Gas filling device

Abstract

With a part of the lid material adhered to the edge surrounding the opening of the container, the inside of the container is easily filled with an inert gas. 【Solution means】The gas filling device 1 includes a holding body 5 that holds the container 3, a partitioning body 10 that is pressed against the holding body 5 and partitions a storage space that houses the edge of the container 3 and the lid material 7 together with the holding body 5, a partitioning body moving device 40 that moves the partitioning body 10, and a supply device 20 that supplies an inert gas to the partitioning body 10. The holding body 5 has a portion to be pressed against which the partitioning body 10 is pressed, and a gas introduction path 5E that guides the inert gas toward between the edge of the container 3 and the lid material 7. The partitioning body 10 has a gas supply portion 13 that supplies the inert gas to the gas introduction path 5E.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

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

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

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional problems, and an object thereof is to easily fill an inert gas into a container in a state where a part of a lid material is adhered to an edge portion surrounding an opening of the container.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The present invention is a gas filling device for filling an inert gas into the container in a state where a part of a lid material is adhered to an edge portion surrounding an opening of the container, comprising a holding body that holds the container in a state where a part of the lid material is adhered to the edge portion, a partitioning body that is pressed against the holding body and partitions a storage space that houses the edge portion and the lid material together with the holding body, a partitioning body moving device that moves the partitioning body between a separation position separated from the holding body and a pressing position pressed against the holding body, and a supply device that supplies the inert gas to the partitioning body. The holding body has a support portion that supports the edge portion, a portion to be pressed against which the partitioning body is pressed, and a gas introduction path that is formed from the portion to be pressed against toward the support portion and guides the inert gas toward between the edge portion and the lid material. The partitioning body is a gas filling device having a gas supply portion that supplies the inert gas to the gas introduction path in a state where the partitioning body is pressed against the portion to be pressed against.

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to easily fill an inert gas into the container in a state where a part of a lid material is adhered to an edge portion surrounding an opening of the container.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

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

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

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

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

[0013] The transfer device 4 sequentially transfers the holder 5 and the container 3 to the processing position (inert gas filling position) by the gas filling device 1 and the processing position (reinforcing seal position) by the reinforcing seal machine 6, and stops the holder 5 and the container 3 at each processing position in sequence. The processing position by the gas filling device 1 is a position below the gas filling device 1, and the processing position by the reinforcing seal machine 6 is a position below the reinforcing seal machine 6. The gas filling device 1 and the reinforcing seal machine 6 are located above the transfer device 4 (conveyor 4A), the holder 5, and the container 3, and are arranged side by side in the transport direction H of the container 3.

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

[0015] The sealing device 2 welds the lid material to the entire container 3 by the gas filling device 1 to seal the container 3 with the lid material. The reinforcing seal machine 6 is located on the downstream side of the container 3 in the transport direction H with respect to the gas filling device 1, and rewelds the welded portion of the container 3 and the lid material to reinforce the sealing of the container 3 with the lid material. Thereafter, the container 3 is transported by the transfer device 4 to the downstream side of the container 3 in the transport direction H with respect to the reinforcing seal machine 6 and taken out from the sealing device 2.

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

[0017] As shown in the figure, the container 3 is a cup-shaped container, which has a housing part 3A for housing an object to be housed (not shown) and an edge part 3B located at the edge of the container 3. The object to be housed is an object housed in the container 3 (housing part 3A), and is, for example, a liquid, a solid, or a mixture of a liquid and a solid. Here, the object to be housed is food and is filled inside the container 3. The edge part 3B is a flange-shaped lip, which protrudes from the housing part 3A toward the outside of the container 3 and surrounds the opening 3C of the container 3. The opening 3C is an open part opened toward the housing part 3A and the outside of the container 3, and is located inside the annular edge part 3B. The edge part 3B has a protruding part 3D protruding from the housing part 3A toward the outside and a protruding part 3E protruding from the outer edge of the protruding part 3D toward the bottom side of the container 3.

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

[0019] The object to be housed is put into the container 3 (housing part 3A) from the opening 3C of the container 3 and is housed inside the container 3. In that state, the lid material 7 is disposed so as to cover the container 3, and a part of the lid material 7 is adhered to the edge part 3B of the container 3. Thereby, the lid material 7 is partially adhered to the edge part 3B of the container 3 and temporarily sealed. The lid material 7 is partially adhered to the edge part 3B of the container 3 at at least one adhesion part 7A (temporary seal part) (the hatched part in FIG. 3A). Here, the container 3 and the edge part 3B are formed in a rectangular shape. The adhesion parts 7A are provided two by two on each of the four sides of the edge part 3B, and the lid material 7 is adhered to the edge part 3B of the container 3 at eight adhesion parts 7A.

[0020] At locations other than the bonding portion 7A at the edge 3B of the container 3, the lid member 7 is not bonded to the edge 3B of the container 3. The portion that is not bonded to the edge 3B of the lid member 7 is the unbonded portion. The portion between the mutually separated unbonded portions is the bonding portion 7A, and the bonding portion 7A is located between the mutually adjacent unbonded portions. Here, the bonding portion 7A is a welded portion, and the unbonded portion is an unwelded portion.

[0021] The inert gas is filled inside the container 3 (accommodating portion 3A) that accommodates the object to be accommodated. At that time, the inert gas flows into the inside of the container 3 through the location (gap) between the edge 3B of the container 3 and the lid member 7 at the location of the unbonded portion of the lid member 7, and the inside of the container 3 is filled. Also, the gas (including air) inside the container 3 flows out to the outside of the container 3 through the location (gap) between the edge 3B of the container 3 and the lid member 7 at the location of the unbonded portion of the lid member 7.

[0022] With the inert gas, the air inside the container 3 is discharged to the outside of the container 3, the gas inside the container 3 is replaced with the inert gas, and the inside of the container 3 is filled with the inert gas. In that state, the lid member 7 is welded and bonded to the edge 3B of the container 3 and sealed with respect to the edge 3B of the container 3. The lid member 7 covers the opening 3C and the edge 3B of the container 3 and covers the opening 3C of the container 3. The container 3 is sealed by being sealed with the lid member 7 in a state filled with the inert gas.

[0023] FIG. 4 is a front view showing the gas filling device 1 of the first embodiment, and shows a schematic configuration of the gas filling device 1. FIG. 5 is a side view showing the gas filling device 1 of the first embodiment as viewed from the direction of arrow X3 in FIG. 4. In FIGS. 4 and 5, a part of the gas filling device 1 is shown in a sectional view.

[0024] As shown in the figure, the gas filling device 1 includes a holding body 5 that holds the container 3, a partitioning body 10 disposed above the holding body 5, a supply device 20 connected to the partitioning body 10, a welding body 30 disposed above the holding body 5 and the container 3, a partitioning body moving device 40 that moves the partitioning body 10, and a welding body moving device 50 that moves the welding body 30. In FIGS. 4 and 5, the container 3, the lid member 7, the holding body 5, and the partitioning body 10 are shown in a sectional view.

[0025] The container 3 is placed on the holder 5 from above and disposed below the gas filling device 1. In this state, the edge 3B of the container 3 is placed on the holder 5, and the edge 3B and the opening 3C of the container 3 are disposed upward with respect to the holder 5. The holder 5 holds the container 3 in a state where a part (adhesive portion 7A) of the lid member 7 is adhered, and supports the edge 3B and the container 3 from below. The lid member 7 is disposed so as to overlap the edge 3B of the container 3, and covers the edge 3B, the storage portion 3A, and the container 3 from above.

[0026] The partitioning member 10 is an annular member formed in an annular shape, is pressed against the holder 5, and partitions a storage space for accommodating the edge 3B of the container 3 and the lid member 7 together with the holder 5. The partitioning member 10 surrounds the entire edge 3B of the container 3 and the lid member 7 in a state of being pressed against the holder 5 from above. The edge 3B of the container 3 and the lid member 7 are disposed inside the partitioning member 10 and accommodated in the storage space. The partitioning member 10 is connected to the partitioning member moving device 40 via the partitioning member pressing mechanism 60. The partitioning member pressing mechanism 60 is a pressing mechanism (pressing device) that presses the partitioning member 10 toward the holder 5, and applies a pressure toward the holder 5 to the partitioning member 10.

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

[0028] The connecting rod 61 is supported by the support member 41 and is pressed downward by the compression spring 62, protruding downward from the support member 41. When the partition body 10 and the connecting rod 61 receive an upward force, the connecting rod 61 protrudes upward from the support member 41 while compressing the compression spring 62. In a state where the partition body 10 is pressed against the holding body 5, the partition body pressurizing mechanism 60 pressurizes the partition body 10 downward toward the holding body 5 via the connecting rod 61 by the compressed compression spring 62.

[0029] The supply device 20 stores an inert gas and is connected to the partition body 10 via pipes and valves (not shown). When filling the container 3 with the inert gas, the supply device 20 supplies the inert gas adjusted to a predetermined pressure to the partition body 10 and stops the supply of the inert gas to the partition body 10 when the filling of the inert gas into the container 3 is completed.

[0030] The welded body 30 is a sealing body that seals the lid member 7 to the container 3 and is disposed inside the annular partition body 10. Further, the welded body 30 is a heating body that heats and welds the lid member 7 and the edge portion 3B of the container 3, and is heated to the welding temperature of the lid member 7 and the edge portion 3B of the container 3 by a heater (not shown) provided inside. The welded body 30 is pressed against the lid member 7 to weld the lid member 7 to the edge portion 3B of the container 3. The edge portion 3B of the lid member 7 and the container 3 is heated to the welding temperature by the welded body 30 and welded to each other and adhered by heat sealing. Thereby, the lid member 7 is sealed with respect to the edge portion 3B of the container 3, and the container 3 is sealed with the lid member 7 and sealed.

[0031] The welding body 30 is connected to the partition moving device 40 via a welding body pressing mechanism 70. The welding body pressing mechanism 70 is a pressing mechanism (pressing device) that presses the welding body 30 toward the lid material 7 and the holding body 5, and applies a pressure to the welding body 30 toward the lid material 7 and the holding body 5. The welding body pressing mechanism 70 includes a connecting rod 71 movably supported by a support member 41 of the partition moving device 40, a pressing spring 72 disposed around the connecting rod 71, and a connecting member 73 to which the welding body 30 is connected. The connecting rod 71 is fixed to the connecting member 73 at the lower end and is movably supported by the support member 41 at the upper end. The welding body 30 is connected to the support member 41 and the partition moving device 40 by the connecting member 73 and the connecting rod 71. The pressing spring 72 is a compression coil spring and is sandwiched between the connecting member 73 and the support member 41.

[0032] The connecting rod 71 is supported by the support member 41 and is pressed downward by the pressing spring 72 via the connecting member 73, protruding downward from the support member 41. When the welding body 30, the connecting member 73, and the connecting rod 71 receive an upward force, the connecting member 73 moves upward together with the connecting rod 71 while compressing the pressing spring 72. Accordingly, the connecting rod 71 protrudes upward from the support member 41. In a state where the welding body 30 is pressed against the lid material 7, the welding body pressing mechanism 70 presses the welding body 30 downward toward the lid material 7 and the holding body 5 by the compressed pressing spring 72 via the connecting member 73.

[0033] The partition moving device 40 is a first moving device (moving mechanism) that moves the partition 10, and the welding body moving device 50 is a second moving device (moving mechanism) that moves the welding body 30. Here, the partition moving device 40 and the welding body moving device 50 are each a cylinder and are connected to each other. The welding body moving device 50 is attached to the frame 1A of the gas filling device 1 and is disposed downward. The cylinder tube 51 of the welding body moving device 50 is attached to the frame 1A, and the piston rod 52 of the welding body moving device 50 protrudes downward from the cylinder tube 51. The piston rod 52 advances and retracts in the vertical direction with respect to the cylinder tube 51 and moves in the vertical direction.

[0034] An attachment member 53 is attached to the tip (lower end) of the piston rod 52 of the welding body moving device 50. The support member 41 of the partition body moving device 40 is attached to the cylinder tube 42 of the partition body moving device 40. The piston rod 43 of the partition body moving device 40 protrudes upward from the cylinder tube 42 and is attached to the attachment member 53 at the tip (upper end). By moving the piston rod 43 forward and backward in the vertical direction with respect to the cylinder tube 42, the cylinder tube 42 and the support member 41 move in the vertical direction.

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

[0036] The partition body moving device 40 moves the piston rod 43 forward and backward from the cylinder tube 42 to move the cylinder tube 42 and the support member 41 in the vertical direction. Thereby, the partition body moving device 40 moves the partition body pressing mechanism 60, the partition body 10, the welding body pressing mechanism 70, and the welding body 30 in the vertical direction. Further, the partition body moving device 40 moves the partition body 10 in the direction (downward) approaching the holding body 5 and the direction (upward) separating from the holding body 5 together with the partition body pressing mechanism 60.

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

[0038] The welded body moving device 50 advances and retracts the piston rod 52 from the cylinder tube 51, and moves the mounting member 53, the partition body moving device 40, the partition body pressurizing mechanism 60, the partition body 10, the welded body pressurizing mechanism 70, and the welded body 30 in the vertical direction by the piston rod 52. With the partition body 10 pressed against the holding body 5, the welded body moving device 50 moves the partition body moving device 40, the welded body pressurizing mechanism 70, and the welded body 30 in the vertical direction, and moves the welded body 30 together with the welded body pressurizing mechanism 70 in a direction approaching (downward) the lid member 7 and the holding body 5 and a direction separating (upward) from the lid member 7 and the holding body 5.

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

[0040] FIG. 6 is a view showing the holding body 5 of the first embodiment, FIG. 6A is a top view of the holding body 5 viewed from above, FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view of the holding body 5 taken along line X4-X4 of FIG. 6A, and FIG. 6C is a cross-sectional view of the holding body 5 taken along line X5-X5 of FIG. 6A.

[0041] As shown in the figure, the holder 5 has an insertion hole 5A into which the container 3 is inserted, and an upper surface portion 5B disposed upward. The upper surface portion 5B is provided with a support portion 5C, a pressed portion 5D, a gas introduction passage 5E, and a gas discharge passage 5F. The insertion hole 5A is located inside the annular support portion 5C and penetrates the holder 5 in the vertical direction. The storage portion 3A of the container 3 is inserted into the insertion hole 5A, and the storage portion 3A and the container 3 are held inside the insertion hole 5A of the holder 5. The upper surface portion 5B is a portion located on the upper surface of the holder 5 and is disposed to face the partition body 10 and the welded body 30 in the vertical direction.

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

[0043] The gas introduction passage 5E and the gas discharge passage 5F are groove portions (gas introduction groove, gas discharge groove) opened upward and are formed in a concave shape on the upper surface portion 5B and the pressed portion 5D of the holder 5. The gas introduction passage 5E is an inert gas passage through which an inert gas flows, is formed from the pressed portion 5D toward the support portion 5C, and guides the inert gas toward the space (unsealed portion) between the edge portion 3B of the container 3 and the lid member 7. The gas discharge passage 5F is a gas passage through which the gas flowing out of the container 3 flows, is formed from the support portion 5C toward the pressed portion 5D, and guides the gas (outflow gas) flowing out from the space (unsealed portion) between the edge portion 3B of the container 3 and the lid member 7 to the outside of the holder 5 and the partition body 10. The outflow gas is air present in the container 3, a gas in which air and an inert gas are mixed, and an inert gas.

[0044] The gas introduction passage 5E and the gas discharge passage 5F are located on different sides with respect to the support portion 5C, sandwiching the support portion 5C, the insertion hole 5A, the container 3, and the lid member 7 therebetween. Here, the holder 5 has a plurality of gas introduction passages 5E and one gas discharge passage 5F. The plurality of gas introduction passages 5E are arranged in parallel in a spaced-apart state and extend from the pressed portion 5D toward the support portion 5C, and are closed at the pressed portion 5D and open toward the support portion 5C. The one gas discharge passage 5F extends from the support portion 5C toward the pressed portion 5D, crosses the pressed portion 5D, and opens toward the outside of the support portion 5C and the holder 5.

[0045] FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the partition body 10 of the first embodiment as viewed from below. FIG. 8 is a plan view of the partition body 10 pressed against the holder 5 of the first embodiment as viewed from above, showing a part of the configuration of the partition body 10, the holder 5, the container 3, and the lid member 7 through the partition body 10.

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

[0047] The gas supply unit 13 is a passage portion for an inert gas that is open downward, is formed in a concave shape on the lower surface portion 12 of the partition body 10, and is formed through the inside of the partition body 10 to the connection location with the supply device 20. The supply device 20 (see FIG. 4) is connected to the gas supply unit 13 and supplies an inert gas to the gas supply unit 13. With the partition body 10 pressed against the pressed portion 5D of the holding body 5, the gas supply unit 13 is disposed so as to overlap a plurality of gas introduction passages 5E of the holding body 5 from above and communicates with the plurality of gas introduction passages 5E. The gas supply unit 13 is open toward the gas introduction passage 5E located in the pressed portion 5D and supplies the inert gas supplied from the supply device 20 to the gas introduction passage 5E.

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

[0049] The sealing material 14 is an elastically deformable packing, is pushed into a groove formed in the lower surface portion 12 of the partition body 10, and is attached to the groove, the lower surface portion 12, and the partition body 10. The sealing material 14 is pressed against the pressed portion 5D of the holding body 5, adheres closely to the pressed portion 5D, and seals the portion between the partition body 10 (lower surface portion 12) and the pressed portion 5D. Here, the sealing material 14 is formed in a U shape and does not adhere to the peripheral portion of the gas outlet passage 5F in the pressed portion 5D, but adheres to the portion other than the peripheral portion of the gas outlet passage 5F in the pressed portion 5D.

[0050] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a procedure for filling an inert gas into the container 3 by the gas filling device 1 of the first embodiment, and shows the container 3, the lid member 7, the holding body 5, the partition body 10, and the welded body 30 as in FIG. 4. In FIG. 9, the container 3, the lid member 7, the holding body 5, and the partition body 10 are shown in a sectional view. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the gas filling device 1 in a state where the container 3 is being filled with an inert gas in the first embodiment, and shows an enlarged part of FIG. 9B.

[0051] As shown in the figure, the partition body moving device 40 moves the partition body 10 to a separation position R1 (see Fig. 9A) where the partition body 10 is separated from the holding body 5 and a pressing position R2 (see Figs. 9B and 9C) where the partition body 10 is pressed against the holding body 5. The separation position R1 is a position where the partition body 10 is arranged to face the pressed portion 5D of the holding body 5, and the partition body 10 at the separation position R1 is separated upward from the pressed portion 5D. The pressing position R2 is a position where the partition body 10 contacts the pressed portion 5D, and the partition body 10 at the pressing position R2 is pressed against the pressed portion 5D while being pressed by the partition body pressing mechanism 60. The partition body moving device 40 moves the partition body 10 from the separation position R1 to the pressing position R2, and brings the partition body 10 into contact with and presses it against the holding body 5.

[0052] By the partition body moving device 40, the partition body 10 moves downward toward the pressed portion 5D above the pressed portion 5D of the holding body 5, contacts and presses against the pressed portion 5D from above, and is arranged at the pressing position R2. In a state where the partition body 10 is pressed against the pressed portion 5D (a state where the partition body 10 is arranged at the pressing position R2), the accommodation space 8 is partitioned and formed by the partition body 10 and the holding body 5 (see Figs. 9B and 10). The accommodation space 8 is a space located inside the partition body 10 and is surrounded by the partition body 10. The edge portion 3B of the container 3 and the lid member 7 are accommodated in the accommodation space 8 above the holding body 5.

[0053] The welding body 30 is arranged above the support portion 5C of the holding body 5, and by the partition body moving device 40, it moves downward toward the support portion 5C together with the partition body 10 and approaches the support portion 5C, the edge portion 3B of the container 3, and the lid member 7. In a state where the partition body 10 is pressed against the pressed portion 5D, the welding body 30 is arranged with the edge portion 3B of the container 3 and the lid member 7 sandwiched between it and the support portion 5C and separated from the lid member 7, and is pressed against the lid member 7 by the welding body moving device 50 to weld the lid member 7 to the edge portion 3B of the container 3. The welding body moving device 50 moves the welding body 30 to a non-welding position S1 (see Figs. 9B and 10) where the welding body 30 is separated from the edge portion 3B of the container 3 and the lid member 7 and a welding position S2 (see Fig. 9C) where the welding body 30 is pressed against the lid member 7.

[0054] The non-welding position S1 is the position where the welding body 30 is arranged facing the lid member 7, and the welding body 30 at the non-welding position S1 is spaced upward from the lid member 7. The welding body 30 is arranged above the lid member 7 at the non-welding position S1, sandwiching the edge portion 3B of the container 3, the lid member 7, and the accommodation space 8 between the support portion 5C of the holder 5. The welding position S2 is the position where the welding body 30 contacts the lid member 7, and the welding body 30 at the welding position S2 is pressed against the lid member 7 while being pressurized by the welding body pressurizing mechanism 70. The welding body moving device 50 moves the welding body 30 from the non-welding position S1 to the welding position S2, brings the welding body 30 into contact with the lid member 7 and presses it.

[0055] The welding body 30 is located inside the partitioning body 10 and moves along the partitioning body 10 between the non-welding position S1 and the welding position S2. By the welding body moving device 50, the welding body 30 moves downward toward the lid member 7 above the support portion 5C of the holder 5 and the lid member 7, moves from the non-welding position S1 to the welding position S2, contacts the lid member 7 from above and is pressed, and is arranged at the welding position S2. In that state, the welding body 30 sandwiches the lid member 7 and the edge portion 3B of the container 3 between it and the support portion 5C, heats and welds the lid member 7 and the edge portion 3B of the container 3.

[0056] The partitioning body 10 surrounds the accommodation space 8 and the welding body 30 in a state of being pressed against the pressed portion 5D of the holder 5. The welding body 30 at the non-welding position S1 is arranged inside the partitioning body 10, sandwiching the accommodation space 8 between it and the support portion 5C of the holder 5, and partitioning the accommodation space 8 between it and the support portion 5C. The accommodation space 8 is partitioned by the support portion 5C, the partitioning body 10, and the welding body 30 and is formed inside the partitioning body 10. Also, the accommodation space 8 is partitioned by the welding body 30 and covered by the welding body 30 at the upper side. Inside the partitioning body 10, the welding body 30 is arranged at the non-welding position S1 by the welding body moving device 50, moves from the non-welding position S1 to the welding position S2, and welds the lid member 7 to the edge portion 3B of the container 3.

[0057] When filling the container 3 with an inert gas, the container 3 with a part (adhesive part 7A) of the lid material 7 adhered by the holding body 5 is held by the holding body 5 (see Fig. 9A). Further, the partition body moving device 40 moves the partition body 10 from the separated position R1 to the pressing position R2, and presses the partition body 10 against the pressed part 5D of the holding body 5 (see Fig. 9B). Along with this, the accommodation space 8 is partitioned and formed by the support part 5C, the partition body 10, and the welded body 30, and the edge part 3B of the container 3 and the lid material 7 are accommodated in the accommodation space 8. In that state, the inert gas is supplied by the supply device 20 to the gas introduction path 5E of the holding body 5 through the gas supply part 13 of the partition body 10.

[0058] The gas introduction path 5E is a gas supply path that supplies an inert gas toward the space between the edge part 3B of the container 3 and the lid material 7 (see Fig. 10). The inert gas is blown toward the portion between the edge part 3B of the container 3 and the lid material 7 from the gas introduction path 5E and passes through the gap between the edge part 3B of the container 3 and the lid material 7. The inert gas is introduced into the container 3 from the gap between the edge part 3B of the container 3 and the lid material 7 through the gas introduction path 5E. Along with this, the gas passes from the inside of the container 3 through the gap between the edge part 3B of the container 3 and the lid material 7 and flows out to the outside of the container 3. The gas discharge path 5F is a gas discharge path that discharges the gas toward the outside of the accommodation space 8, and guides the gas flowing out from between the edge part 3B of the container 3 and the lid material 7 to the outside of the accommodation space 8 (outside of the partition body 10).

[0059] The gas flowing out from the inside of the container 3 along with the introduction of the inert gas is led out to the outside of the accommodation space 8 through the gas discharge path 5F. During the introduction (filling) of the inert gas into the container 3, the inflow of air from the outside to the inside of the accommodation space 8 is suppressed. Further, the sealing material 14 prevents the inflow of air from the outside of the partition body 10 to the inside of the accommodation space 8. The gas is led out (discharged) from the inside to the outside of the accommodation space 8 through the gas discharge path 5F.

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

[0061] The inner peripheral side groove wall 5H and the outer peripheral side groove wall 5I are formed separately from each other and partition the insertion groove portion 5G therebetween. The gas introduction path 5E is formed to open to the outer peripheral side groove wall 5I and the recessed portion 5J, connects to the outer peripheral side groove wall 5I and the recessed portion 5J, and is open toward the inside of the insertion groove portion 5G at the outer peripheral side groove wall 5I and the recessed portion 5J. The inert gas is supplied from the gas introduction path 5E to the inside of the insertion groove portion 5G and flows into the inside of the container 3 from between the edge portion 3B of the container 3 and the lid member 7 through the insertion groove portion 5G. The recessed portion 5J is provided at the portion where a plurality of gas introduction paths 5E connect in the outer peripheral side groove wall 5I and at the portion between the plurality of gas introduction paths 5E, and is recessed toward the side where the gas introduction paths 5E are located (the outer side in the groove width direction of the insertion groove portion 5G).

[0062] The outer edge portion 7B of the lid member 7 is a portion located at the outer edge of the lid member 7 and protrudes outward from the edge portion 3B of the container 3. However, the outer edge portion 7B of the lid member 7 is deformed to curl along the edge portion 3B of the container 3 due to the heat during adhesion (welding) at the adhesion portion 7A, and may enter the inside of the insertion groove portion 5G together with the edge portion 3B (protrusion portion 3E). In this way, in a state where the outer edge portion 7B of the lid member 7 is disposed inside the insertion groove portion 5G, the inert gas supplied from the gas introduction path 5E to the inside of the insertion groove portion 5G causes the outer edge portion 7B of the lid member 7 to separate from the edge portion 3B of the container 3 toward the outer peripheral side groove wall 5I. At this time, when there is no recessed portion 5J in the outer peripheral side groove wall 5I, the outer edge portion 7B of the lid member 7 may contact the outer peripheral side groove wall 5I and be caught, preventing the separation of the outer edge portion 7B of the lid member 7 from the edge portion 3B.

[0063] On the other hand, when there is a recessed portion 5J in the outer peripheral side groove wall 5I, the outer edge portion 7B of the lid member 7 moves from the inside to the outside of the insertion groove portion 5G through the recessed portion 5J. The recessed portion 5J allows the outer edge portion 7B of the lid member 7 to move from the inside to the outside of the insertion groove portion 5G. The outer edge portion 7B of the lid member 7 is guided from the inside to the outside of the insertion groove portion 5G by the recessed portion 5J and moves from the inside to the outside of the insertion groove portion 5G. Therefore, at a location where the inert gas is introduced between the edge portion 3B of the container 3 and the lid member 7, the outer edge portion 7B of the lid member 7 separates from the edge portion 3B of the container 3 without being caught by the outer peripheral side groove wall 5I. As a result, the inert gas is smoothly introduced into the inside of the container 3 from between the edge portion 3B of the container 3 and the lid member 7.

[0064] The partitioning body 10 has a receiving portion 15 for receiving the outer edge portion 7B of the lid member 7 (see FIGS. 7 and 10). The receiving portion 15 is an annular recess formed in the partitioning body 10 and is open downward. Further, the receiving portion 15 is provided on the lower surface portion 12 of the partitioning body 10 and is located on the side of the accommodation space 8 (the support portion 5C side of the holding body 5), which is the inner peripheral side of the partitioning body 10, with respect to the gas supply portion 13. In a state where the partitioning body 10 is pressed against the pressed portion 5D, the receiving portion 15 is disposed to face the portion of the gas introduction path 5E on the support portion 5C side, the insertion groove portion 5G of the support portion 5C, the edge portion 3B of the container 3, and the outer edge portion 7B of the lid member 7.

[0065] At the location where the inert gas is introduced between the edge 3B of the container 3 and the lid member 7, the outer edge 7B of the lid member 7 moves in a direction away from the edge 3B of the container 3 due to the inert gas. Also, at the location where the gas flows out from between the edge 3B of the container 3 and the lid member 7, the outer edge 7B of the lid member 7 moves in a direction away from the edge 3B of the container 3 due to the gas. Along with this, the outer edge 7B of the lid member 7 moves toward the receiving portion 15 of the partitioning member 10, enters the inside of the receiving portion 15, and contacts the receiving portion 15. The receiving portion 15 receives the outer edge 7B of the lid member 7 and stops the movement of the outer edge 7B of the lid member 7.

[0066] The receiving portion 15 receives the outer edge 7B of the lid member 7 that moves in a direction away from the edge 3B of the container 3 as the inert gas is introduced into the container 3, and holds the outer edge 7B of the lid member 7 in a state separated from the edge 3B of the container 3. The outer edge 7B of the lid member 7 is separated from the edge 3B of the container 3, is disposed with a gap therebetween, and is held at a position separated from the edge 3B by the receiving portion 15. In that state, the inert gas is introduced into the container 3 through the gap between the edge 3B of the container 3 and the outer edge 7B of the lid member 7. Also, the gas inside the container 3 flows out of the container 3 through the gap between the edge 3B of the container 3 and the outer edge 7B of the lid member 7.

[0067] As the inert gas is introduced (supplied) into the container 3 and the gas is led out (discharged) to the outside of the accommodation space 8, the gas inside the container 3 is replaced with the inert gas, and the container 3 is filled with the inert gas. Subsequently, the supply of the inert gas to the gas introduction path 5E by the supply device 20 is stopped. Also, the welding body moving device 50 moves the welding body 30 from the non-welding position S1 to the welding position S2 and presses the welding body 30 against the lid member 7 (see FIG. 9C). With the container 3 filled with the inert gas inside, the welding body 30 completely welds the lid member 7 to the edge 3B of the container 3 to seal the container 3 with the lid member 7. Thereafter, the welding body moving device 50 moves the welding body 30 from the welding position S2 to the non-welding position S1, and the partitioning member moving device 40 moves the partitioning member 10 from the pressing position R2 to the separated position R1.

[0068] In the gas filling device 1 described above, in a state where a part of the lid member 7 is adhered to the edge portion 3B of the container 3, an inert gas can be easily filled into the container 3 through the gas introduction passage 5E of the holding member 5. Further, in a state where the accommodation space 8 is partitioned, the air inside the container 3 can be smoothly replaced with an inert gas, and the container 3 can be surely filled with the inert gas. It is also possible to improve the replacement rate of the inert gas inside the container 3 and reduce the concentration of the air remaining inside the container 3. The gas outlet passage 5F of the holding member 5 can smoothly lead out the gas flowing out from between the edge portion 3B of the container 3 and the lid member 7 to the outside of the accommodation space 8. The sealing material 14 can also suppress the inflow of air into the accommodation space 8.

[0069] By moving the welded body 30 from the non-welded position S1 to the welded position S2, the lid member 7 can be smoothly welded to the edge portion 3B of the container 3 in a state where the accommodation space 8 is partitioned. Further, the welded body 30 is moved inside the partitioning member 10, and following the filling of the inert gas into the container 3, the lid member 7 can be easily welded to the edge portion 3B of the container 3 while suppressing the inflow of air into the accommodation space 8 and the inside of the container 3. Therefore, the welded body 30 can surely seal the container 3 in a state filled with the inert gas.

[0070] By receiving the outer edge portion 7B of the lid member 7 in the receiving portion 15 of the partitioning member 10, the outer edge portion 7B of the lid member 7 is maintained in a state separated from the edge portion 3B of the container 3, and the inert gas can flow smoothly from the gas introduction passage 5E toward the space between the edge portion 3B of the container 3 and the lid member 7. Therefore, the inert gas can be smoothly introduced into the container 3 from the gap between the edge portion 3B of the container 3 and the lid member 7. Further, due to the recessed portion 5J of the holding member 5, the outer edge portion 7B of the lid member 7 can be smoothly moved from the inside to the outside of the insertion groove portion 5G, and the inert gas can be surely introduced into the container 3 from the gap between the edge portion 3B of the container 3 and the lid member 7.

[0071] When a part of the lid member 7 is adhered to the edge portion 3B of the container 3, the lid member 7 may be adhered to the edge portion 3B at one adhesion portion 7A, or the lid member 7 may be adhered to the edge portion 3B at a plurality of adhesion portions 7A. A plurality of gas filling devices 1 may be arranged side by side in the sealing device 2, and an inert gas may be simultaneously filled into the interiors of a plurality of containers 3 by the plurality of gas filling devices 1. Without using the transfer device 4, the holder 5 may be installed at the processing position (inert gas filling position) by the gas filling device 1, and the container 3 may be manually or automatically set on the holder 5.

[0072] The partition body moving device 40 and the welding body moving device 50 are not limited to cylinders respectively, and may be other moving devices. Also, the partition body moving device 40 and the welding body moving device 50 may be separate moving devices, or may be a common single moving device. When the partition body moving device 40 and the welding body moving device 50 are realized by one moving device, the one moving device is, for example, a moving device having a servo motor and a conversion mechanism that converts the rotational motion of the servo motor into a linear motion. By one moving device that also serves as the partition body moving device 40 and the welding body moving device 50, the support material 41 is moved to move the partition body 10 and the welding body 30.

[0073] Next, the gas filling device 1 of the second to fourth embodiments will be described. In the gas filling device 1 of the second to fourth embodiments, the description of the same matters as those of the gas filling device 1 of the first embodiment is omitted, and mainly the matters different from those of the gas filling device 1 of the first embodiment will be described. Also, regarding the gas filling device 1 of the second to fourth embodiments, the components corresponding to the components of the gas filling device 1 of the first embodiment use the same names and symbols as those of the components of the gas filling device 1 of the first embodiment.

[0074] (Second Embodiment) FIG. 11 is a bottom view of the partition body 10 of the gas filling device 1 of the second embodiment as viewed from below. FIG. 12 is a view showing the gas filling device 1 in a state where an inert gas is being filled into the container 3 of the second embodiment.

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

[0076] (Third Embodiment) FIG. 13 is a view showing the holder 5 of the gas filling device 1 of the third embodiment. FIG. 13A is a top view of the holder 5 as seen from above. FIG. 13B is a cross-sectional view of the holder 5 taken along the line X6-X6 of FIG. 13A, and FIG. 13C is a cross-sectional view of the holder 5 taken along the line X7-X7 of FIG. 13A.

[0077] As shown in the figure, in the gas filling device 1 of the third embodiment, the holder 5 has a plurality of gas guide paths 5F. The plurality of gas guide paths 5F are arranged in parallel in a spaced-apart state, extend from the support portion 5C toward the pressed portion 5D, cross the pressed portion 5D, and are open toward the outside of the support portion 5C and the holder 5.

[0078] (Fourth Embodiment) FIG. 14 is a top view of the holder 5 of the gas filling device 1 of the fourth embodiment as seen from above, showing a part of the holder 5. FIG. 15 is a bottom view of the partition body 10 of the gas filling device 1 of the fourth embodiment as seen from below. FIG. 16 is a plan view of the partition body 10 pressed against the holder 5 of the gas filling device 1 of the fourth embodiment as seen from above, showing a part of the configuration of the partition body 10, the holder 5, the container 3, and the lid member 7 through the partition body 10.

[0079] As shown in the figure, in the gas filling device 1 of the fourth embodiment, unlike the holder 5 of the first embodiment, the holder 5 does not have a gas guiding path 5F, and has a plurality of gas introduction paths 5E at the portion of the gas guiding path 5F in the holder 5 of the first embodiment. Therefore, the holder 5 has a plurality of gas introduction paths 5E located on both sides of the container 3. The plurality of gas introduction paths 5E on one side of the container 3 and the plurality of gas introduction paths 5E on the other side of the container 3 are located on different sides with respect to the support portion 5C, sandwiching the support portion 5C, the insertion hole 5A, the container 3, and the lid member 7 therebetween.

[0080] The partitioning body 10 does not have a sealing material 14, and has two gas supply portions 13 located on both sides of the container 3. Therefore, a groove portion for mounting the sealing material 14 is not formed in the lower surface portion 12 of the partitioning body 10. The gas supply portion 13 on one side of the container 3 and the gas supply portion 13 on the other side of the container 3 are located on different sides with respect to the through hole 11 and the receiving portion 15, sandwiching the through hole 11 and the receiving portion 15 therebetween. In a state where the partitioning body 10 is pressed against the pressed portion 5D of the holder 5, the gas supply portions 13 on both sides of the container 3 are respectively arranged so as to overlap the plurality of gas guiding paths 5F of the holder 5 from above and communicate with the plurality of gas guiding paths 5F.

[0081] FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a procedure for filling an inert gas into the container 3 by the gas filling device 1 of the fourth embodiment. Similar to FIG. 9, the container 3, the lid member 7, the holder 5, the partitioning body 10, and the welded body 30 are shown.

[0082] When filling the container 3 with an inert gas, the inert gas is supplied from the gas supply portion 13 to the gas introduction path 5E on both sides of the container 3. The inert gas is introduced into the container 3 from the gap between the edge portion 3B of the container 3 and the lid member 7 through the gas introduction paths 5E on both sides of the container 3. Along with the introduction of the inert gas, the gas flowing out from between the edge portion 3B of the container 3 and the lid member 7 is discharged to the outside of the accommodation space 8 through a location between the partitioning body 10 and the pressed portion 5D of the holder 5. In this way, by discharging the gas from the location between the partitioning body 10 and the pressed portion 5D, it is possible to suppress the inflow of air from the location between the partitioning body 10 and the pressed portion 5D into the inside of the accommodation space 8.

Description of Symbols

[0083] 1... Gas filling device, 1A... Frame, 2... Sealing device, 3... Container, 3A... Accommodating part, 3B... Edge part, 3C... Opening, 3D... Protruding part, 3E... Protruding portion, 4... Conveying device, 4A... Conveyor, 4B... Sprocket, 4C... Sprocket, 5... Holding body, 5A... Insertion hole, 5B... Upper surface part, 5C... Support part, 5D... Pressed part, 5E... Gas introduction path, 5F... Gas outlet path, 5G... Insertion groove part, 5H... Inner peripheral side groove wall, 5I... Outer peripheral side groove wall, 5J... Depressed part, 6... Reinforcing seal machine, 7... Cover material, 7A... Adhesive part, 7B... Outer edge part, 8... Accommodating space, 10... Partition body, 11... Through hole, 12... Lower surface part, 13... Gas supply part, 14... Sealing material, 15... Receiving part, 20... Supply device, 30... Welded body, 40... Partition body moving device, 41... Support material, 42... Cylinder tube, 43... Piston rod, 44... Guide mechanism, 45... Guide rod, 46... Guide material, 50... Welded body moving device, 51... Cylinder tube, 52... Piston rod, 53... Mounting material, 60... Partition body pressing mechanism, 61... Connecting rod, 62... Pressing spring, 63... Step part, 70... Welded body pressing mechanism, 71... Connecting rod, 72... Pressing spring, 73... Connecting material, H... Conveying direction, R1... Separation position, R2... Pressing position, S1... Non-welded position, S2... Welded position.

Claims

1. A gas filling device for filling an inert gas into a container with a part of a lid material adhered to an edge portion surrounding an opening of the container, comprising: a holding body for holding the container with a part of the lid material adhered to the edge portion; a partitioning body pressed against the holding body to partition a housing space for housing the edge portion and the lid material together with the holding body; a partitioning body moving device for moving the partitioning body between a separating position separated from the holding body and a pressing position pressed against the holding body; a supply device for supplying the inert gas to the partitioning body. The holding body has a support portion for supporting the edge portion, a portion to be pressed against which the partitioning body is pressed, and a gas introduction path formed from the portion to be pressed against toward the support portion and guiding the inert gas toward between the edge portion and the lid material. The partitioning body has a gas supply portion for supplying the inert gas to the gas introduction path in a state of being pressed against the portion to be pressed against.

2. In the gas filling device according to Claim 1, the holding body has a gas discharge path formed from the support portion toward the portion to be pressed against and guiding gas flowing out from between the edge portion and the lid material to the outside of the housing space.

3. In the gas filling device according to Claim 1, the gas flowing out from between the edge portion and the lid material is discharged to the outside of the housing space through a location between the partitioning body and the portion to be pressed against.

4. In the gas filling device according to Claim 1 or 2, the partitioning body has a sealing material that closely adheres to the portion to be pressed against and seals a location between the partitioning body and the portion to be pressed against.

5. In the gas filling device according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, in a state where the partitioning body is pressed against the portion to be pressed against, a welding body is disposed to sandwich the edge portion and the lid material between the welding body and the support portion and separated from the lid material, and the welding body is pressed against the lid material to weld the lid material to the edge portion; and a welding body moving device for moving the welding body between a non-welding position separated from the lid material and a welding position pressed against the lid material.

6. In the gas filling device according to Claim 5, the partitioning body surrounds the housing space and the welding body in a state of being pressed against the portion to be pressed against. The welding body is a gas filling device that is disposed inside the partitioning body, sandwiches the accommodation space between itself and the support portion, and moves from the non-welding position to the welding position.

7. In the gas filling device according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, the partitioning body has a receiving portion that receives an outer edge portion of the lid member that moves in a direction away from the edge portion as the inert gas is introduced into the container, and presses the outer edge portion of the lid member in a state of being separated from the edge portion.

8. In the gas filling device according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, the support portion has an annular insertion groove portion into which the edge portion is inserted and from which the inert gas is supplied from the gas introduction passage, the insertion groove portion has an inner peripheral side groove wall and an outer peripheral side groove wall that face each other, and a recess portion that is formed in the outer peripheral side groove wall and guides the outer edge portion of the lid member, which is separated from the edge portion toward the outer peripheral side groove wall by the inert gas supplied from the gas introduction passage, from the inside to the outside of the insertion groove portion without catching the outer edge portion on the outer peripheral side groove wall.

Images