JP6706565B2 - Wrapping machine and method of folding a package - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a packaging machine having an edge folding function for folding an ear portion of a sealed packaging body, and a method for folding an edge of a packaging body.

In a pillow packaging line for articles, a film is used to form a package. Specifically, the film is continuously supplied to articles that are continuously conveyed. Then, the film is wrapped in a tubular shape to center-seal the article. Then, the film is sandwiched and heated by a top sealer (top seal means) at a predetermined pitch to top seal and cut in the width direction to form a package. Further, the top-sealed portion (ears), which is the top-sealed portion, is bent to adjust the shape of the package.

Conventionally, bending of the ears (ear folding) has been performed by dedicated ear folding means. For example, in the horizontal bag-making and filling machine described in Patent Document 1, an ear fold body that moves up and down to advance and retreat to and from an operating position in the article conveyance path is provided as dedicated ear fold means, and the ears are bent.

Specifically, the ear-folded body described in Patent Document 1 advances to the operating position at a timing when the pair of seal bodies move to the downstream side while moving away from each other, and is faster than the moving speed to the downstream side. It is configured such that the front and rear ears of the packaging body immediately after the sealing which is conveyed by are folded and are moved to the downstream side in the conveying direction integrally with the sealing body while keeping the folded state.

Japanese Patent No. 5762824

However, since the edge-folding body described in Patent Document 1 is driven by a cylinder and moves to the downstream side in the transport direction integrally with the seal body while keeping the folded state of the ears, it is not suitable for high-speed operation. Not suitable.

Further, in the conventional ear folding means (ear folding body), it is necessary to heat the ear portion, bend it, and then cool it. Therefore, a dedicated ear folding means having a heating means and a folding means is required.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides a wrapping machine capable of folding the ears of a package and a method for folding the ears of the package without providing a dedicated edge-folding means. With the goal.

(1) The present invention manufactures a package by forming the top seal portion by sealing and cutting the openings at both ends of the continuously supplied cylindrical packaging film by the top sealing means in the width direction of the packaging film. a packaging machine, said top sealing means, the means for reducing the relative distance between the package that is isolated to the downstream side of the top sealing means, said top seal the top seal portion of the upstream side of the package The packaging machine is provided with an edge folding means that makes contact with the means and performs edge folding.

With such a configuration, the ears of the package can be reliably bent even at high speed operation. In addition, the ears of the package can be bent without providing a dedicated ear folding means.

(2) The present invention also manufactures a package by forming a top seal portion by sealing and cutting the openings at both ends of a continuously supplied tubular packaging film by the top sealing means in the width direction of the packaging film. In the packaging machine, the top seal part on the upstream side of the package cut off on the downstream side of the top seal means is brought into contact with the side surface of the transporting direction downstream end of the tubular packaging film. The packaging machine is characterized in that it is provided with an edge folding means for folding the edges.

With such a configuration, the ears of the package can be reliably bent even at high speed operation. In addition, the ears of the package can be bent without providing a dedicated ear folding means.

(3) The present invention also manufactures a package by forming a top seal portion by sealing and cutting the openings at both ends of a continuously supplied tubular packaging film in the width direction of the packaging film by a top sealing means. In this packaging machine, the top seal part on the downstream side of the package cut off on the downstream side of the top seal means is brought into contact with another package on the downstream side of the package to perform ear folding. The packaging machine is provided with an edge folding means.

With such a configuration, the ears of the package can be reliably bent even at high speed operation. In addition, the ears of the package can be bent without providing a dedicated ear folding means.

(4) In the present invention, the edge folding means has at least a regulation means, and the regulation means is provided in one of the packaging bodies in a predetermined region from the side surface on the downstream side of the top seal means toward the downstream direction. Conveyance to the downstream is temporarily restricted, the gap between the packaging body and the top sealing means or the tubular packaging film is narrowed and brought into contact, and at least the top seal on the upstream side of the packaging body. The packaging machine according to (1) or (2) above, wherein the part is folded over.

(5) The present invention is also such that the edge folding means has at least a regulation means, and the regulation means is present in a predetermined region extending in a downstream direction from a downstream side surface of the top seal means. Conveyance of the package located at the most downstream side of the package to the downstream is temporarily restricted, the gap between the plurality of packages is narrowed and brought into contact with each other, and the top seal portions of at least two packages facing each other are provided. The wrapping machine according to any one of (1) to (3) above, wherein the wrapping machine folds the ears.

(6) The present invention is also the packaging machine as described in (4) or (5) above, wherein the regulation means is a transportation means for moving the packaging body upstream.

(7) The present invention is also characterized in that the regulating means reduces the transport speed of the package to the downstream or temporarily stops the transport of the package to the downstream, (4) or It is the packaging machine according to (5).

(8) The present invention is also the packaging machine according to the above (7), characterized in that the regulation means is a mounting table for retracting the packaging body from the transport path.

(9) The present invention also has another transporting means for transporting the package, and the regulating means holds both side surfaces of the package on the other transporting means to move the package. The packaging machine according to any one of (4) to (7) above, which is a side belt conveyor to be regulated.

(10) The present invention also has another conveying means for conveying the packaging body, and the regulating means contacts the upper surface of the packaging body on the other conveying means to regulate the packaging body. The packaging machine according to any one of (4) to (7) above, which is a conveyor.

(11) In the present invention, the edge folding means has a drive means for moving the top seal means to the downstream side, and moves the top seal means to the downstream side at a speed faster than the moving speed of the packaging body. Then, the packing machine according to (1) or (3) above, wherein the packing machine comes into contact with an upstream top seal portion of the packaging body immediately downstream of the top seal means and folds the edges.

(12) The present invention also has another conveying means for conveying the package, and the regulating means has a grasping means for grasping both side surfaces of the package on the other conveying means, With respect to the packaging body that is being held by the holding means and stopped, the top seal means is moved to the downstream side to make an edge fold, or the holding means in the state of holding the packaging body is moved to the upstream side. The packaging machine according to any one of (4) to (7), wherein the packing machine is folded at the edges.

(13) The present invention also includes a provisional folding means upstream of the edge folding means, the provisional folding means being an inclined sealing surface of the top seal means (1). The packaging machine according to any one of 12).

(14) The present invention also provides a method of edge-folding a package formed from a continuously-supplied tubular packaging film, in which both ends of the tubular packaging film are opened by top sealing means. The step of forming a top seal portion by sealing and cutting in the width direction of the film , and means for reducing the relative distance between the top seal means and the package cut off on the downstream side of the top seal means , and a step of the top seal portion of the upstream side of the body folding ear is brought into contact with the top sealing means, and a ear folding method of the package, characterized in that.

(15) The present invention also provides a method of edge-folding a package formed from a continuously-supplied tubular packaging film, wherein both ends of the tubular packaging film are opened by top sealing means. A step of forming a top seal portion by sealing and cutting in the width direction of the film, and the top seal portion on the upstream side of the packaging body separated on the downstream side of the top sealing means, of the tubular packaging film. And a step of bringing the side surface of the downstream end portion in the transport direction into contact with the side surface to fold the ears, and the fold method of the wrapping body.

(16) The present invention also provides a method of edge-folding a package formed from a continuously-supplied tubular packaging film, wherein both ends of the tubular packaging film are opened by top sealing means. A step of forming a top seal part by sealing and cutting in the width direction of the film, and the top seal part on the downstream side of the package cut off on the downstream side of the top seal means, on the downstream side of the package. And a step of bringing the other wrapping body into contact with the other wrapping body to fold the ears.

(17) The present invention also temporarily restricts the downstream transportation of one of the packages in a predetermined region from the side surface on the downstream side of the top seal means in the downstream direction, and the package and the top seal. Or the top seal portion on the upstream side of the packaging body is folded at the end by narrowing the gap with the tubular packaging film and bringing them into contact with each other. ) Is a method for folding the edges of the package.

(18) The present invention also temporarily conveys, to the downstream side, the most downstream package of the plurality of packages existing in a predetermined region in the downstream direction from the side surface on the downstream side of the top seal means. The above-mentioned (14) or (15), characterized in that the top seal portions of at least two packaging bodies that are opposed to each other are narrowed and brought into contact with each other by narrowing the spacing between the plurality of packaging bodies. It is the method of folding the edges of the package described.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a wrapping machine and a wrapping method for wrapping a wrapping machine that can fold the ears of a wrapping body without providing a dedicated folding means.

1 is a schematic front view of a packaging machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. (A) It is an external perspective view of a pillow package, and (b) It is a front view of a pillow package. It is a front view which shows the outline of the edge folding means which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which shows the outline|summary of the edge folding means which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is the (a) top view, the (b) top view, and the (c) front view which show the outline of the edge folding means concerning the embodiment of the present invention. It is a top view which shows the outline of the edge folding means which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is the (a) front view, the (b) top view, and the (c) top view which show the outline of the edge folding means concerning the embodiment of the present invention. It is the (a) front view and the (b) top view which show the outline of the edge folding means which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which shows the outline|summary of the edge folding means which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which shows the outline|summary of the edge folding means which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a front view which shows the outline of the edge folding means which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is the front view which shows the outline of the temporary folding means which concerns on embodiment of this invention, (b) The front view of a packaging body, (c) The front view which shows the outline of a temporary folding means, (d) The front view of a packaging body. .. It is a front view near the top seal device 30 which shows the modification of the embodiment of the present invention. It is a top view which shows the modification of embodiment of this invention.

Hereinafter, the configuration of the packaging machine 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the packaging machine 1, and FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a pillow package formed by the packaging machine 1. In addition, in this figure and each subsequent figure, some drawings are omitted as appropriate to simplify the drawing. Further, in this figure and the following figures, the size, shape, thickness, etc. of the members are exaggerated as appropriate.

The wrapping machine (pillow wrapping machine) 1 shown in FIG. 1 is used in a line for sequentially wrapping an article XA1 such as food or daily necessities with a wrapping film YA1. The packaging machine 1 includes an article supply device 2, a film supply device 3, a packaging machine body 4, a control unit (not shown), and the like.

Each part of these wrapping machines 1 is comprehensively controlled by a control unit. The control unit includes a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, and the like, and executes various controls. The CPU is a so-called central processing unit and executes various programs to realize various functions. The RAM is used as a work area of the CPU. The ROM stores the basic OS and programs executed by the CPU.

The article supply device 2 conveys the articles XA1 at equal intervals and sequentially conveys the articles XA1 to the packaging machine body 4 on the downstream side. The article supply device 2 is composed of, for example, a finger conveyor. Specifically, the article supply device 2 includes a conveyance surface (not shown) having a slit, a side guide (not shown) that guides the article XA1 on the conveyance surface from the side, a sprocket 5 for driving, and a follower. Sprockets (not shown), a ring-shaped chain 6 that runs while being stretched over these sprockets, a plurality of fingers 7 attached to the chain 6 at equal pitches, and a servomotor (not shown) that serves as a power source. (Omitted) etc.

The driving sprocket 5 is rotated by driving a servo motor. The driven sprocket rotates in conjunction with the driving sprocket as the chain 6 travels. The chain 6 travels in a circulating manner by the rotation of the driving sprocket 5. The plurality of fingers 7 project upward from below the transport surface via the slits. The plurality of fingers 7 travel on the transport surface as the chain 6 travels. As a result, the plurality of fingers 7 pushes the article XA1 on the conveyance surface and sends it to the packaging machine body 4.

The film supply device 3 continuously supplies the packaging film YA1 to the packaging machine body 4 on the downstream side. The film supply device 3 includes an original shaft 8 and a servo motor (not shown). The original fabric shaft 8 rotatably holds the original fabric roll YB1. The original fabric shaft 8 is rotated by the power supplied to the servo motor, and rotates the original fabric roll YB1 held therein. As a result, the packaging film YA1 is paid out (stretched) from the original fabric roll YB1.

As a method of feeding the packaging film YA1 from the original fabric roll YB1, instead of adopting the original fabric driving method as described above, a feed roller is separately provided and the feed roller is moved to pull out the packaging film YA1. A driving method may be adopted.

The guide rollers 9a and 9b appropriately change the transport direction of the packaging film YA1 delivered from the original roll YB1 and guide it to the packaging machine body 4 side.

The wrapping machine body 4 wraps the article XA1 supplied from the article supply device 2 with the packaging film YA1 supplied from the film supply device 3. Specifically, the packaging machine body 4 includes a bag making device 14, a pinch roller 15, a center sealing device 16, a first conveying device 17, an upper holding device 18, and a top sealing device (end sealing device) 30. And a second transfer device 20, and the like.

The bag making device 14 makes a bag of the packaging film YA1 supplied from the film supply device 3 in a tubular shape such that both end edges in the width direction overlap each other. Further, the bag making device 14 supplies the article XA1 supplied from the article supply device 2 to the packaging film YA1 which is formed into a tubular bag. As a result, the article XA1 is wrapped in the tubular packaging film YA1. That is, the bag-making device 14 functions as a bag-making device that bends the packaging film YA1 in the width direction to form a tubular shape.

The pinch roller 15 sandwiches both end edges (areas where the center seal portion CE1 (see FIG. 2) is to be formed) of the packaging films YA1 overlapping each other and superposes them, and gives a conveying force to the both end edges.

The center seal device 16 includes a pair of bar sealers 16a and a press roller 16b. The center seal device 16 heats the packaging film YA1 polymerized by the pair of bar sealers 16a while sandwiching both ends of the packaging film YA1. Then, the center seal device 16 press-bonds both edges of the heated packaging film YA1 with the press rollers 16b to center-seal, thereby forming a center-seal portion CE1 (see FIG. 2). That is, the center seal device 16 performs center seal on the tubular packaging film YA1 downstream of the bag making machine 14. It should be noted that a rotary center seal device that heats by sandwiching the center seal portion with a pair of rollers or a plurality of rollers may be used.

The first carrying device 17 carries the center-sealed tubular packaging film YA1 together with the article XA1 wrapped in the packaging film YA1 on the carrying surface (reference numeral omitted) and carries it toward the top seal device 30. .. The first transfer device 17 expands and contracts the transfer surface in the transfer direction in accordance with the box motion of the top seal device 30. In addition to the box motion, a rotary or linear reciprocating top seal device may be used.

The upper restraining device 18 is arranged above the first transport device 17, and restrains the article XA1 transported to the first transport device 17 together with the packaging film YA1 from above. As a result, the article XA1 is conveyed while maintaining the horizontal state.

The top sealing device (top sealing means) 30 top seals (ends) in the width direction of the packaging film YA1 (the direction intersecting the traveling direction and the direction traversing the packaging film YA1) at each pitch according to the length of the article XA1. Seal and lateral seal) and cut. As a result, the top seal portion TO1 is formed and the pillow package ZA1 is manufactured. That is, the top seal device 30 seals and cuts the center-sealed packaging film YA1 in the width direction at predetermined intervals.

The top seal device 30 is, for example, a so-called box motion type having a pair of top and bottom top sealers 30a and 30b, and a pair of top sealers 30a and 30b arranged vertically with a tubular packaging film YA1 interposed therebetween, The top seal and the cut are performed in the width direction of the film at each pitch according to the length of the article while moving with a predetermined trajectory while keeping the sealing surfaces facing each other. The film portion (top seal portion TO1) to be sealed/cut by the top seal device 30 is a predetermined position between the front and rear articles XA1.

In addition, the top seal device 30 has predetermined positions on both sides in the traveling direction in the vicinity of the top sealed portion of the tubular packaging film YA1 before (or at the same time as) top sealing the tubular packaging film YA1. The folding position is pushed inward by a gusset claw (not shown) to form a folding portion 85.

The second transfer device 20 is provided downstream of the top seal device 30. The second transfer device 20 is a belt conveyor that transfers the pillow package ZA1 finished by the top seal device 30 onto the transfer surface 20a and transfers it to the next step. Then, the second transfer device 20 expands or contracts the length of the transfer surface 20a in the transfer direction in accordance with the box motion of the top seal device 30.

In addition, the packaging machine 1 of the present embodiment is provided downstream of the top seal device 30 with an edge folding means (not shown here) for bending the top seal portion TO1 (ear portion). The ear folding means will be described in detail later.

The pillow package ZA1 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The pillow wrapping body ZA1 in the same drawing is in a state immediately after being transferred to the second transfer device 20 after being sealed and cut by the top seal device TO1 by the top seal device 30.

As shown in FIG. 3A, the center seal portion CE1 of the pillow package ZA1 has a tubular shape in which the packaging film YA1 has both side edges along the first direction (the same direction as the transport direction) of the strip-shaped packaging film YA1. It is a portion provided by being polymerized and heat-sealed so as to form a shape.

The top seal portion TO1 is a portion provided by heat-sealing both end openings along the second direction (direction intersecting (orthogonal to) the transport direction) of the tubular packaging film YA1.

The main body portion 80 is secured to accommodate the article XA1 and has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped (substantially cubic) shape in this example. In this example, a front surface (upper surface) 81f and a back surface (lower surface) 81b are provided between them. It has a side 82. Although the case where the main body 80 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped (substantially cubic) shape is illustrated here, the main body 80 is not limited to this shape and may be, for example, a substantially cylindrical shape.

The folding portion 85 is formed by folding a part of the packaging YA1 film near the top seal portion TO1 inward along a first direction (extending direction of the center seal portion CE1) by, for example, a gusset claw (not shown). To be done.

As shown in FIG. 1B and FIG. 1, immediately after being transferred from the top seal device 30 to the second transport device 20, the top seal portion TO1 (ear) is located on the second transport device 20. And is projected substantially forward and backward in the transport direction T with respect to the transport surface 20a.

Therefore, when the pillow packaging body ZA1 is further accommodated in a packaging box or the like, in order to reduce the size and efficiently accommodate it, and to enhance the aesthetics, the protruding top seal portion TO1 is The second folding device 20 is bent by the edge folding means so as to be substantially perpendicular to the transportation surface 20a of the second transportation device 20. In addition, in the same figure, although it is bent downward (direction of the transport surface 20a), it may be bent so as to stand upright.

Hereinafter, the edge folding means of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 14.

<Ear folding means>

FIG. 3 is a view showing an outline of bending (ear folding) of the top seal portion TO1 by the ear folding means of the present embodiment, and is a front view showing the vicinity of the top seal device 30 of FIG.

The edge folding means of the present embodiment is configured such that the upstream side (left side in the figure) top seal part TO1 of the pillow package ZA1 separated on the downstream side of the top seal device 30 is brought into contact with the top seal device 30 to remove the ear. It is a general term for means having a folding function. Although illustration is omitted here, the edge folding means of the present embodiment has a top seal portion TO1 on the downstream side (right side in the figure) of the pillow package ZA1 on the downstream side of the pillow package ZA1. It has a function of abutting against another pillow package to fold it.

As shown in FIG. 3A, the pillow package ZA1 separated from the tubular packaging film YA1 by the top seal device 30 is a second transport device (belt conveyor) arranged downstream of the top seal device 30. , Chute conveyor) 20 and is transported to the downstream side (right side in the figure).

In the present embodiment, by temporarily restricting the transportation of the pillow package ZA1 to the downstream side, the top seal part TO1 on the upstream side of the pillow package ZA1 is brought into contact with and pressed against the top seal device 30, and the upstream side The top seal part TO1 of (1) is bent downward (or upward) (ear-folded). For example, the top seal part TO1 that serves as a bottom part when the gusset type pillow package is erected on a display shelf or the like can be bent. That is, the edge folding means of the present embodiment has at least a regulating means for temporarily regulating the downstream conveyance of the pillow package ZA1.

More specifically, the regulating means is located downstream of the pillow packaging body ZA1 located at least at the most downstream side in a predetermined area (a part of the area on the transport path) extending in the downstream direction from the downstream side surface of the top seal device 30. Temporary restrictions on transportation to

Here, the term "regulating means" means that the pillow package ZA1 within a predetermined area is temporarily decelerated, temporarily stopped, or moved upstream so that the package is temporarily transported downstream. It is a means to regulate. The "predetermined area" is an area including the "regulatable area", and the "regulatable area" is an area where the movement of the pillow package ZA1 is restricted by the restriction means.

Moreover, when only one pillow package ZA1 exists in the controllable area, the “pillow package ZA1 located at the most downstream side in the controllable area” is the one pillow package ZA1.

In FIGS. 2B and 2C, as a method (regulating means) for temporarily restricting the downstream transportation of the pillow package ZA1, the pillow package ZA1 is moved in the direction of the top seal device 30 (upstream side). By reversing (pushing back) and bringing the top seal part TO1 on the upstream side of the pillow package ZA1 into contact with the top sealer 30a and/or the top sealer 30b (side surface) of the top seal device 30 and pressing them, the upstream top It shows a configuration in which the seal portion TO1 is folded over. More specifically, the top seal part TO1 on the upstream side of the pillow package ZA1 abuts, for example, the front side surface of the lower top sealer 30b (the front side (downstream side) in the transport direction, the right side surface in the figure), It is pressed.

The heat of the top sealers 30a and 30b is radiated from the surface to the atmosphere, and the top seal portion TO1 is also maintained in a softened state by heating. By bringing them into contact with each other and pressing them in this state, they can be easily bent without separately providing a dedicated edge-folding means, and the bent state can be maintained after cooling. Hereinafter, the means (ear-folding means, regulating means) for realizing this configuration will be specifically described.

FIG. 4 is a top view showing an example of the edge folding means (regulating means) 50 of the present embodiment. The edge folding means (regulating means) 50 is, for example, the transporting means 50 that temporarily moves the pillow package ZA1 on the second transporting device 20 to the upstream side (left side in the drawing) in the transport direction T. The transport unit 50 is, for example, a pair of side belt conveyors 50 provided above both side portions of the second transport device 20 along the transport direction T. The side belt conveyors 50 continuously rotate in a direction opposite to the conveying direction T of the second conveying device 20 (from left to right in the figure), and reciprocate so that the opposite side belt conveyors 50 approach and separate from each other. ..

FIG. 6A shows a state (a retracted state) in which the pair of side belt conveyors 50 are in the retracted position where they are most distant from each other. In this case, the side belt conveyor 50 is not in contact with the pillow wrapping body ZA1, and the pillow wrapping body ZA1 separated to the downstream side by the top seal device 30 is upstream (left in the figure) along the transport direction T. ) From downstream) (to the right in the figure).

FIG. 2B shows a state in which the pair of side belt conveyors 50 are close to each other and abut against the side surface 82 of the pillow package ZA1 to sandwich it (sandwich state). The side belt conveyor 50 is continuously rotating so as to convey the pillow package ZA1 from the downstream side to the upstream side in the direction opposite to the conveying direction T. Therefore, the pillow package ZA1 sandwiched by the side belt conveyor 50 moves on the transport surface 20a of the second transport device 20 to the upstream side in the direction opposite to the transport direction T. That is, the conveyance to the downstream side is restricted, the vehicle moves backward, and approaches the top seal device 30.

FIG. 7C shows the state of being sandwiched by the pair of side belt conveyors 50. The top seal part TO1 on the upstream side of the pillow package ZA1 is brought into contact with the top sealer 30a and/or the top sealer 30b. It is in the pressed state. More specifically, the top seal part TO1 on the upstream side of the pillow package ZA1 abuts and is pressed against the front side surface of the lower top sealer 30b, for example. The heat of the top sealers 30a and 30b is radiated from the surface to the atmosphere, and the top seal portion TO1 is also kept in a softened state by heating. Therefore, the top seal portion TO1 can be easily bent by pressing and bending it. Also, the bent state can be maintained after cooling. After the top fold of the top seal portion TO1 is completed, the pair of side belt conveyors 50 returns to the retracted position as shown in FIG. 4A, and the pillow wrapping body ZA1 in which the upstream side top seal portion TO1 is fold folded. Is transported downstream by the second transport device 20.

In the example of FIG. 4, the restrictable area of the restricting means means an area in which the pillow package ZA1 can be sandwiched when the side belt conveyor 50 is in a sandwiched state, and for example, the upstream end portion of the side belt conveyor 50. In the area from which the pillow wrapping body ZA1 can be held in the downstream direction to the area where the pillow wrapping body ZA1 can be held in the downstream end of the side belt conveyor 50.

That is, in this example, the side belt conveyor 50 extends from the downstream side surface of the top seal device 30 in the downstream direction to the area where the pillow package ZA1 can be held at the downstream end of the side belt conveyor 50. At least, the transportation of the pillow package ZA1 located at the most downstream side to the downstream side is temporarily restricted.

Another example will be described with reference to FIG. (A) and (b) of the same figure are top views showing the vicinity of the top seal device 30 as extracted, and (c) of the same figure is a front view. The side belt conveyor 50 is not shown in the front view. In this case, movement of the article in the width direction is restricted by a side guide (not shown) (the same applies to the following examples).

The edge folding means (side belt conveyor 50) of the present embodiment is configured such that, with respect to the pillow package ZA1 separated on the downstream side of the top seal device 30, the upstream top seal portion TO1 is arranged in the transport direction of the tubular packaging film YA1. The side edge of the downstream side end is brought into contact with the side surface to fold the edge, and the downstream top seal portion TO1 is pressed against a part of another pillow package ZA1 on the downstream side to perform the edge folding. In addition, the side conveyor 50 is disposed at a distance from the top seal device 30 for at least the length of the pillow package ZA1 in the transport direction.

FIG. 4A shows a timing corresponding to FIG. 4A and shows a state in which the pair of side belt conveyors 50 is in the retracted position. In FIG. 5A, the pillow packaging body ZA1 (upstream packaging body ZA1u) on the upstream side (the left side in the drawing) on the second transfer device 20 corresponds to the pillow packaging body ZA1 in FIG. 4A. Then, the pillow package ZA1 (downstream package ZA1d) whose top seal portion TO1 has already been folded is conveyed to the downstream side (right side in the figure) of the upstream package ZA1u.

Then, the side belt conveyor 50, as shown in (b) and (c) of the drawing, is in a sandwiching state at a certain timing, and sandwiches at least the downstream packaging body ZA1d. Then, the downstream package ZA1d is retracted in the direction of the top seal device 30 (to the upstream side). The upstream packaging body ZA1u also retracts due to the retreat of the downstream packaging body ZA1d (conveyance of both packaging bodies to the downstream side is regulated by the side belt conveyor 50), and the upstream packaging body ZA1u has a tubular packaging film YA1. It is pressed against the side surface of the downstream end in the transport direction.

Thereby, the upstream top seal portion TO1u of the upstream package ZA1u is located on the side surface of the downstream end of the tubular packaging film YA1 in the transport direction (in this example, the downstream top seal portion TO1d of the tubular packaging film YA1). ) Is abutted, and the ear is folded by being pressed against this. Further, the downstream top seal portion TO1d of the upstream package ZA1u comes into contact with a part of the downstream package ZA1d (for example, the upstream top seal portion TO1u, the upstream side surface, etc.) and is pressed against this. By this, the ear is folded.

After the top seal portions TO1u of the upstream package ZA1u are folded, the side belt conveyor 50 is in the retracted state, as shown in FIG. ZA1u is conveyed downstream and becomes a downstream side packaging body ZA1d (another pillow packaging body ZA1), and thereafter, similarly, the side belt conveyor 50 retracts the next upstream side packaging body ZA1u (while retreating itself). The top seal part TO1 of the lever is folded.

The upstream top seal portion TO1u and the downstream top seal portion TO1d of the upstream package ZA1u do not have to be configured to (early) be folded at the same time as shown in FIG.

That is, depending on the interval, as shown in FIG. 4, first, only the upstream side top seal part TO1u of the upstream side package ZA1u is brought into contact with the top seal device 30 and the edges are folded, and thereafter (shifted in timing), As shown in FIG. 5B, the upstream side packaging body ZA1u and the downstream side packaging body ZA1d may be brought into contact with each other to fold the downstream top seal portion TO1d of the upstream side packaging body ZA1u. In this case, as shown in FIG. 5B, the upstream side packaging body ZA1u may be sandwiched between the top seal device 30 and the downstream side packaging body ZA1d, or the upstream side top seal portion TO1u may not be folded. Since it has already been completed, it may be in a state of being in contact with the downstream side packaging body ZA1d in a state of being separated from the top seal device 30.

Alternatively, first, the upstream package ZA1u and the downstream package ZA1d are brought into contact with each other to fold the downstream top seal portion TO1d of the upstream package ZA1u, and then the upstream top seal portion TO1u of the upstream package ZA1u is formed. Alternatively, the top seal device 30 may be brought into contact with the top seal device 30 so that the top seal device 30 is folded.

Further, when the timings of the edge folding of the upstream side top seal portion TO1u and the downstream side top seal portion TO1d of the upstream side package ZA1u are shifted in this way, the desired pillow package ZA1 can be sandwiched at an appropriate timing. The side belt conveyor 50 may be configured to be movable along the transport direction T.

Further, since the top seal portion TO1 at four locations corresponding to two packages can be folded by one edge folding operation, the side belt conveyor 50 pushes the pillow packages ZA1 every other side back to the upstream side. Good. Even if the pillow packaging machine in the previous step is at high speed, it is effective because it is not necessary to move the side belt conveyor 50 at a higher speed than necessary.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the pillow package ZA1 is temporarily retracted (temporarily restricts downstream transportation) by the side belt conveyor 50 that reciprocates so as to move closer to and away from each other, and the upstream side Top seal part TO1u is pressed against the top seal device 30, and the top seal part TO1d on the downstream side is made a part of another pillow package (downstream package) ZA1d conveyed to the downstream side. Press to fold the ears.

With such a structure, it is possible to surely perform the ear folding even at a high speed operation, as compared with the conventional configuration in which the ear is bent and the sealing body is integrally moved to the downstream side in the conveying direction while keeping the bent state. You can

In addition, in the present embodiment, the top seal device 30 is used as a heating device when the top seal part TO1 is folded, and the top seal device 30 and another pillow package (downstream package) are used as the bending part of the top seal part TO1. ) Use ZA1d. Therefore, it is possible to surely perform the edge folding without separately introducing a dedicated edge folding device having a heating step and a folding means.

In addition, by adopting the side belt conveyor 50 as the regulation means, the pillow package ZA1 does not have a uniform outer shape (for example, a shape in which a uniform shape such as a box is packed), but is slightly deformed. The pillow wrapping body ZA1 can be reliably gripped even if it has an arbitrary shape (for example, when a plurality of small articles that are not housed in a container are directly packaged).

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the second transfer device 20 is continuously rotated so that the transfer surface 20a advances along the transfer direction T at all times. On the other hand, the pair of side belt conveyors 50 has a force larger than the conveying force of the second conveying device 20 so that the pillow package ZA1 slides on the conveying surface 20a in the direction opposite to the conveying direction T. Hold (grip).

In addition, in this example, the side belt conveyor 50 may be configured to constantly sandwich the pillow package ZA1 during transportation. In this case, when the pillow package ZA1 is transported downstream after the top seal portion TO1 is folded, it contacts the side surface of the pillow package ZA1 in the same direction as the second transport device 20 (along the transport direction T). The carrier surface is moved to contact the side surface of the pillow package ZA1 so that the pillow package ZA1 slides on the carrier surface 20a in the direction opposite to the transport direction T at the timings of (b) and (c) in FIG. Move the transport surface.

The top seal portion TO1 may come into contact with either one of the top sealers 30a and 30b, or both (the same applies to the following embodiments).

Further, in the above embodiment, the top seal portion TO1d on the downstream side of the first pillow package ZA1 is not folded. For the first pillow package ZA1, for example, the top seal portion TO1d on the downstream side may be separately folded after being discharged.

FIG. 6 is a top view showing another embodiment of the side belt conveyor 50. The side belt conveyor 50 may be configured to swing about the roller 50a on the downstream side so that the upstream end portion opens and closes.

5A shows the same timing as FIG. 5A, and the side belt conveyor 50 is in the retracted state. In this case, the pillow packaging body ZA1 (upstream packaging body ZA1u) separated to the downstream side by the top seal device 30 goes from the upstream side (left side in the figure) to the downstream side (right side in the figure) along the transport direction T. Be transported.

FIG. 2B shows a state in which the upstream end portions of the pair of side belt conveyors 50 swing so as to close (shown by the arrow in FIG. 1A), and the downstream side packaging body ZA1d is sandwiched. Then, the side belt conveyor 50 retracts the downstream side packaging body ZA1d by the continuous rotation thereof.

As a result, the upstream package ZA1u is restricted from moving downstream as shown in FIG. 7C, and is further pushed back (retracted) toward the top seal portion TO1 of the tubular film. Then, the upstream top seal portion TO1u of the upstream package ZA1u contacts the top seal device 30, (or the side surface of the downstream end of the tubular packaging film YA1 in the transport direction), and is pressed against and folded. .. Further, the downstream top seal portion TO1d of the upstream package ZA1u comes into contact with the downstream package ZA1d, and is pressed against this and folded over.

After that, as shown in FIG. 7D, the side belt conveyor 50 returns to the retracted state, and the pillow package ZA1 is transported downstream by the second transport device 20.

In this case as well, the timing of the edge folding of the upstream top seal portion TO1u and the downstream side top seal portion TO1d in the upstream packaging body ZA1u may be shifted (which may be folded first), and the following examples The same is true for.

When the timings of the edge folding of the upstream side top seal portion TO1u and the downstream side top seal portion TO1d of the upstream side package ZA1u are shifted, the side belt conveyer can hold the desired pillow package ZA1 at an appropriate timing. 50 may be configured to be movable along the transport direction T, and this is the same in other embodiments.

As described above, the side belt conveyor 50 according to the present embodiment temporarily holds the pillow package ZA1 after the top seal portion TO1 is formed, retracts the pillow package ZA1 to the upstream side, and presses it against the top seal device 30 (the upstream package body). The upstream top seal portion TO1u (of ZA1u) is folded over. Further, the downstream top seal portion TO1d (of the upstream packaging body ZA1u) is brought into contact with another pillow packaging body ZA1 (downstream packaging body ZA1d) conveyed downstream of the pillow packaging body ZA1 and pressed. I fold my ears.

FIG. 7: is a figure which shows the other structure of the regulation means (ear-folding means) which temporarily regulates the movement of the pillow package ZA1 to the downstream, and the same figure (a) is a front view and the same figure ( 3B and 3C are top views showing still another configuration.

As shown in FIG. 6A, the regulation means may be an upper belt conveyor 51 provided above the second conveyor 20 so as to face the second conveyor 20. The upper belt conveyor 51 has a grip force larger than that of the second transfer device 20, and is configured to be vertically movable so as to approach or separate from the transfer surface 20a of the second transfer device 20. The upper belt conveyor 51 is driven in synchronization with the second conveyor device (shoot conveyor) 20.

The upper belt conveyer 51 descends and presses at least the upper surface of another pillow package ZA1d located downstream of the unfolded pillow package (upstream package ZA1u), so that the pillow package ZA1( ZA1u and ZA1d) are pushed back (retreat) upstream. As a result, the pillow package ZA1 (downstream of the top seal device 30) (upstream package ZA1u) immediately after being separated from the tubular packaging film YA1 by the top seal device 30 is the top seal device 30 and the downstream thereof. The top seal portion TO1 on the upstream side and the downstream side is sandwiched between the pillow packaging body ZA1 (downstream packaging body ZA1d) and folded.

After the edge folding is completed, the upper belt conveyor 51 moves up and the pillow packaging body ZA1 is transported downstream by the second transport device 20.

When the side surface of the pillow package ZA1 is not flat (flat) but has a complicated shape (irregular shape) or an arbitrary shape, when the pillow package ZA1 is not sufficiently regulated by the side belt conveyor 50. There is also. In such a case, the pillow belt ZA1 can be surely pressed from above by using the upper belt conveyor 51 as the regulation means.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7B, the regulating means is configured to be able to move forward and backward with respect to the pillow package ZA1 in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction T (the width direction of the transport surface of the second transport device 20). The gripping means 52 may be configured to grip at least the left and right side surfaces of the downstream package ZA1d in the transport direction. The gripping means 52 is configured to be movable in a direction (upstream direction) opposite to the transport direction T in a state where at least the downstream packaging body ZA1d is gripped. Accordingly, the upstream side packaging body ZA1u immediately after being separated from the tubular packaging film YA1 by the top seal device 30 is the same as the top sealing device 30 (or the side surface of the downstream end portion in the transport direction of the tubular packaging film YA1). The upstream and downstream top seal parts TO1 are sandwiched by the downstream packaging body ZA1d downstream thereof, and the top seal portions TO1 are folded.

After the edge folding is completed, the gripping means 52 retracts from the pillow package ZA1 and moves to the initial position on the downstream side in the transport direction T. As a result, the pillow package ZA1 is transported downstream by the second transport device 20.

The figure (c) shows a gripping means 52 similar to that of the figure (b), but has a configuration that does not move in the direction opposite to the transport direction T. In this case, the drive means D for moving the top seal device 30 (top sealers 30a, 30b) to the downstream side is provided. Although illustration of the driving means D is omitted, it has a known configuration that allows the top seal device 30 to be moved downstream.

The gripping means 52 of FIG. 6C grips at least the left and right side surfaces of the downstream side packaging body ZA1d in the transport direction, and thereby the downstream side packaging body ZA1d and the upstream side packaging body ZA1u are temporarily stopped or stopped. The pillow package ZA1 is held at an extremely low speed to regulate the movement of the pillow package ZA1 to the downstream.

Then, the drive means D moves the top seal device 30 (top sealers 30a and 30b) in the direction of the arrow toward the stopped (or held at a low speed very close to the stop, the same applies below) upstream package ZA1u. ..
.. As a result, the upstream side packaging body ZA1u immediately after being separated to the downstream side by the top sealing device 30 is sandwiched between the top sealing device 30 and the downstream side packaging body ZA1d downstream thereof, and the upstream and downstream top seals are sandwiched. The section TO1 is folded.

After the edge folding is completed, the gripping means 52 retracts from the pillow wrapping body ZA1, and the driving means D moves the top seal device 30 to the initial position (for example, the position shown in FIG. 4B). As a result, the pillow package ZA1 is transported downstream by the second transport device 20.

In this configuration, the drive means D for driving the top seal device 30 toward the pillow package ZA1 is different from the drive (for example, box motion) of the top seal device 30 at the time of sealing and cutting the top seal part TO1. The top seal device 30 is moved by drive control. Further, in this case, the gripping means 52 which is the restricting means and the driving means D of the top seal device 30 are the edge folding means.

When the gripping means 52 as shown in FIG. 7 is adopted as the restricting means, compared to the case where the side belt conveyor 50 is adopted, relatively easy and simple drive control becomes possible.

Further, in a situation where the control for changing the conveying direction of the pillow package ZA1 (returning to the upstream) is complicated or unfavorable, the top seal device 30 is driven by the drive means D as shown in FIG. By moving, the ear fold can be performed without moving (pushing back) the pillow package ZA1 to the upstream side.

8: is a figure which shows the other structure of the regulation means (ear-folding means) which temporarily regulates the movement of the pillow wrapping body ZA1 to the downstream, and FIG. 8(a) is a front view, and FIG. b) is a top view.

As shown in FIG. 7A, the regulation means projects above the transport surface 20a of the second transport device 20 and places the pillow package ZA1 to transfer the pillow package ZA1 to the transport path (transport). The mounting table 53 may be temporarily retractable from the surface 20a). The mounting table 53 is arranged, for example, in parallel between the plurality of second transfer devices 20 arranged in parallel as shown in FIG. 7B, and projects above the transfer surface 20a at a predetermined timing. By doing so, the pillow package ZA1 transported on the second transport device 20 is temporarily placed and stagnant (stopped) on it. In this case, as shown in FIG. 5A, it is desirable to provide an upper guide 54 above the mounting table 53 to regulate the movement of the pillow package ZA1 in the vertical direction. One or a plurality of two or more pillow packages ZA1 are placed on the placing table 53 in the carrying direction.

Also in this case, the driving means D is provided for moving the top seal device 30 (top sealers 30a, 30b) toward the downstream side toward the pillow package ZA1 that is stopped.

The drive means D moves toward the upstream side packaging body ZA1u stopped (movement is restricted by the upper guide 54) on the mounting table 53 in the direction of the arrow in FIG. Move the sealers 30a, 30b).

As a result, the upstream side packaging body ZA1u immediately after being separated to the downstream side by the top sealing device 30 is sandwiched between the top sealing device 30 (shown by the broken line) and the downstream side packaging body ZA1d downstream thereof, and The top seal portion TO1 on the downstream side is folded over.

After the edge folding is completed, the mounting table 53 is moved down below the carrying surface 20a of the second carrying device 20, and the driving means D sets the top seal device 30 to the initial position (the position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 7B). To move. As a result, the pillow package ZA1 is transported downstream by the second transport device 20. In this case, the mounting table 53 (and the upper guide 54) which is the regulation means and the driving means D of the top seal device 30 are the edge folding means. Instead of the upper guide 54, the mounting table 53 may be provided with a restricting member that restricts the movement of the pillow package ZA1 in the transport direction T.

In addition, in this example, the mounting table 53 that rises from between the second transfer devices 20 is described as an example, but the pillow package ZA1 is temporarily transferred by placing the pillow package ZA1 at a predetermined timing. The configuration is not limited to the above example as long as it is configured to stop (stagnate).

For example, the mounting table 53 is maintained in the state (protruding state) of FIG. 9A, and is mounted on the mounting table 53 and folded by the top seal device 30 moved by the driving means D. The top seal device 30 may be configured to sequentially push the second transport device 20.

Further, for example, the mounting table 53 may maintain the state (protruding state) of FIG. Further, the belt of the second transfer device (chute conveyor) 20 may be configured to bypass the mounting table 53.

Further, the mounting table 53 similar to the embodiment of FIG. 8 may be arranged between the top seal device 30 and the second transfer device 20. The top seal portion TO1 on the upstream side of the pillow package ZA1 placed on the placing table 53 after forming the top seal portion TO1 is pushed to the downstream side by the side surface on the downstream side of the top sealer 30a, and the second transfer device 20 is provided. When handing over to you, you may fold it.

When the mounting table 53 as shown in FIG. 8 is adopted as the regulation means, relatively easy and simple drive control becomes possible as compared with the case where the side belt conveyor 50 is adopted.

In addition, when the pillow package ZA1 has only a side surface that is not flat (flat) but has a complicated shape (uneven shape) or an arbitrary shape, the pillow package ZA1 is surely fixed from above by the upper guide 54. Can be held down.

FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 are top views showing another configuration of the regulating means (edge folding means) for temporarily regulating the movement of the pillow package ZA1 to the downstream side. The regulating means may be a reverse rotation roller 55u that pushes the downstream packaging body ZA1d back to the upstream side, and a low speed belt conveyor 55d that regulates the movement of the downstream packaging body ZA1d in the downstream direction. The low-speed belt 55d holds (grips) the pillow package ZA1 with a force larger than the conveying force of the second conveying device 20.

A pair of reverse rotation rollers 55u is provided on both side portions along the transport direction T of the second transport device 20. The reverse rotation roller 55u is capable of advancing and retracting (reciprocating) with respect to the pillow package ZA1 in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction T (width direction of the transport surface of the second transport device 20), and at least the downstream package ZA1d. The left and right side surfaces in the conveyance direction of the are gripped and continuously rotated so as to push them back to the upstream side. The low-speed belt conveyor 55d is a pair of side belt conveyors provided on the downstream side of the reverse rotation roller 55u and above both side portions along the transport direction T of the second transport device 20. The low-speed belt conveyor 55d continuously rotates so as to transfer the pillow package ZA1 in the same direction as the transfer direction T of the second transfer device 20, and reciprocates so that the low-speed belt conveyors 55u facing each other move toward and away from each other. To do. The peripheral speed of the low-speed belt conveyor 55d is lower than the peripheral speed of the second transfer device (shoot conveyor) 20, and the horizontal moving speed of the top sealer 30b moving in a box motion (not the movement by the [0] driving means D , The moving speed at the time of sealing and cutting by the top sealer 30b). An example of the operation will be described below.

First, FIG. 9A shows a state immediately after the pillow packaging body ZA1 is separated from the tubular packaging film YA1 by the top seal device 30. At this timing, both the reversing roller 55u and the low-speed belt conveyor 55d are in a retracted position (a retracted state) that is in non-contact with the pillow package ZA1, as shown in FIG.

FIG. 11B shows a state (a sandwiching state) in which the pair of reverse rotation rollers 55u has advanced and moved to a sandwiching position for sandwiching the left and right side surfaces of the pillow package ZA1. The pillow package ZA1 is pushed back by being sandwiched by the reversing rollers 55u and moves to the upstream side. As shown in FIG. 5C, the top seal device 30 is retracted in the vertical direction, whereby the upstream side top seal portion TO1u of the pillow package ZA1 is located downstream in the transport direction of the tubular packaging film YA1. Abut the side surface of the end. Here, the downstream side top seal portion TO1d of the tubular packaging film YA1 is included on the side surface of the downstream side end portion. Then, the upstream side top seal portion TO1u of the pillow package ZA1 abuts against the side surface (downstream side top seal portion TO1d of the tubular packaging film YA1) of the downstream end in the transport direction of the tubular packaging film YA1 and presses it. Then, the upstream side top seal portion TO1u of the pillow package ZA1 and the downstream side top seal portion TO1d of the tubular packaging film YA1 are folded in an ear.

FIG. 10A shows a state in which the pair of low-speed belt conveyors 55d have advanced so as to be close to the left and right side surfaces of the pillow package ZA1. After the low-speed belt conveyor 55d advances as shown in the figure, the reverse rotation roller 55u moves to the retracted position, and the pillow package ZA1 is delivered to the low-speed belt 55d while maintaining the state of FIG. 9(b).

FIG. 10B shows a state in which the left and right side surfaces of the pillow package ZA1 conveyed downstream are held by the low-speed belt conveyor 55d. When the peripheral speed of the low speed belt conveyor 55d is lower than the transfer speed of the second transfer device 20, and the pillow package ZA1 is conveyed by the second transfer device 20 by being sandwiched by the low speed belt conveyor 55d. Compared with, the movement (conveyance) to the downstream is restricted. The downstream end of the tubular packaging film YA1 is also pressed against the pillow packaging body ZA1, and the downstream movement (conveyance) is restricted. As a result, the edge folds of the upstream top seal portion TO1u of the pillow package ZA1 and the downstream top seal portion TO1d of the tubular packaging film YA1 are fixed.

With such a configuration, it is possible to flexibly control the regulation state (conveyance speed or the like) of the pillow package ZA1.

Also in this example, the drive means D moves the top seal device 30 in the upstream package ZA1u direction so that the upstream top seal part TO1u of the upstream package ZA1u contacts the top seal device 30. You may let it fold.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing another configuration of the drive unit D that moves the top seal device 30 as the edge folding unit.

In the above-mentioned example, the drive means D exemplifies the configuration in which the top sealers 30a and 30b are moved from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction T. However, as shown in FIG. The top sealers 30a and 30b may be configured to move upward or downward along a direction orthogonal to each other. In this case, the configuration may be such that only vertical movement is possible, or the configuration may be such that vertical movement is possible in addition to the above-described movement from upstream to downstream in the transport direction T.

Further, in the above examples, the drive means D has been described as a means for performing a drive different from the drive of the top seal device 30 at the time of sealing and cutting the top seal portion TO1, but it is shown in FIG. As described above, in the case of the top seal device 30 that moves the top sealers 30a and 30b in a box motion at the time of sealing and cutting, the box motion is used to contact the top seal portion TO1 and bend it (ear fold). It may be configured. Not only the box motion but also the driving of the top seal device 30 at the time of sealing and cutting the top seal portion TO1 may be used to make the edge fold.

Further, in the top seal device 30 in which the top sealers 30a and 30b are not moved in a box motion at the time of sealing and cutting, a drive for moving the top sealers 30a and 30b in a box motion after sealing and cutting as shown in FIG. The means D may be used to fold the top seal portion TO1. In addition, after sealing by the box motion, the top sealers 30a and 30b may be further moved to the downstream side to be brought into contact with the top sealers 30a and 30b, and the ear seal may be folded.

The temporary folding means 56 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The same figure (a), (c) is the schematic which shows an example of a structure of the top sealers 30a, 30b of this embodiment, and the same figure (b), (c) is the ear of the pillow package ZA1 using it. It is a schematic diagram after folding.

In the present embodiment, provisional folding may be performed in which the top seal portion TO1 is inclined in the selvage folding direction upstream of the selvage folding by the selvage folding means.

The provisional folding is performed by provisional folding means 56 provided upstream of the edge folding means. The temporary folding means 56 is, for example, the sealing surface S of the top sealers 30a and 30b. In this case, the sealing surface S is inclined so that the downstream side becomes lower from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction T as shown in FIG. It should be noted that it may be an inclined surface in the direction opposite to that shown in the figure (an inclined surface that becomes lower on the upstream side). By using the top sealers 30a and 30b having such a seal surface S, the top seal portion TO1 can be preliminarily inclined in the ear folding direction at the time of sealing and cutting, and the top seal portion TO1 can be folded. When it is brought into contact with 30a, 30b and the other pillow package ZA1 on the downstream side, the ear folding can be performed better.

Further, the sealing surface S may be a V-shaped sealing surface S in which the top sealer 30a in the upper portion is a mountain and the top sealer 30b in the lower portion is a valley in a front view as shown in FIG. In the examples shown in FIGS. 1 to 11, the top sealers 30a and 30b shown in FIG. 12(c) are used.

In addition, in the case of FIG. 4A, the pillow package ZA1 after the edge folding is folded from the top seal portion TO1 and the top seal portion TO1 which are folded up from the front and rear in the transport direction T as shown in FIG. The top seal part TO1 is arranged adjacent to each other.

On the other hand, in the case of (c) of the figure, the pillow package ZA1 after the edge folding is adjacent to the top seal part TO1 which is folded down from above in the transport direction T as shown in (d) of the figure. Will be placed.

That is, in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the overlap between the adjacent top seal portions TO1 can be reduced. For this reason, for example, as shown in (b) of the same figure, when packing an integrated product in which the top seal parts TO1 are opposed to each other in a packaging box or the like, compared to the case of (d) of FIG. Since the parts TO1 do not overlap each other, the total length of the integrated product can be shortened and the size of the packaging box can be made compact.

It should be noted that a fold line may be preliminarily formed at the folding position of the top seal portion TO1 of the packaging film YA1.

In this example, the temporary folding is performed at the time of top sealing, but the temporary sealing may be performed not only at the time of top sealing but also after the top sealing and cutting (for example, using the above-mentioned fold line).

FIG. 13 is a view showing a modified example of the embodiment of the present invention, and is a front view of the vicinity of the top seal device 30.

The temporary folding means 56 may be an ear folding body 57 that is provided before and after the top sealer 30a or the top sealer 30b in the transport direction, and that can be raised and lowered separately from the top sealers 30a and 30b. In this example, the case where the ear folds 57 are arranged in front of and behind the upper top sealer 30a will be described as an example, but the same applies to a configuration in which the ear folds 57 are arranged in front and behind the lower top sealer 30a.

First, FIG. 4A shows a state in which the sealing surfaces of the top sealers 30a and 30b are separated from each other in a close state after the top seal portion TO1 is sealed and cut.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 6B, the ear folding body 57 is moved downward (upward when the ear folding body 57 is provided before and after the lower top sealer 30b), and is moved downstream of the top seal device 30. The top seal part TO1 of the pillow package ZA1 on the side and the top seal part TO1 at one end of the packaging film YA1 on the upstream side are temporarily folded (ear fold).

Then, as shown in (c) of the figure, after the seal surfaces of the top sealers 30a and 30b are sufficiently separated (moved to a position where they do not interfere with the pillow package ZA1 and the packaging film YA1), a regulation means (for example, , A side belt conveyor as shown in FIG. 4 to FIG. 6 or an upper belt conveyor as shown in FIG. 7) moves the pillow package ZA1 on the downstream side of the top seal device 30 to the upstream side, and The top seal portion TO1 on the upstream side of the body ZA1 is pressed against the downstream end portion (the top seal portion TO1 at the downstream end portion in this example) of the packaging film YA1. In this way, the top seal portions TO1 of each other are sufficiently bent by the abutment, and are edge-folded.

In addition, in this example, the case in which the ear-folded body 57 that performs temporary folding is arranged before and after the upper top sealer 30a is described. However, for example, the upper folded top sealer 30a descends forward in the transport direction. Then, the edge-folded body 57 for provisionally folding the top seal portion TO1 at the downstream end of the packaging film YA1 is arranged, and is raised rearward in the transport direction of the lower top sealer 30b to the upstream side of the pillow packaging body ZA1. The ear-folded body 57 that temporarily folds the top seal part TO1 may be arranged (the ear-folded body 57 may be arranged in the opposite direction before and after the top seal device 30). In this case, the directions of the temporary folding of the top seal portions TO1 can be reversed upside down in the adjacent top seal portions TO1 as shown in FIG. 12(b).

FIG. 14 is a view showing another modified example of the embodiment of the present invention, and is a top view of the pillow package ZA1 cut off on the downstream side of the top seal device 30. In this example, from the side surface on the downstream side of the top seal device 30, there are three pillow packaging bodies in a predetermined area extending in the downstream direction, and two pillow packaging bodies are provided in a controllable area (for example, an area on the right side from a virtual line of a thin broken line). The case where two pillow packages ZA1 (ZA1u, ZA1d) are present is shown.

The regulating means 50 is configured to be capable of advancing and retracting with respect to the transport surface from below or above the transport surface of the second transport device 20, and a stopper 58 capable of contacting the pillow package ZA1, and the pillow package ZA1. It may be configured by a gripping means 59 configured to be capable of advancing and retreating and gripping this. The stopper 58 is the most downstream pillow package ZA1 among the plurality of pillow packages ZA1 separated on the downstream side of the top seal device 30 (the downstream package ZA1d in the regulation possible region at the right end in the figure). ) Contacting the downstream side top seal part TO1d, and the gripping means 59 is arranged, for example, on the left and right in the transport direction of the upstream pillow package ZA1 (the upstream package ZA1u in the controllable region in the middle in the figure). Grasp both sides.

FIG. 11A shows a state in which the downstream packaging body ZA1d abuts on the stopper 58 and its movement is restricted, and the gripping means 59 is in the retracted position. In this state, the downstream packaging body ZA1d, whose movement to the downstream side is regulated (transported at a low speed in a stopped state or a state close to the stopped state), is transported from between the upstream side through the gripping means 59. The upstream packaging body ZA1u coming in contact with each other, whereby the downstream top seal portion TO1d of the upstream packaging body ZA1u and the upstream top seal portion TO1u of the downstream packaging body ZA1d are folded. Although the downstream top seal portion TO1d of the downstream package ZA1d is folded by the ears before contacting the stopper 58, the fold line is further fixed by contacting the stopper 58.

In this example, in the state immediately after being separated from the top seal device 30, the upstream side packaging body ZA1u shown in (a) of the drawing shows the upstream side top seal portion like the pillow packaging body ZA1 at the left end of the figure. Neither TO1u nor the downstream-side top seal portion TO1d enters the area in a regulated manner in a state in which it is not folded (temporarily folded). Further, the upstream top seal portion TO1u of the downstream package ZA1d is also not folded (see FIG. 7C).

Then, at the timing shown in FIG. 5A, the downstream top seal portion TO1d of the upstream packaging body ZA1u that is not folded and the upstream top seal portion TO1u of the downstream packaging body ZA1d come into contact with each other, and My ears are broken.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 7B, the upstream side packaging body ZA1u is grasped by the grasping means 59, the stopper 58 is moved to the retracted position (not shown), and the downstream side packaging body ZA1d is moved in the downstream direction. Remove restrictions. The gripping means 59 is configured to be movable in the carrying direction according to the size of the article XA1 (pillow package ZA1).

FIG. 6C shows a state in which the upstream packaging body ZA1u of FIG. 6B becomes the downstream packaging body ZA1d and the movement toward the downstream side is again restricted by the stopper 58. At this timing, the pillow wrapping body ZA1 in which neither the upstream side seal portion TO1u nor the downstream side top seal portion TO1u is folded enters the restrictable region, and is folded in the state shown in FIG.

That is, the upstream top seal portion TO1u of the downstream packaging body ZA1d that has not been edge-folded comes into contact with the downstream top seal portion TO1d of the new upstream packaging body ZA1u that has not been edge-folded and is edge-folded. It

In addition, the stopper 58 and the gripping means 59 operate with respect to every other package ZA1 and two top seal parts TO1 (of two pillow packages ZA1 (ZA1d and ZA1u) at one time). Bending of TO1d and TO1u) may be performed.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and technical idea of the present invention. That is, in the above embodiment, the position, size, length, shape, material, orientation, etc. of each component can be changed as appropriate.

For example, the pair of side belt conveyors 50, the low speed belt conveyor 55d, and the upper belt conveyor 51 may be a roller conveyor or a pair of rollers. The pair of reverse rollers 55u may be side belt conveyors.

In addition, the pair of side belt conveyors 50, the reverse rotation roller 55u, and the low speed belt conveyor 55d may be movable in the transport direction T in synchronization with them in order to avoid interference with the top sealers 30a and 30b.

The upper belt conveyor 51 may be driven separately from the second conveyor device (chute conveyor) 20.

Further, the grip means 52 may be a suction means. Further, the gripping means 52 may be a holding means (accommodation portion) capable of accommodating the pillow package ZA1. In this case, for example, a storage unit capable of storing the pillow package ZA1 is provided above the second transfer device 20 so as to be vertically movable, and the storage unit is lowered to transfer the transfer surface 20a of the second transfer device 20. The pillow wrapping body ZA1 may be housed in the housing unit to regulate (stagnate) the movement of the pillow wrapping body ZA1.

Further, when the packaging capacity is low, the side belt conveyor (or the upper belt conveyor in FIG. 7A), which is the regulation means in FIGS. 4 to 6, may be rotated in the forward or reverse direction or intermittently operated.

Further, the upper belt conveyor 51 may be an overhead conveyor (coygra conveyor) provided with a pushing member that rotates in the normal and reverse directions.

Further, when the pillow packaging body XA1 on the downstream side of the top sealing device 30 is brought into contact with the tubular packaging film YA1 on the upstream side of the top sealing device 30 to make edge folding, the tubular packaging film YA1 is in contact at the time of contact. An article position deviation prevention device (mechanism) for preventing movement (position deviation) of the article XA1 inside may be provided. The article position deviation prevention device (mechanism) may be, for example, one that regulates the movement of the article XA1 by blowing air or an elastic body such as a brush or a sponge.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which both side edge portions of the tubular packaging film YA1 after passing through the bag making device are located on the lower side has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. It is not limited to the above, but the upper side of the bag making machine is opened, and both side edge portions of the tubular packaging film YA1 after passing through the bag making machine are located on the upper side. It can be applied to pillow packaging machines as well, and similar effects can be obtained.

1 Wrapping Machine 2 Article Feeding Device 3 Film Feeding Device 4 Wrapping Machine Main Body 5 Sprocket 6 Chain 7 Finger 8 Original Axis 9a Guide Roller 14 Bag Maker 15 Pinch Roller 16 Center Sealing Device 16a Bar Sealer 16b Press Roller 17 First Transport Device 20 Second transfer device 30 Top seal device 30a, 30b Top sealer 50 Side belt conveyor 51 Upper belt conveyor 52 Grasping means 53 Mounting table 54 Upper guide 55u Reverse roller 55d Low speed side belt conveyor 56 Temporary folding means

Claims (18)

A packaging machine for producing a package by forming a top seal portion by sealing and cutting both ends of a tubular packaging film continuously supplied in the width direction of the packaging film by top sealing means,
By contacting the top seal portion on the upstream side of the package with the top seal means and means for reducing the relative distance between the top seal means and the package cut off on the downstream side of the top seal means. Equipped with ear-folding means for folding the ears,
A packaging machine characterized by that. A packaging machine for producing a package by forming a top seal portion by sealing and cutting both ends of a tubular packaging film continuously supplied in the width direction of the packaging film by top sealing means,
Ear-folding means for edge-folding the top-sealing portion on the upstream side of the packaging body, which is cut off on the downstream side of the top-sealing means, by contacting the side surface of the downstream end of the tubular packaging film in the transport direction. With
A packaging machine characterized by that. A packaging machine for producing a package by forming a top seal portion by sealing and cutting both ends of a tubular packaging film continuously supplied in the width direction of the packaging film by top sealing means,
The top seal portion on the downstream side of the packaging body, which is separated on the downstream side of the top sealing means, is provided with an ear folding means that abuts against another packaging body on the downstream side of the packaging body to make an edge folding.
A packaging machine characterized by that. The edge folding means has at least a regulation means,
The regulation means temporarily regulates the downstream conveyance of one of the packages in a predetermined region from the side surface on the downstream side of the top seal means in the downstream direction, and the packaging body and the top seal means, or Abutting while narrowing the gap with the tubular packaging film, at least the top seal portion on the upstream side of the packaging body is folded.
The packaging machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that. The edge folding means has at least a regulation means,
The regulating means temporarily regulates the downstream conveyance of the packaging body located at the most downstream side of the plurality of packaging bodies existing in a predetermined region in the downstream direction from the side surface on the downstream side of the top seal means, Narrowing the gaps between the plurality of packages and bringing them into contact with each other, and folding the top seal portions of at least two packages opposite to each other.
The packaging machine according to claim 3 or 4 , characterized in that. The regulation means is a transportation means for moving the packaging body upstream.
The packaging machine according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that. The restriction means reduces the transport speed of the package to the downstream, or temporarily stops the transport of the package to the downstream,
The packaging machine according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that. The restriction means is a mounting table for retracting the package from the transport path,
The packaging machine according to claim 7, wherein: Having another transporting means for transporting the package,
The regulation means is a side belt conveyor that clamps both side surfaces of the packaging body on the other conveying means to regulate movement of the packaging body,
The packaging machine according to any one of claims 4 to 7, which is characterized by things. Having another transporting means for transporting the package,
The regulation means is an upper belt conveyor that regulates the packaging body by contacting the upper surface of the packaging body on the other conveying means,
The packaging machine according to any one of claims 4 to 7, which is characterized by things. The edge folding means has a drive means for moving the top seal means to the downstream side,
The top seal means is moved to the downstream side at a speed higher than the moving speed of the package, and the top seal means is brought into contact with the top seal portion on the upstream side of the package immediately downstream of the top seal means and folds. ,
The packaging machine according to claim 1 , wherein: Having another transporting means for transporting the package,
The regulating means has a gripping means for gripping both side surfaces of the packaging body on the other conveying means, and the top seal means is provided downstream of the packaging body which is gripped by the gripping means and stopped. To the side to fold the ears, or to move the gripping means in the state of gripping the package to the upstream side to fold the ears,
The packaging machine according to any one of claims 4 to 7, which is characterized by things. A provisional folding means is provided upstream of the edge folding means,
The temporary folding means is an inclined sealing surface of the top sealing means,
The packaging machine according to any one of claims 1 to 12, which is characterized in that. A method for ear folding of a package formed from a cylindrical packaging film continuously supplied,
A step of forming a top seal part by sealing and cutting both ends of the tubular packaging film in the width direction of the packaging film by top sealing means,
By contacting the top seal portion on the upstream side of the package with the top seal means and means for reducing the relative distance between the top seal means and the package cut off on the downstream side of the top seal means. A step of folding the ears,
A method for folding an edge of a package, which is characterized in that: A method for ear folding of a package formed from a cylindrical packaging film continuously supplied,
A step of forming a top seal portion by sealing and cutting both ends of the tubular packaging film in the width direction of the packaging film by top sealing means,
The top seal portion on the upstream side of the packaging body separated on the downstream side of the top sealing means, a step of abutting the side surface of the downstream end portion in the transport direction of the tubular packaging film, and performing edge folding, Has,
A method for folding an edge of a package, which is characterized in that: A method for ear folding of a package formed from a cylindrical packaging film continuously supplied,
A step of forming a top seal part by sealing and cutting both ends of the tubular packaging film in the width direction of the packaging film by top sealing means,
A step of bringing the top seal portion on the downstream side of the packaging body, which is separated to the downstream side of the top sealing means, into contact with another packaging body on the downstream side of the packaging body and performing ear folding.
A method for folding an edge of a package, which is characterized in that: Temporarily restricting the transport of one of the packages in the predetermined region from the side surface on the downstream side of the top seal unit in the downstream direction to the package and the top seal unit or the tubular package. Abutting while narrowing the gap with the film, at least the top seal portion on the upstream side of the packaging body is folded over.
The method for folding an edge of a package according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that. Out of a plurality of packages existing in a predetermined area in the downstream direction from the side surface on the downstream side of the top seal means, the downstream transport of the most downstream package is temporarily restricted, and the plurality of packages are provided. The top seal portions of at least two opposing packaging bodies are folded in an abutting manner by narrowing the intervals of
The method for folding an edge of a package according to claim 16 or claim 17 , characterized in that.

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