Bag filling and packaging machine

Abstract

To increase added value by taking advantages of motor functions in a bag making and filling packaging machine that uses a motor to reciprocate a cutter.SOLUTION: The bag making and filling packaging machine includes a cylinder making instrument that overlaps both widthwise ends of a band-shaped packaging material and forms it into a cylinder, a first seal device that seals overlapping ends of the band-shaped packaging material formed into a cylindrical shape by the cylinder making instrument, a second seal device that seals both sides of a product among the band-shaped packaging material formed into a cylindrical shape by the first seal device and containing the product, a cutter that cuts the sealed portion sealed by the second seal device, a servo motor that moves the cutter between a standby position that is spaced from the seal portion and a contact position that contacts the seal portion, a notification device that notifies information, and a control device that notifies via the notification device that a foreign object is present on the moving path of the cutter when the maximum value of the drive current is greater than or equal to a first threshold in the process of making the cutter in the standby position reach the contact position in the target time.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a form-fill-seal machine equipped with a cutter. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there has been known a form-fill-seal machine that includes a tube former that overlaps both widthwise ends of a strip-shaped packaging material to form it into a cylindrical shape, a first sealing device that seals the overlapped ends of the strip-shaped packaging material formed into a cylindrical shape by the tube former, a second sealing device that seals both sides of the enclosed product in the strip-shaped packaging material formed into a cylindrical shape by the first sealing device, and a cutter that cuts the boundaries between adjacent bags.

[0003] While current form-fill-seal machines mainly use an air cylinder to reciprocate the cutter, Patent Documents 1 to 3 disclose devices that use a motor instead of an air cylinder as the drive source for reciprocating the cutter. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-205708 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-102140 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-301622 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Compared to air cylinders, motors consume less power during operation but have higher component costs. Therefore, while the use of motors reduces the running costs of the device, it also increases the initial cost of the device. However, it is difficult to say that Patent Documents 1 to 3 provide added value that is commensurate with the increased initial cost.

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to increase added value by utilizing the functions of a motor in a form-fill-seal packaging machine that reciprocates a cutter using a motor. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a form-fill-seal packaging machine for filling products into bags formed from strip-shaped packaging material, the machine comprising: a cylinder former for overlapping both widthwise ends of the strip-shaped packaging material to form a cylindrical shape; a first sealing device for sealing the overlapped ends of the strip-shaped packaging material formed into a cylindrical shape by the cylinder former; and a sealing device for sealing both sides of the product in the strip-shaped packaging material formed into a cylindrical shape by the first sealing device. Sandwiched between a pair of seal blocks a second sealing device for sealing; Appearing and disappearing from the seal block, The apparatus includes a cutter that cuts the seal portion sealed by the second sealing device, a servo motor that moves the cutter between a standby position spaced apart from the seal portion and a contact position where the cutter comes into contact with the seal portion, an alarm device that issues information, and a control device that issues an operation command to the servo motor and monitors a drive current flowing through the servo motor, and in the process of causing the cutter from the standby position to reach the contact position within a target time, the control device When the cutter is accelerating In response to the maximum value of the drive current being equal to or greater than a first threshold value, In the seal block The present invention is characterized in that the presence of a foreign object on the movement path of the cutter is notified through the notifying device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, in a form-fill-seal machine in which a cutter is reciprocated by a motor, the motor's functions can be utilized to increase added value. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of a vertical bag form-fill-seal packaging machine. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a side view of a vertical form-fill-seal packaging machine. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a cutter device. [Figure 4] FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a chain of packets produced by a vertical form-fill-seal packaging machine. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating another example of a cutter device. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of a control device. [Figure 8] 10 is an example of a cutter operation setting screen. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart of a cutter control process. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart of a notification control process. [Figure 11] This is an ideal example of the change in the drive current over time as the cutter moves from the standby position to the contact position. [Figure 12] 10 is an example of the change in drive current over time when a foreign object is present in the cutter groove. [Figure 13] 10 is an example of the change in drive current over time when the cutter blade is worn. [Figure 14] FIG. 1 is a side view of a horizontal form-fill-seal packaging machine. [Figure 15] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a horizontal form-fill-seal packaging machine. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] A vertical form-fill-seal packaging machine 1 according to an embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiment of the present invention described below is an example of how the present invention can be realized, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope of the described embodiment. Therefore, the present invention can be implemented by adding various modifications to the embodiment.

[0011] Figure 1 is an overall perspective view of a vertical form fill seal packaging machine 1. Figure 2 is a side view of the vertical form fill seal packaging machine 1. The vertical form fill seal packaging machine 1 is a device that forms a strip of film Fw (strip-shaped packaging material) into bags Bp and fills the formed bags Bp with a product. The vertical form fill seal packaging machine 1 mainly comprises a film supply device 10, a feed device 20, a product filling tube 30, a vertical sealing device 40 (first sealing device), a horizontal sealing device 50 (second sealing device), and a control device 80.

[0012] The strip film Fw is a strip-shaped packaging material that is used to make bags for packaging products. The strip film Fw is a film-like member that can be welded by applying heat, and examples include polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), biaxially oriented polypropylene (OPP), aluminum-backed paper, and aluminum-metalized paper. The product refers to granular foods such as candy, bean snacks, and snacks. However, specific examples of the product are not limited to these and include any item that is packaged in a bag Bp and shipped.

[0013] Film supply device 10 is a device that transports strip film Fw wound around winding roll 11 to feeding device 20. Film supply device 10 mainly includes winding roll 11, multiple fixed guide rolls 12a-12h, tension mechanism 13, and cylinder former 14.

[0014] The winding roll 11 rotates in the direction in which the strip film Fw is unwound by being driven by the feeding device 20. The fixed guide rolls 12a-12h are arranged in the feed path of the strip film Fw from the winding roll 11 to the cylinder former 14, and guide the strip film Fw transported along the feed path. The tension mechanism 13 applies an appropriate tension to the strip film Fw transported along the feed path.

[0015] The cylinder former 14 overlaps both widthwise ends of the strip film Fw to form the strip film Fw into a cylindrical shape. The cylinder former 14 then sends the cylindrically formed strip film Fw downward toward the product filling tube 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 tube 30.

[0016] A date printing device 15 and a date inspection device 16 are disposed opposite the feed path of the strip film Fw from the winding roll 11 to the tube former 14. The date printing device 15 prints dates (e.g., manufacturing date, expiration date, best-before date, etc.) at predetermined positions on the strip film Fw transported by the film supply device 10. The date inspection device 16 inspects whether the date has been properly printed by the date printing device 15.

[0017] The feeding device 20 conveys the strip film Fw conveyed by the film supply device 10 along a feed path that extends in the vertical direction (hereinafter, this direction will be referred to as the "conveying direction of the strip film Fw" or simply the "conveying direction"). More specifically, the feeding device 20 includes a pair of feed belts 21, 22 that face each other across the product filling tube 30. The pair of feed belts 21, 22 receive the driving force of a motor (not shown), and feed the strip film Fw that covers the outer surface of the product filling tube 30 downward toward the lateral sealing device 50. In this embodiment, the feeding direction of the strip film Fw by the feeding device 20 is downward.

[0018] The product filling cylinder 30 is a cylindrical member with open top and bottom ends. The product filling cylinder 30 is installed between the cylinder former 14 and the horizontal sealing device 50, extending vertically along the feed direction of the cylindrically formed strip film Fw. A hopper 31 is attached to the top opening of the product filling cylinder 30. The product filling cylinder 30 fills bags Bp formed by the vertical sealing device 40 and the horizontal sealing device 50 with product supplied through the hopper 31 from a combination weighing device (product supply device) (not shown) through the bottom opening.

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

[0020] The vertical sealing device 40 includes a pair of sealing blocks 41, 42 arranged to sandwich the overlapping ends of the strip film Fw. The pair of sealing blocks 41, 42 move toward and away from each other when rotation of a motor (not shown) is transmitted thereto. Each of the pair of sealing blocks 41, 42 has a built-in heater. The pair of sealing blocks 41, 42 sandwich and heat the overlapping ends of the strip film Fw, thereby welding (sealing) both widthwise ends. This forms the strip film Fw into a cylindrical shape.

[0021] The horizontal sealing device 50 forms the tubular strip film Fw into bags Bp by welding (sealing) the tubular strip film Fw at predetermined intervals. More specifically, the horizontal sealing device 50 seals the portions of the tubular strip film Fw formed by the vertical sealing device 40 that correspond to the bottom and top of the bags Bp. In other words, the horizontal sealing device 50 seals both sides of the product in the tubular strip film Fw that is formed by the vertical sealing device 40 and contains the product. Hereinafter, the portions sealed by the horizontal sealing device 50 will be referred to as "sealing positions."

[0022] The horizontal sealing device 50 includes a pair of sealing blocks 51 and 52. The pair of sealing blocks 51 and 52 are arranged opposite each other, sandwiching the strip film Fw formed into a cylindrical shape by the vertical sealing device 40. Each of the pair of sealing blocks 51 and 52 has a built-in heater. The pair of sealing blocks 51 and 52 move toward and away from each other while sandwiching the strip film Fw. The pair of sealing blocks 51 and 52 sandwich and heat the strip film Fw, thereby welding the strip film Fw. Hereinafter, the portion of the strip film Fw formed into a cylindrical shape that is sealed by the horizontal sealing device 50 will be referred to as the "sealed portion."

[0023] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a cutter device 60. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the position of the cutter 61. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a chain of packets produced by the vertical form-fill-seal packaging machine 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the vertical form-fill-seal packaging machine 1 is equipped with a cutter device 60. The cutter device 60 is a device that cuts the boundaries of bags that have been continuously formed by the horizontal sealing device 50. The cutter device 60 mainly comprises a cutter 61, a servo motor 62, and a drive force transmission mechanism 63. The cutter device 60 is supported by the horizontal sealing device 50.

[0024] 3, the horizontal sealing device 50 includes a pair of block holders 53, 54 that respectively support a pair of seal blocks 51, 52. The block holders 53, 54 support the seal blocks 51, 52 in a state where they face each other, and are configured to be slidable in a direction that moves the seal blocks 51, 52 toward and away from each other. The block holder 53 supports a cutter device 60. The seal block 51 and the block holder 53 are each formed with a cutter groove 55 that penetrates in the sliding direction.

[0025] The cutter 61 is housed in the cutter groove 55 so as to be retractable from the sealing surface of the seal block 51 (the surface facing the seal block 52). A cutter blade 61a extending in the left-right direction (a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the strip film Fw) is formed at the tip of the cutter 61. The cutter blade 61a has peaks and valleys alternately arranged along the extending direction. As shown in FIG. 4, the cutter 61 is configured to be able to advance and retreat between a standby position, a perforation position, a cutting position, and an origin position along the movement direction of the seal block 51 (a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the strip film Fw and the extending direction of the cutter blade 61a). Hereinafter, the movement direction of the cutter 61 will be referred to as the "advance and retreat direction." Furthermore, movement of the cutter 61 from the standby position toward the perforation position or cutting position will be referred to as "forward," and movement of the cutter 61 from the perforation position or cutting position toward the standby position will be referred to as "rearward."

[0026] The standby position is the position of the cutter 61 when the cutter blade 61a is recessed in the cutter groove 55 and separated from the strip film Fw. The perforation position and cutting position are the positions of the cutter 61 when the cutter blade 61a protrudes from the sealing surface of the seal block 51 and is in contact with the strip film Fw. The origin position is the position opposite the perforation position and cutting position across the standby position. The origin position is the reference position for the position of the cutter 61 in the forward and backward directions.

[0027] The perforation position is closer to the standby position than the cutting position. In other words, the protrusion of the cutter blade 61a at the perforation position is less than the protrusion of the cutter blade 61a at the cutting position. More specifically, the perforation position is the position of the cutter 61 when only the peaks of the cutter blade 61a penetrate the sealed portion of the strip film Fw, forming multiple through holes (hereinafter referred to as "perforations") spaced apart in the left-right direction. This connects adjacent bags Bp in a manner that makes them easy to cut by hand. The cutting position is the position of the cutter 61 when the entire cutter blade 61a penetrates the sealed portion of the strip film Fw and cuts the boundary between adjacent bags Bp. The perforation position and the cutting position are examples of contact positions where the cutter 61 comes into contact with the strip film Fw.

[0028] By cutting both sides of a bag Bp containing product with a cutter 61, a single bag Bp (hereinafter referred to as a "single package") can be produced. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5, by forming perforations between adjacent bags Bp, it is possible to produce a plurality of bags Bp (hereinafter referred to as a "chained package") that are connected by the perforations. Note that a chained package may be made up of only a plurality of bags Bp as shown in FIG. 5(A), or may be made up of a plurality of bags Bp with headers added as shown in FIG. 5(B). Furthermore, the number of bags Bp that make up a chained package is not limited to the example in FIG. 5.

[0029] The servo motor 62 generates a driving force (rotational driving force) for moving the cutter 61 forward and backward. The driving force transmission mechanism 63 converts the rotational driving force generated by the servo motor 62 into linear motion and transmits it to the cutter 61. The driving force transmission mechanism 63 shown in Fig. 3 mainly includes a ball screw 63a, a slide member 63b, and a cutter holder 63c.

[0030] The ball screw 63a extends in the advance / retract direction of the cutter 61. The ball screw 63a is attached to the output shaft of the servo motor 62 and rotates by the rotational driving force generated by the servo motor 62. The slide member 63b is threadedly engaged with the ball screw 63a. As the ball screw 63a rotates, the slide member 63b advances and retreats along the ball screw 63a. In other words, the slide member 63b moves linearly by the rotational driving force of the servo motor 62. The cutter holder 63c supports the cutter 61 and is supported by the slide member 63b. In other words, the cutter 61, slide member 63b, and cutter holder 63c advance and retreat together in the advance / retract direction by the rotational driving force of the servo motor 62.

[0031] However, the driving force transmission mechanism mounted on the cutter device 60 is not limited to the example shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing another example of the cutter device 60. The cutter device 60 shown in Fig. 6 includes a driving force transmission mechanism 64 instead of the driving force transmission mechanism 63. The driving force transmission mechanism 64 shown in Fig. 6 mainly includes a driving pulley 64a, a driven pulley 64b, an endless circular belt 64c, a slide member 64d, and a cutter holder 64e.

[0032] The drive pulley 64a and the driven pulley 64b are arranged at a predetermined distance in the forward / backward direction. The endless circular belt 64c is wound around the drive pulley 64a and the driven pulley 64b. The slide member 64d is fixed to the upper surface of the endless circular belt 64c. The cutter holder 64e supports the cutter 61 and is supported by the slide member 64d.

[0033] Rotation of the servo motor 62 rotates the drive pulley 64a, causing the endless circular belt 64c to revolve around the drive pulley 64a and the driven pulley 64b, thereby causing the cutter 61, the slide member 64d, and the cutter holder 64e to move forward and backward together along the upper surface of the endless circular belt 64c.

[0034] Fig. 7 is a hardware configuration diagram of the control device 80. As shown in Fig. 7, the control device 80 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 81, which is a calculation means, and a memory 82, which is a storage means. The memory 82 is configured, for example, with a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores various programs, a RAM (Random Access Memory) that serves as a work area for the calculation means, an HDD (Hard Disc Drive), or a combination of these. The CPU 81 reads and executes the programs stored in the memory 82, thereby realizing each process described below.

[0035] However, the specific configuration of the control device 80 is not limited to this, and may be realized by hardware such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array).

[0036] The control device 80 repeatedly performs the process of forming bags Bp from the strip film Fw and filling them with products by operating the film supply device 10, the feed device 20, the vertical sealing device 40, the horizontal sealing device 50, and the cutter device 60 in conjunction with each other.

[0037] First, the control device 80 drives the film supply device 10 and the feed device 20 to feed the strip film Fw in the feed direction by an amount corresponding to the height of one bag Bp. Next, the control device 80 drives the vertical sealing device 40 to sandwich and seal the overlapped ends of the strip film Fw between a pair of seal blocks 41, 42, thereby forming the strip film Fw into a cylindrical shape.

[0038] The control device 80 also sandwiches and seals a portion of the cylindrically formed strip film Fw that corresponds to the top of the first bag and a portion that corresponds to the bottom of the second bag immediately behind the first bag using sealing blocks 51 and 52. Furthermore, the control device 80 executes a cutter control process, which will be described later with reference to Fig. 9, to form perforations in the sealed portions at the boundaries between adjacent bags Bp or to cut the sealed portions.

[0039] The control device 80 controls the servo motor 62 via the servo amplifier 65. More specifically, the control device 80 provides the servo amplifier 65 with an operation command indicating the rotation amount (rotation speed) of the servo motor 62. The operation command is, for example, a command indicating that the cutter 61 is to advance by a target distance in a target time according to a predetermined speed pattern. The control device 80 also monitors the drive current flowing through the servo motor 62.

[0040] The servo amplifier 65 receives an operation command from the control device 80 and supplies the servo motor 62 with a drive current corresponding to the operation command. The servo amplifier 65 also compares the operation command with a feedback signal indicating the actual amount of rotation (rotational speed) of the servo motor 62. The servo amplifier 65 then adjusts the magnitude of the drive current so as to reduce the difference between the amount of rotation (rotational speed) indicated by the operation command and the feedback signal (i.e., so that the cutter 61 advances a target distance in a target time). The servo amplifier 65 also repeatedly notifies the control device 80 of the magnitude of the drive current supplied to the servo motor 62 at predetermined time intervals.

[0041] An operation panel 70 is also connected to the control device 80. The operation panel 70 includes a display (notification device) that displays information to the user, and an operation unit that receives instructions from the user. The operation unit is, for example, a touch panel superimposed on the display, a push button, or a combination of these. Specific examples of the notification device are not limited to a display, and may include an LED, a speaker, or the like, as long as it can notify the user of information.

[0042] Figure 8 is an example of a cutter operation setting screen. The control device 80 can allow the user to set the operation timing of the horizontal sealing device 50 and the cutter device 60, for example, through the cutter operation setting screen shown in Figure 8. Furthermore, the control device 80 may receive from the user through the operation panel 70 not only the operation timing of the horizontal sealing device 50 and the cutter device 60, but also the operation timing of the film supply device 10, the feed device 20, and the vertical sealing device 40. There are no particular limitations on the parameters that can be set through the cutter operation setting screen, but the following parameters are possible, for example:

[0043] The cutter operation setting screen allows the user to set, for example, the timing for bringing the sealing blocks 51 and 52 into contact, the timing for separating the sealing blocks 51 and 52, and the timing for moving the cutter 61 forward in one cycle (the time it takes to produce one bag Bp). The cutter operation setting screen also allows the user to set whether to produce single packages or chained packages, the number of bags Bp to be included in one chained package, and whether a header is included. The cutter operation setting screen also allows the user to set the distance from the origin position to the standby position, the distance from the standby position to the perforation position, and the distance from the standby position to the perforation position. The control device 80 then stores the setting information set via the cutter operation setting screen in memory 82.

[0044] That is, the operation panel 70 acquires the positions of the standby position, perforation position, and cutting position from the user. The user can adjust each position according to a change in the overall length due to, for example, grinding of the cutter 61. Note that FIG. 8 illustrates an example in which the user is prompted to specify the distance to the standby position relative to the origin position and the distance to the contact position (perforation position, cutting position) relative to the standby position. However, the specific method for specifying the standby position, perforation position, and cutting position is not limited to the above example.

[0045] In the example of FIG. 8, one cycle is 1.0 seconds. Also, in the example of FIG. 8, the seal blocks 51 and 52 begin approaching each other 0.6 seconds after the start of one cycle, the seal blocks 51 and 52 complete their contact 0.7 seconds later, the seal blocks 51 and 52 begin separating 0.9 seconds later, and the separation of the seal blocks 51 and 52 is completed 1.0 seconds later. Also, in the example of FIG. 8, the cutter 61 begins advancing 0.8 seconds after the start of one cycle, and reaches the contact position 0.9 seconds later (i.e., the cutter 61 moves from the standby position to the contact position with a target time of 0.1 seconds). Furthermore, in the example of FIG. 8, a four-packet with a header is produced. That is, a process of advancing the cutter 61 to the perforation position is executed four times, and then the cutter 61 is advanced to the cutting position in the next cycle.

[0046] 9 is a flowchart of the cutter control process. The cutter control process is a process for moving the cutter 61 forward from the standby position to the contact position while the pair of seal blocks 51, 52 are in contact with the strip film Fw sandwiched between them (0.1 seconds between 0.8 and 0.9 seconds in one cycle shown in FIG. 8). That is, the control device 80 executes the cutter control process once per cycle. In other words, the control device 80 executes the cutter control process in each of the repeated cycles.

[0047] The memory 82 stores a counter and a threshold value. When the cutter control process is executed for the first time, the counter is set to an initial value (=0). When producing chained packages with headers, the threshold value is set to the number of bags Bp to be included in the chained package, which is set on the cutter operation setting screen. On the other hand, when producing chained packages without headers, the threshold value is set to the number of bags Bp to be included in the chained package, which is set on the cutter operation setting screen, minus 1. In other words, when the number of bags Bp to be included in the chained package is 4, the threshold value is 4 if the chained package has a header, and 3 if the chained package does not have a header.

[0048] First, the control device 80 determines whether to produce single packages or chain packages (S11). Then, in response to the determination that single packages are to be produced (S11: Yes), the control device 80 supplies a drive current to the servo motor 62 via the servo amplifier 65, thereby advancing the cutter 61 from the standby position to the cutting position and then retracting it from the cutting position to the standby position (S12). This cuts the boundaries between adjacent bags Bp. More specifically, the control device 80 issues a drive command to the servo amplifier 65 so that the cutter 61 begins to advance 0.8 seconds after the start of the cycle and reaches the cutting position 0.9 seconds later. The servo amplifier 65 then adjusts the magnitude of the drive current to the servo motor 62 in response to the drive command received from the control device 80.

[0049] For example, the memory 82 stores a speed pattern for moving the cutter 61 from the standby position to the cutting position within a target time (0.1 seconds). The control device 80 then issues a drive command to the servo amplifier 65 based on the speed pattern stored in the memory 82. When the distance between the standby position and the cutting position (the perforation position in step S15) is changed via the cutter operation setting screen, the control device 80 changes the length of a constant-speed section (described later). That is, the control device 80 moves the cutter 61 back and forth between the standby position and the cutting position (or the perforation position) acquired from the user via the operation panel 70. The servo amplifier 65 compares the drive command acquired from the control device 80 with a feedback signal. The servo amplifier 65 increases the drive current when the actual speed is lower than the speed pattern indicated by the drive command, and decreases the drive current when the actual speed is higher than the speed pattern indicated by the drive command. This type of control is well known, so a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0050] Next, the control device 80 executes a notification control process (S13), which will be described later with reference to Figure 10, and ends the cutter control process. When producing a plurality of single-package products, the control device 80 repeatedly executes the processes of steps S12 to S13.

[0051] On the other hand, if the control device 80 determines that a chain of packets will be produced (S11: No), it compares the counter with a threshold value (S14). If the control device 80 determines that the counter is less than the threshold value (S14: No), it supplies a drive current to the servo motor 62 via the servo amplifier 65, thereby advancing the cutter 61 from the standby position to the perforation position, and then retracting it from the perforation position to the standby position, and increments the counter by 1 (S15). This forms a perforation at the boundary between adjacent bags Bp. On the other hand, if the control device 80 determines that the counter is equal to or greater than the threshold value (S14: Yes), it resets the counter stored in memory 82 (=0) (S16) and executes the process of step S12. This cuts the boundary between adjacent chain of packets.

[0052] The process of advancing the cutter 61 in steps S12 and S15 is the same. However, the distance the cutter 61 advances in step S15 is shorter than in step S12. Therefore, the control device 80 may perform control using different speed patterns in steps S12 and S15. Furthermore, in steps S12 and S15, the control device 80 repeatedly stores in the memory 82 at predetermined time intervals the magnitude of the drive current supplied by the servo amplifier 65 to the servo motor 62 in the process of advancing the cutter 61 from the standby position to the cutting position or perforation position.

[0053] Next, the control device 80 executes a notification control process (S13) and ends the cutter control process. When multiple consecutive packages are to be produced, the control device 80 executes the process of step S15 until the counter reaches a threshold value (S14: No), and when the counter reaches the threshold value (S14: Yes), executes the process of step S12. That is, consecutive perforations are formed the number of times corresponding to the threshold value, and then the strip film Fw is cut, thereby producing consecutive packages.

[0054] Next, the notification control process will be described with reference to Figs. 10 to 13. Fig. 10 is a flowchart of the notification control process. Fig. 11 is an ideal example of the change in drive current over time as the cutter 61 moves from the standby position to the contact position. Fig. 12 is an example of the change in drive current over time when a foreign object is present in the cutter groove 55. Fig. 13 is an example of the change in drive current over time when the cutter blade 61a is worn.

[0055] For example, as shown in Fig. 11(A), if there is no foreign matter in the cutter groove 55 and the wear of the cutter blade 61a is within the allowable range, the change in the drive current over time stored in memory 82 in steps S12 and S15 of Fig. 9 will be as shown in Fig. 11(B). More specifically, the drive current increases in the acceleration section where the cutter 61 accelerates from a stopped state, then remains constant at a low level in the constant speed section where the cutter 61 advances at a constant speed, and then increases again in the contact section where the cutter is in contact with the strip of film Fw. A first peak appears in the acceleration section, and a second peak appears in the contact section.

[0056] That is, the second peak appears after the first peak. Also, the magnitude of the drive current at the second peak is smaller than the drive current at the first peak. That is, the first peak is the maximum value of the drive current when the cutter 61 moves from the standby position to the contact position. Note that FIG. 11(B) shows the change in drive current over time when the cutter 61 is stopped at the cutting position. On the other hand, when the cutter 61 is stopped at the perforation position, the constant speed section is shorter and the second peak in the contact section is smaller compared to FIG. 11(B), but the overall trend is the same.

[0057] Therefore, the control device 80 identifies the first peak and the second peak from the time change of the drive current supplied to the servo motor 62 via the servo amplifier 65 (S21). The control device 80 may, for example, apply a low-pass filter to the time change of the drive current stored in the memory 82 to remove high-frequency components, and identify the first peak and the second peak from the time change of the drive current after the high-frequency components have been removed. The process of identifying the first peak and the second peak is already well known, so a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0058] Next, the control device 80 compares the first peak identified in step S21 with a first threshold value stored in the memory 82 (S22). As shown in Fig. 11(B), the first threshold value is set to a value greater than the first peak when no foreign matter is present in the cutter groove 55. On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 12(A), when foreign matter (such as a fragment of a previously cut strip of film Fw) is present in the cutter groove 55, the resistance increases, especially when the cutter 61 accelerates, and the first peak increases, as shown in Fig. 12(B).

[0059] Then, when the first peak is equal to or greater than the first threshold value (S22: Yes), the control device 80 displays a message on the display of the operation panel 70 indicating that a foreign object is present in the cutter groove 55, which is the movement path of the cutter 61 (S23). Note that the specific method of notifying through the notification device is not limited to the above-mentioned example, and an LED lamp may be turned on (blinked), or a warning sound may be output from a speaker. On the other hand, when the first peak is less than the first threshold value (S22: No), the control device 80 skips the processing of step S23.

[0060] The control device 80 also compares the second peak with a second threshold value (S24). As shown in Fig. 11(B), the second threshold value is set to a value greater than the second peak when the wear of the cutter blade 61a is within an acceptable range. On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 13(A), as the wear of the cutter blade 61a progresses, the resistance increases, particularly when the peaks of the cutter blade 61a penetrate the strip film Fw, and the second peak becomes larger, as shown in Fig. 13(B).

[0061] If the second peak is equal to or greater than the second threshold value (S24: Yes), the control device 80 displays a message on the display of the operation panel 70 indicating that the wear of the cutter blade 61a has exceeded the allowable range (S25). Note that, as in step S23, the specific method of notification via the notification device is not limited to the above-described example. On the other hand, if the second peak is less than the second threshold value (S24: No), the control device 80 skips the processing of steps S25 to S27.

[0062] Furthermore, the control device 80 compares the second peak with a third threshold value (S26). The third threshold value is set to a value greater than the second threshold value. If the second peak is equal to or greater than the third threshold value (S26: Yes), the control device 80 forcibly terminates the operation of the vertical form-fill-fill-seal packaging machine 1 (S27). On the other hand, if the second peak is less than the third threshold value (S26: No), the control device 80 skips the processing of step S27.

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

[0064] According to the above embodiment, the servo motor 62 is used as the drive source of the cutter device 60, so the cutter 61 can reach an appropriate position at an appropriate timing. Furthermore, compared to when an air cylinder is used as the drive source, the power consumption of the cutter device 60 can be reduced and maintenance work can be simplified.

[0065] Furthermore, according to the above embodiment, if the first peak is equal to or greater than the first threshold value (S22: Yes), the presence of foreign matter in the cutter groove 55 is notified (S23), thereby making the user aware of the timing to clean the cutter groove 55. This provides added value by eliminating the need for the user to periodically check for the presence of foreign matter in the cutter groove 55.

[0066] Furthermore, according to the above embodiment, if the second peak is equal to or greater than the second threshold value (S24: Yes), the fact that the cutter blade 61a is becoming worn is notified (S25), so that the user can be made aware that it is soon time to replace the cutter 61 (or grind the cutter 61). This provides added value by eliminating the need for the user to periodically check the degree of wear on the cutter blade 61a.

[0067] Furthermore, according to the above embodiment, if the second peak is equal to or greater than the third threshold (S26: Yes), the operation of the vertical form fill fill pack packaging machine 1 is forcibly terminated (S27). This provides added value by preventing an increase in the defect rate due to continued production of bags Bp with a worn cutter blade 61a.

[0068] The overall length of the cutter 61 gradually shortens as it is polished and returns to its original length when it is replaced with a new one. As a result, the standby position and contact position change over time as the vertical form-fill-seal-seal machine 1 is used. Therefore, in the above embodiment, the cutter 61 is moved between the standby position and contact position arbitrarily set by the user. In this way, by appropriately adjusting the standby position and contact position in accordance with changes in the overall length of the cutter 61 due to polishing or replacement, it is possible to maintain appropriate cutting performance.

[0069] Furthermore, the method for utilizing the change over time in the drive current supplied to the servo motor 62 is not limited to the above-described example. As another example, the control device 80 may store in the memory 82 each of the first peak and the second peak identified in the process of repeatedly forming bags Bp (i.e., the repeatedly executed cutter control process). The control device 80 may then display (notify via the notification device) on the display of the operation panel 70 the change over time in each of the first peak and the second peak stored in the memory 82. This allows the user to estimate the remaining time until the first peak and the second peak reach their respective threshold values.

[0070] [Variations] Another example of a form-fill-seal packaging machine capable of executing cutter control processing will be described with reference to Figures 14 and 15. Figure 14 is a side view of horizontal form-fill-seal packaging machine 100. Figure 15 is a plan view of horizontal form-fill-seal packaging machine 100. Horizontal form-fill-seal packaging machine 100 is a device that packages products P supplied from a supply device (not shown) one by one. As shown in Figures 14 and 15, horizontal form-fill-seal packaging machine 100 mainly comprises a supply conveyor 110, a film feeding device 120, a clamping and conveying device 130, a center sealing device 135 (first sealing device), and an end sealing device 140 (second sealing device).

[0071] The supply conveyor 110 supplies products P, which are sequentially supplied from a supply device (not shown), to the cylinder former 126. As shown in Fig. 14, the supply conveyor 110 is made up of a drive sprocket 114, a driven sprocket 115, an endless circular conveyor chain 116 stretched between the drive sprocket 114 and the driven sprocket 115, and a drive motor 117 that drives the drive sprocket 114.

[0072] The conveyor chain 116 is also provided with a plurality of pushers 118. The pushers 118 are arranged at predetermined intervals in the conveying direction of the products P. A product P supplied from a supply device enters between two adjacent pushers 118. The pushers 118 come into contact with the rear end of the product P and push the product P.

[0073] The film feeding device 120 feeds the strip film Fw toward the clamping and conveying device 130. As shown in Figures 14 and 15, the film feeding device 120 mainly includes a winding shaft 121 around which the strip film Fw is wound, a drive roller 122, a driven roller 123, a feed motor 124, guide rollers 125a and 125b, and a cylinder former 126.

[0074] The drive roller 122 and driven roller 123 rotate while sandwiching the strip film Fw. The drive roller 122 rotates by receiving the driving force of the feed motor 124. This causes the drive roller 122 and driven roller 123 to pay out the strip film Fw wound around the winding shaft 121 toward the tube former 126. Guide rollers 125a and 125b are arranged along the transport path of the strip film Fw from the winding shaft 121 to the tube former 126 via the drive roller 122 and driven roller 123, and apply tension to the strip film Fw as it is paid out.

[0075] The cylinder former 126 forms the strip film Fw fed by the film feeding device 120 into a cylindrical shape, and serves as an entrance through which the product P fed from the supply conveyor 110 enters the cylindrical strip film Fw. The cylinder former 126 is disposed on the transport path of the strip film Fw from the film feeding device 120 to the center seal device 135. The cylinder former 126 is disposed facing the downstream end of the supply conveyor 110 in the transport direction.

[0076] The strip film Fw fed by the film feeding device 120 is formed into a cylindrical shape by overlapping both ends in the width direction perpendicular to the conveying direction below as it moves along the cylinder former 126. In addition, the product P supplied from the supply conveyor 110 passes through the internal space of the cylinder former 126 and enters the interior of the cylindrical strip film Fw.

[0077] The clamping and conveying device 130 clamps the overlapped ends of the strip film Fw formed into a cylindrical shape by the cylinder former 126 and conveys it in the conveying direction. The clamping and conveying device 130 is located downstream of the cylinder former 126 in the conveying direction. The clamping and conveying device 130 is also located below the strip film Fw and product P that have passed through the cylinder former 126. The clamping and conveying device 130 mainly comprises a support plate 131, a pair of film feed rollers 132, 133, and a feed motor 134.

[0078] The support plate 131 is connected downstream in the conveying direction from the cylinder former 126. The support plate 131 supports the product P contained in the cylindrical strip film Fw. The support plate 131 also extends in the conveying direction up to the position of the center seal device 135. Furthermore, the support plate 131 has a slit 139 that extends through the center of the width direction along the conveying direction of the strip film Fw. The overlapping ends of the strip film Fw protrude from the underside of the support plate 131 through the slit 139.

[0079] A pair of film feed rollers 132, 133 are disposed on the underside of the support plate 131. The pair of film feed rollers 132, 133 clamp the overlapping ends of the strip film Fw protruding through the slit 139. The film feed roller 132 rotates by the driving force transmitted from the feed motor 134. As a result, the cylindrical strip film Fw is transported in the transport direction toward the center seal device 135.

[0080] The center seal device 135 seals both widthwise ends of the strip film Fw that has been laminated in the cylinder former 126. The center seal device 135 is located downstream in the conveying direction from the cylinder former 126 and the clamping and conveying device 130. The center seal device 135 is also located below the strip film Fw and the product P (in other words, the support plate 131). The center seal device 135 mainly comprises a pair of seal rollers 136, 137 and a seal motor 138.

[0081] The pair of sealing rollers 136, 137 are disposed on the underside of the support plate 131, downstream of the film feed rollers 132, 133 in the transport direction of the strip film Fw. The pair of sealing rollers 136, 137 clamp the overlapped ends of the strip film Fw protruding through the slit 139. The outer circumferential surfaces of the sealing rollers 136, 137 are heated by a heater (not shown). The driving force of a sealing motor 138 is transmitted to the sealing roller 136, causing it to rotate. This seals (welds) the overlapped ends of the strip film Fw clamped between the sealing rollers 136, 137.

[0082] The end sealing device 140 is disposed downstream in the conveying direction from the cylinder former 126, the clamping and conveying device 130, and the center sealing device 135. The end sealing device 140 seals the cylindrical strip film Fw sealed by the center sealing device 135 on both sides of the product P in the conveying direction, thereby forming a bag Bp containing the product P. The end sealing device 140 mainly comprises a pair of sealing blocks 141, 142 and a contact / separation motor 143.

[0083] A pair of sealing blocks 141, 142 are arranged vertically, sandwiching a cylindrically formed strip film Fw therebetween. The surfaces of the pair of sealing blocks 141, 142 facing the strip film Fw are heated by a heater (not shown). The pair of sealing blocks 141, 142 are brought into contact with and separated from each other by the driving force of a contact / separation motor 143. The end seal device 140 brings the pair of sealing blocks 141, 142 into contact with each other between adjacent products P. This causes the portions of the strip film Fw sandwiched between the sealing blocks 141, 142 to be sealed (welded) between the adjacent products P.

[0084] The horizontal form-fill-seal packaging machine 100 includes a cutter device 60 shown in Figure 3 or 6, and a control device 80 shown in Figure 7. The cutter device 60 is mounted on one of the sealing blocks 141, 142 (preferably the upper sealing block 141). The horizontal form-fill-seal packaging machine 100 executes a cutter control process shown in Figure 9 and a notification control process shown in Figure 10. [Explanation of symbols]

[0085] 1...Vertical form-fill-seal packaging machine, 10...Film supply device, 11...Winding roll, 12a to 12h...Fixed guide roll, 13...Tension mechanism, 14, 126...Cylinder former, 15...Date printing device, 16...Date inspection device, 20...Feed device, 21, 22...Feed belt, 30...Product filling tube, 31...Hopper, 40...Vertical sealing device, 41, 42, 51, 52, 141, 142...Seal block, 50...Horizontal sealing device, 53, 54...Block holder, 55...Cutter groove, 60...Cutter device, 61...Cutter, 61a...Cutter blade, 62...Servo motor, 63, 64...Drive force transmission mechanism, 63a...Ball screw, 63b, 64d...Slide member, 63c, 64e...Cutter holder, 64a...Drive pulley, 64b...Follower pulley, 64c...Non-drive pulley End circular belt, 65... servo amplifier, 70... operation panel, 80... control device, 81... CPU, 82... memory, 100... horizontal form-fill-seal packaging machine, 110... supply conveyor, 114... drive sprocket, 115... driven sprocket, 116... conveyor chain, 117... drive motor, 118... pusher, 120... film feed device, 121... winding shaft, 122... drive roller, 123... driven roller, 124, 134... feed motor, 125a, 125b... guide roller, 130... clamping conveyor, 131... support plate, 132, 133... film feed roller, 135... center seal device, 136, 137... seal roller, 138... seal motor, 139... slit, 140... end seal device, 143... contact / separation motor

Claims

1. A form-fill-seal packaging machine that fills products into bags formed from a strip-shaped packaging material, a cylinder former that overlaps both widthwise ends of the strip-shaped packaging material to form it into a cylindrical shape; a first sealing device that seals the overlapped ends of the strip-shaped packaging material formed into a cylindrical shape by the tube former; a second sealing device that seals the strip-shaped packaging material that has been formed into a cylindrical shape by the first sealing device and that contains the product by sandwiching both sides of the product between a pair of seal blocks; a cutter that appears and disappears from the seal block and cuts the seal portion sealed by the second seal device; a servo motor that moves the cutter between a standby position spaced apart from the sealing portion and a contact position in contact with the sealing portion; an alarm device that notifies information; a control device that issues an operation command to the servo motor and monitors a drive current flowing through the servo motor; and a control device that, during the process of causing the cutter from the standby position to reach the contact position within a target time, notifies the alarm device that a foreign object is present on the movement path of the cutter within the sealing block in response to the maximum value of the drive current when the cutter is accelerating being equal to or greater than a first threshold value.

2. The bag form, fill and seal machine according to claim 1, and wherein the control device, during the process of causing the cutter from the standby position to reach the contact position within the target time, issues an alert via the alert device that a foreign object is present on the movement path of the cutter in response to the first peak of the drive current being equal to or greater than the first threshold value and a second peak that occurs after the first peak and is lower than the first peak.

3. The bag form, fill and seal machine according to claim 2, the control device, during the process of causing the cutter from the standby position to reach the contact position within the target time, reports wear of the cutter through the alarm device in response to the second peak being equal to or greater than a second threshold value.

4. The bag form, fill and pack machine according to claim 3, the control device, during the process of causing the cutter at the standby position to reach the contact position within the target time, stops operation of the bag-making, filling, and packaging machine in response to the second peak being equal to or greater than a third threshold value that is greater than the second threshold value.

5. The form-fill-seal packaging machine according to any one of claims 2 to 4, The control device During the process of repeatedly forming the bag, the time changes of the first peak and the second peak are stored in a memory; a bag making, filling and packaging machine, characterized in that the time changes of the first peak and the second peak stored in the memory are notified via the notifying device.

6. The bag form, fill and seal machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, a drive force transmission mechanism that converts the rotational drive force generated by the servo motor into linear motion and transmits it to the cutter;

7. The form-fill-seal packaging machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6, The contact position is a cutting position for cutting the packaging strip through the sealed portion; and a perforation position that forms a plurality of through holes spaced apart in the width direction in the sealed portion at a position closer to the standby position than the cutting position.

8. The form-fill-seal packaging machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7, an operation unit that acquires the standby position and the contact position in the movement direction of the cutter from a user; The form-fill-seal packaging machine, wherein the control device moves the cutter between the standby position and the contact position obtained through the operation unit.

Images