JP2020083394A - Steam replacement device and steam replacement method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a steam replacement device and a steam replacement method which can suppress deformation of a mouth of a bag when stream in the bag is cooled to reduce a bag volume.SOLUTION: The steam replacement method includes the steps of: injecting steam through a steam injection nozzle 22 into a bag B; supporting, by a support 25, a content 80 at a position higher than a first height position via a bottom; retracting the steam injection nozzle 22 from the inside of the bag B after the injection of the steam into the bag B; tensioning the bag B so as to close a mouth after the retraction of the steam injection nozzle 22; and closing the mouth by a closing unit 23. The support 25 supports the content 80 at the position higher than the first height position via the bottom during at least a part of the period from the injection of the steam into the bag B to the closing of the mouth by the closing unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a steam replacement device and a steam replacement method for replacing gas in a bag with steam (steam).

Patent document 1 discloses the deaeration method of a packaging bag. According to this degassing method, after injecting steam from the steam nozzle into the packaging bag, the steam nozzle is pulled out from the bag and sealing is performed.

JP, 9-95311, A

As the steam cools and returns to liquid (water), the volume is about 1/170th the size. Therefore, the volume of the bag filled with steam decreases rapidly as the steam cools. With the reduction in the volume of this bag, if the bag has a mouth, a bottom and both sides and is held in a state in which the mouth is strained, the three sides are mainly formed excluding the mouth. The parts (ie the bottom and both sides) tend to move towards the center of the bag. Further, the front side wall and the back side wall of the bag approach each other, and the thickness of the bag is reduced.

On the other hand, the contents contained in the bag exert a downward force on the bottom of the bag under the influence of gravity. When the weight of the contents is heavy, the bottom of the bag receives a large force downward from the contents, which prevents the bottom from moving toward the center of the bag (that is, moving upward) due to steam cooling, The degree of deformation of the mouth and both sides of the bag increases. In this case, even if the bag is strained so that the mouth is closed, the mouth may be deformed unexpectedly and an unintended gap may occur in the mouth. Such unintended gaps that may occur at the mouth of the bag due to cooling of the steam in the bag allow outside air to flow inside the bag and allow steam in the bag to flow outside the bag. It deteriorates the steam replacement rate in the bag.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a steam replacement device and a steam replacement method capable of suppressing deformation of a mouth portion of a bag when steam in the bag is cooled and the volume of the bag is reduced. The purpose is to do.

One aspect of the present invention is a step of inserting a steam jet nozzle into the inside of a bag through a mouth of a bag that accommodates contents, and jetting steam from the steam jet nozzle to the inside of the bag, and a suspended state. A step of raising the bottom portion of the bag held by the support from the first height position while contacting the support portion with the support portion supporting the contents through the bottom portion at a position higher than the first height position; After the steam is ejected inside the bag, the process of retracting the steam ejection nozzle from the inside of the bag, the process of tensioning the bag so that the mouth is closed after the steam ejection nozzle retracts from the inside of the bag, and the steam Closing the mouth with a closure unit, with at least a portion present inside the bag and the bag being strained to close the mouth, the support includes the The present invention relates to a steam displacement method of supporting a content through a bottom at a position higher than a first height position at least in a part from after being jetted until the mouth is closed by a closing unit.

The support part temporarily raises the bottom part of the bag from the first height position, supports the contents through the bottom part at a position higher than the first height position, and then, until the mouth part is closed by the closing unit. The contents may be continuously supported via the bottom portion at a position higher than the first height position.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a bag holding portion for adjusting the tension applied to the bag while holding the bag containing the contents in a suspended state, a steam jet nozzle having a jet port, and a steam jet nozzle. A nozzle elevating part for elevating and lowering, a supporting part, and a closing unit for closing the mouth part of the bag are provided, and the nozzle elevating part is steam inside the bag through the mouth part of the bag held by the bag holding part. The steam jet nozzle is lowered so that the jet nozzle is inserted and the jet outlet is placed inside the bag.The steam jet nozzle jets steam from the jet outlet while the jet outlet is placed inside the bag. The nozzle elevating unit raises the steam ejection nozzle so that the ejection port is arranged outside the bag held by the bag holding unit in a state where at least a part of the steam exists inside the bag. The bag holding portion applies tension to the bag so that the mouth is closed in a tensioned state while at least a part of the steam is present inside the bag, and the closing unit seals the mouth. A unit, with at least a portion of the steam present inside the bag and placed under tension such that the mouth is closed by the bag holder, the mouth is closed and the support is At least part of the time after the steam is jetted from the spout to the inside until the mouth is closed by the closing unit, the support portion is located at a position higher than the first height position via the bottom of the bag. It relates to a steam displacement device arranged to support an object.

The steam replacement device includes a support elevating unit that elevates and lowers the support unit, and the support elevating unit supports the contents so that the support unit supports the contents through the bottom of the bag at a position higher than the first height position. The section may be raised.

The closure unit may be a sealing unit that seals the mouth.

The steam displacement device includes a transfer unit that moves the bag holder, the steam ejection nozzle is installed in the steam injection station, the closing unit is installed in a seal processing station different from the steam injection station, and the transfer unit is a bag. The bag holder may be moved from the steam injection station to the seal processing station while being held by the bag holder.

The steam displacement device is provided with a reciprocating mechanism that reciprocates the support between the steam injection station and the seal processing station. The reciprocating mechanism causes the support to move the bottom of the bag at a position higher than the first height position. The support may be moved from the steam pouring station to the sealing process station so that the bag is conveyed from the steam pouring station to the sealing process station together with the bag holding unit while supporting the contents therethrough.

The support part includes a first support part provided at the steam injection station and a second support part extending from the seal processing station toward the steam injection station, and the steam displacement device elevates and lowers the first support part. A support elevating part is provided, and the support elevating part elevates and lowers the first supporting part, and the first supporting part and the second supporting part are at least during transportation of the bag together with the bag holding part from the steam injection station to the seal processing station. In some cases, the contents may be supported through the bottom of the bag at a position higher than the first height position.

The steam replacement device may include a transport unit that intermittently moves the bag holding unit along a circular path.

According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the deformation of the mouth portion of the bag when the steam in the bag is cooled and the volume of the bag is reduced.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a packaging system. FIG. 2 is a side view showing the steam displacement device, and a partial cross section thereof is shown. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the packaging system showing the schematic configuration of the steam replacement device. FIG. 4A is a plan view of the bag held by the bag holding unit. FIG. 4B is a side view for explaining the steam replacement method. FIG. 5A is a plan view of the bag held by the bag holding unit. FIG. 5B is a side view for explaining the steam replacement method. FIG. 6A is a plan view of the bag held by the bag holding unit. FIG. 6B is a side view for explaining the steam replacement method. FIG. 7A is a plan view of the bag held by the bag holding unit. FIG. 7B is a side view for explaining the steam replacement method. FIG. 8A is a plan view of the bag held by the bag holding unit. FIG. 8B is a side view for explaining the steam replacement method. FIG. 9A is a plan view of the bag held by the bag holding unit. FIG. 9B is a side view for explaining the steam replacement method. FIG. 10A is a plan view of the bag held by the bag holding unit. FIG. 10B is a side view for explaining the steam replacement method. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the support unit according to the second embodiment. FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the support portion according to the second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the support portion according to the second embodiment. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a modified example of the support portion.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[Packaging system]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the packaging system 5.

The packaging system 5 has a rotary table 12 installed on a gantry (see reference numeral “30” in FIG. 2) and a plurality of bag holding portions 13 attached to the outer peripheral portion of the rotary table 12 at equal intervals. Each bag holding unit 13 holds a bag B, and a plurality of stations (first station S1 to tenth station S10 in the illustrated packaging system 5) according to intermittent rotation of the rotary table 12 about the rotation axis. ). The bag B held by each bag holding unit 13 undergoes corresponding processing at each station. Although the rotary table 12 and the bag holder 13 of the present embodiment rotate intermittently, the rotary table 12 and the bag holder 13 may rotate continuously without stopping.

The number and the specific configuration of the bag holders 13 are not limited, and in the illustrated packaging system 5, a plurality of bag holders 13 are configured by the same number of gripper units as the number of stations (that is, 10 gripper units). There is. Each gripper unit includes two grippers, and the two grippers grip each side of the corresponding bag B (see reference numeral “Bs” in FIG. 2) so that each bag holder 13 can hold the corresponding bag B. Hold.

The bag holding unit 13 arranged in the first station (bag supply station) S1 receives the bag B from the conveyor magazine 14 that stores a plurality of bags B (empty bags) via the bag feeder 15 and the take-out suction cup 16, The bag B is held in a suspended state by gripping both sides of the bag B. The opening/closing of each gripper included in each bag holding unit 13 and the distance between the grippers can be appropriately changed by a holding adjustment mechanism (not shown). The bag holding portion 13 (gripper unit) shown in the drawing grips both sides of the bag B near the mouth (see reference numeral “Bm” in FIG. 2) or a part and both sides of the mouth of the bag B. To do. Each bag holding portion 13 adjusts the tension applied to the bag B by changing the distance between the grippers while holding the corresponding bag B, for example, the loosened state in which the mouth is loose or the mouth is closed. It is possible to put bag B in tension. The mouth of the bag B is a range including the edge of the bag B (that is, the upper edge in FIG. 1). However, various kinds of processing for the mouth portion, which will be described later, do not necessarily have to be performed in the range including the edge portion of the bag B, and are performed in the area of the bag B that does not include the edge portion but can form an opening. Good.

A printer 17 is provided in the second station (printing station) S2. The printer 17 prints various information on the bag B (for example, the date when the packaging process is performed).

An opening device 18 and an opening guide 19 are provided in the third station (opening station) S3. The opening device 18 opens the mouth of the bag B. The illustrated opening device 18 includes two suction cups that can reciprocate in the horizontal direction. By moving these suction cups in a state in which they are adsorbed on the front side surface and the back side surface of the bag B, respectively, The mouth of bag B can be opened. At this time, if necessary, the two grippers holding the both sides of the bag B move horizontally so as to approach each other, and the front and back surfaces of the bag B are bent. The opening guide 19 is inserted into the mouth of the bag B opened in this way. The opening guide 19 inserted into the mouth portion of the bag B supports the bag B from the inside so as to maintain the opened state of the bag B.

A solid material charging device 20 is provided at the fourth station (solid material charging station) S4. The solid material charging device 20 charges the solid material 81 (content 80) inside the bag B through the mouth of the opened bag B. The illustrated solid material charging device 20 has a hopper (funnel), and the solid material 81 is charged into the bag B from the hopper.

The illustrated opening guide 19 is driven by an opening guide drive mechanism (not shown) and is provided so as to reciprocate between the third station S3 and the fourth station S4. In particular, the opening guide 19 moves from the third station S3 to the fourth station S4 so as to follow the bag B, and while the bag B moves from the third station S3 to the fourth station S4, the opening of the bag B is Stay open. The timing at which the opening guide 19 is returned from the fourth station S4 to the third station S3 is not limited. The opening guide 19 may be returned from the fourth station S4 to the third station S3 after or before the solid 81 is put into the bag B. Further, when the solid material charging device 20 moves up and down, the opening guide 19 may be returned from the fourth station S4 to the third station S3 after at least a part of the solid material charging device 20 is placed in the bag B.

A content injection device 21 is provided at the fifth station (liquid injection station) S5. The content injection device 21 injects the liquid (content 80) into the inside of the bag B through the opening of the bag B. The illustrated content injection device 21 has a nozzle, and injects the liquid content 80 into the bag B from the nozzle.

As described above, in the illustrated packaging system 5, the contents 80 contained in the bag B include the solid 81 and the liquid, but the state of the contents 80 contained in the bag B is not limited. For example, the content 80 may be a solid, a liquid, a paste (fluid) or a gel, or a mixture containing two or more of these. However, the contents 80 made of only gas are not applicable to the packaging system 5 and the steam replacement device 10 of the present embodiment.

At the sixth station (steam injection station) S6, a steam ejection nozzle 22 and a support portion 25 are provided. The gas inside the bag B arranged at the sixth station S6 is replaced by the steam jetted from the steam jet nozzle 22. In this steam replacement, the support portion 25 lifts and supports the content 80 in the bag B from the bottom portion of the bag B, and when the steam in the bag B cools and the volume of the bag B is reduced, the content 80 is in the bottom portion. Interfering with the movement of Bb is effectively prevented. The details of the configuration and operation of the steam ejection nozzle 22 and the support portion 25 will be described later.

The seventh station (first seal processing station) S7 is provided with a first seal unit 23, and the eighth station (second seal processing station) S8 is provided with a second seal unit 24. Each of the first sealing unit 23 and the second sealing unit 24 has two heating plates that sandwich the mouth of the bag B and heat seal.

The ninth unit (cooling and discharging station) S9 is provided with a cooling unit 26 and a discharging chute 27. The cooling unit 26 has two cooling plates that sandwich and cool the mouth of the bag B arranged at the ninth station S9 (particularly the portion that is heat-sealed by the first seal unit 23 and the second seal unit 24). After the mouth portion is cooled by the cooling unit 26, the bag B (product bag) is released from the bag holding unit 13 and drops at the ninth station S9, guided by the discharge chute 27 and sent to the subsequent stage.

It should be noted that only the bag B that has been certified as normal may be released from the bag holding unit 13 at the ninth station S9. In this case, the bag B that has been determined to have a defect may be released from the bag holding unit 13 at the tenth station S10 and not discharged from the bag holding unit 13 at the ninth station S9. The bag B, which is determined to have a defect, is conveyed to the tenth station S10 without being processed by each station under the control of a controller (not shown), and is released from the bag holding unit 13 at the tenth station S10. May be discharged as a defective bag.

A defect detection device (not shown) for detecting the presence or absence of a defect in the bag B can be provided at any location of the first station S1 to the ninth station S9. The type of defect of the bag B detected by the defect detection device is not limited. The defect detection device can detect whether or not the bag holding unit 13 holds the bag B in an appropriate posture by performing image processing on a captured image of the bag B held by the bag holding unit 13, for example. it can. Further, the defect detection device can detect whether or not the printing by the printer 17 is appropriately performed by performing image processing on the captured image of the bag B. Further, the defect detection device can detect the defect of the bag B based on the suction pressure of the suction cup of the opening device 18. When the front surface and the back surface of the bag B are not properly sucked by the suction cups of the opening device 18, the suction pressure of the suction cups may be lower than the assumed value. Therefore, the suction pressure of the suction cup of the opening device 18 is monitored by a control device (defect detection device) not shown, and the bag B exhibiting a suction pressure of the suction cup lower than an expected value is appropriately opened by the opening device 18. There is a high probability of not being present, and thus may be certified as having a defect.

Next, details of the steam replacement device 10 and the steam replacement method will be described.

[Steam replacement device]
FIG. 2 is a side view showing the steam displacement device 10, and a cross section thereof is partially shown. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the packaging system 5 showing the schematic configuration of the steam replacement device 10. In FIG. 3, the rotary table 12 is virtually shown by a chain double-dashed line, and the support stand 42, the support drive shaft 45, and the first gear engaging portion 46, which are arranged below the rotary table 12, are shown. Has been done. Further, some elements (for example, the first seal unit 23 and the like) configuring the packaging system 5 are shown in FIG. 1, but are not shown in FIG.

[Transport unit]
The steam replacement device 10 of the present embodiment is provided as part of a packaging system 5 configured as an intermittent rotary bag-filling packaging system. The transport unit 11 including the rotary table 12 and a drive device (not shown) that rotationally drives the rotary table 12 intermittently moves each bag B along with the corresponding bag holding portion 13 along a circular path. A transportation stand 41 is fixed to the gantry 30. The transfer stand 41 rotatably supports a table shaft (not shown) that constitutes the rotary shaft portion of the rotary table 12, and the table shaft is rotated by a drive device.

The transport unit 11 moves the bag holding unit 13 from the sixth station S6 to the seventh station S7 while the bag B is held by the bag holding unit 13. The bag B held by the bag holding unit 13 undergoes steam injection processing at the sixth station S6 and first sealing processing (including closing processing) at the seventh station S7.

[Bag holder]
The bag holding unit 13 adjusts the tension applied to the bag B while holding the bag B containing the contents 80 inside in a suspended state. In the sixth station S6, the bag holding unit 13 of the present embodiment relaxes the bag B and opens the mouth Bm before the steam ejection nozzle 22 is inserted into the bag B, and the steam ejection nozzle 22 is inserted into the bag B. After the insertion, the bag B is tensioned so as to close the mouth Bm. Accordingly, the tip of the steam jet nozzle 22 can be easily inserted into the bag B, and after the tip of the steam jet nozzle 22 is inserted into the bag B, the steam jet nozzle 22 can be inserted at the mouth Bm. The area of the opening formed in the periphery can be reduced. Further, the bag holding unit 13 of the present embodiment applies tension to the bag B so that the mouth Bm is closed in a tensioned state in a state where at least a part of the steam exists inside the bag B. This can prevent a gap from being formed in the mouth Bm, and suppress the inflow of outside air into the bag B and the outflow of steam in the bag B from the mouth Bm.

[Steam ejection nozzle]
The steam ejection nozzle 22 is connected to a steam supply source 31 via a steam supply line 32. The steam jet nozzle 22 has a jet port 28. The illustrated ejection port 28 is provided at the lower tip of the steam ejection nozzle 22. The steam sent from the steam supply source 31 is supplied to the spout 28 through the steam supply line 32, and the spout 28 spouts the steam outward. The steam ejection nozzle 22 can eject the steam from the ejection port 28 and blow the steam into the bag B in a state where the ejection port 28 is arranged inside the bag B.

[Nozzle lift part]
The steam jet nozzle 22 is connected to the nozzle elevating part 61. The nozzle elevating/lowering portion 61 is provided between a position where the tip of the steam ejection nozzle 22 (including the ejection port 28) enters the bag B and a position where the tip of the steam ejection nozzle 22 retracts outside the bag B. The steam jet nozzle 22 is moved up and down. The nozzle elevating part 61 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 includes a nozzle holding arm 33, a nozzle elevating drive shaft 34, a nozzle elevating drive source 35, a nozzle elevating base 36, a first bearing 39, a nozzle elevating stand 37, a nozzle elevating bearing 38, and a nozzle elevating bearing 38. A second bearing 40 is included.

The steam ejection nozzle 22 is held by a nozzle lifting drive shaft 34 via a nozzle holding arm 33. The nozzle lifting drive shaft 34 extends in the height direction (that is, a direction parallel to the vertical direction in which gravity acts), and is connected to the nozzle lifting drive source 35. The lower portion of the nozzle lift drive shaft 34 is supported by the nozzle lift base 36 via a first bearing 39. The nozzle elevating base 36 functions as a base fixedly installed on the pedestal 30 and also functions as a bearing for the first bearing 39. The upper portion of the nozzle lift drive shaft 34 is supported by the nozzle lift bearing 38 via the second bearing 40. The nozzle lift bearing 38 is fixed to the nozzle lift base 36 via a nozzle lift stand 37 extending in the height direction. The nozzle elevating drive shaft 34 is movably supported by a first bearing 39 and a second bearing 40, and is elevated by the power transmitted from a nozzle elevating drive source (for example, an air cylinder or a servomotor) 35.

In the nozzle elevating unit 61 having the above-described configuration, the nozzle elevating drive shaft 34 is moved up and down by the nozzle elevating drive source 35, so that the steam ejection nozzle 22 moves up and down together with the nozzle elevating drive shaft 34 and the nozzle holding arm 33. Particularly, in the nozzle elevating part 61 of the present embodiment, the steam ejection nozzle 22 is inserted into the inside of the bag B through the mouth portion Bm of the bag B held by the bag holding part 13 so that the ejection port 28 is located inside the bag B. The steam jet nozzle 22 is moved downward so as to be arranged at. Further, the nozzle elevating part 61 is arranged such that the jet port 28 is arranged outside the bag B held by the bag holding part 13 in a state where at least a part of the steam exists inside the bag B. The ejection nozzle 22 is raised.

[Supporting part]
The illustrated support portion 25 has a plate shape, and has a support surface having a size capable of contacting the entire bottom portion Bb of the bag B. A support lifting unit 62 and a reciprocating mechanism 63 are connected to the support unit 25. The support part 25 is moved up and down in the height direction by the support elevating part 62, and is horizontally reciprocated by the reciprocating mechanism 63. In particular, the support portion 25 of the present embodiment is raised by the support elevating/lowering portion 62 so as to raise the entire bottom portion Bb of the bag B and support the contents 80 in the bag B from below via the bottom portion Bb.

[Reciprocating mechanism]
The illustrated reciprocating mechanism 63 includes a support stand 42, a support base 43, a support drive section 44, a support drive shaft 45, a first gear engagement section 46, a second gear engagement section 47, a support rail 48 and a support roller 49. Including.

The support stand 42 is fixedly installed on the pedestal 30, and the support base 43 is fixed to the support stand 42. A support drive unit 44 and a support rail 48 are fixed to the support base 43.

A support drive shaft 45 extending in the height direction is attached to the support drive unit 44. The support drive shaft 45 is fixed to the central portion of the first gear engaging portion 46. The support drive portion 44 rotates the support drive shaft 45 axially, and the first gear engaging portion 46 rotates together with the support drive shaft 45.

The outer peripheral portion of the first gear engaging portion 46 is engaged with the outer peripheral portion of the second gear engaging portion 47. Two support rollers 49 are fixed to the lower surface of the second gear engagement portion 47. The support rail 48 is sandwiched and held by these support rollers 49, and is provided so as to slide in a space between the support rollers 49. The second gear engagement portion 47 is supported by the support base 43 via the support roller 49 and the support rail 48. The second gear engaging portion 47 moves according to the axial rotation of the first gear engaging portion 46 such that the support roller 49 guides the support roller 49.

The support rail 48 is provided in an arc shape in a partial range between the fifth station S5 and the eighth station S8 (particularly, the range including the entire sixth station S6 to the seventh station S7). The center that defines the curvature of the support rail 48 is common to the center that defines the curvature of the outer circumference of the rotary table 12. In the sixth station S6 to the seventh station S7, the movement trajectory of the second gear engagement portion 47 guided along the support rail 48 together with the support roller 49 is the movement trajectory of the bag B conveyed together with the bag holding portion 13. Correspond. More specifically, the second gear engagement portion 47 moves from the sixth station S6 to the seventh station S7 so as to follow the bag B.

The support portion 25 is reciprocated between the sixth station S6 and the seventh station S7 by the reciprocating mechanism 63 having the above-described configuration. In particular, in the reciprocating mechanism 63 of the present embodiment, as will be described later, in a state where the support portion 25 supports the content 80 via the bottom portion Bb of the bag B at a position higher than the first height position H1, The supporting portion 25 is moved from the sixth station S6 to the seventh station S7 so that the bag B is conveyed from the sixth station S6 to the seventh station S7 together with the bag holding unit 13.

In this way, the support portion 25 is horizontally moved by the reciprocating mechanism 63 so as to follow the bag B conveyed from the sixth station S6 to the seventh station S7.

[Support lifting part]
The support elevating/lowering unit 62 elevates/lowers the support unit 25 between a support position (upper position) and a retracted position (lower position). The support position is a position where the support portion 25 contacts the bottom portion Bb of the bag B and lifts and supports the contents 80 in the bag B. The retracted position is a position where the support portion 25 does not contact the bottom portion Bb of the bag B and the content 80 in the bag B is not supported by the support portion 25. By moving the support part 25 from the retracted position to the support position, from the first state in which the mouth portion Bm and the bottom portion Bb of the bag B are relatively separated from each other in the height direction, the mouth portion Bm is moved to the mouth portion Bm in the height direction. The state of the bag B is changed to the second state in which the bottom portion Bb is brought closer to the mouth portion Bm and the bottom portion Bb is relatively brought closer to each other in the height direction.

The illustrated supporting lifting unit 62 includes a supporting lifting drive source 50, a supporting lifting shaft 51, and a supporting lifting fixing unit 52. A support lifting drive source 50 is fixed to the upper surface of the second gear engaging portion 47, and a support lifting shaft 51 extends upward from the support lifting drive source 50. The amount of protrusion of the support lift shaft 51 from the support lift drive source 50 in the height direction is variable. The support lifting/lowering drive source 50 and the support lifting/lowering shaft 51 can be configured by arbitrary actuators, and are typically configured by air cylinders. A support lifting/lowering fixing portion 52 is fixed to an upper end portion of the support lifting/lowering shaft 51. The support portion 25 extending in the horizontal direction is fixed to the support lift fixing portion 52. The support portion 25 moves up and down according to the amount of protrusion of the support lift shaft 51 from the support lift drive source 50.

The amount of lifting and lowering of the support unit 25 by the support lifting and lowering unit 62 is not limited. However, it is preferable that the amount of elevation of the support portion 25 is determined so that the contents 80 in the bag B do not come into contact with the steam ejection nozzle 22 when the support elevation portion 62 raises the support portion 25.

The support elevating/lowering unit 62 raises the support unit 25 at the following timings. That is, the support portion 25 is at least partly after the steam is jetted from the jet outlet 28 to the inside of the bag B and before the mouth portion Bm is closed by the first seal unit 23 (closing unit). It is arranged so as to support the contents 80 in the bag B via the bottom portion Bb at a position higher than the first height position H1. Thereby, the deformation of the mouth portion Bm of the bag B when the steam in the bag B is cooled and the volume of the bag B is reduced can be suppressed. The first height position H1 is a position in the height direction of the bottom portion Bb of the bag B when the support portion 25 is not in contact with the bottom portion Bb of the bag B arranged at the sixth station S6.

[First seal unit (closing unit)]
As shown in FIG. 1, a downstream side station (that is, a seventh station S7) different from the sixth station S6 in which the steam jet nozzle 22 is provided is provided with a first seal unit 23 for closing the mouth portion Bm of the bag B. Has been. The first sealing unit 23 not only functions as a sealing device that seals the mouth portion Bm, but also has a tension such that at least a part of the steam exists inside the bag B and the mouth portion Bm is closed by the bag holding portion 13. It also functions as a closing unit that closes the mouth Bm when the bag B is placed in this state.

[Steam replacement method]
Next, an example of a steam replacement method performed by the steam replacement device 10 described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 4A to 10B.

As described above, each bag B undergoes the steam injection process at the sixth station S6 after the contents 80 (solid 81 and liquid) are put inside at the fourth station S4 and the fifth station S5, and then the seventh bag The first sealing process is performed at the station S7.

As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, immediately after the bag holding unit 13 and the bag B are moved from the fifth station S5 to the sixth station S6, the two grippers included in the bag holding unit 13 are located slightly closer to each other. The mouth portion Bm of the bag B is at least partially open. As a result, the mouth Bm has an opening area that allows the tip of the steam ejection nozzle 22 (in particular, the ejection port 28) to be inserted into the inside of the bag B via the mouth Bm.

Then, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the steam ejection nozzle 22 is inserted into the inside of the bag B through the mouth portion Bm of the bag B that accommodates the content 80 inside, and the inside of the bag B is inserted from the steam ejection nozzle 22. The process of spouting steam is performed. That is, the nozzle elevating unit 61 lowers the steam ejection nozzle 22 to insert the steam ejection nozzle 22 into the bag B, and ejects the steam into the bag B from the ejection port 28. As a result, gas such as air in the bag B is replaced with steam.

The start timing of steam ejection from the ejection port 28 is not limited. The spout 28 may spout steam before the steam spout nozzle 22 is inserted into the bag B (that is, from the state where the spout 28 is located outside the bag B), or the spout 28 may spout the bag B. The steam spout may be started after being placed inside.

While the steam is being blown into the bag B from the ejection port 28, the gas (which may include steam) in the bag B is discharged to the outside of the bag B through the opening portion of the mouth Bm. A through hole (not shown) is formed in the steam ejection nozzle 22, and while the steam is being ejected from the ejection port 28 into the bag B, one end of the through hole is arranged in the bag B and the other end is arranged. You may arrange|position the edge part of the outside of the bag B. In this case, at least a part of the gas in the bag B can be discharged to the outside of the bag B through the through hole formed in the steam jet nozzle 22.

After the steam ejection nozzle 22 is inserted into the bag B, the two grippers constituting the bag holding portion 13 are horizontally separated from each other, and the distance between the grippers is increased (see FIGS. 6A and 6B). As a result, the bag B is strained so that the mouth Bm is closed, and the mouth Bm opens along the outer peripheral surface of the steam ejection nozzle 22. The tension processing of the bag B by the bag holding unit 13 may be performed after at least a part of the steam jet nozzle 22 has passed through the mouth Bm and placed in the bag B. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the bag holding portion 13 may be moved so as to increase the distance between grippers before or after the steam ejection nozzle 22 reaches the position shown in FIG. 5B. Or before or after jetting steam from the jet outlet 28 into the bag B.

By blowing a sufficient amount of steam into the bag B while the mouth portion Bm of the bag B is thus strained, the gas in the bag B is replaced with steam.

Then, after the steam is jetted inside the bag B, a step of retracting the steam jet nozzle 22 from the inside of the bag B is performed (see FIGS. 7A and 7B). That is, a sufficient amount of steam is blown into the bag B from the steam jet nozzle 22 and the gas in the bag B is sufficiently replaced with steam, and then the nozzle elevating unit 61 raises the steam jet nozzle 22 to move the steam. The ejection nozzle 22 is retracted to the outside of the bag B. Note that while the steam ejection nozzle 22 is being retracted from the inside of the bag B, steam may be continuously ejected from the ejection port 28, or the ejection of steam from the ejection port 28 may be stopped.

Further, in the sixth station S6, a bag supporting step of supporting the contents 80 in the bag B by the supporting portion 25 is performed (see FIGS. 7A and 7B). That is, the bottom portion Bb of the bag B held in a suspended state by the bag holding portion 13 is raised from the first height position H1 while being in contact with the support portion 25, and a position higher than the first height position H1 (first The supporting portion 25 supports the contents 80 via the bottom portion Bb at the second height position H2). As a result, the support portion 25 is higher than the first height position H1 in at least a part of after the steam is sprayed inside the bag B and before the mouth portion Bm is closed by the first seal unit 23. In position, it supports the contents 80 via the bottom Bb.

In the present embodiment, the support portion 25 contacts the bottom portion Bb and lifts and supports the bottom portion Bb and the contents 80 at the same time when the steam ejection nozzle 22 starts retracting from the inside of the bag B. In this case, it is possible to prevent the content 80 lifted by the support portion 25 from coming into contact with the steam ejection nozzle 22. However, the timing at which the support portion 25 lifted by the support elevating/lowering portion 62 starts to support the contents 80 in the bag B is before the steam jet nozzle 22 retreats from the inside of the bag B. Either during the retracting operation from the inside of the bag B or after the steam ejection nozzle 22 has retracted from the inside of the bag B.

Further, after the steam ejection nozzle 22 has finished withdrawing from the inside of the bag B and after the bag B is tensioned by the bag holding portion 13 so that the mouth Bm is closed (see FIGS. 8A and 8B described later), The support 25 may start supporting the content 80 via the bottom Bb. From the viewpoint of preventing the mouth portion Bm from being unintentionally deformed due to the volume reduction of the bag B accompanying the cooling of the steam in the bag B, at the latest immediately after the steam ejection nozzle 22 has withdrawn from the steam displacement device 10. It is preferable that the support portion 25 starts supporting the content 80 via the bottom portion Bb.

Further, before the steam jet nozzle 22 enters the inside of the bag B, or in the state where the tip portion (for example, the jet outlet 28) of the steam jet nozzle 22 is inside the bag B, the support portion 25 holds the contents through the bottom portion Bb. Support of 80 may begin. From the viewpoint of properly inserting the tip portion of the steam jet nozzle 22 into the bag B, after the at least a part of the steam jet nozzle 22 is arranged inside the bag B, the support portion 25 holds the contents through the bottom portion Bb. It is preferable that the support elevating/lowering portion 62 raises the support portion 25 so as to start supporting 80. If the support portion 25 lifts the bottom Bb of the bag B and the contents 80 before the tip of the steam jet nozzle 22 enters the inside of the bag B, the mouth Bm may be unintentionally deformed or the bag B may move in the thickness direction. There is a case where the steam spouting nozzle 22 cannot be properly inserted into the bag B due to an inclination.

Therefore, it is optional from "from the time when the tip of the steam ejection nozzle 22 (especially the ejection port 28) enters the bag B to the time when the tip of the steam ejection nozzle 22 (especially the ejection port 28) retracts out of the bag B". At the timing of, the supporting portion 25 may contact the bottom portion Bb of the bag B to start supporting the content 80. However, the deformation of the mouth portion Bm that may occur when the support portion 25 supports the contents 80 via the bottom portion Bb does not hinder the insertion of the tip portion of the steam ejection nozzle 22 into the bag B. If it is predicted that the support portion 25 may start supporting the content 80 via the bottom portion Bb before the steam ejection nozzle 22 is inserted into the bag B.

Further, the support portion 25 of the present embodiment temporarily raises the bottom portion Bb of the bag B from the first height position H1 and supports the contents 80 via the bottom portion Bb at a position higher than the first height position H1. Supports the content 80 continuously through the bottom Bb at a position higher than the first height position H1 until the mouth Bm is closed by the first seal unit 23. As a result, it is possible to effectively prevent the mouth Bm from being unintentionally deformed due to the volume reduction in the bag B accompanying the cooling of the steam in the bag B. That is, from the viewpoint of preventing the mouth portion Bm of the bag B from being unintentionally deformed, after the bottom portion Bb of the bag B and the contents 80 are once supported by the support portion 25, the bag B is closed by the first seal unit 23 (closing unit). It is preferable that the support portion 25 continuously supports the bottom portion Bb and the content 80 until the mouth portion Bm of the above is sandwiched and pressed.

The mouth Bm of the bag B is closed by being pressed by the first seal unit 23. Therefore, if the mouth portion Bm is closed by the first seal unit 23, the support portion 25 is retracted from the support position while preventing an unintended gap from being formed in the mouth portion Bm at an arbitrary timing. Can be moved to. Therefore, for example, after the mouth portion Bm is sealed by the first sealing unit 23, after the cooling processing of the mouth portion Bm is completed, or immediately before the bag B is released from the bag holding portion 13, the support portion 25 is supported at the supporting position. It is also possible to move from to the retracted position.

Then, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, after the steam ejection nozzle 22 is retracted from the inside of the bag B, a step of tensioning the bag B to close the mouth Bm is performed. That is, after the steam ejection nozzle 22 is entirely disposed outside the bag B, the two grippers forming the bag holding portion 13 are horizontally separated from each other, and the distance between the grippers is increased. As a result, the bag B is tensioned so that the mouth Bm is closed. This can prevent outside air from flowing into the bag B through the mouth Bm. At this time, the mouth Bm is preferably completely closed, but it is not always necessary to completely close it.

In this way, the step of tensioning the bag B after the steam ejection nozzle 22 is retracted may be performed at the sixth station S6, or while the bag B is being moved from the sixth station S6 to the seventh station S7. It may be performed or it may be performed in the seventh station S7. However, from the viewpoint of preventing the outflow of steam from the inside of the bag B and the inflow of outside air into the bag B, after the steam ejection nozzles 22 are withdrawn from the inside of the bag B, the bag holding unit 13 causes the bag B to be held as soon as possible. It is preferable to close the mouth Bm by tightening the

Then, the bag B is moved together with the bag holder 13 from the sixth station S6 to the seventh station S7. When the bag B moves from the sixth station S6 to the seventh station S7, the support part 25 is moved by the reciprocating mechanism 63 and moves so as to follow the bag B. As a result, even when the bag B is moving from the sixth station S6 to the seventh station S7, the bottom portion Bb of the bag B and the contents 80 are lifted and supported by the support portion 25. Therefore, while the bag B is moving from the sixth station S6 to the seventh station S7, even if the steam in the bag B cools and the volume of the bag B decreases, the contents acting on the bottom Bb of the bag B Unintentional deformation of the mouth Bm due to the weight of 80 can be effectively prevented.

Immediately after the bag B moves to the seventh station S7, a space is formed between the two heating plates of the first seal unit 23, and the mouth portion Bm of the bag B is arranged between these heating plates. (See Figures 9A and 9B).

Then, as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the mouth Bm is first sealed while the bag B is tensioned so that at least a part of the steam exists inside the bag B and the mouth Bm is closed. The step of closing is performed by the unit 23. That is, in the seventh station S7, the mouth Bm of the bag B is pressed by the two heating plates of the first sealing unit 23, and the first sealing process is performed. As a result, the front side wall and the back side wall forming the mouth Bm of the bag B are welded to each other, and the mouth Bm is sealed.

The specific sealing method by the first sealing unit 23 is not limited. For example, the first seal unit 23 may be heated to a high temperature in advance, and the mouth Bm may be sealed at the same time when the first seal unit 23 contacts the bag B. Further, the mouth portion Bm may be sealed by raising the temperature of the first seal unit 23 after the first seal unit 23 contacts the bag B. The first seal unit 23 may seal the mouth Bm of the bag B by means other than heat welding.

After the mouth portion Bm of the bag B is closed by the first seal unit 23, the support portion 25 is separated from the bottom portion Bb of the bag B, and the contents 80 in the bag B are released from the support of the support portion 25 (Fig. 10B). In the present embodiment, the amount of protrusion of the support lifting shaft 51 is reduced by the support lifting drive source 50 of the support lifting unit 62 shown in FIG. 2 and the support unit 25 is lowered, so that the support unit 25 moves from the bottom Bb of the bag B. The contents 80 in the bag B are released from the support of the support portion 25. However, the method of separating the support portion 25 from the bottom portion Bb of the bag B is not limited to this. For example, the reciprocating mechanism 63 may move the support portion 25 in the horizontal direction to separate the support portion 25 from the bottom portion Bb of the bag B, and the contents 80 in the bag B may be released from the support of the support portion 25. ..

The content 80 in the bag B may be released from the support of the support portion 25 after the completion of the first sealing process performed by the first sealing unit 23, or the first sealing process may be performed. It may be before completion. For example, immediately after the two heating plates of the first seal unit 23 come into contact with the bag B to close the mouth Bm, the support portion 25 is separated from the bottom Bb of the bag B, and the contents 80 in the bag B are removed. May be released from the support of the support portion 25.

After the supporting portion 25 is separated from the bottom portion Bb of the bag B in this manner, the supporting portion 25 is returned from the seventh station S7 to the sixth station S6 by the reciprocating mechanism 63, and is processed for the next bag B. It is placed in the preparation position (see FIG. 4B).

[Second Embodiment]
11 to 13 are views for explaining the support portion 25 according to the second embodiment. In the present embodiment, elements that are the same as or similar to those of the first embodiment described above are assigned the same reference numerals and detailed explanations thereof are omitted.

The support part 25 of the present embodiment includes a plurality of members (first support part 71 and second support part 72). The plurality of members included in the support portion 25 are provided so as to exist from the sixth station S6 to the seventh station S7. These members (the first support portion 71 and the second support portion 72) included in the support portion 25 are provided at least in part while the bag B is conveyed from the sixth station S6 to the seventh station S7 together with the bag holding portion 13. , The content 80 is supported via the bottom Bb of the bag B at a position higher than the first height position H1.

The illustrated supporting portion 25 includes a first supporting portion 71 that is provided so as to be able to move up and down, and a second supporting portion 72 that is fixedly provided without moving up and down. The first support portion 71 is provided at the sixth station S6 (steam injection station) and extends at least at the sixth station S6.

In the present embodiment, since the support portion 25 does not move from the sixth station S6 to the seventh station S7, the reciprocating mechanism 63 (see FIG. 2) required in the steam replacement device 10 of the above-described first embodiment. Is unnecessary. Therefore, for example, it is not necessary to install the support drive section 44, the support drive shaft 45, the first gear engagement section 46, the second gear engagement section 47, the support rail 48, and the support roller 49. In the present embodiment, the support lifting drive source 50 can be fixedly installed, for example, on the support base 43, and the first supporting portion 71 is attached to the support lifting shaft 51 via the support lifting fixing portion 52. The second support portion 72 extends from the seventh station S7 (first seal processing station) toward the sixth station S6. The second support portion 72 is fixedly installed on the support base 43, for example.

The 1st support part 71 and the 2nd support part 72 are extended so that it may adjoin each other along the conveyance track from the 6th station S6 of the bag B to the 7th station S7. The distance between the first support portion 71 and the second support portion 72 is not limited. However, from the viewpoint of appropriately transferring the bag B from the first support portion 71 to the second support portion 72 as described below, the first support portion 71 and the second support portion 72 in the transport direction of the bag B are separated from each other. The interval between them is preferably as small as possible, and preferably smaller than the width of the bottom portion Bb of the bag B.

The specific range of the first support portion 71 and the second support portion 72 is not limited. The first support portion 71 has a function of lifting the contents 80 in the bag B via the bottom portion Bb of the bag B. Therefore, the first support portion 71 is sufficient to lift the bottom portion Bb of the bag B arranged in the sixth station S6 from below so that the bag B arranged in the sixth station S6 can be appropriately lifted. It has only to have a large size. The second support portion 72 receives the bag B from the first support portion 71 and contacts the bottom portion Bb of the bag B at a position higher than the first height position H1 (the second height position H2 in the illustrated example). While supporting the contents 80 in the bag B. From the viewpoint of ensuring the preparation time of the first support portion 71 for the bag B to be arranged next in the sixth station S6, the bag B conveyed from the sixth station S6 to the seventh station S7 should be transferred to the first station as soon as possible. It is preferable to move from the first support portion 71 to the second support portion 72, and the second support portion 72 preferably extends to a position close to the sixth station S6.

The support elevating part 62 (see FIG. 2) is connected to only the first supporting part 71 of the first supporting part 71 and the second supporting part 72, and elevates only the first supporting part 71. Specifically, the support elevating/lowering portion 62 has the first support portion between the position lower than the first height position H1 and the position higher than the first height position H1 (second height position H2). Raise and lower 71.

The illustrated second support portion 72 extends in the horizontal direction at the second height position H2, and the first support portion 71 and the second support portion 72 arranged at the second height position H2 are flush with each other. (Horizontal plane) is formed. As a result, the bottom portion Bb of the bag B moving from the sixth station S6 toward the seventh station S7 horizontally moves at a constant height (that is, the second height position H2).

The first support portion 71 does not necessarily have to be raised to the same height position as the second support portion 72 (that is, the second height position H2). That is, if the bag B from the sixth station S6 to the seventh station S7 can be appropriately moved from the first support portion 71 to the second support portion 72, the position higher than the second support portion 72 (that is, the second support portion 72). The first support portion 71 may be raised to a position higher than the second height position H2) or a position lower than the second height position H2 (that is, a position lower than the second height position H2).

Further, although the illustrated second support portion 72 is fixed, the second support portion 72 may be provided so as to be movable up and down. In this case, it is preferable that the second support portion 72 be moved up and down independently of the first support portion 71. For example, after the first sealing process of the mouth portion Bm of the bag B is completed at the seventh station S7, and especially before the bag B is conveyed from the seventh station S7 to the eighth station S8, the second support portion 72 is provided. May be lowered and placed at a position away from the bottom Bb of the bag B. In this case, the bag B is transported from the seventh station S7 to the eighth station S8 without being damaged by the second support portion 72. The mechanism for raising and lowering the second support portion 72 can be configured similarly to the support raising and lowering portion 62 for raising and lowering the first support portion 71.

As an example, the steam replacement device 10 having the above configuration performs the steam replacement process as follows.

When the bag B conveyed from the fifth station S5 is arranged at the sixth station S6, the first support portion 71 is arranged at a position lower than the first height position H1 (retracted position) (see FIG. 11). ). As a result, the bag B immediately after being placed in the sixth station S6 is placed in a state of being suspended and held by the bag holding portion 13 without coming into contact with the first support portion 71. At this time, the second support portion 72 fixed at the second height position H2 lifts the bottom portion Bb of the bag B arranged at the seventh station S7 to support the content 80.

Then, as in the above-described first embodiment, the steam ejection nozzle 22 is inserted inside the bag B, steam is ejected from the ejection port 28 to the inside of the bag B, and the bag holding portion 13 (gripper) is used to eject the bag B. The mouth Bm of the person is tense. As a result, the gas in the bag B is replaced with steam.

Further, the support elevating/lowering portion 62 raises the first support portion 71 from a position lower than the first height position H1 and positions it at the second height position H2 (see FIG. 12). As a result, the first support portion 71 lifts and supports the contents 80 in the bag B via the bottom portion Bb, and the bottom portion Bb is brought closer to the mouth portion Bm in the height direction. Further, the upper surface of the first support portion 71 is arranged at the same height position as the upper surface of the second support portion 72.

In the illustrated example, the steam jet nozzle 22 is also raised as the first support portion 71 is raised. FIG. 12 shows the steam jet nozzle 22 in the state of moving from the inside of the bag B to the outside thereof. As a result, it is possible to prevent the content 80 in the bag B that is lifted and raised by the first support portion 71 from coming into contact with the steam ejection nozzle 22. From the viewpoint of surely avoiding contact between the content 80 and the steam jet nozzle 22, the rising speed of the steam jet nozzle 22 when retreating from the inside of the bag B to the outside is equal to or higher than the rising speed of the first support portion 71. Preferably.

After the entire steam ejection nozzle 22 is arranged outside the bag B, the bag B is conveyed to the seventh station S7 arranged in the sixth station S6 (see FIG. 13). At this time, the bottom portion Bb of the bag B smoothly moves from the first support portion 71 to the second support portion 72, and the content 80 in the bag B is supported by the second support portion 72. Therefore, while the bag B is moving from the sixth station S6 to the seventh station S7, even if the steam in the bag B cools and the volume of the bag B decreases, the contents acting on the bottom Bb of the bag B It is possible to effectively prevent the mouth portion Bm from being unintentionally deformed due to the weight of 80.

As described above, according to the steam replacement device 10 and the steam replacement method described above, the contents 80 in the bag B are lifted and supported by the support portion 25 in a state where steam is present in the bag B. As a result, when the steam in the bag B cools and the volume of the bag B is reduced, it is possible to prevent the weight of the contents 80 from affecting the shape of the mouth Bm, which is intended for the mouth Bm. It is possible to effectively prevent the formation of a void. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the outside air from flowing into the bag B through the unintended gap and to prevent the steam in the bag B from flowing out, so that the gas in the bag B can be stably replaced with steam. .. The rate at which the gas in the bag B is replaced with steam (steam replacement rate) can be evaluated by, for example, measuring the residual oxygen concentration (residual oxygen amount) in the bag B. Typically, the residual oxygen concentration in the bag B is measured by piercing the bag B with an injection needle to extract the gas in the bag B and measuring the oxygen concentration contained in the extracted gas using an oxygen concentration meter. It is possible to

Further, the support of the contents 80 in the bag B is performed by lifting the bottom portion Bb of the bag B from below by the support portion 25. Therefore, the support portion 25 can be configured by a simple plate-shaped member, and a complicated structure is unnecessary. Therefore, the mechanism for driving and controlling the support portion 25 can be simply configured, and the device for supporting the content 80 in the bag B can be realized at low cost.

Further, a station for injecting steam into the bag B (sixth station S6) and a station for closing and sealing the mouth portion Bm of the bag B that has been injected with steam (seventh station S7) are different stations. Is. As a result, the processing time to be received while the bag B is staying at one station can be shortened, and the processing of the bag B can be accelerated in the entire packaging system 5.

In contrast, when the steam injection into the bag B and the closing and sealing of the mouth Bm are performed at the same station, the processing time at this station is lengthened and the processing time of the entire packaging system 5 is the bottle. This becomes a bottleneck and may hinder the improvement of the production capacity of the packaging system 5. Further, when the steam injection into the bag B and the closing and sealing of the mouth Bm are performed at the same station, the possibility that steam will adhere to the sealing device (first seal unit 23) of the mouth Bm increases, and the sealing is performed. Corrosion such as rust of equipment is easily induced. On the other hand, by performing the steam injection into the bag B and the closing and sealing of the mouth Bm at different stations, it is possible to greatly reduce the concern of such corrosion.

Further, as in the above-described first embodiment, by moving the support portion 25 so as to follow the bag B moving from the sixth station S6 to the seventh station S7, the bottom portion Bb of the bag B with respect to the support portion 25. Therefore, the bag B can be prevented from being rubbed against each other, and the damage that the bag B receives from the support portion 25 can be reduced.

Further, as in the above-described second embodiment, by providing a plurality of members (the first support portion 71 and the second support portion 72) forming the support portion 25 continuously from the sixth station S6 to the seventh station S7. The drive mechanism of the support portion 25 can be simply configured. That is, a mechanism for reciprocating the supporting portion 25 in the horizontal direction is unnecessary, and by providing a mechanism for moving the supporting portion 25 (that is, the first supporting portion 71) up and down in the sixth station S6, the contents 80 in the bag B are The bag B can be conveyed from the sixth station S6 to the seventh station S7 while being properly supported by the support portion 25.

[Modification]
The packaging system 5, the steam replacement device 10, and the steam replacement method are not limited to the above-described embodiment.

The transportation trajectory of the bag B by the transportation unit 11 is not limited, and a curved trajectory other than the above-mentioned circular trajectory, a linear trajectory, or a trajectory including both a curved trajectory and a linear trajectory (for example, endless composed of semicircular orbits at both ends). Orbit).

The transport unit 11 may continuously transport the bag B without stopping the bag B intermittently. When the transport unit 11 continuously transports the bag B without stopping at each station, the steam jet nozzle 22 and the support portion 25 are moved so as to follow the bag B by using an arbitrary mechanism, thereby While the steam therein cools and the volume of the bag B is reduced, it is possible to properly support the contents 80 in the bag B by the support portion 25.

Further, the steam jet nozzle 22 and the closing unit (first sealing unit 23) are installed in the same station, and the steam injection process into the bag B and the closing and sealing process (first sealing process) of the mouth Bm of the bag B are performed. You may go at the same station.

When the support part 25 does not reciprocate between the stations, the support part 25 extends to the station where the bag B is discharged from the packaging system 5 (the ninth station S9 or the tenth station S10 in the illustrated packaging system 5). May be. In this case, it is possible to support the contents 80 of the bag B by the support portion 25 until the bag B is discharged to the outside of the packaging system 5.

When the support part 25 is provided from the sixth station S6 to the seventh station S7, the support part 25 may support the contents 80 in the bag B by a plurality of members as in the above-described second embodiment. However, the contents 80 in the bag B may be supported by a single member.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a modified example of the support portion 25. The support portion 25 shown in FIG. 14 is composed of a single member, and the inclined portion 25a changes from the first height position H1 (or a position lower than the first height position H1) to the second height position H2. And a flat portion 25b connected to the inclined portion 25a and extending in the horizontal direction at the second height position H2. The inclined portion 25a is provided on the upstream side of the sixth station S6 (that is, on the fifth station S5 side). The bottom portion Bb of the bag B conveyed from the fifth station S5 is placed on the inclined portion 25a before reaching the sixth station S6 and gradually lifted along the inclined portion 25a. Then, in the sixth station S6, the contents 80 in the bag B are lifted and supported by the flat portion 25b via the bottom portion Bb.

As described above, the support portion 25 can be configured by a single member. In this case, the bottom portion Bb of the bag B is raised before the steam jet nozzle 22 is inserted into the bag B. Therefore, when the support portion 25 (the inclined portion 25a and the flat portion 25b) lifts the bottom portion Bb and the mouth portion Bm of the bag B is easily deformed, the mouth portion Bm is deformed into an unintended shape at the sixth station S6, and steam is generated. There is a possibility that the ejection nozzle 22 cannot be properly inserted into the bag B. Therefore, when using the support part 25 configured by a single member, it is preferable to treat the bag B in which the mouth part Bm is not easily or substantially not deformed even if the support part 25 lifts the bottom part Bb. ..

Further, the same number of supporting portions 25 as the number of stations may be provided. In this case, the peculiar support part 25 may be assigned to each bag holding part 13, and the bag holding part 13 and the support part 25 associated with each other may be moved together. In this case, the support portion 25 can be moved so as to follow the bag B held by the bag holding portion 13 without reciprocating the support portion 25. In addition, such a plurality of supporting portions 25 can be moved by an arbitrary moving mechanism.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the first seal unit 23 closes the mouth Bm of the bag B, but the mouth Bm is closed by a member other than the first seal unit 23 (for example, a member that does not perform the sealing process). May be.

5 packaging system, 10 steam replacement device, 11 transport unit, 12 rotary table, 13 bag holding part, 14 conveyor magazine, 15 bag feeder, 16 ejection sucker, 17 printer, 18 opening device, 19 opening guide, 20 solid material Charger, 21 Content injection device, 22 Steam ejection nozzle, 23 First seal unit, 24 Second seal unit, 25 Support part, 25a Inclined part, 25b Flat part, 26 Cooling unit, 27 Discharge chute, 28 Discharge port, 30 mount, 31 steam supply source, 32 steam supply line, 33 nozzle holding arm, 34 nozzle lift drive shaft, 35 nozzle lift drive source, 36 nozzle lift base, 37 nozzle lift stand, 38 nozzle lift bearing, 39 first bearing, 40 2nd bearing, 41 Conveyance stand, 42 Support stand, 43 Support base, 44 Support drive part, 45 Support drive shaft, 46 1st gear engagement part, 47 2nd gear engagement part, 48 Support rail, 49 Support roller , 50 support lift drive source, 51 support lift shaft, 52 support lift fixing part, 61 nozzle lift part, 62 support lift part, 63 reciprocating mechanism, 71 first support part, 72 second support part, 80 contents, 81 Solids, B bag, Bm mouth, Bb bottom, Bs side, H1 first height position, H2 second height position, S1 first station, S2 second station, S3 third station, S4 fourth station , S5 5th station, S6 6th station, S7 7th station, S8 8th station, S9 9th station, S10 10th station

Claims (8)

Inserting a steam jet nozzle inside the bag through the mouth of the bag that contains the contents inside, and jetting steam from the steam jet nozzle to the inside of the bag,
The bottom portion of the bag held in a suspended state is raised from the first height position while contacting the bottom portion of the bag, and the support portion is above the bottom portion at a position higher than the first height position. Supporting the object,
A step of retracting the steam jet nozzle from the inside of the bag after the steam is jetted inside the bag,
A step of tensioning the bag so that the mouth is closed after the steam ejection nozzle is retracted from the inside of the bag,
Closing at least a part of the steam inside the bag and closing the mouth with a closing unit in a state where the bag is strained so as to close the mouth.
The support portion is at a position higher than the first height position in at least a part of after the steam is jetted inside the bag and before the mouth portion is closed by the closing unit. Steam replacement method for supporting said contents through the bottom. The support portion temporarily raises the bottom portion of the bag from the first height position and supports the contents through the bottom portion at a position higher than the first height position, and then the mouth portion. 2. The steam replacement method according to claim 1, wherein the contents are supported via the bottom portion at a position higher than the first height position continuously until the is closed by the closing unit. While holding the bag containing the contents inside in a suspended state, a bag holding portion for adjusting the tension applied to the bag,
A steam jet nozzle having a jet outlet,
A nozzle elevating part for elevating and lowering the steam ejection nozzle,
A support part,
A closing unit for closing the mouth of the bag,
The nozzle elevating unit inserts the steam ejection nozzle inside the bag through the mouth portion of the bag held by the bag holding unit and arranges the ejection port inside the bag. , Lower the steam jet nozzle,
The steam ejection nozzle ejects steam from the ejection port in a state where the ejection port is arranged inside the bag,
The nozzle elevating part is arranged such that the ejection port is arranged outside the bag held by the bag holding part in a state where at least a part of the steam exists inside the bag. Raise the steam jet nozzle,
The bag holder is a state in which at least a part of the steam is present inside the bag, and applies tension to the bag so that the mouth portion is closed in a tensioned state,
The closing unit is a seal unit that seals the mouth portion, and at least a part of the steam exists inside the bag, and the closing unit is placed in a tension state in which the mouth portion is closed by the bag holding portion. The mouth is closed,
The support portion is higher than the first height position in at least a part of the inside of the bag from the time when the steam is jetted from the jet outlet to the time when the mouth portion is closed by the closing unit. A steam displacement device that is arranged such that in position the support supports the contents through the bottom of the bag. A supporting elevating part for elevating the supporting part,
The said support raising/lowering part raises the said support part so that the said support part may support the said content via the said bottom part of the said bag in a position higher than the said 1st height position. Steam replacement device. A transport unit for moving the bag holder,
The steam jet nozzle is provided in a steam injection station,
The closing unit is provided in a seal processing station different from the steam injection station,
The steam replacement device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the transport unit moves the bag holding unit from the steam injection station to the seal processing station while the bag is held by the bag holding unit. A reciprocating mechanism for reciprocating the support between the steam injection station and the seal processing station,
In the reciprocating mechanism, the bag together with the bag holding unit is the steam in a state in which the support unit supports the contents via the bottom portion of the bag at a position higher than the first height position. The steam replacement device according to claim 5, wherein the support is moved from the steam injection station to the seal processing station so as to be transported from the injection station to the seal processing station. The support part includes a first support part provided in the steam injection station, and a second support part extending from the seal processing station toward the steam injection station,
The steam replacement device includes a support elevating part that elevates and lowers the first supporting part,
The first support part and the second support part are higher than the first height position in at least a part of the time when the bag is conveyed from the steam injection station to the seal processing station together with the bag holding part. The steam displacement device according to claim 5, which supports the contents through the bottom of the bag in a position. The steam replacement device according to claim 3, further comprising a transport unit that intermittently moves the bag holding unit along a circular path.