Vacuum packaging machine and vacuum packaging method

Abstract

To provide a vacuum packaging machine capable of stably lifting / lowering a lower side seal block, and sealing a tip opening part of a packaging bag without spoiling appearance of an upper lid.SOLUTION: The vacuum packaging machine includes: an upper side seal block 110 which is fixed to an upper chamber 50 constituting a chamber 55; a lower side seal block 120 in which a seal heater 160 is attached onto a seal face and which is provided to be opposed to the upper side seal block 110; and three lifting / descending support members 130 to 150, each of which is fixed to a lower chamber 30 constituting the chamber 55, and performs lifting / descending of the lower side seal block 120 and current application of the seal heater 160. Only a tip portion of the lifting / descending support member 150 located at a center among the three lifting / descending support members is fixed and connected to a central portion of the lower side seal block 120.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vacuum packaging machine and a vacuum packaging method for vacuum packaging products such as food. [Background technology]

[0002] A vacuum packaging machine is a packaging machine that removes air from a packaging bag containing a packaged item and then seals it. Vacuum packaging machines can prevent deterioration of the packaged item and are widely used in, for example, the food industry and industrial fields. A vacuum packaging machine is usually configured to remove air from the chamber, then sandwich the opening of the packaging bag between upper and lower sealing blocks, and then supply power to a seal heater installed in, for example, the lower sealing block, to vaporize the opening of the packaging bag using heat.

[0003] Conventional vacuum packaging machines mainly use a mechanism in which a seal heater fixes a lower seal block attached to the sealing surface and controls the elevation of an opposing upper seal block to clamp the opening at the tip of the packaging bag.

[0004] The applicant also developed a mechanism for a pull-out vacuum packaging machine in which, based on its structural characteristics, the upper seal block is fixed and the lower seal block is controlled to rise and fall using two pistons, thereby clamping the tip opening of the packaging bag (for example, Patent Document 1).

[0005] On the other hand, products have been developed that make the top lid of the chamber transparent or translucent, both to allow workers to see the status of the vacuum packaging operation and to take aesthetics into consideration. With a transparent or translucent top lid (also called an upper chamber), if a lifting mechanism is attached to the upper seal block, the wiring to the vacuum pump, etc. becomes visible from the surface, which detracts from the aesthetic appeal. Also, with short seal blocks, the setting range for the packaging bag is short, which can cause the edge of the sealing heater to damage the packaging bag. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7280020 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-118740 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] The problem that the present invention aims to solve is to provide a vacuum packaging machine and a vacuum packaging method that can stably raise and lower the lower seal block and seal the tip opening of the packaging bag without damaging the appearance of the top lid. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The vacuum packaging machine of one embodiment vacuum-packages the packaged item by using a vacuum pump to evacuate the chamber while a packaging bag containing the packaged item is housed inside, degassing the air inside the packaging bag, and then sealing the closed tip opening of the packaging bag.The vacuum packaging machine comprises an upper seal block fixed to an upper chamber that constitutes the chamber, a lower seal block that has a sealing heater attached to its sealing surface and is arranged opposite the upper seal block, and three lifting support members that are fixed to a lower chamber that constitutes the chamber and that raise and lower the lower seal block and apply electricity to the sealing heater, and of the three lifting support members, only the tip of the central lifting support member is fixedly connected to the center of the lower seal block. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing the overall configuration of a vacuum packaging machine 10 according to an embodiment, in which (a) is a side view and (b) is a top view. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of a heater block of the vacuum packaging machine according to the embodiment; [Figure 3]1 is a diagram showing the connection relationship between three lifting support members and a vacuum pump P of a vacuum packaging machine according to an embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] 3A and 3B are diagrams showing the shapes of the bottoms of three lifting support members of the vacuum packaging machine according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] 10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating the operation of the lower seal block and three lifting support members in the vacuum packaging process of the vacuum packaging machine according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] 6 is a diagram showing state transitions of the vacuum packaging bag in the vacuum process shown in FIG. 5 (vacuum packaging process). FIG. [Figure 7] 5(b) and 5(c) are side views taken along the line AA and BB of the lifting support member in the embodiment of FIG. 5(a). [Figure 8] 5(b) is a diagram showing a side view of the lifting support member taken along line AA and a side view of the lifting support member taken along line BB. FIG. [Figure 9] 5(c) is a diagram showing a side view of the lifting support member taken along line AA and a side view of the lifting support member taken along line BB. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, a vacuum packaging machine and a vacuum packaging method according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a vacuum packaging machine 10 according to an embodiment, where (a) is a side view and (b) is a view seen from above. The vacuum packaging machine 10 is a device that vacuum packages the packaged items by reducing the pressure inside a chamber while a packaging bag containing the packaged item is housed inside the chamber, evacuating the air inside the packaging bag, and then closing the chamber to seal the opening of the packaging bag.

[0011] In FIG. 1, a vacuum packaging machine 10 includes a base 40 having a lower chamber 30 mounted on a stationary lower housing 20. A lid 60 having an upper chamber 50 is rotatably attached to the base 40 via a hinge mechanism 70. The base 40 is formed with a sealing base / tray, and a heater block 100 is provided on the front side of the lower chamber 30 (the lower side in FIG. 1(b)). A handle 80 for opening and closing the lid 60 is provided in front of the lid. Furthermore, a display / operation panel 90 for inputting various operational settings and displaying the operating status is provided in the front of the lower housing 20. Although FIG. 1 shows the sealing block 100 being provided at the front, a second heater block may be provided on the hinge side.

[0012] FIG. 2 shows a configuration diagram of the heater block 100 according to the embodiment as viewed from the front. The chamber 55 is formed by the lower chamber 30 and the upper chamber 50. The heater block 100 has a relatively long length, for example, 550 mm, and is suitable for vacuum packaging multiple vacuum packaging bags at the same time. An upper seal block 110 having a predetermined length in the width direction is fixedly provided in the upper chamber 50 within the chamber 55.

[0013] The lower chamber 30 of the chamber 55 is provided with a lower seal block 120 via three lifting support members 130-150. The three lifting support members 130-150 have conical extensions 130a-150a on their lower sides, with pistons on the opposite sides. A sealing heater 160 (e.g., nichrome wire) is attached to the sealing surface of the lower seal block 120. An insulating cloth (not shown) is attached to the sealing surface of the lower seal block 120, and a packaging bag containing an item to be vacuum-packaged is placed on top of this. The upper seal block 110 and the lower seal block 120 are positioned facing each other so as to overlap, and are controlled to clamp and seal the opening at the tip of the packaging bag. The three lifting support members 130-150 are connected to a vacuum pump P (described later) and are controlled to move up and down during the sealing process.

[0014] Of the three lifting support members 130-150, the lifting support member 150 located approximately in the center is connected and fixed to the underside of the approximately central portion of the lower seal block 120 by an attachment member 170. On the other hand, the lifting support members 130, 140 on both sides are in contact with the lower seal block 120 but are not connected and fixed. The lifting support members 130, 140 on both sides are provided with electrical wiring for supplying electricity to the sealing heater 160 attached to the sealing surface of the lower seal block 120.

[0015] During sealing, the upper piston portions of the lifting support members 130-150 push the lower seal block 120 toward the upper seal block 110 due to the vacuum pump P (described later) drawing a vacuum inside the expansion portions 130a-150a and the resulting expansion of the membrane portions 130a-150a. Then, when electricity is applied while the upper surfaces of the piston portions of the lifting support members 130, 140 are in contact with the lower seal block 120, Joule heat is generated in the sealing heater 160, welding and sealing the vacuum packaging bag. Once this sealing process is complete, the lifting support members 130, 140 on both sides move away from the lower seal block 120, allowing the power supply to the sealing heater 160 to be easily stopped. Therefore, the lifting support members 130, 140 on both sides have the functions of stably pushing up the lower seal block 120 and passing electricity to the sealing heater 160.

[0016] Of the three lifting support members, the lifting support member 150, which is located approximately in the center, is connected and fixed to the lower seal block 120 by an attachment member 170, and therefore has the function of stably pushing up the lower seal block 120 and the function of lowering the lower seal block 120 to return it to its original position (initial position) after the sealing process.

[0017] Both ends of the sealing heater 160 are connected to both sides of the lower seal block 120 by screws or the like, and are energized by contact with the tip piston surfaces of the lift support members 130, 140 on both sides. The base block that constitutes the lower seal block 120 is covered with insulating cloth (not shown) for insulation.

[0018] A liquid receiving guide may be provided on the front side of the heater block 100 in Fig. 1. Also, on the opposite side, an attachment block with weak adhesive tape attached to temporarily secure the leading end opening of the packaging bag may be attached. Furthermore, a guide member for guiding the packaging bag may be provided on the side of the lower sealing block 120 where the packaging bag is placed.

[0019] FIG. 3 shows the connection relationship between the three lift support members 130 to 150 and the vacuum pump P. As shown in Fig. 3, the lifting support member 130 is connected to a vacuum pump P via a three-way solenoid valve 200. The lifting support member 140 is connected to the vacuum pump P via a three-way solenoid valve 210. The lifting support member 150 is connected to the vacuum pump P via a three-way solenoid valve 220. The three-way solenoid valves 200-230 have two vacuum valves that are controlled to be "open" when the vacuum pump P evacuates the extension sections 130a-150a of the lifting support members 130-150, and one atmosphere valve that is controlled to be "open" when the valve is open to the atmosphere.

[0020] The three lifting support members 130-150 are simultaneously controlled to move up when pushing the lower seal block 120 up toward the upper seal block 110. On the other hand, when lowering the lower seal block 120, the lifting support member 150 connected to the center of the lower seal block 120 is controlled to move down.

[0021] A hole 250 provided in the lower chamber 30 of the chamber 55 is connected to a vacuum pump P via a two-way solenoid valve 230. The two-way solenoid valve 230 is a solenoid valve that is controlled to be "open" when the pressure inside the chamber 55 is reduced by the vacuum pump P. The hole 250 is also connected to be open to the atmosphere via a two-way solenoid valve 240. The lifting and lowering control by opening and closing the electromagnetic valves 200 to 240, the drive control of the vacuum pump P, and the power supply control to the sealing heater are controlled by a control device 260 that executes a program in which these controls are set.

[0022] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the shape of the bottom of the three lift support members 130 to 150. As shown in FIG. As shown in Figure 4, the bottoms of the three lifting support members 130-150 have a membrane portion 400 made of rubber and a connection portion 410 for connecting to a vacuum pump P. Approximately half of the distance of the membrane portion 400 from the center toward the outside is made of rubber. When the expansion portions 130a-150a of the three lifting support members 130-150 are evacuated by the vacuum pump P, the rubber of the membrane portion 400 expands upward due to atmospheric pressure, and the piston portion can be pushed up toward the lower seal block 120.

[0023] 5 and 6 are transition diagrams showing a vacuum packaging method using the vacuum packaging machine 10 described above. Fig. 5 shows the operation of the lower seal block 110 and the three lifting support members 130 to 150. Fig. 6 shows the state transition of the vacuum packaging bag in the operation process of Fig. 5 (vacuum packaging process). 5 and 6, the operation control of the lower seal block 110 and the three lifting support members 130-150 in the vacuum packaging process and the operation control of the state transition of the vacuum packaging bag (vacuum packaging process) will be described. Note that in Fig. 6, only the operation of the central lifting support member 150 is shown and explained.

[0024] When the lid 60 of the upper chamber 50 is opened, the leading end opening of the packaging bag 300 containing the packaged item is set on the sealing surface of the lower seal block 110, and the lid 60 of the upper chamber 50 is closed, the configuration shown in Figures 5(a) and 6(a) is obtained. In this state, to perform the degassing process, the control device 260 controls the vacuum pump P and the solenoid valve 230 to degas (evacuate) the air inside the chamber 55 through the hole 250 for a predetermined time or until a predetermined reduced pressure value is reached. At this time, the atmosphere valves of the three-way solenoid valves 200-220 connected to the lift support members 130-150 are open, so no change occurs in the expansion sections 130a-150a.

[0025] When the air in chamber 55 is evacuated, the air in vacuum packaging bag 300 is also evacuated at the same time, and the process moves to the next sealing step. That is, after the air in chamber 55 has been evacuated for a predetermined time or until a predetermined reduced pressure value is reached, control device 260 operates vacuum pump P to evacuate the interior of expansion sections 130a-150a via three-way solenoid valves 200-220. As shown in FIG. 5(b), the rubber of membrane section 400 of three lifting support members 130-150 expands into expansion sections 130a-150a due to atmospheric pressure, pushing the piston section upward toward lower seal block 120, which then presses against upper seal block 110. This causes packaging bag 300 to assume the gripped state at the leading end opening, as shown in FIG. 6(b).

[0026] 6(b), the control device 260 energizes the sealing heater 160 attached to the sealing surface of the lower seal block 120 for a predetermined time (several seconds) in the order from the lifting / lowering support member 140 to the lifting / lowering support member 130. By energizing the sealing heater 160, Joule heat is generated, which welds and seals the tip opening of the packaging bag 300. The energization may also be in the order from the lifting / lowering support member 130 to the lifting / lowering support member 140.

[0027] Once this sealing process is complete, the control device 260 opens the three-way solenoid valves 200 and 210 to the atmosphere, returning the extension portions 130a and 140a to the atmosphere. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5(c), the membrane portions 400 of the lift-up support members 130 and 140 return to their original flat state, and the lift-up support members 130 and 140 move away from the lower seal block 120. The control device 260 then opens the three-way solenoid valve 220 to the atmosphere, returning the extension portion 150a to the atmosphere. As a result, the membrane portion 400 of the lift-up support member 150 returns to its original flat state, and the lower seal block 120 descends to its initial position, as shown in FIG. 5(a). The packaging bag 300 then assumes the shape shown in FIG. 6(c).

[0028] When the lower seal block 120 is lowered to the initial position, the control device 260 controls the solenoid valve 230 to return the inside of the chamber 55 to the atmosphere. When the inside of the chamber 55 is returned to the atmosphere, the upper chamber 50 can be opened and the packaging bag 300 that has completed vacuum packaging can be removed.

[0029] 7 shows a side view taken along line AA of the lifting / lowering support member 150 in the configuration shown in FIG. 5(a), and a side view taken along line BB of the lifting / lowering support member 140. The side view of the lifting / lowering support member 130 is the same as the side view taken along line BB of the lifting / lowering support member 140, and is therefore omitted. In the state shown in FIG. 5(a), all three lift support members 130 to 150 are in their initial positions, so the sealing surface of the lower seal block 120 is spaced apart from the upper seal block 110. In the state shown in FIG.

[0030] 8 shows a side view taken along line AA of the lifting support member 150 in the configuration shown in FIG. 5(b), and a side view taken along line BB of the lifting support member 140. Similarly, the side view of the lifting support member 130 is the same as the side view taken along line BB of the lifting support member 140, and is therefore omitted. In the configuration shown in Fig. 5(b), the lifting support members 130-150 simultaneously push up the lower seal block 120, so that the sealing surface of the lower seal block 120 is in contact with the upper seal block 110. As a result, the packaging bag 300 is sandwiched between the upper and lower seal blocks 110, 120, and the opening at the leading end of the packaging bag 300 can be welded and sealed by energizing the sealing heater 160. As shown in Fig. 8, the rubber of the membrane portion 400 of the three lifting support members 130-150 expands into the expansion portions 130a-150a due to atmospheric pressure, pushing up the piston portion toward the position of the lower seal block 120.

[0031] 9 shows a side view taken along line AA of the lifting support member 150 in the configuration shown in FIG. 5(c), and a side view taken along line BB of the lifting support member 140. Similarly, the side view of the lifting support member 130 is omitted because it is the same as the side view taken along line BB of the lifting support member 140. In the configuration shown in Figure 5(c), the three-way solenoid valves 200, 210 of the lift support members 130, 140 are open to the atmosphere, so the lift support members 130, 140 move away from the upper seal block 110 and return to their initial positions. That is, as shown in Figure 9, the extension portions 130a, 140a of the lift support members 130, 140 are returned to the atmosphere, so the lift support members 130, 140 descend to their original positions. Meanwhile, the central lift assist member 150a remains in its original state, so it continues to push up the lower seal block 120.

[0032] After this, the extension portion 150a of the central lift support member 150 is returned to the atmosphere, so that the lift support member 150 descends to its original position, returning the lower seal block 120 to its initial position. Then, when the vacuum packaging is complete, the packaging bag 300 is removed, and the next vacuum packaging bag 300 is vacuum packaged in the same manner.

[0033] As described above, the vacuum packaging machine and vacuum packaging method of the present embodiment enable stable lifting and sealing of a relatively long seal block using three lifting support members. Because the seal block is long, packaging bags can be set with ample space, eliminating the risk of damaging the packaging bag with the edge of the sealing heater. Furthermore, during sealing, the three lifting support members push the block up, and electricity is applied from the lifting support members on both sides to seal. Once sealing is complete, the lifting support members on both sides are released to separate the seal block from the seal block, and the seal block is then lowered by the central lifting support member. This simplifies control by allowing separate control of sealing and lowering. Furthermore, the absence of wiring in the upper seal block results in a more aesthetically pleasing appearance.

[0034] The vacuum packaging machine 10 of this embodiment vacuum-packages the packaged items by using a vacuum pump to evacuate the chamber with a packaging bag containing the packaged item housed inside, degassing the air inside the packaging bag, and then sealing the closed tip opening of the packaging bag. The machine includes an upper seal block 110 fixed to an upper chamber 50 constituting a chamber 55, a lower seal block 120 facing the upper seal block 110 and having a sealing heater 160 attached to its sealing surface, and three lift support members 130-150 fixed to a lower chamber 30 constituting the chamber 55 for raising and lowering the lower seal block 120 and energizing the sealing heater 160, with only the tip of the central lift support member 150 of the three lift support members being fixedly connected to the center of the lower seal block 120. This configuration provides an aesthetically pleasing appearance because the upper seal block does not have any wiring, and the three lift support members allow stable lifting and sealing control of the relatively long seal block. Furthermore, since the seal block is long, the packaging bag can be set with ample space, and there is no risk of the packaging bag being damaged by the end of the sealing heater.

[0035] Furthermore, the vacuum packaging machine of this embodiment is configured such that, when the air inside packaging bag 300 has been evacuated, three lifting support members 130-150 are simultaneously operated to push lower seal block 120, which is in the initial position, up to upper seal block 110 and clamp the leading end opening of the packaging bag. This allows the three lifting support members to stably control the lifting and lowering of the relatively long seal block.

[0036] Furthermore, the vacuum packaging machine of the embodiment is configured to energize the sealing heater 160 using the lifting support members 130, 140 on both sides when sealing the leading end opening of the packaging bag 300. This allows for easy sealing control using the lifting support members on both sides out of the three lifting support members.

[0037] Furthermore, the vacuum packaging machine of the embodiment is configured so that when sealing of the leading end opening of the packaging bag 300 is completed, the lifting support members 130, 140 on both sides move away from the lower seal block 120. This allows the sealing to be completed by pulling away the lifting support members on both sides.

[0038] Furthermore, the vacuum packaging machine of this embodiment is configured such that after the lifting support members 130, 140 on both sides are separated from the lower seal block 120, the lower seal block 120 is lowered to its initial position using the central lifting support member 150. This allows the lower seal block to be stably lowered to its initial position.

[0039] The vacuum packaging method of the embodiment includes a vacuum pump P, an upper seal block 110 fixed to an upper chamber 50 constituting a chamber 55, a lower seal block 120 having a sealing heater 160 attached to the sealing surface and disposed opposite the upper seal block 110, and three lifting support members 130 to 150 fixed to a lower chamber 30 constituting the chamber 55 and used to lift and lower the lower seal block 120 and energize the sealing heater 160. The vacuum pump P evacuates the chamber with a packaging bag containing an item to be packaged inside, degassing the air in the packaging bag, and then closes the closed end opening of the packaging bag. This vacuum packaging method vacuum-packs the packaged items by sealing them. After evacuating the air from the packaging bag, three lifting support members 130-150 are simultaneously operated to push the lower seal block 120, which is in its initial position, up to the upper seal block 110 to clamp the opening at the leading edge of the packaging bag. The lifting support members 130, 140 on both sides are used to energize the sealing heater 160. When the sealing of the opening at the leading edge of the packaging bag is complete, the lifting support members 130, 140 on both sides move away from the lower seal block 120. After the lower seal block 120 is separated from the lower seal block 120, the central lifting support member 150 is used to lower the lower seal block 120 to its initial position. This provides a clean appearance because the upper seal block does not have any wiring, and the three lifting support members allow for stable lifting and sealing of the relatively long seal block. Furthermore, the long seal block allows for ample space to set the packaging bag, eliminating the risk of the sealing heater damaging the bag.

[0040] The embodiments of the present invention are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments may be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the inventions and their equivalents as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0041] 10...vacuum packaging machine, 20...lower housing, 30...lower chamber 40...base, 50...upper chamber, 60...lid portion, 70...hinge portion 80: Handle, 90: Display and operation panel, 100: Heater block 110...Upper seal block, 120...Lower seal block 130, 140, 150... lifting support members, 130a, 140a, 150a... extension parts 160...Sealing heater, 200, 210, 230, 240...Solenoid valve, 260...control device, 300...packaging bag, 400...membrane portion, 410...connection portion

Claims

1. A vacuum packaging machine that vacuum-packages an item to be packaged by evacuating a chamber with a vacuum pump while a packaging bag containing the item is housed therein, degassing the air in the packaging bag, and then sealing the closed tip opening of the packaging bag, an upper seal block fixed to an upper chamber that constitutes the chamber; a lower seal block having a sealing heater attached to a sealing surface thereof and disposed opposite the upper seal block; Three lifting support members fixed to a lower chamber constituting the chamber, which lifts and lowers the lower seal block and energizes the sealing heater; Equipped with A vacuum packaging machine characterized in that, of the three lifting support members, only the tip end of the central lifting support member is fixedly connected to the center of the lower seal block.

2. 2. The vacuum packaging machine according to claim 1, wherein, when the air inside the packaging bag is evacuated, the three lifting support members are simultaneously operated to push the lower seal block, which is in its initial position, up to the upper seal block and clamp the opening at the tip of the packaging bag.

3. 2. The vacuum packaging machine according to claim 1, wherein when sealing the leading end opening of the packaging bag, the sealing heater is energized using lifting support members on both sides.

4. 4. The vacuum packaging machine according to claim 3, wherein the lifting support members on both sides are separated from the lower seal block when sealing of the leading end opening of the packaging bag is completed.

5. 5. The vacuum packaging machine according to claim 4, wherein after the lifting support members on both sides are separated from the lower seal block, the lower seal block is lowered to its initial position using the central lifting support member.

6. A vacuum pump and an upper seal block fixed to an upper chamber that constitutes the chamber; a lower seal block having a sealing heater attached to a sealing surface thereof and disposed opposite the upper seal block; three lifting support members fixed to a lower chamber constituting the chamber, for lifting and lowering the lower seal block and energizing the sealing heater; A vacuum packaging method for vacuum-packaging an item to be packaged by evacuating a chamber with the vacuum pump while a packaging bag containing the item is housed therein, degassing the air in the packaging bag, and then sealing the closed tip opening of the packaging bag, When the air inside the packaging bag has been evacuated, the three lifting support members are simultaneously operated to push up the lower seal block, which is in its initial position, to the upper seal block, thereby clamping the leading end opening of the packaging bag; Using the lifting support members on both sides, the sealing heater is energized, When the sealing of the tip opening of the packaging bag is completed, the lifting support members on both sides are separated from the lower seal block, After separating from the lower seal block, the lower seal block is lowered to its initial position using the central lift support member. A vacuum packaging method characterized by:

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