Packaging installation

Abstract

To provide a packaging installation capable of holding a film positively by a clamp unit.SOLUTION: A packaging installation is for packaging a to-be-packaged article by covering the to-be-packaged article by a film with the to-be-packaged article pushed up from below relatively to the film in a spread state and then bending a peripheral edge of the film toward a bottom surface of the to-be-packaged article. The packaging installation is provided with a front clamp unit 400F to hold a film in a spread state with its edge clamped vertically. The front clamp unit has a receiving part 410F having a first surface 412F, a plurality of movable parts 420F, and a moving part. Respective ones of the plurality of movable parts have a second surface 421F arranged opposed to the first surface. The moving part is mounted with a plurality of movable parts, so that, by moving the plurality of movable parts, a side edge of the film is pushed on a first surface of a receiving part with the side edge of the film pushed by the second surface. The second surfaces of the plurality of movable parts are arranged to lie along the first surface after deflection of the receiving part upon pushing the film on the receiving part by the second surface.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] As disclosed in Patent Document 1 (JP 2011-20700 A), a packaging device is known that pushes an item to be packaged up from below onto an unfolded film to cover the item with the film, and then folds the peripheral edge of the film toward the bottom side of the item to be packaged to package it.

[0003] In the packaging device disclosed in Patent Document 1 (JP Patent Publication No. 2011-20700), when the tray is pressed against the film, the clamping portion holds both side edges of the unfolded film by clamping them between a stationary receiving portion and multiple movable members.

[0004] If the clamps do not hold the film properly, the film may shift position when the packaged item is pushed up from below, which could result in the package not being properly wrapped. For this reason, the clamps must be able to hold the film firmly.

[0005] One way to obtain a large film holding capacity is to increase the pressing force of the movable member that presses the film against the receiving portion. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, if the pressing force of the movable member is increased, the receiving portion may be deformed by the pressing force of the movable member, causing a gap to form locally between the movable member and the receiving portion, which may make it impossible to firmly hold the thin film with the clamp portion. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A packaging device according to a first aspect of the present invention pushes an item to be packaged up against an unfolded film from below to cover the item with the film, and then folds the peripheral edge of the film toward the bottom of the item to package it. The packaging device includes a frame and a clamping unit. The clamping unit holds the side edge of the unfolded film by clamping it from above and below. The clamping unit has a pressed surface and includes a receiving unit supported by the frame, multiple movable units arranged in a row along a first direction, and a moving unit. The receiving unit extends in the first direction. Each of the multiple movable units has a pressing surface arranged opposite the pressed surface. The moving unit is attached with multiple movable units. The moving unit moves the multiple movable units to a pressing position, and presses the side edge of the film with the pressing surfaces of the multiple movable units, thereby pressing the side edge of the film against the pressed surface of the receiving unit. The pressing surfaces of the plurality of movable parts are arranged so as to conform to the pressed surface of the receiving part after deflection when the moving part moves the plurality of movable parts to the pressing position and presses the film against the receiving part with the pressing surface.

[0008] In the packaging device of the first aspect, the pressing surfaces of the multiple movable parts are arranged so as to follow the pressed surface after deflection, thereby suppressing the occurrence of gaps between the pressing surface and the pressed surface that occur when holding the film, and enabling the film to be firmly held between the receiving part and the movable part.

[0009] A packaging device according to a second aspect of the present invention is the packaging device of the first aspect, wherein the receiving portion is supported by a frame at both ends in a first direction. When the plurality of movable portions press the film against the receiving portion, the receiving portion in a bent state has an arch shape when viewed from a horizontal direction perpendicular to the first direction.

[0010] In the packaging device of the second aspect, the pressing surfaces of the multiple movable parts are arranged in an arch shape to match the deformation form, thereby reducing the gap between the pressing surface and the pressed surface when holding the film, and allowing the film to be firmly held between the receiving part and the movable part.

[0011] A packaging device according to a third aspect of the present invention is the packaging device according to the first or second aspect, wherein the plurality of movable parts have opposing surfaces that face the moving part in the up-down direction. At least some of the plurality of movable parts are attached to the moving part with the opposing surfaces tilted relative to the moving part, so that the pressing surfaces conform to the pressed surfaces after deflection.

[0012] In the packaging device of the third aspect, the film can be firmly held between the receiving part and the movable part by adjusting the attachment of the movable part to the moving part without changing the shape of the movable part.

[0013] A packaging device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the packaging device of the third aspect, wherein the movable part, which is fixed with its opposing surface tilted relative to the moving part, is fixed by fastening members at a first position and a second position spaced apart in a first direction. The diameter of a second hole formed in the movable part, through which the fastening member formed at the second position is inserted, is larger than the diameter of a first hole formed in the movable part, through which the fastening member formed at the first position is inserted.

[0014] In the packaging device of the fourth aspect, the packaging device assembly worker can easily attach the movable part to the moving part in the desired position with the opposing surface tilted relative to the moving part by rotating the side of the movable part where the second hole is formed, using the first hole with a smaller diameter as the fulcrum for rotation of the movable part.

[0015] A packaging device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the packaging device of the first or second aspect, wherein the plurality of movable parts have opposing surfaces that face the moving part in the up-down direction, and are attached to the moving part with the opposing surfaces parallel to the moving part. The pressing surfaces of the plurality of movable parts are formed so as to conform to the pressed surface after deflection when the plurality of movable parts are moved to pressing positions and the plurality of movable parts press the film against the receiving part.

[0016] In the packaging device of the fifth aspect, the pressing surfaces of the plurality of movable parts are formed so as to conform to the pressed surfaces after deflection, so that the worker assembling the packaging device can arrange the pressing surfaces of the plurality of movable parts so as to conform to the pressed surfaces after deflection without paying special attention during the assembly work, resulting in good workability.

[0017] A packaging device according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is a packaging device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the rigidity of each movable part is set so that when each movable part presses the film against the receiving part, the pressing surface elastically deforms along the deforming pressed surface of the receiving part.

[0018] In the packaging device of the sixth aspect, the rigidity of the movable part is set so that the pressing surface elastically deforms along the pressed surface of the deforming receiving part, thereby suppressing the gap between the pressing surface and the pressed surface that occurs when holding the film, and making it possible to firmly hold the film between the receiving part and the movable part. [Effects of the Invention]

[0019] In the packaging device of the present invention, the clamp section can firmly hold the film. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic front view of a packaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 2 is a right side view illustrating a schematic configuration of the interior of the packaging device of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 3] 2 is a schematic front view illustrating the configuration around a front conveying section of the packaging device of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is a schematic rear view illustrating the configuration around the rear conveying section of the packaging device of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the packaging device of FIG. 1. [Figure 6] 2 is a left side view of the upper and lower belts of the front conveying section of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 7]4 is an enlarged schematic front view of the vicinity of the supply unit and cutter in FIG. 3. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a schematic top view illustrating a state in which the clamp portion holds the film. [Figure 9] 2 is a schematic perspective view of a conveying section and a clamping section of the packaging device of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 10] 10 is a schematic front view showing deformation of the receiving portion of the front clamp portion and the arrangement of the second surface of the movable portion. FIG. [Figure 11A] 10 is a schematic front view illustrating an example of a state in which movable sections arranged at both front left and right ends are attached to a first moving frame. FIG. [Figure 11B] 10 is a schematic front view illustrating another example of the state in which the movable parts arranged at both ends of the front left and right directions are attached to the first moving frame. FIG. [Figure 11C] 10A and 10B are schematic front views illustrating the shapes of movable parts arranged at both ends in the front left-right direction. [Figure 12] 10 is a schematic front view illustrating the shape of a movable part disposed at the center in the front left-right direction and the state of attachment to a second moving frame. FIG. [Figure 13] 10 is a schematic top view of a movable part of a front clamp part according to Modification A. FIG. [Figure 14] This is a display screen of a setting file for selectively acquiring only necessary product information when receiving a product master from an external device. [Figure 15] This is the display screen of the next page of the setting file. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] A packaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiment shown below is an example, and the present invention is not limited to the following embodiment. Various modifications are possible within the scope of the present invention.

[0022] In the following description, for convenience of explanation, expressions such as "front," "rear," "left," "right," "upper," and "lower" may be used, taking advantage of the directions of arrows shown in the drawings, to explain directions, arrangements, etc. Unless otherwise specified, these expressions do not limit the invention.

[0023] In addition, in the following description, expressions such as parallel, horizontal, and vertical may be used, but these expressions are not limited to the strict meaning and also include cases where the expressions are roughly parallel, horizontal, vertical, etc.

[0024] (1) Overall overview A packaging device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention is a device that packages trays (hereinafter referred to as products G) on which, for example, fresh food or the like is placed. The packaging device 100 pushes the products G up from below against an unfolded stretch film (film F), covers the products G with the film F, and then folds the peripheral edge of the film F toward the bottom side of the products G to package them.

[0025] The packaging device 100 mainly includes a weighing and carrying device 10, a lifter 20, a supply unit 30, a cutter 200, a moving mechanism 250, a conveying unit 300, a clamp unit 400, a folding mechanism 40, a discharge pusher 50, a take-out table 70, and a control unit 80 (see Figures 1 to 5).

[0026] The weighing and carrying-in device 10 uses a scale 12 (see FIG. 2) to weigh the weight of the fresh foodstuffs and the like stored on the trays of the products G that have been placed in the loading space Si. After measuring the weight, the weighing and carrying-in device 10 pushes the products G backward with a carrying-in member (not shown) driven by a drive unit (not shown) such as a motor, and moves the products G onto the movable platform 22 of the lifter 20.

[0027] The lifter 20 includes a movable platform 22 (see FIG. 2). The lifter 20 drives the movable platform 22, on which the product G is placed, by a drive unit (not shown), such as a motor, to move the movable platform 22 upward to an upper packaging area PA, thereby moving the product G on the movable platform 22 upward. Specifically, by moving the product G to the upper packaging area PA, the lifter 20 pushes the product G from below against the film F that is held in a taut state by the clamp unit 400 at the packaging position PP at the upper center of the packaging device 100. As the lifter 20 pushes the product G upward from below the film F, the upper surface of the product G is covered with the film F.

[0028] 3 and 4, the film F supply unit 30 includes a pair of support rollers 32 that hold the film roll R, and a guide mechanism 34. The pair of support rollers 32 support the film roll R so that it can rotate freely in the direction in which the film F is unwound. The guide mechanism 34 is a mechanism that guides the film F unwound from the film roll R between an upper belt 316F and a lower belt 326F of the front conveyance unit 300F, which will be described later, and between an upper belt 316R and a lower belt 326R of the rear conveyance unit 300R.

[0029] Cutter 200 cuts film F after film F, which is unwound from film roll R, is transported to packaging position PP by transport section 300. Cutting blade 210 of cutter 200 is moved by movement mechanism 250.

[0030] The conveying unit 300 conveys the film F to the right as it is unwound from the film roll R. Specifically, the conveying unit 300 sandwiches the film F unwound from the film roll R between upper and lower belts, and drives at least one of the upper and lower belts to convey the film F to the packaging position PP.

[0031] The clamping unit 400 holds both side edges (front and rear edges) of the unfolded film F by clamping them from above and below. Specifically, the clamping unit 400 temporarily clamps the upper and lower belts of the conveying unit 300 that hold the film F conveyed to the packaging position PP by the conveying unit 300 arranged before and after it, thereby holding the unfolded film F in a taut state after it has been cut off from the film extending from the film roll R by the cutter 200.

[0032] The folding mechanism 40 folds the peripheral edge of the film F covering the top of the product G, which is the packaged item, into the bottom of the product G (the bottom of the tray for the product G) in the packaging area PA.

[0033] The folding mechanism 40 includes a stationary front folding member 42 arranged in front of the packaging area PA where the products G are packaged in film F, a rear folding member 44 arranged in the rear of the packaging area PA, a right folding member 46 arranged to the right of the packaging area PA, and a left folding member 48 arranged to the left of the packaging area PA. When the lifter 20 presses the products G against the film F held at the packaging position PP, the rear folding member 44 is driven by a driving unit (not shown) such as a motor to move forward, the right folding member 46 to the left, and the left folding member 48 to the right, thereby folding the film F arranged on the rear, right, and left sides of the products G into the bottom of the products G. When the discharge pusher 50 pushes the products G forward with the film F, excluding the front film, folded into the bottom of the tray, the front folding member 42 folds the film F arranged in front of the products G into the bottom of the products G.

[0034] The discharge pusher 50 pushes the product G covered with the film F toward the discharge space Sd. Specifically, the discharge pusher 50 pushes the back of the product G forward with the pusher member 52, thereby pushing the product G covered with the film F into the discharge space Sd.

[0035] The take-out table 70 is provided in the discharge space Sd and is a table onto which the products G covered with the film F are transported by the discharge pusher 50. The take-out table 70 mainly comprises a loading plate 72 and a heater 74. When the products G are moved by the discharge pusher 50, the heater 74 comes into contact with the film F on the bottom side of the products G and welds the folded film F.

[0036] The control unit 80 is a device that controls the operation of each part of the packaging device 100. As shown in Fig. 5, the control unit 80 is electrically connected to the various devices 10, 20, 30, 250, 300, 400, 40, 50, and 74. The control unit 80 includes an arithmetic processing unit such as a CPU and storage devices such as a ROM and RAM, and controls the operation of the various devices by the arithmetic processing unit executing programs stored in the storage devices.

[0037] (2) Detailed configuration The transport unit 300 and the clamp unit 400 will now be described in detail.

[0038] (2-1) Conveyor The conveying section 300 includes a front conveying section 300F that holds the vicinity of the front end of the film F and conveys the film F to the right, and a rear conveying section 300R that holds the vicinity of the rear end of the film F and conveys the film F to the right (see FIG. 9). The front conveying section 300F includes an upper belt 316F and a lower belt 326F (see FIG. 3). The rear conveying section 300R includes an upper belt 316R and a lower belt 326R (see FIG. 4). As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 9, the conveying section 300 also includes pulleys 312, 314, 322, and 324 that extend in the front-to-rear direction and are common to the front conveying section 300F and the rear conveying section 300R. The pulleys 312 and 322, as well as the pulleys 314 and 324, are arranged vertically side by side. The rotary shafts of pulley 312 and pulley 322 are fitted with gears that mesh with each other, so that when one pulley 312 is driven to rotate, the other pulley 322 is also driven to rotate. Upper belts 316F and 316R are wound around pulleys 312 and 314. Lower belts 326F and 326R are wound around pulleys 322 and 324. Pulley 312 is driven to rotate by a conveyor drive unit 350 such as a motor. However, the pulley that is directly driven to rotate by conveyor drive unit 350 may be pulley 322.

[0039] FIG. 6 is a side view showing the upper belt 316F wound around pulley 312 and the lower belt 326F wound around pulley 322, as viewed from the left side. As depicted in FIGS. 6 and 9, the upper belt 316 includes multiple round belts 317, and the lower belt 326 includes multiple round belts 327. The round belts 317, 327 are string-like belts with circular cross sections. The round belt 317 is wound around pulleys 312, 314 and extends between the pulleys 312, 314 along the conveyance direction D of the film F by the conveyor section 300. The round belt 327 is wound around pulleys 322, 324 and extends between the pulleys 322, 324 along the conveyance direction D. The multiple round belts 317 and the multiple round belts 327 are preferably arranged alternately and adjacent to each other, as shown in FIG. 6. As a result, as shown in FIG. 6, film F is held by round belts 317 and 327 in a meandering S-shape.

[0040] 7, supply unit 30 guides film F to the vicinity of the belt of conveyance unit 300 using guide mechanism 34, and supplies film F from the left between upper belt 316F and lower belt 326F of front conveyance unit 300F and between upper belt 316R and lower belt 326R of rear conveyance unit 300R. Conveyance unit 300 rotates upper belts 316F, 316R and lower belts 326F, 326R as described above by driving pulley 322 to rotate using conveyance drive unit 350, thereby sandwiching film F unwound from film roll R in supply unit 30 between upper belt 316F and lower belt 326F and between upper belt 316R and lower belt 326R and conveying it in conveyance direction D to packaging position PP.

[0041] The conveying section 300 may have a single flat belt instead of the multiple round belts 317 and 327.

[0042] (2-2) Clamp section The clamp unit 400 includes a front clamp unit 400F that holds the front edge of the film F placed at the wrapping position PP, and a rear clamp unit 400R that holds the rear edge of the film F placed at the wrapping position PP. As shown in FIGS. 3, 5, and 8, the front clamp unit 400F includes a receiving unit 410F, multiple movable units 420F, a moving unit 450F, and an actuator 456F. As shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 8, the rear clamp unit 400R includes a receiving unit 410R, multiple movable units 420R, a moving unit 450R, and an actuator 456R. Note that the number of movable units 420F, 420R is not limited to the number depicted in the drawings. The number of movable units 420F, 420R may be determined as appropriate.

[0043] In the following, the clamping portions will be described using the front clamping portion 400F as an example of the front clamping portion 400F and the rear clamping portion 400R. Because the rear clamping portion 400R has the same configuration as the front clamping portion 400F (because it has a roughly symmetrical configuration from front to back), detailed drawings and descriptions of the rear clamping portion 400R will be omitted for the sake of brevity.

[0044] The receiving portion 410F of the front clamping portion 400F extends with its longitudinal direction being the left-right direction, which is an example of a first direction, and is supported by the frame 460. Although the form of support is not limited, in this embodiment, both ends of the receiving portion 410F in the left-right direction are supported by the frame 460. The receiving portion 410F has a first surface 412F (see FIG. 10) as an example of a pressed surface. As shown in FIG. 3, the receiving portion 410F is disposed adjacent to the upper belt 316F above a portion where the upper belt 316F and the lower belt 326F sandwich the film F. The first surface 412F of the receiving portion 410F is the surface on the side where the multiple movable portions 420F are disposed in the up-down direction.

[0045] The multiple movable parts 420Fa-420Fc are arranged side by side in the left-right direction. In this embodiment, the movable parts 420Fa, 420Fc, and 420Fb are arranged in this order from left to right. Each of the multiple movable parts 420Fa-420Fc has a second surface 421F (421Fa-421Fc) as an example of a pressing surface that is arranged to face the first surface 412F of the receiving part 410F. The multiple movable parts 420F are arranged below a portion where the upper belt 316F and the lower belt 326F sandwich the film F, and the first surface 412F of the receiving part 410F and the second surfaces 421F of the multiple movable parts 420F are arranged to face each other with the upper belt 316F and the lower belt 326F sandwiched therebetween.

[0046] A plurality of movable parts 420F are attached to the moving part 450F, and the plurality of movable parts 420F are moved to the pressing position P1, and second surfaces 421F of the plurality of movable parts 420F press the side edge (front edge) of the film F, thereby pressing the side edge of the film F against the first surface 412F of the receiving part 410F. The moving part 450F will be described in detail below.

[0047] The moving section 450F includes a moving frame 452F (a first moving frame 452Fa and a second moving frame 452Fb), and the moving frames 452F are driven by an actuator 456F.

[0048] A plurality of movable parts 420F are attached to a moving frame 452F of the moving part 450F. Specifically, movable parts 420Fa and 420Fb, which are located at both ends in the left-right direction, are attached to a first moving frame 452Fa of the moving frame 452F (see FIGS. 11A to 11C). A movable part 420Fc, which is located in the center in the left-right direction, is attached to a second moving frame 452Fb of the moving frame 452F (see FIG. 12).

[0049] The actuator 456F is, for example, a solenoid or a motor. The actuator 456F includes a first actuator 456Fa and a second actuator 456Fb. The first actuator 456Fa moves the first moving frame 452Fa up and down. The second actuator 456Fb moves the second moving frame 452Fb up and down. The moving frame 452F may move linearly in the vertical direction between a lower position and an upper position, or may be rotated around a predetermined rotation axis and move vertically in a curved direction between the lower position and the upper position.

[0050] When the first actuator 456Fa moves the first moving frame 452Fa from a lower position to an upper position and the second actuator 456Fb moves the second moving frame 452Fb from a lower position to an upper position, the multiple movable parts 420Fa to 420Fc move from the standby position to the pressing position P1 (see the movable part 420F drawn with a two-dot chain line in Figure 10).

[0051] The operation of the multiple movable parts 420F will be described. When the conveying unit 300 conveys the film F, the multiple movable parts 420F are positioned at a standby position (not shown) below and away from the lower belt 326F. Then, when the conveying unit 300 completes conveying the film F to the packaging position PP, the control unit 80 controls the operation of the actuator 456F to move the multiple movable parts 420F to the pressing position P1, and press the second surfaces 421F of the movable parts 420F against the first surface 412F of the receiving unit 410F via the upper belt 316F and the lower belt 326F that hold the film F. In other words, the pressing surfaces 421Fa-421Fc of the multiple movable parts 420Fa-420Fc press the leading edge of the film F conveyed to the packaging position PP, and press the leading edge of the film F against the first surface 412F of the receiving unit 410F.

[0052] In the packaging device 100 of this embodiment, the second surfaces 421F of the multiple movable parts 420F are arranged so as to follow the first surfaces 412F of the receiving parts 410F after deflection when the moving part 450F moves the multiple movable parts 420F to the pressing position P1 and presses the film F against the receiving part 410F with the second surfaces 421F. Note that the "first surfaces 412F after deflection" refers to the first surfaces 412F of the receiving part 410F after deformation when the moving part 450F moves the multiple movable parts 420F to the pressing position P1 and presses the film F against the first surfaces 412F of the receiving part 410F with the second surfaces 421F. In other words, in the packaging device 100 of this embodiment, the second surfaces 421F of the multiple movable parts 420F are arranged so as to follow the first surface 412F (see the receiving part 410F drawn with a dashed line in Figure 10) after the receiving part 410F has deflected, in the state before the second surface 421F presses the film F against the first surface 412F (see the movable part 420F drawn with a solid line in Figure 10 just before contacting the first surface 412F).

[0053] For example, in this embodiment, the receiving portion 410F is supported by the frame 460 at both ends in the left-right direction. In this supported state (both ends supported / both ends fixed), as shown by the dashed lines in Fig. 10 , when the multiple movable portions 420F press the film F against the receiving portion 410F, at least a portion of the receiving portion 410F exhibits an arched shape when the deflected receiving portion 410F is viewed from a horizontal direction (here, from the front) perpendicular to the left-right direction. Then, the second surfaces 421F of the multiple movable portions 420F are arranged so as to follow the deflected first surfaces 412F of the receiving portions 410F before the second surfaces 421F press the film F against the first surfaces 412F. Specifically, at least immediately before the multiple movable parts 420F press the film F against the receiving part 410F, when the multiple movable parts 420F are viewed from a horizontal direction (here, from the front) perpendicular to the left-right direction, if the second surfaces 421Fa to 421Fc of the multiple movable parts 420F are smoothly connected by an imaginary line, the imaginary line K will have an arch shape that follows the first surface 412F of the receiving part 410F after it has bent.

[0054] In addition, the expression that the second surfaces 421F of the multiple movable parts 420F follow the first surfaces 412F of the receiving portion 410F after bending means that the shape of the second surfaces 421F of the multiple movable parts 420F roughly follows the first surfaces 412F of the receiving portion 410F after bending, and does not necessarily follow the first surfaces 412F of the receiving portion 410F completely.

[0055] 10, the deformation of receiving portion 410F is exaggerated for ease of understanding, and accordingly, the inclination of second surface 421Fa of movable portion 420Fa and second surface 421Fb of movable portion 420Fb relative to the horizontal plane is exaggerated (the same applies to FIGS. 11A to 11C). However, in reality, the inclination of second surface 421Fa of movable portion 420Fa and second surface 421Fb of movable portion 420Fb relative to the horizontal plane is a relatively small angle. Although it depends on the material of movable portion 420F, for example, the inclination of second surface 421Fa of movable portion 420Fa and second surface 421Fb of movable portion 420Fb relative to the horizontal plane is an angle of about 1°.

[0056] The following describes how the second surfaces 421F of the plurality of movable portions 420F are arranged along the first surfaces 412F of the receiving portions 410F after they have been deflected.

[0057] First, when multiple movable parts 420F are pressed against receiving part 410F, the shape into which receiving part 410F bends (the shape of receiving part 410F after bending) can be understood by calculation, simulation, experiment using an actual device, etc. The shape after deformation is not limited to the shape shown in Fig. 10 and differs depending on the support state and load state.

[0058] Then, second surfaces 421F of the plurality of movable portions 420F are arranged so as to follow first surfaces 412F of the gripped and deflected receiving portions 410F in the following manner.

[0059] <First example> The multiple movable parts 420F have opposing surfaces 423F (423Fa to 423Fb) that face the moving frame 452F of the moving part 450F in the vertical direction (FIGS. 11A and 12). In this embodiment, the movable parts 420Fa and 420Fb are attached to the first moving frame 452Fa with the opposing surfaces 423Fa and 423Fb tilted relative to the upper surface 453Fa of the first moving frame 452Fa of the moving part 450F that faces the opposing surfaces 423Fa and 423Fb (FIG. 11A). The movable part 420Fc is attached to the second moving frame 452Fb with the opposing surface 423Fc parallel to the upper surface 453Fb of the second moving frame 452Fb that faces the opposing surface 423Fc (FIG. 12). As a result of the plurality of movable parts 420F being attached to the moving part 450F in this way, the second surface 421F conforms to the first surface 412F after bending (see FIG. 10).

[0060] In the first example, the following configuration is adopted to mount the movable portions 420Fa and 420Fb in an inclined position relative to the first moving frame 452Fa.

[0061] Each of the multiple movable parts 420F is fixed to the moving frame 452F at two locations in the left-right direction with fastening members 470 (for example, bolts and nuts or screws) (see FIG. 3). Holes 454F are formed in the moving frame 452F at the same positions in the up-down direction, and holes through which bolts are inserted are formed in the movable parts 420F. Then, after inserting a bolt into the hole in the movable part 420F and the hole 454F in the moving frame 452F, the bolt is screwed into the nut, thereby fixing each of the multiple movable parts 420F to the moving frame 452F.

[0062] Movable parts 420Fa, 420Fb, which are fixed to the first moving frame 452Fa with opposing surfaces 423Fa, 423Fb tilted, are fixed to the first moving frame 452Fa at a first position A1 and a second position A2 by fastening members 470. A diameter D2 of a hole 425Fb formed in the movable part 420F at the second position A2 is larger than a diameter D1 of a hole 425Fa formed in the movable part 420F at the first position A1, which is farther from the second position A2 in the left-right direction. In particular, here, the diameter D2 of the hole 425Fb formed in the movable parts 420Fa, 420Fb at the second position A2, which is located toward the center of the first moving frame 452Fa in the left-right direction, is larger than the diameter D1 of the hole 425Fa formed in the movable parts 420Fa, 420Fb at the first position A1, which is further outward from the first moving frame 452Fa in the left-right direction than the second position A2.

[0063] In such a configuration, for example, a worker assembling the packaging device 100 first temporarily fastens the movable parts 420Fa, 420Fb to the first moving frame 452Fa at the first position A1 with the fastening members 470. Thereafter, the worker uses the fastening members 470 at the first position A1 as a fulcrum to rotate the movable parts 420Fa, 420Fb at the second position A2 so that they approach the receiving part 410F (but within a range that allows the bolts to be inserted into the holes 425Fa and 454F), and in that state fastens the movable parts 420Fa, 420Fb to the first moving frame 452Fa with the fastening members 470 at the second position A2, and finally fastens the movable parts 420Fa, 420Fb to the first moving frame 452Fa with the fastening members 470 at the first position A1 as well. By appropriately designing the diameters of the holes 425Fa and 425Fb, it is easy to attach the movable parts 420Fa and 420Fb in a desired tilted position relative to the upper surface 453Fa of the first moving frame 452Fa.

[0064] <Second example> In the second example, as in the first example, the movable parts 420Fa and 420Fb are attached to the first moving frame 452Fa with their opposing surfaces 423Fa and 423Fb tilted relative to the upper surface 453Fa of the first moving frame 452Fa of the moving part 450F, which faces the opposing surfaces 423Fa and 423Fb (FIG. 11B). The movable part 420Fc is attached to the second moving frame 452Fb with their opposing surface 423Fc parallel to the upper surface 453Fb of the second moving frame 452Fb, which faces the opposing surface 423Fc (FIG. 12). As a result of attaching the multiple movable parts 420F to the moving part 450F in this manner, the second surface 421F follows the first surface 412F after bending (see FIG. 10).

[0065] In the second example, the following configuration is adopted to mount the movable portions 420Fa and 420Fb in an inclined position relative to the first moving frame 452Fa.

[0066] In the second example, as in the first example, each of the multiple movable parts 420F is fixed to the moving frame 452F at two locations in the left-right direction by fastening members 470 (e.g., bolts, nuts, or screws). In the second example, the diameters of the holes 425Fa, 425Fb formed in the movable parts 420F are the same for the movable parts 420Fa, 420Fb that are fixed to the first moving frame 452Fa with their opposing surfaces 423Fa, 423Fb inclined. However, here, the hole 454F formed in the first moving frame 452Fa at a position (second position A2) corresponding to the hole 425Fb of the movable parts 420Fa, 420Fb is positioned higher (closer to the receiving part 410F) than the hole 454F formed at a position (first position A1) corresponding to the hole 425Fa of the movable parts 420Fa, 420Fb. By appropriately designing the position of the holes 454F, the movable portions 420Fa and 420Fb can be attached in a desired tilted position relative to the upper surface 453Fa of the first moving frame 452Fa.

[0067] <Third example> In the third example, unlike the first and second examples, all of the movable parts 420Fa-420Fc are attached to the moving part 450 with the opposing surfaces 423Fa-423Fc parallel to the moving part 450 (upper surfaces 453Fa, 453Fb of the first moving frame 452Fa and the second moving frame 452Fb).

[0068] In the third example, the second surfaces 421Fa-421Fc of the plurality of movable parts 420Fa-420Fc are formed so as to fit along the first surface 412F of the receiving part 410F after bending. Specifically, in the third example, the second surface 421Fa of the movable part 420Fa is formed so as to be inclined so that the right side is higher, and the second surface 421Fb of the movable part 420Fb is formed so as to be inclined so that the left side is higher. Note that, although an example has been described here in which the second surfaces 421F of the plurality of movable parts 420F are formed so as to fit along the first surface 412F of the receiving part 410F after bending, instead, the moving frame 452F (first moving frame 452Fa in this embodiment) may be formed in a shape such that the second surfaces 421F of the plurality of movable parts 420F fit along the first surface 412F of the receiving part 410F after bending.

[0069] The packaging device 100 weighs products stored on trays using a scale 12 and then packages them in film. Labels bearing information such as product names and prices are attached to the packaged products by a label issuing device 92 (see FIG. 1). Therefore, a product master (not shown) registered in the RAM of the control unit 80 stores information such as product names and unit prices, as well as information related to the trays and packaging control parameters corresponding to the tray size (hereinafter referred to as product information). The RAM also stores a setting file that determines which product information should be used from the product information registered in the product master. When the product information is transmitted from an external device via a communication unit (not shown), the control unit 80 registers, from the received information, only information for items set in the setting file as information to be used (e.g., items marked YES) in the product master.

[0070] 14 and 15 show an example of the setting screen of the setting file displayed on the display 94 (see FIG. 1), and the setting items here may be exclusive to the device itself, or may display all items that can be used on other devices that use the product master, such as label printers, weighing / packaging / pricing devices, electronic scales, etc. Also, on the setting screen, items for which YES is set as information to be used can be used on the device itself, and items that are not displayed, such as by being grayed out, are information on items that are not used on that device.

[0071] (3) Features In the following, for the sake of simplicity, the features will be described using the front clamping portion 400F as an example, but the following content can also be read as content relating to the rear clamping portion 400R.

[0072] (3-1) The packaging device 100 pushes the product G up from below onto the unfolded film F to cover the product G with the film F, and then folds the peripheral edge of the film F toward the bottom of the product G to package it. The packaging device 100 includes a frame 460 and a front clamping unit 400F. The front clamping unit 400F holds the front edge of the unfolded film F by clamping it from above and below. The front clamping unit 400F has a first surface 412F as an example of a pressed surface, and includes a receiving unit 410F supported by the frame 460, multiple movable units 420F arranged side by side along the left-right direction as an example of a first direction, and a moving unit 450F. The receiving unit 410F extends in the left-right direction. Each of the multiple movable units 420F has a second surface 421F as an example of a pressing surface arranged opposite the first surface 412F. The multiple movable units 420F are attached to the moving unit 450F. The moving unit 450F moves the multiple movable units 420F to the pressing position, and presses the side edge portion of the film F with the second surfaces 421F of the multiple movable units 420F, thereby pressing the side edge portion of the film F against the first surface 412F of the receiving unit 410F. The second surfaces 421F of the multiple movable units 420F are arranged so as to fit along the first surface 412F of the receiving unit 410F after it has been deflected, when the moving unit 450F moves the multiple movable units 420F to the pressing position P1 and presses the film F against the receiving unit 410F with the second surfaces 421F.

[0073] In packaging device 100, the gap that occurs between second surface 421F and first surface 412F when film F is held is reduced, and film F can be held firmly between receiving portion 410F and movable portion 420F.

[0074] (3-2) In the packaging device 100, the plurality of movable parts 420F have opposing surfaces 423F that face the moving part 450F (upper surface 453F of the moving frame 452F) in the vertical direction.

[0075] In the first and second examples described above, of the multiple movable parts 420F, movable parts 420Fa and 420Fb are attached to the first moving frame 452Fa of the movable part 450 in a position in which the opposing surface 423F is tilted relative to the first moving frame 452Fa of the movable part 450, so that the second surface 421F aligns with the first surface 412F after bending.

[0076] In the first and second examples described above, the film F can be firmly held between the receiving portion 410F and the movable portion 420F by adjusting the attachment of the movable portions 420Fa, 420Fb to the first moving frame 452Fa of the moving portion 450 without changing the shape of the movable portion 420F.

[0077] (3-3) In the first example described above, the movable parts 420Fa, 420Fb, which are fixed to the first moving frame 452Fa of the moving part 450 with the opposing surface 423F tilted, are fixed at a first position A1 and a second position A2 by fastening members 470. The second position A2 is separated from the first position A1 in the left-right direction. A diameter D2 of holes (second holes) 425Fb formed in the movable parts 420Fa, 420Fb, through which the fastening members 470 formed at the second position A2 are inserted, is larger than a diameter D1 of holes (first holes) 425Fa formed in the movable parts 420Fa, 420Fb, through which the fastening members 470 formed at the first position A1 are inserted.

[0078] In this example, the person assembling the packaging device 100 can easily attach the movable parts 420Fa, 420Fb to the first moving frame 452Fa of the moving part 450 in the desired position with the opposing surfaces 423Fa, 423Fb tilted relative to the first moving frame 452Fa of the moving part 450 by rotating the side of the movable parts 420Fa, 420Fb where the hole 425Fb is formed, using the small diameter 425Fa as a fulcrum for rotation of the movable parts 420Fa, 420Fb.

[0079] (3-4) In the third example described above, all of the multiple movable parts 420F are attached to the moving part 450 with the opposing surfaces 423F and the moving part 450F (first moving frame 452Fa, second moving frame 452Fb) parallel to each other. The second surfaces 421F of the multiple movable parts 420F are formed so as to fit along the first surfaces 412F after bending.

[0080] In this example, the worker assembling the packaging device 100 can position the second surfaces 421F of the multiple movable parts 420F so that they are aligned with the first surfaces 412F after bending without having to pay special attention during the assembly work, which improves workability.

[0081] (4) Variations Modifications of the above embodiment are shown below. Any aspect of the above embodiment may be combined with the following modifications as long as they do not contradict each other.

[0082] (4-1) Variation A Preferably, the rigidity of each movable portion 420F, 420R (particularly the portion having the second surface 421F, 421R) is set so that when the movable portion 420F, 420R presses the film F against the receiving portion 410F, 410R, the second surface 421F, 421R elastically deforms along the first surface 412F, 412R of the deforming receiving portion 410F, 410R.

[0083] Specifically, by reducing the plate thickness of each movable part 420F, it is possible to make it easier to elastically deform movable part 420F. Also, as shown in Fig. 13, each movable part 420F is provided with a portion having second surface 421F that presses film F against first surface 412F, portion 427F attached to moving part 450F of each movable part 420F, and connecting part 428F that is narrow in the left-right direction and connects these parts, making it easier to bend second surface 421F in the left-right direction. A similar configuration can also be adopted for movable part 420R, making it easier to elastically deform.

[0084] By configuring in this manner, the gap that occurs between the second surfaces 421F, 421R and the first surfaces 412F, 412R when holding the film F is reduced, and the film F can be firmly held between the receiving portions 410F, 410R and the movable portions 420F, 420R.

[0085] (4-2) Variation B In the above embodiment, receiving portion 410F is disposed on the upper side and movable portion 420F is disposed on the lower side. However, this is not limitative, and receiving portion 410F may be disposed on the lower side and movable portion 420F may be disposed on the upper side.

[0086] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the front clamp portion 400F and the rear clamp portion 400R have the same configuration, but this is not limited to this, and only one of the front clamp portion 400F and the rear clamp portion 400R may be configured so that the second surface of the movable portion is aligned with the first surface of the receiving portion after deflection. [Explanation of symbols]

[0087] 400F Front clamp part (clamp part) 400R rear clamp part (clamp part) 410F, 410R receiving part 412F 1st surface (pressed surface) 420F,420R Movable part 421F 2nd surface (pressing surface) 423F opposite side 425Fa hole (first hole) 425Fb hole (first hole) 450F moving part 460 frames 470 Fastening members A1 1st position A2 2nd position F film P1 Pressing position [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0088] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-20700

Claims

1. A packaging device that pushes up an item to be packaged from below against an unfolded film to cover the item with the film, and then folds the peripheral portion of the film toward the bottom side of the item to be packaged, The frame and clamping portions for clamping and holding the side edges of the film in an unfolded state from above and below; The clamp portion is a receiving portion having a pressed surface and supported by the frame, the receiving portion extending in a first direction; a plurality of movable parts each having a pressing surface arranged opposite the pressed surface and arranged side by side along the first direction; a moving unit to which the plurality of movable parts are attached, the moving unit moving the plurality of movable parts to a pressing position, and pressing the side edge part of the film with the pressing surfaces of the plurality of movable parts, thereby pressing the side edge part of the film against the pressed surface of the receiving unit; and the moving unit is arranged so that, when the moving unit moves the plurality of movable units to the pressing position and presses the film against the receiving unit with the pressing surfaces, the pressing surfaces of the plurality of movable units are aligned with the pressed surfaces of the receiving unit after deflection. packaging equipment.

2. the receiving portion is supported by the frame at both ends in the first direction, When the plurality of movable portions press the film against the receiving portion, the receiving portion has an arch shape when viewed in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the first direction in a bent state. The packaging device of claim 1 .

3. the plurality of movable parts have opposing surfaces that face the moving part in the up-down direction, At least some of the plurality of movable parts are attached to the moving part with the opposing surface inclined relative to the moving part, so that the pressing surface has a shape that conforms to the pressed surface after deflection.

3. The packaging device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. the movable portion is fixed with the opposing surface inclined relative to the moving portion, and is fixed by a fastening member at a first position and a second position spaced apart from each other in the first direction; a diameter of a second hole formed in the movable part at the second position and through which the fastening member is inserted is larger than a diameter of a first hole formed in the movable part at the first position and through which the fastening member is inserted; 4. The packaging device of claim 3.

5. the plurality of movable parts have opposing surfaces that face the moving part in the up-down direction, and are attached to the moving part in a state where the opposing surfaces and the moving part are parallel to each other; the pressing surfaces of the plurality of movable parts are formed so as to conform to the pressed surface after deflection when the plurality of movable parts are moved to the pressing positions and the film is pressed against the receiving part by the plurality of movable parts.

3. The packaging device according to claim 1 or 2.

6. the rigidity of each of the movable parts is set so that, when each of the movable parts presses the film against the receiving part, the pressing surface elastically deforms along the pressed surface of the receiving part, which deforms.

3. The packaging device according to claim 1 or 2.

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