JP4336339B2 - Filling and packaging machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a filling and packaging machine having a sealing mechanism that seals stacked materials to be sealed.

  As a filling and packaging machine, a bag is formed by forming a bag from a long sealed material (packaging film), filling the bag with the filling, and sealing the opening of the bag after filling. is there. Specifically, it is folded in half in the width direction while transporting a long packaging film (folded in a V shape so that the fold line is below), and the transport direction while transporting the folded packaging film. The bag portions are sequentially formed between the sealed portions by sealing in the width direction at predetermined intervals, and the bag portion is filled with a filler while being conveyed, and the bag portion filled with the filler is conveyed. On the other hand, the opening is sealed, and the bag part in which the opening is sealed is cut to produce a packaged product in which the filling is packaged. For this purpose, the filling and packaging machine has a plurality of sealing devices (sealing mechanisms) for forming a bag portion in a long folded packaging film. The plurality of sealing devices are configured to sandwich the folded packaging film with two seal bars and seal the sandwiched portion.

  The plurality of sealing devices are configured to continue to hold the holding portion until the sealing is completed. In addition, the filling and packaging machine is configured to fill the bag portion formed between the two sealing devices and filled between them until the sealing by the sealing device is completed. For this reason, a filler or the like enters between the clamping parts that have not been completely sealed, and the two sealing bars of the sealing device sandwich the film and foreign matters (filler and other objects) other than the film ( A state in which a foreign object is bitten).

  As a countermeasure, the filling and packaging machine has a sensor for detecting a state in which the sealing device bites in a foreign object. The sensor that detects the bite directly or indirectly measures the distance between two seal bars that are larger than the thickness of two films (thickness of the folded film) by biting in a foreign object. Thus, biting of a foreign object is detected. As such a sealing device having a sensor for detecting biting, there is, for example, one disclosed in Patent Document 1. This is to detect that a foreign object has been caught when the measurement result is significantly different from the measurement result of the immediately preceding sensor.

JP 2005-162219 A

  However, the foreign object biting sensor described above may not be able to detect the biting of the foreign object when the foreign object is very small. In addition, the detection accuracy of foreign object biting may change due to changes over time, such as wear of the seal bar and loosening of the assembled part due to long-term use.

  Therefore, the present invention can reliably detect the biting of a foreign substance even if it is a minute foreign substance, and the detection accuracy of the biting of the foreign substance can be improved by a change with time of the filling and packaging machine (especially a sealing device). It aims at providing the filling packaging machine which can suppress changing.

In order to achieve the above object, a filling and packaging machine according to an aspect of the present invention includes:
It has a fixed seal bar and a movable seal bar.
Provided with a seal mechanism in which the movable seal bar is moved between a seal position for sealing the member to be sealed by approaching the fixed seal bar and a release position for releasing the member to be sealed away from the fixed seal bar. A filling and packing machine,
A support member that supports the movable seal bar and moves the movable seal bar between a seal position and a release position;
A coupling mechanism for coupling the movable seal bar to the support member so that the movable seal bar advances and retreats with respect to the fixed seal bar at the seal position;
An amplifying mechanism that mechanically amplifies the receding distance of the movable seal bar from the fixed seal bar at the seal position;
A reverse amount detection means for detecting the reverse distance amplified by the amplification mechanism;
It is characterized in that it includes a biting detection means for detecting that a foreign object is bitten between the fixed seal bar and the movable seal bar based on the detection result of the reverse amount detection means.

Further, the filling and packaging machine according to another aspect of the present invention includes a fixed seal bar and a movable seal bar based on a result of the biting amount detection means comparing the reverse distance detected by the reverse amount detection means with a reference distance. It is characterized in that it detects that a foreign object is caught between the two.

In another aspect of the filling and packaging machine, the reference distance is a pre- filling distance detected by the retraction amount detection means under substantially the same conditions at a predetermined timing .

The filling and packaging machine of another embodiment, based on the distance before a plurality of filling retraction amount detection means detects, and having an abnormality detecting means for detecting an abnormality of the sealing mechanism.

  According to the present invention, the retraction amount of the movable seal bar that has retreated with the foreign object bitten is enlarged by the amplification mechanism, and the retraction amount detection means detects the enlarged retraction amount. Therefore, even if the foreign matter is very small, it can be reliably detected. In addition, the abnormality detection means should perform these maintenance before the detection accuracy of the foreign object bite changes due to changes in the filling and packaging machine over time, such as wear of the seal bar and loosening of the assembly due to long-term use. As a result, a change in the detection accuracy of the foreign object biting is suppressed.

First embodiment.
FIG. 1 shows a filling and packaging machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In order to better understand the filling and packaging machine denoted by reference numeral 10 in the figure, first, the packing process (packaging process) of the filling performed by the filling and packaging machine 10, that is, the operation of the filling and packaging machine 10 will be described. Next, a configuration of the filling and packaging machine 10 will be described, and subsequently, components related to biting detection in the sealing device which is a main part of the present invention will be described.

  The filling and packaging machine 10 is configured to wrap a filling material with the packaging film F while conveying a long packaging film F. As shown in FIG. 2, the filling and packaging machine 10 performs processing necessary for packaging of the filling material on the packaging film F in five regions I to V on the conveyance path of the packaging film F.

  The filling and packaging machine 10 folds the packaging film F conveyed to the region I in two with respect to the width direction 12 (folds so that the fold line is below). Thereby, the bottom part of the bag part mentioned later is formed.

  Next, in the region II, the filling and packaging machine 10 is folded in two in a width direction (a direction different from the width direction 12) with a predetermined interval in the transport direction 14 in the folded folding film F. A partition seal portion 18 extending in the width direction 16 of the packaging film F is formed. By forming the partition seal portion 18, a plurality of bag portions 24 having openings 22 for filling the filler 20 between the plurality of partition seal portions 18 are formed.

  During the formation of the partition seal portion 18 (in the region (point) III in the region II), the bag portion 24 is filled with the filler 20.

  Subsequently, in the region IV, the filling and packaging machine 10 seals the opening 22 of the bag portion 24 (forms the opening seal portion 26) and closes the bag portion 24.

  Finally, in the region (point) V, the filling and packaging machine 10 can cut the division seal portion 18 so as to be divided in the transport direction 14 (the cutting direction is indicated by a dotted line), or the division seal portion 18 can be divided later. To form perforations. Thereby, the final packaged product 28 in which the filling 20 is packaged by the packaging film F (when the perforations are formed in the partition seal portion 18, a plurality of products 28 are connected) is produced.

  The configuration of the filling and packaging machine 10 that fills and packs the filling 20 as described above will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the filling and packaging machine 10 is roughly folded into two in the width direction while guiding a long film F and a plurality of film rolls 40 a and 40 b that wind and accommodate the long packaging film F. A film guide 42 to be formed, a plurality of partition seal devices 44 for forming the partition seal portion 18 to form the bag portion 24 in the folded folded packaging film F, and the formed bag portion 24 to be filled with the filling 20 A filling material supply device 46, a plurality of chutes 48 for guiding the filling material 20 from the filling material supply device 46 to the bag portion 24, and an opening sealing device 50 for sealing the opening 22 of the bag portion 24 filled with the filling material 20. And have. Further, although not shown in the figure, a cutter that cuts the partition seal portion 18 in the transport direction 14 or a device that forms a perforation so that the partition seal portion 18 can be split later is provided.

  The plurality of film rolls 40a and 40b for storing the wrapping film F in a roll is configured to be detachable from the filling and packaging machine 10 for replacement. The filling and packaging machine 10 conveys the packaging film F wound around one of the film rolls 40a and 40b toward the film guide 42, and when the packaging film F of this one film roll is lost, the other of the film rolls 40a and 40b It is comprised so that the packaging film F of a film roll may be conveyed continuously.

  The film guide 42 is configured to fold in half with respect to the width direction 12 while guiding the packaging film F being conveyed toward the partition sealing device 44 to form the bottom of the bag portion 24.

  The plurality of partition sealing devices 44 and the plurality of chutes 48 are supported by a disk-shaped rotary table 54 that constitutes a part of the rotary unit 52. Specifically, the plurality of partition seal devices 44 and the plurality of chutes 48 are arranged at regular intervals along the outer peripheral edge of the rotary table 54 (see FIG. 3 when the rotary table 54 is viewed from above). .) The rotary table 54 is configured to be rotated about a rotation center line 56 by the rotary unit 52. As a result, the plurality of partition seal devices 44 and the plurality of chutes 48 are moved in a circular orbit around the rotation center line 56.

  The configuration of the compartment seal device 44 is shown in FIG. The partition seal device 44 includes two seal bars 60 and 62 for heat-sealing the sandwiched portion while sandwiching the folded folded packaging film F, and an arm that holds the seal bar 62 and makes contact with the seal bar 60 (claims). Corresponding to a support member in the range of

  The seal bar 60 is fixed on the rotary table 54 so that the holding surface 66 for holding the packaging film is substantially parallel to the vertical direction while facing the radially outer side with respect to the rotation center line 56. Hereinafter, this seal bar 60 is referred to as a fixed seal bar 60. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 5 showing a cross section of the partition seal device 44 (a cross section parallel to the vertical direction and parallel to the sandwiching direction of the packaging film, a cross section seen from the direction A shown in FIG. 3) A heater 68 is embedded in the seal bar 60 for heat-sealing the sandwiched folded folding film.

  The seal bar 62 is moved toward the fixed seal bar 60 via the arm 64 in order to sandwich the packaging film F in cooperation with the fixed seal bar 60 and to release the sandwiched packaging film. Also, it is configured to be separated from the fixed seal bar 60. Hereinafter, the seal bar 62 is referred to as a movable seal bar 62 because it is movable. Further, the position of the movable seal bar that holds the packaging film F in cooperation with the fixed seal bar is referred to as a “sealing position”, and the position where the packaging film F is released away from the fixed seal bar is referred to as a “release position”. .

  The arm 64 of the partition seal device 44 is a substantially L-shaped member, and when the packaging film F is sandwiched, the movable seal bar 62 is fixed to the fixed seal bar 60 at one end thereof. The cam follower 74 is held so as to be substantially parallel to and opposed to the sandwiching surface 66 of the bar 60 and to be rotatable about a rotation center line 72 extending radially with respect to the rotation center line 56 at the other end. The arm 64 is a portion between one end and the other end, and is supported by a bracket 76 provided on the outer peripheral edge of the rotary table 54, and is supported by a support pin 78 extending in a direction perpendicular to the rotation center lines 56 and 72, respectively. The support pin 78 is supported so as to be rotatable.

  The cam follower 74 is provided in the main body of the filling and packaging machine 10 and is driven by a cam member 82 having a cam groove 80 formed in the circumferential direction around the rotation center line 56, that is, when the rotary table 54 is rotated. The cam member 82 is configured to move while rotating according to the cam groove 80. As the rotary table 54 is rotated and the cam follower 74 is driven by the cam groove 80, the arm 64 rotates around the support pin 78. Due to the rotation of the arm 64, the movable seal bar 62 moves between the seal position and the release position, and cooperates with the fixed seal bar 60 to sandwich the packaging film F or away from the fixed seal bar 60. Release. In other words, the timing of sandwiching or releasing the packaging film F (the rotational behavior of the arm 64) is determined by the shape of the cam groove 80. As shown in FIG. 3, the cam groove 80 has a range 86 (not a range defined for the rotating rotary table 54). In the range defined with reference to the filling and packaging machine 10 and corresponding to the region II in FIG. 2), when the movable seal bar 62 is located within the sealing position, the folded packaging film F is sandwiched between On the other hand, the movable seal bar 62 is configured to be separated from the fixed seal bar 60 when positioned outside the range 86.

  The partition sealing device 44 sandwiches the folded packaging film F until the partition seal portion 18 is completely formed within the range 86 (until the heat fusion is completed). Therefore, it also functions as a means for transporting the packaging film F while sandwiching it by cooperating with the rotary table 54 that is rotated.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the filling material supply device 46 is for filling the filling material 20 into the bag portion 24 of the packaging film F located between the compartment seal devices 44, and the filling material accommodated in the hopper 90. 20 is supplied to the bag portion 24 by a predetermined amount. The filling material supply device 46 is placed in the bag portion 24 at a position indicated by an arrow 92 in FIG. 3, that is, a position within a range 86 in which the packaging film F is sandwiched between the partition seal devices 44 and the bag portion 24 is formed therebetween. The filling 20 is supplied.

  The chute 48 guides the filling 20 from the filling supply device 46 to the bag portion, and is supported on the rotary table 54 by the elevating shaft 96 via the turning arm 94. The elevating shaft 96 is configured to elevate and lower the chute 48 and to turn the chute 48 via the arm 94 by rotating about a rotation center line extending in the vertical direction. By the lifting shaft 96, the chute 48 is a bag in which the outlet of the chute 48 is formed later so that the outlet of the chute 48 is positioned between the packaging films F being folded in half by the film guide 42. The shaft 96 is pivoted about the shaft 96 while being lowered so as to be located in the portion 24. Further, when the bag part 24 of the packaging film F comes out of the range 86 (see FIG. 3), an outlet is provided in the bag part 24 in order to allow the bag part 24 to move to the opening sealing device 50. The chute 48 in which is positioned is turned while being lifted through the lifting shaft 96.

  The opening sealing device 50 seals the opening 22 of the packaging film F filled with the filling 20 in the bag portion 24 conveyed from the rotary unit 52 (forms the opening sealing portion 26), and is folded in half. It is composed of a pair of rollers that sandwich the upper side (opening 22 side) of the film F. The roller of the opening sealing device 50 that contacts the packaging film F is heated to seal the opening 22 of the packaging film F by heat sealing.

  From here, a description will be given of the components involved in detecting the foreign object biting between the fixed seal bar and the movable seal bar, and a method for detecting the foreign object biting by the component. Although detection of the foreign object biting will be described in detail later, it is performed by indirectly measuring the distance between the fixed seal bar and the movable seal bar at the seal position.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the fixed seal bar 60 and the movable seal bar 62 of the partition seal device 44 are configured as components for detecting a state in which foreign matter (filler 20) other than the packaging film F is sandwiched (engaged). The partition seal device 44 includes a lever 100 supported by the arm 64 so as to be rotatable about a horizontal rotation center line extending in a direction orthogonal to the holding direction of the packaging film F, and a lever 100 close to the horizontal rotation center line. 5, a link member 102 that connects the portion around the horizontal rotation center line and the movable seal bar 62, a crank pin 104 that connects the lever 100 and the link member 102, and a plurality of members that hold the movable seal bar 62 as shown in FIG. 5. And a spring 106. The lever 100, the link member 102, and the crankpin 104 correspond to the amplification mechanism in the claims, and the spring 106 is included in the connection mechanism in the claims.

  In addition, as a component for detecting foreign object biting, the filling and packaging machine 10 includes a proximity sensor 108 for detecting that the partition sealing device 44 that moves by the rotation of the rotary table 54 is present at a predetermined position, a lever A distance sensor 110 (corresponding to the retreat amount detecting means in claims) 110 that measures a distance up to 100 and a biting detection unit 112 that detects the biting of a foreign object based on the distance measurement result by the distance sensor 110 are provided.

  The lever 100 is a substantially plate-like member, and is supported by the arm 64 so that one surface 114 of the lever 100 faces radially outward with respect to the rotation center line 56 of the rotary table 54 when the packaging film F is sandwiched. ing. The lever 100 is rotatably supported around the support pin 115 by a support pin 115 provided on the arm 64 that extends in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the sandwiching direction of the packaging film F. Further, as shown in FIG. 6 which shows a cross section viewed from the B direction shown in FIG. 4, the center portion of the crank pin 104 is inserted into the lever 100 in the vicinity of the support pin 115 on the surface facing the surface 114. A hole 116 is formed. Furthermore, the lever 100 has a set screw 118 for stopping the rotation of the crankpin 104 within the hole 116.

  The link member 102 is fixed to the movable seal bar 62 and is configured to support both end portions of the crank pin 104 via the bearing 120. The link member 102 has a slot formed in the link member 102 by a bolt (a slot having a width larger than the bolt axis and smaller than the head of the bolt so that the fixing position to the movable seal bar 62 can be finely adjusted. ) To the movable seal bar 62.

  The crank pin 104 is supported at the center portion by the hole 116 of the lever 100, and both end portions are supported by the link member 102 via the bearing 120. The crank pin 104 is formed so that the rotation center line of the center portion does not coincide with the rotation center lines of both end portions. Further, the crank pin 104 is configured so that a knob 122 for rotation can be attached (see FIG. 6). By rotating the crank pin 104 in the hole 116, the distance between the movable seal bar 62 and the portion near the support pin 115 of the lever 100 is changed.

  The plurality of springs 106 are arranged between the movable seal bar 62 and the arm 64 so that the expansion / contraction direction substantially coincides with the clamping direction, and holds the movable seal bar 62. Specifically, the movable seal bar 62 is supported by a restriction pin 124 provided on the arm 64 through a long hole 126 formed in the movable seal bar 62 and extending in the clamping direction (see FIG. 4). ). Therefore, the movable seal bar 62 is urged toward the fixed seal bar 60 by the spring 106 while being supported by the arm 64 so as to be movable within a certain range in the clamping direction. At the sealing position, the movable seal bar 62 holds the packaging film F folded in half with a predetermined pressing force in cooperation with the fixed seal bar 60 by the spring 106. The movable seal bar 62 is for finely adjusting the predetermined pressing force (in other words, for restricting the movement of the movable seal bar 62 from the arm 64 toward the fixed seal bar 60 within the certain range). ) The member 128 is attached by a bolt through a long hole provided in the member 128.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the proximity sensor 108 and the distance sensor 110 are supplied with the filling 20 by the filling supply device 46 within one area sealing device 44 that sandwiches the packaging film F, that is, within the range 86. Sensing is performed on the compartment seal device 44 adjacent to the bag portion 24 (in other words, the compartment seal device that has passed the position indicated by the arrow 92). For example, sensing is performed on the partition seal device 44 that passes a predetermined position indicated by an arrow 140 in FIG.

  FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the position of the arrow 140 in FIG. The distance sensor 110 is disposed at a position facing the surface 114 in order to measure the distance D to the surface 114 of the lever 100 of the section seal device 44 that moves in the rotation direction 142 of the rotary table 54. From another point of view, the distance sensor 110 is at a fixed position with respect to the fixed seal bar 60 of the partition seal device 44 at a timing sensed by the sensor 110. Moreover, although not shown in figure, the proximity sensor 108 is similarly arrange | positioned in the position facing the surface 114 of the lever 100 of the partition seal apparatus 44 which moves.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the proximity sensor 108 and the distance sensor 110 are provided in the filling and packaging machine 10 side by side in the vertical direction in order to sense the surface 114 of the lever 100 of the partition sealing device 44 at a predetermined position. . The proximity sensor 108 is arranged so as to sense a portion near the support pin 115 of the surface 114 of the lever 100 (upper side of the surface 114), while the distance sensor 110 is arranged so as to sense a portion far from the support pin 115 of the surface 114. Has been.

  When the proximity sensor 108 detects that the surface 114 of the lever 100 of the partition seal device 44 has appeared at the facing position, the proximity sensor 108 outputs a signal indicating that the partition seal device 44 is at a predetermined position to the biting detection unit 112. It is configured as follows.

  The distance sensor 110 is configured to measure the distance to the surface 114 of the lever 100 of the partition sealing device 44 based on a signal from the biting detection unit 112. The distance sensor 110 is configured to output an output signal corresponding to the measured distance to the biting detection unit 112.

  The biting detection unit 112 knows from the signal from the proximity sensor 108 that the surface 114 of the lever 100 of the partition seal device 44 is at a position where the proximity sensor 108 and the distance sensor 110 face each other. Is configured to output a signal for measuring the distance to the distance sensor 110. Further, based on a signal from the distance sensor 110 corresponding to the distance from the distance sensor 110 to the surface 114 of the lever 100, it is detected that a foreign object is caught between the fixed seal bar 60 and the movable seal bar 62. It is configured as follows. A method by which the biting detection unit 112 detects the biting of a foreign object based on a signal from the distance sensor 110 will be described later.

  Moreover, the filling and packaging machine 10 has two operation modes in order to enable detection of foreign matter. One operation mode is a normal operation mode in which the packaging film F is folded in two while being conveyed, the bag portion 24 is formed by the partition seal device 44, and the filling material 20 is formed in the formed bag portion 24 by the filling material supply device 46. , The opening 22 of the bag portion 24 filled with the filling 20 is sealed by the opening sealing device 50, and the section seal portion 18 is cut with a cutter to produce a product 28 (see FIG. 2). .) Another mode is a non-filling mode in which the filling material supply operation by the filling material supply device 46 is excluded from the operation in the filling mode (the filling mode in which the filling material supply device 46 is stopped).

  The operation of the filling and packaging machine 10 in the non-filling mode is performed at a predetermined timing. For example, it is performed before the operation in the filling mode, after the power is supplied to the filling and packaging machine 10, or at every elapse of time determined in advance by the user. The reason for having two operation modes in this way will be described later.

  Next, the operation of the constituent elements related to the above-described foreign object biting detection, that is, the biting detection method will be described. The explanation will be made with reference to FIG. 8 showing the partition seal device 44 in a mechanical model in consideration of easy understanding.

  FIG. 8A shows the partition seal device 44 in a state where the fixed seal bar 60 and the movable seal bar 62 hold the packaging film F in a mechanical model. FIG. 8B shows the section seal device 44 ′ in a state in which the foreign material 150 is bitten, using a mechanical model.

  As shown in FIG. 8B, when the foreign substance 150 having a size (length in the clamping direction) d1 is bitten between the fixed seal bar 60 and the movable seal bar 62, it is compared with the state shown in FIG. Thus, the movable seal bar 62 moves backward in the direction away from the fixed seal bar 60 by a distance d1 (for confirmation, the arm 64 is engaged with the cam follower 74 in the cam groove 80 as shown in FIG. It does not move because it is.)

  The link member 102 is moved in the same direction together with the movable seal bar 62, and the link member 102 presses the vicinity of the support pin 115 of the lever 100 via the crank pin 104. The pressed lever 100 rotates around the support pin 115. The distance sensor 110 measures the distance of the surface 114 of the rotated lever 100 to the far part of the support pin 115.

  At this time, the distance D ′ measured by the distance sensor 110 is smaller than the distance D measured when the foreign object 150 shown in FIG. 8A is not bitten, specifically, the size d1 of the foreign object 150. The distance is smaller than the distance D by a larger d2. This is based on this principle using the lever 100 and the link member 102. As described above, the distance sensor 110 measures the distance to the distant portion of the support pin 115 of the lever 100 that has been moved by the movement amount obtained by enlarging the retraction amount of the movable seal bar 62 by the link member 102 and the lever 100. . In short, the distance sensor 110 measures the distance obtained by mechanically amplifying the distance between the fixed seal bar 60 and the movable seal bar 62. As a result, even if the foreign matter caught is very small, it is possible to detect the biting of the foreign matter.

  The distance D measured by the distance sensor 110 is changed by the crank pin 104 for changing the distance between the movable seal bar 62 and the portion near the support pin 115 of the lever 100. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the distance measured by the distance sensor 110 when the fixed seal bar 60 and the movable seal bar 62 are in contact is changed by rotating the crank pin 104 by a predetermined amount within the hole 116. The Thereby, the distance sensor 110 can be finely adjusted so as to measure a desired distance. For example, the distance sensor 110 can measure substantially the same distance from the plurality of compartment seal devices 44.

  Subsequently, returning to FIG. 4, the biting detection unit 112 will be described. The biting detection unit 112 is in a state where no foreign matter is clearly bitten between the fixed seal bar 60 and the movable seal bar 62 (that is, the movable seal bar is in contact with the fixed seal bar or the movable seal bar). The state where the fixed seal bar sandwiches only the packaging film F), in other words, the distance measured by the distance sensor 110 when the filling and packaging machine 10 is operating in the non-filling mode (hereinafter referred to as “pre-filling distance”). When the distance sensor 110 measures a distance in which the difference between the fixed seal bar 60 and the movable seal bar 62 is in the filling mode, it is determined that a foreign object is caught between the fixed seal bar 60 and the movable seal bar 62. Has been. The pre-filling distance corresponds to the reference retraction amount described in the claims.

  Note that the predetermined value is a value that takes into account, for example, the play of the movable part of the partition seal device 44 and the detection error of the sensor, and erroneously detects that a foreign object is caught even though the foreign object is not caught. This is a value for preventing this.

  Referring to FIG. 8 as an example, the partition seal device 44 in FIG. 8A is in the non-filling mode, and the distance sensor 110 measures the distance D. The partition seal device 44 ′ in FIG. 8B bites the foreign material 150 in the state of the filling mode, and the distance sensor 110 measures the distance D ′. The difference between the distance D and the distance D 'is a distance d2 exceeding a predetermined value.

  Further, the biting detection unit 112 outputs a signal for stopping the filling and packaging machine 10 to a control unit (not shown) of the filling and packaging machine 10 after determining that the foreign matter is bitten. It is.

  As components for enabling these operations, the biting detection unit 112 includes a pre-filling distance storage unit 160, a biting determination unit 162, and a stop signal output unit 164, as shown in FIG.

  The pre-filling distance storage unit 160 stores pre-filling distance data measured by the distance sensor 110 when the filling and packaging machine 10 is operating in the non-filling mode. The pre-fill distance storage unit 160 stores pre-fill distance data for each of the plurality of partition seal devices 44.

  The biting determination unit 162 is a distance to the surface 114 of the lever 100 of one compartment seal device 44 measured by the distance sensor 110 when the filling and packaging machine 10 is operating in the filling mode (hereinafter referred to as “during filling distance”). And the pre-filling distance corresponding to the partition sealing device 44 stored in the pre-filling storage unit 160, and comparing and determining whether or not the difference between the two distances exceeds a predetermined value. That is, it is configured to determine whether or not the partition sealing device 44 is biting foreign matter. This comparison / determination is performed on one compartment seal device 44 every time one compartment seal device 44 moves to a position facing the distance sensor 110 while the filling and packaging machine 10 is operating in the filling mode.

  The stop signal output unit 164 stops the filling and packaging machine 10 at the control unit (not shown) of the filling and packaging machine 10 when the biting determination unit 162 determines that the partition sealing device 44 is biting foreign matter. A signal 166 for equalizing is output.

  Here, an example of the operation flow of the biting detection unit 112 will be described with reference to the flow shown in FIG.

  In the flow shown in FIG. 9, when the power is supplied to the filling and packaging machine 10, the filling and packaging machine 10 starts to operate in the non-filling mode. In step 500, the biting detection unit 112 receives a signal 168 indicating that the operation has started in the non-filling mode from the control unit (not shown) of the filling and packaging machine 10 (see FIG. 4).

  Next, in step 510, the biting detection unit 112 moves in a state where the packaging film is sandwiched at the position opposite to the distance sensor 110 when the filling and packaging machine 10 operates in the non-filling mode. For each of the 44, the pre-filling distance is measured via the distance sensor 110.

  Subsequently, in step 520, the biting detection unit 112 stores the respective pre-filling distances measured from the plurality of partition sealing devices 44 in the pre-filling distance storage unit 160.

  When the filling and packaging machine 10 finishes the operation in the non-filling mode and then starts to operate in the filling mode, the biting detection unit 112 performs filling from a control unit (not shown) of the filling and packaging machine 10 in Step 530. A signal 170 indicating that the operation is started in the mode is received (see FIG. 4).

  In step 540, the biting detection unit 112 is filling the compartment seal device 44 that moves to the position opposite to the distance sensor 110 when the filling and packaging machine 10 operates in the filling mode via the distance sensor 110. Measure distance.

  In step 550, the biting determination unit 162 of the biting detection unit 112 compares the pre-filling distance corresponding to the partition sealing device 44 in which the mid-filling distance measured in step 540 is measured.

  In step 560, it is determined from the comparison result in step 550 that the partition sealing device 44 has bitten foreign matter. If a foreign object is bitten, the process proceeds to step 570, and if not, the process proceeds to step 580.

  In step 570, the biting detection unit 112 outputs a signal for stopping the filling and packaging machine 10 to the control unit of the filling and packaging machine 10. Then, the filling and packaging machine 10 is stopped.

  In step 580, the biting detection unit 112 confirms the end of the filling mode operation of the filling and packaging machine 10. When the filling mode operation ends, the operation of the biting detection unit 112 is completed. When the filling mode operation continues, the process returns to step 540, and the operation related to the biting detection of steps 540 to 560 is executed for the next section seal device 44 that moves to the position opposite to the distance sensor 110.

  According to the present embodiment, the distance sensor measures the amount of movement of the movable seal bar that has been retracted by biting in a foreign object, and the amount of movement of the lever is enlarged and converted by the link member and the lever. When the distance sensor measures the distance of a value obtained by mechanically amplifying the distance between the movable seal bar and the movable seal bar, the biting can be reliably detected even if the foreign matter is very small.

Second embodiment.
The filling and packaging machine of this embodiment is different from that of the first embodiment in that it has a function of detecting an abnormality of the partition seal device.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, the filling and packaging machine of the present embodiment includes an abnormality determination unit 180 and an abnormality information output unit 182 in the biting detection unit as means for detecting an abnormality of the partition seal device. Have. In the present embodiment, the biting detection unit 112 ′, the biting determination unit 162 ′, and the stop signal output unit 164 ′ are the biting detection unit 112, the biting determination unit 162 ′, and the stop signal output unit of the first embodiment. 164 '. The components of the filling and packaging machine excluding the biting detection unit are the same as those in the first embodiment. Therefore, only differences from the filling and packaging machine of the first embodiment will be described.

  The abnormality determination unit 180 illustrated in FIG. 10 includes the pre-filling distance measured by the measurement sensor 110 in the past stored in the pre-filling distance storage unit 160 ′ for one partition seal device 44, and the measurement sensor 110 newly. Are compared with each other, and based on the comparison result, it is determined whether or not the section seal device 44 is abnormal. The reason why the pre-filling distance is used is the filling mode in which the pre-filling distance can cause a foreign object to be caught.In other words, the distance before the filling is not a value measured when the measurement conditions may be different. This is because the value is measured in the filling mode. Since the pre-filling distance measured under substantially the same conditions is used, the accuracy of abnormality determination is high.

  The section seal device 44 that is determined to be abnormal by the abnormality determination unit 180 may wear, for example, the clamping surfaces 66 and 70 of the two seal bars 60 and 62 shown in FIG. Changes over time occur, such as the elastic force of 106 becomes low. Such a change changes the measurement result of the distance sensor, and as a result, the detection accuracy of the foreign object biting may be changed.

  Changes over time of the compartment seal device 44 can be detected based on a plurality of pre-fill distances measured from the compartment seal device 44.

  For example, in one section sealing device 44, a change in the pre-filling distance in which the predetermined number of pre-filling distances measured in the past and the newly measured pre-filling distance are not all included in the range considering the measurement error. If it has occurred, the abnormality determination unit 180 determines that the one partition sealing device 44 is abnormal. Although it is necessary to know in advance the change in the compartment seal device 44 (corresponding change in the pre-filling distance) necessary for deriving the abnormality determination, for example, measurement is performed from the compartment seal device 44 in which the detection accuracy of foreign object biting has changed in the past. It can be determined from the change in the distance before filling.

  The abnormality information output unit 182 provides information indicating that a certain partition sealing device 44 is abnormal to the user when the abnormality determination unit 180 determines that the certain partition sealing device 44 is abnormal. The provision of the abnormality information is performed, for example, by outputting an abnormality comment on a touch panel that is a control unit of the filling and packaging machine 10 or by sounding an alarm that notifies the abnormality of the filling and packaging machine 10.

  According to the present embodiment, the abnormality detection means (abnormality determination unit and abnormality information output unit) can detect foreign matter biting accuracy due to changes over time, such as wear of the seal bar and loosening of the assembled part due to long-term use. These maintenance operations can be performed before the change, and as a result, a change in the detection accuracy of the foreign object biting is prevented.

  As mentioned above, although the filling packaging machine concerning the present invention was explained giving two embodiments, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

  For example, in the above description, the mechanical amplifying mechanism for amplifying the retraction amount of the movable seal bar is the lever 100, the link member 102, and the crank pin 104, but is not limited thereto. For example, an amplification mechanism can be configured with a rack and a pinion.

  In this case, an amplification mechanism can be configured by providing a pinion gear at one end of a support pin that rotatably supports the lever, providing a rack that meshes with the pinion gear on the link member, and appropriately setting the number of gear teeth. .

  In addition, the filling and packaging machine provided with the abnormality determination unit and the abnormality information output unit of the second embodiment is the filling and packaging machine of the first embodiment, that is, a partition seal device including a fixed seal bar and a movable seal bar. It is not limited to what detects a foreign object biting by expanding the amount of retreat of the movable seal bar, and measuring the expanded amount of retreat by the distance sensor. For example, it does not have an amplifying mechanism that amplifies the amount of retraction of the movable seal bar, but directly detects the amount of retraction of the movable seal bar and uses the directly detected amount of retraction to detect the entry of foreign matter. And an abnormality information output unit may be provided.

  Furthermore, the filling and packaging machine of the above-described embodiment measures the distances to the levers of a plurality of section seal devices by one distance sensor. That is, a plurality of partition seal devices are moved one by one in a circular path by rotation of the rotary table to a position facing the distance sensor fixed at a predetermined position. On the other hand, you may provide a distance sensor in each of several division seal apparatus. In this case, the distance sensors corresponding to the plurality of partition seal devices are integrally moved on the circular path by the rotary table.

  When the distance to the levers of a plurality of compartment seal devices is measured by a single distance sensor, for example, a loose filling material such as a liquid is gently placed between the packaging film portions sandwiched by the compartment seal device. If it penetrates so that it may penetrate | infiltrate, it may be unable to detect the biting of a filler in the position which one distance sensor opposes. As a countermeasure, a distance sensor is provided for each of the plurality of partition sealing devices. Each of the distance sensors provided in the plurality of partition sealing devices continues to sense until the packaging film sandwiched by the partition sealing devices is released.

  Furthermore, the sealing device of the filling and packaging machine of the above-described embodiment is a partition sealing device that sandwiches a folded folding film and seals the sandwiched portion, but the present invention is not limited to this, and in a broad sense, The present invention is intended for a sealing device that forms a bag by partially sandwiching overlapping packaging films and sealing the sandwiched portion. For example, a sealing device that seals and closes the opening of the bag can also be implemented.

  In addition, the pre-filling distance, which is a comparison target for detection of foreign object biting, or an index for detecting an abnormality of the partition sealing device, may be an average value. That is, in one section sealing device, in the non-filling mode, the distance sensor measures the pre-filling distance multiple times, and the average value of the plurality of pre-filling distances is used to detect foreign object biting and abnormality of the section sealing device. It may be detected.

  In addition, the filling and packaging machine according to the second embodiment described above determines an abnormality of the one compartment sealing device based on a plurality of pre-filling distances measured from the one compartment sealing device. On the other hand, even if abnormality of components of the filling and packaging machine related to the plurality of compartment seal devices, for example, a rotary unit, is determined by a change in variation of a plurality of pre-fill distances measured from each of the plurality of compartment seal devices. Good.

  When the filling and packaging machine is operating normally, variations in the plurality of pre-fill distances measured from each of the plurality of partition sealing devices hardly change. On the other hand, when an abnormality occurs in the components related to the plurality of partition seal devices in the filling and packaging machine, for example, when an abnormality occurs in the rotation of the rotary table on which the plurality of partition seal devices are installed, The variation in the distance before filling may be different from that in the normal state.

  In order to detect such abnormalities, the filling and packaging machine, for example, obtains a variation in a plurality of pre-fill distances measured from each of a plurality of section seal devices, and compares the newly obtained variation with a previously obtained variation. When the change is larger than a predetermined value, an abnormality detecting means is provided for notifying the user of the abnormality.

  Further, at this time, if the distance sensor is adjusted by rotating the crank pin of each partition sealing device so as to measure the same pre-filling distance from each of the plurality of partition sealing devices, it is measured from each of the plurality of partition sealing devices. Variation in the pre-filling distance can be substantially eliminated. As a result, there is an advantage that it is easy to obtain a variation change from a substantially non-variable state.

  In addition, in the above-described embodiment, an abnormality of the heater may be detected in consideration of the influence of heat from the heater embedded in the fixed seal bar of the partition sealing device.

  More specifically, in the above-described embodiment, when the distance sensor measures the distance in which the difference from the pre-filling distance exceeds a predetermined value in the filling mode, a foreign object is caught between the fixed seal bar and the movable seal bar. It is determined that it is busy. When the predetermined value is a value that takes into account, for example, the play of the movable part of the sealing device 44 or the detection error of the sensor, it is a substantially constant value. However, the predetermined value is influenced by the heat of the heater of the fixed seal bar, because the heat from the heater is transferred to each component of the partition seal device and stored, and each stored component is It is for thermal expansion. Considering the effect of heat from the heater, it is possible to detect the abnormality of the heater when a positive change appears suddenly.

  Finally, the measurement of the pre-filling distance required for biting detection is performed in the above-described embodiment when the filling and packaging machine is operating in the non-filling mode, in other words, the two seal bars sandwich only the packaging film. However, this is not a limitation. Alternatively, the distance measured when the two seal bars are in contact with each other without being sandwiched between them may be the pre-filling distance. In this case, the filling and packaging machine has an operation mode in which the filling material supply device and the packaging film conveyance system are stopped and operated, that is, the compartment seal device is driven while rotating the rotary table.

It is a front view of the filling packaging machine of a 1st embodiment concerning the present invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the packaging process which the packaging apparatus shown in FIG. 1 performs. It is a figure which shows the positional relationship of a division seal apparatus and a chute | shooting which looked at the rotary table from upper direction. It is a figure which shows the structure of a division seal apparatus. It is sectional drawing of the division seal apparatus seen from A direction in FIG. It is sectional drawing of the division seal apparatus seen from the B direction in FIG. It is a figure for showing the positional relationship of a division seal device and a distance sensor. It is the figure which showed the mechanical model of the division seal apparatus for demonstrating the method of detection of the foreign material bite. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of operation | movement of a biting detection part. It is a figure which shows the structure of the biting detection part of 2nd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

60: Fixed seal bar 62: Movable seal bar 64: Support member (arm)
100: Amplification mechanism (lever)
102: Amplification mechanism (link)
104: Amplification mechanism (crank pin)
110: Retraction amount detection means (distance sensor)
112: Biting detection means (biting detection unit)

Claims (4)

It has a fixed seal bar and a movable seal bar.
Provided with a seal mechanism in which the movable seal bar is moved between a seal position for sealing the member to be sealed by approaching the fixed seal bar and a release position for releasing the member to be sealed away from the fixed seal bar. A filling and packing machine,
A support member that supports the movable seal bar and moves the movable seal bar between a seal position and a release position;
A coupling mechanism that couples the movable seal bar to the support member so that the movable seal bar advances and retreats with respect to the fixed seal bar at the seal position;
An amplifying mechanism that mechanically amplifies the receding distance of the movable seal bar from the fixed seal bar at the seal position;
A reverse amount detection means for detecting the reverse distance amplified by the amplification mechanism;
A filling and packaging machine comprising: a biting detection unit that detects that a foreign object is bitten between a fixed seal bar and a movable seal bar based on a detection result of a retraction amount detection unit. The biting amount detection means detects that a foreign object is caught between the fixed seal bar and the movable seal bar based on the comparison result between the reverse distance detected by the reverse amount detection means and the reference distance. The filling and packaging machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: 3. The filling and packaging machine according to claim 2, wherein the reference distance is a pre- filling distance detected by the retraction amount detection means under substantially the same conditions at a predetermined timing. 4. The filling and packaging machine according to claim 3, further comprising an abnormality detection unit that detects an abnormality of the seal mechanism based on a plurality of pre-filling distances detected by the retraction amount detection unit.

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