Packaging device

Abstract

A packaging device (1) is provided with a film transport unit (3), a lifting unit (6), a fold-in unit (7), and a discharge pusher (8). The film conveying unit conveys a film (F) to a packaging position (L1). The lifting unit lifts the tray (T) toward the packaging position (L1). The folding part folds the periphery of the film covering the tray. The discharge pusher pushes one side surface of the tray and discharges the tray in a first direction (D). The discharge pusher includes a first pushing member (81). The first urging member (81) has a first arm (811), a first member (812), and a first protrusion (813). The first member extends in a direction intersecting the first direction and is in contact with a side surface of the tray. The first protrusion extends in the first direction more than the first member, and is in contact with a lower portion of a side surface of the tray. The lower end of the first member is positioned below the upper end of the first protrusion. According to the packaging device, the discharging pusher can be prevented from pulling back the tray.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a packaging device. Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2011-20700) discloses a packaging machine that uses a film to package a tray containing an article and discharges the tray from a packaging position by means of a discharge pusher.

[0003] Prior Art Documents

[0004] Patent Documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2011-20700 Summary of the Invention

[0006] Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] In an existing packaging machine, when a tray is discharged from a packaging position by a discharge pusher, the front end of the discharge pusher catches on the tray, and when the discharge pusher returns, the tray is pulled back toward the packaging position, and the tray cannot be completely discharged from the packaging machine.

[0008] In the packaging machine disclosed in Patent Document 1, the problem of a relatively light tray being pulled back by the discharge pusher is not considered either.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide a packaging device capable of suppressing a discharge pusher from pulling back a tray.

[0010] Means for Solving the Problems

[0011] The packaging device according to the first aspect includes a film conveying unit, a lifting unit, a tucking unit, and a discharge pusher. The film conveying unit conveys the film unwound from a film roll to a packaging position in an unfolded state. The lifting unit raises a tray containing an article toward the film disposed at the packaging position. The tucking unit tucks the peripheral edge of the film covering the tray to the bottom side of the tray. The discharge pusher pushes one side surface of the tray wrapped with the film and discharges the tray wrapped with the film in a first direction. The discharge pusher includes a first pusher member. The first pusher member has a first arm, a first member, and a first protrusion. The first arm extends in the first direction. The first member extends in a direction intersecting the first direction at the front end of the first arm and abuts against the side surface of the tray. The first protrusion extends more in the first direction from the front end of the first arm than the first member and abuts against the lower portion of the side surface of the tray. The lower end of the first member is located below the upper end of the first protrusion.

[0012] This packaging device can suppress the discharge pusher from pulling back the tray.

[0013] The packaging device of the second aspect is that in the packaging device of the first aspect, the first pushing member can swing up and down about a horizontal axis, which is located at a position away from the packaging position and extends in a direction orthogonal to the first direction.

[0014] The packaging device of the third aspect is that in the packaging device of the second aspect, the discharging pusher includes a plurality of first pushing members with different lengths of the first arm from the horizontal axis to the front end.

[0015] The packaging device of the fourth aspect is that in the packaging device of any one of the first to third aspects, the discharging pusher further includes a second pushing member. The second pushing member has a second arm, a second member, and a second protrusion. The second arm extends in the first direction. The second member extends in a direction crossing the first direction at the front end of the second arm and abuts against the side surface of the tray. The second protrusion extends more in the first direction than the second member from the front end of the second arm and abuts against the lower part of the side surface of the tray. The lower end of the second member is located below the upper end of the second protrusion. The first pushing member and the second pushing member are symmetrically arranged with respect to a vertical plane extending in the first direction.

[0016] The packaging device of the fifth aspect is that in the packaging device of the third aspect, among the plurality of first pushing members, the longer the length of the first arm from the horizontal axis to the front end, the more inwardly it is arranged.

[0017] The packaging device of the sixth aspect is that in the packaging device of any one of the first to fifth aspects, it further includes a pressing member. When the discharging pusher moves the tray in the first direction, the pressing member presses the tray covered with a film from above.

[0018] Advantages of the Invention

[0019] The packaging device of the present invention can suppress the discharging pusher from pulling back the tray. Description of the Drawings

[0020] Figure 1 It is an external view showing a tray T containing an article G.

[0021] Figure 2 It is an external view of the packaging device 1.

[0022] Figure 3 It is a perspective view showing an existing discharging pusher P1.

[0023] Figure 4 It is a perspective view showing the discharging pusher 8.

[0024] Figure 5 It is a flowchart showing the operation of the packaging device 1.

[0025] Figure 6It is an external view of the packaging device 1.

[0026] Figure 7 It is an external view of the packaging device 1.

[0027] Figure 8 It is an external view of the packaging device 1.

[0028] Figure 9 It is an external view of the packaging device 1.

[0029] Figure 10 It is a right view showing the discharge pusher 8 and the tray T.

[0030] Figure 11 It is an external view of the packaging device 1.

[0031] Figure 12 It is a right view showing the discharge pusher 8 and the tray T.

[0032] Figure 13 It is a right view showing the existing discharge pusher P1 and the tray Td1.

[0033] Figure 14 It is an external view of the packaging device 1.

[0034] Figure 15 It is a right view showing the discharge pusher 8 and the tray T.

[0035] Figure 16 It is a right view showing the existing discharge pusher P1 and the tray Td2.

[0036] Figure 17 It is an external view of the packaging device 1. Detailed implementation mode

[0037] (1) Overview

[0038] The packaging device of the present application is a device that packages the tray T (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as "tray T") containing the article G with the film F and discharges the tray T through the discharge pusher P1.

[0039] Figure 1 It is an external view showing the tray T containing the article G, and the article G is the object to be packaged by the packaging device. The tray T has a shape with an opening at the upper part and a shape where the upper opening is wider than the bottom surface. As an example of the article G, food can be cited, but it is not limited thereto.

[0040] (2) Overall structure

[0041] The overall structure of the packaging device 1 of the present invention will be described. Figure 2This is an external view of the packaging device 1. After the packaging device 1 measures the tray T containing the article G, it is packaged with the film F and discharged, and a label La printed with the price of the article G and the like is issued.

[0042] The packaging device 1 mainly includes a film support portion 2, a film conveyance portion 3, a weighing portion 4, a tray conveyance mechanism 5, a lifting portion 6, a tucking-in portion 7, a discharge pusher 8, a drive portion 9, a pressing member 10, a label issuing portion 13, a display portion 14, an operation portion 15, and a control portion (not shown).

[0043] A brief description of the operation of the packaging device 1 is as follows. In the packaging device 1, the tray T containing the article G is placed on the weighing portion 4. The weighing portion 4 weighs the tray T containing the article G. The weighing result of the weighing portion 4 is sent to the control portion. The control portion displays the weighing result on the display portion 14. The lifting portion 6 lifts the tray T conveyed from the weighing portion 4 to the packaging position L1. At the packaging position L1, the film F is held in a tensioned state. The lifting portion 6 lifts the tray T and pushes up the tray T relative to the film F tensioned at the packaging position L1, and the tray T is covered with the film F. Thereafter, the tucking-in portion 7 packages the tray T by tucking in the peripheral portion of the film F under the tray T covered with the film F. The discharge pusher 8 discharges the packaged tray T to the discharge position L2. The label issuing portion 13 issues a label La printed with product information. The weight of the article G stored in the tray T and the price of the article in the tray T are printed on the label La. For these weight and price, the control portion calculates based on the weighing result of the weighing portion 4.

[0044] (3) Problems of existing packaging devices

[0045] Figure 3 This is a perspective view showing the existing discharge pusher P1. The discharge pusher P1 mainly has a member P2, a protrusion P3, and a groove portion P4. The member P2 abuts against the side surface of the tray T. The protrusion P3 abuts against the lower part of the side surface of the tray T. The groove portion P4 is an "avoidance" portion formed during the bending process of the member P2, and is a concave portion formed at the intersection of the protrusion P3 and the member P2. The lower end of the member P2 is located above the upper end of the protrusion P3. A space C is formed between the lower end of the member P2 and the upper end of the protrusion P3. The space C is a space having a bottom surface that is a plane in the left-right direction and the front-back direction including the upper end of the protrusion P3 and a top surface that is a plane in the left-right direction and the front-back direction including the lower end of the member P2.

[0046] With the parts P2 and the protrusion P3 in contact with the tray T, the discharge pusher P1 discharges the tray T. If the shallower tray T tilts forward and backward during discharge, the edge of the tray T may be caught by at least one of the space C and the groove part P4. Therefore, if the front end of the discharge pusher P1 catches on the tray T, when the discharge pusher P1 returns, in the case where the tray T is light, it may be pulled back, resulting in the problem that the tray T cannot be completely discharged.

[0047] (4) Detailed structure of the packaging device of the present invention

[0048] (4-1) Film support part

[0049] The film support part 2 supports the film roll 21 in which the film F is wound in a roll shape. The film support part 2 has a pair of support rollers 22 (support roller 22a and support roller 22b) that support the lower side surfaces of the film roll 21 from left and right. In addition, the film support part 2 has one or more guide rollers (not shown), and the guide rollers guide the film F sent out from the film roll 21 to the film conveying part 3. A holding part (not shown) is provided inside the film support part 2, and the holding part holds the end of the film F in a tensioned state.

[0050] (4-2) Film conveying part

[0051] The film conveying part 3 conveys the film F sent out from the film roll 21 to the packaging position L1 in an unfolded state. Therefore, the film conveying part 3 has upper and lower conveying rollers 31, a film feeding part 32, and a film cutting part (not shown).

[0052] The upper and lower conveying rollers 31 are rotationally driven to convey the film F sent out from the film support part 2 to the film feeding part 32. The film feeding part 32 holds both ends of the film F in the front-rear direction with upper and lower conveyor belts and conveys them to the packaging position L1. When the film F is conveyed to the packaging position L1, the film cutting part cuts the film F and separates it from the film roll 21.

[0053] (4-3) Measuring part

[0054] The measuring part 4 measures the weight of the article G placed on the measuring table 41 and sends the weight information to the control part. The weight information includes the tare weight of the tray T containing the article G.

[0055] (4-4) Tray conveying mechanism

[0056] The tray conveying mechanism 5 has a pair of conveying mechanisms (pushers 5a and 5b) that convey the tray T containing the article G from the measuring table 41 to the lifting part 6.

[0057] When measuring the weight by the metering unit 4, the tray conveying mechanism 5 retracts to the lower part of the weighing table 41. When the weighing by the metering unit 4 is completed, the tray conveying mechanism 5 rises from the lower part of the weighing table 41 and advances backward in a state of abutting against the front side surface of the tray T, thereby conveying the tray T to the lifting unit 6.

[0058] (4-5) Lifting unit

[0059] The lifting unit 6 raises the tray T containing the article G toward the film F disposed at the packaging position L1. The lifting unit 6 is composed of a plurality of lifting members 61.

[0060] (4-6) Folding-in unit

[0061] The folding-in unit 7 folds the peripheral edge portion of the film F covering the tray T to the bottom surface side of the tray T. The folding-in unit 7 includes a rear folding-in member 7a, a left folding-in member 7b, a right folding-in member 7c, and a front folding-in member 7d.

[0062] The rear folding-in member 7a moves forward and folds the film F at the rear side of the tray T to the bottom surface side at the rear side of the tray T. The left folding-in member 7b moves to the right side and folds the film F at the left side of the tray T to the bottom surface side at the left side of the tray T. The right folding-in member 7c moves to the left side and folds the film F at the right side of the tray T to the bottom surface side at the right side of the tray T. The front folding-in member 7d folds the film F at the front side of the tray T moved forward by the rear folding-in member 7a to the bottom surface side at the front side of the tray T.

[0063] (4-7) Discharge pusher

[0064] The discharge pusher 8 pushes one side surface of the tray T wrapped by the film F from the rear side to the front side to discharge the tray T covered by the film F in the first direction D (refer to Figure 4 ). In the present embodiment, the above "one side surface" is the rear side surface, and the first direction D is the front direction. By the discharge of the discharge pusher 8, the tray T is discharged from the packaging position L1 to the discharge position L2.

[0065] Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the discharge pusher 8. The discharge pusher 8 includes three first pusher members 81 (81a, 81b, 81c) and three second pusher members 82 (82a, 82b, 82c). In addition, the discharge pusher 8 may include one, two, or four or more first pusher members 81, and may also include one, two, or four or more second pusher members 82.

[0066] (4-7-1) First pusher member

[0067] The first pushing member 81a has a first arm 811a, a first member 812a, a first protrusion 813a, and a first groove 814a. The first pushing member 81b has a first arm 811b, a first member 812b, a first protrusion 813b (not shown), and a first groove 814b (not shown). The first pushing member 81c has a first arm 811c, a first member 812c, a first protrusion 813c (not shown), and a first groove 814c (not shown). The first pushing members 81a, 81b, and 81c have the same shape except for the lengths of the first arms 811a, 811b, and 811c.

[0068] The first pushing member 81 can swing up and down about a horizontal axis 87, which is located away from the packaging position L1 and extends in a direction orthogonal to the first direction D.

[0069] (4-7-1-1) First arm

[0070] The first arms 811a, 811b, and 811c are respectively elongated plate-like members and extend in the first direction D.

[0071] The length of the first arm 811a from the horizontal axis 87 to the front end of the first arm 811a is longer than the length of the first arm 811b from the horizontal axis 87 to the front end of the first arm 811b. The length of the first arm 811b from the horizontal axis 87 to the front end of the first arm 811b is longer than the length of the first arm 811c from the horizontal axis 87 to the front end of the first arm 811c.

[0072] The first arm 811a is arranged on the inner side, the first arm 811c is arranged on the outer side, and the first arm 811b is arranged between the first arm 811a and the first arm 811c. In other words, the longer the length of the first arm 811 from the horizontal axis 87 to the front end, the more inward it is arranged.

[0073] (4-7-1-2) First member

[0074] The first components 812a, 812b, and 812c are plate-shaped components. The first component 812a extends in a direction crossing the first direction D at the front end of the first arm 811a and abuts against the side surface of the tray T when the discharge pusher 8 discharges the tray T. As an example of the "direction crossing the first direction D", the "direction orthogonal to the first direction D (right direction)" can be cited. In addition, the "direction crossing the first direction D" may not be the direction orthogonal to the first direction D. The first component 812b extends in a direction crossing the first direction D at the front end of the first arm 811b and abuts against the side surface of the tray T when the discharge pusher 8 discharges the tray T. The first component 812c extends in a direction crossing the first direction D at the front end of the first arm 811c and abuts against the side surface of the tray T when the discharge pusher 8 discharges the tray T.

[0075] (4-7-1-3) First protrusion

[0076] The first protrusions 813a, 813b, and 813c are protrusion-shaped components. The first protrusion 813a extends more in the first direction D from the front end of the first arm 811a than the first component 812a and abuts against the lower part of the side surface of the tray T when the discharge pusher 8 discharges the tray T. The first protrusion 813b extends more in the first direction D from the front end of the first arm 811b than the first component 812b and abuts against the lower part of the side surface of the tray T when the discharge pusher 8 discharges the tray T. The first protrusion 813c extends more in the first direction D from the front end of the first arm 811c than the first component 812c and abuts against the lower part of the side surface of the tray T when the discharge pusher 8 discharges the tray T.

[0077] The lower end of the first component 812a is located below the upper end of the first protrusion 813a. The lower end of the first component 812b is located below the upper end of the first protrusion 813b. The lower end of the first component 812c is located below the upper end of the first protrusion 813c. Therefore, no space identical to the space C ( Figure 3 ) in the existing discharge pusher P1 is formed in the first pushing components 81a, 81b, and 81c.

[0078] (4-7-1-4) First groove

[0079] The first groove 814a is an "avoidance portion" formed at the intersection of the first component 812a and the first protrusion 813a and is a concave portion at the front end of the first arm 811a. Similarly, the first groove 814b is an "avoidance portion" formed at the intersection of the first component 812b and the first protrusion 813b, and the first groove 814c is an "avoidance portion" formed at the intersection of the first component 812c and the first protrusion 813c.

[0080] (4-7-2) Second Pushing Member

[0081] The discharge pusher 8 includes a second pushing member 82. The second pushing member 82a has a second arm 821a, a second member 822a, a second protrusion 823a, and a second groove 824a. The second pushing member 82b has a second arm 821b, a second member 822b, a second protrusion 823b (not shown), and a second groove 824b (not shown). The second pushing member 82c has a second arm 821c, a second member 822c, a second protrusion 823c (not shown), and a second groove 824c (not shown). The second pushing members 82a, 82b, 82c have the same shape except for the lengths of the second arms 821a, 821b, 821c.

[0082] The second pushing members 82a, 82b, 82c can swing up and down about a horizontal axis 87, which is located at a position away from the packaging position L1 and extends in a direction orthogonal to the first direction D. For example, the second pushing members 82a, 82b, 82c are respectively rotatably fixed by bolts (not shown) provided on the horizontal axis 87.

[0083] The second pushing members 82a, 82b, 82c and the first pushing members 81a, 81b, 81c are symmetrically arranged with respect to a vertical plane extending in the first direction D.

[0084] (4-7-2-1) Second Arm

[0085] The second arms 821a, 821b, 821c are respectively elongated plate-like members and extend in the first direction D.

[0086] The length of the second arm 821a from the horizontal axis 87 to the front end of the second arm 821a is longer than the length of the second arm 821b from the horizontal axis 87 to the front end of the second arm 821b. The length of the second arm 821b from the horizontal axis 87 to the front end of the second arm 821b is longer than the length of the second arm 821c from the horizontal axis 87 to the front end of the second arm 821c.

[0087] The second arm 821a is arranged on the inner side, the second arm 821c is arranged on the outer side, and the second arm 821b is arranged between the second arm 821a and the second arm 821c. In other words, the longer the length from the horizontal axis 87 to the front end, the more inward it is arranged.

[0088] (4-7-2-2) Second Member

[0089] The second components 822a, 822b, and 822c are plate-shaped components. The second component 822a extends in a direction intersecting the first direction D at the front end of the second arm 821a and abuts against the side surface of the tray T when the discharge pusher 8 discharges the tray T. The second component 822b extends in a direction intersecting the first direction D at the front end of the second arm 821b and abuts against the side surface of the tray T when the discharge pusher 8 discharges the tray T. The second component 822c extends in a direction intersecting the first direction D at the front end of the second arm 821c and abuts against the side surface of the tray T when the discharge pusher 8 discharges the tray T.

[0090] (4-7-2-3) Second protrusion

[0091] The second protrusions 823a, 823b, and 823c are protrusion-shaped components. The second protrusion 823a extends further in the first direction D from the front end of the second arm 821a than the second component 822a and abuts against the lower part of the side surface of the tray T when the discharge pusher 8 discharges the tray T. The second protrusion 823b (not shown) extends further in the first direction D from the front end of the second arm 821b than the second component 822b and abuts against the lower part of the side surface of the tray T when the discharge pusher 8 discharges the tray T. The second protrusion 823c (not shown) extends further in the first direction D from the front end of the second arm 821c than the second component 822c and abuts against the lower part of the side surface of the tray T when the discharge pusher 8 discharges the tray T.

[0092] The lower end of the second component 822a is located below the upper end of the second protrusion 823a. The lower end of the second component 822b is located below the upper end of the second protrusion 823b. The lower end of the second component 822c is located below the upper end of the second protrusion 823c. Therefore, no space identical to the space C ( Figure 3 ) in the existing discharge pusher P1 is formed in the second pushing components 82a, 82b, and 82c.

[0093] (4-7-2-4) Second groove

[0094] The second groove 824a is an "avoidance portion" formed at the intersection of the second component 822a and the second protrusion 823a and is a concave portion at the front end of the second arm 821a. The second groove 824b is an "avoidance portion" formed at the intersection of the second component 822b and the second protrusion 823b and is a concave portion at the front end of the second arm 821b. The second groove 824c is an "avoidance portion" formed at the intersection of the second component 822c and the second protrusion 823c and is a concave portion at the front end of the second arm 821c.

[0095] (4-8) Driving portion

[0096] The driving unit 9 is a single device that moves the three first pushing members 81 and the three second pushing members 82 together in the direction along the first direction D. The driving unit 9 is, for example, a motor provided inside the packaging device 1.

[0097] (4-9) Pressing member

[0098] The pressing member 10 is an elongated plate-like member, and is arranged in the front-rear direction between the first pushing members 81a, 81b, 81c and the second pushing members 82a, 82b, 82c. The rear end portion of the pressing member 10 can be mounted on the device frame via a parallel link mechanism so as to be movable in the up-down direction and immovable in the front-rear direction. When the discharging pusher 8 moves the tray T in the first direction D, the pressing member 10 presses the tray T covered with the film F from above by its own weight, thereby suppressing the tray T from tipping over.

[0099] (4-10) Label issuing unit, display unit, operation unit and control unit

[0100] The label issuing unit 13 issues a label La printed with the weight, price, product name, etc. of the article G. The display unit 14 is a display device that displays the weight, price, product name, etc. of the article G. In addition, the display unit 14 may also be a touch panel that can be operated by the user. The operation unit 15 is composed of a plurality of buttons that can be operated by the user pressing to input the content into the packaging device 1. The control unit controls each component of the packaging device 1.

[0101] (5) Operations

[0102] Regarding the operation of the packaging device 1 (especially focusing on the operation related to the discharging pusher 8 discharging the tray T), the discharging pusher 8 and the existing discharging pusher P1 will be described for comparison. Figure 5 It is a flowchart showing the operation of the packaging device 1.

[0103] Figure 6 It is an external view of the packaging device 1 in step S1. The user operates the operation unit 15, and after calling up the product information of the target product (hereinafter referred to as the article G), places the tray T containing the article G on the weighing table 41 (step S1). After that, the weighing unit 4 weighs the total weight of the tray T containing the article G placed on the weighing table 41. The weighing unit 4 sends the obtained total weight of the tray T to the control unit. The control unit calculates the net weight of the article G based on the tare weight of the tray T and the total weight of the tray T that have been called up. The display unit 14 displays the weight and price of the article G calculated by the control unit.

[0104] Figure 7 It is an external view of the packaging device 1 in step S2. The tray conveying mechanism 5 (the pusher 5a and the pusher 5b) rises from below the weighing table 41 and abuts against the side surface of the front side of the tray T (step S2).

[0105] Figure 8 It is an external view of the packaging device 1 in step S3. The tray conveying mechanism 5 conveys the tray T backward (to the lifting part 6) (step S3).

[0106] Figure 9 It is an external view of the packaging device 1 in step S4. The tray T rises to the packaging position L1 through the lifting part 6, and the upper part of the tray T is covered with the film F (step S4). Figure 10 It is a right view showing the discharge pusher 8 and the tray T in step S4. The discharge pusher 8 is lifted around the horizontal axis 87 according to the size of the tray T that has risen through the lifting part 6. For example, if it is a large-sized tray T, the longest first pusher members 81a and 82a, and the second-longest first pusher members 81b and 82b are lifted by the tray T and rest on the tray T. Further, if it is a medium-sized tray T, the first pusher members 81a and 82a are lifted by the tray T and rest on the tray T. Further, if it is a small-sized tray T, the first pusher members 81a and 82a do not rest on the tray T and discharge the tray T. Next, the folding-in part 7 folds the peripheral part of the film F covering the tray T to the bottom side of the tray T (step S5).

[0107] Figure 11 It is an external view of the packaging device 1 in a state where the rear folding-in member 7a approaches the front folding-in member 7d in step S5. Figure 12 It is a right view in the following case: In step S5, the longest first pusher members 81a and 82a rest on the tray T, and the second-longest first pusher members 81b and 82b do not rest on the tray T, and the tray T is discharged by them. In step S5, the tray T moves forward (in the first direction D) through the rear folding-in member 7a. Therefore, the first members 812b and the first protrusion parts 813b that do not rest on the tray T come into contact with the side surface on the rear side of the tray T and discharge the tray T. Thus, even when the rear folding-in member 7a moves to the front folding-in member 7d and, for example, a large-sized tray T is pushed out to the discharge position L2, the tray T does not fall from the discharge position L2.

[0108] Figure 13 It is a right view showing the existing discharge pusher P1 and the tray Td1 in step S5. There is a space C in the discharge pusher P1. Therefore, sometimes the tray Td1 tilts or the discharge pusher P1 moves up and down, causing the tray Td1 to be hooked on at least one of the space C and the groove part P4. In contrast, as Figure 12 shown, the discharge pusher 8 does not form a space C, suppressing the case where the tray T is hooked on at least one of the space C and the groove part P4.

[0109] Figure 14 This is an external view of the packaging device 1 in step S6. The drive unit 9 is driven to move the discharge pusher 8 in the first direction D and abut against the side surface at the rear of the tray T (step S6). Figure 15 This is a side view in which the first component 812a and the first protrusion 813a of the first pusher member 81a abut against the side surface at the rear of the tray T when the size of the tray T is small.

[0110] Figure 16 This is a right view showing the existing discharge pusher P1 and the tray Td2 in the case of a tray Td2 with a low height. At this time, there is a space C in the discharge pusher P1. Therefore, the following situation may occur: when the component P2 and the protrusion P3 abut against the tray T, the tray Td2 may be hooked on at least one of the space C and the groove portion P4.

[0111] In contrast, as Figure 15 shown, no space C is formed in the discharge pusher 8, and the situation where the tray T is hooked on at least one of the space C and the groove portion P4 can be suppressed.

[0112] Figure 17 This is an external view of the packaging device 1 in step S7. The drive unit 9 is driven to move the discharge pusher 8 further in the first direction D. The discharge pusher 8 advances in the first direction D while abutting against the side surface at the rear of the tray T, and discharges the tray T to the discharge position L2 (step S7).

[0113] During the middle or after step S7, the lifting unit 6 descends and returns to the state before rising. In addition, during the middle or before step S7, the label issuing unit 13 receives information from the control unit and issues a label La printed with the weight, price, product name, etc. of the article G. The user can take out the issued label La from the label issuing unit 13 and paste it on the film F of the discharged tray T.

[0114] After step S7, the discharge pusher 8 returns to the position before discharging the tray T (for example, Figure 6 the position of the discharge pusher 8). When the tray Td1 or the tray Td2 is hooked on the existing discharge pusher P1, sometimes the tray Td1 or the tray Td2 is also pulled back from the discharge position L2 to the packaging position L1 by the returning discharge pusher P1. However, in the discharge pusher 8 of the present embodiment, such hooking does not occur.

[0115] (6) Features

[0116] (6-1)

[0117] The packaging device 1 includes a film conveying unit 3, a lifting unit 6, a folding unit 7, and a discharge pusher 8. The film conveying unit 3 conveys the film F sent out from the film roll 21 to the packaging position L1 in an unfolded state. The lifting unit 6 raises the tray T containing the article G toward the film F disposed at the packaging position L1. The folding unit 7 folds the peripheral edge portion of the film F covering the tray T to the bottom side of the tray T. The discharge pusher 8 pushes one side surface of the tray T wrapped by the film F and discharges the tray T wrapped by the film F in the first direction D. The discharge pusher 8 includes a first pushing member 81. The first pushing member 81 has a first arm 811, a first member 812, and a first protrusion 813. The first arm 811 extends in the first direction D. The first member 812 extends in a direction intersecting the first direction D at the front end of the first arm 811 and abuts against the side surface of the tray T. The first protrusion 813 extends more in the first direction D than the first member 812 from the front end of the first arm 811 and abuts against the lower portion of the side surface of the tray T. The lower end of the first member 812 is located below the upper end of the first protrusion 813.

[0118] The packaging device 1 can prevent the discharge pusher 8 from pulling back the tray.

[0119] (6-2)

[0120] In the packaging device 1, the first pushing member 81 can swing up and down about a horizontal axis 87, which is located away from the packaging position L1 and extends in a direction orthogonal to the first direction D.

[0121] During the process of packaging the tray T, the tray T is pushed up by the lifting of the lifting unit 6 to a position above the position where the film F is tensioned. At this time, among the three first pushing members 81, the first pushing member 81 that does not rest on the tray T discharges the tray T.

[0122] (6-3)

[0123] In the packaging device 1, the discharge pusher 8 includes a plurality of first pushing members 81 with different lengths of the first arm 811 from the horizontal axis 87 to the front end. Therefore, when the tray T is large-sized, the longest first pushing member 81a and the second-longest first pushing member 81b rest on the tray T, and the shortest first pushing member 81c abuts against the side surface of the tray T for discharging. In addition, when the tray T is medium-sized, the longest first pushing member 81a rests on the tray T, and the second-longest first pushing member 81b abuts against the side surface of the tray T for discharging. Further, in the case of a small-sized tray T, the longest first pushing member 81a abuts against the side surface of the tray T for discharging.

[0124] Thus, even if the sizes of the trays are different, each tray T can be stopped at a fixed position of the discharge position L2 to prevent it from rolling forward.

[0125] (6-4)

[0126] In the packaging device 1, the discharge pusher 8 further includes a second pushing member 82. The second pushing member 82 has a second arm 821, a second member 822, and a second protrusion 823. The second arm 821 extends along the first direction D. The second member 822 extends in a direction crossing the first direction D at the front end of the second arm 821 and abuts against the side surface of the tray T. The second protrusion 823 extends more in the first direction D than the second member 822 from the front end of the second arm 821 and abuts against the lower part of the side surface of the tray T. The lower end of the second member 822 is located below the upper end of the second protrusion 823. The first pushing member 81 and the second pushing member 82 are symmetrically arranged with respect to a vertical plane extending along the first direction D.

[0127] Thus, the first pushing member 81 and the second pushing member 82 can abut against the tray T at two places. Therefore, even if the center of gravity of the tray T is deviated, as long as the center of gravity of the tray T exists inside the two abutting parts (the side where the extension line extending from the first direction D exists is set as the inside), the tray T can be discharged in the first direction D. Therefore, the packaging device 1 can discharge the tray T in the first direction D corresponding to the forms of various trays T.

[0128] (6-5)

[0129] In the packaging device 1, among the plurality of first pushing members 81, the longer the length of the first arm 811 from the horizontal shaft 87 to the front end, the more inward it is arranged.

[0130] Thus, the packaging device 1 can be miniaturized.

[0131] (6-6)

[0132] The packaging device 1 further includes a pressing member 10. When the discharge pusher 8 moves the tray T in the first direction D, the pressing member 10 presses the tray T covered with the film F from above. Thus, it is possible to suppress the tipping of the tray T when it is discharged from the packaging position L1.

[0133] Reference Signs

[0134] 1: Packaging device; 3: Film conveying section; 6: Lifting section; 7: Tucking section; 8: Discharge pusher; 9: Driving section; 10: Pressing member; 81: First pusher member; 82: Second pusher member; 87: Horizontal shaft; 811: First arm; 812: First member; 813: First protrusion; 821: Second arm; 822: Second member; 823: Second protrusion; 21: Film roll; D: First direction; F: Film; G: Article; T: Tray; L1: Packaging position.

Claims

1. A packaging device (1), characterized in that: The packaging device has: A film conveying section (3) which conveys a film (F) delivered from a film roll (21) to a packaging position (L1) in an unfolded state; a lifting unit (6) for raising a tray (T) containing articles (G) toward the film arranged at the packaging position; a folding portion (7) for folding a peripheral edge portion of the film covering the tray toward a bottom surface side of the tray; and a discharge pusher (8) which pushes a side of the tray wrapped by the film to discharge the tray wrapped by the film in a first direction (D), The ejection pusher has a first pushing component (81), the first pushing component (81) having: a first arm (811), the first arm extending along the first direction; a first component (812), the first component extending along a direction intersecting the first direction at the front end of the first arm and abutting against the side surface of the tray; and a first protrusion (813) extending from the front end of the first arm further in the first direction than the first component and abutting against the lower part of the side surface of the tray, The lower end of the first member is located below the upper end of the first protrusion.

2. The packaging device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first pushing member can swing up and down with a horizontal axis (87) as the center. The horizontal axis (87) is located away from the packaging position and extends in a direction orthogonal to the first direction.

3. The packaging device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The discharge pusher includes a plurality of first pushing members having different lengths of the first arm from the horizontal axis to the front end portion.

4. The packaging device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The ejection pusher further includes a second pushing component (82), the second pushing component (82) having: a second arm (821), the second arm extending along the first direction; a second component (822), the second component extending along a direction intersecting the first direction at a front end portion of the second arm and abutting against the side surface of the tray; and a second protrusion (823) extending from the front end of the second arm further toward the first direction than the second component and abutting against the lower portion of the side surface of the tray, The lower end of the second member is located below the upper end of the second protrusion. The first pushing member and the second pushing member are arranged in plane symmetry with respect to a vertical plane extending along the first direction.

5. The packaging device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The plurality of first pushing members are arranged so as to be arranged at an inner side as the length of the first arm from the horizontal axis to the front end portion is longer.

6. The packaging device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The packaging device also has: A pressing component (10) presses the tray covered by the film from above when the ejection pusher moves the tray in the first direction.

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