FI115766B - Horizontal shape-fill-joint packing machine and method for its control - Google Patents

Description

115766

The present invention relates to a horizontal shaping-filling-sealing packaging machine, which comprises: - a forming film for feeding a film from a source to a film; in the shape of a tube with the overlapping side edges extending in the longitudinal direction of the film; a conveyor means for conveying and feeding sequentially the articles to be packed into a tubular film 10; a rib sealer for sealing the overlapping edges of the tubular film with the articles being in the tubular film; an end sealer for sealing a tubular film in its transverse direction at a point between two adjacent objects; and 15 - film feed means for feeding film fed from said film source to said end seam through said designer and said rib sealer.

The invention further relates to a method for controlling a horizontal shaping-fill-sealing machine, which includes a styler for forming a film fed from a film source 20 into a tube, the overlapping side edges extending along the film; conveyor means for conveying articles i '* and for feeding into a tubular film one after the other, for longitudinally sealing the overlapping edges of the ribbon sealer Λ · with the tubular membrane inside the tubular membrane::: in the transverse direction between two adjacent objects: '·'; at this point; and a film feed means for feeding a film 4 from said film source to said end seam by said designer and said rib; , ·. through the seam; allowing continuous packing of articles of different lengths randomly fed to the machine by varying the length of the pack to be packed; '30 items.

. · ·, Conventional horizontal shaping-filling-sealing machine includes a film | · 'Feed Roller, Designer, Item Feed Conveyor, Rib Stitcher, and End Board. v maimen. The long thermoplastic film is continuously fed from the film feed roller • '; to a mold where the film is shaped into a tube. The object feed conveyor 35 feeds the articles successively to a tubular film. The seam sealer forms the seam in the longitudinal direction of the tubular film with its overlapping side edges. The end sealant 115766 2 forms a transverse seam on either side of the tubular film object in the longitudinal direction, so as to form successive packages.

Such a conventional design-fill-sealing machine is disclosed in JP-pa-5 Examination Publication 51-34787, entitled "Packaging Machine", and JP Publication 4-57708, entitled "Horizontal Design-Filling-Seam Packing Machine . "

In the "Packaging Machine" disclosed in JP 51-34787, a first conveying mechanism and a second conveying mechanism are provided in the article feed section for feeding the objects into a tubular film so that the distance between two successive objects is automatically adjusted. When moving objects from the first conveyor to the second conveyor, the objects are fed into a tubular film so that the distance between the rear end of each object and the front end of the object behind it is adjusted to equal the distance between two detectors. In order to seal the tubular film at the center between two consecutive objects fed into the tubular film, a sensor is further positioned just before the end seam to detect the rear of each article passing the position adjacent the sensor to actuate a rotary end stop of a predetermined rotation position. The tubular film ... 20 is then seamed and cut at the point between the two objects; * * when fed at constant intervals from the feed conveyor to a tubular film.

: Y: “Horizontal Design-Fill-Seam Pack” in JP Announcement 4-57708; spreader 'includes a belt-driven feed conveyor operated at constant speed:. . la rotatably, and acting as a feed conveyor for a tubular film successively, ·; *, 25 for feeding objects to be packed manually. The object detector is disposed in the conveyor for detecting objects so that the feed rate of the film is variably controlled. , rotate the end seam so that the film is fed an amount equal to the length of each object, and so that the transverse seaming of the tubular film is done at regular intervals of each of two successive feeds to the tubular film: in the middle.

': 1 A disadvantage of the "Packaging Machine" disclosed in JP 51-34787 is that YY is not suitable for high speed operation because the machine is repeatedly: · ·: stopped and actuated by coupling and braking devices provided on the first and second conveyor mechanisms and the end seam respectively. In addition, due to the vibrations that may occur when the py-35 is being stored or started, the pre-115766 3 also tend to move from their correct positions. Therefore, during transport, the articles must be held in place by means of an upper and a lower strap, as described in the description of the preferred embodiment of this patent, which causes problems such as lower productivity and higher manufacturing costs due to the more complex structure of the machine.

In this packaging machine, rotation of the end seam is further initiated when the back of each article fed to the tubular film is detected by a photoelectric sensor. Therefore, detection of objects is difficult and rotation of the end seam cannot be initiated unless the film to be wrapped around the objects is permeable.

In addition, a transverse seam is not made in front of the first object being introduced, since the start of rotation of the end seam depends solely on the detection of the rear of each object by a sensor positioned just before the end seam, thereby creating incomplete packaging.

On the other hand, the distance between two objects fed into a tubular film by JP "4-57708" Horizontal Shaping-Filling-Stamping Packaging Machine may vary due to the instantaneous change of the feed rate, especially when operating at high speed because feed rate is expressed by object detectors. In addition, such a change in film feed rate:.,: 20 may result in unstable longitudinal and transverse sealing of the film, so that • * * · sealing cannot be performed properly.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a horizontal design! ! filling-sealing machine, and a method for controlling it that does not produce poor seam or bad packaging, even if objects of various lengths are randomly packed.

•; It is another object of the present invention to provide a horizontal shape. * '·. a filling-fill-sealing machine and a method for controlling it which is not actuated. *, with the transparency of the packaging film used, and which provides excellent cushioning · ·: packaging with appropriate lengths of packaging for each * ...: 30 article loaded into the film.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a horizontal shaping-fill-sealing machine that is capable of reliably packing objects without changing the position of the objects during transport at high speed.

115766 4

The present invention is also characterized in that it also comprises: a plurality of pushers mounted on conveyor means and spaced apart in the feed direction of the articles, each pusher defining the position of the rear end of the object in the opposite direction of the object feed; 5 - a length detecting means for sequentially indicating the length of the objects carried by the conveyor in the feed direction; and - guiding means for guiding said conveyor means and said end seam according to the length of each object indicated by said length detector, said guiding means controlling the speed of said conveyor so that an equal spacing is formed between each of two adjacent objects; - said control means receiving data quantities supplied thereto for a film length of a pack reference length, distance between two adjacent objects, packing capacity or other information to be transformed, said packing capacity being the number of packs of reference lengths or the number of items having a reference length, obtained by subtracting said distance between two consecutive objects from said film length of packages of reference length; based on the data supplied to the controller, said controller means, said conveyor means 20 and said end seam perform a reference packing operation, wherein said film feed means feed rate is set to a first reference rate, said conveyor means rate is set to a second reference rate, and , so that objects of reference length are fed from said conveyor means into a tube-shaped membrane at a distance spaced from one another, and that the main •; ; tysaumain seam in the transverse direction of a tubular film of two adjacent ': *. at the center of the space between the object having the reference length; said control means further controlling such that when the length detection means detects that the length of the object differs from the reference length, said control means performs "!!." 30, modified control operation such that the speeds of said conveyor means; · And the operation timing of said end seam are changed from said second re: #. j the slant speed and the said reference timing, according to the difference between each object expressed by: '': length and reference length.

. *. 'The method of the present invention is characterized in that the method' '' 35 comprises the steps of: a) detecting, stepwise, sequentially, the length of objects carried by said conveying means in the feed direction; 115766 5 b) receiving input data about the length of the film for the length of the reference pack, the distance between two consecutive objects, the packing capacity or other data to be converted, said packing capacity being the number of packagings of the reference length or the number of articles having a reference length; the reference length is obtained by subtracting said distance between two consecutive objects from said film length of said reference-length packages; c) controlling said film feed means, said conveyor means, and said end seam to perform a reference packing operation, wherein said feed rate of said film feed means is set to a first reference rate, said transport means is set to a second reference distance, d) controlling the timing of the action of said end seam so that said end seam seam is centered on a space substantially between two adjacent objects of the tubular film; and e) determining whether the length of the object detected by said length detecting means is different from said reference length; and 20 f) acting upon said reasoning, adjusting the speed of said conveyor means and the timing of operation of said end seam from said second reference speed and said reference timing, according to the difference between the detected length * of each object and the reference length.

. * In addition, objects do not move at high speed during transport! ; 25 because the objects are carried on the conveyor so that their rear ends are supported by corresponding pushes.

In this context, it is preferred that the length detector operates to indicate the position of the • front end of each article on the conveyor so that the length of each article is present. ' · ·. can be reliably expressed.

_ · ,; The controller may advantageously maintain the speed of the conveyor means in the first refe; ': At ratchet speed and reduces the use of the film feed mechanism and end seam. . speed to stop them and prevent empty packing from occurring when no object is detected between two adjacent pushers.

In the event that the end seam is rotated, the timing control of the end seam operation can be made by controlling the rotation speed.

115766 6

In order for the controller to carry out the control, the conveyor, the end seams and the diaphragm feed mechanism may include motors, in particular servo motors, which are actuated independently of each other. Each motor is accompanied by an encoder which produces pulse signals to the controller which represent the rotational position and 5 speed of that motor.

The machine may include a pusher position indicator and an end seam position indicator. The pusher position indicator can be used to indicate the position of each pusher. The end seam position indicator may be used to indicate a zero position, which is a reference position for the end seam rotation movement. Detection signals from the pusher position detector and the end seam position detector as well as detector signals from the longitudinal detector are applied to the controller, and the controller outputs control signals to the conveyor, end seam, and diaphragm feed mechanism motors based on the detector signals.

The invention will become more apparent upon reference to the appended claims and the drawings. In the drawings: Fig. 1 is an overview of a horizontal shaping-filling-sealing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a timing diagram showing the feed conveyor of the machine of Figure 1 and: '1'; controlling variable speed servo motors for operating the diaphragm feed mechanism; '; '; 'Figure 3 is an illustrative curve showing the servomotor of the feed conveyor .1. 'Guidance for increasing and decreasing speed; . 1:. Fig. 4 is a curve similar to Fig. 3 but showing a different control model; • ·:,; Fig. 5 illustrates a register for storing pulse data for increasing and decreasing the speed of an inlet conveyor servomotor; Fig. 6 is similar to Fig. 5 but showing the state in which each stored data part .. 1 has been moved; Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 5, but showing a state in which new data is stored; Figure 8 is an illustrative curve showing principal control of increasing and lowering the speed of the machine end seam; 115766 7 is an illustrative curve showing various control patterns for controlling the continuous increase and decrease of velocity when packing objects of different lengths of reference; Fig. 10 is a diagram showing the operation of the end seam; Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but showing different basic parameters for controlling the feed conveyor and end seam; Figures 12 (A) and 12 (B) are block diagrams of a machine controller; Fig. 13 is a flowchart showing control for setting up the machine; and Figures 14 to 17 are various flow diagrams showing various controls that are performed after control according to the flow chart shown in Figure 13.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring to Fig. 1, a horizontal shaping-filling-sealing packaging machine 1 is schematically shown. The machine includes a styler 4, a feed conveyor 5, a pair of seam rollers 11 (only one shown), and an end seam 6. The film 3 fed from the feed roller 2 so that the side edges overlap. The feed conveyor 5 conveys objects W1 sequentially in the form of a tube; · ,. the second film 3A. The overlapping side edges of the tubular film 3A are sealed, *, '. film 3A in longitudinal direction by seam rollers 11. Thereafter, a tubular film; v, 20 3A is sealed transversely at the point between two objects such that j f! The desired packages W2 are formed successfully.

The feed conveyor 5 includes a plurality of pushers 7 mounted on the conveyor belt and extending vertically with respect to the conveyor belt. The pushers 7 are located at •: 'at predetermined spaced intervals and serve to support the rear portions 25 of the articles W1 during transport. The feed conveyor 5 is driven by a servo motor M1. A servo motor, ·, market M1 is associated with an encoder E1 which produces pulse signals for the movement of the supply conveyor 5; '* Based on position and speed.

Λ Here, the feed conveyor 5 is operated at the speed determined by the packing capacity ''. based data, the data being supplied to a controller having a control circuit as described below. In addition, the speed of the feed conveyor 5 is adjusted to vary with each difference between the object W1 and the reference length obtained from the data supplied to the controller. Further, as can be seen from Figure 1, each pusher 7 mounted on the feed conveyor 5 moves downward at the point where the articles W1 are fed into the tubular film 3A formed by the mold 4. Each pusher 7 then returns to its position to support the new object W1.

The film 3 wrapped on the feed roller 2 is guided to the designer 4 via a pair of rollers 8 which draw the film. The overlapping side edges of the tubular film 3A formed by the styler 4 are pinched between two pairs of film-feeding rollers 10 (only one is shown in the figure) and guided therewith. The sealing rollers 11 are disposed adjacent to the film feed rolls 10 on their front side so that they overlap the longitudinal longitudinal edges of the tubular film 3A. The diaphragm 10 driving rollers 8, the diaphragm feeding rollers 10 and the sealing rollers 11 form a diaphragm feeding mechanism and are actuated synchronously with the servo motor M2. In normal operation, the tubular film 3A is fed at a constant rate, i.e., the film feed rate, which determines the "film length for the reference length of the package" x "packing capacity". Data for "film length for reference length of package 15" and "packing capacity" are supplied to the controller as explained below. For the control of blank packing, described below, a film feed mechanism including film pull rolls 8, film feed rolls 10, and sealing rollers 11 is provided with speed lowering and stopping control as well as speed increase and start control. The encoder E2 20 is connected to the servo motor M2 and generates pulse signals based on the film feed position and the feed rate of the film feed mechanism.

The end seam sealer 6 is driven by a servo motor M3 on the rod of the tubular film 3A; ; for grounding and breaking between two adjacent objects W1, • · ·; so that packages W2 are successfully formed. Because the end seam stitch 6 no- ··. · 25 loops are variable controlled as explained below, servo motor M3 includes an encoder • «: •:: E3 which produces pulse signals based on the rotation position and rotational speed of the end seam 6.

* * »· · ''. 'In normal operation, the end seam 6 is used to seam and cut off!' 'see a tube-shaped film 3A transverse to the center between two adjacent, reference, "·: 30 articles of length W1 to" film length for pack reference length "and" packing capacity "and" distance between two adjacent / W1 items (SL) 'Based on the related data that is';

The object detector F1 shown in Fig. 1 sequentially detects objects W1 as they are transported by feeder jet 5. The object detector F1 continuously generates the detection signal 115766 9 as long as the object W1 is detected. However, the controller control circuit receives only a portion of the detection signal produced when sensor F1 detects the leading edge of the object W1, and such portion of the detection signal is used to determine the length of the object W1.

The feed feed sensor F2 produces an initial signal with each pusher 7 moving downward or each pusher 7 reaching the point where the object W1 is fed to the tubular film 3A. However, when the initial signals are generated, stored in the controller control circuit during the setting operation prior to normal operation, the control circuit does not receive any other initial signal. Here, the setting operation is performed to synchronize the servo motor M1 of the feeder conveyor 5, the servo motor M2 of the diaphragm supply mechanism and the servo motor M3 of the end seam 6.

As explained below, the current positions of the pushers are identified based on the signals of the initial detector F2 and the encoder E1. The end seam initial detector F3 produces an initial signal when the end seam 6 reaches an initial position 15 in the rotation direction 180 degrees from the seam contact contact position.

The object detector F1, the feed start detector F2, the end seam start detector F3 and the coders E1, E2, E3 are coupled to the control circuit inlet side, while the feed conveyor 5 servo motor M1, the diaphragm feed mechanism servo motor M2 and the end seam servo motor 20 controllers SDR1, SDR2 and the like: '* · like SDR3. The servo controllers SDR1, SDR2 and SDR3 are shown in Figures 12 (A) and :: 12 (B) and will be explained later.

2, 3 and 4, the control operation of the servomotor M1 will be described. * to operate the feed conveyor 5.

During the setting operation of the machine 1, the current positions of the pushers 7 for the synchronization of the servomotors M1, M2 and M3 are: ': Based on the initial detection signals produced by the pulse signals of detector F2 and encoder E1,'.

In control of the operation of the feed conveyor 5 by the servo motor M1, the pushers 7 are spaced apart, and the propagation of the pushers 7 and the object reference length W1 are determined by the number of pulses at a predetermined frequency. The reference length of the object is determined from the value {"reference length of the package" - "the distance (SL) between two adjacent objects W1"}, which is fed to the controller. The value of the reference length obtained in this way is converted to πο 115766 pulse number, which corresponds to the number of pulses progressed by the pushers 7 so that the reference length is determined. In addition, if the object detector F1 detects that the length of the object W1 differs from the reference length, the difference between these lengths is converted to the number of pulses.

Referring to Figure 2, a graph illustrating control of increasing and decreasing the speed of the servo motor M1 of the feed conveyor 5 is shown. As shown in Fig. 2, the speed of the servomotor M1 is increased when the length W1 of the object detected by the object detector F1 is less than the reference length. On the other hand, the speed of the servomotor M1 is reduced when the length of the object W1 is greater than the reference length. Control of increasing or decreasing the speed of the Ser-10 propulsion motor M1 is triggered by the initial detection signals stored in the setting operation when each pusher 7 reaches the position at which it moves downward.

The control for increasing and decreasing the velocity according to the difference between the length of the object W1 and the reference length is basically done in a model where the speed 15 is increased (decreased) from a reference speed to a constant speed, and then reduced (increased) to a reference speed.

In order to effect variable speed control of such an input conveyor 5, data related to the number of pulses and rate of change required to increase (decrease) the speed is supplied to the controller via a keyboard or the like. Based on this' 20 data, the expression (ACT) after addition (reduction) is calculated using the expression below (1) until a steady speed is reached and then determined, the constant speed value is taken: I · 4: #: * ACT = TOP / AC (xt ms) (1) I ft III · where TOP is the number of pulses to increase speed (number of pulses / t ms), 25 and: ACT is {number of pulses / 1 ms} / 1 ms.

Here, the period after which a steady velocity is obtained after increasing the speed from the reference velocity (decrease, •!) Is equal to the period after which the velocity from the constant velocity after decreasing (increasing) is reached. 30 the reference speed. Further, the momentum of the conveyor 5 during the latter period is equal to the amount of momentum during the above period.

Therefore, when the difference A1 between the length of the object W1 and the reference length is greater than TOP x ACT ("the number of pulses for increasing the speed" x "115766 length of 11 cycles after increasing the speed (Decreasing) until the velocity reaches steady again"), then timing) is set during a constant rate period as shown in Figure 3. Thus, the timing of the rate increase (Decrease) is determined by the following expression (2) 5 for the variable rate control model:

Al / TOP (t ms) (2)

When the difference AI is less than TOP x ACT, the rate of Decrease (Increase) is set during the Increase (Decrease) period as shown in Figure 4. Thus, the timing of the Decrease (Increase) rate is determined by the following expression (3) for the variable speed control model: (A1 / AC) 1/2 (x t ms) (3)

On the other hand, in normal operation, the diaphragm feed mechanism servo motor M2 feeds the diaphragm at 3A at a reference feed rate determined by the quantity ("diaphragm length for the reference length of the pack" x "packing capacity"). Data for 15 "film length for pack reference length" and "packing capacity" are supplied to the controller. However, when no pusher 7 has detected an object W1, the feed rate is momentarily reduced to zero. The feed mechanism is restarted when the object W1 is detected by the following pusher 7. Because of this, •, t: no empty pack is produced.

j. . As explained above, when the object detector F1 detects an object W1, an object W1; the length is calculated from the signal supplied to the control circuit, and simultaneously; ; ' with the pulse, the number of pulses is increased to increase the speed of the feed conveyor 5 by * * or decrease based on the difference between the object length W1 and the reference length. The data corresponding to the number of pulses is then successively stored in a shift register 25 SR with four frames (see Figures 5-7).

»* *] '·' <[The initial feed signals are output sequentially when pushers 7 reach the position if-

I I

'', They move downwards, and based on the input signals included in the transmission. '* · The number of pulses stored in register SR in the data, in turn retrieves the data !, t portion (-10 in Fig. 5) stored in the frame to the right of Fig. 5.

. v. 30 Based on the retrieved data part, the controller calculates the speed | of conveyor 5 of timing Q1 , to reduce (increase), and performs the necessary speed Reduce * »(increase) control. The timing Q2 for increasing (decreasing) the rate of reference is determined such that it coincides with the point at which each pusher 7 reaches the starting point of the feed.

115766 12

When the rightmost data portion (-10) is retrieved from the shift register SR, the remaining data portions are in turn shifted to the right by one frame, as shown in Figure 6, so that the far leftmost portion of the shift register is cleared. However, when the next object W1 is detected by the object detector F1, the controller calculates the number of pulses 5 to increase or decrease the velocity based on the difference between the length of the object W1 and the reference length, and such calculated number of pulses is then stored in the most left frame of the shift register SR.

Next, the control of the end sealer 6 for sealing the tubular film 3A 10 in a transverse direction between two adjacent objects W1 will be described.

The end sealer 6 is controlled by a basic design in which one control cycle is performed such that the end sealer 6 is rotated from a wait position where the end sealer 6 does not exert any effect on the tubular film based on the receive start signal. The wait position may be a 180 degree rotated position 15 at 180 degrees from the contact surface of the sealing surfaces, and may optionally be set within a range of + 90 ° to 90 ° from the 180 degree position. In this embodiment, the wait position is set to 180 degrees. During one revolution of the end sealer 6, the following control is performed by the servo motor M3 to drive the end sealer 6. When an operation start signal is applied to the ">, 20" end seam control circuit marked M3DRIVE in FIG. 12 (B), the servo motor M3 starts. The speed of the servo motor M3 is adjusted such that the rotation speed of the seam surfaces 6 *

I I I

';'; The speed of movement of the diaphragm 3A when the end seams 6 reach the contact position to form the tube for sealing the second diaphragm 3A. The basic packing capacity set in the controller ,; ; In addition, the servo motor M3 continuously adjusts the rotational speed of the end seam 6 so that the end seam rotates one revolution at a predetermined time to obtain a reference length of the package corresponding to the reference length of the article W1. When the length of the object W1 deviates from the reference length, then the velocity is changed; ' 1; that it matches the difference in length.

t: 30 Although variable speed control is applied to servo motor M3 as described above: 1 ”: the following explanation is provided for ease of explanation, assuming that Λ constant speed control is performed.

Figures 8 and 9 illustrate graphs showing the rotation speed (vertical axis) of end seam 6 as a function of position of diaphragm 3A when the length 35 of article W1 deviates from the reference length. Here, end seam 6 is continuously operated with a servomotor M3. As described above, as shown in Fig. 8, the rotation control of the end seam 6 is basically made according to a model which includes a rate increase cycle, a rate reduction period, and a steady rate period The rate increase period starts when the 5 action start signal is input. On the basis of the timing D, continue until the speed is reduced to zero.Increase and Decrease the rate increment and decrement data is supplied to the controller. At the same time, the end seams 6 rotate so much that they correspond to the feed length of the film for one package of article W1 having a reference length.

When various long objects W1 are successively fed to the tubular film 3A, the basic model is modified to include a control of velocity change during rotation of the end-15 sealer 6. Thus, when the length W1 of the article W1 supplied to the tubular film 3A is greater than the reference length, the action trigger signal is produced later than the rate reduction start timing D. The end seam 6 is then rotated at a constant rate starting from the timing start signal (timing ® in Figure 9). until the Jol-20 created a constant velocity curve intersects the base model speed increase cycle line that begins with timing ®, and then speeds up with timing (D from: *. _ until it reaches the base model steady speed period in Figure 9 timing ®, v. under.

• · ·! ',' When the length of the object W1 is less than the reference length, the action trigger signal * 25 is generated at the timing © of Figure 9 during the steady speed of the previous model cycle and is increased from timing ® to timing © corresponding to Timing D , which occurs at the same increment as j; ': In the base model speed increase cycle. The end seam sealer 6 is then rotated evenly. "·, At a rate up to © that corresponds to the end of # · 30 increments of the base model increase rate. The velocity is then reduced so that it reaches a refe * »> '· · reference length at a constant velocity © of the basic model.

»I

When the length of the object W1 is equal to the reference length, the timing D of the base pattern rate '' '' reduction occurs at the same point as the start-up signal ® of operation, so that the end seam is rotated at the normal constant 35 base pattern.

115766 14

When the length W1 of the article W1 introduced into the tubular film 3A is greater than the reference length, the variable speed control of the end seam described above reduces the amount of rotation of the end seam 6 by an area corresponding to area B Γ or area B2 -5 corresponds to the amount of feed of the tubular film 3A during the period extending from the moment of speed reduction D to the generation of the start signal. On the other hand, when the length of the article W1 is less than the reference length, the amount of rotation of the end seam 6 is increased by an amount corresponding to area C 'in FIG. 9 which in turn equals the feed of 10A of the tubular film 3A over a period of starting point d.

Thus, the servo motor M3 is controlled to vary its rotational speed by adjusting the rotational position of the end seam 6 with respect to the film fed at a constant speed according to the difference between the length W1 and the reference length 15 of the tubular film 3A. Correspondingly, the end seams 6 can provide an excellent transverse seam in the middle of the two objects W1.

The timing of producing the seam operation start signal is determined by the position of the tubular film 3A where the object W1 is fed to the tubular film 3A from the feed conveyor 5. More specifically, the timing of the seam operation start signal generation is determined by the number of pulses representing the tube; "'Shaped film 3A so that the transverse seam is made by contacting the sealing surfaces of the end seam 6 with the center of the back end of the article W1 and the front end of the next article W1.

; . *, When the initial feed signal is produced on the basis that the object W1 is fed to the pipe, ·; ·, 25-shaped diaphragm 3A (due to the downward movement of the pusher 7) reads the pulse data obtained from the pulses produced by the encoder E2 associated with the servo motor M3.

. On the basis of the read pulse data, a calculation process is performed which is explained below, so that the timing of generating the start-up signal corresponding to the transverse t '·; · 'The straight seam behind the article W1 fed to the tubular film 3 is deposited:' *. i 30 register (not shown) as pulse data representing the mobile position of diaphragm 3.

'' The following is a description of the calculation process with reference to Fig. 10 with respect to the timing of generating a start-up signal of an operation that is generated when an object W1 is fed: ·; a tubular film 3A for displaying the position of the transverse seal.

115766 15

The following expression is used to calculate the number of pulses FP representing the distance between diaphragm 3A between the center of rotation of the end seam 6 and the position where W1 is fed to tubular diaphragm 3A (position where the corresponding pusher 7 is moved downward): 5 FP = (BL - NL) x P where BL is the distance between the center of rotation of the end seam 6 and the position where the object W1 is fed to the tubular film 3A; P is the number of pulses corresponding to the film length for one reference length of the package; 10 NL is the length of the film for one reference length of the package.

The point of the tubular film 3A, which is to be sealed by the end seam 6, is located rearward of the position obtained from the above expression and corresponds to the position of the rear end of the article W1 at the time the article W1 is fed to the tubular film 3A. The former station and the latter station are located at a distance of 1/2, which is 1/2 times the distance SL of the object W1 fed into the two tubular film 3A. Furthermore, since the wait position of the end sealer 6 is located 180 degrees from the contact point, the timing of the sealing operation of the end sealer 6 is obtained as the number of pulses corresponding to the displacement of the diaphragm 3A from its current position. The data of such • '* · pulse rates is sequentially stored in the controller memory. Thus, the position of the diaphragm: ':: the corresponding number of pulses is calculated by the following expression: «· <; ; Timing of start-up of the seaming operation = FP + fp + β - a, where * * *

t «« I

: T: fp is the number of pulses at the current position of the diaphragm, calculated from the position at which the object W1 is fed to the tubular diaphragm 3A; :. '. a is the number of pulses (P / 2) corresponding to the amount of film transition in the »» * · end seam. * · ·, 6 while rotating from stand to touch; · '_ Β is the number of pulses corresponding to 1/2 times the distance (SL) of the object W1 fed into the two tubular membrane': 3A.

An operation trigger signal is generated when the number of pulses corresponding to the position of the diaphragm stored in memory by the continuous movement of the diaphragm 3 reaches the stored pulse data so that the end seam 6 is guided to make a transverse seam in the middle of two adjacent objects W1. During one revolution of the end seam 6, the rate-change control is performed according to the difference between the length of the 115766 16 articles fed to the tubular film 3A and the reference length. When the objects W1 are successively fed to the tubular film 3A, the timing data of the start-up signal of the end sealer 6 is further successively stored in memory. On the basis of the stored data, the control circuit calculates a constant speed variation control 5 pattern, and the rotation speed of the end seam 6 is controlled according to the calculated pattern data.

The following information is fed to the control circuit for controlling the feed conveyor 5, controlling the constant speed of the diaphragm, and controlling the end seam 6 as described above (Figure 11 illustrates this information): 10) the length of the diaphragm for one reference length of the package; 2) packaging capacity (the number of packages of articles of reference length to be produced within a predetermined time); 3) distance (SL) between adjacent object W1 fed to two tubular film 3A; 4) advancing (AP) of the pushers 7 on the feed conveyor 5; 5) the distance (r) between the object detector F1 and the pusher 7 to the rear of the detector when a pusher 7 is brought down (distance ® is used to calculate the object length); 6) the distance (R) between the sensor F1 and the point where the pushers 7 are moved downwardly.

Here, the distance (R) is used to determine the number of pushers 7 that are brought about: to move down when an object W1 is indicated by the indicator F1, and the object W1; ' * '; after detection by the indicator F1, such number is realized; '; adjusting the variable speed control of the feed conveyor 5 along the length of the detected object W1. : ·. 25 den.

7) values (TOP and AC) for increasing and decreasing the speed of the feed conveyor 5:.: During its variable control; ; ,,,: 8) values to increase and decrease the speed of the end seam during its variable, · ': control.

With reference to Figures 12 (A) and 12 (B), the control circuit of servomotors M1, M2 and M3 is shown; V: block diagram. The servomotor M1 uses the feed conveyor 5, the servomotor M2, uses the rolls 10 of the diaphragm feeding mechanism and the sealing rollers 11. Figures 13-17 illustrate flow diagrams illustrating the use of the servomotors of the feed conveyor 5, the roller 115766 17 and 8 control process through control.

The control of the feed conveyor 5, the film pulling rollers 8 and the end seam 6 is done by a control circuit which includes a microprocessor (not shown) as the main component, and which will be described below with reference to Figures 12 (A), 12 (B) - 17. In Figure 12 (A), Virtual M is a circuit for generating basic clock pulses of a control circuit.

The input conveyor control circuit M1 DRIVE provides a control signal (which is converted to an analog value in block M IDA) on the servo controller SDR1 which supplies the servo motor M1. The film feed control circuit M2DRIVE provides a control signal (which is converted to an analog value in block M2DA) to the servo controller SDR2 which supplies the servo motor M2. The end seam control circuit M3DRIVE provides a control signal (which is converted to an analog value in block M3DA) to the servo controller SDR3. The servo controllers SDR1, SDR2 and SDR3 supply power to the servomotors M1, M2 and M3, respectively. The encoders E1, E2 and E3 relate to servomotors 15M1, M2 and M3, respectively, as described above.

The flowchart shown in Fig. 13 illustrates the control of the setting operation which is triggered when the controller start button (not shown) is pressed after power is applied to the machine 1.

: In steps S10, S22 and S12, the feed conveyor 5 is started to move at low speed. Thereafter, the initial input detector F2 produces initial detection signals which, ·. ·. is stored in the register as initial input signals to synchronize the position of the input conveyor 5 with: ·, ·, the position of the end seam 6. The input signals and encoder El! ! further, based on the output pulse signals generated, the current positions of the pushers 7 on the feed conveyor 5 ';

On the other hand, in steps S100, S101, S102 and S103, the end seam 6 is started by rotating: •; at low speed. Thereafter, the end stitch start indicator F3 produces. · '·. an initial detection signal for synchronizing the position of the end sealer 6 with the feed conveyor. · _ With the position. Further, the current rotation position of the end sealer 6 is identified based on the start signal of the stitcher and the output pulse signals '<' · of the encoder E3.

In addition, the position of the end sealer 6 with respect to the position of the feed conveyor 5 is adjusted such that transverse sealing is performed at a point between two adjacent objects W1 when the objects have a reference length which is indicated by the input data. In other words, the contact point of the end seam is adjusted.

115766 18

When the setting operation of the feed conveyor 5 and the end seam is completed in step S13, the machine 1 is stopped and the machine operating mode is changed to a continuous operating mode.

When the start button is pressed in step S14, the feed conveyor control circuit 5 M1DRIVE, the diaphragm feed control circuit M2DRIVE and the end seam control circuit M3DRIVE generate drive signals for servo controller SDR1, servo controller SDR2, and servo controller M3, for actuating the feed mechanism and the end seam 6 respectively, so that the servomotors M1, M2 and M3 10 are synchronously operated with respect to their speed and positions, their packing capacity and the reference lengths of the objects W1.

The letters A, B, C and D following step S14 in Figure 13 indicate that the process continues from step S14 to step S20 in Figure 14, step S200 in Figure 15, step S300 in Figure 16, and step S400 in Figure 17, respectively.

In step S20 of Figure 14, the object detector F1 generates object detection signals as it detects objects W1 that are fed sequentially between the respective two pushers 7 of the input conveyor 5. The process then proceeds to step S21 where the difference between the length of each object W1 and the reference length is calculated from the position of the conveyor 5 '...' 20 at the time the detection signal is generated based on the basic data input distance between the object detector F1: on the road when a pusher 7 is brought down.

* ♦ I

! ! The process then proceeds to step S22, which calculates the increment or decrement of feed rate conveyor 5 pulse data distance between two objects W1 based on the input data SL so that objects W1 have equal spacing between objects W1 fed to a tubular film 3A. The calculated pulse data:.:: Is then stored in the shift register SR in step S23, and the process returns to step O in S20.

'': Step S200 of Figure 15 determines if any of the pusher feeds at the start point .. '30 (downward moving position). If the result is YES, the process continues with the step: '; '; See S201, which includes a portion of the data placed in the frame to the right of the shift register SR -...: The process continues to step 202 where the timing of the start-up operation of the end sealer 6 is calculated so that it corresponds to the pulse data of the diaphragm position, whereby the calculated data is stored in a register. Then, in step S203, an increase or decrease control of the feeder 115766 19 conveyor 5 is initiated based on the pulse data taken from the frame to the right of the shift register SR. Step S204 determines whether the rate has been changed sufficiently. If the result of the determination is YES, the process continues to step S205 where the speed of the feed conveyor 5 is reset to normal and then the process returns to step S200.

In step S300 of Figure 16, it is determined whether the current position of the diaphragm pulse is equal to the seam operation start signal stored in the register. If the result of the determination is YES, the process proceeds to step S301, where the sealing operation start signal is applied to the end seam control-10 circuit M3DRIVE shown in Fig. 12 (B) using a servomotor M3 and an end seam 6. During such an end seam rotation, in addition to the basic control, if the length of the object W1 differs from the reference length.

In the meantime, based on the data stored successively in the memory of the seam operation start signals 15, during the continuous rotation of the end sealer 6, operating data are determined to control the rotation of the transverse sealer 6. More specifically, the usage data is obtained by superimposing the usage data Mel, Me2, Me3, and Me4, as shown in Figure 12 (B). On the basis of the operating data obtained in this way, a rate-varying control is performed based on the difference between the length of the object W1 and the reference length.

On the other hand, the diaphragm feed control circuit ί · M2DRIVE, shown in step S400 of Fig. 17, ß · M2DRIVE, generates a control signal for driving servo motor M2 at a constant speed · corresponding to the diaphragm feed rate obtained from : reference length ”x“ compression capacity ”, both of which are supplied to the controller.

:: ': The film pulling rolls 8, the film feeding rolls 10, and the film sealing rollers 11 are rotated:' · '; 25 is thus synchronized with one another so that the film 3 is fed at a constant speed.

:! : The Blank Compression Prevention process shown in Figure 12 (A) with dotted dashes is only performed when the Blank Pack Control mode is selected. This process is not preferred; \: skip while the machine is in normal operating mode.

'·; '30 The following is a description of the process of "blank compression control timing:"; 1: for "and the process of" blank; > to prevent packing production of control data (MP) '. When the object detector F1 does not detect an object between two adjacent pushers 7, the servomotor M1 of the feed conveyor 5 is operated at normal speed, while the servo motor M2 of the diaphragm 115766 20 and the servomotor M3 of the end seam are temporarily stopped. The servo motors M2 and m3 are restarted when the detector F1 detects the object W1 between the next two adjacent pushers 7.

Further, the transverse opening of the film in front of the first article W1 introduced into the film is suitably made using an end seam 6 on the basis of the reference length of the article W1 obtained from the input data.

As described above, the horizontal shaping-fill-sealing machine 1 of this embodiment controls the speed of the feed conveyor 5 so that it changes based on the difference between the length of the object W1 and the reference length determined by the input data, such that the velocity the objects W1 fed to the tubular film 3A are equally spaced by the tubular film 3A. The velocity of the end sealer 6 is also variable controlled so that, for transverse sealing, the end sealer is brought into contact with a tubular film 3A at the center of the space between two consecutive preforms W1.

Although the end sealer 6 is rotatably actuated in the above embodiment, the end sealer 6 can also be used to make a box movement whereby the sealing surfaces move up and down along curved paths so that they move toward and away from the mutual contact and Touching each other 20, the predetermined distance of film 3A is shifted horizontally

• '· * for making a transverse seam.

• · ·; i. \ In addition, the data input to the driver described above may be replaced by a different * *! the information is as follows: t * »• · *: 1) the information" film length of the package reference length "may be replaced by" package length of the package "(the length of the film is obtained by calculation); •:; 2) the information "film length packaging reference length" and "packaging capacity". · '. (the number of packages produced in a predetermined period of time having the reference length of the package) may be replaced by "film feed rate"; > »S ': 3) the information" distance (SL) between two successive "W1" objects fed into the tubular film 3A may be replaced by "reference length W1" of the article W1 (distance SL may be calculated from the "reference length of the package"; "For film length,.,; For packaging reference length"); 4) instead of feeding the advancement of the pushers 7 of the feed conveyor 5, the object detector F1 may detect the objects W1 during the setting operation, so as to obtain a signal representative of the propagation 115766 21, which is automatically set.

While the invention has been described with reference to its preferred embodiment, it will be appreciated that modifications and modifications can readily be made without departing from the spirit of this invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims (14)

A horizontal mold-fill-joint packing machine (1) comprising: - a former (4) for forming a film (3) applied from a film source (2) to a tubular mold with side-flap side edges extending into the film ( 3) longitudinal direction: - conveyor means (5) for transporting articles (W1) to be packaged and for feeding articles into the tubular film (3A) one after the other; - a flange sealer (11) for sealing the overlapping edges of the tubular film (3A) in the longitudinal direction with the articles (W1) positioned within the tubular film 10 (3A); - an end sealing means (6) for sealing the tubular film (3A) in a transverse direction in a position between two adjacent articles (W1); and film feed means (8, 10) for feeding the film (3) supplied from the film source (2) into said end seal means (6) via said former (4) and said flange sealer (11); characterized in that it comprises: - a plurality of carriers (7) mounted on the conveyor means (5) and are equidistant from each other in the feeding direction of the articles, each of the carriers (7) defining the position of a rear end of the article (W1) which is opposite to the feed direction of the article (W1); longitudinal sensing means (F1), which sequentially senses the articles (W1).,: length in the feed direction, which articles are transported by the conveyor means (5); ; And: * ': - control means which regulate the conveyor means (5) and the end sealing means (6) with the lead of each article (W1) length being sensed by the length sensing means (F1); . ·. wherein said regulator controls the speed of said conveyor means (5) such that one. ·: ·, Equidistant space is formed between each two adjacent articles (W1); - said controller receives input data representing a film length of one. . reference pack length, a distance (SL) between two adjacent ones ;;; '30 items (W1), a packaging capacity or other data that is convertible to'; 'This data,:' ·,; - wherein the packaging capacity indicates the number of packages having; "reference package length (W2) or the number of packages (W2) of articles having a reference length to be produced over a predetermined period of time, the reference length being obtained by subtracting the distance (SL) between two adjacent articles (W1) from - on the base of the data input to the control means, said control means, said conveyor means (5) and said end sealing means (6) perform a reference packaging operation, during which the feed rate by means of the film feeding means (8, 10) is set on a a first reference speed, wherein the speed of the conveyor means (5) is set at a second reference speed and the operating time of said end seal means (6) is installed at a reference adjustment, so that the articles (W1) of reference length are supplied from said conveyor means (5) to the tubular film (3A). ) separated from each other by said input distance (S L) and that the tubular film (3A) is sealed by means of the end sealing means (6) in the transverse direction in the space midway between two adjacent articles (W1) of reference length; - said regulator is further operated such that, since the length of the article (W1) sensed at the longitudinal sensing means (F1) deviates from the reference length, the regulator performs a variable control operation such that the speed of said conveyor means (5) and the operating adjustment of said end sealing means (6) varies from said second reference speed and said reference adjustment, respectively, in response to the difference between sensed length of the articles (W1) and the reference length. Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the length of the sensing means (F1) can sense the position of the front end of each article (W1) on the conveyor means (5). .. 20 Machine according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said control means inclines the speed of said conveyor means at said first: reference speed and reduces the driving speed of said film feed device and '.'. said end seal means for stopping the same for preventing; '.: manufacture of a tower package where no article has been detected between two adjacent to I ;; In each other located carriers. • # * Machine according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that. , said end seal means is rotatably driven so that the adjustment of the drive adjustment: with respect to said end seal means is performed on the basis of the speed variation control of the rotation speed. !,. ' 30 Machine according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that; Said conveyor means, said end sealing means and said film feed means:: include drive mechanisms which are driven independently of each other and each of: said drive mechanisms comprises a motor. 115766 29 6. Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that among the motors of said conveyor means, said end sealing means and said film feed means, at least said motors of said conveyor means and said end sealing means are constituted by servomotors, and that said controllers perform the speed variation control of said servomotors. Machine according to claim 6, characterized in that a first code converter and a second code converter are coupled to said servomotors on said conveyor means and said end sealing means, respectively, and each of said first and second code converters emits pulse signals representing rotational speed and rotational position respectively. at the associated servomotor to said controller. 8. Machine according to claim 7, characterized in that the motor for said film supply means is a servomotor, and a third code converter is coupled to said servomotor for said film supply means for delivering pulse signals representing the film feed rate and the film position of said controller. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises carrier position sensing means and end sealing position sensing means, wherein said carrier position sensing means are operable for sensing the current position of said each sensing means, said end sensing means, said end sensing means: which is a reference position of said end sealing means, and:; ': That said controller receives sensing signals from said:' * '; carrier position sensors and end seal means sensors as well as a:. ·. sensing signal from said longitudinal sensing means. '. * '25 10. A machine according to claim 9, characterized in that said control means emit control signals to the motors of said conveyor means, said end sealing means ·, and said film feeding means on the basis of the sensing signals from said: '; ändtätningspositionsavkänningsdon. '; 11. Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that said actuator controls: ': said conveyors through:; ; sequential calculation and storage of data for an increase or decrease of speed of the conveyor based on differences between a reference length and the lengths of the articles (W1) sensed by the length sensing means; and recording stored data at each time da the articles (W1) when a position in which the articles (W1) is fed into the tubular film (3A); said controller controls the operating time of said end seal means (6) by: sequential calculation and storage of data for operating time based on said differences between sealing of the film (3A) in the substantially central position in the space between two adjacent articles (W1); and sequential retrieval of stored data for actuating adjustment and control of the end seal (6) based on recorded data. A method of controlling a horizontal mold-fill-joint packing machine 10 comprising a former (4) for forming a film (3) which is supplied from a film source (2) to a tube mold with overlapped side edges and extending in the longitudinal direction of the film (3); conveying means (5) for transporting articles (W1) for packaging and for feeding articles into the tubular film (3A) one after the other, a flange sealing device (11) for sealing the patched edges of the tubular film (3A) in its longitudinal direction with the articles (W1) located in the tubular film (3A), an end sealing means (6) for sealing the tubular film (3A) in a transverse direction in a position between two adjacent articles (W1); and film feed means (8, 10) for feeding the film (3) supplied from said film source (2) to said end seal means (6) via said former (4) and said flange seal device (11), characterized in that it comprises the steps of: a) the length of the articles (W1) conveyed by said conveyor (5) is sequentially sensed in the feeding direction; r, b) recording input data representing a film length (3) for a reference form; ; Packing length, a distance (SL) between two adjacent articles (W1), one; * packaging capacity or other data that is convertible to this data, wherein '·' 'packaging capacity (W2) indicates the number of packages with reference packaging length or the number of packages with articles (W1) of *. * reference length to be produced for a predetermined time, wherein said reference length is obtained by subtracting said distance between each other; adjacent articles (W1) from the film length of the reference packaging length (W2); !. '(C) controlling said film feeding device (8, 10), said conveyor means (5) and said'; ' end seal means (6) are controlled to perform reference packing operation, during v 3 wherein said feed rate of the film feeder (8,10) is set at a:: first reference rate, the speed of said conveyor means (5) is set at a second reference rate, and the operating time of said end seal means (6) is adjusted by a reference adjustment such that the articles (W1) of reference length are supplied from said conveyor means to the tubular film (3A) spaced from each other corresponding to an input distance; d) controlling the operational adjustment of said end seal means (6) such that said end seal means (6) seals the tubular film (3A) transversely in substantially the central position between two adjacent articles (W1); and e) assessing whether the lengths of the articles sensed by said length sensing means (F1) differ from the reference length; and f) based on said assessment, the device is operated such that the speed of said conveyor means (5) and the operating adjustment of said end sealing means (6) vary from said second reference speed and reference adjustment in response to the difference between the sensed length of each article (W1). and the reference length. Method according to claim 12, characterized in that it comprises the step of pouring the speed of said conveyor means at said first reference speed and reducing the feed rate of said film feed device and the driving speed of said end sealing means for stopping the same to prevent the production of a tower package where no article has been sensed between two adjacent fellows. Method according to claim 12, characterized in that ... said step c) comprises the steps:,; Sequential calculation and storage of data for increasing or decreasing the speed of the conveyor based on differences between a reference length and the lengths of the articles (W1) sensed by the length sensing means; oh! recording of the stored data each batch of the articles (W1) when a position where the articles (W1) is measured into the tubular film (3A); ::: that said step d) comprises the steps of: sequential calculation and storage of data for operating time, based on the differences; ; : Sealing the film (3A) in the substantially central position of the space. * · ·. between two adjacent articles (W1); and • sequential recording of the stored data for operation adjustment and control of the end seal means (6) based on recorded data.