Spout welding apparatus and method for welding spouts to film material

Abstract

To provide a spout welding apparatus capable of welding a spout to an outer side surface of a pouch without deteriorating quality of the pouch.SOLUTION: A spout welding apparatus comprises: a heater 300 that heats from a second surface side while a film material 801 in which each of a first layer that forms a first surface to be an outer side surface of a pouch and a second layer that forms a second surface to be an inner side surface of the pouch is composed of a layer having a sealant characteristic, is brought into contact with the second surface; a pressure-contact mechanism that presses a spout 900 and the film material 801 into a contact state at a position that faces the heater 300 on the first surface by moving at least one of the spout 900 and the heater 300; and a controller for controlling the heater 300 and the pressure-contact mechanism. The controller causes the heater 300 to perform a processing of heating the film material 801 while the spout 900 and the film material 801 are brought into pressure-contact with each other by the pressure contact mechanism.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a spout welding apparatus and a method for welding a spout to a film material. [Background Art]

[0002] Conventionally, pouches with spouts are known. Such a pouch is formed by heat-welding film materials each having a sealant layer on one surface. For example, in International Publication No. 2020 / 100972 (Patent Document 1), in a state where the lower end of the spout is inserted into a work-in-progress pouch having an opening formed at the upper end, the films at the opening and the film and the lower end of the spout are heat-welded to manufacture the pouch, which is disclosed. [Prior Art Document] [Patent Document]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2020 / 100972 [Summary of the Invention] [Problem to be Solved by the Invention]

[0004] In the spout-equipped pouch of Patent Document 1, since heat welding is performed in a state where the sealant layers of the respective film materials are in contact with each other, each film material is arranged such that the sealant layer is on the inner side of the pouch. For this reason, the spout is also welded to the inner surface of the pouch.

[0005] By the way, in recent years, from the viewpoint of ensuring sealing performance and the like, there has been a demand for welding the spout to the outer surface of the pouch. The present disclosure provides a spout welding apparatus capable of welding a spout to the outer surface of a pouch without impairing the quality of the pouch, and a method for welding a spout to a film material. [Means for Solving the Problem]

[0006] According to a certain aspect of this disclosure, a spout welding apparatus includes a heater that heats a film material, which is composed of a first layer forming the outer surface of the pouch and a second layer forming the inner surface of the pouch, from the second surface side while in contact with the second surface; a pressure welding mechanism that presses the spout and the film material together at a position on the first surface facing the heater by moving at least one of the spout and the heater; and a controller that controls the heater and the pressure welding mechanism. The controller causes the heater to perform a process of heating the film material while the spout and the film material are pressed together by the pressure welding mechanism.

[0007] In other aspects of this disclosure, a method for welding a spout to a film material using a heater, wherein the film material is composed of a first layer forming a first surface which will be the outer surface of the pouch and a second layer forming a second surface which will be the inner surface of the pouch, each of which has sealant properties. The method for welding a spout to a film material comprises the steps of pressing the spout and the film material together at a position on the first surface facing the heater by moving at least one of the spout and the heater while the heater is in contact with the second surface, and heating the film material from the second surface side with the heater while the spout and the film material are pressed together. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to this disclosure, it is possible to weld the spout to the outer surface of the pouch without compromising the quality of the pouch. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a diagram showing the external appearance of a spout welding device. [Figure 2] This is a front view of a spout welding device. [Figure 3] This is a side view of a spout welding device. [Figure 4] This is a hardware configuration diagram of a spout welding device. [Figure 5]It is a cross-sectional view of the heater taken along line V-V in Fig. 1. [Figure 6] It is an exploded view of the heater corresponding to Fig. 5. [Figure 7] It is a diagram showing a state where a bag formed of a film material and a spout are placed in a spout welding apparatus. [Figure 8] It is a longitudinal cross-section of the bag parallel to the YZ plane shown in Fig. 7. [Figure 9] It is a diagram showing a state where the heater covered with the bag is moved from the position shown in Fig. 7. [Figure 10] It is a diagram showing a state where the cylinder is operated until the spout is pressed against the gusset top of the bag. [Figure 11] It is a flow diagram explaining the flow of processing executed by the spout welding apparatus. MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts and components are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated. Hereinafter, a spout welding apparatus that constitutes a part of a manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing pouches with spouts will be described.

[0011] <A. External Appearance of Apparatus> Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the external appearance of the spout welding apparatus. Fig. 2 is a front view of the spout welding apparatus 1. Fig. 3 is a side view of the spout welding apparatus 1.

[0012] As shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the spout welding apparatus 1 includes a pressing mechanism 100, a heater moving mechanism 200, a heater 300, and a frame portion 700. The pressing mechanism 100 includes a claw portion 105 and a cylinder 101.

[0013] The frame body portion 700 includes three plate-shaped members 710, 720, 730, four support columns 740 (one is not shown), four support columns 750, and two guide rails 760. The plate-shaped member 710 has an upper surface 711 and a lower surface 712. The plate-shaped member 720 has an upper surface 721 and a lower surface 722. The plate-shaped member 730 has an upper surface 731 and a lower surface 732. Note that the upper surface 711 and the lower surface 722 face each other. The upper surface 721 and the lower surface 732 face each other.

[0014] The plate-shaped member 710 is in contact with a mounting table (not shown) at the lower surface 712 thereof. The plate-shaped member 710 and the plate-shaped member 720 are connected by the four support columns 740. The plate-shaped member 720 and the plate-shaped member 730 are connected by the four support columns 750. Each guide rail 760 is disposed on the upper surface 721 of the plate-shaped member 720. Each guide rail 760 is arranged parallel to each other and parallel to the Y-axis.

[0015] The pressure contact mechanism 100 is installed on the lower surface 732 of the plate-shaped member 730. A claw portion 105 is provided below the cylinder 101. Although details will be described later, the cylinder 101 is slidable in the vertical direction (the positive Z-axis direction and the negative Z-axis direction). The position of the claw portion 105 changes in the vertical direction by the sliding operation of the cylinder 101. A spout is supplied to the claw portion 105. The claw portion 105 temporarily holds the spout.

[0016] The heater moving mechanism 200 is installed on the upper surface 721 side of the plate-shaped member 720. More specifically, the heater moving mechanism 200 is installed on the guide rails 760. The heater moving mechanism 200 is movable along the guide rails 760 in the Y-axis direction (the positive Y-axis direction and the negative Y-axis direction).

[0017] The heater 300 is installed on the heater moving mechanism 200. The heater 300 moves (slides) in the Y-axis direction as the heater moving mechanism 200 moves along the guide rails 760.

[0018] <B. Hardware Configuration> Figure 4 is a hardware configuration diagram of the spout welding apparatus 1. As shown in Figure 4, the spout welding apparatus 1 comprises a pressure welding mechanism 100, a heater movement mechanism 200, and a heater 300, as described above. The spout welding apparatus 1 also comprises a cooling device 400, a controller 500, and a switch 600. The pressure welding mechanism 100, the heater movement mechanism 200, the heater 300, the cooling device 400, and the switch 600 are configured to communicate with the controller 500.

[0019] The controller 500 controls the overall operation of the spout welding device 1. The controller 500 controls the operation of the pressure welding mechanism 100, the heater movement mechanism 200, the heater 300, and the cooling device 400. Based on the user pressing the switch 600, the controller 500 causes the pressure welding mechanism 100, the heater movement mechanism 200, the heater 300, and the cooling device 400 to perform predetermined actions. The predetermined actions will be described later.

[0020] The pressure contact mechanism 100 includes a cylinder 101 as described above. The pressure contact mechanism 100 further includes a cylinder drive device 102 that drives (moves vertically) the cylinder 101. The cylinder drive device 102 operates based on commands from the controller 500.

[0021] In this example, the heater moving mechanism 200 includes wheels 201, a motor 202, and a motor drive circuit 203. The motor drive circuit 203 drives the motor 202. When the motor 202 is driven, the wheels 201 rotate. The motor drive circuit 203 operates based on commands from the controller 500. Note that the heater moving mechanism 200 does not necessarily need to have wheels 201 as long as it is configured to move along the guide rail 760.

[0022] The heater 300 includes a temperature sensor 301 and an operation circuit 302. The temperature sensor 301 detects the temperature of the heater 300 (specifically, the heat generating part of a head described later). In the present example, the temperature sensor 301 is a thermocouple. The operation circuit 302 acquires the measurement result from the temperature sensor 301. The heater 300 is turned on and off by the operation circuit 302 based on a command from the controller 500. The heater 300 heats a film material described later by pulse heating. Details of the heater 300 will be described later.

[0023] A cooling device 400 supplies cooling air (hereinafter also referred to as "cooling air") to the heater 300. The cooling device 400 includes an air compressor 401, an air tank 402, a valve 403, and a valve control unit 404. Air compressed by the air compressor 401 is sent to the air tank 402. Air at a predetermined pressure (pressure Q1) is stored in the air tank 402 by a pressure reducing valve not shown. The air stored in the air tank 402 is supplied to the heater 300 via the valve 403.

[0024] Specifically, the air compressor 401 has a motor and a drive circuit. The air compressor 401 operates based on a command from the controller 500. When the air pressure in the air tank 402 becomes equal to or lower than pressure Q2 (<Q1), the air compressor 401 automatically operates regardless of a command from the controller 500. The air pressure in the air tank 402 is detected by a sensor not shown.

[0025] The valve control unit 404 controls opening and closing of the valve 403. The valve control unit 404 operates based on a command from the controller 500. When the valve control unit 404 receives a first command from the controller 500, the valve control unit 404 opens the valve 403. Accordingly, compressed air in the air tank 402 is supplied to the heater 300. When the valve control unit 404 receives a second command from the controller 500, the valve control unit 404 closes the valve 403. Accordingly, the supply of compressed air in the air tank 402 to the heater 300 is stopped.

[0026] <C. Heater> Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the heater 300 taken along the VV line in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 5, the heater 300 comprises a head 310, an insulating material 320, a pipe 330, and a pipe 340.

[0027] The head 310 generates heat when electricity flows through it. In this example, a pulsed current is passed through the head 310. The head 310 has the temperature sensor 301 described above.

[0028] Pipe 330 is located inside pipe 340. In this example, the central axis in the extension direction of pipe 330 coincides with the central axis in the extension direction of pipe 340. Both pipe 330 and pipe 340 are made of metal. Compressed air from the cooling device 400 is supplied to pipe 330 from below.

[0029] The insulation material 320 is attached to the upper end 341 of the pipe 340. A portion of the insulation material 320 is inserted into the pipe 340. The insulation material 320 is provided around the head 310 when viewed from above (in the negative Z-axis direction) of the heater 300.

[0030] Figure 6 is an exploded view of the heater 300 corresponding to Figure 5. As shown in Figure 6, the head 310 has a heating element 311, wiring 312, 313, 314, and wiring not shown (wiring located on the front side of the figure and opposite wiring 314). These wirings 312-314 are connected to the heating element 311.

[0031] In this example, the heating element 311 is circular when viewed from above the heater 300. The heating element 311 is a heating plate. Wiring 312 and 313 are for supplying pulsed current to the heating element 311. Wiring 314 and the aforementioned wiring (not shown) constitute the temperature sensor 301 (specifically, a thermocouple).

[0032] The insulation material 320 has circular openings 321, 322, and 323 formed in this order when viewed from above the heater 300. The diameters of the openings 321, 322, and 323 decrease in this order. The centers of the openings 321, 322, and 323 coincide when viewed from above the heater 300. The insulation material 320 has outer circumferential surfaces 324 and 325. The diameter of outer circumferential surface 324 is larger than the diameter of outer circumferential surface 325. In the cross-sectional view of Figure 6, the outer circumferential surface 325 and the inner circumferential surface (inner wall surface) that constitutes the opening 323 constitute the front and back surfaces of the lower end of the insulation material 320.

[0033] The diameter of the heating element 311 is smaller than the diameter of the outer surface 324 and larger than the diameter of the opening 322. The diameter of the heating element 311 is slightly smaller than the diameter of the opening 321. The heating element 311 is installed with at least a portion of it inserted into the opening 321. Since the diameter of the heating element 311 is larger than the diameter of the opening 322, the heating element 311 is not inserted below the opening 321.

[0034] The pipe 330 has an outer circumferential surface 331 and an inner circumferential surface 332. The pipe 330 is installed within the openings 322 and 323 of the insulation material 320. The pipe 330 is installed in a position where a gap (see Figure 5) is formed between the upper end of the pipe 330 and the heat-generating part 311. The pipe 330 is housed within the pipe 340.

[0035] The pipe 340 further has an inner circumferential surface 342. The insulation material 320 is fitted into the internal space of the end portion 341 of the pipe 340. At the end portion 341, the inner circumferential surface 342 and the outer circumferential surface 325 of the insulation material 320 are in contact.

[0036] Wirings 312 to 314, etc., are arranged in the space between the outer surface 331 of pipe 330 and the inner surface 342 of pipe 340 (the space between two circles with the same center but different radii when viewed from above).

[0037] Next, the flow of cooling air sent from the cooling device 400 will be described. The cooling device 400 supplies cooling air to the heater 300. Specifically, the cooling air from the cooling device 400 is supplied to the lower end of the pipe 330. Thereafter, the cooling air moves upward inside the pipe 330 as indicated by arrow A1 in FIG. 5.

[0038] Next, cooling air blows out from the tip end of the pipe 330 toward the lower end of the heat generating portion 311 of the heater 300. This cools the heater 300 (specifically, the heat generating portion 311). The warm air containing heat after cooling moves through the space partitioned by the pipe 330 and the pipe 340 toward the lower end of the pipe 340, as indicated by arrows A2 and A3 in FIG. 5. Thereafter, the warm air is discharged to the outside of the spout welding device 1.

[0039] <D. Operation Example> A process of welding a spout to a film material for manufacturing a spout-attached pouch will be described.

[0040] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a state where a bag formed of a film material and a spout are installed in the spout welding device 1. As shown in FIG. 7, the spout 900 is installed on the claw portion 105. The spout 900 has flange portions 901 and 902. In this example, the flange portion 901 is located above the flange portion 902. The bottom surface of the flange portion 902 is a flat surface. As will be described later in detail, the bottom surface of the flange portion 902 is welded to the film material.

[0041] In the state shown in FIG. 7, the spout 900 is installed so as to be vertically movable between a position where the claw portion 105 abuts on the flange portion 901 and a position where the claw portion 105 abuts on the flange portion 902. Specifically, the spout 900 is installed so as to be vertically movable between a position where the claw portion 105 abuts on the bottom surface of the flange portion 901 and a position where the claw portion 105 abuts on the top surface of the flange portion 902.

[0042] A bag 800 with an opening at the bottom is attached to a heater 300. The bag 800 is work in progress. A spout 900 is attached to the bag 800, and the opening at the bottom is heat-sealed to form a spouted pouch. Thus, the bag 800 is a pouch before the bottom is heat-sealed.

[0043] Figure 8 is a longitudinal section of the bag 800 parallel to the YZ plane shown in Figure 7. As shown in Figure 8, in this example, the bag 800 is formed from three film materials 801, 802, and 803. Film material 801 constitutes the top gusset of the pouch (bag 800). Film materials 802 and 803 constitute the body of the pouch (bag 800).

[0044] Film material 801 is welded to film material 802 and film material 803 at its end. Film material 802 is welded to film material 801 and film material 803 at its end. Film material 803 is welded to film material 801 and film material 802 at its end.

[0045] More specifically, film material 801 has a first surface 811 that becomes the outer surface of the pouch and a second surface 812 that becomes the inner surface of the pouch. Film material 802 has a first surface 821 that becomes the outer surface of the pouch and a second surface 822 that becomes the inner surface of the pouch. Film material 803 has a first surface 831 that becomes the outer surface of the pouch and a second surface 832 that becomes the inner surface of the pouch.

[0046] More specifically, in this example, the film material 801 comprises a sealant layer 851, a nylon layer 852, an aluminum layer 853, and a sealant layer 854, extending from the first surface 811 to the second surface 812. Thus, the film material 801 consists of two layers: the first surface 811, which forms the outer surface of the pouch, and the second surface 812, which forms the inner surface of the pouch, both composed of sealant layers 851 and 854. More specifically, in this example, the sealant layers 851 and 854 are composed of sealant film. Film materials 802 and 803 have a similar configuration to film material 801.

[0047] The layer configuration between sealant layer 851 and sealant layer 854 is merely an example and is not limited thereto. For example, the aluminum layer 853 may be placed on the first surface 811 side of the nylon layer 852. However, in order to increase the film strength when the spout 900 welded to the outer surface of the spouted pouch (finished product) is twisted, etc., it is preferable that the nylon layer 852 be on the first surface 811 side, as shown in Figure 8.

[0048] Sealant layer 851 has a higher melting point than sealant layer 854. The reason is as follows: When welding the top film material 801 to the body film materials 802 and 803, heat is applied not only to the inner sealant layer 854 but also to the outer sealant layer 851. During this welding process, it is necessary to melt only sealant layer 854 of the two sealant layers 851 and 854. Therefore, the outer sealant layer 851 needs to be made of a material that is more difficult to weld than the inner sealant layer 854. Accordingly, sealant layers 851 and 854 are selected so that the melting point of sealant layer 851 is higher than that of sealant layer 854.

[0049] In bag 800, the film materials 801, 802, and 803 are heat-sealed to each other by the sealant layer 854 on the inside of the pouch, as described above. Since bag 800 is further equipped with a sealant layer 851, it is possible to heat-seal the spout 900 to the first surface 811. The heat-sealing of the spout 900 to the film material 801 will be described below.

[0050] Figure 9 shows the heater 300, covered with the bag 800, after being moved from the position shown in Figure 7. When the user presses the switch 600 (Figure 4), the heater moving mechanism 200 moves the heater 300 in the positive Y-axis direction, as shown in Figure 9.

[0051] More specifically, the heater relocation mechanism 200 moves the heater 300 from position P1 shown in Figure 7 to position P2, which is directly below the spout 900. As a result, the bag 800 is positioned directly below the spout 900. More specifically, the top gusset of the bag 800 is positioned directly below the spout 900.

[0052] In this state, the upper flange portion 901 of the flange portions 901 and 902 of the spout 900 is in contact with the claw portion 105. Specifically, the lower surface of the flange portion 901 is in contact with the upper surface of the claw portion 105, thereby holding the spout 900 in place.

[0053] Figure 10 shows the cylinder 101 in operation until the spout 900 is pressed against the top grommet of the bag 800. As shown in Figure 10, the lower flange portion 902 of the flange portion 901 and flange portion 902 of the spout 900 is in contact with the claw portion 105. Specifically, the upper surface of the flange portion 902 is pressed vertically downward (negative Z-axis direction) by the lower surface of the claw portion 105.

[0054] More specifically, the pressure contact mechanism 100 presses the spout 900 against the film material 801 at a position on the first surface 811 (see Figure 8) of the film material 801 that faces the heater 300 by operating the cylinder 101. More specifically, the pressure contact mechanism 100 presses the spout 900 against the film material 801 at a position on the first surface 811 that faces the heating element 311 by moving the claw portion 105 downward.

[0055] In this state, heat welding of the spout 900 to the bag 800 (more specifically, the film material 801 and the top gusset) is performed using the heater 300. That is, with the spout 900 and the film material 801 pressed together by the pressure welding mechanism 100, the controller 500 causes the heater 300 to perform a process of heating the film material 801. Specifically, the heater 300 heats the film material 801 while in contact with the second surface 812 of the film material 801 (see Figure 8). More specifically, the heater 300 heats the film material 801 from the second surface 812 side by pulse heating while in contact with the second surface 812 of the film material 801.

[0056] The gap between the bag 800 and the cylinder 101 (the gap in the state shown in Figure 9) should preferably be as narrow as possible for the following reasons: In order to press the spout 900 against the bag 800 at the desired position, the bag 800 needs to be precisely centered relative to the heater 300 in a top view of the spout welding device 1. However, if the gap between the bag 800 and the cylinder 101 is wide, the bag 800 is likely to shift position, and as a result, the bag 800 may not be centered.

[0057] Furthermore, if the pressure-fitting mechanism 100, including the cylinder 101, is designed to move mechanically (more specifically, if it is operated mechanically by a cam or the like without electronic feedback control), then if the bag 800 is misaligned, the spout 900 will be pressed against the bag 800 in that misaligned state. In this case, defective products will be produced.

[0058] For the reasons stated above, it is preferable to make the gap between the bag 800 and the cylinder 101 as narrow as possible. The details of the heat welding process will be explained below.

[0059] The heater 300 is turned on by an instruction from the controller 500. Specifically, electricity is passed through the wiring 312 and 314 (Figure 6) of the heater 300, causing the heating element 311 to heat up. Specifically, the heater 300 sends a pulsed current through the wiring 312 and 314. In other words, the heater 300 heats the film material 801 by pulsed heat.

[0060] More specifically, the heating element 311 heats the film material 801 from the second surface 812 side. More specifically, the controller 500 raises the temperature of the heater 300 to above the melting point of the sealant layer 851. For example, the controller 500 raises the temperature of the heater 300 (more specifically, the heating element 311) to 200°C or higher. In this example, pulse heating causes the temperature of the heating element 311 to reach 200°C within 1 second of turning on the heater 300. The temperature of the heating element 311 is periodically detected by the temperature sensor 301 and sequentially sent to the controller 500.

[0061] After the controller 500 starts controlling the heater 300 to increase its temperature as described above, it stops heating by the heater 300 when predetermined conditions are met. In this example, when the temperature of the heating element 311 exceeds 200°C, the controller 500 turns on the heater 300 for a predetermined time (for example, 1.5 seconds), and then stops heating by the heater 300.

[0062] After stopping heating by the heater 300, the controller 500 instructs the cooling device 400 to supply cooling air to the heater 300. Specifically, as described above, the cooling air is directed onto the heat-generating section 311 from below. More specifically, the controller 500 instructs the cooling device 400 to supply cooling air to the heat-generating section 311 until the temperature of the heater 300 falls below the melting point of the sealant layer 854. For example, the controller 500 lowers the temperature of the heat-generating section 311 to 60°C by instructing the cooling device 400 to supply cooling air to the heater 300 for 5 seconds. With this, the heat welding of the spout 900 to the bag 800 is completed.

[0063] Once the heat welding of the spout 900 to the bag 800 is complete, the controller 500 moves the cylinder 101 a predetermined distance, thereby moving the vertical position of the claw portion 105 between the flange portion 901 and the flange portion 902. That is, the controller 500 stops the supply of cooling air and then stops the pressure welding by the pressure welding mechanism 100.

[0064] Subsequently, the controller 500 moves the heater movement mechanism 200 from position P2 to position P1. Then, the controller 500 operates the cylinder 101 to return the position of the claw portion 105 to the position shown in Figure 7 (initial position).

[0065] At position P1, the bag 800 to which the spout 900 is welded is moved upward by an automatic (device not shown) or manual means, thereby removing the bag 800 from the heater 300. The opening (bottom opening) of the bag 800 to which the spout 900 is welded is heat-sealed using a device not shown. In this example, the sealant layer 854 of the film material 802 and the sealant layer 854 of the film material 803 are welded together using a heater not shown.

[0066] Through this series of processes, a pouch is completed with a spout 900 attached to the outer surface of the grommet. Note that this pouch does not have an opening formed in the film material 801 portion (grommet). Therefore, when using the pouch, the user will need to use, for example, a component to connect the opening in the spout to the inside of the pouch container.

[0067] As described above, by heating the film material 801 at a high temperature with the heater 300, the spout 900 can be welded to the first surface 811 side (outside of the pouch) of the film material 801. Incidentally, the spout welding device 1 heats the heating element 311 while it is in contact (more specifically, pressed against) the second surface 812 (inner sealant layer 854) of the film material 801. Therefore, if one were to try to separate the heating element 311 from the sealant layer 854 without cooling the heating element 311, the sealant layer 85 4The components (melted components) extend from the sealant layer 854 to the heating element 311 in a stringy manner.

[0068] However, in the spout welding apparatus 1, the heating element 311 of the heater 300 is cooled with air. This prevents the stringing described above from occurring. Specifically, by lowering the temperature of the heating element 311 to below the melting point of the sealant layer 854, it becomes possible to separate the heating element 311 from the film material 801 while the sealant layer is fixed. Therefore, the occurrence of the stringing described above can be prevented. Thus, with the spout welding apparatus 1, it is possible to weld the spout 900 to the outer surface of the pouch without compromising the quality of the pouch.

[0069] Furthermore, since the film material 801 is heated by pulsed heat, it is possible to melt the sealant layer 851 of the film material 801 in a short time.

[0070] Furthermore, since the insulating material 320 (Figure 6) is provided around the head 310 when viewed from the spout 900 side, heat can be efficiently transferred to the area where the spout 900 is to be welded. In addition, it is possible to prevent the side of the head 310 (the side of the heating element 311) from coming into contact with parts of the sealant layer 851 of the film material 801 other than the area to be melted. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent the side of the head 310 (the side of the heating element 311) from coming into contact with the respective sealant layers 854 on the inside of the film materials 802 and 803 that constitute the body of the pouch. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a deterioration in the quality of the inner surface of the pouch.

[0071] The insulation material 320 has an opening 322 that is larger in diameter than the opening 323. Therefore, compared to the case where the diameter of the opening 322 is the same as the opening 323, the internal space of the insulation material 320 can be made larger to allow air from the pipe 330 to pass through. Furthermore, the area of ​​the bottom surface of the heat-generating part 311 that is exposed to cooling air can be increased. Consequently, with the insulation material 320, the temperature of the heat-generating part 311 can be lowered more quickly compared to the case where the diameter of the opening 322 is the same as the opening 323.

[0072] <E. Control Structure> FIG. 11 is a flow chart explaining the flow of processing executed by the spout welding apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. 11, in step S1, at position P1 (see FIG. 7), a bag 800 (that is, a bag-shaped work with an open bottom) is attached to the heater 300 automatically by an unillustrated apparatus or manually. Specifically, the bag 800 is fitted over the heater 300.

[0073] In step S2, the spout 900 is attached to the pressure welding mechanism 100 automatically by an unillustrated apparatus or manually. Specifically, the spout 900 is placed on the claw portion 105. In step S3, the controller 500 moves the heater 300 from position P1 to position P2 (see FIG. 9).

[0074] In step S4, the controller 500 causes the pressure welding mechanism 100 to press the spout 900 from above against the film material 801 constituting the top gusset of the bag 800. In step S5, the controller 500 causes the heater 300 to execute a process of heating the film material 801 of the bag 800. As described above, the heater 300 heats the film material 801 from the second surface 812 side while being in contact with the second surface 812 of the film material 801.

[0075] In step S6, the controller 500 determines whether or not the temperature of the heater 300 (specifically, the heat generating portion 311) has reached 200°C or higher. If the controller 500 determines that the temperature has reached 200°C or higher (YES in step S6), in step S7 it determines whether or not 1.5 seconds have elapsed since the temperature reached 200°C or higher. If the controller 500 determines that the temperature has not reached 200°C or higher (NO in step S6), the process returns to step S6. That is, the controller 500 waits until the temperature reaches 200°C or higher.

[0076] When the controller 500 determines that 1.5 seconds have elapsed (YES in step S7), the controller 500 stops heating by the heater 300 in step S8. When the controller 500 determines that 1.5 seconds have not elapsed (NO in step S7), the controller 500 returns the process to step S7. That is, the controller 500 waits until 1.5 seconds have elapsed.

[0077] After step S8, in step S9, the controller 500 causes the cooling device 400 to cool the heater 300. Specifically, the heat generating portion 311 is cooled by supplying cooling air from the cooling device 400 to the heat generating portion 311.

[0078] In step S10, the controller 500 determines whether or not the temperature of the heater 300 (specifically, the heat generating portion 311) has become 60° C. or lower. When the controller 500 determines that the temperature has become 60° C. or lower (YES in step S10), the controller 500 stops the supply of cooling air from the cooling device 400 to the heater 300 in step S11. When the controller 500 determines that the temperature has not become 60° C. or lower (NO in step S10), the controller 500 returns the process to step S10. That is, the controller 500 waits until the temperature becomes 60° C. or lower.

[0079] In step S12, the controller 500 causes the pressing mechanism 100 to stop pressing. In step S13, the controller 500 moves the heater 300 from position P2 to position P1. In step S14, the bag 800 with the spout 900 welded thereto is removed from the heater 300 automatically (by a device not shown) or manually.

[0080] Through such processing, according to the spout welding apparatus 1, as described above, the spout 900 can be welded to the outer surface of the pouch without impairing the quality of the pouch.

[0081] <F. Modifications> (1) In the above, the pressure contact mechanism 100 presses the spout 900 against the film material 801 at a position on the first surface 811 of the film material 801 facing the heater 300 by moving the spout 900. However, it is not limited to this.

[0082] The pressure contact mechanism 100 may be configured such that, by moving at least one of the spout 900 and the heater 300, the spout 900 and the film material 801 are pressed together at a position on the first surface 811 of the film material 801 facing the heater 300. In other words, it is sufficient for the spout 900 and the heater 300 to move relative to each other.

[0083] (2) In the above description, a configuration in which the spout welding apparatus 1 is equipped with a cooling device 400 was used as an example, but the invention is not limited to this. The heating element 311 of the heater 300 may be allowed to cool down naturally.

[0084] (3) In steps S6 and S10 of Figure 11, the controller 500 performed processing using the measurement results of the temperature sensor 301, but is not limited to this. The controller 500 may use elapsed time instead of temperature. Specifically, if the time required to reach 200°C or higher and the time required to reach 60°C or lower are known in advance through experimentation, measurement by the temperature sensor 301 becomes unnecessary.

[0085] (4) In the above description, as shown in Figure 8, the film material 801 was described using an example in which it comprises two sealant layers 851 and 854. In detail, an example was described in which the sealant layers 851 and 854 are composed of sealant films. However, the description is not limited to this. The film material 801 may also be configured to have a film coated with a sealant coating agent instead of a sealant film.

[0086] As described above, the film material 801 only needs to be configured such that each of the first layer forming the first surface serving as the outer surface of the pouch and the second layer forming the second surface serving as the inner surface of the pouch is a layer having sealant properties. The same applies to the film materials 802 and 803.

[0087] <G. Supplementary Notes> (1) The spout welding apparatus, wherein the heater heats the film material by pulse heating.

[0088] (2) The film material constitutes a top gusset of the pouch, The spout welding apparatus, wherein the controller causes the pressure welding mechanism to press the spout and the film material against each other in a state where the heater is inserted from the bottom side into the pouch before the bottom is thermally welded.

[0089] (3) The heater includes a heat-generating head and a heat insulating material, The spout welding apparatus, wherein the heat insulating material is provided around the head when viewed from the spout side.

[0090] The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative only, and are not limited to the contents described above. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, and it is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims. [Description of Symbols]

[0091] 1 Spout welding device, 100 Pressure welding mechanism, 101 Cylinder, 102 Cylinder drive device, 105 Claw part, 200 Heater moving mechanism, 201 Wheel, 202 Motor, 203 Motor drive circuit, 300 Heater, 301 Temperature sensor, 302 Operating circuit, 310 Head, 311 Heating part, 312, 313, 314 Wiring, 320 Insulation material, 321, 322, 323 Opening, 324, 325, 331 Outer surface, 330, 340 Pipe, 332, 342 Inner surface, 341 End, 400 Cooling device, 401 Air compressor, 402 Air tank, 403 Valve, 404 Valve control unit, 500 Controller, 600 Switch, 700 Frame part, 710, 720, 730 Plate-shaped members, 711, 721, 731 top surface, 712, 722, 732 bottom surface, 740, 750 support column, 760 guide rail, 800 bag, 801, 802, 803 film material, 811, 821, 831 first surface, 812, 822, 832 second surface, 851, 854 sealant layer, 852 nylon layer, 853 aluminum layer, 900 spout, 901, 902 flange section.

Claims

1. A heater that heats a film material, in contact with the second surface, from the second surface side, comprising a first layer forming the outer surface of the pouch and a second layer forming the inner surface of the pouch, each of which is composed of layers having sealant properties, A pressure contact mechanism that presses the spout and the film material together at a position on the first surface facing the heater by moving at least one of the spout and the heater, The system includes a controller that controls the heater and the pressure contact mechanism, The controller is a spout welding apparatus that, while the spout and the film material are pressed together by the pressure welding mechanism, causes the heater to perform a process of heating the film material.

2. The system further includes a cooling device that supplies cooling air to the heater, The aforementioned controller, After stopping the process of heating the film material, the cooling device is made to supply the air to the heater. The spout welding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pressure welding by the pressure welding mechanism is stopped after the supply of the air is stopped.

3. The system further includes a sensor for measuring the temperature of the heater, The aforementioned controller, As a process for heating the film material, control is initiated to raise the temperature of the heater to above the melting point of each of the sealant layers. After starting control to raise the temperature of the heater, heating by the heater is stopped after predetermined conditions are met. The spout welding apparatus according to claim 2, wherein after stopping heating by the heater, the cooling device is instructed to supply air to the heater until the temperature of the heater falls below the melting point of each of the sealant layers.

4. A method for welding a spout to a film material using a heater, wherein the film material is composed of a first layer that forms the outer surface of the pouch and a second layer that forms the inner surface of the pouch, each of which is a layer having sealant properties. With the heater in contact with the second surface, the spout and at least one of the heater are moved to press the spout and the film material together at a position on the first surface facing the heater; A method for welding a spout to a film material, comprising the step of heating the film material from the second side with a heater while the spout and the film material are in pressure contact.

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