Sheet supply device

Abstract

To uniformize blank spaces of sheets placed on containers, between the containers by placing the sheets onto bottom face outer edge parts of the containers.SOLUTION: According to a sheet feeder 1 for placing a sheet 3a inside a tiered box 2 whose one side is opened in a tightly attached state, a first unit 6 and a second unit 7 are arranged at facing positions across the tiered box 2. The first unit 6 and the second unit 7 each arranged to be spaced apart at predetermined intervals in a plane direction comprise first to third sheet holding parts 61 to 63 and fourth to sixth sheet holding parts 71 to 73, that planarly hold the sheet 3a. The sheet holding parts 61 to 63, and 71 to 73 form looseness SL11, SL12, SL21, SL22 to the sheet 3a by narrowing a gap in a crossing direction to a separation direction of the first unit 6 and the second unit 7.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a sheet supply device for laying a sheet inside a container that is open on one side.

Background Art

[0002] For example, in school lunches and bento manufacturing factories, cooked rice is stored in a lunch box with a sheet interposed. This is because if the cooked rice is directly put into the lunch box, it will stick to the inner wall of the lunch box, making it time-consuming to clean the lunch box. Also, if the inner wall of the lunch box is damaged, germs will multiply at the damaged part, and the lunch box will not be able to store the cooked rice hygienically. Devices for laying a sheet inside a container that is open on one side have been variously proposed in the past.

[0003] For example, in Patent Document 1, after the gripping means pulls out a sheet from a sheet roll above the lunch box, a pressing fitting suspended by a chain is placed on the pulled-out sheet in a state where the chain is slackened. Then, at the same time as cutting the sheet, the gripping means is released, causing the pressing fitting to descend by the amount of slack of the chain, and pushing the sheet into the lunch box. A device is disclosed.

[0004] For example, in Patent Document 2, a drawing arm sucks the end of a sheet roll and pulls out the sheet by a predetermined length. After the rear end of the sheet is clamped by a pressing member, the sheet is cut. Then, the drawing arm moves to place the cut sheet on the container, releases the sheet, and then lowers a suction plate onto the sheet placed on the container to lay the sheet inside the container. A device is disclosed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

[0006] When lining containers with sheets, it is desirable to lay the sheets tightly to the outer edge of the bottom surface of the container to improve the container's capacity. Furthermore, it is desirable to ensure that any excess sheet material is uniform across containers to avoid adverse effects on subsequent processes, such as the sheets getting caught during transport or failing to properly enclose the contents.

[0007] The apparatus described in Patent Document 1 cut the sheet while tension was applied to it by placing a retaining clip on the sheet. As a result, the retaining clip would sometimes fall, causing the sheet to become stiff while being pushed into the container, preventing the sheet from being laid to all four corners of the container. Furthermore, with the apparatus described in Patent Document 1, variations occurred in the positional relationship between the sheet and the container depending on the degree of tension applied to the sheet and the timing of the gripping means releasing the sheet, making it difficult to make the excess sheet space uniform between containers.

[0008] The apparatus described in Patent Document 2 uses a suction cup to press a sheet, which is placed on a container, into the container. As a result, the sheet may shift position relative to the container during the process of being pressed in. Consequently, the sheet may not be able to be laid all the way to the outer edge of the bottom of the container, or the margins of the sheet laid in the container may not be uniform across the containers.

[0009] Therefore, the sheet supply device that lays the sheet inside the container had room for improvement, as it was not possible to lay the sheet all the way to the outer edge of the bottom surface of the container, or to make the excess sheet space uniform between containers.

[0010] The technology disclosed herein was developed to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a sheet supply device for laying a sheet inside a container that makes it easier to lay the sheet up to the outer edge of the bottom surface of the container and makes the excess space of the sheet laid in the container uniform between containers. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] One aspect of the technology disclosed herein is a sheet supply device for laying a sheet in close contact with the inside of a container that opens on one side, comprising: a pushing portion inserted into the opening of the container and pushing the sheet into the container; and a first unit and a second unit positioned opposite each other on either side of the container and holding the sheet between the container and the pushing portion, wherein the first unit and the second unit are each arranged at a predetermined distance apart in the planar direction and each has a plurality of sheet holding portions that hold the sheet in a planar shape, and the spacing between the plurality of sheet holding portions that hold the sheet in a planar shape is narrowed in a direction intersecting the direction of separation between the first unit and the second unit, thereby forming slack in the sheet.

[0012] In the sheet supply device having the above configuration, a first unit and a second unit are positioned opposite each other with the container in between. Multiple sheet-holding parts of the first unit and multiple sheet-holding parts of the second unit are each positioned between the container and the pressing part with the sheet spread out in a flat plane. The spacing between the multiple sheet-holding parts of the first unit and the multiple sheet-holding parts of the second unit is narrowed in a direction intersecting the direction of separation between the first and second units, causing the sheet to be pulled towards the container on both sides in a direction intersecting the direction of separation between the first and second units, thereby creating slack. Consequently, slack is also created in the part of the sheet corresponding to the container. The pressing part pushes the sheet into the container while spreading the slack, so the sheet does not become stiff as it is being pushed into the container, making it easy to lay the sheet all the way to the outer edge of the bottom surface of the container. Furthermore, for example, even if the timing of when the sheet separates from the multiple sheet-holding parts of the first and second units is different when the pressing part presses the sheet into the container, this difference is absorbed by the slack in the sheet, so that the excess space of the sheet pressed into the container by the pressing part can be made uniform between containers.

[0013] (2) In the sheet supply device described in (1), it is preferable that the plurality of sheet holding parts of the first unit and the plurality of sheet holding parts of the second unit hold one side of the sheet.

[0014] The sheet supply device having the above configuration makes it less likely for the sheet to get caught in the multiple sheet holding parts of the first unit or the multiple sheet holding parts of the second unit, and the multiple sheet holding parts of the first unit and the multiple sheet members of the second unit can stably hold the sheet. For example, by configuring the multiple sheet holding parts with Bernoulli chucks, it becomes possible to hold the sheet on one side.

[0015] (3) In the sheet supply device described in (1) or (2), the container is preferably rectangular in shape, and the first and second sheet holding parts included in the plurality of sheet holding parts of the first unit, and the third and fourth sheet holding parts included in the plurality of sheet holding parts of the second unit, are each positioned at locations corresponding to the corners of the container and hold the sheets in a planar manner.

[0016] In the sheet supply device having the above configuration, the slack formed on both sides of the container is located between adjacent corners of the container, so that the sheet can be laid all the way to the four corners of the container.

[0017] (4) In a sheet supply device described in any one of (1) to (3), it is preferable that the container has a rectangular parallelepiped shape with a pair of long sides and a pair of short sides, the plurality of sheet holding parts of the first unit are arranged on the side of one short side and the spacing between them is narrowed along the direction of the short side, and the plurality of sheet holding parts of the second unit are arranged on the side of the other short side and the spacing between them is narrowed along the direction of the short side.

[0018] In the sheet supply device having the above configuration, the multiple sheet holding parts of the first unit and the multiple sheet holding parts of the second unit create slack in the sheet on both sides in the long-side direction of the container. As a result, slack in the sheet is also formed along the long-side direction in the part corresponding to the container, making the operation of pushing the sheet into the container using the pushing part smoother. This makes it less likely for the sheet to shift position while the pushing part is pushing the sheet into the container, and the excess space of the sheet pushed into the container by the pushing part can be made uniform between containers.

[0019] (5) In a sheet supply device described in any one of (1) to (4), it is preferable that the plurality of sheet holding parts of the first unit include a first fixed sheet holding part which is fixedly arranged so as not to move, and a first movable sheet holding part and a second movable sheet holding part which are arranged on both sides of the first fixed sheet holding part along the container and are movable in a planar direction toward the first fixed sheet holding part, and that the plurality of sheet holding parts of the second unit include a second fixed sheet holding part which is fixedly arranged so as not to move, and a third movable sheet holding part and a fourth movable sheet holding part which are arranged on both sides of the second fixed sheet holding part along the container and are movable in a planar direction toward the second fixed sheet holding part.

[0020] In the sheet supply device having the above configuration, the first movable sheet holder and the second movable sheet holder move toward the first fixed sheet holder, thereby creating slack on both sides of the first fixed sheet holder, with the first fixed sheet holder as the starting point. Furthermore, the third movable sheet holder and the fourth movable sheet holder move toward the second fixed sheet holder, thereby creating slack on both sides of the second fixed sheet holder, with the second fixed sheet holder as the starting point. Therefore, with the sheet supply device having the above configuration, slack in the sheets can be stably formed on both sides of the container. [Effects of the Invention]

[0021] According to the above configuration, in a sheet supply device that lays a sheet inside a container, it is possible to realize a technology that makes it easy to lay the sheet up to the outer edge of the bottom surface of the container and to make the excess space of the sheet laid in the container uniform between containers.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0022] [Figure 1] It is a schematic configuration diagram in a front view of a sheet feeding device. [Figure 2] It is a cross-sectional view obtained by cutting the schematic configuration diagram of the sheet feeding device shown in FIG. 1 along line A-A. [Figure 3] It is a diagram showing an example of a rice bowl weight. [Figure 4] It is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of a pushing-in frame. [Figure 5] It is a schematic configuration diagram in a top view of the first and second units. [Figure 6] It is a schematic configuration diagram in a top view of the first and second units. [Figure 7] It is a diagram for explaining the processing procedure of the sheet feeding device. [Figure 8] It is a diagram for explaining the operation of the sheet feeding device. [Figure 9] It is a diagram for explaining the operation of the sheet feeding device. [Figure 10] It is a diagram for explaining the operation of the sheet feeding device. [Figure 11] It is a diagram for explaining the operation of the sheet feeding device. [Figure 12] It is a diagram for explaining the operation of the sheet feeding device. [Figure 13] It is a diagram for explaining the operation of the sheet feeding device. [Figure 14] It is a diagram for explaining the operation of the sheet feeding device. [Figure 15] It is a diagram showing a modified example of a plurality of sheet holding portions. [Figure 16] It is a diagram showing a modified example of a plurality of sheet holding portions.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0023] Hereinafter, the sheet feeding device of the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. This specification discloses a sheet feeding device that lays a sheet inside a rice bowl weight filled with cooked rice.

[0024] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the sheet supply device 1 in a front view. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view AA of Figure 1. The arrows in the figure indicate the orientation relative to the sheet supply device 1. The sheet supply device 1 is configured such that, with a sheet 3a placed between the container 2 and the pressing frame 4, the container 2 is lifted relative to the pressing frame 4, causing the pressing frame 4 to press the sheet 3a into the container 2, thereby laying the sheet 3a in close contact with the inside of the container 2. In this embodiment, the pressing frame 4 is an example of a pressing part. In this embodiment, the container 2 is an example of a container.

[0025] Figure 3 is an external perspective view showing an example of the food container 2. Figure 3(a) shows the state before the cooked rice R is wrapped in the sheet 3a, and Figure 3(b) shows the state after the cooked rice R is wrapped in the sheet 3a. In this embodiment, the food container 2 has a rectangular bottom 2e (see Figures 1 and 2), and a pair of long-side side portions 2a, 2b and a pair of short-side side portions 2c, 2d are arranged opposite each other along the outer edge. As shown in Figure 3(a), the sheet supply device 1 lays the sheet 3a in the food container 2 with margins 3aa, 3ab in the parts corresponding to the pair of long-side side portions 2a, 2b and margins 3ac, 3ad in the parts corresponding to the pair of short-side side portions 2c, 2d. The margins 3aa, 3ab, 3ac, 3ad refer to the parts of the sheet 3a laid in the food container 2 that are located outside the opening end of the food container 2. As shown in Figure 3(b), the margins 3aa, 3ab, 3ac, and 3ad are used to wrap the cooked rice R.

[0026] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the sheet supply device 1 includes a conveyor 11, a push-in frame 4, a pull-out section 5, a first unit 6, a second unit 7, and a lifter 9.

[0027] As shown in Figure 1, the conveyor 11 has a pair of conveyor belts 14A and 14B (see Figure 2) wound around a driven roller 12 and a drive roller 13, and transports the container 2 from rear to front. The conveyor 11 has a first stopper 15, a second stopper 16, a third stopper 17, and a fourth stopper 18 arranged along the transport direction D1 of the container 2. The first to fourth stoppers 15 to 18 are arranged to be displaceable in the vertical direction in the figure. The first to fourth stoppers 15 to 18 restrict the movement of the container 2 by protruding above the transport surface of the conveyor 11, and allow the movement of the container 2 by retracting below the transport surface of the conveyor 11.

[0028] The first stopper 15 is positioned at the input position P1 where the container 2 is fed into the sheet supply device 1. The second stopper 16 is positioned at the spray position P2 where the spray nozzle 10 sprays alcohol onto the container 2. The third stopper 17 is positioned at the lift position P3 where the container 2 is placed on and lowered onto the lifter 9. The fourth stopper 18 is positioned at the discharge position P4 where the container 2 is discharged from the sheet supply device 1. The operation of the first to fourth stoppers 15 to 18 is controlled individually.

[0029] A lifter 9 is provided at the lift position P3 to move the food container 2 up and down while holding it in place. A push-in frame 4 is provided above the lift position P3. As shown in Figure 2, the lifter 9 can lift the food container 2 and insert the push-in frame 4 into the opening 2f of the food container 2.

[0030] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a push-in frame 4. The push-in frame 4 comprises an insertion portion 41, a folded portion 42, and a fan 45. The insertion portion 41 is provided in a shape corresponding to the internal shape of the food container 2 and is inserted into the opening 2f of the food container 2. In this embodiment, the insertion portion 41 is provided in a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The insertion portion 41 is provided such that when inserted into the food container 2, it forms a gap S1 between the long side surface portions 2a, 2b and the short side surface portions 2c, 2d of the food container 2, and a gap S2 between the insertion portion 41 and the bottom portion 2e of the food container 2.

[0031] The folded portion 42 is provided along the outer circumference of the upper end of the insertion portion 41 so as to fold back the excess portions 3aa, 3ab, 3ac, and 3ad of the sheet 3a downward along the outer surface of the outer surface of the box 2 when the insertion portion 41 is inserted into the box 2 and the sheet 3a is pushed into the inside of the box 2 (see Figure 3(a)). The folded portion 42 extends outward from the outer circumference of the upper end of the insertion portion 41, and its tip is bent toward the lower end surface 41d of the insertion portion 41. In other words, the folded portion 42 is provided in an L-shape in the cross-section when the push-in frame 4 is cut vertically. The push-in frame 4 is formed with an edge engagement groove 43 that opens downward due to the gap formed between the folded portion 42 and the insertion portion 41, which engages with the open end of the box 2. The push-in frame 4 is pushed into the box 2 so as to form a gap S3 between the open end of the box 2 and the inner upper end surface 42b of the folded portion 42.

[0032] The inside of the push-in frame 4 is hollow. The fan 45 is attached to the upper end surface 41c of the insertion section 41 and draws air into the inside of the push-in frame 4 (arrow F1 in the figure). Multiple first outlets 41b are provided on the lower end surface 41d of the insertion section 41, and the air drawn into the inside of the push-in frame 4 is blown out from the first outlets 41b (arrow F2 in the figure). The air blown out from the first outlets 41b flows through gaps S2 and S1 formed between the container 2 and the insertion section 41 to the open end of the container 2 (arrow F3 in the figure). The air flowing through gap S1 is discharged outside the container 2 through gap S3 (arrow F4).

[0033] The folded portion 42 is provided with a second air outlet 42e that communicates with the edge engagement groove 43. Air drawn into the inside of the push-in frame 4 is blown downward from the second air outlet 42e into the edge engagement groove 43 (see arrow F5 in the figure). The second air outlet 42e is positioned outside the open end of the container 2 that engages with the edge engagement groove 43, thereby promoting the flow of air from the gap S1 to the outside of the container 2.

[0034] Returning to Figure 2, the lifter 9 has a holding member 91 that positions and holds the food container 2. In this embodiment, the operation of the lifter 9 is controlled to position the holding member 91 at a lower limit position P11, an intermediate position P12, and an upper limit position P13. The lower limit position P11 is the position where the holding member 91 is positioned below the transport surface and does not hold the food container 2. The intermediate position P12 is the position where the food container 2 is lifted to near the bottom surface of the sheet 3a pulled out by the drawer 5. The upper limit position P13 is the position where the pushing of the pushing frame 4 into the food container 2 is completed.

[0035] As shown in Figure 2, a sheet roll 3 is located to the right of the conveyor 11. The sheet roll 3 consists of sheets 3a wound into a roll. Sheet 3a is a thin, lightweight, and flexible plastic film. In this embodiment, the material of sheet 3a is, for example, HDPE (High Density Polyethylene). The sheet roll 3 can be replaced as appropriate depending on the size of the container 2.

[0036] The pull-out section 5 is located to the left of the sheet roll 3, between the push-in frame 4 and the conveyor 11, and is configured to pull out the sheet 3a between the push-in frame 4 and the container 2. In other words, the sheet 3a is pulled out in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction D1 of the container 2 (see Figure 1). The pull-out section 5 includes a guide roller 51, a sheet holder 52, and a pair of chucks 53A and 53B (see Figure 1).

[0037] As shown in Figure 2, the guide roller 51 is positioned above the sheet roll 3 and changes the orientation of the sheet 3a pulled upward from the sheet roll 3 to the left in the figure (towards the push-in frame 4). A sheet holder 52 is positioned to the left of the guide roller 51. The sheet holder 52 can be switched between an ON state, which holds the sheet 3a along its width, and an OFF state, which releases the sheet 3a. A pair of chucks 53A and 53B are positioned to the left of the sheet holder 52. The pair of chucks 53A and 53B can be switched between a gripping state, which holds the leading edge of the sheet 3a from above and below, and a release state, which releases the leading edge of the sheet 3a.

[0038] Figures 5 and 6 are schematic diagrams of the first and second units 6 and 7 in a top view. Figure 5 shows the state before slack is formed, and Figure 6 shows the state after slack is formed. On both sides of the sheet 3a in the width direction (front-to-back direction), a pair of guide rails 54A and 54B are arranged parallel to the direction in which the sheet 3a is pulled out. A pair of chucks 53A and 53B are slidably held on the pair of guide rails 54A and 54B.

[0039] As shown in Figure 2, the pair of chucks 53A and 53B are controlled to move in a linear reciprocating motion between a forward position P21 to the left of the tray 2 or the pressing frame 4 and a retracted position P22 to the right of the tray 2 or the pressing frame 4. The cutting section 55 is located to the left of the retracted position P22 and cuts the sheet 3a along its width.

[0040] As shown in Figure 2, the first unit 6 and the second unit 7 are arranged on both the left and right sides of the push-in frame 4.

[0041] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the food container 2 is positioned below the sheet 3a with a pair of long-side surfaces 2a and 2b oriented perpendicular to the transport direction D1. The first unit 6 and the second unit 7 are arranged on both sides of the food container 2 in the direction of its long side. The first unit 6 comprises a first sheet holder 61, a second sheet holder 62, and a third sheet holder 63. The first to third sheet holders 61 to 63 are arranged side by side of one short-side surface 2c, along the direction of the short side of the food container 2. The second unit 7 comprises a fourth sheet holder 71, a fifth sheet holder 72, and a sixth sheet holder 73. The fourth to sixth sheet holders 71 to 73 are arranged side by side of the other short-side surface 2d, along the direction of the short side of the food container 2.

[0042] The first to sixth sheet holding sections 61 to 63 and 71 to 73 are composed of Bernoulli chucks. A Bernoulli chuck is a device that creates a vacuum area near the suction surface by ejecting compressed air from a compression nozzle provided on the suction surface, thereby adsorbing and holding the object. Therefore, the first to sixth sheet holding sections 61 to 63 and 71 to 73 can hygienically hold the sheet 3a.

[0043] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the first to sixth sheet holding sections 61 to 63 and 71 to 73 are positioned above the pull-out section 5 so that their suction surfaces are located near the upper surface of the sheet 3a pulled out by the pull-out section 5. As a result, the first unit 6 and the second unit 7 can hold the upper surface of the sheet 3a by suction using the first to sixth sheet holding sections 61 to 63 and 71 to 73.

[0044] As shown in Figure 5, the rectangular parallelepiped container 2 has first to fourth corners 2g, 2h, 2i, and 2j. The first sheet holding portion 61 and the third sheet holding portion 63 are positioned at the ends of the short-side surface portion 2c, corresponding to the first corner 2g and the second corner 2h, respectively. The second sheet holding portion 62 is positioned midway between the first corner 2g and the second corner 2h (midway along the short side of the short-side surface portion 2c).

[0045] As shown in Figure 6, the first sheet holder 61 and the third sheet holder 63 are arranged to be movable in the planar direction. In this embodiment, the first sheet holder 61 and the third sheet holder 63 are arranged to be slidable along the short side direction of the food container 2. On the other hand, the second sheet holder 62 is arranged to be immovable. As the first sheet holder 61 and the third sheet holder 63 slide toward the second sheet holder 62, the distance between the first to third sheet holders 61 to 63 is narrowed in a direction perpendicular to the direction of separation between the first unit 6 and the second unit 7 (the long side direction of the food container 2) (the short side direction of the food container 2).

[0046] As shown in Figure 5, the fourth sheet holder 71 and the sixth sheet holder 73 are positioned at the third corner 2i and the fourth corner 2j, respectively, located at both ends of the short-side surface portion 2d. The fifth sheet holder 72 is positioned midway between the third corner 2i and the fourth corner 2j (midway along the short-side direction of the short-side surface portion 2d).

[0047] As shown in Figure 6, the fourth to sixth sheet holders 71 to 73 are provided in the same way as the first to third sheet holders 61 to 63, such that the gap between them can be narrowed by the sliding of the fourth sheet holder 71 and the sixth sheet holder 73 along the short side direction of the box 2. In the following description, the positions of the first sheet holder 61, second sheet holder 62, fourth sheet holder 71, and sixth sheet holder 73, shown by dotted lines in Figure 6, will be described as the "non-pull position". The positions of the first sheet holder 61, second sheet holder 62, fourth sheet holder 71, and sixth sheet holder 73, shown by solid lines in Figure 6, will be described as the "pull position".

[0048] In this embodiment, the first to third sheet-holding sections 61 to 63 of the first unit 6 are examples of multiple sheet-holding sections of the first unit. The first sheet-holding section 61 is an example of a first movable sheet-holding section. The third sheet-holding section 63 is an example of a second movable sheet-holding section. The second sheet-holding section 62 is an example of a first fixed sheet-holding section. In this embodiment, the fourth to sixth sheet-holding sections 71 to 73 of the second unit 7 are examples of multiple sheet-holding sections of the second unit. The fourth sheet-holding section 71 is an example of a third movable sheet-holding section. The sixth sheet-holding section 73 is an example of a fourth movable sheet-holding section. The fifth sheet-holding section 72 is an example of a second fixed sheet-holding section.

[0049] Incidentally, there are different types of food containers 2, such as varying depths and the size of their openings 2f. The holding member 91 of the lifter 9 in this embodiment may be configured to position multiple types of food containers 2 with a single unit, or it may be interchangeable depending on the type of food container 2. In contrast, the pressing frame 4 is used to lay the sheet 3a tightly inside the food container 2, so it is preferable to provide it according to the type of food container 2. The sheet supply device 1 has the pressing frame 4 replaced according to the type of food container 2. The replacement of the pressing frame 4 may be done automatically or manually.

[0050] Next, the operation of the sheet supply device 1 will be explained. Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating the processing procedure of the sheet supply device 1. Figure 7 shows the procedure of operation performed by the sheet supply device 1 for one box 2. Figures 8 to 14 are diagrams illustrating the operation of the sheet supply device 1. Figures 8 to 12 and 14 are views of the sheet supply device 1 from the left. Figure 13 is a view of the sheet supply device 1 from the rear.

[0051] When the power is turned on, the conveyor 11 of the sheet supply device 1 is driven. When the first stopper 15 is raised and the box 2 is placed behind the first stopper 15, the sheet supply device 1 starts the process shown in Figure 7 for the box 2. In order to shorten the cycle time, the sheet supply device 1 individually controls the operation of the first to fourth stoppers 15 to 18, and performs tasks such as spraying alcohol and pushing in the sheet 3a in an assembly line manner. However, for the sake of explanation, this explanation will assume that the first to fourth stoppers 15 to 18 are raised above the conveying surface of the conveyor 11. The box 2 placed on the conveyor 11 is brought into contact with the raised first stopper 15, and the pair of long side surfaces 2a and 2b are aligned to the input position P1 so that they are perpendicular to the conveying direction D1.

[0052] As shown in Figure 7, when the first stopper 15 descends (S101), the food container 2 is fed from the input position P1 to the spraying position P2, as shown in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 7, the first stopper 15 rises after the food container 2 has been fed from the input position P1 (S102). When the food container 2 is locked to the second stopper 16 and positioned at the spraying position P2, the spray nozzle 10 sprays alcohol onto the inner surface of the food container 2 (S103). This disinfects the inner surface of the food container 2 and improves the adhesion of the sheet 3a.

[0053] As shown in Figure 7, when the second stopper 16 descends (S104), the container 2 is fed from the spray position P2 to the lift position P3, as shown in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 7, the second stopper 16 rises after the container 2 has been fed from the spray position P2 (S105).

[0054] As shown in Figure 7, the sheet supply device 1 moves forward from the retracted position P22 to the forward position P21 (S201) in parallel with the descent of the second stopper 16, with the pair of chucks 53A and 53B gripping the leading edge of the sheet 3a. At this time, the sheet retainer 52 shown in Figure 2 is switched from the ON state to the OFF state, releasing the hold on the sheet 3a, and as shown in Figure 8, the sheet 3a of the sheet roll 3 is pulled out between the push-in frame 4 and the tray 2.

[0055] As shown in Figure 7, with the pair of chucks 53A and 53B pulling out the sheet 3a, the first to sixth sheet holding parts 61 to 63 and 71 to 73 hold the upper surface of the sheet 3a by suction (S202). At this time, the first to sixth sheet holding parts 61 to 63 and 71 to 73 are in a non-pulling position. Therefore, the sheet 3a is held by the first to sixth sheet holding parts 61 to 63 and 71 to 73 in a planar, spread-out state.

[0056] As shown in Figure 7, when the first to sixth sheet holding sections 61 to 63 and 71 to 73 hold the sheet 3a, the cutting section 55 is driven and cuts the sheet 3a (S203). Since the sheet 3a is held by the first to sixth sheet holding sections 61 to 63 and 71 to 73, it does not hang down onto the pair of chucks 53A and 53B after cutting. Before cutting the sheet 3a, the sheet presser foot 52 is switched from the OFF state to the ON state to hold the sheet 3a. Therefore, the sheet 3a is not rewound onto the sheet roll 3 by the recoil during cutting.

[0057] As shown in Figure 7, after cutting the sheet 3a, the pair of chucks 53A and 53B are switched from a gripping state to a release state, releasing the leading edge of the sheet 3a (S204). The sheet 3a is held by the first to sixth sheet holding parts 61 to 63 and 71 to 73, which are positioned in a non-pull position. Therefore, even after the pair of chucks 53A and 53B release the sheet 3a, the sheet 3a remains spread out in a planar shape, as shown in Figure 9, and is positioned between the tray 2 and the pressing frame 4.

[0058] The pair of chucks 53A and 53B retract from the forward position P21 to the retracted position P22 while remaining in the released state (S205 in Figure 7). Once retracted to the retracted position P22, the pair of chucks 53A and 53B switch from the released state to the gripping state, and hold the leading edge of the sheet 3a, which is held by the sheet holder 52, by gripping it from above and below.

[0059] As shown in Figure 7, the lifter 9 rises in parallel with the retraction of the pair of chucks 53A and 53B (S301). During the initial rise, the holding member 91 rises from the lower limit position P11 to the intermediate position P12. As a result, as shown in Figure 9, the food container 2 rises to near the lower surface of the sheet 3a held by the first to sixth sheet holding parts 61 to 63 and 71 to 73.

[0060] As shown in Figure 10, the first sheet holder 61 and the third sheet holder 63, and the fourth sheet holder 71 and the sixth sheet holder 73 each move in the direction of narrowing the width (S206 in Figure 7). That is, the first sheet holder 61 and the third sheet holder 63, and the fourth sheet holder 71 and the sixth sheet holder 73 slide along the short side direction of the box 2 from the non-pull position shown by the dotted line in Figure 10 to the pull position shown by the solid line in Figure 10.

[0061] At this time, the first to sixth sheet holding parts 61 to 63 and 71 to 73 move in the planar direction while holding the sheet 3a in suction. As a result, as shown in Figures 6 and 10, a slack SL11 is formed between the first sheet holding part 61 and the second sheet holding part 62, and a slack SL12 is formed between the third sheet holding part 63 and the second sheet holding part 62, on the side of the short side surface part 2c of the box 2. Since the second sheet holding part 62 is fixed in the middle of the short side surface part 2c, the slack SL11 and slack SL12 are formed stably.

[0062] Similarly, as shown in Figure 6, the fourth to sixth sheet holding parts 71 to 73 also form slack SL21 and SL22 on the sheet 3a on the side of the short side surface 2d of the box 2 as the fourth sheet holding part 71 and the sixth sheet holding part 73 slide from the non-pulled position to the pulled position. Therefore, the sheet supply device 1 can form slack SL11, SL12, SL21, and SL22 on both sides in the long side direction of the box 2 before pushing the sheet 3a into the box 2. Consequently, slack SL31 and SL32 are also formed on the sheet 3a at positions corresponding to the opening 2f of the box 2.

[0063] As shown in Figure 7, the fan 45 is driven (S207) before the push-in frame 4 is pushed into the container 2. When the fan 45 is driven, the push-in frame 4 draws in air (arrow F1 in the figure) and blows it out from the first outlet 41b and the second outlet 42e (arrows F2, F5 in the figure), as shown in Figure 11.

[0064] As shown in Figure 7, the lifter 9 rises in a secondary upward movement in parallel with the driving of the fan 45. During the secondary upward movement, the holding member 91 rises from the intermediate position P12 to the upper limit position P13 (S302). As shown in Figures 12 and 13, the food container 2 held by the holding member 91 is lifted together with the sheet 3a, and the insertion portion 41 of the push-in frame 4 is inserted. The open end of the food container 2 engages with the edge engagement groove 43 of the push-in frame 4. The sheet 3a is pushed inward into the food container 2 by the push-in frame 4. The excess portions 3aa, 3ab, 3ac, 3ad of the sheet 3a that cannot be pushed into the food container 2 are folded downward on the outside of the food container 2 by the folding portion 42 of the push-in frame 4, forming a fold along the open end of the food container 2.

[0065] When the push-in frame 4 is inserted into the container 2, the portion of the sheet 3a held by the first to sixth sheet holding parts 61 to 63 and 71 to 73 is pulled toward the container 2. However, the first to sixth sheet holding parts 61 to 63 and 71 to 73 hold the upper surface of the sheet 3a by adsorption, creating a vacuum between them and the upper surface of the sheet 3a. Therefore, even when the sheet 3a is pulled toward the container 2 as the push-in frame 4 is inserted, it can slide smoothly away from the first to sixth sheet holding parts 61 to 63 and 71 to 73 according to the tension, without being damaged.

[0066] As the pressing frame 4 is inserted into the container 2, the sheet 3a is pressed into the container 2 while spreading the slack SL11, SL12, SL21, SL22, SL31, SL32, as shown in Figures 12 and 13. As a result, the sheet 3a is laid out to the outer edges of the first to fourth corners 2g, 2h, 2i, 2j or the bottom 2e of the container 2 without being compressed inside the container 2.

[0067] As shown in Figure 6, the first and second units 6 and 7 pull the sheet 3a along the short side of the box 2, forming slack SL11, SL12, SL21, and SL22 on both sides of the long side of the box 2. This also forms slack SL31 and SL32 along the longitudinal direction in the portion corresponding to the box 2, making the operation of pushing the sheet 3a into the box 2 using the pushing frame 4 smoother, as shown in Figures 12 and 13. As a result, the position of the sheet 3a is less likely to shift while the pushing frame 4 is pushing the sheet 3a into the box 2, and it can be expected that the margins 3aa, 3ab, 3ac, and 3ad of the sheet 3a pushed in by the pushing frame 4 will be uniform across the box 2.

[0068] The push-in frame 4 is inserted into the container 2 while air is blown out from the first outlet 41b. This air flows from the gap S2 formed between the lower end surface 41d of the insertion part 41 and the bottom 2e of the container 2 to the gap S1 formed between the outer surface of the insertion part 41 and the inner surface of the container 2. The pressure of the air flowing from gap S2 to gap S1 causes the sheet 3a to spread to the first to fourth corners 2g, 2h, 2i, and 2j, making it easier for it to adhere closely to the inner wall of the container 2.

[0069] Even if the size of the opening 2f of the container 2 is the same, the depth may differ. In this case as well, the pressure of the air blown from the first air outlet 41b into the gap S2 causes the sheet 3a to be laid tightly against the inside of the containers 2 of different depths.

[0070] When the pressing frame 4 pushes the sheet 3a into the inside of the box 2, the open end of the box 2 is inserted into the edge engagement groove 43, and the sheet 3a is folded downwards on the outside of the box 2. As a result, the process of folding the excess portions 3aa, 3ab, 3ac, and 3ad of the sheet 3a back at the open end of the box 2 to form folds is completed simultaneously with the completion of pushing the sheet 3a into the box 2.

[0071] As shown in Figure 7, when the holding member 91 reaches the upper limit position P13 and the pressing of the sheet 3a is completed (S303), the lifter 9 descends (S304). As the lifter 9 descends, the food container 2 separates from the pressing frame 4. During this time, the pressing frame 4 blows air from the first outlet 41b and the second outlet 42e in the direction of separating the food container 2 (arrows F2 and F5 in the figure). Therefore, the sheet 3a does not lift up from the food container 2 by being pulled along by the pressing frame 4, and the pressing frame 4 and the food container 2 separate smoothly.

[0072] Furthermore, the container 2 is sprayed with alcohol just before the sheet 3a is laid, and the sheet 3a is supplied with the surface wet. As a result, when the pressing frame 4 presses the sheet 3a into the container 2, the adhesion between the sheet 3a and the container 2 is enhanced. This prevents the sheet 3a, once pressed into the container 2, from shifting position when the pressing frame 4 and the container 2 separate. Also, even if static electricity is generated between the sheet 3a and the pressing frame 4 when the pressing frame 4 is pressed into the container 2, the moisture from the alcohol keeps the sheet 3a in close contact with the container 2, allowing the pressing frame 4 to separate from the sheet 3a smoothly.

[0073] As shown in Figure 7, the fan 45 stops in parallel with the descent of the lifter 9 (S208). Furthermore, the first to sixth seat holding sections 61 to 63 and 71 to 73 stop blowing compressed air (S209).

[0074] The first sheet holder 61, the third sheet holder 63, the fourth sheet holder 71, and the sixth sheet holder 73 move in the width direction (S210). That is, as shown in Figure 14, the first sheet holder 61 and the third sheet holder 63, and the fourth sheet holder 71 and the sixth sheet holder 73 slide from the pulled-in position shown by the dotted line in the figure to the unpulled position shown by the solid line in the figure.

[0075] As shown in Figure 7, when the lifter 9 descends to the lower limit position P11 (S305), the third stopper 17 descends (S106). As a result, as shown in Figure 1, the container 2 is sent from the lift position P3 to the discharge position P4. After the container 2 has been sent from the lift position P3, the third stopper 17 rises (S107 in Figure 7). As shown in Figure 1, if the fourth stopper 18 is raised, the container 2 stops at the discharge position P4. When the fourth stopper 18 descends (S108 in Figure 7), the container 2 is sent forward from the discharge position P4 and removed from the sheet supply device 1. As shown in Figure 7, when the fourth stopper 18 rises (S109), the process is completed.

[0076] The food container 2, on which the sheet 3a has been laid by the sheet supply device 1, is transported to the location where the cooked rice R will be added, for example, by a belt conveyor. As shown in Figure 3(a), the cooked rice R is placed on the sheet 3a in the food container 2. The sheet 3a is laid to the four corners of the food container 2. Therefore, the sheet 3a does not get damaged by being compressed inside the food container 2 when the cooked rice R is added. Also, the cooked rice R is packed to every corner of the food container 2. After that, the excess portions 3aa, 3ab, 3ac, and 3ad of the sheet 3a are folded inward into the food container 2 so as to wrap around the cooked rice R, as shown in Figure 3(b).

[0077] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 6, the first to sixth sheet holding parts 61 to 63 and 71 to 73 pull the sheet 3a along the short side direction of the box 2 at the sides of the short side surfaces 2c and 2d of the box 2, forming slack SL11, SL12, SL21, and SL22 in the margins 3ac and 3ad. Therefore, when the margins 3aa and 3ab in the long side direction of the sheet 3a are folded back as shown in Figure 3(a), they do not hang down below the box 2. Thus, when the box 2 with the sheet 3a laid on it is transported by a belt conveyor or the like, the margins 3aa and 3ab do not come into contact with or get caught in the belt conveyor, and the sheet 3a can be laid on the box 2 hygienically. In addition, the sheet 3a has folds formed along the open end of the box 2 so that the margins 3aa, 3ab, 3ac, and 3ad are folded back downwards to the outside of the box 2. Therefore, the margins 3aa, 3ab, 3ac, and 3ad are not folded inward into the container 2 during transport or when the cooked rice R is being added, and do not interfere with the addition of the cooked rice R. Thus, the sheet supply device 1 can lay the sheet 3a on the container 2 in such a way that the margins 3aa, 3ab, 3ac, and 3ad do not interfere with subsequent processes.

[0078] As described above, in this embodiment, the sheet supply device 1 has a first unit 6 and a second unit 7 positioned opposite each other with the tray 2 in between. As shown in Figure 9, the first to third sheet holding parts 61 to 63 of the first unit 6 and the fourth to sixth sheet holding parts 71 to 73 of the second unit 7 are positioned between the tray 2 and the pressing frame 4 with the sheet 3a spread out in a planar shape. As shown in Figure 10, the spacing between the first to third sheet holding parts 61 to 63 of the first unit 6 and the spacing between the fourth to sixth sheet holding parts 71 to 73 of the second unit 7 are narrowed in a direction intersecting the direction of separation between the first unit 6 and the second unit 7. As a result, the sheet 3a is pulled towards both sides of the tray 2 in a direction intersecting the direction of separation between the first unit 6 and the second unit 7, forming slacks SL11, SL12, SL21, and SL22. Consequently, as shown in Figure 6, slack SL31 and SL32 are formed in the part of sheet 3a corresponding to the box 2. As shown in Figures 12 and 13, the pressing frame 4 presses sheet 3a into box 2 while spreading the slack SL11, SL12, SL21, SL22, SL31, and SL32 of sheet 3a. As a result, sheet 3a does not become stiff as it is pressed into box 2, making it easy to lay sheet 3a up to the outer edge of the bottom 2e of box 2 or to the first to fourth corners 2g, 2h, 2i, and 2j. Furthermore, for example, when the pressing frame 4 presses the sheet 3a into the tray 2, even if there is a timing difference in when the sheet 3a separates from the first to sixth sheet holding parts 61 to 63 and 71 to 73 of the first unit 6 and the second unit 7, this difference is absorbed by the slack SL11, SL12, SL21, SL22, SL31, SL32 of the sheet 3a, so that the excess space 3aa, 3ab, 3ac, 3ad of the sheet 3a pressed into the tray 2 by the pressing frame 4 can be made uniform between the trays 2.

[0079] The embodiments disclosed herein are merely illustrative and do not limit the present invention in any way. Therefore, the technology disclosed herein can naturally be improved and modified in various ways without departing from its essence. For example, the food container 2 may be a container for storing items other than food. Instead of the rectangular-shaped food container 2, a cylindrical container with an opening on one side may be used.

[0080] The first to sixth sheet holding sections 61 to 63 and 71 to 73 may be positioned below the pair of chucks 53A and 53B to hold the lower surface of the sheet 3a. The first to sixth sheet holding sections 61 to 63 and 71 to 73 may be air chucks that clamp and hold the sheet 3a from above and below, rather than Bernoulli chucks. However, as shown in Figures 11 to 13, by having the first to sixth sheet holding sections 61 to 63 and 71 to 73 hold one side of the sheet 3a, the sheet 3a is less likely to get caught on the first to sixth sheet holding sections 61 to 63 and 71 to 73, and the sheet 3a can be held stably. In addition, the first to sixth sheet holding sections 61 to 63 and 71 to 73 that hold one side of the sheet 3a have fewer constraints on placement and operation compared to those that hold both sides or sides of the sheet 3a, and can reliably hold the sheet 3a in any position in a short time. In particular, it is beneficial in areas near the sheet holder 52 and the cutting section 55, where it is difficult to hold both sides and sides of the sheet 3a.

[0081] The number of sheet-holding parts included in the first unit 6 and the second unit 7 is not limited to the above embodiment. Figures 15(a), 15(b), and 16(a) show variations in the number of sheet-holding parts. Sheet-holding parts indicated by white circles are movable in the planar direction, and sheet-holding parts indicated by black circles are immovable in the planar direction.

[0082] For example, the second sheet holding portion 62 and the fifth sheet holding portion 72 may be omitted, as shown in the first unit 6A and the second unit 7A in Figure 15(a). However, by having the second sheet holding portion 62 and the fifth sheet holding portion 72, as shown in the first unit 6 and the second unit 7 in Figure 6, the slack SL11, SL12, SL21, and SL22 of the sheet 3a can be stably formed on both sides of the box 2, with the second sheet holding portion 62 and the fifth sheet holding portion 72 as the base points. In addition, the first and second units 6 and 7 shown in Figure 6 can increase the number of folds that form the slack and reduce the size of each fold compared to the first and second units 6A and 7A shown in Figure 15(a). As a result, the slack SL11, SL12, SL21, and SL22 of the sheet 3a spread more easily when the pressing frame 4 is inserted, making it easier to lay the sheet 3a to all four corners of the box 2.

[0083] For example, as shown in the first unit 6B and second unit 7B in Figure 15(b), the second and fifth sheet holding parts 62 and 72 may be omitted, and the third and sixth sheet holding parts 63 and 73 may be arranged to be immovable. However, as shown in Figure 6 or Figure 15(a), if the first, third, fourth, and sixth sheet holding parts 61, 63, 71, and 73 are made to slide in the planar direction, the slack in the sheet 3a will be formed near the midpoint of the adjacent corners of the box 2. In this case, the sheet 3a can spread its slack evenly toward the four corners of the box 2 in response to the insertion of the push-in frame 4, making it easier to control the size of the margins 3aa, 3ab, 3ac, and 3ad.

[0084] For example, as shown in the first unit 6C and second unit 7C in Figure 16(a), four sheet holding parts 61C~64C and 71C~74C may be arranged on each side of the box 2. In this case, for example, the first unit 6C may narrow the gap between the sheet holding parts 61C~64C by sliding toward the midpoint between the first corner 2g and the second corner 2h, thereby creating slack in the sheet 3a.

[0085] As shown in the first unit 6E and the second unit 7E in Figure 16(b), the first to sixth sheet holding parts 61 to 63 and 71 to 73 may be arranged on the sides of the long side surfaces 2a and 2b of the food container 2, and slack in the sheet 3a may be formed on both sides in the short direction of the food container 2.

[0086] The push-in frame 4 may not be hollow inside and may have a flow path that connects the fan 45 to the first outlet 41b and the second outlet 42e.

[0087] Instead of the sheet roll 3, a pre-cut sheet 3a may be used. In this case, for example, the pre-cut sheet 3a may be placed in the sheet storage section, and the pickup device may pick up the sheet 3a from the sheet storage section and have it held in the first to sixth sheet holding sections 61 to 63 and 71 to 73. Alternatively, the first to sixth sheet holding sections 61 to 63 and 71 to 73 may have the function of holding the sheet 3a in the sheet storage section and moving the sheet 3a between the tray 2 and the pressing frame 4.

[0088] Alternatively, the lifter 9 may be omitted, and the pressing frame 4 may descend to press the sheet 3a into the container 2. Alternatively, the pressing frame 4 and the container 2 may move relative to each other, and the pressing frame 4 may press the sheet 3a into the container 2.

[0089] The processing procedure shown in Figure 7 may be modified in order, omitted, or added as appropriate, without departing from the spirit of the invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0090] 1. Sheet feeding device Second layer (an example of a container) 3a Sheet 4. Push-in frame (an example of a push-in part) 6. Unit 1 7. Unit 2 61. First sheet holding section (an example of the first movable sheet holding section) 62. Second sheet holding section (an example of the first fixed sheet holding section) 63 Third seat holding section (an example of the second movable seat holding section) 71. Fourth sheet holding section (an example of the third movable sheet holding section) 72. Fifth sheet holding section (an example of the second fixed sheet holding section) 73. Sixth sheet holding section (an example of the fourth movable sheet holding section)

Claims

1. In a sheet supply device that lays a sheet in close contact with the inside of a container that opens on one side, A pressing portion is inserted into the opening of the container and pushes the sheet into the container, The first unit and the second unit are positioned opposite each other, with the container and the pressing portion in between, and hold the sheet between the container and the pressing portion. It has, The first unit and the second unit are, respectively, It has a plurality of sheet-holding parts that are arranged at predetermined intervals in the planar direction and hold the sheet in a planar shape, By narrowing the spacing between the plurality of sheet-holding parts that hold the sheet in a planar shape in a direction intersecting the direction of separation between the first unit and the second unit, slack is formed in the sheet. A sheet supply device characterized by the following features.

2. A sheet supply device for laying a sheet in close contact with the inside of a container that opens on one side, A pressing portion is inserted into the opening of the container and pushes the sheet into the container, The first unit and the second unit are positioned opposite each other with respect to the container, and hold the sheet between the container and the pressing portion, It has, The first unit and the second unit are, respectively, It has a plurality of sheet-holding parts that are arranged at predetermined intervals in the planar direction and hold the sheet in a planar shape, By narrowing the spacing between the plurality of sheet-holding parts that hold the sheet in a planar shape in a direction intersecting the direction of separation between the first unit and the second unit, slack is formed in the sheet. The plurality of sheet-holding portions of the first unit include a first fixed sheet-holding portion which is arranged so as not to move, and a first movable sheet-holding portion and a second movable sheet-holding portion which are arranged on both sides of the first fixed sheet-holding portion along the container and are movable in a planar direction toward the first fixed sheet-holding portion. The plurality of sheet-holding portions of the second unit include a second fixed sheet-holding portion which is positioned immovably, and a third movable sheet-holding portion and a fourth movable sheet-holding portion which are positioned on both sides of the second fixed sheet-holding portion along the container and are movable in a planar direction toward the second fixed sheet-holding portion. A sheet supply device characterized by the following features.

3. In the sheet supply device according to claim 1 or claim 2, The plurality of sheet-holding portions of the first unit and the plurality of sheet-holding portions of the second unit hold one side of the sheet. A sheet supply device characterized by the following features.

4. In the sheet supply device according to claim 1 or claim 2, The container has a rectangular parallelepiped shape, The first sheet-holding portion and the second sheet-holding portion included in the plurality of sheet-holding portions of the first unit, and the third sheet-holding portion and the fourth sheet-holding portion included in the plurality of sheet-holding portions of the second unit, are each positioned at locations corresponding to the corners of the container and hold the sheet in a planar manner. A sheet supply device characterized by the following features.

5. In the sheet supply device according to claim 1 or claim 2, The container has a rectangular parallelepiped shape with a pair of long sides and a pair of short sides. The plurality of sheet-holding portions of the first unit are arranged on the side of one of the shorter sides, and the spacing between them is narrowed along the direction of the shorter side. The plurality of sheet-holding portions of the second unit are arranged on the side of the other short side, and the spacing between them is narrowed along the direction of the short side. A sheet supply device characterized by the following features.

6. In a sheet supply device that lays a sheet inside a container that opens on one side, The sheet is wound into a roll, and a sheet roll is positioned on one side of the sheet, A pull-out section for pulling the sheet from the sheet roll to above the opening of the container, A plurality of sheet-holding sections are arranged above the aforementioned drawer section and hold the sheet that has been pulled out by the drawer section, A cutting unit that cuts the sheet held by the plurality of sheet holding units at a position between the container and the sheet roll, Having, A sheet supply device characterized by the following features.

7. In the sheet supply device described in claim 6, The plurality of sheet-holding parts hold the upper surface of the sheet by adsorption, It has a pressing portion that is inserted into the opening of the container and pushes the sheet held by the plurality of sheet holding portions into the container, The sheet detaches from the plurality of sheet-holding portions in accordance with the tension acting on the sheet when the push-in portion is inserted into the container. A sheet supply device characterized by the following features.

8. In the sheet supply device according to claim 6 or claim 7, The plurality of sheet-holding parts are Bernoulli chucks that hold the sheet by adsorption by forming a vacuum region between them and the sheet. A sheet supply device characterized by the following features.

9. A sheet supply device for laying a sheet inside a container that opens on one side, The sheet is wound into a roll, and a sheet roll is positioned on one side of the sheet, A pull-out section for pulling the sheet from the sheet roll to above the opening of the container, A plurality of sheet-holding sections are arranged above the aforementioned drawer section and hold the sheet that has been pulled out by the drawer section, A cutting unit that cuts the sheet held by the plurality of sheet holding units at a position between the container and the sheet roll, It has a pressing portion that is inserted into the opening of the container and pushes the sheet held by the plurality of sheet holding portions into the container, The pull-out section has a pair of chucks that can reciprocate linearly between a retracted position and a forward position, the retracted position being a position on the sheet roll side of the container or the push-in section where the pair of chucks grip the sheet, and the forward position being a position on the opposite side of the sheet roll from the container or the push-in section where the pair of chucks release the sheet. The pair of chucks release the sheet and retract from the forward position to the retracted position after the plurality of sheet-holding portions have held the sheet and before the pushing portion is inserted into the container. A sheet supply device characterized by the following features.

Images