JP7184840B2 - Blister packaging machine and method for manufacturing blister pack - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a blister packaging machine for manufacturing a blister pack containing predetermined contents, and a blister pack manufacturing method.

A blister pack includes a container film formed with pockets for accommodating various contents, and a cover film attached to the container film so as to seal the opening side of the pocket.

A blister pack is manufactured by a blister packaging machine equipped with conveying means, preheating means, pocket forming means, feeding means, sealing means, punching means and the like. The conveying means intermittently conveys the strip-shaped container film to the preheating means, the pocket forming means, the filling means, the sealing means and the punching means. The preheating means preheats the container film to a softened state. The pocket portion forming means forms the pocket portions in the softened container film by, for example, a pressure forming method. The supply means supplies contents to the formed pocket. The sealing means attaches a strip-shaped cover film to the container film. The punching means obtains a blister pack by punching a blister film formed by attaching a cover film to a container film. The cover film is superimposed on the container film between the supply means and the sealing means, and both films are intermittently conveyed to the sealing means and the punching means in the same manner.

In addition, in the blister packaging machine, during one cycle, the process of intermittently conveying the container film and the cover film (the process of conveying and temporarily stopping the container film, etc.) and the temporarily stopped container film, etc. and a step of performing processing by part forming means, sealing means, and punching means. The preheating of the container film by the preheating means may be performed during one cycle or may be performed over a plurality of cycles.

By the way, various information such as pictures (patterns) and letters are sometimes provided on the surface of the cover film of the blister pack by printing or the like. In this case, it is necessary that the position of the various information on the cover film and the position of the pocket portion are aligned along the conveying direction of both films at the execution position of processing by the sealing means or the punching means. This is because, if the positions are not aligned, the finally obtained blister pack will be in such a state that various pieces of information are shifted from appropriate positions or partly missing.

Therefore, mark detection means (reading device) is provided to detect the position of the mark on the cover film, which is attached in a fixed positional relationship with the various information. The distance to the mark detection means is the same as the distance from the sealing means or punching means along the conveying path of the container film to the pocket forming means, and the mark position detected by the mark detection means is the same. Accordingly, a method of adjusting the transport amount of the container film by transport means has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1, etc.). According to this method, for example, when it is detected that the mark position is shifted 1 mm upstream from the reference position along the conveying direction of the cover film, the conveying amount of the container film by the conveying means is reduced from the reference amount. 1 mm, it becomes possible to align the position of the various information with the position of the pocket portion at the execution position of processing by the sealing means or the punching means.

Further, in the above method, since the transport amount of the container film is changed, as a result, the formation position of each pocket along the transport direction of the container film varies. Therefore, in Patent Document 1, there is provided a processing position adjusting means (forward and backward movement device) for moving the sealing means and the punching means along the conveying direction, and the processing position adjusting means moves the sealing means and the punching means into the pockets. Techniques have been proposed for moving to an appropriate position that matches the formation position of the part.

Furthermore, a method based on the method described in Patent Document 1 above is provided with pocket portion position acquisition means (position detection device) for acquiring the actual formation position of the pocket portion, and the position is acquired by the pocket portion position acquisition means. A technique has also been proposed in which the sealing means and the punching means are moved based on the actual position of the formed pocket (see, for example, Patent Document 2, etc.). Incidentally, in Patent Document 2, the pocket portion position acquiring means is arranged at a position immediately upstream of the sealing means.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 58-39691 Jitsukou No. 5-2401 Public Relations

By the way, when a blister pack is manufactured using the technique described in Patent Document 2, there is a case where the pocket portion is poorly formed at the time when the blister packaging machine starts to operate, such as at the start of work or immediately after the changeover of the product type. rice field. As a result of intensive studies by the inventors of the present application, the following causes were found.

That is, when the blister packaging machine starts to operate, the container film without pockets formed thereon is conveyed to the pocket position obtaining means, so that the formation positions of the pocket portions cannot be obtained. Therefore, until the pocket portion reaches the pocket portion position obtaining means, the positions of the sealing means and the punching means are not adjusted. position adjustment is performed. However, in some cases, it may be necessary to move the sealing means and the punching means greatly during this position adjustment. In this case, it takes time to move the sealing means and the punching means, and it becomes impossible to complete the attachment of both films and the punching of the blister film within the normal time of one cycle. needs to be longer. However, when one cycle time is lengthened, the preheating mode of the container film by the preheating means differs from the normal preheating mode, resulting in excessive or insufficient softening of the container film. Such a difference in the softening state of the container film causes poor formation of the pocket portion.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a blister packaging machine and the like that can more reliably prevent poor formation of pocket portions at the start of movement.

Each means suitable for solving the above object will be described below by itemizing. It should be noted that actions and effects peculiar to the corresponding means will be added as necessary.

Means 1. A blister packaging machine for manufacturing a blister pack in which contents are accommodated in a pocket formed in a container film and a cover film is attached to the container film so as to close the pocket. ,
a conveying means for intermittently conveying the strip-shaped container film;
preheating means for preheating the transported container film;
pocket portion forming means for forming the pocket portion in the container film softened by the preheating means;
supply means for supplying contents to the pocket portion formed by the pocket portion forming means;
provided downstream of the supply means and corresponding to a position where the container film and the band-shaped cover film are intermittently conveyed in an overlapping state, and is attached to the container film so as to close the opening of the pocket portion. sealing means for obtaining a strip-shaped blister film composed of the container film and the cover film by attaching the cover film;
punching means for obtaining the blister pack by punching the blister film downstream of the sealing means;
a plurality of mark detection means for detecting marks of the cover film, provided at intervals along the conveying direction of the cover film;
conveying amount adjusting means for adjusting the conveying amount of the container film by the conveying means based on the detection result of the mark detecting means;
At a position where processing means, which is at least one of the sealing means and the punching means, is arranged, or at a judgment position which is a position downstream from the pocket portion forming means and upstream from the processing means , determination means for determining the presence or absence of the pocket portion;
a processing position adjusting means capable of moving the processing means along the conveying path of the container film;
pocket position acquisition means for acquiring information about the position of the pocket along the transport direction of the container film when the determination means determines that the pocket exists;
When the determining means determines that there is no pocket portion, transporting the container film in the first pocket portion, which is the pocket portion that is scheduled to reach the processing means first when the container film is transported by the transporting means. fast pocket position estimating means for estimating information about position along a direction;
When the determination means determines that the pocket portion exists, the processing position adjustment means is controlled so that the processing means is arranged at a position corresponding to the information acquired by the pocket portion position acquisition means. a location utilization control means;
When the determining means determines that the pocket portion does not exist, the processing position adjusting means is controlled so that the processing means is arranged at a position corresponding to the information estimated by the first pocket portion position estimating means. estimated position utilization control means.

According to the means 1, the transport amount of the container film can be adjusted by the transport amount adjusting means based on the detection result by the mark detecting means. Therefore, the pocket portion can be formed at an appropriate position that matches the mark position, and the position of the pocket portion and the position of the mark (and various information attached to the cover film) can be more reliably determined in the manufactured blister pack. can be aligned.

Further, when the position of each pocket portion along the transport direction of the container film is changed by adjusting the transport amount of the container film, according to the above-described means 1, the determining means determines that there is a pocket portion. In this case, the processing means can be moved to a position according to the information acquired by the pocket portion position acquisition means. That is, the processing means can be moved to an appropriate position that matches the actual position of the pocket. Then, after moving the processing means to an appropriate position, the blister pack manufactured by performing processing by the processing means (attaching the cover film to the container film and punching the blister film). It is possible to more reliably prevent the attached various information from being shifted from an appropriate position or partially missing. As a result, it is possible to more reliably improve the quality of the blister pack.

On the other hand, according to the above means 1, when the pocket portion has not reached the determination position and the determination means determines that there is no pocket portion, such as when the packaging machine is about to start moving, the first pocket The processing means can be moved to a position according to the information regarding the estimated position of the first pocket portion (the pocket portion that is scheduled to reach the processing means first when the container film is transported) acquired by the portion position estimation means. Therefore, before the pocket portion position acquiring means acquires the information on the actual position of the first pocket portion, it is possible to previously move the processing means to a position that is estimated to match the formation position of the first pocket portion as much as possible. can. As a result, as a result of progress in conveying the container film, it becomes possible to obtain information about the position of the pocket portion by the pocket portion position obtaining means. It is not necessary to move the means to a large extent, and as a result, it is possible not to lengthen the time for one cycle. As a result, it is possible to prevent a difference in the preheating mode of the container film, and to more reliably prevent poor formation of the pocket portion at the time when the packaging machine starts to operate.

Means 2. The blister according to means 1, wherein the first pocket portion position estimating means estimates information regarding the position of the first pocket portion along the conveying direction of the container film based on the detection result of the mark detecting means. packing machine.

According to the above means 2, information regarding the position of the first pocket portion is estimated based on the detection result by the mark detection means. Therefore, it is possible to easily and accurately estimate the position of the first pocket portion. In addition, there is no need to provide a special means for estimating the position of the first pocket portion, and the packaging machine can be simplified and miniaturized. As a result, the manufacturing and maintenance costs of the packaging machine can be reduced. be able to.

Means 3. The means 1, wherein the first pocket portion position estimation means estimates information regarding the position of the first pocket portion along the transport direction of the container film based on the transport amount of the container film by the transport means. The described blister packaging machine.

According to the above means 3, as with the above means 2, the position of the first pocket portion can be easily and accurately estimated, and the cost of manufacturing the packaging machine and the like can be reduced.

Means 4. 4. The blister packaging machine according to any one of means 1 to 3, wherein the estimated position utilization control means controls the processing position adjusting means so that the movement of the processing means is divided into a plurality of cycles.

According to the above means 4, when moving the processing means based on the estimated position of the first pocket portion, the processing means does not need to be moved greatly during one cycle. done. As a result, it is possible to more reliably prevent the occurrence of differences in the preheating mode of the container film, and to more reliably prevent poor formation of the pocket portion.

Means 5. The judging means judges whether or not the pocket portion exists on the container film that has reached the judging position based on whether or not the pocket portion forming process has been performed by the pocket portion forming means. A blister packaging machine according to any one of means 1 to 4.

According to the means 5, the presence or absence of the pocket portion can be determined without providing a sensor or the like for detecting the pocket portion. Therefore, the packaging machine can be simplified and miniaturized, and the manufacturing cost of the packaging machine can be reduced more effectively.

Means 6. 6. The method according to any one of means 1 to 5, wherein the pocket portion position obtaining means obtains information regarding the position of the pocket portion along the conveying direction of the container film at a position upstream of the processing means. blister packaging machine.

In the case where the pocket portion position acquisition means acquires information on the position of the pocket portion at the arrangement position of the processing means, the control of the processing position adjustment means by the actual position utilization control means (that is, the movement of the processing means) is performed by the processing means. This is done after the pocket portion reaches . Therefore, the transport of the pocket portion to the processing means, the acquisition of information regarding the position of the pocket portion by the pocket portion position acquisition means, and the movement of the processing means to the position according to the information are performed in this order.

On the other hand, according to the above means 6, information regarding the position of the pocket portion is acquired at a position upstream of the processing means, and the actual position utilization control means arranges the processing means at a position corresponding to the information. It controls the machining position adjusting means. Therefore, while the pocket portion is being conveyed to the processing means, it is necessary to move the processing means to an appropriate position that matches the position of the pocket portion (i.e., transport the pocket portion and move the processing means at the same time). to be performed). Thereby, the production speed (production efficiency) of blister packs can be increased.

Means 7. A method for manufacturing a blister pack in which contents are accommodated in a pocket formed in a container film and a cover film is attached to the container film so as to close the pocket, comprising:
a conveying step of intermittently conveying the strip-shaped container film;
a preheating step of preheating the conveyed container film;
a pocket portion forming step of forming the pocket portion in the container film softened by the preheating step;
a supply step of supplying contents to the pocket portion formed by the pocket portion forming step;
After the content is supplied in the supply step, the opening of the pocket is closed by using a sealing means provided corresponding to a position where the container film and the strip-shaped cover film are intermittently conveyed in an overlapping state. a sealing step of obtaining a strip-shaped blister film composed of the container film and the cover film by attaching the cover film to the container film;
a punching step of punching the blister film to obtain the blister pack by punching means for punching the blister film after the cover film is attached to the container film in the sealing step;
a mark detection step of detecting a plurality of marks of the cover film provided at intervals along the conveying direction of the cover film;
a conveying amount adjusting step of adjusting the conveying amount of the container film in the conveying step based on the detection result of the mark detecting step;
At a position where processing means, which is at least one of the sealing means and the punching means, is arranged, or at a judgment position which is a position downstream from the pocket portion forming means and upstream from the processing means , a determination step of determining the presence or absence of the pocket portion;
a pocket portion position obtaining step of obtaining information about the position of the pocket portion along the conveying direction of the container film when the determining step determines that the pocket portion is present;
When the determining step determines that the pocket portion does not exist, transporting the container film in the first pocket portion, which is the pocket portion that is scheduled to reach the processing means first by transporting the container film in the transporting step. a fast pocket position estimation step for estimating information about position along a direction;
along the transport path of the container film so that the processing means is arranged at a position corresponding to the information acquired by the pocket portion position acquiring step when the pocket portion is determined to be present in the determining step; an actual position utilization control step of controlling a machining position adjusting means capable of moving the machining means by
When the determining step determines that the pocket portion does not exist, the processing position adjusting means is controlled so that the processing means is arranged at a position corresponding to the information estimated by the first pocket portion position estimating step. and an estimated position utilization control step.

According to the means 7, the same effect as the means 1 can be obtained.

Means 8. The blister according to means 7, wherein in the first pocket portion position estimation step, information regarding the position of the first pocket portion along the conveying direction of the container film is estimated based on the detection result of the mark detection step. How the pack is made.

According to the means 8, the same effect as the means 2 can be obtained.

Means 9. means for estimating information about the position of the first pocket along the conveying direction of the container film based on the conveying amount of the container film in the conveying step in the first pocket portion position estimating step; A method for manufacturing the described blister pack.

According to the means 9, the same effect as the means 3 can be obtained.

Means 10. Manufacturing a blister pack according to any one of means 7 to 9, characterized in that in the estimated position utilization control step, the processing position adjusting means is controlled so that the movement of the processing means is divided into a plurality of cycles. Method.

According to the above means 10, the same effect as the above means 4 can be achieved.

Means 11. In the determination step, the presence or absence of the pocket portion is determined based on whether or not the pocket portion has been formed in the pocket portion forming step with respect to the container film that has reached the determination position. A method for manufacturing a blister pack according to any one of means 7 to 10.

According to the means 11, the same effect as the means 5 can be obtained.

Means 12. 12. The method according to any one of means 7 to 11, wherein in the pocket position acquisition step, information regarding the position of the pocket along the conveying direction of the container film at a position upstream of the processing means is acquired. of the blister pack.

According to the means 12, the same effect as the means 6 can be obtained.

1 is a perspective view of a blister pack; FIG. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a blister pack; 1 is a perspective view of a blister film; FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a blister packaging machine; FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a control device; FIG. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a state in which marks are misaligned; FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining that when the mark is misaligned when the transport amount of the container film is constant, the relative positions of the pocket portion and the mark are misaligned. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining that the formation position of the pocket portion is adjusted to a position corresponding to the positional deviation of the mark; It is an explanatory view for explaining that the position of the pocket part and the position of the mark are aligned by adjusting the formation position of the pocket part. It is an explanatory view for explaining the arrangement position of the sealing device and the punching device in the second cycle. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the arrangement positions of the sealing device and the punching device in a cycle in which the first pocket portion has reached a position immediately upstream of the sealing device; FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the arrangement positions of the sealing device and the punching device in the cycle in which the first pocket portion reaches the sealing device; FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the arrangement position of the punching device in the cycle in which the first pocket portion reaches the punching device; FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement positions of mark detection sensors in another embodiment; FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement positions of mark detection sensors in another embodiment; FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement positions of mark detection sensors in another embodiment;

An embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, the configuration of a blister pack manufactured by a blister packaging machine will be described.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the blister pack 1 has a container film 3 having one pocket portion 2 and a cover film 4 attached to the container film 3 so as to close the pocket portion 2. is doing. Contents 5 such as food, electronic parts, and daily necessities are accommodated in the pocket portion 2 . In addition, in FIG. 1 and the like, the films 3 and 4 are shown thicker than they actually are.

The container film 3 is made of a thermoplastic resin material such as PP (polypropylene). On the other hand, the cover film 4 is made of thermoplastic resin compatible with the container film 3 . The cover film 4 may be made of a thin material having a surface coated with a sealant made of a thermoplastic resin compatible with the container film 3 .

Further, on the surface of the cover film 4, various kinds of information 4a including pictures (patterns), characters, symbols, etc. for indicating information about the contents 5 are printed.

Also, the blister pack 1 can be obtained by punching out a strip-shaped blister film 6 (see FIG. 3) in which a strip-shaped container film 3 and a strip-shaped cover film 4 are attached. The blister film 6 in this embodiment has a configuration in which two blister packs 1 are arranged along the width direction. In addition, the blister film 6 has a portion to be scrapped between portions that are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the blister film 6 and eventually become the blister pack 1 . In addition, in FIG. 3, illustration of the various information 4a is omitted.

Next, the configuration of the blister packaging machine 10 for manufacturing the blister pack 1 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 4, the blister packaging machine 10 comprises a chain clip conveyor 11. As shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the chain clip conveyor 11 constitutes "conveying means". The chain clip conveyor 11 intermittently conveys the strip-shaped container film 3 pulled out from the roll-shaped raw material downstream, and conveys and temporarily stops the container film 3 during one cycle. . The chain clip conveyor 11 has a clip portion (not shown) capable of gripping the container film 3, and transports the container film 3 while gripping both ends in the width direction of the container film 3 by the clip portion. The step of intermittently conveying the container film 3 by the chain clip conveyor 11 corresponds to the "conveying step".

A preheating device 12 and a pocket portion forming device 13 are provided in this order along the conveying path of the container film 3 downstream of the raw container film 3 . In this embodiment, the "preheating device 12" constitutes the "preheating means", and the "pocket forming device 13" constitutes the "pocket forming means".

The preheating device 12 includes a first preheating section 12a and a second preheating section 12b arranged vertically with the container film 3 interposed therebetween, and is configured to be capable of heating at least the portion of the container film 3 where the pocket portion 2 is to be formed. ing. The process of preheating the container film 3 by the preheating device 12 corresponds to the "preheating process".

In this embodiment, the range of preheating of the container film 3 along the conveying direction of the container film 3 by the preheating device 12 corresponds to one blister pack 1 . Therefore, during one cycle, two portions of the container film 3 to be formed with the blister packs 1 arranged in the width direction thereof are preheated.

The pocket portion forming device 13 includes an upper mold 13a and a lower mold 13b arranged vertically with the container film 3 interposed therebetween. While the container film 3 softened by preheating is sandwiched between the upper mold 13a and the lower mold 13b, a predetermined gas (inert gas, air in this embodiment) is blown onto the container film 3 to soften the container film 3. The pocket portion 2 is formed in the container film 3 by pressing it against the lower mold 13b (that is, by using a pressure forming method). The step of forming the pocket portion 2 by the pocket portion forming device 13 corresponds to the "pocket portion forming step". It should be noted that the pocket portion 2 may be formed by other forming methods such as a vacuum forming method.

In this embodiment, the pocket portion 2 is formed by the pocket portion forming device 13 once during one cycle while the container film 3 is temporarily stopped. Therefore, two pocket portions 2 aligned in the width direction of the container film 3 are formed at once during one cycle.

In addition, the pocket portion forming device 13 is disposed with its reference position being a distance Lb away from a predetermined position of the later-described sealing device 17 along the conveying path of the container film 3 . The reference position of the pocket portion forming device 13 corresponds to the pocket portion 2 formed by the pocket portion forming device 13 based on the design relative positional relationship between the pocket portion 2 in the blister film 6 and the mark 4b described later. It means the position where the mark 4b is arranged when the mark 4b satisfying the relative positional relationship is temporarily arranged. In this embodiment, the pocket portion 2 formed by the pocket portion forming device 13 reaches the sealing device 17 after 5 cycles, and reaches the punching device 20 described later after 7 cycles.

A feeding device 14 is provided downstream of the pocket portion forming device 13 . In this embodiment, the supply device 14 constitutes "supply means". By opening a shutter (not shown) when the container film 3 is temporarily stopped, the supply device 14 supplies a predetermined amount of the content 5 to each pocket portion 2 arranged in the width direction of the container film 3 . The process of supplying the contents 5 by the supply device 14 corresponds to the "supply process".

On the other hand, the original fabric of the cover film 4 formed in a belt shape is wound into a roll and arranged separately from the container film 3 . The cover film 4 pulled out from the raw fabric is guided to a receiving roller 15 provided downstream of the supply device 14 . The cover film 4 is guided to the receiving rollers 15 and overlapped with the container film 3 so as to cover the pocket portion 2 . The cover film 4 is intermittently conveyed in the same manner as the container film 3 is conveyed.

Further, on the cover film 4, a mark 4b is printed and formed in a predetermined positional relationship with the various information 4a. In addition, in FIG. 4, the marks 4b are schematically illustrated by black circles. A plurality of marks 4 b are provided at regular intervals along the longitudinal direction of the cover film 4 . In the blister film 6 of the present embodiment, the mark 4b is arranged at a predetermined position a certain distance upstream from the pocket portion 2 in terms of design. When the mark 4b is present at this predetermined position, the position of the pocket portion 2 along the conveying direction of the container film 3 and the position of the various information 4a are aligned. Although the distance Xm between the marks 4b is basically constant, it may vary slightly. For example, the distance Xm can differ from the reference distance (designed distance) by about ±1 mm.

A mark detection sensor 16 is provided upstream of the receiving roller 15 along the conveying path of the cover film 4 . In this embodiment, the mark detection sensor 16 constitutes "mark detection means". The mark detection sensor 16 detects the mark 4b in each cycle, and when it detects that the mark 4b has reached a predetermined position, it outputs a mark detection signal to the controller 30, which will be described later. The mark detection sensor 16 can detect the amount of positional deviation of the actual mark 4b from the designed mark position in each cycle, and outputs information on the positional deviation of the mark 4b to the control device 30 as well. The process of detecting the mark 4b and its positional deviation amount by the mark detection sensor 16 corresponds to the "mark detection process".

Further, the mark detection sensor 16 is arranged at a position separated by a distance La from a predetermined position of a sealing device 17 (to be described later) along the conveying path of the cover film 4 . In other words, the mark detection sensor 16 is configured to detect the mark 4b when the mark 4b reaches a position separated by a distance La from the predetermined distance of the sealing device 17 along the conveying direction of the cover film 4. It is For convenience of illustration, the distance La in FIG. 3 is larger than the actual distance La.

In addition, distance La is assumed to be equal to distance Lb. That is, the pocket portion forming device 13 and the mark detection sensor 16 are installed at positions separated from the sealing device 17 by the same distance along the conveying route of the container film 3 and the cover film 4 . Moreover, as a result, the pocket portion forming device 12 and the mark detection sensor 16 are installed at positions separated by the same distance from the later-described punching device 20 along the conveying path of the container film 3 and the cover film 4. It's becoming

A sealing device 17 is provided downstream of the receiving roller 15 . In this embodiment, the sealing device 17 constitutes "sealing means". The sealing device 17 includes an upper sealing mold 17a and a lower sealing mold 17b, and heats these films 3 and 4 while sandwiching the temporarily stopped container film 3 and cover film 4 between the two molds 17a and 17b. , the cover film 4 is welded (attached) to the container film 3 . In this embodiment, during one cycle, both dies 17a and 17b are closed and the films 3 and 4 that are temporarily stopped are sandwiched by both dies 17a and 17b to attach both films 3 and 4; Both dies 17a and 17b are opened to release the sandwiched state of both films 3 and 4 by these two dies 17a and 17b. By attaching the cover film 4 to the container film 3, a strip-shaped blister film 6 in which the contents 5 are filled in the pocket portion 2 is obtained. Incidentally, the sealing device 17 in the present embodiment is used when there is no pocket portion 2 in the portion of the container film 3 that reaches the sealing device 17 (it is determined that there is no pocket portion 2 by the first pocket portion position sensor 18 described later). case), both the films 3 and 4 are configured to be attached even if the pocket portion 2 is not present at the site. good too. The process of attaching the cover film 4 to the container film 3 by the sealing device 17 corresponds to the "sealing process".

In addition, a first pocket portion position sensor 18 configured by, for example, a photoelectric sensor or the like is provided corresponding to the installation position of the sealing device 17 . The first pocket portion position sensor 18 determines the presence or absence of the pocket portion 2 at the first determination position P1 where the sealing device 17 is arranged. That is, the first pocket portion position sensor 18 determines whether or not the pocket portion 2 has reached the sealing device 17 . The determination is made prior to the attachment of both films 3, 4 by the sealing device 17 in each cycle.

Further, when the first pocket portion position sensor 18 determines that the pocket portion 2 is at the first determination position P1, the first pocket portion position sensor 18 provides information on the position of the pocket portion 2 along the conveying direction of the container film 3 (in this embodiment, the container The existing position of the pocket portion 2 along the transport direction of the film 3) is acquired. The determination result regarding the presence or absence of the pocket portion 2 by the first pocket portion position sensor 18 and the information regarding the position of the pocket portion 2 are output to the control device 30 which will be described later.

Furthermore, a seal position adjusting device 19 is provided corresponding to the seal device 17 . The sealing position adjusting device 19 is a device for moving the sealing device 17 along the conveying path of the container film 3, and is used to arrange the sealing device 17 at a position matching the formation position of the pocket portion 2. However, since the sealing device 17 has a considerable weight, during one cycle when both the molds 17a and 17b are open (that is, during the period during which the sealing device 17 can be moved during one cycle), The maximum amount of movement of the seal device 17 by the seal position adjusting device 19 is about several millimeters (for example, 2 mm).

A punching device 20 for punching the blister film 6 into blister pack units is provided downstream of the sealing device 17 . The punching of the blister film 6 by the punching device 20 is performed when the container film 3 or the like is temporarily stopped during one cycle. In the present embodiment, when the punching device 20 does not have the pocket portion 2 in the portion of the blister film 6 that reaches the punching device 20 (it is determined that there is no pocket portion 2 by the second pocket portion position sensor 21 described below) ), the blister film 6 is not punched. may In this embodiment, the punching device 20 constitutes "punching means", and the sealing device 17 and the punching device 20 respectively constitute "processing means". Also, the process of punching out the blister film 6 by the punching device 20 corresponds to the "punching process". The blister pack 1 obtained by punching the blister film 6 is transferred by the conveyor 23 to a hopper for finished products (not shown).

In addition, a second pocket portion position sensor 21 configured by, for example, a photoelectric sensor or the like is provided corresponding to the installation position of the punching device 20 . The second pocket portion position sensor 21 determines the presence or absence of the pocket portion 2 at the second determination position P2 where the punching device 20 is arranged in each cycle. That is, the second pocket portion position sensor 21 determines whether or not the pocket portion 2 has reached the punching device 20 in each cycle. The determination is made before punching by the punching device 20 in each cycle. In this embodiment, the first determination position P1 and the second determination position P2 each correspond to a "determination position".

In addition, when the second pocket portion position sensor 21 determines that the pocket portion 2 is at the second determination position P2 in each cycle, the second pocket portion position sensor 21 provides information on the position of the pocket portion 2 along the transport direction of the container film 3 (this embodiment In the form, the stop position of the pocket portion 2 along the conveying direction of the container film 3) is acquired. The determination result regarding the presence/absence of the pocket portion 2 by the second pocket portion position sensor 21 and the information regarding the position of the pocket portion 2 are output to the control device 30 which will be described later. In the present embodiment, the first pocket portion position sensor 18 and the second pocket portion position sensor 21 constitute the "determination means" and the "pocket position acquisition means", respectively. Further, the step of determining the presence or absence of the pocket portion 2 by the pocket portion position sensors 18 and 21 corresponds to the "determining step", and the step of acquiring information on the position of the pocket portion 2 by the pocket portion position sensors 18 and 21. It corresponds to the "pocket portion position acquisition step".

Furthermore, a punching position adjusting device 22 is provided corresponding to the punching device 20 . The punching position adjusting device 22 is a device for moving the punching device 20 along the conveying path of the container film 3 , and is used to arrange the punching device 20 at a position that matches the forming position of the pocket portion 2 . be done. However, since the punching device 20 has a considerable weight, during one cycle when the punching operation is not performed (that is, the period during which the punching device 20 can be moved during one cycle) The maximum amount of movement of the punching device 20 by the punching position adjusting device 22 is about several millimeters (for example, 2 mm). In this embodiment, the seal position adjusting device 19 and the punching position adjusting device 22 respectively constitute "processing position adjusting means".

A cutting device (not shown) is arranged downstream of the punching device 20, and the scrap remaining after the punching is cut by the cutting device. The cut scraps are stored in a scrap hopper (not shown).

The blister packaging machine 10 also includes a control device 30 for controlling the operation of each device in the blister packaging machine 10 (for example, the chain clip conveyor 11, the pocket forming device 13, etc.). The control device 30 is a computer system that includes a CPU as a computing means, a ROM that stores various programs, a RAM that temporarily stores various data, a storage medium (such as a hard disk) for long-term storage of information, and the like. It is composed of

As shown in FIG. 5, the control device 30 includes a transport amount adjustment section 31, a control selection section 32, an actual position use control section 33, and an estimated position use control section . Each of these functions performs various functions, and the various functions are executed using hardware constituting the control device 30 and various programs stored in the storage medium. In the present embodiment, the conveying amount adjusting section 31 constitutes "conveying amount adjusting means", the actual position use control section 33 constitutes "actual position use control means", and the estimated position use control section 34 constitutes "estimated position use control means". control means".

The conveying amount adjusting section 31 adjusts the conveying amount of the container film 3 by the chain clip conveyor 11 during one cycle based on the detection result of the mark detection sensor 16 . The conveying amount adjusting unit 31 causes the chain clip conveyor 11 to start conveying the container film 3 at a predetermined timing and to temporarily stop at the timing when a mark detection signal is input from the mark detection sensor 16 during one cycle. Control.

If the transport amount of the container film 3 during one cycle is constant, the actual mark 4b is deviated from the design mark 4b by a distance α (see FIG. 6. In FIGS. 6 to 9, the mark The detection sensor 16 and the like are not shown), and when the container film 3 and the cover film 4 are overlapped, the mark 4b and various information 4a are shifted from the designed position by a distance α with respect to the pocket portion 2. It will be in the arranged state (see FIG. 7). On the other hand, by adjusting the transport amount of the container film 3 by the transport amount adjusting unit 31, the pocket part 2 corresponding to the misaligned mark 4b is formed at a position shifted by the distance α (see FIG. 8). ). As a result, the pocket portion 2 is formed at an appropriate position matching the position of the mark 4b, and the position of the pocket portion 2 along the conveying direction of the container film 3 and the position of the mark 4b and further the various information 4a are more reliably aligned. aligned (see FIG. 9). The step of controlling the chain clip conveyor 11 by the conveying amount adjusting section 31 to adjust the conveying amount of the container film 3 corresponds to the "conveying amount adjusting step".

The control selection unit 32 controls the seal position adjusting device 19 and the punching position adjusting device 22 based on the determination results regarding the presence or absence of the pocket portion 2 and the information regarding the position of the pocket portion 2 which are input from the pocket portion position sensors 18 and 21. It is determined which of the actual position use control unit 33 and the estimated position use control unit 34 should perform the control for the position.

More specifically, in a certain cycle, when the determination result that the pocket portion 2 exists and the information regarding the position of the pocket portion 2 are input from the first pocket portion position sensor 18, the control selection portion 32 controls the position of the pocket portion 2 during this cycle. Then, the actual position use control section 33 is set to control the seal position adjusting device 19 using the inputted information regarding the position of the pocket section 2 . Further, when the determination result that the pocket portion 2 exists and the information regarding the position of the pocket portion 2 are input from the second pocket portion position sensor 21, the control selection portion 32 causes the actual position utilization control portion 33 to input The punching position adjusting device 22 is set to be controlled using the information about the position of the pocket portion 2 obtained.

On the other hand, when the control selection unit 32 receives the determination result that the pocket portion 2 does not exist from the first pocket portion position sensor 18 in the cycle subsequent to the cycle in which the first pocket portion 2f (see FIG. 10) is formed. That is, when the blister packaging machine 10 starts to move and the pocket portion 2 has not reached the sealing device 17, the pocket portion position estimating portion 32a detects the first pocket along the conveying direction of the container film 3. Estimate the position of part 2f. The first pocket portion 2 f is the pocket portion 2 that is scheduled to reach the sealing device 17 and the punching device 20 first when the container film 3 is conveyed by the chain clip conveyor 11 . In this embodiment, the pocket portion position estimating portion 32a constitutes "first pocket portion position estimating means".

The pocket portion position estimating portion 32a estimates information regarding the position of the first pocket portion 2f along the conveying direction of the container film 3 based on the detection result of the mark detection sensor 16. FIG. In the present embodiment, the pocket portion position estimator 32a, based on the amount of positional displacement of the mark 4b input from the mark detection sensor 16, determines the position of the first pocket portion 2f relative to the reference position (the position of the first pocket portion 2f when there is no positional displacement of the mark 4b). Estimate the position of the first pocket portion 2f.

For example, in the next cycle (second cycle) of the cycle in which the first pocket portion 2f is formed, if the input positional deviation amount of the mark 4b is +1 mm (that is, the mark 4b is shifted downstream by 1 mm from the reference position). mark 4b), the conveying amount of the container film 3 is adjusted by the conveying amount adjusting unit 31, and the conveying amount of the container film 3 is greater than the normal conveying amount in one cycle (referred to as "one cycle normal conveying amount"). is made smaller by α. Therefore, the first pocket portion 2f is located at a position 1 mm upstream compared to when the mark 4b is not displaced. Accordingly, the pocket portion position estimator 32a estimates that the position of the first pocket portion 2f is 1 mm upstream of the reference position in the second cycle. Then, for example, in the next cycle, if the input positional deviation amount of the mark 4b is +1 mm, the pocket portion position estimating section 32a compares this positional deviation amount with the position of the first pocket portion 2f estimated in the previous cycle. , the position of the first pocket portion 2f is estimated to be 2 mm upstream of the reference position. The step of estimating information about the position of the first pocket portion 2f by the pocket portion position estimating portion 32a corresponds to the "first pocket portion position estimating step".

When the first pocket portion position sensor 18 or the second pocket portion position sensor 21 determines that the pocket portion 2 is present, the actual position utilization control portion 33 controls the position of the pocket portion 2 acquired by the pocket portion position sensors 18 and 21 . The seal position adjusting device 19 and the punching position adjusting device 22 are controlled so that the sealing device 17 and the punching device 20 are arranged at positions corresponding to the information about the position of (1).

More specifically, the actual position utilization control unit 33 operates as follows for the seal position adjusting device 19 . That is, in a certain cycle, when the determination result that the pocket portion 2 exists is input from the first pocket portion position sensor 18 to the control device 30, the actual position utilization control portion 33 controls the sealing device 17 during the same cycle. Control the seal position adjusting device 19 so that the seal device 17 is placed at a position that matches the stop position of the pocket portion 2 input from the first pocket portion position sensor 18 before the both films 3 and 4 are attached by do. As a result, for example, when the stop position of the pocket portion 2 input from the first pocket portion position sensor 18 is a position 1 mm downstream of the reference position (designed initial position of the sealing device 17), the sealing device 17 is arranged at a position 1 mm downstream from the reference position.

Further, the actual position utilization control unit 33 operates as follows with the punching position adjusting device 22 as a target. That is, in a certain cycle, when the control device 30 receives the determination result that the pocket 2 exists from the second pocket position sensor 21, the actual position utilization control unit 33 controls the punching device during the same cycle. Before the blister film 6 is punched by 20, the punching position adjusting device 22 is adjusted so that the punching device 20 is placed at a position that matches the stop position of the pocket portion 2 input from the second pocket portion position sensor 21. Control. The step of controlling the position adjusting devices 19 and 22 so that the sealing device 17 and the punching device 20 are arranged at positions corresponding to the information acquired by the pocket portion position sensors 18 and 21 is the actual position utilization control. corresponds to "process".

When the first pocket portion position sensor 18 or the second pocket portion position sensor 21 determines that the pocket portion 2 does not exist, the estimated position use control portion 34 detects the position corresponding to the information estimated by the pocket portion position estimating portion 32a. The seal position adjusting device 19 and the punching position adjusting device 22 are controlled so that the sealing device 17 and the punching device 20 are arranged at the right position.

More specifically, the estimated position utilization control unit 34 operates as follows for the seal position adjusting device 19 . That is, when a determination result indicating that there is no pocket portion 2 is input from the first pocket portion position sensor 18 in a certain cycle (however, after the cycle following the cycle in which the first pocket portion 2f is formed), during the same cycle Before the films 3 and 4 are attached by the sealing device 17, the sealing position adjusting device 19 is controlled so that the sealing device 17 is placed at a position corresponding to the estimated position of the first pocket portion 2f.

In addition, the estimated position utilization control unit 34 operates as follows for the punching position adjusting device 22 . That is, in a certain cycle (however, after the cycle following the cycle in which the first pocket portion 2f is formed), when the second pocket portion position sensor 21 inputs the determination result that the pocket portion 2 does not exist, the first pocket portion 2f is formed. The punching position adjusting device 22 is controlled so that the punching device 20 is arranged at a position corresponding to the estimated position of . The step of controlling each of the position adjusting devices 19 and 22 so that the sealing device 17 and the punching device 20 are arranged at positions corresponding to the information estimated by the pocket portion position estimating portion 32a is the "estimated position utilization control step". corresponds to

In the present embodiment, for example, in the next cycle (second cycle) after the cycle in which the first pocket portion 2f is formed, if the estimated position of the first pocket portion 2f is 1 mm upstream of the reference position, the seal device 17 and the hammer The extraction device 20 is arranged at a position 1 mm upstream from the reference position. Also, in the next cycle (third cycle), if the estimated position of the first pocket portion 2f is 2 mm upstream of the reference position, the seal device 17 and the like are arranged at a position further 1 mm upstream in that cycle. .

As described above, the estimated position utilization control unit 34 in the present embodiment moves the sealing device 17 and the punching device 20 in each cycle based on the estimated position of the first pocket portion 2f estimated in each cycle. It controls the seal position adjusting device 19 and the punching position adjusting device 22 . That is, the estimated position utilization control section 34 controls the seal position adjusting device 19 and the punching position adjusting device 22 so that the movement of the sealing device 17 and the punching device 20 is divided into a plurality of cycles.

The blister packaging machine 10 described above operates as follows at the beginning of operation. That is, since the pocket portion 2 has not reached the sealing device 17 or the punching device 20 at the beginning of the movement, the position of the pocket portion is estimated based on the amount of positional deviation of the mark 4b detected by the mark detection sensor 16. The position of the first pocket portion 2f is estimated by the portion 32a. Then, the position adjustment devices 19 and 22 are controlled by the estimated position utilization control section 34, so that the sealing device 17 and the punching device 20 are arranged at positions corresponding to the estimated position of the first pocket portion 2f.

For example, assume that the interval Xm between all the marks 4b is longer than the designed interval by a distance α (for example, 1 mm). In this case, as shown in FIG. 10, in the next cycle (second cycle) after the cycle in which the first pocket portion 2f is formed, the container film 3 is transported by an extra distance α than the "one cycle normal transport amount". Therefore, the fast pocket portion 2f is presumed to be located downstream of the reference position by the distance α. Therefore, the sealing device 17 and the punching device 20 are arranged downstream of the reference position (designed initial position) by a distance α.

In cycles in which the pocket portion 2 does not reach the judgment positions P1 and P2, the position adjustment of the sealing device 17 and the punching device 20 as described above is performed in each cycle. As a result, as shown in FIG. 11, in the cycle (fifth cycle) in which the first pocket portion 2f reaches the position immediately upstream of the sealing device 17, the first pocket portion 2f moves downstream by a distance α×4 from the reference position. Since it is presumed that they are positioned, the sealing device 17 and the punching device 20 are arranged downstream of the reference position by a distance α×4.

Next, in the cycle (sixth cycle) in which the first pocket portion 2f reaches the first determination position P1, the seal position adjusting device 19 is controlled by the actual position utilization control unit 33, while the second determination position P2 is Since the first pocket portion 2f has not yet been reached, the punching position adjusting device 22 is controlled by the estimated position utilization control portion . Therefore, as shown in FIG. 12, in this cycle, the sealing device 17 is moved by a distance β corresponding to the amount of displacement of the first pocket portion 2f detected by the first pocket portion position sensor 18, resulting in Then, it is placed downstream of the reference position by a distance α×4±β. In subsequent cycles, the placement position of the sealing device 17 is adjusted based on information regarding the position of the pocket portion 2 detected by the first pocket portion position sensor 18 . On the other hand, based on the estimated position of the first pocket portion 2f, the punching device 20 is placed downstream of the reference position by a distance α×5.

When the first pocket portion 2f reaches the second determination position P2 (the eighth cycle), the position control of the punching position adjusting device 22 is performed by the actual position utilization control portion 33. FIG. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 13, in this cycle, the punching device 20 is moved by a distance .gamma. Essentially, it is arranged downstream of the reference position by a distance α×6±γ. In subsequent cycles, the arrangement position of the punching device 20 is adjusted based on information regarding the position of the pocket portion 2 detected by the second pocket portion position sensor 21 .

As described in detail above, according to this embodiment, the conveying amount of the container film 3 can be adjusted by the conveying amount adjusting section 31 based on the detection result of the mark detection sensor 16 . Therefore, the pocket portion 2 can be formed at an appropriate position that matches the position of the mark 4b, and in the manufactured blister pack 1, the positions of the pocket portion 2 and the mark 4b (and various information 4a) can be more reliably positioned. can be aligned.

Further, by adjusting the transport amount of the container film 3, the positions of the respective pocket portions 2 along the transport direction of the container film 3 fluctuate. 2, the sealing device 17 and the punching device 20 can be moved to an appropriate position that matches the actual position of the pocket portion 2. FIG. Then, by moving the sealing device 17 or the like to an appropriate position and performing processing with the sealing device 17 or the like, the various information 4a may be shifted from the appropriate position or partly missing in the manufactured blister pack 1. can be prevented more reliably. As a result, it is possible to improve the quality of the blister pack 1 more reliably.

On the other hand, when the blister packaging machine 10 starts to move, the pocket 2 has not reached the determination positions P1 and P2, and the pocket position sensors 18 and 21 determine that the pocket 2 does not exist. can move the sealing device 17 or the like to a position according to the information on the estimated position of the first pocket portion 2f acquired by the pocket portion position estimating portion 32a. Therefore, before the pocket portion position sensors 18 and 21 acquire information on the actual position of the pocket portion 2, the sealing device 17 and the like are moved in advance to a position that is estimated to match the formation position of the pocket portion 2 as much as possible. can be placed. Therefore, as a result of progress in the transportation of the container film 3, it becomes possible to obtain information about the position of the pocket portion 2 by means of the pocket portion position sensors 18 and 21, and when it comes to the stage of moving the sealing device 17 and the like based on this information, It is not necessary to greatly move the sealing device 17 or the like during one cycle (the cycle in which the first pocket portion 2f reaches the judgment positions P1 and P2), and as a result, one cycle time is not lengthened. For example, in the examples shown in FIGS. 10 to 13, if the configuration is such that the position adjustment of the sealing device 17 and the like is performed for the first time in the cycle in which the information on the actual position of the pocket portion 2 can be acquired, then during this cycle Although the moving distance of the sealing device 17 or the like is the distance α×4±β or the distance α×6±γ, in the above embodiment, the sealing device 17 or the like is moved by the distance β or the distance γ during one cycle. It can be done without lengthening the time of one cycle. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the preheating mode of the container film 3 from being different, and it is possible to more reliably prevent the poor formation of the pocket portion 2 at the time when the blister packaging machine 10 starts to move.

In addition, based on the detection result by the mark detection sensor 16, information regarding the position of the first pocket portion 2f is estimated. Therefore, the position of the first pocket portion 2f can be estimated easily and accurately. In addition, there is no need to provide a special means for estimating the position of the first pocket portion 2f, simplification and miniaturization of the blister packaging machine 10 can be achieved, as a result, manufacturing and maintenance of the blister packaging machine 10 Cost reduction can be achieved.

Further, the estimated position utilization control unit 34 controls the position adjusting devices 19 and 22 so that the movement of the sealing device 17 and the like is divided into a plurality of cycles. Therefore, when moving the sealing device 17 or the like based on the estimated position of the first pocket portion 2f, the sealing device 17 or the like does not need to be moved greatly during one cycle, and as a result, the time of one cycle is not lengthened. done. As a result, it is possible to more reliably prevent the container film 3 from being preheated differently, and it is possible to more reliably prevent the poor formation of the pocket portion 2 .

In addition, it is not limited to the description content of the said embodiment, For example, you may implement as follows. Of course, other applications and modifications not exemplified below are naturally possible.

(a) In the above embodiment, the mark detection sensor 16 is installed at a position where the distance La to the sealing device 17 is equal to the distance Lb, but the installation position of the mark detection sensor 16 may be changed as appropriate. For example, as shown in FIG. 14, the mark detection sensor 16 may be installed at a position separated from the sealing device 17 by the sum of the distance Lb and the distance k less than the mark interval Xm. In this case, the mark detection sensor 16 detects the moving mark 4b during one cycle, and the cover film 4 is temporarily stopped when the mark 4b is detected and then conveyed by the distance k. may In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 15, the mark detection sensor 16 detects the positional deviation s of the mark 4b during movement with respect to the reference position at a predetermined timing, and after detecting the mark 4b, The cover film 4 may be temporarily stopped after being transported by a length corresponding to the distance k and the positional deviation amount s.

Furthermore, for example, as shown in FIG. 16, the mark detection sensor 16 may be installed at a position separated from the sealing device 17 by a distance obtained by adding the distance Lb and the design interval Xm. In this case, the mark detection sensor 16 detects the positional deviation of the mark 4b from its reference position, and the detected positional deviation is used to reach the position at the distance Lb from the sealing device 17. , the cover film 4 may be temporarily stopped.

Further, the arrangement positions of the pocket portion forming device 13 and the mark detection sensor 16 may be set so as to satisfy Lb=La±os. The offset amount os is determined based on the positional relationship between the molds 13a and 13b constituting the pocket portion forming device 13 and the reference position of the pocket portion forming device 13, the positional relationship between the various information 4a and the mark 4b, and the like. .

(b) In the above embodiment, each of the pocket position sensors 18 and 21 is configured to acquire information about the stop position of the pocket 2 along the conveying direction of the container film 3 as information about the position of the pocket 2. It is On the other hand, the pocket portion position sensors 18 and 21 may acquire information on the amount of positional deviation of the pocket portion 2 along the conveying direction of the container film 3 with respect to a preset reference position. In this case, the actual position utilization control unit 33 controls the respective position adjusting devices 19 and 22 so that the sealing device 17 and the punching device 20 are arranged at positions where the amount of positional deviation is zero. good.

(c) In the above embodiment, the first judgment position P1 is set at the position where the sealing device 17 is arranged, and the second judgment position P2 is set at the position where the punching device 20 is arranged. . On the other hand, the first determination position P1 may be positioned downstream of the pocket portion forming device 13 and upstream of the sealing device 17, and the second determination position P2 may be positioned downstream of the pocket portion forming device 13. and may be positioned upstream of the punching device 20 . Therefore, for example, the determination positions P1 and P2 may be arranged upstream from the sealing device 17 and the punching device 20 by less than the "one cycle normal conveying amount". In this configuration, the pocket portion position sensors 18 and 21 may acquire information regarding the position of the pocket portion 2 during movement at a predetermined timing. In this case, the actual position utilization control section 33 determines the position of the pocket portion when the sealing device 17 or the punching device 20 is stopped based on the obtained information and the transport amount of the container film 3 in the cycle when the information is obtained. 2 may be predicted, and the sealing device 17 and the punching device 20 may be arranged at this predicted position.

Further, for example, the determination positions P1 and P2 may be configured to be positions separated upstream from the sealing device 17 and the punching device 20 by the "one cycle normal conveying amount". In this configuration, the first pocket portion position sensor 18 and the second pocket portion position sensor 21 may acquire information regarding the position of the pocket portion 2 that is temporarily stopped. In this case, the actual position utilization control section 33 predicts the position of the pocket section 2 when it stops at the sealing device 17 or the punching device 20 based on the acquired information and the transport amount of the container film 3 in the next cycle. However, the operation may be such that the sealing device 17 and the punching device 20 are arranged at this predicted position.

By setting the determination positions P1 and P2 upstream of the sealing device 17 and the punching device 20, the sealing device 17 and the like are moved to the pocket while the pocket portion 2 is being conveyed to the sealing device 17 and the like. It is possible to move the pocket portion 2 to an appropriate position that matches the position of the portion 2 (that is, carry out the transport of the pocket portion 2 and the movement of the sealing device 17 and the like at the same time). Thereby, the production speed (production efficiency) of the blister pack 1 can be increased.

(d) In the above-described embodiment, the preheating range of the container film 3 along the transport direction of the container film 3 corresponds to one blister pack 1. 1 may be used. Further, preheating of a portion of the container film 3 to be formed corresponding to one blister pack 1 along the conveying direction of the container film 3 may be performed over a plurality of cycles. Alternatively, preheating may be performed stepwise so that the temperature of the portion to be formed gradually increases.

Furthermore, in accordance with the preheating mode of the preheating device 12, the transport amount of the container film 3, etc., the number of pockets 2 formed, the number of blister packs 1 obtained by punching, etc., during one cycle are appropriately changed. good too.

(e) In the above embodiment, the pocket portion position sensors 18 and 21 are the “determination means” for determining the presence or absence of the pocket portion 2 at the determination positions P1 and P2, and the pocket portion position sensors 18 and 21 at the determination positions P1 and P2. It also serves as the "pocket portion position obtaining means" for obtaining information about the position of the "determining means" and the "pocket portion position obtaining means" may be provided separately. In this case, as the determination means, the presence or absence of the pocket portion 2 is determined based on whether or not the pocket portion forming device 13 has performed the forming process of the pocket portion 2 on the container film 3 that has reached the determination positions P1 and P2. You can use things. By using such determination means, the presence or absence of the pocket portion 2 can be determined without providing a sensor or the like for detecting the pocket portion 2 . Therefore, the blister packaging machine 10 can be simplified and miniaturized, and the cost of manufacturing the blister packaging machine 10 can be reduced more effectively.

Incidentally, the determination means as described above can be configured by the control device 30, for example. That is, the portion of the container film 3 to be formed with the pocket portion 2 is numbered to the control device 30, and a signal input from the pocket portion forming device 13 (for example, a signal indicating that the pocket portion 2 has been formed) is input. , a function is provided for creating and storing data that associates the number of the portion to be formed with the formation/non-formation of the pocket portion 2 with respect to the portion to be formed. Further, the control device 30 is provided with a function to determine whether or not the pocket portion 2 exists at the determination positions P1 and P2 by collating the numbers of the portions to be formed that have reached the determination positions P1 and P2 with the data. The above determination means can be configured by the control device 30 having these functions.

(f) In the above embodiment, the movement of the sealing device 17 and the punching device 20 is performed in each cycle as long as the conditions for execution of control by the estimated position utilization control unit 34 are satisfied. Alternatively, the estimated position utilization control unit 34 may be configured to move the sealing device 17 and the punching device 20 every one or several cycles. Further, the estimated position utilization control section 34 may be configured to start moving the seal device 17 and the like from the cycle in which the first pocket section 2f reaches a predetermined position. Furthermore, the estimated position utilization control section 34 may be configured to move the sealing device 17 and the like only in the cycle in which the first pocket section 2f reaches a predetermined position. However, the amount of movement of the sealing device 17 and the punching device 20 during one cycle is preferably about several mm (for example, 2 mm) at maximum, as in the above embodiment.

(g) In the above embodiment, the pocket portion position estimator 32a is configured to estimate information regarding the position of the first pocket portion 2f along the conveying direction of the container film 3 based on the detection result of the mark detection sensor 16. However, the information may be estimated based on the transport amount of the container film 3 by the chain clip conveyor 11 . For example, the average conveying amount of the container film 3 in one cycle (for example, the average conveying amount when actually manufacturing the blister pack 1 using the films 3 and 4 of the same type) is obtained in advance, and based on this average conveying amount , the position of the first pocket portion 2f may be estimated. Also in this configuration, the position of the first pocket portion 2f can be easily and accurately estimated, and the cost of manufacturing the blister packaging machine 10 can be reduced.

Furthermore, it is also possible to measure or input the distance Xm between the marks 4b and estimate the position of the first pocket portion 2f based on the value calculated based on the distance Xm.

(h) In the above embodiment, both the sealing device 17 and the punching device 20 constitute the "processing means", but only one of the sealing device 17 and the punching device 20 constitutes the "processing means". You may That is, the technical idea of the present invention may be applied to only one of the sealing device 17 and the punching device 20. In this case, the sealing device 17 or the punching device 20 to which the technical idea of the present invention is not applied is moved in accordance with the movement of the sealing device 17 or the punching device 20 to which the technical idea is applied. There may be.

(i) In the above embodiment, the blister pack 1 has one pocket portion 2, but the number of pocket portions 2 provided in the blister pack 1 is not limited to the above embodiment. Blister packs 1 having various numbers of pockets 2 can be employed. That is, the technical idea of the present invention may be applied to manufacture of a blister pack having a plurality of pocket portions 2. Of course, the shape of the pocket portion 2 can also be changed as appropriate.

In the above embodiment, the blister film 6 has a plurality of pocket portions 2 along its width direction. A configuration including only the pocket portion 2 may be employed.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Blister pack, 2... Pocket part, 3... Container film, 4... Cover film, 5... Contents, 10... Blister packaging machine, 11... Chain clip conveyor (conveyance means), 12... Preheating device (preheating means), DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 13... Pocket part formation apparatus (pocket part formation means), 14... Supply apparatus (supply means), 16... Mark detection sensor (mark detection means), 17... Sealing apparatus (sealing means, processing means), 18... First pocket Part position sensor (determining means, pocket part position acquiring means), 19... Seal position adjusting device (processing position adjusting means), 20... Punching device (punching means, processing means), 21... Second pocket part position sensor ( determination means, pocket portion position acquisition means), 22... punching position adjusting device (processing position adjusting means), 31... conveying amount adjusting section (conveying amount adjusting means), 32a... pocket portion position estimating section (first pocket portion position estimating means), 33...actual position use control section (actual position use control means), 34...estimated position use control section (estimated position use control means).

Claims (12)

A blister packaging machine for manufacturing a blister pack in which contents are accommodated in a pocket formed in a container film and a cover film is attached to the container film so as to close the pocket. ,
a conveying means for intermittently conveying the strip-shaped container film;
preheating means for preheating the transported container film;
pocket portion forming means for forming the pocket portion in the container film softened by the preheating means;
supply means for supplying contents to the pocket portion formed by the pocket portion forming means;
provided downstream of the supply means and corresponding to a position where the container film and the band-shaped cover film are intermittently conveyed in an overlapping state, and is attached to the container film so as to close the opening of the pocket portion. sealing means for obtaining a strip-shaped blister film composed of the container film and the cover film by attaching the cover film;
punching means for obtaining the blister pack by punching the blister film downstream of the sealing means;
a plurality of mark detection means for detecting marks of the cover film, provided at intervals along the conveying direction of the cover film;
conveying amount adjusting means for adjusting the conveying amount of the container film by the conveying means based on the detection result of the mark detecting means;
At a position where processing means, which is at least one of the sealing means and the punching means, is arranged, or at a judgment position which is a position downstream from the pocket portion forming means and upstream from the processing means , determination means for determining the presence or absence of the pocket portion;
a processing position adjusting means capable of moving the processing means along the conveying path of the container film;
pocket position acquisition means for acquiring information about the position of the pocket along the transport direction of the container film when the determination means determines that the pocket exists;
When the determining means determines that the pocket portion does not exist, transporting the container film in the first pocket portion, which is the pocket portion that is scheduled to reach the processing means first when the container film is transported by the transporting means. fast pocket position estimating means for estimating information about position along a direction;
When the determination means determines that the pocket portion exists, the processing position adjustment means is controlled so that the processing means is arranged at a position corresponding to the information acquired by the pocket portion position acquisition means. a location utilization control means;
When the determining means determines that the pocket portion does not exist, the processing position adjusting means is controlled so that the processing means is arranged at a position corresponding to the information estimated by the first pocket portion position estimating means. estimated position utilization control means. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first pocket portion position estimating means estimates information regarding the position of said first pocket portion along the conveying direction of said container film based on the detection result of said mark detecting means. Blister packing machine. 2. The first pocket portion position estimating means estimates information regarding the position of the first pocket portion along the conveying direction of the container film based on the conveying amount of the container film by the conveying means. A blister packaging machine as described in . 4. The blister according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the estimated position utilization control means controls the processing position adjusting means so that the movement of the processing means is divided into a plurality of cycles. packing machine. The judging means judges whether or not the pocket portion exists on the container film that has reached the judging position based on whether or not the pocket portion forming process has been performed by the pocket portion forming means. A blister packaging machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4. 6. The pocket portion position acquiring means acquires information on the position of the pocket portion along the conveying direction of the container film at a position upstream of the processing means. A blister packaging machine as described in paragraph 1 above. A method for manufacturing a blister pack in which contents are accommodated in a pocket formed in a container film and a cover film is attached to the container film so as to close the pocket, comprising:
a conveying step of intermittently conveying the strip-shaped container film;
a preheating step of preheating the conveyed container film;
a pocket portion forming step of forming the pocket portion in the container film softened by the preheating step;
a supply step of supplying contents to the pocket portion formed by the pocket portion forming step;
After the content is supplied in the supply step, the opening of the pocket is closed by using a sealing means provided corresponding to a position where the container film and the strip-shaped cover film are intermittently conveyed in an overlapping state. a sealing step of obtaining a strip-shaped blister film composed of the container film and the cover film by attaching the cover film to the container film;
a punching step of punching the blister film to obtain the blister pack by punching means for punching the blister film after the cover film is attached to the container film in the sealing step;
a mark detection step of detecting a plurality of marks of the cover film provided at intervals along the conveying direction of the cover film;
a conveying amount adjusting step of adjusting the conveying amount of the container film in the conveying step based on the detection result of the mark detecting step;
At a position where processing means, which is at least one of the sealing means and the punching means, is arranged, or at a judgment position which is a position downstream from the pocket portion forming means and upstream from the processing means , a determination step of determining the presence or absence of the pocket portion;
a pocket portion position obtaining step of obtaining information about the position of the pocket portion along the conveying direction of the container film when the determining step determines that the pocket portion is present;
When the determining step determines that the pocket portion does not exist, transporting the container film in the first pocket portion, which is the pocket portion that is scheduled to reach the processing means first by transporting the container film in the transporting step. a fast pocket position estimation step for estimating information about position along a direction;
along the transport path of the container film so that the processing means is arranged at a position corresponding to the information acquired by the pocket portion position acquiring step when the pocket portion is determined to be present in the determining step; an actual position utilization control step of controlling a machining position adjusting means capable of moving the machining means by
When the determining step determines that the pocket portion does not exist, the processing position adjusting means is controlled so that the processing means is arranged at a position corresponding to the information estimated by the first pocket portion position estimating step. and an estimated position utilization control step. 8. The method according to claim 7, wherein in the first pocket portion position estimating step, information regarding the position of the first pocket portion along the conveying direction of the container film is estimated based on the detection result of the mark detecting step. A method for manufacturing a blister pack. 8. In the first pocket portion position estimation step, information relating to the position of the first pocket portion along the transport direction of the container film is estimated based on the transport amount of the container film in the transport step. A method for manufacturing a blister pack according to . 10. The blister according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein in the estimated position utilization control step, the processing position adjusting means is controlled so that the movement of the processing means is divided into a plurality of cycles. How the pack is made. In the determination step, the presence or absence of the pocket portion is determined based on whether or not the pocket portion formation process in the pocket portion formation step has been performed on the container film that has reached the determination position. A method for manufacturing a blister pack according to any one of claims 7 to 10. 12. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein in the pocket position acquiring step, information relating to the position of the pocket along the conveying direction of the container film at a position upstream of the processing means is acquired. A method for manufacturing a blister pack according to the above paragraph.

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