Pillow packaging device

Abstract

Provided is a pillow packaging device that can surely package an object to be packaged in a good-looking manner corresponding to the length of the object to be packaged while having a simple structure. 【Solution means】This pillow packaging device 10 includes a film supply unit 20, a supply conveyor 25, a supply detection sensor 30, a transport conveyor 35, a center seal unit 40, an end seal unit 45, and a gap input unit 50 for inputting a gap G between the rear end Hb of a preceding object to be packaged H and the front end Ha of the next object to be packaged H. The transport conveyor operation unit 65 operates the transport conveyor 35 when the supply detection sensor 30 detects the front end Ha of the object to be packaged H from a state where the transport conveyor 35 is stopped, and transports the object to be packaged H by the amount of the gap G when the detection signal from the supply detection sensor 30 is cut off.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a pillow packaging device for packaging an object to be packaged with a film.

Background Art

[0002] For example, when selling vegetables, fruits, etc., it is widely practiced to use a pillow packaging device to package objects to be packaged such as vegetables and fruits with a film.

[0003] As this type of pillow packaging device, for example, Patent Document 1 below describes a packaging device main body including a center seal part for sealing both ends in the width direction of a strip-shaped film and a top seal part for sealing the front and back of the object to be packaged, and a supply conveyor arranged upstream of this packaging device main body for supplying the object to be packaged at an appropriate timing. A horizontal pillow type packaging device is described.

[0004] This horizontal pillow type packaging device includes a product detection sensor arranged upstream of the center seal part for detecting the length of the object to be packaged, and based on the data detected by the product detection sensor, calculates the operation pattern, operation timing of the sealing means of the top seal part, and the film length required for packaging based on the length of the object to be packaged, and has a control device for controlling the operation of the sealing means based on the calculated operation pattern, operation timing, and required film length.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] By the way, the objects to be packaged by a pillow packaging device may not have a uniform length, and there may be cases where it is necessary to handle objects with different lengths.

[0007] In the horizontal pillow-type packaging device of the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, it is possible to handle packaged objects with different lengths. However, in this horizontal pillow-type packaging device, a product detection sensor for detecting the length of the packaged object and a control device for calculating the operation pattern of the top seal portion based on the length of the packaged object and controlling the operation of the sealing means are required, and the structure is complicated.

[0008] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a pillow packaging device that can surely package a packaged object beautifully corresponding to the length or shortness of the packaged object while having a simple structure.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] To achieve the above object, the present invention is a pillow packaging device for packaging a packaged object with a film, comprising a film supply unit for supplying the film, a supply conveyor for supplying the packaged object, and the packaged object Tip and rear end a supply detection sensor for detecting, a transport conveyor disposed on the downstream side of the supply conveyor for transporting the packaged object, a center seal portion disposed on the transport conveyor for covering the packaged object with the film and sealing both end portions in the width direction of the film, an end seal portion disposed on the downstream side of the transport conveyor for sealing both end portions in the longitudinal direction of the film, and the rear end of the preceding packaged object and the front end of the next packaged object appropriately set a gap input unit for inputting a gap therebetween, and a transport conveyor operation unit for operating the transport conveyor when the supply detection sensor detects the front end of the packaged object from a state where the transport conveyor is stopped, and transporting the packaged object by the amount of the gap when the rear end of the packaged object passes the supply detection sensor and the detection signal from the supply detection sensor is cut off When the supply detection sensor detects the tip of the next packaged item of the preceding packaged item before the operation of the transport conveyor ends by the amount of the interval by the transport conveyor operation unit, a control conveyor operation unit that stops the supply conveyor; characterized by having.

[0010] According to the above invention, when the supply detection sensor detects the leading end of the article to be packaged from the stopped state of the conveyor, the conveyor operating unit operates the conveyor, and when the trailing end of the article to be packaged passes through the supply detection sensor and the detection signal from the supply detection sensor is cut off, the conveyor is operated by the interval input by the interval input unit. Therefore, even when the articles to be packaged have different lengths and are not of uniform length, during the packaging process of the articles to be packaged, the intervals between the articles to be packaged can be aligned, and it is possible to ensure the lengths of both ends in the longitudinal direction of the film for both long and short articles to be packaged. Thus, both long and short articles to be packaged can be packaged beautifully.

[0011] In addition to the fact that the only necessary sensor is the supply detection sensor, the intervals between the articles to be packaged can be aligned by the predetermined operation of the conveyor by the conveyor operating unit, so the structure of the pillow packaging device can be made simple.

[0012] Therefore, it is possible to provide a pillow packaging device that, although having a simple structure, can surely and beautifully package the articles to be packaged corresponding to the lengths of the articles to be packaged.

[0013] Pi Pillow packaging device Embodiment of Pi In the device, an interval detection sensor for detecting the article to be packaged conveyed by the conveyor by the interval is arranged downstream of the conveyor and upstream of the end seal part, and when the interval detection sensor detects the article to be packaged and the end seal part is located at the interval, it may have an end seal operating unit for operating the end seal part.

[0014] According to the above aspect, in addition to the supply detection sensor and the conveyor operating unit, since it has the interval detection sensor and the end seal operating unit configured as above, both ends in the longitudinal direction of the film in a state where the intervals between the articles to be packaged are aligned can be properly sealed, and the articles to be packaged can be surely packaged with the film while stably maintaining the intervals between the articles to be packaged.

[0015] In the pillow packaging device of the present invention, at least the conveying conveyor operating unit may be configured to operate by sequence control.

[0016] According to the above aspect, since at least the conveying conveyor operating unit operates by sequence control without using a microcomputer or the like, a pillow packaging device with a simple structure that is not easily broken can be provided.

[0017] Pi Roll packaging device Embodiment of Pi In the case where the supply of the object to be packaged is detected by the supply detection sensor and the interval is detected by the interval detection sensor, the detection by the interval detection sensor may be configured to be prioritized.

[0018] According to the above aspect, since the detection by the interval detection sensor is prioritized, the sealing of both ends in the longitudinal direction of the film by the end seal portion is ensured, and the object to be packaged can be packaged without being bitten.

[0019] Pi Roll packaging device Embodiment of Pi In the case where the interval detection sensor may be configured to be adjustable in the distance to the end seal portion.

[0020] According to the above aspect, depending on the shape or thickness of the object to be packaged, etc., the sealing positions of both ends in the longitudinal direction of the film by the end seal portion can be appropriately adjusted, and the convenience of the packaging device can be improved.

Effects of the Invention

[0021] In the present invention, even when the objects to be packaged have different lengths and the lengths are not uniform, during the packaging process of the objects to be packaged, the intervals between the objects to be packaged can be aligned, and the objects to be packaged can be packaged beautifully, and the structure can be made simple.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0022]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0023] (An Embodiment of the Pillow Packaging Device) Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8, an embodiment of a pillow packaging device according to the present invention will be described. FIGS. 1 and 2 show a schematic configuration diagram of a pillow packaging device 10 (hereinafter, also simply referred to as "packaging device 10") according to the present invention.

[0024] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the packaging device 10 of this embodiment is for packaging an object to be packaged H with a film F, and mainly includes a film supply unit 20, a supply conveyor 25, a supply detection sensor 30, a transport conveyor 35, a center seal unit 40, an end seal unit 45, a spacing input unit 50, a spacing detection sensor 55, an unloading conveyor 60, a transport conveyor operation unit 65, and an end seal operation unit 70.

[0025] Incidentally, examples of the object to be packaged H include vegetables, fruits, etc., but it is not particularly limited. Further, the film F is made of a synthetic resin and is capable of heat-sealing, and a film with a logo or pattern or a plain film can be used.

[0026] The film supply unit 20 supplies the film F, and includes a roll 21 around which the film F is wound and a film forming unit 23 that forms the film F into a bag shape with openings in the front, rear, and upper directions of the supply direction. The film forming unit 23 is composed of a pair of substantially triangular plate-like members and is disposed on both widthwise sides of a spacer 24 disposed between the supply conveyor 25 and the transport conveyor 35.

[0027] The supply conveyor 25 supplies the object to be packaged H at a predetermined speed and is disposed on the most upstream side in the entire packaging apparatus 10. This supply conveyor 25 is composed of, for example, a belt conveyor, a roller conveyor, etc. that are driven by a predetermined driving means (such as a motor). In the pillow packaging apparatus of the present invention, "downstream" and "upstream" mean downstream and upstream in the process of packaging the object to be packaged H.

[0028] The supply detection sensor 30 detects a predetermined object to be packaged H supplied by the supply conveyor 25 and is disposed on the downstream side of the supply conveyor 25 and upstream of the transport conveyor 35 and the spacer 24. This supply detection sensor 30 is electrically connected to a control unit (described later) of the transport conveyor operation unit 65, and when detecting the tip Ha of the object to be packaged H, outputs a detection signal to the control unit of the transport conveyor operation unit 65. Note that the detection signal from the supply detection sensor 30 is also output for controlling the supply conveyor operation unit.

[0029] This supply detection sensor 30 is composed of, for example, a pair of left and right optical sensors disposed on both widthwise sides of the supply conveyor 25, a mechanical sensor such as an ultrasonic sensor, a limit switch, etc.

[0030] Incidentally, the supply conveyor 25 is controlled by a supply conveyor operation unit (not shown). This supply conveyor operation unit is associated with the operation of the transfer conveyor 35. That is, the supply conveyor operation unit controls the supply conveyor 25 to stop when the supply detection sensor 30 detects the tip Ha of the next packaged item H before the operation of the transfer conveyor 35 by the interval G by the transfer conveyor operation unit 65 ends.

[0031] The transfer conveyor 35 transfers the packaged item H supplied by the supply conveyor 25 at a predetermined speed and at a predetermined timing, and is disposed on the downstream side of the supply conveyor 25 via a spacer 24. The operation of this transfer conveyor 35 is controlled by a transfer conveyor operation unit 65.

[0032] The center seal part 40 covers the packaged item H with the film F, pulls out the film F from the roll 21, and seals both end portions in the width direction of the film F, and is disposed above the transfer conveyor 35. The center seal part 40 of the present embodiment seals the upper opening of the film F, which is transferred in a bag shape with an upper opening by the film forming part 23 of the film supply part 20, by heat welding, and forms the film F into a bag shape with openings in the front-rear direction.

[0033] Incidentally, the center seal part 40 has a plurality of rollers (not shown), and the film F is pulled out from the roll 21 by these plurality of rollers. The film pulling mechanism composed of the plurality of rollers for pulling out the film F from the roll 21 is driven and stopped at the same timing as the transfer conveyor 35.

[0034] The end seal part 45 seals both end portions in the longitudinal direction of the film F, and is disposed at a predetermined distance on the downstream side of the transfer conveyor 35. As shown in FIG. 2, the end seal part 45 of this embodiment is composed of a pair of heat seal parts 46 disposed above and below with the film F interposed therebetween.

[0035] By sandwiching and heat-sealing the film F with these pair of heat-sealing portions 46, both longitudinal ends of the film F are sealed. Further, the end-sealing portion 45 is provided with a film cutter (not shown), and it is possible to cut the film F together with the sealing of both longitudinal ends of the film F (see FIG. 7). Note that the operation of the end-sealing portion 45 described above is controlled by the end-sealing operation portion 70.

[0036] The interval input portion 50 inputs the interval G (see FIGS. 2 and 6) between the rear end Hb of the preceding packaged item H (preceding packaged item) and the front end Ha of the next packaged item H (subsequent packaged item). The interval G can be appropriately set according to the length and type of the packaged item H (for example, 15 cm, etc.).

[0037] The interval detection sensor 55 detects the packaged item H conveyed by the conveyance conveyor 35 by the amount of the interval G (this will be described later), and is arranged on the downstream side of the conveyance conveyor 35 and upstream of the end-sealing portion 45. Further, this interval detection sensor 55 is arranged slidably in the front-rear direction with respect to the horizontal frame 56 of the packaging apparatus 10, and is configured to be able to adjust the distance to the end-sealing portion 45.

[0038] Note that the interval detection sensor 55 is composed of, for example, a pair of left and right optical sensors arranged on both sides in the width direction of the conveyance conveyor 35, a mechanical sensor such as an ultrasonic sensor or a limit switch, and the like.

[0039] Incidentally, when the supply of the packaged item H is detected by the supply detection sensor 30 and the packaged item H is detected by the interval detection sensor 55, in this case, the detection by the interval detection sensor 55 is configured to be prioritized.

[0040] The unloading conveyor 60 shown in FIG. 2 unloads the packaged item H wrapped in a bag-shaped film F, which has been conveyed by the conveying conveyor 35 and whose longitudinal both ends have been sealed by the end sealing part 45, from the packaging device 10 at a predetermined speed and at a predetermined timing. It is arranged downstream of the conveying conveyor 35, the interval detection sensor 55, and the end sealing part 45. This unloading conveyor 60 is composed of, for example, a belt conveyor, a driving roller conveyor, etc., which are driven by a driving means such as a motor.

[0041] When the supply detection sensor 30 detects the leading end Ha of the packaged item H from the state where the conveying conveyor 35 has stopped, the conveying conveyor operation part 65 operates the conveying conveyor 35. When the trailing end Hb of the packaged item H passes through the supply detection sensor 30 and the detection signal from the supply detection sensor 30 is cut off (immediately after the supply detection sensor 30 detects the trailing end Hb of the packaged item H), the packaged item H is conveyed by the amount of the interval G input in the interval input part 50.

[0042] The conveying conveyor operation part 65 of this embodiment is composed of, for example, a driving part 66 which consists of a motor, a sprocket, a chain, etc. and drives the conveying conveyor 35, and a control part (not shown) which receives the interval G input in the interval input part 50 and operates the conveying conveyor 35 at the above timing (when the supply detection sensor 30 detects the leading end Ha of the packaged item H from the state where the conveying conveyor 35 has stopped) based on this interval G.

[0043] Note that the control part of the conveying conveyor operation part 65 is electrically connected to the supply detection sensor 30 and receives the detection signal from the supply detection sensor 30, and is also electrically connected to the control part (described later) of the end sealing operation part 70 to receive the conveying conveyor operation signal.

[0044] More specifically, when the detection signal of the leading end Ha of the packaged item H from the supply detection sensor 30 is input to the above control part, the conveying conveyor operation part 65 starts and operates the conveying conveyor 35.

[0045] Furthermore, the conveyor operation unit 65 continues to operate the conveyor 35 to convey the packaged object H to the downstream side of the conveyance line. When the trailing end Hb of the packaged object H passes through the supply detection sensor 30 and the detection signal from the supply detection sensor 30 is cut off (when the detection signal of the trailing end Hb of the packaged object H from the supply detection sensor 30 is input to the control unit of the conveyor operation unit 65 and immediately after the supply detection sensor 30 detects the trailing end Hb of the packaged object H), the operation of the conveyor 35 is continued for the amount of the interval G input by the interval input unit 50 (the operation is continued).

[0046] In addition, when the supply detection sensor 30 does not detect the packaged object H, the conveyor operation unit 65 stops the conveyor 35 except when operating the conveyor 35 for the amount of the above-described interval G.

[0047] Also, the conveyor operation unit 65 is configured to operate by sequence control without using a microcomputer (microcomputer) or the like. Note that the conveyor operation unit may be configured to operate by microcomputer control using a microcomputer or the like, or may be configured to operate by a control combining sequence control and microcomputer control.

[0048] The end seal operation unit 70 operates the end seal unit 45 when the interval detection sensor 55 detects the packaged object H conveyed by the conveyor 35 for the amount of the interval G and the end seal unit 45 is positioned at the interval G. That is, even when the interval detection sensor 55 detects the packaged object H, when the end seal unit 45 is positioned on the packaged object H covered with the film F, the end seal operation unit 70 does not operate the end seal unit 45, and the packaged object H is configured not to be clamped by the pair of heat seal units 46, 46. When the end seal operation unit 70 operates, the conveyor 35 and the carry-out conveyor 60 are stopped.

[0049] The end seal operation unit 70 of this embodiment is composed of, for example, a lifting rod that moves up and down by an air cylinder, an electric actuator, etc., and a heat seal drive unit 71 that moves the pair of heat seal parts 46, 46 closer and farther apart, and a control unit (not shown) that operates the end seal part 45 at the above timing (when the interval detection sensor 55 detects the packaged item H and the end seal part 45 is located at the interval G).

[0050] Also, the control unit of the end seal operation unit 70 is electrically connected to the control unit of the conveyor operation unit 65, and when the interval detection sensor 55 detects the packaged item H and the end seal part 45 is located on the packaged item H covered with the film F, it outputs an operation signal to the control unit of the conveyor operation unit 65 to prompt the operation of the conveyor 35.

[0051] Furthermore, the above end seal operation unit 70 is also configured to operate by sequence control without using a microcomputer or the like, similar to the conveyor operation unit 65. Note that the end seal operation unit may be configured to operate by microcomputer control using a microcomputer or the like, or may be configured to operate by a combined control of sequence control and microcomputer control.

[0052] (Operation of Pillow Packaging Device) Next, an example of the operation of the packaging device 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 8.

[0053] First, a desired interval G is input to the interval input unit 50 (step S1 in FIG. 8). At the same time, the film F is set in the film forming unit 23, and the film supply unit 20 is set to a state where the film F can be supplied. Also, the positions of the end seal part 45 and the interval detection sensor 55 are adjusted as appropriate. In this state, the pair of heat seal parts 46, 46 of the end seal part 45 are separated from each other and are in a state of retracting from the film F (see the two-dot chain line in FIGS. 2 and 7).

[0054] Next, the supply conveyor operating unit operates the supply conveyor 25 (step S2 in FIG. 8), and places the preceding packaged object H (the first packaged object) on the supply conveyor 25. In this state, that is, when the supply detection sensor 30 does not detect the packaged object H, the conveyor 35 is stopped. Of course, after placing the packaged object H on the supply conveyor 25, the supply conveyor 25 may be operated.

[0055] Then, the supply conveyor 25 supplies the packaged object H to the conveyor 35 at a predetermined speed. Then, as shown in FIG. 3, when the leading end Ha of the packaged object H passes through the supply detection sensor 30 and the supply detection sensor 30 detects the leading end Ha of the packaged object H, as shown in FIG. 4, the conveyor operating unit 65 operates the conveyor 35.

[0056] Furthermore, when the trailing end Hb of the packaged object H passes through the supply detection sensor 30 and the detection signal from the supply detection sensor 30 is cut off (immediately after the supply detection sensor 30 detects the trailing end Hb of the packaged object H), the preceding packaged object H is conveyed by the amount of the interval G input by the interval input unit 50 (step S3 in FIG. 8). At this time, the film F is also transferred by the amount of the interval G. At this time, the dimension between the trailing end Hb of the preceding packaged object H and the leading end Ha of the succeeding packaged object H becomes the interval G.

[0057] When the supply detection sensor 30 does not detect the packaged object H, the conveyor operating unit 65 stops the conveyor 35 and makes the packaged object H wait at that position. In the case of this embodiment, the packaged object H is placed on the spacer 24 and the conveyor 35 and is in a standby state (see FIG. 4).

[0058] After that, the supply conveyor 25 supplies the next packaged item H. As shown in FIG. 5, when the leading end Ha of the next packaged item H reaches the supply detection sensor 30, as shown in FIG. 6, the conveyor operation unit 65 operates the conveyor 35. When the trailing end Hb of the packaged item H passes the supply detection sensor 30, the next packaged item H is conveyed by the distance G. At this time, the preceding packaged item H is also conveyed by the distance G. When the supply detection sensor 30 detects the leading end Ha of the next packaged item H before the operation of the conveyor 35 for the distance G is completed, the supply conveyor 25 stops.

[0059] As a result, as shown in FIG. 6, the distance G between the trailing end Hb of the preceding packaged item H and the leading end Ha of the next packaged item H is maintained at the distance G input by the distance input unit 50.

[0060] After that, the above operations, namely, (1) stopping the conveyor 35 and waiting for the packaged item H at its position, (2) supplying the next packaged item H and detecting it by the supply detection sensor 30, and (3) conveying the packaged item H by the distance G by the conveyor 35, are sequentially repeated, and the distance G between the trailing end Hb of the preceding packaged item H and the leading end Ha of the next packaged item H is maintained.

[0061] Also, the packaged item H supplied to the conveyor 35 by the supply conveyor 25 is conveyed on the conveyor 35 together with the film F in the shape of a bag open at the front, rear, and top. The center seal part 40 seals both end parts in the width direction of the film F (step S4 in FIG. 8).

[0062] After that, the conveyor 35 conveys the plurality of packaged items H that have been center-sealed. The interval detection sensor 55 detects the packaged item H conveyed by the distance G by the conveyor 35. When the distance G reaches a position that aligns with the end seal part 45 (see step S5 in FIG. 8), the conveyor 35 and the unloading conveyor 60 stop, and the end seal operation unit 70 operates the end seal part 45 (see FIG. 7).

[0063] Then, the pair of heat seal portions 46, 46 of the end seal portion 45 move close to each other to sequentially seal both end portions in the longitudinal direction of the film F (see step S6 in FIG. 8), and a pillow package in which the object to be packaged H is covered with the film F is manufactured. This pillow package is separated from the film F and carried out by the carry-out conveyor 60 from the packaging apparatus 10.

[0064] In addition, in step S5 of FIG. 8, even if the interval detection sensor 55 detects the object to be packaged H, when the end seal portion 45 is not positioned at the interval G but is positioned on the object to be packaged H, the conveyance conveyor 35 further conveys the object to be packaged H (step S7 in FIG. 8) to position the end seal portion 45 at the interval G.

[0065] In addition, this embodiment includes the following method for manufacturing a pillow package. That is, a method for manufacturing a pillow package in which an object to be packaged is packaged with a film to manufacture a pillow package, including a film supply unit that supplies the film, a supply conveyor that supplies the object to be packaged, a supply detection sensor that detects the supply of the object to be packaged, a conveyance conveyor that is disposed on the downstream side of the supply conveyor and conveys the object to be packaged, a center seal portion that is disposed on the conveyance conveyor and covers the object to be packaged with the film and seals both end portions in the width direction of the film, an end seal portion that is disposed on the downstream side of the conveyance conveyor and seals both end portions in the longitudinal direction of the film, and an interval input unit that inputs an interval between the rear end of the preceding object to be packaged and the front end of the next object to be packaged. When the supply detection sensor does not detect the object to be packaged, the conveyance conveyor stops. When the supply detection sensor detects the front end of the object to be packaged from the state where the conveyance conveyor has stopped, the conveyance conveyor is operated, and when the rear end of the object to be packaged passes the supply detection sensor and the detection signal from the supply detection sensor is cut off (immediately after the supply detection sensor detects the rear end of the object to be packaged), the object to be packaged is configured to be conveyed by the amount of the interval.

[0066] In the method for manufacturing the pillow package, an interval detection sensor for detecting the package to be packaged, which has been conveyed by the conveyance conveyor by the amount of the interval, is disposed downstream of the conveyance conveyor and upstream of the end seal portion. When the interval detection sensor detects the package to be packaged and the end seal portion is positioned at the interval, the end seal portion is configured to operate.

[0067] (Function and Effect) Next, the function and effect of the packaging apparatus 10 having the above configuration will be described.

[0068] According to the packaging apparatus 10 having the above configuration, when the supply detection sensor 30 detects the leading end Ha of the package H to be packaged from the state where the conveyance conveyor 35 has stopped, the conveyance conveyor operation unit 65 operates the conveyance conveyor 35, and when the trailing end Hb of the package H passes through the supply detection sensor 30 and the detection signal from the supply detection sensor 30 is cut off (immediately after the supply detection sensor 30 detects the trailing end Hb of the package H), the operation of the conveyance conveyor 35 is continued by the amount of the interval G.

[0069] Further, before the operation of the conveyance conveyor 35 for the amount of the interval G ends (during the continued operation of the conveyance conveyor 35 for the amount of the interval G and before the operation ends), when the supply detection sensor 30 detects the leading end Ha of the next package H to be packaged, a supply conveyor operation unit (not shown) stops the supply conveyor 25.

[0070] Therefore, even when the packages H to be packaged have different lengths and are not uniform in length, during the packaging process of the package H to be packaged, the interval G between adjacent packages H, H can be made uniform, so that it is possible to appropriately ensure the lengths of both ends in the longitudinal direction of the film F, whether the package H is long or short.

[0071] As a result, whether the object to be packaged H is long or short, it can be packaged beautifully. In particular, it is possible to prevent the appearance from deteriorating due to both ends in the longitudinal direction of the film F formed in a bag shape being excessive with respect to the length of the object to be packaged H.

[0072] In addition, in this packaging device 10, in addition to the supply detection sensor 30 being the only sensor necessary to align the intervals G between adjacent objects to be packaged H, H, the above-described predetermined operation of the conveyor 35 by the conveyor operation unit 65 of the conveyor 35 can align the intervals G between the objects to be packaged H, H, so that the structure of the packaging device 10 can be made simple.

[0073] As described above, it is possible to provide a packaging device 10 that has a simple structure and can surely package the object to be packaged H beautifully corresponding to the length or shortness of the object to be packaged H.

[0074] Also, in this embodiment, an interval detection sensor 55 for detecting the object to be packaged H conveyed by the conveyor 35 by the interval G is disposed downstream of the conveyor 35 and upstream of the end seal portion 45, and when the interval detection sensor 55 detects the object to be packaged H and the end seal portion 45 is positioned at the interval G, it has an end seal operation unit 70 for operating the end seal portion 45.

[0075] According to the above aspect, in addition to the supply detection sensor 30 and the conveyor operation unit 65, since it has the interval detection sensor 55 and the end seal operation unit 70 configured as described above, both ends in the longitudinal direction of the film F in a state where the intervals G between adjacent objects to be packaged H, H are aligned can be appropriately sealed, and while stably maintaining the intervals G between the objects to be packaged H, H, the object to be packaged H can be surely packaged by the film F.

[0076] Furthermore, in this embodiment, at least the conveyor operation unit 65 is configured to operate by sequence control.

[0077] According to the above aspect, since at least the conveyor operation unit 65 operates by sequence control without using a microcomputer or the like, it is possible to provide the packaging device 10 with a simple structure that is not easily broken.

[0078] Also, in this embodiment, when the supply of the object to be packaged H is detected by the supply detection sensor 30 and the interval G is detected by the interval detection sensor 55, the detection by the interval detection sensor 55 is configured to be prioritized.

[0079] According to the above aspect, since the detection by the interval detection sensor 55 is prioritized, the sealing of both end portions in the longitudinal direction of the film F by the end seal portion 45 is ensured, and the object to be packaged H can be packaged so that it is not bitten (so that the object to be packaged H is not bitten into the seal portions at both end portions in the longitudinal direction of the film F).

[0080] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the interval detection sensor 55 is configured to be adjustable in the distance to the end seal portion 45.

[0081] According to the above aspect, the seal positions of both end portions in the longitudinal direction of the film F by the end seal portion 45 can be appropriately adjusted according to the shape or thickness of the object to be packaged H, etc., and the convenience of the packaging device 10 can be improved.

[0082] Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modified embodiments are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention, and such embodiments are also included in the scope of the present invention.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0083] 10... Pillow packaging device, 20... Film supply unit, 25... Supply conveyor, 30... Supply detection sensor, 35... Conveyor, 40... Center seal section, 45... End seal section, 50... Spacing input section, 55... Spacing detection sensor, 60... Discharge conveyor, 65... Conveyor operation section, 70... End seal operation section, H... Object to be packaged, F... Film, G... Spacing.

Claims

1. A pillow packaging device that packages an item to be packaged in a film, a film supply unit that supplies the film; A supply conveyor for supplying the packaged items; A supply detection sensor that detects the leading and trailing ends of the packaged items; A transport conveyor is disposed downstream of the supply conveyor and transports the packaged items; A center seal section is disposed on the transport conveyor, covers the packaged item with the film, and seals both ends of the film in the width direction; an end seal unit disposed downstream of the transport conveyor and configured to seal both ends of the film in the longitudinal direction; A distance input unit for inputting an appropriately set distance between the rear end of the preceding package and the front end of the next package; a conveyor operating unit that operates the conveyor when the supply detection sensor detects the leading end of the packaged item from a stopped state of the conveyor, and conveys the packaged item by the interval when the trailing end of the packaged item passes the supply detection sensor and the detection signal from the supply detection sensor is cut off; a control conveyor operation unit that stops the supply conveyor when the supply detection sensor detects the leading edge of the next packaged item of the preceding packaged item before the conveyor operation unit has completed operation of the conveyor for the interval.

2. 2. The pillow packaging device according to claim 1, wherein at least the transport conveyor operating section is configured to operate under sequence control.

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