Gap adjustment device and heat sealer equipped therewith

Abstract

To provide a gap adjustment device that can easily adjust a gap with a conveying surface, and a heat sealer equipped therewith.SOLUTION: A gap adjustment device includes: a guide plate 11 for guiding bag bodies 6; and a gap adjustment device 5 provided on the guide plate 11. The gap adjustment device 5 has a guide surface portion 17 that is a convex curved surface facing the guide plate 11, and is rotatable around an axis 16 that is parallel to the guide plate 11 and perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the guide plate 11.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a gap adjustment device that adjusts the gap through which transported items such as bags pass when transported to a nip section, and a heat sealer that seals the inlet of the transported items that have passed through the gap adjustment device. [Background technology]

[0002] In some heat sealers, a belt is attached to rollers that sandwich a thin object such as a bag from above and below, feeding it into a sealing section and sealing the opening for the object.

[0003] For example, when manufacturing products containing flat, thin herbs, powdered or chunky spices, etc., in bags, the items are often placed in the bags, and then transported one by one to a sealing section where the bag's inlet is sealed.

[0004] When transporting an object such as a bag to a sealing section of a packaging device such as a heat sealer for sealing, it is necessary to prevent multiple bags from being transported to the sealing section overlapping each other.

[0005] Patent Document 1 shows one of the ideas for preventing thin objects such as bags from being transported in a stacked state.

[0006] In Patent Document 1, a supply tray is disposed upstream of a feed belt, and a large number of envelopes are stacked in the supply tray. A vertically extending regulating plate is disposed adjacent to the conveying surface of the feed belt to feed the lowest envelope of the stack onto the feed belt. A mechanism is proposed in which an envelope that passes between the regulating plate and the feed belt is sent to a glue application means and an envelope flap folding means, thereby closing the envelope flap of each envelope. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 05-178301 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] When placing flat, thin herbs, spices in powder form or enclosed in nonwoven fabric, herbs (such as bouquet garni), or desiccants in small pouches to keep the contents dry in a bag and sealing the opening, the contents may be positioned between the two seal edges because they are thin or small. In this case, the contents will get caught between the seal edges, causing a poor seal.

[0009] Furthermore, if the bag body is a small pouch, it is easy for multiple pouches to be conveyed to the sealing section in a stacked state. When multiple small pouches are sealed in a stacked state, the amount of heat required for thermal welding is insufficient, resulting in poor sealing.

[0010] Therefore, when using a heat sealer to seal bags containing thin, powdered materials such as flat, thin herbs or powdered spices, workers at the manufacturing site carry each unsealed bag by hand, transport it to the nip area, and perform the sealing work.

[0011] In addition, when storing large chunks of spices, dried scallops, cashew nuts, dried shrimp, or other items, the two seal edges are far apart, leaving the bag open, so workers must hold each unsealed bag by hand, align the seal edges, and transport it to the nip of the heat sealer to perform the sealing work.

[0012] However, when workers carry the bags to the nip of the heat sealer, there is a risk of accidentally pinching their fingers. Also, because workers carefully check the position of their fingertips while holding each bag and carrying it to the nip, there is a problem that production time is extended.

[0013] Therefore, it is conceivable to provide the regulating plate of Patent Document 1 on the upstream side of the nip portion and adjust the gap through which the transported objects pass, thereby transporting the transported objects one by one to the nip portion.

[0014] However, the regulating plate in Patent Document 1 is plate-shaped and moves up and down depending on the amount of rotation of the adjustment screw 14, adjusting the gap between the regulating plate and the conveying belt depending on the thickness of the transported object. Therefore, it is necessary to adjust the gap formed between the surfaces, and the gap setting is strict and cannot be easily adjusted, which is a problem.

[0015] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a gap adjustment device that can easily adjust the gap between the conveying surface and a heat sealer equipped with the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0016] The present invention is a gap adjustment device that is installed in a packaging machine that has two rollers that form a nip portion and a guide plate that guides the transported object to the nip portion, and is characterized in that the gap adjustment device is installed upstream of the nip portion, parallel to the guide plate, and rotatable around an axis that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the guide plate, and has a guide surface portion that is a convex curved surface toward the guide plate, and a positioning means that regulates rotation around the axis.

[0017] In the present invention, the gap adjustment device is characterized in that the distance from the axis to the guide surface portion gradually increases along a direction around the axis.

[0018] The present invention also provides a heat sealer comprising the gap adjustment device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0019] According to the gap adjustment device of the present invention, the gap adjustment device has a guide surface portion that is a convex curved surface toward the guide plate, and is rotatable around an axis that is parallel to the guide plate and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the guide plate.Therefore, the gap with the conveying surface can be easily adjusted by rotating the gap adjustment device around the axis, and the rotation of the gap adjustment device can be regulated by the positioning means to fix the gap.

[0020] Furthermore, any conveyed object that has become thick due to the seal side pinching stored items or the like will not pass through the gap, so only conveyed objects that are equal to or less than a predetermined thickness can be guided downstream.

[0021] This makes it easy to determine whether the transported body is good or bad, which has the effect of enabling efficient production of bags and preventing the occurrence of defective products.

[0022] Furthermore, according to the gap adjustment device of the present invention, the distance from the axis to the guide surface gradually increases along the direction around the axis, so that the cross section around the axis is a curved surface with an arc-like shape. Therefore, even if the conveyed body hits the gap adjustment device, it is guided along the guide surface into the gap, making it easy to align the conveyed body toward the gap. Furthermore, the gap adjustment device is located upstream in the feed direction, but preferably at a distance shorter than the sealed edge of the bag body.

[0023] Furthermore, the heat sealer of the present invention is equipped with a gap adjustment device, which has the advantage of preventing the accidental sealing of an inappropriately thick conveyance body without visually checking the sealing location on the conveyance body. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the heat sealer as viewed obliquely from above. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the guide plate as viewed from the upstream side in the feed direction. [Figure 3] 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the vicinity of the nip portion 10 as viewed from the side. FIG. [Figure 4]FIG. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure for adjusting the distance between the guide means and the guide plate. [Figure 6] 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a modified example of the gap adjusting device 5. FIG. [Figure 7] 10 is an explanatory diagram showing another modified example of the gap adjusting device 5. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] The present invention will now be described in detail based on the illustrated embodiment. Figure 1 is an explanatory diagram of a heat sealer viewed from diagonally above. In the figure, 1 indicates the heat sealer, which comprises conveyor belts 2 and 3 stacked one on top of the other, a sealing device 4 (a packaging device) located midway along the length of the conveyor belts 2 and 3, and a gap adjustment device 5 located adjacent to the upstream side of the conveyor belts 2 and 3 in the feed direction.

[0026] In the heat sealer 1, the sealed edge 7 of the bag body 6, which is the object to be conveyed, is passed between the gap adjustment device 5 and a guide plate 11 described later, and then the sealed edges 7 on the front and back of the bag body 6 are overlapped and sealed.

[0027] The bag body 6 is made, for example, by overlapping two sheets and sealing three sides in advance, with the unsealed edges on the front and back being the sealed edges 7. The bag body 6 is a bag- or envelope-shaped member with a thickness of 100 μm to 2000 μm, preferably 100 to 1500 μm, at the sealed portion where the sealed edges 7 overlap.

[0028] The heat sealer 1 is provided so that when the seal edge 7 is overlapped and passed through the gap adjusting device 5 after storing the contents, the seal edge 7 reaches a nip part 10 between a roller 8 on which a conveyor belt 2 is wrapped and a roller 9 on which a conveyor belt 3 is wrapped on the upstream side in the feeding direction.

[0029] The distance between the gap adjustment device 5 and the nip portion 10 can be set as appropriate, but is preferably shorter than the length of the seal side 7. This makes it possible to reduce the likelihood of the seal side 7, which has passed through the gap adjustment device 5, separating again.

[0030] The bag body 6 is then conveyed to the sealing section of the sealing device 4 while the seal edge 7 of the bag body 6 is sandwiched between the conveyor belts 2 and 3, where the overlapping seal edges 7 on the front and back of the bag body 6 are heated and pressurized to seal, and the sealed bag body 6 is sent downstream in the feed direction.

[0031] The sealing device 4 includes a guide plate 11 arranged so that an end thereof is close to the nip portion 10, and a gap adjusting device 5 provided above the guide plate 11.

[0032] The guide plate 11 is a plate that guides the sealed edge 7 of the placed bag body 6 to the nip portion 10. A standing plate 13 that stands vertically from one of the longitudinal sides is connected to the guide plate 11. The standing plate 13 makes it easier for the bag body 6 to move by aligning the top of the sealed edge 7 of the bag body 6. In this embodiment, the guide plate 11 is made of a plate, but is not limited to this. The guide plate 11 may also be realized by, for example, a belt conveyor that is moved by transport rollers.

[0033] The nip portion 10 side of the standing plate 13 is formed as a gap adjuster support plate 14. The gap adjuster 5 is attached to the gap adjuster support plate 14 and is disposed on the upstream side of the nip portion 10.

[0034] 2 is a diagram showing the guide plate 11 as viewed from the upstream side in the feed direction. The gap adjuster 5 is attached to a gap adjuster support plate 14 by screwing with screws 15.

[0035] The gap adjustment device 5 is attached so as to be rotatable about an axis 16 that coincides with the axis of the screw 15. The gap adjustment device 5 can be rotated about the axis 16 by loosening the screw 15, and the rotational movement is restricted by tightening the screw 15, and the gap adjustment device 5 is fixed to the gap adjustment device support plate 14. The screw 15 functions as a positioning means that restricts the rotation of the gap adjustment device 5. The axis 16 is parallel to the guide plate 11 and extends in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the guide plate 11.

[0036] The gap adjustment device 5 has a substantially arc-shaped guide surface portion 17. The guide surface portion 17 has a curved surface that is convex toward the guide plate 11 when viewed from one direction perpendicular to the axis 16.

[0037] The gap adjustment device 5 can be made of a resin material because it is easy to process. However, when used in a food factory, it is preferable to make it of stainless steel from the viewpoint of strength and the risk of broken resin material being mixed in.

[0038] 3 is an explanatory diagram of the vicinity of nip portion 10 as viewed from the side. As shown in FIG. 3, guide surface portion 17 is formed by a series of arc surfaces having different diameters and lengths from axis 16 as it moves from the upstream side to the downstream side in the feed direction. Guide surface portion 17 is formed by a series of arc curved surfaces 19, 21, and 23. Arc curved surfaces 19, 21, and 23 are provided so that the lengths from positions around axis 16 to guide surface portion 17 increase in order.

[0039] Curved surface 19, which is formed on the most upstream side of guide surface portion 17 in the feed direction, is shaped as a part of an arc with radius 20, which is the distance from axis 16 to curved surface 19. Curved surface 21 is shaped as a part of an arc with radius 22, which is the distance from axis 16 to curved surface 21, and is formed to be continuous with curved surface 19 on the downstream side in the feed direction. Curved surface 23 is shaped as a part of an arc with radius 24, which is the distance from axis 16 to curved surface 23, and is formed to be continuous with curved surface 21 on the downstream side in the feed direction. Radius 20 is shorter than radius 22. Radius 22 is shorter than radius 24.

[0040] In this way, the gap adjustment device 5 has a guide surface portion 17 formed by integrally connecting multiple arc surfaces that form parts of arcs with different radii from the axis 16. The gap adjustment device 5 is provided on the upstream side of the nip portion 10, above the guide plate 11, so that the guide surface portion 17 is convex with respect to the guide plate 11.

[0041] By adopting such a configuration, the gap adjustment device 5 can change the curved surface facing the guide plate 11 by rotating around the axis 16, so that the gap between the guide plate 11 and the gap adjustment device 5 can be easily widened or narrowed.

[0042] Furthermore, since the guide surface portion 17 is formed in an approximately arc shape, the transported objects can be smoothly guided into the gap and transported one by one to the nip portion 10, while also reducing the risk of the user accidentally getting their fingers caught.

[0043] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the bag body 6, and FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the procedure for adjusting the gap between the guide surface portion 17 of the gap adjustment device 5 and the upper surface of the guide plate 11.

[0044] (Step 1) First, two unsealed bags 6 are stacked one on top of the other, offset in the bag feed direction. In this state, proceed to step 2.

[0045] (Step 2) Loosen the screw 15. Then, set the gap between the guide plate 11 and the gap adjustment device 5 so that the seal edge 7 of one of the two overlapping bags 6 can pass through with slight frictional resistance, and then tighten the screw 15. In this state, proceed to step 3.

[0046] (Step 3) The two stacked bags 6 are moved toward the gap between the guide plate 11 and the gap adjustment device 5 to see if they can pass through the gap. If they can pass through, proceed to step 4; if they cannot, proceed to step 5.

[0047] (Step 4) If the overlapping portion passes between the guide plate 11 and the gap adjustment device 5, the overlapping portion is pulled back and the gap adjustment device 5 is rotated to change the direction to narrow the gap. Then, the gap is adjusted so that the overlapping portion does not pass through. Then, proceed to step 5.

[0048] In particular, when the item to be stored in the bag 6 is large and thin, such as bouquet garni enclosed in a nonwoven fabric, it is necessary to test whether the item can pass through the gap by positioning the item on the sealed edge 7 of the bag 6 (so that it is caught in the sealed edge 7). In this case, the gap is set so that the item cannot pass through the gap when it is positioned on the sealed edge 7.

[0049] (Step 5) Once it has been confirmed that the overlapping portions do not pass through the gap, the screws 15 are fully tightened to fix the gap adjustment device 5 in place.

[0050] When the gap between the guide plate 11 and the gap adjustment device 5 is adjusted in the above-described manner so that only one bag body 6 without any contents can pass through, the bag body 6 with the thickness of the seal edge 7 increased due to the contents being sandwiched is restricted so as not to pass through the gap between the guide plate 11 and the gap adjustment device 5.

[0051] Then, the bag body 6 with the contents sandwiched between the seal sides 7 will not be sent into the nip portion 10, so that the seal is prevented from being pinched.

[0052] 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a modified example of the gap adjustment device 5. In the above example, the guide surface portion 17 of the gap adjustment device 5 is described as having the curved surface 19 with a radius of 20, the curved surface 21 with a radius of 22, and the curved surface 23 with a radius of 24 in order to adjust the gap between the guide plate 11 and the gap adjustment device 5, but the present invention is not limited to this example.

[0053] 6, guide surface portion 17A in the modified example is formed so that length 18 (radius) from axis 16 gradually increases from the downstream side (nip portion 10 side) to the upstream side in the feed direction. By providing guide surface portion 17A, the gap distance can be set more precisely.

[0054] Fig. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing another modified example of the gap adjustment device 5. In the above-described gap adjustment device 5, the screw 15 serves both as the rotation axis and the positioning means, but this is not limited to this. As shown in Fig. 7, the gap adjustment device 5 may have an arc-shaped slit 30 formed therein, and a screw 31 movable within the slit 30 may be provided.

[0055] In this case, the screw 15 functions as a rotation axis of the gap adjustment device 5, and the screw 31 functions as a positioning means for fixing the position of the gap adjustment device 5. In other words, the rotation axis and the positioning means may be separate bodies.

[0056] <Modification> In the embodiment described above, the guide plate 11 is provided horizontally, but this is not limited to this. The gap adjustment device 5 can also be used in a sealing device 4A that is rotated 90 degrees from the embodiment described above.

[0057] In this case, the guide surface of the guide plate 11 is aligned in the vertical direction. The upright plate 13 is formed to extend (stand) in the horizontal direction from above the guide plate 11, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

[0058] In this case, the axis 16 of the gap adjustment device 5 extends along the vertical direction, and the gap adjustment device 5 is provided so as to be rotatable about the axis 16. The rotation axes of the rollers 8 and 9 are aligned along the vertical direction.

[0059] The user holds the bag body 6 with the sealed edge 7 facing upward, moves the bag body 6 to the gap adjusting device 5 while aligning the top of the bag body 6 with the guide plate 11, and guides it to the nip portion 10.

[0060] In this way, the gap adjustment device 5 can also be used in the sealing device 4A, which is a configuration obtained by rotating the above-described embodiment by 90 degrees. This modification is effective when the stored item is powder or the like and is likely to adhere to the seal edge 7 due to static electricity or the like, because it can quickly store the stored item in the bag body 6 by gravity and make it less likely to remain on the seal edge 7.

[0061] In the above embodiment, the gap adjustment device 5 is assembled to the heat sealer 1, but the gap adjustment device 5 of the present invention is not limited to being assembled to the heat sealer 1. Any device that transports an object to the nip portion 10 can be used as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 1...Heat sealer 4...Sealing device 5...Gap adjustment device 6...Bag body 7...Seal area 10...Nip section 11...Signboard 13…Stand up board 14...Gap adjustment device support plate 15...Screw 16...Axis line 17...Guide surface 18...Dimensions 19, 21, 23...curved surface 20, 22, 24…radius 30...Slit 31...Screw

Claims

1. A gap adjustment device provided in a packaging machine having two rollers that form a nip portion and a guide plate that guides a conveyed object to the nip portion, The gap adjustment device is the guide plate is provided on the upstream side of the nip portion, and is rotatable about an axis that is parallel to the guide plate and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the guide plate; A gap adjusting device characterized by having a guide surface portion that is a convex curved surface facing the guide plate, and a positioning means that restricts rotation around the axis.

2. 2. The gap adjustment device according to claim 1, wherein the distance from the axis to the guide surface portion gradually increases along a direction around the axis.

3. A heat sealer comprising the gap adjusting device according to claim 1 or 2.

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