JP2004238142A - Feeding device of web - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a feeding device of a web capable of preventing a detector from recognizing and detecting a mark as a pattern erroneously and reading erroneously. <P>SOLUTION: This feeding device of the web is provided with a first mark detector 23 and a second mark detector 24 for detecting a first mark B and a second mark R attached to the web W to be fed at predetermined pitches P and being different kinds from each other at fixed positions, respectively, a signal outputting means 31 for outputting a mark detection signal B and a mark detection signal D based on output signals of the first mark detector 23 and the second mark detector 24, and a control means 34 for controlling web feed amount based on the mark detection signals B and D. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a web feeding device for feeding a packaging material at a pitch corresponding to one container, for example, in a packaging machine that manufactures a rectangular parallelepiped container filled with contents from a packaging material web.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As a web feeder of this type, a mark detector that detects a dedicated alignment mark attached at a predetermined pitch to each web to be sent at a fixed position, and a mark detector when the mark is detected by the mark detector. A signal output means for outputting a signal; a timing detector for detecting a timing at which the signal output means outputs a mark detection signal; a reference timing set in advance; and a deviation between detection timings of the timing detector. There is known a device provided with control means for controlling a web feed amount based on the deviation (for example, see Patent Document 1).
[0003]
Further, as another web feeder, there is also known a web feeder which uses a bar code indicating a container manufacturer, a product name, or the like in place of the alignment mark (for example, see Patent Document 2).
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-60-94676
[Patent Document 2]
JP-A-9-77021
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the device described in Patent Literature 1, it is necessary to print a dedicated mark for alignment on a web. On the other hand, the design of the product is printed on the web. If the symbol is similar to the special mark, the detector may erroneously detect the symbol as a mark. Therefore, it is necessary to make the design of the product such that there is no pattern similar to the exclusive mark, but it has been difficult to create a mark corresponding to the diversified product design.
[0007]
The device described in Patent Literature 2 has an advantage that it is not necessary to print a dedicated alignment mark on the web. However, for example, if the bar code has a printing defect or the like, the detector may misread the bar code. Usually, a photo sensor is used to detect a dedicated mark, and a bar code reader is used to detect a bar code.However, the bar code reader has slightly lower reading accuracy than a photo sensor. Moreover, it is expensive.
[0008]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a web feeder in which a detector does not erroneously detect a mark as a symbol and does not make a mistake in reading.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
A web feeder according to the present invention includes a first mark detector and a second mark for detecting, at a fixed position, first and second marks of different types attached to a web to be fed at a predetermined pitch, respectively. A detector, signal output means for outputting a mark detection signal B and a mark detection signal D based on output signals of the first mark detector and the second mark detector, and Control means for controlling the web feed amount. In the web feeder according to the present invention, the second mark can be detected by the second mark detector even if the first mark is miss-detected by the first mark detector, and the first and second marks can be detected. Since the types are different, reading errors are halved.
[0010]
Further, the web feed operation can be set to an adjustment operation and a production operation to be performed subsequently. When the mark detection signal B is output during the adjustment operation, the operation shifts from the adjustment operation to the production operation, and the production operation is performed. In the meantime, if the control means is controlled by the mark detection signal D, only one of the first and second mark detectors is used during the production operation, and the other detector is stopped. It is possible to contribute to improvement of the durability of the other mark detector.
[0011]
In addition, the mark detection signal B is output from the first mark detector until the second mark is output from this point in time until the waiting time set longer than this based on the difference between the detection timings of both mark detectors. If the signal is output when the mark detector outputs a signal, the mark can be detected without erroneously recognizing the second mark as a symbol or the like.
[0012]
Also, if the mark detection signal D is output when the second mark detector outputs a signal regardless of the presence or absence of the signal output of the first mark detector, the mark detection signal D is output. , Can be output by one second mark detector without using the first mark detector.
[0013]
In a timing area indicating how much the timing at which the second mark detector detects the second mark deviates from the reference timing at which the deviation from the reference position of the web is zero, the timing is later than the reference timing. A target range including the area and the reference timing is set, and the mark detection signal B is output from the first mark detector, and from this point onward, based on the difference between the detection timings of the two mark detectors. By the set waiting time, the second mark detector outputs a signal, and the signal is output when the timing at this time is within the target area. The second mark detector outputs a signal irrespective of the presence or absence of a signal output from the detector and is output when the timing at this time is in the rear area. The web feed operation can be set to the adjustment operation and the subsequent production operation, and the web feed amount is set to be less than the standard feed amount and the reference feed amount that is more positive than the reference feed amount. It can be set to a certain correction feed amount. If the mark detection signal B is output during the adjustment operation, the operation shifts from the adjustment operation to the production operation. If the mark detection signal D is output during the production operation, the web If the feed amount is set to the standard feed amount, and otherwise the web feed amount is set to the corrected feed amount, the adjustment operation uses the first and second mark detectors in a short time. Web positioning can be reliably performed, and after shifting to production operation, web positioning can be performed economically using only the second mark detector.
[0014]
Further, it is preferable that the first mark and the second mark include a combination of a mark having excellent discrimination and a mark having high recognition.
[0015]
Here, when each mark is detected by the detector, a mark having a unique characteristic that can be distinguished from the product design is called a mark with excellent discrimination, and there is no characteristic, but there is no mistake in reading its existence. The mark is referred to as a mark having excellent recognizability. The first mark is a barcode, a two-dimensional code or a strobe hole, the second mark is a registration mark, the first mark detector is a barcode reader or a photosensor, and the second mark detector Is preferably a photosensor.
[0016]
Since the stroboscopic hole easily reflects light, it can be suitably used as a mark in the case of a product design that hardly reflects light. In the case of a product design (metallic packaging material) that easily reflects light, a mark that is not affected by light reflection, such as a barcode or a two-dimensional code, is preferably used.
[0017]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0018]
Referring to FIG. 1, the packaging machine finally manufactures a content-filled rectangular parallelepiped container C2 from a packaging material web W, and includes a rewinder 11 supporting a roll-shaped web W, and a web wrapper from the rewinder 11. A rewinding device 12 for sequentially rewinding W, a tube forming device 13 for forming the unwound web W into a tube T, and a vertical filling tube 14 inserted into the tube T, and a predetermined level in the tube T Container forming for sealing and cutting the liquid supply pipe 15 for filling the contents and the content filling tube T for every length corresponding to approximately one container to form a pillow-shaped container C1 for sealing and cutting. The apparatus includes a device 16 and a container completing device 17 for forming the pillow-shaped container C1 into a final rectangular parallelepiped container C2.
[0019]
The container forming device 16 has two pairs of sealing / cutting jaws 21 that can be opened and closed freely. By one rotation of the main shaft 22 of the packaging machine by 360 degrees, two pairs of jaws 21 are raised and lowered in a certain cycle in opposite directions by a pair of jaws, whereby two pillow-shaped containers C1 are formed. You. Therefore, the rotation angle of the main shaft 22 for molding one container in one cycle is 180 degrees.
[0020]
The web feed amount in one cycle by the container forming device 16 is set in three stages. Although not described in detail, this is performed by changing the amount of insertion of the triangular ear formed when the pillow-shaped container C1 is formed. The three-step feed amount is a standard feed amount Sf, a corrected feed amount Cf, and an adjusted feed amount Rf. The standard feed amount Sf is larger on the plus side than the reference feed amount Bf corresponding to the length of one container, for example, (reference feed amount Bf + 0.5 mm), and the corrected feed amount Cf is the same reference feed amount. It is larger on the minus side than Bf, for example, (reference feed amount Bf-1.0 mm), and the adjusted feed amount Rf is considerably larger on the minus side than corrected feed amount Cf, for example, (reference feed amount Bf-8). .0 mm).
[0021]
A barcode reader 23 and a photosensor 24 are arranged so as to be exposed to the web moving path immediately upstream of the jaw 21 of the container forming apparatus 16. The main shaft 22 is provided with an encoder 25.
[0022]
Referring to FIG. 2, a bar code B capable of code-displaying a manufacturer number or a product name number is printed at a constant pitch L on the web W, and a registration mark R is printed at the same pitch L as the bar code B. . The pitch L corresponds to the reference feed amount Bf, which includes a manufacturing error.
[0023]
As the barcode B, it is preferable to use a one-dimensional barcode exemplified by JAN, EAN and UPC, and to use a one-dimensional code having a small number of digits, for example, three digits, as exemplified by CODE39. preferable. Then, the reading accuracy can be improved.
[0024]
The barcode reader 23 is for detecting the barcode B. The photo sensor 24 is for detecting the registration mark R. In the web feed operation for each cycle, the bar code reader 23 first detects the bar code B, and at the same time or after a certain delay time dT, the photo sensor 24 sets the registration mark. R is detected.
[0025]
The delay time dT is physically determined by the arrangement of the barcode reader 23 and the photosensor 24, the barcode B and the registration mark R, and the feed speed of the web W. Is set to be
[0026]
FIG. 3 shows a final form of the container C made from the web W. A bar code B and a resist mark R are located on the bottom surface of the container C, respectively.
With reference to FIG. 4, the web positioning operation will now be described.
[0027]
The feed amount of the web is set by changing the feed amount by the container forming device 16 for each cycle of manufacturing one container.
[0028]
When the barcode reader 23 detects the barcode B of the web W, the detection signal is input to the signal output circuit 31. Subsequently, when the photo sensor 24 detects the registration mark R, the detection signal is also input to the signal output circuit 31. On the other hand, the rotation angle of the main shaft 22 is detected by the encoder 25 and input to the signal output circuit 31 as the current rotation angle.
[0029]
The signal output circuit 31 is provided with timing detection means 32. The timing detecting means 32 detects the timing at which the photo sensor 24 outputs the detection signal based on the output signal of the encoder 25. In addition, the signal output circuit 31 calculates various control signals based on the output signals of the barcode reader 23, the photosensor 24, and the encoder 25, and outputs them to the feed pattern setting circuit 33. The feed pattern setting circuit 33 sets a three-step feed amount pattern of a standard feed amount Sf, a corrected feed amount Cf, and an adjusted feed amount Rf based on the control signal, and outputs this to the control means 34. The control means 34 controls the web feed amount by the container forming device 16 based on the set pattern.
[0030]
FIG. 5 shows the relationship between the rotation angle of the main shaft 22 and the feed timing of the web W to be fed.
[0031]
Focusing on the rotation angle (0 to 180 °) of the main shaft 22, when the registration mark R is detected by the photo sensor 24 when the rotation angle is 158 °, it is confirmed that there is no deviation in the feeding operation of the web W. means. This is defined as a reference timing T.
[0032]
From the reference timing T, the following four areas are set in a timing area indicating how far the timing at which the photo sensor 24 detects the registration mark R deviates. In other words, the four regions are a pre-region A (153 ° to 158 °) before the reference timing T, a post-region D (158 ° to 164 °) after the reference timing T, and a reference timing T. A target area B (157 ° to 159 °) before and after that and an allowable area C (154 ° to 161 °) wider before and after the target area B. These areas A, B, C and D are detected by the timing detecting means 32.
[0033]
The allowable area C is the maximum area that allows the web W to shift. The target area B is considerably smaller than the front area A and the rear area D. The target area B is an area where the photo sensor 24 does not have to worry about erroneously recognizing the registration mark R when the displacement of the web W is within the target area B.
[0034]
The signal output circuit 31 outputs four types of mark detection signals A, B, C, and D described below.
[0035]
The conditions for outputting the mark detection signal A are that the barcode reader 23 outputs a signal, that the photosensor 24 outputs a signal, that the timing detection means 32 detects the area A, and that the barcode reader 23 outputs a signal. And that the time from when the photo sensor 24 outputs a signal to when the photo sensor 24 outputs the signal is within the waiting time pT.
[0036]
The waiting time pT is set to be equal to or longer than the delay time dT in consideration of the delay time dT. For example, when the delay time dT is 0.05 seconds, the waiting time pT is set to about 0.1 seconds. Since the barcode B and the registration mark R are printed at a predetermined pitch P, they must be detected within a predetermined timing. Therefore, after detecting the bar code B, the waiting time pT is set within a range where the mark detected at a predetermined timing can always be specified as the registration mark R.
[0037]
The mark detection signal B is output under the condition that the timing detection unit 32 detects the area B instead of detecting the area A under the condition that the mark detection signal A is output.
[0038]
The mark detection signal C is output under two conditions, regardless of whether the bar code reader 23 outputs a signal or not, that the photo sensor 24 outputs a signal and that the timing detection unit 32 detects the area C. is there.
[0039]
The condition under which the mark detection signal D is output is that the photo sensor 24 outputs a signal in accordance with the mark detection signal C regardless of the presence or absence of the signal output from the barcode reader 23. Detecting D.
[0040]
FIG. 6 shows a flow of the feed pattern setting circuit 33.
[0041]
In the production operation of the filling machine, an adjustment operation is performed in advance so that the marks B and R of the web W pass a predetermined position at a predetermined timing.
[0042]
First, in step S31, the feed amount of the web W is set to the adjusted feed amount Rf, and the preliminary adjustment operation is started. The process proceeds to step S32 to check whether the mark detection signal A has been output. If the mark detection signal A has been output, the operation shifts from the preliminary adjustment operation to the main adjustment operation. If the mark detection signal A has not been output, the process returns to step S31. It is repeated.
[0043]
In this adjustment operation, it is checked whether or not the mark detection signal D has been output in step S33. If the mark detection signal D is output, the feed amount of the web W is set to the standard feed amount Sf in step S34. If the mark detection signal D is not output, the feed amount of the web W is corrected in step S35. The quantity is set to Cf. Subsequently, the flow shifts to step S36, where it is checked whether or not the mark detection signal B has been output. If the mark detection signal B has not been output, the process returns to step S32, and the operations of steps S32 to S36 are repeated until the mark detection signal B is output. When the mark detection signal B is output, the operation shifts from the main adjustment operation to the production operation.
[0044]
As described above, in the preliminary and final adjustment operations, the mark detection signal A, the mark detection signal B, and the mark detection signal D are required. In order to output the mark detection signal A and the mark detection signal B, both the barcode reader 23 and the photo sensor 24 are required. At the time of the adjustment operation, it is not known at what timing the registration mark R is detected by the photo sensor 24, so that the photo sensor 24 may erroneously recognize the picture as the registration mark R. Thus, by using the barcode reader 23 to detect the barcode B that has no possibility of being erroneously recognized as a pattern, mark erroneous recognition during the adjustment operation is prevented.
[0045]
In the production operation, it is checked whether or not the mark detection signal C has been output in step S37. If the mark detection signal C has been output, the process proceeds to step S38. In step S38, as in the case of the main adjustment operation, if the mark detection signal D is output, the feed amount of the web W is set to the standard feed amount Sf in step S39, and the mark detection signal D is not output. In step S40, the feed amount of the web W is set to the corrected feed amount Cf.
[0046]
The fact that the mark detection signal C has not been output in step S37 is an abnormal situation in which the deviation exceeds the allowable range. An alarm is output and the machine is stopped, or the process returns to step S31 to perform the adjustment operation again.
[0047]
In the production operation, control can be performed only by the mark detection signal C and the mark detection signal D. The mark detection signal C and the mark detection signal D can be output only by the detection signal of the photo sensor 24 regardless of the presence or absence of the detection signal of the bar code reader 23. Therefore, during the production operation, by detecting only the registration mark R, it is possible to extend the life of the expensive and short-life barcode reader 23 by turning off the power supply during this time. Further, the barcode reader 23 is more likely to cause a detection error than the photosensor 24. However, it is possible to prevent the detection error from affecting the production operation such as stopping the production operation.
[0048]
Next, a modified example of the signal output circuit and the feed pattern setting circuit will be described.
[0049]
In FIG. 5, four regions of a front region A, a rear region D, a target region B, and a permissible region C are shown, but in FIG. 7, two regions A and D corresponding to the front region A and the rear region D are shown. It is shown. Here, the area A is referred to as a target area A, and an area obtained by combining the two areas A and D is referred to as an allowable area E.
[0050]
The signal output circuit 31 outputs three signals: a mark detection signal A, a mark detection signal D, and a mark detection signal E.
[0051]
The conditions under which the mark detection signal A and the mark detection signal D are output are the same as those of the mark detection signal A and the mark detection signal D described above. The mark detection signal E is output when the timing detection unit 32 detects the area E instead of detecting the area D under the condition that the mark detection signal D is output.
[0052]
FIG. 8 shows a flowchart of the operation of the feed pattern setting circuit performed based on the above three signals A, D and E.
[0053]
In step S31, the adjustment feed amount Rf is set, and the adjustment operation is started. The process proceeds to step S32 to check whether the mark detection signal A has been output. If it is determined in step S32 that the mark detection signal A has been output, the operation shifts from the adjustment operation to the production operation.
[0054]
In the production operation, it is checked whether or not the mark detection signal D has been output in step S33. As in the flowchart of FIG. 7, if the mark detection signal D is output, the feed amount of the web W is set to the standard feed amount Sf in step S34, and if the mark detection signal D is not output in step S35, The feed amount of the web W is set to the corrected feed amount Cf. Next, in step S37, it is checked whether or not the mark detection signal E has been output. If the signal E is output, the production operation is continued. If the signal E is not output, it is an abnormal situation exceeding the allowable deviation. , The production operation will be stopped.
[0055]
Instead of the barcode B described above, a two-dimensional code may be used. The barcode B is obtained by linearly arranging barcode symbol characters into information and is also called a one-dimensional code. On the other hand, a two-dimensional code is one in which symbol characters or information units corresponding thereto are arranged vertically and horizontally, and is also called a two-dimensional barcode. The two-dimensional code can be read by the barcode reader 23.
[0056]
Further, instead of the barcode B, a straw hole may be used. The straw hole is, for example, a circular concave portion for piercing a straw formed in the web W, and a barrier layer (for example, an aluminum layer) of a web inner layer can be confirmed from the web surface. The straw hole can be detected by the photo sensor 24.
[0057]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, there is provided a web feeder in which a detector does not erroneously detect a mark as a symbol and does not make a reading error.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a main part of a packaging machine including a web feeding device according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a web used in the packaging machine.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a container manufactured from the web.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the feeder.
FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing a relationship between a rotation angle of a main shaft of the packaging machine and a web feeding operation.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a signal output circuit of the feeder.
FIG. 7 is a timing chart according to a modification example corresponding to FIG. 5;
FIG. 8 is a flowchart according to a modification example corresponding to FIG. 6;
[Explanation of symbols]
23 Bar Code Reader 24 Photo Sensor 31 Signal Output Circuit 33 Control Means W Web B Bar Code R Registration Mark

Claims (8)

A first mark detector (B) and a second mark (R) for detecting, at a fixed position, first marks (B) and second marks (R) of different types attached to the web (W) to be sent at a predetermined pitch (P), respectively. 23) and a second mark detector (24);
Signal output means (31) for outputting a mark detection signal B and a mark detection signal D based on output signals of the first mark detector (23) and the second mark detector (24);
Control means (34) for controlling the web feed amount based on the mark detection signal B and the signal D;
Web feeder equipped with The web feed operation can be set to an adjustment operation and a subsequent production operation,
When the mark detection signal B is output during the adjustment operation, the operation shifts from the adjustment operation to the production operation, and during the production operation, the control means (34) is controlled by the mark detection signal D. 2. The web feeder according to claim 1. The mark detection signal B is output from the first mark detector (23) based on the detection timing shift (dT) between the two mark detectors (23) and (24). 3. The web feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the signal is output when the second mark detector (24) outputs a signal before the set waiting time (pT). The mark detection signal D is output when the second mark detector (24) outputs a signal, regardless of the presence or absence of the signal output of the first mark detector (23). The web feeder according to any one of claims 1 to 3. A timing area indicating how much the timing at which the second mark detector (24) detects the second mark (R) deviates from the reference timing (T) at which the deviation of the web (W) from the reference position is zero. In, a target range (B) including a rear area (D) after the reference timing (T) and the reference timing (T) is set,
The mark detection signal B is output from the first mark detector (23) based on the detection timing shift (dT) between the two mark detectors (23) and (24). By the set waiting time (pT), the second mark detector (24) outputs a signal and outputs the signal when the timing at this time is within the target area (B),
The mark detection signal D is output by the second mark detector (24) irrespective of the presence or absence of the signal output of the first mark detector (23), and the timing at this time is within the rear area (D). It is made to be output at a certain time,
The web feed operation can be set to an adjustment operation and a subsequent production operation,
The web feed amount can be set to a standard feed amount (Sf) that is more positive than the reference feed amount (Bf) and a corrected feed amount (Rf) that is more negative than the reference feed amount (Bf),
When the mark detection signal B is output during the adjustment operation, the operation shifts from the adjustment operation to the production operation. During the production operation, when the mark detection signal D is output, the web feed amount becomes the standard feed amount (Sf). 2. The web feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the web feeding amount is set to a corrected feeding amount (Rf) otherwise. The web feeding device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first mark (B) and the second mark (R) are a combination of a mark having excellent discrimination and a mark having high recognition. The first mark (B) is a bar code, a two-dimensional code or a strobing hole, the second mark (R) is a registration mark, and the first mark detector (23) is a bar code reader or a photo sensor. The web feeder according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the second mark detector (24) is a photo sensor. A web for use in the web feeder according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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