JP6944984B2 - How to manufacture blister packaging machines and blister packs - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a blister packaging machine and a method for manufacturing a blister pack.

In recent years, as packaging containers for foodstuffs such as jelly, jam, yogurt, coffee milk, gum syrup, butter, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, peel-open blister packs called portion packs and dispenser packs Bend-opening blister packs such as (registered trademark) are widely used.

Such a blister pack is composed of a container film in which a pocket portion filled with contents is formed, and a cover film attached so as to seal the opening side of the pocket portion with respect to the container film.

Generally, in a blister pack, a pocket portion forming step of forming a pocket portion, a filling step of filling the pocket portion with contents, and a container film so as to seal the opening side of the pocket portion while transporting a strip-shaped container film. It is manufactured through a sealing step of attaching a cover film, a punching step of punching a blister pack, which is a final product, from a strip-shaped package (belt-shaped blister film) to which both films are attached.

However, depending on the capacity and type of the contents to be filled in the pocket portion, the contents may overflow from the pocket portion in the filling process, or the contents may spill from the pocket portion in the subsequent transport process up to the sealing process. The contents may adhere to the general part of the container film outside the part.

In such a case, in the subsequent sealing step, the strip-shaped package manufactured by sealing the cover film with respect to the peripheral edge of the pocket portion is an unsealed portion between the unsealed container film general portion and the cover film. With the contents sandwiched between the films, the film is transported to the next punching process (see FIG. 4).

The punching device used in the punching step includes an upper mold arranged above the strip-shaped package and a lower mold arranged below the strip-shaped package, and both molds approach each other in the vertical direction. It is configured so that it can move relative to each other in the direction of movement or in the direction of separation from each other.

Generally, the upper mold is provided with a punch for punching the blister pack from the strip-shaped package, a punch holder for holding the punch, and a stripper for pressing the strip-shaped package from above when punching the blister pack. The lower mold is provided with a die having an insertion hole into which a punch is inserted when punching a blister pack.

Under such a configuration, the punching device lowers the upper die (punch holder) and raises the lower die (die), and while pressing the strip-shaped package against the die by the stripper, pushes the punch into the insertion hole of the die. The blister pack is punched out by pushing it in (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Therefore, when the blister pack is punched in the punching process, the contents sandwiched between the unsealed portions of the strip-shaped package may adhere to the punching device (punch, die, etc.).

If the contents are left attached to the punching device, hygiene problems will occur due to the decay of the attached contents, and the punching device will be corroded due to sticking of the contents. There was a risk of various problems occurring that could cause a failure of the extraction device. Therefore, conventionally, it has been necessary to frequently perform the cleaning work of the punching device.

On the other hand, in recent years, after the sealing process and before the punching process, the cleaning water is supplied onto the strip-shaped package, and the strip-shaped package on which the washing water is placed is punched, so that the blister pack is punched at the same time. The wash water that flows down from the upper surface side of the strip-shaped package can wash away the contents sandwiched between the unsealed parts of the strip-shaped package and the contents that have adhered to the punching device, making it difficult for the contents to adhere to and stick to the punching device. It is considered.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2015-151174

However, in the filling step, the contents are filled in a high temperature state, and in the sealing step, the cover film or the like is heated. Therefore, the strip-shaped package after the sealing step is heated.

Therefore, the temperature of punches, strippers, dies, etc. that come into contact with the strip-shaped package when punching the blister pack gradually rises due to heat conduction from the strip-shaped package. Further, the temperature of the punch holder gradually rises due to heat conduction from the punch or the like.

Under such circumstances, as described above, when the punching device is washed by supplying washing water onto the strip-shaped package, the lower die (die) located under the strip-shaped package is a blister pack. The whole is cooled by a large amount of washing water flowing down from the upper surface side of the strip-shaped package through the punched holes after punching, and it is easy to maintain a constant temperature at all times.

On the other hand, the upper mold (punch or stripper) located on the upper side of the strip-shaped package is only in contact with the washing water when punching the blister pack, the contact time with the washing water is short, and the contact area is small, so that it is almost cooled. Instead, the temperature will gradually rise. Further, the punch holder that holds the punch does not come into contact with the washing water and is not cooled, so that the temperature gradually rises. As a result, the temperature difference between the upper die and the lower die becomes large, and there is a possibility that a difference in thermal expansion occurs between the upper die and the lower die (for example, the die and the punch holder).

As shown in FIG. 7A, a predetermined clearance 95 (for example, about 5 microns) is normally set between the punch 91 and the insertion hole 93 of the die 92 in order to perform smooth operation. There is. Therefore, if only the punch holder 90 is thermally expanded, as shown in FIG. 7B, the positions of the insertion holes 93 of the punch 91 and the die 92 may be displaced, and the clearance 95 may be biased. Depending on the part, the punch 91 and the die 92 may interfere with each other.

If the clearance 95 becomes large, burrs and the like are likely to occur in the blister pack, which may lead to deterioration of product quality. On the contrary, when the clearance 95 becomes small, the degree of rubbing between the punch 91 and the die 92 increases, and the life of the punching device may be shortened.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances and the like, and an object of the present invention is to provide a blister packaging machine and a method for manufacturing a blister pack capable of reducing the temperature difference between the upper mold and the lower mold.

Hereinafter, each means suitable for solving the above problems will be described separately for each item. In addition, the action and effect peculiar to the corresponding means will be added as necessary.

Means 1. It is a blister packaging machine for manufacturing a blister pack including a container film provided with a pocket portion for filling the contents and a cover film attached to the container film so as to close the pocket portion. hand,
A pocket portion forming means for forming the pocket portion on the container film while transporting the strip-shaped container film, and a pocket portion forming means.
A filling means for filling the pocket portion with the contents,
A sealing means for attaching the band-shaped cover film to the container film in which the pocket portion is filled with the contents so as to close the pocket portion.
A punching means having predetermined upper and lower molds for punching the blister pack from a strip-shaped package (belt-shaped blister film) to which the cover film is attached to the container film.
A cleaning water supply means for supplying cleaning water to the upper surface of the strip-shaped packaging body in which the cover film is attached to the container film and before punching the blister pack.
A blister packaging machine provided with a cooling means capable of cooling the upper mold by using the washing water.

According to the above means 1, the upper mold (punch holder, etc.) can be cooled by using the washing water supplied on the strip-shaped package for cleaning the punching means (punch, die, etc.). As a result, it is possible to suppress the temperature rise of the upper mold due to heat conduction from the strip-shaped package.

As a result, the lower mold (die), which is easily cooled by the large amount of washing water flowing down from the upper surface side of the strip-shaped package when punching the blister pack, and the upper mold (punch holder), which hardly comes into contact with the washing water when punching the blister pack and is difficult to cool. ) And the temperature difference can be reduced.

As a result, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of various defects caused by the temperature difference between the upper die and the lower die (the difference in thermal expansion between the die and the punch holder), such as deterioration of product quality and shortening of the life of the punching means.

In addition, according to this means, it is not necessary to separately provide a cooling device, and the cleaning water is used as a cooling medium to cool the upper die, thereby reducing the cost and space. Can be done.

Means 2. The cooling means
A washing water storage means capable of storing the washing water flowing down from the lower mold (die, etc.) and
The blister packaging machine according to means 1, further comprising a water feeding means for sending the washing water from the washing water storage means to the upper mold (punch holder or the like) side.

According to the above means 2, the temperature difference between the upper mold and the lower mold (die and punch holder) is further increased by cooling the upper mold (punch holder) once using the washing water applied to the lower mold (die). It can be made smaller.

Means 3. The punching means is
It has (plurality) punches for punching the blister pack, a punch holder for holding the punches, and a stripper for pressing the strip-shaped package from above, and is arranged above the strip-shaped package. With the above mold
With the lower mold, which has a die in which (s) insertion holes into which the punch is inserted and is arranged below the strip-shaped package,
It is provided with a driving means for driving the upper mold and the lower mold.
The stripper
It is assembled so as to be urged downward via a predetermined elastic means (elastic member) so as to be relatively displaceable in the vertical direction with respect to the punch holder.
The water supply means
The blister packaging machine according to means 2, wherein the blister packaging machine is driven by utilizing the relative displacement operation of the punch holder and the stripper (the vertical movement of the stripper with respect to the punch holder) (water supply operation is performed).

According to the above means 3, the washing water applied to the lower die of the punching means is stored, and the washing water is pumped up by the water feeding means driven by the vertical movement of the stripper, and the upper die (punch holder) is used. ) Can be sent.

As a result, it is not necessary to separately provide a water pump or the like having a drive source, so that the cost related to the packaging machine can be reduced and the space can be saved.

Means 4. The blister packaging machine according to any one of means 1 to 3, wherein at least a part of the flow path through which the washing water flows is formed in the upper mold (stripper or punch holder).

According to the above means 4, the space can be saved, the upper mold can be cooled from the inside, and the cooling efficiency can be improved.

Means 5. A method for manufacturing a blister pack for manufacturing a blister pack including a container film provided with a pocket portion for filling the contents and a cover film attached to the container film so as to close the pocket portion. And
A pocket portion forming step of forming the pocket portion on the container film while transporting the strip-shaped container film,
A filling step of filling the pocket portion with the contents, and
A sealing step of attaching the band-shaped cover film to the container film in which the pocket portion is filled with the contents so as to close the pocket portion.
A punching step of punching the blister pack from a strip-shaped package (belt-shaped blister film) in which the cover film is attached to the container film by using a predetermined punching means having a predetermined upper mold and a predetermined lower mold. When,
In the post-process of the sealing step and the pre-step of the punching step, a washing water supply step of supplying washing water to the upper surface of the strip-shaped package and a washing water supply step of supplying the washing water to the upper surface of the strip-shaped package.
A method for producing a blister pack, which comprises a cooling step of cooling the upper mold by using the washing water.

According to the means 5, the same effects as those of the means 1 are exhibited.

It is a schematic block diagram of a blister packaging machine. (A) is a perspective view showing a blister pack, and (b) is a cross-sectional view showing a blister pack. It is a top view which shows the blister film. It is a partially enlarged sectional view which shows the punching apparatus and the like provided with a cooling mechanism. (A) to (c) are explanatory views for explaining a punching process. It is a partially enlarged sectional view which shows the punching apparatus and the like provided with the cooling mechanism which concerns on another embodiment. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the relationship between a punch holder and a die (a punch and an insertion hole) in a normal state, and is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the relationship between a thermally expanded punch holder and a die (a punch and an insertion hole).

Hereinafter, one embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. First, the blister pack 1 to be manufactured will be described in detail.

As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the blister pack 1 in the present embodiment has a container film 3 having one pocket portion 2 and a container film 3 so as to close the opening of the pocket portion 2. It has a cover film 4 attached to the.

The pocket portion 2 is filled with the contents 5 [see FIG. 2B and the like]. Examples of the content 5 include foodstuffs such as jelly, jam, yogurt, coffee milk, gum syrup, and butter. Of course, the structure is not limited to the illustrated food products, and other food products may be filled in the pocket portion 2. Further, not only food products but also contents such as pharmaceuticals and cosmetics may be filled in the pocket portion 2.

The container film 3 in this embodiment is made of a thermoplastic resin material such as PVC (polyvinyl chloride). Further, the container film 3 is formed with a flange portion 3a so as to extend outward from the peripheral edge of the opening of the pocket portion 2.

On the other hand, the cover film 4 is formed of a film obtained by laminating another kind of synthetic resin film on an aluminum-deposited synthetic resin film, and is detachably attached to the container film 3 (flange portion 3a).

Further, the blister pack 1 of the present embodiment is manufactured so that the container film 3 (flange portion 3a) and the cover film 4 do not adhere to each other at one of the peripheral portions thereof. As a result, the cover film 4 at such a portion becomes the grip portion 4a when the blister pack 1 is opened.

Here, the procedure for opening the blister pack 1 will be described. First, one hand grips the container film 3 side, and the other hand picks the grip portion 4a of the cover film 4. Subsequently, the cover film 4 is peeled off from the container film 3 while pinching the gripped portion 4a. As a result, the opening of the blister pack 1 is completed, and the contents 5 filled in the pocket portion 2 can be taken out.

As will be described later, the blister pack 1 of the present embodiment is a final product from the blister film 35 [see FIG. 3] as a band-shaped package in which the band-shaped container film 3 and the band-shaped cover film 4 are attached. Manufactured through a process of punching a barrel blister pack 1. In FIG. 3, for convenience, a scattered spot pattern is provided on the portion of the blister film 35.

Next, the configuration of the blister packaging machine 10 for manufacturing the blister pack 1 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 1, in the blister packaging machine 10, the strip-shaped container film 3 drawn from the roll-shaped raw fabric is intermittently conveyed toward the downstream side by a chain clip conveyor 11 or the like. The clip portion 11a (see FIG. 3) of the chain clip conveyor 11 is configured to grip both ends of the container film 3 and the blister film 35 in the film width direction (Y direction).

First, a heating device 12 and a pocket portion forming device 13 are provided on the downstream side of the container film 3 raw fabric. The heating device 12 and the pocket portion forming device 13 constitute the pocket portion forming means in the present embodiment.

The heating device 12 includes an upper mold 12a and a lower mold 12b arranged vertically on both sides of the container film 3, and is configured to be able to partially heat the formation range of the pocket portion 2 of the container film 3.

The pocket portion forming device 13 includes an upper mold 13a having a small plug (not shown) similar to the shape of the pocket portion 2 and a lower mold having a molding recess (not shown) corresponding to the shape of the pocket portion 2. It is equipped with 13b.

Then, first, in a state where the container film 3 is heated by the heating device 12 and becomes relatively flexible, the upper die 13a and the lower die 13b move relative to each other in the direction of approaching each other. Subsequently, the plug protrudes from the upper mold 13a to form a rough shape of the pocket portion 2. Finally, air is blown from the upper mold 13a and the container film 3 is pressed against the molding recess of the lower mold 13b to form the pocket portion 2 at a predetermined position of the container film 3. The molding of the pocket portion 2 is performed at the interval between the transport operations of the container film 3.

Further, on the downstream side of the pocket portion forming device 13, a filling device 14 as a filling means for filling the contents 5 in the pocket portion 2 is provided.

On the other hand, the original fabric of the cover film 4 formed in a strip shape is wound and arranged in a roll shape separately from the container film 3. The cover film 4 pulled out from the original fabric is guided to a receiving roller 15 provided on the downstream side of the filling device 14. By being guided to the receiving roller 15, the cover film 4 is overlapped with the container film 3 so as to close the pocket portion 2.

A sealing device 16 as a sealing means is provided on the downstream side of the receiving roller 15. The sealing device 16 includes an upper mold 16a whose lower surface is heated to a predetermined sealing temperature, and a lower mold 16b in which a recess (reference numeral omitted) corresponding to the pocket portion 2 is formed. 16b is configured so that it can move up and down and can be pressure-welded.

Then, the container film 3 and the cover film 4 are fed between the upper mold 16a and the lower mold 16b, and the two films 3 and 4 are pressed against each other by the both molds 16a and 16b, so that the cover film 4 is pressed against the container film 3. It will be pasted. As a result, a strip-shaped blister film 35 in which the pocket portion 2 filled with the contents 5 is sealed with the cover film 4 is manufactured. However, in the present embodiment, only the portion corresponding to the flange portion 3a around the pocket portion 2 is the seal portion 4b (see the shaded portion in FIG. 3) to which the cover film 4 is attached (sealed), and the other portions are covered. It is an unsealed portion 4c to which the film 4 is not attached.

On the downstream side of the sealing device 16, an air injection device 17 as a backflow regulating means (air injection means) and a washing water supply device 18 as a washing water supply means are provided.

The cleaning water supply device 18 is for supplying the cleaning water H to the upper surface (cover film 4 side) of the blister film 35 before punching the blister pack 1. On the other hand, the air injection device 17 injects air (gas such as air) E toward the cleaning water H supplied to the upper surface of the blister film 35, and regulates the cleaning water H from flowing to the sealing device 16 side. It is a thing.

On the downstream side of the washing water supply device 18, a punching device 19 is provided as a punching means for punching the blister pack 1 from the blister film 35. The details of the punching device 19 will be described later.

Below the punching device 19, a conveyor 21 is provided corresponding to a position where each blister pack 1 punched from the blister film 35 falls. The blister pack 1 is transferred to the finished product hopper 22 by the conveyor 21.

Further, below the conveyor 21, a saucer 23 is provided as a washing water storage means for receiving the washing water H flowing down from the punching device 19 together with the blister pack 1 when the blister pack 1 is punched.

On the downstream side of the punching device 19, a cutting device 25 for cutting the scrap portion 35a remaining after punching the blister pack 1 is provided. Then, the scrap portion 35a is cut to a predetermined size by the cutting device 25 and stored in the scrap hopper 27.

The outline of the blister packaging machine 10 is as described above, but the punching device 19 will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

The punching device 19 includes an upper mold 38 arranged above the blister film 35 (on the cover film 4 side) conveyed along a substantially horizontal direction (X direction) and below the blister film 35 (on the container film 3 side). The lower mold 39 arranged in the above and a drive mechanism (driving means) (not shown) for driving both molds 38 and 39 are provided. As the drive mechanism, a motor, a fluid pressure cylinder, a cam transmission mechanism, or the like can be adopted. As a result, both types 38 and 39 are configured to be relatively movable along the vertical direction (Z direction) in the direction of approaching each other or the direction of separating from each other.

The upper mold 38 includes a punch 41 for punching the blister pack 1 from the blister film 35, a punch holder 42 for holding the punch holder 42, and a stripper 43 for pressing the blister film 35 from above when punching the blister pack 1. It has.

The stripper 43 is assembled to the punch holder 40 so as to be relatively displaceable in the vertical direction via a coil spring 44 as an elastic means (elastic member), and is urged downward.

The lower mold 39 includes a die 45 having an insertion hole 45a into which a punch 41 is inserted when punching the blister pack 1.

Further, in the present embodiment, a cooling mechanism 50 is provided as a cooling means for cooling the upper mold 38 (mainly the punch holder 42). The cooling mechanism 50 according to the present embodiment is a mechanism for pumping the cleaning water H from the saucer 23 (see FIG. 1) and using the cleaning water H as a cooling medium (cooling water) to cool the punch holder 42. There is. Hereinafter, the cooling mechanism 50 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 4 and the like.

A cooling flow path 51 for circulating the cleaning water H as cooling water is formed in the punch holder 42. Then, as the washing water H passes through the cooling flow path 51, the temperature rise of the punch holder 42 is suppressed, and the punch holder 42 is always maintained at an appropriate temperature.

A circular mounting recess 52 in a plan view is formed on the lower surface (stripper 43 side) of the punch holder 42, and a cylindrical piston cylinder portion 53 penetrating in the vertical direction is mounted and fixed to the mounting recess 52. ing. The upper end side of the piston cylinder portion 53 communicates with one end side of the cooling flow path 51 via the connection flow path 54.

Further, the other end side of the cooling flow path 51 is open to the side portion of the punch holder 42, and one end side of the drain hose 57 is connected to the other end side of the cooling flow path 51 via the joint member 56. Has been done. The other end of the drain hose 57 is connected to a drain portion (not shown), and the cleaning water H that has passed through the cooling mechanism 50 is configured to be discarded here.

On the other hand, an insertion hole 60 into which the lower end side of the piston cylinder 53 is inserted is formed on the upper surface (punch holder 42 side) of the stripper 43.

The insertion hole portion 60 is a hole portion having a circular cross section extending in the vertical direction, and the inner diameter thereof is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the piston cylinder portion 53. As a result, the piston cylinder portion 53 can be slidably displaced in the vertical direction with respect to the insertion hole portion 60.

A fitting groove 61 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the piston cylinder 53 in the vicinity of the lower end thereof, and an annular packing 62 is fitted in the fitting groove 61. The packing 62 ensures the airtightness of the piston cylinder portion 53 and the insertion hole portion 60. The water supply means in the present embodiment is configured by the piston cylinder portion 53, the insertion hole portion 60, and various mechanisms for relative displacement of the piston cylinder portion 53 and the insertion hole portion 60.

Further, the inner peripheral portion of the piston cylinder portion 53 is composed of a large diameter portion 63 located on the upper side thereof and a small diameter portion 64 located on the lower side thereof. A spherical ball check valve 67 having a diameter larger than that of the connecting flow path 54 and the small diameter portion 64 is housed in the large diameter portion 63. The ball check valve 67 can freely move in the vertical direction in the large diameter portion 63.

One end side of the connection flow path 68 is connected to the suction port at the lower end of the insertion hole 60. The other end side of the connection flow path 68 is open to the side portion of the stripper 43, and one end side of the water supply hose 70 is connected to the other end side of the connection flow path 68 via a joint member 69. .. The other end of the water supply hose 70 is connected to the saucer 23, and the washing water H can be supplied from the saucer 23 to the cooling mechanism 50 as cooling water.

Regarding the procedure for manufacturing the blister pack 1 by the blister packaging machine 10 configured as described above and its action and effect, particularly after the contents 5 are filled in the pocket portion 2 and the sealed blister film 35 is formed. The main steps of the above will be mainly explained.

The blister film 35 formed through a pocket portion forming step of forming the pocket portion 2, a filling step of filling the pocket portion 2 with the contents 5, a sealing step of attaching the cover film 4 to the container film 3, and the like is air-injected. It is conveyed to the device 17 and the washing water supply device 18, and the washing water supply step is performed.

The contents 5 overflow from the pocket portion 2 in the filling process, or the contents 5 spill from the pocket portion 2 in the subsequent transport process up to the sealing process, so that the contents 5 are spilled on the general portion of the container film 3 outside the pocket portion 2. When the contents 5 have adhered to the above, the blister film 35 sandwiches the contents 5 in the unsealed portion 4c between the general portion of the container film 3 and the cover film 4 which are not sealed in the subsequent sealing step. It will be transported to the next washing water supply process in the same state (see FIG. 4).

In the washing water supply step, the washing water H is supplied from the washing water supply device 18 to the upper surface of the blister film 35 before the blister pack 1 is punched out.

Although not shown, when the cleaning water H is supplied to the upper surface of the blister film 35 whose both ends in the film width direction are gripped by the clip portions 11a, the blister film 35 is formed by the weight of the cleaning water H. Since the film is gently curved in the width direction so that the vicinity of the center in the width direction is recessed, the cleaning water H is less likely to flow down from both ends in the film width direction.

At the same time as supplying the cleaning water H from the cleaning water supply device 18, the air E is injected from the air injection device 17 located on the upstream side of the cleaning water supply device 18 toward the cleaning water H on the upper surface of the blister film 35. ..

However, in the present embodiment, the supply of the washing water H and the injection of the air E are not intermittently performed in accordance with the intermittent operation of the blister film 35, but are always continuously performed. Of course, the present invention is not limited to this, and the supply of the cleaning water H and the injection of the air E may be performed intermittently in accordance with the intermittent operation of the blister film 35.

After that, the blister film 35 is conveyed to the punching device 19 and the punching process is performed. When the blister film 35 is conveyed to the punching device 19, the washing water H supplied onto the blister film 35 in the washing water supply device 18 located on the upstream side of the punching device 19 is also punched in the punching device 19. Will be transported to.

In the punching device 19, the upper die 38 (punch 41, punch holder 42, stripper 43) is located at a standby position separated upward from the blister film 35 and lower during normal operation, that is, during transportation of the blister film 35. The mold 39 (die 45) is located at a standby position separated downward from the blister film 35.

When the intermittently conveyed blister film 35 is stopped at a predetermined position, the upper die 38 is lowered and the lower die 39 is raised, and the blister film 35 is pressed against the die 45 by the stripper 43. [See FIG. 5 (a)].

At this time, the blister film 35 itself stops, but the washing water H placed on the upper surface of the blister film 35 vigorously heads toward the punching device 19 side due to inertia. Then, the stripper 43 pressing the blister film 35 blocks the flow of the washing water H, and a part of the washing water H rebounds in the opposite direction and heads toward the upstream side. In the present embodiment, the cleaning water H heading upstream is restricted from reaching the sealing device 16 by the air E injected from the air injection device 17.

After that, the punch 41 further descends, and the punch 41 enters the insertion hole 45a of the die 45 with the cleaning water H placed on the blister film 35 [see FIG. 5B]. Then, by further pushing the punch 41 into the insertion hole 45a, the blister pack 1 is punched out from the blister film 35 [see FIG. 5 (c)]. The punched blister pack 1 falls in the insertion hole 45a, is guided on the conveyor 21, and is transferred to the finished product hopper 22.

At the same time, if the contents 5 sandwiched between the unsealed portions 4c of the blister film 35 and the contents 5 attached to the punching device 19 (punch 41, die 45, etc.) are present, these contents 5 are present. Is washed away by the washing water H that flows down from the upper surface side of the blister film 35.

After that, the upper mold 38 and the lower mold 39 are separated from the blister film 35, and the washing water H remaining on the blister film 35 passes through the punched holes 35b and the like formed in the blister film 35 after the blister pack 1 is punched. While flowing down and flushing the upper surface of the die 45, it flows down further downward through the periphery of the die 45 and the insertion hole 45a, and passes through the side of the conveyor 21 and the like together with the cleaning water H that has flowed down when the blister pack 1 is punched, and is a saucer. Collected at 23.

In this way, when the punching process of the blister pack 1 is completed, the production of the blister pack 1 is completed.

In addition, in the present embodiment, the cooling step is performed at the same time as the punching process is performed. Specifically, in the punching process, from the state where the blister film 35 is pressed against the die 45 by the stripper 43 [see FIG. 5 (a)], the punch 41 further resists the urging force of the coil spring 44. When it descends, enters the insertion hole 45a of the die 45, and the blister pack 1 is punched out [see FIGS. 5 (b) and 5 (c)], the punch holder 42 and the stripper 43 are relatively displaced in the approaching direction. In the cooling mechanism 50, the piston cylinder portion 53 is inserted further into the insertion hole portion 60 of the stripper 43.

As a result, the cleaning water H staying in the insertion hole 60 flows into the small diameter portion 64 of the piston cylinder portion 53, and the water pressure causes the ball check valve 67 to move upward to further move to the large diameter portion 63. Inflow.

Then, it is pushed out by the washing water H newly flowing into the large diameter portion 63, and stays in the large diameter portion 63, the connection flow path 54, the cooling flow path 51, the joint member 56, and the drain hose 57 until then. The washing water H is swept downstream, and the amount of the washing water H is discharged to the drainage section.

Subsequently, in the large diameter portion 63 of the piston cylinder portion 53, the ball check valve 67 is lowered to close the small diameter portion 64, and the backflow of the washing water H is prevented.

After that, when the punching of the blister pack 1 is completed and the upper die 38 and the lower die 39 are separated from the blister film 35, the punch holder 42 and the stripper 43 are relatively separated from each other by the urging force of the coil spring 44. Due to the displacement, the piston cylinder portion 53 is pulled out from the insertion hole portion 60 of the stripper 43.

As a result, the washing water H is sucked into the insertion hole 60 from the suction port at the lower end of the insertion hole 60. Then, the washing water H that has been staying in the connection flow path 68, the joint member 69, and the water supply hose 70 flows to the downstream side, and the washing water H is sucked up from the saucer 23 by that amount.

Therefore, by intermittently repeating the punching step (cooling step) of the blister pack 1, the washing water H is gradually discharged from the saucer 23 to the water supply hose 70, the joint member 69, the connection flow path 68, and the insertion hole portion 60. , Piston cylinder 53 (small diameter 64, large diameter 63), connection flow path 54, cooling flow path 51, joint member 56, drain hose 57, drain, and upper mold 38 (punch holder). 42) is cooled.

As described in detail above, according to the present embodiment, the cleaning water supply device 18 is provided, and the cleaning water H is supplied to the upper surface of the blister film 35 before punching the blister pack 1 onto the blister film 35. The blister pack 1 can be punched with the washing water H placed on it.

As a result, at the same time as punching the blister pack 1, the contents 5 sandwiched between the unsealed portions 4c of the blister film 35 by the washing water H flowing down from the upper surface side of the blister film 35 and the punching device 19 (punch 41 and die). The contents 5 adhering to (45, etc.) can be washed away.

Further, in the present embodiment, the upper mold 38 (punch holder 42, etc.) is cooled by using the cleaning water H supplied on the blister film 35 for cleaning the punching device 19 (punch 41, die 45, etc.). The cooling mechanism 50 is provided. As a result, the temperature rise of the upper mold 38 due to heat conduction from the blister film 35 can be suppressed.

As a result, the lower mold 39 (die 45), which is easily cooled by the large amount of washing water H flowing down from the upper surface side of the blister film 35 when the blister pack 1 is punched, and the lower mold 39 (die 45), which is easily cooled by the large amount of washing water H flowing down from the upper surface side of the blister film 35, hardly come into contact with the washing water H when the blister pack 1 is punched. The temperature difference from the upper mold 38 (punch holder 42), which is difficult to be cooled, can be reduced.

In particular, in the present embodiment, the upper die 38 (punch holder 42) is cooled by using the washing water H once applied to the lower die 39 (die 45), whereby the upper die 38 and the lower die 39 (die 45 and punch) are cooled. The temperature difference of the holder 42) can be made smaller.

As a result, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of various problems caused by the temperature difference between the upper die 38 and the lower die 39 (the difference in thermal expansion between the die 45 and the punch holder 42) such as deterioration of product quality and shortening of the life of the punching device 19. be able to.

In addition, according to the present embodiment, it is not necessary to separately provide a cooling device, and the upper mold 38 is cooled by using the cleaning water H as a cooling medium, thereby reducing the cost and space. Can be planned.

Further, in the present embodiment, in the punching device 19, the washing water H is pumped from the saucer 23 by using the relative displacement operation of the punch holder 42 and the stripper 43 (the vertical movement of the stripper 43 with respect to the punch holder 42), and the upper die 38 It is provided with a water supply mechanism for sending water to (punch holder 42). As a result, it is not necessary to separately provide a water supply pump or the like, so that the cost of the blister packaging machine 10 can be reduced and the space can be saved.

The content is not limited to the description of the above embodiment, and may be implemented as follows, for example. Of course, other application examples and modification examples not illustrated below are also possible.

(A) The configuration of the blister pack 1 to be manufactured is not limited to the above embodiment.

For example, the blister pack 1 in the above embodiment has a configuration including one pocket portion 2, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration in which a plurality of pocket portions are formed in one blister pack may be used. Further, the size and shape of the blister pack 1 and the pocket portion 2 are not limited to the above-described embodiment, and different configurations may be adopted.

Further, in the above embodiment, a peel-open type blister pack 1 is adopted, which is configured so that the container film 3 (flange portion 3a) and a part of the cover film 4 are not adhered to each other and become a grip portion 4a when the container is opened. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration may be made in which the portion where the container film 3 (flange portion 3a) and the cover film 4 are not adhered is eliminated and the grip portion 4a is not formed. Further, a break line such as a half cut line is formed in advance on a part of the flange portion 3a, and when the package is opened, the flange portion 3a is bent along the break line to break a part of the outer edge portion thereof. The cover film 4 may be peeled off by picking the part thereof.

Further, the blister pack is not limited to the peel-open type blister pack, and a fold-open type blister pack such as a Dispens pack (registered trademark) may be adopted.

(B) The material of the container film 3 and the cover film 4 is not limited to the above embodiment, and different configurations may be adopted.

For example, in the above embodiment, the container film 3 is formed of PVC, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the container film 3 is formed of a metal material such as aluminum as well as a resin material such as CPP (unstretched polypropylene) or PET. May be.

(C) The structure of the blister film 35 is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, in the above embodiment, two blister packs 1 are simultaneously manufactured in the film transport direction and two in the film width direction of the blister film 35, for a total of four blister packs 35. One or three or more may be manufactured in the film transport direction or the film width direction.

(D) The configuration of the cleaning water supply means is not limited to the cleaning water supply device 18 of the above embodiment, and different configurations may be adopted.

For example, in the above embodiment, the washing water supply device 18 is provided on the upstream side of the punching device 19 (between the sealing device 16 and the punching device 19). Not limited to this, the washing water supply means may be provided at the same position as the punching device 19, or may be provided integrally with the punching device 19.

(E) The configuration of the cooling means is not limited to the cooling mechanism 50 of the above embodiment. Other configurations may be adopted as long as the upper die 38 (punch holder 42) of the punching device 19 can be cooled by using at least the washing water H.

For example, as shown in FIG. 6, instead of the cooling mechanism 50, a cooling mechanism 80 provided outside the punching device 19 may be provided. The cooling mechanism 80 includes a water supply pump 81 constituting a water supply means, a water supply hose 82 connected to the lower end of the water supply pump 81, and a water discharge pipe 83 connected to the upper end of the water supply pump 81.

The other end side of the water supply hose 82 is connected to the saucer 23 (see FIG. 1) of the above embodiment, and the washing water H can be supplied from the saucer 23 to the cooling mechanism 80. Further, the other end side of the water discharge pipe 83 is guided above the punch holder 42, and at this portion, a plurality of shower heads 84 capable of sprinkling the washing water H on the upper surface of the upper mold 38 (punch holder 42). Is provided.

As a result, the cooling mechanism 80 cools the punch holder 42 by pumping the washing water H from the saucer 23 and sprinkling the washing water H on the upper surface of the punch holder 42 from above.

Here, the water supply pump 81 may be driven by using a relative displacement operation of the punch holder 42 and the stripper 43 (vertical movement of the stripper 43 with respect to the punch holder 42) via a drive transmission mechanism (not shown). Of course, instead of this, a drive source such as a power supply device for operating the water supply pump 81 may be separately provided.

In the cooling mechanisms 50 and 80, for example, the vertical movement of the punch holder 42 (upper mold 38) is used instead of the configuration in which the water supply means is driven by using the relative displacement movement of the punch holder 42 and the stripper 43. It may be configured to be driven by

Further, the cooling mechanism 80 shown in FIG. 6 has a configuration in which a flow path for circulating the washing water H is not formed inside the upper mold 38 at all, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the washing water H is circulated. At least a part of the flow path may be formed inside the upper mold 38. For example, a water supply pump 81 or the like separately provided with a drive source such as a power supply device may be used to allow the cleaning water H to flow through the cooling flow path 51 of the punch holder 42 according to the above embodiment.

1 ... Blister pack, 2 ... Pocket part, 3 ... Container film, 4 ... Cover film, 4b ... Sealed part, 4c ... Unsealed part, 5 ... Contents, 10 ... Blister packaging machine, 12 ... Heating device, 13 ... Pocket Part forming device, 14 ... filling device, 16 ... sealing device, 17 ... air injection device, 18 ... washing water supply device, 19 ... punching device, 23 ... saucer, 35 ... blister film, 38 ... upper mold, 39 ... lower Mold, 41 ... Punch, 42 ... Punch holder, 43 ... Stripper, 44 ... Coil spring, 45 ... Die, 45a ... Insert hole, 50 ... Cooling mechanism, 51 ... Cooling flow path, 53 ... Piston cylinder, 57 ... For drainage Hose, 60 ... Insert hole, 67 ... Ball check valve, 70 ... Water supply hose, E ... Air, H ... Washing water.

Claims (5)

It is a blister packaging machine for manufacturing a blister pack including a container film provided with a pocket portion for filling the contents and a cover film attached to the container film so as to close the pocket portion. hand,
A pocket portion forming means for forming the pocket portion on the container film while transporting the strip-shaped container film, and a pocket portion forming means.
A filling means for filling the pocket portion with the contents,
A sealing means for attaching the band-shaped cover film to the container film in which the pocket portion is filled with the contents so as to close the pocket portion.
A punching means having a predetermined upper mold and lower mold for punching the blister pack from a strip-shaped package in which the cover film is attached to the container film.
A cleaning water supply means for supplying cleaning water to the upper surface of the strip-shaped packaging body in which the cover film is attached to the container film and before punching the blister pack.
A blister packaging machine provided with a cooling means capable of cooling the upper mold by using the washing water. The cooling means
A washing water storage means capable of storing the washing water flowing down from the lower mold, and
The blister packaging machine according to claim 1, further comprising a water feeding means for sending the washing water from the washing water storage means to the upper mold side. The punching means is
The upper mold having a punch for punching the blister pack, a punch holder for holding the punch, and a stripper for pressing the strip-shaped package from above, and arranged above the strip-shaped package. ,
With the lower mold having a die having an insertion hole into which the punch is inserted and arranged below the strip-shaped package.
It is provided with a driving means for driving the upper mold and the lower mold.
The stripper
Assembled so as to be urged downward via a predetermined elastic means so as to be relatively displaceable in the vertical direction with respect to the punch holder.
The water supply means
The blister packaging machine according to claim 2, wherein the blister packaging machine is driven by utilizing the relative displacement operation of the punch holder and the stripper. The blister packaging machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least a part of the flow path through which the washing water flows is formed in the upper mold. A method for producing a blister pack for producing a blister pack including a container film provided with a pocket portion for filling the contents and a cover film attached to the container film so as to close the pocket portion. And
A pocket portion forming step of forming the pocket portion on the container film while transporting the strip-shaped container film,
A filling step of filling the pocket portion with the contents, and
A sealing step of attaching the band-shaped cover film to the container film in which the pocket portion is filled with the contents so as to close the pocket portion.
A punching step of punching the blister pack from a strip-shaped package in which the cover film is attached to the container film by using a predetermined punching means having a predetermined upper mold and lower mold.
In the post-process of the sealing step and the pre-step of the punching step, a washing water supply step of supplying washing water to the upper surface of the strip-shaped package and a washing water supply step of supplying the washing water to the upper surface of the strip-shaped package.
A method for producing a blister pack, which comprises a cooling step of cooling the upper mold by using the washing water.

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