Banding method

Abstract

This invention provides a banding method that is less likely to produce defective banded products, even when banding easily deformable and slippery individual packaging sheets or PTP sheets with distorted corners and edges as laminated structures. [Solution] The strapping means 100 is provided, which includes a transport vertical frame 22 that forms a transport piece, a plate-shaped body 40, a transport reversal means for reversing the transport direction of the transport piece, and a strap end processing means 50. The transport vertical frame 22 moves the laminate downstream of the strapping position 25, and once the strap 30, which was positioned upstream of the strapping position 25, comes into contact with the top surface of the laminate and the upstream edge 12 of the laminate, the transport reversal means returns the transport vertical frame 22 to the strapping position 25, creating a gap 26 between the strapping position 25 and the upstream edge of the laminate, and the plate-shaped body 40 slides along the gap 26 to guide the strap to the end processing position 35, and while tension is applied to the strap, the inner surfaces of the ends of the strap are heat-welded together and cut to create the strap.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a band winding means for winding a band around a laminated body formed by stacking sheet bodies containing medicines and the like.

[0002] Specifically, the present invention relates to a gusset-seal type band winding means that feeds a laminated body toward a band arranged to intersect a conveyance line, brings the band into sequential contact with the conveyance downstream surface, the bottom surface, the top surface, and further the conveyance upstream surface of the laminated body, makes the band go around once along the conveyance direction, and welds and cuts the inner surfaces of the band at the upstream corner portion of the laminated body to perform end processing.

[0003] The present invention relates to a band winding means technically characterized in that a conveyance piece for conveying the laminated body is fed in advance to a position downstream of a predetermined band winding position of the band, and the conveyance piece is returned to the band winding position after the band is brought into contact with the conveyance downstream surface, the bottom surface and the top surface of the laminated body and before the end processing, so that a slight gap is formed between the conveyance upstream surface of the laminated body and the conveyance piece.

[0004] After forming the gap, a plate-shaped body constituting a band guiding means for guiding the band is slid along the gap located on the conveyance upstream side to apply tension to the band and guide it to the end processing position, so that the plate-shaped body does not crush the sheet bodies forming the laminated body, the sheet bodies are not pulled in to deform the laminated body, and the band is wound around the laminated body with a tension that prevents the sheet bodies from falling off from the band-wound laminated body.

[0005] The band winding means may be applied to a horizontal conveyance line that performs linear conveyance, or may be applied to a reversing conveyance line that circulates in the vertical direction and reverses the top and bottom of the laminated body. Further, the sheet bodies forming the laminated body are preferably, but not limited to, divided packaging sheets enclosing powder, and PTP sheets each having a tablet storage portion formed on one side.

[0006] The transport method is not limited and may be either horizontal or inverted transport. For example, in the case of horizontal transport, the top surface of a horizontally arranged endless belt may be used as the transport section, and a shaft protruding from below the transport section may be used as the transport piece. Alternatively, the inside of a pair of opposing, vertically arranged endless belts may be used as the transport section, and vertical transport frames protruding from each endless belt to the transport section may be used as the transport pieces. In the case of inverted transport, a retaining piece supporting the bottom surface of the laminate may be used as the transport piece, the space between the retaining piece and an adjacent upper retaining piece may be used as the transport section, and the laminate may be transported in an inverted manner by rotating the transport section vertically.

[0007] The sheet being transported is preferably a sachet sheet that tends to have an uneven thickness, or a PTP sheet that may twist, but is not limited to these. The contents are not limited to powder or granules, and may be contents with different particle shapes. The type of contents is not limited to pharmaceuticals, but may also be seaweed for instant rice porridge, confectionery, etc. [Background technology]

[0008] PTP sheets with arranged tablet compartments and individual packaging sheets containing powdered drugs are stacked during transport to form laminates. PTP sheets are formed by heat-welding a top plate with a raised tablet compartment and a bottom plate that covers the tablet compartment, and then punching out the edges. As a result, the corners and edges of PTP sheets may occasionally be slightly distorted upwards or downwards.

[0009] Furthermore, the individual packaging sheet is formed when the contents and gas are introduced through an opening at the top of a vertically hanging bag, and the opening is heat-sealed and cut. If the particles making up the contents are small and the thickness of the individual packaging sheet is uniform and thin, the edges of the individual packaging sheet are less likely to become distorted.

[0010] However, if the particle size is large, or if the contents are mixed with items of different sizes, such as in instant rice porridge, causing the bag to bulge, or if heat shrinkage distortion remains in the packaging sheet due to the material of the sheet itself, the corners and edges of the sheet may become distorted.

[0011] If there was distortion in the corners or edges of the sheet body 15, when sliding the plate-like body 40 to apply tension to the band and strap it on, the distorted corners or edges 14 (see Figure 10) of the sheet body could occasionally get caught on the plate-like body 40 or pinched between the floor rail 24 and the transport piece 22, resulting in strapping failure. Also, if the sheet body was soft and easily deformed, for example, in the case of a slippery individual packaging sheet, the leading edge 13 of the sheet body could get caught in the upstream side surface 16 of the laminate, resulting in strapping failure.

[0012] Patent Document 1 discloses a technology that addresses the problem of tightly binding articles even if there are errors or looseness in the conveying chain due to manufacturing errors or aging of the conveying device. According to this technology, a positioning means provided in the binding area on the conveying path is used to press the article and accurately position it in a predetermined position, and a tensioned band is then wrapped around the article.

[0013] Specifically, the positioning means is provided with a rotating shaft having positioning fingers, the rotating shaft is positioned perpendicular to the transport path, and the rotating shaft is rotated in the binding area to press the articles to a predetermined position with the positioning fingers and position them.

[0014] However, this technology necessitates a positioning mechanism in the binding area where the banding mechanism is located, making the banding mechanism more complex. Furthermore, even with this technology, if the sheet material is a slippery individual packaging sheet, applying tension to the band could cause the individual packaging sheet on the side that is in contact with the band and receives frictional force (hereinafter referred to as the outermost layer) to slide upstream, potentially causing the outermost layer of individual packaging sheet to become entangled with the upstream side of the laminate, resulting in defective banded products.

[0015] Patent Document 2 discloses the applicant's technology for a banding machine. According to this technology, the tension of the band can be adjusted by changing the supply speed of the band relative to the descent speed of the plate-like body, and regardless of the deformability of the PTP sheet, for example, if the material of the tablet storage part of the PTP sheet is made of aluminum foil, the laminate can be banded with tension that does not deform and does not loosen.

[0016] However, even with this technology, if easily deformable and slippery packaging sheets, or sheets with distorted corners or edges, were laminated as the outermost layer, there were rare cases where the sheet would get caught or wrapped around the plate-like structure, resulting in defective products. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0017] Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2005-239269 Patent Document 2: Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2024-150955 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0018] The problem that this invention aims to solve is to provide a banding machine that is less likely to produce defective banded products, even when banding laminated materials such as easily deformable and slippery packaging sheets, or PTP sheets with distorted corners and edges. [Means for solving the problem]

[0019] The first invention of the present invention relates to a strapping means for strapping a strap, which is positioned upstream of the strapping position and intersects the transport path, onto a laminate of stacked sheet bodies, wherein the strapping means comprises a transport means having a transport piece, a strap guide means having a plate-shaped body, a transport reversal means for reversing the transport direction of the transport piece, and a strap end processing means, wherein the transport piece supports the upstream side of the laminate and transports the strap and the laminate downstream of the strapping position, and the strap is in contact with the top surface from the downstream edge of the laminate, and the plate-shaped body However, the plate-like body is slid toward the strip body, bringing the strip body into contact with the upstream edge of the laminate, the conveying reversal means returns the conveying piece to the strip-hanging position, creating a gap between the conveying piece and the upstream edge, and then the plate-like body is slid along the gap, applying tension to the strip body and guiding the strip body to the end-processing position, and the strip body end-processing means heat-welds the inner surfaces of the strip bodies together at the end-processing position and cuts the heat-welded portion to create the strip.

[0020] The conveying reversal means may reverse the direction of movement along a straight line or reverse the direction of rotation along an arc, and only needs to return a conveying piece that has advanced beyond the belting position to the belting position. The conveying reversal means may reverse the conveying direction using mechanical gears, cams, cam followers, etc., but it is preferable to reverse the conveying direction by controlling the rotation direction of the servo motor that functions as the conveying means and the conveying reversal means with an electronic cam that forms the control means, as this does not complicate the mechanism and allows for the maintenance of a high production speed.

[0021] Furthermore, the conveying line to which the strapping means is applied is not limited and may be either a straight conveying line or a reverse conveying line. When applied to a reverse conveying line, the strapping position may be at the top, or it may be at the horizontal conveying section of the receiving or handover section of the laminate.

[0022] According to the first invention, the conveying piece feeds the laminate downstream beyond the banding position, and in a state where the band is in contact with the top surface of the laminate, the plate-like body is slid to bring the band into contact with the upstream edge of the laminate, in other words, the upstream edge of the outermost sheet body, then the conveying direction of the conveying vertical frame is reversed to return the conveying piece to the upstream banding position, leaving a slight gap between the upstream edge of the laminate and the conveying piece.

[0023] When the top surface of the laminate is flat, for example, when it is the bottom surface of a PTP sheet, the band may contact the top surface and the upstream edge of the laminate at the same time. After the band comes into contact with the top surface and bottom surface of the laminate and the upstream edge of the outermost sheet body, and a gap is formed between the conveying piece and the upstream edge, the plate-like body is further slid along the gap, so that not only the plate-like body does not crush the laminate, but also even when a necessary tension is applied to the band, the shape of the laminate is less likely to be distorted and banding defects are less likely to occur.

[0024] Even for a sheet body with distorted corners or edges or a easily deformable sheet body, the upstream edge of the laminate is less likely to be caught on the plate-like body. Further, even when conveyance is performed by the conveying vertical frame protruding from the side, the lowermost sheet body is less likely to slide between the floor surface of the floor rail and the lower end surface of the conveying vertical frame. Thereby, even when tension is applied to the band, the outermost sheet body is less likely to be wound onto the upstream side surface of the laminate, and the corners and edges of a distorted sheet body or the like are less likely to be caught between the plate-like body and the end processing means, achieving an unprecedented advantageous effect of being less likely to produce banding defective products.

[0025] A second invention of the present invention is the banding means according to the first invention, wherein the conveying means includes a servo motor and a control means as driving means for the conveying piece, the servo motor and the control means also function as the conveying reversing means, and the control means performs control to reverse the rotation direction of the servo motor between when the conveying piece is fed downstream beyond the banding position and when the conveying piece is returned to the banding position.

[0026] According to the second invention, the conveying direction of the conveying piece constituting the conveying reversing means is reversed only by changing the rotation direction of the servo motor by the control means, without modifying or adding any mechanical driving components. This is not only favorable as it can maintain a high production speed, but also achieves an unprecedented advantageous effect of easy application regardless of the form of the conveying line and high versatility.

[0027] A third invention of the present invention is the strapping means according to the first or second invention, wherein the strapping means is applied to a conveying line that conveys a laminate, the conveying pieces form a left-right pair, protrude from below the conveying line, and are configured as shaft bodies that support the upstream side of the laminate, and strapping of the laminate is performed in the space between the left-right pair of the conveying pieces.

[0028] In the third invention, the upstream side of the laminate is supported by the left-right pair of shaft bodies protruding from below the conveying line, and the invention is applied to a conveying mode in which the laminate is fed toward the strap, and strapping is performed in the space between the left-right pair of conveying pieces. The expression that the conveying piece is protruded may mean that the protruding piece is retractable from the strap, or may remain in a state of being protruded from the circulating strap. The present invention is suitably applied not only to a linear conveying path, but also to a case where the horizontal portion at the receiving part or the delivery part of the inverting conveying means is set as the strapping position. Thereby, it can be applied to conventional general conveying lines, and the effect of high versatility is achieved.

[0029] A fourth invention of the present invention is the strapping means according to the first or second invention, wherein the strapping means is applied to a conveying line that linearly conveys a laminate, the conveying pieces form a left-right pair, protrude from the side of the conveying line, and are configured as vertical conveying frames that support the upstream side of the laminate, and strapping of the laminate is performed in the space between the left-right pair of the conveying pieces.

[0030] The shape of the transport vertical frame is preferably L-shaped in cross-section to support the transport surface and sides of the laminate, but is not limited to this. In the fourth invention, the upstream side of the laminate is supported by a pair of left and right transport vertical frames protruding from the side of the transport line, and the laminate is sent out toward the belt, and is strapped in the space between the pair of left and right transport pieces. This is preferably applied when the transport path in which a laminate, which has been pre-layered with sheet bodies, is received from below the transport line and transported horizontally on a floor rail is used as the strapping position.

[0031] In the fourth invention, the strip is in contact with the top and bottom surfaces of the laminate and the upstream edge of the outermost sheet, and the laminate's shape is stable. The plate-like body slides along the gap between the conveying piece and the upstream edge, applying the necessary tension to the strip. Because the bottommost sheet is less likely to slip upstream, even if the corners or edges 14 are distorted, the bottommost sheet will not get caught in the gap between the lower end surface of the conveying vertical frame and the floor surface of the conveying line (see Figure 10).

[0032] This design not only prevents the plate-like body from colliding with the upstream edge of the laminate when guiding the strip, but also prevents the edge of the bottommost sheet of the laminate from sliding below the upstream conveying vertical frame, thus reducing the likelihood of stripping defects.

[0033] The fifth invention of the present invention is a strapping means of the first or second invention, wherein the strapping means is applied to a conveying line that linearly conveys a laminate, and the conveying pieces are a pair of left and right pieces that protrude from the sides of the conveying line at the upstream and downstream positions of the laminate, and are conveying vertical frames that hold the laminate with a gap in the conveying direction, and the laminate is strapped in the space between the pair of left and right conveying pieces.

[0034] In the fifth invention, the four corners of the laminate are held in place by vertical conveying frames protruding from the sides of the conveying line, creating gaps in the conveying direction. Because the four corners of the laminate are held, the laminate formed by the sheet material is less likely to collapse when the conveying speed is high or when the conveying reverses.

[0035] According to the fifth invention, not only is it less likely to cause strapping defects, but because the four corners of the laminate in the direction of transport are supported, the laminate is less likely to collapse during transport even at high transport speeds, thus enabling the maintenance of a high production speed.

[0036] The sixth invention of the present invention is characterized in that, in the strapping means of the first or second invention, the strapping means is applied to an inversion conveying line that circulates the laminate and inverts its top and bottom, the conveying pieces are a pair of left and right holding pieces that hold the top and bottom of the laminate, and the laminate is strapped in the space between the pair of left and right conveying pieces at the top of the inversion circumference.

[0037] In the sixth invention, the strapping means is applied to an inversion conveying line that holds the top and bottom of the laminate and transports it in a vertical circular direction, and the laminate is strapped at the top of the inversion circle. Holding the top and bottom does not mean that the top and bottom surfaces of the laminate are in contact simultaneously; it is sufficient that the bottom surface is supported when rising and the inverted top surface is supported when descending. At the top of the inversion conveying machine, the sheet surface of each sheet body is upright and the sheet side end surface is facing upward. At the top of the inversion conveying machine, if the spacing between the sheet bodies in the outer diameter direction is slightly wide and the sheet bodies are tilted, and there is distortion at the corners or edges of the sheet bodies, the plate-like bodies may collide with the side edges of the sheet bodies, occasionally causing strapping defects.

[0038] However, according to the sixth invention, the conveying piece is rotated to a position downstream of the binding position, and after the binding material contacts the top surface of the laminate formed by the side edges of multiple sheet bodies, the conveying piece is rotated in the reverse direction to return to the binding position, creating a small gap between the conveying piece that was holding the laminate and the bottom surface of the sheet body before the plate-like material is slid. As a result, even if there is distortion in the corners or edges of the sheet body, the plate-like material will not collide with the side edges of the sheet body at the top of the reversing conveyor, thus preventing binding defects. [Effects of the Invention]

[0039] According to the first invention, even when tension is applied to the band, it is difficult to wrap the outermost sheet body around the upstream side of the laminate, and it is difficult to pinch the corners or edges of distorted sheet bodies between the plate-like body and the edge processing means, thus providing unprecedented advantages that reduce the occurrence of defective banded products. The second invention not only maintains a high production speed, but also offers unprecedented advantages such as ease of application regardless of the conveyor line configuration and high versatility. The third invention offers the advantage of being applicable to conventional general conveying lines and having high versatility.

[0040] According to the fourth invention, not only is it less likely for the plate-like body to collide with the upstream edge of the laminate, but the edge of the bottommost sheet body forming the laminate is less likely to slide under the upstream conveying vertical frame, thus reducing the likelihood of strapping defects. According to the fifth invention, not only is it less likely to cause stripping defects, but it also has the effect of being able to maintain a high production speed. According to the sixth invention, even if there is distortion at the corners or edges of the sheet body, the plate-like body will not collide with the side edges of the sheet body at the top of the reversing conveyor, thus preventing strapping defects. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0041] [Figure 1] Diagram illustrating a transport line using a transport vertical frame (Example 1). [Figure 2] Diagram illustrating the banding process (Example 1). [Figure 3] Diagram illustrating the banding process (Example 1). [Figure 4] Block diagram (Example 1). [Figure 5] Electronic cam shape of a servo motor (Example 1). [Figure 6] Diagram illustrating a finger-based conveying line (Example 2). [Figure 7] Diagram illustrating the banding process at the receiving section of the reversing conveyor line (Example 3). [Figure 8]Diagram illustrating the banding process at the top of the reversing conveyor line (Example 4). [Figure 9] Diagram illustrating the banding process at the top of the reversing conveyor line (Example 4). [Figure 10] Diagram illustrating the conventional technology. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0042] The laminate was initially sent downstream of the strapping position, and the strapping material, positioned upstream of the strapping position, was brought into contact with the top of the laminate. Then, the transport piece that had been carrying the laminate was returned to the strapping position, creating a small gap between the transport piece and the upstream edge of the laminate. A plate-like body that guides the strapping material was slid along this gap, applying tension to the strapping material as it was guided to the end processing position, and then strapped. [Examples]

[0043] In Example 1, with reference to Figures 1 to 5, a strapping mechanism 100 applied to a conveying line 1 that horizontally conveys a laminated material using a conveying vertical frame surrounding it will be described. Figure 1(A) shows a plan view of the conveying line 1, and Figure 1(B) shows a cross-sectional view of position A in Figure 1(A). Figures 2 and 3 are explanatory diagrams showing the strapping process. Figure 4 shows a block diagram of the strapping mechanism 100, and Figure 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the shape of the electronic cam that controls the servo motor.

[0044] In the conveyor line 1, a pair of endless belts 21 are arranged facing each other, circulating horizontally with the central conveyor section 20 in between. The endless belts 21 have vertically oriented surfaces, and their material is not limited as long as it can circulate horizontally. Around the endless belts, L-shaped conveyor vertical frames 22 are provided at predetermined intervals, facing each other, forming a laminate holding space that vertically holds the four corners of the laminate. The length of the laminate holding space in the conveyor direction is approximately 5 mm longer than the length of the laminate 10 in the conveyor direction. The pair of endless belts 21 are driven to circulate synchronously in opposite directions by servo motors (not shown) (see arrows in Figure 1(A)), and the pair of upstream conveyor vertical frames 22 come into contact with the laminate 10, causing the laminate to be conveyed horizontally.

[0045] The laminate 10 is made up of two rows of pre-packaged sheets manufactured in a separate manufacturing process. The laminate is taken in through a floor opening 23 at the upstream end 20 of the central transport section of the transport line 1 (see the white arrow in Figure 1(B)). The length of the floor opening 23 in the transport direction corresponds to the length of the laminate holding space.

[0046] The laminated 10, taken into the laminated 10 holding space through the floor opening 23, is sent up to the upstream transport vertical frame 22 along the floor rails 24 located on the left and right sides of the central transport section 20, and is transported to the downstream strapping position 25 surrounded by the four transport vertical frames 22. The gap between the lower edge of the transport vertical frame 22 and the floor rail 24 is smaller than the thickness of the packaged portion of the packaged sheet, and is sized so that the lower edge does not come into contact with the floor rail (see Figure 2).

[0047] First, to facilitate understanding, the mortise-and-density type banding mechanism 100 will be briefly explained with reference to Figure 1(B). Above the conveyor line 1, a band roll 31 on which the band 30 is wound is positioned, and below it, a winding roll 32 on which the waste band is wound is positioned. The band 30 is guided by multiple track correction shafts 33 and extends perpendicularly upstream of the banding position 25 (see dashed line in Figure 1(B)), intersecting the conveying direction of the laminate.

[0048] At the strapping position 25, the downstream surface of the plate-shaped body 40, which forms the strapping guide, is positioned above the conveying line 1 so as to coincide with it. Below the plate-shaped body 40, a strapping end processing means 50, which has substantially the same planar shape as the plate-shaped body, is positioned. The strapping end processing means 50 has heat-sealed bodies 51 (see Figure 2(A)) formed on both the upstream and downstream sides in the conveying direction, and a strapping cutting piece 52 made of a thin blade is provided between these heat-sealed bodies.

[0049] Furthermore, to prevent the individual sheets that make up the laminate 10 from scattering during the banding process and to avoid disrupting the laminated state of the sheet bodies, a pair of pressing plates 53 and 54 are provided above and below the laminate at the banding position, so as to sandwich the packaging portion from above and below. The upper pressing plate 53 descends and the lower pressing plate 54 rises, holding the laminate from above and below to prevent the laminate 10 from losing its shape. When the plate-like body 40 slides, the band 30 slides between the descending upper pressing plate 53 and the outermost sheet body, and the band is pulled toward the end processing position 35, applying tension.

[0050] At the end processing position 35 (see Figure 3(F)), the plate-like body 40 slides and the lower inner surface of the guided strip 30 comes into contact with the upper inner surface of the strip extending in contact with the bottom surface of the laminate 10. With the inner surfaces of the strips in contact, the strip end processing means 50 is raised toward the stationary plate-like body 40, and a pair of heat-welding bodies 51 (see Figure 2(A)) weld the inner surfaces of the contacting strips together, while a strip cutting piece 52 cuts the strip 10 at an intermediate position between the heat-welding bodies. The cut upstream and downstream welded pieces are each approximately 2 mm long.

[0051] The cut downstream welded pieces are attached to the laminate, while the upstream welded pieces are attached to the waste strip at predetermined intervals as waste pieces. The waste strip is wound onto a winding roll 32 located below the conveyor line. The stripped laminate 10 is then transported to the downstream inspection and packaging processes while enclosed in the conveyor vertical frame 22.

[0052] Here, the operation of the strapping means 100 applied to the transport line 1 will be explained in detail with reference to the explanatory diagrams of the strapping process in Figures 2 and 3. Until the laminate 10 is transported, the strap 30 is supported by multiple trajectory correction shafts 33 and is suspended vertically upstream of the strapping position 25 so as to intersect with the transport line 1 that transports the laminate horizontally (see Figure 2(A)).

[0053] The upstream transport vertical frame 22 pushes out the upstream portion of the laminate 10, sending the upstream portion of the laminate downstream of the strapping position 25. Specifically, the inner surface of the upstream transport vertical frame 22 that is in contact with the laminate passes approximately 5 mm past the strapping position 25 (see black arrow in Figure 2(B)), positioning the entire sheet body that makes up the laminate downstream of the strapping position 25 (see Figure 2(B)). This distance passed becomes the gap 26 between the laminate and the strapping position.

[0054] Then, the pressing plate 53 is lowered from above the conveyor line 1, and the pressing plate 54 is raised from below, sandwiching the laminate 10 from above and below, and bringing the strip 30, which was extending diagonally from the downstream edge 11 of the laminate (see Figure 2(B)), into contact with the top surface of the laminate (see Figure 2(C)). Even if a slight tension is applied to the strip by being pressed from above and below by the pair of pressing plates 53 and 54, the upstream edge 12 of the outermost packaging sheet that makes up the laminate is supported by the upstream conveyor vertical frame 22, so that it does not slide beyond the upstream side surface 16 of the laminate (see dashed line in Figure 10). The plate-like body 40 only needs to be lowered slightly later than the lowering of the upper pressing plate 53 (see Figure 2(C)).

[0055] Then, the transport vertical frame 22 is returned to its original position (see white arrow in Figure 3(D)) so that the downstream inner surface of the upstream transport vertical frame 22 and the downstream side of the plate-like body 40 are aligned at the strapping position 25, creating a gap 26 between the upstream side of the laminate and the downstream side of the plate-like body 40. Furthermore, while keeping the downstream side of the plate-like body 40 aligned with the strapping position 25 (see dashed line in Figure 3(D)), the plate-like body 40 is lowered along the gap 26 (see dashed arrow in Figure 3(D)), and while tension is applied to the strapping band 30, the plate-like body 40 is slid toward the end processing position 35 (see Figure 3(D)).

[0056] As tension is applied to the strip 30 by the descent of the plate-like body 40, the laminated body 10 is pulled towards the plate-like body 40 by a distance corresponding to the gap at the upstream strip attachment position, while maintaining the laminated configuration sandwiched between the upper and lower pressing plates 53 and 54 (see Figure 3(E)). The plate-like body 40 is lowered to the end processing position 35, tension is applied to the strip to prevent the packaging sheets from coming out, and then the strip end processing means 50 equipped with a heat-welding body 51 is raised and brought into contact with the lower surface of the plate-like body 40, and the inner surfaces of the ends of the strip that has descended from above and the horizontally extending strip are heat-welded together and cut, completing the rafter bonding of the strip (see Figure 3(F)), and the laminated body 10 is transported downstream.

[0057] The configuration of the strapping means 100 will be explained with reference to the block diagram shown in Figure 4. The strapping means 100 consists of a control means 110 made up of a central processing unit, a storage means 120 made up of an HDD, RAM, ROM, etc., an input means 130 and a display means 140, a servo motor 150 which is the driving means for the transport means and the transport reversal means, a transport piece made up of a transport vertical frame 22, a strapping guide means equipped with a plate-shaped body 40, a pair of upper and lower pressing plates 53, 54, and a strapping end processing means 50 equipped with a pair of heat-welded bodies 51 and a strapping cutting piece 52.

[0058] The memory means 120 stores an electronic cam (see Figure 5) that drives a servo motor 150 (not shown). The control means 110 retrieves the electronic cam stored in the memory means 120 to drive the servo motor 150, controlling the driving direction and speed of the conveyed piece, thereby making the conveyed piece function as a conveying means and a conveying reversal means. Control information for the servo motor is input through the input means 130, and the control information is displayed on the display means 140.

[0059] Furthermore, the storage means 120 stores control information such as the descent speed of the plate-shaped body 40, the timing of the descent, the descent distance and timing of the pressing plate 53, the upward distance and timing of 54, the upward distance and timing of the heat-welded body 51 which is raised together with the strip-cut piece 52, the welding temperature, and the welding time. The control means 110 retrieves the control information stored in the storage means 120 to operate the conveying pieces formed by the conveying vertical frame 22.

[0060] The shape of the electronic cam that drives the servo motor will be explained with reference to Figure 5. For ease of understanding, Figure 5(A) shows the shape of the electronic cam of the servo motor that moves the transport vertical frame 22, Figure 5(B) shows the timing of the operation of the pressing plates 53 and 54, Figure 5(C) shows the timing of the operation of the plate-like body 40, and Figure 5(D) shows only the timing of the operation of the strip end processing means 50. Note that the driving means for the operation of the plate-like body 40, the pressing plates 53 and 54, and the strip end processing means 50 are not limited and may be pneumatically driven, etc.

[0061] First, the servo motor that drives the transport frame 22 rotates at a positive speed (a), and the transport vertical frame 22 is sent to a position A downstream of the strapping position 25 (see Figure 2(B)). Then, the servo motor rotates in the reverse direction at a negative speed (b) to return the transport frame 22 to the strapping position (Figure 5(A)). The pressing plate is lowered after the stacked body 10 has begun to pass the strapping position (▽1), and the lowering of the pressing plate is completed before the servo motor starts to reverse direction (▽2) (see Figure 5(B)).

[0062] With the transport vertical frame 22 in the downstream position A, the laminate is pressed from above and below by the pressing plates 53 and 54 (▽2), then the plate-like body 40 begins to descend (▽3), and at the timing of end processing (▽4), the descent of the plate-like body is completed (see Figure 5(C)). The end processing means 50 processes the ends of the strip at the same timing as the completion of the descent of the plate-like body 40 (▽4) (▽5) (see Figure 5(C)). This operation is repeated for each laminate, and the laminate is transported in a strip.

[0063] In the banding process shown in Figures 2 and 3, the operation of the pressing bodies 53, 54, the plate-shaped body 40, and the end processing means 50 can be driven by the same driving means as in the conventional technology. The control means 110, which constitutes the transport means, should drive the forward and reverse rotation of the servo motor based on the shape of an electronic cam that is set to match the timing of the operation of the pressing bodies 53, 54, the plate-shaped body 40, and the end processing means 50. [Examples]

[0064] In Example 2, with reference to Figure 6, a strapping means 100 applied to a conveyor line 2 that is horizontally conveyed by fingers protruding from below the conveyor line 2 will be described. Figure 6(A) shows a plan view of the conveyor line 2, and Figure 6(B) shows a cross-sectional view at position A in Figure 6(A).

[0065] The strapping position 25 is indicated by a dashed line in each figure. In the conveyor line 2, a pair of fingers forming shafts 60 that hold the upstream and downstream of the stacked body 10 protrude from below on both sides of the central conveying section 20 of the conveyor line. The distance between the upstream and downstream shafts that hold the stacked body is slightly longer than the length of the stacked body 10 in the conveying direction.

[0066] The four shafts 60 protruding from below form a set and advance to the next downstream transport position to transport the stacked body 10, descend below the floor rail 24, move below the floor rail to return to the original horizontal position, and rise back up to the original position so as to surround the next stacked body 10 transported from upstream (see dashed arrow in Figure 6(B)). Of course, the shafts 60 may also be attached to an endless belt, and the endless belt may be reversed during the process of circulating drive to strap the stacked bodies on the floor rail.

[0067] At positions β other than the strapping position 25, this basic operation is repeated to transport the laminated body 10. The configuration and operation of the strapping roll 31, winding roll 32, upper and lower pressing plates 53, 54, plate-like body 40, and strapping end processing means 50 are the same as those of the strapping means 100 in Embodiment 1, and are therefore denoted by reference numerals in the drawings, with their description omitted. The same applies to the following embodiments.

[0068] In the strapping means 100 of Embodiment 2, it is sufficient for the shafts 60 to operate differently at the transport position α where strapping takes place compared to other transport positions β, but they may also operate in the same way as at α at all transport positions. At position α, the four shafts 60 forming a set, similar to the strapping means 100 of Embodiment 1, are sent downstream of the strapping position so that a gap 26 is created between the upstream shaft and the laminate (see Figures 6(A) and (B)). Then, with the pressing plates 53 and 54 sandwiching the laminate 10 from above and below, the four shafts 60 return to the strapping position 25, and strapping is performed (see the operation in Figures 2 and 3). [Examples]

[0069] In Example 3, the strapping means 100 applied to the receiving section 70 of the inversion conveying line 3 will be described with reference to Figure 7. Figure 7(A) shows a plan view of the strapping means 100, and Figure 7(B) shows a cross-sectional view at position A in Figure 7(A). The strapping means 100 inverts and conveys the laminated PTP sheets 10 so that its top and bottom are reversed.

[0070] In Embodiment 3, the shafts 60 are positioned only at the upstream location of the laminate. The two shafts 60, arranged in a pair on the left and right, move forward, downward, return to their original position, and upward, similar to the shafts in Embodiment 2, to transfer the laminate to the receiving section 70 of the inversion conveying means.

[0071] In Embodiment 3, the strapping means 100 is provided with a laminate support shaft 72 at the back of each laminate holding section 71. The laminate 10 is transported by a pair of left and right shafts 60 to the position of the laminate support shaft 72 located downstream, so that there is a gap 26 between the strapping position 25 (see the dashed line in Figure 7) and the laminate 10, and is received by the receiving section 71. After the laminate is received and the top and bottom of the laminate are sandwiched between the pressing plates 53 and 54, the pair of left and right shafts 60 are returned to the strapping position 25.

[0072] The pair of left and right shafts return to the strapping position 25, and with a small gap 26 between the pair of left and right shafts and the laminate, the plate-like body 40 descends and guides the strap 30 to the end processing position 35, and the strap is joined together. In Embodiment 3, the laminate holding part 71 is rotated 1 / 4 of a turn vertically around the central axis, and at the top of the rotation, the laminate is supported by the laminate support shaft 72 and lies on its side.

[0073] Furthermore, the laminate holding section 71 is rotated 1 / 4 of the way around, and at the transfer section 73 from the inversion conveying line, the laminate is inverted. In Example 3, the laminate was banded at the receiving section 71, but of course, the same banding action may be performed at the transfer section 73 downstream from the inversion conveying line. [Examples]

[0074] In Example 4, please refer to Figures 8 and 9. An example in which the strapping means 100 is applied at the top 74 of the inversion conveying line will be described. Figure 8 shows a vertical cross-sectional view of the strapping means 100 applied in Example 3, Figure 9(A) shows the laminate holding part 71 circulating downstream of the strapping position 25, and Figure 9(B) shows the plate-like body 40 being lowered so as to strap the strap 30 along the bottom surface 75 of the laminate sheet with the upper and lower pressing pieces 53 and 54.

[0075] When there is distortion in the corners or edges of the PTP sheet surface, if a plate-like body is lowered along the bottom surface 75 of the sheet (see Figure 9(A)) when the sheet bodies are stacked vertically, the plate-like body 40 may catch on the distorted corners or edges of the sheet body that protrude from the lowering surface of the plate-like body 40, in other words, the band-hanging position 25, causing damage to the sheet body.

[0076] In Example 4, the laminate holding part 71, which holds the laminate, is rotated clockwise to a position downstream of the strapping position 25 (see arrow in Figure 9(A)), so that the bottom surface 75 of the laminate sheet is positioned ahead of the strapping position 25 by the distance of the gap 26.

[0077] In this state, the sides of the laminate are sandwiched from above and below by the pressing plates 53 and 54, bringing the strip 30 into contact with them from above and below, and lowering the leading edge of the plate-like body 40 below the upstream edge 12 of the laminate (see Figure 9(A)). Because there is a small gap 26 between the bottom surface 75 of the laminate and the strip attachment position 25, even if the bottom plate of the PTP sheet is distorted and the sheet body is warped, the plate-like body 40 is less likely to catch on the bottom plate 75 of the sheet.

[0078] Then, the laminate 10 is rotated counterclockwise (see arrow in Figure 9(B)) so that its bottom surface becomes the strapping position 25, which is the downstream side of the plate-like body 40, and the plate-like body 40 is lowered (see Figure 9(B)). As a result, the strap 30 slides and stretches between the pressing plates 53, 54 and the laminate 10, tension is applied to the strap, and the bottom surface 75 of the laminate sheet comes into contact with the plate-like body 40, so that the strap is securely strapped to the laminate without loosening.

[0079] (others) The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. The technical scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims, not limited to the foregoing description, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are intended. In this embodiment, the plate-like body is lowered and welded to the lower end of the laminate to finish the edges, but it is also possible to raise the plate-like body and finish the edges to the upper end of the laminate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0080] 1, 2... Conveyor line, 3... Reversing conveyor line, 100... Banding means, 10...Laminate, 11...Downstream edge, 12...Upstream edge, 13...Tip 14...Corners and edges, 15...Sheet body, 16...Upstream side, 20...Central conveying section, 21...Endless belt, 22...Conveying vertical frame, 23...Floor opening, 24...Floor rail, 25...Strap attachment position, 26...Gap, 30...Strip, 31...Strip roll, 32...Winding roll 33... Track correction shaft, 35... End processing position, 40...plate-like body, 50...Means for processing the end of the strip, 51...Heat-welded body, 52...Cut piece of the strip, 53...Pressing plate, 54...Pressing plate, 60... Axis, 70...Receiving section, 71...Laminate holding section, 72...Laminate support shaft, 73...Transfer section, 74...Top section, 75...Bottom surface of the sheet

Claims

1. In a strapping means for strapping a strapping body that intersects the transport path and is positioned upstream of the strapping position onto a laminate of stacked sheet bodies, The aforementioned strapping means comprises a conveying means having a conveying piece, a strapping guide means having a plate-shaped body, a conveying reversal means for reversing the conveying direction of the conveying piece, and a strapping end processing means. The conveying piece supports the upstream side of the laminate and moves the strip and the laminate downstream from the strip attachment position. With the strip in contact with the top surface from the downstream edge of the laminate, The plate-like body is slid toward the strip, so that the strip comes into contact with the upstream edge of the laminate. The conveying reversal means returns the conveying piece to the strapping position, creates a gap between the conveying piece and the upstream edge, Furthermore, the plate-like body is slid along the gap, applying tension to the strip and guiding the strip to the end processing position. The strip end processing means heat-welds the inner surfaces of the strips together at the end processing position and cuts the heat-welded portion to form the strip. A belt-hanging means characterized by the following:

2. The conveying means comprises a servo motor and a control means as the driving means for the conveyed piece. The servo motor and the control means also function as the transport reversal means. The control means controls the servo motor to reverse its rotation direction when sending the conveying piece downstream of the strapping position and when returning the conveying piece to the strapping position. The strapping means according to feature 1.

3. The aforementioned strapping means is applied to a conveying line that transports the laminated material. The aforementioned conveying pieces are arranged in pairs, left and right, and protrude from below the conveying line, and serve as shafts that support the upstream side of the laminate. In the space between the pair of conveying pieces on the left and right, the laminate is wrapped around them. The strapping means according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The aforementioned strapping means is applied to a conveying line that linearly transports the laminated material. The aforementioned conveying pieces are arranged in pairs, left and right, and protrude from the sides of the conveying line, and also serve as conveying vertical frames that support the upstream side of the laminate. In the space between the pair of conveying pieces on the left and right, the laminate is wrapped around them. The strapping means according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The aforementioned strapping means is applied to a conveying line that linearly transports the laminated material. The aforementioned conveying pieces, forming a pair on the left and right, protrude from the sides of the conveying line at the upstream and downstream positions of the laminate, and are configured as conveying vertical frames that hold the laminate with a gap in the conveying direction. In the space between the pair of conveying pieces on the left and right, the laminate is wrapped around them. The strapping means according to claim 1 or 2.

6. The aforementioned strapping means is applied to an inversion conveying line that rotates the laminated material and reverses its orientation. The transport pieces are configured as holding pieces that hold the top and bottom of the laminated body together, in a pair on the left and right. In the space between the pair of transport pieces on the left and right at the top of the inverted circumferential region, the laminate is wrapped around the space. The strapping means according to claim 1 or 2.

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