Packaging conveying device and method for manufacturing packaged products

Abstract

To provide a conveyance device capable of stabilizing a filling state, and to provide a manufacturing method of a packaged product.SOLUTION: A conveyance device which conveys a package along a conveyance path while gripping the package individually includes: a plurality of movable elements arranged in the direction of the conveyance path, and capable of moving in the direction of the conveyance path; and a pair of grippers supported by the movable elements respectively, and for gripping end parts on both sides of the package. An interval of the pair of grippers gripping the package in the state where a content is included inside changes repeatedly for two times or more between a wide state and a narrow state, by the movement of the movable elements, before sealing the package.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for gripping and conveying packages, such as pouches, and a method for manufacturing packaged products. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, packaged products such as pouches (pouch packaging) and bags are manufactured through processes such as filling with contents, sealing the packaging, and inspection by weighing while the packaging is being transported. For example, as shown in Patent Document 1, a manufacturing line for such packaged products employs a conveying device that uses electromagnetic action to move multiple movers, each equipped with a gripper that grips the package, along a circular orbit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-172141 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Depending on the contents, such as liquid or solid, placed in the package, the filling state may not be stable due to interference from the solid inside the package. If the filling state is not stable, air is likely to remain inside the package. Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a conveying device and a method for manufacturing packaged products that can stabilize the filling state. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The present disclosure relates to a conveying device that conveys packages along a conveying path while individually gripping them, and includes a plurality of movable elements aligned in the direction of the conveying path and movable in the direction of the conveying path, and a pair of grippers that are each supported by the movable elements and grip the ends on both sides of the package. The gap between the pair of grippers gripping the package with the contents inside is configured to repeatedly change between a wide state and a narrow state two or more times by the movement of the movable element before sealing the package.

[0006] In addition, the method for manufacturing packaged products disclosed herein involves lining up in the direction of a conveying path along which the packages are individually grasped and conveyed, and gripping both end portions of the package with a pair of grippers each supported by a plurality of movable elements movable in the direction of the conveying path, and then, after starting the supply process of supplying contents to the package in a contents supply area on the conveying path, repeatedly changing the distance between the pair of grippers grasping the package with the contents inside between a wide state and a narrow state at least twice during all or part of the period up to the time when the sealing process for the package is started in a sealing area on the conveying path. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present disclosure, the relative movement of the pair of movers repeatedly changes the gap between the pair of grippers, thereby agitating the contents and stabilizing the filling state. Furthermore, the stabilization of the filling state reduces the amount of oxygen remaining in the package, thereby ensuring the quality of the packaged product. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a plan view illustrating a packaging conveying device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] 2 is a plan view showing the mover shown in FIG. 1 and a pouch to be conveyed. FIG. [Figure 3] 3 is a side view showing the mover and the pouch as viewed from the direction of arrow III in FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an example of a pouch. [Figure 5] 10A and 10B are schematic diagrams showing adjustment of the distance between grippers in the filling and sealing processes. [Figure 6] 1A to 1C are schematic diagrams showing the inside of a pouch in a see-through manner during the filling and sealing processes. [Figure 7]10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining the stirring action caused by repeated displacement of the mover. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a side view showing a pouch and a mover according to a modified example. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the pouch shown in FIG. 8. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Overall schematic configuration] The packaging conveying device 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a conveying path 2 having a circular track, a plurality of movers 10 that are movable along the conveying path 2, and a control unit 3 that controls the movement of the movers 10. The packaging conveying device 1 is a linear motor type conveying device that moves a mover 10 by electromagnetic interaction between a conveying path 2 and the mover 10. The packaging conveying device 1 conveys pouch packages 4 (hereinafter referred to as pouches 4) along the conveying path 2 while gripping them individually with grippers 13 provided on the mover 10.

[0010] [Pouch] The pouch 4 is formed from a film or sheet-like flexible material into a bag-like shape that can be filled with contents such as beverages, food, medicines, etc. As shown in FIG. 4, for example, the pouch 4 is formed flat from overlapping film materials 41A and 41B. Before filling with the contents, the edges of the overlapping film materials 41A and 41B are sealed by fusion (thermal sealing) using heat and pressure along three sides except for an opening 42. After filling, the opening 42 is also sealed by thermal sealing, thereby hermetically sealing the pouch 4. Alternatively, the pouch 4 may have a three-dimensional shape after filling, for example, by folding the bottom or both sides inward. Furthermore, the pouch 4 may have, in addition to the film material, a cylindrical body called a spout that is inserted into the opening.

[0011] [Transport path] The transport path 2 has parallel straight paths 21 and 23 and arc-shaped curved paths 22 and 24 connecting the straight paths 21 and 23, and has a generally elliptical shape overall. The transport path 2 is provided with electromagnetic coils (not shown) that act electromagnetically on the permanent magnets of the movers 10. The control unit 3 controls the current flowing through the electromagnetic coils of the transport path 2, thereby enabling individual control of the position, speed, etc. of each mover 10.

[0012] [Mover] The multiple movers 10 are lined up in the direction of the conveying path 2 and circulate along the conveying path 2. As the movers 10 move, each pouch 4 is conveyed in this order along the straight path 21, the curved path 22, and the straight path 23, during which processing such as filling, sealing, and inspection by weighing is carried out on each pouch 4. After these processing steps, the pouch 4 is transferred from the straight path 23 to a downstream device (not shown).

[0013] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, each movable element 10 includes a movable element body 11 that can move in the direction of the conveying path 2, an arm 12 that is provided on the movable element body 11 and protrudes in a direction away from the conveying path 2, and a gripper 13 that is supported by the arm 12 and grips the end 4E of the pouch 4.

[0014] Each movable element 10 is also provided with a mechanism (not shown) for tilting the arm 12 relative to the movable element body 11 while moving along the curved paths 22, 24. This tilting mechanism allows the pair of arms 12 supporting the grippers 13 gripping the pouch 4 to be kept parallel to each other while the movable element 10 moves around the conveying path 2. Therefore, the pouch 4 does not come off the grippers 13 even on the curved paths 22, 24.

[0015] The mover body 11 engages with members that form the transport path 2 and is arranged in the direction of the transport path 2. The mover body 11 is provided with a permanent magnet (not shown). In this embodiment, the approximately elliptical orbit of the conveying path 2 is set on the same horizontal plane. Arms 12 protrude horizontally from the conveying path 2. Pouches 4 are placed between adjacent arms 12 in the direction of the conveying path 2.

[0016] The arm 12 can be made of an appropriate material such as metal or resin that has sufficient rigidity to support the gripper 13 . In this embodiment, the arm 12 is joined to the mover body 11 formed in a block shape, but this is not limitative. The mover body 11 may be formed integrally with the portion that supports the gripper 13.

[0017] 2 and 3 show a pair of movers 10 as part of a group of movers arranged on the conveying path 2. Grippers 13, which are provided on each of the pair of movers 10 facing each other in the direction of the conveying path 2, form a pair and hang the pouch 4 by gripping both end portions 4E of the pouch 4. In order to stably hang the pouch 4 and to stably fill the pouch 4 through the opening 42 located at the top end of the pouch 4 and to stably seal the opening 42, it is preferable that the grippers 13 hang the pouch 4 above the center of gravity. The direction of the conveying path 2 is indicated by x, the direction in which the arm 12 protrudes horizontally from the movable element body 11 is indicated by y, and the vertical direction is indicated by z. The y direction corresponds to the direction perpendicular to the plane of the pouch 4.

[0018] In this embodiment, the pair of movers 10 and the pair of grippers 13 are formed symmetrically with respect to the center line L between the respective arms 12. The movers 10 and grippers 13 having such symmetrical shapes can stably support the pouch 4 from both sides.

[0019] [Gripper] The gripper 13 includes a pair of clamping portions 130 that clamp the end portion 4E of the pouch 4 and grip it therebetween, and a drive mechanism (not shown) that opens and closes the pair of clamping portions 130 as shown in the partially enlarged view of Figure 2. The base ends of the pair of clamping parts 130 are both supported by the arms 12 and protrude inward in the width direction (x direction) of the pouch 4.

[0020] Each of the pair of clamping units 130 has a base 131 and an elastic body 132 interposed between the base 131 and the pouch 4. The elastic body 132 of each of the pair of clamping units 130 is disposed to sandwich an end 4E of the pouch 4 in the thickness direction (y direction) of the pouch 4. The base body 131 of each of the pair of clamping units 130 presses the elastic body 132 that sandwiches the pouch 4 toward the pouch 4 from both sides in the y direction.

[0021] Base 131 is formed into a plate shape from a metal material such as steel having the rigidity required for gripping. Base 131 includes pressing portion 131A that is arranged along the surface of end 4E of pouch 4 on the base end side of clamping portion 130, and guide portion 131B that is continuous with clamping portion 130 and inclined in a direction away from the surface of pouch 4 with respect to pressing portion 131A. The guide portions 131B of each of the pair of clamping portions 130 gradually widen toward the tip of the clamping portion 130, and guide the pouch 4 between the pressing portions 131A.

[0022] Elastic body 132 is typically made of a rubber material and is bonded to base body 131. Elastic body 132 may have a plurality of protrusions 132A formed thereon that protrude toward pouch 4. Protrusions 132A are formed, for example, in a cylindrical shape, as shown in Fig. 2. It is preferable that protrusions 132A that press against film material 41A of pouch 4 and protrusions 132A that press against film material 41B of pouch 4 are arranged alternately in each elastic body 132.

[0023] When the pair of clamping sections 130 is in an open state and one of the clamping sections 130 is driven in the y direction by the drive mechanism and pressed against the other clamping section 130, the elastic bodies 132 are pressurized between the respective pressing sections 131A of the pair of clamping sections 130, and the pouch 4 is gripped between the pair of elastically deformed elastic bodies 132.

[0024] In a typical example of a gripper that suspends pouch 4, the gripper is disposed only above the center of gravity C (FIG. 3) of pouch 4. In this case, both base body 131 and elastic body 132 are disposed near upper end 4U of widthwise end 4E of pouch 4. The heights (dimensions in the z direction) of base body 131 and elastic body 132 are typically set to be equal. While such a typical gripper can be used in this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 3, gripper 13 in this embodiment extends overall from a position above the center of gravity C of pouch 4 downward to a position below the center of gravity C. In this embodiment, base body 131 and elastic body 132 extend to a position below the center of gravity C. Note that the position of the center of gravity C of pouch 4 remains almost unchanged even when contents are contained, and therefore the position of the center of gravity of pouch 4 when contents are contained is not shown in the drawing.

[0025] Grippers 13 in this embodiment clamp and support end 4E of pouch 4 over a wide range in the vertical direction. As a result, when movable element 10 is moved to expand or contract the gap between pair of grippers 13 in order to stabilize the contents contained in pouch 4 and the filled state of pouch 4, as will be described later, the stirring action on the contents can be sufficiently extended to the area below pouch 4.

[0026] [Gripper Spacing Control] As described above, while the pouch 4 is being conveyed along the conveying path 2 by the mover 10, the processes of filling, sealing, etc. are carried out in order. Through these processes, a product in the pouch 4 is manufactured. Each process is performed on each pouch 4 held by a pair of grippers 13 in each process area R1, R2 (FIG. 1) on the conveying path 2. During these processes, the control unit 3 controls the mover 10 to a predetermined position and speed. The filling process is carried out in a filling region R1 (content supply region), and the sealing process is carried out in a sealing region R2.

[0027] During the filling process, the control unit 3 controls the positions of the pair of movable elements 10 to move closer to each other, thereby narrowing the gap in the x direction between the pair of grippers 13 gripping the pouch 4, as shown in the upper part of Fig. 5, thereby pushing the pouch 4 from both sides and opening the opening 42. A content supply mechanism (not shown) supplies appropriate contents to the pouch 4 through the opening 42.

[0028] The contents to be supplied to the pouch 4 can be determined appropriately without any restrictions on the properties, etc. The contents may be any of liquid, solid, and gas, and may also be a mixture of liquid and solid, or a mixture of different types of liquid. "Liquid matter" refers to fluid materials such as liquids and sols. "Solid matter" refers to solid masses, gels, powders, etc. In this specification, supplying contents to a package such as a pouch 4 will be referred to as "filling", regardless of the nature of the contents.

[0029] During the sealing process after the pouch 4 has been filled with the contents, it is preferable to apply tension to the pouch 4 by moving the pair of movable elements 10 in directions separating them from each other using position control by the control unit 3, thereby widening the gap in the x direction between the pair of grippers 13 that grip the pouch 4, as shown in the lower part of Fig. 5. The application of tension stabilizes the pouch 4 in a flat posture and shape, so that the sealing process in which the pouch 4 is sandwiched between pressurizing and heating members (not shown) and heat-sealed can be performed stably without causing wrinkles in the pouch 4.

[0030] The distance between the pair of movers 10 during the filling process, sealing process, etc. can be adjusted while the movers 10 are moving along the transport path 2.

[0031] [Stabilization of filling state (mixing process)] In this embodiment, in order to stabilize the filling state, the movable element 10 is repeatedly displaced to repeatedly expand and contract the gap between the pair of grippers 13 . As described below, during all or part of the period from when the filling process starts in the filling region R1 until when the sealing process starts in the sealing region R2, the control unit 3 controls the position of the movable element 10 to provide the paired grippers 13 with an appropriate spacing for each process, and also repeatedly changes the spacing between the paired grippers 13 between a relatively wide state and a relatively narrow state at least twice or more times to stabilize the filling state.

[0032] An example of the stabilization process for the filled state will be described below using an example of a content (curry) that is a mixture of liquid material 51 and solid material 52. Liquid material 51 corresponds to the curry roux, and solid material 52 corresponds to the curry ingredients.

[0033] 6 shows an example of a case where a solid material 52 and a liquid material 51 are filled into a pouch 4. The pouch 4 is gripped by the gripper 13 in the filling region R1, and the opening 42 is open (see the upper part of FIG. 5). A first filling mechanism (not shown) first fills the solid material 52 through the opening 42 (first filling step S1-1). Subsequently, a second filling mechanism (not shown) fills the opening 42 of the pouch 4 with the liquid material 51 (second filling step S1-2). According to the filling sequence shown in FIG. 6, when solid material 52 is added, liquid material 51 is not present inside pouch 4, so both solid material 52 and liquid material 51 can be filled into pouch 4 without causing liquid material 51 to splash. However, depending on the amount, viscosity, etc. of the liquid material 51, it is not prevented to first fill the liquid material 51 and then fill the solid material 52. Furthermore, filling of the liquid material 51 and filling of the solid material 52 may be carried out in parallel.

[0034] Among the contents, particularly solid matter 52 in the form of chunks, there are cases where the contents do not smoothly move to a desired position inside pouch 4 due to the distance between film materials 41A and 41B of pouch 4 during filling, variations in the dimensions and shapes of pouch 4 and solid matter 52, etc. In other words, the state of the contents during filling is not necessarily stable. For example, as shown in the cross section of pouch 4 and its contents in the upper part of Figure 7, it is possible to imagine a state in which solid objects 52 interfere with other solid objects 52 and are connected together (a collection of solid objects 52) becoming stuck between film materials 41A and 41B and unable to move. In such a case, even if an air pocket (not shown) that makes it difficult for air to escape to the outside of pouch 4 is formed at the bottom inside pouch 4 due to the collection of solid objects 52, the air pocket can be eliminated by agitation step S2 that stabilizes the filling state shown in Figure 7. If a collection of solids 52 or the like gets caught between the film materials 41A and 41B of the pouch 4, pushing them apart, or in another example, if solids such as candy (not shown) stick together and form a collection, and remain inside the pouch 4, the shape of the pouch 4 may change, which may affect the sealing process. In this specification, the "filled state" refers to the state of the contents in the package, such as the position of the contents, as well as the state of the shape of the package that encloses the contents. In the stirring step S2, as shown in FIG. 7, while the pouch 4 is gripped by a pair of grippers 13, the distance between the pair of grippers 13 is changed, for example, twice, from a wide state P1 (upper row) to a narrow state P2 (middle row) and again to the wide state P1 (lower row) by controlling the position of the movable element 10 based on commands issued from the control unit 3.

[0035] This stirring step S2 can be performed when only solid material 52 is contained in the pouch 4 (first stirring step S2-1), as shown in FIG. 6, or when both solid material 52 and liquid material 51 are contained (second stirring step S2-2). The first agitation step S2-1 and the second agitation step S2-2 can be continuously performed while the pouch 4 is being moved by the mover 10 toward the sealing region R2 after the solid material 52 or the liquid material 51 has been filled.

[0036] 6, if the first mixing step S2-1 has already been performed before the liquid material 51 is filled, the liquid material 51 is filled into the pouch 4 in the second filling step S1-2 while the filled state of the solid material 52 and the pouch 4 is stable. Therefore, the filling process of the liquid material 51 can be performed stably. By performing the second mixing step S2-2 thereafter, for example, air bubbles in the liquid material 51 can be removed, and the filled state of the solid material 52, the liquid material 51, and the pouch 4 can be stabilized. The stirring step S2 shown in Figure 7 corresponds to the second stirring step S2-2 that is performed when the solid material 52 and the liquid material 51 are contained in the pouch 4, but the first stirring step S2-1 can also be performed in the same manner as shown in Figure 7.

[0037] 6, a first filling step S1-1 of filling a solid material 52, a first stirring step S2-1, a second filling step S1-2 of filling a liquid material 51, and a second stirring step S2-2 can be carried out in sequence. Note that it is sufficient to carry out at least one of the first stirring step S2-1 and the second stirring step S2-2 as the stirring step. The first stirring step S2-1 and the second stirring step S2-2 may be consecutive, i.e., the stirring step S2 can be performed continuously from the start of filling of the solid material 52, including the period during which the second filling step S1-2 is performed, until after the liquid material 51 is filled. In the agitation step S2, the distance between the pair of grippers 13 is repeatedly changed a total of two or more times, including when the agitation step S2 is divided into a first agitation step S2-1 and a second agitation step S2-2.

[0038] It is also possible to perform only one of the first mixing step S2-1 and the second mixing step S2-2, without being limited to the example shown in Fig. 6. The first mixing step S2-1 and the second mixing step S2-2 can be appropriately performed as needed to prevent the solid matter 52 from remaining, to degas, etc.

[0039] In the mixing step S2, as shown in the upper part of FIG. 7, if the start point is a state in which the distance between the pair of grippers 13 is wide, then as shown in the middle part of FIG. 7, a narrow command to move the pair of movers 10 in a direction in which they approach each other causes the distance D in the upper part of FIG. 7 to be narrowed. x1 Distance D is shorter than x2 By applying the force, the distance between the pair of grippers 13 is changed to a relatively narrow state. When changing the distance between the pair of grippers 13, it is not necessary to move both of the pair of movers 10, and it is sufficient to move only one of them relative to the other. The stirring step S2 is performed not only while the movers 10 are stopped, but also while the movers 10 are moving. The arrows attached to the movers 10 in the upper, middle, and lower parts of Fig. 7 indicate the direction of relative displacement of the pair of movers 10. While the movers 10 are moving on the conveying path 2, a speed difference is given between the pair of movers 10, thereby causing a distance D between the pair of grippers 13 supported by the movers 10. x1 and distance D x2 It is possible to give

[0040] Next, by issuing a command to move the pair of movers 10 in a direction to move them apart from each other, a distance D is set between the pair of movers 10, for example, as shown in the lower part of FIG. x1 By applying the force, the gap between the pair of grippers 13 is changed to a relatively wide state. Furthermore, the distance between the pair of grippers 13 can be repeatedly changed an appropriate number of times as required.

[0041] When the distance between the pair of grippers 13 is changed, the width in the y direction of the pouch 4 gripped by the pair of grippers 13, i.e., the distance between the film materials 41A and 41B, changes, and accordingly the contents in the pouch 4 are displaced. When the change in the distance between the pair of grippers 13 as shown in Fig. 7 is repeated multiple times, a stirring effect can be obtained on the contents. 7, this stirring action displaces solid objects 52 between film materials 41A and 41B, which expand when the gap between the pair of grippers 13 is narrow, thereby releasing the bonds between solid objects 52. As a result, multiple separable solid objects 52 are positioned in appropriate positions within pouch 4, and the shape of pouch 4, which had previously been expanded by the collection of solid objects 52, is stabilized, and liquid object 51, which is subsequently filled, can flow behind solid objects 52 without being hindered by the collection of solid objects 52. In other words, the filling state of the contents, such as liquid object 51 and solid objects 52, and the pouch 4 containing the contents as a whole is stabilized.

[0042] The number of times the gripper interval is repeated per unit time to stabilize the filling state and the total number of times the mixing step S2 is repeated from start to finish can be appropriately determined to a value sufficient to stabilize the filling state, for example, based on test results and taking into consideration the capacity of the packaging conveying device 1. An example of the number of times per unit time is 2 to 3 times per second.

[0043] As described above, the grippers 13 of this embodiment support the end 4E of the pouch 4 from above to below the center of gravity C of the pouch 4. Therefore, the spacing between the film materials 41A, 41B can be reliably changed along substantially the entire length of the pouch 4 from the top to the bottom as the spacing between the pair of grippers 13 changes, as shown in the cross section of Fig. 7. This allows the stirring action on the contents to extend to the lower region of the pouch 4, thereby more sufficiently stabilizing the filling state.

[0044] Gripper 13, which supports end 4E of pouch 4 below center of gravity C using elastic body 132 and base 131, is also suitable for standing pouch 4-2 shown in Figures 8 and 9. Pouch 4-2 has film materials 41A, 41B forming the front and back surfaces, as well as film material 41C forming the bottom surface. Pouch 4-2 is unfolded and filled with contents as shown in the lower part of Figure 9. Gripper 13 can agitate the contents that accumulate at the bottom of pouch 4-2, thereby sufficiently stabilizing the filled state.

[0045] After the filling steps S1-1 and S1-2 in the filling area R1, when the pair of grippers 13 holding the pouch 4 reaches the sealing area R2 (Figure 1) by the movement of the movable element 10, the opening 42 of the pouch 4 (see the lower part of Figure 5) in a tensioned state is sealed by heat sealing (sealing step S3 in Figure 6). Because the stirring step S2 performed before the start of the sealing step S3 ensures that the filling state is stable at the time of sealing, the upper end portions 4U of the pouches 4 are stacked flat, allowing for stable sealing. Furthermore, if necessary, degassing by suction from the inside of the pouches 4, reducing the pressure, or replacing the air in gaps within the pouches 4 with an inert gas such as nitrogen gas can be performed without any problems. When the sealed pouches 4 are to be enclosed in, for example, a box-shaped package, the stable filling state makes it easy to enclose the pouches 4 in the package.

[0046] The agitation step S2 is effective after even a portion of the total amount of content has been placed in the pouch 4. However, in order to stably seal the pouch 4, the agitation step S2 can be performed before the sealing process is started. Therefore, the agitation step S2 can be performed during the entire or part of the period after the filling process is started in the filling region R1 (after the start of the first filling step S1-1 in the example shown in FIG. 6) and before the sealing process is started in the sealing region R2. Specifically, the timing for performing the stirring step S2 can be determined appropriately. For example, the stirring step S2 can be performed in parallel with the first filling step S1-1 or the second filling step S1-2. In this case, the filling process can be stably performed by supplying the solid material 52 or the liquid material 51 into the pouch 4 while changing the gap between the pair of grippers 13 between the wide state P1 and the narrow state P2. If the filling state of the solid materials 52 is particularly unstable during the filling process, it is advisable to perform the stirring step S2 in parallel with the first filling step S1-1 of supplying the solid materials 52 to the pouch 4. In this way, even if, for example, one solid material 52 gets stuck with another solid material 52 or the film materials 41A, 41B of the pouch 4 inside the pouch 4, the bonds between the solid materials 52 or between the solid materials 52 and the film materials 41A, 41B can be released, thereby stabilizing the filling state.

[0047] Furthermore, regardless of whether the stirring step S2 is performed in the filling region R1, the stirring step S2 can also be performed while the pouch 4 is being moved by the mover 10 from the filling region R1 toward the sealing region R2.

[0048] As described above, according to the packaging conveying device 1 and the method for manufacturing a product in a pouch 4 of this embodiment, the relative movement of the pair of movers 10 repeatedly changes the gap between the pair of grippers 13, thereby stirring the contents and stabilizing the filled state, and through the stabilization of the filled state, the pouch 4 can be degassed, thereby reducing the amount of residual oxygen. The stabilization of the filled state and the reduction in the amount of residual oxygen make it possible to fully guarantee the quality of the product in the pouch 4. According to this embodiment, there is no need to externally strike the pouch 4 by swinging a lever or the like to stir the contents, so there is no need to add a mechanism required for such a process to stabilize the filling process.By simply changing the gap between the pair of grippers 13 multiple times by moving the mover 10 provided in the packaging conveying device 1, it is possible to stabilize the filling state without increasing the cost or installation space of the device.

[0049] By varying the distance between the pair of grippers 13, it is possible to stabilize the filling state of various contents, not limited to the above-described liquid material 51 and solid material 52. Examples of the contents include solid materials such as candy and tapioca. These solid materials tend to adhere to the pouch 4 or bond together to form clumps, resulting in retention within the pouch 4. In order to prevent retention within the pouch 4 and stabilize the filling state, it is advisable to perform a stirring step S2 in which the distance between the pair of grippers 13 is repeatedly changed while the solid material is in the pouch 4. In addition, even when highly viscous contents such as sherbet or soft serve ice cream gather in one part of the pouch 4, the filling state can be stabilized by changing the distance between the pair of grippers 13. Furthermore, when a plurality of types of contents that are difficult to mix are filled in the pouch 4, the effect of mixing the plurality of types of contents can be obtained by the stirring action caused by the change in the distance between the pair of grippers 13.

[0050] In addition to the above, it is possible to select and discard the configurations given in the above embodiments, or to change them to other configurations as appropriate. The packaging to be transported in the present disclosure is not limited to a pouch, but may be, for example, a resin bag.

[0051] There is no restriction on the number of grippers provided on each of the pair of movers. For example, if each mover is provided with two grippers, two pairs of grippers on the pair of movers can grip and transport two packages, which reduces the length of the transport path and saves on the cost and installation space of the device while maintaining the same processing capacity.

[0052] [Note] The package conveying device and package delivery method described above disclose the following. [1] A packaging conveying device 1 that conveys packages (4) along a conveying path 2 while gripping them individually includes a plurality of movers 10 that are aligned in the direction of the conveying path 2 and are movable in the direction of the conveying path 2, and a pair of grippers 13 that are supported by the movers 10 and grip both end portions 4E of the packages (4). The distance between the pair of grippers 13 that grip the packages (4) with contents (51, 52) inside is configured to repeatedly change between a wide state P1 and a narrow state P2 two or more times by the movement of the movers 10 before sealing the packages (4). [2] The packaging conveying device 1 preferably includes a control unit 3 capable of controlling the positions of the multiple movers 10. The control unit 3 issues a wide command to move the movers 10 away from each other and a narrow command to move the movers 10 toward each other for the pair of grippers 13 gripping the package (4) containing the contents (51, 52). [3] The contents preferably include solid matter 52. [4] The gripper 13 preferably extends downward from a position above the center of gravity of the package (4) containing the contents (51, 52) to a position below the center of gravity C. [5] The gripper 13 includes an elastic body 132 arranged to sandwich the end 4E of the package 4 in the thickness direction (y direction) of the package 4, and a base body 131 that applies pressure to the elastic body 132 from both sides in the thickness direction (y direction) toward the package 4. The base body 131 and the elastic body 132 preferably extend to a position below the center of gravity C. [6] A method for manufacturing a product containing a package (4) includes: a pair of grippers 13 supported by a plurality of movable elements 10 arranged in the direction of a conveying path 2 along which the packages (4) are individually gripped and conveyed; the pair of grippers 13 grip both end portions 4E of the package (4); the pair of grippers 13 are supported by a plurality of movable elements 10 movable in the direction of the conveying path 2; a supply process for supplying contents (51, 52) to the package (4) is started in a content supply area (R1) on the conveying path 2; and the distance between the pair of grippers 13 gripping the package (4) with the contents (51, 52) inside is repeatedly changed between a wide state P1 and a narrow state P2 two or more times by controlling the position of the movable elements 10 during the whole or part of the period up to the start of a sealing process for the package (4) in a sealing area R2 on the conveying path 2. [7] It is preferable that at least part of the process of repeatedly changing the distance between the pair of grippers 13 between the wide state P1 and the narrow state P2 at least twice is performed while the package (4) is being transported by the movement of the movable member 10 from the content supply area (R1) toward the sealing area R2. [8] The contents preferably include a solid object 52, and the solid object 52 is displaced inside the package (4) by repeatedly changing the distance between the pair of grippers 13 between a wide state P1 and a narrow state P2 at least twice. [9] A method for manufacturing a product contained in a package (4) includes a solid material supply step S1-1 for supplying a solid material 52 as a content to the package (4), a stirring step S2 (S2-1, S2-2) for changing the gap between a pair of grippers 13 between a wide state P1 and a narrow state P2, and a liquid material supply step S1-2 for supplying a liquid material 51 as a content to the package (4), wherein the stirring step S2 is performed in at least one of a state in which the package (4) contains only the solid material 52 or the liquid material 51, and a state in which the package (4) contains both the solid material 52 and the liquid material 51, and it is preferable that, as a whole, the stirring step S2 repeatedly changes the gap between the pair of grippers 13 between the wide state P1 and the narrow state P2 two or more times. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 1. Packaging conveying device 2 Transport path 3. Control Unit 4 Pouch (packaging) 4E End 4U top end 10 Mover 11 Mover body 12 Arm 13 Gripper 21,23 straight road 22,24 Curved Road 41A, 41B film material 41C film material 42 Opening 51 Liquids 52 Solids 130 Clamping part 131 Base 131A Holding part 131B Guide part 132 Elastic Body 132A protrusion C Center of gravity D x1 ,D x2 distance L center line P1 wide state P2 Narrow state R1 Filling area (content supply area) R2 Sealed area S1-1 First filling step S1-2 Second filling step S2 Mixing step S2-1 First mixing step S2-2 Second mixing step S3 Sealing step

Claims

1. A conveying device that conveys packages along a conveying path while individually gripping the packages, a plurality of movable elements arranged in a direction of the transport path and movable in the direction of the transport path; a pair of grippers supported by the movable element and configured to grip both side edges of the package; During the period from when the supply of the contents to the package is started until the package is sealed, the package is conveyed by the movement of the movable element. The gap between the pair of grippers gripping the package with the contents inside is configured to repeatedly change between a wide state and a narrow state two or more times by the relative movement of the movable element. Packaging conveying equipment.

2. a control unit capable of controlling the positions of the plurality of movers; The control unit With respect to the pair of grippers gripping the package with the contents inside, a widening command to move the movable elements in a direction to separate them from each other; a narrow command to move the movable elements in a direction to bring them closer to each other is issued; The packaging conveying device according to claim 1 .

3. The contents include solid matter.

3. The packaging conveying device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The gripper is From a position above the center of gravity of the package with the contents inside, It extends to a position below the center of gravity. The packaging conveying device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The gripper is an elastic body disposed in a thickness direction of the package so as to sandwich the end portion of the package; a base that presses the elastic body toward the package from both sides in the thickness direction, the elastic body and the base body extend to a position below the center of gravity; 5. The packaging conveying device according to claim 4.

6. The packages are individually gripped and lined up in the direction of a conveying path along which the packages are conveyed, and both end portions of the packages are gripped by a pair of grippers respectively supported by a plurality of movable elements movable in the direction of the conveying path. During the period from when a supply process of supplying contents to the packages is started in a contents supply area on the conveying path until when a sealing process of the packages is started in a sealing area on the conveying path, the packages are conveyed by movement of the movable elements from the contents supply area toward the sealing area, A method for manufacturing a packaged product, in which the position of the movable element is controlled to repeatedly change the distance between the pair of grippers holding the package with the contents inside between a wide state and a narrow state at least twice.

7. The contents include solid matter, The distance between the pair of grippers is repeatedly changed between the wide state and the narrow state two or more times. displacing the solid material inside the package. A method for producing the packaged product of claim 6.

8. a solid material supply step of supplying the solid material as the content to the package; a stirring step of changing the gap between the pair of grippers between the wide state and the narrow state; a liquid supply step of supplying the liquid as the content to the package, the stirring step is carried out in at least one of a state in which only one of the solid material and the liquid material is contained in the package and a state in which both the solid material and the liquid material are contained in the package, and the spacing between the pair of grippers is repeatedly changed between the wide state and the narrow state two or more times throughout the stirring step; A method for producing the packaged product of claim 7.

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