JP3784663B2 - Seal body cleaning device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a cleaning device for a sealing body for performing a welding seal on a film.
[0002]
[Prior art]
For example, in a packaging machine such as a horizontal bag making and filling machine, an end seal is applied at a position before and after sandwiching a packaged article in a synthetic resin film such as polypropylene or other packaging film. The Thereby, the bag-shaped package body in which the to-be-packaged item was individually included is obtained continuously. In a mechanism for end sealing in such a packaging machine (hereinafter referred to as an end sealing mechanism), a packaging film is generally sandwiched and welded by a pair of heating seal bars (seal bodies).
By the way, in the end seal mechanism in the packaging machine as described above, when a film of the packaging film melted by heat or an object to be packaged is caught in the surface (sealing surface) sandwiching the film of the heat seal bar Foreign matter (for example, food waste) may adhere. If such foreign matter adheres to the sealing surface of the heat seal bar, not only a clean end seal will not be applied to the packaging film, but also a seal failure such as insufficient sealing will occur, and the resulting package will be defective. This is a problem.
Therefore, in the conventional end seal mechanism in the packaging machine, the apparatus is periodically stopped and the work of visually inspecting the sealing surface of the heat seal bar has been performed. And when adhesion of the foreign material etc. to the sealing surface was confirmed, cleaning of the sealing surface by the wire brush was performed by the operator's manual work, for example.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the visual inspection work by the operator, there is a risk that foreign matter or the like adheres to the seal surface. Moreover, the cleaning operation of the sealing surface is complicated, and the time that the operator spends on the operation becomes long, so the efficiency is poor.
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and in a sealing device that performs sealing by sandwiching a film with a sealing body, the sealing surface is automatically cleaned without the operator's hand. It is an object of the present invention to provide a cleaning device for a sealing body that can be used.
[0004]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the inventions described in the claims are configured.
  According to the cleaning device for a sealing body according to claim 1,The seal body is composed of a pair of heat seal bars of an end seal mechanism for applying an end seal to the packaging film. By sandwiching between a pair of heated seal bars heated together, the film is given an end seal with a higher degree of sealing. When the pair of heating seal bars are heated together, the molten residue of the film is likely to adhere to the sealing surface. However, since the cleaning tool that contacts the sealing surface of each heating seal bar and the cleaning tool moving means for moving the cleaning tool are provided, the adhering molten debris is removed and the sealing surface is kept clean. .
  The cleaning tool moving means moves the cleaning tool between a retracted position in a relief recess formed in a step shape on both right and left ends of the heating seal bar and an operating position capable of contacting the seal surface. Is possible. Furthermore, the cleaning tool can be moved along the longitudinal direction of the seal surface. Specifically, the cleaning tool is moved between the retracted position and the operating position by the first moving means. Further, the cleaning tool is moved along the longitudinal direction of the sealing surface of the heat seal bar by the second moving means in a state where the cleaning tool is located at the operating position. The “operating position” here is a position where the cleaning tool can be brought into contact with the sealing surface of the heating seal bar. For example, when the film is sandwiched vertically by the heating seal bar, the heating seal bar It is the same height as the sealing surface. Thus, the cleaning tool can be moved to the operating position by the first moving means only when cleaning the sealing surface. When the cleaning of the sealing surface is not performed, the cleaning tool can be a hindrance to the sealing operation. It can be retracted to a position where it does not become necessary (in a relief recess formed in a step shape at both right and left ends of the heat seal bar). The cleaning tool moving means is constituted by a linear actuator (a device that performs a linear operation, such as a cylinder). Since the cleaning device is configured by combining devices that perform linear operations, the entire cleaning device can be made simpler and the load fluctuation required for opening and closing the heating seal bar can be minimized. it can.
  Moreover, a wire brush is employ | adopted for the cleaning tool. Thereby, for example, even when a small foreign matter or the like enters a meshing groove or the like formed on the seal surface, the foreign matter can be effectively removed with a fine hair tip. In addition, the cleaning tool can be used without wear for a relatively long period of time.
  Thereby, the molten residue of the film adhering to the sealing surface and other foreign matters are removed regardless of the manual operation of the operator.
[0005]
  According to the cleaning device for a sealing body according to claim 2,The seal body is composed of a pair of heat seal bars of an end seal mechanism for applying an end seal to the packaging film. By sandwiching between the pair of heated seal bars heated together, the film is subjected to a sealing with a higher sealing degree. When the pair of heating seal bars are heated together, the molten residue of the film is likely to adhere to the sealing surface. However, since the cleaning tool that contacts the sealing surface of each heating seal bar and the cleaning tool moving means for moving the cleaning tool are provided, the adhering molten debris is removed and the sealing surface is kept clean. .
  The cleaning tool moving means can move the cleaning tool to an operating position where the cleaning tool can be brought into contact with the seal surface, and can further move the cleaning tool along the longitudinal direction of the seal surface. Specifically, the first moving means moves the cleaning tool from the retracted position away from the sealing surface of the heating seal bar in the direction intersecting the longitudinal direction to the operating position capable of contacting the sealing surface. Further, the cleaning tool is moved along the longitudinal direction of the sealing surface of the heat seal bar by the second moving means in a state where the cleaning tool is located at the operating position. The “operating position” here is a position where the cleaning tool can be brought into contact with the sealing surface of the heating seal bar. For example, when the film is sandwiched vertically by the heating seal bar, the heating seal bar It is the same height as the sealing surface. Thus, the cleaning tool can be moved to the operating position by the first moving means only when cleaning the sealing surface. When the cleaning of the sealing surface is not performed, the cleaning tool can be a hindrance to the sealing operation. It can be saved to the position where it does not become.
  The control of the operation of the cleaning tool moving means is performed by a control means composed of, for example, a microcomputer. Then, when it is determined that the operating state of the sealing device has reached the automatic cleaning setting state, the control means pauses the sealing operation by the heating seal bar and controls the cleaning tool moving means to clean the sealing surface ( Hereinafter, the cleaning operation is performed. Here, the “operating state” of the sealing device is compared with an “automatic cleaning setting state” set by an operator or the like, for example, so as to determine (determine) when the control means should execute the cleaning operation. Various information referred to, for example, by information such as the number of times of operation of the heat seal bar operated by the sealing device, the time of operation of the heat seal bar, the number of packaged products that have been sealed, etc. It is what is expressed. The “automatic cleaning interval setting value” to be compared is input to the control means by an operator or the like (input means), and is provided inside the control means so that the comparison determination process with the “operation state” can be performed at any time. Stored in storage means such as a memory. The “automatic cleaning interval set value” is also expressed by information such as the number of times of operation of the heating seal bar operated by the sealing device, the time when the heating seal bar is operated, and the number of sealed packaged items. Accordingly, the “automatic cleaning interval set value” can be appropriately input to execute the cleaning operation of the sealing surface at a predetermined interval. Thereby, for example, when using a film in which the melt residue of the film is likely to adhere to the seal surface, or a heating seal bar in which the seal surface has an engagement groove formed with irregularities and the melt residue of the film is easily clogged. When is used, the cleaning operation can be executed at short intervals. On the other hand, when using a film that does not easily adhere to the molten residue of the film, or when using a heated seal bar that has a flat sealing surface and is not clogged by the molten residue of the film, The cleaning operation can be executed at long intervals. That is, the cleaning operation can be executed at an optimal time according to various conditions such as the state of the film and the heating seal bar.
  In addition, for example, there is provided an informing means including a display device such as a touch panel display, a buzzer, a chime, a bell, a sound output device for outputting a human voice, or a combination thereof. When it is determined that the operating state of the sealing device has reached the manual cleaning setting state, the control unit notifies the manual cleaning alert information by the notification unit. Here, the “manual cleaning setting state” is information for determining the timing for notifying the manual cleaning alert information by the notifying unit while the cleaning tool moving unit is in the dormant state without performing the cleaning operation. It is referred to and used for comparison with the “operating state” of the sealing device. This “manual cleaning setting state” is expressed by, for example, information such as the number of times of operation of the heating seal bar operated by the sealing device, the time for which the heating seal bar is operated, and the number of the sealed packages. For example, the manual cleaning interval The data is input to the control means by a regulator or the like (input means) and stored in a storage means such as a memory provided in the control means so that the comparison determination process with the “operating state” of the sealing device can be performed at any time. Therefore, it is possible to notify the manual cleaning alert information for alerting the operator or the like to manual cleaning at a desired timing. Thereby, for example, the molten residue of the film that could not be removed by automatic cleaning can be urged to the operator or the like to be surely removed by manual cleaning.
[0006]
  According to the cleaning device for a sealing body according to claim 3,The control means is an operating position at which the cleaning tool moved to the retracted position by the first moving means can be brought into contact with the sealing surface of the heating seal bar by the first moving means when performing the cleaning operation. Move to. Here, the “evacuation position” is a position in a relief recess formed in a step shape at both right and left ends of the heating seal bar, and is a position where the cleaning tool is retracted in a state that does not hinder the sealing operation. And the cleaning tool is reciprocated along the longitudinal direction of the seal surface of the heating seal bar by the number corresponding to the cleaning tool operation frequency setting value. This cleaning tool operation frequency setting value is input to the control means by an operator or the like (input means), for example, and stored in a storage means such as a memory provided inside the control means. Thereby, for example, when using a film in which molten debris is likely to adhere to the sealing surface, or a heating seal bar having a meshing groove in which the sealing surface is unevenly formed and clogging is likely to occur due to the molten debris of the film. When used, careful cleaning can be performed by setting the number of times the cleaning tool is reciprocated along the seal surface. On the other hand, when using a film that does not allow molten debris to adhere to the sealing surface, or when using a heated seal bar that has a flat sealing surface and is not clogged by molten debris of the film, clean it. The operation can be adjusted such that the number of times the tool is reciprocated along the seal surface is set to be small. That is, an optimal cleaning operation can be performed in accordance with various conditions such as the type of the heat seal bar and the film.
[0007]
  According to the cleaning device for a sealing body according to claim 4,When it is determined that the operating state of the sealing device has reached the cleaning tool replacement setting state, the notification of cleaning tool replacement is notified to the monitor by the notification means. Here, the “cleaning tool replacement setting state” is information for determining the timing at which the manual cleaning alert information is notified by the notification means, and is referred to by the control means for comparison with the “operating state” of the sealing device. Used. This “cleaning tool replacement setting state” is expressed by, for example, information such as the number of times of operation of the heating seal bar operated by the sealing device, the time for which the heating seal bar is operated, the number of sealed packaging bodies, and the like. . The cleaning tool replacement set value is input to the control means by an operator or the like (input means), for example, so that a comparison judgment process with the “operating state” of the sealing device can be performed at any time. Stored in the storage means.
  With the above-described configuration, according to the sealing body cleaning device according to claim 4, when a cleaning tool such as a wire brush is worn out due to use and should be replaced, the timing is changed to an operator or the like. Can let you know. Moreover, the replacement | exchange time of a cleaning tool can be arbitrarily set according to the classification (for example, material of a wire etc.) of the cleaning tool to be used. Therefore, forgetting to replace the cleaning tool can be prevented, and the sealing surface can be more reliably kept clean.
[0008]
  According to the cleaning device for a sealing body according to claim 5,The biting detection means detects the biting of foreign matter into the heating seal bar that sandwiches the film. This “biting detection means” is constituted by, for example, an eddy current type distance sensor that detects the distance to the member to be detected in a non-contact manner. The control means has a detection value (for example, a distance value when the biting detection means is constituted by a distance sensor) exceeding the reference value, and the biting of foreign matter into the heating seal bar is detected by the biting detection means. When it is determined that it has occurred, the operation of the end seal mechanism and each mechanism of the packaging machine is stopped by outputting a stop signal or the like.
  If a foreign object (for example, an article to be packaged) is bitten by the heating seal bar, the film cannot be completely sandwiched, resulting in poor sealing. In such a case, it is necessary to stop the operation of each mechanism of the end seal mechanism and the packaging machine and quickly remove the foreign matter sandwiched between the heat seal bars. According to the seal body cleaning device of the fifth aspect, the operation of the end seal mechanism and each mechanism of the packaging machine can be automatically stopped by quickly determining whether a foreign matter or the like has entered the heating seal bar. it can. In addition, the control means discriminates the entry of foreign matter into the heating seal bar and stops the operation of the end seal mechanism and each mechanism of the packaging machine, and then operates the end seal mechanism and each mechanism of the packaging machine. At least one cleaning operation is performed when starting up. As a result, after the sealing surface of the heating seal bar biting in foreign matter or the like is in a clean state, the operation of each mechanism of the end seal mechanism and the packaging machine can be started to restart the sealing operation.
[0009]
  According to the cleaning device for a sealing body according to claim 6,After completion of the cleaning operation, foreign matter or the like attached to the cleaning tool is removed by the air blowing means. As a result, foreign matter or the like removed from the sealing surface by the cleaning tool is prevented from reattaching to the sealing surface from the cleaning tool. Therefore, since the sealing surface is more reliably maintained in a clean state, a good seal can be more stably applied to the film.
[0015]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows an entire end seal mechanism 1 for applying an end seal to a film (for example, a synthetic resin such as polypropylene) whose surface is welded by heat by sandwiching the film from above and below with a pair of heating seal bars. FIG. The end seal mechanism 1 shown in FIG. 1 forms, for example, a belt-like film drawn from a supply source such as a film roll into a cylindrical shape, encloses the packaging object in a predetermined number of times in the cylindrical film, The present invention is applied to a horizontal bag making and filling machine for continuously obtaining a bag-like package by applying end seals to the positions before and after sandwiching.
[0016]
As shown in FIG. 1, the end seal mechanism 1 includes a first end seal mechanism 2a that is a mechanism for pressing the first heating seal bar 3a against the film from above, and a first end seal mechanism 2a that is against the film from below. And a second end seal mechanism 2b that is a mechanism for pressing the two heat seal bars 3b.
[0017]
The configuration of the first end seal mechanism 2a will be described below with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the first end seal mechanism 2a from the front. FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of the end seal mechanism 2a in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the first end seal mechanism 2 a includes a substantially rectangular plate-like base member 4 a and 2 extending substantially vertically downward with respect to the base member 4 a. The two support rods 5a and 5b, and the first heating seal bar 3a supported by the two support rods 5a and 5b at both left and right ends.
[0018]
The base member 4a is configured to rotate so as to draw an arc orbit while maintaining a horizontal posture. The first end seal mechanism 2a repeats the reciprocating motion in the vertical direction as a whole by the revolving operation of the base member 4a, and the film is sandwiched between the first heat seal bar 3a and a second heat seal bar 3b described later. In this state, the welding time can be secured by proceeding a predetermined distance in the same direction as the film transfer direction.
[0019]
Each of the two support rods 5a, 5b is externally provided with a compression coil spring 7 on the same axis. When the first end seal mechanism 2a is lowered to the vicinity of the lowest position, the first heat seal bar 3a sandwiching the film with the second heat seal bar 3b is pushed upward, and the compression coil spring 7 is moved. Both are compressed. Due to the urging force of the compression coil spring 7, the first heating seal bar 3a is pressed against the film at a required pressure so that good welding can be performed. For example, when the degree of sealing by the end seal is desired to be adjusted, the pressure with which the film is sandwiched can be adjusted by changing the strength of the compression coil spring 7.
[0020]
The first heat seal bar 3a is a metal pressing member that is heated to a temperature of about 150 ° C. to 200 ° C. by an internally mounted cartridge heater 25a. When the sealing surface 6a of the first heating seal bar 3a contacts and heats the film, the polymerized surface of the film is welded and sealed (end seal).
The sealing surface 6a of the first heating seal bar 3a is set to a length larger than the film contact range when the film is sandwiched and sealed, and an uneven engagement groove is formed along the longitudinal direction. The seal surface 6b of the second heating seal bar 3b disposed on the lower side opposite to the above is also set to a length corresponding to that of the first heating seal bar 3a, and has an uneven engagement. A groove is formed along the longitudinal direction. An end seal having a higher sealing degree is applied to the film by engagement of the engagement grooves formed on the seal surfaces 6a and 6b.
In addition, the sealing surfaces 6a and 6b of each heating seal bar are not limited to the shape of this embodiment, but are unevenly formed in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the sealing surface, or unevenly formed in a grid pattern. A thing of various shapes, such as a thing or the thing formed in the flat, is employable.
[0021]
Next, the configuration of the second end seal mechanism 2b will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 4 is a front view showing the second end seal mechanism 2b in FIG. 1 as seen from the back side. FIG. 5 is a schematic side view of the second end seal mechanism 2b in FIG.
Similarly to the first end seal mechanism 2a, the second end seal mechanism 2b is also configured to repeat vertical movement by a drive source such as a motor. When the first and second end seal mechanisms 2a and 2b that repeat the up and down movement in synchronism are brought close to each other, the state shown in FIG. 1, that is, the first and second heating seal bars 3a and 3b are mutually at a predetermined pressure. The film is engaged and a welding seal (end seal) is applied to the film.
[0022]
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, in the second end seal mechanism 2b, two support arms 8 are extended substantially vertically from the upper surface of the base member 4b. The second heating seal bar 3b is supported substantially horizontally by the two support arms 8 at the left and right ends. By supporting the second heating seal bar 3b substantially horizontally, the seal surface 6b is pressed from the lower side substantially parallel to the film.
[0023]
The second heat seal bar 3b functions as a fixed-side seal body for sandwiching the film without being pushed downward when the film is sandwiched between the first heat seal bar 3a. As a result, when the end seal is applied to the film, the meshing position (height) by the first and second heat seal bars 3a and 3b is always constant, and a good seal can be performed.
Similarly to the first heating seal bar 3a, the second heating seal bar 3b is also heated to a temperature of about 150 ° C. to 200 ° C. by the built-in cartridge heater 25b, and the seal surface 6b has a longitudinal direction. A meshing groove is formed along.
[0024]
In the first and second end seal mechanisms 2a and 2b configured as described above, the configuration of the cleaning devices 9a and 9b provided for cleaning the sealing surfaces 6a and 6b of the heating seal bar will be described below. To do.
[0025]
First, the configuration of the cleaning device 9a that cleans the sealing surface 6a of the first heating seal bar 3a will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the base member 4a in the first end seal mechanism 2a has a flat bracket 10 attached to the front side by the mounting bolt 11 (the first end seal mechanism 2a shown in FIG. It is attached to the front side). Further, on the front side of the bracket 10, a first horizontal moving cylinder 12a is horizontally fixed so as to be along the longitudinal direction of the first heating seal bar 3a.
In addition, a guide rail 13a is horizontally fixed to the back side of the bracket 10 so as to be along the longitudinal direction of the first heating seal bar 3a. The operating rod 22a of the first height direction moving cylinder 15a is disposed so as to be able to advance and retreat in the vertical direction with respect to the slide member 14a slidable along the guide rail 13a. A first height direction moving cylinder 15a is connected to an operating body 21a that reciprocates in the axial direction of the first horizontal direction moving cylinder 12a via a connecting plate 23a and a connecting bar 20a. Thereby, with the reciprocating motion of the operating body 21a in the horizontal direction, the first height direction moving cylinder 15a reciprocates left and right along the guide rail 13a while maintaining its axial direction vertical. It has become.
[0026]
An actuating body 16a is disposed at the lower end of the actuating rod 22a in the first height direction moving cylinder 15a, and the actuating body 16a reciprocates in the vertical direction as the actuating rod 22a moves forward and backward. . A mounting member 17 having a substantially L-shaped cross section is provided on the lower surface of the operating body 16a, and a mounting arm 18a is detachably disposed on the mounting member 17. Thereby, when the wire brush 19a is worn, it can be exchanged together with the mounting arm 18a. The mounting arm 18a is formed so as to extend near the lower portion of the seal surface 6a, and a wire brush 19a is attached to the tip thereof so that the brush surface faces the seal surface 6a. With these configurations, as the actuator 16a reciprocates up and down, the operating position where the wire brush 19a can come into contact with the seal surface 6a of the first heating seal bar 3a, and the retracted position for retracting from the operating position Can be reciprocated between the two.
[0027]
When cleaning the sealing surface 6a by the cleaning device 9a, first, as shown in FIG. 2, the wire brush 19a is moved to an operating position where the brush surface comes into contact with the sealing surface 6a (position shown in FIG. 2A). ). Such movement in the height direction can be performed by moving the operating body 16a up and down by the first height direction moving cylinder 15a. And after moving the wire brush 19a to the operation position which contact | abuts to the sealing surface 6a, this time the horizontal direction (direction shown to the arrow (B) in FIG. 2) of the wire brush 19a along the longitudinal direction of the sealing surface 6a. ). Such movement in the horizontal direction can be performed by moving the operating body 21a to the left and right by the first horizontal movement cylinder 12a. That is, the first horizontal direction moving cylinder 12a corresponds to the “second moving means” in the present invention, and the first height direction moving cylinder 15a is the “first moving means” in the present invention. It corresponds to. In addition, when moving the wire brush 19a along the longitudinal direction of the sealing surface 6a, it is not always necessary to move the entire length of the sealing surface 6a in the longitudinal direction, only the contact range with the film, etc. You may make it move only in the partial range of the seal surface 6a.
[0028]
When the cleaning of the seal surface 6a by the cleaning device 9a is completed, the wire brush 19a is moved to either the left or right position separated from the seal surface 6a by the first horizontal movement cylinder 12a. Further, if necessary, the wire brush 19a is moved to the retracted position (position shown in FIG. 2C) away from the seal surface 6a by the first height direction moving cylinder 15a. . The left and right ends of the first heating seal bar 3a are formed in steps, and the recess 24 is secured away from the seal surface 6a. Thus, the wire brush 19a is moved to the retracted position in this way. Even if it is made, while the end seal operation is being performed by the first and second heating seal bars 3a, 3b, the wire brush 19a is prevented from interfering with them.
[0029]
Next, the configuration of the cleaning device 9b that cleans the sealing surface 6b of the second heating seal bar 3b will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, two support arms 8 extend vertically upward from the base member 4 b in the second end seal mechanism 2 b. Angle members 26 are respectively fixed to the side portions of the two support arms 8, and the base plate 27 is horizontally supported by these angle members 8.
On the upper surface of the pedestal plate 27, a second horizontal moving cylinder 12b that reciprocates the operating body 21b horizontally in the left and right directions, and a second reciprocating operation body 16b in the vertical direction via the rod 22b. A height direction moving cylinder 15b is placed.
[0030]
On the upper surface of the operating body 16b, a guide rail 13b extends in the longitudinal direction of the second heating seal bar 3b so as to be arranged in parallel with the seal surface 6b. A slide member 14b slidable along the longitudinal direction is fitted to the guide rail 13b, and both end portions are bent upward and downward on the upper surface of the slide member 14b. A connecting bar 20b is provided.
A wire brush 19b is attached to the end of the connecting bar 20b on the side bent to the upper side via an attachment arm 18b. The mounting arm 18b is detachably disposed with respect to the connecting bar 20b, and a configuration that can be replaced together with the mounting arm 18b when the wire brush 19b is worn is employed.
The operating body 21b is connected to the end of the connecting bar 20b that is bent to the lower side via a connecting plate 23b that is formed in a substantially L-shaped cross section. That is, the operating body 21b and the wire brush 19b are integrally connected via a plurality of members, and the wire brush 19b is attached to the second heating seal bar 3b as the operating body 21b reciprocates in the horizontal direction. It can be reciprocated along the longitudinal direction of the seal surface 6b.
[0031]
As described above, the mounting arm 18b extending upward from the seal surface 6b is connected to the end of the connecting bar 20b that is bent upward, and the tip of the mounting arm 18b is connected to the wire. The brush 19b is attached with the brush surface facing downward. Thereby, the wire brush 19b can also be reciprocated up and down with the up-and-down reciprocation of the operating body 16b. A columnar engagement piece 28 projects from the end of the connection bar 20b that is bent downward, and the engagement piece 28 is provided on one side of the connection plate 23b so as to extend vertically. By engaging with the elongated hole 29, the movement of the wire brush 19b in the vertical direction is not restricted and can be smoothly reciprocated.
[0032]
The operation when the seal surface 6b is cleaned by the cleaning device 9b in the second end seal mechanism 2b is almost the same as the operation when the seal surface 6a is cleaned by the cleaning device 9a in the first end seal mechanism 2a. The same. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, by the second height direction moving cylinder 15b, the wire brush 19b is brought into contact with the sealing surface 6b (the height position shown in FIG. 4A). Then, the wire brush 19b is moved in the horizontal direction (the direction indicated by the arrow (B) in FIG. 4) by the second horizontal movement cylinder 12b. When the sealing surface 6a is not cleaned, the wire brush 19b is moved to the retracted position (the position indicated by (C) in FIG. 4). Since other details are almost the same as the operation of the cleaning device 9a already described, a description thereof will be omitted.
[0033]
The cleaning device 9a for cleaning the sealing surface 6a of the first heating seal bar 3a and the cleaning device 9b for cleaning the sealing surface 6b of the second heating seal bar 3b are, for example, control means (for example, a microcomputer). The drive is controlled by (not shown). Various setting values are input to the control means via various input means such as a keyboard and a touch panel display. The control means outputs various information to a notification means such as a monitor, a buzzer, a chime, a bell, a sound output device that outputs a human voice, and a touch panel display.
[0034]
Various setting values input to the control means include the following.
(1) Automatic cleaning interval setting value
This is a setting value for executing the cleaning operation of the sealing surfaces 6a and 6b by the wire brushes 19a and 19b when it is determined that the operating state of the end seal mechanism 1 has reached a predetermined setting state. Examples of such automatic cleaning interval setting values include the operation time (operation time) of the end seal mechanism 1, the number of operation cycles of the end seal mechanism 1 (number of operation cycles), and the number of packages that have been end-sealed (processing) Etc.) are used. In addition to this, the automatic cleaning interval setting value includes the operating time and the number of operating cycles of the end seal mechanism 1 and the packaging machine itself (the machine itself that performs film packaging), and the items to be packaged in the packaging machine, etc. Numerical information such as the number of feeds can be used.
When this automatic cleaning interval set value is input to the control means, the cleaning devices 9a and 9b are driven for a certain operation time, a certain number of operation cycles, or a certain number of treatments. Thereby, it is possible to drive the cleaning devices 9a and 9b appropriately in accordance with the degree of contamination of the seal surfaces 6a and 6b, the type of the seal material, etc., for example, the molten residue of the film adheres to the seal surface When using a film that is easy to wear, or when using a sealing body that has sealing grooves 6a and 6b with concave and convex portions and is likely to clog the molten residue of the film, cleaning is performed at short intervals. The action can be executed. Conversely, when using a film that does not easily adhere to the molten residue of the film, or when a sealing body is used in which the sealing surfaces 6a and 6b are formed flat and clogging does not occur due to the molten residue of the film, The cleaning operation can be executed at relatively long intervals.
When the cleaning devices 9a and 9b are driven, it is preferable to temporarily stop the end seal mechanism 1 so that the sealing operation by the first and second heating seal bars 3a and 3b is in a resting state. .
(2) Manual cleaning interval setting value
The end seal mechanism 1 is temporarily stopped, the sealing operation by the first and second heating seal bars 3a, 3b is suspended, and the driving of the cleaning devices 9a, 9b is suspended, and the notification means This is a set value for setting the timing and interval at which manual cleaning alert information is output. Examples of such manual cleaning interval set values include the operating time (operating time) of the end seal mechanism 1, the number of operating cycles (number of operating cycles) of the end seal mechanism 1, and the number of packaging products subjected to end sealing (processing). The numerical information such as the number of operating times, the number of operating cycles of the packaging machine itself (the machine itself that performs film packaging), the number of articles to be packaged to the packaging machine, and the like can be used. “Manual cleaning alert information” is information for alerting the operator or the like to manual cleaning of the seal surface, and is output as, for example, information such as characters, voices, images, etc. expressed as “manual cleaning”. As a result, manual cleaning can be urged at an appropriate interval for the operator, etc., and even if foreign matter on the seal surface cannot be completely removed by automatic cleaning, manual cleaning is urged. Thus, foreign matters and the like can be reliably removed from the sealing surface.
When the cleaning devices 9a and 9b are driven, it is preferable to temporarily stop the end seal mechanism 1 so that the sealing operation by the first and second heating seal bars 3a and 3b is in a resting state. . During automatic cleaning in which the cleaning devices 9a and 9b are driven, it is even more preferable to output information that alerts the operator or the like by the notification means.
(3) Cleaning tool replacement interval setting value
The timing and interval at which the cleaning tool replacement awakening information is output to the notification means include, for example, the operating time (operating time) of the end seal mechanism 1, the operating cycle number (operating cycle number) of the end seal mechanism 1, and the end-sealed package product. To set by using numerical information such as the number of pieces (processed number), the operation time of the packaging machine itself (machine itself that wraps with film), the number of operation cycles, and the number of articles to be packaged in the packaging machine Is the set value. “Cleaning tool replacement awakening information” is information for alerting an operator or the like to replace the cleaning tool (wire brush in the present embodiment). It is output as information such as images. Thus, when the wire brush or the like is worn out and is in a state to be replaced, the operator can be notified of the time. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the worn cleaning tool from sufficiently removing foreign matter attached to the seal surface.
(4) Cleaning tool operation frequency setting value
This is a set value for setting the number of times the wire brushes 19a and 19b are reciprocated along the seal surfaces 6a and 6b by the first and second horizontal moving cylinders 12a and 12b, and is input as numerical information, for example. . As a result, the wire brushes 19a and 19b can be reciprocated by an appropriate number of times according to the degree of contamination of the seal surfaces 6a and 6b, the type of the seal material, and the like. When using a film that easily adheres to the surface, or when using a sealing body that has a meshing groove with a concavo-convex formed sealing surface and is likely to clog the molten residue of the film, the wire brushes 19a, 19b Can be reciprocated many times. On the contrary, when using a film to which the molten residue of the film is difficult to adhere, or when using a sealing body in which the sealing surface is formed flat and clogging does not occur due to the molten residue of the film, the wire brush 19a. , 19b can be reciprocated a small number of times. In addition to this, for example, the speed at which the wire brushes 19a and 19b are moved along the seal surface may be adjusted in accordance with the degree of dirt on the seal surface, the type of film, and the like. Thereby, the molten residue etc. of the film adhering to the sealing surface are efficiently removed.
[0035]
When the various setting values shown in (1) to (4) above are input, the control means stores these setting values in the storage means constituted by a RAM or the like.
When the end seal mechanism 1 is operated, the control means calculates and stores the operation time, the number of operation cycles, the number of processes, etc. of the end seal mechanism 1 by means of integration or subtraction means such as a counter and a timer. Then, the obtained calculated value is compared with the set values shown in the above (1) to (3).
When it is determined that the calculated value has reached the “automatic cleaning interval set value”, the control means temporarily stops the end seal mechanism 1 and puts the sealing operation by the first and second heating seal bars 3a and 3b into a pause state. The first and second horizontal moving cylinders 12a and 12b and the first and second height moving cylinders 15a and 15b are driven. In order to drive these cylinders, a predetermined drive signal for performing the operation may be transmitted.
Further, when the control means determines that the calculated value has reached the “manual cleaning interval set value”, the control unit temporarily stops the end seal mechanism 1 and stops the sealing operation by the first and second heating seal bars 3a and 3b. The automatic cleaning is stopped without outputting a driving signal to the first and second horizontal moving cylinders 12a and 12b and the first and second height moving cylinders 15a and 15b, and The “manual cleaning alert information” is output to the notification means constituted by a monitor or the like. Thereby, the operator cleans the sealing surfaces 6a and 6b manually according to the output information.
Further, when the control means determines that the calculated value has reached the “cleaning tool replacement interval setting value”, it outputs “cleaning tool replacement awakening information” to the notification means constituted by a monitor or the like. Thereby, according to the output information, for example, the operator performs replacement work of the wire brushes 19a and 19b after stopping the packaging machine after completion of the packaging work.
[0036]
As shown in FIG. 1, the distance between the sealing surfaces 6a and 6b is measured on the first and second heating seal bars 3a and 3b. ) Is detected, a distance detection sensor 31b and a distance detection end 31a are provided. As the distance detection sensor 31b and the distance detection end 31a, for example, an eddy current displacement sensor or the like is used.
The distance detection sensor 31b is fixed by the sensor arm 30b so as to move up and down integrally with the second heating seal bar 3b. Similarly, the distance detection end 31a is fixed by the sensor arm 30a so as to move up and down integrally with the first heating seal bar 3a. The distance detection sensor 31b and the distance detection end 31a are fixed so as to face each other, and by detecting the distance to the distance detection end 31a by the distance detection sensor 31b, the first and second heating seal bars 3a, The interval between the sealing surfaces 6a and 6b of 3b is indirectly detected. Information about the interval between the seal surfaces 6a and 6b detected by the distance detection sensor 31b is converted into an electric signal or the like and sent to the control means.
[0037]
For example, when an object to be packaged (for example, food such as biscuits) is accidentally bitten by the first and second heat seal bars 3a and 3b, the residue of the object to be packaged is formed on the seal surfaces 6a and 6b. Adhere to. If the sealing operation by the heat seal mechanism 1 is continued with such foreign matter attached, the heat seal bars are not completely engaged with each other, and an insufficient end seal is applied. It becomes a non-defective product.
In the present embodiment, the occurrence of such a problem is prevented in advance by detecting the inclusion of a foreign substance or the like by the distance detection sensor 31b and the distance detection end 31a described above. That is, when a foreign object is bitten by the first and second heating seal bars 3a and 3b, the interval between the seal surfaces 6a and 6b becomes wider than usual. The control means that has received the information about the distance between the seal surfaces 6a and 6b from the distance detection sensor 31b performs a comparison process between the distance between the seal surfaces 6a and 6b and the normal time, and the distance between the seal surfaces 6a and 6b is determined. When it is determined that the interval at the time of normal end sealing is clearly over a certain distance, the stop signal for outputting the end seal mechanism 1 and each mechanism of the packaging machine is output.
[0038]
Further, after stopping the operation of the end seal mechanism 1 and the packaging machine as described above, for example, when an activation signal for restarting operation is input by an operator or the like, the control means operates the end seal mechanism 1. The first and second horizontal moving cylinders 12a and 12b and the first and second height moving cylinders 15a and 15b are driven at least once at the timing immediately before restarting. As a result, when the operation of the end seal mechanism 1 is resumed, the adhered foreign matters and the like are automatically removed from the seal surfaces 6a and 6b, so that the labor of the cleaning work by the operator is further reduced. Such an operation can be executed by causing the control means to read a program stored in a ROM or the like, for example.
[0039]
Although not shown, if the cleaning devices 9a and 9b are provided with air blowing means such as an air nozzle for blowing air toward the brush surfaces of the wire brushes 19a and 19b, the sealing surfaces 6a and 6b are more stable. Is kept clean. That is, the melted debris and the like of the film adhering to the seal surfaces 6a and 6b is scraped and removed by the brush surfaces of the wire brushes 19a and 19b, but the removed molten debris remains adhered to the brush surface. Then, there is a possibility that the molten residue will reattach to the seal surfaces 6a and 6b away from the brush surface. However, if the molten debris on the brush surface is blown off by the air blowing means, such reattachment to the seal surface will be prevented, and it will be possible to more stably provide a good-looking end seal. Become.
Similarly, even if air blowing means for blowing air to the sealing surfaces 6a and 6b of the first and second heating seal bars 3a and 3b is provided, the end seal is satisfactorily performed.
[0040]
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.
In the embodiment, an example is shown in which the first and second horizontal moving cylinders 12a and 12b and the height moving cylinders 15a and 15 are driven for each input “automatic cleaning interval set value”. However, it is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, a driving device or the like that can be arbitrarily operated by an operator or the like can be installed independently from the control means, and the cleaning device can be configured so that the sealing surface can be cleaned at any time during maintenance of the device.
[0041]
In the embodiment, an example in which the seal body for sandwiching the film is the pair of heat seal bars 3a and 3b is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention can be applied even when a rotary seal body in which a plurality of seal members are arranged at equal intervals on the circumference of a cylindrical rotary body is used.
Moreover, although the 1st and 2nd heating seal bar | burr 3a, 3b was opened and closed by the end seal | sticker mechanism 1 was shown, it does not limit in this way. For example, the cleaning device of the present invention can also be applied to a type of sealing device in which a pair of sealing bodies open and close in the horizontal direction (left-right direction).
It is not always necessary to provide a pair of heated sealing bodies. For example, even a sealing device of a type in which a film is sandwiched between one heating sealing body and the other non-heated receiving member for sealing. The invention can be applied.
[0042]
In the embodiment, the distance between the seal surfaces 6a and 6b of the first and second heating seal bars 3a and 3b is detected by the distance detection sensor 31b and the distance detection end 31a, and the distance is larger than that during normal engagement. Although an example in which it is determined that a foreign matter or the like has been bitten by the control means when it is too much has been shown, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. The biting detection means can be constituted by various detection means other than the distance detection sensor. For example, a means for detecting the load of the motor provided in the drive source of the seal body is provided, and when a load exceeding the normal load reference value is detected, a foreign object or the like has entered the seal body. Can be determined. Alternatively, a means for detecting the seal pressure of the seal body with a strain gauge or other load sensor is provided, and when a seal pressure exceeding the reference value of the normal seal pressure is detected, foreign matter or the like is caught in the seal body. Can be determined. In addition, a means for detecting vibration of the seal body (vibration detection sensor, etc.) is provided, and when vibration exceeding the reference value of vibration of the seal body during normal operation is detected, foreign matter etc. is caught in the seal body. Can be determined.
[0043]
In the embodiment, an example in which the wire brush is moved by two moving means, that is, a height direction moving cylinder and a horizontal direction moving cylinder has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to such a mode. The wire brush can be moved in the same manner by a single moving means. Specifically, for example, a cam groove along the trajectory of the movement in the height direction and the horizontal direction of the wire brush is formed on a plate disposed on the back side of the wire brush. And the cam follower which can move smoothly in the state fitted in the cam groove is attached to the wire brush integrally. As a result, the movement of the wire brush can be guided along the cam groove. Therefore, even if the wire brush is moved by a single cylinder, not only in the height direction and the horizontal direction but also in a plan view. It becomes possible to move the wire brush in the direction to do.
[0044]
In the embodiment, an example in which the wire brush is fixed in a fixed posture with respect to the seal surface has been described, but the embodiment is not limited thereto. For example, the cleaning device may be configured such that a wire brush is disposed on the circumference of the cylindrical member, and the contact angle of the brush surface with the seal surface can be adjusted. Further, when the wire brush is moved along the longitudinal direction of the seal surface, even if the wire brush is rotated by the cylindrical member, foreign matters and the like attached to the seal surface are effectively removed.
The number of wire brushes (cleaning tool) provided for one seal body is not necessarily one, and a plurality of wire brushes may be provided for one seal body.
[0045]
In the embodiment, an example in which the cleaning tool is a wire brush has been shown. However, in addition to this, for example, a sponge-like member, a file-like member, or the like, as long as it can remove foreign matters and dirt attached to the seal surface. The present invention can be applied no matter what cleaning tool is used.
[0046]
In the embodiment, an example in which the packaging machine that encloses an article to be packaged in a film is a horizontal bag making and filling machine is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention can be applied to other types of packaging machines and bag making machines, and can be applied to various devices, machines and the like as long as they have a seal mechanism.
[0047]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a sealing body cleaning device that can automatically clean a sealing surface without the operator's hand. This makes it possible to provide a good seal to the film, and it is not necessary to wait until the heated sealing surface has cooled to a temperature at which there is no risk of burning, greatly reducing maintenance time. In addition, since manual cleaning by an operator or the like can be minimized, safety is also improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view of an end seal mechanism in an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a front view of a first end seal mechanism.
3 is a schematic side view of the first end seal mechanism in FIG. 2 as viewed from the direction of an arrow X. FIG.
FIG. 4 is a front view of a second end seal mechanism.
5 is a schematic side view of the second end seal mechanism in FIG. 4 as viewed from the direction of arrow Y. FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 ... End seal mechanism
2a: First end seal mechanism
2b Second end seal mechanism
3a ... 1st heating seal bar
3b second heating seal bar
6a, 6b ... Sealing surface
9a, 9b ... Cleaning device
12a ... 1st horizontal movement cylinder
12b 2nd horizontal moving cylinder
15a ... 1st height direction moving cylinder
15b 2nd height direction moving cylinder
19a, 19b ... wire brush

Claims (6)

A seal body cleaning device in a seal device that applies an end seal by sandwiching a film with a seal body comprising a pair of heating seal bars disposed in an end seal mechanism in a packaging machine ,
The left and right ends of the heating seal bar are formed in a stepped shape, and a relief recess is formed at a position away from the seal surface.
A wire brush is provided as a cleaning tool for the sealing body, and the cleaning tool provided with the wire brush is configured to be movable between the escape position of the heating seal bar and the sealing surface of the heating seal bar,
The cleaning tool is moved by a first moving means having a cylinder that moves from a retracted position in the escape recess of the heating seal bar to an operating position capable of contacting the sealing surface of the heating seal bar, and the sealing surface of the heating seal bar. A cleaning device for a sealing body, characterized in that it is performed by second moving means for moving the range along the longitudinal direction, and each moving means is constituted by a linear actuator . A seal body cleaning device in a seal device that applies an end seal by sandwiching a film with a seal body comprising a pair of heating seal bars disposed in an end seal mechanism in a packaging machine ,
A cleaning tool, a cleaning tool moving means for moving the cleaning tool to an operating position capable of contacting the sealing surface of the seal body, and moving the cleaning tool along the longitudinal direction of the sealing surface of the heating seal bar, and a cleaning tool moving means Control means for controlling the alarm, and notification means,
The cleaning tool moving means includes a first moving means for moving the cleaning tool from a retracted position away from the sealing surface of the heating seal bar in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction to an operating position capable of contacting the sealing surface, and cleaning. Second moving means for moving the cleaning tool along the longitudinal direction of the sealing surface of the heating seal bar in a state where the tool is located at the operating position;
The control means has input means for inputting set values of the automatic cleaning interval and the manual cleaning interval, and storage means for storing the input set values, and seals are made based on the stored set values. It is determined that the operation state of the device has reached either the automatic cleaning setting state or the manual cleaning setting state, and when the automatic cleaning interval setting value is reached, the sealing operation by the heating seal bar is suspended and the cleaning tool is moved. A cleaning device for a sealing body that performs a cleaning operation for controlling the means and cleaning the sealing surface of the heating seal bar with a cleaning tool, and notifies the manual cleaning alert information by the notification means when the manual cleaning interval setting value is reached . It is a cleaning device of the seal object according to claim 2 ,
The left and right ends of the heating seal bar are formed in a stepped shape, and a relief recess is formed at a position away from the seal surface.
The control means includes input means for inputting a set value of the number of times the cleaning tool is operated, and storage means for storing the input set value, and controls the cleaning tool moving means to control the first moving means. After the cleaning tool moved to the escape position in the escape recess of the heating seal bar by the first moving means is moved to the operating position capable of contacting the sealing surface of the heating seal bar, the stored set value is stored. The seal body cleaning device outputs a signal to reciprocate the cleaning tool along the longitudinal direction of the seal surface of the heating seal bar by the second moving means by the number of operations based on the above . It is a cleaning device of the seal object according to claim 2 or 3 ,
The control means has an input means for inputting the set value of the cleaning tool replacement interval, a storage means for storing the input set value, and a monitor for outputting the cleaning tool replacement alert information. Based on the setting value, it is determined that the operating state of the sealing device has reached the cleaning tool replacement setting state, and when the cleaning tool replacement interval setting value is reached, cleaning tool replacement alert information is notified to the monitor. apparatus. A cleaning device for a sealing body according to any one of claims 2 to 4 ,
It has a biting detection means for detecting the biting of foreign matter into the heating seal bar,
The control means stops the operation of each mechanism of the packaging machine together with the end seal mechanism that activates the heating seal bar when it is determined that the detected value by the biting detection means exceeds the reference value at the time of film sealing. When a start signal for restarting operation is input, the first and second moving means are driven to perform the cleaning operation, and then the operation of the end seal mechanism is restarted. A cleaning device for a seal body that outputs a control signal . A cleaning device for a sealing body according to any one of claims 2 to 5 ,
A cleaning device for a sealing body , wherein the cleaning tool is a wire brush and includes air blowing means for blowing air to the wire brush after the cleaning operation is completed .

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