JP2016150756A - Vacuum packaging machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vacuum packaging machine which can, when vacuum-packaging an object to be packaged of which temperature is higher than atmospheric temperature in a packaging bag, vacuum-package with sufficient deaeration in the packaging bag without boiling over the object to be packaged from the packaging bag.SOLUTION: The second mode packaging program of a vacuum packaging machine 10 suitable for an object to be packaged of which temperature is higher than atmospheric temperature comprises the steps of: starting a chamber deaeration control in which an aperture peripheral edge of a packaging bag accommodated in the chamber 12 is closed and at the same time deaeration of the chamber 12 is performed by a vacuum pump 30 to be negative-pressured; executing a bag evacuation control in which, when swelling detection means 42 detects that the packaging bag swells in accompany with progress of negative-pressured state of the chamber 12 during execution of the chamber deaeration control, deaeration of the chamber 12 is temporarily stopped and the aperture of the packaging bag is opened to discharge gas from the packaging bag, and gas is discharged from the packaging bag while the aperture peripheral edge of the packaging bag is closed; and executing an encapsulation control in which the aperture of the packaging bag is encapsulated with heat deposition by activating a heater 23 after execution of the bag evacuation control.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

  The present invention relates to a vacuum packaging machine that vacuums and evacuates a chamber with a vacuum pump and vacuums the packaging bag in a deaerated state. The present invention relates to a vacuum packaging machine capable of vacuum packaging.

  The following Patent Document 1 discloses a vacuum packaging machine that vacuum-wraps a packaging bag containing an object to be packaged such as food and cooked food. This vacuum packaging machine has a chamber for storing a packaging bag containing a packaged item such as food and cooked food, and upper and lower blocks that close the periphery of the opening of the packaging bag from above and below at the front of the chamber. A body, a heater provided on the upper and lower block bodies for heat welding the periphery of the opening of the packaging bag, and a vacuum pump for degassing the chamber and reducing the pressure. When liquid components containing oil, such as soups and stews, are evenly stored (dispensed) in multiple packaging bags, the temperature of the package is higher than the normal temperature at which the oil does not solidify. It is necessary to divide it into multiple packaging bags as it is (while keeping it warm). A vacuum packaging machine whose main purpose is to vacuum-pack packages to be packaged at a temperature lower than normal temperature in a packaging bag. There was a problem that the liquid of the liquid boiled and easily spilled into the chamber. For this reason, the vacuum packaging machine of Patent Document 1 enables vacuum packaging of a packaging bag containing an article to be packaged at a temperature higher than normal temperature. A packaging program for vacuum packaging high temperature packages in a packaging bag is described.

  When vacuum-packaging a package to be packaged at a temperature higher than normal temperature with this vacuum packaging machine, measure the temperature of the package in advance and set the target pressure in the chamber based on the temperature of the package. Keep it. After the packaging bag containing the article to be packaged is accommodated in the chamber and the lid of the chamber is closed, the vacuum in the chamber is started by the vacuum pump. When a pressure (first set pressure P1) higher than the pressure at which the object to be packaged is boiled is detected in the chamber, the pressure is continuously reduced in a state where the pressure reduction rate in the chamber is reduced, and the pressure at which the object to be packaged boils (second When the set pressure P2) is detected, the lower block body is raised, the periphery of the opening of the packaging bag is held between the upper and lower block bodies, and the periphery of the opening of the packaging bag is closed. In the chamber depressurized to the second set pressure P2, the packaging bag expands due to water vapor generated by the vaporization of the liquid in the packaging bag. Because it is closed by the block body, it does not spill. Further, when a pressure lower than the second set pressure (third set pressure) is detected in the chamber, the pressure reduction in the chamber is stopped and the lower block body is moved downward to open the opening of the packaging bag. Then, the gas in the packaging bag is discharged. When the gas in the packaging bag is discharged, the lower block body is raised to close the opening periphery of the packaging bag again, and the heater is energized to seal the opening periphery of the packaging bag. Thereafter, the lower block body is moved downward to release the state where the packaging bag is held, and the inside of the chamber is returned to the atmospheric pressure, and the vacuum packaging of the packaging bag is completed.

JP2013-203402A

  In the vacuum packaging machine as described above, when vacuum packaging a packaged object having a temperature higher than normal temperature into the packaging bag, measure the temperature of the packaged object in advance and place it in a chamber suitable for the temperature of the packaged object. The first to third set pressures must be set in the vacuum packaging machine, and it is not only troublesome for the operator to make this setting, but also when the temperature or set pressure is entered incorrectly, vacuum packaging cannot be performed properly. There was a fear. Patent Document 1 also describes an embodiment in which a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of an object to be packaged in the packaging bag is provided on the lid of the chamber. Correspondingly, the temperature could not be detected. If the temperature could not be detected, the first to third set pressures in the chamber suitable for the temperature of the package could not be set. Furthermore, although it describes about the embodiment which detected the temperature of the to-be-packaged object in the packaging bag accommodated in the chamber with a non-contact-type temperature sensor, since a non-contact-type temperature sensor is expensive, There was also a problem that the manufacturing cost was high.

  In addition, since the inside of the chamber is depressurized by a vacuum pump with the periphery of the opening of the packaging bag accommodated in the chamber being opened, the article to be packaged suddenly boils in the packaging bag, and the upper and lower block bodies Prior to closing the periphery of the opening of the packaging bag, the packaged material may be blown out from the opening of the packaging bag, and vacuum packaging may not always be possible without spilling the packaged item in the packaging bag.

  In addition, the chamber is depressurized with the opening of the packaging bag open until the second set pressure, which is the pressure at which the packaged item boils, but the gas in the packaging bag may remain without being discharged. It was. Further, after the second set pressure is reached, after closing the peripheral edge of the opening of the packaging bag, the pressure in the chamber is reduced to a third set pressure that is lower than the pressure at which the packaged product boils, and the lower block The body is moved downward to open the opening of the packaging bag only once to discharge the gas, and the lower block body is raised again to close the opening of the packaging bag, and then the heater is energized. The periphery of the opening of the packaging bag is sealed. Even in this case, if the opening of the packaging bag is opened only once, the gas in the packaging bag is not discharged, and vacuum packaging may not be possible with the packaging bag sufficiently deaerated. In the present invention, when vacuum packaging a package to be packaged at a temperature higher than normal temperature, the operator does not perform troublesome operations, and the package is not blown out from the package bag. An object of the present invention is to provide a vacuum packaging machine capable of vacuum packaging in a sufficiently deaerated state.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a chamber for storing a packaging bag containing an article to be packaged, and at least one of the upper and lower sides supported in the chamber so as to be movable up and down. An upper and lower block body that is sandwiched and closed from above, a heater that is provided on at least one of the upper and lower block bodies and heat-welds the periphery of the opening of the packaging bag, and a vacuum pump that deaerates the inside of the chamber to create a negative pressure And a swell detecting means for detecting a swell of the packaging bag accommodated in the chamber, wherein an opening of the packaging bag accommodated in the chamber is provided by moving up and down at least one of the upper and lower block bodies. At the same time that the peripheral edge is held closed, or at the same time, the chamber deaeration control is started by degassing the chamber with a vacuum pump to create a negative pressure. When the expansion of the packaging bag is detected by the expansion detection means as the negative pressure in the bar progresses, the deaeration of the chamber is temporarily stopped so that at least one of the upper and lower block bodies is separated from the other. The upper part of the packaging bag is opened to release the gas from the inside of the packaging bag so that the opening part of the packaging bag is opened. At least once in the bag exhaust control to exhaust the gas in the packaging bag in a closed manner, after performing the exhaust control in the bag, the heater is activated to seal the periphery of the opening of the packaging bag by heat welding The present invention provides a vacuum packaging machine comprising a control device having a packaging program for executing sealing control.

  In the vacuum packaging machine configured as described above, at least one of the upper and lower block bodies is moved up and down to nipping the periphery of the opening of the packaging bag accommodated in the chamber and closing it, or after closing In-chamber deaeration control is started, in which the inside of the chamber is deaerated by the vacuum pump to reduce the pressure. Since the chamber is evacuated with the packaging bag closed, the packaged bag will not spill even if the packaged material suddenly boils in the process of degassing the chamber. became. Also, during the chamber deaeration control, when it is detected that the packaging bag is inflated by the inflating detection means as the negative pressure in the chamber progresses, the deaeration of the chamber is temporarily stopped and At least one of the block bodies is moved up and down so as to be separated from the other, the opening of the packaging bag is opened, gas is discharged from the inside of the packaging bag, and at least one of the upper and lower block bodies is moved up and down again. The bag exhaust control for exhausting the gas in the packaging bag is performed at least once by sandwiching and closing the periphery of the opening of the packaging bag. By keeping the chamber deaeration temporarily stopped, the expansion of the packaging bag is suppressed, and then the opening of the packaging bag is opened by one or more bag exhaust control to discharge the internal gas. As a result, the internal gas can be discharged without spilling the objects to be packaged in the packaging bag. In addition, since it is not necessary to measure the temperature of the object to be packaged in the packaging bag, it is not troublesome for the operator to vacuum package the packaging bag.

  In the vacuum packaging machine configured as described above, the swelling detection means includes a first state in which the packaging bag is not inflated, a second state in which the packaging bag is inflated from the first state, and a packaging bag The third state, which is inflated more than the second state, can be detected, and when the in-bag exhaust control is executed, the deaeration in the chamber is detected when the swelling detection means detects the second state from the first state. Is temporarily interrupted, and when the bulge detecting means continues to detect the second state within a predetermined time after the interruption, it is detected that the deaeration in the packaging bag is not completed, and the bulge detecting means When the third state is detected within a predetermined time after the interruption, it is preferable to provide in-bag deaeration detection means for detecting that the deaeration in the packaging bag is completed. When the degassing inside the packaging bag has been completed by the detection means, It can be quite sealed under vacuum.

  In the vacuum packaging machine configured as described above, the control device includes a packaging program for fixing the number of times of in-bag exhaust control for performing in-bag exhaust control a predetermined number of times and a packaging bag by means of in-bag deaeration detecting means. It is preferable to have a packaging program in which the number of times of exhaust control in the bag is variable based on the detection of the completion of deaeration in the bag. If the number of times exhaust control is to be executed is known in advance, a packaging program with a fixed number of exhaust controls in the bag is executed, and if the number of times exhaust control is to be executed is not known in advance due to the nature of the package, A packaging program with a variable number of times of internal exhaust control may be executed, and in any case, the inside of the packaging bag can be surely sufficiently evacuated and sealed in a vacuum state.

  In the vacuum packaging machine configured as described above, the control device performs control so that the packaging program is not executed when the expansion of the packaging bag is detected in advance by the expansion detection means before the execution of the in-chamber deaeration control is started. In this case, it is possible to prevent in advance that the swelling of the packaging bag cannot be detected by the swelling detection means when the exhaust control in the bag is performed.

  In the vacuum packaging machine configured as described above, when performing the exhaust control in the bag, after opening the opening portion of the packaging bag by moving up and down at least one of the upper and lower block bodies away from the other, It is preferable to control the chamber so that it is deaerated with an additional deaeration time, and to allow the additional deaeration time to be changed according to the item to be packaged. The internal gas can be further discharged from the opening, and the inside of the packaging bag can be further deaerated. In addition, since the additional degassing time can be changed according to the package, for example, if the package contains a lot of liquid that is likely to spill from the packaging bag, the additional degassing time is shortened, and the package is not easily spilled from the packaging bag. If there is little liquid, it can be lengthened and it can be set as the appropriate additional deaeration time according to the property of the package.

  In the vacuum packaging machine configured as described above, when performing the exhaust control in the bag, after opening the opening portion of the packaging bag by moving up and down at least one of the upper and lower block bodies away from the other, It is preferable to execute in-chamber intake control so as to temporarily inhale into the chamber. If the packaged item is boiled in the packaging bag, it may not be possible to detect the swelling of the packaging bag in the subsequent processing, but the packaging bag can be reduced by reducing the degree of vacuum in the chamber. By eliminating the boiled state of the inner package, it has become possible to reliably detect the swelling of the packaging bag in the subsequent processing.

  The vacuum packaging machine configured as described above further includes a vacuum gauge for detecting the degree of vacuum in the chamber, and when executing the exhaust control in the bag, the negative pressure in the chamber is being executed during the deaeration control in the chamber. The degree of vacuum detected by the vacuum gauge when the expansion of the packaging bag is detected by the expansion detection means as the gasification progresses is stored. In the in-chamber control, a predetermined first lower than the stored degree of vacuum is stored. It is preferable to perform control so that the air is sucked to a vacuum level, and in this case, it is possible to prevent the air from being sucked to a vacuum level that is excessively lower than the vacuum level of the chamber before the bag exhaust control is executed. It can prevent that the packaging efficiency at the time of vacuum packaging falls. Further, when the first degree of vacuum is equal to or lower than the lower limit value, in the in-chamber intake control, it is preferable to control the intake to the lower limit value.

  In the vacuum packaging machine configured as described above, when executing the exhaust control in the bag, the stored vacuum degree or the stored vacuum is controlled after the intake control to the first vacuum degree is performed by the in-chamber intake control. It is preferable to control so that the inside of the chamber is evacuated in a state where the opening of the packaging bag is opened to a degree of vacuum obtained by subtracting a predetermined value from the degree. The stored degree of vacuum is the degree of vacuum that prevented the packaged bag from being blown out from the packaging bag. Therefore, the degree of vacuum stored again with the opening of the packaging bag opened or a predetermined value from the stored degree of vacuum. Even if the inside of the chamber is evacuated to a degree of vacuum reduced, the packaged material in the packaging bag is not blown out.

It is a perspective view which shows the vacuum packaging machine of this invention by the state which opened the chamber cover. It is the schematic which shows the various components of the vacuum packaging machine of this invention. It is a figure which shows an operation panel. It is a block diagram which shows a control apparatus. It is a flowchart of the packaging program of a 1st mode. It is a flowchart of the packaging program with fixed frequency | count of exhaust control in a bag of 2nd mode. It is a flowchart of the packaging program of variable number of times of in-bag exhaust control in the second mode.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a vacuum packaging machine of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The vacuum packaging machine of the present invention vacuum-packages foodstuffs, cooked foods and other items to be packaged in a packaging bag, and can vacuum-package a material to be packaged at a temperature higher than room temperature (warm or hot) in the packaging bag. It is possible.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the vacuum packaging machine 10 includes a chamber 12 that houses a packaging bag in an upper portion of a housing 11, and a heat seal that seals the periphery of the opening of the packaging bag at the front portion in the chamber 12. A stop device 20 and a vacuum pump 30 for degassing the inside of the chamber 12 at the lower part of the housing 11 to make it negative pressure are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the chamber 12 is composed of a shallow dish-shaped chamber base 13 having an open top surface, and a chamber cover 14 made of a pressure-resistant acrylic plate that closes and opens the top surface opening of the chamber base 13. It is a pressure-resistant airtight container. The rear end portion of the chamber cover 14 is supported by the rear end portion of the housing 11 so as to be rotatable about a horizontal axis, and the front end side of the chamber cover 14 is movable up and down on the upper side of the chamber base 13. Further, a spring member (not shown) is provided at the rear portion of the housing 11, and the chamber cover 14 is urged by the spring member so that the front end side moves upward (so that the chamber cover 14 is opened). . A rubber packing 15 is provided as a seal member around the lower surface of the chamber cover 14, and the packing 15 hermetically seals between the chamber base 13 and the chamber cover 14. A hook 16 that keeps the chamber cover 14 closed is provided at the front of the housing 11, and the hook 16 temporarily holds the chamber cover 14 so that the chamber cover 14 is not opened. The hook 16 is used so that the chamber cover 14 does not open the chamber base 13 when the vacuum packaging machine 10 is not used.

  A proximity switch 17 such as a reed switch is provided on the rear upper side of the housing 11 on the rear side of the chamber base 13, and a magnet 18 serving as a detected member of the proximity switch 17 is provided on the rear portion of the chamber cover 14. Yes. When the chamber cover 14 closes and closes the upper surface opening of the chamber base 13, the proximity switch 17 outputs an ON signal because the magnet 18 approaches, and when the chamber cover 14 opens, the proximity switch 17 causes the magnet 18 to be separated. As a result, an off signal is output.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a heat sealing device 20 is provided at the front of the chamber 12. The heat sealing device 20 heat seals and seals the peripheral edge of the front end opening of the heat-weldable packaging bag accommodated in the chamber 12. Note that the packaging bag uses a thermoplastic resin film having a two-layer structure that employs a material having a low melting point on the inside. The heat sealing device 20 includes lower and upper block bodies 21 and 22 each having an elongated shape that holds and holds (holds) the peripheral edge of the front opening of the packaging bag. The lower and upper block bodies 21 and 22 include The front portion of the chamber 12 extends in the left-right direction. The lower block body 21 is made of an aluminum square pipe member, and is detachably attached to the front portion of the chamber base 13 and is movable up and down. On the upper surface of the lower block body 21, a belt-like heater 23 made of a nichrome material is provided. The upper block body 22 is made of elastically deformable silicon, and is provided on the front surface of the lower surface of the chamber cover 14 at a position facing the upper side of the lower block body 21. Although the heater 23 is provided in the lower block body 21, the present invention is not limited to this, and the heater 23 may be provided in the upper block body 22 or the upper and lower block bodies 21 and 22. Good.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a pair of left and right lifting mechanisms 24 (only one of which is shown in FIG. 2) for moving the lower block body 21 up and down is provided at the front portion of the chamber base 13. The elevating mechanism 24 includes a pair of left and right support shafts 25 that penetrate the bottom wall of the front portion of the chamber base 13. These support shafts 25 support the lower block body 21 at the front portion of the chamber base 13 so as to be movable up and down. The support shafts 25 are inserted into the lower portion of the lower block body 21 at the front end portions, and the support shaft 25 is vertically moved by a pair of left and right lifting cylinders 26 provided at the front lower surface of the chamber base 13 in the vertical direction. It is supported movably. A flange portion 26a is provided in the middle of the support shaft 25 in the elevating cylinder 26, and the eaves portion 26a partitions the interior of the elevating cylinder 26 into an upper space 26b and a lower space 26c in an airtight manner. In the upper space 26b of the elevating cylinder 26, a spring 26d is interposed on the outer periphery of the support shaft 25, and the spring 26d urges the support shaft 25 downward via a flange portion 26a.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a suction pipe (suction path) 31 that connects the vacuum pump 30 and the chamber 12 is provided in the housing 11. The vacuum pump 30 is an oil circulation type vacuum pump (oil rotary vacuum pump), and is a volume phase type vacuum pump for reducing airtightness and ineffective space between components such as a rotor, a stator, and a blade plate with oil. The suction pipe 31 is provided with a vacuum valve 32, and the gas in the chamber 12 can pass through the vacuum pump 30 by opening the vacuum valve 32. An external air introduction tube 33 that introduces external air is connected to the suction tube 31 between the chamber 12 and the vacuum valve 32. The outside air introduction pipe 33 includes a first pipe part 33a and a second pipe part 33b branched from the first pipe part 33a. The first and second pipe parts 33a and 33b are opened and closed by first and second parts. Outside air introduction valves 34 and 35 are provided. The first outside air introduction valve 34 has a larger valve diameter than the second outside air introduction valve 35, and when the first outside air introduction valve 34 is opened, outside air is quickly introduced into the chamber 12, and the second outside air introduction valve 35 is opened. When opened, outside air is slowly introduced into the chamber 12.

  A pressure detection pipe 36 is connected to the suction pipe 31 via a first pipe portion 33 a of the outside air introduction pipe 33, and a vacuum gauge 37 for detecting the pressure of the chamber 12 is provided in the pressure detection pipe 36. When the inside of the chamber 12 is not deaerated by the vacuum pump 30, the pressure in the chamber 12 detected by the vacuum gauge 37 is 101 kPa (abs), which is the same as the atmospheric pressure, and the degree of vacuum at this time is 0%. When the pressure in the chamber 12 detected by the vacuum gauge 37 is 0 kPa (abs), the degree of vacuum is 100%. Although the pressure in the chamber 12 is directly detected by the vacuum gauge 37, in the following description, the pressure detected by the vacuum gauge 37 is replaced with the degree of vacuum P in the chamber 12.

  A cylinder pipe 38 branched from between the vacuum pump 30 and the vacuum valve 32 is connected to the suction pipe 31 and connected to the upper space 26 b of the elevating cylinder 26, and the cylinder pipe 38 is provided with a three-way valve 39. The two ports of the three-way valve 39 are connected to the vacuum pump 30 side and the lift cylinder 26 side of the cylinder pipe 38, and the remaining one port of the three-way valve 39 is open to the outside air side. Further, a warm-up pipe 40 is connected to the suction pipe 31 via a cylinder pipe 38 branched from between the vacuum pump 30 and the vacuum valve 32. A valve 41 is interposed.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the vacuum packaging machine 10 includes a swelling detection means 42 that detects the swelling of a packaging bag accommodated in the chamber 12. The swelling detection means 42 includes a detection plate (detection member) 43 supported at the front lower surface of the chamber cover 14 so as to be rotatable about a horizontal axis, and the detection plate 43 is in the longitudinal direction (left and right) of the block bodies 21 and 22. Direction). The detection plate 43 is disposed on the upper side of the packaging bag accommodated in the chamber 12 on the rear side of the block bodies 21 and 22, and the front end portion of the detection plate 43 so that the rear end portion of the detection plate 43 can move up and down. Is supported on the lower surface of the chamber cover 14. A magnet 44 is provided at the rear end at the left end, which is the longitudinal end of the detection plate 43, and the magnet 44 is intended to detect the vertical position of the rear end of the detection plate 43. Is. When the packaging bag accommodated in the chamber 12 is not inflated, the magnet 44 at the rear end of the detection plate 43 is positioned at the lower part in the vertical direction in the chamber 12, and in the state in which the packaging bag is inflated, The end magnet 44 is located in the upper part of the chamber 12.

  A position detection sensor 45 including a proximity switch such as a reed switch that detects the vertical position of the detection plate 43 (rear end magnet 44) is provided on the left side of the housing 11. By detecting the position of the detection plate 43 in the vertical direction, the swelling of the packaging bag is detected. The position detection sensor 45 has a first position detection sensor 45a and a second position detection sensor 45b. The first position detection sensor 45a is located in the lower part outside the chamber 12 on the left side of the housing 11, and is provided at a position opposite to when the magnet 44 at the rear end of the detection plate 43 is located at the lowest side. Yes. The second position detection sensor 45b is positioned on the left side of the housing 11 at the intermediate portion in the vertical direction outside the chamber 12, and the magnet 44 at the rear end of the detection plate 43 rises upward to move the chamber 12 in the vertical direction. It is provided at a position opposite to when positioned slightly above the middle portion.

  In a state where the packaging bag in the chamber 12 is not inflated, the magnet 44 at the rear end of the detection plate 43 is in a position facing the first position detection sensor 45a in the lower part in the chamber 12 (hereinafter simply referred to as the detection plate 43). It is also possible to detect that the packaging bag is not inflated by the output of the ON signal from the first position detection sensor 45a. In a state where the packaging bag in the chamber 12 has started to swell, the magnet 44 at the rear end of the detection plate 43 is in a position facing the second position detection sensor 45b in the middle portion in the vertical direction in the chamber 12 (hereinafter, The detection plate 43 is also simply described as being in the middle position), and the fact that the packaging bag is inflated can be detected by the output of the off signal from the first position detection sensor 45a. In a state where the packaging bag in the chamber 12 is further inflated, the magnet 44 at the rear end of the detection plate 43 is in a position not facing the first and second position detection sensors 45a and 45b in the upper part in the chamber 12 (hereinafter, The detection plate 43 is also simply described as being in the upper position), and it is possible to detect that the packaging bag is further inflated by the output of the off signals of the first and second position detection sensors 45a and 45b.

  As shown in FIG. 3, an operation panel 50 is provided on the front surface of the housing 11, and various operation keys 51 (51 a to 51 d) and a display panel 52 (52 a to 52 c) are provided on the operation panel 50. It has been. The “driving” operation key 51a is used to make various operation keys 51b to 51d, which will be described later, operable. When the “driving” operation key 51a is pushed, the various operation keys 51b to 51d are operable.

  The direct operation keys 51b (51b1 to 51b4) are used to directly select various packaging programs stored in a ROM (storage unit) of the control device 60 described later, and the vacuum packaging machine 10 of this embodiment is arranged on the operation panel 50. Four (plural) direct operation keys 51b are provided. In this embodiment, a direct operation key (second operation key) 51b1 to which “hot pack” is attached has a packaging program (second mode packaging program) suitable for vacuum packaging an article to be packaged that is higher than room temperature. A direct operation key (first operation key) 51b2 to 51b4 assigned with “1” to “3” is a packaging program (first mode) suitable for vacuum packaging an article to be packaged at room temperature or lower. Packaging program).

  The change operation key (third operation key) 51c is used to select the packaging program selected by the direct operation key 51b as another packaging program. In this embodiment, the operation panel 50 is provided with two change operation keys 51c with “∧” and “∨” attached thereto, and the change operation key 51c with “∧” or “∨” is pushed. When operated, the packaging program stored in sequence in the ROM (storage unit) of the control device 60 can be changed to forward or reverse feed.

  The stop operation key 51d is for confirming that the chamber 12 is kept in an airtight state. When the first mode of the packaging program is executed, if the stop operation key 51d is pressed for 3 seconds or more as an example, the vacuum valve 32 is closed to stop the deaeration in the chamber 12 and executed. The first mode packaging program is temporarily interrupted to check whether the airtight state in the chamber 12 is maintained. The drain operation key 51e is an operation key for causing the vacuum pump 30 to perform drain operation. Note that when the water draining operation is performed, the vacuum pump 30 is operated so that the inside of the chamber 12 is evacuated. In this water draining operation, based on the degree of vacuum of the chamber 12 detected by the vacuum gauge 37, it is determined whether or not the water mixed in the oil of the vacuum pump 30 has been removed.

  The display panel 52 includes a program display unit 52a for displaying a packaging program selected by the direct operation key 51b and the change operation key 51c, a vacuum level display unit 52b for displaying the vacuum level in the chamber 12 detected by the vacuum gauge 37, And a time display unit 52c for displaying the remaining time until the packaging program ends. When displaying the first mode packaging program on the program display section 52a, the program numbers from "1" to "10" to which various first mode packaging programs with different control conditions are assigned are displayed, and the program display section 52a displays the first program number. When displaying a two-mode packaging program, program numbers from “H1” to “H2” to which various second-mode packaging programs with different control conditions are assigned are displayed.

  The vacuum packaging machine 10 includes a control device 60. As shown in FIG. 4, the control device 60 includes a proximity switch 17, a heater 23, a vacuum pump 30, a vacuum valve 32, first and second devices. The outside air introduction valves 34 and 35, the vacuum gauge 37, the three-way valve 39, the warm-up valve 41, the first and second position detection sensors 45 a and 45 b, and the operation panel 50 are connected. The control device 60 includes a microcomputer (not shown), and the microcomputer includes a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, and a timer (all not shown) connected via a bus. The control device 60 is provided with various packaging programs for vacuum-packaging the articles to be packaged in the chamber 12 in the ROM. When the operation panel 50 provided on the front surface of the housing 11 is operated to execute various packaging programs. The heater 23, the vacuum pump 30, the vacuum valve 32, the first and second outside air introduction valves 34 and 35, and the three-way valve 39 are activated based on detection by the vacuum gauge 37 and the position detection sensors 45a and 45b. And the object to be packaged in the chamber 12 is vacuum packaged.

  The packaging program stored in the ROM of the control device 60 includes ten (multiple) packaging programs in the first mode suitable when the article to be packaged is at room temperature or lower, and the article to be packaged has a temperature higher than the room temperature. 2 (multiple) packaging programs in a second mode that are sometimes suitable. The packaging program in the first mode has ten kinds of packaging programs in which the degree of vacuum, the way of opening the first and second outside air introduction valves 34 and 35, and the like are changed according to the object to be packaged. The packaging program in the second mode includes a packaging program in which the number of times of in-bag exhaust control is fixed at a predetermined number of times of 1 or more for exhausting air in the packaging bag, and a deaeration in the bag. A packaging program with variable number of in-bag exhaust control, in which the number of executions of in-bag exhaust control is made variable based on detection of deaeration in the packaging bag by a detection program (in-bag deaeration detection means).

  Ten types (plurality) of packaging programs in the first mode stored in the ROM of the control device 60 are assigned program numbers “1” to “10”. When one of the first mode packaging programs is selected by the direct operation keys 51b2 to 51b4 and the change operation key 51c is operated, the selected first mode packaging program is selected as the second mode packaging program. The first mode packaging program is stored in the ROM of the control device 60 so that only the other packaging program in the first mode can be selected.

  Specifically, when the first mode packaging program with the program number “1” is selected by the direct operation key 51b2 and the change operation key 51c with “∨” is operated, “2” The first mode packaging program with the program number "is selected. Subsequently, when the two change operation keys 51c with “∨” are pushed a plurality of times, “3”, “4”... “10”, “1”, “2”. Only mode packaging programs are selected. Similarly, when the first mode packaging program with the program number “1” is selected by the direct operation key 51b2, when the change operation key 51c with “∧” is pressed a plurality of times, “10 “9”, “8”... “2”, “1”, “10”, “9”... And only the first mode packaging program is selected.

  Further, the two types of packaging programs in the second mode stored in the ROM of the control device 60 are assigned program numbers “H1” to “H2”, and one of the packaging programs in the second mode is selected by the direct operation key 51b1. When the change operation key 51c is operated, only the other packaging program in the second mode is selected without selecting the packaging program in the first mode. The packaging program in the second mode is stored in the ROM of the control device 60 so as to be possible.

  Specifically, when the second mode packaging program with the program number “H1” is selected by the direct operation key 51b1, and the change operation key 51c with “∨” is operated, “H2” is selected. The second mode packaging program with the program number "is selected. Subsequently, when the two change operation keys 51c with “∨” are pushed a plurality of times, only “H1”, “H2”... And the second mode packaging program are selected. . Similarly, when the second mode packaging program with the program number “H1” is selected by the direct operation key 51b1, when the change operation key 51c with “∧” is pressed a plurality of times, “H2” is selected. "," H1 ", and so on, only the second mode packaging program is selected.

  The packaging programs in the first and second modes of the vacuum packaging machine 10 will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. As described above, the packaging program in the first mode is a packaging program suitable when the article to be packaged stored in the packaging bag is at room temperature or lower, such as the degree of vacuum according to the article to be packaged accommodated in the packaging bag. There are 10 different packaging programs with different conditions. Since the ten types of packaging programs in the first mode are only slightly different in conditions such as the degree of vacuum, an example will be described from the ten types of packaging programs in the first mode.

  Before the packaging program is executed, the vacuum valve 32, the second outside air introduction valve 35, and the warm-up valve 41 are closed, and the three-way valve 39 is in communication between the elevating cylinder 26 side and the outside air side (vacuum pump 30 Side is closed). An article to be packaged such as food or cooked food is accommodated in the packaging bag, and the packaging bag is accommodated in the chamber 12 so that the periphery of the opening of the packaging bag is placed on the upper side of the lower block body 21. A program is displayed by pressing one of the direct operation keys 51b2 to 51b4 of the operation panel 50 shown in FIG. 3, or operating one of the direct operation keys 51b2 to 51b4 and the change operation key 51c. The first mode packaging program under conditions suitable for vacuum packaging of the article to be packaged is called in the section 52a, and the execution of the first mode packaging program is put on standby.

  As shown in FIG. 5, in step 101, the control device 60 determines whether an ON signal is input from the proximity switch 17 and determines whether the chamber cover 14 is closed. When the chamber cover 14 is not closed, the magnet 18 does not approach the proximity switch 17, so the proximity switch 17 outputs an OFF signal to the control device 60, and the control device 60 determines “NO” in step 101. Execute repeatedly and wait. When the chamber cover 14 is closed and the magnet 18 approaches the proximity switch 17, the proximity switch 17 outputs an ON signal to the control device 60, and the control device 60 determines “YES” in step 101 and proceeds to step 102. . In step 102, when the control device 60 operates the vacuum pump 30 to open the vacuum valve 32 and close the first outside air introduction valve 34, the inside of the chamber 12 is degassed by the vacuum pump 30 and becomes negative pressure. .

  In step 103, the control device 60 repeatedly determines whether or not the degree of vacuum P in the chamber 12 detected by the vacuum gauge 37 is equal to or higher than the degree of vacuum Px defined by the selected first mode packaging program. When the pressure in the chamber 12 gradually decreases and the degree of vacuum P in the chamber 12 detected by the vacuum gauge 37 is equal to or higher than the degree of vacuum Px defined by the selected first mode packaging program, the control device 60 performs the step. In step 103, “YES” is determined, and the process proceeds to step 104. In step 104, the control device 60 closes the vacuum valve 32 to stop deaeration in the chamber 12, and proceeds to step 105.

  In step 105, the control device 60 sets the three-way valve 39 in a communication state between the elevating cylinder 26 side and the vacuum pump 30 side (the outside air is in a closed state), and negative pressure is applied to the upper space 26 b of the elevating cylinder 26 to support the shaft 25. The lower block body 21 is raised and pressed against the upper block body 22, and the periphery of the opening of the packaging bag is held between the lower block body 21 and the upper block body 22. When the controller 60 energizes the heater 23 to generate heat in step 106 for sealing control, the periphery of the opening of the packaging bag is closed by thermal welding, and the packaging bag is sealed in a vacuum state.

  In step 107, the control device 60 stops the operation of the vacuum pump 30, opens the first outside air introduction valve 34, and connects the three-way valve 39 to the lifting cylinder 26 side and the outside air side (the vacuum pump 30 side is closed). State). The inside of the chamber 12 is returned to the atmospheric pressure by the outside air introduced from the first outside air introduction valve 34 without being deaerated by the vacuum pump 30, and the chamber cover 14 is opened by the biasing force of the spring member without being sucked by negative pressure. . Further, since the three-way valve 39 is in communication between the lift cylinder 26 side and the outside air side, the outside air is introduced into the upper space 26b of the lift cylinder 26, the negative pressure state is released, and the support shaft 25 is biased by the spring 26d. The lower block body 21 is separated from the upper block body 22, and the state in which the (closed) opening peripheral edge of the packaging bag is held between the upper and lower block bodies 21 and 22 is released. In addition, according to control of the packaging program of 10 pieces (several) 1st mode, 1st and 1st, such as opening the 1st external air introduction valve 34 after opening the 2nd external air introduction valve 35, etc. (2) The release of the deaeration in the chamber 12 may be controlled by controlling the opening of the outside air introduction valves 34 and 35. In the following description, the description when the lower block body 21 is raised or lowered is the same as the operation of the three-way valve 39 and the lifting cylinder 26 in steps 105 and 107, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted. Sometimes it is.

  Next, a packaging program in the second mode suitable when the article to be packaged stored in the packaging bag is higher than room temperature will be described. As described above, the packaging program in the second mode includes a packaging program in which the number of times of in-bag exhaust control is fixed and an in-bag deaeration detection program (in-bag deaeration). And a packaging program with variable number of times of in-bag exhaust control, in which the number of executions of in-bag exhaust control is variable based on the detection of deaeration in the packaging bag by the detecting means). The packaging program with a fixed number of times of in-bag exhaust control in the second mode is a packaging program suitable for execution when a packaged object capable of reliably discharging gas from the inside of the packaging bag at a certain number of times is stored in the packaging bag. The packaging program is suitable for vacuum packaging a packaged product with a small amount of liquid such as a hamburger, roast beef, or a boiled dish with little juice. The packaging program with variable number of times of exhaust control in the bag in the second mode is a packaging program suitable for executing when a packaged object in which it is difficult to know how much gas is contained is stored in the package bag. As an example of the product, the packaging program is suitable for vacuum packaging a packaged product having a large amount of liquid such as stew or soup.

  First, a packaging program for fixing the number of in-bag exhaust control in the second mode will be described. Before executing the packaging program in the second mode, the vacuum valve 32, the second outside air introduction valve 35, and the warm-up valve 41 are in a closed state, as before executing the packaging program in the first mode. The three-way valve 39 is in communication between the elevating cylinder 26 side and the outside air side (the vacuum pump 30 side is closed). An article to be packaged such as food or cooked food is accommodated in the packaging bag, and the packaging bag is accommodated in the chamber 12 so that the periphery of the opening of the packaging bag is placed on the upper side of the lower block body 21. The direct operation key 51b1 of the operation panel 50 shown in FIG. 3 is pushed to call a packaging program for fixing the number of in-bag exhaust control in the second mode on the program display unit 52a, and fixing the number of in-bag exhaust control in the second mode. Wait for the packaging program to run.

  As shown in FIG. 6, in step 201, the control device 60 determines whether an ON signal is input from the proximity switch 17 and determines whether the chamber cover 14 is closed. When the chamber cover 14 is not closed, the magnet 18 does not approach the proximity switch 17, so the proximity switch 17 outputs an OFF signal to the control device 60, and the control device 60 repeats “NO” in step 201. judge. If the chamber cover 14 is closed and the magnet 18 approaches the proximity switch 17 while the control device 60 repeatedly executes the process of step 201, the proximity switch 17 outputs an ON signal to the control device 60, and the control device 60 In step 201, “YES” is determined in step 201, and the process proceeds to step 202.

  When an excessive amount of articles to be packaged is accommodated in the packaging bag accommodated in the chamber 12, the detection plate 43 is moved to the middle position and the upper position before the chamber 12 is degassed to make negative pressure. May be located. When the detection plate 43 is positioned at the middle position or the upper position, there is a possibility that the swelling of the packaging bag cannot be detected by the swelling detection means 42 when the chamber 12 is evacuated to make a negative pressure. Therefore, in step 202, the control device 60 determines whether or not the detection plate 43 is in the lower position by determining whether or not an ON signal is input from the first position detection sensor 45a. If the ON signal is not input from the first position detection sensor 45a, the control device 60 determines “NO” in step 202, and in step 203, an error is detected in the program display unit 52a or the time display unit 52c of the display panel 52. Is returned to step 201. Note that the control device 60 may notify the error by a sound such as a buzzer instead of displaying the error in step 203. On the other hand, when an appropriate amount of objects to be packaged is stored in the packaging bag (when an excessive amount of objects to be packaged is not stored in the packaging bag), an ON signal is output from the first position detection sensor 45a. The control device 60 determines “YES” at step 202 and proceeds to step 204. In step 204, the control device 60 sets the number of executions of bag exhaust control R, which will be described later, to R = 0, and proceeds to the chamber deaeration control starting from step 205.

  In step 205, the control device 60 operates the vacuum pump 30, opens the vacuum valve 32, closes the first outside air introduction valve 34, and simultaneously closes the three-way valve 39 on the lifting cylinder 26 side and the vacuum pump 30 side. Is in a communication state (the outside air side is closed). The inside of the chamber 12 is evacuated by the vacuum pump 30 to be negative pressure. Further, the upper space 26b of the elevating cylinder 26 is also made negative pressure so that the support shaft 25 is raised, the lower block body 21 is raised and pressed against the upper block body 22, and the periphery of the opening of the packaging bag is the lower block body. 21 and the upper block body 22 sandwich the opening of the packaging bag temporarily.

  When the inside of the chamber 12 is evacuated and negative pressure is generated in the state where the opening of the packaging bag in the chamber 12 is temporarily closed by the processing in step 205, the control device 60 causes the first position in step 206. Based on whether or not an off signal is input from the detection sensor 45a or an off signal is input from the first and second position detection sensors 45a and 45b, the detection plate 43 is in the middle position or the upper position. Determine if it has expanded. Until the packaging bag is expanded until the detection plate 43 is pushed up to the middle position or the upper position, the control device 60 repeatedly executes the determination of “NO” in step 206. Due to the negative pressure in the chamber 12, the packaging bag pushes up the detection plate 43 to the middle position or the upper position, and an OFF signal is input to the control device 60 from the first position detection sensor 45a, or the first and second position detection sensors. When an OFF signal is input from 45a, 45b, control device 60 makes a “YES” determination at step 206 to proceed to step 207.

  In step 207, the control device 60 closes the vacuum valve 32 to temporarily interrupt the deaeration in the chamber 12, and stores the degree of vacuum P detected by the vacuum gauge 37 in the RAM. Next, in step 208, the control device 60 determines whether or not the in-bag exhaust control described below is executed five times or more. If the in-bag exhaust control has not been executed five times or more, the control device 60 determines “NO” and executes the in-bag exhaust control starting from step 209.

  In step 209, the control device 60 lowers the lower block body 21 by bringing the three-way valve 39 into communication between the elevating cylinder 26 and the outside air (the vacuum pump 30 side is closed). By lowering the lower block body 21, the opening of the packaging bag is opened, and the gas filled in the packaging bag is discharged into the chamber 12. In step 210, the control device 60 opens the vacuum valve 32 for an additional time, further exhausts the internal gas from the opening of the packaging bag, and waits for 5 seconds in step 211. The opening of the vacuum valve 32 at the additional time in step 210 is 0 seconds, that is, it is possible to set a deaeration time suitable for the package including the case where the vacuum valve 32 is not opened. That is, if the package contains a lot of liquid that is easily spilled from the packaging bag, it is preferable to set the opening time of the vacuum valve 32 to an extremely short time of about 0 seconds or 1 to 2 seconds, If the object to be packaged has little liquid that is difficult to spill from the packaging bag, it is preferable to set the opening time of the additional time of the vacuum valve 32 to a short time of about 3 to 5 seconds. Next, in step 212, the control device 60 adds 1 to the number of executions R as the number of executions R = R + 1 of the bag exhaust control, and proceeds to step 213.

  In step 213, the control device 60 performs in-chamber intake control so as to temporarily inhale into the chamber 12. This in-chamber air intake control is to prevent the swell of the packaging bag from being unable to be detected in subsequent processing when the packaged item is boiling in the packaging bag. The outside air is introduced into the inside to lower the degree of vacuum. In step 213 for executing the in-chamber intake control, the control device 60 sets the predetermined first vacuum level lower than the vacuum level P detected in step 207 to 10% from the vacuum level P (10% is an example, The second outside air introduction valve 35 is opened to a reduced value (not limited to this), and outside air is introduced into the chamber 12.

  Further, when the first vacuum degree is equal to or lower than a lower limit value (for example, 30%) in step 213 for executing the in-chamber intake control, the second outside air introduction valve 35 is opened to the lower limit value to introduce outside air into the chamber 12. Control to do. The reason why the lower limit is set for the first degree of vacuum is, for example, for the purpose of preventing the chamber cover 14 from being opened without being sucked with negative pressure during the packaging program.

  In step 214, the control device 60 opens the vacuum valve 32 and evacuates the chamber 12 to the degree of vacuum P detected at the timing of step 207 and stored in the RAM. The degree of vacuum P detected at the timing of step 207 is the degree of vacuum until the packaging bag is inflated to such an extent that the packaged material in the packaging bag is not blown out, so it is detected at step 207 with the packaging bag opened. Even if the inside of the chamber 12 is evacuated to the degree of vacuum P, the packaged material in the packaging bag is not blown out. In step 214, the inside of the chamber 12 is evacuated to the degree of vacuum P detected at the timing of step 207 and stored in the RAM. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The inside of the chamber 12 may be deaerated to a degree of vacuum P−5% obtained by subtracting a degree of vacuum of 5%, for example, from the degree of vacuum P stored in FIG. In this case, since the inside of the chamber 12 is depressurized only to a degree of vacuum P-5% lower than the degree of vacuum P described above, it is possible to reliably prevent a sudden spill of the packaged item in the packaging bag. .

  After the process of step 214, the control device 60 returns to step 205 and raises the lower block body 21 and presses it against the upper block body 22, so that the periphery of the opening of the packaging bag is positioned on the lower block body 21 and the upper block body 22. Then, the opening of the packaging bag is temporarily closed again. Since the vacuum pump 30 is in operation after the processing of step 214, the vacuum valve 32 is opened, and the first outside air introduction valve 34 is closed. The operation continues, the vacuum valve 32 is opened, and the first outside air introduction valve 34 is kept closed. After returning from step 214 to step 205, the control device 60 repeatedly executes the processing of steps 205 to 215 so that the number of executions of the in-bag exhaust control of steps 210 to 215 is five or more.

  When the in-bag exhaust control is executed five times, the control device 60 determines “YES” in step 208 and proceeds to step 215. The control device 60 lowers the lower block body 21 in step 215 as the final in-bag exhaust control, and waits for 5 seconds in step 216, thereby discharging the gas remaining in the packaging bag. In step 217, the control device 60 raises the lower block body 21 until it is pressed against the upper block body 22, and wraps the periphery of the opening of the packaging bag between the lower block body 21 and the upper block body 22. Close the bag opening. In step 218, which is sealing control, the control device 60 energizes the heater 23 to seal the periphery of the opening of the packaging bag by heat welding, thereby sealing the packaging bag. In step 219, the control device 60 stops the operation of the vacuum pump 30, releases the negative pressure state in the chamber 12 by opening the first outside air introduction valve 34, and lowers the lower block body 21. Then, the packaging program for fixing the number of in-bag exhaust control in the second mode is completed.

  Next, the packaging program with variable number of in-bag exhaust control times in the second mode will be described. Before executing the packaging program in the second mode, the vacuum valve 32, the second outside air introduction valve 35, and the warm-up valve 41 are in a closed state, as before executing the packaging program in the first mode. The three-way valve 39 is in communication between the elevating cylinder 26 side and the outside air side (the vacuum pump 30 side is closed). An article to be packaged such as food or cooked food is accommodated in the packaging bag, and the packaging bag is accommodated in the chamber 12 so that the periphery of the opening of the packaging bag is placed on the upper side of the lower block body 21. The direct operation key 51b1 and the change operation key 51c of the operation panel 50 shown in FIG. 3 are pushed to call a packaging program with a variable number of in-bag exhaust control times in the second mode on the program display unit 52a. Wait for execution of the packaging program with variable number of times of exhaust control in the bag.

  In step 301, the control device 60 determines whether an ON signal is input from the proximity switch 17 and determines whether the chamber cover 14 is closed. When the chamber cover 14 is not closed, the magnet 18 does not approach the proximity switch 17, so the proximity switch 17 outputs an OFF signal to the control device 60, and the control device 60 repeats “NO” in step 301. judge. If the chamber cover 14 is closed and the magnet 18 approaches the proximity switch 17 while the control device 60 repeatedly executes the process of step 301, the proximity switch 17 outputs an ON signal to the control device 60, and the control device 60 60 determines “YES” at step 301 and proceeds to step 302.

  When an excessive amount of articles to be packaged is accommodated in the packaging bag accommodated in the chamber 12, the detection plate 43 is moved to the middle position and the upper position before the chamber 12 is degassed to make negative pressure. May be located. When the detection plate 43 is positioned at the middle position or the upper position, there is a possibility that the swelling of the packaging bag cannot be detected by the swelling detection means 42 when the chamber 12 is evacuated to make a negative pressure. Therefore, in step 302, the control device 60 determines whether or not the detection plate 43 is in the lower position by determining whether or not an ON signal is input from the first position detection sensor 45a. If the ON signal is not input from the first position detection sensor 45a, the control device 60 determines “NO” in step 302, and in step 303, the control device 60 determines an error in the program display unit 52a or the time display unit 52c of the display panel 52. To display. The control device 60 returns to step 301 after the processing of step 303. Note that the control device 60 may notify the error by a sound such as a buzzer instead of displaying the error in step 303. On the other hand, when an appropriate amount of objects to be packaged is stored in the packaging bag (when an excessive amount of objects to be packaged is not stored in the packaging bag), an ON signal is output from the first position detection sensor 45a. The control device 60 determines “YES” at step 302, and proceeds to the in-chamber deaeration control starting from step 304.

  In step 304, the control device 60 operates the vacuum pump 30, opens the vacuum valve 32, closes the first outside air introduction valve 34, and simultaneously sets the three-way valve 39 on the lifting cylinder 26 side and the vacuum pump 30 side. Is in a communication state (the outside air side is closed). The inside of the chamber 12 is evacuated by the vacuum pump 30 to be negative pressure. Further, the upper space 26b of the elevating cylinder 26 is also made negative pressure so that the support shaft 25 is raised, the lower block body 21 is raised and pressed against the upper block body 22, and the periphery of the opening of the packaging bag is the lower block body. 21 and the upper block body 22 sandwich the opening of the packaging bag temporarily.

  When the inside of the chamber 12 is evacuated and negative pressure is generated in the state where the opening of the packaging bag in the chamber 12 is temporarily closed by the process of step 304, the control device 60 causes the first position in step 305. Based on whether or not an OFF signal is input from the detection sensor 45a, it is determined whether or not the detection plate 43 is in the middle position, that is, whether or not the packaging bag has expanded. Until the packaging bag is expanded until the detection plate 43 is pushed up to the middle position, the control device 60 repeatedly executes “NO” determination at step 305. When the packaging bag pushes up the detection plate 43 to the middle position due to the negative pressure in the chamber 12 and the control device 60 receives an OFF signal from the first position detection sensor 45a, the control device 60 " “YES” is determined, and the process proceeds to Step 306.

  In step 306, the control device 60 closes the vacuum valve 32 to temporarily interrupt the deaeration in the chamber 12 and stores the degree of vacuum P detected by the vacuum gauge 37 in the RAM.

  Next, in Step 307, the control device 60 determines whether or not the degassing of the packaging bag is completed by the in-bag deaeration detection program (in-bag deaeration detection means). In step 307, the control device 60 moves the detection plate 43 from the lower position (packaging bag is in the first state) to the middle position (packaging bag is in the second state) in step 305. Degassing in the packaging bag is completed by determining whether or not the detection plate 43 has reached the upper position (the packaging bag is in the third state) within 0.5 seconds after the vacuum valve 32 is closed. Determine whether or not. When the inside of the packaging bag is not sufficiently deaerated, the closed packaging bag expands as the internal gas expands with the negative pressure of the chamber 12, and the packaging bag is positioned so that the detection plate 43 is in the middle position. If the deaeration in the chamber 12 is interrupted when the air bubble expands, the pressure in the chamber 12 is kept constant, so that the packaging bag does not expand any more and the detection plate 43 is not pushed up to the upper position. On the other hand, when the inside of the packaging bag is sufficiently evacuated, the closed packaging bag is inflated by the water vapor evaporated from the moisture contained in the packaged object as the negative pressure in the chamber 12 is reduced, and the detection plate 43 Even if the degassing in the chamber 12 is interrupted when the packaging bag is inflated to the middle position, the evaporation of the water contained in the package does not immediately stop, and the detection bag 43 continues to be inflated. Push up to the upper position.

  If the inside of the packaging bag is not sufficiently evacuated, the detection plate 43 becomes the middle position in step 305 and the vacuum valve 32 is closed in step 306. Therefore, the ON signal is continuously input from the second position detection sensor 45b to the control device 60, and the control device 60 determines “NO” in step 307 and performs the step. The in-bag exhaust control starting from 308 is executed. It should be noted that if the detection plate 43 is pushed up to the upper position within 0.5 seconds without executing the exhaust control in the bag once, it is determined as “YES” in step 307. In order to prevent this, it may be determined whether or not the in-bag exhaust control is executed once (or twice) or before or after the processing of step 307.

  In step 308, the control device 60 lowers the lower block body 21 by setting the three-way valve 39 in a communication state between the elevating cylinder 26 side and the outside air side (the vacuum pump 30 side is closed). By lowering the lower block body 21, the opening of the packaging bag is opened, and the gas filled in the packaging bag is discharged into the chamber 12. In step 309, the control device 60 opens the vacuum valve 32 for an additional time, further exhausts the internal gas from the opening of the packaging bag, and waits for 5 seconds in step 310. The opening of the vacuum valve 32 in the additional time in step 309 is 0 seconds, that is, it is possible to set a deaeration time suitable for the package including the case where the vacuum valve 32 is not opened. That is, if the package contains a lot of liquid that is easily spilled from the packaging bag, it is preferable to set the opening time of the vacuum valve 32 to an extremely short time of about 0 seconds or 1 to 2 seconds, If the package contains little liquid that is difficult to spill from the packaging bag, it is preferable to set the opening time of the additional time of the vacuum valve 32 to a short time of about 3 to 5 seconds.

  In step 311, the control device 60 performs in-chamber intake control so as to temporarily inhale into the chamber 12. This in-chamber air intake control is to prevent the swell of the packaging bag from being unable to be detected in subsequent processing when the packaged item is boiling in the packaging bag. The outside air is introduced into the inside to lower the degree of vacuum. In step 311 for executing the in-chamber intake control, the control device 60 sets the predetermined first vacuum level lower than the vacuum level P detected in step 306 as 10% from the vacuum level P (10% is an example, The second outside air introduction valve 35 is opened to a reduced value (not limited to this), and outside air is introduced into the chamber 12.

  In step 311 for executing the in-chamber intake control, when the first degree of vacuum is less than or equal to the lower limit value (for example, 30%), the second outside air introduction valve 35 is opened to the lower limit value to introduce outside air into the chamber 12. Control to do. The reason why the lower limit is set for the first degree of vacuum is, for example, for the purpose of preventing the chamber cover 14 from being opened without being sucked with negative pressure during the packaging program.

  In step 312, the control device 60 opens the vacuum valve 32 and evacuates the chamber 12 to the degree of vacuum P detected at the timing of step 306 and stored in the RAM. The degree of vacuum P detected at the timing of step 306 is the degree of vacuum until the packaging bag is inflated to such an extent that the packaged material in the packaging bag is not blown out, so it is detected at step 306 with the packaging bag opened. Even if the inside of the chamber 12 is evacuated to the degree of vacuum P, the packaged material in the packaging bag is not blown out. In step 312, the inside of the chamber 12 is evacuated to the degree of vacuum P detected at the timing of step 306 and stored in the RAM. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and is detected at the timing of step 306 and stored in the RAM. The inside of the chamber 12 may be evacuated to a vacuum level P-5% obtained by subtracting a vacuum level of 5%, for example, from the stored vacuum level P as a predetermined value. In this case, since the inside of the chamber 12 is depressurized only to a degree of vacuum P-5% lower than the degree of vacuum P described above, it is possible to reliably prevent a sudden spill of the packaged item in the packaging bag. .

  After the processing of step 312, the control device 60 returns to step 304, raises the lower block body 21 and presses it against the upper block body 22, so that the periphery of the opening portion of the packaging bag is positioned between the lower block body 21 and the upper block body 22. Then, the opening of the packaging bag is temporarily closed again. Since the vacuum pump 30 is in operation after the processing of step 312, the vacuum valve 32 is opened, and the first outside air introduction valve 34 is closed, the vacuum pump 30 is also returned to step 304. The operation continues, the vacuum valve 32 is opened, and the first outside air introduction valve 34 is kept closed. After returning from step 312 to step 304, the control device 60 determines in step 307 whether or not the degassing of the packaging bag by the in-bag degassing detection program is completed, and the degassing of the packaging bag is completed. If not, the in-bag exhaust control in steps 308 to 312 is executed.

  If the inside of the packaging bag can be sufficiently evacuated while performing the processing of Steps 304 to 312, the detection plate 43 detects the middle position in Step 305 and immediately follows (within 0.5 seconds) the upper position. Will be pushed up. At this time, the ON signal input from the second position detection sensor 45b changes to the OFF signal of the first and second position detection sensors 45a and 45b within 0.5 seconds and is input to the control device 60. The control device 60 determines “YES” in step 307 and proceeds to step 313.

  The control device 60 lowers the lower block body 21 in step 313 as the last exhaust control in the bag, and waits for 5 seconds in step 314, thereby discharging the gas remaining in the packaging bag. In step 315, the control device 60 raises the lower block body 21 until it is pressed against the upper block body 22, and wraps the periphery of the opening of the packaging bag between the lower block body 21 and the upper block body 22. Close the bag opening. In step 316 which is sealing control, the control device 60 energizes the heater 23 to seal the periphery of the opening of the packaging bag by heat welding, thereby sealing the packaging bag. In step 317, the control device 60 stops the operation of the vacuum pump 30, releases the negative pressure state in the chamber 12 by opening the first outside air introduction valve 34, and lowers the lower block body 21. Then, the packaging program with variable number of in-bag exhaust control in the second mode is terminated.

  In the vacuum packaging machine 10 configured as described above, the lower block body 21 is raised when the packaging program in the second mode suitable for the case where the article to be packaged is at a temperature higher than room temperature is executed. In the chamber, the peripheral edge of the opening of the packaging bag accommodated in the chamber 12 is closed by closing it with the upper and lower block bodies 21 and 22, and at the same time, the chamber 12 is evacuated by the vacuum pump 30 to make negative pressure. Control has started. Since the inside of the chamber 12 is deaerated while the packaging bag is closed, the object to be packaged in the packaging bag does not spill even if the inside of the packaging bag suddenly boils in the process of deaeration inside the chamber 12 It became so. Further, during the execution of the in-chamber deaeration control of the packaging program in the second mode, when the inflating detection means 42 detects that the packaging bag is inflated as the negative pressure in the chamber 12 progresses, The degassing is temporarily stopped, the lower block body 21 is lowered so as to be separated from the upper block body 22, and the opening of the packaging bag is opened to discharge the gas from the packaging bag. The in-bag exhaust control for exhausting the gas in the packaging bag was performed at least once or more by raising the block body 21 on the side again so as to sandwich and close the periphery of the opening of the packaging bag. The chamber 12 is temporarily degassed so that the expansion of the packaging bag is suppressed, and then the opening of the packaging bag is opened by one or more in-bag exhaust control to release the internal gas. Since it was discharged, the internal gas could be discharged without spilling the packaged items in the packaging bag. In addition, since it is not necessary to measure the temperature of the object to be packaged in the packaging bag, it is not troublesome for the operator to vacuum package the packaging bag.

  Further, the swelling detection means 42 includes a first state where the packaging bag is not inflated (the detection plate 43 is in the lower position) and a second state where the packaging bag is swollen more than the first state (the detection plate 43 is in the middle). Position) and the third state in which the packaging bag is swollen more than the second state (detection plate 43 is in the upper position). In the second mode packaging program in which the number of times of in-bag exhaust control is variable, when the in-bag exhaust control is executed, the swelling detection means changes from the first state (detection plate 43 is in the lower position) to the second state (detection plate). Is detected (step 305), the deaeration in the chamber 12 is temporarily interrupted (step 306), and the bulge detection means 42 is within a predetermined time (0.5 seconds) after the interruption. When the second state (detection plate 43 is in the middle position) is continuously detected (when NO is determined in step 307), it is detected that the deaeration in the packaging bag is not completed, and the swelling detection means When 42 detects the third state (detection plate 43 is in the upper position) within a predetermined time after interruption (when it is determined YES in step 307), it is detected that the deaeration in the packaging bag is completed. Bag degassing detection program With a beam. When the packaging program with variable number of times of exhaust control in the bag was executed, the packaging bag could be sealed in a vacuum state in a state where the degassing in the packaging bag was surely completed by the in-bag deaeration detection program.

  Further, in the control device 60 of the vacuum packaging machine 10, the packaging program in the second mode includes a packaging program in which the in-bag exhaust control is executed five times as a predetermined number of times of one or more times, And a packaging program with variable number of times of exhaust control in the bag, wherein the number of executions of exhaust control in the bag is variable based on the detection of completion of deaeration in the packaging bag by the internal deaeration detection program. As a result, if the number of times that the exhaust control within the bag is executed is known in advance according to the nature of the package, the packaging program that fixes the number of exhaust control within the bag is executed, and the exhaust control within the bag is executed according to the nature of the package. When the number of times to perform the process is not known in advance, a packaging program with a variable number of times of exhaust control in the bag may be executed. In any case, the inside of the packaging bag was sufficiently evacuated and sealed in a vacuum state.

  When the control device 60 of the vacuum packaging machine 10 detects the swelling of the packaging bag in advance by the swelling detection means 42 before the execution of the in-chamber deaeration control when the second mode packaging program is executed, The program is controlled not to be executed. Thereby, when performing the exhaust control in the bag of the packaging program in the second mode, it is possible to prevent in advance that the swelling of the packaging bag cannot be detected by the swelling detection means 42.

  The control device 60 of the vacuum packaging machine 10 lowers the lower block body 21 so as to be separated from the upper block body 22 when executing the in-bag exhaust control of the second mode packaging program. After opening the opening, the vacuum valve 32 is opened so that the inside of the chamber 12 is deaerated with an additional deaeration time (step 211 or 310), and the additional deaeration time is set according to the package. It was made possible to change. Thereby, when carrying out the exhaust control in the bag, the internal gas can be further discharged from the opening of the packaging bag, and the inside of the packaging bag can be further deaerated. In addition, since the additional degassing time can be changed according to the package, for example, if the package contains a lot of liquid that is likely to spill from the packaging bag, the additional degassing time is shortened, and the package is not easily spilled from the packaging bag. If the amount of liquid was small, the length could be increased, and an appropriate additional deaeration time could be obtained according to the properties of the package.

  The control device 60 of the vacuum packaging machine 10 lowers the lower block body 21 so as to be separated from the upper block body 22 when executing the in-bag exhaust control of the second mode packaging program. After opening the opening, in-chamber intake control is executed so as to temporarily inhale into the chamber 12 (step 213 or 311). By performing deaeration control in the chamber, the packaged item in the packaging bag is boiled, and when the package exhaust control is executed, the packaged item remains boiling in the packaging bag. In this process, the swelling of the packaging bag may not be detected, but when the in-bag exhaust control is executed, the in-chamber intake control is executed to lower the vacuum in the chamber 12 Thus, it is possible to eliminate the boiling state of the article to be packaged in the packaging bag, and it is possible to reliably detect the swelling of the packaging bag in the subsequent processing.

  When executing the in-bag exhaust control of the second mode packaging program, the control device 60 of the vacuum packaging machine 10 swells detection means as the negative pressure in the chamber 12 progresses while the in-chamber deaeration control is being executed. 42 stores the degree of vacuum P detected by the vacuum gauge 37 when it is detected that the packaging bag is inflated (step 207 or 306). In the in-chamber control of the chamber, a predetermined first degree lower than the stored degree of vacuum P is stored. Control was made so that the air was sucked to 1 degree of vacuum P-10% (step 213 or 311). As a result, when performing the exhaust control in the bag, it is possible to prevent the air from being sucked into the chamber 12 to a vacuum level that is excessively lower than the vacuum level P of the chamber 12 before executing the exhaust control in the bag. It is possible to prevent a reduction in packaging efficiency when vacuum packaging is performed. Further, when the first degree of vacuum P-10% is equal to or lower than the lower limit value, the chamber cover 14 is opened when the packaging program is executed because the in-chamber intake control is performed so as to inhale to the lower limit value. I was able to prevent.

  When the control device 60 of the vacuum packaging machine 10 executes the exhaust control in the bag of the second mode packaging program, the control device 60 controls the intake to the first degree of vacuum by the in-chamber intake control (step 213 or 311). The inside of the chamber was controlled to be evacuated with the opening of the packaging bag opened to the vacuum level P stored in step 207 or 306 (step 214 or 312). Since the degree of vacuum P stored in step 207 or 306 is a degree of vacuum in which an article to be packaged was not blown out from the packaging bag, the chamber is made up to the degree of vacuum P stored again with the opening of the packaging bag opened. Even if the inside of 12 is evacuated, the article to be packaged in the packaging bag is not blown out. In step 214 or 312, the inside of the chamber 12 is evacuated to the degree of vacuum P detected at the timing of step 207 or 306 and stored in the RAM. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The inside of the chamber 12 may be evacuated to a degree of vacuum P−5% obtained by subtracting a degree of vacuum of 5%, for example, from the degree of vacuum P detected at the timing and stored in the RAM. In this case, since the inside of the chamber 12 is depressurized only to a degree of vacuum P-5% lower than the degree of vacuum P described above, it is possible to reliably prevent a sudden spill of the packaged item in the packaging bag. .

  In the vacuum packaging machine 10 configured as described above, in the second mode packaging program, the chamber block 21 is lifted when the in-chamber degassing control starting from step 205 or step 304 is performed. At the same time that the opening peripheral edge of the packaging bag accommodated in 12 is nipped and closed, the inside of the chamber 12 is evacuated by the vacuum pump 30 to make negative pressure. The present invention is not limited to this, and the lower block body 21 is raised so that the periphery of the opening of the packaging bag accommodated in the chamber 12 is clamped in advance and then closed by the vacuum pump 30. The inside may be deaerated to make negative pressure. Even in this case, the same effects as described above can be obtained.

  In the vacuum packaging machine 10 configured as described above, the lower block body 21 is raised to a position where the lower block body 21 is pressed against the upper block body 22, so that the peripheral edge of the opening of the packaging bag is placed on the lower and upper block bodies 21. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and by lowering the upper block body 22 to a position where it is pressed against the lower block body 21, the peripheral edge of the opening of the packaging bag is lowered. The lower block body 21 and 22 may be held between the lower block body 21 and the lower block body 21 and the upper block body 22 is lowered to lower the opening peripheral edge of the packaging bag on the lower side. And the upper block bodies 21 and 22 may be held between them.

  In the vacuum packaging machine 10 configured as described above, a detection plate 43 supported on the lower surface of the chamber cover 14 so as to be rotatable around a horizontal axis is provided in the chamber 12 as a swelling detection means for detecting the swelling of the packaging bag. The position detection sensor 45 detects the bulge of the packaging bag by detecting the magnet 44 at the rear end of the detection plate 43 that is provided and lifted by the bulging of the packaging bag. The present invention is not limited to this, and a detection bar made of a rod-like member supported on the lower surface of the chamber cover 14 so as to be movable up and down on the upper side of the packaging bag is provided in the chamber 12, and the detection is lifted by the swelling of the packaging bag. You may detect the swelling of a packaging bag by detecting the magnet provided in the edge part of a bar with a position detection sensor. In addition, as other bulge detection means, a light emitting unit that emits light that passes through a position blocked by the package bag after expansion on the upper side of the package bag before expansion in the chamber 12, and light reception that receives light from the light emission unit. An optical sensor provided with a portion may be provided, and the swelling of the packaging bag may be detected based on the detection result of the optical sensor.

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Vacuum packaging machine, 12 ... Chamber, 21, 22 ... Block body, 23 ... Heater, 30 ... Vacuum pump, 37 ... Vacuum gauge, 42 ... Swelling detection means, 60 ... Control apparatus.

Claims (9)

A chamber for storing a packaging bag containing a packaged item;
An upper and lower block body that is supported so that at least one of the upper and lower sides can move up and down in the chamber, and closes the opening peripheral edge of the packaging bag from above and below,
A heater that is provided on at least one of the upper and lower block bodies and heat-welds the periphery of the opening of the packaging bag;
A vacuum pump for degassing the chamber and reducing the pressure,
A vacuum packaging machine provided with a swelling detection means for detecting swelling of a packaging bag accommodated in the chamber,
By moving at least one of the upper and lower block bodies up and down, the peripheral edge of the opening of the packaging bag accommodated in the chamber is sandwiched and closed, or the chamber is removed from the chamber by the vacuum pump after closing. Start the deaeration control in the chamber to make negative pressure by gas,
During execution of the deaeration control in the chamber, the deaeration of the chamber is temporarily stopped when it is detected that the packaging bag is inflated by the inflating detection means as the negative pressure in the chamber progresses. And at least one of the upper and lower block bodies is moved up and down so as to be separated from the other to open the opening of the packaging bag to discharge gas from the packaging bag, and at least the upper and lower block bodies are discharged. Performing at least one in-bag exhaust control for exhausting the gas in the packaging bag so as to sandwich and close the periphery of the opening of the packaging bag by moving one side up and down again,
A control device having a packaging program for performing sealing control for operating the heater and sealing the periphery of the opening of the packaging bag by thermal welding after performing the exhaust control in the bag is provided. Vacuum packaging machine. The vacuum packaging machine according to claim 1,
The swelling detection means includes a first state where the packaging bag is not inflated, a second state where the packaging bag is swollen more than the first state, and the packaging bag is swollen more than the second state. It is possible to detect the third state of
When the swell detection means detects the second state from the first state when the in-bag exhaust control is executed, the deaeration in the chamber is temporarily interrupted, and the swell detection means is interrupted. When the second state is continuously detected within a predetermined time later, it is detected that the deaeration in the packaging bag has not been completed, and the bulge detection means is within the predetermined time after the interruption. A vacuum packaging machine comprising a bag degassing detecting means for detecting that the degassing in the packaging bag is completed when three states are detected. The vacuum packaging machine according to claim 2,
The control device is based on a packaging program for fixing the number of times of exhaust control in the bag for performing the exhaust control in the bag one or more times, and detection of completion of deaeration in the packaging bag by the in-bag deaeration detection means. And a packaging program having a variable number of times of in-bag evacuation control. In the vacuum packaging machine of any one of Claims 1-3,
The control device is controlled so as not to execute the packaging program when the swelling detection unit detects the swelling of the packaging bag in advance before the execution of the deaeration control in the chamber is started. . In the vacuum packaging machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
When executing the in-bag exhaust control, after moving at least one of the upper and lower block bodies up and down so as to be separated from the other and opening the opening of the packaging bag, the inside of the chamber is added with an additional deaeration time. A vacuum packaging machine that is controlled so as to be degassed, and that the additional degassing time can be changed according to the item to be packaged. In the vacuum packaging machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
When executing the exhaust control in the bag, after at least one of the upper and lower block bodies is moved up and down so as to be separated from the other to open the opening of the packaging bag, the air is temporarily sucked into the chamber Thus, the vacuum packaging machine is characterized in that the in-chamber intake control is executed. The vacuum packaging machine according to claim 6,
A vacuum gauge for detecting the degree of vacuum in the chamber;
When executing the in-bag exhaust control, the inflating of the packaging bag is detected by the inflating detecting means as the negative pressure in the chamber progresses while the in-chamber degassing control is in progress. A vacuum packaging machine characterized in that the degree of vacuum detected by a vacuum gauge is stored, and in the in-chamber intake control, the intake is controlled to a predetermined first degree of vacuum lower than the stored degree of vacuum. The vacuum packaging machine according to claim 7,
The vacuum packaging machine according to claim 1, wherein when the first degree of vacuum is equal to or lower than a lower limit value, the in-chamber intake control is controlled so as to inhale to the lower limit value. In the vacuum packaging machine according to any one of claims 6 to 8,
When executing the exhaust control in the bag, after controlling to inhale to the first vacuum degree by the in-chamber intake control, a predetermined value is subtracted from the stored degree of vacuum or the stored degree of vacuum. A vacuum packaging machine controlled to deaerate the inside of the chamber with the opening of the packaging bag being opened to a vacuum level.

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