Packaging device and packaging method

Abstract

To provide a packaging device that can stably package a packaging sheet around a cylindrical article with a relatively simple configuration.SOLUTION: A packaging device 1 comprises: a frame 110; four or more aggregation parts 120 having a movably fixed slide piece 140 and fixed thereto and having aggregation plates; a drive part 130 that moves any of the aggregation parts 120; and a pushing part 150. The aggregation plate is inclined with respect to a moving direction of the aggregation parts 120, when any of the aggregation parts 120 move, the other aggregation parts are pushed by the aggregation plates of the adjacent aggregation parts and move in different directions, the aggregation plate can be moved between a first state and a second state in which the volume of an aggregation area is small. The aggregation parts 120 are moved from the first state to the second state to aggregate a packaging sheet 410 in the aggregation area, and the pushing part 150 is moved to push the packaging sheet 410, thereby packaging a cylindrical article 400 with the packaging sheet 410.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a packaging device and a packaging method for packaging a cylindrical object with a packaging sheet. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, cylindrical objects, such as long strips of functional film, metal plate, or paper, wound into a roll, have been wrapped in protective wrapping sheets. Here, wrapping a cylindrical object means covering the outer periphery of the cylindrical object and the end faces of the cylindrical object, also called the "ears," with the wrapping sheet. While wrapping the wrapping sheet around the outer periphery of the cylindrical object makes it easy to wrap the outer periphery of the cylindrical object, it is not easy to evenly gather the wrapping sheet that extends beyond the end faces of the cylindrical object to cover the end faces. When such work is performed manually, there is a significant difference in the finished quality between skilled and unskilled workers, which can result in differences not only in appearance but also in the protective effect and quality of the cylindrical object.

[0003] Meanwhile, devices for automating the wrapping of such cylindrical objects with packaging sheets have been studied, including, for example, Patent Documents 1, 2, 3, and 4 listed below. Each device features a unique configuration for evenly consolidating the packaging sheet protruding from the end face of the cylindrical object along the end face. Patent Document 1 describes a device in which folding rolls are arranged at an angle of π / n in the feeding direction of the packaging material, centered on the intersection of a radial line passing through the center of the side end face of the cylindrical object and the outer periphery of the cylindrical object, to fold the edge folds radially. Patent Document 2 describes a packaging device that wraps a cylindrical body, in which a long sheet-like object is wound around a core tube, with packaging material, squeezes the entire packaging material at both ends of the core tube, and fixes the squeezed portions. The device includes an annular frame with an opening larger in diameter than the cylindrical side ends of the packaging material when wrapped, and multiple shutter blades pivotally supported on the annular frame for free swinging.

[0004] Patent Document 3 describes a method for packaging a wire coil, in which the outer surface of the wire coil is covered with a packing sheet and the protruding portion of the sheet toward the end surface of the coil is folded into the inner cylindrical portion of the coil. When the protruding portion of the sheet toward the end surface of the coil is folded into the inner cylindrical portion of the coil, the relative positions of the wire coil and the protruding portion are shifted in the circumferential direction. Furthermore, Patent Document 4 describes a method for post-processing the end surface of a cylindrical object A, in which a packaging sheet body S having a predetermined excess portion Sa is wrapped around the end surface of the cylindrical object A, and then the periphery of a hollow core D is heat-sealed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 58-134825 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 4-87917 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 5-270516 [Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-58615 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] All of these devices have a complex structure and operation because they have to evenly gather the packaging sheet that protrudes from the end face of a cylindrical object along the end face, which can be time-consuming to adjust and can be affected by variations in the condition of the packaging sheet, resulting in unstable packaging quality.

[0007] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a packaging device and a packaging method that can stably wrap a packaging sheet around a cylindrical object with a relatively simple configuration. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] One embodiment of the present disclosure includes a frame, aggregation parts provided at at least four locations, each having a slide piece fixed to the frame so as to be movable along each predetermined direction along a first plane, and an aggregation plate fixed to the slide piece and extending in a direction intersecting the first plane, a drive unit that moves any of the aggregation parts in the predetermined direction, and a push unit that is movable along a direction intersecting the first plane, wherein, in a plan view from a normal direction to the first plane, the aggregation plate of each of the aggregation parts is provided at an inclination with respect to the movement direction of the aggregation part, and when any of the aggregation parts moves, the other aggregation parts are pushed by the aggregation plate of an adjacent aggregation part, thereby The present invention provides a packaging device in which, when the aggregation plates move in a direction different from the pushing direction and the spatial area surrounded by each aggregation plate is defined as an aggregation area, the aggregation plates can move between a first state and a second state in which the volume of the aggregation area is smaller than that of the first state, and when a cylindrical object covered with a packaging sheet is placed in a position where its side is aligned with the first plane and at least a portion of a hole in the side overlaps the aggregation area, the drive unit moves the aggregation part to change from the first state to the second state, thereby aggregating excess packaging sheet into the aggregation area, and moves the pushing unit toward the inside of the hole to push in the aggregated packaging sheet, thereby packaging the cylindrical object with the packaging sheet.

[0009] One embodiment of the present disclosure provides a frame, an aggregation part provided at three locations, the aggregation part having slide pieces fixed to the frame so as to be movable along respective predetermined directions along a first plane, and aggregation plates fixed to the slide pieces and extending in a direction intersecting the first plane, a drive unit that moves any of the aggregation parts in the predetermined direction, and a push unit that is movable along a direction intersecting the first plane, wherein, in a plan view from a normal direction to the first plane, the aggregation plates of each of the aggregation parts are provided at an angle with respect to the movement direction of the aggregation part, and when any of the aggregation parts moves, the other aggregation parts are pushed by the aggregation plates of adjacent aggregation parts, thereby moving along a direction different from the pushing direction, and the spatial region surrounded by each of the aggregation plates is aggregated. and when a cylindrical object covered with a packaging sheet is placed in a position where its side is aligned with the first plane and at least a portion of a hole in the side overlaps the aggregation area, the driving unit moves the aggregation part from the first state to the second state to aggregate the excess packaging sheet in the aggregation area, and moves the pushing unit toward the inside of the hole to push in the aggregated packaging sheet, thereby packaging the cylindrical object with the packaging sheet, and when viewed in a plan view from the normal direction to the first plane, the outline of the aggregation area on the side of the placed cylindrical object in the first state follows a polygon with rounded corners or a polygon with five or more sides.

[0010] One embodiment of the present disclosure provides a frame, a sliding piece fixed to the frame so as to be movable along each of predetermined directions along a first plane, and an aggregation plate fixed to the sliding piece and extending in a direction intersecting the first plane, the sliding piece being provided at three locations; The device is provided with a drive unit that moves any of the aggregation parts in the predetermined direction, and a pusher that is movable along a direction intersecting the first plane, wherein, in a plan view from a normal direction of the first plane, the aggregation plate of each of the aggregation parts is provided at an incline with respect to the movement direction of the aggregation part, and when any of the aggregation parts moves, the other aggregation parts are pushed by the aggregation plates of the adjacent aggregation parts and move along a direction different from the pushing direction, and when a spatial region surrounded by each of the aggregation plates is defined as an aggregation region, the aggregation plate moves between a first state and a second state in which the volume of the aggregation region is smaller than that of the first state. and when a cylindrical object covered with a packaging sheet is placed in a position where its side is aligned with the first plane and at least a portion of the hole in the side overlaps the collecting area, the driving unit moves the collecting part to change from the first state to the second state, collecting the excess of the packaging sheet in the collecting area, and moves the pushing unit toward the inside of the hole to push in the collected packaging sheet, thereby packaging the cylindrical object with the packaging sheet, and each of the collecting plates surrounding the collecting area has a curved surface or an inclined surface with curvature at the edge that forms the outline of the collecting area on the side of the placed cylindrical object. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a packaging device and a packaging method that can stably wrap a cylindrical object with a packaging sheet using a relatively simple configuration. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic perspective view illustrating an example of a packaging device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 10 is a front view showing the configuration of the packaging device when the volume of the gathering area is large. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view showing the first packaging unit when the volume of the collecting area is small. [Figure 4]3 is a front view corresponding to FIG. 2, illustrating the configuration of the packaging device in a state where the volume of the gathering area is small. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing a first aggregate part. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a change in an aggregation region. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a first aggregated part near an aggregated area. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of part A in FIG. 7. [Figure 9] 10A and 10B are schematic side views illustrating the operation of the pushing portion. [Figure 10] 13A and 13B are schematic side views illustrating the operation of a pushing section according to the fifth embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 3 is an operation flow diagram of the packaging device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 12] 10A and 10B are a schematic perspective view and a schematic front view illustrating an example of a packaging device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view corresponding to FIG. 3, showing the first packaging unit in a state where the volume of the collecting area is small. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a first aggregated part near an aggregated area. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is an operation flow diagram of a packaging device according to a first packaging method of the fifth embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is an operation flow diagram of a packaging device according to a third packaging method of the fifth embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating contours of intensive areas SP1 and SP2 in the first embodiment. [Figure 18] 10A and 10B are a front view and a perspective view illustrating the contours of intensive areas SP1 and SP2 in the first embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an edge portion of an aggregate part in the first embodiment. [Figure 20] FIG. 10 is a schematic front view showing a frame and an aggregation part in a packaging device according to a third embodiment. [Figure 21] FIG. 10 is a schematic front view showing a frame and an aggregation part in a packaging device according to a fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Hereinafter, an example of a packaging device and a packaging method for packaging a cylindrical object with a packaging sheet according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings, etc. However, the packaging device and the like according to the present disclosure are not limited to the device and the method according to the embodiment described below.

[0014] The figures shown below are schematic illustrations. Therefore, the size and shape of each part, the thickness of each layer in the cross-sectional view, etc., are appropriately exaggerated for ease of understanding. Hatching indicating the cross section of a component is also omitted where appropriate in each figure. The numerical values, such as dimensions, and material names of each component described in this specification are examples of embodiments and are not limited to these. They may be selected and used as appropriate. In this specification, terms specifying shape or geometric conditions, such as parallel, orthogonal, and vertical, are intended to include not only their strict meanings but also substantially the same state. For convenience of explanation, terms such as "upper" or "lower" relative to the paper may be used, but the up-down direction may be reversed, and the same applies to the left-right direction.

[0015] 1. First embodiment A first embodiment of a packaging device according to the present disclosure for packaging cylindrical objects with a packaging sheet will be described. For ease of explanation, an XYZ coordinate system will be used. In the packaging device 1, the Z axis is set along the vertical direction. The X axis is set perpendicular to the Z axis and parallel to the end face of the cylindrical object when it is placed in a predetermined position. The Y axis is set along the axial direction of the axial hole of the cylindrical object, i.e., perpendicular to the end face. The X, Y, and Z axes are substantially perpendicular to each other. The direction from the first packaging unit 10 to the second packaging unit 20 of the packaging device 1 along the Y axis is defined as the +Y direction, and the opposite direction is defined as the -Y direction. When viewing the first packaging unit 10 from the front, the direction from left to right along the X axis is defined as the +X direction, and the opposite direction is defined as the -X direction. The vertically upward direction is defined as the +Z direction, and the vertically downward direction is defined as the -Z direction.

[0016] 1 etc., the packaging device 1 includes a first packaging unit 10 and a second packaging unit 20 that are arranged to sandwich a cylindrical object 400 placed on a mounting table 30 from both the -Y direction side and the +Y direction side. Furthermore, the packaging device 1 includes a pusher 150 on the outside of the first packaging unit 10, i.e., on the -Y direction side, and a pusher 250 on the outside of the second packaging unit 20, i.e., on the +Y direction side.

[0017] The cylindrical object 400 refers to any article having a cylindrical outer shape with an axial hole, in which a functional film, a resin film, a metal plate, a paper material, etc. is wound in a roll around a paper tube, a resin tube, a metal tube, etc. There are no particular restrictions on the size of the cylindrical object 400, but generally the diameter of the cylinder is 200 mm or more and 500 mm or less, and the width between the end faces of the cylinder (the height when the cylinder is upright) is often 200 mm or more and 500 mm or less.

[0018] If the product, such as a film or paper material, is exposed on the outermost surface of the cylindrical object 400, it is susceptible to external impacts during transportation or storage, adhesion of foreign matter, changes in temperature and humidity, etc. Therefore, to prevent the product from deteriorating during transportation or storage, it is necessary to package it in a resin or paper packaging sheet 410. Typically, a thin resin film with a thickness of 5.0 μm or more and 50.0 μm or less, on which a metal such as aluminum is vapor-deposited, is used as the packaging sheet 410 for packaging the functional film.

[0019] The first packaging unit 10 and the second packaging unit 20 constituting the packaging device 1 have the function of collecting the packaging sheet 410 that is protruding from the end face side of the cylindrical object 400 around which the packaging sheet 410 is wrapped, i.e., the -Y direction side and the +Y direction side, toward the hole 401 that is the axial hole of the cylindrical object 400. In this embodiment, the components of the first packaging unit 10 and the second packaging unit 20 are arranged so that they are approximately symmetrical with respect to the XZ plane, and the frames at the lower ends of both packaging units are connected to each other.

[0020] The configuration of the first packaging unit 10 will be described in detail later. As shown in FIG. 2A, the first packaging unit 10 includes a frame 110, which is a substantially rectangular outer frame, and four integrating parts 120 that are slidable along the extension direction of the frame relative to each of the four sides of the frame 110. The integrating parts 120 include a first integrating part 120a that is fixed to the end of the frame 110 on the +Z direction side so as to be slidable in the X axis direction, and a second integrating part 120b that is fixed to the end of the frame 110 on the +X direction side so as to be slidable in the Z axis direction. The integrating part 120 further includes a third integrating part 120c that is fixed to the end of the frame 110 on the -Z direction side so as to be slidable in the X axis direction, and a fourth integrating part 120d that is fixed to the end of the frame 110 on the -X direction side so as to be slidable in the Z axis direction. In this embodiment, the integrating parts 120 have substantially the same configuration.

[0021] A drive unit 130 that moves the first aggregation part 120a in a direction along the X axis is disposed at the end of the frame 110 of the first packaging unit 10 on the +Z direction side. In addition, as shown in Figures 5(a) and 5(b), an aggregation plate 121 having a flat portion is disposed on the side of each aggregation part 120 facing the hole 401 of the cylindrical object 400 in a plan view from the -Y direction side. Although Figures 5(a) and 5(b) show the configuration of the first aggregation part 120a, the other aggregation parts have a similar configuration.

[0022] As shown in FIGS. 2A and 5, the aggregation plate 121 is inclined with respect to the movement direction of the aggregation part 120 supporting the aggregation plate 121. For example, in the case of the first aggregation part 120a, the aggregation plate 121 is inclined by 45° counterclockwise from the X axis, which is the movement direction, with respect to the X axis. The same is true for the other aggregation parts 120. The first aggregation part 120a is pushed in the +X direction by the driving unit 130, and moves in the +X direction, and pushes the adjacent second aggregation part 120b in a direction rotated by 45° clockwise from the +X direction toward the -Z direction via the aggregation plate 121. However, the second aggregation part 120b can only move along the Z axis direction, and therefore moves in the -Z direction.

[0023] In this way, the first integrating part 120a moving in the +X direction moves the adjacent second integrating part 120b in the -Z direction, which causes the third integrating part 120c and the fourth integrating part 120d to move in a chain reaction. That is, the second integrating part 120b moves in the -Z direction and pushes the adjacent third integrating part 120c in a direction rotated 45° clockwise from the -Z direction toward the -X direction via the aggregating plate 121. However, the third integrating part 120c can only move along the X-axis direction, so it moves in the -X direction. Also, the third integrating part 120c moves in the -X direction and pushes the adjacent fourth integrating part 120d in a direction rotated 45° clockwise from the -X direction toward the +Z direction via the aggregating plate 121. However, the fourth integrating part 120d can only move along the Z-axis direction, so it moves in the +Z direction.

[0024] As a result, each integrating part 120 transitions from the state shown in FIG. 2(a) to the state shown in FIG. 4. That is, when the first integrating part 120a is pushed in the +X direction by the driving unit 130, the second integrating part 120b moves in the -Z direction, the third integrating part 120c moves in the -X direction, and the fourth integrating part 120d moves in the +Z direction. In other words, when one integrating part 120 moves, the other integrating parts 120 are pushed by the integrating plates 121 of the adjacent integrating parts 120 and move in a direction different from the pushing direction. If the spatial region surrounded by each integrating plate 121 is defined as an integrating region, integrating region SP1 shown in FIG. 2(a) before the first integrating part 120a is pushed in the +X direction by the driving unit 130 changes to integrating region SP2 shown in FIG. 5 after the first integrating part 120a is pushed in the +X direction. The volume of SP2 is smaller than that of SP1.

[0025] Here, suppose that a cylindrical object 400 covered with a packaging sheet 410 is placed in a position where its side surface is aligned with the XZ plane (first plane) and at least a portion of the hole 401 in the side surface overlaps the aggregation area. At this time, the packaging device 1 can move each aggregation part 120 so that the aggregation area changes from a first state SP1 to a second state SP2, thereby integrating the excess portion of the packaging sheet 410 into the aggregation area. In this specification, the term "placed cylindrical object" refers to a cylindrical object placed in a position where its side surface is aligned with the XZ plane (first plane) and at least a portion of the hole in the side surface overlaps the aggregation area, as described above. Furthermore, the term "excess portion of packaging sheet" refers to the portion of the packaging sheet that is wrapped around the outer periphery of the cylindrical object and that extends beyond the end face of the cylindrical object to the side opposite the cylindrical object.

[0026] On the other hand, the pushing unit 150, which will be described in detail later, includes a pushing drive unit 152 having a cylinder 152a that houses a shaft 152b, and the shaft 152b is configured to be movable from the outside to the inside of the hole 401 of the cylindrical object 400. This allows the pushing drive unit 152 to move so as to push the packaging sheet 410, which has been aggregated by the above-mentioned aggregation parts 120, toward the inside of the hole 401. As a result, the packaging device 1 can package the cylindrical object 400 with the packaging sheet 410.

[0027] In this way, by using the packaging device 1 of the first embodiment, the packaging sheet 410 protruding from the end face of the cylindrical object 400 can be relatively easily gathered evenly along the end face. In addition, the device configuration and operation are relatively simple, the conditions can be easily adjusted, and the packaging quality is relatively stable as it is less susceptible to variations in the state of the packaging sheet 410. In other words, by using the packaging device 1, the packaging of the cylindrical object 400 with the packaging sheet 410 can be stably performed with a relatively simple configuration. The configuration of the packaging device 1 will be described in detail below.

[0028] [a] Packaging equipment configuration As described above, the packaging device 1 includes the first packaging unit 10 and the second packaging unit 20, which are arranged to sandwich the cylindrical object 400 placed on the mounting table 30 from both the -Y and +Y sides. Furthermore, the packaging device 1 includes a pusher 150 on the outside of the first packaging unit 10, i.e., on the -Y side, and a pusher 250 on the outside of the second packaging unit 20, i.e., on the +Y side. The mounting table 30 is not included in the packaging device 1, but the mounting table 30 itself may be configured as an integral part of the packaging device 1 or may be arranged separately from it.

[0029] The first packaging unit 10 and the second packaging unit 20 may have their respective components arranged in approximate plane symmetry with respect to the XZ plane, or the first packaging unit 10 and the second packaging unit 20 may have approximately the same configuration and be rotationally symmetrical by 180° about an axis along the Z axis. In the latter configuration, the first packaging unit 10 and the second packaging unit 20 have approximately the same configuration, which makes it easier to design and secure spare parts.

[0030] Meanwhile, the first packaging unit 10 and the second packaging unit 20 are connected by the frames at their lower ends, but the connection point is not limited thereto, and the frames may be connected at their upper ends or left and right ends, or the two packaging units may be arranged completely separately. Also, in this embodiment, the configuration is provided with both the first packaging unit 10 and the second packaging unit 20 and two pushing sections 150 and 250, but the configuration may also be provided with only one of the packaging units and pushing sections.

[0031] In this case, after packaging is performed on one end face of the cylindrical object 400 placed on the table 30 by gathering the packaging sheet 410 and forcing it into the holes 401, the table 30 is rotated 180° about the Z axis. Then, packaging is performed on the other end face of the cylindrical object 400 in the same manner by gathering the packaging sheet 410 and forcing it into the holes 401, thereby completing the packaging of the cylindrical object 400. By configuring the packaging device 1 to include a single packaging unit and a pushing section, the device configuration is simplified, the design is facilitated, and equipment costs are reduced.

[0032] [i] Frame The first packaging unit 10 and the second packaging unit 20 each include a frame 110, 210, which is a substantially rectangular frame extending along the XZ plane. Taking the frame 110 of the first packaging unit 10 as an example, the frame 110 is made of a metal or resin member having a cross section that is circular, elliptical, rectangular, polygonal, C-shaped, U-shaped, H-shaped, or the like. Guide rails (not shown) are provided on the inward-facing surfaces of the four sides of the frame 110, and a slide piece 140 of the aggregation part 120 is attached so as to be slidable along the extension direction of the guide rails.

[0033] Specifically, a guide rail is provided in the X-axis direction at the end of the frame 110 on the +Z direction side, to which a first sliding piece 140a of the first integrating part 120a is slidably fixed. A guide rail is provided in the Z-axis direction at the end of the frame 110 on the +X direction side, to which a second sliding piece 140b of the second integrating part 120b is slidably fixed. Furthermore, a guide rail is provided in the X-axis direction at the end of the frame 110 on the -Z direction side, to which a third sliding piece 140c of the third integrating part 120c is slidably fixed. Furthermore, a guide rail is provided in the Z-axis direction at the end of the frame 110 on the -X direction side, to which a fourth sliding piece 140d of the fourth integrating part 120d is slidably fixed.

[0034] The guide rails and slide pieces 140 formed on the four sides of the frame 110 may be configured to be slidable relative to each other, and for example, a linear guide or the like that allows low-friction sliding via ball bearings can be used.

[0035] In addition to the guide rail, a drive unit 130 is disposed at the end of the frame 110 on the +Z direction side. The drive unit 130 generates an external force that moves the first collecting part 120a in a direction along the X axis, and may be, for example, an electric cylinder, a single-axis robot, or an air cylinder. The electric cylinder or single-axis robot converts the power of a motor into linear motion using a ball screw or the like, and translates a rod a predetermined distance along a linear guide or the like. As will be described later, from the perspective of adjusting the volume of the collecting area, it is preferable to use an electric cylinder or a single-axis robot as the drive unit 130, which can easily adjust the distance moved by the drive unit 130 to move the first collecting part 120a.

[0036] The frame 210 of the second packaging unit 20 has a similar configuration to the frame 110 described above. That is, in addition to the guide rail, a drive unit 230 is disposed at the end of the frame 210 on the +Z direction side. A guide rail is provided at the end of the frame 210 on the +Z direction side, in the X-axis direction, to which a first slide piece 240a of the first collecting part 220a is slidably fixed. A guide rail is provided at the end of the frame 210 on the +X direction side, in the Z-axis direction, to which a second slide piece 240b of the second collecting part 220b is slidably fixed. Although not shown, a third slide piece 240c of the third collecting part 220c corresponding to the third slide piece 140c of the third collecting part 120c described above, and a fourth slide piece 240d of the fourth collecting part 220d corresponding to the fourth slide piece 140d of the fourth collecting part 120d are also similarly provided.

[0037] [ii] Aggregate parts The aggregation parts 120 are slidably fixed to the inward-facing surfaces of the four sides of the frame 110 via slide pieces 140. The aggregation parts 120 function to collect the excess portion of the packaging sheet 410, which is wrapped around the outer periphery of the cylindrical object 400 and protrudes from the end face of the cylindrical object 400 toward the frame 110, near the hole 401 of the cylindrical object 400. The configuration of the aggregation parts 120 is shown in FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b). FIG. 5(a) is a perspective view of the first aggregation part 120a, and FIG. 5(b) is a plan view. All four aggregation parts 120 have substantially the same configuration. The first aggregation part 120a includes a first slide piece 140a, an aggregation plate 121, a reinforcing frame 122, and a joining plate 123 that secures the aggregation plate 121 and the reinforcing frame 122 to the first slide piece 140a. When the first slide piece 140a is arranged in a direction along the X-axis, the aggregation plate 121 is fixed at a predetermined angle inclined counterclockwise relative to the first slide piece 140a.

[0038] In this embodiment, the aggregation plate 121 of the first aggregation part 120a is inclined 45° counterclockwise from the X-axis, which is the movement direction of the aggregation part 120a, and the other aggregation parts 120 have a similar inclination. The angle of inclination refers to an acute angle with respect to the movement direction. However, it is preferable that the aggregation plate 121 of each aggregation part 120 is inclined at an angle of 30° or more and 60° or less with respect to the movement direction of the aggregation part 120.

[0039] If the angle is less than 30°, the reduction rate of the area of ​​the aggregation region relative to the movement distance of the first aggregation part 120a in the +X direction in plan view becomes small, making it difficult to effectively change the aggregation region. If the angle is more than 60°, the reduction rate of the area of ​​the aggregation region relative to the movement distance of the first aggregation part 120a in the +X direction becomes large, making it difficult to fine-tune the change in the aggregation region. On the other hand, if the angle is between 30° and 60°, the aggregation region can be effectively changed and fine-tuned to change the aggregation region due to differences in product type, etc., easily.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 2(a), the four aggregating plates 121 form a spatial area, i.e., an aggregation area SP1, at the center of the first packaging unit 10 when viewed from the -Y direction. The aggregation area SP1 is surrounded by the four aggregating plates 121 and is formed to be a substantially closed, planar area in the plan view, with a depth in the Y-axis direction. Each aggregating plate 121 has a surface composed of a planar portion along the Y-axis at the center of the first packaging unit 10. The aggregation area SP1 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped, surrounded by the surfaces of each aggregating plate 121 and a plane along the XZ plane that passes through the end faces of each aggregating plate 121 on the +Y direction side and the -Y direction side. However, the shape of the aggregation area SP1 is not limited to this shape and may be any other three-dimensional shape.

[0041] Considering that the excess portion of the packaging sheet 410 that is wrapped around the outer periphery of the cylindrical object 400 and protrudes toward the end face of the cylindrical object 400 is collected toward the vicinity of the hole 401 of the cylindrical object 400, the collecting area SP1 is preferably an area that covers roughly the entire end face of the cylindrical object in a plan view from the -Y direction. In other words, the collecting area SP1 is preferably formed so as to encompass the outer circumferential circle formed by the cylindrical object 400. By setting the collecting area SP1 in this manner, the excess portion of the packaging sheet 410 can be effectively collected when the collecting area is narrowed by moving each collecting part 120.

[0042] The aggregation plate 121 is made of, for example, a metal or resin member. The surface of the aggregation plate 121 that forms the aggregation area in a planar view has a flat portion. As will be described later, the aggregation plate 121 needs to be durable enough to withstand a repulsive load from the packing sheets 410 when compressing and aggregating the packing sheets 410 that protrude into the aggregation area SP1.

[0043] FIG. 2(a) is a plan view showing the position of each integrating part 120 before the driving unit 130 is driven, i.e., when the first integrating part 120a is in its initial position on the -X direction side. FIG. 4 is a plan view corresponding to FIG. 2(a), showing the position of each integrating part 120 after the driving unit 130 is driven, i.e., when the first integrating part 120a is in its terminal position on the +X direction side. The portion of FIG. 1 relating to the first packaging unit 10 is a perspective view showing the first integrating part 120a in its initial position on the -X direction side, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the first integrating part 120a in its terminal position on the +X direction side. The second packaging unit 20 is omitted from FIG. 3.

[0044] When the first integrating part 120a is in its initial position on the -X direction side, the second integrating part 120b, the third integrating part 120c, and the fourth integrating part 120d are also respectively positioned at their initial positions on the +Z direction side, the +X direction side, and the -Z direction side. Also, when the first integrating part 120a is in its terminal position on the +X direction side, the second integrating part 120b, the third integrating part 120c, and the fourth integrating part 120d are respectively positioned at their terminal positions on the -Z direction side, the -X direction side, and the +Z direction side.

[0045] As the first integrating part 120a moves from its initial position in the -X direction to its terminal position in the +X direction, as shown in FIG. 2A, the aggregation plate 121 of the first integrating part 120a abuts against the second integrating part 120b along a slope inclined counterclockwise with respect to the X axis. As the first integrating part 120a moves in the +X direction, the aggregation plate 121 of the first integrating part 120a pushes the second integrating part 120b in a direction perpendicular to the slope. That is, an external force acts on the second integrating part 120b in a direction rotated 45° clockwise from the +X direction toward the -Z direction. However, because the second sliding piece 140b of the second integrating part 120b can only move along the Z axis relative to the frame 110, the second integrating part 120b moves from its initial position in the +Z direction to its terminal position in the -Z direction.

[0046] The relative positional relationship, transmission of external force, and movement of the first integrating part 120a and the second integrating part 120b also apply to the second integrating part 120b and the third integrating part 120c, and the third integrating part 120c and the fourth integrating part 120d. As a result, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, assume that the driving unit 130 changes from a pre-driving state to a post-driving state, i.e., the first integrating part 120a moves from an initial position on the -X direction side to a terminal position on the +X direction side. At this time, the second integrating part 120b, the third integrating part 120c, and the fourth integrating part 120d also move from their initial positions on the +Z direction side, the +X direction side, and the -Z direction side to terminal positions on the -Z direction side, the -X direction side, and the +Z direction side, respectively.

[0047] When the collecting area SP1 is defined as the area when each collecting part 120 is in its initial position, and the collecting area SP2 is defined as the area when each collecting part 120 is in its terminal position, the volume of SP2 is smaller than the volume of SP1. In other words, the area of ​​collecting area SP2 when viewed from the -Y direction is smaller than the area of ​​SP1. The volume of collecting area SP2 can be changed by adjusting the terminal position of each collecting part 120, i.e., by adjusting the stroke of the drive unit 130. For example, the stroke of the drive unit 130 may be set so that the volume of collecting area SP2 varies for each item, taking into account the size of the cylindrical object 400 and the size, thickness, and stiffness of the packaging sheet 410. The stroke of the drive unit 130 may be automatically adjusted for each product type by a program, or may be mechanically adjusted manually using a gauge, block, screw, or the like.

[0048] Here, the relationship between the movement amount of each integrating part 120 and the change in the aggregation area will be briefly described. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram corresponding to FIGS. 2 and 4, showing the movement amount of the integrating part 120 and the change in the aggregation area. Each integrating part 120 has substantially the same configuration, and for each integrating part 120, the inclination angle of the acute angle side of the integrating plate 121 relative to the movement direction is θ (°). In this embodiment, θ is 45°. Furthermore, the movement amounts (movement distances) of the first integrating part 120a, the second integrating part 120b, the third integrating part 120c, and the fourth integrating part 120d from their initial positions to their terminal positions are denoted by da, db, dc, and dd, respectively. Furthermore, the lengths of one side of the substantially rectangular aggregation area SP1 formed by the first integrating part 120a, the second integrating part 120b, the third integrating part 120c, and the fourth integrating part 120d at their initial positions in a plan view along the Y axis are denoted by sa1, sb1, sc1, and sd1, respectively. Furthermore, the lengths of the sides of the aggregation area SP2 at the end positions are respectively set to sa2, sb2, sc2, and sd2.

[0049] 6, when the first integrating part 120a, the second integrating part 120b, the third integrating part 120c, and the fourth integrating part 120d are in the initial position, the sides forming one side of the integrating area SP1 of each of the aggregating plates 121 are respectively indicated as La1, Lb1, Lc1, and Ld1. Similarly, when the first integrating part 120a, the second integrating part 120b, the third integrating part 120c, and the fourth integrating part 120d are in the terminal position, the sides forming one side of the integrating area SP2 of each of the aggregating plates 121 are respectively indicated as La2, Lb2, Lc2, and Ld2.

[0050] Here, assume that the length sb1 of the side of the second aggregate part 120b of SP1 along the aggregate plate 121 changes to the length sb2 of the side of the second aggregate part 120b of SP2 along the aggregate plate 121. At this time, sb2 is shorter than sb1 by the component of the movement amount da of the first aggregate part 120a in the direction of side Lb1 (da × COS(90°-45°), i.e., da / √2) and the component of the movement amount dc of the third aggregate part 120c in the direction of side Lb1 (dc × COS(90°-45°), i.e., dc / √2). If da = db = dc = dd = d, then sb2 = sb1 - √2 × d. Similarly, sc2 = sc1 - √2 × d, sd2 = sd1 - √2 × d, and sa2 = sa1 - √2 × d.

[0051] Next, the configuration of the vicinity of the contact portion between the aggregation parts 120 will be described in detail. FIG. 7(a) is an enlarged perspective view illustrating the configuration of the vicinity of the aggregation region SP2. FIGS. 7(b) and 7(c) are cross-sectional views of the vicinity of the aggregation plate 121 cut along a plane along the YZ plane, viewed from the -X direction, illustrating the width of the aggregation plate 121 in the direction along the Y axis. FIG. 8 is a further enlarged view of portion A in FIG. 7(a). As shown in FIGS. 7(a) and 8, for example, near the boundary between the fourth aggregation part 120d and the first aggregation part 120a, grooves 124 and protrusions 125 are provided at the +Y and -Y direction ends of the aggregation plates 121, respectively, so that the aggregation plates 121 can slide while fitting together.

[0052] That is, grooves 124 extending in a plane direction of the aggregating plate 121 substantially perpendicular to the Y axis are provided at the +Y and -Y direction ends of the aggregating plate 121 of the fourth aggregating part 120d. Meanwhile, protrusions 125 that fit into the grooves 124 of the aggregating plate 121 of the fourth aggregating part 120d are provided at the +Y and -Y direction ends of the aggregating plate 121 of the first aggregating part 120a. The same configuration is also provided between the first aggregating part 120a and the second aggregating part 120b, the second aggregating part 120b and the third aggregating part 120c, and the third aggregating part 120c and the fourth aggregating part 120d.

[0053] In this way, by having the aggregation parts 120 facing each other with grooves 124 and protrusions 125 that can fit together and slide, external force loads such as shifting and deformation of the aggregation plate 121 due to the movement of each aggregation part 120, and frictional forces due to the movement, are reduced, allowing the volume of the aggregation area to be changed smoothly.

[0054] 7(b) and 7(c) show the difference in the consolidation effect of the packing sheet 410 depending on the width of the aggregation plate 121 in the depth direction, i.e., along the Y-axis direction. That is, as shown in FIG. 7(b), when the aggregation plate 121 has a predetermined width along the Y-axis direction corresponding to the amount of excess packing sheet 410 spilling out, the excess packing sheet 410 is accommodated between the opposing aggregation plates 121. As a result, the packing sheet 410 can be smoothly pushed into the hole 401 by a pushing unit from the -Y-axis direction, as described below. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7(c), when the width of the aggregation plate 121 along the Y-axis direction is significantly narrow, the excess packing sheet 410 may not be accommodated between the opposing aggregation plates and may spill out. As a result, the pushing unit from the -Y-axis direction may not be able to properly push the packing sheet 410 into the hole 401.

[0055] The width of aggregation plate 121 in the axial hole direction of cylindrical object 400, i.e., along the Y-axis direction, is preferably approximately 100 mm or more and 200 mm or less, although this depends on the size of cylindrical object 400 and the size of packaging sheet 410. By keeping the width within this range, even if the packaging sheet is somewhat large, the excess can be appropriately aggregated in accordance with the excess protrusion from the end face of cylindrical object 400, and can be effectively pushed into hole 401.

[0056] The configurations of the converging part 120 of the first packaging unit 10 described above, i.e., the configurations of the first converging part 120a, the second converging part 120b, the third converging part 120c, and the fourth converging part 120d, are the same as the configuration of the converging part 220 of the second packaging unit 20. That is, the configurations of the first converging part 220a, the second converging part 220b, the third converging part 220c, and the fourth converging part 220d are similar to the configurations of the first converging part 120a, the second converging part 120b, the third converging part 120c, and the fourth converging part 120d.

[0057] As described above, the shape of the collection area SP1 is, for example, a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape bounded by the surfaces of each collection plate 121 and a plane along the XZ plane that passes through the end faces of each collection plate 121 on the +Y and -Y sides. FIG. 2(b) is a perspective view of the collection area SP1 of the first packaging unit 10 as seen from the cylindrical object side. In this case, in a plan view from the normal direction (+Y side) of the first plane, the outline X1 of the collection area SP1 on the cylindrical object side follows a rectangle with four right-angled corners. In this case, when the excess packaging sheet is collected from the collection area SP1 to SP2 using the collecting parts, the packaging sheet gathers at these right-angled parts and is subjected to pressure, which may cause scratches or tears in the packaging sheet.

[0058] 2(b) and 19(a), when the aggregation area SP1 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, each aggregation plate 121 surrounding the aggregation area SP1 has a right-angled edge E that forms the outline X1 of the aggregation area SP1 on the cylindrical object side, and when the edge E is a right angle, the packaging sheet may be scratched or torn by hitting the right angle.

[0059] To address this problem, it is possible to smooth the corners of the aggregation area. Specifically, in this embodiment, at least one of the following aspects (i) and (ii) can be adopted.

[0060] Aspect (i) In this embodiment, when viewed from the normal direction of the first plane, the contour of the collecting area SP1 on the cylindrical object side in the first state is a polygon with pentagons or more sides or a polygon with rounded corners. This increases or rounds the corners of the contour on the cylindrical object side, allowing the packaging sheet to be collected without being biased. This reduces damage and tearing of the packaging sheet. For example, in FIG. 17(a), the contour X1 on the cylindrical object side of the collecting area SP1 in the first packaging unit 10 is a substantially octagon. In FIG. 18(a), the contour X1 on the cylindrical object side of the collecting area SP1 in the first packaging unit 10 is a rectangle with rounded corners.

[0061] In this embodiment, the outline of the aggregation region SP2 on the cylindrical object side in the second state is preferably a regular polygon with pentagons or more, a regular polygon with rounded corners, or a circle, and among these, a circle is more preferable because it is similar to the circular shape of the hole in the cylindrical object, allowing the excess portion of the packaging sheet to be evenly pushed into the hole and preventing scratches and tears.

[0062] Fig. 17(b) is a perspective view of the vicinity of the collecting area SP2 when the collecting parts of the packaging device in Fig. 17(a) have moved from the first state to the second state. Fig. 18(b) is a perspective view of the vicinity of the collecting area SP2 when the collecting parts of the packaging device in Fig. 18(a) have moved from the first state, and Fig. 18(c) is a perspective view of the vicinity of the collecting area SP2 when the collecting parts of the packaging device in Fig. 18(a) have moved from the first state to the second state. Figs. 17(b), 18(b), and 18(c) are each perspective views observed from the cylindrical object side. In Fig. 18(c), the outline X1 of the collecting area SP2 on the cylindrical object side is circular.

[0063] In this embodiment, the contour shape of the aggregation area in the first plane direction is preferably maintained in the depth direction (normal direction of the first plane). That is, it is preferable that the contour shape of the aggregation area on the cylindrical object side and the contour shape of the aggregation area on the opposite side from the cylindrical object side are the same. On the other hand, the contour shape of the aggregation area does not have to be maintained in the depth direction.

[0064] 17 and 18, in order to make the contour X1 of the collecting area SP1 on the cylindrical object side a polygon with five or more sides or a polygon with rounded corners, for example, an adjuster 126 is arranged. In Fig. 17 and Fig. 18, a first adjuster 126a having a surface that intersects with the first collecting part 120a and the collecting plate 121 of the fourth collecting part 120d is provided at the end of the collecting plate 121 of the first collecting part 120a that abuts against the fourth collecting part 120d.

[0065] Furthermore, a second adjuster 126b having a surface intersecting with the surfaces of the second integrating part 120b and the aggregating plate 121 of the first integrating part 120a is provided at an end of the second integrating part 120b of the aggregating plate 121 where the second integrating part 120b abuts against the first integrating part 120a. A third adjuster 126c having a surface intersecting with the surfaces of the third integrating part 120c and the aggregating plate 121 of the second integrating part 120b is provided at an end of the third integrating part 120c of the aggregating plate 121 where the third integrating part 120c abuts against the second integrating part 120b. Furthermore, a fourth adjuster 126d having a surface intersecting with the fourth integrating part 120d and the aggregating plate 121 of the third integrating part 120c is provided at an end of the fourth integrating part 120d of the aggregating plate 121 where the fourth integrating part 120d abuts against the third integrating part 120c. These adjusters 126 may be provided detachably or may be fixed non-detachably. Furthermore, adjuster 126 can be made of any material such as metal or resin. As shown in Fig. 17, surface 126s of adjuster 126 may be flat, or as shown in Fig. 18, surface 126s of adjuster 126 may be curved. The first to fourth adjusters 126a to 126d have the same shape.

[0066] The shape of each adjustment tool in the first plane direction is preferably maintained in the depth direction (normal direction of the first plane). That is, it is preferable that the shape of each adjustment tool on the cylindrical object side and the shape of each adjustment tool on the opposite side from the cylindrical object side are the same. On the other hand, the shape of each adjustment tool in the first plane direction does not have to be maintained in the depth direction.

[0067] Aspect (ii) In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 19(b) to 19(e), each aggregation plate 121 surrounding the aggregation area SP has a curved surface R or an inclined surface S on the edge that defines the contour of the aggregation area on the cylindrical object side. This prevents the packaging sheet from being scratched or torn. The aggregation plate 121 in FIG. 19(b) has a curved surface R on the edge on the cylindrical object side. The aggregation plate 121 in FIG. 19(c) has an inclined surface S on the edge on the cylindrical object side. The aggregation plate 121 in FIG. 19(d) has a curved surface R on both the cylindrical object side and the opposite side. The aggregation plate 121 in FIG. 19(e) has an inclined surface S on both the cylindrical object side and the opposite side. Although not specifically shown, each aggregation plate 121 may have a curved surface R on the cylindrical object side and an inclined surface S on the opposite side. Conversely, it may have an inclined surface S on the cylindrical object side and a curved surface R on the opposite side.

[0068] In this embodiment, by adopting at least one of the aspects (i) and (ii), it is possible to prevent the packaging sheet from being damaged or torn. In particular, by adopting both the aspects (i) and (ii), this effect is most pronounced.

[0069] [iii] Push-in section The pushing unit 150 is a part that has the function of pushing the excess portion of the packaging sheet 410 that protrudes from the end face side of the cylindrical object 400, which has been gathered by the gathering part 120, toward the inside of the hole 401, which is the axial hole of the cylindrical object 400. By pushing the packaging sheet 410 that protrudes from the end face side into the hole 401 in this way, there is no need to separately fix the packaging sheet 410 on the end face side with an adhesive or the like to prevent it from unpacking naturally, and the cylindrical object 400 can be easily wrapped with the packaging sheet 410.

[0070] As shown in FIG. 1, the pushing section is provided in pair, with the pushing section 150 being arranged on the -Y direction side of the first packaging unit 10 and the pushing section 250 being arranged on the +Y direction side of the second packaging unit 20. However, as mentioned above, when the packaging device 1 does not have the second packaging unit 20, only the pushing section 150 may be provided as the pushing section. FIGS. 9(a) and 9(b) are schematic side views illustrating the configuration and operation of the pushing section 150. The pushing section 250 also has a similar configuration. In FIGS. 9(a) and 9(b), the packaging sheet 410 is shown schematically as a schematic cross-sectional view for ease of understanding.

[0071] As shown in FIG. 9(a), the pushing unit 150 has a configuration in which a pushing drive unit 152 having a shaft 152b and a cylinder 152a is supported by a housing 151. In the initial state, the shaft 152b is inserted into the cylindrical cylinder 152a. On the other hand, in the pushing state, as shown in FIG. 9(b), the shaft 152b of the pushing drive unit 152 protrudes a predetermined length from the tip of the cylinder 152a in the +Y direction. As a result, the excess portion of the packaging sheet 410, which has been previously gathered near the hole 401 of the cylindrical object 400 by the gathering part 120, is pushed into the inside of the hole 401 by the action of the protruding shaft 152b.

[0072] For example, an electric cylinder, a single-axis robot, an air cylinder, etc. can be used as the pushing drive unit 152. It is preferable to use an electric cylinder or a single-axis robot for the pushing drive unit 152, which allows easy adjustment of the stroke, so that an appropriate pushing stroke can be set depending on the size and type of the cylindrical object 400 or the packaging sheet 410.

[0073] [b] Method for packaging cylindrical objects using a packaging device Next, a method for properly packaging a cylindrical object 400 with a packaging sheet 410 using the above-mentioned packaging device 1 will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 9 and Figure 11, which is an operation flow diagram of the packaging device 1 of the first embodiment.

[0074] First, a cylindrical object 400 and a packaging sheet 410 are prepared, and the packaging sheet 410 is wrapped around the outer periphery of the cylindrical object 400 to cover it (step S501 in FIG. 11). The cylindrical object 400 in this state may be placed on a mounting table 30, for example, as shown in FIG. 1. The mounting table 30 may also be configured to have a plurality of freely rotatable rollers below it, so that the placed cylindrical object 400 can be rotated around an axial hole. If the mounting table 30 is configured in this way, the task of wrapping the packaging sheet 410 around the outer periphery of the placed cylindrical object 400 while rotating it by hand can be easily performed.

[0075] Next, it is confirmed that the excess portion of the packaging sheet 410 extending beyond both end faces of the cylindrical object 400 fits within the collecting area SP1 formed by the collecting plates 121 and 221 of the collecting parts 120 and 220 of the first packaging unit 10 and the second packaging unit 20. Then, each collecting part 120 and 220 is moved from its initial position to its terminal position. Specifically, for the first packaging unit 10, the drive unit 130 is driven to move the first collecting part 120a from its initial position to its terminal position. In conjunction with this, the second collecting part 120b, the third collecting part 120c, and the fourth collecting part 120d also move from their initial positions to their terminal positions. As a result, the collecting area SP1 is reduced to a collecting area SP2 having a smaller volume (step S502).

[0076] Similarly, the second packaging unit 20 moves each of the aggregated parts 220 from the initial position to the terminal position by driving the drive unit 230. As a result, the aggregated area SP1 is reduced to an aggregated area SP2 having a smaller volume.

[0077] As described above, the first packaging unit 10 uses the consolidating part 120 to consolidate the excess portion of the packaging sheet 410 protruding from the end of the cylindrical object 400 on the -Y direction side into the consolidating areas SP1 to SP2. Meanwhile, the second packaging unit 20 uses the consolidating part 220 to consolidate the excess portion of the packaging sheet 410 protruding from the end of the cylindrical object 400 on the +Y direction side into the consolidating areas SP1 to SP2. In this state, the first packaging unit 10 moves the shaft 152b of the pushing part 150 toward the +Y direction, i.e., toward the hole 401 of the cylindrical object 400, and pushes the consolidated packaging sheet 410 into the hole 401. At approximately the same time, the second packaging unit 20 moves the shaft 252b of the pushing part 250 toward the -Y direction, i.e., toward the hole 401 of the cylindrical object 400, and pushes the consolidated packaging sheet 410 into the hole 401 (step S503).

[0078] As a result, the excess packaging sheet 410 that protrudes from both end faces of the cylindrical object 400 is properly stored and fixed in the hole 401, and the cylindrical object 400 is properly packaged while preventing problems such as the packaging sheet 410 being unpacked naturally.

[0079] [c] Regarding the packaging device of the first embodiment As described above, the packaging device 1 of the first embodiment includes a frame 110 and at least four aggregation parts 120 provided at different locations. Each aggregation part 120 includes a slide piece 140 fixed to the frame 110 so as to be movable along a first plane, which can be exemplified as the XZ plane, and an aggregation plate 121 fixed to the slide piece 140 and extending in a direction intersecting the first plane. The packaging device 1 also includes a drive unit 130 that moves any one of the aggregation parts 120 in a predetermined direction, and a pusher unit 150 that is movable in a direction intersecting the first plane. In a plan view normal to the first plane, the aggregation plate 121 of each aggregation part 120 is provided at an angle with respect to the movement direction of the aggregation part 120.

[0080] Furthermore, when one of the aggregation parts 120 moves, the other aggregation parts 120 are pushed by the aggregation plates 121 of the adjacent aggregation parts 120, and move in a direction different from the pushing direction. Furthermore, when the spatial region surrounded by each aggregation plate 121 is defined as an aggregation region, the aggregation plate 121 can move between a first state and a second state in which the volume of the aggregation region is smaller than that of the first state. The first state can be exemplified as a state in which each aggregation part 120 is in an initial position, and the second state can be exemplified as a state in which each aggregation part 120 is in an end position.

[0081] Assume that a cylindrical object 400 covered with a packaging sheet 410 is placed in a position where its side is aligned with the first plane and at least a portion of the hole 401 on the side overlaps the gathering area. At this time, the gathering part 120 is moved so as to change from the first state to the second state, gathering the excess portion of the packaging sheet 410 in the gathering area, and the pushing part 150 is moved toward the inside of the hole 401 so as to push in the gathered packaging sheet 410. This allows the cylindrical object 400 to be properly wrapped with the packaging sheet 410.

[0082] By using the packaging device 1 of the first embodiment, the packaging sheet 410 protruding from the end face of the cylindrical object 400 can be relatively easily gathered evenly along the end face. In addition, the device configuration and operation are relatively simple, the conditions can be easily adjusted, and the packaging quality is relatively stable as it is less susceptible to variations in the state of the packaging sheet 410. In other words, by using the packaging device 1, the cylindrical object 400 can be stably wrapped with the packaging sheet 410 with a relatively simple configuration.

[0083] 2. Second embodiment Next, a second embodiment of a packaging device according to the present disclosure for packaging cylindrical objects with a packaging sheet will be described. Fig. 12(a) is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration of a first packaging unit 11 of the second embodiment, corresponding to the first packaging unit 10 of Fig. 1. Fig. 13 is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration of the first packaging unit 11 of the second embodiment, corresponding to Fig. 3. In other words, Fig. 12(a) is a view showing the state when each aggregation part 120 is in the initial position, forming an aggregation area SP3 with a relatively large volume, and Fig. 13 is a view showing the state when each aggregation part 120 is in the terminal position, forming an aggregation area SP4 with a relatively small volume. Fig. 14(a) is an enlarged view illustrating the details of the configuration near the aggregation area in Fig. 12(a).

[0084] In the packaging device of the first embodiment, as shown in, for example, FIGS. 7(a) and 8, grooves 124 and protrusions 125 are provided on the surface of each aggregation plate facing the aggregation area. On the other hand, in the packaging device of the second embodiment, mechanisms having functions similar to the grooves and protrusions are provided on the surface of each aggregation plate opposite the surface facing the aggregation area. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, a linear guide 127 and a slide block 128 fixed to an adjacent aggregation part and movable along the linear guide 127 are provided on the surface opposite the surface facing the aggregation area of ​​each aggregation plate. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 12(b), a linear guide 127e is attached to the surface of the first aggregation part 120e opposite the surface facing the aggregation area of ​​the aggregation plate 121, and a slide block 128f fixed to the second aggregation part 120f is movably disposed on the linear guide 127e. Furthermore, a linear guide 127f is attached to the surface of the second collecting part 120f opposite to the surface facing the collecting area of ​​the collecting plate 121, and a slide block 128g fixed to the third collecting part 120g is movably disposed on the linear guide 127f. A linear guide 127g is attached to the surface of the third collecting part 120g opposite to the surface facing the collecting area of ​​the collecting plate 121, and a slide block 128h fixed to the fourth collecting part 120h is movably disposed on the linear guide 127g. A linear guide 127h is attached to the surface of the fourth collecting part 120h opposite to the surface facing the collecting area of ​​the collecting plate 121, and a block 128e fixed to the first collecting part 120e is movably disposed on the linear guide 127h.

[0085] As described above, when excess packaging sheet is collected by the collecting part, the packaging sheet may be damaged or torn. To address this problem, smoothing the corners of the collecting area is considered. The packaging device in this embodiment employs at least one of the following aspects (i) and (ii).

[0086] Aspect (i) In this embodiment, the contour of the consolidation area SP3 on the cylindrical object side, as viewed from the normal direction of the first plane, is a polygon with pentagons or more sides or a polygon with rounded corners. This allows the corners of the contour on the cylindrical object side to be rounded or larger, allowing the packaging sheet to be consolidated without being biased. This reduces damage and tearing of the packaging sheet. In this case, the contour shape of the consolidation area SP4 on the cylindrical object side is preferably a regular polygon with pentagons or more sides, a regular polygon with rounded corners, or a circle, with a circle being more preferred. This is because the contour shape is similar to the circle of the hole in the cylindrical object, allowing excess packaging sheet to be evenly pushed into the hole and reducing damage and tearing. Figures 14(b) and 14(c) are schematic front views illustrating the contour shape of the consolidation area SP4 on the cylindrical object side when the packaging device of this embodiment is viewed from the cylindrical object side. In FIG. 14(b), the contour of the aggregation area SP4 on the cylindrical object side is a regular octagon, and in FIG. 14(c), the contour of the aggregation area SP4 on the cylindrical object side is a regular rectangle with rounded corners.

[0087] In this embodiment, the contour shape of the aggregation area in the first plane direction is preferably maintained in the depth direction (normal direction of the first plane). That is, it is preferable that the contour shape of the aggregation area on the cylindrical object side and the contour shape of the aggregation area on the opposite side from the cylindrical object are the same. On the other hand, the contour shape of the aggregation area does not have to be maintained in the depth direction.

[0088] As shown in Figures 12, 13 and 14, in order to make the outline of the cylindrical object side of the aggregation area SP3 a polygon with pentagons or more sides or a polygon with rounded corners, a first adjustment tool 126e having a surface that intersects with the first aggregation part 120e and the aggregation plate 121 of the fourth aggregation part 120h is provided at the end of the aggregation part 120e that abuts against the fourth aggregation part 120h.

[0089] Furthermore, a second adjuster 126f having a surface intersecting with the surfaces of the second and first aggregate parts 120f and 120e is provided at an end of the aggregating plate 121 of the second aggregate part 120f that abuts against the first aggregate part 120e. A third adjuster 126g having a surface intersecting with the surfaces of the third and second aggregate parts 120g and 120f is provided at an end of the aggregating plate 121 of the third aggregate part 120g that abuts against the second aggregate part 120f. Furthermore, a fourth adjuster 126h having a surface intersecting with the fourth and third aggregate parts 120h and 120g is provided at an end of the aggregating plate 121 of the fourth aggregate part 120h that abuts against the third aggregate part 120g. These adjusters 126 may be provided detachably or may be fixed non-detachably. The adjuster 126 can be made of any material such as metal or resin.

[0090] The details of the first to fourth adjustment tools 126e to 126h are similar to those of the first to fourth adjustment tools 126a to 126d in the first embodiment, and therefore will not be described here.

[0091] By providing such an adjuster 126, the contour shape of the collecting area SP4 on the cylindrical object side formed by each collecting part 120 of the first packaging unit 11 becomes approximately octagonal when viewed in a plan view from the +Y direction. However, the contour shape of the collecting area on the cylindrical object side formed by each collecting part 120 is not limited to an approximately octagonal shape and may be a shape along a polygon with pentagonal or higher sides, or a polygon with rounded corners. Note that from the perspective of the pushing part 150 evenly pushing the excess packaging sheet 410 protruding from the end face of the cylindrical object 400 into the hole 401 and from the perspective of preventing damage or tearing of the packaging sheet, it is advantageous for the contour shape of the collecting area SP4 on the axial hole side to approximate a circle, which is the shape of the hole 401. That is, the contour of the collecting area SP4 on the cylindrical object side is preferably a regular polygon with pentagonal or higher sides, a regular polygon with rounded corners, or a circle, with a circle being more preferable.

[0092] Aspect (ii) In this embodiment, each of the aggregation plates surrounding the aggregation area has a curved surface R or an inclined surface S at the edge that forms the outline of the aggregation area on the cylindrical object side, thereby preventing the packaging sheet from being scratched or torn. Details of the aggregation plates having such a curved surface R or inclined surface S are the same as those described in the first embodiment, and therefore will not be described here.

[0093] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when each aggregation part 120 is provided with a fitting structure for the groove 124 and the protrusion 125 as described with reference to FIG. 8 of the first embodiment, these structures are hidden by the adjuster 126. That is, the portion of each aggregation part 120 where the groove 124 and the protrusion 125 are fitted is covered by the adjuster 126. Therefore, although grease is sometimes applied to the protrusion 125 of each aggregation part 120 to improve sliding performance with the groove 124, this portion is not exposed, which prevents the grease from adhering to the packaging sheet 410 and contaminating the cylindrical object 400. Furthermore, by preparing multiple sizes of the adjuster 126 and configuring them to be interchangeable for each type, the volume of the aggregation area and the shape in plan view can be easily changed without changing the amount of movement of the drive unit 130.

[0094] 3. Third embodiment Next, a third embodiment of the packaging device for packaging cylindrical objects with a packaging sheet according to the present disclosure will be described. Fig. 20 is a schematic front view showing a frame and an aggregation part in the packaging device according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure. The packaging device according to the third embodiment differs from the packaging devices according to the first and second embodiments as follows.

[0095] The first packaging unit 40 in the packaging device of this embodiment includes a frame 310 having a substantially triangular outer frame with a first side 310a, a second side 310b, and a third side 310c, and three integrating parts 320 that are slidable along the extension direction of the frame relative to each of the three sides of the frame 310. The integrating part 320 includes a first integrating part 320a fixed to the first side 310a of the frame 310 so as to be slidable in the X-axis direction, and a second integrating part 320b fixed to the second side 310b of the frame 310 so as to be slidable in a direction rotated 30° clockwise from the -Z direction toward the -X direction. The integrating part 320 further includes a third integrating part 320c fixed to the third side 310c of the frame 310 so as to be slidable in a direction rotated 60° clockwise from the -X direction toward the +Z direction. In this embodiment, each integrating part 320 has substantially the same configuration.

[0096] A drive unit 330 that moves the first aggregation part 320a in the direction along the X axis is disposed at the end of the frame 310 of the first packaging unit 10 on the +Z direction side. In addition, in a plan view from the -Y direction side, an aggregation plate 321 having a flat portion is disposed on the side of each aggregation part 320 facing the hole 401 of the cylindrical object 400.

[0097] 20, the aggregation plate 321 is provided at an angle with respect to the movement direction of the aggregation part 320 supporting the aggregation plate 321. For example, in the case of the first aggregation part 320a, the aggregation plate 321 is inclined by 30° counterclockwise from the X axis (first side 320a), which is the movement direction. The same is true for the other aggregation parts 320. The first aggregation part 320a, pushed in the +X direction by the driving unit 330, moves in the +X direction and pushes the adjacent second aggregation part 320b via the aggregation plate 321, causing the second aggregation part 320b to move downward toward the second side.

[0098] In this way, the first aggregation part 320a moving in the +X direction moves the adjacent second aggregation part 320b downward along the second side, which in turn causes the third aggregation part 320c to move in a chain reaction. That is, the second aggregation part 320b moves downward along the second side and pushes the adjacent third aggregation part 320c via the aggregation plate 321, causing the third aggregation part 320c to move upward along the third side.

[0099] As a result, each aggregation part 320 transitions from the state shown in Fig. 20(a) to the state shown in Fig. 20(b). When the spatial region surrounded by each aggregation plate 321 is defined as an aggregation region, aggregation region SP5 shown in Fig. 20(a) before the first aggregation part 320a is pushed in the +X direction by the driving unit 330 changes to aggregation region SP6 shown in Fig. 20(b) after the first aggregation part 320a is pushed in the +X direction. The volume of SP6 is smaller than that of SP5.

[0100] Assume that a cylindrical object covered with a packaging sheet is placed in a position where its side is aligned with the XZ plane and at least a portion of the hole in the side overlaps the collecting area. At this time, the packaging device 1 moves each collecting part 320 so that the collecting area changes from the first state SP5 to the second state SP6, thereby collecting the excess packaging sheet in the collecting area.

[0101] In the packaging device of this embodiment, when viewed from a plane normal to the first plane, the outline of the collecting area in the first state on the cylindrical object side conforms to a polygon with rounded corners or a polygon with five or more sides. This prevents the packaging sheet from being damaged or torn. Specifically, a first adjuster 326a having a surface that intersects with the first collecting part 320a and the collecting plate 321 of the third collecting part 320c is provided at the end of the collecting plate 321 of the first collecting part 320a that abuts against the third collecting part 320c.

[0102] Furthermore, a second adjuster 326b having a surface intersecting with the surfaces of the second and first aggregate parts 320b and 320a is provided at an end of the second aggregate part 320b that abuts against the first aggregate part 320a of the aggregate plate 321. A third adjuster 326c having a surface intersecting with the surfaces of the third and second aggregate parts 320c and 320b is provided at an end of the third aggregate part 320c that abuts against the second aggregate part 320b of the aggregate plate 321. These adjusters 326 may be detachable or may be fixed in an undetachable manner. The adjuster 326 may be made of any material, such as metal or resin.

[0103] On the other hand, if the adjuster 326 is not provided, the aggregation area surrounded by the three aggregation plates has a triangular prism outline, and the outline shape of the aggregation area on the cylindrical object side is also triangular. In this case, each corner is an acute angle of about 60°, so the packaging sheet gathers at these acute angles and is subjected to pressure, which may cause scratches or tears to the packaging sheet.

[0104] In this embodiment, by providing the adjuster 326, the cylindrical object-side contour of the aggregation area formed by each aggregation part 320 of the first packaging unit becomes approximately hexagonal when viewed in plan from the +Y direction. However, the cylindrical object-side contour of the aggregation area formed by each aggregation part 320 is not limited to approximately hexagonal and may be a shape along a polygon with pentagonal or higher sides, or a polygon with rounded corners. From the perspective of evenly pushing the excess packaging sheet protruding from the end face of the cylindrical object into the hole by the pushing portion and from the perspective of preventing damage or tearing of the packaging sheet, it is advantageous for the contour of the aggregation area SP6 when viewed in plan from the axial hole direction to approximate a circle, which is the shape of the hole. That is, the cylindrical object-side contour of the aggregation area SP6 is preferably a regular polygon with pentagonal or higher sides, a regular polygon with rounded corners, or a circle, with a circle being more preferred.

[0105] In this embodiment, the contour shape of the aggregation area in the first plane direction is preferably maintained in the depth direction (normal direction of the first plane). That is, the contour shape of the aggregation area on the cylindrical object side is preferably the same as the contour shape on the opposite side from the cylindrical object. On the other hand, the contour shape of the aggregation area in the first plane direction does not have to be maintained in the depth direction.

[0106] 4. Fourth embodiment Next, a fourth embodiment of the packaging device for packaging a cylindrical object with a packaging sheet according to the present disclosure will be described. Fig. 21 is a schematic front view showing a frame and an aggregation part in the packaging device according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0107] The operating mechanism of the frame and aggregation plate in this embodiment is the same as that in the third embodiment. Each aggregation part 320 transitions from the state shown in FIG. 21(a) to the state shown in FIG. 21(b). When the spatial region surrounded by each aggregation plate 321 is defined as an aggregation region, aggregation region SP7 shown in FIG. 21 before the first aggregation part 320d is pushed in the +X direction by the driving unit 330 changes to aggregation region SP8 shown in FIG. 21(b) after the first aggregation part 320d is pushed in the +X direction. The volume of SP8 is smaller than that of SP7.

[0108] Here, suppose that a cylindrical object covered with a packaging sheet is placed in a position where its side is aligned with the XZ plane and at least a part of the hole in the side overlaps with the collecting area. At this time, the packaging device 1 moves each collecting part 320 so that the collecting area changes from the first state SP7 to the second state SP8, thereby collecting the excess packaging sheet in the collecting area.

[0109] Furthermore, in this embodiment, each of the aggregation plates 321 surrounding the aggregation area SP has a curved surface R or an inclined surface S at the edge that forms the outline of the aggregation area on the cylindrical object side, thereby preventing the packaging sheet from being scratched or torn. Such aggregation plates are the same as those in the second embodiment, and therefore will not be described here.

[0110] In this embodiment, by arranging the adjuster described in detail in the third embodiment, the outline of the gathering region on the cylindrical object side in the first state may be shaped like a polygon with rounded corners or a polygon with five or more sides when viewed in a plan view normal to the first plane, which can further prevent the packaging sheet from being scratched or torn.

[0111] 5. Fifth embodiment Next, a fifth embodiment of the packaging device for packaging cylindrical objects with packaging sheets according to the present disclosure will be described. Fig. 10 is a side view showing a pushing section 155 of the packaging device of the fifth embodiment, which corresponds to the pushing section 150 of the first packaging unit 10 of Fig. 9.

[0112] The packaging device of the fifth embodiment differs from the packaging device 1 of the first embodiment in the following respects. Specifically, the pushing unit 155 not only moves the shaft 152b in the axial direction of the shaft hole, i.e., in the +Y direction, to push the excess portion of the collected packaging sheet 410 into the hole 401, but also can suck the air inside the packaging sheet 410. A suction hole 156 is provided at the tip of the shaft 152b, and the sucked air G can be discharged to the outside through the inside of the shaft 152b and the cavity 153 inside the cylinder 152a. In FIG. 10, one suction hole 156 is provided at the tip of the shaft 152b, but the present invention is not limited to this, and one or more suction holes 156 may be provided at the tip or side of the shaft 152b.

[0113] When the packaging sheet 410 covering the outer periphery of the cylindrical object 400 completely covers the end face of the cylindrical object 400, air may remain inside and the packaging sheet 410 may swell. In this state, if the pushing unit pushes the excess packaging sheet 410 into the hole 401 of the cylindrical object 400, the remaining air may prevent the packaging sheet 410 from adhering to the outer surface of the cylindrical object 400, causing the packaging sheet 410 to swell and become larger. Therefore, if the cylindrical object 400 is held and transported or stored, the packaging sheet 410 may deform, burst, or be damaged.

[0114] However, in this embodiment, the air G inside the packing sheet 410 covering the outer periphery of the cylindrical object 400 can be properly sucked through the suction holes 156 provided in the shaft 152b and discharged to the outside via the suction unit 154. A commercially available motor such as a vacuum motor can be used as the suction unit 154, and by connecting an air tube to this and running it through the cavity 153 of the shaft 152b, the pushing unit 155 that can easily suck air can be formed. This allows the pushing unit 155 to properly suck the air G inside the packing sheet 410 and discharge it to the outside. This prevents the packing sheet 410 from expanding and becoming larger due to a lack of close contact with the outer surface of the cylindrical object 400, or from deforming, bursting, or being damaged when the cylindrical object 400 is held during transportation or storage.

[0115] Note that, since several variations are possible regarding the movement of shaft 152b of pushing unit 155 and the timing of suction, the method of packaging a cylindrical object using the packaging device of this embodiment will be described based on these variations and the operation flow diagrams of Figures 15 and 16. Furthermore, the device configuration other than pushing unit 155 is the same as in the first, second, third or fourth embodiment.

[0116] [a] First packaging method First, in the first packaging method, a cylindrical object 400 and a packaging sheet 410 are prepared, and the packaging sheet 410 is wrapped around the outer periphery of the cylindrical object 400 (step S521 in FIG. 15). The cylindrical object 400 in this state may be placed on the mounting table 30. Next, it is confirmed that the excess packaging sheet 410 extending beyond both end faces of the cylindrical object 400 fits within the collecting area SP1 formed by the collecting plates 121 and 221 of the collecting parts 120 and 220 of the first packaging unit 10 and the second packaging unit 20. Then, the driving unit 130 moves the collecting parts 120 and 220 from their initial positions to their terminal positions. As a result, the collecting area SP1 is reduced to a collecting area SP2 having a smaller volume (step S522).

[0117] Similarly, the second packaging unit 20 moves each of the aggregated parts 220 from the initial position to the terminal position by driving the drive unit 230. As a result, the aggregated area SP1 is reduced to an aggregated area SP2 having a smaller volume.

[0118] As described above, the first packaging unit 10 uses the consolidating part 120 to consolidate the excess portion of the packaging sheet 410 that protrudes from the end of the cylindrical object 400 on the -Y direction side from consolidation area SP1 to SP2. The second packaging unit 20 does the same. In this state, the first packaging unit 10 moves the shaft 152b of the pushing part 155 toward the +Y direction side, i.e., toward the hole 401 of the cylindrical object 400, and pushes the consolidated packaging sheet 410 into the hole 401. The second packaging unit 20 does the same. (Step S523)

[0119] Here, after the shaft 152b of the pushing unit 155 has completed moving in the +Y direction, i.e., toward the hole 401 of the cylindrical object 400, air is sucked from the tip of the shaft 152b, and the air inside the packaging sheet 410 is discharged via the suction unit 154 (step S524).

[0120] As a result, the excess portion of the packaging sheet 410 that protrudes from both end surfaces of the cylindrical object 400 is properly stored in the holes 401, and the cylindrical object 400 is properly packaged while preventing problems such as the packaging sheet 410 being spontaneously opened. In addition, since a portion of the air remaining inside the packaging sheet 410 can be discharged to the outside, the packaging sheet 410 is prevented from coming into close contact with the outer surface of the cylindrical object 400, causing it to swell and become larger, and the packaging sheet 410 is prevented from deforming, bursting, or being damaged when the cylindrical object 400 is transported or stored by being held.

[0121] [b] Second packaging method Next, the second packaging method is basically the same as the first method, but in step S524, a suction operation is performed before or during the movement of shaft 152b of pushing unit 155 in the +Y direction toward hole 401 in step S523. By starting the suction operation before or during the movement of shaft 152b in this way, the pushing operation of shaft 152b into hole 401 can be performed more smoothly. When shaft 152b pushes the excess portion of packaging sheet 410 into hole 401, air resistance from the air inside the sealed space generates a reaction force on shaft 152b, which tends to hinder movement of shaft 152b into hole 401.

[0122] In contrast, by performing a suction operation before or during the movement of shaft 152b in the −Y direction toward hole 401, air resistance is reduced, making it easier to push shaft 152b into hole 401.

[0123] [c] Third packaging method Next, a third packaging method will be described with reference to Fig. 16. First, a cylindrical object 400 and a packaging sheet 410 are prepared, and the packaging sheet 410 is wrapped around the outer periphery of the cylindrical object 400 (step S541 in Fig. 16). Then, each of the aggregated parts 120 and 220 is moved from the initial position to the terminal position, and the aggregated area SP1 is reduced to an aggregated area SP2 having a smaller volume (step S542).

[0124] Next, the first packaging unit 10 moves the shaft 152b of the pushing part 155 in the +Y direction, i.e., toward the hole 401 of the cylindrical object 400, to the first position, which is an intermediate position before the final position, and pushes the gathered packaging sheets 410 into the hole 401. The second packaging unit 20 does the same (step S543).

[0125] Now, when the shaft 152b of the pushing unit 155 has completed moving to the first position, air is sucked from the tip of the shaft 152b, and the air inside the packing sheet 410 is discharged via the suction unit 154 (step S544).

[0126] Next, the first packaging unit 10 moves the shaft 152b of the pushing part 155 further in the depth direction of the hole 401 of the cylindrical object 400 to the second position, which is the final position, and pushes the gathered packaging sheet 410 further into the hole 401. The second packaging unit 20 does the same (step S545).

[0127] As a result, in addition to the effect of the first method, it is possible to effectively suck out the air trapped inside the packing sheet 410 after a part of the excess packing sheet 410 has been pushed into the hole 401 of the cylindrical object 400 to an appropriate degree. Then, after the air resistance has been sufficiently reduced, it is possible to smoothly push the remaining excess packing sheet 410 completely into the hole 401 of the cylindrical object 400.

[0128] If the shaft 152b is pushed into the hole 401 after suction has already started, the suction efficiency will be reduced because the packing sheet 410 is not sealed, and the packing sheet 410 itself will be sucked, making it difficult to properly push the packing sheet 410 into the hole 401. However, with this method, a portion of the packing sheet 410 is pushed into the hole 401, and then the air trapped inside is sucked out by sealing, reducing air resistance, and the remaining portion can be pushed in, thereby further improving the efficiency of pushing the packing sheet 410 and packaging quality.

[0129] The movement speed of shaft 152b of pushing unit 155 when moving to a first position facing hole 401 of cylindrical object 400 is defined as a first speed v1. The movement speed of shaft 152b when moving to a second position, which is a final position deeper than the first position facing hole 401 of cylindrical object 400, is defined as a second speed v2. The movement amount (movement distance) of shaft 152b of pushing unit 155 from the initial position to the first position is defined as Ds1, and the movement amount (movement distance) of shaft 152b from the first position to the second position is defined as Ds2.

[0130] In this case, it is preferable to make v2 larger than v1. This is because shaft 152b can be stably pushed into hole 401 after air has been sucked in. It is also preferable to make Ds2 larger than Ds1. This is for the same reason as above. It is even more preferable to satisfy both the speed condition and the movement amount condition above. This is because it is possible to maximize the efficiency with which shaft 152b is pushed into hole 401 after air has been sucked in.

[0131] Although the packaging device according to each embodiment and modification of the present disclosure has been described based on a configuration including a pair of substantially identical first and second packaging units, it goes without saying that the configuration may be applied to only one of the two. In this case, after the packing sheet on one end of the cylindrical object is gathered and pressed into place, the cylindrical object is turned 180° around its vertical axis, and the packing sheet on the other end of the cylindrical object is gathered and pressed into place.

[0132] Furthermore, in the packaging device of the present disclosure, the first packaging unit and the second packaging unit have been described as having four or three integrating parts, respectively. However, the number of integrating parts may be five. In this case, the frame may be substantially pentagonal rather than substantially rectangular, and each integrating part may be arranged so that it moves at an angle of 72° to the direction of movement of the integrating part rather than 90° to the direction of movement of the integrating part. The number of integrating parts may also be six. In this case, the frame may be substantially hexagonal, and each integrating part may be arranged so that it moves at an angle of 60° to the direction of movement of the integrating part. In other words, the first packaging unit and the second packaging unit may each have four or more integrating parts. [Explanation of symbols]

[0133] 1 Packaging equipment 10, 11, 40 1st packaging unit 20 Second Packaging Unit 30 Mounting table 110 frames 120 Aggregate Parts 120a, 120e 1st aggregate part 120b, 120f 2nd aggregate part 120c, 120g 3rd aggregate part 120d, 120h 4th aggregate part 121 Aggregation Plate 122 Reinforcement frame 123 Bonding Plate 124 Groove 125 Protrusion 126 Adjustment tool 126a, 126e 1st adjustment tool 126b, 126f 2nd adjustment tool 126c, 126g 3rd adjustment tool 126d, 126h 4th adjustment tool 130 Drive unit 140 Slide 140a First slide piece 140b Second slide piece 140c Third slide piece 140d 4th slide 150, 155 Push-in section 151 Case 152 Push-in drive unit 152a Cylinder 152b shaft 153 Cavity 154 Suction part 156 Suction hole 210 frames 220 Aggregate Parts 220a First aggregate part 220b Second aggregate part 220c 3rd aggregate part 220d 4th aggregate part 230 Drive Unit 240 Slide 240a First slide piece 240b Second slide piece 240c Third slide piece 240d 4th slide piece 250 Push-in section 251 Case 252 Push-in drive unit 252b shaft 310 frames 320 Aggregate Parts 320a 1st aggregate part 320b 2nd aggregate part 320c 3rd aggregate part 321 Aggregation Plate 326 Adjustment tool 326a 1st adjustment tool 326b 2nd adjustment tool 326c 3rd adjustment tool 330 Drive Unit 400 Cylindrical object 401 holes 410 Packaging sheets

[0134] The present disclosure provides the following inventions. [1] The frame and an aggregation part provided at at least four locations, the aggregation part including a slide piece fixed to the frame so as to be movable along each of predetermined directions along a first plane, and an aggregation plate fixed to the slide piece and extending in a direction intersecting the first plane; a driving unit that moves any of the aggregate parts in the predetermined direction; a pushing portion movable along a direction intersecting the first plane, When viewed from a normal direction of the first plane, the aggregation plate of each of the aggregation parts is inclined with respect to a moving direction of the aggregation part, When any one of the aggregation parts moves, the other aggregation parts are pushed by the aggregation plate of the adjacent aggregation part, and move in a direction different from the pushing direction; When a spatial region surrounded by each of the aggregation plates is defined as an aggregation region, the aggregation plate can be moved between a first state and a second state in which the volume of the aggregation region is smaller than that of the first state, When a cylindrical object covered with a packaging sheet is placed in a position where its side surface is aligned with the first plane and at least a part of the hole in the side surface overlaps with the aggregation area, A packaging device in which the driving unit moves the aggregation part to change from the first state to the second state, thereby aggregating the excess of the packaging sheet in the aggregation area, and the pushing unit moves toward the inside of the hole to push in the aggregated packaging sheet, thereby packaging the cylindrical object with the packaging sheet. [2] The frame; The aggregation parts are provided at at least four locations on the frame; The drive unit; The packaging device according to [1], wherein a pair of the pushing portions are provided on both end surfaces of the arranged cylindrical object. [3] The pushing portion further includes a suction portion at a tip thereof, The packaging device according to [1] or [2], wherein the suction unit can suck air from the area surrounded by the packaging sheet before, during, or after the pushing unit moves so as to push the collected packaging sheet toward the inside of the hole. [4] A packaging device described in any of [1] to [3], wherein, when viewed in a plane from the normal direction of the first plane, the aggregation plate of each aggregation part is inclined at an angle of 30° or more and 60° or less with respect to the movement direction of the aggregation part. [5] A packaging device described in any of [1] to [4], wherein, when viewed in a plane normal to the first plane, the outline of the cylindrical object side of the aggregation area in the first state follows a polygon with rounded corners or a polygon with pentagons or more sides. [6] A packaging device described in any of [1] to [5], wherein each of the aggregation plates surrounding the aggregation area has a curved or inclined surface with curvature on the edge that forms the outline of the cylindrical object side of the aggregation area. [7] In a plan view from a normal direction of the first plane, the outline of the aggregated region on the side of the arranged cylindrical object in the first state follows a polygon with rounded corners or a polygon with five or more sides, and A packaging device described in any of [1] to [6], wherein each of the aggregation plates surrounding the aggregation area has a curved or inclined surface with curvature on the edge that forms the outline of the cylindrical object side of the aggregation area. [8] A packaging device described in any of [1] to [7], wherein, when viewed in a plane from the normal direction of the first plane, the outline of the cylindrical object side of the aggregation area in the second state follows a circle. [9] The frame and an aggregation part provided at three locations, the aggregation part including a slide piece fixed to the frame so as to be movable along each of predetermined directions along a first plane, and an aggregation plate fixed to the slide piece and extending in a direction intersecting the first plane; a driving unit that moves any of the aggregate parts in the predetermined direction; a pushing portion movable along a direction intersecting the first plane, When viewed from a normal direction of the first plane, the aggregation plate of each of the aggregation parts is inclined with respect to a moving direction of the aggregation part, When any one of the aggregation parts moves, the other aggregation parts are pushed by the aggregation plate of the adjacent aggregation part, and move in a direction different from the pushing direction; When a spatial region surrounded by each of the aggregation plates is defined as an aggregation region, the aggregation plate can be moved between a first state and a second state in which the volume of the aggregation region is smaller than that of the first state, When a cylindrical object covered with a packaging sheet is placed in a position where its side surface is aligned with the first plane and at least a part of the hole in the side surface overlaps with the aggregation area, the driving unit moves the collecting part so as to change from the first state to the second state, collecting the excess of the packaging sheet in the collecting area, and moves the pushing unit toward the inside of the hole so as to push in the collected packaging sheet, thereby packaging the cylindrical object with the packaging sheet, A packaging device in which, when viewed in a plane normal to the first plane, the outline of the aggregated area on the side of the arranged cylindrical object in the first state follows a polygon with rounded corners or a polygon with five or more sides.

[10] The frame and an aggregation part provided at three locations, the aggregation part including a slide piece fixed to the frame so as to be movable along each of predetermined directions along a first plane, and an aggregation plate fixed to the slide piece and extending in a direction intersecting the first plane; a driving unit that moves any of the aggregate parts in the predetermined direction; a pushing portion movable along a direction intersecting the first plane, When viewed from a normal direction of the first plane, the aggregation plate of each of the aggregation parts is inclined with respect to a moving direction of the aggregation part, When any one of the aggregation parts moves, the other aggregation parts are pushed by the aggregation plate of the adjacent aggregation part, and move in a direction different from the pushing direction; When a spatial region surrounded by each of the aggregation plates is defined as an aggregation region, the aggregation plate can be moved between a first state and a second state in which the volume of the aggregation region is smaller than that of the first state, When a cylindrical object covered with a packaging sheet is placed in a position where its side surface is aligned with the first plane and at least a part of the hole in the side surface overlaps with the aggregation area, the driving unit moves the collecting part so as to change from the first state to the second state, collecting the excess of the packaging sheet in the collecting area, and moves the pushing unit toward the inside of the hole so as to push in the collected packaging sheet, thereby packaging the cylindrical object with the packaging sheet, A packaging device, wherein each of the aggregation plates surrounding the aggregation area has a curved or inclined surface with a curvature at an edge portion that forms the outline of the aggregation area on the side of the arranged cylindrical object.

[11]

[10] A packaging device as described in

[10] , wherein, when viewed in a plane from the normal direction of the first plane, the outline of the aggregated area on the side of the arranged cylindrical object in the first state follows a polygon with rounded corners or a polygon with pentagons or more sides.

[12] The frame; The aggregation parts are provided at three locations on the frame; The drive unit; The packaging device according to any one of [9] to

[11] , wherein a pair of the pushing portions are provided on both end surfaces of the arranged cylindrical object.

[13] The pushing portion further includes a suction portion at a tip thereof, The packaging device according to any one of [9] to

[12] , wherein the suction unit can suck air from the area surrounded by the packaging sheet before, during, or after the pushing unit moves so as to push the collected packaging sheet toward the inside of the hole.

[14] A packaging device described in any of [9] to

[13] , wherein, when viewed in a plane from the normal direction of the first plane, the aggregation plate of each aggregation part is inclined at 30° with respect to the movement direction of the aggregation part.

[15] A step of placing a cylindrical object covered with a packaging sheet in a position where a side surface of the cylindrical object is aligned with the first plane and a hole in the side surface overlaps with the aggregation area; a step of moving the collecting part so as to change from the first state to the second state, and collecting the excess portion of the packaging sheet in the collecting area; A method for packaging a cylindrical object using a packaging device described in any one of [1] to

[14] , comprising the step of moving the pushing portion toward the inside of the hole so as to push the aggregated packaging sheet.

Claims

1. The frame and an aggregation part provided at at least four locations, the aggregation part including a slide piece fixed to the frame so as to be movable along each of predetermined directions along a first plane, and an aggregation plate fixed to the slide piece and extending in a direction intersecting the first plane; a driving unit that moves any of the aggregate parts in the predetermined direction; a pushing portion movable along a direction intersecting the first plane, When viewed from a normal direction of the first plane, the aggregation plate of each of the aggregation parts is inclined with respect to a moving direction of the aggregation part, When any one of the aggregation parts moves, the other aggregation parts are pushed by the aggregation plate of the adjacent aggregation part, and move in a direction different from the pushing direction; When a spatial region surrounded by each of the aggregation plates is defined as an aggregation region, the aggregation plate can be moved between a first state and a second state in which the volume of the aggregation region is smaller than that of the first state, When a cylindrical object covered with a packaging sheet is placed in a position where its side surface is aligned with the first plane and at least a part of the hole in the side surface overlaps with the aggregation area, A packaging device in which the driving unit moves the aggregation part to change from the first state to the second state, thereby aggregating the excess of the packaging sheet in the aggregation area, and the pushing unit moves toward the inside of the hole to push in the aggregated packaging sheet, thereby packaging the cylindrical object with the packaging sheet.

2. The frame; The aggregation parts are provided at at least four locations on the frame; The drive unit; The packaging device according to claim 1 , wherein a pair of the pushing portions are provided on both end surface sides of the arranged cylindrical object.

3. The pushing portion further includes a suction portion at a tip thereof, 2. The packaging device according to claim 1, wherein the suction section can suck air from the area surrounded by the packaging sheet before, during, or after the pushing section is moved to push the concentrated packaging sheet toward the inside of the hole.

4. The packaging device according to claim 1 , wherein, in a plan view from a normal direction of the first plane, the aggregation plate of each of the aggregation parts is inclined at an angle of 30° or more and 60° or less with respect to the movement direction of the aggregation part.

5. 2. The packaging device of claim 1, wherein, when viewed in a plane from the normal direction of the first plane, the contour of the aggregated area on the side of the arranged cylindrical object in the first state follows a polygon with rounded corners or a polygon with five or more sides.

6. 2. The packaging device according to claim 1, wherein each of the aggregation plates surrounding the aggregation area has a curved or inclined surface with a curvature at an edge portion that forms the outline of the aggregation area on the side of the arranged cylindrical object.

7. In a plan view from a normal direction of the first plane, the outline of the aggregated region on the side of the arranged cylindrical object in the first state follows a polygon with rounded corners or a polygon with five or more sides, and 2. The packaging device according to claim 1, wherein each of the aggregation plates surrounding the aggregation area has a curved or inclined surface with a curvature at an edge portion that forms the outline of the aggregation area on the side of the arranged cylindrical object.

8. The packaging device according to claim 1 , wherein, in a plan view from a normal direction of the first plane, the outline of the gathering region on the side of the arranged cylindrical object in the second state follows a circle.

9. The frame and a plurality of aggregation parts provided at three locations, each of which includes a slide piece fixed to the frame so as to be movable along each of predetermined directions along a first plane, and an aggregation plate fixed to the slide piece and extending in a direction intersecting the first plane; a driving unit that moves any of the aggregate parts in the predetermined direction; a pushing portion movable along a direction intersecting the first plane, When viewed from a normal direction of the first plane, the aggregation plate of each of the aggregation parts is inclined with respect to a moving direction of the aggregation part, When any one of the aggregation parts moves, the other aggregation parts are pushed by the aggregation plate of the adjacent aggregation part, and move in a direction different from the pushing direction; When a spatial region surrounded by each of the aggregation plates is defined as an aggregation region, the aggregation plate can be moved between a first state and a second state in which the volume of the aggregation region is smaller than that of the first state, When a cylindrical object covered with a packaging sheet is placed in a position where its side surface is aligned with the first plane and at least a part of the hole in the side surface overlaps with the aggregation area, the driving unit moves the collecting part so as to change from the first state to the second state, collecting the excess of the packaging sheet in the collecting area, and the pushing unit moves toward the inside of the hole so as to push in the collected packaging sheet, thereby packaging the cylindrical object with the packaging sheet, A packaging device in which, when viewed in a plane from the normal direction of the first plane, the outline of the aggregated area on the side of the arranged cylindrical object in the first state follows a polygon with rounded corners or a polygon with pentagons or more sides.

10. The frame and a plurality of aggregation parts provided at three locations, each of which includes a slide piece fixed to the frame so as to be movable along each of predetermined directions along a first plane, and an aggregation plate fixed to the slide piece and extending in a direction intersecting the first plane; a driving unit that moves any of the aggregate parts in the predetermined direction; a pushing portion movable along a direction intersecting the first plane, When viewed from a normal direction of the first plane, the aggregation plate of each of the aggregation parts is inclined with respect to a moving direction of the aggregation part, When any one of the aggregation parts moves, the other aggregation parts are pushed by the aggregation plate of the adjacent aggregation part, and move in a direction different from the pushing direction; When a spatial region surrounded by each of the aggregation plates is defined as an aggregation region, the aggregation plate can be moved between a first state and a second state in which the volume of the aggregation region is smaller than that of the first state, When a cylindrical object covered with a packaging sheet is placed in a position where its side surface is aligned with the first plane and at least a part of the hole in the side surface overlaps with the aggregation area, the driving unit moves the collecting part so as to change from the first state to the second state, collecting the excess of the packaging sheet in the collecting area, and the pushing unit moves toward the inside of the hole so as to push in the collected packaging sheet, thereby packaging the cylindrical object with the packaging sheet, A packaging device, wherein each of the aggregation plates surrounding the aggregation area has a curved or inclined surface with a curvature at an edge portion that forms the outline of the aggregation area on the side of the arranged cylindrical object.

11. The packaging device of claim 10, wherein, when viewed in a plane normal to the first plane, the contour of the aggregated area on the side of the arranged cylindrical object in the first state follows a polygon with rounded corners or a polygon with five or more sides.

12. The frame; The aggregation parts are provided at three locations on the frame; The drive unit; The packaging device according to claim 9 or 10, wherein a pair of the pushing portions are provided on both end surface sides of the arranged cylindrical object.

13. The pushing portion further includes a suction portion at a tip thereof, 11. The packaging device according to claim 9, wherein the suction unit can suck air from the area surrounded by the packaging sheet before, during, or after the pushing unit is moved so as to push the aggregated packaging sheet toward the inside of the hole.

14. 11. The packaging device according to claim 9, wherein, in a plan view from a normal direction of the first plane, the aggregation plate of each of the aggregation parts is inclined at an angle of 30 degrees with respect to the moving direction of the aggregation part.

15. A step of placing the cylindrical object covered with the packaging sheet in a position where the side surface of the cylindrical object is aligned with the first plane and the hole in the side surface overlaps the gathering area; a step of moving the collecting part so as to change from the first state to the second state, and collecting the excess portion of the packaging sheet in the collecting area; A method for packaging a cylindrical object using a packaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising: a step of moving the pushing portion so as to push the aggregated packaging sheet toward the inside of the hole.

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