Bag making and filling packaging machine

Abstract

To easily replace a bag-making tube in a bag-making, filling and packaging machine equipped with an electrostatic removing device.SOLUTION: A bag-making, filling and packaging machine 1 includes: a bag-making tube 2; a vertical sealer device 16 disposed on an exchange path R along an X direction of the bag-making tube 2; a support mechanism 30 for supporting the vertical sealer device 16; and an electrostatic removing device 40 disposed on the exchange path R and having a first destaticizing unit 50A for supplying ions to the bag-making tube 2. The support mechanism 30 supports the vertical sealer device 16 rotatably around a rotating shaft 34 extending in a Z direction so as to be movable between an approaching position where the vertical sealer device 16 is brought close to the bag-making tube 2 and a retreating position P2 where the vertical sealer device 16 is retreated from the exchange path R, and the first destaticizing unit 50A is attached to the support mechanism 30.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a bag-making filling and packaging machine, and particularly to a bag-making filling and packaging machine equipped with an electrostatic eliminator.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in a bag-making filling and packaging machine that supplies powder or granular materials to a packaging material through a filling tube disposed inside a bag-making tube, a technique for removing and peeling off powder or granular materials adhering due to static electricity inside the packaging material or at the tip of the filling tube is known. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a bag-making filling and packaging machine that conveys a packaging film (packaging material) formed in a cylindrical shape by a bag-making tube downward and forms it into a bag shape by heat-sealing with a pair of heater blocks. In this machine, a pair of static eliminators (electrostatic eliminators) are arranged opposite each other across the central axis of a funnel tube (filling tube).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, when manufacturing bag-making filling and packaging machines with different bag width dimensions, the bag-making tube may need to be replaced with one suitable for the product being produced. When performing the replacement operation, it is necessary to retract the electrostatic eliminator from the replacement path of the above-mentioned parts. However, in the bag-making filling and packaging machine described in Patent Document 1, since the electrostatic eliminator is attached to the main body frame, the replacement operation of the bag-making tube cannot be performed unless the electrostatic eliminator is removed from the main body frame, resulting in a problem that the replacement operation is laborious. [[ID=三十六]]

[0005] This invention has been made in view of these problems, and its objective is to enable easy replacement of bag-making tubes in a bag-making, filling, and packaging machine equipped with an electrostatic discharge device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To achieve the above objective, the bag-making, filling, and packaging machine of the present invention comprises: a bag-making tube that extends vertically and guides cylindrical packaging material downward and into which a filling material is supplied; a vertical sealer device positioned on a replacement path along the horizontal direction of the bag-making tube and sealing the packaging material around the bag-making tube; a support mechanism that supports the vertical sealer device; and an electrostatic removal device positioned on the replacement path and having an electrostatic removal unit that supplies ions to the bag-making tube. The support mechanism supports the vertical sealer device so as to be rotatable around a vertically extending rotation axis so as to be movable between an approach position in which the vertical sealer device is close to the bag-making tube and a retracted position in which it is moved away from the replacement path. The electrostatic removal unit is attached to the support mechanism. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the bag-making, filling, and packaging machine of the present invention, the bag-making tube can be easily replaced in a bag-making, filling, and packaging machine equipped with an electrostatic discharge device. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a schematic perspective view showing a bag-making, filling, and packaging machine according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a schematic perspective view showing a bag-making, filling, and packaging machine according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a schematic side view showing the vicinity of a pair of static elimination units. [Figure 4] This is a schematic side view showing the vicinity of a pair of static elimination units. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, one horizontal direction will be referred to as the "X direction," the other horizontal direction perpendicular to the X direction will be referred to as the "Y direction," and the direction perpendicular to both the X and Y directions will be referred to as the "Z direction."

[0010] (Bag making, filling and packaging machine) Figures 1 and 2 are schematic perspective views of a bag-making, filling, and packaging machine according to an embodiment. Figure 1 shows the vertical sealer device 16, which will be described later, in the approach position P1, and Figure 2 shows the vertical sealer device 16, which will be described later, in the retracted position P2. The bag-making, filling, and packaging machine 1 comprises a bag-making tube 2, a filling tube 4, a hopper 6, a former 8, a main frame 10, a pair of packaging material feeders 12, a vertical sealer device 16, a horizontal sealer device 18, a support mechanism 30, and an electrostatic discharge device 40. Note that in Figures 1 and 2, a part of the main frame 10 is schematically shown.

[0011] (Bag-making tubes, filling tubes, hoppers, formers) The bag-making tube 2 extends in the Z direction. Inside the bag-making tube 2, a filling tube 4 is arranged, extending in the Z direction and protruding upward from the bag-making tube 2. The filling tube 4 has a hopper 6 at its upper end, and receives a supply of filling material such as powder or granular material through the hopper 6. In other words, the bag-making tube 2 receives a supply of filling material inside via the filling tube 4. Alternatively, the filling tube 4 may be omitted, and the filling material may be supplied directly into the bag-making tube 2 from the hopper 6. The bag-making, filling, and packaging machine 1 rotates an auger shaft (not shown) having multiple blades arranged inside the filling tube 4, and supplies a predetermined amount of filling material from the filling tube 4 into the bag-making tube 2.

[0012] Meanwhile, a former 8 is mounted above the bag-making tube 2 and below the hopper 6, and a packaging material dispensing path 11 extends from the former 8 to the packaging material roll Wr. The packaging material roll Wr and the packaging material dispensing path 11 are positioned on one side in the X direction relative to the bag-making tube 2, filling tube 4, hopper 6, and former 8. Packaging material W, such as a heat-sealable film, is dispensed from the packaging material roll Wr, and the dispensed packaging material W is guided along the packaging material dispensing path 11, and led to the outer circumference of the bag-making tube 2 via the former 8. At this time, the packaging material W is formed into a cylindrical shape surrounding the bag-making tube 2 by the former 8 and is guided downward along the bag-making tube 2. Also, as it passes through the former 8, both side edges of the cylindrical packaging material W overlap each other in a predetermined shape to form a wrap portion.

[0013] The bag-making tube 2, filling tube 4, hopper 6, and former 8 are detachably attached to the main frame 10 and are replaced with the appropriate one depending on the product when manufacturing different bag widths. The filling tube 4 is replaced by moving it along the Z direction relative to the main frame 10 while connected to the hopper 6. On the other hand, the bag-making tube 2 is replaced by moving it along the replacement path R in the X direction, indicated by the straight solid arrow in Figure 2, on the side opposite to where the packaging material dispensing path 11 is located, while connected to the former 8. The former 8 may be replaced separately from the bag-making tube 2.

[0014] (packaging material feeder) A pair of packaging material feeders 12 are positioned below the former 8, one on each side of the bag-making tube 2. Each packaging material feeder 12 has an endless suction belt, which attracts the packaging material W. When the suction belt of the packaging material feeder 12 moves in one direction, the packaging material W attracted to the suction belt is fed downward along the outer surface of the bag-making tube 2.

[0015] (Vertical sealing device) As shown in Figure 1, the vertical sealer device 16 is positioned in the X direction opposite to the main frame 10 (opposite to the packaging material roll Wr and packaging material dispensing path 11) relative to the bag-making tube 2. That is, the vertical sealer device 16 is positioned on the exchange path R for the bag-making tube 2 and the former 8. The vertical sealer device 16 has a pair of heater blocks 16a and 16b positioned between a pair of packaging material feeders 12 when viewed in the circumferential direction of the bag-making tube 2. The pair of heater blocks 16a and 16b are opened and closed along the Y direction relative to the bag-making tube 2 by actuators (not shown), heat-sealing the overlap portion of the packaging material W on the outer circumferential surface of the bag-making tube 2 and forming a vertical seal flap LF (see Figures 3 and 4) with both side edges bonded together. As a result, after passing through the vertical sealer device 16, the packaging material W is in a state where both side edges are closed.

[0016] (Support mechanism) The support mechanism 30 comprises a support member 32, a rotating shaft 34, a connecting plate 36, and a shaft 38. The support member 32 has an upper support plate 321 and a lower support plate 322 that are spaced apart in the Z direction and connected to each other, extending in the Y direction. The upper support plate 321 and the lower support plate 322 support the vertical sealer device 16 (a pair of heater blocks 16a and 16b) so that it can be opened and closed along the Y direction in conjunction with the driving of an actuator (not shown). The support member 32 is fixed to the rotating shaft 34, which is rotatably connected to the connecting plate 36 around the Z axis. The connecting plate 36 is connected to the main frame 10 by a shaft 38 that is slidable along the X direction via a slide bush (not shown). In this embodiment, two shafts 38 are provided, but the number of shafts 38 is not limited to this.

[0017] As a result, the support mechanism 30 rotates the support member 32 around the Z-axis by the rotary shaft 34, thereby moving the vertical sealer device 16 between an approaching position P1 (FIG. 1) where it approaches the bag-making tube 2 and a retracted position P2 (FIG. 2) where it retracts from the exchange path R. Further, the support mechanism 30 slides the shaft 38 with respect to the main body frame 10 by an actuator (not shown), so that the vertical sealer device 16 can be moved integrally with the support member 32, the rotary shaft 34, and the connecting plate 36 along the X direction with respect to the bag-making tube 2 as indicated by the straight white arrow in FIG. 2.

[0018] (Horizontal sealer device) The horizontal sealer device 18 is provided below the bag-making tube 2 and has a pair of heater blocks 18a and 18b that can be opened and closed and a cutter (not shown). When the pair of heater blocks 18a and 18b of the horizontal sealer device 18 perform a closing operation, the pair of heater blocks 18a and 18b sandwich the packaging material W from the front and back, thereby forming a horizontal seal on the packaging material W, and the packaging material W is cut by the cutter. As a result, the upper and lower ends of the packaging material W are closed by the horizontal seal, and as shown in FIG. 1, a bag F filled with the filling material supplied from the hopper 6 through the filling tube 4 is formed.

[0019] (Electrostatic eliminator) The electrostatic eliminator 40 is a device that emits ions to the bag-making tube 2 and the filling tube 4. In the bag-making and filling packaging machine 1, the filling material (powder or granule) becomes electrostatically charged in the process of being supplied from the hopper 6 to the filling tube 4, and the filling material may adhere to the inner peripheral surface of the packaging material W when it is supplied from the filling tube 4 to the packaging material W. In particular, the filling material tends to accumulate in the vicinity of the tip 4a (see FIGS. 3 and 4) of the filling tube 4. Thus, there is a risk that the pair of heater blocks 18a and 18b of the horizontal sealer device 18 will bite into the filling material adhering to the inner peripheral surface of the packaging material W or the filling material that has accumulated on the tip 4a of the filling tube 4 and then fallen, resulting in a sealing defect.

[0020] Therefore, the electrostatic eliminator 40 includes a pair of static eliminator units 50 to prevent the electrostatic charge from adhering to the inner peripheral surface of the packaging material W and the tip 4a of the filling tube 4. Hereinafter, the configuration of the pair of static eliminator units 50 will be described while referring to FIGS. 1 to 4. FIGS. 3 and 4 are side views schematically showing the vicinity of the pair of static eliminator units 50. FIG. 4 shows an example in which the bag-making tube 2 and the filling tube 4 are replaced with those having a smaller diameter compared to the example shown in FIG. 3.

[0021] The pair of static eliminator units 50 is arranged between the pair of packaging material feeders 12 and the horizontal sealer device 18 in the Z direction. The pair of static eliminator units 50 includes a first static eliminator unit (static eliminator unit) 50A and a second static eliminator unit 50B that are arranged to face each other with the bag-making tube 2 interposed therebetween in the X direction. The first static eliminator unit 50A is arranged on the side opposite to the main body frame 10 (opposite to the packaging material roll Wr and the packaging material feeding path 11) with respect to the bag-making tube 2 in the Y direction. The first static eliminator unit 50A is arranged on the replacement path R of the bag-making tube 2 and the former 8. On the other hand, the second static eliminator unit 50B is arranged on the side of the main body frame 10 (the side of the packaging material roll Wr and the packaging material feeding path 11) with respect to the bag-making tube 2 in the Y direction. In the following description, when there is no particular need for distinction, the first static eliminator unit 50A and the second static eliminator unit 50B are simply referred to as the "static eliminator unit 50".

[0022] Each static elimination unit 50 has a main body 52 and a plurality of ion emission nozzles 54. The main body 52 is a hollow member extending along the Y direction when the static elimination unit 50 shown in Figure 1 is close to the bag-making tube 2, and is connected to an air supply source (not shown) to supply air to the inside. The plurality of ion emission nozzles 54 are formed in a line along the Y direction on the surface of the main body 52 facing the bag-making tube 2 and communicate with the inside of the main body 52. ​​As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the plurality of ion emission nozzles 54 are positioned near the tip 4a of the filling tube 4 which is placed inside the bag-making tube 2 in the Z direction. If the filling tube 4 is omitted, the plurality of ion emission nozzles 54 may be positioned near the tip of the bag-making tube 2. In addition, an electrode needle (not shown) is provided inside each ion emission nozzle 54 as an ion generating part. The electrode needle is connected to a power supply (not shown), and when a voltage is applied from the power supply to the electrode needle, ions are generated by corona discharge. The ions generated by the electrode needle are released from each ion emission nozzle 54 by air supplied to the main body 52 and supplied to the bag-making tube 2 and the filling tube 4.

[0023] This allows the packing material adhering to the tip 4a of the filling tube 4 and the inner surface of the packaging material W due to static electricity to be detached by ions. Each static elimination unit 50 has multiple ion emission nozzles 54 arranged in a line with a width wider than the diameter of the bag-making tube 2 (i.e., the width of the packaging material W around the bag-making tube 2 in the Y direction). Therefore, ions can be supplied evenly to the packaging material W around the bag-making tube 2 from the first static elimination unit 50A and the second static elimination unit 50B, which are provided on either side of the bag-making tube 2 in the X direction.

[0024] The mounting structure of the pair of static elimination units 50 configured as described above will now be explained. The second static elimination unit 50B is mounted on the main frame 10 as shown in Figures 1 and 2. On the other hand, the first static elimination unit 50A is mounted on the lower support plate 322 of the support mechanism 30 that supports the vertical sealer device 16 via mounting legs 56 extending in the Z direction from the main body 52.

[0025] As a result, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the support mechanism 30 makes it possible to rotate the first static elimination unit 50A around the Z-axis relative to the vertical sealer device 16. Consequently, if the vertical sealer device 16 is positioned at the approach position P1 (Figure 1), close to the bag-making tube 2, the first static elimination unit 50A will also be close to the bag-making tube 2, allowing ions to be supplied from the first static elimination unit 50A to the bag-making tube 2, the filling tube 4, and the packaging material W. On the other hand, if the vertical sealer device 16 is positioned at the retracted position P2 (Figure 2), moved away from the exchange path R, the first static elimination unit 50A will also be moved away from the exchange path R along with the vertical sealer device 16. Therefore, when replacing the bag-making tube 2 and the former 8, the first static elimination unit 50A can be easily moved away from the exchange path R without having to remove the first static elimination unit 50A.

[0026] Furthermore, the first static elimination unit 50A can move along the X-direction together with the vertical sealing device 16 by sliding the shaft 38 of the support mechanism 30 using an actuator (not shown). As a result, as shown in the change from Figure 3 to Figure 4, when the bag-making tube 2 and filling tube 4 are replaced with smaller diameter ones, the first static elimination unit 50A can be positioned in close proximity to the bag-making tube 2 together with the vertical sealing device 16. Here, since the position of the vertical sealing device 16 is adjusted in the X-direction so that the distance from the bag-making tube 2 is constant according to the size of the bag F (diameter of the bag-making tube 2), the first static elimination unit 50A can also be positioned so that the distance between the multiple ion emission nozzles 54 and the packaging material W is approximately constant. As a result, ions can be emitted from the first static elimination unit 50A toward the vicinity of the tip 4a of the filling tube 4.

[0027] (Effects of the embodiment) As described above, the bag-making, filling, and packaging machine 1 according to this embodiment includes a bag-making tube 2 that extends vertically and guides a cylindrically formed packaging material W downwards, into which a filling material is supplied; a vertical sealer device 16 positioned on a replacement path R along the X direction (horizontal direction) of the bag-making tube 2 and sealing the packaging material W around the bag-making tube 2; a support mechanism 30 that supports the vertical sealer device 16; and an electrostatic removal device 40 positioned on the replacement path R and having a first static elimination unit (static elimination unit) 50A that supplies ions to the bag-making tube 2. The support mechanism 30 supports the vertical sealer device 16 so as to be rotatable around a rotation axis 34 extending in the Z direction (vertical direction) so as to be movable between an approach position P1 in which the vertical sealer device 16 is close to the bag-making tube 2 and a retracted position P2 in which it is retracted from the replacement path R, and the first static elimination unit 50A is attached to the support mechanism 30.

[0028] With this configuration, the static elimination unit 50 can be positioned together with the vertical sealer device 16 at a retracted position P2, away from the bag-making tube 2 replacement path R, simply by rotating the vertical sealer device 16 using the support mechanism 30. Therefore, according to the bag-making, filling, and packaging machine 1 of this embodiment, the bag-making tube 2 can be easily replaced.

[0029] Furthermore, the support mechanism 30 supports the vertical sealing device 16 so as to be movable in the X direction relative to the bag-making tube 2, and the position of the first static elimination unit 50A in the X direction relative to the bag-making tube 2 and the filling tube 4 is adjusted as the vertical sealing device 16 moves in the X direction. With this configuration, even if the bag-making tube 2 is replaced with one of a different diameter, the first static elimination unit 50A can be easily positioned in close proximity to the bag-making tube 2.

[0030] Furthermore, the static elimination device 40 includes a first static elimination unit 50A attached to the support mechanism 30, and a second static elimination unit 50B positioned opposite the first static elimination unit 50A with the bag-making tube 2 in between. The first static elimination unit 50A and the second static elimination unit 50B have multiple ion emission nozzles 54 arranged in a line with a width wider than the diameter of the bag-making tube 2. This configuration allows ions to be supplied evenly from the first static elimination unit 50A and the second static elimination unit 50B to the packaging material W around the bag-making tube 2.

[0031] This concludes the description of the embodiments, but the aspects of the present invention are not limited to these embodiments and can be modified without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the electrostatic removal device 40 only needs to include at least a first static elimination unit 50A. Also, the support mechanism 30 does not need to support the vertical sealer device 16 so that it can move along the X direction. Furthermore, the plurality of ion emission nozzles 54 only need to be arranged so that they can emit ions to a width at least the same as the diameter of the bag-making tube 2. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0032] 1 Bag making, filling and packaging machine 2. Bag-making tubes 10 Main frame 16 Vertical sealing device 30 Support mechanism 40. Electrostatic discharge device 50 Static Elimination Units 50A First Static Elimination Unit (Static Elimination Unit) 50B Second Static Elimination Unit 52 Main unit 54 Ion Emission Nozzle P1 approach position P2 Evacuation position R exchange route W packaging material

Claims

1. A bag-making tube that extends vertically and guides the cylindrical packaging material downwards, and into which the filling material is supplied, A vertical sealing device is positioned on a replacement path along the horizontal direction of the bag-making tube and seals the packaging material around the bag-making tube, A support mechanism for supporting the aforementioned vertical sealer device, A static elimination device having a static elimination unit that is arranged on the exchange path and supplies ions to the bag-making tube, Equipped with, The support mechanism supports the vertical sealer device so as to be rotatable around a vertically extending rotation axis, allowing the vertical sealer device to move between an approach position where it is close to the bag-making tube and a retracted position where it is moved away from the exchange path. The static elimination unit is attached to the support mechanism. Bag making, filling and packaging machine.

2. The support mechanism supports the vertical sealing device so that it can move horizontally relative to the bag-making tube. The static elimination unit's horizontal position relative to the bag-making tube is adjusted as the vertical sealer device moves horizontally. The bag-making, filling, and packaging machine according to claim 1.

3. The static electricity removal device comprises a first static elimination unit attached to the support mechanism and a second static elimination unit positioned opposite the first static elimination unit with the bag-making tube in between. The first and second static elimination units are configured such that a plurality of ion emission nozzles are arranged in a line with a width wider than the diameter of the bag-making tube. A bag-making, filling, and packaging machine according to claim 1 or claim 2.

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