Packaging device

Abstract

To provide a packaging device that allows a resin residue to be easily removed.SOLUTION: A packaging device 1 includes: a cutting blade 20 capable of cutting a resin film 2; a first sealing member 21 arranged on one side of the cutting blade 20 in a blade thickness direction; a first heating member 22 arranged between the cutting blade 20 and the first sealing member 21; and a first heat insulating member 23 arranged between the first heating member 22 and the first sealing member 21. On the state that a content 3 is placed between the films 2, the first sealing member 21 heated by the first heating member 22 heat-welds the overlapping films 2 together, and the cutting blade 20 heated by the first heating member 22 cuts the overlapping films 2. The tips of the first heating member 22 and the first heat insulating member 23 are covered with a first cover member 41.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 below describes a packaging device that seals the open portion of a double-ply resin film in a strip shape and cuts the film along the sealed portion in order to package an item in a sealed state.

[0003] As shown in Fig. 7, the seal cutting device 100 described in Patent Document 1 includes a seal cutting mechanism 170 and a safety cover 150 that covers the seal cutting mechanism 170. The seal cutting mechanism 170 includes a blade member 120, a pair of sealing members 121 and 131, a pair of heating members 122 and 132, a pair of temperature adjustment members 123 and 133, a pair of pressure plates 124 and 134, and a pressure block 125. The heating members 122 and 132 are plate-type heaters that house metal heating elements. The temperature adjustment members 123 and 133 are disposed between the heating members 122 and 132 and the sealing members 121 and 131.

[0004] The temperature adjustment members 123, 133 are made of ceramic fiber or the like. These temperature adjustment members 123, 133 limit the heat transfer from the heating members 122, 132 to the sealing members 121, 131, so that the sealing members 121, 131 have a lower temperature than the blade member 120. This prevents the film 200 from being completely melted by the heat from the sealing members 121, 131, thereby ensuring stable sealing.

[0005] Film 200 is unwound onto support base 140. At this time, an article to be packaged is placed between the upper and lower films. When sealing and cutting mechanism 170 and safety cover 150 move toward film 200 placed on support base 140, the lower end of safety cover 150 pinches film 200 and presses it against support base 140. This fixes film 200 onto support base 140. When sealing and cutting mechanism 170 further moves downward, the cutting edge of heated blade member 120 abuts against film 200, cutting film 200, and the lower end surfaces of heated sealing members 121 and 131 come into contact with film 200, causing the overlapping films to be thermally welded together. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Utility Model Registration No. 3192307 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] In the above-described seal cutting device 100, in order to prevent the tips of the heating members 122, 132 from coming into direct contact with the film, the heating members 122, 132 are arranged so that their tips are recessed from the tips of the sealing members 121, 131. As a result, a space S is formed between the blade member 120 and the sealing members 121, 131.

[0008] Repeated sealing and cutting operations using the sealing and cutting device 100 result in the generation of resin film residue (called resin residue or slag). This resin residue adheres to the tip surfaces of the heating members 122 and 132 and accumulates in the space S. If the resin residue is left to accumulate, it will have a negative effect on the sealing quality, so it is necessary to periodically scrape off the resin residue from the tip surfaces of the heating members 122 and 132 using a tool such as a scraper.

[0009] On the other hand, the heating element, which is a plate-type heater containing a metal heating element, has a structure in which a resistance heating element 122b, such as a nichrome wire, is contained inside a case 122a formed by bending a metal plate such as stainless steel, as shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 8. Because the resistance heating element 122b is thin, it is difficult to bend the metal plate so that the bottom end of the case 122a is flat, and a rounded edge R is inevitably formed at the bottom end of the case 122a. Therefore, when removing resin residue, a tool and the case 122a come into point contact, making it difficult to remove the resin residue from the entire area of ​​the rounded edge R. Furthermore, because the cloth-like temperature adjustment member 123 protrudes into the space formed by the rounded edge R, forcibly rubbing the temperature adjustment member 123 with a tool may cause it to be dragged by the tool and be damaged.

[0010] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a packaging device that allows resin residue to be easily removed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] The packaging device of the present invention comprises a cutting blade capable of cutting a resin film, a first sealing member arranged on one side of the cutting blade in the blade thickness direction, a first heating member arranged between the cutting blade and the first sealing member, and a first insulating member arranged between the first heating member and the first sealing member, and when an item is placed between the films, the first sealing member heated by the first heating member heats and welds the overlapping films together, and the cutting blade heated by the first heating member cuts the overlapping films together, and is characterized in that each tip of the first heating member and the first insulating member is covered with a first cover member.

[0012] With this configuration, even if resin residue accumulates in the space between the tip of the cutting blade and the tip of the first seal member, the resin residue adhering to the first cover member can be scraped off by pressing a tool such as a scraper against the first cover member and sliding it. At this time, the tool does not come into contact with the first heat insulating member, so damage to the first heat insulating member due to contact with the tool can be avoided.

[0013] If the tip surface of the first cover member is formed flat, a tool can be brought into line contact with the cover member, allowing resin residue to be removed over a wide area with a single operation, thereby ensuring reliable removal of resin residue adhering to the cover member.

[0014] The packaging device described above may also include a second sealing member arranged on the other side of the cutting blade in the blade thickness direction, a second heating member arranged between the cutting blade and the second sealing member, and a second insulating member arranged between the second heating member and the second sealing member, and with an item placed between overlapping films, the second sealing member heated by the second heating member heat-welds the overlapping films together, and the cutting blades heated by the first heating member and the second heating member cut the overlapping films together, and the tips of the second heating member and the second insulating member are covered with a second cover member. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a packaging device that can easily remove resin residue. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view conceptually showing the packaging operation by the packaging device 1. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing the procedure of the packaging work. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 2(b). [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of part A in FIG. 3. [Figure 5] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 2(b). [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a tool used when removing resin dregs. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional seal cutting device. [Figure 8]FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a part of FIG. 7. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a packaging device 1 according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0018] Fig. 1 is a perspective view conceptually illustrating a packaging operation using a packaging device 1 described in this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, in this packaging operation, a strip-shaped resin film 2 (hereinafter simply referred to as "film") drawn out from a raw roll (not shown) is folded back along the longitudinal direction, and an item 3 is placed between the folded back film 2. In the following description, the portion of the film 2 that is curved or bent by folding back will be referred to as a folded back portion 2a, and the overlapping portion by folding back will be referred to as a film portion 2b.

[0019] There is no particular limitation on the material of the film 2, and for example, a polyethylene film can be used. As the polyethylene film, both loden and hyden can be used.

[0020] The packaging process will be outlined below. First, the gap between the longitudinal edges 2b1 of the film portion 2b on the side opposite the folded portion 2a of the film 2 is widened. Then, the contents 3 are inserted between the film portions 2b through the opening between the edges 2b1, placing the contents 3 between the film portions 2b. Insertion of the contents 3 can be performed manually or automatically using an actuator such as an air cylinder. After placing the contents 3 inside the folded film 2, the overlapping film portions 2b are heat-sealed on three sides of the contents 3, excluding the folded portion 2a, to seal the entire periphery of the contents 3. The overlapping film portions 2b are then cut outside the heat-sealed portions (the outside when the contents 3 side is considered the inside). This allows the package 4 (see Figure 2c) to be separated from the film 2. The heat-sealing and cutting of the film 2 can be performed simultaneously, or, as long as the overlapping film portions 2b are fixed in position, one of the heat-sealing and cutting can be performed before the other.

[0021] 1 illustrates an example of the contents 3, in which a plurality of trays 3a containing food or parts (electronic parts, mechanical parts), etc., are stacked along the longitudinal direction of the film 2. The contents 3 are not limited to this example, and any tangible object can be adopted. When using a stack of trays 3a as the contents 3, it is preferable to remove dust from the stack by blowing air into a dust removal device (not shown) arranged upstream of the packaging device 1, before performing the packaging operation using the packaging device 1.

[0022] The actual packaging procedure using the packaging device 1 will be described with reference to Figures 2(a) to 2(c). Figures 2(a) to 2(c) are plan views, with the folded portion 2a of the film 2 facing upward. As shown in Figure 2(a), first, contents 31 enclosed in the film 2 are transported together with the film 2 via a conveyor (not shown) to the packaging position (the transport direction is the direction of the arrow). At this time, at the end of the film downstream of the contents 31 in the transport direction, the overlapping film portions 2b have already been heat-sealed together by the previous packaging operation. The heat-sealed portion in the previous packaging operation is indicated by hatching and is designated by the reference numeral 5.

[0023] 2(b), the welding and cutting device 10, which will be described later, is pressed against the film 2 to weld and cut the overlapping film portion 2b. The welding and cutting device 10 is L-shaped when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the surface of the folded film, and includes a long portion 11 extending along the conveyance direction and a short portion 12 extending along a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 2(c), two rows of heat-sealed portions 6a, 6b are formed parallel to the conveyance direction in the long portion 11, and two rows of heat-sealed portions 7a, 7b are formed parallel to the conveyance direction in the short portion 12. The overlapping film portion 2b is cut between the two rows of heat-sealed portions 6a, 6b parallel to the conveyance direction and between the two rows of heat-sealed portions 7a, 7b perpendicular to the conveyance direction. This cutting separates the package 4, which has sealed the entire periphery of the contents 31, from the film 2. Next, the next contents 32 is placed between the film portions 2b and transported to the packaging position, where the same process is performed. By repeating the above process, it is possible to continuously produce packages 4.

[0025] The detailed structure of the packaging device 1 will be described with reference to Figures 3 to 5. Figures 3 and 5 are cross-sectional views taken along line III-III in Figure 2(b), and Figure 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of part A in Figure 3. For ease of explanation, in the following description, the direction approaching the surface of the film part 2 will be referred to as "downward," and the direction moving away from the surface of the film part 2 will be referred to as "upward."

[0026] As shown in Figure 3, the packaging device 1 has a welding and cutting device 10 and a support stand 14 arranged below the welding and cutting device 10. The welding and cutting device 10 has a presser member 15, a base member 16, a welding and cutting mechanism 17, a shaft member 18 connecting the base member 16 and the welding and cutting mechanism 17, and an elastic member 19 fitted around the shaft member 18.

[0027] The cross-sectional structure of the welding and cutting device 10 is common to the long section 11 and the short section 12 shown in Figure 2(b). At least the portion of the welding and cutting device 10 that comes into contact with the film 2 has the same cross-sectional structure.

[0028] The fusion cutting mechanism 17 includes a cutting blade 20, a first sealing member 21 arranged on one side of the cutting blade 20 in the blade thickness direction (left-right direction in Figure 3), a first heating member 22 arranged between the cutting blade 20 and the first sealing member 21, and a first insulating member 23 arranged between the first heating member 22 and the first sealing member 21.

[0029] A second seal member 31 is disposed on the other side of the cutting blade 20 in the blade thickness direction, a second heating member 32 is disposed between the cutting blade 20 and the second seal member 31, and a second heat insulating member 33 is disposed between the second heating member 32 and the second seal member 31. The cutting blade 20, the first and second seal members 21, 31, the first and second heating members 22, 32, and the first and second heat insulating members 23, 33 are disposed between a pair of holding members 24, 34. A spacer 25 is disposed between the pair of holding members 24, 34. The cutting blade 20, the first and second seal members 21, 31, the first and second heating members 22, 32, and the first and second heat insulating members 23, 33 are disposed below the spacer 25. The cutting blade 20, the first and second sealing members 21, 31, the first and second heating members 22, 32, and the first and second heat insulating members 23, 33 are integrated with the holding members 24, 34 using fastening members 26 such as screws. The spacer 25 is also integrated with the pair of holding members 24, 34 using a fastening member 27.

[0030] Below, each of the components that make up the welding and cutting mechanism () will be described in detail. The first sealing member 21 and the second sealing member 31 have the same structure and function. Similarly, the first heating member 22 and the second heating member 32 have the same structure and function, and the first insulating member 23 and the second insulating member 33 also have the same structure and function. Therefore, below, only the first sealing member 21, the first heating member 22, and the first insulating member 23 will be described, and an explanation of the second sealing member 31, the second heating member 32, and the second insulating member 33 will be omitted unless particularly necessary.

[0031] The cutting blades 20 are so-called Thomson blades. The cutting blades 20 provided on the long portions 11 (see FIG. 2(b)) extend along the conveyance direction, while the cutting blades 20 provided on the short portions 12 extend in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction. The tooth thickness direction of the cutting blades 20 is perpendicular to the conveyance direction in the long portions 11, and parallel to the conveyance direction in the short portions 12. The cutting blades 20 are heated by the first heating member 22 and the second heating member 32, and when they come into contact with the film 2, they cut (melt) the overlapping film portion 2b.

[0032] The first seal member 21 is formed in a plate shape from a metal material with good thermal conductivity, such as aluminum or an aluminum alloy. A tip surface 21a of the first seal member 21 is located above the tip of the cutting blade 20. The first seal member 21 is heated by a first heating member 22.

[0033] Similar to the conventional device shown in FIG. 8, the first heating element 22 has a heating element and a case made by bending a metal plate to cover the heating element, and is formed into a plate-like shape overall. The side of the first heating element 22 is in contact with the cutting blade 20, and the cutting blade 20 is heated by the heat generated by passing electricity through the first heating element 22. A first insulating element 23 is disposed between the side of the first heating element 22 and the first sealing element 21. The first insulating element 23 is woven fabric and made of a material with excellent insulating properties, such as ceramic fiber. The first sealing element 21 is heated by the first heating element 22, but the first insulating element 23 blocks part of the heat transfer, so the first sealing element 21 is at a lower temperature than the cutting blade 20. The tip of the first insulating element 23 is generally flush with the tip of the first heating element 22 (see FIG. 3).

[0034] The holding member 15 includes holding portions 15a and 15b arranged in parallel with the welding and cutting mechanism 17 therebetween, and a connecting portion 15c connecting the upper ends of the holding portions 15a and 15b. The welding and cutting mechanism 17 and the holding member 15 are movable relative to each other in the vertical direction.

[0035] The shaft member 18 extends vertically and passes through the connecting portion 15c of the presser member 15. The lower end of the shaft member 18 is connected to the welding and cutting mechanism 17, and the other end is connected to the base member 16. A compressed elastic member 19 is disposed between the base member 16 and the connecting portion 15c. The shaft member 18 is provided with a locking portion 18a that protrudes radially, and this locking portion 18a is disposed below the connecting portion 15c of the presser member 15. The presser member 15 is urged downward by the elastic force of the elastic member 19 and engages with the locking portion 18a provided on the shaft member 18. This engagement determines the relative vertical positional relationship between the presser member 15 and the welding and cutting mechanism 17. In this state, the lower ends of the hold-down portions 15a and 15b are positioned below the lower end of the cutting blade 20.

[0036] The first heating member 22 and the second heating member 32 are energized to heat the cutting blade 20 and the first sealing member 21. When the base member 16 is lowered with the first and second seal members 21 and 31 heated, the lower ends of the presser members 15a and 15b are pressed against the overlapping film portions 2b. The lower ends of the presser members 15a and 15b are pressed against the film 2, preventing misalignment of the upper and lower film portions 2b. Furthermore, when the base member 16 is lowered, the welding and cutting mechanism 17 is lowered relative to the presser member 15, and as shown in FIG. 5 , the leading end surfaces 21a and 31a of the first and second seal members 21 and 31 are pressed against the film 2. As a result, the overlapping film portions 2b are thermally welded together at the contact positions of the first and second seal members 21 and 31. The cutting blade 20 penetrates the overlapping film portions 2b and cuts each film portion 2b. In this embodiment, the cutting of each film portion 2b is performed before the seal members 21 and 31 thermally weld each other.

[0037] By carrying out the above-mentioned operations for both the long portion 11 and the short portion 12, the periphery of the contained item 3 is sealed along the entire periphery, and the package 4 is separated from the film 2 (FIG. 2(c)).

[0038] In the present invention, as shown in Fig. 3, the lower ends (tips) of the first heating member 22 and the first insulating member 23 are covered with a first cover member 41. The tips of the second heating member 32 and the second insulating member 33 are covered with a second cover member 51. Each cover member 41, 51 has a flat portion 41a, 51a extending in a direction parallel to the overlapping film portion 2b, and an upright portion 41b, 51b extending upward perpendicular to the flat portion 41a, 51a. The first cover member 41 and the second cover member 51 are made of metal. For example, the first cover member 41 and the second cover member 51 can be formed by bending a metal plate.

[0039] A gap is provided between the flat portions 41a, 51a of both cover members 41, 51 and the cutting blade 20. The upright portion 41b of the first cover member 41 is disposed between the first heat insulating member 23 and the first seal member 21, and the upright portion 51b of the second cover member 51 is disposed between the second heat insulating member 33 and the second seal member 31. The first cover member 41 and the second cover member 51 are integrated with the respective members that constitute the weld cutting mechanism 17 by fastening members 26.

[0040] The flat portions 41a, 51a of the first cover member 41 and the second cover member 51 are on the same plane. As shown in Fig. 4, it is preferable to provide a gap between the flat portion 41a of the first cover member 41 and the lower end of the first heating member 22, and between the flat portion 51a of the second cover member 51 and the lower end of the second heating member 32.

[0041] With the above configuration, even if resin residue accumulates in the space between the lower end of the cutting blade 20 and the lower end of the first seal member 21, or in the space between the lower end of the cutting blade 20 and the lower end of the second seal member 31, the resin residue can be scraped off by pressing a tool such as a scraper against the flat portion 41a of the first cover member 41 and the flat portion 51a of the second cover member 51 while sliding it in the direction in which the long portion 11 and the short portion 12 extend. Since the tool does not come into contact with the first heat insulating member 23 and the second heat insulating member 33, damage to the first heat insulating member 23 and the second heat insulating member 33 due to contact with the tool can be avoided. This makes it easy to remove the resin residue.

[0042] Furthermore, since the cover members 41, 51 are provided with flat portions 41a, 51a and the lower end surfaces (tip surfaces) of the cover members 41, 51 are formed flat, a tool can be brought into line contact with the cover members 41, 42, and resin residue can be removed over a wide area with a single operation. Therefore, resin residue adhering to the cover members 41, 51 can be reliably removed.

[0043] 6 is a perspective view showing a tool 60 used to remove resin residue. A slit 61 is formed at the tip of the tool 60. By pressing an edge 62 at the tip of the tool 60 against the flat portions 41 a, 51 a of the cover members 41, 51 and sliding the tool 60, it is possible to scrape off resin residue adhering to the flat portions 41 a, 51 a of the cover members 41, 51. In particular, by accommodating the cutting blade 20 in the slit 61 when sliding the tool 60, it is possible to simultaneously remove resin residue from both the first cover member 41 and the cover member 51. [Explanation of symbols]

[0044] 1 Packaging equipment 2 Resin film 2a Folded part 2b Film section 3. Contents 4 Packaging 10 Welding and cutting equipment 17 Welding and cutting mechanism 21 first seal member 22 First heating element 23 First insulation member 31 second seal member 32 Second heating element 33 First insulation member 41 first cover member 51 second cover member

Claims

1. a cutting blade capable of cutting a resin film; a first seal member disposed on one side of the cutting blade in a blade thickness direction; a first heating member disposed between the cutting blade and the first sealing member; a first heat insulating member disposed between the first heating member and the first sealing member; In a packaging device, in a state in which an item is placed between films, the first sealing member heated by the first heating member heats and seals the overlapping films together, and the cutting blade heated by the first heating member cuts the overlapping films together, A packaging device, characterized in that the respective tips of the first heating member and the first insulating member are covered with a first cover member.

2. 2. The packaging device according to claim 1, wherein a tip end surface of the first cover member is formed flat.

3. a second seal member disposed on the other side of the cutting blade in the blade thickness direction; a second heating member disposed between the cutting blade and the second sealing member; a second heat insulating member disposed between the second heating member and the second sealing member; With the contents placed between the overlapping films, the second sealing member heated by the second heating member heat-seals the overlapping films together, and the cutting blade heated by the first heating member and the second heating member cuts the overlapping films together, 2. The packaging device according to claim 1, wherein the second heating member and the second insulating member have respective tips covered with second cover members.

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