Sealing device

Abstract

The present invention provides a sealing device in which a heater can be heated to a temperature that enables heat-sealing even when the voltage of supplied electric power is not more than 48 V. Provided is a sealing device which comprises a first sandwiching part and a second sandwiching part that is movably connected to the first sandwiching part such that the second sandwiching part can be moved between a sealing position where a packaging material is sandwiched between the first sandwiching part and the second sandwiching part in the sandwiching direction and a non-sealing position where the second sandwiching part is separate from the first sandwiching part and to which electric power having a voltage of not more than 48 V is supplied, wherein: the first sandwiching part includes a heater that generates heat by supply of electric power and that heat-seals the packaging material and a first thermal insulator that has an end to which the heater is disposed; and the second sandwiching part includes a second thermal insulator that sandwiches the heater with the first thermal insulator in the sandwiching direction when the second sandwiching part is located at the sealing position.

Description

Sealing device

[0001] The present invention relates to a sealing device.

[0002] Conventionally, for example, a sealing device includes a first clamping portion and a second clamping portion that seal with a packaging material sandwiched therebetween. The first clamping portion includes a heater that generates heat by being energized to heat-seal the packaging material, and a first silicone rubber in which the heater is disposed at the tip portion. The second clamping portion includes a second silicone rubber that disposes the heater between it and the first silicone rubber (for example, Patent Document 1). Note that the thermal conductivity of silicone rubber is, for example, 0.2 W / (m·K).

[0003] And conventionally, the voltage of the power supplied to the sealing device is, for example, 100 V which is the voltage of a commercial power supply, or, for example, 200 V. By the way, there is a desire to heat-seal a packaging material by supplying power having a voltage of 48 V or less.

[0004] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2016-203983

[0005] Therefore, the problem is to provide a sealing device capable of raising the temperature of a heater to a temperature at which heat-sealing is possible even when the voltage of the supplied power is 48 V or less.

[0006] The sealing device includes a first clamping portion, a second clamping portion movably connected to the first clamping portion so as to be movable between a sealing position where a packaging material is sandwiched in a sandwiching direction by the first clamping portion and a non-sealing position away from the first clamping portion. In the sealing device to which power having a voltage of 48 V or less is supplied, the first clamping portion includes a heater that generates heat by being energized with the power to heat-seal the packaging material, and a first heat insulator in which the heater is disposed at the tip portion. The second clamping portion includes a second heat insulator that disposes the heater between it and the first heat insulator in the sandwiching direction when located at the sealing position.

[0007] Overall view of a sealing device according to one embodiment (a: diagram showing the first clamping portion and the second clamping portion in the sealing position, b: diagram showing the first clamping portion and the second clamping portion in the non-sealing position) Diagram of a component according to the same embodiment (a: perspective view of the first clamping portion, b: perspective view of the second clamping portion) Enlarged cross-sectional view of line III-III in Figure 1(a) Enlarged cross-sectional view of line IV-IV in Figure 1(a) Enlarged cross-sectional view of line V-V in Figure 1(a)

[0008] In each drawing, the dimensions of components may be enlarged or reduced from their actual dimensions for the sake of clarity, and the dimensional ratios between drawings may not be consistent. Furthermore, in each drawing, some components may be omitted for the sake of clarity.

[0009] Terms including ordinal numbers such as "first," "second," etc., are used to describe various components, but these terms are used solely for the purpose of distinguishing one component from others, and the components are not particularly limited by these terms. Furthermore, the number of components including ordinal numbers is not particularly limited; for example, there may be only one. Also, the ordinal numbers used in the following specification and drawings may differ from the ordinal numbers described in the claims.

[0010] The following description will explain one embodiment of the sealing device with reference to Figures 1 to 5. Note that the following embodiment is provided as an example to aid in understanding the configuration of the sealing device, and does not limit the configuration of the sealing device.

[0011] As shown in Figure 1, the sealing device 1 comprises a first clamping section 2 and a second clamping section 3 that clamp and seal the packaging material P1 in a clamping direction D3, a force-applying section 5 that applies force to the first clamping section 2 and the second clamping section 3, and a power supply section 7 connected to a power source (not shown). The first clamping section 2 is equipped with a heater 4 (not shown in Figure 1) that generates heat when energized to heat-seal the packaging material P1.

[0012] In each figure, the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 are perpendicular to the clamping direction D3, and the first direction D1, the second direction D2, and the clamping direction D3 are perpendicular to each other. Furthermore, in this specification, unless otherwise specified, directions D1 to D3 refer to the directions D1 to D3 when the second clamping portion 3 is in the sealing position.

[0013] The second clamping portion 3 is connected to the first clamping portion 2 so as to be movable relative to the first clamping portion 2. The second clamping portion 3 is movable relative to the first clamping portion 2 to a sealing position in which it clamps the packaging material P1 in the clamping direction D3 with the first clamping portion 2 (for example, the position shown in Figure 1(a)) and to a non-sealing position away from the first clamping portion 2 (for example, the position shown in Figure 1(b)).

[0014] For example, as in this embodiment, the first clamping portion 2 and the second clamping portion 3 may be rotatably connected about the second direction D2 as an axis. This allows the first clamping portion 2 to move relative to the second clamping portion 3 while rotating about the second direction D2 as an axis, and the second clamping portion 3 to move relative to the first clamping portion 2 while rotating about the second direction D2 as an axis.

[0015] The force-applying part 5 is an elastic body that applies an elastic restoring force to the first clamping part 2 and the second clamping part 3 so that the second clamping part 3 is positioned in the sealing position. Although not particularly limited, the force-applying part 5 may be, for example, a pair of C-shaped springs as in this embodiment.

[0016] While not particularly limited, for example, when an external force is applied to the sealing device 1, the first gripping portion 28 of the first clamping portion 2 and the second gripping portion 34 of the second clamping portion 3 approach each other, and the force-applying portion 5 elastically deforms, causing the second clamping portion 3 to be in a non-sealing position. Alternatively, for example, when the external force on the sealing device 1 is removed, the force-applying portion 5 returns to its original state, and the first gripping portion 28 and the second gripping portion 34 separate, causing the second clamping portion 3 to be in a sealing position.

[0017] In this embodiment, for example, the power supply unit 7 is connected to an external power source (not shown) that supplies power with a voltage of 48V or less. In this embodiment, for example, the power supply unit 7 has a connection port for connecting to an external power source that supplies a voltage of 5V (for example, a mobile battery, an electronic device, etc.). In this embodiment, for example, the power supply unit 7 is provided in the first clamping portion 2.

[0018] While not particularly limited, the power supply unit 7 may be, for example, a port into which a connector (not shown) connected to a cable is inserted, as in this embodiment. Alternatively, the power supply unit 7 may be a USB port into which a USB connector is inserted, as in this embodiment.

[0019] As shown in Figure 2, the sealing device 1 includes, for example in this embodiment, a circuit switching unit 6 that switches the electrical circuit between an energized state where current flows and an interrupted state where current is interrupted. The circuit switching unit 6 includes, for example in this embodiment, a switch unit 61 (see Figure 2(a)) that closes the electrical circuit when subjected to an external force and opens the electrical circuit when the external force is removed, and an operating unit 62 (see Figure 2(b)) that performs operations on the switch unit 61.

[0020] The operating unit 62 is attached to the second clamping portion 3, for example, as in this embodiment. The operating unit 62 presses the switch portion 61 when the first clamping portion 2 and the second clamping portion 3 are in a sealing position, and moves away from the switch portion 61 when the first clamping portion 2 and the second clamping portion 3 separate.

[0021] The switch unit 61 is attached to the first clamping unit 2, for example, as in this embodiment. The switch unit 61 closes the electrical circuit when pressed by the operating unit 62, for example, and opens the electrical circuit when the operating unit 62 moves away from the switch unit 61.

[0022] As shown in Figure 2(a), the first clamping portion 2 comprises a first heat insulating body 21 located on the side of the second clamping portion 3, a first support portion 22 that supports the first heat insulating body 21, a control portion 23 that controls the sealing device 1, a cover portion 24 that covers the control portion 23, and an input portion 27 (see Figure 1) into which an instruction to start heat sealing is input.

[0023] As shown in Figure 2(b), the second clamping portion 3 comprises a second heat insulating body 31 located on the side of the first clamping portion 2, a heat dissipation portion 32 (not shown in Figure 2(b)) that contacts the base end portion 31b of the second heat insulating body 31 to dissipate heat from the second heat insulating body 31, and a second support portion 33 that supports the heat dissipation portion 32.

[0024] The first insulating body 21 extends linearly in the second direction D2 and is formed in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, as in this embodiment. Therefore, the length direction (longitudinal direction) D2 of the first insulating body 21 is parallel to the second direction D2, the width direction (short direction) D1 of the first insulating body 21 is parallel to the first direction D1, and the thickness direction D3 of the first insulating body 21 is parallel to the clamping direction D3.

[0025] The first insulating body 21 may extend in a curved shape in the second direction D2, for example. The first insulating body 21 may also be formed such that the tip surface of the tip portion 21a is rectangular. For example, the first insulating body 21 may be formed in the shape of a triangular or pentagonal or more polygonal prism, or in the shape of a semi-cylindrical or semi-elliptical prism.

[0026] The second insulating body 31 extends linearly in the second direction D2 and is formed in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, as in this embodiment. Therefore, the length direction (longitudinal direction) D2 of the second insulating body 31 is parallel to the second direction D2, the width direction (short direction) D1 of the second insulating body 31 is parallel to the first direction D1, and the thickness direction D3 of the first insulating body 21 is parallel to the clamping direction D3.

[0027] Furthermore, the second insulating body 31 is formed such that it aligns with the first insulating body 21 when, for example, the second clamping portion 3 is in the sealing position. As a result, when the first clamping portion 2 and the second clamping portion 3 approach each other with the packaging material P1 placed between them (see Figure 1(b)), the first insulating body 21 and the second insulating body 31 come into contact via the packaging material P1.

[0028] The second insulator 31 has a smaller thickness (length in the clamping direction D3) than the first insulator 21 (see Figures 3 to 5). As a result, the second insulator 31 conducts heat more easily than the first insulator 21 in the clamping direction D3. Although not particularly limited, the second insulator 31 may have a thickness of, for example, 1 / 2 or less the thickness of the first insulator 21.

[0029] The first insulator 21 and the second insulator 31 are, for example, elastically deformable elastic bodies in this embodiment. Furthermore, the thermal conductivity of the first insulator 21 and the second insulator 31 is smaller than the thermal conductivity of the first support portion 22, the second support portion 33, and the heat dissipation portion 32 in this embodiment. The first insulator 21 and the second insulator 31 are made of the same material in this embodiment.

[0030] While not particularly limited, the thermal conductivity of the first insulator 21 and the second insulator 31 may be, for example, 0.15 W / (m·K) or less, and preferably 0.10 W / (m·K) or less. Furthermore, while not particularly limited, the first insulator 21 and the second insulator 31 may be made of, for example, a silicone sponge. The thermal conductivity of the silicone sponge is, for example, 0.059 W / (m·K).

[0031] As shown in Figure 2(a), in this embodiment, for example, the heater 4 extends in the longitudinal direction D2 of the first insulator 21 and is located on the side of the second clamping portion 3 of the first insulator 21. Thus, the heater 4 is positioned at the tip portion 21a of the first insulator 21. Although not particularly limited, for example, the heater 4 may be made of a conductive heating material (for example, nichrome) that generates heat when an impulse current is applied (a large current is passed instantaneously).

[0032] The heater 4 then raises the temperature of the packaging material P1 to a set temperature at which it can be heat-sealed. The set temperature is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, 80°C or higher, 90°C or higher, or 100°C or higher. Also, not particularly limited, the set temperature may be, for example, 250°C or lower, 150°C or lower, or 120°C or lower. In this embodiment, the voltage supplied to the power supply unit 7 is applied to the heater 4 without being transformed (boosted or stepped down).

[0033] In this embodiment, for example, the tip portion 21a of the first heat insulating body 21 is covered by a first tape (not shown). Also, in this embodiment, for example, the heater 4 is covered by a second tape (not shown). As a result, the heater 4 is positioned between the first tape and the second tape in the clamping direction D3, and the first tape is positioned between the heater 4 and the first heat insulating body 21 in the clamping direction D3. The first tape and the second tape may be made of a fluororesin such as PTFE, for example, although they are not particularly limited.

[0034] The heater 4 is formed in a plate shape so as to be elastically deformable. The heater 4 also has a plurality of notches 41 extending in the width direction D1 of the heater 4, for example, as in this embodiment. In this embodiment, the length direction (longitudinal direction) D2 of the heater 4 is parallel to the second direction D2, the width direction (short direction) D1 of the heater 4 is parallel to the first direction D1, and the thickness direction D3 of the heater 4 is parallel to the clamping direction D3. Although not particularly limited, the heater 4 may be a zigzag heater formed in a zigzag shape, for example, as in this embodiment.

[0035] As shown in Figure 2(a), the first support portion 22 includes a first holding portion 22a that holds at least the tip portion 21a of the first heat insulating body 21 by contacting it from both sides in the width direction D1 of the first heat insulating body 21, and a second holding portion 22d that holds at least the tip portion 21a of the first heat insulating body 21 by contacting it from both sides in the length direction D2 of the first heat insulating body 21.

[0036] The thermal conductivity of the first support portion 22 is, for example, greater than the thermal conductivity of the first insulator 21 and the second insulator 31 in this embodiment, and less than the thermal conductivity of the heat dissipation portion 32. Although not particularly limited, the first support portion 22 may be made of, for example, polycarbonate. The thermal conductivity of polycarbonate is, for example, 0.19 W / (m·K).

[0037] The first retaining portion 22a abuts against both end faces (first side end face and second side end face) in the width direction D1 of the first heat insulating body 21, for example, as in this embodiment. The first retaining portion 22a also includes, for example, a first contact portion 22b that abuts against the first side end face of the first heat insulating body 21, and a second contact portion 22c that abuts against the second side end face of the first heat insulating body 21, as in this embodiment.

[0038] The first contact portion 22b, for example, as in this embodiment, abuts the first side end face of the first heat insulating body 21 from one end to the other in the second direction D2. The second contact portion 22c, for example, as in this embodiment, abuts the first side and the other side of the second side end face of the first heat insulating body 21 in the second direction D2, excluding the central portion.

[0039] As shown in Figure 3, the first contact portion 22b, for example in this embodiment, contacts the first side end face of the first heat insulating body 21 from one end to the other in the clamping direction D3. The second contact portion 22c, for example in this embodiment, contacts the second side end face of the first heat insulating body 21 from one end to the other in the clamping direction D3.

[0040] The second retaining portion 22d, for example, as in this embodiment, abuts against both end faces (third and fourth side end faces) in the longitudinal direction D2 of the first heat insulating body 21. The second retaining portion 22d also includes, for example, a third contact portion 22e that abuts against the third side end face of the first heat insulating body 21, and a fourth contact portion 22f that abuts against the fourth side end face of the first heat insulating body 21, as in this embodiment.

[0041] The third contact portion 22e abuts the third side end face of the first heat insulating body 21 from one end to the other in the first direction D1, as in this embodiment. The fourth contact portion 22f abuts the fourth side end face of the first heat insulating body 21 from one end to the other in the first direction, as in this embodiment.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 4, for example, in the present embodiment, the third contact portion 22e contacts from one end to the other end in the sandwiching direction D3 on the third side end surface of the first heat insulating body 21. The fourth contact portion 22f contacts, for example, from one end to the other end on the fourth side end surface of the first heat insulating body 21 in the present embodiment.

[0043] The first heat insulating body 21 is located inside a space X1 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) formed by the contact portions 22b, 22c, 22e, and 22f. Although not particularly limited, the first support portion 22 may be formed such that, for example, as in the present embodiment, the tip of the first support portion 22 is flush with the tip 21a of the first heat insulating body 21.

[0044] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, for example, in the present embodiment, the control unit 23 includes a circuit board 23a (see FIGS. 3 and 5) on which an electric circuit 23c (not shown) for the sealing device 1 to perform heat sealing is mounted, and a protection element 23b (see FIG. 5) that is electrically connected to the circuit board 23a and protects the heater 4 from overheating.

[0045] The circuit board 23a is attached to the first support portion 22 by attachment members (for example, bolts and nuts) not shown, for example, as in the present embodiment. The switch portion 61 is attached to the circuit board 23a, for example, as in the present embodiment, and opens and closes the electric circuit 23c.

[0046] Although not particularly limited, for example, as in the present embodiment, the electric circuit 23c is configured such that a current flows when the switch portion 61 closes the electric circuit 23c when the second sandwiching portion 3 is in the sealing position and an instruction is input to the input portion 27.

[0047] Thereby, when the first sandwiching portion 2 and the second sandwiching portion 3 are in the sealing position, the sealing device 1 can perform heat sealing by an instruction being input to the input portion 27. Therefore, even if an instruction is input to the input portion 27 when the first sandwiching portion 2 and the second sandwiching portion 3 are separated, the sealing device 1 can be prevented from performing heat sealing.

[0048] In addition, in the present embodiment, the input unit 27 is, for example, composed of a push button switch, but is not limited to such a configuration. For example, the input unit 27 may be other switches (for example, a rocker switch, a slide switch, etc.). Further, for example, the input unit 27 may be a touch panel provided with a display and an instruction is input by directly touching the display.

[0049] The protection element 23b protects the heater 4 from overheating, for example, in the present embodiment, by operating so that the first heat insulator 21 becomes a predetermined temperature or lower. The protection element 23b prevents the heater 4 from becoming higher than 250°C, for example, in the present embodiment, by operating so that the temperature of the first heat insulator 21 becomes 80°C or lower.

[0050] For example, in the present embodiment, when the temperature of the first heat insulator 21 rises, the protection element 23b reduces the current value flowing through the electric circuit 23c by increasing the resistance value. Further, for example, when the temperature of the first heat insulator 21 drops, the protection element 23b increases the current value flowing through the electric circuit 23c by decreasing the resistance value. Although not particularly limited, the protection element 23b may be, for example, a resettable fuse, a polyswitch, or a PTC heater.

[0051] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, for example, in the present embodiment, the lid portion 24 includes a fifth contact portion 24a (see FIG. 5) that contacts the second side end surface (specifically, the central portion of the second side end surface) of the first heat insulator 21, and a through hole 24b (see FIG. 3) that penetrates in the sandwiching direction D3 and enables the operation portion 62 to contact the switch portion 61.

[0052] Although not particularly limited, for example, as in the present embodiment, one side portion and the other side portion other than the central portion in the second direction D2 of the second side end surface of the first heat insulator 21 are brought into contact with the first holding portion 22a (specifically, the second contact portion 22c) (see FIG. 2(a)), and the central portion in the second direction D2 of the second side end surface is brought into contact with the fifth contact portion 24a (see FIG. 5).

[0053] As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the heat dissipation portion 32 is positioned, for example, in this embodiment, to contact the base end surface of the base end portion 31b of the second insulator 31. Alternatively, the heat dissipation portion 32 may extend linearly in the second direction D2 and have a C-shaped longitudinal cross-section, as in this embodiment.

[0054] The thermal conductivity of the heat dissipation section 32 is greater than the thermal conductivity of each of the insulators 21, 31 and each of the support sections 22, 33. While not particularly limited, the thermal conductivity of the heat dissipation section 32 may be, for example, 10 W / (m·K) or more, 50 W / (m·K) or more, 100 W / (m·K) or more, or 200 W / (m·K) or more. Furthermore, while not particularly limited, the heat dissipation section 32 may be made of, for example, aluminum. The thermal conductivity of aluminum is, for example, 236 W / (m·K).

[0055] The second support portion 33 holds the heat dissipation portion 32 by sandwiching it in the first direction D1 and the second direction D2. Furthermore, the thermal conductivity of the second support portion 33 is greater than that of the first insulator 21 and the second insulator 31, and less than that of the heat dissipation portion 32, in this embodiment, for example. The second support portion 33 is not particularly limited, but may be made of, for example, polycarbonate.

[0056] Next, the heat sealing method of the sealing device 1 according to this embodiment will be described. The following method is provided as an example to aid in understanding the heat sealing method of the sealing device 1, and is not intended to limit the heat sealing method of the sealing device 1.

[0057] For example, when an external force is applied and the second clamping portion 3 is in the non-sealing position, the packaging material P1 is placed between the first clamping portion 2 and the second clamping portion 3 (for example, on the tip portion 31a of the second heat insulating body 31) (see Figure 1(b)). Then, when the applied external force is removed and the second clamping portion 3 is in the sealing position, the packaging material P1 is sandwiched between the first clamping portion 2 and the second clamping portion 3 and placed between the heater 4 and the second heat insulating body 31.

[0058] Then, for example, by operating a timer (not shown), the heating time by the heater 4 (the time the electrical circuit 23c is energized) is set. Then, for example, by inputting an instruction to the input unit 27, current flows to the electrical circuit 23c, and the sealing device 1 starts heat sealing.

[0059] However, since the voltage of the power supplied to the sealing device 1 is low, at 48V or less, the amount of heat generated by the heater 4 is small. In contrast, the heater 4 is positioned between the first insulator 21 and the second insulator 31. This suppresses the release of heat from the heater 4, allowing the heater 4 to be heated up. Therefore, even if the voltage of the supplied power is 48V or less, the heater 4 can be heated up to a temperature at which heat sealing is possible.

[0060] Furthermore, the heat dissipation section 32 is not provided in the first clamping section 2, but only in the second clamping section 3. This makes it possible to suppress the release of heat from the heater 4 via the first insulator 21 when the heater 4 is energized and generating heat. Therefore, the heater 4 can be efficiently heated up to a temperature at which it can be heat-sealed.

[0061] Incidentally, because the heater 4 generates little heat, the packaging material P1 needs to be sandwiched between the first clamping portion 2 and the second clamping portion 3 until the heater 4 reaches a temperature at which it can be heat-sealed (for example, only 5 to 10 seconds, though not particularly limited). In contrast, the heater 4, the first insulator 21, and the second insulator 31 are elastically deformable.

[0062] As a result, even if the packaging material P1 deforms in the clamping direction D3 due to heating, the heater 4, the first insulator 21, and the second insulator 31 will follow suit and elastically deform in the clamping direction D3. Although not particularly limited, for example, when the sealed portion of the packaging material P1 is heated and melted, if the overall thickness of the sealed portion is uneven due to differences in the rate of melting, the heater 4, the first insulator 21, and the second insulator 31 will follow the changes in thickness in each region of the sealed portion and elastically deform in the clamping direction D3.

[0063] Therefore, for example, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of minute gaps between the portion of the packaging material P1 to be sealed and the clamping portions 2 and 3, so that the entire portion of the packaging material P1 to be sealed can be securely clamped between the first clamping portion 2 and the second clamping portion 3. As a result, for example, the packaging material P1 can be reliably heat-sealed.

[0064] Furthermore, because the heater 4 is formed in a zigzag shape, the heater 4 is more easily elastically deformed in the clamping direction D3. As a result, even if the packaging material P1 is heated and deforms in the clamping direction D3, the heater 4 can be reliably elastically deformed to follow the deformation in the clamping direction D3.

[0065] Furthermore, while the first insulator 21 and the heater 4 undergo elastic deformation, the tip portion 21a of the first insulator 21 is held in contact with the first holding portion 22a and the second holding portion 22d from both sides in the width direction D1 and the length direction D2, respectively. This suppresses the elastic deformation of the tip portion 21a of the first insulator 21 in the width direction D1 and the length direction D2. Therefore, for example, displacement of the heater 4 relative to the packaging material P1 can be suppressed.

[0066] Then, for example, after the set heating time has elapsed, the current to the electrical circuit 23c is cut off, and the sealing of the packaging material P1 is completed. Then, the first clamping part 2 and the second clamping part 3 are moved to the non-sealed position, and the sealed packaging material P1 is removed.

[0067] Furthermore, when the packaging material P1 is removed and the power supply to the heater 4 is stopped, the force-applying unit 5 applies an elastic restoring force to the first clamping unit 2 and the second clamping unit 3, so that the second clamping unit 3 is positioned in the sealing position and in contact with the first clamping unit 2. In addition, since the heat dissipation unit 32 is in contact with the second insulator 31, it is possible to promote the release of residual heat from the heater 4 via the second insulator 31 and the heat dissipation unit 32.

[0068] [1] Therefore, the sealing device 1, as in this embodiment, comprises a first clamping portion 2 and a second clamping portion 3 that is movably connected to the first clamping portion 2 so as to be movable between a sealing position in which the packaging material P1 is clamped in the clamping direction D3 by the first clamping portion 2 and a non-sealing position away from the first clamping portion 2, and is supplied with power of 48V or less, wherein the sealing device 1 comprises a heater 4 that generates heat when energized by the power to heat-seal the packaging material P1 and a first heat insulating body 21 on which the heater 4 is positioned at the tip portion 21a, and the second clamping portion 3 comprises a second heat insulating body 31 that positions the heater 4 between itself and the first heat insulating body 21 in the clamping direction D3 when it is in the sealing position.

[0069] With this configuration, since the voltage of the supplied power is 48V or less, the amount of heat generated by the heater 4 is small. However, the heater 4 is positioned between the first insulator 21 and the second insulator 31. This suppresses the release of heat from the heater 4, allowing the heater 4 to be heated up. Therefore, even if the voltage of the supplied power is 48V or less, the heater 4 can be heated up to a temperature at which it can be heat-sealed.

[0070] [2] In addition, in the sealing device 1 described in [1] above, it is preferable that the heater 4 is formed in a plate shape so as to be elastically deformable, and the first heat insulating body 21 and the second heat insulating body 31 are elastic bodies that can be elastically deformed.

[0071] With this configuration, because the heater 4 generates little heat, it is necessary to sandwich the packaging material P1 between the first clamping portion 2 and the second clamping portion 3 until the heater 4 reaches a temperature at which it can be heat-sealed. In this case, the heater 4, the first insulator 21, and the second insulator 31 are elastically deformable. As a result, even if the packaging material P1 deforms in the clamping direction D3 due to heating, the heater 4, the first insulator 21, and the second insulator 31 will follow suit and elastically deform in the clamping direction D3.

[0072] [3] In addition, in the sealing device 1 described in [2] above, it is preferable that the first clamping portion 2 includes a support portion (in this embodiment, a first support portion) 22 that supports the first heat insulating body 21, and that the support portion 22 includes a first holding portion 22a that contacts and holds at least the tip portion 21a of the first heat insulating body 21 from both sides in the width direction D1 of the first heat insulating body 21, and a second holding portion 22d that contacts and holds at least the tip portion 21a of the first heat insulating body 21 from both sides in the length direction D2 of the first heat insulating body 21.

[0073] With this configuration, at least the tip portion 21a of the first heat insulating body 21 is held in contact with the first holding portion 22a and the second holding portion 22d from both sides in the width direction D1 and the length direction D2, respectively. This makes it possible to suppress elastic deformation of the tip portion 21a of the first heat insulating body 21 in the width direction D1 and the length direction D2.

[0074] [4] In addition, in the sealing device 1 of [2] or [3] described above, it is preferable that the heater 4 is formed in a zigzag shape, as in this embodiment.

[0075] With this configuration, since the heater 4 is formed in a zigzag shape, the heater 4 is more easily elastically deformed in the clamping direction D3. As a result, even if the packaging material P1 is heated and deforms in the clamping direction D3, the heater 4 can be reliably elastically deformed to follow the deformation in the clamping direction D3.

[0076] [5] Furthermore, any one of the sealing devices 1 described in [1] to [4] above is preferably configured such that, as in this embodiment, it includes a force-applying unit 5 that applies an elastic restoring force to at least one of the first clamping unit 2 and the second clamping unit 3 so that the second clamping unit 3 is positioned at the sealing position, the heater 4 is provided only on the first clamping unit 2, the second clamping unit 3 includes a heat dissipation unit 32 that is in contact with the second heat insulating body 31, and the heat dissipation unit 32 is provided only on the second clamping unit 3.

[0077] With this configuration, the heat dissipation section 32 is provided only in the second clamping section 3. This makes it possible to suppress the release of heat from the heater 4 via the first insulator 21 when the heater 4 is energized and generating heat.

[0078] On the other hand, when the packaging material P1 is removed and the power supply to the heater 4 is stopped, the force-applying part 5 applies an elastic restoring force to at least one of the first clamping part 2 and the second clamping part 3, so that the second clamping part 3 is positioned in the sealing position and in contact with the first clamping part 2. Furthermore, since the heat dissipation part 32 is in contact with the second insulator 31, it is possible to promote the release of residual heat from the heater 4 via the second insulator 31 and the heat dissipation part 32.

[0079] It should be noted that the sealing device 1 is not limited to the configuration of the embodiment described above, nor is it limited to the effects and benefits described above. Furthermore, the sealing device 1 can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, one or more of the configurations and methods described below may be arbitrarily selected and adopted in the configuration according to the embodiment described above.

[0080] (A) In the sealing device 1 according to the above embodiment, the heater 4 is formed in a plate shape so as to be elastically deformable, and the first heat insulating body 21 and the second heat insulating body 31 are elastic bodies that are elastically deformable. However, the sealing device 1 is not limited to this configuration.

[0081] For example, the heater 4 and the first insulator 21 may be configured to be rigid bodies that cannot be elastically deformed. Alternatively, for example, the second insulator 31 may be configured to be rigid bodies that cannot be elastically deformed. In other words, for example, at least one of the heater 4, the first insulator 21, and the second insulator 31 may be configured to be rigid bodies that cannot be elastically deformed.

[0082] (B) In addition, in the sealing device 1 according to the above embodiment, the first support portion 22 is configured such that the tip of the first support portion 22 is flush with the tip portion 21a of the first heat insulating body 21. However, the sealing device 1 is not limited to this configuration. For example, the first support portion 22 may be configured such that the tip of the first support portion 22 protrudes in a direction D3 that sandwiches the tip portion 21a of the first heat insulating body 21.

[0083] (C) In the sealing device 1 according to the above embodiment, the heater 4 is configured to have a plurality of notches 41 extending in the width direction D1 of the heater 4. However, the sealing device 1 is not limited to this configuration. For example, the heater 4 may not have notches 41 and may be rectangular in shape as a whole, that is, it may be formed in a strip shape and in a straight line.

[0084] (D) In ​​addition, in the sealing device 1 according to the above embodiment, the first holding portion 22a is configured to hold the first insulating body 21 from the tip portion 21a to the base portion 21b of the first insulating body 21 by contacting it from both sides in the width direction D1 of the first insulating body 21. However, the sealing device 1 is not limited to this configuration.

[0085] For example, the first holding portion 22a may be configured to hold the tip portion 21a of the first heat insulating body 21 by contacting it from both sides in the width direction D1 of the first heat insulating body 21, while being separated from the base portion 21b of the first heat insulating body 21. Alternatively, for example, the first holding portion 22a may be configured to hold the base portion 21b of the first heat insulating body 21 by contacting it from both sides in the width direction D1 of the first heat insulating body 21, while being separated from the tip portion 21a of the first heat insulating body 21.

[0086] (E) In addition, in the sealing device 1 according to the above embodiment, the second holding portion 22d is configured to hold the first insulating body 21 from the tip portion 21a to the base portion 21b of the first insulating body 21 by contacting it from both sides in the longitudinal direction D2 of the first insulating body 21. However, the sealing device 1 is not limited to this configuration.

[0087] For example, the second holding portion 22d may be configured to hold the tip portion 21a of the first insulator 21 in contact with both sides of the length direction D2 of the first insulator 21, while being separated from the base portion 21b of the first insulator 21. Alternatively, for example, the second holding portion 22d may be configured to hold the base portion 21b of the first insulator 21 in contact with both sides of the length direction D2 of the first insulator 21, while being separated from the tip portion 21a of the first insulator 21.

[0088] (F) In addition, in the sealing device 1 according to the above embodiment, the second clamping portion 3 is directly connected to the first clamping portion 2 so as to be rotatable relative to the first clamping portion 2. However, the sealing device 1 is not limited to this configuration.

[0089] For example, the second clamping portion 3 may be connected to the first clamping portion 2 by a connector. Specifically, the sealing device 1 may be equipped with a hinge material (connector) having two blades and a rotating shaft, with one blade attached to the first clamping portion 2 and the other blade attached to the second clamping portion 3.

[0090] (G) In addition, in the sealing device 1 according to the above embodiment, the second clamping portion 3 is connected to the first clamping portion 2 so as to rotate relative to the first clamping portion 2. However, the sealing device 1 is not limited to this configuration. For example, the second clamping portion 3 may be connected to the first clamping portion 2 so as to move the entire second clamping portion 3 in the clamping direction D3 relative to the first clamping portion 2.

[0091] (H) Furthermore, in the sealing device 1 according to the above embodiment, the second clamping portion 3 is movable between a sealing position and a non-sealing position by operating both the first clamping portion 2 and the second clamping portion 3 (specifically, the first gripping portion 28 of the first clamping portion 2 and the second gripping portion 34 of the second clamping portion 3). However, the sealing device 1 is not limited to this configuration.

[0092] For example, the first clamping part 2 may be placed on a workbench, and the second clamping part 3 may be moved between a sealed position and an unsealed position by operating the second clamping part 3. Alternatively, for example, the second clamping part 3 may be placed on a workbench, and the second clamping part 3 may be moved between a sealed position and an unsealed position by operating the first clamping part 2.

[0093] (I) In addition, in the sealing device 1 according to the above embodiment, the force-applying unit 5 is configured to apply an elastic restoring force to at least one of the first clamping unit 2 and the second clamping unit 3 so that the second clamping unit 3 is positioned in the sealing position. However, the sealing device 1 is not limited to this configuration.

[0094] For example, the force-applying unit 5 may be configured to apply an elastic restoring force to at least one of the first clamping unit 2 and the second clamping unit 3 so that the second clamping unit 3 is in a non-sealing position. Alternatively, for example, the sealing device 1 may not have a force-applying unit 5, and the second clamping unit 3 may be positioned in a sealed or non-sealing position by its own weight.

[0095] (J) In addition, in the sealing device 1 according to the above embodiment, the first insulating material 21 and the second insulating material 31 have the same thermal conductivity. However, the sealing device 1 is not limited to this configuration. For example, the thermal conductivity of the second insulating material 31 may be greater than that of the first insulating material 21.

[0096] (K) In addition, in the sealing device 1 according to the above embodiment, the power supply unit 7 is configured to have a connection port that is connected to an external power supply that supplies power at a voltage of 5V. However, the sealing device 1 is not limited to this configuration.

[0097] For example, the sealing device 1 may be configured to receive power at a voltage of 9V, 12V, or 18V (e.g., power supplied from USB), or 18V or less (e.g., power supplied from a power supply that converts AC voltage from commercial power to DC voltage (e.g., an AC adapter)), or 24V or 48V (e.g., power supplied from a DC stabilized power supply that converts AC voltage from commercial power to DC voltage).

[0098] Furthermore, for example, the power supply unit 7 may be configured to include a battery located inside the first clamping portion 2. That is, the power supply that provides power to the sealing device 1 may be, for example, an external power supply, or, for example, an internal power supply. Furthermore, for example, the power supply unit 7 may be configured to include a battery holder located inside the first clamping portion 2 in order to receive power from a battery. Also, the voltage of the power supplied to the sealing device 1 may be, for example, a DC voltage, or, for example, an AC voltage.

[0099] (L) In the sealing device 1 according to the above embodiment, the voltage supplied to the power supply unit 7 is applied to the heater 4 without being transformed. That is, the magnitude of the voltage supplied to the power supply unit 7 and the magnitude of the voltage applied to the heater 4 are the same. However, the sealing device 1 is not limited to this configuration. For example, the sealing device 1 may be equipped with a transformer that transforms (for example, boosts or steps down) the voltage supplied to the power supply unit 7, and the voltage transformed by the transformer is applied to the heater 4. For example, an AC voltage may be supplied to the power supply unit 7, and the voltage stepped down by the transformer in the sealing device 1 is applied to the heater 4.

[0100] (M) In addition, in the sealing device 1 according to the above embodiment, the length of the second heat insulating body 31 in the clamping direction D3 is longer than the length of the first heat insulating body 21 in the clamping direction D3. However, the sealing device 1 is not limited to this configuration. For example, the length of the second heat insulating body 31 in the clamping direction D3 may be shorter than the length of the first heat insulating body 21 in the clamping direction D3.

[0101] (N) In the sealing device 1 according to the above embodiment, the heater 4 is provided only in the first clamping portion 2. However, the sealing device 1 is not limited to this configuration. For example, the heater 4 may be provided not only in the first clamping portion 2 but also in the second clamping portion 3. In such a configuration, the heater of the second clamping portion 3 may be placed inside the second heat insulating body 31, for example.

[0102] (O) In the sealing device 1 according to the above embodiment, the heat dissipation portion 32 is provided only in the second clamping portion 3. However, the sealing device 1 is not limited to this configuration. For example, the heat dissipation portion 32 may be provided not only in the second clamping portion 3 but also in the first clamping portion 2. In such a configuration, the heat dissipation portion of the first clamping portion 2 may be arranged in contact with the base end portion 21b of the first heat insulating body 21, for example. Alternatively, the sealing device 1 may not have a heat dissipation portion 32.

[0103] (P) For example, the execution order of each process, such as operations, procedures, steps, and stages, in the methods and apparatus shown in the claims, specification, and drawings can be carried out in any order, as long as the results of the previous process are not used in the later process. For example, even if "first," "next," etc. are used for convenience in the explanation, it does not mean that the process must be carried out in that order.

[0104] 1...Sealing device, 2...First clamping part, 3...Second clamping part, 4...Heater, 5...Force application part, 6...Circuit switching part, 7...Power supply part, 21...First heat insulating body, 21a...Tip part, 21b...Base end part, 22...First support part, 22a...First holding part, 22b...First contact part, 22c...Second contact part, 22d...Second holding part, 22e...Third contact part, 22f...Fourth contact part, 23...Control unit, 23a...Circuit board, 23b...Protection element, 23c ...electrical circuit, 24...lid, 24a...fifth contact part, 24b...through hole, 27...input part, 28...first knob part, 31...second heat insulating body, 31a...tip part, 31b...base end part, 32...heat dissipation part, 33...second support part, 34...second knob part, 41...notch part, 61...switch part, 62...operating part, D1...first direction (width direction), D2...second direction (length direction), D3...clamping direction (thickness direction), P1...packaging material, X1...space

Claims

1. A sealing device comprising: a first clamping portion; a second clamping portion movably connected to the first clamping portion so as to be movable between a sealing position where the packaging material is clamped in the clamping direction by the first clamping portion and a non-sealing position away from the first clamping portion, wherein power of 48V or less is supplied, wherein the first clamping portion comprises: a heater that generates heat when energized by the power to heat-seal the packaging material; and a first insulating body with the heater positioned at its tip; and the second clamping portion comprises a second insulating body that positions the heater between itself and the first insulating body in the clamping direction when the second clamping portion is in the sealing position.

2. The sealing device according to claim 1, wherein the heater is formed in a plate shape so as to be elastically deformable, and the first insulating body and the second insulating body are elastic bodies that are elastically deformable.

3. The sealing device according to claim 2, wherein the first clamping portion comprises a support portion for supporting the first insulating body, the support portion comprising a first holding portion that contacts and holds at least the tip portion of the first insulating body from both sides in the width direction of the first insulating body, and a second holding portion that contacts and holds at least the tip portion of the first insulating body from both sides in the length direction of the first insulating body.

4. The sealing device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the heater is formed in a zigzag shape.

5. The sealing device according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a force-applying part that applies an elastic restoring force to at least one of the first clamping part and the second clamping part so that the second clamping part is positioned in the sealing position, the heater is provided only in the first clamping part, the second clamping part comprises a heat dissipation part that is in contact with the second heat insulating body, and the heat dissipation part is provided only in the second clamping part.

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