Packaging device

Abstract

To provide a packaging device capable of preventing welding failure of a packaging material.SOLUTION: A packaging device includes a conveyance passage, supply means, airflow generation means and welding means. The conveyance passage receives an object to be packaged. The supply means supplies a first packaging material and a second packaging material to both sides of the conveyance passage. The airflow generation means blows a gas from the outer surface side of the first packaging material toward the object to be packaged being conveyed on the conveyance passage, and generates an airflow toward an end edge of the first packaging material along the outer surface of the first packaging material. The welding means heats and welds the first packaging material and the second packaging material at a position being deviated from the object to be packaged.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a wrapping device for wrapping, for example, newspapers in film. [Background technology]

[0002] A wrapping machine that wraps newspapers in film generally sandwiches the newspaper between two rolls of film, heat-welds the film around the newspaper, and cuts the film at the same time as the film is heat-welded, waiting for the next newspaper to be inserted. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 8-143008 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The film used to wrap newspapers is made of a thin resin with a thickness of only a few micrometers, so it is prone to wrinkles and folds, making it difficult to properly heat-seal the film at the desired locations. For example, if the film is heat-sealed at a wrinkled or folded location, holes may form in the film.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned points, and has an object to provide a packaging device that can prevent poor welding of packaging material. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One embodiment of the packaging device of the present invention has a conveying path, a supplying means, an airflow generating means, and a welding means. The conveying path receives the packaged items. The supplying means supplies a first packaging material and a second packaging material to both sides of the conveying path. The airflow generating means blows gas from the outer surface side of the first packaging material toward the packaged items conveyed along the conveying path, generating an airflow along the outer surface of the first packaging material toward the edge of the first packaging material. The welding means heat-welds the first packaging material and the second packaging material at a position away from the packaged items.

[0007] One embodiment of the packaging device of the present invention includes a conveying path, a supplying means, a conveying means, an airflow generating means, a welding means, a first detection unit, a second detection unit, and a control unit. The conveying path receives the packaged item. The supplying means supplies the first packaging material and the second packaging material to both sides of the conveying path. The conveying means conveys a stack in which the packaged item received on the conveying path is sandwiched between the first packaging material and the second packaging material along the conveying path and stops the stack at a welding position. The airflow generating means blows gas from the outer surface side of the first packaging material toward the packaged item conveyed on the conveying path toward the welding position, thereby generating an airflow toward the edge of the first packaging material along the outer surface of the first packaging material. The welding means heat-welds the first packaging material and the second packaging material at a position of the stack stopped at the welding position away from the packaged item. The first detection unit detects that the packaged item has been received on the conveying path. The second detection unit detects that the stack has been transported to the welding position. The control unit controls the transport means, the airflow generating means, and the welding means so as to generate an airflow by the airflow generating means based on the first detection unit detecting that the packaged item has been received on the transport path, stop transport of the stack and stop generation of the airflow by the airflow generating means based on the second detection unit detecting that the stack has been transported to the welding position, and heat-weld the first packaging material and the second packaging material by the welding means. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a packaging device capable of preventing poor welding of packaging material. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing a packaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the internal structure of the packaging device of FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a side view showing a support mechanism of one of the transport units in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a front view of the support mechanism of FIG. 3 as viewed from the direction of arrow F4. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the packaging device taken along the line F5-F5 in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a front view (a), a right side view (b), and a bottom view (c) showing the airflow generating device attached to the support mechanism of FIG. 3-5. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a control system for controlling the operation of the packaging device of FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the packaging device of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] A packaging device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the direction indicated by the arrow X is the rear, and the direction opposite to the X direction is the front. In each drawing, the direction indicated by the arrow Y is the rightward direction, and the direction opposite to the arrow Y is the leftward direction. In each drawing, the direction indicated by the arrow Z is the upward direction, and the direction opposite to the arrow Z is the downward direction. In other words, in the following description, the front-rear direction, left-right direction, and up-down direction are defined when the packaging device 100 is viewed from the direction of the arrow X.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 1, the packaging device 100 has a housing 101 in the shape of a substantially rectangular box that forms the outer shell of the device. The housing 101 has an opening at the top that widely opens the top of the packaging device 100. The housing 101 has a top plate 102 for opening and closing this opening. The top plate 102 is provided rotatably via a hinge (not shown) provided at the rear of the housing 101. The top plate 102 has a handle 102a at its front end away from the hinge that is held by an operator. The top plate 102 can be opened and closed between a closed position shown in the drawing and an open position (not shown).

[0012] Top plate 102 has a slit-shaped insertion opening 103 for inserting packaged item P (FIG. 2), which is, for example, several sheets of newspaper stacked and folded. Insertion opening 103 is an opening that penetrates top plate 102 and has a size and shape that allows packaged item P to pass through. Packaged item P may be a newspaper, a booklet, a flat box, or the like. Insertion opening 103 is provided in the center of the front-rear direction of packaging device 100 and extends in the left-right direction, and top plate 102 may be provided with a shutter for opening and closing insertion opening 103.

[0013] An operation / display panel 104 is provided on the top surface of the housing 101 to the right of the insertion port 103. The operation / display panel 104 receives various operational inputs from an operator and displays various operational guidance to the operator. A power switch 105 is provided on the right side of the front surface of the housing 101.

[0014] A discharge tray 106 is provided below the housing 101 for receiving packaged product W (not shown) which is an article P wrapped in films F1 and F2 (FIG. 2). The discharge tray 106 is provided with casters on the bottom, and can be arranged in two states, as shown in FIG. 1, where it is stored inside the housing 101, and as not shown, where it is pulled out forward from the housing 101. The housing 101 is provided with casters 107 on its bottom for movement.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 2, a roll R1 in which a long resin film F1 (first packaging material) is wound around a cylindrical core C1, and a roll R2 in which a long resin film F2 (second packaging material) is wound around a cylindrical core C2 are housed and arranged inside the housing 101. The films F1 and F2 are made of a heat-sealable material having a thickness of about 7 to 10 μm. The cores C1 and C2 of the rolls R1 and R2 have an inner diameter that allows the shafts S1 and S2 to be inserted therethrough with a slight amount of play inside. The shafts S1 and S2 are supported at both ends via support parts (not shown) in a state in which they can move up and down relative to the housing 101.

[0016] The shafts S1 and S2 extend in the left-right direction perpendicular to the paper surface, and the rolls R1 and R2 are attached to the housing 1 at positions spaced apart from each other by a distance such that they do not interfere with each other. Specifically, one roll R1 is disposed in front of the insertion opening 103, and the other roll R2 is disposed behind the insertion opening 103. The rolls R1 and R2 are freely rotatable about the shafts S1 and S2, respectively. The rolls R1 and R2 are replaceable by removing both ends of the shafts S1 and S2 from the housing 101.

[0017] 2, roll R1 on the left (front) is attached inside housing 101 in such a direction that it rotates counterclockwise as film F1 is pulled out. Roll R2 on the right (rear) is attached inside housing 101 in such a direction that it rotates clockwise as film F2 is pulled out. Rolls R1 and R2 rotate about axes S1 and S2 when the packaged item P is inserted, i.e., when films F1 and F2 are pulled out.

[0018] Support rollers 9a and 9b are provided below the rolls R1 and R2, respectively, to support the rolls R1 and R2 from below by contacting their outer circumferential surfaces with the outer circumferential surfaces of the rolls R1 and R2. The rotation shafts of the support rollers 9a and 9b extend in the left-right direction perpendicular to the paper surface. Both ends of the rotation shafts of the support rollers 9a and 9b are rotatably attached to the housing 101.

[0019] As described above, both ends of the shafts S1 and S2 of the rolls R1 and R2 are supported so as to be vertically movable relative to the housing 101, and the outer circumferential surfaces of the rolls R1 and R2 are pressed against the corresponding support rollers 9a and 9b by their own weights. Therefore, the support rollers 9a and 9b are rotatable relative to the rolls R1 and R2, respectively.

[0020] Two guide rollers 2a, 2b extending to the left and right are provided downstream of the inlet 103 along the insertion direction of the packaged item P. One guide roller 2a is disposed in front of the inlet 103, and the other guide roller 2b is disposed behind the inlet 103. The insertion direction of the packaged item P is the direction of gravity from top to bottom. The guide rollers 2a, 2b wrap around the films F1, F2 pulled out from the rolls R1, R2 in directions approaching each other, and guide them downward.

[0021] The guide rollers 2a, 2b are arranged near the input port 103, spaced apart from each other in the front-rear direction by an interval that is greater than the thickness of the packaged item P and slightly narrower than the width of the input port 103 in the front-rear direction. The films F1, F2 guided through between the guide rollers 2a, 2b are pulled downward. The packaged item P inserted into the housing 101 through the input port 103 is passed between the two films F1, F2. A transport path H is provided in approximately the center of the housing 101 in the front-rear direction, which passes between the guide rollers 2a, 2b and leads to the discharge tray 106.

[0022] A welding and cutting section 4 that welds and cuts the two films F1, F2 is provided downstream of the guide rollers 2a, 2b along the pulling direction of the films F1, F2. The welding and cutting section 4 has a blade 41 arranged in front of the film F1 pulled downward from the roll R1, a heater 42 that heats the blade 41, and a receiving member 43 arranged opposite the blade 41 and behind the film F2 pulled downward from the roll R2. The blade 41 and the receiving member 43 have a length that at least exceeds the width of the films F1, F2 in the left-right direction. The heater 42 is attached in contact with the upper surface of the blade 41 as shown in the figure.

[0023] 2, and the blade 41 is moved rightward (rearward) from the illustrated position toward the receiving member 43, whereby the two films F1, F2 are sandwiched between the blade 41 and the receiving member 43 and come into contact with each other, and the two films F1, F2 are welded together by the heat of the blade 41. When the packaged product W downstream of the welded portion of the films F1, F2 is conveyed downward, the films F1, F2 are torn off at approximately the center of the welded portion in the vertical direction.

[0024] As a result, the rear ends in the pulling direction of the two films F1, F2 of the packaged product W that have passed through the welding and cutting section 4 are welded to each other, and the leading ends in the pulling direction of the two films F1, F2 on the upstream side of the welding and cutting section 4 are welded to each other along the pulling direction. After the blade 41 is moved to the home position in Figure 2 away from the receiving member 43, the leading ends in the pulling direction of the two films F1, F2 on the upstream side of the welding and cutting section 4 stick to the surface of the receiving member 43 on the conveying path H side.

[0025] A sensor 5 (first detection unit) for detecting the passage of the packaged item P is provided upstream of the welding and cutting unit 4 and downstream of the guide rollers 2a, 2b in the pulling direction of the films F1, F2. Also, a sensor 6 (second detection unit) for detecting the passage of the packaged item P is provided downstream of the welding and cutting unit 4 in the pulling direction of the films F1, F2. The sensors 5, 6 are each a transmission type photoelectric sensor having a light emitting element and a light receiving element on both the front and rear sides with the conveying path of the packaged item P sandwiched therebetween.

[0026] That is, sensor 5 is disposed upstream of the welding and cutting section 4 at a position where its light beam crosses the conveying path of the packaged item P, and sensor 6 is disposed downstream of the welding and cutting section 4 at a position where its light beam crosses the conveying path of the packaged item P. Note that the light beams of sensors 5 and 6 pass through films F1 and F2, and therefore can detect the passage of packaged item P sandwiched between films F1 and F2. Sensors 5 and 6 may be reflective photoelectric sensors that detect light reflected by packaged item P.

[0027] The sensor 5 detects the end (leading end) of the packaged item P fed through the feed port 103 on the downstream side in the conveying direction, and detects that the packaged item P has been fed into the packaging device 100. The sensor 6 detects the end (rear end) of the packaged item P on the upstream side in the conveying direction, and detects that the packaged item P has passed through the welding and cutting section 4.

[0028] Further downstream of the sensor 6 along the pulling direction of the films F1, F2 is disposed a conveying mechanism 8 (conveying means) that clamps and restrains the stack T having the packaged article P sandwiched between the two films F1, F2, conveys it through a conveying path H, and stops it at the welding position shown in Fig. 2. The conveying mechanism 8 has conveying units 8F, 8R of approximately the same structure at the front and rear (on both the left and right sides in the figure) of the conveying path H for the stack T.

[0029] The conveying unit 8F (first conveying section) at the front (left side in the figure) of the conveying path H of the laminate T has two belt units 80 (FIG. 4) spaced apart from each other on the left and right. The two belt units 80 of the conveying unit 8F each have a structure in which an endless conveying belt 8c is wound around a driving roller 8a and a driven roller 8b that are spaced apart from each other in the direction of gravity. The rotation axes of the driving roller 8a and the driven roller 8b of the two belt units 80 extend in the left-right direction perpendicular to the paper surface, and are arranged coaxially. The driving roller 8a is arranged above the driven roller 8b and slightly behind the driven roller 8b. The conveying unit 8F that defines the front side of the conveying path H is arranged at a position where the conveying belt 8c of each belt unit 80 runs in contact with the surface of the laminate T on the left side in the figure (the outer surface of the film F1).

[0030] The transport unit 8R (second transport section) at the rear (right side in the drawing) of the transport path H has two belt units (not shown) facing the rear of the two belt units 80 of the transport unit 8F described above. The two belt units of the transport unit 8R have the same structure as the belt unit 80 of the transport unit 8F, and have a structure in which an endless transport belt 8c is wound around a drive roller 8a and a driven roller 8b. The rotation axes of the drive roller 8a and the driven roller 8b of the two belt units are extended in the left-right direction perpendicular to the paper surface and are arranged coaxially.

[0031] The drive roller 8a is disposed below and slightly forward of the driven roller 8b. The transport unit 8R, which defines the rear side of the transport path H, is disposed on the opposite side of the laminate T from the transport unit 8F, at a position where the transport belt 8c runs in contact with the surface of the laminate T on the right side in the figure (the outer surface of the film F2). The drive roller 8a of this transport unit 8R may be connected to the drive shaft of the transport unit 8F via a pulley or timing belt (not shown), and is driven in synchronization with the transport unit 8F.

[0032] The running direction of the conveyor belt 8c of the conveyor unit 8F is clockwise in Fig. 2, and the running direction of the conveyor belt 8c of the conveyor unit 8R is counterclockwise. The conveyor path H between the conveyor units 8F and 8R is slightly inclined leftward (forward) from top to bottom in Fig. 2. The packaged product W that has been fed into the conveyor path H and wrapped with the films F1 and F2 is discharged via the conveyor path H toward the discharge tray 106 disposed below the housing 101 by driving the conveyor mechanism 8. The discharge tray 106 sequentially stacks and stores the packaged products W that have been fed through the conveyor path H.

[0033] A flat guide plate 7 (FIGS. 4 and 5) is located behind the conveying path H. The guide plate 7 is disposed parallel to the conveying path H at a position facing the airflow generating device 20 described later with the conveying path H in between. The guide plate 7 has two openings 7a (FIG. 5) for exposing the conveying belts 8c of the two belt units of the conveying unit 8R toward the conveying path H. When the airflow generated by the airflow generating device 20 is blown onto the stack T conveyed along the conveying path H, the edges of the films F1 and F2 around the packaged article P are pressed against the guide plate 7 by the airflow. In other words, the guide plate 7 has a size and shape that overlaps with the edges of the films F1 and F2 of the stack T conveyed to the welding position.

[0034] The transport unit 8F disposed in front of the transport path H is supported by a support mechanism 10 shown in Figures 3 and 4 so as to be movable toward and away from the transport unit 8R. The support mechanism 10 has a support frame 12 attached to a housing 101 so as to be swingable about a swing shaft 11 extending in the left-right direction. The support frame 12 has a vertical frame 13 disposed on the right side of the transport unit 8F, a vertical frame 14 disposed on the left side of the transport unit 8F, a horizontal frame 15 having a base end fixed to the swing shaft 11, a horizontal frame 16 having a base end fixed to the swing shaft 11, and a connecting frame 18 connecting the swing tips of the two horizontal frames 15, 16 to the base ends of the two vertical frames 13, 14 at approximately right angles.

[0035] The conveying unit 8F is connected to the support frame 12 by rotatably attaching the rotation shaft of the driven roller 8b to the tip of the two vertical frames 13 and 14. The support frame 12 is biased in the clockwise direction around the swing shaft 11 in FIG. 3 by a plurality of springs (not shown). In other words, before the packaged item P is conveyed, the conveying belt 8c of the conveying unit 8F is pressed against the conveying belt 8c of the conveying unit 8R with the two films F1 and F2 sandwiched therebetween. Then, when the packaged item P having a predetermined thickness is sent into the conveying path H and conveyed between the conveying unit 8R and the conveying unit 8F, the support frame 12 swings against the biasing force of the springs so that the conveying unit 8F moves away from the conveying unit 8R by the thickness of the packaged item P.

[0036] 4 and 5, an airflow generating device 20 (airflow generating means) is fixed to the support frame 12 of the support mechanism 10. Therefore, the airflow generating device 20 moves in a direction toward or away from the conveying unit 8R due to the swinging of the support frame 12. In other words, the distance between the airflow generating device 20 and the stack T is constant regardless of the thickness of the packaged item P.

[0037] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the airflow generating device 20 has a fan 22 that generates an airflow from the front to the rear of the conveying path H, two deflection plates 24R, 24L (deflection members) that deflect the airflow generated by the fan 22 in the left and right directions, and a baffle plate 26 (baffle member) that blocks the airflow generated by the fan 22 so that it does not head toward the blade 41 of the welding and cutting section 4.

[0038] The fan 22 is attached to the support frame 12 in a direction that generates an air current in the direction of the arrow X from the front to the rear. As shown in Fig. 4, the fan 22 is disposed in the center in the left-right direction at a height position that faces near the lower end of the laminate T disposed at the welding position. In other words, the fan 22 blows air toward the center in the left-right direction near the lower end of the laminate T disposed at the welding position. The fan 22 has a width of, for example, 0.9 m. 3 An axial flow fan or blower fan having an air volume of about 1 / min can be used.

[0039] The two deflection plates 24R, 24L are inclined in opposite directions so as to deflect the airflow generated by the fan 22 in the left-right direction. The right deflection plate 24R is inclined in the direction of arrow Y (rightward) with respect to the direction of arrow X, and the left deflection plate 24L is inclined in the opposite direction to the arrow Y (leftward) with respect to the direction of arrow X. The inclination angle of the deflection plates 24R, 24L with respect to the arrow X is, for example, 45°. In other words, the two deflection plates 24R, 24L are arranged in a V shape, and the ends near the center are connected to each other.

[0040] The airflow deflected by the two deflecting plates 24R and 24L flows in a direction from the center toward the left and right edges of the films F1 and F2 of the laminate T arranged at the welding position. There is no packaged article P at the left and right ends of the films F1 and F2, and the two films F1 and F2 are overlapped. Since the ends of the two deflecting plates 24R and 24L near the center are connected to each other, the airflow from the fan 22 hardly hits the area near the center in the left and right direction of the laminate T. In this way, by generating an airflow flowing from the center of the laminate T to the left and right by the airflow generating device 20, the left and right edges of the films F1 and F2 are stretched in a direction spreading outward, and even if there are wrinkles or folds, they are arranged in a flat shape.

[0041] When the laminate T is conveyed to the welding position shown in FIG. 2 and stopped, the upstream end in the conveying direction is not welded, so the films F1 and F2 are connected to the rolls R1 and R2. Therefore, before the films F1 and F2 are welded at the welding and cutting section 40, the films F1 and F2 at the upper end of the laminate T do not wrinkle or fold. In contrast, at the lower end of the laminate T, the films F1 and F2 are welded to each other, and wrinkles and folds are likely to occur in the area where only the films F1 and F2 are present and no packaged product P is present. For this reason, as in this embodiment, it is effective to generate an air flow from the center toward the left and right near the lower end of the laminate T stopped at the welding position to stretch out the wrinkles and folds.

[0042] The airflow shield 26 is attached at a position where it blocks the airflow generated by the fan 22 so that the airflow does not flow toward the blade 41 (and the heater 42) of the welding and cutting section 4. In this embodiment, the airflow shield 26 is attached above the fan 22, and has a size and shape (FIG. 6c) that hides at least the entire fan 22 when viewed from above. The airflow shield 26 extends in the blowing direction of the airflow generated by the fan 22, and functions to prevent the airflow flowing toward the outer surface of the film F1 of the laminate T and the airflow that hits the outer surface of the film F1 from flowing toward the blade 41. In this way, by preventing the airflow from the fan 22 from flowing toward the blade 41, it is possible to prevent problems with the blade 41 being cooled.

[0043] 3 to 5, there are two welding parts 30R, 30L on the left and right sides of the conveying mechanism 8, which weld the left and right ends of the films F1, F2 of the laminate T conveyed to the welding position. The two welding parts 30R, 30L have a structure that is plane-symmetrical with respect to the XZ plane that passes through the center of the packaging device 100. Therefore, here, only the right welding part 30R will be described, and a description of the left welding part 30L will be omitted.

[0044] The welding section 30R has a blade 31 disposed in front of the film F1 of the laminate T, a heater (not shown) for heating the blade 31, and a receiving member 32 disposed behind the film F2 facing the blade 31. The blade 31 and the receiving member 32 are disposed approximately parallel to the conveying path H at a position where the films F1 and F2 of the laminate T, where the packaged article P of the laminate T does not exist, overlap. The lower ends of the blade 31 and the receiving member 32 extend at least to a position where they overlap the lower end of the laminate T stopped at the welding position. The upper ends of the blade 31 and the receiving member 32 extend to a position just before the welding and cutting section 4. The receiving member 32 is fixed to the front surface of the guide plate 7 as shown in FIG. 5.

[0045] When the blade 31 moves from the position shown in FIG. 3 to the right (rearward) toward the receiving member 32, the right end portions of the two films F1 and F2 are sandwiched between the blade 31 and the receiving member 32 and come into contact with each other, and the two films F1 and F2 are welded by the heat of the blade 31. Since the welded portion of the films F1 and F2 by the welded portion 30R overlaps with the lower end of the stack T, the vicinity of the corner of the packaged item P on the lower end side of the stack T is sealed by the two films F1 and F2. On the other hand, since the welded portion of the films F1 and F2 by the welded portion 30R does not reach the welded cutting portion 4 at its upper end, there is a portion near the corner of the packaged item P on the upper end side of the stack T where the two films F1 and F2 are not welded. This portion functions as an air hole.

[0046] The blade 41 of the welding and cutting unit 4 and the blades 31 of the left and right welding units 30R, 30L described above operate substantially simultaneously to weld the films F1, F2 together above and on the left and right outer sides of the packaged item P of the stack T that has been transported to the welding position and stopped. Therefore, the packaged product W discharged onto the discharge tray 106 has the packaged item P sandwiched between the two films F1, F2 sealed around substantially the entire circumference of the packaged item P.

[0047] The packaging device 100 has a control unit 50 shown in Fig. 7. An operation / display panel 104, a power switch 105, and sensors 5 and 6 are connected to the control unit 50. Also connected to the control unit 50 are a motor 52 that drives the drive roller 8a of the conveying mechanism 8, a fan 22 of the airflow generating device 20, an actuator 54 that drives the blade 41 of the welding and cutting unit 4, and an actuator 56 that drives the blade 31 of the welding units 30R and 30L.

[0048] The control operation by the control unit 50 will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When an operator inserts an item P to be packaged through the insertion port 103, the leading edge of the item P blocks the light beam of the sensor 5. The control unit 50 monitors the output of the sensor 5, and when the light beam of the sensor 5 is blocked by the bottom edge of the item P and the output of the sensor 5 becomes dark (step 1; YES), it drives the conveying mechanism 8 (step 2) and operates the fan 22 (step 3).

[0049] After step 3, the control unit 50 monitors the output of the sensor 6, and when the sensor output changes from a state in which the light beam of the sensor 6 is blocked by the packaged item P to a bright state (the light beam is received by the light receiving unit) (step 4; YES), it stops the conveying mechanism 8 (step 5) and stops the fan 22 (step 6). In this state, the laminate T, in which the packaged item P is sandwiched between the films F1 and F2, is stopped at the welding position while being clamped and restrained by the conveying mechanism 8.

[0050] The control unit 50 then operates the actuator 54 to move the blade 41 of the welding and cutting unit 4 toward the receiving member 43, and also operates the actuator 56 to move the blade 31 of the welding units 30R, 30L toward the receiving member 32, thereby welding the films F1, F2 around the packaged item P (step 7). Furthermore, thereafter, the control unit 50 drives the conveying mechanism 8 to resume conveying the packaged product W (step 8), and discharges the packaged product W toward the discharge tray 106.

[0051] When the fan 22 is operated in step 3, an air current is generated from the front of the conveying path H toward the guide plate 7, and the air current is deflected to the left and right by the deflection plates 24R, 24L. In this state, when the laminate T is conveyed by the conveying mechanism 8 toward the welding position, the films F1, F2 of the laminate T are stretched to the left and right by the air current, and wrinkles and folds in the left and right corners near the bottom end of the laminate T, where only the films F1, F2 without the packaged goods P are overlapping, are smoothed out.

[0052] In this state, by welding the upper ends and left and right ends of the films F1 and F2 of the laminate T stopped at the welding position (step 7), it is possible to suppress the problem of welding the films F1 and F2 at areas with wrinkles or folds, prevent poor welding of the films F1 and F2, and prevent the problem of holes being developed in the films F1 and F2.

[0053] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, since the airflow generating device 20 is provided with the air shield 26, it is possible to suppress the problem of the airflow generated by the fan 22 cooling the blades 41 of the welded and cut portion 4, and it is possible to prevent poor welding and poor cutting due to insufficient heat at the welded and cut portion 4. Furthermore, according to this embodiment, since the fan 22 is selectively operated only for a short time between steps 3 and 6 described above, it is also possible to suppress the problem of cooling the blades 31 of the welded portions 30R and 30L.

[0054] In addition, since the airflow generating device 20 is fixed to the support frame 12 of the support mechanism 10 that supports one of the conveying units 8F of the conveying mechanism 8, the distance between the laminate T and the fan 22 can always be kept constant regardless of the thickness of the packaged item P fed through the feed inlet 103, and the fan 22 can be positioned close to the laminate T, so that wrinkles and folds in the films F1 and F2 of the laminate T at the welding position can be reliably stretched out.

[0055] Furthermore, as in this embodiment, by blowing an air current onto the film F1 of the laminate T while the laminate T is being transported to the welding position, the air between the films F1, F2 can be gradually removed from the lower end side of the laminate T, thereby preventing the packaged product W from swelling with air after packaging. For this reason, the packaging device 100 of this embodiment is suitable for operation in a mode in which the entire periphery of the films F1, F2 is welded.

[0056] The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made in the implementation stage without departing from the gist of the invention. The above embodiment includes various inventions, and various inventions can be extracted by combinations selected from the multiple components disclosed. For example, if the problem can be solved and an effect can be obtained even if some components are deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment, the configuration from which the components are deleted can be extracted as an invention.

[0057] For example, the packaging device 100 in the above-described embodiment was a vertical device that transports the packaged item P via a conveying path H that extends vertically, but the present invention can also be applied to a horizontal packaging device in which the conveying path H extends approximately horizontally.

[0058] In the above-described embodiment, the fan 22 of the airflow generating device 20 is operated intermittently. However, if an apparatus layout is adopted that makes it difficult to cool the blades 31, 41 of the welded portion by the airflow, the fan 22 may be operated continuously.

[0059] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the fan 22 generating an airflow of a predetermined volume is fixed to the support frame 12 and positioned close to the laminate T at the welding position. However, it is also possible to make the airflow (rotation speed) of the fan 22 adjustable, change the distance between the fan 22 and the conveying path H, make the angle of the deflection plates 24R, 24L adjustable, or change the shape and size of the deflection plates 24R, 24L, thereby more reliably suppressing poor welding of the films F1, F2. [Explanation of symbols]

[0060] 4...welded cutting section, 5, 6...sensor, 7...guide plate, 8...conveying mechanism, 8R, 8L...conveying unit, 10...support mechanism, 12...support frame, 20...airflow generating device, 22...fan, 24R, 24L...deflector, 26...flow shield, 30R, 30L...welded section, 31...blade, 32...receiving member, 41...blade, 42...heater, 43...receiving member, 50...control section, 100...packaging device, F1, F2...film, H...conveying path, P...packaged item, T...laminated body.

Claims

1. A conveying path for receiving the packaged items; a supply means for supplying a first packaging material and a second packaging material to both sides of the conveying path; an airflow generating means for blowing gas from an outer surface side of the first packaging material toward the packaged item being conveyed along the conveying path, thereby generating an airflow along the outer surface of the first packaging material toward an edge of the first packaging material; a welding means for heat-welding the first packaging material and the second packaging material at a position separated from the packaged item; A packaging device having

2. a flat guide plate disposed along the conveying path on an outer surface side of the second packaging material, the flat guide plate facing the airflow generating means across the conveying path; 2. The packaging device of claim 1.

3. the airflow generating means includes a fan that generates an airflow toward the first packaging material, and a deflector that directs the airflow generated by the fan toward the edge of the first packaging material.

2. The packaging device of claim 1.

4. the welding means includes a receiving member disposed on the opposite side of the conveying path with the second packaging material therebetween, a blade disposed so as to be movable from the opposite side of the conveying path with the first packaging material therebetween to a welding position where the blade abuts against the receiving member, and a heater for heating the blade; The fan further includes a flow blocking member that blocks the airflow between the fan and the blades so that the airflow generated by the fan is not directed toward the blades.

4. The packaging device of claim 3.

5. The method further includes a conveying means for conveying a stack of the packaged items received on the conveying path between the first packaging material and the second packaging material along the conveying path, The conveying means includes a first conveying section disposed on the outer surface side of the first packaging material, a second conveying section disposed opposite the first conveying section with the laminate sandwiched therebetween and cooperating with the first conveying section to apply a conveying force to the laminate and stop the laminate, and a support mechanism that supports the first conveying section so as to be movable in a direction toward and away from the second conveying section depending on the thickness of the packaged items, the airflow generating means is supported by the support mechanism so as to be movable together with the first conveying unit; 2. The packaging device of claim 1.

6. the airflow generating means includes a fan that generates an airflow toward the first packaging material, and a deflector that directs the airflow generated by the fan toward the edge of the first packaging material.

6. The packaging device of claim 5.

7. the welding means includes a receiving member disposed on the opposite side of the conveying path with the second packaging material therebetween, a blade disposed so as to be movable from the opposite side of the conveying path with the first packaging material therebetween to a welding position where the blade abuts against the receiving member, and a heater for heating the blade; The fan further includes a flow blocking member that blocks the airflow between the fan and the blades so that the airflow generated by the fan is not directed toward the blades.

7. The packaging device of claim 6.

8. A conveying path for receiving the packaged items; a supply means for supplying a first packaging material and a second packaging material to both sides of the conveying path; a conveying means for conveying a laminate, in which the packaged item is sandwiched between the first packaging material and the second packaging material, received on the conveying path along the conveying path and stopping the laminate at a welding position; an airflow generating means for blowing gas from an outer surface side of the first packaging material toward the packaged items conveyed along the conveying path toward the welding position, thereby generating an airflow along the outer surface of the first packaging material toward an edge of the first packaging material; a welding means for heat-welding the first packaging material and the second packaging material at a position of the stack stopped at the welding position away from the packaged item; A first detection unit that detects that the packaged item has been received on the conveying path; a second detection unit that detects that the laminate has been transported to the welding position; a control unit that controls the conveying means, the airflow generating means, and the welding means so that, when the first detection unit detects that the packaged item has been received on the conveying path, an airflow is generated by the airflow generating means, and when the second detection unit detects that the stack has been conveyed to the welding position, the conveying of the stack is stopped and the generation of the airflow by the airflow generating means is stopped, and the first packaging material and the second packaging material are heat-sealed by the welding means; A packaging device having

9. the airflow generating means includes a fan that generates an airflow toward the first packaging material, and a deflector that directs the airflow generated by the fan toward the edge of the first packaging material.

9. The packaging device of claim 8.

10. the welding means includes a receiving member disposed on the opposite side of the conveying path with the second packaging material therebetween, a blade disposed so as to be movable from the opposite side of the conveying path with the first packaging material therebetween to a welding position where the blade abuts against the receiving member, and a heater for heating the blade; The fan further includes a flow blocking member that blocks the airflow between the fan and the blades so that the airflow generated by the fan is not directed toward the blades.

10. The packaging device of claim 9.

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