JP4409866B2 - Packaging material transport device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a packaging material conveying device that conveys a packaging material while adsorbing, and in particular, a packaging material conveying device used for feeding a film web as a packaging material, that is, supplying a film sheet, in an overwrapping machine. About.
[0002]
[Prior art]
This type of packaging material conveying device includes a plurality of suction conveyors arranged in parallel to each other, and these suction conveyors convey the film web or film sheet while adsorbing them (for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-203504 [Patent Document 2]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-315714
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, in the packaging material conveying apparatus described above, the interval between the side suction conveyors located on the most sides is determined according to the width of the packaging material to be sucked and conveyed, and when the width of the packaging material is changed, It is necessary to change the arrangement of the side suction conveyor.
[0005]
For this reason, in the packaging material conveying apparatus of Patent Document 1, this is dealt with by increasing / decreasing the number of side suction conveyors according to the width of the packaging material. In addition to this, extra space is required for storage of unused side suction conveyors.
On the other hand, as disclosed in Patent Document 2, a suction joint protrudes from the side surface of each suction conveyor, and this suction joint connects a suction chamber in the suction conveyor and an external suction hose. Therefore, the suction chamber of the suction conveyor is supplied with suction pressure through the suction hose and the suction joint, and can apply a suction force to the suction belt that sucks the packaging material.
[0006]
Here, paying attention to the center suction conveyor located in the center, the suction joint exists between the center suction conveyor and the side suction conveyor, so the distance between the center and the side suction conveyor is required by the suction joint. It cannot be narrowed below the space. Therefore, in the packaging and conveying apparatus of Patent Documents 1 and 2, it is not possible to perform adsorption conveyance of a narrow packaging material.
[0007]
The present invention has been made based on the above-described circumstances, and the object of the present invention is to easily cope with the change even when the width of the packaging material is changed, and moreover, it is applicable to a packaging material having a narrow width. However, an object of the present invention is to provide a packaging material transport device that enables the suction transport.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is provided with three or more suction conveyors extending in parallel to each other , transporting the packaging material while adsorbing the suction materials to the suction conveyors, and each suction conveyor capable of traveling in one direction. And a pair of side suction conveyors, each of which includes a suction chamber extending along the suction belt and supplying suction pressure to the suction belt. is divided into the remaining center suction conveyor arranged between the suction conveyor, in packaging material transport apparatus, while supporting one end of each suction conveyor, it transmits a driving force for running the suction belt to the suction conveyor, its axis when the pair of side suction conveyor is moved along a direction, these A common drive shaft for guiding the movement of id suction conveyor, is connected at one end to a suction chamber of the center suction conveyor adjacent the one side suction conveyor, comprising a suction pipe for supplying suction pressure to the suction chamber The suction pipe extends from the center suction conveyor through the suction chamber of the one side suction conveyor and extends in parallel with the drive shaft. When the one side suction conveyor is moved along the drive shaft, The movement of the side suction conveyor is guided (claim 1).
[0009]
According to the packaging material conveying apparatus described above, the pair of side suction conveyors on both sides are moved on the drive shaft, and the interval between the side suction conveyors is adjusted according to the width of the packaging material. At this time, since the movement of one side suction conveyor is guided also by the suction pipe not only the drive shaft, not the suction pipe hinders the movement of the one side suction conveyor, the one side It is also possible to position the suction conveyor adjacent to the center suction conveyor.
[0010]
Further, since the suction pipe passes through the suction chamber of the one side suction conveyor, the suction chamber is not divided by the one suction pipe, and the side suction conveyor is enlarged correspondingly. There is no.
[0011]
The suction chamber of the one side suction conveyor is to have an extended portion which is extended by the volume corresponding to the volume occupied by the suction pipe to the through portion of the suction pipe is desired (claim 2). Specifically, the extended portion is a recess formed in the inner wall surface of the suction chamber along the longitudinal direction of the one side suction conveyor. In this case, the suction chamber of the one side suction conveyor regardless of the penetration of the suction pipe, to impart a uniform suction force in the longitudinal direction of the suction belt of the suction belt is stably adsorb packaging material.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 schematically shows a state in which a product A is packaged by a turret-type overwrapping machine including a packaging material transport device.
First, the overwrapping machine includes a supply conveyor 2 for the product A. The supply conveyor 2 extends in the horizontal direction and conveys the products A in a row at a constant speed.
[0013]
A packaging line 6 extends in front of the supply conveyor 2, and a turret 8 is provided at the starting end of the packaging line 6. The turret 8 has a plurality of pockets at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, and each pocket is sequentially positioned at the entrance position of the turret 8 by the intermittent rotation. In FIG. 1, the turret 8 is indicated only by its rotation axis 10.
[0014]
On the other hand, a product separation section is arranged between the supply conveyor 2 and the turret 8, and this product separation section separates the leading product A from the product row on the supply conveyor 2 and removes the separated product A. The film sheet F as a packaging material is pushed into the pocket of the turret 8 at the entrance position. At this time, the film sheet F is wound around the product A. Prior to the pressing of the product A, the film sheet F has already been supplied to the body winding position before the entrance position, and is in a state of being hung down at this body winding position.
[0015]
The film sheet F is obtained by cutting the film web FW fed from the film roll FR along the feeding path into a predetermined length, and is between the turret 8 and the product separating section, that is, before the inlet position of the turret 8. Drooped into. Note that the tape T fed from the tape roll TR is adhered to the film web FW, and therefore the film sheet F has an opening tape. Further, in FIG. 1, reference symbol FR ′ indicates a film roll that is on standby.
[0016]
On the other hand, the product A pushed into the pocket together with the film sheet F is transferred toward the exit position of the turret 8 as the turret 8 rotates intermittently. Sequentially, the product A is wound around the film sheet F. At this time, the film sheet F has a cylindrical shape, and both ends thereof protrude from both side surfaces of the product A.
[0017]
The wound product A that has reached the exit position of the turret 8 is discharged from the pocket to the side folding section of the packaging line 6 and transferred through the side folding section. In this transfer process, the tubular film sheet F is subjected to an ear fold, side flap fold, and side seal in order on both sides of the product A, whereby the product A is completely wrapped by the film sheet F. Packaged product P. Thereafter, the packaged product P is transferred from the packaging line 6 toward the subsequent process, specifically the boxing process.
[0018]
Referring to FIG. 2, the sheet feeder 12 for the film sheet F is specifically shown, and the sheet feeder 12 constitutes a packaging material conveying apparatus.
The sheet feeder 12 includes three suction conveyors 14. These suction conveyors 14 extend in the vertical direction between the supply conveyor 2 and the turret 8 described above, and form a terminal portion of the feeding path of the film web FW. To do.
[0019]
More specifically, the upper ends of the respective suction conveyors 14 are positioned at the same height level, but the center suction conveyor 14c located in the center is shorter in length than the side suction conveyors 14s on both sides, and the lower ends thereof are supplied. It is positioned above the conveyor 2. In FIG. 2, a one-dot chain line indicated by a reference symbol SL indicates a transport level of the product A transported on the supply conveyor 2.
[0020]
Since each suction conveyor 14 has substantially the same configuration, here, the configuration will be described by focusing on one suction conveyor 14.
The suction conveyor 14 has a long suction block 16, which extends in the vertical direction. A drive shaft 20 is rotatably passed through the upper end of the suction block 16 via a pair of left and right bearings 18. A gear pulley 22 is attached to the drive shaft 20 so as to be positioned between the bearings 18. On the other hand, a gear pulley 24 is rotatably supported at the lower end of the suction block 16.
[0021]
An endless gear belt, that is, a suction belt 26 is wound around the upper and lower gear pulleys 22, 24, and the suction belt 26 travels in one direction along the feeding path as the drive shaft 20 rotates. A number of suction holes 28 are formed in the suction belt 26 at predetermined intervals in the running direction. When these suction holes 28 communicate with the suction chamber 30 in the suction block 16, a predetermined number of suction holes 28 are formed from the suction chamber 30. Can be supplied with suction pressure.
[0022]
More specifically, the suction chamber 30 of the suction block 16 has a groove shape, extends in the longitudinal direction of the suction block 16, and opens toward the feeding path side. The opening of the suction chamber 30 is closed by a guide plate 32, which guides the traveling of the suction belt 26 on the forward movement side and has a suction slot 34 that communicates with the suction chamber 30. The suction slot 34 is provided at a position corresponding to the suction hole 28 of the suction belt 26, whereby the suction chamber 30 can supply the suction pressure to the suction hole 28 of the suction belt 26 through the suction slot 34.
[0023]
The suction block 16 also has a guide plate on the back side opposite to the guide plate 32, and this guide plate guides the travel on the reverse side of the suction belt 26.
As is clearer with reference to FIG. 3, the suction chamber 30 is divided into a plurality of parts when viewed in the vertical direction, and accordingly, the suction slots 34 of the guide plate 32 are also divided into a plurality of parts. Specifically, the suction chamber 30 of the short center suction conveyor 14c is divided into two, and the suction chamber 30 of the left and right long side suction conveyors 14s is divided into three.
[0024]
As is apparent from FIG. 2, the drive shaft 20 described above is shared by the center and the left and right side suction conveyors 14c and 14s, extends horizontally through the upper ends of the suction conveyors 14, and one end thereof is a bearing. 36 is rotatably supported by the frame 38 of the overwrapping machine. A drive gear 40 is attached to one end of the drive shaft 20, and the drive shaft 20 receives supply of rotational power via the drive gear 40. When the drive shaft 20 is rotated, the suction belt 26 of each suction conveyor 14 travels in one direction in conjunction with each other via the gear pulley 22.
[0025]
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a cutter unit 42 is provided immediately above the sheet feeder 12, and the cutter unit 42 includes a roller 44 with a blade and a fixed blade 46. The roller with blades 44 and the fixed blade 46 are arranged across the feeding path of the film web FW, and the roller with blades 44 cuts the film web FW on the feeding path into individual film sheets F of a predetermined length by the rotation. . Further, a hood roller unit (not shown) is disposed immediately above the cutter unit 42, and the feed roller unit sends the film web FW on the feeding path toward the sheet feeder 12 through the cutter unit 42.
[0026]
The upper ends of the left and right side suction conveyors 14s are movably attached to the drive shaft 20, and in order to allow this movement, the outer peripheral surface of the drive shaft 20 is provided on the outer peripheral surface as shown in FIG. A guide groove 48 in the axial direction is formed. On the other hand, the gear pulley 22 of the side suction conveyor 14s is provided with a protrusion (not shown) that is slidably fitted in the guide groove 48 on its inner peripheral surface.
[0027]
And the upper end part of the suction block 16 in the side suction conveyor 14s is fixed to the frame 38 of the overwrapping machine via a pair of connecting bolts 50. These connecting bolts 50 have guide slots 52 formed in the frame 38. Passed through and screwed into the suction block 16. The guide slot 52 extends along the drive shaft 20 and defines the movement stroke of the side suction conveyor 14 s along the drive shaft 20.
[0028]
Note that the upper end portion of the suction block 16 in the center suction conveyor 14 c is fixed to the frame 38 via a pair of fixing bolts 54.
Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the sheet feeder 12 has a support stay 13, and this support stay 13 extends horizontally across each suction conveyor 14. Each suction conveyor 14 is attached to the support stay 13 via a connecting screw and supported by the support stay 13. The left and right side suction conveyors 14 s are movable along the support stay 13.
[0029]
On the other hand, as is apparent from FIG. 2, the sheet feeder 12 is provided with two long suction pipes 56 arranged vertically, and these long suction pipes 56 are shown in FIG. 2 on the right side suction conveyor 14s and the center suction conveyor. Each of the suction blocks 16 of 14c extends in the horizontal direction. One end of each long suction pipe 56 is fitted into the suction block 16 of the left side suction conveyor 14s, and communicates with the upper and middle suction chambers 30 of the side suction conveyor 14s. On the other hand, the other end of each long suction pipe 56 is connected to a suction tube 58, and these suction tubes 58 are connected to a suction source through a suction line 60.
[0030]
Further, two short suction pipes 62 are arranged on the sheet feeder 12 so as to sandwich the lower long suction pipe 56 vertically. These short suction pipes 62 penetrate the suction block 16 of the right side suction conveyor 14s in the horizontal direction, one end of the short suction pipe 62 is fitted into the suction block 16 of the center suction conveyor 14c, and enters the suction chambers 30 above and below the center suction conveyor 14c. Each communicates. The other end of each short suction pipe 62 is connected to a suction line 60, that is, a suction source via a suction tube 64.
[0031]
Three suction joints 66 project from the outer surface of the suction block 16 to the right side suction conveyor 14s, and the suction joints 66 communicate with the suction chambers 30 of the side suction conveyor 14s. A suction tube 68 extends from each suction joint 66, and these suction tubes 68 are also connected to a suction line 60, that is, a suction source.
[0032]
On the other hand, one suction joint 70 protrudes from the outer surface of the suction block 16 to the left side suction conveyor 14s, and the suction joint 70 communicates with the suction chamber 30 below the side suction conveyor 14s. A suction tube 72 extends from the suction joint 70, and the suction tube 72 is also connected to a suction source via a suction line 60.
[0033]
As apparent from FIGS. 2 and 3, each long suction pipe 56 passes through the suction chambers 30 of the side and center suction conveyors 14s and 14c, and the lower short suction pipe 62 sucks the side suction conveyor 14s. It penetrates the chamber 30.
As is apparent from FIG. 3, the upper short suction pipe 62 passes through the suction block 16 between the upper suction chamber 30 and the central suction chamber 30 of the side suction conveyor 14s.
[0034]
In the suction chambers 30 of the center and side suction conveyors 14c and 14s, the portion through which the long suction pipe 56 or the short suction pipe 62 penetrates, that is, the portion X indicated by a one-dot chain line in FIG. The expansion volume corresponds to the volume occupied by the suction pipe 56 or 62 in the suction chamber 30.
[0035]
Specifically, in the suction chamber 30 of the center suction conveyor 14c through which the long suction pipe 56 passes, rectangular recesses 74 are formed on both inner wall surfaces defining the suction chamber 30 as shown in FIG. Has been. On the other hand, in the suction chamber 30 of the side suction conveyor 14s through which the long or short suction pipe 56 or 62 penetrates, one inner wall surface defining the suction chamber 30 is rectangular as shown in FIGS. The recess 76 is formed.
[0036]
According to the sheet feeder 12 described above, the left and right side suction conveyors 14 s can move along the drive shaft 20. Therefore, by moving these side suction conveyors 14 s along the drive shaft 20, these side suction conveyors 14 s can be moved. The interval between them can be varied according to the width of the film web FW, that is, the film sheet F.
[0037]
At this time, when the left side suction conveyor 14s is moved, the upper and lower long suction pipes 56 slide relative to the center and the right side suction conveyors 14c and 14s, whereas the right side suction conveyor 14s When moved, the side suction conveyor 14 s slides on the long and short suction pipes 56 and 62.
[0038]
That is, since the suction pipes 56 and 62 do not restrict the movement range of the left and right side suction conveyors 14s, the side suction conveyors 14s can be positioned adjacent to the center suction conveyor 14c. Accordingly, the interval between the side suction conveyors 14s can be shortened, and the film web FW having a narrow width, that is, the film sheet F can be sufficiently dealt with.
[0039]
In FIG. 2, the left side suction conveyor 14s is shown at a position farthest from the center suction conveyor 14c, and the right side suction conveyor 14s is shown at a position closest to the center suction conveyor 14c. Therefore, in FIG. 2, reference symbols Wmax and Wmin respectively indicate the maximum width and the minimum width of the film sheet F that can be conveyed by the sheet feeder 12.
[0040]
Further, since the adjustment of the distance between the side suction conveyors 14s is merely by moving the side suction conveyors 14s along the drive shaft 20, the adjustment of the distance can be easily performed. Maintenance of replacement parts is also unnecessary because there is no replacement of the conveyor.
As described above, if the distance between the left and right side suction conveyors 14s is adjusted according to the width of the film sheet F, the sheet feeder 12 can stably supply the film sheet F to the above-described drum winding position.
[0041]
More specifically, when the film web FW fed out on the feed path passes through the feed roller unit and the cutter unit 42 described above and reaches the sheet feeder 12, the film web FW is placed on each suction conveyor 14 of the sheet feeder 12. It is adsorbed by the adsorbing belts 26 and is fed out toward the drum winding position as the adsorbing belts 26 travel.
[0042]
Thereafter, when the film web FW is fed out by a predetermined length onto the sheet feeder 12, the cutter unit 42 cuts the film web FW above (upstream) the sheet feeder 12 and thereby onto the sheet feeder 12. A film sheet F having a predetermined length is formed, and the film sheet F is supplied to the drum winding position by the sheet feeder 12.
[0043]
Here, each suction chamber 30 of the suction conveyor 14 is supplied with the suction pressure from the suction source through the suction pipes 56 and 62 and the suction joints 66 and 70, so that the suction belt 26 of each suction conveyor 14 is sucked. A stable suction force is received from the chamber 30, and the film web FW or the film sheet F can be transported while being reliably adsorbed.
[0044]
Since the suction pipes 56 and 62 penetrate the suction chamber 30 of the suction conveyor 14, the suction block 16 is not increased in size.
In addition, since the volume of the suction chamber 30 through which the suction pipes 56 and 62 pass is expanded due to the presence of the recess 74 or the recess 76 described above, the suction belt for the film sheet F at the site. Accordingly, the suction belt 26 can suck the film sheet F with a uniform suction force, and stable suction conveyance of the film sheet F is guaranteed.
[0045]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made.
For example, in carrying out the present invention, the number of suction conveyors may be four or more, and a long suction pipe is not indispensable. Further, if a packing is interposed between the suction pipe and the suction block, it is possible to more reliably prevent the suction pressure from escaping from the suction chamber.
[0046]
Further, if suction pipes are used instead of the suction joints 66 and 70 of the left and right side suction conveyors 14 s, the suction pressure supply system for the sheet feeder 12 can be integrated on one side of the sheet feeder 12.
Finally, it goes without saying that the packaging material transport apparatus of the present invention is not limited to the overwrapping machine and can be used for transporting packaging materials of various packaging machines.
[0047]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the packaging material transport apparatus of the present invention (Claim 1), the pair of side suction conveyors on both sides can move along the drive shaft, and therefore the side suction conveyor according to the width of the packaging material. The one side suction conveyor through which the suction pipe penetrates is guided not only by the drive shaft but also by the suction pipe, so the suction pipe is one side suction conveyor. Therefore, the adjustment range of the pair of side suction conveyors is increased, and a narrow packaging material can be easily dealt with.
[0048]
Suction pipe than through the suction chamber of one of the side suction conveyor, never side suction conveyor is large in size, and the site of the aspiration chamber of the one side suction conveyor which suction pipe penetrates is being expanded (Claims 2 and 3 ), the suction force of the suction belt does not decrease at this portion, and stable suction conveyance of the packaging material by the suction belt is guaranteed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a product packaging procedure in an overwrapping machine.
2 is a front view showing a sheet feeder of the packaging machine of FIG. 1. FIG.
3 is a side view showing a side suction conveyor of the sheet feeder of FIG. 2. FIG.
4 is a cross-sectional view showing an upper end portion of the sheet feeder of FIG. 2. FIG.
5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV in FIG.
6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
12 Sheet feeder (packaging material transport device)
14c Center suction conveyor 14s Side suction conveyor 16 Suction block 20 Drive shaft 26 Suction belt 30 Suction chamber 56 Long suction pipe 62 Short suction pipes 74, 76 Recess

Claims (3)

Comprises three or more suction conveyor extending parallel to one another, and conveyed while being adsorbed to packaging material on these suction conveyor, wherein the suction belt of each suction conveyor can travel in one direction of endless, along the suction belt Each of which includes a suction chamber that extends and supplies suction pressure to the suction belt, while the suction conveyor is disposed on both side edges of the packaging material and a pair of side suction conveyors that are disposed between the side suction conveyors. In the packaging material transport device divided into the center suction conveyor of
While supporting one end of each of the suction conveyors, transmitting a driving force for running the suction belt to each of the suction conveyors and moving the pair of side suction conveyors along the axial direction thereof , these side suction conveyors A common drive shaft that guides the movement of
A suction pipe connected at one end to the suction chamber of the center suction conveyor adjacent to one side suction conveyor and supplying the suction pressure to the suction chamber;
Comprising
The suction pipe extends from the center suction conveyor through the suction chamber of the one side suction conveyor and extends in parallel with the drive shaft, and when the one side suction conveyor is moved along the drive shaft, A packaging material conveying apparatus for guiding the movement of one side suction conveyor . The suction chamber of the one side suction conveyor, packaging material conveying apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises an extension portion which is extended by the volume corresponding to the volume occupied by the suction pipe to the through portion of the suction pipe . The packaging material conveying apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the extended portion is a recess formed in an inner wall surface of the suction chamber along a longitudinal direction of the one side suction conveyor.

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