A filling device and a method for manufacturing a cushion body.

Abstract

The present invention provides a filling device that can streamline the filling process, and a method for manufacturing a cushion body. [Solution] A stuffing device according to one embodiment is a stuffing device for filling the inside of a pillow with stuffing. This stuffing device comprises a flow section 11 having an internal space N through which the stuffing passes, a discharge section 12 for discharging the stuffing that has passed through the internal space N of the flow section 11 to the outside of the stuffing device 1, and an air supply section 13 for supplying compressed air K to the internal space N of the flow section 11.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a stuffing filling device and a method for manufacturing a cushion body.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a method and apparatus for manufacturing a fiber stuffing by blowing air, and a fiber stuffing. This air blowing device for fiber stuffing is a device that blows short fibers from a blowout port together with an air flow into a bag-shaped side fabric to form a fiber stuffing. This device is provided with a storage device to which the bag-shaped side fabric is attached. At the uppermost part of the storage device, a suction nozzle is provided. The storage device is provided with a pair of expanding members that grip the inside of the slit opening of the bag-shaped side fabric. The air blowing device for fiber stuffing has means for attaching the slit opening opened by the pair of expanding members to the blowout port.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, in a stuffing filling device, the stuffing may be filled into a bag-shaped side fabric by free fall from the blowout port of the device. When the stuffing falls freely, depending on the amount of the stuffing, it may take a long time to fill the stuffing inside the bag-shaped side fabric. There is room for improvement in terms of the efficiency of the stuffing filling operation.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a stuffing filling device and a method for manufacturing a cushion body that can improve the efficiency of the filling operation.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The filling device relating to this disclosure is (1) a filling device for filling the inside of a cushion body. The filling device comprises a flow section having an internal space through which the filling passes, a discharge section for discharging the filling that has passed through the internal space of the flow section to the outside of the filling device, and an air supply section for supplying compressed air to the internal space of the flow section.

[0007] This filling device comprises a flow section, a discharge section, and an air supply section. The flow section has an internal space that serves as a transport path for the filling material. The discharge section discharges the filling material that has passed through the internal space of the flow section to the outside of the filling device. The air supply section supplies compressed air to the internal space of the flow section. When the air supply section supplies compressed air to the internal space of the flow section, the air inside the flow section flows into the discharge section along with the filling material. As the air inside the flow section flows into the discharge section, a negative pressure is created upstream of the part of the transport path where compressed air is supplied to the flow section. This negative pressure creates an attractive force on the filling material toward the discharge section, thus applying a force to the filling material passing through the transport path toward discharge to the outside of the filling device. As a result, the filling material can be discharged to the outside of the filling device at a speed faster than free fall. Therefore, the time required to fill the filling material can be reduced. Consequently, the filling work can be made more efficient.

[0008] (2) In (1) above, the filling device may have a weighing unit that weighs the filling material as it passes through the flow section. In this case, since the weighing unit weighs the filling material, the worker performing the filling work does not need to weigh the filling material manually. Therefore, the time required for weighing can be reduced, and the time required to fill the filling material can be shortened. Thus, the filling work can be made more efficient.

[0009] (3) In (1) or (2) above, the flow section may be cylindrical. The inner surface of the flow section may be roughened. In this case, it is possible to suppress the packing material passing through the internal space of the flow section from adhering to the inner surface of the flow section due to static electricity.

[0010] The method for manufacturing a cushion body according to this disclosure is (4) a method for manufacturing a cushion body using the stuffing filling device described in (1) or (2) above. The cushion body comprises a bag-shaped cover having an opening. The method for manufacturing this cushion body comprises the steps of attaching the opening to a discharge section, passing the stuffing through the internal space of a flow section, supplying compressed air to the internal space with an air supply section, and discharging the stuffing that has passed through the internal space to the outside of the stuffing filling device and filling the inside of the cover through the opening. The stuffing filling device described above is used in this method for manufacturing a cushion body. Therefore, the same effects as the stuffing filling device described above can be obtained from this method for manufacturing a cushion body. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to this disclosure, it is possible to provide a filling device and a method for manufacturing a cushion body that can improve the efficiency of the filling process. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This is a front view showing a filling device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a schematic perspective view of a dental filling device. [Figure 3] This is a front view showing the funnel member and the filling section. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view showing the filling section and the air flow rate adjustment section. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] The following describes embodiments of the filling device and the method for manufacturing the cushion body according to this disclosure, with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same or corresponding elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations are omitted as appropriate. For the sake of ease of understanding, some parts of the drawings may be simplified or exaggerated, and the dimensional ratios, etc., are not limited to those shown in the drawings.

[0014] Figure 1 is a front view showing a stuffing device 1 according to an embodiment. Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view showing the stuffing device 1. The stuffing device 1 is a device for filling the inside of a pillow 30 (see Figure 3) with stuffing T. The pillow 30 is an example of a cushion body. The stuffing T is, for example, pipes or beads. The material of the stuffing T is, for example, resin. In one example, the material of the stuffing T is polyethylene. The stuffing T may also be, for example, buckwheat groats, wood chips made from cypress, or adzuki beans.

[0015] The filling device 1 includes, for example, an introduction section 2, a pair of first feeders 3, a pair of second feeders 4, a pair of storage sections 5, a feeder control section 6, a funnel member 7, a foot switch 8, a filling section 10, and an air flow rate adjustment section 20.

[0016] The introduction section 2 is the part that introduces the filling material T into the filling device 1. The introduction section 2 is located, for example, at the top of the filling device 1. The introduction section 2 is, for example, box-shaped. The introduction section 2 has an opening at the bottom. Upstream of the introduction section 2 in the flow path through which the filling material T flows, a hopper for temporarily storing the filling material T and a feeder for moving the filling material T from the hopper to the introduction section 2 may be provided.

[0017] The first feeder 3 and the second feeder 4 are the parts that form the flow path for the packing material T. The first feeder 3 and the second feeder 4 are located below the introduction section 2. The first feeder 3 and the second feeder 4 are positioned opposite the opening at the bottom of the introduction section 2. The first feeder 3 and the second feeder 4 supply the packing material T flowing out of the introduction section 2 to the storage section 5.

[0018] The first feeder 3 and the second feeder 4 extend, for example, horizontally. The first feeder 3 and the second feeder 4 are, for example, U-shaped when viewed along the direction in which the packing material T flows through the first feeder 3 and the second feeder 4. In this disclosure, "U-shaped" includes not only a strict U shape but also shapes that are slightly different from a U shape, such as shapes with corners.

[0019] For example, a pair of first feeders 3 and a pair of second feeders 4 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the virtual center line A of the stuffing filling device 1. The virtual center line A is a virtual straight line that passes through the center of the stuffing filling device 1 and extends along the direction (for example, the vertical direction) in which the introduction part 2 and the filling part 10 are arranged side by side. For example, the first feeder 3 is arranged at a position closer to the virtual center line A than the second feeder 4.

[0020] The length (width) of the second feeder 4 in the direction orthogonal to the direction in which the stuffed product T flows in the second feeder 4 is smaller than the length (width) of the first feeder 3 in the direction orthogonal to the direction in which the stuffed product T flows in the first feeder 3. That is, the width of the second feeder 4 is smaller than the width of the first feeder 3. In this case, the conveyance amount of the stuffed product T flowing through the second feeder 4 per unit time can be made smaller than the conveyance amount of the stuffed product T flowing through the first feeder 3 per unit time.

[0021] The amounts of the stuffed product T accommodated in the accommodation part 5 can be adjusted by the first feeder 3 and the second feeder 4. For example, when starting to flow the stuffed product T from the introduction part 2 into the accommodation part 5, both the first feeder 3 and the second feeder 4 may be operated, and the stuffed product T may be flowed through both the first feeder 3 and the second feeder 4. Then, when the stuffed product T accommodated in the accommodation part 5 approaches a predetermined weight, the operation of the first feeder 3 may be stopped, and only the second feeder 4 may be operated, and the stuffed product T may be flowed through only the second feeder 4.

[0022] As described above, by first flowing the stuffed product T through both the first feeder 3 and the second feeder 4, and then flowing the stuffed product T through only the second feeder 4 with a smaller conveyance amount per unit time, it is possible to finely adjust the weight of the stuffed product T accommodated in the accommodation part 5. The "predetermined weight" is, for example, 400 g or more and 600 g or less, and in one example, it is 500 g. The predetermined weight may be settable.

[0023] The storage section 5 contains the filling material T that has flowed through either the first feeder 3 or the second feeder 4. For example, the storage section 5 is located below the first feeder 3 and the second feeder 4. The storage section 5 is, for example, box-shaped. For example, a pair of storage sections 5 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the virtual centerline A of the filling device 1. The first feeder 3 and the second feeder 4 and the storage section 5 are separated from each other.

[0024] A pair of first feeders 3, a pair of second feeders 4, and a pair of storage units 5 are provided, allowing the filling T to be efficiently filled into the interior of the pillow cover 32 (see Figure 3). The first feeders 3 and 2 feeders 4 and the storage units 5 are included in a pair of lines for flowing the filling T.

[0025] For example, while the weight of the filling T is being weighed on one line, the filling T can be filled into the interior of the pillow cover 32 on the other line. In this case, the filling T can be filled on one line while the filling T is being weighed on the other line, allowing the weighing and filling of the filling T to be performed continuously. This makes it possible to efficiently fill multiple pillows 30 with filling T while weighing the filling T.

[0026] The storage section 5 has a weighing section 5a. The weighing section 5a weighs the weight of the filling material T passing through the filling section 10. The weighing section 5a weighs the weight of the filling material T stored in the storage section 5. The weighing section 5a may always weigh the weight of the filling material T stored in the storage section 5. The weighing section 5a may be provided with a display unit for displaying the weighing result.

[0027] The weighing unit 5a is, for example, a scale. The weighing unit 5a may also be, for example, an electronic scale. The weighing unit 5a may also be equipped with, for example, a weight sensor. When the packing material T housed in the housing unit 5 reaches a predetermined weight, the weighing unit 5a outputs a signal to the solenoid valve 23 (see Figure 4) of the air flow rate adjustment unit 20, which will be described later.

[0028] The storage section 5 has an opening / closing section 5b. The opening / closing section 5b is located, for example, at the bottom of the storage section 5. In the storage section 5, the opening / closing section 5b is movable. The opening / closing section 5b operates to open the bottom of the storage section 5 when the filling material T is to be passed to the next process.

[0029] The feeder control unit 6 controls the operation of the first feeder 3 and the second feeder 4. Specifically, based on the weighing result of the weighing unit 5a, the feeder control unit 6 controls the operation of the first feeder 3 and the second feeder 4 so that the weight of the packing material T in the storage unit 5 becomes a predetermined weight.

[0030] The funnel member 7 collects the filling material T toward the virtual centerline A of the filling device 1, for example. The funnel member 7 is positioned below the pair of storage sections 5. The size of the cross-section of the funnel member 7 along the horizontal direction decreases, for example, as it moves downward. The filling material T flowing through the funnel member 7 collects toward the virtual centerline A of the filling device 1 as it moves downward. The funnel member 7 faces the pair of storage sections 5. The size of the cross-section along the horizontal direction at the top of the funnel member 7 is larger than the size of the cross-section along the horizontal direction at the storage section 5.

[0031] The funnel member 7 has an opening 7a at its upper end, which is a receiving opening for the packing material T. For example, the horizontal length of the opening 7a is greater than the horizontal length of the receiving section 5. When viewed along the direction in which the receiving section 5 and the funnel member 7 are aligned (e.g., the vertical direction), the opening 7a includes two receiving sections 5. Therefore, the opening 7a is capable of receiving the packing material T flowing out from the two receiving sections 5.

[0032] The opening 7a is rectangular in shape when viewed from the height direction of the filling device 1. The funnel member 7 has an opening 7b at its lower part. The opening 7b is circular in shape when viewed from the height direction of the filling device 1. The size of the cross-section of the opening 7a along the horizontal direction is larger than the size of the cross-section of the opening 7b along the horizontal direction.

[0033] The funnel member 7 has a relay member 7c. The relay member 7c is the part to which the filling section 10 is attached to the funnel member 7. The relay member 7c is located at the bottom of the funnel member 7. The relay member 7c is attached to the opening 7b of the funnel member 7. The relay member 7c is, for example, cylindrical. The size of the horizontal cross-section of the relay member 7c decreases downwards, for example. The horizontal cross-section at the lower end of the relay member 7c is, for example, circular. The filling material T that flows out from the opening 7b passes through the relay member 7c.

[0034] The foot switch 8 switches the supply of compressed air K (see Figure 3), which will be described later, ON / OFF. The foot switch 8 is located, for example, on the floor F on which the filling device 1 is installed. The foot switch 8 is equipped with a pedal. The foot switch 8 is connected to the air flow rate adjustment unit 20 by a signal line 8a. When the pedal is pressed, the foot switch 8 outputs a signal to the solenoid valve 23 (see Figure 4) of the air flow rate adjustment unit 20, which will be described later, indicating that the foot switch 8 has been turned ON.

[0035] Figure 3 is a front view showing the funnel member 7 and the filling section 10. Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the filling section 10 and the air flow rate adjustment section 20 when removed from the funnel member 7. The filling section 10 is the part that fills the inside of the side fabric 32 of the pillow 30 with filling material T. An opening 31 of the side fabric 32 is attached to the filling section 10. The filling material T passes through the filling section 10, and the filling material T that has passed through the filling section 10 is filled into the inside of the side fabric 32 through the opening 31. The filling section 10 is, for example, cylindrical (in one example, cylindrical). The filling section 10 has an internal space N through which the filling material T passes. The internal space N is formed inside the cylindrical filling section 10. The internal space N is the transport path H for the filling material T.

[0036] As shown in Figure 3, the filling section 10 is located below the funnel member 7. The filling section 10 is attached to the intermediate member 7c of the funnel member 7. The filling section 10 is attached to the funnel member 7, for example, along the height direction (vertical direction) of the filling device 1. The filling section 10 may be removable from the funnel member 7.

[0037] The filling section 10 comprises a flow section 11, a discharge section 12, and an air supply section 13. The flow section 11 is the part through which the packing material T passes. The flow section 11 is located on both sides of the filling section 10. That is, the flow section 11 is divided by the air supply section 13. The flow section 11 is, for example, cylindrical (in one example, cylindrical). The flow section 11 extends in the direction of extension of the filling section 10 (the axial direction, which is the direction in which the axis of the cylindrical filling section 10 extends). The flow section 11 has an internal space N. The flow section 11 has an inner surface Na that defines the internal space N.

[0038] The inner surface Na of the flow section 11 is roughened. For example, multiple fine irregularities are formed on the inner surface Na. This makes it difficult for static electricity to build up on the inner surface Na. The material of the flow section 11 is, for example, resin. The outer surface Nb of the flow section 11, which faces away from the internal space N, is, for example, a smooth surface.

[0039] The flow section 11 includes, for example, a first flow section 11a and a second flow section 11b. The first flow section 11a is located on one side in the extending direction of the filling section 10. One end of the first flow section 11a is attached to the intermediate member 7c of the funnel member 7. For example, the inner diameter of one end of the first flow section 11a is larger than the outer diameter of the intermediate member 7c at its smallest outer diameter. This allows the intermediate member 7c to be fitted to one end of the first flow section 11a. By fitting the intermediate member 7c to one end of the first flow section 11a, the filling section 10 can be attached to the funnel member 7.

[0040] The other end of the first circulation section 11a is attached to the air supply section 13. The packing material T flows from the funnel member 7 into the filling section 10 through the first circulation section 11a. Due to the supply of compressed air K, which will be described later, the air inside the funnel member 7 flows into the first circulation section 11a along with the packing material T.

[0041] The second flow section 11b is located on the opposite side of the first flow section 11a in the extending direction of the filling section 10. When the filling section 10 is attached to the funnel member 7, the second flow section 11b is located on the opposite side of the funnel member 7 from the first flow section 11a. One end of the second flow section 11b is attached to the air supply section 13. A discharge section 12 is formed at the other end of the second flow section 11b. The first flow section 11a and the second flow section 11b are aligned along the extending direction of the filling section 10. The inner diameters of the first flow section 11a and the second flow section 11b are, for example, the same.

[0042] The discharge section 12 discharges the filling material T that has passed through the internal space N of the filling section 10 to the outside of the filling device 1 (filling section 10). The discharge section 12 is located at the end of the second flow section 11b opposite to the first flow section 11a. When the filling section 10 is attached to the funnel member 7, the discharge section 12 is located at the end of the filling section 10 opposite to the funnel member 7. Compressed air K is discharged from the discharge section 12 along with the filling material T. An opening 31 of the side fabric 32 is attached to the discharge section 12.

[0043] The discharge section 12 has an end face 12a. The end face 12a is, for example, the surface of the discharge section 12 facing the direction of extension of the filling section 10. The end face 12a is annular. The end face 12a of the discharge section 12 is inclined with respect to a plane perpendicular to the axis of the filling section 10. In this case, the end face 12a is an oval annular shape. As a result, when the filling section 10 is attached to the funnel member 7, the end face 12a of the discharge section 12 is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane. Therefore, the discharge section 12 can be made more pointed compared to the case where the end face 12a of the discharge section 12 extends parallel to the horizontal plane.

[0044] Furthermore, since the cross-sectional area of ​​the discharge section 12, including the end face 12a, can be increased, it becomes easier to insert the discharge section 12 into the opening 31 of the side fabric 32, and the amount of filling T discharged per unit time can be increased. As a result, it becomes easier to fill the inside of the side fabric 32 of the pillow 30 with filling T.

[0045] The air supply unit 13 supplies compressed air K to the internal space N of the filling unit 10. The air supply unit 13 is located between the first circulation unit 11a and the second circulation unit 11b. The first circulation unit 11a, the air supply unit 13, and the second circulation unit 11b are arranged in this order along the extending direction of the filling unit 10. In the extending direction of the filling unit 10, the air supply unit 13 is located further away from the discharge unit 12 than the center of the filling unit 10 (upstream side of the transport path H in the filling unit 10).

[0046] The air supply section 13 is, for example, cylindrical (in one example, cylindrical). The air supply section 13 has an internal space. The internal space of the air supply section 13 communicates with the internal space N of the flow section 11. The inner diameter of the air supply section 13 is, for example, the same as the inner diameter of the first flow section 11a and the inner diameter of the second flow section 11b. This prevents the packing material T passing through the internal space N of the filling section 10 from being obstructed along the way.

[0047] The air supply section 13 may have a pair of fitting portions that fit into the first flow section 11a and the second flow section 11b, respectively. For example, the fitting portions protrude further along the axial direction from each of the axial ends of the air supply section 13. For example, the fitting portions are cylindrical (for example, cylindrical), and the outer diameter of the fitting portions is smaller than the outer diameter of the air supply section 13 in parts other than the fitting portions. For example, the air supply section 13 is connected to the first flow section 11a and the second flow section 11b by fitting one fitting portion of the air supply section 13 into the inside of the first flow section 11a and fitting the other fitting portion of the air supply section 13 into the inside of the second flow section 11b.

[0048] For example, the third air hose 25 of the air flow rate adjustment unit 20 is connected to the side surface 13a of the cylindrical air supply unit 13. The air supply unit 13 supplies compressed air K sent from the third air hose 25 into the internal space N. The compressed air K supplied to the inside of the filling unit 10 enters the inside of the air supply unit 13 from the connection point between the air supply unit 13 and the third air hose 25 and flows toward the discharge unit 12. As a result, in the internal space N of the filling unit 10, the inside of the first flow unit 11a is kept under negative pressure, allowing the packing material T to be drawn from the funnel member 7 into the first flow unit 11a, and the inside of the second flow unit 11b is kept under positive pressure, allowing the packing material T to be pumped out of the packing device 1 from the discharge unit 12.

[0049] The air flow rate adjustment unit 20 includes, for example, an air compressor 21, a first air hose 22, a solenoid valve 23, a second air hose 26, a pressure adjustment unit 24, and a third air hose 25. The air compressor 21 is a compressor that generates the compressed air K described above. The air compressor 21 may be a piston-type air compressor or a rotary-type air compressor.

[0050] A first air hose 22 is connected to the air compressor 21. One end of the first air hose 22 is connected to the air compressor 21, and the other end of the first air hose 22 is connected to the solenoid valve 23. The compressed air K generated by the air compressor 21 flows through the first air hose 22 towards the solenoid valve 23.

[0051] The solenoid valve 23 controls the flow of compressed air K. The solenoid valve 23 has a valve inside. The solenoid valve 23 opens the flow path of compressed air K by opening the valve and blocks the flow path of compressed air K by closing the valve. The solenoid valve 23 allows compressed air K to flow when the valve is open and stops the flow of compressed air K when the valve is closed.

[0052] The solenoid valve 23 opens, for example, when it receives a signal from the weighing unit 5a indicating that the weight of the filling material T in the housing unit 5 has reached a predetermined weight, and also receives a signal indicating that the pedal of the foot switch 8 has been pressed and the foot switch 8 has been turned ON. The solenoid valve 23 opens for a certain period of time. This period of time is, for example, 1 second or more and 10 seconds or less. The time for which the solenoid valve 23 opens can be appropriately set, for example, according to the weight of the filling material T and the quantity of filling material T.

[0053] The solenoid valve 23 is connected to the second air hose 26. When the valve of the solenoid valve 23 is opened, compressed air K is sent to the second air hose 26. One end of the second air hose 26 is connected to the solenoid valve 23. The other end of the second air hose 26 is connected to the pressure adjustment unit 24.

[0054] The pressure adjustment unit 24 adjusts the pressure of the compressed air K generated by the air compressor 21. The pressure adjustment unit 24 is, for example, a regulator. The pressure adjustment unit 24 has an operating unit 24a. The operating unit 24a is, for example, an adjustment knob. The pressure of the compressed air K can be adjusted by operating the operating unit 24a (for example, by rotating it). In the pressure adjustment unit 24, the pressure of the compressed air K is adjusted to a range of, for example, 1 MPa or more and 10 MPa or less. The pressure of the compressed air K can be set appropriately according to, for example, the weight of the packing material T and the quantity of packing material T. The pressure of the compressed air K may also be set according to the shape of the packing material T.

[0055] The pressure adjustment unit 24 may be equipped with a display unit that shows the pressure of the compressed air K. The display unit allows for confirmation of whether the compressed air K has been adjusted to the desired pressure. The pressure adjustment unit 24 is connected to the third air hose 25. The compressed air K, whose pressure has been adjusted in the pressure adjustment unit 24, is sent to the third air hose 25.

[0056] Next, a method for manufacturing a pillow 30 using a filling device 1 will be described. The pillow 30 is equipped with a bag-shaped cover 32 having an opening 31. First, the opening 31 of the cover 32 is attached to the discharge section 12 of the filling section 10 (step of attaching the opening to the discharge section). For example, the maximum width of the opening 31 is larger than the outer diameter of the discharge section 12.

[0057] Next, the filling material T is placed in the storage section 5, and the weight of the filling material T is measured in the weighing section 5a (process of weighing the filling material). The compressed air K is adjusted in the pressure adjustment section 24 to the desired pressure. When the filling material T placed in the storage section 5 reaches the predetermined weight, the foot switch 8 is turned ON to open the valve of the solenoid valve 23. Compressed air K is supplied from the air compressor 21 to the pressure adjustment section 24 to bring the compressed air K to the desired pressure.

[0058] Then, compressed air K with adjusted pressure is supplied to the air supply section 13 of the filling section 10, and compressed air K is supplied from the air supply section 13 to the internal space N (compressed air supply step). At the same time, the opening and closing section 5b of the housing section 5 is operated, and the packing material T of the housing section 5 is passed through the internal space N of the filling section 10 via the funnel member 7 (passing to internal space step).

[0059] Then, the filling T that has passed through the internal space N is discharged to the outside of the filling device 1 together with compressed air K, thereby filling the inside of the cover fabric 32 through the opening 31 of the cover fabric 32 attached to the discharge section 12 (filling step). Finally, the opening 31 of the cover fabric 32 that has been filled with filling T is closed (closing step of the cover fabric opening). After these steps, the series of steps for manufacturing the pillow 30 is completed.

[0060] Next, the effects and benefits obtained from the filling device 1 according to this embodiment will be described. The filling device 1 comprises a flow section 11, a discharge section 12, and an air supply section 13. The flow section 11 has an internal space N which is a transport path H through which the filling material T passes. The discharge section 12 discharges the filling material T that has passed through the internal space N of the flow section 11 to the outside of the filling device 1. The air supply section 13 supplies compressed air K to the internal space N of the flow section 11. When the air supply section 13 supplies compressed air K to the internal space N of the flow section 11, the air inside the flow section 11 flows into the discharge section 12 together with the filling material T. As the air inside the flow section 11 flows into the discharge section 12, a negative pressure is generated upstream of the part of the transport path H in the flow section 11 where compressed air K is supplied (for example, the air supply section 13). This negative pressure creates a suction force on the filling material T toward the discharge section 12, thereby applying a force to the filling material T as it passes through the transport path H, causing it to be discharged outside the filling device 1. This allows the filling material T to be discharged outside the filling device 1 at a faster speed than free fall. Therefore, the time required to fill the filling material T can be reduced. Consequently, the filling process can be made more efficient.

[0061] When the filling unit 10 was not attached to the funnel member 7 and a predetermined weight (e.g., 500g) of packing material T was discharged from the funnel member 7 by free fall, the time required to discharge the packing material T was 17 seconds or more and 19 seconds or less. In contrast, when the filling unit 10 was attached to the funnel member 7 and compressed air K was supplied from the air supply unit 13 to discharge a predetermined weight (e.g., 500g) of packing material T from the discharge unit 12, the time required to discharge the packing material T was 9 seconds or more and 11 seconds or less. By providing the packing material filling device 1 with a filling unit 10 and an air flow rate adjustment unit 20, the time required for discharging the packing material T can be reduced by about half.

[0062] Conventionally, workers performing the filling of the packing material T would, for example, place the packing material T in a container, manually weigh it, confirm that the weight of the packing material T was the specified weight, and then use a funnel to fill the inside of the bag-shaped outer fabric 32 with the packing material T. As a result, the process of filling the inside of the outer fabric 32 with the packing material T took a long time.

[0063] In contrast, the filling device 1 has a weighing unit 5a that weighs the filling material T as it passes through the flow section 11. In this case, since the weighing unit 5a weighs the filling material T, the worker performing the filling work does not need to weigh the filling material T manually. Therefore, the time required for weighing can be reduced, and the time required to fill the filling material T can be shortened. Consequently, the filling work of the filling material T can be made more efficient.

[0064] Conventionally, when filling the outer fabric 32 with filling T by hand, the time required to manufacture one pillow 30 was between 1 and 2 minutes. In contrast, when using the filling device 1 having a weighing unit 5a, the time required to manufacture one pillow 30 was less than 1 minute. When using the filling device 1, the time required to manufacture one pillow 30 can be reduced by 30 seconds or more compared to the manual method described above. For example, when manufacturing 500 pillows 30 per day, using the filling device 1 can reduce the time required to manufacture the pillows 30 by 3 hours or more, significantly improving work efficiency.

[0065] Furthermore, the flow section 11 is cylindrical. The inner surface Na of the flow section 11 is roughened. In this case, it is possible to suppress the packing material T passing through the internal space N of the flow section 11 from adhering to the inner surface Na of the flow section 11 due to static electricity.

[0066] The manufacturing method for the pillow 30 uses the aforementioned filling device 1. Therefore, the same effects as those obtained with the aforementioned filling device 1 can be obtained from the manufacturing method for the pillow 30.

[0067] Embodiments of the filling device and the method for manufacturing the cushion body according to this disclosure have been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. That is, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention can be modified and altered in various ways within the scope of the claims. In other words, the shape, size, number, material and arrangement of each part of the filling device, as well as the content and sequence of steps in the method for manufacturing the cushion body, can be appropriately changed within the scope of the above-described essence.

[0068] For example, a filling device and a method for manufacturing a cushion body may include a control unit that controls the opening time of the solenoid valve 23. The control unit may, for example, set the time for which the solenoid valve 23 is opened to a first time when the weight of the filling material T passing through the filling section 10 is heavier than a predetermined weight threshold, and set the time for which the solenoid valve 23 is opened to a second time, which is shorter than the first time, when the weight of the filling material T passing through the filling section 10 is less than or equal to the weight threshold. In this case, the valve opening time can be set to match the weight of the filling material T.

[0069] For example, a filling device and a method for manufacturing a cushion body may include a control unit that controls the pressure of compressed air K. This control unit may, for example, set the pressure of compressed air K to a first pressure when the weight of the filling T passing through the filling section 10 is heavier than a predetermined weight threshold, and set the pressure of compressed air K to a second pressure lower than the first pressure when the weight of the filling T passing through the filling section 10 is less than or equal to the weight threshold. In this case, it becomes possible to set the pressure of compressed air K to a pressure that matches the weight of the filling T.

[0070] For example, the embodiment described above illustrates a packing device 1 in which an introduction section 2, a first feeder 3, a second feeder 4, a storage section 5, and a funnel member 7 are arranged above the filling section 10. However, the configuration above the filling section 10 is not limited to the above example and can be changed as appropriate.

[0071] In the embodiment described above, an air flow rate adjustment unit 20 was described as a device for supplying compressed air K to the flow section 11, comprising an air compressor 21, a first air hose 22, a solenoid valve 23, a pressure adjustment unit 24, a third air hose 25, and a second air hose 26. However, the device for supplying compressed air K to the flow section 11 does not have to be the air flow rate adjustment unit 20, and the configuration of the device can be changed as appropriate.

[0072] For example, in the embodiments described above, an example was described in which the cushion body is a pillow 30. However, the cushion body may be something other than a pillow. The stuffing device and the method for manufacturing the cushion body according to this disclosure can also be applied to bedding including comforters and mattresses, cushions or seat cushions. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0073] 1...Filling device, 2...Inlet, 3...First feeder, 4...Second feeder, 5...Storage section, 5a...Weighing section, 5b...Opening / closing section, 6...Feeder control section, 7...Funnel member, 7a...Opening, 7b...Opening, 7c...Relay member, 8...Foot switch, 8a...Signal line, 10...Filling section, 11...Flow section, 11a...First flow section, 11b...Second flow section, 12...Discharge section, 12a... End face, 13...Air supply section, 13a...Side, 20...Air flow rate adjustment section, 21...Air compressor, 22...First air hose, 23...Solenoid valve, 24...Pressure adjustment section, 24a...Operation section, 25...Third air hose, 26...Second air hose, 30...Pillow, 31...Opening, 32...Cover fabric, A...Virtual centerline, F...Floor, K...Compressed air, N...Internal space, Na...Inner surface, Nb...Outer surface, T...Filling.

Claims

1. A filling device for filling the inside of a cushion body with filling material, A circulation section having an internal space through which the aforementioned stuffing passes, A discharge section for discharging the filling material that has passed through the internal space of the distribution section to the outside of the filling device, A supply unit that supplies compressed air to the internal space of the aforementioned flow section, Equipped with, A device for filling fillings.

2. It has a weighing section for weighing the filling material passing through the distribution section, The filling device according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned distribution section is cylindrical, The inner surface of the aforementioned distribution section is roughened. A filling device according to claim 1 or claim 2.

4. A method for manufacturing a cushion body using a filling device according to claim 1 or claim 2, The cushion body comprises a bag-shaped side fabric having an opening, The steps include attaching the opening to the discharge section, A step of passing the packing material through the internal space of the distribution section, The process of supplying compressed air to the internal space of the air supply unit, The process involves discharging the filling material that has passed through the internal space to the outside of the filling device, and filling the inside of the side fabric through the opening. Equipped with, A method for manufacturing a cushion body.

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