Packaging machine and packaging method

A packaging machine includes: a linear type conveyance unit conveying a bag linearly in a first direction; a rotary type conveyance unit conveying the bag rotationally in a second direction; a delivery unit delivering the bag between the linear type and the rotary type conveyance units; a first processing system performing processing on the bag conveyed by the linear type conveyance unit; and a second processing system performing processing on the bag conveyed by the rotary type conveyance unit, wherein: the linear type conveyance unit includes: a first supporting unit moving from a first conveyance position to a second conveyance position while supporting the bag in a suspended state; and a second supporting unit which receives the bag from the first supporting unit at the second conveyance position and supports the bag in a suspended state, and the second processing system includes an opening processing unit.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-230683, filed on Nov. 26, 2015; the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention is related to a packaging machine and a packaging method, in particular, is related to a packaging machine and a packaging method that are each involving a process of opening a packaging bag.

BACKGROUND ART

A bag packaging machine is known which consecutively performs a plurality of processes on many bags. For example, a process of taking empty packaging bags consecutively out of a storage part, a process of opening each packaging bag, a process of feeding contents into each packaging bag, and a process of closing and sealing the opening section of each bag are consecutively performed, so that many product bags are manufactured in an efficient and speedy manner.

There are various types of the packaging machine like this, and for example, a rotary type packaging machine is widely known. In a rotary type packaging machine, typically, a plurality of grippers are attached to the outer edge part of a rotatable rotary table, and devices that perform various processes required for manufacturing a packaging bag (i.e., product bag) are provided around the rotary table. While bags supported by grippers are conveyed by the rotary table, various processes on the bags are performed, so that product bags are consecutively manufactured.

Furthermore, Japanese patent application publication No. 2002-302227 discloses a racetrack type packaging machine using an endless chain. In the packaging machine disclosed in Japanese patent application publication No. 2002-302227, a plurality of gripper pairs for gripping both edges of a bag are provided, at regular intervals, with the endless chain guided by a linear guide member, and by turning the endless chain, bags gripped by the gripper pairs are conveyed at a constant speed.

Furthermore, Japanese patent application publication No. 2012-240710 discloses a linear conveyance type packaging machine that linearly conveys a bag between a filling processing position and a seal processing position.

Furthermore, Japanese patent application publication No. 08-133212 discloses a packaging apparatus comprising a bag manufacturing part that manufactures a bag from a rolled film, and a reverse mechanism that shifts the position of a bag supplied in a horizontal posture from the bag manufacturing part so as to have a vertical posture. When this packaging apparatus fills into a bag with a fluidized powder and a solid material, the bag pinched by a first gripper is delivered to a second gripper via a sub-gripper.

Furthermore, Japanese patent application publication No. 2015-147594 discloses a bag transfer device that shifts a bag into which air has been blown in a horizontal state, into a vertical state, and then causes a gripper pair installed on a rotary table to grip the bag and conveys it.

Furthermore, Japanese patent application publication No. 2015-54702 discloses a printing packaging apparatus in which a package design is printed, by a printing device, onto a packaging member conveyed horizontally, and then the packaging member is filled with contents (i.e., pet food) and sealed.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

Various types of packaging machines are known as described above, but each type of packaging machine has problems as described below.

For example, in a rotary type packaging machine, an bag before opening is in an empty state and has a flat shape, and is in a state where the stiffness is weak in terms of the direction towards which the front and rear surfaces face; therefore, due to the centrifugal force acting on a bag during rotational conveyance of the bag, the posture of the bag tends to become unstable in the front/rear surface direction. Thus, when a process using a printing device or a printing inspection device is performed during the rotational conveyance, it is required to install a guide for stabilizing the posture of a bag; however, installation of such a guide requires additional costs and space, as well as inviting concern about damaging a bag due to the guide. Furthermore, when precision apparatuses vulnerable to water, such as a printing device and a printing inspection device, are installed around a rotary table together with a device using a liquid such as a content feeding device or a washing device, there is concern that the liquid spatters and the precision apparatuses have a breakdown.

Moreover, in a manufacturing process of product bags, product bags that fail to receive a proper process and therefore should be treated as defective products are also manufactured. Packaging bags called defective products (hereinafter, also referred to as “defective bags”) may include difficult-to-reuse packaging bags as well as reusable packaging bags. For example, a packaging bag having no printing due to skip of printing performed by a printing device is reusable, and is desirably reused from the viewpoint of effective utilization of resources. However, even if a rotary type packaging machine includes a step of removing defective bags, such a step of removing defective bags is generally performed without determining whether or not defective bags removed in that step are reusable. It takes a lot of trouble with manual selection of only reusable defective bags in a state where there are both reusable defective bags and non-reusable defective bags, and furthermore, installing a device which can automatically select only reusable defective bags invites increase in cost and size of the apparatus. Therefore, it is desired to propose a new mechanism enabling reusable defective bags to be selected simply and conveniently.

Furthermore, a racetrack type packaging machine as disclosed in Japanese patent application publication No. 2002-302227 includes a chain as an essential element, and the chain gradually stretches as the operating time proceeds. Therefore, in a racetrack type packaging machine, it is unavoidable to install a mechanism for absorbing such stretch of the chain, and thus the device structure gets complex and also the manufacturing cost increases.

Furthermore, a linear conveyance type packaging machine as disclosed in Japanese patent application publication No. 2012-240710 has low flexibility in device layout, and for example, if the number of processes is increased, a packaging machine becomes larger only in one direction as a whole.

Furthermore, as in a packaging apparatus disclosed in Japanese patent application publication No. 08-133212, when a packaging bag is delivered between gripper pairs, there is concern that a predetermined part of the packaging bag is not properly gripped by means of a gripper during the delivery of the packaging bag. In particular, in a case where a packaging bag is delivered between gripper pairs during feeding of contents into the packaging bag or after feeding of contents, the packaging bag gets heavy as a whole and therefore the position gripped by grippers is displaced easily. Furthermore, concerning the size of a packaging bag in the upper/lower direction, it is required to secure “the bulk of contents inside a packaging bag in the upper/lower direction”, “the gripping space for gripper pairs in the upper/lower direction”, and “the sealing space of the opening section of a packaging member”. When a packaging bag is gripped, at different positions in the upper/lower direction, by respective gripper pairs for delivery of the packaging bag, it is required to size up each packaging bag in the upper/lower direction, compared to a case where a packaging bag is gripped by a single gripper pair. As a result, the head space of a packaging bag becomes larger, it is difficult to manufacture a compact packaging bag, and the appearance quality of a packaging bag (product bag), such as tight impression, is lost.

Furthermore, when “a step of linearly conveying a packaging bag in a horizontal state” and “a step of rotationally conveying a packaging bag” are combined as in apparatuses disclosed in Japanese patent application publication Nos. 2015-147594 and 2015-54702, processes which can be performed during the linear conveyance step are limited. Specifically, it is required during the linear conveyance step to perform a process on a packaging bag which is in a horizontal state; therefore, for example, it is easy to perform a process such as printing on an exposed surface (e.g., an upward surface) of a packaging bag, but it is not easy to perform a process such as printing on a non-exposed surface (e.g., an downward surface) of a packaging bag.

As described above, in each of a rotary type packaging machine, a linear conveyance type packaging machine, and a packaging machine adopting a plurality of conveyance methods combined, it is very difficult to perform both “a process performed in a state where a packaging bag is closed (such as a printing process)” and “a process performed in a state where a package bag is opened (such as a content feeding process)” in a simple and highly accurate manner.

Solution to Problem

The present invention has been contrived in light of the above-mentioned circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a packaging machine and a packaging method which enable a process performed in a state where a packaging bag is closed and a process performed in a state where a package bag is opened to be carried out in series in a simple and highly accurate manner.

One aspect of the present invention is directed to a packaging machine comprising: a linear type conveyance unit which conveys a packaging bag in a linear manner in a first direction; a rotary type conveyance unit which conveys the packaging bag in a rotational manner in a second direction; a delivery unit which delivers the packaging bag between the linear type conveyance unit and the rotary type conveyance unit; a first processing system which performs processing on the packaging bag conveyed by the linear type conveyance unit; and a second processing system which performs processing on the packaging bag conveyed by the rotary type conveyance unit, wherein: the linear type conveyance unit includes: a first supporting unit which moves from a first conveyance position to a second conveyance position while supporting the packaging bag in a suspended state; and a second supporting unit which receives the packaging bag from the first supporting unit being disposed at the second conveyance position and supports the packaging bag in a suspended state, and the second processing system includes an opening processing unit which opens the packaging bag.

According to this aspect, the first processing system can perform processing without being affected by the processing performed by the second processing system. Thus, when a process performed in a state where a packaging bag is closed is performed by the first processing system and a process performed in a state where a packaging bag is opened is performed by the second processing system, these processes can be continuously performed in a simple and highly accurate manner.

Desirably, the second processing system includes a content supply unit which feeds a content into the packaging bag which is in an open state.

According to this aspect, the first processing system is not affected by feeding a content into a package bag.

Desirably, the delivery unit includes: a third supporting unit for supporting the packaging bag in a suspended state; and a delivery driving unit which reciprocates the third supporting unit between a third conveyance position and a fourth conveyance position, and the third supporting unit receives the packaging bag at the third conveyance position from the linear type conveyance unit, and supplies the packaging bag to the rotary type conveyance unit at the fourth conveyance position.

According to this aspect, a package bag is properly conveyed from the linear type conveyance unit to the rotary type conveyance unit.

Desirably, the delivery driving unit rotates the third supporting unit by prescribed degrees.

According to this aspect, the orientation of a package bag can be changed between the linear type conveyance unit and the rotary type conveyance unit.

Desirably, the rotary type conveyance unit includes: a rotation body; and a fourth supporting unit which is attached to the rotation body and is provided for supporting the packaging bag, a rotation center of the rotation body lies in an extension of a linear conveyance track of the packaging bag conveyed by the linear type conveyance unit, and the delivery driving unit rotates the third supporting unit by 90 degrees after the packaging bag is delivered from the linear type conveyance unit to the third supporting unit and before the packaging bag is delivered from the third supporting unit to the rotary type conveyance unit.

According to this aspect, a packaging bag can be properly conveyed from the linear type conveyance unit to the rotary type conveyance unit.

Desirably, the fourth conveyance position is distant from the third conveyance position in a direction perpendicular to the first direction.

The present invention can also be effectively applied to a packaging machine having a configuration based on this aspect

Desirably, the packaging machine further comprises: a position detection unit which detects a position in a height direction of the packaging bag before being supplied to the third supporting unit or of the packaging bag being supported by the third supporting unit; and an elevating driving unit which is capable of changing the position in the height direction of the third supporting unit according to the position in the height direction of the packaging bag detected by the position detection unit.

According to this aspect, the position in the height direction of a packaging bag supported by the third supporting unit can be properly changed.

Desirably, the first processing system includes a printing unit which performs printing on the packaging bag conveyed by the linear type conveyance unit.

According to this aspect, the printing unit can perform a process without being affected by the process performed by the second processing system.

Desirably, the first processing system includes a printing inspection unit which is located on a downstream side from the printing unit and inspects quality of the printing on the packaging bag.

According to this aspect, the printing inspection unit can perform a process without being affected by the process performed by the second processing system.

Desirably, the packaging machine further comprises a discharge unit which discharges the packaging bag having a defect according to an inspection result of the printing inspection unit.

According to this aspect, a package bag having a printing defect can be discharged.

Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a packaging method comprising the steps of: causing a linear type conveyance unit to convey a packaging bag in a linear manner in a first direction; causing a rotary type conveyance unit to convey the packaging bag in a rotational manner in a second direction; causing a delivery unit to deliver the packaging bag between the linear type conveyance unit and the rotary type conveyance unit; causing a first processing system to perform processing on the packaging bag conveyed by the linear type conveyance unit; and causing a second processing system to perform processing on the packaging bag conveyed by the rotary type conveyance unit, wherein: the step of causing the linear type conveyance unit to convey a packaging bag includes the steps of: causing a first supporting unit to move from a first conveyance position to a second conveyance position while supporting the packaging bag in a suspended state; and causing a second supporting unit to receive the packaging bag from the first supporting unit being disposed at the second conveyance position and supports the packaging bag in a suspended state, and the second processing system includes an opening processing unit which opens the packaging bag.

According to the present invention, the first processing system can perform processing without being affected by the processing performed by the second processing system, and the processing performed by the first processing system and the processing performed by the second processing system can be simply and accurately performed in series.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the drawings, one embodiment of the present invention is described below.

FIG. 1is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of an example of a packaging machine10according to one embodiment of the present invention, and shows the packaging machine10viewed from the above. The packaging machine10illustrated inFIG. 1is a double type packaging machine (i.e., W-type packaging machine) which performs each process on two packaging bags100at one time. Note that the explanation below could be also applied to a single type packaging machine10which performs each process on one packaging bag100at a one time, a triple type packaging machine10which performs each process on three packaging bags100at a one time, a quadruple type packaging machine10which performs each process on four packaging bags100at a one time, and a packaging machine10which can perform each process on more packaging bags100at one time.

The packaging machine10comprises a linear type conveyance unit12, a rotary type conveyance unit14, and a delivery unit13provided between the linear type conveyance unit12and the rotary type conveyance unit14. The linear type conveyance unit12, the delivery unit13and the rotary type conveyance unit14are installed on a base11. The linear type conveyance unit12horizontally conveys empty packaging bags100each having a sheet shape in a first direction D1in a linear manner. The rotary type conveyance unit14horizontally conveys packaging bags100in a second direction D2in a rotational manner. The delivery unit13conveys a packaging bag100in the first direction D1and in a third direction D3, and delivers the packaging bag100between the linear type conveyance unit12and the rotary type conveyance unit14.

The linear type conveyance unit12and the rotary type conveyance unit14according to the present embodiment intermittently convey packaging bags100from the upstream side towards the downstream side. While packaging bags100are stopped intermittently, various devices included in first and second processing systems described later perform various processes. The conveyance of a packaging bag100with the linear type conveyance unit12and the rotary type conveyance unit14is performed in a state where the part corresponding to the mouth of the packaging bag100is directed towards the upside in terms of the vertical direction and one of the both side edges of the packaging bag100is directed towards the traveling direction. Thus, the air resistance applied to a packaging bag100during the conveyance can be suppressed, and the posture of a packaging bag100can be kept stably.

The conveyance route of a packaging bag100with the linear type conveyance unit12forms a straight line conveyance track, and the first processing system which performs processing on packaging bags100conveyed with the linear type conveyance unit12is located in the neighborhood of this conveyance route. This first processing system includes various devices performing processes which are carried out preferably in a state where the mouth of a packaging bag100is not opened or performing processes which do not necessitate opening the mouth of a packaging bag100. In the present embodiment, the first processing system includes an empty bag storing unit21, a bag supply unit (see reference numeral “25” inFIG. 3described later), a printing unit22and a printing inspection unit23.

The empty bag storing unit21is positioned adjacent to the linear type conveyance unit12in an empty bag supply processing station P11, and stores empty packaging bags100. The storing manner of the empty bag storing unit21is not particularly limited, and for example, a single storing conservation section21aor a plurality of storing conservation sections21a, in which a plurality of packaging bags100are stored, may be provided. When the empty bag storing unit21has a plurality of storing conservation sections21a, a plurality of packaging bags100can be supplied, at one time, to the linear type conveyance unit12from the plurality of storing conservation sections21arespectively. For example, in the example illustrated inFIG. 1, two storing conservation sections21aare provided, and two packaging bags100can be supplied to the linear type conveyance unit12at one time.

A bag supply unit (see reference numeral “25” inFIG. 3described later) is provided between the storing conservation section21aand the linear type conveyance unit12. This bag supply unit can adopt any configuration as long as a packaging bag100can be properly supplied from the storing conservation section21ato the linear type conveyance unit12, and for example, a package bag100stored in the storing conservation section21ais absorbed or gripped and then supplied to the linear type conveyance unit12one by one (an empty bag supply step). This bag supply unit is provided preferably corresponding to each storing conservation section21a, and in the example illustrated in Hg.1, two bag supply units assigned respectively to two storing conservation section21aare preferably provided.

The printing unit22is located adjacent to the linear type conveyance unit12in a printing processing station P12, which is provided on the downstream side from the empty bag storing unit21(empty bag supply processing station P11), and performs printing on an empty packaging bag100arranged in the printing processing station P12by the linear type conveyance unit12(printing step). Here, the “downstream side” is based on the conveyance direction of a packaging bag100. The specific device and printing method adopted in the printing unit22are not particularly limited. For instance, the printing unit22can print letters, symbols or pattern indicating various kinds of information, such as the manufacturing date, the expiration date, the manufacturing plant and the lot number, onto the front surface and/or the rear surface of a packaging bag100, by means of an inkjet printing method or a laser printing method. In the example illustrated inFIG. 1, the printing unit22is provided on only one side of a packaging bag100conveyed by the linear type conveyance unit12, and the printing process is performed onto the only one side of the packaging bag100. Note that, the printing units22may be provided at positions which sandwich a packaging bag100arranged in the printing processing station P12, and then the printing process may be performed onto both surfaces of the packaging bag100. In particular, since the linear type conveyance unit12according to the present embodiment conveys a packaging bag100in a state where the front and rear surfaces of the packaging bag100are exposed, the printing process onto both surfaces of a packaging bag100can be performed very simply and conveniently. Further, in the example illustrated inFIG. 1, the printing unit22performs printing process simultaneously on two packaging bags100arranged side by side in the printing processing station P12.

The printing inspection unit23is disposed adjacent to the linear type conveyance unit12in a print inspection processing station P13provided on the downstream side from the printing unit22(the printing processing station P12), inspects the quality of printing on an empty packaging bag100arranged in the print inspection processing station P13(print inspection step). The specific device and inspection method adopted in the printing inspection unit23are not particularly limited. For instance, the printing inspection unit23can evaluate the presence or absence of printing in the packaging bag100, the printing position and/or clarity of the printing so as to determine whether or not printing is proper. In the example illustrated inFIG. 1, the printing inspection unit23is provided on the only one side of a packaging bag100arranged in the print inspection processing station P13, and printing inspection is performed on the only one side of the packaging bag100. Note that, the printing inspection units23may be disposed at positions which sandwich a packaging bag100arranged in the print inspection processing station P13, and the printing inspection process may be performed on both surfaces of the packaging bag100. Further, in the example illustrated inFIG. 1, the printing inspection unit23performs printing inspection process simultaneously on two packaging bags100arranged side by side in the print inspection processing station P13.

The delivery unit13is provided so as to be able to move between a delivery processing station P14, which is provided on the downstream side from the printing inspection unit23(the print inspection processing station P13), and a print bag supply processing station P21. More specifically, the delivery unit13receives an empty packaging bag100from the linear type conveyance unit12at the delivery processing station P14, and delivers the packaging bag100to the rotary type conveyance unit14at the print bag supply processing station P21(empty bag delivery process). As will be described later for the specific configuration of the delivery unit13, in this embodiment, a packaging bag100supported by the delivery unit13is rotated by 90° in a third direction D3after the packaging bag100is supplied to the delivery unit13from the linear type conveyance unit12and before the packaging bag100is supplied to the rotary type conveyance unit14from the delivery unit13. Then, the delivery unit13is moved in the first direction D1so as to approach the rotary type conveyance unit14, and then the packaging bag100is supplied to the rotary type conveyance unit14.

The rotary type conveyance unit14includes a disk-shaped rotary table69which is provided as a rotation body on the base11, and a plurality of gripper pairs (i.e., fourth supporting units)61which are installed onto the periphery of the rotary table69and each support a packaging bag100. The rotation center C of the rotary table69is positioned on an extended line of the linear conveyance track of a packaging bag100conveyed by the linear type conveyance unit12.

The rotary type conveyance unit14illustrated inFIG. 1is a double type unit (W-type unit) that performs the same processing onto two packaging bags100at the same time, two gripper pairs61constitute one unit gripper mechanism, and in total, eight unit gripper mechanisms are provided in a fixed manner at equal intervals in the peripheral portion of the rotary table69. When the number of process steps of the second processing system is the same as the number of unit gripper mechanisms provided in the rotary type conveyance unit14, the processes in the respective steps can be performed without incurring waste. Therefore, in the example shown inFIG. 1, the number of process steps of the second processing system and the number of unit gripper mechanisms provided in the rotary type conveyance unit14are both “eight (8)”.

The conveyance path for a packaging bag100by means of the rotary type conveyance unit14is a circular path. A plurality of process stations are provided along the conveyance path at regular intervals, and in the example shown inFIG. 1, eight (8) process stations (i.e., P21to P28) in all are serially provided. Various devices which perform processing on packaging bags100conveyed by the rotary type conveyance unit14and are included in the second processing system are installed in the respective stations. This second processing system includes a device performing a process which is preferably performed in a state where a packaging bag100remains opened, a device performing a process which needs opening a packaging bag100, and a device performing a process required to be carried out after these processes. In the present embodiment, the second processing system includes a device performing a receiving step in the print bag supply processing P21, a device performing an opening step in the opening processing station P22, a device performing a solid feed step in the solid feed processing station P23, a device performing a liquid feed step in the liquid feed processing station P24, a device performing a blank processing step in the blank processing station P25, a device performing a first seal step in the first seal processing station P26, a device performing a second seal step in the second seal processing station P27, and a device performing a cooling discharge step in the cooling discharge station P28.

In the print bag supply processing station P21, a gripper pair61configured by two grippers is positioned, the both side edge portions of a packaging bag100delivered from the delivery unit13are gripped by the gripper pair61. Since the packaging machine10illustrated inFIG. 1is a double type (i.e., W-type) as mentioned above, two gripper pairs61are positioned in the print bag supply processing station P21, and two packaging bags100are simultaneously delivered to the two gripper pairs61from the delivery unit13. Each gripper pair61is moved due to the rotation of the rotary table69, and serially travels to the process stations P21to P28along the circular conveyance track.

In the opening processing station P22, an opening device (i.e., opening processing unit)32including absorption members62is positioned, and packaging bags100gripped by gripper pairs61are absorbed by the absorption members62so that the mouth of each packaging bag100is opened. In the solid feed processing station P23, a solid feeding device33including hoppers63having a shape of funnel is positioned, and solid contents are fed from the hoppers63into packaging bags100via the mouths being opened. Further, in the liquid feed processing station P24, a liquid feeling device34including feeding nozzles64is positioned, and liquid contents are fed from the feeding nozzles64into packaging bags100.

In the present embodiment, the “content supply unit for feeding contents into a packaging bag100being opened” includes the solid feeding device33and the liquid feeling device34as described above; however, the configuration of the content supply unit is not limited to the configuration of the present embodiment. For instance, one of the solid feeding device33and the liquid feeling device34may be omitted, and other devices, such as a powder feeding device for feeding powder contents into a packaging bag100and air feeding device for feeding air into a packaging bag100, may be provided as the content supply unit.

Further, at least “in the section from the opening processing station P22to the liquid feed processing station P24”, a packaging bag100is conveyed in a state where the opening state is kept. Therefore, for instance, the absorption member62may move together with a packaging bag100from the opening processing station P22to the liquid feed processing station P24(or to the solid feed processing station P23) while keeping the opening state of the packaging bag100. Further, in a case where a packaging bag100has a configuration enabling the opening state to be kept without the aid of the absorption member62after the packaging bag100is once opened, the absorption member62does not need to move on to the solid feed processing station P23and the liquid feed processing station P24, and may be provided only in the opening processing station P22.

In the blank processing station P25, although no special processing is performed, an arbitrary device may be provided.

A first sealing device36is provided in the first seal processing station P26, a second sealing device37is provided in the second seal processing station P27, and each of the first sealing device36and the second sealing device37performs heat sealing processing onto packaging bags100(seal step). When the first sealing device36performs pre-heating and temporary sealing of the sealing section of a packaging bag100and the second sealing device37performs processing of heat-sealing the packaging bag100securely, a sealed product bag of which the mouth is sealed can be manufactured. In the first seal processing station P26, the mouth closure step is performed in which the mouth section of a packaging bag100containing contents is pulled from both sides by a gripper pair61in such a manner that the packaging bag100is put in a state where the mouth is substantially closed, and after this mouth closure step, the above-described heat sealing processing is performed by the first sealing device36.

In the cooling discharge station P28, a cooling release device38including a discharge conveyer67and a cooling discharge unit68is installed, and the cooling release device38performs cooling processing onto packaging bags100(in particular, onto the sealing sections) and discharge processing of the packaging bag100(product bag release step). The cooling release device38may include a defect bag discharge device (not shown) which evaluates the quality of packaging bags (product bags)100, and then separates packaging bags (product bags)100having a poor quality from packaging bags (product bags)100having a good quality and discharges the packaging bags100having a poor quality.

The above-described packaging machine10illustrated inFIG. 1is merely one example of an embodiment to which the present invention can be applied, and the present invention can be applied to packaging machines10based on other embodiments. For example, the present invention can be also applied to a single type packaging machine10that performs processing on one packaging bag100at one time during one intermittent stop at each of the above processing stations P11-P14and P21-P28.

Next, the configuration of the linear type conveyance unit12and the delivery unit13is specifically described. In the following description, for facilitating understanding, one example of a single type of the linear type conveyance unit12and delivery unit13is described, but the following configuration can be also appropriately applied to a double type (i.e. W-type) packaging machine10(a linear type conveyance unit12and a delivery unit13), a triple type packaging machine10, a quadruple type packaging machine10and other type packaging machines10.

FIG. 2is an oblique perspective view for illustrating an outline structure of the linear type conveyance unit12and the delivery unit13. InFIG. 2, for convenience in description, elements included in the linear type conveyance unit12and the delivery unit13(in particular, in the linear type conveyance unit12) are partially shown.

Since the linear type conveyance unit12and the delivery unit13of the present example are each the single type, one packaging bag100is arranged in each of the empty bag supply processing station P11, the printing processing station P12, the print inspection processing station P13, the delivery processing station P14and the print bag supply processing station P21, and the processing is carried out onto one packaging bag100at each processing station.

First, the specific configuration of the linear type conveyance unit12is described. The linear type conveyance unit12includes a sliding support unit41(first supporting unit) and fixed support units42(second supporting units).

The sliding support unit41is configured to be capable of supporting packaging bags100being in a suspended state, and reciprocates in the first direction D1between the below-descried first conveyance position (seeFIGS. 2, 3 and 5) and the second conveyance position (seeFIG. 6). The specific structure of the sliding support unit41is not limited in particular, and the sliding support unit41can be typically configured by a mechanism which can grip the upper part of empty packaging bags100in terms of the vertical direction in such a manner that the packaging bags100being in a suspended state are supported.

Supporting a packaging bag100being in a suspended state means supporting a packaging bag100using gravity so as to determine the posture of the packaging bag100in the vertical direction (i.e., the upper/lower direction). Typically, a packaging bag100can be supported in a suspended state by gripping the upper part of the packaging bag100in terms of the vertical direction (for example, the part of a packaging bag100which is upper than the center of gravity in the vertical direction) while releasing (not gripping) the lower part in terms of the vertical direction.

The sliding support unit41of the present example includes a first reciprocating supporting member413and a second reciprocating supporting member414which each extend in the first direction D1. Of the side sections of the first reciprocating supporting member413and the second reciprocating supporting member414, the side section of the first reciprocating supporting member413and the side section of the second reciprocating supporting member414which opposite each other have each a planar shape and form supporting surfaces for sandwiching and supporting packaging bags100. On the other hand, on each of the side section of the first reciprocating supporting member413and the side section of the second reciprocating supporting member414which face the opposite directions, a plurality of sliding supporting members415(in the example illustrated inFIG. 2, three sliding supporting members415) are provided in a fixed manner.

The sliding supporting members415provided with the first reciprocating supporting member413are slidably attached to a first rail411, and the sliding supporting members415provided with the second reciprocating supporting member414are slidably attached to a second rail412. The first rail411and the second rail412are provided so as to be distant from each other in a fourth direction D4perpendicular to the first direction D1, and extend in the direction D1at least through the empty bag supply processing station P11, the printing processing station P12and the print inspection processing station P13. The first rail411and the second rail412of the present example have a cross section of a protruding shape, and each of the sliding supporting members415slidably engages with the first rail411or the second rail412so as to sandwich the protruding part of the cross section of the first rail411or the second rail412.

Each of the first reciprocating supporting member413and the second reciprocating supporting member414is provided so as to be capable of reciprocating not only in the first direction D1but also the fourth direction D4perpendicular to the first direction D1. The first reciprocating supporting member413and the second reciprocating supporting member414move towards each other in the fourth direction D4so as to sandwich and grip packaging bags100, and move away from each other so as to release the packaging bags100. Furthermore, the first reciprocating supporting member413and the second reciprocating supporting member414are capable of moving in the forward direction of the first direction D1while gripping packaging bags100. Thus, by causing the first reciprocating supporting member413and the second reciprocating supporting member414to move in the first direction D1in a state where they grip packaging bags100, each packaging bag100is conveyed in the direction (i.e., the direction in which one side edge surface of each packaging bag100is oriented) perpendicular to the front/rear surface direction. Therefore, by combining the reciprocating movements of the first reciprocating supporting member413and the second reciprocating supporting member414in the first and fourth directions D1and D4, packaging bags100are conveyed in the first direction D1in a continuous manner.

In the present embodiment, the first reciprocating supporting member413and the second reciprocating supporting member414are arranged at the first conveyance position so at to extend through the empty bag supply processing station P11, the printing processing station P12and the print inspection processing station P13, and are arranged at the second conveyance position so as to extend through the printing processing station P12, the print inspection processing station P13and the delivery processing station P14. Thus, when the first reciprocating supporting member413and the second reciprocating supporting member414gripping packaging bags100move from the first conveyance position to the second conveyance position, the packaging bags100having been located at the empty bag supply processing station P11, the printing processing station P12and the print inspection processing station P13during the first conveyance position are located respectively at the printing processing station P12, the print inspection processing station P13and the delivery processing station P14. Therefore, concerning the empty bag supply processing station P11, the printing processing station P12, the print inspection processing station P13and the delivery processing station P14, the distances between adjacent processing stations are substantially equal to each other. Furthermore, the interval between the first conveyance position and the second conveyance position of the sliding support unit41is substantially equal to the distances between adjacent processing stations of these processing stations P11to P14, and is a distance corresponding to one step of the intermittent conveyance of a packaging bag100.

On the other hand, the fixed support units42receive packaging bags100from the sliding support unit41located at the second conveyance position (seeFIG. 6), and then support the packaging bags100in a suspended state. The specific structure of the fixed support units42is not particularly limited. Each fixed support unit42can be typically configured by a mechanism which is capable of supporting a packaging bag100in a suspended state while gripping the upper part of the empty packaging bag100in terms of the vertical direction. Each fixed support unit42according to the present embodiment includes a first fixed supporting member421and a second fixed supporting member422which extend in the first direction D1above the first and second reciprocating supporting members413,414in terms of the vertical direction. Each of the first and second fixed supporting member421,422is provided so as to be capable of reciprocating in the fourth direction D4perpendicular to the first direction D1but does not reciprocate in the first direction D1. Thus, concerning the fourth direction D4, the first and second fixed supporting members421,422can move towards each other so as to sandwich and grip a packaging bag100, and can move away from each other so as to release the grip of the packaging bag100. The fixed support units42are provided at the printing processing station P12and the print inspection processing station P13respectively.

The fixed support units42provided in the printing processing station P12and the print inspection processing station P13respectively perform the above-described gripping action and grip release action so as to receive packaging bags100from the sliding support unit41and deliver the packaging bags100to the sliding support unit41. Specifically, a pair of the first and second fixed supporting member421,422constituting each fixed support unit42sandwiches and grips a packaging bag100gripped by the first and second reciprocating supporting member413,414located at the second conveyance position, and retains the gripping state of the packaging bag100even after the grip of the packaging bag100by means of the first and second reciprocating supporting member413,414is released. In this way, packaging bags100are delivered from the sliding support unit41to the fixed support units42. Furthermore, the first and second fixed supporting member421,422constituting a pair move away from each other in a state where a packaging bag100is gripped by the first and second reciprocating supporting member413,414located in the first conveyance position, so as to release the grip of the packaging bag100. In this way, packaging bags100are delivered from the fixed support units42to the sliding support unit41.

Thus, packaging bags100are intermittently and continuously conveyed to the empty bag supply processing station P11, the printing processing station P12, the print inspection processing station P13and the delivery processing station P14by sequentially repeating “the step of causing the sliding support unit41located at the first conveyance position to grip packaging bags100”, “the step of causing the fixed support units42to release the grip of packaging bags100”, “the step of causing the sliding support unit41to move from the first conveyance position to the second conveyance position while the sliding support unit41maintains gripping the packaging bags100”, “the step of causing the fixed support units42to grip the packaging bags100gripped by the sliding support unit41located at the second conveyance position”, “the step of causing the sliding support unit41located at the second conveyance position to release grip of the packaging bags100while the fixed support units42maintain gripping the packaging bags100” and “the step of causing the sliding support unit41to move from the second conveyance position to the first conveyance position”.

A packaging bag100arranged in the delivery processing station P14by the sliding support unit41located at the second conveyance position is gripped by an opening/closing chuck75of the delivery unit13. This opening/closing chuck75of the delivery unit13performs opening and closing actions similar to the first and second fixed supporting members421,422of the fixed support units42, so as to perform gripping and releasing the vertical direction upper part of the packaging bag100at the same timing as the fixed support units42.

Next, the specific configuration of the delivery unit13is explained.

The delivery unit13according to the present embodiment includes: the opening/closing chuck (the third supporting unit)75for supporting a packaging bag100in a suspended state; and the delivery driving unit77for reciprocating the opening/closing chuck75between the delivery processing station (the third conveyance position) P14and the print bag supply processing station (the fourth conveyance position) P21. The opening/closing chuck75is driven by an air chuck74so as to open and close, and the air chuck74is attached to an air cylinder71via a swing plate73and an air cylinder axis72. These air cylinder71, air cylinder axis72, swing plate73, air chuck74and opening/closing chuck75are configured in an integrated fashion, and when the air cylinder71is moved, the other components integrated with the air cylinder71are also moved in an integrated fashion.

The delivery driving unit77includes, in addition to the air cylinder71, a delivery motor771, a delivery box772, a delivering supporting member773and a delivery guide rail774. The delivering supporting member773is attached to the delivery motor771and slidably engages with the delivery guide rail774extending in the first direction D1. This delivery driving unit77horizontally rotates the opening/closing chuck75by the predetermined angle (in the present example, by 90°) after a packaging bag100is supplied from the linear type conveyance unit12to the opening/closing chuck75and before the packaging bag100is supplied from the opening/closing chuck75to the rotary type conveyance unit14, while moving the opening/closing chuck75from the delivery processing station P14to the print bag supply processing station P21. InFIG. 2, the elements depicted by solid lines, such as the delivering supporting member773, the air cylinder71, the air cylinder axis72, the swing plate73, the air chuck74, the opening/closing chuck75and the packaging bag100, show a state immediately after the packaging bag100is delivered from the linear type conveyance unit12to the delivery unit13at the delivery processing station P14, and these elements depicted by dotted lines show a state immediately before the packaging bag100is delivered from the delivery unit13to the rotary type conveyance unit14at the print bag supply processing station P21.

The rotation actions of the opening/closing chuck75are performed by using the air cylinder71as the driving source and rotating the air cylinder axis72, the swing plate73, the air chuck74and the opening/closing chuck75by means of the air cylinder71. The conveyance of the opening/closing chuck75from the delivery processing station P14to the print bag supply processing station P21is performed by using the delivery motor771as the driving source and guiding the delivering supporting member773along the delivery box772and the delivery guide rail774. Specifically, the delivering supporting member773is provided so as to be capable of sliding along “the guide slit772awhich is formed in the delivery box772and extends in the first direction D1” and “the delivery guide rail774extending in the first direction D1”. When rotary drive force of the delivery motor771is transmitted to the delivering supporting member773via a force transmitting member (not illustrated), such as a ball screw, provided inside the delivery box772, the delivering supporting member773and the air cylinder71reciprocate in the first direction D1.

The air cylinder71, the delivery motor771and the air chuck74are connected to a controller (not illustrated), and are controlled by the controller in an integrated manner.

For example, the air cylinder71is controlled by the controller (not illustrated) in such a manner that the air fed into the air cylinder71is adjusted so as to adjust the rotation direction and the rotation angle of the air cylinder axis72, so that the orientation of the opening/closing chuck75and a packaging bag100gripped by the opening/closing chuck75is changed. In the present embodiment, when the air cylinder axis72is rotated in the forward direction of the third direction D3by 90° by means of the air cylinder71in a state where the directions in which the front and rear surfaces of a packaging bag100gripped by the opening/closing chuck75face (i.e., the opening/closing directions of the opening/closing chuck75) are perpendicular to the first direction D1, then the opening and closing directions of the opening/closing chuck75correspond with the first direction D1. Furthermore, by causing the air cylinder71to rotate the air cylinder axis72in the reverse direction of the third direction D3by 90°, the opening/closing directions of the opening/closing chuck75become the direction (i.e., fourth direction D4) perpendicular to the first direction D1. The rotation of the air cylinder axis72(the opening/closing chuck75) caused by the air cylinder71can be performed during at least one of the period when the opening/closing chuck75is located in the delivery processing station P14, the period when the opening/closing chuck75is located in the print bag supply processing station P21and the period when the opening/closing chuck75is being conveyed between the delivery processing station P14and the print bag supply processing station P21.

The delivery motor771is controlled by the controller (not illustrated) so that the rotation speed and/or the rotation amount of the delivery motor771are adjusted. With this, regarding the first direction D1, the position of the delivering supporting member773and the positions of the air cylinder71, the air cylinder axis72, the swing plate73, the air chuck74and the opening/closing chuck75which are attached to the delivering supporting member773in a fixed manner, are changed. In the present embodiment, when the delivery motor771moves the delivering supporting member773via the force transmitting member such as a ball screw, the opening/closing chuck75is moved between the delivery processing station P14and the print bag supply processing station P21.

Further, the air chuck74is controlled by the controller (not illustrated) so as to adjust opening and closing of the opening/closing chuck75, so that grip and release of a packaging bag100by and from the opening/closing chuck75are performed. In the present embodiment, by causing the opening/closing chuck75located in the delivery processing station P14to be closed by the air chuck74in a state where a packaging bag100being gripped by the sliding support unit41is located in the delivery processing station P14, the packaging bag100is delivered from the sliding support unit41to the opening/closing chuck75. On the other hand, by causing a gripper pair61(seeFIG. 1) attached to the rotary table69to grip the packaging bag100in a state where the packaging bag100being gripped by the opening/closing chuck75is located in the print bag supply processing station P21and causing the opening/closing chuck75to be opened, the packaging bag100is delivered from the opening/closing chuck75to the gripper pair61.

The driving of the air cylinder71, the delivery motor771and the air chuck74and the driving of other devices such as the linear type conveyance unit12, the rotary type conveyance unit14and the first and second processing systems as described above, are controlled by the controller (not illustrated) and are mutually correlated. Thus, for example, the opening/closing chuck75can properly receive a packaging bag100from the linear type conveyance unit12at the delivery processing station P14, and can properly deliver the packaging bag100to the rotary type conveyance unit14at the print bag supply processing station P21. The specific structure of this controller is not particularly limited, and the controller may be configured by combining a plurality of sub-controllers, and a single controller may comprehensively control devices constituting the packaging machine10. In the present embodiment, the controller is provided inside a control box16(seeFIG. 1) provided below the delivery unit13.

The linear type conveyance unit12, the delivery unit13and the controller (not illustrated) having the above-described structure according to the present embodiment have a function to convey packaging bags100, and can also function as a discharge unit to discharge packaging bags100having a defect on the basis of the inspection results of the printing inspection unit23. For example, when a packaging bag100that has been judged as a defect bag by the printing inspection unit23is disposed in the delivery processing station P14, the controller controls the air chuck74so that the opening/closing chuck75does not grip the packaging bag100according to the inspection results sent from the printing inspection unit23. On the other hand, the sliding support unit41(the first and second reciprocating supporting members413,414) is controlled so that the grip of the packaging bag100using the sliding support unit41is released. In this way, a packaging bag100that has been judged as a defect bag by the printing inspection unit23falls at the delivery processing station P14and is discharged from the conveyance path of the delivery unit13and the rotary type conveyance unit14. Packaging bags100discharged at the delivery processing station P14are guided by a guide member (not illustrated) and gathered into a predetermined accumulation place. A user may reset reusable packaging bags100among the packaging bags100gathered into the accumulation place, onto the empty bag storing unit21(seeFIG. 1), which enables the effective utilization of packaging bags100.

Next, the more specific structure and operation method of the linear type conveyance unit12are described.

FIG. 3is an oblique perspective view illustrating a structural example of the linear type conveyance unit12. For convenience of explanation,FIG. 3partially illustrates elements constituting the linear type conveyance unit12.

The general construction of the linear type conveyance unit12is explained above with reference toFIG. 2, and the linear type conveyance unit12according to the present embodiment includes a pair of slide mechanisms51for reciprocating the sliding support unit41in the first direction D1, and a support adjustment unit45for reciprocating the sliding support unit41and the fixed support units42in the fourth direction D4.

The pair of slide mechanisms51includes a slide mechanism51for reciprocating the first reciprocating supporting member413in the first direction D1, and a slide mechanism51for reciprocating the second reciprocating supporting member414in the first direction D1. Each slide mechanism51includes a slide motor52which is controlled by the controller (not illustrated) to serve as a driving source, and a slide plate54which is connected to the slide motor52via a force transmitting member (not illustrated) provided inside a slide box53. Each slide plate54is provided so as to be able to slide along “a slide slit53awhich is formed in the slide box53and extends in the first direction D1”, and has one end attached to one sliding supporting unit415in a fixed manner. By transmitting the rotary driving force of the slide motor52to the slide plate54via the force transmitting member (not illustrated) such as a ball screw provided inside the slide box53, the slide plate54and the first or second reciprocating supporting member413,414attached to the slide plate54via the sliding supporting unit415reciprocate in the first direction D1.

Displacement absorption mechanisms (not illustrated) for absorbing the tilt of the slide plates54and the fluctuation of the relative distance of the slide plates54with respect to the slide boxes53are provided inside the slide boxes53, and the displacement absorption mechanisms can be suitably configured by using a rod end bearing for example. The first rail411and the second rail412are provided so as to be capable of reciprocating in the fourth direction D4as described below, and the tilt of the slide plates54and the relative distance of the slide plates54with respect to the slide boxes53change according to the displacement in the fourth direction D4of the first rail411and the second rail412. Therefore, the displacement absorption mechanisms are provided so that the displacement of the slide plates54associated with the movement of the first rail411and the second rail412does not affect the function of the slide mechanisms51. By providing the displacement absorption mechanisms, the slide plates54, the sliding supporting members415and the first and second reciprocating supporting members413,414can be moved to a proper position by the slide mechanisms51regardless of the positions of the first rail411and the second rail412.

On the other hand, the support adjustment unit45includes a support base450extending in the first direction D1, and first to sixth swing levers451-456supported swingably by the support base450. The first swing lever451is attached in a fixed manner to the first fixed supporting member421located in the printing processing station P12, and the second swing lever452is attached in a fixed manner to the second fixed supporting member422located in the printing processing station P12. The third swing lever453is attached to the second rail412in a fixed manner, and the fourth swing lever454is attached to the first rail411in a fixed manner. In particular, in the present example, the third swing lever453is attached to the leading end surface of the section protruding part of the second rail412, and the fourth swing lever454is attached to the leading end surface of the section protruding part of the first rail411. Thus, the sliding supporting members415can slide smoothly on the first rail411and the second rail412without interfering with the third and fourth swing levers453,454. The fifth swing lever455is attached in a fixed manner to the first fixed supporting member421located in the print inspection processing station P13, and the sixth swing lever456is attached in a fixed manner to the second fixed supporting member422located in the print inspection processing station P13.

The reciprocating movements of the sliding support unit41and the fixed support unit42in the fourth direction D4are performed by causing the first to sixth swing levers451-456to swing around the support base450.

FIGS. 4A and 4Bare oblique perspective views illustrating opening and closing actions using the support adjustment unit45,FIG. 4Ashowing a closed state,FIG. 4Bshowing an open state. In order to facilitate understanding,FIGS. 4A and 4Bmainly illustrate only the support base450, the first swing lever451and the second swing lever452of the support adjustment unit45. For convenience to explain, the first swing lever451and the second swing lever452are explained below with reference toFIGS. 4A and 4B; however, the fourth swing lever454and the fifth swing lever455have a swing mechanism similar to the first swing lever451, the third swing lever453and the sixth swing lever456have a swing mechanism similar to the second swing lever452, and a first lifting mechanism461or a second lifting mechanism462described below is assigned to each of the first to sixth swing levers451-456.

The first swing lever451has a L-shape, and includes a first swing force receiver451aattached swingably to the support base450, and a first branch section451bextending from the first swing force receiver451adownward in the vertical direction. An intermediate portion of the first swing force receiver451ais attached swingably to the support base450, the first branch section451bextends from one end of the first swing force receiver451a, and the first lifting mechanism461placed on a table465is connected to the other end of the first swing force receiver451a. The first lifting mechanism461has a first lift section461amoving up and down in the vertical direction, and the leading end of the first lift section461ais connected rotatably to the first swing force receiver451a. Thus, when the first lift section461aincreases in length and the other end of the first swing force receiver451areceives a force upward in the vertical direction, the first branch section451brotates downward in the vertical direction around the support base450, and the first fixed supporting member421attached to the first branch section451bmoves in the closed direction. On the other hand, when the first lift section461ashortens and the other end of the first swing force receiver451areceives force downward in the vertical direction, the first branch section451brotates upward in the vertical direction around the support base450, and the first fixed supporting member421attached to the first branch section451bmoves in the open direction. The contact surface of the first lift section461awith respect to the first swing force receiver451ais always in contact with the first swing force receiver451aregardless of the expansion and contraction state of the first lift section461a.

On the other hand, the second swing lever452has a T-shape, and includes a second swing force receiver452aattached swingably to the support base450, and a second branch section452bextending from the second swing force receiver452adownward in the vertical direction. One end of the second swing force receiver452ais attached swingably to the support base450, the second branch section452bextends from an intermediate portion of the second swing force receiver452a, and the second lifting mechanism462placed on a table465is connected to the other end of the second swing force receiver452a. The second lifting mechanism462has a second lift section462amoving up and down in the vertical direction, and the leading end of the second lift section462ais connected rotatably to the second swing force receiver452a. Thus, when the second lift section462aincreases in length and the other end of the second swing force receiver452areceives a force upward in the vertical direction, the second branch section452brotates upward in the vertical direction around the support base450, and the second fixed supporting member422attached to the second branch section452bmoves in the open direction. On the other hand, when the second lift section462ashortens and the other end of the second swing force receiver452areceives force downward in the vertical direction, the second branch section452brotates downward in the vertical direction around the support base450, and the second fixed supporting member422attached to the second branch section452bmoves in the closed direction. The contact surface of the second lift section462awith respect to the second swing force receiver452ais always in contact with the second swing force receiver452aregardless of the expansion and contraction state of the second lift section462a.

In order to cause the sliding support unit41and the fixed support units42to be moved by the support adjustment unit45having the above structure and perform the opening and closing actions, the expansion/contraction direction of the first lift sections461aand the expansion/contraction direction of the second lift sections462aare set to be opposite from each other. Thus, the first swing lever451, the fourth swing lever454and the fifth swing lever455which each have a L-shape and are connected to the first lift sections461a, and the second swing lever452, the third swing lever453and the sixth swing lever456which each have a T-shape and are connected to the second lift sections462a, are swung in a symmetric fashion.

For example, in order to perform the opening action of the sliding support unit41(i.e., the first rail411, the second rail412, the first reciprocating supporting member413and the second reciprocating supporting member414), the first lift section461aconnected to the fourth swing lever454having a L-shape is shortened and the second lift section462aconnected to the third swing lever453having a T-shape is expanded (seeFIG. 4B). By this means, “the first rail411attached in a fixed manner to the fourth swing lever454, and the first reciprocating supporting member413” and “the second rail412attached in a fixed manner to the third swing lever453, and the second reciprocating supporting member414” move in the directions which are away from each other, and the interval between the first reciprocating supporting member413and the second reciprocating supporting member414is enlarged in the fourth direction D4. On the other hand, the closing action of the sliding support unit41is performed by expanding the first lift section461aconnected to the fourth swing lever454and shortening the second lift section462aconnected to the third swing lever453(seeFIG. 4A).

Similarly, in order to perform the opening action of each fixed support unit42, the first lift sections461aconnected to the first swing lever451and the fifth swing lever455having a L-shape are shortened, and the second lift sections462aconnected to the second swing lever452and the sixth swing lever456having a T-shape are expanded (seeFIG. 4B). By this means, “the first fixed supporting members421attached in a fixed manner to the first swing lever451and the fifth swing lever455” and “the second fixed supporting members422attached in a fixed manner to the second swing lever452and the sixth swing lever456” move in the directions which are away from each other, and each fixed support unit42is opened in the fourth direction D4. On the other hand, the closing action of each fixed support unit42is performed by expanding the first lift sections461aconnected to the first swing lever451and the fifth swing lever455and shortening the second lift sections462aconnected to the second swing lever452and the sixth swing lever456(seeFIG. 4A).

The first lifting mechanisms461and the second lifting mechanisms462serving as driving sources for the opening and closing actions of the sliding support unit41and the fixed support units42may be configured by air cylinders, for example, but may be configured by other arbitrary mechanisms. Furthermore, the first lifting mechanism461and the second lifting mechanism462may be connected to the controller (not illustrated), and the amount of expansion and contraction of the first lift sections461aand the second lift sections462amay be adjusted by the controller.

Next, a conveyance example of packaging bags100carried out by the linear type conveyance unit12described above is explained with reference toFIGS. 3, 5 and 6.

FIG. 5is an oblique perspective view of the linear type conveyance unit12, showing a state where the sliding support unit41is disposed in the first conveyance position.FIG. 6is an oblique perspective view of the linear type conveyance unit12, showing a state where the sliding support unit41is disposed in the second conveyance position.

As described above, in the present embodiment, packaging bags100which have been taken from the empty bag storing unit21(see FIG.1) one by one are conveyed in turn to the empty bag supply processing station P11, the printing processing station P12, the print inspection processing station P13and the delivery processing station P14. In the example illustrated inFIG. 3, the bag supply unit25is moved from the position for absorbing and retaining a packaging bag100stored in the storing conservation section21aof the empty bag storing unit21, to the position for placing the absorbed and retained packaging bag100between the first reciprocating supporting member413and the second reciprocating supporting member414, so that the packaging bag100is supplied to the linear type conveyance unit12. When a packaging bag100to be processed is arranged in the empty bag supply processing station P11in this way, the sliding support unit41is in an open state while being disposed in the first conveyance position, and the packaging bag100is arranged between the first reciprocating supporting member413and the second reciprocating supporting member414in such a manner that one of the front and rear surfaces of the packaging bag100faces toward the first reciprocating supporting member413side and the other faces toward the second reciprocating supporting member414side (seeFIG. 3).

After a package bag100is positioned in the empty bag supply processing station P11, the first lifting mechanism461and the second lifting mechanism462(seeFIG. 4) are controlled in such a manner that the third swing lever453and the fourth swing lever454perform the closing action so that the packaging bag100is sandwiched by the first reciprocating supporting member413and the second reciprocating supporting member414(seeFIG. 5). At that time, the first reciprocating supporting member413and the second reciprocating supporting member41sandwich and support not only a packaging bag100arranged in the empty bag supply processing station P11but also packaging bags100arranged in the printing processing station P12and the print inspection processing station P13respectively.

Then, the first lifting mechanisms461and the second lifting mechanisms462(seeFIG. 4) are controlled in a state where packaging bags100are supported by the sliding support unit41(the first reciprocating supporting member413and the second reciprocating supporting member414) arranged in the first conveyance position in such a manner that the first swing lever451, the second swing lever452, the fifth swing lever455and the sixth swing lever456perform the opening action, so that the fixed support units42positioned in the printing processing station P12and the print inspection processing station P13perform the opening action so as to release the grip of the packaging bags100(seeFIG. 5).

Then, the slide mechanisms51move the sliding support unit41(the first reciprocating supporting member413and the second reciprocating supporting member414) from the first conveyance position to the second conveyance position (seeFIG. 6). As a result, the packaging bags100which have been positioned in the empty bag supply processing station P11, the printing processing station P12and the print inspection processing station P13are newly positioned in the printing processing station P12, the print inspection processing station P13and the delivery processing station P14respectively.

Then, the first lifting mechanisms461and the second lifting mechanisms462(seeFIG. 4) are controlled so that the first swing lever451, the second swing lever452, the fifth swing lever455and the sixth swing lever456perform the closing action in a state where the packaging bags100are supported by the sliding support unit41(the first reciprocating supporting member413and the second reciprocating supporting member414) arranged in the second conveyance position. As a result, the fixed support units42positioned in the printing processing station P12and the print inspection processing station P13perform the closing action and grip the packaging bags100. Then, the first lifting mechanism461and the second lifting mechanism462(seeFIG. 4) are controlled in such a manner that the third swing lever453and the fourth swing lever454perform the opening action in a state where the packaging bags100are supported by the respective fixed support units42, so that the sliding support unit41releases the grip of the packaging bags100.

Then, the slide mechanisms51move the sliding support unit41(the first reciprocating supporting member413and the second reciprocating supporting member414) from the second conveyance position to the first conveyance position, and the bag supply unit25takes a new packaging bag100from the empty bag storing unit21and disposes the new packaging bag100in the empty bag supply processing station P11(seeFIG. 3).

By causing the linear type conveyance unit12to repeat a series of the conveyance steps described above, packaging bags100are intermittently conveyed in turn to the empty bag supply processing station P11, and the printing processing station P12, the print inspection processing station P13and the delivery processing station P14.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the processing which is carried out by the first processing system and is performed on packaging bags100conveyed linearly by the linear type conveyance unit12, and the processing which is carried out by the second processing system and is performed on packaging bags100conveyed rotationally by the rotary type conveyance unit14, are separately carried out while the delivery unit13is disposed therebetween. Therefore, the first processing system can perform the processing without being affected by the processing of the second processing system. Thus, when the processes which are performed in a state where the mouth of a packaging bag100is closed are carried out by the first processing system and the processes which are performed in a state where the mouth of a packaging bag100is open are carried out by the second processing system, these processes can be sequentially performed with ease and precision. In the present embodiment, the printing process and the printing inspection process on packaging bags100are performed during the linear conveyance, and the content feeding process into a packaging bag100is performed during the rotational conveyance. By performing the printing process and printing inspection process during the linear conveyance prior to the rotational conveyance in this way, the printing process and printing inspection process are accurately performed without being affected by the content feeding process performed during the rotational conveyance.

Furthermore, by positioning precision equipment, such as the printing unit22and the printing inspection unit23, which is relatively breakable during machine washing intensively in the vicinity of the conveyance path of the linear type conveyance unit12so as to ensure a zone where the machine washing is not needed, precision equipment which is weak in water can be properly used without concern for liquid splash during the washing and contents feeding.

Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, in the first processing system, each process is carried out in a state where the mouth of a packaging bag100is not opened, and in the second processing system, processes are carried out in a state where the mouth of a packaging bag100is opened. Specifically, when the packaging processes before opening the mouth of a packaging bag100are performed during the conveyance process caused by the linear type conveyance unit12, the linear type conveyance unit12can convey empty packaging bags100without need for opening the mouth of the packaging bags100. By conveying each packaging bag100without opening the mouth in this way, the posture of each packaging bag100during the conveyance can be stable, and there is no need to provide a guide for stabilizing the posture of a packaging bag100in the linear type conveyance unit12. In particular, the process for feeding the contents into a packaging bag100is performed during the rotation conveyance caused by the rotary type conveyance unit14provided in the later stage, and therefore, each packaging bag100conveyed by the linear type conveyance unit12is very light. Therefore, a chance of unintentional displacement of grip of a package bag100during the conveyance by the linear type conveyance unit12is very low, and the gripping shift of a packaging bag100between the sliding support unit41and the fixed support unit42can be accurately carried out without difficulty, so that the linear type conveyance unit12can stably convey packaging bags100.

Furthermore, the gripping shift of a packaging bag100is performed by the linear type conveyance unit12and the delivery unit13which each handle empty packaging bags100, but is not basically performed during the conveyance by the rotary type conveyance unit14which may handle packaging bags100containing contents. Basically, in a case where the gripping shift of an empty packaging bag100is carried out, any part of the empty packaging bag100may be gripped, without taking the impact on the contents into consideration. Therefore, according to the packaging machine10of the present embodiment, there is no need to secure a grip space only for the gripping shift in a packaging bag100, and even if packaging bags100used are compact, product bags can be manufactured with high accuracy.

Furthermore, according to the packaging machine10of the present embodiment, there is no need to use a chain as a mechanism for moving the gripper pairs61, and therefore there is no need to worry about the influence of the stretch of such a chain over time.

Furthermore, since the linear type conveyance unit12conveys a packaging bag100in turn while retaining the packaging bag100in a suspended state where the mouth of the packaging bag100faces upward, both of the front and rear surfaces of the packaging bag100are exposed, and therefore various types of processes, such as the printing process and the printing inspection process, can be easily performed on the front and rear surfaces.

Furthermore, when the linear type conveyance unit12and the delivery unit13constitute the discharge unit for discharging packaging bags100having printing defects, the type of defect factor of a packaging bag100to be discharged by the discharge unit can be limited, and therefore there is no need to select reusable packaging bags100or the workload for such selection can be reduced.

FIG. 7is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of a packaging machine10according to a first variation, showing a state of a packaging machine10viewed from above. The arrangement of various devices is not limited to the above-described example, and for instance, the linear type conveyance unit12and the rotary type conveyance unit14may be arranged as shown inFIG. 7.

In this variation, the print bag supply processing station (fourth conveyance position) P21is distant from the delivery processing station (third conveyance position) P14in the direction (fourth direction D4) perpendicular to the conveyance direction (first direction D1) of packaging bags100caused by the linear type conveyance unit12. Furthermore, the rotation center C of the rotary table69of the rotary type conveyance unit14is positioned on a line formed by extending the line connecting the delivery processing station P14with the print bag supply processing station P21, and the line connecting the rotation center C with the delivery processing station P14extends in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction (first direction D1) of packaging bags100caused by the linear type conveyance unit12.

Thus, the opening/closing chuck75(third supporting unit) is not required to be rotated by the delivery driving unit77(seeFIG. 2) after a packaging bag100is supplied from the linear type conveyance unit12to the opening/closing chuck75and before the packaging bag100is supplied from the opening/closing chuck75to the rotary type conveyance unit14(a gripper pair61(fourth supporting unit)). Specifically, only by causing the delivery driving unit77to translate the opening/closing chuck75in the fourth direction D4so as to move the opening/closing chuck75and a packaging bag100from the delivery processing station P14to the bag supply processing station P21, the packaging bag100can be smoothly delivered from the opening/closing chuck75to a gripper pair61.

FIG. 8is an oblique view illustrating a schematic configuration of a linear type conveyance unit12and a delivery unit13according to a second variation. In the present variation, the position in terms of the height direction of a packaging bag100supported by the opening/closing chuck75(the third supporting unit) is adjusted at the delivery processing station P14, at the print bag supply processing station P21, or at between the delivery processing station P14and the print bag supply processing station P21. Specifically, the packaging machine10according to the present variation comprises: a position detection unit80which detects the position in terms of the height direction of a packaging bag100before being supplied to the opening/closing chuck75or of a packaging bag100being supported by the opening/closing chuck75; and an elevating mechanism82which can change the position in terms of the height direction of the opening/closing chuck75according to the position in terms of the height direction of the packaging bag100detected by the position detection unit80.

The position detection unit80preferably detects the height direction position of a packaging bag100right before being delivered from the linear type conveyance unit12to the delivery unit13, and more preferably detects the height direction position of a packaging bag100being supported by the opening/closing chuck75. In the example illustrated inFIG. 8, the position detection unit80is provided between the print inspection processing station P13and the delivery processing station P14, and the height direction position of a packaging bag100just before being delivered from the linear type conveyance unit12to the delivery unit13is detected. The position detection unit80is typically configured by a camera or a position detection sensor, and for example, the position of the upper edge of a packaging bag100conveyed is detected by the position detection unit80. The detection results of the position detection unit80are sent to an elevating driving controller85of the elevating mechanism82.

The elevating mechanism82includes: an attachment member83attached to the delivery driving unit77(in particular, to the delivery box772) in a fixed manner; an elevating axis84attached to the attachment member83; and the elevating driving controller85causing the elevating axis84to linearly move in the height direction (i.e., vertical direction). The elevating axis84has an arbitrary configuration which is capable of changing the height direction position of the leading end to which the attachment member83is attached, and may be configured by a ball screw for example. The elevating driving controller85is configured by a motor or another element, and can adjust the height direction position of the leading end of the elevating axis84so as to dispose the attachment member83attached to the leading end of the elevating axis84at the desired height direction position. In particular, the elevating driving controller85in the present example controls the amount of protrusion of the elevating axis84according to the height direction position of a packaging bag100detected by the position detection unit80so as to arrange the packaging bag100supported by the opening/closing chuck75at a proper height direction position. The elevating driving controller85is held by an elevating mechanism holding unit86fixed in terms of the height direction, and the height direction position of the whole of the delivery unit13including the opening/closing chuck75and the delivery driving unit77can be changed with reference to the elevating mechanism holding unit86.

According to the present variation having the above-described structure, the height direction position of the opening/closing chuck75is adjusted by the elevating mechanism82via the delivery driving unit77. For instance, when the height direction position of a packaging bag100detected by the position detection unit80is lower than the predetermined height direction position, the amount of protrusion of the elevating axis84is increased under the control of driving of the elevating driving controller85after the packaging bag100is delivered to the opening/closing chuck75, so that the opening/closing chuck75is uplifted together with the attachment member83and the delivery driving unit77. In this case, the opening/closing chuck75is uplifted by the distance corresponding to the difference (gap) between the height direction position of the packaging bag100detected by the position detection unit80and the original predetermined height direction position, in such a manner that the packaging bag100is arranged at the original predetermined height direction position. Similarly, when the height direction position of a packaging bag100detected by the position detection unit80is higher than the predetermined height direction position, the amount of protrusion of the elevating axis84is decreased after the packaging bag100is delivered to the opening/closing chuck75, so that the opening/closing chuck75descends together with the attachment member83and the delivery driving unit77, and the packaging bag100is arranged at the original predetermined height direction position.

The detection results of the position detection unit80may be directly sent to the elevating driving controller85, or may be indirectly sent to the elevating driving controller85after being sent to a controller (not illustrated). Furthermore, the difference (gap) between the height direction position of a packaging bag100detected by the position detection unit80and the original predetermined height direction position may be determined by the position detection unit80or may be determined by the elevating driving controller85. Moreover, the difference (gap) between the height direction position of a packaging bag100detected by the position detection unit80and the original predetermined height direction position may be determined by the controller (not illustrated) which has received the detection results of the position detection unit80.

As described above, according to the present variation, the height direction position of a packaging bag100supported by the opening/closing chuck75can be corrected so as to be the proper position. Thus, even if the height direction position of a packaging bag100is displaced at a stage prior to the print bag supply processing station P21(in particular, a stage where the packaging bag100is delivered between the supporting elements), the package bag100which has been corrected to be arranged in a proper height direction position can be delivered to a gripper pair61of the rotary type conveyance unit14.

The elevating mechanism82of the present example has a structure by which the height direction position of the whole of the delivery unit13(the delivery driving unit77and the opening/closing chuck75) can be changed, and may have an arbitrary structure by which the position in terms of the height direction of the opening/closing chuck75can be directly or indirectly adjusted. For example, the elevating mechanism82may have a mechanism which can directly change the height direction position of the opening/closing chuck75.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and variations, and other modifications may be suitably applied.

For instance, in the above-described embodiments, various processes are carried out during stop periods of intermittent conveyance; however, a packaging bag100is not necessarily conveyed intermittently, and various processes may be carried out on a packaging bag100conveyed continuously.

Furthermore, the above-described embodiments merely show specific examples of application of the present invention, and other devices which can fulfill functions equivalent to the various devices described above may be used. Moreover, another device, apart from the various devices described above, may be appropriately provided. For example, in the above-described embodiments, an example is described in which the printing unit22and the printing inspection unit23are provided as the “first processing system performing processes on packaging bags100which are conveyed by the linear type conveyance unit12”; however, instead of or in addition to the printing unit22and the printing inspection unit23, devices such as a code reader and a labeler may be included in the first processing system. For example, one dimensional codes and/or two dimensional codes such as QR codes (registered trademark) attached to packaging bags100may be read by the code reader, and it may be judged whether or not the packaging bags100conveyed by the linear type conveyance unit12are proper. Furthermore, a label seal on which various information, such as the expiration date and ingredients, is written may be attached, by using the labeler, to a packaging bag100conveyed by the linear type conveyance unit12. In such a case, the printing unit22may be omitted.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and variations, and may include various aspects to which various modifications which those skilled in the art could achieve are applied, and the effects brought about by the present invention are also not limited to the above-described effects. Therefore, various additions, modifications and partial omission may be applied to each element described in the claims and the specification without departing from the scope of the technical idea and purport of the present invention.