JP2021031086A - Empty bag transportation device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an empty bag transportation device capable of steadily transporting empty bags with a simple structure, or capable of accurately stacking the transported empty bags at a recovery part.SOLUTION: An empty bag transportation device includes a transporting part for transporting empty bags and a control part controlling the transporting part. The control part controls transportation of the transportation part according to the kinds of the empty bags. The kinds of the empty bags are different in at least a material, thickness, width and height. The control part controls the recovery part for recovering the empty bags transported by the transportation part according to the kinds of the empty bags.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to an empty bag transfer device.

There is known an empty bag transporting device which has an empty bag mounting portion in which a plurality of empty bags are stacked, separates the empty bags one by one, and conveys the empty bags (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2015-74463

However, in an empty bag transport device as described in Patent Document 1, there is a possibility that a transport defect, a stack defect in the collection unit, or the like may occur depending on the type of the empty bag, for example, the thickness of the empty bag. ..

The empty bag transfer device of the present invention has at least the following configurations.
The empty bag transport device includes a transport unit that transports empty bags and a transport unit.
A control unit that controls the transport unit is provided.
The control unit is characterized in that it controls the transport of the transport unit according to the type of empty bag.

It is a front view which shows an example of the empty bag transfer apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a conceptual diagram which shows an example of the empty bag transfer apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the empty bag accommodated in the accommodating part of an empty bag transporting apparatus, in detail, (a) is a sectional view of an empty bag, (b) is a plurality of empty bags accommodating in the accommodating part. It is a figure which shows an example of a bag. It is a figure which shows an example of the electric functional block of the empty bag label sticking system which has the empty bag transfer device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a top surface conceptual view of the accommodating part, the suction part, etc. It is a perspective view which shows an example of the collection part, the issuing part, the sticking part, the label sticking part, etc. of the empty bag transporting apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. FIG. 7 is a front view of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the 1st guide part (upstream side guide part), in detail, (a) is a front view and (b) is a perspective view. It is a figure which shows an example of the 2nd guide part (downstream side guide part), in detail, (a) is a front view and (b) is a perspective view. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the operation of the empty bag transfer apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the setting screen of the empty bag transfer apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the operation of an empty bag transfer device, in detail, (a) is a figure which shows an example of the state in which an empty bag moves downward by a suction part, and (b) is a view which can be expanded freely. It is a figure which shows an example of the empty bag transfer apparatus in a closed state of a belt conveyor (conveyor part), (c) is a figure which shows an example of a state which an empty bag is conveyed in a transfer direction by a transfer device at a predetermined transport speed. Is. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the operation of an empty bag transfer apparatus, and in detail, (a) is a figure which shows an example of the state which the label issued by the issuing part is attached to the empty bag by the affixing part. , (B) is a diagram showing an example of a state in which an empty bag is transported to the collection unit by the transport unit. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the operation of an empty bag transfer apparatus, in detail, (a) is a figure which shows an example of the state in which an empty bag is guided to a collection part by a guide part, (b) is a figure which shows. It is a figure which shows an example of the state in which an empty bag is placed in the place | placing part of the collection part, and (c) is the figure which shows the example of the state which the place part of a recovery part is lowered. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the operation of an empty bag supply device. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the operation of an empty bag supply device, (a) is a figure which shows an example of the initial state (standby state) in which empty bags are laminated in the accommodating part, and (b) is a figure which is laminated. It is a figure which shows an example of the state (suction state) in which the empty bag is pushed up above the holding surface by the suction part, and the suction part sucked the empty bag at the lowermost end, and (c) shows one empty bag as a suction part. It is a figure which shows an example of the state (post-movement state) which was sucked and moved to the transport surface of the lower transport part. It is a figure which shows an example of the operation of the empty bag supply device which concerns on embodiment of this invention, (a) is the figure which shows the example of the laminated empty bag and the suction part separated from the empty bag. (B) is a diagram showing an example of a state in which the suction unit pushes up the empty bag from the bottom to the top and then sucks and pulls down only the empty bag at the lowermost end.

The empty bag transport device according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a transport unit for transporting empty bags, a control unit for controlling the transport unit, and the like. This control unit controls the transport of the transport unit and the collection unit of the empty bag transported by the transport unit according to the type of the empty bag.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Embodiments of the present invention include, but are not limited to, the contents shown in the illustration. In the following description of each figure, parts common to the parts already described are designated by the same reference numerals, and some duplicate explanations will be omitted.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the empty bag transfer device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a housing unit 2, a suction unit 3 (suction means), a negative pressure source 30 such as an air pump or a vacuum vessel, and a vertical movement drive. Unit 4, 1st transport unit 5 (1st transport means), 2nd transport unit 6 (empty bag fall prevention unit), detection unit 16, 3rd transport unit 7 as a transport unit (belt conveyor, etc.), printing device 80 (Label issuing device), a sticking device 90 (label sticking device) provided with a sticking section 91, a collecting section RV, a control device 10, and the like.
In the present embodiment, the empty bag transport device 100 has a housing unit 2, a suction unit 3, a vertical movement drive unit 4, a first transport unit 5 (first transport means), a second transport unit 6, and the like on the base 100b. A detection unit 16, a third transport unit 7 as a transport unit, a printing device 80, a sticking device 90, a recovery unit RV, a control device 10, and the like are provided.

The empty bag transport device 100 includes a label issuing device (printing device 80) and a sticking device 90 for sticking a label issued by the label issuing device (printing device 80) to the empty bag 1. It is not limited, and it is not necessary to have a label issuing device or a sticking device 90.

The accommodating portion 2 (cassette) accommodates the empty bag 1. Specifically, the accommodating portion 2 has, for example, a square tubular portion 2A having an opening 2h formed downward and an opening h formed upward. A plurality of empty bags 1 stacked in the vertical direction are accommodated in the accommodating portion 2. Further, the accommodating portion 2 has a projecting portion 21 (holding means) projecting inward at the lowermost end of the tubular portion 2A, and holds the empty bag 1 in which the projecting portions 21 are laminated.
The side wall of the accommodating portion 2 is movable according to the size of the empty bag 1 to be handled, and the size of the accommodating portion 2 can be changed. The inner circumference of the accommodating portion 2 is configured to be set according to the empty bag 1 to be handled, for example, the same size (size) as the empty bag 1, a slightly larger size (size), or a slightly smaller size. Is preferable.

The accommodating portion 2 is provided with a handle hd1 and a handle hd2 as adjusting means for moving the side wall of the accommodating portion 2. The handle hd1 is an adjusting means for moving the side wall of the accommodating portion 2 and the portion upstream of the suction portion 3 in the transport direction. The handle hd2 is an adjusting means for moving the side wall of the accommodating portion 2 and the suction portion 3 in the width direction.
Further, the handle hd3 provided in the third transport unit 7 as the transport unit is an adjusting means for moving the belt conveyors 71 and 72 of the third transport unit 7 in the width direction of the empty bag.
The control device 10 can automatically adjust the position of the side wall of the accommodating portion 2 and the positions of the belt conveyors 71 and 72 of the third transport unit 7 by a motor (not shown), but the handle hd1 is used for fine adjustment. , Hd2 and hd3 can be finely adjusted by manually moving them.

In the example shown in FIG. 3A, the empty bag 1 has an opening 1a formed on one side and a bottom portion 1b formed on the other side. The empty bag 1 is formed of a predetermined material such as a resin material. As the empty bag 1, for example, various shapes such as a rectangle, a square, a rhombus, a trapezoid, a circle, a semicircle, and an ellipse can be adopted. The accommodating portion 2 is configured so that the side wall can be moved according to the shape of the empty bag, and the empty bag can be reliably accommodated. In the present embodiment, the empty bag 1 is a rectangular bag body. As shown in FIG. 3B, a plurality of empty bags 1 are stacked on the accommodating portion 2.
The method of setting the empty bag in the accommodating portion 2 differs depending on the type of the empty bag, but usually, the opening 1a of the empty bag 1 is set so as to be on the upstream side in the transport direction. Since the bottom 1b of the empty bag 1 is on the downstream side in the transport direction, that is, at the beginning in the transport direction, it can be gripped from the end on the bottom 1b side of the empty bag by the first transport portion 5 or the like and reliably transported. .. Generally, it is more unstable to grip and transport the empty bag 1 from the end on the opening 1a side as compared with the bottom 1b. It is preferable that the method of setting in the accommodating portion 2 is appropriately and optimally set according to the type of empty bag.
As a specific example, in the case of an empty bag having a thickness of 140 μm, two 70 μm films are welded on three sides to form a bag-shaped empty bag 1. That is, the opening is merely a state in which two 70 μm films are stacked, and is more easily deformed than the other three welded films. Therefore, it is preferable that the head in the transport direction (= downstream in the transport direction) to which the driving force is applied is a portion (bottom 1b or the like) that is not easily deformed other than the opening of the empty bag 1.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the accommodating portion 2 is arranged so as to be inclined so that the downstream side is lower than the upstream side in the transport direction. Due to this inclined arrangement, the empty bag 1 housed in the housing portion 2 is liable to fall due to its own weight applied to the downstream side in the transport direction (= the head in the transport direction).
Further, the suction portion 3, the first transport portion 5, the second transport portion 6, and the like are also arranged so as to be tilted at the same angle according to the inclination of the accommodating portion 2. That is, the distance from each suction unit 3 to the empty bag 1 housed in the storage unit 2 can be kept substantially constant.
Since the empty bag 1 has a light weight, it is unstable and tends to be difficult to handle with a machine. However, in handling such an unstable object (empty bag 1), guidance by inclination is also important, and the present invention In the embodiment of the above, even if the drawer of the empty bag 1 is displaced, the possibility that the empty bag 1 is displaced to the first transport unit 5 or the detection unit 16 side (downstream side in the transport direction) is increased, and the transport is assured. You can improve your sex.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, it is preferable that a weight 25 (pressing member) for pressing the empty bag 1 downward is detachably provided on the empty bag 1 housed in the accommodating portion 2. With the weight 25 removed from the accommodating portion 2, the empty bag 1 is accommodated in the accommodating portion 2, and the weight 25 is arranged on the empty bag 1. By pressing the empty bag 1 downward, the outer peripheral portion of the weight 25 can strengthen the engagement between the outer peripheral portion of the empty bag and the protruding portion 21 of the accommodating portion 2.
It is preferable that the outer circumference of the weight 25 is formed to have the same shape as the inner circumference of the accommodating portion 2, and an opening is formed in the central portion. As will be described later, when the suction portion 3 pushes up the laminated empty bag 1 from the lower side to the upper side, the upward pressure applied to the empty bag 1 is released from the opening of the weight 25, and at the outer peripheral portion of the weight 25. , The empty bag 1 can be pressed downward.

As shown in FIG. 2, the suction unit 3 (suction means) is provided with a suction cup for sucking the empty bag 1 and is provided so as to be movable up and down. It is configured to move from 2 to the first transport unit 5. Specifically, when ascending, the suction unit 3 sucks the lowermost empty bag 1 among the plurality of stacked empty bags 1 from the opening 2h below the accommodating unit 2. The suction unit 3 is connected to a negative pressure source 30 such as an air pump or a vacuum container.
For example, the suction on timing is at the start of ascending, and the suction off timing is such that the upper end portion of the suction portion 3 is located at the lowest point below the transport surface 5S of the first transport unit 5 by a predetermined distance. It's time.

The vertical movement drive unit 4 moves the suction unit 3 in the vertical direction under the control of the control device 10. The vertical movement drive unit 4 is composed of, for example, a motor such as a stepping motor, an air cylinder, or the like. The drive of the stepping motor, the air cylinder, or the like is transmitted to the second transport unit 6, and is connected to and supported by the second transport unit 6. The suction unit 3 is configured to move up and down.

The first transport unit 5 is arranged below the accommodating unit 2. The first transport unit 5 transports the empty bag 1 placed on the transport surface 5S to the downstream side in the transport direction.
In the present embodiment, the first transport unit 5 has a pair of upper and lower belt conveyors (51, 52) and the like. Further, in the present embodiment, the lengths of the lower belt conveyor 51 and the upper belt conveyor 52 are different. Specifically, the lower belt conveyor 51 needs to have a certain length because it is necessary to receive the empty bag 1 pulled out from the accommodating portion 2.
On the other hand, the upper belt conveyor 52 is configured to be rotatable around the vicinity of the downstream end in the transport direction as a rotation center, and more specifically, the upstream end in the transport direction is configured to be able to stand up or down.

The upper belt conveyor 52 is controlled by the control device 10 so that the upper belt conveyor 52 is in an upright posture when the empty bag 1 is placed on the transport surface 5S from the accommodating portion 2.
When the empty bag 1 is conveyed, the upper belt conveyor 52 and the lower belt are controlled by the control device 10 so that the upper belt conveyor 52 is in the inverted position, and the empty bag 1 received by the conveying surface 5S of the lower belt conveyor 51 is transferred to the upper belt conveyor 52 and the lower belt. The empty bag 1 can be reliably conveyed by being sandwiched between the conveyor 51 and the conveyor 51. The upper belt conveyor 52 is preferably shorter than the lower belt conveyor 51 because a small belt that does not interfere with the surrounding components is desirable in consideration of the turning radius.

The upper belt conveyor 52 changes from an upright posture to a lying posture so that it is sandwiched between the upper belt conveyor 51 and the lower belt conveyor 51 and conveyed by driving the belt conveyor.
When the upper belt conveyor 52 falls down when transporting the empty bag 1, the tip of the empty bag 1 is sandwiched between the upstream end of the upper belt conveyor 52 in the transport direction and the transport surface 5S of the lower belt conveyor 51, but the lower belt conveyor. The bending of the 51 may make the holding of the empty bag 1 unstable.
Therefore, when the upstream end of the upper belt conveyor 52 in the transport direction falls down, a support member 53 is provided below the transport surface 5S of the lower belt conveyor 51 at the same position as the upstream end of the upper belt conveyor 52 in the transport direction. You can also. Since the belt conveyors sandwich the empty bag 1, the support member 53 has an effect of supporting the empty bag 1 when sandwiching the tip of the empty bag 1.
However, when the empty bag 1 is transported, the support member 53 interferes with the lower belt conveyor 51 due to friction or the like, so the support member 53 is provided at a position where the transport surface 5S of the lower belt conveyor 51 does not come into contact with each other. Is good. Further, the empty bag supply device may include a mechanism in which the support member 53 moves in the vertical direction at the timing of pinching.
The empty bag supply device may be provided with any member or mechanism such as a plate-shaped object or a pulley instead of the support member 53, as long as it has an effect of being able to support when holding the bag.

In the present embodiment, the lower belt conveyor 51 and the upper belt conveyor 52 have the same belt width, but the belt of the lower belt conveyor 51 is thick and the belt of the upper belt conveyor 52 is thin. The width of the belt may be different, and the relationship between the thick and thin belts may be reversed.
In the above embodiment, the lower belt conveyor 51 and the upper belt conveyor 52 are adopted as the means for transporting the empty bag 1, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and other configurations include, for example, the empty bag 1. The empty bag 1 may be conveyed by advancing and retreating a mechanism having a structure for sandwiching the empty bag 1.

The second transport unit 6 (empty bag fall prevention unit) is a mechanism for preventing the empty bag 1 from falling below the first transport unit 5, and has a transport surface S on the upper surface. The second transport unit 6 is arranged below the accommodating unit 2.
Further, the second transport unit 6 is connected to a plurality of suction units 3 and is configured to be movable in the vertical direction by the vertical movement drive unit 4.
As will be described later, in the present embodiment, a plurality of suction portions 3 are arranged below the accommodating portion 2 with a gap (= distance). A second transport unit 6 is provided so that the empty bag 1 pulled out by the suction unit 3 does not fall into this gap or get caught in another mechanism. By providing the second transport unit 6, the gap between the suction portions 3 can be reduced, the drop area of the empty bag 1 can be reduced, and the transport of the empty bag by the first transport unit 5 is hindered. The empty bag 1 can be smoothly transported without any problem.
Further, since the end surface of the second transport unit 6 is a flat surface (= transport surface S), the empty bag 1 that has been pulled out is held, and the transport by the first transport unit 5 is not hindered. .. Further, by making the end surface of the second transport portion 6 curved or by providing a roller or the like, the transport resistance at the time of empty bag transport can be further reduced.

The detection unit 16 includes various sensors. Specifically, the detection unit 16 has, for example, a sensor for confirming the presence or absence of an empty bag 1 pulled out from the accommodating unit 2 (presence or absence of an empty bag on the transport surface of the first transport unit).
For example, if this sensor is provided below the transport surface of the first transport unit 5, maintenance becomes difficult. In the embodiment of the present invention, the sensor (detection unit 16) is provided above the transport surface of the first transport unit 5 in consideration of maintainability.
Further, since the empty bag 1 is a path for moving between the accommodating unit 2 and the first transport unit 5, a detection unit cannot be provided. Therefore, in the embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 2, the sensor (detection unit 16) is arranged on the downstream side in the transport direction from the accommodating unit 2, and from that position, the first transport unit 5 The sensor (detection unit 16) is arranged so that the detection direction is oblique so that the empty bag 1 placed on the transport surface can be detected. The sensor (detection unit 16) may be, for example, an imaging device or an optical sensor including a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit.
The detection unit 16 transmits, for example, a detection signal indicating the presence or absence of the empty bag 1 to the control device 10 according to the detection result.
In the control device 10, for example, when the first transport unit 5 fails to transport the empty bag 1, specifically, when the detection unit 16 does not detect the empty bag, the first transport unit 5 holds the empty bag 1. , Re-execute the empty bag transport operation.
Further, for example, when the suction operation by the suction unit fails, the control device 10 re-executes the operation of sucking the empty bag.

In the present embodiment, the third conveyor unit 7 as a conveyor unit (conveyor means) is composed of a pair of upper and lower belt conveyors 71, 72, etc., and is arranged on the downstream side of the first conveyor unit 5 in the transport direction. Belt conveyors 71 and 72 are arranged on both sides in the transport direction, respectively, and transport the empty bag 1 to the downstream side in the transport direction while restricting the warp of the empty bag 1.

The printing device 80 issues a label on which product information and the like are printed under the control of the control device 10. Specifically, the printing device 80 has a printing unit 81, a cutting unit 82, and the like. The printing device 80 contains a roll-shaped continuous paper R (printing medium).
The printing unit 81 prints product information and the like on the continuous paper R. The cutting section 82 cuts the printed continuous paper R to a predetermined length to generate a sheet-fed label L.

The sticking device 90 has a sticking portion 91 configured to suck the label issued by the printing device 80 under the control of the control device 10 and move forward and backward in the vertical direction, and the third transport is controlled by the control device 10. A label is attached to a predetermined position of the empty bag 1 conveyed by the part 7. Further, the sticking portion 91 of the sticking device 90 is configured so that the adsorbed label can rotate 360 ° in a horizontal plane, and the sticking angle of the label to be stuck to the empty bag can be adjusted.

The collection unit RV is arranged on the downstream side in the transport direction of the third transport unit 7, and the empty bag 1 to which the label L is attached is stored to collect the empty bag 1. The collection unit RV is configured to be movable up and down, and in order to neatly stack a plurality of empty bags 1, the descending speed and the amount of movement are controlled according to the type of the empty bags 1 to be transported.

Further, above the collection unit RV, a first guide unit ga (upstream side guide unit) and a second guide unit gb (downstream side guide unit) are arranged. The first guide unit ga (upstream side guide unit) and the second guide unit gb (downstream side guide unit) guide the empty bag 1 conveyed by the transfer unit to a predetermined position of the mounting portion RVa of the collection unit RV. ..
In the examples shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first guide portion ga (upstream side guide portion) and the second guide portion gb (downstream side guide portion) are inclined corresponding to the inclined surface of the mounting portion RVa of the recovery portion RV. It has a surface portion and is provided on the guide support portion gc. The guide support portion gc is fixed to a base 100b (fixed portion) or the like. By moving the tip end portion of the conveyed empty bag 1 along the inclined surface portion thereof, the empty bag 1 is configured to move to a predetermined position of the mounting portion RVa of the collecting portion RV.

Note that static electricity is generated due to friction caused by the transportation of the empty bag 1, and the amount of charged electricity tends to be the largest in the recovery unit RV. Therefore, an ionizer is provided between the third transportation unit 7 and the recovery unit RV. A static eliminator that suppresses the generation of static electricity, etc., such as (ion generator) is provided. The empty bag 1 can be stored in an uncharged state by removing static electricity with a static eliminator. The static eliminator is not limited to this position, and may be installed at any position as long as the static eliminator can be eliminated.

The control device 10 integrally controls each component of the empty bag transfer device 100. As will be described later, the control device 10 includes, for example, a touch panel type input device 130, a keyboard 131, an operation unit 13 such as an operation switch and an operation button 132, and a display unit 14 (a touch panel display unit and the like).

As shown in FIG. 4, the empty bag transfer device 100 includes a control unit 11 (CPU), a storage unit 12, an operation unit 13 (input unit), a display unit 14, a communication unit 15, a suction unit 3 (suction means), and upper and lower parts. It has a dynamic drive unit 4, a detection unit 16, a transport drive unit 501, a printing unit 81, a cutting unit 82, a sticking unit 91, a collecting unit RV, and the like. Each of the above components is electrically connected by a communication line or the like.

The control unit 11 integrally controls each component of the empty bag transfer device 100. By executing the control program, the control unit 11 makes the empty bag transfer device 100 as a computer realize the function according to the present invention.

The storage unit 12 stores various data such as a control program, various empty bag information, and product information printed by the printing unit 81. Empty bag information includes the shape and dimensions (thickness, width, height), material, hardness and softness of the empty bag, color, application, product number, etc., and parameters and labels related to control according to the information. The position, the maximum number of sheets that can be accommodated in the accommodating portion 2, and the like are stored in association with each other. Further, the empty bag information also stores the position information of the side wall of the accommodating portion and the position information of the suction portion suitable for the empty bag. That is, in the control device, when the empty bag information is called by the display unit or the like, the belt conveyors 71 and 72 of the third transport unit 7 as the transport unit, the side wall of the accommodating unit 2, and the suction unit 3 are positioned at the specified positions. Control to move automatically to.
The product information is stored in association with the information described on the label, such as the product name, the raw material name, the barcode, the price, the seller name, and the image diagram such as the logo mark.
Since the control device 10 can also store the product information and the empty bag information in association with each other, it is possible to automatically call the other information by calling one of the information.
Further, the storage unit 12 has a counter for counting the number of issued sheets, various histories, and the like. Further, the control unit 11 can identify and select the presence / absence of label sticking and the presence / absence of printing defects by interlocking with the image pickup device provided in the empty bag transfer device 100.

Under the control of the control unit 11, the display unit 14 displays various displays for operating the empty bag transfer device 100, the current state of the empty bag transfer device 100, product information printed on the label, and the like.
The communication unit 15 performs data communication with a computer such as the management device 901 under the control of the control unit 11. Unique identification information (device ID, IP address, MAC address, etc.) is defined for each of the management device 901 and the empty bag transfer device 100, and various information is transmitted and received together with the identification information during communication. The management device 901 comprehensively performs management processing such as collection of various data of each empty bag transfer device 100, error management, and transfer instruction based on the identification information of each of the empty bag transfer devices 100.

The transport drive unit 501 drives a drive motor or the like of the first transport unit 5, the third transport unit 7, or the like under the control of the control unit 11.

The collection unit RV has a mounting unit that can be moved up and down by a drive motor or the like, and the control unit 11 performs descent control according to the type of empty bag.
For example, the control unit 11 lowers the bag with the same amount of descent but with a thin thickness once at the timing of being accommodated in the three-sheet accommodating unit, and the control unit 11 with a thick bag with a thickness of 1. Control may be performed to adjust the number of empty bags so that the bags are lowered at each timing of being stored in the sheet storage unit.
Further, since the amount of bending of the empty bag 1 differs depending on the type of the empty bag when the label is attached, the control unit 11 adjusts the amount of drop of the collection unit RV in mm units by setting the type of the empty bag. Control may be performed.

The above-mentioned operation unit 13, suction unit 3 (suction means), vertical movement drive unit 4, detection unit 16, transport drive unit 501, printing unit 81, cutting unit 82, pasting unit 91 (pasting device 90), and the like will be described. Is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 5, in the present embodiment, the accommodating portion 2 has a square tubular portion 2A, and has a protruding portion 21 (holding means) protruding inward at the lowermost end of the tubular portion 2A. .. The protrusion 21 holds an empty bag housed in the storage part 2. Further, the accommodating portion 2 has a plurality of parts, and the side wall is configured to be movable so as to correspond to the empty bags 1 having different sizes and types.
As shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of suction portions 3 are arranged below the accommodating portion 2. The suction portion 3 is arranged, for example, below the inner central portion of the tubular portion 2A and below the vicinity of the inner circumference of the tubular portion 2A, respectively. The protruding portion 21 is preferably formed in the vicinity of the suction portion 3. By providing the suction portion 3 in the vicinity of the protruding portion 21, even if the resistance when pulling out the empty bag 1 from below the accommodating portion 2 is relatively large, the suction portion 3 exceeds this resistance and the empty bag 3 is empty. 1 can be easily pulled out.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, a pair of first transport units 5 such as an upper belt conveyor 52 and a lower belt conveyor 51 are provided below the accommodating unit 2.
Further, a second transport portion 6 is provided below the inner central portion of the tubular portion 2A. The second transport unit 6 prevents the empty bag from falling below the first transport unit 5 (first transport means). Specifically, the second transport unit 6 has a pair of long members 61, 61 extending in the transport direction. Further, the second transport unit 6 has a central member 60 between a pair of suction units 3 arranged below the central portion of the accommodating portion 2. In the initial state (standby state), the upper surfaces of the central member 60 and the members 61, 61 have a transport surface S (sliding surface) having substantially the same height as the first transport portion 5. Further, the central member 60 and the members 61, 61 are connected to the suction unit 3 and are configured to be vertically movable together with the suction unit 3.

The fixed mounting portion 511 has a transport surface having the same height as the first transport portion 5, and extends below the inside of the inner peripheral portion of the accommodating portion 2 along the transport direction.

A third conveyor belt 7 as a conveyor belt is arranged downstream of the first conveyor belt 5 in the transport direction, and the third conveyor belt 7 is composed of a pair of upper and lower belt conveyors 71, 72, and the like. .. The belt conveyors (71, 72) are arranged in a horizontal plane in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction (width direction) by a predetermined distance, and the transport surfaces of the belt conveyors 71, 72 are located in the central portion between them. A transport surface portion 70 (middle plate) having the same height as the above is provided.
That is, the belt conveyors (71, 72) are rotationally driven with a pair of upper and lower belt conveyors (71, 72) arranged along the transport path sandwiching the vicinity of both ends in the width direction of the empty bag. , The empty bag 1 is conveyed along the conveying direction.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 5, 1 and 2, the sticking device 90 is arranged on the transport path of the third transport unit 7. Specifically, the sticking portion 91 of the sticking device 90 is arranged above the transport surface portion 70 (middle plate). The sticking unit 91 attaches a label to a predetermined position of the empty bag 1 conveyed by the third conveying unit 7.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an example of a collection unit, a issuing unit, a sticking part, a label sticking part, and the like. FIG. 7 is a front view of FIG.
The recovery unit RV is configured to be vertically movable. Specifically, in the example shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the recovery unit RV is provided so as to be vertically movable with respect to the fixed portion RVc having a plurality of columns (RVc1 to RVc6) and the columns (RVc1 to RVc6). It has a movable part RVb and the like. The movable portion RVb has a mounting portion RVa having an inclined surface whose downstream side in the transport direction is inclined downward.

In the example shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a downstream regulation unit RVd is erected on the mounting unit RVa of the collection unit RV. The position of the downstream regulation unit RVd can be adjusted according to the size of the empty bag. The conveyed empty bag 1 comes into contact with the downstream regulation portion RVd of the collection portion RV and is sequentially stacked.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the first guide portion ga (upstream guide portion). In detail, FIG. 8 (a) is a front view and FIG. 8 (b) is a perspective view. 9A and 9B are views showing an example of the second guide portion gb (downstream side guide portion). In detail, FIG. 9A is a front view and FIG. 9B is a perspective view.
One end (downstream side end) of the first guide portion ga (upstream side guide portion) is fixed to the guide support portion gc, and an elongated hole is formed in the central portion.
The second guide portion gb (downstream side guide portion) has an elongated hole formed in the central portion, and the upstream end portion is rotatably supported with respect to the guide support portion gc and rotates upward. In the state, the empty bag is configured so that it can be easily taken out from the collection unit.

Next, an example of the operation of the empty bag transfer device 100 will be described with reference to the flowchart and the like shown in FIG. In the initial state or the standby state, the upper belt conveyor 52 of the empty bag transport device 100 is in the upright state.

In step ST101, information such as the type of empty bag is input by an input unit (operation unit 13, storage unit 12, communication unit 15, etc.) or the like, and the control unit 11 obtains information such as the type of empty bag.
The input unit does not have to be input by the operation unit 13, and for example, information indicating the type of the empty bag is input from a management device (management computer) or the like that is communicably connected via the communication unit. The information may be obtained by reading the information indicating the type of the empty bag stored in the storage unit, or the information may be obtained by reading the code information using a peripheral device such as a scanner. It may be that.

On the setting screen shown in FIG. 11, the maximum number of sheets that can be stored in the storage unit 2 by registering the type of the empty bag 1 may be displayed on the screen, or may be notified by voice or the like.
Since the overall height of the empty bag 1 is larger after the label is attached and stacked on the collection unit RV than when it is set in the storage unit 2, the maximum height that can be stacked on the collection unit RV is the maximum. The number of sheets can be calculated as the number of sheets that can be set in the accommodating portion 2. Therefore, at the time of registration, the maximum number of sheets can be displayed according to the type of the empty bag 1.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen in which the type of empty bag of the empty bag transfer device 100 can be set. For example, the operation unit 13 as an input unit may include an operation input display unit such as a touch panel, or may include an operation input device such as a keyboard and a display device. For example, the setting screen shown in FIG. 11 is realized by the operation unit 13 as the input unit.

Specifically, the setting screen for setting the type of the empty bag shown in FIG. 11 includes an identification information setting display unit D31 that can set the identification information of the empty bag, a name setting display unit D32 that can set the name of the empty bag, and an empty bag. Material setting display D33 that can set the material of the bag, thickness setting display D34 that can set the thickness of the empty bag, width setting display D35 that can set the width of the empty bag, set the height of the empty bag Possible height setting display D36, descent amount setting display D37 that can set the amount of empty bag to descend, descent speed setting display D38 that can set the descent speed of empty bag, label the empty bag It has a sticking position setting display unit D39 whose position can be set, a storage maximum number display unit D40 for displaying the maximum number of empty bags 1 that can be stored in the storage unit 2, and the like.
Although not shown here, it is also possible to set items such as hard and soft in the registration of the type of empty bag so that the bag can be selected.
Further, the setting screen shown in FIG. 11 includes a format information setting display unit D30 indicating the identification number of the format set for each empty bag 1, an end button BE for ending the setting, and the like.
In the example shown in FIG. 11, the empty bag information and the like are input by the operation unit 13 as the input unit by the operation of the operator, and are appropriately stored in the storage unit 12 and the like.
The operation unit 13 can perform various operations, various settings, and the like of the empty bag transfer device.

In step ST102, label setting is performed. In detail, for example, characters, symbols, figures, label sticking positions and the like to be printed on the label are set from an input unit such as the operation unit 13, and the setting information thereof is output to the control unit 11.

In step ST103, the control unit 11 performs suction control. Specifically, for example, when the start button (not shown) or the like is operated, the control unit 11 drives the suction unit 3 and the vertical movement drive unit 4 as shown in FIG. 12 (a) to drive the accommodating unit. An operation of pulling out one empty bag 1 from 2 and placing it on the lower belt conveyor 51 of the first transport unit 5 is performed.

In step ST104, the control unit 11 performs transfer control. As shown in detail in FIG. 12B, the control unit 11 controls the upper belt conveyor 52 of the first transport unit 5 so as to be in a lying position, and the upper belt conveyor 52 of the first transport unit 5 controls the upper belt conveyor 52. From the standing position to the lying position, the end of the empty bag 1 is sandwiched between the upstream end of the upper belt conveyor 52 in the transport direction and the transport surface 5S of the lower belt conveyor 51.
Next, the control unit 11 performs transport control of the empty bag by the first transport unit 5 and the third transport unit 7 as the transport unit according to the type of the empty bag (setting information indicating the type of the empty bag).
Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 12 (c) and 13 (a), the control unit 11 has an upper belt conveyor 52, a lower belt conveyor 51, and a lower belt of the third transport unit 7 of the first transport unit 5. The conveyor 71 and the upper belt conveyor 72 are driven to carry out a process of transporting an empty bag in a transport direction at a predetermined transport speed.

For example, as shown in Table 1, the control unit 11 sets the transport speed to a high speed (first transport speed) when the thickness of the empty bag 1 (empty bag A) is within the specified value or the specified range. Then, when the thickness of the empty bag 1 (empty bag B) is less than the specified value or less than the lower limit of the specified range, the transport speed is set to a low speed (second transport speed). This second transport speed is slower than the first transport speed. When the empty bag 1 is relatively thin (the thickness of the empty bag 1 is less than the specified value), the empty bag 1 does not have the elastic force to maintain the posture during transportation, so that the posture is bent or torn during transportation. Although problems such as slackening are likely to occur, the empty bag transporting device according to the present invention can reduce transport defects by transporting the empty bag 1 at a low speed.
Further, when the thickness of the empty bag 1 is within the specified value or the specified range, the number of processes per predetermined time can be improved by transporting the empty bag 1 at a high speed.
The transport control by the control unit 11 is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, if the material is torn when transported at high speed, the control may be changed according to the material so that the empty bag 1 can be transported at low speed regardless of the thickness of the empty bag 1.
Further, since the empty bag 1 has a different transport posture during transport depending on the sticking position when the label is attached, the upper part of the empty bag 1 on the opening 1a side, the center of the entire empty bag 1, and the bottom 1b side. The control may be changed in order to stabilize the transport posture according to the label sticking position, such as by moving the bag to the lower part of the bag or to the left or right side of the empty bag 1.

In step ST105, the control unit 11 performs label sticking control. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 13A, the control unit 11 sucks and holds the label L issued by the printing device 80 by the sticking unit 91 of the sticking device 90, and the sticking unit 91 sucks and holds the label L of the empty bag 1. A process of attaching the label L to a predetermined position is performed. In the example shown in FIG. 13A, the label L is attached to the empty bag 1 at a predetermined position by the sticking unit 91 in a state where the empty bag 1 is conveyed by the third conveying unit 7 at a predetermined conveying speed.

Then, as shown in FIGS. 13 (b), 14 (a), and 14 (b), the empty bag 1 is conveyed in the conveying direction by the belt conveyors 71 and 72 of the third conveying section 7, and the first guide is provided. It moves along the inclined surface portion of the portion ga (upstream side guide portion) and the second guide portion gb (downstream side guide portion), and moves to the mounting portion RVa of the recovery portion RV.

In step ST106, the control unit 11 controls the recovery unit RV. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 14C, the control unit 11 controls the lowering of the collection unit RV according to the type of the empty bag 1 (setting information indicating the type of the empty bag 1).
For example, the control unit 11 controls so that the thinner the empty bag 1 is, the slower the descent speed of the mounting unit RVa of the collecting unit RV is, so that the mounting unit RVa of the collecting unit RV determines. Empty bags 1 can be stacked neatly at the position.
In particular, when the empty bag 1 is thick, it is preferable to control the empty bag 1 so that it is lowered each time it enters the collection unit RV. When the empty bag 1 is a thick product, it often has a wavy habit after manufacturing, and when a label is attached on the empty bag 1, the empty bag 1 is collected by the collection unit RV in a state where the wavy shape is further expanded. At this time, if the wavy shapes of each sheet are staggered, the capacity of the collection unit RV of the empty bag 1 becomes full.
Therefore, when the empty bag 1 is thick, it is desirable to control the number of descents more than when the empty bag 1 is thin. Further, the control unit may control not only the number of times but also the amount of descent to be adjusted in millimeters or the like.
If the empty bag 1 has an elastic force and a weight that can maintain the posture, the empty bag 1 can be accommodated by colliding with the front surface or the side surface of the collecting unit RV even if the lowering control of the collecting unit RV is normal. The thinner the bag 1, the lighter it is, and the less elastic it is to maintain its posture, so it scatters during storage.
Therefore, the control unit slows down the descent speed of the mounting portion RVa of the recovery portion RV so that the inclined surfaces of the first guide portion ga (upstream side guide portion) and the second guide portion gb (downstream side guide portion) are inclined. Since the empty bag 1 can be stored along the lower side, the storage of the empty bag is stable. The control unit is placed at an appropriate position between the collected empty bag 1 of the mounting unit RVa, the first guide unit ga (upstream side guide unit), and the inclined surface of the second guide unit gb (downstream side guide unit). It is desirable to adjust by control to keep it. If the collected empty bag 1 approaches the inclined surface of the first guide portion ga (upstream side guide portion) or the second guide portion gb (downstream side guide portion) (the interval is narrow) and is collected, there is a risk of clogging. Further, if the interval becomes wide, the empty bag 1 may be scattered and cannot be collected well.

Furthermore, the descent control is adjusted according to the type of the empty bag such as hardness and softness, the thickness and habit of the empty bag with the label attached, or the transport posture of the empty bag 1 assumed at the time of storage is taken into consideration in advance when descending. You can also adjust the speed. It can be finely set by setting the descent amount or descent speed shown in FIG.

Next, an example of the operation of the empty bag transfer device 100 will be described with reference to the flowchart and the like shown in FIG.
In step ST1, the empty bag transfer device 100 is in the standby state. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 16A, the weight 25 is arranged on the stacked empty bags 1 in a state where a plurality of empty bags 1 are set in the accommodating portion 2. In the standby state (initial state) or the suction operation completed state, the upper end of the suction unit 3 is the transfer surface 5S of the lower belt conveyor 51 of the first transfer unit and the upper end surface of the member 61 of the second transfer unit 6 (conveyance). It is almost the same height as the surface). Further, in the standby state (initial state), the upper belt conveyor 52 of the first transport unit 5 is in an upright state.

In step ST2, the control unit 11 performs a process of raising the central members 60, members 61, 61 and the suction unit 3 of the second transport unit 6 by the vertical movement drive unit 4.

In step ST3, at the same time as the process of step ST2, the control unit 11 sets the negative pressure source 30 and the suction unit 3 in a communicating state, and the suction unit 3 performs a process of starting suction.

In step ST4, the control unit 11 performs a process of stopping the suction unit 3 at the ascending position (top position). Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 16B and 17A, the suction portion 3 is above the protruding portion 21 of the accommodating portion 2 and is the lowermost empty bag 1 of the stacked empty bags 1. Contact. Further, the central member 60 and the members 61, 61 of the second transport unit 6 are stopped in a state where the laminated empty bag 1 is pushed upward.
As shown in FIG. 17A, the suction portion 3 has, for example, an elastic portion 31 made of an elastic body such as rubber and a hard main body portion 32 made of a metal material or the like as a suction cup portion. A through hole portion 3h serving as a suction path is formed inside. An opening connected to the suction path is formed in the upper part of the elastic portion 31.
As shown in FIG. 17B, the elastic portion 31 of the suction portion 3 is configured so that when it is attracted to the empty bag 1, the suction path becomes a vacuum state or a negative pressure, and is deformed and contracted. The shape of the suction unit 3 after deformation is fixed, and the suction unit 3 is deformed so as to shrink in the height direction (vertical direction) of the suction unit 3. Therefore, when the empty bag is sucked, the empty bag can be easily moved downward. Can be pulled out.

In step ST5, when the control unit 11 determines whether or not the empty bag 1 is sucked / held by the suction unit 3 or the member 61 of the second transport unit 6 and determines that the empty bag 1 is sucked / held. If the process proceeds to step ST6 and the suction / holding is not performed, the process of step ST5 is performed by raising the suction unit 3 or the second transport unit 6 or increasing the suction force.
Specifically, a sensor (not shown) is provided between the suction unit 3 and the negative pressure source 30 as a detection unit for detecting a vacuum state, and the control unit 11 receives a signal from the sensor. Based on this, it can be easily determined whether or not the suction unit 3 is in contact with the empty bag 1 and is deformed.

In step ST6, the control unit 11 controls the suction unit 3 to be lowered. Specifically, when the control unit 11 detects that each suction unit 3 is in a vacuum state by the above sensor, it determines that the empty bag 1 can be sucked and held, and drives it up and down. A process of lowering the members 61, 61, the central member 60, and the like of the suction unit 3 and the second transport unit 6 is performed by the unit 4.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 16C, in a state where the suction unit 3 sucks only one empty bag at the lowermost end, a part of the empty bag 1 is transferred to the transport surface S of the second transport unit 6. The empty bag 1 is placed on the transport surface 5S by moving it downward.
Specifically, since the second transport unit 6 supports the suction unit 3 and transmits the drive of vertical movement, the positional relationship between the suction unit 3 and the transport surface S of the second transport unit 6 in the non-suction state. However, when the suction unit 3 is in the suction state (vacuum state), the suction unit 3 contracts in the vertical direction, so that the upper end portion of the suction unit 3 is transported by the member 61 of the second transport unit 6. It is located below the surface S.
When the suction unit 3 stops suction, the upper end portion of the suction unit 3 is formed by the transfer surface 5S of the lower belt conveyor 51 of the first transfer unit and the upper end surface (conveyor surface) of the member 61 of the second transfer unit 6. It will be about the same height.
Then, the empty bag 1 is placed on the lower belt conveyor 51 and the second transport unit 6 of the first transport unit 5.

In step ST7, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the empty bag 1 is detected by the detection unit 16, and proceeds to the process of step ST9 if it is detected, and proceeds to the process of step ST8 in other cases. .. Specifically, in the control unit 11, whether the empty bag 1 is correctly pulled out from the bottom of the accommodating unit and placed on the lower belt conveyor 51 of the first transport unit 5 based on the detection signal from the detection unit 16. Detect whether or not.

In step ST8, when the empty bag 1 is not correctly pulled out from the bottom of the accommodating portion, the control unit 11 performs an error process such as raising the suction unit 3 and proceeds to the process of step ST4.

In step ST9, when the detection unit 16 detects the empty bag 1, the control unit 11 performs a process of stopping the suction of the suction unit 3 by the negative pressure source 30 to release the negative pressure.

In step ST10, the control unit 11 rotates the upper belt conveyor 52 of the first transport unit 5, and the upper belt conveyor 52 and the lower belt conveyor 51 of the first transport unit 5 form an empty bag 1 on the lower belt conveyor 51. Performs the process of sandwiching.

In step ST11, the control unit 11 transports the empty bag 1 downstream in the transport direction by the upper belt conveyor 52 and the lower belt conveyor 51 of the first transport unit 5.
After that, as described above, the control unit 11 controls the third transport unit 7, the sticking unit, the descent control of the collection unit, and the like.

The control unit 11 may perform steps ST1 to ST11, control of the transport unit, control of the sticking unit, and control of the collection unit by parallel processing or parallel processing.

As described above, the empty bag transport device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a transport unit that transports empty bags one by one, a control unit 11 that controls the transport unit, and the like. The control unit 11 controls the transfer of the transfer unit (third transfer unit 7 (belt conveyors 71, 72, etc.)) according to the type of empty bag.
The empty bag transfer device 100 may have an input unit (operation unit 13, storage unit 12, communication unit 15, etc.) for inputting the type of empty bag.
The type of empty bag is, for example, at least the material, thickness, width or height of the empty bag. Further, even if the material and thickness are the same, they can be treated as different types depending on the hardness and softness of the empty bag.
The material referred to here is not limited to an empty bag made of polyethylene, polypropylene or the like as a raw material, but also includes an empty bag made of various raw materials.
That is, the control unit 11 performs transfer control such as the transfer speed of the transfer unit (third transfer unit 7 (belt conveyors 71, 72)) for each type of empty bag (specifically, according to the type of empty bag). Therefore, it can be stably transported according to the type of empty bag.
Specifically, for example, when the empty bag is at or thicker than the specified thickness, the control unit 11 controls the transport speed to be the specified speed (first transport speed), and the empty bag is less than the specified thickness. In the case of, the transport speed of the empty bag by the transport unit (third transport unit 7) is controlled to be low (a second transport speed slower than the first transport speed).
Specifically, the control unit 11 slows down the transport speed of the transport unit as the empty bag becomes thinner, or slows down the transport speed of the transport unit when the thickness of the empty bag is less than the specified value. Control as follows.
That is, the thinner the empty bag, the slower the transport speed (the transport speed is set so that the empty bag does not have a transport defect), so that the empty bag can be stably transported by the transport unit. As a result, clogging or tearing during transportation can be avoided, and the empty bag 1 can be accurately attached to the label attachment position.
Further, when the thickness of the empty bag is equal to or greater than the specified value or equal to or greater than the lower limit of the specified range, the control unit 11 sets the transport speed of the empty bag by the conveying device at a high speed, so that the number of processes per predetermined time is increased. Can be improved.

Further, the empty bag transport device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention has a recovery unit RV that collects empty bags transported by the transport unit (third transport unit 7 (belt conveyors 71, 72, etc.)). The control unit 11 controls the collection unit RV that collects the empty bags transported by the transport unit according to the type of the empty bag.
Specifically, in the present embodiment, the transport unit (third transport unit 7) sandwiches both ends of the horizontally arranged empty bag (near both ends orthogonal to the transport direction) by a pair of upper and lower belt conveyors 71 and 72. Empty bags are transported along the transport path in the transport direction (approximately horizontal direction), the empty bags are discharged from the downstream end of the transport path, and the empty bags are emptied by the collection unit RV located downstream of the transport path in the transport direction. Stack the bags and collect them.
As described above, since the empty bags are stably transported, it is possible to provide the empty bag transport device 100 capable of neatly stacking and collecting the empty bags at a predetermined position of the collection unit RV.
Specifically, the control unit 11 controls the descent of the collection unit according to the type of the empty bag, so that the collection unit RV collects the empty bag well, and the collection unit RV cleanly stacks and collects the empty bag. It can be performed.
Further, the control unit 11 controls the lowering of the collecting unit RV for each type of empty bag input by the input unit. For example, based on the thickness of the empty bag, the thinner the empty bag, the lower the collecting unit RV. By controlling the speed so that the speed becomes slower, the empty bags 1 can be neatly stacked at a predetermined position in the collection unit.

Further, the control unit 11 has, for example, a first transport speed when the material of the empty bag is hard (specified hardness), and a second transport speed when the material of the empty bag is less than the specified hardness. The transport control of the transport unit may be performed.
Further, the control unit 11 controls the transfer of the transfer unit so that, for example, the first transfer speed is obtained when the empty bag has a specified width, and the second transfer speed is obtained when the empty bag has a width less than the specified width. You may.
Further, the control unit 11 controls the transport of the transport unit so that, for example, the first transport speed is set when the empty bag has a specified height, and the second transport speed is set when the empty bag is less than the specified height. You may go.
That is, the empty bag transport device can reduce transport defects due to the transport unit according to the type of empty bag.

Further, for example, the control unit 11 sets the recovery unit at the first descent speed when the empty bag material is hard (specified hardness), and the second descent speed when the empty bag material is less than the specified hardness. The descent control of the collection unit may be performed so as to be (faster than the first descent speed).
Further, for example, when the empty bag has a specified width, the control unit 11 sets the collection unit as the first descent speed, and when the empty bag has a width less than the specified width, the second descent speed (more than the first descent speed). The descent control of the recovery unit may be performed so as to achieve high speed).
Further, for example, the control unit 11 sets the collection unit at the first descent speed when the empty bag has a specified height, and the second descent speed (from the first descent speed) when the empty bag is less than the specified height. You may also control the descent of the recovery unit so that the speed is high.
Further, the control unit 11 may perform descent control of the collection unit based on, for example, a predetermined descent set value.
That is, the control unit 11 can neatly stack the empty bags by the collection unit according to the type of the empty bags.

Further, the empty bag transport device 100 accommodates the stacked empty bags 1 and is arranged in the accommodating portion 2 having an opening 2h below and vertically movable below the accommodating portion 2 and is accommodated in the accommodating portion 2. A suction means (suction unit 3) for sucking the empty bag 1 and a first transport means (first transport unit) for transporting the empty bag 1 located below the accommodating portion 2 and placed on the transport surface 5S. 5) and. The suction means (suction unit 3) of the empty bag transport device 100 sucks only the lowermost empty bag 1 among the empty bags 1 housed in the storage section 2, and the first transport means (first transport unit). It moves so that a part of the empty bag is located below the transport surface 5S of 5).
That is, the stacked empty bags 1 are sucked from below and pulled out, and moved so that a part of the empty bags 1 is located below the transport surface 5S of the first transport means (first transport unit 5). Can be transferred to the first transport means (first transport unit 5).

The advantage of the control of pulling out the empty bag 1 from under the storage unit 2 by the empty bag transfer device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention is compared with the control of pulling out the empty bag 1 housed in the storage unit from above (comparative example). I will explain.
When pulling out the stacked empty bags from above (comparative example), it is necessary to make the height of the pulling mechanism variable according to the stacking height of the empty bags, or to make the height position of the empty bag accommodating part variable. is there. If either height is not changed, the distance between the pull-out mechanism and the target empty bag will increase for each number of processed sheets.
On the other hand, in the case of control in which the empty bag 1 is pulled out from under the accommodating portion 2 as in the empty bag transport device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the empty bag 1 at the lowermost end is pulled out and then laminated in the accommodating portion. Since the empty bag 1 falls to the protruding portion 21 of the accommodating portion 2 by its own weight, the distance between the pull-out mechanism and the empty bag to be extracted (the empty bag at the lowermost end) is always constant, and the position of the withdrawal mechanism or the accommodating portion 2 Does not need to be variable. Therefore, the empty bag transport device 100 according to the present invention does not need to be provided with a mechanism for adjusting the height as in the case of the control of pulling out from above (comparative example), and the device size can be reduced.
Further, in the case of the control of pulling out from above (comparative example), if the accommodating capacity that can be accommodated at one time is increased, the adjusting mechanism needs to be increased accordingly. In the case of the control of pulling out the empty bag 1 from under the 2, the accommodation capacity can be increased only by extending the height of the side wall of the accommodation portion 2 upward without requiring a special adjustment mechanism, which greatly enhances the cost merit. be able to.
Further, in the case of the control of pulling out the empty bag 1 from under the accommodating portion 2 as in the empty bag transport device 100 according to the present invention, an additional empty bag 1 is always laminated on the upper surface of the empty bag 1 laminated in the accommodating portion. can do. That is, unlike the case of the control of pulling out the empty bag from above (comparative example), the empty bag transport device 100 according to the present invention does not have the demerit that the empty bag cannot be replenished unless the pulling control is stopped once.

Further, the accommodating portion 2 of the empty bag transport device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention has a holding means (protruding portion 21) for holding the empty bag 1. Specifically, the accommodating portion 2 has a square tubular portion 2A having an opening 2h formed downward and an opening h formed upward, and a protruding portion protruding inward toward the lowermost end of the tubular portion 2A. Has 21. Specifically, when sucking one empty bag, the control unit 11 raises the suction means (suction unit 3) above the holding means (protruding portion 21) to suck the stacked empty bags 1. The vertical movement drive unit 4 is driven and controlled so as to push it up.
That is, the suction means (suction portion 3) is raised above the holding means (protruding portion 21) and pushes up the stacked empty bags 1.
For example, it is preferable that the length (inward length) of the holding means (protruding portion 21) of the accommodating portion 2 is appropriately set. For example, when the holding means (protruding portion 21) of the accommodating portion 2 is long, it is unlikely that the empty bag accommodated in the accommodating portion 2 will fall naturally, but when the empty bag 1 is pulled out from the accommodating portion 2. It becomes resistance and is difficult to pull out. Further, when the holding means (protruding portion 21) of the accommodating portion 2 is short, the empty bag 1 accommodated in the accommodating portion 2 can be easily pulled out. However, the empty bag may fall from the accommodating portion due to its own weight, and may fall when not being pulled out.
In the empty bag transport device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention, when the empty bag 1 at the lowermost end is pulled out, a part of the end portion of the empty bag 1 which is the second or more from the lowermost end is formed by frictional resistance. In the case where the suction unit 3 is detached from the holding means (protruding portion 21), the suction unit 3 rises when the suction unit 3 sucks one of the lowermost ends of the stacked empty bags. The portion 3 rises above the position where one of the lowermost ends is held (the position of the holding means (protruding portion 21)), and pushes up the vicinity of the central portion of the stacked empty bags 1. By pushing up the stacked empty bags 1, the empty bags that have come off from the holding means (protruding portion 21) can be returned above the holding means (claw).

An example of pushing up an empty bag will be described.
The amount of increase of the suction unit 3 may be variable according to the number of stacked empty bags 1, the weight, and the like. Specifically, for example, when the accommodating portion 2 accommodates 1000 empty bags 1, the weight of 999 empty bags is applied as a load to the empty bag at the lowermost end, so that the empty bag 1 is engaged with the holding means (protruding portion 21). Is strong, and it is less likely that it will come off the holding means and hang down due to its own weight. That is, when the storage capacity of the empty bag in the storage unit 2 is a certain amount or more, the amount of rise of the suction unit 3 may be relatively small, and the uppermost position of the suction unit 3 may be equal to or less than the position of the holding means. Good.
On the other hand, when the storage capacity falls below a certain amount (for example, 100 sheets), the weight of the other empty bag as described above is small, so that the load on the empty bag 1 at the lowermost end is small and the engagement with the holding means is weak. Become. Therefore, there is a high possibility that the empty bag 1 will come off from the holding means, and the possibility that the empty bag 1 will fall under its own weight will increase. In this case, it is preferable that the control unit 11 increases the amount of rise of the suction unit 3 and moves the suction unit 3 above the position of the holding means.
That is, by controlling the suction unit 3 so as to change the amount of increase of the suction unit 3 according to the above-mentioned conditions, the processing capacity per unit time can be improved and the production amount can be increased.
As a method of detecting the amount of empty bags 1 stored in the storage unit 2, for example, a method of counting the number of empty bags processed by the control unit 11 (the number of empty bags set in the storage unit 2 and the number of empty bags set in the storage unit 2). The amount of empty bags in the storage unit can be calculated from the number of processed empty bags), and the height of the top surface (height from the reference position) of the empty bags 1 stacked in the storage unit 2 is measured by the distance sensor. Examples include a method of detecting the capacity of empty bags by detection, a method of detecting the capacity of empty bags in the storage unit 2 by image recognition using an imaging device, and the like.

Further, in the empty bag transport device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the empty bag 1 laminated on the accommodating portion 2 is pushed up by the suction portion 3 above the holding means (protruding portion 21) and then laminated. By returning the empty bag 1 to the position of the holding means (protruding portion 21), air appropriately flows between the empty bags 1 laminated in the accommodating portion 2, an air layer is formed, and the empty bag and the empty bag 1 are empty. The frictional resistance between the bags is reduced, and by moving the suction unit 3 further downward while the one empty bag at the lowermost end is being sucked, only one empty bag at the lowermost end can be easily pulled out.

<Positional relationship between holding means and suction means>
Further, in the empty bag transport device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention, a holding means (protruding portion 21) and a suction means (suction portion 3) are provided in pairs. Since the suction portion is arranged so as to be paired with the holding portion, the resistance when the empty bag 1 is pulled downward is large by the amount held by the holding means (protruding portion 21), which is stronger than this resistance. It can be easily pulled out by force.

Further, the empty bag transport device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a second transport means (second transport unit 6) for transporting the empty bag, a suction means (suction unit 3), and a second transport means (second transport). A moving means (vertical movement driving unit 4) for moving the unit 6) up and down is provided. The second transport unit 6 is a mechanism for preventing the empty bag from falling below the first transport means.
That is, the second transport unit 6 can prevent the empty bag from falling below the first transport means. Further, the suction means (suction unit 3) and the second transport means (second transport unit 6) are moved up and down by the moving means (vertical movement drive unit 4), so that the empty bag housed in the storage unit 2 is placed in a horizontal posture. Can be reliably moved to the transport surface of the first transport unit 5.

Further, when the suction means (suction unit 3) of the empty bag transport device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention sucks the empty bag 1, the shape of the empty bag 1 is deformed. Since the empty bag 1 sucked by the suction means is deformed, a gap is formed between the empty bag 1 and the adjacent empty bag, and reliable separation can be promoted. That is, the empty bags can be easily sucked one by one.

Further, the suction means (suction unit 3) of the empty bag transport device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention is formed in a stretchable shape by an elastic body such as rubber (resin), and when the empty bag 1 is sucked. , The shape of the suction means is deformable. That is, since the shape of the suction means (suction portion 3) after deformation is fixed and is deformed so as to contract with respect to the height direction of the suction means, the empty bag can be easily pushed downward when sucking the empty bag. Can be pulled out.

Further, the sticking device according to the embodiment of the present invention has a sticking means (sticking unit 91) for sticking a label based on the empty bag information supplied from the empty bag transport device 100 to the blank bag. That is, it is possible to provide a sticking device that can be efficiently stuck to an empty bag with a simple configuration.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments, and there are design changes and the like within a range that does not deviate from the gist of the present invention. Even included in the present invention.
Further, the embodiments shown in the above figures can be combined with each other as long as there is no particular contradiction or problem in the purpose and configuration thereof.
Further, the description contents of each figure can be independent embodiments, and the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to one embodiment in which each figure is combined.

In the above embodiment, the empty bag transfer device 100 attaches a label to the empty bag conveyed by the transfer device by the sticking part, and collects the empty bag to which the label is attached by the collection part. It is not limited to the form. For example, the empty bag transport device 100 may collect the empty bags transported by the transport device at the collection unit without attaching a label.
For example, a bag-making and packaging machine that fills an empty bag with an object to be packaged such as snacks is widely used. However, the empty bag transfer device 100 according to the present invention is incorporated as a part of a production line, and the empty bag 1 is incorporated. May be used to transport and fill the object to be packaged.

The type of empty bag may be input from a management device (server) or the like via a network, or may be input from a keyboard, mouse, touch panel, or the like as an input unit, and the type of empty bag is detected. It may be input based on the signal from the detection sensor.

Further, in the above embodiment, the empty bag transport device 100 includes the storage unit 2 and the suction unit 3, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and the storage unit 2 and the suction unit 3 are other embodiments. However, it does not have to be provided with the accommodating portion 2 and the suction portion 3.

Further, the control unit of the empty bag transport device according to the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the control unit controls the suction operation by the suction unit according to the type of empty bag (input condition). You may.
For example, the control unit 11 performs suction control according to the type (input condition) of the empty bag input by the input unit.
Specifically, an example of suction control by the suction unit (suction pad) will be described.
The first suction control is a process of sucking an empty bag by a suction part, a process of pulling out the empty bag, and a suction part of the empty bag by injecting air toward the empty bag at the timing when the suction is released. It has a step of peeling the empty bag from the surface, a step of sandwiching the empty bag by a pair of upper and lower belt conveyors of the first transport section, a step of transporting the empty bag to the third transport section by the first transport section, and the like.
The second suction control includes a step of sucking the empty bag by the suction section, a step of pulling out the empty bag, a step of sandwiching the empty bag by a pair of upper and lower belt conveyors of the first transport section, and a step of releasing the suction. It has a step of peeling the empty bag from the suction part by injecting air toward the empty bag at the same timing, and a step of transporting the empty bag to the third transport section by the first transport section.
That is, in the second suction control, as compared with the first suction control, a step of removing the empty bag from the suction portion by injecting air toward the empty bag at the timing when the suction is released, and a first transfer. The order of the process of sandwiching the empty bag differs depending on the pair of upper and lower belt conveyors.
The control unit 11 specifically switches between the first suction control and the second suction control according to the type (material, thickness, height, width, etc.) of the empty bag input by the input unit. For example, by performing the first suction control when the empty bag is within the specified value or the specified range, and performing the second suction control when the empty bag is less than the specified value or less than the lower limit value of the specified range. , Problems such as poor suction can be reduced.

1 ... Empty bag (bag)
2 ... Accommodating part 3 ... Suction part (suction means)
4 ... Vertical movement drive unit 5 ... 1st transport unit 6 ... 2nd transport unit (empty bag fall prevention unit)
7 ... Third transport section (transport section)
10 ... Control device 11 ... Control unit 12 ... Storage unit 13 ... Operation unit 14 ... Display unit 16 ... Detection unit 25 ... Weight 30 ... Negative pressure source 71 ... Belt conveyor (conveyor unit)
72 ... Belt conveyor (conveyor unit)
80 ... Printing device 90 ... Pasting device 100 ... Empty bag transfer device RV ... Recovery unit (storage unit)

Claims (6)

A transport unit that transports empty bags and
A control unit that controls the transport unit is provided.
The empty bag transport device is characterized in that the control unit performs transport control of the transport unit according to the type of empty bag. A collection unit for collecting empty bags transported by the transport unit is further provided.
The empty bag transfer device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls a collection unit that collects empty bags transported by the transfer unit according to the type of empty bag. The empty bag transfer device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the type of the empty bag is at least the material, thickness, width or height of the empty bag. The empty bag transfer device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control unit controls the transfer speed for each type of empty bag. The empty bag transfer device according to claim 2, wherein the control unit controls the descent of the collection unit for each type of empty bag. It also has a sticking part for sticking labels.
The empty bag transport device according to claim 2, wherein the control unit controls to collect the empty bag by the collection unit after attaching a label by the sticking unit during transportation.

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