One-time packaging machine

Abstract

Provided is a primary packaging machine for wrapping an object with a film. In place of a conventional primary packaging machine, this primary packaging machine is configured to: feed a pair of films in a state of being welded and integrated in a belt-like shape respectively from the left and right sides of the opening toward the central portion of the opening along the X-axis; maintain a state in which a horizontal plane on which an object is to be placed is stopped so as to coincide with a stop position lower than the opening by a predetermined vertical distance; after the object has fallen through the opening and is placed on the integrated pair of films, weld a pair of films having passed through the opening and hanging downward in a belt-like shape at a position above the object; and cut the pair of films into upper and lower parts.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a primary packaging machine for wrapping an object with a film. In particular, the present invention relates to a primary packaging machine for wrapping an object with a film as a pretreatment for vacuum-packaging the object with a vacuum packaging machine downstream.

Background Art

[0002] A primary packaging machine is used to wrap an object with a film. A primary packaging machine may be used to wrap an object with a film as a pretreatment for vacuum-packaging the object with a vacuum packaging machine downstream. For example, after the primary packaging machine wraps an object with a film, the wrapped object is sent to a vacuum packaging machine downstream, and the vacuum packaging machine evacuates the inside of the film to vacuum-pack the object.

[0003] It has been carried out to vacuum-pack one by one at high speed with a small amount of film the meat of livestock such as cows, pigs, and chickens, and the partial meat of large fish separated into many parts (partial meat), and print information on the history of the partial meat on each individual package. Conventionally, beef forequarter has been distributed as so-called chilled beef, which is divided into 26 parts such as loin, chuck, and fillet, vacuum-packed, heated to shrink the film, or cooled without shrinking the film and stored and transported around 0°C. For beef forequarter, for example, partial meat is loaded into a bag formed by inflation molding and bottom-sealing with a width of 200 mm to 600 mm, degassed from the mouth of the bag with a vacuum packaging machine, vacuum-sealed, the film is shrunk with a warm water shower, cooled with cold water, and stored and delivered around 0°C.

[0004] For example, the wound lower film is unwound, the partial meat is placed on the lower film, the wound upper film is unwound and covered over each partial meat on the lower film and sealed, the central part of the seal part is cut, and a cylindrical seal body sandwiching the partial meat with the upper and lower films is formed. This cylindrical seal body is sucked from both openings, and the openings are sealed and vacuum-sealed to obtain a four-side seal body. Various films are available for packaging these cuts of meat. Furthermore, some users, such as mass retailers, who desire to simplify tray packaging operations, request that a single animal be divided into 74 or 138 parts and delivered in individually vacuum-sealed packaging.

[0005] When providing a packaging machine to meet these needs, even if the above packaging method involves unwinding the top and bottom films, the top and bottom films are unwound at a constant pitch for each piece of meat, followed by suction and vacuum sealing. As the size of the meat portion decreases, the amount of packaging material used doubles or triples, and the packaging efficiency decreases to half or one-third. In the above packaging method, the time required for suction and vacuum sealing accounts for a large proportion of the total packaging time.

[0006] The inventors considered a primary packaging machine that could meet the above needs and further improve work throughput. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] The inventors aim to provide a primary packaging machine that addresses the above-mentioned market needs and improves work throughput. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To achieve the above objective, the present invention provides a primary packaging machine for wrapping an object with film, comprising: a workset unit having a frame that forms an opening that penetrates vertically when the X-axis and Y-axis directions, which are the directions for supplying film orthogonal in a horizontal plane when viewed from above, are imagined; an object support structure positioned below the opening and supporting the object so that the lower surface of the object coincides with a main virtual horizontal plane, which is a virtual horizontal plane; a lifting device that moves the object support structure up and down; a film supply device that, when viewed along the Y-axis, can feed a pair of films from the left and right of the opening toward the center of the opening along the X-axis; a film welding and cutting device that can weld the pair of films that have passed through the opening and hang down along the Y-axis at a position above the object placed on the film, and cut the welded portion, which is the welded strip, along the Y-axis to separate it vertically; and a control device. The control device has a film feeding function in which the film supply device, with its line of sight along the Y-axis, feeds a pair of films along the X-axis, with the pair of films welded together in a strip along the Y-axis and fed toward the center of the opening, and The lifting device has a stop-and-maintain function that stops the object support structure by aligning the main virtual horizontal plane with a stop position obtained by lowering it by a predetermined vertical distance from a specific part of the opening, which is a specific part of the opening, and maintains that state. The device achieves a film separation function in which, after the object passes through the opening and falls onto a pair of integrated films laid on the main virtual horizontal plane, the film welding and cutting device welds the pair of films that have passed through the opening and are hanging down along the Y axis at a position above the object in a strip shape, and then cuts the welded portion, which is the welded strip, along the Y axis to separate it into upper and lower parts.

[0009] In the configuration of the present invention described above, when the X-axis and Y-axis directions, which are the directions in which the film is supplied orthogonal in the horizontal plane when viewed from above, are considered, the work set unit has a frame that forms an opening that penetrates in the vertical direction. The object support structure is positioned below the opening and supports the object by aligning the lower surface of the object with the main virtual horizontal plane, which is a virtual horizontal plane. The lifting device controls the object support structure so that it can move up and down. The film supply device can feed a pair of films from the left and right of the opening towards the center of the opening along the X-axis when viewed along the Y-axis. The film welding and cutting device can weld the pair of films that have passed through the opening and are hanging down along the Y-axis at a position above the object placed on the film in a strip shape, and can cut the welded portion, which is the welded strip, along the Y-axis to separate it vertically. The control equipment implements the film feeding function, the lifting and lowering equipment stop and maintain function, and the film detachment function. The film supply device directs its line of sight along the Y-axis and feeds a pair of films along the X-axis from the left and right sides of the opening toward the center of the opening, with the pair of films welded together in a strip along the Y-axis. The lifting device aligns the main virtual horizontal plane with a stopping position that is lowered by a predetermined vertical distance from a specific part of the opening, which is the opening specific part, and stops the object support structure, maintaining that state. After the object passes through the opening and falls onto the pair of integrated films laid on the main virtual horizontal plane, the film welding and cutting device welds the pair of films that have passed through the opening and are hanging down along the Y-axis at a position above the object in a strip, and cuts the welded portion, which is the welded strip, along the Y-axis, separating it into upper and lower sections. As a result, the object can be efficiently wrapped in film and placed on the main virtual horizontal plane of the lifting device.

[0010] The following describes a primary packaging machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. The present invention includes any of the embodiments described below, or two or more of them combined.

[0011] In the primary packaging machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, the lifting device stop and maintain function is realized so that when the lifting device maintains the stopped state of the object support structure, the stopping position that coincides with the main virtual horizontal plane changes vertically in accordance with the dimensions of the object. In the configuration of the above embodiment, when the lifting equipment stop-maintain function is realized and the lifting equipment maintains the stopped state of the object support structure, the stopping position that coincides with the main virtual horizontal plane changes vertically in accordance with the dimensions of the object. As a result, the main virtual horizontal plane can be stopped at a position corresponding to the dimensions of the object.

[0012] In the primary packaging machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, when the lifting device stops and maintains the lifting device, the stopping position that coincides with the main virtual horizontal plane changes vertically in accordance with the height dimension of the contour of the object when viewed with the line of sight along the Y-axis. In the configuration of the above embodiment, when the lifting equipment stop-maintain function is realized and the lifting equipment maintains the stopped state of the object support structure, the stopping position that coincides with the main virtual horizontal plane changes vertically in accordance with the height dimension of the object's outline when viewed with the line of sight along the Y-axis. As a result, the main virtual horizontal plane can be stopped at a position corresponding to the height dimension of the object's contour.

[0013] A primary packaging machine according to an embodiment of the present invention has a frame that forms an opening through which the work set unit passes in the vertical direction, and a gate that has a door structure that can open and close the opening and has a gate upper surface which is an upper surface on which an object can be placed. The control device performs an opening-opening function when the gate is closed, and a pair of films fed by the film supply device along the X-axis from the left and right of the opening toward the center of the opening, viewed from the Y-axis, are welded together in a strip along the Y-axis and laid as a single unit on the top surface of the gate, and an object is placed on the single unit of films laid on the top surface of the gate, causing the gate to open the opening. In the configuration of the above embodiment, the work set unit has a frame that forms an opening through which the work set unit penetrates in the vertical direction, and a gate that is a door structure that can open and close the opening and has a gate upper surface which is an upper surface on which an object can be placed. The control device implements the functions of opening the opening, feeding the film, stopping and maintaining the lifting mechanism, and separating the film. When the gate is closed to the opening, and the film supply device has fed a pair of films along the X-axis from the left and right of the opening toward the center of the opening, as viewed from the Y-axis, the films are welded together in a strip along the Y-axis and laid as a single unit on the upper surface of the gate, the gate opens the opening when an object is placed on the single unit of films laid on the upper surface of the gate. As a result, the object can be efficiently wrapped in film and then supported by the object support structure, resting on the main virtual horizontal plane.

[0014] In the primary packaging machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, the control device implements a film feed dimension determination function that determines the film feed dimension, which is the dimension by which the film supply device feeds out the film necessary to wrap and enclose the object. The film feeding function is a function that feeds a pair of films along the X-axis from the left and right sides of the opening toward the center of the opening, such that the sum of the feeding dimensions of the pair of films fed from the left and right sides of the opening toward the center of the opening, when viewed from the perspective of the film supply device along the Y-axis, matches the film feeding dimension. In the configuration of the above embodiment, the film supply device determines the film feed dimension, which is the dimension by which it feeds out the film necessary to wrap and enclose the object. The film supply device feeds out a pair of films along the X-axis from the left and right sides of the opening toward the center of the opening, with the line of sight along the Y-axis, such that the sum of the two feed dimensions of the pair of films fed out from the left and right sides of the opening toward the center of the opening matches the film feed dimension. As a result, the object can be efficiently wrapped in film and placed on the main virtual horizontal plane of the object support structure.

[0015] A primary packaging machine according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a first sensor having an optical sensor capable of detecting whether an optical axis emitted along the Y-axis at at least one point on the virtual line of the opening, which is a virtual line extending along the X-axis near the opening when viewed along the Y-axis, is obstructed or not obstructed by an object. An example of the lifting equipment stop maintenance function is a function in which, when the lifting equipment is stopped with the main virtual horizontal plane aligned with a first stop position which is a stop position obtained by lowering the main virtual horizontal plane by a first vertical distance from the specific part of the opening, and an object passes through the opening and the optical axis of the first sensor is not obstructed by the object, the lifting equipment does not raise or lower the object support structure and maintains the state in which the object support structure is stopped with the main virtual horizontal plane aligned with the first stop position. In the configuration of the above embodiment, the first sensor has an optical sensor that can detect whether the optical axis emitted along the Y axis is obstructed or not by an object at at least one point on the virtual line of the aperture, which is a virtual line extending along the X axis near the aperture when viewed along the Y axis. In a state where the lifting device stops the object support structure by aligning the main virtual horizontal plane with a first stop position that is a position lowered by a first vertical distance from the specific part of the opening, when the object passes through the opening and the optical axis of the first sensor is not blocked by the object, the lifting device maintains the state where the object support structure stops without raising or lowering the object support structure and aligning the main virtual horizontal plane with the first stop position. As a result, the object can be placed on the main virtual horizontal plane of the object support structure.

[0016] In the primary packaging machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, the lifting device stop maintenance function is a function in which, in a state where the lifting device stops the object support structure by aligning the main virtual horizontal plane with the first stop position, when the object passes through the opening and the optical axis of the first sensor is blocked by the object, the lifting device starts to lower the object support structure, and when the optical axis of the first sensor is no longer blocked by the object, the lowering stops and the state where the object support structure stops is maintained. In the configuration of the above embodiment, in a state where the lifting device stops the object support structure by aligning the main virtual horizontal plane with the first stop position, when the object passes through the opening and the optical axis of the first sensor is blocked by the object, the lifting device starts to lower the object support structure, and when the optical axis of the first sensor is no longer blocked by the object, the lowering stops and the state where the object support structure stops is maintained. As a result, depending on the size of the object, the object can be placed on the main virtual horizontal plane of the object support structure.

[0017] [[ID=I3]] The primary packaging machine according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a second sensor having a plurality of optical sensors that can detect whether each optical axis that extends along the X axis at a predetermined interval along an opening virtual line, which is a virtual line extending along the X axis in the vicinity of the opening when viewed with the line of sight along the Y axis, and is emitted along the Y axis, is blocked or not blocked by the object. The film feed dimension determination function is a function that determines the film feed dimension based on the number of optical sensors among the plurality of optical sensors of the second sensor whose optical axes are blocked when the lifting device stop maintenance function is realized. In the configuration of the above embodiment, the second sensor has a plurality of optical sensors that can detect whether each optical axis that extends along the X axis in the vicinity of the opening and emits along the Y axis is blocked or not blocked by an object along an opening virtual line that is a virtual line extending along the X axis when looking along the Y axis. When the lifting device stop maintenance function is realized, the film feed dimension is determined based on the number of optical sensors among the plurality of optical sensors of the second sensor whose optical axes are blocked. As a result, the film feed dimension can be determined corresponding to the size of the object.

[0018] In the primary packaging machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, the film feed dimension determination function is a function that derives the object contour perimeter, which is the perimeter of the contour of the object seen along the Y axis, based on the number of optical sensors among the plurality of optical sensors of the second sensor whose optical axes are blocked when the lifting device stop maintenance function is realized, and determines the film feed dimension from the derived object contour perimeter. In the configuration of the above embodiment, when the lifting device stop maintenance function is realized, the object contour perimeter, which is the perimeter of the contour of the object seen along the Y axis, is derived based on the number of optical sensors among the plurality of optical sensors of the second sensor whose optical axes are blocked, and the film feed dimension is determined from the derived object contour perimeter. As a result, the film feed dimension corresponding to the object contour perimeter can be easily determined.

[0019] In the primary packaging machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, the film feeding dimension determination function records the maximum number of optical sensors whose optical axis is obstructed among the plurality of optical sensors of the second sensor when the lifting device stop and maintain function is realized, and determines the film feeding dimension based on the combination of the vertical separation distance between the opening specific part and the main virtual horizontal plane when the lifting device maintains the stopped state of the object support structure and the maximum number of obstructed optical sensors recorded. In the configuration of the above embodiment, when the lifting device stop-maintain function is realized, the maximum number of optical sensors among the multiple optical sensors of the second sensor whose optical axis is obstructed is recorded, and the film feed dimension is determined based on the combination of the vertical separation distance between the specific opening portion and the main virtual horizontal plane when the lifting device maintains the stopped state of the object support structure, and the maximum number of obstructed optical sensors recorded. As a result, the film feed dimension corresponding to the contour circumference of the object can be easily determined.

[0020] In the primary packaging machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, the film unwinding dimension is the dimension by which the film supply device unwinds the film, and after the control device has realized the film cutting function, the control device realizes a film unwinding function in which the film supply device, with its line of sight along the Y-axis, unwinds a pair of films along the X-axis from the center of the opening to the left and right, such that the total unwinding dimension, which is the sum of the unwinding dimensions of a pair of films unwinding along the X-axis from the center of the opening to the left and right, matches the film unwinding dimension. In the configuration of the above embodiment, the film rewind dimension is the dimension by which the film supply device rewinds the film. After the film separation function is realized, the film supply device rewinds the pair of films along the X-axis from the center of the opening to the left and right of the opening, with its line of sight along the Y-axis, so that the total rewind dimension, which is the sum of the rewind dimensions of the pair of films rewinded along the X-axis from the center of the opening to the left and right of the opening, matches the film rewind dimension. As a result, the combined pair of films can be pulled upward through the opening.

[0021] In a primary packaging machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, the object support structure has a main conveyor that can be moved up and down by the lifting device and can laterally feed a film-wrapped object placed on the main virtual horizontal plane along the X axis, the primary packaging machine further includes a lateral feed conveyor that supports the film-wrapped object so that its lower surface coincides with a virtual horizontal plane, which is a lateral feed virtual horizontal plane, and can laterally feed the object along the X axis, in a state that is receivable from the main conveyor and receivable by a vacuum packaging machine, and a third sensor, which is an optical sensor, provided at the boundary between the main conveyor and the lateral feed conveyor, and capable of detecting whether or not the optical axis emitted along the Y axis is obstructed by the object being laterally fed from the main conveyor to the lateral feed conveyor, The aforementioned control device The maximum total length along the X-axis of one or more film-wrapped objects that can be accepted by the vacuum packaging machine is defined as the vacuum packaging machine acceptance length M. When the lifting equipment stop and maintain function is implemented, the object contour X-axis width dimension estimation function estimates the object contour X-axis width dimension, which is the width dimension in the X-axis direction of the contour of the object passing through the opening, as viewed with the line of sight along the Y-axis. The lifting device starts raising and lowering the main conveyor, aligns the main virtual horizontal plane with a third stop position which is the same vertical position as the lateral virtual horizontal plane, stops the main conveyor, and maintains that state. Based on the estimated object contour X-axis width dimension, when it is determined that the total length along the X-axis of the film-wrapped object placed on the main conveyor, which is arranged in series along the X-axis, and the single or multiple film-wrapped objects placed on the horizontal conveyor, does not exceed the vacuum packaging machine's receiving length M, the main virtual horizontal plane and the horizontal virtual horizontal plane coincide, and the main conveyor and the horizontal conveyor begin horizontally moving the film-wrapped objects. When the film-wrapped object on the main conveyor and the single or multiple film-wrapped objects on the horizontal conveyor are placed in series on the horizontal conveyor, the main conveyor and the horizontal conveyor stop horizontally moving. To achieve, Here, the vacuum packaging machine's virtual horizontal plane is a virtual horizontal plane that supports the object for the vacuum packaging machine to accept. In the above embodiment, the object support structure includes a main conveyor that can move up and down freely using a lifting device and can laterally move a film-wrapped object placed on a main virtual horizontal plane along the X-axis. The lateral conveyor supports the film-wrapped object, which is in a state where it can be accepted from the main conveyor and accepted by the vacuum packaging machine, so that its lower surface coincides with the lateral conveying virtual horizontal plane, and can laterally move it along the X-axis. The third sensor is an optical sensor provided at the boundary between the main conveyor and the lateral conveyor, capable of detecting whether the optical axis emitted along the Y-axis is obstructed or not by the object being laterally moved from the main conveyor to the lateral conveyor. The maximum total length along the X-axis of one or more film-wrapped objects that can be accepted by the vacuum packaging machine is defined as the vacuum packaging machine acceptance length M. When the lifting equipment stop-and-maintain function is implemented, the object contour X-axis width dimension is estimated, which is the width dimension in the X-axis direction of the object's contour as viewed with the line of sight along the Y-axis for an object passing through the opening. The lifting device starts raising and lowering the main conveyor, aligning the main virtual horizontal plane with a third stop position which is the same vertical position as the lateral virtual horizontal plane, and stops the main conveyor, maintaining that state. Based on the estimated object contour X-axis width dimension, if it is determined that the total length along the X-axis of the object wrapped in film placed on the main conveyor, which is arranged in series along the X-axis, and the single or multiple objects wrapped in film placed on the horizontal conveyor does not exceed the vacuum packaging machine receiving length M, then, with the main virtual horizontal plane and the horizontal virtual horizontal plane coinciding, the main conveyor and the horizontal conveyor begin to move the film-wrapped objects laterally. When the object wrapped in film placed on the main conveyor and the single or multiple objects wrapped in film placed on the horizontal conveyor are arranged in series and placed on the horizontal conveyor, the main conveyor and the horizontal conveyor stop moving laterally. The vacuum packaging machine's virtual horizontal plane is a virtual horizontal plane that supports the object for the vacuum packaging machine to accept. As a result, one or more items can be fed horizontally into the vacuum packaging machine without waste or spillage.

[0022] In a primary packaging machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, The aforementioned lateral feeding function is a function in which, when it is determined that the total length along the X-axis direction of the film-wrapped object placed on the main conveyor (which is hypothetically arranged in series along the X-axis based on the estimated object contour X-axis width dimension) and the single or multiple film-wrapped objects placed on the lateral feeding conveyor exceeds the vacuum packaging machine receiving length M, the main conveyor does not feed laterally, and the lateral feeding conveyor feeds the single or multiple film-wrapped objects placed on the lateral feeding conveyor in series to the vacuum packaging machine, while the lateral feeding virtual horizontal plane and the vacuum packaging machine virtual horizontal plane coincide. In the configuration of the above embodiment, Based on the estimated object contour X-axis width dimension, if it is determined that the total length along the X-axis of the object wrapped in film placed on the main conveyor, which is arranged in series along the X-axis, and the single or multiple film-wrapped objects placed on the lateral conveyor, exceeds the vacuum packaging machine receiving length M, then, with the lateral conveyor's virtual horizontal plane and the vacuum packaging machine's virtual horizontal plane coinciding, the main conveyor does not move laterally, and the lateral conveyor moves the single or multiple film-wrapped objects placed on the lateral conveyor in series and moves laterally to the vacuum packaging machine. As a result, one or more items can be fed horizontally into the vacuum packaging machine without waste or spillage.

[0023] A primary packaging machine for wrapping an object in film as a pretreatment for vacuum packaging an object downstream in a vacuum packaging machine according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a workset unit having a frame that forms an opening that penetrates in one direction when the X-axis and Y-axis directions, which are the directions in which the film is supplied orthogonal in the horizontal plane when viewed from above, are imagined; a film supply device that can feed a pair of films along the X-axis from the left and right of the opening toward the center of the opening when viewed along the Y-axis; a film welding and cutting device that can weld the pair of films that have passed through the opening and hang down toward the object placed on the film in a strip shape along the Y-axis at a position above the object, and cut the welded portion, which is the welded strip, along the Y-axis to separate it vertically; and a main temporary packaging machine positioned below the opening, with the lower surface of the object being an imagined horizontal plane. The system comprises: a main conveyor that supports an object aligned with a hypothetical horizontal plane and can laterally move a film-wrapped object placed on a main virtual horizontal plane along the X-axis; a lateral conveyor that supports an object, which is in a state where it can be accepted by the main conveyor and can be accepted by a vacuum packaging machine, by aligning the lower surface of the film-wrapped object with a virtual horizontal plane, and can laterally move the object along the X-axis; a second sensor that outputs information for estimating the object contour X-axis width dimension, which is the width dimension in the X-axis direction of the object's contour as viewed with a line of sight along the Y-axis for an object passing through the opening; a third sensor that has an optical sensor provided at the boundary between the main conveyor and the lateral conveyor and can detect whether the optical axis emitted along the Y-axis is obstructed or not by an object being laterally moved from the main conveyor to the lateral conveyor; and control equipment. The control device defines the maximum total length along the X-axis of one or more film-wrapped objects that the vacuum packaging machine can accept as the vacuum packaging machine acceptance length M. The film supply device has a film feeding function in which it feeds a pair of films along the X-axis from the left and right sides of the opening toward the center of the opening, with the line of sight aligned with the Y-axis, so that the pair of films are welded together in a strip along the Y-axis and become one unit; and after the object passes through the opened opening and falls and lies on the pair of films that have been laid on the main virtual horizontal plane, the film welding and cutting device welds the pair of films that have passed through the opening and are hanging down toward the object in a strip along the Y-axis at a position above the object, and cuts the welded portion, which is the welded strip, along the Y-axis to separate it into upper and lower parts; An object contour X-axis width dimension estimation function estimates the object contour X-axis width dimension, which is the width dimension in the X-axis direction of the object's contour as viewed with the line of sight along the Y-axis for an object passing through the aforementioned opening, Based on the estimated object contour X-axis width dimension, when it is determined that the total length along the X-axis of the film-wrapped object placed on the main conveyor, which is arranged in series along the X-axis, and the single or multiple film-wrapped objects placed on the horizontal conveyor, does not exceed the vacuum packaging machine's receiving length M, the main virtual horizontal plane and the horizontal virtual horizontal plane coincide, and the main conveyor and the horizontal conveyor begin horizontally moving the film-wrapped objects. When the film-wrapped object on the main conveyor and the single or multiple film-wrapped objects on the horizontal conveyor are placed in series on the horizontal conveyor, the main conveyor and the horizontal conveyor stop horizontally moving. To achieve, Here, The vacuum packaging machine's virtual horizontal plane is a virtual horizontal plane that supports the object for the vacuum packaging machine to accept.

[0024] In the configuration of the above embodiment, when considering the X-axis direction and Y-axis direction, which are the directions in which the film is supplied orthogonal in the horizontal plane when viewed from above, the work set unit has a frame that penetrates in one direction and forms the opening. The film supply device can feed a pair of films along the X-axis from the left and right sides of the opening toward the center of the opening by viewing along the Y-axis. The film welding and cutting device can weld a pair of films that have passed through the opening and are hanging down along the Y-axis to form a strip above an object placed on the film, and then cut the welded strip along the Y-axis to separate it into upper and lower sections. The main conveyor is positioned below the opening and supports the object by aligning its lower surface with a virtual horizontal plane, which is a virtual horizontal surface, allowing the film-wrapped object resting on the virtual horizontal plane to be moved laterally along the X-axis. The horizontal conveyor supports the object, which is wrapped in film and ready to be received by the main conveyor and the vacuum packaging machine, by aligning its lower surface with a virtual horizontal plane, which is a virtual horizontal plane, and can then move it horizontally along the X-axis. The second sensor is a sensor that can output information for estimating the object contour X-axis width dimension, which is the width dimension in the X-axis direction of the object's contour as viewed with the line of sight along the Y-axis for an object passing through the opening. The third sensor is an optical sensor provided at the boundary between the main conveyor and the lateral conveyor, capable of detecting whether the optical axis emitted along the Y-axis is obstructed or not by an object being laterally conveyed from the main conveyor to the lateral conveyor. The maximum total length along the X-axis of one or more film-wrapped objects that the vacuum packaging machine can accept is defined as the vacuum packaging machine acceptance length M. The control equipment implements film feeding, film separation, object contour X-axis width dimension estimation, and lateral feeding functions. The film supply device feeds a pair of films from the left and right sides of the opening, along the X-axis toward the center of the opening. After the object falls through the opened opening and lands on a pair of integrated films laid on the main virtual horizontal plane, the film welding and cutting device welds the pair of films that have passed through the opening and are hanging down along the Y-axis in a strip shape above the object, and then cuts the welded strip portion along the Y-axis, separating it into upper and lower halves. For an object passing through the aforementioned opening, the object contour X-axis width dimension is estimated, which is the width dimension of the object's contour in the X-axis direction when viewed with the line of sight along the Y-axis. Based on the estimated object contour X-axis width dimension, if it is determined that the total length along the X-axis of the object wrapped in film placed on the main conveyor, which is arranged in series along the X-axis, and the single or multiple objects wrapped in film placed on the horizontal conveyor does not exceed the vacuum packaging machine receiving length M, then, with the main virtual horizontal plane and the horizontal virtual horizontal plane coinciding, the main conveyor and the horizontal conveyor begin to move the film-wrapped objects laterally. When the object wrapped in film placed on the main conveyor and the single or multiple objects wrapped in film placed on the horizontal conveyor are arranged in series and placed on the horizontal conveyor, the main conveyor and the horizontal conveyor stop moving laterally. The vacuum packaging machine's virtual horizontal plane is a virtual horizontal plane that supports the object for the vacuum packaging machine to accept. As a result, one or more items can be fed horizontally into the vacuum packaging machine without waste or spillage.

[0025] A primary packaging machine for wrapping one or more objects with film as a pre-treatment for vacuum packaging an object in a downstream vacuum packaging machine according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a workset unit having a frame that forms an opening that penetrates in one direction when the X-axis and Y-axis directions, which are the directions in which the film is supplied orthogonal in the horizontal plane when viewed from above, are imagined; a film supply device that can feed a pair of films along the X-axis from the left and right of the opening toward the center of the opening when viewed along the Y-axis; a film welding and cutting device that can weld the pair of films that have passed through the opening and hang down toward the object placed on the film in a strip shape along the Y-axis at a position above the object, and cut the welded portion, which is the welded strip, along the Y-axis to separate it vertically; and a device positioned below the opening that uses the lower surface of the object in a virtual horizontal plane. The system comprises: a main conveyor that supports an object aligned with a main virtual horizontal plane and can laterally move a film-wrapped object placed on the main virtual horizontal plane along the X-axis; a lateral conveyor that supports an object wrapped in film, in a state that is receivable from the main conveyor and receivable by a vacuum packaging machine, by aligning the lower surface of the object with a virtual horizontal plane, which is a lateral conveyor, and can laterally move the object along the X-axis; a second sensor that outputs information for estimating the object contour X-axis width dimension, which is the width dimension in the X-axis direction of the object's contour as viewed with a line of sight along the Y-axis for an object passing through the opening; a third sensor that has an optical sensor provided at the boundary between the main conveyor and the lateral conveyor and can detect whether the optical axis emitted along the Y-axis is obstructed or not by an object being laterally moved from the main conveyor to the lateral conveyor; and control equipment. The control device defines the maximum total length along the X-axis of one or more film-wrapped objects that the vacuum packaging machine can accept as the vacuum packaging machine acceptance length M. The film supply device has a film feeding function in which it feeds a pair of films along the X-axis from the left and right sides of the opening toward the center of the opening, with the line of sight aligned with the Y-axis, so that the pair of films are welded together in a strip along the Y-axis and become one unit; and after the object passes through the opened opening and falls and lies on the pair of films that have been laid on the main virtual horizontal plane, the film welding and cutting device welds the pair of films that have passed through the opening and are hanging down toward the object in a strip along the Y-axis at a position above the object, and cuts the welded portion, which is the welded strip, along the Y-axis to separate it into upper and lower parts; An object contour X-axis width dimension estimation function estimates the object contour X-axis width dimension, which is the width dimension in the X-axis direction of the object's contour as viewed with the line of sight along the Y-axis for an object passing through the aforementioned opening, When it is determined that the total length along the X-axis direction of the object wrapped in film placed on the main conveyor, which is arranged in series along the X-axis, and the single or multiple objects wrapped in film placed on the horizontal conveyor, based on the estimated object contour X-axis width dimension, the vacuum packaging machine receiving length M is exceeded, With the aforementioned lateral conveying virtual horizontal plane and the vacuum packaging machine virtual horizontal plane aligned, the main conveyor does not perform lateral conveying, and the lateral conveying conveyor performs a lateral conveying function in which one or more film-wrapped objects placed on the lateral conveying conveyor are arranged in series and sent laterally to the vacuum packaging machine. In the configuration of the above embodiment, When viewing from above, the X-axis and Y-axis directions, which are the directions in which the film is supplied orthogonally in the horizontal plane, are considered, and the workpiece set unit has a frame that penetrates in one direction and forms the opening. The film supply device can feed a pair of films along the X-axis from the left and right sides of the opening toward the center of the opening by viewing along the Y-axis. The film welding and cutting device can weld a pair of films that have passed through the opening and are hanging down along the Y-axis to form a strip above an object placed on the film, and then cut the welded strip along the Y-axis to separate it into upper and lower sections. The main conveyor is positioned below the opening and supports the object by aligning its lower surface with a virtual horizontal plane, which is a virtual horizontal surface, allowing the film-wrapped object resting on the virtual horizontal plane to be moved laterally along the X-axis. The horizontal conveyor supports the object, which is wrapped in film and ready to be received by the main conveyor and the vacuum packaging machine, by aligning its lower surface with a virtual horizontal plane, which is a virtual horizontal plane, and can then move it horizontally along the X-axis. The second sensor is a sensor that can output information for estimating the object contour X-axis width dimension, which is the width dimension in the X-axis direction of the object's contour as viewed with the line of sight along the Y-axis for an object passing through the opening. The third sensor is an optical sensor provided at the boundary between the main conveyor and the lateral conveyor, capable of detecting whether the optical axis emitted along the Y-axis is obstructed or not by an object being laterally conveyed from the main conveyor to the lateral conveyor. The maximum total length along the X-axis of one or more film-wrapped objects that the vacuum packaging machine can accept is defined as the vacuum packaging machine acceptance length M. The control equipment implements film feeding, film separation, object contour X-axis width dimension estimation, and lateral feeding functions. The film supply device feeds a pair of films from the left and right sides of the opening, along the X-axis toward the center of the opening. After the object falls through the opened opening and lands on a pair of integrated films laid on the main virtual horizontal plane, the film welding and cutting device welds the pair of films that have passed through the opening and are hanging down along the Y-axis in a strip shape above the object, and then cuts the welded strip portion along the Y-axis, separating it into upper and lower halves. For an object passing through the aforementioned opening, the object contour X-axis width dimension is estimated, which is the width dimension of the object's contour in the X-axis direction when viewed with the line of sight along the Y-axis. Based on the estimated object contour X-axis width dimension, if it is determined that the total length along the X-axis of the object wrapped in film placed on the main conveyor, which is arranged in series along the X-axis, and the single or multiple film-wrapped objects placed on the lateral conveyor, exceeds the vacuum packaging machine receiving length M, then, with the lateral conveyor's virtual horizontal plane and the vacuum packaging machine's virtual horizontal plane coinciding, the main conveyor does not move laterally, and the lateral conveyor moves the single or multiple film-wrapped objects placed on the lateral conveyor in series and moves laterally to the vacuum packaging machine. As a result, one or more items can be fed horizontally into the vacuum packaging machine without waste or spillage. [Effects of the Invention]

[0026] As described above, the primary packaging machine according to the present invention has the following effects due to its configuration. A pair of films, welded together above the opening, are fed out, the lifting device moves down a predetermined vertical distance below the opening to maintain the stopped state of the object support structure, and after the object is supported by the object support structure that maintains the stopped state and placed on the main virtual horizontal plane, the pair of films are welded together in a strip shape above the object, and the welded portion is cut to separate them vertically. This allows the object to be efficiently wrapped in film and placed on the main virtual horizontal plane supported by the object support structure. In implementing the lifting equipment stop-and-maintain function, the stopping position of the main virtual horizontal plane when the object support structure stops changes vertically in accordance with the dimensions of the object, so that the main virtual horizontal plane can be positioned to correspond to the dimensions of the object. In implementing the lifting equipment stop-and-maintain function, the stopping position of the main virtual horizontal plane when the object support structure stops is made to change vertically in accordance with the height dimension of the object's outline when viewed with the line of sight along the Y-axis. Thus, the main virtual horizontal plane can be positioned to correspond to the height dimension of the object's outline. The gate closes the opening, and with the pair of films, which are welded together above the opening, placed on the gate, the object is placed on the film. After the gate opens the opening, the pair of films is fed out, and the lifting device maintains a state in which the object support structure stops at a predetermined vertical distance below the opening. After the object is placed on the main virtual horizontal plane of the object support structure that maintains the stopped state, the pair of films are welded in a strip shape along the Y-axis above the object, and the welded portion is cut to separate the upper and lower parts. This allows the object to be efficiently wrapped in film and supported by the object support structure and placed on the main virtual horizontal plane. The gate closes the opening, and with the pair of films that have been welded together placed on the gate, the object is placed on the film. After the gate opens the opening, the pair of films are fed out so that the sum of the feed lengths of the pair of films matches the film feed length. The lifting device maintains the object support structure in a state where the main virtual horizontal plane is lowered by a predetermined vertical distance below the opening, and the object is supported by the object support structure that maintains the stopped state and placed on the main virtual horizontal plane. The pair of films are then welded in a strip shape along the Y-axis above the object, and the welded portion is cut to separate them vertically. This allows the object to be efficiently wrapped in film and placed on the main virtual horizontal plane of the object support structure. A first sensor is placed at at least one location on the virtual line of the opening, and when the object passes through the opening while the object support structure is stopped and the optical axis of the first sensor is not obstructed by the object, the lifting device maintains the stopped state of the object support structure without raising or lowering it, so that the object can be supported by the object support structure and placed on the main virtual horizontal plane. A first sensor is placed at at least one location on the virtual line of the opening. When the object support structure is stopped and the object passes through the opening, causing the optical axis of the first sensor to be obstructed by the object, the lifting device begins to lower the object support structure. When the optical axis of the first sensor is no longer obstructed by the object, the lowering of the object support structure stops, and this state is maintained. In this way, the object can be supported by the object support structure and placed on the main virtual horizontal plane, corresponding to the size of the object.

[0027] When the lifting and lowering equipment stop-and-maintain function is implemented, the film feed dimension is determined based on the number of optical sensors among the multiple optical sensors of the second sensor whose optical axis is obstructed, so that the film feed dimension can be determined in accordance with the size of the object. When the object is falling, the object contour circumference, which is the circumference of the object's outline as seen along the Y-axis, is derived based on the number of optical sensors among the multiple optical sensors of the second sensor whose optical axis is obstructed. The film feed dimension is then determined from the derived object contour circumference, so that a film feed dimension corresponding to the size of the object can be determined. When the object is falling, the film feed dimension is determined based on the vertical separation distance between the specific opening and the main virtual horizontal plane while the lifting device maintains the stopped state of the object support structure, and the maximum number of optical sensors among the multiple optical sensors of the second sensor whose optical axis is obstructed. This makes it possible to easily determine the film feed dimension corresponding to the size of the object.

[0028] After separating the films, the pair of films are each rewound along the X-axis from the center of the opening toward the left and right of the opening so that the total rewind length, which is the sum of the rewind lengths of the pair of films, matches the film rewind length. This allows the combined pair of films to be pulled upward from the opening.

[0029] The X-axis width dimension of the object's contour is estimated, and based on the estimated X-axis width dimension of the object's contour, if it is determined that the total length along the X-axis of the object wrapped in film placed on the main conveyor, which is arranged in series along the X-axis, and the single or multiple film-wrapped objects placed on the lateral conveyor does not exceed the vacuum packaging machine's receiving length M, then the object on the main conveyor is moved to the lateral conveyor, allowing a single or multiple objects to be moved to the vacuum packaging machine efficiently and without overflow.

[0030] The X-axis width dimension of the object's contour is estimated, and based on the estimated X-axis width dimension of the object's contour, if it is determined that the total length along the X-axis of the object wrapped in film placed on the main conveyor (arranged in series along the X-axis) and the single or multiple film-wrapped objects placed on the lateral conveyor exceeds the vacuum packaging machine's receiving length M, the main conveyor is not moved, and the entire single or multiple objects on the lateral conveyor are laterally fed to the vacuum packaging machine. This allows for the lateral feeding of single or multiple objects to the vacuum packaging machine without waste or overflow. Therefore, we can provide a primary packaging machine that meets market needs and improves work throughput. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0031] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of a primary packaging machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a side view of a primary packaging machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a plan view of a primary packaging machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This is the first explanatory diagram of the operation of a primary packaging machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] This is a second diagram illustrating the operation of a primary packaging machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] This is the third diagram illustrating the operation of a primary packaging machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7]This is the fourth diagram illustrating the operation of a primary packaging machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] This is a functional block diagram of a primary packaging machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] This is the fifth diagram illustrating the operation of a primary packaging machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0032] The following describes embodiments for carrying out the present invention. A primary packaging machine according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the figures. Figure 1 is a perspective view of a primary packaging machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a side view of a primary packaging machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 is a top view of a primary packaging machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 is the first explanatory diagram of the operation of a primary packaging machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 is the second explanatory diagram of the operation of a primary packaging machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 is the third explanatory diagram of the operation of a primary packaging machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 is the fourth explanatory diagram of the operation of a primary packaging machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8 is a functional block diagram of a primary packaging machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 9 is the fifth explanatory diagram of the operation of a primary packaging machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. An embodiment of the present invention is a primary packaging machine for wrapping an object 20 with a film 50. The primary packaging machine according to an embodiment of the present invention may be a device for wrapping the object 20 with film 50 as a preliminary step before vacuum packaging the object 20 with a vacuum packaging machine 900 located downstream. Here, the vacuum packaging machine 900 is a device that vacuum-seals a tubular sealed body, which is wrapped around a portion of meat with film 50, by sucking the openings from both sides and sealing both openings to obtain a vacuum-sealed four-sided sealed body. In the following explanation, for the sake of clarity, unless otherwise specified, the object 20 will be described as a beef carcass, and the primary packaging machine will be described as a device that wraps the object 20 in film 50 as a pre-treatment for vacuum packaging the object 20 in the vacuum packaging machine 900 located downstream.

[0033] An embodiment of the present invention comprises a work set unit 100, an object support structure (not shown), a lifting device 200, a film supply 300, a film welding and cutting device 400, a control device (not shown), and a first sensor L1. An embodiment of the present invention may consist of a workpiece set unit 100, an object support structure (not shown), a lifting device 200, a film supply device 300, a film welding and cutting device 400, a control device (not shown), a first sensor L1, and a second sensor L2. An embodiment of the present invention may consist of a workpiece set unit 100, an object support structure (not shown), a lifting device 200, a film supply device 300, a film welding and cutting device 400, a control device (not shown), a horizontal conveyor 600, a first sensor L1, a second sensor L2, and a third sensor L3. A primary packaging machine according to an embodiment of the present invention may consist of a work set unit 100, an object support structure (not shown), a lifting device 200, a film supply device 300, a film welding and cutting device 400, a control device (not shown), a horizontal conveyor 600, a first sensor L1, a second sensor L2, a third sensor L3, and a fourth sensor L4. An embodiment of the present invention may consist of a workpiece set unit 100, an object support structure (not shown), a film supply device 300, a film welding and cutting device 400, a control device (not shown), a horizontal conveyor 600, a second sensor L2, and a third sensor L3. An embodiment of the present invention may consist of a work set unit 100, an object support structure (not shown), a film supply device 300, a film welding and cutting device 400, a control device (not shown), a horizontal conveyor 600, a second sensor L2, a third sensor L3, and a fourth sensor L4.

[0034] For the sake of explanation, we will use a hypothetical X-axis and Y-axis that are orthogonal to each other in the horizontal plane as viewed from above. The X-axis represents the direction in which the film is supplied. For example, the X-axis is a virtual axis that extends in the direction of transporting the object 20 from the primary packaging machine to the vacuum packaging machine 900 when viewed from above. In the following, the following terms will be used to simplify the explanation. The primary virtual horizontal plane H is a virtual horizontal plane that coincides with the lower surface of the object 20, which is wrapped in a film and supported by the object support structure. When the lifting device 200 controls the main conveyor 500 to move up and down freely, the main virtual horizontal plane H is a virtual horizontal plane that coincides with the lower surface of the object 20 supported by the main conveyor 500. The virtual line G of the opening is a virtual line that extends along the X-axis near the opening O when viewed with the line of sight along the Y-axis. For example, the virtual line G of the opening is a virtual line that extends along the X-axis along the upper surface T of the gate 120 that closes the opening O when viewed with the line of sight along the Y-axis. The lateral feed virtual horizontal plane J is a virtual plane that coincides with the lower surface of the object 20 wrapped in film 50, which is supported and laterally fed by the lateral feed conveyor 600. The vacuum packaging machine's virtual horizontal plane K is a virtual plane that coincides with the lower surface of the object 20 wrapped in film 50 supported by the vacuum packaging machine 900. The vertical is the direction in which gravity acts.

[0035] The workset unit 100 is the basic structure of the primary packaging machine and is composed of a frame 110. The work set unit 100 is the basic structure of the primary packaging machine and may consist of a frame 110 and a gate 120. The frame 110 has a structure that forms an opening O that penetrates in one direction. The frame 110 may have a structure that forms an opening O that penetrates in the vertical direction. The frame 110 may have a structure that forms an opening O that penetrates diagonally. The opening may have a contour composed of four sides that are substantially parallel to the X and Y axes when viewed from above. The frame 110 may have a structure that supports the lifting device 200, film supply device 300, film welding and cutting device 400, main conveyor 500, lateral conveyor 600, first sensor L1, second sensor L2, third sensor L3, and fourth sensor L4, which will be described later.

[0036] The gate 120 is a door structure that can open and close the opening O and has a gate top surface T on which an object 20 can be placed.

[0037] The gate 120 may consist of a pair of slide gates 121 and 122. The pair of slide gates 121 and 122 can open the opening O by moving them to the left and right along the X-axis from the center of the opening O when viewed along the Y-axis, and can close the opening O by bringing their respective ends facing each other at the center of the opening O. At this time, the frame 110 has a structure that forms an opening O that penetrates in the vertical direction. The gate upper surface T formed by the pair of slide gates 121 and 122 may be a surface that slopes upward as it transitions from the tip to the root. In this way, when the pair of slide gates 121 and 122 close the opening O by facing each other at the center of the opening O, the gate upper surface T formed by the pair of slide gates 121 and 122 becomes a shallow V shape. For example, a pair of slide gates 121 and 122 can open the opening O by moving their ends to the left and right of the opening O along the X-axis. For example, a pair of slide gates 121 and 122 can open the opening O by moving their ends to the left and right of the opening O along the Y-axis.

[0038] The object support structure (not shown) is positioned below the opening O and supports the object 20 by aligning the lower surface of the object 20 with the main virtual horizontal plane H, which is a virtual horizontal plane. The object support structure (not shown) may consist of a main conveyor 500. For the sake of explanation, the object support structure (not shown) will be assumed to be a main conveyor 500 in the following description.

[0039] The lifting device 200 is a device that supports an object support structure and manipulates it to move up and down freely. For example, the lifting device 200 is a device that manipulates the main conveyor 500, which is an object support structure, to move up and down freely. The lifting device 200 can support the object 20 by aligning the lower surface of the object 20 with the main virtual horizontal plane H via the object support structure. The lifting device 200 may be positioned below the opening O and supported by the frame 110. For example, the lifting device 200 is positioned directly below the opening O and is supported by the frame 110. The lifting device 200 can freely raise and lower the main conveyor 500. The surface on which the object 20 is placed on the main conveyor 500, which is controlled by the lifting device 200, coincides with the main virtual horizontal plane H. For example, the lifting device 200 can move the main conveyor 500 up and down freely, align the main virtual horizontal plane H with one of the first stop position Z1, second stop position Z2, and third stop position Z3, stop the main conveyor 500, and maintain that stopped state. Here, the second stopping position Z2 changes in accordance with the dimensions of the object. For example, the second stopping position Z2 becomes lower when the vertical dimension of the object 20 is large, and higher when the vertical dimension of the object 20 is small. When the lifting device 200 stops the main conveyor 500 and the main virtual horizontal plane H coincides with the first stopping position Z1, the main virtual horizontal plane H coincides with a position lowered by a first vertical distance h1 from the specific opening. Here, the first vertical distance h1 corresponds to the height dimension of the contour when viewing the smaller of the objects 20 that can be predicted along the Y-axis. For example, the first vertical distance h1 corresponds to the height dimension of the contour of the smallest predictable object 20 among the objects 20, when viewed along the Y-axis, plus a margin of safety. When the lifting device 200 stops the main conveyor 500 and the main virtual horizontal plane H coincides with the second stopping position Z2, the main virtual horizontal plane H is in a state where it coincides with a position lowered by a second vertical distance h2 from the specific opening. The second stopping distance h2 is an arbitrary distance that changes depending on the dimensions of the object 20 that has been raised or lowered as a result of the lifting device 200 raising or lowering the main conveyor 500. For example, the second stopping distance h2 is an arbitrary distance that changes depending on the height dimension of the object 20 that has been raised or lowered as a result of the lifting device 200 raising or lowering the main conveyor 500. When the lifting device 200 stops the main conveyor 500 and the main virtual horizontal plane H coincides with the third stopping position Z3, the main virtual horizontal plane H is in a state where it coincides with a position lowered by a third vertical distance h3 from the specific opening. When the lifting device 200 stops the main conveyor 500 and the main virtual horizontal plane H coincides with the third stopping position Z3, the main virtual horizontal plane H becomes the same height as the lateral conveying virtual horizontal plane J, which will be described later. The specific part of the opening is a specific part of the opening O. The specific location of the opening may be a specific point on the virtual line G of the V-shaped opening. For example, the specific location of the opening coincides with the lowest point of the virtual line G of the opening. For example, the specific location of the opening coincides with the optical axis of the first sensor L1's optical sensor. In the following explanation, the specific location of the opening will be described using the example where it coincides with the lowest point of the virtual line G of the opening.

[0040] The film supply device 300 is a device that, when viewed along the Y-axis, can feed a pair of films 50 from the left and right sides of the opening O towards the center of the opening O along the X-axis. The film supply device 300 may be a device that, when viewed along the Y-axis, can feed a pair of films 50 from the left and right sides of the opening O towards the center of the opening O along the X-axis and along the top of the opening O. The film supply device 300 may be a device that, when viewed along the Y-axis, can feed a pair of films 50 from the left and right sides of the opening O towards the center of the opening O along the X-axis. The film supply device 300 may be a device that, when viewed along the Y-axis, can feed a pair of films 50 from the left and right sides of the opening O towards the center of the opening O along the X-axis and also rewind them in the opposite direction. The film supply device 300 may consist of a pair of film roll holders 310, a pair of film roll rotation mechanisms 320, and a pair of film roll diameter sensors 330. When viewed along the Y-axis, a set of film roll holders 310, a film roll rotation mechanism 320, and a film roll diameter sensor 330 are positioned on the left and right sides of the opening O, respectively. The film roll holder 310 is a device that rotatably holds the film roll 51, which is wound with the film 50. The film roll rotation mechanism 320 is a mechanism that can rotate the film roll 51. The film roll diameter sensor 330 is a sensor that can detect the diameter of the film roll 51. Based on the diameter of the film roll 51 detected by the film roll diameter sensor 330 and the forward rotation angle of the film roll 51, the length of the fed-out film 50 can be calculated. For example, when the film roll rotation mechanism 320 rotates the film roll holder 310 in the forward direction, the film 50 is fed out. For example, the film supply device 300 can feed a pair of films 50 along the X-axis from the left and right sides of the opening O towards the center of the opening O, with the line of sight along the Y-axis, such that the total feed dimension, which is the sum of the feed dimensions of the pair of films fed from the left and right sides of the opening O towards the center of the opening O, matches the film feed dimension. For example, the film feeding device 300, with its line of sight along the Y-axis, feeds one film 50 along the X-axis by half of the film feed dimension toward the center of the opening O, and feeds the other film along the X-axis by half of the film feed dimension toward the center of the opening O. As a result, the total feed dimension matches the film feed dimension. Here, the film feed dimension is the dimension by which the primary packaging machine feeds out the necessary amount of film 50 to wrap the object 20.

[0041] For example, when the film roll rotation mechanism 320 reverses the film roll holder 310, the film 50 is rewound. For example, the film supply device 300 can rewind a pair of films 50 along the X-axis from the center of the opening O to the left and right of the opening O, respectively, by viewing them with the line of sight along the Y-axis, such that the total rewind length, which is the sum of the rewind lengths of each pair of films rewinding along the X-axis from the center of the opening O to the left and right of the opening O, matches the film rewind length. For example, the film supply device 300, with its line of sight along the Y-axis, rewinds one film 50 along the X-axis by half the film rewind dimension toward one of the left or right sides of the opening O, and rewinds the other film 50 along the X-axis by half the film rewind dimension toward the other of the left or right sides of the opening O. As a result, the total rewind dimension matches the film rewind dimension. Here, the film rewind dimension is the dimension to which the film supply device 300 rewinds the film. Based on the diameter of the film roll 51 detected by the film roll diameter sensor 330 and the rotation angle of the film roll 51 when it reverses direction, the length of the film 50 to be rewound can be calculated.

[0042] The film welding and cutting device 400 is a device that can weld a pair of films 50 that have passed through the opening O and are hanging down to form a strip along the Y axis at a position above the object 20, and then cut the welded strip portion 60 along the Y axis to separate it into upper and lower sections. As a result, the object 20 wrapped in the film 50 can be separated from the pair of films 50. The film welding and cutting device 400 may be a device that can weld a pair of films 50 that have passed through the opening O and are hanging down along the Y axis in a strip shape above the object 20, and cut the welded portion 60, which is the welded strip, along the Y axis to separate it into upper and lower parts. The film welding and cutting device 400 may be a device that can weld a pair of films 50 that have passed through the opening O and are hanging down along the Y axis in a strip shape near the opening O and above the object, and cut the welded portion 60, which is the welded strip, along the Y axis to separate it into upper and lower parts. The film welding and cutting device 400 may be a device that can weld a pair of films 50 that have passed through the opening O and are hanging down along the Y axis at a position below the opening O and above the object, and cut the welded portion 60, which is the welded portion, along the Y axis to separate it into upper and lower parts. The film welding and cutting device 400 may be a device that can weld a pair of films 50 that have passed through the opening O and hang down downwards along the Y axis at a position above the opening O and above the object, and cut the welded portion 60, which is the welded portion, along the Y axis to separate it into upper and lower parts. The film welding and cutting device 400 may be a device that feeds a pair of films 50 from the left and right sides of the opening O towards the center of the opening O along the X axis, passes through the opening O and hangs down, welds them in a strip shape along the Y axis at a position above the object 20, and cuts the welded strip portion 60 along the Y axis to separate it into upper and lower parts. The film welding and cutting machine 400 consists of a film welding machine 410 and a film cutting machine 420. The film welding device 410 is a device that welds a pair of films 50 that have passed through the opening O and are hanging down in a strip shape along the Y axis at a position above the object 20. The film welding device 410 may also be a device that welds a pair of films 50, which are fed from the left and right sides of the opening O along the X-axis toward the center of the opening O, pass through the opening O, and hang down, in a strip shape along the Y-axis at a position above the object 20. For example, the film welding device 410 applies pressure along the Y-axis to a pair of films 50 hanging down from the center of the opening O, and heats them at a position above the object 20. For example, the film welding device 410 heats a pair of films 50 hanging down from the center of the opening O by vibrating them along the Y-axis at a position above the object 20, thereby applying pressure. The film cutting device 420 is a device that cuts the welded portion 60, which is a welded strip, along the Y axis. For example, the film cutting device 420 cuts the film 50 along the Y-axis at the center of the welded strip 60, which is a welded strip, in the width direction. For example, the film cutting device 420 is a cutter that cuts the film 50 along the Y-axis at the center of the welded strip 60, which is a welded strip. As a result, the welded pair of films 50 are separated into upper and lower halves, with the welded, integrated pair of films 50 remaining on the upper side of the opening O, and the tubular film 50, with its upper and lower halves welded together, remaining on the lower side of the opening O, enveloping the object 20.

[0043] The main conveyor 500 is positioned below the opening O and supports the object 20 by aligning its lower surface with the main virtual horizontal plane H, which is a virtual horizontal plane, and is a device that can move the object 20, which is wrapped in film 50 and resting on the main virtual horizontal plane H, laterally along the X axis. The main conveyor 500 may be a device positioned directly below the opening O that supports the object 20 wrapped in the film 50 by aligning its lower surface with a virtual horizontal plane H, and can then move the object 20, which is resting on the virtual horizontal plane H, laterally along the X-axis. For example, the main conveyor 500 is a roller conveyor driven by a servo motor. A roller conveyor has multiple rollers arranged at equal intervals along the X-axis. A virtual horizontal line connecting the tops of multiple rollers, which are arranged at equal intervals along the X-axis, coincides with the main virtual horizontal plane H. For example, the main conveyor 500 is a belt conveyor driven by a servo motor. The main conveyor 500 is positioned below the opening O. For example, the main conveyor 500 is positioned directly below the opening O. The primary virtual horizontal plane H may coincide with the lateral virtual horizontal plane J, which will be discussed later. Here, the lateral conveying virtual horizontal plane J is a virtual horizontal plane that supports the lower surface of the object 20 wrapped in the film 50 when the lateral conveying conveyor 600, described later, moves the object 20 along the X axis.

[0044] The main conveyor 500 may be a device that can be moved up and down freely by a lifting device 200 and can move laterally along the X-axis an object 20 wrapped in a film 50 placed on a main virtual horizontal plane H. For example, the main conveyor 500 is a roller conveyor driven by a servo motor. The main conveyor 500 can be raised and lowered freely by the lifting device 200. When the lifting device 200 raises or lowers the main conveyor 500 and stops the main virtual horizontal plane H by aligning it with the first stop position Z1, the main virtual horizontal plane H will be in a state where it is lowered by a first vertical distance h1 from the specific opening. When the lifting device 200 raises or lowers the main conveyor 500 and stops the main virtual horizontal plane H by aligning it with the second stopping position Z2, the main virtual horizontal plane H will be in a state where it is lowered by a second vertical distance h2 from the specific opening. When the lifting device 200 raises or lowers the main conveyor 500 and stops the main virtual horizontal plane H by aligning it with the third stop position Z3, the main virtual horizontal plane H will be in a state where it is lowered by a third vertical distance h3 from the specific opening. When the lifting device 200 raises or lowers the main conveyor 500 and stops the main virtual horizontal plane H by aligning it with the third stop position Z3, the main virtual horizontal plane H becomes the same height as the lateral movement virtual horizontal plane J, which will be described later.

[0045] The horizontal conveyor 600 is a device that can horizontally transport objects 20 wrapped in film 50 in a state that is receivable from the main conveyor 500 and receivable by the vacuum packaging machine 900. The horizontal conveyor 600 is a device that can horizontally transport objects 20 wrapped in film 50 along the X-axis in a state that is receivable from the main conveyor 500 and receivable by the vacuum packaging machine 900. The horizontal conveyor 600 is a device that supports the object 20, which is wrapped in film 50 in a state that is receivable from the main conveyor 500 and receivable by the vacuum packaging machine 900, by aligning the lower surface of the object 20 with a virtual horizontal plane called the horizontal conveying virtual horizontal plane J, and can then move the object horizontally along the X axis. The lateral feed virtual horizontal plane J of the lateral feed conveyor 600 can coincide with the vacuum packaging machine virtual horizontal plane K of the vacuum packaging machine 900. The horizontal conveyor 600 may be a series of multiple horizontal conveyors 600 connected in series. For example, the horizontal conveyor 600 consists of a first horizontal conveyor 610 and a second horizontal conveyor 620 arranged in series along the X-axis. The first horizontal conveyor 610 can horizontally move the object 20 wrapped in the film 50 along the X-axis in a state that is receivable from the main conveyor 500 and receivable by the second horizontal conveyor 620. The second horizontal conveyor 610 can horizontally transport the object 20 wrapped in film 50 along the X-axis in a state that is receivable from the first horizontal conveyor 610 and receivable by the vacuum packaging machine 900.

[0046] The vacuum packaging machine 900 supports the object 20 wrapped in the film 50 by aligning its lower surface with the virtual horizontal plane K of the vacuum packaging machine. The vacuum packaging machine 900 is a device that receives objects 20 wrapped in film 50 from a horizontal conveyor belt 600, and then vacuums and seals both openings of the tubular film 50. The maximum total length along the X-axis of an object 20 wrapped in one or more films 50 that can be accepted by the vacuum packaging machine 900 is defined as the vacuum packaging machine acceptance length M.

[0047] The first sensor L1 is an optical sensor that can detect whether the optical axis emitted along the Y-axis at one point along the virtual line G of the aperture is obstructed or not obstructed by the object 20 when the line of sight is aligned with the Y-axis. The virtual line G representing the opening is a virtual line that extends along the X-axis near the opening when viewed from a line of sight along the Y-axis. The virtual opening line G may be a virtual line along the gate 120 when viewed with the line of sight along the Y-axis and the gate 120 is closed over the opening O. The virtual opening line G may be a virtual line along the top surface T of gate 120 when viewed with the line of sight along the Y axis and gate 120 is closed over the opening O. The first sensor L1 is an optical sensor that, when viewed along the Y-axis, can detect whether the optical axis emitted along the Y-axis at a single point approximately in the center of the virtual line G of the opening, with the gate 120 closing the opening O, is obstructed or not obstructed by the object 20. The first sensor L1 is a light sensor consisting of a light emitter located on one side along the Y-axis with an aperture O in between, a light receiver located on the other side along the Y-axis, and a drive circuit that drives the light emitter and the light receiver. The first sensor L1 consists of one or more optical sensors. The first sensor L1 may consist of a single optical sensor. The first sensor L1 may consist of one of the multiple optical sensors of the second sensor L2, which will be described later.

[0048] The second sensor L2 is a sensor that can output information for estimating the object contour X-axis width dimension, which is the width dimension in the X-axis direction of the contour of the object 20 as viewed with the line of sight along the Y-axis for an object 20 passing through the opening O. The second sensor L2 may have a camera system that can output information for estimating the object contour X-axis width dimension, which is the width dimension in the X-axis direction of the contour of the object 20 as viewed with the line of sight along the Y-axis for an object 20 passing through the opening O. The second sensor L2 may have multiple optical sensors that can detect whether each optical axis, which is aligned at predetermined intervals along the virtual line G of the aperture and emitted along the Y axis, is obstructed or not obstructed by the object 20 when viewed with the line of sight along the Y axis. The virtual line G representing the opening is a virtual line that extends along the X-axis near the opening when viewed from a line of sight along the Y-axis. The virtual opening line G may be a virtual line along the top surface T of gate 120 when viewed with the line of sight along the Y axis and gate 120 is closed over the opening O. The structure of the second sensor L2's optical sensor may be the same as that of the first sensor L1's optical sensor. The multiple optical sensors of the second sensor L2 may include the optical sensors of the first sensor L1.

[0049] The third sensor L3 is an optical sensor located at the boundary between the main conveyor 500 and the lateral conveyor 600, and can detect whether the optical axis emitted along the Y-axis is obstructed or not by the object 20 being laterally conveyed from the main conveyor 500 to the lateral conveyor 600. The structure of the optical sensor may be the same as that of the optical sensor of the first sensor L1.

[0050] The fourth sensor L4 is an optical sensor located at the boundary between the horizontal conveyor 600 and the vacuum packaging machine 900, and can detect whether the optical axis emitted along the Y-axis is obstructed or not by the object 20 being horizontally conveyed from the horizontal conveyor 600 to the vacuum packaging machine 900. The structure of the optical sensor may be the same as that of the optical sensor of the first sensor L1.

[0051] The control device (not shown) is a device capable of controlling the primary packaging machine. For example, the control device (not shown) is composed of a computer. A computer consists of a CPU, memory, and I / O. Computers have software installed to perform multiple functions.

[0052] The control device (not shown) enables the primary packaging machine to perform multiple functions through the installed software. The control device (not shown) may implement a film feeding function F30, a lifting device stop and hold function F40, a film separation function F50, and an opening closing function F80. The control device (not shown) may implement an opening function F20, a film feeding function F30, a lifting device stop and maintain function F40, a film detachment function F50, and an opening closing function F80. The control device (not shown) may implement a film feed dimension determination function F10, an opening opening function F20, a film feed function F30, a lifting device stop and maintain function F40, a film detachment function F50, and an opening closing function F80. The control device (not shown) may implement a film feed dimension determination function F10, an opening opening function F20, a film feed function F30, a lifting device stop and maintain function F40, a film detachment function F50, an opening closing function F80, and a film rewind function F70. The control device (not shown) may implement a film feed dimension determination function F10, an opening opening function F20, a film feed function F30, a lifting device stop and maintain function F40, a film detachment function F50, an opening closing function F80, a film rewind dimension determination function F60, and a film rewind function F70. The control device (not shown) may implement a film feed dimension determination function F10, an opening opening function F20, a film feed function F30, a lifting device stop and maintain function F40, a film detachment function F50, an opening closing function F80, a film rewind dimension determination function F60, a film rewind function F70, an object contour X-axis width dimension estimation function F90, and a lateral feed function F100.

[0053] The control device (not shown) implements multiple functions in a specific order through installed software. The control device (not shown) may implement the following functions in that order: an opening function F20, a film feeding function F30, a lifting device stop and maintain function F40, a film detachment function F50, an opening closing function F80, a film rewind function F70, and a horizontal feed function F100. The control device (not shown) may implement the following functions in that order: opening function F20, film feeding function F30, lifting device stop and hold function F40, film detachment function F50, film rewind function F70, opening closing function F80, and horizontal feed function F100. The control device (not shown) may implement the film feed dimension determination function F10 when the opening function F20 and the lifting device stop and maintain function F40 are being implemented. The control device (not shown) may implement the object contour X-axis width dimension estimation function F90 when the film feeding function F30 and the lifting device stop and maintain function F40 are being implemented.

[0054] The film feed dimension determination function F10 is a function that determines the film feed dimension, which is the dimension by which the film supply device 300 feeds out the film 50 necessary to wrap and enclose the object 20.

[0055] The film feed dimension determination function F10 may also be a function that determines the film feed dimension based on the number of optical sensors among the multiple optical sensors of the second sensor L2 whose optical axis is obstructed by the object 20. The film feed dimension determination function F10 may also be a function that records the number of optical sensors among the multiple optical sensors of the second sensor L2 whose optical axis is obstructed by the object 20, and determines the film feed dimension based on the recorded number of obstructed optical sensors. The film feed dimension determination function F10 may be implemented when the opening function F30 and the lifting equipment stop and maintain function F40 are being implemented. For example, the film feed dimension determination function F10 is implemented when the object 20 is falling, by implementing the opening opening function F30 and the lifting equipment stop and maintain function F40. For example, when the film feed dimension determination function F10 is performing the opening function F30 and the lifting equipment stop and maintain function F40, it records in chronological order the number of optical sensors among the multiple optical sensors of the second sensor L2 whose optical axis is obstructed by the object 20, and determines the film feed dimension based on the number of obstructed optical sensors recorded in chronological order.

[0056] The film feed dimension determination function F10 may also be a function that records the number of optical sensors among the multiple optical sensors of the second sensor L2 whose optical axis is obstructed by the object 20, derives the object contour circumference, which is the circumference of the contour of the object 20 as seen by aligning the line of sight along the Y axis, based on the recorded number of obstructed optical sensors, and determines the film feed dimension from the derived object contour circumference. The film feed dimension determination function F10 may be implemented when the opening function F30 and the lifting equipment stop and maintain function F40 are being implemented. For example, the film feed dimension determination function F10 implements the opening opening function F30 and the lifting equipment stop and maintain function F40, and when the object 20 is falling, it records the number of optical sensors among the multiple optical sensors of the second sensor L2 whose optical axis is obstructed by the object 20, corresponding to the lifting position of the main virtual horizontal plane H which changes in series. Based on the number of obstructed optical sensors recorded corresponding to the lifting position of the main virtual horizontal plane H which changes in series, it derives the object contour circumference, which is the circumference of the outline of the object 20 as viewed along the Y axis, and determines the film feed dimension from the derived object contour circumference.

[0057] The film feed dimension determination function F10 may also be a function that, when the object 20 is falling after implementing the opening opening function F30 and the lifting equipment stop maintenance function F40, records the maximum number of optical sensors among the multiple optical sensors of the second sensor L2 whose optical axis is obstructed by the object 20, and determines the film feed dimension from the circumference of the object contour based on the combination of the vertical separation distance between the opening specific part and the main virtual horizontal plane H when the lifting equipment 200 maintains the stopped state of the main conveyor 500 and the maximum number of obstructed optical sensors recorded.

[0058] The film feed dimension determination function F10 may also be a function that, when the object 20 is falling due to the implementation of the opening opening function F30 and the lifting equipment stop maintenance function F40, records the maximum number of optical sensors among the multiple optical sensors of the second sensor L2 whose optical axis is obstructed by the object 20, derives the object contour circumference, which is the circumference of the contour of the object 20 as viewed along the Y axis, based on the combination of the vertical separation distance between the opening specific part and the main virtual horizontal plane H when the lifting equipment 200 maintains the stopped state of the main conveyor 500, and the maximum number of obstructed optical sensors recorded, and determines the film feed dimension from the derived object contour circumference. The film feed dimension determination function F10 may be implemented when the opening function F30 and the lifting equipment stop and maintain function F40 are being implemented. For example, the film feed dimension determination function F10 may be a function that, when the object 20 is falling due to the implementation of the opening opening function F30 and the lifting equipment stop maintenance function F40, records the maximum number of optical sensors among the multiple optical sensors of the second sensor L2 whose optical axis is obstructed by the object 20, derives the object contour circumference, which is the circumference of the contour of the object 20 as viewed along the Y axis, based on the combination of the vertical separation distance between the opening specific part and the main virtual horizontal plane H when the lifting equipment 200 maintains the stopped state of the main conveyor 500 while the lifting equipment 200 is implementing the lifting equipment stop maintenance function F40, and the maximum number of obstructed optical sensors recorded, and determines the film feed dimension from the derived object contour circumference. For example, the film feed dimension determination function F10 may be a function that, when the object 20 is falling due to the implementation of the opening opening function F30 and the lifting equipment stop maintenance function F40, records the maximum number of optical sensors among the multiple optical sensors of the second sensor L2 whose optical axis is obstructed by the object 20, corresponding to the lifting position of the main virtual horizontal plane H which changes over time. Based on the combination of the vertical separation distance between the opening specific part and the main virtual horizontal plane H when the lifting equipment 200 maintains the stopped state of the main conveyor 500 while the lifting equipment 200 is implementing the lifting equipment stop maintenance function F40, and the maximum number of obstructed optical sensors recorded corresponding to the lifting position of the main virtual horizontal plane H which changes over time, it derives the object contour circumference, which is the circumference of the contour of the object 20 as viewed along the Y axis, and determines the film feed dimension from the derived object contour circumference. Figure 6 is an example of a table used to derive the "film feed dimension" from the "stroke" and the "maximum number of blocked light sensors". In Figure 6, "stroke" corresponds to "the vertical separation distance between the main virtual horizontal plane H and the specific opening portion when the lifting device 200 maintains a stopped state while the lifting device stop-maintain function F40 is being implemented."

[0059] The film feed dimension determination function F10 may also be a function that takes an image of the object 20 from the side with a camera, derives the object contour circumference which is the circumference of the contour of the object 20, and determines the film feed dimension from the derived object contour circumference.

[0060] The opening opening function F20 is a function in which the gate 120 opens the opening O when the gate 120 is closed, and a pair of films that the film supply device 300 has fed from the left and right sides of the opening O toward the center of the opening O along the X axis are welded together in a strip along the Y axis and laid on the top surface T of the gate, and the object 20 is placed on the pair of films 50 laid on the top surface T of the gate.

[0061] The opening opening function F20 may open the opening O when the gate 120 is closed, and a pair of films 50, which have been fed from the left and right sides of the opening O towards the center of the opening O by the film supply device 300 along the X axis, are welded together in a strip along the Y axis and laid on the top surface T of the gate, and the object 20 is placed on the pair of films 50 laid on the top surface T of the gate, and a certain amount of time has elapsed since the optical axis of the first sensor L1 was blocked.

[0062] The film feeding function F30 is a function in which the film supply device 300, with its line of sight along the Y-axis, feeds the pair of films 50 together in a strip-like shape along the Y-axis, towards the center of the opening O from the left and right sides of the opening O. The film feeding function F30 may also be a function in which the film supply device 300, with its line of sight along the Y-axis, feeds the pair of films 50 together in a strip-like shape along the Y-axis, and then feeds them out along the X-axis from the left and right sides of the opening O toward the center of the opening O.

[0063] The film feeding function F30 is a function in which, when the gate 120 starts to open the opening O, the film supply device 300, with its line of sight along the Y-axis, feeds the pair of films 50 from the left and right sides of the opening O toward the center of the opening O, in a state where the pair of films 50 are welded together in a strip shape along the Y-axis and become one unit. For example, the film feeding function F30 is a function in which, when the gate 120 starts to open the opening O, the film supply device 300 views the pair of films 50 along the Y-axis and feeds them out along the X-axis from the left and right sides of the opening O toward the center of the opening O, with the pair of films 50 welded together in a strip shape along the Y-axis. For example, the film feeding function F30 is a function that, as a result of realizing the opening opening function F20, when the gate 120 starts to open, the film supply device 300 views the pair of films 50 along the Y axis and feeds them out along the X axis from the left and right sides of the opening O toward the center of the opening O, with the pair of films 50 welded together in a strip along the Y axis and integrated. For example, the film feeding function F30, as a result of realizing the opening opening function F20, is a function in which, from the moment the gate 120 starts to open and the opening O begins to open, the film supply device 300, with its line of sight along the Y axis, feeds the pair of films 50 from the left and right sides of the opening O toward the center of the opening O along the X axis, in a state where the pair of films 50 are welded together in a strip shape along the Y axis and become one unit. For example, the film feeding function F30 is a function that, as a result of realizing the opening opening function F20, when the gate 120 starts to open and the opening O is in the process of opening, the film supply device 300, with its line of sight along the Y axis, sees the pair of films 50 welded together in a strip along the Y axis and feeds the pair of films 50 from the left and right sides of the opening O toward the center of the opening O along the X axis. For example, the film feeding function F30 is a function in which, as a result of realizing the opening opening function F20, the gate 120 starts to open and the opening O is opened, and the film supply device 300, with its line of sight along the Y axis, feeds the pair of films 50 together in a strip-like shape along the Y axis, towards the center of the opening O, along the X axis, with the pair of films 50 being welded together as one unit along the Y axis.

[0064] The film feeding function F30 may also be a function that feeds a pair of films 50 along the X-axis from the left and right sides of the opening O toward the center of the opening O, with the film supply device 300 viewing the pair of films 50 welded together in a strip shape along the Y-axis, so that the total feeding dimension, which is the sum of the feeding dimensions of the pair of films 50, toward the center of the opening O, matches the film feeding dimension.

[0065] The lifting equipment stop and maintenance function F40 is a function that stops the main conveyor 500 by aligning the lifting equipment 200 with a stop position obtained by lowering the main virtual horizontal plane H by a predetermined vertical distance from the specific opening, and then maintains that state. When implementing the lifting equipment stop maintenance function F40, the stopping position that coincides with the main virtual horizontal plane H when the lifting equipment 200 maintains the state in which the main conveyor 500 is stopped changes in the vertical direction in accordance with the dimensions of the object 20. When implementing the lifting equipment stop maintenance function F40, the stopping position that coincides with the main virtual horizontal plane H when the lifting equipment 200 maintains the state of stopping the main conveyor 500 changes vertically in accordance with the height dimension of the contour of the object 20 when viewed with the line of sight along the Y axis. As a result, when the lifting equipment stop and maintain function F40 is realized, the vertical separation distance between the opening O and the main virtual horizontal plane H when the lifting equipment 200 stops the main conveyor 500 changes in accordance with the dimensions of the object 20. For example, if the dimensions of the object 20 are small, the vertical distance between the opening O and the main virtual horizontal plane H when the lifting equipment 200 stops the main conveyor 500 becomes small when realizing the lifting equipment stop-maintaining function F40. Conversely, if the dimensions of the object 20 are large, the vertical distance between the opening O and the main virtual horizontal plane H when the lifting equipment 200 stops the main conveyor 500 becomes large when realizing the lifting equipment stop-maintaining function F40. When implementing the lifting equipment stop and hold function F40, the vertical distance from the specific opening of the main virtual horizontal plane H when the lifting equipment 200 stops the main conveyor 500 may change vertically in accordance with the height dimension of the contour of the object 20 when viewed with the line of sight along the Y axis. When the lifting equipment stop and maintain function F40 is implemented, the vertical distance from the specific opening of the main virtual horizontal plane H when the lifting equipment 200 stops the main conveyor 500 changes vertically in accordance with the height dimension of the contour of the object 20 when viewed with the line of sight along the Y axis. For example, if the height dimension of the contour of the object 20 when viewed along the Y-axis is small, the vertical separation distance between the opening O and the main virtual horizontal plane H when the lifting equipment 200 stops the main conveyor 500 will be small when realizing the lifting equipment stop-maintaining function F40. Conversely, if the height dimension of the contour of the object 20 when viewed along the Y-axis is large, the vertical separation distance between the opening O and the main virtual horizontal plane H when the lifting equipment 200 stops the main conveyor 500 will be large when realizing the lifting equipment stop-maintaining function F40.

[0066] The lifting equipment stop maintenance function F40 may also be a function that, when the lifting equipment 200 has stopped the main conveyor 500 by aligning the main virtual horizontal plane H with a first stop position Z1, which is a stop position obtained by lowering the main virtual horizontal plane H by a first vertical distance h1 from a specific part of the opening, and when the object 20 passes through the opening O, the optical axis of the first sensor L1 is not obstructed by the object 20, and the lifting equipment 200 stops the main conveyor 500 by aligning the main virtual horizontal plane H with the first stop position Z1 without raising or lowering the main conveyor 500, and maintains that state. The lifting equipment stop maintenance function F40 may also be a function that, when the lifting equipment 200 has stopped the main conveyor 500 by aligning the main virtual horizontal plane H with a first stop position Z1, which is a stop position obtained by lowering the main virtual horizontal plane H by a first vertical distance h1 from a specific part of the opening, and when the object 20 has passed through the opening O and fallen and is supported by the main virtual horizontal plane H, and the optical axis of the first sensor L1 is not obstructed by the object 20, the lifting equipment 200 will not raise or lower the main conveyor 500, but will stop the main conveyor 500 by aligning the main virtual horizontal plane H with the first stop position Z1, and will maintain that state. The lifting equipment stop maintenance function F40 may also be a function that, when the lifting equipment 200 has stopped the main conveyor 500 by aligning the main virtual horizontal plane H with the first stop position Z1, which is a stopping position obtained by lowering the main virtual horizontal plane H by a first vertical distance h1 from the specific opening, and the object 20 begins to fall, and the optical axis of the first sensor S1 changes from being obstructed by the object 20 to being unobstructed by the object 20, the lifting equipment 200 does not raise or lower the main conveyor 500 but stops the main conveyor 500 by aligning the main virtual horizontal plane H with the first stop position Z1 and maintains that state. The lifting equipment stop maintenance function F40 may also be a function that, when the lifting equipment 200 has stopped the main conveyor 500 by aligning the main virtual horizontal plane H with the first stop position Z1, which is a stop position obtained by lowering the main virtual horizontal plane H by a first vertical distance h1 from the specific opening part, and the object 20 has started to fall and is falling, and the optical axis of the first sensor S1 changes from being obstructed by the object 20 to being unobstructed by the object 20, the lifting equipment 200 will stop the main conveyor 500 by aligning the main virtual horizontal plane H with the first stop position Z1 without raising or lowering the main conveyor 500 and will maintain that state.

[0067] The lifting equipment stop maintenance function F40 may also be a function that, when the lifting equipment 200 has stopped the main conveyor 500 by aligning the main virtual horizontal plane H with the first stop position Z1, which is a stopping position obtained by lowering the main virtual horizontal plane H by a first vertical distance h1 from the specific part of the opening, and the optical axis of the first sensor L1 is not obstructed by the object 20 when the gate 120 has finished opening the opening O, the lifting equipment 200 will maintain the state in which the main conveyor 500 is stopped by aligning the main virtual horizontal plane H with the first stop position Z1, which is the stopping position, without raising or lowering the main conveyor 500. For example, the lifting equipment stop maintenance function F40 stops the main conveyor 500 when the lifting equipment 200 has stopped the main conveyor 500 by aligning the main virtual horizontal plane H with the first stop position Z1, which is a stopping position obtained by lowering the main virtual horizontal plane H by a first vertical distance h1 from the specific opening part. When the object 20 starts to fall and the optical axis of the first sensor S1 is obstructed by the object 20, the lifting equipment 200 stops the main conveyor 500 by aligning the main virtual horizontal plane H with the first stop position Z1, which is the stopping position, without raising or lowering the main conveyor 500, and maintains that state.

[0068] The lifting equipment stop maintenance function F40 may also be a function that, when the lifting equipment 200 has stopped the main conveyor 500 by aligning the main virtual horizontal plane H with the first stop position Z1, and the object 20 has passed through the opening O and the optical axis of the first sensor L1 is obstructed by the object 20, the lifting equipment 200 starts to lower the main conveyor 500, and when the optical axis of the first sensor L1 is no longer obstructed by the object 20, stops the lowering of the main conveyor 500 and maintains that state. At this time, the stopping position that coincides with the main virtual horizontal plane H when the lifting device 200 stops the descent of the main conveyor 500 and maintains that state is referred to as the second stopping position Z2. The lifting equipment stop maintenance function F40 may also be a function that, when the lifting equipment 200 has stopped the main conveyor 500 by aligning the main virtual horizontal plane H with the first stop position Z1, and the object 20 has passed through the opening O but the optical axis of the first sensor L1 is obstructed by the object 20, the lifting equipment 200 starts to lower the main conveyor 500, and when the optical axis of the first sensor L1 is no longer obstructed by the object 20, the lifting equipment 200 stops the lowering of the main conveyor 500 when it has descended a certain distance z along the Z axis and maintains that state. For example, the lifting equipment stop maintenance function F40 operates as follows: When the lifting equipment 200 has stopped the main conveyor 500 by aligning the main virtual horizontal plane H with the first stop position Z1, the object 20 begins to fall and the optical axis of the first sensor L1 is blocked by the object 20. When the object 20 passes through the opening O but the optical axis of the first sensor L1 remains blocked by the object 20, the lifting equipment 200 begins to lower the main conveyor 500. When the optical axis of the first sensor L1 is no longer blocked by the object 20, the lifting equipment 200 stops the lowering of the main conveyor 500 after it has descended a certain distance z along the Z axis and maintains that state. Here, the constant Z-axis distance z is a constant distance in the vertical direction. In this way, when the descent stops, the necessary gap can be secured between the top of the object 20 and the first sensor L1.

[0069] The lifting equipment stop maintenance function F40 may also be a function that, when the lifting equipment 200 has stopped the main conveyor 500 by aligning the main virtual horizontal plane H with the first stop position Z1, and the optical axis of the first sensor L1 is obstructed by the object 20 when the gate 120 has finished opening the opening O, the lifting equipment 200 starts lowering the main conveyor 500, and when the optical axis of the first sensor L1 is no longer obstructed by the object 20, stops the lowering of the main conveyor 500 and maintains that state. The lifting equipment stop maintenance function F40 may also be a function that, when the lifting equipment 200 has stopped the main conveyor 500 by aligning the main virtual horizontal plane H with the first stop position Z1, and the optical axis of the first sensor L1 is obstructed by the object 20 when the object 20 falls and the gate 120 has finished opening the opening O, the lifting equipment 200 starts to lower the main conveyor 500, and when the optical axis of the first sensor L1 is no longer obstructed by the object 20, stops the lowering of the main conveyor 500 and maintains that state. The lifting equipment stop maintenance function F40 may also be a function that, when the lifting equipment 200 has stopped the main conveyor 500 by aligning the main virtual horizontal plane H with the first stop position Z1, and the object 20 has fallen so that the lower surface of the object 20 aligns with the main virtual horizontal plane H and the gate 120 has finished opening the opening O, and the optical axis of the first sensor L1 is obstructed by the object 20, the lifting equipment 200 starts to lower the main conveyor 500, and when the optical axis of the first sensor L1 is no longer obstructed by the object 20, it stops the lowering of the main conveyor 500 and maintains that state. The lifting equipment stop maintenance function F40 may also be a function that, when the lifting equipment 200 has stopped the main conveyor 500 by aligning the main virtual horizontal plane H with the first stop position Z1, and the optical axis of the first sensor L1 is obstructed by the object 20 when the gate 120 has finished opening the opening O, the lifting equipment 200 starts to lower the main conveyor 500, and when the optical axis of the first sensor L1 is no longer obstructed by the object 20, the lifting equipment 200 stops the lowering of the main conveyor 500 when it has descended a certain distance z along the Z axis, and maintains that state. For example, the lifting equipment stop maintenance function F40 is a function that stops the lowering of the main conveyor 500 when the lifting equipment 200 has stopped the main conveyor 500 by aligning the main virtual horizontal plane H with the first stop position Z1, the object 20 has started to fall and the optical axis of the first sensor L1 is obstructed by the object 20, and the optical axis of the first sensor L1 remains obstructed by the object 20 when the gate 120 has finished opening the opening O, the lifting equipment 200 starts to lower the main conveyor 500, and when the optical axis of the first sensor L1 is no longer obstructed by the object 20 and the main conveyor 500 has descended a certain distance z along the Z axis, it stops the lowering of the main conveyor 500 and maintains that state.

[0070] The lifting equipment stop maintenance function F40 may also be a function that, when the lifting equipment 200 has stopped the main conveyor 500 by aligning the main virtual horizontal plane H with the first stop position Z1, which is a stop position obtained by lowering the main virtual horizontal plane H by a first vertical distance h1 from the specific part of the opening, and the optical axis of the first sensor L1 is not obstructed by the object 20 when the gate 120 has finished opening the opening O, the lifting equipment 200 maintains a stopped state without raising or lowering the main conveyor 500. When the lifting equipment 200 has stopped the main conveyor 500 by aligning the main virtual horizontal plane H with the first stop position Z1, and the optical axis of the first sensor L1 is obstructed by the object 20 when the gate 120 has finished opening the opening O, the lifting equipment 200 starts lowering the main conveyor 500, and when the optical axis of the first sensor L1 is no longer obstructed by the object 20, the lifting equipment 200 stops lowering the main conveyor 500 and maintains that state.

[0071] The lifting equipment stop maintenance function F40 may also be a function that, when the lifting equipment 200 has stopped the main conveyor 500 by aligning the main virtual horizontal plane H with the first stop position Z1, which is a stop position obtained by lowering the main virtual horizontal plane H by a first vertical distance h1 from the specific part of the opening, and the optical axis of the first sensor L1 is not obstructed by the object 20 when the gate 120 has finished opening the opening O, the lifting equipment 200 maintains a stopped state without raising or lowering the main conveyor 500. If the lifting equipment 200 has stopped the main conveyor 500 and the optical axis of the first sensor L1 is obstructed by the object 20 when the gate 120 has finished opening the opening O, the lifting equipment 200 starts lowering the main conveyor 500 from the first stop position Z1, and when the optical axis of the first sensor L1 is no longer obstructed by the object 20, the lifting equipment 200 stops lowering the main conveyor 500 when it has descended a certain Z-axis distance z, and maintains that state. The second stopping position Z2 is the stopping position obtained by lowering the main virtual horizontal plane H by a second vertical distance h2 from the specific opening location. The second vertical distance h2 corresponds to the dimensions of object 20. The second vertical distance h2 may correspond to the height dimension of the object 20. For example, the elevator stop maintenance function F40 stops the elevator 200 when the elevator 200 has stopped the main conveyor 500 by aligning the main virtual horizontal plane H with the first stop position Z1, which is a stop position obtained by lowering the main virtual horizontal plane H by a first vertical distance h1 from the specific opening part. When the object 20 starts to fall and the optical axis of the first sensor L1 is obstructed by the object 20, the optical axis of the first sensor L1 becomes unobstructed by the object 20 when the gate 120 finishes opening the opening O and maintains that state, the elevator 200 stops without raising or lowering the main conveyor 500. This function maintains the state in which the lifting device 200 stops the main conveyor 500, and when the object 20 begins to fall and the optical axis of the first sensor L1 is obstructed by the object 20, and the optical axis of the first sensor L1 is still obstructed by the object 20 when the gate 120 has finished opening the opening O, the lifting device 200 begins to lower the main conveyor 500, and when the optical axis of the first sensor L1 is no longer obstructed by the object 20, the lifting device 200 stops the lowering of the main conveyor 500 when it has descended a certain Z-axis distance z, and maintains the stopped state. A constant Z-axis distance z may be set in advance.

[0072] The film separation function F50 works as follows: After the object 20 falls through the opening O and lands on a pair of integrated films 50 laid on the main virtual horizontal plane H, the film welding and cutting device 400 welds the pair of films 50 that have passed through the opening O and are hanging down along the Y axis in a strip shape above the object 20, and then cuts the welded strip portion 60 along the Y axis to separate it into upper and lower halves. As a result, the object wrapped in the film can be separated from the pair of films 50. The film separation function F50 may also function to separate the object 20 into upper and lower sections by cutting along the Y-axis the welded portion 60 along the Y-axis after the object 20 has passed through the opening O and fallen onto a pair of integrated films 50 laid on the main virtual horizontal plane H. The film separation function F50 may also function to separate the object 20 into upper and lower sections by cutting along the Y-axis. This can be done after the object 20 has fallen through the opening O and landed on a pair of integrated films 50 laid on the main virtual horizontal plane H, when the film welding and cutting device 400 feeds the pair of films 50, which have passed through the opening O and are hanging down, from the left and right sides of the opening O towards the center of the opening O, and welds them together in a strip shape along the Y-axis at a position above the object 20, and then cuts the welded strip portion 60 along the Y-axis.

[0073] For example, the film separation function F50 is a function in which, after the optical axis of the first sensor L1 is blocked by the object 20, and after a certain period of time has elapsed since the optical axis was no longer blocked, the film welding and cutting device 400 feeds a pair of films 50 along the X axis from the left and right sides of the opening O toward the center of the opening O, passes through the opening O, and hangs down, welding them in a strip shape along the Y axis at a position above the object 20, and then cuts the welded portion 60, which is the welded strip, along the Y axis to separate it into upper and lower parts. The specified time is sufficient time for the object 20 to pass through the opening O and reach the main virtual horizontal plane H of the main conveyor 500. For example, the film separation function F50 is a function in which, when the optical axis of the fifth sensor L5 is blocked by the object 20, the film welding and cutting device 400 feeds a pair of films 50 that have been sent out along the X axis from the left and right sides of the opening O toward the center of the opening O and hanging down, welds them in a strip shape along the Y axis at a position above the object 20, and cuts the welded strip portion 60 along the Y axis to separate it into upper and lower parts. The fifth sensor L5 has an optical sensor that emits an optical axis along the main virtual horizontal plane H. The optical sensor of the fifth sensor L5 has its optical axis blocked by an object 20 placed on the main virtual horizontal plane H. The optical sensor of the fifth sensor L5 is not obstructed when the object 20 is not on the main virtual horizontal plane H.

[0074] The film rewind dimension determination function F60 is a function that determines the film rewind dimension, which is the dimension to which the film supply device 300 rewinds the film 50. The film rewind dimension may be a value set in advance.

[0075] The film rewind function F70 is a function in which the film supply device 300, with its line of sight along the Y-axis, rewinds a pair of films 50 along the X-axis, from the center of the opening O to the left and right of the opening O, so that the total rewind length, which is the sum of the rewind lengths of the pair of films 50, matches the film rewind length. For example, the film rewind function F70 is a function in which the film supply device 300, with its line of sight along the Y-axis, rewinds a pair of films 50 along the X-axis from the center of the opening O to the left and right of the opening O, such that the total rewind dimension, which is the sum of the rewind dimensions of the pair of films 50 rewinded along the X-axis from the center of the opening O to the left and right of the opening O, matches the film rewind dimension. After implementing the film separation function F50, the film rewind function F70 will be implemented.

[0076] The opening closing function F80 is the function of the gate 120 closing the opening O. The film rewind function F70 may be implemented after the aperture closing function F80 has been implemented. The aperture closing function F80 may be implemented after the film rewind function F70 has been implemented.

[0077] The object contour X-axis width dimension estimation function F90 is a function that estimates the object contour X-axis width dimension, which is the width dimension in the X-axis direction of the contour of the object 20 as viewed with the line of sight along the Y-axis, when the lifting equipment stop maintenance function F40 is implemented. The estimated object contour X-axis width dimension is stored in association with the object 20 when the lifting equipment stop-maintain function F40 is being implemented. The X-axis width dimension of one object contour is associated with one object 20. The object contour X-axis width dimension estimation function F90 may also be a function that estimates the object contour X-axis width dimension, which is the width dimension in the X-axis direction of the object contour of the object 20 as viewed with the line of sight along the Y-axis, based on information from the second sensor L2, when the lifting equipment stop maintenance function F40 is implemented. The object contour X-axis width dimension estimation function F90 may also be a function that, when the lifting equipment stop maintenance function F40 is implemented, estimates the object contour X-axis width dimension, which is the width dimension in the X-axis direction of the object contour of the object 20 as viewed with the line of sight along the Y-axis, based on the number of optical sensors among the multiple optical sensors of the second sensor L2 whose optical axis is obstructed. The object contour X-axis width dimension estimation function F90 may also be a function that, when the lifting equipment stop and maintenance function F40 is implemented and the object 20 is passing through the opening O, estimates the object contour X-axis width dimension, which is the width dimension in the X-axis direction of the object 20's contour as viewed with the line of sight along the Y-axis, based on the number of optical sensors among the multiple optical sensors of the second sensor L2 whose optical axis is obstructed. The film feeding function F30 may be implemented while the lifting equipment stop-and-hold function F40 is being implemented. The object contour X-axis width dimension estimation function F90 may also be a function that estimates the object contour X-axis width dimension, which is the width dimension in the X-axis direction of the contour of the object 20 as viewed with the line of sight along the Y-axis, based on the number of optical sensors among the multiple optical sensors of the second sensor L2 whose optical axis is obstructed, when the opening function F20, the film feeding function F30, and the lifting equipment stop and maintain function F40 are being implemented. The object contour X-axis width dimension estimation function F90 may also be a function that estimates the object contour X-axis width dimension, which is the width dimension in the X-axis direction of the object contour of the object 20 as viewed with the line of sight along the Y-axis, based on the number of optical sensors among the multiple optical sensors of the second sensor L2 that have their optical axis obstructed, when the object 20 is passing through the opening O by realizing the opening opening function F20, the film feeding function F30, and the lifting equipment stop and maintain function F40. The object contour X-axis width dimension estimation function F90 may also be a function that estimates the object contour X-axis width dimension, which is the width dimension in the X-axis direction of the contour of the object 20 as viewed with the line of sight along the Y-axis, based on the maximum number of optical sensors among the multiple optical sensors of the second sensor L2 whose optical axis is obstructed, when the opening function F20, the film feeding function F30, and the lifting equipment stop and maintain function F40 are being implemented. The object contour X-axis width dimension estimation function F90 may also be a function that estimates the object contour X-axis width dimension, which is the width dimension in the X-axis direction of the object contour of the object 20 as viewed with the line of sight along the Y-axis, based on the maximum number of optical sensors among the multiple optical sensors of the second sensor L2 that have their optical axis obstructed, when the object 20 is passing through the opening after the opening opening function F20, film feeding function F30, and lifting equipment stop and maintenance function F40 have been implemented. For example, the object contour X-axis width dimension estimation function F90 may be a function that, when implementing the opening function F20, the film feeding function F30, and the lifting equipment stop and maintain function F40, records the number of optical sensors among the multiple optical sensors of the second sensor L2 whose optical axis is obstructed, and estimates the object contour X-axis width dimension, which is the width dimension in the X-axis direction of the contour of the object 20 as viewed with the line of sight along the Y-axis, based on the recorded number of obstructed optical sensors. For example, the object contour X-axis width dimension estimation function F90 may be a function that, when the object 20 is passing through the opening after implementing the opening opening function F20, the film feeding function F30, and the lifting equipment stop and maintain function F40, records the number of optical sensors among the multiple optical sensors of the second sensor L2 whose optical axis is obstructed, and estimates the object contour X-axis width dimension, which is the width dimension in the X-axis direction of the contour of the object 20 as viewed with the line of sight along the Y-axis, based on the recorded number of obstructed optical sensors. Figure 7 shows an example of the flow product length for each type of beef carcass. The length of the flow product corresponds to the X-axis width dimension of the object's contour.

[0078] The lateral movement function F100 starts the lifting and lowering of the main conveyor 500 by the lifting device 200, aligning the main virtual horizontal plane H with the third stop position Z3, which is the same vertical position as the lateral movement virtual horizontal plane J, stopping the main conveyor 500 and maintaining that state. Based on the estimated X-axis width dimension of the object contour, when it is determined that the total length along the X-axis of the object wrapped in film 50 placed on the main conveyor 500, which is arranged in series along the X-axis, and the single or multiple object wrapped in film 50 placed on the lateral conveyor 600, does not exceed the vacuum packaging machine's receiving length M, the main virtual horizontal plane H and the lateral virtual horizontal plane J coincide, and the main conveyor 500 and the lateral conveyor 600 begin to move the object wrapped in film 50 laterally. When the object wrapped in film 50 placed on the main conveyor 500 and the single or multiple object wrapped in film 50 placed on the lateral conveyor 600 are arranged in series and placed on the lateral conveyor 600, the main conveyor 500 and the lateral conveyor 600 stop moving laterally. Furthermore, the lateral movement function F100 starts the lifting and lowering of the main conveyor 500 by the lifting device 200, aligning the main virtual horizontal plane H with the third stop position Z3, which is the same vertical position as the lateral movement virtual horizontal plane J, stopping the main conveyor 500 and maintaining that state. Based on the estimated X-axis width dimension of the object contour, if it is determined that the total length along the X-axis of the object 20 wrapped in film 50 placed on the main conveyor 500, which is arranged in series along the X-axis, and the single or multiple object 20 wrapped in film 50 placed on the lateral conveyor 600, exceeds the vacuum packaging machine receiving length M, then, with the lateral conveying virtual horizontal plane J and the vacuum packaging machine virtual horizontal plane K coinciding, the main conveyor 500 does not move laterally, and the lateral conveying conveyor 600 moves the single or multiple object 20 wrapped in film 50 placed on the lateral conveying conveyor 600 in series and moves laterally to the vacuum packaging machine 900. Subsequently, with the main virtual horizontal plane H and the lateral virtual horizontal plane J aligned, the main conveyor 500 and the lateral conveyor 600 begin to move the object 20 wrapped in the film 50 laterally. When the object 20 wrapped in the film 50, which is on the main conveyor 500, is placed on the lateral conveyor 600, the main conveyor 500 and the lateral conveyor 600 stop moving laterally. For example, it is determined whether the total length along the X-axis of objects 20 wrapped in film 50 placed on main conveyors 500 arranged in series along the X-axis so as not to overlap with each other, and objects 20 wrapped in one or more films 50 placed on horizontal conveyors 600, exceeds the vacuum packaging machine's receiving length M. For example, it is determined whether the total length along the X-axis of objects 20 wrapped in film 50 placed on a main conveyor 500 arranged in series with gaps between them so that they do not overlap along the X-axis, and objects 20 wrapped in one or more films 50 placed on a horizontal conveyor 600, exceeds the vacuum packaging machine's receiving length M.

[0079] The lateral transport function F100 determines the lateral transport distance, which is the distance the object is transported laterally, based on the estimated X-axis width dimension of the object's contour, and stores the determined lateral transport distance in association with the object 20 wrapped in film 50 placed on the main conveyor 500. The lifting device 200 starts raising and lowering the main conveyor 300, aligning the main virtual horizontal plane H with the third stop position Z3, which is the same vertical position as the lateral virtual horizontal plane J, and stops the main conveyor 300, maintaining that state. Based on the estimated object contour X-axis width dimension, when it is determined that the total length along the X-axis of the object 20 wrapped in film 50 placed on the main conveyor 500, which is arranged in series along the X-axis, and the single or multiple object 20 wrapped in film 50 placed on the lateral conveyor 600, does not exceed the vacuum packaging machine acceptance length M, the main virtual horizontal plane H and the lateral conveyor virtual horizontal plane J coincide and the lateral conveyor 600 is stopped, and the main conveyor 500 laterally moves the object 20 wrapped in film 50 placed on the main conveyor 500, and when the object 20 wrapped in film 50 placed on the main conveyor 500 obstructs the optical axis of the third sensor L3, the main conveyor The main conveyor 500 and the lateral conveyor 600 start moving the object 20 wrapped in film 50 laterally, and when the object 20 wrapped in film 50 on the main conveyor 500 obstructs the optical axis of the third sensor L3, and the object has been moved laterally by a distance associated with the object 20 wrapped in film 50 on the main conveyor 500, the main conveyor 500 and the lateral conveyor 600 may have a function to stop the later movement when the object 20 wrapped in film 50 on the main conveyor 500 and one or more objects wrapped in film 50 on the lateral conveyor 600 are placed in series on the lateral conveyor 600. Furthermore, the lateral movement function F100 starts the lifting and lowering of the main conveyor 500 by the lifting device 200, aligning the main virtual horizontal plane H with the third stop position Z3, which is the same vertical position as the lateral movement virtual horizontal plane J, stopping the main conveyor 500 and maintaining that state. Based on the estimated object contour X-axis width dimension, if it is determined that the total length along the X-axis of the object 20 wrapped in film 50 placed on the main conveyor 500 arranged in series along the X-axis and the single or multiple object 20 wrapped in film 50 placed on the lateral conveyor 600 exceeds the vacuum packaging machine receiving length M, then, with the lateral conveying virtual horizontal plane J and the vacuum packaging machine virtual horizontal plane K coinciding, the main conveyor 500 may not perform lateral conveyance, and the lateral conveying conveyor 600 may perform lateral conveyance of the single or multiple object 20 wrapped in film 50 placed on the lateral conveying conveyor 600 in series to the vacuum packaging machine 900. Subsequently, when the main virtual horizontal plane H and the lateral virtual horizontal plane J coincide and the lateral conveyor 600 stops, the main conveyor 500 laterally moves the object 20 wrapped in the film 50 placed on the main conveyor 500. When the object wrapped in the film 50 placed on the main conveyor 500 obstructs the optical axis of the third sensor L3, the main conveyor 500 and the lateral conveyor 600 begin laterally moving the object 20 wrapped in the film 50. From the moment the object wrapped in the film 50 placed on the main conveyor 500 obstructs the optical axis of the third sensor L3, the main conveyor 500 and the lateral conveyor 600 stop lateral movement.

[0080] The lateral transport function F100 determines the lateral transport distance, which is the distance over which the object 20 wrapped in the film 50 is transported laterally, based on the estimated X-axis width dimension of the object's contour, and stores the determined lateral transport distance in association with the object 20 wrapped in the film 50 placed on the main conveyor 500. The lifting device 200 starts raising and lowering the main conveyor 500, aligning the main virtual horizontal plane G with the third stop position Z3, which is the same vertical position as the lateral virtual horizontal plane J, and stops the main conveyor 500, maintaining that state. When the sum of the lateral transport distance associated with the object 20 wrapped in film 50 on the main conveyor 500 and the lateral transport distance associated with each of the single or multiple objects 20 wrapped in film 50 on the lateral conveyor 600 is less than the vacuum packaging machine receiving length M, the main virtual horizontal plane H and the lateral virtual horizontal plane J coincide and the lateral conveyor 600 stops, and the main conveyor 500 laterally transports the object 20 wrapped in film 50 on the main conveyor 500, and the object on the main conveyor 500 The main conveyor 500 and the lateral conveyor 600 may start moving the object 20 wrapped in the film 50 laterally when the object 20 wrapped in the film 50 obstructs the optical axis of the third sensor L3, and the main conveyor 500 and the lateral conveyor 600 may stop moving laterally when the object 20 wrapped in the film 50 on the main conveyor 500 has moved a distance associated with the object 20 wrapped in the film 50 on the main conveyor 500 from the moment the object 20 on the main conveyor 500 obstructs the optical axis of the third sensor L3. Furthermore, the lateral transport function F100 determines the lateral transport distance, which is the distance over which the object 20 is transported laterally, based on the estimated X-axis width dimension of the object contour, and stores the determined lateral transport distance in association with the object 20 wrapped in the film 50 placed on the main conveyor 500. The lifting device 200 starts raising and lowering the main conveyor 500, aligning the main virtual horizontal plane H with the third stop position Z3, which is the same vertical position as the lateral virtual horizontal plane J, and stops the main conveyor 500, maintaining that state. When the sum of the lateral transport distance associated with the object 20 wrapped in film 50 placed on the main conveyor 500 and the lateral transport distance associated with each of the single or multiple objects 20 wrapped in film 50 placed on the lateral conveyor 600 is greater than the vacuum packaging machine receiving length M, and the lateral virtual horizontal plane J and the vacuum packaging machine virtual horizontal plane K coincide, the main conveyor 500 does not laterally transport, and the lateral conveyor 600 laterally transports the entire single or multiple objects 20 wrapped in film 50 placed on the lateral conveyor 600 to the vacuum packaging machine 900. Subsequently, when the main virtual horizontal plane H and the lateral virtual horizontal plane J coincide and the lateral conveyor 600 stops, the main conveyor 500 laterally moves the object 20 wrapped in the film 50 placed on the main conveyor 500. When the object 20 wrapped in the film 50 placed on the main conveyor 500 obstructs the optical axis of the third sensor L3, the main conveyor 500 and the lateral conveyor 600 begin laterally moving the object 20 wrapped in the film 50. The main conveyor 500 and the lateral conveyor 600 may then stop laterally moving the object 20 wrapped in the film 50 placed on the main conveyor 500 after it has moved a distance associated with the object 20 wrapped in the film 50 placed on the main conveyor 500 from the point in time when the object 20 wrapped in the film 50 obstructs the optical axis of the third sensor L3.

[0081] When implementing the lateral feeding mechanism F100, the main conveyor 500 may feed the object 20 wrapped in the film 50 laterally on the main conveyor 500 without waiting for the main conveyor 500 to stop at the third stop position Z3. For example, a sixth sensor L6, which is a separate optical sensor, is installed in front of the third sensor L3. When the lifting device 200 starts lowering the main conveyor 500 from the second stop position Z2 to the third stop position Z3, the main conveyor 500 moves the object 20 wrapped in the film 50 laterally along the main conveyor 500, and stops moving the main conveyor 500 laterally when the optical axis of the sixth sensor L6 is blocked. The third sensor L3 may also function as the sixth sensor L6.

[0082] One lateral transport distance is related to one object 50 wrapped in one film 50. The lateral transport distance associated with an object is greater than the X-axis width dimension of the object's contour associated with that object. For example, the lateral transport distance is the length of the object 20 wrapped in the film 50 in the X-axis direction plus a predetermined value, which is a constant X-axis distance λ. For example, the length of the object 20 wrapped in the film 50 in the X-axis direction is estimated based on the circumference of the film 50 that wraps the object 20. For example, the length of the object 20 wrapped in the film 50 in the X-axis direction is determined based on the perimeter length of the film 50 that wraps the object 20, which is estimated from the estimated object contour X-axis width dimension and the second vertical distance h2. For example, the length in the X-axis direction of the object 20 wrapped in the film 50 is the value obtained by adding a constant X-axis distance λ to half the perimeter length of the film 50 that wraps the object 20, which is estimated from the estimated object contour X-axis width dimension and the second vertical distance h2. The constant X-axis distance λ is the expected distance as the gap between objects 20 wrapped in multiple films 50 arranged adjacent to each other in series.

[0083] The lateral feed function F100 may also be a function in which, when the sum of the total length in the X-axis direction of one or more objects 20 wrapped in films 50 placed on the lateral feed conveyor 600, the object contour X-axis width dimension of the object 20 placed on the main conveyor 500, and a constant X-axis distance λ is smaller than the vacuum packaging machine receiving length M, the lateral feed conveyor 600 initially remains stationary, and only the main conveyor 500 moves to laterally feed the objects 20 wrapped in films 50 placed on the main conveyor 500. When the objects 20 wrapped in films 50 thereby obstruct the optical axis of the third sensor L3, the main conveyor 500 and the lateral feed conveyor 600 move simultaneously to laterally feed the objects 20 wrapped in films 50. After the objects 20 wrapped in films 50 no longer obstruct the optical axis of the third sensor L3, the objects are laterally fed by a constant X-axis distance λ, and then the main conveyor 500 and the lateral feed conveyor 600 are stopped. Subsequently, the main conveyor 500 remains stationary, and the lateral conveyor 600 moves the entire object 20, wrapped in multiple films 50 and placed on the lateral conveyor 600, to the vacuum packaging machine 900. Furthermore, the lateral feeding function F100 may, when the sum of the total length in the X-axis direction of one or more objects 20 wrapped in films 50 placed on the lateral feeding conveyor 600, the object contour X-axis width dimension of the object 20 placed on the main conveyor 500, and a constant X-axis distance λ is greater than the vacuum packaging machine receiving length M, not move the main conveyor 500, and the lateral feeding conveyor 600 may laterally feed the entirety of the objects 20 wrapped in multiple films 50 placed on the lateral feeding conveyor 600 to the vacuum packaging machine 900.

[0084] The lateral conveying function F100 starts the lifting and lowering of the main conveyor 500 by aligning the main virtual horizontal plane H with the third stop position Z3, which is the same height as the lateral conveying virtual horizontal plane J, and maintains that state. When the total length in the X-axis direction of one or more objects 20 wrapped in films 50 placed on the lateral conveying conveyor 600 and the sum of the object contour X-axis width dimension of the objects 20 placed on the main conveyor 500 and a constant X-axis distance λ is smaller than the vacuum packaging machine receiving length M, the lateral conveying function F100 first starts the lateral conveying function Alternatively, the main conveyor 500 may move the object 20 wrapped in the film 50 laterally without the conveyor 600 moving, and when the object 20 wrapped in the film 50 obstructs the optical axis of the third sensor L3, the main conveyor 500 and the later-feed conveyor 600 may move simultaneously to move the object 20 wrapped in the film 50 laterally, and after the object 20 wrapped in the film 50 no longer obstructs the optical axis of the third sensor L3, the main conveyor 500 and the later-feed conveyor 600 may be stopped after moving the object 20 laterally by a certain X-axis distance λ. Furthermore, the lateral feeding function F100 may, when the sum of the total length in the X-axis direction of the object 20 wrapped in one or more films 50 placed on the lateral feeding conveyor 600, the object contour X-axis width dimension of the object 20 placed on the main conveyor 500, and a constant X-axis distance λ is greater than the vacuum packaging machine receiving length M, keep the main conveyor 500 still and allow the lateral feeding conveyor 600 to laterally feed the entire object 20 wrapped in one or more films 50 placed on the lateral feeding conveyor 600 to the vacuum packaging machine 900.

[0085] When implementing the lateral feeding function F100, the total length in the X-axis direction of one or more objects 20 wrapped in films 50 placed on the lateral feeding conveyor 600 may be calculated based on the recorded X-axis width dimension of the object contour of the object 20 placed on the main conveyor 500 before the object 20 is sent from the main conveyor 500 to the lateral feeding conveyor 600. When implementing the lateral feeding function F100, the total length in the X-axis direction of one or more objects 20 wrapped in films 50 placed on the lateral feeding conveyor 600 may be determined and recorded from the time the optical axis of the third sensor L3 was obstructed when moving from the main conveyor 500 to the lateral feeding conveyor 600, and from the lateral feeding speed of the lateral feeding conveyor.

[0086] The horizontal feeding function F100 is a function in which the horizontal feeding conveyor 600 transfers the entire object 20, which is wrapped in one or more films 50, to the vacuum packaging machine virtual horizontal plane K of the vacuum packaging machine 900. The horizontal conveyor 600 moves the entire object 20, which is wrapped in one or more films 50, horizontally for a distance equivalent to the total length of the object 20 along the X-axis direction, and stops moving horizontally when the optical axis of the fourth sensor L4 is no longer obstructed. As a result, the objects 20 wrapped in one or more films 50 can be fed laterally to the vacuum packaging machine 900 without exceeding the vacuum packaging machine's receiving length M, thus preventing them from sticking out.

[0087] The operation of the primary packaging machine according to an embodiment of the present invention will be explained below with reference to the figures. Figure 4(A) shows how the object 20a is prepared.

[0088] Gate 120 is closing the opening O. The film supply device 300 feeds a pair of films 50, which are welded together in a strip shape along the Y-axis, from the left and right sides of the opening O toward the center of the opening O along the X-axis. The pair of films 50 that have been fed out are welded together in a strip shape along the Y axis and laid as a single unit on the gate top surface T. The object 20a is placed on a pair of integrated films 50 laid on the top surface T of the gate. For example, a worker places the object 20a on a pair of integrated films 50 laid on the top surface T of the gate. Figure 4(B) shows the gate 120 closing the opening O, with the object 20a placed on the upper surface T of the gate, with a pair of integrated films 50 sandwiched underneath.

[0089] When a certain period of time (for example, 2 to 10 seconds) has elapsed since the optical axis of the first sensor L1 was blocked, the gate 120 opens the opening O, and the film supply device 300 feeds a pair of films 50 along the X-axis from the left and right sides of the opening O toward the center of the opening O. Figure 4(C) shows how a pair of films 50 are fed out along the X-axis from the left and right sides of the opening O toward the center of the opening O.

[0090] When the object 20a falls and the optical axis of the first sensor L1 changes from being obstructed by the object to being unobstructed, the lifting device 200 stops the main conveyor 500 and maintains that state. If the optical axis of the first sensor L1 remains obstructed by the object for a certain period of time (for example, 10 seconds) without change, the lifting device 200 lowers the main conveyor 500. When the optical axis of the first sensor is no longer obstructed by the object 20a, the lifting device 200 stops lowering the main conveyor 500 and maintains that stopped state. Figure 4(D) shows the lifting device 200 lowering the main conveyor 500.

[0091] The film feed dimension, which is the dimension by which the film necessary to wrap and enclose the object 20a is fed, is determined, and the film supply device 300 feeds a pair of films 50 along the X-axis from the left and right sides of the opening O toward the center of the opening O, such that the sum of the feed dimensions of the pair of films 50 fed from the left and right sides of the opening O toward the center of the opening O matches the film feed dimension. Figure 4(E) shows how a pair of films are fed out along the X-axis from the left and right sides of the opening O toward the center of the opening O, wrapping around the object 20a.

[0092] The gate 120 closes the opening O. After the object 20a falls through the open opening O and lands on a pair of integrated films laid on the main virtual horizontal plane H, the film welding and cutting machine 400 feeds the pair of films 50 that have been sent down from the left and right sides of the opening O towards the center of the opening O along the X axis, welding them in a strip shape along the Y axis above the object 20a, and then cuts the welded strip portion 60 along the Y axis, separating it into upper and lower halves. Alternatively, the welded portion 60 may be cut along the Y-axis to separate it into upper and lower sections, after which the gate 120 may close the opening O. Figure 4(F) shows that when the welded portion 60, which is a strip-shaped part of the film 50 that has been welded, is cut along the Y-axis, it is separated into upper and lower sections, and the gate 120 is closing the opening O.

[0093] Figure 5(A) shows how the lifting device 200 raises and lowers the main conveyor 500 to align the main virtual horizontal plane H with the second stopping position Z2, stopping the main conveyor 500, and placing the object 20a wrapped in the film 50 onto the main virtual horizontal plane H. The lifting device 200 controls the main conveyor 500 to move up and down freely, lowering the main conveyor 500 so that the main virtual horizontal plane H is lower than the second stopping position Z2, and stopping the main conveyor 500 when the main virtual horizontal plane H aligns with the third stopping position Z3. Figure 5(B) shows how the main virtual horizontal plane H of the main conveyor 500 coincides with the lateral virtual horizontal plane J of the lateral conveyor 600.

[0094] The main conveyor 500 moves the object 20a, which is wrapped in film 50, to the lateral conveyor 600. Figure 5(C) shows how objects 20a and 20b, each wrapped in two films 50, are supported by a horizontal conveyor belt 600.

[0095] The lifting device 200 raises and lowers the main conveyor 500, aligning the main virtual horizontal plane H with the first stopping position Z1 and stopping the main conveyor 500. Figure 5(D) shows how the lifting device 200 stops the main conveyor 500 by aligning the main virtual horizontal plane H with the first stopping position Z1.

[0096] As described above, using the primary packaging machine according to the embodiment of the present invention provides the following advantages. A pair of films 50, which have been welded together into a single unit, are sent onto the main virtual horizontal plane H. The lifting device 200 lowers the main virtual horizontal plane H by a predetermined vertical distance below the opening O and stops the main conveyor 500, maintaining that state. After the object 20 is placed on the pair of films 50 on the main virtual horizontal plane H of the main conveyor 500, the pair of films 50 are welded together in a strip shape below the center of the opening O, and the welded portion 60 is cut to separate them vertically. This allows the object 20 to be efficiently wrapped in film and placed on the main virtual horizontal plane H of the main conveyor 500. The lifting equipment stop and hold function F40 causes the lifting equipment 200 to stop the main conveyor 500, so that the stopping position of the main virtual horizontal plane H corresponds to the dimensions of the object 20. Therefore, the stopping position of the main virtual horizontal plane H becomes a height corresponding to the dimensions of the object 20. The lifting equipment stop and hold function F40 causes the lifting equipment 200 to stop the main conveyor 500, so that the stopping position of the main virtual horizontal plane H corresponds to the height dimension of the contour of the object 20 when viewed with the line of sight along the Y axis. Thus, the stopping position of the main virtual horizontal plane H becomes the height corresponding to the dimensions of the object 20. In implementing the lifting equipment stop maintenance function F40, the position of the main virtual horizontal plane H when the lifting equipment 200 has stopped the main conveyor 500, or when the lifting equipment has stopped the main conveyor 500, is made to change vertically in accordance with the dimensions of the object 20. Therefore, the position of the main virtual horizontal plane H can be set to a position corresponding to the dimensions of the object 20. In implementing the lifting equipment stop maintenance function F40, the position of the main virtual horizontal plane H when the lifting equipment 200 has stopped the main conveyor 500, or when the lifting equipment 200 has stopped the main conveyor 500, is made to change vertically in accordance with the height dimension of the contour of the object 20 when viewed with the line of sight along the Y axis. Therefore, the position of the main virtual horizontal plane H can be set to a position corresponding to the height dimension of the contour of the object. When the lifting device 200 controls the main conveyor 500 to move up and down freely, the position of the main virtual horizontal plane H when the lifting device 200 stops the main conveyor 500 is made to change vertically in accordance with the height dimension of the contour of the object 20 when viewed with the line of sight along the Y axis. Thus, the position of the main virtual horizontal plane H can be set to a position corresponding to the height dimension of the contour of the object. The gate 120 closes the opening O, and with the pair of films 50, which are welded together at the center of the opening O, placed on the gate 120, the object 20 is placed on the films 50. After the gate 120 opens the opening O, the pair of films 50 are fed out, the lifting device 200 stops the main conveyor 500 by aligning the main virtual horizontal plane H with a stopping position that is lowered a predetermined vertical distance below the opening O, and maintains that state. After the object 20 is placed on the pair of films 50 on the main virtual horizontal plane H of the main conveyor 500, the pair of films 50 are welded together in a strip shape below the center of the opening O, and the welded portion 60 is cut to separate them vertically. This allows the object 20 to be efficiently wrapped in film and placed on the main virtual horizontal plane H of the main conveyor 500. When the lifting device 200 operates the main conveyor 500 so as to be able to move up and down, the gate 120 closes the opening O, and with the pair of films 50, which are welded together in the center of the opening O, placed on the gate 120, the object 20 is placed on the films 50, and after the gate 120 opens the opening O, the pair of films 50 are fed out, and the lifting device 200 stops the main conveyor 500 by aligning the main virtual horizontal plane H of the main conveyor 500, which is operated so as to be able to move up and down, with a stopping position that is a predetermined vertical distance below the opening O, and maintains that state, and after the object 20 is placed on the pair of films 50 on the main virtual horizontal plane H of the main conveyor 500 which is maintaining the stopped state, the pair of films 50 are welded in a strip shape below the center of the opening O, and the welded part 60 is cut to separate them into upper and lower halves, so that the object 20 can be efficiently wrapped in film and placed on the main virtual horizontal plane H of the main conveyor 500. The gate 120 closes the opening O, and the pair of films 50, which are welded together at the center of the opening O, are placed on the gate 120. The object 20 is then placed on the films 50, and after the gate 120 opens the opening O, the pair of films 50 are fed out so that the sum of the feed lengths of the pair of films 50 matches the film feed length. The lifting device 200 then stops the main conveyor 500 by aligning the main virtual horizontal plane H with a stopping position that is a predetermined vertical distance below the opening O. This state is maintained, and after the object 20 is placed on the pair of films 50 on the main virtual horizontal plane H of the main conveyor 500, the pair of films 50 are welded together in a strip shape below the center of the opening O, and the welded portion 60 is cut to separate them vertically. This allows the object 20 to be efficiently wrapped in the films 50 and placed on the main virtual horizontal plane H of the main conveyor 500. The gate 120 closes the opening O, and the pair of films 50, which are welded together at the center of the opening O, are placed on the gate 120. When the object 20 is placed on the films 50 and the gate 120 begins to open the opening O, the pair of films 50 are fed out so that the sum of the feed lengths of the pair of films 50 matches the film feed length. The lifting device 200 then stops the main conveyor 500 by aligning the main virtual horizontal plane H with a stopping position that is a predetermined vertical distance below the opening O. This state is maintained, and after the object 20 is placed on the pair of films 50 on the main virtual horizontal plane H of the main conveyor 500, the pair of films 50 are welded together in a strip shape below the center of the opening O, and the welded portion 60 is cut to separate them vertically. This allows the object 20 to be efficiently wrapped in the films 50 and placed on the main virtual horizontal plane H of the main conveyor 500. The gate 120 closes the opening O, and the pair of films 50, which are welded together at the center of the opening O, are placed on the gate 120. The object 20 is then placed on the films 50, and as the gate 120 opens the opening O, the pair of films 50 are fed out so that the sum of the feed lengths of the pair of films 50 matches the film feed length. The lifting device 200 then aligns the main virtual horizontal plane H with a stopping position that is a predetermined vertical distance below the opening O, stopping the main conveyor 500. This state is maintained, and after the object 20 is placed on the pair of films 50 on the main virtual horizontal plane H of the main conveyor 500, the pair of films 50 are welded together in a strip shape below the center of the opening O, and the welded portion 60 is cut to separate them vertically. This allows the object 20 to be efficiently wrapped in the films 50 and placed on the main virtual horizontal plane H of the main conveyor 500. The gate 120 closes the opening O, and the pair of films 50, which are welded together at the center of the opening O, are placed on the gate 120. The object 20 is then placed on the films 50, and once the gate 120 has finished opening the opening O, the pair of films 50 are fed out so that the sum of their feed lengths matches the film feed length. The lifting device 200 then stops the main conveyor 500 by aligning the main virtual horizontal plane H with a stopping position that is a predetermined vertical distance below the opening O. This state is maintained, and after the object 20 is placed on the pair of films 50 on the main virtual horizontal plane H of the main conveyor 500, the pair of films 50 are welded together in a strip shape below the center of the opening O, and the welded portion 60 is cut to separate them vertically. This allows the object 20 to be efficiently wrapped in the films 50 and placed on the main virtual horizontal plane H of the main conveyor 500. When the lifting device 200 controls the main conveyor 500 to move up and down, the gate 120 closes the opening O, and with the pair of films 50, which are welded together at the center of the opening O, placed on the gate 120, the object 20 is placed on the films 50, and after the gate 120 opens the opening O, the pair of films 50 are fed out so that the sum of the feed lengths of the pair of films 50 matches the film feed length, and the main virtual horizontal plane H of the main conveyor 500, which is controlled up and down by the lifting device, The main conveyor 500 is stopped at a stopping position that is a predetermined vertical distance below the opening O, and this state is maintained. After the object 20 is placed on a pair of films 50 on the main virtual horizontal plane H of the main conveyor 500, the pair of films 50 are welded together in a strip shape below the center of the opening O, and the welded portion 60 is cut to separate them vertically. This allows the object 20 to be efficiently wrapped in the films 50 and placed on the main virtual horizontal plane H of the main conveyor 500. When the lifting device 200 controls the main conveyor 500 to move up and down, the gate 120 closes the opening O, and with the pair of films 50, which are welded together at the center of the opening O, placed on the gate 120, the object 20 is placed on the films 50, and when the gate 120 begins to open the opening O, the pair of films 50 are fed out so that the sum of the feed lengths of the pair of films 50 matches the film feed length, and the main virtual horizontal plane H of the main conveyor 500, which is controlled to move up and down by the lifting device, The main conveyor 500 is stopped by aligning it with a stopping position that is a predetermined vertical distance below the opening O, and this state is maintained. After the object 20 is placed on the pair of films 50 on the main virtual horizontal plane H of the main conveyor 500, the pair of films 50 are welded together in a strip shape below the center of the opening O, and the welded portion 60 is cut to separate them vertically. This allows the object 20 to be efficiently wrapped in the films 50 and placed on the main virtual horizontal plane H of the main conveyor 500. When the lifting device 200 controls the main conveyor 500 to move up and down, the gate 120 closes the opening O, and with the pair of films 50, which are welded together at the center of the opening O, placed on the gate 120, the object 20 is placed on the films 50, and as the gate 120 opens the opening O, the pair of films 50 are fed out so that the sum of the feed lengths of the pair of films 50 matches the film feed length, and the main virtual horizontal plane of the main conveyor 500 controlled by the lifting device 200 to move up and down The main conveyor 500 is stopped by aligning H with a stopping position that is a predetermined vertical distance below the opening O, and this state is maintained. After the object 20 is placed on the pair of films 50 on the main virtual horizontal plane H of the main conveyor 500, the pair of films 50 are welded together in a strip shape below the center of the opening O, and the welded portion 60 is cut to separate them vertically. This allows the object 20 to be efficiently wrapped in the films 50 and placed on the main virtual horizontal plane H of the main conveyor 500. When the lifting device 200 controls the main conveyor 500 to move up and down, the gate 120 closes the opening O, and with the pair of films 50, which are welded together at the center of the opening O, placed on the gate 120, the object 20 is placed on the films 50, and once the gate 120 has finished opening the opening O, the pair of films 50 are fed out so that the sum of the feed lengths of the pair of films 50 matches the film feed length, and the main virtual horizontal plane H of the main conveyor 500, which is controlled to move up and down by the lifting device, The main conveyor 500 is stopped by aligning it with a stopping position that is a predetermined vertical distance below the opening O, and this state is maintained. After the object 20 is placed on the pair of films 50 on the main virtual horizontal plane H of the main conveyor 500, the pair of films 50 are welded together in a strip shape below the center of the opening O, and the welded portion 60 is cut to separate them vertically. This allows the object 20 to be efficiently wrapped in the films 50 and placed on the main virtual horizontal plane H of the main conveyor 500.

[0097] A first sensor L1 is placed at least one location on the virtual line G of the opening. When the lifting device 200 aligns the main virtual horizontal plane H with the first stop position Z1 and stops the main conveyor 500, and the object 20 passes through the opening O and the gate 120 finishes opening the opening O, if the optical axis of the first sensor L1 is not obstructed by the object 20, the lifting device 200 maintains a stopped state without raising or lowering the main conveyor 500. This allows the main conveyor 500 to support the object 20 in accordance with the size of the object 20. A first sensor L1 is placed at least one location on the opening virtual line G. When the lifting device 200 has stopped the main conveyor 500 by aligning the main virtual horizontal plane H with the first stop position Z1, and the object 20 passes through the opening O so that the lower surface of the object 20 aligns with the main virtual horizontal plane H and the gate 120 has finished opening the opening O, if the optical axis of the first sensor L1 is not obstructed by the object 20, the lifting device 200 will maintain a stopped state without raising or lowering the main conveyor 500. This allows the object 20 to be supported by the main conveyor 500 in accordance with the size of the object 20. When the lifting device 200 controls the main conveyor 500 to move up and down, a first sensor L1 is placed at least one location on the virtual line G of the opening. When the main conveyor 500, which is controlled to move up and down by the lifting device 200, is stopped with the main virtual horizontal plane H aligned with the first stop position Z1, and the object 20 passes through the opening O and the gate 120 finishes opening the opening O, if the optical axis of the first sensor L1 is not obstructed by the object 20, the main conveyor 500, which is controlled to move up and down by the lifting device 200, remains stopped without moving up or down. This allows the main conveyor 500 to support the object 20 in accordance with the size of the object 20. When the lifting device 200 controls the main conveyor 500 to move up and down, a first sensor L1 is placed at least one location on the virtual line G of the opening. When the main conveyor 500, which is controlled to move up and down by the lifting device 200, is stopped with the main virtual horizontal plane H aligned with the first stop position Z1, and the object 20 passes through the opening O so that the lower surface of the object 20 aligns with the main virtual horizontal plane H and the gate 120 has finished opening the opening O, and the optical axis of the first sensor L1 is not obstructed by the object 20, the main conveyor 500, which is controlled to move up and down by the lifting device 200, remains stopped without moving up or down. This allows the main conveyor 500 to support the object 20 in accordance with the size of the object 20. The first sensor L1 is positioned at least one location on the virtual line G of the opening. When the lifting device 200 aligns the main virtual horizontal plane H with the first stop position Z1 and stops the main conveyor 500, the object 20 passes through the opening O and the gate 120 finishes opening the opening O. When the optical axis of the first sensor L1 is obstructed by the object 20, the lifting device 200 starts lowering the main conveyor 500. The device stops when the optical axis of the first sensor L1 is no longer obstructed by the object 20 and maintains that state. This allows the object 20 to be supported by the main conveyor 500 in accordance with the size of the object 20. The first sensor L1 is positioned at least one location along the virtual line G of the opening. The lifting device 200 stops the main conveyor 500 by aligning the main virtual horizontal plane H with the first stop position Z1. When the object 20 passes through the opening O and its lower surface aligns with the main virtual horizontal plane H, and the gate 120 has finished opening the opening O, the optical axis of the first sensor L1 is obstructed by the object 20. The lifting device 200 then starts lowering the main conveyor 500, and stops when the optical axis of the first sensor L1 is no longer obstructed by the object 20, and maintains that state. This allows the object 20 to be supported by the main conveyor 500 in accordance with the size of the object 20. When the lifting device 200 controls the main conveyor 500 to move up and down, a first sensor L1 is placed at least one location on the virtual line G of the opening. When the main conveyor 500, which is controlled to move up and down by the lifting device 200, is stopped with the main virtual horizontal plane H aligned with the first stop position Z1, the object 20 passes through the opening O and the gate 120 finishes opening the opening O. When the optical axis of the first sensor L1 is obstructed by the object 20, the main conveyor 500, which is controlled to move up and down by the lifting device 200, begins to descend. When the optical axis of the first sensor L1 is no longer obstructed by the object 20, it stops and maintains that state. In this way, the object 20 can be supported by the main conveyor 500 in accordance with the size of the object 20. When the lifting device 200 controls the main conveyor 500 to move up and down, a first sensor L1 is placed at least one location on the virtual line G of the opening. When the main conveyor 500, which is controlled by the lifting device 200 to move up and down, is stopped with the main virtual horizontal plane H aligned with the first stop position Z1, the object 20 passes through the opening O, the lower surface of the object 20 aligns with the main virtual horizontal plane H, and the gate 120 has finished opening the opening O. When the optical axis of the first sensor L1 is obstructed by the object 20, the main conveyor 500, which is controlled by the lifting device 200 to move up and down, begins to descend. When the optical axis of the first sensor L1 is no longer obstructed by the object 20, it stops and maintains that state. In this way, the object 20 can be supported by the main conveyor 500 in accordance with the size of the object 20.

[0098] When implementing the opening function F20 and the lifting equipment stop and maintain function F40, the film feed dimension is determined based on the number of optical sensors among the multiple optical sensors of the second sensor L2 whose optical axis is obstructed, so that the film feed dimension can be determined in accordance with the size of the object 20. By implementing the opening opening function F20 and the lifting equipment stop and maintain function F40, the film feed dimension is determined based on the number of optical sensors among the multiple optical sensors of the second sensor L2 whose optical axis is obstructed when the object 20 is passing through the opening O. Thus, the film feed dimension can be determined in accordance with the size of the object 20. When the object 20 is falling, the object contour circumference, which is the circumference of the outline of the object 20 as seen along the Y-axis, is derived based on the number of optical sensors among the multiple optical sensors of the second sensor L2 whose optical axis is obstructed. The film feed dimension is then determined from the derived object contour circumference, making it easy to determine the film feed dimension corresponding to the object contour circumference. When the object 20 falls and passes through the opening O, the object contour circumference, which is the circumference of the outline of the object 20 as seen along the Y-axis, is derived based on the number of optical sensors among the multiple optical sensors of the second sensor L2 whose optical axis is obstructed. The film feed dimension is then determined from the derived object contour circumference, making it easy to determine the film feed dimension corresponding to the object contour circumference. When the object 20 is falling, the object contour circumference is derived based on the vertical separation distance between the specific opening and the main virtual horizontal plane H of the stopped main conveyor 500, and the maximum number of optical sensors among the multiple optical sensors of the second sensor L2 whose optical axis is obstructed. The film feeding dimension is then determined from the derived object contour circumference, making it easy to determine the film feeding dimension corresponding to the object contour circumference. When the object 20 falls and passes through the opening O, the object contour circumference is derived based on the vertical separation distance between a specific part of the opening and the main virtual horizontal plane H of the stationary main conveyor 500, and the maximum number of optical sensors among the multiple optical sensors of the second sensor L2 whose optical axis is obstructed. The film feeding dimension is then determined from the derived object contour circumference, making it possible to easily determine the film feeding dimension corresponding to the object contour circumference. After separating the film 50, the pair of films 50 are each rewound along the X-axis from the center of the opening O toward the left and right of the opening O, so that the total rewind length, which is the sum of the rewind lengths of the pair of films 50, matches the film rewind length. This allows the combined pair of films 50 to be pulled upward from the opening O.

[0099] In one embodiment of the primary packaging machine of the present invention, a main conveyor 500 that can be moved up and down by a lifting device 200, a lateral conveyor 600 that can laterally move an object 20 from the main conveyor 500 in a state that is ready for acceptance by a receiving vacuum packaging machine 900, and a third sensor L3 provided at the boundary between the two conveyors whose optical axis is blocked by the laterally moving object 20, the X-axis width dimension of the contour of the object 20 is estimated based on the number of optical sensors of the second sensor L2 blocked by the falling object 20, the lateral transport distance which is the distance the object 20 wrapped in film 50 is laterally moved based on the estimated X-axis width dimension, and the determined lateral transport distance can be stored in association with the object 20 wrapped in film 50 that is placed on the main conveyor 500. The lifting device 200 starts raising and lowering the main conveyor 500, aligning the main virtual horizontal plane H with the third stop position Z3, which is the same vertical position as the lateral virtual horizontal plane J, and stops the main conveyor 500, maintaining that state. When the sum of the lateral transport distance associated with the object 20 wrapped in film 50 placed on the main conveyor 500 and the lateral transport distance associated with each of the single or multiple objects 20 wrapped in film 50 placed on the lateral conveyor 600 is less than the vacuum packaging machine receiving length M, the main virtual horizontal plane H and the lateral virtual horizontal plane J coincide and the lateral conveyor 600 stops, and the main conveyor 500 laterally transports the object 20 wrapped in film 50 placed on the main conveyor 500, and the main conveyor 5 When the object 20 wrapped in film 50 placed on 00 obstructs the optical axis of the third sensor L3, the main conveyor 500 and the lateral conveyor 600 begin to move the object 20 wrapped in film 50 laterally. The main conveyor 500 and the lateral conveyor 600 stop moving the object 20 wrapped in film 50 when it has moved laterally by a distance associated with the object 20 wrapped in film 50 placed on the main conveyor 500 from the moment the object 20 on the main conveyor 500 obstructs the optical axis of the third sensor L3. When the sum of the lateral transport distance associated with the object 20 wrapped in film 50 placed on the main conveyor 500 and the lateral transport distance associated with each of the single or multiple objects 20 wrapped in film 50 placed on the lateral conveyor 600 is greater than the vacuum packaging machine receiving length M, and the lateral transport virtual horizontal plane J and the vacuum packaging machine virtual horizontal plane K coincide, the main conveyor 500 does not transport laterally, and the lateral conveyor 600 transports the entire single or multiple objects 20 wrapped in film 50 placed on the lateral conveyor 600 laterally to the vacuum packaging machine 900. Subsequently, when the main virtual horizontal plane H and the lateral virtual horizontal plane J coincide and the lateral conveyor 600 stops, the main conveyor 500 laterally moves the object 20 wrapped in the film 50 placed on the main conveyor 500. When the object 20 wrapped in the film 50 placed on the main conveyor 500 obstructs the optical axis of the third sensor L3, the main conveyor 500 and the lateral conveyor 600 begin laterally moving the object 20 wrapped in the film 50. When the object 20 wrapped in the film 50 placed on the main conveyor 500 has moved laterally by a distance associated with the object 20 wrapped in the film 50 placed on the main conveyor 500 from the point in time when it obstructs the optical axis of the third sensor L3, the main conveyor 500 and the lateral conveyor 600 stop laterally. This allows one or more objects 20 to be laterally moved to the vacuum packaging machine 900 efficiently and without overflow.

[0100] One embodiment of the primary packaging machine of the present invention includes a main conveyor 500 that can be moved up and down by a lifting device 200, a lateral conveyor 600 that can laterally move objects 20 from the main conveyor 500 in a state where they can be received by a receiving vacuum packaging machine 900, and a third sensor L3 provided at the boundary between the two conveyors whose optical axis is blocked by the objects 20 being moved laterally. The X-axis width dimension of the contour of the object 20 is estimated based on the number of optical sensors of the second sensor L2 that are blocked by the falling objects 20, and the total length in the X-axis direction of one or more objects 20b, ... placed on the lateral conveyor 600 and the main conveyor When the sum of the contour X-axis width dimension of the object 20a placed on the conveyor 500 and a constant X-axis distance λ is smaller than the vacuum packaging machine's receiving length M, the third sensor L3 is used to move the object 20a on the main conveyor 500 and the objects 20b, ... placed on the lateral conveyor 600 so that the distance between the object 20a and the last object 20b placed on the lateral conveyor 600 is a constant X-axis distance λ, while each object is wrapped in film. This allows multiple objects 20 to be moved to the vacuum packaging machine 900 efficiently and without any overflow. When the sum of the total length in the X-axis direction of one or more objects 20b, ... placed on the horizontal conveyor 600 and the X-axis width dimension of the object contour, which is the length in the X-axis direction of the object 20a placed on the main conveyor, and a constant X-axis distance λ is greater than the vacuum packaging machine receiving length M, the main conveyor does not move, and the entirety of one or more objects 20b, ... placed on the horizontal conveyor 600 is horizontally fed to the vacuum packaging machine 900, so that one or more objects 20 can be horizontally fed to the vacuum packaging machine 900 without waste or overflow.

[0101] One embodiment of the primary packaging machine of the present invention includes a main conveyor 500, a lateral conveyor 600 that can receive the object 20 from the main conveyor 500 and laterally move it in a state that can be received by the vacuum packaging machine 900, and a third sensor L3 provided at the boundary between the main conveyor 500 and the lateral conveyor 600, whose optical axis is blocked by the laterally moving object 20. Based on the information output by the second sensor L2, the object contour X-axis width dimension of the object 20 is estimated. Based on the estimated contour X-axis width dimension, the lateral transport distance, which is the distance over which the object 20 wrapped in the film 50 is moved laterally, is determined, and the determined lateral transport distance is stored in association with the object 20 wrapped in the film 50 placed on the main conveyor 500. When the sum of the lateral transport distance associated with the object 20 wrapped in film 50 placed on the main conveyor 500 and the lateral transport distance associated with each of the single or multiple objects 20 wrapped in film 50 placed on the lateral conveyor 600 is less than the vacuum packaging machine receiving length M, the main virtual horizontal plane H and the lateral virtual horizontal plane J coincide and the lateral conveyor 600 stops, and the main conveyor 500 laterally transports the object 20 wrapped in film 50 placed on the main conveyor 500, and the main conveyor 5 When the object 20 wrapped in film 50 placed on 00 obstructs the optical axis of the third sensor L3, the main conveyor 500 and the lateral conveyor 600 begin to move the object 20 wrapped in film 50 laterally. The main conveyor 500 and the lateral conveyor 600 stop moving the object 20 wrapped in film 50 when it has moved laterally by a distance associated with the object 20 wrapped in film 50 placed on the main conveyor 500 from the moment the object 20 on the main conveyor 500 obstructs the optical axis of the third sensor L3. When the sum of the lateral transport distance associated with the object 20 wrapped in film 50 placed on the main conveyor 500 and the lateral transport distance associated with each of the single or multiple objects 20 wrapped in film 50 placed on the lateral conveyor 600 is greater than the vacuum packaging machine receiving length M, and the lateral transport virtual horizontal plane J and the vacuum packaging machine virtual horizontal plane K coincide, the main conveyor 500 does not transport laterally, and the lateral conveyor 600 transports the entire single or multiple objects 20 wrapped in film 50 placed on the lateral conveyor 600 laterally to the vacuum packaging machine 900. Subsequently, when the main virtual horizontal plane H and the lateral virtual horizontal plane J coincide and the lateral conveyor 600 stops, the main conveyor 500 laterally moves the object 20 wrapped in the film 50 placed on the main conveyor 500. When the object 20 wrapped in the film 50 placed on the main conveyor 500 obstructs the optical axis of the third sensor L3, the main conveyor 500 and the lateral conveyor 600 begin laterally moving the object 20 wrapped in the film 50. When the object 20 wrapped in the film 50 placed on the main conveyor 500 has moved laterally by a distance associated with the object 20 wrapped in the film 50 placed on the main conveyor 500 from the point in time when it obstructs the optical axis of the third sensor L3, the main conveyor 500 and the lateral conveyor 600 stop laterally. This allows one or more objects 20 to be laterally moved to the vacuum packaging machine 900 efficiently and without overflow.

[0102] One embodiment of the primary packaging machine of the present invention includes a main conveyor 500, a lateral conveyor 600 that can receive objects 20 from the main conveyor 500 and laterally transport them in a state that can be received by a vacuum packaging machine 900, and a third sensor L3 provided at the boundary between the main conveyor 500 and the lateral conveyor 600, whose optical axis is blocked by the objects 20 being transported. Based on the information output by the second sensor L2, the X-axis width dimension of the object contour of the object 20 is estimated, and the total length in the X-axis direction of one or more objects 20b placed on the lateral conveyor 600 and the main conveyor 500 are determined. When the sum of the contour X-axis width dimension of the object 20a to be placed and a constant X-axis distance λ is smaller than the vacuum packaging machine's receiving length M, the third sensor L3 is used to move the object 20a on the main conveyor 500 and the objects 20b, ... on the lateral conveyor 600 so that the object 20a and the last object 20b, ... placed on the lateral conveyor 600 are separated by a constant X-axis distance λ while each object is wrapped in film. This allows multiple objects 20 to be moved to the vacuum packaging machine 900 efficiently and without overflow. The total length in the X-axis direction of the multiple objects 20b placed on the horizontal conveyor 600 includes the distance in the X-axis direction of the gaps between the multiple objects 20b. When the sum of the total length in the X-axis direction of one or more objects 20b placed on the lateral conveyor 600 and the X-axis width dimension of the object contour, which is the length in the X-axis direction of the object 20a placed on the main conveyor, and a constant X-axis distance λ is greater than the vacuum packaging machine receiving length M, the main conveyor does not move, and the entirety of the one or more objects 20b, ... placed on the lateral conveyor 600 is sent laterally to the vacuum packaging machine 900, thus allowing the one or more objects 20b to be sent laterally to the vacuum packaging machine 900 without waste or overflow.

[0103] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention. When packaging beef carcasses using the primary packaging machine of this invention, it is recommended to position the beef carcasses with their longest length aligned with the Y-axis at the opening. Doing so can reduce the amount of film consumed. Although the object support structure was described as being composed of a conveyor, it is not limited to this. For example, the object support structure may be composed of a plate structure with a surface on which the object is placed. In this case, a separate mechanism for moving the object laterally may be provided instead of a conveyor. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0104] O opening H is the main virtual horizontal plane. G Aperture virtual line J Transverse virtual horizontal plane K Vacuum packaging machine virtual horizontal plane M Vacuum packaging machine acceptance length T gate top surface Z1 First stop position Z2 Second stop position Z3 Third stop position h1 first vertical distance h2 second vertical distance h3 third vertical distance z Constant Z-axis distance λ Constant X-axis distance XX axis YY axis 20 Objects 20a Objects placed on the main conveyor 20b Objects placed on a horizontal conveyor 50 film 51 Film Roll 60 Welded area L1 First Sensor L2 Second Sensor L3 third sensor L4 Fourth Sensor L5 Fifth Sensor L6 Sixth Sensor 100 Workset Unit 110 frames 120 Gates 121 Slide gate 122 Slide gate 200 Lifting equipment 300 Film supply equipment 310 Film Roll Holder 320 Film Roll Rotation Mechanism 330 Film Roll Diameter Sensor 400 Film welding and cutting equipment 500 Main conveyor 600 Horizontal conveyor 610 First horizontal conveyor 620 Second horizontal conveyor 900 vacuum packaging machine F10 Film feed dimension determination function F20 opening opening function F30 Film advance function F40 Elevator stop and hold function F50 Film Separation Function F60 Film Rewind Dimension Determination Function F70 Film Rewind Function F80 Opening Closure Function F90 Object contour X-axis width dimension estimation function F100 Horizontal feed function [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0105] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2005-170390 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-137419 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2015-202881 [Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Publication No. 11-24327 [Patent Document 5] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2002-370282 [Patent Document 6] WO2019 / 069986 [Patent Document 7] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2016-113191 [Patent Document 8] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2004-161291 [Patent Document 9] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2015-202881 [Patent Document 10] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2008-30758 [Patent Document 11] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2004-161291 [Patent Document 12] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2006-76601 [Patent Document 13] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2006-69548 [Patent Document 14] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2008-127035 [Patent Document 15] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-144122 [Patent Document 16] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2006-137468 [Patent Document 17] Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 5-82886 [Patent Document 18] Japanese Patent Publication No. Hei 8-72813 [Patent Document 19] Japanese Patent Publication No. Hei 6-206287 [Patent Document 20] Japanese Patent Publication No. 10-52889 [Patent Document 21] Japanese Patent Publication No. 10-248482 [Patent Document 22] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2008-30758

Claims

1. A primary packaging machine for wrapping an object with film, When viewed from above, the X-axis and Y-axis directions are hypothetical directions for supplying the film, which are perpendicular to each other in the horizontal plane. A workpiece set unit having a frame that forms an opening that penetrates in the vertical direction, An object support structure is positioned below the opening and supports the object by aligning the lower surface of the object with a main virtual horizontal plane, which is a virtual horizontal plane. A lifting device that allows the aforementioned object support structure to be raised and lowered, A film supply device that, when viewed along the Y-axis, can feed a pair of films along the X-axis from the left and right sides of the opening toward the center of the opening, A film welding and cutting device that can weld a pair of films that have passed through the opening and hang down downwards along the Y-axis at a position above an object placed on the film, and cut the welded portion, which is the welded band, along the Y-axis to separate it into upper and lower sections, Control equipment and Equipped with, The aforementioned control device The aforementioned film supply device has a film feed dimension determination function that determines the film feed dimension, which is the dimension by which the film necessary to wrap and enclose an object is fed out, based on the contour of the object viewed along the Y-axis, corresponding to the object. The film supply device has a film feeding function that, when viewed with the line of sight along the Y-axis, feeds the pair of films along the X-axis from the left and right of the opening toward the center of the opening, such that the dimensions of each film being fed correspond to the film feeding dimensions determined by the film feeding dimension determination function in accordance with the object, while the pair of films are welded together in a strip shape along the Y-axis and are then fed toward the center of the opening. The lifting device has a stop-and-maintain function that stops the object support structure by aligning the main virtual horizontal plane with a stop position obtained by lowering it by a predetermined vertical distance from a specific part of the opening, which is a specific part of the opening, and maintains that state. After the object passes through the opening and falls onto a pair of integrated films laid on the main virtual horizontal plane, the film welding and cutting device welds the pair of films that have passed through the opening and are hanging down along the Y-axis in a strip shape above the object, and the welded portion, which is the welded part, is cut along the Y-axis to separate it into upper and lower parts, and To achieve A primary packaging machine characterized by the following features.

2. The lifting device stop-maintaining function is realized so that when the lifting device maintains the stopped state of the object support structure, the stopping position that coincides with the main virtual horizontal plane changes vertically in accordance with the dimensions of the object. The primary packaging machine according to feature 1.

3. When the lifting device stops and maintains the lifting device, and the object support structure remains stopped, the stopping position, which coincides with the main virtual horizontal plane, changes vertically in accordance with the height dimension of the object's outline when viewed along the Y-axis. The primary packaging machine according to feature 2.

4. The workset unit has a frame that forms an opening through which the workpiece passes vertically, and a gate that is a door structure that can open and close the opening and has a gate top surface which is an upper surface on which an object can be placed. The aforementioned control device When the gate is closed, and the film supply device feeds a pair of films from the left and right of the opening towards the center of the opening along the X-axis, as viewed from the Y-axis, the films are welded together in a strip along the Y-axis and laid as a single unit on the upper surface of the gate, and when an object is placed on the single unit of films laid on the upper surface of the gate, the gate opens the opening, opening opening function. To achieve The primary packaging machine according to feature 3.

5. The film feeding function is a function that feeds a pair of films along the X-axis from the left and right sides of the opening toward the center of the opening, with the film supply device viewing the pair of films along the Y-axis and feeding them out in a strip-like manner along the Y-axis toward the center of the opening, such that the sum of the feeding dimensions of the pair of films fed out along the X-axis toward the center of the opening, matches the film feeding dimension determined by the film feeding dimension determination function in accordance with the object. The primary packaging machine according to feature 4.

6. A first sensor has an optical sensor that can detect whether the optical axis emitted along the Y-axis at at least one point on the virtual line of the opening, which is a virtual line extending along the X-axis near the opening when viewed with the line of sight along the Y-axis, is obstructed or not obstructed by an object. Prepare, The lifting device stop maintenance function is a function that maintains the state in which the lifting device stops the object support structure by aligning the main virtual horizontal plane with the first stop position, which is a stop position obtained by lowering the main virtual horizontal plane by a first vertical distance from the specific part of the opening, when the object passes through the opening and the optical axis of the first sensor is not obstructed by the object. The primary packaging machine according to feature 5.

7. The aforementioned elevator stop maintenance function is, The lifting device has stopped the object support structure by aligning the main virtual horizontal plane with the first stop position, and when the object passes through the opening and the optical axis of the first sensor is obstructed by the object, the lifting device lowers the object support structure, and when the optical axis of the first sensor is no longer obstructed by the object, it stops lowering and maintains the object support structure in the stopped position, which is the second stop position. The primary packaging machine according to feature 6.

8. A second sensor has multiple optical sensors that can detect whether each optical axis, which is lined up at predetermined intervals along the virtual line of the opening (a virtual line extending along the X-axis near the opening when viewed along the Y-axis) and emitted along the Y-axis, is obstructed or not obstructed by an object. Prepare, The aforementioned film feeding dimension determination function is a function that determines the film feeding dimension based on the number of optical sensors among the multiple optical sensors of the second sensor whose optical axis is obstructed when the lifting and lowering device stop and maintain function is being implemented. The primary packaging machine according to feature 7.

9. The aforementioned film feed dimension determination function, when the lifting and lowering device stop and maintain function is implemented, derives the object contour circumference, which is the circumference of the object's outline as viewed along the Y-axis, based on the number of optical sensors among the multiple optical sensors of the second sensor whose optical axis is obstructed, and determines the film feed dimension from the derived object contour circumference. The primary packaging machine according to feature 8.

10. The film feeding dimension determination function, while the lifting device stop-maintain function is being implemented, records the maximum number of optical sensors among the multiple optical sensors of the second sensor whose optical axis is obstructed, and determines the film feeding dimension from the contour circumference of the object based on the combination of the vertical separation distance between the opening-specific portion and the main virtual horizontal plane when the lifting device maintains the state in which the object support structure is stopped, and the recorded maximum number of obstructed optical sensors. The primary packaging machine according to feature 9.

11. The aforementioned control device After the aforementioned film separation function is implemented, The film supply device has a film rewinding function that rewinds a pair of films along the X-axis from the center of the opening to the left and right of the opening, such that when viewed with the line of sight along the Y-axis, the pair of films are welded together in a strip shape along the Y-axis and become one unit, and the total rewinding dimension, which is the sum of the rewinding dimensions of the pair of films rewinding along the X-axis from the center of the opening to the left and right of the opening, matches the film rewinding dimension. To achieve, Here, the film rewind dimension is the dimension by which the film supply device rewinds the film. The primary packaging machine according to feature 10.

12. A primary packaging machine is a device used to wrap an object in film as a pre-treatment before vacuum packaging it in a vacuum packaging machine located downstream. The object support structure has a main conveyor that can be moved up and down by the lifting device and can move laterally along the X-axis an object wrapped in film that is placed on the main virtual horizontal plane. The primary packaging machine further, A lateral conveyor that supports an object wrapped in film in a state that is receivable from the main conveyor and receivable by a vacuum packaging machine, by aligning the lower surface of the object with a virtual horizontal plane which is a virtual horizontal plane for lateral transport, and can move the object laterally along the X-axis. A third sensor is provided at the boundary between the main conveyor and the lateral conveyor and has an optical sensor capable of detecting whether the optical axis emitted along the Y-axis is obstructed or not by an object being laterally conveyed from the main conveyor to the lateral conveyor. Equipped with, The aforementioned control device The maximum total length along the X-axis of one or more film-wrapped objects that can be accepted by the vacuum packaging machine is defined as the vacuum packaging machine acceptance length M. When the lifting equipment stop and maintain function is implemented, the object contour X-axis width dimension estimation function estimates the object contour X-axis width dimension, which is the width dimension in the X-axis direction of the contour of the object passing through the opening, as viewed with the line of sight along the Y-axis. The lifting device starts raising and lowering the main conveyor, aligns the main virtual horizontal plane with a third stop position which is the same vertical position as the lateral virtual horizontal plane, stops the main conveyor, and maintains that state. Based on the estimated object contour X-axis width dimension, when it is determined that the total length along the X-axis of the film-wrapped object placed on the main conveyor, which is arranged in series along the X-axis, and the single or multiple film-wrapped objects placed on the horizontal conveyor does not exceed the vacuum packaging machine's receiving length M, the main virtual horizontal plane and the horizontal virtual horizontal plane coincide, and the main conveyor and the horizontal conveyor begin horizontally moving the film-wrapped objects. When the film-wrapped object on the main conveyor and the single or multiple film-wrapped objects on the horizontal conveyor are placed in series on the horizontal conveyor, the main conveyor and the horizontal conveyor stop horizontally moving. To achieve, Here, The virtual horizontal plane of a vacuum packaging machine is a virtual horizontal plane that supports the object for the vacuum packaging machine to accept the object. The primary packaging machine according to feature 11.

13. The aforementioned lateral feeding function determines, based on the estimated object contour X-axis width dimension, that the total length along the X-axis of the object wrapped in film placed on the main conveyor (which is hypothetically arranged in series along the X-axis) and the single or multiple film-wrapped objects placed on the lateral feeding conveyor exceeds the vacuum packaging machine receiving length M. When the lateral feeding virtual horizontal plane and the vacuum packaging machine virtual horizontal plane coincide, the main conveyor does not feed laterally, and the lateral feeding conveyor feeds the single or multiple film-wrapped objects placed on the lateral feeding conveyor in series to the vacuum packaging machine. The primary packaging machine according to feature 12.

14. The film feeding function is a function that feeds a pair of films along the X-axis from the left and right sides of the opening toward the center of the opening, with the film supply device viewing the pair of films along the Y-axis and feeding them out in a strip-like manner along the Y-axis toward the center of the opening, such that the sum of the feeding dimensions of the pair of films fed out along the X-axis toward the center of the opening, matches the film feeding dimension determined by the film feeding dimension determination function in accordance with the object. The primary packaging machine according to feature 1.

15. A first sensor has an optical sensor that can detect whether the optical axis emitted along the Y-axis at at least one point on the virtual line of the opening, which is a virtual line extending along the X-axis near the opening when viewed with the line of sight along the Y-axis, is obstructed or not obstructed by an object. Prepare, The aforementioned elevator stop maintenance function is, The lifting device has stopped the object support structure by aligning the main virtual horizontal plane with a first stop position, which is a stopping position obtained by lowering the main virtual horizontal plane by a first vertical distance from the specific part of the opening. When the object passes through the opening and the optical axis of the first sensor is not obstructed by the object, the lifting device maintains the stopped state of the object support structure by aligning the main virtual horizontal plane with the first stop position. The primary packaging machine according to feature 1.

16. A first sensor has an optical sensor that can detect whether the optical axis emitted along the Y-axis at at least one point on the virtual line of the opening, which is a virtual line extending along the X-axis near the opening when viewed with the line of sight along the Y-axis, is obstructed or not obstructed by an object. Prepare, The aforementioned elevator stop maintenance function is, The lifting device has stopped the object support structure by aligning the main virtual horizontal plane with a first stop position, which is a stop position obtained by lowering the main virtual horizontal plane by a first vertical distance from the specific part of the opening. When the object passes through the opening and the optical axis of the first sensor is obstructed by the object, the lifting device lowers the object support structure. When the optical axis of the first sensor is no longer obstructed by the object, the device stops lowering and maintains the stopped state of the object support structure. The primary packaging machine according to feature 1.

17. A primary packaging machine for wrapping an object with film, When viewed from above, the X-axis and Y-axis directions are hypothetical directions for supplying the film, which are perpendicular to each other in the horizontal plane. A workpiece set unit having a frame that forms an opening that penetrates in the vertical direction, An object support structure is positioned below the opening and supports the object by aligning the lower surface of the object with a main virtual horizontal plane, which is a virtual horizontal plane. A lifting device that allows the aforementioned object support structure to be raised and lowered, A film supply device that, when viewed along the Y-axis, can feed a pair of films along the X-axis from the left and right sides of the opening toward the center of the opening, A film welding and cutting device that can weld a pair of films that have passed through the opening and hang down downwards along the Y-axis at a position above an object placed on the film, and cut the welded portion, which is the welded band, along the Y-axis to separate it into upper and lower sections, A second sensor having multiple optical sensors that can detect whether each optical axis, which is lined up at predetermined intervals along the virtual line of the opening (a virtual line extending along the X-axis near the opening when viewed along the Y-axis) and emitted along the Y-axis, is obstructed or not obstructed by an object, Control equipment and Equipped with, The aforementioned control device is The aforementioned film supply device has a film feed dimension determination function that determines the film feed dimension, which is the dimension by which the film necessary to wrap and enclose an object is fed out. The aforementioned film supply device has a film feeding function that, when viewed with the line of sight along the Y-axis, feeds the pair of films together in a strip-like manner along the Y-axis, with the pair of films welded together as one unit along the Y-axis, from the left and right sides of the opening toward the center of the opening along the X-axis, The lifting device has a stop-and-maintain function that stops the object support structure by aligning the main virtual horizontal plane with a stop position obtained by lowering it by a predetermined vertical distance from a specific part of the opening, which is a specific part of the opening, and maintains that state. After the object passes through the opening and falls onto a pair of integrated films laid on the main virtual horizontal plane, the film welding and cutting device welds the pair of films that have passed through the opening and are hanging down along the Y-axis in a strip shape above the object, and the welded portion, which is the welded part, is cut along the Y-axis to separate it into upper and lower parts, and To achieve, The aforementioned film feeding dimension determination function is a function that determines the film feeding dimension based on the number of optical sensors among the multiple optical sensors of the second sensor whose optical axis is obstructed when the lifting and lowering device stop and maintain function is being implemented. A primary packaging machine characterized by the following features.

18. A primary packaging machine for wrapping an object with film, When viewed from above, the X-axis and Y-axis directions are hypothetical directions for supplying the film, which are perpendicular to each other in the horizontal plane. A workpiece set unit having a frame that forms an opening that penetrates in the vertical direction, An object support structure is positioned below the opening and supports the object by aligning the lower surface of the object with a main virtual horizontal plane, which is a virtual horizontal plane. A lifting device that allows the aforementioned object support structure to be raised and lowered, A film supply device that, when viewed along the Y-axis, can feed a pair of films along the X-axis from the left and right sides of the opening toward the center of the opening, A film welding and cutting device that can weld a pair of films that have passed through the opening and hang down downwards along the Y-axis at a position above an object placed on the film, and cut the welded portion, which is the welded band, along the Y-axis to separate it into upper and lower sections, A second sensor having multiple optical sensors that can detect whether each optical axis, which is lined up at predetermined intervals along the virtual line of the opening (a virtual line extending along the X-axis near the opening when viewed along the Y-axis) and emitted along the Y-axis, is obstructed or not obstructed by an object, Control equipment and Equipped with, The aforementioned control device is The aforementioned film supply device has a film feed dimension determination function that determines the film feed dimension, which is the dimension by which the film necessary to wrap and enclose an object is fed out. The aforementioned film supply device has a film feeding function that, when viewed with the line of sight along the Y-axis, feeds the pair of films together in a strip-like manner along the Y-axis, with the pair of films welded together as one unit along the Y-axis, from the left and right sides of the opening toward the center of the opening along the X-axis, The lifting device has a stop-and-maintain function that stops the object support structure by aligning the main virtual horizontal plane with a stop position obtained by lowering it by a predetermined vertical distance from a specific part of the opening, which is a specific part of the opening, and maintains that state. After the object passes through the opening and falls onto a pair of integrated films laid on the main virtual horizontal plane, the film welding and cutting device welds the pair of films that have passed through the opening and are hanging down along the Y-axis in a strip shape above the object, and the welded portion, which is the welded part, is cut along the Y-axis to separate it into upper and lower parts, and To achieve, The aforementioned film feed dimension determination function, when the lifting and lowering device stop and maintain function is implemented, derives the object contour circumference, which is the circumference of the object's outline as viewed along the Y-axis, based on the number of optical sensors among the multiple optical sensors of the second sensor whose optical axis is obstructed, and determines the film feed dimension from the derived object contour circumference. A primary packaging machine characterized by the following features.

19. A primary packaging machine for wrapping an object with film, When viewed from above, the X-axis and Y-axis directions are hypothetical directions for supplying the film, which are perpendicular to each other in the horizontal plane. A workpiece set unit having a frame that forms an opening that penetrates in the vertical direction, An object support structure is positioned below the opening and supports the object by aligning the lower surface of the object with a main virtual horizontal plane, which is a virtual horizontal plane. A lifting device that allows the aforementioned object support structure to be raised and lowered, A film supply device that, when viewed along the Y-axis, can feed a pair of films along the X-axis from the left and right sides of the opening toward the center of the opening, A film welding and cutting device that can weld a pair of films that have passed through the opening and hang down downwards along the Y-axis at a position above an object placed on the film, and cut the welded portion, which is the welded band, along the Y-axis to separate it into upper and lower sections, A second sensor having multiple optical sensors that can detect whether each optical axis, which is lined up at predetermined intervals along the virtual line of the opening (a virtual line extending along the X-axis near the opening when viewed along the Y-axis) and emitted along the Y-axis, is obstructed or not obstructed by an object, Control equipment and Equipped with, The aforementioned control device is The aforementioned film supply device has a film feed dimension determination function that determines the film feed dimension, which is the dimension by which the film necessary to wrap and enclose an object is fed out. The aforementioned film supply device has a film feeding function that, when viewed with the line of sight along the Y-axis, feeds the pair of films together in a strip-like manner along the Y-axis, with the pair of films welded together as one unit along the Y-axis, from the left and right sides of the opening toward the center of the opening along the X-axis, The lifting device has a stop-and-maintain function that stops the object support structure by aligning the main virtual horizontal plane with a stop position obtained by lowering it by a predetermined vertical distance from a specific part of the opening, which is a specific part of the opening, and maintains that state. After the object passes through the opening and falls onto a pair of integrated films laid on the main virtual horizontal plane, the film welding and cutting device welds the pair of films that have passed through the opening and are hanging down along the Y-axis in a strip shape above the object, and the welded portion, which is the welded part, is cut along the Y-axis to separate it into upper and lower parts, and To achieve, The film feeding dimension determination function, while the lifting device stop-maintain function is being implemented, records the maximum number of optical sensors among the multiple optical sensors of the second sensor whose optical axis is obstructed, and determines the film feeding dimension from the contour circumference of the object based on the combination of the vertical separation distance between the opening-specific portion and the main virtual horizontal plane when the lifting device maintains the state in which the object support structure is stopped, and the recorded maximum number of obstructed optical sensors. A primary packaging machine characterized by the following features.

20. The aforementioned control device After the aforementioned film separation function is implemented, The film supply device has a film rewinding function that rewinds a pair of films along the X-axis from the center of the opening to the left and right of the opening, respectively, so that when viewed with the line of sight along the Y-axis, the pair of films are welded together in a strip shape along the Y-axis and become one, and the total rewinding dimension, which is the sum of the rewinding dimensions of the pair of films rewinding from the center of the opening to the left and right of the opening, matches the film rewinding dimension. To achieve, Here, the film rewind dimension is the dimension by which the film supply device rewinds the film. The primary packaging machine according to feature 1.

21. A primary packaging machine for wrapping an object with film, When viewed from above, the X-axis and Y-axis directions are hypothetical directions for supplying the film, which are perpendicular to each other in the horizontal plane. A workpiece set unit having a frame that forms an opening that penetrates in the vertical direction, An object support structure is positioned below the opening and supports the object by aligning the lower surface of the object with a main virtual horizontal plane, which is a virtual horizontal plane. A lifting device that allows the aforementioned object support structure to be raised and lowered, A film supply device that, when viewed along the Y-axis, can feed a pair of films along the X-axis from the left and right sides of the opening toward the center of the opening, A film welding and cutting device that can weld a pair of films that have passed through the opening and hang down downwards along the Y-axis at a position above an object placed on the film, and cut the welded portion, which is the welded band, along the Y-axis to separate it into upper and lower sections, Control equipment and Equipped with, The aforementioned control device The aforementioned film supply device has a film feeding function that, when viewed with the line of sight along the Y-axis, feeds the pair of films together in a strip-like manner along the Y-axis, with the pair of films welded together as one unit along the Y-axis, from the left and right sides of the opening toward the center of the opening along the X-axis, The lifting device has a stop-and-maintain function that stops the object support structure by aligning the main virtual horizontal plane with a stop position obtained by lowering it by a predetermined vertical distance from a specific part of the opening, which is a specific part of the opening, and maintains that state. After the object passes through the opening and falls onto a pair of integrated films laid on the main virtual horizontal plane, the film welding and cutting device welds the pair of films that have passed through the opening and are hanging down along the Y-axis in a strip shape above the object, and the welded portion, which is the welded part, is cut along the Y-axis to separate it into upper and lower parts, and To achieve, and, A primary packaging machine is a device used to wrap an object in film as a pre-treatment before vacuum packaging it in a vacuum packaging machine located downstream. The object support structure has a main conveyor that can be moved up and down by the lifting device and can move laterally along the X-axis an object wrapped in film that is placed on the main virtual horizontal plane. The primary packaging machine further includes a lateral conveyor that supports the object, which is wrapped in film in a state that is receivable from the main conveyor and receivable by the vacuum packaging machine, by aligning the lower surface of the object with a virtual horizontal plane, which is a virtual horizontal plane, and can then move the object laterally along the X-axis. A second sensor having multiple optical sensors that can detect whether each optical axis, which is lined up at predetermined intervals along the virtual line of the opening (a virtual line extending along the X-axis near the opening when viewed along the Y-axis) and emitted along the Y-axis, is obstructed or not obstructed by an object, A third sensor is provided at the boundary between the main conveyor and the lateral conveyor and has an optical sensor capable of detecting whether the optical axis emitted along the Y-axis is obstructed or not by an object being laterally conveyed from the main conveyor to the lateral conveyor. Equipped with, The aforementioned control device The maximum total length along the X-axis of one or more film-wrapped objects that can be accepted by the vacuum packaging machine is defined as the vacuum packaging machine acceptance length M. When the lifting equipment stop-and-maintain function is implemented, the object contour X-axis width dimension estimation function estimates the object contour X-axis width dimension, which is the width dimension in the X-axis direction of the contour of the object passing through the opening, as viewed with the line of sight along the Y-axis. The lifting device starts raising and lowering the main conveyor, aligns the main virtual horizontal plane with a third stop position which is the same vertical position as the lateral virtual horizontal plane, stops the main conveyor, and maintains that state. Based on the estimated object contour X-axis width dimension, when it is determined that the total length along the X-axis of the film-wrapped object placed on the main conveyor, which is arranged in series along the X-axis, and the single or multiple film-wrapped objects placed on the horizontal conveyor does not exceed the vacuum packaging machine's receiving length M, the main virtual horizontal plane and the horizontal virtual horizontal plane coincide, and the main conveyor and the horizontal conveyor begin horizontally moving the film-wrapped objects. When the film-wrapped object on the main conveyor and the single or multiple film-wrapped objects on the horizontal conveyor are placed in series on the horizontal conveyor, the main conveyor and the horizontal conveyor stop horizontally moving. To achieve, Here, The virtual horizontal plane of a vacuum packaging machine is a virtual horizontal plane that supports the object for the vacuum packaging machine to accept the object. A primary packaging machine characterized by the following features.

22. The aforementioned lateral feeding function determines, based on the estimated object contour X-axis width dimension, that the total length along the X-axis of the film-wrapped object placed on the main conveyor (arranged in series along the X-axis) and the single or multiple film-wrapped objects placed on the lateral feeding conveyor exceeds the vacuum packaging machine's receiving length M. In this case, when the lateral feeding virtual horizontal plane and the vacuum packaging machine's virtual horizontal plane coincide, the main conveyor does not feed laterally, and the lateral feeding conveyor feeds the single or multiple film-wrapped objects placed on the lateral feeding conveyor in series to the vacuum packaging machine. The primary packaging machine according to feature 21.

23. A primary packaging machine for wrapping one or more objects with film as a pre-treatment for vacuum packaging the objects in a vacuum packaging machine located downstream, When viewed from above, the X-axis and Y-axis directions are hypothetical directions for supplying the film, which are perpendicular to each other in the horizontal plane. A workpiece set unit having a frame that forms an opening that penetrates in one direction, A film supply device that, when viewed along the Y-axis, can feed a pair of films along the X-axis from the left and right sides of the opening toward the center of the opening, A film welding and cutting device that can weld a pair of films that have passed through the opening and hang down downwards along the Y-axis at a position above an object placed on the film, and cut the welded portion, which is the welded band, along the Y-axis to separate it into upper and lower sections, A main conveyor is positioned below the opening and supports the object by aligning the lower surface of the object with a main virtual horizontal plane, which is a virtual horizontal plane, and can move the film-wrapped object placed on the main virtual horizontal plane laterally along the X-axis. A lateral conveyor that supports an object wrapped in film in a state that is receivable from the main conveyor and receivable by a vacuum packaging machine, by aligning the lower surface of the object with a virtual horizontal plane which is a virtual horizontal plane for lateral transport, and can move the object laterally along the X-axis. A second sensor is a sensor that can output information for estimating the object contour X-axis width dimension, which is the width dimension in the X-axis direction of the object's contour as viewed with the line of sight along the Y-axis for an object passing through the aforementioned opening. A third sensor is provided at the boundary between the main conveyor and the lateral conveyor and has an optical sensor capable of detecting whether the optical axis emitted along the Y-axis is obstructed or not by an object being laterally conveyed from the main conveyor to the lateral conveyor. Control equipment and Equipped with, The aforementioned control device The maximum total length along the X-axis of one or more film-wrapped objects that can be accepted by the vacuum packaging machine is defined as the vacuum packaging machine acceptance length M. The aforementioned film supply device has a film feeding function that, when viewed along the Y-axis, feeds a pair of films along the X-axis from the left and right sides of the opening toward the center of the opening, with the line of sight aligned along the Y-axis, and the pair of films being welded together in a strip along the Y-axis and fed as a single unit. After the object falls through the opened opening and lands on a pair of integrated films laid on the main virtual horizontal plane, the film welding and cutting device welds the pair of films that have passed through the opening and are hanging down along the Y-axis in a strip shape above the object, and the welded portion, which is the welded strip, is cut along the Y-axis to separate it into upper and lower parts, and An object contour X-axis width dimension estimation function estimates the object contour X-axis width dimension, which is the width dimension in the X-axis direction of the object's contour as viewed with the line of sight along the Y-axis for an object passing through the aforementioned opening, Based on the estimated object contour X-axis width dimension, when it is determined that the total length along the X-axis of the film-wrapped object placed on the main conveyor, which is arranged in series along the X-axis, and the single or multiple film-wrapped objects placed on the horizontal conveyor does not exceed the vacuum packaging machine's receiving length M, the main virtual horizontal plane and the horizontal virtual horizontal plane coincide, and the main conveyor and the horizontal conveyor begin horizontally moving the film-wrapped objects. When the film-wrapped object on the main conveyor and the single or multiple film-wrapped objects on the horizontal conveyor are placed in series on the horizontal conveyor, the main conveyor and the horizontal conveyor stop horizontally moving. To achieve, Here, The vacuum packaging machine's virtual horizontal plane is a virtual horizontal plane that supports the object for the vacuum packaging machine to accept. A primary packaging machine characterized by the following features.

24. A primary packaging machine for wrapping one or more objects in film as a pre-treatment for vacuum packaging the objects in a vacuum packaging machine located downstream, When viewed from above, the X-axis and Y-axis directions are hypothetical directions for supplying the film, which are perpendicular to each other in the horizontal plane. A workpiece set unit having a frame that forms an opening that penetrates in one direction, A film supply device that, when viewed along the Y-axis, can feed a pair of films along the X-axis from the left and right sides of the opening toward the center of the opening, A film welding and cutting device that can weld a pair of films that have passed through the opening and hang down downwards along the Y-axis at a position above an object placed on the film, and cut the welded portion, which is the welded band, along the Y-axis to separate it into upper and lower sections, A main conveyor is positioned below the opening and supports the object by aligning the lower surface of the object with a main virtual horizontal plane, which is a virtual horizontal plane, and can move the film-wrapped object placed on the main virtual horizontal plane laterally along the X-axis. A lateral conveyor that supports an object wrapped in film in a state that is receivable from the main conveyor and receivable by a vacuum packaging machine, by aligning the lower surface of the object with a virtual horizontal plane which is a virtual horizontal plane for lateral transport, and can move the object laterally along the X-axis. A second sensor is a sensor that can output information for estimating the object contour X-axis width dimension, which is the width dimension in the X-axis direction of the object's contour as viewed with the line of sight along the Y-axis for an object passing through the aforementioned opening. A third sensor is provided at the boundary between the main conveyor and the lateral conveyor and has an optical sensor capable of detecting whether the optical axis emitted along the Y-axis is obstructed or not by an object being laterally conveyed from the main conveyor to the lateral conveyor. Control equipment and Equipped with, The aforementioned control device The maximum total length along the X-axis of one or more film-wrapped objects that can be accepted by the vacuum packaging machine is defined as the vacuum packaging machine acceptance length M. The aforementioned film supply device has a film feeding function that, when viewed along the Y-axis, feeds a pair of films along the X-axis from the left and right sides of the opening toward the center of the opening, with the line of sight aligned along the Y-axis, and the pair of films being welded together in a strip along the Y-axis and fed as a single unit. After the object falls through the opened opening and lands on a pair of integrated films laid on the main virtual horizontal plane, the film welding and cutting device welds the pair of films that have passed through the opening and are hanging down along the Y-axis in a strip shape above the object, and the welded portion, which is the welded strip, is cut along the Y-axis to separate it into upper and lower parts, and An object contour X-axis width dimension estimation function estimates the object contour X-axis width dimension, which is the width dimension in the X-axis direction of the object's contour as viewed with the line of sight along the Y-axis for an object passing through the aforementioned opening, Based on the estimated object contour X-axis width dimension, when it is determined that the total length along the X-axis of the object wrapped in film placed on the main conveyor, which is arranged in series along the X-axis, and the single or multiple film-wrapped objects placed on the lateral conveyor, exceeds the vacuum packaging machine receiving length M, the lateral conveying function is implemented in which, with the lateral conveying virtual horizontal plane and the vacuum packaging machine virtual horizontal plane coinciding, the main conveyor does not laterally move, and the lateral conveyor moves the single or multiple film-wrapped objects placed on the lateral conveyor in series and laterally moves them to the vacuum packaging machine. To achieve, Here, The vacuum packaging machine's virtual horizontal plane is a virtual horizontal plane that supports the object for the vacuum packaging machine to accept. A primary packaging machine characterized by the following features.

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