JP2023178876A - Conveying device and boxing device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a boxing device that can improve reliability of folding operation of connected package items consisting of multiple bags which are consecutive one after another.SOLUTION: A boxing device that packs connected package items consisting of multiple bags which are consecutive one after another has a first conveyor that conveys the connected package items downstream, an abutment member that abuts from below against a part of the connected package items conveyed by the first conveyor and applies a force from above on the first conveyor and a folding member that folds the connected package items so that the bags that constitute the connected package items overlap one another.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present disclosure relates to a conveying device and a boxing device for multiple packages in which a plurality of bags are connected in a row.

Patent Document 1 discloses an automatic packaging device for continuous packaging bags. This automatic box packing device has a bag fixing means for sucking and fixing a plurality of bags located in the longitudinal center of the header-equipped multi-pack bags arranged between the conveyor belts from below.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-301615

However, the automatic boxing device described in Patent Document 1 attracts and fixes the plurality of bags placed on the conveyor belt from below, so even if the stop position of the conveyor belt shifts slightly, the Since the multi-pack bag cannot be moved from the bag, the folding position may remain misaligned when folding using the folding claw, and there is a possibility that a folding error may occur.

Therefore, the present disclosure provides a conveying device and a boxing device that can improve the reliability of folding operations for multi-packed products in which a plurality of bags are connected in a row.

The conveyance device according to the first aspect of the present disclosure includes a first conveyor that conveys the continuous packaged items downstream, and a part of the continuous packaged items conveyed by the first conveyor that comes into contact with the first conveyor from below. It has an abutting member that applies an upward force to the bag, and a folding member that folds the continuous package so that the bags constituting the continuous package are overlapped.

A conveying device according to a second aspect of the present disclosure includes a first conveyor that conveys the continuous packaged product downstream, a folding member that folds the continuous packaged product so that the bags constituting the continuous packaged product are overlapped, and a first conveyor that transports the continuous packaged product downstream. a suction conveyance unit that receives continuous packages from one conveyor and conveys them by suction; the suction conveyance unit includes a first suction unit each having one or more suction nozzles; a second suction unit; A resilient holding part is provided between the suction part and the second suction part.

A conveyance device according to a third aspect of the present disclosure includes a first conveyor that conveys the continuous packaged product downstream, a folding member that folds the continuous packaged product so that the bags constituting the continuous packaged product are overlapped, and a first conveyor that transports the continuous packaged product downstream. A suction conveyance unit that receives the continuous packaged items from the first conveyor and conveys them by suction, and a second conveyor that receives the folded continuous packaged items from the suction conveyance unit, accumulates them, and conveys them. After receiving the continuous package from the conveyor, the continuous package is rotated 90 degrees and delivered to the second conveyor.

A conveyance device according to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure is the conveyance device according to the third aspect, in which both ends of the second conveyor are higher than the center when viewed from the conveyance direction.

A conveying device according to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure is the conveying device according to the first aspect, in which the abutting member floats a part of the continuous packaged articles from the first conveyor.

In the conveying device according to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, the contact member is configured to contact the N-th bag adjacent to the contact position and the N+1-th bag located next to the bag. The conveyance device according to the first and fifth aspects, in which a valley is formed between the conveyance devices.

A conveyance device according to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure is the conveyance device according to the second aspect, wherein the abutting member abuts approximately the center of the continuous package product with respect to the conveyance direction of the continuous package product. .

A conveying device according to an eighth aspect of the present disclosure is the conveying device according to the second aspect, in which the holding portion is formed by bending a sheet made of rubber or Bancoran into a semicircular shape.

A conveying device according to a ninth aspect of the present disclosure is the conveying device according to any of the first to eighth aspects, in which the continuous package item is composed of four bags.

A packaging device according to a tenth aspect of the present disclosure further includes, in the conveying device according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, a gripping portion that grips the multi-packaged product folded by the folding member and packs it into a box. This is a boxing device equipped with

The boxing device according to the present disclosure can improve the reliability of the folding operation of a continuous package in which a plurality of bags are connected to form a continuous package.

FIG. 1 is a front view of the boxing device 1 in this embodiment. 2 is a plan view of the boxing device 1 shown in FIG. 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a folding operation of multiple packages in the boxing device 1 according to the present embodiment. It is a figure explaining operation of adsorption conveyance part 3 in this embodiment. It is a detailed diagram of the second conveyor in this embodiment. It is a top view and sectional view of the 2nd conveyor in this embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. However, more detailed explanation than necessary may be omitted. For example, detailed explanations of well-known matters or redundant explanations of substantially the same configurations may be omitted. This is to avoid unnecessary redundancy in the following description and to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art. The inventors provide the accompanying drawings and the following description to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and are intended to limit the subject matter recited in the claims. isn't it.

(Embodiment)
This embodiment will be described below using FIGS. 1 to 6.

(1: Overall overview)
Hereinafter, the boxing device 1 in this embodiment will be explained with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view of a boxing device 1 in this embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the frame 10 of the boxing device 1 has an entrance area 11 for taking in the multiple packages 5, and an outlet for discharging the packaging box 6 that has finished housing the multiple packages 5. Area 12 is provided. Here, the continuous package product 5 means an article in which a plurality of bags are consecutively connected to form a continuous package. In this embodiment, the bags forming the continuous package 5 are divided into four bags, a first bag 51, a second bag 52, a third bag 53, and a fourth bag 54, by heat-sealing the packaging material. , but the number of bags is not limited to this, and may be any number such as 6 or 7. For example, if there are 6 bags, fold them into thirds so that 2 bags overlap each other. Moreover, an empty bag called a header may be attached to the continuous packaging product 5. If the header is provided, the continuous package product 5 can be hung on a hook without damaging the product bag during store display.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the boxing device 1 shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the boxing device 1 includes a first conveyor 21 and a second conveyor 23 as conveyance mechanisms.

The first conveyor 21 is a mechanism for conveying the continuous packages 5, and is configured by, for example, a belt conveyor. The first conveyor 21 is arranged parallel to the conveyance direction, with a gap formed in the center. Here, the gaps are formed at intervals narrower than the width direction of the continuous packaging product 5. Therefore, even if the multiple packages 5 are conveyed by the first conveyor 21, the multiple packages 5 will not fall into the gap. Further, the first conveyors 21 are driven while synchronizing their conveying speeds. In other words, the first conveyor 21 conveys the continuous packages 5 at the same speed so that the posture of the continuous packages 5 is not disturbed.

The suction conveyance section 3 grips the continuous packaged product 5 conveyed by the first conveyor 21 and folded by the action of a first folding member 204 and a second folding member 206, which will be described later. Then, the suction conveyance section 3 transfers the gripped continuous packaged product 5 to the second conveyor 23. At this time, the suction conveyance unit 3 transfers the multi-packaged product 5 to the second conveyor 23 while rotating it horizontally by 90 degrees while keeping it in the folded state. Further, the continuous packages 5 to be transferred to the second conveyor 23 are transferred in a plurality of adjacent packages in anticipation of being packed into boxes 6 by the gripping section 4. Specifically, the suction conveyance unit 3 transfers the continuous packaged product 5 at the next timing to the second conveyor 23 adjacent to the continuous packaged product 5 transferred at a specific timing, and then transfers the continuous packaged product 5 at the next timing to the second conveyor 23, and to form.

The second conveyor 23 conveys the continuous packaged products 5 transferred by the suction conveyance section 3 further downstream. The gripping section 4 grips the continuous packaging products 5 conveyed by the second conveyor 23 for each accumulated continuous packaging product 50 and packs them into a box 6.

(2-1: Explanation of folding operation of continuous package item 5)
Hereinafter, the folding operation of the multi-pack items 5 in the boxing device 1 will be explained with reference to the drawings.

The continuous packaging product 5 has a shape in which a plurality of bags are connected in a row. Therefore, compared to a single bag, the length of the multi-packed product 5 becomes longer in the transport direction. In this case, since it is difficult to pack the product into the box 6 as it is, it is necessary to fold the multi-package product 5.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the folding operation of multiple packages in the boxing device 1 according to the present embodiment. Here, FIG. 3(a) is a diagram illustrating a state before the abutting member 202 abuts against the continuous packaging item 5. As shown in FIG. On the other hand, FIG. 3(b) is a diagram illustrating a state in which the contact member 202 is in contact with the continuous packaging item 5. As shown in FIG.

The boxing device 1 includes a first drive section 201, a contact member 202, a second drive section 203, a first folding member 204, a third drive section 205, and a second folding member 206 in order to realize a folding operation.

The first drive section 201 is a member that drives the contact member 202. The first drive unit 201 is configured by, for example, an air cylinder. By moving the contact member 202 in the vertical direction, the first drive unit 201 moves the contact member 202 shown in FIG. It is possible to switch between a first state in which it abuts against a certain seal portion and applies upward force, and a second state in which it does not abut against the continuous packaging product 5 shown in FIG. 3(a). Here, the vertically uppermost end of the contact member 202 located in the second state is at a position lower than the conveyance surface of the first conveyor 21. Thereby, when the continuous packaged product 5 is transported, the conveyance operation of the continuous packaged product 5 is not hindered.

The abutting member 202 is a member that is moved by the first drive unit 201 and abuts against a seal portion at the boundary between the second bag 52 and the third bag 53 of the multiple packaged product 5. The contact member 202 is made of, for example, a substantially cylindrical stainless steel member. When the contact member 202 contacts the seal portion at the boundary between the second bag 52 and the third bag 53, the continuously packaged product 5 is folded back near the center and placed on the first conveyor 21. It will be in a positioned state. In other words, the continuous packaged product 5 becomes difficult to move toward the upstream side or the downstream side in the conveyance direction. Further, as the contact member 202 comes into contact with the continuous packaged product 5, a part of the continuous packaged product 5 becomes in a state floating from the first conveyor 21. In other words, when the contact member 202 is in contact with the multi-packed product 5, the seal portion between the second bag 52 and the third bag 53 has the apex at the contact position of the contact member 202. It changes into a mountain shape.

The second drive unit 203 is a member that drives the first folding member 204. Further, the third drive unit 205 is a member that drives the second folding member 206.

The first folding member 204 is driven by the second drive unit 203, contacts the first bag 51 of the multi-packaged product 5 which has changed into a mountain shape, and folds it onto the second bag 52. Further, the second folding member 206 is driven by the third drive unit 205, contacts the fourth bag 54, and is folded onto the third bag 53.

Here, the sealed portion between the second bag 52 and the third bag 53 has a mountain shape with the apex at the abutment position of the abutting member 202, so that the continuous packaged product 5 is positioned. Since the position of the multi-package product 5 is not completely fixed, even if the transport position of the multi-package product 5 shifts slightly and stops, the seal between the first bag 51 and the second bag 52 and the third By slightly moving the seal between the bag 53 and the fourth bag 54, when the first and second folding members 204, 206 come into contact with the multi-pack item 5, the first bag 51 and the second bag 52 Troughs are likely to be formed in the seal portion between the third bag 53 and the fourth bag 54. Note that the bags that the first folding member 204 and the second folding member 206 come into contact with are not limited to the above configuration, and may be the next bag (second It may be configured so that it comes into contact with the bag 52, the third bag 53).

(2-2: Explanation of transfer operation of suction conveyance unit 3)
FIG. 4 illustrates an operation in which the suction conveyance unit 3 approaches the folded multi-package item 5 and suctions and grips it. The suction conveyance section 3 has a first suction section 31 that suctions the first bag 51 and a second suction section 32 that suctions the second bag 52. The first suction section 31 and the second suction section 32 are each equipped with a suction nozzle made of a plurality of bellows-shaped rubber hoses, and each suction nozzle is connected to an intake pump that generates negative pressure through a duct. There is. The first and second suction parts 31 and 32 suction the continuous packaged product 5, and the robot arm is raised and moved to the top of the second conveyor 23 while rotating 90 degrees in the horizontal direction. By lowering the robot arm and releasing suction, the continuous packaging bag 5 is transferred to the second conveyor 23. By repeating this operation multiple times while moving the second conveyor 23, the integrated continuous packaging product 50 can be made.

Moreover, between the first suction part 31 and the second suction part 32, there is a pressing part 33 formed by bending a rubber sheet or a Bancollan sheet into a semicircular shape. Since the holding part 33 is elastic and has a higher height than the first and second suction parts 31 and 32, when the suction conveyance part 3 approaches the continuous package product 5, it faces the above-mentioned contact part 202. Press down near the center of the continuous package item 5 at this position. This prevents the once-folded continuous package 5 from opening again.

(2-3: Explanation of the accumulation operation in the second conveyor 23)
5 and 6 show the structure of the second conveyor 23. The second conveyor 23 includes a conveyor belt 231, a support section 232 that supports the conveyor belt 231, a motor 233, a transmission section 234 that transmits the power of the motor 233, and a roller 235 that is rotated by the transmission section 234. In the direction intersecting the conveyance direction, the support portion 232 has both ends thereof higher in height from the vertical direction than the center portion. As a result, the conveyor belt 231 has a substantially U-shaped cross section when viewed from the conveyance direction. The folded continuous package 5 is transferred by the suction conveyance unit 3 so that its longitudinal direction is perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the second conveyor 23. The second conveyor 23 is driven a predetermined distance when the continuous package 5 is placed on the conveyor belt 231. Then, the subsequent continuous packages 5 are further transferred by the suction conveyance section 3. This operation is repeated, and when a predetermined number of multi-packaged products 50 have been accumulated, the conveyor belt 231 is driven to a position where the multi-packaged products 50 can be gripped by the grip section 4.

The conveyor belt 231, which has a substantially U-shaped cross section, presses down both ends of the transferred packaged product 5, thereby preventing it from opening again from the folded state due to impact etc. during transportation. There is. In addition, the integrated continuous packaging product 50 may be in a state in which a plurality of folded continuous packaging products 5 are adjacent to each other without overlapping each other, or may be in a so-called sashimi-like state in which the continuous packaging products 5 partially overlap each other. The quantity of the continuous packages 5 constituting the integrated package 50 can be changed as appropriate depending on the size of the box.

(2-4: Operation explanation of packaging mechanism)
The gripping section 4 includes a suction head (not shown), an elevating mechanism that moves the suction head up and down, and a slide mechanism that moves the suction head horizontally. The gripping section 4 lowers the suction head using an elevating mechanism to suction and hold the stacked continuous packages 50 conveyed by the second conveyor 23, and after rising, slides in the opposite direction to the movement direction by the suction conveyance section 3. move it. A cardboard box 6 with the opening facing upward is waiting directly below the moved suction head, and the lifting mechanism is activated to lower the suction head and pack the box into the box. When this packing operation is repeated a predetermined number of times and a predetermined number of consecutive packages 5 are packed, the boxes 6 are carried out and the next box 6 is placed in the standby position.

By packaging the accumulated continuous packaging products 50 in which the continuous packaging products 5 are accumulated, the number of boxing operations can be reduced and the packaging speed can be improved. Further, since the stacked state can be maintained, the continuous packages 5 can be packed in a neatly arranged state, resulting in a better appearance. Furthermore, by arranging the layout in which the boxes 6 are placed on standby on the extension of the first conveyor 21 in the conveying direction, the installation space for the box packing device 1 can be reduced without creating dead space.

(3: Summary)
The boxing device 1 in this embodiment includes a folding mechanism for folding a continuous package 5 in which a plurality of bags are consecutively connected, and a first conveyor 21 that conveys the continuous package 5 downstream; The abutting member 202 contacts a part of the continuous packaged product 5 from below and applies an upward force on the first conveyor, and the bag constituting the continuous packaged product 5 overlaps with the contact member 202. First and second folding members 204 and 206 that fold the continuous packages 5; a suction conveyance section 3 that receives the continuous packages 5 from the first conveyor 21 and conveys them by suction; and a suction conveyance section 3 that receives the continuous packages 5 from the suction conveyance section 3. , a second conveyor for stacking, and a gripping section 4 for gripping and boxing the stacked continuous packaging products 50.

By configuring as described above, the contact member 202 can directly contact the continuous packaged product 5, so that the continuous packaged product 5 can be positioned reliably. Therefore, mistakes in the folding operations of the first folding member 204 and the second folding member 206 can be reduced. This improves the reliability of the folding operation of the continuous package 5.

In addition, by further pressing the folded continuous packaged product 5 with the presser section 33 provided in the suction conveyance section 3, the once folded continuous packaged product 5 is prevented from opening again.

Furthermore, by making the height of both ends of the conveyor belt 231 of the second conveyor 21 in the direction along the conveyance direction higher than the center, it is possible to suppress the continuous packages 5 that are once folded during collection and conveyance from opening again. There is.

Therefore, the packaging device 1 according to the present embodiment can improve the reliability of the folding operation of a continuous package in which a plurality of bags are connected to form a continuous package.

(4-1: Modification example 1)
It is also possible to configure the packaging device 1 as a conveying device without a packaging mechanism by using the members that realize the folding operation in the packaging device 1. Specifically, the first conveyor 21, the first drive unit 201, the contact member 202, the second drive unit 203, the first folding member 204, the third drive unit 205, and the second folding member 206 are used to fold the continuous package product. It is possible to configure a conveying device that can realize the folding operation during the conveying operation of No. 5.

(4-2: Modification 2)
In the above embodiment, a substantially cylindrical stainless steel member is used as the contact member 202, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, a resilient member such as rubber or Bancoran may also be used. According to this, it is difficult to damage the continuous package, and the elasticity makes it possible to fold the package more securely. Moreover, instead of the contact member 202, air may be blown from below using an air jet (not shown). In this case as well, the occurrence of pinholes is suppressed, making it difficult to damage the multi-packed items.

(4-3: Modification 3)
In the above embodiment, the support part 232 has a substantially U-shape in which both ends thereof are higher in height from the vertical direction than the center part in the direction intersecting the conveying direction. Not limited. For example, the support portion 232 having a flat plate shape may be divided at the center, and the height of both ends along the conveyance direction may be increased to form a substantially V-shape. Furthermore, by providing a mechanism for sliding both ends in the height direction, it may be possible to manually or automatically switch between a state in which the height of both ends is increased and a normal flat plate state. In this case, it is possible to switch the products to be boxed by one boxing device 1 to either multiple packages 5 or single packages.

(4-4: Modification example 4)
In the above embodiment, the first folding member 204 and the second folding member 206 are arranged below the first conveyor. The multi-pack bag 5 may be folded while being conveyed to the second conveyor. In this case, the first and second folding members 204 and 206 hang down from the front-rear direction or the left-right direction of the multi-pack item 5 while the bag that is not suctioned hangs down while being suctioned and conveyed by the suction conveyance section 3. It moves as if scooping up the bag and folds the continuous package 5. As a result, it becomes possible to fold the multi-pack items 5 by using the existing empty bag conveyor as is and replacing only the suction conveyance section. Moreover, by performing a folding operation while moving from the first conveyor to the second conveyor, it becomes possible to convey the sheet at a higher speed.

The present disclosure is applicable to a conveyance device that conveys continuous packages.

1 Cartoning device 3 Suction conveyance unit 4 Gripping unit 5 Continuous packaging 6 Box 10 Frame 11 Entrance area 12 Exit area 21 First conveyor 23 Second conveyor 33 Holding unit 51 to 54 First bag to fourth bag 201 First drive unit 202 Contact member 203 Second drive section 204 First folding member 205 Third drive section 206 Second folding member 231 Conveyor belt 232 Support section

Claims (10)

A conveyance device equipped with a folding mechanism for folding a continuous package consisting of a plurality of bags connected in a row,
a first conveyor that conveys the continuous packaged items downstream;
an abutting member that abuts from below a part of the continuous package items conveyed by the first conveyor and applies an upward force on the first conveyor;
A conveyance device comprising: a folding member that folds the continuous packaged product so that the bags constituting the continuous packaged product are in an overlapping state.
A conveyance device equipped with a folding mechanism for folding a continuous package consisting of a plurality of bags connected in a row,
a first conveyor that conveys the continuous packaged items downstream;
a folding member that folds the continuous packaging product so that the bags constituting the continuous packaging product are in an overlapping state;
a suction conveyance unit that receives the continuous package from the first conveyor and conveys it by suction;
The suction conveyance section is
a first suction part, each having one or more suction nozzles, and a second suction part,
The conveying device includes an elastic presser between the first suction section and the second suction section.
A conveyance device equipped with a folding mechanism for folding a continuous package consisting of a plurality of bags connected in a row,
a first conveyor that conveys the continuous packaged items downstream;
a folding member that folds the continuous packaging product so that the bags constituting the continuous packaging product are in an overlapping state;
a suction conveyance unit that receives the continuous package from the first conveyor and conveys it by suction;
a second conveyor that receives the folded continuous packages from the suction conveyance section, accumulates them, and conveys them;
The suction conveyance unit is a conveyance device that receives the continuous packaged product from the first conveyor, and then turns the continuous packaged product into a 90-degree rotated position and delivers it to the second conveyor.
The conveyance device according to claim 3, wherein the second conveyor has both ends higher than the center when viewed from the conveyance direction.
The conveyance device according to claim 1, wherein the abutment member floats a part of the continuous packaged product from the first conveyor.
Claim 1: The contact member forms a valley between the Nth bag adjacent to the contact position and the N+1th bag located next to the bag. The conveying device described in .
The conveying device according to claim 1, wherein the contact member abuts approximately the center of the continuous packaged product with respect to the conveyance direction of the continuous packaged product.
3. The conveying device according to claim 2, wherein the holding portion is formed by bending a sheet made of rubber or Bancoran into a semicircular shape.
The conveying device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the continuous package item is composed of four bags.
The boxing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a gripping section that grips the multi-packaged product folded by the folding member and packs it into a box.