JP3145218B2 - Apparatus and method for folding the open end of a bag - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a so-called medicine folder in which the open end of a bag is folded at least three times, and the tip of the last folded portion is inserted under the lower folded portion and sandwiched. And a method for performing the method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art It is well known that paper bags are frequently used as a packaging means for various industrial products. For example, can lids are packed in a unit of tens to hundreds of closely arranged cans. are doing. Although it is possible to use an adhesive to close the opening of this type of bag, the adhesive may be an obstacle at the time of opening. Are being considered.

The basic procedure of this medicine folding is disclosed in
As described in JP-A-217908 and JP-A-64-70333. This will be briefly described with reference to FIG. 16. The end of the bag 2 immediately after filling the specified number of can lids 1 has a tubular shape as shown in FIG. The portion is first folded so as to be in close contact with the end face of the can lid 1 as shown in FIG. 3B, and a semi-cylindrical projection 4 is formed accordingly. Then, as shown in (C), a part of the semi-cylindrical protrusion 4 is folded over the previously folded part, thereby forming a triangular piece 5. Then, as shown in (D), the triangular piece 5 is folded so that the apex portion 6 protrudes from the edge of the lower folded portion, and finally the apex portion 6 is placed on the lower side as shown in (E). Insert it under the fold and sandwich it here.

If the opening end of the bag is closed by such folding, the bag can be closed without using a fixing means such as an adhesive and so as not to be opened due to the weight of the contents. The above-mentioned publication discloses an apparatus for automatically performing this medicine folding, but has the following problems, and there is room for further improvement for practical use.

[0005]

That is, in order to perform the above-mentioned medicine folding, the end portion of the bag is folded threefold, and the vertex of the final triangular piece is appropriately cut from the edge of the lower folded portion. It is necessary to protrude the bag by a certain length, but since the fold line is not pre-attached to the end of the bag, simply applying a bending force will cause the bag to bend into an unintended shape. I will. Therefore, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 64-70
In the apparatus described in No. 333, a triangular base plate is advanced over an initially folded portion so as to be in close contact with an end face of a can lid as a content, and a side guide substantially perpendicular to the base plate is advanced. The base plate and the side guide define a fold line at a position where the second bending is performed, and the second folding plate is advanced in this state. However, in the case of the third fold following this, the side guide is retracted, and the guide plate that defines the fold line for the third fold is advanced, and in this state, the triangular piece is pushed and bent by the third fold plate. I have. Therefore, since the member defining the fold line of the second fold and the third fold and the bending member are independent of each other, not only the number of plates but also the number of actuators for driving the plates are increased. In addition, the apparatus is complicated and large, and the time required for folding is long.

When the vertex of the triangular piece is inserted into the lower side of the second fold, it is necessary to slightly lift the second fold. For this reason, in the above-described conventional apparatus, a lifter is provided on the base plate. . That is, in the above-described conventional apparatus, the second folded portion is lifted by a single lifter. Therefore, the lifter is provided at a position corresponding to the vertex of the triangular piece. The portion and the fourth fold plate that pushes the lower portion of the second fold interfere with the lifter, and the lifter is pushed down by the fourth fold plate when the vertex portion is pushed by the fourth fold plate. Therefore, there is a possibility that a gap for the fourth folding cannot be sufficiently secured.

Further, when the end of the originally cylindrical bag is folded in the above-described manner, a corner near one of the folding lines protrudes outward. For this reason, in the above-mentioned conventional apparatus, a cylindrical upper forming guide is covered in the final step, and is formed into a cylindrical shape without any protruding portion. However, when a relatively large protruding corner is formed by a cylindrical forming guide, the corner can be bent along the outer peripheral surface, but it is not particularly bent, so that the corner is formed over time. Rises and protrudes to the outer peripheral side, which may possibly cause the medicine folding section to open due to external force.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and a method capable of simplifying and reducing the size of a structure and performing reliable and stable folding. Things.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, an apparatus of the present invention has a cylindrical bag extending from an end of a content, the extension of which is directed toward an end face of the content. In the medicine folding device at the open end of the bag that at least triple folds and folds the tip of the last folded part below the part folded below to sandwich it, a part of the cylindrical extension is An initial folding member that is bent so as to be in close contact with the end face of the content and leaves another portion in the semi-cylindrical projection; and a half of the extension that is bent so as to be in close contact with the end face of the content. A pressing plate that is advanced in the radial direction from the opening side of the cylindrical protrusion and that has two sides defining the folding line of the semi-cylindrical protrusion formed at the tip at a predetermined opening angle; Almost along one of the two sides and presser Is inserted vertically inside the semi-cylindrical projection in a state of being vertically set with respect to the holding member, and is laid down on the holding plate inside the semi-cylindrical projection, and A first folding plate having an inclined side defining a fold line at a tip thereof, and a part of the semi-cylindrical projection portion being advanced from the outside by advancing in a direction substantially orthogonal to the other side of the two sides. A second side which is folded by defining a fold line at the other side and the inclined side and moved up and down with respect to the holding plate;
A folding plate, a claw piece provided at a position close to the other side of the holding plate and raised from the holding plate, and a tip portion of a portion folded by the first folding plate falling on the holding plate, Advance and move up and down a position on the upper surface side of the holding plate and not interfering with the claw pieces so as to be inserted between a portion bent so as to be in close contact with the end surface of the content and a portion folded by the second folding plate thereon. A third folding plate that moves, and an ear holding plate that is inserted below the tip of the second folding plate.

According to the present invention, the extension of the cylindrical bag extending from the end of the content is folded at least three times toward the end face of the content, and the tip of the last folded portion is folded. A flat member made of an elastic material pressed against the end of the bag folded and sandwiched below the portion folded downward, and the flat member is put on the end of the bag so as to wrap the end of the bag. And a tubular body.

Further, the method of the present invention is characterized in that the extension of the tubular bag extending from the end of the content is folded at least three times toward the end face of the content, and the tip of the last folded portion is folded. In the method of folding the bag at the open end of the bag, which is folded below the portion folded below, a first fold is applied so that a part of the cylindrical extension is in close contact with the end face of the contents. After leaving the other part in the semi-cylindrical projection, the two sides defining the folding line of the semi-cylindrical projection are formed at the tip with a predetermined opening angle and the other end of the semi-cylindrical projection is formed. A first folding plate having a slanted side defining a folding line formed at a tip end thereof and substantially extending along one of the two sides of the holding plate and standing upright with respect to the holding plate; A part of the extension that is bent to The semi-cylindrical projection is advanced in the radial direction from the opening side thereof, and the second folding plate which is moved up and down with respect to the holding plate is advanced in a direction substantially orthogonal to the other side of the two sides. A part of the semi-cylindrical protruding portion is subjected to the second fold by defining a fold line at the other side and the inclined side, and the first fold plate is wrapped by the folded portion. A third folding is performed with the one side folded as a folding line, and the third folded portion is pressed in a direction in which the third folded portion is brought into close contact with the end surface by the holding roller, the first folding plate is retracted, and the second folding plate is folded. The lifter is slightly lifted in a direction away from the end face, and at the same time, a gap is provided below the second fold portion by a lifter, and the tip of the third fold is inserted below the second fold portion. .

[0012]

In the present invention, a part of the cylindrical extension protruding from the content at the end of the bag is bent by the initial folding member so as to be in close contact with the end face of the content, and as a result, the extension of the extension is formed. The other part remains as a semi-cylindrical projection. A pressing plate and a first folding plate are inserted into the upper surface of the portion bent by the initial folding member from the opening side in the radial direction of the semi-cylindrical projection. At the tip of the holding plate, two sides set at a predetermined opening angle are formed, and the first folding plate is set substantially along one side and substantially perpendicular to the holding plate, and Since the inclined side defining the folding line is formed at the tip of the folding plate, when the second folding plate advances in a direction substantially orthogonal to the other side of the two sides, a semi-cylindrical projection is formed. A part of the part is bent toward the holding plate with a folding line defined by the other side and the inclined side. That is, the second
It is folded. As a result, the first folding plate is wrapped in the remaining portion of the semi-cylindrical projection, that is, in the substantially triangular projecting piece, so that the first folding plate is placed on the holding plate from a state perpendicular to the holding plate. , The triangular protruding piece enclosing it is folded over the second fold. In this case, the one side of the holding plate and the edge portion of the first folding plate on the holding plate side define a folding line for folding the triangular projecting piece, that is, a third folding line, and the first folding plate. Defines the bending direction, so that the triangular projecting piece is folded into the expected shape. That is, the apex portion protrudes by a predetermined size beyond the edge of the second folded portion. Next, after the first folding plate is retracted and extracted, the claw pieces incorporated in the holding plate and the tip of the second folding plate are raised in a direction away from the end face of the contents. In this case, since the second folding plate is wrapped under the third fold, the second fold has an end connected to the first fold and an end connected to the third fold. Are lifted, and a gap is formed between the lower side, that is, the first folded portion. In this state, the third folding plate advances, and the vertex of the triangular protruding piece is folded below the second folded portion. On the other hand, the portion near the fold line of the second fold portion is formed as a corner and protrudes to the outer peripheral side, but this portion has a gap inside due to the raised end of the second fold plate. Therefore, when the ear pressing plate advances in this state, the corner portion is pushed down to the lower side of the second fold, and the protruding portion to the outer peripheral side is eliminated. Then, a flat plate member made of an elastic material is pressed against the triple folded end surface, and the end of the bag is wrapped together with the flat plate member by the tubular body, whereby the protruding portion toward the outer peripheral side is crushed and eliminated.

[0013]

Next, the present invention will be described based on embodiments. FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a schematic configuration of an apparatus according to the present invention. A target bag 10 has a closed cylindrical shape with a closed bottom, and a number of can lids closely aligned and arranged inside thereof. 1
1 is filled, and the open end of the bag 10 extends a predetermined dimension from the end face of the aligned can lid 11 to extend into a cylindrical extension 1.
2 are formed. The bag 10 is disposed substantially horizontally on a rail (not shown). Above the extension 12, a column-shaped pressing member 13 functioning as an initial folding member is disposed. The presser 13 is attached to the tip of an arm 14 that is rotated by a rotary actuator (not shown), and the rotary actuator is configured to reciprocate in a direction parallel to the rail. Therefore, when the presser 13 is lowered onto the extension portion 12, a part of the extension portion 12 is bent along the end face of the can lid 11, and accordingly, the other portion of the extension portion 12 becomes a semi-cylindrical projection. 15 are left. In addition, since the presser 13 travels together with the rotary actuator, the bag 10 that has been first folded by the presser 13 is
It travels on a rail toward a folding station described later.

A predetermined position on the traveling line defined by the rail is a folding station for performing a so-called medicine folding, and a mechanism described below is arranged in this portion. That is, FIG. 2 is a front view showing an arrangement state of the mechanism, and a first plate 16 (holding plate) having a triangular tip portion is provided on the upper side of the traveling line in the front-rear direction toward the center of the traveling line. It is arranged so as to move (fall and rise). FIG. 3 is a view showing the first plate 16 and a driving mechanism thereof. Two sides 17 and 18 on the distal end side of the first plate 16 are respectively provided so as to define a folding line of the cylindrical projection 15. The opening angle is set. More specifically, the angle α of the right side 17 in FIG. 3 with respect to the longitudinal movement direction of the first plate 16 is the angle β of the left side 18.
Set to a larger angle. Also the first plate 1
6 is mounted on a movable base 20 which is moved by a rodless cylinder 19, as shown in FIGS.

Further, an elongated lifter 21 which is flush with the first plate 16 during non-operation is disposed at a position of the first plate 16 which is closer to the right side in FIG. This lifter 21 is for securing a space for folding in the medicine folding, and has a rotating shaft 22 arranged in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the first plate 16 moves back and forth.
An air cylinder 23 for rotating the rotating shaft 22 via a link mechanism is mounted on the movable table 20.
Mounted on That is, the air cylinder 23
The lifter 21 rotates together with the rotating shaft 22 so that the tip of the lifter rises by a predetermined dimension.

Further, a second plate 24 (first folding plate) is provided which moves back and forth along the left side 17 in FIG. 3 among the two sides 17 and 18 of the first plate 16. The second plate 24 is in a state perpendicular to the first plate 16 (a state shown by a solid line in FIGS. 2 and 3) and a state in which the second plate 24 is overlaid on the first plate 16 (see FIGS. 2 and 3). (Indicated by a chain line) to perform folding, and the side 25 at the tip is formed as an inclined side for defining the folding line. The second plate 24 is attached to a rotating shaft of a rotary actuator 26 so as to perform the above-described rotating operation. In order to move the second plate 24 back and forth along the side 17 of the first plate 16, a rotary actuator 26
Is mounted on a movable base 28 having a rack 27, and the rack 27 meshes with a pinion 30 mounted on a rotation shaft of another rotary actuator 29. The movable table 31 on which the rotary actuator 29 is mounted
Are engaged with the guide rails 32 arranged in parallel with the moving direction of the first plate 16 and the first plate 1
6 is integrated with the movable base 20 to which the base 6 is attached.

The direction substantially orthogonal to the other side 18 of the first plate 16 (or the second
A third plate 33 (second folding plate) that moves back and forth in a direction parallel to the direction of movement of the plate 24 (the direction parallel to the direction of movement of the plate 24) is arranged on the opposite side of the traveling line from the second plate 24.
The third plate 33 is for performing the so-called second folding described above, and details of the third plate 33 and details of a driving mechanism thereof are shown in FIGS. That is, a lever 37 that rotates about a shaft 36 is attached to a tip end of a movable base 35 that is moved back and forth by a rodless cylinder 34, and a third plate 33 is attached to a lower end of the lever 37 in FIG. A rod of an air cylinder 38 mounted on the movable base 35 is connected to the upper end of the lever 37 in FIG. The lever 37 has an inverted “L” protruding in a direction opposite to the third plate 33.
And a pair of stopper pins 4 having different heights corresponding to the stoppers 39.
0 (only one stopper pin is shown). These stopper pins 40 are erected on a rotating plate 41 on a movable base 35, and the rotating plate 41 is attached to an air cylinder 42.
6 by rotating the stopper 39 in FIG.
, One of the stopper pins 40 is selectively positioned. That is, by restricting the rotation angle of the lever 37 by the stopper pin 40, the third plate 33 is set to two angles, that is, the angle indicated by the solid line and the angle indicated by the chain line in FIG.

At a position on the opposite side of the first plate 16 across the traveling line, a pressing roller 43 that moves back and forth with respect to the center of the traveling line is disposed. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the pressing roller 43 is attached to a rotating plate 47 provided on a movable table 45 that is moved back and forth by a rodless cylinder 44 so as to rotate about a shaft 46. . That is, a swing arm 49 that swings about a shaft 48 is attached to the rotating plate 47, and the pressing roller 43 is
Is attached to the tip of the swing arm 49. Further, a spring 50 for urging the swing arm 49 to rotate clockwise in FIG. 8 is disposed on the rear end side of the swing arm 49 with respect to the shaft 48. Further, a rod of an air cylinder 51 for swinging the pressing roller 43 right and left together with the rotating plate 47 is connected to a rear end portion of the rotating plate 47. Reference numeral 52 in FIG. 7 is a stopper for restricting the rotation limit of the moving plate 47. Reference numeral 53 in FIG. 8 is a push rod for pushing the rear end of the swing arm 49 down against the spring 50. It is.

Further, a fourth plate 54 (third folding plate) is moved back and forth toward the center of the traveling line at a position overlapping the first plate 16 at a predetermined interval in a direction parallel to the traveling line. It is arranged as follows. This fourth
The plate 54 is used to fold the vertex of the third fold portion when performing the medicine folding below the second fold portion. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the rodless cylinder 55 is used. The movable table 56 is attached to the distal end of the movable base 56 which is moved back and forth so as to rotate about a predetermined axis.
A swing cylinder 57 is rotatably attached to the rear end of the movable base 56, and its rod is connected to the fourth plate 54. In addition, a regulator (not shown) for reducing the pressure to a certain pressure or lower is provided in the air supply system of the swing cylinder 57.
Reference numeral 4 denotes a state where no load is applied, the movable table 56 is rotated around a predetermined axis by the swing cylinder 57 between the extended position of the movable table 56 and a position perpendicular to the movable table 56, and if a load more than a predetermined load is applied. , To a middle diagonal state.

At a position intermediate between the second plate 24 and the pressing roller 43 on a circumference centered on the running line, an ear pressing plate 58 (ear pressing plate) is directed substantially toward the center of the running line. It is arranged to move back and forth. This is for pushing a corner (a so-called ear) protruding to the outer peripheral side as the medicine is folded into the inner peripheral side, and is attached to the rod of the air cylinder 59 as shown in FIG. .

A shaping mechanism 60 for shaping the end of the folded bag 10 into a cylindrical shape is provided at a position on the circumference centered on the above-mentioned running line and not interfering with other mechanisms. . The details thereof are shown in FIGS. 12 to 14. A rotary actuator 63 is attached to a movable table 62 which is moved back and forth by an air cylinder 61 which operates in a direction parallel to the traveling line. 64 are attached. The telescopic arm 64 holds a sliding shaft 66 movably back and forth by a holder 65 attached to the rotary shaft of the rotary actuator 63, attaches the arm cylinder 67 to the holder 65, and slides the rod of the arm cylinder 67. It is connected to a driving shaft 66. Therefore, when the arm cylinder 67 operates, the sliding shaft 66 moves back and forth, and the telescopic arm 64 expands or contracts as a whole.

At the tip of the sliding shaft 66, a cap 68, which is a cylindrical body with an open tip, is attached to the end of the bag that has been folded in the axial direction. An elastic plate 69 whose width is smaller than the inner diameter of the cap 68 and whose length is slightly longer than the outer diameter of the cap 68 is arranged on the open end side of the cap 68. That is, the pin 70 is arranged to be able to move back and forth along the center axis of the cap 68, and the pin 70 is stopped by
The center of the elastic plate 69 is fixed to the tip of the pin 70. The elastic plate 69 is made of an elastic material such as urethane rubber. Therefore, when the elastic plate 69 is relatively pressed into the cap 68 while compressing the spring 71 together with the pin 70,
The elastic plate 69 is deformed into a cylindrical shape along the inner surface of the cap 68 (see FIG. 14).

Next, the operation of the above-described apparatus, that is, the medicine folding method according to the present invention will be described. A bag 10 filled with a predetermined number of can lids 11 is placed horizontally on a rail, and its extension 12 is crushed by a column-shaped holding tool 13 being lowered by a rotary actuator 14, A part of the extension 12 is bent along the end surface of the can lid 11 as the content. That is, the first folding is performed. This is the state of FIG. 16B for example. Then, when the presser 13 moves in a direction parallel to the rail, the first folded bag 10 is pushed by the presser 13 to the folding station and travels.

In the folding station, first, FIG.
(A), the second plate 24 advances to a position along one side 17 of the first plate 16. That is, the second plate 24 is held vertically by the rotary actuator 26 with respect to the first plate 16, and when the other rotary actuator 29 rotates, the movable table 28 operates by the pinion 30 and the rack 27. And the second plate 24 is
Move forward along one side 17 of plate 16. Then, the first plate 16 advances together with the movable base 20 almost at the same time when the holding member 13 retreats in a direction parallel to the rail. The movable table 20 is advanced by the rodless cylinder 19, and the movable table 20 on which the second plate 24 is mounted is integrated with the movable table 20, so that the second plate 24 and the first plate 16 are It moves with respect to the end of the bag 10 that has been folded. At the position of the forward end, the other side 18 of the first plate 16 is located at the base end of the semi-cylindrical protrusion 15 caused by the first folding,
The inclined side 25 of the second plate 24 is positioned so as to obliquely cross the inner surface of the semi-cylindrical projection 15.

In this state, the third plate 33 faces a part of the semi-cylindrical projection 15 in a direction substantially opposite to the second plate 24 across the traveling line, that is, in the other side 18 of the first plate 16. It moves forward from a direction almost perpendicular to it. This state is shown in FIG. This is performed by advancing the movable table 35 by the rodless cylinder 34. In this case, a stopper 40 having a low height is arranged at a position corresponding to the stopper 39 by rotating the rotary plate 41 with the air cylinder 42. And the air cylinder 38 is pulling the tip of the lever 37, the third plate 33 is in an obliquely upward state (FIG. 6).
(In the state of the dashed line). Since the rod of the air cylinder 38 extends at its forward end, the third plate 33 is tilted over the first plate 16. As a result, a part of the semi-cylindrical projection 15 is folded by the third plate 33 in a state where the folding line is defined by the other side 18 of the first plate 16 and the inclined side 25 of the second plate 24.
That is, the second folding is performed. Immediately after the second folding, the rotary plate 41 is rotated by the air cylinder 42, and the high stopper pin 40 moves to a position corresponding to the stopper 39.

In the state where the second folding is performed, the second plate 24 is wrapped in the semi-cylindrical protrusion 15, and in this state, the second plate 24 is moved by the rotary actuator 26 to the third plate 33. Defeated so as to overlap on top. As a result, the semi-cylindrical protrusion 15 enclosing the second plate 24 is folded so as to overlap the second folded portion. That is, the third folding is performed.
This is the state shown in FIG. Since the third fold is performed by wrapping the second plate 24 with the semi-cylindrical protrusion 15, the fold line is uniquely defined by the one side 17 of the first plate 16 and the edge of the second plate 24 on the first plate side. In addition, the shape of the third fold is determined accurately, and the shape of the third fold is stable as in the case of the second fold.

After the third folding, the pressing roller 4
3 is advanced by the rodless cylinder 44 together with the movable table 45, and the pressing roller 43 presses the end of the triple folded bag 10 to ensure the folded state.

Immediately thereafter, the second plate 24 is
Together with the bag 10 and is pulled out from the end of the triple folded bag 10. Next, the fourth plate 54 located at a position perpendicular to the forward / backward movement direction of the movable base 56 is lowered by the swing cylinder 57 so as to be parallel to the forward / backward movement direction of the movable base 56. Subsequently, the air cylinder 38 for rotating the third plate 33 operates to cause the third plate 33 to move together with the lever 37. In this case, since the stopper 39 abuts on the tall stopper pin 40 to restrict the rotation of the lever 37 beyond a certain level, the tip of the third plate 33 is slightly lifted up, thereby causing the second folded portion to be lifted. One end is raised. The lifter 21 incorporated in the first plate 16 is raised by the air cylinder 23, and the other end of the second folded portion is raised by the lifter 21. That is, a gap is formed below the second fold in a state where the pressing roller 43 presses the end portion of the bag 10 that is folded threefold, and the fourth fold is formed here.
The plate 54 is mounted on the rodless cylinder 5 together with the movable base 56.
5 forward. Since the fourth plate 54 is tilted in the forward direction of the movable base 56, the tip of the third fold is pressed into the gap below the second fold and folded. This is the state shown in FIG. In this case, the lifter 21 is provided at a position near one edge of the first plate 16 so as not to interfere with the fourth plate 54. A gap can be provided without being pushed down, and the leading end of the third folded portion can be stably and reliably folded.

After the fourth plate 54 reaches the forward end,
Although caused by the swing cylinder 57, the fourth plate 54 is inserted under the second folded portion and is loaded in the swing direction, and the pressure of the swing cylinder 57 is adjusted by a regulator. From the fourth
The plate 54 stops in a state where the second folded portion is slightly raised. Then, after the lifter 21 returns to be flush with the first plate 16, the fourth plate 54 is retracted to the extent that it does not fall out of the second folded portion. Such a return to the intermediate position is performed by temporarily stopping the exhaust of the rodless cylinder 55 by a solenoid valve (not shown).

In other words, the ear press plate 58 is held by the air cylinder 59 for a short time toward the substantially center of the running line, with a gap kept below the second fold. The ear protruding to the outer peripheral side generated by folding the semi-cylindrical protrusion 15 as described above is pushed into the lower side of the second fold to eliminate the large protruding part to the outer peripheral side.

After the pressing of the ear, the fourth plate 5
4 is tilted in a direction parallel to the forward and backward movement direction, moves backward, is pulled out from the lower side of the second folded portion, and is raised vertically to the forward and backward movement direction in preparation for the next step. . Subsequently, the first plate 16 is retracted, and the second plate 24 is rotated so as to be perpendicular to the first plate 16. Further, the third plate 33
Is moved down in parallel with the front-back movement direction, is pulled out from the lower side of the third folded portion, and moves the stopper pin 40 having a low height to the lower side of the stopper 39. The air cylinder 38 moves so as to get up. Then, the press roller 37 moves back to the original position.

After the respective plates and the like are moved backward, the cap 68 is moved by the rotary actuator 63 and the arm cylinder 67 to a position facing the end of the bag 10. Here, the cap 68 is linearly moved toward the bag 10 by the air cylinder 61 together with the movable table 62. As a result, first, the elastic plate 69 is pressed against the end of the triple folded bag 10 to prevent its movement, and the cap 68 is further advanced. Therefore, the cap 68 is put on the end of the bag 10 so as to wrap the end of the bag 10 with the elastic plate 69 from the outside. Therefore bag 1
The end of “0” is pressed in a columnar shape by the elastic plate 69 to adjust the shape. That is, unnecessary protrusions are eliminated. After performing such a shaping operation, the cap 68 is moved to the original position.

In the medicine folding shape at the end of the bag 10 obtained as described above, the end of the third fold is sufficiently protruded from the edge of the second fold, and the end is located below the second fold. Since it is folded to the side, so-called pinching is sufficient, and it can be easily opened.
In addition, since the final shaping is performed by wrapping it from the outside with the elastic plate 69, the projecting portion can be eliminated without changing the folded state, so that even if the can lid 11 put in the bag 10 is rolled, The folded portion does not inadvertently open.

In the above embodiment, each operation is performed by an individual air actuator.
Any of those driving means can be used as needed. Further, in the above embodiment, the medicine folding is performed by placing the bag in a horizontal state. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and the bag may be set up vertically.

[0035]

As described above, in the present invention, when performing the second fold, the fold line is defined by the holding plate and the first fold plate, so that the fold is folded as the second fold shape and the third fold. The shape of the power part is stabilized. Further, the third folding is performed by wrapping the first folding plate with the semi-cylindrical protrusion, and then lowering the first folding plate so as to be superimposed on the pressed down portion. The folded shape is stable. Furthermore, when the end of the third fold is pushed below the second fold, the third fold plate does not interfere with the claw pieces that lift the second fold, so that the fold can be reliably performed. Therefore, in general, according to the present invention, the shape of the medicine folding is always stable, and reliable medicine folding can be performed. And since it has the ear holding plate which eliminates the corner | angular part to an outer peripheral side, it can prevent beforehand that the edge part of the bag which gave the medicine folding will open after the fact. In addition, since the first folding plate that defines the folding line is configured to perform the third folding, the size of the apparatus can be reduced by sharing the constituent members.

According to the present invention, if the elastic plate is covered on the end of the bag by the tubular body, the elastic folded body can be formed into a cylindrical shape without impairing the folded state. The opening of the portion can be more reliably prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing main components of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view schematically showing a configuration of a folding station that performs folding after the second folding.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing a first plate and a second plate and their driving means.

FIG. 4 is a side view showing a first plate and a second plate and their driving means.

FIG. 5 is a front view showing a third plate and its driving means.

FIG. 6 is a side view showing a third plate and its driving means.

FIG. 7 is a front view showing a pressing roller and its driving means.

FIG. 8 is a side view showing a pressing roller and its driving means.

FIG. 9 is a front view of a fourth plate and its driving means.

FIG. 10 is a side view of a fourth plate and its driving means.

FIG. 11 is a front view showing an ear pushing plate and its driving means.

FIG. 12 is a front view of a shaping mechanism.

FIG. 13 is a side view of the shaping mechanism.

FIG. 14 is a sectional view of a cap in the shaping mechanism.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a folding procedure by the device of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram for describing a general medicine folding procedure.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Bag 11 Can lid 12 Extension part 13 Holder 15 Semi-cylindrical protrusion 16 First plate 17, 18 Side (of first plate) 21 Lifter 24 Second plate 25 Inclined side 33 Third plate 54 Fourth plate 58 Ear Push plate 68 Cap 69 Elastic plate

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. An extended portion of a cylindrical bag extending from an end of a content is folded at least three times toward an end face of the content, and a tip end of a last folded portion is located below the end. In the medicine folding device at the open end of the bag, which is folded under the portion folded into a portion, a part of the cylindrical extension is bent so as to be in close contact with the end surface of the content, and the other portion is protruded into a semi-cylindrical shape. An initial folding member to be left in the portion, and a portion of the extension portion bent so as to be in close contact with the end face of the content, which is advanced in the radial direction from the opening side of the semi-cylindrical projection, and A holding plate having two sides defining the folding line of the cylindrical protrusion at the tip at a predetermined opening angle, and substantially along one of the two sides of the holding plate and perpendicular to the holding plate Insert it into the semi-cylindrical protrusion while standing A first folding plate which is rarely folded down so as to overlap the holding plate inside the semi-cylindrical projection, and further has an inclined side defining the other folding line at the tip thereof at the tip thereof; Advancing in a direction substantially orthogonal to the other side of the two sides, a part of the semi-cylindrical protrusion is folded from the outside by defining a fold line at the other side and the inclined side, and A second folding plate that is moved up and down with respect to the holding plate; a claw piece provided at a position near the other side of the holding plate and raised from the holding plate; and a first folding plate that is folded by falling on the holding plate. The upper surface of the holding plate and the claw piece so that the tip of the folded portion is inserted between a portion bent so as to be in close contact with the end face of the content and a portion folded by the second folding plate. Fold that moves up and down in a position that does not interfere with the When the second folding plate drugs folding device of the open end of the bag, characterized in that it comprises a and ears holding plate to be inserted below the tip of the. 2. An extended portion of a cylindrical bag extending from an end of the content is folded at least three times toward an end face of the content, and a tip end of a last folded portion is located below the end. A flat plate member made of an elastic material pressed against the end of the bag folded and sandwiched below the folded portion, and a tubular body covered on the end of the bag so as to cover the end of the bag with the flat plate member The medicine folding device at the open end of the bag according to claim 1, comprising: 3. An extended portion of a cylindrical bag extending from an end of the content is folded at least three times toward an end face of the content, and a tip of the last folded portion is located below the end. In the medicine folding method of the open end of the bag, which is folded under the folded portion and sandwiched, the first extension is performed so that a part of the cylindrical extension portion is in close contact with the end surface of the content, and the other portion is folded. After leaving the half-cylindrical projection, the two sides defining the fold line of the half-cylindrical projection are defined at a predetermined opening angle at the tip, and another folding line of the half-cylindrical projection is defined. A first folding plate having an inclined side formed at a tip end thereof and being substantially along one of the two sides of the holding plate and being erected perpendicularly to the holding plate, is bent so as to be in close contact with the end face of the content; Opening of the semi-cylindrical projection with respect to a part of the extension Side of the semi-cylindrical protruding portion by advancing a second folding plate which is moved up and down with respect to the presser plate from an outside direction substantially orthogonal to the other side of the two sides. The portion is defined as a fold line at the other side and the inclined side, and the second fold is performed. The first fold plate is wrapped around the folded portion, and the first fold plate is lowered on the holding plate in that state. A third folding is performed with the one side as a folding line, and the third folding portion is pressed by a pressing roller in a direction in which the third folding portion is in close contact with the end face, while the first folding board is retracted, and the second folding board is slightly lifted away from the end face. At the same time, a gap is provided below the second fold portion by a lifter, and the leading end of the third fold is inserted under the second fold portion.