Bag packaging device and film roll exchange system

Abstract

To provide a bag packaging device which can suppress a lack of a space between a film attachment machine and a film exchanger, and to provide a film roll exchange system.SOLUTION: In a bag packaging device 1, a film exchanger 5 includes: a film roll support mechanism 23 separately supporting a film roll FR1 for supply to a bag packaging machine 3 and a film roll FR2 for exchange; a joint part configured to join an end edge of a film of the film roll FR1 and a start end of a film of the film roll FR2; and a film insertion part for inserting the start end into the joint part. A film attachment machine 27 includes: a holding unit 31 for holding and pulling out the start end of the film of the film roll FR2 or a tape bonded to the start end; and a film delivery part for delivering the start end pulled out to the film insertion part. The bag packaging device 1 further includes a moving part 60 for moving the film attachment machine 27 close to or away from the film exchanger 5.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, there has been known a bag-making and packaging device that includes a bag-making and packaging machine that forms a film supplied from a film roll wound with a sheet-like film into a cylindrical shape and seals the cylindrically formed film to form a bag, and a film exchanger that holds and exchanges the film roll (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-59508 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the conventional bag-making and packaging apparatus described above, when the film roll is attached to the film roll support portion that rotatably supports the film roll in the film changer, the vicinity of the leading end of the film wound around the film roll is manually temporarily placed. To automate the film roll replacement, the addition of a film attachment machine that attaches the film to the film changer when the film roll is replaced has been considered. However, if the film attachment machine is installed in a position close to the film changer and fixed in that position, there is a risk that, for example, there will not be enough space between the film attachment machine and the film changer for an operator to work.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a bag making and packaging apparatus and a film roll changing system that can prevent a shortage of space between a film applying machine and a film changing machine. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] (1) One aspect of the present invention is a bag-making and packaging device that includes a bag-making and packaging machine that forms film supplied from a film roll wound with sheet-like film into a cylindrical shape and seals the cylindrically formed film to form a bag; a film changing machine that holds and changes the film roll; and a film loading machine that loads the film onto the film changing machine when changing the film roll. The film changing machine has a film roll support section that separately supports a first film roll to be supplied to the bag-making and packaging machine and a second film roll to be replaced, a joint section that joins the terminal end of the film of the first film roll to the starting end of the film of the second film roll, and a film insertion section that inserts the starting end into the joint section. The film loading machine has a gripping section that grips and pulls out the starting end of the film of the second film roll supported by the film roll support section or the tape attached to the starting end, and a film delivery section that hands over the pulled-out starting end to the film insertion section, and further includes a moving section that moves the film loading machine closer to and away from the film changing machine.

[0007] In a bag making and packaging apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention, the film application machine is moved toward and away from the film changer by the moving unit. Therefore, for example, when an operator is working between the film application machine and the film changer, the film application machine can be kept away from the film changer. This prevents a lack of space between the film application machine and the film changer.

[0008] (2) In the above (1), when the film is to be transferred, the moving unit may move the film loading machine to a first position where the film transfer unit can transfer the film to the film insertion unit, and when the film is not to be transferred, the moving unit may move the film loading machine to a second position away from the film exchanger. In this case, the film loading machine can be separated from the film exchanger when the film roll is not to be replaced, and can be moved closer to the film exchanger when the film roll is to be replaced. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a lack of space between the film loading machine and the film exchanger depending on whether the film roll is to be replaced or not.

[0009] (3) In the above (2), the moving unit may have a rail laid below the film mounter so as to connect positions corresponding to the first and second positions of the film mounter, a frame to which wheels that run on the rail are attached and which supports the film mounter, and an actuator that moves the frame along the rail. In this case, the entire film mounter can be moved between the first and second positions by moving the frame with the actuator.

[0010] (4) In the above (2), the moving unit is a conveying machine that lifts and conveys the film mounting machine, and when no film is being transferred, the film mounting machine may be moved to a second position above the first position. In this case, the film mounting machine is lifted by the conveying machine, so that the entire film mounting machine can be moved between the first position and the second position.

[0011] (5) In any one of (1) to (4) above, the film exchanger may have an information providing unit that provides film-related information about a film roll that is being used to the film roll. In this case, since the film-related information is provided to the film roll, the film-related information about the film roll that is being used and collected in conjunction with the exchange of the film roll can be referenced after collection.

[0012] (6) A bag-making and packaging apparatus includes any one of the above (2) to (4) and a self-propelled film roll changer for transporting a second film roll to replace a used first film roll, and the self-propelled film roll changer may collect the used first film roll supported on the film roll support unit or place the transported second film roll on the film roll support unit when the film loader is located at the second position. In this case, when the film loader is located at the second position, the film loader is separated from the film loader, so the space available for the self-propelled film roll changer to collect the first film roll or place the second film roll is larger than when the film loader is located at the first position. This prevents a lack of space between the film loader and the film loader.

[0013] (7) In the above (6), the moving unit may move the film loader to a position that forms a space where the self-propelled film roll changer that retrieves the first film roll or installs the second film roll does not interfere with the film loader. In this case, the self-propelled film roll changer can retrieve the first film roll or install the second film roll without interfering with the film loader. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent a shortage of space between the film mounting machine and the film changing machine. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of a bag making and packaging machine and a film changing machine. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a bag manufacturing and packaging device. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of a self-propelled film roll changing device. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a part of a film changer and a film mounting machine. [Figure 5]FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a part of a film changer and a film mounting machine. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a part of a film changer and a film mounting machine. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining clamping of a tape by a clamp portion. [Figure 8] 10 is a side view illustrating a moving unit that moves the film mounting machine toward and away from the film changing machine. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of a moving unit. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the film mounting machine. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the film mounting machine. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the film mounting machine. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the film mounting machine. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the film mounting machine. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the film mounting machine. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a side view illustrating another example of the moving part. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same or corresponding elements are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0017] 1 and 2, the bag making and packaging apparatus 1 is an apparatus for producing (making) bags B containing items C supplied from a combination weighing device (not shown) or the like. The bag making and packaging apparatus 1 includes a bag making and packaging machine 3, a film changing machine 5, a control unit 6, and a film applying machine 27.

[0018] [Bag making and packaging machine] As shown in Figure 2, the bag-making packaging machine 3 forms the film F supplied from a film roll FR around which a sheet-like film F is wound into a cylindrical shape, and seals the cylindrically formed film F to form it into a bag.

[0019] [Film changer] The film changing machine 5 holds and changes the film roll FR. The film changing machine 5 sequentially supplies the film F unwound from the held film roll FR to the bag-making packaging machine 3. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the film changing machine 5 has a film roll support mechanism 23 (film roll support unit), a joining unit 25, and a film insertion unit 35.

[0020] The film roll support mechanism 23 separately supports a film roll FR1 (first film roll), which is a film roll FR for supply to the bag-making packaging machine 3, and a film roll FR2 (second film roll), which is a replacement film roll FR. The film roll support mechanism 23 has a first support portion 23A, a second support portion 23B, a support frame 23C, and a payout mechanism (not shown).

[0021] The first support portion 23A and the second support portion 23B have cores on which the film roll FR is attached (inserted), and rotatably support the film roll FR. For example, the film roll FR1 is attached to the first support portion 23A, and the film roll FR2 is attached to the second support portion 23B.

[0022] The support frame 23C supports the first support portion 23A and the second support portion 23B. The support frame 23C is provided so as to be rotatable about a rotation center axis 23Dc via a belt 23Db by a drive portion 23Da. The rotation of the support frame 23C causes the first support portion 23A and the second support portion 23B to rotate (pivot) about the rotation center axis 23Dc.

[0023] The unwinding mechanism rotates each of the first support portion 23A and the second support portion 23B to unwind the film F from the film roll FR.

[0024] The joint 25 joins the trailing end of the film F of the film roll FR1 and the leading end of the film F of the film roll FR2 (hereinafter also referred to as "film F2").

[0025] The film insertion unit 35 is configured to be swingable by a drive unit (not shown), for example, with the left side of the paper surface in FIG. 1 as a fulcrum. The film insertion unit 35 is configured to be able to clamp the film F2 using, for example, multiple rollers (not shown). The film insertion unit 35 receives the leading end of the film F2 pulled out from the film roll FR2 from the film delivery unit 77 and clamps it between the multiple rollers. The film insertion unit 35 inserts the leading end of the film F2 into the splice unit 25.

[0026] [Self-propelled film roll changer] The bag making and packaging apparatus 1 is configured to automatically replace the film roll FR2 supported by the second support portion 23B using the self-propelled film roll changing device 10. The self-propelled film roll changing device 10 is a device for transporting the film roll FR and replacing it with a used film roll FR2. "Used" is not limited to the state of the remaining core of the film roll FR after it has been completely used up, but also includes the state in which the film roll FR is removed from the bag making and packaging apparatus 1 midway through use, for example, due to a change in bag B or item C. The bag making and packaging apparatus 1 and the self-propelled film roll changing device 10 make up a film roll changing system 100.

[0027] The self-propelled film roll changing device 10 can communicate with the bag-making and packaging apparatus 1 wirelessly, either directly or via a server. For example, the self-propelled film roll changing device 10 automatically travels toward the bag-making and packaging apparatus 1 that has sent a signal to automatically change the film roll FR, automatically retrieves the film roll FR2 supported by the second support portion 23B, and automatically attaches the transported replacement film roll FR to the second support portion 23B. The retrieval and attachment may be performed consecutively, or the self-propelled film roll changing device 10 may temporarily move away to put away the retrieved film roll FR2 and then reapproach the device. Communication between the self-propelled film roll changing device 10 and the bag-making and packaging apparatus 1 may be a one-to-one connection, or a multiple-to-multiple connection via a server, or a connection between one self-propelled film roll changing device 10 and multiple bag-making and packaging apparatuses 1. By connecting multiple self-propelled film roll changing devices 10 and multiple bag-making and packaging apparatuses 1 via a server, or a connection between one self-propelled film roll changing device 10 and multiple bag-making and packaging apparatuses 1, the number of self-propelled film roll changing devices 10 can be fewer than the number of bag-making and packaging apparatuses 1. Furthermore, the self-propelled film roll changing device 10 may be provided with a display unit (for example, a touch panel or the like) that displays the type of film roll, information about the bag-making packaging device 1 to which the film roll is to be supplied, and the like.

[0028] In addition, in the self-propelled film roll changing device 10, the first support portion 23A and the second support portion 23B rotate about the rotation center axis 23Dc due to the rotation of the support frame 23C, thereby switching the positions of the first support portion 23A and the second support portion 23B, and the used film roll FR1 supported by the first support portion 23A can be automatically collected. In this case, the replacement film roll FR is transferred to the first support portion 23A after automatic collection, but the first support portion 23A when the support frame 23C is rotated may also be read as the second support portion 23B in the sense that the film roll FR is subject to replacement regardless of whether the support frame 23C is rotated or not.

[0029] 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 directions of the arrows in Figure 3 and other figures. Incidentally, the front-to-rear direction is the same as the direction in which the film loading machine 27 moves forward and backward relative to the film changing machine 5, as will be described later. In this case, the direction in which the film loading machine 27 approaches the film changing machine 5 is the front, and the direction in which the film loading machine 27 moves away from the film changing machine 5 is the rear.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 3, the self-propelled film roll changing device 10 includes a support unit 11, a transfer mechanism 12, a housing 13, a moving device 14, and a change control unit 15.

[0031] The support part 11 is a part that supports the replacement film roll FR, and is arranged on the front side of the housing 13. The support part 11 supports the replacement film roll FR so that the axial direction of the replacement film roll FR is parallel to the core of the second support part 23B.

[0032] The transfer mechanism 12 is a mechanism that moves the support part 11 up and down and left and right. The transfer mechanism 12 may include a vertical drive part 12a (e.g., a feed screw) that moves the support part 11 up and down, and a horizontal drive part 12b (e.g., a rack and pinion) that moves the support part 11 left and right.

[0033] The housing 13 is a storage case that stores the vertical drive unit 12a, the exchange control unit 15, and the like.

[0034] The moving device 14 is a device configured to be able to travel around the bag-making and packaging apparatus 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 14 has the support unit 11, transfer mechanism 12, exchange control unit 15, and housing 13 integrally mounted thereon.

[0035] The exchange control unit 15 is a controller that controls the operation of the self-propelled film roll exchange device 10. The exchange control unit 15 is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The exchange control unit 15 controls the operation of the moving device 14 and the transfer mechanism 12. The exchange control unit 15 receives a signal for exchange from the control unit 6, for example, via wireless communication, and controls the operation of the moving device 14 and the transfer mechanism 12 based on the received signal.

[0036] [Film mounting machine] When exchanging the film roll FR, the film loading machine 27 loads the film F into the film changing machine 5. "Loading the film F into the film changing machine 5" means pulling out the leading end of the film F2 from the film roll FR2 attached to the second support part 23B and transferring the leading end of the pulled-out film F2 to the film changing machine 5. The film roll FR2 may be, for example, a film roll FR that has been transferred from the support part 11 to the film changing machine 5 by the self-propelled film roll changing device 10.

[0037] The film mounting machine 27 includes a gripping unit 31 (a gripping section), a base section 37, a plurality of rollers (not shown), and a film delivery section 77.

[0038] As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the base portion 37 is provided so as to be movable in the front-rear direction on rails 51 arranged on a support frame 49 by being driven by, for example, a stepping motor.

[0039] The gripping unit 31 grips and pulls out the starting end of the film F2 supported by the second support portion 23B or the tape T (see FIG. 7(a)) attached to the starting end of the film F2. The gripping unit 31 has a clamp portion 53, a guide portion 55, a sensor 57, and a pull-out mechanism 59.

[0040] The clamp section 53 is a member that opens and closes so that the gripping unit 31 can grip the leading end of the film F2 or the tape T attached to the leading end of the film F2. The clamp section 53 is provided at the front end of the gripping unit 31 (the drawing mechanism 59). The clamp section 53 is provided so as to be openable and closable by a drive section (not shown). In the example of FIGS. 4 and 5, the clamp section 53 has an upper member 53A and a lower member 53B that open and close symmetrically above and below each other.

[0041] The guide section 55 guides the tape T attached to the starting end of the film F2 to the clamp section 53. The tape T is provided on the starting end of the film F2 along the circumferential direction of the film roll FR2 (see FIG. 7(a)).

[0042] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the guide portion 55 is a plate-like member that is provided at the front end of the gripping unit 31 and extends substantially parallel to the axis of the film roll FR2.

[0043] The sensor 57 is provided around the clamp unit 53. The sensor 57 is attached to the back side of the guide unit 55 and detects the tape T on the front side of the guide unit 55 through the opening 55A. The sensor 57 is, for example, a reflective sensor, and outputs a detection signal of the tape T to the control unit 6.

[0044] The drawing mechanism 59 draws out the film F2 from the film roll FR2 held by the clamp unit 53. The drawing mechanism 59 has, for example, a rail, an air cylinder, and a stepping motor, and is provided so as to be movable in the front-rear direction relative to the base unit 37.

[0045] The amount of movement of the pull-out mechanism 59 in the front-to-rear direction relative to the base unit 37 may be set, for example, according to the maximum diameter of the film roll FR2 used in the bag-making and packaging apparatus 1. The amount of movement of the pull-out mechanism 59 in the front-to-rear direction relative to the base unit 37 may correspond to the radius of the film roll FR2 and can be, for example, approximately 150 mm to 200 mm.

[0046] The film delivery section 77 delivers the leading end of the film F2, which is held by the clamp section 53 and drawn out by the movement of the drawing mechanism 59, to the film insertion section 35. The film delivery section 77 is, for example, an air injection section provided on the base section 37 of the film loading machine 27, and injects air toward the film insertion section 35. The film delivery section 77 may be a pusher plate (not shown) provided on the film loading machine 27, or a combination of an air injection section and a pusher plate may be used.

[0047] [Control Unit] The control unit 6 is a controller that controls the operation of the bag-making packaging apparatus 1. The control unit 6 is composed of a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc. The control unit 6 controls the operation of the film changer 5 and the film attachment unit 27 based on the detection results of the sensor 57. The control unit 6 controls the operation of the bag-making packaging machine 3 in synchronization with the film F being fed from the film roll FR by the feeding mechanism.

[0048] [Information Addition Department] The film exchanger 5 may have an information providing unit 24 that provides film-related information about a film roll FR that is in the middle of being used to the film roll FR. The film-related information may include, for example, the remaining amount of the film roll FR (e.g., diameter), a date indicating the period during which the film roll FR has been used, and information about the operation of the bag-making packaging machine 3 (e.g., operation history).

[0049] The information providing unit 24 may provide film-related information to the film roll FR when collecting the film roll FR during use.The information providing unit 24 may provide film-related information to the film roll FR at predetermined usage intervals while the film roll FR is in use.

[0050] The information providing unit 24 may be, for example, a label issuing machine. The label issuing machine may have a printer that issues labels, an actuator that adsorbs the labels, and an actuator that moves the adsorbed labels and attaches them to the film roll FR. The issued labels may be manually attached to the film roll FR by an operator. The information providing unit 24 may also provide information to the film roll FR using RFID, printed characters, barcodes, two-dimensional barcodes, electronic tags, etc. The information providing unit 24 may be disposed, for example, near the first support portion 23A or the second support portion 23B (see FIG. 2).

[0051] The information providing unit 24 may transmit (transfer) the film-related information to a server that manages the bag-making and packaging apparatus 1, for example, via a communication network. The server may be configured, for example, with a general server computer. The server may be included in the film roll changing system 100, and may have a function of issuing instructions to the self-propelled film roll changing apparatus 10.

[0052] The control unit 6 can acquire or calculate film-related information based on information related to the operation of the bag-making packaging machine 3. The control unit 6 may control the information providing unit 24 to provide the film-related information to the film roll FR. The control unit 6 may also control the information providing unit 24 to transfer the film-related information to a server.

[0053] The information providing unit 24 provides or transfers film-related information specific to the collected film roll FR that is in the middle of use, so that the film-related information can be referred to the next time the collected film roll FR is used, making it easier to manage the film roll FR.

[0054] [Moving part] The bag making and packaging apparatus 1 further includes a moving unit 60 that moves the film attachment machine 27 toward and away from the film changing machine 5. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the moving unit 60 includes a rail 61, a frame 62, and an actuator 63.

[0055] A pair of rails 61 are provided on the left and right so as to extend, for example, in the front-to-rear direction. A stopper 64 is provided at each end of the rail 61, which is disposed below the film changer 5, and a stopper 65 is provided at the opposite end of the rail 61, which is disposed farther from the film changer 5 than the stopper 64.

[0056] The frame 62 is a member that supports the film loader 27. The frame 62 has, for example, a flat main body 62a on which the bottom of the support frame 49 of the film loader 27 is placed, left and right flanges 62b extending downward from both left and right ends of the main body 62a, and front and rear flanges 62c extending downward from both front and rear ends of the main body 62a.

[0057] Wheels 66 that run on rails 61 are attached to the frame 62. The four wheels 66 are rotatably provided at the front and rear ends of the left and right flange portions 62b, respectively. Guards 67 that cover the wheels 66 may be provided above the wheels 66. The frame 62 may also be provided with a height adjustment mechanism so that the height of the wheels 66 can be adjusted. The height of the wheels 66 may include, for example, fine adjustment of the height to prevent rattling of the wheels 66 themselves, or adjustment of the height of the support frame 49 relative to the wheels 66.

[0058] Buffer portions 68 and 69 may be provided at the left and right ends of the front and rear flange portions 62c, respectively. The buffer portion 68 is provided at a position where it can come into contact with the stopper 64. The buffer portion 69 is provided at a position where it can come into contact with the stopper 65. The buffer portions 68 and 69 limit the range of movement of the rail 61, while absorbing the impact when it comes into contact with the stopper 64 or 65. The buffer portions 68 and 69 may be made of rubber, or may be retractable shock absorbers.

[0059] The rail 61 is laid below the film loading machine 27 so as to connect positions corresponding to the first position P1 and the second position P2 of the film loading machine 27. The first position P1 is a position of the film loading machine 27 where the film delivery section 77 can deliver the film to the film inserting section 35 (see FIG. 4). The position of the film loading machine 27 when the buffer section 68 contacts the stopper 64 corresponds to the first position. The second position P2 is a position (see FIG. 8) where the film loading machine 27 is farther away from the film changing machine 5 than the first position P1. The position of the film loading machine 27 when the buffer section 69 contacts the stopper 65 corresponds to the second position. At the second position P2, the film delivery section 77 does not have to be able to deliver the film to the film inserting section 35.

[0060] The actuator 63 is a member that moves the frame 62 along the rail 61, and is, for example, an air cylinder. The actuator 63 is fixed, for example, to the underside of the frame 62 so as to connect the front and rear flange portions 62c. The rod 63a of the actuator 63 may be fixed to a stopper 65. In this case, when the actuator 63 extends, the frame 62 moves away from the stopper 65, and the film loader 27 approaches the first position P1. When the actuator 63 retracts, the frame 62 moves closer to the stopper 65, and the film loader 27 approaches the second position P2.

[0061] The amount of movement of the film loading device 27 in the front-rear direction is greater than the amount of movement of the drawing mechanism 59 in the front-rear direction relative to the base part 37. The amount of movement of the film loading device 27 in the front-rear direction can correspond to the distance between the first position P1 and the second position P2 and the amount of operation of the actuator 63. The amount of movement of the film loading device 27 in the front-rear direction can be set so as to form a space between the film loading device 27 and the film changing device 5 that makes it easy for an operator to perform work such as maintenance, or a space that does not interfere with the self-propelled film roll changing device 10 and the film loading device 27, and can be, for example, approximately 350 mm to 450 mm.

[0062] Next, the operation of the bag manufacturing and packaging apparatus 1 when replacing the film roll FR will be described. In the following description, the operation of each part of the bag manufacturing and packaging apparatus 1 is controlled by the control unit 6. The operation of each part of the self-propelled film roll replacement device 10 is controlled by the replacement control unit 15.

[0063] When the film loader 27 is located at the second position P2, the self-propelled film roll changing device 10 collects the used film roll FR1 supported by the first support part 23A or places the transported film roll FR2 on the second support part 23B. First, for example, because the film F is not being transferred, the actuator 63 is in its most contracted state, and the film loader 27 is moved by the moving part 60 to the second position P2, away from the film changer 5. Because a space is formed in which the self-propelled film roll changing device 10 does not interfere with the film loader 27, the self-propelled film roll changing device 10 collects and exchanges the film roll FR in this state. In other words, the moving part 60 moves the film loader 27 to a position in which the self-propelled film roll changing device 10, which collects the film roll FR1 or places the film roll FR2, does not interfere with the film loader 27.

[0064] A path along which the self-propelled film roll changer 10 can travel is provided around the bag making and packaging apparatus 1. The change control unit 15 controls the moving device 14 so that the next replacement film roll FR, supported by the support unit 11, travels autonomously along the path toward the bag making and packaging apparatus 1 associated with the control unit 6 that sent the signal for change.

[0065] When the self-propelled film roll changing device 10 has completed its movement to a predetermined position where the support unit 11 can enter and exit the space between the film loading machine 27 and the film changing machine 5, the transfer mechanism 12 may load and collect the used film roll FR2 supported by the second support unit 23B of the film changing machine 5 of the bag-making and packaging apparatus 1 onto the support unit 11 by moving the support unit 11 up, down, left, and right. A sensor for measuring the diameter of the used film roll FR2 is attached diagonally below the support unit 11 (for example, diagonally below the front part of the support unit 11). Because the film may be sagging, it is preferable to install the sensor diagonally below the support unit 11 rather than in the part of the support unit 11 directly below the used film roll FR2. The exchange control unit 15 calculates the vertical movement distance of the transfer mechanism 12 based on the sensor measurement results. Furthermore, the transfer mechanism 12 may move the support unit 11 up, down, left, and right to transfer the replacement film roll FR loaded on the support unit 11 from the support unit 11 to the film exchanger 5 of the bag-making and packaging apparatus 1. When the transfer of the replacement film roll FR to the film exchanger 5 of the bag-making and packaging apparatus 1 is complete, the exchange control unit 15 causes the moving device 14 to travel away from the film exchanger 5 of the bag-making and packaging apparatus 1.

[0066] When the self-propelled film roll changing device 10 moves away to a position where it does not interfere with the bag making and packaging apparatus 1, the actuator 63 is extended from its most contracted state to its most extended state. In other words, when transferring the film F, the moving unit 60 moves the film mounting machine 27 to the first position P1 where the film transfer unit 77 can transfer the film F2 to the film insertion unit 35.

[0067] Next, the base part 37 is moved forward a predetermined distance in the film mounting machine 27. Next, the clamp part 53 of the gripping unit 31 is closed and moved forward by the drawing mechanism 59, and then the clamp part 53 is opened (see FIGS. 4 to 6).

[0068] Next, the second support portion 23B is rotated clockwise by the payout mechanism (see FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b)). When the sensor 57 detects the tape T guided onto the guide portion 55 (see FIG. 10(a)), the clamp portion 53 is closed. As a result, the clamp portion 53 grips the tape T (see FIG. 10(b)).

[0069] Next, while the unwinding mechanism rotates second support portion 23B clockwise, the drawing mechanism 59 moves clamp portion 53 rearward, pulling film F2 rearward and pulling out a predetermined length (e.g., 50 mm) of film F2 (see FIG. 11). The film insertion portion 35 is swung clockwise (see FIG. 12), and a portion of the leading ends of tape T and film F2 gripped by clamp portion 53 is cut by cutter 73 (see FIG. 11).

[0070] Air is sprayed from the film delivery section 77 (see FIG. 13) to hang the film F2 on the leading end side of the film insertion section 35, and the portion of the starting end of the film F2 remaining on the film roll FR2 side is delivered to the film insertion section 35. Next, the film F2 is clamped at the leading end side of the film insertion section 35 (see FIG. 14), and the film insertion section 35 is swung counterclockwise to insert the film F2 into the splice section 25 (see FIG. 15).

[0071] In the bag making and packaging apparatus 1 as described above, the film application machine 27 can be moved toward and away from the film changing machine 5 by the moving unit 60. Therefore, for example, when an operator is working between the film application machine 27 and the film changing machine 5, the film application machine 27 can be kept away from the film changing machine 5. This makes it possible to prevent a lack of space between the film application machine 27 and the film changing machine 5.

[0072] When the film F is to be handed over, the moving section 60 moves the film fitting machine 27 to a first position P1 where the film handing section 77 can hand over the film to the film inserting section 35. When the film F is not to be handed over, the moving section 60 moves the film fitting machine 27 to a second position P2 away from the film changing machine 5. This allows the film fitting machine 27 to be spaced away from the film changing machine 5 when the film roll FR is not being replaced, and the film fitting machine 27 to be moved closer to the film changing machine 5 when the film roll FR is being replaced. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a lack of space between the film fitting machine 27 and the film changing machine 5 depending on whether the film roll FR is being replaced or not.

[0073] The moving unit 60 has a rail 61 laid below the film mounting machine 27 so as to connect positions corresponding to the first position P1 and the second position P2 of the film mounting machine 27, a frame 62 to which wheels 66 that run on the rail 61 are attached and which supports the film mounting machine 27, and an actuator 63 that moves the frame 62 along the rail 61. As a result, by moving the frame 62 with the actuator 63, the entire film mounting machine 27 can be moved between the first position P1 and the second position P2.

[0074] The film exchanger 5 has an information providing unit 24 that provides film-related information about a film roll FR that is in use to the film roll FR. As a result, since the film-related information is provided to the film roll FR, the film-related information about the film roll FR that is in use and collected in conjunction with the exchange of the film roll FR can be referenced after collection.

[0075] The film roll changing system 100 includes a bag making and packaging apparatus 1 and a self-propelled film roll changing device 10 that transports a film roll FR2 to replace a used film roll FR1. When the film fitting device 27 is located at the second position P2, the self-propelled film roll changing device 10 collects the used film roll FR1 supported by the first support portion 23A or places (transfers) the transported film roll FR2 on the second support portion 23B. As a result, when the film fitting device 27 is located at the second position P2, the film fitting device 27 is separated from the film changing device 5, and therefore the space available for the self-propelled film roll changing device 10 to collect the film roll FR1 or place the film roll FR2 is larger than when the film fitting device 27 is located at the first position P1. In this way, a lack of space between the film fitting device 27 and the film changing device 5 can be reduced. Furthermore, by setting the second position P2 to which the film mounting device 27 is moved according to the situation on site, it is possible to expand the degree of freedom, such as by using a film roll changing device different from the self-propelled film roll changing device 10.

[0076] The moving unit 60 moves the film loading machine 27 to a position (second position P2) where the self-propelled film roll changing device 10, which recovers the film roll FR1 or installs the film roll FR2, forms a space where it does not interfere with the film loading machine 27. This moves the film loading machine 27 out of the operating range of the self-propelled film roll changing device 10, making it possible to prevent them from interfering with each other. The self-propelled film roll changing device 10 can recover the film roll FR1 or install the film roll FR2 without interfering with the film loading machine 27.

[0077] 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.

[0078] For example, the moving unit 160 may be a conveying machine that lifts and transports the film mounting machine 27, and when the film F is not being transferred, may move the film mounting machine 27 to a second position P2 above the first position P1 (see FIG. 16). The moving unit 160 may be, for example, an arm robot that lifts and transports the film mounting machine 27 while supporting it. In this case, the film mounting machine 27 is lifted by the conveying machine, so that the entire film mounting machine 27 can be moved between the first position P1 and the second position P2. [Explanation of symbols]

[0079] 1...bag-making packaging device, 3...bag-making packaging machine, 5...film changer, 10...self-propelled film roll changer, 23...film roll support mechanism (film roll support section), 24...information provision section, 25...joining section, 27...film loading machine, 31...gripping unit (gripping section), 35...film insertion section, 60, 160...moving section, 61...rail, 62...frame, 63...actuator, 66...wheel, 77...film delivery section, 100...film roll change system, F, F2...film, FR...film roll, FR1...film roll (first film roll), FR2...film roll (second film roll), P1...first position, P2...second position, T...tape.

Claims

1. A bag-making and packaging apparatus comprising: a bag-making and packaging machine that forms a sheet-like film supplied from a film roll wound around the film into a cylindrical shape and seals the cylindrically formed film to form a bag; a film changing machine that holds and changes the film roll; and a film loading machine that loads the film onto the film loading machine when changing the film roll, The film changer includes: a film roll support section that separately supports a first film roll to be supplied to the bag-making packaging machine and a second film roll for replacement; a joining portion joining the trailing end of the film of the first film roll and the leading end of the film of the second film roll; a film insertion portion into which the starting end is inserted into the joint portion, The film mounting machine includes: a gripping portion that grips and pulls out the starting end of the film of the second film roll supported by the film roll supporting portion or the tape attached to the starting end; a film delivery section that delivers the drawn-out leading end to the film insertion section, The bag-making and packaging apparatus further includes a moving unit that moves the film attachment machine toward and away from the film changer.

2. The moving unit is When transferring the film, the film attachment machine is moved to a first position where the film transfer section can transfer the film to the film insertion section; The bag manufacturing and packaging apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the film attachment machine is moved to a second position spaced apart from the film changer when the film is not being transferred.

3. 3. The bag manufacturing and packaging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the moving section comprises a rail laid below the film applying machine so as to connect positions corresponding to the first position and the second position of the film applying machine, a frame having wheels attached thereto that run on the rail and that supports the film applying machine, and an actuator that moves the frame along the rail.

4. 3. The bag manufacturing and packaging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the moving unit is a conveying machine that lifts and conveys the film attachment machine, and when the film is not being transferred, moves the film attachment machine to the second position above the first position.

5. The bag manufacturing and packaging apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the film exchanger includes an information providing unit that provides film-related information about the film roll in use to the film roll.

6. a bag manufacturing and packaging apparatus according to claim 2; and a self-propelled film roll exchange device that transports the second film roll and exchanges it for the used first film roll, The self-propelled film roll changing device, when the film mounting machine is located at the second position, recovers the used first film roll supported on the film roll support section, or places the transported second film roll on the film roll support section. This is a film roll changing system.

7. 7. The film roll changing system according to claim 6, wherein the moving unit moves the film mounting machine to a position where the self-propelled film roll changing device, which recovers the first film roll or installs the second film roll, forms a space where it does not interfere with the film mounting machine.

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