Pressure reduced packaging machine

Abstract

To provide a pressure reduced packaging machine which is improved to compress and pack clothes, is equipped with a display that displays time and fare and can be appropriately controlled at the start and end of operation.SOLUTION: A reduced pressure packaging machine of an embodiment has: a chamber with an openable lid part, having an internal space capable of storing a packaging bag storing an article to be packaged; a reduced pressure pump that reduces a pressure in the internal space; a sealing device for sealing an opening of the packaging bag degassed by reducing the pressure in the internal space of the chamber using the reduced pressure pump; and a display that is installed on the front of a housing, and displays the total process time or the operation start permission time. When the lid part is closed and the pressure in the chamber reaches a predetermined set value by the pressure reducing pump, the count update of the total process time or the operation start permission time is started.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a reduced pressure packaging machine for compressing and packing clothes and the like, which is installed in various accommodation facilities such as general hotels, inns, youth hostels, sports training camps, capsule hotels, and guesthouses. [Background technology]

[0002] Since 2021, the applicant has been manufacturing and selling reduced pressure packaging machines (also known as vacuum packaging machines) for accommodation facilities that compress and pack bulky luggage to make business trips and travel smarter. The vacuum packaging machine is a product that puts the laundry and clothes during the stay into a translucent laundry plastic bag and compresses and packs them (heat seals). Therefore, it is designed to be easy to operate with just one touch, without any complicated operations.

[0003] Vacuum packaging machines for clothes and the like are installed next to the front desk, in elevator halls, laundry rooms, etc. Customers can use the vacuum packaging machines to quickly compress bulky luggage (clothes and the like) and make them compact so that they can take them home. The mechanism of the vacuum packaging machine is disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2023-53863 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The problem that the present invention aims to solve is to provide a reduced pressure packaging machine that has been improved to compress and pack clothes, etc., and that is equipped with a display that shows the time and fee, and that can be appropriately controlled when starting and ending operation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The vacuum packaging machine of one embodiment has a chamber equipped with an openable lid and having an internal space capable of accommodating a packaging bag containing an item to be packaged, a vacuum pump for reducing the pressure in the internal space, a sealing device for sealing the opening of the packaging bag that has been degassed by reducing the pressure in the internal space of the chamber with the vacuum pump, and a display provided on the front of the housing for displaying the total process time or the permitted start time of operation, and is characterized in that when the lid is closed and the pressure in the chamber reaches a predetermined set value by the vacuum pump, the machine starts counting and updating the total process time or the permitted start time of operation. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1A is a front view of a reduced pressure packaging machine according to an embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a side view thereof. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the reduced pressure packaging machine according to the embodiment with the lid portion open. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a display provided on the front side of a housing of the reduced pressure packaging machine according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a control circuit related to display control incorporated in a control board provided on the back of a display unit in a normal specification. FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a display in which a rotating indicator indicates that the vacuum packaging machine is on standby. [Figure 6] 13A and 13B are diagrams showing an example of how the input charge and the remaining time are displayed on a display in standby mode in a coin selector specification; [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing state transitions of the reduced pressure packaging machine in normal specifications and in coin selector specifications. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a display when the number of operations is displayed on a display device. [Figure 9] 13A and 13B are diagrams showing a table indicating the presence or absence of a standby mode, a process correction mode, and a fee correction mode for each specification, and examples of mode codes displayed on a display unit. [Figure 10]13A shows an example of the display when the degree of vacuum is set to "60%," and FIG. 13B shows an example of the display when the sealing time is set to "1.6 seconds." [Figure 11] 13A shows an example of the display when the set fee is set to "300 yen," and FIG. 13B shows an example of the display when the set time is set to "5 minutes." [Figure 12] 13A shows an example of the display when the permitted operation start time is set to 5 minutes (for example, the “set time” is set to 5 minutes), and FIG. 13B shows an example of the display when the remaining permitted operation start time is 29 seconds. [Figure 13] (a) shows an example of the display when the remaining time is "1 minute 10 seconds", (b) shows an example of the display when the remaining time is "5 seconds", (c) shows the remaining time is "0 seconds" or the chamber has reached atmospheric pressure, and (d) shows an example of the display when the remaining time during vacuum stop is "58 seconds". [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration in which a nine-tier box vending machine is connected to a vacuum packaging machine as an option. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a setting in which (a) the option is present [ON], and (b) a setting in which (b) the option is not present [OFF]. [Figure 16] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of creating a compressed pack using a vacuum packaging machine. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1(a) is a front view of a reduced pressure packaging machine (with a coin selector) for clothes or the like according to an embodiment, and Fig. 1(b) is a side view thereof. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the reduced pressure packaging machine with the lid part open. Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of a display device attached to the front of the housing of the reduced pressure packaging machine. Note that the coin selector shown in Fig. 1 is omitted in Fig. 2.

[0009] 1 to 3, the reduced pressure packaging machine 10 according to the embodiment includes a chamber 40 consisting of a main body 20 on whose upper surface a packaging bag can be placed and a lid 30 that closes the upper surface of the main body 20 from above, a hinge mechanism 50 that connects the lid 30 to the main body 20 so that the lid can be opened and closed, and a sealing device 60 that seals an opening (a packaging material insertion port) of a packaging bag that stores a packaging material such as clothing. A coin selector 500 and an optional 9-tier box vending machine 600 (see FIG. 14), which will be described later, can be arbitrarily connected to the reduced pressure packaging machine 10 according to the embodiment.

[0010] In this embodiment, the hinge mechanism 50 side is the rear side of the vacuum packaging machine 10 and the opposite side is the front side, and a user is positioned facing the front side when using the vacuum packaging machine 10. A display 100 is provided on the front side 20a of the housing. A stop switch (lamp) 110 is also provided on the front side 20a of the housing. The stop switch 110 has a switch function for stopping operation and a lamp function for displaying a standby state.

[0011] In the closed state shown in FIG. 1 where the lid 30 closes the top surface of the main body 20, the chamber 40 defines an airtight internal space between the top surface of the main body 20 and the lid 30. A rotatable fastener 70 having a groove is provided on the left outer wall of the main body 20. Meanwhile, a protrusion (not shown) is provided above the fastener 70 on the lid 30 side. When the fastener 70 is rotated, the protrusion fits into the groove formed in the fastener 70 and is locked. This makes it possible to fix the lid 30 to the main body 20 so that it cannot be opened, and prevents unnecessary opening of the lid 30 of the vacuum packaging machine 10 when not in use or when being carried.

[0012] The sealing device 60, which seals the opening of a packaging bag that contains a packaged item such as clothing, is composed of an upper seal block 60a and a lower seal block 60b. A heater wire that heat-melts and seals the opening of the packaging bag is provided in the longitudinal direction (almost the entire length) of the lower seal block 60b. The heater wire may be provided in the upper seal block 60a, or may be provided in both the upper seal block 60a and the lower seal block 60b. An inclined guide 80 that engages the packaging bag with the bottom surface 40a of the chamber 40 is provided on the hinge side of the sealing device 60. Instead of the inclined guide 80, a plate member that is attached to the outer wall surface on the rear side of the lower seal block 60b and extends in the left-right direction, which is the extension direction of the sealing device 60, and has a crank shape when viewed from the side may be provided.

[0013] The main body 20 has a built-in decompression pump (also called a vacuum pump) 120. When the stop switch 110 is pressed while the internal space of the chamber 40 is being decompressed by the decompression pump 120, the operation of the decompression pump is stopped. When the stop switch 110 is pressed, the operation (vacuum drawing) of the decompression pump 120, which will be described in detail later, is stopped, and the decompression of the internal space is released, causing the internal space to return to atmospheric pressure.

[0014] Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of the display 100 provided on the housing front surface 20a of the main body 20 of the reduced pressure packaging machine 10. As shown in Fig. 3, the display 100 is composed of, for example, two 7-segment displays 100a and 100b, and, for example, one dot (LED) 100c. The labels "Remaining time", "Seconds / number", "Fee flashing", and "00 yen" shown in Fig. 3 are characters affixed or drawn (including printed) on the housing front surface 20a.

[0015] The numbers displayed on the seven-segment displays 100a and 100b have multiple meanings depending on whether the numbers are blinking or not, and whether the dots 100c are blinking or not. For example, when the numbers displayed on the seven-segment displays 100a and 100b are not blinking and the dots 100c are blinking for 0.5 seconds, the "total process time" from the start of packing to the opening of the lid is displayed in "minutes" and "seconds." In addition, the elapsed time of the "operation start permission time" that controls whether or not operation is possible depending on time by coin insertion or an external input signal, which will be described later, is displayed in "minutes" or "seconds." The remaining time of the "total process time" and the elapsed time of the "operation start permission time" are counted up or down as the vacuum packaging machine 10 operates. When the remaining time exceeds one minute, the display changes to "seconds." On the other hand, when the numbers displayed on the seven-segment displays 100a and 100b are flashing, the set fee or the fee deposited from the coin selector 500 (or the nine-tier box vending machine 600) or the like is displayed. As a result, the display content of the display unit 100 is displayed in a form corresponding to the remaining time and the amount of money paid, so the user can compress and pack clothes, etc. while checking (understanding) the displayed content. Since there is only one display unit 100, it can be constructed at low cost.

[0016] 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of a control circuit related to display control incorporated in a control board 200 provided on the back surface of the display unit 100. The control board 200 also has connection lines to the pressure reducing pump 120, solenoid valves, seal heater wires, etc., but these are not directly related to the control of the display unit 100 and are therefore omitted from FIG. The control board 200 is provided on the back of the front housing 20a and is therefore invisible to the user of the vacuum packaging machine 10. In other words, the user of the vacuum packaging machine 10 can only see the display 100. The owner or manager of the vacuum packaging machine 10 can remove the front housing 20a and operate the panel on the exposed control board 200 to arbitrarily set the operating environment to be provided to the user.

[0017] As shown in Fig. 4, the control board 200 is equipped with a CPU 210 (control means) with a display control program 210a incorporated in its built-in memory, a display 100, a first lamp (LED) 220, a second lamp (LED) 230, switches SW1 to SW6, etc. Also, the CPU 210 receives inputs such as an opening / closing signal 300 for the lid 30, a signal 310 from a pressure sensor provided in the chamber 40, a signal 320 from the coin selector 500, and a signal 330 from an external option. Furthermore, the CPU 210 outputs a lamp display signal 340 and a buzzer notification signal 350. Note that instead of a buzzer notification, a notification signal for other notification means (display such as a lamp) may be used. The CPU 210 executes display control of the display 100 based on the display control program 210a. Also, the operating environment of the reduced pressure packaging machine 10 can be set according to the operation of the switches SW1 to SW6. Also, in the correction mode, a display signal 340 is output to turn off the lamp of the stop switch 110, which indicates that the machine is in standby.

[0018] The specifications of the reduced pressure packaging machine 10 having the display 100 will be described below. (Model specifications) The vacuum packaging machine 10 is available in at least one of the following specifications: normal specification, coin selector specification, and option. The combinations are shown in FIG. 9(a). The owner can set these specification environments according to the business form. The display content of the display 100 during standby and the operation start method of the vacuum packaging machine 10 are different for each of the three specifications.

[0019] (Standard specifications) The standard specification does not include a coin selector 500. The owner can choose to connect an option such as a 9-tier box vending machine 600. During standby in normal mode, the CPU 210 uses the seven-segment displays 100a, 100b of the display 100 to display a rotating display as shown in Fig. 5. When the user sees the rotating display on the display 100, he or she can recognize that the reduced pressure packaging machine 10 is available for use. When the user closes the lid portion 30 with a packaging bag containing clothes or the like placed inside the chamber 40, the CPU 210 detects that the lid portion 30 has been closed by a close signal 300. Then, the reduced pressure pump 120 is operated to start reducing the pressure inside the chamber 40.

[0020] The CPU 210 receives a signal 310 from a pressure sensor that measures the reduced pressure in the chamber 40. When it detects from the signal 310 from the pressure sensor that the degree of vacuum in the chamber 40 has reached a predetermined set value (for example, when the vacuum is reduced by 5% or more if the atmospheric pressure is 0%), it outputs a buzzer notification signal 350 to notify the user, displays a preset "total process time" on the display 100 (for example, an estimated time from producing one compressed pack to taking it out, for example, "29 seconds"), and starts the compressed pack operation. In other words, it does not operate only with the closing signal 300 when the lid part 30 is closed, but starts the operation when the pressure in the chamber 40 reaches the set value based on the signal 310 from the pressure sensor (that is, a value at which it can be determined that the lid part 30 is completely sealed). The reason why the specified set value is a vacuum of 5% or more is that, for example, when a vacuum is drawn with the lid portion 30 open, the vacuum is about 4%, so if the value is 5% or more, it can be assumed that the lid portion is in a tightly sealed state.

[0021] Then, the CPU 210 counts up (hereinafter, counts down) the total process time displayed on the display 100 as the "remaining time" in conjunction with the operation. Then, the CPU 210 counts down the remaining time on the display 100 along with all the processes of the reduced pressure packaging machine 10 (setting of packaging bags-vacuum process-sealing process-cooling process-removal of packaging bags), and ends the operation when it reaches 0 seconds, for example. In this way, by starting the compression pack operation at the reduced pressure value at which it can be determined that the lid 30 is completely sealed, and by notifying the user with the buzzer notification signal 350, it is possible to eliminate inconsistencies in the time from when the lid 30 is closed until it starts to seal, which may occur depending on the operator. In addition, by using a buzzer to notify the user that the lid 30 is sealed, it becomes clear when it is OK to release the hand pressing down on the lid 30 from above, improving operability for the user.

[0022] (Coin selector specifications) As shown in Fig. 1, the reduced pressure packaging machine 10 is connected to a coin selector 500 and is designed to operate in conjunction with the coin selector 500. The owner can freely select whether to connect an option such as a nine-tier box vending machine 600. Fig. 6 shows an example of the input fee displayed on the display 100 in the coin selector specification during standby, and an example of the remaining time displayed. As shown in Fig. 6(a) and (b), in the display mode in which the numbers on the seven-segment displays 100a and 100b are flashing, the user can recognize that the numbers on the display 100 represent the fee.

[0023] As shown in Fig. 6(a), when the coin selector is in standby mode, the CPU 210 flashes the set amount for the current course (e.g., 500 yen). As shown in Fig. 6(b), when money is deposited into the coin selector 500, the CPU 210 counts up the deposited amount (e.g., 100 yen, 200 yen, ..., 500 yen) and flashes it according to the signal 320 from the coin selector 500. When the CPU 210 detects that the set amount has been deposited, it transitions to an operation start permission state for a certain period of time (operation start permission time) as shown in Fig. 6(c). In this way, the deposited amount management of the coin selector 500 is executed by the CPU 210 of the reduced pressure packaging machine 10.

[0024] As shown in Fig. 6(c), for example, if the permitted operation start time is 5 minutes, the display 100 immediately displays "5 minutes" and the dot 100c flashes for 0.5 seconds. The display of "5 minutes" means that the countdown will start from 4 minutes 59 seconds. In the coin selector specification, the decompression process of the chamber 40 is also started when the operation start permission state is set. During operation, the display 100 counts down the total process time until completion. That is, similar to the normal specification, when the CPU 210 starts the operation of creating a compressed pack based on the closing signal 300 of the lid portion 30 and the signal 310 from the pressure sensor, it displays the "total process time" (e.g., "29 seconds") on the seven-segment displays 100a, 100b and counts down as the total process operation proceeds.

[0025] In the stopped state after the production of the compressed packs has been completed, the dot 100c flashes for 0.5 seconds and "4 minutes" is displayed on the display 100, indicating 4 minutes 19 seconds, which is the time obtained by subtracting the work time required to produce the first compressed pack (for example, 40 seconds) from 4 minutes 59 seconds. If there is sufficient time remaining, the next packaging bag can be set in the chamber 40 and the compressed pack process can be carried out any number of times. This operation is repeated to create a compressed pack. When the remaining time falls below two minutes, as shown in FIG. 6(d), dot 100c flashes for 0.5 seconds and the seven-segment displays 100a and 100b display "60" seconds, and the countdown begins. Additionally, if the display is in seconds, the "seconds" lamp (LED) 100j lights up. However, the "seconds" lamp 100j is invisible to the user. Even when the display is in minutes, the user can tell that the countdown is proceeding normally by the 0.5-second flashing of the dot.

[0026] (state transition) 7 shows state transitions of the vacuum packaging machine 10 in the normal specification and the coin selector specification. The owner or manager can set the operation of the vacuum packaging machine 10 by the following work steps. 7, when the power is turned on (S100), the display 100 displays the number of times the vacuum packaging machine 10 has been operated up to now for two seconds (S110). In addition, when connecting, for example, a nine-tier box vending machine 600 as an option, the option can be set after the power is turned on (S120).

[0027] FIG. 8 shows an example of the number of times the reduced pressure packaging machine 10 has been operated (for example, "0105") that is displayed on the display 100 in step S110. The number of times the machine has been operated, which is 3 to 4 digits, cannot be displayed on the two 7-segment displays 100a and 100b. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8(a), two digits

[01] are displayed first, with a "0" in the thousands place and a "1" in the hundreds place. At this time, the dot 100c is not blinking, so it can be recognized that this is a display of the upper two digits of the number of times the machine has been operated. Next, as shown in Figure 8(b), two digits

[05] are displayed, with a "0" in the tens place and a "5" in the ones place. At this time, the dot 100c is displayed flashing, allowing the user to recognize that this is a display of the last two digits of the number of trips. This allows the number of trips from [0] to

[9999] to be displayed to the owner or manager.

[0028] 7, after the number of operations is displayed in step S110, the mode transitions to standby mode S130. From standby mode S130, which indicates a standby state for operation, the mode transitions to process correction mode S140 and fee correction mode S150. The standby mode S130 is a mode in which the vacuum packaging machine 10 is ready for operation. When the vacuum packaging machine 10 is in standby, in the case of the normal specification, the display 100 rotates around as shown in Fig. 5 to inform the owner or manager that the machine is in standby. In addition, in the case of the coin selector specification, the set amount is flashed as shown in Fig. 6(a) to inform the owner or manager that the machine is in standby.

[0029] When in the standby mode S130, the mode can be changed to a process correction mode S140 or a fee correction mode S150 by pressing a switch SW6 shown in FIG. In the process correction mode S140, the set times for "vacuum," "sealing," and "cooling" for each specification can be changed. In the fee correction mode S150, the "set fee" and "allowed time" for each specification can be changed.

[0030] Fig. 9 shows the presence or absence of standby mode, process correction mode, and fee correction mode in two specifications, the normal specification and the coin selector specification. In Fig. 9, no external signal OP means, for example, that there is no signal from the 9-tier box vending machine 600. The presence of an external signal OP means, for example, that there is a signal from the 9-tier box vending machine 600. Mode switching between standby mode S130, process correction mode S140, and fee correction mode S150 is executed by CPU 210 in response to pressing switch SW6 in Fig. 4.

[0031] That is, when the CPU 210 is in standby mode S130, it displays the mode code [A0] shown in Fig. 9(b) on the display 100. Then, pressing switch SW6 switches to process correction mode S140 ([A1]), pressing it again switches to fee correction mode S150 ([A2]), and pressing it a third time switches back to the original standby mode S130. Then, as shown in FIG. 9(b), the display 100 displays the corresponding mode code [A0]→[A1]→[A2] for two seconds in response to pressing of the switch SW6, and after the mode code is displayed, the display proceeds to the respective selection operation.

[0032] The current mode is also indicated by the first lamp 220 and the second lamp 230 shown in Fig. 4. That is, when both the first lamp 220 and the second lamp 230 are off, it indicates the standby mode S130. When the first lamp 220 is on and the second lamp 230 is off, it indicates the process correction mode S140. When the first lamp 220 is off and the second lamp 230 is on, it indicates the fee correction mode S150. The owner or manager can recognize the mode state (transition) from the display contents of the display device 100 or the first lamp 220 and the second lamp 230, so that correction work for the process, the fee, etc. can be performed smoothly.

[0033] (Standby mode details) In the case of normal specifications, the standby mode can be recognized by the rotating display of the display 100 shown in Fig. 5. In the case of no external option, a packaging bag containing clothes or the like is set in the chamber 40 of the vacuum packaging machine 10, and the decompression (vacuum) in the chamber 40 is started by the decompression pump 120 in response to a closing signal 300 of the lid part 30, and when it is detected that the signal 310 from the pressure sensor has reached a predetermined set value (5% or more) (lid part 30 is sealed), the machine transitions to an operating state (operating S170 in Fig. 7). In the case of an external option, the CPU 210 transitions to an "operation start permission state" (operating S170 in Fig. 7) for a certain period of time upon receiving a signal 330 from the external option.

[0034] During normal standby mode, switches SW1 and SW6 in Figure 4 have the following functions. The course is changed by pressing switch SW1. For example, since the size and material of clothes vary depending on the season, multiple courses with settings such as "vacuum time," "sealing time," and "cooling time" according to the clothes of the season can be prepared in advance, and the optimal course can be set by pressing switch SW1. Moreover, pressing switch SW6 switches to a process correction mode and a fee correction mode, which will be described later.

[0035] In the case of coin selector specifications, deposits from the coin selector 500 are only valid in standby mode. As shown in Fig. 6(a), a preset set amount (e.g., 500 yen) is flashed on the display 100. Also, as shown in Fig. 6(b), the deposit amount from the coin selector 500 is flashed on the display 100. When the set amount is reached, the CPU 210 transitions to the "operation start permission state" for a fixed period of time.

[0036] (Details of Process Correction Mode) The process correction mode in step S140 in FIG. 7 will be described. In this process correction mode S140, the "vacuum time," "sealing time," and "cooling time" of the course selected by switch SW1 can be corrected. When transitioning to the process correction mode S140, the "vacuum setting" is initially displayed. The changed values ​​at the end of the correction mode are stored in the internal memory of the CPU 210. During the process correction mode, the switches SW2, SW3, and SW4 in FIG. 4 have the following functions. Pressing switch SW2 switches between "Vacuum time", "Sealing time" and "Cooling time" in that order. Pressing it a third time returns to the initial "Vacuum time".

[0037] Pressing switches SW3 and SW4 allows the set values ​​for "vacuum time," "sealing time," and "cooling time" to be changed. In this case, the current value of the item selected by switch SW2 is displayed on display 100, and switch SW3 adds (+1) to that value, while switch SW4 subtracts (-1) from that value. Pressing and holding switch SW3 also executes high-speed count-up. Pressing and holding switch SW4 also executes high-speed count update. When setting the vacuum, pressing switches SW3 and SW4 simultaneously switches to the vacuum setting (decompression time [seconds] or decompression rate [%]) and allows the value to be modified.

[0038] 10(a) shows an example of the display on the display 100 when the degree of vacuum is set to "60%." A vacuum lamp (LED) 100e may be provided on the control board 200 so that it is clear that the degree of vacuum is being displayed. 10(b) shows an example of the display on the display 100 when the sealing time is set to "1.6 seconds." A sealing lamp (LED) 100f may be provided on the control board 200 so that it is clear that the sealing time is being displayed.

[0039] (Details on charge correction mode) Next, the charge correction mode S150 in FIG. 7 will be described. In the fare correction mode, the "set fare" and "permitted start time" of the selected course can be corrected. The "set fare" of the selected course shown in Fig. 6(a) is displayed as the initial display item when switching to the fare correction mode S150. Note that when an external option is installed, the initial display item is the "permitted start time of operation" and the system does not switch to setting the "set fare". During the charge correction mode S150, the switches SW2, SW3, and SW4 in FIG. By pressing switch SW2, you can switch between the "set charge" and the "permitted start time of operation." By pressing switches SW3 and SW4, the set values ​​of "Set Charge" and "Operation Start Permitted Time" can be changed. In this case, the current value of the item switched by switch SW2 is displayed on the display 100, so pressing switch SW3 adds (+1) to that value, and pressing switch SW4 subtracts (-1) from that value. Similarly, pressing and holding switches SW3 and SW4 executes high-speed count up / down.

[0040] 11(a) shows an example of the display on the display 100 when the set fee is set to "300 yen." A set fee lamp (LED) 100g may be provided on the control board 200 so that it is clear that the set fee is being displayed. 11(b) shows an example of the display on the display 100 when the permitted operation start time is set to "5 minutes." A set time lamp (LED) 100h may be provided on the control board 200 so that it is clear that the permitted operation start time is being displayed. The operation start time is 5 minutes, and you can make as many compressed packs as you want within this time, so if you work efficiently, you can make many compressed packs within the set fee of 300 yen. Note that the set fee lamp 100g and the set time lamp 100h are not visible to the user.

[0041] (Operation start permitted state) Next, operation start permission S160 in FIG. 7 will be described. In the case of coin selector specifications or with an external option (for example, connection to a 9-tier box vending machine 600), an "operation start permitted state" is provided. That is, in the coin selector specifications, the "operation start permitted state" is set for a certain period of time upon completion of coin insertion from the coin selector 500. Also, in the case of an external option, the "operation start permitted state" is set for a certain period of time upon receipt of an external signal 30. When the cover 30 is closed in this operation start permitted state S160, the closing signal 300 of the cover 30 starts decompressing (vacuuming) the inside of the chamber 40 by the decompression pump 120. Then, when it is detected that the signal 310 from the pressure sensor has reached a predetermined set value (5% or more) (cover 30 is sealed), the state transitions to the operating state (operating S170 in FIG. 7).

[0042] The operation start permission S160 causes the display 100 to display the information shown in FIG. Fig. 12(a) shows an example of the display of the permitted operation start time (for example, 5 minutes). The permitted operation start time may be set according to the fee according to the number of packaging bags purchased. For example, if one packaging bag costs 100 yen / 40 seconds, then if three packaging bags are purchased and 300 yen is deposited, the permitted operation start time is set to "2 minutes." The dot 100c of the display 100 flashes for 0.5 seconds. When the operation of the vacuum packaging machine 10 starts, the seven-segment displays 100a and 100b start counting down as time passes.

[0043] Fig. 12(b) shows an example of the display when the remaining time of the operation permission time is 29 seconds. Since the display shows "seconds", the "seconds" lamp 100j is lit. In this state, when the signal 320 from the coin selector 500 or the signal 330 from the external option is input, the remaining time of the operation permission time may be counted down again from the beginning (5 minutes 0 seconds). If there is any time left in the permitted operation start time after the operation has ended, the operation can be restarted any number of times by inserting the packaging bags to be compressed and packed within the remaining time.

[0044] (Driving state) Next, the display form of the display device 100 during driving (S170) in FIG. 7 will be described. The state transitions to "operating" (S170) when the user closes the lid 30. The close signal 300 from the lid 30 is notified to the CPU 210. When the CPU 210 detects the close signal 300 from the lid 30 and determines that the value of the signal 310 from the pressure sensor is the set value, it displays "total process time" or "operation start permission time" on the seven-segment displays 100a and 100b. When the CPU 210 detects that the pressure in the chamber 40 is the set value, it determines that "the lid 30 has been sealed tightly" and sounds a buzzer by a buzzer notification signal 350. When the user hears the buzzer, he or she knows that it is okay to release the lid 30. The CPU 210 displays the "total process time" from closing to opening the lid 30 as the remaining time on the seven-segment displays 100a and 100b.

[0045] During operation, the dot 100c on the display 100 flashes for 0.5 seconds. Error correction (pausing counting or skipping counting) can be performed on the remaining time of the entire process of the vacuum packaging machine 10 at the timing of "vacuum in progress", "vacuum completed", and "vacuum release start".

[0046] 13A shows a display example of "2" when the remaining time is "1 minute 10 seconds." In other words, the user can tell that the countdown is proceeding by the display of "2" and the blinking of dot 100c every 0.5 seconds. Fig. 13(b) shows an example of a display in which the remaining time is "5 seconds." To indicate that the display has switched to "seconds," the "seconds" lamp 100j is lit. The dot 100c flashes for 0.5 seconds along with the countdown. 13(c) shows a state where the remaining time is "0 seconds" or the pressure inside the chamber 40 has reached atmospheric pressure. In this case, the lid 30 is not yet fully open, so the "seconds" lamp 100j remains lit, but the dot 100c is turned off. 13(d) shows an example of the display when the operation is temporarily stopped and the remaining time is "58 seconds." In this case, the "seconds" lamp 100j continues to light up, but the dot 100c is not blinking because it is stopped. After the operation is completed, the display state according to the model setting (for example, standby mode S130) is returned to.

[0047] (option) As shown in Fig. 9(a), options are options that are added to the standard specifications or the coin selector specifications. In the case of an option in the standard specifications, the operation is permitted when signal 330 is received from the external option during the spinning display in Fig. 5. Also, in the case of an option in the coin selector specifications, the set fee is displayed and the set fee is forcibly set to, for example, 100 yen. Then, when signal 330 is received from the external option or 100 yen is deposited from the coin selector 500, the operation is permitted. As shown in Fig. 14, for example, a nine-tier box vending machine 600 can be connected to the vacuum packaging machine 10 as an option. In this case, the fee paid to purchase packaging bags in the nine-tier box vending machine 600 is displayed on the display 100 so that it is managed by the vacuum packaging machine 10. That is, the CPU 210 receives a signal 330 from the external option and manages the payment. In the case of the option specification, the display rotates in the same way as in Fig. 5 during standby. Even if the lid part 30 is closed during standby, the operation will not start.

[0048] That is, when the signal 330 from the external option of the nine-tier box vending machine 600 is input to the CPU 210 with the lid 30 closed, the CPU 210 receives this and sets the above-mentioned "operation start permission time" (for example, 5 minutes) in the display 100. The CPU 210 starts the compression pack operation with the signal from the nine-tier box vending machine 600 and a reduced pressure value that can determine that the lid is completely sealed. The operation thereafter is the same as that of the coin selector specification described above, so a description thereof will be omitted. If there is any time left in the permitted operation start time after the operation has ended, the operation can be restarted any number of times by inserting the packaging bags to be compressed and packed within the remaining time.

[0049] Next, the operation of setting the 9-tier box vending machine 600 as an option will be described. Press the switches SW5 and SW6 in Fig. 4 simultaneously to turn on the power. Then, press the switch SW3 to set the option present [ON] shown in Fig. 15(a). Press the switch SW4 to set the option absent [OFF] shown in Fig. 15(b). Although the nine-tier box vending machine 600 is illustrated as an option here, other types of vending machines may be used. For example, packaging bags may be sold at the front desk or a shop, and when a user purchases a packaging bag, a start signal may be sent to the reduced pressure packaging machine 10 from a device (e.g., a switch, a mobile terminal, or a PC) provided at the front desk or the shop.

[0050] Since the packaged items are laundry such as clothes, if an excessively high degree of vacuum is set, for example, such that the volume of the packaged items is reduced by about 90%, the packaging bag containing the packaged items will become hard and not easily bendable. Such hard packaged items are difficult to handle when stored in a suitcase or the like, for example, by folding them to fit into a gap. Therefore, as a compression packing condition, it is preferable that the degree of vacuum is preset to a value that can reduce the volume by about 70% to 80%, so that the packaged items can remain soft without becoming hard even when compressed and packed.

[0051] Next, the operation of producing a compressed pack using the vacuum packaging machine 10 will be described with reference to the flow chart of FIG. The user checks the standby display (for example, FIG. 5 or FIG. 6(a)) on the display 100 provided on the front 20a of the housing of the vacuum packaging machine 10 (S200). In the case of coin selector specifications, if the vacuum packaging machine 10 is judged to be ready for use by the checking operation, the insertion of coins from the coin selector 500 is notified to the vacuum packaging machine 10 by a signal 320, and when it is judged that the coin has been inserted, the display 100 displays the operation start permitted time (for example, 5 minutes) (S220). In the case of connecting an optional device (for example, a 9-tier box vending machine 600), when a signal 330 from the option is detected (S210), the display 100 displays the operation start permitted time (for example, 5 minutes) (S220).

[0052] The user checks the "operation start permission time" displayed on the display 100, places the packaging bag containing the clothes or the like in the chamber 40, closes the lid 30, and presses it down with both hands. The display 100 displays "total process time" (S230). When the vacuum packaging machine 10 receives the closing signal 300 of the lid 30 and the signal 310 from the pressure sensor reaches a predetermined set value, it issues a buzzer alert by signal 350 and starts counting and updating the display 100 that displays "total process time" (S240). During the decompression operation, the vacuum packaging machine 10 sequentially executes the vacuum process, sealing process, and cooling process until the total process time reaches 0 seconds to generate a compressed pack (S250). Note that the technology described in Patent Document 1 can be directly adopted for the operation control of the vacuum process, sealing process, cooling process, etc. in the vacuum packaging machine 10, so a description thereof will be omitted. In this way, when the cover 30 is closed and the pressure inside the chamber 30 reaches a predetermined set value by the pressure reducing pump 120, a buzzer sounds to notify the user that operation has started.

[0053] When the entire process time is completed (0 seconds), the vacuum packaging machine 10 notifies the user by a buzzer notification signal 350 that the lid section 30 will open. The display 100 returns to the "operation start permission time" and stops counting (S260). The user opens the lid section 30 and removes the completed compressed pack from the vacuum packaging machine 10 (S270). Then, the display 100 determines whether there is any time remaining in the operation start permission time displayed on the display 100 (S280). If it is determined that the remaining time in the operation start permission time is the time to obtain a compressed pack again (Yes in S280), the process returns to step S230 (standby) and performs the same operation. If the remaining time in the operation start permission time is not the time to obtain a compressed pack (No in S280), the process ends. In the initial operation, only the operation of setting the packaging bag in the chamber 40 may be performed before step S210. In this way, when the decompression by the decompression pump 120 is stopped and the pressure inside the chamber 30 returns to atmospheric pressure, a buzzer sounds to notify the user that the compression pack is complete and the lid portion 30 is opened, and when the lid portion 30 is opened, the display 100 is returned to the standby state, so that the user knows that the compression pack is complete.

[0054] As described above, according to the reduced pressure packaging machine of the embodiment, when the lid part 30 is closed and the pressure reduction starts, if the inside of the chamber 30 reaches the set reduced pressure value or more (lid contact pressure) by vacuuming, a buzzer sounds and the "total process time" or "operation start permission time" displayed on the display starts to count down. In addition, if the pressure returns to atmospheric pressure after the vacuum is released, a buzzer sounds and the display returns to the standby state when the lid part 30 is opened. Since the compression pack operation starts at the reduced pressure value that determines that the lid 30 is completely sealed, anyone can obtain the same compression pack. Also, the numbers displayed on the two 7-segment displays 100a, 100b of the display 100 express the time and price by a combination of blinking and non-blinking numbers and blinking and non-blinking dots 100c, making the display easy for users to understand. In addition, the two seven-segment displays 100a and 100b are used to rotate, allowing the user to easily know that they are waiting. In the coin selector mode, the remaining time and the usage fee are displayed on a single display 100, reducing costs. The user can carry out the compression pack operation while checking the remaining time displayed on the display 100.

[0055] The vacuum packaging machine of the embodiment includes a chamber 40 having an internal space to which an openable / closable lid 30 is attached and capable of accommodating a packaging bag containing an item to be packaged, a vacuum pump 120 for reducing the pressure in the internal space, a sealing device 60 for sealing the opening of the degassed packaging bag by reducing the pressure in the internal space of the chamber 40 with the vacuum pump 120, and a display 100 provided on the front surface 20a of the housing for displaying the total process time or the permitted start time of operation, and is configured to start counting and updating the total process time or the permitted start time of operation when the lid 30 is closed and the pressure in the chamber 40 reaches a predetermined set value by the vacuum pump 120. This allows the compression packing operation to start at a reduced pressure value that can be judged to be completely sealed, eliminating the unevenness that occurs depending on the operator in the time from closing the lid to starting sealing.

[0056] The display 100 of the vacuum packaging machine of the embodiment is composed of at least two seven-segment displays 100a, 100b and at least one dot 100c, and is configured to flash the dot for 0.5 seconds together with count updates of the total process time or the permitted operation start time. This allows the user to recognize the count updates of the total process time or the permitted operation start time displayed on the two seven-segment displays by the flashing of the dot for 0.5 seconds, and to know the remaining work time.

[0057] The display 100 of the reduced pressure packaging machine of the embodiment is configured to notify the user that the packaging machine 10 is on standby by rotating the two 7-segment displays 100a and 100b. This makes it possible to notify the user that the packaging machine 10 is on standby in an easily understandable manner.

[0058] The vacuum packaging machine of the embodiment includes a chamber 40 having an internal space to which an openable lid 30 is attached and capable of accommodating a packaging bag containing a packaged item, a vacuum pump 120 for reducing the pressure in the internal space, a sealing device 60 for sealing the opening of the deaerated packaging bag by reducing the pressure in the internal space of the chamber with the vacuum pump 120, and a display 100 provided on the front surface 20a of the housing for starting counting and updating the total process time or the operation start permission time when the lid 30 is closed and the pressure in the chamber 40 reaches a predetermined set value by the vacuum pump 120, and is configured to display the charge in a flashing manner using the display 100 when in a coin selector specification mode in which a coin selector 500 is connected. This is a method in which the compression pack operation is started at a reduced pressure value at which it is determined that the lid is completely sealed, and therefore it is possible to eliminate the unevenness that occurs depending on the operator in the time from closing the lid 30 to starting sealing. In addition, since a single display displays the time (flashing dots) and the charge (flashing amount), it is possible to reduce costs.

[0059] The display 100 of the vacuum packaging machine of the embodiment is composed of at least two seven-segment displays 100a, 100b and at least one dot 100c, and is configured to display the set fee in a flashing manner on the seven-segment displays 100a, 100b when the coin selector specification mode is on standby. This allows costs to be reduced because a single display displays the total process time or the operation start permission time and the set fee. In addition, the flashing display of the set fee on the seven-segment displays 100a, 100b indicates that the fee is being displayed.

[0060] Furthermore, the reduced pressure packaging machine of the embodiment is configured to display the deposit amount from the coin selector 500 in a flashing manner on the seven segment displays 100a and 100b. This allows the user to know that the flashing display of the deposit amount on the seven segment displays 100a and 100b indicates that the deposit is being made.

[0061] In addition, the vacuum packaging machine of the embodiment is configured such that when the set fee is paid, the total process time or the permitted operation start time is displayed on the 7-segment displays 100a and 100b, and while operation is permitted, the total process time or the permitted operation start time is counted and updated, and the dots flash for 0.5 seconds. This allows the user to carry out the compression packing operation while understanding the remaining time displayed on the display.

[0062] The vacuum packaging machine of the embodiment includes a chamber 40 having an internal space to which an openable lid 30 is attached and capable of accommodating a packaging bag containing a packaged item, a vacuum pump 120 for reducing the pressure in the internal space, a sealing device 60 for sealing the opening of the degassed packaging bag by reducing the pressure in the internal space of the chamber 40 by the vacuum pump 120, and a display 100 provided on the front surface 20a of the housing for starting counting and updating the total process time or the permitted operation start time when the lid 30 is closed and the pressure in the chamber 40 reaches a predetermined set value by the vacuum pump 120, and when the machine is in an option specification mode in which an external option 600 is connected, the display 100 starts counting and updating the total process time or the permitted operation start time in response to a signal from the external option. This allows the compression pack operation to be started based on a signal from the external option and a reduced pressure value that can be determined to be the lid being completely sealed, eliminating the unevenness that occurs depending on the operator in the time from closing the lid 30 to starting sealing.

[0063] In addition, the display 100 of the vacuum packaging machine of the embodiment is configured to have at least two 7-segment displays 100a and 100b and at least one dot 100c when in the optional specification mode, and the dot 100c flashes for 0.5 seconds along with count updates of the total process time or the operation start permission time. This allows the user to carry out the compression packing operation while understanding the remaining time displayed on the display.

[0064] In addition, in the embodiment of the reduced pressure packaging machine, when the lid portion 30 is closed and the pressure in the chamber reaches a predetermined set value by the vacuum pump 120, the notification means notifies (350) the start of operation, and when the reduction in pressure by the vacuum pump 120 is stopped and the pressure in the chamber 30 reaches atmospheric pressure, the notification means notifies (350) the completion of compression packing, and when the lid portion 30 is opened, the display 100 is returned to the standby state. This allows the user to know the start of operation and the completion of compression packing by the notification from the notification means. Also, when the lid portion is opened, the display on the display becomes standby, making it possible to move to the next compression packing operation and improving operability.

[0065] The embodiments of the present invention are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 10: Decompression packaging machine for clothes, etc.; 20: Housing; 20a: Front of housing 30: lid portion; 40: chamber; 50: hinge portion; 60: sealing device 70: fastener, 80: inclined guide, 100: display unit 100a, 100b...7 segment display, 100c...Dot (LED) 110: reset lamp, 120: pressure reducing pump, 200: control board 210...CPU (control means), 210a...display control program 220...1st lamp, 230...2nd lamp, 500...Coin selector 600…9-tier box vending machine (optional device)

Claims

1. a chamber having an internal space to which an openable lid is attached and capable of accommodating a packaging bag containing an item to be packaged; a decompression pump that decompresses the internal space; a sealing device that seals the opening of the packaging bag that has been degassed by reducing the pressure inside the chamber using the vacuum pump; A display provided on the front of the housing for displaying the total process time or the operation start permission time; and when the lid is closed and the pressure in the chamber reaches a predetermined set value by the decompression pump, count update of the total process time or the operation start permitted time is started. Vacuum packaging machine.

2. The display comprises at least two seven-segment displays and at least one dot; The dot flashes along with count updates of the total process time or the operation start permitted time. The vacuum packaging machine according to claim 1.

3. The two seven-segment displays are rotated to indicate that the packaging machine is on standby. The vacuum packaging machine according to claim 1.

4. a chamber having an internal space to which an openable lid is attached and capable of accommodating a packaging bag containing an item to be packaged; a decompression pump that decompresses the internal space; a sealing device that seals the opening of the packaging bag that has been degassed by reducing the pressure inside the chamber using the vacuum pump; a display provided on the front surface of the housing, which starts counting and updating the total process time or the operation start permitted time when the lid is closed and the pressure in the chamber reaches a predetermined set value by the pressure reducing pump; and When the coin selector is connected and the coin selector specification mode is selected, the charge is displayed by flashing the display. Vacuum packaging machine.

5. The display comprises at least two seven-segment displays and at least one dot; When the coin selector specification mode is on standby, the set fee is displayed on the seven-segment display in a flashing manner. The vacuum packaging machine according to claim 4.

6. The seven-segment display flashes the amount of money deposited from the coin selector. The vacuum packaging machine according to claim 5.

7. When the payment of the set fee is completed, the operation start permitted time is displayed on the seven-segment display, During operation permission, the total process time or the operation start permission time is counted and updated, and the dot is flashed. The vacuum packaging machine according to claim 6.

8. a chamber having an internal space to which an openable lid is attached and capable of accommodating a packaging bag containing an item to be packaged; a decompression pump that decompresses the internal space; a sealing device that seals the opening of the packaging bag that has been degassed by reducing the pressure inside the chamber using the vacuum pump; a display provided on the front surface of the housing, which starts counting and updating the total process time or the operation start permitted time when the lid is closed and the pressure in the chamber reaches a predetermined set value by the pressure reducing pump; and When the system is in an option specification mode in which an external option is connected, count update of the total process time or the operation start permission time is started in response to a signal from the external option. Vacuum packaging machine.

9. The display comprises at least two seven-segment displays and at least one dot; The dot flashes along with count updates of the total process time or the operation start permitted time. The vacuum packaging machine according to claim 8.

10. When the lid is closed and the pressure in the chamber reaches a predetermined set value by the decompression pump, an alarm means notifies the start of operation; When the pressure reduction by the decompression pump is stopped and the pressure inside the chamber is returned to atmospheric pressure, the notification means notifies that the compression pack is complete, and when the lid portion is opened, the display is returned to a standby state. The vacuum packaging machine according to any one of claims 1, 4 and 7.

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