Packaging materials, packaging methods, and packaging equipment

Abstract

The present invention provides a packaging material capable of packaging goods, a packaging method capable of packaging goods, and a packaging apparatus capable of packaging goods. [Solution] The packaging material comprises a base, a reversible section, and a packaging section. Both the base and the reversible section can protrude upward and inward from the packaging section, and can protrude downward and inward from the packaging section. When the reversible section protrudes downward together with the base, it reverses, and the packaging section stands up and curves towards the inner surface of the base due to the reversal of the reversible section, allowing the article on the base to be packaged. The packaging method involves setting the article on the upwardly protruding base, causing the base and reversible section to protrude downward, reversing the reversible section, and allowing the packaging section to stand up and curve towards the inner surface of the base to wrap the article. The packaging device comprises a packaging material placement device that places the packaging material on a packaging material transporter, and a setting device that sets the article being transported by the article transporter on the inner surface of the base of the packaging material. The setting device is configured to set the article on the base, causing the base and reversible section to protrude downward, and allowing the article to be packaged with a packaging piece that stands up and curves towards the inner surface of the base due to the reversal of the reversible section.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a packaging material capable of packaging an article, such as fruit and vegetables, a packaging method for packaging an article with the packaging material, and a packaging apparatus for packaging an article in the packaging material. In particular, the present invention is suitable for packaging fruits and vegetables, agricultural produce (hereinafter collectively referred to as "fruit and vegetables"), foods that are easily deformed, commodities that are easily scratched or damaged (hereinafter collectively referred to as "articles"), and the like.

Background Art

[0002] Among fruit and vegetables, easily scratched ones such as peaches, tomatoes, pears and grapes are often packaged one by one in foamed resin packaging materials before shipment, displayed in stores and sold. Packaging materials are available in various shapes and made of various materials. From the aspect of preventing scratches, many packaging materials are made of elastic materials such as foamed resin.

[0003] Most packaging materials made of foamed resin are bowl-shaped curved or foldable. The bowl-shaped curved packaging materials are manually unfolded, while the foldable packaging materials are manually opened, and fruit and vegetables are placed therein for packaging.

[0004] Manual unfolding or opening is cumbersome and has poor workability. In recent years, packaging materials made of foamed resin have been developed, which are open before packaging, and can automatically enclose fruit and vegetables by closing into a bowl shape when the fruit and vegetables held in a hand are placed thereon. As examples, there are Patent Documents 1 to 5.

[0005] In the packaging materials of Patent Documents 1 to 5, the inner surface of the central portion (seat) protrudes upward, and a plurality of packaging pieces continuously spread on the outer peripheral edge of the seat. When fruit and vegetables are placed on the protruding seat or pressed against it (when set in place), the seat protrudes toward the back (outer surface) side of the packaging material, the packaging pieces stand up and curve (bend back) toward the inner surface side of the seat, so that packaging can be performed by wrapping the outer peripheral surface of the fruit and vegetables from the outside.

[0006] The packaging materials described in Patent Documents 1 to 5 do not require manual work to widen or open the space for setting the fruit or vegetable, but even when the fruit or vegetable is placed on or pressed down on the base, the packaging pieces do not stand up or bend easily, making it difficult to reliably wrap (package) the outer surface of the fruit or vegetable from the outside. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 6-270953 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 7-223667 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-117301 [Patent Document 4] Design Registration No. 1552308 Gazette [Patent Document 5] Design Registration No. 1734962 Gazette [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0008] The object of the present invention is to provide a packaging material that, when an article is placed on the base by hand or machine, pressed down on, or dropped onto the base (collectively referred to as "setting"), causes the packaging piece on the outer circumference of the base to stand up above the base and curve inward towards the inner surface of the base (standing up and curving), thereby reliably packaging the article from the outside; a packaging method that can wrap the outer surface of an article with the packaging material; and a packaging device that can wrap the outer surface of an article with the packaging material. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The packaging material of the present invention has a reversible section continuous around the outer circumference of a base on which an article can be set, with a packaging section extending outside the reversible section. The reversible section can be reversed to a state in which it protrudes upward towards the inside of the packaging section when pushed upward towards the inside of the packaging section together with the base (upward protruding state), and to a state in which it protrudes downward towards the inside of the packaging section when pushed downward towards the inside of the packaging section (downward protruding state). When the base and the reversible section are in the upward protruding state, the inner surface of the packaging section faces upward and the base flares outwards with a downward slope. When the base and the reversible section are in the downward protruding state and the reversible section is reversed, it stands upright above the base and further curves in a bowl shape towards the inner surface of the base (standing and curved), so that it can wrap around (package) the outer circumference of the article on the base.

[0010] The present invention provides a packaging method in which the base and inverted portion of the packaging material are made to protrude upward, the inner surface of the packaging portion is turned upward, the packaging portion is made to flare outwards with a downward slope on the outside of the inverted portion, an article is placed on the base which is in the upward-protruding state, the base and inverted portion are pushed downwards and inwards on the inside of the packaging portion to invert the inverted portion, the packaging portion is made to stand upright and curve, and the article on the base is packaged from the outside.

[0011] The present invention provides a packaging method in which, as described above, packaging materials with the inner surface of the packaging section facing upward and the bottom flaring downwards outwards from the inversion section are transported one by one by a packaging material transporter, the base of the packaging material being transported is pressed down by an article, causing the base and the inversion section to protrude downwards and the inversion section to be inverted, and the packaging section is made to stand up and curve by this inversion, thereby packaging the article on the base with the packaging material.

[0012] The present invention provides a packaging apparatus comprising a packaging material conveyor capable of conveying packaging materials one by one, a packaging material placer for placing packaging materials one by one on the packaging material conveyor, and a support (set device) capable of holding or supporting articles one by one. The support supports articles one by one as they are being conveyed by the article conveyor, sets articles one by one on the inner surface of the seat which is in an upwardly protruding state as it is being conveyed by the packaging material conveyor, pushes the seat and the inversion part downwards to the packaging part, inverts the inversion part, and inverts the packaging part to make it stand upright and curved, so that the articles on the seat can be packaged with the packaging material.

[0013] The present invention provides a packaging device that includes a stock device for storing multiple sheets of packaging material stacked on top of each other with the inner surface of the base protruding upward, a packaging material dispenser for taking out packaging material one sheet at a time from the stock device and placing it on a packaging material conveyor, the packaging material for conveying the packaging material on the packaging material conveyor, setting an article on the base which is in an upward-protruding state, causing the base and the inverting part to protrude downward, inverting the inverting part to raise and curve the packaging part, so that the article on the base can be packaged with the packaging part. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] The packaging material of the present invention allows for easy and reliable packaging of articles simply by setting an article on a seat protruding from the upper inside of the packaging section and pushing both the seat and the reversing section downwards towards the inside of the packaging section. This causes the reversing section to invert, allowing the article on the seat to be packaged in the packaging section.

[0015] According to the packaging method of the present invention, by simply setting an article on a seat that protrudes upward from the packaging material and pushing the seat together with the inverting part inward and downward from the packaging part, the article on the seat can be packaged in the packaging part, thus simplifying the packaging work.

[0016] According to the packaging apparatus of the present invention, the placement of packaging materials on a packaging material conveyor, the setting of articles on the placed packaging materials, and the packaging of articles with the packaging materials can be performed automatically in a series of steps, thus automating the packaging work and saving labor. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0017] [Figure 1] An explanatory diagram showing how fruits and vegetables are packaged using packaging materials. [Figure 2] An explanatory diagram showing the inner surface of the packaging material spread out upwards. [Figure 3] (a) is a view of the packaging material in Figure 2, along the AA line, and (b) is a magnified view of the area near the bottom of (a). [Figure 4] (a) is a view of the packaging material in Figure 2, taken along the BB arrow, and (b) is a magnified view of the area near the bottom of (a). [Figure 5] This diagram illustrates the packaging material shown in Figure 2 with its inner surface inverted inwards. [Figure 6] Figure 5 is an explanatory diagram of the bottom surface of the packaging material. [Figure 7] (a) is a view of the packaging material in FIG. 5 taken along line C-C, and (b) is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the bottom of (a). [Figure 8] A cross-sectional view of a packaging piece of a packaging material. [Figure 9] An explanatory bottom view of another example of a packaging material. [Figure 10] (a) to (c) are perspective views of the packaging method and packaging apparatus of the present invention. [Figure 11] (a) and (b) are perspective views of the packaging method and packaging apparatus subsequent to FIG. 10(c). [Figure 12] (a) to (c) are perspective views of another example of the packaging method and packaging apparatus of the present invention. [Figure 13] (a) to (c) are perspective views of the packaging method and packaging apparatus subsequent to FIG. 12(c). [Figure 14] (a) to (e) are side views of another example of the packaging method and packaging apparatus of the present invention. [Figure 15] (a) to (e) are side views of another example of the packaging method and packaging apparatus of the present invention. [Figure 16] (a) is a perspective view of an example of the packaging method and packaging apparatus of the present invention, and (b) is a detailed view of a support in the packaging apparatus of (a). [Figure 17] (a) is a plan view of the fruit and vegetable setting position of the packaging apparatus in FIG. 16(a), and (b) is a side view of (a). [Figure 18] (a) is a plan view when taking out the packaging material, and (b) is a side view of (a). [Figure 19] (a) is a plan view in the course of placing the packaging material on a packaging material conveying body, and (b) is a side view of (a). [Figure 20] (a) is a plan view showing a state where the packaging material is placed on the packaging material conveying body, and (b) is a side view of (a). [Figure 21] (a) is a plan view of the packaging material placed on the packaging material conveying body after conveyance, and (b) is a side view of (a). [Figure 22] (a) is a plan view showing a state where a fruit and vegetable is supported by a support, and (b) is a side view of (a). [Figure 23] (a) is a plan view before dropping the fruit and vegetable supported by the support onto the packaging material, and (b) is a side view of (a). [Figure 24] (a) is a top view of the fallen fruit and vegetables wrapped in packaging material, and (b) is a side view of (a). [Figure 25] (a) is a plan view of the fruit and vegetables packaged in packaging material being sent to the next transport vehicle, and (b) is a side view of (a). [Figure 26] A perspective view of another example of a setting device in the packaging apparatus of the present invention. [Figure 27] A perspective view of another example of a setting device in the packaging apparatus of the present invention. [Figure 28] An explanatory diagram illustrating another example of a packaging method using the packaging material of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0018] (Packaging Material Embodiment 1) An example of the packaging material 1 of the present invention is described below. In the following description, since the item P to be packaged is a peach, the item P may also be referred to as a fruit or vegetable P.

[0019] Figures 1 to 8 show an example of the packaging material 1 of the present invention. This packaging material 1 is made of foamed resin and comprises a flat seat 2 with a surface area large enough to hold fruits and vegetables P, as shown in Figure 2, a reversing section 3 continuous with the outer circumference of the seat 2, and a packaging section 5 continuous with the outer circumference of the reversing section 3. The reversing section 3 is ring-shaped and surrounds the outer circumference of the seat 2, and the base 4 of the packaging section 5 is continuous with the outer circumference of the reversing section 3, with the tip end that spreads out from the base 4 being divided into multiple sections.

[0020] In the following explanation, as shown in Figure 1, when the fruit / vegetable P is packaged with the packaging material 1 (during fruit / vegetable packaging), the side facing the fruit / vegetable P is referred to as the inner surface 7 of the packaging material 1, and the opposite side is referred to as the back surface (outer surface) 8 of the packaging material 1.

[0021] [seat] The base 2 (Figure 2) is the part on which the stem (bottom surface) of the fruit or vegetable P is placed, and is formed approximately in the center of the packaging material 1. In Figure 2, it is a roughly circular flat plate suitable for packaging round fruits or vegetables, such as peaches or tomatoes, but it can be shaped to make it easier to place the fruit or vegetable P to be packaged. For example, if you are placing a bunch of grapes, an oval shape large enough to hold one bunch would be suitable. In addition, it can be any shape such as a roughly triangular, roughly square, or roughly polygonal, depending on the shape of the fruit or vegetable P.

[0022] [Reversal section] As shown in Figures 2 to 4(a) and (b), the reversal part 3 is a ring-shaped structure that surrounds the outer circumference of the seat 2. It is designed to be able to move from a state where it is pushed upward towards the inside of the packaging part 5 together with the seat 2, causing it to protrude upward (upward protruding state), to a state where it is pushed downward towards the inside of the packaging part 5 together with the seat 2, causing it to protrude downward (downward protruding state), as shown in Figures 5 to 7(a) and (b). When the reversal part 3 is in the upward protruding state as shown in Figures 2 to 4(a) and (b), it is one step below the inner surface 2a of the seat 2 and is flat, spreading out in a ring shape around the outer circumference of the seat 2. When it moves to the downward protruding state as shown in Figures 5 to 7(a) and (b), it protrudes to the outside (bottom) of the back surface 2b of the seat 2, becoming a ring-shaped projection that surrounds the outer circumference of the seat 2 (reversing). The inner surface of the reversal part 3 when reversed becomes a ring-shaped recessed groove as shown in Figures 7(a) and (b). When the reversing part 3 is reversed, the outer packaging part 5 stands upright from the base part 4 towards the inner surface 2a side of the seat 2, and further curves towards the inner surface 2a side of the seat 2 (the inner surface 5a side of the packaging part 5) (stands upright and curves).

[0023] [Packaging Department] The packaging section 5 has a base 4 that is continuous with the outer circumference of the ring-shaped reversal section 3, as shown in Figures 2 and 6, and the tip of the base 4 is divided into several pieces to form packaging pieces 6. As shown in Figure 2, adjacent packaging pieces 6 are separated by a separation space 9. When the base 2 and reversal section 3 are reversed, the packaging section 5 stands up from the base 4 as shown in Figures 5 and 6, curves into a bowl shape towards the base 2, and can wrap around the outer surface of the article P on the base 2.

[0024] In Figures 1 to 8, the packaging piece 6 is designed so that the top (upper end) of the outer surface of the fruit or vegetable P is left exposed without being packaged, as shown in Figure 1. However, it may also be long enough to package up to the top of the outer surface.

[0025] [base] The base portion 4 is continuous with the entire outer circumference of the ring-shaped inversion portion 3 and stands upright when the seat 2 and the inversion portion 3 are inverted. Because the base portion 4 is continuous with the entire outer circumference of the ring-shaped inversion portion 3 and is ring-shaped on the outer circumference of the inversion portion 3, when the inversion portion 3 is inverted, the entire ring-shaped base portion 4 is turned inside out (the inner surface of the base portion 4, which is facing upward outward, faces downward inward) and stands upright, and this standing upright makes it easier to stand up all the packaging pieces 6 that are continuous with the end of the base portion 4 (assisting them in standing upright).

[0026] [rib] In Figures 4(a) and 5, each separated packaging piece 6 has a long, narrow rib (hereinafter referred to as "circumferential rib") 10 formed in the lateral direction center. Each circumferential rib 10 is formed in a continuous line from the tip side of each packaging piece 6, through the base 4, to the inversion section 3 side. As shown in Figure 8, the circumferential rib 10 is a convex ridge that is recessed on the inner surface (top surface in Figure 8) 7 side of the packaging piece 6 and protrudes in an arc shape on the outer surface (bottom surface in Figure 8) 8 side. Both outer surfaces 11 of the circumferential rib 10 are flat. The circumferential rib 10 is designed to reinforce the base 4 and packaging piece 6, thereby assisting in the upright and curved positioning of the base 4 and packaging section 5.

[0027] In Figure 5, the width of the circumferential rib 10 is the same as or approximately the same as the width of the outer sides 11, but it is desirable to design the width, protrusion dimensions, etc. to a size that makes it easy to perform the above function. The shape, length, position, etc. of the circumferential rib 10 may be other than those shown in the figure, for example the cross-sectional shape can be a triangle, a horizontally elongated ellipse, or other shape. In the figure, only one circumferential rib 10 is provided in the center of the width direction of the packaging piece 6, but two or more can be provided parallel to each other in the width direction of the packaging piece 6.

[0028] [Material of packaging] Suitable materials for packaging material 1 include polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyurethane, etc., but it may also be made of an elastic material other than foamed resin, as long as it is easy to wrap the item P, has cushioning (elasticity) to protect the item P, and is reversible. For example, it may be a synthetic resin foam material containing other foamed materials or non-foamed sheet materials, a composite laminated sheet material with a mesh material laminated on top, or, if possible, paper with a cushioning structure.

[0029] [Other examples include seat, reversing part, base, and packaging part] The shape, width, length, and thickness of the base 2, the inversion section 3, the base 4, and the packaging piece 6, as well as the number of packaging pieces 6, the width and shape of the separation space 9, and the width, number, and length of the circumferential ribs 10, should be such that it is easy to wrap the item P and the packaging material 1 can easily be inverted between the unfolded state in Figure 1 and the curved state in Figure 5. If the packaging piece 6 is made long enough to wrap the fruit or vegetable P above the vertical center when the fruit or vegetable P is wrapped as in Figure 1, the packaging material 1 that has wrapped the fruit or vegetable P will be less likely to come off the fruit or vegetable P (the fruit or vegetable P will be less likely to come out from the top of the packaging material 1).

[0030] [Reversing packaging materials, packaging] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, when the packaging material 1 is positioned with its inner surface 7 facing upward and its outer surface 8 facing downward, and the base 2 is positioned with its inner surface 2a facing upward and protruding upward, the inner surface of the inverted section 3 is one step lower than the inner surface 2a of the base 2, and spreads out in a flat shape outside the base 22. As a result, the packaging section 5 gradually widens with a downward slope from the base 4 to the tip of the packaging piece 6, spreading out radially, and the tip of the packaging piece 6 curves slightly upward.

[0031] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, when the inner surface (upper surface) 2a of the base 2 and the inverting part 3 are facing upward and protruding to the upper inside of the packaging part 5, the base 2 and the inverting part 3 are pushed downward to a downward protruding state as shown in Figures 7(a) and 7(b). This causes the inverting part 3 to invert, and the packaging part 5 to stand upright on the inner surface 2a side of the base 2 from the base 4 to the tip of the packaging piece 6, and further curve (stand up and curve) on the inner surface 2a side of the base 2, so that the fruit and vegetables P on the inner surface 2a of the base 2 can be packaged as shown in Figure 1.

[0032] (Embodiment of packaging material 2) Another example of the packaging material 1 used in the present invention will be explained with reference to Figure 9. The packaging material 1 in Figure 9 has the same basic configuration, structure, and materials as the packaging material 1 in Figures 1 to 8, the only difference being that the seat 2 is also provided with ribs (hereinafter referred to as "seat ribs") 13.

[0033] The seat rib 13 is an elongated projection that extends from the center of the seat 2 to the inner circumferential surface 3a (Figure 9) of the inversion section 3, and is continuous with the circumferential rib 10, which is continuous with the outer circumferential surface 3b (Figure 9) of the inversion section 3, with the inversion section 3 in between. As shown in Figure 9, the seat rib 13 is recessed on the inner surface 2a side of the seat 2 and protrudes on the outer surface (bottom surface) 2b side. Its cross-sectional shape is similar to that of the circumferential rib 10 in Figure 8, with the inner surface 2a side of the seat 2 recessed in the width direction and protruding on the outer surface 2b side of the seat 2 in an arc shape.

[0034] By providing the seat rib 13, the seat 2 is reinforced, giving it elasticity (cushioning), and making it easier to maintain its shape. When the shape of the seat 2 is maintained, the entire seat 2, which protrudes upward as shown in Figures 2 to 4(a) and (b), can easily invert downward as shown in Figure 5 while maintaining its shape. Consequently, the outer base 4 of the seat 2 and all the packaging pieces 6 can simultaneously stand up and bend, making it easier to wrap the entire circumference of the article P. In addition, the increased cushioning of the seat 2 reduces the impact on the article P when it is placed on the seat 2 in its upward-protruding state as shown in Figures 2 to 4(a) and (b), making the article P less likely to be damaged.

[0035] The seat ribs 13 can be designed arbitrarily in terms of length, width, spacing between adjacent ribs, cross-sectional shape, number, and protruding dimensions of the convex ribs, so as to reinforce the seat 2, maintain its shape, and enhance cushioning. For example, the cross-sectional shape can be a triangle, a horizontally elongated ellipse, or other shapes.

[0036] In Figure 9, the multiple seat ribs 13 are arranged to extend from the center of the seat 2 to the inner circumferential surface 3a of the ring-shaped inversion section 3, but they can also be separated from the inner circumferential surface 3a. Alternatively, they can extend from outside the center to the inner circumferential surface 3a of the inversion section 3, or from outside the center to just before the inner circumferential surface 3a of the inversion section 3.

[0037] (Packaging method) The present invention relates to a packaging method that uses the packaging material 1 shown in Figures 1 to 9 to package fruits, vegetables, and other articles P as shown in Figure 1. In this case, the base 2 and inverted portion 3 of the packaging material 1 are made to protrude upward from the inner center of the packaging portion 5 (upward protruding state), as shown in Figures 2 and 3(a). The base 2 is then pushed downward by the fruits, vegetables P as shown in Figures 7(a) and 7(b), causing the inverted portion 3 to protrude downward as shown in Figures 5, 7(a) and 7(b). The inverted portion 3 becomes a ring-shaped projection as shown in Figure 6 and protrudes (inverts) outward from the bottom surface of the base 2. This inversion causes the packaging portion 5 to stand upright from the base 4 to the tip of the packaging piece 6, as shown in Figure 7(a), and curves into a bowl shape (standing and curving) towards the inner surface 2a of the base 2, so that the outer surface of the fruits, vegetables P on the base 2 is packaged with the packaging portion 5 as shown in Figure 1.

[0038] As shown in Figure 6, if the packaging portion 5 has circumferential ribs 10, when the packaging portion 5 is raised and curved from the base 4, the circumferential ribs 10 also invert, making it easier to raise and curve the packaging portion 5. As shown in Figure 9, if the packaging piece 5 has circumferential ribs 10 and the bottom surface (outer surface) 2b of the base 2 has bottom ribs 13, the front and back surfaces of the circumferential ribs 10 and bottom ribs 13 also invert, making it easier to raise and curve the packaging piece 5.

[0039] (Embodiment 1 of the packaging method) The seat 2 can be pushed in by pressing the fruit or vegetable P held by hand against the upwardly protruding seat 2, as shown in Figure 28, or by dropping the fruit or vegetable P, held or supported by the setting device 22, onto the inner surface 2a of the upwardly protruding seat 2 from above, as shown in Figure 16.

[0040] (Embodiment 2 of the packaging method) [Placement of packaging materials] In this packaging method, as shown in Figure 16(a), the bottommost packaging material 1 is taken out one by one from the numerous stacks of packaging material 1 in the stock device S using a packaging material placement tool 31 and placed on a packaging material conveyor (for example, a belt conveyor) 20, and the packaging material 1 is conveyed by the packaging material conveyor 20. The packaging material 1 stacked in the stock device S is stacked with the base 2 protruding upward as shown in Figure 2. The packaging material 1 in the stock device S is taken out one by one with the base protruding upward and placed on the packaging material conveyor 20 in that state. The placed packaging material 1 is conveyed continuously or intermittently by the packaging material conveyor 20. During continuous or intermittent conveyance, the fruits and vegetables P are dropped from the article conveyor (fruit and vegetable conveyor) 21 onto the base 2 of the packaging material 1, causing the base 2 and the inversion part 3 to protrude downward and inward from the packaging part 5 (to a downward protruding state). As a result, as shown in Figure 5, the inversion part 3 is inverted (protruding in a ring shape outward from the back surface 2a of the base 2), and this inversion causes the packaging part 5 to stand upright from the base 4 as shown in Figure 5, and the packaging piece 6 side is curved in a bowl shape toward the inner surface of the base 2, so that it wraps around the outer surface of the fruit or vegetable P as shown in Figure 1.

[0041] To remove one piece of packaging material 1 from the bottom layer of the stock device S, the arm 32 (Figure 16(a)) of the packaging material placer 31 is swung horizontally to the front of the stock device S as shown in Figures 17(a) and 17(b). Then, the arm 32 is extended below the stock device S, and as shown in Figures 18(a) and 18(b), the bottom layer of packaging material 1 in the stock device S is pulled out below the stock device S by suction from the packaging material support 33, and the tip of the packaging piece 6 of the packaging material 1 is grasped by the packaging material placer 31 at the end of the arm 32 as shown in Figures 18(a) and 18(b). Then, as shown in Figures 19(a) and 19(b), the arm 32 is swung horizontally above the packaging material conveyor 20, the grasp is released above the packaging material conveyor 20, and the packaging material 1 is placed on top of the packaging material conveyor 20 as shown in Figures 20(a) and 18(b).

[0042] After the packaging material 1 is placed, the arm 32 retracts and swivels, causing the packaging material placement device 31 to return to the front of the stock device S as shown in Figures 17(a) and (b). Subsequently, using the same operation as before, the new bottom layer of packaging material 1 in the stock device S is placed on the packaging material conveyor 20. By repeating this process, packaging material 1 is placed one after another on the packaging material conveyor 20.

[0043] [Transportation and delivery of fruits and vegetables] As shown in Figure 16(a), the fruits and vegetables P are transported in the direction of arrow A by the sorting and conveying unit 34. The sorting and conveying unit 34 determines the shape, size, etc. of the fruits and vegetables P as they are being transported and sorts them into grades such as Grade A and Grade B. The sorted fruits and vegetables P are then transported and sent out one by one onto the fruit and vegetable conveying unit (belt conveyor) 21 according to their grade.

[0044] The sorting and conveying unit 34 in Figure 16(a) can reduce the inertia of the fruit and vegetables P in the direction of conveyance by sending them diagonally backward in the direction of conveyance (in the direction of arrow B in Figure 16(a)) as they are being conveyed in the direction of arrow A. This reduction in inertia makes it less likely for the fruit and vegetables P to fall laterally in the width direction of the fruit and vegetable conveying unit 21. The fruit and vegetables P sent to the fruit and vegetable conveying unit 21 are conveyed continuously or intermittently in the direction of arrow C in Figure 16(a) by the rotational movement of the fruit and vegetable conveying unit 21.

[0045] [Preserving fruits and vegetables] The fruits and vegetables P on the fruit and vegetable transporter 21 are supported (held) one by one by the two support members 23 of the setting device 22. When the fruits and vegetables P are being transported continuously, the setting device 22 is moved synchronously with the fruits and vegetables P to support them as they are being transported. When the fruits and vegetables P are being transported intermittently and temporarily stop, the setting device 22 is temporarily stopped during the temporary stop to support the fruits and vegetables P.

[0046] [Falling of fruits and vegetables] The fruits and vegetables P supported by the support 23 in Figure 16(a) are dropped one by one onto the inner surface 2a of the seat 2 of the packaging material 1, which is continuously or intermittently conveyed by the packaging material conveyor 20 (set). In this case, the fruits and vegetables P are dropped with the stem end facing downwards, and the weight of the fallen fruits and vegetables P pushes the upwardly protruding seat 2 and inverted part 3 inward and downwards of the packaging part 5, as shown in Figures 7(a) and 7(b).

[0047] [Packaging of goods] As shown in Figures 7(a) and 7(b), when the base 2 and the reversing part 3 are pushed downward, the reversing part 3 becomes a ring-shaped projection as shown in Figure 6, and the packaging piece 6 stands up and curves from the base 4 as shown in Figures 7(a) and 7(b), allowing the outer circumference of the fruit or vegetable P to be wrapped as shown in Figure 1.

[0048] [Removal of packaged fruits and vegetables] The fruit and vegetables P, which have been packaged in packaging material 1, are transported to the next process by a transporter 26 (for example, a belt conveyor).

[0049] (Embodiment 3 of the packaging method) [Placement of packaging materials] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 10(a) to (c), the packaging material 1 is placed one by one on the packaging material conveyor 20. In this case, the packaging material 1 is placed with the inner surface 2a of the seat 2, which protrudes upward as shown in Figure 2, facing upward. The placement of the packaging material 1 on the packaging material conveyor 20 can be the same as in Embodiment 2 of the packaging method, or by other methods, such as placing them one by one by hand. Regardless of the placement method, the packaging material 1 is placed with the inner surface 2a of the seat 2 facing upward and protruding upward, which is the same in this embodiment and in the following embodiments.

[0050] [Transportation of packaging materials] The packaging material 1, placed on the packaging material conveyor 20, is transported in the direction of arrow A in Figure 10(a) by the rotational movement of the packaging material conveyor 20, with the inner surface 2a of the base 2 facing upward as shown in Figure 2.

[0051] [Transportation of fruits and vegetables: Holding and dropping] The fruit and vegetable P is transported in the direction of arrow B (Figure 10(a)) by the fruit and vegetable transporter 21, and the two support members 23 of the setting device 22 are closed to hold the transported fruit and vegetable P as shown in Figure 10(b). The fruit and vegetable P held by the support members 23 is transported in the direction of arrow C by a reciprocating pusher (e.g., cylinder, rotating shaft, etc.) 25 that moves the gate-shaped moving body 24 back and forth. As shown in Figure 10(c), when the fruit and vegetable P arrives above the packaging material 1 being transported by the packaging material transporter 20, the two support members 23 are opened to the side as shown in Figure 11(a) to release the fruit and vegetable P, and the fruit and vegetable P is dropped (set) onto the inner surface 2a of the seat 2 of the packaging material 1.

[0052] The two support members 23 open simultaneously to allow the fruit / vegetable P to fall vertically. In this case, by dropping the fruit / vegetable P with the stem end (bottom surface) facing downwards, the bottom surface of the fruit / vegetable P is securely set on the inner surface 2a of the base 2 of the packaging material 1.

[0053] When the falling fruit or vegetable P is received by the packaging material 1, the base 2 is pushed downwards to the packaging section 5, the inversion section 3 inverts as shown in Figure 6, the base 4 and packaging piece 6 stand up and curve, the packaging section 5 stands up and inverts from the base 4, and the fruit or vegetable P that fell onto the base 2 is automatically packaged in the packaging material 1 as shown in Figures 11(a) and (b). In this case, as shown in Figure 1, the outer surface of the fruit or vegetable P on the base 2 is wrapped by the base 4 and packaging piece 6.

[0054] [Removal of packaged fruits and vegetables] The packaged fruits and vegetables P are sent to the transporter 26 and transported to the next process, as shown in Figure 11(b).

[0055] (Embodiment of packaging method 4) [Placement of packaging materials] In this embodiment, the packaging material 1 is placed on the packaging material conveyor 20, the packaging material 1 is conveyed by the packaging material conveyor 20, and the fruit and vegetable P is conveyed by the fruit and vegetable conveyor 21. These operations are the same as in the second embodiment of the packaging method.

[0056] The fruits and vegetables P being transported by the fruit and vegetable transporter 21 are sent one by one from the front of the fruit and vegetable transporter 21 onto two horizontally closed support members 23 as shown in Figure 12(b). Then, as shown in Figure 12(c), the two support members 23 are opened downwards, and the fruits and vegetables P are dropped onto the inner surface 2a of the base 2 of the packaging material 1 as shown in Figure 13(a). The dropped fruits and vegetables P are automatically packaged in the packaging material 1 as shown in Figure 13(b). In this case, the fruit stem portion of the fruits and vegetables P falls onto the base 2 with the stem facing downwards. The two support members 23 return to a horizontal position after the fruits and vegetables have fallen.

[0057] [Removal of packaged fruits and vegetables] The packaged fruits and vegetables P are sent to the transporter 26 and transported to the next process, as shown in Figure 13(c).

[0058] (Embodiment of packaging method 5) [Placement of packaging materials] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 14(a) to (e), the packaging material 1 is placed on the packaging material conveyor 20, the packaging material 1 is conveyed by the packaging material conveyor 20, and the fruit and vegetable P is conveyed by the fruit and vegetable conveyor 21. These operations are the same as in the second embodiment of the packaging method.

[0059] As shown in Figures 14(a) to (e), the fruit and vegetable conveyor 21 sends the fruits and vegetables P being conveyed by the fruit and vegetable conveyor 21 one by one from the front of the fruit and vegetable conveyor 21 onto the two support members 23 of the setting device 22. As shown in Figures 14(a) to (e), the setting device 22 has two support members 23 paired together in a roughly V-shape and attached at regular intervals to a horizontally rotating traveling body 27 such as a chain or belt. Each pair of support members 23 is designed to open downwards from a roughly V-shaped closed state as shown in Figure 14(a) to as shown in Figure 14(b). Each pair of support members 23 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the traveling body 27.

[0060] In Figures 14(a) to (e), the pusher 28 of the sorting conveyor 34 is moved to the side in the width direction of the sorting conveyor 34 (to the right in Figures 14(a) to (e)), pushing out the fruits and vegetables P being conveyed by the sorting machine conveyor 34 one by one from the side in the width direction of the sorting conveyor 34, and placing them on the two support members 23 of the setting device 22, which are closed in a roughly V shape, as shown in Figure 14(a). The two support members 23 open downwards as shown in Figures 14(b) and (c), causing the fruits and vegetables P to fall onto the inner surface 2a of the base 2 of the packaging material 1. In this case, the fruit and vegetable P falls with the stem end facing downwards. The weight of the fallen fruits and vegetables P pushes the base 2 of the packaging material 1 outwards 2b, causing the base 4 and packaging piece 6 to stand up and curve, and automatically packaging the fruits and vegetables P that have fallen onto the base 2 of the packaging material 1 with the packaging material 1, as shown in Figure 14(d).

[0061] [Removal of packaged fruits and vegetables] The packaged fruits and vegetables P are sent to the transporter 26 and transported to the next process, as shown in Figure 14(e).

[0062] (Embodiment 6 of the packaging method) [Placement of packaging materials] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 15(a) to (e), the packaging material 1 is placed on the packaging material conveyor 20, the packaging material 1 is conveyed by the packaging material conveyor 20, and the fruit and vegetable conveyor 21 conveys the fruit and vegetable P. These operations are the same as in the packaging method of Embodiment 2.

[0063] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 15(a) to (e), a long support 23a and a short support 23b are paired to form a set device 22, and this set device 22 is attached at regular intervals to a horizontally rotating traveling body 27 such as a chain or belt. The pair of long support 23a and short support 23b are designed to rotate in conjunction with the traveling rotation of the traveling body 27. The long support 23a and short support 23b are designed to close as shown in Figure 15(a) and open downward as shown in Figure 15(b).

[0064] The pusher 28 of the sorting conveyor 34 is moved to the side in the width direction of the sorting conveyor 34 (to the right in Figure 15(a)), and the pusher 28 is used to push the fruit and vegetables P being conveyed by the sorting conveyor 34 to the side in the width direction of the sorting conveyor 34, and place them on the closed long support 23a and short support 23b as shown in Figure 15(a). After that, the long support 23a and short support 23b are opened as shown in Figures 15(b) and (c), and the fruit and vegetables P on them are dropped onto the inner surface 2a of the base 2 of the packaging material 1. At this time, the fruit and vegetables P fall along the long support 23a and are supported from behind by the short support 23b, so that the fruit and vegetable P fall vertically with the stem end facing downwards. The base 2 of the packaging material 1 is pushed outwards towards the outer surface 2b by the fallen fruit and vegetables P, the inversion part 3 inverts, and the packaging part 5 of the packaging material 1 rises and curves from the base 4 to the tip of the packaging piece 6, automatically packaging the material 1 as shown in Figure 15(d).

[0065] [Removal of packaged fruits and vegetables] The packaged fruits and vegetables P are sent to the transporter 26 and transported to the next process, as shown in Figure 15(e).

[0066] (Embodiment of packaging method 7) In this embodiment, each packaging material 1, with its base 2 protruding upward, is placed one by one on the packaging material transporter 20 using the packaging material placement device 31 or by hand, and these packaging materials 1 are transported by the movement of the packaging material transporter 20.

[0067] [Pressing down the seat] In this embodiment, instead of dropping the fruit or vegetable P onto the inner surface 2a of the base 2 of the packaging material 1, the fruit or vegetable P is held by the setting device 22 and placed (set) on the inner surface 2a of the base 2 of the packaging material 1, or after it has been placed (set), and the setting device 22 pushes the fruit or vegetable P in, pushing the base 2 towards the outer surface 2b and causing it to protrude. This protrusion automatically raises and curves the base 4 and multiple packaging pieces 6 that spread out around the outer circumference of the base 2, and the bottom and outer surfaces of the fruit or vegetable P are automatically packaged by the base 2, base 4 and packaging pieces 6.

[0068] (Embodiment 8 of the packaging method) In this embodiment, similar to embodiment 7 of the packaging method, packaging materials 1 with a base 2 protruding upward are placed one by one on a packaging material conveyor 20, and the packaging material conveyor 20 transports them continuously or intermittently, placing (setting) the fruit or vegetable P on the base 2. When setting the fruit or vegetable P, or after it has been placed (after setting), a special pressing tool (not shown) is used to push the fruit or vegetable P, pushing the base 2 that protrudes upward toward its outer surface 2b, causing it to protrude toward the outer surface 2b. This automatically raises and curves the packaging portion 5 (base 4 and multiple packaging pieces 6) that spreads out around the outer circumference of the base 2, and automatically packages the bottom and outer surface of the fruit or vegetable P with the base 2 and the packaging portion 5.

[0069] (Embodiment of Packaging Method 9) In this embodiment, instead of pressing the fruit or vegetable P placed on the seat 2, the seat on which the fruit or vegetable P is placed is pressed with a special pressing tool, causing it to protrude towards the outer surface 2b of the seat 2. After pressing the seat 2, the special pressing tool is returned to its pre-pressing state.

[0070] (packaging equipment) The packaging device of the present invention, as shown in Figure 1, is a device that allows for the individual packaging of fruits and vegetables P with packaging material 1. As shown in Figure 2, the packaging material 1 has an inner surface 2a of the base 2 and an inversion part 3 that protrude upward, and a base 4 and packaging piece 6 that slope downward from the inversion part 3 and spread outward. When the fruit and vegetables P push (pull down) the inner surface 2a of the base 2 of the packaging material 1 toward the outer surface 2b of the base 2, as shown in Figure 7(a), the inversion part 3 protrudes downward from the base 2 and inverts, and the base 4 and packaging piece 6 automatically stand up and curve, so that the bottom surface of the fruit and vegetables P can be wrapped with the base 2 and the outer surface of the fruit and vegetables P can be wrapped with the base 4 and packaging piece 6, as shown in Figure 1.

[0071] (Embodiment 1 of the packaging device) This embodiment, as shown in Figure 16(a), includes a stock device S for stacking and storing a large number of packaging materials 1, a packaging material placement device 31 for taking out packaging materials 1 one by one from the stock device S and placing them one by one on a packaging material conveyor 20, a sorting conveyor 34 for sorting and conveying fruits and vegetables P according to grade, a fruit and vegetable conveyor 21 for taking over and conveying the fruits and vegetables P sent out from the sorting conveyor 34, a setting device 22 for taking out fruits and vegetables P one by one from the fruit and vegetable conveyor 21 and setting them on the inner surface 2a of the seat 2 of the packaging material 1 being conveyed by the packaging material conveyor 20, and an unloading conveyor 26 for conveying the fruits and vegetables P already packaged in packaging materials 1 to the next process.

[0072] [Stocking device] The stocking device S shown in Figure 16(a) can store a large number of packaging materials 1 by stacking them vertically with the inner surface 2a of the base 2 facing upwards, as shown in Figure 2. For example, it is a cylindrical case. The stocking device S may have other shapes or structures as long as it can accommodate a large number of packaging materials 1. The packaging materials 1 stacked inside the stocking device S are designed not to fall out of the stocking device S due to their own weight. To prevent falling, for example, a stopper (not shown) that can enter and exit the stocking device S can be provided. When entering, it supports the packaging materials 1 to prevent them from falling, and when exiting, it releases the support for the packaging materials 1, allowing one piece of packaging material 1 to descend.

[0073] [Packaging material support] The packaging material support 33 (Figure 16(a)) pulls out only one of the bottommost packaging materials 1 stored in the stock device S to the bottom of the stock device S. The packaging material support 33 can be made, for example, a suction type, which sucks out only the bottommost packaging material 1 to the bottom of the stock device S and supports the packaging material 1 at the bottom of the stock device S while it is pulled out. The packaging material 1 remaining in the stock device S is supported by the stopper entering the stock device S, or by friction between the tip of the packaging piece 6 of the packaging material 1 and the inner surface of the stock device S, so as not to fall (detach) from the bottom of the stock device S.

[0074] [Packaging material placement tool] The packaging material placement device 31 in Figure 16(a) takes out packaging materials 1 one by one from the stocking device S and places them on the packaging material conveyor 20. The packaging material placement device 31 in Figure 16(a) is attached to the tip of the arm 32.

[0075] As shown in Figure 19(a), the arm 32 can pivot laterally from below the stock device S to above the packaging material conveyor 20. Furthermore, it can extend from a waiting position in front of the stock device S, as shown in Figure 17(a), to a position where it can grasp the packaging material 1 that has been pulled out below the stock device S, as shown in Figure 18(b).

[0076] When the arm 32 swings below the stock device S, it grasps one package material 1 that has been pulled out to the bottom of the stock device S by the package material support 33, as shown in Figures 18(a) and 18(b). When it swings above the package material conveyor 20, it can position the grasped package material 1 on the package material conveyor 20, as shown in Figures 19(a) and 19(b) and 20(a) and 19(b).

[0077] The packaging material placer 31 (Figure 16(a)) is designed to be openable and closable, allowing it to pick up only one piece of packaging material 1 at a time. However, it may also be configured as an intake / exhaust type, where the packaging material 1 is held in place by suction (intake) and released by discharge (exhaust) to be placed on the packaging material conveyor 20, or any other configuration. In any case, the packaging material 1 should be positioned so that the inner surface 2a of the base 2 faces upward.

[0078] [Packaging material transporter] The packaging material conveyor 20 continuously or intermittently conveys the packaging material 1 placed on it, and is, for example, a belt conveyor. Since the packaging material 1 is made of foamed resin and is lightweight, it may shift position due to vibrations during conveyance and fall in the lateral direction of the belt conveyor. To prevent this shifting and fall, displacement prevention devices 39 are provided at both ends of the belt conveyor in the lateral direction (left and right in Figure 16(a)). The displacement prevention devices 39 are provided along the entire length in the direction of travel of the belt conveyor and protrude above the upper surface of the belt conveyor.

[0079] [Sorting and conveying body] The sorting and conveying unit 34 is a conveying unit that determines the fruits and vegetables P into grades and then sorts and conveys them according to those grades. A large number of receiving devices 35 on which the fruits and vegetables P can be placed are attached in a single row to a traveling unit 36 ​​such as a chain conveyor. Two traveling units 36 are arranged in parallel. The receiving devices 35 are narrow belt conveyors. The receiving devices 35 may consist of several narrow belt conveyors attached in a row to the traveling unit 36, or several narrow belt conveyors may be attached in a single base (not shown) in a row, with multiple bases attached in the direction of travel of the traveling unit 36.

[0080] The numerous support devices 35 are attached with their rear ends (front side in Figure 16(a)) angled backward in the direction of transport relative to the travel direction of the traveling body 36 (direction of arrow A in Figure 16(a)), so that they rotate diagonally backward relative to the travel direction of the traveling body 36 (direction of arrow B in Figure 16(a)). This diagonal backward rotation causes the fruits and vegetables P placed on the support devices 35 to be sent diagonally backward, reducing the inertia of the fruits and vegetables P in the transport direction, making it less likely for the fruits and vegetables P to fall to the side in the width direction of the fruit and vegetable transporter 21 before being sent to the transporter 21.

[0081] [Fruit and vegetable transporter] The fruit and vegetable conveyor 21 receives and conveys the fruit and vegetables P sent out from the sorting conveyor 34, and is, for example, a belt conveyor. It is desirable that the belt conveyor be made of elastic material or other cushioning material so that the fruit and vegetables P sent out from the sorting conveyor 34 are not easily damaged or injured.

[0082] [Setting device] The setting device 22 in Figure 16(a) takes out fruits and vegetables P one by one from the fruit and vegetable transporter 21 and sets them on the inner surface 2a of the seat 2 of the packaging material 1 that is being transported by the packaging material transporter 20. The setting device 22 has two support members 23 that move back and forth horizontally to approach and separate from each other, and when they approach each other it can hold only one fruit and vegetable P on the fruit and vegetable transporter 21, and when they separate it releases the fruit and vegetable P so that it falls onto the inner surface 2a of the seat 2 of the packaging material 1 that is being transported by the packaging material transporter 20.

[0083] Since there are various types of fruits and vegetables P, such as peaches and tomatoes which are easily damaged, and grapes which tend to fall from the bunch (are easily damaged), it is desirable that the setting device 22 be able to hold the fruits and vegetables P in a way that prevents them from being damaged or scratched. As shown in Figure 16(b), if the lower ends of the two support members 23 are turned inward, and when the two support members 23 approach each other, the lower ends will enter under the bottom surface of the fruits and vegetables P, scooping up the fruits and vegetables P and placing (holding) them on top of the two lower ends, the fruits and vegetables P will be less likely to be damaged and will be easier to hold.

[0084] Both support members 23 may, for example, have an elastic material attached to the inner surface (holding surface) of a plate, or be made of an elastic material such as foamed resin or rubber sheet. The setting device 22 may be of any other type or structure as long as it can hold the fruit and vegetables P without damaging them, for example, it may be a suction type that can adsorb and discharge the fruit and vegetables P, or of any other type, or made of an elastic material.

[0085] [Moving the set device] The setting device 22 in Figure 16(a) is attached to a drive unit 38 that is reciprocally mounted on the support arm 37, so that the drive unit 38 reciprocates along the support arm 37 in the direction of arrow DE in Figure 16(a). It is moved in the same direction as the fruit and vegetable conveyor 21 to make it easier to hold the fruit and vegetables P, and it is moved in the same direction as the packaging material conveyor 20 to make it easier to place (set) the fruit and vegetables P on top of the packaging material 1.

[0086] [Setting fruits and vegetables in packaging materials] The setting device 22 releases the held fruit or vegetable P, allowing it to drop (set) onto the inner surface 2a of the base 2 from above the packaging material 1 that is being transported or temporarily stopped by the packaging material transporter 20. The dropping height (position) is set so that when the fruit or vegetable P is dropped, the base 2 is pushed downward, the inversion unit 3 automatically inverts, the base material 4 and packaging piece 6 automatically stand up and curve, and the fruit or vegetable P is automatically packaged from the bottom surface to the outer surface.

[0087] (Embodiment 2 of the packaging device) This embodiment, as shown in Figures 10(a)-(c) and 11(a)(b), includes a packaging material conveyor 20 for transporting individually arranged packaging materials 1, a fruit and vegetable conveyor 21 for transporting fruit and vegetable P, a setting device 22, and an output conveyor 26 for transporting fruit and vegetable P packaged in packaging materials 1 to the next process. The packaging material conveyor 20, fruit and vegetable conveyor 21, and output conveyor 26 are all belt conveyors. These may be conveyors other than belt conveyors, such as turntables, as long as they can transport the packaging materials 1, fruit and vegetable P, and packaged fruit and vegetable P.

[0088] In Figures 10(a) to (c), the fruit and vegetable conveyors 21 are positioned at intervals above the packaging material conveyors 20 and rotate in the same direction as the packaging material conveyors 20. The discharge conveyor 26 is positioned ahead of the fruit and vegetable conveyors 21. Its upper surface is at the same height (including approximately the same height) as the fruit and vegetable conveyors 21, so that it can take over the packaged fruit and vegetables P being discharged from the fruit and vegetable conveyors 21.

[0089] The set device 22 has two support members 23 provided below the horizontal rod 24a of the gate-shaped movable body 24. The movable body 24 can reciprocate in the direction of arrow CD in Figure 10(b) by a reciprocating pusher 25 such as a cylinder or an electric rotating shaft. The two support members 23 are designed to reciprocate in the same direction as the reciprocating sliding movable member 24b provided below the horizontal rod 24a.

[0090] The two support members 23 can be opened as shown in Figure 10(a) and closed as shown in Figure 10(b) to hold the fruit and vegetable P on the fruit and vegetable conveyor 21, and can be opened as shown in Figure 11(a) to release the fruit and vegetable P and allow it to fall onto the inner surface 2a of the seat 2 of the packaging material 1 on the packaging material conveyor 20.

[0091] (Embodiment 3 of the packaging device) This embodiment, as shown in Figures 12(a)-(c) and 13(a)-(c), includes a packaging material conveyor 20 for conveying individual packaging materials 1, a fruit and vegetable conveyor 21 for conveying fruit and vegetable P, a setting device 22, and an output conveyor 26 for conveying packaged fruit and vegetable P to the next process. These conveyors are also belt conveyors. The fruit and vegetable conveyor 21 is positioned above the packaging material conveyor 20 with a gap in between, and the packaging material conveyor 20 and the fruit and vegetable conveyor 21 travel in the same direction. The output conveyor 26 can take over the packaged fruit and vegetable P sent out from the fruit and vegetable conveyor 21, which is the same as the packaging apparatus in embodiments 1 and 2. What is different is the setting device 22.

[0092] The set device 22 shown in Figures 12(a) to 13(c) consists of two support members 23 arranged side by side. These support members 23 can be closed as shown in Figure 12(a) to support the fruits and vegetables P being sent out from the fruit and vegetable conveyor 21, and can be opened downward as shown in Figure 13(a) to release the support for the fruits and vegetables P, allowing them to fall onto the inner surface 2a of the seat 2 of the packaging material 1 on the packaging material conveyor 20. After the fruits and vegetables P have fallen, the support members 23 rotate upward as shown in Figure 13(b) to become horizontal, so that they can support the fruits and vegetables P being sent out next from the fruit and vegetable conveyor 21.

[0093] In Figures 12(a) to 13(c), item 14 is a fall prevention device, which prevents the fruits and vegetables P being sent out from the fruit and vegetable transporter 21 from falling from the two support members 23. The fall prevention device 14 is U-shaped in plan view and is suspended above the two support members 23 by a suspension device 15.

[0094] (Embodiment of the packaging device 4) This embodiment, as shown in Figures 14(a) to (e), includes a packaging material conveyor 20, a fruit and vegetable conveyor 21, a setting device 22, and an unloading conveyor 26. These conveyors are all belt conveyors, similar to embodiments 1 to 3 of the packaging device. What differs is the configuration and operation of the fruit and vegetable conveyor 21. As shown in Figures 14(a) to (e), the fruit and vegetable conveyor 21 has setting devices 22 at several points along the direction of travel of a traveling body 27 such as a chain or belt.

[0095] As shown in Figures 14(a) to (e), the set device 22 consists of two support members 23 arranged in a roughly V-shape and attached at regular intervals to a horizontally rotating vehicle 27 such as a chain or belt. The support members 23 close in a roughly V-shape to become nearly horizontal as shown in Figure 14(a), and open downwards as shown in Figure 14(b). Each pair of support members 23 rotates in accordance with the rotation of the vehicle 27.

[0096] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 14(a) to (e), a pusher 28 is provided on the sorting conveyor 34 so as to be able to reciprocate in the lateral direction on the sorting conveyor 34. By moving the pusher 28 laterally from the position of the solid line to the position of the dashed line in Figure 14(a), the fruits and vegetables P on the sorting conveyor 34 are sent out one by one to the lateral side in the lateral direction of the sorting conveyor 34 (to the right in Figure 14(a)) and placed on the two closed support members 23 as shown in Figure 14(b).

[0097] The two support members 23 rotate in the same direction as the traveling body 27 rotates, and open downwards over the packaging material 1 being transported by the packaging material transporter 20, as shown in Figures 14(b) and 14(c), allowing the fruits and vegetables P on the two support members 23 to fall onto the inner surface 2a of the base 2 of the packaging material 1.

[0098] The packaged fruits and vegetables P are sent to the transporter 26 and transported to the next process, as shown in Figure 14(e).

[0099] (Embodiment of the packaging device 5) This embodiment, as shown in Figures 15(a) to (e), includes a packaging material conveyor 20, a fruit and vegetable conveyor 21, a setting device 22, and an unloading conveyor 26. These conveyors are all belt conveyors, similar to embodiments 1 to 4 of the packaging device. What differs is the configuration and operation of the fruit and vegetable conveyor 21. As shown in Figures 15(a) to (e), the fruit and vegetable conveyor 21 has setting devices 22 at several points along the direction of travel of a traveling body 27 such as a chain or belt.

[0100] The set device 22 consists of a pair of long support members 23a and short support members 23b, which are attached at regular intervals to a horizontally rotating traveling body 27 such as a chain or belt, and are designed to rotate in conjunction with the rotation of the traveling body 27. As shown in Figure 15(a), the long support members 23a and short support members 23b are designed to close when horizontal and open when facing downward.

[0101] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 15(a) to (e), a pusher 28 is provided on the sorting conveyor 34 so as to be able to reciprocate in the lateral direction on the sorting conveyor 34. By moving the pusher 28 laterally from the position of the solid line to the position of the dashed line in Figure 15(a), the fruits and vegetables P on the sorting conveyor 34 are sent out one by one to the side in the lateral direction of the sorting conveyor 34 (to the right in Figure 15(a)) and placed on the closed long support 23a and short support 23b as shown in Figure 15(b).

[0102] The long support 23a and short support 23b, on which the fruit / vegetable P is placed, open downwards as shown in Figures 15(b) and 15(c), allowing the fruit / vegetable P to fall onto the inner surface 2a of the base 2 of the packaging material 1. At this time, the fruit / vegetable P falls along the long support 23a and is supported from behind by the short support 23b, so that the fruit / vegetable P falls vertically.

[0103] The packaged fruits and vegetables P are sent to the transporter 26 and transported to the next process, as shown in Figure 15(e).

[0104] (Embodiment 6 of the packaging device) This embodiment is also a device for packaging fruits and vegetables P using the packaging material 1, and its basic configuration is the same as embodiments 1 to 5 of the packaging device. The difference is that, as shown in Figures 11(a)(b) or 13(c), instead of the setting device 22 dropping the fruits and vegetables P held by it from above the packaging material 1, the setting device 22 descends while holding the fruits and vegetables P, and places (sets) the fruits and vegetables P on the inner surface 2a of the base 2 of the packaging material 1. Furthermore, the setting device 22 pushes the fruits and vegetables P downwards (outer surface 2b) of the base 2, inverting the inversion section 3 of the packaging material 1, and as shown in Figures 2 to 7(a), the base 4 and packaging piece 6 of the packaging material 1 are raised and curved, so that the fruits and vegetables P can be packaged from the bottom surface to the outer surface by the base 2, base 4 and packaging piece 6.

[0105] (Embodiment of a packaging device, 7) In this embodiment, the fruit or vegetable P is placed (set) on the inner surface 2a of the base 2 of the packaging material 1, and then the fruit or vegetable P is pushed downwards (outer surface 2b) of the base 2 with a dedicated pushing tool (not shown) to invert the inversion section 3 of the packaging material 1, causing the base 4 and packaging piece 6 of the packaging material 1 to stand up and curve as shown in Figures 2 to 7(a), so that the fruit or vegetable P can be packaged from the bottom surface to the outer surface by the base 2, base 4 and packaging piece 6.

[0106] <Packaging method using packaging equipment> The method of packaging fruit and vegetables P using the packaging device shown in Figure 16(a) will be explained below, using Figures 16(a) to 25(a) and 25(b) as examples. (1) The packaging material support 33 shown in Figure 16(a) rises and sucks up the bottommost packaging material 1 from among the many packaging materials 1 stacked and stored in the stock device S.

[0107] (2) In the suction state described in (1), the packaging material support 33 descends as shown in Figure 18(b), pulling only the bottom layer of packaging material 1 down to the bottom of the stock device S. The remaining packaging material 1 remains stacked inside the stock device S.

[0108] (3) As shown in Figures 18(a) and 18(b), the arm 32 swings to the front of the stock device S, extends toward the stock device S, and holds one package material 1 supported by the package material support 33 with the package material positioning device 31 attached to the end of the arm 32.

[0109] (4) Once the packaging material holder 31 has secured the packaging material 1 as described in (3), the arm 32 swings over the packaging material transporter 20 and carries the packaging material 1 held by the packaging material holder 31 over the packaging material transporter 20 as shown in Figures 19(a) and (b).

[0110] (5) As shown in Figures 20(a) and (b), the packaging material placer 31 releases its hold on the packaging material 1 and places the packaging material 1 on the packaging material conveyor 20.

[0111] (6) After the packaging material 1 is placed, the arm 32 retracts, and the arm 32 swings toward the stock device S, returning to its original position as shown in Figures 21(a) and (b), and waiting to hold the next packaging material 1.

[0112] (7) The fruits and vegetables P that have been fed from the sorting conveyor 34 onto the fruit and vegetable conveyor 21 are held by the two support members 23 of the setting device 22, as shown in Figures 22(a) and (b).

[0113] (8) The two support members 23 are moved by the drive unit 38 in the direction of arrow D in Figure 16(a) as shown in Figures 23(a) and (b), until they are placed on top of the packaging material 1 which is positioned on the packaging material transporter 20.

[0114] (9) The two support members 23 are opened sideways as shown in Figures 24(a) and (b) to release the fruit and vegetable P, and drop it onto the inner surface 2a of the seat 2, causing the seat 2 and the inverting part 3 to protrude downward and inward from the packaging part 5, and the inverting part 3 is inverted so that the part from the base 4 to the packaging piece 6 stands upright and curves toward the inner surface 2a of the seat 2, thereby packaging the bottom and outer surface of the fruit and vegetable P.

[0115] (10) As shown in Figures 25(a) and 25(b), the packaged fruits and vegetables P on the packaging material conveyor 20 are sent onto the discharge conveyor 26. During this time, the next packaged material 1 is taken from the stock device S and placed on the packaging material conveyor 20.

[0116] (11) Repeat the above steps (1) to (10) to repeatedly package the fruit and vegetable P.

[0117] [Movement of packaging material transporters and fruit and vegetable transporters] The packaging material conveyor 20 and the fruit / vegetable conveyor 21 of the packaging method and packaging apparatus may be in a continuous conveying system or an intermittent conveying system. In either case, the packaging material conveyor 20, the fruit / vegetable conveyor 21 and the setting device 22 are configured to hold each fruit / vegetable P being conveyed by the fruit / vegetable conveyor 21 and to drop the held fruit / vegetable P onto the inner surface 2a of the seat 2 of the packaging material 1 being conveyed by the packaging material conveyor 20.

[0118] [Other examples of set devices: Rotation method] The setting device in the present invention may be as shown in Figure 26. This setting device 22 has four pairs of support members 23 attached to two traveling bodies 40 such as chain conveyors or belt conveyors. When the traveling bodies 40 rotate horizontally in succession, the four pairs of support members 23 rotate in the same direction as the traveling bodies 40 rotate, so as to move in sync with the packaging material 1 being transported by the packaging material transporter 20. The traveling bodies 40 are arranged facing each other inside a horizontally elongated elliptical plate material (cover) 41.

[0119] Each pair of support members 23 is designed to move closer to and further apart from each other. As in the case of Figure 16(b), when the support members 23 move closer, their tips can enter under the fruit or vegetable P to scoop it up and hold it between the two support members 23. When they move further apart, the support members 23 release the fruit or vegetable P, and the fruit or vegetable P falls onto the inner surface 2a of the seat 2 of the packaging material 1 being transported by the packaging material transporter 20.

[0120] The traveling body 40 moves in the same direction as the traveling rotation direction of the packaging material conveyor 20 and the fruit and vegetable conveyor 21, allowing the pair of support members 23 to move in the same direction. The pair of support members 23 can hold and convey the fruit and vegetables P on the fruit and vegetable conveyor 21 while moving, and can drop (set) them onto the packaging material 1 being conveyed by the packaging material conveyor 20.

[0121] [Continuous rotation] If the packaging material conveyor 20 is a continuous conveying system, the traveling body 40 can also be set to continuous movement, allowing the set device 22 to rotate continuously while the fruits and vegetables P are dropped onto the inner surface 2a of the base 2 of the packaging material 1.

[0122] [Intermittent rotation] If the packaging material conveyor 20 uses an intermittent conveying system, the traveling body 40 is also set to intermittent movement, and the setting device 22 is rotated intermittently. This allows the setting device 22 to pause when the packaging material conveyor 20 pauses, and the fruits and vegetables P can be dropped onto the inner surface 2a of the seat 2 of the paused packaging material 1.

[0123] [Other examples of set devices: Ferris wheel type] The setting device in the present invention may have the configuration shown in Figure 27. The configuration of the setting device 22 in Figure 27 is basically the same as the configuration of the setting device 22 in Figure 26. The difference is that in the setting device 22 of Figure 26, the two moving bodies 40 rotate endlessly horizontally, whereas in the setting device 22 of Figure 27, the two moving bodies 40 rotate in a circular motion above and rotate horizontally below (a Ferris wheel type).

[0124] In Figure 27, four pairs of support members 23 are attached to two traveling bodies 40, one rotating in a circular motion above and the other horizontally below. As the traveling bodies 40 rotate continuously, the four pairs of support members 23 rotate in the same direction as the traveling bodies, holding one fruit or vegetable P at a time as it is being transported by the fruit or vegetable transporter 21. After holding the fruit or vegetable, the support members continue to rotate, and during horizontal rotation, they can be dropped onto the inner surface 2a of the seat 2 of the packaging material 1 being transported by the packaging material transporter 20.

[0125] In Figure 27, if the fruit and vegetable conveyor 21 is set to rotate continuously when the packaging material conveyor 20 is set to a continuous conveying system, and to rotate intermittently when the packaging material conveyor 20 is set to an intermittent conveying system, it becomes easier for the fruit and vegetable P being conveyed by the fruit and vegetable conveyor 21 to be held by the setting device 22, and it becomes easier for the held fruit and vegetable P to fall onto the inner surface 2a of the seat 2 of the packaging material 1 being conveyed by the packaging material conveyor 20.

[0126] [Push-type setting device: Shown in image] The aforementioned rotating and Ferris wheel-type setting devices 22 do not drop the fruit or vegetable P, but rather the support 23 holds the fruit or vegetable P as it descends and places (sets) it on the inner surface 2a of the base 2 of the packaging material 1 being conveyed by the packaging material conveyor 20. The device can then continue to descend, pushing the base 2 towards the outer surface 2b and causing it to protrude outward, thereby raising and curving the base 4 and packaging piece 6 of the packaging material 1.

[0127] [Dedicated pressing tool: garment] In the aforementioned rotating method and Ferris wheel method, the fruit and vegetable P placed on the inner surface 2a of the base 2 of the packaging material 1 by the setting device 22 can be pushed in with a dedicated pressing tool provided separately from the setting device 22, pushing the base 2 outwards towards its outer surface 2b, thereby inverting the packaging piece 6 of the packaging material 1.

[0128] [Packaging materials, packaging procedures] The various embodiments described above are merely examples of the packaging material, packaging method, and packaging apparatus of the present invention. The packaging material 1 used in the present invention may have a structure other than that of the packaging material shown in Figures 1 to 9, as long as the fruit or vegetable P is set on the inner surface 2a of the seat 2 which is in an upwardly protruding state, and the seat 2 and the inversion part 3 protrude downward and inward from the packaging part 5, the inversion part 3 will automatically determine, and the base 4 of the packaging part 5 and the packaging piece 6 will automatically stand up and bend to automatically wrap the fruit or vegetable P.

[0129] The structure and operation (function) of the packaging material conveyor 20 and the fruit and vegetable conveyor 21 may also be of a different type, for example, a turntable or other type of conveyor instead of a belt conveyor. [Industrial applicability]

[0130] The packaging material, packaging method, and packaging apparatus described in this application can be suitably used for packaging various articles, particularly perishable fruits and vegetables such as peaches, pears, apples, and grapes. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0131] 1 Packaging material 2nd seat 2a (The inner surface of the seat) 2b Outer surface (of the seat) 3. Reversal section 3a Inner surface (of the reversal section) 3b Outer surface (of the inversion section) 4. Base (of the packaging part) 5 Packaging Department 6. Packaging pieces (of the packaging section) 7. Inside (of the packaging) 8. Outer surface (of the packaging) 9 Separation space 10 Ribs on all sides 11 Both outer sides (of the circumferential rib) 12 (Root of the circumferential rib) 13 Seat Ribs 14. Fall prevention device 15 Lifting equipment 20 Packaging material conveyor 21. Goods transporter (fruit and vegetable transporter) 22-set device 23 Supports 23a long support 23b Short support 24 (Gate-type) Mobile Unit 24a (Transverse rod of a gantry-type mobile body) 24b Movable parts (of a gantry-type mobile body) 25 Reciprocating Press 26. Transporting and conveying units 27. Running body 28 Pressing tool 31 Packaging material placement tool 32 Arms 33 Packaging material support 34 Sorting and conveying units 35 Receiver 36. Running body 37 Support Arm 38 Drive unit 39. Anti-misalignment device 40 Running body 41. Board material (cover) P Goods (fruits and vegetables) S Stocking Device

Claims

1. It has a seat, a reversing section, and a packaging section. The seat is large enough to place items on. The reversal part is provided in a ring shape around the outer circumference of the base. The packaging section extends outwards from the outer circumference of the reversing section, continuing from the outer circumference of the reversing section. Both the base and the reversing part protrude upwards and inwards towards the packaging section, and when the base in the upward-protruding state is pushed downwards and inwards towards the packaging section along with the reversing part, it becomes a downward-protruding state. When the reversing part protrudes downward along with the base, it protrudes in a ring shape to the outside of the underside of the base and reverses. The packaging section, when the reversing section is reversed, stands up and curves towards the upper inner side of the seat, allowing the item on the seat to be packaged from the outside. A packaging material characterized by the following features.

2. In the packaging material according to claim 1, The packaging material is made of elastic material. A packaging material characterized by the following features.

3. In the packaging material according to claim 1, The packaging section comprises a base that extends outward from the reversing section and is continuous with the entire circumference of the reversing section, and a plurality of packaging pieces that extend outward from the base and are continuous with the outer circumference of the base. A packaging material characterized by the following features.

4. In the packaging material according to claim 3, The packaging pieces are separated into multiple pieces by separation spaces provided around their circumference. A packaging material characterized by the following features.

5. In the packaging material of claim 4, The packaging section has circumferential ribs in the center or approximately center in the width direction. The circumferential ribs are present one or more times along the longitudinal direction of the packaging piece. Each circumferential rib is elongated and continuous from the base of the packaging section to the packaging piece, and is a convex ridge that is recessed on the inner side of the packaging section and protrudes on the outer side. A packaging material characterized by the following features.

6. In the packaging material according to claim 5, The seat has seat ribs. The seat rib is elongated and continuous from the central part of the seat to the reversible part that extends along the outer circumference of the seat. It is provided on either side of the circumferential rib and the reversible part, and is a convex ridge that is recessed on the inner surface of the seat and protrudes on the outer surface. A packaging material characterized by the following features.

7. In the packaging material according to any one of claims 1 to 6, The reversing part, when it protrudes upward along with the seat, has an inner surface that spreads out to the outer circumference of the seat, and when it protrudes downward along with the seat, the inner surface becomes recessed in a ring-shaped groove, and the outer surface becomes a ring-shaped convex ridge that protrudes to the outside of the outer surface of the seat. When both the base and the reversing part protrude upward, the outer circumference of the reversing part widens with a downward slope. When both the base and the reversing part protrude downward, and the reversing part reverses, it stands upright above the base and curves inward towards the inner surface of the base, allowing the item on the base to be wrapped from the outside. A packaging material characterized by the following features.

8. In the packaging material according to claim 7, The reversing unit can assist in the uprighting and curving of the packaging piece from the base of the packaging unit to the packaging piece by setting the item, which is held by hand or machine, onto the seat which is in an upward-protruding position and then in a downward-protruding position along with the seat. A packaging material characterized by the following features.

9. A packaging material is used in which a reversible section is located on the outer circumference of a base on which an item can be placed, and a packaging section is continuous with the outer circumference of the reversible section. The base and the reversible section are made to protrude upward inward from the packaging section, so that the packaging section protrudes upward on the outer circumference of the reversible section, with a gradually sloping base. An article held or supported by hand or machine is placed on the inner surface of the seat, which is in an upward-protruding state. The seat and the inverting part are pushed downward and inward towards the packaging part, causing the inverting part to invert, and the packaging part is raised and curved towards the inner surface of the seat to package the article on the seat with the packaging part. A packaging method characterized by the following features.

10. A packaging material is used in which a reversible section is located on the outer circumference of a base on which an item can be placed, and a packaging section is continuous with the outer circumference of the reversible section. The base and the reversible section are made to protrude upwards and inwards from the packaging section, creating an upward protruding state, and the packaging section gradually slopes downwards and widens at the outer circumference of the base. The packaging materials are placed one by one on the packaging material conveyor, and the packaging materials are conveyed by the packaging material conveyor. In a transporter for goods, an item held or supported by hand or machine is placed on the inner surface of a seat that is in an upwardly protruding state of the packaging material being transported. The seat and the inverting part are pushed downward and inward towards the packaging part, causing it to protrude downward, and the inverting part is inverted, causing the packaging part to stand upright and curve towards the inner surface of the seat, thereby packaging the item on the seat with the packaging part. A packaging method characterized by the following features.

11. In the packaging method according to claim 9 or claim 10, Packaging materials, each with a base that protrudes upwards and inwards towards the packaging section, are taken one by one from the stocking device and placed on a packaging material conveyor. The packaging materials are then conveyed by the conveyor, and an article held or supported by hand or machine is placed on the upward-protruding base of the packaging material. The base and the inverting section are then pushed downwards and inwards towards the packaging section, causing the inverting section to protrude downwards. The inverting section is then inverted, causing the packaging section to stand upright and curve towards the inner surface of the base, thereby packaging the article on the base with the packaging section. A packaging method characterized by the following features.

12. In the packaging method according to claim 9 or claim 10, The article conveyed by the article conveyor is held or supported one by one by the setting device, and the article is set on the inner surface of the upwardly protruding seat of the packaging material conveyed by the packaging material conveyor, the seat and the inverting part are pushed down inward and downward of the packaging part to make it protrude downward, the inverting part is inverted so that the packaging part stands upright and curves toward the inner surface of the seat, and the article on the seat is packaged by the packaging part. A method for packaging fruits and vegetables characterized by the following features.

13. In the packaging method according to claim 11, The article conveyed by the article conveyor is held or supported one by one by the setting device, and the article is set on the inner surface of the upwardly protruding seat of the packaging material conveyed by the packaging material conveyor, the seat and the inverting part are pushed down inward and downward of the packaging part to make it protrude downward, the inverting part is inverted so that the packaging part stands upright and curves toward the inner surface of the seat, and the article on the seat is packaged by the packaging part. A packaging method characterized by the following features.

14. In the packaging method according to claim 9 or claim 10, The packaging material is placed one by one onto the packaging material conveyor using a packaging material placement device, and the packaging material is then conveyed by the packaging material conveyor. The article conveyed by the article conveyor is held or supported one by one by the setting device, and the article is set on the inner surface of the upwardly protruding seat of the packaging material conveyed by the packaging material conveyor, the seat and the inverting part are pushed downward inward and inward of the packaging part to make it protrude downward, the inverting part is inverted, and the packaging part is raised and curved toward its inner surface, and the article on the seat is packaged by the packaging part. A packaging method characterized by the following features.

15. In the packaging method according to claim 11, The packaging material is placed one by one onto the packaging material conveyor using a packaging material placement device, and the packaging material is then conveyed by the packaging material conveyor. The article conveyed by the article conveyor is held or supported one by one by the setting device, and the article is set on the inner surface of the upwardly protruding seat of the packaging material conveyed by the packaging material conveyor, the seat and the inverting part are pushed downward inward and inward of the packaging part to make it protrude downward, the inverting part is inverted, and the packaging part is raised and curved toward its inner surface, and the article on the seat is packaged by the packaging part. A packaging method characterized by the following features.

16. In the packaging method according to claim 12, The packaging material is placed one by one onto the packaging material conveyor using a packaging material placement device, and the packaging material is then conveyed by the packaging material conveyor. The article conveyed by the article conveyor is held or supported one by one by the setting device, and the article is set on the inner surface of the upwardly protruding seat of the packaging material conveyed by the packaging material conveyor, the seat and the inverting part are pushed downward inward and inward of the packaging part to make it protrude downward, the inverting part is inverted, and the packaging part is raised and curved toward its inner surface, and the article on the seat is packaged by the packaging part. A packaging method characterized by the following features.

17. In the packaging method according to claim 9 or claim 10, The packaging materials stored in the stocking device are taken out one by one by a packaging material placement tool, placed on a packaging material conveyor, and then the packaging materials are conveyed by the packaging material conveyor. The article conveyed by the article conveyor is held or supported one by one by the setting device, and the article is set on the seat of the packaging material conveyed by the packaging material conveyor. The seat and the inverting part are pushed downward and inward of the packaging part, causing it to protrude downward, the inverting part is inverted, and the packaging part is raised and curved toward the inner surface of the seat, thereby packaging the article on the seat with the packaging part. A packaging method characterized by the following features.

18. In the packaging method according to claim 12, The packaging material stored in the stocking device is taken out one by one by the packaging material placement unit, placed on the packaging material conveyor, and then the packaging material is conveyed by the packaging material conveyor. The article conveyed by the article conveyor is held or supported one by one by the setting device, and the article is set on the seat of the packaging material conveyed by the packaging material conveyor. The seat and the inverting part are pushed downward and inward of the packaging part, causing it to protrude downward, the inverting part is inverted, and the packaging part is raised and curved toward the inner surface of the seat, thereby packaging the article on the seat with the packaging part. A packaging method characterized by the following features.

19. In the packaging method according to claim 9 or claim 10, The sorting conveyor unit sorts the items by grade and then transports them to the item conveyor unit. The items transported by the item conveyor unit are held or supported one by one by a setting device. These items are then placed on the packaging material seats transported by the packaging material conveyor unit. The seats and the inversion unit are pushed downwards and inwards towards the packaging section, the inversion unit is inverted, and the packaging section is raised and curved towards the inner surface of the seats, thereby packaging the items on the seats with the packaging section. A packaging method characterized by the following features.

20. In the packaging method according to claim 11, The sorting conveyor unit sorts the items by grade and then transports them to the item conveyor unit. The items transported by the item conveyor unit are held or supported one by one by a setting device. These items are then placed on the packaging material seats transported by the packaging material conveyor unit. The seats and the inversion unit are pushed downwards and inwards towards the packaging section, the inversion unit is inverted, and the packaging section is raised and curved towards the inner surface of the seats, thereby packaging the items on the seats with the packaging section. A packaging method characterized by the following features.

21. In the packaging method according to claim 12, The sorting conveyor unit sorts the items by grade and then transports them to the item conveyor unit. The items transported by the item conveyor unit are held or supported one by one by a setting device. These items are then placed on the packaging material seats transported by the packaging material conveyor unit. The seats and the inversion unit are pushed downwards and inwards towards the packaging section, the inversion unit is inverted, and the packaging section is raised and curved towards the inner surface of the seats, thereby packaging the items on the seats with the packaging section. A packaging method characterized by the following features.

22. A packaging material transporter capable of carrying and transporting packaging materials, having a reversing section on the outer circumference of a seat on which goods can be placed, and a packaging section continuous around the outer circumference of the reversing section, A transporter capable of transporting goods, A set device capable of holding or supporting each individual item being transported by an item transporter, The packaging material placement device is equipped with a packaging material that can place one piece at a time onto a packaging material conveyor, where the base and reversing part protrude inward and upward from the packaging part, and the packaging part has a gradually sloping base that widens outwards from the outer circumference of the reversing part. The setting device sets the held or supported article on the seat of the packaging material, which is transported by the packaging material conveyor, pushing the seat and the inverting part of the packaging material inward to make it protrude downward, inverting the inverting part, and raising and curving the packaging part toward the inner surface of the seat, so that the article on the seat can be packaged by the packaging part. A packaging device characterized by the following features.

23. A stocking device that can store a large number of packaging materials, A packaging material transporter capable of carrying and transporting packaging materials, having a reversing section on the outer circumference of a seat on which goods can be placed, and a packaging section continuous around the outer circumference of the reversing section, A packaging material placement device that can take out packaging material one piece at a time from a stocking device and place it on a packaging material conveyor, A transporter capable of transporting goods, It is equipped with a set device that can hold or support each item being transported by an item transporter, The stocking device can store multiple sheets of packaging material in an upward-protruding state, where the base and reversing section protrude inward and upward from the packaging section, and the packaging section gradually widens at the outer circumference of the reversing section. The setting device is capable of holding or supporting articles being transported by an article transporter, setting the held or supported articles onto the seat of a packaging material being transported by a packaging material transporter, pushing the seat and the reversing part inward into the packaging part to make them protrude downward, reversing the reversing part to raise and curve the packaging part toward the inner surface of the seat, so that the articles on the seat can be packaged by the packaging part. A packaging device characterized by the following features.

24. In the packaging apparatus according to claim 23, The packaging material dispenser can take out packaging materials stored in a stocking device in an upward-protruding state, one by one, in an upward-protruding state, and place them on a packaging material conveyor in an upward-protruding state. A packaging device characterized by the following features.

25. In the packaging apparatus according to any one of claims 22 to 24, It is equipped with a sorting and conveying unit that transports goods and, during transport, sorts the goods by grade and then sends them out one by one to a goods transport unit. A packaging device characterized by the following features.

26. In the packaging apparatus according to any one of claims 22 to 24, The setting device can hold or support each item being transported by the item transporter, move in the same direction as the packaging material transporter, and set the held or supported items onto the base of the packaging material being transported by the packaging material transporter. A packaging device characterized by the following features.

27. In the packaging apparatus according to claim 25, The setting device can hold or support each item being transported by the item transporter, move in the same direction as the packaging material transporter, and set the held or supported items onto the base of the packaging material being transported by the packaging material transporter. A packaging device characterized by the following features.

28. In the packaging apparatus according to claim 22 or claim 23, Either the packaging material conveyor or the article conveyor, or both, are belt conveyors or turntables, and can convey packaging materials or articles by the movement of the belt conveyor or the rotation of the turntable. A packaging device characterized by the following features.

29. In the packaging apparatus according to claim 24, Either the packaging material conveyor or the article conveyor, or both, are belt conveyors or turntables, and can convey packaging materials or articles by the movement of the belt conveyor or the rotation of the turntable. A packaging device characterized by the following features.

30. In the packaging apparatus according to claim 25, Either the packaging material conveyor or the article conveyor, or both, are belt conveyors or turntables, and can convey packaging materials or articles by the movement of the belt conveyor or the rotation of the turntable. A packaging device characterized by the following features.

31. In the packaging apparatus according to claim 26, Either the packaging material conveyor or the article conveyor, or both, are belt conveyors or turntables, and can convey packaging materials or articles by the movement of the belt conveyor or the rotation of the turntable. A packaging device characterized by the following features.

Images