Packaging material feeding device

Abstract

To provide a packaging material feeder capable of stabilizing posture of a preceding packaging material, and of stably connecting the preceding packaging material with a succeeding packaging material.SOLUTION: A packaging material feeder 10 comprises a plurality of reel shafts L around which a packaging material W is loaded; a delivery roller 80 for delivering a preceding packaging material W1 precedingly used out of the packaging material W to a bag-making packaging device 20 on a downstream side; a connector 70 for connecting the preceding packaging material W1 with a front end part of a succeeding packaging material W2 used next to the preceding packaging material W1 out of the packaging material W; and a connection stand 60 that sandwiches the preceding packaging material W1 and the succeeding packaging material W2 with the connector 70 in-between. The delivery roller 80 is provided closer to the reel shafts L side where the preceding packaging material W1 is loaded, than a connection position between the preceding packaging material W1 and the succeeding packaging material W2 by the connector 70, in a delivery direction of the preceding packaging material W1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a packaging material supplying device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known technology relating to a packaging machine equipped with a packaging material supply device that loads packaging materials onto multiple reel shafts and switches the packaging material to be used. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a form-fill-seal packaging machine in which a leading packaging material (leading film) is fed from the leading film (packaging material) reel shaft by a feed roller, the trailing end of the leading film is detected by a trailing end detection means, and the leading film is connected to the leading end of the trailing packaging material (trailing film) by a film connector. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-177422 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the form-fill-seal machine described in Patent Document 1, the unwinding roller is located downstream of the film splicer that connects the leading packaging material with the following packaging material. Therefore, after the trailing end of the leading packaging material separates from the reel shaft, the tension of the leading packaging material cannot be maintained between the trailing end and the packaging splicer. As a result, the posture of the leading packaging material becomes unstable, and there is a risk that the connection position between the leading packaging material and the following packaging material will deviate from the intended position.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of these problems, and its object is to provide a packaging material supply device that can stabilize the posture of a leading packaging material and stably connect the leading packaging material to a trailing packaging material. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the packaging material supply device of the present invention comprises a plurality of reel shafts loaded with packaging material, a payout roller that pays out a leading packaging material that is to be used first among the packaging materials to a downstream device, and a connector that connects the leading packaging material to the tip of a trailing packaging material that is to be used after the leading packaging material, and the payout roller is located on the side of the reel shaft on which the leading packaging material is loaded, in the payout direction of the leading packaging material, closer to the reel shaft on which the leading packaging material is loaded than the position where the connector connects the leading packaging material to the trailing packaging material.

[0007] With this configuration, the payout roller that pays out the leading packaging material is located closer to the reel shaft of the leading packaging material than the connection position between the leading packaging material and the trailing packaging material, so the tension of the leading packaging material at the connection position can be maintained even after the leading packaging material is separated from the reel shaft. Therefore, the packaging material supply device of the present invention stabilizes the posture of the leading packaging material and enables stable connection between the leading packaging material and the trailing packaging material.

[0008] Furthermore, it is preferable that the packaging material supply device includes a pivoting arm that rotates the multiple reel shafts between a payout position where the packaging material is paid out and used and a standby position before the packaging material is paid out and used, and that the payout rollers are provided on the pivoting arm corresponding to each of the multiple reel shafts.

[0009] With this configuration, after the pivot arm switches the positions of the multiple reel shafts between the payout position and the standby position, the packaging material on the reel shaft that has newly reached the payout position (the new preceding packaging material) can be quickly paid out by the payout roller provided corresponding to that reel shaft, thereby improving the operating efficiency of a packaging machine equipped with the packaging material supply device of the present invention.

[0010] In addition, it is preferable that the packaging material supply device further includes a plurality of connection tables provided on the swivel arm corresponding to each of the plurality of reel shafts, and which sandwich the preceding packaging material and the following packaging material between the connection device and the connection table.

[0011] With this configuration, even in a configuration in which the positions of multiple reel shafts are switched between a payout position and a standby position using a swivel arm, the preceding packaging material can be connected to the following packaging material using the connection stand and connector provided corresponding to each reel shaft.

[0012] In addition, the packaging material supply device preferably includes path rollers that are provided on the swivel arm corresponding to each of the plurality of reel shafts, closer to the reel shaft than the payout rollers, and that guide the packaging material to the payout rollers.

[0013] With this configuration, even if the amount of the preceding packaging material wound around the reel shaft decreases, the preceding packaging material can be stably guided to the position of the payout roller by the path roller provided corresponding to the reel shaft. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the packaging material supplying device of the present invention, the posture of the preceding packaging material can be stabilized, and the preceding packaging material can be stably connected to the following packaging material. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing an outline of a bag making, filling and packaging machine equipped with a packaging material supplying device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a diagram showing an outline of the system configuration of a bag making, filling and packaging machine. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a side view showing an outline of the packaging material supply device. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an outline of the packaging material supply device. [Figure 5] 4 is an enlarged side view showing the packaging material supply device in the vicinity of the holding member. FIG. [Figure 6] 10 is an explanatory diagram showing how the leading end of the preceding packaging material is connected to the leading end of the following packaging material by the connector. FIG. [Figure 7] 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the state of the packaging material supply device in steps S1 and S2 during execution of packaging material supply control. FIG. [Figure 8]10 is an explanatory diagram showing the state of the packaging material supply device in steps S3 and S4 during the execution of packaging material supply control. FIG. [Figure 9] 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the state of the packaging material supply device in steps S5 and S6 during execution of packaging material supply control. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0017] (Bag making, filling and packaging machine) Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an outline of a form, fill, and seal machine equipped with a packaging material supply device according to an embodiment, and Fig. 2 is a configuration diagram showing an outline of the system configuration of the form, fill, and seal machine. The form, fill, and seal machine 1 includes a packaging material supply device 10 according to an embodiment, a bag manufacturing and packaging device 20, and a control device 30 (see Fig. 2).

[0018] (Packaging material supply device) The packaging material supply device 10 is a device that supplies packaging material W to the bag-making and packaging device 20. The packaging material W is made of a heat-sealable film or the like. The packaging material supply device 10 has multiple (two in this embodiment) reel shafts L (see FIG. 3 ), and supplies packaging material W from a packaging material roll WR loaded on each reel shaft L via multiple path rollers R1 to the bag-making and packaging device 20. The multiple path rollers R1 include tension adjustment mechanisms 14, also known as dancer rollers, that can adjust the tension of the packaging material W between the packaging material supply device 10 and the bag-making and packaging device 20 by adjusting the position of a movable roller. The detailed configuration of the packaging material supply device 10 will be described later.

[0019] (Bag making and packaging equipment) The bag-making and packaging apparatus 20 is an apparatus that forms the packaging material W supplied from the packaging material supply apparatus 10 into a bag shape and fills the formed bags with a filling material such as powder or granular material or snack foods. Note that FIG. 1 does not partially illustrate the packaging material W passing through the bag-making and packaging apparatus 20. The bag-making and packaging apparatus 20 is provided with a bag-making tube 22 extending in the vertical direction below a hopper 21 that supplies the contents. A filling tube 26 is disposed within the bag-making tube 22, and the filling tube 26 protrudes upward from the bag-making tube 22 and connects to the hopper 21. A former 27 is provided above the bag-making tube 22 to form and guide the packaging material W supplied from the packaging material supply apparatus 10 into a generally cylindrical shape. As the packaging material W passes through the former 27, a wrap portion is formed in which both side edges are overlapped with each other in a predetermined shape. A pair of feeding belts 23 (packaging material feeders) is provided on both sides of the bag-making tube 22, and the packaging material W extending along the periphery of the bag-making tube 22 is fed downward by the pair of feeding belts 23. Note that below the bag-making tube 22, a forming guide (not shown) is provided to form the packaging material W into a predetermined shape.

[0020] An openable vertical sealer 24 is provided near the bag-forming tube 22. The vertical sealer 24 heat-seals the lap portion of the packaging material W, forming vertical seal flaps by bonding both side edges together. An openable horizontal sealer 25 is provided below the bag-forming tube 22. The horizontal sealer 25 has a pair of heater blocks 25a, 25b and a cutter (not shown). When the horizontal sealer 25 closes, the pair of heater blocks 25a, 25b sandwich the packaging material W from the front and back, forming horizontal seals in the packaging material W, and the packaging material W is cut by the cutter. As a result, the top and bottom ends of the packaging material W are closed by horizontal seals, and a bag F is formed, filled with contents supplied from the hopper 21 via the filling tube 26, as shown in FIG. 1.

[0021] (Control device) The control device 30 is a controller that performs overall control of the form-fill-seal packaging machine 1. As shown in Fig. 2, the input side of the control device 30 is electrically connected to the setting input device 2, an optical sensor 90 (described later), and the like. The output side of the control device 30 is also electrically connected to the tension adjustment mechanism 14, a feed-out roller drive device 100, a swivel arm drive device 200, a connector 70 (described later), a feed-out belt 23, a vertical sealer 24, a horizontal sealer 25, and the like.

[0022] The setting input device 2 is an interface through which an operator inputs various setting values ​​for operating the form-fill-seal machine 1. The optical sensor 90 is a sensor for detecting the trailing end E of the packaging material W (see FIGS. 6 and 8). Note that an ultrasonic sensor or the like may be used instead of the optical sensor 90. In that case, the reflector 91, which will be described later, may be omitted. The feed roller drive device 100 is a device that rotates and drives a plurality of feed rollers 80, which will be described later, and includes at least a servo motor (not shown). The swivel arm drive device 200 is a device that rotates and drives a swivel arm 40, which will be described later, and includes at least a servo motor (not shown). The control device 30 controls the various devices connected to the output side according to various settings input by the operator via the setting input device 2. In this embodiment, the control device 30 executes packaging material supply control, which selectively switches between packaging material rolls WR loaded on the plurality of reel shafts L of the packaging material supply device 10 to supply packaging material W to the bag-making and packaging device 20. Details of the packaging material supply control will be described later.

[0023] (Detailed configuration of packaging material supply device) Next, a detailed configuration of the packaging material supplying device 10 according to the embodiment will be described. Fig. 3 is a side view showing an outline of the packaging material supplying device 10, and Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing an outline of the packaging material supplying device 10. Note that Fig. 4 omits the illustration of some of the components of the packaging material supplying device 10. The packaging material supplying device 10 includes the plurality of reel shafts L, a swivel arm 40 centered on a central axis 40a, a plurality of holding members 50, a plurality of connection bases 60, a connector 70, a plurality of pay-out rollers 80, a receiving roller 85, an optical sensor 90, the pay-out roller driving device 100, and the swivel arm driving device 200.

[0024] (Multiple reel axes) The multiple reel shafts L are arranged at positions rotated a predetermined angle relative to each other with respect to the central axis 40a of the pivot arm 40. The same applies to the members provided corresponding to the reel shafts L below. In this embodiment, the multiple reel shafts L have a first reel shaft LA and a second reel shaft LB that are parallel to each other. As shown in FIG. 3, the first reel shaft LA and the second reel shaft LB are arranged at positions rotated 180 degrees (deg) relative to each other with respect to the central axis 40a of the pivot arm 40. Each reel shaft L is fitted with a disc (not shown) that applies a braking force to the rotation of the reel shaft L by pressing or clamping it with an air-driven brake device (not shown).

[0025] As shown in FIG. 3 , the first reel shaft LA and the second reel shaft LB are configured to be able to rotate by a pivot arm 40 between a payout position P1, where the packaging material W is paid out and used, and a standby position P2, where the packaging material W is paid out and used. In the following description, the packaging material W that is used first from the packaging roll WR loaded on the reel shaft L at the payout position P1 will be referred to as the "previous packaging material W1," and the packaging material W that is used next after the previous packaging material W1, i.e., the packaging material W of the packaging roll WR loaded on the reel shaft L at the standby position P2, will be referred to as the "following packaging material W2." In the following description, the orientations of the components of the packaging material supply device 10 will be defined based on the states in which the reel shafts L are at the payout position P1 and the standby position P2. In the following description, the axial direction of the pivot arm 40 will be simply referred to as the "axial direction," and the orientations of the components of the packaging material supply device 10 will be defined. In addition, the up-down direction in FIG. 3 is the vertical up-down direction, the left-right direction is the horizontal direction, and the direction of the paper surface is the axial direction.

[0026] (swivel arm) As described above, the swivel arm 40 is a member that rotates the first reel shaft LA and the second reel shaft LB between the unwinding position P1 and the standby position P2. The swivel arm 40 is attached to a main body frame (not shown) of the packaging material supply device 10 so as to be rotatable about a central shaft 40a. A servo motor (not shown) of the swivel arm drive device 200 is connected to the central shaft 40a. The swivel arm 40 can be rotated about the central shaft 40a by being driven by the servo motor, and its position can be fixed at any angle.

[0027] A plurality of (two in this embodiment) reel shaft support members 41 that support the reel shafts L are attached to the pivot arm 40. The reel shaft support members 41 include a first reel shaft support member 41A that extends toward the first reel shaft LA and rotatably supports the first reel shaft LA, and a second reel shaft support member 41B that extends toward the second reel shaft LB and rotatably supports the second reel shaft LB. The first reel shaft support member 41A and the second reel shaft support member 41B have the same configuration, except that they are positioned 180 degrees rotated from each other around the center shaft 40a.

[0028] Additionally, a plurality of (two in this embodiment) frame members 42 are attached to the pivot arm 40 via the respective reel shaft support members 41. The frame members 42 include a first frame member 42A extending above the packaging material roll WR loaded on the first reel shaft LA and a second frame member 42B extending below the packaging material roll WR loaded on the second reel shaft LB. The first frame member 42A and the second frame member 42B have the same configuration except that they are positioned at positions rotated 180 degrees (deg) from each other with respect to the central axis 40a. A plurality of (two in this embodiment) path rollers R2 for guiding the packaging material W are provided at the leading end of the first frame member 42A. Similarly, a plurality of (two in this embodiment) path rollers R2 for guiding the packaging material W are provided at the leading end of the second frame member 42B.

[0029] Furthermore, a reflector 91 of an optical sensor 90 is attached to each path roller R2 of the frame member 42. As shown in FIG. 3, the optical sensor 90 is disposed near the reel shaft L at the payout position P1, and is a sensor that emits light toward the reflector 91 and receives the light reflected from the reflector 91. The optical sensor 90 detects whether or not a packaging material W (i.e., a preceding packaging material W1) is present between it and the reflector 91, depending on the intensity of the reflected light it receives, and outputs the detection result to the control device 30.

[0030] (holding member) The holding members 50 are members for holding the connection base 60 and the payout roller 80, which will be described later. As shown in FIG. 4, a pair of holding members 50 are provided at both axial ends of a plate-like member 44 provided at the vertical end of the swivel arm 40. The holding members 50 include a first holding member 50A provided corresponding to the first reel shaft LA and a second holding member 50B provided corresponding to the second reel shaft LB. As shown in FIG. 3, the first holding member 50A and the second holding member 50B have the same configuration except that they are positioned at positions rotated 180 degrees (degrees) from each other with respect to the center shaft 40a.

[0031] FIG. 5 is an enlarged side view showing the packaging material supply device 10 in the vicinity of the holding member 50. The holding member 50 is a flat plate-shaped member and has legs 51, a connection table holding portion 52, and a roller holding portion 53. The legs 51 extend vertically from the plate-shaped member 44. The connection table holding portions 52 extend horizontally on both sides from the legs 51. A path roller R3 for guiding the packaging material W is provided at the end of the connection table holding portion 52 on the corresponding reel shaft L side in the horizontal direction (the left side in FIG. 4). The roller holding portion 53 is a portion that juts out in a substantially triangular shape at the horizontal center of the connection table holding portion 52 toward the opposite side from the legs 51. The roller holding portion 53 rotatably supports the shaft end of the feed roller 80.

[0032] (Connection stand) 3 to 5, the multiple connection bases 60 will be described. The connection base 60 is a member that serves as a base when connecting the leading packaging material W1 and the leading end S of the following packaging material W2 with the connector 70. In other words, the connection base 60 is a member that sandwiches the leading packaging material W1 and the following packaging material W2 between itself and a pair of heater blocks 71 of the connector 70, which will be described later.

[0033] The connecting stand 60 is provided corresponding to the reel axis L on which the packaging roll WR of the leading packaging material W1 is loaded in order to connect the following packaging material W2 to the leading packaging material W1. Specifically, the connecting stand 60 includes a first connecting stand 60A provided corresponding to the first reel axis LA and a second connecting stand 60B provided corresponding to the second reel axis LB. As shown in FIG. 3, the first connecting stand 60A is attached to the first holding member 50A, and the second connecting stand 60B is attached to the second holding member 50B. The first connecting stand 60A and the second connecting stand 60B have the same configuration except that they are positioned at positions rotated 180 degrees (deg) from each other with respect to the central axis 40a, as shown in FIG.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 4, each connecting base 60 extends axially between a pair of holding members 50 so as to be wider than the width of the packaging material W, and is held by the connecting base holding portion 52 of each holding member 50. The connecting base 60 is disposed horizontally opposite (to the right in FIG. 4) the corresponding reel axis L of the payout roller 80 held by the holding member 50. The connecting base 60 has a clamping mechanism 61 and two base portions 62. The clamping mechanism 61 is configured so that an operator can manually open and close it vertically to clamp the leading end of the trailing packaging material W2. The two base portions 62 are spaced apart at a distance corresponding to a pair of heater blocks 71 of the connecting device 70 (described later), and are portions that sandwich the leading end S of the leading packaging material W1 and the trailing packaging material W2 between the pair of heater blocks 71. A path roller R4 for guiding the trailing packaging material W2 is provided near the base portion 62 of the connecting base 60.

[0035] (connector) As shown in FIG. 3, the splicer 70 is disposed above a connection table 60 (first connection table 60A in FIG. 3) provided on a holding member 50 that holds a feed roller 80 that is feeding out the preceding packaging material W1. The splicer 70 is disposed downstream of the feed roller 80, which will be described later, in the feeding direction of the preceding packaging material W1. The splicer 70 has a pair of heater blocks 71 and a cutter 72 disposed between the pair of heater blocks 71. The pair of heater blocks 71 and the cutter 72 of the splicer 70 are movable in the vertical direction and are driven and controlled by the control device 30. Note that, although the splicer 70 has a pair of heater blocks 71 in this embodiment, the splicer 70 may also have another sealer, such as an ultrasonic sealer, that can splice together packaging materials W. In this case, the splicer 70 may have an ultrasonic vibration horn of the ultrasonic sealer, and the splicer table 60 may have an anvil as a fixing jig that clamps the packaging material W between the ultrasonic vibration horn and the connection table 60.

[0036] FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing how the leading end S of the leading packaging material W1 and the trailing packaging material W2 are connected by a connector 70. As shown in the figure, the connector 70 connects the leading end S of the leading packaging material W1 and the trailing packaging material W2, which are stacked one above the other, by heat welding while pressing them against the base 62 of the connection stand 60 using a pair of heater blocks 71. The leading end S of the bonded leading packaging material W1 and the trailing packaging material W2 is then cut by a cutter 72. As a result, the portions of the bonded leading packaging material W1 and the trailing packaging material W2 that are downstream of the cutter 72 in the feeding direction become a single continuous piece of packaging material W. Meanwhile, the portions of the bonded leading packaging material W1 and the trailing packaging material W2 that are upstream of the cutter 72 in the feeding direction become a single piece of scrap. In this way, by locating the cutter 72 between the pair of heater blocks 71, it is possible to leave a single scrap of scrap that is bonded together, making it easier to dispose of the scrap. The cut pieces naturally fall into the packaging material supply device 10. The connection process between the leading end S of the preceding packaging material W1 and the following packaging material W2 by the pair of heater blocks 71 and the cutting process by the cutter 72 are performed before the trailing end E of the preceding packaging material W1 passes the payout roller 80.

[0037] (feed roller) The plurality of pay-out rollers 80 are provided corresponding to the reel shaft L on which the packaging roll WR of the preceding packaging material W1 is loaded in order to pay-out the preceding packaging material W1. Specifically, the plurality of pay-out rollers 80 include a first pay-out roller 80A provided corresponding to the first reel shaft LA and a second pay-out roller 80B provided corresponding to the second reel shaft LB. As shown in FIG. 3, the first pay-out roller 80A is attached to the first holding member 50A, and the second pay-out roller 80B is attached to the second holding member 50B.

[0038] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, each of the payout rollers 80 has its axial end rotatably supported by a pair of roller holding portions 53 of the holding members 50 arranged in the axial direction. Each payout roller 80 is rotationally driven by a servo motor (not shown) of the payout roller drive device 100. Also, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a rotatable receiving roller 85 is disposed above the payout roller 80 (first payout roller 80A in FIGS. 3 and 4) corresponding to the reel shaft L on which the packaging roll WR of the preceding packaging material W1 is loaded. The receiving roller 85 is configured to be movable substantially vertically and can sandwich the preceding packaging material W1 between itself and the payout roller 80. As a result, when the payout roller 80 is rotationally driven by a servo motor (not shown), the preceding packaging material W1 sandwiched between the payout roller 80 and the receiving roller 85 is paid out from the packaging roll WR by the rotation of the payout roller 80.

[0039] 3, the first payout roller 80A and the receiving roller 85 are provided closer to the first reel shaft LA than the connector 70. In other words, the payout roller 80 and the receiving roller 85 are provided closer to the reel shaft L on which the preceding packaging material W1 is loaded than the connection position CP (see FIG. 6) where the preceding packaging material W1 and the following packaging material W2 are connected by the connector 70 in the payout direction of the preceding packaging material W1. The side of the reel shaft L on which the preceding packaging material W1 is loaded means the upstream side in the payout direction of the preceding packaging material W1.

[0040] (Operation of the form-fill-seal machine) The operation of the form fill and pack packaging machine 1 configured as described above will be described with reference to Figures 7 to 9. Figures 7 to 9 show the state of packaging material supply device 10 in steps S1 to S6 while packaging material supply control is being executed by control device 30. Figure 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the state of packaging material supply device 10 in steps S1 and S2 while packaging material supply control is being executed. Figure 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the state of packaging material supply device 10 in steps S3 and S4 while packaging material supply control is being executed. Figure 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the state of packaging material supply device 10 in steps S5 and S6 while packaging material supply control is being executed.

[0041] First, as shown in step S1 of FIG. 7, assume that the first reel shaft LA is positioned at the payout position P1 and the second reel shaft LB is positioned at the standby position P2. At this time, the preceding packaging material W1 from the packaging roll WR loaded on the first reel shaft LA is sandwiched between the first payout roller 80A attached to the first holding member 50A and the receiving roller 85. In the state shown in step S1, the control device 30 controls the drive of the payout roller drive device 100 and the payout belt 23, causing the first payout roller 80A and the payout belt 23 to pay out the preceding packaging material W1 from the first reel shaft LA and supply it to the bag-making and packaging apparatus 20. As described above, by providing the path roller R2 on the first frame member 42A and the path roller R3 on the first holding member 50A, the preceding packaging material W1 can be guided in a stable position to the first payout roller 80A.

[0042] As the leading packaging material W1 is unwound from the first reel shaft LA, the diameter of the packaging roll WR loaded on the first reel shaft LA decreases, as shown in step S2. During this time, the operator, at any or designated time, sets a new packaging roll WR on the second reel shaft LB in standby position P2 and sets the leading end S of the loaded packaging roll WR of the trailing packaging material W2 in the clamp mechanism 61 of the connection stand 60. Setting the trailing packaging material W2 on the connection stand 60 can be performed without stopping the unwinding of the leading packaging material W1, for example, by making the connection stand 60 movable toward the reel shaft L side (here, the second reel shaft LB side) on which the packaging roll WR of the trailing packaging material W2 is loaded. However, loading the new packaging roll WR onto the reel shaft L and setting the trailing packaging material W2 on the connection stand 60 may be performed after the rotation of the pivot arm 40 is temporarily stopped in the state of step S5 shown in FIG. 9 .

[0043] If the state shown in FIG. 7 continues, the leading packaging material W1 is used up and separated from the first reel axis LA, as shown in step S3 of FIG. 8. As a result, the intensity of the reflected light from the reflector 91 received by the optical sensor 90 changes from the state in which the leading packaging material W1 was between the optical sensor 90 and the reflector 91. This causes the optical sensor 90 to detect that the leading packaging material W1 on the first reel axis LA has been used up, i.e., that the trailing end E of the leading packaging material W1 has passed between the optical sensor 90 and the reflector 91, and the detection result is output to the control device 30. When this detection result is input, the control device 30 temporarily stops the feeding of the leading packaging material W1 by the first feed roller 80A and the feed belt 23. Then, the control device 30 connects the leading packaging material W1 and the leading end S of the following packaging material W2 using the connector 70 (see FIG. 6). As described above, the optical sensor 90 may be replaced with another sensor, such as an ultrasonic sensor.

[0044] As described above, the payout roller 80 that pays out the leading packaging material W1 is located closer to the reel axis L (here, the first reel axis LA) of the leading packaging material W1 than the connection position CP between the leading packaging material W1 and the trailing packaging material W2. Therefore, even after the leading packaging material W1 separates from the reel axis L, the tension on the leading packaging material W1 is maintained between the payout roller 80 and the connection position CP. This prevents the leading packaging material W1 from becoming unstable due to the loss of tension in the leading packaging material W1, which prevents the leading packaging material W1 and the trailing packaging material W2 from being unable to be connected at the desired position.

[0045] Next, as shown in step S4, the control device 30 drives and controls the swivel arm drive device 200 to rotate the swivel arm 40 about the central axis 40a, as indicated by the solid arrow. As a result, the first reel shaft LA moves from the unwinding position P1 toward the standby position P2, and the second reel shaft LB moves from the standby position P2 toward the unwinding position P1. At this time, the entire swivel arm 40 rotates, causing the first holding member 50A and the second holding member 50B to rotate in the same direction. As the swivel arm 40 continues to rotate, the path roller R3 of the second frame member 42B and the path roller R3 of the second holding member 50B come into contact with the trailing packaging material W2, as shown in step S5 of FIG. 9. This allows the posture of the trailing packaging material W2 to be stably maintained even while the swivel arm 40 is rotating.

[0046] Then, as shown in step S6, the second reel shaft LB is positioned at the unwinding position P1, and the first reel shaft LA is positioned at the standby position P2. At this point, the control device 30 stops the rotation of the swivel arm 40 using the servo motor of the swivel arm drive device 200 and fixes the swivel arm 40 in the posture of step S6. As a result, the following packaging material W2 is sandwiched between the second unwinding roller 80B and the receiving roller 85 attached to the second holding member 50B, and is ready to be unwound by the second unwinding roller 80B. In other words, the packaging material W of the packaging material roll WR loaded on the second reel shaft LB becomes the preceding packaging material W1. The control device 30 again drives and controls the unwinding roller drive device 100 and the unwinding belt 23, causing the second unwinding roller 80B and the unwinding belt 23 to unwind the preceding packaging material W1 from the second reel shaft LB and supply it to the bag-making and packaging device 20. By repeatedly executing the processes from step S1 to step S6 described above, the packaging material W from the packaging material rolls WR loaded on the first reel shaft LA and the second reel shaft LB can be sequentially supplied to the bag-making and packaging apparatus 20.

[0047] (Effects of the embodiment) As described above, the packaging material supply device 10 according to the embodiment comprises a plurality of reel shafts L on which packaging material W is loaded, a feed roller 80 that feeds out a leading packaging material W1, which is the packaging material W that is to be used first, to the downstream bag-making and packaging device 20, and a connector 70 that connects the leading packaging material W1 to the tip end S of a trailing packaging material W2, which is the packaging material W that is to be used after the leading packaging material W1, and the feed roller 80 is located on the side of the reel shaft L on which the leading packaging material W1 is loaded, relative to the connection position CP between the leading packaging material W1 and the trailing packaging material W2 by the connector 70, in the feeding direction of the leading packaging material W1.

[0048] With this configuration, the pay-out roller 80 that pays out the leading packaging material W1 is located closer to the reel axis L of the leading packaging material W1 than the connection position CP between the leading packaging material W1 and the trailing packaging material W2, so that the tension of the leading packaging material W1 can be maintained from the pay-out roller 80 to the connection position CP even after the leading packaging material W1 separates from the reel axis L. Therefore, with the packaging material supply device 10 according to the embodiment, the posture of the leading packaging material W1 can be stabilized, and the leading packaging material W1 can be stably connected to the trailing packaging material W2.

[0049] Furthermore, packaging material supply device 10 is equipped with a pivot arm 40 that pivots multiple reel shafts L between a payout position P1, where packaging material W is paid out and used, and a standby position P2, where packaging material W is paid out before use, and payout rollers 80 are provided on pivot arm 40 corresponding to each of the multiple reel shafts L. In other words, payout roller 80 has a first payout roller 80A provided corresponding to first reel shaft LA, and a second payout roller 80B provided corresponding to second reel shaft LB.

[0050] With this configuration, after the rotating arm 40 switches the positions of the multiple reel shafts L between the payout position P1 and the standby position P2, the packaging material W (new preceding packaging material W1) of the reel shaft L that has newly arrived at the payout position P1 can be quickly paid out by the payout roller 80 provided corresponding to that reel shaft L. As a result, the operating efficiency of the packaging material supply device 10 can be improved.

[0051] The packaging material supply device 10 further includes a plurality of connection stands 60, each of which has a heater block 71 that connects the leading packaging material W1 and the trailing packaging material W2 by thermal welding, and the plurality of connection stands 60 are provided on the swivel arm 40 corresponding to each of the plurality of reel shafts L, and sandwich the leading packaging material W1 and the trailing packaging material W2 between themselves and the heater block 71. In other words, the connection stands 60 include a first connection stand 60A provided corresponding to the first reel shaft LA, and a second connection stand 60B provided corresponding to the second reel shaft LB.

[0052] With this configuration, even if the rotating arm 40 is configured to switch the positions of multiple reel shafts L between the payout position P1 and the standby position P2, the preceding packaging material W1 and the following packaging material W2 can be connected by the connection stand 60 provided corresponding to each reel shaft L and the connector 70.

[0053] The packaging material supplying device 10 also includes path rollers R2 and R3 that are provided on the rotating arm 40 in correspondence with each of the plurality of reel shafts L and that guide the preceding packaging material W1 to the payout roller 80.

[0054] With this configuration, even if the amount of the preceding packaging material W1 wound around the reel shaft L decreases, the preceding packaging material W1 can be stably guided to the position of the payout roller 80 by the path rollers R2 and R3 provided corresponding to the reel shaft L.

[0055] (Variation) Although the description of the embodiment is now complete, aspects of the present invention are not limited to this embodiment. For example, in this embodiment, the multiple reel shafts L include a first reel shaft LA and a second reel shaft LB, but the number of reel shafts L is not limited to two and may be three or more.

[0056] In addition, in this embodiment, the reel shafts L are rotated by the swivel arm 40 to switch between the payout position P1 and the standby position P2, but as long as the packaging material W can be supplied sequentially from each reel shaft L, it is not necessary to switch the position of each reel shaft L by rotating the swivel arm 40.

[0057] Furthermore, although the rotating arm 40 is provided with a payout roller 80 corresponding to each reel shaft L, a single payout roller 80 may be provided as long as it is positioned upstream of the connection position CP between the leading packaging material W1 and the trailing packaging material W2. Similarly, the connecting stand 60 may also be provided as a single roller as long as it can sandwich the leading packaging material W1 and the trailing packaging material W2 between itself and the connecting device 70. Furthermore, the path rollers R2, R3, and R4 may be omitted from the packaging material supply device 10. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 1 Bag making, filling and packaging machine 10 Packaging material supply device 20 Bag making and packaging equipment 30 Control device 40 Swivel Arm 50 Retaining member 60 connection units 60A 1st connection block 60B Second connection stand 70 Connector 80 Feed roller 80A First feeding roller 80B Second feed roller 85 Receiving roller CP connection position L reel shaft LA 1st reel axis LB Second reel shaft P1 Feeding position P2 Standby position S tip E End R1, R2, R3, R4 Path rollers W packaging material W1 Advance packaging material W2 Trailing packaging material WR packaging roll

Claims

1. a plurality of reel shafts loaded with packaging material; a feed roller that feeds a preceding packaging material to be used first among the packaging materials to a downstream device; a receiving roller that is rotatable and that sandwiches the preceding packaging material between itself and the feeding roller; a connector that connects the preceding packaging material to a leading end of a succeeding packaging material that is to be used next to the preceding packaging material; a rotating arm that rotates the plurality of reel shafts between a feeding position where the packaging material is fed and used and a standby position before the packaging material is fed and used, The feeding roller contacts the inner surface of the preceding packaging material facing the reel shaft, is provided on the swivel arm corresponding to each of the plurality of reel shafts, and is provided on the side of the reel shaft on which the preceding packaging material is loaded, relative to the connection position between the preceding packaging material and the following packaging material by the connector, in the feeding direction of the preceding packaging material.

2. 2. The packaging material supply device according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of connection stands provided on the rotating arm corresponding to each of the plurality of reel shafts, the connection stands sandwiching the preceding packaging material and the following packaging material between the connection stands and the connection unit.

3. 3. The packaging material supply device according to claim 1, further comprising: path rollers provided on the pivot arm corresponding to each of the plurality of reel shafts, closer to the reel shaft than the payout roller, for guiding the packaging material to the payout roller.

4. A packaging material supply device as described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the packaging material is pulled out from the packaging material roll loaded on the reel shaft at a position opposite the central axis of the swivel arm, sandwiched between the reel shaft.

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