Container packaging machine

Abstract

To provide a container packaging machine capable of properly shrink-packaging a container even when a position of the container relative to a container base is deviated from a correct position.SOLUTION: A container packaging machine includes: a container base on which a container can be placed; a film supporting part; a pressed part; and a heating part. The film supporting part supports a film from below. The pressed part is pressed against the container via the film lifted by the container. The heating part heats an outer peripheral part of the film that is located on an outer peripheral side of the container, causing it to shrink and adhere to an outer peripheral surface of the container. At least a part of an upper surface of the container base that comes into contact with the container has a cone shape.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a container packaging machine. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a container packaging machine. The container packaging machine is a device that performs shrink packaging. The container packaging machine includes a container stand and a shrink unit. A container can be placed on the container stand. The container has an opening at the top. The container stand can move up and down.

[0003] The shrink section is located above the container stand. The shrink section holds the film. When a container is placed on the container stand and the container stand is raised, the periphery of the opening of the container comes into contact with the film held by the shrink section. The shrink section is equipped with a heating section. With the periphery of the opening of the container in contact with the film, the heating section heats the outer periphery of the film, mainly the outer periphery of the container, causing it to shrink and adhere to the outer periphery of the container. As a result, the opening of the container is covered with the film. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2021-133937 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] When a container is placed on the container stand, the position of the container may be shifted from the correct position relative to the container stand. In this case, the container packaging machine may not be able to properly shrink-package the container. In one aspect of the present disclosure, it is preferable to provide a container packaging machine that can properly shrink-package the container even when the position of the container relative to the container stand is shifted from the correct position. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present disclosure includes a container stand configured to move vertically and to support a container, a film support section disposed above the container stand and configured to support a film from below, the film support section having a passage through which the container passes when the container stand is raised, a pressed section disposed above the film support section and pressed against the container via the film lifted from the film support section by the container when the container stand is raised, and a heating section configured to heat an outer peripheral portion of the film that is outer than the container when the pressed section is pressed against the container via the film, causing it to shrink and adhere to the outer peripheral surface of the container. At least a portion of the upper surface of the container stand that comes into contact with the container has a mortar-like shape.

[0007] A container packaging machine according to one aspect of the present disclosure can appropriately perform shrink packaging even when the position of a container relative to the container table is deviated from the correct position. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view showing the basic configuration of a container packaging machine. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a basic configuration of a container packaging machine. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the film has not yet been transported to the shrink section. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which transport of the film to the shrink section has started. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the film is being transported to the shrink section and the cooling fan is activated. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the film has been transported to the shrink section. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a front view showing the container packaging machine in a standby state. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a front view showing the container packaging machine in a state in which the container table is raised after the standby state. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a front view showing the container packaging machine in a state where shrink packaging has started. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a front view showing the container packaging machine in a state where shrink packaging is completed. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a front view showing the container packaging machine in a state where the container table is lowered after shrink packaging is completed. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a standby state when the container position is deviated from the correct position. [Figure 13] 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the container table is raised when the container position is deviated from the correct position. FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the position of the container has been corrected to the correct position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the drawings. First Embodiment 1. Basic configuration of container packaging machine 1 The basic configuration of the container packaging machine 1 will be described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2. The container packaging machine 1 comprises a base 3, legs 5, and a housing 7. The base 3 is a portion of the container packaging machine 1 that is located at the lower part D. The base 3 is in contact with the surface on which the container packaging machine 1 is installed. The legs 5 are members that extend upward U from the portion of the base 3 on the rear B side. The housing 7 is a hollow box that is supported by the legs 5. The housing 7 is located above U above the legs 5. Furthermore, a portion of the housing 7 extends forward F beyond the legs 5. The housing 7 is located above U above the base 3. The forward F is in the opposite direction to the rear B.

[0010] The container packaging machine 1 includes a container stand 11. The container stand 11 is located above the base 3 at U, in front of the legs 5 at F, and below the housing 7 at D. The container stand 11 can be moved upwards U and downwards D by a movement mechanism (not shown). A container 13 can be placed on the container stand 11. The container 13 includes an opening 15. The container 13 is placed on the container stand 11 with the opening 15 facing upwards U. The shape of the container 13 is, for example, cylindrical.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 1 , the upper surface of the container stand 11 has a central portion 11A, which is located at the center in a plan view, and is a horizontal plane. The plan view is a view from above U. The upper surface of the container stand 11 has a peripheral portion 11B, which is located on the outer periphery of the central portion 11A in a plan view, and is shaped like a mortar. The mortar shape is a shape that slopes downward as it approaches the center of the container stand 11 in a plan view. When a container 13 is placed on the container stand 11, if the container 13 is in the correct position or a position close to that, the bottom 13C of the container 13 contacts the peripheral portion 11B. If the container 13 is in the correct position or a position close to that, the bottom 13C of the container 13 does not contact the central portion 11A. The correct position is, for example, a position where the center of the central portion 11A and the center of the container 13 coincide with each other in a plan view.

[0012] The container packaging machine 1 includes a shrink section 21. The shrink section 21 is housed inside a housing 7. However, the housing 7 is open at a portion D below the shrink section 21. The shrink section 21 is located at a position U above the container table 11. The shrink section 21 has the function of performing shrink packaging. Shrink packaging refers to shrinking a film 23 and packaging the container 13 with the film 23. The configuration and function of the shrink section 21 will be described in detail below.

[0013] The container packaging machine 1 includes a film roll 31, a feed roller 33, and a feed idler 35. The film roll 31, the feed roller 33, and the feed idler 35 are housed inside the housing 7. The film roll 31 is located above U of the shrink section 21. In a plan view, a portion of the film roll 31 on the front F side is located in a position overlapping with the shrink section 21. A portion of the film roll 31 on the rear B side is located behind B of the shrink section 21.

[0014] The film roll 31 is a member around which a long, strip-shaped film 23 is wound. The film 23 can be pulled out from the film roll 31. The film 23 pulled out from the film roll 31 is guided by a feed roller 33 and a feed idler 35 and transported to the shrinking unit 21. The feed roller 33 is rotated by the driving force of a drive source (not shown) in a direction that transports the film 23 to the shrinking unit 21. The feed roller 33 and the feed idler 35 correspond to the film transport unit.

[0015] The film 23 is, for example, a shrink film that is processed so as to shrink when heated, or an ordinary film. The material of the film 23 is not particularly limited. Examples of the material of the film 23 include PET (polyethylene terephthalate) and PP (polypropylene). The color of the film 23 is not limited. The color of the film 23 is preferably a color that easily absorbs infrared rays, and black is preferable. The thickness of the film 23 is, for example, several tens of μm.

[0016] 2. Configuration and Function of Mechanism for Conveying Film 23 to Shrinking Section 21 The configuration and function of the mechanism that transports film 23 to shrink unit 21 will be described with reference to Figures 3 to 6. As shown in Figures 3 to 6, shrink unit 21 includes lifting plate 41. Lifting plate 41 is located above container table 11 at a position U. Lifting plate 41 is composed of a disk portion 41A and a shaft portion 41B.

[0017] The disk portion 41A is disk-shaped. The main surface of the disk portion 41A is parallel to a horizontal plane. The main surface is a plane that has a larger area than other parts of the surface of a plate-shaped member. The shaft portion 41B is a rod-shaped member. The shaft portion 41B is connected to the center of the main surface on the upper U side of the disk portion 41A and extends upward U. The lifting plate 41 can move upward U and downward D by being guided by a guide mechanism (not shown). The disk portion 41A corresponds to the pressed portion.

[0018] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the shrinking unit 21 includes a film support portion 43. The film support portion 43 is provided above the container table 11 at an upper portion U. The film support portion 43 supports the film 23 from below. The film support portion 43 is located below the lifting plate 41 at a lower portion D.

[0019] The film support portion 43 includes a main body plate 43A and two protruding plates 43B. The main body plate 43A is a flat, plate-like member. The main surface of the main body plate 43A is parallel to the horizontal plane. The main body plate 43A includes a passing portion 45. The passing portion 45 is a hole that penetrates the main body plate 43A at the upper U and lower D. In a plan view, the shape of the passing portion 45 is, for example, circular. In a plan view, the shape of the passing portion 45 may also be, for example, rectangular. When the container stand 11 is raised, the portion of the container 13 placed on the container stand 11 on the upper U side passes through the passing portion 45.

[0020] The protruding plate 43B is a plate-like member that is connected to the main surface of the main body plate 43A on the upper U side and extends upward U. One of the protruding plates 43B is located to the right R of the passing portion 45. The other protruding plate 43B is located to the left L of the passing portion 45. The right R is the right direction when viewed from the front F. The left L is the left direction when viewed from the front F. The two protruding plates 43B extend parallel to the rear B and front F, respectively, in a plan view.

[0021] As shown in Figures 3 to 6, the shrink section 21 includes an internal housing 47. The internal housing 47 is a hollow box-shaped member. The shape of the internal housing 47 is, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped. The internal housing 47 is located above U of the film support section 43. A hole 49 is formed in a bottom surface 47A of the internal housing 47. The bottom surface 47A is a portion of the plate-shaped member that constitutes the internal housing 47 that is located below D. The main surface of the bottom surface 47A is parallel to the horizontal plane. The hole 49 penetrates the bottom surface 47A above U and below D. In a plan view, the shape of the hole 49 is circular.

[0022] When the container stand 11 is raised, the portion of the container 13 placed on the container stand 11 on the upper U side passes through the hole 49. When the lifting plate 41 moves upward U and downward D, the disk portion 41A moves between a position U above the bottom surface 47A and a position D below the bottom surface 47A. When the lifting plate 41 moves upward U and downward D, the disk portion 41A passes through the hole 49.

[0023] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, shrink unit 21 includes a plurality of halogen lamps 51. The plurality of halogen lamps 51 are attached to the side surfaces of inner housing 47. The plurality of halogen lamps 51 protrude into inner housing 47. The plurality of halogen lamps 51 are arranged so as to surround disc portion 41A in plan view. Halogen lamps 51 irradiate infrared light. The halogen lamps 51 correspond to a heating unit.

[0024] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the shrink portion 21 includes a cooling fan 53. The cooling fan 53 is attached to a side surface of the inner housing 47. The cooling fan 53 exhausts the air inside the inner housing 47 to the outside of the inner housing 47.

[0025] The state shown in Fig. 3 is a state in which film 23 has not yet been transported to shrink section 21. The state shown in Fig. 3 is also a state immediately after the previous shrink wrapping is completed and container table 11 has been lowered. In the state shown in Fig. 3, cooling fan 53 is stopped.

[0026] After the state shown in Fig. 3, as shown in Fig. 4, the feed roller 33 rotates, starting the transport of the film 23. The film 23 is pulled out from the film roll 31 and transported to the shrink section 21, where it is supported from below by two protruding plates 43B. In the shrink section 21, the bottom surface 47A and the holes 49 are located above U the film 23. In the shrink section 21, the film 23 is transported forward F. In the state shown in Fig. 4, the cooling fan 53 is also stopped.

[0027] After the state shown in Figure 4, film 23 is further transported forward F in shrink section 21 as shown in Figure 5. When the state shown in Figure 5 is reached, cooling fan 53 is started. When cooling fan 53 is started, air flow AF is generated from the inside of inner housing 47 to the outside. As a result, the pressure inside inner housing 47 becomes negative.

[0028] The space U above the film 23 supported by the film support portion 43 is in communication with the interior of the internal housing 47 via the hole 49, and is therefore under negative pressure. On the other hand, the space D below the film 23 supported by the film support portion 43 is at normal pressure. Therefore, the space U above the film 23 supported by the film support portion 43 is under negative pressure compared to the space D below the film 23. As a result, a force UF that tries to lift the film 23 upward in the upward direction U is applied to the film 23 supported by the film support portion 43. However, the film 23 remains supported by the film support portion 43. The cooling fan 53 and the internal housing 47 correspond to the negative pressure generator.

[0029] After the state shown in Fig. 5, the transport of film 23 is completed as shown in Fig. 6. When the transport of film 23 is completed, film 23 overlaps film support portion 43, bottom surface 47A, and hole 49 in a plan view. Film 23 is cut at cutting position 55 by a cutter (not shown). After cutting, the shape of film 23 supported by film support portion 43 is square in a plan view. Cooling fan 53 temporarily stops after the transport of film 23 is completed. Thereafter, when the temperature inside inner housing 47 rises, cooling fan 53 starts up to cool the inside of inner housing 47.

[0030] 3. Configuration and function of the shrink-wrapping mechanism The configuration and function of the shrink wrapping mechanism will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0031] The container packaging machine 1 first enters the standby state shown in Fig. 7. The standby state is a state in which the previous shrink packaging is completed, and then the transport of the film 23 to the shrinking section 21 is completed. In the standby state, the container table 11 is at the lowest position. The container 13 placed on the container table 11 is at a position D below the film support section 43. The container 13 has not yet been shrink-packaged.

[0032] In the standby state, film 23 is supplied to shrink unit 21. Film 23 is supported from below by film support unit 43. Disc portion 41A contacts film 23 from above U. In the standby state, disc portion 41A is located at D below bottom surface 47A. In the standby state, halogen lamp 51 is turned off.

[0033] Next, the container stand 11 rises as shown in Fig. 8. Of the containers 13 placed on the container stand 11, the portion on the upper U side passes through the passage portion 45 and the hole 49 and moves to the upper U side above the bottom surface 47A. The film 23, which was supported by the film support portion 43, is lifted upward U by the container 13. At this time, the entire upper end 13B of the container 13 comes into contact with the film 23. The upper end 13B is a peripheral portion surrounding the opening 15. In a plan view, the shape of the upper end 13B is, for example, circular. The portion of the film 23 that is on the outer periphery of the container 13 in a plan view is referred to as the outer periphery 23A. The portion of the film 23 that overlaps with the container 13 in a plan view is referred to as the central portion 23B. The outer periphery 23A exists around the entire circumference of the container 13.

[0034] When the film 23 is lifted upward U by the container 13, the bottom surface 47A abuts against the outer periphery 23A from above U. Therefore, the outer periphery 23A is more restrained from rising than the central portion 23B. As a result, the outer periphery 23A faces the outer periphery surface 13A of the container 13. The bottom surface 47A corresponds to the rise restraining portion.

[0035] 8, the disk portion 41A is pressed upward U by the container 13 via the film 23. Therefore, the lifting plate 41 moves upward U compared to the position in the standby state. When the container table 11 has been raised, the halogen lamp 51 is turned on, as shown in FIG. 9. The halogen lamp 51 mainly heats the outer peripheral portion 23A. The outer peripheral portion 23A shrinks when heated. As a result, as shown in FIG. 10, the outer peripheral portion 23A comes into close contact with the outer peripheral surface 13A. The opening 15 is covered with the film 23. The portion of the outer peripheral surface 13A on the upper U side is also covered with the film 23. The shrink packaging is completed through the above steps.

[0036] Next, as shown in Figure 11, the container table 11 descends to the same position as in the standby state. The lifting plate 41 also descends. However, the position of the disc portion 41A is at a position U above the bottom surface 47A. In the state shown in Figure 11, the film 23 is transported to the shrink unit 21. Because the position of the disc portion 41A is at a position U above the bottom surface 47A, the disc portion 41A is less likely to obstruct the transport of the film 23.

[0037] 4. Benefits of the container packaging machine 1 (1A) When a container 13 is placed on the container table 11, even if the position of the container 13 is shifted from the correct position, the container packaging machine 1 can appropriately perform shrink packaging. The reason for this will be explained with reference to Figures 12 to 14. Note that in Figures 12 to 14, the film 23 is not shown.

[0038] Fig. 12 shows the standby state. In the example shown in Fig. 12, the container 13 is in a position shifted to the left L from the correct position. When the container 13 is in the correct position, the upper end 13B of the container 13 is horizontal.

[0039] The bottom 13C of the container 13 contacts the outer periphery 11B. Because the outer periphery 11B has a cone shape, when the container 13 is displaced to the left L from the correct position, as in the example shown in Figure 12, the container 13 is tilted so that the left side L is higher. The top end 13B is also tilted so that the left side L is higher.

[0040] 12, when the container stand 11 rises, as shown in Fig. 13, only the upper end contact point 61 at the end on the left side L of the upper end 13B comes into contact with the disk portion 41A via the film 23. A downward force F1 is applied to the upper end contact point 61.

[0041] A downward force F1 is also applied to the bottom contact point 63 of the bottom 13C, which is located at D below the top contact point 61. The bottom contact point 63 is in contact with the outer periphery 11B. The outer periphery 11B has a cone-like shape and slopes downward as it moves to the right R. The downward force F1 includes a component F2 that moves to the right R along the surface of the outer periphery 11B. As a result, the container 13 moves until it reaches the correct position. At this time, the bottom 13C moves to the right R. The container 13 also rotates counterclockwise in Figure 13. As shown in Figure 14, when the container 13 reaches the correct position, the tilt of the container 13 is resolved and the top end 13B becomes horizontal.

[0042] As described above, even if the position of the container 13 is shifted from the correct position when the container 13 is placed on the container stand 11, the position of the container 13 is corrected to the correct position when the container stand 11 rises and the container 13 contacts the disk portion 41A via the film 23. As a result, the shrink packaging can be performed appropriately. Here, an example is shown in which the position of the container 13 is shifted to the left L, but the same effect can be achieved even if the container 13 is shifted in another direction. 12, the positions of the upper surface of the container stand 11 that come into contact with the bottom 13C are all on the outer periphery 11B. That is, the entire portion of the upper surface of the container stand 11 that comes into contact with the container 13 has a mortar-like shape. The position of the container 13 may be shifted further to the left L than the position shown in Figure 12. In this case, the left L portion of the bottom 13C contacts the outer periphery 11B, and the right R portion of the bottom 13C contacts the center 11A. That is, of the upper surface of the container stand 11, a portion of the portion that contacts the container 13 has a cone shape, and the other portion does not have a cone shape. Even in this case, when the container stand 11 is raised and the container 13 contacts the disc portion 41A via the film 23, the position of the container 13 is corrected to the correct position by the action described above.

[0043] (1B) The main surface of the disk portion 41A may not be horizontal due to manufacturing errors, aging, etc. Even in this case, the container packaging machine 1 can properly perform shrink packaging. The reason for this will be explained below. When the container table 11 is raised, even if the position of the container 13 is correct, the main surface of the disc portion 41A may not be horizontal, and therefore only the upper end contact point 61 of the upper end 13B may come into contact with the disc portion 41A, as in the example shown in FIG. 13 . In this case, as described above, the bottom 13C moves to the right R. When the bottom 13C moves to the right R, the container 13 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 13 . As a result, the entire upper end 13B comes into contact with the disc portion 41A. Therefore, even if the main surface of the disc portion 41A is not horizontal, the container packaging machine 1 can properly perform shrink packaging.

[0044] (1C) When the container packaging machine 1 is conveying the film 23 by the feed rollers 33 and the feed idlers 35, the pressure above U of the film 23 supported by the film support parts 43 is negative compared to the pressure below D of the film 23. This makes it possible to prevent the film 23 supported by the film support parts 43 from sagging.

[0045] The phenomenon of film 23 sagging is likely to occur at positions of film 23 that are distant from feed roller 33 and feed idler 35. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 4, when film 23 is present only near feed roller 33 and feed idler 35, it is not necessary to apply negative pressure to the area U above film 23. As shown in Fig. 5, when film 23 is transported to a position distant from feed roller 33 and feed idler 35, it is preferable to apply negative pressure to the area U above film 23.

[0046] (1D) When the container stand 11 rises and the container 13 lifts the film 23 from the film support portion 43, the bottom surface 47A abuts against the outer periphery 23A from above U, suppressing the rise of the outer periphery 23A compared to the central portion 23B of the film 23. Therefore, as shown in Figures 8 and 9, the outer periphery 23A faces the outer periphery surface 13A. As a result, when the outer periphery 23A is heated, the outer periphery 23A adheres closely to the outer periphery surface 13A.

[0047] <Other embodiments> Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be implemented in various modified forms.

[0048] (1) The upper surface of the container stand 11 may be shaped like a mortar. The shape of the outer periphery 11B in a side cross section may be straight or curved. The curve may be an upwardly convex curve or a downwardly convex curve.

[0049] (2) The configuration for creating a negative pressure inside the inner housing 47 may be something other than the cooling fan 53. For example, the inside of the inner housing 47 may be created with a pump or the like. (3) The space D below the film 23 supported by the film support portion 43 may be set to a positive pressure compared to the space U above the film 23. In this case, the effect of (1C) above can also be achieved. (4) The function of one component in each of the above embodiments may be shared among multiple components, or the functions of multiple components may be performed by one component. Also, part of the configuration of each of the above embodiments may be omitted. Furthermore, at least part of the configuration of each of the above embodiments may be added to or substituted for the configuration of another of the above embodiments.

[0050] (5) In addition to the container packaging machine 1 described above, the present disclosure can also be realized in various forms, such as a system including the container packaging machine 1 as a component, a program for causing a computer to function as a control unit of the container packaging machine 1, a non-transitory tangible recording medium such as a semiconductor memory on which this program is recorded, a method of packaging a container, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] 1...container packaging machine, 3...base portion, 5...leg portion, 7...casing, 11...container stand, 11A...center portion, 11B...periphery portion, 13...container, 13A...periphery surface, 13B...top end, 13C...bottom, 15...opening, 21...shrink portion, 23...film, 23A...periphery portion, 23B...center portion, 31...film roll, 33...feed roller, 35...feed idler, 41...lifting plate, 41A...disk portion, 41B...shaft portion, 43...film support portion, 43A...main body plate, 43B...protruding plate, 45...passing portion, 47...internal casing, 47A...bottom surface, 49...hole, 51...halogen lamp, 53...cooling fan, 61...upper end contact point, 63...bottom side contact point

Claims

1. a container stand that can carry a container and is configured to move in an up and down direction; a film support section provided above the container stand, configured to support the film from below, and including a passage section through which the container passes when the container stand is raised; a pressed portion that is provided above the film support portion and that is pressed against the container via the film that is lifted from the film support portion by the container when the container stand is raised; a heating unit configured to heat and shrink an outer peripheral portion of the film that is located on the outer peripheral side of the container when the pressed portion is pressed against the container via the film, and to bring the outer peripheral portion into close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the container; Equipped with At least a part of the upper surface of the container stand that comes into contact with the container has a mortar-like shape. Container packaging machine.

2. The container packaging machine according to claim 1, a film transport unit configured to unwind the film from the film roll and transport it onto the film support unit; a negative pressure generating unit configured to create a negative pressure above the film supported by the film supporting unit compared to a negative pressure below the film when the film conveying unit is conveying the film; Further provided with Container packaging machine.

3. The container packaging machine according to claim 1 or 2, The film supporting member further includes an ascent suppression portion configured to contact the outer periphery from above when the container stand is raised and the film is lifted from the film support portion by the container, and to suppress ascent of the outer periphery compared to the central portion of the film. Container packaging machine.

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