Article holding device and packaging machine

Abstract

To provide an article holding device capable of conveying an article while reliably holding the posture of the article, and a packaging machine including the article holding device.SOLUTION: An article holding device 100 includes a plurality of holding members 101 arranged along a conveying direction of an article side XA1 and capable of holding the article side YA1 over a packaging material side XA1, a state changing means 120 for changing a state of the holding members 101 between an article holding state and an article non-holding state, and a control means 50, wherein the article holding state is a state in which the holding members 101 take a posture of moving the packaging material side YA1 in a direction perpendicular to a conveying surface 161. The control means 50 controls the state changing means 120 so that the holding members 100 in the article holding state are sequentially moved in the conveying direction with the movement of the article XA1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an article holding device and a packaging machine. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, for example, in pillow packaging machines, there has been an article holding device (clamping device) that holds and pushes articles that are prone to losing their posture, in which multiple regulating bars are provided on a posture-maintaining conveyor that transports the articles, and the articles (group of packaged items) are placed between the opposing regulating bars for transport (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The packaging machine described in Patent Document 1 is a so-called inverted pillow type packaging machine in which film is fed from a roll-shaped supply source located below the machine body and a center seal is applied by a center seal mechanism located above the article transport path. In this case, a holding means such as a regulating bar holds the bottom of the article, and a center seal is applied to the packaging material above the article.

[0003] Also known is a device that is installed above a conveying device that conveys articles, holds down the articles together with the packaging material from above, and conveys the articles while maintaining a horizontal position (see, for example, Patent Document 2). In the packaging machine described in Patent Document 2, a center seal mechanism is located below the conveying device, so the articles are held above while the packaging material is center sealed from below. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 2684335 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 6286156 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, conventional methods have had the problem of insufficient product retention. Specifically, in the case of a pillow packaging machine, at least while the product passes through the center seal mechanism, it is impossible to retain the product from below if it is a normal pillow type, or from above if it is an inverted pillow type. However, depending on the product, there is a desire to retain the product on the side where the center seal mechanism is located.

[0006] Furthermore, for example, if the items contained in the packaging material have a shape that makes them unstable (difficult to stand on their own) or are piled up and / or arranged in an upright position, they are likely to lose their position during transport.

[0007] In such cases, particularly when the product is held on the side where the center seal mechanism is not located (either above or below the product), the product's posture may be distorted, causing it to get stuck in the top seal device or resulting in poor packaging.

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide an article holding device that can reliably maintain the posture of an article while transporting it, and a packaging machine equipped with the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The present invention relates to an item holding device that is placed in a packaging machine that packages items and packaging material while transporting them, and that has: holding members that are arranged in multiple rows along the transport direction of the items and are capable of holding the items through the packaging material; a state change means that changes the state of the holding members between an item holding state and an item non-holding state; and a control means, wherein the item holding state is a state in which the holding members are in a position that moves the packaging material in a direction perpendicular to the transport surface, and the control means controls the state change means so that the holding members, which are in the item holding state as the items move, move sequentially in the transport direction.

[0010] The present invention also relates to a packaging machine having the above-mentioned article holding device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an article holding device that can reliably hold the posture of an article while transporting it, and a packaging machine equipped with the same. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view showing an outline of a packaging machine according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing a package according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which (A) is a front view and (B) is a perspective view. [Figure 3] 1 is a perspective view showing a main part of a packaging machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is a perspective view showing an article holding device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] 1 is a plan view showing an article holding device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 1 is a side view showing an article holding device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 1 is a front view showing an article holding device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 1 is a perspective view showing an article holding device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 1 is a perspective view showing a main part of a packaging machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] 1 is a side view showing an article holding device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing an article holding device according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which (A) is a front view and (B) is a perspective view. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a side view showing a modified example of an article holding device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a modified example of an article holding device according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The configuration of an article holding device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention and a packaging machine 1 equipped with the same will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that in this drawing and the subsequent drawings, some components are omitted as appropriate to simplify the drawings. Furthermore, in this drawing and the subsequent drawings, the size, shape, thickness, etc. of components are exaggerated as appropriate.

[0014] <Wrapping machine> A packaging machine 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the packaging machine 1. Figure 2 is an external perspective view of a package ZA1 packaged by the packaging machine 1, viewed from below. The packaging machine 1 is a so-called horizontal form-fill-seal machine in which, as articles XA1 are sequentially supplied, packaging material YA1 such as film is continuously supplied to form cylindrical bags, and the packaging material YA1 is sealed and cut in the width direction at predetermined intervals.

[0015] The packaging machine 1 uses a continuously supplied packaging material YA1 such as a resin film or paper to transport and package the articles XA1 sequentially supplied from the previous process from upstream to downstream. In Fig. 1, the side closer to the raw material roll YB1 (the left side in Fig. 1) is the upstream side, and the side farther away (the right side in Fig. 1) is the downstream side.

[0016] The packaging machine 1 includes an article supply device 2, a packaging material supply device 3, a packaging machine main body 4, a control unit 50 (not shown), an article holding device 100, another article holding device 200, and a conveying device 20. The various directions in the packaging machine 1 are defined as follows: a first direction, which is the longitudinal direction of the strip-shaped packaging material YA1 (the direction in which the article XA1 moves), is referred to as a conveying direction T; a second direction (the width direction of the packaging material YA1) perpendicular to the first direction in a horizontal plane is referred to as a conveying width direction W; and a third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions is referred to as a conveying height direction H. The directions in FIG. 2 are shown as directions during conveyance by the conveying device 20.

[0017] These components of the packaging machine 1 are controlled collectively by a control unit 50. The control unit 50 is composed of a CPU, RAM, ROM, etc., and performs various controls. The CPU is a so-called central processing unit, and executes various programs to realize various functions. The RAM is used as a working area for the CPU. The ROM stores the basic OS and programs executed by the CPU.

[0018] The article supply device 2 conveys the articles XA1 at equal intervals and sequentially conveys the articles XA1 to the downstream packaging machine main body 4. This article supply device 2 is composed of, for example, a finger conveyor. Specifically, the article supply device 2 is equipped with a conveying surface (reference numeral omitted) having a slit, side guides (not shown) that guide the articles XA1 on this conveying surface from the sides, a driving sprocket 5, a driven sprocket (not shown), a circular chain 6 that runs around these sprockets, a plurality of fingers 7 attached to this chain 6 at equal intervals, and a servo motor (not shown) that serves as a power source.

[0019] The drive sprocket 5 is rotated by the servo motor. The driven sprocket rotates in conjunction with the drive sprocket as the chain 6 runs. The chain 6 runs in a circular motion as the drive sprocket rotates. Multiple fingers 7 protrude upward from below the conveying surface through slits. These multiple fingers 7 run on the conveying surface as the chain 6 runs. As a result, the multiple fingers 7 push the article XA1 on the conveying surface and send it to the packaging machine main body 4.

[0020] The packaging material supply device 3 continuously supplies packaging material YA1 to the downstream packaging machine main body 4. The packaging material supply device 3 includes a raw material shaft 8, a servo motor (not shown), and guide rollers 9. The raw material shaft 8 rotatably holds the raw material roll YB1. This raw material shaft 8 is rotated by power from the servo motor, causing the held raw material roll YB1 to rotate. This causes the packaging material YA1 to be unwound (stretched) from the raw material roll YB1. The guide rollers 9 appropriately change the conveyance direction of the raw material roll YB1 and guide it toward the packaging machine main body 4, leading it to the supply port 14a of the bag former 14. The packaging machine 1 of this embodiment supplies the packaging material YA1 from above the packaging machine main body 4, as an example.

[0021] Instead of employing the above-described raw web driving method for unwinding the packaging material YA1 from the raw web roll YB1, a feed roller driving method may be employed in which a separate feed roller is provided and the feed roller is moved to unwind the packaging material YA1. Also, both the raw web driving method and the feed roller driving method may be employed.

[0022] The packaging machine main body 4 packages the article XA1 supplied from the article supply device 2 with the packaging material YA1 supplied from the packaging material supply device 3. As a specific example, the packaging machine main body 4 includes a bag former 14, pinch rollers 15, a center seal device 16, a conveying device 20, an article holding device 100, another article holding device 200, a top seal device (end seal device) 30, and the like.

[0023] The bag former 14 forms the packaging material YA1 supplied from the packaging material supply device 3 into a cylindrical bag so that both side edge portions EP in the width direction (conveyance width direction W) of the packaging material overlap each other. The bag former 14 also supplies the articles XA1 supplied from the article supply device 2 to the packaging material YA1 to be formed into a cylindrical bag. The bag former 14 receives the packaging material YA1, which is continuously supplied from diagonally above to join the articles XA1, at its supply port 14a, and folds the packaging material YA1 along the conveyance direction so as to enclose the articles XA1 from above in the conveyance height direction H. The bag former 14 then forms a cylindrical bag by overlapping both side edge portions EP of the packaging material YA1 in the width direction (conveyance width direction W) of the packaging material YA1 and directing it downward through a slit (not shown) provided in the bottom surface 141 of the bag former 14 in this example.

[0024] The upstream pinch rollers 15 are led out from slits in the bottom surface 141 of the bag former 14, sandwich and overlap both side edge portions EP of the overlapping packaging material YA1, and apply a conveying force to the both side edge portions EP.

[0025] The center seal device 16 includes a pair of left and right plate members 161 that form the conveying surface for the packaging material YA1, a pair of bar sealers 16a arranged below the plate members 161, and a press roller 16b. The center seal device 16 performs a center seal on the tubular packaging material YA1 formed downstream of the bag former 14. The pair of left and right plate members 161 have their opposing surfaces spaced a predetermined distance apart, and their upper surfaces are arranged on the same horizontal plane. The bag former 14 folds the article XA1 from above in the conveying height direction H to enclose it, and overlaps both side edge portions EP of the packaging material YA1. The both side edge portions EP then enter the gap formed between the opposing surfaces of the plate members 161 of the center seal device 16.

[0026] That is, both side edge portions EP hang down and protrude below the plate member 161. Then, the pair of bar sealers 16a sandwich and heat both side edge portions EP of the packaging material YA1 hanging down and protruding below the plate member 161 in an overlapping state. The center seal device 16 then presses both side edge portions EP of the heated packaging material YA1 with the press rollers 16b. This forms a center seal portion CE1 (see FIG. 2).

[0027] The center seal device 16 may be a rotary center seal device that uses a pair of rollers or multiple rollers to sandwich and heat the center seal portion CE1. For example, the pinch roller 15 of this embodiment may be the upstream pinch roller, and the press roller 16b may be the downstream pinch roller.

[0028] As such, the packaging machine 1 of this embodiment is, as an example, a so-called normal pillow type packaging machine that supplies packaging material YA1 from above the packaging machine main body 4 and center-seals the packaging material YA1 using a center sealing device 16 arranged below the item XA1 in the conveying height direction H.

[0029] Referring again to FIG. 1, the conveying device 20 places the center-sealed cylindrical packaging material YA1 together with the article XA1 wrapped in the packaging material YA1 on a conveying surface (reference numeral omitted) and conveys them toward the top sealing device 30.

[0030] The article holding device 100 is disposed between the bag former 14 and the top sealing device 30, more specifically, above the center sealing device 16 (its plate member 161). The article holding device 100 has multiple holding members 101 and holds (supports) the article XA1 being transported on the plate member 161 from below, over the packaging material YA1.

[0031] As an example, the packaging machine 1 also includes another article holding device 200. The other article holding device 200 is disposed downstream of the bag former 14 and above the conveyed article XA1, and holds down the XA1 together with the packaging material YA1 from above. This allows the article XA1 to be conveyed while maintaining its posture. In other words, the article holding device 100 is a lower clamping device that holds (supports) the article XA1 from below, and the other article holding device 200 is an upper clamping device that holds (supports) the article XA1 from above. The article holding device (lower clamping device) 100 and the other article holding device (upper clamping device) 200 are disposed opposite each other so as to partially overlap in the conveying direction T when viewed from the conveying height direction H. More specifically, the lower clamping device 100 is disposed upstream of the upper clamping device 200 so as to face it. The upper clamping device 200 holds the upper part of the article XA1 using an upper clamping member 202 that circulates along a predetermined path.

[0032] The first conveying device 17 is provided downstream of the plate member 161 of the center sealing device 16, and conveys the article XA1 toward the top sealing device 30. This first conveying device 17 is a belt conveyor, and expands and contracts its downstream conveying surface in the conveying direction T in accordance with the box motion of the top sealing device 30.

[0033] The top seal (end seal) device 30 performs top seals (end seals) and cuts in the width direction of the packaging material YA1 (the conveyance width direction W, the direction across the packaging material YA1) at cutting pitches that correspond to the length of the article XA1, thereby forming a top seal portion TO1 (see FIG. 2) and producing a package (pillow package) ZA1.

[0034] As an example, the top sealing device 30 is a so-called box motion type having a pair of upper and lower top sealers 30a, 30b, which are arranged above and below the cylindrical packaging material YA1 and move along a predetermined trajectory while maintaining their sealing surfaces facing each other, top sealing and cutting in the width direction of the film at cutting pitches according to the length of the article. Note that the top sealing device 30 may be a rotary or linear reciprocating top sealing device in addition to being a box motion type.

[0035] The second conveying device 20 is a belt conveyor that conveys the separated package ZA1 to a downstream process. When the package ZA1 contains the article XA1, it is no longer necessary to hold the article XA1. Therefore, downstream of the top sealing device 30 and near the upstream end of the second conveying device 20, the upper clamping member 202 of the upper clamping device 200 retracts upward.

[0036] The package ZA1 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 2. The package ZA1 is a pillow package in which a plurality of small items XA1' (e.g., pillow packages) are stacked (in this example, stacked in, for example, 4 rows and 5 columns) as shown in Fig. 2(A), and packaged together in a packaging material YA1. Immediately after being cut by the top sealing device 30, top seal portions TO1 are formed at the front and rear in the conveying direction T, and a center seal portion CE1 is formed below in the conveying height direction H, as shown in Fig. 2(B).

[0037] In this embodiment, the collection of multiple small items XA1' contained in one package ZA1 is referred to as item XA1. That is, in FIG. 1, items XA1 transported by item supply device 2 and items XA1 to be made into bags by bag maker 14 are the collection shown by the dashed line in FIG. 2(A). When items XA1 are a collection of this kind, the posture of items XA1 is likely to be distorted due to a collapse of the collection state or a shift in position during transport, particularly downstream of bag maker 14 where the item supply device 2 has released its hold. In such cases, it is desirable to transport items XA1 while holding (supporting) them not only from above in the transport height direction H but also from below.

[0038] However, in the case of a regular pillow type packaging machine 1, the center seal device 16 is disposed below the article XA1 downstream of the bag former 14. For this reason, in the past, it was not possible to hold the article XA1 from below, making it difficult to transport the article XA1 while maintaining its orientation.

[0039] The article holding device 100 of this embodiment is capable of holding the article XA1 on the side where the center seal device 16 is located (the lower side in this example) in the conveying height direction H. This will be described below.

[0040] <Article holding device> The article holding device (lower clamping device) 100 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 3 to 11. Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the main components, including the lower clamping device 100, of the packaging machine 1 of this embodiment, and Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the lower clamping device 100 portion. In Figures 3 and 4, the lower left direction is the upstream side in the conveying direction T, and the upper right direction is the downstream side in the conveying direction T. Figure 5 is a plan (top) view showing the lower clamping device 100 portion, and Figure 6 is a side view showing the lower clamping device 100 portion as seen, for example, from the upstream side. Figure 7 is a front view showing the lower clamping device 100 portion. Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the operation of the lower clamping device 100.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 3, the lower clamping device 100 of this embodiment is disposed, for example, upstream of another article holding device (upper clamping device 200) and facing it.

[0042] The upper clamping device 200 has two endless chains 201 arranged opposite each other in the conveying width direction W and running within a plane (HT plane) consisting of the conveying height direction H and the conveying direction T, and a plurality of upper clamping members 202 fixed to the endless chains 201. The upper clamping members 202 are rod-shaped members extending in the conveying width direction W, and are fixed to the endless chains 201 at intervals that allow them to hold the conveyed article XA1 in front of and behind the conveying direction T. As the endless chain 201 travels, the upper clamping member 202 travels from upstream to downstream in the conveying direction T, facing (parallel to) the conveying surfaces of the item XA1 (the plate member 161 of the center seal device 16, the conveying surface 17a of the first conveying device 17, and the conveying surface 20a of the second conveying device 20) at least from downstream of the bag making machine 14 to near the top sealing device 30 (in this example, the upstream end of the second conveying device 20) (hereinafter, this section will be referred to as the "upper item holding section Uh"; see Figure 1).

[0043] More specifically, one article (a set of stacked articles) XA1 is held by a pair of upper clamp members 202 (upper clamp member pair 202P) arranged at the front and rear in the conveying direction T. That is, multiple sets of upper clamp member pairs 202P, spaced apart by a distance L1 (e.g., the distance between the central axes, see FIG. 1) that allows one article (a set of stacked articles) XA1 to be held, are fixed to the endless chain 201 and circulate. The upper clamp member pair 202P is set to travel at a position lower than the height of the article XA1 in the conveying height direction H in the upper article holding section Uh. As a result, the upper part of the article XA1 in the conveying height direction H is held by the upper clamp member pair 202P at the front and rear in the conveying direction T, over the packaging material YA1. The drive of the upper clamp device 200 is controlled by the control unit 50.

[0044] The lower clamping device 100 will be described with reference to Figures 4 to 8. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, it is disposed on the center seal device 16 (plate member 161) and has a holding member (lower clamping member) 101, a support shaft 110 shown by a dashed line, and a state change means 120. A plurality of lower clamping members 101 are arranged along the conveying direction T of the article XA1. A plurality of lower clamping members 101 through which the same support shaft 110 is inserted is referred to as a lower clamping member group 101G. Two sets of lower clamping member groups 101G are disposed parallel to the conveying direction T so as to be symmetrical with respect to the center line of the conveying width direction W.

[0045] 5, in the conveying direction T, the length of each lower clamp member group 101G is equal to the length of the plate member 161, and is, for example, more than twice the length L2 (see FIG. 2) of the article XA1.

[0046] The section above the center seal device 16 (for example, from the upstream end to the downstream end of the plate member 161) is the holding section held by the lower clamping device 100, and hereinafter this section will be referred to as the "lower article holding section Dh." The lower article holding section Dh partially overlaps with the upper article holding section Uh, and is shorter than the upper article holding section Uh.

[0047] Each lower clamp member 101 is a strip member, and its length L3 in the conveying direction T (short side direction) is significantly smaller than the length L2 of the article XA1 (shown by the dashed line).

[0048] Figure 6(A) is a side view of the lower clamp device 100, and Figures 6(B) to 6(D) are side views showing one lower clamp member 101, showing the lower clamp member 101 in the right row in Figure 6(A).

[0049] As shown in FIG. 6, the lower clamping member 101 has a generally obtuse V-shape in side view. Each lower clamping member 101 has a support shaft insertion portion 102R provided in the valley of the generally obtuse V-shape. The support shaft insertion portion 102R is a cylindrical (annular) member and has a support shaft insertion hole 102 provided in its center. A first arm 103 extends from the support shaft insertion portion 102R (support shaft insertion hole 102) as a base end toward the inside (center line side) in the conveying width direction W. At least a portion of the upper surface of the first arm 103 forms an inclined surface 103A so that the thickness in side view gradually decreases from the base end (support shaft insertion hole 102 side) toward the tip 103T.

[0050] A second arm 104 extends outward in the conveying width direction W from the support shaft insertion portion 102R (support shaft insertion hole 102) as its base end. The tip of the second arm 104 is bent so as to face the plate member 161, and a receiving portion 104A is formed. The state changing means 120 can come into contact with the receiving portion 104A.

[0051] A support shaft 110 extending in the conveying direction T is inserted into the support shaft insertion hole 102. As a result, each lower clamp member 101 is configured to be able to swing independently with the support shaft 110 (the valley portion of the V) as a fulcrum. More specifically, a part of the outer periphery of the support shaft insertion portion 102R is always in contact with the plate member 161, and each first arm 103 of the lower clamp member 101 swings so that the flat surface 103B on the back side of the inclined surface 103A comes into contact with or separates from the plate member 161. More specifically, the lower clamp member 101 can be in one of two states: a state in which the flat surface 103B is separated from the plate member 161, as shown in FIGS. 6(B) and 6(C), and a state in which the flat surface 103B is in contact with the plate member 161, as shown in FIG. 6(D).

[0052] The lower clamping member 101 is disposed between the article XA1 and the conveying surface (plate member 161), and the packaging material YA1 is disposed above the inclined surface 103A. That is, as shown in FIGS. 6(B) and 6(C), when the lower clamping member 101 swings and the flat surface 103B separates from the plate member 161, the inclined surface 103A moves the packaging material YA1 in a direction perpendicular to the conveying surface (plate member 161), i.e., pushes it upward in the conveying height direction H. As the packaging material YA1 separates from the plate member 161 and is pushed upward, the lower side of the article XA1 contained in the packaging material YA1 in the conveying height direction H is held over the packaging material YA1. In this embodiment, the state of the lower clamping member 101 when the flat surface 103B of the lower clamping member 101 separates from the plate member 161 (thereby pushing up the packaging material YA1), as shown in FIGS. 6(B) and 6(C), is referred to as the article holding state.

[0053] On the other hand, when the lower clamping member 101 swings and the flat surface 103B abuts against the plate member 161 as shown in Fig. 6(D), the inclined surface 103A no longer pushes up the packaging material YA1, and the product XA1 held over the packaging material YA1 is released. In this embodiment, the state of the lower clamping member 101 when the flat surface 103B of the lower clamping member 101 abuts against, for example, the plate member 161 as shown in Fig. 6(D), thereby eliminating the lift-up of the packaging material YA1, is referred to as the product non-holding state (standby state). Note that, as an example, the product non-holding state is defined as the product non-holding state when the flat surface 103B abuts against the plate member 161, but the product non-holding state is also defined as the product non-holding state when the packaging material YA1 is not substantially pushed up even when the flat surface 103B separates from the plate member 161.

[0054] In this way, the state (posture) of the lower clamp member 101 changes between an article holding state and an article non-holding state. The change (switching) between these two states is performed by the state change means 120.

[0055] As shown in Fig. 6(D), when the lower clamp member 101 swings and the flat surface 103B of the first arm 103 abuts against the plate member 161, i.e., when the arm is not holding an article, the receiving portion 104A of the second arm 104 is bent relative to the other portions of the second arm 104 so as to be substantially parallel to the plate member 161. As shown in Fig. 6(A), the state change means 120 is configured to abut against the receiving portion 104A and move it in the conveying height direction H (press down and release the pressure). When the state change means 120 presses down on the receiving portion 104A, the flat surface 103B separates from the plate member 161 (Figs. 6(B) and 6(C)), and when the state change means 120 releases the pressure on the receiving portion 104A, the flat surface 103B comes into contact with the plate member 161 (Fig. 6(D)). In other words, the state changing means 120 changes the state (posture) of the lower clamping member 101 between an article holding state and an article non-holding state.

[0056] 7, the state change means 120 is, for example, an operation piece configured to be movable in the conveying direction T. The state change means (operation piece) 120 is configured, for example, by a substantially rectangular plate-like or block-like member, and for example, the lower surface in the conveying height direction H (the surface facing the plate member 161) is a curved bottom surface 121 whose position changes along the conveying direction T. Furthermore, the length L4 of the curved bottom surface 121 in the conveying direction T is longer than the length L3 of the lower clamping member 101 in the conveying direction T. In other words, the operation piece 120 is configured to be able to simultaneously come into contact with multiple rows (for example, six rows) of the lower clamping members 101.

[0057] As shown in Figure 8, when the operating piece 120 is brought into contact with the receiving portion 104A of the lower clamp member 101, the height at which the flat surface 103B of the multiple rows (six rows) of lower clamp members 101 that come into contact with the curved bottom surface 121 differs depending on the contact position with the curved bottom surface 121, and the trajectory connecting the tips 103T of the six rows of lower clamp members 101 becomes arched in the conveying direction T (the shape of the curved bottom surface 121 turned upside down).

[0058] The control unit 50 controls the operation piece 120 so that the lower clamp member 101 is in an article-holding state in synchronization with the upper clamp member 202 holding the article XA1. Specifically, in this embodiment, as an example, the operation piece 120 is connected to the upper clamp member 202 as shown in FIG. 8(B). More specifically, the operation piece 120 is attached to both ends of the upper clamp member 202 (some of the operation pieces 120 are not shown in FIG. 3). The upper clamp member 202 (operation piece 120) is provided intermittently with respect to the lower clamp members 101 that are adjacently aligned in the conveying direction T, and the curved bottom surface 121 presses against the receiving portions 104A of some (opposing) lower clamp members 101 among the plurality of lower clamp members 101 aligned in the conveying direction T. In other words, only the lower clamp members 101 that are opposed to the operation piece 120 are in a partial article-holding state.

[0059] In this state, when the control unit 50 causes the upper clamping member 202 to travel from upstream to downstream, the lower clamping member 101, which is in an article holding state, moves sequentially from upstream to downstream in synchronization with the movement.

[0060] The control unit 50 controls the state change means 120 so that the lower clamping device 100 holds the item XA1, i.e., so that the lower clamping member 101 is in an item holding state in which it can hold the item XA1, for at least a portion of the period during which the center seal device 16 applies a center seal to the packaging material YA1 containing the item XA1.

[0061] More specifically, in this embodiment, for example, one article (a set of stacked articles) XA1 is held by at least one pair of lower clamp members 101 (lower clamp member pair 101P) that are arranged at the front and rear of the conveying direction T and that are synchronized to enter the article holding state (see FIG. 7). A pair of state change means 120 (operating piece pair 120P) located at the front and rear of the conveying direction T are arranged at a separation distance L1 (e.g., the distance between the most protruding portions of the curved bottom surface 121) that allows the article XA1 to be sandwiched between the pair of lower clamp members 101P and the curved bottom surface 121. The distance between the pair of lower clamp members 101P (e.g., the distance between the highest tip ends 103T) is also L1. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the article XA1 is held by multiple pairs (e.g., five pairs) of lower clamp member pairs 101P that abut against the curved bottom surface 121.

[0062] The control unit 50 controls the operation piece pair 120P so that the lower clamp member pair 101P, which is in an article holding state, moves sequentially in the conveying direction T as the article XA1 moves (transports). In this example, the control unit 50 moves the operation piece pair 120P in the conveying direction T, causing the curved bottom surfaces 121 of the operation piece pair 120P to sequentially press down the receiving portions 104A of the respective lower clamp members 101 along the conveying direction T. As a result, the flat surface 103B moves sequentially away from the plate member 161 along the conveying direction T (see FIG. 8).

[0063] Furthermore, among the multiple lower clamping members 101 in an article holding state by one operation piece 120, differences in the height of the tips 103T occur along the shape of the curved bottom surface 121, and the shape of the connected tips 103T becomes, for example, arched. Furthermore, as the operation piece 120 moves downstream in the conveying direction T, the lower clamping members 101 in an article holding state in an arched shape move in the conveying direction T, and as a whole, the pair of lower clamping members 101P in an article holding state move in a wave-like manner along the conveying direction T.

[0064] As already described, the operating piece 120 in this embodiment is fixed to the upper clamping member 202. That is, when the control unit 50 drives the upper clamping device 200, the operating piece 120 moves as the upper clamping member 202 moves. That is, the upper clamping member pair 202P and the lower clamping member pair 101P hold the item XA1 in unison. Then, downstream of the bag former 14, the packaging material YA1 containing the item XA1 is center-sealed while the front and rear of the item XA1 are held by the upper clamping member pair 202P and the lower clamping member pair 101P. In other words, even while the packaging material YA1 containing the item XA1 is being center-sealed, the lower and upper sides of the item XA1 are held. This reliably prevents the item XA1 from losing its orientation and from getting caught in the top seal during top sealing by the top sealing device 30.

[0065] 9 to 11 are schematic diagrams showing an example of a state in which an article XA1 is held over a packaging material YA1 by the upper clamping device 200 and the lower clamping device 100. Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing the main parts of the packaging machine 1. Fig. 10 is a side view of the vicinity of the lower clamping device 100 as seen from the upstream direction, and Fig. 11 is a diagram showing the vicinity of the lower clamping device 100, with Fig. 11(A) being a front view and Fig. 11(B) being a perspective view. The packaging material YA1 is omitted in Fig. 11.

[0066] 9, the article XA1 is held (supported) entirely in the conveying height direction H by the fingers 7 of the article supply device 2 and pushed to the bag former 14. The control unit 50 drives the upper clamping device 200 in synchronization with the timing of the article XA1 passing through the bag former 14.

[0067] 10 and 11, the upper clamping member pair 202P is set to travel in the upper item holding section Uh at a position lower than the height of the item XA1 in the conveying height direction H. As a result, at the upstream and downstream ends of the item XA1 moving in the upper item holding section Uh, the upper clamping member pair 202P presses the packaging material YA1 below the top of the item XA1. As a result, the upper part of the item XA1 in the conveying height direction H is held by the upper clamping member pair 202P at the front and rear in the conveying direction T over the packaging material YA1 to which tension is applied.

[0068] Furthermore, when the control unit 50 drives the upper clamping member pair 202P, the operation piece pair 120P presses down the receiving portion 104A of the opposing lower clamping member pair 101P, placing the lower clamping member pair 101P in an item-holding state. In the item-holding state, the first arm 103 of the lower clamping member pair 101P moves upward above the plate member 161 (the lowest (bottom) of the item XA1), and pushes upward the packaging material YA1 located between the bottom of the item XA1 and the first arm 103 (inclined surface 103A). As a result, the lower side of the item XA1 in the conveying height direction H is held by the lower clamping member pair 101P over the tensioned packaging material YA1, both before and after in the conveying direction T. In the item-holding state, the lower clamping member pair 101P sequentially moves from upstream to downstream as (synchronized with) the upper clamping member pair 202P moves from upstream to downstream. That is, the upper clamp member pair 202P and the lower clamp member pair 101P move downstream in accordance with the transport of the article XA1.

[0069] In this manner, in this embodiment, when the item XA1 moves on the plate member 161, the upper clamp member pair 202P pushes the packaging materials YA1 on the front and rear of the item XA1 downward in the conveying height direction H, and the lower clamp member pair 101P pushes the packaging materials YA1 on the front and rear of the item XA1 upward in the conveying height direction H in synchronization with the upper clamp member pair 202P. As a result, the upper part of the item XA1 is held over the packaging material YA1 by the upper clamp member pair 202P. Furthermore, the lower part of the item XA1 is held over the packaging material YA1 by the lower clamp member pair 101P, which successively enters an item-holding state as the item XA1 moves.

[0070] The packaging material YA1 containing the article XA1 is center-sealed while the front and rear of the article XA1 are held by the pair of upper clamp members 202P and the pair of lower clamp members 101P.

[0071] After passing through the lower clamping device 100 (lower article holding section Dh), article XA1 is held only by the upper clamping device 200 and is sent toward the top sealing device 30. After the top sealing and cutting are performed by the top sealing device 30, the upper clamping device 200 retracts the upper clamping member 202 upward in the conveying height direction H.

[0072] In this embodiment, the upper clamping member pair 202P and the lower clamping member pair 101P hold the item XA1 in sync. They also hold the lower and upper sides of the item XA1 while the center seal is being applied to the packaging material YA1 containing the item XA1. This reliably prevents the item XA1 from losing its position and from getting caught during top sealing by the top sealing device 30.

[0073] Furthermore, the center seal can be applied while applying tension in the vertical direction to the packaging material YA1 using the upper clamping device 200 and the lower clamping device 100. For example, compared to when the upper clamping device 200 alone is used to hold the article XA1, the tension of the packaging material YA1 in the conveying height direction H can be made approximately equal at the top and bottom, making it possible to avoid defects such as wrinkles that occur during center sealing.

[0074] Furthermore, by making the lower surface of the operation piece 120 the curved bottom surface 121, the heights of the multiple (six rows in this example) lower clamp members 101 (tips 103T of the first arms 103) included within a predetermined distance range in the conveying direction T can be made gradually different, forming a smooth arch. Therefore, the packaging material YA1 can also be pushed up smoothly in the conveying direction T, and appropriate tension can be applied while reducing the burden on the packaging material YA1, making it possible to perform a good center seal.

[0075] The packaging material YA1 pushed down by the upper clamp member pair 202P and / or the packaging material YA1 pushed up by the lower clamp member pair 101P may or may not be in contact with the enclosed item XA1. Even if the packaging material YA1 and the item XA1 are not in contact, tension is applied to the packaging material YA1 toward the center of the item XA1 in the conveying height direction H, thereby holding (supporting) the front and rear ends of the enclosed item XA1.

[0076] Furthermore, the number of lower clamping members 101 in the article holding state and the shape of the arch change depending on the shape of the curved bottom surface 121 of the operation piece 120. In other words, the width (length L4) of the operation piece 120, the shape (curvature) of the curved bottom surface 121, and the length L3 (width) of the lower clamping member 101 in the conveying direction T are selected appropriately depending on the material of the packaging material YA1, the shape (height H in the conveying direction) and accumulation state of the article XA1, etc. The length L3 (width) of the lower clamping member 101 in the conveying direction T may be longer or shorter than the length shown in the figure. By reducing the length L3 and increasing the number of lower clamping members 101 that the curved bottom surface 121 abuts, the movement path of the tip 103T in the article holding state can be made into a smooth arch.

[0077] Furthermore, the length of the first arm 103 is not limited to the illustrated example, and the distance between the opposing tips 103T in the conveying width direction W may be closer or further apart. In the above embodiment, since the packaging material YA1 (and item XA1) is placed above the inclined surface 103A, the length (thickness) of the inclined surface 103A in the conveying height direction H is set to a level that does not interfere with the conveyance of the conveyed item XA1, and the tips 103T are positioned near both ends of the item XA1 in the conveying width direction W. However, the tips 103T may or may not reach a position near the center (item XA1) in the conveying width direction W. It is sufficient that the tips 103T at least come into contact with the packaging material YA1 and be able to push it up.

[0078] Furthermore, the amount of lifting of the packaging material YA1 can be changed by changing the angle between the first arm 103 and the second arm 104. The amount of lifting of the packaging material YA1 is also selected appropriately depending on the material of the packaging material YA1, the shape (height H in the conveying direction) and accumulation state of the article XA1, etc. The amount of lifting should be selected depending on the distance between the leading ends 103T. For example, in a configuration in which the leading ends 103T are close to each other, the proximity of the two lifts up both side edge portions EP of the packaging material YA1 in the conveying width direction W, so the closer the leading ends 103T are to each other, the smaller the amount of lifting should be.

[0079] <Modification> A modification of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating Modification 1 and is a side view corresponding to FIG. 10. The lower clamp member 101 is not limited to a configuration that swings around the support shaft 110, but may be configured to advance and retreat in the conveying width direction W and push up the packaging material YA1 when advancing. In this case, the lower clamp member 101 is a strip member similar to that of the above embodiment in plan view, but has an arm portion 105 extending in the conveying width direction W (horizontally) and an inclined surface 106. The inclined surface 106 is located outside the arm portion 105 in the conveying width direction W, and its upper surface is inclined so that its length (height) in the conveying height direction H gradually increases from the outside to the inside (toward the center) in the conveying width direction W. An operating piece 120 fixed to the upper clamp member 202 abuts against the inclined surface 106. The arm portion 105 is provided with a biasing means 107 and is biased outward in the conveying width direction W.

[0080] 12(A), when the upper clamping member 202 is located outside the upper item holding section Uh, it is positioned above the top of the item XA1. At this time, the lower clamping member 101 is retracted outward in the conveying width direction W without contacting the packaging material YA1. Meanwhile, the operating piece 120 abuts near the top of the slope 106 of the lower clamping member 101.

[0081] As shown in Figure 12(B), in the upper item holding section Uh, the control unit 50 controls the upper clamping member 202 to be positioned below the top of the item XA1. As the position of the upper clamping member 202 descends in the conveying height direction H, the operating piece 120 slides outward (downward) on the slope 106. This causes the arm portion 105 to move toward the center in the conveying width direction W against the biasing force of the biasing means 107. The arm portion 105 then slips under the packaging material YA1 and pushes it upward. In this case, the packaging material YA1 is pushed up by the length (height) of the arm portion 105 in the conveying height direction H, thereby holding the item XA1.

[0082] 13 is a schematic diagram showing Modification 2, a top view corresponding to FIG. 5, showing only one of the lower clamping member groups 101G. In the above embodiment, the control unit 50 controls the travel of the operation piece 120 via the upper clamping member 202, thereby causing some of the lower clamping members 101 to be in an article-holding state capable of pushing up the packaging material YA1. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and any configuration is possible as long as the control unit 50 controls the state change means 120 to cause some of the lower clamping members 101 to be in an article-holding state capable of pushing up the packaging material YA1, and the lower clamping members 101 in the article-holding state are moved in the conveying direction T.

[0083] For example, the state changer 120' does not have to be an operating piece connected to the upper clamping member 202. In the example shown in FIG. 13, the state changer 120' is a rotating shaft 125 extending in the conveying direction T, with spiral fins 126 attached to the outer periphery. The lower clamping member 101 has the same structure as that shown in the above embodiment (e.g., FIG. 6). In this case, the state changer 120' is disposed on both outer sides of the lower clamping member group 101G in the conveying width direction W. The control unit 50 rotates the rotating shaft 125, for example, in synchronization with the drive of the upper clamping device 200, to bring the fins 126 into contact with the receiving portions 104A of some (multiple) lower clamping members 101 of the lower clamping member group 101G and push them downward. The fins 126 are positioned to correspond to the length L2 of the article XA1 and to be able to push in the lower clamping members 101 on the front and rear of the article XA1. In this case, the fins 126 correspond to the curved bottom surface 121 of the above embodiment. That is, the rotating spiral fin 126 moves the lower clamping member 101 in an article holding state from upstream to downstream in the conveying direction T.

[0084] Furthermore, although not shown, the operation piece 120 may be moved from upstream to downstream separately from the upper clamping device 200 (without being connected to the upper clamping member 202). Also, as the state changing means, a driving means (such as a servo motor) capable of individually controlling each of the lower clamping members 101 having the structure shown in the above embodiment (FIG. 6, etc.) may be provided. For example, the upper clamping device 200 may be omitted, in which case it is preferable to provide a state changing means that independently changes the state of the lower clamping members 101.

[0085] Furthermore, the article XA1 may not be a stack of multiple layers, but may be a single layer of stacked articles, or a single article that is easily rolled. It may also be a single product (e.g., frozen food) that is easily displaced within the packaging material YA1 that has been made into a cylindrical bag. In these cases, the upper clamping device 200 may be omitted.

[0086] 5 and 6, the lower clamp members 101 may not necessarily swing independently. For example, each lower clamp member group 101G may have a single support shaft insertion portion 102R extending in the conveying direction T, and multiple lower clamp members 101 (first arm portion 103 and second arm portion 104) that are separated from one another may be integrally attached to the outer circumferential surface of the support shaft insertion portion 102R, so that the multiple lower clamp members 101 (first arm portion 103 and second arm portion 104) individually deform (flexibly, elastically, etc.) to push up the packaging material YA1 upward in the conveying height direction H. That is, in this case, at least the lower clamp members 101 may be made of a material that is easily deformed. Alternatively, one support shaft insertion portion 102R may be made of a material that is more easily deformed than the lower clamp member 101 (first arm portion 103 and second arm portion 104).

[0087] In the above embodiment, the lower article holding section Dh (i.e., the area where the lower clamping device 100 is located) is set to be equivalent to the area where the plate member 161 of the center seal device 16 is located, but this is not limited to this and it may be extended further downstream. For example, the lower article holding section Dh (i.e., the area where the lower clamping device 100 is located) may be extended to the area immediately upstream of the top seal device 30, in which case the first conveying device 17 can be omitted.

[0088] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an example was given of a case where the lower clamp member pair 101P (and the upper clamp member pair 202P) holds the front and rear of the item XA1 in the conveying direction T, but this is not limited to this, and the lower clamp member 101 (and the upper clamp member 202) may hold either the front or rear of the item XA1 in the conveying direction T.

[0089] Furthermore, the article holding device 100 (lower clamping device 100) in the above embodiment may be used as an upper clamping device that supports the upper part of the article XA1. For example, in an inverted pillow type packaging machine 1, the article holding device 100 may be used as an upper clamping device that supports the upper part of the article XA1.

[0090] Furthermore, the lower clamping member 101 shown in Figure 6 etc. may be provided with a biasing means for biasing the flat surface 103B so that it comes into contact with the plate member 161 when the lower clamping member 101 is not holding an article (Figure 6(D)).

[0091] Furthermore, the lower clamp member 101 may be formed using a different material. For example, the first arm portion 103 and the second arm portion 104 may be formed using a softer material than the material of the support shaft insertion portion 102R. Also, the first arm portion 103 and the second arm portion 104 may be formed using different materials.

[0092] As described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the spirit and technical concept of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0093] 1 Packaging machine 2 Goods supply device 3 Packaging material supply device 4 Packaging machine body 14 Bag making machine 15 Pinch roller 16 Center seal device 16a Bar Sealer 16b Press roller 30 Top seal device (end seal device) 50 Control Unit 100 Item holding device (lower clamp device) 101 holding member (lower clamp member) 101G Lower clamping members 101P Lower Clamping Member Pair 102 Support shaft insertion hole 103A Slope 103B Flat surface 103T tip 104A Receptacle 105 Arm 106 Slope 107 Actuation means 110 Support shaft 120 State change means (operating piece) 120P operation piece pair 121 curved bottom 125 Rotational Axis 126 Finn 161 Plate members 200 Item holding device (upper clamp device) 201 Endless Chain 202 Upper clamp member

Claims

1. An article holding device disposed in a packaging machine that transports and packages articles and packaging materials, a plurality of holding members arranged along the conveyance direction of the article, the holding members being capable of holding the article through the packaging material; a state change means for changing the state of the holding member between an article holding state and an article non-holding state; a control means; The article holding state is a state in which the holding member is in a position that moves the packaging material in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance surface, the control means controls the state change means so that the holding members, which are in the article holding state as the articles move, move sequentially in the conveyance direction. An article holding device characterized by:

2. the control means controls the state change means so that the holding member is in the article holding state during at least a portion of a period during which both ends of the packaging material are overlapped and sealed.

2. The article holding device according to claim 1.

3. a holding member disposed opposite the holding member and capable of holding the article; the control means controls the state change means so that the holding member is brought into the article holding state in synchronization with the holding of the article by the other holding member.

2. The article holding device according to claim 1.

4. The state change means is connected to the other holding member.

4. The article holding device according to claim 3.

5. The holding member is provided between the article and the conveying surface and is capable of holding an area below the article.

2. The article holding device according to claim 1.

6. The holding member has a substantially obtuse V-shape and is configured to be swingable around a valley of the V-shape as a fulcrum.

2. The article holding device according to claim 1.

7. A packaging machine comprising the article holding device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. A center seal device is disposed below the article holding device.

8. The packaging machine according to claim 7.

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