JP5000406B2 - Internal sterilization mechanism of automatic packaging machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention belongs to the technical field of an automatic packaging machine that automatically fills and packs contents (raw materials) using a packaging material (packaging film). Specifically, the interior of the automatic packaging machine is sterilized. It relates to a mechanism for processing.

  Conventionally, as a device that fills bags with contents (raw materials) such as liquids in an aseptic environment, the packaging material (wrapping film) is folded in half while traveling, the mating surface is vertically sealed, and the packaging material is tubed An automatic wrapping machine has been developed in which the packaging material is horizontally sealed in a transverse direction perpendicular to the crease to form a bag of a predetermined capacity and the contents are filled therein. In such aseptic packaging using an automatic packaging machine, the contents and the packaging material are sterilized and sterilized, and then the contents are filled into the bag-shaped packaging material in an aseptic atmosphere, and the filling port is sealed and sealed. Is done.

In order to perform aseptic packaging in such a conventional automatic packaging machine, it is necessary to sterilize the interior of the automatic packaging machine prior to starting filling of the contents. As a method of sterilizing the inside of such an automatic packaging machine, the packaging material is removed from the automatic packaging machine and sprayed with, for example, hydrogen peroxide (H ₂ O ₂ ) as a sterilizing agent inside the automatic packaging machine, or peroxidation. Hydrogen gas was sent into the machine to sterilize the inside of the automatic packaging machine, and then the packaging material was applied again to sterilize the inside of the automatic packaging machine including the packaging material again.

  However, in the method of sterilizing the inside of the automatic packaging machine after removing the packaging material, it is necessary to remove the packaging material before and after sterilization, and then hang it up again. There was a problem that the number of man-hours for the sterilization work including the subsequent re-sterilization work increased, which was troublesome.

  Alternatively, as an alternative sterilization method, hydrogen peroxide water is sprayed while the automatic packaging machine is stopped while the packaging material is mounted on the automatic packaging machine, or hydrogen peroxide gas is fed into the automatic packaging machine for automatic packaging. The inside of the machine was sterilized.

  However, in the method of sterilizing the inside of the automatic packaging machine with the packaging material attached, the packaging material fed into the automatic packaging machine and the member for holding the packaging material can be saved, although the trouble of removing the packaging material or attaching the packaging material can be omitted. There is a possibility that the sterilizing agent is blocked between the roller and the like, and sterilization cannot be performed sufficiently.

  Therefore, while the packaging material is mounted on the automatic packaging machine, the packaging material transport mechanism of the automatic packaging machine continues to operate and sprayed with hydrogen peroxide water, or hydrogen peroxide gas is fed into the automatic packaging machine and inside the automatic packaging machine. A method has been devised to sterilize.

  In the method of sterilizing the inside of the automatic packaging machine while continuing the operation of the packaging material transport mechanism, the packaging material is removed prior to sterilization, and the packaging material is transported without the need for attaching the packaging material after sterilization. By supplying the sterilizing agent, the sterilizing agent comes to enter the shielded portion between the packaging material and a member (roller or the like) holding the packaging material, and a sufficient sterilizing effect is obtained.

Such an internal sterilization method in a conventional automatic packaging machine is disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example.
JP 2007-106463 A

  However, in the method of sterilizing the inside of the automatic packaging machine while continuing the operation of the packaging material transport mechanism, the packaging material part is transported only for sterilization work, so the transported packaging material part is the original packaging bag creation work The packaging material that cannot be used for the disposal is increased. That is, in the case where it is necessary to sterilize the interior prior to starting the filling operation of the automatic packaging machine, such as change of the internal structure of the automatic packaging machine, change of set in accordance with the change of the type of contents or replacement work of the raw material roll, The waste of packaging material was increasing.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a sterilization mechanism for an automatic packaging machine that can reduce the waste of the packaging material and easily and reliably sterilize the inside of the automatic packaging machine, thereby improving the reliability of the aseptic environment. .

  (1) The automatic wrapping machine of the present invention made to solve the above-described problem is folded in half in the longitudinal direction while feeding a predetermined amount from a raw roll around which the packaging material is wound. A packaging material feeding mechanism that feeds into the bag making mechanism, a sealing mechanism that forms a packaging bag shape by applying vertical and horizontal seals to the folded packaging material, and a filling mechanism that puts the contents into the packaging bag The packaging material transport mechanism includes a plurality of rollers for guiding the packaging material in a predetermined direction, and a guide bar member that circulates around the plurality of rollers. When the packaging material and the inside of the automatic packaging machine are sterilized as a preparatory work before the start of the filling operation, the automatic packaging machine supplies a sterilizing agent to the vicinity of the roller with the conveying operation of the packaging material stopped, and guides the roller. The rod member is driven around.

  (2) Moreover, the automatic packaging machine of this invention is generating the clearance gap which a sterilizing agent turns around between a roller and the packaging material which contacts this by the rotation drive of the said guide bar member.

  In the automatic packaging machine described in the above (1) and (2), a guide rod that circulates around each roller of the packaging material transport mechanism installed just before the mechanism for forming the packaging material into a bag shape. Since the gap between the wrapping material and the wrapping material that is in contact with the packaging material is created, the internal sterilization work can be reliably performed with the automatic packaging machine stopped.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the waste of the packaging material associated with the sterilization operation that has conventionally occurred can be suppressed, and the sterilization inside the automatic packaging machine can be easily and reliably performed to improve the reliability of the aseptic environment. The remarkable effect that it is possible can be produced.

  Embodiments of an internal sterilization mechanism in an automatic packaging machine according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view of an automatic packaging machine embodying the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, 1 is an automatic packaging machine, 2 is an original fabric roll wound with a packaging material, 3 is an original fabric roll installation area in the automatic packaging machine, 4 is an packaging material transport mechanism area in the automatic packaging machine, 5 Is an area for creating a packaging bag in an automatic packaging machine, and includes a bag making mechanism for folding the packaging material in the longitudinal direction and a vertical sealing mechanism for longitudinally sealing the folded packaging material. Reference numeral 6 denotes a roller between the packaging material transport mechanism and the packaging bag creation mechanism. In the present invention, the roller is described as being included in the packaging material transport mechanism. 7 is a folding guide rod of the bag making mechanism, 8 is a filling nozzle for feeding the contents into the packaging bag, 9 is a vertical sealing roll of the vertical sealing mechanism, 10 is a first horizontal sealing roll which is the first horizontal sealing mechanism, and 11 is The second horizontal sealing roll, which is the next horizontal sealing mechanism, 12 is a water sealing tank containing water inside, 13 is a sterilizing tank containing sterilizing agent inside, and 14 is for the packaging material passing through the inside. It is an air knife that sprays aseptic air. Note that FX is a packaging material fed from the raw fabric roll 2.

  In FIG. 1, the guide bar member is shown only for the roller 6 among the plurality of rollers installed in the packaging material transport mechanism area 4 and the packaging bag creation area 5. The guide bar members equivalent to 6 are configured, and these guide bar members exhibit the same operations and effects in the roller 6.

  Next, the operation relating to the sterilization effect of the packaging material accompanying the normal bag-making operation in the automatic packaging machine along the flow of the packaging material FX will be described with reference to FIG.

  (1) The packaging material FX fed out from the original fabric roll is transferred through the original fabric roll installation area 3 and sent to the water sealing tank 12. During this time, the state is the same as the outside air space, and the water-sealed tank 12 plays a role of blocking between the outside air space and the internal space of the automatic packaging machine with the internal water. That is, the water sealing tank 12 prevents outside air from entering the internal space of the automatic packaging machine. At the same time, since the packaging material FX passes through the water stored in the water sealing tank 12, dust, impurities, packaging material additives, and the like attached to the packaging material FX are removed.

  (2) The packaging material FX that has passed through the water-sealed tank 12 is sent to the sterilization tank 13. The sterilizing tank 13 contains a sterilizing agent up to the vicinity of the illustrated position, and the packaging material FX is transferred through the sterilizing agent to give a strong sterilizing action. Normally, hydrogen peroxide is used as this sterilant.

  (3) The packaging material FX that has passed through the sterilization tank 13 is sent to the packaging material transport mechanism region 4. Then, it is pulled upward by a packaging material feeding roller or the like in the packaging material transport mechanism region 4 and sent to the air knife 14. Aseptic air is sprayed inside the air knife 14, and the packaging material FX that has passed through here blows away a sterilizing agent such as hydrogen peroxide remaining on the surface of the packaging material FX by the ejection of this sterile air. It has been removed. As a result, the packaging material FX that has passed through the packaging material transport mechanism region 4 is subjected to sufficient sterilization processing and unnecessary sterilizing agent removal processing, while changing the flow direction in a substantially horizontal direction. It is sent to the packaging bag creation area 5 in the next process.

  (4) The packaging material FX sent to the packaging bag creation area 5 is bent by the roller 6 from the substantially horizontal direction to the substantially vertical downward direction by about 90 degrees and sent to the bag making mechanism including the folding guide rod 7. The description up to the roller 6 is the explanation of the packaging material transport mechanism.

  (5) Next, the packaging material FX is folded in half in the longitudinal direction by the folding guide rod 7, and the packaging material FX folded in half is longitudinally sealed by the longitudinal seal roll 9, and the packaging material FX is cylindrical. Become a shape.

  (6) The packaging material FX having a cylindrical shape is formed into a packaging bag shape by the first horizontal seal roll 10, and the contents are fed into the packaging bag via the filling nozzle 8. After filling, the inlet of the packaging bag is sealed by the first horizontal seal roll 10 to form a small bag packaging shape, and the portion laterally sealed by the first horizontal seal roll 10 is again horizontal by the second horizontal seal roll 11. A seal is applied to increase the seal strength. In this way, the sachet package shape filled with the contents is manufactured in a state of being connected in the running direction (downward) of the packaging material FX.

  (7) After that, a notch (cut) is appropriately given to the seal portion of the small bag packaging shape, and further, a perforation cut or a straight cut is given near the center of the horizontal seal portion to automatically form a desired packaging bag. It is discharged from the packaging machine 1.

  (8) After the packaging material FX is cylindrically shaped by the vertical seal roll 9, the interior of the packaging material FX is cut off from the outside air, so the first horizontal seal roll 10 and the second horizontal seal roll 11 and the subsequent The inside of the automatic packaging machine is not subjected to aggressive sterilization, but functions as a discharge passage for aseptic air from above (vertical seal roll or the like) to prevent intrusion of outside air.

  In this way, the packaging material is sterilized in accordance with the normal bag making operation in the automatic packaging machine 1, but on the other hand, the operation in the case of sterilizing the packaging material and the automatic packaging machine as a preparatory work before the start of the filling operation of the contents Will be described below with reference to FIG.

  (1) When changing the internal structure of the automatic packaging machine 1, changing the set of contents or changing the original roll, etc., a new packaging material will be prepared as a preparatory work before starting the filling of the contents And it is necessary to sterilize the inside of the automatic packaging machine 1.

  (2) After carrying out the internal modification work of the automatic packaging machine 1, the automatic packaging machine 1 sprays or passes a sterilizing agent such as hydrogen peroxide water on the packaging material transport mechanism area 4 and the packaging bag creation area 5 Hydrogen oxide gas is supplied to fill the packaging material transport mechanism area 4 and the packaging bag creation area 5 with a sterilizing agent.

  (3) In a state where the sterilizing agent is filled, the guide rod members of a plurality of rollers installed in the packaging material conveyance mechanism area 4 and the packaging bag creation area 5 are circulated while the conveyance operation of the packaging material FX is stopped. Let

  (4) As a result, a gap in which the sterilizing agent wraps around between the plurality of rollers and the packaging material in contact therewith, and the internal sterilization operation is performed while the conveyance operation of the packaging material FX is stopped. It was definitely possible to implement.

  (5) As described above, according to the present invention, the waste of the packaging material associated with the sterilization operation that has conventionally occurred is eliminated.

  Next, the operation until the sterilization operation inside the packaging material and the automatic packaging machine is completed and the operation moves to the normal bag making operation will be described below with reference to FIG.

  (1) When the sterilization operation inside the packaging material and automatic packaging machine is completed, the spray of sterilizing agent such as hydrogen oxide water or the supply of hydrogen peroxide gas in the packaging material transport mechanism area 4 and the packaging bag creation area 5 is stopped, Sprays such as hydrogen oxide water or hydrogen peroxide gas filled in the packaging material transport mechanism region 4 and the packaging bag creation region 5 are discharged out of the automatic packaging machine 1.

  (2) Sterile air is supplied to the packaging material transport mechanism area 4 and the packaging bag creation area 5 after the sterilant is discharged.

  (3) At the same time, in the packaging material transport mechanism region 4 and the packaging bag creation region 5, a certain amount of the packaging material sprayed with a sterilizing agent such as hydrogen oxide water or hydrogen peroxide gas was transported and sterilized. It is replaced with the packaging material, and the normal bag making operation is started.

  (4) The packaging material conveyed by a certain amount is discharged out of the automatic packaging machine 1 and discarded.

  FIG. 2 is a top view including a partial cross-sectional view in which the roller 6 portion between the packaging material transport mechanism and the packaging bag making mechanism is enlarged, and FIG. 3 is a front view in which the roller 6 portion is enlarged. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the roller 6 is rotatably attached to a base plate 15 obtained by extending the main body of the automatic packaging machine 1. The central axis of the roller 6 has a hollow structure, and a drive shaft 20 for rotating the guide rod member 22 is disposed on the central axis. A connecting member 21 is attached to the distal end portion of the drive shaft 20, and the connecting member 21 fixes the drive shaft 20 and the guide rod member 22 so as to be interlocked.

  On the other hand, a guide rod motor 24 is attached via a coupling member 23 on the back side where the drive shaft 20 penetrates the base plate 15. That is, when the guide bar motor 24 is driven to rotate by the automatic packaging machine 1, the coupling member 23, the drive shaft 20, the connecting member 21, and the guide bar member 22 connected to the drive shaft of the guide bar motor 24 are driven to rotate. Thus, a gap is generated between the roller 6 and the packaging material FX that is being stretched.

  FIG. 4 is an operation explanatory view showing a state in which the guide rod motor 24 rotates and the guide rod member 22 rotates 90 degrees. As shown in FIG. 4, the automatic packaging machine 1 supplies a spray of a sterilizing agent such as hydrogen peroxide water or hydrogen peroxide gas to the packaging material transport mechanism region 4 and the packaging bag creation region 5, and these packaging materials. After the transport mechanism region 4 and the packaging bag creation region 5 are filled with the sterilant, the guide rod motor 24 is driven to rotate.

  When the guide rod motor 24 is driven to rotate, the coupling member 23, the drive shaft 20, and the connecting member 21 connected to the drive shaft are driven to rotate clockwise, and the guide rod member 22 is rotated 90 degrees as shown. .

  FIG. 5 is an operation explanatory view showing a state in which the guide rod member 22 is rotated 180 degrees. As shown in FIG. 5, the automatic packaging machine 1 supplies a spray of a sterilizing agent such as hydrogen peroxide water or hydrogen peroxide gas to the packaging material transport mechanism area 4 and the packaging bag creation area 5, and these packaging materials. After the transport mechanism region 4 and the packaging bag creation region 5 are filled with the sterilant, the guide rod motor 24 is driven to rotate.

  When the guide rod motor 24 is driven to rotate, the coupling member 23, the drive shaft 20 and the connecting member 21 connected to the drive shaft are driven to rotate clockwise, and the guide rod member 22 is rotated 180 degrees as shown. .

  As a result, the sterilant penetrates into the gap between the packaging material FX and the roller 6 formed by rotating the guide bar member 22 by 180 degrees, and the contact surface between the packaging material FX and the roller 6 corresponding to this clearance is formed. Sterilized.

  FIG. 6 is an operation explanatory view showing a state in which the guide rod member 22 is rotated by 225 degrees. As shown in FIG. 6, the automatic packaging machine 1 supplies a spray of a sterilizing agent such as hydrogen peroxide water or hydrogen peroxide gas to the packaging material transport mechanism area 4 and the packaging bag creation area 5, and these packaging materials. After the transport mechanism region 4 and the packaging bag creation region 5 are filled with the sterilant, the guide rod motor 24 is driven to rotate.

  When the guide rod motor 24 is driven to rotate, the coupling member 23, the drive shaft 20, and the connecting member 21 connected to the drive shaft are driven to rotate clockwise, and the guide rod member 22 is rotated 225 degrees as shown. .

  As a result, the sterilant penetrates into the gap between the packaging material FX and the roller 6 formed by rotating the guide bar member 22 by 225 degrees, and the contact surface between the packaging material FX and the roller 6 corresponding to this gap Sterilized.

  FIG. 7 is an operation explanatory view showing a state in which the guide rod member 22 is rotated by 270 degrees. As shown in FIG. 7, the automatic packaging machine 1 supplies a spray of a sterilizing agent such as hydrogen peroxide water or hydrogen peroxide gas to the packaging material transport mechanism region 4 and the packaging bag creation region 5, and these packaging materials. After the transport mechanism region 4 and the packaging bag creation region 5 are filled with the sterilant, the guide rod motor 24 is driven to rotate.

  When the guide rod motor 24 is driven to rotate, the coupling member 23, the drive shaft 20, and the connecting member 21 connected to the drive shaft are driven to rotate clockwise, and the guide rod member 22 is rotated 270 degrees as shown. .

  As a result, the sterilant penetrates into the gap between the packaging material FX and the roller 6 formed by rotating the guide bar member 22 by 270 degrees, and the contact surface between the packaging material FX and the roller 6 corresponding to this clearance is formed. Sterilized.

  As described above, the internal sterilization mechanism in the automatic packaging machine according to the present invention described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 7 is used to transport the packaging material when sterilizing the packaging material and the inside of the automatic packaging machine as a preparatory work before starting the content filling operation. For each roller of the mechanism, a guide bar member that circulates around this is installed to create a gap where the sterilizing agent goes around with the packaging material that is in contact with it, so the automatic packaging machine has stopped operating The internal sterilization work can now be carried out reliably.

  The embodiment of the present invention is an example for embodying the present invention, and has a corresponding relationship with the invention-specific matters in the claims, but is not limited thereto. Various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

  The internal sterilization mechanism in the automatic packaging machine of the present invention described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 7 of the present invention is in contact with each roller of the packaging material transport mechanism by installing a guide rod member that circulates around this roller. Since a gap through which the sterilant wraps around can be freely formed with the packaging material, any sterilization effect can be easily realized. That is, when it is desired to enhance the sterilization effect by the internal sterilization mechanism in the automatic packaging machine of the present invention, it is only necessary to control the rotational drive of the guide bar member as follows.

(1) The rotation of the guide rod member 22 is set so as to rotate a plurality of times instead of only once. As a result, the sterilant penetrates into the gap between the packaging material FX and the roller 6 by the number of rotations, and the sterilization effect is enhanced.

(2) The rotational speed of the guide bar member 22 is set to be slow. As a result, the time during which the gap between the packaging material FX and the roller 6 is opened is lengthened, the time for the sterilant to permeate can be secured long, and the sterilization effect is enhanced.

  Further, the internal sterilization mechanism in the automatic packaging machine of the present invention described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 7 of the present invention is provided with a guide bar member that circulates around each roller of the packaging material transport mechanism. Although the example of the rotation control around has been described, the present invention is not limited to this. Even if the rotation control is performed counterclockwise, the same effect can be obtained.

It is a front view of the automatic packaging machine which implemented this invention. It is a top view including the partial cross section figure which expanded the roller 6 part which exists between a packaging material conveyance mechanism and a packaging bag preparation mechanism. It is the front view which expanded the roller 6 part. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing showing the state which the guide rod motor 24 rotated and the guide rod member 22 rotated 90 degree | times. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing showing the state which rotated the guide rod member 22 180 degree | times. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing showing the state which rotated the guide rod member 22 225 degree | times. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing showing the state which rotated the guide rod member 22 270 degree | times.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Automatic packaging machine 2 Original fabric roll 3 Original fabric roll installation area 4 Packaging material conveyance mechanism area 5 Packaging bag creation area 6 Roller 7 Folding guide rod 8 Filling nozzle 9 Vertical seal roll 10 First horizontal seal roll 11 Second horizontal seal roll DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 Water sealing tank 13 Sterilization tank 14 Air knife 15 Base plate 20 Drive shaft 21 Connecting member 22 Guide bar member 23 Coupling member 24 Guide bar motor

Claims (2)

A wrapping material transport mechanism that feeds the wrapping material into a bag making mechanism that folds the wrapping material in half in a longitudinal direction while feeding out a predetermined amount from an original roll on which the wrapping material is wound, and a longitudinal direction with respect to the folded wrapping material An automatic packaging machine having a sealing mechanism that forms a packaging bag shape by applying a seal and a lateral seal, and a filling mechanism that puts contents into the packaging bag,
The packaging material transport mechanism includes a plurality of rollers for guiding the packaging material in a predetermined direction, and a guide bar member that circulates around the plurality of rollers.
When sterilizing the inside of the packaging material and the automatic packaging machine as a preparatory work before the start of the filling operation of the contents, the automatic packaging machine supplies a sterilant near the roller in a state in which the transportation operation of the packaging material is stopped, An automatic wrapping machine characterized in that the guide rod member of the roller is driven to rotate.   2. The automatic packaging machine according to claim 1, wherein a gap in which the sterilizing agent circulates is generated between the roller and the packaging material in contact with the roller by the circumferential driving of the guide bar member.