JP2007161336A - Heat seal device for container - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a heat seal device for a container capable of reliably realizing the heat seal at a low cost even when heat-sealing an upper opening part of a container storing hot beverage such as coffee, or food at high temperature such as soups, boiled rice and pasta with a film. <P>SOLUTION: The heat seal device for the container has a function of performing a preheating step of heating (preheating) a film 12 by temporarily stopping the lowering motion of the heater panel 41 above the film 12 when the heater panel 41 lowered from the upper waiting position is pressed against a receiving tray 52 carried in a casing 2 while setting the container 11 from an upper side of the film 12 stretched on the receiving tray. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a heat seal apparatus for containers that seals an upper opening of a food container by heat-sealing a film to the peripheral edge of the opening.

As a container heat-sealing device that seals the upper opening of food containers to the peripheral edge of the opening by heat sealing, it moves in and out of the front of the machine through the tray opening and closing opening in the machine side. A container receiving tray is used to carry a container before film heat-sealing into the machine casing, and to carry out the container with the film heat-sealed inside the machine casing to the outside of the machine casing. .
This type of container heat seal device is easy to miniaturize and requires a small installation space, and is therefore suitable for installation in, for example, a retail store where food is sold.

As this heat seal device for containers (hereinafter, sometimes abbreviated as “heat seal device”), a type (hereinafter referred to as unwind type) that uses a film unwound from an original film for heat sealing of the container opening, A type of film that can be used for heat sealing by placing a film large enough to seal the upper opening of the container by heat-sealing to the peripheral edge of the opening of the container on the upper opening of the container each time heat sealing (hereinafter referred to as single wafer type) )
Here, the unwinding type heat sealing device can be used by unwinding the film from the original film every time the heat sealing work is performed. There is an advantage that the heat seal position is not easily displaced.
The unwinding type heat seal device has a mechanism (hereinafter, referred to as covering the upper opening of the container) with the film unwound from the original film when the container receiving tray on which the container is placed is stored in the casing. Film placement mechanism), and the film placed on the upper opening of the container by this film placement mechanism is pressed against the opening edge of the container from above with a heat-sealing heater panel that is raised and lowered in the machine casing. A seal structure is generally used (for example, Patent Document 1). Moreover, when the heater panel is pressed toward the container, the cutter attached to the heater panel cuts the film.
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 6-10107

By the way, for example, when the upper opening of a container containing hot food such as hot drinks such as coffee, soups, cooked rice, and pasta is heat-sealed with a film, the film is exposed to steam rising from the food. Fine droplets may adhere and this may cause a reduction in sealing force (adhesive force).
In order to cope with a decrease in the sealing force, conventionally, for example, measures such as ensuring a long time (sealing time) for pressing the film against the peripheral edge of the opening of the container with a heater panel are taken.
However, with this measure, there arises a new problem that adjustment of the sealing force is difficult, such as a case where the film is excessively heated and the sealing force of the film against the container becomes too strong. In addition, aesthetic problems such as the conspicuous heat-sealed part of the film with respect to the peripheral edge of the opening of the container have occurred.
In addition, there is a plan to use a special film with a countermeasure against water vapor for high-temperature foods, but the cost of the film is high, and it is necessary to replace multiple types of films depending on the type of food. There is a problem that it takes time and effort for replacement.

  In view of the above problems, the present invention provides a film for the peripheral edge of an opening of a container by a heater panel, even when the upper opening of a container containing food having a high temperature and a large amount of water vapor is stored with a film. The object of the present invention is to provide a container heat-sealing device that can reliably and easily perform heat-sealing without taking measures such as extending the pressing time.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides the following configuration.
The present invention comprises a heater panel mechanism for raising and lowering the heater panel, and a control unit for controlling the raising and lowering of the heater panel of the heater panel mechanism, and the heater panel is carried into a container carry-in space under the heater panel. In the container heat seal device that presses against the opening peripheral edge of the container from above the film installed on the upper opening of the container, the control unit includes: The lowering operation of the heater panel, which is lowered from the standby position above the container carried into the container carry-in space and pressed against the peripheral edge of the opening of the container, is performed between the standby position and the film installed on the container. A container heat-sealing device is provided, which has a preheating mode control function of temporarily stopping at a film preheating position set in the above, reheating after preheating the film.
Further, according to the present invention, the control unit lowers the heater panel without stopping at the film preheating position when the heater panel is lowered from the standby position at the upper limit of elevation and pressed against the peripheral edge of the opening of the container. A preheating mode control function for thermally fusing the film to the opening peripheral edge of the container and a preheating mode control function, and a preheating mode for switching between the no preheating control function and the preheating mode control function. 2. The container heat seal device according to claim 1, wherein the preheating-free control function and the preheating mode control function are switched by a control mode switching signal input from an ON / OFF switching switch.
Further, according to the present invention, the heater panel mechanism includes a heater unit that supports the heater panel so that the heater panel can be moved up and down, and a push-down projection that protrudes on the heater panel and protrudes on the heater unit, thereby depressing the heater panel. And a heater panel return spring that urges the heater panel pushed down by the heater depression mechanism and returns it to the standby position, and the heater depression mechanism is rotationally driven. The container heat seal according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a cam for lowering the heater panel by pressing the push-down projection against the biasing force of the heater panel return spring. Providing the device.
Further, the present invention provides the container heat seal device according to claim 3, wherein the heater panel is moved up and down by the rotation of the cam in one direction of the cam. .
Further, according to the present invention, the heater panel mechanism is incorporated in a housing so as to be detachable and supports the heater panel so that the heater panel can be moved up and down, and protrudes from the heater panel and protrudes from the heater unit. A heater push-down mechanism that lowers the heater panel by pushing down the push-down projection, and the heater unit is disposed in a cover plate that is supported in the machine casing and below the cover plate. The heater panel attached to a guide bar extending downward from the plate so as to freely move up and down, and a heater panel return spring that urges the heater panel pushed down by the heater push-down mechanism and returns it to a standby position. The heater panel return spring is extrapolated to the guide bar, and the heater panel and the lower end of the guide bar projecting downward from the heater panel The container heat according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the container heat is a compression coil spring that is interposed between a spring receiving portion provided and biases the heater panel toward the cover plate. A sealing device is provided.
Further, according to the present invention, the heater unit is incorporated in the housing by supporting guide protrusions at both ends of the cover plate slidably on heater unit guide rails provided on both side walls of the housing. In addition, by sliding movement of the guide projection along the heater unit guide rail, the heater unit can be inserted into and removed from the heater unit insertion / extraction opening that opens on the front side of the machine case, and is attached to the cover plate. An energizing connector for energizing and heating the heater panel is configured to be attached to and detached from an internal energizing connector attached to the machine housing by inserting and removing the heater unit from the machine housing. A heat seal apparatus for containers according to claim 5 is provided.
In addition, the present invention includes a vapor hole forming mechanism that forms a vapor hole by piercing a vapor hole forming pin into a film installed on an upper opening of a container carried into the machine casing. A container heat seal device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 is provided.
Further, according to the present invention, the steam hole forming mechanism is attached to the steam hole forming pin attached to the heater unit so as to be movable up and down, and a member that is moved up and down integrally with the heater panel, and the steam hole forming pin is lowered. The container heat seal device according to claim 7, further comprising: a pin lowering mechanism that causes the pin to move and a pin return spring that biases and raises the steam hole forming pin that has been lowered by the pin lowering mechanism. .
The container heat according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a container transport mechanism for carrying the container in and out of the container carry-in space under the heater panel. A sealing device is provided.
Further, according to the present invention, the container transport mechanism includes a container receiving portion in which the container is installed, and the container carrying space is supported from the side of the machine body supporting the heater panel mechanism by a support frame to the container carrying space under the heater panel. A container receiving tray to be fed and a pair of openable and closable clip blocks sandwiching a heat-seal belt-like film, and is fed from the container receiving part of the container receiving tray to be fed into the container carry-in space A film clip mechanism that is arranged on the front side in the direction and is fed together with the container receiving tray into the container carry-in space, and is guided to the inlet of the container carry-in space by a film guiding portion provided in the machine body. The film clip mechanism sandwiching the film supplied from above into the container receiving tray has the container receiving tray. The container heat according to claim 9, wherein the film is installed on an upper opening of a container installed in the container receiving portion by being fed into the container carrying-in space. A sealing device is provided.
In the present invention, when the container receiving tray is moved to a sealing position for supporting the container in the container carry-in space, the film is a pair of clip blocks of the film clip mechanism and the film guide. The container heat according to claim 10, wherein the container heat is stretched on an upper opening of the container so as to be inclined in a vertical direction between a terminal end of the container positioned on the inlet of the container carry-in space. A sealing device is provided.

According to the present invention, by the preheating mode control function of the control unit that controls the driving of the heater panel mechanism, the lowering operation from the standby position of the upper and lower limit of the heater panel is performed between the standby position and the film installed on the container. Temporarily stop at the film preheating position set in between, and preheat the film, then restart the lowering of the heater panel and press against the opening edge of the container from above the film to heat-melt the film to the opening edge of the container. Can be worn.
Even when hot food is stored in the container, the heater panel heated to a temperature at which the film can be heat-sealed is stopped at the film preheating position and the film is heated (preheating). It can suppress that a micro droplet adheres to a film with the water vapor | steam which rises from.
For this reason, heat sealing with the film at the upper opening of the container is ensured without taking measures such as pressing the film against the peripheral edge of the opening of the container with the heater panel and extending the time for heat fusion (sealing time). Yes. Excessive heat sealing time (sealing time) eliminates the disadvantage of deteriorating the aesthetic appearance of the heat-sealed portion of the film.
In addition, there is no need to use a special film with a countermeasure against water vapor, and heat sealing can be realized at low cost.

Hereinafter, a heat seal apparatus 1 for containers (hereinafter, may be abbreviated as a heat seal apparatus) according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
1 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of the heat sealing apparatus 1, FIG. 2 is a front view showing a machine casing 2 of the heat sealing apparatus 1, FIG. 3 is an exploded side view showing the structure of the heat sealing apparatus 1, and FIGS. FIG. 4 is a view showing the internal structure of the heat sealing apparatus 1, FIG. 4 is a side sectional view showing a state in which the container receiving tray 5 is projected to the front side of the machine casing 2, and FIG. FIG. 6 is a side sectional view showing the preheating process, FIG. 7 is a side sectional view showing the sealing process, and FIG. 8 is an enlarged view showing the vicinity of the container receiving tray 5 in FIG. 6 is an enlarged view showing the vicinity of the container receiving tray 5 in FIG. 6, FIG. 10 is an enlarged view showing the vicinity of the container receiving tray 5 in FIG. 7, and FIGS. 11 (a) to 11 (c) are plan views showing the container transport mechanism 3. (A) is a state in which the container receiving tray 5 is housed in the machine casing 2, and (b) is a container receiving tray. A state in which the film 12 is sandwiched between the front clip block 53 and the rear clip block 7 of the tray 5, (c) is a state in which the container receiving tray 5 is housed in the machine casing 2, and FIG. 12 is a view in FIG. FIG. 13 is a front view showing the heater unit 42, FIG. 14 is a bottom view of the heater panel, and FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing the control mechanism.

1 to 10 and FIG. 12, the upper side is described as the upper side and the lower side is described as the lower side.
Further, in FIGS. 3 to 10, the description will be given with the right side as the front and the left side as the rear.
In FIGS. 11A to 11C, description will be made with the upper side as the front and the lower side as the rear.
In FIG. 2, the left side is described as left and the right side is described as right.

As shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 7, the heat sealing apparatus 1 seals the upper opening 11 b of the container 11 by heat-sealing a film 12 to the opening peripheral edge 11 a of the upper part of the container 11.
The heat sealing apparatus 1 is configured such that a container 11 is placed in a box-shaped machine casing 2 by a container receiving tray 5 that is retracted to the front side of the machine casing 2 through a tray outlet / outlet 21 on the front side of the machine casing 2. The film disposed on the upper opening 11b of the container 11 on the opening peripheral portion 11a of the upper part of the container 11 carried into the machine casing 2 by the container receiving tray 5 The heater board 41 is pressed from above 12 and the heater board mechanism 4 for heat-sealing the film 12 to the opening peripheral edge portion 11a is incorporated.

As shown in FIG. 4, the heater panel mechanism 4 includes a heater panel 41 and a heater panel lifting mechanism 42 that lifts and lowers the heater panel 41. The heater panel mechanism 4 is attached to the upper part of the machine casing 2 and is installed in the machine casing 2. Is provided.
In the machine casing 2, a container loading space S in which the container 11 is loaded by the container transport mechanism 3 is secured under the heater panel mechanism 4.
The machine casing 2 functions as a support frame according to the present invention.
The heater panel mechanism 4 and the machine casing 2 constitute a machine body 1A of the heat seal apparatus 1.

  The film 12 may be a well-known film used for heat-sealing the opening of the container. For example, the film 12 is a three-layer structure made of PET (polyethylene terephthalate), polyethylene, and EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer). Various structures having a heat-sealing adhesive layer on one side, such as those having a base layer of PET, an intermediate layer of polyethylene, and an adhesive layer for heat-sealing EVA, can be employed.

In the upper part of the machine casing 2, there is provided a film original fabric installation portion 2 a for installing a film original fabric 13 on which a belt-like film 12 is wound up.
As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4, in the heat sealing apparatus 1, a film box 15 in which a film original 13 is stored in a box-shaped container 14 such as a cardboard box is placed on the top plate 22 of the machine casing 2. It can be loaded. The original film installation portion 2 a is configured by a top plate 22 and a holding frame 23 that is attached on the top plate 22 and prevents the position of the film box 15 from being displaced on the top plate 22.
In addition, as the film original fabric installation part 2a, the thing of the structure which pivotally supports the film original fabric 13 directly rotatably, for example may be used.
Moreover, the installation position of the film original fabric installation part 2a is not limited to the upper part of the machine casing 2, and can be changed as appropriate.

As shown in FIG. 4, the film 12 of the original film 13 is drawn to the outside of the film box 15 from a film outlet 14 a opened in a slit shape on the side wall of the box-shaped container 14, and is placed on the upper part of the machine casing 2. The film is introduced into the machine casing 2 from the opened film introduction port 22a, and is passed through the machine casing 2 so as to extend vertically along the front cover 25 attached to the front side of the machine casing 2. The lower end of the film 12 is hung from above at a tray exit / retreat opening 21 provided at the lower part on the front side of the machine casing 2.
The front cover 25 is provided on the upper side of the tray outlet 21 of the machine casing 2 and constitutes a front wall of the machine casing 2. The front cover 25 can be attached to and detached from the machine body 1A. When the front cover 25 is removed, the entire front side of the machine housing 2 is opened, and maintenance and the like in the machine housing 2 can be easily performed.

In this heat sealing apparatus 1, a film guiding member 24 and a front cover 25 provided in the machine casing 2 guide a film 12 from the film introduction port 22a to the tray exit / retreat port 21. Is configured. The front cover 25 and a wall member 42a and a film guide bar 42b (see FIGS. 2 and 9) provided at the front end of a heater unit 42 (described later) incorporated in the machine casing 2 also function as a film guide member. Yes.
As shown in FIGS. 8, 9, 10, and the like, the film 12 guided from the film introduction port 22 a (the start end of the film guiding unit 26) to the tray exit / retreat port 21 by the film guiding unit 26 is the film guiding unit 26. The pair of film guide members provided at the end located on the tray exit / retreat port 21 (here, provided between the lower end of the front cover 25 and the lower end of the front cover 25 with a slight gap). The film guide bar 42b) is hung down from the lower end opening 26a, which is a gap secured between the film guide bars 42b), to the tray exit / retreat opening 21.

(Container transport mechanism)
As shown in FIGS. 8 to 11, the container transport mechanism 3 includes the container receiving tray 5, a tray driving mechanism 6 for moving the container receiving tray 5 in the front-rear direction, and the container receiving tray 5 in the front-rear direction. The rear clip block 7 is attached so as to be slidable, and a clip spring 8 for urging the rear clip block 7 forward with respect to the container receiving tray 5 is provided.

(Container tray)
As shown in FIGS. 8 to 11, the container receiving tray 5 includes a frame-shaped movable frame 51, a receiving tray 52 attached to the front end of the movable frame 51, and the receiving tray 52 in the front-rear direction of the container receiving tray 5. And a front clip block 53 fixed to the movable frame 51 on the rear side.
As shown in FIG. 2, the container receiving tray 5 is provided between the side wall portions 2 b on the left and right sides (left and right in FIG. 2) of the machine casing 2. The movable frame 51 is provided on each of the left and right sides (FIG. 2 left and right) of the machine housing 2 on the inner surface side (the side facing the machine interior space between the side wall portions 2b) of the both side walls 2b. It moves in the front-rear direction while being guided by 28.

The container receiving tray 5 meshes with a tray rack gear 28a provided on the tray guide rail 28 by a rotational driving force of a tray driving motor 61 (see FIGS. 4, 8, 10 and the like) attached to the movable frame 51. The tray drive gear 62 (pinion gear) thus rotated is moved in the front-rear direction.
A tray driving motor 61, a tray driving gear 62, and a driving force transmission system (including a transmission gear 63 denoted by reference numeral 63 in the figure) that transmits the driving force of the tray driving motor 61 to the tray driving gear 62 constitute the tray driving mechanism 6. To do.
As illustrated in FIG. 8 and the like, in the heat sealing apparatus 1, the tray driving mechanism 6 is provided in the container receiving tray 5.
However, as the tray driving mechanism 6, the container receiving tray 5 (in detail, a movable frame 51 described later) is moved in the front-rear direction, and the container receiving tray 5 is moved from the tray outlet / outlet port 21 to the front side of the machine casing 2. The configuration is not limited to the configuration provided in the container receiving tray 5 as long as it can be withdrawn and withdrawn. For example, the configuration is such that the container receiving tray 5 is moved by the driving force of a motor attached to the machine casing 2. Also good.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 11, the tray 52 is a frame-like member in which a container insertion hole 52 a into which the container 11 is inserted is opened at the center.
The container 11 employed here has a flange-shaped flange portion 11c that projects outward from the upper opening portion 11b (more specifically, the upper end portion of the container main body portion 11d).
The container 11 is inserted into the container insertion hole 52a of the receiving tray 52 with the container main body 11d in a direction with the upper opening 11b facing upward. The eaves part 11c is placed on the eaves receiving part 52b that protrudes around the container insertion hole 52a. The container 11 in which the container main body 11d is inserted into the container insertion hole 52a is supported by the receiving tray 52 when the flange 11c is supported from below by the flange receiving base 52b.
Only the container main body 11d of the container 11 can be inserted into the container insertion hole 52a, and the flange 11c does not enter the container insertion hole 52a.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the tray 52 has a circular container insertion hole 52a. The eaves receiving part 52b is a ring-shaped protrusion along the outer periphery of the container insertion hole 52a. However, the shape of the container insertion hole 52a can be appropriately changed according to the shape of the container 11, and may be, for example, a quadrangle. The bowl receiving portion 52a may have a shape along the outer periphery of the container insertion hole 52a. For example, when the container insertion hole 52a is a rectangular opening formed in the tray 52, the container insertion hole 52a has It is formed in a quadrangular frame-shaped protrusion along the outer periphery.

The opening peripheral edge part 11a of the container 11 refers to the upper end part of the container 11, and particularly refers to a part that forms a seal surface to which the film 12 is heat-sealed.
For example, the flange portion 11c of the container 11 illustrated in FIG. 8 protrudes in a flange shape on the outer periphery of the upper end portion of the container main body portion 11d, has a flat upper surface 11e that functions as a sealing surface, and the opening periphery of the container 11 It functions as the part 11a.

The bowl receiving portion 52b of the receiving tray 52 supports the opening peripheral edge portion 11a (specifically, the flange portion 11c) of the container 11 from below.
As shown in FIG. 10, when the film 12 is heat-sealed to the opening peripheral edge portion 11 a by the heater panel 41 of the heater panel mechanism 4, the heel support 52 b bears the pressing force from the heater panel 41, It fulfills the function of allowing the film 12 to be firmly pressed into the opening periphery 11a.
Moreover, the collar part 11c of the container 11 of the example of illustration has the hanging part 11g which protrudes below from an outer peripheral part. As shown in FIG. 8 and the like, the hanging portion 11g is formed when the container body 11d of the container 11 is inserted into the container insertion hole 52a inside the basket receiving portion 52b of the receiving tray 52. It arrange | positions on the outer side of the part 52b. The hanging part 11g does not function as an opening peripheral part.
As the container 11, a container that does not have the hanging part 11g can be used.

The movable frame 51 of the container receiving tray 5 is a frame formed by connecting the left and right tray rails 51a placed on the tray guide rail 28 with a plurality of connecting frame members 51b.
The movable frame 51 slides in the front-rear direction with respect to the machine casing 2 while the left and right tray rails 51 a are guided by the tray guide rails 28.

The tray 52 is detachably attached to the movable frame 51 so as to span the left and right tray rails 51a with the surface (upper surface 52c) on the side where the basket receiving base portion 52b is protruded facing upward. .
In the container receiving tray 5 illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 10, the tray 52 is attached to the movable frame 51 so as to abut on the rear surface 54 a of the tray front cover 54 fixed to the front end of the movable frame 51.

The container transport mechanism 3 is positioned at the front side of the machine casing 2 (outside the machine casing 2) (the position of the tray 52 in FIGS. 4 and 8) by moving the container receiving tray 5 in the front-rear direction. Hereinafter, a container detaching position (reference numeral 5A), and a sealing position (position of the receiving tray 52 in FIGS. 5 and 10; reference numeral 5B) disposed immediately below the heater panel 41 in which the receiving tray 52 is moved up and down in the machine casing 2. Can be switched.
When the container receiving tray 5 is projected from the tray exit / retreat port 21 to the front side of the machine casing 2 and disposed at the container attaching / detaching position, the container 11 can be freely attached to and detached from the receiving tray 52.
When the container receiving tray 5 is arranged at the sealing position, the tray outlet / outlet 21 of the machine casing 2 is closed by the tray front cover 54.

(Rear clip block / clip spring)
As shown in FIGS. 11A to 11C and FIG. 12, the rear clip block 7 of the container transport mechanism 3 is provided to be slidable in the front-rear direction of the container receiving tray 5 behind the tray 52. ing. Thereafter, the clip block 7 can be opened and closed with respect to the front clip block 53 of the container receiving tray 5 by sliding movement in the front-rear direction. When the clip block 7 is closed with respect to the front clip block 53, a film is formed between it and the front clip block 53. 12 can be inserted.
The front clip block 53 and the rear clip block 7 constitute a film clip mechanism that opens and closes by the longitudinal movement of the container receiving tray 5 and sandwiches the film 12 when closed.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 12, the rear clip block 7 is guided by the left and right tray rails 51 a of the movable frame 51 of the container receiving tray 5 on the rear side of the front clip block 53, so that the container receiving tray 5 It is provided so that it can be moved back and forth.
The left and right tray rails 51 a of the movable frame 51 function as guide rails that guide the rear clip block 7 to move in the front-rear direction with respect to the movable frame 51.
11 and 12, as a specific example of the guide rail, a tray rail 51a in which a guide groove 51d is formed to extend in the front-rear direction is illustrated. In the configuration illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, the rear clip block 7 has guide protrusions 75 protruding from the left and right ends of the rear clip block 7 inserted in the guide groove 51d so as to be able to move back and forth. The projection 75 is guided in the guide groove 51d and slides in the front-rear direction with respect to the movable frame 51.
The guide rail for guiding the rear clip block 7 to be slidable in the front-rear direction with respect to the movable frame 51 is not limited to the above-described tray rail 51a with the guide groove 51d. These members may be separately attached to the movable frame 51.

Specifically, the rear clip block 7 includes a rear clip body 71 having a sandwiching plate portion 71b arranged to face the front clip block 53 on the front surface side, and both left and right sides of the rear clip body 71 (FIG. 11 ( a) to (c), left and right of FIG.
The rear clip main body 71 has a plate-like main body plate portion 71a provided in a erected state on the left and right tray rails 51a, and the clamping plate portion 71b provided at the front end of the main body plate portion 71a.
The guide protrusions 75 protrude downward from the left and right ends of the body plate portion 71 a of the rear clip body 71.

The front clip block 53 and the rear clip block 7 (specifically, the rear clip main body 71) have dimensions in the left-right direction that are slightly larger than the width dimension of the belt-like film 12, and an area for sandwiching the belt-like film 12 Can be secured sufficiently.
As shown in FIGS. 8 and 10, in the container transport mechanism 3 according to the present embodiment, rubber 74 and 53 b are provided on the opposing surfaces of the sandwiching plate portion 71 b and the front clip block 53 of the rear clip block 7. Attached, and the rubber 74 and 53b form the clamping plate portion 71b of the rear clip block 7 and the film clamping surfaces 53a and 71c of the front clip block 53 facing each other.
In the clip blocks 53 and 7 illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 10, the sandwiched film 12 can be firmly fixed by rubbers 53 b and 74 for preventing the film 12 from slipping.
However, the rubbers 53b and 74 can be omitted.

The stopper piece 72 is brought into contact with the clip stopper 2c projecting on the inner surface side of the both side walls 2b of the machine casing 2 from the rear side, thereby moving the rear clip block 7 to the front side of the machine casing 2. It fulfills the regulatory function.
In the rear clip block 7, the position where the stopper piece 72 contacts the clip stopper 2 c of the machine housing 2 is the movable range front end position.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 11, in the container transport mechanism 3 in the illustrated example, the clip spring 8 includes a spring receiving wall 55 k fixed to the movable frame 51 and the spring receiving wall 55 k in the rear clip block 7. It is a compression coil spring arranged between a portion located on the front side, and urges the rear clip block 7 forward by taking a reaction force on the spring receiving wall 55k. In FIG. 8, FIG. 11, etc., the spring receiving wall 55k is fixed to one of the connecting frame members 51b (pressure receiving connecting member 51e) provided on the movable frame 51.
The clip spring 8 is incorporated in the container transport mechanism 3 with the central axis direction aligned in the front-rear direction.

In the container transport mechanism 3, specifically, the clip spring 8 is disposed between the spring receiving wall 55 k and the clamping plate portion 71 b of the rear clip block 7. Here, the spring receiving wall 55k and the clamping plate portion 71b of the rear clip block 7 function as a spring receiving portion.
In the rear clip block 7, the spring receiving portion pressed by the front end of the clip spring 8 may be a portion positioned on the front side of the spring receiving wall 55k, and is not limited to the holding wall portion 71b.

In the container transport mechanism 3, when the front clip block 53 and the rear clip block 7 are closed, the space between the spring receiving wall 55 k and the spring receiving portion (the holding wall portion 71 b in the illustrated example) of the rear clip block 7. The separation distance L (see FIG. 10) is maximized.
The length of the clip spring 8 (the axial dimension in a steady state in which no external force such as tension or compression is applied) is the spring receiving wall 55k and the rear clip block 7 when the front clip block 53 and the rear clip block 7 are closed. The clip spring 8 is compressed between the spring receiving wall 55k and the spring receiving portion of the rear clip block 7 so as to be longer than the separation distance L between the spring receiving portion (the holding wall portion 71b in the illustrated example). It is disguised. For this reason, the clip spring 8 is always kept in a compressed state, and always exerts an urging force in the front-rear direction on the rear clip block 7.

  In the container transport mechanism 3, as shown in FIGS. 4, 8, and 11 (a), the stopper piece of the rear clip block 7 is applied by the urging force of the clip spring 8 when the container receiving tray 5 is in the container detaching position. 72 is pressed against the clip stopper 2 c of the machine casing 2, and a gap C is secured between the rear clip main body 71 (specifically, the clamping plate portion 71 b) and the front clip block 53. The gap C is located directly below the lower end opening 26a of the film guiding portion 26 described above. For this reason, it is easy to insert the film 12 unwound from the original film 13 and hung down from the lower end opening 26 a of the film guiding portion 26 to the tray exit / retreat opening 21 into the gap C.

  The end of the film 12 unwound from the original film 13 is placed in the gap C, and the container receiving tray 5 is sealed from the container removal position by the tray drive mechanism 6 (FIGS. 5, 7, 10, and FIG. 11 (c) when moving toward the container receiving tray 5), the front clip block 53 gradually approaches the rear clip block 7, and the rear clip main body 71 (specifically, the clamping plate 71b in detail). ) And the rear clip block 7 are pressed (the state shown in FIG. 11B). At this time, the film 12 is firmly sandwiched between the front and rear clip blocks 53 and 7 by the urging force of the clip spring 8.

After the film 12 is sandwiched between the front and rear clip blocks 53 and 7, the container receiving tray 5 and the rear clip block 7 are integrated by continuing the movement of the container receiving tray 5 (moving backward in the front-rear direction). And move backward in the front-rear direction. This movement stops when the seal position is reached (see FIG. 11C).
If the rear clip block 7 pressed by the container receiving tray 5 starts to move rearward in the front-rear direction, the stopper piece 72 of the rear clip block 7 is moved rearward from the clip stopper 2c on the machine housing 2 side. Not even.
Note that the position of the rear clip block 7 when the container receiving tray 5 is in the sealing position is the movable range rear end position.

The movement of the container receiving tray 5 is stopped by, for example, driving the tray of the clip driving mechanism 6 based on a detection signal from a sensor (for example, the tray IN sensor 502 in FIG. 4) that detects that the container receiving tray 5 has reached the sealing position. This is done by stopping the driving of the motor 61.
As the tray drive motor 61, for example, a DC motor is employed in which a braking force that restricts the rotation of the output shaft works against the action of an external force that rotates the output shaft when no drive current is supplied. To do. In this case, by stopping the feeding of the drive current for the tray drive motor 61 based on the detection signal from the sensor that has detected that the container receiving tray 5 has reached the seal position, the tray driving motor 61 itself can be moved to the container receiving tray. 5 can function as a misalignment prevention means for preventing misalignment from the seal position 5.
Further, as a misalignment prevention means for stopping the container receiving tray 5 that has reached the sealing position so as not to be displaced from the sealing position until the heat sealing of the film 12 to the container upper opening 12 is completed. For example, it is possible to employ various types such as those using an electromagnet that restricts movement by fixing the container receiving tray 5 with a magnetic attraction force.
The container transport mechanism is also provided with a misalignment prevention means for stopping the container receiving tray 5 so as not to deviate from the container attaching / detaching position. As this misalignment prevention means, the same as the misalignment prevention means for stopping the container receiving tray 5 so as not to be displaced from the container attaching / detaching position can be adopted.

  As can be seen with reference to FIGS. 8 and 10, when the container receiving tray 5 is in the container attaching / detaching position (see FIG. 8 and the like), the spring receiving wall 55k is compared to when the container receiving tray 5 is in the sealing position. And the distance L between the spring receiving portion of the rear clip block 7 (the holding wall portion 71b in the illustrated example) is reduced. This is because when the container receiving tray 5 is moved from the sealing position to the container detaching position, the rear clip block 7 is stopped by the stopper 2c and cannot move further forward. A gap C is secured to the spring receiving wall 55k and the spring receiving portion of the rear clip block 7 by a length corresponding to the separation distance Lc between the front and rear clip blocks 53, 7 due to the formation of the gap C (in the illustrated example, nipping is performed). This is because the separation distance L from the wall 71b) becomes small.

In the container transport mechanism 3, the urging force of the clip spring 8 interposed between the spring receiving wall 55 k and the spring receiving portion of the rear clip block 7 compresses the film 12 between the front and rear clip blocks 53, 7. Since it acts as a clamping force for clamping, the state in which the film 12 is firmly sandwiched between the front and rear clip blocks 53 and 7 is reliably maintained.
The state in which the film 12 is firmly sandwiched between the front and rear clip blocks 53 and 7 by the urging force of the clip spring 8 is not only when the container receiving tray 5 is moved from the container attaching / detaching position to the sealing position but also of the film 12. Even when the container receiving tray 5 is moved from the sealing position to the container detaching position after completing the sealing operation of the container 11 by heat fusion, the container is maintained until the rear clip block 7 comes into contact with the clip stopper 2c.

When the container receiving tray 5 is moved from the container attaching / detaching position to the sealing position, the film 12 is pulled out from the lower end opening 26 a of the film guiding section 26 and stretched on the receiving tray 52.
If the container receiving tray 5 in which the container 11 is installed on the receiving tray 52 is moved to the sealing position at the container removing position, the film 12 is stretched on the opening peripheral edge 11a of the container 11 supported by the receiving tray 52, and the container 11 is disposed so as to cover the upper opening 11b.

In other words, in the case of this container transport mechanism 3, the heat sealing film 12 is installed in the tray 52 by the operation of storing the container receiving tray 5 protruding to the front side of the machine housing 2 in the machine housing 2. It is automatically stretched on the container 11.
For this reason, according to this heat sealing device 1, for example, as described in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, the film is not forgotten to be sandwiched or a mistake in sandwiching operation does not occur, and the film is placed on the container 11 installed in the tray 52. Can be securely arranged. In the first place, a special operation for stretching the film 12 on the container 11 is not necessary, and the film 12 can be stretched on the container 11 by an extremely simple operation.

(Heater panel mechanism)
As shown in FIG. 4, the heater panel mechanism 4 includes a heater unit 42 to which the heater panel 41 is attached, and a heater push-down mechanism 43 for lowering the heater panel 41 of the heater unit 42 and pressing it toward the tray 52. It comprises.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the heater unit 42 is supported in the heater unit guide rail 29 provided on the inner surface side of the left and right side walls 2 b of the machine casing 2 and is accommodated in the machine casing 2. Further, the heater unit 42 can slide in the front-rear direction along the heater unit guide rail 29 and can be inserted into and removed from the machine housing 2 from the front side of the machine housing 2.
A heater unit insertion / removal port 24 a for inserting / removing the heater unit 42 to / from the machine housing 2 is opened in the front wall 24 of the machine housing 2. The heater unit insertion / removal port 24a is opened / closed by opening / closing the front cover 25.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 8, the heater unit 42 includes a cover plate 44 that is supported by the left and right heater unit guide rails 29 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction, and a guide that protrudes downward from the cover plate 44. The heater panel 41 is attached to the bar 44a so as to be movable up and down, and a heater panel return spring 45 for urging the heater panel 41 toward the cover plate 44 is provided.
The heater unit 42 in the illustrated example further includes a steam hole forming pin 46 attached to the cover plate 44 so as to be movable up and down, and a steam hole forming pin 46 lowered by a pin lowering mechanism 47 provided in the heater depressing mechanism 43. A pin return spring 48 (specifically, a coil spring that functions as a pulling spring) for raising is also provided.

As shown in FIG. 2, the heater unit 42 mounts the guide protrusions 44 b, which are the left and right ends of the cover plate 44, on the left and right heater unit guide rails 29, thereby causing the left and right heater unit guide rails 29 to extend in the front-rear direction. It is supported movably.
The guide protrusion 44b is in the shape of a protrusion that protrudes from the left and right sides of the heater unit 42.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 13, an energizing connector 44 c for energizing the heater plate 41 b provided on the heater panel 41 is attached on the cover plate 44. The heater plate 41b is heated by energization.
The energizing connector 44c pushes the heater unit 42 inserted into the machine casing 2 from the front side of the machine casing 2 toward the rear side of the machine casing 2 along the left and right heater unit guide rails 29. The connector is electrically connected to the internal energizing connector 2d (see FIG. 3) fixed inside (see FIG. 10). An energization cord 2e (see FIG. 3) for electrical connection with a power supply (not shown) outside the heat seal apparatus 1 is connected to the internal energization connector 2d. Therefore, the heater plate 41b of the heater panel 41 can be connected to an external power source (not shown) of the heat seal device 1 by connecting the energizing connector 44c and the internal energizing connector 2d.
The energizing connector 44c is detachable from the internal energizing connector 2d, and when the heater unit 42 is pulled out from the machine housing 2 to the front side, the energizing connector 44c is pulled out from the internal energizing connector 2d and the connection is released.
The fact that the heater unit 42 can be inserted into and removed from the machine housing 2 is advantageous for exchanging the heater panel 41 to cope with the shape and material of the container 11 and for maintenance of the heater unit 42 itself or the inside of the apparatus 1. is there.

FIG. 14 is a bottom view showing the heater panel 41.
As shown in FIGS. 8, 10, and 14, the heater panel 41 includes a heater panel base plate 41a that moves up and down while being guided by a guide bar 45 fixed to the cover plate 44, and the ring-shaped heater plate 41b. A ring-shaped film presser 41c, a ring-shaped cutter 41d, a straight film presser 41e, and a straight cutter 41f are provided.
The heater plate 41b, the ring-shaped film presser 41c, the ring-shaped cutter 41d, the straight film presser 41e, and the straight cutter 41f are fixed to the lower surface side of the heater panel base plate 41a.
The ring-shaped cutter 41d and the straight cutter 41f cut the film 12 disposed on the tray 52 when the heater panel 41 is lowered and pressed against the tray 52 disposed at the sealing position. .

The straight film presser 41e and the straight cutter 41f are fixed to the front end in the front-rear direction of the heater panel base plate 41a and are arranged to extend in the left-right direction. The straight film presser 41e is disposed close to the straight cutter 41f on the front side in the front-rear direction of the straight cutter 41f.
The heater plate 41b, the ring-shaped film presser 41c, and the ring-shaped cutter 41d are fixed to the heater panel base plate 41a on the rear side in the front-rear direction with respect to the straight film presser 41e and the straight cutter 41f.

The heater plate 41b, the ring-shaped film presser 41c, and the ring-shaped cutter 41d are arranged concentrically.
The ring-shaped cutter 41d is disposed outside the ring-shaped heater plate 41b, and the ring-shaped film presser 41c is disposed outside the ring-shaped cutter 41d.
However, in the illustrated heater panel 41, the ring-shaped film presser 41c and the ring-shaped cutter 41d are substantially C-shaped and discontinuous near the front end in the front-rear direction of the heater panel base plate 41a. Both ends of the ring-shaped film presser 41c and the ring-shaped cutter 41d in the extending direction are disposed close to the straight cutter 41f. Further, in the vicinity of the front end portion of the heater panel base plate 41a in the front-rear direction, the outer peripheral portion of the heater plate 41b is also arranged close to the straight cutter 41f.

As shown in FIGS. 8, 10 and the like, the heater panel base plate 41a is provided with a heater plate guide bar 41g for guiding the vertical movement of the heater plate 41b with respect to the heater panel base plate 41a. It has been.
The heater plate guide bar 41g is inserted in a guide bar insertion hole 41h, which is a through hole formed in the heater panel base plate 41a, so as to be movable up and down.
At the upper end of the heater plate guide bar 41g that protrudes above the heater panel base plate 41a, a retaining protrusion 41g1 that protrudes from above is projected.
The heater plate 41b is fixed to the lower end of the heater plate guide bar 41g, and thereby moves up and down integrally with the heater plate guide bar 41g with respect to the heater panel base plate 41a.
13 and 14, reference numeral 41g2 denotes a set screw for fixing the heater plate 41b to the lower end of the heater plate guide bar 41g.
Further, the heater plate 41b is urged downward with respect to the heater panel base plate 41a by a compression coil spring 41i that is extrapolated to the heater plate guide bar 41g and interposed between the heater plate 41b and the heater panel base plate 41a. ing.

As shown in FIGS. 8, 10, and 14, guide bar insertion holes 41 j are formed at a plurality of locations on the heater panel base plate 41 a so as to allow the guide bar 44 a protruding downward from the cover plate 44 to pass therethrough. Yes. However, as shown in FIG. 14, the guide bar 44a and the guide bar insertion hole 41j are located outside the ring-shaped film presser 41c in the heater panel 41a, and the guide bar 44a includes the heater plate 41b and the ring-shaped film. It does not interfere with the film presser 41c and the ring-shaped cutter 41d.
The upper end of the guide bar 44a that protrudes above the cover plate 44 is provided with a retaining protrusion 44a1 that abuts against the cover plate 44 from above to restrict the downward movement of the guide bar 44a from the cover plate 44. Has been.
In the illustrated example, the guide bar 44 a can move up and down with respect to the cover plate 44, but the guide bar 44 a may have its upper end fixed to the cover plate 44.
The heater panel base plate 41a moves up and down with respect to the cover plate 44 while being guided by the guide bars 44a respectively passed through the plurality of guide bar insertion holes 41j below the cover plate 44.

A heater panel return spring 45 is externally attached to each guide bar 44a.
The heater panel return spring 45 is externally inserted into each guide bar 44a and is a compression coil spring interposed between a spring receiving portion 44d projecting in a hook shape at the lower end of the guide bar 44a and the heater panel base plate 41a. The heater panel base plate 41a is urged toward the cover plate 44.

Reference numeral 44g denotes a bearing fixed to the heater panel base plate 41a, which smoothly moves up and down along the guide bar 44a.
The bearing 44g is fixed to the lower surface side of the heater panel base plate 41a.
Specifically, the upper end of the heater panel return spring 45 is pressed against the bearing 44g, and is interposed between the bearing 44g and the spring receiving portion 44d at the lower end of the guide bar 44a.

On the heater panel base plate 41a, a projection 41k for pushing down is provided so as to push down the heater board base plate 41a by the heater pushing mechanism 43.
In the illustrated heater unit 42, the push-down protrusion 41 k has a pin shape, and is passed through the push-down protrusion insertion hole 44 e of the cover plate 44 so as to be movable up and down, and protrudes on the cover plate 44.
In FIG. 14, reference numeral 41k1 is a set screw for fixing the push-down projection 41k to the heater panel base plate 41a.
The push-down projections 41k are projected from a plurality of locations outside the ring-shaped film presser 41c in the heater panel 41a.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 8, the heater unit 42 is configured such that the heater panel base plate 41a is brought into contact with the cover plate 44 by the biasing force of the heater panel return spring 45 (however, the heater panel base plate 41a). And an external force that separates the cover plate 44 from the cover plate 44 (for example, when a pressing force that pushes the push-down protrusion 41k toward the lower side of the cover plate 44 is not acting).
Therefore, for example, when the heater unit 42 is inserted into and removed from the machine housing 2 from the front side of the machine housing 2, the state in which the heater panel base plate 41a and the cover plate 44 are integrated is stably maintained. Therefore, there are advantages such as easy insertion / removal work.

In the heater unit 42, when the push-down projection 41 k is pushed from the cover plate 44 toward the lower side of the cover plate 44, the entire heater panel 41 is separated downward from the cover plate 44.
It goes without saying that when the pressing force of the push-down protrusion 41k is released, the heater panel base plate 41a returns to the state in contact with the cover plate 44 by the biasing force of the heater panel return spring 45.

The heater push-down mechanism 43 is fixed to a motor 43a (see FIG. 3; hereinafter also referred to as a cam motor) provided in the upper part of the machine casing 2 and a drive shaft 43e rotated by the cam motor 43a, and is integrated with the drive shaft 43e. The cam 43b (eccentric cam; refer to FIG. 3) and a press bar 43c disposed below the cam 43b so as to be movable up and down are incorporated in the upper part of the machine casing 2.
The cam 43b is a cylindrical shape (or a circular shape) having a circular outer peripheral surface (sliding contact surface 43b1; the “circular shape of the outer peripheral surface is an outer peripheral surface shape in a cross section perpendicular to the cam rotation axis)”. Columnar member. The cam 43b is attached to the drive shaft 43e by shifting the center of the circular sliding contact surface 43b1 from the center of the drive shaft 43e. As the drive shaft 43e rotates, the cam 43b rotates about an axis perpendicular to the raising / lowering direction of the heater panel 41 integrally with the drive shaft 43e, and as a result, the projecting dimension downward from the drive shaft 43e increases or decreases. It has become.
In the following description, regarding the cam 43b, the state in which the downward projecting dimension from the drive shaft 43e is in the minimum direction (the state shown in FIGS. 4 and 5) is the “upward projecting position”, and the projecting downward from the drive shaft 43e. The state in which the dimension is in the maximum direction (the state shown in FIGS. 7 and 10) is referred to as a “lower protruding position”.

As shown in FIG. 5 and the like, the push-down protrusion 41k protruding on the heater unit 42 (specifically, the cover plate 44 of the heater unit 42) incorporated in the machine casing 2 is formed on the press bar 43c of the heater push-down mechanism 43. Arranged below. The press bar 43c comes into contact with the upper end of the push-down projection 41k from above.
The press bar 43c placed on the push-down protrusion 41k is pressed from below onto the cam 43b by the urging force of the heater panel return spring 45 that urges the push-down protrusion 41k upward.
In the heater panel mechanism 4, the cam 43b is rotated by driving the cam motor 43a of the heater push-down mechanism 43, so that the press bar 43c moves up and down integrally with the push-down projection 41k. Thereby, the heater panel 41 of the heater unit 42 is moved up and down.

In the heat sealing apparatus 1, when the container receiving tray 5 is in the container detaching position, the cam 43b is in the upper protruding position (FIG. 4).
After the container receiving tray 5 moved from the container attaching / detaching position reaches the sealing position, the cam motor 43a of the heater panel mechanism 4 is driven, and the lowering of the heater panel 41 is started. The heater panel 41 is lowered by the press bar 43c pushing the push-down protrusion 41k downward against the biasing force of the heater panel return spring 45. The place where the cam 43b reaches the downward projecting position is the lower limit position (lowering lower limit position) of the heater panel 41 (FIG. 7).
When the heater panel 41 reaches the lower limit position, the heater plate 41b of the heater panel 41 is stretched on the container 11 at the opening peripheral edge portion 11a of the container 11 set on the tray 52 of the container receiving tray 5. Pressed from above the film 12. Thereby, the film 12 is heat-sealed to the opening peripheral edge portion 11 a of the container 11. The state in which the heater panel 41 is at the lower limit position (the cam 43b is in the downward projecting position) is maintained for a predetermined time set in advance to ensure that heat fusion is performed.

After completion of the thermal fusion of the film 12 to the opening peripheral edge portion 11a of the container 11, the cam 43b is rotated by driving of the cam motor 43a to reach the upper protruding position. As a result, the heater panel 41 is pushed upward by the urging force of the heater panel return spring 45. The pressing projection 41k and the press bar 43c are also pushed upward (FIG. 5).
As for the raising / lowering of the heater panel 41, the position when the cam 43b is in the upward projecting position is the upper limit position (up / down upper limit position).
After the heater panel 41 reaches the up / down upper limit position, the container receiving tray 5 is moved from the sealing position to the container detaching position (FIG. 4).
In this heater panel mechanism 4, the cam 43b is in the upward projecting position and the heater panel 41 is moved up and down except when the film 12 is heat-sealed to the container 11 set on the tray 52 at the sealing position (during the sealing operation). Supported at the upper limit position.

In the heater panel mechanism 4 shown in FIGS. 2, 8, 10, etc., the pressing protrusions 41 k protruding at a plurality of locations on the heater unit 42 are collectively pressed down by the press bar 43 c, so that the heater panel 41 can be pressed evenly against the tray 52.
The outer peripheral surface of the cam 43b is slidably contacted with a cam contact base 43d protruding from the press bar 43c.

The cam 43b of the heater panel mechanism 4 illustrated in FIG. 10 and the like has a shape in which a portion having a maximum projecting dimension from the rotation center and a minimum portion are located on the opposite side through the rotation center.
Therefore, when the cam 43b rotates by 180 °, the upper standby position and the push-down limit position of the press bar 43c are switched.
However, the cam having a shape in which the projecting dimension from the rotation center is the largest and the smallest is located on the opposite side through the rotation center is not limited to the one having the circular outer peripheral surface in the illustrated example. Those having an elliptical outer peripheral surface can also be employed.

  The heater panel mechanism 4 may be configured to repeat the 180 ° reversal of the cam 43b to raise and lower the press bar 43c between the upper standby position and the push-down limit position, but the cam 43b rotates only in one direction. It is preferable that the position of the press bar 43c is switched between the upper standby position and the push-down limit position by being driven. In this case, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of vibration during reversal of the cam rotation direction (preventing vibration contributes to prevention of positional deviation of the film 12), and simplifies drive control of the heater panel mechanism 4 and reduces costs. be able to.

In the configuration in which the press bar 43c is moved up and down by reversing the cam 43b by 180 °, the backlash generated in the driving force transmission system from the motor 43a to the cam 43b when the rotation direction of the cam 43b is reversed is a film immediately after heat fusion to the container 11. In order to avoid adversely affecting the adhesion state of the film 12 and causing wrinkles of the film 12, measures such as stricter accuracy requirements for the components of the driving force transmission system may be required.
If the cam 43b is rotationally driven only in one direction and the position of the press bar 43c is switched between the upper standby position and the push-down limit position, the drive from the motor 43a to the cam 43b is performed when the rotation direction of the cam 43b is reversed. The occurrence of inconvenience due to backlash generated in the force transmission system can be avoided, which is advantageous in terms of ensuring the sealing performance by the film 12 and ensuring the aesthetic appearance of the heat-sealed portion.

(Vapor hole formation mechanism)
As shown in FIGS. 8, 9, and 10, the steam hole forming pin 46 attached to the cover plate 44 of the heater unit 42 so as to be movable up and down, the pin lowering mechanism 47 provided in the heater depressing mechanism 43, and the pin lowering A pin return spring 48 (specifically, a coil spring that functions as a pulling spring) for raising the steam hole forming pin 46 lowered by the mechanism 47 is a position of the container receiving tray 5 from the container attaching / detaching position to the sealing position. A vapor hole forming mechanism 49 is formed which forms a vapor hole in the film 12 stretched on the upper opening 11b of the container 11 by the movement.

The vapor hole forming mechanism 49 forms a vapor hole in the film 12 by piercing the film 12 with a needle-like portion 46 a at the lower end of the vapor hole forming pin 46.
This steam hole allows water vapor (steam, generated from hot beverages or foods such as hot coffee, soups, etc.) generated from stored items to pass through the container 11 and be discharged out of the container 11. And it is a micropore which does not leak a liquid.

Specifically, the pin lowering mechanism 47 is a solenoid.
The pin lowering mechanism 47 is attached to the press bar 43c of the heater depressing mechanism 43, and moves up and down integrally with the press bar 43c.
The pin lowering mechanism 47 protrudes the plunger 47 a to lower the vapor hole forming pin 46 provided in the heater unit 42 so as to be movable up and down, and the needle-like portion 46 a at the lower end of the vapor hole forming pin 46 is moved to the container 11. It functions to pierce the film 12 stretched on the upper opening 11b.
The pin lowering mechanism 47 is not limited to a solenoid that projects the plunger 47a by energization. For example, an air cylinder, a hydraulic cylinder, or the like can be used, but the response speed is good (response speed is fast). Adopting a solenoid is suitable because it is advantageous in reducing the size and cost of the heat seal device.

As shown in FIGS. 10, 13, and 14, the steam hole forming pin 46 is a pin through hole 41 m formed in a portion of the heater panel base plate 41 a located inside the ring-shaped heater plate 41 b. (See FIG. 14) and a pin through hole 44f (see FIG. 8) formed in the cover plate 44 of the heater unit 42, the heater unit 42 is provided so as to be movable up and down.
The upper end portion of the steam hole forming pin 46 protruding from the pin through hole 44 f of the cover plate 44 onto the cover plate 44 is pushed down by the pin lowering mechanism 47.
Further, a needle-like portion 46a at the lower end of the steam hole forming pin 46 protruding downward from the heater panel base plate 41a is a portion of the film 12 stretched on the tray 52 that is stretched on the container 11 (specifically Specifically, it is stabbed into a portion stretched on the inner region surrounded by the opening peripheral edge portion 11 a of the container 11.

A pin return spring 48, which is a coil spring, is disposed on the lower side of the cover plate 44 so as to be extrapolated to the steam hole forming pin 46.
The upper end of the pin return spring 48 is connected to the cover plate 44, and the lower end is connected to the steam hole forming pin 46.
The pin return spring 48 is extended when the steam hole forming pin 46 is lowered by the pin lowering mechanism 47 (solenoid). The pin lowering mechanism 47 lowers the steam hole forming pin 46 against the urging force of the pin return spring 48.
Thereafter, when the energization to the pin lowering mechanism 47 (solenoid) is turned off, the steam hole forming pin 46 is quickly raised by the urging force of the pin return spring 48. At this time, the plunger 47 a of the pin lowering mechanism 47, which is a solenoid, is also pushed and pushed up by the steam hole forming pin 46 by the urging force of the pin return spring 48.
The vapor hole forming pin 46 stabbed into the film 12 is pulled out of the film 12 by raising, so that the vapor hole is opened, and the water vapor in the container 11 can be released from the vapor hole.

(Control mechanism)
Next, an example of a control mechanism according to the heat sealing apparatus 1 will be described.
FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing a control system of the heat sealing apparatus 1.
As shown in FIG. 15, each mechanism (for example, the container transport mechanism 3 and the heater panel mechanism 4) of the heat sealing apparatus 1 is connected to the control unit 16, and the driving thereof is controlled by the control unit 16. As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 16 is incorporated in the machine casing 2.

As shown in FIG. 15, the control unit 16 includes an input unit 16a for signal input and an output unit 16b for signal output.
The input unit 16a of the control unit 16 includes a tray OUT sensor 501 (see FIG. 5) for detecting that the container receiving tray 5 is disposed at the container attaching / detaching position, and that the container receiving tray 5 is disposed at the sealing position. A tray IN sensor 502 (see FIG. 4) to be detected, a container detection sensor 93 mounted on the container receiving tray 5, and a preheating mode control ON / OFF switching switch SW (hereinafter referred to as preheating) for ON / OFF switching of the preheating mode control. Mode switch).
Connected to the output unit 16b of the control unit 16 are a tray drive motor 61 of the container transport mechanism 3, a cam motor 43a of the heater panel mechanism 4, an operation display lamp P1, and a speaker P2 for generating an alarm notification alarm sound. Yes.

(Sealing process)
With this heat sealing apparatus 1, the film 12 is thermally fused to the opening peripheral edge 11a of the upper opening 11b of the unsealed container 11 (the container 11 before the upper opening 11b is sealed by heat fusion of the film 12). The operation | movement (sealing process) which wears and obtains the sealed container which sealed the upper opening part 11b is comprised by the following processes (1)-(3).
(1) When the unsealed container 11 set on the tray 52 of the container receiving tray 5 arranged at the container detaching position is detected by the container detection sensor 93 of the container receiving tray 5, the tray driving mechanism 6 is driven. The container carrying-in step of automatically moving the container receiving tray 5 from the container detaching position to the sealing position.
(2) After the container carrying-in process is completed, the heater panel mechanism 4 is in the upper / lower upper limit position (the position of the heater panel 41 shown in FIGS. 4 and 8; hereinafter also referred to as the heater panel upper standby position). The film 12 provided on the container 11 so as to close the upper opening 11b is heat-sealed (heat-sealed) to the opening peripheral edge 11a of the container 11 (heat sealing).
(3) A container carrying-out process in which the container receiving tray 5 is moved to the container detaching position by driving the tray driving mechanism 6 after the heat sealing process is completed.

However, in this heat seal device 1, it is possible to switch on / off preheating mode control described later.
When the preheating mode control is turned on, the heat sealing step is such that the lowering of the heater panel 41 is a preheating position set on the upper side slightly separated from the film 12 stretched on the tray 52 (FIGS. 6 and 6). 9 is stopped for a preset time (preheating time), and a preheating process for heating (preheating) the film 12 and after completion of the preheating process, the steam hole forming mechanism 49 is driven. Then, a vapor hole forming step of forming a vapor hole (fine hole) in the film 12 stretched on the upper opening 11b of the container 11 is included. In this case, after completion of the preheating process, the lowering of the heater panel 41 is resumed and pressed toward the receiving tray 52, and the film 12 is thermally fused to the opening peripheral edge portion 11a of the container 11 (preheating mode control function). ). The steam hole forming step is executed in a state where the heater panel 41 is pressed from the film 12 toward the tray 52.
When the preheating mode control is turned off, the heater panel 41 is lowered from the standby position above the heater panel without temporarily stopping at the preheating position, and is pressed against the tray 52 from the film 12 (control function without preheating).

(Container loading process)
In the container carrying-in process, the container receiving tray 5 is moved from the container attaching / detaching position to the sealing position by driving the tray driving mechanism 6, and the container 11 supported by the receiving tray 52 is disposed immediately below the heater panel 41 of the heater panel mechanism 4. To do.
In addition, the heater panel mechanism 4 arranges the heater panel 41 at the upper / lower limit position (the position of the heater panel 41 shown in FIGS. 5 and 8) until the movement of the container receiving tray 5 from the container attaching / detaching position to the sealing position is completed. Thus, the heater panel 41 does not obstruct the movement of the container receiving tray 5 from the container attaching / detaching position to the sealing position.
The upper and lower upper limit position of the heater panel 41 is stretched on the container 11 installed in the tray 52 by being pulled into the machine casing 2 by the movement of the container receiving tray 5 from the container attaching / detaching position to the sealing position. It is a position that does not interfere with the film 12 to be formed.

(Heat sealing process)
Here, the case of the preheating mode control will be described.
In the heat sealing process, when the container carrying-in process is completed (the container receiving tray 5 moved from the container detaching position reaches the sealing position), the heater panel mechanism 4 lowers the heater panel 41 and opens the upper opening on the container 11. The film 12 provided so as to close the portion 11 b is heat-sealed (heat sealed) to the opening peripheral edge portion 11 a of the container 11.
However, when the preheating mode control is ON, the heat sealing process includes a preheating process and a steam hole forming process.
In the case of control without preheating (preheating mode control is OFF), the preheating step and the steam hole forming step are not performed in the heat sealing process, and the heater panel 41 is temporarily stopped from the standby position above the heater panel at the preheating position. It descends without being pressed and is pressed by the tray 52 from above the film 12 and reaches the heat seal of the film 12 with respect to the opening peripheral edge portion 11 a of the container 11.

“Preheating mode control” is for performing heat sealing of the upper opening portion 11b of the container 11 containing hot foods such as hot coffee, soup, cooked rice, and deep-fried food (especially foods that generate a lot of water vapor, including beverages). It is a control mode suitable for.
When the container carrying-in process is completed, the heater panel 41 that started to descend from the standby position above the heater panel toward the tray 52 arranged at the seal position is slightly separated from the film 12 stretched on the tray 52. At the preheating position set on the upper side (the position of the heater panel 41 shown in FIGS. 6 and 9), the film 12 is stopped for a preset time (preheating time), the film 12 is heated (preheating), and then the descent is resumed. Then, it is pressed toward the tray 52.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the preheating mode switch SW is attached to the front side of the machine casing 2.
However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the preheating mode switch may be provided in, for example, a remote controller connected to an electric cord extending outward from the machine casing 2 or a wireless remote controller.

An example of the preheating process will be described.
The heater plate 41b is heated by energization so that, for example, 130 to 200 ° C. (lower surface temperature) is maintained.
Then, the heater panel 41 lowered from the heater panel upper standby position is stopped at a position (preheating position) where the lower surface of the heater plate 41b is within a range of 1 to 3 mm from the film 12 stretched on the tray 52. The film 12 is heated (preheated). The time for which the heater panel 41 is stopped at the preheating position (preheating time) is set to 0.5 seconds to several seconds, for example.
In the preheating step, when the film 12 is heated, the droplets attached to the film 12 are evaporated and can be reduced (or removed). Further, water droplets rising from the food in the container 11 are less likely to adhere to the lower surface of the film 12. As a result, when the heater panel 41 is pressed against the receiving tray 52, the heat fusion of the film 12 to the opening peripheral edge portion 11a of the container 11 can be performed satisfactorily as in the case where no water vapor is generated from the food. .
However, the above-mentioned preheating position and preheating time are examples, and it is needless to say that the preheating position and the preheating time can be appropriately changed according to the film material, the thickness of the film, the size of the peripheral edge of the opening of the container, and the like.

  6 and 9, the film 12 is stretched between the portion sandwiched between the front and rear clip blocks 53 and 7 and the lower end opening 26 a of the film guide path 26, and compared with the lower end opening 26 a side. The side of the portion sandwiched between the front and rear clip blocks 53 and 7 is gently inclined so as to be slightly lower, but when the sealing plate 41 is stopped at the preheating position, The portion of the container 11 that is stretched on the receiving tray 52 and located on the opening peripheral edge portion 11a of the container 11 falls within the range of 1 to 3 mm from the heater plate 41b, so that the droplets are attached by water vapor by the preheating process. The amount can be effectively suppressed.

When the preheating process is completed, the lowering of the heater panel 41 is resumed.
When the heater panel 41 is lowered, the ring-shaped film presser 41c and the straight film presser 41e of the heater panel 41 press the film 12 so as to be sandwiched between the tray 52 and the ring-shaped cutter 41d. The straight cutter 41 f is pressed by the tray 52 to cut the film 12.

The ring-shaped film retainer 41c is a film retainer that is a ring-shaped protrusion formed concentrically with the flange receiving base 52b on the outer side of the flange receiving base 52b that protrudes in a ring shape on the tray 52. The film 12 is sandwiched between the film holding base 52d by being pressed onto the portion 52d.
The straight film presser 41e is pressed on the film presser base part 52e, which is a ridge protruding from the front end of the tray 52 and extending linearly to the left and right, and between the film presser base part 52e and the film 12 Is inserted.
As the heater panel 41 descends, the ring-shaped cutter 41d enters the groove-shaped recess 52f between the bowl receiving portion 52b of the receiving tray 52 and the film pressing stand 52d, and cuts (presses) the film 12.

The straight cutter 41f cuts the end portion of the film 12 extending from the original film 13 with a cutting line in a direction crossing the strip-shaped film 12 (a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the film 12), and from the strip-shaped film 12, It fulfills the function of separating the part of the container 11 used for heat sealing.
The straight cutter 41f moves (lowers) along the film presser base part 52e to the rear side in the front-rear direction of the film presser base part 52e by the lowering of the heater panel 41, and cuts (presses) the film 12.

(Vapor hole formation process)
In the vapor hole forming step, the vapor hole forming mechanism 49 is driven to make vapor holes (micro holes) in the film 12 stretched on the upper opening 11 b of the container 11.
The formation of the steam hole by the steam hole forming mechanism 49 is performed by lowering the steam hole forming pin 46 provided on the heater unit 42 so as to be movable up and down by the pin lowering mechanism 47 and moving the needle-like portion 46 a at the lower end of the steam hole forming pin 46. By piercing the film 12 stretched on the upper opening 11b of the container 11.
After the pin lowering mechanism 47 (solenoid) presses the film 12 so that the ring-shaped film presser 41c and the straight film presser 41e of the heater panel 41 are sandwiched between the trays 52, the steam hole forming pin 46 is immediately inserted. The film is lowered (the plunger 47a is projected by energization), and a vapor hole (fine hole) is formed in the film 12 stretched on the upper opening 11b of the container 11.
The drive of the pin lowering mechanism 47 is adjusted in advance in the control unit 16 so that the steam hole forming pin 46 is lowered immediately after the heater panel 41 reaches the lower limit position.

The pin lowering mechanism 47 immediately cuts off the power supply for driving for projecting the plunger 47a when the vapor hole forming pin 46 is lowered to a position where the vapor hole is formed in the film 12 by the needle-like portion 46a at the lower end. The
Thereby, the steam hole forming pin 46 is immediately raised by the pin return spring 48 which is a coil spring functioning as a pulling spring, and is pulled out from the film 12.
The time during which the needle-like portion 46a at the lower end of the vapor hole forming pin 46 is pierced into the film 12 is preferably as short as possible. Thereby, the steam hole formed by the steam hole forming pin 46 can be quickly opened, and inconveniences such as swelling of the film 12 due to water vapor generated from food (including beverages) stored in the container 11 can be avoided.

By the way, as described above, in the heat seal apparatus 1, when the container carrying-in process is completed, the film 12 is sandwiched between the front and rear clip blocks 53 and 7 as compared with the lower opening 26 a side of the film guide path 26. It is gently inclined so that the side of the bent portion is slightly lowered and is stretched on the tray 52. Thus, in the heat sealing process, the food in the container 11 is placed between the opening peripheral edge 11a of the container 11 and the film 12 until just before the pressing of the film 12 to the opening peripheral edge 11a of the container 11 by the heater panel 41 is completed. A gap is secured as a way for water vapor to escape from the water. Moreover, the water vapor rising from the inside of the container 11 becomes a flow toward the side with the larger gap according to the inclination of the film 12 and is smoothly discharged.
That is, if the film 12 is configured to be inclined and stretched on the tray 52, the film 12 is stretched in parallel above the opening peripheral edge portion 11a (specifically, the upper surface 11e) of the container 11. Compared to the case where the water vapor discharged from the container 11 is less likely to stay in the vicinity of the opening peripheral edge 11a of the container 11. For this reason, the water vapor adhering to the opening peripheral part 11a of the container 11 and the part located on the container 11 of the film 12 can be reduced (or eliminated), and it is effective in preventing a heat seal failure caused by the adhesion of water vapor. Contribute to.

(Container unloading process)
When the heat sealing process is completed, the container receiving tray 5 is moved to the container attaching / detaching position by driving the tray driving mechanism 6.
At this time, the film 12 is sandwiched between the front and rear clip blocks 53 and 7 until the stopper piece 72 of the rear clip block 7 comes into contact with the clip stopper 2c and the space between the front and rear clip blocks 53 and 7 is opened. Maintained. When the stopper piece 72 of the rear clip block 7 comes into contact with the clip stopper 2 c and the space between the front and rear clip blocks 53 and 7 is opened, a gap C is secured between the front and rear clip blocks 53 and 7.

When the container unloading process is completed, a series of sealing processes are completed.
After the container unloading process is completed and the sealed container 11 is taken out from the receiving tray 52, the unsealed container 11 is set on the receiving tray 52, and if the container 11 is detected by the container detection sensor 93, the above-described seal will be described below. The process is executed.

When the sealing step is completed, a gap C is secured between the front clip block 53 and the rear clip body 71 (specifically, the clamping plate portion 71b) of the rear clip block 7.
When the container receiving tray 5 is moved from the sealing position to the container attaching / detaching position after completion of the sealing operation, the gap C is secured immediately below the lower end opening 26a of the film guiding portion 26, and thus extends from the original film 13. The end of the film 12 cut by the straight cutter 41 f of the base board 41 enters the gap C.
Therefore, when the operation of the heat sealing apparatus 1 is restarted, the container receiving tray 5 is moved to the sealing position, and at the same time, the film 12 is stretched over the upper opening 11b of the container 11 installed in the receiving tray 52. Will be.
Note that the lower end opening 26a of the film guiding section 26 is located near the tray exit / outlet opening 21 of the machine casing 2, so that the user of the sheet sealing apparatus 2 or the like manually operates the film 12 extending from the film raw fabric 13. It is easy to perform operations such as position correction of the end portion with respect to the gap C.

According to the heat sealing apparatus 1, the preheating mode control is adopted to execute the preheating process, so that the heat of the upper opening 11b by the film 12 can be obtained even for the container 11 containing the food with a high water vapor generation amount at a high temperature. The seal can be reliably performed.
By also executing the vapor hole forming step, heat sealing of the upper opening 11b of the container 11 by the film 12 can be performed more reliably.

In addition, this invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, A various change is possible.
For example, the present invention can also be applied to a heat seal apparatus configured to manually move the container receiving tray back and forth and / or raise and lower the heater panel.
Even when a container transport mechanism configured to manually move the container receiving tray back and forth is adopted, the container transport mechanism can be configured with a very simple structure. The film can be automatically arranged on the container installed on the tray only by moving from the container detaching position protruding to the side to the sealing position accommodated in the machine casing.
As the film clip mechanism of the container transport mechanism, it is possible to switch between holding and releasing the film, and when the container receiving tray is fed into the container carry-in space S from outside the container carry-in space S under the heater panel mechanism 4 In addition, it is sufficient that the film can be stretched on the container installed in the container receiving tray, and the present invention is not limited to those exemplified in the above-described embodiment, and various things can be adopted.
In the above-described embodiment, the container transport is configured such that the container is transported by the container receiving tray that reciprocates between the container attaching / detaching position protruding to the front side of the machine casing 2 and the seal position accommodated in the machine casing 2. Although the mechanism is illustrated, the container transport mechanism according to the present invention is not limited to this.
For example, a conveyor-type container transport mechanism that moves a container in only one direction can be employed. In this case, the heat sealing device is not configured to include the machine casing 2 as in the above-described embodiment. This machine body is installed in the middle of a container transport line constituted by a container transport mechanism. The container transport mechanism is installed in a container carry-in space secured under the heater panel mechanism.
Further, the present invention is not limited to the one provided with the container transport mechanism. For example, the user of the present apparatus directly puts the hand into the container carry-in space secured under the heater panel to carry the container in and out. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the container carrying-in space is secured under the heater panel (that is, a configuration without a container transport mechanism).

It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the heat seal apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a front view which shows the machine casing of the heat seal apparatus of FIG. It is a decomposition | disassembly side sectional view which shows the structure of the heat seal apparatus of FIG. It is a figure which shows the internal structure of the heat seal apparatus of FIG. 1, and is a sectional side view which shows the state which protruded the container receiving tray to the machine housing front side. It is a figure which shows the internal structure of the heat seal apparatus of FIG. 1, and is a sectional side view which shows the state which accommodated the container receiving tray in the machine casing. It is a figure which shows the internal structure of the heat seal apparatus of FIG. 1, and is a sectional side view which shows a preheating process. It is a figure which shows the internal structure of the heat seal apparatus of FIG. 1, and is a sectional side view which shows a sealing process. It is an enlarged view which shows the container receiving tray vicinity in FIG. It is an enlarged view which shows the container receiving tray vicinity in FIG. It is an enlarged view which shows the container receiving tray vicinity in FIG. (A)-(c) is a top view which shows a container receiving tray, (a) is the state which accommodated the container receiving tray in the machine casing, (b) is the front clip block and rear clip block of a container receiving tray. (C) shows a state in which the container receiving tray is housed in the machine casing. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. It is a front view which shows a heater unit. It is a bottom view which shows the heater panel of the heat seal apparatus of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the control system of the heat seal apparatus of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Container heat-seal apparatus, 11 ... Container, 11a ... Opening peripheral part, 11b ... Upper opening part, 12 ... Film, 13 ... Film raw fabric, 2 ... Machine casing, 2a ... Film raw fabric installation part, 2d ... Inside Energizing connector, 21 ... Tray exit / retreat port, 24a ... Heater unit insertion / removal port, 29 ... Heater unit guide rail, 3 ... Container transport mechanism, 4 ... Heater panel mechanism, 41 ... Heater panel, 41k ... Protrusion for pushing down, 42 ... Heater Unit: 43 ... Heater depressing mechanism, 44 ... Cover plate, 44a ... Guide bar, 44b ... Guide projection, 44c ... Current-carrying connector, 44d ... Spring receiving part, 45 ... Heater panel return spring, 46 ... Steam hole forming pin, 47 ... Pin lowering mechanism, 48 ... Pin return spring, 49 ... Steam hole forming mechanism, 5 ... Container receiving tray, 16 ... Control unit, SW ... Preheating mode control ON / OFF switching Switch.

Claims (11)

A heater panel mechanism (4) for raising and lowering the heater panel (41); and a control unit (16) for controlling raising and lowering of the heater panel of the heater panel mechanism, wherein the heater panel is disposed below the heater panel. The film (12) placed on the upper opening of the container carried into the container carry-in space (S) is pressed onto the opening peripheral edge (11a) of the container to heat the film on the opening peripheral edge. In the heat sealing device for containers to be fused,
The control unit is installed on the standby position and the container for the lowering operation of the heater panel to be lowered from the standby position above the container carried into the container carry-in space and pressed against the peripheral edge of the opening of the container. A container heat-sealing device (1) comprising a preheating mode control function of temporarily stopping at a film preheating position set between the film and preheating the film and then restarting the film. The controller lowers the heater panel without stopping at the film preheating position when the heater panel is lowered from the standby position at the upper limit of elevation and pressed against the opening edge of the container. The above-mentioned preheating mode control function and the preheating mode control function for heat-sealing the film on the part,
Switching between the no preheating control function and the preheating mode control function by a control mode switching signal input from a preheating mode ON / OFF switch (SW) for switching between the preheating no control function and the preheating mode control function. The heat seal apparatus for containers according to claim 1. The heater panel mechanism pushes down a heater unit (42) that supports the heater panel so as to be movable up and down, and a push-down projection (41k) that protrudes on the heater panel and protrudes onto the heater unit. A heater depressing mechanism (43) for lowering the heater, and a heater panel return spring (45) for energizing the heater panel depressed by the heater depressing mechanism and returning it to the standby position,
The heater depressing mechanism includes a cam for lowering the heater panel by being driven to rotate against the urging force of the heater panel return spring by being driven to rotate. The heat seal apparatus for containers according to claim 1 or 2.   The container heat seal device according to claim 3, wherein the heater panel is moved up and down by rotation of the cam in a direction of the cam. The heater panel mechanism includes a heater unit (42) that is removably incorporated in a housing and supports the heater panel so as to be movable up and down, and a push-down protrusion that protrudes from the heater panel and protrudes onto the heater unit. A heater depressing mechanism (43) for lowering the heater panel by depressing (41k),
The heater unit is attached to a cover plate (44) supported in the machine casing and a guide bar (44a) disposed below the cover plate and extending downward from the cover plate. The heater panel, and a heater panel return spring (45) for urging the heater panel pushed down by the heater pushing-down mechanism and returning it to the standby position,
The heater panel return spring is inserted between the heater bar and a spring receiving portion (44d) provided at a lower end portion of the guide bar that protrudes downward from the heater panel. The container heat seal device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the container heat seal device is a compression coil spring that urges the heater panel toward the cover plate. The heater unit is incorporated in the housing by supporting the guide projections (44b) at both ends of the cover plate so as to be slidable on the heater unit guide rails (29) provided on both side walls of the housing. In addition, by sliding movement of the guide projection along the heater unit guide rail, the heater unit can be inserted into and removed from the heater unit insertion / removal opening (24a) opened on the front side of the machine case.
An energization connector (44c) for energization and heating of the heater panel, which is attached to the cover plate, is attached to the machine casing by inserting / removing the heater unit to / from the machine casing (2d). 6. The container heat seal device according to claim 5, wherein the container heat seal device is attached to and detached from the container.   A vapor hole forming mechanism (49) for forming a vapor hole by piercing a vapor hole forming pin (46) into a film installed on an upper opening of a container carried into the machine casing is provided. The heat seal apparatus for containers according to any one of claims 1 to 6.   The steam hole forming mechanism is attached to the steam hole forming pin attached to the heater unit so as to be movable up and down, and a pin lowering mechanism (47) for lowering the steam hole forming pin. 8) and a pin return spring (48) for energizing and raising the steam hole forming pin lowered by the pin lowering mechanism.   The container heat according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a container transport mechanism (3) for carrying the container (11) into and out of the container carry-in space under the heater panel. Sealing device. The container transport mechanism is
The container receiving part (52) in which the container is installed is provided, and the container carrying space (S) under the heater panel is provided from the side of the machine body (1A) in which the heater panel mechanism is supported by the support frame (2). A container receiving tray (5) to be sent;
It is provided with a pair of openable and closable clip blocks (53, 7) sandwiching a heat-seal belt-like film, and is in front of the container receiving portion of the container receiving tray fed into the container carrying-in space. And a film clip mechanism that is fed together with the container receiving tray into the container carry-in space,
The film clip mechanism that sandwiches the film supplied to the container receiving tray from above by being guided to the inlet (21) of the container carrying-in space by the film guiding portion provided in the machine body, together with the container receiving tray, 10. The container heat seal device according to claim 9, wherein the film is installed on an upper opening of a container installed in the container receiving portion by being fed into the container carry-in space. .   When the container receiving tray is moved to a sealing position that supports the container in the container carry-in space, the film is moved to a pair of clip blocks of the film clip mechanism and the container carry-in space of the film guide section. The container heat-sealing device according to claim 10, wherein the container heat-seal device is stretched on the upper opening of the container so as to be inclined in the vertical direction between the terminal end located on the inlet of the container.

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