Inventory management system for packaging equipment and packaging materials for packaging equipment

Abstract

To prevent situations where users are unable to use the packaging equipment, or to shorten the time the equipment is unusable. [Solution] The system comprises a transport packaging unit which is a packaging means for packaging a newspaper, which is the object to be packaged, with a film, which is the packaging material; a control unit which is a packaging operation information acquisition means for acquiring information related to the packaging operation of the transport packaging unit; and a communication unit 101 which is a communication means capable of transmitting the packaging operation information acquired by the control unit to an external information processing means, a maintenance management PC 80, via the Internet 70, which is a communication network.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a packaging device and an inventory management system for packaging materials of the packaging device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a packaging device for packaging objects to be packaged such as newspapers and advertisement bundles with a packaging material such as a resin sheet has been known (Patent Document 1, etc.). In this type of packaging device, when an error occurs, the user contacts a service technician, and the service technician visits the user to perform maintenance work such as repairing and replacing parts that caused the error in the packaging device and replacing consumables, thereby eliminating the error.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the conventional packaging device, when an error occurs that prevents continuous use, there is a problem that the user cannot use the packaging device until the user contacts a service technician and the service technician visits to perform maintenance work.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] To solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a packaging apparatus comprising: packaging means for packaging an object to be packaged with a packaging material; packaging operation information acquisition means for acquiring information relating to the packaging operation of the packaging means; and communication means capable of transmitting the packaging operation information acquired by the packaging operation information acquisition means to an external information processing means via a communication network. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present invention, external administrators such as service technicians can confirm packaging operation information transmitted by communication means to external information processing means. If the confirmed packaging operation information includes information that indicates an impending error or information about an error, maintenance work can be performed before an error occurs that would render the device unusable, or immediately after an error occurs. This makes it possible to prevent users from being unable to use the packaging device, or to shorten the time the device is unusable. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] External perspective view of the packaging device of this embodiment. [Figure 2] A side view showing a schematic of the internal structure of the packaging device of this embodiment. [Figure 3] Enlarged diagram of the transport and packaging section. [Figure 4] Diagram illustrating the three types of packaging that can be produced by the packaging device. [Figure 5] Control block diagram of the packaging device. [Figure 6] A schematic diagram of a maintenance and management system for packaging equipment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] In the following, identical or equivalent components, members, and processes shown in each drawing will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted as appropriate. Furthermore, the dimensions of members in each drawing will be enlarged or reduced as appropriate for ease of understanding. Additionally, some members that are not important for explaining the embodiment will be omitted from the drawings.

[0009] An embodiment of the packaging apparatus according to the present invention will be described below.

[0010] Figure 1 is an external perspective view showing the packaging apparatus 1 according to the present invention. The packaging device 1 receives a quarter-folded newspaper S through an insertion opening 2 on its top surface, with the final folded edge S1 leading. The newspaper is then packaged within the device using resin film sheets (F1, F2), and the packaged product FP is discharged from a lower outlet 3 and stacked in a stacker 4. An operation panel 7, which can be operated by the user, is provided on the top surface of the packaging device 1. The operation panel 7 consists of push-button switches or a touch panel, allowing the user to set the operating mode of the device.

[0011] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing the internal configuration of the packaging device 1 as viewed from the direction of arrow "A" in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 2, the packaging device 1 includes a conveying and packaging unit 50 that conveys and packages the object to be packaged, such as a newspaper S. A passage 5 is formed by a first guide plate 5a and a second guide plate 5b to guide the newspaper S inserted from the insertion opening 2 downwards. One film roll 6 (first film roll 6a, second film roll 6b) is supported on each side of this passage 5. The film roll 6 is formed by winding a long thermoplastic resin film sheet, such as polyethylene, of a predetermined width around a core. The two film rolls 6 are housed in the device with the ends of the first film F1, which is led out from the first film roll 6a, and the second film F2, which is led out from the second film roll 6b, welded together at the tip welding line F3. The tip welding line F3 is formed when the ends of the first film F1 and the second film F2 are welded together in the previous welding operation. When installing a film roll 6 that has not undergone the previous welding operation, the ends of the first film F1 and the second film F2 can be fixed together with cellophane tape or the like, and the tip welding line F3 can be formed by performing a test paper pass.

[0012] Figure 3 is an enlarged explanatory diagram of the transport and packaging section 50. A welding and cutting mechanism 8 is located near the upstream end of the transport and packaging section 50, which welds and cuts the film F at the position that will be the trailing end of the packaged product FP. A known welding and cutting mechanism 8 can be used, for example, one similar to the one described in Patent Document 1, but is not limited to this. As the newspaper S descends through the passage 5, its leading edge pushes down the tip welding line F3, causing it to descend further while sandwiched between the first film F1 and the second film F2 from both sides. As shown in Figure 3, the welding cutting mechanism 8 comprises a welding cutting heater 9 and a support base 10, flanking the transport path through which the newspaper S, sandwiched between the two films F, passes. The welding cutting heater 9 is attached to a movable block 11. The movable block 11 is capable of reciprocating in the direction of arrow "B" by a crank mechanism (not shown). This movement causes the welding cutting heater 9 to reciprocate between a standby position where its tip is away from the support base 10 and a welding position where its tip is in contact with the support base 10.

[0013] The welding and cutting heater 9 has a shape that extends in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction in which the newspaper S is moved (the direction perpendicular to the paper surface in Figures 2 and 3, hereinafter referred to as the "width direction") for a length greater than or equal to the width of the film F. By sandwiching the first film F1 and the second film F2 between the tip of such a welding and cutting heater 9 and the support base 10, a welding line (F3, F4) is formed in which the first film F1 and the second film F2 are welded together over their entire width.

[0014] A shutter 12 is provided upstream of the welding and cutting heater 9. The shutter 12 is a plate-shaped member that extends in the width direction and is rotatable around a pivot axis 13. A retaining member 14 is provided on the back side of the shutter 12. The retaining member 14 is integrally formed with an axial support member 15. The support member 15 is inserted into a bracket 16 attached to a movable block 11 so as to be movable in the axial direction. A spring 17 is interposed between the bracket 16 and the retaining member 14.

[0015] When the welding heater 9 is in the standby position, a stopper on the support member 15 is engaged with the bracket 16, and the shutter 12 is in a state where its free end is rotated downward by its own weight. When the welding heater 9 moves to the welding position, the bracket 16, support member 15, and retaining member 14 move in the same direction along with the welding heater 9, and the retaining member 14 pushes the back of the shutter 12, causing the shutter 12 to rotate. When the free end of the shutter 12 comes into contact with the support base 10, the spring 17 is compressed. Furthermore, when the welding heater 9 reaches the welding position, a locking member (not shown) presses against the back of the shutter 12. With this configuration, during welding, the shutter 12 closes the transport path of the newspaper S and is locked so that it cannot be opened even if pushed from the passage 5 side, thus preventing the next newspaper S from entering downstream of the shutter 12 during welding.

[0016] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a conveyor belt 19 (19a, 19b) for further conveying the newspaper S downstream is provided on the downstream side of the welding and cutting mechanism 8 in the conveying and packaging unit 50. As the conveyor belt 19, a first conveyor belt 19a that contacts one surface of the newspaper S with the first film F1 interposed therebetween and a second conveyor belt 19b that contacts the other surface of the newspaper S with the second film F2 interposed therebetween are provided.

[0017] The conveying and packaging unit 50 includes a total of two side welding heaters 20, one on each side in the width direction (front - back direction in FIGS. 2 and 3) of the first conveyor belt 19a. The side welding heater 20 is shaped to extend long along the conveying direction of the newspaper S. At positions facing each other across the conveying path of the newspaper S and on both sides in the width direction of the second conveyor belt 19b, a total of two side welding receivers 21 are provided, one on each side.

[0018] The side welding heater 20 is movable between a standby position spaced apart from the side welding receiver 21 and a welding position in contact with the side welding receiver 21 by a drive mechanism (not shown). By sandwiching the first film F1 and the second film F2 between the side welding heater 20 and the side welding receiver 21, the first film F1 and the second film F2 are welded on both sides in the width direction of the newspaper S, forming a welding line along the conveying direction of the newspaper S.

[0019] The packaging device 1 is provided with three sensors (P1, P2, P3) capable of detecting the presence or absence of the newspaper S passing through the conveying path. The first sensor P1 is provided upstream of the welding and cutting mechanism 8, the second sensor P2 is provided downstream of the welding and cutting mechanism 8, and the third sensor P3 is provided near the downstream end of the side welding heater 20. The three sensors (P1, P2, P3) are optical sensors each composed of a light - emitting sensor and a light - receiving sensor. Since the first film F1 and the second film F2 are transparent, by detecting the presence or absence of the newspaper S sandwiched between the first film F1 and the second film F2 with these optical sensors, the passage of the front end or the rear end of the newspaper S can be detected.

[0020] When a user inserts a newspaper S into the packaging device 1 with the final fold edge S1 leading, the packaging device 1 detects the passage of the leading edge (final fold edge S1) of the inserted newspaper S with the first sensor P1 and starts driving the conveyor belt 19. At this time, the newspaper S pushes down the first film F1 and the second film F2 with the final fold edge S1 approximately aligned with the welding line F3 of the leading edges of the first film F1 and the second film F2. As a result, the newspaper S, sandwiched between the first film F1 and the second film F2, is placed between the first conveyor belt 19a and the second conveyor belt 19b and conveyed downstream.

[0021] When the second sensor P2 detects the passage of the trailing edge of the newspaper S, the conveyor belt 19 is stopped. Next, the welding and cutting heater 9 and the side welding heater 20 are moved from the standby position to the welding position, and the first film F1 and the second film F2 are welded together between the welding and cutting heater 9 and the support base 10, and between the side welding heater 20 and the side welding support base 21, respectively, for a predetermined time. Afterward, only the side welding heater 20 is returned to the standby position, and the drive of the conveyor belt 19 is restarted. At this time, the first film F1 and the second film F2 remain sandwiched between the welding cutting heater 9 and the support base 10 on the upstream side of the newspaper S. In this state, by driving the conveyor belt 19, the first film F1 and the second film F2 are pulled downstream in the conveying direction, and the first film F1 and the second film F2 can be cut at the portion sandwiched between the welding cutting heater 9 and the support base 10. The packaged product FP, which is the newspaper S wrapped in film F and conveyed by the conveyor belt 19, is discharged from the discharge port 3 and accumulated in the stacker 4.

[0022] Figure 3 shows the state in which the first film F1 and the second film F2 are sandwiched and welded between the welding cutting heater 9 and the support base 10, and between the side welding heater 20 and the side welding support base 21. Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram of three types of packaged products FP that can be obtained by changing the control conditions of the packaging operation in the packaging device 1. As shown in Figure 3, in the first packaging control, in which the welding cutting heater 9 and the side welding heater 20 are moved to the welding position simultaneously, the packaged product FP shown in Figure 4(a) can be obtained.

[0023] As shown in Figure 3, when the welding and cutting heater 9 and the side welding heater 20 are moved to the welding position, the position of the tip welding line F3 in the transport direction is within the range sandwiched between the side welding heater 20 and the side welding support base 21. On the other hand, the upstream end of the side welding heater 20 and the welding and cutting heater 9 are spaced apart. In this state, the welding and cutting heater 9 welds the first film F1 and the second film F2 at the rear end (upstream side) of the newspaper S, forming the rear end welding line F4, and at the same time, the side welding heater 20 forms side welding lines F5 (see Figure 4(a)) on both sides of the newspaper S. Next, by resuming transport by the transport belt 19, the first film F1 and the second film F2 are cut at the rear end welding line F4 (the rear end welding line F4 formed by cutting becomes the tip welding line F3 for the next newspaper S to be inserted).

[0024] As shown in Figure 4(a), the packaged product FP obtained by this first packaging control has a shape in which the side weld lines F5 formed on both sides of the newspaper S intersect with the front weld line F3 but not with the rear weld line F4. In other words, on the side of the newspaper S facing the front end (final folding edge S1), a packaged product FP can be obtained in which an unwelded portion F6 is formed between the upstream end of the side weld line F5 and the rear weld line F4.

[0025] Next, we will explain the second packaging control method for obtaining the packaged product FP shown in Figure 4(b). In the second packaging control, the second sensor P2 detects the passage of the trailing end of the newspaper S, and when the conveyor belt 19 is stopped, only the welding and cutting heater 9 is moved from the standby position to the welding position. This performs the first welding, in which the first film F1 and the second film F2 are welded together between the welding and cutting heater 9 and the support base 10 for a predetermined time. At this stage, the side welding heater 20 remains in the standby position. Next, the conveyor belt 19 is restarted, and the first film F1 and the second film F2 are cut at the point where they are sandwiched between the welding and cutting heater 9 and the support base 10. After that, when a predetermined amount of newspaper S has been conveyed, the conveyor belt 19 is stopped, and the side welding heater 20 is moved from the standby position to the welding position. Then, the second welding is performed, in which the first film F1 and the second film F2 are welded together between the side welding heater 20 and the side welding support base 21 for a predetermined time. Afterward, the side welding heater 20 is returned to its standby position, the drive of the conveyor belt 19 is restarted, and the packaged product FP, in which the newspaper S is wrapped in film F, is discharged from the discharge port 3 and accumulated in the stacker 4.

[0026] In the second packaging control, the first welding process involves sandwiching the first film F1 and the second film F2 between the welding / cutting heater 9 and the support base 10 and welding them together. This first welding process welds the first film F1 and the second film F2 together by the welding / cutting heater 9 on the upstream side of the rear end of the newspaper S, forming the rear end welding line F4 shown in Figure 4(b). After the first welding, the conveyor belt 19 is driven to transport the newspaper S to a position where both the leading welding line F3 and the trailing welding line F4 are within the range of being sandwiched between the side welding heater 20 and the side welding support 21. The conveyor belt 19 is then stopped, and the second welding is performed. Therefore, during the second welding, both the leading welding line F3 and the trailing welding line F4 are within the range of being sandwiched by the side welding heater 20. Performing the second welding in this state creates side welding lines F5 on both sides of the newspaper S using the side welding heater 20. After the second welding, the side welding heater 20 is moved to a standby position, and transport by the conveyor belt 19 is resumed to send the packaged material FP to the discharge port 3.

[0027] As shown in Figure 4(b), the packaged product FP obtained with this second packaging control has side weld lines F5 formed on both sides of the newspaper S that intersect with both the front weld line F3 and the rear weld line F4. This makes it possible to obtain a packaged product FP in which weld lines are formed along all four sides of the newspaper S without any gaps.

[0028] Next, we will explain the third packaging control method for obtaining the packaged product FP shown in Figure 4(c). In the third packaging control, the second sensor P2 detects the passage of the trailing end of the newspaper S, and when the conveyor belt 19 is stopped, only the welding and cutting heater 9 is moved from the standby position to the welding position. This performs the first welding, in which the first film F1 and the second film F2 are welded together between the welding and cutting heater 9 and the support base 10 for a predetermined time. At this stage, the side welding heater 20 remains in the standby position. Next, the conveyor belt 19 is restarted, and the first film F1 and the second film F2 are cut at the point where they are sandwiched between the welding and cutting heater 9 and the support base 10. After that, the third sensor P3 detects the passage of the trailing end of the newspaper S, and when a predetermined amount has been conveyed, the conveyor belt 19 is stopped, and the side welding heater 20 is moved from the standby position to the welding position. Then, the second welding is performed, in which the first film F1 and the second film F2 are welded together between the side welding heater 20 and the side welding support base 21 for a predetermined time. Afterward, the side welding heater 20 is returned to its standby position, the drive of the conveyor belt 19 is restarted, and the packaged product FP, in which the newspaper S is wrapped in film F, is discharged from the discharge port 3 and accumulated in the stacker 4.

[0029] In the third packaging control, the first welding process involves sandwiching the first film F1 and the second film F2 between the welding / cutting heater 9 and the support base 10 and welding them together. This first welding process welds the first film F1 and the second film F2 together by the welding / cutting heater 9 on the upstream side of the rear end of the newspaper S, forming the rear end welding line F4 shown in Figure 4(c). After the first welding, the conveyor belt 19 is driven to transport the newspaper S to a position downstream of the area where the front welding line F3 is sandwiched between the side welding heater 20 and the side welding support base 21, at which point the conveyor belt 19 is stopped and the second welding is performed. Specifically, after the first welding, the conveyor belt 19 is driven, and after the passage of the front end of the newspaper S is detected by the third sensor P3, the conveyor belt 19 is stopped after transporting a predetermined amount. Therefore, during the second welding, the position of the rear end welding line F4 in the transport direction is within the area sandwiched between the side welding heater 20 and the side welding support base 21, but the position of the front welding line F3 in the transport direction is downstream of the area sandwiched between the side welding heater 20 and the side welding support base 21. Performing the second welding in this state forms side welding lines F5 on both sides of the newspaper S by the side welding heater 20. After the second welding, the side welding heater 20 is moved to the standby position, and conveyance by the conveyor belt 19 is resumed to send the packaged FP to the discharge port 3.

[0030] As shown in Figure 4(c), the packaged product FP obtained with this third packaging control has side weld lines F5 formed on both sides of the newspaper S that intersect with the rear end weld line F4 but not with the front end weld line F3. As a result, a packaged product FP can be obtained in which a non-welded portion F7 is formed at the front end (final folding edge S1) of the newspaper S, where the downstream end of the side weld line F5 and the front end weld line F3 are not welded together.

[0031] Figure 5 is a control block diagram of the packaging apparatus 1 of this embodiment. The control unit 100 has a CPU that performs various calculations, a ROM that stores various control programs, and RAM which is used as a work area for data storage and program execution. The control unit 100 receives input from the detection results of various sensors and the operation content of the operation panel 7. The control unit 100 also controls the drive of various motors and the display content of the operation panel 7.

[0032] The first film remaining amount detection mechanism 91 and the second film remaining amount detection mechanism 92 shown in Figure 5 are mechanisms for detecting the remaining amounts of the first film F1 and the second film F2 in the first film roll 6a and the second film roll 6b, respectively. Since a known mechanism can be used for detecting the remaining amount of film F in the film roll 6, a detailed explanation is omitted. For example, a mechanism similar to that described in Patent Document 2 can be used, but is not limited to this.

[0033] The welding and cutting heater drive motor M1 and the side welding heater drive motor M2 shown in Figure 5 drive the drive mechanisms of the welding and cutting heater 9 and the side welding heater 20, respectively, causing each heater to reciprocate between the standby position and the welding position. The conveyor belt drive motor M3 drives the drive mechanism of the conveyor belt 19 (19a, 19b).

[0034] The index sensor P4 shown in Figure 5 is used to detect the amount of conveyance by the conveyor belt 19. More specifically, the drive system of the conveyor belt 19 is provided with an indexing means (not shown) for measuring the amount of conveyance by the conveyor belt 19. This indexing means is provided on the belt drive shaft that supports the pulley on which the conveyor belt 19 is mounted and on which the conveyor belt drive motor M3 outputs driving force. The indexing means comprises an index sensor P4 consisting of a disc supported on the belt drive shaft with multiple openings arranged circumferentially at a predetermined pitch, and an optical sensor capable of detecting these openings. The amount of conveyance by the conveyor belt 19 is detected by counting each time the index sensor P4 detects the passage of one of the openings as one pulse. For example, during the second welding process in the third packaging control described above, the newspaper S can be stopped at the position where the second welding is to be performed by first detecting the passage of the leading edge (final folding edge S1) of the newspaper S with the third sensor P3, and then stopping after a predetermined number of pulses based on the detection result of the index sensor P4.

[0035] The welding and cutting heater temperature sensor T1 shown in Figure 5 detects the temperature of the welding and cutting heater 9. The front side welding heater temperature sensor T2 detects the temperature of the side welding heater 20 located on the front side in Figures 2 and 3, among the side welding heaters 20 arranged on both sides in the width direction with respect to the first conveyor belt 19a. Similarly, the rear side welding heater temperature sensor T3 detects the temperature of the side welding heater 20 located on the rear side in Figures 2 and 3, among the side welding heaters 20 arranged on both sides in the width direction with respect to the first conveyor belt 19a. In addition, the installation environment temperature sensor T4 is located outside or inside the housing of the packaging device 1 and detects the temperature of the environment in which the packaging device 1 is installed.

[0036] As shown in Figures 2 and 5, the packaging apparatus 1 of this embodiment includes a communication unit 101 that can transmit packaging operation information, such as error information, created by the control unit 100 based on information acquisition means such as various sensors, to the outside. Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a maintenance management system in which the packaging device 1 communicates with an external computer (maintenance management PC 80) via the Internet.

[0037] Error information from the packaging device 1 is transmitted from the control unit 100 to the communication unit 101, from the communication unit 101 to a wireless communication device such as a Wi-Fi router 60 using a wireless line such as a Wi-Fi line, and then transmitted to the user-side modem 62 via the user-side LAN cable 61. The user-side modem 62 transmits the error information to the maintenance administrator modem 82 via the internet line 70, and this information is transmitted to the maintenance management PC 80 via the maintenance administrator LAN cable 81, where the service technician can check its contents.

[0038] In the packaging device 1, the communication unit 101 transmits packaging operation information, such as error information, to the maintenance management PC 80, which is an external information processing means, via the internet line 70. Service personnel can then check this information without visiting the user. If the confirmed packaging operation information includes information that indicates an impending error or actual error information, maintenance work can be performed before an error occurs that would render the device unusable, or immediately after an error occurs. This helps to prevent the user from being unable to use the packaging device 1, or to shorten the time the device is unusable.

[0039] The following describes the packaging operation information transmitted from the communication unit 101 of the packaging device 1 to the maintenance management PC 80, which is an external information processing means. Information regarding the remaining amounts of the first film F1 and the second film F2 in the first film roll 6a and the second film roll 6b, based on the detection results of the first film remaining amount detection mechanism 91 and the second film remaining amount detection mechanism 92, may be transmitted. This allows maintenance managers to understand the remaining amount and usage of film F in the packaging device 1 without visiting the user.

[0040] By having the maintenance manager keep track of the remaining amount of film F, a service technician can deliver a replacement film roll 6 to the user before film F runs out, thus preventing the packaging device 1 from becoming unusable due to the depletion of film F. Furthermore, if maintenance managers can track the usage of film F and bill users based on that usage, service technicians will no longer need to visit users solely to check usage, thus reducing maintenance costs. The timing for transmitting information regarding the remaining amount of film F can be at regular intervals, such as once a day or once a week, or it can be at specific times, such as each time the power is turned on or turned off.

[0041] If the remaining amount of film F cannot be detected by at least one of the first film remaining amount detection mechanism 91 or the second film remaining amount detection mechanism 92, this error information may be sent to the maintenance management PC 80. This allows the maintenance manager to understand that the packaging device 1 is unable to determine the remaining amount or amount of film F used, and to perform maintenance work such as on-site repairs even without a maintenance request from the user.

[0042] As packaging operation information, the control unit 100 may count a counter value representing the number of times the newspaper S has been wrapped with the film F and transmit it to the maintenance management PC 80. In the packaging device 1 of this embodiment, the counter value is the number of times the film F has been welded and cut by the welding and cutting heater 9. Based on the counter value, the number of uses of the welding and cutting heater 9 and the side welding heater 20 can be calculated, and when a predetermined number is reached, a service technician may visit the user and perform heater replacement work. This allows the heater to be replaced before a malfunction occurs due to the heater's lifespan, preventing downtime for the user caused by heater malfunction.

[0043] Furthermore, if maintenance managers can track counter values ​​and bill users based on those values, service technicians will no longer need to visit users solely to check the counter values, thus reducing maintenance costs. The timing for sending counter values ​​can be at regular intervals, such as once a day or once a week, or at specific times, such as each time the power is turned on or off.

[0044] When billing users based on the amount of film F used and the counter value, it is desirable to have a configuration that allows users to check the current amount of film F used and the counter value, as well as the corresponding charges, on the display unit (operation panel 7) of the packaging device 1, a mobile terminal (tablet or smartphone), or a PC. This allows users to understand their current usage and the amount to be billed next time.

[0045] As packaging operation information, information regarding the number of film rolls 6 used may be transmitted to an external information processing device such as a maintenance PC 80. Regarding information on the number of film rolls 6 used, information on whether or not film roll 6 needs to be replaced can be obtained based on the detection value of the film remaining amount detection mechanism (91, 92). Specifically, it is possible to detect when film roll 6 needs to be replaced by detecting when the remaining amount of film F changes from a state where film F is consumed (e.g., when the remaining amount of film F is low) to the state of a new film roll 6. Furthermore, even in packaging devices that do not have a film remaining amount detection mechanism, a sensor capable of detecting whether or not a film roll 6 is installed regardless of the remaining amount of film F may be provided, and the device may detect that a film roll 6 needs to be replaced when it is detected that the film roll 6 has been removed. Such a sensor can be realized, for example, by an optical sensor installed in a position where the core of the film roll 6, when the film F is not wound on it, can obstruct the detection area. Based on the number of times this exchange occurs, the number of film rolls 6 used can be calculated.

[0046] Alternatively, when a service technician visits a user, they can check and input the inventory count, and each time a replacement is needed, the system can reduce the stored inventory count and transmit the calculated inventory count to an external information processing device such as a maintenance management PC 80. This allows maintenance managers, such as service technicians, to know how many replacement film rolls 6 a user has, and when the number of replacement film rolls 6 is running low or when the replacement film rolls 6 have run out, the service technician can deliver replacement film rolls 6 to the user. This prevents the packaging device 1 from becoming unusable due to the running out of film F.

[0047] Furthermore, if the system is configured so that maintenance managers can check the number of film rolls 6 used, and billing users based on the number of film rolls 6 used, then service technicians will no longer need to visit users solely to check the number of rolls used, thus reducing maintenance costs.

[0048] As a configuration for acquiring information on the number of film rolls 6 used, a roll storage section for accommodating replacement film rolls 6 may be provided within the housing of the packaging device 1, and a sensor capable of detecting the number of film rolls 6 or the presence or absence of film rolls 6 may be installed in this roll storage section. Then, by transmitting the detection result of the sensor installed in the roll storage section as information on the number of film rolls 6 used, the maintenance manager can acquire information on the number of film rolls 6 used. Furthermore, the roll storage section is not limited to being located inside the housing of the packaging device 1. For example, it may be installed in any indoor location where the packaging device 1 is used, and a sensor capable of communicating wirelessly or otherwise with the packaging device 1 may detect the presence and number of film rolls 6, and transmit the results.

[0049] Error information regarding paper jams, such as paper jams in the insertion section detected based on the detection results of the first sensor P1, internal paper jams detected based on the detection results of the second sensor P2, and paper jams in the discharge section detected based on the detection results of the third sensor P3, may be sent to the maintenance management PC 80. Generally, a single paper jam can be resolved without maintenance work. However, if paper jams occur frequently, it may be a sign of an impending failure that will render the machine unusable. Therefore, by continuously sending paper jam error information to the maintenance management PC 80, maintenance managers may be able to detect the problem and perform maintenance work before the machine becomes unusable.

[0050] Error information may be sent to the maintenance management PC 80 regarding operational errors for each component: the welding / cutting heater drive motor M1, the side welding heater drive motor M2, the welding / cutting heater 9, and the side welding heater 20. An example of an operational error in the welding and cutting heater drive motor M1 or the side welding heater drive motor M2 is that the system does not enter the home state (the state in which the welding and cutting heater 9 or the side welding heater 20 are in the standby position) when the power is turned on or after the newspaper S has been fed through. An example of an operational error in the welding and cutting heater 9 or the side welding heater 20 is that each heater fails to reach the specified temperature within the specified time from the start of heating.

[0051] This information about operational errors serves as a basis for maintenance managers to determine whether maintenance work is required for each component of the packaging device 1. For example, if the number of operational errors exceeds a predetermined number, an alert indicating that maintenance work is required is output to the maintenance management PC 80. The predetermined number of times this alert is output may vary for each component.

[0052] As error information, a communication error that prevents communication between the control unit 100 and each component may be sent to the maintenance management PC 80. As error information, a belt drive error, indicating that the rotation of the conveyor belt drive motor M3 cannot be detected, may be sent to the maintenance management PC 80. A belt drive error can be detected when the index sensor P4 fails to detect the rotation of the belt drive shaft, even though the control unit 100 is performing control to drive the conveyor belt drive motor M3.

[0053] If, as packaging operation information, different packaging controls can be selected, such as the first, second, and third packaging controls described above, counter values ​​for each packaging control may be sent to the maintenance management PC 80. This allows the maintenance manager to understand which packaging controls are used most frequently by users and to consider maintenance management accordingly.

[0054] <Variation> Next, as a modified example, we will describe an inventory management system for film rolls 6 at each packaging facility, using a packaging device 1 equipped with communication means capable of transmitting to external information processing means.

[0055] In the embodiment described above, a configuration was described in which the packaging device 1 transmits the calculated inventory quantity to the maintenance management PC 80. In this configuration, if a packaging facility that performs packaging work, such as a newspaper sales store, owns multiple packaging devices 1, the inventory quantity will be linked individually to each packaging device 1, making it impossible to centrally manage the inventory of the packaging facility. In this case, after delivering a replacement film roll 6 to the packaging facility based on the inventory quantity information transmitted from one packaging device 1 to the maintenance management PC 80, there is a risk that it may become necessary to deliver another replacement film roll 6 based on inventory information transmitted from another packaging device 1 owned by the same packaging facility, not long after the delivery of the replacement film roll 6.

[0056] In contrast, the inventory management system in this modified example is configured to manage inventory levels for each packaging facility. Specifically, the maintenance management PC 80 is configured to store information on the packaging equipment 1 owned by each packaging facility and its inventory. When a service technician visits a packaging facility, they can check the inventory of replacement film rolls 6 and save this information to the maintenance management PC 80. This saving can be done by the service technician directly operating the maintenance management PC or by inputting the information via a communication line from an information terminal carried by the service technician. Alternatively, one of the packaging equipment 1 can be set to a maintenance mode that can only be operated by a service technician, and the packaging equipment 1 can transmit inventory information to the maintenance management PC 80. Furthermore, the inventory quantity can be entered not only when a service technician visits, but also when replacement film rolls 6 are shipped to a packaging facility, according to the number of rolls shipped. In addition, the system can be configured to individually detect each film roll 6 stored in the film roll 6 storage facility managed by the packaging facility, and the number of rolls in stock in the storage facility can be determined.

[0057] With inventory information for each packaging facility stored in the maintenance management PC 80, when one of the packaging machines 1 owned by a particular packaging facility transmits information to the maintenance management PC 80 indicating that a film roll 6 has been replaced, the maintenance management PC 80 controls the inventory count of that packaging facility, reducing it by one. This allows the maintenance manager to know the number of replacement film rolls 6 that the packaging facility possesses. In this way, the number of replacement film rolls 6 that the packaging facility possesses can be determined based on the information of the number of replacement film rolls 6 provided by the maintenance manager to the packaging facility and the number of times the film rolls 6 have been replaced in the packaging machine 1 owned by the packaging facility. Then, based on the determined number, replacement film rolls 6 can be delivered to the packaging facility at the appropriate time, thereby reducing the number of visits by service personnel or shipments to the packaging facility, and preventing the packaging facility's users from being unable to use the packaging machine 1 due to running out of replacement film rolls 6.

[0058] As an inventory management system, it may be configured to pre-set a minimum inventory quantity for each packaging facility and notify the maintenance manager by displaying an alert on the maintenance management PC display when the inventory quantity of a packaging facility falls below the minimum inventory quantity. For example, for a packaging facility that owns three packaging machines 1, the minimum inventory quantity can be set to six rolls ("number of rolls required for one replacement" x "number of machines owned"), and the maintenance manager can be notified when the inventory quantity of that packaging facility falls below six rolls. This prevents any of the three packaging machines 1 from becoming unusable due to a lack of replacement film rolls 6, even if the film F runs out in the two packaging machines 1 other than the one that replaced the film roll 6 when the inventory quantity falls below the minimum inventory quantity.

[0059] In a configuration for managing information about packaging equipment 1 owned by each packaging processing facility, the information managed is not limited to inventory information of film rolls 6. By managing error information and information related to the packaging operation of packaging means, such as film usage, for multiple packaging equipment 1 at each packaging processing facility, it is possible to centralize maintenance services for errors and centralize billing for costs. In this modified example, an inventory management system for each packaging facility that owns multiple packaging devices 1 has been described, but a packaging facility may own just one packaging device 1.

[0060] In the embodiment described above, the communication network used when the packaging device 1 transmits packaging operations to the maintenance management PC 80, which is an external information processing means, was described as consisting of a Wi-Fi line, LAN cables (61, 81), and an internet line 70. However, the communication network is not limited to this. The configuration may also allow the user to check the usage status of the packaging device 1 on a terminal (tablet, PC, etc.) that is easier to check than the operation panel 7. In this case, the communication network would be a wired or wireless communication line such as an in-house LAN or a Wi-Fi line. External information processing means are not limited to the maintenance management PC 80; any information processing means located outside the casing of the packaging device 1 is acceptable, such as a user-owned PC, a maintenance manager's server, or a cloud service operated by the maintenance manager. External information processing means may also include mobile devices such as smartphones or tablets that can be carried by maintenance managers, such as service technicians.

[0061] The film F can be of multiple types, each with different characteristics such as thickness and material. Information regarding the type of film is input to the control unit 100, and the heater temperature, welding time, etc., are controlled according to the type of film.

[0062] The configuration for inputting information about the type of film to the control unit 100 may involve input settings from the operation panel 7, or input via communication with an external input terminal (tablet, smartphone, PC, etc.). Alternatively, the core of the film roll 6 may be provided with an identification means capable of identifying the type of film, such as a barcode or contactless IC card, and the packaging device 1 may be equipped with a reader for this identification means. The reader will then read the identification means, and the information regarding the type of film will be input to the control unit 100. In this configuration, where information regarding the type of film can be input to the control unit 100, information regarding the film to be used may be transmitted to the maintenance management PC 80 as packaging operation information. This allows the maintenance manager to understand the type of film being used by the user and to consider maintenance management accordingly.

[0063] When sending error information as packaging operation information, the system may be configured to send error information every time an error is detected. Alternatively, the system may be configured to send error information periodically, such as once a day, or during specific operations such as power-on or power-off. In this case, the error history is saved from the last time error information was sent, and the error history from the previous transmission is generated when sending error information again. Compared to a configuration that sends information every time an error is detected, this reduces the number of transmissions and thus reduces the communication load.

[0064] In the embodiment described above, the packaging device 1 is configured to cover the inserted rectangular sheet, which is the newspaper S, with a resin film sheet and seal the edges of all four sides of the newspaper S to package it. The object to be packaged by the packaging device according to the present invention is not limited to a rectangular sheet like the newspaper S. Furthermore, it is not limited to sealing the edges of all four sides of the sheet; it may be packaged with one of the four sides open. Moreover, the packaging material is not limited to a resin film sheet; it may be paper, cloth, or any other material that can package the object to be packaged.

[0065] The packaging device 1 described above has a vertical transport configuration in which the newspaper S, which is the object to be packaged, is transported from top to bottom while being wrapped with a resin film, which is the packaging material. However, the packaging devices to which the present invention can be applied are not limited to this. For example, even in a horizontal transport configuration in which the object to be packaged is wrapped while being transported horizontally, such as the packaging device described in Patent Document 2, a configuration that includes communication means capable of transmitting packaging operation information to an external information processing means is also applicable. Furthermore, while the packaging device 1 described above packages an object by overlapping and welding two resin films, the applicable packaging devices of the present invention are not limited to this. For example, even a packaging device that packages by folding a single resin film and welding the overlapping portion, as described in Patent Document 3, can be equipped with the above-described communication means. It is also applicable to packaging devices that use three or more resin films for packaging.

[0066] The embodiments of the present invention are not limited to those described above, and various modifications such as design changes can be made to each embodiment based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art, and such modified embodiments may also be included within the scope of the present invention.

[0067] The above is just one example; each of the following embodiments produces its own unique effects.

[0068] [Aspect 1] The present invention relates to a packaging apparatus such as a packaging device 1, characterized by comprising: a packaging means such as a transport packaging unit 50 that packages an object to be packaged, such as a newspaper S, with a packaging material such as a film F; a packaging operation information acquisition means such as a control unit 100 that acquires information related to the packaging operation of the packaging means, such as error information and film usage amount; and a communication means such as a communication unit 101 that can transmit the packaging operation information acquired by the packaging operation information acquisition means to an external information processing means such as a maintenance PC 80 via a communication network such as an internet line 70. In this embodiment of the packaging apparatus, the efficiency of maintenance work is improved when a service technician uses packaging operation information transmitted to an external information processing means, which helps to prevent the user from being unable to use the packaging apparatus or to shorten the time the apparatus is unusable.

[0069] [Aspect 2] The packaging apparatus of embodiment 1 is characterized by comprising a packaging counting means such as a control unit 100 that counts the number of times an object to be packaged is packaged with packaging material, and the packaging operation information includes information indicating the number of packages, such as a counter value counted by the packaging counting means. According to this, components of the packaging means, such as heaters, can be replaced before malfunctions occur due to the lifespan of the components, thus preventing downtime for the user caused by malfunctions of the packaging means. Furthermore, if billing is based on the number of packages, service technicians will no longer need to visit the user just to confirm the number of packages, thus reducing maintenance costs.

[0070] [Aspect 3] In the packaging apparatus of embodiment 1 or 2, the packaging means cuts a long film such as film F as a packaging material for each packaging operation to package the object to be packaged, and the packaging operation information is characterized in that it includes information indicating the amount of long film used (counter for the number of uses, detected value of the film remaining amount detection mechanism (91, 92), means for calculating the amount to be fed out, etc.). According to this, maintenance managers can ascertain the remaining amount and usage of long film in the packaging equipment without visiting the user, and can deliver replacement film to the user before the film runs out, thus preventing the packaging equipment from becoming unusable due to running out of film.

[0071] [Aspect 4] In any of the packaging devices of Embodiments 1 to 3, the packaging means includes heating means such as a welding and cutting heater 9 and a side welding heater 20 for heating to wrap the object to be packaged with packaging material and to weld the packaging materials together, and the packaging operation information includes information on the temperature of the heating means. According to this, maintenance managers can understand the status of the heating means without visiting the user, and can visit the user to perform maintenance work as needed, thus preventing the packaging device from becoming unusable due to a malfunction in the heating means. In the above-described embodiment, an example of transmitting error information for heating means such as the welding and cutting heater 9 and the side welding heater 20 was mentioned. However, even if an error is not detected, the temperature information detected by each temperature sensor (11, 12, 13) may be transmitted.

[0072] [Aspect 5] The packaging apparatus of embodiment 4 is characterized in that it is equipped with an installation environment detection means such as an installation environment temperature sensor T4 that detects the installation environment conditions (temperature, humidity, etc.) of the apparatus, and the packaging operation information includes installation environment information such as the temperature of the environment in which the packaging apparatus 1 is installed, as detected by the installation environment detection means. According to this, maintenance managers can obtain information about the equipment's installation environment without visiting the user, and can then consider maintenance management tailored to that environment.

[0073] [Aspect 6] In any of the packaging devices according to Embodiments 1 to 5, an error detection means (various sensors and a control unit 100, etc.) is provided for detecting errors that occur in the packaging means, and the packaging operation information is characterized in that the device information is based on the error content acquired by the error detection means. According to this, maintenance managers can obtain error information about the equipment without visiting the user or receiving contact from the user, and can perform maintenance management according to the errors that occur.

[0074] [Aspect 7] In any of the packaging apparatuses of Embodiments 1 to 6, the packaging means packages an object to be packaged using packaging material supplied from a packaging material support such as a film roll 6, and the packaging operation information is characterized in that it includes information indicating the number of packaging material supports used (number of rolls used, etc.). This allows maintenance personnel to determine the number of replacement packaging material supports a user has without visiting the user, and to deliver replacement packaging material supports to the user before the packaging material runs out. This prevents the packaging equipment from becoming unusable due to running out of packaging material.

[0075] [Aspect 8] Embodiment 8 relates to an inventory management system for packaging materials of a packaging device, characterized in that it outputs information regarding the current inventory of packaging holders at a packaging processing facility, such as a newspaper sales office, based on the number of packaging holders in stock that have been pre-inputted for a packaging processing facility, such as a newspaper sales office, and information regarding the replacement of packaging holders transmitted from the packaging processing facility. The packaging device comprises a packaging means such as a transport packaging unit 50 that packages an object to be packaged, such as a newspaper sales office, with packaging material such as film F supplied from a packaging holder such as a film roll 6; packaging operation information acquisition means such as a control unit 100 that acquires information related to the packaging operation of the packaging means; and communication means such as a communication unit 101 that can transmit the packaging operation information acquired by the packaging operation information acquisition means to an external information processing means such as a management PC 80 via a communication network such as an internet line 70. In this embodiment 8, it is possible to reduce the number of visits to the packaging facility by maintenance personnel such as service technicians, or the number of times replacement packaging holders are sent to the packaging facility, while preventing users of the packaging facility from being unable to use the packaging equipment due to a lack of replacement packaging holders. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0076] 1: Packaging equipment 2: Insertion port 3: Outlet 4: Stacker 5: Passageway 5a: First guide plate 5b: Second guide plate 6: Film Roll 6a: First film roll 6b: Second film roll 7: Control Panel 8: Welding and Cutting Mechanism 9: Welding and cutting heater 10: Stand 11: Moving Blocks 12: Shutter 13: Rotary shaft 14: Retaining member 15: Support member 16: Bracket 17: Spring 19: Conveyor belt 19a: First conveyor belt 19b: Second conveyor belt 20: Side welding heater 21: Side welding support stand 50: Conveying and Packaging Section 60: Wi-Fi router 61: User-side LAN cable 62: User-side modem 70: Internet connection 80: Maintenance management PC 81: LAN cable for maintenance administrator 82: Modem for maintenance administrator 91: First film remaining amount detection mechanism 92: Second film remaining amount detection mechanism 100: Control Unit 101: Communications Department F: Film F1: First Film F2: Second film F3: Tip welding line F4: Rear end welding line F5: Side welding line F6: Non-welded area F7: Non-welded part on the tip side FP:Package M1: Welding and cutting heater drive motor M2: Side welding heater drive motor M3: Conveyor belt drive motor P1: First sensor P2: Second sensor P3: Third sensor P4: Index Sensor S:Newspaper S1: Final fold edge T1: Welding and cutting heater temperature sensor T2: Front side welding heater temperature sensor T3: Rear side welding heater temperature sensor T4: Installation ambient temperature sensor

[0077]

Claims

1. A packaging means for packaging an object to be packaged with packaging material, A packaging operation information acquisition means for acquiring information related to the packaging operation of the aforementioned packaging means, A packaging apparatus characterized by comprising a communication means capable of transmitting the packaging operation information acquired by the packaging operation information acquisition means to an external information processing means via a communication network.

2. In the packaging apparatus of claim 1, The system includes a packaging counting means for counting the number of times the object to be packaged has been packaged with the aforementioned packaging material, The packaging apparatus is characterized in that the packaging operation information includes information indicating the number of packages counted by the packaging count count means.

3. In the packaging apparatus of claim 1 or 2, The packaging means cuts a long film, which is the packaging material, for each packaging operation to package the object to be packaged. The packaging apparatus is characterized in that the packaging operation information includes information indicating the amount of the long film used.

4. In the packaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The packaging means includes a heating means for wrapping the object to be packaged with the packaging material and heating the packaging materials to weld them together. A packaging apparatus characterized in that the packaging operation information includes information on the temperature of the heating means.

5. In the packaging apparatus of claim 4, It is equipped with an installation environment detection means for detecting the installation environment conditions of the device, The packaging apparatus is characterized in that the packaging operation information includes installation environment information detected by the installation environment detection means.

6. In the packaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, The packaging means includes an error detection means for detecting errors that occur in the packaging means, The packaging apparatus is characterized in that the packaging operation information includes apparatus information based on the error content acquired by the error detection means.

7. In the packaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, The packaging means packages the object to be packaged using the packaging material supplied from the packaging material support, The packaging apparatus is characterized in that the packaging operation information includes information indicating the number of packaging material supports used.

8. A packaging means for packaging an object to be packaged using packaging material supplied from a packaging holder, A packaging operation information acquisition means for acquiring information related to the packaging operation of the aforementioned packaging means, A packaging processing facility that owns a packaging device comprising: a communication means capable of transmitting the packaging operation information acquired by the packaging operation information acquisition means to an external information processing means via a communication network; and a pre-entered inventory number of the packaging holders; Information regarding the replacement of the packaging holder transmitted from the aforementioned packaging processing facility, A packaging material inventory management system for a packaging device, characterized by outputting information regarding the current stock quantity of the packaging holders in the packaging processing facility based on the above.

Images