JP2020196176A - Spout fitting device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a spout fitting device capable of quickly conducting works from welding of a spout and a pouch to leakage inspection.SOLUTION: A spout fitting device 1 of the present invention is assembled with; a linear carrier 10 for carrying an assembly PS of a spout S assembled with a pouch P by using a linear motor; a heat seal part 40 including a seal area AH for welding the spout S with the pouch P at the assembly PS; and an inspection part 60 including an inspection area AD for inspection of leakage of the assembly PS with the spout S having been welded at the heat seal part 40. The seal area AH and the inspection area AD are provided on a carrier path of the linear carrier 10 of the assembly PS.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a device for attaching an extraction port called a spout to a container made of a resin bag called a pouch.

Products in which the pouch is filled with a content liquid such as a beverage, daily necessities, a seasoning, or a medical liquid are widely used. Some pouch products are equipped with a spout to facilitate extraction of the filled content liquid. The spout is usually attached by a heat seal that heats and welds to the pouch. The pouch to which the spout is attached has a peripheral portion welded in advance by heat sealing except for a portion to which the spout is attached.

The pouch container to which the spout is attached is inspected for leaks in advance so that the contents liquid does not leak after being filled with the contents liquid. As an example of this inspection, the inspection method disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known. In the inspection method of Patent Document 1, a pouch container is inserted into a slit-shaped space formed by a pair of plate-shaped regulating members facing each other. Next, a gas is blown into the pouch container through the spout, and the expansion of the pouch due to the blowing of the gas is regulated by a pair of regulating members. After that, if the internal pressure of the pouch is maintained at the specified value, it is determined that there is no leakage in the pouch, but if the internal pressure is lower than the specified value, it is determined that there is leakage in the pouch. Further, if the gas blowing flow rate for maintaining a predetermined internal pressure is maintained at a specified value, it is determined that there is no leakage in the pouch P, but if this flow rate exceeds the specified value, it is determined that there is a leak in the pouch P. You can also do it.

According to the inspection method according to Patent Document 1, since the pouch is blown with gas while the expansion is regulated by the regulating member, leakage can be detected even if a small amount of gas is blown, and as a result, the sensitivity at the time of inspection is improved. , Allows quick leak inspection.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2001-108568

The inspection method disclosed in Patent Document 1 contributes to the improvement of production efficiency of pouch products from the viewpoint of leak inspection. As shown in FIG. 2, the inspection method of Patent Document 1 is to insert the pouch container by lowering it from above into the slit-shaped space formed by the pair of regulatory members, or to insert the pouch container into the pouch container. It is necessary to raise the regulating member from below and insert the pouch container into the slit-shaped space. It takes time to lower the pouch container or raise the regulating member, which is one of the obstacles to improving the production efficiency of the pouch product.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a spout attachment device capable of quickly performing operations from welding of a spout and a pouch to a leak inspection.

The spout mounting device (1) according to the present invention includes a linear transport unit (10) and a linear transport unit (10) that transport an assembly (PS) in which a spout (S) and a pouch (P) are assembled by a linear motor. The heat-sealed portion (40) having a sealing region for welding the spout (S) and the pouch (P) in the assembled body (PS) transported by) and the spout (S) are welded at the heat-sealed portion (40). It is provided with an inspection unit (60) having an inspection area for leak inspection of the assembled body (PS).
The seal region and the inspection region in the present invention are provided on the transport path by the linear transport portion (10) of the assembly (PS).

In the spout mounting device (1) of the present invention, preferably, the assembly body (PS) is conveyed parallel to the horizontal direction (H), and the seal area and the inspection area are parallel to the horizontal direction (H). It is provided in.

In the spout mounting device (1) of the present invention, preferably, the linear transfer unit (10) includes a plurality of transfer bodies (11) that move as a linear motor while supporting the assembly body (PS), and the assembly body. The assembly (PS) is supported by the same carrier (11) from the time the (PS) is supported until the leakage inspection in the inspection unit (60) is completed.

In the spout mounting device (1) of the present invention, preferably, a spout supply unit (20) for supplying the spout (S) toward the linear transport unit (10) and a spout (10) for transporting the linear transport unit (10). A pouch supply unit (30) for supplying the pouch (P) toward S) is provided. In this case, preferably, the linear transport unit (10) has a track-like orbit having a pair of opposite straight portions, and one of the pair of linear portions has a spout supply unit (20) and a pouch supply unit (30). ) Is provided, and a heat seal portion (40) and an inspection portion (60) are provided on the other side of the pair of straight portions.

In the spout attachment device (1) of the present invention, preferably, the pouch supply unit (30) is
At least, each is divided into a first supply unit (30A) and a second supply unit (30B) that supply the pouch (P).

In the spout attachment device (1) of the present invention, preferably, the assembly (PS) is conveyed in units of a predetermined number N which is an integer of 2 or more, and the heat seal unit (40) and the inspection unit (60). ), The processing is performed synchronously in units of a predetermined number N groups.

In the spout mounting device of the present invention, the work areas of the heat seal portion and the inspection portion are provided on the transport path of the assembly. Therefore, after transporting the assembly to each work area, it is not necessary to move the assembly up and down to perform heat sealing and leak inspection work. Therefore, the spout mounting device of the present invention can quickly and efficiently perform the respective operations in the heat seal section and the inspection section. Moreover, since the spout mounting device of the present invention transports the assembled body by a linear transport unit having high speed and high position accuracy, the efficiency of the spout mounting work including the transport time of the assembled body can be improved.

It is a top view which shows the schematic structure of the spout attachment device which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. The schematic structure of the heat seal part which concerns on this embodiment is shown, (a) is a side view, (b) is a plan view. The schematic structure of the inspection part which concerns on this embodiment is shown, (a) is a side view, and (b) is a plan view. It is a figure explaining the process which the assembly body reaches the inspection area of the inspection part which concerns on this embodiment, and forms the time series in the order of (a), (b), (c). It is a figure explaining the operation of the spout attachment device which concerns on this Embodiment, and forms the time series in the order of (a), (b), (c). Following FIG. 5, it is a figure explaining the operation of the spout attachment device which concerns on this Embodiment, and forms the time series in the order of (a), (b), and (c). It is a front view which shows the schematic structure of the heat seal part which concerns on the modification of this embodiment.

Hereinafter, the spout attachment device 1 according to the embodiment showing an example of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[Overall configuration of spout mounting device 1]
As shown in FIG. 1, the spout mounting device 1 supplies the spout S, the pouch P, and the linear transport unit 10 for transporting the assembly PS of the pouch P and the spout S, and the spout S to the linear transport unit 10. It includes a spout supply unit 20 and a pouch supply unit 30 that supplies the pouch P to the spout S conveyed by the linear transfer unit 10. The pouch supply unit 30 is divided into a first supply unit 30A and a second supply unit 30B. Here, as an example, the pouch supply unit 30 is divided into two, but the present embodiment allows the pouch supply unit 30 to be divided into three or more.
Further, the spout mounting device 1 cools the heat-sealing portion 40 that welds the spout S and the pouch P of the assembly PS conveyed by the linear conveying portion 10, and the spout S and the pouch P that are welded by the heat-sealing portion 40. The cooling unit 50 is provided.
Further, the spout mounting device 1 uses the inspection unit 60 for inspecting the leak of the pouch container 100 (assembled body PS) cooled by the cooling unit 50 and the pouch container 100 for which the inspection unit 60 has completed the leak inspection for the next step. It is provided with a discharge unit 70 for delivery to the user.
The spout mounting device 1 controls the operations of the linear transport unit 10, the spout supply unit 20, the pouch supply unit 30, the heat seal unit 40, the cooling unit 50, the inspection unit 60, and the discharge unit 70. A control unit 80 is provided.

[Characteristics of spout mounting device 1]
The spout mounting device 1 is provided with a seal region of the heat seal portion 40 and an inspection region of the inspection unit 60 on the transport path of the assembly PS in the linear transport unit 10. As a result, the spout mounting device 1 does not need to move the assembled body PS up and down to perform the heat sealing and leak inspection work after the assembled body PS is conveyed to each work area. .. Therefore, according to the spout attachment device 1, each work in the heat seal unit 40 and the inspection unit 60 can be performed quickly and efficiently. Moreover, since the spout mounting device 1 transports the assembled body PS by the linear transport unit 10 having high speed and high position accuracy, the efficiency of the spout S mounting work including the transport time of the assembled body PS can be improved.
Hereinafter, the configuration and operation of the spout mounting device 1 will be described in order, and then the effect of the spout mounting device 1 will be described.

[Linear transport unit 10]
In the spout mounting device 1, as shown in FIG. 1, since the spout S is supplied from the spout supply unit 20 of the linear transport unit 10, a series of operations for mounting the spout S is started, and the spout S is released from the discharge unit 70. A series of operations is completed by passing the attached pouch P to the next process. Therefore, in the linear transport section 10, the place where the spout supply section 20 is provided forms the most upstream α, and the place where the discharge section 70 is provided forms the most downstream β. Further, in the linear transport section 10, the straight section where the spout supply section 20, the pouch supply section 30 and the discharge section 70 are provided is referred to as an outward path R1, and the straight section where the heat seal section 40, the cooling section 50 and the inspection section 60 are provided is referred to. It will be called the return route R2. That is, in the linear transport unit 10, both the most upstream α and the most downstream β are on the outward path R1. The upstream and downstream have relative meanings, and for example, the cooling unit 50 is located downstream of the heat seal unit 40.
If the total length of the linear transport section 10 is lengthened and the number of spout supply sections 20 to 60 to be installed is increased, the spout does not need to increase the individual processing capacity of the spout supply section 20 to inspection section 60. The processing capacity of the mounting device 1 can be improved.

As shown in FIG. 1, the linear transport unit 10 includes a guide rail 13 forming an endless orbital orbit, and a plurality of transport bodies 11 each independently traveling along the guide rail 13. As shown in FIG. 2, each of the transport bodies 11 is provided with a permanent magnet 12, and an electromagnetic coil 14 is embedded in the guide rail 13 over the entire length of the guide rail 13, so that the linear transport unit 10 is a linear motor. To configure. The linear motor shown here has a configuration in which the electromagnetic coil 14 is sandwiched between a pair of permanent magnets 12 and 12 arranged apart from each other in the vertical direction V, but this is just an example, and a linear motor having another configuration may be used. It may be adopted.

Each carrier 11 includes means for supporting the tip of the spout S, for example, a gripper (not shown), which is opened and closed by an external force and grips the spout S when closed. In the present embodiment, one carrier 11 is configured to support two spouts S. The carrier 11 supports the spout S on the outer Out of the guide rail 13.

The linear transfer unit 10 controls the current supplied to the electromagnetic coil 14 according to an instruction from the control unit 80. The linear transport unit 10 independently controls the movement and stop of each transport body 11 according to the instruction of the control unit 80.
In the linear transport unit 10, the control unit 80 controls the supply of electric current to the electromagnetic coil 14, and the heat seal unit 40, the cooling unit 50, and the inspection unit 60 are instructed by the four transport bodies 11 8 Each process of the body assembly PS is performed in units of groups. The eight bodies forming a group are an example, and a group can be formed by another predetermined number N which is an integer of 2 or more.

[Spout supply unit 20]
As shown in FIG. 1, the spout supply unit 20 is located at the most upstream α in the linear transport unit 10, and supplies two spouts S to each of the two transport bodies 11. Each of the two transport bodies 11 supports two spouts S and moves toward the pouch supply unit 30 located downstream of the spout supply unit 20. Then, after the subsequent two transport bodies 11 move to the spout supply unit 20 and stop, two spouts S are supplied to each of the two transport bodies 11.
In the spout supply unit 20, the spout S is supplied to the transport body 11 in a posture parallel to the horizontal direction H (paper direction in FIG. 1), and the transport body 11 keeps the posture of the horizontal direction H and the spout S. Support and transport.
As described above, in the spout supply unit 20, a series of operations including supply, support, and movement of the two spouts S to the pouch supply unit 30 along the horizontal direction H for each of the two transport bodies 11. Is done intermittently.

The spout supply unit 20 supplies the spout S to the carrier 11 at the outer Out of the guide rail 13 forming the orbit. This is because the convenience of replenishment and maintenance of the spout S to the spout supply unit 20 is taken into consideration. That is, if the spout S is supplied to the transport body 11 at the inner In of the guide rail 13, it is necessary to bring the spout S across the guide rail 13 and replenish it, which is the same for maintenance, which is a burden on the operator. Becomes larger. The pouch supply unit 30 to the inspection unit 60 are also provided on the outer Out of the guide rail 13 for the same reason.

[Pouch supply unit 30]
The pouch supply unit 30 is provided on the downstream side of the spout supply unit 20, and the spout S supported by the transport body 11 is covered with the opening of the pouch P to form the assembly PS and through the spout S. The pouch P is supported by the carrier 11.
As shown in FIG. 1, the pouch supply unit 30 includes a first supply unit 30A and a second supply unit 30B, and two units are stopped in each of the first supply unit 30A and the second supply unit 30B. 4 pouches P are supplied to the carrier 11. Therefore, the first supply unit 30A and the second supply unit 30B simultaneously supply eight pouches P to the four transport bodies 11, and then the four transport bodies 11 move toward the heat seal unit 40. .. As can be seen from this operation, in the downstream of the pouch supply unit 30, eight assembled bodies PS in which eight pouches P and eight spouts S are assembled form a group to carry and process. Be done.

The configuration of the first supply unit 30A and the second supply unit 30B of the pouch supply unit 30 is arbitrary as long as the pouch P can be supplied to the transport body 11 in units of four, respectively. For example, the pouch P can be delivered to the carrier 11 when it approaches a predetermined position with respect to the carrier 11 that is waiting while supporting the pouch P. When the pouch supply unit 30 is divided into two or three or more such as the first supply unit 30A and the second supply unit 30B, the pouch supply units 30 are not limited to supplying the same number of pouches P, but different numbers. Pouch P may be supplied. Further, when the pouch supply unit 30 is divided into two or three or more such as the first supply unit 30A and the second supply unit 30B, the pouch P having a different shape and size may be supplied. Then, the assembly PS having a different shape and size can be supplied to two or three or more lines in the downstream filling process.

In the pouch supply unit 30, when a group is composed of eight assembled bodies PS, the division into the first supply unit 30A and the second supply unit 30B is due to consideration of maintenance of the pouch supply unit 30 by the operator. That is, if eight pouches P are arranged with a narrow interval, there is a risk that the operator cannot reach the central portion of the eight pouches. On the other hand, if the first supply unit 30A and the second supply unit 30B are divided and a space is provided between the first supply unit 30A and the second supply unit 30B as shown in FIG. 1, this space is provided. An operator can enter and perform maintenance work.

The assembled body PS is conveyed while its plane is parallel to the horizontal direction H and the spout S is supported by the conveying body 11. This is because the pouch P of the assembly PS has the rigidity necessary to maintain the horizontal H posture, and this embodiment presupposes the horizontal H posture of the pouch P. Here, parallel to the horizontal direction H should not be interpreted in a strict sense, and even if the tip of the pouch P away from the spout S is bent downward by a small amount in the vertical direction V, it is generally in the horizontal direction H. It is parallel.

[Heat seal part 40]
As shown in FIG. 1, the heat seal portion 40 is provided on the return path R2 on the downstream side of the pouch supply portion 30, and heats the spout S and the pouch P of the assembly PS supported by the carrier 11. Weld the spout S and pouch P. As shown in FIG. 1, the heat seal portion 40 welds the spout S and the pouch P in a state where the four transport bodies 11 each supporting the two assembled bodies PS are stopped for a predetermined time.

The structure of the heat seal portion 40 is arbitrary as long as the spout S and the pouch P can be welded, but as shown in FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b), dies 41 and 42 are usually used. Although shown briefly in FIG. 2, the molds 41 and 42 have a shape and dimensions corresponding to a portion where the spout S and the pouch P are welded. Further, the molds 41 and 42 are provided with heating means such as a heating wire (not shown).

When the molds 41 and 42 are waiting for the assembled body PS to be transported, they are in a retracted position that does not interfere with the assembled body PS as shown by a solid line in FIG. 2 (a). The molds 41 and 42 awaiting at the retracted position are separated by a small distance so that the assembled body PS along the horizontal direction H can enter between the molds 41 and the molds 42. The spaced region is the seal region AH for heat sealing, and this seal region AH is parallel to the posture of the assembly PS.
When welding the spout S and the pouch P, as shown by the broken line in FIG. 2A, the spout S and the pouch P are moved to a welding position where they can be pressed from above and below. The molds 41 and 42 return to the retracted position after staying at this welded position for a predetermined time. This completes a series of welding operations for the assembly PS, but since the distance from the retracted position to the welded position and the distance from the welded position to the retracted position are very small, the time required to move the molds 41 and 42 is small. it can. The assembled body PS that has been welded moves to the cooling unit 50 where the next step is performed while being supported by the carrier body 11.

As described above, the seal region AH between the molds 41 and 42 of the heat seal portion 40 is provided on the transport path of the assembled body PS transported by the linear transport unit 10, and the metal required for welding. The time required to move the molds 41 and 42 is short. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to shorten the time from when the assembled body PS is conveyed to the heat seal portion 40 until the welding work is completed.

The heat-sealing portion 40 described here shows an example of a one-step fusion work using the dies 41 and 42, but the present embodiment is not limited to this, and through a two-step fusion work of low temperature and high temperature. Fusion can also be performed.

[Cooling unit 50]
As shown in FIG. 1, the cooling unit 50 is provided on the return path R2 on the downstream side of the heat seal unit 40, and cools the welded spout S and the pouch P supported by the carrier 11 to cool the welded portion. Solidify. Also in the cooling unit 50, as shown in FIG. 1, the welded portion is cooled and solidified in a state where the four transporters 11 each supporting the two assembled bodies PS are stopped for a predetermined time. After the welded portion is cooled and solidified, it is referred to as a pouch container 100 in order to distinguish it from the conventional assembly PS.

The structure of the cooling unit 50 is also arbitrary as long as the spout S and the pouch P can be welded. For example, although not shown, a mold having the same dimensions and shape as the molds 41 and 42 in the heat seal portion 40 can be pressed against and cooled. The mold in the cooling unit 50 includes cooling means instead of the heating means provided in the molds 41 and 42. As this cooling means, a path through which a cooling medium such as cooling water can be circulated is provided inside the mold, and the cooling medium can be circulated in this path. As another cooling means, a gas such as air whose temperature is below room temperature can be blown onto the cooling portion.

The cooling unit 50 is also provided on the transport path of the assembled body PS transported by the linear transport unit 10, and if cooling is performed using a mold, the mold can be moved in the same manner as the heat seal unit 40. It takes less time. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to shorten the time from when the assembled body PS is conveyed to the cooling unit 50 until the welding work is completed.

[Inspection unit 60]
As shown in FIG. 1, the inspection unit 60 is provided on the return path R2 on the downstream side of the cooling unit 50, and inspects the leak of the pouch container 100 supported by the carrier 11. As shown in FIG. 1, the inspection unit 60 also inspects the pouch container 100 for leaks in a state where the four transporters 11 each supporting the two assembly PSs are stopped for a predetermined time.

The structure of the inspection unit 60 is arbitrary as long as it can inspect the leak of the pouch container 100, but in the present embodiment, the inspection method disclosed in Patent Document 1 is followed. That is, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the pouch container 100 is inserted into the slit-shaped space 63 formed by facing the pair of plate-shaped regulating members 61 and 62. After inserting the pouch container 100 to a required position, the inspection gas is blown into the pouch P through the spout S. After that, if the internal pressure of the pouch P is maintained at the specified value, it is determined that there is no leakage in the pouch P, but if the internal pressure is lower than the specified value, it is determined that the pouch P has a leak. The regulating members 61 and 62 regulate the expansion of the pouch P due to the blowing of gas, thereby shortening the time required for the leak inspection of the pouch P. Further, if the gas blowing flow rate for maintaining a predetermined internal pressure is maintained at a specified value, it is determined that there is no leakage in the pouch P, but if this flow rate exceeds the specified value, it is determined that there is a leak in the pouch P. You can also do it.

The position of the slit-shaped space 63 required for leak inspection is the inspection area AD in the inspection unit 60, and this inspection area AD is parallel to the posture of the assembly PS.
As shown in FIG. 4, the eight assembled bodies PS forming a group are transported to the inspection areas AD of the regulation members 61 and 62 corresponding to each of the inspection units 60 while being supported by the transport body 11 (not shown). Stop. The position of the inspection area AD is fixed with respect to the transport path. Depending on the rigidity of the pouch P, the pouch P may bend during transportation and interfere with the regulating members 61 and 62. Therefore, assuming the amount of deflection of the pouch P, the intervals between the regulating members 61 and 62 are widened, and after the pouch P is transported between the regulating members 61 and 62, the regulating members 61 and 62 are positioned at positions required for inspection. You may move to. Although the description using illustrations has been omitted, the eight assembled bodies PS also reach the seal region AH in the heat seal portion 40 as well.

As shown in FIG. 3A, the regulating members 61 and 62 are waiting with a slit-shaped space 63 into which the pouch container 100 to be transported is inserted, but the gas for inspection is placed inside the pouch P. The slit-shaped space 63 is maintained as it is even during blowing. The leak inspection work of the pouch container 100 is completed while the regulating members 61 and 62 maintain the slit-shaped space 63, and the pouch container 100 that has been inspected moves to the discharge unit 70 while being supported by the transport body 11.

The inspection unit 60 is also provided with its inspection area AD on the transport path of the pouch container 100 transported by the linear transport unit 10, and the positions of the regulating members 61 and 62 are fixed at the time of leak inspection. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to shorten the time from when the pouch container 100 is conveyed to the inspection unit 60 until the leak inspection work is completed.

[Discharge unit 70]
The pouch container 100, which has been inspected by the inspection unit 60, is transported to the discharge unit 70, which is downstream from the inspection unit 60 and is provided on the outward route R1, and is received in the next process located further downstream, for example, the filling process of the content liquid. Passed.
Eight pouch containers 100 have been processed in a group from the inspection unit 60 to the discharge unit 70, but the work of handing over to the downstream in the discharge unit 70 is performed in units of four bodies. .. The transport body 11 that has delivered the pouch container 100 moves toward the spout supply unit 20.

[Operation of spout mounting device 1]
Next, the operation of the spout mounting device 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. The description of this operation shows from the supply of the pouch P by the pouch supply unit 30 to the discharge of the pouch container 100 from the discharge unit 70.

First, as shown in FIG. 5A, the pouch P is assembled to the spout S supported by the transport body 11 in the pouch supply unit 30 to form the assembled body PS. The eight assembled bodies PS shown in FIG. 5A are referred to as the first group G1, and the groups composed of the assembled bodies PS formed after the first group G1 are the second group G2 and the third group G3. Called ...
Here, the assembled body PS belonging to the first group G1 is transported from the spout supply unit 20 to the discharge unit 70 while being supported by the same transport body 11 without being gripped by different transport bodies 11. .. The same applies to the assembled body PS after the second group G2.

As shown in FIG. 4B, the first group G1 composed of the eight assembled bodies PS formed in the pouch supply unit 30 is transported to the heat seal unit 40 while being supported by the transport body 11 and stopped. .. The first group G1 is stopped at the heat seal portion 40 for a time of Tw, during which the heat seal work is performed. For the second group G2 and subsequent groups, the stop time for work in the heat seal unit 40 is the same in Tw.

The two transport bodies 11 constituting the first group G1 are narrower than the distance between the first supply unit 30A and the second supply unit 30B in the pouch supply unit 30 in the process of being transported to the heat seal unit 40. This is because, in the linear transport unit 10, each transport body 11 can be controlled independently.
By the time the first group G1 reaches the heat seal portion 40, as shown in FIG. 5B, the assembly PS constituting the second group G2 is formed in the pouch supply portion 30.

When the heat sealing work for the first group G1 is completed, as shown in FIG. 5 (c), the first group G1 is conveyed to the cooling unit 50 and the second group G2 is conveyed to the heat sealing unit 40, respectively. Stops. By the time the first group G1 reaches the cooling unit 50 and the second group G2 reaches the heat seal unit 40, the pouch supply unit 30 constitutes the third group G3 as shown in FIG. 5C. The assembled body PS is formed.

The cooling work of the first group G1 in the cooling unit 50 and the heat sealing work of the second group G2 in the heat sealing unit 40 can be performed at different times, but they are performed at the same time Tw.

When the time Tw elapses, the eight assembled bodies PS belonging to the first group G1 transported to the cooling unit 50 and the eight assembled bodies PS belonging to the second group G2 transported to the heat seal unit 40 In synchronization, the transportation is started toward the downstream. Further, the assembled body PS belonging to the third group G3 is conveyed from the pouch supply unit 30 toward the heat seal unit 40.

As shown in FIG. 6A, the first group G1 is conveyed to the inspection unit 60, the second group G2 is conveyed to the cooling unit 50, and the third group G3 is conveyed to the heat seal unit 40. Then, the inspection unit 60 performs a leak inspection of the assembly PS belonging to the first group G1, the cooling unit 50 cools the assembly PS belonging to the second group G2, and the heat seal unit 40 performs the third. Heat sealing of the assembly PS belonging to the group G3 is performed. At this point, the assembly PS belonging to the fourth group G4 is formed in the pouch supply unit 30.

Over time Tw, the synchronized work of leak inspection, cooling and heat sealing is completed. Then, as shown in FIG. 6B, the pouch container 100 belonging to the first group G1 is transported to the discharge unit 70, the assembled body PS belonging to the second group G2 is transported to the inspection unit 60, and the third group The assembled body PS belonging to G3 is conveyed to the cooling unit 50. Further, the assembled body PS belonging to the fourth group G4 is conveyed to the heat seal portion 40. After being inspected by the inspection unit 60, it is referred to as a pouch container 100 to distinguish it from the conventional assembly PS.

As shown in FIG. 6C, the time Tw during which the inspection unit 60 performs a leak inspection on the second group G2, the third group G3 is cooled by the cooling unit 50, and the fourth group G4 is heat-sealed. In the meantime, the pouch container 100 is handed over from the discharge unit 70 to the next process. From the discharge unit 70, eight pouch containers 100 are divided into four and delivered to the next process. This is because the time required for the discharge operation in the discharge unit 70 is shorter than the time Tw required for the respective processes of the heat seal unit 40, the cooling unit 50, and the inspection unit 60.
After that, the synchronized work in the pouch supply unit 30 to the discharge unit 70 is continued in the same procedure as described above.

[Effect of spout mounting device 1]
Next, the effect of the spout attachment device 1 will be described.
[First effect]
In the spout attachment device 1, the seal area AH and the inspection area AD of the heat seal unit 40 and the inspection unit 60 are provided on the transport path of the assembly PS. Therefore, in order to perform heat sealing, cooling, and leak inspection work, it is not necessary to move the assembled body PS until the work is completed after the assembled body PS is transported to the work area, and the position of the assembled body PS is Be maintained. Therefore, the spout mounting device 1 can quickly perform the respective operations in the heat sealing unit 40 to the inspection unit 60.

Moreover, in the heat seal portion 40, although it is necessary to move the molds 41 and 42, the amount of movement is very small. This also applies to the cooling unit 50, and in the inspection unit 60, it is not necessary to move the regulating members 61 and 62, or even if they are moved, a minute one corresponding to the deflection of the pouch P is sufficient. Further, the spout mounting device 1 uses a linear transport unit 10 that moves the transport body 11 at high speed and has high position accuracy. Therefore, the spout mounting device 1 can secure the processing time for each processing element as a result of shortening the transport time between the processing elements of the heat sealing unit 40 and the inspection unit 60. For example, in addition to ensuring the sealing time in the heat-sealing portion 40, the time for stopping the assembly PS and heat-sealing is secured, so that the quality of the heat-sealing can be improved.

[Second effect]
In the spout mounting device 1, when the spout S supplied from the spout supply unit 20 is supported by the transport body 11, the discharge unit remains supported by the same transport body 11 without replacing the supported transport body 11 thereafter. It is transported up to 70. That is, according to the spout attachment device 1, since it is not necessary to re-grasp the spout S, the possibility of accidentally dropping the spout S, the assembly PS, and the pouch container 100 is extremely small, and the spout S or the like can be re-grasped. It does not cause scratches.

The second effect that there is no need to re-grip is based on the fact that the spout S or the like is conveyed by the linear transfer unit 10 using the linear motor. That is, since the operation of the plurality of transport bodies 11 constituting the linear transport unit 10 can be controlled independently, it is not necessary to re-grasp the spout S or the like when the plurality of transport bodies 11 are operated at different speeds. On the other hand, when, for example, a chain type conveyor device is used, the portion corresponding to the conveyor cannot be operated at different speeds in the same conveyor device. Therefore, when a chain type conveyor device is used, it is necessary to use a plurality of conveyor devices corresponding to each speed in order to operate at different speeds, so that it is necessary to re-grasp.

[Third effect]
In the spout mounting device 1, the spout supply unit 20, the pouch supply unit 30, the heat seal unit 40, the cooling unit 50, and the inspection unit 60 are arranged so as to face the outward path R1 and the return path R2 of the track-shaped orbit. .. Therefore, the size of the linear transport unit 10 in the transport direction can be reduced as compared with arranging the spout supply unit 20 to the inspection unit 60 in a row. The effect of saving space in the plane direction is also related to the fact that the linear transport unit 10 is used, which has few parts not involved in transport, as compared with the transport means using a rotating body having many parts not involved in transport. ..

[Additional Notes]
Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the configurations listed in the above embodiments can be selected or appropriately changed to other configurations as long as the gist of the present invention is not deviated.

[Vertical transport of assembly PS, etc.]
As an example, the spout attachment device 1 described above has described an example in which the assembly PS and the pouch container 100 on which the spout S is supported are conveyed in parallel in the horizontal direction H, but as shown in FIG. 7, an example is shown. In the present invention, the assembly PS and the pouch container 100 may be conveyed in parallel with the vertical direction V. In this case, if the work areas of the heat seal unit 40, the cooling unit 50, and the inspection unit 60 are provided parallel to the vertical direction V, the respective operations of the heat seal unit 40 to the inspection unit 60 can be quickly performed as described above. It can be carried out.

However, when the assembled body PS or the like is conveyed in parallel with the vertical direction V, the dimension (hangover) of the conveyed body 11 in the horizontal direction H becomes large as shown in FIG. This is because, for example, the pneumatic cylinders 43 and 44, which are the drive sources for driving the molds 41 and 42 and the molds 41 and 42, are arranged along the horizontal direction H. That is, in addition to the one mold 41 and the pneumatic cylinder 43 being arranged between the carrier 11 and the assembly PS, the other mold 42 and the pneumatic cylinder 44 are located outside the guide rail 13. As a result of the arrangement, the hangover of the carrier 11 becomes large.

Further, in the present embodiment, the assembled body PS is conveyed by supporting the portion of the spout S that is not inserted into the pouch P. Therefore, even if the shape and dimensions of the portion inserted into the pouch P of the spout S change, if the shape and dimensions of the supported portion are the same, it is not necessary to change the shape of the supporting side. Further, even if the shape and dimensions of the pouch P are changed, if the shape and dimensions of the attachment portion of the spout S of the pouch P are the same, it is not necessary to change the mold on the supporting side.

1 Spout mounting device 10 Linear transport unit 11 Transport unit 12 Permanent magnet 13 Guide rail 14 Electromagnetic coil 20 Spout supply unit 30 Pouch supply unit 30A 1st supply unit 30B 2nd supply unit 40 Heat seal unit 41, 42 Molds 43, 44 Pneumatic cylinder 50 Cooling unit 60 Inspection unit 61, 62 Regulatory member 63 Slit-shaped space 70 Discharge unit 80 Control unit 100 Pouch container S Spout P Pouch PS Assembled body AH Seal area AD Inspection area

Claims (6)

A linear transport unit (10) that transports an assembly (PS) to which a spout (S) and a pouch (P) are assembled by a linear motor, and
A heat-sealing portion (40) having a sealing region for welding the spout (S) and the pouch (P) in the assembled body (PS) conveyed by the linear conveying portion (10).
An inspection unit (60) having an inspection area for leak inspection of the assembly (PS) to which the spout (S) is welded by the heat seal unit (40) is provided.
The seal area and the inspection area are
Provided on the transport path by the linear transport portion (10) of the assembly (PS).
Spout mounting device (1).
The assembly (PS) is conveyed in the transport path in parallel with the horizontal direction (H).
The seal area and the inspection area are provided in parallel in the horizontal direction (H).
The spout mounting device (1) according to claim 1.
The linear transport unit (10)
A plurality of transport bodies (11) that move while supporting the assembly body (PS) are provided.
The assembly (PS) is supported by the same carrier (11) from the time the assembly (PS) is supported until the leak inspection in the inspection unit (60) is completed.
The spout attachment device (1) according to claim 1 or 2.
A spout supply unit (20) that supplies the spout (S) toward the linear transport unit (10),
A pouch supply unit (30) that supplies the pouch (P) toward the spout (S) to which the linear transport unit (10) is transported is provided.
The linear transport unit (10) has a track-shaped orbit having a pair of opposing straight lines.
The spout supply unit (20) and the pouch supply unit (30) are provided on one of the pair of straight lines.
The heat seal portion (40) and the inspection portion (60) are provided on the other side of the pair of straight portions.
The spout attachment device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
The pouch supply unit (30)
At least, each of them is divided into a first supply unit (30A) and a second supply unit (30B) for supplying the pouch (P).
The spout mounting device (1) according to claim 4.
The assembly (PS) is transported in units of a predetermined number N, which is an integer of 2 or more, and
In the seal area of the heat seal unit (40) and the inspection area of the inspection unit (60), the processing is performed synchronously in units of the predetermined number N groups.
The spout attachment device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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