Packing equipment

Abstract

To provide a boxing device capable of boxing both of a single packaged article and a successive packaged article.SOLUTION: A boxing device (40) comprises: a conveying conveyor (20) that conveys a plurality of packaged articles in order; an accumulation unit (43) that accumulates a single packaged article as an individually independent packaged article, out of the packaged articles conveyed by the conveying conveyor; a folding unit (42) that folds a successive packaged articles obtained by mutually connecting a plurality of packaged articles, out of the packaged articles conveyed by the conveying conveyor; an input unit (44) that inputs the plurality of single packaged articles accumulated at the accumulation unit and the successive packaged articles folded at the folding unit into a box; and a controller that switches over between a single packaging mode for feeding the single packaged articles conveyed by the conveying conveyor to the accumulation unit and a successive packaging mode for feeding them to the folding unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a boxing device for packing packages into boxes. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, packaging machines that fill and package products into bags are configured to be switchable between a mode for producing multiple individually independent packages (hereinafter referred to as "single packages") and a mode for producing multiple packages that are connected to each other (hereinafter referred to as "connected packages").

[0003] In addition, in order to pack packaged products produced by such packaging machines into cardboard boxes, a boxing device dedicated to single packaged products that packs multiple single packaged products into a cardboard box (see, for example, Patent Document 1) and a boxing device dedicated to continuous packaged products that packs multiple continuous packaged products into a cardboard box (see, for example, Patent Document 2) have been developed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-225251 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-030615 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, when one packaging machine is used to produce both single packages and chain packages, a sorting device is required to sort the packages between a boxing device for single packages and a boxing device for chain packages, both installed downstream of the packaging machine. This poses the problem of the production line becoming larger and more complex. Furthermore, if the boxes are transferred manually instead of using a sorting device, the throughput of the entire production line decreases.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a boxing device capable of packing both single packages and continuous packages into boxes. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a transport conveyor that transports a plurality of packages in sequence; a stacking section that stacks single packages, which are individually independent packages, among the packages transported by the transport conveyor; a folding section that folds continuous packages, which are multiple packages connected to each other, among the packages transported by the transport conveyor; an input section that inputs the multiple single packages stacked in the stacking section and the continuous packages folded in the folding section into a box; and a box-loading device that loads the multiple packages transported by the transport conveyor. packaged goods and a controller for switching between a single package mode in which the packages are supplied to the stacking section and a continuous package mode in which the packages are supplied to the folding section. The folding unit is movable between a receiving position where it receives the packaged product from the transport conveyor and a retracted position where it does not receive the packaged product from the transport conveyor, and the accumulating unit is fixed at a position where it can receive the packaged product from the transport conveyor when the folding unit is at the retracted position, and the controller disposes the folding unit at the retracted position in the single package mode and disposes the folding unit at the receiving position in the continuous package mode. It is characterized by: [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, a boxing device capable of packing both single packages and continuous packages into boxes can be obtained. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side view of a packaging system. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a packaging system. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a side view of the transport conveyor and the packing device. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the pair of alignment conveyors and their surroundings. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a side view of the pair of alignment conveyors and their surroundings. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of the packing device. [Figure 9]FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the state in which the continuous package is folded at the folding section. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which the insertion unit has received the folded consecutive packets. [Figure 11] 10 is a diagram showing a state in which the inserting unit inserts the linked packets into a box. FIG. [Figure 12] 10 is a diagram showing a state in which the insertion unit has received a plurality of stacked single packages. FIG. [Figure 13] 10 is a diagram showing a state in which the insertion unit inserts a plurality of single-package items into a box. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

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

[0011] The packaging system 1 according to this embodiment is a system that fills bags with a product (e.g., bean confectionery, snack food), packages the bags filled with the product (hereinafter referred to as "packaged products P"), and packs the bags into boxes B. More specifically, the packaging system 1 is configured to be switchable between a single-package mode in which single-package products Pa, which are individually independent packaged products P, are produced and packed into boxes B, and a continuous-package mode in which multiple packaged products P are linked together to produce continuous-package products Pb, and pack the continuous-package products Pb into boxes B. Hereinafter, both the single-package products Pa and the continuous-package products Pb may be collectively referred to as "packaged products P."

[0012] Fig. 1 is a side view of the packaging system 1. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the packaging system 1. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the packaging system 1 mainly includes a packaging machine 10, a transport conveyor 20, a box former 30, a box packing device 40, a carry-out conveyor 50, a box sealing machine 60, and an inverting device 70.

[0013] The packaging machine 10 is a device that packages products in packaging material to produce packaged product P. The packaging machine 10 includes, for example, a product filling tube through which products supplied from a hopper pass, a vertical sealing device that seals both ends of strip-shaped packaging material that is overlapped along the outer periphery of the product filling tube, and a horizontal sealing device that seals portions of the strip-shaped packaging material formed into a cylindrical shape by the vertical sealing device that correspond to the top and bottom of bags containing products supplied through the product filling tube.

[0014] The packaging machine 10 according to this embodiment produces single packages Pa by cutting the boundaries of each package P with a horizontal sealing device. The packaging machine 10 also forms perforations at the boundaries between a predetermined number of packages P with the horizontal sealing device, and produces continuous packages Pb by cutting the boundaries between adjacent continuous packages Pb with the horizontal sealing device. The configuration of the packaging machine 10 is already well known, so a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0015] The transport conveyor 20 transports the packaged products P produced by the packaging machine 10 toward the boxing device 40. The transport conveyor 20 is inclined upward from the packaging machine 10 toward the boxing device 40. The transport conveyor 20 is made up of a supply conveyor 21, a sorting conveyor 22, and a pair of alignment conveyors 23a and 23b. Details of the transport conveyor 20 will be described later with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5.

[0016] In this specification, the main direction in which the packaged products P are transported by the transport conveyor 20 (the direction from right to left in FIGS. 1 and 2) is referred to as the "transport direction." Even when the transport conveyor 20 is inclined as in this embodiment, the horizontal direction from the packaging machine 10 toward the boxing device 40 is defined as the "transport direction." Furthermore, the direction perpendicular to the transport direction on a horizontal plane is referred to as the "width direction."

[0017] The box former 30 is a device that unfolds and forms a folded box B (cardboard box). The boxing device 40 is a device that packs packaged items P transported by the transport conveyor 20 into boxes B that have been formed by the box former 30. The discharge conveyor 50 is a device that transports out boxes B that have been packed with packaged items P by the boxing device 40. The sealing machine 60 is a device that seals boxes B that are transported out by the discharge conveyor 50. The inverting device 70 is a device that inverts boxes B that have been sealed by the sealing machine 60. The configurations of the box former 30, the discharge conveyor 50, the sealing machine 60, and the inverting device 70 are already known, so detailed description thereof will be omitted. Details of the boxing device 40 will be described later with reference to Figures 3 to 7.

[0018] Fig. 3 is a side view of the transport conveyor 20 and the packing device 40. Fig. 4 is a plan view of the pair of aligning conveyors 23a, 23b and the vicinity thereof. Fig. 5 is a side view of the pair of aligning conveyors 23a, 23b and the vicinity thereof.

[0019] 1 and 3, the transport conveyor 20 is arranged in the following order from the upstream side to the downstream side in the conveying direction: a supply conveyor 21, a sorting conveyor 22, and a pair of alignment conveyors 23a, 23b. The supply conveyor 21, the sorting conveyor 22, and the pair of alignment conveyors 23a, 23b rotate so that their upper surfaces (conveying surfaces) move in the conveying direction when a driving force from a conveyor motor 24 (see FIG. 8) is transmitted thereto.

[0020] 3, a part of the transport conveyor 20 (the downstream side of the supply conveyor 21, the sorting conveyor 22, and the pair of alignment conveyors 23a, 23b) is arranged inside the frame 41 of the packing device 40. Hereinafter, the transport conveyor 20 arranged inside the frame 41 will be treated as a component of the packing device 40.

[0021] The supply conveyor 21 constitutes a part of the upstream side of the transport conveyor 20 in the transport direction. The sorting conveyor 22 is arranged adjacent to the downstream end of the supply conveyor 21. The pair of aligning conveyors 23a, 23b are arranged adjacent to the downstream end of the sorting conveyor 22 and constitute the downstream end of the transport conveyor 20. In other words, the sorting conveyor 22 is adjacent to the pair of aligning conveyors 23a, 23b on the upstream side in the transport direction. As shown in FIG. 4, the pair of aligning conveyors 23a, 23b are arranged at positions spaced apart in the width direction. Furthermore, the sorting conveyor 22 is configured to be movable in the width direction by a sorting motor 25 (see FIG. 8).

[0022] In the single package mode, the controller 100 drives the sorting motor 25 to reciprocate the sorting conveyor 22 in the width direction so that the sorting conveyor 22 alternately faces the pair of aligning conveyors 23a, 23b. As a result, the sorting conveyor 22 alternately sorts the multiple single packaged products Pa produced by the packaging machine 10 to the pair of aligning conveyors 23a, 23a. Furthermore, in the continuous package mode, the controller 100 positions the sorting conveyor 22 in the center in the width direction (a position facing both of the pair of aligning conveyors 23a, 23b). As a result, the sorting conveyor 22 supplies the continuous packaged products Pb produced by the packaging machine 10 so that they straddle the pair of aligning conveyors 23a, 23b.

[0023] 1, a weight checker 26 and a height measuring device 27 are provided along the conveying path of the transfer conveyor 20. The weight checker 26 measures the weight of the packaged product P on the supply conveyor 21 and outputs the measurement result to a controller 100 (see FIG. 8), which will be described later. The height measuring device 27 measures the height of the packaged product P on the supply conveyor 21 and outputs the measurement result to the controller 100. If the weight measured by the weight checker 26 is outside the allowable range or if the height measured by the height measuring device 27 is outside the allowable range, the controller 100 stops the transfer conveyor 20 and notifies an operator to remove the packaged product P that is outside the allowable range.

[0024] 3, the packing device 40 mainly includes a frame 41, a folding unit 42, a stacking unit 43, and an input unit 44. The frame 41 supports the folding unit 42, the stacking unit 43, the input unit 44, part of the transport conveyor 20, part of the discharge conveyor 50, and a direction change unit 80, which will be described later.

[0025] The folding unit 42 folds the continuous package Pb conveyed by the transport conveyor 20 at the perforations. The folding unit 42 is disposed adjacent to the downstream ends of the pair of aligning conveyors 23a, 23b (i.e., the transport conveyor 20) on the downstream side in the transport direction. The folding unit 42 is disposed upstream in the transport direction from the imaginary line L shown in Figures 11 and 13. The folding unit 42 is configured to be able to move up and down between a receiving position shown in Figures 9 to 11 and a retracted position shown in Figures 12 and 13. The retracted position is a position above the receiving position.

[0026] The receiving position is a position where the continuous package Pb can be received from the downstream ends of the pair of aligning conveyors 23a, 23b in the conveying direction. In other words, the upper surface of the folding unit 42 at the receiving position is aligned with the upper surfaces of the pair of aligning conveyors 23a, 23b in the vertical direction. The retracted position is a position above the pair of aligning conveyors 23a, 23b. In other words, the folding unit 42 at the retracted position cannot receive the continuous package Pb from the pair of aligning conveyors 23a, 23b.

[0027] Fig. 6 is a perspective view of folding unit 42. As shown in Figs. 4 to 6, folding unit 42 mainly includes a pair of conveyor belts 421a, 421b, a vacuum box 422 (suction unit), a pair of folding claws 423a, 423b, a pair of guide plates 424a, 424b, a pair of belt motors 425a, 425b (see Fig. 8), and rotary actuators 426a, 426b (see Fig. 8).

[0028] The pair of conveyor belts 421a, 421b are arranged spaced apart in the width direction. Furthermore, the pair of conveyor belts 421a, 421b are connected to the downstream ends of the pair of alignment conveyors 23a, 23b when at the receiving position. The pair of conveyor belts 421a, 421b are looped around pulleys spaced apart in the conveyance direction and rotate. Furthermore, the pair of conveyor belts 421a, 421b rotate so that their upper surfaces (conveyance surfaces) move in the conveyance direction when the driving force of the pair of belt motors 425a, 425b is transmitted thereto.

[0029] The vacuum box 422 is disposed inside the pair of annular conveyor belts 421a, 421b. The vacuum box 422 is connected to a blower 91 (see FIG. 8) via a solenoid valve 93. The vacuum box 422 opens upward. When the blower 91 is driven, the vacuum box 422 sucks air above the pair of conveyor belts 421a, 421b. As a result, the continuous package Pb supported on the upper surfaces of the pair of conveyor belts 421a, 421b is sucked downward.

[0030] The pair of folding claws 423a, 423b are disposed between the pair of conveyor belts 421a, 421b. The pair of folding claws 423a, 423b are disposed spaced apart in the conveyance direction with the vacuum box 422 sandwiched between them. The pair of folding claws 423a, 423b are configured to be rotatable about a rotation axis extending in the width direction. The pair of folding claws 423a, 423b are changed in position independently between the retracted position shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 and the folded position shown in FIG. 9 by transmitting the driving force of rotary actuators 426a, 426b.

[0031] The submerged position is a position in which the pair of folding claws 423a, 423b are entirely positioned below the upper surfaces of the pair of conveyor belts 421a, 421b. The submerged position is a position in which the pair of folding claws 423a, 423b are not in contact with the continuous package Pb supported by the pair of conveyor belts 421a, 421b. The submerged position is a position in which the tips of the pair of folding claws 423a, 423b face in the opposite direction to the conveying direction. Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the tip of the folding claw 423a, which is located upstream in the conveying direction, is accommodated between the pair of alignment conveyors 23a, 23b when in the submerged position.

[0032] The folding position is a position in which the tips of the pair of folding claws 423a, 423b protrude above the upper surfaces of the pair of conveyor belts 421a, 421b. The folding position is also a position in which the tips of the pair of folding claws 423a, 423b are close to each other. Furthermore, the folding position is a position when the pair of folding claws 423a, 423b fold the continuous package Pb.

[0033] 5, while the string of packages Pb is supported across the pair of alignment conveyors 23a, 23b and the pair of transport belts 421a, 421b (FIGS. 5 and 11), the pair of folding claws 423a, 423b change their position from the retracted position to the folded position (FIG. 9). As a result, of the multiple packages P that make up the string of packages Pb, the packages P at both ends are folded back at the perforations so as to overlap the central package P. The pair of folding claws 423a, 423b change their position at different times.

[0034] The pair of guide plates 424a, 424b are arranged on both sides of the pair of conveyor belts 421a, 421b in the width direction. The pair of guide plates 424a, 424b protrude upward from the upper surfaces of the pair of conveyor belts 421a, 421b and extend in the conveyance direction. The pair of guide plates 424a, 424b are configured to be movable in the width direction (i.e., move toward and away from each other). The widthwise position of the continuous package Pb supported by the pair of conveyor belts 421a, 421b can be adjusted by changing the distance between the pair of guide plates 424a, 424b to match the width of the continuous package Pb.

[0035] The folding unit 42 is raised and lowered between a receiving position and a retracted position by a pair of guide rods 427a, 427b, a connecting member 428, and an air cylinder 429. The pair of guide rods 427a, 427b extend in the vertical direction on both sides of the width direction of the pair of conveyor belts 421a, 421b. The pair of guide rods 427a, 427b also support the folding unit 42 so that it can be raised and lowered. The connecting member 428 connects the upper ends of the pair of guide rods 427a, 427b. The air cylinder 429 generates a driving force for raising and lowering the folding unit 42 along the pair of guide rods 427a, 427b. In other words, the folding unit 42 is raised and lowered along the pair of guide rods 427a, 427b by the extension and contraction of the air cylinder 429.

[0036] The internal space of guide rod 427 is part of an air passage connecting vacuum box 422 and blower 91 (more specifically, solenoid valve 93). That is, by driving blower 91, air sucked through vacuum box 422 flows through the internal space of guide rod 427. For example, an opening (not shown) is formed in the side surface of guide rod 427. When folding unit 42 is located at the receiving position, vacuum box 422 and the internal space of guide rod 427 communicate with each other through the opening. On the other hand, when folding unit 42 is located at the retracted position, communication between vacuum box 422 and the internal space of guide rod 427 is blocked.

[0037] The stacking unit 43 stacks a predetermined number of single packages Pa conveyed in order by the transport conveyor 20. As shown in Fig. 3, the stacking unit 43 is disposed below the downstream ends of the pair of alignment conveyors 23a, 23b. The stacking unit 43 extends downstream in the conveyance direction. The stacking unit 43 also extends directly above the boxes B into which the packages P are waiting to be inserted by the insertion unit 44.

[0038] 9 to 11, the stacking unit 43 is fixed below the folding unit 42 at the receiving position. That is, the packaged product P being transported on the transport conveyor 20 is supplied to the folding unit 42 when the folding unit 42 is at the receiving position, and is supplied to the stacking unit 43 when the folding unit 42 is at the retracted position.

[0039] Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the stacking unit 43. As shown in Fig. 7, the stacking unit 43 mainly includes a pair of first endless chains 431a, 431b, a pair of second endless chains 432a, 432b, stacking tables 433, 434, and circulating motors 435, 436 (see Fig. 8). The number of stacking tables 433, 434 is not limited to two, and may be one, or three or more.

[0040] The pair of first endless chains 431a, 431b are arranged spaced apart in the width direction. The pair of first endless chains 431a, 431b are looped around pulleys spaced apart in the conveyance direction and rotate. The pair of first endless chains 431a, 431b rotate so that their upper surfaces move in the conveyance direction when the driving force of a rotating motor 435 is transmitted to them. The pair of first endless chains 431a, 431b also support the accumulation table 433 at a portion of their circumference.

[0041] The pair of second endless chains 432a, 432b are arranged on the inside of the pair of first endless chains 431a, 431b and spaced apart in the width direction. The pair of second endless chains 432a, 432b are looped around pulleys spaced apart in the conveyance direction and rotate. The pair of second endless chains 432a, 432b rotate so that their upper surfaces move in the conveyance direction when the driving force of a rotating motor 436 is transmitted to them. The pair of second endless chains 432a, 432b also support the accumulation table 434 at a portion of their circumferential direction.

[0042] The accumulation tables 433, 434 have an area large enough to support a plurality of single packages Pa together. More specifically, the accumulation tables 433, 434 are sized in the conveyance direction so that they can support a plurality of single packages Pa side by side. Furthermore, the accumulation tables 433, 434 are sized in the width direction so that they can receive single packages Pa from both of the pair of alignment conveyors 23a, 23b. Furthermore, the accumulation tables 433, 434 rotate independently of each other.

[0043] The accumulation table 433 rotates between the accumulation area shown in Figures 9 to 13, the receiving area shown in Figure 12, and the waiting area shown in Figures 9 to 11 and 13. The accumulation area and the receiving area are located above the first endless chains 431a and 431b. Furthermore, the waiting area is located below the first endless chains 431a and 431b. Furthermore, the accumulation area and the waiting area are located outside the receiving area in the conveying direction.

[0044] The accumulation area is a position facing the downstream ends of the pair of alignment conveyors 23a, 23b in the vertical direction. The receiving area is a position downstream of the accumulation area in the conveying direction. In other words, the receiving area is a position on the imaginary line L shown in Figures 11 and 13. The waiting area is a position upstream of the imaginary line L shown in Figures 11 and 13 in the conveying direction.

[0045] As shown in Figures 12 and 13, the accumulation table 433 in the accumulation area can support single packages Pa supplied from the pair of aligning conveyors 23a, 23b. Each time a single package Pa is supplied, it moves downstream in the conveying direction, shifting the position on the accumulation table 433 facing the downstream ends of the pair of aligning conveyors 23a, 23b, allowing multiple single packages Pa to be stacked side by side in the conveying direction. The accumulation table 433 in the receiving area receives the multiple stacked single packages Pa at the insertion unit 44. The accumulation table 433 in the waiting area does not prevent other accumulation tables 433 from stacking single packages Pa (Figure 11), nor does it prevent the insertion unit 44 from moving to the insertion position (see Figures 11 and 13). The same is true for the accumulation table 434.

[0046] The insertion unit 44 receives the chain of packages Pb folded by the folding unit 42 and the plurality of single packages Pa accumulated by the accumulation unit 43. The insertion unit 44 also inserts the received packages P into a box B. As shown in FIG. 5, the insertion unit 44 mainly includes an arm 441, a vacuum pad 442, a slide motor 443 (see FIG. 8), and an elevation motor 444 (see FIG. 8).

[0047] The arm 441 is supported by the frame 41 in a state in which it extends in the vertical direction. The driving force of a slide motor 443 is transmitted to the arm 441, causing it to slide in the conveyance direction. The driving force of a lifting motor 444 is transmitted to the arm 441, causing it to move up and down. The origin position of the arm 441 is set at the end on the downstream side in the conveyance direction (i.e., the position furthest from the folding unit 42).

[0048] The vacuum pad 442 is attached to the lower end of the arm 441. The vacuum pad 442 is connected to a blower 92 (see FIG. 8) through a solenoid valve 94. The vacuum pad 442 sucks air from the bottom when the blower 92 is driven. As a result, the packaged product P located directly below the vacuum pad 442 is sucked onto the vacuum pad 442.

[0049] The input unit 44 (more specifically, the vacuum pad 442) is configured to be movable between a first receiving position shown in Fig. 10, a second receiving position shown in Fig. 12, and a input position shown in Fig. 11 and Fig. 13 by a slide motor 443 and an elevation motor 444. In addition, the input unit 44 passes between the pair of second endless chains 432a, 432b in the process of moving between the first receiving position (or the second receiving position) and the input position.

[0050] The first receiving position is a position directly above the folding section 42 at the receiving position. The first receiving position is a position where the folded consecutive packages Pb are received from the folding section 42. The second receiving position is a position downstream in the conveying direction from the first receiving position and below the first receiving position. The second receiving position is a position directly above the accumulation tables 433, 434 in the receiving area. The second receiving position is a position where the accumulated single packages Pa are received from the accumulation tables 433, 434 in the receiving area. The insertion position is a position downstream in the conveying direction from the first receiving position and below the first and second receiving positions. The insertion position is a position where the received packages P are inserted into a box B.

[0051] It is desirable to set a second receiving position on the movement path of the insertion section 44 between the first receiving position and the insertion position. It is also desirable that the second receiving position is located directly above the insertion position. Furthermore, the insertion position may shift in the conveying direction and width direction within the range of the bottom surface of the box B, but here it is collectively referred to as the "insertion position."

[0052] As shown in FIG. 3, the packing device 40 further includes a direction changer 80. The direction changer 80 is disposed above the supply conveyor 21. In the single package mode, the direction changer 80 sucks in the single-package products Pa on the supply conveyor 21, rotates them about an axis perpendicular to the conveying surface of the supply conveyor 21, and places them back on the supply conveyor 21. On the other hand, in the continuous package mode, the direction changer 80 does not operate. The direction changer 80 mainly includes a housing 81, arms 82a and 82b, vacuum pads 83a and 83b, and a rotation motor 84 (see FIG. 8).

[0053] The housing 81 houses a rotary motor 84 and a drive force transmission mechanism (not shown). The housing 81 also rotatably supports arms 82a and 82b. The arms 82a and 82b are spaced apart in the conveyance direction. The arms 82a and 82b extend from the housing 81 toward the supply conveyor 21. The arms 82a and 82b rotate around the direction in which the arms 82a and 82b extend. Vacuum pads 83a and 83b are attached to the tips (lower ends) of the arms 82a and 82b. The vacuum pads 83a and 83b are connected to a blower 91 via a solenoid valve 93. The vacuum pads 83a and 83b suck air from below when the blower 91 is driven.

[0054] The single-package products Pa are supplied from the packaging machine 10 to the supply conveyor 21 with the sides cut by the horizontal sealing device facing the conveying direction. When the single-package products Pa on the supply conveyor 21 reach a position facing the vacuum pads 83a and 83b, the controller 100 connects the blower 91 to the vacuum pads 83a and 83b. As a result, the single-package products Pa on the supply conveyor 21 are sucked by the vacuum pads 83a and 83b and separated from the supply conveyor 21.

[0055] Next, the controller 100 drives the rotation motor 84 to rotate the arms 82a and 82b by 90°. As a result, the package Pa sucked into the vacuum pads 83a and 83b is rotated by 90° so that the cut edge faces the width direction. Furthermore, the controller 100 disconnects the blower 91 from the vacuum pads 83a and 83b, thereby releasing the package Pa from the vacuum pads 83a and 83b and placing it back on the supply conveyor 21.

[0056] In addition, the direction change unit 80 in this embodiment has two arms 82a, 82b and two vacuum pads 83a, 83b so that it can change the direction of two single-package items Pa simultaneously, but the numbers of arms 82a, 82b and vacuum pads 83a, 83b are not limited to this.

[0057] Fig. 8 is a hardware configuration diagram of the packing device 40. As shown in Fig. 8, the packing device 40 includes a controller 100. The controller 100 controls the operation of the packing device 40. Alternatively, the controller 100 may control the operation of the entire packaging system 1 in a centralized manner.

[0058] The controller 100 includes, for example, a CPU 101 (Central Processing Unit) which is a calculation means, and a memory 102 (ROM, RAM, HDD, etc.) which stores various programs. The CPU 101 may read and execute the programs stored in the memory 102 to realize each process described below.

[0059] However, the specific configuration of the controller 100 is not limited to this, and may be realized by hardware such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array).

[0060] The controller 100 drives the conveyor motor 24, the sorting motor 25, the rotation motor 84, the belt motors 425a, 425b, the rotary actuators 426a, 426b, the air cylinder 429, the orbiting motors 435, 436, the slide motor 443, and the lift motor 444. The controller 100 also drives the blowers 91, 92 to suck the packaged products P into the vacuum pads 83a, 83b, 442 and the vacuum box 422. The controller 100 also switches the states of the solenoid valves 93, 94 to switch the connection states between the blowers 91, 92 and the vacuum pads 83a, 83b, 442 and the vacuum box 422.

[0061] More specifically, the solenoid valve 93 is disposed on the air flow path between the blower 91 and the vacuum pads 83a, 83b and the vacuum box 422. The solenoid valve 93 can be switched among a first connection state in which the blower 91 is connected to the vacuum pads 83a, 83b, a second connection state in which the blower 91 is connected to the vacuum box 422, and a shut-off state in which the blower 91 is connected to the atmosphere (a state in which the blower 91 is not connected to any of the vacuum pads 83a, 83b or the vacuum box 422).

[0062] In the single-packaging mode, the controller 100 switches the solenoid valve 93 between the first connected state and the disconnected state, causing the blower 91 to exhaust air from the vacuum pads 83a and 83b at a predetermined timing. In the multiple-packaging mode, the controller 100 switches the solenoid valve 93 between the second connected state and the disconnected state, causing the blower 91 to exhaust air from the vacuum box 422 at a predetermined timing.

[0063] The solenoid valve 94 is disposed in the air flow path between the blower 92 and the vacuum pad 442. The solenoid valve 94 can be switched between a connected state in which the blower 92 and the vacuum pad 442 are connected, and a cut-off state in which the blower 91 is in communication with the atmosphere (a state in which the blower 91 is not connected to the vacuum pad 442). The controller 100 switches the solenoid valve 94 between the connected state and the cut-off state, thereby causing the blower 92 to exhaust air from the vacuum pad 442 at a predetermined timing.

[0064] The operation of the boxing device 40 in the chain package mode will be described with reference to Figures 9 to 11. Figure 9 is a diagram showing the chain package Pb folded by the folding unit 42. Figure 10 is a diagram showing the folded chain package Pb received by the insertion unit 44. Figure 11 is a diagram showing the insertion unit 44 inserting the chain package Pb into a box B.

[0065] First, in response to an operator selecting the continuous package mode via an operation panel (not shown), the controller 100 places the folding unit 42 in the receiving position, places the pair of folding claws 423a, 423b in a retracted position, and places the feeding unit 44 above the first receiving position. The controller 100 also positions the sorting conveyor 22 facing both of the pair of alignment conveyors 23a, 23b. The controller 100 also places the accumulation tables 433, 434 in positions (accumulation area, standby area) away from the receiving position and stops the first endless chains 431a, 431b and the second endless chains 432a, 432b. The controller 100 also drives the blowers 91, 92 and shuts off the solenoid valves 93, 94 (leaving the blowers 91, 92 open to the atmosphere).

[0066] The controller 100 then drives the transport conveyor 20 and the pair of transport belts 421a, 421b. As a result, the continuous package Pb produced by the packaging machine 10 is supplied to the pair of transport belts 421a, 421b via the transport conveyor 20. At this time, the continuous package Pb is positioned across the pair of alignment conveyors 23a, 23b and the pair of transport belts 421a, 421b in the width direction. The position of the continuous package Pb in the width direction is adjusted by the pair of guide plates 424a, 424b.

[0067] Next, when the leading edge of the continuous package Pb reaches the upstream end of the pair of conveyor belts 421a, 421b in the conveying direction, the controller 100 switches the solenoid valve 93 to the second connected state (a state in which the blower 91 and vacuum box 422 are connected) to cause the vacuum box 422 to suck in the continuous package Pb. This prevents the continuous package Pb from going too far downstream from the position spanning the pair of alignment conveyors 23a, 23b and the pair of conveyor belts 421a, 421b, as shown in Figure 11. In other words, the continuous package Pb can be positioned between the pair of folding claws 423a, 423b in the conveying direction.

[0068] Then, when the continuous package Pb is supported across the pair of alignment conveyors 23a, 23b and the pair of transport belts 421a, 421b in the transport direction, the controller 100 sequentially changes the position of the pair of folding claws 423a, 423b from the immersed position to the folded position, whereby the continuous package Pb is folded on the pair of transport belts 421a, 421b, as shown in FIG.

[0069] Next, the controller 100 switches the solenoid valve 93 to a disconnected state, causing the pair of folding claws 423a, 423b to change from the folded position to the retracted position. Then, the controller 100 places the input unit 44 at the first receiving position and switches the solenoid valve 94 to a connected state (a state in which the blower 92 and the vacuum pad 442 are connected). As a result, as shown in FIG. 10, the chain of packages Pb folded on the pair of conveyor belts 421a, 421b are sucked onto the vacuum pad 442. That is, the input unit 44 at the first receiving position receives the chain of packages Pb folded on the pair of conveyor belts 421a, 421b from the folding unit 42.

[0070] Next, the controller 100 moves the insertion unit 44 from the first receiving position to the insertion position and switches the solenoid valve 94 to the shutoff state. As a result, the folded chain of packages Pb is inserted into box B, as shown in Figure 11. That is, the insertion unit 44 at the insertion position inserts the chain of packages Pb received from the folding unit 42 into box B. In parallel with this process, the next chain of packages Pb is supplied to the folding unit 42.

[0071] Next, the controller 100 moves the input unit 44 from the input position to the first receiving position. Then, the controller 100 repeatedly executes the above-described process. As a result, the multiple packages Pb transported by the transport conveyor 20 are folded and stored in order into boxes B. Note that in the continuous package mode, the accumulation tables 433, 434 are outside the receiving area, so the input unit 44 can pass between the pair of second endless chains 432a, 432b without being obstructed by the accumulation tables 433, 434.

[0072] The operation of the packing device 40 in the single package mode will be described with reference to Figures 12 and 13. Figure 12 is a diagram showing the state in which the insertion unit 44 has received a plurality of accumulated single packages Pa. Figure 13 is a diagram showing the state in which the insertion unit 44 inserts a plurality of single packages Pa into a box B.

[0073] First, in response to the operator selecting the single package mode via the operation panel (not shown), the controller 100 places the folding unit 42 in the retracted position, places the accumulation table 433 in the accumulation area, and places the input unit 44 in the second receiving position. The controller 100 also causes the sorting conveyor 22 to move back and forth in the width direction. Furthermore, the controller 100 drives the blowers 91 and 92 and puts the solenoid valves 93 and 94 into a shutoff state (a state in which the blowers 91 and 92 are connected to the atmosphere).

[0074] The controller 100 then drives the transport conveyor 20. The controller 100 also drives the direction changer 80 (i.e., switches the solenoid valve 93 to the first connected state, rotates the arms 82a and 82b by 90 degrees, and switches the solenoid valve 93 to the disconnected state), causing the packages Pa on the transport conveyor 20 to rotate by 90 degrees. As a result, the packages Pa produced by the packaging machine 10 are aligned in two rows on the pair of alignment conveyors 23a and 23b and supplied to the accumulation table 433 in the accumulation area. Furthermore, the controller 100 moves the accumulation table 433 a predetermined distance (the width of the packages Pa) in the transport direction within the accumulation area each time a package Pa is supplied to the accumulation table 433.

[0075] Next, the controller 100 moves the accumulation table 433 to the receiving area in response to a predetermined number of single packages Pa being accumulated on the accumulation table 433. Next, the controller 100 switches the solenoid valve 94 to the connected state in response to the accumulation table 433 reaching the receiving area. As a result, as shown in FIG. 12 , the multiple single packages Pa accumulated on the accumulation table 433 are sucked together by the vacuum pad 442. That is, the input unit 44 at the second receiving position collectively receives the multiple single packages Pa accumulated on the accumulation table 433.

[0076] Next, the controller 100 moves the accumulation table 433 to the standby area. Next, when the accumulation table 433 moves out of the receiving area, the controller 100 moves the insertion unit 44 from the second receiving position to the insertion position and switches the solenoid valve 94 to the shutoff state. As a result, as shown in FIG. 13 , the accumulated multiple single package items Pa are collectively inserted into box B. That is, the insertion unit 44 at the insertion position collectively inserts the multiple single package items Pa received from the accumulation unit 43 into box B.

[0077] Furthermore, in response to the fact that the accumulation table 433 has moved out of the accumulation position, the controller 100 moves another accumulation table 434 to the accumulation area. Then, in parallel with the process of feeding the plurality of single packages Pa accumulated on the accumulation table 433 into a box B, the controller 100 executes a process of feeding the plurality of single packages Pa onto the accumulation table 433. Next, the controller 100 moves the feeding unit 44 from the feeding position to the second receiving position. Then, the controller 100 executes the above-described process repeatedly. As a result, the plurality of single packages Pa transported by the transport conveyor 20 are stacked in predetermined numbers and placed in a box B.

[0078] According to the above embodiment, for example, the following advantageous effects are achieved.

[0079] According to the above embodiment, by switching between the single package mode and the chain-like package mode and operating the packing device 40, which is equipped with both the folding unit 42 and the stacking unit 43, it is possible to pack both the single packages Pa and the chain-like packages Pb into boxes. Furthermore, since a sorting device for sorting packages into a packing device dedicated to single packages and a packing device dedicated to chain-like packages can be omitted, the configuration of the packaging system 1 is simplified. Furthermore, the throughput of the packaging system 1 is improved compared to sorting the single packages Pa and the chain-like packages Pb manually.

[0080] Furthermore, according to the above embodiment, the packing device 40 according to the present invention can be realized by improving an existing boxing device for single-package products by fixing the stacking unit 43 and raising and lowering the folding unit 42. In this way, by minimizing the improvements to the existing device, the above-mentioned effects can be achieved at low cost.

[0081] Furthermore, according to the above embodiment, by making the input unit 44 movable between the first receiving position, the second receiving position, and the input position, it is possible to reuse the input unit of an existing boxing device dedicated to chain-linked packages. Also, by setting the second receiving position on the movement path of the input unit 44 between the first receiving position and the input position, it is possible to minimize improvements to the existing input unit.

[0082] Furthermore, according to the above embodiment, by operating the packing device 40 in the procedure shown in Figures 9 to 11 in the continuous packing mode, and operating the packing device 40 in the procedure shown in Figures 12 and 13 in the single packing mode, the continuous packing mode and the single packing mode can be realized without the components of the packing device 40 interfering with each other.

[0083] Furthermore, according to the above embodiment, by setting the origin position of the input section 44 in the conveying direction downstream in the conveying direction, it is possible to prevent the input section 44 from interfering with the folding section 42 in the retracted position when returning to the origin.

[0084] Furthermore, according to the above embodiment, folding the continuous packages Pb supported across the pair of aligning conveyors 23a, 23b and the pair of conveyor belts 421a, 421b in the conveying direction can prevent the packing device 40 from becoming large in the conveying direction. The same effect can be obtained by storing the tip of the folding claw 423a in the retracted position between the pair of aligning conveyors 23a, 23b.

[0085] Furthermore, according to the above embodiment, the internal space of guide rod 427a is used as an air passage, thereby simplifying the configuration around folding unit 42. Furthermore, since folding unit 42 is not used in the single package mode and direction change unit 80 is not used in the continuous package mode, blower 91 can be used effectively by switching the connection destination of blower 91 with solenoid valve 93.

[0086] Furthermore, according to the above embodiment, the widthwise position of the continuous package Pb on the pair of conveyor belts 421a, 421b is adjusted by the pair of guide plates 424a, 424b, so that the continuous package Pb can be folded appropriately. [Explanation of symbols]

[0087] 1... packaging system, 10... packaging machine, 20... transport conveyor, 21... supply conveyor, 22... sorting conveyor, 23a, 23b... alignment conveyor, 24... conveyor motor, 25... sorting motor, 26... weight checker, 27... height measuring machine, 30... box making machine, 40... box packing device, 41... frame, 42... folding section, 43... accumulation section, 44... input section, 50... carry-out conveyor, 60... sealing machine, 70... inversion device, 80... direction change section, 81... housing, 82a, 82b, 411, 441... arm, 83a, 83b, 442... vacuum pad, 84... rotation motor, 91, 92... blower, 93, 94... solenoid Id valve, 100...controller, 101...CPU, 102...memory, 421a, 421b...conveyor belt, 422...vacuum box, 423a, 423b...folding claws, 424a, 424b...guide plates, 425a, 425b...belt motor, 426a, 426b...rotary actuator, 427a, 427b...guide rod, 428...connecting member, 429...air cylinder, 431a, 431b...first endless chain, 432a, 432b...second endless chain, 433, 434...accumulation table, 435, 436...circulating motor, 443...slide motor, 444...lifting motor

Claims

1. a conveyor that conveys a plurality of packaged products in sequence; a stacking unit that stacks individual packages, which are individually independent packages, among the packages transported by the transport conveyor; a folding unit that folds a continuous package in which a plurality of packages are connected to each other among the packages transported by the transport conveyor; an input unit that inputs the plurality of single packages accumulated in the accumulation unit and the continuous packages folded in the folding unit into a box; a controller for switching the packaged products conveyed by the conveyor between a single package mode in which the packaged products are supplied to the stacking section and a continuous package mode in which the packaged products are supplied to the folding section, The folding portion is a receiving position for receiving the packaged product from the transport conveyor; a retracted position from which the transport conveyor does not receive the packaged products, the stacking unit is fixed at a position where it can receive the packaged products from the transport conveyor when the folding unit is in the retracted position, The controller In the single package mode, the folding unit is placed at the retracted position, In the continuous packing mode, the folding unit is disposed at the receiving position.

2. 2. The packing device according to claim 1, The folding portion is the receiving position for receiving the continuous package from the downstream end of the transport conveyor in the transport direction; The conveyor is movable between the retracted position above the conveyor and the retracted position above the conveyor. The packing device is characterized in that the stacking unit is fixed below the folding unit at the receiving position.

3. 3. The packing device according to claim 2, The accumulation section is a pair of endless chains that rotate at positions spaced apart in a width direction perpendicular to the conveying direction; a stacking table supported by a portion of the pair of endless chains in the circumferential direction and configured to stack the plurality of single-package items supplied from the transport conveyor; The input unit is a first receiving position for receiving the folded packets from the folding unit; a second receiving position located downstream of the first receiving position in the conveying direction and configured to receive the plurality of accumulated single packages from the accumulation table; A boxing device characterized in that it is configured to be movable between a receiving position located below the second receiving position and a loading position where the received packaged products are loaded into boxes.

4. 4. The packing device according to claim 3, The controller, in the continuous package mode, stopping the rotation of the pair of endless chains at a position where the accumulation table is off an imaginary line that passes through the feeding position and extends in a vertical direction; The insertion unit at the first receiving position receives the folded packets; The feeding unit is moved to the feeding position through the gap between the pair of endless chains, A boxing device characterized in that the insertion section at the insertion position inserts the received chain of packets into a box.

5. 5. The packing device according to claim 3 or 4, The controller, in the single package mode, Rotating the pair of endless chains, causing the insertion unit at the second receiving position to receive the plurality of single-package items accumulated on the accumulation table; At a timing when the stacking table moves out of alignment with a virtual line that passes through the loading position and extends in a vertical direction, the loading section is moved to the loading position through a gap between the pair of endless chains, The boxing device is characterized in that the input section at the input position inputs the received plurality of single-package products into a box.

6. The packing device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, The boxing device according to claim 1, wherein the origin position of the input section in the conveying direction is set at the downstream end in the conveying direction.

7. The packing device according to any one of claims 2 to 6, The folding portion is a pair of conveyor belts arranged at positions spaced apart in a width direction perpendicular to the conveying direction and connected to a downstream end of the conveyor when the conveyor is at the receiving position; a suction unit disposed between the pair of conveyor belts and configured to suck downward the continuous packaged products supported by the pair of conveyor belts; a pair of folding claws that are disposed between the pair of conveyor belts at positions spaced apart in the conveying direction with the suction unit therebetween, and that rotate about a rotation axis extending in the width direction, thereby changing their position between a sunk position positioned below the upper surfaces of the pair of conveyor belts and a folded position in which their tips protrude above the upper surfaces of the conveyor belts and are close to each other; The controller folds the continuous package by changing the position of the pair of folding claws from the immersed position to the folded position while the continuous package is supported across the transport conveyor and the pair of transport belts.

8. 8. The packing device according to claim 7, The transport conveyor is a pair of aligning conveyors spaced apart in the width direction at downstream ends in the conveying direction; a sorting conveyor adjacent to the pair of alignment conveyors on the upstream side of the conveying direction and moving in the width direction, a tip end of the folding claw located on the upstream side in the conveying direction is accommodated between the pair of alignment conveyors when in the immersed posture; The controller In the single package mode, the sorting conveyor is reciprocated in the width direction to alternately sort the plurality of single packaged items onto the pair of aligning conveyors; In the continuous package mode, the sorting conveyor is positioned facing both of the pair of alignment conveyors, thereby supplying the continuous packaged products so as to straddle the pair of alignment conveyors.

9. 9. The packing device according to claim 7 or 8, A guide rod extending in the vertical direction to support the folding unit so that it can be raised and lowered; an actuator that raises and lowers the folding unit along the guide rod, The packing device is characterized in that the internal space of the guide rod is an air passage through which air sucked through the suction portion flows.

10. The packing device according to any one of claims 7 to 9, a direction changer that sucks the single-package product on the transport conveyor, rotates the single-package product around an axis perpendicular to the transport surface of the transport conveyor, and places the single-package product back on the transport conveyor; a blower for discharging air, The controller In the single-package mode, the blower is caused to discharge air from the direction change section, In the continuous packing mode, the blower is caused to discharge air from the suction section.

11. The packing device according to any one of claims 7 to 10, The folding unit is characterized in that it has a pair of guide plates arranged on both sides of the pair of conveyor belts in the width direction and adjusts the width direction position of the continuous packages supported by the pair of conveyor belts.

Images