JP2012153404A - Carrier device and packaging machine using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To surely carry an unstable packaged object without allowing it to be dislocated.SOLUTION: A side conveyor device 14 is disposed on a conveying surface so as to extend from a supply section K of the packaged object 8 to the downstream side. The side conveyor device includes a number of blade portions 21 on the outer periphery of an endless belt 20 rotating in a horizontal plane. As shown in the figure, in an open state in which opopsite belt surfaces are distant from each other in the supply section, a packaged object held by a supply robot can be smoothly inserted to the position without the blade portions contacting with the packaged object, and the packaged object is directly moved forward at a speed synchronized with the conveying speed of the conveyor device. In accordance with this forward movement, a tension roller 32 and a second idle pulley 34 are moved forward to extend the supply section to the downstream side and maintain a state in which a packaged object supplied last time (open circle) is supported while allowing the forward movement of the packaged object by the supply robot. Thereafter, the tension roller 32 and a driven pulley 15' are moved to the center to support the supplied packaged object by the blade portions situated in the supply section.

Description

  The present invention relates to a transport apparatus and a packaging machine using the same, and more specifically, the apparatus is mounted in the packaging machine, receives an object to be packaged supplied to the packaging machine, and immediately before the next top seal device. It is related with the conveying apparatus and packaging machine which can be conveyed to.

  As one form of the packaging machine, the packaged material is supplied on the belt-shaped packaging film conveyed on the conveying device at a predetermined interval in the front and rear, the packaged material is conveyed with the packaging film, and the medium is being conveyed. In this way, both sides of the packaging film are formed into a cylindrical shape so as to cover the upper side of the article to be packaged, and both sides of the packaging film are center-sealed with a center seal device disposed above the conveying device, and then the next stage. There is a top seal device that horizontally seals and cuts the film portion between the front and back packages. An example of such a packaging machine is disclosed in Patent Document 1.

  In the apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, a packaging film functions as a kind of conveying belt for an object to be packaged. In other words, the transport device sequentially supplies the objects to be packaged to a predetermined position on the packaging film developed in a flat sheet shape using a supply robot, and thereafter the packaging film is conveyed in the flat state. Accordingly, the article to be packaged thereon is also transported.

Japanese Patent No. 4153240

  Since the conveying apparatus and the packaging machine disclosed in Patent Document 1 are conveyed in a state in which an object to be packaged is placed on a packaging film that has been developed into a flat sheet, there is a risk of causing a positional shift. . In particular, in the case where the shape of the package is non-rectangular, etc., which is difficult to stand on and is unstable, there is a significant risk that the package will fall or a positional shift may occur during the conveyance. As a result, there is a problem that troubles such as biting may occur in the top seal device in the subsequent process.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the transport device according to the present invention (1) arranges side conveyor devices on both the left and right sides above the transport surface of the package object from the supply section of the package object to the downstream side. The side conveyor device includes an endless belt that rotates with a predetermined trajectory in a horizontal plane, and in the supply section, belt portions that move on the conveying side of the endless belts of the left and right side conveyor devices are between the opposing belt surfaces. The left and right side conveyor devices are configured to support the package from both sides in a closed state in which the distance between the opposite belt surfaces is not close in the open state where the distance between the left and right belts is close. And in the area | region downstream from the said supply area, it comprises so that the state which supported the said to-be-packaged item may be maintained with the said left and right side conveyor apparatus, and the termination | terminus of the supply area used as the said open state It was capable of changing back and forth along the location in the conveying direction.

  In the embodiment, the end position of the supply section in the open state is defined by a portion where the belt surface spanned between the tension roller 32 (32 ') and the second idle pulley 34 is inclined with respect to the transport direction. . Therefore, in a state where the total positional relationship between the tension roller 32 (32 ′) and the second idle pulley 34 (34 ′) is fixed, they are moved forward and backward along the transport direction, so that Can be changed.

  In the supply section, since the distance between the belt surfaces is increased so that the article to be packaged is not in contact with the supply section, the article to be packaged can be smoothly inserted and arranged on the transport surface in the supply section. And if a supply area is made into a closed state in that state, the to-be-packaged item in a supply area can be supported by the left and right side belts. Therefore, since the packaged article is directly conveyed to the downstream side of the supply section with the conveyance of the side belt and is supported while being supported from both sides, no positional deviation or the like occurs.

  In addition, when the transport device is continuously transporting an object to be packaged and the object to be packaged inserted in the supply section is sandwiched and supported by the side conveyor device, the transport speed of the transport device (of the side conveyor device) It is necessary to equalize (substantially equal) the moving speed of the endless belt) and the forward moving speed of the article to be packaged inserted in the supply section. Therefore, in the present invention, since the end position of the supply section in the open state can be shifted back and forth, when synchronizing the conveyance speed of the conveyance device while moving the package held by the package supply device forward By changing the end position to the front side and extending the supply section to the downstream side, the synchronization can be ensured, and then the supply section is closed to hold the package supply device. To the support (holding) of the side conveyor device.

  Then, the article to be packaged supplied to the conveying device in this way is conveyed while the both sides are supported in such a manner, and the article to be packaged passes through the supply section and always has the left and right sides on the downstream side. When it reaches the section supported by the conveyor device, the supply section is opened to accept the supply of the next packaged item.

  (2) The belt surface in the supply section may be configured to reciprocate in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction while maintaining a posture parallel to the transport direction. As an example for realizing such a configuration, side conveyor devices are arranged on both the left and right sides above the conveyance surface of the packaged object from the supply section of the packaged product to the downstream side, and the side conveyor device is horizontal. An endless belt that rotates along a predetermined path in a plane, and a tension roller that contacts a belt portion that moves on the conveying side of the endless belt and biases the belt in a direction that intersects the moving direction of the endless belt. In the supply section, the belt portion that moves on the conveying side of the endless belts of the left and right side conveyor devices reciprocates in the direction orthogonal to the conveying direction, and in the open state in which the distance between the opposed belt surfaces is separated The left and right side conveyor devices are configured to support the package from both sides in a closed state in which the distance between the opposing belt surfaces is close without contacting the package, and downstream of the supply section. In the area, the left and right side conveyor devices are configured to maintain the state in which the package is supported, and the reciprocating movement of the belt portion on the terminal side of the supply section is perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the tension roller. It is preferable that the tension roller is configured to be movable in the conveying direction by reciprocating in the direction of movement.

  (3) An elastic member may be provided on the outer peripheral surface of the belt portion of the endless belt. (4) And the said elastic member is good to make it the many wing | blade part which protrudes diagonally toward the upstream. By providing these elastic members (wings), even if a part or all of the outer shape of the package is uneven or curved, it can be reliably supported from both sides.

  (5) A packaging machine according to the present invention is supplied by the transport device according to any one of (1) to (4) above, a film supply device that supplies a belt-like film to the transport device, and the film supply device. An article supply device for supplying an article to be packaged onto the belt-like film that moves in the supply section in a state of covering the conveyance surface of the conveyance device and the conveyance surfaces of the endless belts of the left and right side conveyor devices; Between the means for wrapping the package in the course of transporting the strip film, the sealing means for sealing a predetermined position of the strip film that wraps the package, and the package before and after the strip film that wraps the package And a cutting means for cutting the film portion. In the embodiment, the cutting means and the sealing means for sealing the film in the lateral direction are realized as one device as a top sealing device in the embodiment.

  (6) The packaged article supply device moves the packaged article forward at the same speed as the belt-like film conveyance speed in the supply section, and the conveyance device moves in accordance with the forward movement of the packaged article. The end position of the supply section that is in the open state may be moved forward along the transport direction, and the closed state may be controlled when the same speed is reached.

  In the present invention, even an unstable package can be conveyed while preventing displacement.

It is a front view of the operation state of one suitable embodiment of the present invention. FIG. It is AA sectional drawing in FIG. It is a figure explaining an effect | action. It is a figure explaining an effect | action. It is a figure explaining an effect | action. It is a figure explaining the principal part of other embodiment. It is a figure explaining the principal part of other embodiment.

  FIG. 1 shows a front view of a preferred embodiment of a packaging machine according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 shows a plan view thereof. As shown in the figure, the packaging machine of this embodiment includes a transport device 10, a film supply device 1 disposed on the upstream side of the transport device 10, and a center seal device disposed on the upstream side of the transport device 10. 2 and a top seal device 3 disposed at the downstream end of the transfer device 10.

  The film supply device 1 is for continuously supplying the belt-like film 5 serving as a packaging film for wrapping the article 8 to the conveying device 10. The film supply apparatus 1 includes an original fabric roll 4 obtained by winding a belt-like film 5 into a roll.

  At the carry-in side end of the transport device 10, the film portions on both sides of the belt-like film 5 fed out from the raw roll 4 are raised upward, and the center of the belt-like film 5 in the width direction is formed in a U shape (concave shape). A guide plate 6 is provided. The leading ends (both side edges of the film) of the raised belt-like film 5 are either raised upward or are bent outward. At this time, the strip-shaped film 5 moving on the transport device 10 is in a state where the upper portion of the central portion in the width direction of the strip-shaped film 5 is opened.

  A predetermined position on the upstream side of the transport apparatus 10 is a supply section K of the packaged items. At least until it passes through the supply section K, the upper part of the belt-like film 5 is in an open state. Adjacent to the outside of the conveying device 10 in the supply section K, a package supply device (not shown) is installed. As will be described later, the package supply apparatus adsorbs a plurality (five in the present embodiment) of the packages 8 at a time, and moves the strip-shaped packages 8 on the transport device 10 in a row. It is supplied while being positioned at a predetermined position.

  At a predetermined position on the downstream side beyond the supply section K of the transport device 10, both side edges of the belt-like film 5 are folded to the center in the width direction, covering the upper side of the article to be packaged 8 and overlapping both side edges. A bag making portion 7 for making the belt-like film 5 into a cylindrical shape is disposed. The center seal device 2 is disposed downstream of the bag making unit 7. The center seal device 2 includes a pair of pinch rollers 2b that sandwich and convey a portion where the both side edges of the belt-shaped film 5 formed into a cylindrical shape are overlapped, and a heating force by sandwiching the overlapped portion from both sides. A pair of disc-shaped center sealers 2a to be sealed, and the overlapped portion of the side edges of the film melted by heating are pressurized and cooled to complete heat sealing. A pair of press rollers 2c.

  Furthermore, the top seal device 3 disposed in front of the transport device 10 in the traveling direction includes a pair of top sealers 3a that are vertically opposed to each other and extend in a direction perpendicular to the film transport direction. Yes. This is a so-called box motion type sealing device that revolves each of them along a predetermined locus while maintaining a state in which the sealing surfaces of the pair of top sealers 3a are opposed to each other. Further, a cutter blade is built in the sealing surface of the top sealer, and the film is sandwiched by one top sealer, heated and pressurized, and cut with the cutter blade. Thereby, the front-end | tip part (part which encloses the top product) of the film bag-formed in cylinder shape is isolate | separated, and the package 9 is manufactured. The package 9 is conveyed on the carry-out conveyor device 13.

  Next, the structure of the conveying apparatus 10 which becomes the principal part of this invention is demonstrated. The conveying apparatus 10 arrange | positions the 1st belt conveyor apparatus 11 (upstream side) and the 2nd belt conveyor apparatus 12 (downstream side) which comprise a conveyance surface back and forth. The first and second belt conveyor devices 11 and 12 are arranged in a straight line. The bag making unit 7 and the center seal device 2 are disposed above the second belt conveyor device 12. The belt surface exposed above the first and second belt conveyor devices 11 and 12 is a conveyance surface. The belt-like film 5 is conveyed following the movement of the belt surface in a state where the central portion in the width direction is in contact with the belt surface which is the conveyance surface.

  Although not shown, the first and second belt conveyor devices 11 and 12 have a plurality of through holes formed on the belt surface of the endless belt and are provided by a suction device provided below the upper belt surface of the endless belt. The air above the belt surface is sucked through the through holes. Thereby, the strip | belt-shaped film 5 conveyed on the 1st, 2nd belt conveyor apparatuses 11 and 12 is adsorbed-held.

  A pair of left and right side belt devices 14 are disposed above the belt surfaces of the first and second belt conveyor devices 11 and 12. The pair of left and right side belt devices 14 are configured symmetrically with respect to the center line of the belt surface of the first and second belt conveyor devices 11 and 12, and both side belt devices 14 are synchronously rotated at the same speed. To do.

  The side belt device 14 is installed over the entire length of the transport device 10 from the vicinity of the upstream end of the first belt conveyor device 11 to the vicinity of the downstream end of the second belt conveyor device 12. In other words, the endless belt 20 of the side belt device 14 is a stepped belt, is stretched around a pulley set at an appropriate position, and rotates and moves along a predetermined path in a horizontal plane with the belt surface standing up. The pulley for determining the trajectory of the endless belt 20 is shifted from the driven pulleys 15 and 15 ′ arranged in the vicinity of the front and rear ends of the transport device 10 so as to protrude outward near the center in the front and rear direction. The drive pulley 16 is disposed, and tension pulleys 18 and 18 are disposed at positions near the center before and after the drive pulley 16. The drive pulley 16 rotates in response to the rotational force of the drive motor 17 disposed below the drive pulley 16.

  The front and rear positions are defined by the inner peripheral surface of the endless belt 20 being stretched over the front and rear driven pulleys 15 and 15 '. As will be described later, since the upstream side (traveling direction rear side) driven pulley 15 'moves in the width direction, the belt portion of the upstream section of the endless belt 20 moves in the width direction perpendicular to the transport direction, The distance between the opposing belt surfaces of the pair of side belt devices 14 varies.

  The inner peripheral surface of the belt portion that moves outside the endless belt 20 is stretched over the drive pulley 16. Since the drive pulley 16 is disposed so as to protrude outward, the belt portion of the endless belt 20 that moves outside takes a movement locus that detours outside in the vicinity of the drive pulley 16. Further, the tension pulleys 18 disposed before and after the drive pulley 16 are in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the endless belt 20, and the contacted portion is urged toward the center of the transport device. Thereby, the rotational force of the drive pulley 16 is transmitted to the endless belt 20, and the endless belt 20 rotates at a desired rotational speed.

  A large number of wings 21 are attached to the outer peripheral surface of the endless belt 20. The wings 21 are made of plastic, resin, or other material having moderate elasticity. The shape of the wing portion 21 is an inclined surface whose tip 21a extends toward the rear (upstream side) in the transport direction. Thereby, the tip 21a of the wing portion 21 attached to the endless belt 20 of the left and right side belt devices 14 contacts and supports the article 8 to be packaged supplied on the conveying device 10 from both sides. At this time, since the wing | blade part 21 has moderate elasticity, it hold | maintains a to-be-packaged object with a certain amount of force with the elastic restoring force. Even if the outer shape of the article to be packaged 8 is not a rectangular shape like a housing (the surface to be contacted is a flat surface), and the indefinite shape having a spherical surface or a curved surface in part or all, The tip 21a is elastically deformed as appropriate and comes into contact with the side surface of the article 8 to be packaged. Therefore, regardless of the shape of the package 8, even if it is a non-rectangular and unstable shape, the package 8 can be supported by the right and left wings 21 with an appropriate force from the left and right. The package 8 does not cause a positional shift or the like.

  Furthermore, since the tip 21a of the wing portion 21 is inclined rearward in the transport direction, the tip 21a is smoothly bent with the contact of the article 8 to the tip 21a of the wing portion 21. Therefore, the article to be packaged 8 is not damaged when the wing part 21 contacts.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 3, the vertical length of the wing portion 21 is set to be shorter than the vertical length of the endless belt 20, and the wing portion 21 is attached to the vertical center position of the endless belt 20. In the state, the upper and lower ends of the endless belt 20 protrude further outward than the upper and lower ends of the wing portion 21. That is, since the upper and lower end edges of the outer peripheral surface of the endless belt 20 do not have the wings 21, the tension pulley 18 is formed so as to contact the upper and lower end edges. Therefore, the wing portion 21 and the tension pulley 18 are not in contact with each other, and the endless belt 20 can be urged toward the center of the conveying device 10 by the tension pulley 18.

  Further, the pair of left and right side belt devices 14 are configured to change the width of the belt surfaces facing each other in the supply section K of the article to be packaged 8. Therefore, in the open state where the interval is widened (see FIGS. 3A, 4 and 5), the distance between the tips 21a of the left and right wings 21 is wider than the width of the article to be wrapped 8, and the wings The part 21 is not in contact with the article 8 to be packaged. On the other hand, in the closed state where the interval is narrow (see FIGS. 3B and 6), the distance between the tips 21 a of the left and right wings 21 is narrower than the width of the article 8, and the wings 21. The tip 21a of the material is elastically deformed to firmly support the article 8 to be packaged. In this closed state, the belt surface that moves inside the endless belt 20 (the belt surface positioned on the first and second belt conveyor devices 11 and 12) is positioned in a straight line, and a pair of left and right endless belts. The distance between the opposite inner belt surfaces of the belt 20 is the same over the entire length of the conveying device 10.

  Further, as apparent from comparison between FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the lengths t1 and t2 in the front-rear direction of the supply section K can be changed in synchronization with the movement of the supplied package 8. A specific configuration for performing these operations is as follows.

  First, the elongate base plates 25 extending along the transport direction are arranged on the left and right in the vicinity of the supply section K. The base plate 25 is connected to a cylinder 26, and is configured to be able to reciprocate in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction upon receiving the driving of the cylinder 26. By extending and contracting both cylinders 26 synchronously, the pair of base plates 25 arranged on the left and right sides approach / separate toward the center of the first belt conveyor device 11.

  A driven pulley 15 ′ is attached to the upstream end on the base plate 25. Accordingly, the driven pulley 15 ′ approaches / separates toward the center of the first belt conveyor device 11 as the base plate 25 reciprocates in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction. As a result, the distance between the opposing belt surfaces at the upstream end of the side belt device 14 varies widely. The base plate 25 reciprocates while being guided by a guide rail 23 extending in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction.

  Further, guide plates 27 and 27 'are formed upright on the base plate 25, and the endless belt 20 is received by the guide plates 27 and 27' so that the endless belt 20 moves in a desired vertical plane. . Further, a guide roller 29 is provided at the downstream end of the base plate 25 so as to contact the outer peripheral surface (upper and lower ends that do not contact the wings 21) of the belt surface that moves outside. As a result, the belt portion that moves outside the endless belt 20 is guided by the guide roller 29, the driven pulley 15 ', the guide plate 27' positioned outside, and the like, and the base plate 25 reciprocates in the direction perpendicular to the transport direction. However, the state parallel to the transport direction is maintained (see FIGS. 4, 5 and 6).

  In addition, first idle pulleys 28 and 28 that are in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the belt portion that moves outside the endless belt 20 are disposed at a predetermined position downstream of the base plate 25. The first idle pulley 28 is connected to the machine frame of the transport apparatus 10 and maintains the same position regardless of the reciprocating movement of the base plate 25. Therefore, in a section between the front and rear first idle pulleys 28, 28, the belt portion that moves outside the endless belt 20 moves at a fixed position regardless of the position of the base plate 25. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the fixed position is the endless belt 20 located in the supply section K when the base plate 25 is located on the outermost side (when the distance between the opposing belt surfaces is widest). It is set to be located on the same plane as the belt portion that moves outside.

  On the other hand, a plate cam 30 is connected to the downstream end of the base plate 25 and reciprocates integrally. The plate cam 30 is formed with a cam groove 30a (actually, an elongated through hole extending in a belt shape) parallel to the conveying direction. A cam follower 31 is associated with the cam groove 30a. The cam follower 31 can move forward and backward along the conveyance direction along the cam groove 30a. The cam follower 31 is connected to a pair of tension rollers 32 and 32 attached to the tip of the arm 33. The pair of tension rollers 32 and 32 are arranged so as to sandwich a belt portion (upper and lower end portions that do not contact the wing portion 21) moving inside the endless belt 20 from both inside and outside. The other end of the arm 33 is connected coaxially to the rotation shaft 34 a of the second idle pulley 34 that contacts the inner peripheral surface of the belt portion that moves inside the endless belt 20. Thereby, the arm 33 can be rotated forward and backward with the rotation shaft 34a as the rotation center.

  The tension rollers 32 and 32 are connected to the inner side (center side of the conveying device 10) with respect to the cam follower 31, and the pair of tension rollers 32 and 32 sandwich the belt portion that moves inside the endless belt 20 (conveying). The distance from the center of the apparatus 10) is matched with the position of the belt portion (the distance from the center of the conveying apparatus 10) that has been moved inward by changing the direction by the driven pulley 15 '. That is, the belt portion that moves inside the endless belt 20 located in the supply section K is guided by the tension rollers 32 and 32, the driven pulley 15 ′, the guide plate 27 located inside, and the like, and the base plate 25 is orthogonal to the conveying direction. Even when reciprocating in the direction, the state parallel to the transport direction is maintained (see FIGS. 4, 5 and 6).

  Further, the second idle pulley 34 is installed on a slider 36 connected to a guide rail 35 arranged in parallel with the transport direction. The slider 36 is linked to the cylinder 38 and moves forward and backward along the guide rail 35 in parallel with the conveying direction following the expansion and contraction of the cylinder 38. As the slider 36 moves forward and backward, the second idle pulley 34, the arm 33, the tension roller 32, and the cam follower 31 also move forward and backward. And since the 2nd idle pulley 34 is installed on the slider 36, although it moves forward / backward, it always moves in parallel with the conveyance direction, and the distance from the center of the conveying apparatus 10 does not fluctuate.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the separation distance of the second idle pulley 34 from the center of the transport device 10 is equal to the driven pulley 15 disposed at the downstream end of the transport device 10. Therefore, the belt portion that moves inside the endless belt 20 that has passed through the second idle pulley 34 moves in parallel with the conveying direction until it reaches the driven pulley 15 regardless of the position of the base plate 25. And in the area after the 2nd idle pulley 34 which concerns, the front-end | tip 21a of the wing | blade part 21 provided in the endless belt 20 is set so that the to-be-packaged object 8 may be supported from both sides. As a result, in the area after the second idle pulley 34, the article 8 is firmly supported and is stably conveyed without being displaced or overturned.

  On the other hand, since the cam follower 31 is linked to the plate cam 30 connected to the base plate 25, the plate cam 30 moves closer to and away from the center of the transport device 10 as the base plate 25 reciprocates. The distance from the center of the tension roller 32 also varies. As the position of the tension roller 32 changes from the center, the arm 33 also rotates.

  Therefore, for example, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, when the base plate 25 is located on the outermost side (in the open state where the distance between the opposed belt surfaces is widest), the plate cam 30 is also located on the extension line of the base plate 25. Therefore, the cam follower 31 and thus the tension roller 32 are positioned on the outer side relative to the second idle pulley 34. Therefore, in this state, the belt surface that moves inside the endless belt 20 by the tension roller 32 is urged outward. At this time, since the driven pulley 15 ′ is also moved outward, the belt portion that moves inside the endless belt 20 located in the supply section K moves to the outermost side while maintaining a state parallel to the transport direction and is opposed to it. The distance between the belt surfaces is increased.

  Then, the belt portion that moves inside the endless belt 20 that has passed the tension roller 32 gradually moves toward the center of the conveying device 10 toward the second idle pulley 34, and the interval between the opposed belt surfaces gradually increases. Approach. That is, in the state shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, since the supply section K upstream from the tension roller 32 is in an open state, the tip 21 a of the wing 21 is separated from the article 8 to be packaged. When the tip 21a of the wing 21 gradually approaches the package 8 in the section from the tension roller 32 to the second idle pulley 34, and finally reaches the second idle pulley 34, the wing 21 The tip portion 21a of the package comes into contact with and supports the article 8 to be packaged.

  Further, even if the cylinder 38 is extended and the cam follower 31 is located upstream as shown in FIG. 4, the cylinder 38 is contracted and the cam follower 31 is located downstream as shown in FIG. When the base plate 25 and the plate cam 30 are stationary, although the position of the tension roller 32 in the front-rear direction changes, the distance from the center side of the transport device 10 does not change. Therefore, the length of the supply section K in which the interval between the belt surfaces in the open state is wide extends from t1 to t2. In other words, the article to be packaged 8 indicated by the white circle supported by the wing portion 21 in the vicinity of the second idle pulley 34 in FIG. 4 maintains the supported state in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 6, when the base plate 25 is moved to the center side of the transport apparatus 10, the plate cam 30 is also located on the extension line of the base plate 25, so that the cam follower 31 is substantially the same as the second idle pulley 34. Located on a straight line. Accordingly, the cam follower 31 is located slightly inside relative to the second idle pulley 34. Therefore, in this state, the belt portion that moves inside the endless belt 20 by the tension roller 32 is biased inward. At this time, since the driven pulley 15 ′ is also moved inward, the belt portion that moves inside the endless belt 20 located in the supply section K moves inward while maintaining a state parallel to the conveyance direction, The distance between the opposed belt surfaces is close, and the belt portion in the area after the second idle pulley 34 is in a flush state. In other words, in this closed state, the belt portion that moves inside the endless belt 20 over the entire length of the transport device 10 maintains the same interval (interval at which the article 8 can be stably supported by the wings 21). Will do.

  In the state shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the endless belt 20 advances obliquely in the section from the tension roller 32 to the second idle pulley 34, but in FIG. 6, the movement distance because it advances straight in parallel with the conveyance direction. Becomes shorter. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 6, the belt portion that moves outside the endless belt 20 moves obliquely from the first idle pulley 28 to the guide roller 29, so that the peripheral length of the endless belt 20 is constant. I try to keep it.

  Next, the operation and control for supplying and transporting the article 8 to be packaged using the apparatus configured as described above will be described. First, the cylinders 38 and 26 are appropriately driven, and the base plate 25 is moved outward with the tension rollers 32 and 32 and the second idle pulley 34 positioned upstream as shown in FIG. Put it in a state.

  Next, while the five supply objects 8 are inserted into the supply section K in the open state using the supply robot as the supply object supply apparatus, the transfer speed of the belt-like film 5 in the transfer apparatus 10 is synchronized. Thus, the article 8 to be packaged is also moved forward. Since the supply section K is in the open state, the supplied article 8 to be supplied can be smoothly inserted into the supply section K without contacting the wing portion 21.

  At this time, the conveying device 10 drives the cylinder 38 to move the second idle pulley 34, the arm 33, the tension roller 32, and the cam follower 31 forward. Thus, the supply section 8 that is supplied in the supply operation up to the previous time and is supported by the wing portion 21 (indicated by white circles in the figure) is in an open state while maintaining the supported state. The region of K can be extended to the downstream side. As a result, it is possible to ensure that the speed at which the article to be packaged is moved forward by the supply robot and the conveyance speed of the belt-like film 5 of the carrier device 10 coincide with each other, and the article to be wrapped 8 is positioned at a desired position with respect to the belt-like film 5. it can.

  If synchronization is achieved in this way, the cylinder 26 is operated and the base plate 25 is moved toward the center. As a result, the tip 21a of the wing 21 in the supply section K is also moved to the center and closed, and the five objects to be supplied 8 that are sucked and held by the supply robot (in the figure, hatched parts). Supports from both sides. At this time, since the movement speed of the supply robot and the movement speed of the transport device 10 (band-like film 5) are synchronized in the previous process, the support by the wings 21 is completed without stress.

  Next, the suction holding of the article 8 to be packaged by the supply robot is released. As a result, the five packages 8 supplied this time have been supplied, and are then transported by the transport device 10. Further, the supply robot evacuates from the supply section K of the transfer device 10 and goes to the next packaged item.

Further, the cylinder 38 is driven at an appropriate timing when the supply section K is closed, and the tension rollers 32 and 32 and the second idle pulley 34 are returned to the upstream side (see FIG. 6). At this time, since the endless belt 20 rotates, the five packages 8 supplied this time are sequentially conveyed. When the last article to be packaged comes to the area after the second idle pulley 34, the cylinder 26 is driven to move the base plate 25 outward, and the supply section K is opened (see FIG. 4). Even in this open state, the area after the second idle pulley 34 is kept closed, so that the five packages 8 previously supplied are also wings during the supply process of the next package. 21 is supported stably.
Thereafter, by repeating the above process, the smooth supply of the article to be supplied to the supply section K and the subsequent stable conveyance by the instruction from the wing part 21 are performed.

  7 and 8 show the main part of another embodiment of the present invention. In the above-described embodiment, the supply section K is switched between the open state and the closed state by reciprocating the driven pulley 15 ′ and the tension roller 32 toward and away from the center to convey the belt surface in the supply section. The movement is performed in parallel (reciprocating) in the direction perpendicular to the direction. As a result, the five packages 8 existing in the supply section K are sandwiched and supported at a time.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the relative positional relationship between the tension roller 32 'and the second idle pulley 34' is a state in which the distance from the center of the transport device is different (the tension roller 32 'is located farther away from the center). It is fixed so that it can reciprocate along the transport direction. Furthermore, the distance of reciprocating movement along this transport direction is longer than that in the above-described embodiment.

  7 and 8, the belt surface located on the downstream side of the second idle pulley 34 ′ is drawn so as to come into contact with the article 8 to be packaged. The installation positions of the left and right endless belts 20 are as shown in the figure when the wings 21 are not attached to the belt surface, but when the wings 21 are provided, the length of the wings 21 is considered as a whole. It is arranged in a state of being translated outward.

  Further, in this embodiment, unlike the above-described embodiment, the position of the driven pulley 15 ′ on the carry-in side of the transport apparatus 10 is fixed. Further, the driven pulley 15 ′ and the tension roller 32 ′ have the same distance from the center of the conveying device 10. As a result, the belt surface of the endless belt 20 located between the driven pulley 15 'and the tension roller 32' is parallel to the transport direction. The distance of the belt surface of the facing endless belt 20 is set sufficiently wide with respect to the width of the article 8 to be packaged, and the side belt device 14 (the belt surface (the wing portion when the wing portion is provided on the endless belt 20)) is , And non-contact with the article 8 to be packaged.

  On the other hand, the second idle pulley 34 ′ and the driven pulley 15 on the carry-out side of the transfer device 10 are set to have the same distance from the center of the transfer device 10. As a result, the belt surface of the endless belt 20 located between the driven pulley 15 and the second idle pulley 34 'is parallel to the transport direction. And the distance of the belt surface of the endless belt 20 which opposes is the space | interval which the side belt apparatus 14 (Belt surface (if a wing | blade part is provided in the endless belt 20)) can contact and support the to-be-packaged object 8. Yes.

  As a result, the second idle pulley 34 ′ and the tension roller 32 ′ move forward and backward along the transport direction, so that the section in which the article 8 can be supported varies. That is, when the second idle pulley 34 ′ and the tension roller 32 ′ are located on the front side in the transport direction, the supply section K is in an open state, and when the second idle pulley 34 ′ and the tension roller 32 ′ are located at the rear side (load-in side) end in the transport direction The section K is in a closed state.

  The specific control / operation of the movement of the second idle pulley 34 'and the tension roller 32' in the front-rear direction is as follows. First, as shown in FIG. 7A, the second idle pulley 34 'and the tension roller 32' are positioned at a predetermined position on the front side that is not the foremost end of the moving range. In this state, the supply section K is in an open state. The supply robot as the packaged article supply device adsorbs a plurality (five in this embodiment) of the packaged articles 8 at a time, and holds the packaged articles 8 in a row in a row on the conveying device 10 in the adsorbed state. It is inserted on the strip-shaped film 5 in the moving supply section K.

  Then, the supply robot moves the article 8 forward in synchronism with the conveyance speed of the belt-like film 5 in the conveyance device 10 while adsorbing the article 8 to be packaged. At this time, the second idle pulley 34 ′ and the tension roller 32 ′ are also moved forward, and the article 8 (indicated by white circles) supplied by the previous supply operation and supported by the side belt device 14 is shown in FIG. While maintaining the supported state, the region of the supply section K that is in an open state that is not in contact with the article 8 is extended to the downstream side (see FIG. 7B).

  When the movement speed of the article 8 attracted by the supply robot and the conveyance speed of the conveyance device 10 are synchronized and become the same speed, the second idle pulley 34 'and the tension roller 32' are moved along the conveyance direction. (See FIG. 8A). As a result, the supply section K is closed, and the side belt devices 14 support the five objects to be supplied 8 (indicated by hatching circles in the figure) that are sucked and held by the supply robot from both sides. To do. At this time, since the movement speed of the supply robot and the movement speed of the transport device 10 (band-like film 5) are synchronized in the previous process, the support by the side belt device 14 is completed without stress.

  Next, the suction holding of the article 8 to be packaged by the supply robot is released. As a result, the five packages 8 supplied this time have completed the supply process, and are thereafter transported by the transport device 10 (see FIG. 8B). Further, the supply robot evacuates from the supply section K of the transfer device 10 and goes to the next packaged item.

  Moreover, in each embodiment mentioned above, since the to-be-packaged object 8 was indefinite shape, such as a shimeji, the wing | blade part 21 was provided in the endless belt 20, and it supported stably, but this invention is this There is no limitation, and the object to be packaged may be supported by the belt surface of the endless belt 20. Moreover, you may make it attach elastic bodies, such as sponge, to the belt surface of the endless belt 20 instead of a wing | blade part.

  Further, although the cylinder is used as a drive source for switching between the open state and the closed state and for the forward and backward movement of the tension roller 32 and the second idle pulley 34, it does not prevent the use of a motor or other drive source.

5 Belt-shaped film 8 Package 10 Conveying device 11 First belt conveyor device 12 Second belt conveyor device 14 Side belt device 15, 15 ′ Driven pulley 16 Drive pulley 20 Endless belt 21 Wing 25 Base plate 26 Cylinder 30 Plate cam 31 Cam follower 32, 32 'tension roller 33 arm 34, 34' second idle pulley 38 cylinder

Claims (6)

Side conveyor devices are arranged on the left and right sides above the transport surface of the packaged goods from the supply section of the packaged goods to the downstream side,
The side conveyor device includes an endless belt that rotates along a predetermined path in a horizontal plane,
In the supply section, the belt portion that moves on the conveying side of the endless belts of the left and right side conveyor devices does not contact the packaged object in the open state where the distance between the opposed belt surfaces is separated, and the opposed belt surfaces In the closed state in which the distance between them is close, the left and right side conveyor devices are configured to support the packaged object from both sides,
In the region downstream of the supply section, the left and right side conveyor devices are configured to maintain the state of supporting the packaged items,
A conveying apparatus configured to be able to change the end position of the supply section in the open state back and forth along the conveying direction.   2. The transport device according to claim 1, wherein the belt surface in the supply section is configured to be capable of reciprocating in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction while maintaining a posture parallel to the transport direction.   The conveying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an elastic member is provided on an outer peripheral surface of a belt portion of the endless belt.   The conveying device according to claim 3, wherein the elastic member is a large number of wings protruding obliquely toward the upstream side. A transport apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A film supply device for supplying a belt-like film to the conveying device;
Package to be supplied on the belt-like film that is supplied by the film supply device and moves in the supply section in a state of covering the conveyance surface of the conveyance device and the conveyance surface of the endless belts of the left and right side conveyor devices. A material supply device;
Means for wrapping an article to be wrapped in the course of transporting the belt-shaped film;
Sealing means for sealing a predetermined position of the belt-like film enclosing the packaged object;
A cutting means for cutting a film portion between the front and back objects of the belt-like film enclosing the object to be wrapped;
With packaging machine. The packaged article supply device moves the packaged article forward at the same speed as the belt-like film conveyance speed in the supply section,
The transport device moves the end position of the supply section that is in the open state to the front side along the transport direction in accordance with the forward movement of the article to be packaged, and controls the closing state when the same speed is reached. The packaging machine according to claim 4, wherein the packaging machine is configured to perform.

Images