Filling and packaging apparatus and filling and packaging method

Abstract

The present invention provides a filling and packaging apparatus and a filling and packaging method that can appropriately fill packaging bags with multiple types of items differing in shape, weight, volume, etc., particularly three or more types of items to be packaged. [Solution] A filling and packaging device 1 for supplying an object to be packaged M to a cylindrical packaging body P comprises a transport container 11 having a space 11h inside for accommodating the object to be packaged M, a container transport mechanism for inserting and removing the transport container 11 into and out of the packaging body P through an opening at the upper end of the packaging body P, and an object to be packaged supply mechanism for supplying the object to be packaged into the packaging body from inside the transport container 11. The transport container 11 has a discharge opening do located at the bottom when inserted into the packaging body P by the container transport mechanism, and an opening / closing member 12 for opening and closing the discharge opening do. The object to be packaged supply mechanism has a mechanism for opening the discharge opening do from a state where it is closed by the opening / closing member 12 when the transport container 11 is inserted into the packaging body P by the container transport mechanism.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a filling and packaging device and a filling and packaging method. More specifically, it relates to a filling and packaging device and a filling and packaging method for filling and packaging a plurality of articles into one packaging bag.

Background Art

[0002] Packaged products filled with a plurality of products in one packaging bag are widely sold, transported, and stored in a packaged state. Such packaged products generally involve filling and packaging a large number of products with substantially the same shape, weight, and volume, that is, products that are substantially the same, into one packaging bag. On the other hand, it is also common to fill articles (hereinafter referred to as accessories) that are different from the products in terms of shape, weight, volume, etc., such as product instructions and deoxidizers, together with the products.

[0003] As technologies for filling and packaging such products and accessories, there are technologies disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 5. The technologies disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 5 have a configuration in which products and accessories are put into a packaging bag having an opening at the upper end through the opening to fill the packaging bag with the products and accessories. And in Patent Documents 1 to 5, a chute for putting products into the packaging bag and a chute for putting accessories are provided separately, and a configuration is adopted in which the accessories are put in after the products are put into the packaging bag, or the accessories are put into the packaging bag simultaneously with the products.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Patent Document 4

Patent Document 5

[0005] However, the technologies disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 5 involve separate chutes for loading the product and accessories into the packaging bag, which complicates the mechanism for loading the product into the bag. Moreover, since both the product and accessories are supplied into the packaging bag by free fall from the chutes, it is difficult to ensure that the product and accessories are in the correct state (orientation, order, posture, position, etc.) when they are supplied into the packaging bag. Furthermore, there is currently no packaging equipment that can supply three or more contents with different shapes, weights, or volumes into a packaging bag to manufacture packaged products.

[0006] In view of the above circumstances, the present invention aims to provide a filling and packaging device and a filling and packaging method that can appropriately fill packaging bags with multiple types of items that differ in shape, weight, volume, etc., particularly three or more types of items to be packaged. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] <Filling and packaging equipment> The filling and packaging apparatus of the first invention is a filling and packaging apparatus that supplies an object to be packaged to a cylindrical packaging body having a closed lower end and an open upper end, the filling and packaging apparatus comprises a transport container having a space for accommodating an object to be packaged inside, a container transport mechanism for inserting and removing the transport container into and out of the packaging body through the opening at the upper end of the packaging body, and an object to be packaged supply mechanism for supplying the object to be packaged from inside the transport container into the packaging body, wherein the transport container has a discharge opening located at the bottom when inserted into the packaging body by the container transport mechanism, and an opening / closing member for opening and closing the discharge opening, and the object to be packaged supply mechanism has a mechanism for opening the discharge opening from a state in which the discharge opening is closed by the opening / closing member when the transport container is inserted into the packaging body by the container transport mechanism. The filling and packaging apparatus of the second invention is characterized in that, in the first invention, the container transport mechanism has a mechanism for moving the transport container between the open position and the supply position for supplying the object to be packaged into the transport container, and the apparatus is equipped with a supply device for supplying the object to be packaged into the transport container at the supply position. The filling and packaging apparatus of the third invention is characterized in that, in the second invention, the transport container comprises a supply opening for placing an object to be packaged into the transport container, which is provided at a position different from the discharge opening, and a second opening / closing member for opening and closing the supply opening, and the supply apparatus comprises an opening / closing unit for opening and closing the supply opening by operating the second opening / closing member, and an object to be packaged supply unit for supplying an object to be packaged into the transport container through the supply opening when the supply opening is open by the opening / closing unit. The filling and packaging apparatus of the fourth invention is characterized in that, in the third invention, the transport container has a supply opening provided on a surface intersecting the surface on which the discharge opening is formed, and the container transport mechanism has a mechanism that holds the posture of the transport container such that the supply opening faces upward at the supply position. The filling and packaging apparatus of the fifth invention is characterized in that, in the first invention, the transport container is equipped with a packaged object extrusion mechanism that moves the packaged object contained in the transport container toward the discharge opening. The filling and packaging apparatus of the sixth invention, in the first invention, is characterized in that the container transport mechanism moves the transport container to an open position where its lower end is close to the bottom of the packaging body, and then moves the transport container from the open position to a discharge completion position above the open position, and the packaged object supply mechanism opens the discharge opening at the open position and maintains the discharge opening open from the open position to the discharge completion position. <Filling and packaging method> The seventh invention is a filling and packaging method for supplying an object to be packaged to a cylindrical packaging body having a closed lower end and an open upper end, characterized in that a transport container having an outlet for discharging the object to be packaged and an opening / closing member for opening and closing the outlet, is inserted into the packaging body through the opening at the upper end of the packaging body so that the outlet is facing downwards, and the outlet is opened inside the packaging body to supply the object to be packaged into the packaging body. The filling and packaging method of the eighth invention is characterized in that, in the seventh invention, the transport container is moved to an open position where its lower end is close to the bottom of the packaging body, the discharge opening is opened at the open position, and while maintaining the open state of the discharge opening, the transport container is moved from the open position to a discharge completion position above the open position. The ninth invention's filling and packaging method is characterized in that, in the eighth invention, the transport container is provided with a supply opening for supplying the object to be packaged into the transport container, which is located on a surface intersecting the surface where the discharge opening is formed, and an opening / closing member for opening and closing the supply opening, and at the filling position after detaching from the package, the transport container is positioned with the supply opening facing upward, and the object to be packaged is placed into the transport container through the supply opening in that state. The tenth invention's filling and packaging method is characterized in that, in the seventh invention, the transport container is equipped with a packaged object extrusion mechanism that moves the packaged object contained within the transport container toward a discharge opening, and with the discharge opening open within the packaging body, the packaged object is pushed out from the discharge opening by the packaged object extrusion mechanism.

[0008] <Filling and packaging equipment> According to the first invention, objects to be packaged, which differ in shape, weight, volume, etc., can be supplied into the packaging in a stable position. In particular, when the objects to be packaged are supplied vertically into the packaging, it becomes possible to supply the objects to be packaged in a stable state. Furthermore, even when filling a packaging bag with multiple types of objects to be packaged, which differ in shape, weight, volume, etc., especially three or more types of objects to be packaged, it becomes possible to supply the multiple types of objects to be packaged into the packaging in a stable state in terms of orientation, order, position, etc. Moreover, since the task of packaging objects, which previously had to be handled by humans, can be automated, the work of supplying multiple types of objects to the packaging can be made more efficient, and human errors can be reduced. According to the second invention, objects to be packaged, which differ in shape, weight, volume, etc., can be filled into a transport container in a predetermined state. According to the third and fourth inventions, it becomes easier to fill the transport container with the object to be packaged. According to the fifth invention, the object to be packaged can be reliably moved from the transport container to the packaging body. According to the sixth invention, it is possible to suppress damage to the packaging body due to impact when the object to be packaged is supplied into the packaging body. <Filling and packaging method> According to the seventh invention, objects to be packaged, which differ in shape, weight, volume, etc., can be supplied into the packaging in a stable position. In particular, when the objects to be packaged are supplied vertically into the packaging, it becomes possible to supply the objects to be packaged in a stable state. Furthermore, even when filling a packaging bag with multiple types of objects to be packaged, which differ in shape, weight, volume, etc., especially three or more types of objects to be packaged, it becomes possible to supply the multiple types of objects to be packaged into the packaging in a stable state in terms of orientation, order, position, etc. Moreover, since the task of packaging objects, which previously had to be handled by humans, can be automated, the work of supplying multiple types of objects to the packaging can be made more efficient, and human errors can be reduced. According to the eighth invention, it is possible to suppress damage to the packaging body due to impact when the object to be packaged is supplied into the packaging body. According to the ninth invention, it becomes easy to fill the object to be packaged into the transport container, and objects to be packaged having different shapes, weights, volumes, etc. can be filled into the transport container in a predetermined state. According to the tenth invention, the object to be packaged can be surely moved from the transport container to the package.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009] [Figure 1] It is a schematic explanatory view of the filling and packaging apparatus 1 of the present embodiment. [Figure 2] It is a schematic explanatory view of the process of manufacturing the product S obtained by packaging a plurality of objects M to be packaged by the filling and packaging apparatus 1 of the present embodiment. [Figure 3] It is a schematic explanatory view of the process of manufacturing the product S obtained by packaging a plurality of objects M to be packaged by the filling and packaging apparatus 1 of the present embodiment. [Figure 4] It is a schematic explanatory view of the process of manufacturing the product S obtained by packaging a plurality of objects M to be packaged by the filling and packaging apparatus 1 of the present embodiment. [Figure 5] It is a schematic explanatory view of the transport container 11. (A) shows a state where the discharge opening do and the supply opening so are opened by the first opening / closing member 12 and the second opening / closing member 13. (B) shows a state where a plurality of objects M to be packaged are accommodated in the accommodation space 11h. (C) shows a state where the discharge opening do and the supply opening so are closed by the first opening / closing member 12 and the second opening / closing member 13. [Figure 6] It is a schematic explanatory view of the filling and packaging apparatus 1 of the present embodiment employing another transport container 15. [Figure 7] It is a schematic explanatory view of the transport container 15. (A) shows a state where the first opening / closing member 18 and the second opening / closing member 17 are opened. (B) shows a state where the first opening / closing member 18 is closed and a plurality of objects M to be packaged are accommodated in the accommodation space 15h. (C) shows a state where the second opening / closing member 17 is closed and the first opening / closing member 18 is opened. (D) shows a state where the first opening / closing member 18 and the second opening / closing member 17 are closed.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] The filling and packaging device of this embodiment is a device that fills and supplies the object to be packaged into a packaging bag, and is a device that can supply a plurality of objects to be packaged with different shapes, weights, volumes, etc. in a vertical state into the packaging bag.

[0011] The object to be packaged supplied to the packaging bag by the filling and packaging device of this embodiment is not particularly limited. For example, various shaped commodities such as substantially plate-shaped articles, substantially rectangular articles, rod-shaped articles, foods, paper articles (such as instruction manuals), industrial parts (such as screws), small accessories (such as deoxidizers), etc. can be cited as objects to be packaged. Also, the packaging material for packaging the object to be packaged in the filling and packaging device of this embodiment is a film used for general pillow packaging, etc., and is formed of a material that can be heat-sealed. For example, resin films such as polyethylene and polypropylene can be cited as the packaging material for packaging the object to be packaged in the filling and packaging device of this embodiment.

[0012] <The filling and packaging device 1 of this embodiment> The filling and packaging device 1 of this embodiment includes a packaging body forming portion 2 that forms a packaging body P, and an object to be packaged supply portion that supplies an object to be packaged M to the packaging body P. In the following description, the packaging body P means the state before the object to be packaged M is filled, and the state where the object to be packaged M is filled and sealed is called a product S (see FIG. 1).

[0013] <Packaging body forming portion 2> As shown in FIG. 1, the packaging body forming portion 2 forms a continuous film F into a cylindrical shape, seals one axial end of the cylindrical film F, and forms a packaging body P with the other end open.

[0014] As shown in Figure 1, the packaging body forming unit 2 is provided with a cylindrical body 3 for forming the film F into a cylindrical shape. The cylindrical body 3 is made of a highly rigid material such as metal and has an open end 3a, 3b with a through hole 3h connecting the two ends 3a, 3b. The direction along the central axis 3s of the through hole 3h corresponds to the axial direction of the cylindrical body 3, and hereafter, it will simply be referred to as the axial direction of the cylindrical body 3. In the packaging body forming unit 2, a continuous film F (for example, film F unwound from a roll) is supplied from a film supply unit (not shown), and the continuous film F is wound around the cylindrical body 3 via a former 3f so that its side edges overlap each other. In this state, it moves along the axial direction of the cylindrical body 3 to form a cylindrical structure that extends along the axial direction of the cylindrical body 3. In other words, the cylindrical body 3 has the function of being a mold for forming the film F into a cylindrical shape, and also has a guiding function that guides the movement of the cylindrical film F while maintaining its cylindrical shape. This cylindrical body 3 is positioned so that its axial direction is parallel to the vertical direction.

[0015] As shown in Figure 1, a vertical sealing device 4 is provided on the side of the cylindrical body 3. This vertical sealing device 4 connects the side edges of the film F by heat fusion and is a device that performs vertical sealing in a typical pillow packaging device. In other words, as the film F, which is wrapped around the cylindrical body 3 with its side edges overlapping, moves along the axial direction of the cylindrical body 3, the vertical sealing device 4 continuously heat fused the overlapping side edges together. By continuously heat fusion of the side edges by the vertical sealing device 4, the film F maintains its cylindrical shape.

[0016] As shown in Figure 1, a transverse sealing device 5 is provided outside one end 3a of the cylindrical body 3, that is, on the downstream side in the direction in which the cylindrical film F moves, at a predetermined distance L1 from one end 3a of the cylindrical body 3. This transverse sealing device 5 has the function of heat-sealing the cylindrical film F by sandwiching it, and is a device for transverse sealing in a typical pillow packaging device. This transverse sealing device 5 heat-seals the cylindrical film F, which is formed in a cylindrical shape, along a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the cylindrical body 3 (that is, a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the cylindrical film F).

[0017] Therefore, by heat-sealing one end of the tubular film F formed by the lateral sealing device 5, a tubular film F with one end closed, that is, a packaging body P with one end (the lower end in Figure 1) sealed and the other end (the upper end in Figure 1) open, can be formed. With the object to be packaged M contained in this packaging body P, the film F is moved along the axial direction of the tubular body 3 and the other end of the packaging body P is heat-sealed by the lateral sealing device 5 to form a product S with both ends closed.

[0018] <Packaged object supply section> The packaged object supply unit supplies packaged objects M to the package P. Specifically, the packaged object supply unit has a mechanism for simultaneously supplying multiple packaged objects M (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as "multiple packaged objects M") with different shapes, weights, volumes, etc., to the package P. This packaged object supply unit includes a transport container 11 that contains multiple packaged objects M, a container transport mechanism that inserts and removes the transport container 11 from the package P, and a packaged object supply mechanism that supplies the multiple packaged objects M in the transport container 11 into the package P. Furthermore, the multiple items to be packaged M supplied to the packaging body P do not necessarily have to be multiple items to be packaged M with different shapes, weights, volumes, etc., and multiple identical items may be used as multiple items to be packaged M. Of course, the filling and packaging device 1 of this embodiment may also be used when supplying a single item into the packaging body P from a transport container 11.

[0019] <Conveyor container 11> As shown in Figure 5, the transport container 11 is a rectangular parallelepiped (with rectangular walls) used to hold and transport multiple items to be packaged M to be supplied into the package P. The transport container 11 has a hollow space inside (hereinafter referred to as the "storage space 11h"), and multiple items to be packaged M to be supplied into the package P can be accommodated in this storage space 11h. The transport container 11 also has a discharge opening do on one of its side walls 11a, and a first opening / closing member 12 is provided to open and close this discharge opening do. For example, as shown in Figure 5, the first opening / closing member 12 is made up of a plate-shaped member, with one end 12b pivotably connected to the side wall 11a by a hinge or the like, and the other end 12a provided to be detachably connected to the side wall 11a. In other words, the first opening / closing member 12 is designed so that the discharge opening do can be closed by connecting its other end 12a to the side wall 11a, and the discharge opening do can be opened by swinging the other end 12a away from the side wall 11a. The method for connecting the other end 12a of the first opening / closing member 12 to the side wall 11a in a connectable and detachable manner is not particularly limited, but for example, a magnet or a detachable spline can be used. Furthermore, the transport container 11 has a supply opening so formed in a side wall 11b that intersects with the side wall 11a where the discharge opening do is formed, and a second opening / closing member 13 is provided to open and close this supply opening so. For example, as shown in Figure 5, the second opening / closing member 13 is made up of a plate-shaped member in which one end 13b is pivotably connected to the side wall 11b and the other end 13b is attached to the side wall 11b in a manner that allows it to be connected to and detached from the side wall 11b by a hinge or the like. In other words, the second opening / closing member 13 is designed so that the supply opening so can be closed by connecting the other end 13a to the side wall 11b, and the supply opening so can be opened by separating the other end 13a from the side wall 11b and pivoting it away from the supply opening so. The method of connecting the other end 13a of the second opening / closing member 13 to the side wall 11b in a manner that allows it to be connected to and detached from the side wall 11b is not particularly limited, but for example, a magnet or a detachable hinge can be used.

[0020] With the above configuration, if multiple items to be packaged M are placed in the storage space 11h of the transport container 11, the transport container 11 can hold and transport multiple items to be packaged M, and moreover, multiple items to be packaged M can be discharged from the transport container 11 to the outside. In other words, multiple items to be packaged M can be supplied from the transport container 11 to the packaged body P.

[0021] <Container transport mechanism> The container transport mechanism includes a mechanism for transporting the transport container 11 and a mechanism for supplying multiple items to be packaged M to the transport container 11. Specifically, as shown in Figure 1, the container transport mechanism has a mechanism for transporting the transport container 11 between an open position RP and a supply position SP. The open position RP is the position where the transport container 11 is placed inside the packaging body P (inside the cylindrical body 3) through the opening at the upper end of the packaging body P, and is the position where multiple items to be packaged M inside the transport container 11 are supplied into the packaging body P. The supply position SP is a position spaced apart from the packaging body P, and is the position where the items to be packaged M are supplied to the transport container 11.

[0022] The mechanism by which the container transport mechanism transports the transport container 11 is not particularly limited. It is sufficient that the transport container 11 can be moved between an open position RP and a supply position SP, and that the transport container 11 can be held in a predetermined position at both the open position RP and the supply position SP. Specifically, at the open position RP, the side wall 11a where the discharge opening do of the transport container 11 is formed should be held facing downwards, and at the supply position SP, the side wall 11b where the supply opening so of the transport container 11 is formed should be held facing upwards. For example, the transport container 11 may be held by a robot arm or the like and moved between the open position RP and the supply position SP.

[0023] Furthermore, the container transport mechanism may be configured to move the transport container 11 between the open position RP and the supply position SP by providing multiple servo cylinders. For example, the container transport mechanism may be provided with a horizontal movement servo cylinder that moves the transport container 11 horizontally when the supply opening so is facing upward at the supply position SP, and a vertical movement servo cylinder that moves the transport container 11, which has been moved near the packaging P by the horizontal movement servo cylinder, vertically when the discharge opening so is facing downward. In this case, each servo cylinder should be provided with a holding mechanism to hold the transport container 11 so that the transport container 11 is handed over at the aforementioned position. Alternatively, a handover mechanism may be provided to hand over the transport container 11 and change the orientation of the transport container 11. That is, a mechanism (for example, a robot arm) may be provided to hand over the transport container 11 between each servo cylinder by changing the orientation of the transport container 11 from when the supply opening so is facing upward to when the discharge opening so is facing downward, or by changing the orientation of the transport container 11 from when the discharge opening so is facing downward to when the supply opening so is facing upward. Furthermore, when a vertical movement servo cylinder is provided, the horizontal movement of the transport container 11 may be performed by a conveyor. In this case as well, a mechanism can be provided to change the orientation of the transport container 11 between the vertical movement servo cylinder and the conveyor.

[0024] Furthermore, the example described above explained the case where the container transport mechanism and the transport container 11 are separate entities, that is, separated from each other. However, the container transport mechanism and the transport container 11 may be integrated. For example, a conveyor mechanism may be used in which the transport container 11 is fixed to a belt or chain, and the transport container 11 may be moved between the open position RP and the supply position SP. In this case, one end of the conveyor mechanism is positioned inside the packaging body P (inside the cylindrical body 3) so that the direction of movement of the belt, etc., is vertical (i.e., positioned inside the packaging body P so that the direction of movement of the belt, etc., is parallel to the axial direction of the packaging body P), and the other end of the conveyor is positioned outside the packaging body P so that the direction of movement of the belt, etc., is horizontal. Then, by moving the belt, etc., back and forth between the open position RP and the supply position SP, the transport container 11 can be moved between the open position RP and the supply position SP so that it is in a predetermined position at both positions.

[0025] The container transport mechanism includes a supply device that supplies multiple items to be packaged M into the transport container 11 at the supply position SP. This supply device includes an opening / closing section and an item to be packaged supply section. The opening / closing mechanism has a mechanism for opening and closing the supply opening so by operating the second opening / closing member 13. For example, a robot arm can be used as the opening / closing mechanism. If the opening / closing mechanism is a robot arm, the robot arm can hold the second opening / closing member 13, causing the other end of the second opening / closing member 13 to swing with one end as a pivot point, that is, the other end of the second opening / closing member 13 to move closer to and further away from the side wall 11b of the transport container 11, thereby opening and closing the supply opening so.

[0026] The opening / closing mechanism only needs to have a mechanism for opening and closing the supply opening so by operating the second opening / closing member 13. In addition to the robot arm described above, a cylinder mechanism with a mechanism that can be connected to and detached from the second opening / closing member 13 can also be used. Alternatively, a leaf spring or the like can be provided between the second opening / closing member 13 and the side wall 11b so that when the connection between the second opening / closing member 13 and the side wall 11b is released, the second opening / closing member 13 can be opened by the force of the leaf spring or the like. In this case, when closing the second opening / closing member 13, a mechanism will be provided to move the second opening / closing member 13 closer to the side wall 11b against the force of the leaf spring or the like.

[0027] The packaged object supply unit has a mechanism for supplying multiple packaged objects M into the storage space 11h of the transport container 11 through the supply opening so when the supply opening so is open by the opening / closing unit. This packaged object supply unit is not particularly limited as long as it can supply multiple packaged objects M into the storage space 11h of the transport container 11. For example, the packaged objects M may be supplied into the storage space 11h of the transport container 11 from multiple chutes or the like. Alternatively, the packaged objects M may be held one by one or in groups by a robot arm or the like and supplied into the storage space 11h of the transport container 11. Furthermore, all packaged objects M may be held by a robot arm and supplied into the storage space 11h of the transport container 11 in one go. It is also possible for a person to manually supply the packaged objects M to the transport container 11, but supplying the packaged objects M to the transport container 11 by multiple chutes or a robot arm is desirable because it can reduce manpower and prevent human error.

[0028] <Packaged object supply mechanism> The packaged object supply mechanism is a mechanism that supplies multiple packaged objects M from the transport container 11 into the packaged body P. Specifically, when the transport container 11 has been transported to the open position RP by the container transport mechanism described above, the mechanism swings the first opening / closing member 12 to open the discharge opening do and discharges multiple packaged objects M from the discharge opening do, supplying multiple packaged objects M into the packaged body P. The packaged object supply mechanism is not particularly limited as long as it can open the discharge opening do when positioned at the open position RP. For example, if a wire or the like is connected to the first opening / closing member 12 and the wire is pulled, the connection between the other end of the first opening / closing member 12 and the side wall 11a of the transport container 11 is released and the first opening / closing member 12 can swing with one end as a pivot point. Then, by pulling the wire or the like, the discharge opening do can be opened and multiple packaged objects M can be discharged from the discharge opening do. In this case, the wire or the like and the mechanism for pulling the wire or the like constitute the packaged object supply mechanism. Furthermore, if the other end of the first opening / closing member 12 is connected to the side wall 11a of the transport container 11 by an electromagnet, the disconnection of the other end of the first opening / closing member 12 from the side wall 11a of the transport container 11 can be controlled by remotely controlling the deactivation of the power supply to the electromagnet. Then, when the power supply to the electromagnet is stopped, the first opening / closing member 12 swings downward due to its own weight and the weight of the multiple items to be packaged M inside the transport container 11, thereby opening the discharge opening do. Therefore, in this configuration, the electromagnet and the controller that controls the power supply to the electromagnet constitute the packaged item supply mechanism. Moreover, if a connecting mechanism is adopted that can remotely control the disconnection of the other end of the first opening / closing member 12 from the side wall 11a of the transport container 11, the discharge opening do can be opened remotely in the same way as with an electromagnet. In this case, the connecting mechanism and its controller constitute the packaged item supply mechanism.

[0029] <Packaging operation using the filling and packaging apparatus 1 of this embodiment> As described above, the filling and packaging apparatus 1 of this embodiment can manufacture a product S in which multiple items to be packaged M have been filled and packaged, as shown below.

[0030] <Package formation process> First, as shown in Figure 2(A), a continuous film F is supplied from a film supply unit (not shown) to the packaging unit 2. The supplied film F then moves along the axial direction of the cylindrical body 3, wrapped around the cylindrical body 3 with its side edges overlapping. At this time, the side edges of the film F are vertically sealed by the vertical sealing device 4. Eventually, when the leading edge of the film F reaches the position of the horizontal sealing device 5, the movement of the film F stops, and the leading edge of the film F is sealed by the horizontal sealing device 5 (see Figure 2(B)). This forms a cylindrical packaging body P with a bottom, that is, a cylindrical packaging body P with one end closed.

[0031] Meanwhile, the transport container 11 is positioned at the supply position SP (see Figure 1). Then, the opening / closing part of the supply device of the container transport mechanism swings the second opening / closing member 13 to open the supply opening so, and the packaged object supply part supplies multiple packaged objects M into the storage space 11h (see Figure 5(B)). Once the multiple packaged objects M are stably contained in the storage space 11h, the second opening / closing member 13 swings to close the supply opening so, and the transport container 11 containing the multiple packaged objects M is prepared.

[0032] The transport container 11, which contains multiple items to be packaged M, is inserted into the packaging P through the opening at the upper end of the packaging P by the container transport mechanism and positioned in the open position RP (see Figure 3(A)).

[0033] When the transport container 11 is positioned in the open position RP, the first opening / closing member 12 is swung by the packaged object supply mechanism, opening the discharge opening do. As a result, multiple packaged objects M are discharged from the discharge opening do, and multiple packaged objects M are supplied into the packaged body P (see Figure 3(B)).

[0034] When multiple items to be packaged M are supplied into the packaging P, the transport container 11 is detached from the packaging P by the container transport mechanism (see Figure 4) and moved to the supply position SP. The first opening / closing member 12 is swung to close the discharge opening do while being moved to the supply position SP, or after being moved to the supply position SP, so that multiple items to be packaged M can once again be supplied into the storage space 11h of the transport container 11.

[0035] Meanwhile, the packaging body P moves downward along the axial direction of the cylindrical body 3, and when its upper end reaches the position of the lateral sealing device 5, the movement of the film F stops, and the leading edge of the film F is sealed by the lateral sealing device 5 (see Figure 1). As a result, a product S containing multiple items to be packaged M, with their upper and lower ends sealed, is manufactured, and at the same time, the packaging body P is also formed.

[0036] By repeating the above process, a product S containing multiple items M to be packaged can be manufactured.

[0037] As described above, the filling and packaging apparatus 1 of this embodiment supplies multiple items to be packaged M into the packaging body P while they are contained in the transport container 11. Therefore, multiple items to be packaged M, which differ in shape, weight, volume, etc., can be supplied into the packaging body P in a stable order, orientation, and position. Consequently, a product S containing multiple items to be packaged M can be easily manufactured.

[0038] In particular, when the object to be packaged M is supplied vertically within the packaging, it becomes possible to supply the object to be packaged M into the packaging P in a stable state. That is, if the supply opening so of the transport container 11 is facing upward and the object to be packaged M is supplied into the storage space 11h of the transport container 11, the object to be packaged M can be placed horizontally. In other words, it can be placed horizontally within the storage space 11h so that it will be in a predetermined position when placed vertically. Therefore, if the discharge opening do of the transport container 11 is facing downward and the object to be packaged M is supplied from the transport container 11 into the packaging P, it becomes possible to supply the vertically positioned object to be packaged M into the packaging P in a stable state.

[0039] Furthermore, when filling a packaging bag P with multiple types of objects to be packaged M that differ in shape, weight, volume, etc., especially three or more types of objects to be packaged M, it was not possible to supply them to the packaging body P in the appropriate position. Therefore, until now, multiple types of objects to be packaged M had to be placed into the packaging body P manually. However, since multiple types of objects to be packaged M are placed in a predetermined position within the storage space 11h of the transport container 11 before being filled into the packaging bag P, the process of filling the packaging bag P with objects to be packaged M can be performed automatically. As a result, the work of supplying multiple types of objects to the packaging body P can be reduced, and human error can be reduced.

[0040] The opening position PR may be set at a position where, when the discharge opening do is opened, the entirety of all the items to be packaged M move from the transport container 11 into the package P (see Figure 1). In other words, when the transport container 11 is positioned at the opening position PR, the opening position PR may be set such that the distance L1 from the inner bottom of the package P to the side wall 11a of the transport container 11 (see Figure 1) is longer than the length of the longest item to be packaged M among all the items to be packaged M.

[0041] The distance L1 can be appropriately changed depending on the size, weight, and shape of the object to be packaged. For example, the distance L1 may be shorter than the length of the object to be packaged M (see Figure 3(B)). With this configuration, the impact on the object to be packaged M when it reaches the packaging P can be reduced, thus preventing damage to the object to be packaged M and the packaging P. Moreover, because the drop distance is short, it is possible to prevent changes in the orientation, order, posture, and position of the objects to be packaged M contained in the transport container 11 while they are falling.

[0042] Furthermore, if the distance L1 is shorter than the length of the object to be packaged M, even if the discharge opening do is opened, some of the multiple objects to be packaged M will remain inside the transport container 11. However, if the container transport mechanism moves the transport container 11 upward after the discharge opening do is opened (in other words, if the transport container 11 is moved away from the inner bottom of the packaging body P), all the objects to be packaged M can be completely discharged from the transport container 11, and the entirety of all the objects to be packaged M can be moved from the transport container 11 into the packaging body P. At this time, the position where the entirety of all the objects to be packaged M has moved from the transport container 11 into the packaging body P is the discharge completion position. When the transport container 11 is moved in this manner, the object to be packaged supply mechanism maintains the discharge opening do open from the open position RP to the discharge completion position.

[0043] <Regarding the first opening / closing member> In the example described above, the first opening / closing member was assumed to be a single plate-shaped member, but the first opening / closing member may be composed of multiple plate-shaped members. For example, two plate-shaped members may be arranged to open like double doors and serve as the opening / closing member. Alternatively, it may be a structure like a shutter that moves along the discharge opening do. In this structure, the discharge opening do can be opened by pulling the shutter in the direction of its movement.

[0044] <Regarding transport containers> In the example described above, the case in which multiple items to be packaged M are supplied to the transport container 11 with the supply opening so of the side wall 11b of the transport container 11 facing upwards was explained. However, the items to be packaged M may also be supplied to the transport container 11 with the supply opening so facing sideways.

[0045] Furthermore, the example described above explained the case where a supply opening so is provided on the side wall 11b that intersects with the side wall 11a of the transport container 11, but the position of the supply opening so is not particularly limited. For example, the supply opening so may be provided on the side wall 11c that faces the side wall 11a. In this case, when supplying the object to be packaged M to the transport container 11, the side wall 11c faces upward, that is, the object to be packaged M can be supplied to the transport container 11 in the same position as the transport container 11 in the open position PR, making it easier to adjust the position in which the object to be packaged M is supplied to the package P.

[0046] Furthermore, while the example described above explained the case where the transport container is a rectangular parallelepiped, the transport container does not necessarily have to be a rectangular box shape. For example, a container without corners, such as a cylindrical shape or a container with an elliptical shape in plan view or cross-section, may be used as a transport container, or a rectangular parallelepiped container with curved corners may be used. Even with such a transport container shape, if both a discharge opening and a supply opening are provided, it becomes easier to supply multiple items to be packaged M to the transport container, and the supply of multiple items to be packaged M from the transport container to the package P can be performed stably. In addition, if the transport container has a shape without corners, even if the transport container comes into contact with the cylindrical body 3, package P, or film F, damage to the cylindrical body 3, package P, film F, etc. can be suppressed.

[0047] For example, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, if a cylindrical container is used as the transport container (hereinafter referred to as the transport container 15), the following configuration can be used. As shown in Figure 7, the transport container 15 has a trough-shaped body 16 with a semicircular cross-section. This body 16 has an opening (hereinafter simply referred to as the "supply opening") between a pair of edges 16a, 16a, and has a shape in which one end in the axial direction (hereinafter referred to as the open edge 16c) is open and the other end is closed by a bottom wall 16b. The transport container 15 also has a second trough-shaped opening / closing member 17 with a semicircular cross-section, formed to be substantially the same shape and size as the body 16. This second opening / closing member 17 has an opening between a pair of edges 17a, 17a, and has a shape in which one end in the axial direction (hereinafter referred to as the open edge 17c) is open and the other end is closed by a bottom wall 17b. The end of this second opening / closing member 17 where the bottom wall 17b is formed is pivotably connected to the end of the body 16 where the bottom wall 16 is formed. Therefore, by swinging the second opening / closing member 17 so that its pair of edges 17a, 17a overlap with the pair of edges 16a, 16a of the main body 16, the supply opening of the main body 16 can be closed by the second opening / closing member 17 (see Figures 7(C), (D)). On the other hand, by swinging the second opening / closing member 17 away from the main body 16, the supply opening of the main body 16 can be opened (see Figures 7(A), (B)).

[0048] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 7(C), when the supply opening of the main body 16 is closed by the second opening / closing member 17, the transport container 15 has a shape in which an opening (hereinafter simply referred to as the "discharge opening") is formed by the opening edge 16c of the main body 16 and the opening edge 17c of the second opening / closing member 17. On the other hand, a first opening / closing member 18 is provided on the opening edge 16c of the main body 16. This first opening / closing member 18 is connected to the main body 16 so that one end can move in and out of the opening edge 16c. In other words, when the discharge opening is formed, it is connected to the main body 16 so that it can move in and out of this discharge opening. The first opening / closing member 18 is formed in a shape and size that allows it to close the discharge opening when it approaches it. For example, the first opening / closing member 18 is formed in the same shape and size as the discharge opening (see Figure 7(D)).

[0049] With the transport container 15 as described above, if the supply opening is opened by the second opening / closing member 17 and the first opening / closing member 18 is swung so that it approaches the edge 16c or 17c, the object to be packaged M can be supplied into the containment space 15h (see Figure 7(B)). On the other hand, if the second opening / closing member 17 is closed after the object to be packaged M has been supplied into the containment space 15h, the object to be packaged M can be sealed inside the containment space 15h. In this state, if the transport container 15 is transported to the open position RP so that the first opening / closing member 18 is facing downwards, and the first opening / closing member 18 is opened, multiple objects to be packaged M can be supplied into the package P through the discharge opening (see Figure 6). Furthermore, with the transport container 15 as shown in Figure 7, a containment space 15h with a circular cross-section is formed inside the transport container 15, making it easier to supply round-shaped workpieces (for example, cookies, thin crackers, cards, plates, etc.) into the package P in an arranged state.

[0050] In the example described above, the discharge opening was closed by a single first opening / closing member 18. However, the main body 16 and the second opening / closing member 17 may be provided with a pair of lid members that close the opening edges 16c and 17c, respectively, and the discharge opening may be closed by the pair of lid members. Furthermore, the method of connecting the main body 16 and the second opening / closing member 17 so as to be swingable, or the method of connecting the first opening / closing member 18 to the main body 16 so as to be swingable, is not particularly limited. Also, the method of connecting the main body 16 and the second opening / closing member 17 so as to be connectable and detachable, or the method of connecting the first opening / closing member 18 to the opening edges 16c, 17c so as to be connectable and detachable, is not particularly limited.

[0051] <Extrusion mechanism to be packaged> The transport container 11 may be equipped with a packaged object extrusion mechanism that moves the packaged object M contained within the storage space 11h toward the discharge opening do. In other words, the transport container 11 may be provided with a packaged object extrusion mechanism that pushes the packaged object M in the storage space 11h toward the discharge opening do. If such a mechanism is provided in the transport container 11, even if the packaged object M gets stuck inside the transport container 11 and cannot be discharged, the packaged object M can be reliably supplied from the discharge opening do to the package P by pushing the stuck packaged object M toward the discharge opening do with the discharge opening do open.

[0052] The configuration of the packaged object extrusion mechanism that moves the packaged object M is not particularly limited, but for example, a movable plate that moves from the side wall 11c opposite the side wall 11a to the discharge opening do, and a cylinder that moves this movable plate can be provided in the storage space 11h of the transport container 11 to form a packaged object extrusion mechanism. In addition, when a packaged object extrusion mechanism is provided, a spring or the like that is provided to hold the first opening / closing member 12 so that it is always biased to approach the side wall 11a and opens when a force exceeding a certain amount is applied, can be provided to form a packaged object supply mechanism. With such a configuration, when the packaged object M is moved toward the discharge opening do by the packaged object extrusion mechanism, the force applied to the packaged object M causes the first opening / closing member 12 to swing and open the discharge opening do, and when no such force is applied, the discharge opening do can be kept closed by the first opening / closing member 12. [Industrial applicability]

[0053] The article supply device of the present invention is suitable for supplying multiple types of articles in a vertical orientation to a single packaging bag or box. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] 1 Filling and packaging equipment 11. Transport container 11a side wall 11b Side wall 11h Accommodation space 12 First opening and closing components 13 Second opening and closing components do discharge opening so supply opening M is packaged as an object RP Open Location SP supply location P Packaging S products

Claims

1. A filling and packaging device that supplies an object to be packaged to a cylindrical packaging body having a closed lower end and an open upper end, The filling and packaging device is A transport container having a space inside for containing the object to be packaged, A container transport mechanism that inserts and removes the transport container into and out of the packaging through an opening at the upper end of the packaging, The system includes a packaging object supply mechanism that supplies the object to be packaged from the transport container into the packaging body, The aforementioned transport container is When inserted into the packaging by the container transport mechanism, the discharge opening is located at the bottom, It has an opening / closing member that opens and closes the discharge opening, The aforementioned packaging supply mechanism is When the transport container is inserted into the packaging body by the container transport mechanism, the mechanism has a mechanism to open the discharge opening from a state in which the discharge opening is closed by the opening / closing member. A filling and packaging apparatus characterized by the following features.

2. The container transport mechanism is The transport container has a mechanism for moving it between the open position and the supply position where the object to be packaged is supplied to the transport container. The supply device is equipped with a supplying device that supplies the object to be packaged into the transport container at the aforementioned supply position. The filling and packaging apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it is a filling and packaging apparatus.

3. The aforementioned transport container is A supply opening is provided at a different location from the aforementioned discharge opening for placing the object to be packaged into the transport container, It comprises a second opening / closing member that opens and closes the supply opening, The supply device is An opening / closing unit that opens and closes the supply opening by operating the second opening / closing member, The system includes a packaged object supply unit that, when the supply opening is opened by the opening / closing unit, supplies the packaged object into the transport container through the supply opening. The filling and packaging apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that it is a feature of the present invention.

4. The aforementioned transport container is The supply opening is provided on a surface that intersects with the surface on which the discharge opening is formed. The container transport mechanism is The transport container has a mechanism to maintain its orientation so that the supply opening faces upward at the supply position. The filling and packaging apparatus according to claim 3.

5. The aforementioned transport container is The transport container is equipped with a packaged object extrusion mechanism that moves the packaged object contained within the transport container toward the discharge opening. The filling and packaging apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it is a filling and packaging apparatus.

6. The container transport mechanism is The transport container is moved to an open position where its lower end is close to the bottom of the package, and then the transport container is moved from the open position to a discharge completion position above the open position. The aforementioned packaging supply mechanism is The discharge opening is opened at the open position, and the discharge opening remains open from the open position to the discharge completion position. The filling and packaging apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it is a filling and packaging apparatus.

7. A filling and packaging method for supplying an object to be packaged to a cylindrical packaging body having a closed lower end and an open upper end, A transport container, which contains the object to be packaged and has a discharge opening for discharging the object to be packaged and an opening / closing member for opening and closing the discharge opening, is inserted into the packaging body through an opening at the top end of the packaging body so that the discharge opening faces downwards. The packaging is opened to release the packaged object into the packaging. A filling and packaging method characterized by the following:

8. After moving the transport container to an open position where its lower end is close to the bottom of the package, the discharge opening is opened at the open position. While keeping the discharge opening open, move the transport container from the open position to the discharge completion position above the open position. The filling and packaging method according to claim 7, characterized by the features described above.

9. The transport container is, A supply opening is provided on the surface intersecting the surface where the discharge opening is formed, for supplying the object to be packaged into the transport container, It includes an opening / closing member for opening and closing a supply opening, At the filling position after detachment from the packaging, the transport container is positioned with the supply opening facing upwards, and the items to be packaged are placed into the transport container through the supply opening in this position. The filling and packaging method according to claim 8, characterized in that it is a feature of the present invention.

10. The transport container is, It is equipped with a packaged object extrusion mechanism that moves the packaged object contained within the transport container toward the discharge opening. With the discharge opening open inside the packaging, the packaged object is pushed out through the discharge opening by the packaged object extrusion mechanism. The filling and packaging method according to claim 7, characterized by the features described above.

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