Conveyor device, pouch manufacturing device, and pouch manufacturing method

Abstract

The invention achieves transporting of a pouch without using a spout. A transport device (1) comprises first pins (64) that hold a bag body (201) at each section on a transport route (R), and second pins (85) for accepting the bag body (201) held by the first pins (64) from the first pins (64) at each of the sections on the transport route (R), moving as far as a destination first pin (64) while also holding the bag body (201), and passing the bag body (201) along to the first pin (64).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a conveying device for conveying a bag body. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is a conveying device for conveying a spout-equipped pouch that conveys the pouch in a suspended state with the spout facing upward. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a conveying device that conveys the pouch in a suspended state by hooking a flange provided on the spout onto a support rail. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2019 / 026349 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The above-mentioned conveying device has a problem in that it cannot convey a bag body without a spout attached thereto.

[0005] An object of one aspect of the present invention is to realize transport of a bag without using a spout. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, a conveying device according to one embodiment of the present invention is a conveying device that conveys a bag body on a conveying path, and includes a first holding member that holds the bag body at each location on the conveying path, and a second holding member that receives the bag body held by the first holding member from the first holding member at each location on the conveying path, moves to a destination first holding member while holding the bag body, and hands over the bag body to the first holding member.

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, a pouch manufacturing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention includes the above-mentioned conveying device, a bag making device that produces the bag body from a raw roll, an opening device that opens the closed opening of the bag body, a filling device that fills contents into the bag body through the open opening, an attachment device that attaches a spout to the opening, and a sealing device that seals the opening to which the spout is attached, and the conveying device conveys the bag body using the first holding member and the second holding member at least between the bag making device and the opening device, between the opening device and the filling device, between the filling device and the attachment device, and between the attachment device and the sealing device.

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, a pouch manufacturing method according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a bag making process for making a bag body from an original roll, an opening process for opening a closed opening of the bag body, a filling process for filling the bag body with contents through the opened opening, an attachment process for attaching a spout to the opening, and a sealing process for sealing the opening with the spout attached, wherein on a conveying path from the bag making process to the sealing process, a first holding member holds the bag body at each point on the conveying path, and a second holding member receives the bag body held by the first holding member from the first holding member at each point on the conveying path, moves to the first holding member as a destination while holding the bag body, and hands the bag body over to the first holding member. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to realize transportation of a bag body without using a spout. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view showing a configuration of a conveying device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 4 is a side view showing the conveying device in a state in which the bag body is being conveyed. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is a side view showing the conveying device in a state in which the bag body is being held. [Figure 4]FIG. 11 is a front view showing the configuration of a pouch manufactured by a pouch manufacturing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a front view showing a configuration of the pouch manufacturing apparatus. [Figure 6] 10 is a plan view showing a state in which an opening unit for opening a bag body in the above-mentioned pouch manufacturing apparatus opens an opening portion of the bag body. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] [Embodiment 1] Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

[0012] [Conveyor system configuration] Fig. 1 is a front view showing the configuration of a conveying device 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a side view showing the conveying device 1 in a state in which it is conveying a bag body 201. Fig. 3 is a side view showing the conveying device 1 in a state in which it is holding the bag body 201.

[0013] 1, the conveying device 1 is a device that suspends a bag body 201 made by a bag making unit 10 (see FIG. 5) of a pouch production apparatus 100 described later, on a conveying path R and conveys the bag body 201 in a fixed conveying direction. The conveying device 1 is equipped with a base 2, a holding mechanism 3, and a conveying mechanism 4.

[0014] The base 2 has a frame 21, a plurality of support legs 22, and a back plate 23. The frame 21 is provided to support the entire pouch production apparatus 100, which will be described later, including the conveying device 1, and is supported by the support legs 22. The back plate 23 is a long plate-like member, and is arranged so that the rear end of the frame 21 rises from the installation surface of the conveying device 1. The main movable parts of the conveying device 1 are arranged in front of the back plate 23, and a part of the drive system (not shown) of the conveying device 1 that drives the movable parts is arranged on the back side of the back plate 23.

[0015] The holding mechanism 3 is a mechanism for holding the bag bodies 201 at various points on the conveying path R. The holding mechanism 3 has an initial holding section 5 and a main holding section 6. The initial holding section 5 holds the bag bodies 201 cut from a continuous state by a cutting unit 14 (see FIG. 5), which will be described later, in the bag making section 10 (bag making device). The cutting unit 14 cuts the continuous body 92 of the bag bodies 201 at the sealed portions at two cutting positions C1 and C2, which are shown by dashed lines in FIG. 1. The main holding section 6 holds the bag bodies 201 at a predetermined interval following the initial holding section 5. The initial holding section 5 will be described later.

[0016] The main holding portion 6 has a first opening and closing mechanism 61, a pair of support plates 62, a plurality of support members 63, a plurality of first pins 64 (first holding members), and a spacing mechanism 65.

[0017] The first opening and closing mechanism 61 is a mechanism that moves a pair of opposing first pins 64 to open and close. The first pins 64 will be described in detail later. As shown in FIG. 2, the first opening and closing mechanism 61 has air cylinders 611, 612, a support arm 613, a fixed member 614, a movable member 615, and an angle member 616.

[0018] The air cylinder 611 has a rod 611a. The air cylinder 611 uses air pressure to move the rod 611a in the X1 and X2 directions, that is, in the front-rear direction of the transfer device 1. A cylinder portion of the air cylinder 611 is fixed to the front surface of the back plate 23.

[0019] The air cylinder 612 has a rod 612a. The air cylinder 612 moves the rod 612a in the X1 direction and the X2 direction by air pressure. A cylinder portion of the air cylinder 612 is fixed to the rear surface of the rear plate 23, although not shown.

[0020] The air cylinders 611 and 612 move the rods 611a and 612a in opposite directions. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 2, when the first opening and closing mechanism 61 performs a closing operation, the air cylinder 611 moves the rod 611a in the X2 direction, and the air cylinder 612 moves the rod 612a in the X1 direction. On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 3, when the first opening and closing mechanism 61 performs an opening operation, the air cylinder 611 moves the rod 611a in the X1 direction, and the air cylinder 612 moves the rod 612a in the X2 direction.

[0021] Support arm 613 movably supports rod 611a. Support arm 613 has horizontal portion 613a and hanging portion 613b. Horizontal portion 613a is attached to the front surface of back panel 23 and is disposed so as to extend in the X1 direction relative to the front surface. Hanging portion 613b is provided so as to hang down from the lower surface at the tip of horizontal portion 613a. A through hole through which rod 611a passes is formed in hanging portion 613b. Hanging portion 613b slidably supports rod 611a passed through the through hole.

[0022] Fixed member 614 is fixed to rod 611a so as to cover the outer periphery of rod 611a near hanging portion 613b, thereby allowing fixed member 614 to move together with rod 611a.

[0023] The moving member 615 is disposed near the cylinder portion of the air cylinder 611. The moving member 615 has a through hole through which the rod 611a passes. The moving member 615 is slidably supported by the rod 612a by passing the rod 612a through the through hole. An angle member 616 is fixed to the upper end surface of the moving member 615. In addition, an end of the rod 612a is fixed to a vertically rising portion of the angle member 616. This allows the moving member 615 to be moved along the rod 611a by the rod 612a.

[0024] The support plate 62 is a long plate-like member having a length slightly shorter than the transport path R. A fixed member 614 is fixed to an upper end surface of one of the support plates 62. A moving member 615 is fixed to an upper end surface of the other support plate 62.

[0025] The support members 63 are fixed to the lower end surface of the support plate 62. The support members 63 are arranged in pairs at a fixed interval (approximately the interval between both side ends of the bag body 201), and each pair is also arranged at a fixed interval. The support members 63 on the pair of support plates 62 are arranged to face each other. The support members 63 have facing surfaces 63a on the opposing sides as described above.

[0026] The first pins 64 are fixed one by one to the opposing surfaces 63a of the support member 63. Therefore, the first pins 64 are arranged in pairs at a fixed interval, similar to the support member 63, and each pair is also arranged at a fixed interval. Also, the first pins 64 are arranged to face each other on the pair of support plates 62, similar to the support member 63. As shown in FIG. 2, when the first opening / closing mechanism 61 performs a closing operation, the first pins 64 move from a retreated position to a holding position where the tips meet, thereby holding the side end 201b of the bag body 201 so as to be sandwiched between both sides of the bag body 201. The first pins 64 configured as described above are arranged over almost the entire conveying path R, thereby holding the bag body 201 at each point of the conveying path R. Also, as shown in FIG. 3, when the first opening / closing mechanism 61 performs an opening operation, the first pins 64 move from a holding position to a retreated position where the tips open, thereby opening the bag body 201.

[0027] The first pin 64 is formed in a cylindrical shape from the end fixed to the support member 63 to the approximate middle portion, and is formed in a tapered shape that narrows from the cylindrical end toward the tip. The tip of the first pin 64 is formed to have a circular end face. With this structure, the first pin 64 can hold the bag body 201 by applying a pressing force to a small portion of the bag body 201. This makes it possible to hold the bag body 201 in a narrow place and increase the stability of the holding.

[0028] The shape of the first pin 64 is not limited to the above-mentioned shape, and may be, for example, generally cylindrical. The cross-sectional shape of the first pin 64 in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction is not limited to a circle, and may be a polygon, etc. A silicone-based rubber or the like may be attached to the tip of the first pin 64 as a protective member for protecting the bag body 201.

[0029] The initial holding portion 5 has a pair of extension plates 51 , a first opening and closing mechanism 61 , a plurality of support members 63 , and a plurality of first pins 64 .

[0030] The extension plate 51 is connected to the downstream end of each of the pair of support plates 62 in the conveying direction. The extension plate 51 is disposed above the above-mentioned cutting unit 14. The support member 63 is disposed on the pair of extension plates 51 in the same manner as the support member 63 in the main holding section 6. The first pin 64 is fixed to the support member 63 in the same manner as the first pin 64 in the main holding section 6. The first opening / closing mechanism 61 opens and closes the opposing first pins 64 in the pair of extension plates 51 in the same manner as the first opening / closing mechanism 61 in the above-mentioned main holding section 6.

[0031] The spacing mechanism 65 is a mechanism that provides a predetermined gap between adjacent bag bodies 201 cut out by the cutting unit 14. Immediately after being cut out by the cutting unit 14, adjacent bag bodies 201 are packed together with no gap between them. The spacing mechanism 65 provides a gap between adjacent bag bodies 201 that is set during the transport of the bag bodies 201 downstream of the spacing mechanism 65 from this state.

[0032] The spacing mechanism 65 is fixed on the support plate 62. The spacing mechanism 65 has at least two pairs of support members 65a and a plurality of first pins 64. The support members 65a are arranged so as to face both sides of the pair of support plates 62. On each opposing surface (not shown) of the support member 65a, the above-mentioned pair of first pins 64 are arranged at the same intervals as when the first pins 64 are fixed to the support member 63. The spacing mechanism 65 widens or narrows the interval between adjacent support members 65a by, for example, a mechanism that converts a rotational motion into linear motion in two opposite directions.

[0033] The conveying mechanism 4 has an initial conveying section 7 and a main conveying section 8. The initial conveying section 7 conveys the bag bodies 201, which have been cut from a continuous state by the cutting unit 14 and held by the initial holding section 5, to the spacing mechanism 65 while holding them. The main conveying section 8 repeats reciprocating movements in the conveying direction and the opposite direction, thereby sequentially sending out the bag bodies 201, to which spaces have been provided by the spacing mechanism 65, while holding them. The initial conveying section 7 will be described later.

[0034] The main conveying section 8 has a plurality of second opening and closing mechanisms 81, a pair of support plates 82, a pair of slide mechanisms 83, a plurality of support members 84, a plurality of second pins 85 (second holding members), and a moving mechanism 86.

[0035] The second opening / closing mechanism 81 is a mechanism that moves a pair of opposing second pins 85 to open and close. The second pins 85 will be described in detail later. As shown in Fig. 2, the second opening / closing mechanism 81 is a link mechanism, and has a pair of swing links 811, a support structure 812, a pair of joints 813, a pair of drive links 814, a rotating plate 815, a drive shaft 816, and a pair of pivot joints 817.

[0036] The swing link 811 is provided so as to swing by being rotatably supported by a support structure 812. The support structure 812 is fixed to the front surface of the back plate 23 and provided so as to protrude in the X1 direction. The support structure 812 has two support shafts 812a arranged at a distance in the horizontal direction. The support structure 812 rotatably supports the swing link 811 by the support shafts 812a.

[0037] The joint 813 is a connecting member that connects the swing link 811 and the driving link 814 to each other so that they can rotate with each other.

[0038] The driving link 814 moves to widen or narrow the gap between the pair of joints 813 in accordance with the rotation of the rotating plate 815. A part of the driving link 814 protrudes to the rear side of the rear plate 23 through a hole 23a in the rear plate 23.

[0039] The rotating plate 815 is driven by the drive shaft 816 to rotate in directions A and B. The rotating joint 817 is a member that rotatably supports one end of the drive link 814 on the rotating plate 815. The pair of rotating joints 817 are arranged on both sides of the rotating plate 815, one on each side. The drive shaft 816 is arranged to extend in the conveying direction, and only one is provided for each of the plurality of second opening / closing mechanisms 81. The drive shaft 816 is driven by a motor (not shown). The rotating plate 815, the drive shaft 816 and the rotating joint 817 are arranged on the back side of the back plate 23.

[0040] As shown in Fig. 2, when the second opening / closing mechanism 81 performs an opening operation, the rotating plate 815 rotates in the direction A, and the driving link 814 is displaced so that the distance between the pair of joints 813 decreases. As a result, the pair of swing links 811 rotate so that the distance between their upper ends increases. On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 3, when the second opening / closing mechanism 81 performs a closing operation, the rotating plate 815 rotates in the direction B, and the driving link 814 is displaced so that the distance between the pair of joints 813 increases. As a result, the pair of swing links 811 rotate so that the distance between their upper ends decreases.

[0041] The support plate 82 is a long plate-like member having a length slightly shorter than the transport path R. The support plate 82 is fixed to the upper end of the swing link 811.

[0042] The slide mechanism 83 is a mechanism for sliding the support member 84 and the second pin 85 in the transport direction, and is provided on the support plate 82. The slide mechanism 83 has four rail members 83a, a pair of moving plates 83b, and a plurality of sliding members 83c.

[0043] The rail member 83a has a length corresponding to the distance the main conveyor 8 moves the bag body 201. The rail members 83a are fixed to both ends of the support plate 82. The rail member 83a has two grooves formed near both side edges.

[0044] The movable plate 83b is disposed above the rail member 83a. Four sliding members 83c are fixed to the lower end surface of the movable plate 83b so as to protrude downward. The sliding members 83c are inserted into the grooves of the rail member 83a so as to be slidable therein.

[0045] The support members 84 are fixed to the upper end surface of the movable plate 83b. The support members 84 are arranged in pairs at a fixed interval (approximately the interval between both side ends of the bag body 201), and each pair is also arranged at a fixed interval. The support members 84 on the pair of movable plates 83b are arranged to face each other. The support members 84 have facing surfaces 84a on the opposing sides as described above.

[0046] The second pins 85 are fixed one by one to the opposing surface 84a of the support member 84. Therefore, the second pins 85 are arranged in pairs at a fixed interval, similar to the support member 84, and each pair is also arranged at a fixed interval. Also, the second pins 85 are arranged to face each other on the pair of moving plates 83b, similar to the support member 84. As shown in FIG. 3, when the second opening / closing mechanism 81 performs a closing operation, the second pins 85 move from a retreated position to a holding position where the tips meet, thereby holding the side end 201b of the bag body 201 so as to be sandwiched between both sides of the bag body 201. The second pins 85 configured as described above are arranged over almost the entire conveying path R, thereby moving the bag body 201 at each point of the conveying path R. Also, as shown in FIG. 2, when the second opening / closing mechanism 81 performs an opening operation, the second pins 85 move from a retreated position to a retreated position where the tips open, thereby opening the bag body 201.

[0047] The second pin 85 is formed to have the same size and shape as the first pin 64. However, the second pin 85 may be different from the first pin 64 in at least one of the size and shape.

[0048] The initial transfer section 7 has a pair of extension plates 71, a plurality of support members 84, and a plurality of second pins 85.

[0049] The extension plate 71 is connected to the downstream end of each of the pair of moving plates 83b in the conveying direction. The extension plate 71 is disposed above the above-mentioned cutting unit 14. The support member 84 is disposed on the pair of extension plates 71 in the same manner as the support member 84 in the main conveying section 8. The second pin 85 is fixed to the support member 84 in the same manner as the second pin 85 in the main conveying section 8.

[0050] The moving mechanism 86 is a drive mechanism that slides the moving plate 83b in the slide mechanism 83, and is configured by, for example, a crank mechanism. The moving mechanism 86 has a rotating disk 861, a pair of rotating arms 862, a bracket 863, a connecting rod 864, an attachment member 865, and a driving rod 866.

[0051] The rotating disk 861 is rotatably attached to the back plate 23, and is rotated by a motor (not shown) arranged behind the back plate 23. The pair of rotating arms 862 are provided corresponding to the pair of moving plates 83b, respectively, and are fixed onto a bracket 863. The bracket 863 is fixed to the front surface of the back plate 23.

[0052] The connecting rod 864 connects a portion near the outer periphery of the rotating disk 861 to a middle portion on the inner surface of the rotating arm 862 so that the rotating disk 861 and the rotating arm 862 are free to move.

[0053] The mounting members 865 are fixed so as to hang down from both side surfaces of the moving plate 83b. The driving rod 866 connects the tip of the rotating arm 862 and the mounting member 865 so that the rotating arm 862 and the mounting member 865 are free to move.

[0054] In the moving mechanism 86 configured as described above, the rotational motion of the rotating disk 861 is transmitted to the rotating arm 862 via the connecting rod 864, causing the rotating arm 862 to perform a rotating motion. When this rotating motion is transmitted from the tip of the rotating arm 862 to the mounting member 865 via the driving rod 866, the moving plate 83b reciprocates in the slide mechanism 83.

[0055] [Transportation device operation] The operation of the conveying device 1 configured as above will be described.

[0056] First, the initial holding unit 5 performs an operation of holding the continuum 92. The first opening and closing mechanism 61 of the initial holding unit 5 performs a closing operation to close the first pin 64. As a result, the first pin 64 holds the bag body 201 on both sides.

[0057] With the tip portion of the continuum 92 held by the first pin 64 in the initial holding portion 5, the tip portion is connected at the cutting positions C1, C2 by the cutting unit 14, and two bags 201 are cut out.

[0058] From this state, the main conveying section 8 of the conveying mechanism 4 moves the moving plate 83b in the opposite direction to the conveying direction by the slide mechanism 83 and the moving mechanism 86, thereby moving the initial conveying section 7 below the initial holding section 5. Then, the initial conveying section 7 closes the opposing second pins 85 of the pair of moving plates 83b by the second opening / closing mechanism 81 provided in the main conveying section 8 performing a closing operation. As a result, the second pins 85 hold the two bags 201 on both sides.

[0059] The main conveying unit 8 moves the moving plate 83b in the conveying direction by the slide mechanism 83 and the moving mechanism 86 with the second pin 85 holding the two bags 201. As a result, the two bags 201 are conveyed to the spacing mechanism 65 provided at the end of the main holding unit 6 on the downstream side in the conveying direction. In this state, there is no spacing between the two bags 201.

[0060] The spacing mechanism 65 narrows the gap between the two pairs of support members before the two bag bodies 201 are transported by the initial transport unit 7. When the two bag bodies 201 are transported by the initial transport unit 7, the main holding unit 6 narrows the gap between the pair of support plates 62. This causes the first pin 64 of the spacing mechanism 65 to close and hold the bag bodies 201. In this state, the spacing mechanism 65 widens the gap between the support members 65a to a specified gap at which the main holding unit 6 holds the bag bodies 201.

[0061] When the initial conveying unit 7 has moved in the opposite conveying direction to receive the next two bags 201 held by the initial holding unit 5, the main conveying unit 8 holds the two bags 201 held by the spacing mechanism 65 with the second pin 85 due to the closing operation of the second opening / closing mechanism 81. When the two held bags 201 are held by the second pin 85, the main holding unit 6 releases the holding by the first pin 64 with the opening operation of the first opening / closing mechanism 61.

[0062] Then, main conveyor 8 moves movable plate 83b in the conveying direction by slide mechanism 83 and movement mechanism 86 with second pin 85 holding two bags 201. As a result, two bags 201 are conveyed downstream in the conveying direction in main holder 6.

[0063] When the two bags 201 are transported by the main transport unit 8, the main holding unit 6 narrows the gap between the pair of support plates 62. This causes the first pin 64 of the spacing mechanism 65 to close and hold the bags 201.

[0064] In this manner, the conveying device 1 holds the bag body 201 by the first pins 64 at each point on the conveying path R. In addition, the conveying device 1 receives the bag body 201 held by the first pins 64 of the main holding unit 6 from the first pins 64 by the second pins 85 at each point on the conveying path R, moves the bag body 201 to the destination first pin 64 while holding the bag body 201, and passes the bag body 201 to the first pin 64.

[0065] As a result, the second pin 85 passes the bag body 201 received from the first pin 64 to the first pin 64 at the destination, so that the bag body 201 is sent sequentially along the conveying path R. In addition, because the bag body 201 is held by the first pin 64 and the second pin 85, it is also possible to convey the bag body 201 without a spout attached, as described below.

[0066] Moreover, the first pin 64 and the second pin 85 hold the bag body 201 so as to sandwich it between both sides of the bag body 201. This allows the first pin 64 and the second pin 85 to hold the bag body 201 stably.

[0067] In the above embodiment, the configuration in which the bag body 201 is held by the first pin 64 and the second pin 85 has been described, but the holding mechanism for the bag body 201 is not limited to the above example. For example, the bag body 201 may be held by being clamped from both sides by a mechanism that opens and closes like a clip.

[0068] [Embodiment 2] Other embodiments of the present invention will be described below. For ease of explanation, the same reference numerals are given to members having the same functions as those described in the above embodiment, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

[0069] Fig. 4 is a front view showing the configuration of a pouch 200 manufactured by the pouch manufacturing apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 5 is a front view showing the configuration of the pouch manufacturing apparatus 100. Fig. 6 is a plan view showing a state in which an opening unit that opens a bag body 201 in the pouch manufacturing apparatus 100 has opened the opening of the bag body.

[0070] [Pouch structure] 4, pouch 200 has a bag body 201 and a spout 202. Herein, the side to which spout 202 is attached is referred to as the upper side, and the opposite side is referred to as the lower side.

[0071] The bag 201 is made of a flexible film and has a rectangular shape. The bag 201 has a filling portion 201a, a side end portion 201b, and an upper end portion 201c.

[0072] Side end portion 201b has a constant width and is formed so as to extend entirely in the up-down direction at the side end of bag body 201. Side end portion 201b is a portion that is sealed by heat sealing as described below.

[0073] The upper end portion 201c has a constant width and is formed so as to extend horizontally over the entire upper end of the bag body 201. The upper end portion 201c is a portion that is sealed by heat sealing, similar to the side end portion 201b.

[0074] The overlapping area of ​​the side end 201b and the top end 201c includes a holding area 201d that is held by the first pin 64. The side end 201b also includes a holding area 201e that is held by the second pin 85. The holding area 201e is located slightly below the holding area 201d.

[0075] The filling section 201a is the section inside the side end section 201b and the top end section 201c, and is the section into which the contents are filled.

[0076] The spout 202 has a body portion 202a and a cap portion 202b.

[0077] The main body 202a has an upper portion into which the cap portion 202b is screwed, and a lower portion that is a tube portion. The lower portion is inserted through the upper end portion 201c of the bag body 201 so as to reach into the filling portion 201a.

[0078] [Pouch manufacturing equipment configuration] As shown in FIG. 5, the pouch manufacturing apparatus 100 includes at least a conveying device 1, a bag making section 10, an opening unit 20 (opening device), a filling unit 30 (filling device), a mounting unit 40 (mounting device), and a sealing unit 50 (sealing device).

[0079] The bag making section 10 produces individually packaged bags 201 from a long film roll. The bag making section 10 has a film feeding section 11, a sealing section 12, a feed roller unit 13, and a cutting unit 14.

[0080] The film unwinding section 11 has an original roll unit 11a (original roll), a plurality of transport rollers 11b, a folding guide unit 11c, and a feed roller unit 11d.

[0081] The web roll unit 11a rotatably supports a long web of film wound in a roll shape. The web roll unit 11a rotates at a constant speed so as to pay out the web of film at a constant speed.

[0082] The conveying roller 11b is a roller that conveys the film roll. The conveying roller 11b conveys the film roll while applying an appropriate tension. The folding guide unit 11c folds the film roll conveyed by the conveying roller 11b from the center to form a folded body 91. The feed roller unit 11d conveys the folded body 91 in a folded state by the folding guide unit 11c while pressing it.

[0083] The sealing section 12 has two heat sealing units 12a and 12b and one cooling and sealing unit 12c. The heat sealing units 12a and 12b heat seal the folded body 91 at two positions in the vertical direction at a fixed distance. The cooling and sealing unit 12c cools the film roll heated by the heat sealing units 12a and 12b. The sealing section 12 heat seals the film roll to form a continuous body 92 of bag-shaped portions that will become the original shape of the bag body 201.

[0084] The feed roller unit 13 conveys, while pressing, the original film that has been sealed by the sealing section 12. The feed roller unit 13 has a structure similar to that of the feed roller unit 11d.

[0085] The cutting unit 14 cuts the continuous web 92 fed by the feed roller unit 13 at the sealed portion. The cutting unit 14 is configured as a cutting mechanism using, for example, large scissors. The cutting unit 14 has two scissors arranged at a width interval of the bag body 201 so as to cut out two bag bodies 201 from the continuous web 92.

[0086] The conveying device 1 is disposed after the cutting unit 14. The conveying device 1 conveys the bag bodies 201 cut from the continuous body 92 in the conveying direction as described above.

[0087] The opening unit 20 opens the opening at the upper end of the closed state of the bag body 201 conveyed from the cutting unit 14. As shown in Fig. 6, the opening unit 20 has a movable plate 20a, a driving unit 20b, and a suction unit 20c (suction mechanism).

[0088] The movable plate 20a is disposed at a position slightly inside the pair of movable plates 83b and higher than the movable plate 83b so as to face each other.

[0089] The drive unit 20b drives the movable plates 20a in the X1 and X2 directions. Specifically, the drive unit 20b drives the pair of movable plates 20a to move closer to each other and away from each other. The drive unit 20b drives the movable plates 20a in a configuration equivalent to the first opening and closing mechanism 61 described above.

[0090] The suction unit 20c is disposed below the movable plate 20a and moves together with the movable plate 20a. The suction unit 20c is connected to a suction pump (not shown), and sucks both sides of the bag body 201 from a suction port provided at the tip, thereby attaching the bag body 201 to the tip.

[0091] The opening unit 20 configured as described above moves the movable plate 20a to narrow the gap with respect to the bag body 201 that has been transported while being held by the second pins 85, thereby bringing the suction unit 20c closer to the bag body 201. In this state, the holding by the second pins 85 is released, but when the suction unit 20c starts suction, the bag body 201 is sucked and held by the suction unit 20c, so that the bag body 201 does not fall.

[0092] In this state, when movable plate 20a moves to widen the gap, bag body 201 is sucked by suction unit 20c and the opening is widened. As shown in Fig. 6, when the opening of bag body 201 is sufficiently widened, holding by second pin 85 is resumed. In this manner, holding by second pin 85 is released while the opening of bag body 201 is being opened, so that the inconvenience that the opening becomes difficult to widen because bag body 201 is held by second pin 85 can be avoided.

[0093] The filling unit 30 has a filling nozzle 30a for filling one or more bags 201 conveyed from the opening unit 20 with contents.

[0094] The fitting unit 40 fits the spout 202 to the bag body 201 transported from the filling unit 30. The fitting unit 40 sandwiches the spout 202 in the widened opening of the bag body 201 and heat seals the spout 202 at the upper end of the bag body 201. The spouts 202 are sequentially supplied to the fitting unit 40 by air.

[0095] The sealing unit 50 seals the upper end of the bag body 201 conveyed from the mounting unit 40 by heat sealing.

[0096] [Manufacturing pouches using pouch manufacturing equipment] (1) Bag making process First, in the bag making section 10, the transport roller 11b transports the film roll 90 unwound from the film roll unit 11a to the folding guide unit 11c. The folding guide unit 11c folds the film roll 90 to form a folded body 91. The feed roller unit 11d sends the folded body 91 to the sealing section 12.

[0097] In the sealing section 12, the heat sealing units 12a and 12b heat seal predetermined locations of the folded body 91, and the cooling and sealing unit 12c then cools it to form a continuum 92. The feed roller unit 13 sends the continuum 92 to the cutting unit 14. The cutting unit 14 cuts the continuum 92 at at least one sealed location to cut out one or more bags 201. In this way, the single-packaged bag body 201 is produced. The conveying device 1 conveys the one or more bags 201 thus produced in the conveying direction.

[0098] (2) Opening process The bag body 201 produced by the bag making section 10 has an opening closed. The opening unit 20 uses the suction unit 20c to open the opening of the bag body 201 conveyed by the conveying device 1. The conveying device 1 conveys the bag body 201 with the opening open to the filling unit 30 by the second pin 85.

[0099] (3) Filling process In the filling unit 30, the filling nozzle 30a fills the contents through openings opened in one or more bags 201. The filling unit 30 may fill the contents into the bag 201 at once, or may fill the contents into the bag 201 in multiple batches.

[0100] In the filling unit 30, the conveying device 1 holds the bag body 201 conveyed from the opening unit 20 with the opening open by the first pin 64. In addition, the conveying device 1 conveys the bag body 201 filled with the contents with the opening open to the fitting unit 40 by the second pin 85.

[0101] As a result, in the filling unit 30, the bag body 201 that has been transported with the opening open can be filled with the contents as is, and then the bag body 201 with the opening open can be transported to the fitting unit 40. Therefore, with the opening open, filling with the contents and fitting of the spout 202 can be performed successively.

[0102] (4) Installation process The fitting unit 40 simultaneously fits the spouts 202 to the openings of the two bags 201 to be filled with the contents. When fitting the spouts 202, the fitting unit 40 pinches the upper ends of the bags 201, so that the first pins 64 in the conveying device 1 can be omitted.

[0103] (5) Sealing process The sealing unit 50 forms an upper end 201c by heat sealing the upper end of the bag body 201 to which the spout 202 is attached. Since the sealing unit 50 pinches the upper end of the bag body 201 when sealing the bag body 201, the first pin 64 in the conveying device 1 can be omitted, similar to the attachment unit 40.

[0104] (6) Discharge process In this manner, the pouch 200 is produced, and after an inspection or the like is performed as necessary as the final step of the pouch manufacturing apparatus 100, the pouch 200 is discharged.

[0105] [Effects of pouch manufacturing equipment] In the pouch manufacturing apparatus 100 configured as described above, the first pins 64 hold the bag body 201 at each point on the conveying path R from the bag making process by the bag making section 10 to the sealing process by the sealing unit. In the pouch manufacturing apparatus 100, the second pins 85 receive the bag body 201 held by the first holding members from the first pins 64 at each point on the conveying path R, move the bag body 201 to the first pins 64 at the destination while holding the bag body 201, and deliver the bag body 201 to the first pins 64. In the pouch manufacturing apparatus 100, the conveying device 1 conveys the bag body 201 by the first pins 64 and the second pins 85 at least at the following points (A) to (D). (A) Between the bag making section 10 and the opening unit 20 (B) Between the opening unit 20 and the filling unit 30 (C) Between the filling unit 30 and the mounting unit 40 (D) Between the mounting unit 40 and the sealing unit 50

[0106] According to the above configuration, the second pin 85 passes the bag body 201 received from the first pin 64 to the first pin 64 at the destination, so that the bag body 201 is sent sequentially along the conveying path R. Also, because the bag body 201 is held by the first pin 64 and the second pin 85, it is also possible to convey the bag body 201 without the spout 202 attached. Moreover, the conveying device 1 can consistently convey the bag body 201 between each unit, regardless of the presence or absence of a spout.

[0107] In addition, the spout can be made smaller because it does not need to have a flange to transport the pouch 200. This allows the amount of material required to make the spout to be reduced, thereby contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

[0108] <Summary> A conveying device 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention is a conveying device 1 that conveys a bag body 201 on a conveying path R, and is equipped with a first holding member 64 that holds the bag body 201 at each point on the conveying path R, and a second holding member 85 that receives the bag body 201 held by the first holding member 64 from the first holding member 64 at each point on the conveying path R, moves to the destination first holding member 64 while holding the bag body 201, and hands over the bag body 201 to the first holding member 64.

[0109] According to the above configuration, the second holding member 85 passes the bag body 201 received from the first holding member 64 to the first holding member 64 at the destination, so that the bag body 201 is sent sequentially along the conveying path R. In addition, because the bag body 201 is held by the first holding member 64 and the second holding member 85, it is also possible to convey a bag body without a spout attached.

[0110] In the conveying device 1 according to one aspect of the present invention, the first holding member 64 and the second holding member 85 may hold the bag body 201 by sandwiching it on both sides.

[0111] According to the above configuration, the first holding member 64 and the second holding member 85 can stably hold the bag body.

[0112] In the conveying device 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention, the first holding member 64 and the second holding member 85 may be pins (64, 85) that move between a holding position for holding the bag body 201 and a retracted position retracted from the holding position.

[0113] According to the above-described configuration, the pins (64, 85) can apply a pressing force to a small portion of the bag body 201 to hold the bag body 201. Therefore, the bag body 201 can be held in a narrow space and the stability of the holding can be improved.

[0114] A pouch manufacturing apparatus 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention includes any one of the conveying devices 1 described above, a bag making device 10 that produces a bag body 201 from an original roll, an opening device 20 that opens a closed opening of the bag body 201, a filling device 30 that fills the bag body 201 with contents through the open opening, an attachment device 40 that attaches a spout 202 to the opening, and a sealing device 50 that seals the opening to which the spout 202 is attached, and the conveying device 1 conveys the bag body 201 using a first holding member 64 and a second holding member 85 at least between the bag making device 10 and the opening device 20, between the opening device 20 and the filling device 30, between the filling device 30 and the attachment device 40, and between the attachment device 40 and the sealing device 50.

[0115] According to the above configuration, the conveying device 1 can consistently convey the bag body 201 between the devices, regardless of the presence or absence of the spout 202.

[0116] In the pouch manufacturing apparatus 100, the opening device 20 has a suction mechanism 20c that opens the opening by sucking both sides of the bag body 201, and the conveying device 1 may convey the bag body 201 with the opening open to the filling device 30 by the second holding member 85.

[0117] According to the above configuration, the suction mechanism 20c can hold the bag body 201 by sucking the bag body 201. This allows the first holding member 64 of the conveying device 1 in the opening device 20 to be omitted.

[0118] In the pouch manufacturing apparatus 100, the conveying device 1 may hold the bag body 201 conveyed from the opening device 20 in the filling device 30 with the opening open by the first holding member 64, and convey the bag body 201 filled with the contents with the opening open to the mounting device 40 by the second holding member 85.

[0119] According to the above configuration, in the filling device 30, the bag body 201 that has been transported with the opening open can be filled with the contents as is, and then the bag body 201 with the opening open can be transported to the attachment device 40. This allows the filling of the contents and the attachment of the spout 202 to be performed successively with the opening open.

[0120] A pouch manufacturing method according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a bag making process for producing a bag body 201 from an original roll, an opening process for opening a closed opening of the bag body 201, a filling process for filling the bag body 201 with contents through the opened opening, an attachment process for attaching a spout 202 to the opening, and a sealing process for sealing the opening to which the spout 202 is attached. On a conveying path R from the bag making process to the sealing process, the bag body 201 is held at various points on the conveying path R by a first holding member 64, and the bag body 201 held by the first holding member 64 is received from the first holding member 64 at various points on the conveying path R by a second holding member 85, which moves the bag body 201 to the first holding member 64 at its destination while holding the bag body 201, and passes the bag body 201 to the first holding member 64.

[0121] According to the above configuration, the second holding member 85 passes the bag body 201 received from the first holding member 64 to the first holding member 64 at the destination, so that the bag body 201 is sent sequentially along the conveying path R. In addition, because the bag body 201 is held by the first holding member 64 and the second holding member 85, it is also possible to convey the bag body 201 without the spout 202 attached.

[0122] [Additional Notes] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. In addition, embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in the different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0123] 1. Conveyor device 10 Bag making department (bag making equipment) 11a Original roll unit (original roll) 20 Opening unit (opening device) 20c Suction unit (suction mechanism) 30 Filling unit (filling device) 40 Mounting unit (mounting device) 50 Sealing unit (sealing device) 64 First pin (first retaining member) 85 Second pin (second retaining member) 100 Pouch manufacturing equipment 200 pouches 201 Bag body R Transport route

Claims

1. A conveying device that conveys a bag body along a conveying path, a first holding member that holds the bag body at each point on the conveying path; a second holding member that receives the bag body held by the first holding member at each point on the conveying path, moves to the first holding member as a destination while holding the bag body, hands the bag body over to the first holding member, and moves in the opposite direction to the direction of movement to return to the position where it received the bag body.

2. 2. The conveying device according to claim 1, wherein the first holding member and the second holding member hold the bag body by sandwiching it from both sides.

3. 3. The conveying device according to claim 2, wherein the first holding member and the second holding member are pins that move between a holding position for holding the bag body and an opening position for opening the bag body.

4. A conveying device according to any one of claims 1 to 3; A bag making device that produces the bag body from a raw roll; an opening device for opening the closed opening of the bag body; A filling device that fills the bag body with contents through the opened opening; A mounting device for mounting a spout to the opening; A sealing device that seals the opening to which the spout is attached, The pouch manufacturing apparatus is characterized in that the conveying device conveys the bag body using the first holding member and the second holding member at least between the bag making device and the opening device, between the opening device and the filling device, between the filling device and the mounting device, and between the mounting device and the sealing device.

5. the opening device has a suction mechanism that opens the opening by sucking both sides of the bag body, 5. The pouch manufacturing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the conveying device conveys the bag with the opening open to the filling device by the second holding member.

6. A conveying device for conveying a bag body along a conveying path, comprising: a first holding member that holds the bag body at each point on the conveying path; a second holding member that receives the bag body held by the first holding member at each point on the conveying path, moves to a destination of the first holding member while holding the bag body, and passes the bag body to the first holding member; and A bag making device that produces the bag body from a raw roll; an opening device for opening the closed opening of the bag body; A filling device that fills the bag body with contents through the opened opening; A mounting device for mounting a spout to the opening; A sealing device that seals the opening to which the spout is attached, the conveying device conveys the bag bodies by the first holding member and the second holding member at least between the bag making device and the opening device, between the opening device and the filling device, between the filling device and the mounting device, and between the mounting device and the sealing device; the opening device has a suction mechanism that opens the opening by sucking both sides of the bag body, the conveying device conveys the bag body with the opening open to the filling device by the second holding member, The conveying device is a pouch manufacturing apparatus characterized in that, in the filling device, the bag body conveyed from the opening device is held with the opening open by the first holding member, and the bag body filled with the contents is conveyed to the mounting device with the opening open by the second holding member.

7. a bag making process for producing a bag body from the raw material; an opening step of opening the closed opening of the bag body; a filling step of filling the bag body with contents through the opened opening; A mounting step of mounting a spout to the opening; A sealing step of sealing the opening to which the spout is attached, a first holding member holds the bag body at each point on the conveying path from the bag making process to the sealing process, a second holding member receives the bag body held by the first holding member from the first holding member at each point on the conveying path, moves to the first holding member as a destination while holding the bag body, hands the bag body over to the first holding member, and moves the second holding member in a direction opposite to the direction of movement so as to return to the position where the bag body was received.

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