JP2010143629A - Packaged article filling apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

[PROBLEMS] To fill a bag 54 having a relatively small size with a packaged article made of a plurality of rod-like objects 13, and to reliably fill the packaged article into the bottom of the bag, without causing deterioration of members and mixing of foreign matters. Do not damage the packaged items.
A plurality of clamping pieces 3 that are swingable in the inner and outer diameter directions about a fulcrum shaft 21 are provided along the periphery of a vertical hole 11 formed in the elevating member 1, and the inner and outer diameters are set by a swing mechanism. It can be swung simultaneously in the direction. Each clamping piece 3 has a clamping part 18 formed by a leaf spring. The article to be packaged supplied to the inside of the holding piece 3 through the vertical hole 11 is supported by the support plate 6 and is held in a compressed state from the surroundings by the holding piece 3 swinging in the inner diameter direction. Subsequently, the support plate 6 is retracted, the elevating member 1 is lowered, the sandwiching piece 3 and the article to be packaged are inserted into the bag 54 whose bag mouth is opened, and the sandwiching piece 3 is swung in the outer diameter direction to be packaged. Release things.
[Selection] Figure 6

Description

  The present invention relates to filling a package in a vertical bag filling and packaging machine (a packaging machine that holds both sides of a bag with a pair of left and right grippers, holds the bag in a suspended state, and sequentially performs a packaging operation on the bag). With regard to the device, it is particularly suitable for use when the package is composed of a plurality of sticks (sugar, sausage, confectionery, etc., stick-packaged), and the package is filled in the bottom of the bag in a vertically aligned state. The present invention relates to a device for filling an article to be packed.

  When filling a bag with a relatively small size (width dimension) with a packaged object consisting of a plurality of rod-shaped objects to obtain a tight package product, drop filling via a hopper like the conventional one causes poor filling. Arise. For example, some sticks are caught by other sticks and do not reach the bottom of the bag, the sticks are shifted in the vertical direction and the appearance of the packaged product is deteriorated, or the hooked sticks are Biting into the mouth seal will result in a defective product. As conventional techniques related to prevention of such filling failure, there are techniques shown in Patent Documents 1 to 4 below.

  The technique of Patent Document 1 is such that a cylindrical hollow portion constituted by both ends of a flexible plate curved in a concave arc cross-section is brought into contact with the inner surface of a shaping plate having an internal concave arc cross-section. Next, the packaged material is put in, and then both are relatively moved so that the edge of the flexible plate is slid on the inner surface of the shaping plate, and the flexible plate is compressed into a substantially cylindrical shape (internal package) The object is sandwiched in a compressed state), and in this state, the flexible plate is lowered and inserted into the bag together with the package. However, in this technique, when the article to be packaged is compressed, the shaping plate and the flexible plate material rub against each other strongly, and there is a risk that the parts deteriorate due to wear or foreign matter (metal powder) is mixed into the bag. Further, in the process where the flexible plate is slid on the inner surface of the shaping plate and compressed into a cylindrical shape, the surface of the flexible plate is rubbed against the outer peripheral surface of the package, or the edge of the flexible plate is wrapped There is a risk of catching the outer peripheral surface of the object and damaging the package. Furthermore, this apparatus requires a large number of driving sources and is complicated in structure.

  In the technique of Patent Document 2, an article placing plate composed of two semi-cylindrical members is laid sideways and opened. In this state, an article to be packaged is supplied into the article placing plate, and the article placing plate is closed and covered. The package is sandwiched in a compressed state, and then the article placement plate is erected, pushed from above with a piston, the package is pushed out of the article placement plate, and the package is dropped into the bag. However, in this technique, since the packaged article is dropped from above the bag, if the packaged article is composed of a large number of rod-shaped articles, the above-described filling failure may occur. In addition, since the object to be packaged held in a compressed state inside the article mounting plate is pushed out by the piston against the frictional resistance, the object to be packaged may be deformed or damaged. When the diameter changes (for example, when the number of rod-like objects is increased or decreased), it is necessary to change the diameters of all the semi-cylindrical members and pistons, and a reduction in productivity is inevitable.

  In the technique of Patent Document 3, a plurality of bag holding claws are rotatably provided on the periphery of the opening of the annular body, a rotating ring is provided on the outer side of the annular body, the rotating ring is rotated, and the bag holding claw pressing mechanism is interposed. The bag holding claw is rotated in the outer diameter direction, thereby opening the bag mouth fully. Further, the technique of Patent Document 4 is a state in which a plurality of chute plates bent at the upper portion are pivotably suspended along the inner edge of the insertion frame having an opening at the center, and the lower end of the chute plate is contracted in the central direction. It is inserted in the bag, and after insertion, the bag is opened fully. All of these technologies have the effect of opening the bag greatly to make it easier to put the packaged product and obtaining a tight packaged product. There is no effect to prevent the occurrence of poor filling.

Japanese Patent Publication No.58-24339 Japanese Patent No. 3218013 Japanese Patent No. 2753939 Registered Utility Model No. 3055815

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art. Even when a relatively small bag is filled with a package including a plurality of sticks, for example, the package is reliably placed on the bottom of the bag. The main object is to obtain a filling device that can be filled in the container, that does not deteriorate the member, mix foreign matter, and does not damage the package. Another object is to achieve the object with a simple structure.

An apparatus for filling an article to be packaged according to the present invention is arranged in a substantially circular shape along an elevating member formed with a vertical hole through which an article to be packaged is formed, an elevating mechanism for elevating the elevating member, and a peripheral edge of the vertical hole of the elevating member. A plurality of sandwiching pieces supported by the elevating member via a horizontal fulcrum shaft and extending downward, and swingable in the inner and outer diameter directions around the fulcrum shaft, together with the elevating member A holding member that moves up and down between a standby position and a lower supply position; a swing mechanism that simultaneously swings the plurality of holding pieces; and a bag that is directly under the holding member at the standby position and that is to be filled with an article to be packaged. It moves between a support position set above and a retraction position that does not interfere with the clamping member that descends from the standby position, and the lower end of the package to be supplied to the inside of the clamping member from above at the support position on the upper surface. Support plate to support, front A moving mechanism for moving the support plate between the support position and the retracted position, and each holding piece of the holding member has a holding portion made of a flexible plate whose plate surface faces the swinging direction. And when the holding members are reduced in diameter by the swinging pieces swinging in the inner diameter direction, the holding part holds the packaged object, and the holding part is inserted into the bag for a predetermined length at the supply position. It is characterized by that.
In the filling device, it is preferable that the swaying range of the clamping piece is set so that the squeezing portion assumes a substantially vertical posture when swaying in the outermost radial direction.

In the filling device, for example, a bent portion extending in the outer diameter direction is formed at the upper end of each sandwich piece, and the bent portion is moved up and down with respect to the lifting member by the swing mechanism, whereby each sandwich piece has a radius. Can be swung in the direction.
In this case, the filling device includes, as a swinging mechanism, for example, a pair of upper and lower annular bodies installed horizontally with a predetermined gap and a beam member connecting them, and is rotatable and rotatable on the lifting member. An annular member that is supported so as to move up and down with respect to the lifting member, a sliding piece that is attached to the bent portion and is slidably disposed in a horizontal plane within the gap between the annular members, A rotation drive mechanism is provided on the elevating member to rotate the annular member. According to this swing mechanism, the sliding piece moves up and down as the annular member rotates and moves up and down, whereby the bent portion moves up and down relative to the lifting member.

  According to the filling device according to the present invention, by swinging each sandwich piece in the inner diameter direction (the sandwich member is reduced in diameter), the object to be packaged is sandwiched in a compressed state from the surrounding by the flexible sandwiching portion, Inserted into the bag while sandwiched, each sandwiched piece swings in the outer diameter direction in the bag (the pinching member is expanded in diameter), so that the package can be opened and filled in the bag. Even a relatively small bag can be easily filled with an article to be packaged. In particular, when filling an object to be packaged consisting of a plurality of rod-shaped objects, these rod-shaped objects are sandwiched in a compressed state from the periphery by a sandwiching member, and inserted into the bag with a reduced apparent area in plan view. In addition, it is possible to prevent filling defects and to reliably fill the bottom of the bag with all the rod-shaped objects, thereby obtaining a tight package product.

In addition, the pinching member is reduced in diameter by swinging inward in the radial direction, and comes into surface contact with the object to be packaged so that the object to be packaged is nipped, so that the object to be packaged is rubbed or caught in the process of clamping. There is no risk of damaging the package. And since the clamping part which clamps a to-be-packaged object consists of a board (leaf spring) which has flexibility, the hit when a to-be-packaged object is clamped is soft, and a clamping part follows the external shape of a to-be-packaged object. Unlike the sandwiching part of the rigid body, the packaged object does not deform excessively.
In addition, since the sandwiching portion for sandwiching the packaged object is made of a flexible plate and the packaged part is sandwiched from the periphery in a state where the sandwiching part is bent, the diameter of the packaged object is changed. It is possible to cope with some cases (for example, the number and diameter are changed when the packaged object is composed of a plurality of rod-shaped objects).
Furthermore, since only one drive source is required for each of the lifting mechanism, the swinging mechanism, and the moving mechanism, the structure can be simplified compared to the apparatus of Patent Document 1, for example, and the cleaning performance and maintenance performance are improved. Miniaturization and cost reduction can also be achieved. As in the apparatus of Patent Document 1, there is no friction between the holding members, and the deterioration of the holding members and the mixing of foreign substances are prevented.

Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 1-11, the to-be-packaged filling apparatus which concerns on this invention is demonstrated in detail. This filling apparatus is an apparatus for filling a packaged object made of a plurality of rod-like objects into a bag held by a gripper and having a bag opening opened in the above-described vertical bag filling and packaging machine. The filling device is installed at a filling process position of the packaging machine, and supplies and fills the packaged items with respect to the bag stopped at the position.
First, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, this filling device includes a lifting member 1, a lifting mechanism 2, and a sandwiching member 3 that is supported on the lower surface side of the lifting member 1 and extends downward. 4, a swinging mechanism 5 that swings the eight sandwiching pieces 3 simultaneously, a support plate 6 disposed under the sandwiching member 4, and a moving mechanism 7.

The elevating member 1 is formed of an annular plate having a circular vertical hole 11 formed at the center, a substantially circular outer periphery, and four planar portions 12 (vertical surfaces) at four locations. The vertical hole 11 has a diameter through which a bundle of a plurality of rod-like objects 13 that are dropped and supplied simultaneously from above via, for example, a hopper can easily pass.
The lifting mechanism 2 includes a first driving source (not shown), a lifting shaft 14 whose lower part is connected to the first driving source and lifts, and a lifting shaft 14 that is erected on the upper surface of the vertical bagging and packaging machine. And a mounting member 16 having one end fixed to the upper end of the lifting shaft 14 and the other end fixed to the upper surface of the lifting member 1. When the first drive source is operated and the elevating shaft 14 is moved up and down, the elevating member 1 is moved up and down via the attachment member 16. As the elevating member 1 moves up and down, the clamping member 4 moves up and down between an upper standby position (see FIG. 7) and a lower supply position (position inserted into the bag located below; see FIG. 8).

  Each sandwiching piece 3 constituting the sandwiching member 4 is arranged in a circular shape (to form a circle) along the peripheral edge of the vertical hole 11 of the elevating member 1, and is fixed to the L-shaped base 17 and the base 17 respectively. It consists of the clamping part 18 which consists of a characteristic flat plate (plate spring). The base portion 17 is generally L-shaped as a whole, and includes a mounting portion 17a extending downward and a bent portion 17b extending in the outer diameter direction. The upper end portion of the clamping portion 18 is fixed to the mounting portion 17a and extends downward. Corresponding to each clamping piece 3, a pair of support members 19 is fixed to the lower surface side of the peripheral edge of the vertical hole 11 of the elevating member 1, a horizontal fulcrum shaft 21 is fixed to this, and the fulcrum shaft 21 is connected to each clamping piece 3. The base portion 17 is fitted in a hole (bearing portion) formed in a corner portion. Thus, each clamping piece 3 is swingable in the circular inner and outer diameter directions with the fulcrum shaft 21 as a fulcrum. The plate surface of the clamping unit 18 faces the swinging direction (inner / outer diameter direction).

  The swing mechanism 5 includes an annular member 22 disposed at a position below the elevating member 1, a plurality of guide rollers 23 that rotatably support the annular member 22, and a rotational drive that rotates the annular member 22. From a mechanism 24, a vertical movement mechanism 25 that moves the annular member 22 up and down with respect to the lifting member 1 as the annular member 22 rotates, and a sliding piece 26 that transmits the vertical movement of the annular member 22 to the clamping piece 3. Become. As will be described in detail below, when the drive source (second drive source) of the rotation drive mechanism 24 is actuated, the annular member 22 rotates, and the holding pieces 3 are moved via the vertical movement mechanism 25 and the sliding piece 26. Simultaneously swing in the inner and outer diameter directions. When each sandwiching piece 3 swings to the outermost side (outer diameter direction) (open position), the sandwiching member 4 is in an open state in which the diameter is increased, and accepts or opens a packaged object composed of a plurality of rod-like objects 13. However, when each clamping piece 3 swings inward (inner diameter direction) (holding position), the clamping member 4 is in a clamped state with a reduced diameter to clamp the packaged object from the surroundings. Obtain (see FIG. 6). In this example, the swing range of each clamping piece 3 is set so that the clamping piece 3 assumes a substantially vertical posture when the clamping member 4 is in the open state (the clamping piece 3 is in the open position).

  The annular member 22 includes two plate-like annular bodies 27 and 28 arranged on the upper and lower sides, and five beam members (such as etc.) that integrally connect the annular bodies 27 and 28 and keep a predetermined distance therebetween. It consists of four beam members 29 arranged at intervals and one beam member 31) arranged between the two beam members 29, 29. The beam member 29 is disposed in the vicinity of the flat surface portion 12 of the elevating member 1. Circular holes 32 and 33 that are concentric with and larger in diameter than the vertical hole 11 formed in the elevating member 1 are formed in the center of each annular body 27 and 28, and the support is formed on the inner diameter side of the holes 32 and 33. Most of the member 19, the fulcrum shaft 21, and the clamping piece 3 are arranged.

The guide roller 23 is rotatably attached to the lower surface of the elevating member 1 with its axis oriented vertically, and is disposed so as to contact the inner peripheral surface of the hole 32 of the annular body 27. As a result, the annular member 22 rotates about the center of the hole 32 as an axis.
The rotary drive mechanism 24 is supported by the support members 34, 35 fixed to the upper surface of the elevating member 1, an air cylinder 36 (second drive source) whose rear end is connected to the support member 34, and one end supported by the support member 35. Is connected to the tip of the piston rod 37 of the air cylinder 36, a connecting member 39 projecting from the beam member 31 to the outer diameter side of the annular member 22, and the other end of the L-shaped lever 38 and the connecting member 39. It consists of the connecting rod 40 which connects between. When the air cylinder 36 is operated, the annular member 22 is rotated via the piston rod 37, the L-shaped lever 38 and the connecting rod 40.

The vertical movement mechanism 25 is fixed to the plate-like annular member support member 41 fixed to the flat surface portion 12 of the elevating member 1 and the respective beams 29 of the annular member 22 and protrudes in the outer diameter direction, and the corresponding annular member support member The engaging pin 43 is fitted into a long hole 42 formed obliquely on 41. As the annular member 22 rotates, the engaging pin 43 rotates. At this time, the engaging pin moves in the vertical direction along the inclination of the elongated hole 42, so that the annular member 22 moves relative to the elevating member 1. Move up and down (see FIGS. 5-7).
The sliding piece 26 is disposed in the gap between the two annular bodies 27 and 28 of the annular member 22, and is connected to the end portion formed at the fork of the bent portion 17 b of the base portion 17 of the holding piece 3 via a horizontal connecting pin 44. Are connected. When the annular member 22 moves up and down, the sliding piece 26 moves up and down accordingly (at this time, it slides a little in the gap between the annular bodies 27 and 28), so that all the clamping pieces 3 are centered on the fulcrum shaft 21, respectively. And simultaneously swing from the open position to the holding position or from the holding position to the open position.

The support plate 6 is disposed at a lower position of the clamping member 4 and supports a plurality of rod-like objects 13 that are dropped and supplied from above, and is a range (plane) surrounded by the expanded clamping member 4 having an enlarged diameter. (In this example, a shape along the plan view shape of the vertical hole 11 formed in the elevating member 1).
The moving mechanism 7 includes a support plate 45 fixed to the stand 15, an air cylinder support shaft 46 installed on the support plate 45, and an air cylinder 47 (third) whose rear end is connected to the air cylinder support shaft 46. Drive source) and a transmission member 48 for transmitting the driving force of the air cylinder 47 to the support plate 6. The transmission member 48 includes a cylindrical portion 51 that is rotatably fitted to a support shaft 49 erected on the support plate 45, a connecting arm 52 and a swing arm 53 each having one end fixed to the cylindrical portion 51. The other end of the connecting arm 52 is connected to the tip of the piston rod 54, and the support plate 6 is fixed to the other end of the swing arm 53. When the air cylinder 47 is operated and the piston rod 54 is expanded and contracted, the support plate 6 is sandwiched between the support position immediately below the clamping member 4 in the standby position via the connecting arm 52, the cylindrical portion 51, and the swing arm 53. When the member 4 descends, it moves horizontally between the retracted positions (see phantom lines in FIG. 1) that do not interfere with the clamping member 4.

Next, a series of operations of the filling device will be described with reference to FIGS.
(FIG. 5) At the filling process position of the packaging machine, the clamping member 4 stops at the upper standby position, the support plate 6 stops at the support position (a position directly below the clamping member 4), and each clamping piece 3 is in the open position. It is in a state of swinging (the pinching member 4 is open). In this state, an article to be packaged composed of a plurality of rod-like objects 13 is dropped and supplied into the holding member 4 through the vertical holes 11. The supplied rod-like object 13 falls on the support plate 6 and is supported on the upper surface thereof in a substantially cylindrical space (a space surrounded by the sandwiching pieces 3) in the sandwiching member 4. At this time, the plurality of rod-like objects 13 are in a somewhat scattered state, and the overall apparent occupied area (plan view) is relatively large.

(FIG. 6) The air cylinder 36 is actuated to rotate the annular member 22 counterclockwise in plan view, whereby the annular member 22 moves downward, and each clamping piece 3 swings toward the clamping position in the inner diameter direction. As a result, the pinching member 4 is reduced in diameter (a substantially cylindrical space in the pinching member 4 is narrowed) and is in a pinching state. As a result, an article to be packaged consisting of a plurality of rod-like objects 13 is surrounded by the plate surface of the holding part 18 and is held in a compressed state from the surroundings by the elasticity of the bent holding part 18, and apparently occupied area Decrease. At this time, the bag 54 having both edge portions sandwiched between the pair of grippers 53 and having the bag mouth opened is transferred, and stops at a position directly below the clamping member 4 (and the support plate 6). Note that the bag transfer timing is not limited to this, and the bag may be transferred before or at the time of FIG.

(FIG. 7) The air cylinder 47 operates and the support plate 6 moves from the support position to the retracted position.
(FIG. 8) The drive source of the elevating mechanism 2 is actuated to lower the elevating member 1, and accordingly, the clamping member 4 is lowered from the standby position to the supply position, and the packaging made up of the clamping piece 3 and the plurality of rod-like objects 13. The object is inserted to the bottom of the bag 54.
(FIG. 9) The air cylinder 36 is actuated to rotate the annular member 22 in the clockwise direction in plan view. As a result, the annular member 22 moves upward, and each clamping piece 3 swings in the outer diameter direction toward the open position. It moves, and it will be in the open state which the clamping member 4 expanded in diameter. As a result, the plurality of rod-like objects 13 fall to the bag bottom and are filled in the bag 54.

(FIG. 10) The drive source of the elevating mechanism 2 operates to raise the elevating member 1, and accordingly, the clamping member 4 rises from the supply position to the standby position and comes out of the bag 54.
(FIG. 11) The air cylinder 47 is actuated to move the support plate 6 from the retracted position to a support position directly below the clamping member 4. In addition, the bag 54 filled with the plurality of rod-like objects 13 starts moving toward the next step.

In addition, in the filling apparatus shown above, various modifications are possible within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention, for example, as shown below.
(1) In the above example, the number of clamping pieces constituting the clamping member is eight, but it may be smaller or larger. For example, if it is 6 or more, the purpose can be achieved.
(2) In the above example, each sandwiching piece is simultaneously swung by one drive source. However, an independent drive source may be assigned to each sandwich piece or a plurality of sandwich pieces.
(3) In the above example, the support plate is moved horizontally from the support position to the retracted position. If the retracted position does not interfere with the clamping member that descends from the standby position, for example, the support plate is perpendicular to the surface of the support plate. You may rock | fluctuate below along a surface.

It is a top view of the to-be-packaged filling apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is AA sectional drawing of FIG. It is BB sectional drawing of FIG. It is a partial cross section expanded view explaining the structure of the rocking | fluctuation mechanism of a clamping piece. It is a figure explaining a series of operation of a filling device concerning the present invention over time. It is a figure explaining a series of operation of a filling device concerning the present invention over time. It is a figure explaining a series of operation of a filling device concerning the present invention over time. It is a figure explaining a series of operation of a filling device concerning the present invention over time. It is a figure explaining a series of operation of a filling device concerning the present invention over time. It is a figure explaining a series of operation of a filling device concerning the present invention over time. It is a figure explaining a series of operation of a filling device concerning the present invention over time.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Elevating member 2 Elevating mechanism 3 Clamping piece 4 Clamping member 5 Oscillating mechanism 6 Support plate 7 Moving mechanism 13 Rod-shaped body (packaged object)
17b Bending part 18 Nipping part 21 Supporting point shaft 22 Annular member 26 Sliding pieces 27 and 28 Annular bodies 29 and 31 Beam member 42 Long hole 43 Engaging pin

Claims (4)

An elevating member formed with a vertical hole through which an article to be packaged is formed, an elevating mechanism for elevating the elevating member, and a substantially fulcrum shaft disposed on the elevating member along a peripheral edge of the vertical hole of the elevating member And a plurality of clamping pieces that are supported downwardly and extend in the inner and outer diameter directions around the fulcrum shaft, and are moved up and down between the upper standby position and the lower supply position together with the lifting member. A holding member, a swinging mechanism for simultaneously swinging the plurality of holding pieces, a support position set immediately below the holding member at a standby position and above a bag for filling an object to be packaged, and the standby position A support plate that moves between a retraction position that does not interfere with the sandwiching member that descends from the top, and that supports the lower end of the package to be packaged supplied to the inside of the sandwiching member from above at the support position, and the support plate Support position and retracted position Each holding piece of the holding member has a holding portion made of a flexible plate whose plate surface faces the swinging direction over almost the entire length, and each holding piece has an inner diameter direction. When the holding member swings and the diameter of the holding member is reduced, the holding part holds the article to be packaged, and the clamping part is inserted into the bag for a predetermined length at the supply position. apparatus. The packing object filling apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the holding piece has a swinging range so that the holding part is in a substantially vertical posture when swinging in the outermost radial direction. . A bent portion extending in the outer diameter direction is formed at the upper end of each clamping piece, and the bending portion moves up and down with respect to the elevating member by the swing mechanism, so that each holding piece swings about the fulcrum shaft. An apparatus for filling an article to be packaged according to claim 1 or 2. The swing mechanism is composed of two upper and lower annular bodies installed horizontally with a predetermined gap and a beam member connecting them. An annular member that is supported so as to move up and down, a sliding piece that is attached to the bent portion and is slidably disposed in a horizontal plane within the gap, and an annular member that is installed on the elevating member. A rotation drive mechanism is provided, and the sliding piece moves up and down as the annular member rotates and moves up and down, whereby the bent portion moves up and down relative to the lifting member. Item 3. A package filling apparatus according to Item 3.

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