JP2010058829A - Horizontal pillow packaging machine equipped with bite prevention function - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent contents at an end-seal position from being bitten, even in a horizontal pillow packaging machine using an opaque packaging film. <P>SOLUTION: The horizontal pillow packaging machine includes a position sensor 10 that detects the contents reaching a prescribed position on a line, and a control unit that performs movement control of an end-seal mechanism so that contents are prevented from being bitten with the end-seal mechanism when passing through the end-seal mechanism, based on the parameters including the distance from a prescribed position stored in advance to the end-seal mechanism. The position sensor 10 is disposed along the conveyor line to be extended to the inside of a packaging material being centrally sealed into a tubular form. Since the position sensor 10 that detects the position of the contents is kept inside the packaging material 21, the degree of accuracy of position detection is held high even if the packaging material is opaque. The accuracy of control of preventing the contents from being bitten with this detection signal comes high. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a horizontal pillow packaging machine having a biting prevention function.

The horizontal pillow packaging machine is a conventionally known technique as a means for packaging confectionery, dry men and the like in individual bags. A brief description with reference to FIG. 1 is as follows.
The contents to be packaged are flowed on a conveyor device such as a belt conveyor, and the center seal is performed while pulling the packaging film from the roll and wrapping the contents. Then, the contents are individually packaged by performing end sealing and dividing on the downstream side of the packaging machine.

  In the horizontal pillow packaging machine, in order to prevent the contents from being caught at the time of end sealing, it is necessary to accurately grasp the relative position of the contents flowing on the belt conveyor with respect to the end seal mechanism.

Patent Document 1 discloses that a position shift of contents with respect to a planned end seal position is detected by a sensor. However, as can be seen from FIG. 8 of Patent Document 1, the sensor is considered effective only for a transparent packaging film.
In the case of pillow packaging using an opaque film, no means for accurately knowing the position of the contents flowing on the belt conveyor has been proposed so far, and the grasp of the position has to rely on prediction.

  If it is bitten violently, the machine must be stopped and returned, and mechanical damage may occur with time and material loss. In addition, even if no biting occurs, sealing must be performed with a margin, and more packaging material than necessary is used, resulting in waste of resources.

  Patent Document 2 discloses a device that reliably detects when biting occurs. However, this technique does not prevent (prevent) the occurrence of biting itself, so the above problem still remains.

Reality 5-20651 JP 2007-39047 A

  In view of the above conventional problems, an object of the present invention is to prevent biting of the contents at the end seal position even in horizontal pillow packaging using an opaque packaging film.

  The present invention has been drafted to effectively solve the above problems, and provides a horizontal pillow packaging machine having the following features.

The horizontal pillow wrapping machine of the present invention wraps a plurality of contents flowing on a line at regular intervals with a wrapping material drawn from a roll, performs center sealing, and performs end sealing and dividing on the downstream side of the line. Then, the plurality of contents are individually packaged.
This horizontal pillow wrapping machine uses a parameter that includes a "position sensor that detects when the contents have arrived at a predetermined position on the line" and a distance from the predetermined position stored in advance to the forefront of the seal head of the end seal mechanism. And a control device for controlling the operation of the end seal mechanism so that the contents are not caught by the seal head when passing through the end seal mechanism.
And the said position sensor is arrange | positioned along the said line so that it may extend to the inner side of the packaging material which became the center seal | sticker and became cylindrical.

In the horizontal pillow wrapping machine of the present invention having the above-described configuration, since the position sensor enters the inside of the packaging material along the line for conveying the content, even if the packaging material is opaque, the content Can be reliably detected. Therefore, the biting prevention control using the detected value is also highly accurate.
This also eliminates the need to ensure an unnecessarily large interval between contents on the line in order to prevent biting, and enables effective use of resources.

  Note that it is arbitrary how the detection value obtained by the position sensor arranged inside the packaging material is processed to perform the biting prevention control, and an appropriate control flow can be adopted.

  In the present invention, an appropriate sensor capable of detecting the position, such as an optical fiber sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, or a contact sensor, can be used as the position sensor. Regardless of the type of sensor, since the sensor is located inside the packaging material, high detection accuracy can be obtained.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration of a horizontal pillow packaging machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The basic configuration is the same as the conventional example of FIG. 1, but the position detection sensor 10 is arranged along the line through which the contents flow, and the position of the contents is detected inside the packaging film 21 using this. The point to do is different. Although details will be described later, this detected value is used to perform control so as to prevent biting of the contents in the end seal mechanism.

In FIG. 2, the contents to be packaged flow in the direction of arrow T in FIG. 2 toward the end seal mechanism portion on a predetermined line by an appropriate transport mechanism (not shown) such as a belt conveyor. The packaging film 21 is pulled out from a roll arranged above the line, and a center seal is applied so as to cover the contents flowing on the line in a cylindrical shape.
In FIG. 2, reference numeral 22 schematically indicates a sealing mechanism that performs center sealing.

  As shown partially enlarged in FIG. 2, the position sensor 10 includes a light projecting / receiving unit 12 at the tip, and is connected to the control device via the optical fiber 11. The light projecting / receiving unit 12 projects and receives light in the horizontal direction (vertical direction in FIG. 2), and sends a signal indicating the presence or absence of contents flowing on the line to the control device.

  In the illustrated example, the position sensor 10 and the optical fiber 11 are arranged so as to extend into the packaging film along a line using a tube-shaped fixing jig 18. However, the specific fixing method is not limited to the illustrated one, and an appropriate configuration can be adopted.

In the present invention, the position sensor 10 for detecting the position of the contents enters the inside of the packaging material that is center-sealed into a cylindrical shape. That is, the position of the contents is detected inside the packaging material.
Therefore, when an optical sensor is used as the position sensor, the position of the contents can be accurately detected even if the packaging material is opaque. Therefore, the biting prevention control using this detection signal is also highly accurate.

In the illustrated example, an optical fiber sensor is used as the position sensor 10. Since the optical fiber sensor is a non-contact type, it does not affect the posture of the contents flowing on the line, and the detection part can be miniaturized, so that it is preferable as the position sensor 10. In particular, a device that projects and receives light laterally from the sensor head as shown in the drawing is advantageous for downsizing.
However, in the present invention, as the position sensor 10, an ultrasonic sensor or a contact sensor may be used in addition to the optical fiber sensor. Whatever type of sensor is used, since the sensor is located inside the packaging material, high detection accuracy can be obtained.

≪Control method≫
In the present invention, it is important to detect the position of the contents using the position sensor 10 that has entered the inside of the packaging material, and how the detected signal is processed to prevent biting prevention control. It is optional.
Since the position sensor 10 is used, the distance L2 (see FIG. 3) from the detection position X by the sensor to the seal head front surface position A is always included as a control parameter. The biting prevention control can be performed according to the above.

In the following, an exemplary control flow will be described (FIGS. 5 and 6). In the control flow, the following four values “L1”, “L2”, “L3”, and “V” are measured in advance and stored in the control device (see FIG. 3).
L1: Length of the contents along the flow direction on the line L2: Distance from the detection position X by the position sensor to the forefront A of the seal head L3: Seal head width V: Packaging material and contents on the line Transport speed

The seal head is repeatedly operated and inactivated according to a predetermined cycle, and is controlled to intermittently perform end sealing. In parallel with this control, the seal head is evacuated and retracted for the purpose of biting prevention control.
In each control flow of FIGS. 5 and 6, the advance and retreat of the seal head is controlled based on the following concept. That is, with reference to FIG. 3, “the rear end 2 of the content has passed through the outlet position B of the seal head from when“ the front end 1 of the content has reached the frontmost position A of the seal head ”. If the seal head is retracted until "time", the bite will not occur.

<< Control Example 1: Arrival Detection (FIGS. 4a and 5) >>
As shown in FIG. 4A, the arrival detection is a method of starting control based on the time (T = 0) when the leading edge 1 of the contents arrives at the detection position X by the position sensor 10.

While the leading edge 1 of the contents has not yet reached the detection position X, the signal from the sensor is OFF. When the leading end 1 of the contents reaches the detection position X, the signal from the sensor is turned on (# 11). The time count is started from here (T = 0). Then, it waits for T = L2 / V (# 12).
L2 / V is the time required for the leading edge 1 of the contents to move to the A position, counting from T = 0, where V is the conveying speed on the line.

In order to prevent biting, the seal head needs to be retracted after T = L2 / V.
Therefore, after the time L2 / V has elapsed, it is detected whether or not the end seal mechanism is in operation, and if it is in operation, the seal head is forcibly retracted (# 13 → # 14). That is, the seal head basically repeats the operation / non-operation according to a predetermined cycle, but when the seal head is operated after the lapse of time L2 / V, it is forcibly retracted. .

This correction / evacuation control is performed until the time (L1 + L2 + L3) / V elapses from T = 0 (# 13 → # 15).
(L1 + L2 + L3) / V is the time required from the time when T = 0 to the rear end 2 of the content to pass through the outlet position B of the seal head.

With the above control, when the time counted from T = 0 is between L2 / V and (L1 + L2 + L3) / V, the seal head is forcibly retracted, so that no biting occurs.
The position sensor 10 issues the position signal described in # 11 to all the contents flowing on the line, and the control device (FIG. 2) follows the flow of FIG. 5 for all the contents based on this. Perform the indicated control.

<< Control Example 2: Passage Detection (FIGS. 4b and 6) >>
As shown in FIG. 4B, the passage detection is a method of starting control based on the time (T = 0) when the rear end 2 of the contents arrives at the detection position X by the sensor.

While the rear end 2 of the contents has not yet reached the detection position X, the signal from the sensor is ON. When the rear end 2 of the content passes the detection position X, the signal from the sensor is turned off (# 21). The time count is started from here (T = 0). Then, it waits for T = (L2−L1) / V (# 22).
(L2−L1) / V is the time required for the leading end 1 of the content to move to the A position, counting from T = 0, where V is the conveyance speed on the line.

In order to prevent biting, the seal head needs to be retracted after T = (L2−L1) / V.
Therefore, after the time (L2-L1) / V elapses, it is detected whether or not the end seal mechanism is in operation, and if it is in operation, the seal head is forcibly retracted (# 23 → # 24). . In other words, the seal head basically repeats operation / non-operation according to a predetermined cycle, but when it is operating after the time (L2-L1) / V has elapsed, it is forcibly retracted. Will be.

This correction / evacuation control is performed until time (L2 + L3) / V elapses from T = 0 (# 23 → # 25).
(L2 + L3) / V is the time required from the time when T = 0 to the rear end 2 of the content passes through the outlet position B of the seal head.

With the above control, when the time counted from T = 0 is between (L2−L1) / V and (L2 + L3) / V, the seal head is forcibly retracted, so that biting occurs. There is no.
The position sensor 10 issues the position signal described in # 21 to all the contents flowing on the line, and the control device (FIG. 2) performs the flow of FIG. 6 for all the contents based on this. Perform the indicated control.

  As described above, the present invention prevents the seal head from biting the contents flowing on the line, but in the unlikely event that biting occurs, the control device It is preferable to send an alarm signal or a discharge signal to an alarm device or other equipment and take appropriate measures such as line stop.

Schematic explaining the conventional horizontal pillow packaging machine. Schematic explaining the horizontal pillow packaging machine which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. The schematic diagram explaining the parameter used by the example of control in the present invention. Explanatory drawing explaining the outline | summary of arrival detection and passage detection. The control flowchart in arrival detection of Drawing 4 (a). The control flowchart in the passage detection of FIG.4 (b).

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Front end of contents 2 Rear end 10 of contents Position sensor 11 Optical fiber 12 Light emitting / receiving part 18 Fixing jig 21 Packaging film 22 Sealing mechanism

Claims (3)

A plurality of contents flowing on the line at regular intervals are wrapped with a packaging material drawn from a roll and center-sealed, and end-sealed and divided on the downstream side of the line, thereby individually dividing the plurality of contents. A horizontal pillow packaging machine for packaging
The horizontal pillow packaging machine has a position sensor (10) for detecting that the contents have arrived at a predetermined position (X) on the line;
Based on the parameters including the distance (L2) from the predetermined position (X) stored in advance to the forefront surface (A) of the seal head of the end seal mechanism, the contents are bitten by the seal head when passing through the end seal mechanism. A control device that controls the operation of the end seal mechanism so as not to be inserted,
The horizontal pillow packaging machine, wherein the position sensor (10) is arranged along the line so as to extend to the inside of the cylindrical packaging material (21) that is center-sealed. The end seal mechanism is repeatedly activated and deactivated in a predetermined cycle.
Based on the following control parameters, the control device counts time with T = 0 as the time when the tip (1) of each content reaches the predetermined position (X),
When the seal head of the end seal mechanism is operating between time T = L2 / V and time T = (L1 + L2 + L3) / V, the seal head is forcibly retracted, thereby 2. The horizontal pillow packaging machine according to claim 1, wherein the seal head is prevented from biting.
L1: Length of the content along the flow direction on the line L2: Distance from the detection position (X) by the position sensor (10) to the forefront surface (A) of the seal head L3: Seal head width V: Line Conveying speed of packaging material (21) and contents above The end seal mechanism is repeatedly activated and deactivated in a predetermined cycle.
Based on the following control parameters, the control device counts time with T = 0 as the time when the rear end (2) of each content has passed the predetermined position (X),
When the seal head of the end seal mechanism is operating between time T = (L2−L1) / V and time T = (L2 + L3) / V, the seal head is forcibly retracted, thereby The horizontal pillow packaging machine according to claim 1, wherein the seal head is prevented from biting into the contents.
L1: Length of the content along the flow direction on the line L2: Distance from the detection position (X) by the position sensor (10) to the forefront surface (A) of the seal head L3: Seal head width V: Line Conveying speed of packaging material (21) and contents above

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