Top sealing device

Abstract

To prevent top jamming with a simple configuration. [Configuration] This is a top sealing device 20 that seals the packaging film in a direction intersecting the conveying direction. An upper top sealer 23 is attached to an upper rotating shaft 21 which is positioned opposite to the packaging film on either side, and a lower top sealer 24 is attached to a lower rotating shaft 22. A connecting guide member 33 is provided on the lower rotating shaft in the area where the lower top sealer is not present. The conveying surface portion 33a of the connecting guide member has a radius r4 in the rear region that is longer than the radius r3 in the front region. In the front region, it passes at the same position as the conveying surface H of the packaging film inside the top sealing device, and in the rear region, it is located above the conveying surface, allowing the rear side of the product to be lifted upwards.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a top seal device used in a packaging machine.

Background Art

[0002] For example, a pillow packaging machine includes a product conveyance and supply device that conveys products at a predetermined pitch, a packaging machine main body disposed downstream of the product conveyance and supply device, a film supply device that supplies a strip-shaped packaging film to the packaging machine main body, and the like. The packaging machine main body includes a bag-making device that forms a strip-shaped packaging film continuously supplied from the film supply device on the carry-in side into a tubular shape. Also, products sequentially carried out from the product conveyance and supply device are supplied into the bag-making device. As a result, when the product group passes through the bag-making device, it is stored at predetermined intervals in the tubular packaging film, and the product group is conveyed together with the tubular packaging film. A center seal device is disposed downstream of the bag-making device to seal the film ends that are formed in a tubular shape and overlapped after passing through the bag-making device. Then, a pillow package containing the product is manufactured by sealing and cutting the packaging film so as to cross in the lateral direction at predetermined intervals by a top seal device disposed on the carry-out side of the pillow packaging machine.

[0003] Some top seal devices include, for example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a pair of rotating shafts disposed above and below a conveyance path, and a pair of upper and lower top sealers respectively attached to the rotating shafts. Each top sealer rotates about the rotating shaft as the rotating shaft rotates. The tip of the top sealer becomes a seal surface, and the seal surfaces of each other are configured to be able to contact each time they make one rotation.

[0004] As shown enlarged in FIG. 2 and the like of Patent Document 1, a cylindrical crossover guide is disposed concentrically with the rotating shaft in a region where no top sealer is disposed on the lower rotating shaft. The seal surface of the top sealer protrudes outside the conveyance surface portion on the surface side of the crossover guide.

[0005] As a result, the top sealing device seals and cuts the packaging film by sandwiching it from above and below with the sealing surfaces of the upper and lower top sealers facing each other. Next, as the top sealers rotate and move away from the packaging film, the packaging film moves forward, and the product within the subsequent packaging film follows and moves forward, passing between the upper and lower rotating axes. At this time, the product is supported by a transfer guide and is transported in a stable position, and after the rear end of the product passes the installation position of the rotating axis, the top sealers sandwich the packaging film at a predetermined timing and seal and cut it. This produces the packaged body. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Publication number 5-11121 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] In a pillow packaging machine, for example, if the product conveying and feeding device is continuously supplying products to the packaging machine body, the film feeding device will continuously supply packaging film at a constant speed, and the packaging machine body will form the packaging film into a cylindrical shape to enclose the product, while simultaneously conveying it at a constant speed and sealing the predetermined position to produce the package. On the other hand, if there is a gap in the product supply from the product conveying and feeding device, the packaging machine body and film feeding device may temporarily stop and wait for the next product to be supplied. Such control can prevent the generation of empty bags that do not contain products.

[0008] In this paused state, the leading product stored within the packaging film of the top sealing device waits on the transfer guide. Then, as the product transport and supply device supplies the product into the bag maker of the packaging machine body, the packaging machine body and film supply device restart operation. At this restart, the transport speed of the packaging film increases rapidly to the normal operating speed. The packaging film receives direct transport force from the film supply device and the packaging machine body, and is therefore able to move at this increased high speed. In contrast, the product within the packaging film does not receive direct transport force and follows the movement of the packaging film, receiving a forward transport force from the packaging film and attempting to move forward together with the packaging film. Consequently, when operation restarts, because the packaging film moves suddenly from a stopped state, the product may try to remain in its stopped position due to inertia and move backward relative to the packaging film. When the product slides backward within the packaging film in this way, when the pair of top sealers sandwich and seal the packaging film, the product may be present between the sealing surfaces, potentially causing the product to get jammed.

[0009] In particular, if the product is irregularly shaped, such as rice crackers or senbei, with an uneven surface and a small contact area with the packaging film, it is more likely to slip within the packaging film and become jammed.

[0010] The problems described above are presented as independent issues, and the present invention is not necessarily required to solve all of them; it is sufficient if at least one problem is solved. Furthermore, the invention intends to obtain rights for the configuration that solves this problem independently through divisional applications, amendments, etc. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] To solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a top sealing device that (1) seals a packaging film in a direction intersecting the conveying direction, comprising: an upper rotating shaft and a lower rotating shaft arranged opposite each other vertically with the packaging film in between; an upper top sealer attached to the upper rotating shaft; a lower top sealer attached to the lower rotating shaft; and a crossover guide member that rotates integrally with the lower rotating shaft in a region where the lower top sealer is absent and is capable of supporting a product located inside the packaging film that moves above the lower rotating shaft, wherein a portion of the conveying surface of the crossover guide member is located above the conveying surface of the packaging film within the top sealing device, and is configured to be able to lift the rear side of the product located inside the packaging film upward.

[0012] In this configuration, as the product inside the packaging film passes over the conveying surface of the guide member, its rear end is lifted upward by the conveying surface. This lift prevents the product from moving relatively backward within the packaging film. Therefore, even when the packaging film is temporarily stopped and then resumed, for example, the product's backward movement is suppressed, preventing the rear end of the product from getting caught in the top sealer.

[0013] (2) The conveying surface of the connecting guide member has an arc-shaped portion, and the arc-shaped portion is configured to have partially different diameters, with the rear portion protruding more than the front portion in the direction of rotation.

[0014] In this way, the conveying surface becomes smooth, and the connecting guide member can apply a gradual lifting force to the product.

[0015] (3) The center of the arc-shaped portion located in the front region of the conveying surface may coincide with the lower rotation axis, and the arc-shaped portion located in the front region of the conveying surface may pass through the same height position as the conveying surface.

[0016] In this configuration, the arc-shaped portion positioned in the front area of ​​the conveying surface passes at the same height as the conveying surface, allowing the product to move forward in a stable posture while maintaining a horizontal position. When the rear area of ​​the conveying surface portion reaches a position aligned with the conveying surface, the rear of the product is supported and lifted, preventing the product from moving backward. Thus, jamming by the top sealer during backward movement of the product can be prevented.

[0017] (4) The transport surface of the connecting guide member is an arcuate surface, and the center of the arcuate surface is offset from the center of the lower rotation axis, so that the area on the rear side of the rotation direction protrudes more than the area on the front side.

[0018] This design allows the conveying surface of the connecting guide member to have a simple shape, facilitating manufacturing while preventing jamming by the top sealer as the product moves backward.

[0019] (5) When the transport of the packaging film is temporarily stopped, the lower rotating shaft and the upper rotating shaft are temporarily stopped, and the transport surface of the connecting guide member is configured to lift the rear end of the product and tilt forward.

[0020] In this configuration, the product will tilt forward when the machine is temporarily stopped. When operation resumes, the connecting guide member can provide forward transport force to the tilted product, suppressing backward movement of the product within the packaging film and preventing the top sealer from jamming the product.

[0021] Furthermore, based on the configurations described in (1) to (5) above, it is advisable to combine the components described in the embodiments and drawings. [Effects of the Invention]

[0022] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent product jamming in a rotary top sealing device. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0023] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view showing an embodiment of a top-sealing device according to the present invention and a part of a pillow packaging machine in which the top-sealing device is incorporated. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an enlarged front view of the main part thereof. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an enlarged front view showing a lower top-sealer and first and second transfer guide members. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a view for explaining the operation. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a front view showing another embodiment of the top-sealing device according to the present invention and a part of a pillow packaging machine in which the top-sealing device is incorporated. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0024] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings. The present invention is not construed as being limited thereto, and various changes, modifications, and improvements can be made based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0025] FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of a preferred embodiment of a top-sealing device according to the present invention and a part of a pillow packaging machine in which the top-sealing device is incorporated. This pillow packaging machine 10 includes a packaging machine main body 11. Although not shown, on the upstream side of the packaging machine main body 11, there are a film supply device that continuously supplies a strip-shaped packaging film 12 to the packaging machine main body 11, and a product transfer supply device that is arranged on the upstream side of the packaging machine main body 11 and supplies products 13 to the packaging machine main body 11 at predetermined intervals.

[0026] The packaging film 12 may be, for example, a nylon film. The product 13 is, for example, an irregular product such as senbei or okaki. In this embodiment, for example, it is in the shape of an elongated rod, and the overall length is about 80 mm. Also, the length of the package and the cut length of the packaging film 12 are, for example, about 130 mm.

[0027] The film supply device includes a rotating support shaft that rotatably supports a roll of raw film formed by winding a strip of packaging film 12 into a roll, a drive means such as a drive motor that applies rotational force to the rotating support shaft or a feed roller that applies conveying force to the raw film, and a conveying path that conveys the strip of packaging film 12 fed from the raw film along a predetermined trajectory and guides it to the packaging machine body 11. Normally, the film supply device conveys the packaging film at a constant speed and continuously supplies it to the packaging machine body 11. When the product supply from the product conveying supply device is interrupted, the conveyance of the packaging film 12 is temporarily suspended, and when the product supply resumes, the conveyance at the constant speed described above is resumed.

[0028] The packaging machine body 11 includes a bag maker that forms a cylindrical bag from a supplied strip of packaging film 12, a center sealing device located downstream of the bag maker, a transport path 14 located downstream of the center sealing device for transporting the cylindrical packaging film 12, a product holding belt device 15 located above the transport path 14, a top sealing device 20 located downstream of the transport path 14, an outlet conveyor 16 located downstream of the top sealing device 20, and a product holding device 18 located above the input side of the outlet conveyor 16.

[0029] The bag maker forms a cylindrical shape that conforms to the outer shape of the product 13 by passing a strip of packaging film 12, which is continuously supplied from the film supply device, through it. As it passes through, the edges on both sides of the film come into contact with each other. The products 13, which are sequentially supplied from the product conveying and supply device to the packaging machine body 11, are inserted into the bag maker. As a result, the products 13 supplied to the bag maker are arranged at predetermined intervals within the cylindrical packaging film 12.

[0030] The center sealing device seals both end edges of the tubular packaging film 12. This center sealing device forms a center seal by heat sealing by heating and pressurizing both end edges while clamping them from both sides. The front and rear sides of the center sealing device may be equipped with pinch rollers that provide forward conveying force while clamping both end edges of the packaging film 12. Similar to the control of the conveying force applied to the packaging film in the film supply device, the control device of the packaging machine body controls the drive motor that rotates the pinch rollers to convey the packaging film at a constant speed under normal circumstances, temporarily suspend the conveying of the packaging film 12 when the product supply from the product conveying supply device is stopped, and resume conveying at the constant speed when the product supply resumes. Furthermore, the conveying force applied by the pinch rollers to the packaging film 12 should be equal to or slightly faster than the conveying speed of the packaging film by the film supply device.

[0031] The transport path 14 may, for example, be a belt conveyor that applies a transport force to the packaging film 12 and the product 13 contained within it, but it is not necessarily limited to providing a transport force; it may also be configured as a path that guides the transport.

[0032] The discharge conveyor 16 consists of a belt conveyor. The conveying surface of the discharge conveyor 16 is set at a lower position than the conveying surface H of the upstream conveying path 14.

[0033] The product holding device 18 includes an arm portion 18a that is supported at its upper end so as to be rotatable within a predetermined angular range in the vertical (up and down) plane, and a holding brush member 18b attached to the lower end of the arm portion 18a. The arm portion 18a is positioned with a downward inclination so that its lower end is located on the upstream side (top sealing device 20 side), and is fixed at a predetermined inclination angle. The holding brush member 18b is generally cylindrical, and its circumferential side surface is positioned so as to be in contact with the upper surface of the packaging film 12. That is, the inclination angle should be adjusted according to the height of the product 13. The holding brush member 18b should be configured to be rotatably supported on the arm portion 18a via a support shaft 18c. Various means can be used to provide rotatable support, such as a configuration in which the support shaft 18c is bearing-supported on the arm portion 18a, the support shaft 18c itself rotates, and the holding brush member 18b rotates together with it, or the holding brush member 18b is rotatably mounted on the support shaft 18c.

[0034] The top sealing device 20 seals and cuts the packaging film 12 in a direction perpendicular to the direction of travel, that is, in a transverse direction. The portion of the film to be sealed and cut is at a predetermined position between the preceding and succeeding products 13. As a result, when the tubular packaging film 12 passes through the top sealing device 20, the leading portion of the packaging film 12 is separated from the following portion, and the packaged body 17 is produced.

[0035] The top sealing device 20 of this embodiment includes an upper rotating shaft 21 and a lower rotating shaft 22 positioned at predetermined positions above and below the packaging film 12, an upper top sealer 23 attached to the upper rotating shaft 21, a lower top sealer 24 attached to the lower rotating shaft 22, and the like. Two upper top sealers 23 and two lower top sealers 24 are provided, spaced 180 degrees apart.

[0036] The tip end of the upper top sealer 23 becomes the upper sealing surface 23a. The upper sealing surface 23a is divided into two parts in the direction of rotation, and a predetermined gap is formed in the center in the direction of rotation. Although not shown in the illustration, a cutter blade is positioned within this gap. The cutter blade may be configured to be, for example, normally stored within the gap, protrude outward from the upper sealing surface 23a when the upper sealing surface 23a reaches a predetermined position below, and then retract into the gap after rotating by a predetermined angle. Alternatively, it may be configured to protrude at all times.

[0037] The tip of the lower top sealer 24 becomes the lower sealing surface 24a. The lower sealing surface 24a is divided into two parts in the direction of rotation, and a predetermined gap is formed in the center in the direction of rotation. The cutter blade of the upper top sealer 23, which forms the pair, can be inserted into this gap.

[0038] The upper rotating shaft 21 and the lower rotating shaft 22 rotate and stop synchronously, and are configured so that the upper sealing surface 23a of the upper top sealer 23 and the lower sealing surface 24a of the lower top sealer 24 can come into contact with each 180-degree rotation.

[0039] Furthermore, the upper top sealer 23 and the lower top sealer 24 have built-in heaters. As a result, the upper sealing surface 23a and the lower sealing surface 24a are heated to a predetermined temperature. Therefore, when the packaging film 12 is sandwiched between the upper sealing surface 23a of the upper top sealer 23 and the lower sealing surface 24a of the lower top sealer 24, the packaging film 12 is heated and pressurized, and heat-sealed. During sealing, the cutter blade cuts the sealed portion of the packaging film 12 horizontally.

[0040] Furthermore, as shown in enlarged view in Figures 2 and 3, a first connecting guide member 31 and a second connecting guide member 32 are attached to the lower rotating shaft 22 between the two lower top sealers 24, respectively. The conveying surfaces 31a and 32a on the surface side of the first connecting guide member 31 and the second connecting guide member 32 are curved, and are configured to support the product 13 inside the packaging film 12 as it passes through the top sealing device 20 in the section from one lower top sealer 24 to the other lower top sealer 24 in the rotational direction.

[0041] The conveying surface 31a of the first connecting guide member 31 is formed in an arc shape with radius r1 over the entire length in the direction of rotation. The conveying surface 31a of the second connecting guide member 32 is formed in an arc shape with radius r2 over the entire length in the direction of rotation. The radius r1 of the first connecting guide member 31 and the radius r2 of the second connecting guide member 32 are of the same length.

[0042] The first connecting guide member 31 and the second connecting guide member 32 are eccentric with respect to the center O of the lower rotation axis 22, and the amount of protrusion of their respective conveying surfaces 31a and 32a relative to the conveying surface H of the conveying path 14 is greater on the rear side in the direction of rotation, so that the amount of protrusion from the center increases when the rear part of the product 13 passes, and the rear of the product 13 is lifted.

[0043] In other words, when attaching the first connecting guide member 31 to the lower rotating shaft 22, it is preferable to displace the center O1 of the arc of the conveying surface portion 31a of the first connecting guide member 31 upstream relative to the center O of the lower rotating shaft 22, and also displace it in a direction away from the conveying surface (downward), while the member is positioned on the conveying surface side (see Figure 3).

[0044] Similarly, when attaching the second connecting guide member 32 to the lower rotating shaft 22, it is preferable to position the second connecting guide member 32 on the conveying surface side (rotated 180 degrees from the state shown in Figure 3) such that the center O2 of the arc of the conveying surface portion 32a of the second connecting guide member 32 is displaced upstream relative to the center O of the lower rotating shaft 22, and also displaced in a direction away from the conveying surface (downward).

[0045] In this configuration, the distance from the center of the lower rotation axis 22 to the conveying surface portion 31a of the first connecting guide member 31 and the conveying surface portion 32a of the second connecting guide member 32 is longer in the rearward section than in the forward section in the rotational direction, for example, the distance t2. In this embodiment, the conveying surfaces 31a and 32a are located below the conveying surface H of the conveying path 14 from their front end positions in the rotational direction to predetermined positions. As the direction of rotation moves towards the rear, the distance from the center O gradually increases, and the amount of protrusion from the conveying surface H of the conveying path 14 also gradually increases.

[0046] As a result, when product 13 passes through the top sealing device 20, it operates as follows: At the start of passage, the front end of product 13 faces the area on the front end side in the rotational direction of the conveying surface portion 31a, 32a of the first or second passing guide member 31 or second passing guide member 32. In this state, the opposing area of ​​the conveying surface portions 31a, 32a is below the conveying surface H of the conveying path 14, and product 13 is conveyed in a horizontal state.

[0047] The lower rotating shaft 22 rotates in sync with the transport of the packaging film 12 and the product 13. For example, as shown in an enlarged view in Figure 2, when the lower top sealer 24 is rotated 90 degrees from its engagement position, the central part of the product 13 contacts the middle of the transport surface 31a of the first connecting guide member 31 in the front-to-back direction (the relative positional relationship with the product 13 is the same when it is rotated 180 degrees from this state and the second connecting guide member 32 is on top; the same applies hereafter). The middle of this transport surface 31a protrudes slightly from the transport surface H of the transport path 14, and the central part of the product 13 in the front-to-back direction is slightly lifted.

[0048] From that state, the lower rotating shaft 22 rotates further in synchronization with the transport of the packaging film 12 and the product 13, so that, for example as shown in Figure 4(a), the rear portion of the product 13 faces the rear region of the transport surface portion 31a of the first connecting guide member 31 in the direction of rotation. In this state, the opposing region of the transport surface portion 31a protrudes by a predetermined distance from the transport surface H of the transport path 14, and the transport surface portion 31a lifts the rear side of the product 13. By lifting the rear side of the product 13 in this way, the first connecting guide member 31 provides the product 13 with a thrust force in the direction of travel, preventing the product 13 from moving backward within the packaging film 12.

[0049] When the lower rotation shaft 22 and the upper rotation shaft 21 rotate 45 degrees from this state, as shown in Figure 4(b), the upper sealing surface 23a of the upper top sealer 23 and the lower sealing surface 24a of the lower top sealer 24 sandwich the packaging film (not shown) and perform a top seal and cut. Just before sealing, the back side of the product 13 is lifted, and the product is sealed in this lifted position.

[0050] Furthermore, from the state shown in Figure 4(b), the upper rotating shaft 21 and the lower rotating shaft 22 rotate further, and the upper top sealer 23 and the lower top sealer 24 separate from the packaging film 12. At this point, the packaged body 17 produced by the above cutting process is moved onto the discharge conveyor 16 and transported in a horizontal position.

[0051] Furthermore, when the supply of product 13 is withdrawn from the product conveying and supplying device, the packaging machine body 11 and the film supplying device temporarily stop and perform control to wait for the next supply of product 13. Then, as shown in Figure 4(a), for example, the rear side of the product 13 is lifted by the conveying surfaces 31a and 32a of the first or second connecting guide member 31 and the second connecting guide member 32, and the machine temporarily stops. After that, when operation resumes with the supply of products from the product conveying and supplying device, the packaging film 12 starts moving at the normal operating speed, and the upper rotating shaft 21 and the lower rotating shaft 22 also rotate at the normal operating speed. If this normal operating speed is high, for example, to produce 284 units per minute, the packaging film 12 moves at that speed all at once. On the other hand, the product 13 inside the packaging film 12 is subjected to a force that causes it to slide inside the packaging film 12 and move relatively backward in relation to the packaging film 12. At this time, as shown in Figure 4(a), the temporarily suspended product 13 is lifted at the rear by the transport surfaces 31a and 32a of the first or second transfer guide member 31 or second transfer guide member 32, and is held in a forward-sloping position, thereby preventing the product 13 from moving backward within the packaging film 12.

[0052] Furthermore, as in this embodiment, the conveying surface of the discharge conveyor 16 located downstream of the top sealing device 20 is lower than the conveying surface of the upstream conveying path 14. For example, when using a conventional arc-shaped crossover guide member with a matching center of rotation, the product 13 will not lose balance and its front will not drop unless, for example, most of the product 13 is located in front of the contact area of ​​the crossover guide member. However, as in this embodiment, by shifting the centers of the conveying surfaces 31a and 32a of the first crossover guide member 31 or the second crossover guide member 32 in a predetermined direction from the center of rotation, the front of the product 13 drops due to its own weight at an earlier timing than conventional methods. In this way, in addition to "dropping due to its own weight," the crossover guide can forcibly rotate the product 13 compactly by the force that lifts the product from below the "crossover guide member," allowing the product 13 to be placed in a "forward-tilting position" earlier.

[0053] Furthermore, the first or second connecting guide member 31 or 32 rotates together with the lower rotating shaft 22, which begins to rotate at high speed in the same manner as the movement of the packaging film 12. The conveying surfaces 31a and 32a push the lifted rear side of the product 13 forward, preventing it from moving backward.

[0054] In this way, during continuous operation and when resuming operation after a pause, the relative backward movement of the product 13 within the packaging film 12 is suppressed, and the product 13 is prevented from getting caught in the top sealing device 20.

[0055] Figure 5 shows the main parts of another embodiment of the top sealing device according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the basic configuration is the same as the embodiment described above, but the mounting position of the third connecting guide member 33 attached to the lower rotating shaft 22 and the shape of the conveying surface portion 33a are different.

[0056] In other words, the conveying surface portion 33a has different radii in the rotational direction, i.e., the circumferential direction. In this embodiment, the radius r4 of the second region, which is the latter half of the rotational direction, is longer than the radius r3 of the first region, which is the first half of the rotational direction. The center of the radius r1 of the first region coincides with the center O of the lower rotation axis 22, and the rear end of the first region and the front end of the second region are configured to be continuous. Furthermore, the radius r3 of the first region is made equal to the height from the center of the lower rotation axis 22 to the conveying surface H of the conveying path 14. In this way, the conveying surface portion 33a of the third crossover guide member 33 is at the same height as the conveying surface H of the conveying path 14 while the first region portion is at its highest position, and when the second region portion is at its highest position, it becomes higher than the conveying surface H of the conveying path 14, and its protrusion amount also gradually increases with rotation.

[0057] Therefore, the product 13, which has been discharged from the transport path 14 and entered the top sealing device 20, is initially transported while maintaining a horizontal direction as long as it is supported by the first region, similar to the embodiment described above. When it comes into contact with the second region, the rear side of the product 13 is lifted and biased forward. Thus, jamming of the product 13 in the top sealing device 20 is suppressed.

[0058] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the radius of the transport surface 33a is divided into a first region in the front half and a second region in the back half, and is changed in two stages. However, it may be divided into three or more sections with different radii, or it may be changed continuously without any steps.

[0059] Furthermore, while adopting a configuration in which the radius of the transport surface portion of the connecting guide member differs in the direction of rotation, as in this embodiment, a configuration in which the attachment of the connecting guide member is eccentric, as in the previously shown embodiment, may also be used in combination.

[0060] Furthermore, although the transport surface of the connecting guide member in each embodiment is curved, a configuration with partial protrusions is also possible. In the case of a configuration with protrusions, for example, one protrusion may be provided on the rear side in the direction of rotation, or multiple protrusions may be provided in the direction of rotation, with the amount of protrusion increasing as it goes towards the rear in the direction of rotation, so that the surface is raised in stages.

[0061] However, as in the embodiment described above, using an arc-shaped surface makes processing easier. Furthermore, if the structure is configured to gradually rise along the direction of rotation, the product will gradually tilt as it is transported, causing it to pause in an tilted position and reliably preventing backward movement. Gradually lifting the product provides forward propulsion.

[0062] In the embodiment described above, the top sealer is configured with two units attached to the rotating shaft, but it may also be one unit or three or more units.

[0063] The shape of product 13 is not limited to irregular shapes as in the embodiments described above, but may also be a standard shape or have at least a flat bottom surface. The faster the conveying speed, the higher the risk that product 13 will slip, shift position, and get caught in the packaging film, and the top sealing device of the present invention functions effectively in such cases.

[0064] Product 13 may be a slippery (easily shifting position within the tubular packaging film) frozen food (e.g., a frozen dessert).

[0065] Additionally, an elastic member (for example, a brush, sponge, etc.) may be provided in the portion of the upper rotating shaft 21 where the upper top sealer 23 is not attached (opposite the crossover guide member of the lower rotating shaft).

[0066] While various aspects of the present invention have been described above using embodiments, it should be noted that these embodiments and descriptions are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, but rather to aid in understanding it. The scope of the present invention is not limited to the configurations and manufacturing methods explicitly described in the specification, but also includes combinations of the various aspects of the present invention disclosed herein. Although the configurations for which patent protection is sought are specified in the appended claims, it should be noted that even configurations not currently specified in the claims may be claimed in the future. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0067] 10: Pillow packaging machine 11: Packaging machine body 12: Packaging film 13: Products 14: Conveyor Route 16: Discharge conveyor 17: Packaging 20: Top sealing device 21: Upper rotation axis 22: Lower rotation axis 23: Upper top sealant 24: Lower top sealant 31: First connecting guide member 31a: Conveyance surface section 32: Second connecting guide member 32a: Conveyance surface section 33: Third connecting guide member 33a: Conveyance surface section

Claims

1. A top sealing device that seals packaging film in a direction intersecting the conveying direction, An upper rotating shaft and a lower rotating shaft are arranged opposite each other, with the aforementioned packaging film in between, An upper top sealer to be attached to the upper rotating shaft, A lower top sealer to be attached to the lower rotating shaft, In the region where the lower top sealer is absent, the package includes a crossover guide member that rotates integrally with the lower rotating shaft and is capable of supporting a product located inside the packaging film as it moves above the lower rotating shaft, A portion of the conveying surface of the aforementioned transfer guide member is positioned above the conveying surface of the packaging film within the top sealing device, and is configured to lift the rear side of the product located inside the packaging film upward. Top sealing device.

2. The conveying surface portion of the aforementioned crossover guide member has an arc-shaped portion, The aforementioned arc-shaped portion is configured to have partially different diameters, with the rearward region protruding more than the frontward region in the direction of rotation. The top sealing device according to claim 1.

3. The center of the arc-shaped portion located in the front region of the conveying surface coincides with the lower rotation axis. The arc-shaped portion, positioned in the area in front of the conveying surface, is configured to pass at the same height as the conveying surface. The top sealing device according to claim 2.

4. The conveying surface of the aforementioned connecting guide member shall be an arcuate surface. The center of the arc-shaped surface is offset from the center of the lower rotation axis, so that the region on the rear side of the rotational direction protrudes more than the region on the front side. The top sealing device according to claim 1.

5. When the transport of the aforementioned packaging film is temporarily suspended, The lower and upper rotating shafts are temporarily stopped, and the conveying surface of the connecting guide member is configured to lift the rear end of the product and tilt it forward. A top sealing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

Images