Bag making and packaging equipment

Abstract

To provide a bag-making and packing device that achieves both of: stable support of various machines and parts; and high maintainability.SOLUTION: A bag-making and packing device 100 forms a sheet-shaped film supplied from a rear part into a cylindrical shape via a former mechanism 210 that includes a former and a tube 214, and performs bag-making and packing by putting an article into the cylindrical film, and lateral-sealing it via a lateral sealing mechanism. The bag-making and packing device has multiple erected poles 510 that constitute a frame 500. The multiple poles include a first pole group 520 positioned on one side in a left-right direction and a second pole group 530 positioned on the other side. A first pole 522 that is positioned at the forefront of the first pole group extends upward from below to above the lateral sealing mechanism and is positioned in front of a center O of the tube. A second pole 532 that is positioned at the forefront of the second pole group extends upward from below to above the lateral-sealing mechanism and is positioned behind the center of the tube.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4A

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a bag-making packaging device.

Background Art

[0002] There is known a bag-making packaging device that puts an article into a tubular film formed by shaping a film into a tubular shape from above and performs bag-making packaging by horizontally sealing the upper and lower parts of the tubular film, as disclosed in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-337817).

[0003] In such a bag-making packaging device, maintenance work such as replacing a former mechanism for shaping a film into a tubular shape according to the size of a bag and cleaning around the former mechanism occurs.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the bag-making packaging device disclosed in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-337817), since four columns extending to the vicinity of the upper end of the former mechanism are arranged around the former mechanism, the columns may interfere with maintenance work.

[0005] As a countermeasure against the reduction in maintainability in the bag-making packaging device disclosed in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-337817), for example, a countermeasure of widening the intervals between the four columns to secure a working space can be considered. However, such a countermeasure causes another problem of an increase in the device size.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A bag-making and packaging apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention forms a sheet of film supplied from a rear film supply unit into a cylindrical shape using a former mechanism including a former and a tube, which is positioned in front of the film supply unit. It then inserts an article supplied from above into the cylindrical film and seals the cylindrical film laterally using a lateral sealing mechanism to perform bag-making and packaging. The bag-making and packaging apparatus comprises a plurality of upright support columns. The plurality of support columns constitute a frame that encloses at least a part of the film supply unit, the former mechanism, and the lateral sealing mechanism. The plurality of support columns include a first group of support columns and a second group of support columns. The first group of support columns and the second group of support columns each include a plurality of support columns. The columns of the first group of support columns are positioned on one side of the bag-making and packaging apparatus in the left-right direction, and the columns of the second group of support columns are positioned on the other side of the bag-making and packaging apparatus in the left-right direction. Of the first group of support columns, the first column positioned at the very front extends from below to above the lateral sealing mechanism and, when viewed from above, is positioned in front of the center of the tube. Of the second group of support columns, the second column positioned at the very front extends from below to above the lateral sealing mechanism and, when viewed from above, is positioned behind the center of the tube.

[0007] In the bag-making and packaging apparatus described in the first perspective, by positioning the second support column at the above location, it is possible to suppress an increase in the size of the bag-making and packaging apparatus while securing maintenance space on the side where the second support column group of the bag-making and packaging apparatus is located in the left-right direction.

[0008] Furthermore, in the bag-making and packaging apparatus described in the first perspective, on the side where the first group of support columns of the bag-making and packaging apparatus are located in the left-right direction, the first columns are positioned as described above, thereby providing firm support for the various equipment and components of the bag-making and packaging apparatus.

[0009] A bag-making and packaging apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is a bag-making and packaging apparatus according to a first aspect, wherein the first support column is positioned in front of the tube.

[0010] In the bag-making and packaging apparatus of the second perspective, even if a heavy object is placed in front of the second support column at the top of the bag-making and packaging apparatus, or if the bag-making and packaging apparatus is equipped with parts that cause vibration, the heavy object can be firmly supported and vibration of the bag-making and packaging apparatus can be suppressed.

[0011] A bag-making and packaging apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention is a bag-making and packaging apparatus according to the first or second aspect, wherein the second support column is positioned behind the tube.

[0012] In the third-party bag-making and packaging apparatus, it is easy to secure sufficient workspace around the former mechanism. For example, when replacing the former mechanism, its movement is less likely to be hindered by the second support column.

[0013] A bag-making and packaging apparatus according to the fourth aspect of the present invention is a bag-making and packaging apparatus according to any of the first or third aspects, wherein the first support column supports a member positioned above the former mechanism.

[0014] In some cases, heavy objects such as metal detectors for detecting metal contamination in the supplied goods may be placed above the former mechanism. If such heavy parts are placed at the top of the bag-making and packaging device, and both the first and second support columns are positioned behind the center of the tube, the balance of support may be disrupted, potentially worsening the installation stability of the bag-making and packaging device.

[0015] In contrast, the bag-making and packaging apparatus of the fourth perspective has a first support column positioned at the above location, so even if such heavy objects are present, the frame can firmly support such heavy objects.

[0016] A bag-making and packaging apparatus according to the fifth aspect of the present invention is a bag-making and packaging apparatus according to any of the first or fourth aspects, further comprising a cover that covers at least the front of the former mechanism. The first support column supports the cover.

[0017] From the viewpoints of safety and hygiene, a cover may be installed to cover the forming mechanism. In the bag-making and packaging apparatus of the fifth aspect, such a cover can be firmly supported by the first support column arranged at the above position.

[0018] The bag-making and packaging apparatus according to the sixth aspect of the present invention is any one of the bag-making and packaging apparatuses from the first aspect to the fifth aspect, and the first support column supports a movable member.

[0019] When a movable member (a member that is driven by a driving unit to move) is provided in the bag-making and packaging apparatus, vibration may occur due to the movement of the movable member.

[0020] However, since the bag-making and packaging apparatus of the sixth aspect has the first support column arranged at the above position, the stability of the frame is high, and even if there is a movable member that generates vibration, the vibration of the bag-making and packaging apparatus can be firmly suppressed.

Advantages of the Invention

[0021] In the bag-making and packaging apparatus of the present invention, while suppressing an increase in the size of the apparatus, it is possible to achieve both stable support of various devices and components and high maintainability.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0022] [Figure 1] It is a schematic perspective view of a packaging inspection system including a bag-making and packaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a schematic perspective view of the bag-making and packaging apparatus of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] It is a schematic configuration diagram of the bag-making and packaging apparatus of FIG. 1. [Figure 4A] It is a schematic plan view depicting the arrangement of the support columns of the frame of the bag-making and packaging apparatus of FIG. 1. [Figure 4B] It is a schematic right side view depicting the arrangement of the support columns of the frame of the bag-making and packaging apparatus of FIG. 4A. [Figure 5A] It is a schematic plan view depicting the arrangement of the support columns of a conventional bag-making and packaging apparatus of the first example. [Figure 5B]It is a schematic right side view depicting the arrangement of the support columns of the bag-making packaging device in FIG. 5A. [Figure 6A] It is a schematic plan view depicting the arrangement of the support columns of the bag-making packaging device of the conventional second example. [Figure 6B] It is a schematic right side view depicting the arrangement of the support columns of the bag-making packaging device in FIG. 6A. [Figure 7A] It is a schematic plan view depicting the arrangement of the support columns of the bag-making packaging device of the conventional third example. [Figure 7B] It is a schematic right side view depicting the arrangement of the support columns of the bag-making packaging device in FIG. 7A. [Figure 8] It is a front view for explaining the former mechanism of the bag-making packaging device according to Modification Example A, and the drawings of the former, plate, gripping part, etc. are omitted.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0023] While referring to the drawings, a bag-making packaging device 100 which is an embodiment of the bag-making packaging device of the present invention will be described. Note that the following embodiments are merely specific examples of the present invention and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention.

[0024] In the following description, when expressing directions and positional relationships, expressions such as vertical, orthogonal, horizontal, and vertical may be used, but these expressions are not limited to strict meanings and include cases where they are substantially vertical, orthogonal, horizontal, vertical, etc. Also, in the following description, expressions such as front, rear, top, bottom, left, and right are used to represent directions. Unless otherwise specified, here, front, rear, top, bottom, left, and right follow the directions of the arrows attached to the drawings.

[0025] Note that in the present disclosure, the side on which the film supply unit 300 to be described later is arranged as viewed from the bag-making packaging unit 200 to be described later is defined as the rear, and the side on which the bag-making packaging unit 200 is arranged as viewed from the film supply unit 300 is defined as the front. Also, the horizontal direction that is orthogonal to the front-rear direction in which the bag-making packaging unit 200 and the film supply unit 300 are arranged side by side is defined as the left-right direction.

[0026] (1) Packaging inspection system A packaging inspection system 1, including a bag-making and packaging apparatus 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention, will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of the packaging inspection system 1 including the bag-making and packaging apparatus 100. Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of the bag-making and packaging apparatus 100. Figure 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of the bag-making and packaging apparatus 100.

[0027] Figure 2 shows the bag-making and packaging device 100 with the door 582 (described later), located at the front upper part of the device, open, and the protective plate 590 (see Figure 1), located at the front lower part of the device, removed. Figure 2 also shows the former mechanism 210 and the vertical sealing mechanism 230 (described later) moved from their operating positions to the bag-making and packaging device 100 for maintenance or other purposes.

[0028] As shown in Figure 1, the packaging inspection system 1 mainly includes a bag-making and packaging device 100, a conveying device 2, and a seal inspection device 3.

[0029] The bag-making and packaging device 100 manufactures bag-shaped packaging material from a sheet-like film F, and produces a bag B containing an item C inside (see Figure 3). The item C to be contained in the bag B is supplied to the bag-making and packaging device 100 from a combination weighing machine (not shown) located above the bag-making and packaging device 100. The bags B manufactured by the bag-making and packaging device 100 are transported by the conveying device 2. The seal inspection device 3 inspects the seal condition of the bags B being transported by the conveying device 2 (whether or not the bags B are airtight).

[0030] Here, the combined weighing machine weighs the item C in multiple weighing hoppers, combines the weighing values ​​from the multiple weighing hoppers so that the total weight is within a predetermined weight range, and drops the combined total weight of item C within the predetermined weight range to supply it to the bag-making and packaging device 100.

[0031] The conveying device 2 is a conveyor that extends forward from below the lateral sealing mechanism 240 of the bag-making and packaging device 100. The conveying device 2 transports the bags B manufactured by the bag-making and packaging device 100 forward and passes them to the next process in the packaging inspection system 1 (for example, a conveyor that transports bags B to a boxing device).

[0032] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the bag-making and packaging device 100 mainly includes a film supply unit 300, a bag-making and packaging unit 200, a metal inspection device 400, a frame 500, and a control device (not shown). The film supply unit 300 is located at the rear of the bag-making and packaging device 100. The film supply unit 300 supplies a sheet of film F to the bag-making and packaging unit 200, which is located at the front. The bag-making and packaging unit 200 is located at the front of the bag-making and packaging device 100. The bag-making and packaging unit 200 forms the sheet of film F into a cylindrical shape and seals the cylindrical film F (cylindrical film Ft) laterally to make a bag B. The metal inspection device 400 inspects for the presence of foreign matter (metal) in the article C that is dropped from a combination weighing machine (not shown) to the bag-making and packaging device 100. The frame 500 primarily supports the film supply unit 300, the bag-making and packaging unit 200, and the metal detection device 400. The control device controls the operation of each part of the film supply unit 300 and the bag-making and packaging unit 200, and performs various calculations and processing.

[0033] (2) Bag making and packaging equipment The bag-making and packaging device 100 will be described in detail.

[0034] (2-1) Film supply unit The film supply unit 300 is located at the rear of the bag-making and packaging device 100. The film supply unit 300 is located behind the bag-making and packaging unit 200, and is positioned alongside the bag-making and packaging unit 200. The film supply unit 300 supplies a sheet of film F to the former mechanism 210 of the bag-making and packaging unit 200, which will be described later, located in front of it.

[0035] As shown in Figure 3, the film supply unit 300 mainly includes a film roll support mechanism 310 and a guide mechanism 320.

[0036] The film roll support mechanism 310 holds a film roll FR in which a sheet of film F is wound around a core (not shown). The film roll support mechanism 310 uses a drive unit such as a motor (not shown) to rotate the shaft 312 (see Figures 1 to 3) to which the core of the film roll FR is attached, thereby unwinding the film F from the film roll FR.

[0037] The guide mechanism 320 includes a plurality of rollers arranged along the transport path of the film F. The guide mechanism 320 guides the film F, which is unwound from the film roll FR, to the former mechanism 210 of the bag-making and packaging section 200.

[0038] (2-2) Bag making and packaging department As shown in Figure 3, the bag-making and packaging unit 200 mainly includes a former mechanism 210, a conveying mechanism 220, a vertical sealing mechanism 230, and a horizontal sealing mechanism 240.

[0039] The former mechanism 210 mainly includes a former 212, a tube 214, a plate 216, and a gripping portion 218.

[0040] The former 212 is positioned to surround the cylindrical tube 214 and bends the sheet-like film F, which is transported from the film supply unit 300 at the rear of the bag-making and packaging device 100, so that the left and right ends of the film F in the width direction overlap, thereby forming it into a cylindrical shape. The cylindrical film Ft formed by the former 212 is guided to wrap around the outer circumference of the lower side of the cylindrical tube 214 and is transported downward while wrapped around the tube 214. In the following, the portion of the tube 214 around which the cylindrical film Ft wraps may be referred to as portion 214a.

[0041] The tube 214 is a cylindrical member that extends vertically and has openings at its upper and lower ends. The lower end of the tube 214 is positioned above the lateral sealing mechanism 240 (above the region in which the rotating body 242 rotates) so as not to obstruct the movement of the rotating body 242 of the lateral sealing mechanism 240, which will be described later. The tube 214 receives the falling object C at its upper opening and supplies the object C, which is fed in from the upper opening, into the interior of the cylindrical film Ft from its lower opening.

[0042] The plate 216 is mounted and fixed on a mounting section (not shown) supported by the frame 500, and is supported by the frame 500 via the mounting section. The former 212 and tube 214 are attached to the plate 216 either directly or via other components, and the plate 216 supports the former 212 and tube 214. A gripping section 218 is also attached to the plate 216 either directly or via other components. When attaching or detaching the former mechanism 210 from the mounting section, the operator grasps the gripping section 218 and moves the former mechanism 210.

[0043] The conveying mechanism 220 is positioned below the plate 216 of the former mechanism 210. The conveying mechanism 220 is positioned on both the left and right sides of the portion 214a of the tube 214 around which the tubular film Ft is wound. The conveying mechanism 220 conveys the film F unwound from the film roll FR to the former mechanism 210 and conveys the tubular film Ft formed by the former 212 to the lateral sealing mechanism 240. The conveying mechanism 220 has a pull-down belt 226 with a suction function, and conveys the tubular film Ft downward by driving the drive roller 222 around which the pull-down belt 226 is wound while the film F is suctioned, using a drive mechanism such as a motor (not shown).

[0044] The vertical sealing mechanism 230 seals the overlapping portions of the left and right ends of the tubular film Ft. The vertical sealing mechanism 230 is positioned in front of the path through which the overlapping portions of the left and right ends of the tubular film Ft, which is being transported wrapped around the tube 214, are transported. A heater (not shown) is built into the vertical sealing mechanism 230. When the heater is turned ON, the vertical sealing mechanism 230 is driven by a drive unit (not shown), and when the vertical sealing mechanism 230 is pressed against the tube 214 via the tubular film Ft, the overlapping portions of the left and right ends of the tubular film Ft are sealed in the vertical direction.

[0045] As shown in Figure 3, the lateral sealing mechanism 240 is located below the vertical sealing mechanism 230. The lateral sealing mechanism 240 laterally seals the top and bottom of one portion of the tubular film Ft (used to manufacture one bag B) to produce a bag B containing the article C. Specifically, the lateral sealing mechanism 240 laterally seals the vertically sealed tubular film Ft, which is being transported downward by the transport mechanism 220, in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction A of the tubular film Ft, thereby forming the lateral sealed portion of the bag B.

[0046] As shown in Figure 3, the lateral sealing mechanism 240 mainly includes a pair of rotating bodies 242 positioned at the front and rear of the tubular film Ft, respectively. Each rotating body 242 includes an arm 243 configured to pivot around a rotation axis X, and sealing jaws 244a and 244b, each with a built-in heater, attached to the arm 243. The sealing jaws 244a of both rotating bodies 242 function as a pair to laterally seal the tubular film Ft. Similarly, the sealing jaws 244b of both rotating bodies 242 function as a pair to laterally seal the tubular film Ft. The pair of sealing jaws 244a and the pair of sealing jaws 244b alternately laterally seal the conveyed tubular film Ft. Furthermore, one of the pair of sealing jaws 244a and one of the pair of sealing jaws 244b are provided with cutters that do not draw, and the lateral sealing mechanism 240 cuts the laterally sealed portion in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction A of the tubular film Ft at the timing when the pair of sealing jaws 244a and the pair of sealing jaws 244b perform heat sealing, thereby separating the bag B from the subsequent tubular film Ft.

[0047] (2-3) Metal detection device The metal detection device 400 is positioned above the upper end of the tube 214 of the former mechanism 210. In other words, the metal detection device 400 is positioned above the former mechanism 210. Specifically, here the metal detection device 400 is positioned directly above the former mechanism 210. At least a portion of the metal detection device 400 is positioned forward of the center O of the tube 214. The definition of the center O of the tube 214 will be described later. The metal detection device 400 inspects for the presence of foreign matter (metal) in the article C that is dropped from the combination weighing machine into the opening at the upper end of the tube 214. The metal detection device 400 is supported by a frame 500.

[0048] Since the metal detection device 400 itself is a well-known device, a detailed explanation will be omitted.

[0049] (2-4) Frame The frame 500 will be explained with reference to Figures 4A and 4B. Figure 4A is a schematic plan view showing the arrangement of the support columns 510 of the frame 500 of the bag-making and packaging device 100. Figure 4B is a schematic right side view showing the arrangement of the support columns 510 of the frame 500 of the bag-making and packaging device 100. In Figures 4A and 4B, hatching is applied to the support columns 510 for clarity.

[0050] The frame 500 supports various devices and parts of the film supply section 300 of the bag-making and packaging machine 100, various devices and parts of the bag-making and packaging section 200, and the metal inspection device 400.

[0051] The frame 500 includes multiple upright support columns 510 and beams spanning between the support columns 510. In other words, the frame 500 is composed of support columns 510 and beams. Here, we will mainly describe the support columns 510, which are a particularly characteristic component of the bag-making and packaging device 100.

[0052] The frame 500, which has multiple support columns 510, encloses at least a portion of each of the film supply section 300, the former mechanism 210, and the lateral sealing mechanism 240.

[0053] Here, the statement that the frame 500 encloses at least a portion of the film supply unit 300 means that, when viewed from above, at least a portion of the film supply unit 300 is located within the area enclosed by a virtual straight line extending horizontally through the frontmost support column 510, a virtual straight line extending horizontally through the rearmost support column 510, a virtual straight line extending vertically through the rightmost support column 510, and a virtual straight line extending vertically through the leftmost support column 510 (within the rectangle in Figure 4A). The same applies to the statement that the frame 500 encloses at least a portion of the former mechanism 210 and the lateral sealing mechanism 240, respectively.

[0054] The multiple support columns 510 include a first support column group 520, which includes multiple support columns 510 arranged on one side of the bag-making and packaging device 100 in the left-right direction (with respect to a virtual straight line K extending in the front-rear direction from the left-right center of the bag-making and packaging device 100), and a second support column group 530, which includes multiple support columns 510 arranged on the other side (see Figure 4A). In this embodiment, the support columns 510 included in the first support column group 520 are arranged on the left side of the bag-making and packaging device 100. The support columns 510 included in the second support column group 530 are arranged on the right side of the bag-making and packaging device 100. Note that the arrangement of the first support column group 520 and the second support column group 530 is merely an example, and the first support column group 520 having the characteristics described later may be arranged on the right side of the bag-making and packaging device 100, and the second support column group 530 having the characteristics described later may be arranged on the left side of the bag-making and packaging device 100.

[0055] In the bag-making and packaging device 100, the multiple support columns 510 are arranged asymmetrically with respect to a virtual straight line K extending from the center of the bag-making and packaging device 100 in the left-right direction.

[0056] Specifically, among the pillars 510 of the first pillar group 520, the first pillar 522, which is positioned furthest forward, is positioned in front of the center O of the tube 214 (forward with respect to a virtual straight line L passing through the center O) when viewed from above. More preferably, the first pillar 522 is positioned in front of the tube 214 (in particular, the portion 214a of the tube 214 around which the tubular film Ft formed into a cylindrical shape by the former 212 is wrapped). On the other hand, among the pillars 510 of the second pillar group 530, the second pillar 532, which is positioned furthest forward, is positioned behind the center O of the tube 214 (behind the virtual straight line L passing through the center O) when viewed from above. More preferably, the second pillar 532 is positioned behind the portion 214a of the tube 214.

[0057] Here, the center O of the tube 214 refers to the position of the centroid of the cross-section obtained by horizontally cutting portion 214a of the tube 214. For example, if the cross-sectional shape of portion 214a of the tube 214 is annular, then the center O of the tube 214 is the center of the cross-section obtained by horizontally cutting portion 214a of the tube 214. Note that the cross-sectional shape of portion 214a of the tube 214 does not have to be annular, and the outer shape of portion 214a of the tube 214 may be elliptical, etc.

[0058] The first support column 522 extends from below the lateral sealing mechanism 240 to above the lateral sealing mechanism 240. Similarly, the second support column 532 also extends from below the lateral sealing mechanism 240 to above the lateral sealing mechanism 240. Specifically, for example, the first support column 522 and the second support column 532 extend from the base 550 at the bottom of the bag-making and packaging device 100 to above the upper end of the tube 214 of the former mechanism 210.

[0059] The first support column 522 and the second support column 532 directly or indirectly support, for example, the former mechanism 210. In particular, the first support column 522 supports a heavy metal inspection device 400, which is located above the former mechanism 210. The first support column 522 also supports the cover 580 of the bag-making and packaging device 100.

[0060] Here, the cover 580 is a component that covers the front and right side of the former mechanism 210. The cover 580 is attached to the first support column 522, which supports the cover 580. The cover 580 is a door 582 that can be opened and closed. For maintenance, etc., the door 582 can be rotated using a hinge provided on the first support column 522 as a pivot point (see Figure 2), allowing the worker to access the former mechanism 210, the transport mechanism 220, the vertical sealing mechanism 230, etc.

[0061] The effects obtained by arranging the support columns 510 as shown in Figures 4A and 4B will be explained below, with reference to Figures 5 to 7.

[0062] In this embodiment, the frame 500 of the bag-making and packaging device 100 is assumed to have five support columns 510. As a first conventional example, the frame 500A of the bag-making and packaging device 1000A shown in Figures 5A and 5B, and as a second conventional example, the frame 500B of the bag-making and packaging device 1000B shown in Figures 6A and 6B, each have six support columns 510A and 510B. As a third conventional example, the frame 500C of the bag-making and packaging device 1000C shown in Figures 7A and 7B has four support columns 510C.

[0063] Furthermore, in this context, the support columns 510, 510A, 510B, and 510C are defined as columns erected from the base (bottom) 550 to the top (uppermost) 560 of the frames 500, 500A, 500B, and 500C. In addition, the bag-making and packaging devices 1000A to 1000C have the same configuration as the bag-making and packaging device 100, except for the frames 500A to 500C.

[0064] However, the main feature of the frame 500 of the bag-making and packaging apparatus 100 in this embodiment is the arrangement of the first support column 522 of the first support column group 520 and the second support column 532 of the second support column group 530, and the number of support columns 510 is arbitrary as long as it can support the various equipment and parts of the bag-making and packaging apparatus 100. Furthermore, the support columns 510 of the bag-making and packaging apparatus 100 may include support columns 510 that are erected from a position above the base 550 of the frame 500, and support columns 510 that are erected only to a position below the top 560 of the frame 500.

[0065] In the example shown in Figure 4A, the multiple support columns 510 include three support columns 510 of the first support column group 520 located on the left side, and two support columns 510 of the second support column group 530 located on the right side. Furthermore, in the example shown in Figure 4A, as described above, the multiple support columns 510 are arranged asymmetrically with respect to a virtual straight line K extending from the left-right center of the bag-making and packaging device 100.

[0066] One advantage of the structure of the frame 500 of the bag-making and packaging apparatus 100 in this embodiment is that, in the left-right direction, it is easy to secure working space for the former mechanism 210 and the like on the side where the second support column group 530 is located (in this case, the right side). Specifically, as shown in Figure 2, when the door 582 of the cover 580 is opened, there are no support columns 510 on the right side of the bag-making and packaging apparatus 100, at least in front of the center O of the tube 214. Therefore, it is easy for an operator to enter the frame 500 from the right side or the front right side of the bag-making and packaging apparatus 100, grasp the gripping part 218 of the former mechanism 210, and remove the former mechanism 210 from the bag-making and packaging apparatus 100. In addition, since there are no support columns 510 on the right side of the bag-making and packaging apparatus 100, at least in front of the center O of the tube 214, the removal of the former mechanism 210 is less likely to be hindered by the support columns 510.

[0067] Another advantage of this structure lies in the structural stability of the frame 500. Specifically, in the left-right direction, on the side where the first support group 520 is located (in this case, the left side), the first support 522 is positioned in front of the center O of the tube 214, so that it can firmly support heavy objects such as the metal inspection device 400 positioned on top of the former mechanism 210 (partially positioned in front of the center O of the tube 214, as shown in Figure 4B in this embodiment) and the cover 580 positioned around the former mechanism 210.

[0068] The frame 500 of the bag-making and packaging apparatus 100 of this embodiment will be compared with the frames 500A, 500B, and 500C of the conventional bag-making and packaging apparatuses 1000A, 1000B, and 1000C.

[0069] In the frame 500A of the bag-making and packaging machine 1000A, the frontmost support columns 522A and 532A on the left and right sides are positioned so that their front ends coincide with the center O of the tube 214 (on a virtual straight line L extending left and right through the center O), as shown in Figures 5A and 5B. This configuration still provides some workspace. However, since neither of the frontmost support columns 522A and 532A on the left and right sides is positioned in front of the center O of the tube 214, it is difficult to stably support heavy objects such as the metal inspection device 400 above the former mechanism 210. Furthermore, since neither of the frontmost support columns 522A and 532A on the left and right sides is positioned in front of the center O of the tube 214, it is also difficult to firmly support the cover 580 that is positioned around the former mechanism 210. Furthermore, since the front ends of the left and right foremost support columns 522A and 532A are positioned so that they coincide with the center O of the tube 214, the maintainability is not as high as in the case where the second support column 532 is positioned behind the center O of the tube 214, as in the bag-making and packaging device 100 of this embodiment.

[0070] Next, in the frame 500B of the bag-making and packaging device 1000B, the frontmost support columns 522B and 532B on the left and right are both positioned in front of the tube 214. With this arrangement of support columns 522B and 532B, it is possible to stably support the heavy metal inspection device 400 above the former mechanism 210 and the cover 580 that is positioned around the former mechanism 210. However, on the other hand, as explained in the problem that the invention aims to solve, the maintainability is poor due to the presence of support columns 522B and 532B. It is possible that maintainability could be ensured if the frontmost support columns 522B and 532B were positioned further away from the second row of support columns 510B and 510B from the front, but in this case, another problem arises: an increase in the installation space of the bag-making and packaging device 1000B.

[0071] Next, in the frame 500C of the bag-making and packaging machine 1000C, the left and right foremost support columns 522C and 532C are both positioned behind the tube 214. This configuration makes it easy to secure working space and improves the maintainability of the bag-making and packaging machine 1000C. However, since the left and right foremost support columns 522C and 532C are not positioned in front of the tube 214, the former mechanism 210 and the metal inspection device 400 have a cantilevered structure, making it difficult to stably support the former mechanism 210 and the metal inspection device 400. Furthermore, it becomes difficult to firmly support the cover 580 that is positioned around the former mechanism 210.

[0072] As is clear from the above comparison, the bag-making and packaging apparatus 100 of this embodiment achieves both stable support for various equipment and parts and high maintainability, which could not be obtained with the configuration of conventional bag-making and packaging apparatuses, without increasing the size of the apparatus.

[0073] (3) Features (3-1) The bag-making and packaging device 100 forms a sheet-like film F supplied from a rear film supply unit 300 into a cylindrical shape using a former mechanism 210, which includes a former 212 and a tube 214 and is positioned in front of the film supply unit 300. Articles C supplied from above are then placed inside the cylindrical film (cylindrical film Ft), and the cylindrical film Ft is laterally sealed using a lateral sealing mechanism 240 to perform bag-making and packaging. The bag-making and packaging device 100 is equipped with a plurality of upright support columns 510. The plurality of support columns 510 constitute a frame 500 that encloses at least a portion of each of the film supply unit 300, the former mechanism 210, and the lateral sealing mechanism 240. The plurality of support columns 510 include a first support column group 520 and a second support column group 530. The first support column group 520 and the second support column group 530 each include a plurality of support columns 510. The columns 510 of the first column group 520 are positioned on one side of the bag-making and packaging device 100 in the left-right direction, and the columns 510 of the second column group 530 are positioned on the other side of the bag-making and packaging device 100 in the left-right direction. Of the columns 510 of the first column group 520, the first column 522, which is positioned furthest forward, extends from below to above the lateral sealing mechanism 240 and, when viewed from above, is positioned in front of the center O of the tube 214. Of the columns 510 of the second column group 530, the second column 532, which is positioned furthest forward, extends from below to above the lateral sealing mechanism 240 and, when viewed from above, is positioned behind the center O of the tube 214.

[0074] In the bag-making and packaging device 100, by positioning the second support column 532 in the above position, it is possible to suppress an increase in the size of the bag-making and packaging device 100 while securing maintenance space on the side of the bag-making and packaging device 100 where the second support column group 530 is located in the left-right direction.

[0075] Furthermore, in the bag-making and packaging device 100, on the side where the first support column group 520 is located in the left-right direction, the first support column 522 is positioned as described above, thereby firmly supporting the various equipment and components of the bag-making and packaging device 100.

[0076] (3-2) In the bag-making and packaging device 100, the first support column 522 is positioned in front of the tube 214.

[0077] Even if a heavy object is placed in front of the second support column 532 at the top of the bag-making and packaging device 100, or if the bag-making and packaging device 100 is equipped with parts that cause vibration, the heavy object can be firmly supported and vibrations of the bag-making and packaging device 100 can be suppressed.

[0078] (3-3) In the bag-making and packaging device 100, the second support column 532 is positioned behind the tube 214.

[0079] In the bag-making and packaging device 100, it is easy to secure sufficient workspace around the former mechanism 210. For example, when replacing the former mechanism 210, the movement of the former mechanism 210 is not easily obstructed by the second support column 532.

[0080] (3-4) In the bag-making and packaging apparatus 100, the first support column 522 supports a member positioned above the former mechanism 210. Specifically, in this embodiment, the first support column 522 supports a metal inspection device 400 positioned directly above the former mechanism 210.

[0081] The bag-making and packaging device 100 has a first support column 522 positioned as described above. Therefore, even if a heavy object such as a metal inspection device 400 is placed directly above the former mechanism 210, the frame 500 can firmly support such a heavy object without disrupting the balance of support.

[0082] (3-5) The bag-making and packaging device 100 includes a cover 580 that covers at least the front of the former mechanism 210. The cover 580 of the bag-making and packaging device 100 covers the front, left, and right sides of the former mechanism 210. The first support column 522 supports the cover 580.

[0083] In this bag-making and packaging device 100, a cover 580 is installed to cover the former mechanism 210 from the standpoint of safety and hygiene. In the bag-making and packaging device 100, the cover 580 can be firmly supported by the first support column 522 positioned at the above location.

[0084] (4) Variations The following shows modifications of the above embodiment. Note that some or all of the modifications may be combined with the above embodiment or other modifications, to the extent that they do not contradict each other.

[0085] (4-1) Variation A The bag-making and packaging apparatus 100 may have a former mechanism 210A, as shown in Figure 8, instead of the former mechanism 210 described above. Figure 8 is a front view illustrating the former mechanism 210A of the bag-making and packaging apparatus 100 according to modified example A, and the former 212, plate 216, gripping part 218, etc. are omitted from the drawing.

[0086] The former mechanism 210A, in addition to the configuration of the former mechanism 210 of the above embodiment, includes a shutter 215 that moves in the left-right direction and a chute 211 that moves in the up-down direction. The shutter 215 and chute 211 are positioned above the former 212 and tube 214.

[0087] The chute 211 is a funnel-shaped member that moves up and down between the upper position shown in Figure 8(a) and the lower position shown in Figure 8(b). The chute 211 is positioned directly below the combination weighing device, and its upper opening receives the supply of items C falling from above.

[0088] The chute 211 is mainly positioned in an upper position when goods C are supplied from the combination weighing machine. The shutter 215 is positioned below the chute 211, which is positioned in an upper position, and particularly near the lower end of the chute 211. When goods C are supplied from the combination weighing machine, the shutter 215 is mainly in a closed state as shown in Figure 8(a), blocking the opening at the lower end of the chute 211. In this state, when goods C are supplied, goods C accumulate inside the chute 211.

[0089] Then, for example, near the end of the timing when the supply of item C from the combination weighing device is about to end, or at the moment when the supply of item C from the combination weighing device has ended, the shutter 215 opens, and at the same time, the chute 211 quickly descends inside the tube 214 from the upper position (see dashed line in Figure 8(b)) to the lower position (see solid line in Figure 8(b)), and as soon as it reaches the lower position it immediately changes direction and quickly rises back up to the upper position. With this configuration, item C can be supplied into the tubular film Ft in a consolidated state in a short time.

[0090] However, if the bag-making and packaging device 100 has such movable members (such as a chute 211 or shutter 215), vibration may occur due to the movement of these movable members.

[0091] However, since the bag-making and packaging device 100 has a first support column 522 positioned at the above location, the frame 500 is highly stable, and even if there are movable members that generate vibration, vibrations of the bag-making and packaging device 100 can be effectively suppressed. [Explanation of symbols]

[0092] 100: Bag making and packaging equipment 210: Forma mechanism 210A: Former mechanism 211: Shoot (movable part) 212: Forma 214: Tube 215: Shutter 240: Lateral sealing mechanism 300: Film supply unit 400: Metal detection device 500: Frame 510: Strut 520: 1st pillar group 522:1st pillar 530: 2nd pillar group 532:Second pillar 580: Cover C:Goods F: Film Ft: Tubular film (a film in the shape of a cylinder) O: Center (center of the tube) [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0093] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2002-337817

Claims

1. A bag-making and packaging apparatus that forms a sheet of film supplied from a rear film supply unit into a cylindrical shape using a former mechanism including a former and a tube, which is positioned in front of the film supply unit, puts an article supplied from above into the inside of the cylindrical film, and seals the cylindrical film laterally using a lateral sealing mechanism to perform bag-making and packaging, The frame comprises a plurality of upright support columns that enclose at least a portion of the film supply unit, the former mechanism, and the lateral sealing mechanism, The aforementioned plurality of support columns are arranged in the left-right direction, A first group of support columns, including a plurality of support columns, arranged on one side of the bag-making and packaging apparatus, A second group of support columns, including multiple support columns arranged on the other side, Includes, Of the first support columns in the first support group, the first support column positioned at the very front extends from below to above the lateral sealing mechanism, and when viewed from above, is positioned in front of the center of the tube. Of the support columns in the second support group, the second support column positioned at the front extends from below to above the lateral sealing mechanism, and when viewed from above, is positioned behind the center of the tube. Bag making and packaging equipment.

2. The first support column is positioned in front of the tube, The bag-making and packaging apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The second support column is positioned behind the tube, The bag-making and packaging apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The first support column supports a member positioned above the former mechanism. The bag-making and packaging apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The former mechanism further comprises a cover that covers at least the front of the former mechanism, The first support column supports the cover, The bag-making and packaging apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

6. The first support column supports the movable member, The bag-making and packaging apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

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