Patent Description:
Bagmaking and packaging apparatus such as disclosed in patent document <NUM> (<CIT>) are known which perform bagmaking and packaging by feeding product from above to the inside of a tubular film, in which a film has been formed in a tubular shape, and transversely sealing tops and bottoms of the tubular film. <CIT> discloses an apparatus according to the preamble of claim <NUM>.

In such bagmaking and packaging apparatus, maintenance work such as replacing, in accordance with the sizes of the bags for example, a former mechanism that forms the film in the tubular shape and cleaning the area around the former mechanism occurs.

In the bagmaking and packaging apparatus disclosed in patent document <NUM> (<CIT>), as four support posts extending as far as the vicinity of the upper end of the former mechanism are disposed around the former mechanism, there is a possibility that the support posts hinder the maintenance work.

As a measure to counter reduced maintainability in the bagmaking and packaging apparatus disclosed in patent document <NUM> (<CIT>), it is conceivable, for example, to increase the distance between the four support posts to ensure work space. However, such a measure causes another problem, which is that the apparatus size increases.

A bagmaking and packaging apparatus pertaining to the invention is disclosed in claim <NUM>. The bagmaking and packaging apparatus comprises a film supply unit, a former mechanism, a transverse sealing mechanism, plural support posts. The film supply unit is disposed in a rear portion of the bagmaking and packaging apparatus. The film supply unit is configured to supply sheet-like film. The former mechanism includes a former and a tube. The former mechanism is disposed forward of a film supply unit. The former mechanism is configured to form in a tubular shape the sheet-like film supplied from the film supply unit. The transverse sealing mechanism is configured to transversely seal the tubular film in which a product is supplied from above. The plural support posts configure a frame that surrounds at least part of each of the film supply unit, the former mechanism, and the transverse sealing mechanism. The plural support posts include a first support post group and a second support post group. The first support post group and the second support post group each includes a plurality of the support posts. The support posts of the first support post group are disposed on one lateral side of the bagmaking and packaging apparatus in a left and right direction, and the support posts of the second support post group are disposed on the other lateral side of the bagmaking and packaging apparatus in the left and right direction. A first support post disposed foremost among the support posts of the first support post group extends from a low position to a position higher than the transverse sealing mechanism and, when viewed from above, is disposed forward of a center of the tube. A second support post disposed foremost among the support posts of the second support post group extends from a low position to a position higher than the transverse sealing mechanism and, when viewed from above, is disposed rearward of the center of the tube.

In the bagmaking and packaging apparatus of the first aspect, because the second support post is disposed in the above-described position, maintenance space can be ensured on the side of the bagmaking and packaging apparatus in the left and right direction where the second support post group is disposed while inhibiting an increase in the size of the bagmaking and packaging apparatus.

Furthermore, in the bagmaking and packaging apparatus of the first aspect, on the side of the bagmaking and packaging apparatus in the left and right direction where the first support post group is disposed, the first support post is disposed in the above-described position. Thus, various devices and parts of the bagmaking and packaging apparatus can be solidly supported.

A bagmaking and packaging apparatus pertaining to a second aspect of the invention is the bagmaking and packaging apparatus of the first aspect, wherein the first support post is disposed forward of the tube.

In the bagmaking and packaging apparatus of the second aspect, even when a heavy object is disposed forward of the second support post in the upper portion of the bagmaking and packaging apparatus or when the bagmaking and packaging apparatus is provided with a part that causes the bagmaking and packaging apparatus to vibrate, the heavy object can be solidly supported and vibration of the bagmaking and packaging apparatus can be inhibited.

A bagmaking and packaging apparatus pertaining to a third aspect of the invention is the bagmaking and packaging apparatus of the first aspect or the second aspect, wherein the second support post is disposed rearward of the tube.

In the bagmaking and packaging apparatus of the third aspect, it is easy to ensure sufficient work space around the former mechanism. For example, when replacing the former mechanism, movement of the former mechanism is less likely to be obstructed by the second support post.

A bagmaking and packaging apparatus pertaining to a fourth aspect of the invention is the bagmaking and packaging apparatus of any of the first aspect to the third aspect, wherein the first support post supports a member disposed above the former mechanism.

Sometimes a heavy object such as a metal detector that detects metal contaminants in the supplied product is disposed above the former mechanism. If such a heavy object is disposed in the upper portion of the bagmaking and packaging apparatus and both the first support post and the second support post are disposed rearward of the center of the tube, there is the risk that the balance in the support will be upset, resulting in a deterioration in the installation stability of the bagmaking and packaging apparatus.

In contrast, because the bagmaking and packaging apparatus of the fourth aspect has the first support post disposed in the above-described position, even if such a heavy object is present, the heavy object can be solidly supported by the frame.

A bagmaking and packaging apparatus pertaining to a fifth aspect of the invention is the bagmaking and packaging apparatus of any of the first aspect to the fourth aspect, further including a cover that covers at least a front side of the former mechanism. The first support post supports the cover.

Sometimes a cover that covers the former mechanism is installed from the standpoint of safety and hygiene. In the bagmaking and packaging apparatus of the fifth aspect, such a cover can be solidly supported by the first support post disposed in the above-described position.

A bagmaking and packaging apparatus pertaining to a sixth aspect of the invention is the bagmaking and packaging apparatus of any of the first aspect to the fifth aspect, wherein the first support post supports a movable member.

When the bagmaking and packaging apparatus is provided with a movable member (a member driven to move by a drive unit), vibration may occur as a result of the movable member moving.

However, because the bagmaking and packaging apparatus of the sixth aspect has the first support post disposed in the above-described position and the stability of the frame is high, even if a movable member that causes vibration is present, vibration of the bagmaking and packaging apparatus can be reliably inhibited.

In the bagmaking and packaging apparatus of the present invention, a balance between stable support of various devices and parts of the bagmaking and packaging apparatus and high maintainability can be achieved while inhibiting an increase in the apparatus size.

A bagmaking and packaging apparatus <NUM> that is an embodiment of the bagmaking and packaging apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. It will be noted that the following embodiment is merely a specific example of the invention and is not intended to limit the technical scope of the invention.

In the following description, expressions such as perpendicular, orthogonal, horizontal, and vertical may be sometimes used to describe directions and positional relationships, but these expressions are not limited to their strict senses and include cases where that which they describe are substantially perpendicular, orthogonal, horizontal, or vertical. Furthermore, in the following description, expressions such as front, rear, above, below, left, and right are used to indicate directions and such. Unless otherwise specified, front, rear, above, under, left, and right here follow the directions of the arrows added to the drawings.

It will be noted that in the present disclosure, the side where a later-described film supply unit <NUM> is disposed as viewed from the position of a later-described bagmaking and packaging unit <NUM> will be defined as the rear, and the side where the bagmaking and packaging unit <NUM> is disposed as viewed from the position of the film supply unit <NUM> will be defined as the front. Furthermore, a direction that is a horizontal direction and orthogonal to the front and rear direction in which the bagmaking and packaging unit <NUM> and the film supply unit <NUM> are lined up will be defined as the left and right direction.

A packaging and inspection system <NUM> including the bagmaking and packaging apparatus <NUM> pertaining to the embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to <FIG>. <FIG> is a schematic perspective view of the packaging and inspection system <NUM> including the bagmaking and packaging apparatus <NUM>. <FIG> is a schematic perspective view of the bagmaking and packaging apparatus <NUM>. <FIG> is a diagram showing the schematic configuration of the bagmaking and packaging apparatus <NUM>.

It will be noted that <FIG> illustrates a state in which a later-described door <NUM> disposed in the front upper portion of the bagmaking and packaging apparatus <NUM> is open and a protective plate <NUM> (see <FIG>) disposed in the front lower portion of the bagmaking and packaging apparatus <NUM> is detached. Furthermore, <FIG> illustrates a state in which, for the purpose of maintenance or the like, a later-described former mechanism <NUM> and longitudinal sealing mechanism <NUM> have been moved from the positions they are in when the bagmaking and packaging apparatus <NUM> is operating.

As shown in <FIG>, the packaging and inspection system <NUM> mainly includes the bagmaking and packaging apparatus <NUM>, a conveyance apparatus <NUM>, and a seal checker <NUM>.

The bagmaking and packaging apparatus <NUM> makes a bag-like packaging material from a sheet-like film F to thereby make bags B containing a product C inside (see <FIG>). The product C to be contained in the bags B is supplied to the bagmaking and packaging apparatus <NUM> from a combination weigher (not shown in the drawings) disposed above the bagmaking and packaging apparatus <NUM>. The bags B made by the bagmaking and packaging apparatus <NUM> are conveyed by the conveyance apparatus <NUM>. The seal checker <NUM> checks the seals of the bags B (whether or not the bags B are airtight) conveyed by the conveyance apparatus <NUM>.

Here, the combination weigher uses multiple weigh hoppers to measure weights of the product C, combines weigh values obtained by the multiple weigh hoppers so that the total weight thereof is in a predetermined weight range, and drops the product C for which the total combined weight is within the predetermined weight range to thereby supply it to the bagmaking and packaging apparatus <NUM>.

The conveyance apparatus <NUM> is a conveyor extending forward from below a transverse sealing mechanism <NUM> of the bagmaking and packaging apparatus <NUM>. The conveyance apparatus <NUM> conveys forward the bags B made by the bagmaking and packaging apparatus <NUM> and transfers them to a process downstream of the packaging and inspection system <NUM> (e.g., a conveyor that conveys the bags B to a box packing apparatus).

As shown in <FIG>, the bagmaking and packaging apparatus <NUM> mainly includes a film supply unit <NUM>, a bagmaking and packaging unit <NUM>, a metal inspection device <NUM>, a frame <NUM>, and a control device (such as computer, control board and PLC not shown in the drawings). The film supply unit <NUM> is disposed in the rear portion of the bagmaking and packaging apparatus <NUM>. The film supply unit <NUM> supplies the sheet-like film F to the bagmaking and packaging unit <NUM> disposed forward of the film supply unit <NUM>. The bagmaking and packaging unit <NUM> is disposed in the front portion of the bagmaking and packaging apparatus <NUM>. The bagmaking and packaging unit <NUM> forms the sheet-like film F in a tubular shape and transversely seals the film F formed in the tubular shape (a tubular film Ft) to make the bags B. The metal inspection device <NUM> inspects for contaminants (metal) in the product C dropped and supplied from the combination weigher (not shown in the drawings) to the bagmaking and packaging apparatus <NUM>. The frame <NUM> mainly supports the film supply unit <NUM>, the bagmaking and packaging unit <NUM>, and the metal inspection device <NUM>. The control device controls the operation of each part of the film supply unit <NUM> and the bagmaking and packaging unit <NUM> and performs various calculations and processes.

The bagmaking and packaging apparatus <NUM> will now be described in detail.

The film supply unit <NUM> is disposed in the rear portion of the bagmaking and packaging apparatus <NUM>. The film supply unit <NUM> is disposed rearward of the bagmaking and packaging unit <NUM> and next to the bagmaking and packaging unit <NUM>. The film supply unit <NUM> supplies the sheet-like film F to a later-described former mechanism <NUM> of the bagmaking and packaging unit <NUM> disposed forward of the film supply unit <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the film supply unit <NUM> mainly includes a film roll support mechanism <NUM> and a guide mechanism <NUM>.

The film roll support mechanism <NUM> holds a film roll FR in which the sheet-like film F is wound about a core (not shown in the drawings). The film roll support mechanism <NUM> uses a drive unit such as a motor (not shown in the drawings) to rotate a shaft <NUM> to which the core of the film roll FR is attached (see <FIG>) and pay out the film F from the film roll FR.

The guide mechanism <NUM> includes plural rollers disposed along a conveyance path of the film F. The guide mechanism <NUM> guides to the former mechanism <NUM> of the bagmaking and packaging unit <NUM> the film F paid out from the film roll FR.

As shown in <FIG>, the bagmaking and packaging unit <NUM> mainly includes a former mechanism <NUM>, a conveyance mechanism <NUM>, a longitudinal sealing mechanism <NUM>, and a transverse sealing mechanism <NUM>.

The former mechanism <NUM> mainly includes a former <NUM>, a tube <NUM>, a plate <NUM>, and a grip unit <NUM>.

The former <NUM> is disposed so as to surround the tubular tube <NUM> and forms in a tubular shape the sheet-like film F conveyed thereto from the film supply unit <NUM> disposed in the rear portion of the bagmaking and packaging apparatus <NUM> by bending the film F so that left and right end portions of the film F in the width direction overlap each other. The tubular film Ft formed by the former <NUM> is guided so as to become wrapped around the outer peripheral surface of the lower portion of the tubular tube <NUM> and is conveyed downward in a state in which it is wrapped around the tube <NUM>. It will be noted that hereinafter the portion of the tube <NUM> around which the tubular film Ft is wrapped is sometimes called the portion 214a.

The tube <NUM> is a tubular member that extends in the vertical direction and has upper and lower end portions that are open. The lower end of the tube <NUM> is disposed higher than the transverse sealing mechanism <NUM> (higher than areas where later-described rotating bodies <NUM> of the transverse sealing mechanism <NUM> rotate) so as not to hinder the movement of the rotating bodies <NUM>. The tube <NUM> receives the falling product C in the upper opening of the tube <NUM> and supplies, from the lower opening of the tube <NUM> to the inside of the tubular film Ft, the product C fed through the upper opening.

The plate <NUM> is mounted on and secured to a mount (not shown in the drawings) supported by the frame <NUM>, and is supported by the frame <NUM> via the mount. The former <NUM> and the tube <NUM> are attached to the plate <NUM> directly or via another member, and the plate <NUM> supports the former <NUM> and the tube <NUM>. The grip unit <NUM> is attached to the plate <NUM> directly or via another member. When attaching the former mechanism <NUM> to the mount or detaching the former mechanism <NUM> from the mount, a worker grips hold of the grip unit <NUM> and moves the former mechanism <NUM>.

The conveyance mechanism <NUM> is disposed under the plate <NUM> of the former mechanism <NUM>. The conveyance mechanism <NUM> is disposed on the left and right sides of the portion 214a of the tube <NUM> around which the tubular film Ft is wrapped. The conveyance mechanism <NUM> conveys to the former mechanism <NUM> the film F paid out from the film roll FR and conveys to the transverse sealing mechanism <NUM> the tubular film Ft formed by the former <NUM>. The conveyance mechanism <NUM> has pull-down belts <NUM> having a suction function, and the conveyance mechanism <NUM> conveys the tubular film Ft downward as a result of drive rollers <NUM> around which the pull-down belts <NUM> are entrained being driven by a drive mechanism such as a motor (not shown in the drawings) in a state in which the pull-down belts <NUM> are sucking hold the film F.

The longitudinal sealing mechanism <NUM> seals the overlapping portion of the tubular film Ft at which the left and right end portions of the tubular film Ft overlap each other. The longitudinal sealing mechanism <NUM> is disposed in front of a path on which is conveyed the overlapping portion of the tubular film Ft, which is conveyed in a state in which the tubular film Ft is wrapped around the tube <NUM>. The longitudinal sealing mechanism <NUM> has a built-in heater (not shown in the drawings) inside. When the longitudinal sealing mechanism <NUM> with its heater turned on is driven by a drive unit (not shown in the drawings) so that the longitudinal sealing mechanism <NUM> is pressed against the tube <NUM> via the tubular film Ft, the overlapping portion of the tubular film Ft is sealed in the up and down direction (the longitudinal direction).

As shown in <FIG>, the transverse sealing mechanism <NUM> is disposed below the longitudinal sealing mechanism <NUM>. The transverse sealing mechanism <NUM> transversely seals the top and bottom of a segment of the tubular film Ft corresponding to one bag B (used to make one bag B) to make a bag B containing the product C. Specifically, the transverse sealing mechanism <NUM> transversely seals, in a direction orthogonal to a conveyance direction A of the tubular film Ft, the longitudinally sealed tubular film Ft conveyed downward by the conveyance mechanism <NUM> to thereby form transverse seal portions of the bag B.

As shown in <FIG>, the transverse sealing mechanism <NUM> mainly includes a pair of rotating bodies <NUM> disposed in front of and in back of the tubular film Ft. Each rotating body <NUM> includes an arm <NUM> that is configured to be rotatable about an axis of rotation X and sealing jaws 244a, 244b that are attached to the arm <NUM> and have built-in heaters. The sealing jaws 244a of both rotating bodies <NUM> function as a pair to transversely seal the tubular film Ft. The sealing jaws 244b of both rotating bodies <NUM> also function as a pair to transversely seal the tubular film Ft. The pair of sealing jaws 244a and the pair of sealing jaws 244b alternatingly transversely seal the tubular film Ft conveyed thereto. One of the pair of sealing jaws 244a and one of the pair of sealing jaws 244b are each provided with a cutter (not illustrated), and the transverse sealing mechanism <NUM> cuts the transversely sealed portion in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction A of the tubular film Ft to thereby cut the bag B away from the trailing tubular film Ft at the timing when the pair of sealing jaws 244a perform heat sealing or at the timing when the pair of sealing jaws 244b perform heat sealing.

The metal inspection device <NUM> is disposed above the upper end of the tube <NUM> of the former mechanism <NUM>. In other words, the metal inspection device <NUM> is disposed above the former mechanism <NUM>. In particular, here, the metal inspection device <NUM> is disposed directly above the former mechanism <NUM>. At least part of the metal inspection device <NUM> is disposed forward of a center O of the tube <NUM>. A definition for the center O of the tube <NUM> will be given later. The metal inspection device <NUM> inspects for contaminants (metal) in the product C dropped and supplied from the combination weigher to the opening in the upper end of the tube <NUM>. The metal inspection device <NUM> is supported by the frame <NUM>.

The metal inspection device <NUM> itself is a known device, so detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The frame <NUM> will now be described with reference to <FIG> is a schematic plan view illustrating the arrangement of support posts <NUM> of the frame <NUM> of the bagmaking and packaging apparatus <NUM>. <FIG> is a schematic right side view illustrating the arrangement of the support posts <NUM> of the frame <NUM> of the bagmaking and packaging apparatus <NUM>. It will be noted that in <FIG> hatching is added to the support posts <NUM> from the standpoint of facilitating understanding of the drawings.

The frame <NUM> supports various devices and parts of the film supply unit <NUM>, various devices and parts of the bagmaking and packaging unit <NUM>, and the metal inspection device <NUM> of the bagmaking and packaging apparatus <NUM>.

The frame <NUM> includes, for example, plural upright support posts <NUM> and beams that bridge the support posts <NUM>. In other words, the frame <NUM> is configured by, for example, the support posts <NUM> and the beams. Here, particularly the support posts <NUM>, which are the characteristic configuration of the bagmaking and packaging apparatus <NUM>, will be mainly described.

The frame <NUM> having the plural support posts <NUM> surrounds at least part of each of the film supply unit <NUM>, the former mechanism <NUM>, and the transverse sealing mechanism <NUM>.

Here, the recitation that the frame <NUM> surrounds at least part of the film supply unit <NUM> means that, when viewed from above, at least part of the film supply unit <NUM> is disposed in an area (in the rectangle in <FIG>) defined by a virtual line extending in the left and right direction and passing through the support post <NUM> disposed foremost, a virtual line extending in the left and right direction and passing through the support posts <NUM> disposed rearmost, a virtual line extending in the front and rear direction and passing through the support posts <NUM> disposed rightmost, and a virtual line extending in the front and rear direction and passing through the support posts <NUM> disposed leftmost. The meanings of the recitation that the frame <NUM> surrounds at least part of the former mechanism <NUM> and the recitation that the frame <NUM> surrounds at least part of the transverse sealing mechanism <NUM> are similarly defined.

The plural support posts <NUM> include a first support post group <NUM> including a plurality of the support posts <NUM> disposed on one lateral side of the bagmaking and packaging apparatus <NUM> in the left and right direction (relative to a virtual line K extending in the front and rear direction through the left and right direction center of the bagmaking and packaging apparatus <NUM>) and a second support post group <NUM> including a plurality of the support posts <NUM> disposed on the other lateral side in the left and right direction (see <FIG>). In the present embodiment, the support posts <NUM> included in the first support post group <NUM> are disposed on the left side in the bagmaking and packaging apparatus <NUM>. The support posts <NUM> included in the second support post group <NUM> are disposed on the right side in the bagmaking and packaging apparatus <NUM>. It will be noted that this arrangement of the first support post group <NUM> and the second support post group <NUM> is merely an example, and the first support post group <NUM> having later-described characteristics may be disposed on the right side in the bagmaking and packaging apparatus <NUM> and the second support post group <NUM> having later-described characteristics may be disposed on the left side in the bagmaking and packaging apparatus <NUM>.

In the bagmaking and packaging apparatus <NUM>, the plural support posts <NUM> are arranged asymmetrically relative to the virtual line K extending through the left and right direction center of the bagmaking and packaging apparatus <NUM>.

Specifically, a first support post <NUM> disposed foremost among the support posts <NUM> of the first support post group <NUM> is disposed forward of the center O of the tube <NUM> (forward of a virtual line L passing through the center O) when viewed from above. More preferably, the first support post <NUM> is disposed forward of the tube <NUM> (in particular, here, the portion 214a of the tube <NUM> around which the tubular film Ft formed in the tubular shape by the former <NUM> is wrapped). In contrast, a second support post <NUM> disposed foremost among the support posts <NUM> of the second support post group <NUM> is disposed rearward of the center O of the tube <NUM> (rearward of the virtual line L passing through the center O) when viewed from above. More preferably, the second support post <NUM> is disposed rearward of the tube <NUM> (in particular, here, portion 214a of the tube <NUM>).

It will be noted that, here, the center O of the tube <NUM> means the position of the center of gravity of a cross-section obtained by horizontally cutting the portion 214a of the tube <NUM>. For example, if the cross-sectional shape of the portion 214a of the tube <NUM> is circular, the center O of the tube <NUM> is the center of the cross-section obtained by horizontally cutting the portion 214a of the tube <NUM>. It will be noted that the cross-sectional shape of the portion 214a of the tube <NUM> may also be a shape other than circular, and the outer shape of the portion 214a of the tube <NUM> may also be oval, for example.

The first support post <NUM> extends from a position lower than the transverse sealing mechanism <NUM> to a position higher than the transverse sealing mechanism <NUM>. The second support post <NUM> also extends from a position lower than the transverse sealing mechanism <NUM> to a position higher than the transverse sealing mechanism <NUM>. For example, specifically, the first support post <NUM> and the second support post <NUM> extend from a base <NUM> in the bottom portion of the bagmaking and packaging apparatus <NUM> to a position higher than the upper end of the tube <NUM> of the former mechanism <NUM>.

The first support post <NUM> and the second support post <NUM>, for example, directly or indirectly support the former mechanism <NUM>. Particularly, the first support post <NUM> supports the metal inspection device <NUM> that is a heavy object disposed higher than the former mechanism <NUM>. The first support post <NUM> supports a cover <NUM> of the bagmaking and packaging apparatus <NUM>.

Here, the cover <NUM> is a member that covers the front side and the right side of the former mechanism <NUM>. The cover <NUM> is attached to the first support post <NUM>, and the first support post <NUM> supports the cover <NUM>. The cover <NUM> is a door <NUM> that can be opened and closed. During maintenance, for example, a worker can access the former mechanism <NUM>, the conveyance mechanism <NUM>, and the longitudinal sealing mechanism <NUM> by swinging the door <NUM> on hinges provided on the first support post <NUM> (see <FIG>).

Below, advantageous effects obtained by arranging the support posts <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG> will be described with reference also to <FIG>.

It will be noted that, here, the frame <NUM> of the bagmaking and packaging apparatus <NUM> of the present embodiment shall have five support posts <NUM>. A frame 500A of a bagmaking and packaging apparatus 1000A shown in <FIG> as a first conventional example and a frame 500B of a bagmaking and packaging apparatus 1000B shown in <FIG> as a second conventional example shall each have six support posts 510A, 510B. A frame 500C of a bagmaking and packaging apparatus 1000C shown in <FIG> as a third conventional example shall have four support posts 510C.

Here, the support posts <NUM>, 510A, 510B, 510C shall be posts provided upright from the bases (bottom portions) <NUM> to tops (uppermost portions) <NUM> of the frames <NUM>, 500A, 500B, 500C. The bagmaking and packaging apparatus 1000A to 1000C shall have the same configurations as those of the bagmaking and packaging apparatus <NUM> except for the frames 500A to 500C.

However, the main characteristic of the frame <NUM> of the bagmaking and packaging apparatus <NUM> of the present embodiment is the arrangement of the first support post <NUM> of the first support post group <NUM> and the second support post <NUM> of the second support post group <NUM>, and the number of the supports <NUM> is arbitrary as long as the support posts <NUM> can support the various devices and parts of the bagmaking and packaging apparatus <NUM>. Furthermore, the support posts <NUM> of the bagmaking and packaging apparatus <NUM> may include support posts <NUM> provided upright from positions higher than the base <NUM> of the frame <NUM> and/or support posts <NUM> provided upright as far as positions lower than the top <NUM> of the frame <NUM>.

In the example of <FIG>, the plural support posts <NUM> include three support posts <NUM> of the first support post group <NUM> disposed on the left side and two support posts <NUM> of the second support post group <NUM> disposed on the right side. In the example of <FIG>, as mentioned above, the plural support posts <NUM> are arranged asymmetrically relative to the virtual line K extending through the left and right direction center of the bagmaking and packaging apparatus <NUM>.

One advantage of the structure of the frame <NUM> of the bagmaking and packaging apparatus <NUM> of the present embodiment is that it is easy to ensure, on the side where the second support post group <NUM> is disposed (here, the right side) in the left and right direction, work space for the former mechanism <NUM> and the like. Specifically, as shown in <FIG>, when a worker opens the door <NUM> of the cover <NUM>, it is easy for the worker to enter from the right side or the right front side of the bagmaking and packaging apparatus <NUM>, grip hold of the grip unit <NUM> of the former mechanism <NUM>, and detach the former mechanism <NUM> from the bagmaking and packaging apparatus <NUM>, because on the right side of the bagmaking and packaging apparatus <NUM> there is no support post <NUM> at least in front of the center O of the tube <NUM>. Furthermore, because on the right side of the bagmaking and packaging apparatus <NUM> there is no support post <NUM> at least forward of the center O of the tube <NUM>, detachment of the former mechanism <NUM> is less likely to be obstructed by a support post <NUM>.

Another advantage of this structure is the stability of the structure of the frame <NUM>. Specifically, because the first support post <NUM> is disposed forward of the center O of the tube <NUM> on the side in the left and right direction where the first support post group <NUM> is disposed (here, the left side), a heavy object like the metal inspection device <NUM> (particularly in the present embodiment, part of the heavy object is disposed forward of the center O of the tube <NUM> as in <FIG>) disposed above the former mechanism <NUM> and the cover <NUM> disposed around the former mechanism <NUM> can be solidly supported.

The frame <NUM> of the bagmaking and packaging apparatus <NUM> of the present embodiment will now be compared with the frames 500A, 500B, 500C of the conventional bagmaking and packaging apparatus 1000A, 1000B, 1000C.

In the frame 500A of the bagmaking and packaging apparatus 1000A, as shown in <FIG>, left and right foremost support posts 522A, 532A are both disposed in positions in which their front ends coincide with the center O of the tube <NUM> (on the virtual line L extending in the left and right direction and passing through the center O). With this configuration, work space is ensured to a certain extent. However, because both the left and right foremost support posts 522A, 532A are not disposed forward of the center O of the tube <NUM>, it is difficult to stably support a heavy object like the metal inspection device <NUM> above the former mechanism <NUM>. Furthermore, because both the left and right foremost support posts 522A, 532A are not disposed forward of the center O of the tube <NUM>, it becomes difficult to solidly support the cover <NUM> disposed around the former mechanism <NUM>. Furthermore, because both the left and right foremost support posts 522A, 532A are disposed in positions in which their front ends coincide with the center O of the tube <NUM>, maintainability is not sufficiently high compared with a case where the second support post <NUM> is disposed rearward of the center O of the tube <NUM> as in the bagmaking and packaging apparatus <NUM> of the present embodiment.

Next, in the frame 500B of the bagmaking and packaging apparatus 1000B, the foremost support posts 522B, 532B on the left and right are both disposed forward of the tube <NUM>. With this arrangement of the support posts 522B, 532B, the metal inspection device <NUM> that is a heavy object above the former mechanism <NUM> and the cover <NUM> disposed around the former mechanism <NUM> can be stably supported. However, owing to the presence of the support posts 522B, 532B, maintainability is poor as described under the heading "Technical Problem" above. It will be noted that if the foremost support posts 522B, 532B were disposed further away from the support posts 510B, 510B in the second row from the front, maintainability might be able to be ensured, but this causes another problem, which is that the installation space of the bagmaking and packaging apparatus 1000B increases.

Next, in the frame 500C of the bagmaking and packaging apparatus 1000C, foremost support posts 522C, 532C on the left and right are both disposed rearward of the tube <NUM>. With this configuration, work space is easily ensured and the maintainability of the bagmaking and packaging apparatus 1000C is high. However, because both the left and right foremost support posts 522C, 532C are not disposed forward of the tube <NUM>, the former mechanism <NUM> and the metal inspection device <NUM> become a cantilever structure, and it is difficult for the former mechanism <NUM> and the metal inspection device <NUM> to be stably supported. Moreover, it also becomes difficult for the cover <NUM> disposed around the former mechanism <NUM> to be solidly supported.

As is apparent from the above comparisons, with the bagmaking and packaging apparatus <NUM> of the present embodiment, a balance between stable support of various devices and parts and high maintainability, which could not be obtained with the configurations of the conventional bagmaking and packaging apparatus, can be achieved without increasing the apparatus size.

(<NUM>-<NUM>)
The bagmaking and packaging apparatus <NUM> performs bagmaking and packaging. In the bagmaking and packaging, the former mechanism <NUM>, which includes the former <NUM> and the tube <NUM> and is disposed forward of the film supply unit <NUM> disposed in the rear portion of the bagmaking and packaging apparatus <NUM>, forms in a tubular shape the sheet-like film F supplied from the film supply unit <NUM>, and the transverse sealing mechanism <NUM> transversely seals the tubular film (the tubular film Ft) into which the product C supplied from above is fed. The bagmaking and packaging apparatus <NUM> includes the plural upright support posts <NUM>. The plural support posts <NUM> configure the frame <NUM> that surrounds at least part of each of the film supply unit <NUM>, the former mechanism <NUM>, and the transverse sealing mechanism <NUM>. The plural support posts <NUM> include the first support post group <NUM> and the second support post group <NUM>. The first support post group <NUM> and the second support post group <NUM> each includes a plurality of the support posts <NUM>. The support posts <NUM> of the first support post group <NUM> are disposed on one lateral side of the bagmaking and packaging apparatus <NUM> in the left and right direction, and the support posts <NUM> of the second support post group <NUM> are disposed on the other lateral side of the bagmaking and packaging apparatus <NUM> in the left and right direction. The first support post <NUM> disposed foremost among the support posts <NUM> of the first support post group <NUM> extends from a lower position to a position higher than the transverse sealing mechanism <NUM> and, when viewed from above, is disposed forward of the center O of the tube <NUM>. The second support post <NUM> disposed foremost among the support posts <NUM> of the second support post group <NUM> extends from a lower position to a position higher than the transverse sealing mechanism <NUM> and, when viewed from above, is disposed rearward of the center O of the tube <NUM>.

In the bagmaking and packaging apparatus <NUM>, because the second support post <NUM> is disposed in the above-described position, maintenance space can be ensured on the side of the bagmaking and packaging apparatus <NUM> in the left and right direction where the second support post group <NUM> is disposed while inhibiting an increase in the size of the bagmaking and packaging apparatus <NUM>.

Furthermore, in the bagmaking and packaging apparatus <NUM>, on the side of the bagmaking and packaging apparatus <NUM> in the left and right direction where the first support post group <NUM> is disposed, the first support post <NUM> is disposed in the above-described position. Thus, various devices and parts of the bagmaking and packaging apparatus <NUM> can be solidly supported.

(<NUM>-<NUM>)
In the bagmaking and packaging apparatus <NUM>, the first support post <NUM> is disposed forward of the tube <NUM>.

In the bagmaking and packaging apparatus <NUM>, even when a heavy object is disposed forward of the second support post <NUM> in the upper portion of the bagmaking and packaging apparatus <NUM> or when the bagmaking and packaging apparatus <NUM> is provided with a part that causes the bagmaking and packaging apparatus <NUM> to vibrate, the heavy object can be solidly supported and vibration of the bagmaking and packaging apparatus <NUM> can be inhibited.

(<NUM>-<NUM>)
In the bagmaking and packaging apparatus <NUM>, the second support post <NUM> is disposed rearward of the tube <NUM>.

In the bagmaking and packaging apparatus <NUM>, it is easy to ensure sufficient work space around the former mechanism <NUM>. For example, when replacing the former mechanism <NUM>, movement of the former mechanism <NUM> is less likely to be obstructed by the second support post <NUM>.

(<NUM>-<NUM>)
In the bagmaking and packaging apparatus <NUM>, the first support post <NUM> supports a member disposed above the former mechanism <NUM>. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the first support post <NUM> supports the metal inspection device <NUM> disposed directly above the former mechanism <NUM>.

Because the bagmaking and packaging apparatus <NUM> has the first support post <NUM> disposed in the above-described position, even if a heavy object such as the metal inspection device <NUM> is disposed directly above the former mechanism <NUM>, the heavy object can be solidly supported by the frame <NUM> without upsetting the balance in the support.

(<NUM>-<NUM>)
The bagmaking and packaging apparatus <NUM> includes the cover <NUM> that covers at least the front side of the former mechanism <NUM>. The cover <NUM> of this bagmaking and packaging apparatus <NUM> covers the front side, the left side, and the right side of the former mechanism <NUM>. The first support post <NUM> supports the cover <NUM>.

In this bagmaking and packaging apparatus <NUM>, the cover <NUM> that covers the former mechanism <NUM> is installed from the standpoint of safety and hygiene. In the bagmaking and packaging apparatus <NUM>, the cover <NUM> can be solidly supported by the first support post <NUM> disposed in the above-described position.

Examples modifications of the above embodiment will be described below. It will be noted that some or all of the content of each example modification may be combined with the content of the above embodiment and/or the content of another example modification to the extent that they are not mutually contradictory.

The bagmaking and packaging apparatus <NUM> may have a former mechanism 210A illustrated in <FIG> instead of the former mechanism <NUM>. <FIG> is a front view for describing the former mechanism 210A of the bagmaking and packaging apparatus <NUM> pertaining to example modification A, with illustration of the former <NUM>, the plate <NUM>, and the grip unit <NUM> being omitted.

The former mechanism 210A has, in addition to the configurations of the former mechanism <NUM> of the above embodiment, a shutter <NUM> that moves in the left and right direction and a chute <NUM> that moves in the up and down direction. The shutter <NUM> and the chute <NUM> are disposed above the former <NUM> and the tube <NUM>.

The chute <NUM> is a funnel-shaped member that moves up and down between an upper position shown in <FIG> and a lower position shown in <FIG>. The chute <NUM> is disposed directly under the combination weigher, and the opening in the upper portion thereof receives the supply of the product C falling from above.

The chute <NUM> is mainly disposed in the upper position at the timing when the product C is supplied from the combination weigher. The shutter <NUM> is disposed under the chute <NUM> disposed in the upper position, and particularly in the vicinity of the lower end of the chute <NUM>. At the timing when the product C is supplied from the combination weigher, the shutter <NUM> is mainly in a state in which it is closed as in <FIG> and closes off the opening in the lower end of the chute <NUM>. When the product C is supplied in this state, the product C is accumulated inside the chute <NUM>.

Then, for example, near the end of the timing when the product C is supplied from the combination weigher, or at the timing when the supply of the product C from the combination weigher has ended, the shutter <NUM> opens and, at the same time, the chute <NUM> quickly descends inside the tube <NUM> from the upper position (see the dashed lines in <FIG>) to the lower position (see the solid lines in <FIG>), and when the chute <NUM> reaches the lower position, it immediately changes direction and quickly ascends to the upper position. In this configuration, the product C can be supplied in an aggregated state to the tubular film Ft in a short amount of time.

However, when the bagmaking and packaging apparatus <NUM> has such movable members (the chute <NUM> and the shutter <NUM>), vibration may occur as a result of the movable members moving.

However, because the bagmaking and packaging apparatus <NUM> has the first support post <NUM> disposed in the above-described position, the stability of the frame <NUM> is high, and even if movable members that cause vibration are present, vibration of the bagmaking and packaging apparatus <NUM> can be reliably inhibited.

Claim 1:
A bagmaking and packaging apparatus (<NUM>) comprising
a film supply unit (<NUM>) disposed in a rear portion of the apparatus and configured to supply sheet-like film;
a former mechanism (<NUM>) including a former (<NUM>) and a tube (<NUM>) and being disposed forward of the film supply unit (<NUM>), the former mechanism (<NUM>) configured to form in a tubular shape the sheet-like film supplied from the film supply unit,
a transverse sealing mechanism (<NUM>) configured to transversely seal the tubular film in which a product being supplied from above; and plural upright support posts (<NUM>) that configure a frame (<NUM>) that surrounds at least part of each of the film supply unit, the former mechanism, and the transverse sealing mechanism,
wherein
the plural support posts include:
a first support post group (<NUM>) including a plurality of the support posts disposed on one lateral side of the bagmaking and packaging apparatus in a left and right direction; and
a second support post group (<NUM>) including a plurality of the support posts disposed on the other lateral side in the left and right direction,
a first support post (<NUM>) disposed foremost among the support posts of the first support post group extends from a low position to a position higher than the transverse sealing mechanism and,
a second support post (<NUM>) disposed foremost among the support posts of the second support post group extends from a low position to a position higher than the transverse sealing mechanism (<NUM>), characterized in that, when viewed from above, the first support post (<NUM>) is disposed forward of a center (O) of the tube (<NUM>) and the second support post (<NUM>) is disposed rearward of the center (O) of the tube (<NUM>).