JP7739202B2 - Product bag processing device and product bag processing method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a product bag processing device and a product bag processing method.

Conventionally, after a product is placed inside a bag in a bag filling and packaging machine to create a product bag, a product bag processing device is used to even out the thickness of the product bag when storing the product bag in a specified storage space. Patent Document 1 discloses an example of a product bag processing device. This conventional product bag processing device is equipped with a conveying device and a pressure device, and can even out the thickness of the product bag by pressurizing the product bag between the conveying device and the pressure device. This allows the product bags to be stacked efficiently within the storage space and prevents the stacked product bags from collapsing.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-2632

The inventors are considering using multiple bagging and packaging machines to produce multiple types of product bags, and then processing these multiple types of product bags using a single product bag processing device. In this case, there is no need to install multiple product bag processing devices corresponding to each bagging and packaging machine, which is expected to contribute to reducing the installation space of the device and cutting costs. However, when processing multiple types of product bags of different heights using a product bag processing device, if a relatively tall product bag is introduced, the leading edge of the product bag may collide with the pressure device, causing the product bag to become clogged.

Furthermore, when using a single pressure device to level the height of product bags, it is necessary to increase the pressure applied by the pressure device to the product bags. However, particularly when products are unevenly packed inside the product bags, the contact area between the pressure device and the product bags becomes smaller, and large forces are applied locally to the product bags. In this case, the bags containing the products may be damaged.

The first object of the present invention is to prevent clogging of product bags when processing multiple types of product bags of different heights in a product bag processing device.

A second object of the present invention is to prevent damage to the bags containing the products when processing the product bags using a product bag processing device.

The product bag processing device according to the present invention comprises:
a conveying device having a conveying surface that conveys product bags along a conveying direction;
a pressure device having a pressure surface facing the conveying surface and disposed above the conveying surface,
A product bag processing device that pressurizes the product bags between the conveying surface and the pressing surface,
a bag thickness detection device that is disposed upstream of the pressure device in the conveying direction and detects the thickness of the product bags;
a gap adjustment mechanism that adjusts the gap between the conveying surface and the pressure surface by raising and lowering the pressure surface;
and a control unit that controls the gap adjustment mechanism based on a signal from the bag thickness detection device.

In the product bag processing device according to the present invention,
a first sensor that is disposed upstream of the pressure device in the conveying direction and that is capable of detecting the product bag;
a second sensor that is disposed downstream of the first sensor in the conveying direction and is capable of detecting the product bag,
If the bag thickness detection device detects that the product bag has a thickness greater than a predetermined thickness, the control unit may raise the pressure device when the product bag is detected by the first sensor, and lower the pressure device when the product bag is detected by the second sensor.

In the product bag processing device according to the present invention,
The second sensor may be disposed within an extension range of the pressure surface in the conveying direction when the pressure device is at its lowest position.

In the product bag processing device according to the present invention,
A plurality of the pressure devices may be provided.

The product bag processing device according to the present invention comprises:
a conveying device having a conveying surface that conveys product bags along a conveying direction;
a plurality of pressure devices each having a pressure surface facing the conveying surface and arranged above the conveying surface along the conveying direction,
A product bag processing device that pressurizes the product bags between the conveying surface and the pressing surface,
The pressure applied by at least one of the pressure devices is greater than the pressure applied by at least one other pressure device located upstream of the pressure device in the conveying direction.

The method for treating product bags according to the present invention comprises:
a conveying device having a conveying surface that conveys product bags along a conveying direction;
a pressure device having a pressure surface facing the conveying surface and disposed above the conveying surface,
a bag thickness detection step of detecting a thickness of the product bag upstream of the pressure device in the conveying direction;
a gap adjusting step of adjusting the gap between the conveying surface and the pressing surface by raising and lowering the pressing surface based on the detection result in the bag thickness detecting step;
and a pressurizing step of pressurizing the product bags between the conveying surface and the pressurizing surface.

The method for treating product bags according to the present invention comprises:
a conveying device having a conveying surface that conveys product bags along a conveying direction;
A method for processing product bags in a product bag processing device including a plurality of pressure devices each having a pressure surface facing the conveying surface and arranged above the conveying surface along the conveying direction, the method comprising:
The pressurizing process includes a pressurizing step in which the product bag is pressurized between the conveying surface and the pressure surface, in which at least one of the pressure devices pressurizes the product bag with a pressure greater than the pressure of at least one other pressure device located upstream of the pressure device in the conveying direction.

The present invention can prevent clogging of product bags when processing multiple types of product bags of different heights in a product bag processing device. Alternatively, the present invention can prevent damage to the bags containing the products when processing product bags in a product bag processing device.

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an embodiment of the present invention, and is a side view showing an example of a product bag processing apparatus. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to line II-II in FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to the line III-III in FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a bag thickness detection device of a product bag processing device. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a bag thickness detection device of a product bag processing device. FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a portion of the product bag processing device of FIG. 1, and is a view for explaining an example of the operation of the product bag processing device. FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a portion of the product bag processing device of FIG. 1, and is a view for explaining an example of the operation of the product bag processing device.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. This is a side view of an example of a product bag processing device 10, illustrating an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to line II-II in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to line III-III in FIG. 1.

In this specification, the direction in which the product bags 5 are transported is referred to as the transport direction dc. As will be described later, in the product bag processing device 10 of this embodiment, the product bags 5 are transported horizontally. In this case, the transport direction dc coincides with the horizontal direction. The direction perpendicular to the transport direction dc and parallel to the horizontal direction is referred to as the width direction dw. Furthermore, the symbol dv represents the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the transport direction dc, width direction dw, and vertical direction dv are perpendicular to one another. However, this is not limited to this, and for example, the transport direction dc and the vertical direction dv do not have to be perpendicular to one another.

The product bag processing device 10 of this embodiment is a device that processes and levels the height of product bags 5 containing products. When the product bag 5 of this embodiment changes its position, the product contained therein may become unevenly distributed within the bag. Therefore, the product bag 5 changes shape relatively easily depending on its position. The product bag 5 is, for example, a flexible bag containing a flowable product. The bag is formed, for example, from paper, plastic film, metal film, or a combination of these. The bag may be provided with air holes that allow air to pass through. The flowable product is, for example, a granular, powdery, or paste-like product. Examples of such flowable products include sugar, salt, flour, and rice.

Product bags 5 are manufactured, for example, using a bag filling and packaging machine that fills the product into a bag and seals the opening of the bag. The manufactured product bags 5 are stored in a specified storage space. In particular, the product bags 5 are stacked within the storage space. If the product is unevenly stored within the bag, large gaps will occur when the product bags 5 are stacked. By using the product bag processing device 10 to level the thickness of the product bags 5 before stacking them within the storage space, the resulting gaps can be reduced, allowing for effective use of the storage space. This also prevents the stacked product bags 5 from collapsing. Note that in this specification, "leveling the thickness of the product bags 5" means reducing the difference between the maximum and minimum thicknesses of the product bags 5. Therefore, "leveling the thickness of the product bags 5" should not be interpreted as being limited to completely uniforming the thickness of the product bags 5.

The product bag processing device 10 includes a frame 15, a conveying device 20, and a pressure device 30. In this embodiment, the product bag processing device 10 also includes a bag thickness detection device 50, a spacing adjustment mechanism 60, and a control unit 70. The product bag processing device 10 is installed on the floor surface 8.

The conveying device 20 is configured, for example, as a belt conveyor. In this embodiment, the conveying device 20 has a conveying belt 22 driven by a drive source (not shown). The conveying belt 22 is a member that supports the product bags 5 from below and conveys them along the conveying direction dc. The upper surface of the conveying belt 22 also serves as a conveying surface 24 for conveying the product bags 5. In Figure 1, the product bags 5 are conveyed from left to right by the conveying device 20. Accordingly, the left side in Figure 1 is the upstream side of the conveying direction dc, and the right side is the downstream side.

The conveyor belt 22 is an endless belt stretched over a drive roller driven by a drive source and a driven roller that rotates idly without being driven by the drive source. In FIG. 1, the rotation of the drive roller causes the conveyor belt 22 to rotate clockwise. The upper portion of the conveyor belt 22 moves from upstream to downstream along the conveying direction dc. As a result, the product bags 5 supported by the conveyor belt 22 are conveyed from upstream to downstream along the conveying direction dc. The conveying device 20 may have a single conveyor belt 22 or multiple conveyor belts 22. In this embodiment, the conveying surface 24 extends horizontally, and the product bags 5 are conveyed horizontally on the conveying surface 24. However, this is not limited to this, and the conveying surface 24 may extend in a direction inclined relative to the horizontal direction.

The pressure device 30 is a device that applies pressure to the product bags 5 to even out the thickness of the product bags 5. The pressure device 30 is positioned above the conveying surface 24. The pressure device 30 has a pressure surface 32, and applies pressure to the product bags 5 between the pressure surface 32 and the conveying surface 24. The pressure device 30 in this embodiment has a pressure belt 31, a swinging mechanism 34, and a contact portion 39.

The pressure belt 31 is stretched over a drive roller driven by a drive source (not shown) and a driven roller not driven by the drive source. The pressure belt 31 is an endless belt stretched over a drive roller driven by a drive source and a driven roller that is not driven by the drive source and rotates freely. In FIG. 1, rotation of the drive roller causes the pressure belt 31 to rotate counterclockwise. The lower portion of the pressure belt 31 moves from upstream to downstream along the conveying direction dc. The pressure device 30 may have one pressure belt 31 or multiple pressure belts 31.

In this embodiment, the surface of the pressure belt 31 that faces the conveying surface 24 is the pressure surface 32. The pressure surface 32 includes a rear portion 32a that extends substantially parallel to the conveying surface 24, and a front portion 32b that is located upstream of the rear portion 32a and extends in a direction inclined relative to the rear portion 32a. The front portion 32b extends so as to approach the conveying surface 24 as it moves from the upstream side to the downstream side. Because the pressure surface 32 has this front portion 32b, when the product bag 5 is introduced between the conveying surface 24 and the pressure surface 32, a collision between the product bag 5 and the pressure belt 31 and a failure of the product bag 5 to move further downstream are prevented.

The swing mechanism 34 is a mechanism capable of swinging the pressure belt 31. The swing mechanism 34 can be realized, for example, by a parallel link mechanism. The swing mechanism 34 includes multiple swing arms 35 constituting the parallel link mechanism and a connecting plate 36 (see Figure 2) connecting two swing arms 35 adjacent to each other in the width direction dw. One end of each swing arm 35 is rotatably attached to the frame 15 around an axis extending in the width direction dw. The other end of each swing arm 35 is rotatably attached to a support member 38 that supports a drive roller and a driven roller around which the pressure belt 31 is wound, around an axis extending in the width direction dw. The support member 38 is formed, for example, by a metal plate extending in the conveying direction dc and the vertical direction dv. Each swing arm 35 extends in a direction inclined relative to the conveying direction dc and the vertical direction dv, so as to extend downstream as it extends downward.

The contact portion 39 is a portion that comes into contact with a part of the gap adjustment mechanism 60 (described below). In the example shown in Figures 1 and 3, the contact portion 39 is a rod-shaped protrusion that protrudes from the support member 38 in the width direction dw. When the contact portion 39 is pressed by the gap adjustment mechanism 60, the pressure device 30 moves upward. In particular, when the contact portion 39 is pressed by the gap adjustment mechanism 60, the pressure device 30 moves upward and downstream.

The product bag processing device 10 may have multiple pressure devices 30. Figure 1 shows an example in which the product bag processing device 10 has four pressure devices 30. However, this is not limited to this, and the product bag processing device 10 may have one, two, or three pressure devices 30, or may have five or more pressure devices 30.

In the example shown in FIG. 1, the product bag processing device 10 has a load adjustment mechanism 40. The load adjustment mechanism 40 is a mechanism for adjusting the load applied to the product bags 5 by the pressure device 30. The load adjustment mechanism 40 includes an air cylinder 42 and a regulator 44. The air cylinder 42 has a main body 42a and a rod 42b that can be extended and retracted from the main body 42a. The main body 42a is attached to the frame 15. The tip of the rod 42b is attached to the connecting plate 36. The regulator 44 is a device for adjusting the pressure of the air cylinder 42.

In the example shown in FIG. 1, the air cylinder 42 applies a force to the pressure device 30 in a direction that lifts the pressure device 30. For example, if the pressure device 30 weighs 200 kg, a load of 200 kg is applied to a product bag 5 located between the pressure surface 32 of the pressure device 30 and the conveying surface 24 when the load adjustment mechanism 40 is not activated. When the load adjustment mechanism 40 applies a force to the pressure device 30 so as to lift 50 kg of the pressure device 30's weight (pulling the pressure device 30), the load applied to the product bag 5 located between the pressure surface 32 of the pressure device 30 and the conveying surface 24 becomes 150 kg. When the load adjustment mechanism 40 applies a force of 50 kg toward the conveying surface 24 in addition to the weight of the pressure device 30 (pressing the pressure device 30 against the conveying surface 24), the load applied to the product bag 5 located between the pressure surface 32 of the pressure device 30 and the conveying surface 24 becomes 250 kg. The magnitude of the force applied by the load adjustment mechanism 40 to the pressure device 30 is adjusted by adjusting the pressure of the air cylinder 42 with the regulator 44. The load adjustment mechanism 40 is not limited to a mechanism including the air cylinder 42. The load adjustment mechanism 40 may be, for example, a spring arranged to lift the pressure device 30.

When the product bag processing apparatus 10 has multiple pressure devices 30, the pressure (load) of at least one pressure device 30 may be greater than the pressure (load) of at least one other pressure device 30 located upstream of that pressure device 30 in the conveying direction dc. In particular, the pressure (load) of at least one pressure device 30 may be greater than the pressure (load) of all other pressure devices 30 located upstream of that pressure device 30 in the conveying direction dc. Furthermore, the pressure (load) of at least one pressure device 30 may be greater than the pressure (load) of all other pressure devices 30 located upstream of that pressure device 30 in the conveying direction dc. Furthermore, all pressure devices 30 other than the most upstream pressure device 30 may have a pressure (load) greater than the pressure (load) of all other pressure devices 30 located upstream of that pressure device 30 in the conveying direction dc. Furthermore, all pressure devices 30 other than the most upstream pressure device 30 may have a greater pressure force (load) than all other pressure devices 30 located upstream of that pressure device 30 in the conveying direction dc. For example, the pressure force (load) of the pressure devices 30 may increase toward the downstream side in the conveying direction dc. As shown in FIG. 1, if the product bag processing apparatus 10 has four pressure devices 30, the pressure forces (loads) of the pressure devices 30 may be, for example, 30 kg, 60 kg, 100 kg, and 200 kg, in that order, from upstream to downstream in the conveying direction dc.

The pressure (load) of at least one pressure device 30 is greater than the pressure (load) of at least one other pressure device 30 located upstream of that pressure device 30 in the conveying direction dc. This allows the thickness of the product bags 5 to be evened out with a first pressure by one pressure device 30, and then the thickness of the product bags 5 to be evened out with a second pressure force greater than the first pressure force by a pressure device 30 located downstream of that pressure device 30. Therefore, the thickness of the product bags 5 can be evened out in stages, compared to when the thickness of the product bags 5 is evened out with a relatively large second pressure force, without evened out with a relatively small first pressure force. This prevents large localized forces from being applied to the product bags 5. Therefore, damage to the product bags 5 can be prevented when the thickness of the product bags 5 is evened out.

The bag thickness detection device 50 is a device that detects the thickness of the product bags 5 introduced into the product bag processing device 10. The bag thickness detection device 50 is located upstream of the pressure device 30 in the conveying direction dc. If the product bag processing device 10 has multiple pressure devices 30, the bag thickness detection device 50 is located further upstream of the pressure device 30 located most upstream in the conveying direction dc. In other words, the bag thickness detection device 50 is located upstream of all pressure devices 30 included in the product bag processing device 10 in the conveying direction dc.

Figures 4 and 5 show an example of a bag thickness detection device 50. The bag thickness detection device 50 has a main body 52 and a contact piece 54. The contact piece 54 is rotatably attached to the main body 52 around a rotation shaft 56 extending in the width direction dw. In the example shown in Figures 4 and 5, the contact piece 54 has a curved shape that extends counterclockwise as it moves away from the rotation shaft 56. However, this is not limited to this, and the contact piece 54 may also extend linearly from the rotation shaft 56. The contact piece 54 may be a rod-shaped member or a plate-shaped member.

When the thickness of the product bag 5 introduced into the product bag processing device 10 is equal to or less than the predetermined thickness, as shown in FIG. 4, the contact piece 54 contacts the product bag 5 and rotates at a relatively small angle around the rotation axis 56. In contrast, when the thickness of the product bag 5 introduced into the product bag processing device 10 is greater than the predetermined thickness, as shown in FIG. 5, the contact piece 54 contacts the product bag 5 and rotates at a relatively large angle around the rotation axis 56. Therefore, when it is detected that the contact piece 54 has rotated around the rotation axis 56 at an angle equal to or greater than the predetermined angle, it can be determined that the introduced product bag 5 has a thickness greater than the predetermined thickness. Furthermore, when it is detected that the contact piece 54 has rotated around the rotation axis 56 at an angle less than the predetermined angle, it can be determined that the introduced product bag 5 has a thickness equal to or less than the predetermined thickness. Note that in FIGS. 4 and 5, the contact piece 54 is shown by a dashed line when no product bag 5 has been introduced into the product bag processing device 10. Also, in Figure 5, the contact piece 54 (shown in solid line in Figure 4) is shown in dashed line when a product bag 5 having a thickness equal to or less than a predetermined thickness is introduced into the product bag processing device 10.

The bag thickness detection device 50 is not limited to devices having the contact pieces 54 described above. Other devices, such as a distance sensor or a camera, may also be used as the bag thickness detection device 50. If the bag thickness detection device 50 is a distance sensor, the distance sensor may be placed above the path along which the product bags 5 pass, and the thickness of the product bags 5 may be detected based on the distance between the distance sensor measured from above and the product bags 5. Furthermore, if the bag thickness detection device 50 is a camera, the product bags 5 may be photographed from the side with the camera, and the thickness of the product bags 5 may be detected by image processing.

The gap adjustment mechanism 60 adjusts the gap between the conveying surface 24 and the pressure surface 32. In particular, the gap adjustment mechanism 60 raises and lowers the pressure device 30, thereby raising and lowering the pressure surface 32, thereby adjusting the gap between the conveying surface 24 and the pressure surface 32. In this embodiment, the gap adjustment mechanism 60 has an air cylinder 62. The air cylinder 62 has a main body 62a and a rod 62b that can extend and retract from the main body 62a. The main body 62a is attached to the frame 15. The tip of the rod 62b is configured to be able to contact the contact portion 39 of the pressure device 30.

The rod portion 62b extends in a direction inclined with respect to the conveying direction dc and the vertical direction dv, so that it moves upward toward the downstream side. Therefore, when the rod portion 62b is extended from the main body portion 62a, the rod portion 62b moves in a direction inclined with respect to the conveying direction dc and the vertical direction dv, so that it moves upward toward the downstream side, and contacts the contact portion 39 of the pressure device 30. When the rod portion 62b is further extended from the main body portion 62a, the pressure device 30 moves upward and downstream. This causes the pressure device 30 to rise (see Figure 6). When the rod portion 62b is retracted toward the main body portion 62a while the pressure device 30 is raised, the pressure device 30 moves downward and upstream. This causes the pressure device 30 to descend.

The control unit 70 controls each part of the product bag processing device 10. The control unit 70 controls, for example, the drive source of the conveying device 20, the drive source of the pressure device 30, and the gap adjustment mechanism 60. In particular, the control unit 70 controls the gap adjustment mechanism 60 based on a signal from the bag thickness detection device 50. Specifically, when the control unit 70 determines, based on a signal from the bag thickness detection device 50, that the thickness of the product bag 5 introduced into the product bag processing device 10 is greater than a predetermined thickness, the control unit 70 controls the gap adjustment mechanism 60 to raise the pressure device 30. The control unit 70 is composed of, for example, a CPU (central processing unit) or the like.

The product bag processing device 10 of this embodiment has a first sensor 81 capable of detecting product bags 5 and a second sensor 82 capable of detecting product bags 5. The first sensor 81 is located upstream of the pressure device 30 in the conveying direction dc. The second sensor 82 is located downstream of the first sensor 81 in the conveying direction dc. In particular, the second sensor 82 is located within the extension range of the pressure surface 32 in the conveying direction dc when the pressure device 30 is located at its lowest position. More specifically, the second sensor 82 is located within the extension range of the front portion 32b of the pressure surface 32 in the conveying direction dc when the pressure device 30 is located at its lowest position.

If the product bag processing apparatus 10 has multiple pressure devices 30, one first sensor 81 and one second sensor 82 may be provided corresponding to each pressure device 30. In this case, the product bag processing apparatus 10 has the same number of first sensors 81 as the number of pressure devices 30, and the same number of second sensors 82 as the number of pressure devices 30. In this case, the first sensors 81 are positioned upstream of the corresponding pressure device 30 in the conveying direction dc. The second sensors 82 are positioned downstream of the corresponding first sensors 81 in the conveying direction dc. In particular, the second sensors 82 are positioned within the extension range of the corresponding pressure surface 32 in the conveying direction dc when the corresponding pressure device 30 is positioned at its lowest position. More specifically, the second sensors 82 are positioned within the extension range of the front portion 32b of the corresponding pressure surface 32 in the conveying direction dc when the corresponding pressure device 30 is positioned at its lowest position.

In this embodiment, the bag thickness detection device 50 also serves as the first sensor 81 corresponding to the pressure device 30 located most upstream. However, this is not limited to this, and the first sensor 81 corresponding to the pressure device 30 located most upstream may be provided separately from the bag thickness detection device 50.

If the bag thickness detection device 50 detects that the product bag 5 has a thickness greater than a predetermined thickness, the control unit 70 raises the pressure device 30 corresponding to the first sensor 81 when the product bag 5 is detected by the first sensor 81. Furthermore, if the second sensor 82 corresponding to the first sensor 81 detects the product bag 5, the control unit 70 lowers the corresponding pressure device 30.

Next, the product bag processing method using the product bag processing device 10 will be described, mainly with reference to Figures 6 and 7.

When a product bag 5 is introduced into the product bag processing device 10, the thickness of the product bag 5 is detected upstream in the conveying direction dc relative to the pressure device 30 (bag thickness detection process). If the bag thickness detection device 50 is a device having a contact piece 54 as described with reference to Figures 4 and 5, if it is detected that the contact piece 54 has rotated around the rotation axis 56 by an angle greater than or equal to a predetermined angle, it is determined that the introduced product bag 5 has a thickness greater than the predetermined thickness. On the other hand, if it is detected that the contact piece 54 has rotated around the rotation axis 56 by an angle less than the predetermined angle, it is determined that the introduced product bag 5 has a thickness less than the predetermined thickness.

Next, based on the results of the bag thickness detection process, the pressure surface 32 is raised and lowered to adjust the gap between the conveying surface 24 and the pressure surface 32 (gap adjustment process). If the bag thickness detection device 50 detects that the introduced product bag 5 has a thickness greater than a predetermined value and the most upstream pressure device 30 is positioned downward, the control unit 70 raises the pressure device 30. Specifically, the rod portion 62b of the air cylinder 62 of the gap adjustment mechanism 60 is extended from the main body portion 62a. The rod portion 62b moves in a direction inclined relative to the conveying direction dc and the vertical direction dv, moving upward and downstream, until it contacts the contact portion 39 of the pressure device 30. Further extension of the rod portion 62b from the main body portion 62a causes the pressure device 30 to move upward and downstream. This raises the pressure device 30 (see Figure 6). Furthermore, even if the bag thickness detection process detects that the introduced product bag 5 has a thickness greater than the predetermined thickness, if the most upstream pressure device 30 is in the upper position, the control unit 70 will maintain the pressure device 30 in the upper position.

When a product bag 5 is detected by the second sensor 82 corresponding to the most upstream pressure device 30, the control unit 70 lowers the pressure device 30. Specifically, the rod portion 62b of the air cylinder 62 of the gap adjustment mechanism 60 is retracted toward the main body portion 62a, causing the pressure device 30 to lower. As a result, the product bag 5 is sandwiched between the conveying surface 24 and the pressure surface 32 of the pressure device 30. In particular, the product bag 5 is sandwiched between the conveying surface 24 and the front portion 32b of the pressure surface 32 of the pressure device 30.

If the bag thickness detection process detects that the introduced product bag 5 has a thickness equal to or less than a predetermined thickness and the most upstream pressure device 30 is in an upper position, the control unit 70 lowers the pressure device 30. Note that if the bag thickness detection process detects that the introduced product bag 5 has a thickness equal to or less than a predetermined thickness but the most upstream pressure device 30 is in a lower position, the control unit 70 maintains the pressure device 30 in a lower position. In this case, when the product bag 5 reaches the pressure device 30, the product bag 5 is sandwiched between the conveying surface 24 and the pressure surface 32 of the pressure device 30. In particular, the product bag 5 is sandwiched between the conveying surface 24 and the front portion 32b of the pressure surface 32 of the pressure device 30.

Next, the product bag 5 is pressurized between the conveying surface 24 and the pressurizing surface 32 (pressurizing process). This evens out the thickness of the product bag 5. Furthermore, if the bag has air holes that allow air to pass through, at least some of the air inside the bag is forced out of the bag through the air holes during the pressurizing process.

If the product bag processing device 10 has multiple pressure devices 30, the pressure application process is performed by each pressure device 30 while repeating the spacing adjustment process for each pressure device 30 based on the detection results of the corresponding first sensor 81 and second sensor 82.

Once the pressurizing process by all pressure devices 30 is complete, the product bags 5 are transferred to a designated storage space and stored within that storage space.

If the product bag processing apparatus 10 has multiple pressure devices 30, in the pressure process, at least one pressure device 30 may pressurize the product bags 5 with a pressure (load) greater than the pressure (load) of at least one other pressure device 30 located upstream of the pressure device 30 in the conveying direction dc. In particular, in the pressure process, at least one pressure device 30 may pressurize the product bags 5 with a pressure (load) greater than the pressure (load) of all other pressure devices 30 located upstream of the pressure device 30 in the conveying direction dc. Furthermore, in the pressure process, at least one pressure device 30 may pressurize the product bags 5 with a pressure (load) greater than the pressure (load) of all other pressure devices 30 located upstream of the pressure device 30 in the conveying direction dc. Furthermore, in the pressurizing process, all pressurizing devices 30 other than the most upstream pressurizing device 30 may pressurize the product bags 5 with a pressure (load) that is equal to or greater than the pressure (load) of all other pressurizing devices 30 located upstream of that pressurizing device 30 in the conveying direction dc. Furthermore, in the pressurizing process, all pressurizing devices 30 other than the most upstream pressurizing device 30 may pressurize the product bags 5 with a pressure (load) that is greater than the pressure (load) of all other pressurizing devices 30 located upstream of that pressurizing device 30 in the conveying direction dc.

As a result, after leveling the thickness of the product bags 5 with a first pressure force using one pressure device 30, a pressure device 30 located downstream of this pressure device 30 can level the thickness of the product bags 5 with a second pressure force greater than the first pressure force. Therefore, the thickness of the product bags 5 can be leveled in stages compared to leveling the thickness of the product bags 5 with a relatively large second pressure force without leveling the thickness of the product bags 5 with a relatively small first pressure force. This prevents large localized forces from being applied to the product bags 5. Therefore, damage to the product bags 5 can be prevented when leveling the thickness of the product bags 5.

The product bag processing device 10 of this embodiment comprises a conveying device 20 with a conveying surface 24 that conveys product bags 5 along the conveying direction dc, and a pressure device 30 positioned above the conveying surface 24 and having a pressure surface 32 facing the conveying surface 24. The product bag processing device 10 pressurizes the product bags 5 between the conveying surface 24 and the pressure surface 32. The product bag processing device 10 also comprises a bag thickness detection device 50 positioned upstream of the pressure device 30 in the conveying direction dc and that detects the thickness of the product bags 5, a gap adjustment mechanism 60 that raises and lowers the pressure surface 32 to adjust the gap between the conveying surface 24 and the pressure surface 32, and a control unit 70 that controls the gap adjustment mechanism 60 based on a signal from the bag thickness detection device 50.

The product bag processing method of this embodiment is a product bag processing method in a product bag processing device 10 equipped with a conveying device 20 having a conveying surface 24 that conveys product bags 5 along the conveying direction dc, and a pressure device 30 positioned above the conveying surface 24 and having a pressure surface 32 facing the conveying surface 24. The method includes a bag thickness detection process that detects the thickness of the product bags 5 upstream in the conveying direction dc relative to the pressure device 30, a gap adjustment process that raises and lowers the pressure surface 32 to adjust the gap between the conveying surface 24 and the pressure surface 32 based on the detection results in the bag thickness detection process, and a pressure process that pressurizes the product bags 5 between the conveying surface 24 and the pressure surface 32.

With this product bag processing device 10 and product bag processing method, the gap adjustment mechanism 60 is controlled based on a signal from the bag thickness detection device 50, or the gap between the conveying surface 24 and the pressure surface 32 is adjusted based on the detection results from the bag thickness detection process. This makes it possible to increase the gap between the conveying surface 24 and the pressure surface 32 when a product bag 5 thicker than a predetermined thickness is introduced into the product bag processing device 10. This prevents a product bag 5 thicker than the predetermined thickness from colliding with the pressure device 30 and becoming jammed. In other words, when processing multiple types of product bags 5 with different heights in the product bag processing device 10, jamming of the product bags 5 can be effectively prevented. On the other hand, when a product bag 5 thicker than the predetermined thickness is introduced into the product bag processing device 10, the gap between the conveying surface 24 and the pressure surface 32 can be reduced. This allows the thickness of even thin product bags 5 to be appropriately evened out.

The product bag processing device 10 of this embodiment is equipped with a first sensor 81 that is positioned upstream of the pressure device 30 in the conveying direction dc and is capable of detecting the product bags 5, and a second sensor 82 that is positioned downstream of the first sensor 81 in the conveying direction dc and is also capable of detecting the product bags 5. If the bag thickness detection device 50 detects that the product bag 5 has a thickness greater than a predetermined thickness, the control unit 70 raises the pressure device 30 when the first sensor 81 detects the product bag 5, and lowers the pressure device 30 when the second sensor 82 detects the product bag 5.

This type of product bag processing device 10 can further prevent product bags 5 that are thicker than a predetermined thickness from colliding with the pressure device 30 and becoming clogged. In other words, when the product bag processing device 10 processes multiple types of product bags 5 that are different heights, clogging of the product bags 5 can be more effectively prevented.

In the product bag processing device 10 of this embodiment, the second sensor 82 is positioned within the extension range of the pressure surface 32 in the conveying direction dc when the pressure device 30 is in its lowest position.

With this type of product bag processing device 10, when the pressure device 30 is lowered, the product bag 5 can be properly clamped between the conveying surface 24 and the pressure surface 32. This further prevents product bags 5 that are thicker than a predetermined thickness from colliding with the pressure device 30 and becoming clogged. In other words, when the product bag processing device 10 processes multiple types of product bags 5 with different heights, clogging of the product bags 5 can be more effectively prevented.

The product bag processing device 10 of this embodiment has multiple pressure devices 30.

With this type of product bag processing device 10, the product bags 5 can be pressurized sequentially by multiple pressure devices 30, allowing the thickness of the product bags 5 to be more evenly distributed.

The product bag processing device 10 of this embodiment comprises a conveying device 20 with a conveying surface 24 that conveys product bags 5 along the conveying direction dc, and a plurality of pressure devices 30 that have pressure surfaces 32 facing the conveying surface 24 and are arranged above the conveying surface 24 along the conveying direction dc. The product bag processing device 10 pressurizes the product bags 5 between the conveying surface 24 and the pressure surfaces 32, and the pressure force of at least one pressure device 30 is greater than the pressure force of at least one other pressure device 30 located upstream of the pressure device 30 in the conveying direction dc.

The product bag processing method of this embodiment is a product bag processing method in a product bag processing device 10 that includes a conveying device 20 with a conveying surface 24 that conveys product bags 5 along the conveying direction dc, and a plurality of pressure devices 30 that have pressure surfaces 32 facing the conveying surface 24 and are arranged above the conveying surface 24 along the conveying direction dc.The method includes a pressurizing step in which the product bags 5 are pressurized between the conveying surface 24 and the pressure surfaces 32, in which at least one pressure device 30 pressurizes the product bags 5 with a pressure greater than the pressure of at least one other pressure device 30 located upstream of the pressure device 30 in the conveying direction dc.

With this product bag processing device 10 and product bag processing method, the thickness of the product bags 5 can be leveled using a first pressure force by one pressure device 30, and then the thickness of the product bags 5 can be leveled using a second pressure force greater than the first pressure force by a pressure device 30 located downstream of this pressure device 30. Therefore, the thickness of the product bags 5 can be leveled in stages, compared to leveling the thickness of the product bags 5 using a relatively large second pressure force, rather than leveling the thickness of the product bags 5 using a relatively small first pressure force. This prevents large localized forces from being applied to the product bags 5. Therefore, damage to the product bags 5 can be prevented when leveling the thickness of the product bags 5.

5 Product bag 8 Floor surface 10 Product bag processing device 20 Conveying device 22 Conveying belt 24 Conveying surface 30 Pressure device 31 Pressure belt 32 Pressure surface 34 Swinging mechanism 35 Swinging arm 39 Contact portion 40 Load adjustment mechanism 42 Air cylinder 44 Regulator 50 Bag thickness detection device 54 Contact piece 56 Rotating shaft 60 Gap adjustment mechanism 62 Air cylinder 70 Control portion 81 First sensor 82 Second sensor dc Conveying direction dw Width direction dv Vertical direction

Claims (6)

a conveying device having a conveying surface that conveys product bags along a conveying direction;
a pressure device having a pressure surface facing the conveying surface and disposed above the conveying surface,
A product bag processing device that pressurizes the product bags between the conveying surface and the pressing surface,
a bag thickness detection device that is disposed upstream of the pressure device in the conveying direction and detects the thickness of the product bags;
a gap adjustment mechanism that adjusts the gap between the conveying surface and the pressure surface by raising and lowering the pressure surface;
a control unit that controls the gap adjustment mechanism based on a signal from the bag thickness detection device;
a first sensor that is disposed upstream of the pressure device in the conveying direction and that is capable of detecting the product bag;
a second sensor that is disposed downstream of the first sensor in the conveying direction and is capable of detecting the product bag ,
When the bag thickness detection device detects that the product bag has a thickness greater than a predetermined thickness, the control unit raises the pressure device or maintains the pressure device in an upper position when the product bag is detected by the first sensor, and lowers the pressure device when the product bag is detected by the second sensor . The product bag processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the second sensor is disposed within an extension range of the pressure surface in the conveying direction when the pressure device is in its lowest position. The product bag processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 , comprising a plurality of said pressure devices. the bag thickness detection device is disposed upstream in the conveying direction with respect to the pressure device that is located most upstream in the conveying direction among the plurality of pressure devices,
When the bag thickness detection device detects that the introduced product bag has a thickness greater than a predetermined thickness and the pressure device located most upstream in the conveying direction among the plurality of pressure devices is located at a lower position, the pressure device is raised,
4. The product bag processing device according to claim 3, wherein when the bag thickness detection device detects that the introduced product bag has a thickness greater than a predetermined thickness and the pressure device located most upstream in the conveying direction among the plurality of pressure devices is located in an upper position, the pressure device is maintained in an upper position. a conveying device having a conveying surface that conveys product bags along a conveying direction;
a pressure device having a pressure surface facing the conveying surface and disposed above the conveying surface;
a first sensor that is disposed upstream of the pressure device in the conveying direction and that is capable of detecting the product bag;
a second sensor that is disposed downstream of the first sensor in the conveying direction and that is capable of detecting the product bags ,
a bag thickness detection step of detecting a thickness of the product bag upstream of the pressure device in the conveying direction;
a gap adjusting step of adjusting the gap between the conveying surface and the pressing surface by raising and lowering the pressing surface based on the detection result in the bag thickness detecting step;
a pressurizing step of pressurizing the product bag between the conveying surface and the pressurizing surface,
In the gap adjustment process, if the bag thickness detection process detects that the product bag has a thickness greater than a predetermined thickness, the pressure device is raised or maintained in an upper position when the product bag is detected by the first sensor, and the pressure device is lowered when the product bag is detected by the second sensor.This is a product bag processing method. The product bag processing device has a plurality of the pressure devices,
the bag thickness detection step is performed upstream in the conveying direction with respect to the pressure device that is located most upstream in the conveying direction among the plurality of pressure devices,
In the bag thickness detection step, if it is detected that the introduced product bag has a thickness greater than a predetermined thickness and the pressure device located most upstream in the conveying direction among the plurality of pressure devices is located at a lower position, the pressure device is raised,
6. The product bag processing method according to claim 5, wherein, in the bag thickness detection process, if it is detected that the introduced product bag has a thickness greater than a predetermined thickness and the pressure device located most upstream in the conveying direction among the plurality of pressure devices is located in an upper position, the pressure device is maintained in an upper position.