Pillow packaging device

Abstract

Provided is a pillow packaging device having a simple structure and capable of reliably packaging an object to be packaged with good appearance in correspondence to the length of the object to be packaged. A pillow packaging device 10 includes: a film supply part 20; a supply conveyor 25; a supply detection sensor 30; a conveyance conveyor 35; a center seal part 40; an end seal part 45; an interval input part 50 for inputting an interval G between a rear end Hb of a preceding object H to be packaged and a front end Ha of a next object H to be packaged; and a conveyance conveyor operation part 65 for operating the conveyance conveyor 35 when the supply detection sensor 30 detects the front end Ha of the object H to be packaged from a state where the conveyance conveyor 35 is stopped, and conveying the object H to be packaged by the amount of the interval G when a detection signal from the supply detection sensor 30 is cut off.

Description

Pillow Packaging Device

[0001] The present invention relates to a pillow packaging device for packaging an object to be packaged with a film.

[0002] For example, when selling vegetables, fruits, etc., it is widely practiced to use a pillow packaging device to package objects to be packaged such as vegetables and fruits with a film.

[0003] As this type of pillow packaging device, for example, in Patent Document 1 below, there is a packaging device main body provided with a center seal part for sealing both ends in the width direction of a strip-shaped film and a top seal part for sealing the front and back of the object to be packaged, and a supply conveyor arranged upstream of this packaging device main body for supplying the object to be packaged at an appropriate timing. A horizontal pillow-type packaging device is described.

[0004] This horizontal pillow-type packaging device has a product detection sensor arranged upstream of the center seal part for detecting the length of the object to be packaged, and based on the data detected by the product detection sensor, calculates the operating pattern and operating timing of the sealing means of the top seal part and the film length required for packaging based on the length of the object to be packaged, and has a control device for controlling the operation of the sealing means based on the calculated operating pattern, operating timing, and required film length.

[0005] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-41073

[0006] By the way, the objects to be packaged by a pillow packaging device may not have a uniform length, and there may be a case where it is necessary to handle objects with different lengths.

[0007] In the horizontal pillow-type packaging device of the above Patent Document 1, it is possible to handle objects to be packaged with different lengths. However, in this horizontal pillow-type packaging device, a product detection sensor for detecting the length of the object to be packaged and a control device for calculating the operating pattern etc. of the top seal part based on the length of the object to be packaged and controlling the operation of the sealing means are required, and the structure is complicated.

[0008] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a pillow packaging device that can surely package an object to be packaged beautifully while corresponding to the length of the object to be packaged with a simple structure.

[0009] To achieve the above objective, the present invention provides a pillow packaging apparatus for packaging an object with a film, comprising: a film supply unit for supplying the film; a supply conveyor for supplying the object to be packaged; a supply detection sensor for detecting the leading and trailing ends of the object to be packaged; a transport conveyor disposed downstream of the supply conveyor for transporting the object to be packaged; a center seal unit disposed on the transport conveyor for covering the object to be packaged with the film and sealing both ends of the film in the width direction; an end seal unit disposed downstream of the transport conveyor for sealing both ends of the film in the longitudinal direction; and the trailing end of the preceding object to be packaged and the leading end of the next object to be packaged. The device is characterized by comprising: an interval input unit for inputting an appropriately set interval; a conveyor operation unit that operates the conveyor when the supply detection sensor detects the leading edge of the packaged object from a stopped state of the conveyor, and transports the packaged object by the interval when the rear end of the packaged object passes the supply detection sensor and the detection signal from the supply detection sensor is cut off; and a control conveyor operation unit that stops the supply conveyor when the supply detection sensor detects the leading edge of the next packaged object following the preceding packaged object, before the conveyor operation unit has finished operating the conveyor for the interval.

[0010] According to the above invention, the conveyor operating unit operates the conveyor when the supply detection sensor detects the leading edge of the item to be packaged from a stopped state of the conveyor, and operates the conveyor for the interval input in the interval input unit when the trailing edge of the item to be packaged passes the supply detection sensor and the detection signal from the supply detection sensor is cut off. Therefore, even if the items to be packaged have varying lengths and are not of uniform length, the spacing between the items to be packaged can be made uniform during the packaging process, and the length of both ends in the longitudinal direction of the film can be secured regardless of whether the item is long or short, so that both long and short items can be packaged in an aesthetically pleasing manner.

[0011] Furthermore, since the only required sensor is a supply detection sensor, and the spacing between packaged items can be standardized by the predetermined operation of the conveyor by the conveyor operating unit, the structure of the pillow packaging device can be simplified.

[0012] Therefore, it is possible to provide a pillow packaging device that, despite its simple structure, can reliably and aesthetically package items of varying lengths.

[0013] In an embodiment of the pillow packaging apparatus, a spacing detection sensor is positioned downstream of the conveyor and upstream of the end seal portion to detect the packaged items that have been conveyed by the conveyor by the spacing portion, and an end seal operating portion may be provided to operate the end seal portion when the spacing detection sensor detects the packaged items and the end seal portion is positioned at the spacing portion.

[0014] According to the above embodiment, in addition to the supply detection sensor and the conveyor operating unit, the device also has a spacing detection sensor and an end sealing operating unit configured as described above. This allows for proper sealing of both ends of the film in the longitudinal direction when the spacing between the packaged items is consistent, and enables reliable packaging of the packaged items with the film while maintaining stable spacing between them.

[0015] In the pillow packaging apparatus of the present invention, at least the conveyor operating unit may be configured to operate by sequence control.

[0016] According to the above embodiment, since at least the conveyor operating unit operates by sequence control without using a microcontroller or the like, it is possible to provide a pillow packaging device with a simple structure that is less prone to breakage.

[0017] In an embodiment of the pillow packaging apparatus, if the supply of the packaged material is detected by the supply detection sensor and the interval is detected by the interval detection sensor, the detection by the interval detection sensor may be configured to take precedence.

[0018] According to the above embodiment, since detection by the spacing sensor is prioritized, the end seal portion ensures that both ends of the film in the longitudinal direction are sealed, and the packaged items can be packaged without being pinched.

[0019] In an embodiment of the pillow packaging apparatus, the interval detection sensor may be configured to allow adjustment of its distance from the end seal portion.

[0020] According to the above embodiment, the sealing position of both ends of the film in the longitudinal direction by the end seal portion can be appropriately adjusted depending on the shape or thickness of the packaged item, thereby improving the convenience of the packaging device.

[0021] In this invention, even when the items to be packaged have varying lengths and are not uniform in length, the spacing between the items can be made uniform during the packaging process, resulting in an aesthetically pleasing package, while also simplifying the structure.

[0022] This is an explanatory diagram showing one embodiment of the pillow packaging apparatus according to the present invention. This is an explanatory diagram showing the schematic configuration of the pillow packaging apparatus. This shows the packaging process using the pillow packaging apparatus, and is an explanatory diagram of the first step. This is an explanatory diagram of the second step of the packaging process. This is an explanatory diagram of the third step of the packaging process. This is an explanatory diagram of the fourth step of the packaging process. This is an explanatory diagram of the fifth step of the packaging process. This is a flowchart of the packaging process in the pillow packaging apparatus according to the present invention.

[0023] (An Embodiment of the Pillow Packaging Device) An embodiment of the pillow packaging device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 8. Figures 1 and 2 show a schematic configuration diagram of the pillow packaging device 10 (hereinafter also simply referred to as "packaging device 10") according to the present invention.

[0024] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the packaging apparatus 10 of this embodiment packages the object to be packaged H with a film F, and mainly consists of a film supply unit 20, a supply conveyor 25, a supply detection sensor 30, a transport conveyor 35, a center seal unit 40, an end seal unit 45, a spacing input unit 50, a spacing detection sensor 55, an output conveyor 60, a transport conveyor operating unit 65, and an end seal operating unit 70.

[0025] The packaged item H can be, for example, vegetables or fruits, but is not particularly limited. The film F is made of synthetic resin and is heat-sealable, and can be made with a logo or pattern, or plain.

[0026] The film supply unit 20 supplies the film F and includes a roll 21 around which the film F is wound, and a film forming unit 23 that forms the film F into a bag shape with openings at the front, back, and top in the supply direction. The film forming unit 23 consists of a pair of roughly triangular plates and is positioned on both sides in the width direction of a spacer 24 placed between the supply conveyor 25 and the transport conveyor 35.

[0027] The supply conveyor 25 supplies the packaged items H at a predetermined speed and is located at the most upstream end of the entire packaging apparatus 10. This supply conveyor 25 consists of, for example, a belt conveyor, a roller conveyor, etc., which is driven by a predetermined driving means (motor, etc.). In the pillow packaging apparatus of the present invention, "downstream" and "upstream" refer to the downstream and upstream parts in the process of packaging the packaged items H.

[0028] The supply detection sensor 30 detects a predetermined packaged object H supplied by the supply conveyor 25, and is located downstream of the supply conveyor 25 and upstream of the transport conveyor 35 and spacer 24. This supply detection sensor 30 is electrically connected to the control unit of the transport conveyor operating unit 65, which will be described later, and when it detects the leading edge Ha of the packaged object H, it outputs a detection signal to the control unit of the transport conveyor operating unit 65. The detection signal from the supply detection sensor 30 is also output to the control unit of the supply conveyor operating unit.

[0029] This supply detection sensor 30 consists of, for example, a pair of optical sensors arranged on both sides of the width direction of the supply conveyor 25, an ultrasonic sensor, a limit switch, or other mechanical sensors.

[0030] The supply conveyor 25 is controlled by a supply conveyor operating unit (not shown). This supply conveyor operating unit is related to the operation of the transport conveyor 35. Specifically, the supply conveyor operating unit controls the supply conveyor 25 to stop when the supply detection sensor 30 detects the leading edge Ha of the next packaged item H, before the transport conveyor 35 has finished operating for the distance G specified by the transport conveyor operating unit 65.

[0031] The transport conveyor 35 transports the packaged goods H supplied by the supply conveyor 25 at a predetermined speed and timing, and is positioned downstream of the supply conveyor 25 via a spacer 24. The operation of the transport conveyor 35 is controlled by the transport conveyor operating unit 65.

[0032] The center seal section 40 covers the packaged object H with the film F, pulls the film F from the roll 21, and seals the two ends of the film F in the width direction, and is located above the conveyor belt 35. In this embodiment, the center seal section 40 seals the upper opening of the film F, which is transported in a bag shape with an open top by the film forming section 23 of the film supply section 20, by heat sealing, thereby forming the film F into a bag shape with an open front-to-back direction.

[0033] The center seal section 40 has a plurality of rollers (not shown), and these rollers are used to pull the film F from the roll 21. The film pulling mechanism consisting of the plurality of rollers for pulling the film F from the roll 21 is driven and stopped at the same time as the conveyor belt 35.

[0034] The end seal portion 45 seals both ends of the film F in the longitudinal direction and is positioned downstream of the conveyor belt 35 at a predetermined distance. As shown in Figure 2, the end seal portion 45 in this embodiment consists of a pair of heat seal portions 46 positioned above and below the film F.

[0035] These pair of heat-sealing sections 46 clamp the film F and heat-seal it, thereby sealing both ends of the film F in the longitudinal direction. The end seal section 45 is also equipped with a film cutter (not shown), which can cut the film F along with sealing both ends of the film F in the longitudinal direction (see Figure 7). The operation of the end seal section 45 is controlled by the end seal operation section 70.

[0036] The aforementioned spacing input unit 50 inputs the spacing G (see Figures 2 and 6) between the rear end Hb of the preceding packaged object H and the front end Ha of the next packaged object H. The spacing G can be set appropriately according to the length and type of the packaged object H (for example, 15 cm).

[0037] The interval detection sensor 55 detects the packaged items H (which will be described later) that have been transported by the conveyor belt 35 by the interval G, and is positioned downstream of the conveyor belt 35 and upstream of the end seal portion 45. Furthermore, the interval detection sensor 55 is slidably positioned in the front-rear direction relative to the horizontal frame 56 of the packaging device 10, and is configured to allow adjustment of its distance from the end seal portion 45.

[0038] The spacing detection sensor 55 consists of, for example, a pair of optical sensors arranged on both sides of the width direction of the conveyor belt 35, an ultrasonic sensor, a limit switch, or other mechanical sensors.

[0039] Incidentally, the supply detection sensor 30 may detect the supply of the packaged item H, and the interval detection sensor 55 may also detect the packaged item H. In this case, the system is configured to prioritize the detection by the interval detection sensor 55.

[0040] The unloading conveyor 60 shown in FIG. 2 unloads the packaged object H, which has been conveyed by the conveying conveyor 35 and whose longitudinal ends have been sealed by the end sealing section 45 and is packaged in a bag-shaped film F, from the packaging device 10 at a predetermined speed and at a predetermined timing. It is arranged downstream of the conveying conveyor 35, the interval detection sensor 55, and the end sealing section 45. This unloading conveyor 60 is composed of, for example, a belt conveyor, a driving roller conveyor, etc., which are driven by driving means such as a motor.

[0041] When the supply detection sensor 30 detects the leading end Ha of the packaged object H from the state where the conveying conveyor 35 has stopped, the conveying conveyor operation section 65 operates the conveying conveyor 35, and when the trailing end Hb of the packaged object H passes through the supply detection sensor 30 and the detection signal from the supply detection sensor 30 is cut off (immediately after the supply detection sensor 30 detects the trailing end Hb of the packaged object H), it conveys the packaged object H by the amount of the interval G input at the interval input section 50.

[0042] The conveying conveyor operation section 65 of this embodiment is composed of, for example, a driving section 66 that includes a motor, a sprocket, a chain, etc. and drives the conveying conveyor 35, and a control section (not shown) that receives the interval G input at the interval input section 50 and operates the conveying conveyor 35 at the above timing (when the supply detection sensor 30 detects the leading end Ha of the packaged object H from the state where the conveying conveyor 35 has stopped) based on this interval G.

[0043] The above control section of the conveying conveyor operation section 65 is connected to the supply detection sensor 30 and receives the detection signal from the supply detection sensor 30, and is also connected to the control section (described later) of the end sealing operation section 70 so that a conveying conveyor operation signal is input.

[0044] More specifically, when the detection signal of the leading end Ha of the packaged object H from the supply detection sensor 30 is input to the above control section of the conveying conveyor operation section 65, it starts and operates the conveying conveyor 35.

[0045] Furthermore, the conveyor operation unit 65 continues to operate the conveyor 35, conveys the packaged object H downstream along the conveyance line, and when the rear end Hb of the packaged object H passes through the supply detection sensor 30 and the detection signal from the supply detection sensor 30 is cut off (when the detection signal of the rear end Hb of the packaged object H from the supply detection sensor 30 is input to the control unit of the conveyor operation unit 65, immediately after the supply detection sensor 30 detects the rear end Hb of the packaged object H), it continues to operate (continue the operation) the conveyor 35 for the amount of the interval G input by the interval input unit 50.

[0046] In addition, when the supply detection sensor 30 does not detect the packaged object H, the conveyor operation unit 65 stops the conveyor 35, except when operating the conveyor 35 for the amount of the above-mentioned interval G.

[0047] Also, the conveyor operation unit 65 is configured to operate by sequence control without using a microcomputer (microcomputer) or the like. Note that the conveyor operation unit may be configured to operate by microcomputer control using a microcomputer or the like, or may be configured to operate by a combined control of sequence control and microcomputer control.

[0048] The end seal operation unit 70 operates the end seal unit 45 when the interval detection sensor 55 detects the packaged object H conveyed by the conveyor 35 for the amount of the interval G and the end seal unit 45 is positioned at the interval G. That is, even when the interval detection sensor 55 detects the packaged object H, when the end seal unit 45 is positioned on the packaged object H covered with the film F, the end seal operation unit 70 does not operate the end seal unit 45, and is configured such that the packaged object H is not sandwiched between the pair of heat seal portions 46, 46. When the end seal operation unit 70 operates, the conveyor 35 and the carry-out conveyor 60 are stopped.

[0049] The end seal operating unit 70 in this embodiment consists of, for example, a lifting rod that moves up and down by an air cylinder or an electric actuator, and comprises a heat seal drive unit 71 that moves the pair of heat seal units 46, 46 closer together and further apart, and a control unit (not shown) that operates the end seal unit 45 at the above timing (when the spacing detection sensor 55 detects the packaged object H and the end seal unit 45 is positioned at the spacing G).

[0050] Furthermore, the control unit of the end seal operation unit 70 is electrically connected to the control unit of the conveyor operation unit 65, and when the spacing detection sensor 55 detects the packaged object H and the end seal unit 45 is positioned over the packaged object H covered with film F, the control unit of the conveyor operation unit 65 outputs an operation signal to prompt the operation of the conveyor 35.

[0051] Furthermore, the end seal operating unit 70 is configured to operate by sequence control without using a microcontroller, similar to the conveyor operating unit 65. The end seal operating unit may also be operated by microcontroller control using a microcontroller, or by a combination of sequence control and microcontroller control.

[0052] (Operation of the pillow packaging device) Next, an example of the operation of the packaging device 10 will be explained with reference to Figures 3 to 8.

[0053] First, a desired interval G is input to the interval input unit 50 (step S1 in Figure 8). At the same time, the film F is set in the film forming unit 23 and made ready for the film F to be supplied by the film supply unit 20. The positions of the end seal unit 45 and the interval detection sensor 55 are also adjusted as appropriate. In this state, the pair of heat seal units 46, 46 of the end seal unit 45 are separated from each other and retracted from the film F (see the dashed lines in Figures 2 and 7).

[0054] Next, the supply conveyor operating unit operates the supply conveyor 25 (step S2 in Figure 8), and the preceding packaged item H (first packaged item) is placed on the supply conveyor 25. In this state, that is, when the supply detection sensor 30 does not detect the packaged item H, the transport conveyor 35 is stopped. Of course, the supply conveyor 25 may also be operated after the packaged item H has been placed on the supply conveyor 25.

[0055] Then, the supply conveyor 25 supplies the packaged item H to the transport conveyor 35 at a predetermined speed. As shown in Figure 3, when the leading edge Ha of the packaged item H passes the supply detection sensor 30 and the supply detection sensor 30 detects the leading edge Ha of the packaged item H, the transport conveyor operating unit 65 operates the transport conveyor 35, as shown in Figure 4.

[0056] Furthermore, when the rear end Hb of the packaged object H passes the supply detection sensor 30 and the detection signal from the supply detection sensor 30 is cut off (immediately after the supply detection sensor 30 detects the rear end Hb of the packaged object H), the preceding packaged object H is transported by the distance G input by the interval input unit 50 (step S3 in Figure 8). At this time, the film F is also transported by the distance G. In this case, the distance G is the distance between the rear end Hb of the preceding packaged object H and the front end Ha of the following packaged object H.

[0057] Then, when the supply detection sensor 30 does not detect the packaged item H, the conveyor operation unit 65 stops the conveyor 35 and has the packaged item H wait in that position. In this embodiment, the packaged item H is placed on the spacer 24 and the conveyor 35 and enters a waiting state (see Figure 4).

[0058] Subsequently, the supply conveyor 25 supplies the next packaged item H. As shown in Figure 5, when the leading edge Ha of the next packaged item H is positioned at the supply detection sensor 30, as shown in Figure 6, the transport conveyor operating unit 65 operates the transport conveyor 35. When the trailing edge Hb of the packaged item H passes the supply detection sensor 30, the next packaged item H is transported by the distance G. At this time, the preceding packaged item H is also transported by the distance G. If the supply detection sensor 30 detects the leading edge Ha of the next packaged item H before the transport conveyor 35 has finished operating for the distance G, the supply conveyor 25 stops.

[0059] As a result, as shown in Figure 6, the distance G between the rear end Hb of the preceding packaged object H and the front end Ha of the next packaged object H is maintained at the distance G input by the distance input unit 50.

[0060] Subsequently, the above operations, namely (1) stopping the conveyor belt 35 and having the packaged object H wait at that position, (2) supplying the next packaged object H and detecting it with the supply detection sensor 30, and (3) transporting the packaged object H by the conveyor belt 35 over a distance G, are repeated sequentially, thereby maintaining the distance G between the rear end Hb of the preceding packaged object H and the front end Ha of the next packaged object H.

[0061] Furthermore, the packaged items H supplied to the transport conveyor 35 by the supply conveyor 25 are transported on the transport conveyor 35 together with a bag-shaped film F that is open at the front, back, and top, and the center seal portion 40 seals the two ends of the film F in the width direction (step S4 in Figure 8).

[0062] Subsequently, the transport conveyor 35 transports the multiple center-sealed packaged items H, and when the spacing detection sensor 55 detects the packaged items H that have been transported by the transport conveyor 35 by the spacing G, and the spacing G reaches a position that aligns with the end seal portion 45 (see step S5 in Figure 8), the transport conveyor 35 and the discharge conveyor 60 stop, and the end seal operation unit 70 operates the end seal portion 45 (see Figure 7).

[0063] Then, the pair of heat-sealing parts 46, 46 of the end seal part 45 move closer together and sequentially seal both ends of the film F in the longitudinal direction (see step S6 in Figure 8), and a pillow package is manufactured in which the packaged item H is covered with the film F. This pillow package is then separated from the film F and discharged by the discharge conveyor 60 from the packaging device 10.

[0064] In step S5 of Figure 8, if the spacing sensor 55 detects the packaged item H, but the end seal portion 45 is not positioned at the spacing G and is instead positioned at the packaged item H, the conveyor belt 35 further transports the packaged item H (step S7 of Figure 8) to position the end seal portion 45 at the spacing G.

[0065] In this embodiment, the method for manufacturing a pillow packaging is as follows: a method for manufacturing a pillow packaging by packaging an object with a film, comprising: a film supply unit for supplying the film; a supply conveyor for supplying the object to be packaged; a supply detection sensor for detecting the supply of the object to be packaged; a transport conveyor disposed downstream of the supply conveyor for transporting the object to be packaged; a center seal unit disposed on the transport conveyor for covering the object to be packaged with the film and sealing both ends of the film in the width direction; an end seal unit disposed downstream of the transport conveyor for sealing both ends of the film in the longitudinal direction; and a preceding The system includes an interval input unit for inputting the distance between the rear end of the packaged object and the front end of the next packaged object. The system is configured such that the conveyor stops when the supply detection sensor does not detect the packaged object, and when the supply detection sensor detects the front end of the packaged object from this stopped state, the conveyor operates, and when the rear end of the packaged object passes the supply detection sensor and the detection signal from the supply detection sensor is cut off (immediately after the supply detection sensor detects the rear end of the packaged object), the packaged object is conveyed by the specified interval.

[0066] Furthermore, in the above-described method for manufacturing pillow packaging, a spacing detection sensor is positioned downstream of the conveying conveyor and upstream of the end seal portion to detect the packaged items that have been conveyed by the conveying conveyor by the aforementioned spacing. The system is configured to operate the end seal portion when the spacing detection sensor detects the packaged items and the end seal portion is positioned at the aforementioned spacing.

[0067] (Effects and Effects) Next, the effects and effects of the packaging device 10 having the above configuration will be explained.

[0068] According to the packaging device 10 with the above configuration, the conveyor operating unit 65 operates the conveyor 35 when the supply detection sensor 30 detects the leading edge Ha of the packaged item H from a stopped state, and continues operating the conveyor 35 for the interval G when the rear end Hb of the packaged item H passes the supply detection sensor 30 and the detection signal from the supply detection sensor 30 is cut off (immediately after the supply detection sensor 30 detects the rear end Hb of the packaged item H).

[0069] Furthermore, if the supply detection sensor 30 detects the leading edge Ha of the next packaged item H before the end of the operation of the transport conveyor 35 for the interval G (while the transport conveyor 35 is still operating for the interval G and before the operation is completed), a supply conveyor operating unit (not shown) stops the supply conveyor 25.

[0070] Therefore, even if the objects H to be packaged have varying lengths and are not uniform in length, the spacing G between adjacent objects H can be adjusted during the packaging process. This makes it possible to ensure that the length of both ends of the film F in the longitudinal direction is appropriate, regardless of whether the objects H are long or short.

[0071] As a result, both long and short packaged items H can be packaged attractively. In particular, it prevents the ends of the bag-shaped film F in the longitudinal direction from being too long relative to the length of the packaged item H, which would detract from the appearance.

[0072] Furthermore, in this packaging device 10, the only sensor required to align the spacing G between adjacent items H, H is the supply detection sensor 30. In addition, the spacing G between items H, H can be aligned by the predetermined operation of the conveyor belt 35 by the conveyor belt operating unit 65, as described above, thus simplifying the structure of the packaging device 10.

[0073] As described above, we can provide a packaging device 10 that, despite its simple structure, can reliably and aesthetically package the object H to be packaged, accommodating both the length and width of the object H.

[0074] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a spacing detection sensor 55 is positioned downstream of the conveyor belt 35 and upstream of the end seal portion 45 to detect the packaged object H that has been transported by the conveyor belt 35 by the spacing G. The end seal operating unit 70 operates the end seal portion 45 when the spacing detection sensor 55 detects the packaged object H and the end seal portion 45 is positioned at spacing G.

[0075] According to the above embodiment, in addition to the supply detection sensor 30 and the conveyor operating unit 65, there is also a spacing detection sensor 55 and an end seal operating unit 70 configured as described above. This allows for proper sealing of both ends of the film F in the longitudinal direction when the spacing G between adjacent packaged items H, H is aligned, and enables reliable packaging of the packaged items H with the film F while stably maintaining the spacing G between the packaged items H, H.

[0076] Furthermore, in this embodiment, at least the conveyor operating unit 65 is configured to operate by sequence control.

[0077] According to the above embodiment, at least the conveyor operating unit 65 operates by sequence control without using a microcontroller or the like, so a packaging device 10 with a simple structure that is less prone to breakage can be provided.

[0078] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the supply detection sensor 30 detects the supply of the packaged material H and the interval detection sensor 55 detects the interval G, the detection by the interval detection sensor 55 is given priority.

[0079] According to the above embodiment, since detection by the interval detection sensor 55 is prioritized, the end seal portion 45 ensures that both ends of the film F in the longitudinal direction are sealed, and the packaged item H can be packaged without getting caught (the packaged item H cannot get caught in the sealed portions of both ends of the film F in the longitudinal direction).

[0080] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the interval detection sensor 55 is configured to be able to adjust its distance from the end seal portion 45.

[0081] According to the above embodiment, the sealing position of both ends of the film F in the longitudinal direction by the end seal portion 45 can be appropriately adjusted depending on the shape or thickness of the packaged item H, thereby improving the convenience of the packaging device 10.

[0082] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modified embodiments are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention, and such embodiments are also included in the scope of the present invention.

[0083] 10...Pillow packaging device, 20...Film supply unit, 25...Supply conveyor, 30...Supply detection sensor, 35...Conveyor conveyor, 40...Center seal unit, 45...End seal unit, 50...Spacing input unit, 55...Spacing detection sensor, 60...Discharge conveyor, 65...Conveyor conveyor operation unit, 70...End seal operation unit, H...Packaged item, F...Film, G...Spacing.

Claims

1. A pillow packaging apparatus for packaging an object with a film, comprising: a film supply unit for supplying the film; a supply conveyor for supplying the leading and trailing ends of the object to be packaged; a supply detection sensor for detecting the supply of the object to be packaged; a transport conveyor disposed downstream of the supply conveyor for transporting the object to be packaged; a center seal unit disposed on the transport conveyor for covering the object to be packaged with the film and sealing both ends of the film in the width direction; an end seal unit disposed downstream of the transport conveyor for sealing both ends of the film in the longitudinal direction; an interval input unit for inputting an appropriately set interval between the trailing end of a preceding object to be packaged and the leading end of the next object to be packaged; a transport conveyor operation unit for operating the transport conveyor when the supply detection sensor detects the leading end of the object to be packaged from a stopped state of the transport conveyor, and transporting the object by the specified interval when the trailing end of the object to be packaged passes the supply detection sensor and the detection signal from the supply detection sensor is cut off; A pillow packaging apparatus characterized by having a control conveyor operating unit that stops the supply conveyor when the supply detection sensor detects the leading edge of the next packaged item of the preceding packaged item before the transport conveyor operating unit has finished operating the transport conveyor for the amount of the interval, wherein the supply detection sensor detects the leading edge of the next packaged item of the preceding packaged item.

2. The pillow packaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least the conveyor operating unit is configured to operate by sequence control.

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