Filling and packaging machine

Abstract

To provide a vertical automatic filling and packaging machine prevented in occasion of winkles to a lateral seal when collectively packaging multiple tablets, and reduced in a defective product rate.SOLUTION: A sealer applies vertical and lateral sealing to a packaging film transferred downward to form a packaging bag. A filling nozzle charges multiple solid matters in a standing attitude into the packaging bag and fills. Alignment guide roles, between a lateral sealing applying position by the sealer and a discharge port of the filling nozzle, sandwich the packaging bag in a thickness direction by the facing roles, and aligns and corrects the attitude of the multiple solid matters charged into the packaging bag into a standing attitude.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a filling and packaging machine, and more particularly to a vertical automatic filling and packaging machine for filling solid substances into packaging bags.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, when packaging solid substances such as tablets and capsules, a method of packaging one by one with blister packaging has been common. In recent years, in the field of supplements, products in which a plurality of single or multiple types of tablets for one dose are collectively soft-packaged with a film have been increasing. In order to perform such film packaging, for example, a technique of connecting a tablet supply device to a vertical filling and packaging machine has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). As a result, it becomes possible to take the medicine immediately by simply opening the bag once without the user having to perform complicated operations such as selecting or counting a plurality of tablets. Such bags also have the effect of preventing overeating and taking incorrect combinations.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When aiming to reduce costs in such film packaging, a means of reducing the film cost by making the bag as small as possible with respect to the filling amount is common. In a vertical filling and packaging machine, as described above, in order to make the bag smaller, it is necessary to make the space between the filling in the bag and the horizontal seal as short as possible.

[0005] However, when a plurality of tablets are drop-filled into a bag and packaged, as the space between the filling and the horizontal seal is set shorter, vertical wrinkles are likely to occur in the horizontal seal, leading to an increase in the defective product rate of the product. This is because the tablets may be filled in various unintended postures, causing local large bulges in the bag. This large bulge causes the film to be extremely pulled toward the filling chamber side during the horizontal seal, resulting in vertical wrinkles in the horizontal seal. Similarly, when the tablets are extremely biased inside the bag, the bag may swing left and right depending on the biased position of the bag, causing a problem that the cutting position may shift. In addition, rarely, the tablets may be filled in a vertically long stacked manner inside the bag, so there is also a problem that the interval between the filling and the horizontal seal (i.e., the bag length) must be taken to be somewhat extra.

[0006] The present invention has been created in view of such a situation, and in a vertical automatic filling and packaging machine, it aims to prevent wrinkles from occurring in the horizontal seal when packaging a plurality of tablets together and reduce the defective product rate of the product.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0007] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems. Its first aspect is a sealer that forms a packaging bag by applying vertical and horizontal seals to a downwardly conveyed packaging film, at least one filling nozzle that fills the inside of the packaging bag with a plurality of solid substances in an upright posture, and between the position where the horizontal seal is applied by the sealer and the discharge port of the filling nozzle, an alignment guide roll that sandwiches the packaging bag in the thickness direction by opposing rolls and aligns and corrects the postures of the plurality of solid substances put into the inside of the packaging bag to an upright state. This brings about the effect of aligning and correcting the postures of the plurality of solid substances put into the inside of the packaging bag to an upright state.

[0008] Also, in this first aspect, the at least one filling nozzle may be provided with first and second filling nozzles arranged side by side in the bag width direction inside the packaging bag. This brings about the effect of evenly filling the packaging bag with a plurality of solid substances.

[0009] Also, in this first aspect, the plurality of solid substances include a first solid substance having a first thickness filled into the packaging bag from the first filling nozzle and a second solid substance having a second thickness thinner than the first thickness filled into the packaging bag from the second filling nozzle. The opposing rolls of the alignment guide roll have a first diameter in a portion of the input target range of the first solid substance below the discharge port of the first filling nozzle, and a second diameter larger than the first diameter in a portion of the input target range of the second solid substance below the discharge port of the second filling nozzle. This brings about the effect of performing alignment correction suitable for the thickness of each solid substance.

[0010] Also, in this first aspect, the alignment guide roll may be detachably connected with a first pair of opposing rolls each having the first diameter and a second pair of opposing rolls each having the second diameter. Further, the alignment guide roll may be detachably connected with a third pair of opposing rolls each having a third diameter different from the second diameter instead of the second pair of opposing rolls. That is, either the second pair of opposing rolls or the third pair of opposing rolls may be removably connected to the first pair of opposing rolls. This brings about the effect of performing appropriate alignment correction according to the relative relationship of the thicknesses of the solid substances to be filled.

Advantages of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, in a vertical automatic filling and packaging machine, when a plurality of tablets are packaged together, it is possible to prevent wrinkles from occurring in the horizontal seal and to achieve an excellent effect of reducing the defective product rate of the product.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described.

[0014] <First Embodiment> [Vertical Filling and Packaging Machine] FIG. 1 is a front view showing an external appearance example of the vertical filling and packaging machine 1 in an embodiment of the present invention. Further, FIG. 2 is a side view showing an external appearance example of the vertical filling and packaging machine 1 in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] This vertical filling and packaging machine 1 includes a packaging material feeding device 4, a filling material supply device 5, a sealing device 8, a packaging bag feeding device 9, and a cutter device 10. The packaging material feeding device 4 is a device that feeds a packaging material (packaging film) that becomes a packaging bag. The filling material supply device 5 is a device that supplies a filling material to the packaging bag at a predetermined timing. The sealing device 8 is a device that performs vertical sealing and horizontal sealing on the packaging film. The packaging bag feeding device 9 is a device that sends out a packaging bag filled with a solid. The cutter device 10 is a device that cuts the continuous packaging bag F5 into individual packaging bags P. These devices are fixed to the base 2 of the main body.

[0016] The roll-shaped long packaging film F1 is rotatably fixed to the packaging material shaft 3 and pulled out as a belt-shaped packaging film F2. The belt-shaped packaging film F2 is formed into a tubular shape along the bag-making guide 7 to become a packaging film F3. The packaging film F3 is two-sided sealed by the sealing device 8 to become a bottomed packaging film F4. The packaging film F4 is horizontally sealed by the sealing device 8 to become a three-sided sealed and sealed continuous packaging bag F5.

[0017] The filling material supply device 5 is provided with a filling chute 6, and a solid is filled into the packaging bag from this filling chute 6. At least one filling nozzle is provided at the discharge port of the filling chute 6, as will be described later.

[0018] The solid material filled by the filling chute 6 is hard enough not to collapse due to natural contact, and is assumed to have thick and thin parts as its shape. As typical specific examples, tablets and capsules of pharmaceuticals, supplements, detergents, etc. are assumed. However, as long as they are various uniform shapes, other solid materials may also be used. For example, they may be solid confectionery such as Ramune, mechanical parts such as nuts and washers, and toys such as Ohaiki.

[0019] Note that the problems assumed in this embodiment are particularly likely to occur in the filling of hard solids such as tablets. That is, in the case of filling fluids such as liquids, powders, and fine granules, even if there is a slight difference in the swelling of the filling material in the bag width direction during horizontal sealing, the filling material flows to some extent, so it is considered not to be as big a problem as tablets.

[0020] The individual packaging bags P cut by the cutter device 10 are placed on the conveying device 12 via the sliding table 11 and conveyed to the outside of the vertical filling and packaging machine 1.

[0021] Note that a control device 13 for controlling the operations of each part of the vertical filling and packaging machine 1 is provided on the lower right side of the vertical filling and packaging machine 1. A control panel for operating the vertical filling and packaging machine 1 is provided on this control device 13.

[0022] [Posture of Filling Material] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the posture of the filling material in the packaging bag.

[0023] FIG. 3(a) shows a posture (posture a) in which the tablets stand vertically in the packaging bag and the thick-thin direction of the tablets coincides with the bag thickness direction. FIG. 3(b) shows a posture (posture b) in which the tablets stand vertically in the packaging bag and the thick-thin direction of the tablets does not coincide with the bag thickness direction (for example, is orthogonal). FIG. 3(c) shows a posture (posture c) in which the tablets are lying horizontally in the bag. FIG. 3(d) shows a posture (posture d) in which a plurality of tablets overlap in the thickness direction in the bag.

[0024] Among these, the posture a is the ideal posture. In the cases of postures b to d, a large local bulge may occur inside the packaging bag, which may cause vertical wrinkles in the horizontal seal. In the embodiments of the present invention, in order to align and correct the posture of the solid matter to be filled, an alignment guide roll described below is provided.

[0025] [Alignment Guide Roll] FIG. 4 is a front view showing a structural example of the sealing device 8 in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a side view showing a structural example of the sealing device 8 in the embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] In this sealing device 8, two seals, namely a longitudinal seal and a horizontal seal, are applied to the packaging film F3 formed in a tubular shape along the bag-making guide 7 by the L-shaped sealer 81, and a bottomed packaging film F4 is formed.

[0027] The discharge port of the filling chute 6 is inserted into the packaging film F4, and the solid matter M is filled from this discharge port. In this example, two filling nozzles are arranged side by side in the bag width direction at the discharge port of the filling chute 6, and the solid matter M is filled at different positions in the bag width direction. Then, a further horizontal seal is applied to the packaging film F4 filled with the solid matter M by the L-shaped sealer 81, and a three-sided sealed continuous packaging bag F5 is formed. The continuous packaging bag F5 is sent downward by the packaging bag feeding device 9.

[0028] The L-shaped sealer 81 is controlled to open and close by the L-shaped sealer opening and closing arm 82, and sequentially applies a longitudinal seal and a horizontal seal to the packaging film F3 to form the packaging film F4. The solid matter M is filled into the packaging film F4 from the discharge port of the filling chute 6. At this time, the alignment guide roll 83 sandwiches the packaging film F4 in its thickness direction. Thereby, the posture of the solid matter M put inside the packaging film F4 is aligned and corrected to an upright state. That is, the posture of the solid matter M becomes the above-described ideal posture a.

[0029] The alignment guide roll 83 is arranged at a position close to the discharge port of the filling chute 6. For example, it is preferably about 2 to 3 times the diameter of the solid matter M to be discharged. Thereby, it is possible to avoid the solid matter M from falling in the path from the discharge port of the filling chute 6 to the alignment guide roll 83.

[0030] FIG. 6 is a front view showing an example of the gap adjustment mode by the alignment guide roll 83 in the embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] The opposing rolls of the alignment guide roll 83 are respectively supported by the support portions 89. The horizontal position of the support portion 89 can be adjusted by the roll gap adjustment knob 84. That is, the interval between the opposing rolls of the alignment guide roll 83 can be adjusted by the roll gap adjustment knob 84. Thereby, the interval between the opposing rolls of the alignment guide roll 83 can be appropriately adjusted while considering the thickness W of the solid matter M.

[0032] FIG. 7 is a top view showing a structural example of the alignment guide roll 83 in the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] In this example, since two filling nozzles are provided at the discharge port of the filling chute 6, the solid matter M is filled at different positions in the bag width direction of the packaging film F4. In this first embodiment, the interval between the opposing rolls of the alignment guide roll 83 is equal at all positions in the bag width direction of the packaging film F4. Therefore, it is a structure suitable when the thicknesses of the solid matters M discharged from the plurality of filling nozzles are equal to each other.

[0034] <Second Embodiment> In the above-described first embodiment, it was assumed that the interval between the opposing rolls of the alignment guide roll 83 is equal at all positions in the bag width direction of the packaging film F4. On the other hand, in the second embodiment, it is assumed that the interval between the opposing rolls of the alignment guide roll is partially different.

[0035] [Alignment guide roll] FIG. 8 is a side view showing a structural example of the alignment guide roll 83' in the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a view of the alignment guide roll 83' in the second embodiment of the present invention as viewed from arrow A. FIG. 10 is a view of the alignment guide roll 83' in the second embodiment of the present invention as viewed from arrow B.

[0036] In this second embodiment, it is assumed that solid materials M1 and M2 having different thicknesses are discharged from two filling nozzles. That is, the solid material M1 having a thickness W1 is discharged from the discharge port 85, and the solid material M2 having a thickness W2 is discharged from the discharge port 86. The thickness W2 of the solid material M2 is thinner than the thickness W1 of the solid material M1.

[0037] The alignment guide roll 83' of this second embodiment has a diameter φD1 at a portion 87 of the input target range S1 of the solid material M1 below the discharge port 85 of one filling nozzle. Further, the alignment guide roll 83' has a diameter φD2 larger than the diameter φD1 at a portion 88 of the input target range S2 of the solid material M2 below the discharge port 86 of the other filling nozzle.

[0038] FIG. 11 is a top view showing a structural example of the alignment guide roll 83' in the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] In this second embodiment, the distance between the opposing rolls of the alignment guide roll 83' is partially different in the bag width direction of the packaging film F4 as described above. Therefore, it has a structure suitable for the case where the thicknesses of the solid materials M1 and M2 discharged from the plurality of filling nozzles are different from each other.

[0040] <Third Embodiment> In the above-described second embodiment, the integrated alignment guide roll 83' is assumed, but in this third embodiment, a structure in which a part of the alignment guide roll is detachable is assumed.

[0041] [Alignment guide roll] FIG. 12 is a top view showing a state in which the alignment guide portions 88A and 88B are removed from one of the alignment guide rolls according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a top view showing a state in which the alignment guide portion 88A is attached to the alignment guide roll according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a top view showing a state in which the alignment guide portion 88B is attached to the alignment guide roll according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] One of the alignment guide rolls according to the third embodiment is configured such that either the alignment guide portion 88A or 88B is removably connected to the alignment guide portion 87A. The alignment guide portion 87A is a roll having a diameter φD3. The alignment guide portion 88A is a roll having a diameter φD4. The alignment guide portion 88B is a roll having a diameter φD5. In this example, the diameter φD4 is larger than the diameter φD3, and the diameter φD5 is even larger than the diameter φD4.

[0043] By selectively attaching either the alignment guide portion 88A or 88B to the alignment guide portion 87A, when discharging solid substances having different thicknesses for each discharge port of a plurality of filling nozzles, appropriate alignment correction can be performed according to the relative relationship of their respective thicknesses. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, when filling the solid substance M3 with a thickness W3 and the solid substance M4 with a thickness W4, it is desirable to connect the alignment guide portion 88A to the alignment guide portion 87A and use them. Also, as shown in FIG. 14, when filling the solid substance M5 with a thickness W5 and the solid substance M6 with a thickness W6, it is desirable to connect the alignment guide portion 88B to the alignment guide portion 87A and use them.

[0044] Thus, according to the embodiment of the present invention, by placing the tablets in an upright posture inside the packaging bag and arranging a pair of alignment guide rolls with a gap slightly larger than the thickness of the tablets between the discharge port of the filling chute and the horizontal seal, it becomes possible to perform packaging while holding the tablets inside the packaging bag in an upright posture. As a result, it is possible to perform high-quality packaging with few wrinkles while suppressing uneven swelling of the packaging bag. Also, by making the number of filling chutes for the same packaging bag a plurality of rows, it is possible to eliminate the rare occurrence of high stacking of tablets.

[0045] Here, a vertical filling and packaging machine with three-side sealing packaging has been exemplified. However, the present invention can be similarly applied when performing four-side sealing packaging or vertical pillow packaging.

[0046] Note that the above-described embodiments show an example for embodying the present invention, and there is a corresponding relationship between the matters in the embodiments and the matters specifying the invention in the claims. Similarly, there is a corresponding relationship between the matters specifying the invention in the claims and the matters in the embodiments of the present invention given the same name. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments, and can be embodied by making various modifications to the embodiments without departing from the gist thereof.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0047] 1 Vertical filling and packaging machine 2 Base 3 Packaging material shaft 4 Packaging material feeding device 5 Filling material supply device 6 Filling chute 7 Bag making guide 8 Sealing device 9 Packaging bag feeding device 10 Cutter device 11 Slipping table 12 Conveying device 13 Control device 81 L-shaped sealer 82 L-shaped sealer opening / closing arm 83, 83' Alignment guide roll 84 Adjusting knob between rolls 85, 86 Discharge port 87, 88 Portion of the input target range 87A, 88A, 88B Alignment guide portion 89 Support portion F1 to F4 Packaging film F5 Continuous packaging bag M, M1 to M6 Solid matter P Packaging bag

Claims

1. A sealer that forms a packaging bag by applying longitudinal and transverse seals to a packaging film that is transferred downward, At least two filling nozzles for filling a plurality of solid objects into the inside of the packaging bag in an upright posture, Between the position where the transverse seal is applied by the sealer and the discharge port of the filling nozzle, an alignment guide roll that sandwiches the packaging bag in the thickness direction by opposing rolls and aligns and corrects the posture of the plurality of solid objects put into the inside of the packaging bag to an upright state A filling and packaging machine comprising: The at least two filling nozzles include first and second filling nozzles arranged side by side in the bag width direction inside the packaging bag, The plurality of solid objects include a first solid object having a first thickness filled into the packaging bag from the first filling nozzle and a second solid object having a second thickness thinner than the first thickness filled into the packaging bag from the second filling nozzle, The opposing rolls of the alignment guide roll have a first diameter in a portion of the input target range of the first solid object below the discharge port of the first filling nozzle, and a second diameter larger than the first diameter in a portion of the input target range of the second solid object below the discharge port of the second filling nozzle Filling and packaging machine.

2. The alignment guide roll is detachably connected with a first pair of opposing rolls each having the first diameter and a second pair of opposing rolls each having the second diameter The filling and packaging machine according to Claim 1.

3. The alignment guide roll is detachably connected with a third pair of opposing rolls each having a third diameter different from the second diameter in place of the second pair of opposing rolls The filling and packaging machine according to Claim 2.

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