JP7823906B2 - Packaging material connection device - Google Patents

Description

Patent Law Article 30, Paragraph 2 applies. Exhibition name: Fuji Communication Plaza 2023 Date: May 17th to May 19th, 2023

The present invention relates to a packaging material connecting device that connects packaging material pulled out from two rolls of raw material used in a packaging machine.

Conventionally, packaging machines that unwind a strip of film from a roll of packaging film and form it into film to package items are equipped with a film splicing device that connects the film from the roll of film currently being used that is being fed toward the packaging machine to the film from a new roll of film that has been set up for replacement. Film splicing devices are known to use a variety of methods to connect the beginning of the film being unwound from the roll of film currently being used to the beginning of the film from the new roll of film when the remaining amount of film on the roll of film currently being used is low, when switching the type of packaged item, etc.

However, when using a laminated film in which the sealant layer is exposed only on the back side of the film, even if two new and old films are stacked together with their surface layers facing the same side, the surface layer will be present between the two films, blocking them from each other. As a result, even if the area where the two films overlap is heated, it is not possible to weld one sealant layer to the other. Therefore, as a method of connecting such laminated films, Patent Document 1, for example, discloses a technique in which the new and old films are joined together with tape or the like.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 58-109347

However, when using tape to connect the old and new films, it is necessary to peel off the backing attached to the adhesive surface of the tape, which poses the risk of the backing being mixed into the packaged product as a foreign object.

The objective of the present invention is to provide a packaging material connection device that can prevent foreign objects from being mixed into packaged products.

In order to solve the above problems, the packaging material connecting device of the present invention takes the following measures. First, the invention of claim 1 is a packaging material connecting device for connecting laminated packaging materials (F1, F2) having at least a surface layer (1a, 2a) made of a base substrate and an innermost layer made of a sealant substrate (1b, 2b), and the sealant substrate (1b) at the rear end (Fe) of the strip-shaped first packaging material (F1) unwound from a first raw roll (R1) in use around which the laminated packaging material (F1) is wound, and the rear end (Fe) of a spare second raw roll (R1) around which the laminated packaging material (F2) is wound. The laminated packaging material (F1, F2) is provided with a packaging material connecting portion (30) that connects the sealant substrate (2b) at a starting end (Fs) of a strip-shaped second packaging material (F2) drawn out from a roll (R2), and one of the rear end (Fe) of the first packaging material (F1) and the starting end (Fs) of the second packaging material (F2) has a hole (5) that penetrates in the thickness direction of the laminated packaging material (F1, F2), and the sealant substrates (1b, 2b) on the front end (3b) side of the hole (5) extend from the hole (5) to the surface layer (1a). The packaging material connection portion (30) has a folded portion (3) folded back so as to expose the surface layer (1a, 2a) side from one of the holes (5), and the sealant substrate (1b, 2b) at the folded portion (3) exposed to the surface layer (1a, 2a) side from one of the holes (5) and the other sealant substrate (1b, 2b) at the rear end (Fe) of the first packaging material (F1) or the start end (Fs) of the second packaging material (F2) face each other across the hole (5). The device is characterized by comprising a holding portion (35) that holds the rear end portion (Fe) and the starting end portion (Fs) of the second packaging material (F2), and a sealing body (34) that can contact and separate from the packaging position where the sealant substrates (1b, 2b) face each other across the hole (5), and the sealing body (34) presses against the packaging position, thereby joining the sealant substrates (1b, 2b) that face each other via the hole (5), forming sealing portions (34, 37).

According to the invention of claim 1, either the rear end (Fe) of the first packaging material (F1) drawn from the first raw roll (R1) in use or the starting end (Fs) of the second packaging material (F2) drawn from the spare second raw roll (R2) has a folded portion (3) folded back at the leading end (3b) side so that the sealant substrates (1b, 2b) face each other. The rear end (Fe) of the first packaging material (F1) or the starting end (Fs) of the second packaging material (F2) has a hole (5) formed at an arbitrary location on the raw roll (R1, R2) side from the folding position (3a) of the folded portion (3). The hole (5) is formed so that the sealant substrates (1b, 2b) between the folding position (3a) of the folded portion (3) and the leading end (3b) of the packaging material (F1, F2) are visible through the hole (5) toward the surface layer (1a, 2a). In the holding section (35), the rear end (Fe) of the first packaging material (F1) and the starting end (Fs) of the second packaging material (F2) are arranged to overlap with the hole (5) positioned on the inside. This causes the sealant substrates (1b, 2b) of the rear end (Fe) of the first packaging material (F1) and the starting end (Fs) of the second packaging material (F2) to face each other across the hole (5). Then, the sealing body (34) presses the packaging material position where the hole (5) is formed, thereby joining the sealant substrates (1b, 2b) of the first packaging material (F1) and the second packaging material (F2) to each other via the hole (5). Therefore, the rear end (Fe) of the strip-shaped first packaging material (F1) unwound from the first web roll (R1) in use and the starting end (Fs) of the strip-shaped second packaging material (F2) unwound from the spare second web roll (R2) can be connected without using tape or the like. This makes it possible to provide a packaging material connection device that prevents foreign objects from getting into packaged products.

Next, the invention according to claim 2, which is dependent on claim 1, is characterized in that the folded portion (3) and the hole (5) are formed at the starting end (Fs) of the second packaging material (F2).

According to the invention of claim 2, the folded portion (3) and hole (5) for connecting the laminated packaging materials (F1, F2) are formed at the starting end (Fs) of the second packaging material (F2). This allows the folded portion (3) and hole (5) to be formed at the starting end (Fs) of the second packaging material (F2) in parallel, for example, while the first raw web roll (R1) is still in use. Furthermore, the folded portion (3) and hole (5) can be formed in advance before the second raw web roll (R2) is installed. Therefore, productivity declines can be suppressed compared to when the folded portion (3) and hole (5) are formed at the rear end (Fe) of the first raw web roll (R1).

Next, the invention according to claim 3, which is dependent on claim 2, is characterized in that a hole forming section (20) that forms the hole (5) in the starting end (Fs) of the second packaging material (F2) is disposed between the position where the second raw web roll (R2) is disposed and the position where the packaging material connecting section (30) is disposed.

According to the invention of claim 3, after the second raw web roll (R2) is placed in a predetermined position, the starting end (Fs) of the second packaging material (F2) can be pulled out and transferred to the hole forming section (20), where a hole (5) can be formed in the starting end (Fs) of the second packaging material (F2). The starting end (Fs) of the second packaging material (F2) with the hole (5) formed therein is transferred to the packaging material connecting section (30) and connected to the rear end (Fe) of the first packaging material (F1). In other words, even if a second raw web roll (R2) is placed without holes (5) formed in the second packaging material (F2), the packaging material connecting device can form holes (5) in the starting end (Fs) of the second packaging material (F2) before transferring it to the packaging material connecting section (30).

Next, the invention of claim 4, which is dependent on any one of claims 1 to 3, is characterized in that either the rear end (Fe) of the first packaging material (F1) or the start end (Fs) of the second packaging material (F2) is folded back so that the sealant substrates (1b, 2b) on the tip side of the hole (5) are visible through the hole (5) toward the surface layer (1a, 2a), so that the sealant substrates (1b, 2b) face each other, and at least a portion of the opposing sealant substrates (1b, 2b) has a joint (6) joined by heating.

According to the invention of claim 4, the folded, opposing sealant substrates (1b, 2b) are joined together at least in some locations by heating. This fixes the position of the folding position (3a) of the folding portion (3), preventing the folded laminated packaging material (F1, F2) from opening or the laminated packaging material (F1, F2) from becoming misaligned. Furthermore, the folding portions (3) of the laminated packaging material (F1, F2) can be easily positioned when they are placed in the packaging connection portion (30).

Next, the invention according to claim 5, which is dependent on claim 4, is characterized in that the joint (6) is located closer to the folded position (3a) where the laminated packaging material (F1, F2) is folded back than the hole (5).

According to the invention of claim 5, the joint (6) is located closer to the folded position (3a) than the hole (5). By providing the joint (6) at a location closer to the folded position (3a) of the folded portion (3), it is possible to prevent the folded rear end (Fe) of the first packaging material (F1) or the starting end (Fs) of the second packaging material (F2) from expanding in the thickness direction toward the folded position (3a). This allows the opposing surfaces of the sealant substrates (1b, 2b) to be firmly overlapped at the location where the hole (5) of the folded portion (3) is formed.

The present invention provides a packaging material connection device that can prevent foreign objects from being mixed into packaged products.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing the packaging material connecting device and the film transfer path according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a front view showing the packaging material connecting device and the transfer robot according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a side view of a hole forming portion according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a plan view of a hole forming portion according to the embodiment. 3A and 3B are diagrams showing folded portions of a film according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a connection portion according to the embodiment. 10A and 10B are diagrams showing a process of transferring the leading end of the second film to a hole forming section by a hand section. 1A is a diagram showing a state in which the starting end of the second film is placed in the holding part of the hole forming unit, and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing a step in which a hole is formed in the starting end of the second film by rotating a first rotating part of the hole forming unit. 10A is a diagram showing a step of transferring the leading end of the second film to the connection unit by the hand unit, and FIG. 10B is a diagram showing a state in which the receiving base of the connection unit has been rotated. 1A is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the starting end of the second film is disposed in the connecting portion, and FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram showing a process in which the rear end of the first film and the starting end of the second film are connected.

This embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in Figure 1, the packaging material connecting device according to this embodiment is a film connecting device that connects old and new strips of film F1, F2 (laminated packaging material) that are pulled out from raw rolls R1, R2 and sent to a packaging machine.

The packaging machine according to this embodiment is a form-fill-seal device that produces pillow-packaged products by forming strip-shaped films F1, F2 fed from raw rolls R1, R2 into a cylindrical shape using a bag former 59, applying vertical seals along the film feed direction using a vertical sealing means (not shown) at the points where the left and right edge portions of the cylindrical films F1, F2 overlap, and applying horizontal seals along the left-right direction intersecting the film feed direction using a horizontal sealing means (not shown) at points in front and behind the articles contained in the cylindrical films F1, F2 in the film feed direction.

The films F1 and F2 (laminated packaging material) according to this embodiment are laminated films having a surface layer made of a base substrate and an innermost layer made of a sealant substrate. The raw roll R wound with the laminated film in use is referred to as the first raw roll R1, and the spare raw roll R is referred to as the second raw roll R2. As shown in FIG. 1 , the first raw roll R1 is disposed in one of the paper roll set sections 12 of the raw roll loading section 10 (described below). The first film F1 unwound from the first raw roll R1 is fed toward the bag former 59 of the packaging machine. The second raw roll R2 is disposed in the other paper roll set section 12 of the raw roll loading section 10. The second film F2 unwound from the second raw roll R2 is connected to the first film F1 by a connection section 30 (packaging material connection section) (described below). The first film F1 and the second film F2 are two-layer films, with surface layers 1a and 2a laminated on the front side and sealant layers 1b and 2b laminated on the back side, as shown in Figure 10.

Next, we will explain the film supply path that transports films F1 and F2 from the raw rolls R1 and R2 toward the bag former 59. As shown in FIG. 1, a raw roll loading unit 10 is located at the most upstream of the film supply path. A film splicing device is located near the raw roll loading unit 10. Downstream of the film splicing device on the film supply path are guide rollers 50 and 51 that wrap and guide films F1 and F2, and first payout rollers 52 and 53 and second payout rollers 55 and 56 that pay out films F1 and F2 toward the bag former 59. Step rollers 54a and 54b are located between the first payout rollers 52 and 53 and the second payout rollers 55 and 56. An approach angle adjustment unit 58 is located downstream of the second payout rollers 55 and 56.

The web roll loading unit 10 includes a rotor 11 that is rotated in response to commands from a packaging control unit (not shown) that controls the packaging operation of the packaging machine, and two paper roll set units 12 that extend forward from the rotor 11. In the web roll loading unit 10, each paper roll set unit 12 supports a first web roll R1 from which films F1 and F2 are fed toward the bag former 59, and a spare second web roll R2. The first web roll R1 and second web roll R2 are rotated by controlling the rotation of each paper roll set unit 12. A detector 13 is disposed above the rotor 11 to detect the leading ends Fs of the films F1 and F2.

The film splicing device includes film cutting units 15, 16 that cut the first film F1 delivered from the first web roll R1; a hole forming unit 20 that forms a connecting hole 5 (hole) in the starting end Fs of the second film F2; a splicing unit 30 that connects the trailing end Fe of the cut first film F1 to the starting end Fs of the second film F2; and a transfer robot 40 that suction-holds the starting end Fs of the second film F2 wound around the second web roll R2 and then transports the second film F2. A packaging control unit (not shown) issues drive commands to these units. Between the film cutting units 15, 16 and the splicing unit 30, a guide roller 17 and a suction unit 18 that suction-holds the cut first film F1 are located. The film cutting units 15, 16, suction unit 18, hole forming unit 20, splicing unit 30, and transfer robot 40 are all supported by the rear main frame.

The film cutting units 15, 16 each include a cutting blade housing 15 and a receiving unit 16. The cutting blade housing 15 is located in an upper position away from the film supply path. The cutting blade housing 15 is equipped with a cutting blade (not shown) whose length spans the films F1, F2 along the film width direction, which intersects with the film feed direction. The cutting blade can be moved back and forth between the upper position and the position of the first film F1 on the film supply path by a driving means such as a cylinder. The receiving units 16 are located on the rotating body 11 adjacent to the film rolls R1, R2 set in each paper roll setting unit 12. The receiving units 16 each include a recess (not shown) that receives the cutting blade and rollers (not shown) that feed the films F1, F2. The film cutting units 15 and 16 receive a film cutting command issued based on information from the packaging control unit indicating that the first film F1 on the first raw web roll R1 in use has run out or a raw web roll replacement command, and information on the film feed amount, and the drive means operates to cut the first film F1 on the first raw web roll R1 with the cutting blade.

The suction section 18 is a plate-shaped member extending in the film feed direction and has a suction surface that holds the films F1 and F2 by suction from the outer layers 1a and 2a. This allows the first film F1 to be fed toward the connection section 30 while holding the rear end Fe of the cut first film F1 so that it does not fall downward.

The hole forming unit 20 is provided between the position where the second raw web roll R2 is disposed and the position where the connection unit 30 is disposed. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the hole forming unit 20 includes a first holding unit 21 and first and second rotating units 23 and 24 supported by a sub-frame extending forward from the main frame. A first sealing unit 29 is disposed below the first holding unit 21.

The first holding section 21 is a housing equipped with suction means for sucking the second film F2. A suction device is disposed inside the housing. A plurality of film suction holes 25 are formed in the upper part of one vertical surface (right side surface) of the first holding section 21. The suction means is composed of the suction device and the film suction holes 25. In addition, a plurality of holes 26 aligned in a row in the depth direction are formed in the lower part of the one surface. The lower holes 26 function as a hole forming die for receiving a punch 27 (described later) to form connection holes 5 in the starting end Fs of the second film F2.

The first rotating unit 23 is a housing that is supported rotatably around a rotation axis 23a that is supported by the subframe 22. On one surface of the first rotating unit 23, multiple punches 27 are arranged in a row in the depth direction, and a first sealing block 28 is arranged parallel to the multiple punches 27. The first sealing block 28 is heated by a heating means such as a heater. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the surface of the first rotating unit 23 on which the punches 27 and first sealing block 28 are arranged normally faces upward. When the second film F2 is held by the first holding unit 21, the first rotating unit 23 rotates toward the first holding unit 21 and then returns to its original position.

The second rotating part 24 is a support plate that is rotatably supported around a rotation axis 24a supported by the subframe 22. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the second rotating part 24 normally faces upward. When the second film F2 is held by the first holding part 21, the second rotating part 24 rotates toward the first holding part 21 in synchronization with the rotation of the first rotating part 23 and then returns to its original position. When the second rotating part 24 rotates toward the first holding part 21, it clamps the folded-back starting end Fs (folded portion 3) of the second film F2 between the first sealing part 29 and the first sealing block 28 of the first rotating part 23, thereby forming a line seal. This forms the joint 6. At this time, each punch 27 of the first rotating part 23 enters the lower hole 26 (hole-forming die) in the first holding part 21, forming multiple circular connection holes 5 in the starting end Fs of the second film F2. Each punch 27 is heated by a heating means such as a heater, and the starting end Fs of the second film F2 is thermally melted to form each connection hole 5.

As shown in FIG. 5 , the starting end Fs of the second film F2 has a folded portion 3 and multiple connection holes 5 formed by the hole forming unit 20. The folded portion 3 is the region of the folded second film F2 from the folded position 3a toward the tip 3b. The sealant layer 2b in the folded portion 3 faces the sealant layer 2b on the second raw web roll R2 side of the folded position 3a. In the region of the second film F2 that overlaps with the folded portion 3 on the second raw web roll R2 side of the folded position 3a, multiple connection holes 5 are formed that penetrate the second film F2 in the thickness direction. The sealant layer 2b on the tip 3b side of the folded position 3a peeks out through the connection holes 5 toward the surface layer 2a. The location where the connection holes 5 are formed is the film position. Furthermore, a joint 6 is formed on the folded position 3a side, where the opposing sealant layers 2b are sealed in a linear manner along the width direction of the film F.

As shown in Figures 1 and 6, the connection section 30 comprises an upper support 31 disposed above the first film F1 on the connection film supply path, and a lower support 32 disposed below. The main bodies of the upper support 31 and lower support 32 are each cantilevered by a moving frame 33 disposed at the rear side of the upper support 31 and lower support 32.

The upper support 31 is equipped with a second sealing block 34 (sealing body) that can move up and down relative to the main body. The second sealing block 34 is moved by a driving means such as a cylinder. The second sealing block 34 can come into contact with and separate from the first film F1 at a position where it overlaps with the film position (packaging position) of the second film F2. The lower end of the second sealing block 34 is equipped with a heating surface that can be heated by a heating means such as a heater. As the second sealing block 34 moves downward, the heating surface comes into contact with the trailing end Fe of the first film F1 and the leading end Fs of the second film F2 that are overlapping on the film supply path, heating these films F1 and F2.

The lower support 32 includes a cradle 35 that can rotate relative to the main body. The cradle 35 is connected to a rotation shaft 35a via a support member and rotates around the rotation shaft 35a by a driving means such as a motor or cylinder. The cradle 35 has a flat surface 36 with suction holes 36a formed therein, and rotates so that the flat surface 36 faces the heating surface of the second seal block 34 and the first holding portion 21 of the hole forming unit 20. The cradle 35 is also connected to an air pipe 39 that passes through the rotation shaft 35a, and holds the starting end Fs of the second film F2 fed from the second web roll R2 by suction on the flat surface 36. The receiving base 35 functions as a second holding portion (holding portion) that holds the rear end Fe of the first film F1 and the starting end Fs of the second film F2, which are opposed across the connection hole 5, by the sealant layer 2b in the folded portion 3 seen from the connection hole 5 of the second film F2 toward the surface layer 2a, and the sealant layer 1b at the rear end Fe of the first film F1.

The receiving table 35 has a receiving surface 37 for sandwiching the first film F1 and the second film F2. The receiving surface 37 is a surface with a central portion of the flat surface 36 of the receiving table 35 recessed inward, and extends along the width direction of the films. When the flat surface 36 of the receiving table 35 is rotated to a position facing the second sealing block 34, the receiving surface 37 is positioned below the second sealing block 34. The heating surface and receiving surface 37 of the second sealing block 34 form a second sealing section that sandwiches the first film F1 and the second film F2. The second sealing section bonds the opposing sealant layers 1b and 2b via the connection hole 5 when the second sealing block 34 presses against the film position.

The moving frame 33 is configured to be able to move horizontally (left and right) along a pair of upper and lower guide rails 33a, 33b located at the rear. The moving frame 33 moves by a driving means (not shown) such as a motor or cylinder in response to commands from the packaging control unit. As the moving frame 33 moves horizontally, the upper support 31 and lower support 32 can also move horizontally together.

As shown in FIG. 2, the transfer robot 40 includes an indirectly connected arm 41 and a hand 42 mounted on the tip of the arm 41. A guide rail (not shown) extending laterally is provided on the main frame, and the arm 41 is supported by the guide rail so that it can move laterally. Upon receiving a drive command from the transfer robot control unit, the transfer robot 40 rotates the arm 41 to freely move the hand 42 to predetermined positions in the horizontal and vertical directions, and can also rotate the hand 42 at the tip of the arm 41 to change the orientation (angle) of the hand 42. The hand 42 includes a film holding means capable of suction-holding the leading ends Fs of the films F1 and F2. The hand 42 holds the leading end Fs of the second film F2 with the film holding means, with its longitudinal direction aligned with the width direction of the second film F2, and transports the held second film F2 to its respective working position.

The packaging control unit controls the drive means, such as the motors and cylinders mentioned above. The packaging control unit also issues drive commands using activation signals (pulses, etc.) from encoders or other devices attached to these drive means. The operation pattern of the transfer robot 40, such as the movement trajectory, position, and movement speed of the support surface of the hand unit 42, is preset in the transfer robot control unit via the operation panel before operation. The transfer robot control unit receives operation command information for the preset operation pattern from the packaging control unit and issues drive commands to the transfer robot 40. The support surface of the hand unit 42 moves along its movement path based on a series of film threading movements that were preset and stored before operation. The packaging control unit also receives information such as the angle and position of the arm of the transfer robot 40 and the position of the hand unit 42 through mutual communication with the transfer robot control unit, and controls the drive units that drive each roller.

As shown in FIG. 1, the first payout rollers 52, 53 comprise a pair of drive roller 52 and driven roller 53 extending in the width direction of the films F1, F2. The drive roller 52 and driven roller 53 are each supported by a support. When the drive roller 52 is driven to rotate upon receiving a drive command from the packaging control unit, the driven roller 53 rotates following the drive roller 52 while sandwiching the films F1, F2 between itself and the drive roller 52. With this configuration, the films F1, F2 are sandwiched from the front and back and fed toward the bag former 59. The driven roller 53 is configured to move vertically together with the support. As the driven roller 53 moves upward, a gap opens between the drive roller 52 and driven roller 53, allowing the films F1, F2 to be passed through from the front side, for example, by the hand unit 42 of the transfer robot 40.

The stepped rollers 54a, 54b are disposed between the first payout rollers 52, 53 and the second payout rollers 55, 56 and comprise multiple rollers that wrap and guide the films F1, F2. Specifically, the stepped rollers 54a, 54b comprise two fixed rollers 54a and three movable rollers 54b below them. The films F1, F2 are transported alternately via the movable rollers 54b and the fixed rollers 54a. As a result, if the amount of film supplied is insufficient due to film splicing operations upstream of the stepped rollers 54a, 54b in the film supply path, the movable rollers 54b move up and down to adjust the length of the transported films F1, F2. In other words, the stepped rollers 54a, 54b have a film storage function that compensates for the amount of film sent by the second payout rollers 55, 56 toward the bag former 59. This enables continuous packaging.

Like the first payout rollers 52 and 53, the second payout rollers 55 and 56 comprise a pair of drive roller 55 and driven roller 56 that extend in the width direction of the films F1 and F2. Upstream of the drive roller 55, a guide roller 57 that can wrap around and guide the films F1 and F2 is provided parallel to the drive roller 55. When the drive roller 55 is driven to rotate in response to a drive command from the packaging control unit, the driven roller 56 rotates following the drive roller 55, with the films F1 and F2 sandwiched between it and the drive roller 55. With this configuration, the films F1 and F2 pulled out from the stepped rollers 54a and 54b are sandwiched from both sides and fed toward the bag former 59.

The approach angle adjustment unit 58 is disposed downstream of the second payout rollers 55 and 56 and includes a guide roller 60 and a SCARA robot. The SCARA robot includes a first pivot arm 61 and a second pivot arm 62 that extend and rotate along the conveyance direction. The first pivot arm 61 and the second pivot arm 62 each rotate by the driving force of a servo motor (not shown), which is driven and controlled by the SCARA robot control unit upon receiving a drive command from the packaging control unit. Two guide rollers 63 and 64 are cantilevered on the second pivot arm 62 so as to extend in the depth direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction. One of these two guide rollers functions as an approach angle adjustment roller 64, which can adjust the angle at which the films F1 and F2 enter the bag former 59. Note that in this embodiment, the SCARA robot's servo motor (not shown) is rotated by a drive command issued by the SCARA robot control unit (not shown). However, the packaging control unit (not shown) may directly issue the drive command.

The bag former 59 is located downstream of the approach angle adjustment unit 58 and overlaps both side edges of the fed films F1 and F2 to form a tubular film. The bag former 59 is configured such that the upper part of the main body of the bag former 59 is moved by a driving means (not shown) to separate the main body of the bag former 59 into an upper and lower section, and the films F1 and F2 are passed between them by the transfer robot 40. The upper part of the main body of the bag former 59 is then returned to its original position, automatically setting the films F1 and F2 in the bag former 59; further details of this configuration will not be provided in this application.

Next, the process of connecting the films F1 and F2 will be described. As shown in Figure 1, a spare second raw roll R2, carried by a cart, is set on the holding shaft of the paper roll setting unit 12 by a robot (not shown). Once the second raw roll R2 has been set in the paper roll setting unit 12, its status is detected and a signal is sent to the packaging control unit. The holding shaft of the paper roll setting unit 12 receives a drive command from the packaging control unit and rotates. When the detector 13 detects the starting end Fs of the second film F2, the shaft rotates and stops so that the starting end Fs is positioned at a predetermined position. Based on the information about the detected starting end Fs, the hand unit 42 of the transfer robot 40 picks up the starting end Fs of the second film F2 and pulls out the strip-shaped second film F2 from the second raw roll R2.

As shown in Figure 7, the transfer robot 40 transfers the starting end Fs of the second film F2 to the first holding unit 21 while suction-holding the starting end Fs with the hand unit 42. At this time, the paper roll setting unit 12 holding the second raw roll R2 is rotated in the direction of unwinding the second film F2, and the hand unit 42 rotates around its axis to change the orientation of the support surface so that the second film F2 does not separate from the hand unit 42, transferring the starting end Fs of the second film F2.

As shown in Figure 8 (A), the hand unit 42 passes above the first holding unit 21 and wraps the second film F2 clockwise around the first holding unit 21 to secure it. This causes the second film F2 to be wrapped around the first holding unit 21 with the sealant layer 2b of the second film F2 facing inward. The hand unit 42 moves below the first holding unit 21 while smoothing out wrinkles in the second film F2 along the right side of the first holding unit 21. The starting end Fs of the second film F2 then contacts the left side of the first holding unit 21. At this time, the second film F2 is shifted below the first holding unit 21 and slackened to create a joint 6 near the folded position 3a of the folded portion 3. The second film F2 wrapped around the first holding unit 21 is adsorbed by the adsorption means. The hand unit 42 adsorbs and holds the starting end Fs by sandwiching the second film F2 between itself and the left side of the first holding unit 21.

As shown in Figure 8 (B), when the second film F2 is wrapped around the first holding unit 21, the first rotating unit 23 and the second rotating unit 24 rotate in response to a drive command based on the detection information. On the right side of the first holding unit 21, a connection hole 5 is opened by heater punching in the starting end Fs of the second film F2. On the underside of the first holding unit 21, a line seal is applied to the folded-back portion 3 where the starting end Fs is folded back. Specifically, the folded, opposing sealant layers 2b are sandwiched between the first seal block 28 and the first seal portion 29 on the folding position 3a side of the connection hole 5 and welded by heat, forming a joint 6. The first rotating unit 23 and the second rotating unit 24 rotate to return to their original positions. Then, the suction of the second film F2 by the hand unit 42 is released, and the first holding unit 21 continues to hold the starting end Fs of the second film F2, causing the folded portion 3 (starting end Fs) of the second film F2 to hang downward.

After releasing the suction on the second film F2 and moving away from the second film F2, the hand unit 42 moves to the right of the first holding unit 21 in the figure, then approaches the first holding unit 21 and suction-holds the starting end Fs of the second film F2, which is being held by the first holding unit 21. Then, as shown in FIG. 9A, the hand unit 42 transports the folded-back starting end Fs of the second film F2 to the connection unit 30. Specifically, the hand unit 42, which has suction-held the folded-back portion 3, moves and brings the folded-back portion 3 into contact with the receiving base 35 (second holding unit) facing the first holding unit 21 of the hole forming unit 20. The receiving base 35 suction-holds the folded-back portion 3 of the second film F2 on the flat surface 36 having the suction holes 36a. At this time, the connection hole 5 formed in the starting end Fs of the second film F2 is positioned facing the receiving surface 37 (see FIG. 6). The joining unit 6 is located above the connection hole 5.

As shown in Figure 9(B), when the receiving base 35 holds the starting end Fs of the second film F2 by suction, the receiving base 35 rotates so that the receiving surface 37 of the receiving base 35 faces the heated surface of the second sealing block 34. As shown in Figure 10(A), the connection hole 5 of the folded portion 3 is located directly below the second sealing block 34, and the folded portion 3 of the second film F2 is positioned so that the sealant layer 2b on the tip end 3b side located below it peeks out through the connection hole 5 toward the surface layer 2a. Furthermore, the first film F1 in use is transported between the folded portion 3 of the second film F2 and the second sealing block 34.

As shown in Figure 10(B), when the trailing end Fe of the first film F1, which has been cut by the film cutting units 15 and 16 and is being continuously transported toward the bag former 59, arrives below the second sealing block 34 of the upper support 31, the second sealing block 34 descends based on detection information for the trailing end Fe of the first film F1 and presses the film position from the surface layer 1a of the first film F1. By pressing the film position, the second sealing block 34 overlaps and seals the sealant layer 2b of the first film F1 and the sealant layer 2b at the folded portion 3 of the second film F2 via the connection hole 5. This connects the trailing end Fe of the first film F1 to the starting end Fs of the second film F2. Note that when the second sealing block 34 descends and approaches the receiving surface 37, the moving frame 33 moves in the film feed direction (to the right; downstream of the film transport path) at the same speed as the transport speed of the first film F1. As a result, the upper support 31 and lower support 32, sandwiching the first film F1 and second film F2, move together in accordance with the film feed flow.

After the splicing of films F1 and F2 is complete, the second seal block 34 of the upper support 31 is raised and the moving frame 33 is moved in the direction opposite to the film feed direction (to the left) to return to its original position. Then, the rotating body 11 of the raw film roll loading unit 10 is rotated counterclockwise to swap the position of the paper roll setting unit 12.

The device according to the above embodiment has the following advantages.
(1) The starting end Fs of the second film F2 (second packaging material) pulled out from the spare second raw web roll R2 has a folded portion 3 in which the leading end 3b is folded back so that the sealant layers 2b (sealant substrates) face each other. The starting end fs of the second film F2 has a connection hole 5 (hole) formed at a location on the second raw web roll R2 side from the folding position 3a of the folded portion 3. The connection hole 5 is formed so that the sealant layer 2b between the folding position 3a of the folded portion 3 and the leading end 3b of the second film F2 peeks out from the connection hole 5 toward the surface layer 2a. In a receiving base 35 functioning as a second holding portion (holding portion), the rear end Fe of the first film F1 and the starting end Fs of the second film F2 are arranged overlapping each other with the connection hole 5 positioned on the inside. This causes the sealant layers 2b of the rear end Fe of the first film F1 and the starting end Fs of the second film F2 to face each other across the connection hole 5. Then, the second seal block 34 (sealing body) presses against the film position (packaging position) where the connection hole 5 is formed, thereby joining the sealant layers 1b, 2b of the first film F1 and the second film F2 to each other via the connection hole 5. Therefore, the rear end Fe of the strip-shaped first film F1 pulled out from the first web roll R1 in use can be connected to the starting end Fs of the strip-shaped second film F2 pulled out from the spare second web roll R2 without using tape or the like. This makes it possible to provide a packaging material connecting device that can prevent foreign matter from getting into packages.
(2) By forming the folded portion 3 and the connection hole 5 (hole) for connecting the films F1 and F2 at the starting end Fs of the second film F2, for example, the folded portion 3 and the connection hole 5 can be formed at the starting end Fs of the second film F2 in parallel even while the first web roll R1 is still being used. Also, the folded portion 3 and the connection hole 5 can be formed in advance before the second web roll R2 is disposed. Therefore, a decrease in productivity can be suppressed compared to when the folded portion 3 and the connection hole 5 are formed at the rear end Fe of the first web roll R1.
(3) After the second raw web roll R2 is disposed in the paper roll setting section 12, the starting end Fs of the second film F2 can be pulled out and transferred to the hole forming section 20, where a connecting hole 5 can be formed in the starting end Fs of the second film F2. The starting end Fs of the second film F2 with the connecting hole 5 formed therein is transferred to the connecting section 30 and connected to the rear end Fe of the first film F1. In other words, even if the second raw web roll R2 is disposed without the connecting hole 5 formed in advance in the second film F2, the connecting hole 5 can be formed in the starting end Fs of the second film F2 in the packaging material connecting device before the second film F2 is transferred to the connecting section 30.
(4) The starting end Fs of the second film F2 is folded back to bond the opposing sealant layers 2b together at least in part by heating. This fixes the position of the folded-back position 3a of the folded-back portion 3, preventing the starting end Fs of the folded-back second film F2 from opening or the film overlap from shifting. Furthermore, the folded-back portion 3 of the second film F2 can be easily positioned at the connection portion 30.
(5) The joint 6 is located closer to the folded position 3a than the connection hole 5 (hole) in the folded portion 3. By providing the joint 6 in a location closer to the folded position 3a of the folded portion 3, it is possible to prevent the starting end fs of the folded second film F2 from expanding in the thickness direction on the side of the folded position 3a. This allows the opposing faces of the sealant layer 2b to be firmly overlapped at the location where the connection hole 5 of the folded portion 3 is formed. This makes it easier to position the starting end Fs of the second film F2 at the connection portion 30.
(6) The hole forming unit 20 forms the connection hole 5 in the folded portion 3 by melting the film using heater punching. This allows the hole to be formed without generating film waste, thereby preventing foreign matter from getting into the packaged product.

<Example of change>
The present invention is not limited to the configurations described in the above-described embodiments, and various modifications, additions, and deletions are possible within the scope that does not change the gist of the present invention.
(1) In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the starting end Fs of the second film F2 was melted by heater punching to form a hole (connection hole 5). However, for example, the hole may be formed by punching out the rear end Fe of the first film F1 or a portion of the starting end Fs of the second film F2 with a punch or the like.
(2) The shape of the holes formed in the laminated film is not limited to a perfect circle, but may be various shapes such as an elongated hole, a square hole, or an asymmetrical shape.
(3) The number of holes formed in the laminate film may be one, but more preferably, multiple holes. As long as each hole is located closer to the leading edge of the laminate film than the fold line, the holes may be arranged in a line or in a staggered pattern. It is more preferable to arrange the holes so that their outer peripheries are aligned in a straight line at a position where they meet the fold line of the laminate film.
(4) In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which a line seal was applied when the hole forming unit 20 formed a hole (connection hole 5) in the starting end Fs of the second film F2. However, this is not limited to this, and a configuration in which a line seal is not applied may also be adopted. For example, when the starting end Fs of the second film F2 with a hole formed therein is transferred to the connection unit 30 by the hand unit 42, a film holding means such as a claw may be used to hold the second film F2 together in the folded-back unit 3 until sealing is complete. The film holding means is movable by being driven by a driving means such as a cylinder when the lower support 32 adsorbs the starting end Fs and the hand unit 42 releases the adsorption to separate the film holding means from the starting end Fs. This prevents the overlapping of the films in the folded-back unit 3 from shifting.
(5) In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which a single robot (transfer robot 40) rotates the arm portion 41 to freely move the hand portion 42 in the horizontal and vertical directions, and changes the angle of the hand portion 42 to transfer the second film F2 it is holding to each work position. However, this is not limited to this, and a configuration in which, for example, the packaging material (e.g., the second film F2) is held and transferred by multiple actuators may also be used.
(6) The laminated packaging material of the present invention is a laminated film having two or more layers and having a sealant layer on only one side of the back or front of the film. The film material constituting the surface is not limited to resin, but also includes packaging materials made of various materials such as aluminum vapor deposition and paper.
(7) In the above embodiment, a connection hole 5 is formed in the second film F2 on the side of the spare second raw roll R2, and a folded-back portion 3 is formed in the second film F2. However, a hole may be formed in the rear end portion Fe of the first film F1 on the side of the first raw roll R1 in use, and the first film F1 may be folded back.
(8) The processing of holes or the like in the starting end Fs of the second film F2 of the spare second web roll R2 may be performed automatically or manually using a separately prepared hole forming device or the like before loading the second web roll R2 into the paper roll setting section 12. Alternatively, the starting end Fs of the second film F2 may be automatically or manually folded back using a separately prepared film folding device or the like so that the sealant layers 2b overlap. By loading the second web roll R2, in which the holes (connection holes 5) and the folded back portion 3 have already been formed in the starting end Fs, into the paper roll setting section 12, it is only necessary to set the starting end Fs of the second film F2 in the connection section 30. Therefore, when the film splicing device is installed in the packaging machine, the entire device can be made more compact.
(9) Furthermore, before loading the spare second raw web roll R2 into the paper roll setting section 12, for example, line seals may be applied automatically or manually to both sides of the starting end Fs where the sealant layers 2b of the second film F2 overlap, or dot-like point seals may be applied to multiple locations on the starting end Fs where the sealant layers 2b of the second film F2 overlap. This allows the worker to easily find and grip the starting end Fs when pulling it out of the second raw web roll R2.
(10) In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the starting end Fs of the second film F2 is transferred to the connection section 30 by the hand section 42 of the transfer robot 40. However, this is not limited to this. For example, the process of loading the second raw roll R2 into the paper roll setting section 12, pulling out the second film F2, and forming a hole in the starting end Fs may be performed automatically, and the process of setting the starting end Fs of the second film F2 in the connection section 30 may be performed manually by an operator.
(11) The joining of the new and old films F1 and F2 is not limited to the heating method using a heat sealer, but may also be a heating method using ultrasonic sealing or the like.
(12) The “rear end” of the film may refer to either the area near the end of the film in the film transport direction when the entire film in the raw roll in use has been used, or the area near the end of the film in the film transport direction when the film in the raw roll in use has been cut midway by a cutting means.

F1: First film (laminated packaging material, first packaging material)
F2: Second film (laminated packaging material, second packaging material) Fs: Starting end of film (packaging material) Fe: Rear end of film (packaging material) R1: First raw roll R2: Second raw roll 1a: Surface layer 1b: Sealant layer 2a: Surface layer 2b: Sealant layer 3: Folded portion 3a: Folded position 3b: Tip 5: Connection hole (hole) 6: Joint 10: Raw roll loading section 11: Rotating body 12: Paper roll setting section 13: Detector 15: Cutting blade storage section (film cutting section) 16: Receiving section (film cutting section)
17: Guide roller 18: Suction section 20: Hole forming section 21: First holding section 23: First rotating section 24: Second rotating section 25: Film suction hole 26: Lower hole 27: Punch 28: First seal block 29: First seal section 30: Connection section (packaging material connection section) 31: Upper support 32: Lower support 33: Moving frame 33a, 33b: Guide rails 34: Second seal block (sealing body, sealing section)
35: Receiving table (second holding portion) 35a: Rotating shaft 36: Flat surface 36a: Suction hole 37: Receiving surface (sealing portion) 39: Air pipe 40: Transfer robot 41: Arm portion 42: Hand portion 50: Guide roller 51: Guide roller 52: Drive roller (first feeding roller) 53: Driven roller (first feeding roller)
54a: Fixed roller (step roller) 54b: Movable roller (step roller)
55: driving roller (second feed roller) 56: driven roller (second feed roller)
57: Guide roller 58: Approach angle adjustment unit 59: Bag making machine 60: Guide roller 61: First rotating arm (SCARA robot) 62: Second rotating arm (SCARA robot)
63: Guide roller 64: Guide roller (roller for adjusting approach angle)

Claims (5)

A packaging material connecting device that connects laminated packaging materials each having at least a surface layer made of a base material and an innermost layer made of a sealant material,
a packaging material connecting portion that connects the sealant substrate at the rear end of a strip-shaped first packaging material that is unwound from a first raw roll currently in use around which the laminated packaging material is wound, to the sealant substrate at the start end of a strip-shaped second packaging material that is unwound from a spare second raw roll around which the laminated packaging material is wound,
one of the rear end of the first packaging material and the start end of the second packaging material has a hole penetrating in the thickness direction of the laminated packaging material, and the sealant substrate on the tip side of the hole has a folded-back portion folded back so that the surface layer side is visible through the hole,
The packaging material connection portion is
a holding portion that holds the rear end portion of the first packaging material and the start end portion of the second packaging material, the rear end portion of the first packaging material and the start end portion of the second packaging material being opposed to each other across the hole, such that the sealant substrate at the folded portion, which is seen from the surface layer side through the one of the holes, and the other sealant substrate at the rear end portion of the first packaging material or the start end portion of the second packaging material are opposed to each other across the hole;
a sealing section having a sealing body that can come into contact with and be separated from a packaging position where the sealant substrates face each other across the hole, and which joins the sealant substrates facing each other via the hole by pressing the sealing body against the packaging position. The packaging material connecting device described in claim 1, characterized in that the folded portion and the hole are formed at the starting end of the second packaging material. The packaging material connecting device described in claim 2, characterized in that a hole forming section that forms the hole in the starting end of the second packaging material is arranged between the position where the second raw web roll is arranged and the position where the packaging material connecting section is arranged. The packaging connection device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that either the rear end of the first packaging material or the starting end of the second packaging material is folded back so that the sealant substrate on the leading side of the hole is visible through the hole toward the surface layer side, so that the sealant substrates face each other, and at least a portion of the facing sealant substrates has a joint portion joined by heating. The packaging material connecting device described in claim 4, characterized in that the joint portion is located closer to the folded position of the laminated packaging material than the hole.