JPH0524003B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] Field of Application of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for reliably packaging an object while detecting that the packaging material is being supplied to an appropriate position, and for packaging that requires aesthetic appearance or sealing performance. It can be used for packaging products such as confectionery, foods, cassette tapes, etc. Furthermore, if the method of detecting fixed position supply by measuring the degree of vacuum suction, which is the principle of the present invention, is used, it is also possible to detect fixed position supply of articles other than packaging materials, such as articles with vacuum suction properties such as plastic plates and glass plates. It is applicable.

Prior Art and Problems In the process of packaging or enclosing an article, it is extremely important that the packaging material or the enclosing material be supplied to an appropriate position relative to the article to be packaged or the bag body. Particularly in the packaging process, the packaging material may shift diagonally relative to the packaged item due to deformation of the packaged item itself, curling of the packaging material, serpentine feeding of the packaging material, poor adhesion of tear tape, wrinkles, etc. If the delivery dimension is insufficient or too far, the finished product will be very unsightly, with the edges not being wrapped and the packaged item exposed, or the packaging material becoming loose and partially protruding. Not only will the beauty of the product be impaired, but the sealing performance will be reduced, and barrier functions such as moisture resistance and insect repellency will be impaired. Furthermore, there are cases where the packaging material is not fed at all due to a malfunction of the feeding machine, and in this case, the product may pass through the packaging line intact.

To address these packaging problems, it has conventionally been possible to confirm the position or supply of opaque packaging materials using optical methods. However, in the case of transparent packaging materials, it has been difficult to use optical methods because light passes through them.

Means for Solving the Problem Therefore, the inventor of the present invention invented a method of detecting whether the packaging material is being fed to the correct position by measuring the adsorption degree of the nozzle using vacuum suction force, and conducted sufficient tests. As a result, we found that this method has great practical value.

That is, first, an arbitrary vacuum source is provided, and a vacuum suction nozzle that generates vacuum suction is installed in the vicinity of an appropriate position where the packaging material is to be supplied, so as to directly face the surface of the packaging material. When the packaging material is fed to the correct position, the tip of the nozzle is vacuum-adsorbed to the packaging material, and at the same time, the inside of the nozzle instantly becomes a vacuum state, and the degree of vacuum is measured by a vacuum degree measuring device connected to the nozzle. , it is detected and determined that the degree of vacuum matches the detection appropriate vacuum degree set in advance as described below.

However, if the packaging material is fed out of the correct position or is not fed at all, the suction of some or all of the nozzles will fail, and the degree of vacuum inside the nozzle will be zero or close to zero. The temperature measuring device does not indicate the appropriate degree of vacuum and detects and determines that there is an abnormality in the supply state of the packaging material. At the same time as this abnormality is determined, the pressure abnormality is converted into an electric signal 8 using an arbitrary pressure switch 7, etc., and if it is connected and linked to an arbitrary defective packaging discharge device 9, defective packages can be automatically removed from the packaging line system. This makes it possible to discharge wastewater.

There are two methods for measuring the degree of vacuum according to the present invention. Mainly, as stated in claim 2,
One method is to measure the total value of the degree of vacuum of all nozzles, but the other method is to measure the degree of vacuum of a plurality of nozzles individually as described in claim 3, and calculate the value of each measured value. If even a portion of the vacuum does not meet the preset detection level of a single nozzle,
This is a method of detecting an abnormality in the supply position of packaging materials. The former method is usually sufficient, but for example, if the tip of one of the four nozzles protrudes from the packaging material, a small amount of air will be detected when the total vacuum level of the four nozzles is measured. In some cases, it is difficult to detect a leakage value as a clear value, so the latter method becomes necessary. That is, the latter method is more effective when extremely strict detection is required.

Target packaging materials that can be detected or are suitable for detection by the present invention include: (1) those that have vacuum adsorption properties, that is, films;
Materials with high vacuum suction properties, such as aluminum sheets, but also paper, can be detected. Note that, as described above, if the principle of the present invention is applied not only to packaging technology but also to detection of fixed position supply of articles in general, plastic plates, glass plates, etc. can also be used as target materials.

(2) It does not matter whether the material is transparent or opaque; in other words, according to the present invention, it is possible to detect not only opaque materials but also transparent materials, which has an advantage that optical detection methods do not have.

(3) By using vacuum suction, stable measurement and detection is possible even with flexible materials, that is, soft and easily bendable materials such as films.

Next, the vacuum suction nozzle used in the present invention is constructed with a tip aperture and a tip material that is large enough to generate a measurable vacuum state when adsorbed to a packaging material, but specifically, the vacuum suction nozzle can be The structure should be appropriately configured by comprehensively taking into account the vacuum suction power of the packaging material, the strength and vacuum suction of the packaging material, the speed of the packaging line and whether or not the line operation is intermittent, and whether or not the vacuum suction is to be continued. The shape of the nozzle tip opening should be flat and smooth so that it can easily adhere to the packaging material, but if suction is insufficient, it is better to attach a rubber ring to increase the degree of suction.

The procedure for setting the "preset total appropriate vacuum degree for detection" and the "suitable vacuum degree for single nozzle detection," which are important elements in the present invention, is almost the same as the configuration procedure for the nozzle tip opening, but can be configured arbitrarily. This will be displayed on the vacuum level measuring device when the packaging material on the line is sucked while stationary or moving using the vacuum suction force and the nozzle tip opening, and the packaging material to be detected at the appropriate position is picked up by the nozzle at the appropriate position. It is sufficient to set it with a numerical value of the degree of vacuum.

The appropriate position of the nozzle here is up to the operator's discretion, but if you only want to detect the presence or absence of packaging material supply, it is sufficient to install at least one nozzle within a certain range that does not protrude from the packaging material supply position. It is. However, in order to detect not only whether or not the packaging material is being supplied, but also whether it is being supplied at the correct position, it is necessary to install at least two abnormal nozzles, but if the packaging material is square, it is necessary to install nozzles as close as possible to the four corners of the proper supply position plane. It is best to install a total of four pieces, one each at a position that does not protrude from the edge of the string packaging material. However, if the nozzle is installed extremely close to the edge of the appropriate supply position surface, the detection accuracy will increase, but at the same time it will also detect positional deviations within the permissible range of the packaging material, so the nozzle installation position should be Adjust as desired by taking into account the permissible range of packaging misalignment.

The distance between the nozzle tip and the packaging material does not need to be particularly considered if the system is such that the packaging material automatically comes into close contact with the nozzle tip as shown in Figure 2.
As shown in Figure 3, when the surface of the packaging material is supplied so as to pass in front of the nozzle tip, the distance between the nozzle tip and the packaging material surface should be adjusted to suit the strength of the vacuum suction, so that adequate suction occurs. Install.

It is selected as appropriate whether the nozzle is installed fixedly or movably with respect to the packaging line. Usually, it is installed in a fixed manner, but if the packaging system is complex and a fixed nozzle would obstruct the packaging flow, it is installed movably so that the nozzle can be moved in and out repeatedly for each measurement of one sample.

Furthermore, whether the vacuum suction is performed for each sample with a pause or continuously is selected as appropriate in accordance with other conditions set at the time of implementation. In other words, for example, if the degree of vacuum suction is low, the suction nozzle will naturally separate from the packaging material as the packaging material moves due to the movement of the packaging line, so vacuum suction may be continuous, but if the degree of vacuum suction is high, then the suction may be continuous. Since the nozzle that has been sucked will not easily separate even if the packaging material moves, it is best to perform vacuum suction intermittently.

The following will explain based on the drawings.

FIG. 1a is a perspective view of an example of implementation according to the invention. In addition, the A after each number in the drawings refers to Figure 1,
B indicates that it belongs to FIG. 2, and C indicates that it belongs to FIG. 3. The article 2 to be packaged flows through the article conveyance line, joins the packaging material 1 supplied from the packaging material supply line at a proper supply position 3 of the packaging material, and is placed on the packaging material. Just before, at the same time, or immediately after this, the tip ports of the four vacuum suction nozzles 4 installed at the proper supply position of the packaging material perform vacuum suction by the vacuum source 6 and adsorb it to the packaging material. At this time,
If the packaging material is fed without deviation from the proper feeding position as shown in Figure 1b, the vacuum suction nozzle is
Although the vacuum suction nozzle correctly vacuums suction at the proper suction position 4', and the vacuum degree measuring device 5 shows the preset detected total vacuum degree, as shown in Fig. 1C, the packaging material deviates from the proper suction position. There are some nozzles that do not cause vacuum suction when supplied with vacuum, the vacuum level measuring device indicates zero vacuum level or a lower vacuum level than the preset value, and the pressure switch 7 linked to the vacuum level measuring device indicates a vacuum level abnormality. The signal is converted into an electric signal 8, and then discharged outside the packaging line system by a defective packaging discharge device 9.

FIG. 2a shows another embodiment of the present invention, in which a rotating turret 11 is used to sandwich an object between packaging materials (transparent film in this example), and then the protruding end 10 of the packaging material is removed using a vacuum suction nozzle. FIG. The packaged item 2 flows from the left side of the figure on the packaged item conveyance line, hits the cut packaging material 1 waiting on the right side, and is caught in the packaging material until it reaches the turret's holder 1.
1'. Next, the holder of the turret is lifted upward by the rotation of the turret, and the ends of the two packaging materials protruding from the holder insertion opening of the turret come into contact with four vacuum suction nozzles waiting above, two for each packaging material. Next, as the turret rotates, the packaging material pressed by the nozzle bends in an arc shape as shown in Figure 2b, and the nozzle tip and the surface of the packaging material come into close contact, or just before they come into close contact, the nozzle tip creates a vacuum on the packaging material. Vacuum suction is performed by suction from the source 6.

In Fig. 2b, the packaging material is at the proper supply position 3 indicated by the broken line, so the ends of the two packaging materials are surely facing the two vacuum suction nozzle tips, and are suctioned, so the degree of vacuum can be measured. The device detects that the packaging material has been fed to the proper position. After this,
The turret holder is further lifted upward by the rotation of the turret, and the nozzle tip, which was vacuum-adsorbed, is separated from the packaging material, and the detection process is completed. In the experiment, in a 110RPM rotary packaging machine.
The OPP film was properly vacuum-adsorbed with four nozzles, and the degree of vacuum was measured using the method set forth in claim 2, which showed a total degree of vacuum of 20 mmHg, which matched the preset total degree of vacuum. , it was possible to detect that this film was being fed to the proper position.

On the other hand, as shown in Figure 2c, if the packaging material is not correctly supplied to the proper supply position 3 indicated by the broken line and is shifted, there are nozzles that do not cause vacuum suction, and the vacuum level measuring device will indicate a zero vacuum level. Or, it indicates a value lower than the preset appropriate detection vacuum degree, and detects an abnormality in the packaging material supply position. After the abnormality is detected, the defective package 12 is discharged out of the packaging line system by an arbitrary pressure switch and a defective package discharge device, as in the example shown in FIG. (See FIG. 2a) FIG. 3 shows still another embodiment of the present invention.
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the object to be packaged inserted into the holder of the turret and the packaging material are attracted to the tip of the vacuum suction nozzle in the lifted position, while in this example, the object to be packaged and the packaging material are attracted Object 2 is packaging material 1
At the same time, the nozzle 4 tip opening is designed to attract two protruding ends of the packaging material, two from above and two from below, the moment the packaging material is inserted into the holder 11' of the turret.

Effects of the Invention According to the present invention, by automatically detecting an abnormality in the supply of packaging materials, the shipment of defective packaged products that tends to occur on a labor-saving line is prevented in advance in conjunction with a defective package discharge device. This will also contribute to further labor savings and the promotion of unmanned systems.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1a is an overall perspective view of an example of implementation of the present invention;
Figure 1b shows that the first
Figure c is an explanatory diagram showing the state in which each case is detected when the packaging material is improperly supplied, Figure 2 a is a front explanatory diagram of another embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 2 b is an explanatory diagram showing the state in which the packaging material is properly supplied. In this case, FIG.
The figure is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the invention. 1: Packaging material (1A is the packaging material in Figure 1, 2A is the packaging material in Figure 2, 3A is the packaging material in Figure 3, and the same applies hereinafter), 2: Item to be packaged, 3: Appropriateness of packaging material Supply position, 4: Vacuum suction nozzle, 4': Vacuum suction nozzle proper suction position, 5: Vacuum degree measuring device, 6: Vacuum source, 7: Pressure switch, 8: Electric signal, 9: Defective package discharge device, 10 : Packaging material end, 11: Turret, 11': Turret holder, 1
2: Defective packaging, : Packaging material supply line, : Packaging material conveyance line, : Packaging material folding adhesion line.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A method of supplying a packaging material 1 to a proper position and packaging an object 2, comprising one or more fixed or movable fixed or movable parts directly facing the vicinity of the proper supply position 3 of the packaging material. A vacuum suction nozzle 4 and a vacuum degree measuring device 5 connected to the nozzle are provided, and the nozzle tip port is used to perform vacuum suction from an arbitrary vacuum source 6 immediately before, at the same time, or immediately after the packaging material places or grips the object to be packaged. When the packaging material is adsorbed to the packaging material and the packaging material is supplied to the proper position, the vacuum level measuring device detects that the vacuum level inside the nozzle matches the preset detection appropriate vacuum level, but the packaging material is not properly supplied. If the supply is out of position or if there is no supply, part or all of the tip of the nozzle will not be in the proper vacuum suction state, and the vacuum level inside the nozzle will be lower than the preset appropriate detection vacuum level. A packaging method using packaging material supplied at an appropriate position, characterized in that a measuring device detects an abnormality in packaging material supply. 2. If there are multiple vacuum suction nozzles, measure the total vacuum degree within each nozzle, and if the packaging material is supplied out of the proper supply position or is not supplied, calculate the total detected vacuum degree and the preset value. 2. A packaging method using packaging material supplied at an appropriate position according to claim 1, wherein a vacuum degree measuring device detects an abnormality in the supply of the packaging material by comparison with a total detected appropriate vacuum degree. 3. If there are multiple vacuum suction nozzles, measure the degree of vacuum in each nozzle individually, and if the packaging material is supplied out of the proper supply position or is not supplied, the detected vacuum degree and the Packaging using packaging material supplied to an appropriate position according to claim 1, characterized in that a vacuum degree measuring device detects an abnormality in packaging material supply by comparison with a set single nozzle detection appropriate vacuum degree. Method.