JP7589989B2 - Product supply equipment and packaging system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a product supply device that supplies multiple products in a stacked state, a vertical form-fill-seal packaging machine that packages multiple products supplied from the product supply device in a stacked state, and a packaging system that combines these.

A vertical form-fill-seal packaging machine is known that includes a vertically extending product filling tube, a vertical sealing device that seals the overlapping ends of a strip of film formed into a cylindrical shape along the product filling tube, and a horizontal sealing device that seals both ends of a bag containing a product that is supplied through the product filling tube.

This type of vertical product filling and packaging machine is used, for example, to allow containers of instant noodles, instant rice, etc. to fall freely in sequence inside a product filling tube, and then package multiple containers together in a vertically stacked state (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 03-256805 Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 06-032302

However, as the containers fall freely inside the product filling tube, they may separate from each other or change position (e.g., rotate). This results in multiple containers being packaged in an improperly stacked state.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has an object to provide a product supplying device and packaging system that supply a plurality of products in a stacked state.

In order to solve the above problem, the present invention provides a product supplying device that supplies multiple products in a stacked state to a vertical form-fill-seal packaging machine that packages products, the product supplying device being arranged above the product filling tube of the vertical form-fill-seal packaging machine and movable between a holding position where multiple products are held in a stacked state and a release position where the holding of the multiple stacked products is released; a product pushing device that is movable in the vertical direction between a standby position above the products held by the product holding device and a stop position below the upper end opening of the product filling tube; and a supplying device controller that controls the product holding device and the product pushing device, the supplying device controller performing a pushing process that moves the product holding device from the holding position to the release position and moves the product pushing device in the standby position downward while abutting against the upper surface of the multiple stacked products, and a return process that moves the product pushing device that has reached the stop position to the standby position and moves the product holding device from the release position to the holding position.

According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a product supplying device and a packaging system that supply a plurality of products in a stacked state.

FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of a packaging system. FIG. 1 is a side view of the packaging system. FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of the packaging system. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the packaging system according to the embodiment. 6 is a time chart showing the speed and position of the push plate, the position of the shutter device, and the position of the seal block of the transverse sealing device. 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of a packaging system according to a modified example.

The packaging system 1 according to the embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiment of the present invention described below is an example of how the present invention can be realized, and does not limit the scope of the present invention to the scope of the described embodiment. Therefore, the present invention can be implemented by making various modifications to the embodiment.

Figure 1 is an overall perspective view of the packaging system 1. Figure 2 is a side view of the packaging system 1. The packaging system 1 according to this embodiment is a system that packages multiple products P in a stacked state. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the packaging system 1 is composed of, for example, a vertical form-fill-seal packaging machine 2, a product supply device 3, and a belt conveyor 4.

The vertical form-fill-seal packaging machine 2 is a device that forms a strip-shaped film Fw (strip-shaped packaging material) into a bag Bp and fills the bag Bp with multiple products P supplied in a stacked state from a product supply device 3. The vertical form-fill-seal packaging machine 2 mainly comprises a film supply device 10, a product filling tube 21, a former 22 (cylinder former), a conveying device 30, a vertical sealing device 40, a horizontal sealing device 50, and a packaging machine controller 60 (see FIG. 3).

The strip film Fw is a strip-shaped packaging material that is used to make bags that package the product P. The strip film Fw is a film-like member that can be welded by applying heat, and examples of such materials include polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), biaxially oriented polypropylene (OPP), aluminum-backed paper, and aluminum-deposited paper. The product P is, for example, a container that contains food (e.g., instant noodles, instant rice). More specifically, the product P is a flat container whose vertical dimension is shorter than its front-to-back and left-to-right dimensions. However, examples of the product P are not limited to these, and include any item that is packaged in a bag Bp and shipped.

The film supply device 10 is a device that transports the strip-shaped film Fw wound around the winding roll 11 to the former 22. The film supply device 10 mainly comprises the winding roll 11, multiple fixed guide rolls 12a to 12h, and a tension mechanism 13.

The driving force of a motor (not shown) is transmitted to the winding roll 11, which rotates in a direction to unwind the strip film Fw. The fixed guide rolls 12a to 12h are arranged in the feed path of the strip film Fw from the winding roll 11 to the former 22, and guide the strip film Fw transported along the feed path. The tension mechanism 13 applies an appropriate tension to the strip film Fw transported along the feed path.

A date printing device 15 and a date inspection device 16 are arranged facing the feed path of the strip film Fw from the winding roll 11 to the former 22. The date printing device 15 prints dates (e.g., date of manufacture, expiry date, best before date, etc.) at a predetermined position on the strip film Fw transported by the film supply device 10. The date inspection device 16 inspects whether the date has been properly printed by the date printing device 15.

The product filling tube 21 is a cylindrical member having an upper end opening and a lower end opening. The product filling tube 21 extends in the vertical direction. The upper end opening of the product filling tube 21 is located directly below the product supply device 3. The product filling tube 21 fills the bags Bp formed by the vertical sealing device 40 and the horizontal sealing device 50 with multiple products P supplied from the product supply device 3.

The former 22 is attached to the outer surface of the product filling tube 21. The former 22 overlaps both ends in the width direction of the strip film Fw supplied from the film supply device 10, forming the strip film Fw into a cylindrical shape along the outer surface of the product filling tube 21.

The conveying device 30 is disposed facing the outer surface of the product filling tube 21 below the former 22 and above the lower end opening of the product filling tube 21. The conveying device 30 conveys the strip film Fw formed into a cylindrical shape by the former 22 downward along the outer surface of the product filling tube 21. More specifically, the conveying device 30 includes a pair of conveying belts 31, 32 disposed on both sides of the left-right direction (width direction) of the product filling tube 21. The pair of conveying belts 31, 32 receive the driving force of a motor (not shown) and feed the strip film Fw covering the outer peripheral surface of the product filling tube 21 downward toward the lateral sealing device 50.

The vertical sealing device 40 is disposed in a position facing the product filling tube 21 in the front-rear direction. The vertical sealing device 40 is also disposed downstream of the former 22 and upstream of the horizontal sealing device 50 in the conveying direction of the strip film Fw by the conveying device 30.

The vertical sealing device 40 has a pair of sealing blocks 41, 42 arranged to sandwich the overlapped ends of the strip film Fw. The pair of sealing blocks 41, 42 move toward and away from each other as the rotation of a motor (not shown) is transmitted. Each of the pair of sealing blocks 41, 42 has a built-in heater. The vertical sealing device 40 moves the pair of sealing blocks 41, 42 between a sealing position and an open position.

The sealing position is where a pair of seal blocks 41, 42 abut against each other, sandwiching the overlapped ends of the strip film Fw. This causes the overlapped ends of the strip film Fw to be continuously sealed (welded) in the longitudinal direction. As a result, the strip film Fw is formed into a cylindrical shape. The opening position is where the pair of seal blocks 41, 42 are spaced apart.

The horizontal sealing device 50 is disposed below the lower end opening of the product filling tube 21. The horizontal sealing device 50 also includes a pair of sealing blocks 51, 52 disposed horizontally opposite each other so as to sandwich the cylindrically formed strip-shaped film Fw. The pair of sealing blocks 51, 52 move toward and away from each other by the transmission of rotation of a motor (not shown). Each of the pair of sealing blocks 51, 52 includes a built-in heater. The sealing block 51 also includes a cutter that cuts the boundary between the successive bags Bp. The horizontal sealing device 50 may further include a gusset mechanism. The horizontal sealing device 50 moves the pair of sealing blocks 51, 52 to a sealing position, a receiving position, and an opening position.

The sealing position is a position where a pair of sealing blocks 51, 52 are brought into contact with the cylindrically formed strip film Fw, thereby sealing (welding) the contacting portion of the strip film Fw. In other words, the horizontal sealing device 50 moves the pair of sealing blocks 51, 52 to the sealing position at predetermined intervals, thereby sealing the portion corresponding to the bottom of the bag Bp and the portion corresponding to the top of the bag Bp, and cutting the boundary between the two consecutive bags. This produces the bag Bp.

The receiving position is a position where the pair of seal blocks 51, 52 are spaced apart to a distance closer than the width of the product P. In other words, the product P falling inside the cylindrically molded strip film Fw cannot pass between the seal blocks 51, 52 at the receiving position. In other words, the seal blocks 51, 52 at the receiving position support the product P falling inside the cylindrically molded strip film Fw.

The open position is a position where the pair of sealing blocks 51, 52 are separated by a distance greater than the width of the product P. In other words, the product P inside the tubularly formed strip film Fw can pass between the sealing blocks 51, 52 in the open position. In other words, the sealing blocks 51, 52 in the open position allow the product P to pass together with the strip film Fw transported by the transport device 30.

The product supply device 3 is a device that vertically stacks the products P transported in order via the belt conveyor 4 and supplies the stacked products P to the vertical bag making, filling and packaging machine 2 (more specifically, the product filling tube 21). As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the product supply device 3 mainly comprises a shutter device 70 (product holding device), a pusher device 80 (product pushing device), and a supply device controller 90 (see Figure 3).

The shutter device 70 is disposed above the product filling tube 21. More specifically, the shutter device 70 is disposed in a position facing the upper end opening of the product filling tube 21 in the vertical direction. The shutter device 70 stacks and holds the products P supplied in order through the belt conveyor 4 in the vertical direction, and drops the stacked products P toward the product filling tube 21. The shutter device 70 mainly comprises a pair of locking pieces 71a, 71b and a pair of air cylinders 72a, 72b. However, the specific configuration of the shutter device 70 is not limited to this.

The pair of locking pieces 71a, 71b are arranged facing each other in the horizontal direction. More specifically, the pair of locking pieces 71a, 71b are arranged facing each other in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the product P by the belt conveyor 4. The pair of locking pieces 71a, 71b move toward and away from each other by the driving force of the corresponding air cylinders 72a, 72b. The shutter device 70 moves the pair of locking pieces 71a, 71b between a holding position and a release position.

The holding position is a position where the pair of locking pieces 71a, 71b are close to each other at a distance closer than the width of the product P. In other words, the product P supplied from the belt conveyor 4 cannot pass between the locking pieces 71a, 71b at the holding position. Therefore, the locking pieces 71a, 71b at the holding position can hold the product P supplied through the belt conveyor 4 in a stacked state. More specifically, the locking pieces 71a, 71b at the holding position hold the product P by locking the outer edge of the product P. Then, multiple products P are stacked on top of the product P locked by the locking pieces 71a, 71b as the belt conveyor 4 supplies the products P in order.

The release position is a position where the pair of locking pieces 71a, 71b are separated by a distance greater than the width of the product P. That is, the locking pieces 71a, 71b in the release position release the stacked products P. The products P released from the hold by the locking pieces 71a, 71b pass between the locking pieces 71a, 71b in the release position and fall toward the product filling tube 21.

The pusher device 80 is disposed above the shutter device 70. The pusher device 80 is a device that pushes the multiple products P that have been released from the hold by the shutter device 70 into the product filling tube 21 (more specifically, the strip-shaped film Fw formed into a cylindrical shape) while still in a stacked state. The pusher device 80 mainly comprises a push plate 81, a push rod 82, and a drive mechanism 83. However, the specific configuration of the pusher device 80 is not limited to this.

The push plate 81 is a plate-like member that abuts (preferably makes surface contact with) the top surface of the topmost product P held by the locking pieces 71a, 71b in the holding position. The push rod 82 protrudes upward from the top surface of the push plate 81. The drive mechanism 83 is connected to the push rod 82 and generates a drive force for moving the push plate 81 and the push rod 82 in the vertical direction. The drive mechanism 83 is, for example, composed of a circular belt stretched around a drive roller and a driven roller.

As shown in FIG. 2, the push plate 81 moves vertically between a standby position and a stop position by the driving force of the drive mechanism 83. The standby position is a position above the top product P held by the shutter device 70. The stop position is a position below the upper end opening of the product filling tube 21. In addition, the stop position may be above the lower end opening of the product filling tube 21 or below the lower end opening of the product filling tube 21, as long as it is above the horizontal sealing device 50. In addition, a deceleration start position is set below the standby position and above the stop position.

The push plate 81 moves downward from the standby position to the deceleration start position at an acceleration higher than the gravitational acceleration (for example, uniformly accelerated linear motion). The push plate 81 also starts to decelerate at the deceleration start position and stops at the stop position. Furthermore, the push plate 81 moves upward from the deceleration start position to the standby position at a predetermined speed pattern.

Figure 3 is a hardware configuration diagram of the packaging system 1. The packaging system 1 packages multiple products P in a stacked state by interlocking the packaging machine controller 60 of the vertical form-fill-seal packaging machine 2 and the supply device controller 90 of the product supply device 3.

The packaging machine controller 60 and the supply device controller 90 each include, for example, a central processing unit (CPU) 61, 91, which is a calculation means, and a memory 62, 92, which is a storage means. The memory 62, 92 is, for example, a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a hard disk drive (HDD), or a combination of these. The CPU 61, 91 reads and executes the programs stored in the memory 62, 92, thereby executing the processes described below.

However, the specific configuration of the packaging machine controller 60 and the supply device controller 90 is not limited to this, and may be realized by hardware such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array).

The packaging machine controller 60 and the supply device controller 90 are also connected to communication I/Fs 63 and 93. The communication I/Fs 63 and 93 are configured to be able to communicate with each other via a communication line (e.g., a LAN, the Internet, etc.). That is, the packaging machine controller 60 and the supply device controller 90 can send and receive information via the communication I/Fs 63 and 93.

The packaging machine controller 60 also controls the operation of each of the devices 10, 30, 40, and 50 by driving the actuators (e.g., motors, air cylinders, etc.) provided in the film supply device 10, the conveying device 30, the vertical sealing device 40, and the horizontal sealing device 50. The supply device controller 90 controls the operation of each of the devices 70 and 80 by driving the actuators (e.g., motors, air cylinders, etc.) provided in the shutter device 70 and the pusher device 80.

Furthermore, the supply device controller 90 is connected to a product detection sensor 94. The product detection sensor 94 detects that the shutter device 70 is holding a predetermined number of products P, and outputs a detection signal indicating the detection result to the supply device controller 90. As one example, the product detection sensor 94 may be installed at a predetermined height from the locking pieces 71a, 71b, and detect that the products P have reached the installation position (i.e., the products P have been piled up). As another example, the product detection sensor 94 may detect the weight applied to the locking pieces 71a, 71b.

Next, the operation of the packaging system 1 will be described with reference to Figures 4 and 5. Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the packaging system 1. Figure 5 is a time chart showing the speed and position of the push plate 81, the position of the shutter device 70, and the positions of the seal blocks 51, 52 of the horizontal sealing device 50. Note that at the start of the process shown in Figure 4 (time t0 in Figure 5), the seal blocks 41, 42 of the vertical sealing device 40 are in the open position, the seal blocks 51, 52 of the horizontal sealing device 50 are in the receiving position, the shutter device 70 is in the holding position, and the push plate 81 of the pusher device 80 is in the standby position.

First, the supply device controller 90 waits to execute the processes in steps S12 and after until N products P are stacked on the shutter device 70 at the holding position (S11: No) based on the detection signal output from the product detection sensor 94. Note that N is an integer equal to or greater than 2, and is 5 in the example of FIG. 2.

Next, in response to the product detection sensor 94 detecting that N products P have been stacked at time t1 in FIG. 5 (S11: Yes), the supply device controller 90 transmits a supply start signal to the vertical form fill and pack packaging machine 2 via the communication I/F 93 (S12). The supply start signal is a signal that indicates the start of supplying products P to the product filling tube 21.

The supply device controller 90 also moves the shutter device 70 from the holding position to the release position (S13). Furthermore, the supply device controller 90 lowers the push plate 81 at an acceleration faster than the gravitational acceleration (S14). More specifically, the supply device controller 90 starts lowering the push plate 81 after the shutter device 70 has moved to the release position. The processes of steps S13 and S14 are an example of a push process. Also, step S12 and steps S13-S14 may be executed in reverse order or in parallel.

As a result, the push plate 81 enters the product filling tube 21 together with the stacked N products P while abutting against the top surface of the topmost product P among the N products P. As a result, the N products P move downward within the product filling tube 21 (in other words, the strip-shaped film Fw formed into a cylindrical shape) while remaining stacked by the push plate 81.

Next, at time t2 in FIG. 5, the supply device controller 90 starts decelerating the push plate 81 in response to the push plate 81 reaching the deceleration start position. Also, at time t4 in FIG. 5, the supply device controller 90 stops the push plate 81 at the stop position. In other words, the supply device controller 90 starts decelerating the push plate 81 at the deceleration start position so that the push plate 81 stops at the stop position (S15). As a result, below the deceleration start position, the push plate 81 is separated from the top surface of the topmost product P.

Next, at time t4 in FIG. 5, the supply device controller 90 starts raising the push plate 81 in response to the push plate 81 reaching the stop position (S16). Then, at time t7 in FIG. 5, the supply device controller 90 stops the push plate 81 at the standby position. Furthermore, the supply device controller 90 moves the shutter device 70 from the release position to the holding position (S17). More specifically, the supply device controller 90 moves the shutter device 70 to the holding position after the rising push plate 81 passes the locking pieces 71a and 71b. The processes of steps S16 and S17 are an example of a return process.

The fact that the push plate 81 has reached the deceleration start position, the stop position, or the standby position may be detected by a sensor (not shown), by the elapsed time since the push plate 81 has started to descend or ascend, or by the encoded value of a rotary encoder attached to the motor of the drive mechanism 83.

Then, the supply device controller 90 executes the processes from step S11 onwards again. In other words, the supply device controller 90 repeatedly executes the processes from step S11 to S17. That is, the product supply device 3 repeatedly supplies the stacked N products P to the vertical form fill and pack packaging machine 2 at predetermined time intervals.

Meanwhile, the packaging machine controller 60 waits to execute the processes from step S21 onwards until it receives a supply start signal from the product supply device 3 via the communication I/F 63. Then, in response to receiving the supply start signal from the product supply device 3 via the communication I/F 63, the packaging machine controller 60 starts measuring a predetermined arrival time. The arrival time is the time required for the stacked N products P to reach the positions of the seal blocks 51 and 52 after the shutter device 70 reaches the release position. The arrival time is determined in advance by a combination of the length of the product filling tube 21 and the descent speed (acceleration) of the push plate 81.

Then, the packaging machine controller 60 determines that N products P have arrived at the sealing blocks 51, 52 at the receiving position when the arrival time has elapsed since receiving the supply start signal (S21: Yes). In other words, the process of step S21 is an example of a receiving process in which multiple products P that have passed through the product filling tube 21 in a stacked state are received by the sealing blocks 51, 52 at the receiving position.

Next, at time t3 in FIG. 5, the packaging machine controller 60 moves the sealing blocks 51 and 52 from the receiving position to the open position in response to the N products P reaching the positions of the sealing blocks 51 and 52 (S22). As a result, the N products P supported by the sealing blocks 51 and 52 are supported on the portion corresponding to the bottom of the bag Bp sealed in the previous step S24.

Next, the packaging machine controller 60 drives the conveying device 30 to convey the cylindrically formed strip film Fw downward a predetermined conveying amount (S23). As a result, the N products P move downward together with the strip film Fw. The conveying amount in step S23 is the amount required for the stacked N products P to move downward below the sealing blocks 51 and 52. The conveying amount of the strip film Fw is detected, for example, by the encoded value of a rotary encoder attached to the motor of the conveying device 30. The processes of steps S22 and S23 are an example of a conveying process.

Next, at time t5 in FIG. 5, the packaging machine controller 60 moves the sealing blocks 41 and 42 of the vertical sealing device 40 to the sealing position and also moves the sealing blocks 51 and 52 of the horizontal sealing device 50 to the sealing position in response to the transport of the strip film Fw by a predetermined transport amount (S24). That is, the packaging machine controller 60 causes the vertical sealing device 40 to seal the overlapped ends of the cylindrically formed strip film Fw. The packaging machine controller 60 also causes the horizontal sealing device 50 to seal the portion corresponding to the top of the bag Bp containing N products P and the portion corresponding to the bottom of the next bag Bp. The process of step S24 is an example of a sealing process. Furthermore, the horizontal sealing device 50 may form gussets (folds) on both side surfaces of the bag Bp in step S24.

Next, at time t6 in FIG. 5, the packaging machine controller 60 moves the sealing blocks 41 and 42 of the vertical sealing device 40 to the open position, and moves the sealing blocks 51 and 52 of the horizontal sealing device 50 to the receiving position (S25). The packaging machine controller 60 then executes the processes from step S21 onwards again. In other words, the packaging machine controller 60 repeatedly executes the processes from step S21 to S25. That is, the vertical form fill and pack packaging machine 2 packages the N products P supplied at predetermined time intervals in a stacked state.

Note that the timing shown in FIG. 5 is an example and is not limiting. For example, time t3 may be before or after time t4, as long as it is after time t2. Time t5 may be before time t4 or after time t7. Furthermore, time t6 may be before time t4 or after time t7.

The above embodiment provides the following advantages:

According to the above embodiment, by lowering the push plate 81, N products P can be pushed into the product filling tube 21 in a stacked state. This makes it possible to prevent the products P from separating from each other or changing their posture inside the product filling tube 21. As a result, the N products P can be appropriately stacked and packaged.

When pushed by the push plate 81, the N products P move downward at a speed faster than if they were to fall freely. Therefore, if the N products P that have passed through the product filling tube 21 hit the bottom of the bag Bp directly, the bag Bp may be damaged. Therefore, as in the above embodiment, the N products P supplied through the product filling tube 21 are received by the seal blocks 51 and 52 at the receiving position, thereby preventing packaging defects due to damage to the bag Bp.

In addition, according to the above embodiment, the product P can be released by moving the pair of locking pieces 71a, 71b closer and farther apart. This makes it possible to reduce the stroke amount compared to the case where a single plate supporting the lower surface of the product P is moved horizontally. As a result, it is possible to reduce the time lag between when it is detected that N products P have been stacked and when the N products P actually start to fall.

In addition, according to the above embodiment, the packaging machine controller 60 transitions from the receiving process to the conveying process when a predetermined arrival time has elapsed, based on the supply start signal output from the product supply device 3. This allows the next process to be performed after N products P are received by the sealing blocks 51 and 52. As a result, the vertical form fill and pack machine 2 and the product supply device 3 can be appropriately linked.

[Modification]
However, the method of interlocking the vertical form fill pack packaging machine 2 and the product supply device 3 is not limited to the above example. Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the packaging system 1 according to a modified example. Note that a detailed description of the commonalities with the above embodiment will be omitted, and the description will focus on the differences.

The packaging machine controller 60 according to the modified example transmits a supply request signal to the product supply device 3 through the communication I/F 63 with the sealing blocks 51, 52 of the horizontal sealing device 50 positioned at the receiving position (S20). The supply request signal is a signal that requests the start of supplying N products P. Then, the packaging machine controller 60 according to the modified example executes the processing from step S22 onwards when the arrival time has elapsed since transmitting the supply request signal (S21: Yes).

The supply device controller 90 according to the modified example executes the processes from step S13 onward in response to receiving a supply request signal from the vertical form fill and pack packaging machine 2 via the communication I/F 93 (S20). Note that it is assumed that N products P are already being held by the shutter device 70 in the holding position when the supply request signal is received.

The above modification also allows the vertical form fill and pack machine 2 and the product supply device 3 to be properly linked.

In the above embodiment and modified example, the packaging machine controller 60 of the vertical form-fill-seal packaging machine 2 and the supply device controller 90 of the product supply device 3 transmit and receive information to each other while processing is being carried out, but the packaging system 1 may also be provided with a common controller that commonly controls both the vertical form-fill-seal packaging machine 2 and the product supply device 3. The common controller may then grasp the respective states of the vertical form-fill-seal packaging machine 2 and the product supply device 3, and execute each of the processes S11, S13-S17, and S21-S25.

1...Packaging system, 2...Vertical bag making, filling and packaging machine, 3...Product supply device, 4...Belt conveyor, 10...Film supply device, 11...Winding roll, 12a-12h...Fixed guide roll, 13...Tension mechanism, 15...Date printing device, 16...Date inspection device, 21...Product filling tube, 22...Former, 30...Conveyor device, 31, 32...Conveyor belt, 40...Vertical sealing device, 41, 42, 51, 52...Seal block, 50...Horizontal sealing device, 60...Packaging machine controller, 61, 91...CPU, 62, 92...Memory, 63, 93...Communication I/F, 70...Shutter device, 71a, 71b...Latching piece, 72a, 72b...Air cylinder, 80...Pusher device, 81...Push plate, 82...Push rod, 83...Drive mechanism, 90...Supply device controller, 94...Product detection sensor

Claims (4)

A product supplying device that supplies a plurality of products in a stacked state to a vertical form-fill-seal packaging machine that packages products,
a product holding device that is disposed above a product filling tube of the vertical form-fill-seal packaging machine and that is movable between a holding position where it holds a plurality of products in a stacked state and a release position where it releases the holding of the plurality of stacked products;
a product pushing device that is movable in the vertical direction between a standby position above the product held by the product holding device and a stop position below the upper end opening of the product filling tube;
A supply device controller that controls the product holding device and the product pushing device,
The supply device controller
a pushing process in which the product holding device is moved from the holding position to the release position, and the product pushing device in the standby position is moved downward while being in contact with the upper surfaces of the stacked products;
A product supplying device characterized in that the product pushing device that has reached the stop position is moved to the standby position, and a return process is performed to move the product holding device from the release position to the holding position. 2. The product supply device according to claim 1,
The supply device controller, in the pushing process,
Moving the product pushing device downward from the standby position to a deceleration start position below the standby position and above the stop position at an acceleration greater than the acceleration of gravity;
A product supplying device, characterized in that the product pushing device starts to decelerate at the deceleration start position so that the product pushing device stops at the stop position. 3. The product supply device according to claim 1,
The product holding device has a pair of locking pieces arranged opposite each other in the horizontal direction,
In the holding position, the products are brought closer together at a distance shorter than the width of the products;
A product supplying device characterized in that, in the release position, the products are spaced apart to a distance greater than the width of the products. A product supplying device that supplies a plurality of products in a stacked state;
a vertical form-fill-seal packaging machine that fills a plurality of products supplied in a stacked state by the product supply device into bags formed from a strip-shaped packaging material,
The product supply device includes:
a product holding device that is disposed above a product filling tube of the vertical form-fill-seal packaging machine and that is movable between a holding position where it holds a plurality of products in a stacked state and a release position where it releases the holding of the plurality of stacked products;
a product pushing device that is movable in the vertical direction between a standby position above the product held by the product holding device and a stop position below the upper end opening of the product filling tube;
A supply device controller that controls the product holding device and the product pushing device,
The supply device controller
a pushing process in which the product holding device is moved from the holding position to the release position, and the product pushing device in the standby position is moved downward while being in contact with the upper surfaces of the stacked products;
a return process for moving the product pushing device that has reached the stop position to the standby position and moving the product holding device from the release position to the holding position;
The vertical form fill pack packaging machine is
A cylindrical product filling tube having an upper end opening and a lower end opening;
a cylinder former for forming the strip-shaped packaging material into a cylindrical shape;
a conveying device that conveys the strip-shaped packaging material formed into a cylindrical shape by the cylinder former downward along an outer surface of the product filling cylinder;
a vertical sealing device for sealing both overlapping ends of the strip-shaped packaging material formed into a cylindrical shape by the cylinder former;
a horizontal sealing device that seals portions of a cylindrical strip of packaging material containing a plurality of products that are discharged from the bottom opening in a stacked state, the portions corresponding to the top and bottom of the bag;
A packaging machine controller that controls the conveying device, the vertical sealing device, and the horizontal sealing device,
The horizontal sealing device moves a pair of seal blocks arranged opposite to each other in a horizontal direction to a sealing position where the strip-shaped packaging material formed into a cylindrical shape is sandwiched and sealed, a receiving position spaced apart by a distance closer than the width of the product, and an open position spaced apart by a distance farther than the width of the product,
The packaging machine controller
a receiving process in which the plurality of products that have passed through the product filling tube in a stacked state are received by the pair of seal blocks at the receiving position;
a conveying process in which the pair of seal blocks are moved to the open position and the cylindrically formed strip packaging material is conveyed by the conveying device a predetermined distance;
A packaging system characterized by performing a sealing process in which both overlapping ends of a strip-shaped packaging material formed into a cylindrical shape are sealed by the vertical sealing device, and the pair of sealing blocks are moved to the sealing position.

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