JP2004026163A - Sleeve wrapping method with heat-shrinkable film and packaging machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a rational packaging technique of a sleeve wrapping method for exposing outside a part of the peripheral surface of an article to be packaged and continuously wrapping the other peripheral part with a cut heat-shrinkable film. <P>SOLUTION: The heat-shrinkable film (103) having a required length is fed toward a second conveyance path (150a) from below a gap formed between a first conveyance path (112a) and the second conveyance path adjacent to the downstream side of the first path and provided on the extension of the surface of the first path. On the other hand, the article (101) to be packaged is carried along the first conveyance path (112a). After the leading edge of the heat-shrinkable film (103) is fed onto the second conveyance path (150a), the article (101) is transferred from the first path onto the end of the film on the second conveyance path. While the article (101) mounted on the leading edge of the film (103) is carried together with the film along the second path, a remaining part at the rear end of the film is raised by a film winding means (152) and also wound from the back of the article over the upper part toward the front. Thus part of the peripheral surface of the article is continuously wrapped with part of the film. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a sleeve packaging apparatus and a packaging method using a belt-shaped heat-shrinkable film, and more particularly, to wind a heat-shrinkable film continuously along a part of a peripheral surface of an article to be packaged, and a winding end thereof. The present invention relates to a packaging device capable of continuously automatic packaging in which edges are overlapped and a heat-shrinkable film is thermally shrunk, and a packaging method therefor.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, heat-shrinkable films have been widely used as plastic films for packaging. As a packaging method using this heat-shrinkable film, the entire surface of the article to be packaged is covered with a heat-shrinkable film, and the film is subjected to heat shrinkage after fusing and sealing, so that the film is closely adhered to the peripheral surface of the article to be packed and shrink-wrapped. The method is widely practiced. As typical packaging methods, there are two methods, a method called an L-type sealer and a method called an I-type sealer.
[0003]
An L-shaped sealer is a film in which one wide film is folded in half along the longitudinal direction, introduced into an opening device, opened in a U-shaped cross section while being inverted by the opening device, and covered with the opening. Conveying on the conveyor belt while introducing the packaged articles. For example, as disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 10-194242, as described above, when the article to be packaged introduced into the opening of the film having a U-shaped cross section is completely transferred together with the film to the conveyor belt, The L-shaped heat sealer melts and fuses the film portion existing along the two peripheral surfaces of the article to be packaged at the same time as welding, and then feeds the film to the heat shrinking section, where the entire film enclosing the article to be packaged is heated and shrunk. To complete the packaging.
[0004]
On the other hand, an I-type sealer is a method of fusing and simultaneously fusing the open ends of cylindrical packaging films containing articles to be packaged, and a linear sealer is used. At this time, the band-shaped film is formed in a tubular shape in advance, and the mating end is separately welded. Usually, such a wrapping method is also called a pillow wrapping. For example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. Hei 4-8284, a film obtained by folding a single wide film along the longitudinal direction into a cylindrical opening device is used. Introducing, the film is formed into a tube-like shape that is overlapped below, and at the same time, the article to be packaged is introduced into the cylindrical film. Next, the film edges overlapped below are welded by a linear heat sealer along the film transport direction. When the article to be packaged is completely fed into the tubular film, the film opening at the rear end in the film transport direction is again fused and blown in the transverse direction in a straight line. When the article to be packaged is wrapped with the film in this manner, the film is sent to a heat shrinking device to heat shrink the film and bring the film into close contact with the article to be packaged, thereby completing the packaging.
[0005]
By the way, in the case of such an L-type sealer system or an I-type sealer system, in each case, one wide film is folded in advance in advance, sent to an opening device, opened to a desired cross-sectional form, and then packed. The article is introduced into the film opening. However, after the film is in the half-folded state, if you try to open it while pulling it out, the generation of static electricity due to friction at the time of winding or the blocking due to the adhesion of the films becomes strong, and the film supply form is not stable, Various inconveniences arise. As a result, in this type of conventional packaging machine, the equipment must be increased in size, not only increasing the overall equipment space, but also significantly affecting equipment costs and operation management.
[0006]
In particular, the cylindrical opening device in the conventional pillow packaging machine has a size and a shape corresponding to the size of the article to be packaged, and when the size of the article to be packaged is changed, the tubular opening device can be replaced. Or, it was impossible to respond. However, for example, in the tubular opening device disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 4-8284, the tubular opening device is divided into left and right so as to be able to correspond to the width of the article to be packaged, and the divided tubular opening device is divided. Although the devices can be moved toward and away from each other, it is still not possible to accommodate the various heights of the articles to be packaged.
[0007]
The pillow packaging system developed there is, for example, the invention of Japanese Patent No. 2749521. According to this patent invention, a straight reversing guide portion having a length substantially equal to a half width of a long packaging material such as a film or a synthetic resin laminated material, and being orthogonal to the length direction of the packaging material, and the left and right sides of the reversing guide portion A reversal guide member connected to both ends and having a substantially linear inclined guide portion inclined at approximately 45 °, and in a horizontal plane including the reversal guide member, from an intersection of the two guide portions, orthogonal to the reversal guide portion. A vertical guide member arranged to raise the packaging material at a substantially right angle, and a vertex on a straight line which is located above a substantially vertical plane including the vertical guide member and rises at approximately 45 ° with the connection point. Two sides of a substantially right-angled isosceles triangle, including a side connecting the one vertex and a vertex at a right angle to the vertical plane, and being disposed in a plane parallel to the fixed horizontal plane. Half-fold opening provided with a half-fold guide member having Equipment.
[0008]
With such a half-fold opening device, the packaging material to be unwound from the film roll is opened in a cylindrical shape while being inverted in the longitudinal direction to accommodate the article to be packaged, and then sent out substantially horizontally. The part is welded and cut. In this way, by adopting a mechanism unique to the cylindrical opening mechanism of the film, the packaging machine can be made more compact, and a single machine can easily handle packages of various sizes and shapes. A practical pillow packaging machine that can be packaged can be obtained.
[0009]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the packaging machine according to this patent invention can also be made compact as a whole packaging machine, but its structure is complicated, and further, there is a limit to the compactness. The same applies to the above-mentioned L-type sealer system, but in each case, a welding and fusing device is required to seal a package such as a film. As a result, in the conventional packaging form, the entire surface of the article to be packaged is covered with a film or the like. It is assumed that Therefore, as long as these packaging methods are adopted, further downsizing of the entire packaging machine is impossible.
[0010]
Further, in the method of covering the entire surface of the article to be packaged with a film or the like, the amount of shrinkage is expected particularly when the film or the like as a package is closely adhered to the entire surface of the article to be packaged by heat shrinkage. In general, the amount of the wrapping film used is increased with respect to the wrapping surface of the wrapped article, and a large space is formed between the wrapped article and the wrapped film to seal. For this reason, an unnecessary amount of the film is used, and furthermore, there is a problem that it takes much time and effort to unwrap the wrapped film that is in close contact with the wrapped article. For this purpose, a perforation or an opening portion must be formed, and a new mechanism must be employed.
[0011]
Under these circumstances, the appearance of a more simplified packaging system and form has recently been eagerly desired. Therefore, a new technology for partial packaging technology is being developed instead of the conventional full packaging in order to respond to such a demand. As one example, there is a so-called band fastening system in which a package such as a film is wound around and adhered (tightened) so as to be continuous along a part of the peripheral surface of the article to be packaged. Packaging using this method is considered to be useful because it reduces the amount of film used and is easy to open.However, unlike packaging using a normal belt, it grips the end of a wide film, etc. Therefore, it is extremely difficult to uniformly wrap the peripheral surface of the article.
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to develop a rational packaging technique of such a band fastening method (sleeve packaging method) using a film or the like.
[0012]
Means for Solving the Problems and Functions and Effects
The above object can be effectively achieved by the invention according to each claim having the following technical structure.
In other words, the invention according to claim 1 is to provide a continuous heat-shrinkable film having a required length that is continuously or intermittently supplied and wound around a part of the entire surface of the article to be wrapped. A method of supplying an end of a heat-shrinkable film having a required length to a conveying path of a non-packaged article, and placing the article to be packaged on a supply end of the heat-shrinkable film. Placing, transporting the article to be packaged on the leading end of the heat-shrinkable film together with the film along the transport path, and, while transporting along the transport path, using film winding means. In a state in which the front end of the film is left on the lower surface of the article to be wrapped, while being scooped up from the back end of the article to be wrapped to the front while scooping up the rear end of the heat-shrinkable film, A part of the surface of the wrapped article is In sleeve wrapping method according to heat-shrinkable film characterized by comprising the encapsulating wound leaving the rear end of the arm.
[0013]
As described above, according to the present invention, for example, a film having a predetermined length is supplied to the upstream end of the transport path of the article to be packaged, and the leading end is placed on the transport path, and the leading end is required on the transport path. After the transfer, the film supply is stopped. During this stop, the article to be packaged is fed onto the transport path. The article to be packaged is transported on the transport path with the lower surface on the rear side of the article to be packaged resting on the film.
[0014]
On the other hand, at the same time that the article to be packaged is placed on the transport path, the film winding means starts operating, and while scooping up the rear end of the film from below, the film around the article to be packaged is entirely from the rear side. I will expand toward. Even if the film winding means is slightly past the lower front edge of the article to be packaged, the winding of the film winding means will continue. At this time, the rear end of the film extends downward beyond the front surface of the article to be packaged and is in a hanging state.
[0015]
In the invention according to claim 2, the transport path is a second transport path, and the article to be packaged is transferred to the second transport path by the first transport path of the non-packaged article arranged adjacent to the upstream end. And sequentially supplying the front end of the heat-shrinkable film to the upstream end of the second conveyance path before the article to be packaged is transferred to the second conveyance path. It is characterized by becoming.
[0016]
In the present invention, in order to send the articles to be packed into the transport path, the transport path is defined as a second transport path, and the first transport path is disposed adjacent to the upstream end of the second transport path. The articles to be packaged are sequentially sent from the transport path to the second transport path with a timing. At this time, before the article to be packaged is transferred to the second transport path, the front end of the heat-shrinkable film is supplied to the upstream end of the second transport path. It is vital. The front end of the heat-shrinkable film is fed over the film winding means from the gap between the first transport path and the second transport path to the second transport path.
[0017]
The invention according to claim 3 is that the packaged article wrapped by a part of the heat-shrinkable film is loaded into a third transport path arranged downstream of the second transport path. The rear end portion of the heat-shrinkable film is drawn into the lower surface of the front portion of the article to be packaged, the rear end portion of the film is overlapped with the front edge portion, and the package is conveyed through the third conveyance path. Heat shrinking the heat shrinkable film enclosing the body.
[0018]
As described above, the means for drawing the rear end of the film hanging downward from the front of the article to be packaged into the lower surface of the front part of the article to be packaged is defined, and the point of continuous heat shrinkage is defined. According to the present invention, during the transfer of the article to be packaged on the second transporting path to the adjacent third transporting path, the rear end of the film hanging below the front surface of the article to be packaged is automatically positioned in front of the article to be packaged. While being pulled into the lower surface, the film edges are automatically overlapped with each other. If the transport path following the third transport path is placed in, for example, a heating atmosphere, the film of the package wrapped by the film is heated and shrunk while being transported through the transport path, and the heat of the film is reduced. Close packaging by shrinkage becomes possible. The film width at this time may be shorter or longer than the width dimension orthogonal to the conveying direction of the article to be packaged, which is an advantageous point derived by adopting the present packaging method.
[0019]
When the lower end of the film hanging down along the front surface of the packaged article is superimposed on the leading end of the film initially fed to the second transport path existing on the rear side of the lower surface of the packaged article, the film is superimposed. It is desirable that the end portions have self-adhesive properties due to heat. Therefore, in the present invention, it is preferable to select a material having high self-adhesiveness due to heat for the material itself of the film. Examples of such a material include low-grade polyethylene. Also, if the material itself does not have self-adhesiveness due to heat, such as polypropylene or polyester, or if the material itself is not small, it may be subjected to a charging treatment such as friction before introducing the film into the second transport path. Self-adhesiveness can be provided. The film applied to the present invention includes not only a film made of a single material, but also a film laminated with a film having another function. In this way, if the superimposed end of the film has self-adhesiveness due to heat, the superposed end can be bonded at the time of subsequent heat shrinkage without special welding using a welding device. .
[0020]
According to the packaging method of the present invention, since the film before shrinkage can be wound in close contact with the peripheral surface of the article to be packaged, not only can the amount of the film used be suppressed, but also the subsequent heat shrinking step The application temperature can be set lower than before, the cost of the packaging operation can be reduced, and it is very economically advantageous. Furthermore, even when various types of printing are performed on a film, for example, the printing does not become distorted even after heat shrinkage because the film does not have slack. Further, since a film welding device is not particularly required, not only can the structure of the entire packaging machine be simplified, but also the size can be significantly reduced.
[0021]
The invention according to claim 4 is to cut a continuous heat-shrinkable film to a required length, and to direct the cut heat-shrinkable film toward a gap formed between the first and second transport paths. It is characterized by including supplying. In the above invention, the film wound around the article to be packaged may be cut in advance to a necessary minimum length, and may be sequentially supplied to the gap between the first transport path and the second transport path. However, in the present invention, the leading end of the continuous film is supplied in advance from the film roll to the gap between the first and second transport paths, and the time when the article to be packaged is transferred to the second transport path is estimated. It is also possible to cut the film at every preset film length. With this configuration, full automation of the packaging machine is achieved.
[0022]
The invention according to claim 5 relates to a packaging machine having a typical configuration of a packaging device suitable for carrying out the above-described packaging method, wherein a continuous or intermittently supplied strip-shaped continuous heat-shrinkable film is formed. A sleeve packaging machine provided with a sleeve packaging device that cuts to a desired length and winds and encloses a part of the entire surface of the packaged article, wherein the sleeve packaging device is provided with a conveying path for the packaged article. A film supply means for supplying a cut front end of the heat-shrinkable film to an upstream end of the transport path; and, after the front end of the heat-shrinkable film is supplied to the transport path, the same. A first conveying means for supplying the articles to the conveying path, and waiting below an upstream end of the conveying path, and moving upward from the back side of the article to be packaged conveyed on the conveying path toward the front side. A heat-shrinkable film is wound around In the sleeve packaging machine characterized by comprising and a Lum winding means. With a packaging machine having such a configuration, automation of the above-described packaging method can be realized.
[0023]
In the invention according to claim 6, an endless rotating chain is arranged on at least one side edge of the peripheral circuit of the film winding means, and the film winding means has one end fixed to a part of the rotating chain. And a bar member extending in the transverse direction of the peripheral circuit. In the present invention, for example, the bar member is supported by one end or both ends so as to be orthogonal to the rotation direction of the rotation chain, and the bar member is moved along the peripheral circuit with the rotation of the chain. The bar member at this time may be a simple rod-shaped bar, or may be a suction pipe having suction holes arranged in the length direction. In the case of this suction pipe, the suction hole is constituted by a number of small holes arranged in the length direction of the suction pipe, or from a single or a plurality of slits (long holes) extending in the length direction of the suction pipe. Be composed.
[0024]
Further, in the present invention, the film winding means may be single, and may make the peripheral circuit reciprocate between the standby position and the end position, but as in the invention according to claim 13, The peripheral circuit of the film winding means, the whole of which has the same path across the second transport path, is constituted by a single annular path, and the winding means comprises a pair and is disposed on the opposite side of the annular path. Is preferred. In this case, when one film winding means completes the necessary rotation, the other film winding means can always be in a standby state at the start position of the next rotation, so that the operating efficiency of the packaging machine is reduced. improves.
[0025]
The invention according to claim 8 is characterized in that the film supply means includes cutting means for cutting a continuous heat-shrinkable film to a required length. The film supply means is supplied as a continuous film from, for example, a film winding roll, and is cut into pieces each having a length sufficient to wind the article to be packaged. The cutting means is a cutting means for this purpose, and is activated at an appropriate time before the winding means surrounds the article to be packaged to cut the continuous film into a required length. The measurement of the length can be determined by measuring, for example, the number of revolutions of the supply roll of the film supply means and the circling distance of the film winding means.
[0026]
The invention according to claim 9 is characterized in that a slitter for dividing a continuous heat-shrinkable film into two or more in the width direction is provided upstream of the film cutting means. When using a wide heat-shrinkable film having a film width that is two to three times as large as the film width required for packaging an article to be packaged, use a film-wound roll having the packaging width of the article to be packaged. Even if this is not done, if the wide film is slit into two or three sheets by a slitter, it becomes possible to simultaneously package two or three articles to be packaged on the second transport path, and the operating efficiency is remarkably improved.
[0027]
The invention according to claim 10 further includes a third transport path disposed adjacent to the downstream side of the second transport path, and a heating region of the heat-shrinkable film is provided downstream of the third transport path. It is characterized by being arranged. As described above, during the transfer to the third transport path, the rear end of the film hanging downward from the front of the article to be packaged is automatically drawn into the lower surface of the front of the article to be packed, and the film ends are automatically connected to each other. Overlaid. In this state, close packaging cannot be performed, so after the film edges are automatically overlapped, the package is continuously sent to the next heat-shrinkable film heating area, where the film edges are self-adhered. At the same time, the film can be heated and shrunk so as to be in close contact with the peripheral surface of the article to be packaged, so that automation can be promoted.
[0028]
The invention according to claim 11 is characterized in that the first to third transport paths are formed by endless transport belts whose upper surfaces are arranged on the same plane. Although there are various types of means for transporting articles, the use of a transport belt is optimal for securing the transport distance of the articles and controlling the transport speed.
[0029]
According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control device for controlling a drive timing in a drive unit such as the first to third transport belts, a film winding unit, a film supply unit, and a film cutting unit. Features. For example, a servo motor is used as a driving unit, and a signal is output from the control unit to the servo motor in accordance with a preset sequence to control the rotation speed, start, stop, and the like of each motor.
[0030]
By the way, when the article to be packaged is lightweight, after the film is introduced into the second transport path, when the film is wound around the article to be packaged while being wound around the film winding means, after the article to be packaged, There is a possibility that the end portion easily rises and the film below the end portion is pulled out. Therefore, in the invention according to claim 15, a film suction means for sucking a film on the second conveyance path is provided below the second conveyance path. With this film suction means, the film can be reliably introduced into the second transport path, and even when the film is wound around a lightweight article to be packaged by the film winding means, the film is slipped on the second transport path to be covered. The packaged article can be transported reliably without being pulled out from the lower surface.
[0031]
Further, the invention according to claim 16 is characterized in that it comprises means for opening and closing each gap between the first transport path and the third transport path sandwiching the second transport path. If the packaged article is a single article, it will not collapse during packaging, but if the packaged article consists of multiple articles and those articles are in an unstable form, the Attempting to package them together, apart from transporting them, often breaks the bundles, especially when packaging with film, and often makes it impossible to pack tightly. Therefore, in the present invention, at least the gap between the first transport path and the second transport path and the gap between the second transport path and the third transport path, which are the start position and the end position of the film packaging, are covered. At the time of transferring the packaged articles, the gaps are closed by the opening / closing means, and each gap is opened at the time of passing through the film winding means. By closing the gap, a plurality of easily rollable articles can be smoothly transferred without breaking the group.
[0032]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.
1 to 4 show a typical embodiment of a sleeve packaging machine according to the present invention. The sleeve wrapping machine 100 according to the present embodiment receives the article supply / conveyance section 102 of the article to be packaged 101 and the article to be packaged 101 sent from the article supply / transportation section 102, and the back, top, and A film winding portion 104 on which a heat-shrinkable film (hereinafter simply referred to as a heat-shrinkable film) 103 is wound on the front surface; A heat-shrinkable film, which is disposed adjacent to the downstream side of the film-end retracting portion 105 for pulling the attachment end to the lower surface of the article to be packaged 101 and encloses the article-to-be-wrapped 101, is shrunk by heating. The heat shrinking section 106 which is brought into close contact with the article to be packaged, and the front end of the thermoplastic film is passed through a gap between the article supply / transport section 102 and the film winding section 104. And a film supply section 107 to the film winding unit 104 introduced.
[0033]
A first conveyor belt 112 that is driven and rotated in one direction by a drive motor 111 is disposed in the article supply / transport unit 102, and the upper surface of the first conveyor belt 112 forms a first transport path 112a in the present invention. The film supply unit 107 is disposed below the first conveyor belt 112. FIG. 2 shows a specific configuration of the film supply unit 107. As shown in FIG. 1, the supply end of the film supply unit 107 is directed to a slight gap formed between the article supply / conveyance unit 102 and the film winding unit 104.
[0034]
As shown in FIG. 1, the film supply unit 107 includes a film delivery device 121 provided on a machine base 108 and a film cutting / supplying device 130 provided on a machine frame (not shown). The specific configuration will be described with reference to FIG.
[0035]
The film delivery device 121 includes a pair of left and right delivery rollers 122, 122, a plurality of guide rollers 123, 123 for guiding the film 103 drawn from one delivery roller 122 upward, and one of the delivery rollers 123. A braking device 124 capable of controlling the braking force of the film 122 and a braking force thereof, and a pair of static elimination brushes 123a, 123a for removing static electricity on the surface of the film 103 while the film 103 is guided and transported. . The pair of delivery rollers 122, 122 are intermittently driven synchronously by a drive motor (not shown). A film winding roll 126 is placed on the pair of delivery rollers 122, 122, and the heat-shrinkable film 103 is delivered at a constant speed by driving the delivery rollers 122, 122. Reference numeral 127 denotes a regulating rod that is disposed on the end face side of the film winding roll 126 and restricts the film winding roll 126 from moving in the axial direction on the delivery rollers 122, 122.
[0036]
The film cutting / supplying device 130 has an end on the film supply side directed to a gap between the first conveyor belt 112 of the article supply / transportation unit 102 and the film winding unit 104, and feeds the film. The film 103 sent from the apparatus 121 is received, and the film 103 is introduced into the gap between the first conveyor belt 112 and the film winding section 104 as described above. According to this embodiment, a film cutting device 131 is further attached to the film cutting supply device 130, and the minimum necessary for winding the film 103 sent from the film sending device 121 around the peripheral surface of the article to be packaged 101. Cut to length. The cutting length is calculated from the rotation speed of the drive motor 125 or the rotation speed of the guide roller 123 disposed in the delivery passage, and when a preset length is delivered, the control shown in FIG. In response to a command from the device 109, the feeding of the film 103 is temporarily stopped, and at the same time, the film cutting device 131 operates to cut the film 103.
[0037]
The film cutting and feeding device 130 includes two pairs of front and rear film feeding conveyor belts 132, 132; 133, 133 disposed across the film introduction path, and driving rollers for the film feeding conveyor belts 132, 132, 133, 133. 134, 135 and driven rollers 136, 137, four pairs of belt conversion rollers 138, 138 to 141, 141, eight belt tension rollers 142 to 142, and a driving motor 143 for driving the driving rollers 134, 135. It has. The two pairs of film supply conveyor belts 132, 132; 133, 133 are slightly separated from each other, and the cutting blade 131a of the film cutting device 131 moves toward and away from the separated space. The main body of the cutting device 131 is composed of a pneumatic cylinder. Upon receiving a signal from the control device 109, the pneumatic cylinder is operated to move the cutting blade 132a forward and backward.
[0038]
3 and 4 specifically show the configuration of the film winding section 104. The film winding portion 104 according to the present embodiment is the most characteristic portion of the present invention, and as can be understood from FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, a film winding portion 104, which will be described later, is formed along the inner surface of a rectangular frame 151. A guide member 153 that guides one end of a horizontal bar 152 as a component of the winding means is extended, and the horizontal bar extends along the guide member 153 disposed on the inner wall of a rectangular frame 151. Orbit 152. Therefore, one end of the horizontal bar 152 is fixed to an endless chain 154 that rotates along the inner wall of the rectangular frame 151, and one end of the horizontal bar 152 is cantilevered and horizontally supported as a free end. ing.
[0039]
Here, the horizontal bar 152 is generally formed of a normal solid or hollow bar material, but is not shown, but is formed of a hollow pipe material, and is formed of a hollow pipe material. In addition to forming an air ejection hole or a suction hole in the longitudinal direction, a base end thereof can be connected to an external air supply source or an intake source. Films having heat shrinkage include those having too much friction or rich self-adhesion, and those having little friction and no self-adhesion. At the time of winding the film 103 by the horizontal bar 152, in order to smoothly perform the winding operation while holding the film 103 on the horizontal bar 152, depending on the physical properties of the film 103, from the air ejection hole or the suction hole, Eject or suction air. The air ejection holes or suction holes may be small holes arranged in the longitudinal direction of the horizontal bar 152, or may be long holes extending in the longitudinal direction.
[0040]
Further, according to the present embodiment, the endless chain 154 is composed of two sets of endless chains 154a and 154b so as to support one end of the horizontal bar 152 at two places at a predetermined interval in the extending direction. Have been. This is because it is difficult to maintain the horizontal posture because the horizontal bar 152 is cantilevered. Therefore, in the present invention, it is also possible to support both ends of the horizontal bar 152, and in this case, two sets of endless chains 154a and 154b are arranged at both ends of the horizontal bar 152, respectively. What is necessary is just to support it. In this embodiment, the front side of the packaging machine is opened and the packaging machine is cantilevered as described above to facilitate various operations.
[0041]
In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, two horizontal bars 152 are prepared, and each of the horizontal bars 152 is arranged at a portion facing the endless chain 154. The positions of the left and right horizontal bars 152a and 152b indicated by solid lines in FIG. 3 are all the positions at the time of stopping the endless chains 154a and 154b, and the stopping position is の of each vertical height of the endless chains 154a and 154b. Position. When the article to be packaged is conveyed from the right side of the figure and the endless chain 154 rotates counterclockwise, the first horizontal bar 152a on the right side of the figure is in the standby position and on the left side. The second horizontal bar 152b is a position where the winding of the film 103 around the article to be packaged 101 is completed.
[0042]
The second transport path of the present invention is formed at a position slightly above the standby position and the winding end position of the first and second horizontal bars 152a and 152b. The first and second horizontal bars 152a and 152b each having one end fixedly supported by the endless chain 154 extend horizontally so as to cross the second transport path. The second transport path 150a according to the present embodiment is formed by the upper surface of the second conveyor belt 150. The second transport path 150a is on the same horizontal plane as the first transport path 112a of the first conveyor belt 112. The introduction end of the packaged article of the second conveyor belt 150 and the discharge end thereof are positioned obliquely above and outside the standby position and the winding end position of the first and second horizontal bars 152a and 152b, respectively. In other words, when the first and second horizontal bars 152a, 152b circulate, they do not interfere with the leading end of the second conveyer belt 150 and the discharge end thereof. That is, the standby position and the winding end position of the first and second horizontal bars 152a and 152b are at a lower position close to the gap between the end of the first conveyor belt 112 and the start of the second conveyor belt 150, It is a lower position close to a gap between the end of the second conveyor belt 150 and a later-described third conveyor belt 180 installed adjacent to the end of the second conveyor belt 150.
[0043]
The endless chains 154a and 154b are looped around four sets of chain wheels 155 to 158 (155a, 155b to 158a, 158b) arranged before and after the four corners of the rectangular frame 151. Each set of chain wheels 155 to 158 is fixed coaxially, and one set of the chain wheels 155 is driven by a drive motor 159.
[0044]
In the present embodiment, the installation height of the rectangular frame 151 is adjustable. The rectangular frame-shaped frame 151 is fixedly mounted on a table 161 having four corners supported by four columns 160 erected on the machine stand 108. The upper end of the support 160 is threaded, and the upper end of the support 160 is screwed into a nut member 162 fixed to the lower surface of the four corners of the table 161 via bearings. By rotation, the table 161 is guided by the column 160 and moves up and down. The rotation of the nut member 162 is performed by rotating a height adjustment handle 163 installed on the table 161.
[0045]
The handle shaft 164 of the adjustment handle 163 is rotatably supported by brackets 165 and 166 installed on the table 161 at front and rear. A first bevel gear 167 is fixed to the handle shaft 164, and a vertical support shaft 169 of a second bevel gear 168 meshing with the first bevel gear 167 is rotatably supported through the table 161. At the lower end of the vertical support shaft 169, a chain wheel 170 is fixed. On the other hand, chain wheels 162 a to 162 d are also fixed to rotating parts of nut members 162, 162, 162, 162 arranged at four corners of the table 161, respectively, and are fixed to the lower end of the vertical support shaft 169. The chain wheel 170 and each of the chain wheels 162a to 162d installed on the lower surface of the table 161 are connected by a single chain (not shown). With this configuration, by rotating the adjustment handle 163 right and left, each of the chain wheels 171, 162a to 162d rotates, and the table height can be adjusted.
[0046]
The film end retracting section 105 is provided adjacent to the downstream end of the film winding section 104 having such a configuration. The film-end retraction unit 105 includes a third conveyance path installed adjacent to the downstream end of the second conveyor belt 150. As shown in FIG. 1, the third transport path 180a is formed by the upper surface of the third conveyor belt 180. Adjacent to the downstream end of the third conveyor belt 180, a heat shrinkable portion 106 of a heat shrinkable film is further provided. As shown in FIG. 1, the heat shrinking section 106 is provided with a fourth conveyor belt 190 connected to the end of the package of the third conveyor belt 180 for discharging the packaged goods. A room 191 is provided. A heating device 192 including a sheathed heater or the like is arranged on the ceiling of the heating chamber 191.
[0047]
Now, as long as it can be conveyed by the first to fourth conveyor belts 112, 150, 180, and 190 and can pass through the heating chamber 191 by the sleeve packaging machine according to the present embodiment configured as described above. In addition, the sleeve packaging can be performed automatically and continuously without any limitation on the shape and size of the article to be packaged 101. FIG. 5 shows a procedure of sleeve packaging of the article to be packaged 101 by the sleeve packaging machine 100 according to the present embodiment.
[0048]
First, as shown in FIG. 3A, the first conveyor belt 112 is driven, and the article to be packaged 101 is conveyed on the first conveying surface 112a of the article to be conveyed and conveyed section 102. At this time, the film cutting device 131 of the film cutting supply device 130 operates, and the heat-shrinkable film 103 sent from the film sending device 121 covers the front and rear surfaces and the upper and lower surfaces of the article to be packaged 101. It is cut to the necessary and sufficient length.
[0049]
Here, the film supply conveyor belt 133 is operated to introduce the heat-shrinkable film 103 into the gap between the article discharge end of the first conveyor belt 112 and the article introduction end of the second conveyor belt 150 (see FIG. (See (b) of the figure). At this time, the transport speed of the packaged article 10 transported on the first transport surface 112a is set to be relatively lower than the introduction speed of the heat-shrinkable film 103 introduced from the film supply unit 107. The leading end of the heat-shrinkable film 103 introduced into the gap is placed on the second transport path 105a of the film winding section 104 through a guide section (not shown), and moves forward with the transport speed of the second conveyor belt 150. It is transferred (see (b) of FIG. 3).
[0050]
When the leading end of the film is transported by a predetermined length, the article to be packaged 101 transported by the first conveyor belt 112 reaches the second conveyor belt 150, and the second conveyor belt 112 is transported at the transport speed of the first conveyor belt 112. The packaged article 101 is transported forward while sliding on the heat-shrinkable film 103 which has been transferred to the upper side 150 (see (c) in the same figure), and the article to be packaged 101 exceeds the front end of the heat-shrinkable film 103. As a result, the first half thereof protrudes into the second conveyor belt 150 (see (d) in the figure).
[0051]
When the front end of the packaged article 101 jumps forward from the front end of the heat-shrinkable film 103 by a predetermined length, the rear end of the packaged article 101 moves to the second transport path 150a, and then the packaged article 101 101 is transported forward together with the heat-shrinkable film 103 (see (d) in the figure). When the rear end of the article to be packaged 101 moves to the second transport path 150a, the pair of endless chains 154a and 154b of the film winding unit 104 start to rotate, and the first and second endless chains 154a and 154b at the symmetric positions of the peripheral circuit are started. The second horizontal bars 152a, 152b begin to rotate together along the peripheral circuit. At this time, the first horizontal bar 152a on the side of the film supply unit 107 rises from the standby position while scooping the heat-shrinkable film 103 from below in the peripheral circuit (see (e) in the figure).
[0052]
When the endless chains 154a, 154b bend the upper right corner of the peripheral circuit, the first horizontal bar 152a moves to the horizontal movement with the scooped heat-shrinkable film 103 hooked, and the heat-shrinkable film 103 is wrapped. The article 101 is sequentially encased from the back to the top (see (f) in the figure). During this time, the second conveyor belt 150 is temporarily stopped, and when the horizontal bar 152a starts to move downward through the upper left corner, the second conveyor belt 150 starts rotating again, and the first horizontal belt 150a starts rotating. When the bar 152a is lowered to the standby position of the second horizontal bar 152b, the transport speed and the start / stop timing are set so that the front surface of the article to be packaged reaches the article discharge end of the second conveyor belt 150. . When the heat-shrinkable film 103 is lowered to the standby position of the second horizontal bar 152b, the heat-shrinkable film 103 covers the front surface, the upper surface, the rear surface, and the lower surface on the rear end side of the article to be packaged 101. At this time, the rear end of the heat-shrinkable film 103 hangs down on the peripheral circuit from the article discharge end of the second conveyor belt 150 (see (g) in the figure).
[0053]
As described above, in the present embodiment, the timing at which the heat-shrinkable film is fed from the film cutting and supplying device 130 to the gap between the first conveyor belt 112 and the second conveyor belt 150, The timing at which articles are transferred to the second conveyor belt 150 is controlled by giving a speed difference between the driving speed of the first conveyor belt 112 and the driving speed of the second conveyor belt 150. However, the present invention is not limited to this procedure. For example, the leading end of the film is first sent to the second conveyor belt 150 to temporarily stop the film supply, and the articles 101 to be conveyed by the first conveyor belt 112 are moved to the second conveyor belt 150. Immediately after the film is completely transferred, the film cutting / supplying device 130 is started to feed the film 103 for a predetermined length. After feeding, it is also possible to cut the film 103 by operating the film cutting device 131 can further control the supply timing of supply and the packaging article 1101 of the film 103 by other procedures.
[0054]
The packaged article 101 is transferred to the third conveyor belt 180 together with the heat-shrinkable film 103 in a state where the rear end of the film is hung below the front surface of the packaged article 101. At the time of this transfer, the trailing edge of the heat-shrinkable film 103 hanging down as described above is drawn into the lower surface of the first half of the article to be packaged 101, and the heat shrinkage existing on the lower surface of the latter half of the article to be packaged 103 first. On the front edge of the conductive film 103. The packaged article 110 composed of the article to be packaged 103 thus wrapped by the heat-shrinkable film 103 is conveyed by the third conveyor belt 180 to the fourth conveyor belt 190 further forward (see (h) in the figure). As shown in FIG. 1, the packaged product 110 conveyed to the fourth conveyor belt 190 immediately enters the heating chamber 191, is heated by the heating device 192, and heat-shrinks the film 103 covering the article 101 to be packaged. And the front and rear surfaces and the upper and lower surfaces of the article to be packaged 101 are continuously brought into close contact with each other, and the sleeve packaging is completed.
[0055]
If the film width of the heat-shrinkable film 103 of the sleeve package is smaller or larger than the width dimension of the article to be packaged 101, it can be arbitrarily selected without interfering with the packaging. However, if the film itself does not have self-adhesiveness due to heat, the ends may be separated from each other during heat shrinkage. As the heat-shrinkable film 103 having self-adhesion due to heat, a low-grade polyethylene can be used, but a normal polyethylene film may be used, or a film having poor self-adhesion, such as a film such as polypropylene or polyester, If a charging process is performed on the film itself in a step before the packaged article 101 is wrapped, electrostatic adhesion becomes possible.
[0056]
By the way, in the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the lower surface of the transport path 150a of the second conveyor belt 150 installed in the film winding section 104 is simply supported by the belt support plate 164. When only the belt supporting plate 164 supports the belt from the lower surface, and the article to be packaged 103 is lightweight, the rear end of the article to be packaged 103 is lifted by the heat-shrinkable film 103 when the film is wound. Then, the thermoplastic film 103 may be pulled out from the lower surface of the article to be packaged 101.
[0057]
Therefore, in the present invention, as shown in FIG. 7, a film suction box 165 serving as a film suction means may be provided in place of the belt support plate 164 provided on the second conveyor belt 150. When the film suction box 165 is provided in this manner, a porous resin belt, a wire mesh, a porous metal sheet, or a coarse fabric or net is naturally used as the second conveyor belt 150. By providing the film suction box 165 in this manner, even when the article to be packaged 101 is lightweight, the heat-shrinkable film 103 is pulled out from the lower surface of the article to be packaged 101 when the heat-shrinkable film 103 is wound. Nothing.
[0058]
In this embodiment, on the chain peripheral circuit, a second horizontal bar 152b is provided symmetrically with respect to the center point of the peripheral circuit in addition to the first horizontal bar 152a. Accordingly, while the first horizontal bar 152a moves from the standby position (the right position in FIG. 3) to the film winding end position (the left position in FIG. 3), the second horizontal bar 152b moves to the film winding end position (FIG. 3). 3 (left position of FIG. 3) to a standby position (right position of FIG. 3). As a result, when the film winding on the preceding packaged article 101 by the first horizontal bar 152a is completed, the second horizontal bar 152b is moved to the start position (standby position) of the film winding on the next packaged article 101. Has arrived and waits at that position for the next operation.
[0059]
FIG. 8 shows another embodiment of the present invention. According to this embodiment, a slitter 144 that divides the heat-shrinkable film 103 sent from the film sending device 121 into two or more in the width direction is provided between the film cutting / feeding device 130 and the film sending device 121. Is provided. The form and dimensions of the article to be packaged 101 are various. The heat-shrinkable film 103 having the same film width cannot be used for the packaged article 10 having such various forms and dimensions, and the film 103 is replaced every time the form and dimension of the packaged article 101 change. This not only complicates the packaging operation but also is economically undesirable.
[0060]
In the present embodiment, as described above, by providing the slitter 144 between the film cutting and supplying device 130 and the film sending device 121, even if the heat-shrinkable film is wide, it is divided in the width direction. This makes it possible not only to handle a variety of articles to be packaged 101, but also to wrap a plurality of articles to be packaged 101 at the same time using the divided film 103. In such cases, the packaging efficiency can be further improved.
[0061]
Note that this type of packaging does not always package a single article 101 to be packaged. Moreover, the article to be packaged 101 itself is not limited to one having a stable form. If a plurality of these unstable articles to be packaged 101 are to be packaged together, they will roll in the middle of packaging and the package cannot be maintained in shape. Therefore, in the present invention, as means for opening and closing the gap between the conveyance paths, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, one or both of the belt support members 128 arranged in the rotating direction of the first and second conveyor belts 112 and 150. Is preferably configured to be able to expand and contract with respect to the other conveyor belts 112 and 150. This telescopic structure is not special, and a generally known general telescopic structure such as a fluid pressure cylinder or a link mechanism can be employed. This expansion / contraction structure is applied to the support member of the third conveyor belt 180 in addition to the support member 128 of the first conveyor belt 112. Note that the support members of the first and third conveyor belts 112 and 180 may not have a telescopic structure, and both ends of the support member of the second conveyor belt may have a telescopic structure.
[0062]
That is, when the article to be packaged 101 is transferred from the first conveyor belt 112 to the second conveyor belt 150, the belt support member 128 of the first conveyor belt 112 and / or the second conveyor belt 150 is extended, and the first The gap formed between the conveyor belt 112 and the second conveyor belt 150 is closed, so that the transfer operation of the article to be packaged 101 is smooth. Immediately after the article to be packaged 101 is completely transferred to the second belt conveyor 112, the support member 128 is contracted to form a gap between the first conveyor belt 112 and the second conveyor belt 150. , Allow the horizontal bar 152 circling from below through the gap. By adopting such a configuration, when a plurality of unstable articles are to be packaged together, if the belt support member 128 is extended, the gap between the first and second conveyor belts 112 and 150 is increased. Since there is no longer any gap between the transport surfaces, the article can be stably transferred. On the other hand, when the belt supporting member 128 expands and contracts, the tension of the belts 112 and 150 is always maintained by using the urging force of the tension rolls of the conveyor belts 112 and 150.
[0063]
As can be understood from the above description, according to the sleeve packaging machine according to the present invention, the packaging mechanism is simplified, the size can be reduced, and not only can the sleeve be packaged reliably, but also various drive motors can be used. If various types of servomotors are employed and inverter control is performed, drive speeds of a plurality of drive motors and timing control such as start / stop can be performed with high accuracy, and continuous automation can be performed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing a typical embodiment of a sleeve packaging machine according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a main part configuration diagram of a film supply device applied to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a front view of a film winding section applied to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a side view of the same.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a sleeve packaging procedure according to the present invention.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a problem caused by the embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a main part front view showing a modification of the embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view showing another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a schematic side view showing still another embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
100 sleeve packaging machine
101 Article to be packaged
102 Packaged article supply and transport section
103 Heat shrinkable films (package)
104 film winding section
105 Film end retracting section
106 Heat shrink section
107 Film supply unit
108 units
109 control device
110 Packaging
111 drive motor
112 First conveyor belt
112a 1st conveyance path
121 Film delivery device
122 Delivery roller
123 Guide roller
123a brush
124 braking device
126 Film roll
127 regulating rod
128 Belt support member
130 Film cutting supply device
131 Film cutting device
131a Cutting blade
132,133 Film supply conveyor belt
134,135 drive roller
136,137 driven roller
138-141 belt conversion roller
142 belt tension roller
143 drive motor
144 Slitter
150 Second conveyor belt
150a Second transport path
151 rectangular frame
152 (152a, 152b) Horizontal bar
153 Guide member
154 (154a, 154b) endless chain
155 to 158
(155a, 155b to 158a, 158b) Chain wheel
159 Drive motor
160 prop
161 table
162 Nut member
163 Height adjustment handle
164 belt support plate
165 film suction box
180 3rd conveyor belt
180a Third transport path
190 4th conveyor belt
190a 4th conveyance path
191 Heating room
192 Heating device

Claims (16)

A sleeve packaging method for winding a continuous heat-shrinkable film having a required length continuously or intermittently around a part of the entire surface of the article to be packaged,
Feeding the end of the heat-shrinkable film having the required length to the conveying path of the non-packaged article,
Placing the article to be packaged on the supply end of the heat shrinkable film,
The article to be packaged placed on the front end portion of the heat-shrinkable film is transported along the transport path together with the film, and while transported along the transport path, the heat-shrinkable film is provided with film winding means. While scooping up the rear end-side remaining portion of the packaged article, the packaged article is circulated upward from the back to the front, leaving the front end of the film on the lower surface of the packaged article. Winding a part of the surface leaving the rear end of the film and encapsulating,
A sleeve packaging method using a heat-shrinkable film, characterized by comprising: The conveying path is a second conveying path, and the articles to be packaged are sequentially conveyed to the second conveying path by the first conveying path of the non-packaged articles arranged adjacent to the upstream end thereof; Before the packaged article is transferred to the second transport path, supplying the front end of the heat-shrinkable film to the upstream end of the second transport path;
The sleeve packaging method according to claim 1, comprising: Transporting the wrapped article wrapped by a part of the heat-shrinkable film into a third transport path disposed downstream of the second transport path;
At the time of loading, the rear end of the heat-shrinkable film is pulled into the lower surface of the front part of the article to be packaged, and the rear end of the film is overlapped with the front edge thereof. Heat-shrinking the heat-shrinkable film enclosing the package after transportation,
The sleeve packaging method according to claim 1, comprising: Cutting a continuous heat-shrinkable film to a required length, and feeding the cut heat-shrinkable film toward a gap formed between the first and second transport paths;
The sleeve packaging method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: A sleeve provided with a sleeve packaging device for cutting a continuous heat-shrinkable film in a strip shape supplied continuously or intermittently to a desired length, and winding it around a part of the entire surface of the article to be packaged. A packaging machine,
The sleeve packaging device is a conveying path of the article to be packaged,
Film supply means for supplying the front end of the cut heat-shrinkable film to the upstream end of the transport path,
After the front end of the heat-shrinkable film is supplied to the transport path, a first transport unit that supplies an article to the transport path,
A film that stands by below the upstream end of the transport path, and winds around the heat-shrinkable film by winding the heat-shrinkable film toward the front side from the back side to the upper side from the back side of the article to be packaged transported on the transport path. Winding means;
A sleeve wrapping machine comprising: An endless rotating chain is arranged on at least one side edge of the peripheral circuit of the film winding means,
The film winding means has a bar member having one end fixed to a part of the rotating chain and extending in a transverse direction of the peripheral circuit.
The sleeve packaging machine according to claim 5, wherein: The first transport unit has a first transport path, the transport path constitutes a second transport path, and the second transport path is disposed adjacent to a downstream side of the first transport path,
7. The sleeve wrapping machine according to claim 5, wherein the film supply means is disposed below the first transport path and the second transport path. The sleeve packaging machine according to claim 7, wherein said film supply means includes a cutting means for cutting a continuous heat-shrinkable film to a required length. 9. The sleeve packaging machine according to claim 8, further comprising a slitter for dividing a continuous heat shrinkable film into two or more in a width direction on an upstream side of the film cutting means. It further comprises a third transport path disposed adjacent to the downstream side of the second transport path, wherein a heating region of the heat-shrinkable film is disposed downstream of the third transport path. The sleeve packaging machine according to claim 8, wherein The sleeve packaging machine according to claim 10, wherein the first to third transport paths are formed by endless transport belts whose upper surfaces are arranged on the same plane. The sleeve packaging machine according to claim 6, wherein the bar member is formed of a pipe having an air suction hole or an ejection hole in a length direction thereof. The peripheral circuit of the film winding means has an entire path having the same path across the second transport path, and the entire circuit is constituted by a single annular path. 7. The sleeve packaging machine according to claim 6, wherein: The sleeve packaging machine according to claim 11, further comprising control means for controlling drive timing of the first to third transport belts, film winding means, film supply means, film cutting means, and the like. 7. The sleeve packaging machine according to claim 6, wherein a film suction means for sucking a film on the second conveyance path is provided below the second conveyance path. The sleeve packaging machine according to claim 10, further comprising means for opening and closing respective gaps between the second transport path and the first transport path and the third transport path sandwiching the second transport path.

Images