JP7555591B2 - Packaging Machine - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a packaging machine that prevents sealing failures.

Conventionally, a pillow packaging machine (normal pillow packaging machine) equipped with a bag maker that forms a strip-shaped film into a cylindrical shape so that both side edges overlap below, and a center seal device that seals both side edges of the cylindrically formed film, has been known to have a technology that prevents foreign objects that are generated when part of the product is chipped off at the overlapping edge of the film or other foreign objects from being sealed while still attached, particularly when packaging products that generate product waste (such as dried noodles).

As one example, a horizontal pillow packaging machine has been developed that has a jam prevention guide with a Y-shaped cross section just before the joint of both side edges (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the conventional technology described in Patent Document 1, if a foreign object gets into the part where both side edges of the film are joined and attempts to proceed into the bag making machine, it hits the jam prevention guide located just before the joint of both side edges and is prevented from proceeding any further.

Patent No. 5951238

However, the jam prevention guide described in Patent Document 1 has a problem in that it cannot adequately remove foreign matter adhering to both side edges. In a configuration in which the jam prevention guide is located upstream of the bag making machine, the film downstream of the jam prevention guide is cylindrical, while the film upstream is strip-shaped. In other words, the jam prevention guide acts on both side edges before they are overlapped (in a state that is open to a certain extent), but there is a possibility that the contact between the jam prevention guide and foreign matter adhering there may be insufficient, in which case the foreign matter cannot be reliably removed.

In particular, when the product being packaged is baked goods, for example, there is a high possibility that small debris will adhere to the inside of the packaging material (the product side) as it is transported. Also, if the foreign object is small in size or contains a lot of moisture and is difficult to remove from the film, some will remain unscraped.

Even if it is possible to prevent foreign objects from entering the bag making machine upstream, if foreign objects fall off and adhere to both side edges before the film is transported to the center sealing device, the center seal may be performed as is, resulting in poor sealing.

The present invention was made in consideration of the above problems, and aims to provide a packaging machine that can thoroughly remove foreign matter from the sealing portion and prevent poor sealing.

The present invention relates to a packaging machine comprising: a bag making machine that overlaps both side edge portions of a continuously supplied strip-shaped packaging material to form it into a cylindrical shape; a sealing device that seals both side edge portions of the cylindrically formed packaging material; and a foreign matter brushing means, wherein the brushing means is disposed between the bag making machine and the sealing device and is configured so that at least a portion of it can be inserted between the both side edge portions, an air hole is provided in the portion that is inserted between the both side edge portions, and the brushing means has a suction means that sucks the both side edge portions through the air hole .

The present invention provides a packaging machine that can thoroughly remove foreign matter from the sealing area and prevent poor sealing.

1 is a front view showing an outline of a packaging machine according to an embodiment of the present invention; 1A to 1D are diagrams showing a part of the packaging machine according to the present embodiment, in which (A) is a front view, (B) is a front view, (C) is a side view, and (D) is a top view. 1A to 1F are top views, and FIG. 1G to FIG. 1M are front views showing modified examples of the brushing means according to the present embodiment. 1A to 1G are diagrams showing modified examples of the brushing means according to the present embodiment, in which (A) is a top view, (B) a front view, (C) a side view, and (D) to (G) are front views. 1A to 1D are diagrams showing a modified example of the brushing means according to the embodiment, in which (A) is a front view, (B) a side view, (C) a side view, and (D) a cross-sectional view.

The packaging machine 1 according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view showing the entire packaging machine 1, and FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a part of the packaging machine 1, where FIG. 2(A) is a front view showing the vicinity of the bag maker 14 and the center seal device 16, FIG. 2(B) is a further enlarged front view of FIG. 2(A), FIG. 2(C) is a side view of FIG. 2(B) seen from the upstream direction, and FIG. 2(D) is a top view showing a part of FIG. 2(B). Note that in this figure and the following figures, some components are omitted as appropriate to simplify the drawings. Also, in this figure and the following figures, the sizes, shapes, thicknesses, etc. of the members are appropriately exaggerated.

The packaging machine 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a so-called horizontal bag-making and filling machine in which packaging material YA1 such as film is continuously supplied in accordance with the sequential supply of items XA1, which are then made into cylindrical bags, and the packaging material YA1 is sealed and cut in the width direction at a predetermined pitch.

The packaging machine 1 uses a continuously supplied packaging material YA1 such as a resin film or paper to transport and package the items XA1, which are sequentially supplied from the previous process, from upstream to downstream. In FIG. 1, the side closer to the raw material roll YB1 (the left side in FIG. 1) is the upstream side, and the farther side (the right side in FIG. 1) is the downstream side. The items XA1 are, for example, foods such as baked goods that tend to generate product waste.

<Packaging machine>
1, the packaging machine 1 includes an article supply device 2, a packaging material supply device 3, a packaging machine main body 4, a control unit (not shown), etc. In addition, as definitions of various directions in the packaging machine 1, a first direction which is the longitudinal direction of the packaging material YA1 extending in a strip shape (direction in which the center seal extends) is defined as a conveying direction T, a second direction which is the width direction of the packaging material YA1 (direction in which the horizontal seals (top seal, end seal) extend) is defined as a conveying width direction W, and a third direction which is perpendicular to the conveying direction T and the conveying width direction W is defined as a conveying height direction H.

These components of the packaging machine 1 are controlled by a control unit. The control unit is made up of a CPU, RAM, ROM, etc., and performs various controls. The CPU is a so-called central processing unit, and executes various programs to realize various functions. The RAM is used as a working area for the CPU. The ROM stores the basic OS and programs executed by the CPU.

The item supplying device 2 transports the items XA1 at equal intervals and sequentially transports the items XA1 to the downstream packaging machine main body 4. The item supplying device 2 is, for example, composed of a finger conveyor. Specifically, the item supplying device 2 includes a transport surface (reference number omitted) having a slit, a side guide (not shown) that guides the items XA1 on the transport surface from the side, a driving sprocket 5, a driven sprocket (not shown), a circular chain 6 that runs across these sprockets, a number of fingers 7 attached to the chain 6 at equal intervals, and a servo motor (not shown) that serves as a power source.

The driving sprocket 5 rotates when driven by a servo motor. The driven sprocket rotates in conjunction with the driving sprocket as the chain 6 runs. The chain 6 runs in a circular motion as the driving sprocket rotates. A number of fingers 7 protrude upward from below the conveying surface through slits. These multiple fingers 7 run on the conveying surface as the chain 6 runs. As a result, the multiple fingers 7 push the item XA1 on the conveying surface and send it to the packaging machine main body 4.

The packaging material supply device 3 continuously supplies the packaging material YA1 to the downstream packaging machine main body 4. The packaging material supply device 3 is equipped with a raw material shaft 8, a servo motor (not shown), a guide roller 9, etc. The raw material shaft 8 rotatably holds the raw material roll YB1. This raw material shaft 8 is rotated by the servo motor and rotates the raw material roll YB1 that it holds. As a result, the packaging material YA1 is unwound (stretched) from the raw material roll YB1. The guide roller 9 appropriately changes the conveying direction of the raw material roll YB1, guides it to the packaging machine main body 4, and leads it to the supply port 14a of the bag maker 14.

In addition, instead of using the raw material driving method described above as a method for unwinding the packaging material YA1 from the raw material roll YB1, a feed roller driving method may be used in which a separate feed roller is provided and the feed roller is moved to unwind the packaging material YA1. Also, both the raw material driving method and the feed roller driving method may be used.

The packaging machine main body 4 packages the item XA1 supplied from the item supply device 2 with the packaging material YA1 supplied from the packaging material supply device 3. As a specific example, the packaging machine main body 4 includes a bag maker 14, a pinch roller 15, a center seal device 16, a first conveying device 17, an upper holding device 18, a top seal device (end seal device) 30, and a second conveying device 20.

The bag maker 14 forms a cylindrical bag from the packaging material YA1 supplied from the packaging material supply device 3 so that both side edge portions EP in the width direction (transport width direction W) overlap each other (see FIG. 2(C)). The bag maker 14 also supplies the item XA1 supplied from the item supply device 2 to the packaging material YA1 to be formed into a cylindrical bag. The bag maker 14 forms a regular pillow bag as an example here, and receives the packaging material YA1 continuously supplied from diagonally above so as to join the item XA1 at the supply port 14a, and folds the item XA1 along the conveying direction so as to wrap it from above the conveying height direction H. The bag maker 14 then forms a cylindrical bag by overlapping both side edge portions EP in the width direction (transport width direction W) of the packaging material YA1, and directs it downward from a slit (not shown) provided in the bottom surface portion 141 of the bag maker 14 in this example.

As shown in FIG. 2, the pinch rollers 15 are extended from the slits in the bottom surface 141 of the bag making machine 14, sandwiching and overlapping both side edge portions EP of the overlapping packaging material YA1, and applying a conveying force to the both side edge portions EP.

The center seal device 16 is equipped with a pair of left and right plate members 161 that form the conveying surface of the packaging material YA1, a pair of bar sealers 16a arranged below the plate members 161, and a press roller 16b, and performs a center seal on the packaging material YA1 that has been formed into a cylindrical shape downstream of the bag maker 14. The pair of left and right plate members 161 have their opposing surfaces spaced a predetermined distance apart, and their upper surfaces are arranged on the same horizontal plane. The bag maker 14 folds the item XA1 so as to envelop it from above in the conveying height direction H, and overlaps both side edge portions EP of the packaging material YA1. In this state, the both side edge portions EP enter the gap formed between the opposing surfaces of the plate members 161 of the center seal device 16 (Figure 2 (C)).

That is, both side edge portions EP hang down and protrude below the plate member 161. Then, the pair of bar sealers 16a sandwich and heat both side edge portions EP of the packaging material YA1 hanging down and protruding below the plate member 161 in an overlapping state. The center seal device 16 then presses both side edge portions EP of the heated packaging material YA1 with the press roller 16b. This forms the center seal portion CE1 (see FIG. 2A). That is, in FIG. 2A, both side edge portions EP upstream of the press roller 16b are overlapped but not bonded, and both side edge portions EP downstream of the press roller 16b are bonded to form the center seal portion CE1.

The center seal device 16 may be a rotary center seal device that uses a pair of rollers or multiple rollers to pinch and heat the center seal portion CE1. For example, the pinch roller 15 of this embodiment may be the upstream pinch roller, and the press roller 16b may be the downstream pinch roller. The packaging machine 1 of this embodiment has a foreign object brushing means 50 upstream of the center seal device 16, which will be described later.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the first conveying device 17 places the center-sealed cylindrical packaging material YA1, together with the item XA1 wrapped in the packaging material YA1, on a conveying surface (reference numeral omitted) and conveys them toward the top sealing device 30. This first conveying device 17 expands and contracts the conveying surface in the conveying direction in accordance with the box motion of the top sealing device 30.

The upper holding device 18 is disposed above the first conveying device 17 and holds down from above the item XA1 together with the packaging material YA1 being conveyed by the first conveying device 17. This allows the item XA1 to be conveyed while maintaining a horizontal position.

The top seal device (top seal means, horizontal seal means, end seal means) 30 performs top seals (end seals, horizontal seals) and cuts in the width direction (transport width direction W, direction across the packaging material YA1) of the packaging material YA1 at each cutting pitch according to the length of the item XA1. This forms the top seal portion TO1 (see Figure 1) and produces the package (pillow package) ZA1. In other words, the top seal device 30 seals and cuts the center-sealed packaging material YA1 in the transport width direction W at a predetermined interval (cut pitch).

As an example, the top sealing device 30 is a so-called box motion type having a pair of upper and lower top sealers 30a, 30b. The pair of top sealers 30a, 30b, arranged above and below the cylindrical packaging material YA1, move on a predetermined trajectory while maintaining their sealing surfaces facing each other, and perform top sealing and cutting in the width direction of the film at each cutting pitch according to the length of the article. The film part (top seal part TO1) that is sealed and cut by the top sealing device 30 is a predetermined position between the front and rear articles XA1. Note that the top sealing device 30 may be a rotary or linear reciprocating top sealing device other than a box motion type.

In addition, before (or simultaneously with) applying a top seal to the cylindrical packaging material YA1, the top seal device 30 pushes inward with gusset claws (not shown) a predetermined folding position on both sides in the traveling direction near the portion of the cylindrical packaging material YA1 to be top sealed, thereby folding the material and forming a folded portion.

The second conveying device 20 is provided downstream of the top sealing device 30. This second conveying device 20 is a belt conveyor that places the package ZA1 finished by the top sealing device 30 on the conveying surface 20a and conveys it to the next process. The second conveying device 20 expands and contracts the length of the conveying surface 20a in the conveying direction in accordance with the box motion of the top sealing device 30.

<Method of removal>
2, the brushing means 50 of this embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 2A, the brushing means 50 of this embodiment is provided upstream of the center seal device 16. The brushing means 50 is preferably disposed in the vicinity of the center seal device 16, and in this example, is provided immediately adjacent to the upstream end 16T of the center seal device 16, between the pinch roller 15 provided upstream of the center seal device 16 and the upstream end 16T of the center seal device 16. The brushing means 50 is configured so that at least a part of it (here, the upper end 50T) can be inserted between both side edge portions EP of the packaging material YA1 before it is overlapped and center-sealed by the bag former 14 (FIG. 2C).

In more detail, the external shape of the brushing means 50 is, for example, a long and narrow rectangular flat plate member (having a certain thickness in the conveying width direction W) having a short side extending in the conveying direction T and a long side extending in the conveying height direction H, or a flat, approximately rectangular member, which may be a solid material (a material filled inside as well) or a hollow material (a material with a hollow interior). Here, as an example, a case where the brushing means 50 is a flat, approximately rectangular member is described. The brushing means 50 has two side surfaces 51 that are in contact with or close to almost the entire width WE direction (Figure 2 (B)) of both side edge portions EP of the packaging material YA1, and in this example, an upstream end face 52 and a downstream end face 53. Here, "width WE of both side edge portions EP" refers to the length of both side edge portions EP along the conveying width direction W of the packaging material YA1 (the width of both side edge portions EP in the conveying width direction W of the packaging material YA1 before bag making), and in the example shown in Figure 2, it is the length in the vertical direction shown in the figure.

The brushing means 50 is configured so that its upper end 50T is sandwiched between the side edge portions EP (between the overlapped side edge portions EP) of the packaging material YA1 that hangs down and protrudes below the plate member 161, but in this state, the upper end portion 50T is fixed to the center seal device 16 or the like so that it is slightly (for example, a few mm) lower than the plate member 161 so that it does not protrude from the plate member 161. As a result, the two side surfaces 51 near the upper end portion 50T of the brushing means 50 contact or are close to almost the entire width WE direction of the side edge portions EP of the packaging material YA1 arranged on both outsides. The brushing means 50 is fixed so that it cannot be moved during the operation of the packaging machine 1 (during bag making), but in the case of a packaging machine 1 in which the width of the center seal portions CE1 (side edge portions EP) of the packaging material YA1 on both sides can be adjusted, the position of the brushing means 50 in the conveying height direction H can also be appropriately adjusted to the above-mentioned position.

Figure (D) is a top view of the brushing means 50. The brushing means 50 is configured so that at least a portion of it is in contact with or in close proximity to substantially the entire width WE direction of both side edge portions EP of the packaging material YA1. The "at least a portion" refers to, for example, (a part of) two side surfaces 51. Also, the "at least a portion" refers to the corners 50C provided at the upstream (illustrated) ends of the two side surfaces 51.

In this example, the brushing means 50 has at least two side surfaces 51 that are in contact with or in close proximity to almost the entire width WE direction of both side edge portions EP of the packaging material YA1. Also, in this example, the brushing means 50 is a flat, approximately rectangular member (a long, narrow rectangular flat plate member), and as shown in FIG. 1D, the upstream end face 52 and the side surface 51 are connected together so that the angle they form is approximately 90 degrees, forming a corner portion 50C.

When the product XA1 to be packaged is, for example, baked goods, which are prone to generating product scraps D even during packaging, the product scraps D are likely to adhere to the inside (product side) of the packaging material YA1. In particular, in the case of a horizontal regular pillow type packaging machine 1 that wraps the product XA1 from above in the conveying height direction H as in this example, as shown in Figures 2(B) to (D), the product scraps D are likely to adhere to the inside of both side edge portions EP, particularly between the two side edge portions EP facing each other. If the center seal is performed with product scraps D adhering to the inside of both side edge portions EP, there is a problem that the seal (close contact) will be insufficient or that unintended unevenness will occur, causing the product to get caught during sealing.

For example, in the prior art, a jam prevention guide is placed upstream of the bag making machine to prevent the entry of product scraps D, but the jam prevention guide acts on both side edge portions EP before the two pieces are stacked. In this case, because the packaging material YA1 is in an unstacked (open) state upstream of the jam prevention guide, there are cases where the contact between the packaging material YA1 and the jam prevention guide is insufficient, which creates a problem of not being able to reliably remove the product scraps D.

In this embodiment, the brushing means 50 has a configuration that allows the packaging material YA1 and the product scraps D adhering thereto to be sufficiently close (in close contact). As an example, the brushing means 50 in this embodiment is disposed between the pinch roller 15 provided upstream of the center seal device 16 and the upstream end 16T of the center seal device 16, more specifically, immediately adjacent to the upstream end 16T. In other words, upstream of the brushing means 50, the packaging material YA1 is overlapped by the bag maker 14 and pressed in close contact by the pinch roller 15, and downstream of the brushing means 50, the packaging material YA1 is sandwiched and sealed by the center seal device 16. The brushing means 50 moves relatively with the brushing means 51 disposed between the pinch roller 15 and the center seal device 16, with no gap (sufficiently close) between them. As shown in FIG. 1D, the corners 50c and/or sides 51 of the brushing means 50 come into contact with or are close to the packaging material YA1, and directly come into contact with the product scraps D adhering to the inside (between) of the side edges EP, and can brush them off by scraping them outward (upstream) (FIG. 1B, FIG. 1C). In other words, compared to the prior art, the side edges EP and the brushing means 50 can be brought sufficiently close (in close contact), and the inner surfaces of the side edges EP and the product scraps D adhering thereto can be reliably brought into contact with the upstream end surface 52 of the brushing means 50.

The effect of the brushing (scraping) is further enhanced if the upstream end of the brushing means 50 has an acute angle 50C of 90 degrees or less.

Furthermore, it is possible to perform center sealing immediately after the product debris D has been brushed off, allowing for good center sealing.

In this way, the brushing means 50 of this embodiment acts directly (e.g., by being inserted) on the inside (between) of the overlapping and adjacent (once closely attached) side edge portions EP to brush off (or scrape out) product debris D, and is not limited to the above examples as long as the means has this function.

<Modification>
Another example of the brushing means 50 will be described with reference to Figures 3 and 4. Figure 3 shows another example of the installation state of the brushing means 50 of this embodiment, where (A) is a front view, (B) to (F) are top views, and (G) to (M) are front views. In each case, the left side of the figure is the upstream side in the conveying direction T, and the right side of the figure is the downstream side in the conveying direction T. In other words, the packaging material YA1 is conveyed from left to right.

As shown in FIG. 3A, the shape of the brushing means 50 in a front view is not limited to a rectangular shape. For example, the shape of the upstream end face 52 in a front view may be a curved shape as shown in FIG. 3A, instead of a straight shape as shown in FIG. 2B (the upstream end face 52 is composed of one plane). In this example, only the upper end 50T in the front view of the upstream end face 52 is curved (the upstream end face 52 is composed of multiple planes connected together) so that it protrudes upstream (more than the lower part) (to the left in the figure), and the upper end 50T is trapezoidal. The trapezoidal portion is configured to fit within the width WE of both side edges EP shown by the two-dot chain line. Not limited to the example in this figure, at least a part of the upstream end face 52 may be curved.

Furthermore, the brushing means 50 may be configured so that at least a portion thereof is in contact with or in close proximity to substantially the entire width WE direction of both side edge portions EP of the packaging material YA1. For example, "at least a portion" refers to (a part of) the two side surfaces 51, or to corner portions 50C (particularly with an angle of 90 degrees or less) provided at the upstream (illustrated) ends of the two side surfaces 51.

For example, as shown in (B) to (F) of the same figure, the brushing means 50 may have an acute angle portion 55 on the downstream side of the conveying direction T of the packaging material YA1. In other words, the brushing means 50 may be configured such that two side surfaces 51 arranged between the packaging material YA1 (both side edge portions EP) are connected together so that the angle they form on the downstream side is an acute angle, thereby forming the acute angle portion 55. In this case, each side surface 51 may be configured so that multiple surfaces are lined up along the conveying direction T.

For example, in the example shown in FIG. 2B, the side surfaces 51 are arranged in a line along the transport direction T, with the first side surface 51a on the upstream side and the second side surface 51b on the downstream side. The first side surface 51a and the second side surface 51b are arranged in a line so as to form a predetermined angle. In this example, the first side surfaces 51a of the two side surfaces 51 are arranged almost parallel to each other, and the second side surfaces 51b are each composed of a plane that is inclined so that the downstream side is located in the center rather than the upstream side when viewed from above. This forms an acute angle portion 55 with the two second side surfaces 51b.

By forming the downstream end of the brush-off means 50 into an acute angle 55, the downstream direction of the packaging material YA1 (side edge portions EP) shown by the two-dot chain lines can be converged along the acute angle 55. The side edge portions EP are overlapped by the bag maker 14, but the overlap is temporarily separated when the brush-off means 50 passes through them. However, they are guided to converge again along the acute angle 55 of the brush-off means 50, and can enter the bar sealer 16a in an overlapped state. In this case, the first sides 51a do not have to be approximately parallel to each other.

Figure (C) shows an example in which a part of the upstream end surface 52 (near the center in the width (thickness) direction of the brushing means 50) in Figure (B) is formed to be located downstream of the upstream side of the side surface 51, creating a collection area 52a for product scraps D. In this example, the two planes are arranged in a dogleg shape when viewed from above to create the collection area 52a.

The product scraps D may be brushed off to the outside of the packaging material YA1 at the corners 50C and/or sides 51, or may be collected in a collection area 52a. The upstream end surface 52 may be of any shape as long as it is possible to create a collection area 52a.

Figure (D) shows an example in which the two side surfaces 51 are each formed of a single plane, and the downstream ends of these planes form an acute angle 55. Each side surface 51 is formed of a plane that is inclined so that the downstream side is located closer to the center than the upstream side when viewed from above. In this case, the side surface 51 may be formed of a curved surface. For example, it may be formed in a streamlined shape with the transport direction T as the flow direction when viewed from above.

Figure (E) shows an example in which the upstream end surface 52 in Figure (D) is curved to create a recovery area 52a.

Figure (F) is an example of reducing the contact area between the side 51 and the packaging material YA1 (both side edges EP) shown by the two-dot chain lines in Figure (E). Here, each side 51 is composed of a first side 51a that is a curved surface that curves away from the both side edges EP, and a flat second side 51b that is inclined so that the downstream side is located in the center rather than the upstream side when viewed from above. This brushing means 50 can reduce the contact area with the packaging material YA1 compared to the configurations shown in Figures 2 and 3 (B) to (E). In other words, in order to brush off (scrape off) the product scraps D, it is desirable to bring the packaging material YA1 and the brushing means 50 into sufficient contact with each other, or to bring the brushing means 50 close to the packaging material YA1 so as to ensure contact with the product scraps D. However, especially when the packaging material YA1 is made of a material that is weak or weak against friction, the contact between the two or the movement of the product scraps D between the two may cause scratches on the packaging material YA.

As shown in FIG. 1F, by reducing the contact area between the brushing means 50 and the packaging material YA1, it is possible to reliably brush off product debris D while preventing scratches on the packaging material YA1, resulting in a beautiful finished appearance. Note that this example is not the only option as long as the shape can reduce the contact area between the side surface 51 and the packaging material YA1.

Note that it is sufficient that at least a portion of the corner acts directly on the product scraps D to brush them off (scrape them off). In other words, the corners 50 may be configured to have an obtuse angle, and the corners 50 may mainly come into contact (close to) the packaging material YA1 and directly contact the product scraps D to brush them off.

3(G) to 3(M) are front views showing yet another example of the brushing means 50 capable of approaching (adhering) to the packaging material YA1, and the two-dot chain line indicates the position of the lower end of the side edge portion EP. The brushing means 50 may have an air hole 56. For example, one or more air holes 56 are provided on one side surface 51. The air hole 56 is, for example, a suction hole through which the side edge portion EP is sucked to the brushing means 50. In this case, the brushing means 50 is a hollow tubular (flat tubular) member, and although detailed illustration is omitted, it is provided with a pipe 61 and a suction means 62 connected thereto (see FIG. 2(A)). The suction means 62 performs suction continuously or intermittently, thereby drawing (sucking) the side edge portions EP to the brushing means 50. The side edge portions EP come into sufficient contact (close contact) with the brushing means 50 or are closer to each other than when not suctioned, allowing for more efficient scraping (brushing).

Figure (G) shows an example in which the ventilation hole 56 is (approximately) circular and is provided singly (one) on one side surface 51, and Figure (H) shows an example in which multiple ventilation holes are provided on one side surface 51. Figures (I) to (L) show non-circular ventilation holes 56 (here, elongated oval (long hole), slit-like), with Figure (I) being an example in which a single ventilation hole is provided on one side surface 51, and Figures (J) and (K) being examples in which multiple ventilation holes are provided. When multiple ventilation holes 56 are provided, they may be arranged in parallel as shown in Figures (H) and (J), or may be arranged in a staggered (alternate) pattern as shown in Figure (K). They may also be arranged randomly (unaligned). Figure (L) shows an example in which one ventilation hole 56 is a bent long hole. Here, an example is shown in which the ventilation hole 56 is provided in a "L" shape, but the ventilation hole 56 may be zigzag or wavy. Also, in the same figure (M), the long axis of the elliptical (long hole) ventilation hole 56 is tilted from the vertical direction (transport height direction H).

In either case, in order to sufficiently draw (suck) the side edge portions EP to the brushing means 50, the ventilation holes 56 should be positioned so as to fit within the width WE of the side edge portions EP (so as not to be exposed from the ends (two-dot chain lines) of the side edge portions EP). However, the amount of suction by the suction means 62 is sufficient to sufficiently draw the side edge portions EP to the brushing means 50. If there is a deaeration process to remove air from the packaging material YA1 in a later process (for example, at the time of top sealing), there is no problem even if some air is removed from the packaging material YA1 before center sealing by suction in the brushing means 50. The ventilation holes 56 may be configured in a combination of multiple of these. In this case, the external shape (shape when viewed from above) of the brushing means 50 may be as shown in the same figure (B) to (F) so that direct contact with the product waste D is effectively performed.

With reference to FIG. 4, further examples of the brushing means 50 will be described. (A) to (C) show one brushing means 50 according to another example, where (A) is a top view, (B) is a front view, and (C) is a cross-sectional view including a recess 57 (described below) as seen from the upstream side. (D) is a front view of one brushing means 50 according to yet another example, (E) is a front view of one brushing means 50 according to yet another example, (F) is a front view of one brushing means 50 according to yet another example, and (G) is a front view of one brushing means 50 according to yet another example.

The brushing means 50 shown in Figures 4(A) to (C) is similar to that shown in Figure 3(E) when viewed from above, and has an acute angle 55 at the downstream end (Figure 4(A)). A recess 57 is provided in the side surface 51 as shown in Figures 4(B) and 4(C), and an air hole 56 is provided inside (e.g., in the bottom surface). The air hole 56 is, for example, a suction hole (i.e., it has suction means 62, not shown).

In this case, too, the suction through the ventilation holes 56 draws (sucks) both side edges EP to the brushing means 50, as shown by the two-dot chain lines in FIG. 1C. The both side edges EP come into sufficient contact (close contact) with the brushing means 50, or are close enough that the corners 50C efficiently scrape (brush) off the product waste D.

This configuration makes it possible to draw both side edge portions EP and the brushing means 50 closer together while minimizing the contact area between them. In this case, air vents (suction holes) 56 may be provided in areas other than the recesses 57.

Furthermore, in the above example, the product scraps D are mainly brushed off (scraped off) by direct contact with a part of the outer surface of the brushing means 50 (such as the side surface 51 or the corner 50C). However, this is not limited to the above, and for example, in the configuration having the ventilation hole 56 shown in Figures 3(G) to 3(M) and 4(A) to 4(C), the product scraps D may be directly sucked and collected by the suction means 62. In this case, the both side edge portions EP are also attracted to the brushing means 50, but the suction means 62 acts directly on (sucks) the product scraps D to collect them. For this reason, if the adhesion between the both side edge portions EP and the brushing means 50 is made lower than in the above example, the product scraps D can be sucked up well. In other words, for example, in the configurations such as Figures 3(G) to 3(M), it is preferable to configure the ventilation hole 56 to be exposed from the both side edge portions EP.

The configurations in Figures 4(A) to 4(C) have been described as configurations that reduce the contact area between the side edge portions EP and the brushing means 50 in order to avoid scratches on the side edge portions EP, but this configuration also reduces the adhesion between the two, allowing for efficient suction and collection of product waste D.

Even in a configuration in which product scraps D are mainly collected by suction, the scraping means 50 may be configured to be able to brush them off by directly contacting a part of the outer surface (such as the side 51 or corner 50C). In other words, the scraping means 50 may have an outer shape as shown in Figures 3(B) to 3(F) and 4(A) to 4(C). On the other hand, in a configuration in which product scraps D are mainly collected by suction, as long as an air hole (suction hole) 56 is provided in the side 51, the shape may be such that a part of the outer surface does not come into contact with the packaging material YA1, and the outer shape may be, for example, a circular or elliptical shape when viewed from above.

Furthermore, in the case of a configuration in which product waste D is collected by suction, the ventilation hole (suction hole) 56 may be provided on the upstream end face 52 or the downstream end face 53, or a combination of multiple of these may be provided.

Furthermore, for example, in the configuration having the ventilation hole 56 shown in Figures 3(G) to 3(M) and Figures 4(A) to 4(C), the ventilation hole 56 may be an ejection hole for ejecting gas (for example, air or inert gas). In this case, the brushing means 50 is a hollow tubular (flat tubular) member, and is provided with a pipe 61 and a gas ejection supply means (including a gas cylinder, etc.) 63 connected thereto (see Figure 2(A)). The ejection supply means 63 ejects gas continuously or intermittently, thereby blowing off (brushing off) the product scraps D attached to the side edge portions EP. When the product scraps D are blown off by the ejection supply means 63, the blowing direction of the air, etc. is configured to be directed toward the outside (downward and upstream) of the packaging material YA1 (side edge portions EP) as shown in Figure 4(D) so that the product scraps D do not enter the packaging material YA1 again. For example, the inner wall of the ventilation hole 56 may be formed so as to be inclined in the same direction in the thickness direction of the side surface 51 (member) to give directionality so that the air is sprayed outside (downward and upstream) of the packaging material YA1. Alternatively, a nozzle may be further provided inside the brushing means 50, and the spray direction of the nozzle may be set to the outside of the packaging material YA1 (downward and upstream). Also, as shown in FIG. 4(E), in the brushing means 50 having the trapezoid upper end portion 50T shown in FIG. 3(A), a ventilation hole 56 may be provided on the trapezoid upstream end surface 52 so that air or the like is sprayed downward and upstream. Also, as shown in FIG. 4(F), a ventilation hole 56 may be provided above the upstream end surface 52 of the approximately rectangular (rectangular) brushing means 50 shown in FIG. 2 so that air or the like is sprayed downward and upstream.

In this case, air or the like may be sprayed for a predetermined time at a predetermined interval, or may be sprayed constantly. Also, the accumulation of product debris D may be detected by a sensor or the like, and if accumulated, air or the like may be sprayed to remove the product debris D. In this case, all of the brushing means 50 of this embodiment may be applied as the brushing means 50. Furthermore, the configuration shown in Figures 4(E) and 4(F) may be used to blow off product debris D that has adhered to and accumulated on the outer surface of the brushing means and/or the collection area 52a.

Also, as shown in FIG. 4(G), the suction means 62 may be configured to suck and collect product debris D that adheres to and accumulates on the outer surface of the brushing means 50 and/or in the collection area 52a (FIGS. 3(C), 3(E), and 3(F)).

If product scraps D remain attached to the outer surface of the brushing means 50 and/or the collection area 52a, there is a possibility that they will adhere to the packaging material YA1 again. However, by brushing them off with the suction means 62 or the jet supply means 63, it is possible to prevent the product scraps D from re-adhering to the packaging material YA1. In this case, the nozzle of the suction means 62 or the jet supply means 63 is disposed, for example, near the upstream end face 52 of the brushing means 50 or vertically below the collection area 52a, and configured so that gas is sucked in or jetted out along the upstream end face 52.

With reference to FIG. 5, another example of collecting product waste D by suction will be described. 5A and 5B are diagrams showing one brushing means 50 showing another example, where 5A is a front view and 5B is a side view seen from the upstream direction. The two-dot chain line shows the lower end of both side edge portions EP. In this example, multiple suction vents (suction holes) 56 are provided on the side surface 51 and the upstream end surface 52. The multiple vents (suction holes) 56 are provided in such a shape and size that the total opening area is approximately the same as the area of the side surface 51 of the brushing means 50 that is inserted into both side edge portions EP and faces them. In this example, the vents 56 provided on the side surface 51 and the upstream end surface 52 are positioned at different positions in the conveying height H direction, but they may be aligned.

Figures (C) and (D) show yet another example of a brushing means 50, with (C) being a side view from the upstream direction and (D) being a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in (C). In this example, the suction vent (suction hole) 56 is provided only on the upstream end surface 52. In this case, it is preferable to form the opening of the vent (suction hole) 56 in a tapered shape as shown in (D). In this example, the vent 56 is opened in a rectangular shape, with the long side 56A being tapered, but it is preferable to similarly form the short side 56B in a tapered shape.

Furthermore, the packaging machine 1 may be a general packaging machine (for example, a packaging machine in which gas is not actively filled during bag making), or a gas-filled packaging machine in which gas is continuously filled during bag making. In the case of a gas-filled packaging machine, the brushing means 50 capable of spraying gas may also serve as a nozzle of a gas supply device that supplies an inert gas into the internal space of the cylindrical packaging material YA1. The inert gas is filled into the packaging body ZA1 for the purpose of, for example, improving the shelf life of the product, and it is desirable to spray it toward the downstream side so that it is sufficiently retained within the packaging body ZA1. On the other hand, when used as the brushing means 50, it is desirable to spray it toward the upstream side for the purpose of discharging product waste to the outside of the packaging material YA1 as described above. Therefore, in this case, it is desirable to configure the gas spray direction to be switchable. The nozzle may also have a double structure. The gas to be sprayed may also be switchable depending on the purpose, and when used as the brushing means 50, for example, air may be sprayed.

In addition, for example, the brushing means 50 capable of sucking in product scraps may also serve as a nozzle for an inert gas supply device. In this case, for example, the brushing means 50 may first suck in the packaging material YA1 and suck in and collect the product scraps, and then spray the inert gas into the internal space of the cylindrical packaging material YA1.

The brushing means 50 may be configured to be movable in the conveying direction T (upstream or downstream) in synchronization with the conveying of the packaging material YA1, or may be configured to be movable in the conveying height direction H (up and down).

In this way, the brushing means 50 of this embodiment is inserted between the overlapped side edge portions EP (inside) and acts on the side edge portions EP (and product scraps D) from the inside (the inside to be sealed) of the package ZA1 to brush off the product scraps D. The brushing means 50 may use any of the following methods to brush off the product scraps D: a method of contacting the outer surface of the brushing means 50 with the side edge portions EP and scraping off the product scraps D, a method of sucking and collecting the side edge portions EP (and product scraps D) using the suction means 62 (the outer shape of the brushing means 50 is arbitrary), or a method of injecting gas into the side edge portions EP (and product scraps D) using the injection supply means 63 to blow them off (the outer shape of the brushing means 50 is arbitrary). In addition, the above-described multiple modified examples can be implemented in appropriate combination. For example, the brushing (scraping) of the product scraps D by the outer surface of the brushing means 50 and the suction or blowing of the product scraps D by gas injection may be performed simultaneously.

In addition, in the case of a configuration in which an air vent 56 is provided (either when the packaging material YA1 and/or product scraps D are sucked in through the air vent 56 or when air or the like is sprayed out), the brushing means 50 can be placed at any position upstream of the center seal device 16. In other words, the brushing means 50 may be placed upstream of the bag maker 14. However, in order to prevent the product scraps D from adhering again to the side edge portions EP, it is preferable to place it between the pinch roller 15 and the center seal device 16.

The brushing means 50 may also be arranged at multiple locations along the transport path of the packaging material YA1.

The plate member 161 may also be provided with a notch to prevent interference with the brushing means 50. In this case, the upper surface 54 of the brushing means 50 is positioned below the conveying surface of the plate member 161.

The brushing means 50 should also be detachable so that it can be cleaned.

In addition, the recess 57 that is long in the transport direction T may be provided with a downward inclination toward the downstream so that the upstream side is higher and the downstream side is lower.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit and technical concept of the present invention.

1 Packaging machine 2 Item supply device 3 Packaging material supply device 4 Packaging machine body 5 Sprocket 6 Chain 7 Finger 8 Raw material shaft 9 Guide roller 14 Bag maker 14a Supply port 15 Pinch roller 16 Center seal device 16T Upstream end 16a Bar sealer 16b Press roller 17 First conveying device 20 Second conveying device 30 Top seal device (end seal device)
50 Brushing means 50T Upper end portion 51 Side surface 51a First side surface 51b Second side surface 52 Upstream end surface 53 Downstream end surface 54 Upper surface 55 Acute angle portion 56 Vent hole 57 Recess 61 Pipe 62 Suction means 63 Jet supply means 141 Bottom surface portion 161 Plate member CE1 Center seal portion D Product waste EP Both side edge portions

Claims (5)

a bag former for forming a continuous strip of packaging material into a cylindrical shape by overlapping both side edges of the material;
a sealing device that seals both side edge portions of the packaging material formed into a cylindrical shape;
A foreign matter brushing means,
the brushing means is disposed between the bag making machine and the sealing device, and is configured so that at least a portion of the brushing means can be inserted between the both side edge portions;
A ventilation hole is provided in the portion inserted between the both side edge portions,
a suction means for sucking the both side edge portions through the air vents;
A packaging machine characterized by: The brushing means has two side surfaces facing the both side edges,
The ventilation hole is provided on the side surface.
2. The packaging machine according to claim 1 . The brushing means has an upstream end surface,
The ventilation hole is provided in the upstream end surface.
3. The packaging machine according to claim 1 or 2. At least a portion of the brushing means is in contact with or adjacent to the entire width of each of the side edges.
4. The packaging machine according to claim 1, wherein the packaging machine is a packaging machine having a plurality of packaging members. The brushing means has corners facing the both side edges on the upstream side in the conveying direction of the packaging material.
5. The packaging machine according to claim 1, wherein the packaging machine is a packaging machine having a plurality of packaging members.

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