JP5977637B2 - Package transport apparatus and transport method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention generally relates to a transport apparatus and a transport method for a package. More specifically, the present invention relates to a package transport apparatus and a transport method for transporting a package in which an article to be packaged is inserted into a resin film.

  The envelope made of a resin film used in direct mail or the like is, for example, a process in which a film strip wound in a roll shape is folded using a folding device, and an overlapping portion of the film strip is welded using a welding device. Welding and fusing the upstream side in the transport direction of the film strip using the fusing device, the step of fusing and fusing the downstream side of the film strip using the fusing device, the step of inserting the packaged material therein, and the fusing device It is manufactured by repeating the process.

  In general, papers such as magazines, catalogs, and pamphlets are often inserted into a resin film envelope used for direct mail or the like. However, in recent years, since the contents to be packaged become a variety according to the shipping destination, the quantity of products to be packaged is small, and the thickness of the contents to be packaged is often different. The case is getting less. Also, articles that are thin and easily damaged, such as CDs and DVDs, and articles that are distorted from the square shape, such as sample samples such as ballpoint pens and health foods, may be packaged as packages. .

  In the above-described process for producing a package in which an article to be packaged is inserted into an envelope made of a resin film, the film strip is generally processed by a conveying device having a driving roller and a driven roller as described above. Will be sent sequentially.

  The conventional conveying apparatus is configured to maintain a certain gap between the driving roller and the driven roller. According to the said structure, when the thickness of a to-be-packaged object becomes thick, there exists a possibility that the to-be-packaged object which should be packaged may be damaged by applying a conveyance pressing force larger than necessary with respect to a to-be-packaged object. On the other hand, when the thickness of the packaged article becomes thin, the conveyance pressing force against the packaged article may decrease, and the conveyance of the packaged article may fail.

  On the other hand, Patent Document 1 discloses that the gap between the pair of opposing rotary conveyance members is controlled based on the thickness of the article to be packaged.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-91984

  The invention of Patent Document 1 includes detection means for detecting the thickness of an object to be packaged, and based on the detected thickness of the object to be packaged, the gap between the pair of opposed rotary conveying members (conveying roller and pinch roller) is determined. It is to be controlled and does not apply a constant conveyance pressing force. That is, the invention of Patent Document 1 is configured such that the pinch roller is supported by the pinch roller holder shaft and supported by the pinch roller holder that receives the force of the compression spring by the urging means, thereby pressing the conveying roller. Yes.

  Therefore, although the invention of Patent Document 1 adjusts the gap between the pair of opposed rotary conveying members when the thickness of the packaged object changes, the amount of compression in the compression spring changes and the pressing force by the compression spring changes. In addition, there is a problem that a constant conveyance pressing force cannot be applied to the package.

  Therefore, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to convey a package safely and stably by applying a constant conveyance pressing force to the package even if the thickness of the package is changed. It is providing the conveyance apparatus and conveyance method of a package which can be carried out.

  In order to solve the above technical problem, according to the present invention, the following transporter and transport method of a package are provided.

That is, the transport apparatus for a package according to claim 1 of the present invention is
A pair of first transport rollers and a second transport roller for transporting while sandwiching a package in which an article to be packaged is inserted in a film strip, the first transport roller being disposed opposite to the second transport roller A transport roller, and a second transport roller that repeats contact and separation operations to the film strip,
A contact state detection means for detecting a contact state of the second conveying roller with the package;
A first attachment member provided with the contact state detection means;
A second mounting member for pivotally supporting the second transport roller;
An elastic body that urges the second transport roller supported by the second mounting member toward the package;
A drive source that moves the first attachment member and the second attachment member so as to be movable toward and away from the package;
In the process in which the first attachment member and the second attachment member move toward the package by the operation of the drive source, the second conveyance roller contacts the package by the contact state detection means. After the contact state is detected, the first attachment member moves further by a predetermined amount toward the package body, and the second conveyance is performed with a certain conveyance pressing force generated by the movement of the predetermined amount. The roller is in pressure contact with the package.

In the package transport apparatus according to claim 2 of the present invention,
The contact state detection means includes a detection lever and a detection sensor, and a tip end portion of the detection lever is configured to protrude toward the first conveyance roller from the second conveyance roller. The second conveying roller comes into contact with the packaging body after the tip end portion of the lever comes into contact with the packaging body.

In the package transport apparatus according to claim 3 of the present invention,
The contact state detection means detects the upstream side in the transport direction with respect to the second transport roller.

In the package transport apparatus according to claim 4 of the present invention,
The driving source and the first mounting member and the second mounting member are connected by a crank mechanism, and the second transport installed on the second mounting member by the rotational driving force of the driving source. The roller reciprocates between the uppermost retracted state and the lowermost pressure contact state.

  In the package transport apparatus according to claim 5 of the present invention, the contact state detection means includes a detection sensor and a tip extending from the shaft body of the second transport roller or the second mounting member toward the detection sensor. And a section.

  In the package transport apparatus according to claim 6 of the present invention, a pinion connected to the driving source and the first mounting member are provided between the driving source and the first mounting member and the second mounting member. And a rack connected to the second mounting member.

In the package transport apparatus according to claim 7 of the present invention,
The first transport roller is a driving roller, and the second transport roller is a driven roller.

In the method for transporting a package according to claim 8 of the present invention,
A transport method for transporting a package in which an article to be packaged is inserted into a film strip using the transport device for a package according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
An integral moving step in which the second conveying roller moves toward the packaging body integrally with the first mounting member provided with the contact state detecting means;
A contact state detection step of detecting a contact state with respect to the package by the contact state detection means;
A pressure contact step in which the second transport roller is pressed against the package body with a constant transport pressure generated by the first attachment member moving further a predetermined amount toward the package body;
A pressure contact transporting step of rotating the first transport roller and pressure transporting the package to the downstream side in the transport direction.

In the method for transporting a package according to claim 9 of the present invention,
The contact state detection step detects the contact state with respect to the package body by the contact of the second conveyance roller with the package body after the contact state detection means has previously contacted the package body. It is characterized by that.

In the method of transporting a package according to claim 10 of the present invention,
The contact state detection step is characterized in that the contact state with respect to the packaging body is detected at the same time when the second conveying roller serving also as the contact state detection means contacts the packaging body.

In the method for transporting a package according to claim 11 of the present invention,
It is further characterized by further comprising a retracting step in which the second transport roller moves from the lowest pressure contact state to the uppermost retracted state after the press contact transporting step.

  In the present invention according to claim 1, a contact state in which the second transport roller contacts the package is detected by the contact state detection means, and then, further, the first attachment member moves to a press contact state by a predetermined amount, A biasing force corresponding to the amount of deformation of the elastic body is generated, and the second conveying roller has a predetermined constant and appropriate magnitude with respect to the package regardless of the detected contact state of the package, that is, the thickness of the package. Thus, the packaging body can be safely and stably transported in a pressure contact state where the transport pressing force is applied.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the detection means can be configured with a simple configuration of the detection lever and the detection sensor, and there is an effect that the contact state detection of the package can be stably performed. In addition, in claim 2, the term “after the tip of the detection lever comes into contact with the package” means “after the tip of the detection lever comes into contact with the package” and “the detection lever A mode in which “the tip part abuts against the package” is included.

  Since the package in which the package is inserted into the film strip is transported from the upstream side in the transport direction to the downstream side, the package in the package is further downstream in the transport direction than the second transport roller. May not reach the downstream side of the second conveying roller. Therefore, the present invention according to claim 3 has an effect that the contact state with the package can be reliably detected by the contact state detection means detecting the upstream side in the transport direction.

  In the present invention according to claim 4, even if a package having a size larger than the specified thickness is mistakenly mixed and transported by retracting the second transport roller to the uppermost retracted state, the second transport roller has been transported. There is an effect that the package is safely and reliably conveyed downstream without colliding with the second conveyance roller.

  In the present invention according to claim 5, the contact state detection means can be configured by a simple configuration of the detection sensor and the tip protruding portion, and the contact state detection of the package can be performed stably and inexpensively. There is an effect.

  In the present invention according to claim 6, the drive mechanism such as the first mounting member can be configured with a simple configuration of the rack and the pinion, and the driving of the first mounting member and the like can be performed stably and inexpensively. There is an effect.

  In the present invention according to claim 7, the configuration around the first mounting member and the second mounting member is simplified, the inspection, replacement, and maintenance of the transport device is facilitated, and the weight balance of the transport device is improved. Play.

  In the present invention according to claim 8, regardless of the detected contact state of the package, that is, the thickness of the package, the second conveyance roller applies a predetermined constant and appropriate conveyance pressing force to the package. There is an effect of providing a method for transporting a package that safely and stably conveys the package in the applied pressure contact state.

  In the present invention according to claim 9, since the contact state detection means performs contact and detection with respect to the packaging body or the like before the contact of the second transport roller with the packaging body or the like, the detection time of the contact state is increased. There is an effect that it can be shortened.

  In the present invention according to claim 10, since the second transport roller also serves as the contact state detection unit, the contact state detection unit can be simplified, the number of parts can be reduced, and the cost can be reduced.

  In the present invention according to claim 11, the second transport roller has been transported even if a package having a size larger than the specified thickness is mistakenly mixed and transported by retracting to the uppermost retracted state. There is an effect that the package is safely and reliably conveyed downstream without colliding with the second conveyance roller.

It is a perspective view which shows the whole structure of the packaging apparatus containing the conveying apparatus of the package which concerns on this invention. It is the II-II sectional view taken on the line of the packaging apparatus shown in FIG. It is the schematic explaining operation | movement of the packaging apparatus shown in FIG. It is the schematic explaining operation | movement of the packaging apparatus shown in FIG. It is the schematic explaining operation | movement of the packaging apparatus shown in FIG. It is the schematic explaining operation | movement of the packaging apparatus shown in FIG. It is the schematic explaining operation | movement of the packaging apparatus shown in FIG. It is the schematic explaining operation | movement of the packaging apparatus shown in FIG. It is the schematic explaining operation | movement of the packaging apparatus shown in FIG. It is the schematic explaining operation | movement of the packaging apparatus shown in FIG. It is the schematic explaining operation | movement of the packaging apparatus shown in FIG. It is the schematic explaining operation | movement of the packaging apparatus shown in FIG. It is the schematic explaining operation | movement of the packaging apparatus shown in FIG. It is the schematic explaining operation | movement of the packaging apparatus shown in FIG. It is the schematic explaining operation | movement of the packaging apparatus shown in FIG. It is the schematic explaining operation | movement of the packaging apparatus shown in FIG. It is the schematic explaining operation | movement of the packaging apparatus shown in FIG. It is a front view which shows the conveying apparatus of the package which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view of the conveying apparatus shown in FIG. It is the perspective view which looked at the conveying apparatus shown in FIG. 4 from the back direction. It is a perspective view which shows the state which removed the lower seat board part and the lower frame part from the conveying apparatus shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the state which removed the lower seat part and the lower frame part from the conveying apparatus shown in FIG. In FIG. 7, it is a perspective view explaining the structure which urges | biases a 2nd conveyance roller with the elastic body interposed between a 1st attachment member and a 2nd attachment member. In FIG. 9, it is a perspective view which shows the state which removed the elastic body. It is the perspective view which looked at FIG. 9 from diagonally downward of the other side. It is a front view which shows the conveying apparatus of the package which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view of the conveying apparatus shown in FIG. It is the figure which expanded the principal part of the conveying apparatus shown in FIG. It is a perspective view of the principal part enlarged view shown in FIG. It is AA sectional drawing in FIG. It is a front view which shows the state which lowered | hung the lower unit of the conveying apparatus shown in FIG.

  Below, the conveying apparatus 40 and 60 of the package which concerns on this invention, and the packaging apparatus 10 containing the said conveying apparatus 40 and 60 are demonstrated. For convenience of explanation, the upstream side in the conveyance direction X of the package 110 may be referred to as “front” or simply “front”, and the downstream side may be referred to as “rear” or simply “rear”.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a packaging device 10 according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, a sheet roll 100 around which a film strip 101 made of a resin (for example, made of polyethylene, polypropylene, or the like) that wraps an object to be packaged 110 is wound is placed on the lower part of the packaging device 10. The roll mounting part 11 is arranged. In the upper part of the packaging device 10, a supply unit 12 on which the article to be packaged 110 is placed in order from the front to the rear, a packaging unit 13 in which the article to be packaged 110 is packaged with the film strip 101, and the article to be packaged 110. The discharge part 14 from which the package 1 in which is packaged is discharged is disposed. In the packaging apparatus 10, control means (not shown) for controlling the operation of each unit constituting the packaging apparatus 10 is arranged.

  That is, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) as a control means is a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores an operation panel on which an input operation unit and an output display unit are arranged, a control program for controlling the operation of each unit, and the like. : Flash ROM), RAM (random access memory or hard disk) that temporarily stores various data, and various input / output devices are controlled.

  The roll placement unit 11 includes a support roller 111 and a support roller 112. Each of the support roller 111 and the support roller 112 has a cylindrical shape and is rotatably supported by the frame 10a of the packaging device 10. The support roller 111 is linked to a support roller 112 as a driving roller by a timing belt, and is supported by the frame 10a so as to rotate in the same direction in conjunction with the rotation of the support roller 112. The sheet roll 100 is rotatably supported by a support roller 111 and a support roller 112, and a single strip-shaped film strip 101 is drawn upward from behind the support roller 112.

  The supply unit 12 includes a supply stand 121 on which the package object 110 is placed, and a side plate 122 that regulates both side edges of the package object 110. The to-be-packaged object 110 placed on the supply stand 121 is sent to the packaging unit 13 with both side edges regulated by the side plate 122. In the present embodiment, the article to be packaged 110 is manually sent to the packaging unit 13, but may be provided with an automatic supply mechanism. The supply unit 12 is configured to be detachable from the frame 10 a of the packaging device 10.

  The discharge unit 14 includes a discharge table 141 on which the package 1 formed in the packaging unit 13 is placed, and a holding member 142 that holds the discharge table 141 horizontally. The holding member 142 can be changed between a state of holding the paper discharge table 141 and a state of not holding the paper discharge table 141. When the holding member 142 does not hold the paper discharge table 141, the lower surface of the paper discharge table 141 is The frame 10a is folded so as to be in contact with the frame 10a.

  2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. The packaging unit 13 disposed above the packaging apparatus 10 includes, in order from the front to the rear, the film folding member 21, the welding unit 30, the first conveyance unit 40, the fusing unit 50, and the second conveyance unit 60. And. The welding unit 30, the first transport unit 40, the fusing unit 50, and the second transport unit 60 have the same or similar shape. Since the entire packaging portion 13 disposed above is configured to be openable and closable with respect to the frame 10a of the packaging device 10 (for example, the packaging portion 13 is rotatably supported by a hinge), a film should be used. Even if the belt-like body 101 or the packaging body 1 (hereinafter referred to as the packaging body 1 or the like) is clogged in the conveyance path, the packaging body 1 or the like can be easily removed by opening the packaging unit 13. In addition, inspection, replacement and maintenance of each unit is easy.

  The film folding member 21 is configured to fold back the left and right side end portions of the film strip 101 and form a folded portion in which the side end portions are overlapped with each other. The welding unit 30 is bonded in the X direction by pressing the heated welding roller (welding member) 31 against the folded portion of the film strip 101 and melting the film strip 101 of the folded portion. . The 1st conveyance unit 40 conveys the film strip 101 to which the folding part was welded to the back fusing unit 50. FIG. The fusing unit 50 uses a heated fusing blade to weld and cut the film strip 101 on which the folded portion is welded in a direction perpendicular to the X direction (Y direction), and the rear end portion and the front end portion are sealed. A stopped package 1 is formed. The second transport unit 60 is configured to send the sealed package 1 to the discharge unit 14.

  3A to 3O are schematic diagrams for explaining the operation of the packaging unit 13 excluding the film folding member 21. FIG. Hereinafter, an outline of an operation process of the packaging unit 13 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3A to 3O. FIGS. 3A to 3F are diagrams for explaining a preparatory operation before the package 110 is wrapped with the film strip 101, and FIGS. 3G to 3O are for packaging the package 110 with the film strip 101. FIG. It is drawing explaining the packaging operation | movement to do.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, the film strip 101 in which the side ends are overlapped by the film folding member 21 to form a folded portion is disposed on the transport surface 131 of the packaging portion 13.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 3B, the first driven roller 41 of the first transport unit 40 moves downward, and the film strip 101 is sandwiched between the first driven roller 41 and the first drive roller 42. Thereafter, in order to weld the folded portion, the welding roller 31 of the welding unit 30 moves downward and contacts the film strip 101. At the same time as the welding roller 31 welds the folded portion, the film strip 101 to which the folded portion is welded is conveyed backward while being sandwiched between the first driven roller 41 and the first drive roller 42. Here, the first driving roller 42 has a larger diameter than the first driven roller 41 and rotates counterclockwise.

  When the film strip 101 is transported backward by a certain amount, the driven roller 61 of the second transport unit 60 moves downward as shown in FIG. 3C, and the film strip 101 is separated from the second driven roller 61 and The first driven roller 41 is moved upward after being sandwiched by the second drive roller 62. The film strip 101 is conveyed backward while being sandwiched between the second driven roller 61 and the second drive roller 62. Here, the second driving roller 62 has a larger diameter than the second driven roller 61 and rotates counterclockwise.

  Next, when the welding of the folded portion is completed, as shown in FIG. 3D, the welding roller 31 moves upward, and the second driven roller 61 and the second drive roller 62 stop conveying the film strip 101. To do. Then, the fusing member 51 of the fusing unit 50 moves downward, fusing the film strip 101, and the rear end sealing portion (sealing portion on the downstream side in the transport direction) of the film strip 101 is formed.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 3E, the fusing member 51 moves upward, and then, as shown in FIG. 3F, the second driven roller 61 and the second drive roller 62 are blown out. The part (unnecessary film sheet body) on the downstream side in the transport direction is transported backward. A portion (unnecessary film sheet) on the downstream side in the transport direction of the melted film strip 101 is removed. Then, the second driven roller 61 moves upward. Thereby, the preparatory operation before packaging the to-be-packaged object 110 with the film strip 101 is completed.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 3G, the package object 110 is inserted into the film strip 101. And if the sensor 52 detects the rear end part (end part of the conveyance direction downstream side) of the to-be-packaged object 110, as FIG. 3H shows, the 1st driven roller 41 will move below and the to-be-packaged object 110 will move. The inserted film strip 101 is sandwiched between the first driven roller 41 and the first drive roller 42.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 3I, the welding roller 31 moves downward and contacts the film strip 101. At the same time as the welding roller 31 welds the folded portion, the film strip 101 into which the package 110 is inserted and the folded portion is welded is moved backward while being sandwiched between the first driven roller 41 and the first drive roller 42. Be transported.

  As shown in FIG. 3J, when the film strip 101 into which the package object 110 is inserted is conveyed backward by a certain amount, the second driven roller 61 moves downward as shown in FIG. The film strip 101 is sandwiched between the second driven roller 61 and the second drive roller 62, and then the first driven roller 41 moves upward. The film strip 101 into which the package 110 is inserted is conveyed backward while being sandwiched between the second driven roller 61 and the second drive roller 62.

  Next, when the sensor 52 detects the front end portion (end portion on the upstream side in the transport direction) of the package object 110, as shown in FIG. 3L, the film strip 101 into which the package object 110 is inserted is the second one. The driven roller 61 and the second driving roller 62 are further conveyed rearward by a certain distance, and the front end portion of the package 110 is positioned behind the fusing member 51. At the same time, the welding roller 31 moves upward.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 3M, the fusing member 51 moves downward to melt the film strip 101 into which the package 110 is inserted, and the front end sealing portion of the film strip 101 (upstream in the transport direction) Side sealing portion) is formed. As a result, a package body in which the package object 110 is sealed and packaged with the film strip 101 is formed. At the same time, a rear end sealing portion of the film strip 101 into which the article to be packaged 110 is not inserted is also formed.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 3N, the package 1 is conveyed backward while being sandwiched between the second driven roller 61 and the second drive roller 62. Then, as shown in FIG. 3O, the second driven roller 61 moves upward.

  Thereafter, the package 1 is formed by repeating the operations of FIGS. 3G to 3O.

  Next, the structure of the package transport units (transport devices) 40 and 60 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail and specifically with reference to FIGS. 4 to 11.

  Since each of the transport devices of the first transport unit 40 and the second transport unit 60 shown in FIG. 4 is a unit configured in the same manner, in the following description, the transport units (transport devices) 40, 60 and I will call it. The transport units (transport devices) 40 and 60 are elastically supported by an upper unit 225 to which the drive motor 200 is attached, a second transport roller 243 for transporting the package 1 and the like, and a second transport roller 243. The lower unit 235 attached in the state of being mounted, a driving force transmission mechanism that transmits the rotational driving force of the driving motor 200 to the driven shaft 205, and a driving force that converts the rotational driving force of the driving motor 200 into the vertical driving force of the lower unit 235. And a conversion mechanism. The lower unit 235 is supported slidably up and down with respect to the upper unit 225.

  The upper unit 225 includes a drive motor 200 as a drive source, an upper seat plate portion 220, an upper frame portion 221, and a pair of left and right inner column members 222 having inner guide rails 224. The upper seat plate portion 220 and the upper frame portion 221 are fixed to the left and right inner strut members 222 with screws or the like. The drive motor 200 is attached to the upper surface of the upper seat plate portion 220 with screws or the like. The drive motor 200 is, for example, a stepping motor whose rotation amount is defined in proportion to the number of drive pulses, or a servo motor whose rotation amount is detected by an encoder. In addition, left and right support members 207 that rotatably support the driven shaft 205 are attached to the lower surface of the upper seat plate portion 220 with screws or the like. A pulley 202 attached to the drive shaft 201 of the drive motor 200 and a pulley 206 attached to the driven shaft 205 are connected via an endless belt 203 inserted through an opening formed in the upper seat plate portion 220. Thus, the rotational driving force of the drive motor 200 is transmitted to the driven shaft 205. Accordingly, the pulley 202, the pulley 206, and the endless belt 203 constitute a driving force transmission mechanism.

  Eccentric cams 210 are attached to the left and right ends of the driven shaft 205, respectively. One end of a connecting arm 211 is rotatably attached to each eccentric cam 210. The other end of the connecting arm 211 is rotatably attached to a joint member 212 bent in an L shape. Therefore, the driven shaft 205 interlocked with the drive motor 200 via the driving force transmission mechanism and the joint member 212 of the lower unit 235 are coupled by the crank mechanism including the eccentric cam 210, the coupling arm 211, and the coupling member 212. ing. The rotational driving force of the driving motor 200 can be converted into the vertical driving force of the lower unit 235 by the crank mechanism as the driving force conversion mechanism.

  The lower unit 235 includes a second transport roller 243, a lower seat plate portion 230, a lower frame portion 231, and a pair of left and right outer column members 232 having outer guide rails 234. The lower seat plate portion 230 and the lower frame portion 231 are fixed to the left and right outer column members 232 with screws or the like. By removing a screw or the like, the lower seat plate portion 230 and the lower frame portion 231 to which the second transport roller 243 and the like are attached can be removed from the left and right outer support members 232 as one unit, and the second transport Inspection, replacement, and maintenance of the transport units 40 and 60 including the roller 243 are easy. Further, the lower seat plate portion 230, the lower frame portion 231 and the left and right transport roller mounting members 242 are integrated by screws or the like, and constitute a first mounting member. The joint member 212 is attached to the upper surface of the lower seat plate portion 230 with screws or the like.

  In addition, the contact state detection unit 250 includes a detection lever 252 that is disposed adjacent to the second transport roller 243 and detects a contact state with the package 1 or the like, and a photosensor 219. The detection lever 252 has a curved shape along the cylindrical surface shape of the second transport roller 243. The detection lever 252 and the photosensor 219 are disposed, for example, at a substantially central portion in the rotation axis direction of the second transport roller 243. The detection lever 252 is formed to extend upstream in the transport direction, and detects the upstream side in the transport direction relative to the second transport roller 243. Since the packaging body 1 is conveyed from the upstream side in the conveyance direction to the downstream side, the contact state with the packaging body 1 and the like can be reliably detected by detecting the upstream side in the conveyance direction with respect to the second conveyance roller 243. Can do.

  A photo sensor 219 as a contact state detection sensor for detecting the contact state of the detection lever 252 with the package 1 or the like is attached to the upper surface of the lower seat plate portion 230 with screws or the like. The photosensor 219 includes, for example, a pair of light emitting units and light receiving units that are separated from each other. A lever attachment member 256 is attached to the inner surface of the lower frame portion 231 on the downstream side with screws or the like. As shown in FIG. 4, the front end 251 of the detection lever 252 faces the first conveying roller (that is, the first driving roller 42 and the second driving roller 62) with respect to the contact portion 241 of the second conveying roller 243. Slightly protruding. In other words, the tip end portion 251 of the detection lever 252 slightly protrudes toward the packaging body 1 and the like with respect to the contact portion 241 of the second transport roller 243. Therefore, since the detection lever 252 makes contact and detection with respect to the packaging body 1 and the like before the contact of the second transport roller 243 with the packaging body 1 and the like, the detection time of the contact state can be shortened. Moreover, the front-end | tip part 251 has roundness so that it can contact | abut smoothly with respect to the package body 1 grade | etc.,. The state in which the front end portion 251 is not in contact with the package 1 and the front end portion 251 protrudes closer to the first transport roller than the contact portion 241 of the second transport roller 243 is detected by the photosensor 219. Since it is in a state of waiting for detection without being performed, it can be called a detection standby state.

  In the illustrated example, the shaft support portion 253 of the detection lever 252 is rotatably supported with respect to the lever mounting member 256. When the front end 251 of the detection lever 252 comes into contact with the package 1 or the like, the detection lever 252 rotates, so that the front end 251 of the detection lever 252 is at the same level as the contact 241 of the second transport roller 243 (that is, Contact state). Then, the light emitted from the light emitting portion of the photosensor 219 is blocked by the light shielding portion 254 of the detection lever 252 and cannot be received by the light receiving portion, whereby the contact state of the detection lever 252 is detected. Then, the photo sensor 219 generates an electrical signal that the detection lever 252 is in contact.

  The inner guide rail 224 of the inner column member 222 and the outer guide rail 234 of the outer column member 232 are slidably engaged so that the outer column member 232 can slide up and down with respect to the inner column member 222. It is configured as follows. In addition, a photo sensor 209 as an uppermost detection sensor is attached to the upper surface of the lower seat plate portion 230 with screws or the like. The photosensor 209 includes, for example, a pair of light emitting units and a light receiving unit that are separated from each other. In the illustrated example, the light emitted from the light emitting part is shielded by the lower part of the support member 207 attached to the lower surface of the upper seat plate part 220 and cannot be received by the light receiving part. An evacuation state is detected. Then, the photo sensor 209 generates an electrical signal that the lower unit 235 is in the uppermost retracted state. When the second conveying roller 243 is retracted to the uppermost retracted state, even if the packaging body 1 having a size larger than the specified thickness is erroneously mixed and transported, the mixed and transported packaging body 1 or the like It is safely and reliably conveyed downstream without colliding with the second conveying roller 243.

  When the drive motor 200 rotates, the driven shaft 205 rotates via the endless belt 203. As the driven shaft 205 rotates, the lower unit 235 slides up and down via the eccentric cam 210 and the connecting arm 211. In the lower unit 235, as will be described later, the second transport roller 243 is coupled to the first mounting member to which the contact state detecting means 250 is mounted via the left and right compression springs 248 and the like. The compression spring 248 as an elastic body is preferably made of a metal material (for example, a piano wire or a stainless steel wire) that has little sag at high temperatures and has excellent heat resistance and rigidity. Therefore, when the drive motor 200 rotates, the lower unit 235 reciprocates between the uppermost retracted state and the lowermost pressure contact state. At this time, due to the rotational driving force of the drive motor 200, the second conveying roller 243 is integrated with the contact state detecting means 250 and separated from the film strip 101, and the second conveying roller 243 is applied. A press-contact operation for pressing the film strip 101 while moving differently from the contact state detection means 250 is performed.

  The second transport roller 243 corresponds to the first driven roller 41 in the first transport unit 40 and corresponds to the second driven roller 61 in the second transport unit 60. The first driven roller 41 and the second driven roller 61 are configured to have a smaller diameter than the first driving roller 42 and the second driving roller 62, respectively. Since the second transport roller 243 as the first driven roller 41 and the second driven roller 61 is disposed in the vicinity of the fusing member 51 of the fusing unit 50, it is easily affected by heat from the fusing member 51. Therefore, it is preferable to be comprised from the metal material (for example, stainless steel) excellent in heat conductivity, heat resistance, and rigidity. With this configuration, the second transport roller 243 can stably press and transport the package 1 and the like.

  The shaft 240 of the second transport roller 243 is rotatably supported by the left and right shaft support members 237. The left and right shaft support members 237 include a narrow guide portion 239, a flange portion 244 wider than the guide portion 239, a shaft hole 249 through which the shaft body 240 is inserted, and a recess that receives the lower end portion of the compression spring 248. 238. The guide portion 239 of the shaft support member 237 is configured to slide up and down while sliding along the guide groove 247 of the conveyance roller mounting member 242 while the displacement in the longitudinal direction of the shaft is regulated by the flange portion 244. Yes. As a result, the second transport roller 243 pivotally supported by the left and right shaft support members 237 is connected to the transport roller mounting member 242, the lower seat plate portion 230, and the lower frame portion 231 via the compression spring 248. Can be slid up and down. Therefore, the left and right shaft support members 237 that pivotally support the second transport roller 243 constitute a second mounting member. Note that the length of the guide groove 247 in the vertical direction defines the slidable amount (stroke) of the second transport roller 243.

  On the other hand, the left and right transport roller mounting members 242 of the plate-like body bent into a substantially U-shape are provided with guide grooves 247 extending in the vertical direction perpendicular to the shaft body 240. A protrusion 229 that protrudes downward is formed on the upper portion of the guide groove 247, and the protrusion 229 engages with the upper end portion of the compression spring 248. A stopper portion 261 is formed at the lower end of the guide groove 247 to lock the lower surface of the shaft support member 237 and define the lower limit position of the shaft support member 237.

  The compression spring 248 is engaged and held between the recess 238 of the shaft support member 237 and the protrusion 229 of the transport roller mounting member 242. That is, it is preferable that the compression spring 248 is in a compressed state in which the compression spring 248 can exert an urging force, and is engaged and held between the shaft support member 237 and the transport roller mounting member 242. When the shaft support member 237 that supports the second transport roller 243 slides upward along the guide groove 247 of the transport roller mounting member 242, conversely, the lower seat plate 230 in the lower unit 235 When a first attachment member (hereinafter referred to as a first attachment member) including the lower frame portion 231 and the left and right transport roller attachment members 242 slides downward, the compression spring 248 is compressed. Then, in proportion to the amount of compression of the compression spring 248, an urging force is generated that presses the shaft support member 237, that is, the second transport roller 243 downward. The urging force presses the shaft support member 237, that is, the second transport roller 243 downward.

  Therefore, after the detection lever 252 of the contact state detection means 250 detects that the contact portion 241 of the second transport roller 243 is in contact with the packaging body 1 or the like, the first attachment member The lower unit 235 including the above and the like further slides downward to reach the pressure contact state. In the pressure contact state, an urging force proportional to the slide movement amount is generated. Due to the generated urging force, the contact portion 241 of the second transport roller 243 comes into pressure contact with the package 1 or the like. That is, the compression amount of the compression spring 248, that is, the second transport roller 243 is displaced upward from the lower limit position (that is, the contact state) where the lower surface of the shaft support member 237 is locked by the stopper portion 261 of the transport roller mounting member 242. Control the displacement amount to be constant. By this control, the urging force that presses the second transport roller 243 downward can be set to a predetermined constant magnitude. Since the wrapping body 1 and the like are transported downstream in the transport direction while applying the urging force to the packaging body 1 and the like, the urging force can be referred to as a transport pressing force. Note that, as described above, the tip end portion 251 of the detection lever 252 of the contact state detection means 250 may be brought into a pressure contact state after first contacting the package body 1 or the like. It is also possible to adopt a mode in which the distal end portion 251 of the detection lever 252 of the state detection means 250 comes into a pressure contact state at the same time as it contacts the package body 1 or the like.

  Note that the tip 251 of the detection lever 252 slightly protrudes toward the packaging body 1 and the like from the contact portion 241 of the second transportation roller 243 from the pressure contact state where the second conveyance roller 243 is in pressure contact with the packaging body 1 and the like. When returning to the detection standby state, the lower surfaces of the left and right shaft support members 237 that pivotally support the second transport roller 243 are supported by the stopper portion 261 of the transport roller mounting member 242 by the urging force (transport pressing force) of the compression spring 248. The transport roller mounting member 242 slides until it is locked.

  In the transport units 40 and 60 of the present invention, each second transport roller 243 is connected to a lower unit 235 including a first mounting member and the like via a compression spring 248. The second transport roller 243 slides up and down as the lower unit 235 including the first mounting member and the like slides up and down by the rotational driving force of the drive motor 200, but includes the first mounting member and the like. Depending on the state where the lower unit 235 is placed, the behavior of the first attachment member and the like and the behavior of the second transport roller 243 are different.

  When the states that can be taken by the lower unit 235 including the second transport roller 243 and the first attachment member are arranged, the uppermost retracted state for avoiding the collision with the packaging body 1 and the like in order from the upper side to the lower side. The detection standby state in which the tip 251 of the detection lever 252 is not in contact with the packaging body 1 and the like, the contact state in which the second conveyance roller 243 abuts on the packaging body 1 and the like, and the second conveyance roller 243 is the packaging The lowest pressure contact state in which the body 1 or the like is in pressure contact is obtained. In the transport units 40 and 60, the lower unit 235 is normally slid up and down when the package 1 or the like exists between the second transport roller 243 and the first transport roller (drive roller). Therefore, the lowest pressure contact state is not the same as the platen contact state in which the second transport roller 243 contacts the first transport rollers 42 and 62 or the platen.

  As described above, the lower unit 235 slides up and down by the rotational driving force of the drive motor 200. For example, when the drive motor 200 rotates in a certain direction, the lower unit 235 slides downward, and the lower unit 235 sequentially moves to the uppermost retracted state, the detection standby state, the contact state, and the lowermost pressure contact. It is configured to take each of the states. Then, when the drive motor 200 rotates in the reverse direction, the lower unit 235 slides upward, and the lower unit 235 moves in order of the lowest pressure contact state, the contact state, the detection standby state, and the highest position retraction. It is configured to take each of the states.

  During the period from the uppermost retracted state to the contact state, the second transport roller 243 and the lower unit 235 including the first mounting member and the like slide integrally up and down. On the other hand, the second transport roller 243 and the lower unit 235 including the first mounting member and the like move differently from the contact state to the lowest pressure contact state.

  That is, the second transport roller 243 is brought into a stationary state because it is restricted from moving further by contacting the package 1 or the like. On the other hand, the lower unit 235 including the first attachment member and the like can be further slid toward the packaging body 1 and the like. When the lower unit 235 including the first attachment member or the like is closest to the package 1 or the like, the lowest pressure contact state is obtained. At this time, since the compression spring 248 is compressed, an urging force (conveying pressing force) from the compression spring 248 is generated. As a result, in the pressure contact state, an urging force (conveying pressing force) that presses the second conveying roller 243 downward is generated in proportion to the compression amount of the compression spring 248. Therefore, the second conveying roller 243 is applied to the package 1 or the like. It will be pressed. When the compression amount of the compression spring 248 is defined to be a certain amount, the urging force (conveyance pressing force) becomes a predetermined constant magnitude. When the first transport roller (the first drive roller 42 and the second drive roller 62) rotates, the second transport roller 243 in the pressure contact state always applies a predetermined and constant transport pressure. However, the packaging body 1 and the like are conveyed.

  For example, a displacement amount (a compression amount of the compression spring 248) by which the lower unit 235 including the first attachment member is displaced toward the packaging body 1 after the contact state detection unit 250 detects the contact state is predetermined. The drive amount by the drive motor 200 is controlled so as to be a certain amount. For example, in a stepping motor, the amount of rotation is controlled by the number of drive pulses. In the servo motor, the encoder (rotation detector) detects the rotation amount of the servo motor and performs predetermined feedback control. As a result, the rotation amounts of the drive shaft 201 and the driven shaft 205 are controlled, and the displacement amount of the lower unit 235 including the first attachment member and the like is controlled. Thereby, the compression amount of the compression spring 248 is controlled to a predetermined fixed amount, and the urging force (transport pressing force) by the second transport roller 243 is controlled to a predetermined constant and appropriate magnitude.

  Since the overall operation process of the packaging unit 13 has already been described with reference to FIGS. 3A to 3O, the packaging film transport units (transport devices) 40 and 60 are referred to with reference to FIGS. 3G to 3O. The operation process will be briefly described.

  As shown in FIG. 3G, the sensor 52 disposed between the first transport unit 40 and the fusing unit 50 constantly monitors the presence of the article 110 to be packaged inserted into the film strip 101. Then, as shown in FIG. 3H, the rear end portion of the package 110 inserted in the film strip 101 crosses the detection area of the sensor 52, and the back of the package 110 inserted in the film strip 101. When the end portion is detected by the sensor 52, the lower unit 235 attached in a state where the first driven roller 41 (corresponding to the second transport roller 243) is elastically supported in the first transport unit 40. Move down. That is, the drive motor 200 of the first transport unit 40 is rotated, the driving force transmission mechanism and the crank mechanism described above are operated, and the lower unit 235 of the first transport unit 40 in the uppermost retracted state is moved downward. Move to. At this time, the first driven roller 41 (second transport roller 243) elastically supported by the lower unit 235 is in a detection standby state.

  Then, when the lower unit 235 moves further downward and the first driven roller 41 (second transport roller 243) comes into contact with the packaging body 1 or the like, the first driven roller 41 (second transport roller 243) comes into contact. The contact state detection means 250 detects that the state has been reached. When the lower unit 235 including the first mounting member and the like further moves downward by a predetermined amount, the first driven roller 41 (second transport roller 243) has a predetermined constant and appropriate urging force (transport pressing force). ) Is applied to the package 1 or the like. As a result, in the lowest pressure contact state, the packaging body 1 and the like are pressed and sandwiched between the first driven roller 41 (second transport roller 243) and the first drive roller 42.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 3I, in the welding unit 30, the welding roller 31 moves downward. As shown in FIG. 3J, the welding roller 31 contacts the packaging body 1 and the like, and the conveyance of the packaging body 1 and the like by the first driven roller 41 (second conveyance roller 243) and the first drive roller 42 starts. While applying a predetermined constant and appropriate urging force (conveying pressing force) to the packaging body 1 etc., the packaging body 1 etc. are conveyed downstream in the conveying direction, and welding at the folding portion by the welding roller 31 is performed. Do.

  As shown in FIG. 3J, in the first transport unit 40, the first driven roller 41 (second transport roller 243) and the first drive roller 42 that are in a pressure contact state transport the package 1 and the like in a predetermined amount. Transport downstream in the direction.

  As shown in FIG. 3K, in the second transport unit 60, the lower unit 235 attached with the second driven roller 61 (corresponding to the second transport roller 243) elastically supported moves downward. . That is, the drive motor 200 of the second transport unit 60 is rotated, the driving force transmission mechanism and the crank mechanism described above are operated, and the lower unit 235 of the second transport unit 60 in the uppermost retracted state is moved downward. Move to. At this time, the second driven roller 61 (second transport roller 243) elastically supported by the lower unit 235 moves from the uppermost retracted state to the detection standby state.

  Then, when the lower unit 235 moves further downward and the second driven roller 61 (second transport roller 243) contacts the packaging body 1 or the like, the second driven roller 61 (second transport roller 243) contacts. The contact state detection means 250 detects that the state has been reached. When the lower unit 235 including the first mounting member moves further downward by a predetermined amount, the second driven roller 61 (second transport roller 243) has a predetermined constant and appropriate urging force (transport pressing force). ) Is applied to the package 1 or the like. As a result, in the lowest pressure contact state, the packaging body 1 and the like are pressed and sandwiched between the second driven roller 61 (second transport roller 243) and the second drive roller 62. Thereafter, when the drive motor 200 of the first transport unit 40 rotates in the reverse direction, the lower unit 235 of the first transport unit 40 moves upward, but the first driven roller 41 (second transport roller 243) From the lowest pressure contact state, the state returns to the highest retracted state through the contact state and the detection standby state.

  Only the second driven roller 61 (second conveying roller 243) and the second driving roller 62 of the second conveying unit 60 apply a predetermined constant and appropriate urging force (conveying pressing force) to the package 1 or the like. The package 1 and the like are conveyed downstream in the conveyance direction. At this time, the sensor 52 constantly monitors the presence of the object 110 to be packaged inserted into the film strip 101. And when the front end part of the to-be-packaged object 110 inserted in the film strip 101 crosses the detection area | region of the sensor 52, and the front-end part of the to-be-packaged object 110 inserted in the film strip 101 is detected by the sensor 52. As shown in FIG. 3L, the second driven roller 61 (second transport roller 243) and the second drive roller 62 transport the packaging body 1 and the like by a predetermined distance downstream in the transport direction. That is, when the front end portion of the object to be packaged 110 reaches a position downstream of the fusing member 51 in the transport direction, the transport of the package 1 or the like is stopped. And simultaneously with the conveyance of the packaging body 1 etc. being stopped, the welding roller 31 moves upward, thereby preventing the film belt 101 from being overheated by the welding roller 31.

  As shown in FIG. 3M, in the fusing unit 50, the heated fusing member 51 moves downward from the uppermost retracted state to weld and cut the film strip 101. At this time, by forming the front end sealing portion of the film strip 101, the package 1 in which the package 110 is sealed and packaged with the film strip 101 is created, and the package 110 is inserted. A rear end sealing portion of the film strip 101 that is not formed is also formed. The fusing member 51 after welding / cutting returns to the uppermost retracted state.

  When it is detected that the fusing member 51 is in the uppermost retracted state, as shown in FIG. 3N, in the second transport unit 60, the second driven roller 61 (second transport roller 243) in a pressure contact state and The second drive roller 62 conveys the sealed and packaged package 1 downstream in the conveyance direction. The sealed package 1 is placed on the discharge table 12 of the discharge unit 14. Thereafter, the lower unit 235 of the second transport unit 60 that has finished transporting the package 1 is moved upward as shown in FIG. 3O by the drive motor 200 of the second transport unit 60 rotating in the reverse direction. The second driven roller 61 (second transport roller 243) returns from the lowest pressure contact state to the highest retracted state through the contact state and the detection standby state. On the upstream side of the fusing unit 50 in the conveying direction, the film strip 101 having the rear end sealing portion and not having the package 110 inserted therein is waiting for the start of the next fusing operation.

  As described above, according to the transport apparatuses 40 and 60 according to the first embodiment, the contact state detection unit 250 detects the contact state in which the second transport roller 243 contacts the package body 1 and the like, and then further, When the lower unit 235 including the first attachment member moves to a pressure contact state by a predetermined amount, an urging force corresponding to the compression deformation amount of the compression spring 248 is generated, and the detected contact state of the package body 1 or the like, that is, Regardless of the thickness of the packaging body 1 etc., the 2nd conveyance roller 243 applies the predetermined fixed and appropriate magnitude | size conveyance pressing force with respect to the packaging body 1 grade | etc.,. And the packaging body 1 grade | etc., Can be conveyed safely and stably, applying the said conveyance pressing force. Therefore, the packaged object 110 has an irregular shape that deviates from a square shape, such as an article with different thickness, an article that is thin and easily damaged such as a CD or DVD, or a sample such as a ballpoint pen or a health food sample. Even if it is the goods which were made, the package 1 containing the said to-be-packaged object 110 can be conveyed safely and stably.

  By the way, as a conventional technique for transporting a thick packaging body 1 and the like having a thickness of 10 to 20 mm, a transport device of a type that uses a large-diameter driving roller and a driven roller to bite the packaging body 1 and the like therebetween, and There is a transport method. In the conventional type conveying device or the like, the size of the driving roller and the driven roller is increased, so that the entire size of the conveying device is increased, and it is difficult to realize a compact conveying device.

  On the other hand, in the present invention, the first conveying roller (driving roller) and the second conveying roller (driven roller) having a small diameter are used, and the second conveying roller (driven) is detected after detecting the contact state of the package 1 or the like. The roller is slid by a certain amount toward the packaging body 1 or the like, and a pressure contact state is created in which the roller 1 is pressed against the packaging body 1 or the like with a predetermined constant and appropriate urging force (conveying pressing force). Therefore, in the transport device according to the present invention, the size of the first transport roller (drive roller) and the second transport roller (driven roller) is small, so the overall size of the transport device is also small, and the transport device is compact. Can be realized. Further, in the present invention, the press-contact operation in the first transport unit 40 is released at the timing when the press-contact in the second transport unit 60 becomes possible, and the first transport unit 40 and the second transport unit 60 are disconnected. Generation | occurrence | production and the clogging of the package 1 etc. resulting from the conveyance speed difference between them can be suppressed.

  In the first embodiment, the tip 251 of the detection lever 252 is illustrated and described as a plate-like body having a narrow width in the rotation axis direction of the second transport roller 243 in FIGS. However, the central portion where the plate-like tip 251 in the detection lever 252 exists is not necessarily the highest contact state in the package 1 or the like.

  Therefore, the tip end portion 251 of the detection lever 252 can be formed in a bar shape extending in parallel with the rotation axis direction of the second transport roller 243. According to the said structure, the detection area | region which can detect the contact state with the package-shaped front-end | tip part 251 etc. is expanded, the detection accuracy of a contact state increases, and it uses as the contact state detection means 250. The number of detection levers 252 and photosensors 219 to be reduced can be reduced, and the cost can be reduced. In particular, it is effective when detecting and transporting an article having a non-uniform thickness in the longitudinal direction of the shaft, such as a ballpoint pen or a sample such as a health food, which has a distorted shape that deviates from the square shape.

  Moreover, it is suitable for the rod shape of the front-end | tip part 251 to make it the shape where the side which opposes the package body 1 etc. has roundness so that it may contact | abut smoothly. In this case, the front end portion 251 can be a rotatable roller extending in parallel with the rotation axis direction of the second transport roller 243 so that the front end portion 251 abuts the packaging body 1 or the like more smoothly. Further, a lever mounting member 256 that rotatably supports the tip 251 so that the rod-like tip 251 extending in the rotation axis direction of the second transport roller 243 and the tip 251 made of a roller are stably supported. Are also arranged on the left and right of the second conveying roller 243 in the rotation axis direction, and is detected by a detection lever 252 and a photo sensor 219 disposed substantially at the center of the second conveying roller 243 in the rotation axis direction. You can also. Note that the contact state detection means 250 including a plurality of pairs of detection levers 252 and photosensors 219 may be disposed along the rotation axis direction of the second transport roller 243.

  Next, the configuration of the transport units (transport devices) 40 and 60 of the package 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail and specifically with reference to FIGS. 12 to 17.

  Each transport device of the first transport unit 40 and the second transport unit 60 shown in FIGS. 12 to 17 is a unit configured in the same manner as in the first embodiment. Conveying units (conveying devices) 40 and 60 include an upper unit 325 to which the drive motor 300 is attached, a second conveying roller 343 for conveying the package 1 and the like (not shown in the following second embodiment), The lower unit 335 attached with the second conveying roller 343 elastically supported, a driving force transmission mechanism that transmits the rotational driving force of the driving motor 300 to the driven shaft 305, and the rotational driving force of the driving motor 300 A driving force conversion mechanism that converts the lower unit 335 into a vertical driving force. The lower unit 335 is supported so as to be movable up and down with respect to the upper unit 325.

  The upper unit 325 includes a drive motor 300 as a drive source, an upper frame portion 321 to which a pair of left and right upper guide rails 324 are attached, a pair of left and right upper support portions 322 that rotatably support the driven shaft 305, Is provided. The left and right upper support portions 322 are formed to bend and extend perpendicularly from the upper frame portion 321. The drive motor 300 is attached to the left upper support portion 322 with screws or the like. A photo sensor 309 that detects the uppermost retracted position of the lower unit 335 is attached to the upper inside of the upper frame portion 321 with screws or the like. The photo sensor 309 includes, for example, a pair of light emitting units and light receiving units that are separated from each other.

  The drive motor 300 is, for example, a stepping motor whose rotation amount is defined in proportion to the number of drive pulses, or a servo motor whose rotation amount is detected by an encoder. A pulley 302 attached to the drive shaft 301 of the drive motor 300 and a pulley 206 attached to the driven shaft 305 are connected via an endless belt 303, and the rotational driving force of the drive motor 300 is driven by the driven shaft 305. Is transmitted to. Accordingly, the pulley 302, the pulley 306, and the endless belt 303 constitute a driving force transmission mechanism.

  The driven shafts 305 extending in the lateral direction (that is, in the left-right direction) are pivotally supported by openings formed in the left and right upper support portions 322, and are respectively attached to the left and right upper support portions 322 at positions near the center. A pair of pinions 310. Each pinion 310 meshes with a rack 311 described later attached to the lower unit 335. Each pinion 310 converts the rotational motion of the driven shaft 305 interlocked with the drive motor 300 to the linear motion of the lower unit 335 via the drive force transmission mechanism. That is, the pinion 310 of the driven shaft 305 and the rack 311 of the lower unit 335 function as a driving force conversion mechanism. Therefore, the rotational driving force of the driving motor 300 can be converted into the vertical driving force of the lower unit 335 by the driving force conversion mechanism including the pinion 310 and the rack 311 provided on the left and right.

  The lower unit 335 elastically rotates the second transport roller 343, the left and right rack support portions 332, the lower frame portion 331 to which the pair of left and right lower guide rails 334 are attached, and the second transport roller 343. And a pair of left and right transport roller mounting portions 342 to be supported.

  The left and right transport roller mounting portions 342 are formed to bend and extend perpendicularly from the lower portion of the lower frame portion 331. The left and right rack support portions 332 are formed to bend and extend perpendicularly from the upper portion of the lower frame portion 331. A sensor support portion 312 is formed on the outer side of the left conveyance roller attachment portion 342 so as to be opposed to the conveyance roller attachment portion 342 with a stopper surface 330 interposed therebetween.

  The contact state detection unit 350 includes a photosensor 319 and a tip protrusion 361. The tip protrusion 361 is a thin rod-like body that extends outward in the lateral direction from one end (left end in FIG. 12 and the like) of the shaft 340 of the second transport roller 343 toward the photosensor 319. The tip protruding portion 361 is configured to be positioned between the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion constituting the photosensor 319. The tip protrusion 361 and the photosensor 319 are substantially aligned on the rotation axis of the shaft 340 of the second transport roller 343.

  Note that the tip protrusion 361 does not necessarily extend coaxially from the shaft body 340 of the second transport roller 343, and the upper end surface and the side end surface of the shaft support member 337 that integrally supports the second transport roller 343. To the photo sensor 319 may extend outward in the lateral direction. That is, the tip protrusion 361 that functions as a part of the contact state detection unit 350 can be configured to extend from the shaft body or shaft support member 337 of the second transport roller 343 toward the photosensor 319. Further, the tip protruding portion 361 may be arranged to be inclined with respect to the vertical sliding movement direction of the shaft support member 337. As described above, in the second embodiment, the tip protrusion 361 formed on the shaft body 340 or the shaft support member 337 of the second transport roller 343 that moves integrally with the second transport roller 343 is in contact with the second transport roller 343. Since it constitutes a part of the state detection means 350, it contributes to simplification of the contact state detection means 350, reduction of the number of parts, and cost reduction.

  A photo sensor 319 serving as a contact state detection sensor that detects whether the contact portion 341 of the second transport roller 343 is in contact with the package 1 or the like is not touched. The sensor support portion 312 is attached to the inner side surface of the sensor support portion 312 so as to face the leading end protruding portion 361 extending from the second conveying roller 343 in contact. For example, the photosensor 319 is fixed to the sensor support portion 312 by fitting the attachment portion of the photosensor 319 into an insertion hole formed in the sensor support portion 312. The sensor support portion 312 serves as a first attachment member.

  The photosensor 319 includes, for example, a pair of light emitting units and light receiving units that are separated from each other. The light emitted from the light emitting portion of the photosensor 319 is shielded by the tip protruding portion 361 of the second conveying roller 343 that is pushed down most downward and cannot be received by the light receiving portion. A non-contact state of the transport roller 343 is detected. Then, the photo sensor 319 generates an electrical signal that the second transport roller 343 is in a non-contact state. In the non-contact state, the photosensor 319 and the tip protrusion 361 are aligned in a row in the horizontal direction. On the other hand, in the contact state, the second conveying roller 343 contacts the packaging body 1 or the like and the leading end protruding portion 361 connected to the second conveying roller 343 is pushed up, so that the photo sensor 319 and the leading end protruding portion 361 However, the photo sensor 319 emits an electrical signal that the second transport roller 343 is in a contact state.

  Therefore, in the second embodiment, the contact state of the second transport roller 343 with respect to the packaging body 1 or the like is detected substantially simultaneously with the contact portion 341 of the second transport roller 343 with respect to the packaging body 1 or the like. Is done. Thus, in the second embodiment, it is not necessary to provide the detection lever 252 configured separately from the second transport roller 343 as shown in the first embodiment. Can be configured simply and inexpensively. Note that the non-contact state in which the second transport roller 343 is pushed down most and the contact portion 341 of the second transport roller 343 is not in contact with the package 1 or the like is a contact state by the photosensor 319. Therefore, it can be called a detection standby state.

  The upper guide rail 324 of the upper frame portion 321 and the lower guide rail 334 of the lower frame portion 331 are slidably engaged so that the lower frame portion 331 can slide up and down with respect to the upper frame portion 321. It is configured. In addition, left and right racks 311 that mesh with the left and right pinions 310 are attached to the outer surfaces of the left and right rack support portions 332 with screws or the like.

  The detection bar 352 is provided at the upper end of the left rack support portion 332 so that the detection bar 352 can be freely inserted between a pair of spaced light emitting portions and light receiving portions of the photosensor 309 that detects the uppermost retracted position. Is provided. In the example shown in FIG. 12, the light emitted from the light emitting unit of the photosensor 309 is blocked by the detection bar 352 and cannot be received by the light receiving unit of the photosensor 309, so that the uppermost retreat of the lower unit 335 is performed. A state is detected. Then, the photo sensor 309 generates an electrical signal that the lower unit 335 is in the uppermost retracted state. Even if the packaging body 1 or the like having a size larger than the prescribed thickness is mistakenly mixed and transported by the second transport roller 343 moving up to the uppermost retracted state, the packaging body 1 or the like mixed or transported is transported. Is transported safely and reliably downstream without colliding with the second transport roller 343. In FIG. 17, the lower unit 335 is in a lower position, and light emitted from the light emitting unit of the photosensor 309 is received by the light receiving unit of the photosensor 309 without being blocked by the detection bar 352.

  When the drive motor 300 rotates, the driven shaft 305 rotates through the endless belt 303. As the driven shaft 305 rotates, the lower unit 335 slides up and down via the pinion 310 and the rack 311. In the lower unit 335, as will be described later, the second transport roller 343 is elastically applied to the left and right transport roller mounting portions 342 via the left and right shaft support members 337 urged downward by the left and right compression springs 348. It is supported by. The compression spring 348 as an elastic body is preferably made of a metal material (for example, a piano wire or a stainless steel wire) that has little sag even at high temperatures and has excellent heat resistance and rigidity. Therefore, when the drive motor 300 rotates, the lower unit 335 reciprocates between the uppermost retracted state and the lowermost pressure contact state. At this time, the lower unit 335 performs a separation operation in which the second transport roller 343 is separated from the film strip 101 by the rotational driving force of the drive motor 300, or the second transport roller 343 presses the film strip 101 into pressure contact. One of the pressure contact operations in the state is performed.

  The second transport roller 343 corresponds to the first driven roller 41 in the first transport unit 40 and corresponds to the second driven roller 61 in the second transport unit 60. The first driven roller 41 and the second driven roller 61 are configured to have a smaller diameter than the first driving roller 42 and the second driving roller 62, respectively. Since the second conveying roller 343 as the first driven roller 41 and the second driven roller 61 is disposed in the vicinity of the fusing member 51 of the fusing unit 50, it is easily affected by heat from the fusing member 51. Therefore, it is preferable to be comprised from the metal material (for example, stainless steel) excellent in heat conductivity, heat resistance, and rigidity. With this configuration, the second transport roller 343 can stably press and transport the package 1 and the like.

  The left and right shaft support members 337 that support the shaft body 340 of the second conveying roller 343 include a narrow guide portion 339, a flange portion 344 wider than the guide portion 339, and a shaft into which the shaft body 340 is inserted. Each has a hole 349 and a recess 338 for receiving the lower end of the compression spring 348. The guide portion 339 of the shaft support member 337 is configured to slide up and down along the guide groove 347 of the transport roller mounting portion 342 while displacement in the rotation axis direction is restricted by the flange portion 344. As a result, the second transport roller 343 supported by the left and right shaft support members 337 includes a transport roller mounting portion 342, a sensor support portion 312, and a lower frame portion 331 via a compression spring 348. (Hereinafter, referred to as a first mounting member or the like) can be slid up and down. Therefore, the left and right shaft support members 337 that pivotally support the second transport roller 343 constitute a second mounting member. Note that the length of the guide groove 347 in the vertical direction defines the slidable amount (stroke) of the second transport roller 343.

  On the other hand, the left and right transport roller mounting portions 342 include guide grooves 347 extending in the vertical direction perpendicular to the rotation axis direction of the shaft body 340. A protrusion 329 that protrudes downward is formed on the upper portion of the guide groove 347, and the protrusion 329 engages with the upper end portion of the compression spring 348 to restrict upward movement of the compression spring 348. A stopper surface 330 is formed at the lower end portion of the guide groove 347 to lock the flange portion 344 of the shaft support member 337 and define the lower limit position of the shaft support member 337. The stopper surface 330 is a connection surface extending in the lateral direction that connects the conveyance roller mounting portion 342 and the sensor support portion 312.

  The compression spring 348 is engaged and held between the recess 338 of the shaft support member 337 and the protrusion 329 of the transport roller mounting portion 342. That is, the compression spring 348 is in a compressed state in which the compression spring 348 can exert an urging force, and is engaged and held between the shaft support member 337 and the conveyance roller mounting portion 342. When the shaft support member 337 that supports the second transport roller 343 slides upward along the guide groove 347 of the transport roller mounting portion 342, conversely, the first mounting member or the like in the lower unit 335 faces downward. When sliding, the compression spring 348 is compressed. Then, in proportion to the compression amount of the compression spring 348, an urging force is generated that presses the shaft support member 337, that is, the second transport roller 343 downward. The urging force presses the shaft support member 337, that is, the second transport roller 343 downward.

  Therefore, after the contact state detection unit 350 detects that the contact portion 341 of the second transport roller 343 is in contact with the packaging body 1 or the like, the lower unit 335 including the first attachment member or the like is provided. Furthermore, it slides downward to reach the pressure contact state. In the pressure contact state, an urging force proportional to the slide movement amount is generated. Due to the generated urging force, the contact portion 341 of the second transport roller 343 comes into pressure contact with the package 1 or the like. That is, the compression amount of the compression spring 348, that is, the second conveyance roller 343, from the lower limit position (that is, the contact state) where the lower surface of the shaft support member 337 is locked by the stopper surface 330 that extends in the lateral direction of the conveyance roller attachment portion 342. Is controlled so that the amount of displacement of the upward movement becomes constant. With this control, the urging force that presses the second conveying roller 343 downward can be set to a predetermined constant magnitude. Since the wrapping body 1 and the like are transported downstream in the transport direction while applying the urging force having a certain magnitude to the packaging body 1 and the like, the urging force can be referred to as a transport pressing force.

  From the pressure contact state where the second transport roller 343 is in pressure contact with the packaging body 1 or the like, the second transport roller 343 is pushed down to the lowermost position so that the contact portion 341 of the second transport roller 343 is against the packaging body 1 or the like. When returning to the detection standby state in which no contact is made, the lower surfaces of the left and right shaft support members 337 that pivotally support the second transport roller 343 are stopped by the bias of the compression spring 348 (the transport pressing force). The conveyance roller mounting portion 342 slides until it is locked by the surface 330.

  In the transport units 40 and 60 of the second embodiment, each second transport roller 343 is connected to a lower unit 335 including a first mounting member and the like via a compression spring 348. The second transport roller 343 slides up and down as the lower unit 335 including the first mounting member and the like slides up and down by the rotational driving force of the drive motor 300, but includes the first mounting member and the like. Depending on the state in which the lower unit 335 is placed, the behavior of the first mounting member and the behavior of the second transport roller 343 are different.

  When the states that can be taken by the lower unit 335 including the second transport roller 343 and the first attachment member are arranged, the uppermost retracted state for avoiding the collision with the packaging body 1 and the like in order from the upper side to the lower side. A detection standby state in which the contact portion 341 of the second transport roller 343 is not in contact with the packaging body 1 and the like, and a contact state in which the contact portion 341 of the second transport roller 343 contacts the packaging body 1 and the like The second conveying roller 343 is in the lowest pressure contact state in which the second conveyance roller 343 is in pressure contact with the packaging body 1 or the like.

  As described above, the lower unit 335 slides up and down by the rotational driving force of the drive motor 300. For example, when the drive motor 300 rotates in a certain direction, the lower unit 335 slides downward, and the lower unit 335 sequentially moves to the uppermost retracted state, the detection standby state, the contact state, and the lowermost pressure contact. Each state can be taken. Then, when the drive motor 300 rotates in the reverse direction, the lower unit 335 slides upward, and the lower unit 335 sequentially moves to the lowest pressure contact state, the contact state, the detection standby state, and the highest position retraction. Each state can be taken.

  During the period from the uppermost retracted state to the contact state, the second transport roller 343 and the lower unit 335 including the first attachment member and the like integrally slide up and down. On the other hand, the second transport roller 343 and the lower unit 335 including the first attachment member and the like move differently from the contact state to the lowest pressure contact state.

  In other words, the second conveying roller 343 is brought into a stationary state because the second conveying roller 343 is in contact with the package body 1 and the like, and thus further movement is restricted. On the other hand, the lower unit 335 including the first attachment member and the like can be further slid toward the packaging body 1 and the like. When the lower unit 335 including the first attachment member or the like is closest to the package 1 or the like, the lowest pressure contact state is obtained. At this time, since the compression spring 348 is compressed, an urging force (conveyance pressing force) from the compression spring 348 is generated. As a result, in the pressure contact state, an urging force (transporting pressing force) that presses the second conveying roller 343 downward is generated in proportion to the compression amount of the compression spring 348. It will be pressed. When the compression amount of the compression spring 348 is regulated to a certain fixed amount, the urging force (conveyance pressing force) becomes a predetermined constant magnitude. When the first transport roller (the first drive roller 42 and the second drive roller 62) rotates, the second transport roller 343 in the pressure contact state always applies a predetermined constant and appropriate transport pressing force. However, the packaging body 1 and the like are conveyed.

  For example, a displacement amount (a compression amount of the compression spring 348) by which the lower unit 335 including the first attachment member is displaced toward the package body 1 after the contact state detection unit 350 detects the contact state is predetermined. The driving amount by the driving motor 300 is controlled so as to be a certain amount. For example, in a stepping motor, the amount of rotation is controlled by the number of drive pulses. In the servo motor, the encoder (rotation detector) detects the rotation amount of the servo motor and performs predetermined feedback control. As a result, the rotation amounts of the drive shaft 301 and the driven shaft 305 are controlled, and the displacement amount of the lower unit 335 including the first mounting member and the like is controlled. Thereby, the compression amount of the compression spring 348 is controlled to a predetermined amount, and the urging force (conveying pressing force) by the second conveying roller 343 is controlled to a predetermined constant and appropriate magnitude.

  According to the second embodiment, in addition to being able to safely and stably transport the packaging body 1 and the like, the lower unit 335 including the configuration of the contact state detecting means 350 and the first mounting member and the like is disposed on the packaging body 1. Since the drive mechanisms such as the first mounting member for moving the first and second members so as to be able to move toward and away from each other are simple, further cost reduction can be achieved.

  In the first embodiment described above, one contact state detection unit 250 is disposed at a substantially central portion in the rotation axis direction of the second transport roller 243. In the second embodiment, one contact state detection is performed. The means 350 is disposed at one end (left end) of the second transport roller 343. However, in the case of the first embodiment, the two or more contact state detection means 250 can be arranged apart from each other along the rotation axis direction of the second transport roller 243, and in the case of the second embodiment. The contact state detecting means 350 can be disposed at both ends (left end and right end). By providing each of the transport units 40 and 60 with a plurality of contact state detection means 250 and 350, for example, the following control content can be additionally performed, and the package by the second transport rollers 243 and 343 Various controls can be performed regarding the pressure contact operation of 1 and the like.

  First, when all of the plurality of contact state detection means 250 and 350 detect the contact state with the package 1 or the like, if there is no offset arrangement in the package 110 in the package 1 or the like, The working CPU determines and the next predetermined pressure contact operation is continued. On the other hand, although one contact state detection means 250, 350 detects the contact state with the packaging body 1 or the like, the remaining contact state detection means 250, 350 is in contact with the packaging body 1 or the like. If no is detected, the CPU determines that there is some misalignment in the package 110 in the package 1 or the like. Then, the CPU further depresses the second transport rollers 243 and 343 with a certain pressing amount stored in the ROM, and the contact state detection means 250 and 350 that did not detect the contact state earlier detect the contact state. Determine whether or not. If all the contact state detection means 250, 350 detect the contact state at this stage, the CPU determines that there is a slight offset in the package 110 in the package 1 or the like. In this case, the CPU controls to perform the pressure contact operation with the spring compression amount corrected to a value smaller than the normal spring compression amount. As a result, it is possible to prevent an excessive urging force (conveying pressing force) from being applied to the package 110 during the pressing operation.

  If the contact state detection means 250, 350 that has not detected the contact state remains, the CPU determines that there is a large offset arrangement in the package 110 in the package 1 or the like. In this case, the CPU controls to stop the subsequent press-contact operation and perform a warning or alarm display that informs the user that there is a large deviation. As a result, damage to the package 110 due to the offset arrangement is prevented. Accordingly, since the transport units 40 and 60 are provided with a plurality of contact state detection means 250 and 350, an excessive biasing force is detected during the press-contact operation by detecting the displacement of the package 110 in the package 1 or the like. It is possible to prevent (transporting pressing force) from being applied to the package 110.

  As a preferred embodiment, the drive motor 200 (stepping motor or servo motor) that is electrically precisely controlled and driven and contributes to the miniaturization of the apparatus has been described as a drive source. However, as a modified example, a fluid such as air is used. It is also possible to employ a configuration in which a fluid cylinder driven by pressure is used as a drive source. In this case, since the piston of the fluid cylinder moves up and down, the lower unit 235 attached with the second conveying roller 243 elastically supported is slid up and down directly or indirectly via a crank mechanism. It becomes a mode to drive.

  In addition, since the contact state detection means and the drive mechanism such as the first attachment member perform different functions, the contact state detection means 250, 350 and the first embodiment shown in the first embodiment and the second embodiment, respectively. A combination of drive mechanisms such as the first mounting member can be appropriately changed and used. That is, the contact state detection means 250 using the detection lever 252 of the first embodiment, the drive mechanism such as the first mounting member using the crank mechanism, and the contact state using the tip protrusion 361 of the second embodiment. The detection mechanism 350, the rack 311 and the drive mechanism such as the first mounting member using the pinion 310 can be used in combination with each other.

  Further, as a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the horizontal transport type packaging device 10 in which the packaging body 1 and the like are transported in the horizontal direction has been described, but the present invention is a vertical transport in which the packaging body 1 and the like are transported in the vertical direction. The present invention can also be applied to a type of packaging device 10.

  In order to make the present invention easier to understand, specific configurations, numerical values, and materials have been shown and described. However, these are merely examples, and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various embodiments and modifications can be made within the technical scope of the present invention.

1: Package 10: Packaging device 40: First transport unit (transport device)
60: Second transport unit (transport device)
110: Package 101: Film strip 200: Drive motor (drive source)
210: Eccentric cam 219: Detection sensor 220: Upper seat plate portion 221: Upper side frame portion 222: Inner column member 225: Upper unit 230: Lower seat plate portion (first mounting member)
231: Lower frame portion (first mounting member)
235: Lower unit 237: Shaft support member (second mounting member)
242: Conveying roller mounting member (first mounting member)
243: second transport roller 247: guide groove 250: contact state detection means 251: tip 252: detection lever 248: compression spring (elastic body)
310: Pinion 311: Rack 312: Sensor support (first mounting member)
319: detection sensor 325: upper unit 335: lower unit 337: shaft support member (second mounting member)
343: Second transport roller 348: Compression spring (elastic body)
350: Contact state detecting means 361: Tip protrusion

Claims (11)

A pair of first transport rollers and a second transport roller for transporting while sandwiching a package in which an article to be packaged is inserted in a film strip, the first transport roller being disposed opposite to the second transport roller A transport roller, and a second transport roller that repeats contact and separation operations to the film strip,
A contact state detection means for detecting a contact state of the second conveying roller with the package;
A first attachment member provided with the contact state detection means;
A second mounting member for pivotally supporting the second transport roller;
An elastic body that urges the second transport roller supported by the second mounting member toward the package;
A drive source that moves the first attachment member and the second attachment member so as to be movable toward and away from the package;
In the process in which the first attachment member and the second attachment member move toward the package by the operation of the drive source, the second conveyance roller contacts the package by the contact state detection means. After the contact state is detected, the first attachment member moves further by a predetermined amount toward the package body, and the second conveyance is performed with a certain conveyance pressing force generated by the movement of the predetermined amount. A package conveying apparatus, wherein a roller is pressed against the package.   The contact state detection means includes a detection lever and a detection sensor, and a tip end portion of the detection lever is configured to protrude toward the first conveyance roller from the second conveyance roller. 2. The package transport apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second transport roller contacts the package after the tip of the lever contacts the package. 3.   The packaging body conveyance device according to claim 1, wherein the contact state detection unit detects an upstream side in the conveyance direction with respect to the second conveyance roller.   The driving source and the first mounting member and the second mounting member are connected by a crank mechanism, and the second transport installed on the second mounting member by the rotational driving force of the driving source. 4. The package transport apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the roller reciprocates between a highest retracted state and a lowest pressure contact state.   The contact state detection unit includes a detection sensor and a tip portion extending from the shaft body of the second transport roller or the second mounting member toward the detection sensor. 4. The package conveying apparatus according to 4.   The drive source is connected to the first mounting member and the second mounting member by a pinion connected to the drive source and a rack connected to the first mounting member and the second mounting member. The package transport apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transport apparatus is a package.   The package conveying apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first conveying roller is a driving roller, and the second conveying roller is a driven roller. A transport method for transporting a package in which an article to be packaged is inserted into a film strip using the transport device for a package according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
An integral moving step in which the second conveying roller moves toward the packaging body integrally with the first mounting member provided with the contact state detecting means;
A contact state detection step of detecting a contact state with respect to the package by the contact state detection means;
A pressure contact step in which the second transport roller is pressed against the package body with a constant transport pressure generated by the first attachment member moving further a predetermined amount toward the package body;
A method of conveying a package, comprising: a pressure-conveying step of rotating the first conveying roller to pressure-convey and convey the package to the downstream side in the conveyance direction.   The contact state detection step detects the contact state with respect to the package body by the contact of the second conveyance roller with the package body after the contact state detection means has previously contacted the package body. The method for transporting a package according to claim 8, wherein:   The contact state detection step detects the contact state with respect to the packaging body at the same time when the second conveying roller serving also as the contact state detection means contacts the packaging body. 8. A method for transporting a package according to 8.   11. The evacuation step of moving the second conveyance roller from the lowest pressure contact state to the uppermost evacuation state after the pressure conveyance step, according to claim 8. Method of transporting the package.

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