Packaging equipment

Abstract

The present invention provides a packaging device that allows for changes in the width of the bag used to package the items to be packaged. [Solution] The packaging device wraps the item to be packaged with film. The packaging device includes a joining section 20 for joining two films into a bag shape, and the joining section 20 includes three or more side joining sections 24 that are spaced apart in the width direction Y, and two of the three or more side joining sections 24 join both sides of the two films in the width direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a packaging device.

Background Art

[0002] There is known a packaging device that packages an object to be packaged by joining two films drawn from two film rolls into a bag shape. For example, a packaging device capable of reducing the defective joining of two films has been proposed (Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Customers of packaging devices have a demand for a packaging device that can change the width of the bag for packaging an object to be packaged.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in such a situation, and one of the exemplary purposes of a certain aspect thereof is to provide a packaging device capable of changing the width of the bag for packaging an object to be packaged.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, a packaging device according to an aspect of the present invention is a packaging device that packages an object to be packaged with a film, and includes a joining portion for joining two films into a bag shape. The joining portion includes three or more side joining portions that are spaced apart in the width direction. Both sides in the width direction of the two films are joined by two of the three or more side joining portions.

[0007] Furthermore, any combination of the above components, or any substitution of the components or expressions of this disclosure between methods, apparatus, systems, etc., is also valid as a form of this disclosure. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to this disclosure, a packaging device is available that allows for changes in the width of the bag. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of a packaging device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the packaging device in Figure 1, taken at the center in the width direction. [Figure 3] Figure 2 is a top view showing the joint and its surrounding area. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view of the external appearance of the packaging device according to Modification 5. [Figure 5] This is a lateral cross-sectional view of the packaging device according to Modification 5. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings, based on preferred embodiments. The embodiments are illustrative and not limiting, and not all features or combinations thereof described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the disclosure. The same or equivalent components, members, and processes shown in each drawing will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions will be omitted where appropriate.

[0011] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a packaging device 1 according to an embodiment. Figure 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the packaging device 1 at the center in the width direction. The packaging device 1 is a device that wraps an object to be packaged 100 with film. The object to be packaged 100 is inserted into the packaging device 1 from the insertion port 2, wrapped with film inside the packaging device 1, and discharged from the discharge port 43.

[0012] The insertion opening 2 is provided with a bottom guide 2a that guides the bottom surface of the packaged item 100 to be inserted, and side guides 2b that guide both sides in the width direction (left and right), making it easy for the user to insert by hand. In this embodiment, the user inserts the packaged item 100 by hand, but instead of guides 2a and 2b, a device that automatically supplies the packaged items 100 one by one may be provided to enable automatic supply.

[0013] The packaged item 100 can be inserted through the insertion port 2 and discharged through the discharge port 43, regardless of its shape or what it is. Examples of packaged items 100 include newspapers, books, and goods purchased from e-commerce sites (for example, online shopping sites).

[0014] The packaged item 100 may include a board-shaped backing and an article placed on the backing. In other words, the packaging device 1 may be a device that packages the article together with the backing. In this case, the packaging device 1 can also be considered a device that fixes the article to the backing with film.

[0015] An operation panel 45 is provided on one side in the width direction of the top surface of the packaging device 1. The operation panel 45 functions as an input unit that receives various inputs related to the packaging process, and also functions as a display unit that displays various information. A power switch 46 for supplying power to the packaging device 1 is provided on one side in the width direction of the side of the packaging device 1 that faces the insertion opening 2.

[0016] The packaging device 1 comprises a housing 6, roll support shafts 12 and 14 for supporting film rolls R1 and R2, a joining section 20 for joining the film into a bag shape, and a conveying mechanism 30 for transporting the packaged item 100 together with the film.

[0017] The housing 6 has an insertion port 2 located at the right end in FIG. 2 and a discharge port 43 located at the left end in FIG. 2. Hereinafter, the direction from the insertion port 2 toward the discharge port 43 (the left - right direction in FIG. 2) is referred to as the conveyance direction X, and in the conveyance direction X, the side of the insertion port 2 is the upstream side and the side of the discharge port 43 is the downstream side. Also, a certain direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction X (the direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper in FIG. 2) is referred to as the width direction Y.

[0018] As a modification, the packaging device 1 may be configured such that the conveyance direction X faces the vertical direction or substantially the vertical direction, for example, like the packaging device shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 of Japanese Patent Application Laid - Open No. 2022 - 178993 previously filed by the applicant of the present application. In this case, since the object to be packaged 100 falls by its own weight, it is also possible to adopt a configuration without the conveyance mechanism 30.

[0019] The packaging device 1 packages the object to be packaged 100 inserted from the insertion port 2 with a film until it is discharged from the discharge port 43.

[0020] The insertion port 2 is closed by a shutter 3. The shutter 3 is a plate - shaped member extending in the width direction. The shutter 3 is rotatable about a fulcrum 3a.

[0021] When the object to be packaged 100 is inserted from the insertion port 2, the shutter 3 is rotated in the clockwise direction in FIG. 2 by being pushed by the tip of the object to be packaged 100, and a gap is formed between the shutter 3 and the upper surface 4a of the front - rear receiving portion 4 of the front - rear receiving portion 4. The object to be packaged 100 is further inserted downstream through the gap.

[0022] The first roll support shaft 12 rotatably supports the film roll R1. The first roll support shaft 12 is provided such that the film roll R1 is located above the insertion port 2.

[0023] The second roll support shaft 14 rotatably supports the film roll R2. The second roll support shaft 14 is positioned so that the film roll R2 is located below the insertion opening 2.

[0024] Film rolls R1 and R2 may be shorter in the axial direction than those in the example in Figure 1. In this case, the side guide 2b may be moved in the width direction Y to match the axial dimensions of film rolls R1 and R2.

[0025] Film rolls R1 and R2 are made by winding long lengths of film around a core (for example, a paper tube). In this embodiment, the film is a thermoplastic resin film such as polyethylene. Film F1 is pulled out from film roll R1 and placed on guides 31 and 32, with its tip positioned below the front and rear joint 22 (described later). Film F2 is pulled out from film roll R2 and placed on guide 33, with its tip positioned below the front and rear joint 22. Films F1 and F2 are wider than the packaged item 100.

[0026] The leading edges F1a and F2a of films F1 and F2 were joined together during the previous packaging process. Also, the film rolls R1 and R2 are supported so as to be rotatable as described above. Therefore, when the object to be packaged 100 is inserted and moves downstream, the leading edges of films F1 and F2 are pushed downstream together with the object to be packaged 100, and the films F1 and F2 are pulled out from the film rolls R1 and R2 by the amount of movement.

[0027] The conveying mechanism 30 is provided downstream of the front and rear receiving sections 4. The configuration of the conveying mechanism 30 is not particularly limited, but in the illustrated example, it is a conveying mechanism that uses belts 34 and 35 for conveying. For example, two belts 34 and 35 are arranged with a gap in the width direction Y. Belt 34 is positioned above belt 35. When the motor M1 rotates under the control of the control unit 60, a driving force is applied to the pulley 36 and, consequently, the belt 35 placed on the pulley 36 via the drive transmission mechanism 37, causing belt 35 to rotate. Also, when the motor M1 rotates under the control of the control unit 60, a driving force is applied to the pulley 38 and, consequently, the belt 34 placed on the pulley 38 via a drive transmission mechanism (not shown), causing belt 34 to rotate. As belts 34 and 35 rotate with the packaged object 100 sandwiched between the films F1 and F2, the packaged object is conveyed downstream together with the films F1 and F2.

[0028] Figure 3 is a top view showing the joint 20 and its surroundings. The conveying mechanism 30 is not shown in Figure 3.

[0029] Refer to Figures 2 and 3. The joint 20 joins the films F1 and F2 into a bag shape, in other words, it forms a bag for packaging the product 100. It includes a front and rear joint 22 and three side joints 24. The front and rear joint 22 is a joint that extends in the width direction and joins the front and rear sides of the two films F1 and F2 in the transport direction. The three side joints 24 are joints that extend in the transport direction and join both sides (left and right) of the two films F1 and F2 in the width direction.

[0030] In this embodiment, the front and rear joint 22 and the three side joints 24 are heat-welded joints that join the two films F1 and F2 by heat welding. However, the front and rear joint 22 and the three side joints 24 may also be joints that join the two films F1 and F2 by other methods such as ultrasonic bonding.

[0031] The front-rear joint 22 is positioned above the front-rear receiving portion 4 on the downstream side (left side in Figure 2) of the shutter 3. In this embodiment, the front-rear joint 22 is a heater. The front-rear joint 22 is movable by a moving mechanism (not shown) between a standby position (position in Figure 2) where the lower end 22a is separated from the upper front-rear receiving surface 4a of the front-rear receiving portion 4, and a joint position where the lower end 22a reaches the upper front-rear receiving surface 4a of the front-rear receiving portion 4. The front-rear joint 22 is made of, for example, lightweight aluminum or an aluminum alloy with good thermal conductivity. The lower end 22a of the front-rear joint 22 is formed at an acute angle. A rubber heater (not shown) is baked onto the front-rear joint 22, and the front-rear joint 22 can be heated by energizing this rubber heater.

[0032] The three side joints 24 are located downstream of the front and rear joints 22. The three side joints 24 are spaced apart in the width direction. The first side joint 24_1 and the second side joint 24_2 are located on the outside, and the third side joint 24_3 is located between the first side joint 24_1 and the second side joint 24_2. For example, the first side joint 24_1 and the second side joint 24_2 are located on the outside of the belts 34 and 35 in the width direction Y, and the third side joint 24_3 is located between the two belts 34 and 35 in the width direction Y.

[0033] Each of the three side joints 24 faces each of the three side receiving portions 42 in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction X and the width direction Y (up and down direction in Figure 2). The three side receiving portions 42 extend in the transport direction X, similar to the corresponding side joints 24.

[0034] The side joint 24 is movable by a moving mechanism (not shown) between a standby position (position in Figure 2) where the lower end 24a is spaced apart from the upper surface 42a of the side receiving portion 42, and a joining position where the lower end 24a reaches the upper surface 42a of the side receiving portion 42. The side joint 24 is formed of lightweight aluminum or aluminum alloy with a rubber heater baked into it, similar to the front and rear joints 22, and its lower end is formed at an acute angle.

[0035] The film is joined on both sides in the width direction using two of the three side joints 24. Specifically, the film is joined on both sides in the width direction using either the first side joint 24_1 and the second side joint 24_2, the first side joint 24_1 and the third side joint 24_3, or the second side joint 24_2 and the third side joint 24_3.

[0036] Furthermore, one of the three side joints 24 may always be used. For example, the first side joint 24_1 may always be used, and the two sides in the width direction of the film may be joined using either the first side joint 24_1 and the second side joint 24_2, or the first side joint 24_1 and the third side joint 24_3.

[0037] When using two side joints, a first side joint 24_1 and a second side joint 24_2, the distance between the two side joints 24, i.e., the width of the joint, is W1. When using two side joints, a first side joint 24_1 and a third side joint 24_3, the distance between the two side joints 24, i.e., the width of the joint, is W2. When using two side joints, a second side joint 24_2 and a third side joint 24_3, the distance between the two side joints 24, i.e., the width of the joint, is W3.

[0038] The conveying belts 34 and 35 are preferably positioned near the inner side in the width direction of the first side joint 24_1 and the second side joint 24_2, respectively.

[0039] More preferably, the conveying mechanism's belt is also positioned near the third side joint 24_3. In configurations where the first side joint 24_1 is always used, it is preferable that the belt is positioned near the first side joint 24_1 side of the third side joint 24_3. In configurations where the belt may be joined using both the second side joint 24_2 and the third side joint 24_3, it is preferable that the belt is positioned near the first side joint 24_1 side of the third side joint 24_3 and near the second side joint 24_2 side of the third side joint 24_3.

[0040] The two side joints 24 used for joining may be specified by the user. For example, the user may operate the operation panel 45 to select the identification information of the two side joints 24 to be used for joining. In this case, the operation panel 45 transmits the identification information of the selected side joints 24 to the control unit 60. In the example shown in Figure 3, the first side joint 24_1 and the third side joint 24_3 should be selected.

[0041] The two side joints 24 used for joining may be determined automatically. In other words, the control unit 60 may determine them. For example, the control unit 60 may determine the two side joints 24 used for joining based on the width Y dimension of the packaged item 100. Alternatively, the control unit 60 may determine the two side joints 24 used for joining based on the width dimensions of the film rolls R1 and R2, or the range of existence of the film rolls R1 and R2 in the width direction. In the example shown in Figure 3, it is sufficient for the first side joint 24_1 and the third side joint 24_3 to be determined.

[0042] If the three side joints 24 can move independently between their respective standby positions and joining positions, the side joints 24 not used for joining may be left in the standby position during joining. For example, if the third side joint 24_3 is moved to the joining position when it is not being used, the third side joint 24_3 may press against the packaged item 100 through the film, potentially damaging the packaged item 100. In contrast, by leaving the third side joint 24_3 in the standby position, the third side joint 24_3 does not press against the packaged item 100 through the film, thus preventing damage to the packaged item 100.

[0043] Preferably, the side joints 24 that are not used for joining are not heated. This reduces power consumption. Also, if the side joints 24 that are not used for joining are not heated, even if the side joints 24 come into contact with the film, the film will not be joined by the side joints 24, and therefore they can be moved together with the two side joints 24 that are used for joining. In other words, the moving mechanism for moving the three side joints 24 can be standardized to reduce costs. To prevent the packaged item 100 from being crushed or damaged by the third side joint 24_3 pressing against the packaged item 100 through the film when the third side joint 24_3 is not used, at least the third side joint 24_3 may be configured to be expandable and contractible in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction X and the width direction Y (up and down direction in Figure 2), and may include an elastic expandable part such as a spring. If the third side joint 24_3 is not used and comes into contact with the packaged item 100 through the film, the elastic stretchable portion will contract, preventing the third side joint 24_3 from strongly pressing against the packaged item 100 through the film, thereby preventing the packaged item 100 from being crushed or damaged. The elastic restoring force of the elastic stretchable portion should be such that it does not damage the packaged item 100.

[0044] A first sensor 50 is positioned upstream of the front and rear joint 22, a second sensor 52 is positioned downstream of the front and rear joint 22 and upstream of the side joint 24, and a third sensor 54 is positioned near the discharge port 43. Sensors 50, 52, and 54 can detect the leading or trailing end of the packaged object 100 at their respective locations.

[0045] The control unit 60 comprehensively controls the packaging device 1. The control unit 60 controls actuators such as the motor M1 that drive each mechanism, heaters for welding the film, and the display of information on the operation panel 45. For example, the control unit 60 controls the motor M1 based on the detection results of the packaged object 100 by sensors 50, 52, and 54 to start and stop the rotation of belts 34 and 35.

[0046] The operation of the packaging device 1, configured as described above, is now explained. The item to be packaged 100 is inserted through the insertion opening 2. When the first sensor 50 detects the leading edge of the item to be packaged 100, that is, when it detects that the item to be packaged 100 has been inserted, the control unit 60 starts the belts 34 and 35 to rotate. When the item to be packaged 100 pushes aside the shutter 3 and reaches the belts 34 and 35, the item to be packaged 100 is transported downstream by the belts 34 and 35. When the second sensor 52 detects the trailing end of the item to be packaged, the control unit 60 stops the rotation of the belts 34 and 35. This stops the transport of the item to be packaged 100.

[0047] The control unit 60 lowers the front and rear joining section 22 from the standby position to the joining position, sandwiches the films F1 and F2 between the front and rear joining section 22 and the front and rear receiving section 4, and joins (heat-welds) the rear side in the transport direction X. The control unit 60 also lowers, for example, two of the three side joining sections 24, sandwiches the films F1 and F2 between these two side joining sections 24 and the corresponding side receiving section 42, and joins (heat-welds) both sides in the width direction Y. The control unit 60 raises the side joining sections 24 back to the standby position. The control unit 60 restarts the circumferential drive of the belts 34 and 35 and resumes transporting the packaged goods 100. Since the front and rear joining section 22 is in the welding position, the films F1 and F2 are cut at that welding position.

[0048] Films F1 and F2 are joined on both sides in the width direction by side joints 24, the upstream side (rear side in the transport direction) is joined and cut by front-to-rear joints 22, and the downstream side (front side in the transport direction) is welded in the previous packaging process. Therefore, through these operations, films F1 and F2 are welded around the packaged item 100, and a packaged product of the packaged item 100 is obtained.

[0049] The packaged product 100 is transported on belts 34 and 35 and discharged from the discharge port 43. When the third sensor 54 detects the rear end of the packaged product, i.e., when the packaged product has been discharged, the control unit 60 stops the rotation of belts 34 and 35. The control unit 60 raises the front and rear joint 22 to the standby position.

[0050] According to the packaging device 1 of this embodiment, the width of the joint, that is, the width of the bag that encloses the packaged item 100, can be changed in the width direction Y.

[0051] The present disclosure has been described above based on embodiments. These embodiments are illustrative, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications are possible in combinations of their components and processing processes, and that such modifications are also within the scope of the present disclosure. Such modifications will be described below.

[0052] (Variation 1) In this embodiment, the packaged object 100 is sandwiched between two films F1 and F2, and both sides of the films F1 and F2 in the width direction Y are joined. However, the two films F1 and F2 may be joined on both sides in the width direction Y before the packaged object 100 is sandwiched between the two films F1 and F2, for example, before the packaged object 100 is inserted into the packaging device 1. In this case, since the packaged object 100 is not present between the third side joint 24_3 and the corresponding side receiving portion 42, even if the third side joint 24_3 is not used for joining, and the third side joint 24_3 is moved to the joining position along with the first side joint 24_1 and the second side joint 24_2, no problems will occur as long as the third side joint 24_3 is not heated. Therefore, the moving mechanism for moving the three side joints 24 can be standardized to reduce costs.

[0053] In this embodiment, the films F1 and F2, which were joined in the previous packaging process, were pulled out from the film rolls R1 and R2 by pressing their leading edges together with the object to be packaged 100. However, if the two films F1 and F2 are joined on both sides in the width direction Y before the object to be packaged 100 is sandwiched between the two films F1 and F2, then it is necessary to pull out the films F1 and F2 from the film rolls R1 and R2 by another means. Known techniques can be used for this means, but one example is that the films F1 and F2 may be pulled out from the film rolls R1 and R2 using a pair of rollers.

[0054] (Modification 2) Unlike the embodiments and the modifications described above, at least one side joint 24 may be movable in the width direction. That is, the size of the widths W1, W2, or W3 may be changeable.

[0055] (Variation 3) In the embodiment and the above-described modifications, the joint portion 20 includes three side joint portions 24, but the joint portion 20 may include four or more side joint portions 24. In other words, the joint portion 20 includes three or more side joint portions 24, and it is sufficient if two of these three or more side joint portions 24 can be used to join both sides of the two films F1 and F2 in the width direction Y.

[0056] (Modification 4) Unlike the embodiment and the above-described modifications, the side receiving portion 42 may be provided with only two. In this case, the two receiving portions 42 are configured to be movable and moved to face the two side joining portions 24 used for joining.

[0057] (Variation 5) Figures 4 and 5 show packaging devices to which the technical concept of this disclosure can be applied, and which have different configurations from those shown in Figures 1 and 2. Figure 4 is an external perspective view of the packaging device according to Modification 5. Figure 5 is a side cross-sectional view of the packaging device according to Modification 5. Figures 4 and 5 correspond to the packaging devices described in Figures 1 and 2 of Patent Document 2, respectively. Some reference numerals in the packaging devices described in Figures 4 and 5 overlap with those in the packaging devices of the embodiments described in Figures 1 to 3, but the reference numerals in Figures 4 and 5 indicate the components described in Patent Document 2.

[0058] The packaging machine 1 of Modification 5 wraps items fed in from the input port 2 by sandwiching them between film F and discharges the wrapped products from the discharge port 9. It can be configured similarly to Patent Document 2, except that there are three or more side heaters 41 in the width direction (Y direction in Figures 4 and 5). Furthermore, the configurations described in the embodiment explained using Figures 1 to 3 and the above-mentioned modifications can be applied to the point that there are three or more side heaters 41.

[0059] Patent Document 2 describes a configuration in which, when receiving an item to be packaged, the ends of the two packaging materials (film F) in the width direction are not joined. However, in the present disclosure of a device equipped with three or more side joining parts (side heaters 41), the configuration may be such that the ends of the two packaging materials (film F) in the width direction are joined before receiving the item to be packaged.

[0060] The embodiments and variations described above can be generalized to obtain the following configurations.

[0061] [Aspect 1] A packaging device for wrapping items with film, It has a joint for joining two films together to form a bag, The aforementioned joint includes three or more side joints that are spaced apart in the width direction, The two films are joined on both sides in the width direction by two of the three or more side joints. packaging equipment.

[0062] [Aspect 2] The aforementioned side joint is a heater that heat-seals the two films together. The packaging apparatus described in Embodiment 1.

[0063] [Aspect 3] Only two of the three or more side joints are heated. The packaging apparatus according to embodiment 2. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0064] 1 packaging device, 20 joints, 24 side joints.

Claims

1. A packaging device for wrapping items with film, It has a joint for joining two films together to form a bag, The aforementioned joint includes three or more side joints that are spaced apart in the width direction, The two films are joined on both sides in the width direction by two of the three or more side joints. packaging equipment.

2. The aforementioned side joint is a heater that heat-seals the two films together. The packaging apparatus according to claim 1.

3. Only two of the three or more side joints are heated. The packaging apparatus according to claim 2.

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