Gas filling device

Abstract

With a portion of the lid material attached to the rim surrounding the opening of the container, the inside of the container can be easily filled with inert gas. [Solution] The gas filling device 1 comprises a holder 5 for holding a container 3, a compartment 10 that is pressed against the holder 5 and together with the holder 5 partitions the storage space for accommodating the edge of the container 3 and the lid material 7, a compartment moving device 40 for moving the compartment 10, and a supply device 20 for supplying inert gas to the compartment 10. The holder 5 has a pressed portion against which the compartment 10 is pressed, and a gas introduction passage 5E for guiding inert gas toward the space between the edge of the container 3 and the lid material 7. The compartment 10 has a gas supply section 13 for supplying inert gas to the gas introduction passage 5E.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a gas filling device for filling an inert gas into a container in a state where a part of a lid material is adhered to an edge portion surrounding an opening of the container.

Background Art

[0002] In order to prevent spoilage and enable long-term storage of contents such as food contained in a container, an inert gas is filled into the container before sealing the container with a lid material. Further, when setting a lid material for each container and performing various processes before sealing the container, in order to prevent displacement of the lid material with respect to the container, a part of the lid material is adhered to an edge portion surrounding the opening of the container. In that state, it is difficult for the lid material to separate from the edge of the container, and it is difficult to fill the inside of the container with an inert gas. On the other hand, conventionally, a gas replacement method in a rotary table type packaging device provided with gas filling means including a suction device and a gas flush nozzle is known (see Patent Document 1).

[0003] In the conventional gas replacement method described in Patent Document 1, the non-welded portion of the lid film of the container is sucked up and opened by a suction device, and a gas flush nozzle is inserted into the opened portion of the lid film. Subsequently, an inert gas is ejected from the gas flush nozzle to fill the inside of the container with the inert gas. However, in the conventional gas replacement method, it is necessary to accurately perform the opening of the lid film by suction of the suction device and the insertion of the gas flush nozzle into the opened portion, and there is a possibility that the operation of filling the container with the inert gas may be troublesome. Therefore, there is room for improvement from the viewpoint of facilitating the filling of the inert gas into the container.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and its purpose is to easily fill the inside of a container with an inert gas while a part of the lid material is adhered to the edge surrounding the opening of the container. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention A gas filling device for filling the inside of a container with an inert gas, wherein a portion of the lid material is adhered to the edge surrounding the opening of the container, A holder that holds the container in a state in which a part of the lid material is adhered to the edge, A partition body that is pressed against the retaining body and together with the retaining body divides the storage space for accommodating the edge and the lid material, A partition moving device that moves the partition between a separation position where it is separated from the holder and a pressing position where it is pressed against the holder, The compartment is provided with a supply device for supplying the inert gas, The retainer has a support portion that supports the edge, a pressed portion against which the partition is pressed, and a gas introduction passage formed from the pressed portion toward the support portion that guides the inert gas toward the space between the edge and the lid material. The compartment is a gas filling device having a gas supply unit that supplies the inert gas to the gas introduction passage while being pressed against the pressed portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, an inert gas can be easily filled into the container while a portion of the lid material is adhered to the edge surrounding the opening of the container. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a front view showing a sealing device including a gas filling device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a plan view showing a sealing device including a gas filling device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3]It is a diagram showing a container filled with an inert gas by the gas filling device of the first embodiment. [Figure 4] It is a front view showing the gas filling device of the first embodiment. [Figure 5] It is a side view showing the gas filling device of the first embodiment as viewed from the direction of arrow X3 in FIG. 4. [Figure 6] It is a diagram showing the holder of the first embodiment. [Figure 7] It is a bottom view of the partitioning body of the first embodiment as viewed from below. [Figure 8] It is a plan view of the partitioning body pressed against the holder of the first embodiment as viewed from above. [Figure 9] It is a diagram showing the procedure for filling an inert gas into a container by the gas filling device of the first embodiment. [Figure 10] It is a diagram showing the gas filling device in a state where an inert gas is being filled into a container in the first embodiment. [Figure 11] It is a bottom view of the partitioning body of the gas filling device of the second embodiment as viewed from below. [Figure 12] It is a diagram showing the gas filling device in a state where an inert gas is being filled into a container in the second embodiment. [Figure 13] It is a diagram showing the holder of the gas filling device of the third embodiment. [Figure 14] It is a top view of the holder of the gas filling device of the fourth embodiment as viewed from above. [Figure 15] It is a bottom view of the partitioning body of the gas filling device of the fourth embodiment as viewed from below. [Figure 16] It is a plan view of the partitioning body pressed against the holder of the gas filling device of the fourth embodiment as viewed from above. [Figure 17] It is a diagram showing the procedure for filling an inert gas into a container by the gas filling device of the fourth embodiment.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] An embodiment of the gas filling device of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The gas filling device of this embodiment fills an inert gas into the container while a part of the lid material is adhered to the edge surrounding the opening of the container. The gas filling device is provided in a sealing device that seals the container with the lid material and constitutes a part of the sealing device. Hereinafter, a plurality of embodiments of the gas filling device will be described in order.

[0010] (First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a front view showing a sealing device 2 including the gas filling device 1 of the first embodiment, showing a schematic configuration of the sealing device 2. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the sealing device 2 including the gas filling device 1 of the first embodiment, showing the sealing device 2 as viewed from the direction of arrow X1 in FIG. 1.

[0011] As shown in the figure, the sealing device 2 includes a conveying device 4 that conveys a container 3 with a lid material, a holding body 5 that holds the container 3, a gas filling device 1 that fills the container 3 with an inert gas, and a reinforcing seal machine 6. The conveying device 4 includes a conveyor 4A that is an endless chain conveyor, a pair of sprockets 4B and 4C over which the conveyor 4A is spanned, and a driving device (not shown) that rotates one of the pair of sprockets 4B and 4C to drive the conveyor 4A. The holding body 5 is a retainer that supports the container 3. A plurality of holding bodies 5 are arranged side by side in the conveying direction H of the container 3 and are respectively attached to the conveyor 4A.

[0012] The container 3 is held by a plurality of holding bodies 5 located at the upper part of the conveyor 4A with the lid material partially adhered. At that time, the container 3 is automatically set on the holding body 5 or manually set on the holding body 5 by a setting device (not shown). The conveying device 4 is driven by the driving device to circulate and drive the conveyor 4A in the conveying direction H of the container 3, and the conveyor 4A intermittently conveys and moves the plurality of holding bodies 5 and the plurality of containers 3 in the conveying direction H. Note that the conveying device 4 is not limited to a conveyor type conveying device having a conveyor 4A, and may be another conveying device (for example, a rotary table type conveying device that conveys the holding body 5 and the container 3 by a rotary table).

[0013] The conveying device 4 sequentially conveys the holder 5 and the container 3 to the processing position by the gas filling device 1 (inert gas filling position) and the processing position by the reinforcing sealing machine 6 (reinforcing sealing position), stopping the holder 5 and the container 3 sequentially at each processing position. The processing position by the gas filling device 1 is located below the gas filling device 1, and the processing position by the reinforcing sealing machine 6 is located below the reinforcing sealing machine 6. The gas filling device 1 and the reinforcing sealing machine 6 are located above the conveying device 4 (conveyor 4A), the holder 5, and the container 3, and are arranged in line with the conveying direction H of the container 3.

[0014] The gas filling device 1 performs the process of filling the container 3 with an inert gas (inert gas filling process) together with the holder 5. Therefore, the holder 5 is included in the gas filling device 1 and constitutes a part of the gas filling device 1. The gas filling device 1 also serves as a sealing device for sealing the container 3, and seals the container 3 by welding a lid material onto the container 3 filled with inert gas. The inert gas is, for example, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, or a mixture of nitrogen and carbon dioxide.

[0015] The sealing device 2, using the gas filling device 1, welds the lid material to the container 3, sealing the container 3 with the lid material. The reinforcing sealing machine 6 is located downstream of the gas filling device 1 in the conveying direction H of the container 3, and re-welds the welded areas between the container 3 and the lid material to reinforce the seal of the container 3 with the lid material. After that, the container 3 is conveyed by the conveying device 4 downstream of the conveying direction H of the container 3 to the reinforcing sealing machine 6 and removed from the sealing device 2.

[0016] Figure 3 shows a container 3 being filled with inert gas by a gas filling device 1 of the first embodiment. Figure 3A is a plan view showing the container 3 with the lid material 7 partially attached, and Figure 3B is a cross-sectional view showing the container 3 and lid material 7 cut along the line X2-X2 in Figure 3A. Figure 3C is a cross-sectional view showing the container 3 and lid material 7 shown in Figure 3B with the lid material 7 separated from the container 3.

[0017] As shown in the figure, container 3 is a cup-shaped container and has a storage section 3A for storing contents (not shown) and an edge section 3B located on the rim of container 3. The contents are objects stored in container 3 (storage section 3A), such as liquids, solids, or mixtures of liquids and solids. Here, the contents are food, which is filled inside container 3. The edge section 3B is a flange-shaped lip that extends outward from the storage section 3A and surrounds the opening 3C of container 3. The opening 3C is an open section that is open to the storage section 3A and the outside of container 3, and is located inside the annular edge section 3B. The edge section 3B has a protruding section 3D that extends outward from the storage section 3A and a projection 3E that protrudes from the outer edge of the protruding section 3D toward the bottom of container 3.

[0018] The container 3 and the lid material 7 are made of synthetic resin. The lid material 7 is a lid film made of synthetic resin, and is formed into a lid shape before or after partial adhesion to the container 3. A portion of one lid material 7 is adhered to the edge 3B of one container 3, so that a lid material 7 is set for each container 3. Here, adhesion is by welding, and the lid material 7 is welded to the edge 3B of the container 3 and adhered to the edge 3B of the container 3 by welding. In addition, the lid material 7 is placed overlapping the opening 3C and the edge 3B of the container 3 and welded (adhered) to the edge 3B of the container 3.

[0019] The contents to be contained are placed inside the container 3 (container section 3A) through the opening 3C of the container 3 and contained inside the container 3. In this state, the lid material 7 is positioned to cover the container 3, and a portion of the lid material 7 is adhered to the edge 3B of the container 3. This partially adheres the lid material 7 to the edge 3B of the container 3, creating a temporary seal. The lid material 7 is partially adhered to the edge 3B of the container 3 at at least one adhesive section 7A (temporary seal section) (the hatched portion in Figure 3A). Here, the container 3 and the edge 3B are formed in a rectangular shape. Two adhesive sections 7A are provided on each of the four sides of the edge 3B, and the lid material 7 is adhered to the edge 3B of the container 3 at eight adhesive sections 7A.

[0020] Except for the adhesive portion 7A on the edge 3B of the container 3, the lid material 7 is not adhered to the edge 3B of the container 3. The portion of the lid material 7 that is not adhered to the edge 3B is the unadhesive portion. The portion between the unadhesive portions that are spaced apart from each other is the adhesive portion 7A, and the adhesive portion 7A is located between adjacent unadhesive portions. Here, the adhesive portion 7A is the welded portion, and the unadhesive portion is the unwelded portion.

[0021] The inert gas is filled into the container 3 (container section 3A) that holds the contents. At this time, the inert gas flows into the container 3 through the gap between the edge 3B of the container 3 and the lid material 7 at the unadhesive part of the lid material 7, and fills the inside of the container 3. In addition, the gas (including air) inside the container 3 flows out to the outside of the container 3 through the gap between the edge 3B of the container 3 and the lid material 7 at the unadhesive part of the lid material 7.

[0022] The inert gas is used to expel the air inside container 3 to the outside, replace the gas inside container 3 with the inert gas, and fill container 3 with the inert gas. In this state, the lid material 7 is welded and bonded to the edge 3B of container 3, sealing the edge 3B of container 3. The lid material 7 covers the opening 3C and the edge 3B of container 3, sealing the opening 3C of container 3. Container 3, filled with inert gas, is sealed and sealed by the lid material 7.

[0023] Figure 4 is a front view showing the gas filling apparatus 1 of the first embodiment, illustrating the schematic configuration of the gas filling apparatus 1. Figure 5 is a side view showing the gas filling apparatus 1 of the first embodiment as seen from the direction of arrow X3 in Figure 4. Figures 4 and 5 show a cross-sectional view of a part of the gas filling apparatus 1.

[0024] As shown in the figures, the gas filling device 1 includes a holder 5 for holding the container 3, a compartment 10 positioned above the holder 5, a supply device 20 connected to the compartment 10, a welded body 30 positioned above the holder 5 and the container 3, a compartment moving device 40 for moving the compartment 10, and a welded body moving device 50 for moving the welded body 30. Figures 4 and 5 show cross-sectional views of the container 3, lid 7, holder 5, and compartment 10.

[0025] Container 3 is placed on the holder 5 from above and positioned below the gas filling device 1. In this state, the rim 3B of container 3 rests on the holder 5, and the rim 3B and opening 3C of container 3 are positioned facing upwards towards the holder 5. The holder 5 holds container 3 with a portion of the lid material 7 (adhesive portion 7A) attached, and supports the rim 3B and container 3 from below. The lid material 7 is placed on top of the rim 3B of container 3, covering the rim 3B, the containment portion 3A, and container 3 from above.

[0026] The compartment 10 is an annular member formed in a ring shape, which is pressed against the holder 5 and together with the holder 5 partitions the storage space that accommodates the edge 3B of the container 3 and the lid material 7. When pressed against the holder 5 from above, the compartment 10 surrounds the entire edge 3B of the container 3 and the lid material 7. The edge 3B of the container 3 and the lid material 7 are positioned inside the compartment 10 and housed in the storage space. The compartment 10 is connected to the compartment moving device 40 via the compartment pressurizing mechanism 60. The compartment pressurizing mechanism 60 is a pressurizing mechanism (pressurizing device) that pressurizes the compartment 10 toward the holder 5, applying pressure to the compartment 10 toward the holder 5.

[0027] The compartment pressurizing mechanism 60 includes a connecting rod 61 movably supported on the support member 41 of the compartment moving device 40, and a pressurizing spring 62 arranged around the connecting rod 61. The connecting rod 61 is fixed to the compartment 10 at its lower end and movably supported on the support member 41 at its upper end, connecting the compartment 10 to the support member 41 and the compartment moving device 40. The pressurizing spring 62 is a compression coil spring and is sandwiched between the stepped portion 63 of the connecting rod 61 and the support member 41.

[0028] The connecting rod 61, while supported by the support member 41, is pressed downward by the pressure spring 62 and protrudes downward from the support member 41. When the compartment 10 and the connecting rod 61 are subjected to an upward force, the connecting rod 61 protrudes upward from the support member 41 while compressing the pressure spring 62. With the compartment 10 pressed against the holder 5, the compartment pressurizing mechanism 60 pressurizes the compartment 10 downward toward the holder 5 via the connecting rod 61 using the compressed pressure spring 62.

[0029] The supply device 20 stores inert gas and is connected to the compartment 10 via piping and valves (not shown). When filling the container 3 with inert gas, the supply device 20 supplies inert gas adjusted to a predetermined pressure to the compartment 10, and stops supplying inert gas to the compartment 10 when the filling of the container 3 with inert gas is complete.

[0030] The welding body 30 is a sealing body that seals the lid material 7 to the container 3 and is positioned inside the annular compartment 10. The welding body 30 is also a heating body that heats and welds the lid material 7 and the edge 3B of the container 3, and is heated to the welding temperature of the lid material 7 and the edge 3B of the container 3 by a heater (not shown) provided inside. The welding body 30 is pressed against the lid material 7, welding the lid material 7 to the edge 3B of the container 3. The lid material 7 and the edge 3B of the container 3 are heated to the welding temperature by the welding body 30 and welded to each other, bonding them together by heat sealing. As a result, the lid material 7 is sealed against the edge 3B of the container 3, and the container 3 is sealed and sealed by the lid material 7.

[0031] The welded body 30 is connected to the compartment moving device 40 via a welded body pressurizing mechanism 70. The welded body pressurizing mechanism 70 is a pressurizing mechanism (pressurizing device) that pressurizes the welded body 30 toward the lid material 7 and the holder 5, applying pressure to the welded body 30 toward the lid material 7 and the holder 5. The welded body pressurizing mechanism 70 has a connecting rod 71 that is movably supported on the support material 41 of the compartment moving device 40, a pressurizing spring 72 arranged around the connecting rod 71, and a connecting member 73 to which the welded body 30 is connected. The connecting rod 71 is fixed to the connecting member 73 at its lower end and movably supported on the support material 41 at its upper end. The welded body 30 is connected to the support material 41 and the compartment moving device 40 by the connecting member 73 and the connecting rod 71. The pressurizing spring 72 is a compression coil spring and is sandwiched between the connecting member 73 and the support material 41.

[0032] The connecting rod 71, while supported by the support member 41, is pressed downward by the pressure spring 72 via the connecting member 73, causing it to protrude downward from the support member 41. When the welded body 30, the connecting member 73, and the connecting rod 71 are subjected to an upward force, the connecting member 73 moves upward together with the connecting rod 71 while compressing the pressure spring 72. Consequently, the connecting rod 71 protrudes upward from the support member 41. With the welded body 30 pressed against the lid member 7, the welded body pressurizing mechanism 70 pressurizes the welded body 30 downward toward the lid member 7 and the holder 5 via the connecting member 73 using the compressed pressure spring 72.

[0033] The compartment moving device 40 is a first moving device (moving mechanism) for moving the compartment 10, and the welded body moving device 50 is a second moving device (moving mechanism) for moving the welded body 30. Here, the compartment moving device 40 and the welded body moving device 50 are each cylinders and are connected to each other. The welded body moving device 50 is attached to the frame 1A of the gas filling device 1 and is positioned facing downward. The cylinder tube 51 of the welded body moving device 50 is attached to the frame 1A, and the piston rod 52 of the welded body moving device 50 protrudes downward from the cylinder tube 51. The piston rod 52 moves up and down relative to the cylinder tube 51 and moves in the vertical direction.

[0034] A mounting member 53 is attached to the tip (lower end) of the piston rod 52 of the welded body moving device 50. The support member 41 of the compartment moving device 40 is attached to the cylinder tube 42 of the compartment moving device 40. The piston rod 43 of the compartment moving device 40 protrudes upward from the cylinder tube 42 and is attached to the mounting member 53 at its tip (upper end). As the piston rod 43 moves back and forth in the vertical direction relative to the cylinder tube 42, the cylinder tube 42 and the support member 41 move in the vertical direction.

[0035] The support member 41 and the compartment moving device 40 are guided by the guide mechanism 44 in the direction of movement of the compartment 10 (up and down) and the direction of movement of the welded body 30 (up and down). The guide mechanism 44 has a guide rod 45 to which the support member 41 is attached and a guide material 46 attached to the frame 1A. The guide rod 45 passes through the cylindrical guide material 46 and is guided in the up and down direction by the guide material 46. The guide mechanism 44 moves the guide rod 45, the support member 41 and the compartment moving device 40 in the up and down direction by the guide material 46.

[0036] The compartment moving device 40 moves the piston rod 43 forward and backward from the cylinder tube 42, thereby moving the cylinder tube 42 and the support member 41 in the vertical direction. As a result, the compartment moving device 40 moves the compartment pressurizing mechanism 60, the compartment 10, the weld pressurizing mechanism 70, and the weld 30 in the vertical direction. The compartment moving device 40 also moves the compartment 10 together with the compartment pressurizing mechanism 60 in a direction toward the holder 5 (downward) and in a direction toward away from the holder 5 (upward).

[0037] The compartment moving device 40 brings the compartment 10 into contact with the holder 5 and presses the compartment 10 against the holder 5. In this state, the compartment moving device 40 extends the piston rod 43 out of the cylinder tube 42 and moves the cylinder tube 42 and the support member 41 toward the holder 5. As a result, the pressure spring 62 of the compartment pressurizing mechanism 60 is compressed, and the compartment pressurizing mechanism 60 pressurizes the compartment 10 toward the holder 5 via the connecting rod 61 by the pressure spring 62.

[0038] The weld body moving device 50 moves the piston rod 52 forward and backward from the cylinder tube 51, and the piston rod 52 moves the mounting member 53, the compartment moving device 40, the compartment pressurizing mechanism 60, the compartment 10, the weld body pressurizing mechanism 70, and the weld body 30 in the vertical direction. With the compartment 10 pressed against the holder 5, the weld body moving device 50 moves the compartment moving device 40, the weld body pressurizing mechanism 70, and the weld body 30 in the vertical direction, moving the weld body 30 together with the weld body pressurizing mechanism 70 in a direction approaching the cover material 7 and the holder 5 (downward) and in a direction away from the cover material 7 and the holder 5 (upward).

[0039] The weld body moving device 50 brings the weld body 30 into contact with the lid material 7 and presses the weld body 30 against the lid material 7. In this state, the weld body moving device 50 extends the piston rod 52 from the cylinder tube 51 and moves the compartment moving device 40 and the support member 41 toward the lid material 7 and the holder 5. As a result, the pressure spring 72 of the weld body pressurizing mechanism 70 is compressed, and the weld body pressurizing mechanism 70 pressurizes the weld body 30 toward the lid material 7 and the holder 5 via the connecting member 73 by the pressure spring 72.

[0040] Figure 6 shows the holder 5 of the first embodiment, where Figure 6A is a top view of the holder 5 as seen from above. Figure 6B is a cross-sectional view of the holder 5 cut along the line X4-X4 in Figure 6A, and Figure 6C is a cross-sectional view of the holder 5 cut along the line X5-X5 in Figure 6A.

[0041] As shown in the figure, the holder 5 has an insertion hole 5A into which the container 3 is inserted, and an upper surface portion 5B positioned upward, as well as a support portion 5C, a pressed portion 5D, a gas introduction passage 5E, and a gas outlet passage 5F provided on the upper surface portion 5B. The insertion hole 5A is located inside the annular support portion 5C and penetrates the holder 5 in the vertical direction. The housing portion 3A of the container 3 is inserted into the insertion hole 5A, and the housing portion 3A and the container 3 are held inside the insertion hole 5A of the holder 5. The upper surface portion 5B is located on the upper surface of the holder 5 and is positioned opposite the compartment 10 and the welded body 30 in the vertical direction.

[0042] The support portion 5C is formed in an annular shape and surrounds the insertion hole 5A and the housing portion 3A of the container 3. The edge portion 3B of the container 3 is placed on the support portion 5C from above and supported by the support portion 5C. The support portion 5C is located below the edge portion 3B of the container 3 and the lid material 7, and supports the edge portion 3B of the container 3 and the lid material 7 from below. The pressed portion 5D is located outside the support portion 5C, is formed in an annular shape, and surrounds the support portion 5C and the edge portion 3B of the container 3. The compartment body 10 is moved by the compartment body moving device 40 in a direction approaching and away from the pressed portion 5D, and is pressed against the pressed portion 5D.

[0043] The gas inlet passage 5E and the gas outlet passage 5F are grooves (gas inlet groove, gas outlet groove) that are open upwards and are formed in a concave shape on the upper surface 5B and pressed portion 5D of the holder 5. The gas inlet passage 5E is an inert gas passage through which inert gas flows, and is formed from the pressed portion 5D toward the support portion 5C, guiding the inert gas toward the space between the edge 3B of the container 3 and the lid material 7 (unadhesive portion). The gas outlet passage 5F is a gas passage through which gas flowing out of the container 3 flows, and is formed from the support portion 5C toward the pressed portion 5D, guiding the gas (outflow gas) flowing out from the space between the edge 3B of the container 3 and the lid material 7 (unadhesive portion) to the outside of the holder 5 and the compartment 10. The outflow gas consists of air that was present in the container 3, a mixture of air and inert gas, and inert gas.

[0044] The gas inlet passage 5E and the gas outlet passage 5F are located on opposite sides of the support portion 5C, with the support portion 5C, insertion hole 5A, container 3, and lid material 7 in between them. Here, the holder 5 has multiple gas inlet passages 5E and one gas outlet passage 5F. The multiple gas inlet passages 5E are spaced apart from each other and run parallel, extending from the pressed portion 5D toward the support portion 5C, closing at the pressed portion 5D, and opening toward the support portion 5C. The one gas outlet passage 5F extends from the support portion 5C toward the pressed portion 5D, crosses the pressed portion 5D, and opens toward the support portion 5C and the outside of the holder 5.

[0045] Figure 7 is a bottom view of the compartment 10 of the first embodiment, viewed from below. Figure 8 is a top view of the compartment 10 pressed against the holder 5 of the first embodiment, viewed from above, showing a transparent view of the compartment 10 and revealing some of its components: the holder 5, the container 3, and the lid material 7.

[0046] As shown in the figure, the compartment 10 has a through hole 11 in which the welded body 30 is placed, and a lower surface portion 12 positioned downwards, and also has a gas supply portion 13 and a sealing material 14 provided on the lower surface portion 12. The through hole 11 is located inside the annular compartment 10 and penetrates the compartment 10 in the vertical direction. The welded body 30 is placed in the through hole 11 and moves vertically inside the compartment 10. The lower surface portion 12 is located on the lower surface of the compartment 10 and is positioned opposite the holder 5 and the pressed portion 5D in the vertical direction and is pressed against the pressed portion 5D.

[0047] The gas supply section 13 is an inert gas passage that opens downwards. It is formed in a concave shape on the lower surface 12 of the compartment 10 and extends through the interior of the compartment 10 to the connection point with the supply device 20. The supply device 20 (see Figure 4) is connected to the gas supply section 13 and supplies inert gas to the gas supply section 13. When the compartment 10 is pressed against the pressed portion 5D of the holder 5, the gas supply section 13 is positioned on top of the multiple gas introduction passages 5E of the holder 5 from above and communicates with the multiple gas introduction passages 5E. The gas supply section 13 is open toward the gas introduction passages 5E located on the pressed portion 5D and supplies the inert gas supplied from the supply device 20 to the gas introduction passages 5E.

[0048] The gas inlet passage 5E located in the pressed portion 5D is covered from above by the partition 10 (lower portion 12), except for the portion where the gas supply portion 13 overlaps, and is blocked from above. Similarly, the gas outlet passage 5F located in the pressed portion 5D is covered from above by the partition 10 (lower portion 12), and is blocked from above.

[0049] The sealing material 14 is an elastically deformable packing that is pressed into a groove formed in the lower surface portion 12 of the compartment body 10, and is fitted onto the groove, the lower surface portion 12, and the compartment body 10. The sealing material 14 is pressed against the pressed portion 5D of the holder 5, making close contact with the pressed portion 5D and sealing the area between the compartment body 10 (lower surface portion 12) and the pressed portion 5D. Here, the sealing material 14 is formed in a U-shape and does not make close contact with the area around the gas outlet passage 5F in the pressed portion 5D, but makes close contact with the area around the gas outlet passage 5F in the pressed portion 5D.

[0050] Figure 9 shows the procedure for filling a container 3 with inert gas using the gas filling apparatus 1 of the first embodiment, and, similar to Figure 4, shows the container 3, lid material 7, holder 5, compartment 10, and welded body 30. In Figure 9, the container 3, lid material 7, holder 5, and compartment 10 are shown in cross-sectional views. Figure 10 shows the gas filling apparatus 1 in the state of filling the container 3 with inert gas according to the first embodiment, and is an enlarged view of a part of Figure 9B.

[0051] As shown in the figure, the compartment moving device 40 moves the compartment 10 to a separation position R1 (see Figure 9A) where it is separated from the holder 5 and to a pressing position R2 (see Figures 9B and 9C) where it is pressed against the holder 5. Separation position R1 is the position where the compartment 10 is positioned opposite the pressed portion 5D of the holder 5, and in separation position R1, the compartment 10 is separated upward from the pressed portion 5D. Pressing position R2 is the position where the compartment 10 is in contact with the pressed portion 5D, and in pressing position R2, the compartment 10 is pressed against the pressed portion 5D while being pressurized by the compartment pressurizing mechanism 60. The compartment moving device 40 moves the compartment 10 from separation position R1 to pressing position R2, bringing the compartment 10 into contact with the holder 5 and pressing it against it.

[0052] The compartment moving device 40 moves the compartment 10 downward toward the pressed portion 5D of the holder 5, above it, and presses against the pressed portion 5D from above, positioning it at the pressing position R2. With the compartment 10 pressed against the pressed portion 5D (with the compartment 10 positioned at the pressing position R2), the storage space 8 is formed by the compartment 10 and the holder 5 (see Figures 9B and 10). The storage space 8 is the space located inside the compartment 10 and is surrounded by the compartment 10. The edge 3B of the container 3 and the lid material 7 are housed in the storage space 8 above the holder 5.

[0053] The welded body 30 is positioned above the support portion 5C of the holder 5 and is moved downward toward the support portion 5C together with the compartment 10 by the compartment moving device 40, approaching the support portion 5C, the edge 3B of the container 3, and the lid material 7. With the compartment 10 pressed against the pressed portion 5D, the welded body 30 is positioned away from the lid material 7, with the edge 3B of the container 3 and the lid material 7 sandwiched between it and the support portion 5C, and is pressed against the lid material 7 by the welded body moving device 50, welding the lid material 7 to the edge 3B of the container 3. The welded body moving device 50 moves the welded body 30 between a non-welded position S1 (see Figures 9B and 10) away from the edge 3B of the container 3 and the lid material 7, and a welded position S2 (see Figure 9C) where it is pressed against the lid material 7.

[0054] The non-welded position S1 is the position where the welded body 30 is positioned opposite the lid material 7, and the welded body 30 in the non-welded position S1 is separated upward from the lid material 7. In the non-welded position S1, the welded body 30 is positioned above the lid material 7, with the edge 3B of the container 3, the lid material 7, and the storage space 8 between it and the support portion 5C of the holder 5. The welded position S2 is the position where the welded body 30 is in contact with the lid material 7, and the welded body 30 in the welded position S2 is pressed against the lid material 7 while being pressurized by the welded body pressurizing mechanism 70. The welded body moving device 50 moves the welded body 30 from the non-welded position S1 to the welded position S2, bringing the welded body 30 into contact with the lid material 7 and pressing it against it.

[0055] The welded body 30 is located inside the compartment 10 and moves along the compartment 10 to a non-welded position S1 and a welded position S2. The welded body moving device 50 moves the welded body 30 downward toward the lid material 7 above the support portion 5C of the holder 5 and the lid material 7, moving from the non-welded position S1 to the welded position S2, where it contacts and presses against the lid material 7 from above, and is positioned at the welded position S2. In this state, the welded body 30 sandwiches the lid material 7 and the edge 3B of the container 3 between itself and the support portion 5C, and heats and welds the lid material 7 and the edge 3B of the container 3.

[0056] The compartment 10, pressed against the pressed portion 5D of the holder 5, surrounds the storage space 8 and the welded body 30. The welded body 30 at the non-welded position S1 is positioned inside the compartment 10, sandwiching the storage space 8 between itself and the support portion 5C of the holder 5, thereby partitioning the storage space 8 between itself and the support portion 5C. The storage space 8 is partitioned by the support portion 5C, the compartment 10, and the welded body 30, and is formed inside the compartment 10. Furthermore, the storage space 8 is partitioned above by the welded body 30 and covered by the welded body 30. Inside the compartment 10, the welded body 30 is positioned at the non-welded position S1 by the welded body moving device 50, moves from the non-welded position S1 to the welded position S2, and welds the lid material 7 to the edge portion 3B of the container 3.

[0057] When filling the container 3 with inert gas, the holder 5 holds the container 3 with a portion of the lid material 7 (adhesive portion 7A) already attached (see Figure 9A). The compartment moving device 40 moves the compartment 10 from the separation position R1 to the pressing position R2, pressing the compartment 10 against the pressing portion 5D of the holder 5 (see Figure 9B). As a result, the support portion 5C, the compartment 10, and the welded body 30 divide and form the containment space 8, and the edge portion 3B of the container 3 and the lid material 7 are housed in the containment space 8. In this state, the supply device 20 supplies inert gas to the gas introduction passage 5E of the holder 5 via the gas supply portion 13 of the compartment 10.

[0058] The gas inlet passage 5E is a gas supply passage that supplies inert gas towards the space between the edge 3B of the container 3 and the lid material 7 (see Figure 10). The inert gas is blown from the gas inlet passage 5E towards the space between the edge 3B of the container 3 and the lid material 7, and passes through the gap between the edge 3B of the container 3 and the lid material 7. The inert gas is introduced into the interior of the container 3 through the gas inlet passage 5E, passing through the gap between the edge 3B of the container 3 and the lid material 7. Consequently, the gas flows out from the interior of the container 3 through the gap between the edge 3B of the container 3 and the lid material 7 to the outside of the container 3. The gas outlet passage 5F is a gas outlet passage that discharges the gas toward the outside of the containment space 8, guiding the gas flowing out from between the edge 3B of the container 3 and the lid material 7 to the outside of the containment space 8 (outside the compartment 10).

[0059] As the inert gas is introduced, the gas that flows out from inside container 3 is discharged to the outside of containment space 8 via the gas discharge passage 5F. During the introduction of the inert gas into container 3 (filling), the inflow of air from the outside to the inside of containment space 8 is suppressed. In addition, the sealing material 14 prevents the inflow of air from the outside of compartment 10 to the inside of containment space 8. The gas is discharged (out) from the inside to the outside of containment space 8 through the gas discharge passage 5F.

[0060] The support portion 5C of the holder 5 has an annular insertion groove portion 5G (see Figure 10) into which the edge portion 3B of the container 3 is inserted. The insertion groove portion 5G is located inside the annular pressed portion 5D of the holder 5 and is located at the boundary portion with the pressed portion 5D in the support portion 5C, and is open upward. A part of the edge portion 3B of the container 3 (here, the protruding portion 3E) is inserted into the insertion groove portion 5G and housed inside the insertion groove portion 5G. The insertion groove portion 5G has opposing inner circumferential groove walls 5H and outer circumferential groove walls 5I, and a recess portion 5J (see Figure 6) formed in the outer circumferential groove wall 5I. The inner circumferential groove wall 5H is the groove wall located on the inner circumferential side of the pair of groove walls 5H, 5I of the insertion groove portion 5G, and the outer circumferential groove wall 5I is the groove wall located on the outer circumferential side of the pair of groove walls 5H, 5I of the insertion groove portion 5G.

[0061] The inner circumferential groove wall 5H and the outer circumferential groove wall 5I are formed spaced apart from each other, dividing the insertion groove 5G between them. The gas introduction passage 5E is formed opening into the outer circumferential groove wall 5I and the recessed portion 5J, and connects to the outer circumferential groove wall 5I and the recessed portion 5J, and is open toward the inside of the insertion groove 5G in the outer circumferential groove wall 5I and the recessed portion 5J. Inert gas is supplied from the gas introduction passage 5E to the inside of the insertion groove 5G and flows into the interior of the container 3 through the insertion groove 5G from between the edge 3B of the container 3 and the lid material 7. The recessed portion 5J is provided in the outer circumferential groove wall 5I where the multiple gas introduction passages 5E connect and in the portions between the multiple gas introduction passages 5E, and is recessed toward the side where the gas introduction passages 5E are located (outside in the groove width direction of the insertion groove 5G).

[0062] The outer edge 7B of the lid material 7 is the part located on the outer edge of the lid material 7 and protrudes outward from the edge 3B of the container 3. However, due to the heat generated during bonding (welding) at the adhesive portion 7A, the outer edge 7B of the lid material 7 may deform by curling along the edge 3B of the container 3 and may enter the inside of the insertion groove portion 5G together with the edge 3B (protruding portion 3E). In this state, when the outer edge 7B of the lid material 7 is positioned inside the insertion groove portion 5G, the inert gas supplied to the inside of the insertion groove portion 5G from the gas introduction passage 5E causes the outer edge 7B of the lid material 7 to separate from the edge 3B of the container 3 toward the outer peripheral groove wall 5I. In this case, if there is no recess 5J in the outer peripheral groove wall 5I, the outer edge 7B of the lid material 7 may come into contact with the outer peripheral groove wall 5I and get caught, which may prevent the outer edge 7B of the lid material 7 from separating from the edge 3B.

[0063] In contrast, if there is a recess 5J in the outer peripheral groove wall 5I, the outer edge 7B of the lid material 7 moves from the inside to the outside of the insertion groove 5G through the recess 5J. The recess 5J allows the outer edge 7B of the lid material 7 to move from the inside to the outside of the insertion groove 5G. The outer edge 7B of the lid material 7 is guided by the recess 5J from the inside to the outside of the insertion groove 5G and moves from the inside to the outside of the insertion groove 5G. Therefore, at the point where the inert gas is introduced towards the space between the edge 3B of the container 3 and the lid material 7, the outer edge 7B of the lid material 7 separates from the edge 3B of the container 3 without getting caught on the outer peripheral groove wall 5I. As a result, the inert gas is smoothly introduced into the interior of the container 3 from between the edge 3B of the container 3 and the lid material 7.

[0064] The compartment 10 has a receiving portion 15 that receives the outer edge 7B of the lid material 7 (see Figures 7 and 10). The receiving portion 15 is an annular recess formed in the compartment 10 and is open downwards. The receiving portion 15 is also provided on the lower surface portion 12 of the compartment 10 and is located on the side of the containment space 8 (the support portion 5C side of the holder 5), which is the inner circumference side of the compartment 10 relative to the gas supply portion 13. When the compartment 10 is pressed against the pressed portion 5D, the receiving portion 15 is positioned opposite the portion of the gas introduction passage 5E on the support portion 5C side, the insertion groove portion 5G of the support portion 5C, the edge portion 3B of the container 3, and the outer edge portion 7B of the lid material 7.

[0065] Where the inert gas is introduced between the edge 3B of the container 3 and the lid material 7, the outer edge 7B of the lid material 7 moves away from the edge 3B of the container 3 due to the inert gas. Also, where the gas flows out from between the edge 3B of the container 3 and the lid material 7, the outer edge 7B of the lid material 7 moves away from the edge 3B of the container 3 due to the gas. Consequently, the outer edge 7B of the lid material 7 moves toward the receiving portion 15 of the compartment 10, enters the inside of the receiving portion 15, and comes into contact with the receiving portion 15. The receiving portion 15 receives the outer edge 7B of the lid material 7 and stops its movement.

[0066] The receiving section 15 receives the outer edge 7B of the lid material 7, which moves away from the edge 3B of the container 3 as an inert gas is introduced into the container 3, and holds the outer edge 7B of the lid material 7 in a position separated from the edge 3B of the container 3. The outer edge 7B of the lid material 7 is positioned separated from the edge 3B of the container 3, with a gap between it and the edge 3B, and is held in this position separated from the edge 3B by the receiving section 15. In this state, the inert gas is introduced into the container 3 through the gap between the edge 3B of the container 3 and the outer edge 7B of the lid material 7. The gas inside the container 3 flows out to the outside of the container 3 through the gap between the edge 3B of the container 3 and the outer edge 7B of the lid material 7.

[0067] As inert gas is introduced (supplied) into the container 3 and discharged (exhausted) from the containment space 8, the gas inside the container 3 is replaced with inert gas, filling the container 3 with inert gas. Subsequently, the supply of inert gas to the gas introduction passage 5E by the supply device 20 is stopped. The welded body moving device 50 moves the welded body 30 from the non-welded position S1 to the welded position S2, pressing the welded body 30 against the lid material 7 (see Figure 9C). With the container 3 filled with inert gas, the welded body 30 completely welds the lid material 7 to the edge 3B of the container 3, sealing the container 3 with the lid material 7. After that, the welded body moving device 50 moves the welded body 30 from the welded position S2 to the non-welded position S1, and the compartment moving device 40 moves the compartment 10 from the pressed position R2 to the separated position R1.

[0068] In the gas filling device 1 described above, with a portion of the lid material 7 attached to the edge 3B of the container 3, inert gas can be easily filled into the container 3 via the gas introduction passage 5E of the holder 5. Furthermore, with the containment space 8 partitioned, the air inside the container 3 can be smoothly replaced with inert gas, ensuring that the container 3 is reliably filled with inert gas. The replacement rate of inert gas inside the container 3 can also be improved to reduce the concentration of residual air inside the container 3. The gas outlet passage 5F of the holder 5 allows gas flowing out from between the edge 3B of the container 3 and the lid material 7 to be smoothly guided to the outside of the containment space 8. The sealing material 14 can also suppress the inflow of air into the containment space 8.

[0069] By moving the welded body 30 from the non-welded position S1 to the welded position S2, the lid material 7 can be smoothly welded to the edge 3B of the container 3 while the containment space 8 is partitioned. Furthermore, since the welded body 30 is moved inside the partition 10, the lid material 7 can be easily welded to the edge 3B of the container 3 while suppressing the inflow of air into the containment space 8 and the container 3, following the filling of the container 3 with inert gas. Therefore, the welded body 30 can reliably seal the container 3 while it is filled with inert gas.

[0070] By receiving the outer edge 7B of the lid material 7 into the receiving portion 15 of the compartment 10, the outer edge 7B of the lid material 7 is kept separated from the edge 3B of the container 3, allowing the inert gas to flow smoothly from the gas introduction passage 5E towards the space between the edge 3B of the container 3 and the lid material 7. As a result, the inert gas can be smoothly introduced into the interior of the container 3 through the gap between the edge 3B of the container 3 and the lid material 7. Furthermore, the recess 5J of the holder 5 allows the outer edge 7B of the lid material 7 to move smoothly from the inside to the outside of the insertion groove 5G, ensuring that the inert gas is reliably introduced into the interior of the container 3 through the gap between the edge 3B of the container 3 and the lid material 7.

[0071] Furthermore, when bonding a portion of the lid material 7 to the edge 3B of the container 3, the lid material 7 may be bonded to the edge 3B at one bonding point 7A, or it may be bonded to the edge 3B at multiple bonding points 7A. Multiple gas filling devices 1 may be arranged in a line on the sealing device 2, and inert gas may be simultaneously filled into the interiors of multiple containers 3 by multiple gas filling devices 1. Without using the conveying device 4, the holder 5 may be placed at the processing position (inert gas filling position) by the gas filling device 1, and the containers 3 may be set on the holder 5 manually or automatically.

[0072] The compartment moving device 40 and the welded body moving device 50 are not limited to cylinders, but may be other moving devices. Also, the compartment moving device 40 and the welded body moving device 50 may be separate moving devices, or they may be a single common moving device. When the compartment moving device 40 and the welded body moving device 50 are implemented by a single moving device, the single moving device may be, for example, a moving device having a servo motor and a conversion mechanism that converts the rotational motion of the servo motor into linear motion. The support material 41 is moved by the single moving device that serves as both the compartment moving device 40 and the welded body moving device 50, thereby moving the compartment 10 and the welded body 30.

[0073] Next, the gas filling apparatus 1 of the second to fourth embodiments will be described. In the gas filling apparatus 1 of the second to fourth embodiments, the same matters as in the gas filling apparatus 1 of the first embodiment will be omitted, and the differences from the gas filling apparatus 1 of the first embodiment will be mainly described. Furthermore, with respect to the gas filling apparatus 1 of the second to fourth embodiments, the same names and reference numerals as those used in the gas filling apparatus 1 of the first embodiment will be used for the components corresponding to the components of the gas filling apparatus 1 of the first embodiment.

[0074] (Second Embodiment) Figure 11 is a bottom view of the compartment 10 of the gas filling apparatus 1 of the second embodiment, viewed from below. Figure 12 shows the gas filling apparatus 1 of the second embodiment in a state where inert gas is being filled into the container 3.

[0075] As shown in the figure, in the gas filling device 1 of the second embodiment, the compartment 10 does not have a sealing material 14. Therefore, a groove for attaching the sealing material 14 is not formed on the lower surface 12 of the compartment 10. Thus, depending on the shape, size, etc., of the container 3, it may not be necessary to provide the sealing material 14 on the compartment 10.

[0076] (Third embodiment) Figure 13 shows the holder 5 of the gas filling apparatus 1 according to the third embodiment, where Figure 13A is a top view of the holder 5 as seen from above. Figure 13B is a cross-sectional view of the holder 5 cut along the line X6-X6 in Figure 13A, and Figure 13C is a cross-sectional view of the holder 5 cut along the line X7-X7 in Figure 13A.

[0077] As shown in the figure, in the gas filling device 1 of the third embodiment, the holder 5 has a plurality of gas outlet passages 5F. The plurality of gas outlet passages 5F are spaced apart from each other and run in parallel, extending from the support portion 5C toward the pressed portion 5D, crossing the pressed portion 5D, and opening toward the outside of the support portion 5C and the holder 5.

[0078] (Fourth Embodiment) Figure 14 is a top view of the holder 5 of the gas filling device 1 of the fourth embodiment, viewed from above, and shows a part of the holder 5. Figure 15 is a bottom view of the compartment 10 of the gas filling device 1 of the fourth embodiment, viewed from below. Figure 16 is a top view of the compartment 10 pressed against the holder 5 of the gas filling device 1 of the fourth embodiment, viewed from above, and shows a part of the components of the compartment 10, the holder 5, the container 3, and the lid material 7 through the compartment 10.

[0079] As shown in the figure, in the gas filling device 1 of the fourth embodiment, the holder 5 differs from the holder 5 of the first embodiment in that it does not have a gas outlet passage 5F, and instead has a plurality of gas inlet passages 5E in the portion where the gas outlet passage 5F of the holder 5 of the first embodiment would be. Therefore, the holder 5 has a plurality of gas inlet passages 5E located on both sides of the container 3. The plurality of gas inlet passages 5E on one side of the container 3 and the plurality of gas inlet passages 5E on the other side of the container 3 are located on opposite sides of the support portion 5C with respect to the support portion 5C, the insertion hole 5A, the container 3, and the lid material 7 in between them.

[0080] The compartment 10 does not have a sealing material 14 and has two gas supply sections 13 located on both sides of the container 3. Therefore, there is no groove formed on the lower surface 12 of the compartment 10 for fitting the sealing material 14. The gas supply section 13 on one side of the container 3 and the gas supply section 13 on the other side of the container 3 are located on opposite sides of the through hole 11 and receiving section 15, with the through hole 11 and receiving section 15 in between them. When the compartment 10 is pressed against the pressed portion 5D of the holder 5, the gas supply sections 13 on both sides of the container 3 are each positioned on top of the multiple gas outlet passages 5F of the holder 5 from above and communicate with the multiple gas outlet passages 5F.

[0081] Figure 17 is a diagram showing the procedure for filling a container 3 with inert gas using the gas filling device 1 of the fourth embodiment, and, similar to Figure 9, shows the container 3, lid material 7, holder 5, compartment 10, and welded body 30.

[0082] When filling container 3 with inert gas, the inert gas is supplied from the gas supply unit 13 to the gas introduction passage 5E on both sides of container 3. The inert gas is introduced into the interior of container 3 through the gap between the edge 3B of container 3 and the lid material 7 via the gas introduction passage 5E on both sides of container 3. As the inert gas is introduced, the gas that flows out from between the edge 3B of container 3 and the lid material 7 is discharged to the outside of the containment space 8 through the area between the compartment 10 and the pressed portion 5D of the holder 5. By discharging the gas from the area between the compartment 10 and the pressed portion 5D in this way, it is possible to suppress the inflow of air from the area between the compartment 10 and the pressed portion 5D into the inside of the containment space 8. [Explanation of symbols]

[0083] 1...Gas filling device, 1A...Frame, 2...Sealing device, 3...Container, 3A...Housing section, 3B...Edge, 3C...Opening, 3D...Protruding section, 3E...Protruding section, 4...Conveying device, 4A...Conveyor, 4B...Sprocket, 4C...Sprocket, 5...Holder, 5A...Insertion hole, 5B...Top surface, 5C... • Support section, 5D... Pressed section, 5E... Gas introduction passage, 5F... Gas outlet passage, 5G... Insertion groove section, 5H... Inner circumferential groove wall, 5I... Outer circumferential groove wall, 5J... Recessed section, 6... Reinforcement sealing machine, 7... Cover material, 7A... Adhesive section, 7B... Outer edge section, 8... Containment space, 10... Compartment, 11... Through hole, 12... Bottom section, 13... Gas supply section, 14... Sealing material, 15... Receiving section, 20... Supply device, 30... Welded body, 40... Compartment moving device, 41... Support material, 42... Cylinder tube, 43... Piston rod, 44... Guide mechanism, 45... Guide rod, 46... Guide material, 50... Welded body moving device, 51... Cylinder tube, 52 ...piston rod, 53...mounting material, 60...compartment pressurizing mechanism, 61...connecting rod, 62...pressure spring, 63...step section, 70...welded body pressurizing mechanism, 71...connecting rod, 72...pressure spring, 73...connecting material, H...conveying direction, R1...separation position, R2...pressing position, S1...non-welded position, S2...welded position.

Claims

1. A gas filling device for filling the inside of a container with an inert gas, wherein a portion of the lid material is adhered to the edge surrounding the opening of the container, A holder that holds the container in a state in which a part of the lid material is adhered to the edge, A partition body that is pressed against the retaining body and together with the retaining body divides the storage space for accommodating the edge and the lid material, A partition moving device that moves the partition between a separation position where it is separated from the holder and a pressing position where it is pressed against the holder, The compartment is provided with a supply device for supplying the inert gas, The retainer has a support portion that supports the edge, a pressed portion against which the partition is pressed, and a gas introduction passage formed from the pressed portion toward the support portion that guides the inert gas toward the space between the edge and the lid material. The partition body is pressed against the pressed portion and includes a gas supply unit that supplies the inert gas to the gas introduction passage, thereby providing a gas filling device.

2. In the gas filling apparatus described in claim 1, The retainer is a gas filling device having a gas outlet passage formed from the support portion toward the pressed portion, which guides the gas flowing out from between the edge portion and the lid material to the outside of the containment space.

3. In the gas filling apparatus described in claim 1, A gas filling device in which gas flowing out from between the edge and the lid material is discharged to the outside of the containment space through the area between the partition and the pressed portion.

4. In the gas filling apparatus described in claim 1 or 2, The gas filling device comprises a compartment body that adheres closely to the pressed portion and has a sealing material that seals the space between the compartment body and the pressed portion.

5. In a gas filling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, With the partition pressed against the pressed portion, a welding body is positioned between the support portion and the edge and the lid material, separated from the lid material, and pressed against the lid material to weld the lid material to the edge, A gas filling apparatus comprising a welded body moving device for moving the welded body between a non-welded position separated from the lid material and a welded position pressed against the lid material.

6. In the gas filling apparatus described in claim 5, The partition body, while pressed against the portion to be pressed, surrounds the containment space and the welded body. The welded body is positioned inside the partition body, with the housing space between it and the support portion, and is a gas filling device that moves from the non-welded position to the welded position.

7. In a gas filling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The compartment has a receiving portion that receives the outer edge of the lid material which moves away from the edge as the inert gas is introduced into the container, and holds the outer edge of the lid material in a state where it is separated from the edge.

8. In a gas filling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The support portion has an annular insertion groove into which the edge portion is inserted, The gas filling device has an insertion groove portion comprising opposing inner circumferential groove walls and outer circumferential groove walls, and a recess formed in the outer circumferential groove wall that guides the outer edge of the cover material from the inside to the outside of the insertion groove portion.

Images