Bag making and packaging machine

Abstract

To provide a bag making and packaging machine that can increase the filling rate of articles even on the downstream side of the horizontal sealing mechanism.SOLUTION: The bag making and packaging machine packages an article A discharged from the article discharging device into a bag W made of film formed into a cylindrical shape. The bag making and packaging machine includes a horizontal sealing mechanism, a moving mechanism, and a control unit. The horizontal sealing mechanism performs a first operation of clamping and sealing the film from a direction (horizontal direction H) that intersects the direction in which the film is conveyed. The moving mechanism moves the horizontal sealing mechanism. The control unit controls the moving mechanism to vibrate the horizontal sealing mechanism before the first operation is completed in order to perform a vibration operation to vibrate the article A in a film cylinder FT.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This relates to bag making and packaging machines. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 (JP 2012-166833 A) discloses a packaging machine (form-fill-seal machine) that seals predetermined locations on cylindrically shaped packaging material into which articles are dropped to form bags. The packaging machine in Patent Document 1 includes a pair of sealing jaws that clamp and seal the packaging material in a direction intersecting the conveyance direction, and a pair of shutters that clamp the packaging material above the sealing jaws and temporarily block the progress of the articles. The shutters in Patent Document 1 shake the clamped packaging material, applying vibrations to the articles, thereby closing gaps between articles upstream of the shutters and improving the filling rate. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] In the packaging machine of Patent Document 1, the vibrated articles are dropped into a bag located downstream of the shutter and then packaged. In this way, gaps are again created between the dropped articles, and therefore the packaging machine of Patent Document 1 has the problem of being unable to sufficiently improve the filling rate.

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a bag-making and packaging machine that can increase the filling rate of articles even downstream of the horizontal sealing mechanism. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A form-fill-seal machine according to a first aspect of the present invention packages articles discharged from an article discharge device into bags formed by shaping packaging material into a cylindrical shape. The form-fill-seal machine includes a horizontal sealing mechanism, a movement mechanism, and a control unit. The horizontal sealing mechanism performs a first operation of sandwiching and sealing the packaging material from a direction intersecting the conveying direction. The movement mechanism moves the horizontal sealing mechanism. The control unit controls the movement mechanism to vibrate the horizontal sealing mechanism before the first operation is completed, thereby performing a vibration operation that applies vibrations to the articles inside the packaging material.

[0006] A bag-making and packaging machine according to a second aspect of the present invention is the bag-making and packaging machine according to the first aspect, wherein the control unit causes the movement mechanism to reciprocate the horizontal sealing mechanism in at least one of the vertical and horizontal directions during the vibration operation.

[0007] A form-fill-seal machine according to a third aspect of the present invention is the form-fill-seal machine according to the first or second aspect, further including a receiving member. The receiving member is disposed integrally with the transverse sealing mechanism above the transverse sealing mechanism and contacts the outer surface of the packaging material to receive articles that fall inside the packaging material. In the vibration operation, the control unit causes the movement mechanism to vibrate the receiving member together with the transverse sealing mechanism.

[0008] A form-fill-seal machine according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the form-fill-seal machine of the third aspect, wherein the horizontal sealing mechanism has a sealing section that sandwiches the packaging material in the first operation.

[0009] A form-fill-seal machine according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the form-fill-seal machine of the fourth aspect, wherein the receiving member comes into contact with the outer surface of the packaging material before the sealing portion comes into contact with the packaging material in the first operation, and the control unit starts the vibration operation after the receiving member comes into contact with the outer surface of the packaging material and before the sealing portion comes into contact with the packaging material.

[0010] A bag-making packaging machine according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the bag-making packaging machine of the first aspect, wherein the movement mechanism has a drive motor that drives the transverse sealing mechanism, and the control unit, during the vibration operation, causes the movement mechanism to vibrate the transverse sealing mechanism by rotating the drive motor forward and reverse.

[0011] A form-fill-seal machine according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is any one of the form-fill-seal machines according to the first to sixth aspects, further comprising a conveying mechanism that conveys the packaging material to the horizontal sealing mechanism. The conveying mechanism conveys the packaging material intermittently at a constant cycle.

[0012] A form-fill-seal machine according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is any one of the form-fill-seal machines according to the first to sixth aspects, further comprising a conveying mechanism that conveys the packaging material to the horizontal sealing mechanism. The conveying mechanism continuously conveys the packaging material.

[0013] A form-fill-seal machine according to a ninth aspect of the present invention is the form-fill-seal machine of the first aspect, wherein the horizontal sealing mechanism has a receiving member and a sealing unit. The receiving member is disposed integrally with the horizontal sealing mechanism above the horizontal sealing mechanism and contacts the outer surface of the packaging material to receive articles that fall inside the packaging material. The sealing unit clamps the packaging material in the first operation. The movement mechanism is a rotation mechanism that rotates the horizontal sealing mechanism. In the vibration operation, the control unit causes the movement mechanism to rotate the rotation mechanism forward and backward, thereby vibrating the receiving member together with the horizontal sealing mechanism. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] The bag making and packaging machine according to the present invention can increase the filling rate of articles even downstream of the horizontal sealing mechanism. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a bag-making and packaging machine 10. FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the horizontal sealing mechanism 15 and the moving mechanism 16. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the horizontal sealing mechanism 15 and the moving mechanism 16. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a side view of the horizontal sealing mechanism 15 and the moving mechanism 16. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a side view of the bag-making packaging machine 10 for explaining the receiving member 40. [Figure 6] 10 is a side view for explaining the cycle operation executed by the control unit 17. FIG. [Figure 7]10 is a time chart showing changes in the moving speed of the first sealing jaw 56 and the second sealing jaw 57 in the vertical direction V during cyclic operation. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The following description of preferred embodiments of the present invention will be given with reference to the accompanying drawings. The preferred embodiments described below are specific examples of the present invention and are not intended to limit the technical scope of the present invention.

[0017] (1) Overall structure FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a form-fill-seal machine 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a side view of the form-fill-seal machine 10. An item discharge device 20 is installed above the form-fill-seal machine 10. The item discharge device 20 drops and discharges item A downward. The form-fill-seal machine 10 packages item A that has been discharged from the item discharge device 20 and dropped. The form-fill-seal machine 10 packages item A by forming a bag W from a film F into a cylindrical shape, and placing item A into the bag W and sealing it, thereby packaging item A.

[0018] The bag-making packaging machine 10 mainly includes a film roll support unit 11, a former 12, a pull-down belt 13, a vertical sealing mechanism 14, a horizontal sealing mechanism 15, a moving mechanism 16, and a control unit 17.

[0019] (2) Detailed configuration (2-1) Film roll support part The film roll support section 11 supports the film roll FR. The film F is pulled out from the film roll FR supported by the film roll support section 11. The film F pulled out from the film roll FR is sent to the former 12 via a plurality of rollers 11a. The film F is an example of a packaging material.

[0020] (2-2) Forma The former 12 bends the film F and overlaps both widthwise ends of the film F to form the film F into a cylindrical shape. The former 12 has a tube 21 and a collar 22. The film F fed from the film roll support unit 11 is bent by the collar 22 and formed into a cylindrical shape by passing between the tube 21 and the collar 22. The film F formed into a cylindrical shape is guided downward along the tube 21. The article A discharged from the article discharge device 20 falls inside the tube 21 and is sent downward.

[0021] (2-3) Pull-down belt The pull-down belt 13 transports the cylindrical film F from top to bottom along the tube 21 to the horizontal sealing mechanism 15. The pull-down belt 13 is driven by a motor (not shown). The pull-down belt 13 continuously transports the film F. The pull-down belt 13 is an example of a transport mechanism.

[0022] (2-4) Vertical sealing mechanism The vertical sealing mechanism 14 vertically seals the cylindrical film F to create a film tube FT. The vertically sealed portions are the portions that have been overlapped by the former 12. The vertical sealing mechanism 14 heats the cylindrical film F while pressing it against the tube 21, thereby sealing the cylindrical film F in the vertical direction V. The vertical sealing mechanism 14 has, for example, a heater for sealing the cylindrical film F. As shown in FIG. 1 , an article A that has been discharged from the article discharge device 20 and fallen inside the tube 21 falls inside the film tube FT below the tube 21.

[0023] (2-5) Horizontal sealing mechanism The horizontal sealing mechanism 15 performs a cyclic operation of sandwiching and horizontally sealing the film tube FT from a direction (horizontal direction H) intersecting the conveying direction to create bags W. The horizontal sealing mechanism 15 has a first sealing jaw 56 and a second sealing jaw 57. The first sealing jaw 56 and the second sealing jaw 57 are each movable in the horizontal direction H so as to move toward or away from each other. The first sealing jaw 56 and the second sealing jaw 57 are also movable in the vertical direction V. The horizontal sealing mechanism 15 seals the film tube FT in the horizontal direction H by sandwiching and heating the film tube FT between the first sealing jaw 56 and the second sealing jaw 57. The first sealing jaw and the second sealing jaw are an example of a sealing unit. Details of the cyclic operation will be described later.

[0024] (2-6) Movement mechanism The movement mechanism 16 moves the horizontal sealing mechanism 15. Specifically, the movement mechanism 16 moves the first sealing jaw 56 and the second sealing jaw 57 toward or away from each other in the horizontal direction H, and moves the horizontal sealing mechanism 15 in the vertical direction V. The movement mechanism 16 also vibrates the horizontal sealing mechanism 15 during a vibration operation, thereby applying vibrations to the article A in the film tube FT. Details of the vibration operation will be described later.

[0025] (2-7) Control unit The control unit 17 controls the pull-down belt 13, the vertical sealing mechanism 14, the horizontal sealing mechanism 15, the moving mechanism 16, the article discharge device 20, and other actuators. The control unit 17 receives and processes signals from various sensors. The control unit 17 is, for example, a microcomputer.

[0026] As will be described in detail later, the control unit 17 causes the bag making and packaging machine 10 to form bags W and package the items A. At this time, the control unit 17 also controls the movement mechanism 16 to perform a vibration operation before the completion of a first operation (described later) included in the cycle operation.

[0027] (3) Details of the horizontal sealing mechanism and movement mechanism 2 and 3 are plan views of the horizontal sealing mechanism 15 and the movement mechanism 16. FIG. 4 is a side view of the horizontal sealing mechanism 15 and the movement mechanism 16. The horizontal sealing mechanism 15 mainly has a receiving member 40, a stand 51, a horizontally moving frame 52, a sliding member 53, a first sealing jaw 56, and a second sealing jaw 57. The movement mechanism 16 mainly has a horizontally moving mechanism 54 and a vertically moving mechanism 55. Note that the receiving member 40 is not shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4.

[0028] (3-1) Stand The mount 51 has a first side frame 61, a second side frame 62, a first connecting member 63, a second connecting member 64, and a plurality of guides 65. The first connecting member 63 and the second connecting member 64 connect the first side frame 61 and the second side frame 62. The guide 65 is fixed to the first side frame 61 or the second side frame 62.

[0029] (3-2) Horizontal movement frame The horizontally moving frame 52 is movable in the horizontal direction H relative to the base 51. The horizontally moving frame 52 has a first sliding rod 71, a second sliding rod 72, a first base member 73, and a second base member 74. The first sliding rod 71 is disposed along the first side frame 61. The second sliding rod 72 is disposed along the second side frame 62. A first base member 73 and a second base member 74 are fixed to both ends of the first sliding rod 71 and the second sliding rod 72, respectively. The first sliding rod 71 and the second sliding rod 72 are supported by guides 65 of the base 51 so as to be slidable in the horizontal direction H.

[0030] (3-3) Sliding member The sliding member 53 is bridged between a first sliding rod 71 and a second sliding rod 72. Sliders 75 are provided on both ends of the sliding member 53. The sliders 75 are slidable in the horizontal direction H relative to the first sliding rod 71 and the second sliding rod 72.

[0031] (3-4) Horizontal movement mechanism The horizontal movement mechanism 54 includes a horizontal movement motor 58 and a horizontal link mechanism 80 .

[0032] The horizontal movement motor 58 generates power to move the first sealing jaw 56 and the second sealing jaw 57 in the horizontal direction H. The horizontal movement motor 58 is rotatable in both forward and reverse directions.

[0033] The horizontal link mechanism 80 transmits the power of the horizontal movement motor 58 to the horizontal movement frame 52 and the sliding member 53. As shown in FIG. 2 , the horizontal link mechanism 80 has a first link 81, a second link 82, and a third link 83.

[0034] A rotating shaft 58a is fixed to the center of the first link 81. The rotating shaft 58a is rotated by the horizontal movement motor 58. The rotating shaft 58a can rotate in both forward and reverse directions. The rotating shaft 58a may be a shaft directly connected to the rotor of the horizontal movement motor 58. The rotating shaft 58a may also be a shaft rotated by a gearbox or belt attached to the horizontal movement motor 58. As the rotating shaft 58a rotates, the first link 81 also rotates.

[0035] A second link 82 and a third link 83 are rotatably connected to both ends of the first link 81. The second link 82 is connected to the second base member 74. The third link 83 is connected to the sliding member 53.

[0036] (3-5) First seal jaw and second seal jaw The first and second sealing jaws sandwich and press the film cylinder FT while applying heat to form a horizontal seal. The first sealing jaw 56 is attached to the first base member 73 of the horizontally moving frame 52. The second sealing jaw 57 is attached to the sliding member 53. The first and second sealing jaws 56 and 57 are equipped with heaters (not shown). At least one of the first and second sealing jaws 56 and 57 is equipped with a movable knife (not shown).

[0037] In Fig. 2, the first seal jaw 56 and the second seal jaw 57 are positioned close to each other. In Fig. 3, the first seal jaw 56 and the second seal jaw 57 are positioned apart from each other. When the rotation shaft 58a is rotated by a predetermined angle in the state shown in Fig. 2, the horizontal link mechanism 80 assumes the position shown in Fig. 3. When the rotation shaft 58a is rotated by a predetermined angle in the state shown in Fig. 3, the horizontal link mechanism 80 assumes the position shown in Fig. 2.

[0038] (3-6) Supporting member 5 is a side view of the bag-making packaging machine 10 illustrating the receiving member 40. The receiving member 40 comes into contact with the outer surface of the film tube FT and receives the article A that falls inside the film tube FT. By receiving the article A, the receiving member 40 reduces the impact when the article A that falls inside the film tube FT hits the film tube FT, thereby suppressing damage to the article A inside the film tube FT and to the film tube FT. The receiving member 40 is disposed above the lateral sealing mechanism 15 and integrally with the lateral sealing mechanism 15. Specifically, the receiving member 40 is disposed above the first sealing jaw 56 and the second sealing jaw 57 and integrally with the first sealing jaw 56 and the second sealing jaw 57.

[0039] Receiving member 40 has first receiving portion 18 and second receiving portion 19. Receiving member 40 receives article A falling inside film tube FT by sandwiching film tube FT between first receiving portion 18 and second receiving portion 19, thereby preventing article A from falling below receiving member 40.

[0040] The first receiving portion 18 mainly includes a first fixed portion 18a, a first sliding portion 18b, and a first contact portion 18c. The first fixed portion 18a is attached to the upper surface of the sliding member 53 of the horizontal sealing mechanism 15. The first sliding portion 18b penetrates the first fixed portion 18a and is slidable in the horizontal direction H relative to the first fixed portion 18a. The first contact portion 18c is supported by the first sliding portion 18b. The first contact portion 18c comes into contact with the outer surface of the film tube FT when the receiving member 40 receives the article A. As shown in FIG. 5, when the first sealing jaw 56 and the second sealing jaw 57 are not spaced apart to form the film tube FT, the first contact portion 18c is supported by the first sliding portion 18b so as to be located closer to the film tube FT than the first sealing jaw 56. The first sliding portion 18b slides in the horizontal direction H relative to the first fixed portion 18a, so that the first contact portion 18c can slide in the horizontal direction H relative to the first seal jaw 56.

[0041] The second receiving portion 19 mainly includes a second fixed portion 19a, a second sliding portion 19b, and a second contact portion 19c. The second fixed portion 19a is attached to the upper surface of the first base member 73 of the horizontally moving frame 52 of the horizontal sealing mechanism 15. The second sliding portion 19b penetrates the second fixed portion 19a and is slidable in the horizontal direction H relative to the second fixed portion 19a. The second contact portion 19c is supported by the second sliding portion 19b. The second contact portion 19c comes into contact with the outer surface of the film tube FT when the receiving member 40 receives the article A. As shown in FIG. 5, the second contact portion 19c is supported by the second sliding portion 19b so as to be located closer to the film tube FT than the second sealing jaw 57 when the first sealing jaw 56 and the second sealing jaw 57 are not spaced apart to form the film tube FT. The second sliding portion 19b slides in the horizontal direction H relative to the second fixed portion 19a, so that the second contact portion 19c can slide in the horizontal direction H relative to the second seal jaw 57.

[0042] As shown in Fig. 1, the first contact portion 18c and the second contact portion 19c face each other with the film cylinder FT in between. The surfaces of the first contact portion 18c and the second contact portion 19c that face the outer surface of the film cylinder FT are contact surfaces that come into contact with the outer surface of the film cylinder FT. The contact surfaces are inclined with respect to the vertical direction V. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 5, the distance between the contact surfaces of the first contact portion 18c and the second contact portion 19c in the horizontal direction H gradually increases from bottom to top.

[0043] When receiving member 40 receives article A, film cylinder FT is sandwiched between the contact surfaces of first contact portion 18c and second contact portion 19c. Article A falling inside film cylinder FT hits film cylinder FT and is received by receiving member 40 at the height position where article A is sandwiched between first contact portion 18c and second contact portion 19c.

[0044] The first contact portion 18c and the second contact portion 19c come into contact with the outer surface of the film cylinder FT before the first sealing jaw 56 and the second sealing jaw 57 come into contact with the film cylinder FT in the first operation (described below).

[0045] The contact surfaces of first contact portion 18c and second contact portion 19c are covered with a resilient material such as sponge, which reduces the impact when object A hits film tube FT when receiving member 40 receives object A falling inside film tube FT.

[0046] (3-7) Vertical movement mechanism The vertical movement mechanism 55 includes a vertical movement motor 59 and a vertical link mechanism 90 .

[0047] The vertical movement motor 59 generates power to drive the first sealing jaw 56 and the second sealing jaw 57 to move in the vertical direction V. The vertical movement motor 59 can rotate in both forward and reverse directions. The vertical movement motor 59 is an example of a drive motor.

[0048] The vertical link mechanism 90 transmits the power of the vertical movement motor 59 to the base 51. The vertical link mechanism 90 has a first link 91 and a second link 92.

[0049] A rotating shaft 59a is fixed to one end of the first link 91. The rotating shaft 59a is rotated by the vertical movement motor 59. The rotating shaft 59a can rotate in both forward and reverse directions. The rotating shaft 59a may be a shaft directly connected to the rotor of the vertical movement motor 59. The rotating shaft 59a may also be a shaft rotated by a gearbox or belt attached to the vertical movement motor 59. As the rotating shaft 59a rotates, the first link 91 also rotates.

[0050] A second link 92 is rotatably connected to the other end of the first link 91. The second link 92 is connected to the first side frame 61 or the second side frame 62 of the base 51. When the rotation shaft 59a rotates, the base 51 moves in the vertical direction V. As the base 51 moves in the vertical direction V, the first seal jaw 56, the second seal jaw 57, and the receiving member 40 also move in the vertical direction V. As will be described in detail later, the vertical movement mechanism 55 repeatedly drives the base 51 back and forth in the vertical direction V, thereby achieving vibration motion.

[0051] (4) Cycle operation FIG. 6 is a side view illustrating the cyclic operation executed by the control unit 17. For convenience, FIG. 6 shows only the first and second sealing jaws 56, 57, and the first and second contact portions 18c, 19c. FIG. 7 is a time chart illustrating the change in the movement speed of the first and second sealing jaws 56, 57 in the vertical direction V during the cyclic operation. Note that FIG. 6 illustrates the order of movement of the first and second sealing jaws 56, 57, and the first and second contact portions 18c, 19c before and after the cyclic operation. Therefore, the time length of the operation of each part during the cyclic operation may not be exactly the same as the scale of FIG. 6. Also, for convenience, FIG. 7 shows the movement speed of the first and second sealing jaws 56, 57, but the receiving member 40, which is integrally arranged with the first and second sealing jaws 56, 57, also moves at the same speed.

[0052] The cycle operation includes a first operation and a second operation. The first operation is made up of a first phase and a second phase. As shown in Fig. 6, before the start of the first phase, the amount of articles A to be packaged in one bag W has already been placed inside the film tube FT below the first sealing jaw 56 and the second sealing jaw 57.

[0053] During the cyclic operation, the pull-down belt 13 continuously transports the film F to the horizontal sealing mechanism 15. Therefore, in the first and second phases, the control unit 17 controls the vertical movement mechanism 55 to appropriately change the position of the horizontal sealing mechanism 15 in the vertical direction V in accordance with the movement of the film cylinder FT in the vertical direction V.

[0054] (4-1) 1st action The first operation is initiated by the control unit 17 causing the horizontal movement mechanism 54 to move the first sealing jaw 56 and the second sealing jaw 57 toward each other in the horizontal direction H. The first operation is completed by the control unit 17 applying heat to the sandwiched film tube FT to create a horizontal seal, and then moving the first sealing jaw 56 and the second sealing jaw 57 away from each other.

[0055] (4-1-1) Phase 1 At the start of the first phase, the first sealing jaw 56 and the second sealing jaw 57 are spaced apart from each other and do not contact the film cylinder FT. The first contact portion 18c and the second contact portion 19c are also spaced apart from each other and do not contact the film cylinder FT.

[0056] In the first phase, the control unit 17 controls the horizontal movement mechanism 54 to move the first sealing jaw 56 and the second sealing jaw 57 in the horizontal direction H so that they approach each other. As a result, the first contact portion 18c and the second contact portion 19c of the receiving member 40, which are integrally arranged on the first sealing jaw 56 and the second sealing jaw 57, also move in the horizontal direction H so that they approach each other. When the first contact portion 18c and the second contact portion 19c come into contact with the film tube FT, the first phase ends and the second phase begins.

[0057] (4-1-2) Phase 2 In the second phase, before the first operation is completed (in other words, before the second phase is completed), the control unit 17 causes the vertical movement mechanism 55 to perform a vibration operation to vibrate the horizontal sealing mechanism 15, and causes the first sealing jaw 56 and the second sealing jaw 57 to horizontally seal the film tube FT. Furthermore, when the second phase starts, the control unit 17 causes the article discharge device 20 to discharge the amount of articles A to be packaged in one bag W.

[0058] More specifically, the control unit 17 initiates the vibration operation before the first contact portion 18c and the second contact portion 19c of the receiving member 40 come into contact with the outer surface of the film tube FT and the first sealing jaw 56 and the second sealing jaw 57 come into contact with the film tube FT. During the vibration operation, the control unit 17 causes the vertical movement motor 59 of the vertical movement mechanism 55 to repeatedly rotate forward and backward at a predetermined amplitude. As a result, the base 51 reciprocates in the vertical direction V, causing the first sealing jaw 56 and the second sealing jaw 57 of the horizontal sealing mechanism 15 and the receiving member 40 to vibrate in the vertical direction V. This applies vibration to the article A inside the film tube FT before the first operation is completed.

[0059] At the same time, the horizontal movement mechanism 54 moves the first sealing jaw 56 and the second sealing jaw 57 in the horizontal direction H until the film cylinder FT is sandwiched therebetween.

[0060] The first and second sealing jaws 56 and 57, which hold the film tube FT in place, apply heat to the film tube FT while pressing it, creating a horizontal seal. At this time, a bag W containing item A is created below the horizontal seal, which is the horizontally sealed portion of the film tube FT. Next, a movable knife attached to the first or second sealing jaw 56 or 57 cuts the horizontal seal in the horizontal direction H, completing the second phase. Once the horizontal seal is cut, the bag W is separated from the upper film tube FT and falls.

[0061] The control unit 17 causes the vertical movement mechanism 55 to stop the vibration being applied to the horizontal sealing mechanism 15 before the first operation is completed, thereby ending the vibration operation.

[0062] Here, the time when the first operation is "completed" means just before the first sealing jaw 56 and the second sealing jaw 57, which have applied heat to the sandwiched film tube FT to form a horizontal seal, start to move away from each other.

[0063] As described above, the first contact portion 18c and the second contact portion 19c of the receiving member 40 come into contact with the outer surface of the film cylinder FT before the first sealing jaw 56 and the second sealing jaw 57 come into contact with the film cylinder FT. Therefore, the first contact portion 18c and the second contact portion 19c can clamp the film cylinder FT before the first sealing jaw 56 and the second sealing jaw 57 clamp the film cylinder FT, and can catch the article A that falls inside the film cylinder FT. During the vibration operation, the receiving member 40 also vibrates in the vertical direction V, so that the article A received by the receiving member 40 is also vibrated.

[0064] In the second phase, the form-fill-seal machine 10 performs a squeezing operation before starting the vibration operation. The squeezing operation is an operation for dropping the article A, etc. adhering to the inner surface of the film tube FT and preventing the article A, etc. from getting caught in the horizontal seal section. During the squeezing operation, the control unit 17 causes the vertical movement mechanism 55 to move the horizontal seal mechanism 15 downward a predetermined distance and then return it to its original height (see FIG. 7). The form-fill-seal machine 10 does not necessarily have to perform the squeezing operation.

[0065] (4-2)Second operation When the first operation is complete, the control unit 17 starts the second operation. In the second operation, the control unit 17 controls the horizontal movement mechanism 54 to move the first sealing jaw 56 and the second sealing jaw 57 in the horizontal direction H so that they are spaced apart and not in contact with the film cylinder FT, just as they were at the start of the first phase. At the same time, the control unit 17 controls the vertical movement mechanism 55 to return the positions of the first sealing jaw 56 and the second sealing jaw 57 in the vertical direction V to their positions at the start of the first phase. This completes the second operation and the cyclic operation.

[0066] The bag making and packaging machine 10 can continuously produce bags W in which the items A are packaged by repeating the above-described cycle operations.

[0067] The timing for starting the vibration operation is not limited as long as it is after the start of the second phase (when the first contact portion 18c and the second contact portion 19c come into contact with the film cylinder FT) and before the first operation is completed.

[0068] Parameters such as amplitude, period, and number of vibrations in the vibration operation are set appropriately based on the weight and shape of the item A, the material of the film F, the shape of the bag W, etc. The amplitude in the vibration operation can be, for example, about 10 mm to 50 mm. The vibration period can be, for example, about 50 ms to 100 ms. The number of vibrations can be, for example, about 1 to 10 times.

[0069] (5) Features (5-1) The bag-making and packaging machine 10 packages the articles A discharged from the article discharge device 20 into bags W formed by shaping film F into a cylindrical shape. The bag-making and packaging machine 10 includes a horizontal sealing mechanism 15, a movement mechanism 16, and a control unit 17. The horizontal sealing mechanism 15 performs a first operation of sandwiching and sealing the film F from a direction (horizontal direction H) intersecting the conveying direction. The movement mechanism 16 moves the horizontal sealing mechanism 15. The control unit 17 controls the movement mechanism 16 to vibrate the horizontal sealing mechanism 15 before the first operation is completed, thereby performing a vibration operation that applies vibrations to the articles A in the film tube FT.

[0070] In the bag-making packaging machine 10, the control unit 17 executes a vibration operation, which applies vibration to the articles A in the film tube FT before the first operation is completed. This causes the articles A downstream of the horizontal sealing mechanism 15 (below in the vertical direction V) to move downward while closing the gaps between them before the first operation is completed, thereby increasing the filling rate of the articles A downstream of the horizontal sealing mechanism 15 as well.

[0071] Furthermore, in the bag-making packaging machine 10, a vibration operation is performed during the first operation. Therefore, compared to when an operation that applies vibration to the item A is performed separately from the first operation, the filling rate of the item A can be increased without reducing production capacity.

[0072] Furthermore, in the form-fill-seal machine 10, the vibration operation is achieved using the movement mechanism 16 that moves the horizontal sealing mechanism 15 in the first operation. This eliminates the need to provide a special device, such as a shaker, for vibrating the item A, making it possible to increase the filling rate of the item A while keeping the manufacturing cost of the packaging machine low.

[0073] (5-2) The control unit 17 causes the moving mechanism 16 to reciprocate the horizontal sealing mechanism 15 in the vertical direction V during the vibration operation.

[0074] (5-3) The receiving member 40 is disposed above the horizontal sealing mechanism 15 and is integral with the horizontal sealing mechanism 15, and comes into contact with the outer surface of the film tube FT to receive the article A that falls inside the film tube FT. In the vibration operation, the control unit 17 causes the moving mechanism 16 to vibrate the receiving member 40 together with the horizontal sealing mechanism 15.

[0075] In the bag-making packaging machine 10, the receiving member 40 is vibrated along with the horizontal sealing mechanism 15 during the vibration operation, so that vibration is also applied to the articles A received on the receiving member 40. This makes it possible to effectively increase the filling rate of the articles A on both the upstream side (upward in the vertical direction V) and downstream side of the horizontal sealing mechanism 15.

[0076] (5-4) The horizontal sealing mechanism 15 has a first sealing jaw 56 and a second sealing jaw 57 that sandwich the film tube FT in the first operation.

[0077] (5-5) In the first operation, the receiving member 40 comes into contact with the outer surface of the film tube FT before the first sealing jaw 56 and the second sealing jaw 57 come into contact with the film tube FT. The control unit 17 starts the vibration operation when the receiving member 40 comes into contact with the outer surface of the film tube FT and before the first sealing jaw 56 and the second sealing jaw 57 come into contact with the film tube FT.

[0078] (5-6) The movement mechanism 16 has a vertical movement motor 59 that rotates the horizontal sealing mechanism 15. In the vibration operation, the control unit 17 causes the movement mechanism 16 to vibrate the horizontal sealing mechanism 15 by rotating the vertical movement motor 59 forward and reverse.

[0079] (5-7) The bag-making packaging machine 10 includes a pull-down belt 13. The pull-down belt 13 transports the film F continuously.

[0080] (6) Variations (6-1) Variation A The direction in which the horizontal sealing mechanism 15 is reciprocated may be at least one of the vertical direction V and the horizontal direction H.

[0081] When the horizontal sealing mechanism 15 is driven back and forth in the horizontal direction H, a drive motor (not shown) is provided to drive the horizontal sealing mechanism 15 back and forth in the horizontal direction H, and the horizontal sealing mechanism 15 is vibrated by rotating the drive motor forward and backward.

[0082] (6-2) Variation B Before the first operation is completed, the control unit 17 may cause the vertical movement mechanism 55 to move the horizontal sealing mechanism 15 slightly upward to perform an operation (browsing operation) to inflate the bag W. At this time, the control unit 17 causes the vertical movement mechanism 55 to vibrate the first sealing jaw 56, the second sealing jaw 57, and the receiving member 40 of the horizontal sealing mechanism 15 that is moving upward, thereby further increasing the filling rate of the articles A.

[0083] (6-3) Variation C The pull-down belt 13 may transport the film F intermittently at a constant cycle.

[0084] In this case, the control unit 17 basically does not need to cause the vertical movement mechanism 55 to change the position of the horizontal sealing mechanism 15 in the vertical direction V in the cyclic operation other than by vibration operation.

[0085] (6-4) Variation D The moving mechanism 16 that vibrates the horizontal sealing mechanism 15 may be an electromagnetic feeder.

[0086] In this case, the movement mechanism 16 has, in addition to the horizontal movement mechanism 54 and the vertical movement mechanism 55, an electromagnetic feeder (not shown) that can vibrate the horizontal sealing mechanism 15. The control unit 17 can cause the horizontal sealing mechanism 15 to perform the first operation using the horizontal movement mechanism 54 and the vertical movement mechanism 55, while causing the electromagnetic feeder to vibrate the horizontal sealing mechanism 15 at a predetermined timing.

[0087] This electromagnetic feeder may vibrate the horizontal sealing mechanism 15, or may vibrate a frame (not shown) of the bag-making packaging machine 10 that supports the horizontal sealing mechanism 15.

[0088] (6-5) Variation E The form-fill-seal machine (not shown) according to Modification D of the present invention may be a rotary form-fill-seal machine equipped with two horizontal sealing mechanisms that rotate around a rotation axis.

[0089] The horizontal sealing mechanism of the bag-making packaging machine according to Variation D has a receiving member and a sealing unit. This receiving member is disposed integrally with the horizontal sealing mechanism above the horizontal sealing mechanism and contacts the outer surface of the packaging material to receive articles that fall inside the packaging material. The sealing unit clamps and seals the packaging material in a first operation. The movement mechanism is a rotation mechanism that rotates the horizontal sealing mechanism. In a vibration operation, the control unit causes the movement mechanism to rotate the rotation mechanism forward and backward, thereby vibrating the receiving member together with the horizontal sealing mechanism. [Explanation of symbols]

[0090] 10 Bag making and packaging machine 13 Pull-down belt (transport mechanism) 15 Horizontal sealing mechanism 16 Moving mechanism 17 Control Unit 40 Receiving member 20 Article discharge device 55 Vertical movement mechanism (movement mechanism) 56 First seal jaw (seal part) 57 Second seal jaw (seal part) 59 Vertical movement motor (drive motor) A Goods F film (packaging material) FT film tube W bag [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0091] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-166833

Claims

1. A bag-making and packaging machine that packages articles discharged from an article discharge device into bags formed by shaping packaging material into a cylindrical shape, a horizontal sealing mechanism that performs a first operation of sandwiching and sealing the packaging material in a direction intersecting the conveying direction; a moving mechanism that moves the horizontal sealing mechanism; a control unit that controls the moving mechanism to vibrate the horizontal sealing mechanism before the first operation is completed, and executes a vibration operation that applies vibration to the article inside the packaging material; Equipped with The moving mechanism includes: a drive motor that drives the horizontal sealing mechanism; The control unit In the vibration operation, the drive motor is rotated forward and backward to cause the movement mechanism to vibrate the horizontal sealing mechanism. Bag making and packaging machine.

2. The control unit In the vibration operation, the movement mechanism reciprocates the lateral sealing mechanism in at least one of a vertical direction and a horizontal direction. The bag making and packaging machine according to claim 1.

3. The horizontal sealing mechanism is a receiving member disposed integrally with the transverse sealing mechanism above the transverse sealing mechanism, the receiving member contacting an outer surface of the packaging material to receive the article dropping inside the packaging material; The control unit In the vibration operation, the moving mechanism vibrates the receiving member together with the lateral sealing mechanism. The bag-making and packaging machine according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The horizontal sealing mechanism is a sealing portion that sandwiches the packaging material in the first operation; The bag-making and packaging machine according to claim 3.

5. The receiving member is In the first action, the sealing portion contacts an outer surface of the packaging material before contacting the packaging material, The control unit the receiving member comes into contact with the outer surface of the packaging material, and the vibration action is started before the seal portion comes into contact with the packaging material. The bag-making and packaging machine according to claim 4.

6. a conveying mechanism that conveys the packaging material to the horizontal sealing mechanism, The transport mechanism includes: The packaging material is intermittently conveyed at a constant cycle. The bag-making and packaging machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. a conveying mechanism that conveys the packaging material to the horizontal sealing mechanism, The transport mechanism includes: Continuously conveying the packaging material; The bag-making and packaging machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

8. The horizontal sealing mechanism is a receiving member disposed integrally with the transverse sealing mechanism above the transverse sealing mechanism, the receiving member contacting an outer surface of the packaging material to receive the article dropping inside the packaging material; a sealing portion that sandwiches the packaging material in the first operation; and The moving mechanism includes: A rotation mechanism that rotates the horizontal sealing mechanism, The control unit In the vibration operation, the moving mechanism rotates the rotating mechanism in a forward and reverse direction to vibrate the receiving member together with the horizontal sealing mechanism. The bag making and packaging machine according to claim 1.

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