Packaging device

Abstract

To provide a packaging device which can perform appropriate packaging work.SOLUTION: A packaging device includes pulling out means 28 for pulling out a long sheet S0, and cutting means 29 for cutting the long sheet S0 to obtain a packaging sheet. Moreover, the pulling out means 28 has an openable / closable holding part 130 which holds a tip end part of the long sheet S0 at a holding position by sandwiching it from upper and lower sides. Then, the holding part 130 of the pulling out means 28 moves toward a holding position side in a closed state so as to prevent an excess part of the packaging sheet from being caught, and afterward, becomes in an open state before reaching the holding position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 14

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a packaging machine. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a packaging device as described in, for example, Patent Document 1 below is known.

[0003] This conventional packaging device includes an unwinding means for unwinding a long sheet wound in a roll, and a cutting means for cutting the long sheet unwound by the unwinding means to obtain a packaging sheet. The unwinding means has an openable holding section for holding the long sheet in a holding position, and the holding section moves from a holding release position to a holding position while remaining in an open state. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 7-315316 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the conventional packaging device described above, the holding portion of the pull-out means moves from the release position to the holding position while remaining in the open state, so depending on the size of the item to be packaged, for example, there is a risk that the excess portion of the packaging sheet may get caught on the moving holding portion, making it impossible to perform proper packaging operations.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENTS Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide a packaging device capable of performing appropriate packaging operations. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A packaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention is a packaging device that packages an item to be packaged in a packaging sheet, and is equipped with a pull-out means for pulling out a long sheet, and a cutting means for cutting the long sheet pulled out by the pull-out means to obtain a packaging sheet, the pull-out means having an openable and closable holding section for holding the long sheet, and the holding section moves toward a holding position in a closed state so that the excess portion of the packaging sheet does not get caught.

[0008] In addition, a packaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention is a packaging device that packages an item to be packaged in a packaging sheet, and is equipped with a pull-out means for pulling out a long sheet, a cutting means for cutting the long sheet pulled out by the pull-out means to obtain a packaging sheet, and a control means for controlling at least the pull-out means and the cutting means, wherein the pull-out means has an openable and closable holding section for holding the long sheet, and based on the control of the control means, the holding section moves towards a holding position in a closed state so that the excess portion of the packaging sheet does not get caught, and opens before arriving at the holding position. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a proper packaging operation can be performed. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of the front side of a packaging device according to one embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a partial front view of the interior of the packaging device (when the first lifting body is in the raised position). [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a partial front view of the interior of the packaging device (with the first lifting body in the lowered position). [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a side view showing a first lifting and lowering drive means of the packaging device. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a supporting means of the packaging device. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a drawing means and a cutting means of the packaging device. [Figure 9] FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a front view showing a processing unit (packaging processing section) of the packaging device. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a partial plan view of the processing means (for explaining the operation of the collection mobile body). [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a partial plan view of the processing means (for explaining the operation of the collection rotating body). [Figure 14] 4 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the drawing means of the packaging device. FIG. [Figure 15] 4 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the drawing means and the cutting means of the packaging device. FIG. [Figure 16] 4 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the drawing means and the supporting means of the packaging device. FIG. [Figure 17] 4A and 4B are diagrams for explaining the operation of the packaging device, in which (a) is an embodiment and (b) is a comparative example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] One embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0012] In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a packaging device, which is a lettuce packaging machine (vegetable packaging machine) that uses, for example, a rectangular packaging sheet S of a predetermined dimension to package a spherical item, such as an agricultural product W, e.g., lettuce.

[0013] In other words, the packaging device 1 automatically packages the agricultural produce W that has been manually supplied into the packaging device 1 from the supply port 2 by an operator in a packaging sheet S, and then automatically discharges the packaged agricultural produce W to the outside of the packaging device 1 from the discharge port 3.

[0014] The packaging sheet (packaging film) S is obtained by cutting a long sheet S0 pulled out from a roll-shaped sheet roll R into pieces of a predetermined size, and is, for example, a transparent stretch film made of synthetic resin in which the films adhere to each other by static electricity. The sheet roll R is a long, continuous packaging sheet S0 wound into a roll, and is rotatably supported by a support roller 5 of a roll support means 4.

[0015] 1 and 2, the packaging device 1 includes a box-shaped device body 11 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped external shape. An upper plate 12 of the device body 11 is formed with a rectangular upper supply port 13. A horizontal support plate (packaging sheet support portion) 14 is provided below the upper plate 12 to support the packaging sheet S, which is unfolded in a planar shape, in a placed state.

[0016] A circular lower supply port 15 is formed in support plate 14 facing upper supply port 13. A part of lower supply port 15 (a part on the outer periphery) is openably and closably covered by resin plates 16, which are a plurality of elastic, plate-like bodies that are elastically deformable and aligned in the circumferential direction of lower supply port 15. Note that upper supply port 13 and lower supply port 15 facing each other form supply port 2, which allows an operator to manually supply unpackaged agricultural products W from above into device body 11.

[0017] A rectangular discharge opening 3 is formed on the rear panel 18 of the device body 11 for discharging the packaged agricultural crops W to the outside of the device body 11. That is, the packaged agricultural crops W, entirely wrapped in the packaging sheet S, are discharged from the discharge opening 3 to the outside of the device body 11. The agricultural crops W discharged from the discharge opening 3 are transported to the next process by transport means such as a conveyor. Also, for example, the agricultural crops W discharged from the discharge opening 3 may be stored in a container.

[0018] A rectangular surplus portion discharge outlet 20 is formed on the right plate 19 of the device body 11 for discharging the surplus portion S1 of the packaging sheet S after packaging to the outside of the device body 11. That is, from this surplus portion discharge outlet 20, the surplus portion (surplus waste that is the surplus part of the packaging sheet) S1 cut off from the upper portion of the packaging sheet S in a state in which the agricultural products W are wrapped is discharged to the outside of the device body 11. The device body 11 is provided with, for example, a manual operation switch (operation means) 21, a setting panel (setting means) 22, etc.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 3, the packaging device 1 is equipped with a support means (receiving section) 25 that receives and supports the unpackaged agricultural produce W supplied from the supply port 2 of the device main body 11 via the packaging sheet S and sends the packaged agricultural produce W to the discharge port 3 and discharges it from the discharge port 3, and a processing means (packaging processing section) 26 that performs a predetermined process (e.g., gathering, cutting and heat welding) on ​​the upper portion of the packaging sheet S that is wrapped around the agricultural produce W on the support body 33 of the support means 25.

[0020] Furthermore, the packaging device 1 is equipped with an air injection means (air injection section) 27 that injects compressed air from an injection nozzle 23 onto the excess portion S1 (excess film that is excess waste) separated from the packaging sheet S by the processing means 26, and discharges the excess portion S1 from the excess portion discharge outlet 20.

[0021] The packaging device 1 also includes a pull-out means (sheet pull-out section) 28 that pulls out the long sheet S0 in a pull-out direction (leftward) from the sheet roll R on the support roller 5 of the roll support means 4, and a cutting means (sheet cutting section) 29 that cuts the long sheet S0 pulled out by this pull-out means 28 to obtain a packaging sheet S of a specified dimension (specified length).

[0022] Thus, the packaging device 1 includes the device body 11, the roll support means 4, the support means 25, the processing means 26, the air injection means 27, the drawing means 28, and the cutting means 29. The processing means (sliding section) 26 includes at least the collecting means 231, the separating means 232, and the heat sealing means 233, as described below.

[0023] As shown in Figures 4 to 7, the support means (support and sending means) 25 comprises a guide body 30 erected on the bottom 17 of the device main body 11, a first lifting body 31 that can be raised and lowered and is guided by this guide body 30, a second lifting body 32 that is mounted on the first lifting body 31 and can be raised and lowered, a support body 33 that is rotatably mounted on the second lifting body 32 about a left-right central axis of rotation (rotation fulcrum) L1 and supports the underside of the crop W in a placed state from below via the packaging sheet S, and a pair of left and right holding bodies (clamping bodies) 34 that are rotatably mounted on the first lifting body 31 about a front-rear central axis of rotation (rotation fulcrum) L2 and hold (clamp) both the left and right side surfaces of the crop W supported by the support body 33 from both the left and right sides via the packaging sheet S.

[0024] The support means 25 also includes a first lifting and lowering drive means 36 for raising and lowering the first lifting body 31 relative to the guide body 30, a second lifting and lowering drive means 37 for raising and lowering the second lifting body 32 relative to the first lifting body 31, a first rotation drive means 38 for rotating the support body 33 relative to the second lifting body 32 about the rotation center axis L1, and a second rotation drive means 39 for rotating (opening and closing) the left and right holding bodies 34 relative to the first lifting body 31 about the rotation center axis L2.

[0025] The guide body 30, which guides the first lifting body 31 in the vertical direction, has a first guide member 51 in the form of a round bar and elongated in the vertical direction to guide the cylindrical portion 41 of the first lifting body 31, and a second guide member 52 in the form of a U-shaped frame and elongated in the vertical direction to guide the roller portion 42 of the first lifting body 31.

[0026] The first lifting drive means 36 has a motor (drive source) 55 and an endless chain 56 that rotates based on the power from the motor 55. The chain 56 is hung between upper and lower sprockets 57 that are spaced apart and facing each other, and the tension of the chain 56 can be adjusted by a tension adjustment means 58.

[0027] The tension adjustment means 58 has a tightener 60 that is rotatable about a support shaft 59, and the lower sprocket 57 is attached to the tip of the tightener 60. A connecting rod 61 is connected to the base end of the tightener 60, and this connecting rod 61 is urged upward by an adjustment spring 62. In addition, a mounting plate 63 is attached to the middle of the chain 56, and the mounting part 43 of the first lifting body 31 is attached to this mounting plate 63.

[0028] The first lifting body 31 is raised to an elevated position relative to the guide body 30 by the rotation of the chain 56 in one direction based on the power from the motor 55 (see Figure 4), and lowered to a lowered position relative to the guide body 30 according to the size (height) of the crop W by the rotation of the chain in the other direction based on the power from the motor 55 (see Figure 5).

[0029] Here, the raised position is a fixed position that is determined in advance regardless of the size of the crop W. On the other hand, the lowered position is an arbitrary position that is determined according to the size of the crop W (a corresponding lowered position that corresponds to the size of the crop).

[0030] That is, for example, based on information from optical detection means (photoelectric sensor, etc.) 49 that detects the agricultural crops W supplied from the supply port 2, control means 50 determines a lowering position according to the size of the agricultural crops W. Note that control means 50 appropriately controls each driving source (motor, air cylinder, etc.) equipped in packaging device 1 based on information from various sensors, switches, etc.

[0031] The second lifting body 32 has a plurality of guided parts 65 that can be raised and lowered and are guided by a plurality of guiding parts 44 (e.g., two on the left and right) that the first lifting body 31 has, and the upper ends of these vertically elongated, rod-shaped guided parts 65 are attached to a horizontal base plate part 66.

[0032] Second lifting body 32 has a U-shaped frame portion 67 that is vertically movable relative to base plate portion 66, and support body 33 is attached to this U-shaped frame portion 67 so as to be rotatable about central rotation axis L1. Although not shown, U-shaped frame portion 67 is elastically supported by a buffer spring (not shown) that serves as buffer means for absorbing shock to crops W when crops W are placed on support body 33 (when crops are set on the support body), and an inner guide pin of this buffer spring is slidably inserted into a cylindrical buffer guide portion.

[0033] The second lifting and lowering drive means 37 has a lifting and lowering cylinder (drive source) 71 which is an expandable and contractible fluid pressure cylinder. In other words, the second lifting and lowering drive means 37 is composed only of the lifting and lowering cylinder 71. The lifting and lowering cylinder 71 has a cylinder body 72 attached to the first lifting body 31, and a rod 73 which moves in and out of the cylinder body 72. The tip of the rod 73 is attached to the base plate portion 66 of the second lifting and lowering body 32.

[0034] The second lifting body 32 is lowered to a lower position relative to the first lifting body 31 by the contraction of the lifting cylinder 71, and is raised to an upper position relative to the first lifting body 31 by the extension of the lifting cylinder 71. In other words, the second lifting body 31 can be raised and lowered relative to the first lifting body 31, and the support body 33 can be raised and lowered between an upper position and a lower position relative to the holding body 34 so as to be able to handle crops W of different sizes.

[0035] The holder (clamping body) 34 can be placed in an open state (where the crops are not clamped) or a closed state (where the crops are clamped from both sides) by rotating about the central axis L2 of rotation relative to the first lifting body 31.

[0036] In other words, the pair of holders 34 are closed by synchronous movement toward each other (closing operation) based on rotation about the central rotation axis L2, and are open by synchronous movement away from each other (opening operation) based on rotation about the central rotation axis L2.

[0037] The holding body 34 has an L-shaped arm portion 76 that is rotatably mounted on the first lifting body 31 around the central rotation axis L2, a holding portion 77 that is provided at the tip of the upper end of the arm portion 76 and contacts the side of the agricultural product W via the packaging sheet S when the holding body 34 is closed to hold the side, and a roller portion 78 that is provided at the base end of the lower end of the arm portion 76 and contacts a roller contact plate 85 of the second rotation drive means 39 when the holding body 34 is open.

[0038] The holding portion 77 is composed of, for example, a rectangular holding plate 79 and a cushioning material 80 such as a sponge attached to the holding plate 79 so as to cover the surface of the holding plate 79 (at least the surface that comes into contact with the agricultural produce via the packaging sheet).

[0039] The second rotation drive means 39 has an opening / closing cylinder (drive source) 81 which is an expandable and contractible fluid pressure cylinder. The opening / closing cylinder 81 has a cylinder body 82 attached to the first lifting body 31, and a rod 83 which moves in and out of the cylinder body 82. A roller contact plate 85 which lifts the roller part 78 against the biasing force of a closing spring 84 which is a biasing means is attached to the tip of the rod 83. The roller contact plate 85 moves up and down while being guided by a guide pin 86 which extends in the vertical direction.

[0040] A closing spring 84 for closing the holder 34 is installed between the first lifting body 31 and the holder 34. That is, one end of the closing spring 84 is attached to the spring attachment portion 45 of the first lifting body 31, and the other end is attached to the spring attachment portion 46 of the holder 34.

[0041] The holding body 34 rotates about the pivot axis L2 relative to the first lifting body 31 as the opening / closing cylinder 81 extends, thereby entering an open state (see Figure 4), and receives a biasing force (elastic restoring force) from the closing spring 84 as the opening / closing cylinder 81 contracts, causing the holding body 34 to rotate about the pivot axis L2 relative to the first lifting body 31 based on this biasing force, thereby entering a closed state (see Figure 5).

[0042] As shown in FIG. 5, when the holder 34 is switched from the open state to the closed state, the crops W on the support body 33 are clamped from both the left and right sides by the holding portions (clamping portions) 77 of both holders 34 based on the biasing force of the closing spring 84.

[0043] The support body (placing body) 33 can be placed in a first state (a supporting state in which the agricultural products are supported from below) and a second state (a sending-out state in which the agricultural products are sent out to the side) by rotating about the central rotation axis L1 relative to the second lifting body 32.

[0044] In other words, the support body 33 is placed in a horizontal first state (a state in which agricultural products are placed) when rotated in one direction (forward) around the central rotation axis L1, and is placed in a rearward-inclined second state (a state in which agricultural products are discharged) when rotated in the other direction (rear) around the central rotation axis L1.

[0045] 7, in the first state of support 33, support 33 supports the underside of crop W from below in a placed state via packaging sheet S, but in the second state of support 33, support 33 has a dish-shaped support portion 91 that sends crop W rearward (sideways) by its own weight, and a downward-projecting mounting portion 92 that protrudes downward from support portion 91. In other words, support 33 has mounting portion 92 that is mounted to second lifting body 32 so as to be rotatable about rotation central axis L1, and support portion (receiving portion) 91 that is fixed to the upper portion of mounting portion 92 and supports the underside of the crop W.

[0046] The mounting portion 92 has a mounting plate 94 attached to the underside of the support portion 91 by fasteners 93 such as screws (see FIG. 4). A pair of left and right opposing plates 95 facing each other at a distance protrude downward from both ends of the mounting plate 94. A cylindrical insertion tube 96 extending in the left-right direction is provided in the center of each opposing plate 95 in the front-rear direction.

[0047] Then, a bolt 97 is inserted into the insertion tube 96, and a nut 98 is screwed onto the bolt 97, whereby the mounting part 92 is attached to the U-shaped frame part 67 of the second lifting body 32 so as to be rotatable about a rotation central axis line L1. A line passing through the axis of the shaft part of this bolt 97 is the rotation central axis line L1.

[0048] Further, a tip end of a rod 123 of a rotation cylinder 121 of the first rotation drive means 38 is rotatably attached to the front ends of both opposing plates 95 of the attachment portion 92 via attachment means 100. The attachment means 100 is composed of a bolt 101, a nut 102, and a spacer 103, for example.

[0049] The support portion 91 supports the crop W from below when the support body 33 is in a first state, and sends the crop W to the rear side when the support body 33 is in a second state. The support portion 91 is composed of, for example, a dish-shaped support plate (receiving tray) 105 that is cross-shaped when viewed from above, and a cushioning material 106 such as a sponge attached to the support plate 105 so as to cover the surface of the support plate 105 (at least the surface that comes into contact with the crop via the packaging sheet).

[0050] Here, the support portion 91 has a rectangular plate-shaped central support portion 107 that supports the central portion of the underside of the crop W via the packaging sheet S, and rectangular plate-shaped peripheral support portions 108a, 108b that protrude diagonally upward from the four ends (outer edges) of the front, back, left and right of this central support portion 107 and support four points of the peripheral portion of the underside of the crop W located around the central portion via the packaging sheet S.

[0051] The pair of front and rear peripheral support parts 108a are formed larger than the pair of left and right peripheral support parts 108b. The pair of front and rear peripheral support parts 108a are composed of an inclined portion 109 positioned at an angle relative to the central support part 107, and a tip part 110 positioned parallel to the central support part 107. The pair of left and right peripheral support parts 108b are composed only of an inclined portion 111 positioned at an angle relative to the central support part 107. In addition, when the support body 33 is in the first state, the central support part 107 is positioned along a horizontal plane. On the other hand, when the support body 33 is in the second state, the inclined portion 109 of the front peripheral support part 108a is positioned along a vertical plane.

[0052] The first rotation drive means 38 has a rotation cylinder (drive source) 121 which is an expandable and contractible fluid pressure cylinder. In other words, the first rotation drive means 38 is composed only of the rotation cylinder 121. The rotation cylinder 121 has a cylinder body 122 attached to a cylinder attachment portion 124 of the second lifting body 32, and a rod 123 which moves in and out of the cylinder body 122. The tip end of the rod 123 is attached to the attachment portion 92 of the support body 33 via the attachment means 100.

[0053] The support body 33 rotates about the pivot axis L1 relative to the second lifting body 32 as the rotating cylinder 121 contracts, becoming a horizontal first state (support state), and rotates about the pivot axis L1 relative to the second lifting body 32 as the rotating cylinder 121 expands, becoming a tilted second state (sending state).

[0054] When the support 33 reaches the second state, the crops W on the support portion 91 are sent (discharged) onto the conveying portion 127 of the conveying body 126, and then the crops W are conveyed by the inclined conveying portion 127 toward the discharge outlet 3 and discharged from the discharge outlet 3 outside the device main body 11.

[0055] The transport section 127 of the transport body 126 is composed of, for example, a transport plate 128 that is inclined downward toward the rear, and a cushioning material 129 such as a sponge attached to the transport plate 128 so as to cover the upper surface of the transport plate 128 .

[0056] Furthermore, in a side view of support 33 in the first state, rotation central axis L1 (rotation fulcrum) is located on the anti-sending side of center point P (center of support) of central support portion 107 of support portion 91, that is, shifted forward from the front-to-rear center position of central support portion 107 in the horizontal posture. In other words, in a side view of support 33 in the first state, rotation central axis L1 is located forward (on the anti-sending side) of a vertical line passing through center point (center of gravity position) O of spherical crop W supported in a placed state by support portion 91. Furthermore, in a plan view, center point P of support portion 91 and center point O of crop W on support portion 91 are adapted to coincide (including approximately coincide) with each other.

[0057] In Fig. 7, the cushion material 106 of the support body 33 and the cushion material 80 of the holder 34 are omitted. The three cylinders (the lifting cylinder 71, the opening / closing cylinder 81, and the rotating cylinder 121) shown in Fig. 7 are, for example, air cylinders. Also, in Fig. 5, the packaging sheet S is omitted.

[0058] As shown in Figures 8 to 10, the pull-out means 28 includes a guide rod 131 which is a pair of front and rear guide bodies shaped longitudinally in the left-right direction, a movable body (moving section) 132 which can move left-right along this guide rod 131, and a pair of upper and lower holding bodies 133 and 134 which are provided in multiple numbers on each movable body 132 and which clamp and hold from above and below the leading end of the long sheet S0 unwound from the sheet roll R.

[0059] The upper and lower holding bodies 133 and 134 form a holding section (gripping section) 130 that can be opened and closed and can move left and right to hold the leading end of the long sheet S0 by clamping it from above and below at the holding position. The holding section 130 can be moved between the holding release position and the holding position by the left and right movement of the moving body 132.

[0060] The upper holding bodies 133 are fixed at predetermined positions on the movable body 132. Each upper holding body 133 has an upper holding portion 133a on the lower surface of its leading end that comes into contact with the long sheet S0. The lower holding bodies 134 are provided on the movable body 132 so as to be rotatable in the vertical direction about an axis portion 135. Each lower holding body 134 has a lower holding portion 134a on the upper surface of its leading end that comes into contact with the long sheet S0, and the lower holding portion 134a is biased in an upward direction by a torsion spring 136, which is a biasing means.

[0061] Then, based on the biasing force of the torsion spring 136, the leading end of the long sheet S0 is sandwiched (gripped) from above and below by the upper holding portion 133a of the upper holding body 133 and the lower holding portion 134a of the lower holding body 134. The multiple lower holding bodies 134 arranged in the front-rear direction at intervals from each other are integrally connected by a connecting rod 137 that is elongated in the front-rear direction.

[0062] The pull-out means 28 also includes a movement drive means (movement drive unit) 141 that moves the movable body 132 left and right relative to the guide rod 131, and a rotation drive means (opening / closing drive unit) 142 that rotates the lower holding body 134 up and down around the shaft portion 135 relative to the movable body 132.

[0063] The moving drive means 141 has a motor (drive source) 143 and a pair of endless chains 144 (144a, 144b) at the front and rear that rotate based on the power from the motor 143, and each chain 144 is hung on left and right sprockets 145 that face each other at a distance, and the tension of each chain can be adjusted by a tension adjustment means 146. A moving body 132 is attached midway along the chain 144, and a slider part 140 of the moving body 132 can slide along a guide rod 131 based on the rotation of the chain 144. The front chain 144a rotates based on the power from the motor 143, while the rear chain 144b rotates in a driven manner based on the power from the motor 143 so as to be linked to the front chain 144a.

[0064] Then, the moving body 132 moves to the right together with the holding part 130 to a holding position (a position close to the cutting means) while being guided by the guide rod 131 as the pair of front and rear chains 144 (144a, 144b) rotate in one direction based on the power from the motor 143, and moves to the left together with the holding part 130 to a holding release position (a position away from the cutting means) while being guided by the guide rod 131 as the pair of front and rear chains 144 (144a, 144b) rotate in the other direction based on the power from the motor 143.

[0065] In other words, the holding portion 130 of the drawing means 28 moves to the holding position together with the moving body 132 as the moving body 132 moves to the right based on the power from the motor 143, and moves to the holding release position together with the moving body 132 as the moving body 132 moves to the left based on the power from the motor 143. Then, by the movement to the holding release position, the long sheet S0 held by the holding portion 130 is pulled out.

[0066] The rotation drive means 142 has a cylinder (drive source such as an air cylinder) 147 which is an expandable and contractible fluid pressure cylinder. This cylinder 147 has a cylinder body 148 and a rod 149 which moves in and out of this cylinder body 148. An elevation member 151 is fixed to the upper end of the rod 149, and an abutment portion 152 which abuts against the connecting rod 137 is formed on this elevation member 151.

[0067] When the lifting member 151 rises due to the extension of the cylinder 147, the contact portion 152 of the lifting member 151 lifts the connecting rod 137 against the biasing force of the torsion spring 136. As a result, the lower holding body 134 rotates downward about the shaft portion 135, and the lower holding portion 134a of the lower holding body 134 moves away from the upper holding portion 133a of the upper holding body 133, whereby the holding of the long sheet S0 by both holding bodies 133, 134 is released.

[0068] That is, as shown in Fig. 9(b), the holding portion (sheet holding portion) 130 is in an open state in which the lower holding portion 134a is separated from the upper holding portion 133a by the extension operation of the cylinder 147. Also, as shown in Fig. 9(c), the holding portion 130 is in a closed state in which the lower holding portion 134a is close to (including contact with) the upper holding portion 133a by the contraction operation of the cylinder 147.

[0069] The cutting means 29 includes a receiving body 161 fixed to the device main body 11, a pressing body 162 which presses the long sheet S0 against the sheet receiving section 160 of the receiving body 161, and a cutting blade 163 which is a plate-shaped cutting body which cuts the long sheet S0 which is pressed against the sheet receiving section 160 by the pressing body 162 and is in direct contact with the sheet receiving section 160 to obtain a packaging sheet S of a specified dimension.

[0070] The cutting means 29 also includes a lifting body 165 which can be raised and lowered relative to the receiving body 161 and to which a pressing body 162 and a cutting blade 163 are attached, and a lifting drive means 166 which raises and lowers the lifting body 165 relative to the receiving body 161. The cutting blade 163 is detachably attached to a blade attachment portion 168 of the lifting body 165 by an attachment tool 167.

[0071] The pressing body 162 has multiple (e.g., two) first pressing members 171 located on the pull-out side (left side, that is, the pull-out direction side) of the cutting blade 163, and multiple (e.g., two) second pressing members 172 located on the opposite pull-out side (right side, that is, the pull-out direction side) of the cutting body 163, i.e., on the sheet roll R side (see Figure 14).

[0072] The first pressing members 171 are attached to the first cylindrical portion 169 of the lifting body 165 so as to be movable up and down. Each of the first pressing members 171 has a plate-shaped first long portion 173 that is long in the left-right direction, and a rod portion 174 is provided at a plurality of locations (for example, two locations) on the upper surface of the first long portion 173, and a first sheet pressing portion 175 made of a soft member such as a sponge that does not damage the long sheet S0 is provided on the lower surface of the first long portion 173. A cylindrical coil spring 176 is provided on the outer periphery of the rod portion 174 as a biasing means for biasing the first pressing member 171 downward. The second pressing member 172 is the same as the first pressing member 171 described above.

[0073] The receiver 161 has a flat sheet receiver (sheet contact portion) 160 against which the middle portion of the long sheet S0 is pressed with a desired pressing force by the pressing body 162 and into direct contact, and a sheet support portion 155 that supports the long sheet S0.

[0074] The sheet receiving portion 160 has a plurality of (e.g., six) planar first receiving portions 181 positioned in a row in the front-to-rear direction at intervals below the first pressing member 171 so as to face the first pressing member 171, and a plurality of (e.g., six) planar second receiving portions 182 positioned in a row in the front-to-rear direction at intervals below the second pressing member 172 so as to face the second pressing member 172.

[0075] A first space 183 is formed between the adjacent first receiving portions 181, and a second space 184 is formed between the adjacent second receiving portions 182. When the long sheet S0 is held by the upper holding body 133 and the lower holding body 134 constituting the holding portion 130 of the drawing means 28, the lower holding body 134 moves upward and passes through both spaces 183, 184. In addition, a cutting space 185 is formed between the adjacent first receiving portion 181 and second receiving portion 182, through which the cutting blade 163 moves downward when cutting the long sheet S0.

[0076] Here, each of the multiple first receiving portions 181 of the sheet receiving section 160 of the receiving body 161 is made of a material to which the packaging sheet S does not stick, i.e., a non-metallic material (non-ferrous material, etc.), such as a relatively flexible sheet-like nonwoven fabric 186 made of synthetic resin or the like.

[0077] That is, a nonwoven fabric 186 made of a material to which the packaging sheet S made of, for example, stretch film does not adhere is fixedly attached (it may be detachable so as to be replaceable) to the upper part of a convex portion 188 of an iron receiving member (a cutting frame which is a base member) 187. The upper surface of a non-iron first receiving portion 181 made of the nonwoven fabric 186 is located at a lower position than the upper surface of an iron second receiving portion 182. The height difference is, for example, 1 mm to 10 mm, preferably 3 mm, and due to the existence of this height difference, when the long sheet S0 is drawn by the drawing means 28, the long sheet S0 is drawn in the drawing direction without coming into contact with the upper surface of the first receiving portion 181 (the surface of the sheet contact portion of the nonwoven fabric).

[0078] Moreover, the lifting drive means 166 has a cylinder 191 (for example, a drive source such as an air cylinder) which is an expandable and contractible fluid pressure cylinder. This cylinder 191 has a cylinder body 192 and a rod 193 which moves in and out of this cylinder body 192. A lifting rod 195 which can move up and down along a rod guide 194 is connected to the upper end of the rod 193, and the lifting body 165 is attached to the upper end of this lifting rod 195. Also, a slider portion 190 is attached to a frame portion 189 fixed to the cylinder body 192, and a guide rod 131 is inserted into this slider portion 190.

[0079] When the lifting rod 195 is lowered by the contraction of the cylinder 191, the lifting body 165 is lowered toward the long sheet S0 together with the pressing body 162 and the cutting blade 163. As a result, the first pressing member 171 presses the long sheet S0 against the nonwoven fabric 186 which is the first receiving portion 181 of the sheet receiving portion 160 of the receiving body 161, and the second pressing member 172 presses the long sheet S0 against the second receiving portion 182 of the sheet receiving portion 160 of the receiving body 161, and then the cutting blade 163 cuts the long sheet S0 in the pressed state, thereby obtaining a packaging sheet S of a predetermined dimension.

[0080] Furthermore, a cutting blade guard 196 that covers the side portion of the cutting blade 163 is provided on the receiving body 161. A rubber plate 198 that is an elastic body that can be elastically deformed and presses the long sheet S0 against the second receiving portion 182 at its lower end is attached to a vertical plate portion 197 of the cutting blade guard 196.

[0081] When the long sheet S0 is passed through when setting a new sheet roll R, the bottom end of the rubber plate 198 is lifted by pressing the rubber plate pressing member 199 against the biasing force of the spring 200. This allows the operator to easily pass the long sheet S0 between the bottom end of the rubber plate 198 and the second receiving portion 182 (see FIG. 14).

[0082] On the other hand, as shown in Figures 11 to 13, the processing means (packaging processing section) 26 performs a predetermined processing on the upper portion (the outer peripheral portion in the unfolded state before packaging) of the packaging sheet S in a state in which the agricultural crop W supported by the support 33 of the support means 25 is wrapped (a state in which substantially the entire agricultural crop is wrapped), which is located above the agricultural crop W on the support 33, and is equipped with, for example, a gathering means (gathering section) 231, a cutting means (cutting section) 232, and a heat welding means (heat welding section) 233.

[0083] The gathering means (converging means) 231 is a means for gathering together an upper portion of the packaging sheet S located above the crops W supported by the supporting portions 91 of the support body 33 in a manner that squeezes the upper portion from the periphery.

[0084] The cutting means 232 is a means for separating the excess portion S1 from the packaging portion (main body portion) which is the portion of the packaging sheet S that packages the entire agricultural produce W by cutting at a predetermined cutting position in the upper portion of the packaging sheet S gathered by the collecting means 231, and is composed of, for example, a cutting blade 235.

[0085] The heat sealing means 233 is a means for heat sealing (closing) the portion of the upper part of the packaging sheet S gathered by the gathering means 231 that is located slightly below the cutting position, and is composed of, for example, a pair of front and rear heaters 236, 237.

[0086] The gathering means 231 includes a pair of left and right guide bodies, namely guide rods 240, which are elongated rods extending in the front-to-rear direction; a pair of front and rear gathering movable bodies, namely a front gathering movable body 241 and a rear gathering movable body 242, which gather the upper portion of the packaging sheet S so as to clamp it from the front and rear sides by moving (sliding) toward each other along the guide rods 240; and a pair of left and right gathering rotating bodies, namely a left gathering rotating body 243 and a right gathering rotating body 244, which rotate in the direction toward each other in conjunction with the gathering movable bodies 241, 242 and gather the upper portion of the packaging sheet S so as to clamp it from the left and right sides.

[0087] The collection means 231 also includes a first movement drive means 246 that moves the front collection mobile body 241 back and forth relative to the guide rod 240 between the standby position and the collection position, and a second movement drive means 247 that moves the rear collection mobile body 242 back and forth relative to the guide rod 240 between the standby position and the collection position.

[0088] Both collection rotating bodies 243, 244 have the same configuration and rotate left and right (second direction intersecting with the first direction) according to the movement of both collection moving bodies 241, 242 in the front and rear direction (first direction). In other words, the collection rotating bodies 243, 244 rotate in conjunction with the collection moving bodies 241, 242 which move based on the power from the movement drive means 246, 247. In addition, both collection moving bodies and both movement drive means have the same configuration, and parts are shared.

[0089] First, the front-side collection movable body 241 has a movable member 251 that slides in the front-rear direction along a guide rod 240, and the guide rod 240 is inserted into slider portions 252 on both the left and right ends of the movable member 251. The movable member 251 is provided with a guide collar 253, a slide plate 254, and a sheet clamping plate 255, and the cutting blade 235 and the heater 236 are attached to the tip side of the sheet clamping plate 255.

[0090] The first movement drive means 246 has a cylinder (for example, a drive source such as an air cylinder) 256 which is an expandable and contractible fluid pressure cylinder, and this cylinder 256 is composed of a cylinder body 258 and a rod 259 which moves in and out of this cylinder body 258. The rear end of a cylinder arm 260 is connected to the tip of the rod 259, and the front end of this cylinder arm 260 is connected to the left end of the moving member 251.

[0091] The rear collection movable body 242 has a movable member 261 which slides in the front-rear direction along a guide rod 240, and the guide rod 240 is inserted into slider portions 262 on both left and right ends of the movable member 261. The movable member 261 is provided with a guide collar 263, a slide plate 264, and a sheet clamping plate 265, and a heater 237 is attached to the tip side of the sheet clamping plate 265. Note that a predetermined portion of the packaging sheet S is clamped and thermally welded by the front and rear heaters 236, 237.

[0092] The second movement drive means 247, like the first movement drive means 246, has a cylinder (drive source such as an air cylinder) 266 which is an expandable and contractible fluid pressure cylinder, and this cylinder 266 is composed of a cylinder body 268 and a rod 269 which moves in and out of this cylinder body 268. The front end of a cylinder arm 270 is connected to the tip of the rod 269, and the rear end of the cylinder arm 270 is connected to the right end of the moving member 261. The two left and right guide rods 240 are installed between the front frame 238 and the rear frame 239.

[0093] Next, the left side collection moving body 243 has multiple, for example, two plate-shaped blade members, an upper blade 271 and a lower blade 272, and the lower blade 272 has a curved long hole portion 273 formed in it. A guide collar (roller portion) 263, which is the insertion portion of the rear collection moving body 242, is inserted into the long hole portion 273 so as to be slidable along the long hole portion 273.

[0094] Similarly, the right-side collection moving body 244 has multiple, for example, two plate-shaped blade members, an upper blade 276 and a lower blade 277, and the lower blade 277 has a curved long hole portion 278 formed therein. A guide collar (roller portion) 253, which is the insertion portion of the front collection moving body 241, is inserted into the long hole portion 278 so as to be slidable along the long hole portion 278.

[0095] A restricting plate (resin plate guide serving as a sagging prevention plate) 280 that restricts downward elastic deformation of the resin plate 16 due to contact with the underside of the resin plate 16 when compressed air is injected by the air injection means 27 is attached to the upper blade 276 of the right-side rotating body 244 via a plurality of support rods 279. That is, a plurality of support rods 279 are erected on the upper surface of the upper blade 276 of the right-side rotating body 244, and the restricting plate 280 is fixed to the upper end of the support rod 279 and disposed in the vicinity of the underside of the resin plate 16.

[0096] Here, the left collecting pivot body (upper and lower blades on the left side) 243, which is one of the pair of collecting pivot bodies 243, 244, is capable of rotating left and right around a first support shaft portion (first rotation center) 281, which is a first fulcrum fixedly provided on the rear side of the device main body 11, between a waiting position (a separated position which does not overlap with the support portion 91 in a planar view) and a collecting position (an approaching position which overlaps with the support portion 91 in a planar view).

[0097] In contrast, the right-side collecting rotating body (upper and lower blades on the right side) 244, which is the other collecting rotating body of the pair of collecting rotating bodies 243, 244, is capable of rotating left and right around a second support shaft portion (second rotation center) 282, which is a second fulcrum fixedly provided on the front side of the device main body 11, between a waiting position (a separated position which does not overlap with the support portion 91 in a planar view) and a collecting position (a close position which overlaps with the support portion 91 in a planar view).

[0098] In addition, the upper portion of the packaging sheet S is gathered by rotating the left and right gathering rotating bodies 243, 244 toward the gathering position (rotating toward each other), and when the gathering rotating bodies 243, 244 are positioned at the gathering position, a gap 283 of a predetermined dimension is present between them. Due to the presence of this gap 283, the heat welding of the packaging sheet S by the heaters 236, 237 is appropriately performed.

[0099] As shown in FIG. 13(a), in a plan view, the first support shaft 281 that rotatably supports the rear end (base end on the first fulcrum side) of the left-side collection rotating body 243 and the second support shaft 282 that rotatably supports the front end (base end on the second fulcrum side) of the right-side collection rotating body 244 are located in point-symmetric positions centered on the center point P (the center of the crop) of the support part 91 of the support body 33.

[0100] That is, both support shaft portions 281, 282 are located on different sides of a straight line La in the left-right direction that passes through the center point P of the support 33 in a plan view, more specifically, the first support shaft portion 281 is located rearward of the straight line La and the second support shaft portion 282 is located forward of the straight line La. Also, both support shaft portions 281, 282 are located on different sides of a straight line Lb in the front-rear direction that passes through the center point P of the support 33 in a plan view, more specifically, the first support shaft portion 281 is located leftward of the straight line Lb and the second support shaft portion 282 is located rightward of the straight line Lb.

[0101] The state shown in Figure 13(a) is a state in which both collection movable bodies 241, 242 are in their standby positions and both collection rotating bodies 243, 244 are also in their standby positions so that the crops W can be set from the supply port 2 onto the support portion 91 of the support body 33. When the crops W are set in this state, both cylinders 256, 266 begin to extend (i.e., the collection means begins its collection operation), and this extension causes both collection movable bodies 241, 242 to move synchronously in directions approaching each other to the collection position, with the result that the upper portion of the packaging sheet S is gathered from the front and rear by both collection movable bodies 241, 242.

[0102] At the same time, as the guide collars 253, 263 slide within the long hole portions 273, 278, the two gathering rotation bodies 243, 244 rotate synchronously around the point-symmetric support shaft portions 281, 282 in the direction approaching each other to the gathering position, and as a result, the upper portion of the packaging sheet S is gathered from the left and right sides by the two gathering rotation bodies 243, 244.

[0103] In this way, the upper portion of the packaging sheet S is gathered by both gathering movable bodies 241, 242 and both gathering rotating bodies 243, 244, and at the end of the gathering operation by the gathering means 231, the cutting blade 235 cuts the upper portion of the packaging sheet S at the desired cutting position to separate the excess portion S1 from the wrapped portion of the packaging sheet S, and the heaters 236, 237 heat-seal and seal a portion of the upper portion of the packaging sheet S that is slightly below the cutting position. As a result, the entire agricultural produce W is wrapped in the packaging sheet S sealed by heat welding, and packaging is completed. After packaging is completed, when both cylinders 256, 266 perform a contracting operation, both gathering movable bodies 241, 242 and both gathering rotating bodies 243, 244 return to their original standby positions.

[0104] 9(a), the packaging device 1 is provided with a plurality of optical detection means (photoelectric sensors, etc.) for detecting the moving body 132 of the drawing means 28, such as a drawing end sensor 301, a middle sensor 302, and an end sensor 303. That is, the sensors 301, 302, and 303 for detecting the moving body 132 are disposed at predetermined positions within the device body 11. Also, a supply port sensor 304, which is an optical detection means for detecting the hand of an operator who supplies the agricultural product W from the supply port 2 into the device body 11, is disposed near the supply port 2 of the device body 11 (see FIG. 1). The control means 50 appropriately controls the driving sources (motors, cylinders, etc.) of the drawing means 28 and the cutting means 29 based on information from these sensors when the long sheet S0 is drawn and cut.

[0105] Here, the end sensor 303 is disposed at a holding position (a preset holding position) where the holding portion 130 of the pull-out means 28 is in a closed state (holding state) and holds the leading end of the long sheet S0. The middle sensor 302 is disposed at a position midway along the movement of the holding portion 130 of the pull-out means 28, which is a position on the holding release position side of the support portion 91 of the support means 25, that is, for example, a position (middle position) to the left of the left holder 34.

[0106] The pull-out end sensor 301 is disposed at a position to the left of the hold release position (a preset position for hold release) where the holder 130 of the pull-out means 28 is in an open state (hold release state) and releases the hold of the leading end of the long sheet S0. The pull-out end sensor 301 is a safety sensor for preventing the movable body 132 from overrunning.

[0107] Next, a specific operation of the packaging device 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0108] First, the operation of the drawing means 28 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0109] As shown in FIG. 14(a), before the start of a packaging operation (initial state), the holding portion 130 of the drawing means 28 is in an open state, stopped at the holding release position, and waits.

[0110] Then, when the packaging work (packaging process) is started by manually supplying the agricultural produce W by an operator, as shown in Figure 14 (b), the holding section 130 closes at the holding release position immediately after the work starts based on the control of the control means 50, and starts moving toward the holding position while remaining in that closed state.

[0111] Next, when the intermediate sensor 302 detects the moving body 132 and turns on as shown in FIG. 14(c), the holding portion 130 moves toward the holding position based on the control of the control means 50 and opens after the intermediate sensor 302 passes, as shown in FIG. 14(d).

[0112] That is, for example, the cylinder 147 starts contracting after a set time has elapsed (e.g., 0.5 seconds, which is the timer time) after the intermediate section sensor 302 is turned on, and the holding section 130 switches from the closed state to the open state. That is, while moving toward the holding position, the holding section 130 switches from the closed state to the open state before arriving at the holding position and after the excess section S1 of the packaging sheet S is cut off by the cutting blade 235. Note that the control means 50 may control the cylinder 147, which is the drive section, so that the holding section 130 is automatically changed from the closed state to the open state after the excess section S1 is cut off, for example, without using the intermediate section sensor 302.

[0113] 14(e), when the end sensor 303 detects the moving body 132 and turns on, the holding portion 130 in the open state stops at the holding position under the control of the control means 50. At this time, the leading end of the long sheet S0 is inserted between the upper holding portion 133a and the lower holding portion 134a of the holding portion 130 in the open state.

[0114] Next, the operation of the drawing means 28 and the cutting means 29 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0115] 15(a) and (b), the holding portion 130 of the drawing means 28 is closed at the holding position under the control of the control means 50 to hold (sandwich) the leading end of the long sheet S0 from above and below with both holding portions 133a and 134a, and then moves from the holding position to the holding release position. In this way, the long sheet S0 is drawn out from the sheet roll R by the drawing means 28.

[0116] Next, as shown in FIG. 15(c), the pressing body 162 of the cutting means 29 presses the long sheet S0 against the receiving body 161, and then the cutting blade 163 cuts the long sheet S0, thereby obtaining a packaging sheet S of a predetermined size.

[0117] Next, as shown in Figure 15 (d), when the holding portion 130 of the pulling means 28 opens to the release position and releases the hold on the tip portion of the long sheet S, the packaging sheet S of a specified dimension falls onto the support plate 14 of the device main body 11 under its own weight.

[0118] At this time, the packaging sheet S is not stuck (adheres) to first receiving portion 181 that was pressed by first pressing member 171, and is smoothly separated from first receiving portion 181. This enables the operator to properly set crop W on supporting portion 91 of support body 33 via packaging sheet S.

[0119] Next, the operation of the drawing means 28 and the operation of the supporting means 25 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0120] As shown in FIG. 16( a ), the worker supplies the crops W held by hand into the device body 11 through the supply opening 2 , and sets the crops W to be packaged on the support parts 91 of the supports 33 of the support means 25 .

[0121] As a result, almost the entire crop W (except for the central portion of the upper surface) is wrapped in packaging sheet S and is supported by support portion 91 via packaging sheet S, but if the crop W is relatively small, the excess portion (excess sheet) S1 of the packaging sheet S wrapping the crop W becomes excessively large. For this reason, even if first lifting body 31 descends to the lowered position, part of excess portion S1 remains on support plate 14 (the movement area where holding portion 130 passes).

[0122] Furthermore, when the worker removes his / her hands from supply port 2 after setting crop W on support portion 91 , control means 50 starts the packaging operation based on information from supply port sensor 304 .

[0123] Then, when the packaging operation begins, as shown in Figure 16 (b), the holding section 130 closes in the release position immediately after the operation begins, and the holding body 34 of the support means 25 holds the agricultural product W from both the left and right sides and the first lifting body 31 descends.

[0124] 16(c), the holding unit 130 moves toward the holding position while remaining in the closed state so as not to catch the excess portion S1 of the packaging sheet S on the way to the holding position. Furthermore, the first lifting body 31 descends to the lowered position and stops, whereby the support 33 stops at a desired position according to the size of the crops W. Furthermore, the collecting unit 231 of the processing unit 26 collects the excess portion S1 of the packaging sheet S (the excess portion before being cut off).

[0125] It should be noted that the state shown in FIG. 16(c) is the state before the moving body 132 passes the position of the intermediate sensor 302. In this state, the gathering by the gathering means 231 is not completed (the gathering operation is in progress), and the separation by the cutting blade 235 and the thermal welding by the heaters 236, 237 are not completed either.

[0126] 16(d), after the movable body 132 passes the position of the intermediate sensor 302, the holding unit 130 moves toward the holding position together with the movable body 132 and opens at a position near the upper side of the support 33. After that, the holding unit 130 moves to the holding position while remaining in the open state and then closes, thereby performing the operation of drawing out the long sheet S0.

[0127] Moreover, before the holding portion 130 is opened, the gathering by the gathering means 231 is completed, and the separation by the cutting blade 235 and the thermal welding by the heaters 236 and 237 are also completed.

[0128] The cut-off excess portion S1 is blown away by compressed air jetted from the jet nozzle 23 of the air jetting means 27, and is discharged from the excess portion discharge port 20 to the outside of the packaging device 1.

[0129] In addition, after the agricultural produce W is released from the clamping by both holding bodies 34 of the support means 25, the completely packaged agricultural produce W on the support part 91 is sent out from above the support part 91 as the support body 33 rotates backward while the first lifting body 31 is stopped in the lowered position, and is discharged outside the packaging device 1 through the discharge outlet 3.

[0130] In this manner, the packaging device 1 automatically packages the agricultural produce W with the packaging sheet S, so that the operator only needs to sequentially insert the agricultural produce W (eg, lettuce) to be packaged through the supply port 2 and supply it.

[0131] Furthermore, according to the packaging device 1 described above, the holding portion 130 of the pull-out means 28 moves toward the holding position in a closed state based on the control of the control means 50 so that the excess portion S1 of the packaging sheet S (the excess portion before it is cut off) does not get caught on the holding portion 130, and is automatically changed from the closed state to the open state before arriving at the holding position. Therefore, the excess portion S1 of the packaging sheet S does not get caught on the moving holding portion 130, and appropriate packaging work can be performed.

[0132] That is, for example, as shown in FIG. 17(a), when the agricultural produce W is relatively small and part of the excess portion S1 before being separated remains on the support plate 14, the excess portion S1 will not get caught on the moving holding portion 130, and proper packaging work can be performed.

[0133] 17(b), if the holding unit 130 is configured to move from the release position to the holding position while remaining open, the surplus portion S1 before being cut off may get caught by the moving holding unit 130, which may prevent proper packaging. For example, the surplus portion S1 getting caught by the holding unit 130 may cause the crop W to tilt, which may result in insufficient gathering by the gathering means 231 or damage to the crop W by the cutting blade 235 or heaters 236, 237.

[0134] In addition, the holding portion 130 of the pull-out means 28 moves toward the holding position based on the control of the control means 50, and is automatically changed from a closed state to an open state before arriving at the holding position and after the excess portion S1 of the packaging sheet S has been cut off, so that appropriate packaging work can be performed efficiently.

[0135] In addition, the agricultural produce to be packaged is not limited to lettuce (a round vegetable), but may be, for example, cabbage, melon, apple, etc., and its shape may be arbitrary, and the packaged item may be something other than an agricultural produce.

[0136] Furthermore, the cylinder serving as the drive source (drive section) is not limited to an air cylinder, which is a fluid pressure cylinder, but may be, for example, a hydraulic cylinder, or the like. Also, instead of the cylinder, a drive source such as a motor may be used.

[0137] Furthermore, it is preferable that the parts that come into contact with the agricultural products (support parts, holding parts, transport parts, etc.) have cushioning material which is an elastic material in order to cushion the impact on the agricultural products. However, depending on the type of packaged item, for example, cushioning material may not be necessary.

[0138] Furthermore, the holding portion of the pull-out means is not limited to a configuration in which the opening operation starts and the open state occurs a set time after a detection means such as an intermediate sensor is turned on (detected), but may be configured, for example, to start the opening operation and become open when the detection means is turned on (detected), or may be configured, for example, to automatically perform the opening and closing operation by time control without using a detection means.

[0139] Furthermore, the holding portion of the drawing means may be configured to open immediately before arriving at the holding position, or immediately after the surplus portion is cut off.

[0140] It is also possible to configure the holding portion of the pull-out means to move to the holding position while remaining in a closed state and then to open the holding portion, so that the leading end of the long sheet is automatically inserted into the holding portion in the open state. [Explanation of symbols]

[0141] 1 Packaging equipment 28 Withdrawal means 29 Cutting means 50 Control Means 91 Support part 130 Holding part 302 Middle sensor as detection means S Packaging Sheet S0 Long Sheet S1 Surplus part W Packaged produce

Claims

1. A packaging device that packages an item to be packaged with a packaging sheet, A drawing means for drawing out the long sheet; a cutting means for cutting the long sheet drawn out by the drawing means to obtain a packaging sheet, The drawing means has an openable and closable holding portion for holding a long sheet, The holding portion moves toward the holding position in a closed state so as not to catch the excess portion of the packaging sheet. A packaging device comprising:

2. A packaging device that packages an item to be packaged with a packaging sheet, A drawing means for drawing out the long sheet; a cutting means for cutting the long sheet drawn out by the drawing means to obtain a packaging sheet; A control means for controlling at least the drawing means and the cutting means, The drawing means has an openable and closable holding portion for holding a long sheet, The holding portion moves toward the holding position in a closed state so as not to catch the excess portion of the packaging sheet, based on the control of the control means, and opens before arriving at the holding position. A packaging device comprising:

3. A detection means is provided in the middle of the movement of the holding part, The control means changes the holding portion from a closed state to an open state based on information from the detection means.

3. The packaging device according to claim 2.

4. The detection means is disposed on the side of the support portion that supports the packaged item via the packaging sheet, closer to the holding release position.

4. The packaging device according to claim 3.

5. The holding portion is in an open state before arriving at the holding position and after the excess portion of the packaging sheet is cut off while moving toward the holding position.

5. The packaging device according to claim 1,

Images