JP2021147084A - Blister packaging machine and blister pack manufacturing method - Google Patents

Abstract

To prevent defective formation of a pocket section at the beginning of a movement further reliably.SOLUTION: When it is determined that there is a pocket section 2 in determination positions P1 and P2, a sealing device 17 and a punching device 20 are moved and placed at a position corresponding to a position of the pocket section 2. On the other hand, when it is determined that there is no pocket section 2 in the determination positions P1 and P2, the sealing device 17 and other devices are moved and placed in a position corresponding to an estimated position of a first pocket section. Therefore, before the first pocket section reaches the sealing device 17, etc., the sealing device 17, etc. can be placed in advance at the position corresponding to the estimated position of the first pocket section. As a result, when the pocket section 2 reaches the determination positions P1 and P2, the time of one cycle does not have to be lengthened in order to secure the movement time of the sealing device 17, etc. As a result, defective formation of the pocket section 2 due to differences in the preheating method of a container film 3 can be prevented further reliably.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

The present invention relates to a blister packaging machine for manufacturing a blister pack containing a predetermined content and a method for manufacturing a blister pack.

The blister pack includes a container film having a pocket portion for accommodating various contents, and a cover film attached so as to seal the opening side of the pocket portion with respect to the container film.

The blister pack is manufactured by a blister packaging machine provided with a conveying means, a preheating means, a pocket forming means, a supplying means, a sealing means, a punching means and the like. The transporting means intermittently transports the strip-shaped container film to the preheating means, the pocket portion forming means, the filling means, the sealing means, and the punching means. The preheating means preheats the container film to a softened state. The pocket portion forming means forms the pocket portion on the softened container film by, for example, a compressed air forming method. The supply means supplies the contents to the formed pocket portion. The sealing means attaches a band-shaped cover film to the container film. The punching means obtains a blister pack by punching a blister film formed by attaching a cover film to the container film. The cover film is overlapped with the container film between the supply means and the sealing means, and both films are intermittently conveyed to the sealing means and the punching means in the same manner.

Further, in the blister wrapping machine, a pocket for intermittently transporting the container film or cover film during one cycle (a step of transporting and suspending the container film or the like) and a temporarily stopped container film or the like are pocketed. A step of executing processing by a portion forming means, a sealing means, and a punching means is performed. The container film is preheated by the preheating means in one cycle or over a plurality of cycles.

By the way, various information including pictures (designs) and characters may be provided on the surface of the cover film of the blister pack by printing or the like. In this case, it is necessary that the positions of the various information on the cover film and the positions of the pocket portions are aligned along the transport directions of both films at the processing execution position by the sealing means or the punching means. This is because if the positions are not aligned, various information will be deviated from the appropriate positions or partially missing in the finally obtained blister pack.

Therefore, a mark detecting means (reading device) for detecting the position of the mark on the cover film, which is attached to the various information in a certain positional relationship, is provided, and from the sealing means and the punching means along the transport path of the cover film. The distance to the mark detecting means and the distance from the sealing means or the punching means along the transport path of the container film to the pocket forming means are configured to be the same, and the mark position detected by the mark detecting means is set. Accordingly, a method of adjusting the amount of the container film conveyed by the conveying means has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1 and the like). According to this method, for example, when it is detected that the mark position is deviated by 1 mm upstream from the reference position along the transport direction of the cover film, the transport amount of the container film by the transport means is set from the reference amount. By making the film 1 mm larger, it is possible to align the positions of the various information with the positions of the pocket portions at the processing execution positions by the sealing means and the punching means.

Further, in the above method, since the transport amount of the container film is changed, as a result, the formation position of each pocket portion along the transport direction of the container film changes. Therefore, in Patent Document 1, a processing position adjusting means (forward / backward movement device) for moving the sealing means and the punching means along the conveying direction is provided, and the sealing means and the punching means are pocketed by the processing position adjusting means. A technique has been proposed in which the portion is moved to an appropriate position that matches the formation position of the portion.

Further, it is a method based on the method described in Patent Document 1, provided with a pocket portion position acquisition means (position detection device) for acquiring the actual formation position of the pocket portion, and the acquisition is performed by the pocket portion position acquisition means. A method of moving the sealing means and the punching means based on the actual position of the pocket portion has also been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 2 and the like). In Patent Document 2, the pocket portion position acquisition means is arranged at a position immediately upstream of the sealing means.

Special Publication No. 58-39691 Real fairness 5-2401 public relations

By the way, when a blister pack is manufactured by using the technique described in Patent Document 2, poor formation of a pocket portion may occur at the time when the blister packaging machine starts to operate, such as at the start of work or immediately after switching the manufacturing type. rice field. As a result of diligent studies by the inventor of the present application in this regard, it was found that there are the following causes.

That is, at the time when the blister packaging machine starts to move, the container film in which the pocket portion is not formed is conveyed to the pocket portion position acquisition means, so that the pocket portion formation position cannot be acquired. Therefore, the positions of the sealing means and the punching means are not adjusted until the pocket portion reaches the pocket portion position acquiring means, and the sealing means and the punching means are not performed until the pocket portion reaches the pocket portion position acquiring means. The position of is adjusted. However, in some cases, it may be necessary to move the sealing means and the punching means significantly during this position adjustment. In this case, it takes time to move the sealing means and the punching means, and it becomes impossible to complete the attachment of both films and the punching of the blister film within the normal one cycle time. Needs to be longer. However, when the time of one cycle is lengthened, the preheating mode of the container film by the preheating means is different from the normal preheating mode, and as a result, excessive or insufficient softening occurs in the container film. Such a difference in the softened state of the container film causes poor formation of the pocket portion.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a blister wrapping machine or the like that can more reliably prevent poorly formed pockets at the start of movement.

Hereinafter, each means suitable for solving the above object will be described in terms of terms. In addition, the action and effect peculiar to the corresponding means will be added as necessary.

Means 1. A blister packaging machine for manufacturing a blister pack in which the contents are housed in a pocket portion formed on the container film and a cover film is attached to the container film so as to close the pocket portion. ,
A transport means for intermittently transporting the strip-shaped container film and
A preheating means for preheating the container film to be conveyed, and
With respect to the container film softened by the preheating means, the pocket portion forming means for forming the pocket portion and the pocket portion forming means.
A supply means for supplying the contents to the pocket portion formed by the pocket portion forming means, and a supply means.
The container film is provided on the container film downstream of the supply means so as to correspond to a position where the container film and the strip-shaped cover film are intermittently transported in an overlapping state so as to close the opening of the pocket portion. By attaching the cover film, a sealing means for obtaining the container film and a strip-shaped blister film composed of the cover film, and
A punching means for obtaining the blister pack by punching the blister film downstream of the sealing means.
A plurality of mark detecting means for detecting marks on the cover film, which are provided at intervals along the transport direction of the cover film, and
Based on the detection result by the mark detecting means, the transport amount adjusting means for adjusting the transport amount of the container film by the transport means, and the transport amount adjusting means.
At the position where the processing means, which is at least one of the sealing means and the punching means, is arranged, or at a determination position which is a position downstream of the pocket portion forming means and upstream of the processing means. , A determination means for determining the presence or absence of the pocket portion, and
A processing position adjusting means capable of moving the processing means along the transport path of the container film, and a processing position adjusting means.
When the determination means determines that the pocket portion is present, the pocket portion position acquisition means for acquiring information regarding the position of the pocket portion along the transport direction of the container film, and the pocket portion position acquisition means.
When the determination means determines that the pocket portion is absent, the container film of the first pocket portion, which is the pocket portion to be first reached by the transport of the container film by the transport means, is transported. First pocket position estimation means for estimating information about the position along the direction, and
When the determination means determines that the pocket portion is present, the machining position adjusting means is actually controlled so that the machining means is arranged at a position corresponding to the information acquired by the pocket portion position acquisition means. Position utilization control means and
When the determination means determines that the pocket portion is absent, the processing position adjusting means is controlled so that the processing means is arranged at a position corresponding to the information estimated by the first pocket portion position estimation means. A blister packaging machine including an estimated position utilization control means.

According to the above means 1, the transport amount of the container film can be adjusted by the transport amount adjusting means based on the detection result by the mark detecting means. Therefore, the pocket portion can be formed at an appropriate position that matches the mark position, and in the manufactured blister pack, the position of the pocket portion and the position of the mark (and various information attached to the cover film) can be more reliably determined. Can be aligned.

Further, when the transport amount of the container film is adjusted, the position of each pocket portion changes along the transport direction of the container film. However, according to the above means 1, it is determined by the determination means that there is a pocket portion. In that case, the processing means can be moved to a position corresponding to the information acquired by the pocket portion position acquisition means. That is, the processing means can be moved to an appropriate position that matches the actual position of the pocket portion. Then, after moving the processing means to an appropriate position, processing by the processing means (attachment of the cover film to the container film and punching of the blister film) is performed to form a cover film in the manufactured blister pack. It is possible to more reliably prevent the attached various information from being displaced from the appropriate position or partially missing. As a result, the quality of the blister pack can be improved more reliably.

On the other hand, according to the above means 1, when the pocket portion has not reached the determination position and the determination means determines that there is no pocket portion, such as when the packaging machine starts to move, the first pocket The processing means can be moved to a position corresponding to the information regarding the estimated position of the first pocket portion (the pocket portion that is first to reach the processing means by transporting the container film) acquired by the portion position estimating means. Therefore, before the information regarding the actual position of the first pocket portion is acquired by the pocket portion position acquisition means, the processing means may be moved and arranged in advance to a position estimated to match the formation position of the first pocket portion as much as possible. can. As a result, as a result of the progress of the transport of the container film, the information regarding the position of the pocket portion can be acquired by the pocket portion position acquisition means, and when it is the stage to move the processing means based on the information, the processing is performed in one cycle. It is not necessary to move the means significantly, and as a result, it is not necessary to lengthen the time of one cycle. As a result, it is possible to prevent a difference in the preheating mode of the container film, and it is possible to more reliably prevent the poor formation of the pocket portion at the time when the packaging machine starts to move.

Means 2. The blister according to the means 1, wherein the first pocket portion position estimating means estimates information regarding the position of the first pocket portion along the transport direction of the container film based on the detection result by the mark detecting means. Packaging machine.

According to the above means 2, the information regarding the position of the first pocket portion is estimated based on the detection result by the mark detecting means. Therefore, the position of the first pocket portion can be easily and accurately estimated. In addition, it is not necessary to provide a special means for estimating the position of the first pocket portion, and the packaging machine can be simplified and downsized. As a result, the cost related to the manufacturing and maintenance of the packaging machine can be reduced. be able to.

Means 3. The means 1 for estimating the position of the first pocket portion is characterized in that information regarding the position of the first pocket portion along the transport direction of the container film is estimated based on the amount of the container film transported by the transport means. The listed blister packaging machine.

According to the above means 3, similarly to the above means 2, the position of the first pocket portion can be easily and accurately estimated, and the cost related to the manufacture of the packaging machine and the like can be reduced.

Means 4. The blister wrapping machine according to any one of means 1 to 3, wherein the estimated position utilization control means controls the processing position adjusting means so that the processing means is moved in a plurality of cycles.

According to the above means 4, when the processing means is moved based on the estimated position of the first pocket portion, it is not necessary to move the processing means significantly during one cycle, and as a result, the time of one cycle is not lengthened. I'm done. As a result, it is possible to more reliably prevent a difference in the preheating mode of the container film, and it is possible to further reliably prevent poor formation of the pocket portion.

Means 5. The determination means is characterized in that the presence or absence of the pocket portion is determined based on whether or not the pocket portion is formed by the pocket portion forming means on the container film that has reached the determination position. The blister packaging machine according to any one of means 1 to 4.

According to the above means 5, the presence or absence of the pocket portion can be determined without providing a sensor or the like for detecting the pocket portion. Therefore, the packaging machine can be further simplified and downsized, and the cost related to the manufacture of the packaging machine can be reduced more effectively.

Means 6. The pocket portion position acquisition means is described in any one of means 1 to 5, wherein the pocket portion position acquisition means acquires information regarding the position of the pocket portion along the transport direction of the container film at a position upstream of the processing means. Blister packaging machine.

When the pocket portion position acquisition means acquires information regarding the position of the pocket portion at the arrangement position of the machining means, the control of the machining position adjusting means by the actual position utilization control means (that is, the movement of the machining means) is performed by the machining means. It will be done after the pocket part reaches. Therefore, the transfer of the pocket portion to the processing means, the acquisition of information regarding the position of the pocket portion by the pocket portion position acquisition means, and the movement of the processing means to the position according to the information are performed in this order.

On the other hand, according to the above means 6, information regarding the position of the pocket portion is acquired at a position upstream of the processing means, and the actual position utilization control means arranges the processing means at a position corresponding to the information. Controls the machining position adjusting means. Therefore, while the pocket portion is being conveyed to the processing means, the processing means is moved to an appropriate position that matches the position of the pocket portion (that is, the transportation of the pocket portion and the movement of the processing means are performed at the same time. To do) is possible. As a result, the production speed (production efficiency) of the blister pack can be increased.

Means 7. A method for manufacturing a blister pack, wherein the contents are housed in a pocket portion formed on the container film, and a cover film is attached to the container film so as to close the pocket portion.
A transport process for intermittently transporting the strip-shaped container film and
A preheating process for preheating the container film to be conveyed and
A pocket portion forming step of forming the pocket portion with respect to the container film softened by the preheating step, and a pocket portion forming step.
A supply step of supplying the contents to the pocket portion formed by the pocket portion forming step, and a supply step of supplying the contents to the pocket portion.
After the contents are supplied by the supply step, the opening of the pocket portion is closed by using the sealing means provided corresponding to the position where the container film and the strip-shaped cover film are intermittently conveyed in an overlapping state. By attaching the cover film to the container film, a sealing step of obtaining the container film and a strip-shaped blister film composed of the cover film, and
After the cover film is attached to the container film by the sealing step, the blister film is punched by a punching means for punching the blister film to obtain the blister pack.
A mark detection step for detecting a mark on the cover film, which is provided at intervals along the transport direction of the cover film, and a mark detection step.
Based on the detection result by the mark detection step, the transport amount adjusting step of adjusting the transport amount of the container film by the transport step, and the transport amount adjusting step.
At the position where the processing means, which is at least one of the sealing means and the punching means, is arranged, or at a determination position which is a position downstream of the pocket portion forming means and upstream of the processing means. , A determination step for determining the presence or absence of the pocket portion, and
When it is determined by the determination step that the pocket portion is present, the pocket portion position acquisition step of acquiring information regarding the position of the pocket portion along the transport direction of the container film, and the pocket portion position acquisition step.
When it is determined by the determination step that the pocket portion is absent, the container film of the first pocket portion, which is the pocket portion that is to be first reached by the processing means by the transfer of the container film by the transfer step, is conveyed. The first pocket position estimation process that estimates information about the position along the direction, and
When it is determined by the determination step that the pocket portion is present, the processing means is arranged at a position corresponding to the information acquired by the pocket portion position acquisition step along the transport path of the container film. The actual position utilization control process that controls the machining position adjusting means that can move the machining means,
When it is determined by the determination step that the pocket portion is not present, the machining position adjusting means is controlled so that the machining means is arranged at a position corresponding to the information estimated by the first pocket portion position estimation step. A method for manufacturing a blister pack, which comprises an estimated position utilization control step.

According to the above-mentioned means 7, the same action and effect as the above-mentioned means 1 can be achieved.

Means 8. The blister according to the means 7, wherein in the first pocket portion position estimation step, information regarding the position of the first pocket portion along the transport direction of the container film is estimated based on the detection result by the mark detection step. How to make a pack.

According to the means 8, the same effects as those of the means 2 can be achieved.

Means 9. In the first pocket portion position estimation step, the means 7 is characterized in that information regarding the position of the first pocket portion along the transport direction of the container film is estimated based on the transport amount of the container film by the transport step. The method for manufacturing a blister pack described.

According to the above-mentioned means 9, the same action and effect as the above-mentioned means 3 can be achieved.

Means 10. The production of the blister pack according to any one of means 7 to 9, wherein in the estimated position utilization control step, the processing position adjusting means is controlled so that the processing means is moved in a plurality of cycles. Method.

According to the means 10, the same effects as those of the means 4 can be achieved.

Means 11. The determination step is characterized in that the presence or absence of the pocket portion is determined based on whether or not the pocket portion is formed by the pocket portion forming step on the container film that has reached the determination position. The method for producing a blister pack according to any one of 7 to 10.

According to the means 11, the same action and effect as that of the means 5 can be obtained.

Means 12. Described in any one of means 7 to 11, wherein in the pocket portion position acquisition step, information regarding the position of the pocket portion along the transport direction of the container film at a position upstream of the processing means is acquired. How to make a blister pack.

According to the means 12, the same effects as those of the means 6 are exhibited.

It is a perspective view of a blister pack. It is sectional drawing of the blister pack. It is a perspective view of a blister film. It is a schematic diagram which shows the schematic structure of the blister packaging machine. It is a block diagram which shows the electrical structure of a control device. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the state in which the mark is misaligned. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating that if the mark is misaligned when the transport amount of a container film is constant, the relative position of a pocket portion and a mark is misaligned. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating that the formation position of a pocket portion is adjusted to the position corresponding to the position shift of a mark. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating that the position of a pocket part and the position of a mark are aligned by adjusting the formation position of a pocket part. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the arrangement position of the sealing apparatus and punching apparatus in the 2nd cycle. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the arrangement position of a sealing device and a punching device in a cycle in which a first pocket part reaches the position immediately upstream of a sealing device. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the arrangement position of the sealing device and the punching device in the cycle in which the first pocket part reaches the sealing device. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the arrangement position of the punching apparatus in the cycle in which the first pocket portion reaches the punching apparatus. It is a schematic diagram which shows the arrangement position of the mark detection sensor in another embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the arrangement position of the mark detection sensor in another embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the arrangement position of the mark detection sensor in another embodiment.

Hereinafter, one embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. First, the configuration of the blister pack manufactured by the blister packaging machine will be described.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the blister pack 1 includes a container film 3 having one pocket portion 2 and a cover film 4 attached to the container film 3 so as to close the pocket portion 2. doing. The pocket portion 2 contains contents 5 such as food, electronic parts, and daily necessities. In addition, in FIG. 1 and the like, the films 3 and 4 are shown thicker than they actually are.

The container film 3 is made of a thermoplastic resin material such as PP (polypropylene). On the other hand, the cover film 4 is formed of a thermoplastic resin compatible with the container film 3. The cover film 4 may be made of a thin-walled material having a sealant made of a thermoplastic resin compatible with the container film 3 coated on the surface thereof.

Further, on the surface of the cover film 4, various information 4a composed of pictures (designs), characters, symbols, etc. for showing information about the content 5 and the like are printed and formed.

Further, the blister pack 1 can be obtained by punching a band-shaped blister film 6 (see FIG. 3) formed by attaching the band-shaped container film 3 and the band-shaped cover film 4. The blister film 6 in the present embodiment has a configuration in which two blister packs 1 are lined up along the width direction thereof. Further, the blister film 6 is provided with a scrap portion between the portions that are finally arranged along the longitudinal direction of the blister film 6 and become the blister pack 1. In FIG. 3, the illustration of various information 4a is omitted.

Next, the configuration of the blister packaging machine 10 for manufacturing the blister pack 1 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 4, the blister packaging machine 10 includes a chain clip conveyor 11. In this embodiment, the chain clip conveyor 11 constitutes the "transport means". The chain clip conveyor 11 is for intermittently transporting the strip-shaped container film 3 drawn from the roll-shaped raw fabric to the downstream, and transports and suspends the container film 3 in one cycle, respectively. .. The chain clip conveyor 11 includes a clip portion (not shown) capable of gripping the container film 3, and conveys the container film 3 in a state where both ends in the width direction of the container film 3 are gripped by the clip portion. The step of intermittently transporting the container film 3 by the chain clip conveyor 11 corresponds to the “conveying step”.

A preheating device 12 and a pocket portion forming device 13 are provided in this order along the transport path of the container film 3 on the downstream side of the container film 3 raw fabric. In the present embodiment, the "preheating device 12" constitutes the "preheating means", and the "pocket portion forming device 13" constitutes the "pocket portion forming means".

The preheating device 12 includes a first preheating portion 12a and a second preheating portion 12b arranged vertically on both sides of the container film 3, and is configured to be capable of heating at least a portion of the container film 3 to be formed of the pocket portion 2. ing. The step of preheating the container film 3 by the preheating device 12 corresponds to the “preheating step”.

In the present embodiment, the preheating range of the container film 3 along the transport direction of the container film 3 by the preheating device 12 corresponds to one blister pack 1. Therefore, during one cycle, the planned formation portions of the two blister packs 1 arranged in the width direction of the container film 3 are preheated.

The pocket portion forming device 13 includes an upper mold 13a and a lower mold 13b that are arranged vertically with the container film 3 interposed therebetween. A predetermined gas (inert gas, air in this embodiment) is sprayed onto the container film 3 while sandwiching the container film 3 softened by preheating between the upper mold 13a and the lower mold 13b. By pressing against the lower mold 13b (that is, by using the pneumatic molding method), the pocket portion 2 is formed in the container film 3. The step of forming the pocket portion 2 by the pocket portion forming device 13 corresponds to the “pocket portion forming step”. The pocket portion 2 may be formed by another molding method such as a vacuum forming method.

Further, in the present embodiment, the pocket portion 2 is formed by the pocket portion forming device 13 once during one cycle when the container film 3 is temporarily stopped. Therefore, during one cycle, two pocket portions 2 arranged in the width direction of the container film 3 are formed at one time.

In addition, the pocket portion forming device 13 is arranged in a state where the reference position thereof is located along the transport path of the container film 3 at a position separated by a distance Lb from a predetermined position of the sealing device 17 described later. The reference position of the pocket portion forming device 13 corresponds to the pocket portion 2 formed by the pocket portion forming device 13 based on the relative positional relationship between the pocket portion 2 and the mark 4b described later in the blister film 6 in design. This refers to the position where the mark 4b is arranged when the mark 4b satisfying the relative positional relationship is temporarily arranged. In the present embodiment, the pocket portion 2 formed by the pocket portion forming device 13 reaches the sealing device 17 after 5 cycles and the punching device 20 described later after 7 cycles.

A supply device 14 is provided downstream of the pocket portion forming device 13. In this embodiment, the supply device 14 constitutes a "supply means". The supply device 14 opens a shutter (not shown) when the container film 3 is temporarily stopped to supply a predetermined amount of the contents 5 to each pocket portion 2 arranged in the width direction of the container film 3. The process of supplying the contents 5 by the supply device 14 corresponds to the “supply process”.

On the other hand, the original fabric of the cover film 4 formed in a strip shape is wound and arranged in a roll shape separately from the container film 3. The cover film 4 pulled out from the original fabric is guided to a receiving roller 15 provided downstream of the supply device 14. The cover film 4 is guided to the receiving roller 15 and is superposed on the container film 3 so as to close the pocket portion 2. The cover film 4 is intermittently conveyed in the same manner as that of the container film 3.

Further, on the cover film 4, a mark 4b formed in a certain positional relationship with the various information 4a is printed and formed. In FIG. 4, the mark 4b is schematically illustrated by a black circle. A plurality of marks 4b are provided at equal intervals along the longitudinal direction of the cover film 4. In the blister film 6 of the present embodiment, the mark 4b is designed to be arranged at a predetermined position on the upstream side of the pocket portion 2 by a certain amount. When the mark 4b is present at this predetermined position, the positions of the pocket portion 2 and the positions of the various information 4a along the transport direction of the container film 3 are aligned. The interval Xm of each mark 4b is basically constant, but may vary slightly. For example, the spacing Xm can differ by about ± 1 mm from the reference spacing (design spacing).

A mark detection sensor 16 is provided upstream of the receiving roller 15 along the transport path of the cover film 4. In the present embodiment, the mark detection sensor 16 constitutes the "mark detection means". The mark detection sensor 16 detects the mark 4b in each cycle, and when it detects that the mark 4b has reached a predetermined position, it outputs a mark detection signal to the control device 30 described later. Further, the mark detection sensor 16 can detect the amount of deviation of the actual position of the mark 4b with respect to the design mark position in each cycle, and also outputs information on the amount of deviation of the mark 4b to the control device 30. The step of detecting the mark 4b and the amount of misalignment thereof by the mark detection sensor 16 corresponds to the “mark detection step”.

Further, the mark detection sensor 16 is arranged at a position where the predetermined position is separated from the predetermined position of the sealing device 17, which will be described later, by a distance La along the transport path of the cover film 4. In other words, the mark detection sensor 16 is configured to detect the mark 4b when the mark 4b reaches a position separated by a distance La from a predetermined distance of the sealing device 17 along the transport direction of the cover film 4. Has been done. For convenience of illustration, the distance La in FIG. 3 is larger than the actual distance La.

In addition, the distance La is set to be equal to the distance Lb. That is, the pocket portion forming device 13 and the mark detection sensor 16 are installed at positions separated from the sealing device 17 by the same distance along the transport path of the container film 3 and the cover film 4. Further, as a result, the pocket portion forming device 12 and the mark detection sensor 16 are installed at positions separated by the same distance from the punching device 20 described later along the transport path of the container film 3 and the cover film 4. It has become.

A sealing device 17 is provided downstream of the receiving roller 15. In this embodiment, the sealing device 17 constitutes a "sealing means". The sealing device 17 includes an upper sealing type 17a and a lower sealing type 17b, and by heating these films 3 and 4 while sandwiching the container film 3 and the cover film 4 that are temporarily stopped by both types 17a and 17b. , The cover film 4 is welded (attached) to the container film 3. In the present embodiment, both molds 17a and 17b are closed and the paused films 3 and 4 are sandwiched between the two molds 17a and 17b to attach the two films 3 and 4 during one cycle. Both molds 17a and 17b are opened to release the sandwiched state of both films 3 and 4 by these both molds 17a and 17b. By attaching the cover film 4 to the container film 3, a strip-shaped blister film 6 in which the contents 5 are filled in the pocket portion 2 can be obtained. In the sealing device 17 of the present embodiment, when there is no pocket portion 2 in the portion of the container film 3 that reaches the sealing device 17 (the first pocket portion position sensor 18 described later determines that there is no pocket portion 2). Even in the case of), both films 3 and 4 are configured to be attached, but both films 3 and 4 are not attached when there is no pocket portion 2 in the portion. May be good. The step of attaching the cover film 4 to the container film 3 by the sealing device 17 corresponds to the “sealing step”.

In addition, a first pocket position sensor 18 composed of, for example, a photoelectric sensor is provided corresponding to the installation position of the sealing device 17. The first pocket portion position sensor 18 determines the presence or absence of the pocket portion 2 at the first determination position P1 which is the position where the sealing device 17 is arranged. That is, the first pocket portion position sensor 18 determines whether or not the pocket portion 2 has reached the sealing device 17. The determination is made in each cycle before the attachment of both films 3 and 4 by the sealing device 17.

Further, when the first pocket portion position sensor 18 determines that the pocket portion 2 is in the first determination position P1, information regarding the position of the pocket portion 2 along the transport direction of the container film 3 (in the present embodiment, the container). The existing position of the pocket portion 2 along the conveying direction of the film 3) is acquired. The determination result regarding the presence / absence of the pocket portion 2 by the first pocket portion position sensor 18 and the information regarding the position of the pocket portion 2 are output to the control device 30 described later.

Further, a seal position adjusting device 19 is provided corresponding to the seal device 17. The seal position adjusting device 19 is a device for moving the sealing device 17 along the transport path of the container film 3, and is used for arranging the sealing device 17 at a position that matches the formation position of the pocket portion 2. However, since the sealing device 17 has a considerable weight, when both types 17a and 17b are open during one cycle (that is, a period during which the sealing device 17 can be moved during one cycle). The movable amount of the seal device 17 by the seal position adjusting device 19 is about several mm (for example, 2 mm) at the maximum.

A punching device 20 for punching the blister film 6 into one blister pack unit is provided downstream of the sealing device 17. The punching of the blister film 6 by the punching device 20 is performed when the container film 3 or the like is temporarily stopped during one cycle. In the present embodiment, the punching device 20 determines that there is no pocket portion 2 in the portion of the blister film 6 that has reached the punching device 20 (the second pocket portion position sensor 21 described below determines that the pocket portion 2 is not present). In this case, the blister film 6 is not punched out, but the blister film 6 is punched out even when there is no pocket portion 2 in the portion. You may. In the present embodiment, the punching device 20 constitutes the "punching means", and the sealing device 17 and the punching device 20 each constitute the "processing means". Further, the step of punching the blister film 6 by the punching device 20 corresponds to the “punching step”. The blister pack 1 obtained by punching the blister film 6 is transferred by a conveyor 23 to a finished product hopper (not shown).

In addition, a second pocket position sensor 21 composed of, for example, a photoelectric sensor is provided corresponding to the installation position of the punching device 20. In each cycle, the second pocket portion position sensor 21 determines the presence or absence of the pocket portion 2 in the second determination position P2, which is the position where the punching device 20 is arranged. That is, the second pocket portion position sensor 21 determines whether or not the pocket portion 2 has reached the punching device 20 in each cycle. The determination is made in each cycle before punching by the punching device 20. In the present embodiment, the first determination position P1 and the second determination position P2 correspond to the "determination position", respectively.

Further, when the second pocket portion position sensor 21 determines that the pocket portion 2 is in the second determination position P2 in each cycle, information regarding the position of the pocket portion 2 along the transport direction of the container film 3 (this implementation). In the form, the stop position of the pocket portion 2 along the transport direction of the container film 3) is acquired. The determination result regarding the presence / absence of the pocket portion 2 by the second pocket portion position sensor 21 and the information regarding the position of the pocket portion 2 are output to the control device 30 described later. In the present embodiment, the first pocket portion position sensor 18 and the second pocket portion position sensor 21 constitute a "determination means" and a "pocket portion position acquisition means", respectively. Further, the step of determining the presence or absence of the pocket portion 2 by both pocket portion position sensors 18 and 21 corresponds to the "determination step", and the step of acquiring information regarding the position of the pocket portion 2 by both pocket portion position sensors 18 and 21 is Corresponds to the "pocket position acquisition process".

Further, a punching position adjusting device 22 is provided corresponding to the punching device 20. The punching position adjusting device 22 is a device for moving the punching device 20 along the transport path of the container film 3, and is used for arranging the punching device 20 at a position that matches the formation position of the pocket portion 2. Be done. However, since the punching device 20 has a considerable weight, punching is performed during one cycle when the punching operation is not performed (that is, a period during which the punching device 20 can be moved during one cycle). The movable amount of the punching device 20 by the punching position adjusting device 22 is about several mm (for example, 2 mm) at the maximum. In the present embodiment, the seal position adjusting device 19 and the punching position adjusting device 22 each constitute a "machining position adjusting means".

A cutting device (not shown) is arranged downstream of the punching device 20, and the scrap left after punching is cut by the cutting device. The cut scrap is stored in a scrap hopper (not shown).

Further, the blister packaging machine 10 includes a control device 30 for controlling the operation of each device (for example, a chain clip conveyor 11 or a pocket portion forming device 13) in the blister packaging machine 10. The control device 30 is a computer system including a CPU as a calculation means, a ROM for storing various programs, a RAM for temporarily storing various data, a storage medium for long-term storage of information (for example, a hard disk, etc.), and the like. It is composed of.

As shown in FIG. 5, the control device 30 includes a transport amount adjusting unit 31, a control selection unit 32, an actual position utilization control unit 33, and an estimated position utilization control unit 34. Each of these fulfills various functions, and the various functions are executed by using the hardware constituting the control device 30, various programs stored in the storage medium, and the like. In the present embodiment, the transport amount adjusting unit 31 constitutes the "transport amount adjusting means", the actual position utilization control unit 33 constitutes the "actual position utilization control means", and the estimated position utilization control unit 34 constitutes the "estimated position utilization". "Control means" is configured.

The transport amount adjusting unit 31 adjusts the transport amount of the container film 3 by the chain clip conveyor 11 during one cycle based on the detection result by the mark detection sensor 16. The transport amount adjusting unit 31 starts the container film 3 at a predetermined timing during one cycle, and temporarily stops the chain clip conveyor 11 at the timing when the mark detection signal is input from the mark detection sensor 16. Control.

If the amount of the container film 3 conveyed during one cycle is constant, the actual mark 4b deviates from the design mark 4b by a distance α (see FIG. 6; marks in FIGS. 6 to 9). When the detection sensor 16 and the like are not shown), the container film 3 and the cover film 4 are overlapped with each other, the mark 4b and thus various information 4a are displaced from the design position by a distance α with respect to the pocket portion 2. It will be in the arranged state (see FIG. 7). On the other hand, by adjusting the transport amount of the container film 3 by the transport amount adjusting portion 31, the pocket portion 2 corresponding to the misaligned mark 4b is formed at a position shifted by a distance α (see FIG. 8). ). As a result, the pocket portion 2 is formed at an appropriate position that matches the position of the mark 4b, and the position of the pocket portion 2 along the transport direction of the container film 3 and the position of the mark 4b and various information 4a are more reliably aligned. Aligned (see FIG. 9). The step of controlling the chain clip conveyor 11 by the transport amount adjusting unit 31 and adjusting the transport amount of the container film 3 corresponds to the “conveyance amount adjusting step”.

The control selection unit 32 sets the seal position adjusting device 19 and the punching position adjusting device 22 based on the determination result regarding the presence / absence of the pocket portion 2 and the information regarding the position of the pocket portion 2 input from the pocket portion position sensors 18 and 21. It is determined whether the actual position utilization control unit 33 or the estimated position utilization control unit 34 controls the control.

More specifically, in a certain cycle, when the determination result that the pocket portion 2 exists and the information regarding the position of the pocket portion 2 are input from the first pocket portion position sensor 18, the control selection unit 32 receives the information regarding the position of the pocket portion 2 during this cycle. The actual position utilization control unit 33 is set to control the seal position adjusting device 19 using the input information regarding the position of the pocket portion 2. Further, when the determination result that the pocket portion 2 exists and the information regarding the position of the pocket portion 2 are input from the second pocket portion position sensor 21, the control selection unit 32 is input by the actual position utilization control unit 33. The punching position adjusting device 22 is set to be controlled by using the information regarding the position of the pocket portion 2.

On the other hand, when the control selection unit 32 receives a determination result that the pocket unit 2 is not present from the first pocket unit position sensor 18 after the cycle following the cycle in which the first pocket unit 2f (see FIG. 10) is formed. That is, when the pocket portion 2 has not reached the sealing device 17 at the time when the blister packaging machine 10 starts to move, the pocket portion position estimation unit 32a provides the first pocket along the transport direction of the container film 3. The position of the part 2f is estimated. The first pocket portion 2f refers to the pocket portion 2 that is scheduled to reach the sealing device 17 and the punching device 20 first by transporting the container film 3 by the chain clip conveyor 11. In the present embodiment, the pocket portion position estimation unit 32a constitutes the "first pocket portion position estimation means".

The pocket portion position estimation unit 32a estimates information regarding the position of the first pocket portion 2f along the transport direction of the container film 3 based on the detection result by the mark detection sensor 16. In the present embodiment, the pocket portion position estimation unit 32a with respect to the reference position (the position of the first pocket portion 2f when there is no misalignment of the mark 4b) based on the misalignment amount of the mark 4b input from the mark detection sensor 16. The position of the first pocket portion 2f is estimated.

For example, in the next cycle (second cycle) of the cycle in which the first pocket portion 2f is formed, when the amount of misalignment of the input mark 4b is +1 mm (that is, at a position deviated by 1 mm downstream from the reference position). (When the mark 4b is present), the transport amount of the container film 3 is adjusted by the transport amount adjusting unit 31, and the transport amount of the container film 3 is a distance longer than the normal transport amount in one cycle (referred to as "one cycle normal transport amount"). It is considered to be as small as α. Therefore, the first pocket portion 2f is located at a position 1 mm upstream side as compared with the case where the mark 4b is not displaced. Therefore, the pocket portion position estimation unit 32a estimates that the position of the first pocket portion 2f is a position 1 mm upstream from the reference position in the second cycle. Then, for example, in the next cycle, when the amount of misalignment of the input mark 4b is + 1 mm, the pocket portion position estimation unit 32a is based on this misalignment amount and the position of the first pocket portion 2f estimated in the previous cycle. Based on the above, it is estimated that the position of the first pocket portion 2f is 2 mm upstream from the reference position. The step of estimating the information about the position of the first pocket portion 2f by the pocket portion position estimation unit 32a corresponds to the “first pocket portion position estimation step”.

When the actual position utilization control unit 33 determines that the pocket portion 2 is present by the first pocket portion position sensor 18 or the second pocket portion position sensor 21, the pocket portion 2 acquired by these pocket portion position sensors 18 and 21. The seal position adjusting device 19 and the punching position adjusting device 22 are controlled so that the sealing device 17 and the punching device 20 are arranged at positions corresponding to the information regarding the position of the above.

More specifically, the actual position utilization control unit 33 operates as follows for the seal position adjusting device 19. That is, when the determination result that the pocket portion 2 is present is input from the first pocket portion position sensor 18 to the control device 30 in a certain cycle, the actual position utilization control unit 33 is in the same cycle and the sealing device 17 The seal position adjusting device 19 is controlled so that the seal device 17 is arranged at a position that matches the stop position of the pocket portion 2 input from the first pocket portion position sensor 18 before the attachment of both films 3 and 4 by the above method. do. As a result, for example, when the stop position of the pocket portion 2 input from the first pocket portion position sensor 18 is a position 1 mm downstream from the reference position (initial position in the design of the sealing device 17), the sealing device 17 Will be placed at a position 1 mm downstream from the reference position.

Further, the actual position utilization control unit 33 operates as follows for the punching position adjusting device 22. That is, when the determination result that the pocket portion 2 is present is input from the second pocket portion position sensor 21 to the control device 30 in a certain cycle, the actual position utilization control unit 33 is the punching device during the same cycle. Before punching the blister film 6 by 20, the punching position adjusting device 22 is arranged so that the punching device 20 is arranged at a position that matches the stop position of the pocket portion 2 input from the second pocket portion position sensor 21. Control. The process of controlling the position adjusting devices 19 and 22 so that the sealing device 17 and the punching device 20 are arranged at the positions corresponding to the information acquired by the pocket position sensors 18 and 21 is "actual position utilization control". Corresponds to "process".

When the first pocket portion position sensor 18 and the second pocket portion position sensor 21 determine that the pocket portion 2 does not exist, the estimated position utilization control unit 34 is positioned according to the information estimated by the pocket portion position estimation unit 32a. The seal position adjusting device 19 and the punching position adjusting device 22 are controlled so that the sealing device 17 and the punching device 20 are arranged therein.

More specifically, the estimated position utilization control unit 34 operates as follows for the seal position adjusting device 19. That is, in a certain cycle (however, after the cycle following the cycle in which the first pocket portion 2f is formed), when the determination result that the pocket portion 2 is absent is input from the first pocket portion position sensor 18, during the same cycle. The seal position adjusting device 19 is controlled so that the sealing device 17 is arranged at a position corresponding to the estimated position of the first pocket portion 2f before the sealing devices 17 attach the films 3 and 4.

Further, the estimated position utilization control unit 34 operates as follows for the punching position adjusting device 22. That is, in a certain cycle (however, after the cycle following the cycle in which the first pocket portion 2f is formed), when the determination result that the pocket portion 2 does not exist is input from the second pocket portion position sensor 21, the first pocket portion 2f The punching position adjusting device 22 is controlled so that the punching device 20 is arranged at a position corresponding to the estimated position of. The step of controlling the position adjusting devices 19 and 22 so that the sealing device 17 and the punching device 20 are arranged at the positions corresponding to the information estimated by the pocket portion position estimating unit 32a is the "estimated position utilization control process". Corresponds to.

In the present embodiment, for example, in the next cycle (second cycle) of the cycle in which the first pocket portion 2f is formed, when the estimated position of the first pocket portion 2f is 1 mm upstream from the reference position, the sealing device 17 or the striking device 17 is used. The punching device 20 is arranged at a position 1 mm upstream from the reference position. Further, in the next cycle (third cycle), when the estimated position of the first pocket portion 2f is 2 mm upstream from the reference position, the sealing device 17 or the like is further arranged at a position 1 mm upstream in that cycle. ..

As described above, the estimated position utilization control unit 34 in the present embodiment moves the seal device 17 and the punching device 20 in each cycle based on the estimated position of the first pocket unit 2f estimated in each cycle. It controls the seal position adjusting device 19 and the punching position adjusting device 22. That is, the estimated position utilization control unit 34 controls the seal position adjusting device 19 and the punching position adjusting device 22 so that the sealing device 17 and the punching device 20 are moved in a plurality of cycles.

The blister wrapping machine 10 described above operates as follows at the time when it starts to move. That is, since the pocket portion 2 does not reach the sealing device 17 and the punching device 20 at the earliest stage of the start of movement, the pocket portion position is estimated based on the amount of misalignment of the mark 4b detected by the mark detection sensor 16. The position of the first pocket portion 2f is estimated by the portion 32a. Then, the position adjusting devices 19 and 22 are controlled by the estimated position utilization control unit 34, so that the seal device 17 and the punching device 20 are arranged at positions corresponding to the estimated positions of the first pocket portion 2f.

For example, it is assumed that the distance Xm of all the marks 4b is longer than the design distance by a distance α (for example, 1 mm). In this case, as shown in FIG. 10, in the next cycle (second cycle) of the cycle in which the first pocket portion 2f is formed, the container film 3 is conveyed by a distance α more than the “1 cycle normal transfer amount”. Therefore, it is estimated that the first pocket portion 2f is located on the downstream side by a distance α from the reference position. Therefore, the sealing device 17 and the punching device 20 are arranged on the downstream side by a distance α from the reference position (initial position in design).

Then, in the cycle in which the pocket portion 2 does not reach the determination positions P1 and P2, the positions of the sealing device 17 and the punching device 20 as described above are adjusted in each cycle. As a result, as shown in FIG. 11, in the cycle (fifth cycle) in which the first pocket portion 2f reaches the position immediately upstream of the sealing device 17, the first pocket portion 2f is located downstream of the reference position by a distance α × 4. Since it is presumed to be located, the sealing device 17 and the punching device 20 are arranged on the downstream side by a distance α × 4 from the reference position.

Next, when the first pocket portion 2f reaches the first determination position P1 (sixth cycle), the actual position utilization control unit 33 controls the seal position adjusting device 19, while the second determination position P2 is controlled. Since the first pocket portion 2f has not yet reached, the punching position adjusting device 22 is controlled by the estimated position utilization control unit 34. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 12, in this cycle, the sealing device 17 is moved by a distance β corresponding to the amount of misalignment of the first pocket portion 2f detected by the first pocket portion position sensor 18, resulting in the result. In addition, it is placed on the downstream side by a distance α × 4 ± β from the reference position. In the subsequent cycles, the arrangement position of the sealing device 17 is adjusted based on the information regarding the position of the pocket portion 2 detected by the first pocket portion position sensor 18. On the other hand, the punching device 20 is arranged on the downstream side by a distance α × 5 from the reference position based on the estimated position of the first pocket portion 2f.

Then, in the cycle (8th cycle) when the first pocket portion 2f reaches the second determination position P2, the position control of the punching position adjusting device 22 is performed by the actual position utilization control unit 33. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 13, in this cycle, the punching device 20 is moved by a distance γ corresponding to the amount of misalignment of the first pocket portion 2f detected by the second pocket portion position sensor 21, resulting in the result. Therefore, it is in a state of being arranged on the downstream side by a distance α × 6 ± γ from the reference position. In the subsequent cycles, the arrangement position of the punching device 20 is adjusted based on the information regarding the position of the pocket portion 2 detected by the second pocket portion position sensor 21.

As described in detail above, according to the present embodiment, the transport amount of the container film 3 can be adjusted by the transport amount adjusting unit 31 based on the detection result by the mark detection sensor 16. Therefore, the pocket portion 2 can be formed at an appropriate position that matches the position of the mark 4b, and the position of the pocket portion 2 and the position of the mark 4b (and various information 4a) can be more reliably determined in the manufactured blister pack 1. Can be aligned with.

Further, the position of each pocket portion 2 along the transport direction of the container film 3 changes due to the adjustment of the transport amount of the container film 3, but in the present embodiment, the pocket portions are provided by the pocket portion position sensors 18 and 21. When it is determined that there is 2, the sealing device 17 and the punching device 20 can be moved to an appropriate position that matches the actual position of the pocket portion 2. Then, by moving the sealing device 17 or the like to an appropriate position and then performing processing by the sealing device 17 or the like, various information 4a is displaced or partially missing from the appropriate position in the manufactured blister pack 1. You can more reliably prevent this from happening. As a result, the quality of the blister pack 1 can be improved more reliably.

On the other hand, when the blister packaging machine 10 starts to move, the pocket portion 2 has not reached the determination positions P1 and P2, and the pocket portion position sensors 18 and 21 determine that the pocket portion 2 does not exist. Can move the seal device 17 or the like to a position corresponding to the information regarding the estimated position of the first pocket portion 2f acquired by the pocket portion position estimation unit 32a. Therefore, before the information regarding the actual position of the pocket portion 2 is acquired by the pocket portion position sensors 18 and 21, the sealing device 17 or the like is moved in advance to a position estimated to match the formation position of the pocket portion 2 as much as possible. Can be placed. Therefore, as a result of the progress of the transportation of the container film 3, when the information regarding the position of the pocket portion 2 can be acquired by the pocket portion position sensors 18 and 21, and the stage of moving the sealing device 17 or the like based on the information is reached. It is not necessary to move the sealing device 17 or the like significantly during one cycle (the cycle in which the first pocket portion 2f reaches the determination positions P1 and P2), and as a result, the time of one cycle does not need to be lengthened. For example, in the example shown in FIGS. 10 to 13, if the position of the sealing device 17 or the like is adjusted for the first time in the cycle in which the information regarding the actual position of the pocket portion 2 can be acquired, the position of the sealing device 17 or the like is adjusted during this cycle. The moving distance of the sealing device 17 or the like is a distance α × 4 ± β or a distance α × 6 ± γ, but in the above embodiment, the sealing device 17 or the like is moved by the distance β or the distance γ in one cycle. All you have to do is not to lengthen the time for one cycle. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a difference in the preheating mode of the container film 3, and it is possible to more reliably prevent the poor formation of the pocket portion 2 at the time when the blister packaging machine 10 starts to move.

In addition, based on the detection result by the mark detection sensor 16, information regarding the position of the first pocket portion 2f is estimated. Therefore, the position of the first pocket portion 2f can be easily and accurately estimated. Further, it is not necessary to provide a special means for estimating the position of the first pocket portion 2f, and the blister packaging machine 10 can be simplified and downsized. As a result, the blister packaging machine 10 can be manufactured and maintained. Such cost reduction can be achieved.

Further, the estimated position utilization control unit 34 controls the position adjusting devices 19 and 22 so that the sealing device 17 and the like are moved in a plurality of cycles. Therefore, when the sealing device 17 or the like is moved based on the estimated position of the first pocket portion 2f, it is not necessary to move the sealing device 17 or the like significantly during one cycle, and as a result, the time of one cycle is not lengthened. I'm done. As a result, it is possible to more reliably prevent a difference in the preheating mode of the container film 3, and it is possible to further reliably prevent the poor formation of the pocket portion 2.

The content is not limited to the description of the above embodiment, and may be implemented as follows, for example. Of course, other application examples and modification examples not illustrated below are also possible.

(A) In the above embodiment, the mark detection sensor 16 is installed at a position where the distance La to the sealing device 17 is equal to the distance Lb, but the installation position of the mark detection sensor 16 may be changed as appropriate. For example, as shown in FIG. 14, the mark detection sensor 16 may be installed at a position separated from the sealing device 17 by a distance obtained by adding the distance Lb and the distance k less than the mark interval Xm. In this case, the mark detection sensor 16 detects the moving mark 4b during one cycle, and the cover film 4 is temporarily stopped when the mark 4b is detected and then conveyed by a distance k. You may. Further, in this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 15, the mark detection sensor 16 detects the amount of misalignment s of the moving mark 4b with respect to the reference position at a predetermined timing, and then detects the mark 4b. The cover film 4 may be temporarily stopped at the stage where the cover film 4 is conveyed by a length corresponding to the distance k and the misalignment amount s.

Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 16, the mark detection sensor 16 may be installed at a position separated from the sealing device 17 by a distance obtained by adding the distance Lb and the design interval Xm. In this case, the mark detection sensor 16 detects the amount of misalignment of the mark 4b with respect to the reference position, and the mark 4b reaches a position separated by a distance Lb from the sealing device 17 by using the detected misalignment. May be configured to suspend the cover film 4 with.

Further, the arrangement position of the pocket portion forming device 13 and the mark detection sensor 16 may be set so as to satisfy Lb = La ± os. The offset amount os is determined based on the positional relationship between the molds 13a and 13b constituting the pocket portion forming device 13 and the reference position of the pocket portion forming device 13, the positional relationship between various information 4a and the mark 4b, and the like. ..

(B) In the above embodiment, the pocket portion position sensors 18 and 21 are configured to acquire information regarding the stop position of the pocket portion 2 along the transport direction of the container film 3 as information regarding the position of the pocket portion 2. Has been done. On the other hand, the pocket portion position sensors 18 and 21 may acquire information regarding the amount of misalignment of the pocket portion 2 along the transport direction of the container film 3 with respect to the preset reference position. In this case, even if the actual position utilization control unit 33 controls the position adjusting devices 19 and 22 so that the sealing device 17 and the punching device 20 are arranged at the position where the displacement amount becomes 0. good.

(C) In the above embodiment, the first determination position P1 is set at the position where the sealing device 17 is arranged, and the second determination position P2 is set at the position where the punching device 20 is arranged. .. On the other hand, the first determination position P1 may be a position downstream of the pocket portion forming device 13 and upstream of the sealing device 17, and the second determination position P2 may be downstream of the pocket portion forming device 13. Therefore, it may be located upstream of the punching device 20. Therefore, for example, the determination positions P1 and P2 may be configured to be located upstream from the sealing device 17 and the punching device 20 by less than "one cycle normal transport amount". In this configuration, the pocket portion position sensors 18 and 21 may acquire information regarding the position of the moving pocket portion 2 at a predetermined timing. In this case, the actual position utilization control unit 33 is a pocket unit when stopped at the sealing device 17 or the punching device 20 based on the acquired information and the amount of the container film 3 conveyed in the cycle when the information is obtained. It may operate so as to predict the position of 2 and arrange the sealing device 17 and the punching device 20 at the predicted position.

Further, for example, the determination positions P1 and P2 may be configured to be located upstream from the sealing device 17 and the punching device 20 by "one cycle normal transport amount". In this configuration, the first pocket portion position sensor 18 and the second pocket portion position sensor 21 may acquire information regarding the position of the paused pocket portion 2. In this case, the actual position utilization control unit 33 predicts the position of the pocket portion 2 when stopped at the sealing device 17 or the punching device 20 based on the acquired information and the conveyed amount of the container film 3 in the next cycle. However, the sealing device 17 and the punching device 20 may be arranged at the predicted position.

By setting the determination positions P1 and P2 upstream of the sealing device 17 and the punching device 20, the sealing device 17 and the like are placed in the pocket while the pocket portion 2 is being conveyed to the sealing device 17 and the like. It is possible to move the pocket portion 2 to an appropriate position that matches the position of the portion 2 (that is, to convey the pocket portion 2 and move the sealing device 17 and the like at the same time). Thereby, the production speed (production efficiency) of the blister pack 1 can be increased.

(D) In the above embodiment, the preheating range of the container film 3 along the transport direction of the container film 3 is considered to correspond to one blister pack 1, but two or more blister packs. It may correspond to 1. Further, the preheating of the portion of the container film 3 to be formed corresponding to one blister pack 1 along the transport direction of the container film 3 may be performed over a plurality of cycles. In addition, preheating may be performed stepwise so that the portion to be formed gradually becomes hot.

Further, the amount of the container film 3 or the like transported, the number of pockets 2 formed, the number of blister packs 1 obtained by punching, and the like in one cycle are appropriately changed according to the preheating mode by the preheating device 12. May be good.

(E) In the above embodiment, the pocket portion position sensors 18 and 21 are a "determination means" for determining the presence or absence of the pocket portion 2 at the determination positions P1 and P2, and the pocket portion 2 located at the determination positions P1 and P2. Although it also serves as a "pocket portion position acquisition means" for acquiring information regarding the position of the above, a "determination means" and a "pocket portion position acquisition means" may be provided separately. In this case, as the determination means, the presence or absence of the pocket portion 2 is determined based on whether or not the pocket portion 2 is formed by the pocket portion forming device 13 on the container film 3 that has reached the determination positions P1 and P2. You may use the thing. By using such a determination means, it is possible to determine the presence or absence of the pocket portion 2 without providing a sensor or the like for detecting the pocket portion 2. Therefore, the blister packaging machine 10 can be simplified and downsized, and the cost related to the manufacture of the blister packaging machine 10 can be reduced more effectively.

The determination means as described above can be configured by, for example, the control device 30. That is, the control device 30 is numbered at the portion to be formed of the pocket portion 2 in the container film 3, and the signal input from the pocket portion forming device 13 (for example, a signal indicating that the pocket portion 2 has been formed). Based on the above, a function is provided for creating / storing data in which the number of the planned formation portion and the formation / non-formation of the pocket portion 2 with respect to the planned formation portion are associated with each other. Further, the control device 30 is provided with a function of determining the presence or absence of the pocket portion 2 at the determination positions P1 and P2 by collating the number of the portion to be formed that has reached the determination positions P1 and P2 with the data. The control device 30 having these functions can configure the determination means as described above.

(F) In the above embodiment, the sealing device 17 and the punching device 20 are moved every cycle as long as the execution condition of the control by the estimated position utilization control unit 34 is satisfied. On the other hand, the estimated position utilization control unit 34 may be configured to move the sealing device 17 and the punching device 20 every one or several cycles. Further, the estimated position utilization control unit 34 may be configured so that the movement of the sealing device 17 or the like is started from the cycle in which the first pocket unit 2f reaches the predetermined position. Further, the estimated position utilization control unit 34 may be configured so that the sealing device 17 or the like is moved only in the cycle in which the first pocket unit 2f reaches a predetermined position. However, the amount of movement of the sealing device 17 and the punching device 20 during one cycle is preferably about several mm (for example, 2 mm) at the maximum, as in the above embodiment.

(G) In the above embodiment, the pocket portion position estimation unit 32a is configured to estimate information regarding the position of the first pocket portion 2f along the transport direction of the container film 3 based on the detection result by the mark detection sensor 16. However, the information may be estimated based on the amount of the container film 3 conveyed by the chain clip conveyor 11. For example, the average transport amount of the container film 3 in one cycle (for example, the average transport amount when the blister pack 1 is actually manufactured using the same type of films 3 and 4) is obtained in advance, and based on this average transport amount. , The position of the first pocket portion 2f may be estimated. Also in this configuration, the position of the first pocket portion 2f can be easily and accurately estimated, and the cost related to the manufacture of the blister packaging machine 10 and the like can be reduced.

Further, the interval Xm of the mark 4b may be measured or input, and the position of the first pocket portion 2f may be estimated based on the value calculated based on the interval Xm.

(H) In the above embodiment, both the sealing device 17 and the punching device 20 constitute the "processing means", but only one of the sealing device 17 and the punching device 20 constitutes the "processing means". You may. That is, the technical idea of the present invention may be applied to only one of the sealing device 17 and the punching device 20. In this case, the sealing device 17 or the punching device 20 to which the technical idea of the present invention is not applied moves in accordance with the movement of the sealing device 17 or the punching device 20 to which the technical idea is applied. There may be.

(I) In the above embodiment, the blister pack 1 is assumed to have one pocket portion 2, but the number of pocket portions 2 provided in the blister pack 1 is not limited to the above embodiment. A blister pack 1 having various numbers of pocket portions 2 can be adopted. That is, the technical idea of the present invention may be applied to the production of a blister pack having a plurality of pocket portions 2. Of course, the shape of the pocket portion 2 can be changed as appropriate.

Further, in the above embodiment, the blister film 6 has a configuration in which a plurality of pocket portions 2 are provided along the width direction thereof, but the present invention is not limited to this, and one blister film 6 is provided along the width direction thereof. The configuration may include only the pocket portion 2.

1 ... Blister pack, 2 ... Pocket, 3 ... Container film, 4 ... Cover film, 5 ... Contents, 10 ... Blister packaging machine, 11 ... Chain clip conveyor (conveying means), 12 ... Preheating device (preheating means), 13 ... Pocket portion forming device (pocket portion forming means), 14 ... Supply device (supply means), 16 ... Mark detection sensor (mark detection means), 17 ... Sealing device (sealing means, processing means), 18 ... First pocket Part position sensor (determination means, pocket position acquisition means), 19 ... Seal position adjustment device (machining position adjustment means), 20 ... Punching device (punching means, processing means), 21 ... Second pocket position sensor ( Judgment means, pocket portion position acquisition means), 22 ... punching position adjusting device (machining position adjusting means), 31 ... transport amount adjusting unit (conveyed amount adjusting means), 32a ... pocket portion position estimation unit (first pocket portion position estimation) Means), 33 ... Actual position utilization control unit (actual position utilization control means), 34 ... Estimated position utilization control unit (estimated position utilization control means).

Claims (12)

A blister packaging machine for manufacturing a blister pack in which the contents are housed in a pocket portion formed on the container film and a cover film is attached to the container film so as to close the pocket portion. ,
A transport means for intermittently transporting the strip-shaped container film and
A preheating means for preheating the container film to be conveyed, and
With respect to the container film softened by the preheating means, the pocket portion forming means for forming the pocket portion and the pocket portion forming means.
A supply means for supplying the contents to the pocket portion formed by the pocket portion forming means, and a supply means.
The container film is provided on the container film downstream of the supply means so as to correspond to a position where the container film and the strip-shaped cover film are intermittently transported in an overlapping state so as to close the opening of the pocket portion. By attaching the cover film, a sealing means for obtaining the container film and a strip-shaped blister film composed of the cover film, and
A punching means for obtaining the blister pack by punching the blister film downstream of the sealing means.
A plurality of mark detecting means for detecting marks on the cover film, which are provided at intervals along the transport direction of the cover film, and
Based on the detection result by the mark detecting means, the transport amount adjusting means for adjusting the transport amount of the container film by the transport means, and the transport amount adjusting means.
At the position where the processing means, which is at least one of the sealing means and the punching means, is arranged, or at a determination position which is a position downstream of the pocket portion forming means and upstream of the processing means. , A determination means for determining the presence or absence of the pocket portion, and
A processing position adjusting means capable of moving the processing means along the transport path of the container film, and a processing position adjusting means.
When the determination means determines that the pocket portion is present, the pocket portion position acquisition means for acquiring information regarding the position of the pocket portion along the transport direction of the container film, and the pocket portion position acquisition means.
When the determination means determines that the pocket portion is absent, the container film of the first pocket portion, which is the pocket portion to be first reached by the transport of the container film by the transport means, is transported. First pocket position estimation means for estimating information about the position along the direction, and
When the determination means determines that the pocket portion is present, the machining position adjusting means is actually controlled so that the machining means is arranged at a position corresponding to the information acquired by the pocket portion position acquisition means. Position utilization control means and
When the determination means determines that the pocket portion is absent, the processing position adjusting means is controlled so that the processing means is arranged at a position corresponding to the information estimated by the first pocket portion position estimation means. A blister packaging machine including an estimated position utilization control means. The first-pocket portion position estimating means according to claim 1, wherein the first pocket portion position estimating means estimates information regarding the position of the first pocket portion along the transport direction of the container film based on the detection result by the mark detecting means. Blister packaging machine. The first pocket portion position estimating means estimates information about the position of the first pocket portion along the conveying direction of the container film based on the amount of the container film conveyed by the conveying means. Blister packaging machine described in. The blister according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the estimated position utilization control means controls the processing position adjusting means so that the processing means is moved in a plurality of cycles. Packaging machine. The determination means is characterized in that the presence or absence of the pocket portion is determined based on whether or not the pocket portion is formed by the pocket portion forming means on the container film that has reached the determination position. The blister packaging machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4. Any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the pocket portion position acquisition means acquires information regarding the position of the pocket portion along the transport direction of the container film at a position upstream of the processing means. Blister packaging machine as described in the section. A method for manufacturing a blister pack, wherein the contents are housed in a pocket portion formed on the container film, and a cover film is attached to the container film so as to close the pocket portion.
A transport process for intermittently transporting the strip-shaped container film and
A preheating process for preheating the container film to be conveyed and
A pocket portion forming step of forming the pocket portion with respect to the container film softened by the preheating step, and a pocket portion forming step.
A supply step of supplying the contents to the pocket portion formed by the pocket portion forming step, and a supply step of supplying the contents to the pocket portion.
After the contents are supplied by the supply step, the opening of the pocket portion is closed by using the sealing means provided corresponding to the position where the container film and the strip-shaped cover film are intermittently conveyed in an overlapping state. By attaching the cover film to the container film, a sealing step of obtaining the container film and a strip-shaped blister film composed of the cover film, and
After the cover film is attached to the container film by the sealing step, the blister film is punched by a punching means for punching the blister film to obtain the blister pack.
A mark detection step for detecting a mark on the cover film, which is provided at intervals along the transport direction of the cover film, and a mark detection step.
Based on the detection result by the mark detection step, the transport amount adjusting step of adjusting the transport amount of the container film by the transport step, and the transport amount adjusting step.
At the position where the processing means, which is at least one of the sealing means and the punching means, is arranged, or at a determination position which is a position downstream of the pocket portion forming means and upstream of the processing means. , A determination step for determining the presence or absence of the pocket portion, and
When it is determined by the determination step that the pocket portion is present, the pocket portion position acquisition step of acquiring information regarding the position of the pocket portion along the transport direction of the container film, and the pocket portion position acquisition step.
When it is determined by the determination step that the pocket portion is absent, the container film of the first pocket portion, which is the pocket portion that is to be first reached by the processing means by the transfer of the container film by the transfer step, is conveyed. The first pocket position estimation process that estimates information about the position along the direction, and
When it is determined by the determination step that the pocket portion is present, the processing means is arranged at a position corresponding to the information acquired by the pocket portion position acquisition step along the transport path of the container film. The actual position utilization control process that controls the machining position adjusting means that can move the machining means,
When it is determined by the determination step that the pocket portion is not present, the machining position adjusting means is controlled so that the machining means is arranged at a position corresponding to the information estimated by the first pocket portion position estimation step. A method for manufacturing a blister pack, which comprises an estimated position utilization control step. The seventh aspect of claim 7, wherein the first pocket portion position estimation step estimates information regarding the position of the first pocket portion along the transport direction of the container film based on the detection result of the mark detection step. How to make a blister pack. 7. The first pocket portion position estimation step is characterized in that information regarding the position of the first pocket portion along the transport direction of the container film is estimated based on the transport amount of the container film by the transport step. The method for manufacturing a blister pack described in 1. The blister according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein in the estimated position utilization control step, the processing position adjusting means is controlled so that the processing means is moved in a plurality of cycles. How to make a pack. The determination step is characterized in that the presence or absence of the pocket portion is determined based on whether or not the pocket portion is formed by the pocket portion forming step on the container film that has reached the determination position. The method for producing a blister pack according to any one of claims 7 to 10. Any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein in the pocket portion position acquisition step, information regarding the position of the pocket portion along the transport direction of the container film at a position upstream of the processing means is acquired. The method for manufacturing a blister pack according to the section.

Images