Gusset forming device for horizontal bag making and filling machine

Abstract

To provide a gusset forming device in a horizontal bag-making and filling machine equipped with gusset forming means capable of neatly folding a film without damaging an object to be packaged or a film.SOLUTION: There is provided a horizontal bag-making and filling machine equipped with vertical sealing means and horizontal sealing means, the machine including: an air jetting portion 70 that jets air in a width direction onto a tubular film F between front and rear packaged items W prior to pinching the tubular film F between a pair of sealing bodies 12 and 14; first film pushing means for pushing the tubular film F inward by the air jetted from the air jetting portion 70; and second film pushing means having a pushing body 80 that can move in the width direction to enter a conveying path 11 and exit therefrom, so that the pushing body 80 is advanced into the conveying path 11 and pressed against a pinching position so that a pinching position 10s is recessed inward most deeply, and after pushing the pinching position 10s inward, it is withdrawn, prior to pinching the tubular film between the pair of sealing bodies 12 and 14.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a gusset forming device for obtaining gusseted packages in a horizontal bag making and filling machine. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a form-fill-seal machine that obtains a bag package such as a pillow package by overlapping both widthwise edge portions of a strip-shaped film pulled out from a film roll, forming the film into a cylindrical shape, applying a vertical seal to the overlapping portion of the film, and sandwiching portions of the film that are in front and behind the feeding direction of the packaged product placed in the cylindrical film through the packaged product placed in the cylindrical film, and applying a horizontal seal along a direction intersecting the feeding direction. It is also known that in this form-fill-seal machine, a gusset forming means is provided at a position away from the position where the pair of sealing bodies sandwich the film, in front or behind the feeding direction of the packaged product, and the gusset forming means pushes the side surface of the cylindrical film inward just before the pair of sealing bodies sandwich the film, thereby obtaining a pillow package with a gusset formed. As a gusset forming means, a method is known in which gusset forming claws or the like are brought into contact with a tubular film to press the side of the tubular film, but the more packaging is done per minute or the tighter the packaging, the more likely it is that the gusset forming claws will hit misaligned packaged items, resulting in packaging defects or pinholes in the film.As a gusset forming means that can eliminate such problems, a method is known in which air is sprayed onto the side of the tubular film to press it inward, as shown in Patent Document 1. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2005-29226 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, with the technology of Patent Document 1, depending on the type of packaging material and the shape and size of the packaged item, it may be difficult to neatly fold the sides of the tubular film inward, and further improvement is desired.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a gusset forming device in a horizontal bag making and filling machine equipped with a gusset forming means capable of neatly folding a film without damaging the packaged goods or the film. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the gusset forming device in the horizontal form-fill-seal machine of the present invention employs the following means. First, the invention according to claim 1 is a horizontal form-fill-seal machine that includes a vertical sealing means (6) that applies a vertical seal to the overlapped portion of a tubular film (F) formed by overlapping both longitudinal edge portions of a strip-shaped film pulled out from a film supply source, and a horizontal sealing means (10) that moves a pair of sealing bodies (12, 14) disposed opposite each other across a conveying path (11) for the tubular film (F) toward and away from each other, clamping the tubular film (F) located between the front and rear packaged articles (W) enclosed at a predetermined interval in the tubular film (F) between the pair of sealing bodies (12, 14), and applies a horizontal seal to the tubular film (F) along the width direction intersecting the feed direction along the conveying path (11), the pair of seal bodies (12, 14) are provided at positions in the front-rear direction in the film transport direction, The pair of sealing bodies (12, 14) sandwich the tubular film (F) in conjunction with the movement of the pair of sealing bodies (12, 14) in the approaching and separating directions. Immediately before that, air is directed toward a clamping position (10s) in the feed direction of the tubular film (F) that is scheduled to be clamped by the sealing bodies (12, 14) and toward a portion of the tubular film that is in front of or behind the clamping position (10s). a first film pushing means having an air blowing portion (70) for pushing the tubular film (F) inward with air blown from the air blowing portion; The sealing members (12, 14) are provided at positions spaced apart laterally from the longitudinal ends of the sealing members (12, 14), a pusher (80) that can move in the width direction to enter and exit the conveying path, and the tubular film (F) is sandwiched between the pair of sealing bodies (12, 14) in conjunction with the movement of the pair of sealing bodies (12, 14) in the approaching and separating directions. Just before,and a second film pushing means for pushing the pushing body (80) into the conveying path (11) and against the clamping position (10s) so that the clamping position (10s) in the feed direction of the tubular film (F) that is scheduled to be clamped by the sealing bodies (12, 14) is recessed deepest inward, and then forcing the clamping position (10s) inward and then withdrawing the pushing body (80).

[0007] According to the invention of claim 1, the gusset forming device in the horizontal bag filling machine has two film pushing means, a first film pushing means and a second film pushing means. The first film pushing means pushes the tubular film (F) inward by ejecting air from an air ejection section (70) in the width direction onto the tubular film (F) between the front and rear packaged articles (W) before the tubular film (F) is sandwiched between the pair of sealing bodies (12, 14). That is, a force pushing the tubular film (F) inward can be applied to the tubular film (F) between the front and rear packaged articles (W) and at the front or rear side in the feed direction of the sandwiching position (10s). As a result, even when tight packaging is performed with a short distance between the pair of sealing bodies (12, 14) and the packaged item (W), the tubular film (F) near the packaged item (W) can be sufficiently pushed inward by air, and pinholes and the like can be made less likely to occur in the film, thereby suppressing damage to the packaged item (W) and the film. In addition, the second film pushing means, in conjunction with the movement of the pair of sealing bodies (12, 14) in the approaching and separating directions, advances the pushing body (80) into the conveying path (11) before the pair of sealing bodies (12, 14) clamp the tubular film (F) so that the clamping position (10s) in the feed direction of the tubular film (F) to be clamped by the sealing bodies (12, 14) is recessed deepest inward, and then exits after pushing the clamping position (10s) inward. Therefore, the film position for forming the gusset and the shape of the gusset are stable, making it difficult for packaging defects to occur. In addition, the pushing body (80) contacts the tubular film (F) at the clamping position (10s) and pushes it in the width direction so that the clamping position (10s) is recessed deepest inward in the feed direction, thereby preventing it from colliding with the packaged item (W). In other words, the film can be pushed in neatly without being affected by the type of packaging material or the shape and size of the packaged item (W). It also becomes possible to package tightly. As described above, it is possible to provide a gusset forming device for a horizontal form-fill-seal machine equipped with a gusset forming means that can neatly fold the film without damaging the packaged item (W) or the film.

[0008] Next, the invention of claim 2 which is dependent on claim 1 is such that the pair of sealing bodies (12, 14) are arranged so that the longitudinal direction of the sealing bodies is along the width direction, and is configured so that when the tubular film (F) is clamped at the clamping position (10s), a space portion (13) is formed in which the longitudinal end edges of the pair of sealing bodies (12, 14) are separated from each other, and the pushing body (80) is configured to move from the space portion (13) to the clamping position (10s) before the pair of sealing bodies (12, 14) clamp the tubular film (F) to push the tubular film (F) at the clamping position (10s) in the width direction, and to retract into the space portion (13) after pushing.

[0009] According to the invention of claim 2, the pusher (80) of the second film pushing means advances and retreats in the width direction of the tubular film (F) from a space (13) formed when the longitudinal edges of the pair of sealing bodies (12, 14) are separated. This makes it possible to reduce the pushing amount (stroke) of the pusher (80) until it contacts the clamping position (10s) of the tubular film (F), thereby allowing for a margin of operation even when the number of packages per minute is large, and makes it less susceptible to the effects of packaging aspects such as the type of packaging material and the shape and size of the packaged items (W), making it possible to accommodate flexible packaging specifications.

[0010] Next, the invention of claim 3 which is dependent on claim 2 is such that the pushing body (80) has a tip portion (80a) which can contact the lines along the feed direction relative to the clamping position (10s) of the tubular film (F), and the tip portion (80a) is configured with an end portion having a rounded cross section when viewed from the feed direction.

[0011] According to the invention of claim 3, the tip portion (80a) of the pusher (80) has an end portion whose cross section when viewed from the feed direction is rounded, thereby further preventing the occurrence of damage such as pinholes in the tubular film (F).

[0012] Next, the invention of claim 4, which is dependent on any one of claims 1 to 3, is a horizontal form-fill-seal machine having a conveying surface (2a) on which the packaged items (W) are placed and conveyed, and a supply conveyor (2) that supplies, as the packaged items (W), a collection of items that stand upright on the conveying surface (2a) and are lined up in front and behind each other, to the tubular film (F) being formed into a tubular shape.

[0013] According to the invention of claim 4, a supply conveyor (2) is provided that supplies assembled products that stand upright on the conveying surface (2a) and are aligned in front and behind one another to a tubular film (F) as packaged items (W). Since the pusher (80) comes into contact with the clamping position (10s) of the tubular film (F) in the feed direction, even when a packaged item (W) that is prone to falling over is tightly packaged, a long distance in the feed direction from the packaged item (W) to the pusher (80) can be ensured, making it easier to avoid contact between the packaged item (W) and the pusher (80), and the tubular film (F) can be neatly pushed inward without damaging the packaged item (W) or the film, forming a gusset.

[0014] Next, the invention of claim 5, which is dependent on any of claims 1 to 4, comprises a fixed frame body (16) and a movable frame body (18) supported so as to be movable in the feed direction relative to the fixed frame body (16), and the pair of sealing bodies (12, 14) are supported by the movable frame body (18) so that they can clamp the tubular film (F) and move in the feed direction, and so that they can move toward and away from each other.

[0015] According to the invention of claim 5, the pair of sealing bodies (12, 14) supported by the movable frame body (18) can move in the feed direction and move toward and away from each other. Even with the pair of sealing bodies (12, 14) moving in this way, the film can be neatly folded without damaging the packaged article (W) or the film.

[0016] Next, the invention of claim 6, which is dependent on any of claims 1 to 5, is characterized in that the second film pushing means moves back and forth together with the pair of sealing bodies (12, 14) only in the feed direction by driving a drive source (M1) for moving the pair of sealing bodies (12, 14) toward and away from each other and in the feed direction.

[0017] According to the invention of claim 6, the second film pushing means is reciprocated using the drive of the drive source (M1) required to move the pair of sealing bodies (12, 14), so there is no need to provide a separate drive source (M1), and operating costs and manufacturing costs can be reduced. Also, since the second film pushing means is configured to reciprocate together with the pair of sealing bodies (12, 14) only in the feed direction, it is possible to constantly prevent positional deviation from the clamping position (10s), and thus to prevent deterioration in the quality of the gusset formation.

[0018] Next, the invention of claim 7, which is dependent on any of claims 1 to 6, is configured such that the second film pushing means is driven by a servo motor (M2) to move toward and away from the tubular film (F) in the width direction, and the servo motor (M2) is driven and controlled so as to be linked to the timing of the movement of the pair of sealing bodies (12, 14) toward and away from each other.

[0019] According to the invention of claim 7, the servo motor (M2) is a motor used for controlling the position, speed, etc., and has good responsiveness. Therefore, the second film pushing means can more precisely coordinate with the timing of the approaching and separating movements of the pair of sealing bodies (12, 14), thereby improving the packaging capacity. Effect of the Invention

[0020] By adopting the means of each of the above-mentioned inventions, the present invention can provide a gusset forming device in a horizontal bag making and filling machine equipped with a gusset forming means that can neatly fold a film without causing damage to the packaged item (W) or the film. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic front view showing a gusset forming device of a horizontal bag making and filling machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Diagram 2] 2 is a schematic side view showing the gusset forming apparatus of FIG. 1, viewed from the downstream side in the film transport direction. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1A is a schematic plan view showing a pair of sealing bodies clamping a tubular film while a pusher body in a gusset forming device is waiting in a space, and FIG. 1B is a schematic side view showing this state from the downstream side in the film transport direction. [Figure 4] 1A is a schematic plan view showing the state in which a pushing body in a gusset forming device pushes a tubular film in the width direction before a pair of sealing bodies clamp the tubular film, and FIG. 1B is a schematic side view showing that state from the downstream side in the film transport direction. [Diagram 5] 4 is a timing chart showing the operation of the horizontal sealing device and the gusset forming device in the horizontal bag making and filling machine according to the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a gusset forming device in a horizontal bag making and filling machine of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0023] In the horizontal bag making and filling machine of this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, a strip-shaped film drawn from a film supply source is formed into a cylindrical shape by a bag making means, and the longitudinal end edges of the cylindrical film F are overlapped to form a cylindrical film F, which is vertically sealed by a vertical sealing device 6 (vertical sealing means). At the same time, the cylindrical film F, to which the packaged items W are supplied at predetermined intervals from the supply conveyor 2, is conveyed together with the packaged items W to a horizontal sealing device 10 (horizontal sealing means). Here, the packaged items W are an assembly of a plurality of plate-shaped items such as confectionery, which are piled up in a small standing state in the conveying direction. The supply conveyor 2 has a conveying surface 2a on which the packaged items W are placed and conveyed, and is a conveyor that supplies the assembly of items, which are standing on the conveying surface 2a and are sequentially lined up front and back, as packaged items W to the cylindrical film F being formed into a cylindrical shape. When the packaged items W are placed on the conveying surface 2a of the endless belt of the belt conveyor and conveyed to the horizontal sealing device 10, both the left and right sides of the packaged items W are supported by the endless side belts of the side belt conveyor 2b, and each side belt is driven to run at the same speed as the belt of the conveying surface 2a. As a result, the packaged items W are conveyed in a gathered state without the individual plate-like articles standing upright in a lumberyard state falling over.

[0024] 1 and 2, the horizontal sealing device 10 has a pair of sealing bodies 12, 14 supported by a main body 15 so as to face each other across a conveying path 11 for a tubular film F, and the upper sealing body 12 on the upper side and the lower sealing body 14 on the lower side move in the film conveying direction (feed direction) in conjunction with the conveyance of the tubular film F and repeat a so-called box motion in which they move toward and away from each other. The horizontal sealing device 10 is configured with a gusset forming device that forms a gusset in the tubular film F in conjunction with the movement of the two sealing bodies 12, 14 in the approaching and separating directions. The horizontal form-fill-seal machine of this embodiment is configured so that just before the two sealing bodies 12, 14 clamp the tubular film F at the front and rear positions of the packaged article W in the tubular film F, the gusset forming device pushes the tubular film F inward, and then the two sealing bodies 12, 14 clamp the tubular film F to form a horizontal seal S in the width direction (left and right direction) of the film, and a cutting blade embedded in the upper sealing body 12 is advanced and retreated to cut the tubular film F, thereby obtaining a pillow packaged product P with a gusset formed. Note that, except for a servo motor (drive source) M1 (described later) and the like, components are arranged symmetrically on the left and right sides of the horizontal sealing device 10 as shown in Fig. 2.

[0025] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the main body 15 of the horizontal sealing device 10 comprises a fixed frame body 16 installed on the floor surface, and a movable frame body 18 arranged to be movable in the film transport direction (feed direction) relative to the fixed frame body 16, guided by a slide rail 62 described later.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 2, the movable frame 18 has support panels 24, 24 arranged on both the left and right sides of the transport path 11 for the tubular film F, and the servo motor M1 (drive source) shown in FIG. 1 is disposed on the outside of one of the support panels 24. Also, as shown in FIG. 1, a transmission gear 26 is rotatably disposed on each support panel 24, and the left and right transmission gears 26, 26 are connected by a drive shaft (not shown) and rotate together. Also, an actuator 28 having an actuator gear portion that meshes with the corresponding transmission gear 26 is rotatably disposed on each support panel 24. The drive force of the servo motor M1 is transmitted to the drive shaft, and then transmitted to the corresponding actuator gear portion via the transmission gears 26, 26 that rotate together with the drive shaft, whereby both actuators 28, 28 are rotated in a predetermined direction in synchronization with the drive of the servo motor M1. In this manner, in this embodiment, the drive shaft, the transmission gear 26, and the operating gear portion constitute a drive transmission means for transmitting the driving force of the servo motor M1 to the operating body .

[0027] A pair of slide rails 32, 32 are installed on the inner side of each support panel 24 shown in FIG. 2 so as to extend in the front-rear direction of the film transport direction and in the horizontal direction. A guide body 34 is supported on each slide rail 32 so as to be movable in the film transport direction. The left and right guide bodies 34, 34 are connected by a support shaft 36 extending in the film width direction, i.e., the width direction perpendicular to the feed direction. A slide rod 38 is arranged on each guide body 34, 34 so as to be movable in the vertical direction, and connectors 40, 42 are installed between the upper end portions and the lower end portions of the left and right slide rods 38, 38, respectively. A guide body 44 supported on each slide rod 38 so as to be movable in the vertical direction is arranged above the guide body 34. An intermediate connector 46 of the lower seal body 14 is installed between the left and right guide bodies 44, 44. The lower seal body 14 has a seal block 14a on the upper side of the intermediate connector 46. The lower connector 40 and the intermediate connector 46 extending below the guide body 34 are connected by a toggle link mechanism. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the toggle link mechanism includes a rotating body 47 rotatably supported on the support shaft 36, an upper link 48 rotatably connected at one end to the rotating body 47 and at the other end to the intermediate connector 46, and a lower link 50 rotatably connected at one end to the rotating body 47 and at the other end to the lower connector 40. The actuator 28 has an eccentric pin 52 protruding inward at an eccentric position offset radially outward from its center of rotation, and the eccentric pin 52 is connected to the guide body 44 via a bearing 44a. In this way, the lower seal body 14 is supported at the eccentric position of the actuator 28 by the eccentric pin 52.

[0028] The upper seal body 12 is disposed at the upper end of the left and right slide rods 38, 38. The upper seal body 12 includes a seal block 12a supported below the upper connector 42 at the upper end of both slide rods 38, 38 so as to be movable in the vertical direction, and a coil spring 54 disposed between the upper connector 42 and the seal block 12a as a seal body biasing means for biasing the seal block 12a toward the lower seal body 14. A cutter 12c is housed inside the seal block 12a of the upper seal body 12, and the tubular film F is cut by projecting the cutter 12c toward the lower seal body 14 side by a cylinder or the like in conjunction with the movement of both seal bodies 12, 14 in the approaching and separating directions. The upper and lower seal bodies 12, 14 are supported by slide rods 38, 38 disposed so as to be movable in the vertical direction and the film transport direction, and are configured so that the movement of both seal bodies 12, 14 approaching and separating from each other and the movement in the film transport direction are linked via the slide rods 38, 38.

[0029] In the horizontal sealing device 10, when both actuators 28, 28 are rotated by the drive of the servo motor M1, the eccentric pin 52 shown in Fig. 2 makes a circular motion around the rotation center of the actuator 28, and due to this circular motion, the guide body 44 together with the bearing 44a engaged with the eccentric pin 52 is guided by the slide rod 38 to move up and down, and the guide body 34 is guided by the slide rail 32 to move back and forth in the film transport direction. As a result, the lower seal body 14 makes a substantially circular motion up and down and back and forth in the film transport direction in conjunction with the rotation of the actuator 28, and the lower connector 40 and both slide rods 38, 38 connected to the lower seal body 14 via a toggle link mechanism are raised and lowered in a direction opposite to the lower seal body 14 in conjunction with the raising and lowering of the lower seal body 14. The upper seal body 12 is raised and lowered in a direction opposite to the lower seal body 14 in conjunction with the rotation of the actuator 28, and moves back and forth in the film transport direction in the same direction as the lower seal body 14. Thus, in the lateral sealing device 10, the driving force of the servo motor M1 is transmitted to the actuator 28 via the drive transmission means, and the rotation of the actuator 28 causes both seal bodies 12, 14 to move in the film transport direction and move toward and away from each other in a box motion via force transmission means such as the slide rails 32, guide body 34, slide rod 38, and toggle link mechanism. In the lateral sealing device 10 of this embodiment, when the upper and lower seal bodies 12, 14 approach and mesh with each other, the upper seal block 12a slides to compress the coil spring 54, so that the upper seal body 12 does not perform circular motion like the lower seal body 14.

[0030] 3 and 4, the dimensions of the seal surface 12b of the seal block 12a and the seal surface 14b of the seal block 14a in the width direction (film width direction) are sufficient to clamp the tubular film F containing the packaged item W and apply a horizontal seal S, and the seal blocks 12a, 14b on the outer side of the seal surface 12a, 14b in the width direction are formed with a step shape in the direction in which they are separated from each other. As a result, the upper seal body 12 and the lower seal body 14 are arranged so that the longitudinal direction of both seal bodies is along the width direction, and when both seal surfaces 12b, 14b are closest to each other to engage with each other to clamp the tubular film F, that is, when both seal surfaces 12b, 14b are located at the clamping position 10s in the feed direction of the tubular film, the step is provided so that a space 13 formed by the longitudinal edge portions of the upper seal body 12 and the lower seal body 14 being separated from each other is formed at both left and right end edges of the seal blocks 12a, 14b.

[0031] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the horizontal sealing device 10 is provided with a pair of left and right gusset forming devices that form a gusset in the tubular film F in conjunction with the movement of both sealing bodies 12, 14 in the approaching and separating directions. As shown in Figures 3(a) and 4(a), the gusset forming devices respectively include a support 60, an air blowing unit 70, a pushing body 80, and an operating mechanism 90 on both the left and right sides of the transport path 11 for the tubular film F. Note that the air blowing unit 70 is not shown in Figures 2, 3(b), and 4(b).

[0032] The pusher 80 is disposed on the support 60 so as to be able to move back and forth in the film width direction by an operating mechanism 90 described later, and is a plate-shaped member that pushes the tubular film F inward by moving back and forth to form a gusset, and is a mechanism that pushes the tubular film F inward so that the clamping position 10s is recessed to the deepest extent within the range of the tubular film F between the front and rear packaged items W immediately before the lateral sealing.

[0033] The air blowing unit 70 is a mechanism for blowing air toward the tubular film F between the front and rear packaged articles W in the tubular film F, particularly toward the tubular film F located on the front or rear side (both in this embodiment) adjacent to the clamping position 10s in the feed direction when the pushing body 80 pushes inward the clamping position 10s in the feed direction of the tubular film F that is scheduled to be clamped by the sealing bodies, and for pushing the tubular film F in the width direction with the blown air. That is, in the gusset forming device, during each of predetermined periods in one packaging cycle in which the two sealing bodies 12, 14 open and close in the approaching and separating directions, the pushing bodies 80, 80 on both the left and right sides move forward and backward to push the clamping position 10s in the tubular film F inward, and the air blowing unit 70 blows air to form gussets on both the left and right sides of the tubular film F.

[0034] The operating mechanism 90 is a mechanism that, in conjunction with the movement of the pair of sealing bodies 12, 14 in the approaching and separating directions, causes the pushing body 80 waiting in the space 13 to enter the clamping position 10s prior to the pair of sealing bodies 12, 14 clamping the tubular film F, and after pushing the tubular film F at the clamping position 10s inward in the width direction, causes the pushing body 80 to retreat into the space 13.

[0035] The gusset forming apparatus will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS.

[0036] The support 60 is fixed to the movable frame 18, which is slidable in the film transport direction, by a pair of slide rails 62, 62 arranged on the fixed frame 16, and is supported so as to be movable in the film transport direction together with the movable frame 18 and the seal bodies 12, 14 arranged on the movable frame 18. The support 60 has a hollow cylinder, into which the slide rod 38, which supports the pair of seal bodies 12, 14, is inserted so as to be movable only in the vertical direction. As a result, the support 60 moves in the film transport direction along the slide rails 62, 62 together with the slide rod 38 and the movable frame 18, which move in the film transport direction in conjunction with the rotation of the actuator 28, but the height position does not change even if the slide rod 38 moves in the vertical direction in conjunction with the movement.

[0037] The air blowing section 70 consists of a front air nozzle 72 and a rear air nozzle 74 arranged in a front-to-rear position in the film transport direction relative to both sealing bodies 12, 14 (in other words, in a front-to-rear position outside the space section 13), and each is arranged opposite each other across the transport path 11 for the tubular film F.

[0038] The front air nozzle 72 and the rear air nozzle 74 are each attached to a support bracket 76, and are held by the support 60 via the support bracket 76. Thus, the air blowing unit 70 moves in the film transport direction along the slide rails 62, 62 in conjunction with the movement of the support 60, but its vertical and horizontal movements are restricted. That is, the air blowing unit 70 reciprocates together with both seal bodies 12, 14 only in the film transport direction (feed direction) by the drive of a servo motor M1 (drive source) for opening and closing the pair of seal bodies 12, 14 and for performing a box motion movement, and does not move in the vertical direction. Therefore, the air blowing unit 70 always maintains a position in the front-rear direction of the film transport direction relative to both seal bodies 12, 14 (in other words, a position in the front-rear direction outside the space portion 13). The tip of the front air nozzle 72 is disposed at an angle toward the diagonal rear at a position separated from the tubular film F so as not to come into contact with the tubular film F, and the jetted air is blown toward the diagonal rear (toward the width direction) of the tubular film F. The tip of the rear air nozzle 74 is disposed at an angle facing diagonally forward at a position separated from the tubular film F so as not to touch it, so that the jetted air is blown diagonally forward (in the width direction) onto the tubular film F. This allows the air jetting section 70 to apply a force that presses the tubular film (F) inward between the front and rear packaged articles (W) just before the lateral sealing not only at the clamping position (10s), but also at the portions of the tubular film (F) that are on the front or rear side of the clamping position (10s) in the feed direction, thereby pressing the tubular film (F) inward.

[0039] The pushing bodies 80, 80 are arranged opposite each other on the left and right sides with the conveying path 11 of the tubular film F in between. The pushing body 80 is a strip-shaped plate-like member, and has a width dimension that allows the two sealing bodies 12, 14 to simultaneously form a gusset in a bag that packages the front and rear packaged items W by clamping the tubular film F between the two packaged items W arranged in front and behind. The tip portion 80a of the pushing body 80 is flat and can contact the stripes along the feed direction of the tubular film F, and is configured with an end portion whose cross section viewed from the film conveying direction (feeding direction) is rounded, and the corner portions 80b at both ends in the film conveying direction are rounded with sharp corners removed. Note that the height position in the vertical direction at which the tip portion 80a contacts the stripes on the tubular film F is set to a height position at which the sealing surfaces 12b, 14b of the pair of sealing bodies 12, 14 engage with each other so that the tubular film F is recessed deepest inward. The pushing body 80 is disposed so as to be movable forward and backward in the film width direction by the operation of the operating mechanism 90 described later. Since the pushing body 80 is held by the support 60, it moves in the film transport direction along the slide rails 62, 62 in conjunction with the movement of the support 60, but its vertical and horizontal movements are restricted. That is, the pushing body 80 reciprocates together with both seal bodies 12, 14 only in the film transport direction (feed direction) by the drive of a servo motor M1 (drive source) for opening and closing the pair of seal bodies 12, 14 and for causing a box motion movement, and does not move vertically. Therefore, the pushing body 80 always remains in a standby state in the space 13 when the operating mechanism 90 is not in operation.

[0040] The actuation mechanisms 90 are disposed on the left and right sides facing each other across the transport path 11 for the tubular film F. Each actuation mechanism 90 has a holder 91, a servo motor M2, a reducer 92, a rotary encoder 93, a spline shaft 94, a spline boss 95, and an extrusion frame 97. Of these, the holder 91, the servo motor M2, the reducer 92, the rotary encoder 93, and the spline shaft 94 are supported by the fixed frame 16 so as to be immovable in the feed direction, while the spline boss 95, the extrusion frame 97, and the like are supported by the spline shaft 94 so as to be movable in the feed direction. The holders 91 are erected from the fixed frame 16 at two locations, front and rear, in the feed direction. The spline shaft 94 is spanned between the front and rear holders 91 in a direction parallel to the slide rail 62, and is axially supported so as to be rotatable relative to the holders 91. The servo motor M2 and the reducer 92 are disposed on the fixed frame 16, outside one of the front and rear sides of the holders 91, 91. When the servo motor M2 rotates repeatedly in response to a drive command from the control unit of the horizontal form-fill-seal machine (not shown), the drive force of the servo motor M2 is transmitted to the spline shaft 94 via the reducer 92, causing the spline shaft 94 to rotate repeatedly. The rotary encoder 93 is attached to the reducer 92, and measures the rotational position of the spline shaft 94 with a sensor, and outputs position information as an electric signal to the control unit of the horizontal form-fill-seal machine. Thus, the drive of the servo motor M2 is controlled by the control unit of the horizontal form-fill-seal machine so as to be linked with the timing of the approaching and separating movements of the pair of seal bodies 12, 14. The spline boss 95 is slidably fitted to the spline shaft 94 at the middle position of the spline shaft 94. The spline boss 95 has an arm portion 95a extending radially outward, and a roller 95b is attached to the tip of the arm portion 95a. The extrusion frame 97 is a frame-shaped member that holds the pushing body 80 and is disposed so as to be movable back and forth in the film width direction by the operation of the operating mechanism 90. The extrusion frame 97 has a fixed block 97a fixed to the support 60, shafts 97b, 97b inserted through the fixed block 97a and movable back and forth in the film width direction, an engagement bracket 97c that abuts the front and rear of the roller 95b in the direction of the forward and backward movement and engages with the roller 95b, and a connecting bracket 97d that holds the pushing body 80. Since the arm portion 95a of the spline boss 95 is engaged with the engagement bracket 97c of the extrusion frame 97, the spline boss 95 slides on the spline shaft 94 in accordance with the movement of the support 60 in the film transport direction. As a result, the pushing body 80 is driven by the servo motor M2 to move back and forth in the width direction relative to the tubular film F, and is driven and controlled so as to be linked to the timing of the approaching and separating movements of the pair of sealing bodies 12, 14.

[0041] The operation of the gusset forming device in the horizontal form-fill-seal machine according to this embodiment will be described. Fig. 5 shows a timing chart illustrating the operation of the horizontal sealing device 10 and the gusset forming device in one packaging cycle of the horizontal form-fill-seal machine according to this embodiment. The diagram in the upper part of Fig. 5 shows the operation timing of the pair of sealing bodies 12, 14. The diagram in the middle part of Fig. 5 shows the operation timing of the air ejection unit 70. The diagram in the lower part of Fig. 5 shows the operation timing of the pusher 80.

[0042] The operation timing of the pair of sealing bodies 12, 14 is indicated by a diagonal line slanting upwards to the right from the time a when the sealing surfaces 12b, 14b come into contact with the tubular film F due to the approaching movement of both sealing bodies 12, 14 to the time b when the sealing surfaces 12b, 14b of the sealing bodies 12, 14 sandwich the tubular film, a horizontal line from the time b when the meshing ends to the time c when the sealing bodies 12, 14 finish meshing, and a diagonal line slanting downwards to the right until the two sealing bodies 12, 14 separate to the distance between the sealing surfaces 12b, 14b at the time a by a diagonal line slanting downwards to the right. The diagonal line slanting upwards to the right in the upper part of FIG. 5 indicates a state in which the pair of sealing bodies 12, 14 are gradually approaching each other. The horizontal line in the upper part of FIG. 5 indicates a state in which the sealing surfaces 12b, 14b of the pair of sealing bodies 12, 14 are closest to each other and mesh to sandwich the tubular film F at the clamping position 10s. The diagonal lines slanting downward to the left in the upper part of FIG. 5 indicate a state in which the pair of seal bodies 12, 14 are gradually separated from each other.

[0043] The pushing body 80 must be moved forward and backward in the width direction so that the tip 80a of the pushing body 80 waiting in the space 13 can interfere with the seal surfaces 12b and 14b by the timing b when the seal bodies 12 and 14 engage with each other. Therefore, the operation timing of the tip 80a of the pushing body 80 is set to be approximately mountain-shaped as shown in the lower part of FIG. 5. Here, the base indicates the position where the pushing body 80 waits in the space 13, and the apex at timing h indicates the state where the tip 80a reaches the maximum stroke. The horizontal line in the middle indicates the distance relationship between the tip 80a and the end faces of both seal surfaces 12b and 14b of the pair of seal bodies 12 and 14. That is, from timing g to timing i on this horizontal line, the tip 80a of the pushing body 80 enters between both seal surfaces 12b and 14b. Here, the pushing body 80 caused by the operating mechanism 90 starts to move toward the pair of sealing bodies 12, 14 prior to timing a.

[0044] The air ejection from the air ejection unit 70 is switched on and off by a command from the control unit of the horizontal bag filling machine. In this embodiment, air ejection is performed between timing e and timing f, delayed from timing h, but the air ejection timings e and f are set differently depending on the properties of the film and the shape and size of the packaged article W, and may start before the pusher 80 reaches its maximum stroke, or may start at the same time as or after the pusher 80 reaches its maximum stroke.

[0045] The air blowing unit 70 blows air toward the front or rear position of the tubular film F adjacent to the clamping position 10s prior to the pair of sealing bodies 12, 14 clamping the tubular film F in response to the movement of the pair of sealing bodies 12, 14 toward and away from each other. The air blown from the air blowing unit 70 pushes the tubular film F in the width direction. This series of actions by the air blowing unit 70 corresponds to the "first film pushing means."

[0046] The operating mechanism 90 is controlled by the control unit of the horizontal bag making and filling machine to be driven in conjunction with the timing of the movement of the pair of sealing bodies 12, 14 toward and away from each other, and in conjunction with the movement of the pair of sealing bodies 12, 14 in the approaching and separating direction, prior to the pair of sealing bodies 12, 14 clamping the tubular film F, the tip 80a of the pushing body 80 waiting in the space 13 advances to the clamping position 10s to push the tubular film F at the clamping position 10s inward, and then the tip 80a is retracted into the space 13. This series of operations by the operating mechanism 90 corresponds to the "second film pushing means."

[0047] As described above, the gusset forming device in the horizontal bag making and filling machine in this embodiment has the following effects. (1) The gusset forming device in the horizontal form-fill-seal machine has two film pushing means, a first film pushing means and a second film pushing means. The first film pushing means pushes the tubular film F in the width direction by air ejected from the air ejection unit 70, making it difficult for pinholes to occur in the film and suppressing damage to the packaged goods W and the film. In addition, the second film pushing means pushes the tubular film F at the clamping position 10s so as to be deeply recessed in the width direction (inner side) immediately before sealing and prior to the clamping of the tubular film F by the pair of sealing bodies 12, 14 in conjunction with the movement of the pair of sealing bodies 12, 14 in the approaching and separating directions, thereby stabilizing the overall shape of the gusset, making it difficult for misalignment of the gusset to occur, and therefore difficult for packaging defects to occur. Furthermore, since the pushing body 80 pushes the tubular film F at the clamping position 10s in the width direction, it is possible to prevent the film from colliding with the packaged items W located before and after the clamping position 10s in the feed direction. In other words, the film can be pushed in neatly without being affected by the type of packaging material or the shape and size of the packaged items W. It is also possible to achieve tight packaging. As described above, it is possible to provide a gusset forming device for a horizontal form-fill-seal machine equipped with a gusset forming means that can neatly fold the film without damaging the packaged items W or the film. (2) The pushing body 80 in the second film pushing means is configured to advance and retreat in the width direction of the tubular film F from the space 13 formed when the longitudinal edges of the pair of sealing bodies 12, 14 are separated. This makes it possible to reduce the pushing amount (stroke) of the pushing body 80 until it comes into contact with the tubular film F, thereby allowing for a margin of operation even when the number of packages per minute is large, and makes it less susceptible to the effects of packaging aspects such as the type of packaging material and the shape and size of the packaged items W, thereby enabling flexible packaging specifications to be accommodated. (3) The tip portion 80a of the pusher 80 has an end portion whose cross section when viewed from the feed direction is rounded, which further reduces the occurrence of damage to the film, such as pinholes. (4) A supply conveyor 2 is provided that supplies assembled products that stand upright on the conveying surface 2a and are lined up in a row from front to back as packaged items W to a tubular film F. Therefore, even if the packaged items W are prone to falling over, the film can be neatly folded without causing damage to the packaged items W or the film. (5) The pair of sealing bodies 12, 14 supported by the movable frame body 18 can move in the feed direction and move toward and away from each other. Even with a pair of sealing bodies 12, 14 that operates in this manner, the film can be neatly folded without causing damage to the packaged article W or the film. (6) The second film pushing means does not need to have a separate drive source because it is reciprocated using the drive of the servo motor M1 (drive source) required to move the pair of sealing bodies 12, 14, thereby improving operating costs and manufacturing costs. In addition, since the second film pushing means is configured to reciprocate together with the pair of sealing bodies 12, 14 only in the feed direction, it is possible to constantly prevent positional deviation from the clamping position 10s, and to prevent deterioration in the quality of the gusset formation. (7) The servo motor M2 is a motor used for controlling the position, speed, etc., and has good responsiveness. Therefore, the second film pushing means can more precisely coordinate with the timing of the approaching and separating movements of the pair of sealing bodies 12, 14, thereby improving the packaging capacity.

[0048] (Example of change) The present invention is not limited to the configuration of this embodiment, and can be modified as follows, for example. Furthermore, the configuration described in this embodiment can be implemented in various ways within the scope of the gist of the present invention, without being limited to the following modifications. (1) The second film pushing means may be a method in which an air blowing unit other than air blowing unit 70 is disposed in space 13 and air is blown in a line toward the tubular film along the feed direction so that clamping position 10s of the tubular film is recessed to the innermost side. (2) The items are not limited to collections of small items in a pile, but may be items of various shapes and properties. (3) In the present embodiment, a structure has been shown in which a pair of sealing bodies 12, 14 is moved up and down and in the front-to-rear directions using a servo motor M1 as a single driving source, but a motor for moving the pair of sealing bodies 12, 14 in the front-to-rear direction and a motor for moving them in the up and down direction may be provided separately. (4) In this embodiment, gussets are formed in four locations, front, back, left and right, of the area laterally sealed by the pair of sealing bodies 12, 14. However, gussets may be formed only in a portion of the left and right or front and back of the area laterally sealed. (5) Although the example has been shown in which the gusset is formed for each packaging cycle, the first and second film pushing means may be operated so as to form a gusset every several cycles. [Explanation of symbols]

[0049] 2: Supply conveyor 2a: Conveying surface 6: Vertical sealing device (vertical sealing means) 10: Horizontal sealing device (horizontal sealing means) 10s: clamping position 11: conveying path 12: Upper seal body; 13: Space portion; 14: Lower seal body; 16: Fixed frame body 18: moving frame body 70: air ejection part 80: pushing body 80a: tip part F: Cylindrical film M1: Servo motor (drive source) M2: Servo motor W: Packaged item

Claims

1. a vertical sealing means for applying a vertical seal to an overlapped portion of a tubular film formed by overlapping both longitudinal end edge portions of a strip-shaped film pulled out from a film supply source; a pair of sealing bodies disposed opposite to each other across a conveying path for the tubular film are moved toward and away from each other to sandwich the tubular film between the pair of sealing bodies, the pair of sealing bodies clamping the tubular film located between front and rear packaged items enclosed at a predetermined interval in the tubular film, and applying a transverse seal to the tubular film along a width direction intersecting a feed direction along the conveying path, the pair of seal bodies are provided at positions in the front-rear direction in the film transport direction, a first film pushing means having an air blowing section which blows air toward a clamping position in the feed direction of the tubular film that is scheduled to be clamped by the sealing bodies and a portion of the tubular film that is in front of or behind the clamping position immediately before the tubular film is clamped by the pair of sealing bodies in response to movement of the pair of sealing bodies in the approaching and separating directions, and which pushes the tubular film inward with air blown from the air blowing section; The pair of seal bodies are provided at positions spaced apart laterally from longitudinal end edges of the pair of seal bodies, A pusher that can move in the width direction to enter and exit the conveying path, a second film pushing means for pushing a pushing body into the conveying path and pressing it against the clamping position so that the clamping position in the feed direction of the tubular film that is scheduled to be clamped by the sealing bodies is recessed deepest inward in response to the movement of the pair of sealing bodies in the approaching and separating directions, and then forcing the clamping position inward and then withdrawing the pushing body.

2. the pair of seal bodies are arranged such that the longitudinal direction of the seal bodies is aligned with the width direction, and are configured such that, when the tubular film is clamped at the clamping position, longitudinal edge portions of the pair of seal bodies are separated from each other to form a space portion, The gusset forming device in a horizontal bag making and filling machine described in claim 1 is configured so that the pushing body moves from the space to the clamping position before the pair of sealing bodies clamp the tubular film, pushing the tubular film at the clamping position in the width direction, and then retreats to the space after pushing it in.

3. A gusset forming device in a horizontal bag making and filling machine as described in claim 2, wherein the pushing body has a tip portion capable of contacting the line along the feed direction relative to the clamping position of the tubular film, and the tip portion is configured with an end portion having a rounded cross-section when viewed from the feed direction.

4. A conveying surface on which the packaged item is placed and conveyed, A gusset forming device in a horizontal bag making and filling machine as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, which is a horizontal bag making and filling machine equipped with a supply conveyor that supplies, as the packaged items, collective products that are erected on the conveying surface and lined up in front and behind each other, to the tubular film being formed into a cylindrical shape.

5. a fixed frame body and a movable frame body supported so as to be movable in the feed direction relative to the fixed frame body, A gusset forming device in a horizontal bag making and filling machine as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the pair of sealing bodies are supported by the movable frame body so that they can clamp the tubular film and move in the feed direction, and so that they can move toward and away from each other.

6. A gusset forming device in a horizontal bag making and filling machine as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the second film pushing means moves back and forth together with the pair of sealing bodies only in the feed direction by driving a drive source for moving the pair of sealing bodies closer and farther apart and in the feed direction.

7. the second film pushing means is configured to move back and forth in the width direction relative to the tubular film by being driven by a servo motor, 7. The gusset forming device in a horizontal bag making and filling machine according to claim 1, wherein the servo motor is controlled so as to be driven in conjunction with the timing of the approaching and separating movements of the pair of sealing bodies.

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