JP2012236615A - Heat seal packaging device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a heat seal packaging device capable of increasing processing speed of an entire device and productivity in a device performing heat sealing by printing information on a lid film covering an opening of a container.SOLUTION: This heat seal packaging device comprises: a container supply means A for supplying a predetermined number of containers to downstream of a packaging line when the containers P containing objects W to be packaged reaches the predetermined number; a heat seal means B located downstream of the packaging line and covering an opening of the container P supplied from the container supply means A with a lid film 1 to perform the heat sealing; a film supply means C delivering the band-shaped lid film 1 covering the opening of the container P from the upstream to the downstream at an upper part position of the opening of the container to supply it; and a printing means D performing the printing on the lid film. The printing means D prints information about the object W to be packaged on the lid film 1 covering the openings of a predetermined number of containers to be heat sealed next, while the heat seal means B performs the heat sealing of the lid film 1 to the containers P.

Description

  The present invention relates to a heat-sealing packaging device that covers (heat-seals) an opening of a container containing an object to be packaged with a lid film.

A heat-sealing packaging device is already known in which an opening of a container in which an object to be packaged is stored is covered with a lid film, and the lid film is heat-sealed to the peripheral edge of the container (for example, packaging). Patent Document 1).
In addition, information such as the date of manufacture is printed on the lid film at a position corresponding to each container that accommodates an object to be packaged by printing means, but the printing means (print head) is fixedly arranged at a predetermined position. A method of printing on the lid film by moving the lid film at a predetermined pitch is employed.

  However, the printing means (printing head) of the heat seal packaging device is fed over a container transport unit that transports a container in which an object to be packaged is stored and a heat seal mechanism unit that heat seals the opening of the container. The lid film is fixedly arranged in the middle of feeding, and the lid film is moved (delivered) at a predetermined pitch to perform printing. The transport speed of the container transport section is the printing speed of the printing means (the lid film). (Moving (feeding out) speed). In addition, since the feeding of the lid film is stopped while the opening of the container in which the package is accommodated is heat-sealed with the lid film, the printing cannot be performed during this period. Therefore, when increasing the number of packaging processes per unit time in a heat seal packaging apparatus equipped with the above printing system, the speed of each process of the heat sealing process is increased to increase the processing speed of the entire apparatus, or heat sealing is performed. Either one of the methods to increase productivity by batch processing that collects a plurality of containers is adopted, but even if any method is adopted, the moving (feeding out) speed of the lid film will be increased. The printing speed of the printing means (printing head) fixedly arranged at the predetermined position cannot keep up with the moving speed of the lid film, resulting in a problem that the printing quality is deteriorated (for example, characters are blurred, characters flow, etc.). . For this reason, there are limitations on the movement speed of the lid film, the printing timing of the printing means, and the like, and there is a limit to increasing the processing speed of the entire apparatus and increasing the productivity.

JP-A-10-203505

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a device for printing and heat-sealing information on a lid film covering an opening of a container. An object of the present invention is to provide a heat seal packaging device that can maintain the printing quality on the film and increase the processing speed and productivity of the entire device.

In order to achieve the above object, the technical means taken by the present invention is a batch form in which a plurality of containers for heat sealing are moved together, and information on the lid film covering the opening of the container. When a predetermined number of containers are heat-sealed with a printed lid film, printing is performed on the lid film used for heat-sealing the next group of containers to be heat-sealed. The time required can be shortened.
Specifically, in a heat seal packaging apparatus for covering and opening the opening of a container in which a package is accommodated with a lid film, the package is located upstream of a packaging line in the heat seal packaging apparatus. A container supply means for supplying a container containing an object to the downstream of the packaging line; and a heat seal in which an opening of the container supplied from the container supply means is covered with a lid film, located downstream of the packaging line And a belt-like lidding film covering the opening of the container across the container supply means and the heat sealing means of the packaging line is fed from the upstream to the downstream at the upper position of the container opening. Film supply means, printing means for printing on the lid film, and moving means for moving the printing means along the packaging line. While the heat sealing means downstream of the packaging line heat seals the lid film to the container, the means is configured to apply the package to the lid film in a stopped state that covers the opening of the container to be heat sealed next. It is characterized by printing information.

In the present invention, the number of containers that perform heat sealing at one time (the number of batches) is not particularly limited, but the number of container supply means, heat sealing means, and container transfer means must be the same. Further, in order to shorten the overall length of the apparatus, it is effective to use a plurality of rows (for example, two rows, three rows, etc.) in the moving direction of the container rather than a single row.
The packaging line refers to a container moving line from the container supply means to the heat seal means.
The printing means for printing the information on the object to be packaged on the lid film may be any system such as a thermal transfer system or an ink jet system which prints by applying heat to the ink ribbon with a thermal head.
The moving means for moving the printing means along the packaging line may be any structure that can reciprocate in a predetermined section, such as a structure composed of an endlessly rotating belt and a gear, or a structure composed of a rack and a pinion. .
The container supply means supports and holds the containers conveyed by the upstream carry-in conveyor until a predetermined number is reached. Specifically, for example, an intermittent drive belt conveyor or a device including a cradle and a pusher is used. Any of them may be used.
The heat sealing means covers the opening film of the container containing the packaged object with a lid film, and the lid film is thermally welded to the peripheral edge of the container (periphery of the opening) to complete the packaging. The packaging method is aerobic packaging (covering the top opening of the container containing the article to be packaged conveyed to the seal mold with the lid film as it is, and thermally bonding the peripheral edge of the lid film to the peripheral edge of the container)・ Vacuum packaging (vacuum inside the seal mold sucks the air inside the container to create a vacuum state, the periphery of the lid film is thermally welded to the periphery of the container), gas filled packaging (inside the seal mold inside the container Any one of aspirating air, injecting gas (oxygen / carbon dioxide / nitrogen, etc., and improving the environment in the container) may be used.

  According to the above means, the containers containing the objects to be packaged are held by the container supply means at regular intervals, and when the number of containers reaches a predetermined number (batch number), the containers are transferred to the heat sealing means by the container transfer means. The container is transferred in a lump, and the opening film is covered with a lid film by the heat sealing means, and the lid film is thermally welded to the peripheral edge of the container opening to complete the packaging. The packaged container is cut out from the lid film, and both sides in the width direction of the lid film are not cut and the continuity is maintained. When the portion is wound by the film winding unit, the lid film having a length necessary for heat sealing the next container group is fed out from the film supply unit. Thereby, when heat-sealed by the heat-sealing means, a predetermined length portion of the lid film located on the container supply means upstream of the heat-sealing means is moved to the heat-sealing part of the heat-sealing means, Wait for the next heat seal. The lid film used for the next heat seal located on the container supply means corresponds to the predetermined number of containers held by the container supply means while the heat seal means is heat-sealing. Will print the information. Therefore, the printing on the lid film and the heat sealing by the heat sealing means are simultaneously performed in parallel.

The printing means is movable to the supply direction start end side of the container supply means starting from the supply direction end of the container supply means, and feeds out information on the package contents of the container held by the container supply means. Can be printed while moving to the lid film that has been stopped.
Thereby, the information of the package corresponding to the container held by the container supply means can be printed on the lid film.

The container supply means further includes a container transfer means for transferring the held container to a heat seal means on the downstream side of the packaging line when the number of held containers reaches a predetermined number. A predetermined number of containers in which the heat sealing of the lid film is completed by the sealing means are discharged from the heat sealing means, and the container of the container supply means is transferred to the heat sealing means after the container is discharged.
Specifically, a pair of front and rear ridges having a comb-like shape that collectively holds a predetermined number of containers heat-sealed by the heat sealing means and a predetermined number of containers held by the container supply means at a predetermined interval. It is comprised by the attachment member and the moving member which moves this adhesion member to a predetermined position. The above-mentioned “predetermined position” means that the adhesive member that holds and holds the packaged container that has been heat-sealed by the heat-sealing means is aligned on the container supply means to the position of the discharge section downstream from the heat-sealing means. The attachment members for attaching and holding the containers are the positions to be moved to the position of the heat seal means downstream.
The caulking member is configured such that both the packaged container of the heat seal means and the container aligned and held in the container supply means are caulked together, or the packaged container of the heat seal means and the container supply means hold Any of the forms in which the prepared containers are attached separately may be used.
The moving member moves together the adhesion member that adheres the container on the heat sealing means and the adhesion member that adheres the container on the container supply means, or the two adhesion members are independent of each other. It is good also as a structure to move.

  According to the above means, the predetermined number of containers that have been heat-sealed by the heat-sealing means are collectively discharged, and the predetermined number of containers to be heat-sealed next to the heat-sealing means from which the containers have been discharged are container transfer means. Since it is transported in a lump, the efficiency of the packaging work can be improved.

In addition, a measuring means for measuring the weight of an object to be packaged in the container is disposed at an upstream position of the container supplying means, and the printing means includes the measurement information measured by the measuring means, It moves from the terminal end side of the supplying means to the start end side, and sequentially prints on the lid film, and after completion of printing a predetermined number, it returns to the starting position.
With the above configuration, even if the weights of the objects to be packaged contained in the containers are different, the weight of the objects to be packaged is measured by the weighing means (measured weight−tare = the weight of the object to be packaged). The price of the package can be calculated from the unit price registered in advance. Therefore, not only the information on the fixed amount packaged object but also the information such as the weight of the unfixed amount packaged object can be displayed as the printing information on the lid film. Then, the printing means moves from the terminal end side of the container supply means to the starting end side and returns to the starting position when the predetermined number of printings are completed, so that the correspondence with the packaged material accommodated in the container is maintained. Thus, the information on the package can be printed on the lid film.

  In the heat seal packaging apparatus of the present invention, the printing means prints information on the object to be packaged on the lid film while the opening of the container is heat sealed with the lid film by the heat sealing means. Can be clearly printed, and the processing speed of the entire packaging apparatus can be increased and productivity can be improved without delaying a series of processing speeds of heat-sealing packaging.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is the schematic which shows an example of embodiment of the heat seal packaging apparatus which concerns on this invention, (a) is a front view, (b) is a top view which follows the bb line | wire of (a) figure. The state which transferred the container of the heat seal means and the container supply means by the container transfer means is shown, (a) is a front view, and (b) is the same plan view. The expanded sectional view which follows the (3)-(3) line | wire of Fig.1 (a). The printing completion state of the 1st container by a printing means is shown, (a) is a front view, (b) is a top view which shows the printing state to the film for lids. The printing completion state of the 2nd container by a printing means is shown, (a) is a front view, (b) is a top view which shows the printing state to the film for lids. The printing completion state of the predetermined number (six) of containers by a printing means is shown, (a) is a front view, (b) is a top view which shows the printing state to the film for lids. The state where the printing means returns to the initial position and the first container of the next batch is printed is shown, (a) is a front view, and (b) is a plan view showing the state of printing on the lid film. FIG. 2 is an electrical block diagram of a printing means (printer). The top view which shows the example of printing to the film for lid | covers.

Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of a heat seal packaging device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the embodiment described below, the lid film for covering (opening) a container to be packaged (packed) in a pre-molded container, moving the container in a batch of 6 units, and covering the opening of the container A packaging apparatus that prints information of an article to be packaged, covers the opening film of the container with the lid film, and heat-seals the container to complete packaging will be described.
FIG. 1 is a schematic view schematically showing the overall configuration of a heat seal packaging apparatus, in which a predetermined number (six in the illustrated example) of containers P that contain articles to be packaged W are mounted and held; The heat sealing means B for heat-sealing the opening of the container P with the lid film 1, the lid film supply means C for feeding the lid film 1, and the information on the package to be printed on the lid film 1 Container transfer means for transferring the printing means D and the container P held in the container supply means A to the heat sealing means B, and the packaged containers P ′ heat-sealed by the heat sealing means B to the discharge conveyor 15. E and measuring means F for measuring the weight of the article W to be packaged accommodated in the container P are provided.
A heat seal means B is arranged in series downstream of the container supply means A in the container movement direction, and the lid film supply means C is arranged above the heat seal means B from the container supply means A. The weighing means F is arranged at an upstream position of the container supply means A, and after the weight of the object to be packaged accommodated in the container P is weighed, it is sequentially moved and held by the container supply means A. Yes. The number of containers to be batch-processed is determined in advance, and each part (container transfer means and heat seal means) according to the number of batches (predetermined number) so that batch processing can be performed with a predetermined quantity (predetermined number). Etc.) can be reconfigured.

The container supply means A is for holding and holding a predetermined number of containers P for which the objects to be packaged W have been weighed, and is constituted by a belt conveyor that is intermittently driven. Each time the weighed container P is discharged from the weighing means F arranged at the upstream position of the container supplying means A, the belt conveyor of the container supplying means A is driven to receive the weighed containers, The driving of the belt conveyor is stopped. By repeating this operation, a predetermined number of containers P can be held at regular intervals on the belt conveyor. That is, the containers P can be held in a batch form.
The driving / stopping of the belt conveyor constituting the container supply means A is configured to be controlled by a detection signal from the container detection sensors 2 and 2 ′ for detecting the container P discharged from the weighing means F arranged on the upstream side. ing. Further, the batch number (predetermined number) of the containers P is counted based on the detection signals of the container detection sensors 2 and 2 ′.
Further, the container holding form (batch form) of the container supply means A may be either a single row or a plurality of rows. The illustrated example shows a single row (1 row × 6 pieces). Further, the count of the batch number (predetermined number) of the containers P may be calculated based on the container holding form (batch form) and the detection signals of the container detection sensors 2 and 2 ′. (For example, in the case of two columns, the count number is doubled.)
The container supply means A is not limited to a belt conveyor that is intermittently driven. For example, a pedestal for receiving and holding the container and a pusher that pushes the weighed container discharged from the weighing means F onto the cradle. The apparatus which consists of these may be sufficient. When the container is supplied to the cradle using the pusher, a switch is provided in the reciprocal movable range of the pusher, and the batch number (predetermined number) of the container P is counted by turning on / off the switch. Also good.

The lid film supply means C for covering the openings of a predetermined number of containers P aligned and held by the container supply means A is for a lid in which a belt-like lid film 1 wider than the width of the container P is wound in a roll shape. A film supply unit C1 and a film winding unit C2 that winds up the remaining bag (punching punch) of the lid film from which the packaged container P ′ heat-sealed with the lid film 1 has been cut off. And the said film supply part C1 is arrange | positioned in the upstream position from the starting end part of the said container supply means A, and the film winding part C2 is arrange | positioned in the downstream position from the termination | terminus part of the said heat seal means B, and it is let out from the film supply part C1. The lid film 1 reaching the film take-up section C2 is held so as to move in a substantially horizontal state above the opening of the container P held by the container supply means A and the heat seal means C.
Thereby, the film 1 for a lid | cover is pulled out from the film supply part C1 by the operation | movement of the said film winding part C2, and the residue after heat sealing is wound up, and the length required for the next heat sealing heats up. It is moved to the heat seal part of the sealing means. Specifically, the length portion that is located on the container supply means A and on which information for a predetermined number of containers is printed by the printing means D described later is moved to the position of the heat seal means B.

The printing means D prints product information including the measurement data (weight value) of the article W to be packaged contained in the container P on the lid film 1, and the lid is formed by applying heat to the ink ribbon with a thermal head. It is composed of a thermal transfer type printer 3 (printing unit 8) known today that can print on film for printing. Further, on the back side of the lid film facing the printer 3 (the surface opposite to the printing surface), a receiving plate 4 that maintains the lid film 1 in a flat state is provided with a printing area (container supply means A). It is arranged over the entire length). The size of the thermal head is a large thermal head (for example, A4 head or B4 head) over the width of the lid film (width in the direction orthogonal to the feeding direction), or a predetermined width (for example, (60mm width) thermal heads can be used as a single wide thermal head by connecting multiple thermal heads in the horizontal direction, or placed only in the area to be printed on the lid film (for example, one 60mm wide thermal head at the printing location) For example, the size and number of thermal heads may be appropriately determined according to the area to be printed.
The printer 3 (printing unit 8) is directed toward the end point on the supply direction start end side with the supply direction end portion (position adjacent to the so-called heat seal means) of the container P in the container supply means A as a starting point (initial position). The product information is printed on the lid film 1 in correspondence with the order of the containers supplied to the container supply means A by the moving unit 9 (moving means) that is intermittently moved so as to face the supply direction of the container P. That is, the holding interval of the container P from the start position (initial position) to the end position of the container supply means A with respect to the fixed (stopped) lid film 1 that is drawn out along the container supply means A. It is configured to return to the starting position (initial position) after intermittently moving a distance corresponding to the number of containers including (fixed interval).
Thereby, the printing means D moves the information of the predetermined number of containers held by the container supply means A from the starting point (initial position) at which the information can be printed on the lid film 1 to the position corresponding to the container that accommodates the package object. Information (display) is positioned on the lid film 1 that can be printed and covered on the upper side (opening) of each container P when the predetermined number of printings are completed. become. Further, since the starting point (initial position) of the printer 3 is set to a position close to the heat sealing means, printing can be started from the position of the start end position where the printing for the lid film 1 is possible, and the lid film Since it is possible to shorten the empty space that cannot be printed (the blank distance that cannot be used between the number of container batches and the number of container batches), it is possible to efficiently use the film for the lid. Is.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the printing means D comprises a RAM 5, a ROM 7, a printing unit 8 (printer 3), and an INF (interface) 10 via a bus 5a to a CPU 5 that controls each block. A moving unit 9 (moving means) for horizontally moving the unit 8 (printer 3) is connected. The INF 10 can communicate with the weighing means F. The INF 10 can also communicate with the container detection sensors 2 and 2 ′, the container transfer means E, the heat seal means B, and the container supply means A, and based on the communication results with the container detection sensor and each means. The CPU 5 moves the moving unit 9 horizontally to control the printing unit 8 (printer 3).
The RAM 6 has a plurality of storage areas, a storage area for storing each file (for example, a product file, etc.), weighing data (weight value) of the packaged goods transmitted from the weighing means F, and reading from each file. It is composed of a temporary storage area or the like in which recorded data is temporarily stored.
The information printed on the lid film by the printer of the printing means D is product information (product name, place of origin, unit price, additive, etc.) set in the weighing data (weight value) and product number (product file). (Refer to FIG. 9) When the packaged item W accommodated in the container P is a fixed amount product that does not need to be weighed, information corresponding to it is printed. (As other product information to be stored in the product file, for example, tare weight for each product, standard capacity or internal capacity, storage method, storage temperature, nutrients, calories, recycling mark as an index for discarding containers, etc. May be stored and printed on the lid film 1.)

The heat seal means B covers the openings of a predetermined number of containers P aligned and held by the container supply means A with a lid film 1 on which product information is printed (displayed) 11 and heat seal (thermal welding). To do.
Briefly explaining the configuration of the heat sealing means B, a predetermined number of containers P (batch containers) horizontally moved by the container transfer means E described later from the container supply means A and the containers P are stretched over the containers P. A lower seal type B1 disposed on the lower side of the lid film 1 so as to be able to move up and down so as to sandwich the lid film 1, and an upper seal type B2 capable of moving up and down to close the upper surface of the lower seal type B1 The upper seal type B2 includes a heater plate.
Thereby, the container P and the lid film 1 are attached with the lower seal mold B1 and the upper seal mold B2, and the lid film 1 is thermally welded to the periphery of the opening of the container P, and then the lower seal mold B1 and the upper seal mold A predetermined number of containers P ′ having completed heat seal packaging are discharged to a discharge conveyor 15 disposed immediately downstream of the heat seal means B by the drive of the container transfer means E. Instead, a predetermined number of containers P (batch containers) to be heat-sealed next are transferred from the container supply means A.

  In the container P ′ heat-sealed and packaged by the heat sealing means B, the outer peripheral edge of the heat-sealed portion is separated from the lid film 1, but the separation of the container P ′ from the lid film is separated (melting) by the heat seal. Any method may be used such as a method of cutting, or a method of cutting the outer periphery of the heat-sealed portion with a cutter after heat sealing.

The container transfer means E transfers a predetermined number of containers P ′ heat-sealed by the heat seal means B to the discharge conveyor 15 on the downstream side and aligns and holds the container supply means A on the empty heat seal means B. A number of containers P are each transferred in batch form.
The container transfer means E is a comb-teeth shape that holds a predetermined number of containers P ′ heat-sealed and a predetermined number of containers P aligned and held in the container supply means A at a predetermined interval. The pair of fastening members 12 and 12 ′ and moving members 13 and 13 ′ that reciprocate the fastening members 12 and 12 ′ in a predetermined section.
The pair of front and rear attachment members 12 and 12 ′ have a predetermined number of sides on one side surface (surface sandwiching the container) having a length that can cover substantially the entire length of the container supply means A and the heat sealing means B. Protrusions 12b that hold the containers P and a predetermined number of prepackaged containers P ′ at regular intervals are formed to protrude at a constant pitch. That is, when the container P and the packaged container P ′ are attached by the attachment members 12 and 12 ′, the protrusions 12 b enter between the containers P and between the packaged containers P ′. Hold at regular intervals.

  Further, the pitch of the protrusions 12b formed in the range where the predetermined number of containers P aligned and held by the container supply means A in the adhesive members 12, 12 'are attached, and the predetermined number of containers already heat-sealed. The pitch of the protrusions 12b formed in the range where P ′ is attached is the same pitch, whereby a predetermined number of containers P aligned and held in the container supply means A are attached and transferred to the heat sealing means B side. At this time, the container P can be positioned at a predetermined position of the lower seal mold B1 of the heat seal means B.

  The moving members 13, 13 ′ for reciprocating the pair of front and rear attachment members are constituted by actuators such as air cylinders or hydraulic cylinders, for example, and the attachment members 12, 12 supported by the movement members 13, 13 ′. 'Is an opening / closing mechanism constituted by a link mechanism or the like so that the containers P, P' can be attached / opened.

The weighing means F measures the weight of the article to be packaged accommodated in the container P, and includes a conveyor 14 having a weighing function. The weight of the package W is measured by placing the container P containing the package W on the conveyor 14 and measuring the total weight including the tare (container) in a stable state where the movement is stopped. The weight of the article W to be packaged is calculated by subtracting the tare (container) weight set in advance in the calculation process from the total weight.
Then, on the inflow side (rotation direction start side) and the discharge side (rotation direction end side) of the conveyor 14 equipped with the weighing means F, the container P that has been weighed moves to the downstream container supply means A. Container detection sensors 2 and 2 'for detecting the above are disposed. The output signals of the container detection sensors 2 and 2 ′ control the driving / stopping of the belt conveyor constituting the downstream container supply means A, and a predetermined number of containers P are loaded on the container supply means A by intermittent driving. It is supposed to be retained.
A carry-in conveyor 16 is disposed at an upstream position of the conveyor 14 of the weighing means F so that the containers P can be supplied to the conveyor 14 of the weighing means F. Although not shown in the drawings, a container device for automatically storing an article to be packaged in the container on the upstream side of the carry-in conveyor 16, and a container molding device for molding the container from a plate-shaped plastic plate on the upstream side of the container device. Etc. may be provided.

Next, the packaging operation of the heat seal packaging apparatus will be briefly described.
First, at the point of time when heat sealing packaging of the container P containing the article W to be packaged is started, the printer 3 (printing unit 8) of the printing unit D is in the initial position (the end of the container feeding unit adjacent to the heat sealing unit in the transport direction). Located on the side). Then, the first container P in which the articles to be packaged are stored is sent to the conveyor 14 of the weighing means F by the carry-in conveyor 16 and the weighing is performed on the conveyor 14. The weighed containers W are transferred from the conveyor 14 to the conveyor of the container supply means A on the downstream side. At this time, product information such as the weight of the package and the price calculated from the weighing data of the first container measured by the weighing unit F is output to the printing unit D via the control unit, and the product The information is printed (displayed) 11 on the lid film 1 corresponding to the terminal position of the container supply means A by the printer 3 (printing unit 8). Then, the printer 3 (printing unit 8) that has finished printing moves upstream by a predetermined pitch (same as the container holding interval on the container supply means A) and waits for the second container P (FIG. 4). (Refer to (a) and (b)).

  Similarly, the second container P is supplied from the transfer conveyor 16 to the conveyor 14 of the measuring means F, and after being measured by the measuring means F, it is transferred to the conveyor of the container supplying means A. The transfer to the container supply means A is carried out at a constant interval from the first container by intermittent driving of the conveyor of the container supply means A by the output signals of the container detection sensors 2 and 2 '. Retained. The product information including the measurement value (weight value) of the second container is subjected to the printing (display) 11 of the first product information by the printer 3 (printing unit 8) of the printing unit D. Printing is performed (displayed) at a position that is moved by a predetermined pitch from the position to the upstream side in the feeding direction of the lid film 1 (the lid film supply unit C1 side). Then, the printer 3 (printing unit 8) that has finished printing moves upstream by a predetermined pitch (same as the container holding interval on the container supply means A) and waits for the third container P (FIG. 5). (Refer to (a) and (b)).

  The above operation is repeated for a predetermined number (six), and a predetermined number (six) of measured containers P are aligned and held on the container supply means A, and at the same time, a lid stretched and held on the container supply means A A predetermined number (six) of product information is printed (displayed) at regular intervals from the downstream side to the upstream side in the printing area 17 of the film 1. That is, the product information of the first container is on the downstream side (top) of the print area, and the product information of the sixth container is arranged at the end along with the second, third, ... toward the upstream side (tail). Is printed (displayed) (see FIG. 9). On the other hand, every time a weighed container is transferred onto the conveyor of the container supply means A, the conveyor is intermittently driven to sequentially load the containers, so that each time the next container is loaded, it is loaded before that. The received container is moved downstream by a fixed pitch. Then, a predetermined number of containers P are aligned and held on the conveyor of the container supply means A at regular intervals. As a result, the containers aligned and held on the conveyor of the container supply means A correspond to the product information printed on the lid film 1 stretched and held above the container supply means A (FIG. 6). (See (a) and (b))

By the above operation, a printing means D for aligning and holding a predetermined number of containers P on the conveyor of the container supply means A, and printing product information corresponding to the containers on the lid film 1 covering the opening of the containers P. The printer 3 (printing unit 8) returns to the initial position and waits for printing of the next batch container. A predetermined number of batch containers aligned and held on the conveyor of the container supply means A are collectively held by the container transfer means E by a pair of front and rear attachment members 12 and 12 ′, and the moving members 13 and 13 ′ operate. The containers held by the attachment members 12 and 12 'are transferred onto the lower seal mold B1 of the heat seal means B arranged at the downstream position of the container supply means A.
Further, the lid film 1 on which the product information for a predetermined number is printed (displayed) is moved by one batch by driving the film take-up unit C2 of the lid film supply means C, and the product information for the predetermined number is stored. The printed (displayed) portion is moved to the position of the heat seal means B. Thereby, the product information of the container transferred from the container supply means A is also located at the position of the heat seal means B, and the operation of the heat seal means B prints (displays) the corresponding product information on each opening of the container W. ) And is heat-sealed around the periphery of the opening of the container (see FIGS. 7A and 7B).
After the container transfer means E transfers the container from the container supply means A to the heat seal means, the conveyor of the container supply means A is emptied, so that the next batch container is supplied without a gap. . When the weighing operation of the package is faster than the printing operation of the product information on the lid film 1, the weighing information is stored in the memory, and the predetermined amount is applied to the lid film in batch units without being linked to the weighing operation. Print product information.

While the lid film 1 is heat-sealed at the opening of the container W for the first batch by the heat sealing means B, the next batch (7th to 12th) is supplied to the upstream container supply means A. At the same time, the product information of the containers (seventh to twelfth) is sequentially printed (displayed) on the print area 17 of the lid film 1 on the container supply means A. Is done.
When heat-sealing packaging is completed by the heat-sealing means B, the lower-sealing mold B1 and the upper-sealing mold B2 of the heat-sealing means are opened, and a heat-sealed packaged container placed on the lower-sealing mold B1, and a container The containers for the next batch aligned and held on the conveyor of the supply means A are moved by the operation of the container transfer means E. In other words, the heat-sealed packaged containers on the heat-sealing means B are moved onto the discharge conveyor 15 at the downstream position, and the containers for the next batch that are aligned and held on the conveyor of the container-feeding means A are moved. Then, it is transferred onto the lower seal mold B1 of the heat seal means B that has become empty.

Further, the heat-sealed packaged container is separated from the lid film 1 by fusing (or cutting with a cutter), and the remaining flaw (outer peripheral portion) of the lid film 1 from which the heat seal portion has been cut off is continuous in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, the portion where the predetermined number of product information is printed (displayed) is moved by one batch by driving the film take-up unit C2 of the film supply unit C for the lid. Moved to position.
Thus, product information can be printed (displayed) on the lid film and heat-sealed packaging can be performed efficiently, and the number of processes per unit time can be increased.

  As described above, the heat seal packaging apparatus according to the present invention forms a batch form by aligning and holding a predetermined number of containers on the conveyor of the container supply means, and the lid film stops the product information of the containers to be aligned and held. By moving the printing means while printing, printing can be performed on the lid film without degrading the printing quality. Then, product information is printed on the lid film during heat seal packaging of the previous batch container, and the packaged container is discharged from the heat seal means and aligned and held in the heat seal means after container discharge. Since the next batch container is moved in parallel (simultaneously), a series of operations of printing, packaging, and discharging can be performed efficiently.

The heat seal packaging apparatus of the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment, and can be appropriately changed without changing the gist of the present invention.
(1) In the embodiment, the example in which the container supply unit is configured by a belt conveyor that intermittently drives the container supply unit has been described. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and for example, a cradle having a length capable of holding a predetermined number of containers And a pusher that pushes and transfers the container onto the cradle.
(2) In the embodiment, an example in which a weighing conveyor having a weighing function is provided as a weighing unit has been shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a weighing device is arranged beside a transfer conveyor for transferring containers, The weight of the object to be packaged accommodated in the container may be directly weighed by the weighing device, and after weighing, may be accommodated in the container and sent to the container supply means.
(3) In the embodiment, the container transfer means is a single adhesive member that combines both the packaged batch containers heat-sealed by the heat seal means and the predetermined number of batch containers aligned and held in the container supply means. Although an example of attaching and moving has been shown, the present invention is not limited to this, and a member that adheres and moves the packaged batch container and a member that adheres the container of the container supply means and moves to the heat seal means are separately provided. It may be provided.
(4) In the embodiment, an example of a single row (1 row × 6 pieces) is shown as a batch form. However, the embodiment is not limited to this, and the number of one row is plural and a plurality of rows (for example, 2 rows × 5 pieces). Etc.).
(5) In the embodiment, the printing means is arranged upstream of the packaging line in the apparatus. However, the printing means is not limited to this, and may be arranged downstream. In this case, the printing means is provided on the upper part of the upper seal type B2 that can move up and down to close the upper surface of the lower seal type B1 of the heat seal means, the heater plate of the upper seal type B2 is constituted by a frame, The printing means moves upstream facing the container discharge direction and prints on the lid film using the space in the frame that is vacant in the heater plate frame. Thus, printing can be performed while the container P and the lid film 1 are adhered by the lower seal mold B1 and the upper seal mold B2 and the lid film 1 is thermally welded to the periphery of the opening of the container P. In addition, since the printing unit is incorporated into the heat sealing unit, the lid film 1 covered with the container P during the heat sealing includes product information including the weight and price of the packaged object corresponding to the container. Since it is printed (displayed), it is possible to improve the correspondence between the packaged goods W accommodated in each container and the product information printed on the lid film 1, and the top surface of the lid film coated on the container P It is possible to print (display) correctly and clearly without shifting to a predetermined position.
(6) In the embodiment, while the heat seal means is heat-sealing, the printing means is the starting point (initial position) of the supply direction terminal portion (position adjacent to the so-called heat seal means) of the container P of the container supply means. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and when the configuration of the printing unit includes a plurality of print heads, for example, the printer 3 (printing unit 8). ) Is provided for printing by moving a half region in the longitudinal direction of the container supply means, or when three printers 3 (printing units 8) are provided, It is also possible to control the movement by increasing the number of printing means, such as printing by moving the area. Thus, the distance for moving the printing means can be shortened, and the time for displaying (printing) the information (display) of each container in correspondence with the lid film can be shortened. Moreover, it is good also as a system which prints to the film for lid | covers by a movement of both the outward path | route of the printing means which reciprocates along the said packaging line, and a return path | route. If such a method is adopted, the printing time can be further shortened. When printing is performed at the time of reciprocal movement in this way, the weighing means F is assembled to a conveyor upstream from the carry-in conveyor 16, and the weighing of the articles to be packaged W accommodated in the containers P is previously measured in a plurality of orders, Weighed weight data is stored in the storage unit, and the film is transferred to the lid film when moving forward and backward along the packaging line, based on the weighing data of a plurality of containers in the transport sequence in which the printing means is stored. Information can be sequentially printed at positions corresponding to the containers. By adopting the above system, it is possible to maintain the printing quality, shorten the printing time and the moving time of the printing means, further increase the processing speed of the entire packaging device, and improve the productivity.

A ... Container supply means B ... Heat sealing means
C: Film supply means for lid C1: Film supply section for lid C2: Film winding section D: Printing means
E ... Container transfer means F ... Weighing means
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Film for lids 11 ... Printed (displayed) product information 12, 12 '... Adhering member 13, 13' ... Moving member

Claims (5)

In a heat seal packaging device for covering and heat-sealing the opening of a container containing a packaged article with a lid film,
A container supply means that is located upstream of the packaging line in the heat-sealing packaging device, and that supplies the container containing the packaged goods downstream of the packaging line;
Heat sealing means that is located downstream of the packaging line, covers the opening of the container supplied from the container supply means with a lid film, and heat seals;
A film supply means for feeding and supplying a strip-like lid film covering the opening of the container across the container supply means and heat sealing means of the packaging line from upstream to downstream at the upper position of the opening of the container;
Printing means for printing on the lid film;
Moving means for moving the printing means along the packaging line;
With
While the heat sealing means downstream of the packaging line heat seals the lid film to the container, the printing means is wrapped in a lid film in a stopped state that covers the opening of the container to be heat sealed next. A heat seal packaging apparatus for printing information on an object.   The printing means is movable to the supply direction start end side of the container supply means starting from the supply direction end of the container supply means, and feeds out information on the package contents of the container held by the container supply means. 2. The heat seal packaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein printing is performed while moving to the lid film in which printing is stopped. The container supply means further includes a container transfer means for transferring the held container to a heat seal means downstream of the packaging line when the number of held containers reaches a predetermined number.
The container transfer means discharges a predetermined number of containers in which the heat sealing of the lid film has been completed by the heat seal means, and transfers the container of the container supply means to the heat seal means after the container is discharged. The heat seal packaging apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein   The container transfer means includes a pair of front and rear comb-like teeth that hold a predetermined number of containers heat-sealed by the heat sealing means and a predetermined number of containers held by the container supply means at a fixed interval. 4. The heat seal packaging apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the heat sealing packaging apparatus is composed of a fastening member and a moving member that moves the fastening member to a predetermined position. A measuring means for measuring the weight of an object to be packaged accommodated in the container is disposed at an upstream position of the container supplying means,
The printing means includes the weighing information weighed by the weighing means, moves from the terminal end side of the container supply means to the start end side, and sequentially prints on the lid film. The heat seal packaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the heat seal packaging device returns to a position.

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