Vertical bag-making, filling and packaging machine and discharge conveyor

Abstract

To provide a technique for improving efficiency of maintenance work for a vertical bag-making filling packaging machine to which a carry-out conveyor is attached.SOLUTION: A carry-out conveyor (70) included in the vertical bag-making filling packaging machine has a conveyor body (72) changed in attitude between a carry-out attitude where the conveyor body inclines from below a horizontal seal device (50) toward a downstream side in a carry-out direction and projects toward the front of the vertical bag-making filling packaging machine and a storage attitude where an inclination angle is smaller than that in the carry-out attitude and a projection amount from the vertical bag-making filling packaging machine is smaller than that in the carry-out attitude.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vertical bag-making, filling, and packaging machine, and a carry-out conveyor for carrying out bags produced by the vertical bag-making, filling, and packaging machine.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a vertical bag-making, filling, and packaging machine has been known, which includes a product filling cylinder through which a product supplied from a hopper passes, a vertical sealing device for sealing both ends of a strip-shaped packaging material that is overlapped along the outer peripheral surface of the product filling cylinder, and a horizontal sealing device for sealing portions corresponding to the top and bottom of a bag containing the product supplied through the product filling cylinder among the strip-shaped packaging materials formed into a cylindrical shape by the vertical sealing device (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] In addition, the vertical bag-making, filling, and packaging machine described in Patent Document 1 is generally used in combination with a carry-out conveyor that carries out the bags formed by the horizontal sealing device to a device in the next process (for example, boxing). The carry-out conveyor protrudes forward from below the horizontal sealing device and is arranged to be inclined upward.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The component parts of the vertical bag-making, filling, and packaging machine from the hopper to the discharge conveyor are arranged vertically. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, workers performing various maintenance operations on the vertical bag-making, filling, and packaging machine (for example, replacing parts, cleaning, and regular inspections associated with product changeovers) need to work across the discharge conveyor, resulting in low work efficiency. On the other hand, if the discharge conveyor is removed each time work is performed, there is a problem that the downtime becomes long due to the positioning work when reinstalling it.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a technique for improving the efficiency of maintenance work on a vertical bag-making, filling, and packaging machine to which a discharge conveyor is attached.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The present invention is a vertical bag-making, filling, and packaging machine for filling a product into a bag formed from a strip-shaped packaging material, comprising: a cylindrical product filling cylinder extending in the vertical direction; a vertical sealing device for sealing both ends of the strip-shaped packaging material overlapped along the outer peripheral surface of the product filling cylinder; a horizontal sealing device for sealing portions corresponding to the top and bottom of the bag containing the product supplied through the product filling cylinder among the strip-shaped packaging materials formed into a cylindrical shape by the vertical sealing device; and a discharge conveyor for discharging the bag formed by the horizontal sealing device, wherein the discharge conveyor has an upward inclination from below the horizontal sealing device toward the downstream side in the discharge direction and protrudes forward of the vertical bag-making, filling, and packaging machine. , and the front A conveyor body that changes its posture to a storage posture in which the inclination angle is smaller than the above-described discharge posture and the amount of protrusion from the vertical bag-making, filling, and packaging machine is smaller than the above-described discharge posture. , a leg portion having a lower end to which a rotating member is attached, the upper end of which is rotatably supported around a support shaft extending in the width direction of the conveyor body and which rotates in contact with the ground, and the leg portion is inclined upward in the downstream side of the conveyor body in the unloading direction And a drive source for rotating the support shaft around the support shaft in a standing posture for reducing the inclination angle of the conveyor body and a lying posture for reducing the inclination angle of the conveyor body It is characterized by the above.

Effects of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the efficiency of maintenance work on a vertical bag-making, filling, and packaging machine to which a discharge conveyor is attached.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Embodiments for Carrying out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, the vertical bag-making and filling packaging machine 1 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments of the present invention described below are examples when embodying the present invention, and do not limit the scope of the present invention to the scope of the description of the embodiments. Therefore, the present invention can be implemented with various modifications to the embodiments.

[0011] FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of the vertical bag-making and filling packaging machine 1. FIG. 2 is a side view of the vertical bag-making and filling packaging machine 1. The vertical bag-making and filling packaging machine 1 is a device that forms a strip-shaped film Fw (strip-shaped packaging material) into a bag Bp and fills the formed bag Bp with a product. The vertical bag-making and filling packaging machine 1 mainly includes a film conveying device 10, a feeding device 20, a product filling cylinder 30, a longitudinal sealing device 40, a transverse sealing device 50, a discharge chute 60, an unloading conveyor 70, and a control device 80.

[0012] The strip film Fw is a strip-shaped packaging material that serves as the material for the bag used to package products. The strip film Fw is a film-like member that can be welded by applying heat, and examples thereof include polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), biaxially oriented polypropylene (OPP), aluminum-lined paper, aluminum vapor-deposited paper, and the like. The products refer to granular foods such as candies, bean confectioneries, and snacks. However, specific examples of the products are not limited to these and include all items that are packaged in the bag Bp and shipped.

[0013] The film conveying device 10 is a device that conveys the strip film Fw wound around the take-up roll 11 to the feeding device 20. The film conveying device 10 mainly includes a take-up roll 11, a plurality of fixed guide rolls 12a to 12h, a tension mechanism 13, and a cylinder former 14.

[0014] The take-up roll 11 rotates in the direction of paying out the strip film Fw when the feeding device 20 is driven. The fixed guide rolls 12a to 12h are arranged on the feeding path of the strip film Fw from the take-up roll 11 to the cylinder former 14 and guide the strip film Fw conveyed along the feeding path. The tension mechanism 13 applies appropriate tension to the strip film Fw conveyed along the feeding path.

[0015] The cylinder former 14 forms the strip film Fw into a cylindrical shape by overlapping both end portions in the width direction of the strip film Fw. Further, the cylinder former 14 feeds out the strip film Fw formed into a cylindrical shape downward toward the product filling cylinder 30. The strip film Fw formed into a cylindrical shape by the cylinder former 14 moves downward along the outer peripheral surface of the product filling cylinder 30.

[0016] Facing the feeding path of the strip film Fw from the take-up roll 11 to the cylinder former 14, a date printing device 15 and a date inspection device 16 are arranged. The date printing device 15 prints a date (for example, the date of manufacture, expiration date, best-before date, etc.) at a predetermined position on the strip film Fw conveyed by the film conveying device 10. The date inspection device 16 inspects whether the date is properly printed by the date printing device 15.

[0017] The feeding device 20 conveys the strip-shaped film Fw conveyed by the film conveying device 10 along a feeding path extending in the vertical direction. More specifically, the feeding device 20 includes a pair of feeding belts 21 and 22 facing each other with the product filling cylinder 30 interposed therebetween. The pair of feeding belts 21 and 22 are transmitted with the driving force of a motor (not shown) and send the strip-shaped film Fw covering the outer peripheral surface of the product filling cylinder 30 downward toward the horizontal sealing device 50. In the present embodiment, the feeding direction of the strip-shaped film Fw by the feeding device 20 is downward.

[0018] The product filling cylinder 30 is a cylindrical member with open upper and lower ends. The product filling cylinder 30 is extended vertically along the feeding direction of the strip-shaped film Fw formed in a cylindrical shape between the cylinder former 14 and the horizontal sealing device 50. Further, a hopper 31 is attached to the upper end opening of the product filling cylinder 30. The product filling cylinder 30 fills the product supplied from a combination weigher (product supply device) (not shown) through the hopper 31 into the bag Bp formed by the vertical sealing device 40 and the horizontal sealing device 50 through the lower end opening.

[0019] The vertical sealing device 40 is disposed at a position facing the product filling cylinder 30. More specifically, the vertical sealing device 40 is disposed on the downstream side of the cylinder former 14 and on the upstream side of the horizontal sealing device 50 in the feeding direction of the strip-shaped film Fw by the feeding device 20.

[0020] The vertical sealing device 40 includes a pair of seal blocks 41 and 42 disposed so as to sandwich the overlapped ends of the strip-shaped film Fw. The pair of seal blocks 41 and 42 are transmitted with the rotation of a motor (not shown) and move into and out of contact with each other. Each of the pair of seal blocks 41 and 42 has a built-in heater. Then, the pair of seal blocks 41 and 42 heat while sandwiching the overlapped ends of the strip-shaped film Fw to weld (seal) both ends in the width direction. Thereby, the strip-shaped film Fw is formed into a cylindrical shape.

[0021] The horizontal sealing device 50 forms the strip-shaped film Fw into a bag Bp by welding (sealing) the strip-shaped film Fw formed in a tubular shape at predetermined intervals. More specifically, the horizontal sealing device 50 seals a portion corresponding to the bottom of the bag Bp and a portion corresponding to the top of the bag Bp among the strip-shaped film Fw formed in a tubular shape by the vertical sealing device 40. Also, the horizontal sealing device 50 cuts the boundary portion between two consecutive bags Bp. The horizontal sealing device 50 includes a pair of sealing blocks 51 and 52.

[0022] The pair of sealing blocks 51 and 52 are arranged to face each other with the strip-shaped film Fw formed in a tubular shape by the vertical sealing device 40 interposed therebetween. A heater is incorporated in each of the pair of sealing blocks 51 and 52. The pair of sealing blocks 51 and 52 approach and separate with the strip-shaped film Fw interposed therebetween. Then, the strip-shaped film Fw is welded by heating with the pair of sealing blocks 51 and 52 sandwiching the strip-shaped film Fw.

[0023] The discharge chute 60 supplies the bag Bp formed by the horizontal sealing device 50 to the carry-out conveyor 70. The discharge chute 60 is arranged below the horizontal sealing device 50. Also, the discharge chute 60 is a slope-shaped member that slopes downward toward the front of the vertical bag-making and filling packaging machine 1. That is, the bag Bp formed by the horizontal sealing device 50 is guided by the slope-shaped discharge chute 60 and reaches the upper surface of the carry-out conveyor 70.

[0024] The carry-out conveyor 70 carries out the bag Bp supplied through the discharge chute 60 to the outside of the vertical bag-making and filling packaging machine 1. More specifically, the carry-out conveyor 70 carries out the bag Bp to the device in the next process (for example, the boxing device). The carry-out conveyor 70 is arranged below the horizontal sealing device 50 (more specifically, the discharge chute 60). The detailed configuration of the carry-out conveyor 70 will be described later with reference to FIGS. 3 to 8.

[0025] The vertical bag-making, filling, and packaging machine 1 repeatedly executes a process of forming a bag Bp from a strip-shaped film Fw and filling the product by the interlocking operation of a film conveying device 10, a feeding device 20, a longitudinal sealing device 40, a transverse sealing device 50, and an unloading conveyor 70. The operation of the vertical bag-making, filling, and packaging machine 1 is controlled by a control device 80.

[0026] The control device 80 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) as an arithmetic means, a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores various programs, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) that serves as a work area for the arithmetic means. Then, the CPU reads and executes the programs stored in the ROM to realize each process described later.

[0027] However, the specific configuration of the control device 80 is not limited to this, and it may be realized by hardware such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array).

[0028] First, the control device 80 drives the film conveying device 10 and the feeding device 20 to feed the strip-shaped film Fw in the feeding direction by an amount corresponding to the height of one bag Bp. Next, the control device 80 drives the longitudinal sealing device 40 to seal the overlapping ends of the strip-shaped film Fw by sandwiching them between a pair of seal blocks 41 and 42, thereby forming the strip-shaped film Fw into a cylindrical shape.

[0029] In addition, the control device 80 sandwiches and seals a portion corresponding to the top of the first bag and a portion corresponding to the bottom of the second bag immediately after the first bag in the cylindrically formed strip-shaped film Fw with seal blocks 51 and 52. Further, the control device 80 causes the cutter provided in the transverse sealing device 50 to protrude and retract to cut the strip-shaped film Fw at the boundary between the first bag and the second bag. Furthermore, the control device 80 drives the unloading conveyor 70 at a predetermined speed to unload the bag Bp formed by the transverse sealing device 50.

[0030] Figure 3 is a front view of the vertical bag-making, filling, and packaging machine 1. As shown in Figure 3, the main component parts of the vertical bag-making, filling, and packaging machine 1 (hopper 31, tube former 14, product filling tube 30, feeder 20, longitudinal sealing device 40, transverse sealing device 50, and discharge chute 60) are arranged in the vertical direction. Further, the component parts of the vertical bag-making, filling, and packaging machine 1 are supported by the packaging machine frame 2. Also, a part of the discharge chute 60 protrudes downward from the lower surface of the packaging machine frame 2.

[0031] The packaging machine frame 2 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped outer shape that houses the component parts of the vertical bag-making, filling, and packaging machine 1. The packaging machine frame 2 is configured by combining, for example, a plurality of plates. Also, the front surface of the packaging machine frame 2 is configured to be openable and closable. By opening the front surface of the packaging machine frame 2, an operator can access (i.e., perform maintenance work) the component parts housed in the packaging machine frame 2.

[0032] Also, the carry-out conveyor 70 is arranged below the packaging machine frame 2. The carry-out conveyor 70 houses the discharge chute 60 that protrudes downward from the packaging machine frame 2 and has a conveyor frame 71 that supports the component parts described later. Also, the conveyor frame 71 has a pair of side plates 71a, 71b that are arranged to face each other at positions spaced apart in the left-right direction. And the conveyor frame 71 supports the component parts of the carry-out conveyor 70 between the pair of side plates 71a, 71b.

[0033] The length (width) of the conveyor frame 71 in the left-right direction is set shorter than that of the packaging machine frame 2. Also, as shown in Figure 4, the length (depth) of the conveyor frame 71 in the front-rear direction is set shorter than that of the packaging machine frame 2. More specifically, the front end (front surface) of the conveyor frame 71 is located behind the front end (front surface) of the packaging machine frame 2.

[0034] Since the vertical bag-making and filling packaging machine 1 discharges the bag Bp downward through the discharge chute 60, a certain amount of space has conventionally been required below the discharge chute 60. Therefore, even if the conveyor frame 71 is provided below the packaging machine frame 2, the overall height of the vertical bag-making and filling packaging machine 1 does not change significantly. In this embodiment, an example in which the independent packaging machine frame 2 and the conveyor frame 71 are stacked vertically will be described. However, the film conveying device 10, the feeding device 20, the product filling cylinder 30, the vertical sealing device 40, the horizontal sealing device 50, the discharge chute 60, and the carry-out conveyor 70 may be supported by a common frame.

[0035] Next, with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6, the details of the carry-out conveyor 70 will be described. FIG. 4 is a side view of the carry-out conveyor 70 when the conveyor body 72 is in the carry-out posture. FIG. 5 is a side view of the carry-out conveyor 70 when the conveyor body 72 is in the intermediate posture. FIG. 6 is a side view of the carry-out conveyor 70 when the conveyor body 72 is in the storage posture. As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the carry-out conveyor 70 mainly includes a conveyor body 72, a conveyor motor 73, legs 74, an air cylinder 75 (driving source), and a guide shaft 76.

[0036] In this specification, the direction in which the conveyor body 72 in the carry-out posture (FIG. 4) and the intermediate posture (FIG. 5) protrudes with respect to the packaging machine frame 2 is defined as the front, and the left-right direction is defined when viewing the vertical bag-making and filling packaging machine 1 from the front side (front side). That is, the conveyor body 72 in the carry-out posture and the intermediate posture protrudes to the openable front side of the packaging machine frame 2. Also, the width direction of the conveyor body 72 in this embodiment coincides with the left-right direction.

[0037] The conveyor body 72 is disposed at the center of the conveyor frame 71 in the left-right direction. Also, in the vertical direction, the conveyor body 72 is disposed below the main components (hopper 31, cylinder maker 14, product filling cylinder 30, feeding device 20, vertical sealing device 40, horizontal sealing device 50, and discharge chute 60) of the vertical bag-making and filling packaging machine 1.

[0038] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, the conveyor main body 72 mainly includes a pair of side plates 72a and 72b, a driving pulley 72c, a driven pulley 72d, and a conveyor belt 72e. The pair of side plates 72a and 72b are each extended in the front-rear direction at positions spaced apart in the left-right direction. The driving pulley 72c and the driven pulley 72d are supported by the pair of side plates 72a and 72b at positions spaced apart in the direction in which the conveyor main body 72 unloads the bag Bp (hereinafter referred to as the "unloading direction"). The conveyor belt 72e is stretched over the driving pulley 72c and the driven pulley 72d.

[0039] When the driving force of the conveyor motor 73 is transmitted and the driving pulley 72c rotates, the conveyor belt 72e circulates between the driving pulley 72c and the driven pulley 72d. The circulating direction of the conveyor belt 72e is such that the upper surface moves forward and the lower surface moves backward. Thereby, the bag Bp supplied onto the conveyor belt 72e from the discharge chute 60 is unloaded in the unloading direction.

[0040] The leg portion 74 is attached to the lower surface of the conveyor main body 72 at the middle of the conveyor main body 72 in the front-rear direction. Note that the leg portion 74 does not have to be provided at the center of the conveyor main body 72 in the front-rear direction (a position equidistant from the driving pulley 72c and the driven pulley 72d), and may be provided at any position between the driving pulley 72c and the driven pulley 72d. Further, the upper end of the leg portion 74 is supported by the conveyor main body 72 so as to be rotatable around a support shaft 74a extending in the width direction. Furthermore, a caster 74b (rotating member) that abuts on the ground and rotates is attached to the lower end of the leg portion 74. That is, the leg portion 74 rotates around the support shaft 74a in the direction in which the caster 74b moves in the front-rear direction. As a result, the inclination angle of the conveyor main body 72 is switched.

[0041] The air cylinder 75 expands and contracts when compressed air is supplied from an air compressor (not shown) via a valve. Then, as the air cylinder 75 expands and contracts, the leg portion 74 changes its posture between the standing posture (Fig. 4) and the lying posture (Figs. 5 and 6). One end of the air cylinder 75 is supported by the leg portion 74 so as to be rotatable around a support shaft 75a extending in the width direction below the support shaft 74a and above the caster 74b. Also, the other end of the air cylinder 75 is supported by the conveyor main body 72 so as to be rotatable around a support shaft 75b extending in the width direction in front of (downstream side in the unloading direction) the leg portion 74.

[0042] Note that the supply and discharge of compressed air to and from the air cylinder 75 may be performed, for example, by an operator's operation of a hand switch or by a control device 80. Also, the drive source for changing the posture of the leg portion 74 is not limited to the air cylinder 75 and may be an electric motor or the like. Further, the direction in which the leg portion 74 lies down is not limited to the directions (forward) in Figs. 5 and 6 and may be the reverse direction (backward).

[0043] When compressed air is supplied and the air cylinder 75 extends, the caster 74b moves rearward and the leg portion 74 assumes the standing posture. As a result, the conveyor main body 72 slopes upward toward the downstream side in the unloading direction. On the other hand, when compressed air is discharged and the air cylinder 75 contracts, the caster 74b moves forward and the leg portion 74 assumes the lying posture. As a result, the conveyor main body 72 extends in the front-rear direction (horizontal direction). Note that although the leg portion 74 shown in Fig. 4 extends in the vertical direction, the extending direction of the leg portion 74 in the standing posture is not limited to this. That is, the extending direction of the leg portion 74 only needs to be more lying down in the lying posture than in the standing posture.

[0044] The guide shaft 76 is supported at the proximal end (the upstream end in the unloading direction) of the conveyor body 72. Further, the guide shaft 76 extends in the width direction of the conveyor body 72. Furthermore, both ends of the guide shaft 76 project in the width direction from the conveyor body 72 (that is, the pair of side plates 72a, 72b) to form a pair of guide protrusions. And both ends of the guide shaft 76 enter guide holes 77 (only the guide hole 77 of the side plate 71a is shown in FIGS. 4 to 6) formed in the pair of side plates 71a, 71b of the conveyor frame 71. Thereby, the proximal end of the conveyor body 72 is supported by the conveyor frame 71 via the guide shaft 76.

[0045] The guide hole 77 is composed of a horizontal hole 77a extending in the front-rear direction and a vertical hole 77b extending downward from the front end of the horizontal hole 77a. The horizontal hole 77a guides the end of the guide shaft 76 moving in the front-rear direction. The vertical hole 77b restricts the end of the guide shaft 76 from moving in the front-rear direction. The vertical length of the vertical hole 77b is set to be, for example, equal to or less than the diameter of the guide shaft 76 (more preferably, equal to or less than 1 / 2 of the diameter of the guide shaft 76).

[0046] In FIG. 4, when an operator presses down the distal end (the downstream end in the unloading direction) of the conveyor body 72, the end of the guide shaft 76 disengages from the vertical hole 77b. Also, when the operator pushes the conveyor body 72 backward, the end of the guide shaft 76 moves backward along the horizontal hole 77a. Further, when the operator pulls out the conveyor body 72 forward, the end of the guide shaft 76 moves forward along the horizontal hole 77a and drops into the vertical hole 77b.

[0047] As an example, the guide hole 77 may be a through hole penetrating the side plates 71a, 71b in the thickness direction. As another example, the side plates 71a, 71b may be composed of an upper plate and a lower plate arranged at a distance in the vertical direction. And the guide hole 77 may be a gap between the upper plate and the lower plate.

[0048] In this way, the conveyor main body 72 is supported on the ground via the legs 74 and is also supported on the conveyor frame 71 via the guide shafts 76. Further, the conveyor main body 72 is configured to be capable of changing its posture to the unloading posture shown in FIG. 4, the intermediate posture shown in FIG. 5, and the storage posture shown in FIG. 6 by changing the posture of the legs 74 and moving the guide shafts 76 along the guide holes 77.

[0049] The unloading posture is the posture of the conveyor main body 72 when unloading the bag Bp supplied through the discharge chute 60 to the outside of the vertical bag-making and filling packaging machine 1. As shown in FIG. 4, the conveyor main body 72 in the unloading posture is inclined upward from below the horizontal sealing device 50 (more specifically, the discharge chute 60) toward the downstream side in the unloading direction and protrudes in front of the vertical bag-making and filling packaging machine 1 (more specifically, the packaging machine frame 2).

[0050] More specifically, the proximal end of the conveyor main body 72 is located behind the front surface of the packaging machine frame 2 (more specifically, the conveyor frame 71) and below the discharge chute 60. Also, the distal end of the conveyor main body 72 is located in front of the front surface of the packaging machine frame 2 and above the lower surface of the packaging machine frame 2. That is, the distal end of the conveyor main body 72 is located above and in front of the proximal end of the conveyor main body 72. By setting the legs 74 in the standing posture and positioning the end of the guide shaft 76 at the lower end of the vertical hole 77b, the conveyor main body 72 assumes the unloading posture.

[0051] The intermediate posture is the posture of the conveyor main body 72 during the process of changing its posture from one of the unloading posture and the storage posture to the other. Also, the intermediate posture may be the posture of the conveyor main body 72 when unloading the bag Bp to a different unloading destination from the unloading posture. The conveyor main body 72 in the intermediate posture extends horizontally below the horizontal sealing device 50 (more specifically, the discharge chute 60) and protrudes in front of the vertical bag-making and filling packaging machine 1 (more specifically, the packaging machine frame 2).

[0052] More specifically, the proximal end of the conveyor body 72 is located behind the front surface of the packaging machine frame 2 (more specifically, the conveyor frame 71) and below the discharge chute 60. Also, the distal end of the conveyor body 72 is located in front of the front surface of the packaging machine frame 2 and below the lower surface of the packaging machine frame 2. And the conveyor body 72 extends in the front-rear direction (horizontal direction). By laying the legs 74 in the lying-down posture and positioning the end of the guide shaft 76 at the lower end of the vertical hole 77b or the front end of the horizontal hole 77a, the conveyor body 72 assumes the intermediate posture.

[0053] The storage posture is the posture of the conveyor body 72 when the vertical bag-making and filling packaging machine 1 is not operating (in other words, when maintenance work is being carried out). The conveyor body 72 in the storage posture extends horizontally below the horizontal sealing device 50 (more specifically, the discharge chute 60) and is stored inside the vertical bag-making and filling packaging machine 1 (more specifically, the conveyor frame 71). By laying the legs 74 in the lying-down posture and positioning the end of the guide shaft 76 at the rear end of the horizontal hole 77a, the conveyor body 72 assumes the storage posture.

[0054] However, the conveyor body 72 in the intermediate posture and the storage posture is not limited to extending horizontally. That is, the conveyor body 72 in the intermediate posture and the storage posture may be inclined upward or downward toward the downstream side in the carry-out direction as long as the inclination angle is smaller than that in the carry-out posture.

[0055] Also, the conveyor body 72 in the storage posture is not limited to being entirely stored inside the conveyor frame 71. As another example, the distal end of the conveyor body 72 in the storage posture may be located in front of the front surface of the conveyor frame 71 and behind the front surface of the packaging machine frame 2. As yet another example, the distal end of the conveyor body 72 in the storage posture may be located slightly in front of the front surface of the packaging machine frame 2 (for example, shorter than the length of an average operator's arm). That is, the conveyor body 72 in the storage posture only needs to have a smaller protrusion amount than the carry-out posture and the intermediate posture.

[0056] The discharge conveyor 70 also includes a drive switching mechanism 78. The drive switching mechanism 78 switches between restricting and allowing the extension and contraction of the air cylinder 75 (driving the drive source). The drive switching mechanism 78 restricts the extension and contraction (particularly extension) of the air cylinder 75 when the end of the guide shaft 76 is located in the horizontal hole 77a. On the other hand, the drive switching mechanism 78 allows the extension and contraction (particularly extension) of the air cylinder 75 when the end of the guide shaft 76 is located at the lower end of the vertical hole 77b.

[0057] As an example, the drive switching mechanism 78 may be composed of a valve that opens and closes the air flow path from the air compressor to the air cylinder 75, and a mechanical switch that opens and closes the valve. The initial position of the mechanical switch is a position that closes the valve. The mechanical switch is abutted against the end of the guide shaft 76 that is located at the bottom end of the vertical hole 77b, and is switched to a position that opens the valve. Furthermore, the mechanical switch moves away from the guide shaft 76 that has left the vertical hole 77b, and returns to a position that closes the valve.

[0058] As another example, the drive switching mechanism 78 may be composed of a solenoid valve that opens and closes the air flow path from the air compressor to the air cylinder 75, a position sensor that detects that the end of the guide shaft 76 is located at the bottom end of the vertical hole 77b, and the control device 80. The control device 80 opens the solenoid valve when the position sensor detects that the end of the guide shaft 76 is located at the bottom end of the vertical hole 77b. On the other hand, the control device 80 closes the solenoid valve when the position sensor does not detect that the end of the guide shaft 76 is located at the bottom end of the vertical hole 77b.

[0059] Furthermore, the discharge conveyor 70 is equipped with a locking mechanism 79. The locking mechanism 79 switches between restricting and allowing the backward movement of the conveyor body 72. The locking mechanism 79 restricts the backward movement of the conveyor body 72 when the leg parts 74 are in an upright position. On the other hand, the locking mechanism 79 allows the backward movement of the conveyor body 72 when the leg parts 74 are in a laid-down position. The locking mechanism 79 is composed of, for example, a locking piece 79a fixed to the side plate 71a and a locked piece 79b fixed to the base end of the conveyor body 72.

[0060] The locking piece 79a and the locked piece 79b are arranged at the same vertical position and facing each other in the front-rear direction when the leg part 74 is in the standing posture. That is, when attempting to move the conveyor main body 72 backward with the leg part 74 in the standing posture, the locked piece 79b abuts against the locking piece 79a, restricting the backward movement of the conveyor main body 72. On the other hand, the locking piece 79a and the locked piece 79b are arranged at positions spaced apart in the vertical direction when the leg part 74 is in the lying posture. That is, when attempting to move the conveyor main body 72 backward with the leg part 74 in the lying posture, the locked piece 79b passes through the locking piece 79a, allowing the backward movement of the conveyor main body 72.

[0061] A procedure for changing the posture of the conveyor main body 72 from the carrying-out posture to the storing posture will be described. First, the operator depresses the tip of the conveyor main body 72 in FIG. 4 to disengage the end of the guide shaft 76 from the vertical hole 77b. Next, the operator operates the hand switch to contract the air cylinder 75, thereby putting the leg part 74 in the lying posture. As a result, the conveyor main body 72 assumes an intermediate posture. Next, the operator pushes the conveyor main body 72 backward, causing the end of the guide shaft 76 to move backward along the horizontal hole 77a. As a result, the conveyor main body 72 assumes the storing posture.

[0062] Next, a procedure for changing the posture of the conveyor main body 72 from the storing posture to the carrying-out posture will be described. First, the operator pulls out the conveyor main body 72 in FIG. 6 forward, causing the end of the guide shaft 76 to move forward along the horizontal hole 77a and fall into the lower end of the vertical hole 77b. As a result, the conveyor main body 72 assumes an intermediate posture. Next, the operator operates the hand switch to extend the air cylinder 75, thereby putting the leg part 74 in the standing posture. As a result, the conveyor main body 72 assumes the carrying-out posture.

[0063] According to the above-described embodiment, for example, the following operational effects are achieved.

[0064] According to the above embodiment, when the vertical bag-making and filling packaging machine 1 is in operation (when forming the bag Bp), the conveyor body 72 is set in the carried-out posture, and when performing various maintenance operations on the vertical bag-making and filling packaging machine 1, the conveyor body 72 is set in the stored posture, thereby improving the efficiency of the maintenance work and shortening the downtime.

[0065] Further, according to the above embodiment, when changing the posture of the conveyor body 72 from one of the carried-out posture and the stored posture to the other, by passing through an intermediate posture, it is possible to avoid interference with the packaging machine frame 2 and the discharge chute 60 and realize the posture change of the conveyor body 72. Note that the intermediate posture may be not only a posture in the middle of the carried-out posture and the stored posture, but also a posture for carrying out the bag Bp to a carry-out destination different from the carried-out posture.

[0066] As an example, during actual operation of the vertical bag-making and filling packaging machine 1, the conveyor body 72 may be set in the carried-out posture, and during test operation, the conveyor body 72 may be set in the intermediate posture. As another example, among the bags Bp formed by the vertical bag-making and filling packaging machine 1, the non-defective products may be carried out from the conveyor body 72 in the carried-out posture, and the defective products may be carried out from the conveyor body 72 in the intermediate posture.

[0067] Further, according to the above embodiment, by changing the posture of the leg portion 74, the inclination angle of the conveyor body 72 is switched, and by moving the end portion of the guide shaft 76 along the guide hole 77, the protruding amount of the conveyor body 72 is switched. Thereby, the posture change of the conveyor body 72 can be realized with a simple configuration.

[0068] Further, according to the above embodiment, when setting the conveyor body 72 in the carried-out posture, by dropping the end portion of the guide shaft 76 into the vertical hole 77b, the conveyor body 72 in the carried-out posture can be positioned in a short time. As a result, the downtime of the vertical bag-making and filling packaging machine 1 due to maintenance work can be shortened. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent the conveyor body 72 from moving backward unintentionally during the operation of the vertical bag-making and filling packaging machine 1.

[0069] Further, according to the above embodiment, when the end of the guide shaft 76 is located in the horizontal hole 77a, by restricting the expansion and contraction of the air cylinder 75, it is possible to prevent the conveyor body 72 in the stored posture from becoming an ascending slope. As a result, it is possible to prevent the conveyor body 72 from interfering with the packaging machine frame 2 or the conveyor frame 71 due to an operator's operation error or the like.

[0070] Furthermore, according to the above embodiment, when the legs 74 are in the standing posture (i.e., the conveyor body 72 is in an ascending slope), by restricting the backward movement of the conveyor body 72, it is possible to prevent the conveyor body 72 in the unloading posture from being stored in the conveyor frame 71. As a result, it is possible to prevent the conveyor body 72 from interfering with the packaging machine frame 2 or the conveyor frame 71 due to an operator's operation error or the like.

[0071] In the above embodiment, the unloading conveyor 70 as a component of the vertical bag-making and filling packaging machine 1 has been described. However, the unloading conveyor 70 according to the present invention may be an independent device used in combination with the vertical bag-making and filling packaging machine 1.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0072] 1... Vertical bag-making and filling packaging machine, 2... Packaging machine frame, 10... Film conveying device, 11... Take-up roll, 12a to 12h... Fixed guide rolls, 13... Tension mechanism, 14... Tube former, 15... Date printing device, 16... Date inspection device, 20... Feeding device, 21, 22... Feeding belts, 30... Product filling tube, 31... Hopper, 40... Longitudinal sealing device, 41, 42, 51, 52... Seal blocks, 50... Transverse sealing device, 60... Discharge chute, 70... Unloading conveyor, 71... Conveyor frame, 71a, 71b, 72a, 72b... Side plates, 72... Conveyor body, 72c... Driving pulley, 72d... Driven pulley, 72e... Conveyor belt, 73... Conveyor motor, 74... Legs, 74a, 75a, 75b... Support shafts, 74b... Caster, 75... Air cylinder, 76... Guide shaft, 77... Guide hole, 77a... Horizontal hole, 77b... Vertical hole, 78... Drive switching mechanism, 79... Locking mechanism, 79a... Locking piece, 79b... Locked piece, 80... Control device

Claims

1. A vertical form-fill-seal packaging machine that fills products into bags formed from a strip-shaped packaging material, A cylindrical product filling tube extending in the vertical direction; a vertical sealing device that seals both ends of the strip of packaging material that is overlapped along the outer circumferential surface of the product stuffing tube; a horizontal sealing device that seals the portions of the strip-shaped packaging material formed into a cylindrical shape by the vertical sealing device, the portions corresponding to the top and bottom of a bag containing a product supplied through the product filling tube; a discharge conveyor for discharging the bags formed by the horizontal sealing device, The discharge conveyor is a conveyor body that changes its posture between an output posture in which the conveyor body is inclined upward from below the horizontal sealing device toward the downstream side in the output direction and protrudes forward of the vertical bag form, fill and pack packaging machine, and a stored posture in which the inclination angle is smaller than that of the output posture and the conveyor body protrudes less from the vertical bag form, fill and pack packaging machine than the output posture; a leg portion having an upper end rotatably supported around a support shaft extending in the width direction of the conveyor body and a rotating member attached to a lower end thereof, the rotating member rotating in contact with the ground; and a drive source that rotates the legs about the support shaft to an upright position, in which the conveyor body is tilted upward toward the downstream side in the discharge direction, and to a laid-down position, in which the inclination angle of the conveyor body is smaller than that of the upright position.

2. 2. The vertical form fill pack packaging machine according to claim 1, a conveyor body that changes position from one of the discharge position and the storage position to the other, via an intermediate position that has a smaller inclination angle than the discharge position and that protrudes more from the vertical bag form, fill and packing machine than the storage position;

3. 2. The vertical form fill pack packaging machine according to claim 1, The discharge conveyor is a guide protrusion protruding in the width direction from an end of the conveyor body on the upstream side in the discharge direction; and a conveyor frame having guide holes formed therein for guiding the forward and backward movement of the guide protrusions.

4. In the vertical form fill pack packaging machine according to claim 3, The guide hole is A horizontal hole extending in the front-rear direction and guiding the guide protrusion moving in the front-rear direction; a vertical hole extending downward from a front end of the horizontal hole for restricting movement of the guide projection in the front-rear direction.

5. In the vertical form fill pack packaging machine according to claim 4, The unloading conveyor has a drive switching mechanism that restricts the drive of the drive source when the guide projection is located in the horizontal hole and allows the drive of the drive source when the guide projection is located in the vertical hole. The vertical type bag-making, filling, and packaging machine is characterized by this.

6. In the vertical type bag-making, filling, and packaging machine according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, the unloading conveyor has a locking mechanism that restricts the backward movement of the conveyor body when the legs are in the upright position and allows the backward movement of the conveyor body when the legs are in the laid-down position. The vertical type bag-making, filling, and packaging machine is characterized by this.

7. An unloading conveyor for unloading a bag formed by a vertical type bag-making, filling, and packaging machine, a conveyor body that changes its posture between an unloading posture that slopes upward from below the vertical type bag-making, filling, and packaging machine toward the downstream side in the unloading direction and protrudes forward of the vertical type bag-making, filling, and packaging machine, and a storage posture that has a smaller inclination angle than the unloading posture and a smaller protrusion amount from the vertical type bag-making, filling, and packaging machine than the unloading posture; legs having a rotating member that is rotatably supported around a support shaft whose upper end extends in the width direction of the conveyor body and that contacts the ground and rotates at the lower end; and a drive source that rotates the legs around the support shaft between an upright position that slopes the conveyor body upward toward the downstream side in the unloading direction and a laid-down position that makes the inclination angle of the conveyor body smaller than when in the upright position. The unloading conveyor is characterized by this.

Images