Sheet supply device

Abstract

To secure hygiene of a margin of a sheet by pushing the sheet into a container while fixing the margin of the sheet so that the margin of the sheet does not come into contact with anything other than the container, in a sheet supply device for pushing the sheet into the inside of the container to lay it thereon.SOLUTION: A sheet supply device 1 supplies a sheet 3a from a sheet roll 3 to above a box 2B using a drawer 5. The first sheet fixing parts 21 and 21 fix margins 3aa and 3ab of the sheet 3a at positions where sheet end parts 3aa, 3ab, 3ac, 3ad are above a lower surface 2x of the box 2B. The sheet supply device 1 pushes the sheet 3a into the box 2B using a pushing frame 4 while the margins 3aa and 3ab are fixed by the first sheet fixing parts 21 and 21.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 14

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a sheet supply device for laying a sheet inside a container for accommodating contents such as cooked rice.

Background Art

[0002] For example, in school lunches and bento manufacturing factories, cooked rice is transported in a state where it is placed in a lunch box through a sheet. This is because if the cooked rice is directly placed in the lunch box, it will stick to the inner wall of the lunch box, making it time-consuming to clean the lunch box. Also, if the inner wall of the lunch box is damaged, germs will breed in the damaged part, and the lunch box will not be able to store the cooked rice hygienically. On the other hand, various devices for laying a sheet inside a container that opens on one side have been proposed in the past.

[0003] For example, in Patent Document 1, after a gripping means pulls out a sheet from a sheet roll above a lunch box, a pressing fitting suspended from a chain is placed on the sheet pulled out with the chain slackened. Then, at the same time as cutting the sheet, the gripping means is released, causing the pressing fitting to descend by the amount of slack in the chain and pushing the sheet into the lunch box.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The sheet is cut to a size larger than the opening end of the double layer and pushed into the double layer so as to provide a margin outside the opening end of the double layer. In order to prevent the contents such as cooked rice from coming into contact with the outside air and drying out or breeding various bacteria, the margin is ensured to have a length sufficient to wrap the contents. In the apparatus described in Patent Document 1, when the gripping means releases the cut sheet, the end of the sheet located outside the opening end of the double layer may hang outside the double layer and touch a conveyor or the like that conveys the double layer. This end of the sheet becomes the margin. Devices such as conveyors that do not come into contact with the contents have not been sterilized or cleaned. Therefore, wrapping the contents with the margin that has touched the conveyor is not hygienic. Thus, since the apparatus described in Patent Document 1 does not hygienically manage the margin of the sheet when supplying the sheet to the double layer, there is room for improvement.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, one aspect of the technology disclosed in this specification is a sheet supply device that lays a sheet by pushing the sheet into the inside of a container so as to provide a margin outside the opening end of a container with the opening facing upward, comprising: a sheet storage unit that stores the sheet; a sheet supply unit that supplies the sheet from the sheet storage unit above the container; a sheet fixing unit that fixes the margin of the sheet supplied above the container at a position where the end of the margin is above the lower surface of the container; and a pushing unit that pushes the sheet fixed by the sheet fixing unit into the container.

[0007] When the sheet feeding device having the above configuration supplies the sheet in the sheet storage unit above the container, the margin is fixed by the sheet fixing unit so that the end of the margin is positioned above the lower surface of the container, and in a state where the margin of the sheet is fixed, the pushing-in unit pushes the sheet into the inside of the container. Therefore, when the sheet is pushed into the inside of the container, the sheet is hygienically pushed into the inside of the container without the margin touching anything other than the container. Thus, according to the sheet feeding device having the above configuration, in the sheet feeding device that pushes and lays the sheet inside the container, the sheet is pushed into the container in a state where the margin of the sheet is fixed so that the margin of the sheet does not touch anything other than the container, and the hygiene of the margin of the sheet can be ensured.

[0008] (2) In the sheet feeding device described in (1), the sheet feeding unit holds the sheet supplied above the container at a position inside the sheet end, and when the sheet outside the holding position hangs downward, the sheet holding unit that holds the sheet is provided so that the sheet end is positioned above the lower surface of the container, and the sheet fixing unit fixes the margin of the sheet held by the sheet holding unit. This is preferable.

[0009] Since the sheet feeding device having the above configuration fixes the margin of the sheet held by the sheet holding unit so that the sheet end is positioned above the lower surface of the container, it is possible to suppress the margin of the sheet from touching anything other than the container between when the sheet is supplied and when the sheet is pushed into the container.

[0010] (3) In the sheet feeding device described in (2), the sheet holding units are arranged at a predetermined interval in the plane direction, hold the sheet in a planar shape, and further slide in a state of holding the sheet to form a slack of the sheet below the pushing-in unit. This is preferable.

[0011] The sheet feeding device having the above configuration forms a slack in the sheet when the sheet holding portion slides, for example, when using a wide sheet. At this time, the sheet end is drawn close to the side of the container while remaining above the lower surface of the container. Further, a slack is formed below the pushing portion, and the portion with the slack is pushed into the container. Even when using a wide sheet in this way, the sheet fixing portion can fix the margin of the sheet while ensuring hygiene without touching the periphery of the sheet end.

[0012] (4) In the sheet feeding device described in (3), the sheet fixing portion has a pair of first sheet fixing portions, and the pair of first sheet fixing portions are disposed opposite to each other across the container along the sliding direction of the sheet holding portion, and it is preferable that the pair of first sheet fixing portions move toward the container to fix the margin of the sheet.

[0013] The sheet feeding device having the above configuration is provided with a pair of first sheet fixing portions along the sliding direction of the sheet holding portion, and fixes the margin of the sheet on both sides of the container. Therefore, at the position adjusted by the pair of first sheet fixing portions, the margin of the sheet drawn close to the side of the container by the sliding of the sheet holding portion can be fixed.

[0014] (5) In the sheet feeding device described in (4), the sheet fixing portion has a pair of second sheet fixing portions, and the pair of second sheet fixing portions are disposed opposite to each other across the container along a direction orthogonal to the facing direction of the first sheet fixing portions, and it is preferable that the pair of second sheet fixing portions move toward the container to fix the margin of the sheet.

[0015] In the sheet feeding device having the above configuration, since the margin of the sheet is fixed from orthogonal directions by the pair of first sheet fixing portions and the pair of second sheet fixing portions, it is possible to suppress the sheet pushed into the container from being displaced due to the operation of the pushing portion and any part of the margin touching something other than the container.

[0016] (6) In the sheet feeding device according to any one of (1) to (5), having a conveying unit that intermittently conveys the container and stops the container below the pushing-in unit, it is preferable that the sheet fixing unit can position the container stopped below the pushing-in unit with respect to the pushing-in unit.

[0017] In the sheet feeding device having the above configuration, since a pair of first sheet fixing units have, in addition to the function of fixing the margin, the function of positioning the container conveyed by the conveying unit with respect to the pushing-in unit, for example, even when the container conveyed by the conveying unit is not correctly set below the pushing-in unit, the arrangement of the container can be corrected using the pair of first sheet fixing units, and the pushing-in unit can be appropriately inserted into the container to stably provide the margin of the sheet along the opening end of the container. Further, there is no need to provide a positioning mechanism separately from the pair of first sheet fixing units, and the number of component parts is suppressed.

[0018] (7) In the sheet feeding device according to any one of (1) to (6), it is preferable that a plurality of convex portions project along the outer edge portion of the lower surface of the pushing-in unit.

[0019] In the sheet feeding device having the above configuration, when the sheet is pushed in, the sheet can deform the portion inside the plurality of convex portions toward the pushing-in unit side. Along with this, the sheet is drawn inside the plurality of convex portions. Therefore, for example, even if there is an overlap of the sheet between the opening end of the container and the sheet fixing unit at the start of sheet pushing-in, the overlap is eliminated as the pushing-in unit is inserted. Thus, according to the sheet feeding device having the above configuration, even after the sheet fixing unit releases the fixing of the margin, the end of the margin can be arranged above the lower surface of the container.

[0020] (8) In the sheet feeding device according to (7), it is preferable that the container and the pushing-in unit each have a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and the convex portions project at the four corners of the lower surface of the pushing-in unit.

[0021] In the sheet feeding device with the above configuration, the convex portions provided at the four corners of the lower surface of the pushing portion can intensively draw the sheet into the four corners of the container. Therefore, even at the container corners where it is difficult to draw the sheet, the pushing portion of the sheet feeding device can draw the sheet to the bottom corners of the container, and the end portions of the margins can be arranged above the lower surface of the container.

[0022] (9)(7) or (8). In the sheet feeding device according to any one of the above, it is preferable that the convex portion is provided in a column shape and at least the surface in contact with the sheet is formed of metal.

[0023] The sheet feeding device having the above configuration makes it easier for the sheet to be smoothly drawn inside the plurality of convex portions as the pushing portion is inserted into the container, and makes it easier to arrange the end portions of the margins above the lower surface of the container.

[0024] (10) In the sheet feeding device according to any one of (1) to (9) above, a sheet holding portion is provided that forms a vacuum region between the upper surface of the sheet supplied above the container by the sheet supply portion and adsorbs and holds the sheet, and a wind pressure portion is provided that applies wind pressure to the lower surface of the sheet supplied above the container by the sheet supply portion and presses the sheet against the sheet holding portion to adhere it. This is preferable.

[0025] The sheet feeding device having the above configuration can lift the upper surface of the sheet by the wind pressure directed upward from the lower surface of the sheet, bring it into a state where it can be pressed against the sheet holding portion and adsorbed, and can reliably hold the sheet by the sheet holding portion. Further, the sheet holding portion can freely change the holding position of the sheet only by controlling the strength of the wind pressure. Therefore, the sheet holding portion can easily adjust the holding position of the sheet so that the end portions of the margins are located above the lower surface of the container.

[0026] In addition, a system, method, program for realizing the functions of the above sheet feeding device, and a recording medium storing the program are also novel and useful.

Effects of the Invention

[0027] According to the above configuration, in a sheet feeding device that pushes and lays a sheet inside a container, it is possible to realize a technique of ensuring the hygiene of the margin of the sheet by pushing the sheet into the container with the margin of the sheet fixed so that the margin of the sheet does not touch anything other than the container.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0028]

Figure 1

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Figure 19

Embodiment for Carrying out the Invention

[0029] Hereinafter, the sheet feeding device of this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. This specification discloses a sheet feeding device for laying a sheet inside a rice container for accommodating foods such as cooked rice.

[0030] (First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram in a front view of a sheet feeding device 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 1. In the drawings, the up-down, front-back, and left-right directions indicated by the arrows show the directions with respect to the sheet feeding device 1. The downstream side in the conveying direction D1 is defined as "front", and the upstream side in the conveying direction D1 is defined as "rear". When viewed from the upstream side in the conveying direction D1, the left side of the conveyor 11 is defined as "left", and the right side of the conveyor 11 is defined as "right".

[0031] The sheet feeding device 1 is configured to lay the sheet 3a in close contact with the inside of the rice container 2 by inserting the pushing frame 4 through the sheet 3a into the rice container 2 that stops at the sheet feeding position P3. The pushing frame 4 is an example of a "pushing portion". The rice container 2 is an example of a "container".

[0032] (Configuration of the Rice Container) FIG. 3 is an external perspective view showing an example of the rice container 2. FIG. 3(a) shows the state before the cooked rice R is wrapped by the sheet 3a, and FIG. 3(b) shows the state after the cooked rice R is wrapped by the sheet 3a. The rice container 2 of this embodiment has a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The rice container 2 includes a pair of long-side side surfaces 2a and 2b and a pair of short-side side surfaces 2c and 2d that are respectively arranged opposite to each other along the outer edge of the rectangular bottom portion 2e (see FIGS. 1 and 2), and has an opening 2f that opens upward. In this embodiment, the cooked rice R is put into the rice container 2, but foods other than the cooked rice R may also be put in.

[0033] As shown in Fig. 3(a), the sheet 3a is laid on the double-weight 2 with margins 3aa, 3ab provided at portions corresponding to the pair of long-side side faces 2a, 2b and margins 3ac, 3ad provided at portions corresponding to the pair of short-side side faces 2c, 2d. The margins 3aa, 3ab, 3ac, 3ad refer to the portions of the sheet 3a laid on the double-weight 2 that are located outside the opening end 2k of the double-weight 2. As shown in Fig. 3(b), the margins 3aa, 3ab, 3ac, 3ad of this embodiment are used to wrap the cooked rice R for hygiene management and moisture prevention.

[0034] (Schematic Configuration of Sheet Feeding Device) As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the sheet feeding device 1 includes a conveyor 11, a pushing frame 4, a drawing-out portion 5, a first unit 6, and a second unit 7. The sheet feeding device 1 has a pair of first sheet fixing portions 21, 21 and a pair of second sheet fixing portions 22, 22. Further, the sheet feeding device 1 has a lower blowing portion 25. The conveyor 11 is an example of a "transport portion". The lower blowing portion 25 is an example of a "wind pressure portion". The pair of first sheet fixing portions 21, 21 and the pair of second sheet fixing portions 22, 22 are examples of "sheet fixing portions".

[0035] (Configuration of Conveyor) As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the conveyor 11 has a pair of conveyor belts 14A, 14B wound around a driven roller 12 and a driving roller 13, and intermittently conveys the double-weight 2. The double-weight 2 is conveyed with the pair of long-side side faces 2a, 2b orthogonal to the conveying direction D1.

[0036] As shown in Fig. 1, the conveyor 11 sequentially stops the double-weight 2 input at the input position P1 at the spraying position P2, the sheet feeding position P3, and the unloading position P4. The spraying position P2 is a position where liquid alcohol for disinfection is sprayed from the spray nozzle 10 onto the double-weight 2. The spray nozzle 10 is disposed above the spraying position P2. The sheet feeding position P3 is a position where the pushing frame 4 is pushed into the double-weight 2 through the sheet 3a and the sheet 3a is laid on the double-weight 2. The pushing frame 4 will be described later. The unloading position P4 is a position where the double-weight 2 with the sheet 3a laid thereon is unloaded.

[0037] The conveyor 11 may be provided with a positioning mechanism for positioning the weight 2 with respect to the loading position P1, the spraying position P2, and the unloading position P4, respectively. The conveyor 11 of the present embodiment positions the weight 2 with respect to the sheet supply position P3 using a pair of first sheet fixing parts 21, 21. That is, the pair of first sheet fixing parts 21, 21 can position the weight 2 with respect to the pushing frame 4. The pair of first sheet fixing parts 21, 21 will be described later.

[0038] (Configuration of the pushing frame) FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of the pushing frame 4. FIG. 4(a) is a side view of the pushing frame 4 as viewed from the left. FIG. 4(b) is a view of the pushing frame 4 as viewed from the right direction of FIG. 4(a). FIG. 4(c) is a view of the pushing frame 4 as viewed from the downward direction of FIG. 4(b). FIG. 4(d) is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B of FIG. 4(b). The pushing frame 4 is provided in a rectangular parallelepiped shape corresponding to the rectangular parallelepiped-shaped weight 2. FIG. 4 omits the description of the upper blowing part 45 described in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0039] As shown in FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b), the pushing frame 4 includes a main body frame 41, a folded-back part 42, a convex part 43, and an inner frame 44, which are formed of a metal such as stainless steel. The main body frame 41 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape that can be inserted into the weight 2. The convex part 43 has a cylindrical shape. As shown in FIG. 4(c), the convex part 43 protrudes from the four corners of the lower surface 41b of the main body frame 41.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 4(d), a recess 41h for housing the inner frame 44 is formed on the lower surface of the main body frame 41. As shown in FIG. 4(c), the inner frame 44 of the present embodiment has a rectangular plate shape. As shown in FIGS. 4(c) and 4(d), the recess 41h is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape with a depth greater than the thickness of the inner frame 44. The inner frame 44 is coupled to the cylinder rods 46a of a pair of lifting cylinders 46 and can move relative to the main body frame 41.

[0041] As shown in FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b), the folded-back portion 42 is a rectangular plate material larger than the opening end 2k of the second layer 2. The folded-back portion 42 is attached to the upper surface of the main body frame 41. As shown in FIGS. 4(c) and 4(d), the folded-back portion 42 has a fold-forming portion 42a protruding downward along the outer edge portion of the lower surface, and an insertion space S21 for inserting the opening end 2k of the second layer 2 is formed along the periphery of the main body frame 41.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 4(d), the pushing-in frame 4 has an internal space 4a. The folded-back portion 42 is formed with a through hole 49 for communicating the internal space 4a with the insertion space S21. Air is sent into the internal space 4a of the pushing-in frame 4 by the upper blowing portion 45 shown in FIG. 1. The air can flow out into the insertion space S21 through the through hole 49.

[0043] Note that each corner portion of the main body frame 41, the folded-back portion 42, the convex portion 43, and the inner frame 44 in this embodiment that comes into contact with the sheet 3a is R-shaped so as not to damage the sheet 3a when the sheet is pushed in.

[0044] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a pair of lifting cylinders 46 are installed so that the cylinder rods 46a protrude downward. The pushing-in frame 4 is arranged to be suspended directly above the sheet supply position P3 via a pair of lifting cylinders 46. The pushing-in frame 4 is given a driving force in the vertical direction from a pair of lifting cylinders 46 and can move between a standby position where it waits away from the second layer 2 and a pushing-in position where it pushes the sheet 3a into the second layer 2.

[0045] (Configuration of the drawing-out portion) As shown in FIG. 2, a sheet roll 3 is disposed to the right of the conveyor 11. The sheet roll 3 is an example of a "sheet storage portion". The sheet roll 3 has a sheet 3a wound in a roll shape. The sheet 3a is a thin, light, and flexible plastic film. In this embodiment, the material of the sheet 3a is, for example, HDPE (High Density Polyethylene).

[0046] The lead-out part 5 is configured to pull out the sheet 3a between the push-in frame 4 and the stack weight 2 from the sheet roll 3. That is, the sheet 3a is pulled out in a direction orthogonal to the left-right direction with respect to the conveyance direction D1 (see FIG. 1) of the stack weight 2 (hereinafter referred to as the “lead-out direction D2”). The lead-out part 5 includes, in order from the sheet roll 3 side, a guide roller 51, a sheet presser 52, a pair of chucks 53A and 53B (see FIG. 1), and a cutting part 55.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 2, the guide roller 51 is disposed above the sheet roll 3 and guides the sheet 3a pulled out upward from the sheet roll 3 to the sheet presser 52. The sheet presser 52 is switchable between a holding state in which the sheet 3a is held along the width direction perpendicular to the lead-out direction D2 and a release state in which the holding of the sheet 3a is released. As shown in FIG. 1, the pair of chucks 53A and 53B are disposed on both sides in the width direction of the sheet 3a. The pair of chucks 53A and 53B can hold the leading end portion of the sheet 3a held by the sheet presser 52 by sandwiching it from above and below at both end positions in the width direction.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 2, the cutting part 55 is disposed between the push-in frame 4 and the sheet presser 52. The cutting part 55 has a function of cutting the sheet 3a along the width direction.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 5, the pair of chucks 53A and 53B are slidably held by a pair of guide rails 54A and 54B. The pair of guide rails 54A and 54B are disposed opposite to each other with the sheet 3a pulled out above the stack weight 2 therebetween and are arranged in parallel along the lead-out direction D2.

[0050] A pair of chucks 53A and 53B are controlled to move linearly back and forth between a gripping position P22 and a pulling-out position P21 along a pair of guide rails 54A and 54B. The gripping position P22 is a position between the sheet presser 52 and the cutting portion 55 (see FIG. 2), and is a position where the pair of chucks 53A and 53B grip the sheet 3a. The pulling-out position P21 is a position on the side opposite to the sheet roll 3 across the weight 2, and is a position where the pair of chucks 53A and 53B pull out the sheet 3a above the weight 2. The pair of chucks 53A and 53B can release the sheet 3a at the pulling-out position P21.

[0051] (Configuration of the sheet holding portion) As shown in FIG. 2, the first unit 6 and the second unit 7 are disposed on both the left and right sides of the pushing-in frame 4 (both sides in the pulling-out direction D2). The first unit 6 and the second unit 7 have a function of holding the sheet 3a pulled out between the weight 2 and the pushing-in frame 4.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 5, the first unit 6 includes a first sheet holding portion 61, a second sheet holding portion 62, and a third sheet holding portion 63. The second unit 7 includes a fourth sheet holding portion 71, a fifth sheet holding portion 72, and a sixth sheet holding portion 73. The first to sixth sheet holding portions 61 to 63 and 71 to 73 are arranged so as to hold the upper surface of the sheet 3a at positions inside the four corners of the sheet 3a cut by the cutting portion 55.

[0053] Specifically, the dimension of the sheet 3a in the width direction is larger than the dimension of the weight 2 in the short side direction. The sheet 3a is pulled out longer than the longitudinal length of the weight 2 and is cut by the cutting portion 55. That is, the cut sheet 3a is cut to a size larger than the opening end portion 2k of the weight 2. The rectangular parallelepiped-shaped weight 2 includes first to fourth corner portions 2g, 2h, 2i, and 2j. The first to third sheet holding portions 61 to 63 and the fourth to seventh sheet holding portions 71 to 73 are arranged side by side along the short side direction of the weight 2 outside the short side side surface portion 2c and the short side side surface portion 2d, respectively.

[0054] The first to third sheet holders 61 to 63 are disposed between the short-side side surface portion 2c of the second stack and the extraction position P21. The first sheet holder 61 and the third sheet holder 63 are respectively disposed at positions shifted outward in the conveyance direction from the first corner portion 2g and the second corner portion 2h located at both ends of the short-side side surface portion 2c. The second sheet holder 62 is disposed at the middle between the first corner portion 2g and the second corner portion 2h (the middle in the short-side direction of the short-side side surface portion 2c). Therefore, the first to third sheet holders 61 to 63 can hold the sheet 3a outside the second stack.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 2, the second unit 7 (the fourth to sixth sheet holders 71 to 73) is disposed between the short-side side surface portion 2d of the second stack and the cutting portion 55. As shown in FIG. 5, the fourth sheet holder 71 and the sixth sheet holder 73 are respectively disposed at positions shifted outward in the conveyance direction from the third corner portion 2i and the fourth corner portion 2j located at both ends of the short-side side surface portion 2d. The fifth sheet holder 72 is disposed at the middle between the first corner portion 2g and the second corner portion 2h (the middle in the short-side direction of the short-side side surface portion 2c).

[0056] Therefore, the first to sixth sheet holders 61 to 63, 71 to 73 can hold the sheet 3a at a position outside the second stack and the pushing-in frame 4 and inside the edge of the sheet 3a.

[0057] The first to sixth sheet holders 61 to 63, 71 to 73 of this embodiment are means for holding the upper surface of the sheet 3a, and are constituted by, for example, Bernoulli chucks. The Bernoulli chuck is a device that forms a vacuum region near the adsorption surface by ejecting compressed air outward along the adsorption surface from a compressed nozzle provided on the adsorption surface, and adsorbs and holds an object.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 2, the first unit 6 and the second unit 7 (the first to sixth sheet holders 61 to 63, 71 to 73) dispose the adsorption surface at a position slightly above and separated from the extraction path (moving surface) of the sheet 3a so as not to interfere with the sheet 3a extracted by the extraction portion 5.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 5, the first to sixth sheet holding portions 61 to 63, 71 to 73 can move in the plane direction to change the arrangement interval. Specifically, the first sheet holding portion 61, the third sheet holding portion 63, the fourth sheet holding portion 71, and the sixth sheet holding portion 73 are provided so as to be movable in the plane direction, and the second sheet holding portion 62 and the fifth sheet holding portion 72 are provided so as not to be movable. The first sheet holding portion 61, the third sheet holding portion 63, the fourth sheet holding portion 71, and the sixth sheet holding portion 73 of the present embodiment can slide along the short side direction of the double stack 2.

[0060] The first sheet holding portion 61 and the third sheet holding portion 63 slide toward the second sheet holding portion 62 side, and by narrowing the arrangement interval of the first to third sheet holding portions 61 to 63, the sheet 3a adsorbed and held by the first to third sheet holding portions 61 to 63 can be pulled upward of the double stack 2, and the sheet width can be substantially narrowed. The same applies to the fourth sheet holding portion 71 and the sixth sheet holding portion 73.

[0061] In the following description, as shown by the solid line in FIG. 5, the stop positions of the first sheet holding portion 61 and the third sheet holding portion 63 on the side far from the second sheet holding portion 62, and the stop positions of the fourth sheet holding portion 71 and the sixth sheet holding portion 73 on the side far from the fifth sheet holding portion 72 are respectively defined as "non-pulling position". As shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 5, the stop positions of the first sheet holding portion 61 and the third sheet holding portion 63 on the side close to the second sheet holding portion 62, and the stop positions of the fourth sheet holding portion 71 and the sixth sheet holding portion 73 on the side close to the fifth sheet holding portion 72 are respectively defined as "pulling position". In the present embodiment, the first to third sheet holding portions 61 to 63 and the fourth to sixth sheet holding portions 71 to 73 are examples of the "sheet holding portion".

[0062] As shown in Fig. 2, below the first unit 6 and the second unit 7, lower blowing parts 25 are respectively arranged. The lower blowing part 25 applies wind pressure to the lower surface of the sheet 3a that the drawing part 5 has pulled above the weight 2, and by pressing the sheet 3a against the first to sixth sheet holding parts 61 to 63, 71 to 73 from below, it can assist in adsorbing the sheet 3a separated downward to the adsorption surfaces of the respective sheet holding parts.

[0063] (Configuration of the sheet fixing part) As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the pair of first sheet fixing parts 21, 21 and the pair of second sheet fixing parts 22, 22 are arranged so as to surround the weight 2 arranged at the sheet supply position P3. As shown in Fig. 1, the pair of first sheet fixing parts 21, 21 are arranged opposite to each other with the weight 2 arranged at the sheet supply position P3 interposed therebetween along the sliding direction (conveying direction D1, front-rear direction) of the first, third, fourth, and sixth sheet holding parts 61, 63, 71, 73. As shown in Fig. 2, the pair of second sheet fixing parts 22, 22 are arranged opposite to each other with the weight 2 arranged at the sheet supply position P3 interposed therebetween along the direction (drawing direction D2, left-right direction) orthogonal to the opposing direction (conveying direction D1, front-rear direction) of the pair of first sheet fixing parts 21, 21.

[0064] As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, in the first sheet fixing part 21 and the second sheet fixing part 22, U-shaped arms 212, 222 are respectively pivotally supported by pivot parts 211, 221 so as to be swingable. Pressing parts 213, 223 are coupled to the tip ends of the arms 212, 222. The pressing parts 213, 223 are formed in a cylindrical shape extending in the horizontal direction in order to increase the contact area with the sheet 3a.

[0065] The first sheet fixing part 21 and the second sheet fixing part 22 can swing between the unlocking position and the fixing position. The unlocking position is a position separated from the side surface of the second stack 2. In particular, the position retracted below the conveyor belts 14A and 14B (conveying surfaces) so as not to interfere with the second stack 2 through which the pressing part 213 is conveyed is the unlocking position for releasing the fixing of the sheet 3a. The fixing position is a position where the pressing parts 213 and 223 protrude above the conveying surface and press the sheet 3a against the side surface of the second stack 2 to fix the sheet 3a.

[0066] (Sheet feeding procedure) Subsequently, the procedure for the sheet feeding device 1 to supply a sheet to the second stack 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 15. Note that in FIGS. 11, 13, and 15, the description of the folding part 42 is omitted to make it easier to see the positional relationship between the sheet 3a and the second stack 2B. In this embodiment, the case where the sheet 3a is laid on the second stack 2 sequentially conveyed to the sheet feeding position P3 will be described as an example. In the following description, the second stack 2 sequentially conveyed to the sheet feeding position P3 will be described as the second stacks 2A, 2B, and 2C. C1 to C3 indicate the operation cycles of the sheet feeding device 1. t1 to t14 indicate the operation timings.

[0067] As shown at t0 in FIG. 6, when the operation cycle C1 for supplying the sheet 3a to the second stack 2A is completed, the conveyor 11 is stopped. The sheet retainer 52 holds the sheet 3a (holding state). The drawing-out part 5 holds the sheet 3a at the gripping position P22 (gripping state, gripping position). The cutting part 55, the lower blowing part 25, and the upper blowing part 45 are OFF. The first to sixth sheet holding parts 61 to 63, 71 to 73 have stopped ejecting compressed air. The first, third, fourth, and sixth sheet holding parts 61, 63, 71, 73 are arranged at the non-attracting positions. The first sheet fixing part 21 and the second sheet fixing part 22 are arranged at the unlocking positions. The main body frame 41 of the pushing-in frame 4 is waiting above the second stack 2A with the inner frame 44 housed in the recess 41h (waiting position, retracted position).

[0068] While the tray weight 2A supplies the sheet 3a at the sheet supply position P3, the tray weight 2B is sprayed with alcohol from the spray nozzle 10 at the spray position P2 and is disinfected. The inner and outer surfaces of the tray weight 2B are wetted with alcohol. The tray weight 2C is loaded into the loading position P1.

[0069] When the operation cycle C1 of the sheet feeding device 1 is completed, the sheet feeding device 1 starts the next operation cycle C2. That is, as shown at t0 in FIG. 6, first, the sheet retainer 52 is switched from the holding state to the release state, and the holding of the sheet 3a is released. The drawing unit 5 moves the pair of chucks 53A and 53B that grip the sheet 3a from the gripping position P22 to the drawing position P21. Thereby, the sheet 3a is drawn out below the pushing frame 4 and the first to sixth sheet holding portions 61 to 63, 71 to 73.

[0070] As shown at t2 in FIG. 6, when the pair of chucks 53A and 53B stop at the drawing position P21, the sheet retainer 52 is switched from the release state to the holding state, and the sheet 3a can no longer be drawn out from the sheet roll 3. Thereby, the sheet 3a is disposed below the pushing frame 4 and the first to sixth sheet holding portions 61 to 63, 71 to 73 in a flatly stretched state (see, for example, FIG. 2). Then, as shown at t3 in FIG. 6, while the sheet retainer 52 is in the holding state, the cutting unit 55 is switched from OFF to ON, and the sheet 3a is cut.

[0071] As shown at t1 in FIG. 6, in parallel with the drawing of the sheet 3a, the conveyor 11 is driven. The tray weight 2A moves from the sheet supply position P3 to the unloading position P4. The tray weight 2B moves from the spray position P2 to the sheet supply position P3. The tray weight 2C moves from the loading position P1 to the spray position P2.

[0072] As shown at t3 in FIG. 6, when the conveyor 11 stops, the pair of first sheet fixing parts 21, 21 swing from the unlocking position to the fixing position. The stack 2B is sandwiched from both sides in the conveying direction D1 by the pair of first sheet fixing parts 21, 21 and is positioned with respect to the pushing-in frame 4. The pair of first sheet fixing parts 21, 21 swing to the unlocking position immediately after positioning the stack 2B, and the pressing parts 213, 213 are retracted below the conveying surface.

[0073] As shown at t4 in FIG. 6, the first to sixth sheet holding parts 61 to 63, 71 to 73 eject compressed air toward the upper surface of the sheet 3a held by the pair of chucks 53A, 53B and the sheet presser 52. The first to sixth sheet holding parts 61 to 63, 71 to 73 form a vacuum region between each adsorption surface and the upper surface of the sheet 3a, and adsorb and hold the upper surface of the sheet 3a.

[0074] At this time, the lower blowing part 25 is switched from OFF to ON, and wind pressure is applied to the lower surface of the sheet 3a. As shown in FIG. 7, the sheet 3a is lifted by the wind pressure applied from the lower blowing part 25 and pressed against each adsorption surface of the first to sixth sheet holding parts 61 to 63, 71 to 73. Therefore, even if the first to sixth sheet holding parts 61 to 63, 71 to 73 are Bernoulli chucks with a small suction force, they can surely adsorb and hold the sheet 3a with the assistance of the wind pressure of the lower blowing part 25.

[0075] As shown at t5 in FIG. 6, when the first to sixth sheet holding parts 61 to 63, 71 to 73 adsorb and hold the sheet 3a, the pair of chucks 53A, 53B of the drawing-out part 5 are switched from the gripping state to the releasing state, and the sheet 3a is released. That is, the sheet 3a is transferred from the drawing-out part 5 to the first to sixth sheet holding parts 61 to 63, 71 to 73.

[0076] Furthermore, the drawing-out part 5 starts to return to the gripping position P22. As shown at t9 in FIG. 6, the pair of chucks 53A, 53B that have returned to the gripping position P22 grip the leading end part of the sheet 3a held by the sheet presser 52. Thereby, the drawing-out part 5 completes the preparation for drawing out the next sheet 3a.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 8, the cut sheet 3a is held by the first to sixth sheet holding portions 61 to 63, 71 to 73 at positions inside the four corners, and the portions outside the holding positions hang down. Since the first to sixth sheet holding portions 61 to 63, 71 to 73 are arranged outside the opening end portion 2k of the outer case 2B, the sheet 3a hangs down outside the opening end portion 2k of the outer case 2B. These hanging portions become margins 3aa, 3ab, 3ac, 3ad.

[0078] Hereinafter, among the hanging portions of the sheet 3a, the end portion of the portion forming the margin 3aa (the portion hanging outside the long-side side surface portion 2a) is defined as "sheet end portion Ea", the end portion of the portion forming the margin 3ab (the portion hanging outside the long-side side surface portion 2b) is defined as "sheet end portion Eb", the end portion of the portion forming the margin 3ac (the portion hanging outside the short-side side surface portion 2c) is defined as "sheet end portion Ec", and the end portion of the portion forming the margin 3ad (the portion hanging outside the short-side side surface portion 2c) is defined as "sheet end portion Ed".

[0079] The sheet feeding device 1 adjusts the positions of the sheet end portions Ea, Eb, Ec, Ed to a position above the lower surface 2x of the outer case 2B so as not to touch the conveyance surface or the like. For example, the heights of the sheet end portions Ea and Eb can be adjusted by finely adjusting the stop positions of the first sheet holding portion 61 and the third sheet holding portion 63, and the stop positions of the fourth sheet holding portion 71 and the sixth sheet holding portion 73 in the conveyance direction or in the height direction. Note that the positions of the sheet end portions Ea, Eb, Ec, Ed can also be adjusted by changing the amount of deformation of the sheet 3a by the strength of the air pressure of the lower blowing portion 25.

[0080] Therefore, even when the width dimension of the sheet 3a is made sufficiently wider than the short-side direction width dimension of the outer case 2B for wrapping food, by the above adjustment, the sheet end portions Ea, Eb, Ec, Ed do not hang down below the lower surface 2x of the outer case 2B and there is no possibility of touching anything other than the outer case 2B.

[0081] Then, as shown at t6 in Fig. 6, even if the first, third, fourth, and sixth sheet holding parts 61, 63, 71, and 73 move from the non-drawing position to the drawing position before inserting the pushing frame 4 into the outer case 2B, the sheet 3a will be drawn above the opening 2f of the outer case 2a without touching the sheet ends Ea, Eb, Ec, and Ed anywhere.

[0082] As shown in Fig. 9, the sheet 3a is drawn while keeping the sheet ends Ea, Eb, Ec, and Ed positioned above the lower surface 2x of the outer case 2B, and slack SL11 and SL12 are formed between the outer case 2B and the pushing frame 4.

[0083] At this time, as shown at t6 in Fig. 6, the lower blowing part 25 is switched from ON to OFF, and the upper blowing part 45 is switched from OFF to ON. As shown in Fig. 9, the air sent out by the upper blowing part 45 is blown onto the sheet 3a through the escape hole 49 of the pushing frame 4. The part of the sheet 3a that hangs down outside the holding positions held by the first to sixth sheet holding parts 61 to 63, 71 to 73 is arranged along the respective side faces 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d of the outer case 2B by the wind pressure blown from the escape hole 49. At this time, the sheet 3a is adsorbed and held by the first, third, fourth, and sixth sheet holding parts 61, 63, 71, and 73, and the state of arranging the sheet ends Ea, Eb, Ec, and Ed above the lower surface 2x of the outer case 2B is maintained.

[0084] As shown at t7 in Fig. 6, when the first, third, fourth, and sixth sheet holding parts 61, 63, 71, and 73 move to the drawing position, the pair of first sheet fixing parts 21, 21 swing from the non-fixing release position to the fixing position respectively. As a result, as shown by the two-dot chain line in Fig. 9, the pair of first sheet fixing parts 21, 21 fix the margins 3aa and 3ab of the sheet 3a in a state where the sheet ends Ea, Eb, Ec, and Ed are arranged above the lower surface 2x of the outer case 2B.

[0085] As shown at t8 in FIG. 6, when a pair of first sheet fixing parts 21, 21 fix the margins 3aa, 3ab, the upper blowing part 45 is switched from ON to OFF. Further, the pushing-in frame 4 starts to descend by the elevating cylinder 46. That is, the main body frame 41 moves from the standby position to the pushing-in position and pushes the sheet 3a into the counterweight 2B. As shown at t10 in FIG. 6, when the main body frame 41 reaches the pushing-in position and can no longer descend, the inner frame 44 descends relative to the main body frame 41 and moves from the retracted position to the protruding position. The inner frame 44 presses the sheet 3a against the bottom part 2e of the counterweight 2 and makes them adhere closely.

[0086] The pushing-in of the sheet 3a will be specifically described. As shown in FIG. 9, when the elevating cylinder 46 positions the pushing-in frame 4 at the standby position, the main body frame 41 is in a state of being suspended from the inner frame 44 via the upper inner wall 41i of the recess 41h. The convex part 43 of the pushing-in frame 4 is disposed above the sheet 3a held by the first to sixth sheet holding parts 61 to 63, 71 to 73 and does not contact the sheet 3a. When the elevating cylinder 46 projects the cylinder rod 46a downward, the main body frame 41 and the inner frame 44 descend integrally.

[0087] The convex parts 43 provided at the four lower corners of the lower surface of the main body frame 41 first contact the sheet 3a in the pushing-in frame 4 and apply a downward force to the sheet 3a held by the first to sixth sheet holding parts 61 to 63, 71 to 73. The sheet 3a easily slides off from each adsorption surface of the first to sixth sheet holding parts 61 to 63, 71 to 73.

[0088] As shown in Fig. 11, the convex portions 43 project at positions corresponding to the first to fourth corner portions 2g, 2h, 2i, 2j of the cover 2B. As shown in Fig. 10, the insertion frame 4 brings the convex portions 43 into contact with the sheet 3a prior to the positions corresponding to the first to fourth corner portions 2g, 2h, 2i, 2j. The convex portions 43 at the four corners contact the sheet 3a outside the slack SL11, SL12 and start pushing the sheet 3a into the cover 2B. The sheet 3a was adsorbed and held by the first to sixth sheet holding portions 61 to 63, 71 to 73 above the cover 2B with the sheet end portions Ea, Eb fixed to the first sheet fixing portions 21, 21. Therefore, due to the pressure of the air pushed out to the outside of the cover 2B by the lowering of the insertion frame 4, it deforms so as to bulge around the insertion frame 4 and causes bunching.

[0089] In the following description, the bunching portion corresponding to the margin 3aa is referred to as "bunching portion GLa", the bunching portion corresponding to the margin 3ab is referred to as "bunching portion GLb", the bunching portion corresponding to the margin 3ac is referred to as "bunching portion GLc", and the bunching portion corresponding to the margin 3ad is referred to as "bunching portion GLd".

[0090] As shown in Fig. 12, the insertion frame 4 pushes the sheet 3a into the cover 2B while holding the slack formed inside the convex portions 43 at the four corners. That is, the insertion frame 4 has a stepped portion formed between the tip surface 43a of the convex portion 43 and the lower surface 41b of the main body frame 41, and a recess 41h that houses the inner frame 44, whereby a space S11 is formed inside the convex portions 43 at the four corners. When the insertion frame 4 is inserted into the cover 2B, the air between the lower surface of the sheet 3a and the cover 2B is compressed and pushed out toward the opening 2f side of the cover 2B. The pushed-out air accumulates in the space S11. The sheet 3a is pressurized by the air accumulated in the space S11 in the portion inside the convex portions 43 at the four corners, deforms, and is pressed against and held by the insertion frame 4. Moreover, the sheet 3a has an increased sliding resistance due to the convex portions 43 that are inserted into the corners of the cover 2B first. Therefore, the insertion frame 4 can firmly hold the sheet 3a.

[0091] As a result, the portion 3ag of the sheet 3a inside the convex portions 43 at the four corners is prevented from being pulled out to the outside of the convex portions 43 at the four corners. Conversely, as the portion 3ag of the sheet 3a inside the convex portions 43 at the four corners deforms within the space S11, the overlapping portions GLa and GLb are drawn into the double weight 2B and reduced as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13.

[0092] The corners of the opening 2f of the double weight 2B are locations where the sheet 3a is drawn in from two planar directions to the inside. Therefore, these corners are likely to be inconvenient locations where resistance is applied to the drawing in of the sheet 3a, and there is a high probability of leaving a large amount of blank space or tearing the sheet 3a. However, in the pushing frame 4 of the present embodiment, convex portions 43 are provided at positions corresponding to the first to fourth corner portions 2g, 2h, 2i, 2j of the double weight 2B. Each convex portion 43 intensively draws the sheet 3a at the first to fourth corner portions 2g, 2h, 2i, 2j of the double weight 2B into the double weight 2B. Therefore, the pushing frame 4 can also draw the overlapping portions GLa, GLb, GLc, GLd into the double weight 2B at the first to fourth corner portions 2g, 2h, 2i, 2j of the double weight 2B, and arrange the sheet end portions Ea, Eb, Ec, Ed above the lower surface 2x of the double weight 2B.

[0093] While the pushing frame 4 is being inserted into the double weight 2B, the pair of first sheet fixing portions 21, 21 fix the blank spaces 3aa, 3ab. Therefore, the overlapping portions GLa, GLb are not excessively drawn into the double weight 2B, and the blank spaces 3aa, 3ab are not insufficient. Also, when the pushing frame 4 pushes the sheet 3a into the double weight 2B, since the pair of second sheet fixing portions 22, 22 do not fix the blank spaces 3ac, 3ad, the pushing frame 4 can easily draw the overlapping portions GLc, GLd into the corners of the double weight 2B.

[0094] As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, when the main frame 41 of the pushing-in frame 4 reaches the pushing-in position, the overlapping portions GLa, GLb, GLc, GLd are eliminated, and margins 3aa, 3ab, 3ac, 3ad are formed along the outer surface of the cover 2B on the sheet 3a. Also, the sheet 3a is pressed against and adheres to the inner surface of the cover 2B by the main frame 41. Further, the sheet 3a is firmly pushed into the bottom corner portions of the cover 2B by the respective convex portions 43 of the pushing-in frame 4.

[0095] When the pushing-in frame 4 moves to the pushing-in position, the opening end portion 2k of the cover 2B is inserted into the insertion space S21 through the sheet 3a. Thereby, the sheet 3a is folded back at the opening end portion 2k to form a fold.

[0096] As shown in FIG. 14, even after the main frame 41 of the elevating cylinder 46 reaches the pushing-in position, the cylinder rod 46a projects downward. The inner frame 44 moves relative to the main frame 41 and projects from the recess 41h. The inner frame 44 presses and adheres the slack portion 3ag inside the convex portion 43 against the bottom portion 2e of the cover 2B, and can neatly fold the sheet 3a inside the cover 2B, such as by making a fold.

[0097] As shown in t11 of FIG. 6, while the pushing-in frame 4 is pushing the sheet 3a into the cover 2B, the first, third, fourth, and sixth sheet holding portions 61, 63, 71, 73 return from the attracting position to the non-attracting position.

[0098] As shown in t12 of FIG. 6, when the sheet 3a is closely laid on the inside of the cover 2B, the pair of second sheet fixing portions 22 swing from the fixing release position to the fixing position. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 15, the margins 3ac, 3ad are fixed to the pair of second sheet fixing portions 22, 22.

[0099] As shown at t13 in Fig. 6, when a pair of second sheet fixing parts 22, 22 fix the margins 3ac, 3ad, the lifting cylinder 46 raises the pushing-in frame 4 to the standby position. In this case, first, the inner frame 44 rises from the protruding position to the retracted position and abuts against the upper inner wall 41i of the recess 41h. The main body frame 41 is pulled up by the lifting cylinder 46 via the inner frame 44 and rises integrally with the inner frame 44 from the pushing-in position to the standby position. Thereby, the pushing-in frame 4 detaches from the stack 2B that has supplied the sheet 3a.

[0100] Until the pushing-in frame 4 detaches from the stack 2B, a pair of first sheet fixing parts 21, 21 and a pair of second sheet fixing parts 22, 22 fix the margins 3aa, 3ab, 3ac, 3ad. Therefore, the sheet 3a is less likely to be displaced following the lifting operation of the pushing-in frame 4. Moreover, the stack 2B is sprayed with alcohol and is wet before the sheet 3a is supplied. Therefore, the sheet 3a adheres firmly to the stack 2B via the alcohol and is less likely to be displaced following the pushing-in frame 4.

[0101] As shown at t14 in Fig. 6, when the pushing-in frame 4 moves above the stack 2B, a pair of first sheet fixing parts 21, 21 and a pair of second sheet fixing parts 22, 22 return from the fixed position to the released position so as not to interfere with the conveyance of the stack. Thereby, the operation cycle C2 of supplying the sheet 3a to the stack 2B is completed. By the sheet feeding device 1 executing the next operation cycle C3, the stack 2B moves from the sheet supply position P3 to the carry-out position P4.

[0102] The sheet 3a adheres to the stack 2B by alcohol. Also, the sheet 3a is firmly creased at the opening end 2k of the stack 2B. Therefore, even after the sheet 3a is supplied to the stack 2B, the sheet ends Ea, Eb, Ec, Ed can be maintained in a state of being disposed above the lower surface 2x of the stack 2B.

[0103] Also, since the sheet 3a crushes the portion drawn into the double layer 2B with the inner frame 44 and folds it neatly, the cooked rice R put into the double layer 2B is less likely to enter the wrinkled portion of the sheet 3a, and hood loss can be reduced.

[0104] As described above, when the sheet supply device 1 of the first embodiment supplies the sheet 3a of the sheet roll 3 above the double layer 2B, the ends of the margins 3aa, 3ab, 3ac, 3ad are positioned above the lower surface 2x of the double layer 2B, and the margins 3aa, 3ab, 3ac, 3ad are fixed by the first sheet fixing portions 21, 21. With the margins 3aa, 3ab, 3ac, 3ad of the sheet 3a fixed, the pushing frame 4 pushes the sheet 3a inside the double layer 2B. Therefore, when the sheet 3a is pushed inside the double layer 2B, the margins 3aa, 3ab, 3ac, 3ad are pushed hygienically inside the container without touching anything other than the double layer 2B. Thus, according to the sheet supply device 1 of the first embodiment, in the sheet supply device 1 that pushes and lays the sheet 3a inside the double layer 2B, at least the margins 3aa, 3ab of the sheet 3a are fixed so that the margins 3aa, 3ab, 3ac, 3ad of the sheet 3a do not touch anything other than the double layer 2B, and the hygiene of the margins 3aa, 3ab, 3ac, 3ad of the sheet 3a can be ensured.

[0105] (Second Embodiment) Subsequently, a second embodiment of the technology disclosed in this specification will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 16 is a schematic configuration diagram of the sheet supply device 101 of the second embodiment. In this embodiment, the pushing frame can be automatically exchanged according to the type of double layer. This is different from the first embodiment in which the pushing frame 4 is not exchanged. Here, the description will focus on the points different from the first embodiment, and the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment will be used for the configurations and processes common to the first embodiment.

[0106] The sheet feeding device 101 of the second embodiment can supply the sheet 3a to the first stack 2 and the second stack 102 that is smaller in size than the first stack 2. The first stack 2 and the second stack 102 are examples of a "container". The second stack 102 is configured in the same manner as the first stack 2, except that it is shorter in length in both the short side direction and the long side direction and has a smaller depth than the first stack 2.

[0107] The sheet feeding device 101 includes a first pushing frame 4 corresponding to the first stack 2 and a second pushing frame 104 corresponding to the second stack 102. The first pushing frame 4 and the second pushing frame 104 are examples of a "pushing portion". The first pushing frame 4 is configured in the same manner as the pushing frame 4 of the first embodiment. The second pushing frame 104 is configured in the same manner as the first pushing frame 4, except that it is smaller in size than the first pushing frame 4. The first pushing frame 4 is coupled to the first lifting cylinder 46. The second pushing frame 104 is coupled to the second lifting cylinder 146.

[0108] The first pushing frame 4 and the second pushing frame 104 are each coupled to the slide mechanism 110 via the first lifting cylinder 46 and the second lifting cylinder 146. The slide mechanism 110 can slide the first pushing frame 4 and the second pushing frame 104 in the conveyance direction D1. The slide mechanism 110 holds the second pushing frame 104 at a position higher than the first pushing frame 4.

[0109] When such a sheet feeding device 101 conveys the first stack 2 to the sheet feeding position P3, for example, the slide mechanism 110 arranges the first pushing frame 4 above the sheet feeding position P3. The sheet feeding device 101 pushes the sheet 3a drawn out between the first stack 2 and the first pushing frame 4 into the first stack 2 by the first pushing frame 4.

[0110] On the other hand, when the sheet supply device 101 conveys the second stack 102 to the sheet supply position P3, it slides the first pushing frame 4 and the second pushing frame 104 using the slide mechanism 110, and arranges the second pushing frame 104 above the sheet supply position P3. The sheet supply device 101 pushes the sheet 3a drawn out between the second stack 102 and the second pushing frame 104 into the second stack 102 by the second pushing frame 104. Note that the procedure for supplying the sheet 3a to the first stack 2 and the second stack 102 is the same as that in the first embodiment, so the detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0111] As shown in FIGS. 17(a) and 17(b), when using either the first pushing frame 4 or the second pushing frame 104, when the pair of chucks 53A and 53B releases the sheet 3a adsorbed and held by the first to sixth sheet holding portions 61 to 63 and 71 to 73, due to the wind pressure applied from the lower blowing portion 25, the sheet 3a deforms while being drawn under the first pushing frame 4 and the second pushing frame 104.

[0112] In this embodiment, the distance H2 between each adsorption surface of the first to sixth sheet holding portions 61 to 63 and 71 to 73 and the inner frame 144 of the second pushing frame 104 is larger than the distance H1 between each adsorption surface of the first to sixth sheet holding portions 61 to 63 and 71 to 73 and the inner frame 44 of the first pushing frame 4. Therefore, the amount by which the sheet 3a is drawn inside the four convex portions 43 is increased when the sheet 3a is with respect to the second pushing frame 104 than when it is with respect to the first pushing frame 4. That is, the amount of sag K2 (FIG. 17(b)) of the sheet 3a when using the second pushing frame 104 is smaller than the amount of sag K1 (FIG. 17(a)) of the sheet 3a when using the first pushing frame 4.

[0113] Therefore, even when supplying the sheet 3a to the second stack 102 having an inner diameter dimension smaller than that of the first stack 2 in the same manner as the first stack 2, the sheet 3a can be pushed into the second stack 102 so that the margins 3aa, 3ab, 3ac, and 3ad are positioned above the lower surface of the second stack 102.

[0114] As described above, the sheet feeding device 101 of the second embodiment can automatically exchange the first pushing frame 4 and the second pushing frame 104 according to the different types of the first stack 2 and the second stack 102, so that the labor of the pushing frame replacement work can be reduced.

[0115] In addition, the sheet feeding device 101 provides a height difference at the holding positions of the first pushing frame 4 and the second stack 102, and by utilizing the air pressure of the lower blowing portion 25, the positions of the sheet end portions Ea, Eb, Ec, Ed can be adjusted so as not to touch anything other than the stack.

[0116] The embodiments disclosed in this specification are merely examples and do not limit the present invention in any way. Therefore, the technology disclosed in this specification can naturally be variously improved and modified without departing from the gist thereof. For example, the stack 2 may be a container for storing articles other than food. Instead of the rectangular parallelepiped-shaped stacks 2, 2A to 2C, 102, a cylindrical container having an opening on one side may be used.

[0117] The first to sixth sheet holding portions 61 to 63, 71 to 73 may be arranged to hold the lower surface of the sheet 3a, or may hold the sheet 3a from the vertical direction. However, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, when the first to sixth sheet holding portions 61 to 63, 71 to 73 hold the upper surface of the sheet 3a, the first to sixth sheet holding portions 61 to 63, 71 to 73 are less likely to get in the way when the pushing frame 4 pushes the sheet 3a into the stack 2. In addition, the first to sixth sheet holding portions 61 to 63, 71 to 73 that hold the upper surface of the sheet 3a have fewer restrictions on arrangement and operation compared to those that hold both surfaces of the sheet 3a, and can surely hold the sheet 3a at any position in a short time.

[0118] The number of sheet holding parts is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, for example, four sheet holding parts may be provided on each side of the double weight 2. Also, for example, the second sheet holding part 62 and the fifth sheet holding part 72 may be omitted. However, when the second sheet holding part 62 and the fifth sheet holding part 72 are arranged, the slack formed by the sliding of the first, third, fourth, and sixth sheet holding parts 61, 63, 71, 73 becomes smaller. As a result, when the sheet is pushed in, the slack part is likely to bulge and deform into the space S11. Along with this, the sheet 3a is likely to be drawn inward from the convex parts 43 at the four corners.

[0119] The first, third, fourth, and sixth sheet holding parts 61, 63, 71, 73 do not have to slide. However, for example, when using a wide sheet 3a, if the first, third, fourth, and sixth sheet holding parts 61, 63, 71, 73 slide in the plane direction to form slack in the sheet 3a, the sheet 3a can be pulled closer to the side of the double weight 2 while remaining above the lower surface 2x of the double weight 2. Further, slacks SL11 and SL12 are formed below the pushing frame 4, and the portions having the slacks SL11 and SL12 are pushed into the double weight 2. Even in the case of using such a wide sheet, the pair of first sheet fixing parts 21, 21 and the pair of second sheet fixing parts 22, 22 can fix the margins 3aa, 3ab, 3ac, 3ad of the sheet 3a while ensuring hygiene without touching the sheet ends Ea, Eb, Ec, Ed around.

[0120] The pair of first sheet fixing parts 21, 21 and the pair of second sheet fixing parts 22, 22 may be moved between the pressing position and the pressing release position by a mechanism different from the swinging, such as a combination of an elevating mechanism and a sliding mechanism.

[0121] The pair of second sheet fixing parts 22, 22 may be omitted. However, by fixing the margins 3ac, 3ad with the pair of second sheet fixing parts 22, 22, the sheet 3a pushed into the booklet 2 is fixed from directions orthogonal to each other by the pair of first sheet fixing parts 21, 21 and the pair of second sheet fixing parts 22, 22. As a result, it is possible to suppress the sheet 3a from being displaced following the operation of the pushing frame 4 and any part of the margins 3aa, 3ab, 3ac, 3ad from touching something other than the booklet 2.

[0122] The conveyor 11 may be omitted, and the booklet 2 may be arranged or taken out at the sheet supply position P3. However, in addition to the function of fixing the margins 3aa, 3ab, the pair of first sheet fixing parts 21, 21 has a function of positioning the booklet 2 conveyed by the conveyor 11 with respect to the pushing frame 4. For example, even when the booklet 2 conveyed by the conveyor 11 is not correctly set below the pushing frame 4, the arrangement of the booklet 2 is corrected using the pair of first sheet fixing parts 21, 21, and the pushing frame 4 is appropriately inserted into the booklet 2, and the margins 3aa, 3ab, 3ac, 3ad of the sheet 3a can be stably provided along the opening end portion 2k of the booklet 2. Further, there is no need to provide a positioning mechanism separately from the pair of first sheet fixing parts 21, 21, and the number of components is suppressed.

[0123] The convex part 43 may not be provided on the lower surface of the pushing frame 4. However, since a plurality of convex parts 43 project along the outer edge part of the lower surface of the pushing frame 4, when the sheet is pushed in, the sheet 3a can be deformed toward the pushing frame 4 at a portion inside the plurality of convex parts 43. Along with this, the sheet 3a is drawn inside the plurality of convex parts 43. Therefore, for example, even if there is an overlap of the sheet 3a between the opening end portion 2k of the booklet 2B and the first sheet fixing parts 21, 21 at the start of sheet pushing, the overlap is eliminated as the pushing frame 4 is inserted. According to this, even after the pair of first sheet fixing parts 21, 21 and the pair of second sheet fixing parts 22, 22 release the fixing of the margins 3aa, 3ab, 3ac, 3ad, the sheet end portions Ea, Eb, Ec, Ed can be arranged above the lower surface 2x of the booklet 2.

[0124] The lower surface of the insertion frame 4 may be provided with convex portions 43 at locations other than the four corners. The number of the convex portions 43 is not limited to the above form. For example, in addition to the four corners of the lower surface of the insertion frame 4, the convex portions 43 may also protrude near the longitudinal center of the second weight 2. However, since the convex portions 43 protrude from the four corners of the lower surface of the insertion frame 4, it is easy to intensively draw the sheet 3a into the four corners of the second weight 2. Therefore, in the sheet supply measure 1, at the first to fourth corner portions 2g, 2h, 2i, 2j of the second weight 2, the insertion frame 4 can draw the sheet 3a to the bottom corner portion of the second weight 2, and the sheet end portions Ea, Eb, Ec, Ed can be arranged above the lower surface 2x of the second weight 2.

[0125] The convex portions 43 may have a shape other than a cylindrical shape, such as a polygonal prism shape or a plate shape. The convex portions 43 may be formed of a material other than metal. However, since the convex portions 43 have a cylindrical shape and at least the surfaces in contact with the sheet 3a are formed of metal, when the insertion frame 4 is inserted into the second weight 2, the sheet 3a can be smoothly drawn into the inside of the plurality of convex portions 43, and it becomes easier to arrange the sheet end portions Ea, Eb, Ec, Ed above the lower surface 2x of the second weight 2B.

[0126] Instead of the sheet roll 3, a pre-cut sheet 3a may be used. In this case, for example, the pre-cut sheet 3a may be housed in the sheet storage portion, the drawing portion may pick up the sheet 3a from the sheet storage portion and arrange it above the second weight 2, and the sheet 3a may be transferred from the drawing portion to the first to sixth sheet holding portions 61 to 63, 71 to 73. Alternatively, the first to sixth sheet holding portions 61 to 63, 71 to 73 may have a function of holding the sheet 3a in the sheet storage portion and moving the sheet 3a between the second weight 2 and the insertion frame 4.

[0127] The sheet feeding device 1 includes a drawing-out portion 5 that draws out a sheet 3a from between a push-in frame 4 and a counterweight 2 from a sheet roll 3. This is an example of a "sheet feeding portion", and includes means for supplying the sheet 3a above the counterweight 2 in a form other than the sheet roll 3 and the drawing-out portion 5. That is, the sheet feeding portion only needs to supply the sheet 3a above the counterweight 2, and may include various supply means including the drawing-out portion 5.

[0128] The lifting cylinder 46 may be omitted. In this case, the counterweight 2 may be lifted and the push-in frame 4 may be inserted into the counterweight 2.

[0129] As long as the first to sixth sheet holding portions 61 to 63, 71 to 73 have the function of holding the sheet, devices other than Bernoulli chucks, such as air chucks, may be used. However, since the first to sixth sheet holding portions 61 to 63, 71 to 73 are Bernoulli chucks, the sheet 3a is less likely to be damaged when the sheet 3a is held or detached.

[0130] The lower blowing portion 25 may be omitted. However, when the first to sixth sheet holding portions 61 to 63, 71 to 73 arranged above the sheet 3a are Bernoulli chucks and the sheet 3a is drawn out at a position slightly below each suction surface, the lower blowing portion 25 applies wind pressure to the lower surface of the sheet 3a, so that the sheet 3a is lifted and pressed against each suction surface of the first to sixth sheet holding portions 61 to 63, 71 to 73 to be in a state where it can be adsorbed, and the first to sixth sheet holding portions 61 to 63, 71 to 73 can surely hold the sheet 3a. Further, the first to sixth sheet holding portions 61 to 63, 71 to 73 can freely change (shift) the holding position of the sheet 3a according to the strength of the wind pressure applied from the lower blowing portion 25. Therefore, the first to sixth sheet holding portions 61 to 63, 71 to 73 can easily adjust the holding position of the sheet so that the sheet ends Ea, Eb, Ec, Ed are located above the lower surface 2x of the counterweight 2.

[0131] The sheet feeding procedure shown in FIG. 6 may be appropriately changed in order, a process may be omitted, or another process may be added without departing from the gist of the invention.

[0132] As shown in the pushing-in frame 204 shown in FIG. 18, the inner frame 44 and the concave portion 41h may be omitted, and the lower surface 241b of the pushing-in frame 204 may be formed as a flat surface. The cylinder rod 46a of the lifting cylinder 46 is coupled to the folding portion 42. In this case, among the sheets 3a, the portion 3ag inside the convex portions 43 at the four corners is not creased and cannot be pressed against the inner surface of the counterweight 2. However, depending on the material of the sheet 3a and the size of the sheet 3a, etc., if there is no problem in the appearance after pushing-in, etc., there is no need to provide the inner frame 44.

[0133] In the above embodiment, the inner frame 44 is coupled to the cylinder rods 46a of the pair of lifting cylinders 46 and can move relative to the main body frame 41. However, the movement of the inner frame 44 relative to the main body frame 41 is not limited to this means, and a separate driving means for the inner frame 44 may be provided. For example, as shown in the pushing-in frame 304 shown in FIG. 19, the cylinder rod 346a of the first lifting cylinder 46 is coupled to the main body frame 41, and the cylinder rod 347a of the second lifting cylinder 347 smaller than the first lifting cylinder 46 is coupled to the inner frame 44, so that the inner frame 44 may be driven in accordance with the operation in FIG. 6.

[0134] In this case, since the driving force of the first lifting cylinder 346 is directly transmitted to the main body frame 41, even if a resistance force is applied when the sheet 3a is pushed in, the main body frame 41 will not float, and the main body frame 41 can be pushed into the inside of the counterweight 2 by the driving force of the first lifting cylinder 346. Furthermore, since the inner frame 44 only presses the portion 3ag inside the convex portions 43 at the four corners of the sheet 3a against the inner surface of the counterweight, the pressing force may be small, and a second lifting cylinder 347 smaller than the first lifting cylinder 46 can sufficiently cope with it. With such a configuration, there is an advantage that the sheet 3a can be more reliably pushed into the counterweight 2.

[0135] In the above-described embodiment, the pushing frame 4 is provided with an upper blowing portion 45 for sending air into the internal space 4a as shown in FIG. 1, but this is not necessarily required. Depending on conditions such as the size and shape of the pushing frame 4 and the material of the sheet 3a, it may be possible to smoothly pull up the pushing frame even without the air being sent in by the upper blowing portion 45.

Explanation of Signs

[0136] 1,101 Sheet feeding device 2nd weight, first weight (an example of a container) 2x Bottom surface 3 Sheet roll (an example of a sheet storage portion) 3a Sheet 3aa, 3ab, 3ac, 3ad Margins 4 Pushing frame, first pushing frame (an example of a pushing portion) 43 Convex portion 5 Pull-out portion 11 Conveyor (an example of a conveying portion) 21 First sheet fixing portion (an example of a sheet fixing portion) 22 Second sheet fixing portion (an example of a sheet fixing portion) 55 Cutting portion 61 - 63, 71 - 73 First - sixth sheet holding portions (an example of a sheet holding portion) 102 Second weight (an example of a container) 104 Second pushing frame (an example of a pushing portion) Ea, Eb, Ec, Ed Sheet ends

Claims

1. In a sheet feeding device that pushes and lays a sheet inside the container so as to provide a margin outside the opening end of the container with the opening facing upward, a sheet storage section that stores the sheet, a sheet feeding section that feeds the sheet from the sheet storage section above the container, a sheet fixing section that fixes the margin of the sheet supplied above the container at a position where the end of the margin is above the lower surface of the container, a pushing section that pushes the sheet fixed by the sheet fixing section into the container, and having, a sheet feeding device configured as such.

2. In the sheet feeding device according to Claim 1, the sheet feeding section holds the sheet supplied above the container at a position inside the sheet end, and when the sheet outside the holding position hangs downward, the sheet holding section holds the sheet so that the sheet end is positioned above the lower surface of the container, the sheet fixing section fixes the margin of the sheet held by the sheet holding section, a sheet feeding device configured as such.

3. In the sheet feeding device according to Claim 2, the sheet holding section is arranged at a predetermined interval in the planar direction, holds the sheet in a planar shape, and further slides while holding the sheet to form a slack of the sheet below the pushing section, a sheet feeding device configured as such.

4. In the sheet feeding device according to Claim 3, the sheet fixing section has a pair of first sheet fixing sections, and the pair of first sheet fixing sections are arranged opposite to each other with the container interposed therebetween along the sliding direction of the sheet holding section, the pair of first sheet fixing sections move toward the container to fix the margin of the sheet, a sheet feeding device configured as such.

5. In the sheet feeding device according to Claim 4, the sheet fixing section has a pair of second sheet fixing sections, and the pair of second sheet fixing sections are arranged opposite to each other with the container interposed therebetween along a direction orthogonal to the opposing direction of the first sheet fixing section, the pair of second sheet fixing sections move toward the container to fix the margin of the sheet, a sheet feeding device configured as such.

6. In the sheet feeding device according to Claim 1, it has a conveying section that intermittently conveys the container and stops the container below the pushing section. The sheet fixing part is configured to be able to position the container stopped below the pushing-in part with respect to the pushing-in part. A sheet feeding device configured as described above. **Claim 7** In the sheet feeding device according to claim 1, the pushing-in part is configured such that a plurality of convex parts project along the outer edge of the lower surface. A sheet feeding device configured as described above. **Claim 8** In the sheet feeding device according to claim 7, the container and the pushing-in part each have a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and the convex parts project at the four corners of the lower surface of the pushing-in part. A sheet feeding device configured as described above. **Claim 9** In the sheet feeding device according to claim 7 or claim 8, the convex parts are provided in a column shape, and at least the surface that contacts the sheet is formed of metal. A sheet feeding device configured as described above. **Claim 10** In the sheet feeding device according to claim 1, it has a sheet holding part that forms a vacuum region between the upper surface of the sheet supplied above the container by the sheet supply part and adsorbs and holds the sheet, and has a wind pressure part that applies wind pressure to the lower surface of the sheet supplied above the container by the sheet supply part and presses the sheet against the sheet holding part to adhere it. A sheet feeding device configured as described above.

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