JP2008265817A - Side sealing apparatus of wrapping machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a side sealing apparatus of wrapping machine capable of performing a positive and neat heat sealing action against the right and left side folding surfaces of a wrapped item irrespective of a presence or non-presence of a wrapped item feeding action. <P>SOLUTION: This side sealing apparatus of a wrapping machine comprises a pair of seal belts (12) that can run together for holding wrapped items (B) advanced while receiving a feeding operation from a packaging section of the wrapping machine and along with the feeding operation for these wrapped items (B), an electric motor (22) for generating a driving force for running seal belts (12) under a slower running speed than a feeding speed of the wrapped items (B) determined through the feeding action and one-way clutch (24) arranged between the electric motor (22) and the seat belts (12). The one-way clutch (24) enables the seat belts (12) to be increased in its running speed under the feeding speed exceeding the running speed set by the electric motor (22). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a packaging machine for articles, and more particularly, to a side seal device that performs the final process of the packaging.

  In the overwrapping of an article, first, the article is wrapped with a heat-sealable packaging material to obtain an overwrapped product, and then the overwrapped product is subjected to a final process in a process of being transported along a transport path. In this final process, the side folding surfaces of the left and right packaging materials in the upper packaging product, that is, the upper and lower side flaps that are overlapped with each other to form a part of the side folding surface are bonded by heat sealing, The overwrapping is completed.

For this reason, the overwrapping machine includes a side seal device that performs the above-described heat sealing, and the side seal device includes a pair of endless power belts (seal belts) that are arranged with a conveyance path therebetween. In response to the supply operation of the overwrapped product from the upstream side of the transport path, when the overwrapped product enters the transport path, the pair of power belts sandwich the overwrapped product on the left and right side folding surfaces, The overwrapped product is conveyed during the traveling. In this conveyance process, the upper and lower side flaps of the side folding surface receive heat from the belt guide (heater block) via the power belt and are heat-sealed to each other (see Patent Document 1, paragraph 0095, FIG. 20).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-139003

The side seal device of Patent Document 1 includes a drive source that travels the pair of power belts, and this drive source operates independently of the packaging section that forms the overwrapped product upstream of the side seal device. is doing. That is, while the upper wrapper is in operation, the pair of power belts are always running at a constant speed.
For this reason, when the supply operation of the overwrapping product from the packaging section side into the transport path is performed, as long as the supply speed of the overwrapping product and the traveling speed of the power belt coincide with each other in this supply operation, the power The side folding surface of the overwrapped product does not rub against the belt.

However, the situation in which a difference occurs between the supply speed of the overwrapped product and the traveling speed of the power belt, specifically, the supply speed of the overwrapped product to the transport path varies, When the discharging device is activated and the overwrapped product is forcibly discharged from within the conveyance path, a speed difference is generated between the side folding surface of the overwrapped product and the power belt.
Such a speed difference causes rubbing of the side folding surface with respect to the power belt, so that the side flaps are distorted and a good heat seal of the side flaps cannot be ensured.

  The present invention has been made on the basis of the above-described circumstances, and the object thereof is to the side folding surface for the overwrapped product, that is, the side flap regardless of whether or not the overwrapped product is supplied to the transport path. It is an object of the present invention to provide a side seal device for an overwrapping machine that can perform good heat sealing.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, the present invention forms a side folding surface by folding a cylindrical portion of a packaging material projecting from both side surfaces of the article after winding a packaging material that can be heat-sealed around the article. Thus, an overwrapped product in which the side surface of the article is closed by the side folding surfaces is formed, and then the upper wrapped product is heat-sealed with respect to the side folded surface when being transported in the transport path. In the overwrapping machine that completes the packaging, the side seal device of the present invention is disposed so as to be able to travel with the transport path between each other, and receives the operation of supplying the overwrapped product from the upstream side and enters the transport path. A pair of endless seal belts that can sandwich the product with its side folding surface, a heater block that is disposed within each seal belt and that can heat the side folding surface of the overwrapped product via the seal belt, A drive source that generates a driving force for running the seal belts to ensure a predetermined heat sealing time for the package that has entered the feed path is connected to the drive source and the seal belts. When there is an operation to supply the overwrapped product to the transport belt, the transmission of the driving force from the drive source to each seal belt is invalidated. And a power transmission means for effectively transmitting the driving force to the belt.

  According to the side seal device of the first aspect, when the overwrapped product enters the conveying path in response to the supply operation of the overwrapped product, the overwrapped product is sandwiched between the pair of seal belts. At this time, even if the transmission of the driving force from the driving source to the pair of seal belts by the power transmission means is disabled, the pair of seal belts are in a state where they can run. If you enter, drive as if pushed. That is, the pair of seal belts travels at the same speed as the supply speed of the overwrapped product in the conveyance path determined by the supply operation. Therefore, the left and right side folding surfaces of the overwrapped product receive heat from the heater block via these seal belts without being rubbed by the pair of seal belts, and are respectively heat sealed.

  In addition, when the forced discharge device as described in Patent Document 1 is operated, the overwrapping in a situation where the overwrapped product in the above-described packaging section is discharged at a high speed through the conveyance path in the side seal device. Even during the product supply operation, the transmission of power from the drive source to the pair of seal belts by the power transmission means is disabled, so that these seal belts run at a speed that matches the supply speed of the overwrapping product. Also in this case, the left and right side folding surfaces of the overwrapped product are not rubbed by the seal belt.

  On the other hand, when the supply operation of the overwrapped product in the conveyance path is lost, the transmission of the driving force from the driving source to the pair of seal belts by the power transmission means is enabled, so that the pair of seal belts Thus, the overwrapped product that has already entered the transport path is transported along with the travel of the pair of seal belts, and heat sealing is performed on the side folding surfaces on both the left and right sides.

Here, the running speed of the seal belt by the drive source is set so as to ensure a predetermined heat sealing time for the overwrapped product, and the heat sealing with respect to the side folding surface of the overwrapped product is carried out without excess or deficiency. .
Preferably, the drive source is driven to run the pair of seal belts at a running speed that is slower than the allowable range of the supply speed of the above-described overwrapping product. In this case, the power transmission means is connected to the pair of drive belts from the drive source. It includes a one-way clutch that constantly transmits the driving force toward the seal belt, but allows an increase in travel of the pair of seal belts from the travel speed by the drive source to the supply speed when there is an operation for supplying the overwrapped product. (Claim 2).

  Here, the allowable range of the supply rate represents the range of the supply rate of the overwrap product achieved by the supply operation in a state where it is determined that the overwrapping machine, that is, the packaging section is operating normally. Although the allowable range includes fluctuations in supply speed in normal operating conditions and slight fluctuations, the transition period from the start of operation of the packaging section to the normal operating state and the transition period from normal operating state to shutdown Does not include the supply rate of the overwrap.

  According to the side seal device of the second aspect, while the upper wrapper is in operation, the pair of seal belts constantly receives the driving force from the driving source via the one-way clutch. Since the travel speed is slower than the allowable range of the supply speed of the overwrapped product, when there is a supply operation of the overwrapped product, the transmission of the driving force becomes invalid due to the action of the one-way clutch, and the pair of seal belts depends on the drive source. The vehicle travels at a supply speed that is higher than the travel speed. Therefore, even in this case, the overwrapped product that has entered the conveyance path can reliably receive heat sealing without rubbing the left and right side folding surfaces against the seal belt, and then discharged outside the conveyance path. Is done.

On the other hand, if there is no supply operation for the overwrapped product, transmission of the driving force from the drive source to the pair of seal belts becomes effective, and these seal belts travel at the travel speed of the drive source, so that the transport path The overwrapped product inside is transported in the transport path as the seal belt runs without the left and right side folding surfaces being rubbed against the seal belt.
Furthermore, the side seal device can further include a detection unit that detects the presence or absence of an operation for supplying the overwrapped product, and a drive control unit that controls the driving of the drive source based on the detection result of the detection unit ( Claim 3). In this case, the drive control means stops driving of the drive source when there is an operation for supplying the overwrapped product, and drives the drive source when there is no operation for supplying the overwrapped product.

  The side seal device of the overwrapping machine according to claim 1 is configured such that the transport speed of the overwrapped product in the transport path and the traveling speed of the pair of seal belts regardless of the operation of supplying the overwrapped product in the transport path. Can be matched. Therefore, the left and right side folding surfaces in the overwrapped product are not rubbed by the seal belt, so that heat sealing with respect to the side folding surface can be performed stably and reliably, and a beautiful heat-sealed side folding surface can be obtained.

Further, the side seal device can cope with any method of supplying the overwrapped product in the transport path by pressing and pressing, and has excellent versatility.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the travel control of the pair of seal belts is possible only by providing a one-way clutch between the drive source and the pair of seal belts, and the configuration of the power transmission means is simple. Can be.

  The side seal device according to the third aspect is excellent in power saving because the drive of the drive source is stopped when there is an operation of supplying the overwrapped product.

FIG. 1 schematically shows a procedure for overwrapping an article by an overwrapping machine.
The overwrapping machine has a supply path 2 for an article A having a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The supply path 2 extends horizontally and supplies the article A intermittently toward the end of the supply path 2. In addition, a packaging path 4 of the article A that extends horizontally in the same direction from the terminal end is disposed above the supply path 2, and the starting end of the packaging path 4 is positioned immediately above the terminal end in the supply path 2. .

Further, a packaging material path 6 is disposed between the supply path 2 and the packaging path 4, and the packaging material path 6 extends along the packaging path 4, and the end thereof is the end of the supply path 2 and the beginning of the packaging path 4. It is positioned between.
On the other hand, a packaging material roll is arranged at the starting end of the packaging material path 6, and the packaging material web fed out from the packaging material roll is wrapped along the packaging material path 6 in the process of being wrapped with a predetermined size opening tape. Formed on the material F and supplied to the end of the packaging material path 6. Note that the packaging material F, that is, the packaging material web, is a heat-sealable film material.

  The article A that has reached the end of the supply path 2 is raised together with the packaging material F toward the starting end of the packaging path 4 and is supplied to the starting end. At this time, the packaging material F is trunk-folded in a U shape around the article A, and both ends thereof are formed as trunk flaps fb depending from the lower surface of the article A. Thereafter, the body flaps fb are overlapped with each other and heat-sealed on the lower surface of the article A, and the body winding of the packaging material F is completed at this point. Such a body winding of the packaging material F forms cylindrical portions t that protrude from the left and right sides of the article A, respectively.

Thereafter, the wound article A is transferred from the start end to the end of the packaging path 4, and in this transfer process, the left and right cylindrical portions t are folded and side folds that close the corresponding side surfaces of the article A are folded. Each is formed on the surface S. At this time, folding of the packaging material F is completed, and an overwrapped product B of the article A is formed, and this overwrapped product B is supplied toward the end of the packaging path 4.
The folding of the cylindrical portion t will be described in detail. First, when viewed in the transfer direction of the article A, first, folding of portions separated from the front and rear of the cylindrical portion t, so-called ear folding, is performed. A pair of upper and lower side flaps fs is formed at t. Next, the upper and lower side flaps fs are sequentially folded toward the side surface of the article A and overlapped with each other.

  Each of the articles A transferred on the packaging path 4 receives the above-described overwrapping, so that an overwrapped product B is sent out from the end of the packaging path 4 and is transported from the packaging path 4. It is received by the seal path 8 as a path. The seal path 8 extends horizontally in the same direction as the packaging path 4, and the overwrapped items B sequentially received in the seal path 8 form a row in close contact with each other in the delivery direction, that is, the transport direction. It is transferred on the seal path 8 in a manner.

A side seal device 10 according to an embodiment is disposed in the middle of the seal path 8, and the side seal device 10 will be described below with reference to FIG. 2.
The side seal device 10 includes a pair of seal belts 12, and the seal belts 12 are made of an endless material and excellent in thermal conductivity. The pair of seal belts 12 are respectively wound around a drive pulley 14 and a driven pulley 16, and extend horizontally along the seal path 8 between the pulleys 14 and 16. In the case of this embodiment, the drive pulley 14 is positioned downstream of the driven pulley 16 in the direction of the seal path 8.

The pulley shafts of the drive and driven pulleys 14 and 16 are rotatably supported. When the pulley shafts are in a free state, the seal belt 12 can travel between the drive pulley 14 and the driven pulley 16.
The pair of seal belts 12 has belt surfaces 12a facing each other with the seal path 8 interposed therebetween, and the distance between the belt surfaces 12a is the width dimension of the overwrapped item B (the distance between the left and right side folding surfaces S). Substantially matches.

Accordingly, the overwrapped product B is transferred toward the side seal device 10 by being pushed and pushed, and when reaching the side seal device 10, these overwrapped products B enter the inlets (between the driven pulleys 16) of the pair of seal belts 12. ) And is further conveyed through the seal path 8 while being sandwiched between the belt surfaces 12a.
Here, when the pair of seal belts 12 are in a state where they can run, the supply operation of the overwrapped product B between the seal belts 12 causes the seal belts 12 to be pushed out and the seal belts 12 to travel. The speed corresponds to the supply speed determined by the supply operation of the overwrapped product B.

  A heater block 18 is disposed in each seal belt 12, and the heater block 18 extends along the belt surface 12a of the corresponding seal belt 12 and incorporates a heater (not shown). The heater block 18 not only heats the belt surface 12a of the seal belt 12 to a predetermined temperature, but also functions as a support member for the belt surface 12a. Therefore, the pair of seal belts 12 can securely sandwich the overwrapped product B between the left and right side folding surfaces S therebetween.

  Therefore, when the overwrapped product B is transported at the supply speed along the seal path 8 while traveling the pair of seal belts 12, the left and right side folding surfaces S of the overwrapped product B are the heater blocks on the corresponding side. By receiving the heat generated by the belt 18 from the belt surface 12a of the seal belt 12, the side folding surface S, that is, the upper and lower side flaps fs are heat-sealed and bonded to each other. Therefore, at this time, the overwrapping of the article A is completed, and the heat-sealed overwrapped finished product C is discharged from the outlets of the pair of seal belts 12 (between the drive pulleys 14).

  On the other hand, the pulley shafts of the drive pulleys 14 are connected to each other to rotate in conjunction with each other, and are connected to a drive source, specifically, an electric motor 22 via a power transmission path 20 (power transmission means). Yes. When the electric motor 22 is driven, the driving force is transmitted to each driving pulley 14 via the power transmission path 20, whereby the pair of seal belts 12 can travel in conjunction with each other. Specifically, each seal belt 12 travels such that its belt surface 12a slides in the conveying direction of the overwrapped product B.

  Therefore, in the situation where there is no supply operation of the overwrapped product B into the pair of seal belts 12 and the overwrapped product B remains between the seal belts 12, the driving force of the electric motor 22 is received. When the pair of seal belts 12 are traveled, the travel of the seal belt 12 can transport the remaining overwrapped product B. In this transport process, the left and right side folding surfaces S of the overwrapped product B are as described above. A heat seal can be received as well.

In the case of the present embodiment, when the pair of seal belts 12 are driven by receiving the driving force of the electric motor 22, the traveling speed of the seal belt 12 is the supply speed of the above-described overwrapped product B between the pair of seal belts 12. Although it is slower, the heat sealing time for the side folding surface S is set so as not to be excessively long.
Therefore, a one-way clutch 24 is inserted in the power transmission path 20 described above, and this one-way clutch 24 transmits a driving force from the electric motor 22 to the drive pulley 14. The pair of seal belts 12 are allowed to run at a speed that exceeds the running speed of 22 at the supply speed.

In the case of the present embodiment, the electric motor 22 is electrically connected to the control device 26, and this control device 26 depends on the operating state of the packaging section 28 of the upper wrapper on the upstream side of the side seal device 10. The drive of the electric motor 22 is controlled on and off.
Specifically, the packaging section 28 includes an operation monitoring sensor (detecting means) 30, which is disposed, for example, at the end of the packaging path 4 described above and detects the passage of the overwrapped product B each time. The passing signal is transmitted to the control device 26. Based on the interval of the received passing signal, the control device 26 determines whether or not to supply the overwrapped product B to the pair of seal belts 12 from the packaging section 28 side, that is, between the pair of seal belts 12. It is determined whether or not the supply speed is within the allowable range or faster than the allowable range.

If the determination result here is true, the control device 26 transmits a stop signal to the electric motor 22 to stop the driving of the electric motor 22, whereas if the determination result is false, that is, a pair of seals. When the supply speed of the overwrapped product B between the belts 12 is slower than the allowable range, the control device 26 transmits a drive signal to the electric motor 22 to drive the electric motor 22.
Next, the operation of the side seal device 10 will be described more specifically with reference to FIGS.

  First, FIG. 3 shows a situation in which the packaging section 28 is operating normally and the overwrapped product B is being supplied between the pair of seal belts 12 at the supply speed of pressing. In such a situation, the electric motor 22 receives the stop signal from the control device 26 and is in a state where the driving is stopped, and the driving force is not transmitted from the electric motor 22 to the pair of seal belts 12.

  In this case, as described above, the pair of seal belts 12 are driven by the above-described one-way clutch 24 so as to be pushed out by the overwrapped product B and travel at a speed corresponding to the supply speed of the overwrapped product B. Therefore, since the left and right side folding surfaces S are in close contact with the belt surface 12a of the sealing belt 12, the side folding surfaces S are smoothly and cleanly rubbed without being rubbed by the sealing belt 12. After that, the overwrapped product B comes out as an overwrapped finished product C from the outlets of the pair of seal belts 12.

Even if the supply speed of the overwrapped product B between the pair of seal belts 12 varies or fluctuates, the pair of seal belts 12 can be used as long as the variation or variation is within the allowable range. The left and right side folding surfaces S of the overwrapped product B are not rubbed by the seal belt 12.
Thereafter, in the state shown in FIG. 4A, when the operation of the packaging section 28 is stopped and the operation of supplying the overwrapped product B between the pair of seal belts 12 is stopped, the control device 26 controls the electric motor 22. A drive signal is output to drive the electric motor 22. Therefore, from this time point, the driving force of the electric motor 22 is transmitted to the driving pulley 14 of the pair of seal belts 12 via the one-way clutch 24, and the seal belts 12 are interlocked and determined by the driving force of the electric motor 22. Drive at a running speed.

  As a result, the overwrapped product B that has already entered between the seal belts 12 travels as the seal belt 12 travels, as is apparent from FIG. 4 (b). The left and right side folding surfaces S are conveyed in close contact with the belt surface 12 a of the seal belt 12. Accordingly, the left and right side folding surfaces S are smoothly and beautifully heat-sealed without being rubbed by the seal belt 12, and the overwrapped product B comes out from between the pair of seal belts 12 as an overwrapped finished product C.

In addition, if the overwrapping machine of one Example is equipped with the forced discharge apparatus (not shown) as described in patent document 1, after the operation of the overwrapping machine is stopped, the forced discharge apparatus is operated. The overwrapped product B staying in the packaging path 4 is supplied from the packaging path 4 to the seal path, that is, the pair of seal belts 12.
Even in such a supply operation at the time of forced discharge, the transmission of the driving force from the electric motor 22 to the pair of seal belts 12 is stopped, and therefore the overwrapped product B has its discharge speed (supply speed). ), The pair of seal belts 12 is caused to travel. Here too, the upper package B is conveyed with its left and right side folding surfaces S in close contact with the belt surface 12a of the sealing belt 12, and these side folding surfaces S Is not rubbed by the seal belt 12.

At this time, if the discharge speed is set to ensure the minimum heat seal time for the side folding surface S, the heat seal is also applied to the overwrapped product B that is forcibly discharged. It is carried out well, and these overwrapped products B can be discharged as overwrapped finished products C.
As described above, since the electric motor 22 is only driven when the operation of the packaging section 28 is stopped, it greatly contributes to power saving of the side seal device 10.

  Further, the presence of the one-way clutch 24 facilitates the traveling control of the pair of seal belts 12 by the control device 26. That is, when the travel of the pair of seal belts 12 is controlled to be turned on / off, the travel speed of the seal belt 12 by the electric motor 22 is supplied to the overwrapped product B even if the start timing of the control is around the desired time. As long as the speed (conveyance speed) is set lower than the allowable range, there is no adverse effect.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made.
For example, the side seal device 10 of the present invention is not limited to the case where the overwrapped product B is supplied by pressing between the pair of seal belts 12, but intermittent supply of the overwrapped product B as shown in FIG. Even if it receives an operation, it can cope with it and has excellent versatility.
In this case, the packaging path 4 includes a transfer conveyor (not shown) that transfers the overwrapped product B toward the side seal device 10 at a predetermined interval, and the end of the transfer conveyor is the entrance of the pair of seal belts 12. Is positioned. Therefore, the overwrap B on the packaging path 4 is intermittently supplied between the pair of seal belts 12, and these seal belts 12 can always receive a driving force from the electric motor 22 via the one-way clutch 24. Is in a state.

  According to the above-described side seal device, the pair of seal belts 12 are driven by the supply operation itself every time there is an operation for supplying the overwrapped product B. 12 is driven by the driving force from the electric motor 22. That is, the pair of seal belts 12 alternately travels at the supply speed determined by the supply operation of the overwrapping B and the travel speed determined by the driving force of the electric motor 22, and in any travel state, The pair of seal belts 12 enables good heat sealing to the side folding surfaces S without rubbing the left and right side folding surfaces S of the overwrapped product B.

  The side seal device of the present invention can also use an electromagnetic clutch instead of the one-way clutch 24, and the traveling speed of the pair of seal belts 12 determined by the driving force of the electric motor 22 is overwrapped B. It is also possible to make it faster than the supply speed of

It is a perspective view which shows roughly the procedure of the overwrapping by an overwrapping machine. It is the schematic which showed the side seal apparatus of one Example. It is the figure which showed the state in which the overwrapped product is supplied to the side seal apparatus of FIG. 2 by the press-and-press type supply operation. 2 shows the side seal device of FIG. 2 after the operation of the overwrapping machine is stopped, (a) is a state immediately after the operation of supplying the overwrapping product to the side seal device is stopped, and (b) is the side seal device. The state where the heat sealing for the inner package is continued is shown. It is the figure which showed the state in which an overwrapped product is intermittently supplied to the side seal apparatus of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

8 Sealing path (conveyance path)
10 side seal device 12 seal belt 14 drive pulley 16 driven pulley 18 heater block 20 power transmission path (power transmission means)
22 Electric motor (drive source)
24 One-way clutch 26 Control device 28 Packaging section 30 Operation monitoring sensor (detection means)

Claims (3)

After wrapping a heat-sealable packaging material around the article, the cylindrical portions of the packaging material projecting from both side surfaces of the article are folded to form side fold surfaces. In an overwrapping machine that forms an overwrapped product having a closed side surface, and thereafter, when the overwrapped product is supplied into the transport path, heat sealing is performed on the side folding surface to complete the overwrapped package. ,
A pair of carriages that are arranged so as to be able to travel with the transport path interposed therebetween, and that can receive the upper package product that has entered the transport path in response to the supply operation of the upper package product from the upstream side, and can be sandwiched between the side folding surfaces. An endless seal belt;
A heater block disposed in each of the seal belts and capable of heating the side folding surface of the overwrapped product via the seal belt;
A driving source that generates a driving force for running the seal belts to ensure a predetermined heat sealing time for the overwrapped product that has entered the transport path;
When the drive source is connected to each seal belt, and there is a supply operation of the overwrapped product in the transport path, the transmission of the drive force from the drive source to each seal belt is invalidated. And a power transmission means for enabling transmission of the driving force from the driving source to each of the seal belts when there is no supply operation of the overwrapped product into the transport path. Side seal device. The drive source is driven to travel the pair of seal belts at a travel speed slower than an allowable range of the supply speed of the overwrapped product in the supply operation,
The power transmission means constantly transmits the driving force from the driving source toward the pair of seal belts, but when there is the supply operation of the overwrapped product, the pair of power from the traveling speed to the supply speed. The side seal device for an overwrapping machine according to claim 1, further comprising a one-way clutch that allows the seal belt to travel at an increased speed. Detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of the supply operation in the overwrap product;
The side seal device for an overwrapping machine according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising drive control means for controlling the drive of the drive source based on the detection result of the detection means.

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