Method for correcting film position

Abstract

To provide a film position correcting method capable of improving operating efficiency, increasing production efficiency, shortening a switching time, reducing a production time, and reducing a machine installation area without generating a defective product due to a mark deviation, and reducing an adjustment place at the time of switching a kind (switching a bag width).SOLUTION: The film position correcting method of the present invention comprises a film conveying step of conveying a film f by a film feeder 14 and a cutting step of cutting the film f by a cutting mechanism 12 for each packaging bag, wherein an image processing system 26 is arranged on a film conveying path 9 on which the film conveying step is carried out, and when the image processing system 26 detects that the film f is not at a normal position, the feed amount of the film f by the film feeder 14 is changed and the film f is controlled to be cut by the cutting mechanism 12 at the normal position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for correcting film position in an apparatus equipped with a film feed, such as a bag making apparatus, a bag making and packaging machine, a bag feeding and packaging machine using a continuous bag web, or a pillow packaging machine. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, in devices equipped with a film feed, such as bag making devices, bag making and packaging machines, bag feeding and packaging machines using continuous packaging bags, and pillow packaging machines, a film has been unwound and conveyed downstream to make bags or package items.

[0003] Incidentally, in a bag feeding and packaging machine 50 using the continuous packaging bag shown in FIG. 6, for example, a mark misalignment confirmation sensor 52 is provided on a conveying path 51 of the film f (continuous packaging bag), and when this mark misalignment confirmation sensor 52 detects a registration mark 54 provided on a side seal portion 53 of the film f (continuous packaging bag) shown in FIG. 7 and detects a deviation from the correct position, the R cut 55 and notch 56 of the packaging bag a may be misaligned and cut, and the film f (continuous packaging bag) f may be cut at an incorrect position, resulting in multiple packaging bags a being discharged as defective (NG) and a decrease in production volume.

[0004] Furthermore, the mark misalignment confirmation sensor 52 or mark sensor 57 must be positioned in the film flow direction according to the bag width, which increases the size of the device and places a burden on the operator since there are positions to be adjusted when changing products.

[0005] Furthermore, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 07-223278 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-105186 propose moving a cutting mechanism along the film flow direction when mark misalignment is detected, but this increases the number of motors to be controlled, leading to higher costs. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 07-223278 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-105186 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a method for correcting film position that prevents defective products from being produced due to mark misalignment, improves operating efficiency and increases production efficiency, reduces the number of adjustment points required when changing product types (changing bag widths), reduces changeover time while increasing production time, and reduces the machine installation area without increasing the size of the equipment. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The above object is achieved by a film position correction method comprising a film transport process in which a film is transported by film feeding, and a cutting process in which the film is cut into individual packaging bags by a cutting mechanism, wherein an image processing system is disposed in the film transport path in which the film transport process is carried out, and when the image processing system detects that the film is not in the correct position, the amount of film feed by the film feed is changed, and the cutting mechanism is controlled so that the film is cut at the correct position (Claim 1).

[0009] The image processing system is preferably configured to be capable of measuring whether the film is stationary or moving (Claim 2). The film may be a continuous sheet of packaging bags (Claim 3). In the film position correction method, the film feed preferably has a pair of rollers arranged on each side of the film, the pair of rollers being configured to be rotatable forward and backward, and the amount of rotation of the pair of rollers is controlled so that the film is cut by the cutting mechanism at the correct position (Claim 4). The film position correction method may be applied to any of a bag making device, a bag making and packaging machine, a bag feed and packaging machine using a continuous sheet of packaging bags, and a pillow packaging machine (Claim 5). [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the film position correction method described in claim 1, defective products are not produced due to misalignment of marks, operational efficiency is improved and production efficiency is increased, the number of adjustment points when changing product types (changing bag widths) is reduced, switching time is reduced while production time is increased, and the machine installation area can be reduced without increasing the size of the equipment. According to the film position correction method set forth in claim 2, the effect of claim 1 can be achieved whether the film is intermittently stopped or moving. According to the film position correction method set forth in claim 3, the effect of claim 1 can be achieved even in a bag feeding and packaging machine that uses a continuous body of packaging bags. According to the film position correction method set forth in claim 4, the effect of claim 1 can be achieved with a simple structure. According to the film position correction method described in claim 5, the effect of claim 1 can be achieved in any of a bag making device, a bag making and packaging machine, a bag feeding and packaging machine using a continuous bag web, and a pillow packaging machine. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an embodiment of a film position correction method of the present invention; [Figure 2]2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an embodiment of a film detected by the film position correction method shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 3] 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the film position correction method shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an embodiment of a bag feeding and packaging machine using a continuous body of packaging bags to which a film position correction method of the present invention is applied. FIG. [Figure 5] 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a bag feeding and packaging machine using the continuous body of packaging bags shown in FIG. 4. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a conventional bag feeding and packaging machine using a continuous sheet of packaging bags. [Figure 7] 7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a film (continuous body of packaging bags) used in a bag feeding and packaging machine that uses the continuous body of packaging bags shown in FIG. 6. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The present invention has a film transport process in which film f is transported by film feed 14, and a cutting process in which film f is cut into individual packaging bags by cutting mechanism 12, and an image processing system 26 is arranged in film transport path 9 where the film transport process takes place, and when image processing system 26 detects that film f is not in the correct position, the amount of film f fed by film feed 14 is changed and cutting mechanism 12 is controlled so that film f is cut at the correct position, thereby preventing defective products from being produced due to misalignment of marks, improving operating efficiency and increasing production efficiency, reducing the number of adjustments required when changing product types (changing bag widths), shortening changeover time while increasing production time, and realizing a film position correction method that can reduce the machine installation area without increasing the size of the equipment. [Example]

[0013] The film position correction method of the present invention will be explained using an embodiment shown in FIGS. The method for correcting the film position in this embodiment includes a film transport step in which the film f is transported by the film transport 14, and a cutting step in which the film f is cut into individual packaging bags by the cutting mechanism 12. An image processing system 26 is disposed in the film transport path 9 where the film transport step is performed, and when the image processing system 26 detects that the film f is not in the correct position, the amount of feed of the film f in the transport direction by the film transport 14 is changed, and the cutting mechanism 12 is controlled to cut the film f at the correct position. Each step will be described in detail below.

[0014] The film position correction method of this embodiment is applied to a bag feeding and packaging machine P that uses a continuous string of packaging bags. As shown in FIG. 4, the bag feeding and packaging machine P has a bag feeding section Q and a packaging section R located downstream of the bag feeding section Q.

[0015] Although the film position correction method of this embodiment is applied to a bag feed and packaging machine P that uses a continuous string of packaging bags, the film position correction method of the present invention is not limited to this and can be widely applied to devices that have a film feed, such as bag making devices, bag making and packaging machines, pillow packaging machines, etc. Furthermore, the "film" in the film position correction method of the present invention is not limited to a continuous string of packaging bags, but may also be a sheet material that can be made into bags.

[0016] The bag supply section Q supplies packaging bags a to the packaging section R through a film conveying process in which the film (continuous packaging bag body) f is conveyed by the film feed 14 and the second film feed 15, a cutting process in which the film (continuous packaging bag body) f is cut into individual packaging bags by the cutting mechanism 12, and a transfer process in which the packaging bags a cut by the cutting mechanism 12 are transferred to the packaging section R side.

[0017] In this application, the term "continuous body of packaging bags" is a concept that broadly encompasses a continuum of bags that, when cut and separated, become individual packaging bags that can be filled with packaged items and sealed in a packaging section, packaging process, or packaging machine, or a long continuous body of packaging bags pre-fabricated outside the machine. For example, it broadly encompasses a long continuous body of packaging bags (a continuous body of premade bags) produced by a bag-making machine, as well as a long continuous body of individual packaging bags formed by welding. Furthermore, the concept of a "continuous body of packaging bags" also encompasses a body in which the packaging bags are continuous in the length direction, a body in which the packaging bags are continuous in the width direction, and a body in which the packaging bags are continuous in both the length direction and the width direction of the continuous body of packaging bags.

[0018] The film conveying process in which the film f is conveyed by the film feed 14 and the second film feed 15 is a process in which the film (continuous packaging bag body) f is conveyed to the packaging section R side (downstream side), and in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 4, the film (continuous packaging bag body) f is configured to be conveyed downstream by the film feed 14 and the second film feed 15 provided on the upstream side.

[0019] Specifically, the film feed 14 and the second film feed 15 each have a pair of feed rollers, and a servo motor (not shown) rotates each pair of feed rollers forward and backward, adjusts the rotation speed, and stops the rollers, allowing the film (continuous packaging bag body) f to move back and forth along the conveying direction.This conveying mechanism conveys the film (continuous packaging bag body) f downstream and changes the feed amount.

[0020] In the conveying process of this embodiment, the film (continuous packing bag body) f is wound around a bobbin 11 as shown in FIG.

[0021] The bag shape of the unit packaging bags that make up the film (continuous packaging bag body) f is a flat bag in the embodiment shown in Figure 2, but is not limited to this and broadly includes bags that can be cut and separated into individual packaging bags in a packaging section, packaging process, or packaging machine, and can be filled with packaged items and sealed.

[0022] The differences in the bag shapes of the unit packaging bags that make up the film (continuous packaging bag body) f are recognized by a mark sensor 16 detecting a registration mark m (Figure 2) printed on the boundary of each unit packaging bag a, and various devices within the bag feeding and packaging machine P are controlled according to the bag shape based on the output signal from the mark sensor 16.

[0023] In the conveying process of this embodiment, various pre-filling processes are performed on the film (continuous packaging bag body) f. These pre-filling processes include, for example, a printing process in which a printer 17 prints on the film (continuous packaging bag body) f, and a print inspection process in which the printing on the film (continuous packaging bag body) f is inspected, as shown in Fig. 4. By performing these pre-filling processes in the bag supply process, the number of packaging processes on the packaging unit R side can be reduced, and the packaging machine can be made more space-saving. However, the pre-filling processes in this application are not limited to the printing process and the print inspection process, and broadly include processes in which pre-filling processes are performed on the film (continuous packaging bag body) f.

[0024] In the conveying process of this embodiment, a retention process is performed as needed to retain the film (continuous packaging bag body) f by the retention mechanism 19. This process allows the feed amount of the film (continuous packaging bag body) f to be appropriately adjusted even if a problem occurs on the packaging section R side, for example.

[0025] Specifically, the retention mechanism 19 is a mechanism for storing and retaining the film (continuous packaging bag body) f inside, and as shown in Figure 4, has a fixed roller group 20 and a tension roller group 21 (a group of buffer dancer rollers), and is configured so that when the tension roller group 21 is moved by a moving device (e.g., a servo motor), the distance between the fixed roller group 20 and the tension roller group 21 increases, forming a serpentine path for the film (continuous packaging bag body) f, thereby allowing retention.

[0026] Then, when the trouble in the packaging section R is resolved, the second film feed 15 resumes feeding downstream, and the tension roller group 21 begins to return to its initial position. When all tension roller groups 21 have returned to their initial positions, normal feeding operation resumes.

[0027] In the conveying process of this embodiment, the printing process in which the printing device 17 prints on the film (continuous packaging bag body) f and the print inspection process in which the printing on the film (continuous packaging bag body) f are performed before the retention process, but these may also be performed after the retention process.

[0028] In addition, in the conveying step of this embodiment, a punching process is performed on the film (continuous body of packaging bags) f. By this process, the film (continuous body of packaging bags) f is punched in the conveying step, and desired packaging bags can be produced.

[0029] Specifically, the bag supply section Q has a punching device (e.g., a punch) 22 for punching the film (continuous packaging bag body) f, as shown in Figure 4, which allows the film (continuous packaging bag body) f to be punched with, for example, an R cut 23, a hole punch 24, a notch 25, etc., as shown in Figure 2, to produce the desired packaging bag.

[0030] In the cutting process in which the film (continuous body of packaging bags) f is cut into individual packaging bags a by the cutting mechanism 12, the film (continuous body of packaging bags) f fed by the film feed 14 is cut into individual packaging bags a by the cutting mechanism 12. In this process, the continuous packaging bags are cut in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction (feed direction) and separated one by one.

[0031] The cutting mechanism 12 in this embodiment has a cutter provided in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction (feeding direction) of the film (continuous packaging bag body) f, and is configured to cut the film (continuous packaging bag body) f by moving this cutter up and down. However, the cutting mechanism is not limited to this, and any cutting mechanism, such as a fusing mechanism, may be used as long as it can cut the film (continuous packaging bag body) f and sequentially separate it into individual packaging bags a.

[0032] In the film position correction method of the present invention, an image processing system 26 is placed in the film transport path 9 where the film transport process is carried out, as shown in Figure 1 or Figure 4, and when the image processing system 26 detects that the film (continuous packaging bag body) f is not in the correct position, it changes the amount of feed of the film f in the transport direction by the film feed 14, and controls the cutting mechanism 12 so that the film (continuous packaging bag body) f is cut at the correct position.

[0033] Specifically, in the film conveying path 9 where the film conveying process is carried out, as shown in Figure 1, an image processing system 26 is arranged upstream of the film feed 14, near the boundary between the third and fourth packaging bags a from the downstream end of the film (continuous packaging bag) f.

[0034] This image processing system 26 then photographs the vicinity of the registration mark m (see Figure 2) provided at the boundary (inside the side seal portion 27) of the continuous packaging bags a that make up the film (continuous packaging bag body) f, and if the boundary line (vertical boundary line L) of the continuous packaging bags a coincides with the vertical line N set by the image processing system 26 as shown in Figure 3 (1), it determines that the position is correct and does not change the film feed amount (feed amount equivalent to the bag width of the packaging bag a) by the film feed 14.

[0035] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3 (2), when the boundary line (vertical boundary line L) of the continuous packaging bags a is located downstream of the vertical line N set by the image processing system 26, it is determined that the film (continuous packaging bag body) f has advanced too far, and the film feed 14 is controlled to reduce the forward feed amount by the amount of the excess advance and feed the film forward, or to feed the film forward by the bag width of the packaging bag a and then feed the excess advance in reverse, or to feed the excess advance in reverse, so as to return the film (continuous packaging bag body) f to the normal position.

[0036] 3(3), if the boundary line (vertical boundary line L) of the continuous packaging bags a is located upstream of the vertical line N set by the image processing system 26, it is determined that the film (continuous packaging bag body) f has not reached the regular position, and the film feed 14 is controlled to add a corresponding forward feed amount (a feed amount equivalent to the bag width of the packaging bag a plus the feed amount for the unreached portion, and feed them in the forward direction), or to feed only the unreached portion in the forward direction, so as to return the film (continuous packaging bag body) f to the regular position. Note that the "regular position" in this invention refers to the cutting position of the film so that the film can be accurately separated into unit packaging bags.

[0037] The film position correction method of the present invention, as described above, moves the film (continuous packaging bag web) f along the film flow direction and controls the cutting mechanism 12 to cut the film (continuous packaging bag web) f at the correct position, thereby preventing defective products from being discarded outside the system and increasing production volume. Furthermore, because a single image processing system serves the functions of both the mark sensor and the mark misalignment sensor, the device can be made compact and position adjustments by the operator can be simplified. Furthermore, the film can be cut at the correct position without the need for additional motors. Furthermore, high quality of the finished product can be maintained without relying on human knowledge, judgment, or skill. In other words, defective products are not produced due to misaligned marks, improving operating efficiency and increasing production efficiency, while reducing the number of adjustments required when switching product types (changing bag widths). This reduces switching time and increases production time, and reduces the machine's installation space without increasing the size of the device.

[0038] The image processing system 26 is configured to be capable of measuring whether the film (continuous body of packaging bags) f is stationary or moving, thereby achieving the above-described effect whether the film (continuous body of packaging bags) f is intermittently stopped or moving.

[0039] In the transfer process in which the packaging bag transfer mechanism 13 transfers the packaging bag a cut by the cutting mechanism 12 to the packaging section R, the packaging bag a cut by the cutting mechanism 12 is transferred sequentially to the grip pair g at station 1 of the packaging section R.

[0040] In the transfer process of this embodiment, as shown in Figure 4, the packaging bag transfer mechanism 13 has a pair of gripping portions 13a configured to be able to clamp in order to receive the packaging bag a, and transfers the packaging bag a captured by the pair of gripping portions 13a to the grip pair g in cooperation with a bag transfer portion (not shown) for transferring the packaging bag a to the grip pair g.

[0041] The packaging section R, located downstream of the bag supply section Q, has an intermittent rotation shaft (not shown) extending vertically on a machine base (not shown), and as shown in Figure 4, eight pairs of grip pairs (bag gripping sections) g for gripping or releasing packaging bags a are provided around a moving body (disk-shaped rotating body) 10 attached to the top of the intermittent rotation shaft so as to protrude radially.

[0042] Then, the packaging bag a, which is supported in a hanging state in a vertical position by the grip pair (bag gripping portion) g, is rotated and moved sequentially through eight stations 1 to 8 as shown in FIG. 4, and each packaging process is carried out.

[0043] Specifically, station 1 carries out the bag feeding process for the packaging bags a described above, station 2 carries out the bag opening process to open the top opening, station 3 carries out the bag bottom expanding / filling / bottom vibrating process to expand the bag bottom, fill the packaging bag a with the packaged item, and vibrate the packaged item, station 4 carries out the pushing / bottom vibrating process to push the packaged item into packaging bag a and vibrate the packaged item, station 5 carries out the pinch detection / empty bag discharge process to detect pinch and discharge the empty bag outside the machine, station 6 carries out the top sealing / air venting process to horizontally top seal the area near the bag opening and vent the air inside packaging bag a, station 7 carries out the cooling sealing process to cool the top seal, and station 8 carries out the product discharge process to discharge packaging bags a with packaged items outside the machine, thereby mass-producing packaging bags a filled with packaged items (products). [Explanation of symbols]

[0044] P packaging machine Q Bag feeding department R packaging department L Vertical border N Set vertical line a packaging bag g Bag gripping part (grip pair) Packaging stations 1-8 9 Film transport path 10 Moving object (disk-shaped rotating object) 11 Bobbin 12 Cutting mechanism 13 Packaging bag delivery mechanism 14 Film advance 15 Second film feed 16 Mark Sensor 17 Printing device 18 Print inspection equipment 19 Retention mechanism 20 Fixed roller group 21 Tension roller group 22 Punching equipment 23 R cut 24 hole punch 25 notches 26 Image Processing System 27 Side seal part

Claims

1. A method for correcting a film position, comprising a film transport process for transporting a film by film transport, and a cutting process for cutting the film into individual packaging bags by a cutting mechanism, wherein an image processing system is disposed in the film transport path where the film transport process is carried out, and when the image processing system detects that the film is not in the correct position, the amount of film transported by the film transport is changed, and the cutting mechanism is controlled so that the film is cut at the correct position.

2. 2. The method for correcting film position according to claim 1, wherein said image processing system is configured to be capable of measuring the film while it is stationary or moving.

3. 3. The method for correcting a film position according to claim 1, wherein the film is a continuous piece of packaging bags.

4. 3. The method for correcting the film position according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the film feed has a pair of rollers arranged on each side of the film, the pair of rollers being configured to be rotatable forward and reverse, and the amount of rotation of the pair of rollers is controlled so that the film is cut at the correct position by the cutting mechanism.

5. The film position correction method according to claim 1 or 2, which is applied to a bag making device, a bag making and packaging machine, a bag feeding and packaging machine using a continuous bag feeder, or a pillow packaging machine.

Images