vertical drive unit 51 so that the axial direction of the film roll FR when it was supported by the support unit 40 is an extension of the core 31a or 32a. The replacement control unit 80 controls the lateral drive unit 54 to move the right end plate 43 of the receiving unit 42 to the left and pull the bottom surface of the far side of the used supply film roll FR1 into the support unit 40 with the right end plate 43 of the receiving unit 42. As a result, the used supply film roll FR1 is transferred to the support unit 40 and collected.

[0068] When the transfer of the used supply film roll FR1 to the bag-making packaging machine 1 is completed, the replacement control unit 80 causes the moving device 70 to move the support unit 40 supporting the used supply film roll FR1 away from the bag-making packaging machine 1.

[0069] In the form-fill-seal machine 1 described above, the bag making control unit 6 sends a replacement signal when a joining operation is performed in the joining unit 34, or when the supply film roll FR1 is switched from one of the film roll FR in the first film roll support unit 31 and the film roll FR in the second film roll support unit 32 to the other. Because the replacement signal is sent to the self-propelled film roll changer 10 before the supply film roll FR1 is completely used up, the transport and replacement of the film roll FR by the self-propelled film roll changer 10 can be brought forward compared to when the supply film roll FR1 is completely used up and the self-propelled film roll changer 10 is instructed to replace it. This makes it possible to prevent a decrease in efficiency of the form-fill-seal machine 1 that occurs when the film roll FR is automatically replaced in the form-fill-seal machine 1.

[0070] The film roll changing system 100 includes an changing control unit 80 that receives a changing signal, a support unit 40 that supports the film roll FR, a transfer mechanism 50 that transfers the film roll FR between the support unit 40 and the bag-making packaging machine 1, a moving device 70 that is configured to be able to travel around the bag-making packaging machine 1, and an changing control unit 80 that controls the operation of the moving device 70 and the transfer mechanism 50 based on the changing signal. This makes it possible to configure a film roll changing system 100 in which the operation of the moving device 70 and the transfer mechanism 50 is controlled based on the changing signal received by the changing control unit 80.

[0071] When the replacement control unit 80 receives the replacement signal, it causes the moving device 70 to travel so that the support unit 40 that is not supporting the film roll FR approaches the bag-making packaging machine 1, and it causes the transfer mechanism 50 to transfer the used supply film roll FR1 from the bag-making packaging machine 1 to the support unit 40 that has been brought closer to the bag-making packaging machine 1. In this way, the used supply film roll FR1 can be collected in accordance with the replacement signal received by the replacement control unit 80.

[0072] When the replacement control unit 80 receives the replacement signal, it causes the moving device 70 to travel so that the support unit 40, which supports the replacement film roll FR2, approaches the bag-making packaging machine 1, and causes the transfer mechanism 50 to operate so that the replacement film roll FR2 is transferred from the support unit 40 that has been brought close to the bag-making packaging machine 1 to the bag-making packaging machine 1. In this way, the replacement film roll FR2 can be transported and transferred to the bag-making packaging machine 1 in accordance with the replacement signal received by the replacement control unit 80.

[0073] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not necessarily limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0074] In the above embodiment, the guide unit 90 was provided to regulate the movement direction of the support unit 40, which supports the replacement film roll FR2, when the support unit 40 is brought closer to the bag-making packaging machine 1, but the guide unit 90 is not essential. For example, if the accuracy of the position and direction of the travel and direction changes of the moving device 70 is sufficiently high, the guide unit 90 may be omitted.

[0075] In the above embodiment, the film roll changing system 100 is configured with one self-propelled film roll changing device 10 and one form-fill-seal machine 1, but the film roll changing system may also be configured with one self-propelled film roll changing device 10 and multiple form-fill-seal machines 1. In this case, for example, the self-propelled film roll changing device 10 may sequentially transport a replacement film roll FR2 to the form-fill-seal machine 1 that sent the replacement signal in response to replacement signals sequentially sent from each of the multiple form-fill-seal machines 1. Paths 101 along which the self-propelled film roll changing devices 10 can travel may be provided around the multiple form-fill-seal machines 1 and between adjacent form-fill-seal machines 1. [Explanation of symbols]

[0076] 1...bag making and packaging machine, 3...bag making and packaging section (bag making section), 5...film supply section, 6...bag making control section (transmitting section), 10, 10A, 10B, 10C...self-propelled film roll changing device, 31...first film roll support section (first support section), 32...second film roll support section (second support section), 34...joining section, 40...support section, 50...transfer mechanism, 70...moving device, 100...film roll changing system, B...bag, F...film, FR...film roll, FR1...supply film roll, FR2...replacement film roll.

Claims

1. A bag-making and packaging machine including a film supply unit that holds a film roll around which a film is wound, and a bag-making unit that pulls out the film from the film roll to make bags, The film supply unit includes: a first support portion and a second support portion that respectively support the film roll so as to be able to switch a supply film roll that supplies the film to the bag making unit; a joining unit that performs a joining operation to join a terminal end of the supply film roll supported by one of the first support unit and the second support unit to a starting end of a replacement film roll that is a replacement film roll supported by the other of the first support unit and the second support unit, a transmitter that transmits a replacement signal to a self-propelled film roll changing device that transports the replacement film roll to replace the used supply film roll, the replacement film roll instructing the self-propelled film roll changing device to replace the used supply film roll; The transmitter transmits the replacement signal when the joining operation is performed in the joining section, or when the supply film roll is switched from one of the film roll of the first support section and the film roll of the second support section to the other.

2. A film roll changing system comprising the bag making and packaging machine according to claim 1 and the self-propelled film roll changing device, The self-propelled film roll changing device is a receiving unit for receiving the exchange signal; a support portion that supports the film roll; a transfer mechanism that transfers the film roll between the support unit and the bag-making packaging machine; a moving device configured to be able to travel around the bag-making packaging machine; a control unit that controls operations of the moving device and the transfer mechanism based on the exchange signal received by the receiving unit, The receiving unit, the support unit, the transfer mechanism, and the control unit are integrally mounted on the moving device.

3. The control unit When the receiving unit receives the exchange signal, the moving device is moved so that the support portion that is not supporting the film roll approaches the bag-making packaging machine; The film roll changing system according to claim 2 , wherein the transfer mechanism is operated to transfer the used supply film roll from the form-fill-seal machine to the support section that has been moved closer to the form-fill-seal machine.

4. The control unit When the receiving unit receives the exchange signal, the moving device is moved so that the support unit that supports the replacement film roll approaches the bag-making packaging machine; The film roll changing system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the transfer mechanism is operated to transfer the replacement film roll from the support unit that has been moved closer to the bag-making packaging machine to the bag-making packaging machine.

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