Packaging material feeding apparatus and bag-making / filling / packaging machine

Abstract

To provide a packaging material feeding device capable of coping with both packaging material rolls of a standard size and a wide size with a simple constitution.SOLUTION: The packaging material feeding device includes a holder shaft that supports a packaging material roll in which a packaging material is wound around a winding core and has a base end supported in a cantilever manner, a positioning mechanism that is provided on the holder shaft and positions one end of the packaging material roll in an axial direction of the holder shaft, a restraining member that can be switched between a restrained state in which the packaging material roll is restrained with respect to the holder shaft and a released state in which the restraint is released and the packaging material roll can be inserted and removed, and an extension unit that is detachably provided at a tip of the holder shaft and extends a length in the axial direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a packaging material feeding device and a form-fill-seal packaging machine. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a packaging material feeding device used in a form-fill-seal machine or the like is provided with a holder shaft that supports the core of the packaging material roll and a support frame that cantilevers the base end of the holder shaft in order to feed packaging material pulled out from the packaging material roll downstream.

[0003] The packaging material feeding device described in Patent Document 1 also includes a positioning mechanism that positions the packaging material roll when the packaging material roll is attached to the holder shaft. This positioning mechanism includes a moving piece that is slidable in the axial direction relative to the holder shaft, and a drive unit that moves the moving piece in the axial direction. The moving piece moved by the drive unit restricts the axial movement of the packaging material roll, automatically positioning it.

[0004] Furthermore, some packaging material feeding devices are provided with a tube member that expands when air is supplied and that is provided in a groove formed in the holder shaft.The tube member that expands from the groove in the holder shaft then tightly contacts the core of the packaging material roll that has been positioned by the positioning mechanism, thereby holding the packaging material roll (see, for example, Patent Document 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 7-115777 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-55666 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Packaging material feeding devices include standard machines that handle standard-size packaging material rolls and wide machines that handle wide-size packaging material rolls that are wider than the standard size. Conventionally, standard and wide machines have been available with different dimensions for the holder shaft, drive unit of the positioning mechanism, and tube member to accommodate the different sizes of packaging material. However, introducing a wide machine in addition to the standard machine that handles packaging material rolls, which are in high demand, places a heavy burden on users. Furthermore, due to the complex structure and large number of parts, such as the holder shaft, drive unit of the positioning mechanism, and tube member, it is difficult to address the issue by simply replacing some of the parts.

[0007] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its object is to provide a packaging material feeding device that has a simple configuration and can accommodate both standard-size and wide-size packaging material rolls. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention is characterized by comprising a holder shaft that supports a packaging material roll in which packaging material is wound around a core and is supported at a cantilevered base end, a positioning mechanism that is provided on the holder shaft and positions one end of the packaging material roll in the axial direction of the holder shaft, a restraining member that can be switched between a restraining state in which the packaging material roll is restrained against the holder shaft and a released state in which the restraint is released and the packaging material roll can be inserted and removed, and an extension unit that is detachably provided at the tip of the holder shaft and extends the axial length. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a packaging material feeding device that has a simple configuration and is capable of handling both standard-size and wide-size packaging material rolls. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side view of a horizontal form-fill-seal packaging machine. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a horizontal form-fill-seal packaging machine. [Figure 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a holder unit and a first driving unit. [Figure 5] 1A is a cross-sectional view of a main part of a holder unit, FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA, and FIG. 1C is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the stopper and the support shaft periphery. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a clutch mechanism. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a main part when the clutch mechanism is in an engaged state. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a main part when the clutch mechanism is in a disengaged state. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a meandering adjustment mechanism. [Figure 11] 10 is a cross-sectional view of a main part showing the configuration of the tip of the holder shaft and the extension unit. FIG. [Figure 12] 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the dimensional relationship between a holder shaft and an extension unit. FIG. [Figure 13] 1A and 1B are explanatory views illustrating the steps of supporting a standard-size film roll (A) and a wide-size film roll (B) on a holder shaft. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] [Overall configuration of horizontal form-fill-seal packaging machine 10] A horizontal form-fill-seal packaging machine 10 to which the packaging material feeding device of the present invention is applied will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiment of the present invention described below is an example of how the present invention can be realized, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope of the described embodiment. Therefore, the present invention can be implemented by adding various modifications to the embodiment.

[0012] Fig. 1 is a side view of a horizontal form-fill-seal packaging machine 10. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the horizontal form-fill-seal packaging machine 10. The horizontal form-fill-seal packaging machine 10 (form-fill-seal packaging machine) is a device that packages products P supplied from a supply device (not shown) one by one. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the horizontal form-fill-seal packaging machine 10 mainly comprises a supply conveyor 11, a packaging material feeder 20, a cylinder former 29, a clamping and conveying device 30, a center sealing device 35, and an end sealing device 40.

[0013] The supply conveyor 11 supplies products P, which are sequentially supplied from a supply device (not shown), to the cylinder former 29. As shown in FIG. 1, the supply conveyor 11 is made up of a drive sprocket 14, a driven sprocket 15, an endless circular conveyor chain 16 stretched between the drive sprocket 14 and the driven sprocket 15, and a drive motor 17 that drives the drive sprocket 14.

[0014] The conveyor chain 16 is also provided with a plurality of pushers 18. The pushers 18 are arranged at predetermined intervals in the conveying direction of the products P. A product P supplied from a supply device enters between two adjacent pushers 18. The pushers 18 come into contact with the rear end of the product P and push the product P.

[0015] The packaging material feeding device 20 feeds a strip-shaped film Fw (packaging material) toward the clamping and conveying device 30. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the packaging material feeding device 20 includes a holder unit 21 that holds a film roll Fr (packaging material roll) formed by winding the strip-shaped film Fw around a core and forming a roll, a drive roller 22, a driven roller 23, a feed motor 24, and guide rollers 25a and 25b.

[0016] The strip film Fw is a strip-shaped packaging material that is used to make bags for packaging products. The strip film Fw is a film-like member that can be welded by applying heat, and examples include polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), biaxially oriented polypropylene (OPP), aluminum-lined paper, and aluminum-metalized paper. The product refers to food such as cookies and dorayaki. However, specific examples of the product are not limited to these and include any item that is packaged in a bag Bp and shipped.

[0017] The drive roller 22 and the driven roller 23 rotate while sandwiching the strip film Fw. The drive roller 22 rotates when the driving force of the feed motor 24 is transmitted to it. As a result, the drive roller 22 and the driven roller 23 pay out the strip film Fw wound around the holder unit 21 toward the tube former 29. The guide rollers 25a and 25b are arranged along the transport path of the strip film Fw from the holder unit 21 through the drive roller 22 and driven roller 23 to the tube former 29, and apply tension to the strip film Fw as it is paid out.

[0018] The cylinder former 29 forms the strip film Fw fed by the packaging material feeding device 20 into a cylindrical shape, and serves as an entrance through which the products P fed from the supply conveyor 11 enter the cylindrical strip film Fw. The cylinder former 29 is disposed on the transport path of the strip film Fw from the packaging material feeding device 20 to the center seal device 35. The cylinder former 29 is disposed facing the downstream end of the supply conveyor 11 in the transport direction.

[0019] The strip film Fw fed by the packaging material feeding device 20 is formed into a cylindrical shape by overlapping both ends in the width direction perpendicular to the conveying direction below as it moves along the cylinder former 29. In addition, the product P fed from the supply conveyor 11 passes through the internal space of the cylinder former 29 and enters the inside of the cylindrical strip film Fw.

[0020] The clamping and conveying device 30 clamps the overlapped ends of the strip film Fw formed into a cylindrical shape by the cylinder former 29 and conveys it in the conveying direction. The clamping and conveying device 30 is located downstream in the conveying direction from the cylinder former 29. The clamping and conveying device 30 is also located below the strip film Fw and product P that have passed through the cylinder former 29. The clamping and conveying device 30 mainly comprises a support plate 31, a pair of film feed rollers 32, 33, and a feed motor 34.

[0021] The support plate 31 is connected downstream in the conveying direction from the cylinder former 29. The support plate 31 supports the product P contained in the cylindrical strip film Fw. The support plate 31 also extends in the conveying direction up to the position of the center seal device 35. Furthermore, the support plate 31 has a slit 39 that extends through the center of the width direction along the conveying direction of the strip film Fw. The overlapped ends of the strip film Fw protrude from the underside of the support plate 31 through the slit 39.

[0022] A pair of film feed rollers 32, 33 are disposed on the underside of the support plate 31. The pair of film feed rollers 32, 33 clamp the overlapping ends of the strip film Fw protruding through the slit 39. The film feed roller 32 rotates by the driving force transmitted from the feed motor 34. As a result, the cylindrical strip film Fw is transported in the transport direction toward the center seal device 35.

[0023] The center seal device 35 seals both widthwise ends of the strip film Fw that has been laminated by the cylinder former 29. The center seal device 35 is located downstream in the conveying direction from the cylinder former 29 and the clamping and conveying device 30. The center seal device 35 is also located below the strip film Fw and the product P (in other words, the support plate 31). The center seal device 35 mainly comprises a pair of sealing rollers 36, 37 and a sealing motor 38.

[0024] The pair of sealing rollers 36, 37 are disposed on the underside of the support plate 31, downstream of the film feed rollers 32, 33 in the transport direction of the strip film Fw. The pair of sealing rollers 36, 37 clamp the overlapped ends of the strip film Fw protruding through the slit 39. The outer peripheral surfaces of the sealing rollers 36, 37 are heated by a heater (not shown). The driving force of a sealing motor 38 is transmitted to the sealing roller 36, causing it to rotate. This seals (welds) the overlapped ends of the strip film Fw clamped between the sealing rollers 36, 37.

[0025] The end sealing device 40 is disposed downstream in the conveying direction from the tube former 29, the clamping and conveying device 30, and the center sealing device 35. The end sealing device 40 seals the tubular strip film Fw sealed by the center sealing device 35 on both sides of the product P in the conveying direction, thereby forming a bag Bp filled with the product P.

[0026] [Configuration of packaging material feeding device 20] 3, packaging material feeding device 20 includes, in addition to holder unit 21, drive roller 22, driven roller 23, feed motor 24, and guide rollers 25a and 25b described above, support frame 26, meandering adjustment mechanism 27, first drive unit 28 (see FIG. 4), screw 49 (see FIG. 4), and extension unit 50. Note that drive roller 22, driven roller 23, feed motor 24, guide rollers 25a and 25b, etc. are omitted from FIG. 3.

[0027] The support frame 26 is fixed to the frame of the horizontal form-fill-seal packaging machine 10. The support frame 26 is a plate-shaped member that is perpendicular to the axial direction of a holder shaft 51, which will be described later. The support frame 26 supports the components of the packaging material feeding device 20. Hereinafter, of the two surfaces of the support frame 26 in the thickness direction, the side facing the film roll Fr will be referred to as the "front surface" and the opposite side will be referred to as the "back surface."

[0028] [Configuration of holder unit 21] As shown in FIG. 4, the holder unit 21 includes a holder shaft 51, a first screw shaft 53 (see FIG. 5), a nut 54 (see FIG. 5), a stopper 55, an origin detection sensor 56, and a clutch mechanism 57.

[0029] [Configuration of holder axis 51] The holder shaft 51 has a uniform, approximately cylindrical shape in the axial direction Z, and is inserted onto the core of the film roll Fr to support the film roll Fr. The holder shaft 51 has an axial length sufficient to support a standard-size film roll Fr that can be handled by the horizontal form-fill-seal packaging machine 10. When handling a wide-size film roll Fr that is wider than the standard size in the horizontal form-fill-seal packaging machine 10, an extension unit 50 is attached to the holder shaft 51 to extend the length of the holder shaft 51 in the axial direction Z. This enables the holder shaft 51 to support the wide-size film roll Fr.

[0030] In the following, when referring to film rolls in general without being limited to standard size or wide size, it will be referred to as "film roll Fr", when limited to standard size it will be referred to as "film roll Frs", and when limited to wide size it will be referred to as "film roll Frw".

[0031] A support shaft 58 is integrally provided on the holder shaft 51. A base end portion 51B (see FIG. 6) of the holder shaft 51 is fitted onto the inner peripheral surface of the support shaft 58. The support shaft 58 is cantilevered by the support frame 26. As a result, the film roll Fr side is supported by the holder shaft 51 on the surface side of the support frame 26. Note that "supported" here does not necessarily mean being directly supported by the support frame 26, but may also mean being indirectly supported via a part interposed between the support frame 26 and the support shaft 58.

[0032] Hereinafter, in the axial direction Z of the holder shaft 51, the end (end portion) of the holder shaft 51 that is supported by the support frame 26 will be referred to as the "base end (base end portion)," and the end (end portion) that is not supported will be referred to as the "tip (tip portion)." The axial direction Z is a direction that is perpendicular to the direction in which the strip film Fw is fed and the radial direction of the holder shaft 51.

[0033] A nut 54 is disposed inside the holder shaft 51. An inner peripheral surface 59 (see FIG. 6) of the holder shaft 51 guides the nut 54 in the axial direction Z. That is, the inner peripheral surface 59 has an axial length corresponding to the amount of movement of the nut 54. The nut 54 also has a sufficient fitting length relative to the inner peripheral surface 59. Therefore, when the nut 54 moves in the axial direction Z, the central axis of the nut 54 does not tilt with respect to the axial direction Z.

[0034] The holder shaft 51 has a plurality of grooves 61 extending in the axial direction Z at positions spaced apart in the circumferential direction on the outer circumferential surface 51A. A rubber tube 62 (tube member) (restraint member) is housed inside each groove 61. The grooves 61 are formed, for example, at three positions equiangularly spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the holder shaft 51, but the positions and number of the grooves 61 are not limited to this and may be one, two, or four or more.

[0035] The holder shaft 51 has one slit 63 that penetrates radially from the outer peripheral surface 51A to the inner peripheral surface 59 and extends in the axial direction Z. The slit 63 is disposed at a different position in the circumferential direction of the holder shaft 51 from the groove 61 and the rubber tube 62. The slit 63 guides the stopper 55 in the axial direction Z. The stopper 55 is a ring-shaped moving piece that is extrapolated onto the outer peripheral surface of the holder shaft 51 so as to be movable in the axial direction Z, and as will be described later, it restricts the position of the film roll Fr in its roll width direction, i.e., in the axial direction Z.

[0036] The support shaft 58 has a cylindrical shape and is supported by the support frame 26 via needle bearings 101 and 102, which will be described later. The support shaft 58 is connected to the first screw shaft 53 via a clutch mechanism 57.

[0037] The first drive unit 28, the operation of which will be described in detail later, rotates the holder shaft 51 that supports the film roll Fr to perform operations such as unwinding the strip film Fw from the film roll Fr. The first drive unit 28 includes a servo motor 64 supported by the support frame 26, a drive gear 65 attached to the output shaft of the servo motor 64, and a driven gear 66 that meshes with the drive gear 65. The driven gear 66 is fastened to the outer peripheral surface of the support shaft 58 of the holder shaft 51. As a result, the drive gear 65, the driven gear 66, and the holder shaft 51 are rotated by the driving force of the servo motor 64. The driven gear 66 is located midway between the needle bearings 101 and 102 in the axial direction Z. The driven gear 66 has a width in the axial direction Z that allows it to maintain meshing with the drive gear 65 throughout the entire range of movement of the holder unit 21 by the meandering adjustment mechanism 27, which will be described later.

[0038] [Tip structure of holder shaft 51] As shown in FIG. 5(A), a recess 67 is formed in a tip 51C in the axial direction Z of the holder shaft 51. The tip 51C is a surface perpendicular to the axial direction Z. The recess 67 is located on the central axis CL of the holder shaft 51. The tip 51C is a surface formed to surround the recess 67. More specifically, the tip 51C is a flat surface that protrudes radially outward from the recess 67 and is continuous in the circumferential direction.

[0039] The recess 67 is a space recessed from the distal end 51C toward the proximal end. Specifically, the recess 67 is a space defined by a bottom surface 67A and an inner circumferential surface 67B. The bottom surface 67A is located closer to the proximal end than the distal end 51C and is a surface parallel to the distal end 51C. The inner circumferential surface 67B surrounds the bottom surface 67A and connects the distal end 51C and the bottom surface 67A. The inner circumferential surface 67B is a ring-shaped surface centered on the central axis CL. A female screw hole 67C is formed in the bottom surface 67A. The female screw hole 67C is located at the center of the bottom surface 67A and extends in the axial direction Z. A screw 49 is threadedly engaged with the female screw hole 67C. As will be described later, the extension unit 50 is attached to the distal end 51C by fastening with the screw 49.

[0040] The holder shaft 51 also has a first tip-side tapered surface 51D. The first tip-side tapered surface 51D reduces the diameter of the outer peripheral surface 51A from the outer peripheral surface 51A toward the tip 51C of the holder shaft 51. Note that the first tip-side tapered surface 51D is not limited to a tapered surface whose cross-sectional shape including the central axis CL is linear, as shown in FIGS. 5, 11, and 12, but may be any tapered surface that reduces the diameter of the outer peripheral surface 51A, and may be, for example, a curved surface whose cross-sectional shape is an arc.

[0041] [Configuration of the first screw shaft 53] The first screw shaft 53 is disposed inside the holder shaft 51 and extends in the axial direction Z. A male screw is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the first screw shaft 53. Note that Fig. 5(A) is a cross-sectional view of the essential parts of the holder unit 21 taken parallel to the axial direction Z and at a position passing through the rubber tube 62 and the connecting member 73, Fig. 5(B) is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Fig. 5(A), and Fig. 5(C) is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in Fig. 5(A). Also, Figs. 5(A) to 5(C) omit the origin detection sensor 56, the clutch mechanism 57, etc., to simplify the internal structure.

[0042] Air for inflating the rubber tube 62 is supplied to the holder unit 21 from an air pump (not shown) via an air pipe 68. An air passage 69 is formed inside the first screw shaft 53 so as to penetrate in the axial direction Z. The air passage 69 is connected to the air pipe 68 on the base end side of the first screw shaft 53.

[0043] The rubber tube 62 expands and protrudes from the groove 61 when air is supplied through the air passage 69. Furthermore, the rubber tube 62 contracts and retracts into the groove 61 when air is discharged. This allows the rubber tube 62 to be switched between a restrained state and a released state. Specifically, the "restrained state" is a state in which the rubber tube 62 protrudes from the groove 61, thereby restraining the film roll Fr relative to the holder shaft 51. On the other hand, the "released state" is a state in which the rubber tube 62 retracts into the groove 61, thereby releasing the restraint of the film roll Fr from the holder shaft 51. Note that the rubber tube 62 is shorter than the length of the axial direction Z of the film roll Frw, but has a length sufficient to appropriately restrain the film roll Frw.

[0044] When the rubber tubes 62 are in a restrained state, the diameter of an imaginary circle connecting the bulging ends (protruding ends) of the multiple rubber tubes 62 is larger than the outer diameter of the holder shaft 51 and matches the inner diameter of the winding core of the film roll Fr. This restrains the film roll Fr relative to the holder shaft 51. "Restraint" refers to integrating the holder shaft 51 and the film roll Fr to an extent that prevents the film roll Fr from moving in the axial direction Z of the holder shaft 51 and prevents the holder shaft 51 and the film roll Fr from rotating relative to each other. On the other hand, when the rubber tubes 62 are in a released state, the rubber tubes 62 are sunk into the grooves 61. This allows the film roll Fr to be inserted into and removed from the holder shaft 51.

[0045] A first clutch plate 81 (see FIG. 8) of the clutch mechanism 57, which will be described later, is fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the base end side of the first screw shaft 53. When changing the position of the stopper 55, the clutch mechanism 57 is disengaged. This prevents the rotational drive of the holder shaft 51 by the first drive unit 28 from being transmitted to the first screw shaft 53. As a result, the holder shaft 51 rotates relative to the first screw shaft 53, causing the stopper 55 to move in the axial direction Z. On the other hand, when stopping the position of the stopper 55 and feeding out the strip film Fw, the clutch mechanism 57 is engaged. This transmits the rotational drive of the holder shaft 51 by the first drive unit 28 to the first screw shaft 53. As a result, the holder shaft 51 and the first screw shaft 53 rotate together, allowing the strip film Fw to be fed out while the position of the stopper 55 remains fixed.

[0046] The air pipe 68 and the air passage 69 are connected via a rotary pipe joint 70. As a result, even if the first screw shaft 53 (air passage 69) rotates, the air pipe 68 does not rotate.

[0047] The air passage 69 of the first screw shaft 53 is also connected to a branch air pipe 71 (which does not rotate with respect to the holder shaft 51) provided at the tip of the holder shaft 51. The branch air pipe 71 is connected to the air passage 69 and has an air passage 71a formed in the center of the holder shaft 51 and three air passages 71b extending radially from the air passage 69. The rubber tubes 62 are connected to the air passages 71b of the branch air pipe 71 outside the moving range of the stopper 55. Air is supplied to the rubber tube 62 through the air passage 69 and the branch air pipe 71.

[0048] The air passage 69 and the branch air pipe 71 are connected via a rotary pipe joint 72. This allows the clutch mechanism 57 to be disengaged, allowing the holder shaft 51 (branch air pipe 71) to rotate relative to the first threaded shaft 53 (air passage 69).

[0049] [Configuration of positioning mechanism 52] As shown in FIG. 6, the positioning mechanism 52 includes a first screw shaft 53, a nut 54, a stopper 55, a connecting member 73, a bearing 74, and an intermediate cylinder 75.

[0050] An internal thread is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the nut 54 to be threaded onto the first screw shaft 53, which is an external thread. The nut 54 is connected to the stopper 55 via a connecting member 73. The connecting member 73 extends in the radial direction of the holder shaft 51 from the outer peripheral surface of the nut 54 to the inner peripheral surface of the stopper 55 through the slit 63. The nut 54, the stopper 55, and the connecting member 73 are fastened together with a screw 76.

[0051] A support shaft 77 is integrally formed with the first screw shaft 53. The support shaft 77 is located at the base end of the first screw shaft 53 and is formed in a cylindrical shape. The support shaft 77 is supported by an intermediate tube 75 via a bearing 74. The bearing 74 is, for example, a ball bearing. The tip side of the intermediate tube 75 abuts against the base end 51B of the holder shaft 51, is fitted to the inner circumferential surface of the support shaft 58, and is sandwiched between the base end 51B and a cylindrical portion 82A of a second clutch plate 82 (described later), thereby rotating integrally with the holder shaft 51 (support shaft 58). In addition, the support shaft 77 (first screw shaft 53) is rotatably supported on the inner circumferential surface of the intermediate tube 75 via the bearing 74. As a result, the first screw shaft 53 is rotatable relative to the holder shaft 51 and is supported in a state in which its movement in the axial direction Z is restricted.

[0052] The connecting member 73 is fitted into the slit 63 and is slidable in the axial direction Z relative to the slit 63, but its movement in the circumferential direction is restricted (in other words, it rotates integrally with the holder shaft 51). When the clutch mechanism 57 is in a disengaged state, the holder shaft 51 rotates due to the driving force of the first drive unit 28, but the first screw shaft 53 does not rotate. Furthermore, the nut 54, the stopper 55, and the connecting member 73, whose movement in the circumferential direction is restricted by the slit 63, rotate integrally with the holder shaft 51. The rotating nut 54 moves in the axial direction Z along the male thread of the stopped first screw shaft 53. As a result, the stopper 55, which is connected to the nut 54 via the connecting member 73, moves in the axial direction Z on the outer circumferential surface 51A of the holder shaft 51.

[0053] [Configuration of clutch mechanism 57] 6 to 9, the clutch mechanism 57 includes a first clutch plate 81, a second clutch plate 82, an actuator 83, a coil spring 84 (biasing member), and a pressing member 85. In FIG. 7, to avoid complication, the first clutch plate 81 and the second clutch plate 82 are shown separated by a large distance, but in reality, they are located close to each other as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.

[0054] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the first clutch plates 81 are disposed inside the holder shaft 51 (support shaft 58) at a position on the base end side. The first clutch plates 81 are formed from a material, such as rubber, that generates friction when pressed against the second clutch plates 82. The first clutch plates 81 are formed in a ring shape, and have key grooves 81A (see FIG. 7) formed on their inner peripheral surface. The first clutch plates 81 are fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the support shaft 77 (first screw shaft 53). The key grooves 81A of the first clutch plates 81 are fitted to key protrusions 77A (see FIG. 7) formed on the outer peripheral surface of the support shaft 77. This allows the first clutch plates 81 to move in the axial direction Z relative to the first screw shaft 53, but restricts their rotation around the axial direction Z (i.e., they rotate integrally with the first screw shaft 53).

[0055] The second clutch plates 82 are provided at the base end of the holder shaft 51, i.e., the base end of the support shaft 58. The second clutch plates 82 are fixed to the holder shaft 51 at a position where the first clutch plates 81, which move in the axial direction Z, can come into contact with and separate from the second clutch plates 82. The second clutch plates 82 have a cylindrical portion 82A and a plate-like portion 82B connected to the base end side of the cylindrical portion 82A. The cylindrical portion 82A has an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the first clutch plates 81, and is located outside the first clutch plates 81. The cylindrical portion 82A is fitted to the inner circumferential surface of the base end of the support shaft 58 (i.e., rotates integrally with the holder shaft 51).

[0056] The plate-shaped portion 82B has a circular plate shape that protrudes radially outward and inward from the base end of the cylindrical portion 82A and continues in the circumferential direction. The plate-shaped portion 82B has an outer diameter larger than that of the first clutch plate 81 and an inner diameter smaller than that of the first clutch plate 81. The plate-shaped portion 82B is arranged coaxially with the first clutch plate 81. That is, the second clutch plate 82 overlaps with the first clutch plate 81 in the radial direction of the holder shaft 51. The plate-shaped portion 82B is fastened to the base end of the support shaft 58 by a screw 86. The rotary pipe coupling 70 connected to the first screw shaft 53 protrudes from the inside of the first clutch plate 81 and the second clutch plate 82 toward the base end.

[0057] The actuator 83 is, for example, an air cylinder, and a piston rod 83A moves forward and backward in the axial direction Z in response to the supply of air. The pressing member 85 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The pressing member 85 is disposed radially inside the second clutch plate 82 and outside the first screw shaft 53. The pressing member 85 is disposed on the base end side of the first clutch plate 81 in the axial direction Z. The pressing member 85 is coupled to the piston rod 83A of the actuator 83. As a result, the pressing member 85 moves in the axial direction Z in conjunction with the driving of the actuator 83.

[0058] The actuator 83 is attached to the base end side of the first screw shaft 53 via a base member 91, a bearing 92, and a fixing member 93. The base member 91 and the bearing 92 are components that make up the meandering adjustment mechanism 27, and will be described in detail later. The base end of the support shaft 77 is supported by the base member 91 via the bearing 92. The support shaft 77 (holder shaft 51) is rotatable relative to the base member 91, and movement in the axial direction Z is restricted.

[0059] The fixed member 93 is a frame body that has a U-shaped cross section and is disposed so as to surround the pressing member 85 (see FIG. 10). The open end of the fixed member 93 is fastened to the base member 91. The fixed member 93 also holds the actuator 83 at the closed end. The fixed member 93 also houses the pressing member 85 inside. Furthermore, the closed end of the fixed member 93 is formed with a through-hole that allows the piston rod 83A to pass through.

[0060] As shown in Figure 7, the pressing member 85 has a notch 85A formed in part of the circumferential direction of the cylindrical shape. The notch 85A extends in the axial direction Z. A rotation-preventing member 94 enters the notch 85A. A part of the rotary pipe joint 70 is exposed from the notch 85A. This allows the rotary pipe joint 70 to be connected to an external air pipe 68 (see Figure 5).

[0061] The anti-rotation member 94 is, for example, a screw that enters the notch 85A and is fastened to the fixing member 93. This restricts the rotation of the pressing member 85 and allows movement in the axial direction Z. The pressing member 85 is movable by driving the actuator 83 between a position where it is separated from the first clutch plate 81 and a position where it comes into contact with and presses the first clutch plate 81.

[0062] The coil spring 84 is located on the tip side of the first clutch plate 81 and is fitted onto the outer peripheral surface of the support shaft 77. A retaining tube 95 is disposed on the tip side of the coil spring 84. The retaining tube 95 is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the support shaft 77. The coil spring 84 is sandwiched between the retaining tube 95 and the first clutch plate 81 in the axial direction Z and is elastically compressed. In other words, the coil spring 84 urges the first clutch plate 81 towards the base end side (in the direction of pressing against the plate-shaped portion 82B).

[0063] The clutch mechanism 57 can be switched between an engaged state and a disengaged state in accordance with the operation of the actuator 83. Specifically, when the piston rod 83A of the actuator 83 moves from the distal end side to the proximal end side, that is, when the pressing member 85 separates from the first clutch plate 81, the first clutch plate 81 is pressed against the second clutch plate 82 by the bias of the coil spring 84. A frictional force acts on the contact surfaces between the first clutch plate 81 and the second clutch plate 82, resulting in a connected state. With the first clutch plate 81 and the second clutch plate 82 in a connected state, the rotational drive of the holder shaft 51 can be transmitted to the first threaded shaft 53 (the state shown in FIG. 8).

[0064] On the other hand, when the piston rod 83A moves from the base end side to the tip end side, that is, when the pressing member 85 presses the first clutch plate 81 and moves the first clutch plate 81 toward the tip end side in the axial direction Z (in a direction away from the second clutch plate 82) against the bias of the coil spring 84, the first clutch plate 81 moves away from the second clutch plate 82 and enters a disconnected state. Since the first clutch plate 81 and the second clutch plate 82 are now in a disconnected state, the transmission of rotational drive from the holder shaft 51 to the first screw shaft 53 can be cut off (the state shown in FIG. 9). As a result, the holder shaft 51 rotates relative to the first screw shaft 53.

[0065] [Configuration for supporting the holder unit 21 on the support frame 26] 6, the holder unit 21 is supported on the support frame 26 via needle bearings 101 and 102. The holder unit 21 is supported by the needle bearings 101 and 102 so as to be movable and rotatable in the axial direction Z relative to the support frame 26.

[0066] [Configuration of meandering adjustment mechanism 27] As shown in FIG. 10, the meandering adjustment mechanism 27 is disposed on the rear side of the support frame 26 and is supported by the support frame 26. The meandering adjustment mechanism 27 includes second screw shafts 105A and 105B, a base member 91, a bearing 92, and a second drive unit 106. As described above, the holder shaft 51 of the holder unit 21 is supported on the base member 91 via the bearing 92. The inner peripheral surface (inner ring) of the bearing 92 is fitted with the support shaft 58 of the holder shaft 51 (see FIGS. 8 and 9). The base end of the bearing 92 is locked by the plate-shaped portion 82B of the second clutch plate 82 described above (see FIGS. 8 and 9).

[0067] The base member 91 is disposed on the rear surface side of the support frame 26. The bearing 92 has an inner ring fixed to the support shaft 58 and an outer ring fixed to the base member 91, and therefore supports the holder shaft 51 in a state where it is rotatable relative to the base member 91 but where movement in the axial direction Z is restricted. As a result, the base member 91 allows the holder unit 21 to rotate.

[0068] The second screw shafts 105A, 105B are rotatably supported by the support frame 26 and extend in the axial direction Z. Male threads are formed on the outer circumferential surfaces of the second screw shafts 105A, 105B. The base member 91 has female screw holes 91B, 91C, and the second screw shafts 105A, 105B are screwed into the female screw holes 91B, 91C, respectively.

[0069] As the second screw shafts 105A and 105B rotate, the base member 91 can move integrally with the holder unit 21 in the axial direction Z. The second drive unit 106 includes sprockets 109A and 109B, a chain (or an endless belt) 110, sprockets 111A and 111B, a chain (or an endless belt) 112, and a handle 113.

[0070] The sprockets 109A and 109B are provided at the base ends of the second screw shafts 105A and 105B, respectively. A chain 110 is wound around the sprockets 109A and 109B. This allows the second screw shafts 105A and 105B to rotate synchronously. The handle 113 is attached rotatably around the rotating shaft 113A. The rotating shaft 113A is supported by the support frame 26, for example.

[0071] The sprocket 111A is connected to the handle 113. The sprocket 111B is provided coaxially with the second screw shaft 105A and the sprocket 109A. A chain 112 is wound around the sprockets 111A and 111B. As a result, when the handle 113 is rotated, the sprocket 111B and the second screw shafts 105A and 105B also rotate synchronously. In other words, the base member 91 and the holder unit 21 supported by the base member 91 can be moved in the axial direction Z relative to the support frame 26 depending on the amount of rotation of the handle 113.

[0072] The origin detection sensor 56 (for example, a proximity sensor) detects the origin position of the stopper 55 in the axial direction Z. The origin detection sensor 56 is supported by a shaft member 114 (see FIG. 4) fixed to the base member 91.

[0073] [Process for adjusting the meandering of the film strip Fw] After the film roll Fr is positioned as described below and supported by the holder unit 21, the strip film Fw is pulled out from the film roll Fr, and the horizontal form-fill-seal packaging machine 10, including the packaging material feeding device 20, is operated. In this state, the clutch mechanism 57 is in an engaged state. The holder shaft 51 is rotated by the rotational drive of the first drive unit 28, and the first screw shaft 53, to which the rotation is transmitted by the clutch mechanism 57, also rotates. The stopper 55, which threads onto the first screw shaft 53, does not rotate relative to the first screw shaft 53, and therefore does not move along the slit 63. As a result, the holder unit 21 rotates with the stopper 55 positioning the film roll Fr.

[0074] The packaging material feeding device 20 feeds the strip film Fw to the tube former 29, and the product P is supplied to the strip film Fw formed into a cylindrical shape. If the side edges of the cylindrically formed strip film Fw are misaligned, the worker operates the second drive unit 106, that is, rotates the handle 113 to move the holder unit 21 in the axial direction Z, in order to correct the meandering. This makes it possible to correct the meandering of the strip film Fw fed by the packaging material feeding device 20.

[0075] [Configuration of Extension Unit 50] The extension unit 50 is configured to be detachably attached to the tip 51C of the holder shaft 51. When the extension unit 50 is detached from the tip 51C of the holder shaft 51, the holder unit 21 becomes able to support only the film roll Frs out of the film roll Frs and the film roll Frw. When the extension unit 50 is attached to the tip 51C of the holder shaft 51, the holder unit 21 becomes able to support both the film roll Frs and the film roll Frw. As shown in FIG. 11 , the extension unit 50 has a cylindrical portion 121 and a convex portion 122.

[0076] The cylindrical portion 121 has a cylindrical outer shape. Of the two axial ends of the cylindrical portion 121, the side attached to the tip 51C of the holder shaft 51 is referred to as the "base end," and the opposite side is referred to as the "tip." In addition, the surface at the base end of the cylindrical portion 121 that is perpendicular to the axial direction Z is referred to as the "base end surface 121A," and the surface at the tip of the cylindrical portion 121 that is perpendicular to the axial direction Z is referred to as the "tip surface 121C."

[0077] The cylindrical portion 121 has a second distal tapered surface 121D and a proximal tapered surface 121E. The second distal tapered surface 121D reduces the diameter of the outer peripheral surface 121B from the outer peripheral surface 121B toward the distal surface 121C of the cylindrical portion 121. The proximal tapered surface 121E reduces the diameter of the outer peripheral surface 121B from the outer peripheral surface 121B toward the proximal surface 121A of the cylindrical portion 121.

[0078] The protruding portion 122 protrudes in the axial direction Z from the base end surface 121A of the cylindrical portion 121. The protruding portion 122 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The protruding portion 122 is arranged coaxially with the cylindrical portion 121. The base end surface 121A is a surface that surrounds the protruding portion 122. More specifically, the base end surface 121A is a flat surface that protrudes radially outward from the protruding portion 122 and is continuous in the circumferential direction.

[0079] The convex portion 122 has a protruding end 122A and an outer peripheral surface 122B. The protruding end 122A faces the bottom surface 67A of the recessed portion 67. The protruding end 122A is a surface perpendicular to the axial direction Z. The outer peripheral surface 122B surrounds the protruding end 122A and connects the base end surface 121A of the cylindrical portion 121 and the protruding end 122A. The outer diameter of the outer peripheral surface 122B is set to be the same as or slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the inner peripheral surface 67B of the recessed portion 67.

[0080] A through hole 125 penetrating in the axial direction Z is formed inside the extension unit 50. The through hole 125 extends in the axial direction Z across the cylindrical portion 121 and the convex portion 122. The through hole 125 is composed of a large diameter hole 125A and a small diameter hole 125B. The large diameter hole 125A is located from the tip surface 121C of the cylindrical portion 121 to the inside of the cylindrical portion 121. The small diameter hole 125B is formed with a smaller diameter than the large diameter hole 125A. The small diameter hole 125B is located from the base end of the large diameter hole 125A to the protruding end 122A of the convex portion 122. A screw 49 is inserted into the small diameter hole 125B. The head of the screw 49 inserted into the small diameter hole 125B is housed in the large diameter hole 125A.

[0081] The inner peripheral surface 67B of the recess 67 and the outer peripheral surface 122B of the protrusion 122 are fitted together, thereby positioning the holder shaft 51 and the extension unit 50 in the radial direction R. In other words, the central axis of the extension unit 50 coincides with the central axis CL of the holder shaft 51. This positioning allows the small diameter hole 125B of the extension unit 50 to communicate with the female threaded hole 67C of the holder shaft 51. The screw 49 inserted into the small diameter hole 125B is threaded into the female threaded hole 67C along the axial direction Z. This attaches the extension unit 50 to the holder shaft 51. Furthermore, the extension unit 50 can be removed from the holder shaft 51 by releasing the threaded engagement between the screw 49 and the female threaded hole 67C. In other words, the extension unit 50 can be made detachable from the holder shaft 51.

[0082] The length of the protrusion 122 in the axial direction Z is shorter than the length of the recess 67 in the axial direction (the dimension from the tip 51C to the bottom surface 67A). Therefore, the inner circumferential surface 67B of the recess 67 and the outer circumferential surface 122B of the protrusion 122 are fitted together, so that the tip 51C abuts against the base end surface 121A of the cylindrical portion 121, and there is a gap between the bottom surface 67A and the protruding end 122A. This allows the holder shaft 51 and the extension unit 50 to be positioned in the axial direction Z.

[0083] The fastening of the extension unit 50 and the holder shaft 51 is not limited to the above-mentioned screw 49 being threaded into the female screw hole 67C, but for example, multiple screws may be threaded into the holder shaft 51 or the extension unit 50, and the threading direction may be along the radial direction R.

[0084] As shown in Fig. 12, the outer diameter D1 of the cylindrical portion 121 of the extension unit 50 is larger than the outer diameter D2 of the holder shaft 51 and smaller than the diameter D3 (see Fig. 5(C)) of an imaginary circle connecting the bulging ends of the multiple rubber tubes 62. The outer diameter D1 of the extension unit 50 is matched to the inner diameter of the core of the film roll Fr. Furthermore, the outer diameter D2 of the holder shaft 51 is set slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the core of the film roll Fr.

[0085] [Step of supporting the standard size film roll Frs on the holder unit 21] 13(A), when the holder shaft 51 of the holder unit 21 is inserted onto the core of a standard-size film roll Frs and the film roll Frs is supported by the holder unit 21, first the clutch mechanism 57 is switched from the connected state to the disconnected state, and then the first drive unit 28 is driven to move the stopper 55. It should be noted that at the start of the work of attaching the film roll Frs to the holder unit 21, the clutch mechanism 57 is in the connected state and the rubber tube 62 is in the contracted state.

[0086] The first drive unit 28 moves the stopper 55 based on the width dimension (dimension in the axial direction Z) of the film roll Frs that was input in advance. Under the control of a control unit (not shown), the servo motor 64 is driven to rotate a predetermined amount from the timing when the origin detection sensor 56 detects the origin. When the clutch mechanism 57 is in a disengaged state, the holder shaft 51 rotates due to the rotational drive of the first drive unit 28, but the first screw shaft 53 does not rotate. As the holder shaft 51 rotates, the stopper 55 moves in the axial direction Z along the slit 63. As a result, the stopper 55 moves to a predetermined position that matches the width dimension of the film roll Frs.

[0087] After the stopper 55 has moved to a predetermined position, the holder shaft 51 is inserted onto the core of the film roll Frs and pushed up to the position of the stopper 55. As a result, the film roll Fr is positioned by the stopper 55. After the film roll Fr has been positioned by the stopper 55, the air pump is operated to supply air from the air piping 68 to the air passage 69. Air is supplied through the air passage 69 and via the air branch piping 71 to the rubber tube 62. As a result, the rubber tube 62 bulges outward in the radial direction from the outer circumferential surface 51A of the holder shaft 51, thereby being able to restrain the core of the film roll Fr.

[0088] [Process for supporting the wide-size film roll Frw on the holder unit 21] 3 and 13(B), when handling a wide-size film roll Frw, first, the extension unit 50 is attached to the holder shaft 51. Specifically, the inner peripheral surface 67B of the recess 67 is fitted into the outer peripheral surface 122B of the protrusion 122, and the extension unit 50 is pressed toward the holder shaft 51 until the base end surface 121A of the cylindrical portion 121 abuts against the tip 51C of the holder shaft 51. This positions the holder shaft 51 and the extension unit 50 in the radial direction R and the axial direction Z.

[0089] With the holder shaft 51 and the extension unit 50 positioned, a screw 49 is inserted into the small diameter hole 125B of the through hole 125 and is screwed into the female threaded hole 67C. This allows the extension unit 50 to be attached to the holder shaft 51. By attaching the extension unit 50 to the holder shaft 51, the length of the holder shaft 51 in the axial direction Z is extended. The holder shaft 51 to which the extension unit 50 is attached has an axial length sufficient to support a wide-size film roll Frw. The extension unit 50 attached to the holder shaft 51 rotates integrally with the holder shaft 51 due to the rotational drive of the first drive unit 28.

[0090] As in the case of supporting a standard-size film roll Frs, the clutch mechanism 57 is switched from the connected state to the disconnected state, and then the first drive unit 28 is driven to move the stopper 55. The first drive unit 28 moves the stopper 55 based on the width dimension of the wide-size film roll Frw that was input in advance. As the holder shaft 51 rotates, the stopper 55 moves in the axial direction Z along the slit 63. As a result, the stopper 55 moves to a predetermined position that matches the width dimension of the film roll Frw.

[0091] After the stopper 55 has moved to a predetermined position, the holder shaft 51 is inserted onto the core of the film roll Frw and pushed into the position of the stopper 55. As a result, one end of the film roll Frw is positioned by the stopper 55. When the core of the film roll Frw is inserted onto the holder shaft 51, the second tip-side tapered surface 121D of the extension unit 50 guides the core of the film roll Frw. After the film roll Frw has been positioned by the stopper 55, the air pump is operated to supply air from the air piping 68 to the air passage 69. Air is supplied through the air passage 69 and via the air branch piping 71 to the rubber tube 62.

[0092] The film roll Frw is supported by the extension unit 50 and the holder shaft 51. Furthermore, the rubber tube 62 bulges outward in the radial direction from the outer circumferential surface 51A of the holder shaft 51, thereby being able to restrain the core of the film roll Frw. Furthermore, because the outer diameter dimension D1 of the extension unit 50 is matched to the inner diameter dimension of the core of the film roll Frw, the core of the film roll Frw can also be restrained in the portion where the extension unit 50 is inserted.

[0093] [Effects of the embodiment] According to the above embodiment, the length of the holder shaft 51 in the axial direction Z can be extended by the extension unit 50 that is detachable from the tip 51C of the holder shaft 51. This makes it possible to accommodate both the standard size film roll Frs and the wide size film roll Frw.

[0094] Furthermore, since one end of the film roll Fr is positioned in the axial direction Z of the holder shaft 51 by the positioning mechanism 52, it is possible to accommodate both the film roll Frs and the film roll Frw. The movable range of the stopper 55 in the axial direction Z is set to a range that allows positioning of both the film roll Frs and the film roll Frw (in other words, a wider range than conventional packaging material feeding devices that can only mount the film roll Frs).

[0095] Furthermore, the restraining member can restrain both the film roll Frs and the film roll Frw relative to the holder shaft 51. In particular, by having the rubber tube 62 as the restraining member bulge out from the groove 61 of the holder shaft 51, both the film roll Frs and the film roll Frw can be reliably restrained.

[0096] Furthermore, the extension unit 50, which is detachable from the holder shaft 51, can accommodate both the film roll Frs and the film roll Frw, simplifying the configuration compared to when separate holder shafts and positioning mechanisms with different dimensions are required. On the other hand, if the extension unit 50 is detached from the holder shaft 51, the machine is the same size as a regular machine accommodating a standard-size film roll Frs, making the machine more compact than a conventional wide machine accommodating a wide-size film roll Frw. Thus, simply attaching the extension unit 50 during assembly allows the wide machine specification to be achieved. Therefore, parts other than the extension unit 50 can be shared between the wide machine specification and the standard machine specification, thereby reducing costs. The extension unit 50 can be attached and detached by the manufacturer of the horizontal form-fill-seal packaging machine 10 or by the purchaser of the horizontal form-fill-seal packaging machine 10.

[0097] Furthermore, the outer diameter D1 of the cylindrical portion 121 of the extension unit 50 is larger than the outer diameter D2 of the holder shaft 51 and smaller than the diameter D3 of an imaginary circle connecting the bulging ends (protruding ends) of the multiple rubber tubes 62, so the extension unit 50 does not interfere with the insertion of the holder shaft 51 into the core of the film roll Frw and reliably supports the core. Furthermore, because the bulging rubber tubes 62 are in close contact with the core, the film roll Frw can be reliably restrained.

[0098] Furthermore, the extension unit 50 has a second tip-side tapered surface 121D whose diameter decreases toward the tip surface 121C, so that when the core of the film roll Frw is inserted into the holder shaft 51, the second tip-side tapered surface 121D guides the core. This allows the core of the film roll Frw to be smoothly inserted into the holder shaft 51. Furthermore, the holder shaft 51 has a first tip-side tapered surface 51D whose diameter decreases toward the tip 51C, so that the first tip-side tapered surface 51D guides the core of the film roll Frw that has passed through the extension unit 50. This allows the core of the film roll Frw to be smoothly inserted into the holder shaft 51.

[0099] Furthermore, the extension unit 50 has a base-end tapered surface 121E whose diameter decreases toward the base-end surface 121A, so that the base-end tapered surface 121E guides the core of the film roll Frs when it is removed from the holder shaft 51. This allows a standard-size film roll Frs to be smoothly removed from the holder shaft 51 even with the extension unit 50 attached.

[0100] The inner surface 67B of the recess 67 and the outer surface 122B of the protrusion 122 are fitted together to position the holder shaft 51 and the extension unit 50 in the radial direction R, making it easy to attach and detach the holder shaft 51 and the extension unit 50, and enabling a simple configuration to accommodate both the film roll Frs and the film roll Frw.

[0101] Furthermore, in the state where the radial positioning is achieved as described above, the tip 51C abuts against the abutment surface 124, and there is a gap between the bottom surface 67A of the recess 67 and the protruding end 122A of the protrusion 122. As a result, when a force is applied to the extension unit 50 in the radial direction R, the tip 51C receives the force that tends to tilt the extension unit 50. In other words, the extension unit 50 does not tilt with respect to the holder shaft 51. This makes it possible to reliably hold the wide-size film roll Frw.

[0102] The packaging material feeding device 20 may be provided with multiple (typically, two) holder units 21. The film roll Fr currently in use is attached to one of the multiple holder units 21. Meanwhile, spare film rolls Fr are attached in advance to the other holder units 21. The meandering adjustment mechanism 27 may then move the multiple holder units 21 in the axial direction Z in unison (i.e., adjust the meandering in unison). This reduces downtime of the packaging material feeding device 20 (horizontal form-fill-seal packaging machine 10) and enables meandering adjustment to be achieved with a simple configuration.

[0103] [Other Examples] In the above embodiment, the extension unit 50 has the protrusion 122, and the holder shaft 51 has the recess 67. The inner circumferential surface 67B of the recess 67 and the outer circumferential surface 122B of the protrusion 122 are fitted together to position the holder shaft 51 and the extension unit 50 in the radial direction R, but the configuration of the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the extension unit 50 may have a recess, and the holder shaft 51 may have a protrusion. In this case, the inner circumferential surface of the recess of the extension unit 50 is fitted together with the outer circumferential surface of the protrusion of the holder shaft 51, to position the holder shaft 51 and the extension unit 50 in the radial direction R. In this case, the length of the protrusion of the holder shaft 51 in the axial direction Z is shorter than the length of the recess of the extension unit 50 in the axial direction Z. The inner peripheral surface of the recess of the extension unit 50 is fitted with the outer peripheral surface of the protrusion of the holder shaft 51, so that, as in the above embodiment, the tip 51C of the holder shaft 51 abuts against the base end surface 121A of the cylindrical portion 121, and there is a gap between the bottom surface of the recess and the protruding end of the protrusion. This allows the holder shaft 51 and the extension unit 50 to be positioned in the axial direction Z.

[0104] In the above embodiment, a rubber tube 62 (tube member) is exemplified as the restraining member provided on the holder shaft 51. However, the restraining member is not limited to this, and may have any shape and arrangement capable of restraining a packaging material roll whose one side is positioned by the stopper 55. For example, the restraining member may be configured to include a locking claw that is retractable relative to the holder shaft 51. In this case, for example, the locking claw is movable between a protruding position where it protrudes from the outer circumferential surface 51A of the holder shaft 51 and a retracted position where it retracts into the holder shaft 51. Furthermore, similar to the rubber tube 62 in the above embodiment, multiple locking claws are arranged at positions spaced apart circumferentially on the outer circumferential surface 51A. When the locking claw is in the protruding position, it enters a restraining state in which it restrains the packaging material roll. On the other hand, when the locking claw moves from the protruding position to the retracted position, it enters a released state in which it releases the restraint of the packaging material roll. This achieves the same effects as the above embodiment. Note that the mechanism for operating such a locking claw may be equivalent to the mechanism employed in the devices disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, for example. Furthermore, it is preferable that the outer diameter of the extension unit 50 is smaller than the diameter of an imaginary circle connecting the projecting ends of the multiple locking claws.

[0105] Furthermore, the restraining member is not limited to the configurations of the above-described embodiment and example, and may be any member that can be switched between a restrained state and a released state, and may be, for example, an annular member that is provided separately from the holder shaft 51 and that can be fitted to the holder shaft 51 and the extension unit 50. The annular member is fitted onto the outer circumferential surface of the holder shaft 51 from the tip side of the holder shaft 51 and is pushed into a position where it abuts against the packaging material roll. This puts the annular member into a restrained state in which it restrains the packaging material roll against the holder shaft 51. On the other hand, by removing the annular member from the holder shaft 51, it releases the restraint on the packaging material roll and puts it into a released state in which the packaging material roll can be inserted or removed.

[0106] Furthermore, the positioning mechanism 52 may have any configuration as long as it can position one end of the film roll Fr in the axial direction Z. For example, the positioning mechanism 52 is not limited to the automatic positioning of the stopper 55 by the servo motor 64. As another example, the positioning mechanism 52 may be a manual type in which the stopper 55 is manually moved in the axial direction Z and positioned visually using a scale or the like attached to the holder shaft 51.

[0107] Furthermore, the present invention can be applied to packaging machines other than the horizontal form-fill-seal packaging machine 10 (i.e., vertical form-fill-seal packaging machines). The above-described embodiments are examples for explaining the present invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention to only these embodiments. Those skilled in the art can make appropriate modifications within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0108] 10 Horizontal form-fill-seal machine 11 Supply conveyor 14 Drive sprocket 15 driven sprocket 16 Conveyor chain 17 Drive motor 18 Pusher 20 Packaging material feeder 21 Holder unit 22 Drive roller 23 Driven roller 24 Feed motor 25a, 25b Guide rollers 26 Support frame 27 Snake adjustment mechanism 28 First drive unit 29 Tube maker 30 Clamping and conveying device 31 Support plate 32, 33 Film feed roller 34 Feed motor 35 Center seal device 36, 37 Seal roller 38 Seal Motor 39 Slit 40 End seal device 49 screws 50 Extension Unit 51 Holder shaft 51A Outer surface 51B Base end 51C tip 51D 1st tip side tapered surface 52 Positioning mechanism 53 First screw shaft 54 Nut 55 Stopper 56 Origin detection sensor 57 Clutch mechanism 58 Support shaft 59 Inner surface 61 Groove 62 Rubber tube (tube member) (restraint member) 63 Slit 64 Servo motor 65 Drive gear 66 Driven gear 67 Recess 67A Bottom 67B Inner surface 67C female screw hole 68 Air piping 69 Air passage 70, 72 rotary pipe fittings 71 Air branch piping 71a, 71b air passages 73 Connecting member 74 Bearings 75 Intermediate tube 76 screws 77 Support shaft 77A Key protrusion 81 First clutch plate 81A keyway 82 Second clutch plate 82A Cylindrical part 82B Plate-shaped part 83 Actuator 84 Coil spring 85 Pressing member 85A Notch 91 Base material 92 Bearings 93 Fixing member 94 Anti-rotation member 95 Stopper tube 101, 102 needle bearings 104A, 104B screws 105A, 105B Second screw shaft 106 Second drive unit 109A, 109B, 111A, 111B sprockets 110, 112 Chain 113 Handle 114 Shaft member 121 Cylindrical part 121A Proximal surface 121B Outer surface 121C Tip surface 121D Second tip tapered surface 121E Base end tapered surface 122 convex part 122A protruding end 122B Outer surface 125 through hole 125A Large diameter hole 125B Small diameter hole CL center axis D1, D2 outer diameter D3 diameter Fr, Frs, Frw film roll Fw Strip Film Z axis direction R Radial direction

Claims

1. a holder shaft that supports a packaging material roll in which the packaging material is wound around a core and is supported at a cantilevered base end; a positioning mechanism provided on the holder shaft for positioning one end of the packaging material roll in the axial direction of the holder shaft; a restraining member that can be switched between a restraining state in which the packaging material roll is restrained on the holder shaft and a release state in which the restraint is released and the packaging material roll can be inserted or removed; an extension unit detachably provided at a tip of the holder shaft and configured to extend the length in the axial direction; A packaging material feeding device comprising:

2. 2. The packaging material feeding device according to claim 1, The packaging material feeding device is characterized in that the restraining members are arranged in multiple positions spaced apart circumferentially on the outer surface of the holder shaft, protruding from the outer surface of the holder shaft to establish the restrained state, and retracting into the holder shaft to establish the released state.

3. 3. The packaging material feeding device according to claim 2, a plurality of grooves each extending in the axial direction are formed on the outer circumferential surface of the holder shaft at positions spaced apart in the circumferential direction, The packaging material feeding device is characterized in that the restraint members are tube members housed in each of the plurality of grooves, expand from the grooves when air is supplied to them, and retract into the grooves when air is discharged to them, thereby achieving the released state.

4. 3. The packaging material feeding device according to claim 2, The packaging material feeding device, wherein the extension unit has an outer diameter greater than the outer diameter of the holder shaft and smaller than the diameter of an imaginary circle connecting the protruding ends of the plurality of restraining members.

5. 5. The packaging material feeding device according to claim 4, a first tapered surface on the outer circumferential surface of the holder shaft, the first tapered surface having a diameter decreasing toward the tip of the holder shaft; The packaging material feeding device is characterized in that the outer peripheral surface of the extension unit is formed with a second tapered surface on the tip end side, the diameter of which decreases toward the tip end.

6. 6. The packaging material feeding device according to claim 5, The packaging material feeding device is characterized in that the outer peripheral surface of the extension unit is formed with a base end side tapered surface whose diameter decreases toward the base end.

7. 10. A form-fill-seal packaging machine that forms the packaging material fed from the packaging material feeder according to claim 1 into a bag and fills it with a product.

Images