JP2003261117A - Packaging device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a packaging device capable of simply and easily performing packaging in a well-finished state even in the case where objects to be packaged, having various sizes, are mixed with one another. <P>SOLUTION: The packaging device is the one for packaging objects to be packaged, which are not contained in a container, by making the objects abut against a film F. The device has a display operation unit 10, a sensor 24, and a control unit 90. The display operation unit 10 inputs the variety of the objects. The sensor 24 detects the sizes of the objects. The control unit 90 determines packaging conditions based on the variety of the objects, which is inputted by the display operation unit 10, and on data detected by the sensor 24. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a packaging device, in particular
The present invention relates to a wrapping device that wraps an object to be packaged, which is not contained in a container, by pressing it against a tension-held film.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A packaging device for covering an object to be packaged such as fruits and vegetables with a film and sealing the same is generally used. As such a packaging device, for example, a stretch packaging device is known. In this stretch wrapping device, the object to be wrapped is pushed up against the film held in tension, the peripheral portion of the film is folded to the bottom side of the object to be heat-sealed, and the object to be wrapped is wrapped with the film.

In such a packaging apparatus, in order to make the packaging beautiful, the packaging conditions such as the length of the film and the folding amount are selected in accordance with the characteristics of the article to be packaged. In this case, the characteristics of the packaged object include the type of the packaged object and the size of the packaged object. In the conventional packaging device, the operator selects the type, size, etc. of the article to be packaged, and the packaging device performs packaging under the packaging conditions based on the operator's selection.

[0004]

When a plurality of articles to be packaged of the same type are successively packaged using the above packaging device, the operator must first select the type of article to be packaged. Good. However, the size of the packaged item is often different for each packaged item. In particular, when the items to be packaged are products that are not contained in a container, the size of the items to be packaged differs depending on the items to be packaged even if they are the same type of product. For example, fruits and vegetables vary in size depending on the harvest season and the degree of growth. Also, fruits and vegetables with long lengths such as long potatoes and radish are often cut and packaged,
The size may differ depending on the cutting method. Thus, in the case of the product to be packaged, which is not housed in the container, the packaged products of various sizes may be mixed even when packaging the same type of packaged product, Wrapping of objects of the same size is not always performed. In this case, in the conventional packaging device, the operator needs to select the size of the packaged item for each packaged item in order to perform the packaging well, which is complicated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a packaging device capable of easily performing packaging with a good finish even when articles of various sizes are mixed.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a packaging device for packaging an object to be packaged, which is not contained in a container, against a film, the inputting means, the detecting means and the control means. And a section. The input means inputs the type of packaged item. The detection means detects the size of the packaged object. The control unit determines the packaging condition based on the type of the article to be packaged input by the input unit and the information detected by the detection unit.

In a packaged item not contained in a container, the size of each packaged item often differs. For example,
Even if the fruits and vegetables are of the same type, the size varies depending on the harvest season and cutting method. Therefore, in the case of directly packaging such an object to be packaged with a film, it is necessary to package the object to be packaged under a packaging condition suitable for the size of each object to be packaged.

In this packaging apparatus, the control section determines the packaging conditions based on the type of the article to be packaged input by the input means and the information detected by the detection means. For this reason, if you enter the type of items to be packaged at the beginning, when packaging multiple items to be packaged of the same type, even if items of various sizes are mixed, each item will be automatically packaged. The packaging is performed under the packaging conditions suitable for the size of the article to be packaged. As a result, this packaging device can easily perform good-finished packaging even when articles of various sizes are mixed.

The invention described in claim 2 is the packaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a folding member and a moving mechanism. The folding member folds the peripheral portion of the film so as to cover the packaged object pressed against the film. The moving mechanism is
The folding member is moved by the control unit so as to fold the peripheral portion of the film. The packaging condition is the amount of movement of the folding member.

In the packaging device for packaging by folding the peripheral portion of the film by the folding member so as to cover the packaged object pressed against the film, in order to perform the packaging with a good finish, the size of the packaged object should be large. It is necessary to select the movement amount of the folding member that is appropriate for the height. For example, if the amount of movement of the folding member is too small with respect to a small object to be packaged, the film will not be sufficiently pulled and wrinkles will easily occur on the film. With this, it is difficult to perform good packaging.

In this packaging device, the movement amount of the folding member is determined based on the size of the article to be packaged detected by the detection means. Therefore, when packing multiple items to be packaged of the same type, even if items of various sizes are mixed, the amount of movement of the folding member that is suitable for the size of each item to be packaged will automatically occur. Packaging is done in. As a result, this packaging device can easily perform good-finished packaging even when articles of various sizes are mixed.

The invention described in claim 3 is the packaging apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a clamp which is controlled by the control part and which holds the peripheral part of the film, and the control part
The clamp is controlled so as to release the grip of the peripheral portion of the film when the folding member moving so as to fold the peripheral portion of the film reaches a predetermined position. The packaging condition is this predetermined position.

In the packaging device, the peripheral portion of the film may be grasped by a clamp in order to reduce the wrinkles of the film and package the finished product with good finish. In this case, if the folding member continues to hold the film when it is folded, extra tension is applied to the film between the folding member and the clamp, and a hole is formed in the film or the film is torn. This increases fear and affects the packaging finish. If the clamp releases the film too quickly, the film loosens and wrinkles easily occur. With this, it is difficult to make a finished package. Therefore, in order to perform a good-finished packaging, it is necessary to release the grip of the peripheral portion of the film when the folding member reaches an appropriate predetermined position. Then, this predetermined position differs depending on the size of the article to be packaged.

In this packaging apparatus, the predetermined position is determined based on the size of the article to be packaged detected by the detection means. Therefore, when packaging a plurality of items to be packaged of the same type, even if the items to be packaged of various sizes are mixed, the packaging is automatically performed at a predetermined position suitable for the size of each item to be packaged. Done. As a result, this packaging device can easily perform good-finished packaging even when articles of various sizes are mixed.

The invention according to claim 4 is the same as claims 1 to 3.
The packaging device according to any one of 1 to 3, wherein the packaging condition is the length of the film. 2. Description of the Related Art In a packaging apparatus that presses an object to be packaged against a film for packaging, the wrinkle of the film is extended by holding the film under tension to improve the finish of the packaging. In this case, for example, if the length of the film is too long for a small object to be packaged, the wrinkles cannot be extended and it is difficult to perform a finished package.

In this packaging apparatus, the length of the film is determined based on the size of the article to be packaged detected by the detection means. Therefore, when packing multiple items to be packaged of the same type, even if items of various sizes are mixed, the length of the film is automatically adjusted to the size of each item to be packaged. The packaging is done. As a result, this packaging device can easily perform good-finished packaging even when articles of various sizes are mixed.

[0017]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION <Overall Configuration and Schematic Operation> FIGS. 1 to 3 are a schematic side view, a front view, and a plan view of a stretch wrapping apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. A control block of the stretch wrapping device 100 is shown in FIG. This stretch wrapping device 100 is a small-sized weighing and wrapping price device and can wrap fruits and vegetables in a notebook.

Although the stretch wrapping apparatus 100 has a weighing function and a pricing function (a label creating function including a weighing value and a price), the stretch wrapping apparatus 10 is used here.
The description will focus on the packaging function of 0. The stretch wrapping device 100 is a device in which each mechanism is attached to the main body frame 15, and mainly includes the display operation unit 10.
A product introduction mechanism 20, a lift mechanism 30, a film transport mechanism 40, a film holding mechanism 50, a film pushing mechanism 60, a film left / right folding mechanism 66, and a heat seal / film front / back folding mechanism 70. There is.

When a product G (see the product G on the front side in FIG. 1) is placed on the introduction table 21 of the product introduction mechanism 20 by the operator's hand, the product G is weighed by the weighing device 29, and then the product G is measured. G is sent to the lift mechanism 30 (see FIG. 1).
See item G on the back). On the other hand, the film transport mechanism 40
The film F conveyed by the lift mechanism 30 is pre-stretched by the film holding mechanism 50 while holding the front, rear, left, and right ends thereof (FIG. 10B).
reference). When the product G supported by the lift mechanism 30 is pushed up against the pre-stretched film F, the product G pushes the film F and the film F is pushed up.
The upper and lateral sides are covered by (Fig. 10
(See (c)).

The peripheral portion of the film F which covers the upper and lateral sides of the product G in this manner is folded to the bottom side of the product G by the left and right pushing members 61 and 62 and the rear folding plate 71 (FIG. 10 (e)). reference). Before this folding operation, the left and right folding plates 64 and 65 enter the vicinity of the left and right ends of the bottom of the product G and play a role of supporting the bottom of the product G together with the lift mechanism 30. The film F folded on the bottom side of the product G is sandwiched between the rear folding plate 71 and the front fixing member 72 and attached to the front fixing member 72.
It receives heat input from the heat sink 1 and is heat-sealed (see FIG. 13D).

The product G thus wrapped with the film F including the heat seal is taken out by the operator's hand, and the label discharged from the pricing mechanism (not shown) is attached. <Structure of Display Operation Unit 10> The display operation unit 10 is shown in FIG.
As shown in (a), the liquid crystal monitor 11 and the input key unit 1
2 and. The operator inputs the operation content of the packaging device 100 using the display operation unit 10. The LCD monitor 11 has an operation input screen of the packaging device 100 and the packaging device 1
Various information regarding 00 is displayed. A touch panel system is adopted for the liquid crystal monitor, and characters can be input by pressing a character key on the liquid crystal screen. The input key unit 12 has a numeric keypad, a call key, and the like. By using the input key unit 12, the operator can call various operation screens and input numbers. When wrapping fruits and vegetables in Notley, the operator first selects the type of product to be packaged on the LCD monitor 1.
Input with 1 and the input key unit 12. For example, the operator calls a product type selection screen, selects a desired item from a plurality of preset items,
Enter the preset number. The display operation unit 10 sends the input type of product to the control unit 90 described later.

<Structure of Product Introduction Mechanism 20> As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the product introduction mechanism 20 mainly includes an introduction table 21, an introduction table vertical movement motor 22, an introduction table longitudinal movement motor 23, and And a sensor 24. Introduction table 21
Supports the product G by a plurality of support plates 21a arranged in the left-right direction. These support plates 21a and FIG.
Each of the support members 34a, 34b, 3 of the lift mechanism 30 shown in FIG.
5a (to be described later) is arranged so as to be displaced in the left-right direction.
Below the introduction table 21, the product G placed on the introduction table 21
A weighing instrument 29 for measuring the weight of the
The introduction table 21 is connected to the introduction table forward / backward movement motor 23 via a belt, a pulley, or the like, and is moved back and forth by the operation of the introduction table forward / backward movement motor 23. Introductory stand 2
The entire forward / backward movement unit including 1 and the introduction table longitudinal movement motor 23 is configured to move up and down by the introduction table vertical movement motor 22. As shown in FIG. 1, the sensor 24 is provided above the entrance of the introduction table 21 provided on the front surface of the packaging device 100. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, two sensors 24 are provided in the left-right direction of the packaging device 100 at predetermined intervals. This sensor 24
It is detected that the product has passed below it, and the information is sent to the control unit 90. The sensor 24 is provided to detect the size of the article to be packaged introduced into the packaging device 100 by the product introduction mechanism 20, but a CCD camera or the like may be used in addition to the sensor. Good.

When the motors 22 and 23 of the product introduction mechanism 20 are operated by a command from the control unit 90, which will be described later, the introduction table 21 makes a rectangular motion, and the product G placed on the introduction table 21 by the walking beam system. It is sent onto the support members 34a, 34b, 35a of the rear lift mechanism 30. At this time, the article to be packaged placed on the introduction table 21 passes below the two sensors 24.

<Structure of Lift Mechanism 30> Lift mechanism 30
Are provided to support the bottom of the product G sent from the product introduction mechanism 20 and lift the product G upward. The lift mechanism 30 also plays a role of supporting the bottom of the product G when the peripheral portion of the film F is folded to the bottom of the product G, as described later.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2B, 4 and 5, the lift mechanism 30 mainly includes vertical rails 30a arranged on the left and right sides and a slider 31a which moves up and down along the vertical rails 30a. A link mechanism 30c, a lift motor 30d for moving the slider 31a up and down via the link mechanism 30c, a first base 31 attached to the slider 31a, and a small rail extending downward from the upper center of the first base 31. And a second base 32 that moves up and down along 31b. The lift mechanism 30 also includes a return mechanism and a time difference lowering solenoid switch 37.

The link mechanism 30c is a lift motor 30.
By the operation of d, the pin support portion 30b is rotated to move the slider 31a and the first base 31 to the vertical rail 30.
Move up and down along a. [First Base 31] The first base 31 is shown in FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 5, the slider 31a is formed integrally with the left and right support members 34a and the center front and rear support members 34b.
And have. The first base 31 has a portion that is divided into seven parts on the left and right, and a support member 34a (or 34b) extends upward from each of the divided parts.
The left and right support members 34a have a horizontal surface on the upper surface that supports the product G, and three left and right support members 34a are arranged on each side. The left and right support members 34a have a structure such that the upper portions thereof can be collapsed inward, and when the left and right folding plates 64, 65 and the left and right pushing members 61, 62 described later come inward, the left and right folding plates 64, 65. It falls inward due to the force acting from etc. On the other hand, the central front-back support member 34b is
It extends upward from the central one of the divided first bases 31, and does not have a falling structure. Also,
The central front-back support member 34b is the central support member 35 described later.
Along with a, it plays a role of supporting the central portion of the product G in the left-right direction from below, but it is formed in a concave shape in a side view together with the central support member 35a so that the product G is stably supported (FIG. 5). (See (a)). The central front-rear support member 34b supports a front portion and a rear portion of the center portion of the product G in the left-right direction.

The two small rails 31b are used for the first base 3
1 extends downward from the center of the upper part. The small rails 31b are the left and right support members 3 fixed to the first base 31.
4a and the center front-back support member 34b, and the 2nd base 32.
It is provided to vertically move the central support member 35a, which is pin-supported by the. [Second Base 32] In the second base 32, a slide portion 32a, which is a rear portion, is engaged with a small rail 31b so as to be slidable up and down. Therefore, the second base 3
2 can move up and down relatively to the first base 31. In addition, at the lower ends of the two small rails 31b, the sliding portion 32a of the second base 32 has the small rails 3a.
It is connected by a member for preventing it from falling off from 1b. A stopper bolt is attached to a member connecting the lower ends of the two small rails 31b, and the head of the bolt supports the lower surface of the slide portion 32a of the second base 32 from below. Therefore, when the slider 31a and the first base 31 rise, the second base 32 also rises.

The second base 32 comprises four link bars 3
The central support member 35a is supported by 5b. The center support member 35a is two plate-shaped members for supporting the center portion of the bottom of the product G. This central support member 35
The upper surface of a is concave as seen in a side view as shown in FIG. An upper portion of the link bar 35b is pin-joined to the central support member 35a, and a lower portion thereof is pin-joined to the second base 32. These link bars 35b are
It plays a role of moving the central support member 35a forward and backward with respect to the second base 32 by a predetermined distance. That is, the central support member 35a is configured to move back and forth within a predetermined range with respect to the second base 32 fixed in the front-rear direction (see FIGS. 5B and 5C).

The slide portion 32a of the second base 32 is also provided.
An extension member 32b extends downward from the rear end. The extension member 32b has its lower end bent backward to form a horizontal portion 32c. The horizontal portion 32c is supported from below by a shaft 37a of a solenoid switch 37, which will be described later, when the peripheral portion of the film F is folded into the bottom portion of the product G (see FIG. 5A).

[Return Mechanism] The return mechanism of the lift mechanism 30 has a structure in which the second base 32 supports the central support member 35a so as to be movable back and forth via the link bar 35b.
It is composed of a guide roller 36a provided at the front end of the base 31. The guide roller 36a includes the first base 31
Is rotatably supported at the front end of the central support member 35.
It prevents the a from moving forward more than necessary and plays a role of restricting the forward movement of the central support member 35a by hitting the central portion of the front link bar 35b (see FIG. 5C). Further, the guide roller 36a plays a role of guiding the central support member 35a so as to return to the rear when the first base 31 descends first and the second base 32 descends later.

When the second base 32 descends after the first base 31 descends first, a backward reaction force from the guide roller 36a to the front link bar 35b (reaction against the downward inertial force of the central support member 35a). Force) acts. For example, in the state shown in FIG. 6A, a backward force acts on the link bar 35b from the guide roller 36a. Thereby, the central support member 35a
Moves back to the original position (see FIG. 6B).

The stopper 32d works when the central support member 35a returns to the original front-rear position so that the central support member 35a does not move rearward more than necessary. The stopper 32d is provided at the front end of the second base 32, and restricts the forward movement of the lower end of the rear link bar 35b to prevent excessive rearward movement of the central support member 35a.

[Solenoid switch 37 for lowering the time difference]
Solenoid switch 37 for lowering the time difference of the lift mechanism 30
Is fixed to the body frame 15. The solenoid switch 37 is actuated immediately after the first and second bases 31, 32 are raised to the highest point, and their shaft 37a is operated.
Supports the lower surface of the horizontal portion 32c of the second base 32 from below (see FIG. 5A). As a result, the second base 32
Even if the first base 31 is lowered as shown in FIG. 5B, the height position is maintained as it is until the solenoid switch 37 is turned off.

<Structure of Film Conveying Mechanism 40> The film conveying mechanism 40 conveys the film F cut into a predetermined size above the product G supported by the lift mechanism 30 and causes the film holding mechanism 50 to hold the film F under tension. It is a mechanism. The film transport mechanism 40 mainly moves the roll holding unit 41 that rotatably supports the film roll R, the front clamp 54 that holds the leading end of the film F fed from the film roll R, and the front clamp 54 back and forth. It is composed of a front clamp moving mechanism.
The front clamp moving mechanism is the front clamp longitudinal movement motor 5
6a (see FIG. 4), a belt mechanism, a front clamp support member, and the like. Here, the front clamp 54 is moved back and forth by operating the front clamp forward / backward movement motor 56a. The front clamp 54 grips or separates the front end portion of the film F by turning on / off the front clamp solenoid switch 56b shown in FIG.

When the control section 90 issues a command to convey the film F, the front clamp 54 moves backward,
The leading end of the film F that has been fed from the film roll R and has reached the vicinity of the rear clamp 53 is grasped. Then, the front side clamp 54 moves forward while holding the leading edge of the film F, so that the film F is lifted by the lift mechanism 30.
Will be located above.

<Structure of Film Holding Mechanism 50> The film holding mechanism 50 mainly includes a front clamp 54 and a front clamp moving mechanism, which are also components of the film transport mechanism 40, a rear clamp 53 and a rear clamp moving mechanism. It is composed of a left clamp 51, a right clamp 52, and a left and right pushing member moving mechanism which is also a component of a film pushing mechanism 60 described later.

The rear clamp 53 is for holding or separating the rear end of the film F by turning on / off the rear clamp solenoid switch 55b shown in FIG. Moving. The rear clamp moving mechanism is the rear clamp longitudinal movement motor 55.
a (see FIG. 4), a belt mechanism, a rear clamp support member, and the like.

The left clamp 51 and the right clamp 52 are
As shown in FIG. 9, the film F is provided below the left and right pushing members 61 and 62, which will be described later, and the film F is pushed by the left and right pushing members 6.
The film F is gripped by being sandwiched between the films F and 62. That is, the left clamp 51 and the right clamp 52
Moves up and contacts the left and right pressing members 61 and 62 to grip the film F, and moves down to separate from the left and right pressing members 61 and 62 to release the grip of the film F. Therefore, in order to move the left clamp 51 and the right clamp 52 up and down, as shown in FIG.
A left clamp vertical movement motor 51a and a right clamp vertical movement motor 52a are provided. When the left clamp vertical movement motor 51a and the right clamp vertical movement motor 52a operate, the left clamp support base 51b and the right clamp support base 52b supporting the left clamp 51 and the right clamp 52 move up and down. In addition, in order to move the left clamp support base 51b and the right clamp support base 52b in the left-right direction, the left clamp left-right movement motor 51
A d and a right clamp left / right movement motor 52d are provided (see FIG. 4). When the left clamp left-right movement motor 51d and the right clamp left-right movement motor 52d operate, the left clamp support base 51b and the right clamp support base 52b supporting the left clamp 51 and the right clamp 52 move in the left-right direction. This left clamp support base 51b
By moving the right clamp support base 52b and the right clamp support base 52b in the left-right direction, the initial positions of the left clamp support base 51b and the right clamp support base 52b in the left-right direction are determined.

Further, the left clamp 51 and the right clamp 5
2 is supported by a left clamp support base 51b and a right clamp support base 52b so as to be movable left and right by a predetermined distance. Then, by moving left and right, the left clamp 5
1 and the right clamp 52 do not draw an arc-shaped trajectory,
The left clamp 51 and the right clamp 52 are configured to be able to move slightly up and down with respect to the left clamp support base 51b and the right clamp support base 52b. Therefore, when the left and right pushing members 61, 62 move left and right while the left clamp 51 and the right clamp 52 are pressed against the left and right pushing members 61, 62 from below, the left clamp 51 and the right clamp 52 follow the movement. . That is, the left and right pushing member moving mechanism that moves the left and right pushing members 61 and 62 to the left and right also serves to move the left clamp 51 and the right clamp 52 to the left and right.

The film holding mechanism 50 plays a role of gripping the peripheral portion of the film F when the product G is pushed up by the lift mechanism 30, and the film F is held just before the product G is pushed up. Perform a pre-stretching action to put the tension. By this pre-stretching operation, the respective clamps 53, 54, 51, 52 holding the peripheral portion of the film F horizontally move outward and the film F is stretched by a predetermined amount.

<Structure of Film Pushing Mechanism 60> The film pushing mechanism 60 is composed of left and right pushing members 61 and 62 and a left and right pushing member moving mechanism for moving these pushing members 61 and 62 left and right. The left and right pushing member moving mechanism includes a film pushing motor 63a shown in FIG. 4, a belt mechanism, and a support member that supports the left and right pushing members 61 and 62. The film pushing motor 63a operates according to a command from the control unit 90, and the left and right pushing members 6 are driven.
Move 1, 62 left and right.

Further, the left and right pushing members 61 and 62 can hold the film F by sandwiching the film F between the left clamp 51 and the right clamp 52, and act as a part of the clamp. Left and right pushing member 6
1, 62 are formed with elongated holes for strengthening the clamping action. Since the same applies to any of the pushing members 61 and 62, the elongated hole 61a formed in the left pushing member 61 shown in FIG. 9B will be described here. The long hole 61a is formed to be long in the front-rear direction, and has a size into which the protruding portion 51c protruding upward from the upper surface of the left clamp 51 can be inserted. When the left clamp 51 moves upward and comes into close contact with the pushing member 61, the protrusion 51c of the left clamp 51 enters the elongated hole 61a, and the film F enters between the protrusion 51c and the elongated hole 61a.
The lateral movement of the film F is strongly restricted. Thus, due to the presence of the protrusion 51c and the long hole 61a,
The grip degree for gripping the film F is enhanced by the clamp 51 and the pushing member 61.

<Structure of left and right folding mechanism 66 for film> The left and right folding mechanism 66 for film is mainly composed of the left and right folding plates 6.
4, 65 and left and right folding motors 68a for moving the left and right folding plates 64, 65 to the left and right (see FIG. 4).
It consists of and. The left-right folding motor 68a moves the folding plates 64, 65 left and right via a belt mechanism, a support member that supports the folding plates 64, 65, and the like.

The left and right folding plates 64 and 65 are arranged above the left and right pushing members 61 and 62, and the rear folding plate 71 will be described later.
The bottom of the product G is supported during the film folding operation by the. <Structure of heat seal / film front / rear folding mechanism 70> The heat seal / film front / rear folding mechanism 70 operates after the left and right end portions of the film F covering the product G are folded under the product G, and is operated after the film F. This is a mechanism in which the end portion is folded under the product G, and the film F is sandwiched below the product G for heat sealing.

The mechanism 70 mainly comprises a rear folding plate 71.
And a rear folding plate moving mechanism, a rear clamp 53 and a rear clamp moving mechanism (described above), a front fixing member 72,
Front clamp 54 and front clamp moving mechanism (described above)
And a nichrome wire 81 and a thermistor 82 mounted on the front fixing member 72. The rear folding plate 71 is
Left and right pushing members 61, 62 and left and right folding plates 6 in the height direction
4 and 65, and the film F is folded from the back to the bottom side of the product G, and the front side fixing member 7
The film F is sandwiched between the two and the film F to give a pressing force necessary for heat sealing. The rear folding plate moving mechanism includes a rear folding plate moving motor 71a (see FIG. 4), a belt mechanism, a support member for supporting the rear folding plate, and the like. When the rear folding plate moving motor 71a operates according to a command from the control unit 90, the rear folding plate 71 moves back and forth.

In the rear folding plate 71, the front surface of the main body 71b is roughened in the range shown in FIG. 3, and the surface thereof is rough. A bakelite member 71c is attached to the tip of the rear folding plate 71, as shown in FIG. The bakelite member 71c is made of a material having appropriate hardness, heat resistance, wear resistance, and insulation. With such a configuration, the portion of the rear folding plate 71 that comes into contact with the film F when the film F is folded is in a state in which the film F is hard to adhere.

The front side fixing member 72 is fixed to the body frame 15. The front side fixing member 72 is an aluminum plate 7
2a, a stainless plate 72b, and a roller 72c. Aluminum plate 72a is stainless steel plate 72b
And the roller 72c, and is arranged at a position sandwiched vertically. A nichrome wire 81 is attached to the rear surface of the aluminum plate 72a (the surface facing the rear folding plate 71). The nichrome wire 81 is located on the front side of the rear surface of the stainless plate 72b and the rear end of the roller 72c. To retract into
A stainless plate 72b and a roller 72c are arranged. Nichrome wire 81 (height dimension 2 mm) is made of aluminum plate 7
It is attached to the rear surface (height dimension 5 mm) of 2a via an insulating tape.

In order to estimate the amount of heat applied to the film F from the nichrome wire 81 by measuring the temperature of the aluminum plate 72a, the thermistor 8 which is a temperature sensor.
2 is embedded in the aluminum plate 72a. further,
The aluminum plate 72a is divided into two parts, left and right, and absorbs the expansion of the nichrome wire 81 according to the thermal expansion.

<Details of operation of stretch wrapping apparatus 100>
Next, of the operations of the stretch wrapping device 100, the operation of folding the film F from the left and the right to the bottom side of the product G and the operation of folding the film F from the rear to the bottom side of the product G to heat seal the film F will be described in detail. Explained. [Left and Right Folding Operation and Pushing Operation] As shown in FIG. 10A, the lift mechanism 3 is moved by the film transport mechanism 40.
When the film F is conveyed above 0, the left and right clamps 51 and 52 are raised to grip the left and right parts of the film F between the left and right pressing members 61 and 62. At this time, the front and rear parts of the film F are also held by the front and rear clamps 53 and 54.

Next, the left and right pushing members 61, 62 and the left and right clamps 51, 52 following them are opened outward, and the film F is pre-stretched in the left-right direction (see FIG. 10B). At this time, the film F is also pre-stretched in the front-back direction. The lift mechanism 3 is applied to the film F that has been pre-stretched and wrinkle-free.
0 raises the product G placed on the support members 34a, 34b, and 35a, and the film G is pushed up by the product G (see FIG. 10C). At this time,
The product G is the film F when the film F is pushed up.
The upper and lateral sides are covered by.

As shown in FIG. 10 (c), when the product G pushes up the film F, the left and right folding plates 64, 6
5 comes in first, and a little later, the left and right pushing members 61, 62 and the rear folding plate 71 also come in. The left and right folding plates 64 and 65 are the product G
When it reaches the position where it can support the bottom of the, the movement is stopped. On the other hand, the left and right pushing members 61, 62 and the left and right clamps 51, 52 which follow them are provided with the left and right folding plates 64, 65 so that excessive tension does not act on the film F due to the movement of the left and right folding plates 64, 65. Then, while moving inward, the left and right clamps 51 and 52 are lowered at appropriate positions to release the grip of the left and right portions of the film F (see FIG. 10D).

Even after releasing the left and right portions of the film F, the left and right pushing members 61 and 62 continue to move inward to push the film F to the bottom side of the product G, and finally the left and right folding plates 64, It moves to the inside of 65 and stops (see FIG. 10 (e)). At this time, the left and right folding plates 64, 65 and the left and right pushing members 61,
FIG. 11 shows the positional relationship between the rear folding plate 71 and the front fixing member 72.

In the left-right folding operation, in order to support the product G by the lift mechanism 30, the central front-rear supporting member 34b and the central supporting member 35a continue to support the left-right supporting member 34a. It replaces the support by 64,65. Left and right folding plates 6
When 4, 5 enter the inside, the left and right support members 34a are pushed by the left and right folding plates 64, 65 in order from the outer side and fall inward.

[Post-Folding Operation and Heat Sealing Operation] FIG.
The product G and the film F in the states shown in (e) and FIG. 11 are in a state as shown in FIG. 12 (a) in a side view. In the rear folding operation, first, the rear folding plate 71 moves forward, and after a short delay, the rear clamp 53 moves forward. After that, the rear clamp 53 moves forward in accordance with the movement of the rear folding plate 71 so that the excessive tension does not act on the film F (see FIG. 12B).

Then, when the rear folding plate 71 approaches the lift mechanism 30, the first base 31 descends, and the support of the product G by the central front-rear support member 34b is released (FIG. 12).
(See (c)). At this time, although the first base 31 is lowered by the lift motor 30d, the time difference lowering solenoid switch 37 maintains the same state, so that the second base 32 does not lower and stays at the same height position. Therefore, for a while after the first base 31 is lowered, the product G is supported only by the central support member 35a supported by the second base 32 and the left and right folding plates 64, 65.

Then, when the rear folding plate 71 further advances and hits the central supporting member 35a of the lift mechanism 30, the rear folding plate 71 is pushed forward by the force and the central supporting member 35a.
Starts to move forward (see FIG. 12D). Accordingly, the product G also starts moving forward. Further, as the center support member 35a and the product G move forward, the front clamp 54 moves forward to maintain the tension of the film F on the front side of the product G appropriately (FIGS. 13A and 13 (a). See b)). 1 is a plan view of the rear folding plate 71 and the like when the center support member 35a is moving forward while supporting the product G.
4 shows.

When the center support member 35a of the lift mechanism 30 and the commodity G approach the front side fixing member 72, the shaft 37a of the time difference lowering solenoid switch 37 retracts, and the second base 32 and the center support member 35a descend ( 5 (c), 6 (a) and 6 (b)). As a result, there is no obstruction to the entry of the rear folding plate 71 or the rear clamp 53 below the product G, and the rear folding plate 7
1 and the rear clamp 53 move further forward (see FIGS. 13B and 13C). Also at this time, the product G that receives a forward force from the rear folding plate 71 via the film F slides on the left and right folding plates 64 and 65 and continues to move forward.

Finally, the rear folding plate 71 hits the front side fixing member 72, specifically, the bakelite member 71c of the rear folding plate 71 hits the nichrome wire 81 of the front side fixing member 72 and the front film F. The film F on the rear side is heat-sealed below the product G by pressing force and heat input from the nichrome wire 81 (see FIG. 13D). It should be noted that the rear clamp 53 and the front clamp 54 are provided at or immediately before the heat input from the nichrome wire 81.
The holding of the film F by is released. This is to prevent the tension of the film F from changing when heat is applied.

Thereafter, the rear folding plate 71 and the rear clamp 53 return to the rear, and the product G covered with the film F and heat-sealed is supported by the front portions of the left and right folding plates 64 and 65. It will be in a state of being. <Structure of Control Unit 90 and Characteristic Control by Control Unit 90> The control unit 90 controls the operation of each mechanism 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 66, 70 of the stretch wrapping apparatus 100. The control unit 90 has a storage unit 91 such as a RAM. In this storage unit 91, the display operation unit 1
The type of product input by 0 and the information detected by the sensor 24 are stored.

[Input of Operation Content by Display Operation Unit 10]
The operator presses a key on the liquid crystal monitor 11 on the input key unit 12 to call a product type selection screen,
Select the desired item from the multiple preset items and enter the preset number. The input preset number is sent to the control unit 90. And
The product G is placed on the introduction table 21 of the product introduction mechanism 20 by the operator's hand, and the product G is sent to the lift mechanism 30 [detection of the size of the object to be packaged by the sensor 24]. When the product G passes below the sensor 24 on the way to the lift mechanism 30, the sensor 24 sends the information to the control unit 90. Then, the control unit 90 determines the size of the product G as follows. That is, when the information that the product G has passed underneath is sent from both of the two sensors 24, the control unit 9
0 determines that the size of the product G is “large”. If only one of the two sensors 24 sends information that the product G has passed below it, or neither sensor 24 sends information that the product G has passed below it. In this case, the control unit 90 determines that the size of the product G is “small”. A mark or a recess is provided in the center of the upper surface of the introduction table 21 as a position where the operator should place the product G, and the product G is placed in the center of the introduction table 21. Alternatively, the product G is installed on the introduction table 21.
The packaging device 100 may be provided with a centering mechanism that is repositioned at the center of.

The storage unit 91 of the control unit 90 stores a table in which packaging conditions are written for each type and size of the product G selected by the operator. For example, the type of the product G input by the operator from the display operation unit 10 is “daikon”
When the control unit 90 determines that the size of the radish carried into the packaging device 100 is “large” based on the information from the sensor 24, the packaging conditions corresponding to the “daikon” and “large” columns in the table are read. Be done.

[Control Regarding Left and Right Folding Operation and Pushing Operation] The control section 90 controls the film pushing motor 63a and the left and right folding motor 68a based on the packaging conditions read from the storage section 91, and the left and right pushing member 61, 6
2 and the moving amounts of the left and right folding plates 64 and 65 are suitable for the size of the product G. For example, the amount of movement of the left and right folding plates 64 and 65 when the size of the product G is “large” is smaller than the amount of movement of the left and right folding plates 64 and 65 when the size of the product G is “small”. ing. This is due to the following reasons. That is, when the left and right folding plates 64 and 65 fold the film F to the bottom side of the product G, the film F is pulled and tension is applied to the film F. If the amount of movement of the left and right folding plates 64 and 65 is large when the size of the product G is “large”, the amount of pulling of the film F becomes too large, and the film F may be broken. On the contrary, the amount of movement of the left and right folding plates 64, 65 when the size of the product G is “small” is the same as that of the left and right folding plates 64, 65 when the size of the product G is “large”.
It is larger than the moving amount of 65. This is product G
This is to sufficiently fold the film F on the bottom side of the product, and to prevent the product G from falling without being supported by the left and right folding plates 64 and 65. That is, in FIG. 10C and FIG. 10D, the left and right folding plates 64 and 65 are the product G.
The product G is supported by moving so as to enter the bottom side of the product G. However, if the amount of movement of the left and right folding plates 64 and 65 is small at this time, the left and right folding plates 64 and 65 are sufficiently inserted into the bottom side of the product G. This is for preventing the product G from falling without being supported by the left and right folding plates 64 and 65 without being inserted.

[Control Regarding Clamps 51, 52] In addition, the release timing of the left and right portions of the film F in the left and right folding operation, that is, the left and right clamps 51, 52
The timing of lowering 52 is also controlled based on the above packaging conditions. That is, the control unit 90
Grips the peripheral portion of the film F when the folding plates 64 and 65 moving to the left and right so as to fold the peripheral portion of the film F reach a predetermined position (hereinafter referred to as “clamp release position”). The left and right clamps 51 and 52 are lowered so as to be released, and the clamp release position is determined based on the packaging conditions described above. For example, the clamp release position when the size of the product G is “large” is outside the clamp release position when the size of the product G is “small”. In other words, the timing of lowering the clamps 51 and 52 when the size of the product G is “large” is earlier than the timing when the size of the product G is “small”. This is interlocked with the movement amount of the left and right folding plates 64 and 65, and when the release of the clamps 51 and 52 is delayed, excessive tension is applied to the film F to cause holes in the film F or the film F This is because there is a risk of breaking.

[Control Regarding Length of Film F Held Tensioned] The control unit 90 controls the left clamp left-right movement motor 51d and the right motor 51d before the packaging operation, or before the product G is pressed against the film F in the packaging operation. The left / right clamp support base 51b and the right clamp support base 52b are moved in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 9A by controlling the clamp left / right movement motor 52d. As a result, the control unit 90 sets the distance between the left and right clamps 51 and 52, that is, the length W of the film F tensioned and held by the left and right clamps 51 and 52 to an appropriate value based on the selected packaging condition. like,
The initial positions of the left and right clamps 51, 52 in the left-right direction are appropriately determined. For example, the size of the packaged product G is “small”.
In the case of, the left clamp support base 51b and the right clamp support base 51b are adjusted so that the length W of the film F held by the left and right clamps 51 and 52 becomes the film length written in the “small” column of the table. The clamp support base 52b is moved. For example, the film length when the size of the product G is “small” is set to be shorter than the film length when the size of the product G is “large”. this is,
The reason is as follows. That is, if the size of the product G is “small” and the length of the film F held in tension is too long, there is a waste of pre-stretching the wrinkle to a portion where it is not necessary to stretch the wrinkle. Alternatively, the amount of movement of the clamp required to secure a sufficient amount of pre-stretching becomes large. However, by controlling the length of the film F which is held in tension as described above, the peripheral portion of the film F is not unnecessarily stretched, and a sufficient pre-stretch amount can be secured with a small amount of clamp movement. Further, the tension of the film held in tension can be easily adjusted.

<Characteristics of Stretch Wrapping Device 100> When a plurality of products G are continuously wrapped with the film F,
In order to wrap the product G with good finish, it is necessary to wrap the product under the wrapping conditions suitable for the size of each product G. This is because by adjusting the length of the film F, the folding amount of the film F, and the like according to the size of each product G, it is possible to omit the wasteful film F and perform clean packaging with few wrinkles.

When the product G is accommodated in a tray and packaged, the size of the tray used is constant and is known in advance. Even when a plurality of types of trays are used, each type of tray has a size of several patterns. On the other hand, vegetables and fruits such as radish, cucumber and eggplant are not stored in a container such as a tray and are directly used in the film F.
Often wrapped in. Such fruits and vegetables have the same type but different sizes. For example, even if they are the same type of radish, their individual sizes differ depending on the degree of growth, harvest time, and the like. In addition, long and thin fruits and vegetables such as long potatoes are often packaged in a cut state, and the length varies depending on the cutting method. Therefore, when the product G to be packaged in such a notebook is packaged, products of various sizes are mixed as compared with the case where the product G is accommodated in the tray and packaged. Therefore, when packaging the product G to be packaged in Notley, since the packaging conditions are manually selected, the operation of the packaging device 100 is further performed as compared with the case of packaging the product G in a tray. It becomes complicated.

However, in this packaging device 100, the control unit 90 determines the packaging conditions based on the type of the product G input by the display operation unit 10 and the information detected by the sensor 24. Therefore, if the types of the products G are input at the beginning, when packaging a plurality of the products G of the same type, even if the products G of various sizes are mixed, the products G are automatically mixed.
The packaging is performed under the packaging conditions suitable for the size of. And
As described above, the packaging condition is that the left and right folding plates 64,
The amount of movement of 65, the release positions of the clamps 51 and 52, and the length W of the film F held under tension. These packaging conditions affect the tension of the film F, the amount of the excess film F after packaging, and the like, and thus affect the finish of the packaging. Therefore, even if the products G of various sizes are mixed, the packaging device 100 can easily and easily finish the packaging without the complexity of the operator selecting the packaging condition for each product G. It can be carried out.

[Other Embodiments] In the above embodiment, the packaging condition is selected according to the size of the product G in the left-right direction (see FIG. 2), but the depth of the product G (size in the front-rear direction in FIG. 1) is selected. ) Or the thickness (the size in the vertical direction in FIG. 1), the packaging conditions may be selected. This makes it possible to select packaging conditions that are more suitable for the size of the product G,
Furthermore, packaging with a good finish can be performed.

As a means for detecting the size of the product G, a method of judging from the weight of the product G can be considered. This is because the size of the product G of the same type generally corresponds to the weight, and thus the size of the product G can be easily determined from the weight. In this case, the weighing device 29 constitutes the detecting means. In the above embodiment, the product G is displayed from the table.
The packaging conditions corresponding to the size of
The packaging condition may be determined by a program that detects the size of the product G with a CD camera and calculates various packaging conditions from the size of the product G. This makes it possible to determine the packaging conditions that more closely correspond to the size of the product G, and to perform packaging with a better finish.

[0070]

In the packaging apparatus according to the present invention, the control section determines the packaging conditions based on the type of the article to be packaged inputted by the inputting means and the information detected by the detecting means.
For this reason, if you enter the type of items to be packaged at the beginning, when packaging multiple items to be packaged of the same type, even if items of various sizes are mixed, each item will be automatically packaged. The packaging is performed under the packaging conditions suitable for the size of the article to be packaged. As a result, this packaging device can easily perform good-finished packaging even when articles of various sizes are mixed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a stretch wrapping device.

FIG. 2A is a front view of the appearance of the stretch wrapping device, and FIG. 2B is a schematic front view of the stretch wrapping device (II-II in FIG. 1).
(View from arrow).

FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of a stretch wrapping device.

FIG. 4 is a control block diagram of the stretch wrapping device.

FIG. 5 is a view showing movements of a first base and a second base of the lift mechanism.

FIG. 6 is a view showing movements of a first base and a second base of the lift mechanism.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a lift mechanism.

FIG. 8 is a view on arrow VIII-VIII in FIG.

FIG. 9A is a diagram showing parameters in the initial position adjustment of the left and right clamps. (B) The figure which shows the joining part of a left clamp and a left pushing member.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a left-right folding operation.

FIG. 11 is a schematic plan view when the left and right folding is completed.

FIG. 12 is a view showing a rear folding operation.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a rear folding operation and a heat sealing operation.

FIG. 14 is a schematic plan view showing the post-folding operation.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Display operation unit (input means) 24 sensors (detection means) 51,52 Left and right clamp (clamp) 64, 65 Left and right folding plates (folding members) 68a Left-right folding motor (moving mechanism) 90 Control unit F film G products (packaged items)

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    F term (reference) 3E051 AA03 AB02 BA01 CA04 DA10                       EA05 EB03 FB02 FB07 FC02                       FD02 FD03 HA02 HA07 HE10                       KA03 KA07 KB03 KB04 LA02                       LA04 LA08 LB01 LB05 LB10

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A packaging device for packaging an object to be packaged, which is not housed in a container, against a film by inputting means for inputting a type of the object to be packaged, and a size of the object to be packaged. A packaging device comprising: a detection unit configured to detect a packaging condition, and a control unit configured to determine a packaging condition based on the type of the object to be packaged input by the input unit and information detected by the detection unit. 2. A folding member that folds a peripheral portion of the film so as to cover an object to be packaged that is pressed against the film; and a folding member that is controlled by the control unit to fold the peripheral portion of the film. A moving mechanism to move to
The packaging device according to claim 1, further comprising: the packaging condition being a movement amount of the folding member. 3. A clamp, which is controlled by the control unit and grips a peripheral portion of the film, wherein the control unit moves the folding member to fold the peripheral portion of the film to reach a predetermined position. The packaging device according to claim 2, wherein the clamp is controlled so as to release the grip of the peripheral portion of the film, and the packaging condition is the predetermined position. 4. The packaging device according to claim 1, wherein the packaging condition is a length of the film.