Packaging equipment

Abstract

To provide a packaging device that allows for easy attachment and detachment of the centering adjustment unit. [Solution] The packaging device 10 has a centering adjustment unit 50 which includes a belt member that can transport the packaged object P1, which is transported from the upstream side in the transport direction of the packaged object P1, in the transport direction, a transport motor that drives the belt member, and an adjustment motor 54 that is movable in the width direction perpendicular to the transport direction. The centering adjustment unit 50 includes a drive transmission unit 53 for transmitting the driving force of the transport motor 52. The drive transmission unit 53 includes a rotating coupling unit to which the driving force from the transport motor 52 is transmitted, and a drive shaft 81 that provides a driving force to feed the belt member in the transport direction and is detachably connected to the rotating coupling unit in a cantilevered state on one side in the width direction of the belt member.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a packaging device.

Background Art

[0002] For example, in supermarkets, food factories, etc., a packaging device that wraps a packaged object, which is a tray on which food is placed, with a film is widely used. As such a packaging device, for example, a technique as shown in Patent Document 1 is disclosed.

[0003] In this Patent Document 1, a centering device (20) for correcting the position of the packaged object (X) in the conveyance width direction is disclosed. This centering device (20) includes a flat belt (204), and the flat belt (204) is wound between a pair of rolls (202, 203).

[0004] Further, the downstream roll (203) of the pair of rolls (202, 203) is supported by a shaft (103), and sprockets (105c) are attached to both ends of the shaft (103). And the sprockets (105c) at both ends are engaged with a traveling chain (106) driven by a motor (213).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] Incidentally, in the centering device (20), it is desirable that it be easy to remove for maintenance and cleaning of the device itself. However, in the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1, sprockets (105c) are attached to both ends of the shaft (103), and these sprockets (105c) mesh with the drive chain (106). Therefore, removing the centering device (20) requires extensive work and is difficult.

[0007] Furthermore, in the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1, when attempting to reattach the centering device (20) after removing it, extensive work is required again, making the reattachment process difficult.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a packaging device that allows for easy attachment and detachment of a centering adjustment part. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] [1] In order to solve the above problems, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is a packaging device for packaging an object to be packaged, comprising: a belt member that enables the object to be transported from the upstream side in the transport direction of the object to be packaged to be transported in the transport direction; a transport motor that drives the belt member; and a centering adjustment unit that is movable in a width direction perpendicular to the transport direction, wherein the centering adjustment unit comprises a drive transmission unit for transmitting the driving force of the transport motor, and the drive transmission unit comprises a rotating coupling unit to which the driving force from the transport motor is transmitted, and a drive shaft that provides a driving force to feed the belt member in the transport direction and is detachably connected to the rotating coupling unit in a cantilevered state on one side in the width direction of the belt member. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a packaging device that allows for easy attachment and detachment of the centering adjustment part. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of a packaging device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This diagram shows a simplified overall configuration of the packaging device shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the weighing unit, product pressing unit, and centering adjustment unit of the packaging device shown. [Figure 4] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the centering adjustment unit of the packaging device. [Figure 5] Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the release mechanism and centering unit of the centering adjustment section detached from the frame plate. [Figure 6] Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the frame plate and centering unit of the centering adjustment section, cut along the width direction near the rack gear. [Figure 7] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the release mechanism and drive shaft of the packaging device shown. [Figure 8] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the release mechanism and drive shaft configuration as viewed along the axial direction of the drive shaft, illustrating the state in which the drive shaft is locked by the locking ball. [Figure 9] Figure 8 shows the state after the lock by the locking ball has been released and the drive shaft has begun to move in the direction of removal. [Figure 10] Figure 9 shows the state where the drive shaft has moved further in the release direction from the state shown, and the drive shaft has been removed from the release mechanism. [Figure 11] Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the centering unit and release mechanism of the centering adjustment section, and shows the centering unit viewed from below. [Figure 12] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the centering unit of the centering adjustment section, cut along the transport direction. [Figure 13]It is a perspective view showing the configuration of the elevator mechanism provided in the packaging apparatus shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 14] In the packaging apparatus shown in FIG. 1, it is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the weighing unit, the product pushing unit, the centering adjustment unit, and the elevator head in the normal use state. [Figure 15] It is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the film supply unit provided in the packaging apparatus shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 16] It is a diagram showing the control configuration of the packaging apparatus shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 17] It is a diagram showing the state of the protruding amount of the drive shaft in the centering adjustment unit provided in the packaging apparatus shown in FIG. 1. (A) shows the state where the protruding amount of the drive shaft is minimum, (B) shows the state where the protruding amount of the drive shaft is any protruding amount between the minimum and the minimum, and (C) shows the state where the protruding amount of the drive shaft is minimum. [Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention]

[0012] Hereinafter, the packaging apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

[0013] [1. Configuration of Packaging Apparatus 10] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of the packaging apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the packaging apparatus 10 in a simplified manner. In FIGS. 1 and 2, some component parts are appropriately omitted.

[0014] The packaging apparatus 10 of the present embodiment weighs the package P1 in a state where foods or the like are placed on the tray, wraps it with a stretch film (film F1; corresponding to the packaging member), then prints necessary information with the label printer 170, attaches the printed label to the package P1 at the label attaching unit 180, and then discharges it to the product discharging unit 190. However, the packaging apparatus 10 may adopt a configuration that does not have a function of weighing the package P1 or does not include the label printer 170.

[0015] [1-1. Overall configuration of the packaging device 10] The packaging device 10 shown in Figures 1 and 2 comprises a housing 20, a weighing unit 30, a product pressing unit 40, a centering adjustment unit 50, an elevator mechanism 100, an infeed sliding mechanism 120, a film supply unit 130, a packaging unit 140, a discharge mechanism 150, a heater unit 160, a label printer 170, a label application unit 180, a product discharge unit 190, and a control unit 200 (see Figure 11).

[0016] In the following explanation, "packaged item P1" refers to a container such as a tray and the product placed in that container. However, the packaging device 10 can also package products that are not placed in a container. Therefore, products that are not placed in a container are also included in "packaged item P1." Furthermore, in the following explanation, "container" is synonymous with "packaged item P1" unless otherwise specified.

[0017] [1-2. Regarding cabinet 20] The housing 20 is the part that supports the entire packaging device 10 and is composed of a frame, panel boards, etc.

[0018] [1-3. Regarding the weighing unit 30] Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the weighing unit 30, the product pressing unit 40, and the centering adjustment unit 50. As shown in Figure 3, the weighing unit 30 is the part that weighs the packaged product P1 with food placed on it. This weighing unit 30 is equipped with a weighing plate 31 on which the packaged product P1 is placed, and is also equipped with a weight sensor 32 such as a load cell that weighs the packaged product P1 placed on the weighing plate 31.

[0019] Furthermore, the weighing unit 30 is equipped with a width detection sensor 33 that measures the width of the packaged object P1 (the dimension in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the packaged object P1). Therefore, based on the detection of the width of the packaged object P1 by this width detection sensor 33, the center position of the packaged object P1 can be determined, and a centering operation as described later can be realized. Alternatively, a camera may be provided instead of the width detection sensor 33, or together with the width detection sensor 33, and the size and position of the packaged object P1 may be detected by imaging with the camera to perform the centering operation of the packaged object P1.

[0020] Furthermore, the weighing unit 30 is also equipped with a height detection sensor 34 for measuring the height of the item P1 to be packaged. Based on the detection results from the width detection sensor 33 and this height detection sensor 34, it is possible to determine whether or not the item P1 can be packaged.

[0021] Furthermore, when the packaged object P1 placed on the weighing plate 31 is transported toward the elevator mechanism 100, if light from a sensor such as a height detection sensor 34 is blocked by the packaged object P1, it is possible to detect the length (depth) of the packaged object P1 in the transport direction (front-to-back direction) by the difference between the position of the sensor and the position of the pusher 45.

[0022] [1-4. Regarding the product insertion section 40] The product pushing section 40 includes a chain drive mechanism 41 and a pusher 45. The chain drive mechanism 41 also includes a pushing motor 42, a sprocket 43, a chain 44, etc. The pushing motor 42 is the part that generates the driving force to move the pusher 45. The driving force of this pushing motor 42 is transmitted to the sprocket 43 via a belt 42a and a pulley 42b.

[0023] The sprockets 43 and chains 44 are arranged on both sides of the weighing plate 31 in the width direction. That is, on one side of the weighing plate 31 in the width direction, there are multiple (four in Figure 3) sprockets 43 and chains 44 stretched by those sprockets 43. Similarly, on the other side of the weighing plate 31 in the width direction, there are multiple (four in Figure 3) sprockets 43 and chains 44 stretched by those sprockets 43.

[0024] Furthermore, in order to transmit driving force to the sprocket 43 and chain 44 at one end in the width direction and the sprocket 43 and chain 44 at the other end in the width direction, a long drive transmission shaft 43a is provided along the width direction of the weighing plate 31, and the drive-side sprockets 43 are attached to both ends of the drive transmission shaft 43a.

[0025] Pushers 45 are attached to the chain 44 described above at predetermined intervals. Specifically, one end of the pusher 45 is attached to the chain 44 on one side in the width direction via a mounting device (not shown), and the other end of the pusher 45 is attached to the chain 44 on the other side in the width direction via a mounting device (not shown). The pusher 45 is a component for pushing the packaged object P1 into the inside of the packaging device 10 (towards the centering adjustment unit 50). The pusher 45 is provided in a long, comb-like shape, and its comb-like teeth (not shown) come into contact with the packaged object P1 and push it toward the centering adjustment unit 50.

[0026] The chain 44 and the pusher 45 may be fixed together via a dedicated joint member. This joint member may be configured such that the relative position of the pusher 45 with respect to the chain 44 is immovable, or it may be configured such that the relative position of the pusher 45 with respect to the chain 44 is movable. When a configuration is used in which the relative position of the pusher 45 with respect to the chain 44 is movable as the joint member, the pressure applied when pushing the packaged object P1 does not become excessively large, and smooth centering of the packaged object P1 becomes possible.

[0027] Furthermore, as described above, various mechanisms can be applied to the joint member, such as using a solenoid, a spring mechanism, or an air cylinder, to allow the relative position of the pusher 45 with respect to the chain 44 to be movable.

[0028] [1-5. Regarding the centering adjustment unit 50] Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the centering adjustment unit 50. Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the centering adjustment unit 50 with the release mechanism 60 and centering unit 70 removed from the frame plate 51. This centering adjustment unit 50 is the part that adjusts the position of the packaged object P1 in the width direction while transporting the packaged object P1. As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the centering adjustment unit 50 comprises a frame plate 51, a transport motor 52, a drive transmission unit 53, an adjustment motor 54, a unit fixing mechanism 55, a release mechanism 60, and a centering unit 70.

[0029] The frame plate 51 is attached to a pair of side plates U11 of the infeed unit U1, which will be described later, and is constructed by providing appropriately bent portions, holes, and punched portions in a metal plate. For this reason, when viewed from above, the frame plate 51 has a larger width dimension than the centering unit 70, as well as a larger dimension in the transport direction.

[0030] As shown in Figure 5, the frame plate 51 is provided with a pair of positioning recesses 51a. Each of the pair of positioning recesses 51a can accommodate a fitting portion 76a provided on the support base 76 of the centering unit 70, which will be described later. By fitting the positioning recesses 51a and the fitting portions 76a, the centering unit 70 is easily positioned when it is attached to the frame plate 51.

[0031] In the configuration shown in Figure 5, the pair of positioning recesses 51a are provided in a roughly U-shaped recess that surrounds three of the four sides, and the fitting portion 76a, which will be described later, is also provided in a roughly U-shape. Therefore, the positioning accuracy between the pair of positioning recesses 51a and the pair of fitting portions 76a is improved. The pair of positioning recesses 51a may be formed by fixing a plate member to the underside of the frame plate 51 after punching out the frame plate 51, or they may be formed by making a concave recess in the frame plate 51.

[0032] The conveyor motor 52 is the part that provides the driving force to drive the flat belt 84 of the centering unit 70, which will be described later. The drive transmission unit 53 is the part that transmits the driving force of the conveyor motor 52 to the flat belt 84, and includes, for example, toothed pulleys 53a, 53b, and a drive belt 53c.

[0033] The toothed pulley 53a is attached to the output shaft (indicated by the symbol omitted) of the transport motor 52. The toothed pulley 53b is provided integrally with the release mechanism 60, which will be described later. Therefore, the toothed pulley 53b can be considered as part of the release mechanism 60, but it may also be considered not to be part of the release mechanism 60.

[0034] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the frame plate 51 and the centering unit 70 cut along the width direction near the rack gear 77. The adjustment motor 54 is the part that provides the driving force to move the centering unit 70 in the width direction, which will be described later. As shown in Figure 6, the output gear 54a of the adjustment motor 54 is transmitted to the intermediate gear 54b, and the intermediate gear 54b meshes with the rack gear 77, which will be described later. As a result, the driving force of the adjustment motor 54 is transmitted to the rack gear 77, making it possible to move the centering unit 70 in the width direction.

[0035] Furthermore, the unit fixing mechanism 55 is a mechanism for fixing the centering unit 70 to the frame plate 51. This unit fixing mechanism 55 comprises a frame-side fixing portion 55a and a unit-side locking portion 55b. The frame-side fixing portion 55a is provided near a pair of positioning recesses 51a on the frame plate 51. The unit-side locking portion 55b is attached to the fitting portions 76a of a pair of support bases 76, which will be described later.

[0036] When the positioning recess 51a is fitted into each of the fitting portions 76a described above, the unit-side locking portion 55b approaches the frame-side fixing portion 55a, and in this state, the fastening portion present on the frame-side fixing portion 55a fastens the unit-side locking portion 55b. As a result, the centering unit 70 is locked to the frame plate 51, and its movement is prevented. As the unit fixing mechanism 55, a three-way fastening fitting can be used, but other types of fastening fittings or screws and screw holes may also be used.

[0037] Furthermore, it is preferable that the unit fixing mechanism 55 be positioned in the width direction (X direction) between the end of the frame plate 51 in the width direction (X direction) and the side support plate 71a, as shown in Figure 6. Conversely, if the position of the unit fixing mechanism 55 in the width direction (X direction) is biased toward the end of the frame plate 51 in the width direction (X direction), the support base 76 will become longer toward the end of the frame plate 51 in the width direction (X direction). Also, if the unit fixing mechanism 55 is positioned towards the center in the width direction (X direction) relative to the side support plate 71a, it will become difficult for the user to operate the unit fixing mechanism 55. In addition, the guide shaft 75 will become unnecessarily long. Furthermore, if the unit fixing mechanism 55 is positioned towards the center in the width direction (X direction) relative to the side support plate 71a, it will be necessary to increase the size of the unit fixing mechanism 55 in order to ensure its operability.

[0038] However, as shown in Figure 6, the position of the unit fixing mechanism 55 in the width direction (X direction) is positioned between the end of the frame plate 51 in the width direction (X direction) and the side support plate 71a, thereby preventing the support base 76 from becoming longer toward the end of the frame plate 51 in the width direction (X direction). Furthermore, it is possible to ensure the operability of the unit fixing mechanism 55 while preventing the size of the unit fixing mechanism 55 from becoming unnecessarily large.

[0039] Furthermore, it is even more preferable that the widthwise (X-direction) position of the frame-side fixing portion 55a in the unit fixing mechanism 55 be located between the widthwise (X-direction) end of the frame plate 51 and the handle 72, as shown in Figure 6. In this case, it is possible to prevent the user's hand from interfering with the handle 72 when operating the frame-side fixing portion 55a.

[0040] Next, the release mechanism 60 will be described. The release mechanism 60 corresponds to the rotating coupling. Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the release mechanism 60 and the drive shaft 81. Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the release mechanism 60 and the drive shaft 81 cut along the axial direction of the drive shaft 81, showing the drive shaft 81 locked by the locking ball 65. Figure 9 shows the state in which the lock by the locking ball 65 has been released from the state shown in Figure 8, and the drive shaft 81 has begun to move in the withdrawal direction. Figure 10 shows the state in which the drive shaft 81 has moved further in the withdrawal direction from the state shown in Figure 9, and the drive shaft 81 has been removed from the release mechanism 60.

[0041] In Figures 7 to 10, the direction along the drive shaft 81 is defined as the axial direction (X direction), the side where the release mechanism 60 is located relative to the drive shaft 81 is referred to as one end (X1 side), and the opposite side where the drive shaft 81 is located relative to the release mechanism 60 is referred to as the other end (X2 side).

[0042] As shown in Figures 7 to 10, the release mechanism 60 mainly consists of a side plate fixing shaft 61, a bearing 62, a shaft attachment / detachment socket 63, a locking cylinder 64, a locking ball 65, a biasing spring 66, and a spring receiving member 67.

[0043] The side plate fixing shaft 61 is the part that is fixed to the side plate U11 of the infeed unit U1, which will be described later, for example via a screw N1. Therefore, the side plate fixing shaft 61 is provided with a screw hole 61a drilled from one end (the end on the X1 side) in its axial direction. In the configuration shown in Figure 8, the side plate fixing shaft 61 is fixed to the side plate U11 by screwing the screw N1 into the side plate U11 from the outside of the connecting fixing plate U13, with the connecting fixing plate U13 having an insertion hole U13a that closes the hole U12 in the side plate U11. Therefore, the side plate fixing shaft 61 is non-rotatable.

[0044] A bearing 62 is positioned on the outer circumference of the side plate fixing shaft 61 described above, and the outer circumference of the bearing 62 is held by the shaft attachment socket 63. In the configuration shown in Figures 8 to 10, two bearings 62 are arranged adjacent to each other, but the number of bearings and the type of bearings can be anything.

[0045] Furthermore, the shaft attachment socket 63 that holds the outer circumference of the bearing 62 has a cylindrical pulley portion 63a and a socket portion 63b. The cylindrical pulley portion 63a is a cylindrical part located on the axial end side of the drive shaft 81. Therefore, the drive shaft 81 is not positioned (inserted) into the cylindrical pulley portion 63a, but the side plate fixing shaft 61, to which the bearing 62 is attached on the outer circumference, is positioned on the inner cylinder side.

[0046] The outer cylinder portion of this cylindrical pulley portion 63a is the toothed pulley 53b described above. In other words, the cylindrical pulley portion 63a and the toothed pulley 53b are integrated into one unit.

[0047] Furthermore, the socket portion 63b is provided with a socket hole 63c for inserting the drive shaft 81. In this embodiment, since the drive shaft 81 has a non-circular cross-section, such as a hexagonal shaft, the socket hole 63c also has a non-circular cross-section, such as a hexagonal hole. This allows the shaft attachment socket 63 and the drive shaft 81 to rotate integrally. Also, since the socket portion 63b only needs to be sized to accommodate the insertion of the drive shaft 81, it is provided with a smaller diameter than the cylindrical pulley portion 63a.

[0048] Furthermore, the socket portion 63b is provided with an access hole 63d. The socket portion 63b is a hole that extends radially through the socket portion 63b and communicates with the socket hole 63c, and the lock ball 65, which will be described later, enters and exits through this hole from the outer circumference of the socket portion 63b. The diameter of this access hole 63d is smaller than the diameter of the lock ball 65. Therefore, it prevents the access hole 63d from falling into the socket hole 63c.

[0049] As shown in Figures 8 to 10, the inlet / outlet hole 63d is formed so that its diameter gradually decreases from the outer diameter side toward the socket hole 63c side (towards the radial center). Therefore, the inlet / outlet hole 63d provides good guidance for the lock ball 65 as it moves toward the socket hole 63c side. The inlet / outlet hole 63d is located near the boundary between the socket portion 63b and the cylindrical pulley portion 63a.

[0050] Furthermore, a locking cylinder 64 is positioned on the outer circumference of the socket portion 63b. In other words, the socket portion 63b is positioned on the inner side of the locking cylinder 64. The locking cylinder 64 is a cylindrical member that can move axially along the socket portion 63b. This locking cylinder 64 is provided with a push-in projection 64a. The push-in projection 64a is a portion that protrudes radially toward the center from the inner surface of the locking cylinder 64, and its appearance is that of a substantially hook-shaped portion comprising a tapered wall 64b that is inclined with respect to the radial direction and a vertical wall 64c that is along the radial direction.

[0051] The push-in projection 64a pushes the lock ball 65 toward the insertion / removal hole 63d and also receives one end (X1 side) of the biasing spring 66. Regarding the lock ball 65, the tapered wall 64b of the push-in projection 64a is the part that moves the lock ball 65 toward one end (X1 side) in the axial direction (X direction) so as to push the lock ball 65 toward the insertion / removal hole 63d. Therefore, in the state shown in Figure 8, the lock ball 65 is kept inserted into the insertion / removal hole 63d by the vicinity of the most protruding top of the push-in projection 64a or by the tapered wall 64b.

[0052] Here, the push-in projection 64a is positioned to one side (X1 side) of the lock cylinder 64 in the axial direction (X direction). Therefore, the tapered wall 64b of the push-in projection 64a is close to the boundary between the socket portion 63b and the cylindrical pulley portion 63a. As a result, the ball space SP1 in which the lock ball 65 can be positioned is formed by being surrounded by the push-in projection 64a (tapered wall 64b), the cylindrical pulley portion 63a, and the outer circumference of the socket portion 63b. The ball space SP1 becomes smaller when the lock cylinder 64 moves toward one side (X1 side) in the axial direction (X direction) by the biasing spring 66, which will be described later. At that time, the tapered wall 64b moves the lock ball 65 toward the insertion / removal hole 63d.

[0053] Furthermore, the vertical wall 64c is a wall surface that receives one end (X1 side) of the biasing spring 66. On the inner cylinder side of the lock cylinder 64, a spring arrangement space SP2 is formed between the vertical wall 64c and the spring receiving member 67, in which the biasing spring 66 can be arranged.

[0054] The locking ball 65 is spherical and moves in and out of the inlet / outlet hole 63d, and is, for example, made of steel. The biasing spring 66 is a compression spring positioned in the spring arrangement space SP2. The spring receiving member 67 is a member that receives the other end (X2 side) of the biasing spring 66, and is prevented from moving axially (in the X direction) toward the other end (X2 side) by a fixing ring R attached to the other end (X2 side) of the socket portion 63b.

[0055] In the configuration described above, the drive shaft 81 can be locked by inserting it into the socket hole 63c, as shown in Figure 8. However, as shown in Figure 9, when the locking cylinder 64 is moved to the other side (X2 side) in the axial direction (X direction), the tapered wall 64b releases the locking ball 65, allowing the locking ball 65 to exit through the insertion / exit hole 63d. At that time, when the drive shaft 81 is moved to the other side (X2 side) in the axial direction (X direction), it is possible to achieve the released state shown in Figure 10, where the drive shaft 81 can be removed from the socket hole 63c.

[0056] Next, the centering unit 70 will be described. Figure 11 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the centering unit 70 and the release mechanism 60, and shows the centering unit 70 viewed from below. Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view showing the centering unit 70 cut along the conveying direction.

[0057] As shown in Figures 6, 11, and 12, the centering unit 70 comprises a chassis 71, a pair of handles 72, a bush fixing member 73, a linear bush 74, a guide shaft 75, a support base 76, a rack gear 77, a detection plate 78, and a conveyor belt mechanism 80.

[0058] As shown in Figures 6 and 11, the chassis 71 is the part that supports the entire centering unit 70 and is formed, for example, by bending a metal plate as appropriate. Side support plates 71a are attached to both ends of the chassis 71 in the width direction (X direction). The side support plates 71a support the bearings of the drive roller 82 and the shafts of the driven roller 83, which will be described later.

[0059] Furthermore, each side support plate 71a is fitted with a handle 72. The handle 72 is the part that the user grips with their hand when attaching the centering unit 70 to the frame plate 51, or conversely, when removing it from the frame plate 51. In the configuration shown in Figure 11, the handle 72 is provided in a form in which both curved ends are fixed to the side support plate 71a. However, the handle 72 can take any form as long as it can be easily gripped by the user. The handle 72 corresponds to the gripping part.

[0060] The handle 72 is positioned below the conveying surface of the flat belt 84. If the handle 72 were flush with the conveying surface of the flat belt 84, there would be a possibility that the packaged object P1 placed on the conveying surface of the flat belt 84 would also be placed on the handle 72. However, as described above, because the handle 72 is positioned below the conveying surface of the flat belt 84, it is possible to prevent the packaged object P1 from being placed on the handle 72.

[0061] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6, the handle 72 is positioned sufficiently apart from the unit fixing mechanism 55 in the vertical direction so that the user can fully operate the unit fixing mechanism 55.

[0062] Furthermore, if the handle 72 is too large, there is a risk that it may interfere with the side plate U11 or the chain 44, or that the user's hand gripping the handle 72 may interfere with the side plate U11 or the chain 44. Therefore, the handle 72 is provided at a sufficient distance from the side plate U11 or the chain 44 to prevent the user's hand from interfering with them.

[0063] Furthermore, as described above, when the adjustment motor 54 is driven, the centering of the packaged object P1 can be adjusted. During this centering adjustment, the handle 72 is able to move sufficiently in the width direction (X direction) as long as it does not collide with the side plate U11 or the chain 44.

[0064] Furthermore, the bush fixing member 73 is a member for fixing the linear bush 74 to the chassis 71, and in Figure 11, it has a semicircular shape with flanges for screw fixing provided on both ends.

[0065] The linear bush 74, fixed to the bush fixing member 73 described above, is a member in which multiple steel balls are arranged in parallel, exposed to a through hole (not shown in the reference numerals) that penetrates in the axial direction. When the guide shaft 75 is inserted through this through hole, the linear bush 74 can move smoothly along the guide shaft 75. Here, since the linear bush 74 is attached to the chassis 71 via the bush fixing member 73, it guides the chassis 71 to slide smoothly in the width direction via the linear bush 74. In this embodiment, in order to stabilize the sliding, two linear bushes 74 are provided on each guide shaft 75 (a total of four).

[0066] Furthermore, the guide shaft 75 is an axial member that slides smoothly against the linear bush 74. As shown in Figure 11, in this embodiment, a pair of guide shafts 75 are provided, and the pair of guide shafts 75 are arranged at a predetermined distance apart. In addition, both ends of each guide shaft 75 are fixed to shaft support parts 76b, which will be described later.

[0067] The support base 76 is the part that fixes the centering unit 70 to the frame plate 51 while fitting it into the positioning recess 51a of the frame plate 51, and is the lowest part of the centering unit 70. This support base 76 has a fitting portion 76a and a shaft support portion 76b.

[0068] Of these, the fitting portion 76a is the part that is fitted into the positioning recess 51a. As already mentioned, the positioning recess 51a is provided in a roughly U-shape, so the fitting portion 76a is also provided in a roughly U-shape to correspond to the positioning recess 51a.

[0069] Furthermore, the unit-side locking portion 55b of the unit fixing mechanism 55 is attached to the fitting portion 76a. Therefore, after fitting the fitting portion 76a into the positioning recess 51a, the centering unit 70 can be fixed to the frame plate 51 by fastening the fastening portion of the frame-side fixing portion 55a to the unit-side locking portion 55b.

[0070] Furthermore, the shaft support portion 76b extends upward from both ends of the roughly U-shaped fitting portion 76a described above. Therefore, two shaft support portions 76b are provided on each side (X1 side) and the other side (X2 side) in the width direction (X direction) (a total of four).

[0071] This shaft support portion 76b is the part that fixes one end (the end on the X1 side) and the other end (the end on the X2 side) of the guide shaft 75 described above. Therefore, although the support base 76 and the guide shaft 75 are fixed to the frame plate 51, the linear bush 74 and the parts of the centering unit 70 that are attached to the chassis 71 are slidable relative to the guide shaft 75.

[0072] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 11, a rack gear 77 is mounted on the underside of the chassis 71 at a position between one guide shaft 75 and the other guide shaft 75, and this rack gear 77 protrudes downward from the underside of the chassis 71. The rack gear 77 is a gear that meshes with the intermediate gear 54b described above. Therefore, the driving force of the adjustment motor 54 is transmitted to the rack gear 77 via the output gear 54a and the intermediate gear 54b described above. As a result, each component attached to the chassis 71 can be moved in the width direction (X direction) by the drive of the adjustment motor 54.

[0073] A detection plate 78 is attached to one side of the rack gear 77. This detection plate 78 is a plate-shaped component that is detected by sensors S1 and S2. As shown in Figure 5, the sensor S1 on one side (X1 side) and the sensor S2 on the other side (X2 side) are attached to the frame plate 51 with a certain distance between them. The width (X direction) dimension of the detection plate 78 is set to approximately the shortest dimension that can be detected simultaneously by sensors S1 and S2.

[0074] Furthermore, when the detection plate 78 is detected simultaneously by sensors S1 and S2, the mounting position of the detection plate 78 on the rack gear 77 and the mounting positions of sensors S1 and S2 on the frame plate 51 are set so that the chassis 71 (conveyor belt mechanism 80) is located exactly in the center in the width direction (X direction).

[0075] Therefore, when sensor S1 on one side (X1 side) and sensor S2 on the other side (X2 side) are both turned ON, the conveyor belt mechanism 80 is positioned at the center in the width direction (X direction). However, when sensor S1 on one side (X1 side) is ON but sensor S2 on the other side (X2 side) is OFF, the conveyor belt mechanism 80 moves to one side (X1 side) in the width direction (X direction). Conversely, when sensor S1 on one side (X1 side) is OFF but sensor S2 on the other side (X2 side) is ON, the conveyor belt mechanism 80 moves to the other side (X2 side) in the width direction (X direction).

[0076] Next, the conveyor belt mechanism 80 will be described. As shown in Figure 12, the conveyor belt mechanism 80 includes a drive shaft 81, a drive roller 82, a driven roller 83, a flat belt 84, and a belt guide section 85.

[0077] The drive shaft 81 is a shaft-shaped member connected to the release mechanism 60 described above, for transmitting the driving force from the release mechanism 60 (toothed pulley 53b) to the drive roller 82. This drive shaft 81 has a non-circular cross-section, such as a hexagonal shaft. The socket hole 63c also has a non-circular cross-section corresponding to this drive shaft 81, so that the driving force from the shaft attachment socket 63 (toothed pulley 53b) is transmitted to this drive shaft 81 smoothly.

[0078] As shown in Figure 7, a locking recess 81a is provided at the tip end of the drive shaft 81 on the release mechanism 60 side (X1 side). The locking recess 81a is an annular recess into which the aforementioned lock ball 65 fits. Therefore, when the lock cylinder 64 moves axially (X direction) toward one side (X1 side) by the biasing spring 66, the lock ball 65 is pushed into the insertion / removal hole 63d by the tapered wall 64b, and the tip end of the lock ball 65 then fits into this locking recess 81a. This prevents the drive shaft 81 from coming out of the socket hole 63c.

[0079] Furthermore, the drive shaft 81 is connected to the drive roller 82. As shown in Figure 12, the drive roller 82 is provided with a connecting hole 82a. The connecting hole 82a is a hole through which the drive shaft 81 is inserted freely, but its cross-sectional shape is non-circular (for example, a hexagonal hole) to correspond to the drive shaft 81, similar to the socket hole 63c. Therefore, when the drive shaft 81 rotates, the drive roller 82 can also rotate in sync.

[0080] Here, as shown in Figures 4, 5, 7, and 11, the drive shaft 81 protrudes from one side (X1 side) of the centering unit 70 in the axial direction (X direction), but not from the other side (X1 side) in the axial direction (X direction). Therefore, the drive shaft 81 is supported in a cantilevered manner with respect to the release mechanism 60. However, if the connecting hole 82a of the drive roller 82 is formed over the entire axial direction, the other side (X2 side) of the drive shaft 81 in the axial direction (X direction) may protrude from the connecting hole 82a.

[0081] Furthermore, the projection dimension of the drive shaft 81 toward the release mechanism 60, and the length of the drive shaft 81, are ensured to be sufficient to reliably perform centering adjustment by moving the centering unit 70 in the width direction (X direction). In addition, the length (number of gears) of the rack gear 77 described above is also ensured to be sufficient to reliably perform centering adjustment by moving the centering unit 70 in the width direction (X direction).

[0082] A flat belt 84, described later, is stretched across the drive roller 82 together with the driven roller 83. The driven roller 83 is positioned at a predetermined distance from the drive roller 82. The driven roller 83 is not connected to any member for transmitting driving force, such as a drive shaft 81, and rotates in a driven manner as the flat belt 84 is fed.

[0083] Here, the drive roller 82 is positioned upstream of the driven roller 83 in the conveying direction. As a result, the release mechanism 60 is positioned upstream of the driven roller 83 in the conveying direction, improving the workability when attaching and detaching the drive shaft 81 to the release mechanism 60.

[0084] As described above, both ends of the drive roller 82 in the axial direction (X direction) and both ends of the driven roller 83 in the axial direction (X direction) are rotatably supported by the side support plates 71a.

[0085] Furthermore, the flat belt 84 is an endless belt that is wider in the width direction (X direction) and is stretched over the drive roller 82 and driven roller 83 described above. However, when the packaged goods P1 are transported on the flat belt 84, there is a risk that the flat belt 84 may sag due to the load of the packaged goods P1. Therefore, as shown in Figure 12, a belt guide section 85 is arranged on the lower side of the flat belt 84. The belt guide section 85 is constructed, for example, by appropriately bending a flat metal plate, and is capable of supporting the flat belt 84 on which the packaged goods P1 are placed.

[0086] In the centering adjustment unit 50 described above, the transport motor 52 drives the packaged object P1 onto the flat belt 84 and transports it toward the elevator mechanism 100, while the adjustment motor 54 drives the adjustment motor 54 to adjust the widthwise position of the packaged object P1.

[0087] [1-6. About the elevator mechanism 100] Figure 13 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the elevator mechanism 100. In Figure 13, the elevator heads 102A and 102B are shown in the raised state by the lifting mechanisms 110A and 110B, which will be described later. This state is when the packaging device 10 is not in operation. Therefore, when the packaging device 10 is in operation, the lifting mechanisms 110A and 110B are lower than the state shown in Figure 13.

[0088] The elevator mechanism 100 is the part that raises the packaged object P1 supplied from the centering adjustment unit 50 to the packaging unit 140. This elevator mechanism 100 has a center lifting unit 101A and a side lifting unit 101B. Specifically, as shown in Figure 13, the side lifting units 101B are arranged on both sides of the center lifting unit 101A in the width direction of the packaging device 10.

[0089] The central lifting section 101A and the side lifting section 101B are driven in cooperation, allowing the packaged object P1 to rise according to its width. Specifically, when the width of the packaged object P1 is small, the central lifting section 101A is driven to rise relative to the side lifting section 101B, causing the packaged object P1 to rise to a predetermined film-pressing position. However, when the width of the packaged object P1 is large, the side lifting section 101B rises similarly to the central lifting section 101A, causing the packaged object P1 to rise to a predetermined film-pressing position.

[0090] The center lifting section 101A includes an elevator head 102A, a lifting mechanism 110A, and a spacing adjustment mechanism 115A. Similarly, the side lifting section 101B also includes an elevator head 102B, a lifting mechanism 110B, and a spacing adjustment mechanism 115B.

[0091] The lifting mechanisms 110A and 110B are located at the rear of the packaging device 10. These lifting mechanisms 110A and 110B are housed in a rear casing 21 made of panel boards or the like. The lifting mechanisms 110A and 110B correspond to the lifting means.

[0092] The elevator head 102A is the part on which the packaged object P1 is placed. This elevator head 102A is equipped with a reference head 102A1 and an adjustment head 102A2. The reference head 102A1 is located on the side closer to the centering adjustment unit 50 described above and is located at the reference position in the transport direction. On the other hand, the adjustment head 102A2 is located on the side further away from the centering adjustment unit 50 than the reference head 102A1.

[0093] The adjustment head 102A2's relative position (i.e., spacing) with respect to the reference head 102A1 can be adjusted by the spacing adjustment mechanism 115A. Therefore, when the size of the packaged object P1 in the transport direction (depth direction) is small, the operation of the spacing adjustment mechanism 115A positions the adjustment head 102A2 close to the reference head 102A1. However, when the size of the packaged object P1 in the transport direction (depth direction) is large, the operation of the spacing adjustment mechanism 115A positions the adjustment head 102A2 further away from the reference head 102A1.

[0094] Furthermore, the reference head 102A1, part of the adjustment head 102A2, the reference head 102B1, and the adjustment head 102B2 are rotatably mounted on the support column 114A2 so that the elevator head 102A can rotate to escape even if it collides with the right folding member 141a or the left folding member 141b, which will be described later. In addition, the adjustment heads 102A2 and 102B2 are rotatably mounted on the support column 114A2 so that the elevator head 102A can rotate to escape even if it collides with the rear folding member 143.

[0095] Furthermore, the lifting mechanism 110A is the part that raises and lowers the elevator head 102A. This lifting mechanism 110A includes a lifting motor 111A, a drive transmission unit 112A, a lifting guide 113A, and a head support unit 114A. The lifting motor 111A is the part that provides the driving force to raise and lower the elevator head 102A. The drive transmission unit 112A is the part that transmits the driving force of the lifting motor 111A to the head support unit 114A, and includes a pulley 112A1, a belt 112A2, etc.

[0096] The lifting guide 113A is the part that guides the head support section 114A as it moves up and down, and is equipped with a shaft-shaped member or the like that runs along the vertical direction. The head support section 114A is the part that supports the elevator head 102A, and is equipped with an arm-shaped section 114A1 and a support column 114A2.

[0097] Furthermore, the spacing adjustment mechanism 115A includes an adjustment motor 116A (see Figure 16), a drive transmission unit, and a head slide mechanism (not shown). When the adjustment motor 116A is driven, the driving force is transmitted to the head slide mechanism via the drive transmission unit, allowing the adjustment head 102A2 to move toward and away from the reference head 102A1.

[0098] The side lifting section 101B also has basically the same configuration as the center lifting section 101A, and a detailed explanation of it will be omitted, but the side lifting section 101B is equipped with an elevator head 102B, a lifting mechanism 110B, and a spacing adjustment mechanism 115B.

[0099] Furthermore, the elevator head 102B is equipped with a reference head 102B1 and an adjustment head 102B2. The lifting mechanism 110B includes a lifting motor 111B, a drive transmission unit 112B, a lifting guide 113A (shared with the lifting mechanism 110A), and a head support unit 114B. In addition, the spacing adjustment mechanism 115B includes an adjustment motor 116B (see Figure 16), a drive transmission unit (not shown), and a head slide mechanism (not shown).

[0100] With the above configuration, only the elevator head 102A (six elevator heads 102A in Figure 13), which consists of a reference head 102A1 and an adjustment head 102B2, can move up and down (central lifting operation). In this case, it can accommodate the lifting of packaged items P1 with a small width.

[0101] In addition, along with the elevator head 102A, the elevator head 102B, which consists of a reference head 102B1 and an adjustment head 102B2 (a total of 12 elevator heads 102A and 102B in Figure 13), can also move up and down (overall lifting operation). In this case, it is possible to accommodate the lifting of wide packaged items P1.

[0102] Furthermore, when the elevator heads 102A and 102B rise to form the space SP3 described later below, a fixing mechanism may be provided to maintain the raised state, for example, by using a string or belt to maintain the raised state. However, instead of fixing with a string or belt, the raised state may also be maintained by, for example, motor control or a reduction mechanism set to a gear ratio that prevents reverse rotation.

[0103] [1-7. Infeed sliding mechanism 120 and related parts] Figure 14 shows the positional relationship between the weighing unit 30, the product pushing unit 40, and the centering adjustment unit 50, and the elevator heads 102A and 102B in the normal operating state (standby position). As shown in Figure 14, the weighing unit 30, the product pushing unit 40, and the centering adjustment unit 50 are integrally provided. Therefore, in the following description, the unit including the weighing unit 30, the product pushing unit 40, and the centering adjustment unit 50 will be referred to as the "infeed unit U1".

[0104] As shown in Figure 14, the elevator mechanism 100 is housed in a rear casing 21 located at the rear of the inside of the packaging device 10. The elevator heads 102A and 102B have head support portions 114A and 114B that protrude forward from the rear casing 21, and at the tip of these forward protrusions they further protrude upward (in a roughly L-shape).

[0105] As the elevator heads 102A and 102B are supported in this manner, when the elevator heads 102A and 102B rise, a space SP3 is formed between the infeed unit U1 and the elevator mechanism 100, as shown in Figure 14. The infeed unit U1 may then be made able to enter this space SP3.

[0106] Furthermore, when the infeed unit U1 is placed in space SP3, it is preferable to provide an infeed sliding mechanism 120 as shown in Figure 14. The infeed sliding mechanism 120 includes a rail member 121 attached to the infeed unit U1 and a guide member 122 attached to the housing 20. The guide member 122 is, for example, a member with a U-shaped cross-section, and it is possible to position the rail member 121 inside it. Therefore, the rail member 121 can slide along the guide member 122.

[0107] Furthermore, an infeed switch SW1 is provided to detect when the infeed unit U1 moves into space SP3 from its normal operating state (see Figure 16). The infeed switch SW1 is switched on, for example, in the normal operating state (drawn out state) shown in Figure 14, and each drive part becomes drivable. Conversely, when the infeed unit U1 is in a stored state (not shown), the switch is switched off, and each drive part becomes inoperable.

[0108] Furthermore, the infeed unit U1 is provided with a side plate U11 to protect the components placed inside it. The side plate U11 is provided with a hole U12 as described above, and the side plate fixing shaft 61 can be fixed to the side plate U11 by screwing in a screw N1 with a connecting fixing plate U13 covering the hole U12 (see Figure 8).

[0109] [1-8. Regarding the film supply unit 130] Figure 15 shows a schematic configuration of the film supply unit 130. As shown in Figure 15, the film supply unit 130 is the part that pulls out the film F1 from the film roll R1 and supplies the film F1 toward the film transport unit 133. The film transport unit 133 then suspends the supplied film F1 in a clamped state and waits for the packaged item P1 to be raised by the elevator heads 102A and 102B. The film supply unit 130 includes a roll holding unit 131, a film guide unit 132, a film transport unit 133, and a forward / backward movement mechanism 138.

[0110] The roll holding section 131 is the part that holds the film roll R1. The film guide section 132 is equipped with multiple rollers 132a and a motor unit 132b, and is the part that guides the film F1 pulled from the film roll R1 toward the film transport section 133.

[0111] Furthermore, the film transport section 133 is the part that suspends the film F1 supplied from the film supply section 130 in a clamped state and waits for the packaged object P1 to be raised by the elevator heads 102A and 102B. This film transport section 133 comprises a front film transport section 133A and a rear film transport section 133B. The front film transport section 133A is located on the front side (i.e., the upstream side) in the transport direction of the packaged object P1, and the rear film transport section 133B is located on the rear side (i.e., the downstream side) in the transport direction of the packaged object P1. With these front film transport section 133A and rear film transport section 133B, it is possible to hold one end of the film F1 in the width direction and the other end in the width direction.

[0112] These front film transport section 133A and rear film transport section 133B each include an upper supply belt 134a, an upper film introduction section 134b, a lower supply belt 135a, a lower film introduction section 135b, a belt drive section 136, and a clamp plate 137, respectively.

[0113] Then, the widthwise end of the film F1 fed from the film guide section 132 is held between the upper supply belt 134a and the lower supply belt 135a, and in this state, the belt drive section 136 is driven to drive the upper supply belt 134a and the lower supply belt 135a, thereby feeding the film F1 to the upper part of the elevator mechanism 100 (i.e., the packaging section 140).

[0114] The upper supply belt 134a is an elastic belt located above the lower supply belt 135a, and is capable of holding the film F1 between it and the lower supply belt 135a. The upper film introduction section 134b is located at one end of the packaging device 10 in the width direction and is equipped with multiple driven pulleys. This upper film introduction section 134b is an introduction section into which the film F1 fed from the film guide section 132 enters between the upper supply belt 134a and the lower supply belt 135a.

[0115] The lower supply belt 135a is an elastic belt located below the upper supply belt 134a, and is capable of elastically holding the film F1 between itself and the upper supply belt 134a. The lower film introduction section 135b is located at one end of the packaging device 10 in the width direction and is equipped with multiple driven pulleys. Together with the upper film introduction section 134b, the lower film introduction section 135b serves as an introduction section into which the film F1 fed from the film guide section 132 enters between the upper supply belt 134a and the lower supply belt 135a.

[0116] The belt drive unit 136 is located on the other end of the packaging device 10 in the width direction and is the part that provides driving force to drive the upper supply belt 134a and the lower supply belt 135a, and is equipped with a motor or the like.

[0117] The clamp plate 137 is a member that presses the lower supply belt 135a against the upper supply belt 134a from below the lower supply belt 135a by a biasing means (not shown). This pressing makes it possible to hold the end of the film F1 between the upper supply belt 134a and the lower supply belt 135a.

[0118] The forward / backward movement mechanism 138 is a mechanism for moving the front film transport section 133A and the rear film transport section 133B in the forward / backward direction (i.e., the transport direction of the packaged item P1). By moving the front film transport section 133A and the rear film transport section 133B in the forward / backward direction using this forward / backward movement mechanism 138, it is possible to package the film F1 in a manner that corresponds to the width of the film F1 and the depth of the packaged item P1.

[0119] This forward and backward movement mechanism 138 includes a rail 138a on which the front film transport section 133A and the rear film transport section 133B are mounted, and further includes a forward and backward movement motor 138b (see Figure 16) that provides the driving force to move the front film transport section 133A and the rear film transport section 133B.

[0120] [1-9. Regarding packaging section 140] Next, the packaging section 140 will be described. The packaging section 140 is located above the film supply section 130 and is the part that performs the action of folding the end of the film F1 that covers the top surface of the packaged item P1 toward the bottom surface of the packaged item P1. This packaging section 140 includes a right folding member 141a, a left folding member 141b, left and right folding drive units 142, a rear folding member 143, and a rear folding drive unit 144.

[0121] The right folding member 141a and the left folding member 141b are plate-shaped members that are driven by the left and right folding drive unit 142 (see Figure 16) to move closer to or further apart from each other, and there are two of each. The two right folding members 141a and the left folding member 141b are each positioned to sandwich the rear folding member 143.

[0122] The right folding member 141a and the left folding member 141b are components for folding the film F1 from the left and right directions toward the lower side of the packaged item P1. That is, when the packaged item P1 is pushed up by the operation of the elevator mechanism 100 with respect to the film F1 which is stretched by the front film transport section 133A and the rear film transport section 133B, and the film F1 covers the upper surface of the packaged item P1 in a stretched state, the right folding member 141a and the left folding member 141b operate to move closer to each other. As a result, the film F1 is folded toward the bottom surface of the packaged item P1 from the left and right directions.

[0123] The left and right folding drive unit 142 is a component that provides driving force to operate the right folding member 141a and the left folding member 141b, and includes, for example, a motor or a belt.

[0124] The rear folding member 143 is a member for folding the film F1 from the rear (downstream) side in the transport direction toward the lower side of the packaged item P1. That is, while the film F1 is being folded by the front film transport section 133A and the rear film transport section 133B, the rear folding member 143 moves forward. As a result, the film F1 is folded toward the bottom side of the packaged item P1 from the rear side.

[0125] The rear folding drive unit 144 is a component that provides driving force to operate the rear folding member 143, and includes, for example, a motor or a belt.

[0126] [1-10. Regarding discharge mechanism 150] The discharge mechanism 150 includes a discharge pusher 151, a pusher drive unit 152 (see Figure 16), and a discharge roller 153. The discharge pusher 151 is a component for pushing the packaged item P1 from the packaging unit 140 towards the printing area of ​​the front label printer 170. In addition, the discharge pusher 151 pushes the packaged item P1 forward by pushing it towards the printing area, and uses the discharge roller 153 to fold the film F1 towards the bottom.

[0127] In this way, in the packaged item P1, the film F1 is folded towards the bottom from the rear on both the left and right sides, and finally, the film F1 is folded towards the bottom from the front by being pushed out by the discharge pusher 151.

[0128] The discharge pusher 151 is constructed, for example, by bending a long plate member into an L-shape. The discharge pusher 151 is driven by a pusher drive unit 152. The pusher drive unit 152 is a component that provides the driving force to operate the discharge pusher 151, and includes, for example, a motor or a belt.

[0129] Furthermore, the discharge roller 153 is a shaft-shaped member that can rotate with the packaged item P1 placed on it, and discharges the packaged item P1 to the front by pushing it with the discharge pusher 151 as described above. The discharge roller 153 also uses the pushing force from the discharge pusher 151 to fold the film F1 from the front to the bottom of the packaged item P1.

[0130] [1-11. Regarding the heater unit 160] Next, the heater section 160 will be described. The heater section 160 is located in front of the discharge roller 153 mentioned above. The heater section 160 is the part that heats and adheres the overlapping portion of the film edge folded into the bottom side of the packaged item P1. After adhesion by the heater section 160 and after the label is applied by the label application section 180, the packaged item P1 is sent to (discharged from) the product discharge section 190.

[0131] This heater unit 160 has an endless belt (no reference numerals) made of glass fiber or the like that is rotatably wound around multiple pulleys, and a heating plate (no reference numerals) is positioned below the conveying surface of the endless belt. The heating plate is the part that electrically heats the film F1, and the film F1 is heat-pressed by this heating.

[0132] [1-12. About Label Printer 170] Next, the label printer 170 will be described. The label printer 170 is the part that issues labels that print information according to the contents of the packaged item P1. This label printer 170 pulls out a label from a label roll (not shown in the figure), prints on the label with a thermal head 171 (see Figure 16), and ejects the printed label. To enable this operation, the label printer 170 is equipped with a motor 172 (see Figure 16) that pulls out the label roll and provides the driving force to wind up the backing paper from which the label has been peeled off.

[0133] [1-13. Regarding the label application area 180] The label application unit 180 is a mechanism for applying a printed label to a predetermined position on the packaged item P1. This label application unit 180 is equipped with multiple motors 181 (see Figure 16) and sensors, etc., and is capable of applying the label to the predetermined position on the packaged item P1 while the label is being held in place by suction.

[0134] [1-14. Regarding the product discharge unit 190] The product discharge section 190 is the part that discharges the packaged product P1 with the label attached to a predetermined location where an operator can remove it. In this product discharge section 190, an endless belt (not shown in the reference numerals) is rotatably wound around multiple pulleys driven by a motor 191 (see Figure 16).

[0135] [1-15. About the control unit 200] Figure 16 shows the control configuration of the packaging device 10. As shown in Figure 16, the control unit 200 is the part that controls the operation of each drive part of the packaging device 10. This control unit 200 has a main control unit 210, a printer control unit 220, a mechanism control unit 230, and a determination unit 231. The main control unit 210, printer control unit 220, mechanism control unit 230, and determination unit 231 are functionally realized through the cooperation of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), memory such as ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), and non-volatile memory, and other elements. The memory stores control programs for executing various controllable operations.

[0136] The main control unit 210 is responsible for the overall operation of the packaging device 10 and transmits predetermined commands to the printer control unit 220 and the mechanism control unit 230.

[0137] The printer control unit 220 controls the operation of the label printer 170 and the label application unit 180. Specifically, as shown in Figure 16, the printer control unit 220 controls the operation of the thermal head 171, the motor 172, and the multiple motors 181.

[0138] Furthermore, the mechanism control unit 230 receives detection signals from the weight sensor 32, width detection sensor 33, and height detection sensor 34, respectively. The mechanism control unit 230 also controls the operation of the push motor 42, transport motor 52, lifting motors 111A, 111B, adjustment motors 116A, 116B, motor unit 132b, belt drive unit 136, forward / backward movement motor 138b, left / right folding drive unit 142, rear folding drive unit 144, pusher drive unit 152, and motor 191.

[0139] Furthermore, the determination unit 231 determines whether the packaged object P1 is located at a predetermined position based on the position information of the packaged object P1 transmitted from the mechanism control unit 230, and transmits the result to the mechanism control unit 230. The position information referred to here is the position information of the packaged object P1 in the width direction, based on the detection information of the packaged object P1 obtained from the width detection sensor 33. The determination unit 231 may also obtain the detection information directly from the width detection sensor 33 instead of from the mechanism control unit 230. The width detection sensor 33 corresponds to the position detection unit.

[0140] [2. Operation of the packaging device 10] [2-1. Overall operation of the packaging device 10] In the packaging device 10 having the above configuration, when the item to be packaged P1 is placed on the weighing plate 31, the weight sensor 32 detects the weight of the item to be packaged P1, and a signal related to that weight is transmitted to the mechanism control unit 230. In addition, the width of the item to be packaged P1 is detected by the width detection sensor 33, and the height of the item to be packaged P1 is also detected by the height detection sensor 34.

[0141] Furthermore, the following operations are realized by control from the mechanism control unit 230. Specifically, the push motor 42 is activated, and the pusher 45 pushes the packaged object P1 toward the centering adjustment unit 50. During this process, the depth dimension of the packaged object P1 is also detected, for example, based on the positional relationship between the position that blocks the light output from the height detection sensor 34 and the pusher 45.

[0142] Then, when the pusher 45 pushes the packaged object P1 into the centering adjustment unit 50, the position of the packaged object P1 in the width direction perpendicular to the conveying direction (centering operation) is achieved. At this time, as shown in Figure 17, the conveying belt mechanism 80 (flat belt 84) moves along the width direction (X direction) driven by the adjustment motor 54. At this time, the amount of protrusion of the drive shaft 81 is minimum in the state shown in Figure 17(A) (second protrusion state) and maximum in the state shown in Figure 17(C) (first protrusion state). Furthermore, as shown in Figure 17(B), the amount of protrusion of the drive shaft 81 can be any amount between the state shown in Figure 17(A) and the state shown in Figure 17(C).

[0143] Furthermore, when the conveyor belt mechanism 80 slides from the first protruding state to the second protruding state and the third protruding state as shown in Figure 17, the linear bush 74 attached to the chassis 71 slides against the guide shaft 75 attached to the support base 76. This enables the smooth sliding of the conveyor belt mechanism 80.

[0144] After the centering operation described above, the packaged object P1 is pushed into the elevator mechanism 100 by the pusher 45. At this time, in the elevator mechanism 100, the adjustment motors 116A and 116B operate according to the depth dimension of the packaged object P1, moving the adjustment heads 102A2 and 102B2 in the front-back direction to adjust the distance between the reference heads 102A1 and 102B1 and the adjustment heads 102A2 and 102B2. This prevents the packaged object P1 from tilting even when it is pressed against the film F1.

[0145] After being pushed into the elevator mechanism 100, the push motor 42 operates in the reverse direction to return the pusher 45 to a position where it does not interfere with the elevator heads 102A and 102B. In this state, the lifting motors 111A and 111B operate to raise the elevator heads 102A and 102B, raising them up to the packaging section 140 with the packaged item P1 pushing against the film F1.

[0146] In addition, separate from the above series of operations, the forward / reverse movement motor 138b operates as needed to adjust the distance between the front film transport unit 133A and the rear film transport unit 133B. This adjusts the distance between the front film transport unit 133A and the rear film transport unit 133B to a state corresponding to the width of the film F1.

[0147] In this state, the motor unit 132b operates to pull the film F1 from the film roll R1. Then, the belt drive unit 136 operates to hold both ends of the film F1 with the front film transport unit 133A and the rear film transport unit 133B, and transport the film F1 to the packaging unit 140.

[0148] Then, with the packaged item P1 pushing against the film F1, it rises to the packaging section 140, after which the left and right folding drive units 142 activate and fold the film F1 from the left and right sides towards the bottom of the packaged item P1.

[0149] Subsequently, the rear folding drive unit 144 operates, folding the film F1 from the rear onto the bottom side of the packaged item P1. Immediately afterward, the pusher drive unit 152 operates, and the packaged item P1 is discharged to the front by the discharge pusher 151. As this discharge operation occurs, the film F1 is folded from the front onto the bottom side of the packaged item P1.

[0150] Furthermore, this discharge operation causes the packaged item P1 to move to the heater unit 160, and the operation of the heater unit 160 heat-seals the film F1 on the bottom side of the packaged item P1.

[0151] Furthermore, before and after the heat sealing described above, the label printer 170 is operated by the printer control unit 220 to print predetermined information on the label, and the label application unit 180 is operated to apply the label to the predetermined position on the packaged item P1. After that, the packaged item P1 is discharged to the product discharge unit 190 by the discharge pusher 151. Subsequently, the packaged item P1 is discharged to the predetermined position by the operation of the motor 191.

[0152] [2-2. Attaching and detaching the centering unit 70 to the frame plate 51] Next, the attachment and detachment of the centering unit 70 to the frame plate 51 will be described. When attaching the centering unit 70 to the frame plate 51, the user holds the centering unit 70 by grasping the handle 72 and fits the pair of support bases 76 into the pair of positioning recesses 51a. This positions the centering unit 70 relative to the frame plate 51. In this state, the fastening part of the frame-side fixing part 55a is fastened to the unit-side locking part 55b. This fixes the centering unit 70 to the frame plate 51.

[0153] Next, one end of the drive shaft 81 (X1 side) is moved toward the release mechanism 60 (see Figure 10), and the other end of the drive shaft 81 is inserted into the socket hole 63c. After inserting the drive shaft 81 a predetermined distance, the lock cylinder 64 is slid toward the other side (X2 side) in the axial direction (X direction) while resisting the biasing force of the biasing spring 66, as shown in Figure 9. This releases the tapered wall 64b from pushing the lock ball 65 toward the inner diameter side of the insertion / removal hole 63d.

[0154] In this state, as the drive shaft 81 moves to one side (towards X1) within the socket hole 63c, the locking ball 65 is lifted in the insertion / removal hole 63d so that it moves towards the outer diameter. Furthermore, as the drive shaft 81 is inserted further into the socket hole 63c, the locking ball 65 engages with the locking recess 81a of the drive shaft 81.

[0155] In this state, when the holding mechanism that directs the lock cylinder 64 toward the other side (X2 side) in the axial direction (X direction) is released, the biasing force of the biasing spring 66 causes the lock cylinder 64 to move toward one side (X1 side) in the axial direction (X direction), and the tapered wall 64b maintains the state in which the lock ball 65 is pushed toward the inner diameter side of the insertion / removal hole 63d. In this way, the drive shaft 81 and the release mechanism 60 can be connected.

[0156] Furthermore, to remove the centering unit 70 from the frame plate 51, the reverse of the above operation should be performed. That is, in Figure 8, the lock cylinder 64 is slid toward the other side (X2 side) in the axial direction (X direction) while resisting the biasing force of the biasing spring 66, thereby releasing the state in which the tapered wall 64b pushes the lock ball 65 toward the inner diameter side of the insertion / removal hole 63d. In this state, as shown in Figure 9, when the drive shaft 81 is moved toward the other side (X2 side) in the axial direction (X direction), the lock ball 65 becomes able to move toward the outer diameter side of the insertion / removal hole 63d, and the lock ball 65 is released from entering the locking recess 81a.

[0157] Then, when the drive shaft 81 is moved further axially (towards the X2 side), as shown in Figure 10, the drive shaft 81 comes out of the socket hole 63c, and the connection of the drive shaft 81 to the release mechanism 60 is released.

[0158] In this state, the fastening between the frame-side fixing part 55a and the unit-side locking part 55b is released. This makes the centering unit 70 removable from the frame plate 51, so the user grasps the handle 72 and lifts the centering unit 70. In this way, the centering unit 70 can be removed from the frame plate 51.

[0159] Furthermore, the removed centering unit 70 contains no electrical components such as motors or drive circuits. Therefore, it can be cleaned thoroughly with liquids such as water or cleaning solution. Also, when packaging a packaged product P1 with meat placed on a tray, for example, the centering operation may cause scraps of meat to adhere to various parts of the centering adjustment unit 50, such as the frame plate 51 or the drive belt 53c, requiring cleaning for hygiene reasons. In this case, removing the centering unit 70 makes it easier to clean each part of the centering adjustment unit 50. This makes it easier to perform cleaning, for example, after the work of placing a specific product (fresh fish, meat, prepared food, etc.) on a tray and before placing another product on a tray and packaging it, and also makes it easier to perform cleaning at the end of the workday.

[0160] Furthermore, because the drive shaft 81 is supported by the release mechanism 60 in a cantilevered manner, compared to a configuration where the drive shaft 81 is supported on both sides, the number of parts that get in the way during cleaning can be reduced, even when the centering unit 70 is installed. This makes it possible to perform relatively simple cleaning easily.

[0161] [3. Variant] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention can be modified in various ways without changing its essence.

[0162] In the above embodiment, the drive roller 82 is located upstream of the driven roller 83 in the conveying direction. However, conversely, the drive roller 82 may be configured to be located downstream of the driven roller 83 in the conveying direction.

[0163] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, toothed pulleys 53a, 53b and a drive belt 53c are used as the drive transmission unit 53, but a sprocket and a chain may be used instead.

[0164] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the release mechanism 60 is equipped with a biasing spring 66, which provides a biasing force to the lock cylinder 64 toward one side (X1 side) in the axial direction (X direction). However, instead of the biasing spring 66, a magnet may be used, and this magnet may provide a force toward one side (X1 side) in the axial direction (X direction).

[0165] Furthermore, the above embodiment describes a handle 72 having a handle shape as the gripping portion. However, the gripping portion is not limited to the handle 72, and any form is acceptable as long as it has a recess or protrusion for hooking fingers.

[0166] [4. Addendum] The contents described in the above-mentioned embodiment can be understood as follows, for example, and can produce the following effects. [1] That is, a packaging device 10 for packaging an object P1 to be packaged, The centering adjustment unit 50 includes a flat belt 84 (belt member) that enables the packaged object P1, which is transported from the upstream side in the transport direction of the packaged object P1, to be transported in the transport direction, a transport motor 52 that drives the flat belt 84 (belt member), and an adjustment motor 54 that allows movement in the width direction (X direction) perpendicular to the transport direction. The centering adjustment unit 50 is The transport motor 52 is equipped with a drive transmission unit 53 for transmitting the driving force, and the drive transmission unit 53 includes, A release mechanism 60 (rotating coupling part) to which the driving force from the transport motor 52 is transmitted, A drive shaft 81 provides a driving force to the flat belt 84 (belt member) to feed it in the conveying direction, and is detachably connected to the release mechanism 60 (rotating coupling part) in a cantilevered state on one side (X1 side) of the width direction (X direction) of the flat belt 84 (belt member), It is equipped with.

[0167] Thus, the drive shaft 81 is detachably connected to the release mechanism 60 (rotating coupling part) in a cantilevered manner on one side (X1 side) in the width direction (X direction). Therefore, compared to a configuration in which the drive shaft 81 is connected to the drive transmission part on both sides in the width direction (X direction), in this configuration, connection and disconnection between the drive shaft 81 and the release mechanism 60 (rotating coupling part) only needs to be performed on one side (X1 side) in the width direction (X direction). As a result, the centering adjustment part 50 can be easily attached to and detached from the frame plate 51.

[0168] [2] In addition, in the above embodiment, in the contents of [1] above, In the transport state of the packaged object P1 while the transport motor 52 is being driven, A first protruding state in which the amount of protrusion of the drive shaft 81 from one side (X1 side) in the width direction (X direction) of the flat belt 84 (belt member) is maximized, A second protrusion state in which the amount of protrusion of the drive shaft 81 from one side (X1 side) in the width direction (X direction) of the flat belt 84 (belt member) is minimized, Between the first and second protruding states, there is a third protruding state in which the drive shaft 81 protrudes by an arbitrary amount, It is preferable that it becomes this way.

[0169] In this way, by easily transitioning the amount of protrusion of the drive shaft 81 between a first protrusion state, a second protrusion state, and a third protrusion state which is any protrusion state between these, it becomes possible to easily adjust the centering of the packaged object P1 even while the drive shaft 81 is in a cantilevered state.

[0170] [3] In addition, the above embodiments include, in addition to the contents described in either [1] or [2] above, or a combination thereof, The centering adjustment section 50 includes a drive shaft 81 and a centering unit 70 connected to a release mechanism 60 (rotating coupling section). The centering unit 70 has a support base 76 that is installed on the frame plate 51 (frame part) located outside the centering adjustment section 50. After fixing the support base 76 to the frame plate 51 (frame part), the amount of protrusion of the drive shaft 81 is increased, thereby connecting the tip of the drive shaft 81 to the release mechanism 60 (rotating coupling part). By reducing the amount of protrusion of the drive shaft 81 while the support base 76 is fixed to the frame plate 51 (frame part), the connection between the tip of the drive shaft 81 and the release mechanism 60 (rotating coupling part) is released. It is preferable.

[0171] In this configuration, when connecting the tip of the drive shaft 81 to the release mechanism 60 (rotating coupling part), the drive shaft 81 can be slid to increase its protrusion. Conversely, when releasing the connection between the tip of the drive shaft 81 and the release mechanism 60 (rotating coupling part), the drive shaft 81 can be slid to decrease its protrusion. Therefore, attaching and detaching the tip of the drive shaft 81 and the release mechanism 60 (rotating coupling part) becomes easy.

[0172] [4] In addition, in the above embodiment, in addition to the contents of [1] above, The centering unit 70 is provided with handles 72 on both ends in the width direction (X direction). It is preferable.

[0173] With this configuration, the user can easily carry the centering unit 70 by gripping the handle 72, and the convenience of attaching and detaching the centering unit 70 to the frame plate 51 can be improved.

[0174] Furthermore, if the centering unit 70 is provided with a handle 72, the user can easily understand where to grip the centering unit 70, making it easier and safer to attach and detach the centering unit 70.

[0175] [5] In addition, the above embodiments include, in addition to the contents described in either [3] or [4] above, or a combination thereof, The centering unit 70 is supported by a support base 76 in a manner that allows it to move freely in the width direction (X direction) and includes a chassis 71 that supports a flat belt 84 (belt member). A pair of support bases 76 are provided. The centering unit 70 includes a guide shaft 75 which is supported at both ends by a pair of support bases 76 and is provided to be aligned with the width direction (X direction), A linear bush 74 (guide member) is fixed to the chassis 71 and guides the movement of the chassis 71 along the guide shaft 75, It is preferable to include the following.

[0176] In this configuration, the linear bushing 74 attached to the chassis 71 is guided by the guide shaft 75 attached to the support base 76, allowing the chassis 71 to be moved reliably and easily in the width direction (X direction) relative to the support base 76. Therefore, the flat belt 84 (belt member) can be moved in the width direction (X direction) to easily adjust the centering of the packaged item P1.

[0177] Furthermore, another aspect of the content described in the above-mentioned embodiment can be understood as follows, and it can produce the following effects. [1] That is, a centering adjustment mechanism 50 that allows the packaged object P1, which is transported from the upstream side of the transport direction, to be transported in the transport direction while being moved in a width direction perpendicular to the transport direction, thereby allowing the position of the packaged object P1 in the width direction to be adjusted, A flat belt 84 (belt member) on which the packaged item P1 is placed and transported in the transport direction, A conveyor motor 52 provides the driving force to drive the flat belt 84 (belt member), An adjustment motor 54 provides a driving force that allows movement in the width direction perpendicular to the transport direction, A drive transmission unit 53 for transmitting the driving force of the transport motor 52, A release mechanism 60 (rotating coupling part) is provided in the drive transmission unit 53, to which the driving force from the transport motor 52 is transmitted, A drive shaft 81 is detachably connected to the release mechanism 60 (rotating coupling part) and provides driving force to the flat belt 84 (belt member) to feed it in the conveying direction, Equipped with, The drive shaft 81 is connected to the release mechanism 60 (rotating coupling part) in a cantilevered manner, protruding from one side in the width direction of the flat belt 84 (belt member).

[0178] Thus, the drive shaft 81 is detachably connected to the release mechanism 60 (rotating coupling part) in a cantilevered manner on one side (X1 side) in the width direction (X direction). Therefore, compared to a configuration in which the drive shaft 81 is connected to the drive transmission part on both sides in the width direction (X direction), in this configuration, connection and disconnection between the drive shaft 81 and the release mechanism 60 (rotating coupling part) only needs to be performed on one side (X1 side) in the width direction (X direction). As a result, the centering adjustment part 50 can be easily attached to and detached from the frame plate 51.

[0179] Furthermore, such a centering adjustment unit 50 can be applied not only to the packaging device 10 but also to other devices (for example, belt conveyor systems used in logistics centers, etc.). [Explanation of Symbols]

[0180] 10…Packaging device, 20…Housing, 21…Rear casing, 30…Weighing unit, 31…Weighing plate, 32…Weight sensor, 33…Width detection sensor, 34…Height detection sensor, 40…Product pushing unit, 41…Chain drive mechanism, 42…Pushing motor, 42a…Belt, 42b…Pulley, 43…Sprocket, 43a…Drive transmission shaft, 44…Chain, 45…Pusher, 50…Centering adjustment unit, 51…Frame plate (corresponding to frame unit), 52…Conveyor motor, 53…Drive transmission unit, 53a, 53 b...toothed pulley, 53c...drive belt, 54...adjustment motor, 55...unit fixing mechanism, 55a...frame side fixing part, 55b...unit side locking part, 60...release mechanism (corresponding to the rotating coupling part), 61...side plate fixing shaft, 62...bearing, 63...shaft attachment socket, 63a...cylindrical pulley part, 63b...socket part, 63c...socket hole, 63d...inlet / outlet hole, 64...locking cylinder, 64a...push-in projection, 64b...tapered wall, 64c...vertical wall, 65...locking ball, 66...biasing spring, 67...spring holder Components: 70...Centering unit, 71...Chassis, 72...Handle (corresponding to gripping part), 73...Bush fixing member, 74...Linear bush (corresponding to guide member), 75...Guide shaft, 76...Support base, 77...Rack gear, 78...Detection plate, 80...Conveyor belt mechanism, 81...Drive shaft, 81a...Locking recess, 82...Drive roller, 83...Driven roller, 84...Flat belt (corresponding to belt member), 85...Belt guide part, 100...Elevator mechanism, 101A...Center lifting part ,101B...Side lifting section, 102A,102B...Elevator head, 102A1,102B1...Reference head, 102A2,102B2...Adjustment head, 110A,110B...Lifting mechanism, 111A,111B...Lifting motor, 112A,112B...Drive transmission section, 112A1...Pulley, 112A2...Belt, 113A...Lifting guide, 114A,114B...Head support section, 114A1...Arm-shaped section, 114A2...Support column, 115A,115B...Spacing adjustment mechanism, 116A,116B...Adjustment motor, 120...Infeed sliding mechanism, 121...Rail member, 122...Guide member, 130...Film supply unit, 131...Roll holding unit, 132...Film guide unit, 132a...Roller, 132b...Motor unit, 133...Film transport unit, 133A...Front film transport unit, 133B...Rear film transport unit, 134a...Upper supply belt, 134b...Upper film introduction unit, 135a...Lower supply belt, 135b...Lower film introduction unit, 136...Belt drive unit, 137...Clamp plate, 138...Forward / backward movement mechanism, 138a...Rail, 138b...Forward / backward movement motor, 140...Packaging unit, 141a...Right folding member, 141b...Left folding member, 14 2...Left and right folding drive unit, 143...Rear folding member, 144...Rear folding drive unit, 150...Discharge mechanism, 151...Discharge pusher, 152...Pusher drive unit, 153...Discharge roller, 160...Heater unit, 170...Label printer, 171...Thermal head, 172...Motor, 180...Label application unit, 181...Motor, 190...Product discharge unit, 191...Motor, 200...Control unit, 210...Main control unit, 220...Printer control unit, 230...Mechanism control unit, 231...Determination unit, F1...Film, P1...Packaged item, R1...Film roll, SP1...Space, SP1...Space for ball, SP2...Spring placement space, SP3...Side space, SW1...Infeed switch

Claims

1. A packaging device for packaging an item to be packaged, The centering adjustment unit comprises a belt member that enables the packaged object, which is transported from the upstream side in the transport direction of the packaged object, to be transported in the transport direction, a transport motor that drives the belt member, and an adjustment motor that allows movement in a width direction perpendicular to the transport direction. The aforementioned centering adjustment unit is The transport motor is equipped with a drive transmission unit for transmitting the driving force, and the drive transmission unit includes: A rotating coupling portion to which the driving force from the transport motor is transmitted, A drive shaft provides a driving force to the belt member to feed it in the conveying direction, and is detachably connected to the rotating coupling portion in a cantilevered manner on one side of the belt member in the width direction, A packaging device characterized by being equipped with the following features.

2. A packaging apparatus according to claim 1, In the state in which the transport motor is driven and the packaged object is being transported, A first protruding state in which the amount of protrusion of the drive shaft from one side in the width direction of the belt member is maximized, A second protruding state in which the amount of protrusion of the drive shaft from one side in the width direction of the belt member is minimized, Between the first and second protruding states, there is a third protruding state in which the drive shaft protrudes by an arbitrary amount, A packaging device characterized by the following:

3. A packaging apparatus according to claim 1, The centering adjustment section has a centering unit that includes the drive shaft and is connected to the rotating coupling section. The centering unit has a support base installed on the frame portion located outside the centering adjustment section. By fixing the support base to the frame and then increasing the amount of protrusion of the drive shaft, the tip of the drive shaft and the rotating coupling part are connected. By reducing the amount of protrusion of the drive shaft while the support base is fixed to the frame portion, the connection between the tip of the drive shaft and the rotating coupling portion is released. A packaging device characterized by the following features.

4. A packaging apparatus according to claim 3, The centering unit is provided with gripping portions on both ends in the width direction. A packaging device characterized by the following features.

5. A packaging apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, The centering unit is supported by the support base in a manner that allows it to move in the width direction and includes a chassis that supports the belt member. The aforementioned support base is provided in a pair, The centering unit includes a guide shaft which is supported at both ends by a pair of support bases and is provided to be aligned with the width direction, A guide member, fixed to the chassis, guides the movement of the chassis along the guide shaft, A packaging device characterized by being equipped with the following features.

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