WO2018051720A1

WO2018051720A1 - Timing-adjustable packing machine

Info

Publication number: WO2018051720A1
Application number: PCT/JP2017/029643
Authority: WO
Inventors: 伸治小池; 佐藤　良一; 涼佐々木; 宇川トウ; 元希高山; 直樹古屋; 市川　誠
Original assignee: 株式会社イシダ
Priority date: 2016-09-16
Filing date: 2017-08-18
Publication date: 2018-03-22
Also published as: JP2018043791A; JP6883834B2; CN109689509A; CN109689509B

Abstract

A packing machine (12) is provided with a film conveying mechanism (30), a longitudinal sealing mechanism (40), a transverse sealing mechanism (50), a communication unit (85), and a storage unit (84). The film conveying mechanism (30) conveys a film (F). The longitudinal sealing mechanism (40) forms a cylinder by joining the two parallel edges of the film (F). The transverse sealing mechanism (50) joins the two opposing surfaces of the cylinder. The communication unit (85) transmits a discharge request signal (C1) to a weighing machine (11). The storage unit (84) stores time-related information relating to the article dependent time (RT) of an article (A). The article dependent time (RT) is a time period from a discharge start timing (CU) to an article arrival timing (RU). The discharge start timing (CU) is a timing when the article (A) is discharged in response to the discharge request signal (C1). The article arrival timing (RU) is a timing when the article (A) discharged in response to the discharge request signal (C1) arrives at a prescribed position (RP) in the transverse sealing mechanism (50).

Description

Timing adjustable packaging machine

The present invention relates to a timing-adjustable packaging machine.

Goods such as snacks are packaged in bags and then shipped as products. Such a manufacturing facility for commodities includes a combination weighing machine that separates a certain amount of articles and a bag making and packaging machine that wraps the certain amount of articles. The packaging machine is arranged below the weighing machine. The packaging machine receives the articles discharged from the weighing machine, wraps them with bags, and discharges the finished product.

The packaging machine sends a discharge request signal to the weighing machine. The weighing machine discharges the article in response to the discharge request signal. The optimum relationship between the timing of the discharge request signal and the operation timing when the packaging machine makes a bag with a film and packages the article varies depending on the type of the article and the packaging amount per bag. This is because the travel time required for the article to move in the section from the weighing machine to the packaging machine varies depending on the shape, material, and other factors of the article.

It is a burden for the user of the packaging machine to make adjustments so as to optimize various timings for different types of articles in the manufacturing facility. The packaging machine disclosed in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent No. 4867060) has a display device that displays a timing chart. In the timing chart, the operation timing of the mechanism and the timing target range in which the article preferably reaches a predetermined part are expressed together. Such a display device facilitates timing adjustment for the user. The required travel time of the article is input in advance into the packaging machine. However, although the operation of adjusting the operation timing of the mechanism on the basis of the required movement time is facilitated by the display device, the operation of determining the input value of the required required movement time remains as a burden on the user.

An object of the present invention is to facilitate timing adjustment work in a packaging machine.

The packaging machine according to the first aspect of the present invention is installed below an article supply device that discharges an article, and wraps the article in a bag. The packaging machine includes a film transport mechanism, a vertical seal mechanism, a horizontal seal mechanism, a discharge request unit, and a storage unit. The film transport mechanism transports the film. The vertical sealing mechanism joins two parallel sides of the film to make a cylinder. The horizontal sealing mechanism joins two opposing surfaces of the cylinder. The discharge request unit transmits a discharge request signal to the article supply device. The storage unit stores time related information related to the required travel time of the article. The required travel time is the time from the discharge start timing to the article arrival timing. The discharge start timing is a timing at which the article is discharged according to the discharge request signal. The article arrival timing is a timing at which an article discharged in response to the discharge request signal reaches a predetermined part in the lateral seal mechanism.

れば According to this configuration, the packaging machine grasps time-related information related to the required travel time. Therefore, the timing adjustment work is facilitated by using the time related information.

In the packaging machine according to the second aspect of the present invention, in the packaging machine according to the first aspect, the discharge start timing is the discharge request timing or the discharge notification timing. The discharge request timing is a timing at which the discharge request unit transmits a discharge request signal. The discharge notification timing is a timing for notifying that the article supply device has discharged the article in response to the discharge request signal.

According to this configuration, the discharge start timing that is the start point of the required travel time is the discharge request timing or the discharge notification timing. Therefore, since the control signal can be referred to as a reference, the service person and the user can easily grasp the required travel time.

The packaging machine according to a third aspect of the present invention is the packaging machine according to the first aspect, wherein the article supply device includes a hopper and a discharge control unit. The hopper can store articles. The hopper is provided with an openable / closable shutter for discharging the stored articles. The discharge control unit transmits a shutter release signal to the hopper according to the discharge request signal. The shutter release signal includes an instruction to open the shutter. The discharge start timing is the shutter opening timing. The shutter opening timing is a timing at which the discharge control unit transmits a shutter opening signal to the hopper.

According to this configuration, the discharge start timing that is the starting point of the required movement time is the shutter opening timing. Therefore, since the shutter opening signal can be referred to as a reference, the service person and the user can easily grasp the required travel time.

The packaging machine according to the fourth aspect of the present invention is the packaging machine according to any one of the first aspect to the third aspect, and further includes a display unit. The display unit displays a timing chart including the operation of the horizontal seal mechanism. The timing chart further includes display of article arrival timing.

According to this configuration, the article arrival timing is displayed together with the operation of the horizontal seal mechanism on the display unit. Therefore, the serviceman and the user can intuitively understand the relationship between the article arrival timing and the operation timing of the horizontal seal mechanism.

The packaging machine according to a fifth aspect of the present invention further includes an input unit that receives user input in the packaging machine according to any one of the first to fourth aspects. The article arrival timing is determined based on the input.

According to this configuration, the article arrival timing can be determined directly based on a serviceman or user input or indirectly through a predetermined calculation. Therefore, it is easy to reflect the intentions of the service person and the user in determining the article arrival timing.

The packaging machine according to the sixth aspect of the present invention is the packaging machine according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, further comprising a communication unit. The communication unit accepts article supply apparatus information transmitted from the article supply apparatus. The article arrival timing is determined based on the article supply apparatus information.

According to this configuration, information on the structure of the weighing machine can be used for determining the article arrival timing. Therefore, the service person and the user can more appropriately set the article arrival timing.

The packaging machine according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the packaging machine according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, further comprising an article detection unit that detects the article that is moving. The article arrival timing is detected by the article detection unit.

According to this configuration, the article arrival timing is automatically determined using the article detection unit. Therefore, it is not necessary to rely on the experience of a service person or a user in timing adjustment.

In the packaging machine according to the eighth aspect of the present invention, in the packaging machine according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, the storage unit associates the time-related information with the type of the article packaged in the bag. Remember.

According to this configuration, the packaging machine can acquire the required travel time associated with the type of article. Therefore, each time the article handled by the packaging machine is changed, the required travel time suitable for the article can be acquired.

A packaging machine according to a ninth aspect of the present invention is the packaging machine according to the eighth aspect, wherein the storage unit includes a product setting including the type of the article packaged in the bag and the amount of the article packaged in the bag. Remember.

According to this configuration, the product settings can be stored in the storage unit of the packaging machine. Therefore, it is possible to call up the control settings specialized for the product lineup manufactured by the user.

A packaging machine according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is the packaging machine according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, wherein the storage unit controls the film transport mechanism, the vertical seal mechanism, and the horizontal seal mechanism. Parameters relating to at least one of control and bag are stored.

According to this configuration, parameters relating to control and bags can be set. Therefore, it is easy to optimize the operation of the packaging machine.

The bag making and packaging machine according to the present invention facilitates the timing adjustment operation.

It is an external view of the measurement packaging system 10 using this invention. 1 is a schematic side view of a weighing and packaging system 10 including a packaging machine 12 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic diagram of the packaging machine 12 which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a control system of the weighing packaging system 10. FIG. 3 is a timing chart of a control system of the weighing packaging system 10. It is a timing chart which the display part 72 displays. It is an article dependent time table T1 stored in the storage unit 84. It is a commodity setting table T2 stored in the storage unit 84. It is a timing chart which the display part 72 of the packaging machine 12 which concerns on the 1st modification of 1st Embodiment of this invention displays. It is a schematic diagram of the packaging machine 12 which concerns on the 2nd modification of 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram of the measurement packaging system 10 containing the packaging machine 12A which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The following embodiments are specific examples of the present invention and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention.

<First Embodiment>
(1) Overall Configuration FIG. 1 is an external view of a weighing and packaging system 10 using the present invention. The weighing and packaging system 10 is for manufacturing a product in a form that can be circulated by packaging a predetermined amount of an item such as a snack in a bag. The weighing and packaging system 10 includes a weighing machine 11, a packaging machine 12 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and a connecting frame 13. The packaging machine 12 is disposed below the weighing machine 11. The packaging machine 12 is provided with a console 70 that functions as an interface with the user. The connecting frame 13 fixes the weighing machine 11 to the packaging machine 12.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the weighing and packaging system 10. The weighing machine 11 is a type of product called a combination weighing machine. The weighing machine 11 includes a plurality of hoppers 11a and chutes 11c that store articles of a divided weight. The hopper 11a is provided with a shutter 11b that can be opened and closed. The article discharged from the opened shutter 11b falls to the chute 11c and is then supplied to the packaging machine 12.

The packaging machine 12 is a type of product called a bag making and packaging machine. The packaging machine 12 forms a bag from the film F and wraps the article received from the weighing machine 11 with the bag. Thereafter, the packaging machine 12 discharges the packaged product P.

The weighing machine 11 has a weighing machine processing unit 11z. The packaging machine 12 has a packaging machine processing unit 80. The weighing machine processing unit 11z executes control of various mechanisms such as a shutter 11b mounted on the weighing machine 11 and other processes. The packaging machine processing unit 80 executes control of various mechanisms mounted on the packaging machine 12 and other processes. The weighing machine processing unit 11z and the packaging machine processing unit 80 exchange commands, data, signals, and other information via the communication line 14.

(2) Detailed Configuration FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the packaging machine 12. The packaging machine 12 includes an article guide 20, a film transport mechanism 30, a vertical sealing mechanism 40, a horizontal sealing mechanism 50, a shutter mechanism 60, a console 70 (FIG. 1), and a packaging machine processing unit 80 (FIG. 2).

(2-1) Article guide 20
The article guide 20 shown in FIG. 3 is for guiding a predetermined amount of the article A discharged by the weighing machine 11 to the bag W. The article guide 20 includes a funnel portion 21 that receives the article A and a tube 22 joined to the funnel portion 21. The article guide 20 is exchanged for one having a different shape depending on the type of the product P.

(2-2) Film transport mechanism 30
The film transport mechanism 30 is for transporting the film F that is the material of the bag W. The film transport mechanism 30 includes a roller 31, a former 32, and a pull-down belt 33. The roller 31 receives the film F and sends it actively or passively to the former 32. The former 32 guides the film F so that the planar film F is deformed into a cylindrical shape. The former 32 is replaced with a different shape depending on the type of the product P. The pull-down belt 33 is driven by a motor (not shown) to convey the cylindrical film F downward along the tube 22.

(2-3) Vertical seal mechanism 40
The vertical sealing mechanism 40 is for fixing two parallel sides extending in the transport direction of the film F in order to make a tube with the film F. The vertical sealing mechanism 40 heats while pressing two sides of the film F that are overlapped on the tube 22. The vertical sealing mechanism 40 includes, for example, a heater and a heater belt. The portion fixed by the vertical seal mechanism 40 becomes the vertical seal portion SL of the bag W.

(2-4) Horizontal seal mechanism 50
The lateral sealing mechanism 50 is for fixing two opposing surfaces of the cylindrical film F to make the bag W. The lateral seal mechanism 50 has a set of seal jaws 51. The seal jaws 51 can move in the horizontal direction indicated by arrows M so as to approach or separate from each other. A heater and a movable knife (not shown) are embedded in the seal jaw 51.

While the horizontal sealing mechanism 50 performs the horizontal sealing process, the film transport mechanism 30 stops the transport of the tubular film F for a certain period of time. The sealing jaw 51 presses two opposing surfaces of the tubular film F by approaching each other. The two pressed surfaces are heated and fixed by the action of the heater. The portion fixed by the lateral seal mechanism 50 becomes the lateral seal portion ST of the bag W. Finally, the movable knife cuts the horizontal seal portion ST. The cut horizontal seal part ST becomes one upper end and the other lower end of two adjacent bags W. After the above horizontal sealing process is completed, the sealing jaws 51 are separated from each other. Thereafter, the film conveyance mechanism 30 resumes conveyance of the cylindrical film F.

(2-5) Shutter mechanism 60
The shutter mechanism 60 is provided above the horizontal seal mechanism 50. The shutter mechanism 60 prevents the article A from reaching the horizontal sealing mechanism 50 by pressing the two opposing surfaces of the cylindrical film F before the horizontal sealing mechanism 50 starts the horizontal sealing process. Thereby, the shutter mechanism 60 suppresses that the article A is sandwiched between two opposing surfaces of the film F to which the lateral seal mechanism 50 is fixed.

(2-6) Console 70
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a control system of the weighing and packaging system 10, and mainly shows the control system of the packaging machine 12 in detail. The console 70 has an input unit 71 and a display unit 72. The input unit 71 is for receiving input from the user. The input unit 71 is, for example, a keypad. The display unit 72 is for informing the user of information. The display unit 72 is, for example, a liquid crystal display. Instead of the above-described configuration, the input unit 71 and the display unit 72 may be configured as a single touch panel.

(2-7) Packaging machine processing unit 80
The packaging machine processing unit 80 controls each part of the packaging machine 12. The packaging machine processing unit 80 includes a console communication unit 81, a sensor processing unit 82, a mechanism control unit 83, a storage unit 84, a communication unit 85, and a central processing unit 86. The console communication unit 81 communicates with the console 70 to receive information from the input unit 71 and transmit information to the display unit 72. The sensor processing unit 82 acquires signals from various sensors mounted on the packaging machine 12. The mechanism control unit 83 controls various actuators mounted on the packaging machine 12. The actuator to be controlled includes, for example, a motor 34 that drives the pull-down belt 33. Other control targets (not shown) are installed in the film transport mechanism 30, the vertical seal mechanism 40, the horizontal seal mechanism 50, the shutter mechanism 60, and the like. The storage unit 84 stores data and settings. The settings include, for example, parameters relating to the control of the film transport mechanism 30, the control of the vertical seal mechanism 40, the control of the horizontal seal mechanism 50, the control of the shutter mechanism 60, the size of the bag W, and the like. The communication unit 85 communicates with the weighing machine processing unit 11z of the weighing machine 11. The communication performed by the communication unit 85 includes a discharge request for the article A to the weighing machine 11 and a notification for discharging the article A from the weighing machine 11. The central processing unit 86 supervises overall control of the packaging machine 12.

(3) Operation of Control System FIG. 5 is a timing chart of the control system of the weighing packaging system 10. The discharge request signal C1 is transmitted from the packaging machine processing unit 80 to the weighing machine processing unit 11z. When the weighing machine processing unit 11z receives the discharge request signal C1, the weighing machine processing unit 11z determines whether or not the article A may be discharged in consideration of various conditions grasped by the weighing machine processing unit 11z itself. When it is determined that the article A may be discharged, the weighing machine processing unit 11z transmits to the hopper 11a a shutter release signal C2 that is an instruction to open the shutter 11b. Furthermore, the weighing machine processing unit 11z transmits a discharge notification signal C3 to the packaging machine processing unit 80 in order to notify that the article A has been discharged from the hopper 11a. The discharge notification signal C3 may be generated based on an output signal of a sensor for detecting the article A. In this case, the sensor is provided, for example, below the shutter 11b or below the chute 11c. Alternatively, the discharge notification signal C3 may be the same signal as the shutter release signal C2. Alternatively, the discharge notification signal C3 may be generated as a signal obtained by delaying the shutter release signal C2 by a predetermined delay time.

The article arrival signal R1 indicates a period during which the article A exists at a predetermined site RP (FIG. 4) in the lateral seal mechanism 50. The part RP preferably coincides with the position of the seal jaw 51 or is above the seal jaw 51 and close to the seal jaw 51. The article arrival signal R1 is a virtual signal represented in the timing chart of FIG. 5 for the understanding of the present invention. That is, the article arrival signal R1 is not an actual signal in the control system. This is because the article A that reaches the part RP passes through the cylinder of the film F. Since many films F have a light shielding property, it is usually difficult to detect the article A in the region RP with an optical sensor. Regarding the article arrival signal R1, a high level means that the article A is present in the part RP, and a low level means that the article A is not present in the part RP. The rising edge of the article arrival signal R1 is referred to as an article arrival timing RU in the present application. The article arrival timing RU means a timing when a certain amount of articles A to be packaged in one bag starts to pass through the part RP. The article arrival timing RU varies depending on the type of the article A, the amount of the article A to be packaged in one bag, the structure of the chute 11c, the structure of the article guide 20, and various other factors.

The conveyance signal S <b> 1 is a control signal that the mechanism control unit 83 of the packaging machine processing unit 80 transmits to the film conveyance mechanism 30. While the transport signal S1 is at a high level, the film transport mechanism 30 continues to rotate the motor 34.

The approach signal S4, the heating signal S5, the separation signal S6, and the cutting signal S7 are control signals that the mechanism control unit 83 of the packaging machine processing unit 80 transmits to the lateral seal mechanism 50. The lateral seal mechanism 50 continues to move the pair of seal jaws 51 in a direction approaching each other while the approach signal S4 is at a high level. While the heating signal S5 is at a high level, the horizontal sealing mechanism 50 keeps the heater generating heat in order to fix the two opposing surfaces of the cylindrical film F. The lateral seal mechanism 50 continues to move the pair of seal jaws 51 in the direction of separating from each other while the separation signal S6 is at the high level. While the cutting signal S7 is at the high level, the horizontal sealing mechanism 50 moves the movable knife to cut the fixing portion of the film F.

(4) Operation of Display Unit 72 As shown in FIG. 6, the display unit 72 displays a timing chart in the control of various mechanisms for the convenience of timing adjustment to the user. The bar B1 represents the operation timing of the motor 34 of the film transport mechanism 30. Bar B1 corresponds to the transport signal S1. The bar B2 represents the operation timing of the vertical seal mechanism 40.

Bars B3 to B7 represent the timing of the horizontal seal mechanism 50 operation. Bar B4 corresponds to the approach signal S4. Bar B5 corresponds to heating signal S5. Bar B6 corresponds to the separation signal S6. Bar B7 corresponds to the cutting signal S7. Bar B3 represents the execution period of the horizontal sealing step, and is a combination of bar B4, bar B5, and bar B6.

The sign X1 indicates the time when the article A reaches the part RP (FIG. 4) of the lateral seal mechanism 50. That is, the label X1 corresponds to the article arrival timing RU. When the article arrival timing RU can be known from the sign X1, the timing of the mechanism, that is, the operation of adjusting the bars B1 to B7 becomes much easier for the user.

(5) Method of use (5-1) Initial setting: first stage Prior to the actual use of the weighing and packaging system 10, a user or a service person (hereinafter referred to as "administrator") having the administrator authority of the weighing and packaging system 10. ) Performs initial settings. As described above, in many cases, the packaging machine 12 cannot grasp the article arrival timing RU useful for improving usability by measurement. Therefore, the manager tentatively determines a numerical value called “article dependency time” RT corresponding to the type of the article A based on his abundant experience. The article-dependent time RT means the required travel time of the article A over the section from the weighing machine 11 to the lateral seal mechanism 50 of the packaging machine 12. In determining the article-dependent time RT, the manager determines the type of the article A, the amount of the article A to be packaged in one bag, the structure of the chute 11c, the structure of the article guide 20, and the friction between the article A and the chute 11c. Will take into account the size of the. The administrator inputs the article dependence time RT from the input unit 71 and stores it in the storage unit 84.

正確 The exact definition of the article dependent time RT can be determined freely to some extent. For example, with respect to the article dependence time RT shown in FIG. 5, the start point is defined by the timing of the discharge notification signal C3, and the end point is defined by the article arrival timing RU that is assumed to be probable by the manager. The start point is a timing determined by the weighing and packaging system 10 as the discharge start timing CU at which the discharge of the article A is started. Instead, the discharge start timing CU may be, for example, the timing of the discharge request signal C1. Alternatively, the discharge start timing CU may be the timing of other signals generated in response to the discharge request signal C1, such as the shutter release signal C2.

FIG. 7 is an article dependent time table T1 stored in the storage unit 84. The article dependence time table T1 holds the article dependence time RT set in association with the type of the article A. Generally speaking, the article-dependent time RT tends to be long for a light and thin sheet-like article A, while the article-dependent time RT tends to be short for an article A on a heavy mass.

(5-2) Initial Setting: Second Stage In the initial setting, the administrator can further register the contents of the product setting specialized for the manufactured product P via the input unit 71. FIG. 8 is a product setting table T2 stored in the storage unit 84. The item setting table T2 includes at least the type of the item A and the weight of the item A to be packaged in one bag. The product setting table T2 may further include information such as the throughput (that is, the number of products P manufactured per unit time), the total number of products P to be manufactured, and the size of the bag W.

(5-3) Trial run: Phase 1 Next, the administrator performs a trial run. First, one of a plurality of product settings registered in the product setting table T <b> 2 of the storage unit 84 is called from the console 70. The packaging machine processing unit 80 generates default control timings of various mechanisms specialized for the product setting, and displays them on the display unit 72 in the form of a timing chart.

Next, the packaging machine processing unit 80 refers to the article dependent time table T1 of the storage unit 84 and calls the article dependent time RT corresponding to the type of the article A specified in the called product setting. The packaging machine processing unit 80 calculates the article arrival timing RU by adding the article dependence time RT to the discharge start timing CU. Next, the packaging machine processing unit 80 displays the label X1 corresponding to the article arrival timing RU on the timing chart of the display unit 72.

(5-4) Trial Run: Second Stage Next, the control timing of various mechanisms is optimized so as to be appropriate with respect to the article arrival timing RU. An example of the optimization here is to adjust the control timing so that the position of the label X1 corresponding to the article arrival timing RU is in the first half of the section of the bar B5 corresponding to the high level period of the heating signal S5. .

The time from the discharge start timing CU, which is the starting point of the article dependent time RT, to the mechanism control reference timing is referred to as a “mechanism dependent time” MT. For example, in FIG. 5, the reference timing for mechanism control is set to the start time of the transport signal S1. In the above-described optimization, the length of the mechanism dependent time MT is automatically adjusted by the packaging machine processing unit 80 or manually adjusted by an administrator. The reference timing for mechanism control is represented by the start point of the bar B1 corresponding to the transport signal S1. In this case, during the optimization process, the remaining bars B2 to B7 move in conjunction with the arrangement of the bar B1. At this time, in the display part 72, the starting point of B1 may always be set at a fixed position, and other elements may be moved. Alternatively, on the display unit 72, the marker X1 may always be set at a fixed position, and other elements may be moved.

(5-5) Trial Run: Third Stage The administrator causes the weighing and packaging system 10 to perform an actual run, and the article A is sandwiched between the two opposing surfaces of the film F constituting the lateral seal portion ST of the bag W. Make sure that normal packaging is done. If it is determined that the packaging is normal, the production of the product P can be started.

If it is found that the packaging is abnormal, it means that the value of the article dependence time RT tentatively determined based on the experience of the manager is inappropriate. Therefore, the administrator performs initial setting again and increases or decreases the article dependence time RT for the article A.

(5-6) Manufacture of Product P Actual manufacture of the product P can be executed by a general user who does not have administrator authority. The user calls one of a plurality of product settings registered in the product setting table T2 of the storage unit 84 from the console 70. Then, the weighing of the article A and the packaging of the article A in the bag W are executed. A general user can adjust the mechanism-dependent time MT as necessary. However, the general user cannot change the article dependence time RT.

The general user can refer to the mark X1 displayed on the timing chart of the display unit 72 when adjusting the mechanism-dependent time MT. Therefore, the relationship between the operation timing of various mechanisms and the movement of the article A can be intuitively grasped. This facilitates the timing adjustment work for general users.

(6) Features (6-1)
The packaging machine 12 grasps time-related information related to the article-dependent time RT that is the required travel time. Therefore, the timing adjustment work is facilitated by using the time related information.

(6-2)
The discharge start timing CU that is the starting point of the article-dependent time RT can be the discharge request timing represented by the discharge request signal C1 or the discharge notification timing represented by the discharge notification signal C3. Therefore, since these control signals can be referred to as a reference, the serviceman and the user can easily grasp the article dependent time RT.

(6-3)
The discharge start timing CU, which is the starting point of the article dependent time RT, can be the shutter opening timing represented by the shutter opening signal C2. Therefore, since the shutter opening signal C2 can be referred to as a reference, it is easy for the service person and the user to grasp the article dependent time RT that is the required travel time.

(6-4)
The display unit 72 displays the article arrival timing RU along with the operation of the horizontal seal mechanism 50. Therefore, the serviceman and the user can intuitively grasp the relationship between the article arrival timing RU and the operation timing of the lateral seal mechanism 50.

(6-5)
The article arrival timing RU can be determined directly based on the input of the service person or the user, or indirectly through a predetermined calculation. Therefore, it is easy to reflect the intentions of the service person and the user in the determination of the article arrival timing RU.

(6-6)
The packaging machine 12 can acquire the article dependence time RT associated with the type of the article A from the article dependence time table T1. Therefore, whenever the article A handled by the packaging machine 12 is changed, the article dependence time RT suitable for the article A can be acquired.

(6-7)
The product setting can be stored in the product setting table T2 in the storage unit 84 of the packaging machine 12. Therefore, it is possible to call up the control settings specialized for the lineup of products P manufactured by the user.

(6-8)
Parameters relating to control and bag W can be set. Therefore, it is easy to optimize the operation of the packaging machine 12.

(7) Modification (7-1) First modification (multiple discharges)
In the weighing and packaging system 10 according to the above-described embodiment, the articles A packaged in one bag W are all supplied by one discharge from the weighing machine 11. Instead, in the weighing and packaging system 10 according to the first modification, the article A packaged in one bag is divided and supplied by two or more discharges from the weighing machine 11. FIG. 9 is a timing chart displayed on the display unit 72 of the packaging machine 12 according to the first modification. Here, two labels, a label X1 and a label X2, represent two article arrival timings RU.

According to this configuration, when a large amount of articles A are packaged in a large bag W, the unevenness of the articles A can be suppressed and the articles A can be evenly distributed over the entire height of the bags W.

(7-2) Second modification (continuous conveyance)
In the above-described embodiment, the horizontal sealing mechanism 50 has a pair of sealing jaws 51 that move in the horizontal direction. Instead, the lateral sealing mechanism 50 of the packaging machine 12 according to the second modification shown in FIG. 10 has a set of sealing jaws 51 that rotate.

Each of the sealing jaws 51 is attached to an arm 54 that is driven by a rotary motor 52 and rotates around a rotary shaft 53. The seal jaw 51 presses two opposing surfaces of the tubular film F at the first point Q1 by approaching each other while rotating. The sealing jaw 51 moves downward to the second point Q2 at the same speed as the film F being conveyed while pressing the film F. The servo motor 55 appropriately moves the position of the rotary shaft 53 in the horizontal direction so that the seal jaw 51 can move linearly from the first point Q1 to the second point Q2. During this time, the pressed two surfaces are heated and fixed by the action of the heater embedded in the seal jaw 51, and the horizontal seal portion ST is formed. Finally, the movable knife embedded in the seal jaw 51 cuts the horizontal seal portion ST.

According to this configuration, it is not necessary to stop the conveyance of the film F for the horizontal sealing process. Therefore, the throughput of the packaging machine 12 can be increased.

(7-3) Third Modification (Administrator Assist Function)
The packaging machine 12 may have a function of assisting an administrator who determines the article dependence time RT corresponding to the article A in the initial setting. Such an administrator assist function is implemented as a program, for example, in the storage unit 84 of the packaging machine processing unit 80 shown in FIG.

The parameters that affect the article-dependent time RT include the structure (tilt angle, size, etc.) of the chute 11c shown in FIG. 2, the height of the hopper 11a, the general category of the article A, and other information. The first step of the manager assist function is that the packaging machine processing unit 80 acquires at least some of those parameters. Specifically, the packaging machine processing unit 80 receives parameters from the weighing machine 11 via the communication unit 85. Alternatively, the packaging machine processing unit 80 acquires parameters from the administrator via the console 70.

The second step of the manager assist function is to notify the manager via the display unit 72 of a recommended range that is considered appropriate as the value of the article dependent time RT. The recommended range is calculated based on a predetermined calculation method based on the parameters acquired by the packaging machine processing unit 80.

According to this configuration, information regarding the structure of the weighing machine 11 can be used to determine the article arrival timing RU. Therefore, the service person and the user can set the article arrival timing RU more appropriately.

Second Embodiment
(1) Configuration FIG. 11 shows a weighing and packaging system 10 including a packaging machine 12A according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The packaging machine 12A is different from the packaging machine 12 according to the first embodiment in the configuration of the lateral seal mechanism 50A.

The horizontal seal mechanism 50A has an article detection sensor 57. The article detection sensor 57 detects the article A present at the site RP in the lateral seal mechanism 50A. The article detection signal output from the article detection sensor 57 is received by the sensor processing unit 82.

Various types of sensors can be used as the article detection sensor 57. For example, the article detection sensor 57 may be configured by an optical sensor. In the actual manufacture of the product P, since the packaging film F having a light shielding property is interposed between the product detection sensor 57 and the product A, the arrival of the product A cannot be detected optically. Therefore, in the initial setting and the trial operation, in order to determine the article-dependent time RT, the transparent film F is transported to the film transport mechanism 30 instead of the packaging film F.

Alternatively, the article detection sensor 57 may be configured by other available sensors such as a vibration sensor, a sound sensor, a capacitance sensor, and a mechanical sensor.

(2) Features According to this configuration, the article arrival timing RU is automatically determined using the article detection sensor 57. Therefore, it is not necessary to rely on the manager's experience when determining the article dependent time RT.

(3) Modifications Each modification according to the first embodiment may be applied to the second embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Measurement packaging system 11 Weighing machine 12 Packaging machine 20 Article guide 30 Film conveyance mechanism 40 Vertical seal mechanism 50 Horizontal seal mechanism 70 Console 71 Input part 72 Display part 80 Packaging machine processing part A Article B1-B7 Bar F Film MT Mechanism dependent time T1 article dependent time table T2 article setting table RT article dependent time RU article arrival timing W bag X1-X2 indicator

Japanese Patent No. 4867060

Claims

A wrapping machine installed below an article supply device for discharging an article and wrapping the article into a bag,
A film transport mechanism for transporting the film;
A vertical sealing mechanism for forming a cylinder by joining two parallel sides of the film;
A lateral seal mechanism for joining two opposing surfaces of the cylinder;
A discharge request unit for transmitting a discharge request signal to the article supply device;
A storage unit for storing time-related information related to the required travel time of the article;
With
The required travel time is an article in which the article discharged according to the discharge request signal reaches a predetermined part in the lateral seal mechanism from a discharge start timing at which the article is discharged according to the discharge request signal. The time until the arrival timing,
Packaging machine.
The discharge start timing is
It is a discharge request timing at which the discharge request unit transmits the discharge request signal, or
It is a discharge notification timing for notifying that the article supply device has discharged the article in response to the discharge request signal.
The packaging machine according to claim 1.
The article supply apparatus includes:
A hopper provided with an openable / closable shutter for storing the article and discharging the stored article;
A discharge control unit that transmits a shutter opening signal including an instruction to open the shutter to the hopper according to the discharge request signal;
Have
The discharge start timing is a shutter opening timing at which the discharge control unit transmits the shutter opening signal to the hopper.
The packaging machine according to claim 1.
A display unit for displaying a timing chart including the operation of the horizontal seal mechanism;
Further comprising
The timing chart further includes an indication of the article arrival timing,
The packaging machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
An input unit that accepts user input,
Further comprising
The article arrival timing is determined based on the input.
The packaging machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
A communication unit for receiving article supply device information transmitted from the article supply device;
Further comprising
The article arrival timing is determined based on the article supply apparatus information.
The packaging machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
An article detection unit for detecting the article being moved;
Further comprising
The article arrival timing is detected by the article detector.
The packaging machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
The storage unit stores the time-related information in association with the type of the article packaged in the bag.
The packaging machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7.
The storage unit stores a product setting including the type of the article packaged in the bag and the amount of the article packaged in the bag.
The packaging machine according to claim 8.
The storage unit stores parameters relating to at least one of control of the film transport mechanism, control of the vertical seal mechanism, control of the horizontal seal mechanism, and the bag.
The packaging machine according to any one of claims 1 to 9.