Packaging bag positioning method and packaging bag positioning device

Abstract

To provide a method for positioning a thin-walled packaging bag, which is hardly deformed even when a positioning guide is pressed against the same.SOLUTION: A packaging bag positioning method includes a first step to form deformation in the packaging bag so as to have higher rigidity in the direction in which a load is applied to the packaging bag through positioning, and a second step to position the packaging bag by pressing the positioning guide against the packaging bag where the deformation is formed. The formation of deformation in the first step preferably forms a curvature in the packaging bag in the horizontal direction or a curvature in the packaging bag in the vertical direction. In the second step, preferably, the packaging bag is positioned in the horizontal direction or the packaging bag is positioned in the vertical direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method and device for positioning a packaging bag that contains contents. [Background technology]

[0002] For packaging bags containing contents such as beverages, Patent Document 1 proposes that if the height and left-right position of the packaging bag deviate from a predetermined position, the height and / or left-right position of the bag is corrected before the bag is fed to a pair of grips in a packaging machine. Patent Document 1 states that this method produces a good-looking seal, which greatly contributes to the mass production of high-quality packaged products. A typical example of a packaging bag is a pouch. Furthermore, Patent Document 2 proposes comparing the number of pulses with the number of counts from a reference pulse up to the timing of sensor detection, and controlling the amount of vertical movement of a vertical movement drive mechanism that moves a packaging bag receiving mechanism up and down based on the amount of comparison, thereby correcting deviations in the height position of packaging bags at the packaging bag supply position. According to Patent Document 2, the height positions of packaging bags gripped by the gripping mechanism can be made approximately constant. As described above, as described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, conventional proposals have been made to address misalignment of packaging bags in the height direction and horizontal direction. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5740582 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-36325 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The trend toward resource conservation has led to thinner film materials being used to make packaging bags. Therefore, when a positioning guide, which acts as a guide to correct misalignment, is pressed against a packaging bag made of thinner film material, the load can cause unnecessary deformation of the packaging bag. This can make it difficult to accurately position the bag. For example, when a positioning guide is pressed against the packaging bag from both sides in the width direction to correct the width, the center of the packaging bag can become dented in the width direction.

[0005] In view of the above, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a method for positioning thin-walled packaging bags that is less likely to deform even when a guide is pressed against the packaging bags, and a packaging bag positioning device that performs such a processing method. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The method for positioning a packaging bag according to the present disclosure includes a first step of forming a deformation in the packaging bag so that the positioning increases the rigidity of the packaging bag in the direction in which a load is applied to the packaging bag, and a second step of pressing a positioning guide against the packaging bag in which the deformation has been formed to position the packaging bag.

[0007] The packaging bag positioning device of the present disclosure includes a deformation element that causes a deformation in the packaging bag so that the rigidity in the direction in which a load is applied to the packaging bag is increased by positioning, and a positioning element that positions the packaging bag by pressing a positioning guide against the packaging bag in which the deformation is formed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the method for positioning a packaging bag of the present disclosure, even if a positioning guide for positioning is pressed against a thin-walled packaging bag, the bag is less likely to deform. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view showing a positioning device according to embodiment 1A of the present disclosure. [Figure 2]FIG. 1A is a plan view showing a part of the positioning device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 1A is a side view showing a part of the positioning device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] 1A is a diagram showing packaging bag supply STEP 1 and bending machine lift STEP 2 in the operation of the positioning device according to the first A embodiment. FIG. [Figure 5] 4, this is a diagram showing STEP 3 for bending the packaging bag and STEP 4 for positioning. [Figure 6] 5, which shows suction cup lowering STEP 5 and bending release STEP 6. [Figure 7] 6, showing STEP 7 of transferring packaging bags. [Figure 8] 7, showing packaging bag delivery STEP 8. FIG. [Figure 9] 1B is a side view (SV) and a front view (FV) showing a positioning device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. [Figure 10] This shows the bending operation of a packaging bag by a positioning device according to embodiment 1B, with the left side showing the packaging bag before bending (STEP 1, side view (SV)) and the right side showing the packaging bag after bending (STEP 2, side view (SV), front view (FV)). [Figure 11] 2A and 2B are a side view (SV) and a front view (FV) showing a positioning device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] This shows the operation of the positioning device according to embodiment 2A, with the left side showing after the packaging bag has been curved (STEP 1, front view (FV), bottom view (UV)) and the right side showing when the packaging bag has been handed over to the gripper (STEP 2, front view (FV), bottom view (UV)). [Figure 13] This shows the positioning device according to embodiment 2B, with the left side showing the packaging bag after it has completed its bending operation (STEP 1, front view (FV), bottom view (UV)), and the right side showing the packaging bag when it has been handed over to the gripper (STEP 2, front view (FV), bottom view (UV)). [Figure 14] 1 is a plan view showing an example of a processing device to which a positioning device of the present disclosure is applied; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] A positioning device according to the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The positioning device described below curves the packaging bag P to make it less likely to deform, and then positions it. This positioning is performed for a beverage filling device provided in the next process. There are two directions in which the packaging bag P can be curved: one is along the longitudinal direction L of the packaging bag P, and the other is along the lateral direction S of the packaging bag P. An example in which the packaging bag P is curved along the longitudinal direction L will be described in the first embodiment, and an example in which the packaging bag P is curved along the lateral direction S will be described in the second embodiment. In addition, there are two orientations in which the packaging bag P can be curved: one is to curve the packaging bag P in an orientation along the horizontal direction H, and the other is to curve the packaging bag P in an orientation along the vertical direction V. Both the first and second embodiments include an example in which the packaging bag P is curved along the horizontal direction H and an example in which the packaging bag P is curved along the vertical direction V. In the following, a rectangular packaging bag P having a longitudinal direction L and a transverse direction S will be described as an example, but the present disclosure can also be applied to a square packaging bag P having the same vertical and horizontal dimensions.

[0011] [First embodiment] In the first embodiment, an example of curving the packaging bag P along the longitudinal direction L will be described, but first an example of curving in a position along the horizontal direction H will be described as the 1A embodiment, and then an example of curving in a position along the vertical direction V will be described as the 1B embodiment.

[0012] [1A embodiment: Figs. 1 to 8] The configuration of a positioning device 1A for positioning packaging bags P according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, and then the operation of the positioning device 1A will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0013] [Configuration of positioning device 1A: Figures 1 to 3] The positioning device 1A forms a curve in the longitudinal direction L of the packaging bag P that is arranged in the horizontal direction H, and then positions the packaging bag P in the short-side direction S. 1 and 2, the positioning device 1A includes a main body 10 that receives a packaging bag P to be conveyed, and then forms a curve in the packaging bag P and positions the packaging bag P, and a conveying unit 30 that conveys the packaging bag P that has been positioned by the main body 10 toward grippers 120 that constitute the filling machine. Here, as an example, an example is shown in which three pairs of grippers 120 simultaneously process three packaging bags P, but the present disclosure can also simultaneously process two or fewer or four or more packaging bags P.

[0014] [Main body 10: Figures 1, 2, and 3] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the main body 10 includes a support plate 11 that supports the packaging bag P to be curved and positioned, and a pair of upper and lower supply rollers 13 that transport the packaging bag P toward the support plate 11. The support plate 11 comprises a flat plate body 11A on which three packaging bags P are placed in the horizontal direction H, and a support flange 11B against which a front edge FE, which is one end of the packaging bag P that rises from the plate body 11A and is positioned, abuts. The plate body 11A is provided with a bending gap 11C through which a bending piece 15A moves back and forth to push and bend the packaging bag P placed on the plate body 11A toward the support flange 11B, and a positioning gap 11D through which a positioning piece 21A moves to position the packaging bag P placed on the plate body 11A in the horizontal direction H. The bending gap 11C and the positioning gap 11D penetrate the front and back of the plate body 11A. In the main body 10, a front F and a rear B are defined as shown in FIGS.

[0015] [Curved elements: Figures 1, 2, and 3] 1 to 3, the main body 10 includes a bending guide 15 that forms a curve by pressing the packaging bag P placed on the plate main body 11A against the support flange 11B, and a bending drive source 17 that moves the bending guide 15 back and forth in the longitudinal direction L of the packaging bag P. The bending guide 15 and the bending drive source 17 correspond to elements that bend the packaging bag P. The bending guide 15 comprises a curved piece 15A that is pressed against the rear edge BE of the packaging bag P to push the packaging bag P toward the support flange 11B, and a connecting piece 15B that is connected perpendicular to the curved piece 15A, and the connecting piece 15B is connected to the piston rod 17A of the bending drive source 17. The bending drive source 17 is constituted by, for example, a piston-cylinder mechanism, and the bending piece 15A moves back and forth in the bending gap 11C via the connecting piece 15B as the piston rod 17A extends and retracts.

[0016] 2, the bending piece 15A shown by a solid line that is separated from the trailing edge BE of the packaging bag P is in a standby position, and the bending piece 15A shown by an imaginary line that enters the bending gap 11C and contacts the trailing edge BE of the packaging bag P is in a bending position that bends the packaging bag P. The bending piece 15A reciprocates between the standby position and the bending position.

[0017] [Positioning elements: Figure 3, Figure 2] 3 and 2, the main body 10 includes a pair of positioning guides 21, 21 that move and position the packaging bag P placed on the plate main body 11A in the widthwise direction S of the packaging bag P, and a positioning drive source 23 that moves the positioning guides 21, 21 back and forth in the widthwise direction S. The positioning guides 21 and the positioning drive source 23 correspond to elements that position the packaging bag P. The positioning drive source 23 supports the curving drive source 17 via a support body 19. The positioning guide 21 includes a positioning piece 21A that is pressed against the side edge SE in the short direction S of the packaging bag P to push the packaging bag P toward the center in the short direction S, and a connecting piece 21B that is connected to the positioning piece 21A, and the connecting piece 21B is connected to the piston rod 23A of the positioning drive source 23. The positioning drive source 23 is, for example, composed of a piston-cylinder mechanism, and piston rods 23A, 23A are provided on both sides in the short-side direction S of the packaging bag P. Positioning guides 21, 21 are connected to the piston rods 23A, 23A, respectively. As the piston rods 23A, 23A extend and retract, the positioning pieces 21A, 21A move back and forth in the positioning gap 11D via the connecting pieces 21B, 21B.

[0018] 2, the positioning piece 21A shown by a solid line away from the side edge SE of the packaging bag P is in a standby position, and the positioning piece 21A shown by an imaginary line in contact with the side edge SE of the packaging bag P is in a positioning position for positioning the packaging bag P. The positioning piece 21A moves back and forth between the standby position and the positioning position.

[0019] [Lifting element: Figure 1, Figure 3] 1 and 3, the main body 10 includes an elevation drive source 25 that raises and lowers the bending elements (bending guide 15, bending drive source 17) and the positioning elements (positioning guide 21, positioning drive source 23). The elevation drive source 25 is, for example, configured with a piston-cylinder mechanism, and includes a piston rod 25A that supports the positioning drive source 23. The extension and contraction of the piston rod 25A causes the bending elements and the positioning elements to move up and down.

[0020] [Transport unit 30: Figure 1] Next, the conveying section 30 will be described with reference to FIG. The conveying unit 30 receives the packaging bags P that have been bent and positioned in the main body unit 10 from the main body unit 10, and passes them to the grippers 120 that make up the filling machine. The conveying unit 30 changes the orientation of the packaging bags P received from the main body unit 10 by 90 degrees and passes them to the grippers 120. In this embodiment, as an example, three packaging bags P are simultaneously received from three main body units 10, and the received three packaging bags P are simultaneously passed to three pairs of grippers 120.

[0021] 1, the conveying unit 30 includes a plurality of suction cups 31 that suction-hold the positioned packaging bags P, support columns 33 that support the suction cups 31, and an elevation drive source 35 that reciprocates the support columns 33. As an example, a single-axis actuator driven by a servo motor is used as the elevation drive source 35. A rotation shaft 37 is provided at the tip of the elevation drive source 35, and the conveying unit 30 rotates clockwise and counterclockwise within a range of approximately 90 degrees around the rotation shaft 37 by the operation of an electric motor (not shown).

[0022] As shown in Fig. 1, the suction cups 31 receive the packaging bag P when the conveying unit 30 is oriented along the vertical direction V. When the conveying unit 30 rotates counterclockwise by approximately 90 degrees from that position, the suction cups 31 release the suction of the packaging bag P when the conveying unit 30 is oriented along the horizontal direction H, as shown in Figs. 7 and 8, and the packaging bag P is handed over to the gripper 120. Note that the side of the conveying unit 30 where the suction cups 31 are provided is referred to as the leading end, and the opposite side is referred to as the trailing end.

[0023] [Gripper: 120] The packaging bags P conveyed by the conveying section 30 are handed over to a set of two pairs of grippers 120. The grippers 120 constitute elements of a processing device 100 that can constitute, for example, a filling machine shown in FIG.

[0024] [Operation of positioning device 1A: Figures 4 to 8] Next, the operation of the positioning device 1A will be described with reference to Figures 4 to 8. The positioning device 1A curves and positions the packaging bag P through the following steps 1 to 8, and then transports it toward the gripper 120 and hands it over.

[0025] [Figure 4 STEP 1: Supply of packaging bag P] The packaging bag P conveyed by the supply rollers 13, 13 (FIGS. 1 and 2) is supplied to a processing position where its leading edge FE contacts the support flange 11B of the support plate 11. At this point, as shown in STEP 1 of FIG. 4, the curved piece 15A and the positioning piece 21A of the main body 10 are waiting at a standby position lower than the support plate 11 so as not to interfere with the conveyance and supply of the packaging bag P.

[0026] [Figure 4 STEP 2: Raising the main body 10] When the packaging bag P is supplied to a predetermined position on the support plate 11, the lifting drive source 25 is operated to raise the main body 10 to a position where bending and positioning can be performed, as shown in STEP 2 of Fig. 4. As a result, the upper ends of the bending pieces 15A and the positioning pieces 21A reach positions above the packaging bag P supported by the plate main body 11A. This position is called the operating position of the bending pieces 15A and the positioning pieces 21A.

[0027] [Figure 5 STEP 3: Curving of packaging bag P] When the packaging bag P is in the processing position and the bending piece 15A is in the operating position, the bending drive source 17 is driven to move the bending piece 15A toward the rear B, as shown in STEP 3 of FIG. 5 . After the bending piece 15A is pressed against the rear edge BE of the packaging bag P, it pushes the rear edge BE toward the support flange 11B. Because the front edge FE of the packaging bag P is abutted against the support flange 11B, the packaging bag P cannot move on the plate body 11A. Therefore, a curve CL that is convex upward is formed in the packaging bag P between the front edge FE and the rear edge BE. Between the front edge FE and the rear edge BE, that is, along the longitudinal direction L of the packaging bag P, the packaging bag P has a series of flat portions, upwardly convex curved CL, and flat portions. In this embodiment, this curve CL is referred to as being formed along the longitudinal direction L of the packaging bag P. A packaging bag P with a curve CL formed along the longitudinal direction L has a greater rigidity in the short-side direction S, specifically, a greater moment of inertia, compared to a packaging bag P that is entirely flat. In this embodiment, the positioning operation is performed in the region where the curvature CL is formed, where the moment of inertia of area is large.

[0028] [Figure 5 STEP 4: Positioning of packaging bag P] 5, while the curve CL is formed, the positioning drive source 23 is driven to narrow the gap between the pair of positioning pieces 21A, 21A to a predetermined distance, and the positioning pieces 21A, 21A are pressed against the side edges SE, SE of the packaging bag P to position it in the short-side direction S. The positioning pieces 21A, 21A contact the side edges SE, SE where the curve CL is formed. The region where the curve CL is formed has higher rigidity than the flat portion of the packaging bag P. Therefore, even if the positioning pieces 21A, 21A are pressed against the side edges SE, SE and a load is applied in the short-side direction S, the packaging bag P is not bent and is positioned while maintaining its shape.

[0029] [Figure 6 STEP 5, STEP 6: Suction and lifting of packaging bag P] Once the packaging bag P has been positioned after the formation of the curve CL, as shown in STEP 5 of Figure 6, the lifting drive source 35 is operated to lower the suction cup 31 to the packaging bag P, and the suction cup 31 adsorbs the packaging bag P. Next, as shown in STEP 6 of Figure 6, the lifting drive source 35 is operated to lift the suction cups 31. The packaging bag P, which is held by suction on the suction cups 31, is lifted upward from the plate body 11A. As the packaging bag P is thus separated from the plate body 11A, the mechanical constraint between the curved piece 15A and the support flange 11B is released. Therefore, the curve CL formed up to that point is released, and the packaging bag P becomes flat along the longitudinal direction L.

[0030] [Figure 7, Figure 8 STEP 7, STEP 8: Transport and delivery of packaging bag P] After lifting the packaging bag P, the conveying section 30, which had been aligned in the vertical direction V until then, is rotated counterclockwise by 90 degrees as shown in STEP 7 of Figure 7, so that the packaging bag P faces the pair of grippers 120. 8, the lifting drive source 35 is extended so that the packaging bag P reaches a predetermined position of the grippers 120, 120. The packaging bag P held by the grippers 120, 120 has an orientation along the vertical direction V, and while being held by the grippers 120, 120, the contents such as a beverage are filled inside the packaging bag P.

[0031] [Effects of positioning device 1A] Prior to positioning the packaging bag P in the short-side direction S, the positioning device 1A forms a curve CL in the packaging bag P in the long-side direction L. The area where the curve CL is formed is the area against which the positioning piece 21A is pressed for positioning. The area where the curve CL is formed has high rigidity in the short-side direction S where a load is applied by the positioning piece 21A, and is not easily deformed even when the positioning piece 21A is pressed against it, so the positioning device 1A can accurately position the packaging bag P.

[0032] [1B embodiment: Figs. 9 and 10] The configuration of a positioning device 1B for packaging bags P according to a first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 9, and then the operation of the positioning device 1B will be described with reference to FIG.

[0033] [Configuration of positioning device 1B: Figure 9] The positioning device 1B curves the packaging bag P arranged in the vertical direction V in the longitudinal direction L and then positions it in the short direction S. In the positioning device 1B shown in Fig. 9, only the part corresponding to the main body 10 of the positioning device 1A is shown, and the conveying unit 30, the gripper 120, etc. are omitted.

[0034] The positioning device 1B includes a gripping machine 41 that grips a gripping tube PH provided at one end of the packaging bag P in the longitudinal direction L along the vertical direction V and suspends the packaging bag P. The gripping machine 41 grips the packaging bag P so that the packaging bag P can move freely in the short side direction S thereof. The positioning device 1B positions the packaging bag P after it has been curved and is suspended by the gripping device 41. The gripping device 41 also has a function of supporting the packaging bag P so that it does not move upward in the vertical direction V when it is curved.

[0035] [Curved element: Figure 9] 9, the positioning device 1B includes a bending guide 43 that is positioned below the hanging packaging bag P and that pushes the packaging bag P toward the gripper 41 to bend the packaging bag P, and a bending drive source 45 that moves the bending guide 43 back and forth in the longitudinal direction L of the packaging bag P. The bending guide 43 and the bending drive source 45 correspond to elements that bend the packaging bag P.

[0036] In the positioning device 1B, as an example, a pair of bending guides 43, 43 are provided for one packaging bag P. The pair of bending guides 43, 43 are provided separately at both ends in the short-side direction S of the packaging bag P. This ensures that the packaging bag P can be curved reliably. However, in the present disclosure, the positions and number of bending guides 43 are arbitrary, as long as the required curvature can be formed, for example, only one bending guide 43 with a long dimension in the short-side direction S is provided in the center of the packaging bag P in the short-side direction S.

[0037] Each bending guide 43 includes a bending block 43A that is pressed against the trailing edge BE of the packaging bag P to push the packaging bag P toward the gripper 41, and a bending drive source 45 that has a piston rod 45A that supports the bending block 43A. A V-shaped groove 43V is formed in the bending block 43A to fix the position of the trailing edge BE during bending. The bending drive source 45 is constituted by a piston-cylinder mechanism, for example, and the piston rod 45A moves up and down along the vertical direction V, thereby moving the bending block 43A up and down in the vertical direction V.

[0038] [Positioning element: Figure 9] 9, the positioning device 1B includes a pair of positioning guides 47, 47 that position the packaging bag P hung from the gripper 41 in the widthwise direction S of the packaging bag P, and a positioning drive source 49 that moves the positioning guides 47, 47 back and forth in the widthwise direction S. The positioning guides 47 and the positioning drive source 49 correspond to elements that position the packaging bag P. The positioning guide 47 is pressed against the side edge SE of the packaging bag P in the short-side direction S, and pushes the packaging bag P toward the center in the short-side direction S. The positioning drive source 49 is a drive source that can move the positioning guide 47 back and forth within a predetermined range in the short-side direction S, such as an air cylinder or an electric motor.

[0039] 9, the positioning guide 47 shown by the solid line is in the standby position, and the positioning guide 47 shown by the dashed line that contacts the side edge SE of the packaging bag P is in the positioning position for positioning the packaging bag P. The positioning guide 47 rotates back and forth between the standby position and the positioning position.

[0040] [Operation of positioning device 1B: Figure 10] Next, the operation of the positioning device 1B will be described with reference to Fig. 10. Here, on the premise that the packaging bag P is already hung on the gripper 41, the operation of bending and positioning the packaging bag P will be described.

[0041] In STEP 1 of Figure 10, where the packaging bag P is hanging, the curved guide 43 is in a standby position away from the rear edge BE of the packaging bag P, and although not shown, the positioning guide 47 is also in a standby position away from the side edge SE of the packaging bag P. 10 , with both the curved guide 43 and the positioning guide 47 in the standby position, the curved guide 43 is raised to the operating position. This causes the curved guide 43 to press the packaging bag P toward the gripper 41, but the packaging bag P cannot move upward in the vertical direction V because it is supported by the gripper 41. Therefore, the packaging bag P becomes convex in the horizontal direction H between the leading edge FE and the trailing edge BE, and a curve CL is formed along the longitudinal direction L. Between the leading edge FE and the trailing edge BE, i.e., along the longitudinal direction L of the packaging bag P, a region where the curved CL is formed and a flat region are continuous, and the curved CL is formed in a partial region in the longitudinal direction L. A packaging bag P with a curved CL formed along the longitudinal direction L has a larger moment of area in the short side direction S than a packaging bag P that is entirely flat.

[0042] Next, the positioning guide 47 is moved to an operating position where it presses against the side edge SE of the portion of the curved portion CL where the rigidity in the short-side direction S has increased, thereby positioning the packaging bag P in the short-side direction S. STEP 1 in Fig. 10 shows the positioning guide 47 at the operating position, where the positioning guide 47 is pressed against the region where the curved portion CL is formed.

[0043] [Effects of positioning device 1B] The effects obtained by the positioning device 1B will be described below. Prior to positioning the packaging bag P in the short-side direction S, the positioning device 1A forms a curve CL in the packaging bag P in the longitudinal direction L. The area where the curve CL is formed is the area against which the positioning guide 47 is pressed for positioning. The area where the curve CL is formed has high rigidity in the short-side direction S, and is not easily deformed even when the positioning guide 47 is pressed against it and a load is applied, so the positioning device 1B can accurately position the packaging bag P.

[0044] Second Embodiment In the second embodiment, the packaging bag P is curved along the short-side direction S, thereby ensuring accuracy in positioning of the packaging bag P in the longitudinal direction L. Below, an example in which the packaging bag P is curved in a position along the vertical direction V will be described first as a second A embodiment, and then an example in which the packaging bag P is curved in a position along the horizontal direction H will be described as a second B embodiment. Note that the second embodiment will be described below focusing on the minimum elements required for curving and positioning. [2A embodiment: Figs. 11 and 12] The configuration of a positioning device 2A for packaging bags P according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 11, and then the operation of the positioning device 2A will be described with reference to FIG.

[0045] [Configuration of positioning device 2A: Figure 11] The positioning device 2A accurately positions the packaging bag P in the vertical direction V by curving the packaging bag P, which is arranged in the vertical direction V, in the short-side direction S. The positioning device 2A forms a curve CS along the short-side direction S in the packaging bag P placed on the positioning guide 53. To form the curve CS, as shown in Fig. 11, a pair of bending guides 51, 51 are provided that form a curve by pressing the packaging bag P placed on the positioning guide 53 toward the center in the short-side direction S. Each bending guide 51 can be moved back and forth in the horizontal direction H by a bending drive source (not shown). The positioning guide 53 is made of a member with a flat surface, is arranged along the horizontal direction H, and can be moved back and forth in the vertical direction V.

[0046] A gripper 120 is provided in association with the positioning device 2A. Here, a pair of grippers 120, 120 is shown corresponding to one packaging bag P. The grippers 120, 120 can be moved independently in the horizontal direction H by a conveying path 110, each of which is formed by a linear motor, for example.

[0047] 12, in STEP 1, a pair of curved guides 51 are pressed against the side edges SE of the packaging bag P placed on the positioning guide 53, and the curved guides 51 operate to narrow the gap in the horizontal direction H. Each of the side edges SE of the packaging bag P is pressed against the bottom of the V-shaped grooves 51V of the curved guides 51, and when the gap between the curved guides 51 becomes narrower than the dimension in the short-side direction S of the packaging bag P, a convex shape is formed in the thickness direction of the packaging bag P between one side edge SE and the other SE, and a curve CS is formed along the short-side direction S. This curve CS is formed over the entire area in the short-side direction S.

[0048] Here, when a thin-walled packaging bag P is placed on the positioning guide 53, it may be deformed in the longitudinal direction L due to its own weight, i.e., may bend. As a result, the distance in the vertical direction V from the positioning guide 53 to the leading edge FE of the packaging bag P becomes shorter than that of a packaging bag P that is not bent. As a result, the distance from the leading edge FE of the deformed packaging bag P to the gripper 120 becomes longer, and there is a risk that the packaging bag P will not reach the required position in the vertical direction V of the gripper 120. If this continues, the packaging bag P held by the grippers 120, 120 will be conveyed with its position shifted in the vertical direction V, which may result in failure in subsequent processing, for example, in filling the packaging bag P with contents such as a beverage.

[0049] However, in the positioning device 2A, the rear edge BE of the packaging bag P is placed on the positioning guide 53, so downward movement in the vertical direction V is restricted. Therefore, when the packaging bag P placed on the positioning guide 53 is bent in the short-side direction S by the bending guides 51, 51, even if the packaging bag P is bent at its waist, the bending in the short-side direction S corrects the bend. The packaging bag P that is flattened in this way has its front edge FE reach a correct position in the vertical direction V. In other words, in the positioning device 2A, the packaging bag that receives a load from the positioning guide 53 forms a bend CS in the short-side direction S and is simultaneously positioned in the longitudinal direction L. Thereafter, while the positions of the curved guides 51 are fixed, the positioning guide 53 is moved a predetermined distance upward in the vertical direction V, and as shown in STEP 2 of Fig. 12 , the packaging bag P is conveyed to an appropriate position relative to the grippers 120, 120, where it is gripped by the grippers 120, 120 and conveyed along the conveying path 110. Although an example has been described in which the positioning guide 53 is responsible for moving the packaging bag P toward the grippers 120, 120, this is not limiting. The packaging bag P can also be conveyed toward the grippers 120, 120 by moving the curved guides 51, 51 upward in the vertical direction V while maintaining the state of curvature CS by the curved guides 51, 51.

[0050] [Effects of positioning device 2A] The positioning device 2A can form a curve CS along the short side direction S of the packaging bag P, whose downward movement in the vertical direction V is restricted by the positioning guide 53, and simultaneously position the packaging bag P in the longitudinal direction L. Therefore, the packaging bag P, which is moved a predetermined distance upward in the vertical direction V, can be accurately and quickly positioned in the longitudinal direction L.

[0051] [Embodiment 2B: Figure 13] A positioning device 2B for a packaging bag P according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The positioning device 2B has the same configuration and operation as the positioning device 2A, except that the packaging bag P to be positioned is arranged along the horizontal direction H. That is, the packaging bag P, which is arranged along the horizontal direction H by being placed on a support plate 59 whose position is fixed, has its rear edge BE abutted against a positioning guide 57 provided along the horizontal direction H, and is restricted from moving rearward B. The positioning guide 57 is movable toward the grippers 120, 120.

[0052] 13 , in STEP 1, the pair of curved guides 55 are pressed against the side edges SE of the packaging bag P placed on the support plate 59, and the curved guides 55 move closer to each other so that the distance between them in the horizontal direction H becomes narrower. Each of the side edges SE of the packaging bag P is pressed against the bottom of the V-shaped grooves 55V of the curved guides 55. When the distance between the curved guides 55 becomes narrower than the dimension in the short-side direction S of the packaging bag P, a curve CS that is convex in the thickness direction of the packaging bag P and extends along the short-side direction S is formed between one side edge SE and the other side edge SE. At this time, the positioning guide 57 remains in its original position, but when the packaging bag P is transported toward the grippers 120, the positioning guide 57 moves toward the grippers 120. At this time, the positioning guide 57 presses the trailing edge BE of the packaging bag P toward the grippers 120.

[0053] Here, the thinned packaging bag P may be pushed by the positioning guide 57 and bent upward in the vertical direction V while being conveyed toward the grippers 120, 120. If this happens, the leading edge FE of the packaging bag P conveyed a predetermined distance will not reach the predetermined position of the gripper 120, and the packaging bag P may not reach the required position of the gripper 120, 120. If this continues, the packaging bag P held by the grippers 120, 120 will be conveyed with its position shifted in the horizontal direction H, and subsequent processing, for example, printing of the contents such as a beverage on the packaging bag P, may end up being unsuccessful.

[0054] However, in the positioning device 2B, the packaging bag P is curved in the widthwise direction S by the curve guides 55, 55, so even if the packaging bag P is pressed by the positioning guide 57 and receives a load, there is no risk of the packaging bag P being deformed upward in the vertical direction V. Moreover, since the trailing edge BE is pressed against the positioning guide 57, the leading edge FE reaches the correct position in the horizontal direction H. In other words, in the positioning device 2B, the packaging bag P is curved CS in the widthwise direction S and is simultaneously positioned in the longitudinal direction L. Thereafter, when the positioning guide 57 in addition to the curved guides 55 are moved a predetermined distance toward the grippers 120, the packaging bag P reaches an appropriate position relative to the grippers 120 and is gripped by the grippers 120, as shown in STEP 2 of FIG.

[0055] [Effects of positioning device 2B] The positioning device 2B can form a curve CS along the short side direction S of the packaging bag P, whose movement is restricted to the rearward direction B in the horizontal direction H by the positioning guide 57, and simultaneously position the packaging bag P in the longitudinal direction L. Therefore, the packaging bag P, which is moved a predetermined distance by the grippers 120, 120, can be positioned accurately and quickly in the longitudinal direction L.

[0056] Although the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, it is possible to select and discard the configurations described above, or to change to other configurations as appropriate. The packaging bag P positioned by the positioning device according to the present disclosure is delivered to a processing device 100 shown in Fig. 14, for example. The processing device 100 includes a conveying path 110 having an elliptical circular path, a plurality of grippers 120 that move along the conveying path 110, and a controller (not shown) that controls the movement of the grippers 120. The processing device 100 conveys bag-shaped packaging bags P as articles along the conveying path 110 while gripping both ends in the width direction with a pair of gripping claws 121, 121 of the grippers 120, and can convey the packaging bag P from the straight path 111 to a turnover path 115, and from the turnover path 115 to the straight path 113 while still gripped by the pair of gripping claws 121, 121. The conveying path 110 conveys the packaging bag P received on the straight path 111 in the order of the straight path 111, the inversion path 115, and the straight path 113, and performs predetermined processing in a processing area α of the straight path 111 and a processing area β of the straight path 113, respectively, such as decorating the packaging bag P in the processing area α and filling the packaging bag P with a beverage in the processing area β. The packaging bag P that has completed processing in the processing area β is transferred from the straight path 113 to the downstream side before reaching the inversion path 117.

[0057] Furthermore, the curvature CL produced by the positioning device 1A and the positioning device 1B described below is an example in which it is formed in only a portion of the longitudinal direction L of the packaging bag P. This is based on the buckling phenomenon that occurs in a long column. On the other hand, the curvature CS produced by the positioning device 1A and the positioning device 1B described below is an example in which it is formed in the entire short-side direction S of the packaging bag P. This is based on the fact that the dimension of the packaging bag P in the short-side direction S is short and buckling is unlikely to occur. In reality, the curvature occurs in part or all of the packaging bag P depending on conditions such as the dimensions in the longitudinal direction L and the short-side direction S and the strength of the material that constitutes the packaging bag P. In other words, the curvature CL may occur in the entire longitudinal direction L, and the curvature CS may occur in only a portion of the short-side direction S.

[0058] [Note] The method for positioning a packaging bag according to the present disclosure includes a first step of forming a deformation in the packaging bag (P) that increases the rigidity of the packaging bag (P) in the direction in which a load is applied due to positioning, and a second step of pressing a positioning guide (21) against the packaging bag (P) in which the deformation has been formed to position the packaging bag (P). According to this positioning method, even if a positioning guide for positioning is pressed against a thin-walled packaging bag, the bag is less likely to deform. Note that deformation according to the present disclosure includes not only curving but also twisting the packaging bag P. This twist can be formed, for example, by deforming the packaging bag P around the central axis of the packaging bag P in the longitudinal direction L as the center of twist.

[0059] The deformation of the first step in the present disclosure can be a curvature (CL, CS) formed in the packaging bag (P) along the horizontal direction (H) or a curvature (CL, CS) formed in the packaging bag (P) along the vertical direction (V). According to this positioning method, the packaging bag (P) can be curved as a deformation without being limited to that posture.

[0060] In the second step of the present disclosure, the packaging bag (P) can be positioned along the horizontal direction (H) or along the vertical direction (V). According to this positioning method, the packaging bag (P) can be positioned without being limited to that posture.

[0061] When the packaging bag (P) of the present disclosure has a longitudinal direction (L) and a transverse direction (S), in the first step, a curve (CL, CS) can be formed along the longitudinal direction (L), or a curve (CL, CS) can be formed along the transverse direction (S). According to this positioning method, the packaging bag P can be curved as a deformation without being limited to a direction in the packaging bag (P).

[0062] In the present disclosure, the curvature can be formed in part of the longitudinal direction (L) or the transverse direction (S) of the packaging bag (P), or can be formed in the entire longitudinal direction (L) or the transverse direction (S) of the packaging bag (P). According to this positioning method, it is possible to select the area in which the curve is to be formed in the packaging bag (P).

[0063] When the packaging bag (P) of the present disclosure has a longitudinal direction (L) and a transverse direction (S), in the second step, it can be positioned along the longitudinal direction (L) or along the transverse direction (S). According to this positioning method, the packaging bag (P) can be positioned without being limited by the direction of the packaging bag (P).

[0064] When the packaging bag (P) in the present disclosure has a longitudinal direction (L) and a transverse direction (S), the positioning guide (21) can be pressed against one edge of the packaging bag (P) in the longitudinal direction (L) to position it along the longitudinal direction (L), or the positioning guide (21) can be pressed against both side edges of the packaging bag (P) in the transverse direction (S) to position it along the transverse direction (S). According to this positioning method, the position to which the positioning guide (21) is pressed can be selected without being limited to the direction of the packaging bag (P).

[0065] In the second step of the present disclosure, the positioning guide (21) can be pressed against the area where the curves (CL, CS) of the packaging bag (P) are to be formed. According to this positioning method, unnecessary deformation of the packaging bag (P) can be avoided even when the positioning guide (21) is pressed against it.

[0066] In the present disclosure, the positioning in the second step can be performed after forming the curve in the first step, or the positioning in the second step can be performed while forming the curve in the first step. According to this positioning method, the timing of positioning can be selected depending on the direction in which positioning is performed.

[0067] The packaging bag positioning device according to the present disclosure includes a deformation element that causes a deformation in the packaging bag (P) so that the rigidity in the direction in which a load is applied to the packaging bag (P) due to positioning is increased; and a positioning element that presses a positioning guide (21) against the packaging bag (P) on which the deformations (CL, CS) are formed to position the packaging bag (P). According to this positioning device, even when the positioning guide (21) for positioning is pressed against a thin-walled packaging bag, the bag is unlikely to be deformed.

[0068] The deformation elements of the positioning device according to the present disclosure can form a curve (CL, CS) in the packaging bag (P) along the horizontal direction (H) or can form a curve (CL, CS) in the packaging bag (P) along the vertical direction (V). According to this positioning device, it is possible to form a curve as a deformation in the packaging bag (P) without being limited to that posture. [Explanation of symbols]

[0069] 1A,1B,2A,2B Positioning device 10 Main body 11 Support plate 11A Plate body 11B Support flange 11C Curved gap 11D Positioning gap 13 Supply roller 15 Curved guide 15A curved piece 15B Connecting piece 17 Bending drive source 17A Piston rod 19 Support 21 Positioning guide 21A Positioning piece 21B Connection piece 23 Positioning drive source 23A Piston rod 25 Lifting drive source 25A Piston Rod 30 Conveying section 31 Sucker 33 Support pillar 35 Lifting drive source 37 Rotation axis 41 Gripping machine 43 Curved guide 43A Curved Block 43B Connecting piece 45 Curving drive source 45A Piston Rod 47 Positioning guide 49 Positioning drive source 51 Curved guide 51V V groove 53 Positioning guide 55 curved guide 55V V groove 57 Positioning guide 59 Support plate 100 Processing equipment 110 Conveyor path 120 Gripper 121 Gripping claw α Processing area β Processing Area F forward B Back P packaging bag FE leading edge BE trailing edge SE side edge CL,CS curved L Longitudinal direction S short hand direction PH grip tube T thickness direction V vertical direction H horizontal direction

Claims

1. a first step of forming a curve in the packaging bag along a horizontal direction by positioning the packaging bag so that the rigidity of the packaging bag in a direction in which a load is applied thereto is increased; a second step of positioning the packaging bag in which the curve is to be formed; and a third step of lifting the curved and positioned packaging bag vertically upward.

2. a first step of forming a curve in the packaging bag along a vertical direction by positioning the packaging bag so that the rigidity of the packaging bag in a direction in which a load is applied thereto is increased; a second step of positioning the packaging bag on which the curve is to be formed.

3. A method for positioning a packaging bag as described in claim 2, wherein in the first step, the curvature is formed by pushing the rear edge of the packaging bag, which is suspended on the side of the front edge, vertically upward.

4. A method for positioning a packaging bag as described in claim 2, wherein in the first step, the curvature is formed by pressing the packaging bag from both horizontal edges.

5. A method for positioning a packaging bag as described in claim 2, wherein in the first step, the curvature is formed by pressing the packaging bag from both edges in the short side direction in the packaging bag having a short side direction along the horizontal direction and a long side direction perpendicular to the short side direction.

6. The packaging bag has a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction, In the first step, forming the curvature along the longitudinal direction, or forming the curvature along the short-side direction; The method for positioning a packaging bag according to claim 1 or 2.

7. The curvature is Formed in a part of the longitudinal or lateral direction of the packaging bag, or, Formed over the entire length or width of the packaging bag, The method for positioning a packaging bag according to claim 6.

8. The packaging bag has a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction, In the second step, Positioned along the longitudinal direction, or Positioning along the short side direction. The method for positioning a packaging bag according to claim 1 or 2.

9. A positioning guide is pressed against one edge of the packaging bag in the longitudinal direction to position the packaging bag along the longitudinal direction, or The positioning guides are pressed against both side edges of the packaging bag in the short-side direction to position the packaging bag along the short-side direction. The method for positioning a packaging bag according to claim 8.

10. In the second step, pressing the positioning guide against an area of ​​the packaging bag where the curve is to be formed; The method for positioning a packaging bag according to claim 9.

11. The positioning in the second step is performed after forming the curvature in the first step, or The positioning in the second step is performed while the curvature is being formed in the first step. The method for positioning a packaging bag according to claim 1 or 2.

12. a deformation element that forms a deformation in the packaging bag along a horizontal direction such that the rigidity of the packaging bag in a direction in which a load is applied is increased by positioning; a positioning element that presses a positioning guide against the packaging bag to be curved, thereby positioning the packaging bag; a lifting element that lifts the curved and positioned packaging bag vertically upward; A packaging bag positioning device comprising:

13. a deformation element that forms a curve in the packaging bag along a vertical direction so that the rigidity of the packaging bag in a direction in which a load is applied to the packaging bag increases due to positioning; a positioning element that presses a positioning guide against the packaging bag where the curve is to be formed, thereby positioning the packaging bag.

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