Packaging method and packaging device

Abstract

An object of the present disclosure is to stabilize the shape of the stepped recess and prevent damage from occurring in the deeper part of the stepped recess. The packaging apparatus includes: a molding machine that forms a recess in a film and forms a convex portion on the bottom of the recess; a convex-concave inverter that deforms the convex portion into a second recess that is recessed from the bottom of the recess; and a sealing machine that seals a cover material on the film so as to cover the recess containing an article with the cover material.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a packaging method and a packaging apparatus. Background Art

[0002] A deep-drawn package includes: a first film formed with a concave pocket for accommodating an article; and a second film attached to the first film to cover the pocket. In the manufacture of a deep-drawn package, for example, a deep-drawing packaging apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 (for example, see Patent Document 1) is used. The deep-drawing packaging apparatus includes, in order from the upstream side: a lower film feeder, a forming machine, an upper film feeder, a sealing machine, a transverse cutter, a longitudinal cutter, and the like. The lower film is sent out from the lower film feeder and is sequentially conveyed to the forming machine, the sealing machine, the transverse cutter, and the longitudinal cutter by a film conveyor. The forming machine forms a pocket on the lower film by a vacuum forming method. On the downstream side of the forming machine, after the article is supplied to the pocket by an operator or a supply device, the upper film sent out from the upper film feeder is overlapped on the lower film. The sealing machine heat-seals the upper film to the lower film. The transverse cutter cuts the sealed upper and lower films in the width direction, and the longitudinal cutter cuts the sealed upper and lower films in the conveying direction.

[0003] Prior Art Documents

[0004] Patent Documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2014-065574 Summary of the Invention

[0006] (1) Technical Problem to be Solved

[0007] However, when the height of the article to be packaged is high, it is necessary to deepen the pocket. Further, when the thickness of the article gradually decreases in the height direction, it is necessary to form the pocket into a stepped concave portion. The stepped concave portion means a concave portion whose inner diameter gradually decreases as it goes deeper.

[0008] When a deep stepped concave portion is vacuum-formed by the forming machine, the deeper part of the stepped concave portion in the lower film is greatly extended. Therefore, the shape of the stepped concave portion is unstable, and accidental damage may occur in the deeper part of the stepped concave portion.

[0009] Therefore, the present disclosure is made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to stabilize the shape of the stepped concave portion and prevent damage from occurring in the deeper part of the stepped concave portion.

[0010] (2) Technical Solution

[0011] In order to solve the above problems, a packaging method is provided, which includes: a forming process of forming a concave portion on a film and forming a convex portion on the bottom of the concave portion; a convex-concave inversion process of deforming the convex portion into a second concave portion recessed from the bottom of the concave portion; a supply process of supplying an article into the concave portion and the second concave portion; and a sealing process of sealing a cover material on the film in such a manner that the concave portion is covered with the cover material.

[0012] In addition, in order to solve the above problems, a packaging device is provided, which includes: a forming machine that forms a concave portion on a film and forms a convex portion on the bottom of the concave portion; a convex-concave inversion machine that deforms the convex portion into a second concave portion recessed from the bottom of the concave portion; and a sealing machine that seals a cover material on the film in such a manner that the concave portion containing the article is covered with the cover material.

[0013] (III) Advantageous Effects

[0014] According to the present disclosure, in the second concave portion, the film does not become thinner, and the shapes of the concave portion and the second concave portion are stable. Moreover, damage to the film can be prevented in the second concave portion. Description of the Drawings

[0015] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a deep-drawn package.

[0016] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a deep-drawing packaging device.

[0017] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a lower film formed with a stepped pocket.

[0018] Figure 4 is a top view of a female mold.

[0019] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the female mold and a heating device.

[0020] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the state of a process during the operation of the female mold and the heating device.

[0021] Figure 7 is showing Figure 6 the state after forming of the process in.

[0022] Figure 8 is a top view of the convex-concave inversion machine.

[0023] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the convex-concave inversion machine.

[0024] Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the state of a process during the operation of the convex-concave inversion machine.

[0025] Figure 11It is a cross-sectional view of the molding machine of the modified example.

[0026] Figure 12 It is a cross-sectional view of the convex-concave turnover machine of the modified example.

[0027] Figure 13 It is a cross-sectional view of the convex-concave turnover machine of the modified example.

[0028] Figure 14 It is a cross-sectional view of the deep-drawing package of the modified example. Detailed implementation manners

[0029] The embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, in the embodiments described below, various technically preferred limitations are added. Therefore, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments and illustrated examples.

[0030] <<1. Deep-drawing package>>

[0031] Figure 1 It is a cross-sectional view of the deep-drawing package 100.

[0032] The deep-drawing package 100 includes: a storage film 103, a cover film 107, and an article 109. The deep-drawing package 100, the storage film 103, and the cover film 107 are formed in a rectangular shape when viewed from above.

[0033] The article 109 is, for example, a rubber nipple installed at the mouth of a baby bottle. The article 109 includes: a dome-shaped base portion 109a, and a nipple portion 109b protruding from the top of the base portion 109a. In addition, the article 109 may be other articles other than the rubber nipple, such as food.

[0034] The storage film 103 is made of a thermoplastic resin. A stepped pocket 105 is formed on the storage film 103. The stepped pocket 105 is concave on the cover film 107 side and convex on the side opposite to the cover film 107. The stepped pocket 105 is composed of a circular first-stage concave portion 105a and a circular second-stage concave portion 105b that is recessed at the central portion of the bottom of the concave portion 105a. The article 109 is stored in the stepped pocket 105. Specifically, the base portion 109a of the article 109 is received by being inserted into the second-stage concave portion 105b, and the base portion 109a of the article 109 is received by being inserted into the first-stage concave portion 105a.

[0035] The cover film 107 is made of a sealing film. The cover film 107 covers the stepped pocket 105 and the article 109, and is attached to the storage film 103 around the stepped pocket 105.

[0036] A plurality of deep-drawn packages 100 are arranged in a row or in a grid pattern, and they can also be connected. An object that connects a plurality of deep-drawn packages 100 is called a connected package. When the deep-drawn packages 100 are separated into individual ones, each deep-drawn package 100 is called a single package.

[0037] Hereinafter, a manufacturing method and a manufacturing apparatus (i.e., a deep-drawing packaging apparatus 1) of the deep-drawn package 100 will be described in detail.

[0038] <<2. Deep-drawing packaging apparatus and deep-drawing packaging method>>

[0039] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the deep-drawing packaging apparatus 1.

[0040] The deep-drawing packaging apparatus 1 includes: a storage film supply machine 20, a film conveyor 25, a cover film supply machine 30, a forming machine 40, a concave-convex turning machine 46, an article supply machine 50, a sealing machine 60, a cross cutter 70, and a longitudinal cutter 80.

[0041] (1) Storage film supply machine

[0042] The storage film supply machine 20 supplies the storage film 3 from the original roll 2 around which the strip-shaped storage film 3 is wound to the upstream end of the film conveyor 25. Here, the above-mentioned storage film 103 is obtained by cutting the storage film 3.

[0043] The storage film supply machine 20 has a support shaft 21 and a plurality of guide rollers 22 that are parallel to each other. The original roll 2 is supported on the support shaft 21. The guide rollers 22 are arranged from the support shaft 21 to the upstream end of the film conveyor 25. The storage film 3 drawn from the original roll 2 is wound around these guide rollers 22 and is guided from the support shaft 21 to the upstream end of the film conveyor 25.

[0044] (2) Film conveyor

[0045] The film conveyor 25 is provided on both sides of the conveying path of the storage film 3, and holds both side portions of the storage film 3 that are horizontal on the downstream side of the guide rollers 22, and intermittently conveys the storage film 3.

[0046] The film conveyor 25 has a pair of endless chains, a plurality of claws, and an electric motor. The pair of endless chains are wound around a plurality of sprockets provided on both sides of the conveying path of the storage film 3 on the downstream side of the guide rollers 22. The plurality of claws are installed on the endless chains at a predetermined interval, and the side portions of the storage film 3 are held by the claws. When the endless chains are intermittently moved by the electric motor, the storage film is intermittently conveyed. The conveying distance of each time by the film conveyor 25 is equivalent to the amount of the number (specifically, two) in the conveying direction of the stepped pocket 105 formed by each forming action of the forming machine 40 described later.

[0047] (3) Cover film supply machine

[0048] The lid film supply machine 30 supplies the lid film 7, which is a strip-shaped lid material wound around the original roll 6, to the middle section of the conveyor 25. Here, the above-mentioned lid film 107 is obtained by cutting the lid film 7.

[0049] The lid film supply machine 30 has a support shaft 31 and a plurality of guide rollers 32 that are parallel to each other. The original roll 6 is supported on the support shaft 31. The guide rollers 32 are arranged from the support shaft 31 to the middle section of the film conveyor 25. The lid film 7 drawn out from the original roll 6 is guided from the support shaft 31 to the middle section of the film conveyor 25 by being wound around these guide rollers 32. At a position on the film conveyor 25 that is downstream of the middle section, the lid film 7 overlaps the storage film 3, and the lid film 7 and the storage film 3 are intermittently conveyed together.

[0050] (4) Forming machine

[0051] On the conveying path of the storage film 3, a forming machine 40, a concavo-convex turning machine 46, a sealing machine 60, a cross-cutting machine 70, and a longitudinal cutting machine 80 are sequentially arranged from the upstream. The forming machine 40 is arranged upstream of the position where the lid film 7 overlaps the storage film 3. The sealing machine 60, the cross-cutting machine 70, and the longitudinal cutting machine 80 are arranged downstream of the position where the lid film 7 overlaps the storage film 3. An article supply machine 50 is arranged on the side of the conveying path of the storage film 3 between the forming machine 40 and the sealing machine 60.

[0052] Whenever the conveyance of the storage film 3 stops, the forming machine 40 forms the concavo-convex portions 5 on the storage film 3 by vacuum forming as Figure 3 shown. The concavo-convex portions 5 formed by the forming machine 40 have: a circular concave portion 105a that is recessed on the upper surface of the storage film 3, and a truncated cone-shaped convex portion 5b that protrudes from the center of the bottom of the concave portion 105a. On the lower surface of the storage film 3, the back side of the concave portion 105a protrudes, and the back side of the convex portion 5b is recessed. The number of concavo-convex portions 5 formed each time by the forming machine 40 is six in total, three in the width direction and two in the conveying direction.

[0053] Figure 4 is a top view of the female mold (concave mold) 42 of the forming machine 40, Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the forming machine 40. Figure 5 The position of the cross-section of Figure 4 is indicated by V-V in Figure 4 and Figure 5As shown, the molding machine 40 has a heating device 41 on the upper side and a female mold (concave mold) 42 on the lower side. The storage film 3 is conveyed from the upstream side to the downstream side between the heating device 41 and the female mold 42. The heating device 41 and the female mold 42 are driven by an actuator such as a cylinder to contact and separate from each other in the vertical direction. When the heating device 41 descends and the female mold 42 ascends, the storage film 3 is clamped between the heating device 41 and the female mold 42. On the other hand, when the heating device 41 ascends and the female mold 42 descends, the heating device 41 and the female mold 42 separate from the storage film 3.

[0054] On the upper surface of the female mold 42, six circular concave portions 42a are formed, three in the width direction and two in the conveying direction. In the center of the bottom of each concave portion 42a, a frustum-shaped convex portion 42b is formed. An air flow path 42c is formed inside the female mold 42, and the ends of the air flow path 42c open on the surfaces of the concave portion 42a and the convex portion 42b. The air flow path 42c is connected to a pneumatic device composed of a vacuum device, a regulator, a valve, etc.

[0055] The operation of the molding machine 40 will be described.

[0056] When intermittently conveying the storage film 3 as described above, when the conveyance of the storage film 3 temporarily stops, the actuator drives the heating device 41 and the female mold 42. Then, as Figure 6 shown, the heating device 41 descends and the female mold 42 ascends, and the storage film 3 is clamped between the heating device 41 and the female mold 42. Therefore, the storage film 3 is heated by the heating device 41 and softened.

[0057] After that, the air in the concave portion 42a of the female mold 42 is sucked by the pneumatic device to make the air pressure in the concave portion 42a negative. Then, as Figure 7 shown, the storage film 3 deforms in a manner that closely adheres to the surfaces of the concave portion 42a and the convex portion 42b, and uneven portions 5 are formed on the storage film 3. Here, the extension of the portion of the storage film 3 that closely adheres to the surface of the convex portion 42b is smaller than the extension of the portion that closely adheres to the bottom of the concave portion 42a, and thinning of the storage film 3 at the convex portion 5b can be prevented. In particular, extension and thinning of the storage film 3 at the top of the convex portion 5b basically do not occur.

[0058] After that, the suction of the pneumatic device is released. Then, the heating device 41 ascends and the female mold 42 descends, and the uneven portions 5 disengage from the concave portion 42a. After that, the conveyance of the storage film 3 by the film conveyor 25 is restarted.

[0059] In addition, the forming method using the forming machine 40 may be a pressure-air forming method or a vacuum-pressure-air forming method. In the case of pressure-air forming, when compressed air is supplied between the heating device 41 and the storage film 3 by means of a pneumatic device, the storage film 3 deforms so as to closely adhere to the surfaces of the concave portion 42a and the convex portion 42b, and the concave and convex portions 5 are formed on the storage film 3. In the case of the vacuum-pressure-air forming method, compressed air is supplied between the heating device 41 and the storage film 3, and the air in the concave portion 42a of the female mold 42 is sucked by a pneumatic device.

[0060] (5) Concave and Convex Inverting Machine

[0061] Figure 8 is a top view of the concave and convex inverting machine 46, Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the concave and convex inverting machine 46. Figure 9 The position of the cross-section of Figure 8 is indicated by IX-IX in

[0062] The concave and convex inverting machine 46 sucks the concave and convex portions 5 from the back side (i.e., the lower side) of the storage film 3, so that the convex portion 5b of the concave and convex portions 5 deforms in such a way as to be recessed downward from the bottom of the concave portion 105a. Thus, the convex portion 5b is deformed into the concave portion 105b.

[0063] The concave and convex inverting machine 46 can be driven by an actuator such as a cylinder to move in the vertical direction. On the upper surface of the concave and convex inverting machine 46, a total of six stepped concave portions 47 are formed, three in the width direction and two in the conveying direction. Each stepped concave portion 47 is composed of a first-stage circular concave portion 47a recessed in the upper surface of the concave and convex inverting machine 46 and a second-stage circular concave portion 47b recessed in the central portion of the bottom of the concave portion 47a. An air flow path 48 is formed inside the concave and convex inverting machine 46, and the ends of the air flow path 48 open on the surfaces of the concave portions 47a and 47b. The air flow path 48 is connected to a pneumatic device composed of a vacuum device, a regulator, a valve, etc.

[0064] The operation of the concave and convex inverting machine 46 will be described.

[0065] When the storage film 3 is intermittently conveyed as described above, when the conveyance of the storage film 3 temporarily stops, the actuator drives the concave and convex inverting machine 46. Then, the concave and convex inverting machine 46 rises, and the back side of the concave portion 105a of the concave and convex portions 5 is received in the concave portion 47a of the stepped concave portion 47 (see Figure 9 ).

[0066] After that, the air in the concave portions 47a and 47b is sucked by the pneumatic device to make the air pressure in the concave portions 47a and 47b negative. Then, as shown in Figure 10As shown, the back side of the concave portion 105a of the concavo-convex portion 5 is in close contact with the surface of the concave portion 47a, and the back side of the convex portion 5b is sucked into the concave portion 47b and is in close contact with the surface of the concave portion 47b. Thus, the convex portion 5b is deformed into the concave portion 105b. Here, since the concavo-convex inverter 46 is not heated, almost no stretching of the storage film 3 occurs in the concave portion 105b, and the storage film 3 does not become thinner in the concave portion 105b. Therefore, the shape of the stepped pocket 105 is stable.

[0067] After that, the suction of the pneumatic device is released. Then, the concavo-convex inverter 46 descends, the back side of the concave portion 105a detaches from the concave portion 47a, and the back side of the concave portion 105b detaches from the concave portion 47b. After that, the conveyance of the storage film 3 by the film conveyor 25 is restarted.

[0068] At a position far from the concavo-convex inverter 46 toward the downstream side, since the cover film 7 overlaps the storage film 3, the concave portion 105a of the stepped pocket 105 is covered by the cover film 7. The position where the cover film 7 overlaps the storage film 3 is called the laminating position.

[0069] (6) Article feeder

[0070] The article feeder 50 is provided beside the concavo-convex inverter 46 or beside the conveyance path of the storage film 3 from the concavo-convex inverter 46 to the laminating position. The article feeder 50 is a device that automatically supplies the article 109 into the stepped pocket 105, for example, a multi-axis robot. In addition, the article feeder 50 may use a chute conveyor instead of the multi-axis robot.

[0071] When the article feeder 50 supplies the article 109 to the stepped pocket 105, the stepped pocket 105 is located in the stepped concave portion 47 of the concavo-convex inverter 46. The timing for the article feeder 50 to supply the article 109 to the stepped pocket 105 is during the period from when the air in the stepped concave portion 47 is sucked by the pneumatic device until the suction is released. Therefore, immediately after the stepped pocket 105 is just formed by the concavo-convex inverter 46, the back sides of the concave portion 105a and the concave portion 105b of the storage film 3 are in close contact with the inner surface of the stepped concave portion 47 due to suction, so the opening of the stepped pocket 105 is open, and the article 109 can be reliably supplied by the article feeder 50. In addition, even if the concavo-convex inverter 46 is provided on the downstream side of the molding machine 40, the range from the molding machine 40 to the laminating position is not enlarged. Therefore, the size increase of the deep drawing packaging device 1 can be suppressed, and the cycle time from when the storage film 103 is sent out from the storage film feeder 20 until the deep drawing package 100 is completed can be suppressed from being prolonged.

[0072] In addition, the article supply machine 50 can also be a device that supplies the articles 109 to the stepped pockets 105 while moving downstream from the convex-concave turnover machine 46. Alternatively, the supply can be carried out manually instead of using the article supply machine 50.

[0073] (7) Sealing machine

[0074] Whenever the conveyance of the storage film 3 stops, the sealing machine 60 thermally seals the storage film 3 and the cover film 7 that overlaps therewith. In each sealing process, the articles 109 in a total of six stepped pockets 105, three in the width direction and two in the conveyance direction, are sealed between the storage film 3 and the cover film 7.

[0075] The sealing machine 60 includes: a lower box body 610, an upper box body 620, and a hot plate. A recess is accommodated in the lower surface of the upper box body 620, and the hot plate is provided in the recess in a vertically movable manner. A plurality of accommodation recesses are formed in the upper surface of the lower box body 610.

[0076] The operation of the sealing machine 60 will be described.

[0077] When the conveyance of the storage film 3 and the cover film 7 stops, the lower box body 610 and the upper box body 620 are brought closer to each other by an actuator. Then, the storage film 3 and the cover film 7 are clamped between the upper surface of the lower box body 610 and the lower surface of the upper box body 620 around the recess on the lower surface of the upper box body 620, and the stepped pockets 105 and the articles 109 are accommodated in the recess on the upper surface of the upper box body 620. After that, when the hot plate descends by an actuator, correspondingly, the storage film 3 and the cover film 7 are clamped between the lower surface of the hot plate and the upper surface of the lower box body 610 around the accommodation recess on the upper surface of the lower box body 610, and thermal sealing is performed. The portion of the storage film 3 where thermal sealing is performed is the portion other than the stepped pockets 105.

[0078] After thermal sealing, the hot plate rises by an actuator, and the lower box body 610 and the upper box body 620 are separated from each other by an actuator.

[0079] (7) Cross-cutting machine

[0080] Whenever the conveyance of the storage film 3 and the cover film 7 stops once, the cross-cutting machine 70 cuts the portion between the adjacent stepped pockets 105 of the storage film 3 and the cover film 7 in the conveyance direction. Thus, a multi-pack is finally formed. In addition, a plurality of cross-cutting machines 70 can be arranged in the conveyance direction to finally form single packs.

[0081] Alternatively, every time the conveyance of the storage film 3 stops multiple times, the cross cutter 70 cuts the portion between the stepped pockets 105 adjacent in the conveyance direction. In this case, a multi-pack is finally produced. Additionally, the cross cutter 70 may also round the corners corresponding to the final single pack or multi-pack.

[0082] (8) Longitudinal cutter

[0083] The longitudinal cutter 80 continuously cuts both side portions of the storage film 3 and the lid film 7, and also continuously cuts between the stepped pockets 105 adjacent in the width direction. Additionally, the cutting between the stepped pockets 105 adjacent in the width direction may not be performed using the longitudinal cutter 80. In this case, a multi-pack is finally produced.

[0084] The storage film 3 and the lid film 7 are passed through the longitudinal cutter 80 to complete the single pack or multi-pack.

[0085] <<3. Advantageous effects>>

[0086] (1) When the uneven portion 5 is formed, the extension of the portion of the storage film 3 that closely adheres to the convex portion 42b of the female mold 42 is small. In particular, the extension of the convex portion 5b that becomes the bottom of the package 100 is small, and it is not easy for the storage film 3 to become thinner or be damaged at the convex portion 5b. Since such a convex portion 5b is turned over and the convex portion 5b is deformed into a concave portion 105b, thinning and damage of the storage film 3 in the concave portion 105b can be suppressed. That is, even when forming a deep stepped pocket 105, it is easy to maintain the shape of the concave portion 105b, which is the deeper part of the stepped pocket 105, and the shape of the stepped pocket 105 is stable. Such an effect is also accompanied by the additional effect of being able to make the storage film 3 wound around the original roll 2 thinner.

[0087] (2) Even if the uneven turning machine 46 is provided on the downstream side of the molding machine 40, it is possible to suppress the enlargement of the deep drawing packaging device 1 and to suppress the extension of the cycle time from when the storage film 103 is sent out from the storage film supply machine 20 until the deep drawing package 100 is completed.

[0088] <<4. Modification examples>>

[0089] The above describes the embodiments. The description of the above embodiments is for easy understanding of the present invention rather than limiting the interpretation of the present invention. Additionally, the embodiments can be changed and improved without departing from the gist of the present invention, and equivalent methods are also included in the present invention. The following describes the points of change of the above embodiments.

[0090] (1) Modification example 1

[0091] Figure 11It is a cross-sectional view of the molding machine 40A provided in place of the above-mentioned molding machine 40. The same reference numerals are assigned to the corresponding components between the molding machine 40A and the above-mentioned molding machine 40.

[0092] Similar to the female mold 42 of the molding machine 40, on the upper surface of the female mold 42 of the molding machine 40A, a total of six circular recesses 42a are formed, three in the width direction and two in the conveying direction. At the center of the bottom of each recess 42a, a frustum-shaped convex portion 42b is formed. Around the convex portion 42b at the bottom of each recess 42a, an annular convex portion 42d is formed, and the convex portion 42b is surrounded by the annular convex portion 42d. In Figure 11 the example, the convex portion 42b is surrounded by one layer of the annular convex portion 42d, but it can also be surrounded by two or more layers of the annular convex portion 42d.

[0093] The operation of this molding machine 40A will be described. When the conveyance of the storage film 3 is temporarily stopped, the heating device 41 descends and the female mold 42A ascends. Then, the air in the recess 42a of the female mold 42 is sucked by the pneumatic equipment. Thus, a recess 105a is formed on the storage film 3, and a convex portion 5b and an annular convex portion 5d surrounding the convex portion 5b are formed on the bottom of the recess 105a. Then, the suction of the pneumatic equipment is released. Next, the heating device 41 ascends and the female mold 42 descends, and the heating device 41 and the female mold 42 are separated from the storage film 3.

[0094] On the downstream side of this molding machine 40A, a convex-concave turnover machine 46A as shown in Figure 12 is provided in place of the above-mentioned convex-concave turnover machine 46. The same reference numerals are assigned to the corresponding components between the convex-concave turnover machine 46A and the above-mentioned convex-concave turnover machine 46.

[0095] On the upper surface of the convex-concave turnover machine 46, a total of six stepped recesses 47 are formed, three in the width direction and two in the conveying direction. Each stepped recess 47 is composed of a first-stage circular recess 47a recessed on the upper surface of the convex-concave turnover machine 46, a second-stage circular recess 47c recessed at the center of the bottom of the recess 47a, a third-stage circular recess 47d recessed at the center of the bottom of the recess 47c, and a fourth-stage circular recess 47b recessed at the center of the bottom of the recess 47d. As shown in Figure 12 , when the annular convex portion 42d is one layer, as shown in Figure 13 , the stepped recess 47 is a four-stage recess. When the annular convex portion 42d is n layers (where n is a natural number), the stepped recess 47 is a 2×(n + 1)-stage recess.

[0096] The operation of the convex-concave inverter 46A will be described. When the conveyance of the storage film 3 is temporarily stopped, the convex-concave inverter 46A ascends, and the back side of the concave portion 105a is received in the concave portion 47a of the stepped concave portion 47 (see Figure 12 ). After that, the air inside the stepped concave portion 47 is sucked by the pneumatic equipment. Then, as shown in Figure 13 , the back side of the concave portion 105a closely adheres to the surface of the concave portion 47a, the back side of the annular convex portion 5d is sucked into the concave portions 47c and 47d and closely adheres to the surfaces of the concave portions 47c and 47d, and the back side of the convex portion 5b is sucked into the concave portion 47b and closely adheres to the surface of the concave portion 47b. As a result, the convex portion 5b and the annular convex portion 5d are deformed into the stepped concave portion 105e, and a recessed stepped concave portion 105e is formed on the bottom of the concave portion 105a. The stepped concave portion 105e is composed of a circular concave portion 105c recessed in the central portion of the bottom of the concave portion 105a, a circular concave portion 105d recessed in the central portion of the bottom of the concave portion 105c, and a circular concave portion 105b recessed in the central portion of the bottom of the concave portion 105d. After that, the suction of the pneumatic equipment is released, and the convex-concave inverter 46A descends.

[0097] The conical article 109A shown in Figure 14 is supplied to the stepped pocket 105 composed of the concave portion 105a and the stepped concave portion 105e by the article supply machine 50 or the operator.

[0098] Then, the cover film 7 is attached to the storage film 3 in such a manner that the concave portion 105a of the stepped pocket 105 is covered with the cover film 7. After that, the sealer 60 thermally seals the storage film 3 and the cover film 7, and the storage film 3 and the cover film 7 are cut by the cross cutter 70 and the longitudinal cutter 80.

[0099] (2) Modification Example 2

[0100] In the above-described embodiment, the cover film 7 is made of resin and is especially a sealing film, and the cover film 7 and the storage film 3 are joined by the heat fusion of the sealant layer. In contrast, the cover film 7 may be made of a material other than resin, for example, it may be made of paper. The joining of the cover film 7 and the storage film 3 is not limited to the heat fusion using a sealing material.

[0101] (3) Modification Example 3

[0102] In the above-described embodiment, the conveyance distance of the film conveyor 25 each time may correspond to the amount of two stepped pockets 105 or may correspond to the amount of one stepped pocket 105. In this case, every time the conveyance of the storage film 3 stops according to the number corresponding to the number of the stepped pockets 105 formed by each forming operation of the forming machine 40 in the conveyance direction, the forming machine 40 performs one forming operation, and the uneven turning machine 46 performs one suction operation. Further, every time the conveyance of the storage film 3 stops according to the number corresponding to the number of the stepped pockets 105 sealed by one sealing operation of the sealing machine 60 in the conveyance direction, the sealing machine 60 performs one sealing operation.

[0103] Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0104] 3 - Storage film; 7 - Cover film (cover material); 5b - Protrusion; 5d - Annular protrusion; 40 - Forming machine; 46 - Uneven turning machine; 60 - Sealing machine; 105a - Recess; 105e - Stepped recess; 105b - Recess (second recess); 109, 109A - Articles.

Claims

1. A packaging method, comprising: A forming step of forming a first recess on a film and forming a first protrusion on the bottom of the first recess using a female mold having a mold recess and a mold protrusion formed on the bottom of the mold recess; A convex-concave inversion step of deforming the first protrusion into a second recess recessed from the bottom of the first recess; A supply step of supplying an article into the first recess and the second recess; And A sealing step of sealing a cover material on the film in such a manner as to cover the first recess with the cover material.

2. The packaging method according to claim 1, characterized in that In the forming step, the annular protrusion is formed on the bottom of the first recess in such a manner as to surround the first protrusion with the annular protrusion, In the convex-concave inversion step, the first protrusion and the annular protrusion are deformed into a stepped recess recessed from the bottom of the first recess, In the supply step, the article is supplied into the first recess and the stepped recess.

3. The packaging method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that In the convex-concave inversion step, the first protrusion is deformed into the second recess by sucking the first protrusion from the back side of the film, In the supply step, the article is supplied into the first recess and the second recess while continuously sucking the second recess from the back side of the film.

4. A packaging device, comprising: A forming machine that forms a first recess on a film and forms a first protrusion on the bottom of the first recess using a female mold having a mold recess and a mold protrusion formed on the bottom of the mold recess; A convex-concave inversion machine that deforms the first protrusion into a second recess recessed from the bottom of the first recess; and A sealing machine that seals a cover material on the film in such a manner as to cover the first recess containing the article with the cover material.

5. The packaging device according to claim 4, characterized in that The forming machine forms the annular protrusion on the bottom of the first recess in such a manner as to surround the first protrusion with the annular protrusion, The convex-concave inversion machine deforms the first protrusion and the annular protrusion into a stepped recess recessed from the bottom of the first recess.

Images