Packaging device

Abstract

To suppress a tray from being pulled back by a discharge pusher.SOLUTION: A packaging device 1 includes a film conveying part 3, a lifting part 6, a folding part 7, and a discharge pusher 8. The film conveying part 3 conveys a film F to a packaging position L1. The lifting part 6 lifts a tray T toward the packaging position L1. The folding part 7 folds the peripheral portion of the film F covering the tray T. The discharge pusher 8 pushes a side face of the tray T to discharge the tray T in a first direction D. The discharge pusher 8 includes a first pusher member 81. The first pusher member 81 has a first arm 811, a first member 812, and a first protrusion 813. The first member 812 extends in a direction intersecting the first direction D and abuts against the side face of the tray T. The first protrusion 813 extends in the first direction D further than the first member 812 and abuts against the lower portion of the side face of the tray T. The lower end of the first member 812 is located lower than the upper end of the first protrusion 813.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

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

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] In a conventional packaging machine, when the tray is discharged from the packaging position by the discharge pusher, the tip of the discharge pusher may catch on the tray, and when the discharge pusher returns, the tray may be pulled back toward the packaging position, and the tray may not be completely discharged from the packaging machine.

[0004] The packaging machine disclosed in Patent Document 1 also does not consider the problem that a relatively light tray is pulled back by the discharge pusher.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a packaging device capable of suppressing the pulling back of the tray by the discharge pusher.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The packaging device according to the first aspect includes a film conveyance unit, a lift unit, a folding unit, and a discharge pusher. The film conveyance unit conveys the film unwound from the film roll to the packaging position in a spread state. The lift unit raises the tray containing the article toward the film disposed at the packaging position. The folding unit folds the peripheral edge of the film covering the tray to the bottom side of the tray. The discharge pusher pushes one side surface of the tray wrapped with the film and discharges the tray covered with the film in the first direction. The discharge pusher includes a first pusher member. The first pusher member has a first arm, a first member, and a first protrusion. The first arm extends in the first direction. The first member extends in a direction intersecting the first direction at the tip of the first arm and abuts against the side surface of the tray. The first protrusion extends in the first direction from the tip of the first arm beyond the first member and abuts against the lower part of the side surface of the tray. The lower end of the first member is located below the upper end of the first protrusion.

[0007] This packaging device can suppress the pulling back of the tray by the discharge pusher.

[0008] The packaging device according to the second aspect is the packaging device according to the first aspect, wherein the first pusher member is located at a position away from the packaging position and is swingable up and down about a horizontal axis extending in a direction orthogonal to the first direction.

[0009] The packaging device according to the third aspect is the packaging device according to the second aspect, wherein the discharge pusher includes a plurality of first pusher members having different lengths of the first arm from the horizontal axis to the tip.

[0010] The packaging device from the fourth perspective is a packaging device from any one of the first to third perspectives, and the discharge pusher further includes a second pusher member. The second pusher member has a second arm, a second member, and a second protrusion. The second arm extends in the first direction. The second member extends in a direction intersecting the first direction at the tip of the second arm and abuts against the side surface of the tray. The second protrusion extends in the first direction from the tip of the second arm beyond the second member and abuts against the lower part of the side surface of the tray. The lower end of the second member is located below the upper end of the second protrusion. The first pusher member and the second pusher member are arranged symmetrically with respect to a vertical plane extending in the first direction.

[0011] The packaging device from the fifth perspective is a packaging device from the third perspective, and among the plurality of first pusher members, the longer the length of the first arm from the horizontal axis to the tip, the more inwardly it is arranged.

[0012] The packaging device from the sixth perspective is a packaging device from any one of the first to fifth perspectives, and further includes a pressing member. When the discharge pusher moves the tray in the first direction, the pressing member presses the film-covered tray from above.

Advantages of the Invention

[0013] The packaging device according to the present invention can suppress the pulling back of the tray by the discharge pusher.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014]

Figure 1

Figure 2

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Figure 17

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] (1) Conventional Packaging Device (1) Overview The packaging device of the present application is a device that packages a tray T (hereinafter, may be abbreviated as "tray T") in which an article G is accommodated with a film F and discharges the tray T by a discharge pusher P1.

[0016] FIG. 1 is an external view showing a tray T in which an article G, which is an object to be packaged by the packaging device, is accommodated. The tray T has a shape with an opening at the upper part and a shape in which the opening above the bottom surface is wider. Examples of the article G include, but are not limited to, foods.

[0017] (2) Overall Configuration The overall configuration of the packaging device 1 according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 2 is an external view of the packaging device 1. After weighing the tray T containing the article G, the packaging device 1 wraps it with a film and discharges it, and issues a label La on which the price etc. of the article G is printed.

[0018] The packaging device 1 mainly includes a film support part 2, a film conveyance part 3, a weighing part 4, a tray conveyance mechanism 5, a lift part 6, a folding part 7, a discharge pusher 8, a drive part 9, a pressing member 10, a label issuing part 13, a display part 14, an operation part 15, and a control part (not shown).

[0019] The operation of the packaging device 1 will be briefly described. In the packaging device 1, the tray T containing the article G is placed on the weighing part 4. The weighing part 4 weighs the tray T containing the article G. The weighing result at the weighing part 4 is transmitted to the control part. The control part causes the weighing result to be displayed on the display part 14. The lift part 6 lifts the tray T conveyed from the weighing part 4 up to the packaging position L1. At the packaging position L1, the film F is held in a stretched state. The lift part 6 pushes up the tray T against the film F stretched at the packaging position L1 by lifting the tray T, and covers the tray T with the film F. Thereafter, the folding part 7 folds the peripheral edge of the film F under the tray T covered with the film F to package the tray T. The discharge pusher 8 discharges the packaged tray T toward the discharge position L2. The label issuing part 13 issues a label La on which product information is printed. On this label La, the weight of the article G contained in the tray T and the price of the article related to the tray T are printed. These weight and price are obtained by the control part based on the weighing result at the weighing part 4.

[0020] (3) Problems of Conventional Packaging Devices Figure 3 is a perspective view showing a conventional discharge pusher P1. The discharge pusher P1 mainly has a member P2, a protrusion P3, and a groove P4. The member P2 abuts against the side surface of the tray T. The protrusion P3 abuts against the lower part of the side surface of the tray T. The groove P4 is a "relief" portion formed during the bending process of the member P2, and is a concave portion formed at the intersection of the protrusion P3 and the member P2. The lower end of the member P2 is located above the upper end of the protrusion P3. A space C is formed between the lower end of the member P2 and the upper end of the protrusion P3. The space C is a space having, as a bottom surface, a plane in the left-right direction and the front-rear direction including the lower end of the member P2, and having, as an upper surface, a plane in the left-right direction and the front-rear direction including the upper end of the protrusion P3.

[0021] In a state where the member P2 and the protrusion P3 are in contact with the tray T, the discharge pusher P1 discharges the tray T. When the shallow tray T tilts back and forth during discharge, the edge of the tray T may be caught between at least one of the space C and the groove P4. Therefore, when the tip of the discharge pusher P1 catches on the tray T, when the discharge pusher P1 returns, if the tray T is light, it may be pulled back, and the problem may occur that the tray T is not completely discharged.

[0022] (4) Detailed configuration of the packaging device of the present invention (4-1) Film support part The film support part 2 supports a film roll 21 around which a film F is wound in a roll shape. The film support part 2 has a pair of support rollers 22 (support roller 22a and support roller 22b) that support the lower side surface of the film roll 21 from the left and right. Further, the film support part 2 has one or a plurality of guide rollers (not shown) that guide the film F fed out from the film roll 21 to the film conveyance part 3. Inside the film support part 2, a holding part (not shown) for tension-holding the end of the film F in a tensioned state is provided.

[0023] (4-2) Film conveyance part The film conveyance unit 3 conveys the film F fed out from the film roll 21 to the packaging position L1 in a state where the film F is spread out. Therefore, the film conveyance unit 3 includes upper and lower conveyance rollers 31, a film feed unit 32, and a film cutting unit (not shown).

[0024] The upper and lower conveyance rollers 31 are rotationally driven to convey the film F fed out from the film support unit 2 to the film feed unit 32. The film feed unit 32 grips both end portions in the front-rear direction of the film F with upper and lower belts and conveys it to the packaging position L1. When the film F is conveyed to the packaging position L1, the film cutting unit cuts the film F and separates it from the film roll 21.

[0025] (4-3) Weighing unit The weighing unit 4 weighs the weight of the article G placed on the weighing table 41 and transmits weight information including the tare weight of the tray T in which the article G is accommodated to the control unit.

[0026] (4-4) Tray conveyance mechanism The tray conveyance mechanism 5 has a pair of conveyance mechanisms (pusher 5a and pusher 5b) that convey the tray T in which the article G is accommodated from the weighing table 41 to the lift unit 6.

[0027] When the weighing unit 4 weighs the weight, the tray conveyance mechanism 5 retracts to the lower part of the weighing table 41. When the weighing by the weighing unit 4 is completed, it rises from the lower part of the weighing table 41 and advances rearward while being in contact with the front side surface of the tray T, thereby conveying the tray T to the lift unit 6.

[0028] (4-5) Lift unit The lift unit 6 raises the tray T in which the article G is accommodated toward the film F disposed at the packaging position L1. The lift unit 6 is composed of a plurality of lift members 61.

[0029] (4-6) Folding unit The folding part 7 folds the peripheral part of the film F covering the tray T to the bottom side of the tray T. The folding part 7 includes a rear folding member 7a, a left folding member 7b, a right folding member 7c, and a front folding member 7d.

[0030] The rear folding member 7a moves forward to fold the film F at the rear side of the tray T to the bottom side at the rear side of the tray T. The left folding member 7b moves to the right to fold the film F at the left side of the tray T to the bottom side at the left side of the tray T. The right folding member 7c moves to the left to fold the film F at the right side of the tray T to the bottom side at the right side of the tray T. The front folding member 7d folds the film F at the front side of the tray T that has been moved forward by the rear folding member 7a to the bottom side at the front side of the tray T.

[0031] (4-7) Discharge pusher The discharge pusher 8 pushes one side surface of the tray T wrapped with the film F from the rear side to the front side, and discharges the tray T covered with the film F in the first direction D (see FIG. 4). In the present embodiment, the above-mentioned "one side surface" is the side surface at the rear side, and the first direction D is the forward direction. By the discharge of the discharge pusher 8, the tray T is discharged from the packaging position L1 to the discharge position L2.

[0032] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the discharge pusher 8. The discharge pusher 8 includes three first pusher members 81 and three second pusher members 82. Note that the discharge pusher 8 may include one, two, or four or more first pusher members 81, and may include one, two, or four or more second pusher members 82.

[0033] (4-7-1) First pusher member The first pusher member 81a has a first arm 811a, a first member 812a, a first protrusion 813a, and a first groove 814a. The first pusher member 81b has a first arm 811b, a first member 812b, a first protrusion (not shown), and a first groove (not shown). The first pusher member 81c has a first arm 811c, a first member 812c, a first protrusion (not shown), and a first groove (not shown).

[0034] The first pusher member 81 is at a position away from the packaging position L1 and is swingable up and down about a horizontal axis 87 extending in a direction orthogonal to the first direction D.

[0035] (4-7-1-1) First Arm The first arms 811a, 811b, and 811c are each an elongated plate-like member and extend in the first direction D.

[0036] The length of the first arm 811a from the horizontal axis 87 to the tip of the first arm 811a is longer than the length of the first arm 811b from the horizontal axis 87 to the tip of the first arm 811b. The length of the first arm 811b from the horizontal axis 87 to the tip of the first arm 811b is longer than the length of the first arm 811c from the horizontal axis 87 to the tip of the first arm 811c.

[0037] The first arm 811a is arranged on the inner side, the first arm 811c is arranged on the outer side, and the first arm 811b is arranged between the first arm 811a and the first arm 811c. In other words, the longer the length from the horizontal axis 87 to the tip, the more it is arranged on the inner side.

[0038] (4-7-1-2) First Member The first members 812a, 812b, and 812c are plate-like members. The first member 812a extends in a direction intersecting the first direction D at the tip of the first arm 811a and abuts against the side surface of the tray T when the discharge pusher 8 discharges the tray T. As an example of the "direction intersecting the first direction D", "the direction orthogonal to the first direction D (right direction)" can be cited. Note that the "direction intersecting the first direction D" does not have to be a direction orthogonal to the first direction D. The first member 812b extends in a direction intersecting the first direction D at the tip of the first arm 811b and abuts against the side surface of the tray T when the discharge pusher 8 discharges the tray T. The first member 812c extends in a direction intersecting the first direction D at the tip of the first arm 811c and abuts against the side surface of the tray T when the discharge pusher 8 discharges the tray T.

[0039] (4-7-1-3) First Protrusion The first protruding portions 813a, 813b, and 813c are protruding members. The first protruding portion 813a extends from the tip of the first arm 811a in the first direction D beyond the first member 812a and abuts against the lower part of the side surface of the tray T when the discharge pusher 8 discharges the tray T. The first protruding portion 813b extends from the tip of the first arm 811b in the first direction D beyond the first member 812b and abuts against the lower part of the side surface of the tray T when the discharge pusher 8 discharges the tray T. The first protruding portion 813c extends from the tip of the first arm 811c in the first direction D beyond the first member 812c and abuts against the lower part of the side surface of the tray T when the discharge pusher 8 discharges the tray T.

[0040] The lower end of the first member 812a is located below the upper end of the first protruding portion 813a. The lower end of the first member 812b is located below the upper end of the first protruding portion 813b. The lower end of the first member 812c is located below the upper end of the first protruding portion 813c. Therefore, in the first pusher members 81a, 81b, and 81c, a space similar to the space C (FIG. 1) in the conventional discharge pusher P1 is not formed.

[0041] (4-7-1-4) First groove portion The first groove portion 814a is a "relief" formed at the intersection of the first member 812a and the first protruding portion 813a and is the concave portion at the tip of the first arm 811a. Similarly, the first groove portion 814b is a "relief" formed at the intersection of the first member 812b and the first protruding portion 813b, and the first groove portion 814c is a "relief" formed at the intersection of the first member 812c and the first protruding portion 813c.

[0042] (4-7-2) Second pusher member The discharge pusher 8 includes a second pusher member 82. The second pusher member 82a has a second arm 821a, a second member 822a, a second protrusion 823a, and a second groove 824a. The second pusher member 82b has a second arm 821b, a second member 822b, a second protrusion 823b (not shown), and a second groove 824b (not shown). The second pusher member 82c has a second arm 821c, a second member 822c, a second protrusion 823c (not shown), and a second groove 824c (not shown).

[0043] The second pusher members 82a, 82b, and 82c are located at positions away from the packaging position L1 and are swingable up and down about a horizontal axis 87 extending in a direction perpendicular to the first direction D. For example, the second pusher members 82a, 82b, and 82c are rotatably fixed respectively by bolts (not shown) provided on the horizontal axis 87.

[0044] The second pusher members 82a, 82b, 82c and the first pusher members 81a, 81b, 81c are arranged symmetrically with respect to a vertical plane extending in the first direction D.

[0045] (4-7-2-1) Second Arm The second arms 821a, 821b, 821c are each an elongated plate-like member and extend in the first direction D.

[0046] The length of the second arm 821a from the horizontal axis 87 to the tip of the second arm 821a is longer than the length of the second arm 821b from the horizontal axis 87 to the tip of the second arm 821b. The length of the second arm 821b from the horizontal axis 87 to the tip of the second arm 821b is longer than the length of the second arm 821c from the horizontal axis 87 to the tip of the second arm 821c.

[0047] The second arm 821a is disposed inside, the second arm 821c is disposed outside, and the second arm 821b is disposed between the second arm 821a and the second arm 821c. In other words, the longer the length from the horizontal axis 87 to the tip, the more inwardly it is disposed.

[0048] (4-7-2-2) Second member The second members 822a, 822b, and 822c are plate-like members. The second member 822a extends in a direction intersecting the first direction D at the tip of the second arm 821a and abuts against the side surface of the tray T when the discharge pusher 8 discharges the tray T. The second member 822b extends in a direction intersecting the first direction D at the tip of the second arm 821b and abuts against the side surface of the tray T when the discharge pusher 8 discharges the tray T. The second member 822c extends in a direction intersecting the first direction D at the tip of the second arm 821c and abuts against the side surface of the tray T when the discharge pusher 8 discharges the tray T.

[0049] (4-7-2-3) Second protrusion The second protrusions 823a, 823b, and 823c are protruding members. The second protrusion 823a extends in the first direction D from the tip of the second arm 821a more than the second member 822a and abuts against the lower part of the side surface of the tray T when the discharge pusher 8 discharges the tray T. The second protrusion 823b (not shown) extends in the first direction D from the tip of the second arm 821b more than the second member 822b and abuts against the lower part of the side surface of the tray T when the discharge pusher 8 discharges the tray T. The second protrusion 823c (not shown) extends in the first direction D from the tip of the second arm 821c more than the second member 822c and abuts against the lower part of the side surface of the tray T when the discharge pusher 8 discharges the tray T.

[0050] The lower end of the second member 822a is located below the upper end of the second protrusion 823a. The lower end of the second member 822b is located below the upper end of the second protrusion 823b. The lower end of the second member 822c is located below the upper end of the second protrusion 823c. Therefore, in the second pusher members 82a, 82b, 82c, a space similar to the space C (FIG. 1) in the conventional discharge pusher P1 is not formed.

[0051] (4-7-2-4) Second groove part The second groove part 824a is a "relief" formed at the intersection of the second member 822a and the second protrusion 823a, and is a concave part at the tip of the second arm 821a. The second groove part 824b is a "relief" formed at the intersection of the second member 822b and the second protrusion 823b, and is a concave part at the tip of the second arm 821b. The second groove part 824c is a "relief" formed at the intersection of the second member 822c and the second protrusion 823c, and is a concave part at the tip of the second arm 821c.

[0052] (4-8) Driving part The driving part 9 is a single device that moves the three first pusher members 81 and the three second pusher members 82 together in a direction along the first direction D. The driving part 9 is, for example, a motor provided inside the packaging device 1.

[0053] (4-9) Pressing member The pressing member 10 is an elongated plate-like member, and is arranged in the front-rear direction between the first pusher members 81a, 81b, 81c and the second pusher members 82a, 92b, 82c. The rear end portion of the pressing member 10 is attached to the device frame via a parallel link mechanism so as to be movable in the vertical direction and immovable in the front-rear direction. When the discharge pusher 8 moves the tray T in the first direction D, the pressing member 10 suppresses the overturning of the tray T by pressing the tray T covered with the film F from above by its own weight.

[0054] (4-10) Label issuing part, display part, operation part, control part The label issuing unit 13 issues a label La on which the weight, price, product name, etc. of the article G are printed. The display unit 14 is a display device that displays the weight, price, product name, etc. of the article G. Note that the display unit 14 may be a touch panel that can be operated by the user. The operation unit 15 is composed of a plurality of buttons that can operate the input content to the packaging device 1 when pressed by the user. The control unit controls each component of the packaging device 1.

[0055] (5) Operations Regarding the operation of the packaging device 1 (particularly focusing on the operation related to the discharge of the tray T by the discharge pusher 8), the discharge pusher 8 and the conventional discharge pusher P1 will be described while making a comparison. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the packaging device 1.

[0056] FIG. 6 is an external view of the packaging device 1 in step S1. After the user operates the operation unit 15 to call up the product information of the target product (hereinafter, the article G), the user places the tray T containing the article G on the weighing table 41 (step S1). Thereafter, the weighing unit 4 weighs the total weight of the tray T containing the article G placed on the weighing table 41. The weighing unit 4 transmits the acquired total weight of the tray T to the control unit. The control unit calculates the net weight of the article G based on the tare weight of the called tray T and the total weight of the tray T. The display unit 14 displays the weight and price of the article G calculated by the control unit.

[0057] FIG. 7 is an external view of the packaging device 1 in step S2. The tray transport mechanism 5 (the pusher 5a and the pusher 5b) rises from below the weighing table 41 and abuts against the front side surface of the tray T (step S2).

[0058] FIG. 8 is an external view of the packaging device 1 in step S3. The tray transport mechanism 5 transports the tray T to the rear side (the lift unit 6) (step S3).

[0059] Figure 9 is an external view of the packaging device 1 in step S4. The tray T is lifted to the packaging position L1 by the lift unit 6, and the upper part of the tray T is covered with the film F (step S4). Figure 10 is a right side view showing the discharge pusher 8 and the tray T in step S4. The discharge pusher 8 is lifted around the horizontal axis 87 according to the size of the tray T lifted by the lift unit 6. For example, in the case of a large-sized tray T, the longest first pusher member 81a and second pusher member 82a, and the next-longest first pusher member 81b and second pusher member 82b are lifted by the tray T and ride on the tray T. Also, in the case of a medium-sized tray T, the first pusher member 81a and the second pusher member 82a are lifted by the tray T and ride on the tray T. Also, in the case of a small-sized tray T, the first pusher member 81a and the second pusher member 82a do not ride on the tray T, and they discharge the tray T. Subsequently, the folding part 7 folds the peripheral edge of the film F covering the tray T to the bottom side of the tray T (step S5).

[0060] Figure 11 is an external view of the packaging device 1 in the state where the rear folding member 7a approaches the front folding member 7d in step S5. Figure 12 is a right side view in step S5 where the longest first pusher member 81a and the second pusher member 82a ride on the tray T, and the next-longest first pusher member 81b and the second pusher member 82b discharge the tray T without riding on the tray T. In step S5, the tray T moves forward (in the first direction D) by the rear folding member 7a. Therefore, the first member 812b and the first protrusion 813b that did not ride on the tray T contact the side surface on the rear side of the tray T and discharge the tray T. As a result, even if the rear folding member 7a moves to the front folding member 7d and, for example, a large-sized tray T is pushed out to the discharge position L2, the tray T is configured not to fall from the discharge position L2.

[0061] FIG. 13 is a right side view showing a conventional discharge pusher P1 and a tray Td1 in step S5. The tray Td1 is a tray with a lower height, different from the tray T drawn in FIG. 1. There is a space C in the discharge pusher P1. Therefore, there may be a case where the tray T tilts or the discharge pusher P1 moves up and down, and the tray Td1 gets caught in at least one of the space C and the groove portion P4. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 12, there is no space C formed in the discharge pusher 8, and it is suppressed that the tray T gets caught in at least one of the space C and the groove portion P4.

[0062] FIG. 14 is an external view of the packaging device 1 in step S6. The drive unit 9 rotates to move the discharge pusher 8 in the first direction D and abuts against the side surface on the rear side of the tray T (step S6). FIG. 15 is a side view showing that the first member 812a and the first protrusion 813a of the first pusher member 81a are in contact with the side surface on the rear side of the tray T when the size of the tray T is small.

[0063] FIG. 16 is a right side view showing a conventional discharge pusher P1 and a tray Td2 in the case of a tray T with a lower height. In this case, there is a space C in the discharge pusher P1. Therefore, when the member P2 and the protrusion P3 abut against the tray T, the tray Td2 may get caught in at least one of the space C and the groove portion P4.

[0064] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 15, there is no space C formed in the discharge pusher 8, and it is suppressed that the tray T gets caught in at least one of the space C and the groove portion P4.

[0065] FIG. 17 is an external view of the packaging device 1 in step S7. The drive unit 9 rotates to further move the discharge pusher 8 in the first direction D. The discharge pusher 8 advances in the first direction D while being in contact with the side surface on the rear side of the tray T, and discharges the tray T to the discharge position L2 (step S7).

[0066] During or after step S7, the lift unit 6 descends and returns to the state before ascending. Also, during or before step S7, the label issuing unit 13 receives information from the control unit and issues a label La on which the weight, price, product name, etc. of the article G are printed. The user can take the issued label La from the label issuing unit 13 and stick it on the film F of the discharged tray T.

[0067] After step S7, the discharge pusher 8 is returned to the position before discharging the tray T (for example, the position of the discharge pusher 8 in FIG. 5). When the tray Td1 or tray Td2 is caught by the conventional discharge pusher P1, the tray Td1 or tray Td2 may also be pulled back from the discharge position L2 to the packaging position L1 by the returned discharge pusher P1. However, such a catch does not occur with the discharge pusher 8 of the present embodiment.

[0068] (6) Features (6-1) The packaging device 1 includes a film conveyance unit 3, a lift unit 6, a folding unit 7, and a discharge pusher 8. The film conveyance unit 3 conveys the film F fed out from the film roll 21 to the packaging position 1 in a spread state. The lift unit 6 raises the tray T containing the article G toward the film F disposed at the packaging position L1. The folding unit 7 folds the peripheral edge of the film F covering the tray T to the bottom side of the tray T. The discharge pusher 8 pushes one side surface of the tray T wrapped with the film F and discharges the tray T covered with the film F in the first direction D. The discharge pusher 8 includes a first pusher member 81. The first pusher member 81 has a first arm 811, a first member 812, and a first protrusion 813. The first arm 811 extends in the first direction D. The first member 812 extends in a direction intersecting the first direction D at the tip of the first arm 811 and abuts against the side surface of the tray T. The first protrusion 813 extends in the first direction D from the tip of the first arm 811 beyond the first member 812 and abuts against the lower part of the side surface of the tray T. The lower end of the first member 812 is located below the upper end of the first protrusion 813.

[0069] The packaging device 1 can suppress the pulling back of the tray by the discharge pusher 8.

[0070] (6-2) In the packaging device 1, the first pusher member 81 is located at a position away from the packaging position L1 and can swing up and down about a horizontal axis 87 extending in a direction orthogonal to the first direction D.

[0071] In the packaging process of the tray T, the tray T is pushed upward above the position where the film F is stretched by the rising of the lift part 6. At this time, among the three first pusher members 81, the first pusher member 81 that does not ride on the tray T discharges the tray T.

[0072] (6-3) The packaging device 1 includes a plurality of first pusher members 81 in which the lengths of the first arms 811 from the horizontal axis 87 to the tip ends are different. Therefore, when the tray T is of a large size, the longest first pusher member 81a and the next longest first pusher member 81b ride on the tray T, and the shortest first pusher member 81c hits the side surface of the tray T and discharges it. Also, when the tray T is of a medium size, the longest first pusher member 81a rides on the tray T, and the next longest first pusher member 81b hits the side surface of the tray T and discharges it. Further, when the tray T is of a small size, the longest first pusher member 81a hits the side surface of the tray T and discharges it.

[0073] Thereby, even if the tray sizes are different, each tray T can be stopped at a fixed position at the discharge position L2 to prevent it from falling forward.

[0074] (6-4) The packaging device 1, the discharge pusher 8 further includes a second pusher member 82. The second pusher member 82 has a second arm 821, a second member 822, and a second protrusion 823. The second arm 821 extends in the first direction D. The second member 822 extends in a direction intersecting the first direction D at the tip of the second arm 821 and abuts against the side surface of the tray T. The second protrusion 823 extends in the first direction D from the tip of the second arm 821 more than the second member 822 and abuts against the lower part of the side surface of the tray T. The lower end of the second member 822 is located below the upper end of the second protrusion 823. The first pusher member 81 and the second pusher member 82 are arranged symmetrically with respect to a vertical plane extending in the first direction D.

[0075] As a result, the first pusher member 81 and the second pusher member 82 can abut against the tray T at two locations. Therefore, even if the center of gravity of the tray T varies, if the center of gravity of the tray T exists inside the two abutted locations (the side where the extension line extending from the first direction D exists is defined as the inside), the tray T is discharged in the first direction D. Accordingly, the packaging device 1 can discharge the tray T in the first direction D corresponding to various forms of the tray T.

[0076] (6-5) In the packaging device 1, among the plurality of first pusher members 81, the longer the length of the first arm 811 from the horizontal axis 87 to the tip, the more inwardly it is arranged.

[0077] As a result, the packaging device 1 can be miniaturized.

[0078] (6-6) The packaging device 1 further includes a pressing member 10. When the discharge pusher 8 moves the tray T in the first direction D, the pressing member 10 presses the tray T covered with the film F from above. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the tray T from falling when it is discharged from the packaging position L1.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0079] 1 Packaging device 3 Film conveyance unit 6 Lift unit 7 Folding part 8 Discharge pusher 9 Driving part 10 Pressing member 81 First pusher member 82 Second pusher member 87 Horizontal axis 811 First arm 812 First member 813 First protrusion 821 Second arm 822 Second member 823 Second protrusion 21 Film roll D First direction F Film G Article T Tray L1 Packaging position

Prior art documents

Patent documents

[0080]

Patent Document 1

Claims

1. A film conveying unit (3) for conveying the film (F) fed out from the film roll (21) in an expanded state to the packaging position (L1); A lift unit (6) for raising the tray (T) containing the article (G) toward the film disposed at the packaging position; A folding unit (7) for folding the peripheral edge of the film covering the tray to the bottom side of the tray; A discharge pusher (8) for pushing one side surface of the tray packaged with the film and discharging the tray covered with the film in the first direction (D); comprising The discharge pusher includes a first pusher member (81) having a first arm (811) extending in the first direction, and at the tip of the first arm, a first member (812) extending in a direction intersecting the first direction and contacting the side surface of the tray, and a first protrusion (813) extending from the tip of the first arm further in the first direction than the first member and contacting the lower part of the side surface of the tray; The lower end of the first member is located below the upper end of the first protrusion. A packaging device (1).

2. The first pusher member is located at a position away from the packaging position and is swingable up and down about a horizontal axis (87) extending in a direction orthogonal to the first direction. The packaging device according to Claim 1.

3. The discharge pusher includes a plurality of the first pusher members having different lengths of the first arm from the horizontal axis to the tip. The packaging device according to Claim 2.

4. The discharge pusher further includes a second pusher member (82) having a second arm (821) extending in the first direction, a second member (822) extending in a direction intersecting the first direction at a tip of the second arm and abutting on the side surface of the tray, and a second protrusion (823) extending in the first direction from the tip of the second arm and beyond the second member to abut on a lower portion of the side surface of the tray. A lower end of the second member is located below an upper end of the second protrusion. The first pusher member and the second pusher member are arranged symmetrically with respect to a vertical plane extending in the first direction. The packaging device according to claim 1 or claim 2.

5. Among the plurality of first pusher members, the longer the length of the first arm from the horizontal axis to the tip, the more inwardly it is arranged. The packaging device according to claim 3.

6. When the discharge pusher moves the tray in the first direction, a pressing member (10) that presses the film-covered tray from above. further comprising The packaging device according to claim 1 or claim 2.

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