JP2022075378A - Vacuum packaging machine - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a vacuum packaging machine which has seal related mechanisms of two rows on which a plurality of hot packs can be placed, and is capable of vacuum packaging the plurality of hot packs of two rows simultaneously.SOLUTION: A vacuum packaging machine comprises: first and second lower seal blocks which are provided in a longer direction of a plate; first and second upper seal blocks which are provided inside a lid facing the first and second lower seal blocks; first and second inclined guide members which are provided close to and in parallel with the first and second lower seal blocks, and when tips of the plurality of hot packs are placed on the first and second lower seal blocks, guide the plurality of hot packs to a bottom surface of the plate; first and second steam guards which are provided close to and in parallel with the first and second lower seal blocks on a side opposite to the first and second inclined guide members; and first and second inflation detection members in which a first contact bar and a second contact bar are provided inside the lid, and which support inflation detection of the plurality of hot packs at at least one ends.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a vacuum packaging machine that simultaneously vacuum packages a plurality of vacuum packaging bags.

The development and commercialization of many vacuum packaging machines, including vacuum packaging machines that vacuum pack hot packs, has contributed to the development of industry in the storage and distribution of food products. A hot pack is one in which the packaged object to be vacuum-packed contains a liquid whose temperature is higher than normal temperature, such as water, soup, curry, simmered food containing broth, and food soaked in heated oil. In addition, warm and juicy food is put in a packaging bag such as vinyl and vacuum-packed. For the vacuum packaging machine for hot packs, refer to Japanese Patent No. 5575827 owned by the applicant.

In the conventional vacuum packaging machines that vacuum-pack hot packs, one packaged bag is vacuum-packed. Therefore, a lot of working time is required to vacuum-pack a large amount of bags to be packaged.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2001-146208 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-072710

Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 only disclose a part of the technique of arranging two or three vacuum-packed bags in a row and vacuum-packing them at the same time, and vacuum-packs many vacuum-packed bags at the same time. It's not a thing. In addition, neither is intended for hot packs. When vacuum-packing multiple hot packs at the same time, it is necessary to solve the problem that a lot of steam is generated and the problem that the vacuum-packed finish is not uniform.
The problem to be solved by the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems and to have a two-row seal-related mechanism capable of mounting a plurality of vacuum-packed bags, and to simultaneously vacuum a plurality of two-row vacuum-packed bags. The purpose is to provide a vacuum packaging machine capable of packaging.

The vacuum packaging machine of the embodiment is a vacuum packaging machine capable of placing a plurality of hot packs in two rows and vacuum packaging at the same time, and is provided with a first lower seal block and a first lower seal block provided in the longitudinal direction of the plate. The second lower seal block, the first upper seal block and the second upper seal block provided inside the lid facing the first lower seal block and the second lower seal block, and the first lower seal. The plurality of hot packs are provided in parallel in close proximity to the block and the second lower seal block, and when the tips of the plurality of hot packs are placed on the first lower seal block and the second lower seal block, the plurality of hot packs are placed. The first tilt guide member and the second tilt guide member that guide the pack to the bottom surface of the plate, and the first lower seal block and the second lower side opposite the first tilt guide member and the second tilt guide member. A first steam guard and a second steam guard provided in parallel in close proximity to the seal block, and a first contact bar and a second contact bar are provided inside the lid, and the plurality of hot packs are provided at at least one end. The first expansion detection member and the second expansion detection member that support the expansion detection of the above are provided.

It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the vacuum packing machine which concerns on embodiment. In the vacuum packaging machine according to the embodiment, it is a figure in which a plurality of bags to be packaged are placed on each of the two rows of seal-related mechanisms. It is a front view, the top view, and the right side view in the state where the lid of the vacuum packaging machine which concerns on embodiment is opened. It is a cross-sectional view of AA and the sectional view of BB in a state where the lid of the vacuum packaging machine according to the embodiment is closed. FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a chamber in a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in a state where the lid of the vacuum packaging machine according to the embodiment is closed. It is an enlarged view of the seal-related mechanism on both sides of the BB sectional view in a state where the lid of the vacuum packaging machine according to the embodiment is closed. It is a figure which shows the seal-related mechanism on the front side of the vacuum packaging machine which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows the seal-related mechanism on the back side of the vacuum packaging machine which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows the expansion auxiliary member which assists the expansion detection of the packaging bag of the vacuum packaging machine which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen of "setting change" of the operation panel of the vacuum packaging machine which concerns on embodiment. It is a table table which showed the operating time of a solenoid valve, an open valve, etc. in 3 vacuum steps, for example, in an embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the degree of vacuum graph in an embodiment, for example, three vacuum steps. It is a figure which shows the operation of the vacuum pump by the control of a solenoid valve and an open valve in the process of starting vacuum drawing up to 15%, for example, in an embodiment. It is a figure which shows the operation of the vacuum pump by the control of a solenoid valve and an open valve in the process of for example 40% evacuation from the sealing of a tip opening in an embodiment. It is a figure which shows the operation of the vacuum pump by the control of the solenoid valve and the open valve in the process of detecting the expansion of a bag from a soft vacuum in an embodiment. It is a figure which shows the operation of the vacuum pump by the control of the solenoid valve and the opening valve in the process of soft opening-vacuum stabilization-soft opening in an embodiment. It is a figure which shows the operation of the vacuum pump by the control of the solenoid valve and the open valve in the process of sealing and cooling in an embodiment. It is a figure which shows the operation of the vacuum pump by controlling the solenoid valve and the opening valve in the process of opening to the atmosphere in an embodiment. An image showing a graph of the state change of the work (hot pack) due to the pressure change in the embodiment is shown.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the structure of the vacuum packaging machine according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram in which a plurality of bags to be packaged are placed on each of the two rows of seal-related mechanisms in the vacuum packaging machine according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a front view, a top view, and a right side view of the vacuum packaging machine according to the embodiment in a state where the lid is opened. FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line AA and a sectional view taken along the line BB in a state where the lid of the vacuum packaging machine according to the embodiment is closed. FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a chamber in a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in a state where the lid of the vacuum packaging machine according to the embodiment is closed. FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the seal-related mechanisms on both sides of the BB sectional view in a state where the lid of the vacuum packaging machine according to the embodiment is closed. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a seal-related mechanism on the front side of the vacuum packaging machine according to the embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a seal-related mechanism on the back side of the vacuum packaging machine according to the embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an expansion assisting member that assists the expansion detection of the packaging bag of the vacuum packaging machine according to the embodiment.
Hereinafter, the shape and structure of the vacuum packaging machine according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9. The same components of FIGS. 1 to 9 are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate configuration description will be omitted.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the vacuum packaging machine 10 according to the embodiment forms a chamber 30 on the upper surface of a cubic housing 20 having a longer lateral direction (longitudinal direction) than a vertical direction (short direction). A plate 40 is provided. The plate 40 is made of, for example, stainless steel. The plate 40 has a size of, for example, a width of 120 cm, a height of 90 cm, and a height of 10 cm. An operation panel 50 is provided on the front surface of the vacuum packaging machine 10. A lid 70 is attached to the rear end of the plate 40 via the left and right hinge mechanisms 60. The lid 70 is made of, for example, aluminum. A handle 75 for opening and closing is provided on the front side surface of the lid 70, and one or a plurality of peepholes 80 are provided on the upper surface so that the vacuum packaging state 150 of a plurality of vacuum packaging bags can be viewed during vacuum operation. ing.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the chamber in the cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 4, and FIG. 6 is an enlarged view showing the seal-related mechanism in the cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. First, as shown in FIG. 5, the bottom surface of the chamber 30 portion of the plate 40 is dug one step deeper than the bottom surface of the surrounding plate 40. That is, the mounting surface on which at least the lower portion of the plurality of vacuum packaging bags of the plate 40 is placed is formed deeper than the upper surface of the plate 40 in contact with the lid 70. Thereby, the chamber 30 of the vacuum packaging machine 10 can cope with a large size vacuum packaging bag.

Next, the seal-related mechanism will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8. Two rows of lower seal blocks 90a and 90b provided in the longitudinal direction are provided on the front side (handle side) and the back side (hinge side) of the plate 40 of the vacuum packaging machine 10. Further, upper seal blocks 100a and 100b are provided inside the lid 70 facing the lower seal blocks 90a and 90b. The lower seal block 90a and the upper seal block 100a constitute a first seal mechanism. Further, the lower seal block 90b and the upper seal block 100b constitute a second seal mechanism. Seal heaters (not shown) are provided on the facing surfaces of the lower seal blocks 90a and 90b and the upper seal blocks 100a and 100b.

When closing the tip opening (bag mouth) of the packaging bag using the lower seal blocks 90a and 90b, the tip openings of a plurality of vacuum packaging bags 150 are simultaneously sandwiched prior to the sealing (sealing) step. In order to open it later, the lower seal blocks 90a and 90b are controlled to rise / fall using a closed cylinder. Then, in the sealing step, a plurality of sealing heaters on the facing surfaces of the sealing blocks 90a and 100a and the sealing blocks 90b and 100b are generated by generating heat while the tip openings of the plurality of vacuum packaging bags 150 are simultaneously sandwiched. The tip opening of the vacuum packaging bag 150 can be sealed at the same time. The upper seal blocks 100a and 100b may be used to close the tip opening of the packaging bag. In this case, prior to the sealing step, the upper seal blocks 100a and 100b are controlled to be lowered / raised by using a closed cylinder in order to simultaneously sandwich the tip openings of the plurality of vacuum packaging bags 150 and open them later.

The same locking members 120, 130 (see FIG. 1 or FIG. 2) having a large number of slits 110 formed at predetermined intervals are provided on both sides of the plate 90 in the lateral direction. The locking members 120 and 130 are fixed to both side bottom surfaces of the plate bottom surface in the chamber 30. Partition plates 140a and 140b are removably connected to the slits 110 at the same scale position of the locking members 120 and 130. With the partition plates 140a and 140b, the rear ends of the plurality of vacuum packaging bags 150 can be positioned in the lateral direction of the bottom surface of the plate in the chamber 30. The partition plates 140a and 140b are positioned by being inserted into the slits 110 at the same scale positions of the locking members 120 and 130 according to the size of the vacuum packaging bag 150. As a result, as shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of vacuum packaging bags 150 are placed between the seal-related mechanism of the vacuum packaging machine 10 and the partition plates 140a and 140b, and vacuum packaging is performed.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, a jump switch 160 is attached to the right front side surface of the plate 90. The jump switch 160 is a switch operated by an operator, and when the switch is pressed, an interrupt signal instructing the sealing process is generated (details will be described later). The position of the jump switch 160 may be either the left front side surface or the front left or right side surface as long as it is installed close to the operator.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 5 or 6, inclined guide members 170a and 170b for guiding the plurality of vacuum packaging bags 150 are provided in close proximity (parallel) to the chamber 30 side of the lower seal blocks 90a and b. The inclined guide members 170a and 170b have substantially the same length as the lower seal blocks 90a and 90b in the longitudinal direction. The tilt angle of the tilt guide members 170a and 170b can be changed, for example, by providing a pedestal on the bottom surface of the chamber 30. When the tip openings of the plurality of vacuum packaging bags 150 in each row are placed on the lower seal blocks 90a and 90b by the inclined guide members 170a and 170b, the vacuum packaging bags 150 are combined with the lower seal blocks 90a and 90b. It guides diagonally between the bottom surface of the plate in the chamber 30 and the bottom surface of the plate.

On the opposite side (outside) of the inclined guide members 170a and 170b, steam guards 180a and 180b are provided in close proximity (parallel) to the lower seal blocks 90a and 90b. The steam guards 180a and 180b have substantially the same length as the lower seal blocks 90a and 90b in the longitudinal direction. The steam guards 180a and 180b have a horizontal surface portion 182a and 182b having substantially the same height as the upper surface of the lower seal blocks 90a and 90b, and a rising portion 184a and 184b of several centimeters formed at the inner tip of the horizontal surface portion 180a. And have. That is, the rising portions 184a and 184b are formed at the tips of the horizontal plane portions 182a and 182b on the opposite side of the chamber. In the rising portions 184a and 184b, when the lid 70 is closed and the inside of the chamber 30 is depressurized, the liquid in the vacuum packaging bag (hot pack) 150 boils, and the liquid is ejected from the opening of the vacuum packaging bag 150. Even if it does, it serves as a wall portion that does not leak to the outside, and also serves as a role for the overflowing liquid to adhere to the horizontal plane portions 182a and 182b. At least part of the overflowing liquid is vaporized, and any remaining liquid is wiped off after work.

When a plurality of vacuum packaging bags (hot packs) 150 are vacuum packaged at the same time, it is expected that the amount of water vapor generated in the chamber 30 will increase, which will adversely affect the vacuum pump. In the vacuum packaging machine 10 of the embodiment, even if the liquid overflows from the vacuum packaging bag 150 during vacuum packaging, it can be fastened on the steam guards 180a and 180b due to the structure of the rising portions 184a and 184b. Then, by condensing water vapor (at least a part) on the steam guards 180a and 180b, the amount of water vapor in the chamber 30 can be suppressed, and as a result, it is possible to prevent adverse effects on the vacuum pump.

Further, auxiliary blocks 190a and 190b are provided in parallel in the longitudinal direction between the lower seal block 90a and the inclined guide member 170a and between the lower seal block 90b and the inclined guide member 170b. An adhesive (removable) that weakly adheres the tip of the vacuum packaging bag 150 is applied to the upper surfaces of the auxiliary blocks 190a and 190b. Further, an adhesive that weakly adheres the tip of the vacuum packaging bag 150 may be applied to the horizontal plane portions 182a and 182b of the steam guards 180a and 180b close to the lower seal blocks 90a and 90b. Alternatively, a second auxiliary block may be provided between the lower seal blocks 90a and 90b and the steam guards 180a and 180b. An adhesive that weakly adheres to the tip of the packaging bag is also applied to the upper surface of the second auxiliary block.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the expansion mounting members 200a and 200b are mounted in the longitudinal direction in close proximity (parallel) to the upper seal blocks 100a and 100b inside the lid 70. The expansion mounting members 200a and 200b are slightly longer than the lower seal blocks 90a and 90b and the upper seal blocks 100a and 100b. The expansion mounting members 200a and 200b are formed between a pair of mounting pieces 204a and 204b having guide holes 202a and 202b (see FIG. 6) provided on both sides thereof and the mounting pieces 204a and 204b (in the longitudinal direction). It is configured to have a connection portion to be connected. Then, the expansion detection members 210a and 210b are attached in the longitudinal direction so as to be slidable along the guide holes 202a and 202b provided on both sides, respectively. The expansion detecting members 210a and 210b include contact bars 212a and 212b that are long in the longitudinal direction and which are in contact with the vacuum packaging bag 150 when expanded, and a pair of contact portions 214a and 214b attached to both ends of the contact bars 210a. , Is configured to have. The pair of contact portions 214a and 214b are set at positions where they come into contact with (or may have a slight gap) on the upper surface of the facing plates 40 as shown in FIG. 6 when the lid 70 is closed. Has a shape. Further, the contact portions 214a and 214b located on the line shown in the BB sectional view of FIG. 4 are provided with magnets 216 and 217 at the plate-side tip of the contact portions 214a and 214b (see FIG. 6). Further, inside the plate 40 (non-magnetic portion) on the line shown in the BB sectional view of FIG. 4, magnetic sensors (for example, magnetic sensitive switches) 218 and 219 are provided at positions facing the magnets 216 and 217. Be done.

Due to this magnet configuration, when the lid 70 of the vacuum packaging machine 10 is closed, the magnet 216 and the magnetic sensor 218 face each other to detect the magnetic connection state, and the magnet 217 and the magnetic sensor 219 face each other as shown in FIG. To detect the magnetic connection status. In the vacuum packaging operation, when the pressure inside the chamber 30 is reduced with the tip opening of the vacuum packaging bag 150 closed, the liquid in the vacuum packaging bag 150 boils and the bag expands to expand the contact bars of the expansion detection members 210a and 210b. By contacting the 212a, 212b, the expansion detection members 210a, 210b including the contact bars 212a, 212b and the contact portions 214a, 214b are lifted along the pair of guide holes 204a, 204b. That is, the magnetic sensor 218 detects that it is separated from the magnet 216, and the magnetic sensor 219 detects that it is separated from the magnet 217 and outputs an expansion detection signal. After that, when the tip opening of the vacuum packaging bag 150 is opened, the vacuum packaging bag 150 contracts and returns to the original shape (position), so that the magnetic sensor 218 detects the connection with the magnet 216 and the magnetic sensor 219 is a magnet. The connection with 217 is detected and the magnetic connection state is detected. With such an expansion detection mechanism, even if a plurality of vacuum packaging bags 150 are vacuum-packed at the same time (wide shape), the magnetic sensor 218 detects that the magnet 218 is separated from the magnet 216, and the magnetic sensor 219 is separated from the magnet 217. It is possible to detect that and detect expansion. The logical sum output of the magnetic sensor 218 and the magnetic sensor 219 is output to the control device 500 described later.

Since the expansion of the plurality of vacuum packaging bags 150 is detected at the same time, the expansion detection members 210a and 210b have a long shape in the longitudinal direction. If the expansion detection member is made of a material having a weak strength that deforms due to its own weight, the expansion detection accuracy differs between the central portion and the end portion in the longitudinal direction, so that expansion detection cannot be correctly performed for a plurality of vacuum packaging bags 150. .. Therefore, the expansion detection members 210a and 210b (at least the contact bars 212a and 212b) are made of a material (for example, stainless steel) that does not deform due to its own weight.

FIG. 9 shows a structure in which an expansion detection auxiliary member 230 is provided on an inclination guide member 170b so that the expansion detection member 210b can easily react even in a small vacuum packaging bag. Similarly, the inclination guide member 170a is also provided with the expansion detection assisting member 230. That is, the expansion detection assisting member 230 has an L-shaped cross section and has substantially the same length as the inclined guide member 170b. Then, it is attached to the position between the middle and the upper part of the inclined surface of the inclined guide member 170b. As a result, the middle to upper positions of the vacuum packaging bag 150a are lifted upward from the inclined surface of the inclined guide member 170b, so that expansion detection by the expansion detecting member 210b can be realized even with a small vacuum packaging bag 150a. .. The expansion detection assisting member 230 may be configured to be attached / detached to / from the inclined guide member 170, or may be configured to protrude from the inclined surface during use. A seal heater is wired in the support leg 95 of the lower seal block in FIG.

When a plurality of vacuum packaging bags (hot packs) 150 are set on the sealing mechanism including the lower seal blocks 90a and 90b, the plurality of vacuum packaging bags (hot packs) 150 are set according to the setting work time (the period from the start to the end). There is a temperature difference in. Therefore, if the vacuum packaging bag (hot pack) 150 having a temperature difference is vacuum-packed at the same time, it is expected that the finish will not be uniform. As a countermeasure, for example, a heat insulating material may be used for the plate 40 to suppress heat dissipation. Alternatively, the plate 40 in the chamber 30 may be a hot plate. Alternatively, an ultrasonic wave generator may be provided under the plate 40 to generate bubbles in the vacuum packaging bag (hot pack) 150. Alternatively, the number of vacuum steps may be increased to make the temperature uniform. The optimum ones are selected depending on the food to be handled, the size of the vacuum packaging bag (hot pack) 150, the temperature environment, and the like. In addition, in order to keep the upper pressure chamber clean, an ion generator that generates ions having a sterilizing action may be mounted.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen of “setting change” of the operation panel 50. In an example of the "setting change" screen 300 of FIG. 10, the vacuum packaging time (5.0 seconds), the number of vacuum steps (5 times), the sealing time (1.8 seconds), the cooling time (4.0 seconds), and the like are set. The settings are displayed. In the vacuum packaging machine 10 of the embodiment, the number of vacuum steps can be easily changed so that the number of vacuum steps can be increased to make the temperature uniform. That is, the number of vacuum steps can be freely set by operating the up arrow or the down arrow provided on the left and right of the number of vacuum steps.

Next, the operation of the vacuum packaging machine 10 according to the embodiment will be described.
FIG. 11 is a table showing the operating times of the solenoid valve, the open valve, and the like in, for example, three vacuum steps. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a vacuum degree graph in, for example, three vacuum steps. 13 to 18 are diagrams showing the operation of the vacuum pump by controlling the solenoid valve and the open valve in the vacuum process transition. Here, three vacuum steps will be described as an example, but the number of vacuum steps can be freely set according to the size of the object to be packaged or the packaging bag by the operation panel 50 shown in FIG. Although FIGS. 13 to 18 show only one vacuum packaging bag (hot pack) 150 because the side view is shown, a plurality of vacuum packaging bags (hot packs) 150 are placed. Please understand. Further, the configuration inside the chamber 30 is simply shown. Further, in the sealing step, the upper seal blocks 100a and 100b are controlled to descend / ascend, but the intake passage thereof is omitted. Instead of the lower / lower control of the upper seal blocks 100a and 100b, the lower seal blocks 90a and 90b may be controlled to be ascended / lowered. Further, in the following, the vacuum packaging bag will be referred to as a hot pack 150.

First, the hot pack 150 containing the packaged object is set in the chamber 30 (preparation step). In the setting process, with the lid 70 open, the worker places the hot pack 150 on the chamber 30 of the plate 40 and the tip opening (packaging slot) on the upper surfaces of the lower seal blocks 90a and 90b. .. When the lid 70 is closed by hand after the hot pack 150 is set, the lid open / close detection sensor (not shown) detects the closed state of the lid 70 and sends a signal to the control device 500.

As shown in FIG. 11, for example, in the case of three vacuum steps, when the lid is closed, two decompression steps (vacuum drawing 1 and 2) are performed, and then the first vacuum step → the second vacuum step → A third vacuum step is performed. After that, the vacuum work is completed through the sealing step and the sealing cooling step, and the lid 70 is opened. Then, in the first vacuum step, the steps of "evacuation"-> "soft release"-> "vacuum stabilization" are carried out. In the second vacuum step and the third vacuum step, the steps of "soft release"-> "vacuum drawing"-> "soft release"-> "vacuum stabilization" are carried out.

As described above, the point of repeatedly executing the plurality of decompression steps (evacuation) stepwise will be described with reference to FIG. As described above, for example, when five hot packs are set, a temperature difference occurs in the hot packs depending on the setting working time (the period from the start to the end). When these are arranged on the time axis, as shown in FIG. 19, the temperature of the hot pack (set position E) set first is the coldest, and the temperature of the hot pack set last (set position A) is the highest.

FIG. 19 shows an image in which the state change of the work (hot pack) due to the pressure change is graphed. The change in the state of the work can be divided into an "unboiled" range A in which bubbles remain because it does not boil, an "OK" range B in which bubbles do not boil and blow out, and a "blow-off" range C in which bubbles boil and blow off. There is no problem if the "OK" range B is the same pressure range, but if the temperature of the work varies, the pressure range in the "OK" range slides, and all the work can be vacuum-packed without bubbles and blowout. The pressure range becomes narrower. That is, in order to find a pressure within the range of 555 where all the workpieces can be vacuum-packed without bubbles and without blow-off, the pressure is not reduced all at once, but is designed to be gradually reduced in multiple times. Furthermore, by introducing a soft release for a few seconds, as shown in FIG. 12, the operation of reducing the pressure a little and then depressurizing (increasing the pressure a little) is realized, so that all the workpieces have no bubbles and are blown. It can be vacuum packaged without spillage.

Even so, the jump switch 160 is provided in the housing 20 as a countermeasure against the case where one or more workpieces are blown out due to the temperature difference (visual check by the operator). When the operator finds that the work (hot pack) has blown out from the viewing window 80, the jump switch 160 is immediately pressed. As a result, an interrupt signal is input to the control device 500, so that the control device 500 controls so as to immediately transition from the vacuum process or the like in which blowout occurs to the sealing process.

Here, the control mechanism of the vacuum pump will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 12, the control mechanism of the vacuum pump includes a control device 500, a vacuum pump 510, a vacuum solenoid valve 520, a soft solenoid valve 530, a seal opening / closing solenoid valve (three-way solenoid valve) 540, a soft release solenoid valve 550, and a vacuum. It is composed of an open solenoid valve 560. At least a lid opening / closing sensor signal, an expansion detection signal, a pressure sensor signal, a jump switch signal, and the like are input to the control device 500 in order to execute the vacuum packaging operation. Then, the control device 500 outputs the control signals S1 to S5 for controlling the opening and closing of each of the above-mentioned solenoid valves.

FIG. 13 shows the control state of the solenoid valve and the operation of the vacuum pump 510 in the process of evacuation up to 15% after the lid 70 corresponding to “evacuation 1” in FIG. 11 is closed. As shown in FIG. 13, the control device 500 opens the vacuum solenoid valve 520 and closes the soft solenoid valve 530 to bring the intake flow path 600 between the chamber 30 and the vacuum pump 510 into an intake communication state. Further, of the seal opening / closing solenoid valve (three-way solenoid valve) 540, the connection port on the atmosphere open side and the connection port on the seal closing drive flow path 610 are opened, and the connection port on the pump 510 side is closed. The operating state of the vacuum pump 510 is maintained until the lid 70 is opened as shown in FIG. Further, the closed state of the vacuum release solenoid valve 560 is maintained until the seal cooling step is completed, as also shown in FIG.

Then, the control device 500 starts depressurizing the inside of the chamber 30 and degass the inside of the hot pack 150. As a result, the air in the chamber 30 is sucked into the vacuum pump 510 through the vacuum solenoid valve 520 and the intake flow path 600, so that the inside of the chamber 30 is evacuated. Then, the control device 500 evacuates (decompresses) the air pressure in the chamber 30 to 15% while checking the signal of the pressure detection sensor (not shown). As a result, as shown in the vacuum degree graph shown in FIG. 12, the vacuum is drawn to the position B1 at 15%.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the operation of the vacuum pump by controlling the solenoid valve and the open valve in the process of evacuating the tip opening corresponding to the “evacuation 2” of FIG. 11 to 40% evacuation. As shown in FIG. 14, the control device 500 closes the connection port on the atmosphere open side of the seal opening / closing solenoid valve (three-way solenoid valve) 540 from the state of FIG. 13, and also closes the seal closing drive flow path 610. The connection port on the pump side and the connection port on the pump side are opened. When the air pressure in the chamber 30 is reduced to 15%, the upper seal blocks 100a and 100b are lowered by sucking air into the closing cylinders 620a and 620b via the seal closing drive flow path 610 to lower the lower seal. The tip opening of the hot pack 150 is sandwiched between the block 90a and the upper seal block 100a and the lower seal block 90b and the upper seal block 100b to seal them. The control device 500 evacuates (decompresses) the air pressure in the chamber 30 to 40% when the tip opening of the hot pack 150 is sealed. As a result, as shown in the vacuum degree graph shown in FIG. 12, the vacuum is drawn to the position B2 at 40%.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the operation of the vacuum pump by controlling the solenoid valve and the open valve in the process of detecting the expansion of the bag from the soft vacuum drawing corresponding to the “evacuation” in the first vacuum step of FIG. As shown in FIG. 15, the control device 500 closes the vacuum solenoid valve 520 and opens the soft solenoid valve 530 from the state shown in FIG. That is, when the air pressure in the chamber 30 is reduced to 40%, the vacuum solenoid valve 520 is switched to the soft solenoid valve 530 to slowly evacuate the chamber 30 (soft vacuum drawing), and the hot pack 150 expands. do. When the hot pack 150 expands, the contact bars 212a and 212b of the expansion detection members 210a and 210b are pushed up, and expansion detection is performed by the expansion detection sensors 218 and 219 based on the above-mentioned principle. As a result, as shown in the vacuum degree graph shown in FIG. 12, the vacuum is drawn to, for example, about 50% of the position B3.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the operation of the vacuum pump 510 by controlling the solenoid valve and the release valve in the steps of “soft release”-“vacuum stabilization” in the first vacuum step of FIG. 11-“soft release” in the second vacuum step. Is. As shown in FIG. 16, the control device 500 closes the soft solenoid valve 530 and opens the soft open solenoid valve 550 from the state shown in FIG. That is, in order to suppress the expansion of the hot pack 150, the soft release solenoid valve 550 is soft-opened for a specified number of seconds (the first "soft release" in the first vacuum step of FIG. 11). As a result, as shown in the vacuum degree graph shown in FIG. 12, the vacuum is drawn by returning to the position B4 of, for example, about 50% to 47 to 48%.

After the soft release is performed for the specified number of seconds, the soft release is stopped and the upper seal blocks 100a and 100b are raised to bring the vacuum stop state for the specified number of seconds (“vacuum stabilization” in the first vacuum step in FIG. 11). As a result, the water vapor in the hot pack 150 is discharged, and the work temperature of the hot pack 150 is lowered by the heat of vaporization. In this step, as shown in the vacuum degree graph shown in FIG. 12, there is no change in the pressure in the chamber 30, and the depressurization at 47 to 48% is continued for several seconds until the position B5.

Subsequently, for the first "soft release" step of the second vacuum step, the control device 500 lowers the upper seal blocks 100a and 100b again, and between the lower seal block 90a and the upper seal block 100a, and lower. The tip opening of the hot pack 150 is sandwiched between the seal block 90b and the upper seal block 100b to seal the hot pack 150, and at the same time, the soft release electromagnetic valve 550 is soft-opened for a specified number of seconds (first vacuum step in FIG. 11). "Soft release"). As a result, the water vapor filled in the chamber 30 is liquefied. As a result, as shown in the vacuum degree graph shown in FIG. 12, the vacuum is drawn by returning to the position B6 of, for example, about 45%.

In the next "evacuation" step of the second vacuum step, the pump control shown in FIG. 14 is similarly executed. The control device 500 closes the soft solenoid valve 550 from the state shown in FIG. 16 and opens the soft solenoid valve 530 (set to the state shown in FIG. 14). The control device 500 sandwiches and seals the tip opening of the hot pack 150 between the lower seal block 90a and the upper seal block 100a, and between the lower seal block 90b and the upper seal block 100b, and seals the air pressure in the chamber 30. For example, vacuuming is performed from 47 to 48% to 52%.

In the next step of "soft release"-"vacuum stabilization" in the second vacuum step- "soft release" in the third vacuum step, the pump control shown in FIG. 15 is similarly executed. Since the operation of FIG. 15 has already been described, duplicate description will be omitted. The second vacuum in FIG. 12 is obtained by the process of "soft release" (specified number of seconds)-"vacuum drawing"-"soft release" (specified number of seconds)-"vacuum stabilization" (specified number of seconds) in the second vacuum process. The process shown in the degree graph is executed. That is, the decompression is slightly weakened by opening the soft (shift from position B5 to position B6 in FIG. 12), then a soft vacuum is applied, the decompression is slightly increased (for example, 52%), the vacuum treatment is performed, and then the soft vacuum is applied again. It is opened and returned to, for example, 49% for vacuum processing. The process of "soft release" (specified number of seconds)-"vacuum drawing"-"soft release" (specified number of seconds)-"vacuum stabilization" (specified number of seconds) in the third vacuum process is the same as the second vacuum process. Since there is, I will omit the explanation.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing the operation of the vacuum pump by controlling the solenoid valve and the open valve in the process of sealing and cooling. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing the operation of the vacuum pump 510 by controlling the solenoid valve and the release valve in the process of opening to the atmosphere. In the sealing / cooling step of FIG. 17, the soft release solenoid valve 550 is closed from the state of FIG. 16 between the lower seal block 90a and the upper seal block 100a, and between the lower seal block 90b and the upper seal block 100b. In a state where the tip opening of the hot pack 150 is sandwiched and sealed, the tip opening of the hot pack 150 that has been evacuated by heating the sealing heater is closed. When the vacuum opening solenoid valve 560 is opened to the atmosphere in FIG. 18, the connection port on the atmosphere opening side and the connection port of the seal closing drive flow path 610 of the seal opening / closing solenoid valve (three-way valve) 540 are opened while the vacuum opening solenoid valve 560 is opened. On the other hand, the connection port on the vacuum pump 510 side is closed. As a result, the inside of the chamber 30 is returned to the atmospheric pressure, and the vacuum-packed hot pack 150 can be taken out.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to have a two-row seal-related mechanism on which a plurality of hot packs can be placed, and to vacuum-pack the two rows of the plurality of hot packs at the same time. In particular, in order to find a pressure within the range where all the workpieces can be vacuum-packed without bubbles and without blow-off, the finish is improved by designing the pressure to be gradually reduced in multiple steps instead of reducing the pressure all at once. I try to make it uniform. Furthermore, by introducing soft vacuum drawing and soft opening for a few seconds, the operation of lowering the pressure a little and then decompressing (raising it a little) is realized, so the work is vacuum-packed in a state where there are no bubbles and no blowout. can do.

According to the vacuum packaging machine 10 of the embodiment, the first lower seal block 90a and the second lower seal block 90b, and the first lower seal block 90a and the second lower seal block 90b are provided in the longitudinal direction of the plate. The first upper seal block 100a and the second upper seal block 100b provided inside the lid 70 facing the first lower seal block 90a and the second lower seal block 90b are provided in parallel in close proximity to the first lower seal block 90a and the second lower seal block 90b. When the tips of the plurality of hot packs 150 are placed on the 1 lower seal block 90a and the 2nd lower seal block 90b, the first inclined guide member 170a and the first inclined guide member 170a for guiding the plurality of hot packs 150 to the bottom surface of the plate 40. The first steam provided in parallel with the two inclined guide members 170b and the first lower seal block 70a and the second lower seal block 70b on the opposite sides of the first inclined guide member 170a and the second inclined guide member 170b. A first expansion detection in which a guard 180a and a second steam guard 180b and a first contact bar 212a and a second contact bar 212b are provided inside the lid to support expansion detection of a plurality of hot packs 150 at at least one end. Since it is configured to include the member 210a and the second expansion detecting member 210b, it has a two-row seal-related mechanism on which a plurality of hot packs 150 can be placed, and a plurality of two rows of hot packs 150 can be mounted simultaneously. Can be vacuum packaged.

Further, according to the vacuum packaging machine 10 of the embodiment, the mounting surface on which at least the lower portion of the plurality of hot packs 150 of the plate 40 is placed is formed deeper than the upper surface of the 40 plate in contact with the lid. Large size vacuum packaging bags can be vacuum packaged.

Further, according to the vacuum packaging machine 10 of the embodiment, the locking members 120 and 130 provided on both sides of the mounting surface of the plate 40 in the lateral direction and having a plurality of slits 110 and both sides of the locking members 120 and 130. The first partition plate 190a and the second partition plate 190b, which are connected to the slit 110 of the plate 40 and partition the plurality of hot packs 150 between the first inclined guide member 170a and the second inclined guide member 170b in the lateral direction of the plate 40.
Therefore, a plurality of hot packs 150 can be placed in the chamber 30 with good work.

Further, according to the vacuum packaging machine 10 of the embodiment, the first steam guard 180a and the second steam guard 180b are the first horizontal plane portion 182a and the second horizontal plane portion 182b, and the first horizontal plane portion 182a and the second horizontal plane portion 182b. Since it has a first riser portion 184a and a second riser portion 184b provided at the end of the chamber 30, the liquid in the hot pack 150 boils when the pressure inside the chamber 30 is reduced, and the liquid opens the bag. Even if it is ejected from the portion, it acts as a wall portion that does not leak to the outside, and the overflowing liquid can adhere to the horizontal plane portions 182a and 182b. The overflowing liquid can vaporize at least part of it.

Further, according to the vacuum packaging machine 10 of the embodiment, the first magnet 216 and the second magnet 217 are provided at the ends of the first expansion detection member 210a and the second expansion detection member 210b, and when the lid 70 is closed, the first magnet 216 and the second magnet 217 are provided. Since the plate 40 facing the end is provided with the first magnetic sensor 218 and the second magnetic sensor 219, the expansion of the plurality of hot packs 150 in the vacuuming step can be easily detected.

Further, according to the vacuum packaging machine 10 of the embodiment, when the first magnetic sensor 218 detects a state separated from the first magnet 216, and the second magnetic sensor 219 detects a state separated from the second magnet 217. Since the configuration is such that the expansion of the plurality of hot packs 150 is detected, the expansion of the plurality of hot packs 150 in the vacuuming step can be easily detected.

Further, according to the vacuum packaging machine 10 of the embodiment, the expansion detection assisting member 230 that assists the expansion detection of the plurality of hot packs 150 is provided on the inclined surface of the first inclined guide member 170a and / or the second inclined guide member 170b. Since it is provided, expansion can be easily detected even in a small packaging bag.

Further, according to the vacuum packaging machine 10 of the embodiment, the first upper seal block 100a and the second upper seal block 100b are attached to the inside of the lid 70 in close proximity to the first expansion detection member 210a and the second expansion detection member. A first expansion mounting member 200a and a second expansion mounting member 200b for mounting the 210b are further provided, and the first expansion mounting member 200a and the second expansion mounting member 200b have a first expansion detecting member 210a and a second expansion detecting member on both sides thereof. Since it has the first mounting piece 204a and the second mounting piece 204b in which the guide holes 202a and 202b for guiding the sliding of the 210b are formed, the expansion detecting member 210 can be easily slidable (so that the expansion can be detected). Can be attached.

In the above-described embodiment, the longitudinal direction is the horizontal direction, but the vertical direction may be used. The size of the housing 20 may be appropriately designed according to the size of the food / product to be handled. It should be understood that the degree of vacuum and the time of the graph shown in FIG. 12 differ depending on the work temperature.

The embodiments of the present invention are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other embodiments, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and variations thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

10 ... vacuum packaging machine, 20 ... cubic housing, 30 ... chamber 40 ... plate, 50 ... operation panel, 60 ... hinge mechanism, 70 ... lid 80 ... peephole, 90a, 90b ... lower seal blocks 100a, 100b ... Upper seal block, 110 ... Slit 120, 130 ... Locking member, 140a, 140b ... Partition plate 150 ... Vacuum packaging bag (hot pack), 160 ... Jump switch 170a, 170b ... Inclined guide member, 180a, 180b ... Steam guard 180a , 180b ... Horizontal surface portion, 190a, 190b ... Auxiliary blocks 200a, 200b ... Expansion mounting members, 202a, 202b ... Guide holes 204a, 204b ... Mounting pieces, 210a, 210b ... Expansion detection members 212a, 212b ... Contact bars, 214a, 214b ... Contact parts 216, 217 ... Magnet, 218, 219 ... Magnetic sensor 230 ... Expansion detection auxiliary member, 500 ... Control device, 510 ... Vacuum pump 520 ... Vacuum electromagnetic valve, 530 ... Soft electromagnetic valve, 540 ... Seal opening / closing electromagnetic valve ( Three-way valve)
550 ... Soft release solenoid valve, 560 ... Vacuum open solenoid valve 600 ... Intake flow path, 610 ... Seal closing drive flow path 620a, 620b ... Closing cylinder

Claims (8)

It is a vacuum packaging machine that can place multiple hot packs in two rows and vacuum package them at the same time.
The first lower seal block and the second lower seal block provided in the longitudinal direction of the plate, and
The first upper seal block and the second upper seal block provided inside the lid facing the first lower seal block and the second lower seal block, and the second upper seal block.
The tips of the plurality of hot packs are placed on the first lower seal block and the second lower seal block, which are provided in parallel in close proximity to the first lower seal block and the second lower seal block. Occasionally, a first tilt guide member and a second tilt guide member that guide the plurality of hot packs to the bottom surface of the plate,
A first steam guard and a second steam guard provided in parallel in close proximity to the first lower seal block and the second lower seal block on the opposite side of the first tilt guide member and the second tilt guide member.
A first expansion detection member and a second expansion detection member provided with a first contact bar and a second contact bar inside the lid to support expansion detection of the plurality of hot packs at at least one end.
A vacuum packaging machine equipped with. The vacuum packaging machine according to claim 1, wherein the mounting surface on which at least the lower portion of the plurality of hot packs of the plate is placed is deeper than the upper surface of the plate in contact with the lid. A locking member provided on both sides of the previously described mounting surface of the plate in the lateral direction and having a plurality of slits, and
A first partition plate and a second partition connected to the slits on both sides of the locking member and partitioning the plurality of hot packs between the first inclined guide member and the second inclined guide member in the lateral direction of the plate. With a board,
The vacuum packaging machine according to claim 2, further comprising. The first steam guard and the second steam guard are the first rising portion and the second rising portion provided at the ends of the first horizontal plane portion and the second horizontal plane portion and the first horizontal plane portion and the second horizontal plane portion. The vacuum packaging machine according to claim 1, wherein the vacuum packaging machine has a unit. A first magnet and a second magnet are provided at the ends of the first expansion detection member and the second expansion detection member, and the first magnetic sensor and the first magnetic sensor and the plate facing the ends when the lid is closed are provided with the first magnet and the second magnet. The vacuum packaging machine according to claim 1, wherein a second magnetic sensor is provided. 5. Claim 5 for detecting the expansion of a plurality of hot packs when the first magnetic sensor detects a state away from the first magnet and the second magnetic sensor detects a state away from the second magnet. The vacuum packaging machine described in. The vacuum packaging according to claim 1, wherein an expansion detection assisting member that assists the expansion detection of the plurality of hot packs is provided on the inclined surface of the first inclined guide member and / or the second inclined guide member. Machine. A first expansion mounting member and a second expansion mounting member that are attached to the inside of the lid in close proximity to the first upper seal block and the second upper seal block and that mount the first expansion detecting member and the second expansion detecting member. Further equipped
The first expansion mounting member and the second expansion mounting member include a first mounting piece and a second mounting piece having guide holes formed on both sides to guide the sliding of the first expansion detecting member and the second expansion detecting member. The vacuum packaging machine according to claim 1, further comprising a first connection portion and a second connection portion for connecting the first mounting piece and the second mounting piece.

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