Packaging device, winding body, and manufacturing device for winding body

Abstract

To accurately detect the remaining amount of a packaging material with a simple structure.SOLUTION: A packaging device includes a packaging part for packaging an object to be packaged by using a packaging material 31 having a thermosensitive coloring layer, a detection part 50 for detecting a near end mark 31M where a part of the thermosensitive coloring layer is colored, and a packaging control part for stopping the packaging of the object to be packaged by the packaging part when the detection part 50 detects the near end mark 31M.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a packaging device, a roll, and a manufacturing device for a roll. [Background technology]

[0002] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2004-248752 (Patent Document 1) describes that a detectable object is provided on a roll of paper sheets wound around a core tube, and that a packaging machine that rotates the roll to unwind the paper sheets and package the object to be packaged in the paper sheets is equipped with a detector that detects the detectable object. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-248752 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above document, the number of remaining sheets is confirmed by detecting the detectable object with a detector after the roll is attached to the packaging machine. In order to confirm the number of remaining sheets, the detectable object needs to be provided on the roll, and the packaging machine needs to be equipped with a detector that detects the detectable object. There is a demand for a method of accurately detecting the remaining amount of packaging material with a simpler configuration.

[0005] The present disclosure proposes a technology that can accurately detect the remaining amount of packaging material with a simple configuration. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A packaging device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a packaging unit that packages an object to be packaged using packaging material having a thermosensitive coloring layer, a detection unit that detects a colored portion where a portion of the thermosensitive coloring layer has colored, and a packaging control unit that stops the packaging unit from packaging the object to be packaged when the detection unit detects the colored portion.

[0007] The packaging device may further include a packaging remaining amount determining unit that determines the remaining amount of packaging material based on the detection result of the colored portion by the detection unit.

[0008] The packaging device may further include a notification unit that notifies the result of the remaining amount determination made by the packaging remaining amount determination unit.

[0009] The packaging device may further include a heating section that heats the packaging material, and the heating section may heat an area of ​​the packaging material where a color-developing portion is formed, causing the thermosensitive coloring layer in that area to develop color.

[0010] In the above packaging device, the packaging section includes a heating section, and the heating section heats two overlapping packaging materials to form a storage section for storing the item to be packaged, and the area in which the heating section causes the thermosensitive coloring layer to color may form the edge of the storage section.

[0011] A roll according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a core tube and a long sheet-like packaging material wound around the core tube. The packaging material has a thermosensitive coloring layer. The packaging material has a colored portion at a predetermined distance from the core tube, where a portion of the thermosensitive coloring layer has developed color.

[0012] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a wound body manufacturing apparatus including a core tube and a long sheet-like packaging material wound around the core tube, the packaging material having a thermosensitive coloring layer. The wound body manufacturing apparatus includes: a shaft portion to which the core tube is attached and which rotates the core tube; and a heating portion that heats the packaging material to form a colored portion at a predetermined distance from the core tube by coloring a portion of the thermosensitive coloring layer. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the present disclosure, the remaining amount of packaging material can be detected with high accuracy using a simple configuration. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a packaging device. [Figure 2]FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a printing unit. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a housing portion forming section. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a first diagram showing detection of a color-developing site by a detection unit. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a second diagram showing the detection of the color-developing site by the detection unit. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a sachet. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the packaging device. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of operations based on detection of a near-end mark. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a wound body manufacturing apparatus. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of a process for manufacturing a wound body. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts and components are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed descriptions thereof will not be repeated. In the drawings, configurations may be omitted or simplified for the sake of convenience. It is also intended from the beginning that any configurations may be extracted from the embodiments and arbitrarily combined.

[0016] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a packaging device 1 according to an embodiment. The packaging device 1 is used to package an object to be packaged. The object to be packaged is a medicine, specifically a solid medicine. Examples of solid medicine include powders, granules, tablets, pills, and capsules. The object to be packaged is not limited to a solid medicine. The object to be packaged may be a semi-solid medicine or a liquid medicine.

[0017] The packaging device 1 is a drug packaging device for packaging drugs based on a prescription. A prescription is issued to a patient by a doctor. The prescription contains patient information and drug information. The patient information includes the patient's name and age. The drug information includes the drug name, amount, usage, and dosage. The packaging device 1 is used to package drugs into single doses based on such a prescription.

[0018] Packaging rolls 2 and 3 are attached to the packaging device 1. The packaging roll 2 is a packaging material 21 wound in a roll shape. The packaging material 21 is fed out from the packaging roll 2. The packaging roll 3 is a packaging material 31 wound in a roll shape. The packaging material 31 is fed out from the packaging roll 3.

[0019] Packaging device 1 combines packaging material 21 unwound from packaging roll 2 and packaging material 31 unwound from packaging roll 3 by heat sealing them to form sachets 19 containing medicines. Packaging materials 21, 31 are in the form of long sheets. Packaging device 1 is equipped with a packaging material conveying section 9. Packaging material conveying section 9 applies a driving force to packaging materials 21, 31 to convey them. Packaging materials 21, 31 are conveyed in their longitudinal directions. Arrows in FIG. 1 indicate the conveying direction DR of packaging materials 21, 31.

[0020] Guide rollers 11A, 12A, and 13A are provided in this order from upstream (closer to packaging roll 2) to downstream (away from packaging roll 2) in the conveying direction DR of packaging material 21. Guide rollers 11A, 12A, and 13A guide packaging material 21 as it is conveyed and apply a constant tension to packaging material 21. Guide rollers 11B, 12B, and 13B are provided in this order from upstream (closer to packaging roll 3) to downstream (away from packaging roll 3) in the conveying direction DR of packaging material 31. Guide rollers 11B, 12B, and 13B guide packaging material 31 as it is conveyed and apply a constant tension to packaging material 31.

[0021] The packaging device 1 includes a packaging unit 5. The packaging unit 5 includes a medicine supply unit 6, a container forming unit 7, and a perforation forming unit 8.

[0022] Medicine supply unit 6 supplies medicine between packaging materials 21 and 31 being conveyed by packaging material conveying unit 9. The tip of a hopper (not shown) is placed between packaging materials 21 and 31, and medicine is poured into the gap between packaging materials 21 and 31 from the tip of the hopper. Medicine is supplied at a dose based on the prescription.

[0023] Container forming unit 7 forms a container using packaging materials 21 and 31 conveyed by packaging conveying unit 9. Medicines are contained in the container. After medicines are supplied from medicine supply unit 6, container forming unit 7 heat-seals packaging materials 21 and 31 together to individually package the medicines, thereby forming sachets 19, which are packages containing the medicines.

[0024] The perforation forming unit 8 is provided in the storage section forming unit 7. The perforation forming unit 8 forms perforations that extend in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction DR in the packaging material 21, 31 conveyed by the packaging material conveying unit 9. The perforations are a plurality of small holes that are lined up continuously in the short direction of the packaging material 21, 31. The perforations are formed in the sealed portion where the packaging material 21, 31 is heat-sealed. The perforations are formed at positions that separate adjacent sachets 19 in the longitudinal direction of the packaging material 21, 31. By cutting the packaging material 21, 31 along the perforations, the adjacent sachets 19 can be easily separated.

[0025] The packaging device 1 further includes a printing unit 4. The printing unit 4 prints predetermined information on the packaging material 31 that is unwound from the packaging material roll 3 and transported by the packaging material transport unit 9. The predetermined information is information related to the drug. The printing unit 4 is disposed upstream of the packaging unit 5 in the transport direction of the packaging material 31. The printing unit 4 prints information related to the drug on the packaging material 31 prior to the heat sealing of the packaging materials 21, 31 by the storage portion forming unit 7. The information related to the drug includes the patient's name, the time of administration, the name and quantity of the drug, etc.

[0026] The packaging device 1 further includes a detection unit 50. The detection unit 50 is arranged downstream of the guide roller 11B and upstream of the guide roller 12B in the conveying direction DR. The detection unit 50 is arranged upstream of the storage section forming unit 7 in the conveying direction DR. Preferably, the detection unit 50 is arranged upstream of the printing unit 4 in the conveying direction DR. The detection unit 50 detects a colored portion of the packaging material 31 that has been colored.

[0027] 2 is a schematic diagram of the printing unit 4. As shown in FIG. 2, the packaging material 31 has a substrate 32, a seal layer 33, and a thermosensitive coloring layer 34. The substrate 32 has a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The thermosensitive coloring layer 34 is laminated on the first surface of the substrate 32. The seal layer 33 is laminated on the second surface of the substrate 32. The packaging material 31 has a layered structure in which the seal layer 33, the substrate 32, and the thermosensitive coloring layer 34 are laminated in this order.

[0028] The substrate 32 is made of, for example, paper. The substrate 32 may be made of glassine paper. The thickness of the glassine paper is 30 g / m 2 The substrate 32 may be made of a film. The substrate 32 may be made of PET (polyethylene terephthalate). The thickness of the film may be 25 μm. The sealing layer 33 is made of a low-melting point material such as polyethylene. The thickness of the sealing layer 33 may be 15 μm. The thickness of the sealing layer 33 may be smaller or larger than the thickness of the substrate 32. The thermosensitive coloring layer 34 may be made of a material that changes color at a temperature higher than the temperature at which the sealing layer 33 melts. The thermosensitive coloring layer 34 may be formed by applying a thermosensitive material to the first surface of the substrate 32.

[0029] The packaging material 31 is not limited to the above example, and may be thermal paper. Thermal paper develops color when heated to approximately 80 to 90° C. Therefore, in the case of thermal paper, the temperature at which the seal layer 33 melts is equal to or higher than the temperature at which the thermosensitive coloring layer 34 develops color.

[0030] The printing unit 4 has a thermal head 41 and a platen roller 42. The thermal head 41 has a heating element. The platen roller 42 supports the packaging material 31. The thermal head 41 and the platen roller 42 are arranged opposite each other with the packaging material 31 sandwiched between them.

[0031] The printing unit 4 uses a thermal head 41, which is a printing head, to heat the thermosensitive coloring layer 34 of the packaging material 31, thereby causing the thermosensitive coloring layer 34 to develop color. The thermal head 41 is pressed against a platen roller 42 via the packaging material 31, and in this state, the heating elements of the thermal head 41 are heated, whereby predetermined information related to the medicine to be packaged is printed on the packaging material 31 for each package.

[0032] In the packaging material 31 transported through the printing unit 4, the thermosensitive coloring layer 34 is disposed closer to the thermal head 41 than the substrate 32.

[0033] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the storage section forming section 7. Note that the perforation forming section 8 is not shown in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 3, the packaging material 21 has a base material 22 and a sealing layer 23. The packaging material 21 has a layered structure in which the base material 22 and the sealing layer 23 are layered. The packaging material 21 does not have a thermosensitive coloring layer. The packaging material 21 does not change color even when heated.

[0034] The substrate 22 may be made of, for example, OPP (biaxially oriented polypropylene). The thickness of the substrate 22 may be 25 μm. The sealing layer 23 may be made of, for example, polyethylene. The thickness of the sealing layer 23 may be 15 μm.

[0035] The storage section forming section 7 has a heating member 71 and a receiving member 72. The heating member 71 has a built-in heater and is heated by the heater. The receiving member 72 is a member that receives the heating member 71. The receiving member 72 does not have a heat-generating structure and is basically kept at room temperature. The heating member 71 and the receiving member 72 are arranged opposite each other with the packaging material 21 and the packaging material 31 sandwiched therebetween. Like the heating member 71, the receiving member 72 may have a built-in heater and be heated by the heater. In other words, a pair of heating members may be arranged opposite each other with the packaging material 21 and the packaging material 31 sandwiched therebetween.

[0036] The heating member 71 may be, for example, aluminum plated with electroless nickel-phosphorus-PTFE (fluororesin) composite plating. The receiving member 72 may be, for example, silicone rubber with a hardness of 30 degrees to which a fluororesin sheet is baked.

[0037] With heating member 71 heated by the heater, heating member 71 and receiving member 72 are driven by pressure motor 75 (FIG. 7) which serves as a drive source, to apply pressure to packaging materials 21 and 31 from both sides. As a result, seal layer 23 of packaging material 21 and seal layer 33 of packaging material 31 are thermally fused together to form a storage section. The medicine is stored in the storage section. Storage section forming section 7 packages the medicine, which is the packaging object, one package at a time.

[0038] Of the packaging materials 21, 31 transported through the storage portion forming section 7, packaging material 31 is positioned close to heating member 71, and packaging material 21 is positioned close to receiving member 72. The seal layer 23 of packaging material 21 and the seal layer 33 of packaging material 31 face each other. The seal layers 23, 33 that form the inner sides of packaging materials 21, 31 are overlapped with each other. When heat is applied from the heating member 71, the seal layers 23, 33 melt, and the seal layer 23 and the seal layer 33 are thermally fused together to form a storage portion.

[0039] In the packaging material 31, the thermosensitive coloring layer 34 is disposed closer to the heating member 71 than the base material 32, and is disposed closest to the heating member 71. The thermosensitive coloring layer 34 faces the heating member 71. The thermosensitive coloring layer 34 is disposed at a position where the heat generated by the heater of the heating member 71 is most easily conducted. By disposing the thermosensitive coloring layer 34 close to the heating member 71 in the container forming section 7, when heat sealing is performed to thermally fuse the sealing layers 23, 33, the amount of heat required for coloring is also transmitted to the thermosensitive coloring layer 34, causing the thermosensitive coloring layer 34 to develop color.

[0040] The heating member 71 and the receiving member 72 may be arranged in reverse. In the packaging materials 21, 31 transported through the container forming section 7, the packaging material 21 may be arranged closer to the heating member 71, and the packaging material 31 may be arranged closer to the receiving member 72. In the packaging material 31, the thermosensitive coloring layer 34 may be arranged closer to the receiving member 72 than the base material 32, and may be arranged closest to the receiving member 72. Even in this case, when heat sealing is performed to thermally fuse the sealing layers 23, 33, the amount of heat required for color development is transmitted to the thermosensitive coloring layer 34, causing the thermosensitive coloring layer 34 to develop color.

[0041] The heating member 71 of the storage section forming section 7 corresponds to an example of a "heating section" that heats the packaging material 31 having the thermosensitive coloring layer 34 to cause the thermosensitive coloring layer 34 to develop color. The storage section forming section 7 includes a heating section. The heating section heats the two overlapping packaging materials 21, 31, and the storage section forming section 7 forms a storage section.

[0042] 4 is a first diagram showing detection of a color-developing portion by a detection unit. The detection unit 50 is, for example, an optical sensor. The detection unit 50 is, for example, a reflective optical sensor. The detection unit 50 has a light-emitting element 51 and a light-receiving element 52. The light-emitting element 51 irradiates irradiation light Lx toward the packaging material 31. The light-receiving element 52 detects reflected light Lr2 reflected by the packaging material 31.

[0043] 4, the light Lx is irradiated onto the packaging material 31, which has no color developed in the thermosensitive coloring layer 34 and remains in its base color. The reflected light Lr2 reflected by the uncolored packaging material 31 has a relatively large amount of light.

[0044] 5 is a second diagram showing the detection of the colored portion by the detection unit. A near-end mark 31M is formed on the packaging material 31. The near-end mark 31M is formed by heating a part of the thermosensitive coloring layer 34 and causing it to color. The near-end mark 31M typically develops a black color.

[0045] In FIG. 5, the irradiated light Lx is irradiated onto the near-end mark 31M. A larger amount of light is absorbed by the colored near-end mark 31M. The reflected light Lr1 shown in FIG. 5, which is reflected by the near-end mark 31M, has a relatively small amount of light. Compared to the amount of reflected light Lr1 shown in FIG. 5, the amount of reflected light Lr2 shown in FIG. 4 is greater.

[0046] When the light-receiving element 52 receives reflected light Lr2 with a large amount of light, it is determined that the irradiated light Lx has been irradiated onto the packaging material 31, which has not yet developed color. When the light-receiving element 52 receives reflected light Lr1 with a small amount of light, it is determined that the irradiated light Lx has been irradiated onto the near-end mark 31M, which is colored by the thermosensitive coloring layer 34. The near-end mark 31M corresponds to an example of a "colored portion" detected by the detection unit 50 in the packaging device 1. The colored portion can be detected based on the amount of light received by the light-receiving element 52 of the detection unit 50, which is an optical sensor.

[0047] The packaging roll 3 (FIG. 1) has a core tube (not shown in FIG. 1). A long sheet-like packaging material 31 is wound around the core tube to form the packaging roll 3. The near-end mark 31M is formed by heating the thermosensitive coloring layer 34 at a position in the packaging roll 3 a predetermined distance away from the start end of the wrapping of the packaging material 31 around the core tube, causing a part of the thermosensitive coloring layer 34 to color. The near-end mark 31M is formed at a position a predetermined distance away from the start end of the wrapping of the packaging material 31 around the core tube.

[0048] The remaining amount of packaging material 31 can be determined based on the detection result of detection unit 50. That is, by detection unit 50 detecting near-end mark 31M (colored portion), it can be determined that the remaining amount of packaging material 31 wound around the core tube is a predetermined distance from the starting end of packaging material 31 wound around the core tube.

[0049] 4 and 5, the detecting unit 50 may be a transmission type optical sensor. The light emitting element 51 and the light receiving element 52 may be arranged with the packaging material 31 sandwiched therebetween, and the light receiving element 52 may receive transmitted light that is irradiated from the light emitting element 51 onto the packaging material 31 and transmitted through the packaging material 31.

[0050] The detection unit 50 is not limited to an optical sensor, but may be an imaging device. The colored portion may be detected by analyzing an image of the packaging material 31 captured by the imaging device.

[0051] The near-end mark 31M shown in FIG. 5 is formed on the packaging material 31 in a substantially rectangular shape, but the near-end mark 31M may have any shape.

[0052] 6 is a schematic diagram showing a sachet 19. By heat-sealing the sealing layers 23, 33 in the storage portion forming section 7, a longitudinal fused portion 123 extending in the longitudinal direction of the long sheet-like packaging material 21, 31 and a lateral fused portion 124 extending in the lateral direction of the packaging material 21, 31 are formed. The longitudinal fused portion 123 is formed near one edge of the packaging material 21, 31 and near the other edge of the packaging material 21, 31. The pair of longitudinal fused portions 123 are formed to extend parallel to each other at the same position in the longitudinal direction of the packaging material 21, 31. The lateral fused portion 124 is formed to connect the ends of the pair of longitudinal fused portions 123.

[0053] Packaging materials 21, 31 are partitioned by a pair of longitudinal fused portions 123 and a pair of transverse fused portions 124 to form sachet 19. A storage portion 122 is formed inside sachet 19, and medicines are stored in storage portion 122. Sachet 19 packages medicines, which are packaging objects, one by one. Longitudinal fused portions 123 extend in the conveying direction DR of packaging material 31. Transverse fused portions 124 extend in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction DR of packaging material 31.

[0054] When the longitudinal fused portions 123 and the lateral fused portions 124 are formed in the storage portion forming section 7, the thermosensitive coloring layer 34 is heated and changes color, thereby causing the longitudinal fused portions 123 and the lateral fused portions 124 to change color. The longitudinal fused portions 123 extend in the longitudinal direction of the long sheet-like packaging material 31. The longitudinal fused portions 123 extend in the conveying direction DR of the packaging material 31. The longitudinal fused portions 123 form the edges of the storage portion 122 in the lateral direction of the packaging material 31.

[0055] A dividing region 126 where the seal layers 23, 33 are not heat-sealed is provided between two adjacent short-side fused portions 124 in the longitudinal direction of the packaging material 21, 31. The two adjacent short-side fused portions 124 and the dividing region 126 sandwiched therebetween form a partition section 127 that separates two storage sections 122 adjacent in the longitudinal direction of the packaging material 21, 31.

[0056] Perforations 125 are formed in the partitioning section 127, more specifically in the dividing region 126. The perforations 125 include a plurality of pores extending in the short-side direction of the packaging material 21, 31. The plurality of pores are aligned continuously in the short-side direction of the packaging material 21, 31. The plurality of pores are aligned at intervals in the short-side direction of the packaging material 21, 31. The plurality of pores are aligned on an imaginary straight line extending in the short-side direction of the packaging material 21, 31.

[0057] A handler who separates the sachets 19 into individual packets pinches one of two adjacent sachets 19 between the fingers of his right hand and the other between the fingers of his left hand, and moves the two sachets 19 held in both hands away from each other so as to tear the perforation 125, thereby separating the two adjacent sachets 19 along the perforation 125.

[0058] In the printing unit 4, the packaging material 31 is heated by the heat generated by the thermal head 41, causing a portion of the thermosensitive coloring layer 34 to develop color, thereby printing information 100 on the sachet 19. The information 100 includes first information 100A and second information 100B. The first information 100A includes personal information. The first information 100A includes the name of the patient who will be taking the medication contained in the sachet 19. The second information 100B includes information about the medication contained in the sachet 19. The second information 100B includes usage, i.e., how to use the medication. The second information 100B includes information such as the approximate time to take the medication, such as morning, noon, or night, and the timing to take the medication, such as before, between, or after meals.

[0059] The first information 100A and the second information 100B do not necessarily have to be printed on the sachet 19 in which the medicine is packaged. A blank packet containing no medicine may be provided at the beginning or end of a series of multiple sachets 19 that are handed to a patient who will take the medicine, and the first information 100A and the second information 100B may be printed on this blank packet. Alternatively, only either the first information 100A or the second information 100B may be printed on the blank packet.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 6, the longitudinal fused portion 123 is formed so as to overlap the near-end mark 31M. The heating element 71 of the storage portion forming unit 7 corresponds to an example of a "heating unit" that heats the packaging material 31 in the packaging device 1. The storage portion forming unit 7 includes a heating unit. The packaging unit 5 (FIG. 1) also includes a heating unit. The heating element 71 heats the area of ​​the packaging material 31 where the near-end mark 31M (coloring area) is formed, causing the thermosensitive coloring layer 34 in that area to develop color. The coloring of the longitudinal fused portion 123 makes the near-end mark 31M indistinguishable. Sachets 19 formed from packaging material 31 on which the near-end mark 31M is formed cannot be visually distinguished from other sachets 19, improving the aesthetics of the sachets 19.

[0061] 7 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the packaging device 1. As shown in FIG.

[0062] The operation unit 96 is operated by an operator who operates the packaging device 1. When the operator operates the operation unit 96, information necessary for the packaging operation of the packaging device 1 is input to the overall control unit 90. The information necessary for the packaging operation of the packaging device 1 includes prescription data based on a prescription and various setting information. The setting information includes the dimensions of the sachet 19 in the longitudinal direction of the packaging materials 21 and 31, and the content to be printed on the packaging material 31. The information necessary for the packaging operation of the packaging device 1 may be input to the overall control unit 90 from an external computer.

[0063] Based on the input prescription data, the operation unit 96 generates print data to be printed on the packaging material 31 by the printing unit 4. The operation unit 96 inputs the generated print data to the overall control unit 90. The overall control unit 90 may generate the print data, or externally generated print data may be input to the operation unit 96.

[0064] The overall control unit 90 controls the overall operation of the packaging device 1 based on information necessary for the packaging operation of the packaging device 1. The overall control unit 90 controls the medicine supply unit 6, the container formation unit 7, the packaging material conveying unit 9, and the printing unit 4.

[0065] Overall control unit 90 sends a control signal to medicine supply unit 6, instructing medicine supply unit 6 on the type and quantity of medicine to be supplied. Overall control unit 90 sends a control signal to storage portion forming unit 7 so that the dimensions of sachet 19 in the longitudinal direction of packaging material 21, 31 become predetermined values. The dimensions of sachet 19 may be values ​​input via operation unit 96, for example, or may be values ​​set by overall control unit 90 based on the type and quantity of medicine.

[0066] The packaging control unit 97 controls the heating member 71, pressure motor 75, and packaging material conveying motor 91 based on control signals from the overall control unit 90. The pressure motor 75 moves the heating member 71 and the receiving member 72. The heating member 71 and the receiving member 72, which are moved by the driving of the pressure motor 75, apply pressure to the packaging materials 21, 31 from both sides or move away from the packaging materials 21, 31. The packaging material conveying unit 9 has a pair of conveying rollers and a packaging material conveying motor 91. The pair of conveying rollers are arranged opposite each other with the sachet 19 sandwiched between them. The packaging material conveying motor 91 drives the pair of conveying rollers to rotate, thereby conveying the sachet 19 (packaging materials 21, 31) in the conveying direction DR.

[0067] Sachets 19 are formed by appropriately driving and stopping medicine supply unit 6, heating member 71, pressure motor 75, and packaging material conveying motor 91. Packaging material conveying unit 9 intermittently conveys packaging materials 21, 31. When the conveyance of packaging materials 21, 31 is stopped, medicine supply unit 6 supplies medicine between packaging materials 21, 31. Heating member 71 and receiving member 72 heat and pressurize packaging materials 21, 31 from both sides. In packaging materials 21, 31, longitudinal fused portions 123 are formed in the longitudinal direction of packaging materials 21, 31, and lateral fused portions 124 are formed in the lateral direction of packaging materials 21, 31. In this manner, sachets 19 containing the packaging objects are formed.

[0068] The overall control unit 90 sends control signals to the printing unit 4 so that printing is performed on the packaging material 31 based on the print data generated by the operation unit 96. The printing unit 4 has a print control unit 94. The print control unit 94 controls the thermal head 41 and the head contact / separation motor 43 based on the control signal from the overall control unit 90.

[0069] The thermal head 41 has multiple heating elements. A head contact / separation motor 43 reciprocates the thermal head 41 in the thickness direction of the packaging material 31, bringing the thermal head 41 into contact with or away from the packaging material 31. By selectively heating the multiple heating elements of the thermal head 41 while the thermal head 41 is in contact with the packaging material 31, information 100 related to the medicines to be packaged is printed on the packaging material 31 package by package.

[0070] The overall control unit 90 sends a control signal to the detection unit 50, causing the light-emitting element 51 to emit the irradiation light Lx. The light amounts of the reflected lights Lr1 and Lr2 received by the light-receiving element 52 are input from the detection unit 50 to the overall control unit 90. The overall control unit 90 also includes a determination unit 98. The determination unit 98 determines that the near-end mark 31M has been detected based on the light amounts of the reflected lights Lr1 and Lr2 received by the light-receiving element 52. While the light-receiving element 52 receives a large amount of reflected light Lr2, the determination unit 98 determines that the irradiation light Lx has been irradiated onto the packaging material 31, which has not yet developed a color in the thermosensitive coloring layer 34 and remains its original color. When the light-receiving element 52 receives a small amount of reflected light Lr1, the determination unit 98 determines that the irradiation light Lx has been irradiated onto the near-end mark 31M, which has developed a color in part of the thermosensitive coloring layer 34.

[0071] The packaging material remaining amount determination unit 99 determines the remaining amount of packaging material 31 from the determination result by the determination unit 98 that the near-end mark 31M has been detected. When the near-end mark 31M is detected, the packaging material remaining amount determination unit 99 can determine that the remaining amount of packaging material 31 is only a predetermined distance from the winding start end onto the core tube, and that the remaining amount of packaging material 31 has become low.

[0072] The overall control unit 90 transmits a control signal to the notification unit 80 based on the result of the determination by the packaging material remaining amount determination unit 99. The notification unit 80 notifies the user of the packaging device 1 of the result of the determination by the packaging material remaining amount determination unit 99. The notification unit 80 may include, for example, a monitor, and may visually notify the user that the remaining amount of packaging material 31 is low. The notification unit 80 may include, for example, a lamp, a buzzer, a speaker, and the like. When the remaining amount of packaging material 31 is low, the notification unit 80 may visually and / or audibly alert the user using the lamp, buzzer, or speaker.

[0073] 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of operations based on the detection of near-end mark 31M. Packaging begins in step S1. Overall control unit 90 controls medicine supply unit 6, container forming unit 7, packaging material conveying unit 9, and printing unit 4 to form sachet bags 19 containing medicines to be packaged, and prints information 100 about the medicines on sachet bag 19 (packaging material 31).

[0074] In step S2, the packaging material 31 is irradiated with irradiation light Lx. The overall control unit 90 sends a control signal to the detection unit 50 to cause the light emitting element 51 to emit light and irradiate the packaging material 31 with irradiation light Lx. In step S3, the reflected lights Lr1 and Lr2 are detected. The light intensities of the reflected lights Lr1 and Lr2 received by the light receiving element 52 are input to the overall control unit 90.

[0075] In step S4, it is determined whether the near-end mark 31M has been detected. If the light-receiving element 52 receives a large amount of reflected light Lr2, the determination unit 98 determines that the irradiated light Lx is irradiating the packaging material 31 with its background color intact, and that the near-end mark 31M has not been detected (NO in step S4). In this case, the process proceeds to step S5, and the normal packaging operation continues.

[0076] When the light receiving element 52 receives the reflected light Lr1 with a small amount of light, the determination unit 98 determines that the irradiation light Lx has been irradiated onto the near-end mark 31M, which has been colored and discolored in the thermosensitive coloring layer 34. The determination unit 98 determines that the near-end mark 31M has been detected (YES in step S4).

[0077] In this case, the process proceeds to step S6, where a notification is sent to the user of the packaging device 1. The overall control unit 90 sends a control signal to the notification unit 80 to notify the user that the near-end mark 31M has been detected and the remaining amount of packaging material 31 is running low.

[0078] In step S7, packaging is stopped. Overall control unit 90 sends a control signal to medicine supply unit 6 to stop the supply of medicine. Overall control unit 90 sends a control signal to storage section forming unit 7 to stop the heat sealing of packaging materials 21, 31. Overall control unit 90 sends a control signal to packaging material conveying unit 9 to stop the conveyance of sachet 19 (packaging materials 21, 31). Overall control unit 90 sends a control signal to printing unit 4 to stop printing information 100 on packaging material 31.

[0079] The process of stopping packaging in step S7 may be performed immediately after it is determined in step S4 that the near-end mark 31M has been detected, or may be performed after a predetermined time has elapsed after the near-end mark 31M has been detected in step S4, or after a predetermined length of packaging material 31 has been further unwound from the packaging material roll 3.

[0080] In this way, if there is a sufficient amount of packaging material 31 remaining, packaging continues, and if the remaining amount of packaging material 31 becomes low, the user is notified and packaging is stopped as appropriate. A series of processes are carried out.

[0081] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a wound body manufacturing apparatus 200. The packaging material roll 3 shown in FIG. 1 corresponds to an example of a "wound body." The wound body includes a core tube 3A (not shown in FIG. 1) and a packaging material 31. The wound body is formed by winding a long sheet-like packaging material 31 around the core tube 3A, which is a hollow tube, to form a roll. As described with reference to FIG. 2, the packaging material 31 has a thermosensitive coloring layer 34.

[0082] As shown in FIG. 9, the wound body manufacturing apparatus 200 includes a winding shaft 201 and a heating unit 202. The winding shaft 201 extends in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper in FIG. 9 and is configured to be rotatable. A core tube 3A is attached to the winding shaft 201. The winding shaft 201 rotates with the core tube 3A attached, thereby rotating the core tube 3A. As the core tube 3A rotates, the packaging material 31 is wound around the core tube 3A, thereby producing a packaging material roll 3 (wound body). The arrow shown in FIG. 9 indicates the direction in which the packaging material 31 moves as it is wound around the core tube 3A. The winding shaft 201 corresponds to an example of a "shaft unit."

[0083] The heating unit 202 heats the packaging material 31 to form a colored portion by coloring a portion of the thermosensitive coloring layer 34. The heating unit 202 forms a colored portion on the packaging material 31 at a position a predetermined distance away from the core tube 3A, i.e., a position a predetermined distance away from the winding start end of the packaging material 31. This colored portion becomes the near-end mark 31M affixed to the packaging material 31. The predetermined distance may be, for example, several meters.

[0084] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of a process for manufacturing a wound body. In step S11, a hollow cylindrical core tube 3A is prepared. In step S12, the core tube 3A is attached to the winding shaft 201. In step S13, the winding shaft 201 is rotated to start winding the packaging material 31 around the core tube 3A.

[0085] In step S14, it is determined whether a predetermined length of packaging material 31 has been wound around core tube 3A since winding of packaging material 31 began. The determination in step S14 may be made based on the number of rotations of winding shaft 201 since winding of packaging material 31 began, or may be made based on the rotation speed of winding shaft 201 and the elapsed time. If the predetermined length of packaging material 31 has not yet been wound around core tube 3A (NO in step S14), winding of packaging material 31 around core tube 3A continues, and the determination in step S14 is repeated.

[0086] When a predetermined length of packaging material 31 has been wound around core tube 3A (YES in step S14), heating unit 202 heats packaging material 31 to color thermosensitive coloring layer 34. As a result, near-end mark 31M, which is a colored portion where part of thermosensitive coloring layer 34 has colored, is provided on packaging material 31.

[0087] In step S16, it is determined whether or not to terminate winding of the packaging material 31 onto the core tube 3A. If the predetermined length of packaging material 31 has not yet been wound onto the core tube 3A and the packaging material roll 3 has not yet reached the predetermined outer diameter (NO in step S16), winding of the packaging material 31 onto the core tube 3A continues, and the determination in step S16 is repeated.

[0088] When a predetermined length of packaging material 31 has been wound around core tube 3A, resulting in a packaging roll 3 having a predetermined outer diameter (YES in step S16), winding of packaging material 31 around core tube 3A is terminated in step S17.

[0089] <Action and effect> Although there is some overlap with the above description, the characteristic configuration of the embodiment, as well as its actions and effects, can be listed as follows.

[0090] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the packaging material 31 has a thermosensitive coloring layer 34. As shown in Figure 1, the packaging unit 5 packages the object to be packaged using the packaging material 31. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the detection unit 50 detects a near-end mark 31M, which is a colored portion where part of the thermosensitive coloring layer 34 has developed color. As shown in Figures 7 and 8, when the detection unit 50 detects the near-end mark 31M, the packaging control unit 97 stops the packaging of the object to be packaged by the packaging unit 5.

[0091] A packaging roll 3 is attached to the packaging device 1, and packaging material 31 is unwound from the packaging roll 3 and used to package an object to be packaged. A near-end mark 31M, which is a colored portion of the thermosensitive coloring layer 34, is attached to the packaging material 31 at a position a predetermined distance from the beginning of winding onto the core tube 3A. When the detection unit 50 detects the near-end mark 31M, the remaining amount of packaging material 31 is constant and at a predetermined distance from the beginning of winding onto the core tube 3A. With a simple configuration in which the detection unit 50 capable of detecting the near-end mark 31M is provided in the packaging device 1, the remaining amount of packaging material 31 can be accurately detected.

[0092] The near-end mark 31M is formed by coloring the thermosensitive coloring layer 34. No consumables such as stickers are required to form the near-end mark 31M. Since no costs for consumables are required, the manufacturing cost of the packaging roll 3 can be reduced.

[0093] 7, the packaging device 1 may further include a packaging material remaining amount determination unit 99 that determines the remaining amount of packaging material 31 based on the detection result of the near-end mark 31M by the detection unit 50. While the detection unit 50 is not detecting the near-end mark 31M while packaging an object to be packaged using the packaging material 31, the packaging material remaining amount determination unit 99 can determine that a sufficient amount of packaging material 31 remains. When the detection unit 50 detects the near-end mark 31M, the packaging material remaining amount determination unit 99 can determine that the remaining amount of packaging material 31 is low and stop the packaging unit 5 from packaging the object to be packaged.

[0094] 7, the packaging device 1 may further include a notification unit 80 that notifies the user of the result of the determination of the remaining amount of packaging material 31 by the packaging material remaining amount determination unit 99. Upon receiving notification from the notification unit 80 that the remaining amount of packaging material 31 is low, the user of the packaging device 1 can replace the packaging roll 3. Upon receiving the notification from the notification unit 80, the user can begin preparations to replace the packaging roll 3, which can shorten the time that the packaging device 1 is stopped for replacement of the packaging roll 3, thereby improving the efficiency of the work of packaging the objects to be packaged.

[0095] 3 and 6, the heating element 71 may heat the area of ​​the packaging material 31 where the near-end mark 31M is formed, causing the thermosensitive coloring layer 34 in that area to develop a color. If packaging of the packaging objects continues for a while after the detection unit 50 detects the near-end mark 31M, the heating element 71 provided in the packaging device 1 heats the packaging material 31, causing the thermosensitive coloring layer 34 around the near-end mark 31M to develop a color. This makes it possible to prevent the near-end mark 31M from being noticeable in the formed sachet 19, thereby improving the aesthetic appearance of the sachet 19.

[0096] 1, 3, and 6, the packaging unit 5 includes a heating member 71, which heats the stacked packaging materials 21, 31 to form a storage section 122 for storing the packaged item, and the area in which the heating member 71 causes the thermosensitive coloring layer 34 to develop a color may form the edge of the storage section 122. When the packaging materials 21, 31 are heat-sealed to form the sachet 19, the longitudinal fused portion 123 is positioned to overlap the near-end mark 31M, and the longitudinal fused portion 123 develops a thermosensitive color. This makes it visually indistinguishable between the sachet 19 formed from the packaging material 31 on which the near-end mark 31M is formed and other sachets 19, eliminating any sense of incongruity in the appearance of the sachet 19 and reliably improving the aesthetics of the sachet 19.

[0097] As shown in Figures 1 and 9, the packaging material roll 3 as a wound body includes a core tube 3A and a long sheet-like packaging material 31 wound around the core tube 3A. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the packaging material 31 has a thermosensitive coloring layer 34. As shown in Figure 5, the packaging material 31 has a near-end mark 31M, which is a colored portion formed by coloring a part of the thermosensitive coloring layer 34. The near-end mark 31M is formed on the packaging material 31 at a position a predetermined distance away from the core tube 3A.

[0098] In the packaging material roll 3, a near-end mark 31M is formed by coloring a part of the thermosensitive coloring layer 34 of the packaging material 31 at a position a predetermined distance from the winding start end onto the core tube 3A. When the near-end mark 31M is detected, the remaining amount of packaging material 31 is constant at a predetermined distance from the winding start end onto the core tube 3A. Therefore, the remaining amount of packaging material 31 can be detected with high accuracy.

[0099] 9, a manufacturing apparatus 200 for a wound body in which packaging material 31 is wound around a core tube 3A includes a winding shaft 201 and a heating unit 202. The core tube 3A is attached to the winding shaft 201, which rotates the core tube 3A. The heating unit 202 heats the packaging material 31 to form a near-end mark 31M, which is a colored portion formed by coloring a part of the thermosensitive coloring layer 34, at a position a predetermined distance from the core tube 3A.

[0100] When the roll is manufactured, a near-end mark 31M is formed by coloring a portion of the thermosensitive coloring layer 34 of the packaging material 31 at a position a predetermined distance away from the core tube 3A around which the packaging material 31 is wound. When the near-end mark 31M is detected in the packaging material roll 3, the remaining amount of the packaging material 31 is constant at a predetermined distance from the starting end of the wrapping onto the core tube 3A. Therefore, the remaining amount of the packaging material 31 can be detected with high accuracy.

[0101] Although the embodiments have been described above, the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and should not be considered to be limiting. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not by the above description, and is intended to include meanings equivalent to the claims and all modifications within the scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0102] 1 Packaging device, 2, 3 Packaging material roll, 3A Core tube, 4 Printing unit, 5 Packaging unit, 6 Drug supply unit, 7 Storage unit forming unit, 19 Sachet bag, 21, 31 Packaging material, 22, 32 Base material, 23, 33 Sealing layer, 31M Near end mark, 34 Thermosensitive coloring layer, 50 Detection unit, 51 Light emitting element, 52 Light receiving element, 71 Heating element, 72 Receiving member, 75 Pressure motor, 80 Notification unit, 90 Overall control unit, 91 Packaging material conveying motor, 94 Printing control unit, 96 Operation unit, 97 Packaging control unit, 98 Judgment unit, 99 Packaging remaining amount judgment unit, 100 Information, 122 Storage unit, 123 Longitudinal fusion unit, 124 Transverse fusion unit, 200 Manufacturing device, 201 Winding shaft, 202 Heating unit, DR Conveying direction, Lr1, Lr2 reflected light, Lx irradiated light.

Claims

1. a packaging unit that packages an object to be packaged using a packaging material having a thermosensitive coloring layer; a detection unit for detecting a colored portion of the thermosensitive coloring layer; a packaging control unit that stops the packaging of the object to be packaged by the packaging unit when the detection unit detects the colored portion.

2. The packaging device according to claim 1 , further comprising a packaging remaining amount determining unit that determines the remaining amount of the packaging material based on a detection result of the colored portion by the detecting unit.

3. The packaging device according to claim 2 , further comprising a notification unit that notifies a result of the remaining amount determination made by the packaging material remaining amount determination unit.

4. Further provided is a heating unit that heats the packaging material, The packaging device according to claim 1 , wherein the heating section heats an area of ​​the packaging material where the color-developing portion is formed, thereby causing the thermosensitive coloring layer in the area to develop color.

5. 5. The packaging device according to claim 4, wherein the packaging unit includes the heating unit, and the heating unit heats the two overlapping packaging materials to form a storage unit that stores the packaging object, and the region forms an edge of the storage unit.

6. The core tube and a long sheet-like packaging material wound around the core tube, The packaging material has a thermosensitive coloring layer and a colored portion where a part of the thermosensitive coloring layer develops color at a position a predetermined distance away from the core tube.

7. A roll manufacturing apparatus including a core tube and a long sheet-like packaging material wound around the core tube, the packaging material having a thermosensitive coloring layer, a shaft portion to which the core tube is attached and which rotates the core tube; a heating unit that heats the packaging material to form a colored portion at a position a predetermined distance away from the core tube by coloring a part of the thermosensitive coloring layer.

Images