JPWO2019244364A1 - Packaging equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

We provide a packaging device that can automatically and accurately attach shipping labels to packaging bags while automatically packaging products. The packaging device 1 is a packaging sheet supply device 3 for supplying a packaging sheet F having an upper sheet F1 and a lower sheet F2 covering the upper surface and the lower surface of the product P1 and the delivery note P2 to the second belt conveyor 3b, and an upper side. A sealing device 5 is provided which seals the sheet F1 and the lower sheet F2 in a bag shape and forms a packaging bag P3 for accommodating the product P1 and the delivery note P2 inside. Further, between the packaging sheet supply device 3 and the sealing device 5, a labeler 4 for attaching a shipping label P4 for displaying shipping information including at least the delivery destination of the packaging bag P3 to the upper sheet F1 is provided. [Selection diagram] Fig. 1

Description

The present invention relates to a packaging device for packaging a product.

Due to the expansion of the e-commerce market, the number of parcels handled continues to increase significantly. Therefore, at distribution bases, how to automate the packaging work of parcel delivery is an issue. Corrugated cardboard boxes are often used as packaging materials for home delivery cargo, but the use of cheaper packaging films is increasing. In this case, the parcel delivery is configured by storing goods (objects to be packaged) such as goods in a packaging bag made of a packaging film.

The “packaging device” disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-193626 (Patent Document 1) is an example of a packaging device that contributes to labor saving and labor saving in packaging work. In this packaging device, an article is sandwiched between upper and lower parts by a packaging film, one side surface portion of the packaging bag and an opening at the rear portion are heat-sealed with an L-shaped sealer, and the rear portion is further cut behind the heat-sealed seal portion. By doing so, a packaging bag in which articles are packed is automatically formed.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 5-193626

Although the conventional packaging device described above is excellent in that it can automate the packaging work of articles, it cannot be used as it is for packaging for home delivery cargo. That is, the packaging film that wraps the product is colored from the viewpoint of privacy protection and the like, and it is impossible to visually recognize the delivery note or the like included in the product from the outside of the packaging bag. When the packaging device is used, the shipping label (delivery label) is attached after the packaging bag is sealed. Therefore, even if the shipping label cannot be visually confirmed, it must definitely match the shipping address stated on the delivery note of the product enclosed in the packaging bag. However, in the conventional packaging device described above, it is not considered to attach the shipping label after sealing the packaging bag.

In addition, a three-layer label is used as a shipping label that is generally used as a delivery label in Japan. The three-layer label is composed of three layers: a mount, a label laminated on the front surface of the mount, and an adhesive layer laminated on the back surface of the mount. The label laminated on the surface of the mount is composed of a plurality of parts, and includes a receipt that the courier company obtains a receipt stamp and collects at the time of delivery. If you do not need such a receipt, you can use a two-layer label that does not require a mount instead of a three-layer label, but since a receipt is required for the courier, the use of a three-layer label is indispensable. It has become. However, such a three-layer label shipping label has a problem that the overall size of the shipping label is increased by the area of the receipt, and it is difficult to automatically and neatly attach the shipping label to the packaging bag.

It is the present invention that has been made against the background of the above-mentioned prior art. The purpose is to realize a packaging device that can automatically and accurately attach a shipping label to a packaging bag while automatically packaging products. Another object of the present invention is to realize that such a packaging device can be automatically attached to a packaging bag even if it is a large-sized shipping label used as a delivery label.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is configured to have the following features.

The present invention sandwiches the packaged object with a packaging sheet supply device that supplies a packaging sheet having an upper sheet and a lower sheet covering the upper surface and the lower surface of the packaged object to the transfer path of the packaged object, respectively. A packaging device including a packaging device that seals the arranged upper sheet and the lower sheet in a bag shape and forms a packaging bag for accommodating the object to be packaged therein. It is characterized by including a labeler which is arranged between the sealing device and a label for attaching a shipping label including at least the delivery destination of the packaging bag to the upper sheet.

In the packaging device of the present invention, not only the sealing device forms a packaging bag, but also the labeler attaches a shipping label to the packaging bag. Therefore, it is possible to automate the wrapping work of the object to be packaged and the affixing work of the shipping label. Further, if the shipping label is attached after the packaging bag is formed, the surface to which the shipping label is attached becomes unstable due to the residual air inside the packaging bag. For this reason, the shipping label affixed to the surface of the packaging bag may float and may not be affixed correctly. On the other hand, in the packaging device of the present invention, the labeler is arranged between the packaging sheet supply device and the sealing device, and the shipping label is attached to the upper sheet before the packaging bag is formed. Therefore, the sticking surface of the upper sheet can be made more stable, and the sticking quality of the shipping label can be improved.

The labeler is arranged between a pressure-attaching member that presses and attaches the shipping label to the surface of the upper sheet, and the upper sheet and the object to be packaged, and attaches the shipping label to the surface of the upper sheet. It can be configured to have a sticking support member that supports from the back surface of the upper sheet and receives the pressing force of the pressing sticking member.

According to the present invention, when the pressing sticking member presses the shipping label against the surface of the upper sheet to stick it, the sticking support member receives the shipping label on the back surface of the upper sheet. Therefore, according to the present invention, the shipping label can be reliably attached to the surface of the upper sheet. Further, since the sticking support member supports the back surface of the upper sheet, the sheet surface of the upper sheet to which the shipping label is affixed is supported in a flat state, and wrinkles are suppressed from occurring on the affixing surface. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the upper sheet from waviness and the attached shipping label from floating.

The present invention comprises a primary side reading device which is arranged on the primary side of the packaging sheet supply device and reads identification information from the packaged object, a storage unit which stores the shipping information corresponding to the identification information, and the primary side. A control unit that extracts the shipping information accumulated by the storage unit based on the identification information read by the side reader, generates print data including the identification information and the shipping information, and outputs the print data to the labeler. The labeler includes a shipping information management device having the same, and the labeler can be configured to print the identification information and the shipping information on the shipping label based on the print data.

According to the present invention, the control unit of the shipping information management device acquires identification information from the packaged object that is not yet covered with the upper sheet, extracts the corresponding shipping information from the storage unit, and uses it as print data as print data. Output. The labeler prints the print data (identification information and shipping information) on the shipping label. That is, the reading of the identification information from the packaged object and the printing process of the shipping label by the labeler are seamlessly linked without any other processing intervening in the middle. Therefore, the identification information attached to the object to be packaged in the packaging bag and the identification information of the shipping label affixed to the surface of the packaging bag match, and an erroneous shipping label is not affixed to the packaging bag. The identification information can be configured as being stored by, for example, a two-dimensional code such as a bar code or a storage medium such as a microchip.

The present invention can be configured to include a secondary side reader that is located on the secondary side of the sealing device and reads the identification information printed on the shipping label.

In the present invention, the secondary reading device reads the identification information printed on the shipping label of the packaging bag discharged from the sealing device. Therefore, if this can be read normally, the correct shipping label is correctly attached to the packaging bag. It can be confirmed mechanically without human intervention. On the other hand, if the secondary reader cannot read the identification information, it can detect that some error has occurred. As an example, there is a defect in the label itself (improper reading of identification information due to wrinkles, breaks, and damage), and a defect in the label affixing process (when multiple labels are connected and multiple identification information can be read, the label does not exist. (In some cases, etc.), label printing defects (such as faint printing or partially unprinted parts).

The present invention includes a controller that assigns a tracking number to the identification information read by the primary reading device, and the controller assigns the tracking number to the identification information read by the secondary reading device. It can be configured to collate and detect an error in the shipping label.

According to the present invention, the controller collates the identification information read by the secondary reader with the tracking number assigned to the identification information read by the primary reader to prevent an error in the shipping label affixing operation. It can be detected automatically.

The present invention is arranged on the secondary side of the sealing device and can be configured to include a talimeter for measuring the length, width and height of the packaging bag.

According to the present invention, it is possible to acquire talent data for measuring the length, width, and height of a packaging bag. The talent data can be used as data for calculating the delivery cost of the packaging bag (delivery cargo).

The packaged object can be configured as a product and a delivery note including product detail information and the identification information.

According to the present invention, since the packaged object is a product and a delivery note, it is possible to accurately and easily create and attach a shipping label by effectively utilizing the identification information printed on the delivery note.

The present invention can be configured to include a static electricity applying device that is arranged on the primary side of the packaging sheet supply device and irradiates an object to be packaged with static electricity.

According to the present invention, the static electricity applying device radiates static electricity to the packaged object, so that the mounted state of the packaged object supplied to the transfer path can be stabilized. For example, a product is wrapped in a transparent vinyl bag or shrink film to prevent damage, stains, shape loss, and the like. When supplying this product to the transfer path of the packaging device, a paper delivery note is placed on the product wrapped in a plastic bag or the like, but in the process of processing in the packaging device, the transfer path May be stopped or re-progressed. During the stop or progress, the delivery note may slip on the plastic bag and fall or slip from the top of the product. Further, not only the delivery note but also when a plurality of products are stacked, the upper product may slip and fall or shift from the lower product. If this happens, problems such as the inability to read the identification information on the delivery note and the unnecessarily large size of the packaging bag occur. However, according to the present invention, when the static electricity applying device radiates static electricity, the delivery note is held on the product by the static electricity, and the upper product is held on the lower product. It is possible to suppress the occurrence of such defects and efficiently perform the packaging work.

According to the packaging device of the present invention, the shipping label can be automatically and accurately attached to the packaging bag, which can contribute to the efficiency of the packaging work of the parcel delivery cargo.

The plan view which shows typically the packaging apparatus which is an example by one Embodiment of this invention. A side view of the packaging device of FIG. Top view schematically showing a shipping label. Explanatory drawing of the packaging apparatus of FIG. The explanatory view of the operation flow of the packaging apparatus of FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the operation flow which continues from the part A of FIG.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the “packaging device” of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the packaging device 1 stores the product P1 (packaged object) and the delivery note P2 (packaged object), which are home-delivered goods, in the packaging bag P3 made of the packaging film F (packaging sheet) and ships the product. An example of automatically packaging the home delivery cargo P5 by attaching the label P4 to the packaging bag P3 will be described. In the following description, the longitudinal direction of the packaging device 1 (the transfer direction of the product P1) will be described as the X direction, the width direction as the Y direction, and the height direction as the Z direction. The terms "first" and "second" described in the present specification and claims are used to distinguish different components, and are used to indicate a specific order or superiority or inferiority. Not what you are doing. 1 and 2 showing the packaging device 1 schematically show a main part of the device configuration for easy understanding.

Configuration of Packaging Device 1 [FIGS. 1 to 4]

The packaging device 1 includes a product supply device 2, a packaging film supply device 3 as a "wrapping sheet supply device", a labeler 4, a sealing device 5, a product discharge device 6, and each of these devices (devices constituting each device). A control device 7 for controlling the operation of (including) is provided (FIGS. 1, 2, and 4). Further, the control device 7 includes a system control PC 8 and a controller 9 that function as a “shipment information management device”. Although the control device 7 is omitted in FIGS. 1 and 2, the control device 7 may be installed at any place as long as it is connected to the labeler-4 or the like by an electric cable or the like.

The product supply device 2 has a first belt conveyor 2a that forms part of a "transfer path". In the first belt conveyor 2a, the product P1 and the delivery note P2 (hereinafter, the product P1 and the delivery note P2 are collectively referred to as "product P1 etc." on the primary side (upstream side, supply side) of the transfer direction X of the product P1. A work area 2b is provided on which the first belt conveyor 2a is placed. The work of placing the product P1 or the like in the work area 2b may be performed manually or automatically by a work robot (not shown).

A static electricity applying device 2c is installed on the secondary side (downstream side, discharge side) of the transfer direction X in the work area 2b. The static electricity applying device 2c has an electrostatic electrode 2c1 attached to a portal-shaped support member 2c2. When the product P1 or the like passes through, the static electricity applying device 2c radiates static electricity toward them. Product P1 is wrapped in a transparent plastic bag or shrink film to prevent damage, stains, and shape loss. The delivery note P2 is placed on the product P1, but when the first belt conveyor 2a is stopped or advanced, the delivery note P2 slips due to inertial force and deviates from the product P1. It may fall off from product P1. Then, there is a possibility that the bar code on the delivery note P2 cannot be read by the supply-side bar code reader 2d described later, or the size of the packaging bag P3 becomes large. However, in this packaging device 1, the static electricity applying device 2c located next to the work area 2b radiates static electricity, so that the delivery note P2 can be held on the product P1 by static electricity, and the above-mentioned problems occur. Can be avoided.

On the secondary side of the static electricity applying device 2c, a supply-side barcode reader 2d as a "primary-side reader" is installed on the portal-shaped support member 2d1. The supply-side bar code reader 2d irradiates light for reading the bar code and performs an operation of reading the delivery note bar code P2a printed on the delivery note P2 transferred on the first belt conveyor 2a.

Further, the product supply device 2 has a first sensor 2e for detecting the presence of the product P1 and the like flowing through the first belt conveyor 2a, and a second sensor 2f.

When the first sensor 2e detects the moving product P1 or the like, the first sensor 2e sends a detection signal to the controller 9 of the control device 7. Upon receiving the detection signal, the controller 9 operates the static electricity applying device 2c to radiate static electricity. At the same time, the supply-side barcode reader 2d is operated to irradiate light for reading the delivery note barcode P2a on the delivery note P2. As a result, the supply-side barcode reader 2d reads the delivery note barcode P2a and acquires the barcode information.

The second sensor 2f is located on the outlet side of the product supply device 2, and when the product P1 or the like passes through the second sensor 2f, a detection signal is sent to the controller 9, and the controller 9 rotates the first belt conveyor 2a. Is temporarily stopped. At the same time, the controller 9 issues an instruction to execute the process of attaching the shipping label P4 to the labeler 4.

The wrapping film supply device 3 has a film supply device 3a for supplying the wrapping film F and a second belt conveyor 3b forming a part of the “transfer path”.

The film supply device 3a pulls out the packaging film F that is half-folded and wound in a roll shape, and supplies the packaging film F to the second belt conveyor 3b. The half-folded packaging film F is supplied to the second belt conveyor 3b in a state where one side along the transfer direction X is folded. In the present embodiment, the folded side is the side located on the supply side of the packaging film F. The packaging film F is divided into an upper film F1 (upper sheet) and a lower film F2 (lower sheet) and supplied to the second belt conveyor 3b in a state of being connected by one side thereof (FIG. 2). The upper film F1 is deflected from the Y direction (drawing direction) to the X direction (feeding direction) by being guided by the triangular upper deflecting plate 3c located above the second belt conveyor 3b in the Z direction. .. Therefore, the upper film F1 is supplied so as to cover the upper side of the product P1 or the like flowing through the second belt conveyor 3b, and is sent along the X direction. The lower film F2 is guided from the Y direction (drawing direction) to the X direction (feeding direction) by being guided by the triangular lower deflection plate 3d located below the second belt conveyor 3b in the Z direction. It is deflected and sent along the X direction.

The packaging film supply device 3 has a third sensor 3e that detects the presence of the product P1 or the like flowing through the second belt conveyor 3b. When the third sensor 3e detects the passage of the product P1 or the like, the third sensor 3e sends a detection signal to the controller 9 of the control device 7. Upon receiving the detection signal, the controller 9 stops driving the second belt conveyor 3b and feeding the packaging film F, positions the product P1 or the like below the labeler 4, and attaches the shipping label P4 to the labeler 4. To execute.

The labeler 4 has a main body 4a and a pressing sticking member 4b that moves up and down in the Z direction with respect to the main body 4a. The main body 4a is supported by a support member (not shown). The main body 4a is provided with a storage unit for storing a large number of unused shipping labels P4 (not shown), and a printing unit for printing a destination or the like on each shipping label P4.

Many shipping labels P4 stored in the storage unit are stored as a bundle of bellows folds instead of being rolled. Therefore, each of the shipping labels P4 maintains a flat shape without curl, making it easy to attach the entire surface to the packaging bag P3 flat. An example of each shipping label P4 is shown in FIG.

The shipping label P4 has a label surface divided into an upper portion P4a, a central portion P4b, and a lower portion P4c. Of these, the shipping label barcode P4a1 is printed on the upper portion P4a by the printing unit. The shipping label barcode P4a1 includes information for identifying the parcel delivery P5. The shipper information, delivery destination information, product name information, etc. of the parcel delivery P5 are printed on the central portion P4b by the printing unit. A receipt is printed on the lower P4c. The receipt includes a receipt confirmation that is stamped or signed by the recipient of the delivery. Therefore, the courier can take the receipt home by peeling off the lower part P4c from the mount of the shipping label P4. In this way, the shipping label P4 is a three-layer label from which the lower portion P4c can be peeled off. More specifically, it has a three-layer structure consisting of a mount, an adhesive layer laminated on the bottom surface of the mount and attached to the packaging bag P3, and a label surface sheet laminated on the surface of the mount via the adhesive layer. It has become. Therefore, compared to a two-layer label having an adhesive layer to be attached to the packaging bag P3 on the back surface of the label surface sheet (two-layer structure of the label surface sheet and the adhesive layer), the area is larger and the size is larger. There is.

The pressing and sticking member 4b holds the printed shipping label P4 by vacuum suction and moves downward to press the shipping label P4 against the upper film F1 and stick it. After sticking, it is retracted upward for sticking the next shipping label P4.

The sticking support member 4c is arranged between the upper film F1 and the product P1 or the like at the lower position of the pressing sticking member 4b (FIGS. 1 and 2). The sticking support member 4c is fixed to the outer frame portion 3b1 located outside the second belt conveyor 3b by the bracket 4c1. The support plate 4c2 supported by the bracket 4c1 has a size larger than that of the shipping label P4, and can receive the entire surface of the shipping label P4 pressed by the pressing sticking member 4b.

Such a sticking support member 4c receives a force for sticking the shipping label P4 on the back surface of the upper film F1 when the pressing sticking member 4b presses the shipping label P4 against the front surface of the upper film F1 for sticking. Therefore, the shipping label P4 can be reliably attached to the surface of the upper film F1. Further, since the sticking support member 4c supports the upper film F1 from the back surface thereof, the upper film F1 to which the shipping label P4 is stuck is supported in a flatly stretched state so that the sticking surface is not wrinkled as much as possible. I have to. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the upper film F1 from being wavy and the shipping label P4 attached to the upper film F1 from being lifted. By correctly attaching the shipping label P4 flatly in this way, the shipping label barcode P4a1 can be correctly read by the discharge side barcode reader 6b, which will be described later.

The sealing device 5 includes a degassing device 5a, an L-shaped sealer 5b which is a heat fusion sealing device, a third belt conveyor 5c, and a fourth sensor 5d. Further, the lower film F2 is pulled out onto the third belt conveyor 5c between the primary side end of the third belt conveyor 5c and the secondary end of the second belt conveyor 3b described above. The drawer portion 5e is formed. Therefore, the lower film F2 is pulled out from the drawer portion 5e onto the third belt conveyor 5c, and is arranged so as to cover the lower side of the product P1. At this point, the packaging film F is in a state of covering the upper surface, the lower surface, one side surface (right side surface in the transfer direction X), and the front portion (front end portion in the transfer direction X) of the product P1 and the like, while the product P1 and the like. The other side surface (left side surface in the transfer direction X) and the rear portion (rear end portion in the transfer direction X) are unsealed openings. The sealing device 5 forms a sealed packaging bag P3 by sealing and cutting the opening. The shipping label P4 is affixed to the packaging bag P3, and the product P1 and the like are stored inside the sealed packaging bag P3, so that the package delivery cargo P5 is obtained.

Before sealing the opening of the packaging film F, the degassing device 5a lightly presses the upper film F1 from above with the third belt conveyor 5c stopped to remove the air inside the packaging film F. The purpose is to reduce the bulk of the packaging bag P3 after sealing. Therefore, the degassing device 5a is provided with a pusher 5a1 that can move up and down. The degassing device 5a is installed on a support member (not shown).

The L-shaped sealer 5b is an opening sealing device that seals the above-mentioned unsealed opening. The L-shaped sealer 5b is supported by a driving device (not shown) and is driven up and down. Sealing with the L-shaped sealer 5b is performed by heat-sealing and cutting the upper film F1 and the lower film F2 while sandwiching them. In the vertical seal portion 5b1 extending along the transfer direction X in the L-shaped sealer 5b, since the left side surface of the packaging bag P3 is formed, heat is generated along the transfer direction X at one location in the width direction Y of the vertical seal portion 5b1. Fusing and cutting are done. On the other hand, in the lateral seal portion 5b2 extending along the width direction Y in the L-shaped sealer 5b, heat fusion is performed at two locations before and after in the transfer direction X, and cutting is performed between the two locations. The rear end sealing portion P3a located on the primary side of the transfer direction X in the packaging bag P3 is a portion that seals the rear end portion of the packaging bag P3 as shown in the partially enlarged view of FIG. The front end sealing portion P3b located on the secondary side of the transfer direction X in the packaging bag P3 serves as a portion for sealing the front end portion of the subsequent packaging bag P3. Therefore, in the lateral seal portion 5b2 of the L-shaped sealer 5b, two heat seal portions 5b3 are formed in order to simultaneously form the rear end sealing portion P3a and the front end sealing portion P3b. A cutting blade 5b4 for cutting the packaging film F is arranged so as to be sandwiched between the two heat-sealing portions 5b3. As a result, the rear end sealing portion P3a is sealed by the heat sealing portion 5b3 on the secondary side, the front end sealing portion P3b is sealed by the heat sealing portion 5b3 on the primary side, and at the same time, the packaging film is sealed by the cutting blade 5b4. F is cut, and the packaging bag P3 on the primary side and the packaging bag P3 on the secondary side in the transfer direction X are separated. The heat seal portion 5b3 and the cutting blade 5b4 are received by the receiving member 5b5 arranged in the drawer portion 5e. Further, a receiving member (not shown) is also arranged in the vertical seal portion 5b1.

The sealing and cutting by the L-shaped sealer 5b as described above is performed in a state where the pusher 5a1 of the degassing device 5a presses the upper film F1 against the product P1 or the like. As a result, the upper film F1 can be brought into close contact with the upper surface of the product P1, the residual air in the packaging bag P3 after sealing can be reduced, and the bulk of the parcel delivery P5 can be formed to be small as a whole. The delivery charge of the parcel delivery P5 is generally determined by the total length (talent) of length, width, and height. Therefore, the smaller the parcel delivery P5 is, the more the delivery fee can be reduced. Therefore, it is preferable to seal and cut the parcel delivery P5 in the pressed state as described above. Further, by holding the upper film F1 in close contact with the product P1 or the like with the pusher 5a1, the product P1 is cut by sandwiching the upper film F1 and the lower film F2 with the L-shaped sealer 5b and heat-sealing and cutting. It is possible to remove as much unnecessary portion of the packaging film F as possible, which is unnecessary for packaging such as.

The third belt conveyor 5c is driven and stopped in synchronization with the second belt conveyor 3b. The fourth sensor 5d is located on the outlet side of the sealing device 5, and when it detects the passage of the parcel delivery P5, a detection signal is sent to the controller 9. Upon receiving the detection signal, the controller 9 operates the talent meter 6a, which will be described later, and the discharge side barcode reader 6b as the “secondary side reader”.

The product discharge device 6 includes a talent meter 6a, a discharge side barcode reader 6b, a fourth belt conveyor 6c, and a fifth sensor 6d.

The talent meter 6a measures the length (X direction), width (Y direction), and height (Z direction) of the parcel delivery P5 (packaging bag P3). The talent meter 6a includes a first size measurement sensor 6a1 attached to the vertical frame portion 6a4 of the gate-shaped support member 6a3, and a second size measurement sensor 6a2 attached to the horizontal frame portion 6a5 of the support member 6a3. ing. The length of the parcel delivery P5 is measured, for example, by the time during which the parcel delivery P5 passes through the first size measurement sensor 6a1 or the second size measurement sensor 6a2. The width of the parcel delivery P5 is measured by the first size measurement sensor 6a1. The height of the parcel delivery P5 is measured by the second size measurement sensor 6a2. The measured talent data is output to the controller 9.

The discharge-side barcode reader 6b irradiates light to read the shipping label barcode P4a1 printed on the shipping label P4 attached to the parcel delivery P5. The read barcode information is output to the controller 9. The discharge-side barcode reader 6b is installed in the horizontal frame portion 6a5 of the support member 6a3.

In the fourth belt conveyor 6c, when a bar code reading error (unreadable, misreading or absence of bar code information) occurs in the discharge side bar code reader 6b, a reject process is performed. In the reject process, the entire operation of the packaging device 1 including the fourth belt conveyor 6c is stopped, or the secondary side of the fourth belt conveyor 6c is set to the primary side as shown by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. By moving the slide, the discharge port is opened and the delivery cargo P5 is dropped downward.

When the fifth sensor 6d detects the passage of the parcel delivery P5, a detection signal is sent to the controller 9. Upon receiving the detection signal, the controller 9 slides the fourth belt conveyor 6c to the primary side as described above to open the discharge port.

A transfer belt conveyor 6e is installed on the secondary side of the product discharge device 6, and the tip of the conveyor belt conveyor 6e leads to a workbench or the like.

The control device 7 includes a system control PC 8 and a controller 9 that function as a “shipment information management device”. The control device 7 constitutes, for example, the labeler 4 as a component of the packaging device 1.

The system control PC 8 is composed of a control unit, a display unit which is a display screen of a liquid crystal display device or the like connected to the control unit and displays information output from the control unit, and a keyboard or the like for inputting information to the control unit. It includes an input operation unit and an external storage unit including an external storage device such as a hard disk device. Of these, the control unit mainly consists of semiconductor devices and the wiring that connects them, including a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a volatile storage unit that is a RAM (Random Access Memory), and a non-volatile memory that is a ROM (Read Only Memory). It has a sexual memory unit, a communication interface connected to an access relay unit such as a firewall or a switch, or a network, and an externally connected device interface for connecting to an externally connected device. The externally connected device interface includes a display interface connected to the display unit, an input interface connected to the input operation unit, and a memory interface connected to the external storage unit. Such a system control PC 8 can use, for example, a personal computer, and can function as a system control PC 8 when the CPU executes a program for the system control PC.

The controller 9 can be configured by, for example, a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller). As shown in FIG. 4, the controller 9 is connected to all the devices (including the devices constituting the device) constituting the packaging device 1 and controls the operation thereof. The controller 9 can function as the controller 9 by executing the controller program of the packaging device 1.

As shown in FIG. 4, the system control PC 8 is connected to the warehouse management system 10 through a network. Shipping information is output from the warehouse management system 10 to the system control PC 8. The shipping information is stored in the shipping information database 11 connected to the system control PC 8.

Explanation of operation of packaging device 1 [FIGS. 5 and 6]

Next, the operation of the packaging device 1 as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.

The product P1 and the delivery note P2 are placed in a state of being overlapped on the work area 2b of the first belt conveyor 2a of the product supply device 2. When the product P1 or the like is moved by the first belt conveyor 2a and the first sensor 2e detects the passage of the product P1 or the like, a detection signal is transmitted to the controller 9. Upon receiving the detection signal, the controller 9 operates the static electricity applying device 2c and the supply-side barcode reader 2d. That is, the static electricity applying device 2c radiates static electricity toward the product P1 or the like by the electrostatic electrode 2c1. The supply-side barcode reader 2d outputs the barcode information obtained by reading the delivery note barcode P2a to the controller 9 (s1-1).

The controller 9 generates a tracking number (s2-1), associates the tracking number with the barcode information, and stores the tracking number in the storage device (s2-3). Further, the controller 9 outputs the tracking number and the barcode information to the system control PC 8 (s2-3).

When the system control PC8 acquires the barcode information (s3-1), the system control PC 8 searches the shipping information stored in the shipping information database 11 based on the barcode information, and acquires the label printing information to be printed on the shipping label P4 (s3). -3).

In the shipping information database 11, as shipping information, information necessary for delivering the parcel delivery P5, for example, an order number for uniquely identifying an order, bar code information of a delivery note barcode P2a corresponding to the order number, etc. "Order information" including "order information", "customer information" including customer's address, name, contact information, "product detail information" including purchased product, quantity, etc., purchase date, delivery date and time, delivery address, name, contact At least "shipment-related information" including the above is stored.

The system control PC 8 searches for the corresponding order information based on the barcode information of the delivery note barcode P2a, and acquires the label print information from the corresponding order information (s3-3). The label printing information includes at least the order number of the "order information", the barcode information, the delivery address, the name, the contact information, and the delivery date and time of the "shipping information". The system control PC 8 outputs these information as label print data to the labeler 4, and instructs the labeler 4 to print the information on the shipping label P4 (s3-5). At the same time, the system control PC 8 outputs the bar code information of the order instructed to print to the labeler 4 to the controller 9 (s3-7). The controller 9 identifies the tracking number from the corresponding barcode information and stores the fact that the print instruction has been given as processing information (s2-5).

When the second sensor 2f detects that the product P1 or the like has passed through the supply-side barcode reader 2d, the controller 9 that receives the detection signal pauses the first belt conveyor 2a for several seconds. Then, after the lapse of that time, the first belt conveyor 2a is driven to supply the product P1 and the like to the second belt conveyor 3b, and the product P1 and the like are transferred to the labeler 4 through the packaging film supply device 3 (s1-3). Then, the labeler 4 executes printing on the shipping label P4 (s1-5).

On the primary side of the labeler 4, a third sensor 3e for detecting the passage of the product P1 or the like is arranged. When the product P1 or the like is detected by the third sensor 3e (s1-7), the detection signal is output to the controller 9. The controller 9 stops driving the second belt conveyor 3b.

Further, has the controller 9 received the detection signal of the third sensor 3e within a predetermined movement time after driving the second belt conveyor 3b (that is, after receiving the product or the like from the first belt conveyor 2a)? Is detected. Here, if the reception of the detection signal exceeds the predetermined travel time, the product P1 or the like may have been extracted in the middle, so that the controller 9 stops the operation of the entire packaging device 1. As a result, it is possible to prevent the shipping label P4 from being accidentally attached to the product P1 or the like that does not correspond to the printed shipping label P4.

On the other hand, when the reception of the detection signal does not exceed the predetermined movement time, the controller 9 correctly arranges the product P1 or the like printed by the labeler 4 and corresponding to the shipping label P4 waiting to be attached at the attachment position of the labeler 4. It is judged that it has been done (s2-7). As a result, the controller 9 outputs an instruction to attach the shipping label P4 to the labeler 4 (s2-9). In the labeler 4, the pressing sticking member 4b is driven to push the shipping label P4 against the upper film F1 and stick it (s1-9). As a result, the correct shipping label P4 corresponding to the order of the product P1 or the like can be automatically attached.

When the predetermined movement time described above elapses, the second belt conveyor 3b is driven to transfer the product P1 and the like together with the upper film F1 and the lower film F2 to the third belt conveyor 5c of the sealing device 5.

When the product P1 or the like moves to the sealing device 5, the controller 9 operates the sealing device 5. That is, the controller 9 drives the pusher 5a1 of the degassing device 5a to press the upper film F1 against the product P1 or the like, lowers the L-shaped sealer 5b in the pressed state, and lowers the upper film F1 and the lower film F2. Is heat-sealed and cut. As a result, the product P1 and the like are enclosed in the packaging bag P3 in which the opening of the packaging film F is sealed, and this becomes the delivery cargo P5 (s1-11).

When the sealing and cutting by the sealing device 5 are completed, the controller 9 drives the third belt conveyor 5c to transfer the parcel delivery P5 to the secondary side. Then, when the fourth sensor 5d detects the passage of the parcel delivery P5, the fourth sensor 5d outputs a detection signal to the controller 9. Upon receiving this, the controller 9 operates the discharge side barcode reader 6b and the talent meter 6a.

The discharge-side barcode reader (BCR) 6b performs an operation of reading the shipping label barcode P4a1 printed on the shipping label P4 (FIGS. 6, s1-13). Here, if the discharge-side barcode reader (BCR) 6b can normally read the barcode P4a1 for the shipping label, it is mechanically checked that the correct shipping label P4 is correctly affixed to the parcel delivery P5. Can be confirmed. Then, when it is read, the read bar code information is output to the controller 9 (s1-15).

On the other hand, if the discharge-side barcode reader 6b cannot read the shipping label barcode P4a1, it can be detected that some kind of error has occurred. As an example, the shipping label P4 itself is defective (reading failure of the shipping label bar code P4a1 due to wrinkles, breaks, and breakage), and the shipping label P4 is not attached properly (multiple shipping labels P4 are connected to each other for multiple shipments). There are cases where the label bar code P4a1 can be read, the shipping label P4 itself does not exist, etc.), printing defects of the shipping label P4 (printing faintness, partial non-printing, etc.), etc. .. When such an error is detected, a reject process is performed (FIGS. 6, s2-11, s1-23). That is, in the reject process, the operation of the packaging device 1 is stopped, an error is manually checked, and necessary measures are taken to restart the operation.

Here, the process returns to steps s1-15 of FIG. When the controller 9 acquires the barcode information (s2-13), the controller 9 searches the information stored in the storage unit included in the controller 9 for the presence or absence of a tracking number corresponding to the barcode information (s2-15).

If there is a matching tracking number here, the barcode information for the order number in the shipping information database 11, the delivery note barcode P2a of the delivery note P2 in the delivery cargo P5, and the delivery note barcode P2a held by the controller 9 The bar code information and the bar code information of the shipping label bar code P4a1 of the shipping label P4 attached to the delivery cargo P5 are related by the tracking number, and all of them are related to the same order and are correct.

Therefore, the controller 9 outputs a completion notification to the system control PC 8 (s2-17), receives the completion notification in the system control PC 8, and performs processing such as recording that the shipping information database 11 has been packaged (FIG. FIG. 6, s3-9).

On the other hand, in step s2-15, if the tracking number corresponding to the barcode information of the barcode P4a1 for the shipping label does not exist, some error has occurred and the parcel delivery P5 is manually removed. The above-mentioned reject process is performed (s2-11, s1-23).

Here, the process returns to steps s1-15 of FIG. The parcel delivery P5 that has passed through the discharge-side barcode reader 6b passes through the talent meter 6a. When the talent meter 6a measures the talent of the parcel delivery P5, the talent meter 6a outputs the talent measurement data to the controller 9 (s1-17). When the controller 9 acquires the talent measurement data, it records it in association with the barcode information (s2-19) and deletes the tracking data (s2-21). The talent measurement data accumulated in association with the bar code information of the controller 9 is acquired by the system control PC 8. The talent measurement data of the system control PC 8 is stored in the shipping information database 11 and is provided to the warehouse management system 10 as information for automatically calculating the delivery cost.

Here, the process returns to steps s1-17 of FIG. Following the talent meter 6a, the fifth sensor 6d sends a detection signal to the controller 9 when the parcel delivery P5 passes through the sensor 6d. If the tracking number does not exist in step s2-15, the controller 9 can also slide the fourth belt conveyor 6c to the primary side as described above to open the discharge port. When the operation of the packaging device 1 is not stopped by the above-mentioned reject process (s2-11, s1-23), such a reject process can also be executed.

On the other hand, if the tracking number is present in step s2-15, the parcel delivery P5 is transferred from the fourth belt conveyor 6c to the transfer belt conveyor 6e (s1-21).

According to the packaging device 1 of the present embodiment as described above, not only the sealing device 5 forms the packaging bag P3, but also the labeler 4 attaches the shipping label P4 to the packaging bag P3. Therefore, it is possible to automate the packaging work of the product P1 and the like and the sticking work of the shipping label P4. Moreover, not only automation, but also the parcel delivery P5 can be automatically and continuously packaged, and the manual packaging work can be abolished and the efficiency can be greatly improved.

Further, if the shipping label P4 is attached after the P3 packaging bag is formed, the affixed surface of the shipping label P4 becomes unstable due to the residual air inside the packaging bag P3. Therefore, the shipping label P4 affixed to the surface of the packaging bag P3 may be wrinkled or floated. However, according to the packaging device 1, the labeler 4 is arranged between the packaging film supply device 3 and the sealing device 5, and the shipping label P4 is attached to the upper film F1 before the packaging bag P3 is formed. Therefore, the sticking surface of the upper film F1 can be made more stable, and the sticking quality of the shipping label P4 can be improved.

In the packaging device 1, the system control PC8 forming the "shipment information management device" obtains barcode information as "identification information" from the delivery note barcode P2a attached to the product P1 or the like that is not yet covered by the upper film F1. It is acquired, the shipping information corresponding to it is extracted, and output to the labeler 4 as print data. The labeler 4 prints the print data (bar code information and shipping information) on the shipping label P4. That is, the reading of the delivery note barcode P2a attached to the product P1 or the like and the printing process of the shipping label P4 by the labeler 4 are seamlessly linked. Therefore, the barcode information obtained from the delivery note barcode P2a in the packaging bag P3 and the barcode information obtained from the shipping label barcode P4a1 of the shipping label P4 affixed to the surface of the packaging bag P3 match. The wrong shipping label P4 will not be affixed to the packaging bag P3.

Modification example

Since the packaging device 1 can be implemented by a modified example, an example thereof will be described.

In the above embodiment, the delivery note barcode P2a and the shipping label barcode P4a1, which are two-dimensional codes, are illustrated, but a simple alphanumeric identification code can be used, or a microchip or the like can be used.

In the above embodiment, an example in which one product P1 and a delivery note P2 are placed on the product supply device 2 is shown, but even if a plurality of products P1 are placed or articles other than the delivery note P2 are included. Good.

In the above embodiment, an example is shown in which the supply-side barcode reader 2d that reads the delivery note barcode P2a flowing through the first belt conveyor 2a is installed in the product supply device 2, but the product P1 is placed in the work area 2b. Before, the delivery note barcode P2a may be read by using a handy type barcode reader used by the operator at hand, and the delivery note P2 may be placed on the product P1.

In the above embodiment, an example in which the product P1 or the like is put into the first belt conveyor 2a is shown, but the product P1 is put into the second belt conveyor 3b of the packaging film supply device 3 without using the first belt conveyor 2a. Etc. may be placed. In this case, the reading by the supply-side bar code reader 2d in the embodiment may be read by using the bar code reader that the operator uses at hand as described above.

In the above embodiment, the example in which the half-folded roll-shaped packaging film F is used as the packaging film supply device 3, but other packaging films that are not half-folded roll-shaped may be used. Therefore, in the above embodiment, in order to form the packaging bag P3, an example of sealing the opening corresponding to the other side surface and the rear portion of the product P1 or the like is shown, but the four sides of the packaging bag P3 are heat-sealed. It may be cut if necessary. Further, in the above embodiment, the packaging film (resin film) is exemplified as the "packaging sheet", but a material other than the resin film, or a packaging material obtained by laminating the resin film and another material (for example, a bubble buffer material) may be used. Good.

In the above embodiment, a three-layer label is illustrated as the shipping label P4, but the packaging device 1 can neatly attach even a large size label such as a three-layer label. Therefore, the labeler 4 of the packaging device 1 can also use the shipping label of the two-layer label.

In the above embodiment, an example in which the degassing device 5a is used as the sealing device 5 is shown, but the use of the degassing device 5a may be omitted. In this case, for example, the packaging bag P3 may have a degassing hole, and the degassing hole may be a hole provided in the packaging film F itself or a hole provided in the process of forming the packaging bag P3.

In the above embodiment, the sealing device 5 does not have a function of adjusting the size of the packaging bag P3 in the width direction Y according to the size of the product P1 or the like, but an apparatus configuration having such a function may be used. ..

1 Packaging device, 2 Commodity supply device, 2a First belt conveyor (transfer path), 2b Work area, 2c Electrostatic device, 2c1 Electrostatic electrode, 2c2 Support member, 2d Supply side bar code reader (Primary side reader) , 2d1 support member, 2e first sensor, 2f second sensor, 3 packaging film supply device (wrapping sheet supply device), 3a film supply device, 3b second belt conveyor, 3b1 outer frame, 3c upper deflection plate. , 3d lower deflection plate, 3e third sensor, 4 labeler, 4a body, 4b pressing sticking member, 4c sticking support member, 4c1 bracket, 4c2 support surface, 5 sealing device, 5a degassing device, 5a1 pusher, 5b L-shaped sealer, 5b1 vertical seal part, 5b2 horizontal seal part, 5b3 heat seal part, 5b4 cutting blade, 5b5 receiving member, 5c third belt conveyor, 5d fourth sensor, 5e drawer part, 6 product discharge device, 6a Talent meter, 6a1 1st size measurement sensor, 6a2 2nd size measurement sensor, 6a3 support member, 6a4 vertical frame part, 6a5 horizontal frame part, 6b discharge side bar code reader (secondary side reader), 6c second 4 belt conveyor, 6d 5th sensor, 6e transfer belt conveyor, 7 control device, 8 system control PC (shipment information management device), 9 controller, 10 warehouse management system, 11 shipping information database, F packaging film (packaging) Sheet), F1 upper film (upper sheet), F2 lower film (lower sheet), P1 product (packaged item, home delivery article), P2 delivery note, P2a delivery note bar code, P3 packaging bag, P4 shipping label, P4a upper part, P4a1 shipping label bar code, P4b central part, P4c lower part, P5 courier

Claims (8)

A packaging sheet supply device that supplies a packaging sheet having an upper sheet and a lower sheet covering the upper surface and the lower surface of the object to be packaged to the transfer path of the object to be packaged.
A packaging device including a sealing device for sealing the upper sheet and the lower sheet arranged so as to sandwich the object to be packaged in a bag shape and forming a packaging bag for accommodating the object to be packaged therein. In
A packaging device that is arranged between the packaging sheet supply device and the sealing device and includes a labeler that affixes a shipping label that displays shipping information including at least the delivery destination of the packaging bag to the upper sheet. ..
The labeler
A pressing sticking member that presses and sticks the shipping label to the surface of the upper sheet, and
A sticking support member which is arranged between the upper sheet and the object to be packaged, supports the shipping label to be stuck on the surface of the upper sheet from the back surface of the upper sheet, and receives the pressing force of the pressing sticking member. The packaging device according to claim 1.
A primary side reading device arranged on the primary side of the packaging sheet supply device and reading identification information from the packaged object,
The storage unit that stores the shipping information corresponding to the identification information and the shipping information that the storage unit stores based on the identification information read by the primary reading device are extracted, and the identification information and the shipping information are extracted. It is provided with a shipping information management device having a control unit that generates print data including the above and outputs the print data to the labeler.
The packaging device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the labeler prints the identification information and the shipping information on the shipping label based on the printing data.
The packaging device according to claim 3, further comprising a secondary side reading device arranged on the secondary side of the sealing device and reading the identification information printed on the shipping label.
A controller for assigning a tracking number to the identification information read by the primary reading device is provided.
The packaging device according to claim 4, wherein the controller collates the tracking number of the identification information read by the secondary reading device to detect an error in the shipping label.
The packaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which is arranged on the secondary side of the sealing device and includes a talent meter for measuring the length, width, and height of the packaging bag.
The packaging device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the packaged object is a product and a delivery note including product detail information and the identification information.
The packaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising an static electricity applying device for irradiating the object to be packaged with static electricity, which is arranged on the primary side of the packaging sheet supply device.

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