Packaging method and packaging device

Abstract

To provide a packaging method and a packaging apparatus that surely prevent air leakage and package continuously and cleanly in a near-vacuum condition.SOLUTION: A packaging apparatus of the invention comprises: a plurality of conveyors 26, 28, 30, 32 that continuously convey a pair of film rolls 14, 18 wound with long packaging films 12, 16 and packaged products 20 to be wrapped between a pair of wrapping films 12, 16 from upstream to downstream along the draw direction of the wrapping films 12, 16; a first vertical sealing device 34 which cuts and welds crossing the longitudinal direction of a pair of packaging films 12, 16, and welds the upstream side end while making the downstream side end of the cut packaging films 12, 16 to be an opening; a pair of lateral sealing devices 54 which are positioned on the downstream side of the first vertical sealing device 34 and which weld both side edge parts along the drawing direction of the pair of packaging films 12, 16; and a second vertical sealing device 68 which is positioned on the downstream side of the horizontal sealing device 54, crosses the pair of packaging films 12, 16 in the longitudinal direction, and welds the opening 52.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a packaging method and a packaging device for unrolling a long packaging film wound in a roll and sandwiching an item to be packaged between the packaging film and packaging the item. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there are various packaging methods and packaging devices for wrapping and packaging an item to be packaged in a long packaging film. For example, a packaging device or packaging method disclosed in Patent Document 1 inserts the item to be packaged between a long packaging film folded in half, and forms a U-shaped seal part that surrounds the item to be packaged at the folded edge of the packaging film, sealing it in a vacuum state. The method of creating a vacuum involves forming the seal part except for a part, then sucking the air inside from the part where the seal part is not formed using a deaeration device or a suction pipe, forming the remaining part of the seal part in a near-vacuum state, and packaging it. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 3-98818 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the case of the above-mentioned background art, there is a risk of air leaking where the folded crease of the film intersects with the sealed portion. On the other hand, if the packaging film is not folded in half, but the packaged item is sandwiched between two separate films from above and below and the entire periphery of the packaged item is surrounded by the sealed portion, there is no risk of air leaking. However, in the case of a packaging device that transports the packaged item on a belt conveyer and automatically packages it, there is a risk of the two packaging films becoming misaligned or wrinkled, which may cause defects.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the problems in the background art described above, and has an object to provide a packaging method and packaging device which reliably prevents air leakage and enables continuous, neat packaging in a near-vacuum state. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention is a packaging device provided with a pair of film rolls positioned above and below and wound up with a long packaging film, and a plurality of conveyors that continuously transport the packaged item to be packaged between the pair of packaging films, which are pulled out from the pair of film rolls and stacked above and below, from upstream to downstream along the pulling-out direction of the packaging films, while the packaged item is sandwiched from above and below between the pair of packaging films, and the packaging device is provided with a first vertical sealing device located near the conveyors and cuts and welds the pair of packaging films across the longitudinal direction, with the downstream cut end portion forming an opening for the pair of packaging films and the upstream end portion welding the pair of packaging films, a pair of horizontal sealing devices located downstream of the first vertical sealing device and welding both side edge portions along the pulling-out direction of the pair of packaging films, and a second vertical sealing device located downstream of the horizontal sealing device and welding the opening across the longitudinal direction of the pair of packaging films.

[0007] Among the plurality of conveyors, the discharge conveyor having a narrow width intersecting the conveying direction is provided downstream of the first vertical sealing device, and on both sides near the downstream end of the discharge conveyor, Near the second vertical sealing device To A pair of degassing devices are provided, which are inserted into the opening of the bag body formed by the first vertical sealing device and the pair of horizontal sealing devices and have suction pipes that suck out the air inside, and the pair of degassing devices are movable in the direction of inserting them into the opening and in the direction of opening in the width direction of the packaging film, and after the air inside is sucked out, the openings of the pair of packaging films are welded and packaged by the second vertical sealing device.

[0008] The degassing device includes: On the outer side of the suction pipe in the conveying direction of the discharge conveyor, A bar is provided to be inserted into the bag body from the opening, and the bar is a straight rod member that is long in the insertion direction. The thickness intersecting the conveying surface of the discharge conveyor is thin. do.

[0009] A degassing presser member is provided near the second vertical sealing device to sandwich and seal the openings of the pair of packaging films from above and below. The degassing presser member is made of a flexible material, seals the openings when the degassing device is inserted, and maintains the seal even when the degassing device is removed. The second vertical sealing device welds the openings of the pair of packaging films to seal the inside in a near vacuum state.

[0010] Discharge conveyor The horizontal sealing devices are provided on both sides of the packaging film, and the distance between the pair of horizontal sealing devices is narrower than the width of the packaging film intersecting the longitudinal direction.

[0011] A film drawing chuck is provided slightly downstream of the first vertical sealing device, and moves along the conveying direction of the conveyor while holding the ends of the pair of packaging films where the first vertical seal portion provided by the first vertical sealing device is formed. The film drawing chuck is The pair of packaging films are stacked vertically, and the pair of packaging films are stacked vertically. The pair of packaging films are stacked vertically ... A pair of the packaging films are provided side by side in the width direction of the packaging film.

[0012] A suction pad is provided on the upstream side of the second vertical sealing device, and the pair of sealing members are sealed by the suction pad. Package The upstream end of the packaging film is sucked and moved upward, widening the opening at the upstream end of the packaging film in the vertical direction, thereby facilitating the insertion operation of the deaeration device.

[0013] The conveyors include an input conveyor, a supply conveyor, a discharge conveyor, and a take-out conveyor, which are provided in succession from the upstream side in this order.

[0014] In addition, the present invention is a method of sandwiching a packaged item between two overlapping packaging films, In the direction of transport of the packaged goods From the upstream side Downstream The continuous input conveyor, supply conveyor, discharge conveyor, and discharge conveyor allow The packaged article The packaging film is continuously conveyed from upstream to downstream, and a first vertical seal portion that is long in one direction is formed around the packaged item of the packaging film. FormingThe discharge conveyor is provided with a narrow width intersecting the conveying direction, A film pull-out chuck consisting of two members is provided on both sides of the discharge conveyor and moves along the conveying direction of the conveyor, and in a state where the pair of packaging films are stacked one on top of the other by the film pull-out chuck, a pair of portions aligned in the width direction of the packaging film at the end where the first vertical seal portion is formed are held by the two members and moved downstream, and a pair of horizontal seal portions that overlap and intersect both ends of the first vertical seal portion are formed to seal in a U-shape, and the pair of packaging films are made into a bag body having an opening, A pair of movable degassing devices are provided on both sides of the downstream end of the discharge conveyor, The pair of degassing devices are provided with a suction pipe and a bar located on both outer sides of the suction pipe in the conveying direction of the discharge conveyor, and the bar is formed to have a thin thickness intersecting the conveying surface of the discharge conveyor, The degassing device is inserted into the opening and opened in the width direction to form the opening Both sides of the bar The method includes spreading the bag out, sealing it with a degassing presser, sucking the air inside the bag with the suction pipe, and when the inside is in a near vacuum state, removing the degassing device, welding and sealing the opening, and packaging. When the second vertical seal is formed, nitrogen gas may be filled in and replaced, and packaging may be performed. Effect of the Invention

[0015] The packaging method and packaging device of the present invention can reliably prevent air leakage and continuously package in a near-vacuum state. The packaging device transports the packaged items on a belt conveyor and automatically packages them, allowing for neat and efficient packaging in a near-vacuum state. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic front view of a packaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a partial schematic plan view of the packaging device according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] 3 is a partially enlarged front view of a first vertical sealing device of the packaging apparatus according to this embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] 3 is a partially enlarged front view of a first vertical sealing device of the packaging apparatus according to this embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 5] 4 is a partially enlarged front view of a second vertical sealing device of the packaging apparatus according to this embodiment. FIG. [Figure 6] 3 is a schematic front view showing a packaging process of the packaging device of this embodiment. FIG. [Figure 7] 3 is a schematic front view showing a packaging process of the packaging device of this embodiment. FIG. [Figure 8] 3 is a schematic front view showing a packaging process of the packaging device of this embodiment. FIG. [Figure 9]3 is a schematic front view showing a packaging process of the packaging device of this embodiment. FIG. [Figure 10] 3 is a schematic front view showing a packaging process of the packaging device of this embodiment. FIG. [Figure 11] 3 is a schematic front view showing a packaging process of the packaging device of this embodiment. FIG. [Figure 12] 3 is a schematic front view showing a packaging process of the packaging device of this embodiment. FIG. [Figure 13] 3 is a schematic front view showing a packaging process of the packaging device of this embodiment. FIG. [Figure 14] 3 is a schematic front view showing a packaging process of the packaging device of this embodiment. FIG. [Figure 15] 3 is a schematic front view showing a packaging process of the packaging device of this embodiment. FIG. [Figure 16] 3 is a schematic front view showing a packaging process of the packaging device of this embodiment. FIG. [Figure 17] 2 is a perspective view of an item packaged by the packaging device of this embodiment. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] A packaging method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below. Figures 1 and 2 show an embodiment of the packaging device of the present invention. In the packaging device 10 of this embodiment, a film roll 14 is provided in which a long packaging film 12 is wound in a roll shape, and a film roll 18 in which a similar long packaging film 16 is wound in a roll shape is positioned below the film roll 14. The axial directions of the film roll 14 and the film roll 18 are parallel to each other. This packaging device 10 sandwiches the product 20 to be packaged between the packaging films 12 and 16 stacked one on top of the other, and packages the product. The packaging films 12 and 16 are, for example, laminated films of PET and PE, and the packaging films 12 and 16 are arranged so that the PEs face each other.

[0018] Here, the product 20 is a parts tray and a commodity housed in the tray, as shown in Fig. 17. The parts tray opens upward, and inside the opening is a storage space in which the commodity parts are placed. The storage space is formed with partitions that house the parts with small gaps. In this embodiment, the parts may rattle within the partitions during transportation, and the parts may accidentally come out from the openings, so to prevent this, the parts are packaged in a near vacuum state using packaging films 12, 16.

[0019] The packaging device 10 is provided with a rectangular base section formed by a frame material (not shown) or the like, and an input conveyor 26 for continuously transporting the products 20, a supply conveyor 28, a discharge conveyor 30, and a discharge conveyor 32 are provided on the base section, in this order, from upstream to downstream in the transport direction of the products 20. Note that the transport direction of the input conveyor 26, supply conveyor 28, discharge conveyor 30, and discharge conveyor 32 is defined as the horizontal direction, the approximately horizontal direction intersecting the horizontal direction at approximately right angles is defined as the vertical direction, and the approximately vertical direction intersecting the horizontal and vertical directions at approximately right angles is defined as the up-down direction.

[0020] The input conveyor 26, the supply conveyor 28, the discharge conveyor 30, and the discharge conveyor 32 each have a conveyor belt stretched between a pair of rollers journaled on a conveyor support of the base, and are operable by a drive mechanism including a conveyor drive motor, a drive gear, and a chain. Each roller and each conveyor belt is positioned on a horizontal plane, and conveys the products 20 on a constant horizontal plane. The input conveyor 26, the supply conveyor 28, and the discharge conveyor 32 have approximately the same width intersecting the conveying direction of the products 20, and are slightly wider than the width of the packaging films 12, 16. The width of the discharge conveyor 30 is narrower than that, being narrower than the width of the packaging films 12, 16.

[0021] The film rolls 14, 18 are located above and below the supply conveyor 28, with the conveying surface of the product 20 in between. The axial direction of the film rolls 14, 18 is perpendicular to the conveying direction of the product 20 and is horizontal. The film roll 14 is located above the supply conveyor 28, and is provided with a film unwinding device having a film unwinding roller 22 and other support parts and rollers (not shown) that unwind the packaging film 12 from the film roll 14, and the unwinding packaging film 12 advances parallel to the conveying direction of the product 20 along the upper surface of the supply conveyor 28. The film roll 18 is located below the supply conveyor 28, and is provided with a film unwinding device having a film unwinding roller 22 and other support parts and rollers (not shown) that unwind the packaging film 16 from the film roll 18, and the unwinding packaging film 16 is unwinded parallel to the conveying direction of the product 20, i.e., the unwinding direction of the packaging film 12, along the lower surface of the supply conveyor 28. The product 20 is then pulled out from between the downstream end of the supply conveyor 28 and the upstream end of the discharge conveyor 30 above the conveying surface of the product 20, and overlapped under the packaging film 12, with the packaging films 12 and 16 stacked one on top of the other and proceeding at the same speed.

[0022] Between the supply conveyor 28 and the discharge conveyor 30, there are provided a first vertical sealing device 34 that is long in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the product 20, and a first vertical seal receiver 42 that the first vertical sealing device 34 presses against from above. As shown in FIG. 3, the first vertical sealing device 34 cuts and welds the packaging film 12 and the packaging film 16, and is located above the conveying surface of the product 20. A recess 36 is formed in the center of the lower end surface of the first vertical sealing device 34 along the longitudinal direction. The portion of the lower end surface on the supply conveyor 28 side, which is upstream of the recess 36, is a heater section 38 using an electric heat source (not shown), and the portion on the discharge conveyor 30 side, which is downstream of the recess 36, is a pressing section 40 having thermal insulation properties. The first vertical seal receiver 42 is located below the conveying surface of the product 20, and a recess 44 is formed along the longitudinal direction at the center of the upper end surface with which the first vertical sealing device 34 is pressed, and a cutting blade 46 is provided facing upward at the bottom of the recess 44, and the cutting blade 46 can be protruded and retracted from the upper surface of the first vertical seal receiver 42. On both sides of the recess 44 are pressing parts 48 that are insulated and press against the heater part 38 or pressing part 40 of the first vertical sealing device 34.

[0023] The first vertical sealing device 34 and the first vertical seal receiver 42 are installed so as to be movable up and down by a driving device such as an air cylinder (not shown) in the vertical direction, and are provided so as to be able to abut and separate from each other. As shown in FIG. 4, the first vertical sealing device 34 descends, and the first seal receiver 42 ascends, and they are pressed against each other at half the height of the product 20 between the supply conveyor 28 and the discharge conveyor 30. At this time, the cutting blade 46 protrudes and is inserted into the recess 36 of the first vertical sealing device 34, and the overlapped packaging films 12, 16 are cut by the cutting blade 46. The upstream ends 12a, 16a of the cut packaging films 12, 16 close to the supply conveyor 28 are formed with the first vertical seal portion 50 by the heater portion 38, and the packaging films 12, 16 are welded to each other. The downstream ends 12b, 16b close to the discharge conveyor 30 are not sealed, and an opening 52 is formed. The first vertical seal device 34 and the first vertical seal receiver 42 are longer than the width of the packaging films 12, 16. Therefore, the packaging films 12, 16 are completely cut and welded in the width direction.

[0024] On both sides of the narrow discharge conveyor 30, a horizontal seal device 54 that is long in the horizontal direction parallel to the conveying direction of the product 20 and a horizontal seal receiver 56 that the horizontal seal device 54 presses against from above are provided. The horizontal seal device 54 seals the overlapping packaging film 12 and film roll 14, and is located above the conveying surface of the product 20. The lower end surface of the horizontal seal device 54 is a heater section 54a using an electric heat source (not shown). The discharge conveyor 30 is formed narrow, and the distance between the pair of horizontal seal devices 54 is wider than the width of the discharge conveyor 30 but narrower than the width of the packaging films 12, 14, so that a horizontal seal section 58 can be formed on the vertical side edge sections 12c, 16c of the packaging films 12, 14 on the side of the discharge conveyor 30. The pair of horizontal seal devices 54 are located at equal intervals across the center of the discharge conveyor 30 and are spaced apart from the side edges of the discharge conveyor 30 by the same distance. The transverse seal receiver 56 is located below the conveying surface of the product 20 and faces the transverse sealing device 54 .

[0025] The horizontal seal device 54 and the horizontal seal receiver 56 are installed so as to be movable up and down by a driving device such as an air cylinder (not shown) in the vertical direction, and are provided so as to be able to abut and separate from each other at half the height of the products 20 on the supply conveyor 28 and the discharge conveyor 30. The heater unit 54a forms horizontal seal portions 58 on both side edges 12c, 16c of the packaging films 12, 16 parallel to the drawing direction. As a result, the packaging films 12, 14 are sealed, and the first vertical seal portion 50 and the horizontal seal portion 58 cross each other at right angles to form a U-shape, and the packaging films 12, 16 become a bag body having an opening 52. The crossing portions of the first vertical seal portion 50 and the horizontal seal portion 58 overlap each other, and the packaging films 12, 16 are reliably welded together to be airtight. The ends 12b, 16b close to the supply conveyor 28 are not sealed, and the opening 52 remains.

[0026] On both sides of the discharge conveyor 30, between the side edges of the discharge conveyor 30 and the horizontal sealing device 54, film pull-out chucks 60 are provided, which grip and move the packaging films 12, 16. The pair of film pull-out chucks 60 are provided side by side in the width direction of the packaging films 12, 16, are equidistant about the center of the discharge conveyor 30, and are positioned at the same distance from the side edges of the discharge conveyor 30. The film pull-out chucks 60 are made of two members that hold the upstream ends 12a, 16a of the packaging films 12, 16 that have been welded together by the first vertical sealing device 34. The two members are stacked one on top of the other, with the lower member located near the conveying surfaces of the discharge conveyor 30 and the supply conveyor 28 and parallel to the conveying surfaces, and the downstream end of the upper member is supported by a shaft, and the upstream end swings relative to the lower member to open and close. The film pulling chuck 60 can be moved horizontally in parallel with the conveying direction of the discharge conveyor 30 by a driving device such as an air cylinder (not shown).

[0027] A deaeration device 62 is provided on each side near the downstream end of the discharge conveyor 30, outside the film drawing chuck 60. The pair of deaeration devices 62 sucks air from the inner space through the ends 12b, 16b, which are the openings 52, of the packaging films 12, 16 that have been sealed in three directions by the first vertical seal section 50 and the pair of horizontal seal sections 58 to form a bag shape. The pair of deaeration devices 62 are equally spaced across the discharge conveyor 30 and are located outside the film drawing chuck 60. The deaeration device 62 is provided with a suction pipe 64 connected to a vacuum pump (not shown), and the suction pipe 64 protrudes and opens toward the downstream side.

[0028] A straight bar 66 is provided on both outer sides of the suction pipe 64 in the conveying direction of the discharge conveyor 30. The longitudinal direction of the suction pipe 64 and the bar 66 is horizontal and parallel to the conveying direction of the discharge conveyor 30. under The downstream end is closer to bar 66. under The bar 66 is formed so as to have a small thickness where it intersects with the conveying surface of the discharge conveyor 30.

[0029] The deaeration device 62 can be moved horizontally in a direction intersecting the direction parallel to the conveying direction of the discharge conveyor 30 by a driving device such as an air cylinder (not shown). This allows the pair of bars 66 to first be inserted into the inside of the opening 52 of the bag-shaped packaging films 12, 16, and then to move horizontally away from each other to widen and stretch the opening 52. In other words, the packaging films 12, 16 can be stretched in the width direction.

[0030] Between the discharge conveyor 30 and the discharge conveyor 32, there are provided a second vertical sealing device 68 that is long in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the products 20, and a second vertical seal receiver 70 that the second vertical sealing device 68 presses against from above. As shown in Fig. 5, the second vertical sealing device 68 seals the upstream ends 12b, 16b of the packaging films 12 and 16 and is located above the conveying surface of the products 20. The lower end surface of the second vertical sealing device 68 is a heater section 72 using an electric heat source (not shown), and a fusion blade 74 is provided in the center of the heater section 72 along the longitudinal direction.

[0031] The second vertical sealing device 68 and the second vertical seal receiver 70 are installed so as to be movable up and down by a driving device such as an air cylinder (not shown) and are provided so as to be able to abut and separate from each other. The second vertical sealing device 68 descends and the second vertical seal receiver 70 ascends, and they are pressed against each other at half the height of the product 20 between the discharge conveyor 30 and the dispensing conveyor 32, a second vertical seal portion 73 is formed by the heater section 72, and the excess outer portion is melted off by the melting blade 74. The second vertical sealing device 68 and the second vertical seal receiver 70 are longer than the width of the packaging films 12, 16. Therefore, the packaging films 12, 16 are completely melt-sealed in the width direction.

[0032] Between the second vertical sealing device 68 and the discharge conveyor 32, a deaeration presser member 76 is provided slightly downstream of and parallel to the second vertical sealing device 68. The deaeration presser member 76 holds the upstream ends 12b, 16b of the packaging films 12, 16 slightly downstream, and is made up of two members which hold the packaging films 12, 16 from above and below. The deaeration presser member 76 is installed so as to be movable up and down in the vertical direction by a driving device such as an air cylinder (not shown), and is installed at a height half the height of the products 20 so as to be able to come into contact with and separate from each other.

[0033] The sealing position of the packaging films 12, 16 is driven to be located between the discharge conveyor 30 and the discharge conveyor 32, and the member located above the deaeration presser member 76 descends and the member located below ascends, so that they press against each other and hold the packaging films 12, 16 at half the height of the products 20 between the discharge conveyor 30 and the discharge conveyor 32. The surfaces of the deaeration presser member 76 that press against each other are made of a flexible material, and when pressed against each other, the space between the packaging films 12 and 16 is sealed, and even if the bar 66 of the deaeration device 62 is inserted between the packaging films 12 and 16 during the packaging process, it deforms to create a sealed state.

[0034] A suction pad 78 is provided slightly upstream of the second vertical sealing device 68. The suction pad 78 sucks the vicinity of the end 12b of the packaging film 12, moves upward, and opens the opening 52 consisting of the end 12b and the end 16b in the vertical direction. The suction pad 78 has a suction port facing downward, and can be moved up and down by a driving device such as an air cylinder (not shown). The suction pad 78 is located above the conveying surface of the discharge conveyor 30, at the center of the conveying surface in the width direction.

[0035] Next, a packaging method using the packaging films 12, 16 by the packaging device 10 of this embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 6, the product 20 is placed on the input conveyor 26 and conveyed in. The packaging films 12, 16 are pulled out from the film rolls 14, 18 by the film unwinding device, and are guided by the film pull-out roller 22, and the packaging films 12, 16 are inserted between the first vertical sealing device 34 and the first vertical seal receiver 42, overlapping each other. The first vertical sealing device 34 and the first vertical seal receiver 42 are operated to pinch the leading ends of the packaging films 12, 16 at half the height of the product 20, and the packaging films 12, 16 are cut by the cutting blade 46. By cutting, the first vertical seal portion 50 is formed by the heater unit 38 at the upstream end 12a, 16a close to the supply conveyor 28, and the packaging films 12, 16 are welded to each other. The downstream end 12b, 16b close to the discharge conveyor 30 is not sealed, and an opening 52 is formed. At this time, the film pulling chuck 60 moves to the upstream end of the discharge conveyor 30 and holds the ends 12a, 16a welded at the first vertical seal section 50. Then, the product 20 is carried in between the packaging films 12 and 16 welded at the first vertical seal section 50 from the input conveyor 26.

[0036] Next, as shown in Fig. 7, the product 20 is transported by the supply conveyor 28 and moves to the discharge conveyor 30. At this time, the pair of packaging films 12, 16 are held by a pair of film pull-out chucks 60 on the left and right in a vertically stacked state, and the film pull-out chucks 60 move downstream at the same speed as the discharge conveyor 30, smoothly pulling out the packaging films 12, 16. The product 20 is placed on the lower packaging film 16 and transported covered by the upper packaging film 12. Because the packaging films 12, 16 are held by the film pull-out chucks 60, they do not wrinkle or shift relative to each other.

[0037] Next, as shown in Fig. 8, when a sensor (not shown) for detecting the product 20 detects that the product 20 has passed through the first vertical sealing device 34, the control device (not shown) stops the discharge conveyor 30. The first vertical sealing device 34 and the first vertical seal receiver 42 operate again to pinch the packaging films 12, 16 at a predetermined position on the upstream side of the product 20, and the packaging films 12, 16 are cut by the cutting blade 46. The cut ends 12b, 16b located downstream of the product 20 near the discharge conveyor 30 are not sealed, and an opening 52 is formed. The ends 12a, 16a located upstream of the product 20 near the melted supply conveyor 28 form a first vertical seal portion 50 by the heater unit 38, and the upstream packaging films 12, 16 are welded to each other and used to package the next product 20.

[0038] With the discharge conveyor 30 at a halt, as shown in FIG. 9, the first vertical sealing device 34 and the first vertical seal receiver 42 move away from the packaging films 12, 16, and the film drawing chuck 60 also moves away.

[0039] Next, as shown in Fig. 10, the horizontal seal device 54 and the horizontal seal receiver 56 located on both sides of the discharge conveyor 30 are operated to sandwich a pair of side edge portions 12c, 16c of the packaging films 12, 16 that are parallel to the conveying direction, and the heater portion 54a forms a horizontal seal portion 58 to weld the packaging films 12, 16 to each other. The first vertical seal portion 50 and the horizontal seal portion 58 cross each other at right angles and are sealed in a U-shape to form a bag having an opening 52. The intersections of the first vertical seal portion 50 and the horizontal seal portion 58 overlap each other, ensuring that the packaging films 12, 16 are welded to each other. The ends 12b, 16b close to the supply conveyor 28 are not sealed and remain as openings 52.

[0040] Thereafter, as shown in Figure 11, the horizontal seal device 54 and the horizontal seal receiver 56 are operated to move away from the packaging films 12, 16. Then, the film pull-out chuck 60 is operated to return to a lower position near the upstream end of the discharge conveyor 30. Then, as shown in Figure 12, the discharge conveyor 30 and the discharge conveyor 32 are operated to transport the products 20 contained in the packaging films 12, 16 that have become bags to the upstream end of the discharge conveyor 32. The upstream ends 12b and 16b of the packaging films 12, 16, which form the openings 52, come into contact with the conveying surface of the discharge conveyor 30. Slightly above 13, the suction pad 78 is activated and descends to suction the vicinity of the end 12b of the packaging film 12. The suction pad 78 rises while suctioning the end 12b, separating the end 12b from the end 16b, and opening the opening 52 in the vertical direction.

[0041] 14, the pair of degassing devices 62 are activated, approaching each other so that the distance between them becomes smaller than the horizontal length of the opening 52, and then move downstream, inserting the bar 66 and suction pipe 64 into the opening 52. Next, they move horizontally away from each other, stretching and tensioning the opening 52 in the horizontal direction, i.e., in the width direction of the packaging films 12, 16. The suction pads 78 stop suction, release the packaging film 12, and rise to return to their original positions.

[0042] Next, as shown in Fig. 15, the deaeration presser 76 is operated to pinch the packaging films 12, 16 slightly downstream of the ends 12b, 16b and seal them. At this time, the bar 66 and suction pipe 64 of the pair of deaeration devices 62 are inserted into the opening 52 and are pinched by the deaeration presser 76 while communicating with the inside of the bag body, but since the surfaces of the deaeration presser 76 that are in pressure contact with each other are made of a flexible material, the bar 66 and suction pipe 64 of the deaeration device 62 are deformed and come into close contact even if they are inserted between the packaging film 12 and the packaging film 16. In this close contact state, the deaeration device 62 sucks air inside the bag body to create a state close to a vacuum. At this time, the packaging films 12, 16 are in close contact with the product 20 with no gaps and wrinkle, but since both sides of the opening 52 are stretched and stretched by the bar 66, wrinkles are less likely to occur.

[0043] After sucking the bag to a near vacuum state, the deaeration device 62 is moved upstream to pull out the bar 66 and the suction pipe 64 from the bag. Although a small amount of air leaks, the deaeration presser 76 is flexible and closes the gap where the bar 66 and the suction pipe 64 were located, quickly returning the bag to an airtight condition. Then, the second vertical seal device 68 and the second vertical seal receiver 70 are operated to sandwich the part of the packaging film 12, 16 slightly downstream of the ends 12b, 16b at half the height of the product 20. This forms a second vertical seal 73 at the ends 12b, 16b, and the packaging film 12, 16 is welded. The unnecessary part may be cut off by the melting blade 74 of the second vertical seal device 68.

[0044] After this, as shown in FIG. 16, the second vertical seal device 68, the second vertical seal receiver 70, and the deaeration pressing member 76 are separated from the packaging films 12, 16 and return to their original positions. The packaging films 12, 16 are sealed in four directions by the first vertical seal section 50, the horizontal seal section 58, and the second vertical seal section 73 in a state close to a vacuum, and as shown in FIG. 17, packaging is completed. The packaged product 20 is discharged by the discharge conveyor 32. The packaged product 20 is transported or stored without rattling the parts contained in the tray. After packaging, the air inside may be replaced with an inert gas such as nitrogen gas. In the case of replacing with nitrogen gas, oxidation of the product to be contained can be prevented. In addition, a heat-shrinkable packaging film may be used, and the packaging film may be heated after packaging is completed to heat shrink the packaging film and adhere to it.

[0045] According to the packaging device 10 of this embodiment, air leakage is reliably prevented, and packaging can be performed continuously in a state close to a vacuum. The first vertical seal section 50, the horizontal seal section 58, and the second vertical seal section 73 are overlapped and crossed with each other, so that airtightness can be reliably maintained. When the packaging films 12, 16 are moved in a stacked state in the packaging process, the film pull-out chuck 60 holds the end 12a and the end 16a in an overlapped state and pulls them out, so that the packaging films 12, 16 do not shift or wrinkle, and can be neatly transported and packaged. In addition, when degassing, the suction pad 78 opens the opening 52 in the vertical direction, so that the pair of degassing devices 62 can be easily inserted. Furthermore, the degassing device 62 opens the opening 52 horizontally and stretches it in the width direction, so that the packaging films 12, 16 are less likely to wrinkle due to the effect of degassing, and the finish is beautiful, and degassing is performed from the end of the bag body, so that degassing can be performed efficiently. In addition, a large-scale device such as a chamber is not required. The wrapped product 20 can be transported and stored safely without rattling the parts stored in the tray, and without the parts accidentally jumping out of the tray. The wrapping films 12, 16 also prevent moisture and dust from entering the product.

[0046] The packaging method and packaging device of the present invention are not limited to the above embodiment, and the film pull-out rollers for pulling out the film roll, the position, number, length, etc. of each conveyor can be changed as appropriate. Also, the second vertical sealing device does not need to have a melting blade, and the first vertical sealing device may leave the welded end. After packaging, the air inside may be replaced with nitrogen gas, and if replaced with nitrogen gas, oxidation of the stored product can be prevented. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 10 Packaging equipment 12,16 Packaging film 12a,12b,16a,16b end 14,18 Film Roll 20 Products 26 Input conveyor 28 Supply Conveyor 30 Discharge Conveyor 32 Discharge conveyor 34 First vertical seal device 50 First vertical seal 52 Opening 54 Horizontal sealing device 58 Horizontal seal part 60 Film pull-out zipper 62 Deaeration device 64 Suction Pipe 68 Second vertical seal device 73 Second vertical seal part 76 Deaeration holding member

Claims

1. The system includes a pair of film rolls positioned above and below each other and wound up a long packaging film, a plurality of conveyors for continuously transporting an item to be packaged between the pair of packaging films, which is pulled out from the pair of film rolls and stacked above and below, from upstream to downstream along the pulling-out direction of the packaging films while the item is sandwiched from above and below between the pair of packaging films, a first vertical sealing device disposed near the conveyors for cutting and welding the pair of packaging films across the longitudinal direction, the downstream end of the cut being an opening for the pair of packaging films and the upstream end welding the pair of packaging films, a pair of horizontal sealing devices disposed downstream of the first vertical sealing device and welding both side edge portions along the pulling-out direction of the pair of packaging films, and a second vertical sealing device disposed downstream of the horizontal sealing device and welding the opening across the longitudinal direction of the pair of packaging films, The plurality of conveyors are an input conveyor, a supply conveyor, a discharge conveyor, and a payout conveyor, which are provided in sequence from the upstream side to the downstream side of the conveying direction of the packaged items, and among the plurality of conveyors, the discharge conveyor having a narrow width that intersects with the conveying direction is provided downstream of the first vertical sealing device, A film pulling chuck is provided downstream of the first vertical sealing device and moves along the conveying direction of the conveyor while holding the ends of the pair of packaging films on which the first vertical seal portion provided by the first vertical sealing device is formed, the film pulling chuck is made of two members that hold the ends on which the first vertical seal portion is formed in a state in which the pair of packaging films are stacked one on top of the other, and a pair of the film pulling chucks are provided side by side in the width direction of the packaging films, A pair of degassing devices are provided near the second vertical sealing device on both sides near the downstream end of the discharge conveyor, and have a suction pipe that is inserted into the opening of the bag body formed by the first vertical sealing device and the pair of horizontal sealing devices to suck out the air inside, and the pair of degassing devices have bars on both outer sides of the suction pipe in the conveying direction of the discharge conveyor that are inserted from the opening into the inside of the bag body, the bars being straight rod members that are long in the insertion direction and are formed with a thin thickness that intersects with the conveying surface of the discharge conveyor, the pair of degassing devices are movable in the direction of insertion into the opening and in the direction of opening in the width direction of the packaging film, and after the air inside is sucked out, the second vertical sealing device welds the openings of the pair of packaging films to package the bag.

2. A packaging device as described in claim 1, wherein a degassing presser member is provided near the second vertical sealing device to clamp and seal the opening of the pair of packaging films from above and below, the degassing presser member is made of a flexible material, seals the opening when the degassing device is inserted and maintains the seal even when the degassing device is removed, and the second vertical sealing device welds the opening of the pair of packaging films to seal the inside in a near vacuum state.

3. 3. The packaging device according to claim 2, wherein the pair of transverse sealing devices are provided on both sides of the discharge conveyor, and a distance between the pair of transverse sealing devices is narrower than a width of the packaging film intersecting the longitudinal direction.

4. A packaging device as described in claim 3, wherein a suction pad is provided upstream of the second vertical sealing device, and the suction pad adsorbs the upstream ends of the pair of packaging films and moves them upward, widening the opening of the upstream ends of the packaging films and facilitating the insertion operation of the degassing device.

5. The packaged item is sandwiched between packaging films stacked one on top of the other, and the packaged item is continuously transported from upstream to downstream by an input conveyor, a supply conveyor, a discharge conveyor, and a discharge conveyor, which are provided successively from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction of the packaged item, to form a first vertical seal portion of the packaging film that is long in one direction around the packaged item, the discharge conveyor is provided with a narrow width intersecting the conveying direction, and film pull-out chucks made of two members are provided on both sides of the discharge conveyor and move along the conveying direction of the conveyor, a pair of the film pull-out chucks are provided side by side in the width direction of the packaging film, and the pair of packaging films are stacked one on top of the other by the film pull-out chucks, and the pair of portions aligned in the width direction of the packaging film at the end where the first vertical seal portion is formed are held by the two members and moved downstream, A pair of horizontal seal portions are formed on both ends of the first vertical seal portion so as to overlap and cross each other, and the pair of packaging films are sealed in a U-shape to form a bag having an opening. a pair of movable degassing devices are provided on both sides near the downstream end of the discharge conveyor, the pair of degassing devices comprising a suction pipe and bars located on both outer sides of the suction pipe in the conveying direction of the discharge conveyor, the bars being formed to have a thin thickness where they intersect with the conveying surface of the discharge conveyor, the degassing device is inserted into the opening and opened in the width direction, both sides of the opening are spread and stretched by the bars, and the opening is sealed with a degassing presser member, the air inside the bag body is sucked out with the suction pipe, and when the inside is close to a vacuum, the degassing device is pulled out and the opening is welded and sealed for packaging.

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