Bag processing machine

A bag processing machine includes: a rotation body which is intermittently rotated; a plurality of holding units which are attached to the rotation body and are moved along a circular movement path in accordance with rotation of the rotation body, the movement path being divided into a plurality of processing sections; a fixation support member which is positioned above the rotation body and does not rotate by rotation of the rotation body; and two or more processing devices which are supported by the fixation support member and perform processes on bags held by the plurality of holding units in two or more processing sections respectively of the plurality of processing sections.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-75314, filed on Apr. 27, 2021; the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure is related to a bag processing machine.

BACKGROUND ART

Bag processing machines in which a plurality of bags are conveyed in a sequential manner in such a manner that each bag travels around a plurality of processing stations are known (see, for instance, Japanese patent application publication Nos. 2011-240962 and 2009-298418 and Japanese examined utility model application publication No. 5-28169). In the plurality of processing stations, each bag undergoes various processes, such as putting contents thereinto and sealing of the mouth portion.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In a bag processing machine, a rotary table is caused to rotate in a state where bags are respectively held by a plurality of holding units (such as grippers) attached to the outer periphery portion of the rotary table, so that each bag moves along a circular path to travel around a plurality of processing stations.

In this case, various processing devices which perform processing on each bag are placed, outside the circular path of each bag, on a supporting base. In other words, various processing devices are located in positions which are further away from the circular path of each bag in a radial direction from the center of rotation of the rotary table. In particular, these processing devices are often placed on the same supporting base. Therefore, it is necessary to prepare a supporting base with a larger planar size than that of the rotary table for the installation of various processing devices.

On the other hand, if dirt adheres to the supporting base, the supporting base needs to be cleaned. In particular, when a process for feeding a food into a bag is carried out in a bag processing machine, the supporting base needs to be cleaned at a high frequency in order to keep the processing environment clean. If the supporting base has a large planar size, there is a lot of trouble in performing such cleaning of the supporting base. In particular, when the planar size of the supporting base is larger than the area where people can reach or when a processing device has a complex shape, it is easy to create an unreachable area or a blind spot, making it difficult to properly clean the supporting base.

Further, as the planar size of the supporting base increases, the area (in particular, the planar size) required for the installation of devices tends to increase.

The present disclosure has been contrived in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide a technique advantageous to reduce the planar size of the area for the installation of a plurality of processing devices equipped with a bag processing machine.

One aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a bag processing machine comprising: a rotation body which is intermittently rotated; a plurality of holding units which are attached to the rotation body and are moved along a circular movement path in accordance with rotation of the rotation body, the movement path being divided into a plurality of processing sections; a fixation support member which is positioned above the rotation body and does not rotate by rotation of the rotation body; and two or more processing devices which are supported by the fixation support member and perform processes on bags held by the plurality of holding units in two or more processing sections respectively of the plurality of processing sections.

The bag processing machine may comprise: a rotary support shaft member which supports the rotation body; and a fixation support shaft member which extends inside the rotary support shaft member and supports the fixation support member.

The rotary support shaft member may be rotated by a drive source provided between a first supporting base and a second supporting base, the rotation body may rotate along with the rotary support shaft member, the first supporting base may be arranged in a position lower than the rotation body and may rotatably support the rotary support shaft member, and the second supporting base may be arranged in a position lower than the first supporting base and may support the fixation support shaft member.

While the rotation body is intermittently stopped, two or more holding units may be positioned in each of the plurality of processing sections.

At least one of the two or more processing devices may include: a movable processing unit which is provided to be able to move with respect to two ore more bags held by two or more holding units positioned in a correspond processing section; and a movement drive unit which moves the movable processing unit, and the movable processing unit may perform a same process on two ore more bags held by two or more holding units positioned in a correspond processing section.

According to the present disclosure, it is advantageous to reduce the planar size of the area for the installation of a plurality of processing devices equipped with a bag processing machine.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

FIG.1is an oblique perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an example of a bag processing machine10.

InFIG.1, only a part of the bag processing machine10is shown, and for example, the illustration of devices that are installed higher than a rotary table11are omitted. An example of devices provided above the rotary table11is described below with reference toFIGS.2and3.

The bag processing machine10comprises: a rotary table11which rotates intermittently around a central axis; and a plurality of holding units12(i.e., pairs of grippers provided on the left and right sides) attached to the outer periphery portion of the rotary table11at equal intervals (i.e., equiangular).

The rotary table11repeatedly rotates and stops at predetermined angles. With the intermittent rotation of the rotary table11, the holding units12move intermittently along a circular travel path. During one rotation of a holding unit12, various packaging process are performed, such as supply of a bag13to the holding unit12(i.e., a bag feeding), opening the mouth portion of the bag13, and feeding of contents into the bag13, and sealing of the bag13. The travel path of the holding units12is also the path of transfer path of bags13. InFIG.1, a drive source which intermittently rotates the rotary table11is omitted.

In a first processing section I shown inFIG.1, a bag feeding step is performed. In the first processing section I, a conveyor magazine type of bag feeding device14which supplies bags13to the holding units12is arranged. A bag13supplied from the bag feeding device14is held at both side edge portions near the mouth portion by a pair of grippers of a holding unit12and is suspended in a state where the mouth portion faces upward.

In a second processing section II, a printing step is performed. In the second processing section II, a printing device15which prints information, such as a date, on the bag surface (i.e., on one sidewall surface) of a bag13being suspended by a holding unit12, is arranged.

In a third processing section III, an opening step in which the mouth portion of a bag13is opened, is performed. In the third processing section III, an opening device16and an opening guide17are arranged, the opening device16comprises a pair of suction cups which are able to move closer to each other and further away from each other, and the opening guide17supports the mouth portion of a bag13from the inside to keep the mouth portion in an open state.

In a fourth processing section IV, a solid content feeding step in which a content (i.e., a solid content) is fed into the inside of a bag13, is performed. In the fourth processing section IV, a solid content feeding device18having a hopper which lifts and lowers is located. The content supplied from a solid content supply part (not shown in the drawings) is guided by the hopper and is fed into the inside of a bag13through the mouth portion. The opening guide17is inserted into the mouth portion in the third processing section III, moves to the fourth processing section IV along with the rotation of the rotary table11(i.e., the movement of a holding unit12and a bag13) while keeping the mouth portion in an open state, rises to move to the outside of the bag13after the solid content feeding device18(i.e., the hopper) is inserted into the mouth portion of the bag13in the fourth processing section IV, and after that, returns to the third processing section III.

In a fifth processing section V, a liquid injection step in which a content (i.e., a liquid content) is injected into the inside of a bag13, is performed. In the fifth processing section V, a liquid injection device19having a liquid injection nozzle which lifts and lowers is arranged. The content supplied from a liquid supply part (e.g., a liquid storage tank; not shown in the drawings) is discharged from the liquid injection nozzle to be injected into the inside of a bag13.

In a sixth processing section VI, a gas replacement step in which a gas (for example, steam such as water vapor or an inert gas such as nitrogen) is blown into the inside of a bag13, is performed. In the sixth processing section VI, a gas blowing device20having a gas blowing nozzle which lifts and lowers is arranged. Gas supplied from a gas supply part (not shown in the drawings) is blown from the gas blowing nozzle to be injected into the inside of a bag13. In the sixth processing section VI, the distance between the grippers of a holding unit12is increased to tighten the mouth portion of a bag13so as to reduce the opening area of the mouth portion.

In the seventh processing section VII, a first sealing step to seal a bag13(in particular, the mouth portion) is performed. In the seventh processing section VII, a first sealing device21having a first sealing heat unit (e.g., a pair of heating plates) which opens and closes, is arranged.

In an eighth processing section VIII, a second sealing step to seal a bag13(in particular, the mouth portion) is performed. In the eighth processing section VIII, a second sealing device22having a second sealing heat unit (e.g., a pair of heating plates) which opens and closes, is arranged.

In a ninth processing section IX, a seal part cooling step to cool a bag13(in particular, a seal part) and a product bag discharge step to discharge the bag13in which the contents are encapsulated therein (i.e., a product bag), are performed. In the ninth processing section IX, a cooling device23having a cooling unit that opens and closes, and a bag discharge guide24, are arranged. In the ninth processing section IX, when the cooling unit is opened and the gripping part of each gripper is opened, a bag13(i.e., a product bag) is released from a holding unit12and the cooling device23to fall under the influence of gravity, and then is guided by the bag discharge guide24to be sent to a downstream device (for example, to a conveyor device such as a belt conveyor not shown in the drawings).

A bag13supported by each holding unit12is intermittently stopped at the above-described first processing section I to the ninth processing section IX in accordance with the intermittent rotation of the rotary table11and undergo processes sequentially. Various devices comprised in the bag processing machine10may be driven under the control of a control device (not shown in the drawings) or may be driven independently without being controlled by a control device. Two or more devices driven under the control of a control device may be driven to cooperate with each other by the control device adjusting the driving timing of the devices.

Next, an example of the overall structure of the bag processing machine10, including devices installed above the rotary table11, is described.

FIG.2shows a partial cross-sectional view of the bag processing machine10in the fifth processing section V.FIG.3shows a partial cross-sectional view of the bag processing machine10in the seventh processing section VII.

In the bag processing machine10shown inFIGS.2and3, a cylindrical stand31is fixedly attached to a first supporting base51, and a rotary support shaft member35is provided inside the stand31via a hollow shaft32so as to rotate freely. In detail, the hollow shaft32is supported by the inside of the stand31via bearings so as to rotate freely, and the rotary support shaft member35is supported by the inside of the hollow shaft32via bearings so as to rotate freely. A drive gear30is fixed to the lower end of the rotary support shaft member35. The drive gear30is coupled to a drive source (not show in the drawings), such as a motor, installed between a first supporting base51and a second supporting base52and rotates intermittently. The rotary support shaft member35rotates, integrally with the drive gear30, in an intermittent manner. Thus, the hollow shaft32and the rotary support shaft member35rotate independently of each other around the common rotation center axis Ax.

The drive gear30shown inFIG.2is coupled, via a transfer gear71, to the output rotation shaft70aof the drive source70(e.g., a servomotor) attached to the upper surface of the second supporting base52. The transfer gear71rotates integrally with the output rotation shaft70aof the drive source70, and the rotative power generated by the drive source70is transmitted from the output rotation shaft70ato the drive gear30engaging with the transfer gear71, so that the drive gear30is rotated. In this manner, the rotary support shaft member35(for example, the lower end part of the rotary support shaft member35) is coupled to the drive source70provided between the first supporting base51, which rotatably supports the rotary support shaft member35, and the second supporting base52, which supports fixation support shaft member33, and consequently the rotary table11is rotated along with the rotary support shaft member35. The first supporting base51and the second supporting base52are arranged in positions lower than the rotary table11, and in particular, the second supporting base52is arranged in a position lower than the first supporting base51. The drive source70is supported by the second supporting base52in the example shown inFIG.2, but may be supported by the first supporting base51(e.g., by the lower surface of the first supporting base51) or may be supported by another member. From a viewpoint of reducing the planar size of the bag processing machine10, the drive source70is arranged in such a manner that at least part of (preferably, the entire of) the drive source70overlaps, in terms of the height direction (in other words, in a planar view), with at least one of the rotary table11and the fixation support member50described below.

The second supporting base52is located below and away from the first supporting base51. In the space between the first supporting base51and the second supporting base52, drive sources (not shown in the drawings) causing a lever37, a rod38and the drive gear30to rotate, are installed.

An all-around cam34is attached to the upper end portion of the hollow shaft32. The all-around cam34is provided so as to freely slide on the hollow shaft32in the upward-downward direction and engages with the hollow shaft32in the rotation direction to rotate around the rotation center axis Ax together with the hollow shaft32. The all-around cam34has a substantially disked-shape portion and a cylindrical portion extending upward from the outer periphery portion of the disk-shaped portion, and the upper surface of the cylindrical portion acts as a cam surface. The all-around cam34can be raised and lowered by a lifting device, not shown in the drawings, to determine its position in the height direction (i.e., the upward-downward direction). The lever37is fixed to the lower end of the hollow shaft32. The leading end of the rod38, which is advanced and retracted by a cam not shown in the drawings, is coupled to the lever37so as to rotate freely. When the rod38advances and retracts, the hollow shaft32and the all-around cam34rotate, together with the lever37, in the forward direction and in the reverse direction around the rotation center axis Ax.

The rotary table11is attached to the upper end portion of the rotary support shaft member35, so that the rotary table11is supported by the rotary support shaft member35. The rotary table11is provided so as to freely slide on the rotary support shaft member35in a predetermined extent in an axial direction along the rotation center axis Ax, and engages with the rotary support shaft member35in a rotation direction around the rotation center axis Ax so as to rotate around the rotation center axis Ax together with the rotary support shaft member35. The rotary support shaft member35rotates intermittently about the rotation center axis Ax, so that the rotary table11is caused to intermittently rotate about the rotation center axis Ax.

A plurality of holding units12(gripper pairs) are attached to the periphery of the rotary table11at equal angle intervals, and the angular interval between adjacent holding units12is the same as the angle of one intermittent rotation of the rotary table11. Similarly to a gripper pair described in Japanese patent application publication No. 2009-298418, each of the holding units12includes: a pair of swing levers44provided on the left and right sides (inFIGS.2and3, only a swing lever on one side is shown) attached to a support shaft43, fixed to the rotary table11, so as to freely rotate; cylindrical gripper arms45fixed to the leading ends of the respective swing levers44; and gripping parts attached to the leading ends of the respective gripper arms45. An air cylinder is arranged inside each gripper arm45as a drive source for opening and closing a corresponding gripping part.

Two swing levers44included in each of the gripper pairs are inwardly urged by an extension spring46to receive elastic force, from the extension spring46, in a direction closer to each other.

A rolling element48is placed on the cam surface of the all-around cam34and the rolling element48is supported by an L-shaped lever47so as to freely rotate. The rolling element48rolls on the cam surface of the all-around cam34. The L-shaped lever47and the rolling element48are a part of a mechanism which causes the two swing levers44(and thus the two gripper arms45and two gripping parts) to open and close, and this mechanism has the same configuration and the same function as a mechanism described in Japanese examined utility model application publication No. 5-28169 and is attached to the rotary table11with respect to each of the holding units12. When the rotary table11and the all-around cam34cause relative rotation between each other, a rolling element48rolls on the cam surface of the all-around cam34. In doing so, when the cam surface on which the rolling element48rolls has a height difference, the L-shaped lever47oscillates to cause the two swing levers44(and thus the two gripper arms45and the two gripping parts) to open and close in a horizontal plane so as to change the distance between the two gripping parts.

When the rotary table11rotates intermittently, the all-around cam34also follows the rotary table11to rotate in a forward direction by the same angle as the rotary table11, and consequently the relative rotation angle between the rotary table11and the all-around cam34is zero (0) and no substantial relative rotation occurs between the rotary table11and the all-around cam34. On the other hand, when the rotary table11stops intermittently, the all-around cam34rotates in the opposite direction to return to its original position, and consequently a substantial relative rotation occurs between the rotary table11and the all-around cam34. In this respect, the bag processing machine10is the same as a packaging machine described in Japanese examined utility model application publication No. 5-28169.

As in the technique disclosed in Japanese patent application publication No. 2009-298418, in the above-described bag processing machine10, an air cylinder is used for a drive source to perform opening and closing of a gripping part of each holding unit12, and this air cylinder is located inside a gripper arm45. It should be noted that, as described in Japanese patent application publication No. 6-156440, the opening and closing of a gripper part of a holding unit12may be performed by an opening-closing drive mechanism installed in a proper place (for example, a position for a step of supplying an empty bag or a position for a step of discharging a filled bag) on the first supporting base51or on the second supporting base52.

A gripper described in Japanese patent application publication No. 6-156440 includes: a pair of swing levers provided on the left and right sides attached to a table which rotates intermittently; gripper arms having base portions fixed to the respective swing levers; and gripping parts arranged on the leading ends of respective gripper arms to inwardly face each other, and each of the gripping parts includes: a fixed side gripping piece having a gripping surface directed in a radiation direction; and a movable side gripping piece attached to the leading end of a gripper arm so as to freely rotate. This gripper is similar to the gripper described in Japanese patent application publication No. 2009-298418. On a gripper arm, a connection mechanism part and a compressed spring are installed, the connection mechanism part transmits the power of the opening-closing drive mechanism to the movable side gripping piece, and the compressed spring is installed in the gripper arm to constantly urge the movable side gripping piece in a closing direction. A cylindrical member (i.e., a roller) is attached to a passive member, and when a projecting member of the opening-closing drive mechanism moves forward to press the cylindrical member in a radiation direction of the table, the movable side gripping piece opens, and when the projecting member moves backward, the movable side gripping piece is closed under the urging force of the compressed spring.

The bag processing machine10of the present embodiment further comprises: a fixation support shaft member33which is fixedly attached to the second supporting base52via a support fixation member53; and a fixation support member50which is fixedly attached to the fixation support shaft member33. The fixation support shaft member33extends in the height direction so as to penetrate the inside of the rotary support shaft member35and is located on the rotation center axis Ax. Bearings are provided between the rotary support shaft member35and the fixation support shaft member33. The rotation of the rotary support shaft member35(and thus the rotary table11) about the rotation center axis Ax does not rotate the fixation support shaft member33.

The disk-shaped fixation support member50supported by the fixation support shaft member33is attached to the top of the fixation support shaft member33to be positioned above the rotary table11and the plurality of holding units12. Since the rotation of the rotary support shaft member35supporting the rotary table11does not rotate the fixation support shaft member33supporting the fixation support member50as described above, the rotation of the rotary table11does not rotate the fixation support member50.

According to the present embodiment, two or more processing devices which perform processes on bags13held by the plurality of holding units12in two or more processing sections respectively of the plurality of processing sections (i.e., the first processing section I to the ninth processing section IX) are supported by the fixation support member50.

The processing devices here may include the bag feeding device14, the printing device15, the opening device16, the opening guide17, the solid content feeding device18, the liquid injection device19, the gas blowing device20, the first sealing device21, the second sealing device22, and the cooling device23.

For instance, in the example shown inFIG.2, the liquid injection device19is supported by the fixation support member50. The liquid injection device19shown inFIG.2comprises: a liquid injection drive source19a; a liquid injection nozzle19c; and a liquid injection movement mechanism19bwhich are connected to the liquid injection drive source19aand the liquid injection nozzle19c. The power output from the liquid injection drive source19ais transmitted to the liquid injection movement mechanism19b. The liquid injection movement mechanism19boperates in response to the power transmitted from the liquid injection drive source19ato move the liquid injection nozzle19cupward and downward in the height direction.

The specific configurations of the liquid injection drive source19a, the liquid injection movement mechanism19band the liquid injection nozzle19care not limited, and the liquid injection device19can be configured by a known device. For example, the liquid injection drive source19amay be configured by a motor or the like; and the liquid injection movement mechanism19bmay be configured by a mechanism (for example, a mechanism which includes a link mechanism at least in part) which converts the power transmitted from the liquid injection drive source19ainto power acting in the upward-downward direction. The liquid injection nozzle19ccan be moved upward and downward in the height direction by the power acting in the upward-downward direction transmitted from the liquid injection movement mechanism19b.

Concerning the above-described liquid injection device19, in the example shown inFIG.2, the liquid injection drive source19aand a part of the liquid injection movement mechanism19bare positioned directly above the fixation support member50and are fixedly attached to the fixation support member50(in particular, to the top surface).

In the example shown inFIG.3, the first sealing device21is supported by the fixation support member50. The first sealing device21shown inFIG.3comprises: a first sealing drive source21a; a first sealing heat unit21c; and a first sealing movement mechanism21bwhich are connected to the first sealing drive source21aand the first sealing heat unit21c. The power output from the first sealing drive source21ais transmitted to the first sealing movement mechanism21b. The first sealing movement mechanism21boperates in response to the power transmitted from the first sealing drive source21ato cause the first sealing heat unit21cto perform an opening action and a closing action in a horizontal direction (in particular, in the direction of the thickness of a bag13held by a holding unit12). The first sealing heat unit21cheats and pressurizes the mouth portion of a bag13while pinching the mouth portion, to perform heat sealing on the mouth portion in such a manner that the inside of the bag13is sealed off.

The specific configurations of the first sealing drive source21a, the first sealing movement mechanism21band the first sealing heat unit21care not limited, and the first sealing device21can be configured by a known device. For example, the first sealing drive source21amay be configured by a motor or the like; and the first sealing movement mechanism21bmay be configured by a mechanism (for example, a mechanism which includes a link mechanism at least in part) which converts the power transmitted from the first sealing drive source21ainto power acting in a horizontal direction. The first sealing heat unit21ccan be caused to perform an opening action and a closing action in a horizontal direction by the power acting in a horizontal direction which is transmitted from the first sealing movement mechanism21b.

Concerning the above-described first sealing device21, in the example shown inFIG.3, the first sealing drive source21aand a part of the first sealing movement mechanism21bare positioned directly above the fixation support member50and are fixedly attached to the fixation support member50(in particular, to the top surface).

In the present embodiment, of the plurality of processing devices comprised in the bag processing machine10, processing devices which perform processes on an upper part of each bag13(e.g., the mouth portion and a region near the mouth portion) are at least partially positioned directly above the fixation support member50and are fixedly attached to the fixation support member50(in particular, to the top surface). On the other hand, of the plurality of processing devices comprised in the bag processing machine10, processing devices which perform processes on parts other than the upper part of each bag13are fixedly attached to the first supporting base51(in particular, to the top surface). Specifically, the printing device15and the opening device16are supported by the first supporting base51. On the other hand, the opening guide17, the solid content feeding device18, the liquid injection device19, the gas blowing device20, the first sealing device21, the second sealing device22, and the cooling device23are at least partially supported by the fixation support member50(in particular, by the top surface).

In the above example, processing devices (for example, the liquid injection device19(seeFIG.2) and the first sealing device21(seeFIG.3)) are installed on the top surface of the fixation support member50, and those processing devices are provided on the opposite side, via the fixation support member50, from the rotary table11and each holding unit12. However, one or more processing devices may be installed on the under surface of the fixation support member50, and the one or more processing devices may be positioned between the fixation support member50and the rotary table11in the height direction.

Also, a processing device which performs a process on a part of a bag13other than the upper part may be supported by the fixation support member50. Further, a processing device which performs a process on an upper part of a bag13may be supported by a member other than the fixation support member50(for example, by the first supporting base51or the second supporting base52). Furthermore, a processing device (e.g., a print inspection device) not shown in the drawings may be supported by the fixation support member50or may be supported by a member other than the fixation support member50.

As described above, the bag processing machine10of the present embodiment comprises: a rotary table11(a rotation body) which is rotated intermittently; a plurality of holding units12which are attached to the rotary table11and are moved along a circular movement path in accordance with the rotation of the rotary table11, the circular movement path being divided into a plurality of processing sections I to IX; a fixation support member50which is positioned above the rotary table11and does not rotate by the rotation of the rotary table11; and two or more processing devices which are supported by the fixation support member50and perform processes on bags13held by the plurality of holding units12in two or more processing sections respectively of the plurality of processing sections I to IX.

According to this bag processing machine10, two or more processing devices are supported by the fixation support member50. This allows the space above the rotary table11to be effectively utilized to install two or more processing devices. Thus, it is advantageous to reduce the planar size of the area for the installation of a plurality of processing devices which the bag processing machine10comprises.

As a result, the cleanup work of the bag processing machine10can be carried out easily and conveniently. In addition, it is possible to reduce devices positioned outside the movement path of bags13, to reduce the planar sizes of the first supporting base51and the second supporting base52, and consequently to reduce the planar sizes of the entire bag processing machine10.

Further, by installing processing devices on the top surface of the fixation support member50, it is possible to effectively reduce the contamination of said processing devices by the contents (i.e., solids and liquids) during operation of the bag processing machine10. On the other hand, by installing processing devices on the under surface of the fixation support member50, the distance between the processing devices and bags13are shortened and obstructions between the processing devices and bags13are also reduced, which may promote simplification and downsizing of processing devices.

Further, the bag processing machine10of the present embodiment comprises: a rotary support shaft member35which supports the rotary table11; and a fixation support shaft member33which extends inside the rotary support shaft member35and supports the fixation support member50.

This makes it possible to firmly support the fixation support member50by means of the fixation support shaft member33while curbing the increase in the planar size of the area for the installation of the fixation support shaft member33and the rotary support shaft member35.

For example, it is possible to install posts and the fixation support member in the outer region of the bag processing machine10(in particular, outside of the rotary table11in a horizontal direction), but in this case, the planar size of the entire bag processing machine10will be increased due to the posts and the fixation support member. On the other hand, by installing the fixation support shaft member33inside the rotary support shaft member35, it is possible to easily install the fixation support member50above the rotary table11and to effectively reduce the increase in the planar size of the entire bag processing machine10.

First Modification Example

In the present modification example, the same reference numerals are attached to the same or corresponding elements as in the embodiment described above, and their detailed descriptions are omitted.

FIG.4is a plan view of a bag processing machine10(in particular, the fourth processing section IV through the ninth processing section IX) according to a first modification example.

The bag processing machine10according to the present modification example has basically the same configuration as the bag processing machine10shown inFIGS.1to3described above. However, in the present modification example, while the rotary table11is stopped intermittently, two or more holding units12(specifically, four holding units12) are arranged in each of the plurality of processing sections I-IX.

Further, movable processing units of two or more processing devices supported by the fixation support member50perform the same process, at the same timing, on two or more bags13held by two ore more holding units12arranged in corresponding processing sections.

In the example shown inFIG.4, the solid content feeding device18, the liquid injection device19, the gas blowing device20, the first sealing device21, and the cooling device23are attached to the top surface of the fixation support member50and are supported by the fixation support member50.

The solid content feeding device18comprises: a single solid content feeding drive source18a; a plurality (specifically, four) of solid content feeding guides (e.g., hoppers)18c; and a single solid content feeding movement mechanism18bwhich is connected to the solid content feeding drive source18aand each solid content feeding guide18c. The power output from the solid content feeding drive source18ais transmitted to the solid content feeding movement mechanism18b. The solid content feeding movement mechanism18boperates in response to the power transmitted from the solid content feeding drive source18ato move the four solid content feeding guides18cupward and downward in the height direction.

As described above, the solid content feeding device18includes: the four solid content feeding guides18c(i.e., movable processing units) which are provided to be able to move with respect to four bags13held by four holding units12arranged in the corresponding processing section (i.e., in the fourth processing section IV); and the solid content feeding movement mechanism18bwhich causes the four solid content feeding guides18cto move.

Likewise, the liquid injection device19includes: a single liquid injection drive source19a; a plurality (specifically, four) of liquid injection nozzles19c; a single liquid injection movement mechanism19bwhich are connected to the liquid injection drive source19aand each liquid injection nozzle19c. The power output from the liquid injection drive source19ais transmitted to the liquid injection movement mechanism19b. The liquid injection movement mechanism19boperates in response to the power transmitted from the liquid injection drive source19ato move the four liquid injection nozzles19cupward and downward in the height direction.

Further, the gas blowing device20includes: a single gas blowing drive source20a; a plurality (specifically, four) of gas blowing nozzles20c; and a single gas blowing movement mechanism20bwhich is connected to the gas blowing drive source20aand each gas blowing nozzle20c. The power output from the gas blowing drive source20ais transmitted to the gas blowing movement mechanism20b. The gas blowing movement mechanism20boperates in response to the power transmitted from the gas blowing drive source20ato move the four gas blowing nozzles20cupward and downward in the height direction.

On the other hand, the first sealing device21includes: a plurality (specifically, two) of first sealing drive sources21a; a plurality (specifically, four) of first sealing heat units21c; and a plurality (specifically, two) of first sealing movement mechanisms21b. One first sealing drive source21aand a plurality (specifically, two) of first sealing heat units21care connected to each of the first sealing movement mechanisms21b. The power output from each first sealing drive source21ais transmitted to a corresponding first sealing movement mechanism21b, the first sealing movement mechanism21boperates in response to the power transmitted from the first sealing drive source21ato cause two corresponding first sealing heat units21cto perform an opening action and a closing action in a horizontal direction.

In this manner, the first sealing device21performs the same process, at the same timing, on two bags13held by two holding units arranged in the corresponding seventh processing section VII. In a case where the two first sealing drive sources21aare driven in synchronization with each other and the two first sealing movement mechanisms21bare driven in synchronization with each other, it is possible to perform the same process, at the same timing, on four bags13held by four holding units12arranged in the seventh processing section VII.

Likewise, the second sealing device22includes: a plurality (specifically, two) of second sealing drive sources22a; a plurality (specifically, four) of second sealing heat units22c; and a plurality (specifically, two) of second sealing movement mechanisms22b. One second sealing drive source22aand a plurality (specifically, two) of second sealing heat units22care connected to each second sealing movement mechanism22b. The power output from each second sealing drive source22ais transmitted to a corresponding second sealing movement mechanism22b, the second sealing movement mechanism22boperates in response to the power transmitted from the second sealing drive source22ato cause two corresponding second sealing heat units22cto perform an opening action and a closing action in a horizontal direction.

Likewise, the cooling device23includes: a plurality (specifically, two) of cooling drive sources23a; a plurality (specifically, four) of cooling units23c; and a plurality (specifically, two) of cooling movement mechanisms23b. One cooling drive source23aand a plurality (specifically, two) of cooling units23care connected to each cooling movement mechanism23b. The power output from each cooling drive source23ais transmitted to a corresponding cooling movement mechanism23b, the cooling movement mechanism23boperates in response to the power transmitted from the cooling drive source23ato cause two corresponding cooling units23cto perform an opening action and a closing action in a horizontal direction.

As described above, according to the present modification example, while the rotary table11is stopped intermittently, two or more bags13are arranged in each of the plurality of processing sections I to IX.

This makes it possible that a processing device supported by the fixation support member50can perform the same process on two or more bags13held by two or more holding units12arranged in a corresponding processing section. As a result, the processing performance in the bag processing machine10can be improved.

Further, at least one of the two or more processing devices includes: a movable processing unit which is provided to be able to move with respect to two or more bags13held by two or more holding units12positioned in a correspond processing section; and a movement drive unit which moves the movable processing unit, and the movable processing unit performs a same process on two ore more bags13held by two or more holding units12positioned in a correspond processing section.

This makes it possible to effectively perform processes on a large number of bags13while curbing the increase in the component count of processing devices. Further, even if the planar size of the fixation support member50is small, processing devices can be properly installed in the fixation support member50.

In particular, in case where a movable processing unit can be moved between a position for performing a process on a corresponding bag13and a position for evacuating from the corresponding bag13by simply moving the movable processing unit of a processing device upward and downward in the height direction (see the solid content feeding device18, the liquid injection device19, and the gas blowing device20shown inFIG.4), it is possible to move many movable processing units at one time by a single drive source and a single movement mechanism.

On the other hand, even in a case where a movable processing unit is required to be moved in a horizontal direction in accordance with the orientation of a corresponding bag13in order to move the movable processing unit of a processing device between a position for performing a process on a corresponding bag13and a position for evacuating from the corresponding bag13(see the first sealing device21, the second sealing device22, and the cooling device23shown inFIG.4), it is possible to move a plurality of movable processing units at one time by a single drive source and a single movement mechanism.

Various modifications may be added to each element of the above-described embodiment and modification example, and configurations may be partially or entirely combined among the above-described embodiment and modification example. Further, the effects produced by the present disclosure are not limited to the effects described above, and specific effects based on a particular configuration of each embodiment may also be produced. As described above, various additions, changes, and partial deletions may be made to each element described in the claims, specification, and drawings without departing from the technical concept and the intent of the present disclosure.