JP2017001711A - Packaging device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a packaging device that can prevent a film and a label from being wasted even if an error occurs in the middle of packaging processing.SOLUTION: The packaging device performs detection of whether an object to be packaged is placed on a predetermined placement part or packaging processing to the object to be packaged placed on the placement part. The packaging processing is a series of processing in which packaging preparation operation including consumable article preparation processing for preparing consumable articles to be used in packaging the object to be packaged is performed and thereafter packaging operation for packaging the object to be packaged is performed. The device comprises determining means that when detecting an abnormality occurring in the packaging preparing operation or the packaging operation after the consumable article preparing processing is finished, determines whether or not the consumable articles prepared by the consumable article preparing operation can be used for a subsequent object to be packaged which is subjected to the packaging processing after the abnormality is eliminated; and when the determining means determines that the articles can be used for the subsequent object to be packaged, performs packaging processing to the subsequent object to be packaged continuously without removing the consumable articles.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a packaging apparatus that wraps a product on which a content such as food is placed on a tray with a film.

  A packaging device is known that carries a product on which contents such as food are placed on a tray and wraps the loaded product with a stretch film (Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent No. 3916752

  The packaging device disclosed in Patent Document 1 is a product in which contents are placed on a tray by a sensor such as a CCD camera when a product on which the contents are placed on a tray is placed on a weighing conveyor after an operator inputs product information. When the information detected by the sensor is compared with the information input by the operator, and it is determined that what is placed on the weighing conveyor can be wrapped with film, the contents are placed on the tray. The loaded product is carried into a lifter by a conveyor, wrapped with a stretched film cut to a predetermined film length, and a label printed with product information is attached to a predetermined position of the product.

However, after the product is detected by the sensor and it is determined that the product can be packaged by the film, the product may be taken out by the operator. In such a case, the product is not carried into the lifter.
When it is detected that the product is not carried into the lifter, the packaging device recognizes it as an error and interrupts the packaging process, but the film has already been drawn out to a predetermined length, and the information on the product has already been applied to the label. When the packaging process is restarted by canceling the error or the like, it is necessary to remove the film or label that has already been fed out from the packaging device, and the film or label is wasted.

  The present invention has been made in view of these problems, and is a consumable such as a film or a label even if an error occurs, such as removal of an article to be packaged during the packaging process in the packaging device. It is an object of the present invention to provide a packaging device that does not waste as much as possible.

  In order to achieve the above object, the packaging device of the invention according to claim 1 is configured to detect that the article to be packaged is placed on the predetermined placement portion or based on a predetermined operation by the operator. In the packaging device that performs the packaging process on the packaged article placed in the packaging process, the packaging process performs the packaging preparation operation including the consumable preparation process for preparing the consumable used for packaging the packaged article, and thereafter A series of processes for performing a packaging operation for packaging an article to be packaged, and prepared by the consumables preparation operation when an abnormality is detected in the packaging preparation operation or the packaging operation after the consumables preparation process is completed. The consumable is provided with a judging means for judging whether or not the consumable can be used for the next package to be packaged after the abnormality is resolved, and can be used for the next package by the judging means. If it is determined, remove the consumables. Continued without a and performing packaging process the next object to be packaged.

The packaging apparatus of the invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the packaging preparation operation includes a process of carrying the article to be packaged placed in the placement unit to a packaging unit that performs the packaging operation.
The packaging device of the invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that the consumable is a film for packaging an article to be packaged.
In the packaging device of the invention according to claim 4, when the abnormality is detected, the judging means compares the dimensions of the package to be carried in with the next package to be packaged after the abnormality is eliminated. If the dimension of the next packaged object is the same as the dimension of the packaged object when the abnormality is detected or smaller than the dimension of the packaged object when the abnormality is detected, it can be wrapped with a film. It is judged that there exists.
In the packaging device of the invention according to claim 5, the determination means determines that the operator is not able to wrap the next item to be packaged by the stretched film when abnormality is detected. Is notified of the removal of the film.
The packaging apparatus of the invention which concerns on Claim 6 is provided with the detection means which detects the dimension of a to-be-packaged object in the location from a mounting part to a packaging part.
The packaging apparatus of the invention which concerns on Claim 7 is a label with which the said consumable is affixed on a to-be packaged object.

According to the packaging device according to claim 1 of the present invention, even if the packaging process is interrupted in a state where the abnormality occurs during the packaging preparation operation for packaging the article to be packaged and the consumable is prepared, the prepared consumable Can be used in the packaging process of the next packaged item, so that the consumables are not wasted, and there is no need to remove the consumables. Can do.
According to the packaging device of the second aspect, it is possible to prevent the consumables from being wasted when an abnormality occurs during the carrying-in operation of the article to be packaged.
According to the packaging device of the third aspect, it is possible to prevent the film as the consumable from being wasted.
According to the packaging device of the fourth aspect, the size of the commodity provided in the packaging device is determined as to whether or not the next packaged item can be packaged with the prepared film when an abnormality is detected. Therefore, it is possible to achieve control that eliminates waste of the film without providing any special means.
According to the packaging device of the fifth aspect, it is possible to prevent impossible packaging with a film that is too small for the next packaged object, and no packaging failure occurs.
According to the packaging device of the sixth aspect, since the dimension of the packaged item can be automatically measured in the conveyance path, the packaging process is performed without inputting the dimension of the packaged item in advance. Can do.
According to the packaging device of the seventh aspect, it is possible to prevent the label as a consumable from being wasted.

It is a side view of the packaging apparatus for demonstrating operation | movement of the packaging apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the control system of the packaging apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement which packages the to-be packaged object of the packaging apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is the example of a display displayed on the input display means of the packaging apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention, (a) is a display example which prompts the input of the information of a packaged object, (b) is when an error generate | occur | produces It is an example of a display which prompts error cancellation. It is the example of a display displayed on the input display means of the packaging apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention, (a) is a display example which prompts confirmation of continuation of a packaging process, (b) is a table | surface prompting removal of a film. It is an example.

A packaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
-Composition of packaging equipment-
As shown in FIG. 1, the packaging device according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a machine body 11, a product placement unit 12 that is disposed in front of the machine body 11 and on which an operator places a package T, and a product placement. Conveyor 13 for transporting the article to be packaged T placed on placement unit 12 to lift means 14 disposed below film packaging means 15, and lift means for raising article to be packaged T to upper film packaging means 15 14, the discharge means 16 for discharging the package T to be packaged by the film packaging means 15 to the product discharge section 17, and information such as contents on the upper surface of the package T discharged to the product discharge section 17. An affixing means 18 for affixing the printed label L, and an input display means 20 (FIG. 2) such as a touch panel for inputting information for controlling the packaging apparatus by an operator and for monitoring the state of the packaging apparatus. I have.
And the to-be-packaged object T is pushed up from the lower part by the lift means 14 with respect to the film F stretched by the film packaging means 15, and the upper surface of this to-be-packaged object T is covered with the film F, and the periphery of the film F is packaged This is a well-known stretch film wrapping apparatus that wraps and wraps on the bottom side of the object T, and is a wrapping apparatus in which the flow direction of the article to be packaged T is a front carry-in / a front discharge.
The front side toward the packaging device is “front”, the back side is “rear”, the right side is “right”, and the left side is “left”.

A first sensor s1 that detects that an article such as the article to be packaged T has been placed in the vicinity of the product placement section 12 of the packaging device, and a weighing means (second sensor) that measures the weight of the article to be packaged T s2 and measuring means (third sensor) s3 for measuring the length and width of the package T are disposed, and the package T is placed on the product placement section 12, or By being conveyed by the conveyance conveyor 13, it is comprised so that the weight of the to-be-packaged object T, a length dimension, and a width dimension can be measured.
Note that the packaging device may be one in which the product placing unit 12 also serves as a lifting means, that is, the one on which the article to be packaged is placed directly on the lifting means. The conveyance process can be omitted.

  In the vicinity of the lift means 14 on the transport path of the transport conveyor 13, a fourth sensor s 4 that detects that the article T to be packaged transported on the transport path has reached the placement position of the lift means 14 is disposed. The fourth sensor s4 detects that the article to be packaged T has reached the position where the lift means 14 is disposed, so that the lift means 14 is driven up and pushed up against the film F stretched on the film packaging means 15, The upper surface of the package T is configured to be covered with a film.

  The film wrapping means 15 disposed above the lift means 14 has a film roll placement section 151 in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the transport conveyor 13, and from the film roll 152 set in the film roll placement section 151. It has a film holding part (not shown) that holds the leading edge of the fed film F. A film feed mechanism 153 for holding the film F at the film holding unit and pulling it out and transporting the film F to a position where the film F is stretched is disposed adjacent to the film holding unit.

Above the film feed mechanism 153, the left and right folding members 154, 154, the rear folding member 155, and the front folding unit that fold the peripheral edge of the film F that covers the top surface of the packaging object T to the bottom surface side of the packaging object T by the lift means 14 rising A roller 156 and a discharge means 16 are disposed.
A heat seal device (not shown) is arranged in the carry-out portion in front of the front folding roller 156 so that the peripheral portion of the film F folded on the bottom surface side of the package T can be heat sealed.

The packaging apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention configured as described above starts a packaging process for packaging a packaged article when it is detected that the packaged article is placed on the product placing unit 12. Note that the packaging process may be started by a predetermined operation such as an operation of an operation button by the operator.
First, the packaging preparation operation is performed by the start of the packaging process. The packaging preparation operation means an operation of packaging an object to be packaged with a film, that is, an entire preparation operation performed prior to the packaging operation. For example, a consumable such as a film used for packaging or a label attached to the article to be packaged is used. There are consumables preparation processing to be prepared, and carry-in processing to carry a packaged item to the packaging position.
And the packaging apparatus of this invention interrupts a packaging process and stops a packaging apparatus, when some abnormality is detected during packaging preparation operation | movement or packaging operation.
At this time, the packaging apparatus of the present invention includes a determination unit that determines whether or not the consumables prepared during the packaging preparation operation can be used for the next package to be packaged after the abnormality is resolved. If it is determined by the judging means that the consumable can be used for the next package, the consumable can be wasted by using it without removing the consumable. is there.
The next packaged object includes a packaged object in the case where the packaged object that has been packaged when an abnormality is detected is repackaged.
Hereinafter, the packaging device of the present invention will be described in more detail.

A block diagram of the control system of the packaging apparatus is shown in FIG.
(Packaging device control unit)
A control means (CPU) 31 for controlling the packaging device includes an input display means 20 comprising a ROM 32, a RAM 33, a touch panel, etc. via a bus 31a, a packaging control portion 21 for controlling each drive system of the packaging device, and a product placement portion. First to fourth sensors s1 to s4 for detecting that an article to be packaged is placed and a communication interface (INF) 40 are connected.
The ROM 32 stores a program executed by the control means (CPU) 31 and packaging control data used when controlling each drive system of the packaging apparatus. The RAM 33 stores the control means (CPU) 31 in the ROM 32. It has storage areas such as various registers and flags used when executing stored programs and preset data areas in which various data for each packaged item (product) are stored. Package data storage area 33a for storing size data (width data, height data, depth data).

The input display means 20 is formed by a touch panel or the like, and has a display area for inputting the setting of the packaging device and information on the package by the operator, and displaying the state of the packaging device.
The packaging control unit 21 is a circuit for driving each mechanism unit of the stretch wrapping machine when performing a packaging operation. For example, the conveyance control unit 22, the lift means driving unit 23, the film feed driving unit 24, the left and right, A rear folding member drive unit 25, a discharge means drive unit 26, and the like are provided.
The communication interface (INF) 40 is an interface for performing communication between the packaging device and an external device. For example, the communication interface (INF) 40 can be connected to a master or the like to centrally manage the state of packaging processing in each store.

Next, the operation of packaging an object to be packaged by the packaging apparatus described above will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
(Operation flow of packaging equipment)
When the operator turns on the power of the packaging device, the control means (CPU) 31 inputs a display screen (packaging information input screen) for requesting information on the packaging T shown in FIG. 20 and waits for input of information by the operator. The information input screen may be a screen selected from various standardized trays, thereby simplifying the input.
When the operator inputs information such as the number of packages T to be packaged and size data (width data, height data, depth data) of the packages on the information input screen, and the “complete” button 51 is pressed. The control means (CPU) 31 stores the input information of the package T in the package storage area 33a of the RAM 33, that is, until the package T is detected by the first sensor s1, that is, the product loading. It waits until the to-be-packaged object T is mounted in the mounting part 12 (step 1).

When the article to be packaged T is placed on the product placement section 12, the first sensor s 1 detects the presence of the article to be packaged T and transmits a detection signal to the control means (CPU) 31. When the control means (CPU) 31 receives the detection signal, the control means (CPU) 31 transmits a signal for measuring the size and weight of the package T to the second sensor s2 and the third sensor s3. The second sensor s2 and the third sensor s3 that have received signals for measuring the size and weight of the package T measure the size and weight of the package T and control the measured dimension and weight values. It transmits to the means (CPU) 31 (step 2).
The control means (CPU) 31 determines the length of the film to be packaged based on the received dimension value, weight value, etc. of the packaged object T, and feeds the film to the film feed drive unit 24 for a predetermined length to stretch the film. Send a signal to build. The film feed driving unit 24 that has received the signal transmitted by the control means (CPU) 31 unwinds the film for the determined length, cuts it with a cutter, and waits in a state where the film is stretched and held (step 3). . Further, based on the information input by the operator and the measured value, the label L to be attached to the product is printed.

On the other hand, the control means (CPU) 31 transmits a drive signal to the transport conveyor drive unit 22 to drive the transport conveyor 13 and transport the article T to the lift means 14 (step 4).
Note that the measurement of the size and weight of the article to be packaged T by the second sensor s2 and the third sensor s3 can be performed while the article to be packaged T is being conveyed by the conveyor 13.
In this case, if it is impossible in time to prepare the film according to the dimensions detected during the conveyance of the package T, the package input by the operator as information for preparing the film It is also possible to use this information.

When the fourth sensor s4 provided on the transport path of the transport conveyor 13 detects that the article to be packaged T is transported by the transport conveyor 13 and transported to the position of the lift means 14, the fourth sensor s4 notifies the control means (CPU) 31. On the other hand, a signal (conveyance completion signal) indicating that the conveyance to the lift means 14 has been normally completed is transmitted (step 5).
The control means (CPU) 31 that has received the conveyance completion signal from the fourth sensor s4 transmits a drive signal to the lift means driving section 23, and also includes a left and right side of the film packaging means 15, a rear folding member driving section 25, and Then, a drive signal is transmitted to the discharge means drive unit 26.
The lift means drive unit 23, the left and right of the film packaging means 15, the rear folding member drive part 25, and the discharge means drive part 26 that have received the drive signal from the control means (CPU) 31 are driven at predetermined timings, respectively. 14 is driven upward to push up the object T to be wrapped up from a predetermined length of the film F stretched and held on the film wrapping means 15, and the end of the stretched film is connected to the left and right folding plates. After folding the bottom of the article to be packaged T with the rear folding plate, the front end of the film F is pushed horizontally by the ejecting means 16 toward the product ejecting part 17 on the front side of the machine body 11. Is folded into the bottom of the article to be packaged with a front folding roller, and packaging processing with a film is performed (step 6).
Next, the label L on which the product information is printed is pasted on the top surface of the product by the pasting means 18 during the extrusion transfer of the package T by the discharge means 16 (step 7), and the packaging process for the package T is finished. . And the packaging process with respect to the following to-be-packaged goods T is started.

On the other hand, when the conveyance completion signal from the fourth sensor s4 is not received within a predetermined time after the conveyance conveyor 13 is driven, the control means (CPU) 31 interrupts the packaging process by the film packaging means 15 (step 10). .
Then, the control means (CPU) 31 displays, for example, an error occurrence screen shown in FIG. 4B on the input display means 20 to indicate that an error has occurred such as the package T not being carried into the lift means 14. Notify the operator and wait for the error to be resolved. That is, the operator who has confirmed the error of the packaging device by the input display means 20 or the like removes the cause of the error and waits until the “Continue” button 52 for canceling the error and continuing the packaging process is pressed.
Further, when the error is resolved by the operator and the “continue” button 52 is pressed, the control means (CPU) 31 displays a resume screen shown in FIG. 5A for prompting the input display means 20 to resume the packaging process. Then, the package T is placed on the product placement unit 12 by the operator and waits until the “resume” button 54 is pressed by the operator (step 11).

When the “restart” button 54 is pressed by the operator, the control means (CPU) 31 causes the third sensor s3 to place an article to be packaged (the next article to be packaged T2) placed on the product placement unit 12. Send a signal to measure the dimensions. The third sensor s3 that has received the signal for measuring the dimension of the next packaged object T2 from the control means (CPU) 31 measures the dimension of the next packaged object T2, and controls the measured value to the control means (CPU). 31. The control means (CPU) 31 that has received the measurement value of the next article to be packaged T2 from the third sensor s3 has been subjected to packaging processing when the measurement value of the next article to be packaged T2 has an error. Whether or not the packaging process is possible is determined by the film F1 stretched during the packaging process of the article (the previous packaged object T1) (step 12). At this time, the control means (CPU) 31 functions as a determination means for determining whether or not the film F1 is usable.
An example of the specific criteria for determination will be described. The length and width of the next package T2 are compared with the length and width of the previous package T1, and the dimension of the previous package T1 is compared. It is determined that the film F1 can be used for the packaging process of the next packaged object T2. In addition, even if it is a case where it is small compared with the length and width dimension of the previous to-be packaged object T1, it may be judged that the film F1 can be used, and the length of the previous to-be-packaged object T1 and Even if it is slightly larger than the width dimension, it may be determined that it can be used if the next packaged object T2 can be packaged by the film F1.
By considering the height dimension of the package T, a more accurate determination can be made.

When it is determined by the control means (CPU) 31 that the film F1 for the previous package T1 can be used, without removing the film F1 stretched on the film packaging means 15, that is, For the next article to be packaged, the consumables for the next article to be packaged T2, such as omitting the consumable preparation process (step 3) for preparing the film, and returning to step 4 to drive the conveyor 13, etc. The packaging processing such as the packaging preparation operation after the preparation processing and the subsequent packaging operation are resumed.
On the other hand, when it is determined that the film F1 cannot be used for the packaging process of the next article to be packaged T2, for example, an instruction to remove the film shown in FIG. The operator is urged to remove the film F1, and waits for the operator to remove the film F1 (step 13).
When the operator removes the film F1 from the film wrapping means 15 and presses the “Resume” button 56, the control means (CPU) 31 ends the wrapping process for the previous package T1, and the next cover. The packaging process for the package T2 is started.
Although not shown in the flow diagram of FIG. 3, “stop” buttons 53, 55, and 57 for canceling the packaging process are arranged on the error occurrence screen and the restart screen, etc. When the “CANCEL” button 53, 55, 57 is pressed, the control means (CPU) 31 stops the packaging process and returns to the initial state.
The above packaging process is continued until the operator turns off the power of the packaging apparatus.

Even if an error is detected during the packaging process and the packaging process is interrupted by the above packaging process, it is not always necessary to remove the film stretched on the film packaging means, and the next packaging process is resumed. Sometimes it is necessary to determine whether or not the film stretched during the previous packaging process can be used, and it is necessary to remove the film only when it is determined that the film cannot be used. It is smooth and there is no waste in terms of resources.
In particular, when a predetermined number of objects to be packaged having the same dimensions are packaged together, the film can be used even if an error occurs, so that it is effective.

In addition, this invention is not limited to the packaging apparatus of the said embodiment, In the range which does not change the summary of this invention, it can change as shown, for example below.
(1) In the present invention, the length of the film is determined by measuring the dimension of the package by the third sensor s3. The form is determined based on the information of the package input by the operator. The feeding length of may be determined.
In that case, in determining whether or not the film can be reused in step 12, a screen is displayed to confirm to the operator whether or not the next packaged item is the same as the previous packaged item. If the person replies that the next package is the same, or if the size of the next package is small, it may be determined that the film F1 can be used.
On the contrary, the length of the film or the like is determined based on the information detected by the sensor without requiring the operator to input information on the package.
(2) Without providing the first sensor s1, the packaged object T is placed so that the second sensor s2 or the third sensor s3 can also be used as the first sensor to measure the size and weight of the packaged object T. It is also possible to perform control so as to transmit to the control means (CPU). Each sensor may be any sensor as long as it can achieve its function.
(3) In the embodiment, the control means (CPU) transmits a signal for performing measurement with respect to the second sensor s2 and the third sensor s3 and a drive signal with respect to the transport conveyor drive unit substantially simultaneously. The control means (CPU) that has received the dimension value and weight value of the article to be packaged T compares the received dimension value and weight value with the information on the article to be packaged T inputted by the operator, It is determined whether or not what is placed on the package T to be packaged by the operator, and control is performed so that the conveyor is driven only when it is determined that the package T is to be packaged. May be. In that case, when it is determined that the object to be packaged T is not the target package T, it is possible to wait until the placed item is removed, and control to return to step 1 when the removed item is removed. It is possible to prevent malfunction when placed on the mounting portion.
(4) In the embodiment, the film as one consumable is reused by judging the possibility of use at the time of error. However, the technology related to reuse is not applied only to the reuse of the film. For example, the present invention can also be applied to other consumables such as a label L attached to the package T.
At that time, whether or not the label for the previous package T1 can be used for the next package T2 is determined to be usable for, for example, a fixed product and cannot be used for an indefinite product. It is also possible to determine that the label L can be used when the information matches by comparing predetermined information such as time and weight.
(5) In the embodiment of the present invention, a well-known stretch film packaging device is employed in which the flow direction of the package T is a packaging device with front loading / unloading, but the configuration of the packaging device is not limited at all. For example, any type of packaging device may be used, such as a front-loading / rear-discharge packaging device.

11: Airframe 12: Product placement unit 13: Conveyor 14: Lifting means 15: Film packaging means 151: Film roll placement unit 152: Film roll 153: Film feed mechanism 154: Left and right folding member 155: Rear folding member 156: Front Folding roller 16: discharge means 17: commodity discharge section 18: sticking device 20: input display means 21: packaging control section 22: transport conveyor drive section 23: lift means drive section 24: film feed drive section 25: left and right, rear folding member Drive unit 26: Discharge unit drive unit 31: Control unit (CPU)
31a: Bus 32: ROM
33: RAM
33a: Package storage area

Claims (7)

In a packaging device that performs a packaging process on an article to be packaged placed on the placement unit based on detection of the article to be packaged placed on the placement unit or a predetermined operation by the operator,
The packaging process is a series of processes for performing a packaging preparation operation including a consumable preparation process for preparing a consumable to be used when packaging an article to be packaged, and then performing a packaging operation for packaging the article to be packaged.
If an abnormality is detected in the packaging preparation operation or the packaging operation after the consumable preparation process is completed, the consumable prepared by the consumable preparation operation is subjected to a packaging process after the abnormality is resolved. A judging means for judging whether or not the package can be used is provided, and when it is judged by the judging means that it can be used for the next package, the consumable is continuously removed without being removed. A packaging device that performs packaging processing of the next packaged item. The packaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the packaging preparation operation includes a process of carrying an object to be packaged placed in the placement unit to a packaging unit that performs the packaging operation. The packaging device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the consumable is a film for packaging an article to be packaged. When the abnormality is detected, the determination means compares the dimension of the next packaged object to be packaged after the packaged object being carried in and the abnormality is resolved, and the dimension of the next packaged object is Claim that it is determined that packaging is possible with a film when the dimension is the same as the dimension of the packaged object when the abnormality is detected or smaller than the dimension of the packaged object when the abnormality is detected. 3. The packaging device according to 3. The determination means notifies the operator of the removal of the film when it is determined that the next packaged item cannot be wrapped by the stretched film when an abnormality is detected. The packaging device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that The packaging device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, further comprising detection means for detecting a dimension of an object to be packaged at a location from the placement section to the packaging section. The packaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the consumable is a label attached to an article to be packaged.