Packaging machine

Abstract

To provide a packaging machine excellent in processing efficiency in view of a conventional packaging machine having a difficulty in processing efficiency because a next article to be packaged can be placed on a placing table only after one packaging processing is completely finished and removed.SOLUTION: A packaging machine that performs packaging by moving a tray in a carry-in direction in which the tray is guided into the packaging machine includes a tray holding unit that holds the tray by being brought into contact with an edge portion of the tray, a discharge unit that discharges the tray in a carry-out direction orthogonal to the carry-in direction, and the discharge unit is provided in the vicinity of the tray holding unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a packaging machine that covers a tray on which an object to be packaged is placed with a film and heat-seals the film to the edge of the tray.

Background Art

[0002] As a conventional packaging machine, there is one that improves convenience by configuring it such that an object to be packaged is placed on a mounting table and pushed into the machine body, and after heat-sealing, the mounting table is automatically pushed out of the machine body by a carry-out mechanism (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The packaging machine described in Patent Document 1 goes through the process of placing an object to be packaged on a mounting table, pushing it into the machine body, and after heat-sealing, carrying out the packaged object out of the machine body. However, since a single packaging process is completely finished and the next object to be packaged cannot be placed on the mounting table until it is removed, there are difficulties in processing efficiency.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The packaging machine of the present invention has at least the following configuration. Moving the tray in the carry-in direction for guiding the tray into the machine , weld the film to the tray to A packaging machine that performs packaging, comprising a tray holding part that abuts against the edge of the tray to hold the tray, and a discharging part that discharges the tray in a discharging direction orthogonal to the carry-in direction. a roll film holding part for holding a roll film, and a film sandwiching part for sandwiching and pulling out the film supplied from the roll film; And the discharging part is provided in the vicinity of the tray holding part , the roll film holding part is disposed above the tray holding part and the discharge part Characterized by this. Here, the tray holding part includes both a mode of holding the tray while pushing it up to the position where the packaging process is performed, and a mode of holding the tray when the packaging processing means is pressed against the tray while descending.

Advantages of the Invention

[0006] According to the present invention, a packaging machine with high processing efficiency can be provided.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007]

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of a packaging machine according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the following drawings are created for the purpose of explanation, and for the sake of clarity, there may be cases where members unnecessary for the explanation are not intentionally shown. Also, for the purpose of explanation, members may be intentionally shown larger or smaller, and the drawings do not show the exact scale. In the following explanation, the same reference numerals in different drawings indicate parts having the same function, and duplicate explanations in each drawing are omitted as appropriate.

[0009] (Overall Configuration) FIGS. 1 and 2 show the appearance of a packaging machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view, and FIG. 2 is a top view. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the inside with the housing of the packaging machine removed, and FIG. 4 is a left side view showing the inside with the housing of the packaging machine removed, where (a) shows the case of corresponding to a large-sized tray and (b) shows the case of corresponding to a small-sized tray.

[0010] The packaging machine 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 automatically performs a series of operations from loading a tray T with an object to be packaged into the machine to unloading after heat-sealing. More specifically, as shown by the arrows in FIG. 2, when the packaging machine 100 places the tray T with the object to be packaged on the placement part 1, the tray T is carried into the machine having the heat-sealing part 2, and by pushing the tray T upward in the machine, the edge of the tray T is brought into contact with the film suspended at the upper position in the machine. After heat-welding and sealing the film, the tray T is moved in the unloading direction perpendicular to the loading direction and discharged to the first discharge table 3, and further, the tray T is moved in the direction opposite to the loading direction and sent to the second discharge table 4. In the embodiment of the present invention, it is made possible to handle two types of trays T of different sizes. Regarding the edge part, even if it is not the edge part covering all four sides of the tray, as long as appropriate packaging processing can be performed, the end part of the tray, which is a part of the edge part, may be used.

[0011] The placement unit 1 functions as a scale and is configured to measure the weight of the packaged item and the tray T placed thereon. The placement unit 1 is also provided with a loading and transfer unit 11 having two endless belts 111, 111, and is configured to be able to load the tray T placed toward the interior of the machine having the heat-sealing unit 2. More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the loading and transfer unit 11 is composed of two endless belts 111, 111 having claws 112, 112 on their circumferential surfaces. By the claws 112, 112 pushing the edge of the tray T, the tray T is moved in the loading direction. In FIGS. 3 and 4(a) and (b), two claws 112 (a total of four claws 112 in two rows in FIG. 3) are depicted as being close to each other along each endless belt, but this is for the sake of clearly showing the movement of the claws 112. In reality, a total of two claws 112 (a total of four claws 112 in two rows) are positioned one by one at positions that have made a half turn of the endless belt 111. By the rotation of these claws 112, the tray T is loaded into the interior of the machine having the heat-sealing unit 2. The claw 112 depicted to the left of the tray T in FIGS. 4(a) and (b) actually moves promptly to a position where it does not interfere with the tray lifter 23 after the loading of the tray T into the machine is completed.

[0012] The heat-sealed tray T is transferred in the unloading direction orthogonal to the loading direction by the discharge unit 21 composed of the drive rollers shown in FIG. 3 and is discharged toward the first discharge table 3. The first discharge table 3 is also equipped with drive rollers and moves the tray T in the direction opposite to the loading direction and sends it to the second discharge table 4. The second discharge table 4 is inclined, and since the tray T moves by its own weight, the rollers of the second discharge table 4 are simple rollers without driving force. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, above the first discharge table 3, there is a console 5 having an operation unit such as a display unit, numeric keypad, touch panel, etc. on the front, a printing unit for label printing, and control means inside.

[0013] To summarize the in-machine unit having the heat-sealing part 2, there are provided a tray pushing-up part 23, a film feeding part 24 for pulling out the roll film R loaded in the machine unit so as to enable heat-sealing processing, a heat-generating part for performing heat-sealing processing, and a discharging part 21 for discharging the packaged tray T after the heat-sealing processing is completed.

[0014] In the present embodiment, the roll film R is supported by passing a shaft through its center hole, but it may also be structured to be supported by four rollers that cantilever support four locations on the lower surface of the roll film R. The leading end of the drawn film is clamped by the film feeding part 24. From FIGS. 4(a) and (b), it is possible to confirm the state in which the film feeding part 24 pulls out the film to different positions. In this way, the film feeding part 24 is configured to reciprocate in sections of different distances set according to the film size, and supplies a new film each time the heat-sealing process is executed. The film clamping part is configured to clamp the entire width in the width direction of the film, and since there is no part where the film is not clamped, wrinkles do not occur when the film is fed.

[0015] A metal plate (heating element) as a heater member is disposed so as to face the drawn film (in FIG. 3, it cannot be seen because it is disposed on the back side of the paper surface). When the tray T is lifted and moved by the tray pushing-up part 23, the film is heat-welded along the edge of the tray T in a state where the edge of the tray T and the film are sandwiched between the tray pushing-up part 23 and the heater member.

[0016] (Operation of the tray pushing-up part) FIG. 5 is a left side view for explaining the operation of the tray pushing-up portion 23, but the housing and the film feeding portion 24 are not shown. In FIG. 5(a), the tray T placed on the placement portion 1 is pushed by the claw 112 of the carry-in transfer portion 11 and is being pushed into the machine having the heat seal portion 2. Both the tray T being pushed into the machine and the tray T carried into the machine having the heat seal portion 2 are drawn for the purpose of explanation. However, in reality, there is only one tray T, and the tray T during the carry-in process and the tray T after the carry-in is completed do not exist simultaneously. However, after the carry-in of the tray T into the machine is completed, since it is possible to place a new tray T to be packaged next on the placement portion 1, the carried-in tray T and the waiting tray T may exist simultaneously. Also, on the inner side plate of the housing not shown in FIG. 5, there is a moving mechanism for moving the tray pushing-up portion 23 up and down, and the tray pushing-up portion 23 is connectable (removable) to the moving mechanism. Also, slightly above the upper end of the tray pushing-up portion 23 shown in FIG. 5(a), three proximity sensors are provided so that it can be detected whether an appropriate tray pushing-up portion 23 is loaded at the initial movement of the tray pushing-up portion 23.

[0017] FIG. 5(b) shows a stage in which the tray pushing-up portion 23 is rising. As the tray pushing-up portion 23 rises, the tray T enters the tray pushing-up portion 23 which is a rectangular frame. At this time, even if the momentum of the transfer by the claw 112 of the carry-in transfer portion 11 is too strong and the movement of the tray T becomes somewhat too large and it is placed in a state slightly deviated from the proper position, since the side surface of the tray is inclined, the position is corrected and the tray T naturally enters the tray pushing-up portion 23.

[0018] FIG. 5(c) further shows a state in which the tray pushing-up portion 23 has risen and the tray T is pushed up to the position of the film feeding portion not shown. It is also possible to understand that FIGS. 4(a) and (b) show this state, and it shows a state in which the tray pushing-up portion 23 has risen to a position substantially the same height as the film feeding portion 24.

[0019] (Relationship between the tray lifting part and the discharging part) With reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, the relationship between the tray lifting part 23 and the discharging part 21 will be described. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the tray lifting part 23 and the discharging part 21 of the packaging machine 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a top view showing the tray lifting part 23 and the discharging part 21 of the packaging machine 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The packaging machine 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is configured to be able to handle trays T of two different sizes, large and small, and FIGS. 6 and 7 show the case corresponding to the large-sized tray T. In FIGS. 6 and 7, the largely drawn arrows represent the moving direction of the tray T, and in FIG. 6, the small drawn arrows represent the lifting motion of the tray lifting part 23.

[0020] When the tray T on which the object to be packaged is placed is placed on the placing part 1, the tray T is carried into the machine. A sensor (not shown) for detecting the passage of the tray T is provided at the loading entrance inside the machine, and the tray size is detected by the time from when the loading transfer part 11 is activated at the time of tray loading until the first sensor is blocked. That is, it utilizes the mechanism that a large-sized tray T reaches the sensor position earlier. Next, by raising the tray lifting part 23 inside the machine, the tray T is pushed upward, and after heat-sealing the film for shrink wrapping, the tray lifting part 23 descends and the tray T is placed at the original height position. Thereafter, the discharging part 21 discharges the tray T toward the first discharging table 3 located in the discharging direction orthogonal to the loading direction. In the embodiment of the present invention, the discharging part 21 is composed of eight driving rollers, and all of them are arranged inside the tray lifting part 23. The eight driving rollers are configured to send out the tray T while supporting it toward the first discharging table 3.

[0021] The tray lifting portion 23 is also contrived when lifting heavy objects. The tray lifting portion 23 is not merely rectangular but is provided with a support portion. Among the intervals between the eight drive rollers of the discharge portion 21, six are equally spaced, but the interval between the fourth and fifth drive rollers counted from the right or left is wider than the other portions, and a support member (not shown) passing between the discharge portions 21 is provided in the tray lifting portion 23. When the tray is lifted, the support member (not shown) passes vertically between the discharge portions 21. By supporting the central portion of the tray, this support member (not shown) cooperates with the action of supporting the edge of the tray. This is to prevent the tray T from being deflected when a heavy object is placed thereon. The shape of the support member may connect both ends of the frame or may be divided in the middle.

[0022] Six rollers are provided separately from the eight drive rollers of the discharge portion 21, and these are also arranged inside the tray upper portion 23. Although the six rollers support the large-sized tray T, they do not have a driving force and function as a support portion 22 as freely rotatable rollers. To apply the same propulsion force with six rollers having a different number compared to the discharge portion 21 composed of eight drive rollers, free rotation is advantageous as it does not require complex control. However, a driving force may also be applied to the rollers corresponding to the support portion 22. In such a configuration, when processing the large-sized tray T, the six rollers are also driven, and when processing the small-sized tray T, the driving control may be switched such that the six rollers are not driven.

[0023] Ten drive rollers are arranged on the first discharge table 3, and the tray T is transferred toward the second discharge table 4 where an operator is located in the direction opposite to the loading direction. The second discharge table 4 is inclined, and since the tray T moves by its own weight, the rollers on the second discharge table 4 are merely rollers without a driving force.

[0024] As can be understood from this series of movement modes of the tray T, in the packaging machine 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, as soon as the operator places the tray T on the placement portion 1, the tray T is immediately carried into the machine, and the tray T that has undergone the heat sealing process is quickly discharged onto the second discharge table 4 located adjacent to the placement portion 1. Once the tray T is carried into the machine from the placement portion 1, it becomes possible to immediately place the next tray T to be packaged on the placement portion 1. That is, there is no need to wait for one packaging process to be completely finished before placing the next object to be packaged on the placement table. Also, since the second discharge table 4 is located adjacent to the placement portion 1, it is possible to smoothly pick up the tray T whose packaging has been completed. Both the operation of setting the tray T before packaging and the operation of picking up the tray T after packaging is completed can be smoothly performed by a single operator, and the working efficiency of the packaging process is greatly improved.

[0025] Using FIGS. 8 and 9, the relationship between the tray pushing-up portion 23 and the discharge portion 21 when processing the small-sized tray T will be described. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the tray pushing-up portion 23 and the discharge portion 21 of the packaging machine 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a top view showing the tray pushing-up portion 23 and the discharge portion 21 of the packaging machine 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. However, both figures show the mode when processing the small-sized tray T. In FIGS. 8 and 9, the largely drawn arrow represents the moving direction of the tray T, and in FIG. 8, the small arrow represents the lifting motion of the tray pushing-up portion 13.

[0026] When the tray T with the packaged item is placed on the placement unit 1, the tray T is carried into the machine. It is confirmed by a sensor (not shown) provided at the loading entrance inside the machine that the tray T is of a small size. Then, by raising the tray pushing-up part 23 inside the machine, the tray T is pushed upward, and after heat-sealing the film for shrink wrapping, the tray pushing-up part 23 descends, and the tray T is placed at its original height position. Thereafter, the discharge unit 21 discharges the tray T toward the first discharge table 3 located in the discharge direction orthogonal to the loading direction. In the embodiment of the present invention, the discharge unit 21 is composed of eight drive rollers, all of which are disposed inside the tray pushing-up part 23. On the other hand, the tray pushing-up part 23 does not have a simple rectangular shape but has a middle rail passing through the middle that divides the eight drive rollers of the discharge unit 21 into four each. The eight drive rollers are configured to send out the tray T while supporting it toward the first discharge table 3.

[0027] As can be confirmed from FIGS. 8 to 9, although the eight drive rollers are disposed inside the tray pushing-up part 23, six rollers are located outside the tray pushing-up part 23, and a part of the tray pushing-up part 23 is configured to move up and down between the eight drive rollers and the six rollers. This is because the size of the tray pushing-up part 23 is different in FIGS. 6 and 8. Needless to say, it is a configuration for accommodating two trays T of different sizes, a large size and a small size. Specifically, the tray pushing-up part 23 is connectable (removable) to a moving mechanism (not shown) for driving it.

[0028] Ten drive rollers are disposed on the first discharge table 3, and the tray T is transferred toward the second discharge table 4 where an operator is located in the direction opposite to the loading direction. The second discharge table 4 is inclined, and since the tray T moves by its own weight, the rollers on the second discharge table 4 are simple rollers without driving force.

[0029] There is no need to wait for one packaging process to be completely finished before placing the next item to be packaged on the placing table, and the packaged tray T can also be smoothly picked up. This is the same as the description for the large-sized tray T. In addition to this, the packaging machine 100 of the embodiment of the present invention has the advantage of being able to easily accommodate trays T of different sizes. That is, there is no need to prepare a packaging machine for each tray T of different sizes, and there is no need to make major mechanical setting changes during size replacement. It can be dealt with only by replacing the tray pushing-up part 23 and performing setting operations on the console 5, which is very convenient to use and also contributes to the overall processing efficiency.

[0030] (Control of the heating part according to the tray size) The control process of the heating part and related control processes corresponding to the relationship between the size of the tray pushing-up part 23 and the size of the tray T will be described. As described above, the packaging machine 100 of the embodiment of the present invention can be adapted to two types of trays T of different sizes, large and small, only by replacing the tray pushing-up part 23 and performing setting operations on the console 5. For example, when loading the large-sized tray pushing-up part 23 and setting it to the large size, the amount of film feed and the heating area of the heating part will also correspond to the large-sized tray T. The same is true for the small size.

[0031] By the way, due to operator error, there may be a situation where the size set on the console 5 is different from the size of the tray pushing-up part 23 actually loaded, or a situation where the set size and the size of the tray pushing-up part 23 match, but the size of the tray T placed on the placement part 1 is different. In particular, the setting on the console 5 is not made by distinguishing between "large" and "small", but may be configured to automatically set the size corresponding to the product called by the product code or the like on the console 5 in consideration of convenience. In such a case, even if the large and small sizes corresponding to the called product are configured to be displayed on the console screen, there may be a situation where it is overlooked or the operation is continued without looking at it deliberately, resulting in a misunderstanding of the size. However, as described above, the packaging machine 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention is provided with three proximity sensors arranged near the initial movement position of the tray pushing-up part 23 and a sensor for detecting the passage of the tray T arranged at the loading port in the machine, so that it can appropriately handle setting errors and the like.

[0032] When the tray lifting part 23 is loaded and an operation indicating that the loading is completed is performed on the console 5, the tray lifting part 23 performs a lifting operation within a certain range as an initial operation, and three proximity sensors check whether they detect the tray lifting part 23. If all three detect it, it is determined to be a large size; if two detect it, it is determined to be a small size. To be able to judge the extremely rare case of forgetting to load, one sensor is configured to detect a moving mechanism that reacts even when the tray lifting part 23 is not loaded. When the size of the corresponding tray for the called product does not match the size of the tray lifting part 23, appropriate control such as warning with an image or sound output on the console 5 or stopping the subsequent operation of the packaging machine is performed. Also, not limited to the perspective of setting errors, the display screen of the console 5 may be configured to display text such as "large" or "small" or change the screen background so that the set or detected size can be recognized. Further, by determining the size of the tray lifting part 23 with three proximity sensors, if a situation occurs where the amount of film feed and the heat generation area of the heat generating part determined by the size setting are different from the size determined by the proximity sensors, these amounts and areas can be corrected to appropriate values. Note that the amount of film feed and the heat generation area of the heat generating part may not be set in the first place, and the feed amount and heat generation area may be controlled each time after the size of the tray lifting part 23 is detected and determined.

[0033] The sensor that detects the passage of the tray T placed at the loading entrance inside the machine can detect the tray size based on the time from when the loading transfer unit 11 is activated during tray loading until the first sensor is blocked. However, with this configuration, for example, when the set or detected tray pushing-up unit 23 is large-sized but the tray size is small, it becomes possible to execute control to stop the operation of the packaging machine or to provide an appropriate reject mechanism in the loading transfer unit 11 to return the tray to the initial position of the placement unit 1. Alternatively, without performing the packaging process, the tray T may be moved to the first discharge table 3 and then to the second discharge table 4. In this way, there is no need to provide a reject mechanism in the loading transfer unit 11.

[0034] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the terminal pattern of the heat generating part of the packaging machine 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As described above, the amount of film feed and the heat generating area of the heat generating part are determined by the size setting on the console 5 or by detecting and determining the size of the tray pushing-up unit 23. For the heat generating part, switching control is performed between a mode in which a large area generates heat and a mode in which a small area generates heat. The three circles shown in FIG. 10 are terminals for controlling the energization of the metal plate (heat generating body), and are a common terminal A, a large-size terminal B, and a small-size terminal C. Selective energization is performed between the large-size terminal B and the small-size terminal C so that switching between a large heat generating area and a small heat generating area is possible.

[0035] The heating part is configured such that a groove is dug in the support substrate, a metal plate (heating element) having the shape shown in FIG. 10 is embedded along the groove, and a heat-resistant glass sheet is pasted thereon so that the metal plate does not directly contact the film. That is, as the configuration of the packaging machine 100, a glass sheet is disposed under the metal plate. The glass sheet is configured to be easily removable from the substrate, and the metal plate (heating element) can also be easily removed from the support substrate, enabling easy maintenance. For example, it is possible to perform operations such as replacing the glass sheet during 10,000 heat seal processes, and replacing the metal plate (heating element) or the entire substrate during 100,000 heat seal processes. It is convenient to store the number of executions of the heat seal process in the storage device of the control board in the console 5 and perform appropriate alert processing as needed.

[0036] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining another terminal pattern of the heating part of the packaging machine 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The three circles shown in FIG. 11 are terminals for energization control of the metal plate (heating element), and are a common terminal A, a terminal B for large size, and a terminal C for small size. Selective energization is performed between the terminal B for large size and the terminal C for small size, enabling switching between a large heating area and a small heating area. Compared with the aspect of FIG. 10, it is different in that the common terminal A and the terminal B for large size are in close proximity. When performing the heat seal process on the small-size tray T, the portion from the vicinity of the terminal C for small size to the common terminal A is a location not necessary for heat sealing and would cause unnecessary heat generation. However, since the two terminals are arranged at the corner of the substrate, it may be advantageous in terms of routing the connection wires and the like. Thus, it is possible to select a more suitable one of the terminal patterns of FIGS. 10 and 11 according to restrictions on the layout required for the entire device.

[0037] (Another Embodiment) In the first embodiment, the discharge unit 21 was composed of a driving roller, but it may be composed of a belt conveyor. Also, although the discharge unit 21 was provided inside the tray pushing-up unit 23, for example, it is also possible to adopt a mode in which a pusher device is arranged near the outside of the tray pushing-up unit 23. Although the size of the entire apparatus will become slightly larger, since the member that supports the tray T only needs to be composed of simple rollers without its own driving force, the support portion of the tray T can be divided into a large number. At that time, since the pusher device can be arranged at an arbitrary position in the depth direction of the conveyor, if it is positioned at the center of trays T of all sizes, the propulsive force will not be biased. In this way, it becomes possible to accommodate more sizes of trays T. Also, regarding the tray pushing-up unit 23, with a reverse idea, it is also possible to configure it such that the film is suspended at a height position closer to the tray T carried into the machine, and while the heater member descends to push down the film and bring it into contact with the tray T, welding is performed. The pushing up of the tray T and the pushing down of the film may be used in combination. Also, in the first embodiment, the heating element was formed by digging a groove in the support substrate and embedding a metal plate, but it is possible to provide a conductive pattern on the substrate itself so that heat generation is caused by energization and heat welding is possible. Even in this case, it is desirable to configure it such that a heat-resistant glass sheet is attached on the substrate to protect the heating element from directly contacting the film, and to make the replacement of the glass sheet or the substrate itself easy according to the number of heat treatment times.

[0038] (Appearance by the orthographic projection method of the packaging machine) As described above, the packaging machine 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention greatly improves the efficiency of packaging processing. At the same time, the entire device is configured compactly and contributes to space saving. For reference, the appearance of the packaging machine 100 of the present embodiment according to the orthographic projection method is shown. FIGS. 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 are a front view, a rear view, a plan view, a right side view, a left side view and a bottom view, respectively. In addition, a front perspective view is also presented as FIG. 18. The description of the article is that a heat welding mechanism is housed in the box-shaped part shown in the upper left part of the front view and the upper left part of the plan view. Here, it would be a packaging machine that covers a tray on which an object to be packaged is placed with a film and heat-welds the film to the edge of the tray.

[0039] <Summary of the Embodiment> [Technical Field] The present invention relates to a packaging machine that covers a tray on which an object to be packaged is placed with a film and heat-welds the film to the edge of the tray. [Background Art] As a conventional packaging machine, there is one that improves convenience by placing an object to be packaged on a mounting table, pushing it into the machine body, and automatically pushing the mounting table out of the machine body by a carry-out mechanism after heat-sealing (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior Art Document] [Patent Document] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-261102 [Summary of the Invention] [Problems to be Solved by the Invention] The packaging machine described in Patent Document 1 goes through a process of placing an object to be packaged on a mounting table, pushing it into the machine body, and after heat-sealing, the packaged object is carried out of the machine body. However, since one packaging process is completely finished and the next object to be packaged cannot be placed on the mounting table until it is removed, there are difficulties in processing efficiency. [Means for Solving the Problems] (1) As described above, one aspect of the present embodiment is a packaging machine 100 that performs packaging by moving a tray (tray T) in the carrying-in direction that guides the tray into the machine interior (the machine interior having the heat-sealing portion 2), the tray holding portion (tray pushing-up portion 23) that abuts against the edge portion of the tray (tray T) to hold the tray, and a discharging portion (discharging portion 21) that discharges the tray in the discharging direction orthogonal to the carrying-in direction, wherein the discharging portion (discharging portion 21) is provided in the vicinity of the tray holding portion (tray pushing-up portion 23).

[0040] According to the above configuration, there is no need to place the next article to be packaged on the mounting table after waiting for one packaging process to be completely finished, and it is also possible to smoothly pick up the tray T for which packaging has been completed.

[0041] (2) One aspect of the present embodiment is a packaging machine 100 that performs packaging by moving a tray (tray T) in the carrying-in direction that guides the tray into the machine interior (the machine interior having the heat-sealing portion 2), the tray holding portion (tray pushing-up portion 23) that abuts against the edge portion of the tray (tray T) to hold the tray, and a discharging portion (discharging portion 21) that discharges the tray in the discharging direction orthogonal to the carrying-in direction, wherein the discharging portion (discharging portion 21) is provided inside the tray holding portion (tray pushing-up portion 23).

[0042] According to the above configuration, there is no need to place the next article to be packaged on the mounting table after waiting for one packaging process to be completely finished, and it is possible to realize a packaging machine that can smoothly pick up the tray T for which packaging has been completed in a compact size.

[0043] (3) One aspect of the present embodiment is the packaging machine 100 according to (1) or (2), wherein the tray holding portion (tray pushing-up portion 23) is detachable from the packaging machine 100 and is capable of corresponding to the sizes of at least two or more trays (tray T).

[0044] According to the above configuration, it is possible to easily cope with trays T of different sizes.

[0045] (4) One aspect of the present embodiment is that in the packaging machine 100 described in (2) or (3), the discharge unit (discharge unit 21) includes a delivery unit (eight driving rollers as the discharge unit 21) that delivers a tray of a first size (small-sized tray T) and a tray of a second size (large-sized tray T), and a support unit (six rollers as the support unit 22) that supports at least the tray of the second size.

[0046] According to the above configuration, it is possible to make a part of the discharge unit 21 corresponding to trays T of different sizes common, making it simple.

[0047] (5) One aspect of the present embodiment is that in the packaging machine 100 described in any one of (2) to (4), a part of the tray holding unit (tray pushing-up unit 23) corresponding to the tray of the first size (small-sized tray T) moves up and down between the delivery unit (eight driving rollers as the discharge unit 21) and the support unit (six rollers as the support unit 22).

[0048] According to the above configuration, it is possible to make the common structure according to different sizes even simpler.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0049] 100 Packaging machine 1 Loading section 11 Loading and transfer section 111 Endless belt 112 Claw 2 Heat-sealing section 21 Discharge unit 22 Support unit 23 Tray pushing-up unit (tray holding unit) 24 Film feeding section 3 First discharge table 4 Second discharge table 5 Console T Tray R Roll film

Claims

1. A packaging machine that moves a tray in a carrying-in direction for guiding the tray into the machine and welds a film to the tray for packaging, comprising: a tray holding part that abuts against an edge of the tray to hold the tray; a discharging part that discharges the tray in a discharging direction orthogonal to the carrying-in direction; a roll film holding part that holds a roll film; a film sandwiching part that sandwiches and pulls out a film supplied from the roll film, wherein the discharging part is provided near the tray holding part, and the roll film holding part is disposed above the tray holding part and the discharging part. A packaging machine characterized by the above.

2. A packaging machine that moves a tray in a carrying-in direction for guiding the tray into the machine and welds a film to the tray for packaging, comprising: a tray holding part that abuts against an edge of the tray to hold the tray; a discharging part that discharges the tray in a discharging direction orthogonal to the carrying-in direction; a roll film holding part that holds a roll film; a film sandwiching part that sandwiches and pulls out a film supplied from the roll film, wherein the discharging part is provided inside the tray holding part, and the roll film holding part is disposed above the tray holding part and the discharging part. A packaging machine characterized by the above.

3. The tray holding part is detachable from the packaging machine and can correspond to at least two or more tray sizes. The packaging machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the above.

4. The discharging part is composed of a sending part that sends out a tray of a first size and a tray of a second size, and a supporting part that supports at least the tray of the second size. For the tray holding part corresponding to the tray of the first size, a predetermined part of the tray holding part moves up and down between the sending part and the supporting part, while for the tray holding part corresponding to the tray of the second size, a predetermined part of the tray holding part moves up and down outside the sending part and the supporting part. The packaging machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by the above.

5. The tray holding part is rectangular and includes a cross bar spanning two predetermined opposite sides of the four sides. The edge of the tray is held by the four sides. The bottom of the tray is held by the cross bar. The packaging machine according to claim 4, characterized by the above.

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