Packaging equipment

Abstract

The objective is to provide packaging equipment suitable for using the optimal type of gas for each food product being packaged. [Solution] A packaging device that seals a tray on which a packaged item is placed by sealing it with gas, comprising a storage means for linking and storing information about the packaged item and the gas, and a display means, wherein the display means displays weighing information of the packaged item and information about the gas.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a packaging apparatus that covers a tray on which an object to be packaged is placed with a film and heat-seals the film to the edge of the tray.

Background Art

[0002] As a conventional packaging apparatus, there is a so-called gas replacement packaging apparatus that operates to place food, which is an object to be packaged, on a weighing scale, then convey it into a tray supplied on a conveyor, and heat-seal the film lid on the tray in a state where an inert gas mixture is enclosed in the tray (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Gas replacement packaging is performed to extend the shelf life of the object to be packaged and is carried out by replacing air with an inert gas. The inert gas is a mixture in which the gas ratios of nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and oxygen are adjusted. Oxygen is disadvantageous in extending the shelf life, but in the absence of oxygen, depending on the type of food, discoloration may occur, so oxygen may be deliberately mixed in. On the other hand, there are also foods that do not discolor even without oxygen. Essentially, it is desirable to finely adjust the gas ratio according to the food. However, the packaging device described in Patent Document 1 packages products with a single type of inert gas mixture sealed inside, and does not consider using the optimal type of gas for each food product being packaged. Here, it is conceivable to prepare multiple gas cylinders, for example, and switch between them as needed, so that multiple types of gases can be used. However, if the correspondence between the product and the gas to be sealed is incorrectly switched, there is a risk that the shelf-life extension packaging will not be performed properly.

[0005] The present invention aims to address these problems and provides a packaging device that makes it easy to identify the type of gas to be used for each food item being packaged and is suitable for using the optimal type of gas. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The packaging apparatus of the present invention comprises at least the following components. A packaging device that seals a tray on which a packaged item is placed by sealing it with gas, comprising a storage means for linking and storing information about the packaged item and the gas, and a display means, wherein the display means displays weighing information of the packaged item and information about the gas. Here, information regarding the gas includes, at a minimum, the type of gas, and may also include the gas filling time. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a packaging apparatus suitable for using the optimal type of gas for each food product being packaged. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a right-hand perspective view showing the external appearance of a packaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a left perspective view showing the external appearance of a packaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3]This is a plan view showing the external appearance of a packaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This is a right side view of a packaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] This is a right side view of the weighing and packaging means (with part of the machine frame removed). [Figure 6] This is a right-hand perspective view of the weighing and packaging means (with part of the machine frame removed). [Figure 7] These are cross-sectional views illustrating the top-opening type and top-opening type folder, with Figure 7(a) showing the top-opening type folder when the top-opening type is not loaded, Figure 7(b) showing the top-opening type alone, and Figure 7(c) showing the top-opening type loaded into the top-opening type folder. [Figure 8] This diagram shows an upper cutting mold, with Figure 8(a) being a top view, Figure 8(b) a front view, Figure 8(c) a bottom view, Figure 8(d) an upper perspective view, and Figure 8(e) a lower perspective view. [Figure 9] This diagram shows how the top-cutting die is loaded into the top-cutting die folder. Figure 9(a) is a top view, Figure 9(b) is a front view, Figure 9(c) is a bottom view, Figure 9(d) is an upward perspective view, Figure 9(e) is a right side view, and Figure 9(f) is a conceptual diagram showing the heat transfer member. [Figure 10] This diagram shows a top-opening folder with no top-opening inserts loaded into it. Figure 10(a) is a top view, Figure 10(b) is a front view, Figure 10(c) is a bottom view, Figure 10(d) is an upward perspective view, Figure 10(e) is a right side view, and Figure 10(f) is an enlarged view of section D in Figure 10(d). [Figure 11] These diagrams illustrate the bottom-cutting type, with Figure 11(a) showing a plan view and Figure 11(b) showing a side cross-sectional view. [Figure 12] This is a perspective view showing how to attach and detach a bottom-cut type folder. [Figure 13] This is a partially enlarged view of the side cross-section of a bottom-cut type. [Figure 14] This is a side cross-sectional view showing the change in state when the lower cutting die is pushed up relative to the upper cutting die. [Figure 15] This diagram (or table) shows the setting items used to determine the packaging condition and application conditions. [Figure 16] It is a diagram (table) showing the priorities for PLU setting information, tray setting information, and die-cutting setting information. [Figure 17] It is a diagram showing an example of the layout of the main menu. [Figure 18] It is a diagram showing an example of the layout of the packaging mode screen. [Figure 19] It is a diagram showing an example of the pop-up menu displayed in response to the packaging start command. [Figure 20] It is a diagram showing an example of the layout of the product master setting screen. [Figure 21] It is a diagram showing an example of the layout of the PLU setting screen. [Figure 22] It is a diagram showing an example of the layout of the tray selection screen. [Figure 23] It is a diagram showing an example of the layout of the setting screen for each tray. [Figure 24] It is a diagram showing an example of the layout of the setting screen for each die-cutting type. [Figure 25] It is a diagram showing an example of the layout of the setting screen for each die-cutting type. [Figure 26] It is a diagram showing an example of the layout of the packaging mode screen. [Figure 27] It is a diagram showing another example of the layout of the packaging mode screen. [Figure 28] It is a diagram showing the screen displayed when it is determined that the gas is near the end.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the packaging apparatus according to the present invention will be described based on the drawings. However, the following drawings are created for the purpose of explanation, and there may be cases where members unnecessary for explanation are not intentionally illustrated. Also, there may be cases where members are intentionally illustrated larger or smaller for the purpose of explanation, and the drawings do not show the exact scale. In the following description, the same reference numerals in different drawings indicate parts having the same function, and duplicate explanations in each drawing are appropriately omitted.

[0010] (Overall Configuration) Figures 1 to 4 show the external appearance of a packaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, where Figure 1 is a right perspective view, Figure 2 is a left perspective view, Figure 3 is a top view, and Figure 4 is a right side view. Figures 5 and 6 specifically show the weighing means and the packaging means, where Figure 5 is a right side view (with a part of the machine frame removed) and Figure 6 is a right perspective view (with a part of the machine frame removed).

[0011] The packaging apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in Figures 1 to 3 automatically performs a series of operations from weighing the contents (items to be packaged) placed on a tray T by tare, to loading the tray T with the contents into the machine, to performing a top sealing process (processing the entire welded area at once) accompanied by a gas displacement treatment to extend the shelf life of the contents, and to loading the tray T after labeling. In other words, it can be said that this apparatus has a packaging process between the weighing process and the labeling process. More specifically, as shown by the arrows in Figure 3, the packaging device 100 weighs the contents of the packaged items when the tray T on it is placed on the weighing means 1, and the tray T is carried into the machine frame having the packaging means 2 by the infeed bar IB (see Figures 5 and 6). Inside the machine frame, the bottom cut-out die 25 (see Figure 1) pushes the tray T upward, first replacing the air in the space formed between the film, which is always taut and held at both ends by the film holding means 211 and the excess film winding means 212 (see Figure 1), and the tray T with an inert gas, and then the film on the tray T While the edges are in contact, the film is held between the lower die 25 and the upper die 24 (see Figure 1) and heat-sealed at a predetermined heat-sealing temperature for a predetermined tray sealing time to seal the film. After the film is cut, the lower die 25 and the tray T descend and return to a predetermined height (fixed position). The infeed bar IB (see Figures 5 and 6) moves the tray T again in the loading direction to transport it to the downstream area 3. While moving it in the discharge direction perpendicular to the loading direction, a label is applied by the label application means 7, and then it is discharged to the first discharge platform 4. Furthermore, the tray T is moved in the opposite direction to the loading direction and sent to the second discharge platform 5.

[0012] As shown in Figure 5, the infeed bar IB, which is the conveying mechanism for tray T, is stretched at four positions in the circumferential direction across two left and right chains that can circulate around the entire front-to-back circumference from the front of the weighing means 1 to the rear of the packaging means 2. The chains circulate, enabling the tray T to be transported from the weighing means 1 to the packaging means 2, and then from the packaging means 2 to the downstream area 3.

[0013] In this embodiment of the present invention, three types of upper and lower die-cutting dies are provided and are interchangeable to accommodate three different sizes of trays T: "large," "medium," and "small." When a die-cutting die is replaced, different packaging operation controls are executed, such as varying the heat-seal temperature, tray sealing time, and gas filling time. Specifically, when the emergency stop button 8 is pressed to replace the die-cutting die, the die-cutting die temperature is lowered by a cooling means (including reducing the output of the heater means, natural cooling, and active cooling by a fan, etc.) until it reaches a replaceable temperature (e.g., 35°C). After the die-cutting die is replaced, the die-cutting die temperature is raised by the heater means until it reaches a temperature suitable for the replaced die-cutting die. However, this embodiment is merely an example, and there may be two types of sizes, such as "large" and "small," or four or more sizes may be provided, or there may be only one size of tray, and replacement may not be assumed. On the other hand, even for trays of the same size, it may be preferable to use different packaging operations for trays of different types, specifically those made of different materials. For example, the suitable temperature for foam trays is 110°C, while the suitable temperature for resin trays is 180°C. In embodiments of the present invention, the packaging operation is actually performed by varying the heat sealing temperature depending on the type of tray. That is, when a tray type with a different set temperature is used, the die-cutting temperature is increased by a heater, or the die-cutting temperature is decreased by a cooling means (including reducing the output of the heater, natural cooling, or active cooling by a fan, etc.).

[0014] The weighing means 1, the packaging means 2, and the downstream area 3 are arranged vertically from the front to the back of the device. As shown in Figure 1, above the weighing means 1 and upstream of the weighing means 1 in the transport direction, there is a console 6 which has an operating section on its front, including a display unit, a keypad, a touch panel, and an emergency stop button 8 that is pressed when changing the die, and has a speaker that emits buzzer sounds and various voice messages, as well as a control unit inside. To explain this arrangement in more detail, the lower end of the console 6 case is located upstream of the weighing means 1, and both the center of the console 6 and the center of the display unit are located in the area of ​​the weighing means 1. Although the console 6 is positioned at an angle, the upper end of the console 6 case is also located upstream of the weighing means 1. Furthermore, the upper part of the downstream area 3 is a label application means 7 for printing and applying product labels containing information such as the weighed weight, unit price, and price. In addition, the bottom die 25 is equipped with a gas replacement mechanism, which is not shown in Figures 1 to 3. In this specification, "gas replacement" refers to a broad term (regardless of the specific process) of replacing the air inside the packaged product with an inert gas to extend its shelf life. This term includes both the narrower definition of "gas replacement," which involves completely removing the air before adding the gas, and the "gas flush," which involves blowing gas to expel the air. This broad definition of gas replacement packaging is sometimes referred to as MAP packaging.

[0015] In this embodiment of the present invention, gas is replaced between the packaged item and the film while a top seal is performed. This allows for increased work efficiency by performing the gas replacement treatment to extend the shelf life of the packaged item and the packaging treatment by top sealing almost simultaneously.

[0016] Furthermore, the embodiment of the present invention has a configuration in which a tray T inserted from the front is packaged and then returned to the front, which greatly contributes to improving the efficiency of work in the backyard, and this configuration is realized in a compact form. However, from the viewpoint of performing gas displacement processing to extend the shelf life of the packaged goods and packaging processing by top sealing almost simultaneously, the configuration in which the tray is inserted from the front and then returned to the front is not essential. It is also possible to implement this in a form in which the tray is simply transported in one direction from front to back, or in a form in which the packaging processing is performed first and then the weighing processing is performed. Moreover, it is possible to eliminate the weighing processing and labeling processing and create a device assembly dedicated to packaging processing, and regarding the packaging processing, from the viewpoint of packaging operation that takes into account the appropriate welding temperature, gas displacement is not necessarily required. In other words, even without gas displacement processing, it is still within the scope of the present invention.

[0017] The machine frame shown in Figure 1, particularly the upper part of the machine frame, is significant not only for housing the packaging means 2 and other components inside, but also for sealing the interior from the outside. Buffer tanks (BT1, BT2) for gas replacement are located in the lower part of the machine frame (see Figure 6). Furthermore, after weighing by the weighing means 1, the tray T is transported and the upper and lower dies are closed to perform a top seal. To prevent accidents caused by operators accidentally inserting their hands, a shutter 11 is provided in the area between the weighing means 1 and the packaging means 2, including the area of ​​the weighing means 1 (see Figure 6). When the tray T is transported to the packaging means 2 by the infeed bar IB (see Figures 5, 6), the shutter 11 seals the inside and outside of the housing. Since the transport means in this embodiment of the present invention is an infeed bar IB (see Figures 5, 6) rather than a belt conveyor, the shutter is configured to be raised and closed from bottom to top, avoiding the chain portion. However, the shutter may be configured to close by descending from top to bottom, or safety may be ensured by having a sensor detect the intrusion of a hand and then stopping the device.

[0018] To enhance convenience during transportation, the first discharge platform 4 and the second discharge platform 5 are detachable. Furthermore, after these discharge platforms are removed, the label application means 7 is configured to slide all the way to the left in Figure 3 so that it fits within the range of the left and right sides of the machine frame, so as not to interfere with transportation. Conversely, in "pricing mode," where only price labels are issued without packaging, the label application means 7 is slid all the way to the right in Figure 3 so that an operator manually applies the price labels to the products. To achieve this, the packaging device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention is equipped with a label application means slide rail 71 and anti-tipping legs 72. The anti-tipping legs 72 support the entire device so that the packaging device 100 does not lose balance and tip over when the label application means 7 is moved to the far right.

[0019] The weighing means 1 is configured to weigh the packaged item and tray T that are placed on it, and transmits the weighed weight information to the control unit of the console 6. Also, as shown in Figure 5, rod-shaped infeed bars IB are stretched across two left and right chains that can circle around the entire front and rear circumference from the front of the weighing means 1 to the rear of the packaging means 2 at four positions in the circumferential direction, allowing the placed tray T to be carried into the machine frame containing the packaging means 2 and transported to the downstream area 3. More specifically, as shown in Figure 5, a total of eight infeed bar support members IB1 are provided on the two left and right chains, four of which are antibacterial metal rod-shaped infeed bars IB connected to each other (see also Figure 6). The spacing of the infeed bars IB in the circumferential arrangement is such that when the infeed bars IB move backward to prevent contact with the upward-moving bottom-cutting die 25, the infeed bars IB do not interfere with the next packaged item placed on the weighing means 1. The height of the infeed bars IB relative to the tray T mounting surface is configured to be at the midpoint between the height of the bottom surface and the height of the top surface of the tray T, but the height may be changed as appropriate as long as the tray T can be transported stably.

[0020] As mentioned earlier, three types of trays T are available: "large," "medium," and "small." Upper and lower die-cutting molds 24 and 25 are provided for packaging each size and are interchangeable. Specifically, in this embodiment, an upper die-cutting mold is provided for a large tray with a width of 150 mm and a depth of 150 mm, for a medium tray with a width of 150 mm and a depth of 120 mm, and for a small tray with a width of 120 mm and a depth of 120 mm. However, the outer dimensions of the die-cutting molds are the same regardless of the tray size. To ensure that the three types of trays T are properly centered on the infeed bar IB, the mounting platform of the weighing means 1 is provided with recesses of slightly different depths corresponding to the "large," "medium," and "small" tray sizes. That is, a deeper recess for the medium-sized tray is located inside the recess for the large-sized tray, and an even deeper recess for the small-sized tray is located inside the recess for the medium-sized tray. The step created by this recess is kept to a minimum so as not to create resistance when the tray T is transported by the infeed bar IB. In addition, guides 12 that narrow towards the center are provided on both the left and right sides as a means of centering (see the enlarged view of part of Figure 2). Furthermore, the means of centering does not have to be a recess or guide, but a mark that can be confirmed by visual inspection. Even if there is some misalignment to the left or right, the sides of the tray T are sloped, so it is naturally guided to the correct position when it is pushed up by the lower die 25. Although a detailed explanation is omitted, the packaging device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention is provided with a detection and determination means that can detect whether the upper and lower dies are compatible and whether the tray is not loaded.

[0021] As shown in Figure 5, the heat-sealed packaging tray T is transferred from the packaging means 2 to the downstream area 3. As shown in Figure 6, the downstream area 3 is composed of a conveyor belt and functions as a discharge means to move the tray T outside the machine frame, but a label application means 7 for printing and attaching product labels is provided above it. For this reason, the downstream area 3 can also be considered as the label application means 7. In this way, the tray T is transferred by the downstream area 3 in an outbound direction perpendicular to the inbound direction and discharged toward the first discharge platform 4. The first discharge platform 4 shown in Figures 1 and 3 is equipped with drive rollers and moves the tray T in the opposite direction to the inbound direction to send it to the second discharge platform 5. The second discharge platform 5 is inclined, and the tray T moves by its own weight, so the rollers on the second discharge platform 5 are simply rollers without driving force.

[0022] With respect to the upper die 24 and lower die 25, the packaging device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention is equipped with an upper die storage means 24H and a lower die storage means 25H, which are storage means capable of accommodating all types of dies that are not loaded. This eliminates the need to store dies that are not in use due to replacement in a separate location from the packaging device body, thus saving space. The upper die storage means 24H and the lower die storage means 25H are located in the vicinity of the area where the film holding means 211 and the excess film winding means 212 are installed. More specifically, in the packaging device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the upper die storage means 24H and the lower die storage means 25H are located above the weighing means 1 and the packaging means 2 in a manner corresponding to the arrangement of the weighing means 1 and the packaging means 2. The lower die storage means 25H is located above the weighing means 1 and in the vicinity of the console 6 having a display unit, and is located downstream of the console 6. Of course, this embodiment is merely one example, and the arrangement of the upper cut-out type storage means 24H and the lower cut-out type storage means 25H may be reversed, or the storage area for one size of upper and lower cut-out type may be divided into storage areas for upper and lower cut-out types of other sizes.

[0023] To summarize the machine frame having the packaging means 2, in Figure 4, corresponding to the front-to-back arrangement of the weighing means 1 and the packaging means 2 shown by the dashed lines, a film holding means 211 for holding the film used to package the container and an excess film winding means 212 for winding up excess film when sealing the container are arranged at the top of the machine frame, and together they constitute the film suspension means 21. The film holding means 211 is provided with a film set shaft lever 211L that can be raised or tilted, and the excess film winding means 212 is provided with a winding shaft lever 212L that can be raised or tilted. In Figure 6, the film set shaft lever 211L is tilted so as to be approximately perpendicular to the axial direction, while the winding shaft lever 212L, which does not have a roll loaded, is raised so as to extend in the axial direction. As can be seen from Figure 6, the roll film R cannot be inserted unless the lever is raised, but after the roll film R is inserted, tilting the lever prevents the roll film R from falling out. In addition, the set shaft expands in conjunction with the tilting motion of the lever, bracing the film's axis from the inside, thus ensuring that the roll film R is stably fixed to the set shaft. Furthermore, the dimensions are set so that the side panel SP cannot be closed unless the lever is tilted, thus ensuring the safety of the device.

[0024] In Figure 4, a first imaging means is provided at position A, marked with a circle, and a second imaging means is provided at position B, also marked with a circle. The first imaging means captures an image of the tray T as it is fed into the machine frame from above by the infeed bar IB (see Figures 5 and 6). Using the captured information, the control unit of the packaging device 100 determines the tray size and the arrangement of the items to be packaged. The second imaging means captures an image of the tray T from the side within the machine frame, and using the captured information, the control unit of the packaging device 100 determines whether the tray T is securely fitted into the lower die 25 when it is pushed upward. These imaging means may also be configured to be used for die compatibility determination and tray type determination. When determining the tray type, the trays may be color-coded or have appropriate identification information attached, and the type may be determined based on this identification information.

[0025] As shown in Figures 1 and 4, the film suspension means 21 is positioned to fit in the upper part of the machine frame where the weighing means 1 and packaging means 2 are located. The film is suspended in the same direction as the weighing means 1, packaging means 2, and downstream area 3, which are arranged vertically from the front to the back of the device. In other words, the direction of film suspension is the same as the direction of transport of tray T. In conventional packaging devices, the film suspension means is usually positioned to protrude significantly into the area outside the machine frame where the packaging means and the like are located. However, in this embodiment, the film holding means 211 and excess film winding means 212 are positioned above and near the mounting means that can mount multiple die-cuts, and the film is suspended below and near the mounting means, greatly contributing to space saving. More specifically, as shown in Figure 5, this embodiment provides a mounting means (as an upper-cutting folder 240 into which the upper-cutting die 24 is loaded) between the film suspension means 21 (consisting of a film holding means 211 and an excess film winding means 212) and the transport space of the tray T (by an infeed bar IB). Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5, this embodiment employs an arrangement in which the film unwound from the film holding means 211 is given a constant tension by a dancer roller DR to stabilize the tension, and then wound up by the excess film winding means 212 via two film feed shafts FS, FS so as to pass near the bottom of the mounting means.

[0026] The film suspension means 21, which consists of a film holding means 211 and an excess film winding means 212, is designed to fit within the upper area of ​​the weighing means 1 and the packaging means 2. However, the excess film winding means 212 may extend to the rear area 3, or the console 6 may be placed in a different location so that the film holding means 211 extends further forward. Even with such a configuration, it can be said that this is a space-saving technical concept that can be clearly distinguished from conventional technology in which the film suspension means is positioned to extend significantly into the area outside the machine frame. Furthermore, even if the front and rear orientations of the film holding means 211 and the excess film winding means 212 are reversed, this does not impair space saving, and the film holding means 211 may be positioned at the rear and the excess film winding means 212 at the front.

[0027] In Figure 1, the side panel SP is pivotally supported on its right long side and is configured to rotate backward. This configuration allows the roll film R to be replaced from the right side, and the upper die 24 and lower die 25 can also be replaced from the right side. Thus, the upper die 24, film holding means 211, and excess film winding means 212 can be attached and detached from the same direction along the winding shaft when replaced. However, for the lower die 25, the replacement operation involves inserting it from the right side and then dropping it slightly downward. The label application means 7 can be tilted (rotated) backward, making it easy to replace the roll film and the upper die 24 and lower die 25. Furthermore, the rotatable configuration also makes label replacement easier. Note that the rotatable side panel SP may be on the left side instead of the right side. In other words, the rotatable side panel SP does not have to be on the same side as the first discharge platform 4, etc. However, it is advantageous in terms of saving space to make the side panel SP on the same side as where the first discharge platform 4 etc. is located rotatable.

[0028] The top panel UP, front panel FP, and side panel SP of the machine frame are made of transparent material, or transparent plates are fitted into them, allowing the condition of the film suspended by the film suspension means 21 to be checked. In addition to visual inspection, the top panel UP is configured to slide towards the rear to a position where it does not come into contact with the label application means 7, so that problems can be dealt with in addition to visual inspection. The front panel FP is also configured to rotate, supported at its upper edge. The front panel FP may also be configured to rotate, supported at its lower edge, or to slide.

[0029] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, a die holder 240 into which the die holder 24 is loaded is provided between the film suspension means 21 and the transport space of the tray T (by the infeed bar IB), and functions as a mounting means for exchanging multiple dies. The die holder 240 is provided with a locking mechanism to prevent the die holder 24 from being removed after it has been inserted all the way in. To remove the die holder 24, it is necessary to operate the release lever 24L (see Figure 9). The release lever 24L is configured in conjunction with the die exchange process to prevent the release operation when it is not appropriate to remove the die holder, such as when the temperature is high. The locking mechanism may be configured as an automatic locking mechanism, and in the case of an automatic locking mechanism, it is preferable to configure the locking operation and the release prevention operation in conjunction with the temperature of the die holder 24 during the die exchange process.

[0030] The top die folder 240 is equipped with a heater means 241 (see Figure 7(a)) for supplying heat for film welding. The top die 24 is equipped with a metal plate 242 (see Figure 7(b)) that transmits the heat supplied from the heater means 241 (as a top seal portion 242), and a film cutting means 244 (see Figures 7(b) and 8) for cutting the film. The heater means 241 is in contact with the metal plate 242 of the top die 24 loaded in the top die folder 240. The metal plate 242 has a protrusion 242a corresponding to the size of the edge of the tray T and a central portion 242b surrounded by the protrusion 242a (see also Figure 9(c)). The heat supplied from the heater means 241 is transmitted to the protrusion 242a, heat-welding the film in contact with the edge of the tray T at a predetermined heat-seal temperature for a predetermined tray-sealing time.

[0031] In the embodiments of the present invention, aluminum, which has high thermal conductivity, is used as the material for the metal plate 242. However, this does not prevent the use of silver, copper, gold, or other materials with even higher thermal conductivity, and even materials with lower thermal conductivity than aluminum can be used if there are no practical problems.

[0032] In embodiments of the present invention, the structure of the metal plate 242 has a convex portion 242a corresponding to the edge of the tray T and has an uneven shape, but the convex portion 242a and the central portion 242b are basically a single-piece structure made from one material. However, the metal plate may be constructed by bonding two plates together and arranging heat pipes between the two plates to conduct heat from the heater more quickly and evenly over a wider area. Furthermore, since the metal plate 242 welds the film to the container at the convex portion 242a which functions as a top seal portion, the central portion 242b does not need to be at a high temperature. Rather, considering the risk of heat dissipation from the central portion 242b, it is preferable to configure the central portion 242b to have a heat-insulating material fixed to it, and it may be configured in this way.

[0033] A temperature sensor (not shown) is provided near the upper die folder 240. The temperature sensor forms part of the die temperature calculation means. The temperature sensor may be provided near the heater means 241 or on the heat transfer member described later. The point is that the die temperature calculation means, having obtained detection information from the temperature sensor, can directly or indirectly determine the temperature of the metal plate 242 of the upper die 24 by measuring current values, voltage values, thermography, etc., and performing appropriate calculations on the measured values. Specifically, in addition to directly detecting the temperature of the upper die with the temperature sensor, the temperature of the heater means and heat transfer member is also detected with the temperature sensor, and then the temperature of the metal plate 242 of the upper die in contact with the edge of the tray T is calculated by predictive calculations by a computer based on the temperature information, the thermal resistance and heat capacity of the heater means and heat transfer member. The calculated temperature information of the upper die 24 (metal plate 242) is used to perform packaging operation control that takes into account the appropriate welding temperature, as described later. Therefore, the control unit of the packaging device 100 is equipped with means for determining whether the temperature measured by the temperature sensor is the appropriate temperature for welding for packaging.

[0034] Below the upper die-cut folder 240, a lower die-cut 25 is provided, flanking the tray T transport space. The lower die-cut 25 pushes up the tray T, and the film sequentially fed from the roll film R loaded in the film suspension means 21 is sandwiched between the metal plate 242 of the upper die-cut 24 and the lower die-cut 25, performing a packaging process (top sealing process) at a predetermined heat sealing temperature for a predetermined tray sealing time. In this way, the film suspension means 21, the upper die-cut 24, and the lower die-cut 25 constitute the packaging means 2, which is positioned downstream of the weighing means 1 in the transport direction.

[0035] In this embodiment, the roll film R is supported by passing the axis of the film holding means 211 through its central hole. The fed-out film is sealed by the metal plate 242 and cut to the size of the tray T by the film cutting means 244, leaving only the cut outer portion, which is a scrap state, i.e., a film with the inside hollowed out. This scrap state of film is then sequentially wound up by the excess film winding means 212.

[0036] As shown in Figure 7(b), a metal plate 242 is positioned to function as a top seal, facing the ejected film (see also Figure 8). When the tray T is moved upward by the lower die 25, the film is heat-sealed along the edge of the tray T at a predetermined heat-seal temperature for a predetermined tray sealing time, with the film sandwiched between the metal plate 242 of the lower die 25 and the upper die 24. Before heat sealing, a gas replacement process is performed in which an inert gas to extend the shelf life of the packaged product is injected into the space formed between the film and the tray T, replacing the air with the inert gas.

[0037] (Gas replacement and packaging operation using top-opening and bottom-opening types) Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the top-cutting die and top-cutting die folder, with Figure 7(a) showing the top-cutting die folder when the top-cutting die is not loaded, Figure 7(b) showing the top-cutting die alone, and Figure 7(c) showing the top-cutting die loaded into the top-cutting die folder. Figure 8 is a diagram illustrating the top-cutting die, with Figure 8(a) being a plan view, Figure 8(b) a front view, Figure 8(c) a bottom view, Figure 8(d) an upper perspective view, and Figure 8(e) a lower perspective view. Figure 11 is a diagram illustrating the bottom-cutting die, with Figure 11(a) being a plan view and Figure 11(b) a side cross-sectional view. Figure 13 is an enlarged view of part A in Figure 11(b), rotated 90 degrees to show the bottom-cutting die positioned horizontally. Figure 14 is a side cross-sectional view showing the change in state when the bottom-cutting die is pushed up relative to the top-cutting die.

[0038] As can be seen from the comparison of the cross-sectional views in Figures 7(a) and 7(c), the top die 24 is loaded into the top die folder 240 by entering from the right side. That is, as mentioned above, the top die 24, like the film holding means 211 and the excess film winding means 212, is detachable from the right side of Figure 1, in the same orientation along the winding shaft. Also, as shown in Figure 7(b), the top die has a metal plate 242 that receives heat supplied from the heater means 241 to perform the function of a top seal, and a film cutting means 244 for cutting the film. As shown in Figure 8, the metal plate 242 is beveled rectangular in shape to correspond to the edge of the tray T, and the film cutting means 244 is arranged around its outer circumference. Furthermore, the metal plate 242 is composed of a protrusion 242a corresponding to the size of the edge of the tray T and a central portion 242b surrounded by the protrusion 242a (see also Figure 9(c)). The film cutting means 244 can cut the welded film to the size of the tray T. Although the heat from the heater means 241 is transmitted only to the metal plate 242, this does not eliminate the possibility of heat being transmitted to other metal parts.

[0039] As shown in Figure 7(a), when the upper die 24 is not loaded, the heater means 241 for supplying heat for film welding is positioned upward by a biasing means (not shown) (see also Figures 10(b) and 10(d)). When the upper die 24 shown in Figure 7(b) is inserted from the right direction shown, the contact portion of the tip of the upper die 24 comes into contact with the roller 2431 at the tip of the heater link 243, and the heater link 243 pushes the heater means 241 downward, as shown in Figure 7(c) (see also Figures 9(b) and 9(d)). As a result, the heater means 241 comes into contact with the metal plate 242 of the upper die 24, and is able to transfer heat for welding to the metal plate 242.

[0040] In embodiments of the present invention, the heater means 241 is provided by drilling a hole in an aluminum material and inserting a cartridge heater therein (see also Figure 10(d)). However, it is also possible to use a silicone rubber heater, a plate heater, a plug-in heater, a sheathed heater, etc. Furthermore, in addition to heat conduction type heaters, the heater type may also be convection type or radiant type, and is not limited to heat conduction type.

[0041] Furthermore, the heater means may be configured to directly contact the metal plate 242 of the upper cutout die 24, or it may be configured to indirectly contact the heater means and the metal plate 242 by adding a heat transfer member with good thermal conductivity, such as gold, silver, copper, or aluminum, to the metal plate 242. For example, if the extent of the heater means is small compared to the size of the rectangular portion of the metal plate 242, the area to which heat is transferred will be limited to the central area, resulting in poor efficiency. Therefore, as shown in Figure 9(f), by interposing a heat transfer member HTM with good thermal conductivity, whose size is comparable to the extent of the metal plate 242, between the heater means 241 and the metal plate 242, the area to which heat is transferred can be effectively expanded. When a heat transfer member HTM is provided, the thermal resistance and heat capacity of the heat transfer member HTM will be taken into consideration when calculating the temperature of the upper cutout die.

[0042] For example, when packaging trays T in three different sizes, such as "large," "medium," and "small," by selecting and attaching one die from several different sizes, it is common to think of providing a heater for each die. However, in this case, the process of plugging and unplugging the heat source connector is required each time the die is changed, which is cumbersome. However, in the packaging device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention, there is no need to reconnect the heater wires, and no additional work is required to establish an electrical connection when changing the upper die, thus offering the advantage of simple and efficient replacement work.

[0043] As mentioned above, the top-cutting die 24 is equipped with a chamfered rectangular metal plate 242 that is the size and shape corresponding to the edge of the tray T. The metal plate 242 consists of a protrusion 242a that is the size corresponding to the edge of the tray T and a central part 242b surrounded by the protrusion 242a. In this embodiment, top-cutting dies are provided for a large tray with a width of 150 mm and a depth of 150 mm, a medium-sized tray with a width of 150 mm and a depth of 120 mm, and a small tray with a width of 120 mm and a depth of 120 mm. Figure 8 shows the top-cutting die corresponding to the "medium" size tray. On the other hand, Figure 9 shows the top-cutting die corresponding to the "large" size tray.

[0044] The metal plate 242 transfers heat supplied from the heater means 241 located inside the top die folder 240 to the film, thereby performing a top seal. A cutting blade, which serves as a film cutting means 244 for cutting the film after the top seal is applied, is provided around the outer circumference of the chamfered rectangular metal plate 242. As shown in Figures 8 to 10, the film cutting means 244 is fixed to the top die 24 body. Furthermore, the metal plate 242 and the surrounding bottom plate 247 are connected to the top die 24 body via biasing means, and the biasing force of the former is set to be stronger than that of the latter. Therefore, when the bottom die 25 is pushed upward while the edge of the tray T is in contact with the tray edge support portion 254 of the bottom die 25 shown in Figure 11, the bottom die 25 first comes into contact with the surrounding bottom plate 247 of the top die 24, then the edge of the tray T comes into contact with the metal plate 242, and finally the film pushed up by the tray T comes into contact with the film cutting means 244.

[0045] The upper punching die 24 is provided with three upper punching die holes 245 for detecting the die size, and one of these holes is filled in according to the size. The unfilled hole becomes a light-transmitting part, and the filled hole functions as a light-blocking or reflective part.

[0046] When the upper die 24 is removed from the upper die holder 240, gripping the side of the upper die 24 would be dangerous as the film cutting means 244 would pop out from the bottom of the upper die 24. Therefore, as shown in Figure 8, the upper die 24 is provided with a handling portion 246 for transport. The presence of the handling portion 246 ensures that when pressing for heat sealing, i.e., when the lower die 25 is pushed up, the film cutting means 244 will pop out relatively downwards, but when the upper die 24 is removed and held in the hand, the film cutting means 244 will not pop out relatively. The handling portion 246 also helps prevent burns when handling the upper die 24 before it has fully cooled.

[0047] When attaching the top-cut type 24 to the top-cut type folder 240, the notches 248 (see Figure 8(d)) provided at the lower left and right ends of the top-cut type 24 are first placed on the rails 2401 on the left and right inner surfaces of the top-cut type folder 240, and then it can be easily loaded by sliding it (see also Figures 10(d) and 10(f)). Furthermore, when removing the top-cut type 24 from the top-cut type folder 240, the lock release lever 24L shown in Figure 9 is pressed down to release the lock, then the drawer grip 24G is grasped and slid, and when most of the top-cut type 24 is protruding, the transport grip 246 is re-grasped and it can be easily removed.

[0048] Figures 9 and 10 show the top-cut folder with a top-cut die loaded and the top-cut folder without a top-cut die loaded. Figure 9 shows the top-cut folder with a top-cut die loaded, with 9(a) being a top view, 9(b) a front view, 9(c) a bottom view, 9(d) an upward perspective view, 9(e) a right side view, and 9(f) a conceptual diagram showing the heat transfer member. Figure 10 shows the top-cut folder without a top-cut die loaded, with 10(a) a top view, 10(b) a front view, 10(c) a bottom view, 10(d) an upward perspective view, 10(e) a right side view, and 10(f) an enlarged view of part D in 10(d). Unlike Figure 8, Figure 9 shows the top-cut die loaded to correspond to the "large" size tray.

[0049] As can be seen by comparing Figure 9(b) and Figure 10(b), or by comparing Figure 9(d) and Figure 10(d), when the top-cutting die 24 is loaded, as shown in Figures 9(b) and 9(d), the heater link 243 pushes the heater means 241 downwards, whereas when the top-cutting die 24 is not loaded, as shown in Figures 10(b) and 10(d), the heater means 241 is positioned upwards by a biasing means (not shown), and the heater link 243 also springs upwards along with it.

[0050] Figure 9(c) shows that the metal plate 242 is composed of a protrusion 242a corresponding to the edge of the tray T and a central portion 242b surrounded by the protrusion 242a. Figure 10(d) shows that the heater means 241 is positioned upward by a biasing means (not shown), and a hole for inserting the cartridge heater can be seen.

[0051] As can be seen by comparing Figure 9(c) and Figure 10(c), the extent of the heater means 241 is smaller than the size of the rectangular portion of the metal plate 242. Therefore, as shown in Figure 9(f), a heat transfer member HTM with good thermal conductivity, which is comparable in size to the extent of the metal plate 242, is interposed between the heater means 241 and the metal plate 242, thereby effectively expanding the area over which heat is transferred.

[0052] As shown in Figures 11(a) and 11(b), the bottom-cutting mold 25 is equipped with a gas inlet 251 for gas flushing, a gas diffusion step 2510 extending from the gas inlet 251, and an air outlet 252. The area including the gas inlet 251 and the gas diffusion step 2510 is covered by a cover, so the gas inlet 251 and the gas diffusion step 2510 are depicted with dashed lines in Figure 11(a). The gas diffusion step 2510 has a triangular shape when viewed from above, so the gas is given a diffusive property that allows it to spread easily in the lateral direction of the tray, as shown by the white arrow in the figure. In Figure 13, F, shown by a dashed line, is the film and also indicates the film supporting surface. However, since the cover that covers the gas diffusion step 2510 etc. is located at the left end of the dashed line, that part is depicted with a solid line. Furthermore, as shown by the white arrows in Figure 13, the gas is diffused by the gas diffusion step 2510, enters the tray T, is sent to the rear, and then ultimately changes direction downwards and is discharged from multiple air outlets 252. The gas inlet 251 is located at the front (corresponding to the long side of the tray), while the air outlets 252 are located at the rear (corresponding to the opposite long side of the tray). However, they may also be configured to be located on the sides corresponding to the short side of the tray (either both left and right sides or just one side). In addition, the air outlets 252 are configured to communicate downwards, but they may also be configured to communicate to the rear.

[0053] As shown in Figure 11(a), the bottom punching die 25 is provided with three bottom punching die holes 253 for detecting the die size, and one of these holes is filled in according to the size. The unfilled hole becomes a light-transmitting part, and the filled hole functions as a light-shielding or reflective part. The tray T is raised by supporting its edges with tray edge support parts 254 provided inside the bottom punching die 25. The center of the bottom punching die 25 is vertically penetrated, and a tray bottom support means 26 is fixedly provided in the housing at this position (see Figure 14).

[0054] The method for attaching and detaching the bottom-cut die will be explained using Figure 12. Figure 12 is a perspective view showing the attachment and detachment of the bottom-cut die to the bottom-cut die folder. As shown in the figure, with the bottom-cut die 25 loaded in the bottom-cut die folder 250, the bottom-cut die 25 can be easily attached to and detached from the bottom-cut die folder 250 by grasping the hole in the tray edge support portion 254 of the bottom-cut die 25 into which the tray falls, that is, by using the upper, lower, and inner surfaces of the surrounding area as gripping parts and grasping the gripping parts.

[0055] The upper die 24, upper die folder 240, and lower die 25 work together to push up the tray T, perform a gas replacement treatment to extend the shelf life of the packaged product, and then perform the packaging process. This operation will be explained. Figure 14 is a side cross-sectional view showing the change in state when the lower die is pushed up relative to the upper die. Figure 14(a) shows the state when the lower die 25 has risen slightly from its lowest position, Figure 14(b) shows the state when the lower die 25 has risen significantly and is in contact with the film F, forming a closed space, and Figure 14(c) shows the state when the lower die 25 continues to rise, comes into contact with the metal plate 242, and then rises further, and the film F is cut (cut out) by the film cutting means 244. Figures 14(b) and 14(c) also show enlarged views of parts B and C, respectively.

[0056] The tray T, conveyed from the weighing means 1 by the infeed bar IB, is initially supported at its bottom by the tray bottom support means 26. Subsequently, as the bottom cutter 25 rises, the support of the bottom of the tray T by the tray bottom support means 26 is taken over by the support of the edge of the tray T by the tray edge support portion 254 of the bottom cutter 25, as shown in Figure 14(a). Subsequently, as the bottom cutter 25 rises to the position shown in Figure 14(b), a closed space is formed between the bottom cutter 25 and the film F, and an inert gas is injected through the gas inlet 251 and the gas diffusion step portion 2510 to replace the air present in the space formed between the film F and the tray T, while the air is discharged from the air outlet 252. This performs a gas flushing process to extend the shelf life of the packaged goods. Subsequently, the lower die 25 continues to rise until the edge of the tray T comes into contact with the metal plate 242 of the upper die 24 (this state is not shown in the figure, and the lower die 25 will be positioned at a height between Figure 14(b) and Figure 14(c)). In this state, top sealing is initiated, and after heat sealing is performed at a predetermined heat sealing temperature for a predetermined tray sealing time, the lower die 25 rises further, and the excess portion around the top-sealed film is cut by the film cutting means 244. The heat sealing temperature and tray sealing time are basically linked to the PLU, as will be described later. From Figure 14(c), it can be seen that the edges of the film F and tray T are sandwiched between the metal plate 242 of the upper die 24 and the tray edge support portion 254 of the lower die 25, with the cutting edge of the film cutting means 244 positioned below them. The mechanism by which the edge of tray T first contacts the metal plate 242 and then the film cutting means 244 is achieved by setting the downward biasing force of the metal plate 242 to be weaker than the biasing force of the film cutting means 244, and configuring the metal plate 242 to retract upward relative to the film cutting means 244.Although not shown in the diagram, when the lower cutter 25 descends, the support of the tray T at its edge by the tray edge support portion 254 of the lower cutter 25 is taken over by the support of the tray T at its bottom surface by the tray bottom surface support means 26, and then the tray T is transported to the downstream area 3 by the infeed bar IB.

[0057] (Regarding packaging operation control that takes into account the appropriate welding temperature and gas filling) The packaging apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is designed to perform optimal packaging operation control that takes into account the appropriate welding temperature and gas filling, by utilizing PLU setting information, tray setting information, and die setting information. In general, an appropriate temperature for welding is set for each die, and in some cases for each tray, and the packaging operation is performed under the appropriate temperature. Furthermore, it is possible to change the type of gas and gas replacement time for each product, and in some cases for each die or tray. Specifically, if the temperature of the die is not at the appropriate set temperature, the packaging operation is prevented from starting by prohibiting packaging or making packaging wait until the appropriate set temperature is reached. The apparatus also provides a notification that the temperature is not appropriate and the time until the appropriate temperature is reached. For gas filling, the recommended expiration date is linked to the product information, and the type of gas and gas replacement time are automatically changed depending on the product selected. Information regarding gas filling is notified by appropriate means. These controls are performed according to the setting items used for PLU setting, tray setting, and die setting, as shown in Figure 15.

[0058] PLU setting information is essentially a series of setting information stored in the product information storage means, including the product name, the PLU (Price Look Up) code which is the product identifier, a thumbnail image showing the product's design, whether the product is fixed weight or variable weight, and the price of the corresponding product (expressed as (unit price × quantity) or (unit price × weight)). In addition to this, in the packaging device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention, specifications related to packaging operation control are also stored, linked to the PLU code. Specifically, for each PLU, the tray type, gas type, gas filling time, and gas injection speed are set. The product information storage means may be a configuration provided by the packaging device 100 or a configuration provided by an external device. In either configuration, the control unit of the packaging device 100 executes a control process to store the information to be set and stored in association with the product in the product information storage means.

[0059] The tray setting information includes the heat seal temperature, tray seal time, gas filling time, and gas injection speed, which are set for each tray. The reason why the heat seal temperature is set in the tray settings is that even with the same die, the optimal heat seal temperature differs depending on the type of tray used, specifically the material. For example, the optimal temperature for foam trays is 110°C, while the optimal temperature for resin trays is 180°C.

[0060] The die-cutting settings include the heat seal temperature, tray seal time, and gas filling time, which are set for each die. The reason why the heat seal temperature is set in the die-cutting settings is that the optimal temperature for heat sealing differs depending on the heat capacity of the die size.

[0061] Priority is assigned to the PLU setting information, tray setting information, and die setting information. That is, as shown in ascending order in the table in Figure 16, packaging operation control is determined in the order of PLU setting information, tray setting information, and die setting information.

[0062] For example, for a PLU with part number "0001", the gas type is set to "Gas 1", the gas filling time to 300 msec, and the tray used is set to "000001". Therefore, the gas type, gas filling time, and tray used are determined as the control content. However, for a PLU with part number "0002", although the gas type is set to "Gas 2" and the tray used is set to "000002", the gas filling time is set to automatic and no specific value is set, so the tray setting, which has the next priority, is referred to. And for tray number "000002", the gas filling time is set to 250 msec, so this gas filling time is determined as the control content.

[0063] For the PLU with part number "0003", the gas type "Gas 2" is set in the PLU setting information, but the gas filling time is set to automatic and no specific value is set. Similarly, for the tray used "000003" set for the PLU with part number "0003", the gas filling time is set to automatic in the tray settings and no specific value is set. Therefore, the die setting, which has the last priority, is referenced. For the tray used "000003", "Tray Type 3" is set, and for "Tray Type 3", a gas filling time of 1800 msec is set, so this gas filling time is determined as the control content.

[0064] Regarding the determination of the heat seal temperature, PLU setting information is not involved. Packaging operation control is determined preferentially based on tray setting information, followed by die setting information. In the example shown in Figure 16, specific temperatures are set, such as 160°C for tray "000001" and 157°C for tray "000002," while the heat seal temperature for tray "000003" is set to automatic. In cases like this, where no specific value is set and automatic setting is used, the die setting is referenced. For tray "000003," "Tray Type 3" is set, and a heat seal temperature of 180°C is set for "Tray Type 3." Therefore, this heat seal temperature is determined as the control content.

[0065] As mentioned earlier, packaging operation control refers to various controls for executing the packaging operation at the appropriate temperature and with appropriate gas replacement treatment. More specifically, the scope of packaging operation control may include prohibiting the packaging operation, delaying the start of packaging, cooling the die as a heat-generating element (basically natural cooling, but cooling fans or Peltier elements may be provided for cooling), heating the die as a heat-generating element, changing the type of gas, changing the gas filling time, etc. This will be explained using Figures 17 to 25.

[0066] Figure 17 shows an example of the layout of the main menu displayed after the packaging device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is powered on and initialized, or in response to a call operation. The example screen layout shown here is set at the time of product shipment, but the button assignments and sizes can be changed by customizing the settings by a technical staff member or sales representative.

[0067] In the screen layout shown in Figure 17, button A1 is operated to execute the "packaging mode," which performs top sealing and label application. Button A2 is operated to execute the "pricing mode," which issues only pricing labels without packaging, assuming that the worker will manually apply the pricing labels to the products.

[0068] In the screen layout shown in Figure 17, button A3 is used to access the "Setting Mode" screen, where users select and confirm settings for PLU settings, tray settings, and die settings. Button A4 is the "Training Mode" button, used to access a training menu to help the operator become proficient in operating the packaging device. In addition, the screen layout shown in Figure 17 also includes a "Setup" button for configuring the overall settings of the packaging device.

[0069] In the main menu shown in Figure 17, the system may be configured to display the temperature status of the die, specifically whether the die temperature is at the appropriate temperature, and if not, whether it is being cooled or heated. Furthermore, it may be configured to display an approximate time estimate for when the die temperature will reach the appropriate temperature. In addition, it is possible to use an audio output means to provide notifications via voice guidance instead of, or in addition to, the display means. Furthermore, for notifications during cooling and heating, in addition to the screen display on the display unit, a sign pole may be provided, which lights up blue during cooling and flashes blue when the appropriate replacement temperature is reached, and lights up red during heating and flashes red when the appropriate welding temperature is reached. By changing the notification method, the progress towards reaching the appropriate welding temperature and the progress towards reaching the appropriate replacement temperature during cooling can be grasped, and even if the waiting time is relatively long, the temperature status can be grasped while performing other tasks, or the situation can be grasped from a location away from the packaging device. Furthermore, notifications regarding the appropriate welding temperature and the appropriate replacement temperature may be provided in a multi-stage manner, for example, by having the indicator blink until the temperature is reached, then switching to a steady light once the temperature is reached, and gradually increasing the blinking cycle until the temperature is reached. Such a configuration allows for alerting the operator and enabling them to plan their future work accordingly.

[0070] In the screen shown in Figure 17, touching "Packaging Mode" A1 switches to packaging mode and transitions to the screen shown in Figure 18. Figure 18 shows an example of the packaging mode screen layout. The example screen layout shown here is set when the product is shipped, but the button assignments and sizes can be changed as desired by customizing the settings. For example, as will be explained later using Figure 27, it is also possible to create a screen layout specifically for gas replacement.

[0071] In the screen layout shown in Figure 18, B1 is a display area that shows the temperature status of the die. Specifically, it displays whether the die temperature is at the appropriate temperature, and if not, whether it is being cooled or heated. As mentioned earlier, the suitable sealing temperature for heat sealing varies depending on the type of tray and die used, and it is not simply a matter of it being warm. Therefore, cooling or heating is performed to bring the die to the appropriate temperature. In this embodiment, cooling is performed by natural cooling, but if the device has a cooling means to protect the main body when the entire device is overheating, it may be configured to perform active cooling using this means, or a special cooling means dedicated to the die, such as a fan or Peltier element, may be provided.

[0072] In the screen layout shown in Figure 18, B2 is a button operated to bring up the menu screen for setting the packaging machine PLU data. B3 is a button operated to bring up the menu screen for setting the tray. B4 is a display area that shows the gas filling time. B5 is a display area that shows the current die temperature and the currently set appropriate temperature. In the example shown in Figure 18, the current die temperature is displayed as 142°C and the set temperature as 157°C. Therefore, the display area of ​​B1 shows that the die is heating up.

[0073] In the screen layout shown in Figure 18, B6 is a display area indicating the type of die currently loaded. B7 is a display area indicating the currently set tray sealing time. The tray sealing time changes depending on the type of die and tray loaded.

[0074] In the screen layout shown in Figure 18, B8 is a display area indicating whether the target corresponding to the current PLU is a product to be filled with gas. B9 is a display area indicating the type of gas being used. In other words, when the PLU is changed, the display in B9 changes. B10 is a display area indicating gas connection information (gas pressure, remaining amount) according to the type of gas connected.

[0075] For example, if the display area showing the heater status of B1 in the screen shown in Figure 18 displays "Optimal Temperature" (see also Figure 27, which actually displays "Optimal Temperature"), the packaging operation will start when the operation to start top sealing is performed. In other words, the packaging device 100 is equipped with a starting means for starting top sealing, and in the embodiment of the present invention, when the item to be packaged is placed on the weighing unit, the weighing operation and packaging operation start automatically. That is, the weighing unit also serves as the starting means. Alternatively, the packaging operation may be configured so that it does not start simply by placing the item to be packaged on the weighing unit, but only when a separately provided start button is pressed. In this case, the starting means would be the start button. Regardless of the form of the starting means, when the starting means is activated, the operator can be made aware that packaging is about to start by providing voice guidance or a screen display notification. On the other hand, a notification is also given when the starting means is not activated. This notification is preferably in a conspicuous form, such as by using a pop-up menu. The following explanation uses Figure 19, which shows an example of a pop-up menu displayed in response to a packaging start command.

[0076] In reality, as shown in Figure 18, the display area showing the temperature status of the die B1 displays "Heating," so even if an operation to start top sealing is performed, the packaging operation will not begin. In this embodiment of the present invention, when an item to be packaged is placed on the weighing unit, as shown in Figure 19, a notification is displayed via the pop-up menu C1 stating, "Packaging will be possible when the heater reaches the usable temperature. Please pick up the item and wait." At this time, the notification may also include a display indicating the approximate time until the die reaches the appropriate temperature. Thus, the packaging operation control in this embodiment means that if the temperature of the die is not at the appropriate set temperature, the packaging operation is prohibited, thereby preventing the start of the packaging operation. After the prohibition on the packaging operation is lifted, the operator places the item to be packaged, which was picked up according to the notification, back on the weighing unit, that is, performs the operation to start top sealing again. This configuration makes it possible to prevent situations in which heat sealing is not performed properly.

[0077] As a variation, a notification could be displayed in the pop-up menu stating, "Packaging will begin when the heater reaches the usable temperature. Please wait," and the packaging operation control could be changed to standby control. In this case, the notification could also include a message indicating the approximate time until the die reaches the appropriate temperature. Thus, in this variation, the packaging operation control means that if the die temperature is not at the appropriate set temperature, the packaging operation will be put on hold until the appropriate set temperature is reached, thus preventing the packaging operation from starting. Once the prohibition on the packaging operation is lifted, the packaging operation will start automatically. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent situations such as improper heat sealing.

[0078] (Specifications of packaging operations in PLU settings, tray settings, and die settings) As described above, the packaging apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention controls the device to prevent the start of packaging operations if the die temperature is not at the appropriate set temperature, by prohibiting packaging or making it wait until the appropriate set temperature is reached. It also provides notification control that the temperature is not appropriate and notification control that the time until the appropriate temperature is reached. This is based on the premise that the specifications for the packaging operation are set in the PLU setting, tray setting, and die setting. This will be explained below.

[0079] Figure 20 shows an example layout of the product master settings screen, Figure 21 shows an example layout of the PLU settings screen, Figure 22 shows an example layout of the tray settings screen, Figure 23 shows an example layout of the settings screen for each tray, Figure 24 shows an example layout of the settings screen for each die, and Figure 25 shows an example layout of the settings screen for each die.

[0080] The information stored in the product information storage means, known as the product master, includes items such as product name, price, multi-image showing the product design, and place of origin for each PLU (Price Look Up) code, which is the product identifier. However, a distinctive item of the present invention is the specifications of the packaging operation. When the button labeled "Packaging Machine PLU Data D1" is touched on the product master setting screen shown in Figure 20, the screen shown in Figure 21 is accessed.

[0081] The PLU setting screen shown in Figure 21 allows you to set parameters for label application control linked to the PLU, and, as a characteristic feature of the present invention, it also allows you to set parameters for packaging operations. Specifically, when you touch the gas filling time button E1 shown in Figure 21, the selection items for filling time are displayed in a pull-down menu, and you can set the filling time by touching the confirmation button. In the example shown in Figure 21, "Automatic" is specified as the filling time. When "Automatic" is specified, as mentioned above, the control will be performed according to the filling time specified in the tray setting, which is the next priority. If "Automatic" is also specified in the tray setting, the control will be performed according to the filling time specified in the die setting, which is yet another priority.

[0082] Furthermore, by touching the gas selection button for E2 shown in Figure 21, the type of gas to be used is displayed in a pull-down menu, and the gas to be used can be set by touching the confirmation button. In the example shown in Figure 21, "Gas 1" is specified as the gas to be used. In this way, the device is configured to store the type of gas used for packaging, linked to the PLU. The packaging device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention replaces the air with an inert gas in order to extend the shelf life of the packaged product, but it is desirable that this gas differs depending on the type of packaged product. For example, beef will turn black if it does not contain about 30% oxygen, so an inert gas mixture of three gases, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and oxygen is used, but chicken and pork do not turn black, so an inert gas mixture of two gases, nitrogen and carbon dioxide, is used.

[0083] In the product master settings screen shown in Figure 20, touching the D2 "Tray" button transitions to the tray selection screen shown in Figure 22. The tray selection screen shown in Figure 22 is where you select the tray to configure from Tray 1 to Tray 5 shown in F1, and confirm the tray to configure by pressing the F2 "Confirm" button, in order to set the heat seal temperature, tray seal time, and gas filling time for each tray type. If you select Tray 1, which has the identification number "000001", and press the "Confirm" button, you transition to the tray-specific settings screen shown in Figure 23. Unlike the display in Figure 20, if a tray has already been configured in the product master, the tray number will be displayed, and in this case, the tray configuration information will be referenced.

[0084] Figure 23 shows an example layout of the settings screen for each tray. In this example, the settings screen for tray "000001" is displayed, as shown in the G1 tray identification number display area. As shown in the G2 display area, the heat seal temperature is set to 160°C, as shown in the G3 display area, the tray seal time is set to 500 msec, and as shown in the G4 display area, the gas filling time is set to 300 msec. Touching these display areas will bring up a pull-down menu of options, allowing you to change the values.

[0085] Figure 24 shows an example layout of the settings screen for each die, and in this example, the settings screen for "Die 1" is displayed. However, on the screen, "Die 1" is displayed as "Tray Die 1," as in the H1 tab. As shown in the H2 display area, the heat seal temperature is set to 160°C, as shown in the H3 display area, the tray seal time is set to 1000 msec, and as shown in the H4 display area, the gas filling time is set to 300 msec. Touching any of these display areas will bring up a pull-down menu of options, allowing you to change the values.

[0086] Figure 25 shows another display screen of an example layout for the settings screen for each die, where the settings screen for "Die 2" is displayed. However, on the screen, "Die 2" is displayed as "Tray Die 2," similar to the tab in I1. As shown in the display area I2, the heat seal temperature is set to 157°C, as shown in the display area I3, the tray seal time is set to 500 msec, and as shown in the display area I4, the gas filling time is set to 250 msec. Touching any of these display areas will bring up a pull-down menu, allowing you to change the values.

[0087] (Regarding gas replacement treatment) The gas replacement process to extend the shelf life of packaged goods is performed by replacing the air with an inert gas. The inert gas is used to extend the shelf life of food by adjusting the ratio of three types of gases: nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and oxygen. Although oxygen may seem unnecessary, it is actually necessary to keep meat red. As mentioned earlier, the structure allows for efficient gas delivery by injecting gas from between the film and the container with the upper and lower dies closed. In other words, the gas injection time can be shortened by injecting gas from the gas inlet 251 while simultaneously removing air from inside the die through the air outlet 252 (see Figure 11). Furthermore, since the gas inlet 251 is located on the metering means 1 side, gas can be injected from the same position even with dies of different sizes. In addition, since the gas inlet 251 and air outlet 252 are provided in the direction of film transport, the film does not shift from side to side, ensuring that the product is reliably covered with film. Here, only one type of film is provided so that there is no need to change the film for each tray size. The same applies to tray T; the width is the same for all of them, and only the depth differs (however, multiple heights may be available, and the material may also differ as already mentioned), so the film can be used without waste.

[0088] (Gas switching process and information display according to product information) As mentioned above, the packaging device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention is configured to switch the type of gas depending on the product. For example, when packaging beef, an inert gas mixture of three gases, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and oxygen, is used, and when packaging chicken or pork, an inert gas mixture of two gases, nitrogen and carbon dioxide, is used. However, if the device is operated solely by a simple switching operation by the operator, and the wrong gas is selected for packaging, there is a risk that the desired shelf life extension will not be achieved, or that the product will discolor, resulting in improper packaging. Therefore, the packaging device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention is designed to ensure that the optimal type of gas is used for each food product being packaged.

[0089] The packaging device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is configured to store the type of gas used for packaging in a product information storage means, associated with each product (and, if applicable, each die or tray). Furthermore, the type of gas used for packaging is set to be changeable, and the device is configured to automatically change the gas sealed in at a predetermined timing, for example, when a product is called up. The product information storage means may be a component of the packaging device 100 or an external device. In either configuration, the control unit of the packaging device 100 performs a storage control process to set and store the type of gas used for packaging in association with each product in the product information storage means.

[0090] The packaging apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is configured to notify information regarding gas filling by appropriate means. Specifically, it is configured to display information regarding gas filling on the packaging mode screen, but it may also be configured to provide voice notification, or it may be configured to allow external output so that the information can be viewed on an external monitor. An example of this embodiment will be explained using Figure 18, which shows an example of the layout of the packaging mode screen.

[0091] In the packaging mode screen shown in Figure 18, B4 is the display area that shows the gas filling time. In the screen of Figure 18, the product shown is "Pork Loin for Ginger Stir-fry" with product number 2 in the PLU settings. As explained earlier using Figure 16, when determining the gas filling time, priority is set in the order of PLU setting information, tray setting information, and die setting information. For the target product, as shown in Figure 16, the gas filling time is set to automatic in the PLU setting information and no specific value is set, so the setting information for tray number "000002" in the tray settings, which is the next priority, is referenced. For the tray with the corresponding tray number "000002", a gas filling time of 250 msec is set. Therefore, this gas filling time is determined as the control content, and the value "250" is displayed in the display area B4 that shows the gas filling time. Incidentally, if product number 3, "chicken thigh block," is selected, the gas filling time is set to automatic in the PLU setting information and tray setting information. Therefore, the die setting information, which is the third priority, is referenced, and a gas filling time of 1800 msec is determined (see Figure 16).

[0092] In the packaging mode screen shown in Figure 18, B8 is a display area indicating whether the item corresponding to the current PLU is a product that will be gas-filled, and B9 is a display area indicating the type of gas to be used. For the pork loin for ginger stir-fry with product number 2 in the PLU settings, as shown in Figure 16, the setting is to perform gas filling with gas 2. Therefore, the display area B8 indicating whether or not the product will be gas-filled will display "Yes", and the display area B9 indicating the type of gas to be used will display "Gas 2".

[0093] In the packaging mode screen shown in Figure 18, B10 is a display area that shows gas connection information (gas pressure, remaining amount) for each gas type 1 and 2, according to the type of gas connected. When the PLU is changed, the displays of B8 and B9 change according to the settings, whereas the display content of B10, which shows the status of the connected gas, does not change even when the PLU is changed.

[0094] The packaging mode screen shown in Figure 18 displays not only information about gas filling but also other specifications related to packaging operation control and die attributes. Die attributes include the die temperature status, the heat seal temperature set as the appropriate temperature, and the type of die loaded in the packaging device. B1 is a display area that shows the temperature status of the die. Specifically, it shows whether the die temperature is at the appropriate temperature, and if not, whether it is being cooled or heated. B2 is a button operated to call up a menu screen for setting the packaging machine PLU data. B3 is a button operated to call up a menu screen for setting the tray. B5 is a display area that shows the current die temperature and the currently set appropriate temperature. In the example shown in Figure 18, the current die temperature is displayed as 142°C and the set temperature as 157°C. Therefore, the display area of ​​B1 shows that the die is being heated. B6 is a display area that shows the type of die currently loaded. B7 is a display area that shows the currently set tray sealing time. The tray sealing time varies depending on the type of die and tray being loaded.

[0095] As described above, the packaging device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention automatically changes the gas to be sealed when a product is called, and is configured to notify information regarding gas filling by appropriate means (in this embodiment, screen display on the packaging mode screen). Specifically, an example of when a different product is called will be explained using Figure 26.

[0096] In the packaging mode screen shown in Figure 26, J4 is the display area indicating the gas filling time. In the screen of Figure 26, the product shown is "Beef Shoulder Loin Steak" with product number 1 in the PLU settings. For this product, as shown in Figure 16, a gas filling time of 300 msec is set in the PLU setting information. Therefore, this gas filling time is determined as the control content, and the value "300" is displayed in the display area J4 that indicates the gas filling time.

[0097] In the packaging mode screen shown in Figure 26, J8 is a display area indicating whether the item corresponding to the current PLU is a product that will be gas-filled, and J9 is a display area indicating the type of gas to be used. For the beef shoulder loin steak with product number 1 in the PLU settings, as shown in Figure 16, the setting is to perform gas filling with gas 1. Therefore, the display area J8 indicating whether or not the product will be gas-filled will display "Yes", and the display area J9 indicating the type of gas to be used will display "Gas 1".

[0098] In the packaging mode screen shown in Figure 26, J10 is a display area that shows gas connection information (gas pressure, remaining amount) for each gas type 1 and 2, according to the type of gas connected. When the PLU is changed, the display content of the display area indicating whether or not the product is gas-filled and the display area indicating the type of gas changes according to the settings. For example, in Figure 18, the gas type that was displayed as "Gas 2" in the display area B9 indicating the type of gas used has been changed to "Gas 1" in the display area J9 indicating the type of gas used in Figure 26, following the change in the PLU. On the other hand, the display area J10 that shows the gas pressure and gas status remains unchanged from the display content shown in display area B10 even when the PLU is changed. Furthermore, if no product is called, i.e., no packaged item is set, it is advisable to configure the system to display a blank space without showing the type of gas, or to display something like "Unused" to indicate that no gas is associated with it.

[0099] The packaging mode screen shown in Figure 26 displays not only information about gas filling but also other parameters related to packaging operation control. J1 is a display area that shows the temperature status of the die. Specifically, it shows whether the die temperature is at the appropriate temperature, and if not, whether it is being cooled or heated. J2 is a button that is operated to call up a menu screen for setting the packaging machine PLU data. J3 is a button that is operated to call up a menu screen for setting the tray. J5 is a display area that shows the current temperature of the die and the currently set appropriate temperature. In the example shown in Figure 26, the current temperature of the die is displayed as 182°C and the set temperature as 160°C. Therefore, the display area of ​​J1 shows that the die is being cooled. J6 is a display area that shows the type of die currently loaded. J7 is a display area that shows the currently set tray sealing time. As explained earlier, the tray sealing time changes depending on the type of die and tray loaded.

[0100] In the packaging apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, the layout of the packaging mode screen can be customized. Furthermore, multiple customized layouts can be stored and recalled using buttons. An example of another screen layout for the packaging mode screen will be explained using Figure 27.

[0101] The packaging mode screen shown in Figure 27 is specifically designed for gas filling, displaying the control details in an easy-to-understand manner. It also allows users to check how long the extension period will be and to see the actual printed image of the product label that will be issued. Note that Figure 27 is not a layout change from Figure 26, but rather an example showing a different state from Figure 26, in order to illustrate the versatility of the display. For example, the temperature of the die, which was shown as cooling in Figure 26, is at the appropriate temperature in Figure 27. In this situation, when an operation to start the top seal is performed, the packaging operation starts immediately without displaying a pop-up menu (see Figure 19) indicating that the start mechanism was not activated.

[0102] In the packaging mode screen shown in Figure 27, K1 is a display area indicating the type of gas used, and it clearly displays "Gas 1" in a large display area. This display area is particularly large compared to other display areas. Specifically, it is designed to display in a font size even larger than the font size used to display the product name at the top. Since there are many types of meat set, the product name has many characters, so the product name display area takes up a large area horizontally, and the first letter of the product name is inevitably shifted to the left. Therefore, the display area K1 indicating the type of gas is also shifted to the left, so that the product name and gas can be viewed at the same time, improving readability. The display in display area K1 changes according to the setting when the PLU is changed. For example, if the PLU is changed from "Pork loin for ginger stir-fry" to "Beef shoulder loin steak", the display changes from "Gas 2" to "Gas 1". Also, if no product is called, that is, if no packaged item is set, the display area K1 should be configured to display a blank space without showing the type of gas, or to display something like "Unused" to indicate that no gas is associated. Taking advantage of the large display area, in addition to increasing the font size, more information can be displayed. For example, in addition to, or instead of, the display of "Gas 1," the actual gas composition, such as the gas mixture ratio "N270% / O230%" or the specific use, such as "for beef," could be displayed or listed together. K2 is a display area that shows the current temperature of the die and the currently set temperature which is considered appropriate, and K3 is a display area that shows the temperature status of the die. In the example shown in Figure 27, the current temperature of the die is 160°C and the set temperature is 160°C. Therefore, the K3 display area shows that the die is at the appropriate temperature. K4 is a display area that shows whether the target corresponding to the current PLU is a product that will be gas-filled, and in this example, it shows "yes". Furthermore, the packaging device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention can be manually changed to not perform gas filling regardless of the PLU setting, and the presence or absence of gas filling can be changed depending on the packaging situation. For example, this is convenient when a situation arises where the period extension is not temporarily performed. If the setting is changed to not perform gas filling, the display in K1 may remain as "Gas 1" linked to the PLU, or it may be switched to "Not used". Even if it is switched to "Not used", the "Gas 1" set in the PLU will not be changed.

[0103] In the packaging mode screen shown in Figure 27, K5 is the display area for the expiration date, located below the display area K1 which indicates the type of gas used. This arrangement makes it easy to see the product name, gas type, and expiration date at a glance by directing the viewer's gaze to the left. In this example, an expiration date of 4 days from October 18, 2024, is set, and it is shown that the expiration date is October 22, 2024. Note that if no product is selected, the processing date is displayed, but the expiration date is not. Alternatively, it may be specified that the date is undetermined. K6 is the display area for the current control mode. It shows whether it is "packaging mode," which includes packaging and pricing, or "pricing mode," which issues only a label for pricing without packaging. K7 is the area that shows the printed image of the product label, and it is indicated that the label will have an expiration date of October 22, 2024 printed on it.

[0104] In the packaging mode screen shown in Figure 27, K8 is a button operated to bring up the menu screen for setting the tray. K9 is a display area that shows the currently selected tray; in this example, tray type 1 is displayed.

[0105] Although not shown in the screen layouts of Figures 26 and 27, the packaging device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention can also store not only the type of gas used but also the amount (force) of gas injection for each product. For example, with foods that consist of many small contents, such as whitebait, rather than large solid items like meat or fish, the gas injection can cause the contents to scatter and get into the gap between the film and the edge of the tray before sealing. For such products, it is preferable to weaken the amount of gas injected and perform gas displacement. The gas injection amount setting is done by calling up a separate screen, but it is of course possible to customize the screen layout so that the gas injection amount is also displayed on the list screen.

[0106] (Regarding alternative embodiments) The embodiments described so far link the recommended expiration date to the product information and automatically change the gas type and gas replacement time based on the product selection. However, the gas type and gas replacement time may also be changed manually. For example, the gas type display could show the currently selected gas and the gas that should be selected side by side, allowing an operator who recognizes an incompatible gas type to change the gas type manually. In this case, it is preferable to output an appropriate warning sound. Even with manual changes, the problem of providing a packaging device suitable for using the optimal type of gas for each food being packaged is fully solved. Furthermore, even in a configuration where the gas replacement time is automatically changed, it may also be possible to manually change it. For example, when the gas is determined to be near-end by a detection means appropriately provided, the display unit will display a warning in a pop-up format as shown in Figure 28. Here, two examples are shown: a display with a selection button that says, "The gas level is low. The expiration date will be changed to the normal XX days. Yes / No," and a display with a selection button that says, "The gas level is low. Do you want to switch to normal packaging? Yes / No." Here, for illustrative purposes, both are shown simultaneously, but in reality, only one of the two displays will be shown. However, multiple display modes may be prepared and stored in a memory means, and the mode of the explanatory text may be selected by setting. In this way, it is possible to adopt a configuration that allows manual switching to an expiration date shorter than the one recommended in the product information.

[0107] The described embodiment performed weighing, packaging, and labeling processes, but the system may also be configured to include a dedicated packaging mode that performs only the packaging process. The dedicated packaging mode is suitable for fixed-price products that do not require weighing. Since there is no need to transfer the product to a subsequent area for labeling, in the dedicated packaging mode, the infeed bar IB may be configured to rotate in reverse after the packaging process to discharge the tray to the front. Alternatively, the system may be configured as a dedicated device that performs only packaging. Even in that case, it would still fall within the realm of the technical concept of performing gas replacement processing to extend the shelf life of the packaged product and packaging processing by top sealing almost simultaneously. Furthermore, this invention also includes not only switching to a dedicated packaging mode, but also configuring the device itself to be specialized for packaging. In other words, without having weighing means, a console for that purpose, labeling means, etc., these components may be configured as separate devices, communicating with other devices to create a dedicated device that performs only the packaging process.

[0108] In the embodiment described, the weighing means 1 was provided in front of the packaging means 2, but the weighing function may also be configured to be provided at the position of the tray bottom support means 26 (see Figure 14) or in the downstream area 3 (see Figure 5). If the weighing function is provided in the downstream area 3, weighing and labeling will be performed after packaging, and the weight to be weighed at this time will include the weight of the tray, the weight of the film, and the weight of the gas, so it is preferable to tare the weight including these and print it. When the weighing function is provided in the tray bottom support means 26 or the downstream area 3, the area indicated by the dashed line "1" in Figure 4 will simply be a placement area for loading the packaged items into the device.

[0109] It is also possible to place the packaging means at the very front. That is, the upper and lower die-cutting dies can be placed in the area indicated by the dashed line "1" in Figure 4, and the tray can be placed directly on the lower die-cutting die, after which weighing and labeling can be performed. In this case, the weighing function would be placed in the tray bottom support means 26 or the subsequent area 3 described above. When adopting this configuration, it is preferable to provide a shutter on the front part of the foremost stage and close the shutter as soon as the tray is placed to ensure safety.

[0110] The embodiment described involved filling with inert gas by gas flushing, which blows gas to expel air. However, a gas replacement method (in the narrow sense) where air is removed before gas is added may also be used. Although this method takes longer than gas flushing, it is advantageous in terms of gas diffusivity and ensuring the gas reaches every corner. In this case, the air outlet is initially configured as a suction port for removing air. Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the film is suspended in the same direction as the weighing means 1, packaging means 2, and downstream area 3, which are arranged vertically from the front to the back of the device, and the width of the tray is set to a single size. However, the film may be suspended in a direction perpendicular to the weighing means 1 and packaging means 2, so that the width of the tray can be changed for each tray size.

[0111] <Summary of Embodiments> [Technical field] The present invention relates to a packaging device that covers a tray on which an item to be packaged is placed with a film and heat-seals the film to the edge of the tray. [Background technology] Conventional packaging devices include so-called gas displacement packaging devices, which operate by placing the food to be packaged on a weighing scale, then transporting it into a tray supplied on a conveyor, and then heat-sealing the tray with a film lid while an inert gas mixture is sealed inside the tray (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art document] [Patent] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2013-515654 [Overview of the prefecture] [Problems the invention aims to solve] Gas displacement packaging is performed to extend the shelf life of packaged goods by replacing the air with an inert gas. The inert gas is a mixture of three gases—nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and oxygen—with adjusted ratios. Although oxygen is detrimental to extending shelf life, it is sometimes intentionally added because without it, some types of food will darken. On the other hand, some foods do not darken even without oxygen. Ideally, the gas ratio should be finely adjusted according to the type of food. However, the packaging device described in Patent Document 1 packages products with a single type of inert gas mixture sealed inside, and does not consider using the optimal type of gas for each food product being packaged. Here, it is conceivable to prepare multiple gas cylinders, for example, and switch between them as needed, so that multiple types of gases can be used. However, if the correspondence between the product and the gas to be sealed is incorrectly switched, there is a risk that the shelf-life extension packaging will not be performed properly. The present invention aims to address these problems and provides a packaging device that makes it easy to identify the type of gas to be used for each food item being packaged and is suitable for using the optimal type of gas. [Means for solving the problem] (1) As described above, one aspect of this embodiment is a packaging device (100) that seals a tray on which a packaged item is placed by sealing it with gas, and comprises a storage means for linking and storing information about the packaged item and the gas, and a display means (display unit of the console 6), wherein the display means (display unit of the console 6) displays weighing information of the packaged item and information about the gas. According to the above configuration, it is possible to provide a packaging device that can confirm information regarding gases on the packaged item.

[0112] (2) One aspect of this embodiment is the packaging apparatus (100) described in (1), wherein the display means (display unit of console 6) displays the changed gas type when the packaged item is changed and the gas information stored in association with the changed packaged item is changed. According to the above configuration, the optimal type of gas can be used for each food item being packaged.

[0113] (3) One aspect of this embodiment is the packaging device (100) described in (1) or (2), wherein the packaging device (100) is configured to be able to load a plurality of dies in different ways, and the display means (display unit of console 6) displays the attributes of the dies loaded in the packaging device (100). With the above configuration, the operator can be alerted to the temperature status of the die, the heat sealing temperature which is set as an appropriate temperature, and the type of die loaded in the packaging device.

[0114] (4) One aspect of this embodiment is the packaging device (100) described in (3), wherein the display means (display unit of console 6) displays information about the gas connected to the packaging device (100). With the above configuration, the operator can be alerted to insufficient gas pressure or insufficient remaining gas.

[0115] (5) One aspect of this embodiment is the packaging device (100) described in (1) or (2), wherein the display means (display unit of console 6) displays a blank display without showing the type of gas, or displays that no gas is associated, when no packaged item is set. With the above configuration, the operator will not be confused about the type of gas being used.

[0116] (6) One aspect of this embodiment is the packaging device (100) described in (1), wherein the display means (display unit of console 6) displays the expiration date associated with the packaged item that has been called. With the above configuration, the operator can correctly recognize the expiration date.

[0117] (7) One aspect of this embodiment is the packaging device (100) described in (1), wherein the display means (display unit of console 6) displays a blank display without showing the expiration date, or displays a message indicating that the expiration date is undetermined, when no packaged item is set. With the above configuration, operators will not be confused about the expiration date.

[0118] Although the packaging apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments, and any design changes, etc., that do not depart from the gist of the present invention are also included in the present invention and the technical concept. For example, although the embodiments have two gas systems, it is also possible to configure it with three or more gas systems. Furthermore, instead of preparing a gas for each type of food, for example, three gas cylinders containing nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and oxygen may be prepared, and a gas supply system may be provided that mixes them in different proportions. Furthermore, the invention disclosed herein is not limited to the overall configuration of the packaging device 100 according to the embodiment. That is, it is not limited to a system in which the type of gas and gas replacement time are changed automatically, but may also be a system in which the type of gas and gas replacement time are changed manually, as described in another embodiment. The technical idea of ​​the present invention is that the weighing information of the packaged item and the gas information are displayed on a display means, and regardless of how the control content is changed, it should be considered as a higher-level invention that is excellent in terms of the overview of the gas information and is suitable for using the optimal type of gas for each food item being packaged. [Explanation of symbols]

[0119] 100 Packaging equipment 1 Measuring means 2 Packaging means 21 Film suspension means 211 Film holding means 211L Film Set Axis Lever 212 Excess film winding means 212L Winding shaft lever 24 Upper cutting die 24G drawer grip 24H Top-opening storage means 24L Lock Release Lever 240 Top-removable folder (mounting mechanism) 2401 Rail 241 Heating means (heating means) 242 Metal plate 242a Convex part 242b central part 243 Heater Link 244 Film cutting means 245 Upper punch hole 246 Gripping part during transportation 248 Notch 25. Bottom-extraction type (gas replacement means) 25H Bottom-opening storage means 251 Gas inlet 2510 Gas diffusion step 252 Air outlet 253 Bottom punching hole 26 Tray bottom support means 3 Later area 4 1st discharge stand 5 Second discharge platform 6 Console 7. Labeling method 71 Labeling means slide rail 72 Anti-tip legs 8. Emergency stop button HTM Heat Transfer Member BT1 Buffer Tank 1 BT2 Buffer Tank 2 T Tray R Roll Film FS film feed axis DR Dancer Laura A1 Packaging mode button A2 Pricing Mode Button A3 Setting Mode Button A4 Training Mode Button B1 Cutting die temperature display area B2 PLU setting menu call button B3 Tray setting menu call button B4 Gas filling time display area B5 Heat seal temperature display area B6 Cutting die type display area B7 Tray sealing time display area B8 Gas filling status indicator area B9 Gas Usage Display Area B10 Display area for connected gas information C1 Pop-up Menu D1 Packaging machine PLU data setting button D2 Tray setting button E1 Gas filling time setting button E2 Gas Selection Button F1 Tray type selection setting button F2 Confirm button G1 Tray Identification Number Display Area G2 Heat seal temperature display area G3 Tray sealing time display area G4 Gas filling time display area H1 Tab of Die Cutting Mold 1 H2 Heat seal temperature display area H3 Tray sealing time display area H4 Gas filling time display area I1 Tab of Die Cutting Mold 2 I2 Heat seal temperature display area I3 Tray sealing time display area I4 Gas filling time display area J1 Cutting die temperature display area J2 PLU setting menu call button J3 Tray setting menu call button J4 Gas filling time display area J5 Heat seal temperature display area J6 Cutting die type display area J7 Tray sealing time display area J8 Gas filling status indicator area J9 Gas Usage Display Area J10 Connection Gas Information Display Area K1 Gas Usage Display Area K2 Heat Seal Temperature Display Area K3 Cutting die temperature display area K4 Gas filling status indicator area K5 Best before date display area K6 Control Mode Display Area K7 Product label image display area K8 Tray Settings Screen Call Button K9 Tray Type Display Area

Claims

1. A packaging device that seals a tray on which the packaged items are placed by sealing it with gas, A memory means for linking and storing information about the packaged item and the gas, A means of display, and comprising, The display means displays the weighing information of the packaged item and the gas information. A packaging device characterized by the following features.

2. The display means displays the type of gas after the change when the packaged item is changed and the gas information stored in association with the changed packaged item is changed. The packaging apparatus according to feature 1.

3. The packaging device is configured to allow loading by changing multiple dies, The display means displays the attributes of the die loaded in the packaging device. The packaging apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The display means displays information about the gas connected to the packaging device. The packaging apparatus according to feature 3.

5. The display means, when no packaged item is set, will either display a blank space without indicating the type of gas, or indicate that no gas is associated with it. The packaging apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

6. The display means displays the expiration date associated with the packaged item that has been called. The packaging apparatus according to feature 1.

7. The display means, when no packaged item is set, will either display a blank space without showing the expiration date, or indicate that the expiration date is undetermined. The packaging apparatus according to feature 6.

Images