Vacuum skin pack packaging machine and vacuum skin pack packaging method

Abstract

To provide a vacuum skin pack packaging machine having a new shape provided with cutter means configured to cut a skin film from below, and to provide a vacuum skin pack packaging method.SOLUTION: A vacuum skin pack packaging machine according to an embodiment includes: a first chamber which incorporates a heater plate; two or more tray table unit which enable a tray, on which an object to be packed is placed, to be placed thereon and has cutter means configured to cut a skin film around the tray from below after skin packaging; a second chamber which contains the two or more tray table units; and a vacuum pump which evacuates the first chamber and the second chamber.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a vacuum skin pack packaging machine and a vacuum skin pack packaging method.

Background Art

[0002] Vacuum packaging is a type of packaging in which air is removed from a packaging bag containing an object to be packaged and then sealed. Vacuum packaging can prevent the deterioration of the contents and is widely used, for example, in the food industry and industrial fields.

[0003] As a type of such vacuum packaging, in recent years, skin packs using a vacuum skin pack packaging machine have become common. A vacuum skin pack packaging machine is a packaging form in which an object to be packaged, typically food, is sandwiched between a film and a mount, and the space between them is hermetically sealed by heat crimping without any gaps, that is, vacuum-packed. Since the vacuum skin pack packaging machine provides a complete seal, drips, which are the moisture that comes out of food during food storage, are suppressed, and it is widely implemented as a method for maintaining the freshness of food and extending its shelf life.

[0004] There is also known a vacuum skin pack packaging machine that can obtain a skin pack packaging bag that adheres strongly to the surface of a tray made of a foamed styrene pressure floating roller without the occurrence of agglomeration breakdown, maintains a closed operating state without curling up during normal handling, and can be easily opened, and is also suitable for packaging electronically heated foods (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0005] There is also a skin pack packaging body manufacturing apparatus that manufactures a skin pack packaging body by interposing an object to be packaged between a base material and a heated film and evacuating the space between the base material and the film. The apparatus includes a heating unit that heats the film, a film conveyance unit that conveys the film from the heating unit, and a degassing unit that is located downstream of the heating unit in the conveyance direction of the film and evacuates the space between the base material and the film in an operating state where the object to be packaged is interposed between the heated film and the base material (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

[0006] In the prior art vacuum skin packager, since the heater and the cutter were arranged in the upper plate shape, for example, if two skin pack processes were to be performed simultaneously, it was necessary to divide the heater into two. Further, since the heater and the cutter were arranged on the upper plate, the structure became complicated. Furthermore, when changing the size of the skin pack product, it was necessary to change the heater and the cutter according to the size, and it was necessary to prepare food trays of multiple varieties. Moreover, there were problems such as difficulty in aligning the upper cutter and the lower tray table.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0007]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0008] The problem to be solved by the invention is to provide a new-shaped vacuum skin packager and a vacuum skin pack method provided with cutter means for cutting the skin film from below around the tray after skin packing.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] The vacuum skin packager according to the embodiment includes a first chamber having a built-in heater plate, two or more tray table units capable of placing a tray on which an object to be packaged is mounted and having cutter means for cutting the skin film around the tray after skin packing from below, a second chamber in which the two or more tray table units are housed, and a vacuum pump for evacuating the first chamber and the second chamber. The vacuum skin pack packaging method of the embodiment is a vacuum skin pack packaging method of a vacuum skin pack packaging machine including a first chamber having a built-in heater plate, two or more tray base units capable of placing a tray on which an object to be packaged is mounted and having cutter means for cutting the skin film around the tray after skin packing from below, a second chamber in which the two or more tray base units are housed, and a vacuum pump for evacuating the first chamber and the second chamber. The method is characterized in that the upper part of the second chamber is covered with the skin film, the first chamber and the second chamber are evacuated in a state where the second chamber is closed by the first chamber, and when the skin film adheres closely to the tray, the skin film around each tray is simultaneously cut from below by the cutter means of each tray base unit.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, a vacuum skin pack packaging machine and a vacuum skin pack packaging method according to embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In the present specification and drawings, components having substantially the same functional configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

[0012] (Overall Configuration) The configuration of the vacuum skin pack packaging machine according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 12. FIG. 1 shows a perspective view and a side view of a vacuum skin pack packaging machine 1 in which the upper chamber 30 is in an ascending state. FIG. 2 shows a perspective view and a side view of a vacuum skin pack packaging machine 1 in which the upper chamber 30 is in a descending state. The vacuum skin pack packaging machine 1 according to the embodiment can use, as the object to be packaged (work) W, not only foods such as meat (such as fish, beef, pork, chicken), vegetables, but also industrial products such as substrates, cooking foods, processed foods, frozen foods, etc. That is, anything that can be skin-packed may be used. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the vacuum skin pack packaging machine 1 includes a substantially rectangular housing 10 having a built-in vacuum pump 410 and the like inside. The outer dimensions of the housing 10 are, for example, W650×D630×H1400.

[0013] The housing 10 is provided with a substantially box-shaped lower chamber 20 (also referred to as the lower chamber or the second chamber) that is open at the upper surface by an opening 201. The size of the lower chamber 20 is, for example, W440×D340×H40. The size of the work to be skin-packed is, for example, W130×D240×H30. The lower chamber 20 houses a tray table unit, and a tray T on which a work piece (work) W to be skin-packed is placed can be set (placed) on the tray table unit. The size of the tray T is, for example, W170×H280.

[0014] In the embodiment, the lower chamber 20 is formed in a size that can accommodate two trays T on which the work piece (work) W is placed, and it is possible to simultaneously skin-pack two work pieces W. The number of trays T to be skin-packed may be designed according to the size of the vacuum skin-packaging machine 1.

[0015] The skin film F (for example, width 485) for packing the tray T on which the work piece (work) W is placed is a laminated film made of a resin material such as polyethylene, and it is particularly preferably one having barrier properties. When the skin film F is heated at a predetermined temperature or higher (softening temperature) for a predetermined time, it softens, and at least one surface, specifically the surface facing the work piece W, becomes in a state where it can be attached to the work piece (work) W and the tray T. In the vacuum skin-packaging machine 1, for example, a skin film F with a softening temperature of 130°C and a heating time of about 10 seconds is used. Examples of such a film include skin-packaging films manufactured by Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation.

[0016] The tray T is a flat cardboard on which the work piece (work) W is placed, and it is preferably one having barrier properties similar to the skin film F. From the viewpoints of cost and heat insulation, as the tray T, a tray made of a resin material such as expanded polystyrene may be used, but a paper tray is preferably used. Examples of such a tray include Green Flat (registered trademark) manufactured by Toppan Printing Co., Ltd.

[0017] On the front of the housing 10, an operation panel 11 is provided. The user of the vacuum skin packager 1 (hereinafter referred to as the operator) operates the start and end of the skin pack by operating this operation panel 11. In addition, the operating conditions of the skin pack such as the vacuum condition, heating time, and heating temperature can be set from the operation panel 11.

[0018] On both ends in the left - right direction on the upper surface of the back side of the housing 10, plate - shaped frames 12 are respectively provided so as to extend vertically and laterally. On the inner - side surfaces of the upper - end portions of the two frames 12, support frames 121 with notches at their upper ends are respectively provided. The two support frames 121 have the rotating shaft of the film roll FR around which the skin film F is wound so as to be woundable inserted through the notch portions, and are pivotally supported so as to be relatively rotatable. The skin film F is guided by a guide roller (not shown) provided on the back side of the lower chamber 20 and can be drawn out so as to cover the entire upper surface of the lower chamber 20.

[0019] Above the housing 10 and between the two frames 12, a substantially box - shaped upper chamber 30 (also referred to as the upper chamber or the first chamber) is provided. On the inner side (the surface facing the lower chamber) of the upper chamber 30, a heater plate 31 is attached as shown in FIG. 3. Note that FIG. 3 shows the state in which the inner surface of the heater plate 31 is visible. The heater plate 31 is formed, for example, in a substantially rectangular flat - plate shape and is controlled to be energized by a control device 400 (see FIG. 13) described later. Since the heater plate 31 is heated to 100 ° C or higher in a state adjacent to the skin film F, the skin film F can be softened.

[0020] The heater plate 31 has a large number of vent holes 32 drilled regularly. Air (atmosphere) supplied through a connecting pipe 34 attached to the back of the heater plate 31 jets out from the large number of vent holes 32, pressing the heated skin film F from above (the opposing surface) with air, and by evacuating the lower chamber 20, the skin film F can be adhered to the work W in the tray T. Note that, as will be described later, the connecting pipe 34 is connected to a vacuum pump 410 and is used for evacuating the upper chamber 30. Further, a rubber-like packing 33 is attached to the outer periphery of the four sides of the heater plate 31, enhancing the adhesion when the upper chamber 30 swings and overlaps above the lower chamber 20.

[0021] The upper chamber 30 is formed with sizes in its front-back direction and left-right direction corresponding to those of the lower chamber 20, and both end portions in the left-right direction are rotatably supported with respect to one end of a plate-like swing frame 13 formed in a long shape. The other end of the swing frame 13 is rotatably supported with respect to the inner side surface of the frame 12. Thereby, the upper chamber 30 is swingable up and down about this axis while being supported by the swing frame 13. The upper chamber 30 can swing from the uppermost rising position shown in FIG. 1 to the lowermost falling position shown in FIG. 2, and is configured such that its upper surface maintains horizontal during the swing.

[0022] The upper chamber 30 positioned at the lowermost falling position in FIG. 2 can airtightly close the opening 201 of the lower chamber 20, and in this state, the upper chamber 30 and the lower chamber 20 are sealed from each other. That is, the lower chamber 20 and the upper chamber 30 function as lids for both. A handle 301 is provided on the front surface of the upper chamber 30, and by an operator gripping and moving up and down the handle 301, the lifting operation of the upper chamber 30 can be easily performed. Note that the lifting of the upper chamber 30 may be manual, or may be lifted according to the operation of the operation panel 11 by a control device 400 described later operating a driving device such as a motor.

[0023] Next, the internal structure of the lower chamber 20 will be described. FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a state in which two cutter-integrated tray tables are stored in the lower chamber 20. (a) is a view showing a state in which the pattern cutter 240 is not visible, and (b) is a view showing a state in which the pattern cutter has risen. FIG. 5 shows a state in which a tray T on which a work piece (work) W is mounted is placed on a cutter-integrated tray table unit stored in the lower chamber 20. FIG. 6 shows an A-A cross-sectional view and a B-B cross-sectional view of the lower chamber 20 in a state where the pattern cutter 240 is not visible. FIGS. 7 and 8 show an A-A cross-sectional view and a B-B cross-sectional view of the lower chamber 20 in a state where the pattern cutter 240 has risen. FIG. 9 shows a perspective view, a top view, and a side cross-sectional view of the pattern cutter 240 attached to the cutter-integrated tray table unit 210. FIG. 10 shows a perspective view, a top view, and a side cross-sectional view of the cutter-integrated tray table unit 210 in a state where the pattern cutter 240 is not visible. FIG. 11 shows a perspective view, a top view, and a side cross-sectional view of the cutter-integrated tray table unit 210 in a state where the pattern cutter 240 has risen.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 4, two cutter-integrated tray table units 210 and 220 shown in FIG. 10 (FIG. 11) are stored in the lower chamber 20. That is, the lower chamber 20 is designed with a width in which two tray table units 210 and 220 are provided side by side. Therefore, if a tray table unit corresponding to the size of the work piece (work) W is prepared in advance, various skin packs can be manufactured with good workability simply by setting (exchanging) it in the lower chamber 20 in a cassette type.

[0025] The tray table units 210 and 220 incorporate a pattern cutter 240 for cutting the skin film F in close contact with the tray T. And a cutter groove 230 for the vertical movement of the pattern cutter 240 is formed on the outer periphery of the placement area of the tray T of the tray table units 210 and 220.

[0026] As shown in Fig. 4(a), when the tray units 210 and 220 are stored in the lower chamber 20, the pattern cutter 240 is not visible. In the process of cutting the skin film F adhered to the tray T during the skin pack operation, as shown in Fig. 4(b), the pattern cutter 240 pops out from the cutter groove 230 and cuts the skin film F on the outer periphery of the tray T. The details of these skin pack operations will be described later.

[0027] As shown in Fig. 4(b), at least on the outer periphery of the placement area of the tray T (the inner surface part 291b2 to be described later) of the tray units 210 and 220, the slightly adhesive members 250a to 250d may be attached by a method such as coating or pasting (for details, refer to Fig. 6 or Fig. 7). The slightly adhesive members 250a to 250d serve as weak fixing means when setting the tray T (paper pack) for skin packing on the tray units 210 and 220. Also, as shown in Fig. 4(a), the slightly adhesive members 251a to 251d may be attached to the outer peripheral area (the outer peripheral surface part 291b1 to be described later) sandwiching the cutter groove 230 (for details, refer to Fig. 7). In the operation of quickly pushing up (lifting) the pattern cutter 240 and cutting the skin film F from below, the skin film F adhered to the tray T may be lifted. By attaching the slightly adhesive members 251 to 251d, it is possible to prevent the lifting during the cutting operation. Note that the slightly adhesive members 250a to 250d and 251 to 251d are for attaching members (such as tapes, seals, sheets, etc.) having a weak adhesive force that can be gripped.

[0028] The anti-lifting means may be other configurations. For example, mushroom-shaped protrusions are attached to the film adhesion part so that the skin film F is caught. Also, holes may be made in the film adhesion part so that the skin film F is caught. Further, holes may be made in the sheet metal standing up in the direction perpendicular to the skin film F, and the skin films may adhere to each other when the film is adhered to create a catch.

[0029] Furthermore, instead of the anti-lifting means, a suction cup may be attached to the film adhesion part to provide means for holding the skin film F. The means for holding the skin film F may be to install a box with holes at the upper part of the film adhesion part. After decompression, the film and the tray T adhere to form an independent sealed space and are adsorbed by the vacuum state. These may also be applied as alternative means for the slightly adhesive members 260a to 260c on the upper outer frame of the lower chamber 20 described later.

[0030] Figure 5 shows a state in which the tray T with the work W placed on the tray units 210 and 220 is set. When the operator sets the tray T in the state shown in Figure 5, the skin film F is pulled out to cover the upper side of the lower chamber 20. Then, the upper chamber 30 is moved as a lid to fit the lower chamber 20, and the skin pack operation is started. As shown in Figure 5, a region for attaching the slightly adhesive members 260a to 260c may be provided on the upper outer frame of the lower chamber 20. When the upper side of the lower chamber 20 is covered with the skin film F by the slightly adhesive members 260a to 260c, the skin film F can be fixed so as not to move. Therefore, the generation of wrinkles in the skin film F can be prevented, and the skin pack operation can be performed smoothly.

[0031] Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A and a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B of the lower chamber 20 in a state where the pattern cutter 240 is in a fixed position (at the time of setting). On the bottom surface of the lower chamber 20, connection pipes 270 and 275 for evacuating the lower chamber 20 by a vacuum pump 410 and raising the pattern cutter 240 are connected corresponding to the tray base units 210 and 220. Further, reinforcing frames 280 and 285 for reinforcing the strength of the lower chamber 20 are attached to the bottom surface of the lower chamber 20. When the vacuuming process of the skin pack is started, the air in the lower chamber 20 is evacuated (depressurized) by the vacuum pump 410 through the connection pipes 270 and 275. As a result, the heated and softened skin film F is air-pressed from above the upper chamber 30, and at the same time, the lower chamber 20 is evacuated, so the skin film F is attracted to the tray T side and adheres closely.

[0032] Figures 7 and 8 show a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A and a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B of the lower chamber 20 in a state where the pattern cutter 240 is pushed up (cutting operation). In the cutting process of the skin pack, the pattern cutter 240 pops out from the cutter groove 230 and cuts the skin film F. That is, the air from the vacuum pump 410 is sent through the connection pipes 270 and 275, and the cutter plates 290 and 295 to which the pattern cutter 240 is attached are quickly pushed up, so that the outer periphery of the tray T of the adhered skin film F can be cut. When the operation of the vacuum pump 410 is stopped after the cutting operation, the cutter plates 290 and 295 return to the fixed positions shown in FIG. 6 by the spring coils described later.

[0033] Figure 9 shows a perspective view, a top view, a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A, and a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B of the cutter plate 290. Here, the cutter plate 290 will be described, but the cutter plate 295 also has the same shape. The cutter plate 290 cuts the skin film F around (outer periphery) the tray T to manufacture a finished product of one skin pack. Therefore, the cutter plate 290 has an inner box shape with an upward blade portion for cutting the outer periphery of the tray T.

[0034] The pattern cutter 240 may be an integral (annular) cutter with a cutting edge formed at its upward tip, or it may be a cutter formed by connecting cutter parts with standard cutters arranged on four sides. For example, as a standard cutter, a replacement blade of a stationery cutter knife (about 10 mm wide) may be arranged without gaps on the outer periphery of the cutter plate 290. When the cutting edge of the replacement blade becomes dull, only the blade at that location needs to be replaced, so the operation is simple. Also, it can accommodate various sizes. Inside the cutter plate 290, intake parts 290a to 290d (for example, four locations) connected to the vacuum pump 410 are provided. When the vacuum pump 410 is operated to evacuate the lower chamber 20, the air in the lower chamber 20 is degassed from the intake parts 290a to 290d.

[0035] FIG. 10 shows a perspective view, a top view, an A-A cross-sectional view, and a B-B cross-sectional view of a cutter-integrated tray unit 210 incorporating the cutter plate 290 of FIG. 9. Here, the tray unit 210 will be described, but the tray unit 220 also has the same shape. The tray unit 210 has a bottom plate 291a, a top plate 291b, and a plurality of support columns 291c connecting the bottom plate 291a and the top plate 291b. The plurality of support columns 291c ensure the height of the cutter plate 290. The top plate 291b has an outer peripheral surface portion 291b1 located outside the cutter groove 230 and an inner surface portion 291b2 inside the cutter groove 230. That is, the outer peripheral surface portion 291b1 and the inner surface portion 291b2 are adjacent via the cutter groove 230, and their four corners are screwed. The inner surface portion 291b2 serves as the placement surface for the tray T. With the inner surface portion 291b2 removed, the cutter plate 290 is inserted and the inner surface portion 291b2 is attached, and the cutter-integrated tray unit 210 is completed.

[0036] For the screws at the four corners for attaching the inner surface portion 291b2, support columns are attached to the bottom surface of the cutter plate 290, and spring coils 292a to 292d are inserted into the support columns. Due to the action of the spring coils 292a to 292d, the pushed-up cutter plate 290 can be returned to its fixed position.

[0037] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a perspective view, a top view, and a side cross-sectional view of the cutter-integrated tray base unit 210 with the cutter plate 290 pushed up. Here, the tray base unit 210 will be described, but the tray base unit 220 also has the same shape. The bottom of the tray base unit 210 is connected to a vacuum pump 410 via a pipe 270 (see FIG. 6). A three-way solenoid valve 340, which will be described later, is provided between the vacuum pump 410 and the pipe 270, and an operation of quickly pushing up (poking up) the cutter plate 290 is executed according to its opening and closing operation. In the operation of pushing up the cutter plate 290, the blade portion is pushed up from the cutter groove 230 to a position higher than the surface of the inner surface portion 291b2 (for example, about 10 mm). Thereby, the closely adhered skin film F around the tray T can be cut. The height position of the cutter plate 290 is regulated by the spring coils 292a to 292d. When the operation of the vacuum pump 410 is stopped, the tray base unit 210 returns to its fixed position due to the action of the spring coils 292a to 292d.

[0038] FIG. 12 shows another embodiment of the cutter-integrated tray base unit incorporating the cutter plate 290. (a) is a perspective view of the tray base unit 300 of another embodiment, (b) is a top view of the same tray base unit 300, (c) is its cross-sectional view taken along line A-A, (d) is its cross-sectional view taken along line B-B, and (e) is an enlarged view of the up-and-down mechanism of the guide pin. As shown in FIG. 12, guide pins 310a to 310d are provided at the four corners of the tray unit 300 with a predetermined height (for example, 5 to 8 mm) from the horizontal plane of the tray unit 300. And, as shown in FIG. 12(b), the guide pins 310a to 310d serve as guidance when placing the tray T on which the work piece (work) W is mounted on the tray unit 300. The operator can place the tray T inside the guide pins 310a to 310d at the four corners, so the workability is good.

[0039] And, as shown in FIG. 12(e), a spring coil 320 is attached between the horizontal plane 300a of the tray unit 300 and the fixing portion 330 at the lower part of the support shaft constituting each of the guide pins 310a to 310d. Therefore, each of the guide pins 310a to 310d is configured to descend to the horizontal plane 300a of the tray unit 300 by the pressing of the skin film. Each of the guide pins 310a to 310d can achieve the purpose when used as guidance for placing the tray T, but it becomes an obstacle in the operation of closely adhering with the skin film F from above the tray T. In this tray unit 300, when the skin film F is pressed by the wind pressure from the many ventilation holes 32 of the heater plate 31, each of the guide pins 310a to 310d descends (retracts) to the horizontal plane 300a of the tray unit 300, so it has a shape that does not interfere with the skin packing operation. When the skin film F is cut by the pattern cutter 240 and the tray T is taken out, the tips of each of the guide pins 310a to 310d return to the predetermined height position.

[0040] FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the control system of the vacuum skin packing machine 1. The control device 400 that controls the overall operation of the vacuum skin packaging machine 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 403, a memory used as the working area of the CPU 403, and a storage device 406 that stores various programs of the vacuum skin packaging machine 1 and set values of various vacuum packaging conditions (such as decompression standby time, degree of vacuum, heater temperature, softening time, etc.), and an IF (InterFace) circuit 409 that performs input / output processing of each signal, etc.

[0041] The control device 400 is connected via the IF circuit 409 to the above-described operation panel 11, heater plate 31, vacuum pump 410, upper chamber vacuum solenoid valve 415, upper chamber soft opening solenoid valve 420, upper chamber opening solenoid valve 425, lower chamber vacuum solenoid valve 430, lower chamber soft opening solenoid valve 435, cutter drive solenoid valve 440, temperature sensor 450, lock mechanism 460, pressure sensor 470, cut heater 480, and notification unit 490 so that signals from each device can be input and / or control signals for operating each device can be output.

[0042] Here, the temperature sensor 450 detects the temperature of the heater plate 31. The lock mechanism 460 locks the upper chamber 30 so that it cannot be separated, that is, cannot rise, when the upper chamber 30 is positioned at the lowest position and closes the opening 201 of the lower chamber 20. The lock mechanism 460 is configured to maintain the lock in a non-energized state and release the lock when energized. The locking method may be appropriate, for example, using a solenoid lock in a latch mechanism. The pressure sensor 470 detects the vacuum pressure in the lower chamber 20 and the upper chamber 30.

[0043] The cutting heater 480 melts the skin film F unwound from the film roll FR by the contact terminals generating heat at a high temperature and sandwiching it from above and below, and fuses it by pressure and heat. Note that it is not limited to fusing, and it may be configured to cut with a cutter blade. The notification unit 490 notifies the operator that the skin pack has ended. The notification unit 490 is preferably configured as a buzzer, but may be configured as a lamp and made to blink.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 17 and the like, the vacuum pump 410 is connected to intake flow paths that communicate with the lower chamber 20 and the upper chamber 30, respectively. The upper chamber vacuum solenoid valve 415 is provided in the intake flow path between the upper chamber 30 and the vacuum pump 410, and allows / disables the fluid connection between the upper chamber 30 and the vacuum pump 410. That is, the inside of the upper chamber 30 is evacuated through this solenoid valve 415. The upper chamber opening soft solenoid valve 420 is provided between the upper chamber 30 and the upper chamber vacuum solenoid valve 415, and softly opens the upper chamber 30 to a set value during soft opening and close contact. The upper chamber opening solenoid valve 425 is provided between the upper chamber 30 and the upper chamber opening soft solenoid valve 420, and opens the upper chamber 30 to 20% to the atmosphere to completely adhere the skin film F.

[0045] The lower chamber vacuum solenoid valve 430 is provided in the intake flow path between the lower chamber 20 and the vacuum pump 410, and allows / disables the fluid connection between the lower chamber 20 and the vacuum pump 410. That is, the inside of the lower chamber 20 is evacuated through this solenoid valve 430. The lower chamber opening solenoid valve 435 is a solenoid valve provided via a vacuum opening branch flow path provided in the intake flow path between the lower chamber 20 and the lower chamber vacuum solenoid valve 430. When this solenoid valve 435 is opened, the inside of the lower chamber 20 can be returned from a decompressed state to atmospheric pressure. The cutter drive solenoid valve 440 is a three-way solenoid valve and is used when driving the cutter plates 290 and 295. During the evacuation operation of the lower chamber 20, the space between the lower chamber and the vacuum pump 410 becomes "open" and evacuation is similarly performed. Then, when the pattern cutting process is reached, the vacuum pump side valve of the cutter drive solenoid valve 440 is "closed" and the atmosphere side valve is "opened" to quickly push up (raise) the cutter plates 290 and 295.

[0046] Figure 14 shows an example of the display during the operation of the operation panel 11. The operation panel 11 is composed of, for example, a touch panel display. The operation panel 11 is provided with an "operation mode" button and a "stop mode" button for the vacuum skin packager 1, and the power on / off is set. Also, a plurality of course setting buttons are prepared, and the operation mode (course 1 to course 4) can be selected and set according to the product to be skin-packed. The temperature of the heater plate 31 during operation and the vacuum pressures in the lower chamber 20 and the upper chamber 30 are displayed so as to be monitored. Further, in accordance with the process transition during operation, the transition state is displayed in the order of "warming 1" ⇒ "warming 2" ⇒ "upper and lower vacuum" ⇒ "adhesion release" ⇒ "cut", and the operation states in the lower chamber 20 and the upper chamber 30 are displayed. In Figure 14, it shows that the operation has reached the "warming 2" process.

[0047] (Device operation) Next, the vacuum skin pack packaging method according to the present embodiment will be described. Figure 15 is a flowchart showing the control of the vacuum skin packager 1 by the control device 400. Figure 16 is a timing diagram showing the operating states of the heater plate 31, the vacuum pump 410, the upper chamber vacuum solenoid valve 415, the upper chamber opening solenoid valve 425, the upper chamber soft opening solenoid valve 420, the lower chamber vacuum solenoid valve 430, the lower chamber soft opening solenoid valve 435, and the cutter drive solenoid valve 440 in each control process. Figures 17 to 34 show the operating states of the vacuum skin packager 1 in each process. In the timing diagram of Figure 16, the horizontal bar indicates the operating state or the open state of the solenoid valve. The operation of the vacuum skin packager 1 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 13 to 34.

[0048] The vacuum skin packager 1 according to this embodiment is set to execute, by default, a skin pack process with reduced rated power consumption as described below as a processing operation. Here, it is assumed that various vacuum packaging conditions, heater temperature, etc. have been set to predetermined set values in advance by the administrator of the vacuum skin packager 1. Also, it is assumed that a tray T on which the object to be packaged W is placed in advance has been prepared.

[0049] FIG. 17 shows a state in which the cutter-integrated tray units 210 and 220 adapted to the tray T of the skin pack target product, for example, food, are housed in the lower chamber 20. At this point, the vacuum pump 410 is not operating, but the control device 400 controls, by default control, the upper chamber vacuum solenoid valve 415, the upper chamber soft opening solenoid valve 420, and the lower chamber vacuum solenoid valve 430 to be "closed", the upper chamber opening solenoid valve 425 to be "closed", and the lower chamber soft opening solenoid valve 435 and the cutter drive solenoid valve 440 to be "closed". Note that the "closed" state of the three-way cutter drive solenoid valve 440 represents the atmosphere side valve, and the space between the vacuum pump 410 and the lower chamber 20 is "open".

[0050] When the operator turns on the power and changes the film roll FR around which the skin film F is wound (S100 in FIG. 15), the operator sets the film roll FR around which the skin film F to be changed is wound on the support frame 121 (S102 in FIG. 15). Then, the operator selects a course suitable for the skin film F to be used from the operation panel 11 (S104 in FIG. 15). When the course selection operation is completed, or when there is no change in the skin film F, the operator presses the "operation mode" button on the operation panel 11. In response to this operation, the control device 400 commands the heater plate 31 to heat, and the heating is started (S105 in FIG. 15). At this time, while acquiring the measured temperature from the temperature sensor 450, the control device 400 heats until the heater plate 31 reaches the set temperature, and when the set temperature is reached, it repeats the control of turning the heater plate 31 on and off to maintain that temperature (period T1 in FIG. 16). When the heater plate 31 reaches the set temperature, the control device 400 operates the vacuum pump 410. The vacuum pump 410 maintains its operating state until the pattern cutting process is completed thereafter (periods T2 - T10 in FIG. 16).

[0051] FIG. 18 shows the operating state of the vacuum skin packaging machine 1 when the heater plate 31 is turned on (T1 in FIG. 16). In FIG. 18, the vacuum pump 410 has not yet started operating, and the upper chamber vacuum solenoid valve 415, the upper chamber soft release solenoid valve 420, and the lower chamber vacuum solenoid valve 430 remain closed in their default states.

[0052] FIG. 19 shows the state of the vacuum skin packaging machine 1 with a tray T on which a work piece (work) W is placed mounted on the tray units 210, 220 of the lower chamber 20. When the operator changes the tray (Yes in S106 of FIG. 15), the operator rearranges the tray units 210, 220 according to the tray T to be changed (S108 in FIG. 15). Then, the operator selects the tray T to be used (S110 in FIG. 15) and sets the tray T on which the work piece (work) W to be skin-packed is mounted at the defined positions of the tray units 210, 220 (S112 in FIG. 15). Each solenoid valve in FIG. 19 is in the same state as in FIG. 18.

[0053] Next, the operator covers the lower chamber 20 with the skin film F (S114 in FIG. 15). FIG. 20 shows the state of the vacuum skin packaging machine 1 with the skin film F covered over the lower chamber 20 without wrinkles. The operator unwinds the skin film F from the film roll FR, pulls it downward, then draws it forward (toward the operator), and closes the opening 201 of the lower chamber 20 with the drawn skin film F. As a result, the skin film F and the object to be packaged (workpiece) W are arranged in a shape facing each other. In FIG. 20, the film roll FR is simply illustrated beside the lower chamber 20 for simplicity.

[0054] Next, the operator lowers the upper chamber 30 and brings it into close contact so as to cover the opening 201 of the lower chamber 20, specifically, in close contact through the skin film F (S116 in FIG. 15). At this time, the close contact between the upper chamber 30 and the lower chamber 20 activates a limit switch (not shown), and accordingly, the locking mechanism 460 operates to prevent the upper chamber 30 from separating upward from the lower chamber 20, that is, to lock it so as to maintain the close contact state.

[0055] The control device 400 turns off the heater plate 31 due to the activation of the limit switch and operates the vacuum pump 410 to start evacuation (S116 in FIG. 15). Further, the cut heater 480 is operated to cut the skin film F behind the lower chamber 20 (S118 in FIG. 15). Since the heater plate 31 is turned off at this stage, power consumption can be reduced. The temperature of the heater plate 31 is maintained almost the same during the operation of the skin pack because the upper chamber 30 is firmly closed. FIG. 21 shows the operating state of the vacuum skin packager 1 during evacuation by the vacuum pump 410 and cutting of the skin film F by the cut heater 480. As shown in FIG. 21, when the evacuation by the vacuum pump 410 is started, the control device 400 controls the upper chamber vacuum solenoid valve 415 to be "open", the upper chamber soft release solenoid valve 420 to be "closed", the upper chamber release solenoid valve 425 to be "closed", the lower chamber vacuum solenoid valve 430 to be "open", the lower chamber soft release solenoid valve 435 to be "closed", and the atmospheric side valve of the cutter drive solenoid valve 440 to be "closed" (period T2 in FIG. 16).

[0056] After the upper chamber 30 descends, the upper chamber soft release solenoid valve 420 and the upper chamber release solenoid valve 425 are closed, and the upper chamber vacuum solenoid valve 415 is opened. As a result, the pressure inside the upper chamber 30 is reduced, and evacuation is performed. Similarly, the lower chamber soft release solenoid valve 435 and the cutter drive solenoid valve 440 are closed, and the lower chamber vacuum solenoid valve 430 is opened. As a result, the pressure inside the lower chamber 20 is reduced, and evacuation is performed. The control device 400 performs evacuation until the lower chamber 20 and the upper chamber 30 are evacuated by, for example, 20% after the upper chamber 30 descends. In this state, since the packing 33 on the inner outer periphery of the upper chamber 30 has completely sunk, the cut heater 480 is operated to cut the skin film F. As a cutter means for the skin film F supplied from the roll film RF, a receiving groove between the cutter and the presser of the skin film F may be formed, and the cutter may be adjusted to a dimension capable of cutting the skin film F by the amount of sinking of the chamber packing.

[0057] Next, when the control device 400 has evacuated (depressurized) the lower chamber 20 and the upper chamber 30 to 20% respectively, it stops the evacuation (S120 in FIG. 15). Then, it preheats the skin film F (S122 in FIG. 15). FIG. 22 shows the operating state of the vacuum skin packaging machine 1 when the skin film F is being preheated. As shown in FIG. 22, in the preheating process of the skin film F, the control device 400 closes the atmosphere side valve of the cutter drive solenoid valve 440 and controls all the solenoid valves to be "closed" (period T3 in FIG. 16). By introducing this preheating process of the skin film F, it is possible to prevent the formation of holes when the skin film F is heated.

[0058] Next, the control device 400 performs pre-stretching of the skin film F (S124 in FIG. 15). Figure 23 shows the operating state of the vacuum skin packaging machine 1 when the skin film F is pre-stretched. As shown in Figure 23, in the pre-stretching process of the skin film F, the control device 400 controls the lower chamber vacuum solenoid valve 430 to be "open" and all other solenoid valves to be "closed" (period T4 in Figure 16). That is, by evacuating only the lower chamber 20, the skin film F can be bulged into a dome shape downward. By introducing this pre-stretching process of the skin film F, since the skin film F is slowly stretched downward, the generation of wrinkles can be suppressed and the close-following property can be improved.

[0059] When the upper chamber 30 is opened to the atmosphere, if the upper chamber soft opening solenoid valve 420 uses a valve with a reduced orifice diameter, by slowly bulging the skin film F toward the lower chamber 20 side, the rapid stretching of the skin film F can be suppressed and the formation of holes can be made less likely. Or, close the upper chamber vacuum solenoid valve 415 to stop the decompression of the upper chamber 30 and make the film slowly bulge downward. Thereby, by slowly bulging the skin film F downward, the rapid stretching of the skin film F can be suppressed and the formation of holes can be made less likely.

[0060] Next, the control device 400 performs heating of the skin film F and evacuation of the upper chamber 30 (S126 in Figure 15). Figure 24 shows the operating state of the vacuum skin packaging machine 1 when heating the skin film F and evacuating the upper chamber 30. As shown in Figure 24, in this process, the control device 400 opens the upper chamber vacuum solenoid valve 415 and the lower chamber vacuum solenoid valve 430, closes the upper chamber soft release solenoid valve 420, the upper chamber release solenoid valve 425, the lower chamber soft release solenoid valve 435, and closes the atmosphere side valve of the cutter drive solenoid valve 440 (period T5 in Figure 16). As a result, the lower chamber 20 and the upper chamber 30 are evacuated to the set value. As a result, the skin film F that has become dome-shaped as shown in Figure 23 returns to its original position. Then, the skin film F is reheated by the heat plate 31 that maintains the high temperature state.

[0061] Next, the control device 400 stops evacuating the upper chamber 30 and further evacuates the lower chamber 20 (S130 in Figure 15). Figure 25 shows the operating state of the vacuum skin packaging machine 1 when evacuating the upper chamber 30 is stopped and the lower chamber 20 is further evacuated. As shown in Figure 25, in this process, the control device 400 opens the lower chamber vacuum solenoid valve 430, closes the upper chamber vacuum solenoid valve 415, the upper chamber soft release solenoid valve 420, the upper chamber release solenoid valve 425, the lower chamber soft release solenoid valve 435, and closes the atmosphere side valve of the cutter drive solenoid valve 440 (period T6 in Figure 16). As a result, the evacuation of the upper chamber 30 stops, and the lower chamber 20 enters the additional evacuation state, so that the skin film F is lowered toward the lower chamber 20. By introducing the additional evacuation process of the lower chamber, it is possible to prevent the skin film F from having holes.

[0062] Next, the control device 400 softly releases the upper chamber 30 and slowly adheres the skin film F to the tray T (S132 in Figure 15). Figure 26 shows the operating state of the vacuum skin packaging machine 1 when the upper chamber 30 is softly opened and the skin film F is slowly adhered to the tray T. As shown in Figure 26, in this process, the control device 400 opens the upper chamber soft opening solenoid valve 420 and the lower chamber vacuum solenoid valve 430, and closes the upper chamber vacuum solenoid valve 415, the upper chamber opening solenoid valve 425, the lower chamber soft opening solenoid valve 435, and the atmospheric side valve of the cutter drive solenoid valve 440 (period T7 in Figure 16). As a result, the evacuation of the upper chamber 30 stops, and while only the lower chamber 20 is being evacuated, the upper chamber soft opening solenoid valve 420 is opened, so that the outside air (a small amount of air) flowing in from the upper chamber soft opening solenoid valve 420 is blown out from the numerous ventilation holes 32 of the heater plate 31 of the upper chamber 30 toward the skin film F. As a result, the skin film F can be slowly adhered to the tray T. By introducing the process of softly opening the upper chamber 30 and slowly adhering the skin film F to the tray T, it is possible to prevent the skin film F from having holes.

[0063] Next, when the control device 400 determines from the measured value of the pressure sensor 470a that the upper chamber 30 has been opened to the atmosphere by, for example, 20% due to the soft opening (S134 in Figure 15), it completely adheres the skin film F (S136 in Figure 15). Figure 27 shows the operating state of the vacuum skin packaging machine 1 when the skin film F is completely adhered. As shown in Figure 27, in this process, the control device 400 opens the upper chamber opening solenoid valve 425 and the lower chamber vacuum solenoid valve 430, and closes the upper chamber vacuum solenoid valve 415, the upper chamber soft opening solenoid valve 420, the lower chamber soft opening solenoid valve 435, and the atmospheric side valve of the cutter drive solenoid valve 440 (period T7 in Figure 16). As a result, following step S134, with the evacuation of the upper chamber 30 stopped and only the lower chamber 20 being evacuated, the upper chamber opening solenoid valve 425 is opened. Thus, outside air (atmospheric air) flowing in from the upper chamber opening solenoid valve 425 is blown out from the numerous ventilation holes 32 of the heater plate 31 of the upper chamber 30 toward the skin film F. The amount of outside air flowing in from the upper chamber opening solenoid valve 425 is larger than the amount of outside air flowing in from the upper chamber soft opening solenoid valve 420 in step S134. As a result, the skin film F can be made to adhere perfectly to the tray T.

[0064] Next, the control device 400 performs a pre-pattern-cut wait so as to wait until the adhesion of the skin film F stabilizes. FIG. 28 shows the operating state of the vacuum skin packaging machine 1 until the adhesion of the skin film F stabilizes. As shown in FIG. 28, in this step, the control device 400 opens the lower chamber vacuum solenoid valve 430 and controls the upper chamber vacuum solenoid valve 415, the upper chamber soft opening solenoid valve 420, the upper chamber opening solenoid valve 425, and the lower chamber soft opening solenoid valve 435 to be closed, and also controls the atmospheric side valve of the cutter drive solenoid valve 440 to be closed (period T8 in FIG. 16). As a result, with the upper chamber soft opening solenoid valve 420 opened in step S136 now closed, the control device 400 waits for the adhesion of the skin film F to stabilize. By this waiting, the skin film F can be cooled slightly.

[0065] Next, the control device 400 pattern-cuts the outer peripheral film of the tray T to which the skin film F is adhered (S138 in FIG. 15). FIG. 29 shows the operating state of the vacuum skin packaging machine 1 when cutting the outer peripheral film of the tray T. As shown in FIG. 29, in this step, the control device 400 performs the same electromagnetic valve opening / closing control state as in step S136 (the lower chamber 20 continues to be evacuated), and controls the connection between the atmospheric side of the three-way cutter drive solenoid valve 440 and the lower chamber 20 to be open (period T9 in FIG. 16). As a result, the outside air flowing in from the three-way cutter drive solenoid valve 440 is guided to the tray units 210 and 220 of the lower chamber 20, and pushes up the cutter plates 290 and 295 built into the tray units 210 and 220. As a result, the outer peripheral film of the tray T with the skin film F adhered thereto is cut by the blade portions of the cutter plates 290 and 295.

[0066] In FIG. 29, a configuration in which the airbag and the atmosphere are made conductive and inflated to push up during cutter operation is illustrated. However, for example, any mechanism that directly sprays air from below to quickly push up the cutter plates 290 and 295 is acceptable without particular limitation. Also, as a pattern cutter, a heating wire may be arranged in the shape of the tray to be cut by the cutter plates 290 and 295, and after skin packaging, an electric current may be passed to generate heat to melt the skin film F.

[0067] Next, the control device 400 stores the pushed-up cutter plates 290 and 295 (S140 in FIG. 15). FIG. 30 shows the operating state of the vacuum skin packaging machine 1 when storing the pushed-up cutter plates 290 and 295. As shown in FIG. 30, in this step, the control device 400 sets the same electromagnetic valve opening / closing control state as in step S136 (the lower chamber 20 continues to be in a vacuum state), but the atmosphere side of the three-way cutter drive solenoid valve 440 shown in FIG. 30 is set to "closed", and the control is performed so that the space between the lower chamber 20 and the vacuum pump 410 is "opened" (period T10 in FIG. 16). As a result, the inside of the airbag is evacuated, and by the action of the spring coils 292a to 292d shown in FIG. 11, the cutter plates 290 and 295 can be stored in their original positions.

[0068] Next, when the control device 400 confirms the storage of the cutter plates 290 and 295, it releases the upper chamber 30 and the lower chamber 20 to the atmosphere (S142 in FIG. 15). Figure 31 shows the operating state of the vacuum skin packager 1 when the upper chamber 30 and the lower chamber 20 are opened to the atmosphere. As shown in Figure 31, in this process, the control device 400 stops the vacuum pump 410, closes the upper chamber soft opening solenoid valve 420, and opens all other solenoid valves. However, the atmosphere side of the three-way cutter drive solenoid valve 440 is controlled to be closed (period T11 in Figure 16). As a result, the upper chamber vacuum solenoid valve 415, the upper chamber opening solenoid valve 425, the lower chamber vacuum solenoid valve 430, the lower chamber soft opening solenoid valve 435, and the cutter drive solenoid valve 440 are opened, so that the residual pressure up to the vacuum pump 410 can be released. As a result, the same skin pack can be repeatedly executed in the same set state. And the control device 400 turns on the heater plate 31 for the next skin pack at this stage.

[0069] Next, the control device 400 opens the upper chamber 30 that serves as a lid (S144 in Figure 15). Figure 32 shows the operating state of the vacuum skin packager 1 when the upper chamber 30 that serves as a lid is opened. As shown in Figure 32, in this process, the control device 400 maintains the state of stopping the vacuum pump 410, closes the upper chamber vacuum solenoid valve 415, the upper chamber soft opening solenoid valve 420, and the lower chamber vacuum solenoid valve 430, and controls the upper chamber opening solenoid valve 425, the lower chamber soft opening solenoid valve 435, and the cutter drive solenoid valve 440 to be opened. However, the atmosphere side of the three-way cutter drive solenoid valve 440 is controlled to be closed (period T12 in Figure 16). As a result, a form can be formed in which the tray T on which the work W shown in Figure 19 is mounted is set on the tray table units 210 and 220. As a result, the next skin pack can be prepared. It is preferable to use a gas spring or the like for the operation of opening the upper chamber 30 that serves as a lid.

[0070] As shown in Fig. 33, the operator takes out the tray T skin-packed from the lower chamber 20. Finally, as shown in Fig. 34, the skin film F remaining inside and outside the lower chamber 20 is removed. The opening and closing states of the solenoid valves in Figs. 33 and 34 are the same as those in Fig. 32. When the operator continues to place the tray T on which spin packing is to be performed next on the tray table units 210 and 220, the above-described respective steps can be immediately carried out.

[0071] According to the vacuum skin-packaging machine of the embodiment described above, since the cutter means 240 for cutting the skin film F is arranged in the lower chamber, the upper chamber 30 becomes a full-surface plate-shaped heater plate, so it has a simple structure and two or more skin packs can be manufactured simultaneously. Further, when changing the tray according to the work piece (work) W, it is only necessary to change the cutter-integrated tray table units 210 and 220 stored in the lower chamber 20, so the workability is good. Further, since they are cutter-integrated tray table units 210 and 220, precise alignment between the upper chamber 30 and the lower chamber 20 is not required. Further, the blade portion of the cutter means 240 is built in such a form that it does not protrude from the upper surface of the tray table unit except during the cutting operation, so the safety of the operator is ensured.

[0072] The vacuum skin-packaging machine of the embodiment includes a first chamber 30 incorporating a heater plate 31, two or more tray table units 210 and 220 capable of placing a tray T on which a work piece W is mounted and having cutter means 240 for cutting the skin film F around the tray T after skin packing from below, a second chamber 20 in which the two or more tray table units 210 and 220 are stored, and a vacuum pump 410 for evacuating the first chamber 30 and the second chamber 20. Thereby, since the cutter means for cutting the skin film F is arranged in the second chamber, the first chamber becomes a full-surface plate-shaped heater plate, so two or more beautiful skin packs can be manufactured simultaneously with a simple structure.

[0073] Also, in the vacuum skin pack packaging machine of the embodiment, two or more tray table units 210 and 220 are stored in the second chamber 20 in a cassette type, and each tray table unit 210 and 220 incorporates cutter plates 290 and 295 with a pattern cutter 240, which is a cutter means, attached thereto. As a result, since the operation of storing two or more tray table units in the second chamber in a cassette type can be set, workability is good. Also, if tray table units corresponding to the objects to be packaged are prepared in advance, skin packs of multiple items can be handled.

[0074] Also, in the vacuum skin pack packaging machine of the embodiment, each tray table unit 210 and 220 has an inner surface portion 291b2 on which the tray T is placed and an outer peripheral surface portion 291b1 that is separated from and contacts the inner surface portion 291b2 with the cutter groove 230 therebetween, and is configured to cut the skin film F by pushing up the pattern cutter 240 from the cutter groove 230. As a result, by using a cutter-integrated tray table unit, the skin film F can be easily cut by pushing up the pattern cutter 240 from below.

[0075] Also, in the vacuum skin pack packaging machine of the embodiment, the heater plate 31 is turned on at the timing when the first chamber 30 is closed above the second chamber 20, turned off at the timing when the first chamber 30 and the second chamber 20 are evacuated by the vacuum pump 410, and turned on again at the timing when the vacuum pump 410 stops. As a result, power consumption of the heater plate can be suppressed. Also, by turning on again at the timing when the vacuum pump stops, it is possible to prepare for the next skin pack.

[0076] Also, in the vacuum skin pack packaging machine of the embodiment, a first connection pipe 34 connected to the vacuum pump is provided on the back surface of the first chamber 30, and second connection pipes 270 and 275 connected to the vacuum pump 410 are provided on the bottom surface of the second chamber 20 for every two tray table units. As a result, evacuation of the first chamber and the second chamber, lowering of the skin film, and driving of the cutter plate can be carried out under the control of the vacuum pump 30.

[0077] Also, in the vacuum skin packager according to the embodiment, suction portions 290a to 290d for vacuuming are provided inside each cutter plate 240 of two or more tray table units 210 and 220. Thereby, the vacuuming of the second chamber can be carried out with a simple configuration..

[0078] The vacuum skin pack packaging method according to the embodiment includes a first chamber 30 incorporating a heater plate 31, two or more tray table units 210 and 220 capable of placing a tray T on which an object to be packaged W is mounted and having cutter means 240 for cutting the skin film F around the tray T after skin packaging from below, a second chamber 20 in which the two or more tray table units 210 and 220 are housed, and a vacuum pump 410 for vacuuming the first chamber 30 and the second chamber 20. The vacuum skin pack packaging method of the vacuum skin pack packaging machine is a method in which the second chamber 20 is covered with the skin film F, the first chamber 30 and the second chamber 20 are vacuumed in a state where the second chamber 20 is closed by the first chamber 30, and when the skin film F is in close contact with the tray T, the cutter means 240 of each tray table unit 210 and 220 simultaneously cuts the skin film around each tray T from below. Thereby, since the cutter means for cutting the skin film F is arranged in the second chamber, the first chamber becomes a full-surface plate-like heater plate, and thus beautiful skin packs can be manufactured simultaneously for two or more with a simple structure.

[0079] Also, in the vacuum skin pack packaging method according to the embodiment, two or more tray table units 210 and 220 are housed in the second chamber 20 in a cassette type, the skin film F is heated by the heater plate 31 to be softened, and the skin film F is simultaneously brought into close contact with each tray T of each tray table unit 210 and 220. Thereby, the skin film F can be simultaneously brought into close contact with two or more trays T in a state where the skin film F is heated by the heater plate and softened.

[0080] Also, in the vacuum skin pack packaging method of the embodiment, each tray unit 210, 220 incorporates cutter plates 290, 295 to which a pattern cutter 240, which is a cutter means, is attached, and by simultaneously pushing up each cutter plate 290, 295, the skin film around each tray T is simultaneously cut. Thereby, two or more skin packs can be obtained simultaneously.

[0081] Also, in the vacuum skin pack packaging method of the embodiment, the second chamber 20 is covered with the skin film F, and in a form in which the second chamber 20 is closed by the first chamber 30, the vacuum pump 410 is stopped at the timing when the first chamber 30 and the second chamber 20 are evacuated to a set value, and a step of preheating the skin film F is executed. By introducing the preheating step of the skin film F, it is possible to prevent the formation of holes when the skin film F is heated.

[0082] Also, in the vacuum skin pack packaging method of the embodiment, after the preheating step, only the second chamber 20 is evacuated, and a preliminary stretching step of swelling the skin film F into a dome shape is executed. By introducing the preliminary stretching step of the skin film F, since the skin film F is slowly stretched downward, it is possible to suppress the generation of wrinkles and improve the close-following property.

[0083] Also, in the vacuum skin pack packaging method of the embodiment, after the preliminary stretching step, the first chamber 30 and the second chamber 20 are evacuated to a set value, the skin film F is reheated, and only the evacuation of the first chamber 30 is stopped, and the skin film F is lowered toward the tray side. Thereby, since the evacuation of the first chamber is stopped and the first chamber becomes an additional evacuated state, the skin film F is lowered toward the second chamber. By introducing the additional evacuation step of the second chamber, it is possible to prevent the formation of holes in the skin film F.

[0084] Also, in the vacuum skin pack packaging method of the embodiment, in a state where the evacuation of the second chamber 20 is continued, the first chamber 30 whose evacuation has been stopped is opened to a set value, and a close contact step of bringing the skin film F into close contact with the tray T is executed. By opening the first chamber 30 to the set value, air is blown out from a large number of ventilation holes of the heater plate toward the skin film F. As a result, the skin film F can be slowly brought into close contact with the tray T.

[0085] Also, in the vacuum skin pack packaging method of the embodiment, during the close contact step, a method is adopted in which air is sent out from a large number of ventilation holes 32 provided in the heater plate 31 toward the skin film F. Thereby, the skin film F can be slowly brought into close contact with the tray T. Further, by softly opening the first chamber and introducing the slow close contact step of the skin film F with the tray T, it is possible to prevent the skin film F from having holes.

[0086] Also, in the vacuum skin pack packaging method of the embodiment, after the close contact step, by pushing up the cutter plates 290 and 295, the skin film F around each tray is simultaneously cut, and after the cutting, the first chamber 30 is opened. By the blade portions of the cutter plates 290 and 295, the outer peripheral film of the tray T with which the skin film F is in close contact can be cut to simultaneously obtain two or more skin packs.

[0087] 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, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0088] 1... Vacuum skin pack packaging machine, 10... Housing, 11... Operation panel 20…Lower chamber (second chamber), 12…Support leg, 201…Opening 30…Upper chamber (first chamber), 31…Heater plate, 32…Vent hole 33…Packing, 34…Connecting pipe, 121…Support frame, 301…Handle 210, 220…Tray table unit, 230…Cutter groove 240…Pattern cutter (cutting means), 250a~250d 260a~260c…Slightly adhesive member, 270, 275…Connecting pipe, 280…Reinforcing plate 290a~290d…Intake part, 291a…Bottom plate, 291b…Top plate 291b1…Outer peripheral face, 291b2…Inner face, 291c…Support column 292a~292d…Spring coil, 290, 295…Cutter plate 300…Tray table unit, 300a…Horizontal plane, 310a~310d…Guide pin 320…Spring coil, 330…Fixing part, 400…Control device, 403…CPU 406…Memory device, 409…IF circuit, 410…Vacuum pump 415…Upper chamber vacuum solenoid valve, 420…Upper chamber soft release solenoid valve 425…Upper chamber release solenoid valve, 430…Lower chamber vacuum solenoid valve 435…Lower chamber soft release solenoid valve, 440…Cutter drive solenoid valve 450…Temperature sensor, 460…Lock mechanism 460, 470…Pressure sensor 470 480…Cut heater 480, 490…Notification part, W…Workpiece (work) T…Tray, F…Skin film, FR…Roll film

Claims

1. A first chamber incorporating a heater plate, Two or more tray table units capable of placing a tray loaded with an object to be packaged and having cutter means for cutting the skin film around the tray after skin packaging from below, A second chamber in which the two or more tray table units are housed, A vacuum pump for evacuating the first chamber and the second chamber, A vacuum skin packaging machine, characterized by comprising the above components.

2. The two or more tray table units are housed in the second chamber in a cassette type, The vacuum skin packaging machine according to claim 1, wherein each tray table unit incorporates a cutter plate to which a pattern cutter as the cutter means is attached.

3. Each of the tray table units has an inner surface portion on which the tray is placed and an outer peripheral surface portion that is separated from and contacts the inner surface portion with a cutter groove interposed therebetween, The vacuum skin packaging machine according to claim 2, characterized in that the skin film is cut by pushing up the pattern cutter from the cutter groove.

4. The heater plate Is turned on at the timing when the first chamber is closed on top of the second chamber, Is turned off at the timing when the first chamber and the second chamber are evacuated by the vacuum pump, The vacuum skin packaging machine according to claim 1, characterized in that it is turned on again at the timing when the vacuum pump stops.

5. A first connecting pipe connected to the vacuum pump is provided on the back surface of the first chamber, The vacuum skin packaging machine according to claim 1, characterized in that a second connecting pipe connected to the vacuum pump is provided on the bottom surface of the second chamber for each of the two tray table units.

6. The vacuum skin packaging machine according to claim 1, characterized in that a suction portion for evacuation is provided inside each cutter plate of the two or more tray table units.

7. A first chamber incorporating a heater plate, Two or more tray table units capable of placing a tray loaded with an object to be packaged and having cutter means for cutting the skin film around the tray after skin packaging from below, A second chamber in which the two or more tray table units are housed, A vacuum pump for evacuating the first chamber and the second chamber, A vacuum skin packaging method for a vacuum skin packaging machine comprising the above components, Cover the top of the second chamber with the skin film, evacuate the first chamber and the second chamber in a state where the second chamber is closed by the first chamber, When the skin film adheres tightly to the tray, simultaneously cut the skin film around each tray from below with the cutting means of each tray table unit A vacuum skin pack packaging method characterized by the above.

8. Accommodate the two or more tray table units in the second chamber in a cassette type, Heat the skin film with the heater plate to make it soft, Simultaneously adhere the skin film to each tray of each tray table unit The vacuum skin pack packaging method according to claim 7, characterized by the above.

9. Each of the tray table units incorporates a cutter plate to which a pattern cutter, which is the cutting means, is attached, By simultaneously pushing up each cutter plate, simultaneously cut the skin film around each of the trays The vacuum skin pack packaging method according to claim 8, characterized by the above.

10. Cover the top of the second chamber with the skin film, evacuate the first chamber and the second chamber to a set value in a state where the second chamber is closed by the first chamber, and stop the vacuum pump at the timing when the evacuation is completed, Execute a step of preheating the skin film The vacuum skin pack packaging method according to claim 7, characterized by the above.

11. After the preheating step, perform evacuation only on the second chamber, and execute a preliminary stretching step of swelling the skin film into a dome shape. The vacuum skin pack packaging method according to claim 10, characterized by the above.

12. After the preliminary stretching step, evacuate the first chamber and the second chamber to a set value, reheat the skin film, Stop only the evacuation of the first chamber and lower the skin film to the tray side. The vacuum skin pack packaging method according to claim 11, characterized by the above.

13. While continuing the evacuation of the second chamber, open the first chamber, which has stopped the evacuation, to a set value, and execute a close adhesion step of adhering the skin film to the tray. The vacuum skin pack packaging method according to claim 12, characterized by the above.

14. The vacuum skin pack packaging method according to claim 13, wherein, during the adhesion step, air is sent out from a large number of ventilation holes provided in the heater plate toward the skin film.

15. After the adhesion step, by pushing up the cutter plate, the skin film around each tray is simultaneously cut, and after the cutting, the first chamber is opened. The vacuum skin pack packaging method according to claim 13, characterized by the above.

Images