JP7458963B2 - bag feeding device - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to a bag feeding device.

Patent document 1 discloses a conveyor magazine-type empty bag supplying device that removes empty bags positioned by stoppers from a belt conveyor and transfers them to the gripper of a downstream packaging machine.

JP 2014-999 A

In the device of Patent Document 1, empty bags are sent downstream one by one by a fast-forwarding belt installed above the belt conveyor, and the empty bags from the fast-forwarding belt are sent further forward by a ratchet wheel installed above the belt conveyor. Push it out and make it contact the stopper. The empty bag positioned by the stopper in this manner is raised by the empty bag suction member and delivered to the gripper of the packaging machine.

In the apparatus of Patent Document 1 mentioned above, when the empty bag is sent from the fast-forwarding belt to the ratchet wheel (i.e., the delivery section) with the leading part of the empty bag lifted off the belt conveyor, the leading part of the empty bag is lifted up from the belt conveyor. Empty bags may be bent because they cannot fit properly between the car and the conveyor belt.

For example, when an empty bag has a spout, fastener, or other attachment attached to the bag body and has locally thicker areas, the leading edge of the empty bag laid down on the conveyor belt will inevitably rise up from the conveyor belt's loading surface. In addition, the humidity and temperature of the surrounding environment can cause the empty bag to warp, causing the leading edge of the empty bag to rise up from the conveyor belt's loading surface.

In this way, if the empty bag is sent to the ratchet wheel with the leading part lifted off the belt conveyor, the leading part of the empty bag will ride on the ratchet wheel, causing a collision between the ratchet wheel and the belt conveyor. There may be cases where there is no proper entry between the two. In this state, if the ratchet wheel is rotated while further feeding out the empty bag, the leading portion of the empty bag may be folded back or crease marks may be left on the empty bag.

The present disclosure has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and provides an advantageous technique for properly sending out the bag by the sending-out section while preventing the bag from being unintentionally folded back or leaving fold marks on the bag at the sending-out section. The purpose is to

One aspect of the present disclosure includes a mounting section that supports the bag from below so as to be movable in the transport direction, a transport section that transports the bag in the transport direction, a delivery position that is relatively close to the mounting section, and a mounting section that supports the bag from below so as to be movable in the transport direction. The delivery part is provided so as to be placed at a retracted position that is relatively far from the storage part, and the delivery part disposed at the delivery position sends out the bag on the storage part and positions it in the take-out area. and a restriction part that can be placed in a restriction position that is relatively close to the placement part and a non-restriction position that is relatively far from the placement part, the restriction part being disposed in the restriction position. The conveyor section sends the bag toward the delivery section located at the delivery position while the restriction section suppresses the lifting of the bag from the placement section. A take-out part is provided that can be placed at a certain take-out position and a transfer position that is relatively far from the loading part, and the take-out part located at the take-out position is positioned in the take-out area. The present invention relates to a bag supplying device including a take-out part that moves from the take-out position to a transfer position while holding the bag and with the delivery part disposed at the retracted position.

The restriction part is attached to the delivery part so as to move together with the delivery part, and when the delivery part is placed in the delivery position, the restriction part is placed in the restriction position, and the delivery part is placed in the retracted position. The restriction portion may be placed in a non-restriction position.

The limiting section has a limiting inclined surface, and when the limiting section is positioned in the limiting position, the limiting inclined surface may be located directly above the loading section and gradually approach the loading section along the conveying direction to prevent the bag from floating up from the loading section.

The delivery section includes a rotating main body that rotates and a plurality of flexible claws that protrude from the periphery of the rotation main body, and the delivery section that is disposed at the delivery position is one of the plurality of claws. The bag may be sent out toward the removal area by rotating the rotating main body while pressing one or more claws against the bag on the placement part.

The bag supply device may include a stopper, and a delivery unit disposed at a delivery position may position the delivered bag in the removal area by pressing the delivered bag against the stopper.

The conveyance section has a bag separation section, and a plurality of bags stacked on top of each other are placed on the mounting section such that bags located higher in the stacking direction are positioned closer to the front side in the conveyance direction, The bag separating section may separate the bag located at the uppermost position in the stacking direction among the plurality of bags on the placing section from the other bags, and send the bag toward the sending section arranged at the sending position.

According to the present disclosure, the bag can be appropriately sent out by the delivery section while preventing the bag from being unintentionally folded back or leaving fold marks on the bag at the delivery section.

FIG. 1 is a side view showing an example of a bag supply device. FIG. 2 is a diagram of an example of the bag supply device viewed from above, particularly illustrating the conveyance state of the bags. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of a bag supply device. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the control configuration of the bag supply device. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation of a bag supply device including a restriction section. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation of a bag supply device including a restriction section. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation of a bag supply device including a restriction section. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation of a bag supply device including a restriction section. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the operation of the bag supplying device having a restricting section. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation of a bag supply device that does not include a restriction section.

FIG. 1 is a side view showing an example of a bag supply device 10. In FIG. 1, illustration of a part of the support body 16 is omitted, and the state inside the support body 16 is shown. In FIG. 1, the lever rotation shaft 23 is located at a position that is not originally shown (a position on the front side of the support body 16 in the paper of FIG. 1), but it is hypothetically shown by the two-dot chain line. ing.

The bag supply device 10 shown in FIG. 1 includes a conveyor 11 that transports bags in a transport direction D1 (horizontal direction in this embodiment), and a delivery section 12 that transports bags on the conveyor 11 in the transport direction D1 and positions them in a take-out area. , and a take-out section 13 for taking out the bag from the take-out area.

The shape, type and condition of the bag are not limited. The bag may have a rectangular planar shape or may have another planar shape. The bag may have a bag body to which attachments such as a spout or a zipper are attached, or it may have a bag body to which no such attachments are attached. The bag may be an empty bag (for example, a flat bag) or may contain contents inside.

The conveyor 11 includes a conveyor belt 11b stretched around a conveyor roller 11a, and functions as a loading section that supports the bags from below so as to be movable in the conveying direction D1, and also as a conveying section that sends the bags in the conveying direction D1. Function.

The conveyor roller 11a is rotatably supported by the support body 16, and is actively rotated by a conveyor drive unit (see FIG. 4, which will be described later). The conveyor belt 11b is an endless belt supported by the conveyor roller 11a, and runs according to the rotation of the conveyor roller 11a. The conveyor 11 shown in FIG. 1 includes a plurality (specifically, three) of string-like conveyor belts 11b having a circular cross-sectional shape. The three conveyor belts 11b are arranged at equal intervals in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction D1 (a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 1). Note that the number of conveyor belts 11b is not limited, and may be one or any number of two or more. The portion of the conveyor belt 11b located above the conveyor roller 11a runs in the conveyance direction D1 (rightward in FIG. 1), and the portion of the conveyor belt 11b located below the conveyor roller 11a runs in the conveyance direction D1. The vehicle travels in the opposite direction (to the left in Figure 1). The bag is placed on a portion of the conveyor belt 11b located above the conveyor roller 11a, and is conveyed in the conveyance direction D1 as the conveyor belt 11b runs.

The height position of the top of the portion of the conveyor belt 11b located above the conveyor roller 11a is approximately the same as the height position of the upper surface of the support body 16 in the example shown in FIG. It may be higher than the height of the top surface.

Two side guides 21 extending upward are attached to the support 16. These side guides 21 are arranged to sandwich the portion of the conveyor belt 11b located above the conveyor roller 11a in the width direction (i.e., the horizontal direction perpendicular to the conveying direction D1: the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 1), and guide the bags B conveyed by the conveyor belt 11b in the conveying direction D1. In FIG. 1, the side guide 21 located on the front side is omitted, and only the side guide 21 located on the back side is shown.

A plurality of bags may be placed on the conveyor belt 11b. The plurality of bags may be placed on the conveyor belt 11b in a stacked state. For example, the plurality of bags may be arranged in the conveyor belt 11b in the conveying direction D1, and may be stacked on top of each other in a state in which the front surface of one of the adjacent bags (i.e., the bag on the rear side) is at least partially in contact with the back surface of the other bag (i.e., the bag on the front side). The plurality of bags on the conveyor belt 11b may be stacked on top of each other such that the bag located higher in the stacking direction is located higher in the conveying direction D1 (i.e., closer to the sending section 12). In this case, the bag separating section (see reference numeral "18" in FIG. 3) described later can easily separate the bag located at the top of the stacking direction among the plurality of bags on the conveyor belt 11b from the other bags and send it out toward the sending section 12.

The delivery unit 12 sends out the bags on the conveyor belt 11b in the transport direction D1 and positions them in a predetermined take-out area. The delivery unit 12 shown in FIG. 1 includes a rotating main body 12a fixedly attached to a delivery rotating shaft 24, and a rotating main body 12a that protrudes from the periphery of the rotating main body 12a in the radial direction (that is, in the radial direction of the rotating main body 12a). It has a plurality of flexible claw portions 12b that extend to. The rotating main body portion 12a is actively rotated via a delivery rotation shaft 24 by a delivery drive unit (see FIG. 4, which will be described later). The plurality of claw portions 12b are provided at equal angular intervals around the delivery rotation shaft 24, and move in the rotational direction around the delivery rotation shaft 24 in accordance with the rotation of the rotation main body portion 12a.

While moving in the rotational direction, each claw portion 12b contacts the bag on the conveyor belt 11b from above, and then moves toward the stopper 14 while pressing the bag against the conveyor belt 11b below. Thereby, the bag on the conveyor belt 11b receives a force acting in the conveyance direction D1 from the claw portion 12b, and is sent out toward the stopper 14 in the conveyance direction D1. Therefore, the delivery unit 12 shown in FIG. 1 rotates counterclockwise around the delivery rotation shaft 24. When the leading portion of the bag reaches the position where it contacts the stopper 14, the bag is positioned in the take-out area.

The delivery rotation shaft 24 is rotatably supported by the swing lever 22, and is rotated counterclockwise by a delivery drive unit (see FIG. 4, which will be described later). The swing lever 22 is attached to the support body 16 via a lever rotation shaft 23, and swings around the lever rotation shaft 23 in accordance with the rotation of the lever rotation shaft 23. The delivery rotation shaft 24 and the delivery unit 12 swing together with the swing lever 22 in the rotational direction about the lever rotation shaft 23 . Due to the swinging movement, the delivery unit 12 can be moved between a delivery position (see FIG. 1), which is a position relatively close to the conveyor 11 (particularly the conveyor belt 11b), and a retreat position (described later), which is a position relatively far from the conveyor. (see FIGS. 8 and 9). The bags on the conveyor belt 11b are contacted and sent out by the delivery section 12 located at the delivery position shown in FIG. 1, but are separated from the delivery section 12 located at the retracted position and do not receive any force.

The stopper 14 is fixedly provided on the support 16 and protrudes upward from the upper surface of the support 16. The stopper 14 is located downstream of the delivery section 12 in the transport direction D1, and restricts movement of the bag sent from the delivery section 12 in the transport direction D1. A portion of the upper surface of the support body 16 located between the conveyor belt 11b and the stopper 14 has the same height as the upper surface of the conveyor belt 11b (especially the portion located above the conveyor roller 11a). The bag B sent out by the delivery section 12 and placed in the take-out area is placed on the upper surface of the support body 16 and the upper surface of the conveyor belt 11b, with the leading portion basically in contact with the stopper 14. Note that the bag B positioned in the take-out area does not necessarily have to be in strict contact with the stopper 14, and may be slightly (for example, several millimeters or less) away from the stopper 14 in the opposite direction to the transport direction D1.

A bag tip detection sensor 15 is attached to the support body 16 via a fixture (not shown). The bag tip detection sensor 15 monitors the presence or absence of a bag in the take-out area via a penetration portion of the stopper 14 (see FIGS. 2 and 3 described below).

A support shaft 25 extending in the width direction (direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 1) is fixed to the swing lever 22, and the restriction portion 17 is fixedly attached via the support shaft 25. The restriction part 17 shown in FIG. It is fixed at 22. The delivery rotation shaft 24 supports the restriction part 17 in a rotatable state and can rotate without being hindered by the restriction part 17.

The restricting portion 17 swings about the lever rotation shaft 23 in response to the swing of the swing lever 22 . That is, the restricting portion 17 reciprocates around the lever rotation shaft 23 integrally with the swing lever 22, the support shaft 25, the delivery rotation shaft 24, and the delivery portion 12. Due to the reciprocating movement, the restricting part 17 moves between a restricting position (see FIG. 1), which is a position relatively close to the conveyor 11 (particularly the conveyor belt 11b), and a non-restricting position, which is a position relatively far from the conveyor 11 (described later). (see FIGS. 8 and 9).

The bags on the conveyor belt 11b come into contact with the limiting section 17 (particularly the limiting inclined surface 17a) located at the limiting position, and are prevented from floating up from the conveyor belt 11b from above. Therefore, the bags on the conveyor belt 11b are sent in the conveying direction D1 towards the sending section 12 located at the sending position shown in Figure 1, while being prevented from floating up from the conveyor belt 11b by the limiting section 17 located at the limiting position.

At least a part of the restriction part 17 (particularly the part that suppresses lifting of the bag B (in the example shown in FIG. 1, the restriction slope 17a)) is located on the upstream side in the conveying direction D1 ( It is preferable to be located on the left side of FIG. Thereby, before the leading part of the bag reaches and contacts the delivery part 12, the restricting part 17 can suppress the lifting of the leading part of the bag. In this case, it is possible to effectively prevent the leading portion of the bag from unintentionally riding on the delivery section 12 or being unintentionally bent by the delivery section 12.

The removal unit 13 is driven by a removal drive unit (see FIG. 4 described below) and can be positioned at a removal position (see FIG. 8 described below) that is relatively close to the conveyor 11 (particularly the conveyor belt 11b) and a transfer position (see FIG. 1) that is relatively far from the conveyor 11. The removal unit 13 that is positioned at the removal position can hold a bag positioned in the removal area when the send unit 12 is positioned at the retracted position (see FIG. 8 described below). Then, the removal unit 13 moves from the removal position to the transfer position while holding the bag (see FIG. 9 described below).

FIG. 2 is a diagram of an example of the bag supply device 10 viewed from above, particularly illustrating the conveyance state of the bag B.

In FIG. 2, elements that are the same as or similar to those shown in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. The bag feeding device 10 shown in FIG. 2 does not necessarily correspond to the bag feeding device 10 shown in FIG. For example, the bag tip detection sensor 15 and side guide 21 shown in FIG. 1 are not shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 shows the bag B positioned in the removal area, with the leading portion B1 of the bag B abutting against the stopper 14. In the example shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of (specifically three) stoppers 14 separated from each other are arranged in the width direction D2 of the bag B. The bag tip detection sensor 15, which is not shown in FIG. 2, monitors the presence or absence of the bag B in the take-out area through the space (through-hole) between the stoppers 14.

In the example shown in FIG. 2, only one restriction section 17 is provided. However, the number of restricting portions 17 to be installed is not limited, and a plurality of restricting portions 17 may be provided in the width direction D2. It is preferable that the restricting portion 17 provided to suppress lifting of the bag B is provided at a position corresponding to a portion of the bag B that is likely to lift. For example, by providing the restricting portion 17 at a position corresponding to one end or both ends of the bag B in the width direction D2, lifting of one end or both ends of the bag B can be effectively suppressed. be able to.

The bag B shown in FIG. 2 includes a spout B11 attached to the bag body B10 (particularly the seal portion B2). A portion of the bag B near the spout B11 tends to float up from the conveyor 11. Therefore, the restriction part 17 is provided so that the restriction part 17 (in this example, the restriction inclined surface 17a) located at the restriction position is located directly above the spout B11 or a portion of the bag B near the spout B11. is preferred. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the restriction part 17 is provided so that the restriction part 17 disposed at the restriction position is located directly above a portion of the bag B near the spout B11. Thereby, the lifting of the bag B can be effectively suppressed by the restricting part 17 while avoiding the restricting part 17 colliding with the spout B11.

In the example shown in FIG. 2, two annular position regulating portions 28 are fixed to the delivery rotation shaft 24 and protrude from the delivery rotation shaft 24 in the radial direction. The restriction portion 17 is supported by a portion of the delivery rotation shaft 24 between the two position restriction portions 28 . Movement of the restriction portion 17 in the width direction D2 is restricted by two position restriction portions 28. The support shaft 25 may support the restricting portion 17 so as to be movable in the width direction D2, or may support the restricting portion 17 fixedly and not allow the restricting portion 17 to move in the width direction D2. .

FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically showing an example of the bag supply device 10.

In FIG. 3, elements that are the same as or similar to those shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. Part of the bag supply device 10 shown in FIG. 3 is omitted. Furthermore, the bag feeding device 10 shown in FIG. 3 does not necessarily match the bag feeding device 10 shown in FIG. 1 and the bag feeding device 10 shown in FIG. 2. For example, the delivery portions 12 shown in FIG. 3 (for example, the number of delivery portions 12, the shape and size of the rotating body portion 12a, and the number of claw portions 12b) do not match the delivery portion 12 shown in FIG. Moreover, the take-out part 13 shown in FIG. 3 (for example, the shape and size of the suction part 13a) does not match the take-out part 13 shown in FIG.

In the example shown in FIG. 3, a drive rotary body 26 is fixed to one end of the delivery rotation shaft 24, and the delivery rotation shaft 24 rotates integrally with the drive rotation body 26. A drive belt 27 is stretched around the drive rotor 26, and the drive rotor 26 is rotated as the drive belt 27 runs. The drive belt 27 is driven by a delivery drive section (see FIG. 4 described below) and runs. Therefore, when the delivery drive section causes the drive belt 27 to run, the delivery section 12 attached to the delivery rotation shaft 24 rotates around the delivery rotation shaft 24 .

A bag separating section 18 for sending out bags one by one toward the downstream side in the transport direction D1 is provided upstream of the delivery section 12 located at the delivery position P11 in the transport direction D1. The bag separating section 18 shown in FIG. 3 includes two separating rollers 18a located directly above the conveyor belt 11b. By actively rotating these separation rollers 18a by the separation drive unit 52, one bag placed on the conveyor belt 11b and in contact with the separation roller 18a is sent out in the conveyance direction D1. In this way, even if a plurality of bags are stacked on top of each other and placed on the conveyor belt 11b, the bags can be sent out one by one from the bag separation section 18 toward the delivery section 12.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a control configuration of the bag supply device 10.

The bag supply device 10 includes a control device 50 that controls various devices included in the bag supply device 10. The control device 50 is connected to, for example, a bag tip detection sensor 15, a separation position detection sensor 41, a conveyor drive section 51, a separation drive section 52, a delivery drive section 53, a swing drive section 54, and a take-out drive section 55. .

The bag tip detection sensor 15 detects the presence or absence of the bag B in the take-out area as described above, and transmits the detection result to the control device 50. The bag tip detection sensor 15 can be configured by any sensor, and for example, the bag tip detection sensor 15 can be configured by an optical sensor.

The separation position detection sensor 41 detects whether the bag B on the conveyor belt 11b is in a state suitable for being sent out by the bag separation unit 18, and transmits the detection result to the control device 50. The separation position detection sensor 41 may, for example, directly or indirectly detect whether the bag B to be sent out (e.g., the bag B at the top position on the conveyor belt 11b) is in contact with the bag separation unit 18 (particularly the separation roller 18a) in a state suitable for being sent out.

In the bag supply device 10 shown in FIG. 3, for example, the conveyor belt 11b conveys a plurality of bags B in the conveyance direction D1, and two or more bags B overlap each other between the separation roller 18a and the conveyor belt 11b. It can be placed simultaneously. In this case, the separation position detection sensor 41 can be configured by a sensor that directly or indirectly detects the number of bags B placed between the separation roller 18a and the conveyor belt 11b. When an appropriate number of bags B are arranged between the separation roller 18a and the conveyor belt 11b, the bags B to be sent out come into contact with the separation roller 18a in a state suitable for sending out. On the other hand, if the number of bags B arranged between the separation roller 18a and the conveyor belt 11b is less than the appropriate number, the bags B to be sent out will be separated from the separation roller 18a, and the separation roller 18a will send out the bags B. I can't. If the number of bags B arranged between the separation roller 18a and the conveyor belt 11b is larger than the appropriate number, a large number of bags B will be jammed between the separation roller 18a and the conveyor belt 11b, and the separation roller 18a will not be able to send out the bags. The target bag B cannot be sent out properly.

As the number of bags B arranged between the separation roller 18a and the conveyor belt 11b increases, the bags B are located at the uppermost position in the overlapping direction between the separation roller 18a and the conveyor belt 11b and at the top in the conveyance direction D1. The slope of bag B gradually increases. Based on this phenomenon, as an example, the separation position detection sensor 41 detects the inclination of the bag B that is located at the uppermost position in the overlapping direction between the separation roller 18a and the conveyor belt 11b and at the top in the conveyance direction D1. You can.

For example, the separation position detection sensor 41 measures the inclination of the detection object placed on the bag B, which is located at the uppermost position in the overlapping direction between the separation roller 18a and the conveyor belt 11b and at the top in the conveyance direction D1. Good too. If the inclination of the detected object measured in this way is included in the optimum inclination range corresponding to an appropriate number of bags B, the bags B on the conveyor belt 11b are in a state suitable for being sent out by the bag separation unit 18. It is thought that it has been placed. On the other hand, if the measured inclination of the detection object is smaller than the optimum inclination range, it is considered that an insufficient number of bags B are arranged between the separation roller 18a and the conveyor belt 11b. Furthermore, if the measured inclination of the object to be detected is larger than the optimum inclination range, it is considered that an excessive number of bags B are arranged between the separation roller 18a and the conveyor belt 11b.

The conveyor drive unit 51 drives the conveyor 11 under the control of the control device 50 to transport the bags B in the transport direction D1. In the example shown in FIG. 1 and the example shown in FIG. 3, the conveyor drive unit 51 includes a power generation device that rotates the conveyor roller 11a.

For example, the conveyor drive unit 51 may rotate the conveyor roller 11a intermittently and cause the conveyor belt 11b to intermittently travel in the conveyance direction D1. The control device 50 can control the conveyor drive section 51 based on the detection result of the separation position detection sensor 41. For example, while the bag B on the conveyor belt 11b is not placed in a state suitable for being sent out by the bag separation section 18 (for example, while the measured inclination of the detection object is smaller than the optimum inclination range), the control device 50 The drive unit 51 may be controlled to keep the conveyor belt 11b running intermittently in the conveyance direction D1. On the other hand, while the bags B on the conveyor belt 11b are placed in a state suitable for being sent out by the bag separating section 18 (for example, while the measured inclination of the detection object is within the optimum inclination range), the control device 50 drives the conveyor. The supply of new bags B to the bag separation section 18 may be stopped by controlling the section 51 to stop power transmission from the conveyor drive section 51 to the conveyor 11.

The separation drive unit 52 drives the bag separation unit 18 under the control of the control device 50, and sends out the bag B from the bag separation unit 18 toward the sending unit 12. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the separation drive unit 52 includes a motor that transmits power to the bag separation unit 18 via a belt.

For example, the separation drive section 52 drives the bag separation section 18 based on the detection result of the bag tip detection sensor 15. While the bag tip detection sensor 15 detects the presence of the bag B in the take-out area (that is, the area between the delivery section 12 and the stopper 14 arranged at the delivery position), the control device 50 controls the separation drive section. 52 may be controlled to stop the operation of the bag separation section 18 (particularly the separation roller 18a) so that new bags B are not sent to the delivery section 12. On the other hand, when the bag tip detection sensor 15 detects that the bag B does not exist in the take-out area, the control device 50 controls the separation drive section 52 to separate the bags so that a new bag B is sent to the delivery section 12. The section 18 (particularly the separation roller 18a) may be operated.

For example, while the bag tip detection sensor 15 does not detect that the bag B does not exist in the take-out area, the control device 50 separates the bags so that the bag separating unit 18 intermittently sends out the bags B one after another at a constant rhythm. The drive unit 52 may also be controlled. On the other hand, while the bag tip detection sensor 15 detects that the bag B exists in the take-out area, the control device 50 controls the separation drive unit 52 so that the bag separation unit 18 does not send out the bag B. good.

The output drive unit 53 drives the output unit 12 under the control of the control device 50. In the example shown in FIG. 1 and the example shown in FIG. 3, the output drive unit 53 includes a power generating device that rotates the output rotation shaft 24.

For example, the control device 50 controls the delivery drive section 53 based on the detection result of the bag tip detection sensor 15. While the bag tip detection sensor 15 detects that the bag B is present in the take-out area, the control device 50 controls the delivery drive unit 53 to prevent the delivery unit 12 from sending a new bag B to the take-out area. The rotation may be stopped. On the other hand, while the bag tip detection sensor 15 detects that the bag B does not exist in the take-out area, the control device 50 may control the delivery drive unit 53 to rotate the delivery unit 12.

Note that the delivery drive section 53 may continue to rotate the delivery section 12 regardless of the detection result of the bag tip detection sensor 15.

The swing drive unit 54 swings the swing lever 22 under the control of the control device 50 . In the example shown in FIG. 1 and the example shown in FIG. 3, the swing drive unit 54 includes a power generating device that rotates the lever rotating shaft 23 in forward and reverse directions. The swing drive unit 54 may swing the swing lever 22 based on the detection result of the bag tip detection sensor 15, or may swing the swing lever 22 at a constant rhythm.

While the bag tip detection sensor 15 detects the presence of the bag B in the take-out area, the control device 50 controls the swing drive unit 54 to move the swing lever 22 to the first swing position (see FIG. 3). It may also be positioned at the swing lever 22 (see double-dashed line). As a result, the delivery section 12 is placed at the retracted position P12, and the restriction section 17 is placed at the non-restriction position P22. On the other hand, while the bag tip detection sensor 15 detects that the bag B does not exist in the take-out area, the control device 50 controls the swing drive unit 54 to move the swing lever 22 to the second swing position (see Fig. (See the swinging lever 22 indicated by the solid line at No. 3). As a result, the delivery section 12 is placed at the delivery position P11, and the restriction section 17 is placed at the restriction position P21. Alternatively, the swing drive unit 54 may repeatedly position the swing lever 22 at the first swing position and the second swing position at a constant rhythm regardless of the detection result of the bag tip detection sensor 15.

The take-out drive unit 55 drives the take-out part 13 to move under the control of the control device 50, and places the take-out part 13 at the take-out position P31 and the transfer position P32. For example, while the delivery section 12 is placed at the delivery position P11 and/or while the restriction section 17 is placed at the restriction position P21, the control device 50 controls the takeout drive section 55 to move the takeout section 13. It may be placed at position P32. On the other hand, in a state where the delivery section 12 is placed at the retracted position P12 and the restriction section 17 is placed at the non-restriction position P22, the control device 50 controls the takeout drive section 55 to move the takeout section 13 to the takeout position P31. May be placed.

The specific configurations of the above-mentioned conveyor drive unit 51, separation drive unit 52, delivery drive unit 53, swing drive unit 54, and takeout drive unit 55 are not limited, and may include a power generating device such as a motor. Two or more of these drives may include a common drive device. Although not shown in the figure, two cams are fixed to the drive shaft of a single motor, and a drive system that operates according to the rotation of each cam (for example, a rolling roller that rolls on the side of the cam and a rolling roller) Each of the swing drive section 54 and the take-out drive section 55 may have a drive system including a fixed swing body. In this case, the swing drive section 54 and the take-out drive section 55 are driven by a common drive source (ie, a single motor).

Next, an example of the operation of the bag supply device 10 (ie, a bag supply method) will be described. The bag supply method described below is performed by appropriately controlling various devices included in the bag supply device 10 by the control device 50.

5 to 9 are diagrams showing operational examples of the bag supply device 10 equipped with the restriction section 17. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the operation of the bag supply device 10 that does not include the restriction section 17. The bag supply device 10 shown in FIGS. 5 to 9 has the same configuration as the bag supply device 10 shown in FIG. 1. Note that in FIGS. 5 to 9, illustration of the side guide 21 is omitted. Further, the bag supply device 10 shown in FIGS. 5 to 9 includes a bag separation section 18 (see FIG. 3), but the bag separation section 18 is not shown in FIGS. 5 to 9.

As shown in FIG. 5, when the delivery section 12 is placed at the delivery position P11, the restriction section 17 is placed at the restriction position P21, and the take-out section 13 is placed at the transfer position P32, the bags are separated by the bag separation section 18. B is sent out toward the sending section 12. At this time, the bag B may be sent out with the leading portion B1 lifted off the conveyor belt 11b, as shown in FIG.

In this case, the leading portion B1 of the bag B contacts the restricting slope 17a of the restricting portion 17 and is directed downward, as shown in FIG. Then, as the bag B advances in the conveyance direction D1, the leading portion B1 of the bag B is guided by the restricting slope 17a into the space between the restricting part 17 and the conveyor belt 11b, and the rotating claw part 12b from above against the conveyor belt 11b (see FIG. 7).

Then, the bag B is further sent out in the conveyance direction D1 by the rotating delivery section 12, and the leading portion B1 is pressed against the stopper 14. As a result, bag B is placed in the take-out area.

With the bag B placed in the take-out area, the claw portion 12b of the delivery section 12 may be rotating or may stop rotating. For example, if the rigidity of the bag B is sufficiently high, even if the delivery section 12 rotates and continuously presses the bag B against the stopper 14, excessive bending or creases will not occur in the bag B.

When the claw portion 12b of the sending unit 12 stops rotating while the bag B is placed in the removal area, the bag B is placed in an appropriate state in the removal area. When the sending unit 12 stops rotating, the sending unit 12 may be placed in a state in which it is free to rotate in the forward direction. In this case, it is possible to effectively prevent the sending unit 12 from exerting excessive force on the bag B placed in the removal area.

When the bag B is placed in the removal area, the delivery section 12 is placed in the retracted position P12, the limiting section 17 is placed in the non-limiting position P22, and the removal section 13 is placed in the removal position P31 (see FIG. 8). As a result, the bag B placed in the removal area is adsorbed and held by the suction section 13a of the removal section 13.

In this example, while the delivery unit 12 is placed at the delivery position P11, the take-out unit 13 is moved from the transfer position P32 and placed at the take-out position P31. That is, the bag B positioned in the take-out area is held by the take-out part 13 while being sandwiched between the upper surface of the support body 16, each of the three conveyor belts 11b, and the delivery part 12. Thereby, a desired location of the bag B can be held with high positional accuracy by the take-out part 13 while the bag B is prevented from shifting by the delivery part 12 and the like. Thereafter, with the take-out section 13 holding the bag B, the delivery section 12 and the restriction section 17 are moved from the delivery position P11 and the restriction position P21 and are placed in the retracted position P12 and the non-restriction position P22.

The part of the bag B that will be held by the take-out part 13 is not limited. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the take-out unit 13 located at the take-out position P31 overlaps the delivery unit 12 located at the delivery position P11 and the restriction unit 17 located at the restriction position P21 in the transport direction D1; They do not overlap in the width direction D2 (direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 8).

Note that the take-out unit 13 located at the take-out position P31 is in contact with the delivery unit 12 located at the delivery position P11 and the restriction unit 17 located at the restriction position P21 in both the transport direction D1 and the width direction D2. May overlap. In this case, for example, after the delivery section 12 and the restriction section 17 have retreated from the delivery position P11 and the restriction position P21 (that is, after the swing lever 22 has been placed at the first swing position), the take-out section 13 is moved to the take-out position P31. may be placed in Thereby, collision between the take-out section 13 and each of the delivery section 12 and the restriction section 17 can be avoided.

Thereafter, the take-out section 13 moves from the take-out position P31 to the transfer position P32 while holding the bag B (see FIG. 9). In order to prevent a collision between the take-out part 13 and each of the delivery part 12 and the restriction part 17, after the take-out part 13 retreats from the take-out position P31, the delivery part 12 is placed at the delivery position P11, and the restriction part 17 is placed in the restriction position. It is located at P21. That is, while the take-out part 13 moves from the take-out position P31 to the transfer position P32 while holding the bag B, the swing lever 22 is placed in the first swing position, the delivery part 12 is placed in the retracted position P12, and the restriction part 17 is placed at the non-restricted position P22.

When the removal unit 13 is positioned at the transfer position P32 while holding the bag B, the bag B is positioned (i.e., the transfer position) for being handed over to a downstream device (not shown). Then, at the transfer position, the bag B is handed over from the removal unit 13 to the downstream device (e.g., a gripper).

The swing lever 22 is then swung to the second swing position, the delivery section 12 is placed at the delivery position P11, and the restriction section 17 is placed at the restriction position P21. Thereby, the bag supply device 10 returns to the state shown in FIG. 5.

Then, a new bag B is sent out from the bag separation section 18 toward the delivery section 12, and the bag supply device 10 repeatedly performs the above-described operation (see FIGS. 5 to 9).

As explained above, the above-mentioned bag supply device 10 includes a mounting section (conveyor 11 and support body 16) that supports the bag B from below so as to be movable in the transport direction D1, and a transport section that transports the bag B in the transport direction D1. (conveyor 11 and bag separating section 18), a delivery position P11 that is relatively close to the loading section (conveyor belt 11b), and a retreat position that is relatively far from the loading section (conveyor belt 11b). A delivery section 12 that can be arranged at a delivery position P12, in which the delivery section 12 arranged at a delivery position P11 sends out a bag B on a placing part (conveyor belt 11b) and positions it in a take-out area. , a restriction that can be placed in a restriction position P21 that is relatively close to the placement part (conveyor belt 11b) and a non-restriction position P22 that is relatively far from the placement part (conveyor belt 11b). While the restriction part 17 disposed at the restriction position P21 prevents the bag B from rising from the placement part (conveyor belt 11b), the conveyance part (bag separation part 18) sends out the bag B. The restriction part 17 is sent toward the delivery part 12 located at position P11, the take-out position P31 is a position relatively close to the placing part (conveyor belt 11b), and from the placing part (conveyor belt 11b). A take-out part 13 is disposed so as to be placed at a transfer position P32, which is a relatively distant position, and the take-out part 13 located at the take-out position P31 holds the bag B positioned in the take-out area; The apparatus includes a take-out part 13 that moves from a take-out position P31 to a transfer position P32 while holding the bag B in a state in which the delivery part 12 is disposed at a retracted position P12.

According to the bag feeding device 10, the bag B can be delivered to the delivery section 12 while the restricting section 17 suppresses the lifting of the bag B (for example, the leading portion B1). Therefore, the bag B can be appropriately sent out by the delivery section 12 while preventing the bag B from being unintentionally folded back or leaving fold marks on the bag B at the delivery section 12.

If the limiting section 17 is not provided (see FIG. 10), when the bag B is sent to the delivery section 12 with the leading portion B1 of the bag B raised, there is a concern that the leading portion B1 may unintentionally ride up onto the delivery section 12 or that the leading portion B1 may be folded in an unexpected direction by the delivery section 12. If the leading portion B1 of the bag B is in the state shown in FIG. 10, and the delivery section 12 rotates further, there is a possibility that the bag B may be creased. The bag B with the creases not only loses its aesthetic appearance, but may also cause unexpected problems in the subsequent stages. On the other hand, the bag supplying device 10 of the present embodiment described above (see FIG. 5 to FIG. 9) can prevent such creases from being added to the bag B, and can supply the bag B with excellent aesthetics to the subsequent stages, thereby preventing problems in the subsequent stages.

Further, the restriction section 17 is attached to the delivery section 12 so as to move integrally with the delivery section 12, and when the delivery section 12 is placed at the delivery position P11, the restriction section 17 is placed at the restriction position P21. Then, by disposing the delivery section 12 at the retracted position P12, the restriction section 17 is disposed at the non-restriction position P22.

Thereby, the arrangement positions of the delivery section 12 and the restriction section 17 can be reliably and appropriately linked, and a drive system for movement of the delivery section 12 and the restriction section 17 can be shared.

Further, the restriction part 17 has a restriction slope 17a, and in a state where the restriction part 17 is disposed at the restriction position P21, the restriction slope 17a is located directly above the placing part (conveyor belt 11b) in the conveying direction D1. The bag B gradually approaches the placing section (conveyor belt 11b) along the line 11 and prevents the bag B from floating up from the placing section (conveyor belt 11b).

Such a limiting inclined surface 17a can gradually reduce the lifting of the bag B. Therefore, even if the bag B is lifted up a lot, it is possible to appropriately suppress the lifting up of the bag B by the restricting portion 17 (particularly the restricting inclined surface 17a).

Further, the delivery section 12 includes a rotating main body section 12a that rotates, and a plurality of flexible claw sections 12b that protrude from the periphery of the rotating main body section 12a. By rotating the rotating main body part 12a while pressing one or more of the plurality of claw parts 12b against the bag B on the placing part (conveyor belt 11b), the bag B is directed toward the removal area. send out.

With the delivery section 12 having such a structure, the bag B can be appropriately delivered toward the removal area. In particular, since the claw portion 12b can be pressed against the bag B on the placement portion (conveyor belt 11b) while being bent, an appropriate force can be applied to the bag B to send the bag B toward the removal area. I can do it.

The bag supply device 10 also includes a stopper 14, and the sending section 12, which is positioned at the sending position P11, presses the sent bag B against the stopper 14 to position the bag B in the removal area.

In this way, by abutting the leading portion B1 of the bag B against the stopper 14, the bag B can be positioned accurately in the removal area, and the bag B can be prevented from shifting out of position or bending.

Further, the conveying section that conveys the bags B has a bag separating section 18, and a plurality of bags are stacked one on top of the other so that the bag B located higher in the stacking direction is positioned closer to the front side in the conveying direction D1. B is placed on the conveyor belt 11b (placing section), and the bag separating section 18 separates the bag B located highest in the stacking direction among the plurality of bags B on the conveyor belt 11b (placing section) from the other bags. It is separated from the bag B and sent out toward the sending unit 12 located at the sending position P11.

Thereby, a plurality of bags B can be continuously sent out toward the sending unit 12, and the efficiency of supplying the bags B to the subsequent device can be improved.

[Modification]
In the above embodiment, the limiting unit 17 comes into physical contact with the floated bag B to prevent the bag B from floating up, but any method can be used to prevent the bag B from floating up. For example, the limiting unit 17 may prevent the bag B from floating up by blowing air onto the bag B from above. Furthermore, the limiting unit 17 may prevent the bag B from floating up by blowing air onto the bag B while coming into physical contact with the floated bag B from above.

In the embodiment described above, there are two positions: a standby position where the takeout unit 13 does not hold the bag B (see FIGS. 5 to 7), and a position where the takeout unit 13 holds the bag B and places the bag B in the delivery position. The positions for transferring (see FIG. 9) are the same position (that is, the transfer position P32), but may be different positions.

As described above, the bag B may be sent directly from the bag separation section 18 to the sending section 12, or may be sent from the bag separation section 18 to a conveying device (e.g., a conveyor belt, etc.) and then sent to the sending section 12 by the conveying device.

In the embodiment described above, the conveyor 11 (particularly the conveyor belt 11b) functions as the placing section and the conveying section, but the placing section and the conveying section may be realized by separate devices.

The take-out position P31 may be a position where the take-out section 13 arranged at the take-out position P31 does not physically interfere with the send-out section 12 arranged at the send-out position P11 and the restriction section 17 arranged at the restriction position P21. In this case, regardless of the movement timing of the take-out section 13, the send-out section 12, and the restriction section 17, the take-out section 13, the send-out section 12, and the restriction section 17 can be moved while avoiding collision between the take-out section 13 and each of the send-out section 12 and the restriction section 17.

In the above embodiment, the limiting unit 17 is attached to the delivery unit 12 via the support shaft 25, the swing lever 22, and the delivery rotation shaft 24, but the limiting unit 17 and the delivery unit 12 may be separate from each other. In this case, the drive system that moves the limiting unit 17 and the drive system that moves the delivery unit 12 may be configured by separate devices.

The present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments and variations described above. For example, various modifications may be made to each element of the above-described embodiments and modifications. Moreover, the configurations of the above-described embodiments and modifications may be combined in whole or in part.

Reference Signs List 10 bag supply device, 11 conveyor, 11a conveyor roller, 11b conveyor belt, 12 delivery section, 12a rotating main body section, 12b claw section, 13 take-out section, 13a suction section, 14 stopper, 15 bag tip detection sensor, 16 support body, 17 Restriction part, 17a Restriction slope, 18 Bag separation part, 18a Separation roller, 21 Side guide, 22 Swing lever, 23 Lever rotation shaft, 24 Delivery rotation shaft, 25 Support shaft, 26 Drive rotation body, 27 Drive belt, 28 Position regulation unit, 41 Separation position detection sensor, 50 Control device, 51 Conveyor drive unit, 52 Separation drive unit, 53 Delivery drive unit, 54 Swing drive unit, 55 Takeout drive unit, B Bag, B1 Top side portion, B2 Seal part, B10 bag body, B11 spout, D1 conveyance direction, D2 width direction, P11 delivery position, P12 retreat position, P21 restriction position, P22 non-restriction position, P31 take-out position, P32 transfer position, R take-out area

Claims (5)

a mounting unit that supports a bag having a bag body and a fixture attached to the bag body from below so as to be movable in a conveyance direction;
a conveyance unit that conveys the bag in the conveyance direction;
A delivery part that is arranged so as to be placed at a delivery position that is relatively close to the placement part and a retracted position that is relatively far from the delivery part, the delivery part being arranged at the delivery position. a delivery unit, the delivery unit delivers the bag on the placement unit and positions it in a take-out area;
A restriction part that can be placed in a restriction position that is relatively close to the placement part and a non-restriction position that is relatively far from the placement part, the restriction part being disposed in the restriction position. a limiting section in which the conveying section sends the bag toward the delivery section disposed at the delivery position while the limiting section suppresses lifting of the bag from the placement section;
A take-out part that can be placed at a take-out position that is relatively close to the placing part and a transfer position that is relatively far from the put-up part, the take-out part being disposed at the take-out position. The take-out part holds the bag positioned in the take-out area, and the take-out part moves from the take-out position to the transfer position while holding the bag with the delivery part placed in the retracted position. and a take-out part;
The restriction portion has a restriction slope,
In a state in which the restriction part is disposed at the restriction position , the restriction part is located directly above the fitting or a portion of the bag near the fitting, and the restriction slope is located at the position of the bag. directly above the storage section, gradually approaching the storage section along the conveyance direction to prevent the bag from lifting up from the storage section,
The sending unit sends out the bag toward the take-out area while contacting a portion of the bag on the placement unit whose lifting is suppressed by the limiting slope.
Bag feeding device. The restriction part is attached to the delivery part so as to move integrally with the delivery part,
The delivery unit is placed at the delivery position, so that the restriction unit is placed at the restriction position,
The bag feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the restriction portion is placed in the non-restriction position when the delivery portion is placed in the retracted position. The sending unit includes:
A rotating main body that rotates;
a plurality of flexible claws protruding from the periphery of the rotating main body;
The delivery unit disposed at the delivery position rotates the rotary main body while pressing one or more of the plurality of claws against the bag on the placement unit, thereby removing the bag. The bag feeding device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the bag feeding device feeds the bag toward the take-out area. Equipped with a stopper,
The bag supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the delivery unit located at the delivery position positions the delivered bag in the take-out area by pressing the delivered bag against the stopper. The conveyance section has a bag separation section,
A plurality of bags are stacked on top of each other such that the bags located on the upper side in the stacking direction are located on the leading side in the transport direction, and
The bag separation unit separates the bag located at the top in the stacking direction among the plurality of bags on the placement unit from the other bags, and the delivery unit is arranged at the delivery position. The bag feeding device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which feeds the bag toward.

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