JP2005313985A - Heat sealing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a heat sealing device that enables the easy removal of sheet wastes, etc., attached to the heating surface of a sheet. <P>SOLUTION: The heat sealing device is equipped with a sheet heating surface that raises the temperature of a fusion-bonding sheet 300 to a sealing temperature that allows the fusion-bonding of the fusion-bonding sheet 300 so that fusion-bonding sheet 300 undergoes heat sealing, while the sheet heating surface is so constituted that its temperature can be raised to a temperature different from the sealing temperature. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a heat sealing apparatus for performing heat sealing on a heat-weldable sheet.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a heat sealing apparatus that performs heat sealing on a long heat-weldable sheet and forms a package that is individually partitioned from the sheet has been used in medicine packaging apparatuses and the like. As shown in FIG. 5, the heat sealing apparatus 900 is energized with a long packaging sheet 901 formed by folding a long heat-weldable sheet along a center line along the longitudinal direction. A device is known that includes a heater base 902 in which a heating element that generates heat is embedded, and a heater receiving base 903 that is disposed to face the heater base 902 with a packaging sheet interposed therebetween. The heat sealing apparatus 900 inserts a medicine from an upper opening 904 formed in the packaging sheet 901, feeds the packaging sheet 901 by one packaging length, and then packages the sheet heating surface 902a of the heater base 902. By pressing against the sheet 901 and heating and pinching, individual packaging bodies in which the packaging sheet 901 is heat sealed and the medicine is packaged can be manufactured.

By the way, when the heat sealing apparatus is used for a long period of time, sheet waste such as a heat-welding resin gradually adheres and accumulates on the sheet heating surface 902a (the surface that contacts the packaging sheet) of the heater base 902. If heat sealing is performed with the sheet waste adhered, a sealing failure may occur or the resulting package may become dirty, and therefore it is necessary to appropriately clean the heating surface 902a.
However, since the sheet waste is firmly attached to the heating surface 902a, it cannot be easily removed even if cleaning is performed at room temperature. On the other hand, it is conceivable that the cleaning operation is performed in a state where the sheet heating surface 902a is heated to the seal temperature. However, since the seal temperature is usually as high as 80 to 130 ° C., the operator is very careful. Work must be done.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a heat seal device that can easily remove sheet dust and the like attached to the sheet heating surface.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention is an apparatus including a sheet heating surface that raises the temperature to a sealing temperature at which the sheet can be thermally welded in order to perform heat sealing on the heat-weldable sheet. The heat sealing apparatus is configured to be capable of raising the temperature to a temperature different from the sealing temperature.

  The heat sealing apparatus is configured such that the sheet heating surface of the heater base is heated to a temperature different from the sealing temperature. For example, if the sheet heating surface is set to a temperature higher than the sheet temperature as a temperature different from the sealing temperature, the temperature of the heating surface is increased to this temperature during the cleaning operation. Sheet scraps such as a conductive resin can be melted or carbonized. When the sheet waste is melted in this manner, the sheet waste easily flows down from the sheet heating surface by its own weight, and the operator can remove the sheet waste without touching the sheet heating surface. On the other hand, when sheet waste or the like is carbonized, it becomes very brittle. After carbonization, if the sheet heating surface is allowed to cool to room temperature, the operator can easily wipe it off. If the temperature different from the seal temperature is set lower than the sheet temperature, it is possible to soften the sheet waste on the sheet heating surface a little and remove it while the operator directly touches it with his / her hand.

  In a preferred aspect of the present invention, the present invention relates to the above heat sealing apparatus in which the temperature different from the sealing temperature is 400 ° C. or higher, and if the sheet heating surface is configured to be capable of raising the temperature to 400 ° C. or higher as described above, Most of the deposits adhering to the surface can be reliably carbonized, which is preferable.

  According to the heat sealing apparatus according to the present invention, it is possible to easily perform the cleaning operation of the sheet waste adhering to the sheet heating surface. In particular, a heat seal device that is configured such that the sheet heating surface can be heated to 400 ° C. or more can carbonize attached sheet scraps reliably, and can be easily removed by a wiping operation thereafter.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a heat sealing apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings as appropriate. In the present embodiment, a case where the heat sealing apparatus is incorporated in a medicine packaging apparatus and used will be described as an example.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a medicine packaging device in which a heat seal device is incorporated. As shown in FIG. 1, the medicine packaging device 100 distributes the heat sealing device 1 for heat-sealing the heat-weldable sheet 300, the medicine (powder and / or tablets) every predetermined amount, and The medicine distribution device 200 discharges the medicine for each predetermined amount, and the medicine supply device 400 supplies the medicine discharged from the medicine distribution device 200 to the inside of the heat-weldable sheet 300. In addition, the code | symbol 60 in a figure is a protective cover which covers the heater stand and heater cradle which are mentioned later of the heat seal apparatus 1. FIG.

  The medicine packaging device 100 includes a gantry member 10 having a support wall 11, a rotatable paper tube drum 20 provided on one surface side 11 a of the support wall 11, and a roll body 310 attached to the drum 20. Drive means (not shown) for feeding out the sheet.

  In addition, the code | symbol 91-93 in a figure is a guide bar which guides the heat welding sheet | seat 300 drawn | fed out from the roll body 310, and is provided in the chemical | medical agent packaging apparatus 100 as needed or desired.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an enlarged schematic configuration around the heat seal device (however, the protective cover 60 shown in FIG. 1 is omitted).
The drum 20 was wound with a sheet (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a “packaging sheet”) in which one heat-weldable sheet 300 was folded in two along the center line along the longitudinal direction with the heat-welding surface inside. A roll body 310 is attached. In addition, the packaging sheet 300 has, in addition to the aspect in which one heat-weldable sheet is folded in this way, for example, the lower end portion of two heat-weldable sheets on which the heat-weld surfaces are overlapped in the longitudinal direction. Various forms such as an aspect in which the heat-bonding sheet is bonded to the sheet and a form in which a single heat-weldable sheet wound in a roll shape is folded in half at the center line before the drug is put in can also be used.
The packaging sheet 300 fed out from the roll body 310 is sent out in the arrow X direction via the guide bars 91, 92, 93. The packaging sheet 300 (heat-weldable sheet) is not particularly limited as long as the inner surface can be heat-welded, and examples thereof include a laminate of glassine / polyethylene, cellophane / polyethylene, heat-resistant resin / polyethylene, and the like.
Reference numeral 40 denotes a conveyance roller for feeding the packaging sheet 300.

The delivered packaging sheet 300 is heat sealed by the heat sealing apparatus 1 so as to form individual packaging bodies.
Specifically, the heat sealing apparatus 1 sandwiches the packaging sheet 300 and the heater base 5 that is disposed on one side of the packaging sheet 300 and has a trident seal portion for heating and sealing the packaging sheet 300. And a heater cradle 6 disposed opposite to the heater pedestal 5. The heater base 5 and the heater cradle 6 are movable in a direction orthogonal to the packaging sheet 300. When performing heat sealing, the heater base 5 and the heater base 6 are moved in a direction in which they are close to each other and are sandwiched between them. The heat welding surface of the sheet 300 is heat sealed.

The heater base 5 extends in the width direction of the packaging sheet 300, and has a width seal portion 51 for partitioning the packaging sheet 300 individually, an upstream end from the upper end of the width seal portion 51, and an upper end portion of the packaging sheet 300. A first seal portion 52 for closing the upper opening 320 of the packaging sheet 300, a downstream direction from the upper end of the width seal portion 51, and an upper end portion of the packaging sheet 300, The second seal portion 53 for closing the upper opening 320 of the seat 300 is formed, for example, in a substantially T-shape on the front as shown. The first seal portion 52 and the second seal portion 53 have different lengths. For example, the first seal portion 52 is formed shorter than the second seal portion 53.
The heater cradle 6 is formed and arranged in substantially the same shape as the heater pedestal 5 so as to mirrorly overlap the heater pedestal 5.

As shown in FIG. 3A, the heating element 7 is provided on the inner surface (sheet facing surface) of the heater base 5, and is formed at a heating portion 71 that generates heat when energized, and at both ends of the heating portion 71. And the heat generating portion 71 passes through the respective seal portions 51, 52, 53 (first and second seal portions 52, 53, width seal portion 51) of the heater base 5. It is arranged. The heat generating portion 71 is provided so as to be exposed from the inner surface of the heater base 5. Accordingly, in the present embodiment, the heating element 7 constitutes the sheet heating surface 5 a that directly contacts the packaging sheet 300 and heats the packaging sheet 300.
More specifically, the heating element 7 is composed of a single linear heating member. For example, the power source connection terminal portion 72 is formed wider than the heating portion 71 and the heating portion 71 is substantially uniform. It is comprised with the metal plate (stainless steel board etc.) etc. which were formed so that it might become width and thickness.
Both terminal portions 72, 72 of the heating element 7 are arranged so as to protrude outward from the front ends of the first seal portion 52 and the second seal portion 53 of the heater base 5. The heat generating part 71 continuous between the two terminal parts 72, 72 starts from one terminal part 72, extends along the inner surface of the first seal part 52 of the heater base 5, and extends downward at the upper end of the width seal part 51. Is bent approximately 90 degrees to the bottom and reaches the lower end of the width seal portion 51, where the curve is reversed and extends to the upper end side of the width seal portion 51 of the heater base 5, and is approximately 90 at the upper end of the width seal portion 51. Curved to extend along the second seal portion 53 and continue to the other terminal portion 72.
Accordingly, the line shape of the heat generating portion 71 includes a first horizontal portion 711 and a second horizontal portion 712 that extend in the longitudinal direction of the packaging sheet 300, and a substantially U-shaped U-shape portion 713 that extends in the width direction of the packaging sheet. In addition, one end portion of the first horizontal portion 711 and one end portion of the U-shaped portion 713 are connected, and one end portion of the second horizontal portion 712 and the other end portion of the U-shaped portion 713 are connected.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3B, a heat insulating layer 8 such as a heat resistant foamed resin sheet is interposed between the heat generating portion 71 and the inner surface of the heater base 5. 8, and the heat insulating layer 8 and the inner surface of the heater base 5 are bonded with a heat-resistant adhesive. By interposing the heat insulating layer 8 in this manner, the heater base 5 does not reach a high temperature, so that, for example, a burn due to contact with the outer surface of the heater base 5 can be prevented, and the heater base 5 has a relatively low heat resistance. It can also be made of a material.

  Further, a temperature sensor 9 (a thermistor is used in this embodiment, but various sensors such as a thermocouple can be used as long as the temperature can be detected) is provided in a part of the heat generating portion 71. ing. The temperature sensor 9 is interposed between the heat generating portion 71 and the heat insulating layer 8 and is connected to a control circuit (power source) provided in the heat sealing apparatus 1. This control circuit is, for example, a control unit that is disposed at an appropriate location (not shown) of the casing of the packaging device 1 shown in FIG. 1 and controls the current supplied to the heating element 7 of the heater base 5. .

This control circuit is energized so that the heating element 7 (sheet heating surface 5a) is heated to a seal temperature and a temperature (cleaning temperature) different from the seal temperature.
The sealing temperature is appropriately set according to the type of the heat-welding sheet 300 to be used, and is about 80 to 130 ° C., for example, 100 to 110 in the case of glassine / low density polyethylene. In the case of cellohan / low density polyethylene, the temperature is set to about 120 to 130 ° C.
The temperature different from the seal temperature is, for example, a temperature that is lower than the seal temperature and that does not cause a burn immediately when touched by the hand (for example, about 50 to 60 ° C.), or is higher than the seal temperature and is attached to the heating element 7. Examples thereof include a temperature at which scraps can be melted (for example, about 140 to 190 ° C.), a temperature that is higher than the seal temperature and that can carbonize deposits that are attached to the heating element 7 (for example, 400 ° C. or more).
The heating element 7 in the present embodiment is set by a control circuit so as to increase the temperature to two kinds of temperatures, that is, a sealing temperature of 80 to 130 ° C. and a carbonization temperature of 400 ° C. or more. The heating element 7 can be heated to any set temperature via an operation panel (not shown) provided in the above.
The set temperature of the heating element 7 includes a seal temperature and a melting temperature of about 140 to 190 ° C., a seal temperature and a softening temperature of about 50 to 60 ° C. Various modifications such as a combination of three or more of a sealing temperature, a melting temperature, and a carbonizing temperature can be employed.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the medicine packaging device 100 having the above-described configuration is disposed on the upstream side of the heat seal device 1 from the upper opening 320 of the packaging sheet 300 via the hopper 21 of the medicine distribution device 200. Is inserted. After the medicine is inserted, the packaging sheet 300 is sent to the downstream side by the length of one package by the conveying roller 40. Then, with the heating element 7 heated to the sealing temperature, the packaging sheet 300 is clamped by the heater base 5 and the heater cradle 6, whereby the width direction and the longitudinal direction of the packaging sheet 300 are heat sealed. As a result, the partition sheet 330 and the two-direction blocking seal walls 340 and 340 that are orthogonal to the partition seal wall 330 and extend upstream and downstream are formed on the packaging sheet 300 at one time. By sequentially repeating the insertion of the medicine and the formation of the seal wall, it is possible to continuously manufacture a packaged body in which the medicine is packaged.

By the way, when heat sealing is performed for a long time, a part of the heat-weldable sheet 300 adheres and accumulates on the surface of the heating element 7 (sheet heating surface 5a) over time. If heat sealing is performed with the sheet scraps attached in this manner, a sealing failure may occur or the resulting package may become dirty. In such a case, if the heating element 7 is heated to the carbonization temperature, the sheet waste and the like attached to the sheet heating surface 5a can be carbonized. Thereafter, when the energization is stopped and the heating element 7 is cooled to room temperature, the carbonized deposits can be easily wiped off.
In the modification in which the heating element 7 is set to be heated to the melting temperature, the sheet waste is melted by heating the heating element 7 to this temperature at the time of cleaning work, so that the sheet heating surface is heated. Accordingly, the sheet waste can be removed without the operator touching the sheet heating surface 5a. Further, in the modification in which the heating element 7 is set to be heated to the softening temperature, the sheet waste is slightly softened by heating the heating element 7 to this temperature during the cleaning operation. Since it is not so hot as to burn at 50-60 ° C., the operator can remove it while touching it directly with his hand.

The heat sealing device and the medicine packaging device of the present invention are not limited to the modes exemplified in the above embodiment, and various design changes can be made within the intended scope of the present invention.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, since the heating element 7 is directly in contact with the packaging sheet 300 and heat-sealed, it is preferable because the temperature of the seal heating surface 5a can be easily controlled. For example, as shown in FIG. It is also possible to embed a heating element 7 such as a heating wire in the heater base 5. In the case of this aspect, the inner surface of the heater base 5 becomes the sheet heating surface 5a, and the heater base 5 is formed of a material having heat resistance and thermal conductivity (metal such as stainless steel).
Moreover, in the said embodiment, since the one heat generating body 7 is arrange | positioned so that the three-pronged seal | sticker part of the heater stand 5 may be passed, since it can control by one system control circuit (power supply), it is a preferable aspect. For example, as shown in FIG. 4A, a plurality of (for example, two) heating elements 7 may be provided for one heater base 5.
Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the heater base 5 is exemplified by a trident, but may be formed in other shapes such as a substantially L shape as shown in FIG. 4B, for example. .

It is a perspective view showing roughly the medicine packing device in which the heat seal device concerning one embodiment of the present invention was incorporated. It is a perspective view which expands and shows schematic structure of the heat seal apparatus periphery shown in FIG. (A) is a front view which shows the schematic structure which looked at the heater stand of the heat seal apparatus shown in FIG. 1 from the inner surface side, (b) is a top view which shows the schematic structure which looked at the heater stand from the upper surface side. . (A), (b) is a front view which shows the schematic structure which is the modification of a heater stand and looked at the heater stand from the inner surface side. (A) is a perspective view which shows schematic structure of the heat seal apparatus periphery of the conventional heat seal apparatus, (b) is a front view which shows schematic structure of the sealing stand of the heat seal apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Heat seal apparatus, 5 ... Heater base, 51 ... Width seal part, 52 ... 1st seal part, 53 ... 3rd seal part, 6 ... Heater cradle, 7 ... Heat generating body, 71 ... Heat generating part, 711 ... 1st DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 horizontal part, 712 ... 2nd horizontal part, 713 ... U-shaped part, 72 ... Terminal part, 8 ... Thermal insulation layer, 9 ... Temperature sensor, 100 ... Drug packaging apparatus, 200 ... Drug distribution apparatus, 300 ... Thermal welding property Sheet (packaging sheet), 320 ... upper opening of package, 400 ... medicine supply device

Claims (2)

In order to perform heat sealing on the heat-weldable sheet, a heat-seal device including a sheet heating surface that raises the temperature to a seal temperature at which the sheet can be heat-welded,
A heat sealing apparatus in which the sheet heating surface is configured to be capable of raising the temperature to a temperature different from the sealing temperature. The heat sealing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the different temperature is 400 ° C. or more.

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