Packaging equipment

Abstract

To provide a packaging device capable of preventing a packaging sheet from sticking to itself.SOLUTION: The packaging device includes pulling out means for pulling out a long sheet and cutting means 29 for cutting the long sheet pulled out by the pulling out means to obtain a packaging sheet. The cutting means 29 includes a receiving body 161 having a sheet receiving portion 160. The cutting means 29 also includes a pressing body 162 that presses the long sheet against the sheet receiving portion 160 and a cutting blade 163 that cuts the long sheet. The sheet receiving portion 160 has a portion made of non-woven fabric 186, a member to which the packaging sheet does not stick.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a packaging device for packaging agricultural produce with a packaging sheet. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, a packaging device is known, for example, as described in Patent Document 1 below.

[0003] This conventional packaging device is equipped with a drawing means (drawing mechanism) that draws out the long sheet, and a cutting means that cuts the long sheet drawn by the drawing means to obtain a packaging sheet. The cutting means also includes a receiving body, for example made of iron, having a first receiving portion and a second receiving portion, a pressing body that presses the long sheet against both receiving portions of the receiving body, and a cutting body (cutter) that cuts the long sheet while it is pressed against both receiving portions by the pressing body to obtain a packaging sheet. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 7-315316 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the conventional packaging device described above, depending on the material of the packaging sheet, there is a risk that the packaging sheet after being cut by the cutting body may stick to the receiving body.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and has as its object to provide a packaging device that can prevent the packaging sheet from sticking. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The packaging device of the present invention is a packaging device that packages agricultural products in a packaging sheet, and is equipped with a pull-out means for pulling out a long sheet, and a cutting means for cutting the long sheet pulled out by the pull-out means to obtain a packaging sheet, and the cutting means is equipped with a receiving body having a sheet receiving portion, a pressing body for pressing the long sheet against the sheet receiving portion, and a cutting body for cutting the long sheet while pressed against the sheet receiving portion to obtain a packaging sheet, and the sheet receiving portion has a portion made of a material to which the packaging sheet does not stick. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the packaging sheet from sticking. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a front perspective view of a packaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a partial front view of the interior of the packaging device (when the first lifting body is in the raised position). [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a partial front view of the interior of the packaging device (with the first lifting body in the lowered position). [Figure 6] FIG. 3 is a side view showing a first lifting and lowering drive means of the packaging device. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a support means of the packaging device. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the drawing means of the packaging device. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a front view showing the drawing means and cutting means. [Figure 10] FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a receiver of the cutting means. [Figure 12] 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. [Figure 13] 4(a) to 4(c) are explanatory diagrams of the operation of the cutting means. [Figure 14] 4A to 4D are explanatory diagrams for explaining the operation of the packaging process by the packaging device. [Figure 15] (e) to (h) are explanatory diagrams continuing from FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0011] In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a packaging device, which is a lettuce packaging machine (vegetable packaging machine) that uses, for example, a rectangular packaging sheet S of a predetermined size to package a spherical agricultural product (item to be packaged) W, such as lettuce.

[0012] In other words, the packaging device 1 automatically packages agricultural produce W that has been manually supplied into the packaging device 1 from the supply port 2 by an operator with a packaging sheet S, and then automatically discharges the packaged agricultural produce W from the discharge port 3 to the outside of the packaging device 1.

[0013] The packaging sheet (packaging film) S is obtained by cutting a long sheet S0 drawn out from a roll-shaped sheet roll R into pieces of a predetermined size, and is, for example, a transparent stretch film made of synthetic resin that adheres to itself by static electricity. The sheet roll R is a long, continuous long packaging sheet S0 wound into a roll, and is rotatably supported by support rollers 5 of the roll support means 4.

[0014] 1 and 2, the packaging device 1 includes a box-shaped device body 11 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped outer shape. An upper plate 12 of the device body 11 is formed with a rectangular upper supply port 13. A horizontal support plate (packaging sheet support portion) 14 is provided below the upper plate 12 to support the packaging sheet S, which is unfolded in a planar state, in a placed state.

[0015] Support plate 14 is formed with a circular lower supply port 15 facing upper supply port 13. A portion (the outer peripheral portion) of lower supply port 15 is openably and closably covered by resin plates 16, which are a plurality of elastic, plate-like bodies that are elastically deformable and aligned in the circumferential direction of lower supply port 15. Upper supply port 13 and lower supply port 15 facing each other form supply port 2, through which an operator manually supplies unpackaged agricultural produce W from above into device body 11.

[0016] A rectangular discharge opening 3 is formed on the rear panel 18 of the device body 11 for discharging the packaged agricultural produce W out of the device body 11. That is, the packaged agricultural produce W, which is entirely wrapped in the packaging sheet S, is discharged from the device body 11 through the discharge opening 3. The agricultural produce W (packaged agricultural produce) W discharged from the discharge opening 3 is transported to the next process by transport means such as a conveyor. Alternatively, the agricultural produce W discharged from the discharge opening 3 may be stored in a container, for example.

[0017] A rectangular surplus portion discharge outlet 20 is formed on the right panel 19 of the device body 11 for discharging the surplus portion S1 of the packaging sheet S after packaging out of the device body 11. That is, the surplus portion (surplus waste that is the surplus part of the packaging sheet) S1 cut off from the upper portion of the packaging sheet S in a state in which the agricultural produce W is wrapped is discharged from this surplus portion discharge outlet 20 out of the device body 11. The device body 11 is provided with, for example, a manual operation switch (operation means) 21, a setting panel (setting means) 22, etc.

[0018] As shown in Figure 3, the packaging device 1 is equipped with a support means (receiving section) 25 that receives and supports the unpackaged agricultural produce W supplied from the supply port 2 of the device main body 11 via the packaging sheet S and sends the packaged agricultural produce W toward the discharge port 3 and discharges it from the discharge port 3, and a processing means (sliding section) 26 that performs a predetermined process (e.g., gathering, cutting, and heat welding) on ​​the upper part of the packaging sheet S that is wrapped around the agricultural produce W on the support body 33 of this support means 25.

[0019] Furthermore, the packaging device 1 is equipped with an air injection means (air injection unit) 27 that injects compressed air onto the excess part (excess waste) S1 separated from the packaging sheet S by the processing means 26, and discharges the excess part S1 from the excess part discharge outlet 20.

[0020] The packaging device 1 also includes a pull-out means (sheet pull-out section) 28 that pulls out the long sheet S0 in a pull-out direction (leftward) from the sheet roll R on the support roller 5 of the roll support means 4, and a cutting means (sheet cutting section) 29 that cuts the long sheet S0 pulled out by this pull-out means 28 to obtain a packaging sheet S of a predetermined dimension (predetermined length).

[0021] As described above, the packaging device 1 includes the device body 11, the roll support means 4, the support means 25, the processing means 26, the air injection means 27, the drawing means 28, the cutting means 29, and the like.

[0022] As shown in Figures 4 to 6, the support means (support and sending means) 25 comprises a guide body 30 erected on the bottom 17 of the device main body 11, a first lifting body 31 that can be raised and lowered and is guided by this guide body 30, a second lifting body 32 that is mounted on the first lifting body 31 and can be raised and lowered, a support body 33 that is rotatable on the second lifting body 32 about a left-right rotation center axis (rotation fulcrum) L1 and supports the underside of the crop W in a placed state from below via a packaging sheet S, and a pair of left and right holding bodies (clamping bodies) 34 that are rotatable on the first lifting body 31 about a front-to-rear rotation center axis (rotation fulcrum) L2 and hold (clamp) the left and right sides of the crop W supported by the support body 33 from both the left and right sides via the packaging sheet S.

[0023] The support means 25 also includes a first lifting / lowering drive means 36 for raising and lowering the first lifting body 31 relative to the guide body 30, a second lifting / lowering drive means 37 for raising and lowering the second lifting body 32 relative to the first lifting body 31, a first rotation drive means 38 for rotating the support body 33 relative to the second lifting body 32 about the rotation center axis L1, and a second rotation drive means 39 for rotating (opening and closing) the left and right holding bodies 34 relative to the first lifting body 31 about the rotation center axis L2.

[0024] The guide body 30 that guides the first lifting body 31 in the vertical direction has a first guide member 51 that is elongated in the vertical direction and has a round rod shape that guides the cylindrical portion 41 of the first lifting body 31, and a second guide member 52 that is elongated in the vertical direction and has a U-shaped frame shape that guides the roller portion 42 of the first lifting body 31.

[0025] The first lifting / lowering drive means 36 has a motor (drive source) 55 and an endless chain 56 that rotates based on the power from this motor 55. This chain 56 is stretched over upper and lower sprockets 57 that are spaced apart and facing each other, and the tension of the chain 56 can be adjusted by tension adjustment means 58.

[0026] The tension adjusting means 58 has a tightener 60 that can rotate around a support shaft 59, and the lower sprocket 57 is attached to the tip of the tightener 60. A connecting rod 61 is connected to the base end of the tightener 60, and this connecting rod 61 is urged upward by an adjustment spring 62. In addition, a mounting plate 63 is attached to the middle of the chain 56, and the mounting part 43 of the first lifting body 31 is attached to this mounting plate 63.

[0027] The first lifting body 31 is raised to an elevated position relative to the guide body 30 by the rotation of the chain 56 in one direction based on the power from the motor 55 (see Figure 4), and is lowered to a lowered position relative to the guide body 30 according to the size (height) of the crops W by the rotation of the chain in the other direction based on the power from the motor 55 (see Figure 5).

[0028] Here, the raised position is a predetermined fixed position regardless of the size of the crop W. On the other hand, the lowered position is an arbitrary position determined depending on the size of the crop W (a corresponding lowered position corresponding to the size of the crop).

[0029] That is, for example, based on information from detection means (such as a photoelectric sensor) 49 that detects the passage of crops W supplied from supply port 2, control means 50 determines a lowering position according to the size of the crops W. Note that control means 50 appropriately controls each driving source (such as a motor and air cylinder) based on information from sensors, switches, etc.

[0030] The second lifting body 32 has a plurality of guided portions 65 that can be raised and lowered and are guided by a plurality of guiding portions 44 (for example, two on the left and right) that the first lifting body 31 has, and the upper ends of these rod-shaped guided portions 65 that are elongated in the vertical direction are attached to a horizontal base plate portion 66.

[0031] Second lifting body 32 has a U-shaped frame 67 that is movable up and down relative to base plate 66, and support 33 is attached to this U-shaped frame 67 so that it can rotate about rotation center axis L1. Although not shown, U-shaped frame 67 is elastically supported by a buffer spring that serves as a buffer means for absorbing impact on crops W when the crops W are placed on support 33 (when the crops are set on the support), and a guide pin inside this buffer spring is slidably inserted into a cylindrical buffer guide.

[0032] The second lifting / lowering drive means 37 has a lifting / lowering cylinder (drive source) 71, which is an extendable and retractable fluid pressure cylinder. In other words, the second lifting / lowering drive means 37 is composed only of the lifting / lowering cylinder 71. The lifting / lowering cylinder 71 has a cylinder body 72 attached to the first lifting body 31, and a rod 73 that moves in and out of the cylinder body 72. The tip of the rod 73 is attached to the base plate portion 66 of the second lifting / lowering body 32.

[0033] The second lifting body 32 is lowered to a lower position relative to the first lifting body 31 by the contraction of the lifting cylinder 71, and is raised to an upper position relative to the first lifting body 31 by the extension of the lifting cylinder 71. In other words, the second lifting body 31 can be raised and lowered relative to the first lifting body 31, and the support body 33 can be raised and lowered between an upper position and a lower position relative to the holder 34, so as to be able to accommodate crops W of different sizes.

[0034] The holding body (clamping body) 34 can be placed in an open state (where the crops are not clamped) or a closed state (where the crops are clamped from both sides) by rotating around the central axis L2 of rotation relative to the first lifting body 31.

[0035] In other words, the pair of holders 34 are closed by synchronous movement toward each other (closing operation) based on rotation around the rotation center axis L2, and are open by synchronous movement away from each other (opening operation) based on rotation around the rotation center axis L2.

[0036] The holder 34 has an L-shaped arm portion 76 that is rotatably mounted on the first lifting body 31 around the rotation center axis L2, a holder portion 77 that is mounted at the tip of the upper end of the arm portion 76 and that contacts the side of the agricultural product W via the packaging sheet S when the holder 34 is closed to hold the side, and a roller portion 78 that is mounted at the base end of the lower end of the arm portion 76 and that contacts the roller contact plate 85 of the second rotation drive means 39 when the holder 34 is open.

[0037] The holding portion 77 is composed of, for example, a rectangular holding plate 79 and a cushioning material 80 such as sponge attached to the holding plate 79 so as to cover the surface of the holding plate 79 (at least the surface that comes into contact with the agricultural produce via the packaging sheet).

[0038] The second rotation drive means 39 has an opening / closing cylinder (drive source) 81, which is an extendable fluid pressure cylinder. The opening / closing cylinder 81 has a cylinder body 82 attached to the first lifting body 31, and a rod 83 that moves in and out of the cylinder body 82. A roller contact plate 85 is attached to the tip of the rod 83, and lifts the roller part 78 against the biasing force of a closing spring 84, which serves as biasing means. The roller contact plate 85 moves up and down while being guided by a guide pin 86 that extends in the vertical direction.

[0039] A closing spring 84 for closing the holder 34 is installed between the first lifting body 31 and the holder 34. That is, one end of the closing spring 84 is attached to the spring attachment portion 45 of the first lifting body 31, and the other end is attached to the spring attachment portion 46 of the holder 34.

[0040] Then, as the opening / closing cylinder 81 extends, the holding body 34 rotates around the rotation center axis L2 relative to the first lifting body 31, bringing it into an open state (see Figure 4), and as the opening / closing cylinder 81 contracts, it receives a biasing force (elastic restoring force) from the closing spring 84, and based on this biasing force, it rotates around the rotation center axis L2 relative to the first lifting body 31, bringing it into a closed state (see Figure 5).

[0041] As shown in Figure 5, when the holding body 34 switches from the open state to the closed state, the crops W on the support body 33 are clamped from both the left and right sides by the holding portions (clamping portions) 77 of both holding bodies 34 based on the biasing force of the closing spring 84.

[0042] The support body (placing body) 33 can be placed in a first state (a supporting state in which the agricultural products are supported from below) or a second state (a sending-out state in which the agricultural products are sent out to the side) by rotating around the central axis L1 of rotation relative to the second lifting body 32.

[0043] In other words, the support body 33 is placed in a horizontal first state (a state in which agricultural products are placed) when rotated in one direction (forward) around the rotation center axis L1, and is placed in a tilted second state (a state in which agricultural products are discharged) when rotated in the other direction (rearward) around the rotation center axis L1.

[0044] 7, in the first state of support 33, support 33 supports the underside of crop W from below via packaging sheet S, while supporting crop W in a resting state, but in the second state of support 33, support 33 has a dish-shaped support portion 91 that sends crop W rearward (sideways) under its own weight, and a downward-projecting mounting portion 92 that protrudes downward from support portion 91. In other words, support 33 has mounting portion 92 that is mounted to second lifting body 32 so as to be rotatable about rotation central axis L1, and support portion (receiving portion) 91 that is fixed to the upper part of mounting portion 92 and supports the underside of crop W.

[0045] The mounting portion 92 has a mounting plate 94 attached to the underside of the support portion 91 with fasteners 93 such as screws. A pair of left and right opposing plates 95, spaced apart and facing each other, protrude downward from both ends of the mounting plate 94. A cylindrical insertion tube 96 extending in the left-right direction is provided in the center of each opposing plate 95 in the front-to-rear direction.

[0046] A bolt 97 is inserted into the insertion tube 96 and a nut 98 is screwed onto the bolt 97, whereby the mounting part 92 is attached to the U-shaped frame part 67 of the second lifting body 32 so as to be rotatable about a rotation central axis L1. A line passing through the axis of the shaft part of this bolt 97 is the rotation central axis L1.

[0047] Furthermore, the tip of the rod 123 of the rotation cylinder 121 of the first rotation drive means 38 is rotatably attached to the front ends of both opposing plates 95 of the attachment portion 92 via attachment means 100. The attachment means 100 is composed of, for example, a bolt 101, a nut 102, and a spacer 103.

[0048] The support portion 91 supports the crops W from below when the support 33 is in the first state, and sends the crops W to the rear side when the support 33 is in the second state. It is composed of, for example, a dish-shaped support plate (receiving tray) 105 that is cross-shaped when viewed from above, and a cushioning material 106 such as a sponge attached to the support plate 105 so as to cover the surface of the support plate 105 (at least the surface that comes into contact with the crops via the packaging sheet).

[0049] Here, the support portion 91 has a rectangular plate-shaped central support portion 107 that supports the central portion of the underside of the crop W via the packaging sheet S, and rectangular plate-shaped peripheral support portions 108a, 108b that protrude diagonally upward from the four ends (outer edges) of the front, back, left and right of the central support portion 107 and support four points of the peripheral portion of the underside of the crop W that are located around the central portion via the packaging sheet S.

[0050] The pair of front and rear peripheral support portions 108a are larger than the pair of left and right peripheral support portions 108b. Each of the pair of front and rear peripheral support portions 108a is composed of an inclined portion 109 that is inclined relative to the central support portion 107 and a tip portion 110 that is parallel to the central support portion 107. Each of the pair of left and right peripheral support portions 108b is composed of only an inclined portion 111 that is inclined relative to the central support portion 107. When the support body 33 is in the first state, the central support portion 107 is positioned along a horizontal plane. On the other hand, when the support body 33 is in the second state, the inclined portion 109 of the front peripheral support portion 108a is positioned along a vertical plane.

[0051] The first rotation drive means 38 has a rotation cylinder (drive source) 121, which is an extendable and retractable fluid pressure cylinder. In other words, the first rotation drive means 38 is composed only of the rotation cylinder 121. The rotation cylinder 121 has a cylinder body 122 attached to a cylinder attachment portion 124 of the second lifting body 32, and a rod 123 that moves in and out of the cylinder body 122. The tip end of the rod 123 is attached to the attachment portion 92 of the support body 33 via attachment means 100.

[0052] Then, as the rotating cylinder 121 contracts, the support body 33 rotates around the rotation center axis L1 relative to the second lifting body 32, becoming a horizontal first state (support state), and as the rotating cylinder 121 extends, the support body 33 rotates around the rotation center axis L1 relative to the second lifting body 32, becoming a tilted second state (discharge state).

[0053] When the support 33 is in the second state, the crops W on the support portion 91 are sent (discharged) onto the conveying portion 127 of the conveying body 126, and then the crops W are conveyed by the inclined conveying portion 127 toward the discharge outlet 3 and discharged from the discharge outlet 3 outside the device main body 11.

[0054] The transport section 127 of the transport body 126 is composed of, for example, a transport plate 128 that is inclined downward at the rear, and a cushioning material 129 such as a sponge attached to the transport plate 128 so as to cover the upper surface of the transport plate 128 .

[0055] Furthermore, in a side view of support body 33 in the first state, rotation center axis L1 (rotation fulcrum) is located on the anti-feeding side of center point P (center of support body) of central support portion 107 of support unit 91, i.e., shifted forward from the center position in the front-to-back direction of central support portion 107 in the horizontal position. In other words, in a side view of support body 33 in the first state, rotation center axis L1 is located forward (on the anti-feeding side) of a vertical line passing through center point O (center of gravity) of spherical crop W supported in a placed state by support unit 91. Furthermore, in a plan view, center point P of support unit 91 and center point O of crop W on support unit 91 coincide (or substantially coincide) with each other.

[0056] 7, the cushion material 106 of the support body 33 and the cushion material 80 of the holder 34 are omitted. The three cylinders (lifting cylinder 71, opening / closing cylinder 81, and rotating cylinder 121) shown in FIG. 7 are, for example, air cylinders. Also, the packaging sheet S is omitted from FIG. 5.

[0057] As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the pull-out means 28 comprises a guide rod 131, which is a pair of longitudinal guide bodies extending from front to back in the left-right direction, a movable body 132 that can move left and right along the guide rod 131, and a pair of upper and lower holders 133 and 134 that are provided on each movable body 132 and hold (clamp) the leading end of the long sheet S0 unwound from the sheet roll R.

[0058] The multiple upper holding bodies 133 are fixed to predetermined positions on the movable body 132. Each upper holding body 133 has an upper holding portion 133a on the underside of its leading end that comes into contact with the long sheet S0. The multiple lower holding bodies 134 are mounted on the movable body 132 so as to be rotatable in the vertical direction around a shaft 135. Each lower holding body 134 has a lower holding portion 134a on the upper side of its leading end that comes into contact with the long sheet S0, and the lower holding portion 134a is biased upward by a torsion spring 136, which serves as a biasing means.

[0059] Then, based on the biasing force of the torsion spring 136, the leading end of the long sheet S0 is clamped from above and below between the upper holding portion 133a of the upper holding body 133 and the lower holding portion 134a of the lower holding body 134. The multiple lower holding bodies 134, which are spaced apart from one another in the front-to-rear direction, are integrally connected by a connecting rod 137 that is elongated in the front-to-rear direction.

[0060] The pull-out means 28 also includes a movement drive means 141 that moves the movable body 132 left and right relative to the guide rod 131, and a rotation drive means 142 that rotates the lower holding body 134 up and down around the shaft portion 135 relative to the movable body 132.

[0061] The movement drive means 141 has a motor (drive source) 143 and a pair of front and rear endless chains 144 (144a, 144b) that rotate based on the power from the motor 143. Each chain 144 is hung on left and right sprockets 145 that are spaced apart and face each other, and the tension of the chains can be adjusted by tension adjustment means 146. A moving body 132 is attached midway along the chain 144, and a slider portion 140 of the moving body 132 can slide along a guide rod 131 based on the rotation of the chain 144. The front chain 144a rotates based on the power from the motor 143, while the rear chain 144b rotates in a driven manner based on the power from the motor 143 so as to be interlocked with the front chain 144a.

[0062] The pair of front and rear chains 144 (144a, 144b) rotate in one direction based on the power from the motor 143, causing the movable body 132 to move rightward relative to the guide rod 131 to a holding position (a position close to the cutting means), and the pair of front and rear chains 144 (144a, 144b) rotate in the other direction based on the power from the motor 143, causing the movable body 132 to move leftward relative to the guide rod 131 to a holding release position (a position away from the cutting means). By this movement of the movable body 132 to the holding release position, the long sheet S0 held between the two holders 133, 134 is pulled out.

[0063] The rotation drive means 142 has a cylinder 147 (a drive source such as an air cylinder) which is an extendable and retractable fluid pressure cylinder. This cylinder 147 has a cylinder body 148 and a rod 149 which moves in and out of this cylinder body 148. An elevating member 151 is fixed to the upper end of the rod 149, and this elevating member 151 is formed with an abutment portion 152 which abuts against the connecting rod 137.

[0064] When the lifting member 151 rises due to the extension of the cylinder 147, the contact portion 152 of the lifting member 151 lifts the connecting rod 137 against the biasing force of the torsion spring 136. As a result, the lower holding body 134 rotates about the shaft portion 135, and the lower holding portion 134a of the lower holding body 134 moves away from the upper holding portion 133a of the upper holding body 133, thereby releasing the holding of the long sheet S0 by both holding portions 133a and 134a.

[0065] As shown in Figures 10 to 13, the cutting means 29 includes a receiving body 161 fixed to the device main body 11, a pressing body 162 that presses the long sheet S0 against the sheet receiving section 160 of the receiving body 161, and a cutting blade 163 which is a plate-shaped cutting body that cuts the long sheet S0 that is pressed against the sheet receiving section 160 by the pressing body 162 and is in direct contact with the sheet receiving section 160, thereby obtaining a packaging sheet S of a predetermined size.

[0066] The cutting means 29 also includes a lifting body 165 that can be raised and lowered relative to the receiving body 161 and to which a pressing body 162 and a cutting blade 163 are attached, and a lifting drive means 166 that raises and lowers the lifting body 165 relative to the receiving body 161. The cutting blade 163 is detachably attached to a blade attachment portion 168 of the lifting body 165 by an attachment 167.

[0067] The pressing body 162 has a plurality (e.g., two) of first pressing members 171 located on the pull-out side (left side, which is the pull-out direction side) of the cutting blade 163, and a plurality (e.g., two) of second pressing members 172 located on the opposite pull-out side (right side, which is the opposite pull-out direction side) of the cutting body 163, i.e., on the sheet roll R side.

[0068] The plurality of first pressing members 171 are attached to a first cylindrical portion 169 of the lifting body 165 so as to be able to move up and down. Each first pressing member 171 has a plate-shaped first long portion 173 that is elongated in the left-right direction, and rod portions 174 are provided at multiple locations (for example, two locations) on the upper surface of this first long portion 173, and a first sheet pressing portion 175 made of a soft member such as sponge that will not damage the long sheet S0 is provided on the lower surface of the first long portion 173. In addition, a cylindrical coil spring 176 is provided on the outer periphery of the rod portion 174 as a biasing means that biases the first pressing member 171 downward.

[0069] The plurality of second pressing members 172 are similar to the first pressing member 171 and are attached to the second cylindrical portion 170 of the lifting body 165 so as to be able to move up and down. Each second pressing member 172 has a plate-shaped second long portion 177 that is elongated in the left-right direction, and rod portions 178 are provided at multiple locations (for example, two locations) on the upper surface of this second long portion 177, and a second sheet pressing portion 179 made of a soft member such as sponge that will not damage the long sheet S0 is provided on the lower surface of the second long portion 177. In addition, a cylindrical coil spring 180 is provided on the outer periphery of the rod portion 178 as a biasing means that biases the second pressing member 172 downward.

[0070] The receiving body 161 has a flat sheet receiving portion (sheet contact portion) 160 against which the middle portion of the long sheet S0 is pressed with a desired pressing force by the first and second sheet pressing portions 175 and 179 of the pressing body 162 and comes into direct contact. The sheet receiving portion 160 has a plurality of (e.g., six) planar first receiving portions 181 positioned in a row in the front-to-back direction at intervals below the first pressing member 171 so as to face the first pressing member 171, and a plurality of (e.g., six) planar second receiving portions 182 positioned in a row in the front-to-back direction at intervals below the second pressing member 172 so as to face the second pressing member 172.

[0071] A first space 183 is formed between the adjacent first receiving portions 181, and a second space 184 is formed between the adjacent second receiving portions 182. When the upper holding body 133 and the lower holding body 134 of the drawing means 28 hold the long sheet S0, the lower holding body 134 moves upward and passes through both spaces 183, 184. In addition, a cutting space 185 is formed between the adjacent first receiving portion 181 and second receiving portion 182, through which the cutting blade 163 moves downward when cutting the long sheet S0.

[0072] Here, each of the multiple first receiving portions 181 of the sheet receiving section 160 of the receiving body 161 is made of a material to which the packaging sheet S does not stick, i.e., a non-metallic material (non-ferrous material, etc.), such as a relatively flexible sheet-like nonwoven fabric 186 made of synthetic resin or the like.

[0073] That is, nonwoven fabric 186 made of a material to which packaging sheet S made of, for example, stretch film does not adhere is fixedly attached (or may be detachable so as to be replaceable) to the top of convex portion 188 of iron receiving member (cutting frame serving as base member) 187. Nonwoven fabric 186 has sheet contact portion 186a that holds long sheet S0 between itself and first sheet pressing portion 175 of first pressing member 171, and sheet non-contact portions 186b that are folded downward from both sides of sheet contact portion 186a (see FIG. 12).

[0074] 12, the top surface of the non-ferrous first receiving portion 181 made of nonwoven fabric 186 is located at a lower position than the top surface of the iron second receiving portion 182. The height difference H between the top surfaces of the first receiving portion 181 and the second receiving portion 182 is, for example, 1 mm to 10 mm, and preferably 3 mm. Because of this height difference H, when the long sheet S0 is drawn by the drawing means 28, the long sheet S0 is drawn in the drawing direction without coming into contact with the top surface of the first receiving portion 181 (the surface of the sheet contacting portion of the nonwoven fabric).

[0075] Furthermore, of the multiple, i.e., six, sheets of nonwoven fabric 186, the two outer sheets are formed larger than the four inner sheets. The outer end of outer nonwoven fabric 186 is positioned outside the outer end of first pressing member 171 (see FIG. 11).

[0076] The lifting drive means 166 also has a cylinder 191 (a drive source such as an air cylinder) which is an extendable and retractable fluid pressure cylinder. The cylinder 191 has a cylinder body 192 and a rod 193 which moves in and out of the cylinder body 192. A lifting rod 195 which can move up and down along a rod guide 194 is connected to the upper end of the rod 193, and the lifting body 165 is attached to the upper end of the lifting rod 195. A slider portion 190 is attached to a frame portion 189 which is fixed to the cylinder body 192, and a guide rod 131 is inserted into the slider portion.

[0077] When the lifting rod 195 is lowered by the contraction of the cylinder 191, the lifting body 165 is lowered toward the long sheet S0 together with the pressing body 162 and the cutting blade 163. As a result, as shown in Fig. 13, the first pressing member 171 presses the long sheet S0 against the nonwoven fabric 186, which is the first receiving portion 181 of the sheet receiving section 160 of the receiving body 161, and the second pressing member 172 presses the long sheet S0 against the second receiving portion 182 of the sheet receiving section 160 of the receiving body 161, and then the cutting blade 163 cuts the long sheet S0 in the pressed state, thereby obtaining a packaging sheet S of a predetermined size.

[0078] Furthermore, a cutting blade guard 196 that covers the side of the cutting blade 163 is erected on the receiving body 161. A rubber plate 198, which is an elastic body that presses the long sheet S0 against the second receiving portion 182 at its lower end, is attached to a vertical plate portion 197 of the cutting blade guard 196.

[0079] When setting a new sheet roll R and passing the long sheet S0 through, the lower end of the rubber plate 198 is lifted by pressing the rubber plate pressing member 199 against the biasing force of the spring 200. This allows the operator to easily pass the long sheet S0 between the lower end of the rubber plate 198 and the second receiving portion 182.

[0080] The processing means 26 has, for example, a clamping plate 201, a cutting blade 202, and a heater 203, as well as blades and a resin plate guide, and the air injection means 27 has, for example, an injection nozzle 204 for injecting compressed air (see Figure 15).

[0081] Next, the operation of the packaging process by the packaging device 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0082] First, as shown in Figures 14(a) and (b), the upper holding body 133 and the lower holding body 134 of the pulling-out means 28 hold the leading end of the long sheet S0, and then the moving body 132 moves from the holding position to the holding release position, thereby pulling out the long sheet S0 from the sheet roll R.

[0083] Next, as shown in Figures 14(c) and (d), the first pressing member 171 and the second pressing member 172 of the pressing body 162 of the cutting means 29 press the middle portion of the long sheet S0 against the first receiving portion 181 and the second receiving portion 182 of the sheet receiving portion 160 of the receiving body 161, and then the cutting blade 163 cuts the long sheet S0 at a position between the two pressing members 171, 172, thereby obtaining a packaging sheet S of a specified size.

[0084] When the holding of the packaging sheet S by both the holding bodies 133, 134 of the drawing means 28 is released, the packaging sheet S falls onto the support plate 14 of the device main body 11 by its own weight.

[0085] At this time, the packaging sheet S is not stuck (adheres) to the first receiving portion 181 that was pressed by the first pressing member 171, and is smoothly released from the first receiving portion 181. This allows the operator to properly place the crop W on the support 33 via the packaging sheet S.

[0086] Next, as shown in Figure 15(e), when the packaging sheet S has fallen and is placed on the support plate 14, the worker presses down on the resin plate 16 with the produce W to be packaged, which is being held in his / her hand, causing it to elastically deform, and then supplies the produce W into the packaging device 1 through the supply port 2 and places it on the support 33.

[0087] 15(f), crop W is then placed on support portion 91 of support body 33 of support means 25 with packaging sheet S interposed therebetween, with substantially the entire crop W (except for the central portion of the upper surface) wrapped in packaging sheet S. In this way, crop W is properly set on support portion 91 of support body 33 in the first state with packaging sheet S interposed therebetween.

[0088] Then, after both holders 34 are closed to clamp the left and right sides of the crop W, first lifting body 31, together with second lifting body 32 and support body 33, which rise and fall together with first lifting body 31, descends from the raised position to the lowered position (corresponding lowered position) and stops. As a result, the crop W placed on support portion 91 of support body 33 in the first state stops at a packaging position according to its size.

[0089] Then, as shown in Figure 15(g), the processing means 26 moves toward the crops W on the support 33 and performs a predetermined process on the upper portion of the packaging sheet S that is located above the crops W on the support 33, such as gathering, cutting, and heat welding.

[0090] As a result, the entire crop W on the support 33 is wrapped in the packaging sheet S sealed by heat welding, completing the packaging, and the excess portion (excess waste) S1 is cut off from the sealed packaging sheet S.

[0091] 15(h), the cut-off excess portion S1 is blown away by compressed air injected from air injection means 27 and discharged from excess portion discharge port 20 to the outside of packaging device 1. Furthermore, both holders 34 of support means 25 are opened to return from the closed state to the open state, and the agricultural product W is released from being held by both holders 34.

[0092] Next, while the first lifting body 31 remains stopped in the lowered position (the second lifting body 32 is also stopped), the support body 33 rotates relative to the second lifting body 32 by a rotation angle (for example, 60 degrees) around the rotation center axis L1, and the packaged agricultural produce W is sent out from above the support part 91 of the support body 33, slides down the conveying section 127, and is discharged outside the packaging device 1 through the discharge outlet 3.

[0093] In this way, packaging device 1 automatically packages agricultural produce W using packaging sheet S, so an operator only needs to feed agricultural produce W (for example, lettuce) to be packaged by sequentially inserting it through supply opening 2.

[0094] According to the packaging device 1 described above, the cutting means 29 uses the cutting blade 163 to cut the long sheet S0, which is pressed against the sheet receiving portion 160 of the receiving body 161 by the pressing body 162, to obtain the packaging sheet S. The sheet receiving portion 160 of the receiving body 161 has a first receiving portion 181 made of a nonwoven fabric 186 made of synthetic resin, which is a material to which the packaging sheet S does not stick. Therefore, even if a stretch film that tends to stick to iron materials is used, for example, the packaging sheet S made of the stretch film will not stick to the first receiving portion 181, and sticking of the packaging sheet S can be prevented, thereby allowing the packaging work to be performed properly.

[0095] Furthermore, the upper surface of the first receiving portion 181 of the sheet receiving section 160 of the receiving body 161, in other words the upper surface of the nonwoven fabric 186, is located at a lower position than the upper surface of the second receiving portion 182 on the opposite side from the pulling-out side, so that the long sheet S0 can be properly pulled out by the pulling-out means 28.

[0096] Furthermore, since the rotation center axis L1 of the support 33 of the support means 25 is located on the opposite side to the sending-out side from the center point P of the support part 91 when viewed from the side in the first state of the support 33, the agricultural products W are less likely to be impacted when being sent out from the support part 91, and damage to the agricultural products W after packaging can be appropriately prevented.

[0097] Furthermore, in the second state of the support body 33, the upper end position of the crops W on the support body 33 in the second state before being sent out is relatively low, so that the first lifting body 31, which is stopped in the lowered position, does not need to be lowered any further, thereby avoiding interference between the crops W and the processing means 26 during sending out.Therefore, damage to the crops W after packaging can be more appropriately prevented, and the elimination of the lowering operation of the first lifting body 31 also improves the durability of the motor, etc.

[0098] In addition, the support portion 91 of the support body 33 has a central support portion 107 that supports the central portion of the underside of the crop W, and multiple (e.g., four) peripheral support portions 108a, 108b that support the peripheral portion of the underside of the crop W that is located around the central portion, and since the rotation center axis L1 of the support body 33 is located on the opposite side to the sending side of the center point P of the central support portion 107 when viewed from the side in the first state, damage to the crop W after packaging can be effectively prevented.

[0099] The agricultural produce to be packaged is not limited to lettuce (a spherical vegetable), but may be, for example, cabbage, melon, apple, etc., and may have any shape.

[0100] Furthermore, the cylinder serving as the drive source is not limited to an air cylinder, which is a fluid pressure cylinder, but may be, for example, a hydraulic cylinder, or the like. Alternatively, a drive source such as a motor may be used instead of the cylinder.

[0101] Furthermore, it is preferable that the parts that come into contact with the crops (support parts, holding parts, transport parts, etc.) have cushioning material, which is an elastic material, to absorb impact on the crops, but cushioning material may not be necessary depending on the type of crop, for example.

[0102] Furthermore, of the first and second receiving portions in the sheet receiving section of the receiving body (the portion with which the sheet is pressed by the pressing body and comes into direct contact), the first receiving portion alone is not limited to being made of a non-ferrous material (e.g., a non-metallic material such as a synthetic resin non-woven fabric); for example, both the first and second receiving portions may be made of a non-ferrous material or other material to which the packaging sheet does not stick.

[0103] Furthermore, as a packaging sheet (packaging film), for example, OPP film, which is made of a material different from stretch film, may be used, and in this embodiment, the range of applicable film materials (substances) is wide, and different types of films (sheets) can be used.

[0104] Furthermore, the member to which the packaging sheet does not stick may be made of any material, such as a woven or knitted fabric, or a resin or rubber sheet that does not contain fibers. [Explanation of symbols]

[0105] 1 Packaging equipment 28 Withdrawal means 29 Cutting means 160 Sheet receiving part 161 Receiving Body 162 Pushing body 163 Cutting blade as cutting body 171 First pressing member 172 Second pressing member 181 First receiving part 182 Second receiving part 186 Nonwoven fabric (non-metallic components) S Packaging Sheet S0 Long Sheet W Crops

Claims

1. A packaging device for packaging agricultural produce with a packaging sheet, A drawing means for drawing out the long sheet; cutting means for cutting the long sheet drawn out by the drawing means to obtain a packaging sheet; The cutting means is a receiving body having a sheet receiving portion; a pressing body that presses the long sheet against the sheet receiving portion; a cutting body for cutting the long sheet pressed against the sheet receiving portion to obtain a packaging sheet, The pressing body is a first pressing member located on the pull-out side of the cutting body; a second pressing member located on the opposite side to the pull-out side from the cutting body, The sheet receiving portion is a first receiving portion positioned opposite the first pressing member; a second receiving portion located opposite the second pressing member, Of the first receiving portion and the second receiving portion, only the first receiving portion is made of a non-metallic material to which a packaging sheet does not adhere, The drawing means holds the leading end of the long sheet that is in contact with the second receiving portion and draws out the long sheet. A packaging device characterized by:

2. The cutting means is provided with an elastic body that presses the long sheet against the second receiving portion.

2. The packaging device according to claim 1.

3. The cutting means is a guard covering a side portion of the cutting body; an elastic body provided on the guard and pressing the long sheet against the second receiving portion; 2. The packaging device according to claim 1.

4. The cutting means is an elastic body whose lower end presses the long sheet against the second receiving portion; a pressing member for lifting the lower end of the elastic body; 2. The packaging device according to claim 1.

5. The cutting means is an elastic body whose lower end presses the long sheet against the second receiving portion; a pressing member for lifting the lower end of the elastic body; a biasing member that biases the pressing member, When a long sheet is passed through the sheet roll, the pressing member is pushed against the biasing force of the biasing member, and the lower end of the elastic body is lifted.

2. The packaging device according to claim 1.

6. The non-metallic member is a non-woven fabric made of synthetic resin.

2. The packaging device according to claim 1.

7. The upper surface of the first non-ferrous receiving portion is located at a lower position than the upper surface of the second ferrous receiving portion.

2. The packaging device according to claim 1.

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