JP4653653B2 - Heat seal device for containers - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a container heat-sealing device that seals a film on a peripheral edge of an upper opening of a food container by heat-sealing, and in particular, via a tray outlet / retract opening opened on a side of the machine casing. With the container receiving tray that moves in and out on the front side of the machine casing, the container before the film is heat-sealed into the machine casing, and the container with the film heat-sealed inside the machine casing is taken out of the machine casing. It is related with the heat seal apparatus for containers of the type which performs.

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

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

However, in the unwinding type heat seal apparatus, there is no film arrangement mechanism that can reliably and easily realize the arrangement of the film on the upper opening of the container, and its development has been demanded.
For example, the film arrangement mechanism of the heat seal device disclosed in Patent Document 1 is as follows:
It is provided on a container base (container receiving tray) that is moved back and forth (moves back and forth) to the front side of the machine casing through an exit / retract opening on the front side of the machine casing, and is moved back and forth together with the container base. In this film arrangement mechanism, the end portion of the film drawn out from the original film is sandwiched between a container stand rear wall portion and a film catcher that opens and closes the container stand rear wall portion.
When a container is placed on a container base that protrudes to the front side of the machine casing, the end of the film is sandwiched between the film placement mechanisms by operating the handle, and the container base is stored in the machine casing while maintaining the sandwiched state, the container Along with the movement of the table, the film is drawn from the film guide plate on the exit / exit, and is arranged so as to cover the upper opening of the container installed on the container table.

The above-described film arrangement mechanism requires an operation of operating the handle to sandwich the end portion of the film between the container stand rear wall portion and the film catcher. For this reason, there has been a possibility that the pinching operation may be forgotten or that the container base may be housed in the machine casing while the film is not sufficiently pinched due to a handle operation error.
In addition, after performing the heat sealing operation of the container opening with the film, when performing the heat sealing of the next container, in order to re-pinch the film, the handle is operated so that the rear wall of the container base and the film catcher It is necessary to open the space once.
For this reason, in particular, when the container is heat-sealed a plurality of times, there is a problem that the working efficiency is poor and an operation error such as insufficient film pinching is likely to occur.

  In view of the above problems, the present invention can surely and easily realize the placement of the film on the upper opening of the container, and can reliably and easily perform heat sealing by heat-sealing the film to the upper opening of the container. The object is to provide a heat seal device for containers.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides the following configuration.
The invention according to claim 1 is a heat seal device for a container which seals the upper opening of the container by heat-sealing a film on the opening peripheral edge of the upper part of the container, and is a heat seal supported by a support frame so as to be movable up and down. A machine body that secures a container carrying-in space under which the container is carried under the heater panel, a container carrying-in / out mechanism for carrying the container into and out of the container carrying-in space, and a container carrying-in / out mechanism A film guiding portion for guiding the belt-like film to the film clip mechanism, and the container carry-in / out mechanism has a container receiving portion on which the container is installed and is moved back and forth automatically or manually. A container receiving tray for switching between a container detaching position in which the container receiving part projects from the front side of the machine body and a sealing position in which the container receiving part is disposed in the container carry-in space; The container receiving tray is provided on the container receiving tray or the machine body so as to be able to move back and forth behind the front clip block provided on the rear side of the container receiving portion, and the container receiving tray is attached to and detached from the container. When placed at the position, the movable receiving range is arranged at the front end position of the movable range in which a gap into which the film can be inserted is secured between the front clip block and the container receiving tray is moved from the container detaching position to the sealing position. When the rear clip block is pressed by the front clip block, the rear clip block is moved rearward from the movable range front end position, the rear clip block is pressed toward the front clip block, and the rear clip block Keep the closed state with respect to the previous clip block that is moved from the container removal position to the sealing position. A clamping force applying means that moves together with the front clip block from the front end position of the movable range, and the front clip block and the rear clip block are opened and closed by a back-and-forth movement of the container receiving tray. A container heat-sealing device is provided that constitutes the film clip mechanism that sandwiches the film when closed.
The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the clamping force applying means is a spring, and the rear clip block is moved by the biasing force of the spring when the container receiving tray is moved from the sealing position to the detaching position. 2. A container according to claim 1, wherein the container receiving tray is moved from the movable range rear end position, which is the position of the rear clip block when the container receiving tray is in the sealing position, to the movable range front end position. A heat seal device for a vehicle is provided.
In the invention according to claim 3, the rear clip block is attached to the container receiving tray so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction, and the spring is provided with a spring receiving portion provided in the container receiving tray, 3. A compression coil spring disposed between a spring receiving portion provided in a rear clip block and urging the rear clip block forward with respect to the container receiving tray. A container heat seal apparatus is provided.
In the invention according to claim 4, the airframe is provided with a clip stopper that restricts the movement of the rear clip block from the front end position of the movable range to the front side when the rear clip block abuts from the rear side. The container heat-sealing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 is provided.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the container receiving portion is formed in a frame shape in which a container insertion hole into which a container is inserted is opened, and protrudes outward from the upper opening of the container around the container insertion hole. The container heat-seal device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the container heat-seal device is provided.
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the container receiving tray is moved up and down a container lift table on which a container inserted into a container insertion hole inside the basket receiving base portion formed in a ring shape on the tray is placed. A container lift mechanism for raising and lowering the container and a container detection sensor for detecting the container placed on the container lift table are provided, and the container lift table moves back and forth while maintaining the state where the container lift table is lowered to a position where it does not contact the container. When the container receiving tray to be moved is moved from the sealing position to the container detaching position, the container lift mechanism raises the container lift table, and the container detection sensor is installed on the tray. After the container is detected, the container is pushed up by a predetermined amount so that the bowl part of the container is separated upward from the bowl receiving part of the dish. To provide a heat-sealing device for a container according to claim 5, wherein is.
In the invention according to claim 7, in the state where the container receiving tray is arranged at the container detaching position, the container detection sensor detects a container placed on the container lift table in which no container is installed at the upper and lower limit position. Sometimes, the container lift mechanism lowers the container lift table to a position where it does not come into contact with the container, and after the container receiving tray is moved to the sealing position, the container lift mechanism returns to the container detachment position. The container heat seal device according to claim 6, wherein the lift table is kept lowered to a position where it does not contact the container.
The invention according to claim 8 provides the container heat seal device according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the container detection sensor is a non-contact sensor that detects the container in a non-contact manner.
The invention according to claim 9 is characterized in that the container carry-in / out mechanism includes a tray drive mechanism that moves the container receiving tray in the front-rear direction of the machine body, and the container receiving tray is in the container detaching position when the container receiving tray is in the container detaching position. When the detection sensor detects a container placed on the container lift table with no container installed, the container receiving tray is automatically moved to the sealing position by the tray driving mechanism, and further, the upper opening of the container is opened by the heater panel. Heat sealing of the film to the peripheral edge and movement of the container receiving tray from the sealing position to the container detaching position by the tray driving mechanism after completion of the heat sealing are automatically performed. The container heat-sealing device according to any one of claims 6 to 8 is provided.
According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, the container loading / unloading mechanism includes a tray driving mechanism that moves the container receiving tray in the front-rear direction of the machine body, and the container lifting mechanism of the container receiving tray disposed at the container detaching position. In the state where the container placed on the container lift table is detected by the container detection sensor, when the start command switch for inputting a start signal is operated, the container receiving tray is moved to the sealing position by the tray driving mechanism. The container receiving tray is moved from the sealing position to the container detaching position by the tray driving mechanism after the film has been moved and heat fusion of the film to the opening peripheral edge of the upper part of the container by the heater panel mechanism is completed. The container heat-sealing device according to any one of claims 6 to 8 is provided.
According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the container carry-in / out mechanism, the container detection sensor is placed on the container lift table in which no container is installed in a state where the container receiving tray is disposed at the container detaching position. When the container is detected, the tray drive mechanism automatically moves the container receiving tray to the sealing position, and the container lift of the container lifting mechanism of the container receiving tray disposed at the container detaching position is detected. In the state where the container placed on the table is detected by the container detection sensor, when the start command switch for inputting the start signal is operated, the tray driving mechanism is driven to bring the container receiving tray into the seal position. It is possible to perform manual start control that moves, and by operating the automatic / manual switch, That a dynamic start control is switched to provide a heat-sealing device for a container according to claim 9 or 10, wherein.

According to the present invention, when the container receiving tray is moved from the container detaching position to the sealing position, the heat sealing film is sandwiched between the front and rear clip blocks, and when the container receiving tray reaches the sealing position, A film is arrange | positioned so that the upper side of the container currently installed in the container receiving part may be covered. That is, the film for heat sealing can be automatically arranged on the container installed in the container receiving part simply by moving the container receiving tray from the container attaching / detaching position to the sealing position.
For this reason, for example, as described in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, forgetting to pinch the film or mistakes in the pinching operation do not occur, and the film can be reliably placed on the container installed in the container receiving portion. In the first place, a special operation for stretching the film on the container is unnecessary, and the heat sealing of the container with the film can be realized by an extremely simple operation.

Hereinafter, a heat seal apparatus 1 for containers (hereinafter, may be abbreviated as a heat seal apparatus) according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of the heat sealing apparatus 1, FIG. 2 is a front view showing a machine casing 2 of the heat sealing apparatus 1, and FIGS. 3 to 5 are views showing an internal structure of the heat sealing apparatus 1. 3 is a side sectional view showing a state in which the container receiving tray 5 is protruded to the front side of the machine casing 2, FIG. 4 is a side sectional view showing a state in which the container receiving tray 5 is housed in the machine casing 2, and FIG. 6 is an enlarged view showing the vicinity of the container receiving tray 5 in FIG. 3, FIG. 7 is an enlarged view showing the vicinity of the container receiving tray 5 in FIG. 5, and FIGS. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the dispensing mechanism 3, where (a) shows a state in which the container receiving tray 5 is housed in the machine casing 2, and (b) shows between the front clip block 53 and the rear clip block 7 of the container receiving tray 5 (C) shows that the container receiving tray 5 is stored in the machine casing 2. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a state in which the rear clip block 7 is installed on the container receiving tray 5 (a guide rail for guiding the rear clip block 7 moving back and forth), and FIG. 10 is a container lift table of the container lift mechanism 9. FIG. 11 is a bottom view of the heater panel.

In FIG. 1 to FIG. 7 and FIG. 9, description will be made with the upper side as the upper side and the lower side as the lower side.
3 to 7, the right side will be described as the front and the left side will be described as the rear. 8A to 8C, the upper side is the front and the lower side is the rear.
In FIGS. 2 and 8 to 9, the left side is described as left and the right side is described as right. In FIG. 10, the lower side is the front and the upper side is the rear.

As shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 6, the heat sealing apparatus 1 heat seals the film 12 on the opening peripheral edge 11 a at the top of the container 11 to seal the upper opening 11 b of the container 11.
The heat sealing apparatus 1 is configured such that a container 11 is placed in a box-shaped machine casing 2 by a container receiving tray 5 that is retracted to the front side of the machine casing 2 through a tray outlet / outlet 21 on the front side of the machine casing 2. 2 is disposed on the upper opening 11b of the container 11 at the opening peripheral portion 11a of the upper portion of the container 11 carried into the machine casing 2 by the container receiving tray 5. The heater board 41 is pressed from above the film 12, and the heater board mechanism 4 for heat-sealing the film 12 to the opening peripheral edge portion 11a is incorporated.

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

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

In the upper part of the machine casing 2, there is provided a film original fabric installation portion 2 a for installing a film original fabric 13 on which a belt-like film 12 is wound up.
As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, in the heat sealing apparatus 1, the film box 15 in which the film original 13 is stored in a box-shaped container 14 such as a cardboard box is placed on the top plate 22 of the machine casing 2. It can be loaded. The original film installation portion 2 a is configured by a top plate 22 and a holding frame 23 that is attached on the top plate 22 and prevents the position of the film box 15 from being displaced on the top plate 22.
In addition, as the film original fabric installation part 2a, the thing of the structure which pivotally supports the film original fabric 13 directly rotatably, for example may be used.
Moreover, the installation position of the film original fabric installation part 2a is not limited to the upper part of the machine casing 2, and can be changed as appropriate.

As shown in FIG. 3, the film 12 of the original film 13 is drawn out of the film box 15 from a film outlet 14 a opened in a slit shape on the side wall of the box-shaped container 14, and is placed on the upper part of the machine casing 2. The film is introduced into the machine casing 2 from the opened film introduction port 22a, and is passed through the machine casing 2 so as to extend vertically along the front cover 25 attached to the front side of the machine casing 2. The lower end of the film 12 is hung from above at a tray exit / retreat opening 21 provided at the lower part on the front side of the machine casing 2.
The front cover 25 is provided on the upper side of the tray outlet 21 of the machine casing 2 and constitutes a front wall of the machine casing 2. The front cover 25 can be attached to and detached from the machine body 1A. When the front cover 25 is removed, the entire front side of the machine housing 2 is opened, and maintenance and the like in the machine housing 2 can be easily performed.

In this heat sealing apparatus 1, a film guiding member 26b and a front cover 25 provided in the machine housing 2 guide the film 12 from the film introduction port 22a to the tray exit / retreat port 21. Is configured. The front cover 25 also functions as a film guide member.
The film 12 guided by the film guiding portion 26 from the film introduction port 22a (starting end of the film guiding portion 26) to the tray exit / retreat port 21 is provided at the end of the film guiding portion 26 located on the tray exit / retreat port 21. The lower end which is a gap secured between a pair of film guide members (here, the lower end of the front cover 25 and the film guide member 26b provided through a slight gap between the lower end of the front cover 25) The tray 26 is hung from the opening 26a (see FIGS. 6 and 7) to the tray exit / exit 21.

(Container loading / unloading mechanism)
As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the container carry-in / out mechanism 3 includes the container receiving tray 5, a tray driving mechanism 6 for moving the container receiving tray 5 in the front-rear direction, and the container receiving tray 5 in the front-rear direction. A rear clip block 7 mounted so as to be slidable in the direction, a clip spring 8 for urging the rear clip block 7 forward relative to the container receiving tray 5, and the container 11 provided in the container receiving tray 5. And a container lift mechanism 9 for raising and lowering the container.

(Container tray)
As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the container receiving tray 5 includes a frame-shaped movable frame 51, a receiving tray 52 attached to the front end of the movable frame 51, and the receiving tray 52 in the front-rear direction of the container receiving tray 5. And a front clip block 53 fixed to the movable frame 51 on the rear side.
As shown in FIG. 2, the container receiving tray 5 is provided between the side wall portions 2 b on the left and right sides (left and right in FIG. 2) of the machine casing 2. The movable frame 51 is provided on each of the left and right sides (FIG. 2 left and right) of the machine housing 2 on the inner surface side (the side facing the machine interior space between the side wall portions 2b) of the both side walls 2b. It moves in the front-rear direction while being guided by 28.

The container receiving tray 5 meshes with a tray rack gear 28a provided on the tray guide rail 28 by the rotational driving force of a tray driving motor 61 (see FIGS. 3, 6, 7 and the like) attached to the movable frame 51. The tray drive gear 62 (pinion gear) thus rotated is moved in the front-rear direction.
A tray driving motor 61, a tray driving gear 62, and a driving force transmission system (including a transmission gear 63 denoted by reference numeral 63 in the figure) that transmits the driving force of the tray driving motor 61 to the tray driving gear 62 constitute the tray driving mechanism 6. To do.
As illustrated in FIG. 6 and the like, in the heat sealing apparatus 1, the tray driving mechanism 6 is provided in the container receiving tray 5.
However, as the tray driving mechanism 6, the container receiving tray 5 (in detail, a movable frame 51 described later) is moved in the front-rear direction, and the container receiving tray 5 is moved from the tray outlet / outlet port 21 to the front side of the machine casing 2. The configuration is not limited to the configuration provided in the container receiving tray 5 as long as it can be withdrawn and withdrawn. For example, the configuration is such that the container receiving tray 5 is moved by the driving force of a motor attached to the machine casing 2. Also good.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, the tray 52 is a frame-like member in which a container insertion hole 52 a into which the container 11 is inserted is opened at the center.
The container 11 employed here has a flange-shaped flange portion 11c that projects outward from the upper opening portion 11b (more specifically, the upper end portion of the container main body portion 11d).
The container 11 is inserted into the container insertion hole 52a of the receiving tray 52 with the container main body 11d in a direction with the upper opening 11b facing upward. The eaves part 11c is placed on the eaves receiving part 52b that protrudes around the container insertion hole 52a. The container 11 in which the container main body 11d is inserted into the container insertion hole 52a is supported by the receiving tray 52 when the flange 11c is supported from below by the flange receiving base 52b.
Only the container main body 11d of the container 11 can be inserted into the container insertion hole 52a, and the flange 11c does not enter the container insertion hole 52a.

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

The opening peripheral edge part 11a of the container 11 refers to the upper end part of the container 11, and particularly refers to a part that forms a seal surface to which the film 12 is heat-sealed.
For example, the flange portion 11c of the container 11 illustrated in FIG. 6 protrudes in a flange shape on the outer periphery of the upper end portion of the container main body portion 11d, and has a flat upper surface 11e that functions as a sealing surface. It functions as the part 11a.

The bowl receiving portion 52b of the receiving tray 52 supports the opening peripheral edge portion 11a (specifically, the flange portion 11c) of the container 11 from below.
As shown in FIG. 7, when the film 12 is heat-sealed to the opening peripheral edge portion 11 a by the heater panel 41 of the heater panel mechanism 4, the heel support 52 b bears the pressing force from the heater panel 41, It fulfills the function of allowing the film 12 to be firmly pressed into the opening periphery 11a.
Moreover, the collar part 11c of the container 11 of the example of illustration has the hanging part 11g which protrudes below from an outer peripheral part. As shown in FIG. 6 and the like, the hanging portion 11g has a ring-shaped bowl receiving base when the container body 11d of the container 11 is inserted into the container insertion hole 52a inside the bowl receiving section 52b of the receiving tray 52. It arrange | positions on the outer side of the part 52b. The hanging part 11g does not function as an opening peripheral part.
As the container 11, a container that does not have the hanging part 11g can be used.

As shown in FIG. 8, the movable frame 51 of the container receiving tray 5 is a frame formed by connecting the left and right tray rails 51a placed on the tray guide rail 28 with a plurality of connecting frame members 51b.
The movable frame 51 slides in the front-rear direction with respect to the machine casing 2 while the left and right tray rails 51 a are guided by the tray guide rails 28.

The tray 52 is detachably attached to the movable frame 51 so as to span the left and right tray rails 51a with the surface (upper surface 52c) on the side where the basket receiving base portion 52b is protruded facing upward. .
In the container receiving tray 5 illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the receiving tray 52 is attached to the movable frame 51 so as to contact the rear surface 54 a of the tray front cover 54 fixed to the front end portion of the movable frame 51.

The container carry-in / out mechanism 3 moves the container receiving tray 5 in the front-rear direction to a position where the entire receiving tray 52 is disposed on the front side of the machine casing 2 (outside the casing 2) (the receiving tray 52 in FIGS. 3 and 6). Position, hereinafter, container detachment position, symbol 5A), and seal position where the tray 52 is placed directly below the heater panel 41 that is raised and lowered within the machine casing 2 (the position of the tray 52 in FIGS. 4 and 7; symbol 5B). And can be switched.
When the container receiving tray 5 is projected from the tray exit / retreat port 21 to the front side of the machine casing 2 and disposed at the container attaching / detaching position, the container 11 can be freely attached to and detached from the receiving tray 52.
When the container receiving tray 5 is arranged at the sealing position, the tray outlet / outlet 21 of the machine casing 2 is closed by the tray front cover 54.

(Rear clip block / clip spring)
As shown in FIGS. 8 (a) to 8 (c) and FIG. 9, the rear clip block 7 of the container carry-in / out mechanism 3 is provided so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction of the container receiving tray 5 behind the tray 52. It has been. Thereafter, the clip block 7 can be opened and closed with respect to the front clip block 53 of the container receiving tray 5 by sliding movement in the front-rear direction. When the clip block 7 is closed with respect to the front clip block 53, a film is formed between the clip block 7 and the front clip block 53. 12 can be inserted.
The front clip block 53 and the rear clip block 7 constitute a film clip mechanism that opens and closes by the longitudinal movement of the container receiving tray 5 and sandwiches the film 12 when closed.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 9, the rear clip block 7 is guided by the left and right tray rails 51 a of the movable frame 51 of the container receiving tray 5 on the rear side of the front clip block 53, so that the container receiving tray 5 It is provided so that it can be moved back and forth.
The left and right tray rails 51 a of the movable frame 51 function as guide rails that guide the rear clip block 7 to move in the front-rear direction with respect to the movable frame 51.
8 and 9, as a specific example of the guide rail, a tray rail 51a in which a guide groove 51d is formed to extend in the front-rear direction is illustrated. In the configuration illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, the rear clip block 7 has guide protrusions 75 protruding from the left and right ends of the rear clip block 7 inserted in the guide groove 51d so as to be able to move back and forth. The projection 75 is guided in the guide groove 51d and slides in the front-rear direction with respect to the movable frame 51.
The guide rail for guiding the rear clip block 7 to be slidable in the front-rear direction with respect to the movable frame 51 is not limited to the above-described tray rail 51a with the guide groove 51d. These members may be separately attached to the movable frame 51.

Specifically, the rear clip block 7 includes a rear clip main body 71 having a sandwiching plate portion 71b arranged to face the front clip block 53 on the front surface side, and both left and right sides of the rear clip main body 71 (FIG. 8 ( a) to (c), and a stopper piece 72 protruding from the left and right of FIG. 9.
The rear clip main body 71 has a plate-like main body plate portion 71a provided in a erected state on the left and right tray rails 51a, and the clamping plate portion 71b provided at the front end of the main body plate portion 71a.
The guide protrusions 75 protrude downward from the left and right ends of the body plate portion 71 a of the rear clip body 71.

The front clip block 53 and the rear clip block 7 (specifically, the rear clip main body 71) have dimensions in the left-right direction that are slightly larger than the width dimension of the belt-like film 12, and an area for sandwiching the belt-like film 12 Can be secured sufficiently.
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, in the container carry-in / out mechanism 3 according to the present embodiment, rubber 74 and 53 b are provided on the opposing surfaces of the sandwiching plate portion 71 b and the front clip block 53 of the rear clip block 7. The rubber 74 and 53b form the sandwiching plate portion 71b of the rear clip block 7 and the film sandwiching surfaces 53a and 71c of the front clip block 53 facing each other.
In the clip blocks 53 and 7 illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the sandwiched film 12 can be firmly fixed by rubbers 53 b and 74 for preventing the film 12 from slipping.
However, the rubbers 53b and 74 can be omitted.

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

As shown in FIGS. 6, 8, etc., in the illustrated container carrying-in / out mechanism 3, the clip spring 8 includes a spring receiving wall 55 k fixed to the movable frame 51 and the spring receiving wall in the rear clip block 7. It is a compression coil spring arranged between the portion positioned on the front side of 55k and takes a reaction force on the spring receiving wall 55k to urge the rear clip block 7 to the front side. In FIG. 6, FIG. 8, etc., the spring receiving wall 55k is fixed to one of the connecting frame members 51b (pressure receiving connecting member 51e) provided on the movable frame 51.
The clip spring 8 is incorporated in the container loading / unloading mechanism 3 with the central axis direction aligned in the front-rear direction.

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

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

  In the container carry-in / out mechanism 3, as shown in FIGS. 3, 6, and 8 (a), the stopper of the rear clip block 7 is applied by the urging force of the clip spring 8 when the container receiving tray 5 is in the container detaching position. The piece 72 is pressed against the clip stopper 2 c of the machine casing 2, and a gap C is secured between the rear clip body 71 (specifically, the clamping plate portion 71 b) and the front clip block 53. . The gap C is located directly below the lower end opening 26a of the film guiding portion 26 described above. For this reason, it is easy to insert the film 12 unwound from the original film 13 and hung down from the lower end opening 26 a of the film guiding portion 26 to the tray exit / retreat opening 21 into the gap C.

  The end of the film 12 unwound from the original film 13 is placed in the gap C, and the container receiving tray 5 is sealed from the container attachment / detachment position by the tray driving mechanism 6 (FIGS. 4, 5, 7, and FIG. 8 (c), the front clip block 53 gradually approaches the rear clip block 7, and the rear clip body 71 (specifically, the clamping plate portion 71b in detail). The film 12 is sandwiched between them (the state shown in FIG. 8B), and the rear clip block 7 is pressed. At this time, the film 12 is firmly sandwiched between the front and rear clip blocks 53 and 7 by the urging force of the clip spring 8.

After the film 12 is sandwiched between the front and rear clip blocks 53 and 7, the container receiving tray 5 and the rear clip block 7 are integrated by continuing the movement of the container receiving tray 5 (moving backward in the front-rear direction). And move backward in the front-rear direction. This movement stops when the seal position is reached (see FIG. 8C).
If the rear clip block 7 pressed by the container receiving tray 5 starts to move rearward in the front-rear direction, the stopper piece 72 of the rear clip block 7 is moved rearward from the clip stopper 2c on the machine housing 2 side. Not even.
Note that the position of the rear clip block 7 when the container receiving tray 5 is in the sealing position is the movable range rear end position.

The movement of the container receiving tray 5 is stopped by, for example, driving the tray of the clip driving mechanism 6 based on a detection signal from a sensor (for example, the tray IN sensor 502 in FIG. 3) that detects that the container receiving tray 5 has reached the sealing position. This is done by stopping the driving of the motor 61.
As the tray drive motor 61, for example, a DC motor is employed in which a braking force that restricts the rotation of the output shaft works against the action of an external force that rotates the output shaft when no drive current is supplied. To do. In this case, by stopping the feeding of the drive current for the tray drive motor 61 based on the detection signal from the sensor that has detected that the container receiving tray 5 has reached the seal position, the tray driving motor 61 itself can be moved to the container receiving tray. 5 can function as a misalignment prevention means for preventing misalignment from the seal position 5.
Further, as a misalignment prevention means for stopping the container receiving tray 5 that has reached the sealing position so as not to be displaced from the sealing position until the heat sealing of the film 12 to the container upper opening 12 is completed. For example, it is possible to employ various types such as those using an electromagnet that restricts movement by fixing the container receiving tray 5 with a magnetic attraction force.
The container carry-in / out mechanism is also provided with a positional deviation prevention means for stopping the container receiving tray 5 so as not to be displaced from the container detaching position. As this misalignment prevention means, the same as the misalignment prevention means for stopping the container receiving tray 5 so as not to be displaced from the container attaching / detaching position can be adopted.

  As can be seen with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, when the container receiving tray 5 is in the container attaching / detaching position (see FIG. 6 and the like), the spring receiving wall 55k is compared to when the container receiving tray 5 is in the sealing position. And the distance L between the spring receiving portion of the rear clip block 7 (the holding wall portion 71b in the illustrated example) is reduced. This is because when the container receiving tray 5 is moved from the sealing position to the container detaching position, the rear clip block 7 is stopped by the stopper 2c and cannot move further forward. A gap C is secured to the spring receiving wall 55k and the spring receiving portion of the rear clip block 7 by a length corresponding to the separation distance Lc between the front and rear clip blocks 53, 7 due to the formation of the gap C (in the illustrated example, nipping is performed). This is because the separation distance L from the wall 71b) becomes small.

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

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

(Container lift mechanism)
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the container lift mechanism 9 is provided below the tray 52.
The container lift mechanism 9 is provided on the movable frame 51 of the container receiving tray 5.

  The container lift mechanism 9 is mounted on the container lift table 91 on which the container 11 inserted into the container insertion hole 52 a of the tray 52 is placed, a table lifting mechanism 92 for raising and lowering the container lift table 91, and the container lift table 91. And a container detection sensor 93 (see FIG. 10) for detecting the container 11 formed.

As the table elevating mechanism 92, for example, as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the container lift connected to the endless belt 92b is driven by rotating the endless belt 92b by a motor 92a (lift table elevating motor). A structure in which the table 91 is lifted and lowered along a lifting guide 92c extending in the vertical direction can be employed.
The endless belt 92b is wound around sprockets 92e and 92f installed in the vicinity of both upper and lower ends of the lifting guide 92c, and extends in the vertical direction along the lifting guide 92c (hereinafter referred to as a vertically extending portion 92g). Say). Of the pair of upper and lower sprockets 92e, 92f, the lower sprocket 92f is attached to a lifting mechanism frame 92d fixed to the lower side of the movable frame 51 of the container receiving tray 5.
The driving force transmission pulley 92h that transmits the rotational driving force of the lift table elevating motor 92a to the endless belt 92b is wound around the endless belt 92b other than the vertically extending portion 92g.
6 and 7, reference numeral 92i denotes a tension pulley, which applies tension to the endless belt 92b.

As shown in FIGS. 6, 7, and 10, the container lift table 91 is fixed to a lifting block 92j that moves up and down along a lifting guide 92c. The lifting block 92j is attached to a vertically extending portion 92g of the endless belt 92b, and is lifted and lowered by the endless belt 92b being rotated by the motor 92a. The container lift table 91 is lifted and lowered along the lifting guide 92c integrally with the lifting block 92j. The up and down direction (up or down) of the container lift table 91 can be selected by forward / reverse selection of the rotation direction of the motor 92a.
The table elevating mechanism 92 is not particularly limited as long as it is configured to elevate and lower the container lift table 91. For example, a table utilizing a rack-pinion mechanism can be adopted.

The container detection sensor 93 is attached to a container lift table 91.
For example, a non-contact sensor such as an optical sensor is preferably used as the container detection sensor 93.
FIG. 10 shows an example of an optical sensor.
In FIG. 10, the optical sensor includes a light projecting unit 93a and a light receiving unit 93b.
The light projecting unit 93a and the light receiving unit 93b are disposed to face both sides of the container lift table 91, and the output light from the light projecting unit 93a is shielded by the container 11 placed at the center of the container lift table 91. Thus, the container 11 is detected when the light receiving signal from the light receiving portion 93b cannot be obtained.
The non-contact sensor that can be used as the container detection sensor 93 is not limited to the optical sensor configured by the light projecting unit and the light receiving unit as described above, and for example, a photoelectric sensor (reflected light from an object to be detected). In addition, an ultrasonic sensor or the like can be used.

  The container lift table 91 illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 10 and the like includes a lift table 91a attached to a lift guide 92c so as to be movable up and down, and a slide table provided on the lift table 91a so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction. 91b (table body). By adjusting the position of the slide table 91 b, the position of the container detection sensor 93 can be adjusted to a position suitable for detection of the container 11 in accordance with the shape of the container 11 installed on the tray 52.

(Heater panel mechanism)
As shown in FIG. 3, the heater panel mechanism 4 includes a heater panel 41 and a heater panel elevating mechanism 42 for elevating and lowering the heater panel 41.
The heater panel elevating mechanism 42 is attached to the upper part of the machine casing 2. This heater panel raising / lowering mechanism 42 may be of a known configuration, such as one that raises and lowers the heater panel 41 by the driving force of an electric motor.
The heater panel 41 is pressed from the upper side toward the tray 52 arranged at the seal position by being lowered from the elevation upper / lower position by the heater board raising / lowering mechanism 42.

FIG. 11 is a bottom view showing the heater panel 41.
As shown in FIGS. 6, 7, and 11, the heater panel 41 has a ring-shaped heater plate 41b and a ring-shaped film presser 41c on the lower surface side of the heater panel base plate 41a that is moved up and down by the heater panel lifting mechanism 42. A ring-shaped cutter 41d, a straight film presser 41e, and a straight cutter 41f are attached.
The ring-shaped film presser 41c, the ring-shaped cutter 41d, the straight film presser 41e, and the straight cutter 41f are fixed to the heater panel base plate 41a.
The ring-shaped cutter 41d and the straight cutter 41f cut the film 12 disposed on the tray 52 when the heater panel 41 is lowered and pressed against the tray 52 disposed at the sealing position. .

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

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

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a coil spring 41i is interposed between the heater panel base plate 41a and the heater plate 41b, and the heater plate 41b is heated by the expansion / contraction range of the coil spring 41i. It is attached to the base plate 41a while allowing a slight vertical movement.
In the heater panel 41 illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the heater plate 41 b is formed of a heater plate guide bar 41 g that is inserted in a guide bar insertion hole 41 h that is a through hole formed in the heater panel base plate 41 a so as to be movable up and down. It is fixed at the lower end.
The heater plate guide bar 41g has a retaining piece 41g1 fixed to the upper end protruding on the heater panel base plate 41a, and is brought into contact with the heater panel base plate 41a from above, so that the heater plate base bar 41g moves downward from the heater panel base plate 41a. Omission is regulated.
Further, in FIG. 11, reference numeral 41g2 denotes a set screw for fixing the heater plate 41b to the lower end of the heater plate guide bar 41g.

(Sealing process)
With this heat sealing apparatus 1, the film 12 is thermally fused to the opening peripheral edge 11a of the upper opening 11b of the unsealed container 11 (the container 11 before the upper opening 11b is sealed by heat fusion of the film 12). The operation | movement (sealing process) which wears and obtains the sealed container which sealed the upper opening part 11b is comprised by the following processes (1)-(5).
(1) When the container 11 set on the tray 52 of the container receiving tray 5 disposed at the container detaching position is detected by the container detection sensor 93 of the container lift mechanism 9, the container lift mechanism 9 detects the container lift table 91. A lift table lowering step in which the lowering is lowered to the lower limit position (the position of the container lift table 91 shown in FIG. 7).
(2) A container carrying-in process for moving the container receiving tray 5 to the seal position by driving the tray driving mechanism 6 after the lift table lowering process.
(3) After the container carrying-in process is completed, the heater panel mechanism 4 lowers the heater panel 41, and the film 12 provided on the container 11 so as to close the upper opening 11b is formed on the opening peripheral edge 11a of the container 11. Heat sealing process for heat sealing.
(4) A container carrying-out process in which the container receiving tray 5 is moved to the container detaching position by driving the tray driving mechanism 6 after the heat sealing process is completed.
(5) After the container unloading process is completed, the container lift mechanism 9 raises the container lift table 91 from the lower limit position, and the sealed container 11 is separated upward from the cradle receiving part 52b of the tray 52. The container push-up process, which pushes up to the position to be done.
When the container lift table 91 is lowered to the lower limit position in the lift table lowering process, the state where the container lift table 91 is disposed at the lower limit position is maintained until the heat sealing process and the container unloading process are completed.

(Lift table lowering process)
As described above, in the heat sealing apparatus 1, the container 11 is set on the tray 52 in a state where the container receiving tray 5 is in the container detaching position. At this time (the container receiving tray 5 is in the container detaching position). In some cases, the container lift mechanism 9 stops the container lift table 91 on the upper side of the lower limit position, and before the unsealed container 11 (before the upper opening 11b is sealed by thermal fusion of the film 12). The container 11) is placed on standby.
The container lift mechanism 9 lowers the container lift table 91 to the lower limit position when the container detection sensor 93 detects the container 11 set on the tray 52.

As the container 11 applied to the heat sealing apparatus 1, when the opening peripheral edge portion 11a is placed on the bowl receiving portion 52b of the receiving tray 52, the height dimension of the container main body portion 11d protruding downward from the receiving tray 52 ( The dimension from the bottom part (bottom face) to the upper end of the container 11 is adopted, which has a dimension H in FIG. The container lift table 91 of the container lift mechanism 9 detects the container 11 by the container detection sensor 93 when the container 11 (specifically, the bottom of the container 11) is placed when the container 11 is set on the tray 52. At the position to obtain, the container 11 is placed on standby.
Moreover, as the container 11 applied to this heat sealing apparatus 1, when the container lift table 91 reaches the elevating lower limit position, the collar part 11c is supported by the collar receiving part 52b of the tray 52, so that the container The bottom part is separated from the container lift table 91 and has a height dimension (a dimension from the bottom part (bottom face) to the upper end of the container 11; symbol H in FIG. 6) that is not detected by the container detection sensor 93. When the container lift table 91 reaches the lower limit position, the container lift table 91 moves downward from the bottom of the container 11 so that the flange portion 11c of the container 11 is reliably supported by the rod receiving base portion 52b of the tray 52. Is done.

  In the heat sealing apparatus 1, the container lift table 91 is disposed at the upper and lower upper limit positions by the table elevating mechanism 92 when performing the first sealing process after activation (power ON). The raising / lowering upper limit position of the container lift table 91 is a position (upper side) as close as possible to the tray 52 in that the container lift table 91 can cope with a small height of the container 11 applied to the heat sealing apparatus 1. It is preferable.

When the container detection sensor 93 detects the container 11 set on the tray 52 and the container lift table 91 is lowered to the lower limit position, the container 11 is supported by the tray 52. That is, as the container lift table 91 is lowered, the opening peripheral edge 11 a of the container 11 is placed on the basket receiving base 52 b of the tray 52.
For the container 11 having the flange portion 11c with the hanging portion 11g protruding from the protruding tip from the upper end of the container main body portion 11d, the hanging portion 11g is disposed outside the rod receiving portion 52b of the tray 52, The opening peripheral edge portion 11 a of the container 11 is placed on the basket receiving portion 52 b of the receiving tray 52.

  When the container lift table 91 is lowered to the lift raising / lowering lower limit position, it is detected that the bottom of the container 11 is separated from the container lift table 91 by the container detection sensor 93 not detecting the container 11.

(Container loading process)
In the container carrying-in process, the container receiving tray 5 is moved to the seal position by driving the tray driving mechanism 6 after completion of the lift table lowering process (the container lift table 91 reaches the lift lower limit position). As a result, the container 11 supported by the tray 52 is disposed immediately below the heater panel 41 of the heater panel mechanism 4.

In addition, the heater panel mechanism 4 arranges the heater panel 41 at the upper / lower upper limit position (position of the heater panel 41 shown in FIG. 6) until the movement of the container receiving tray 5 from the container attachment / detachment position to the sealing position is completed. The board 41 does not obstruct the movement of the container receiving tray 5 from the container attaching / detaching position to the sealing position.
The upper and lower upper limit position of the heater panel 41 is stretched on the container 11 installed in the tray 52 by being pulled into the machine casing 2 by the movement of the container receiving tray 5 from the container attaching / detaching position to the sealing position. It is a position that does not interfere with the film 12 to be formed.

(Heat sealing process)
When the container carrying-in process is completed (the container receiving tray 5 moved from the container detaching position reaches the sealing position), the heater panel mechanism 4 lowers the heater panel 41 so as to block the upper opening 11b on the container 11. The provided film 12 is heat-sealed (heat sealed) to the opening peripheral edge portion 11 a of the container 11.
When the heat fusion of the film 12 is completed, the heater panel mechanism 4 raises the heater panel 41 and stops it at the upper limit position.

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

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

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

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

(Container lifting process)
When the container unloading process is completed (the container receiving tray 5 reaches the container attaching / detaching position), the container lift mechanism 9 raises the container lift table 91 from the lower limit position, and the sealed container 11 is received by the flange 11c of the tray 52. It is pushed up to a position that is spaced apart upward from the hook receiving part 52b.
The rise of the container lift table 91 by the container lift mechanism 9 stops when the container 11 is detected by the container detection sensor 93 and reaches a position above the preset lifting adjustment dimension.
For example, the position (vertical direction position, height) of the lifted container lift table 91 can be grasped by measurement data of a sensor (lift position sensor 506) such as a rotary encoder that detects the rotation angle of the lift table lift motor 92a. Thus, when the lift amount of the container lift table 91 after the container 11 is detected by the container detection sensor 93 reaches a preset push-up adjustment dimension, the drive of the lift table lift motor 92a is stopped. .
However, it goes without saying that the ascending position of the container lift table 91 is not higher than the ascending / descending upper limit position.
As a sensor (lift position sensor 506) for grasping the position (vertical position, height) of the lifted container lift table 91, a rotary that detects the rotation angle of the lift table lifting motor 92a described above. Various things can be adopted without being limited to the encoder.

If the container 11 that has been heat-sealed by the film 12 is pushed up to a position where the eaves part 11c is spaced upward from the eaves receiving part 52b of the receiving tray 52 by the above-described push-up adjustment dimension (symbol Δh in FIG. 6), Since the protruding dimension of the container 11 from the tray 52 increases, the container 11 can be taken out of the tray 52 very easily.
Here, since the container detection sensor 93 is detecting the container 11 until the container 11 is taken out from the receiving tray 52, it is ON.
Even if the container 11 is taken out from the tray 52 and the container 11 is no longer detected by the container detection sensor 93 (the container detection sensor 93 is OFF), the container lift mechanism 9 detects the unsealed container 11 that performs the next sealing process. The container lift table 91 is stopped so that the position in the vertical direction does not change until it is set on the tray 52 and detected by the container detection sensor 93.

  In the container lifting process, the lifting of the container lift table 91 by the container lifting mechanism 9 is stopped when the container 11 is detected by the container detection sensor 93 and reaches a position above the preset lifting adjustment dimension. If it is a structure, irrespective of the height dimension of the container 11, there is an advantage that a predetermined push-up adjustment dimension is always obtained and the push-up adjustment dimension is not excessive or insufficient.

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

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

(Auto / manual switch)
In the heat sealing apparatus 1, two control modes (start control mode) such as automatic start control and manual start control can be switched.
In the automatic start control, when the container detection sensor 93 detects the container 11 (the container detection sensor 93 is ON) in a state where the container reception tray 5 is in the container attachment / detachment position, the tray driving mechanism 6 causes the container reception tray 5 to move. The movement to be drawn into the machine housing 2 is automatically started. This has been described in the above sealing process.
In the manual start control, a start signal is input to the controller 16 of the heat seal device 1 in a state where the container 11 inserted in the tray 52 of the container receiving tray 5 at the container detaching position is detected by the container detection sensor 93. When the manual start switch SW1 (start command switch) is operated and a start signal is input to the control unit 16, the tray drive mechanism 6 starts moving to draw the container receiving tray 5 into the machine casing 2. is there.

Here, the automatic start control and the manual start control can be switched by long-pressing the manual start switch SW1 (holding the pressed state for several seconds). For example, when the operation control is the automatic start control at the time of activation, the operation control can be switched to the manual start control by long pressing the manual start switch SW1. When the manual start switch SW1 is pressed and held after switching to the manual start control, the operation control is switched to the automatic start control. That is, each time a long press is performed, the operation control is switched.
The manual start switch SW1 itself functions as an automatic / manual switching switch for switching between automatic start control and manual start control.
However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a configuration in which an automatic / manual switching switch is provided separately from the manual start switch SW1 can be employed.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the manual start switch SW <b> 1 is attached to the front side of the machine housing 2.
However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the manual start switch and the automatic / manual switching switch may be provided, for example, on a remote controller connected to an electric cord extending outward from the machine casing 2 or a wireless remote controller.

The operation display lamp P1 provided on the front side of the machine housing 2 is used when the container detection sensor 93 detects the container 11 inserted into the container insertion hole 52a of the tray 52 of the container receiving tray 5 at the container detaching position. Is lit. Therefore, by confirming that the operation display lamp P <b> 1 is turned on, it can be surely grasped that the container 11 is placed on the container lift table 91.
Further, the speaker P2 incorporated in the machine casing 2 functions as an abnormality notification means for notifying the occurrence of an abnormality. However, the abnormality notification means is not limited to a speaker, and may be a lamp that is turned on by an output signal from the control unit 16 when an abnormality occurs, for example.
The container detection sensor 93 is connected to the control unit 16, and the control unit 16 functions as an abnormality determination unit that determines the presence / absence of abnormality detection based on a signal from the container detection sensor 93.

In the case of manual start control, when the container 11 set on the tray 52 of the container receiving tray 5 at the container detaching position is detected by the container detection sensor 93, the operation display lamp P1 on the front side of the machine housing 2 is turned on. Thus, it can be confirmed that the sealing process is possible.
Then, when the container detection sensor 93 is in the ON state, the container lift table 91 starts to descend by inputting a start signal to the control unit 16 by operating the manual start switch SW1. Thereafter, the sealing process is executed in the same manner as the automatic start control described above.
In the manual start control, when the container detection sensor 93 is turned ON, the operation of moving the container 11 to the sealing position by the container carry-in / out mechanism 3 is not immediately started.

According to the heat sealing apparatus 1, when the container receiving tray 5 is moved from the container detaching position to the sealing position accommodated in the machine casing 2, the heat sealing film 12 is placed between the front and rear clip blocks 53, 7. And is stretched on the container 11 installed on the tray 52 by the movement of the container receiving tray 5.
That is, by the operation in which the container receiving tray 5 protruding to the front side of the machine casing 2 is stored in the machine casing 2, the heat sealing film 12 is automatically placed on the container 11 installed in the receiving tray 52. Is stretched.
For this reason, according to this heat sealing device 1, for example, as described in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, the film is not forgotten to be sandwiched or a mistake in sandwiching operation does not occur, and the film is placed on the container 11 installed in the tray 52. Can be securely arranged. In the first place, a special operation for stretching the film 12 on the container 11 is not necessary, and heat sealing of the container with the film can be realized by an extremely simple operation.

In addition, this invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, A various change is possible.
For example, the present invention can also be applied to a heat seal apparatus configured to manually move the container receiving tray back and forth and / or raise and lower the heater panel.
Even when a container loading / unloading mechanism configured to manually move the container receiving tray back and forth is employed, the container loading / unloading mechanism does not require a tray driving mechanism, and thus a very simple configuration is sufficient. Also in this case, as described above, the container receiving tray is composed of the front clip block and the rear clip block simply by moving from the container attaching / detaching position protruding to the front side of the machine body to the seal position under the heater panel of the machine body. By the film clip mechanism, the film can be automatically arranged on the container installed in the tray.

  By simply moving the container receiving tray from the container attaching / detaching position to the sealing position, the film can be sandwiched between the film clip mechanism composed of the front clip block and the rear clip block, and onto the container installed on the tray. The container carrying-in / out mechanism having a configuration capable of automatically realizing the arrangement (stretching) of the film is not limited to the one exemplified in the above-described embodiment, and various configurations can be employed.

(Another aspect 1 of the container loading / unloading mechanism)
The container carry-in / out mechanism of the heat seal apparatus 101 shown in FIG. 12 urges the rear clip block 7 by a clip spring 81 (coil spring) that takes a reaction force on the machine casing 2, and the rear clip block 7 and the container receiving tray are urged. In this case, a clamping force for sandwiching the film 12 between the front clip block 53 and the front clip block 53 is generated.
Also in this heat seal device 101, the stopper piece 72 is provided on the rear clip block 7, and the position where the stopper piece 72 is pressed against the clip stopper 2 c of the machine housing 2 is the movable range front end position of the rear clip block 7. It is preferable to make it. In the case of this configuration, after the stopper piece 72 is pressed against the clip stopper 2c of the machine casing 2 and further movement to the front side (right side in FIG. 12) is restricted, between the clip block 7 and the machine casing 2 The clip spring 81 can be kept in a compressed state, and has sufficient strength to sandwich and fix the film 12 between the front and rear clip blocks 53 and 7 even when the rear clip block 7 is at the front end position of the movable range. The clamping force can be obtained with certainty.
However, in this heat sealing apparatus 101, the rear clip block 7 is connected to the tip of the clip spring 81, and the clip spring 81 itself is retained so that the rear clip block 7 does not come out to the front side of the machine casing 2. A configuration that functions as a member is not excluded.
The clip spring 81 presses the rear clip block 7 toward the front clip block 53, and the rear clip block 7 is kept closed with respect to the front clip block 53 moved from the container detaching position to the sealing position. As it is, it functions as a clamping force applying means that moves together with the front clip block 53 from the front end position of the movable range.

(Another aspect 2 of the container carry-in / out mechanism)
The container carrying-in / out mechanism of the heat seal apparatus 102 shown in FIG. 13 magnetically attracts the front clip block 53 of the container receiving tray 5 by the electromagnet 76 incorporated in the rear clip block 7, and thereby between the front and rear clip blocks 53, 7. The film 12 is sandwiched between and fixed. The electromagnet 76 functions as clamping force applying means according to the present invention.
Power supply to the electromagnet 76 is performed, for example, via a guide rail that guides the movement of the rear clip block 7 in the front-rear direction (left-right direction in FIG. 13).
The front clip block 53 is made of a metal that can be magnetically attracted. The metal may be a known metal such as iron or ferrite.

In FIG. 13, reference numeral 77 is a switch for turning on and off the power supply to the electromagnet 76.
The switch 77 is switched between ON and OFF by abutting a switch abutting piece 78 provided in the machine casing 2 by the movement of the rear clip block 7 in the front-rear direction.
That is, when the rear clip block 7 is at the front end position of the movable range (the position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 13), the switch 77 is positioned on the front side (right side in FIG. 13) from the switch contact piece 78 and is turned OFF. ing.
After clip pressed by the container receiving tray 5 moved from the container attaching / detaching position (the position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 13) toward the seal position (the position indicated by the phantom line in FIG. 13) below the heater panel mechanism 4 When the block 7 is pushed and moved to the rear side (left side in FIG. 13), the switch 77 in contact with the switch contact piece 78 is turned on. Accordingly, the front clip block 53 is magnetically attracted by the magnetic force generated by the supplied electromagnet 76, and the film 12 is sandwiched between the front and rear clip blocks 53 and 7.
When the container receiving tray 5 is moved from the sealing position to the container detaching position, the switch 77 of the rear clip block 7 contacts the switch contact piece 78, so that the switch 77 is switched from ON to OFF, and the electromagnet 76 is supplied with power. Stopped. As a result, the space between the front and rear clip blocks 53 and 7 can be opened, the rear clip block 7 remains at the front end position of the movable range, and the container receiving tray 5 moves away from the rear clip block 7 and reaches the container detachment position. A gap C in which the film 12 can be inserted is secured between the front and rear clip blocks 53 and 7.

The container carrying-in / out mechanism of the heat sealing apparatuses 101 and 102 illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13 is different from the heat sealing apparatus 1 described with reference to FIGS.
The configuration other than the container carry-in / out mechanism of the heat sealing apparatuses 101 and 102 illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13 can be the same as that of the heat sealing apparatus 1 described with reference to FIGS.

The machine body of the heat sealing apparatus according to the present invention is not limited to a machine housing that can store a container receiving tray, as long as it supports a heater panel for heat sealing by a support frame so that it can be raised and lowered.
However, it is necessary to secure a container carry-in space under the heater panel.

It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the heat seal apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a front view which shows the machine casing of the heat seal apparatus of FIG. It is a figure which shows the internal structure of the heat seal apparatus of FIG. 1, and is a sectional side view which shows the state which protruded the container receiving tray to the machine housing front side. It is a figure which shows the internal structure of the heat seal apparatus of FIG. 1, and is a sectional side view which shows the state which accommodated the container receiving tray in the machine casing. It is a figure which shows the internal structure of the heat seal apparatus of FIG. 1, and is sectional drawing which shows sealing operation | movement. It is an enlarged view which shows the container receiving tray vicinity in FIG. It is an enlarged view which shows the container receiving tray vicinity in FIG. (A)-(c) is a top view which shows a container receiving tray, (a) is the state which accommodated the container receiving tray in the machine casing, (b) is the front clip block and rear clip block of a container receiving tray. (C) shows a state in which the container receiving tray is housed in the machine casing. It is sectional drawing which shows the example of the installation state (guide rail which guides the back clip block 7 which moves back and forth) with respect to the container receiving tray 5. It is a top view which shows the container lift table of the container lift mechanism provided in the container receiving tray of the heat seal apparatus of FIG. It is a bottom view which shows the heater panel of the heat seal apparatus of FIG. It is a figure which shows another aspect of a container carrying in / out mechanism. It is a figure which shows another aspect of a container carrying in / out mechanism.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 101, 102 ... Heat seal apparatus for containers, 11 ... Container, 11a ... Periphery of opening, 11b ... Upper opening, 11c ... Saddle, 12 ... Film, 13 ... Original film, 2 ... Machine casing, 2a ... Film original fabric installation part, 2c ... Clip stopper, 21 ... Tray exit / exit, 3 ... Container loading / unloading mechanism, 4 ... Heater panel mechanism, 41 ... Heater panel, 5 ... Container receiving tray, 52 ... Receptacle, 52a ... Container insertion Hole 52b... Reed receiving base 53. Front clip block 55 k Spring spring (spring receiving wall) 6 Tray drive mechanism 7 Rear clip block 71 b Spring receiving (clamping wall) 72 ... stopper piece, 76 ... clamping force applying means (electromagnet), 8 ... clamping force applying means (clip spring), 81 ... clamping force applying means (clip spring), 9 ... container lift mechanism, 9 ... container lift table, C ... gap, S ... container loading space, SW1 ... start command switch (manual start switch).

Claims (11)

A container heat seal device for heat-sealing the film (12) to the opening peripheral edge (11a) of the upper part of the container (11) to seal the upper opening (11b) of the container,
A machine body (1A) that secures a container carrying-in space (S) into which the container is carried under a heat sealing heater panel supported by a support frame (2) so as to be movable up and down, and a container with respect to the container carrying-in space. A container carry-in / out mechanism for carrying in and out, and a film guiding part (26) for guiding the belt-like film to a film clip mechanism provided in the container carry-in / out mechanism,
The container carry-in / out mechanism is:
A container detaching position (5A) having a container receiving part (52) in which the container is installed and being moved back and forth automatically or manually, so that the container receiving part protrudes from the front side of the machine body, and the container A container receiving tray (5) that is switched between a sealing position (5B) at which the receiving portion is arranged in the container carrying-in space;
The container receiving tray is provided on the container receiving tray or the machine body so as to be movable back and forth behind the front clip block (53) provided on the rear side of the container receiving portion. When it is arranged at the container detaching position, it is arranged at a movable range front end position capable of ensuring a gap (C) into which the film can be inserted between the front clip block and the container receiving tray from the container detaching position. A rear clip block (7) that is moved rearward from the movable range front end position while being pressed by the front clip block when moved to the seal position;
Pushing the rear clip block toward the front clip block, the front clip block is kept closed with respect to the front clip block moved from the container detaching position to the sealing position, and the movable range front end A clamping force applying means (8, 81, 76) that moves together with the front clip block from the position;
The front clip block and the rear clip block are opened and closed by a back-and-forth movement of the container receiving tray, and constitute the film clip mechanism that sandwiches the film when the container is closed. , 101, 102). The clamping force applying means is a spring;
When the container receiving tray is moved from the sealing position to the detaching position, the rear clip block is moved at the position of the rear clip block when the container receiving tray is at the sealing position by the biasing force of the spring. 2. The container heat seal device according to claim 1, wherein the container heat seal device is moved from a certain movable range rear end position to the movable range front end position. The rear clip block is attached to the container receiving tray so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction,
The spring is disposed between a spring receiving portion (55k) provided on the container receiving tray and a spring receiving portion (71b) provided on the rear clip block, and the rear clip block is disposed on the rear receiving block. 3. The container heat seal device according to claim 2, wherein the container heat seal device is a compression coil spring biased forward with respect to the container receiving tray.   The airframe is provided with a clip stopper (2c) that restricts the movement of the rear clip block from the front end position of the movable range to the front side when the rear clip block abuts from the rear side. The heat-seal apparatus for containers in any one of Claims 1-3.   The container receiving portion is formed in a frame shape in which a container insertion hole (52a) into which the container is inserted is opened, and a flange portion that protrudes outward from the upper opening portion (11b) of the container around the container insertion hole. The container heat-sealing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the container heat-seal device is a tray (52) having a basket receiving portion (52b) on which 11c) is placed. The container receiving tray is moved up and down a container lift table (91) on which a container inserted into a container insertion hole (52a) inside the bowl receiving part formed in a ring shape on the receiving tray is placed. A container lift mechanism (9) that moves up and down, and a container detection sensor (93) that detects a container placed on the container lift table are provided,
When the container receiving tray that is moved back and forth while maintaining the state where the container lift table is lowered to a position where it does not contact the container is moved from the seal position to the container detachment position, the container lift mechanism After the lift table is raised and the container detection sensor detects the container installed on the tray, the container is pushed up by a predetermined amount, and the bowl of the container is 6. The container heat seal device according to claim 5, wherein the container heat seal device is spaced upward from the cradle. In a state where the container receiving tray is disposed at the container detaching position, when the container detection sensor detects a container placed on the container lift table where the container is not installed at the upper and lower limit position, the container lift mechanism is The container lift table is lowered to a position where it does not contact the container,
The state in which the container lift table is lowered to a position where it does not contact the container is maintained until the container receiving tray is moved to the sealing position and then returned to the container detaching position. Heat seal device for containers.   The container heat seal device according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the container detection sensor is a non-contact sensor that detects a container in a non-contact manner. The container carry-in / out mechanism comprises a tray drive mechanism (6) for moving the container receiving tray in the front-rear direction of the machine body,
When the container receiving tray is in the container detaching position and the container detection sensor detects a container placed on the container lift table without a container, the container receiving tray is automatically moved to the sealing position by the tray driving mechanism. Move
Furthermore, the container receiving tray from the sealing position to the container detaching position by the tray driving mechanism after the heat fusion of the film to the opening peripheral edge of the upper part of the container by the heater panel and the completion of the thermal fusion. The container heat sealing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the movement of the container is automatically performed. The container carry-in / out mechanism comprises a tray drive mechanism (6) for moving the container receiving tray in the front-rear direction of the machine body,
A start command switch (SW1) for inputting a start signal in a state where a container placed on the container lift table of the container lift mechanism of the container receiving tray disposed at the container detaching position is detected by the container detection sensor. Is operated, the container receiving tray is moved to the sealing position by the tray driving mechanism,
The container receiving tray is moved from the sealing position to the container detaching position by the tray driving mechanism after the film is thermally fused to the opening peripheral edge of the upper part of the container by the heater panel mechanism. The container heat seal device according to any one of claims 6 to 8. The container carry-in / out mechanism is:
In a state where the container receiving tray is disposed at the container detaching position, when the container detection sensor detects a container placed on the container lift table without a container, the tray driving mechanism automatically Automatic start control to move the receiving tray to the sealing position;
A start command switch (SW1) for inputting a start signal in a state where a container placed on the container lift table of the container lift mechanism of the container receiving tray disposed at the container detaching position is detected by the container detection sensor. When the tray is driven, the tray drive mechanism is driven to move the container receiving tray to the seal position, and manual start control is possible.
The container heat seal device according to claim 9 or 10, wherein automatic start control and manual start control are switched by operation of an automatic / manual switching switch.

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