JPH04189709A - Packaging device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve workability of a packaging device by providing a means for detecting an object to be packaged to detect whether or not an object to be packaged has been supplied to a packaging means and starting operation of the packaging means when said detecting means detects an object to be packaged. CONSTITUTION:A packing sheet 1 is supplied onto a receiving table 8 and a limit switch detects said sheet. When an operator nuts an object to be packaged C on the table 8, the limit switch detects it and packaging operation is started at a packaging work unit B. And during said operation, a U-shaped arm 39 of a sheet feed device 2 holds one packing sheet 1 from a storage A. Further, the sheet 1 held by the arm 39 is fed onto the table 8 when the packaging operation has been finished. In order to change the size of sheet 1 during the operation, an interruption switch P1 is depressed to allow only the packaging operation to be performed.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention provides a packaging means for packaging an object with a supplied packaging sheet and discharging the object upon completion of packaging; The present invention relates to a packaging apparatus that is provided with a packaging sheet supplying means for supplying packaging sheets from a sheet storage section to the packaging means, and a control means for controlling the operation of the packaging means and the packaging sheet supplying means.

[Conventional technology]

The packaging device as described above is used for packaging spherical vegetables such as lettuce.

That is, with the packaging sheet supplied to the packaging means, the operator places the object to be packaged on the packaging sheet. Then, in this state, the packaging operation is executed by starting the operation of the packaging means.

Conventionally, a switch was provided to instruct the start of operation of the packaging means, and the operator operated the switch.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

In the prior art described above, the operator is required to operate the switch each time the packaging means is activated. Therefore, the operation is troublesome and there is a possibility that the work efficiency will be lowered.

An object of the present invention is to eliminate the above-mentioned conventional drawbacks and provide a packaging device with excellent workability.

[Means to solve the problem]

In order to achieve this object, a first characteristic configuration of the packaging apparatus according to the present invention is that the packaging means is provided with a packaged object detection means for detecting whether or not the packaged object is supplied to the packaging means; The control means is configured to start the operation of the packaging means when the object to be packaged detection means detects the object to be packaged.

Further, a second characteristic configuration is that when the packaged object detecting means stops detecting the packaged object after the packaging device is activated, the packaging sheet supplying device supplies the packaging sheet to the packaging device. It is structured as follows.

[For production]

In the first characteristic configuration, the packaged object detection means detects the packaged object by the operator placing the packaged object on the packaging sheet while the packaging sort is supplied to the packaging means. operation can be started.

Furthermore, in the second characteristic configuration, the next packaging sheet is supplied to the packaging means upon completion of packaging, so the operator can immediately supply the next item to be packaged.

〔Effect of the invention〕

In the first characteristic configuration, since the operator can start the operation of the packaging means simply by placing the object to be packaged on the packaging sheet, it is possible to improve the workability of the packaging apparatus.

Furthermore, in the second characteristic configuration, since the packaging sheet is automatically fed, it is possible to improve the layer workability.

〔Example〕

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

FIGS. 4 and 5 show a packaging device for wrapping an article (C) such as lettuce with a packaging sheet (1). This packaging device includes a storage section (A) for stacking and storing a large number of packaging sheets (1), a sheet feeding device (2) as a sheet feeding means for transporting and supplying sheets one by one from the storage section (A), and Packaging work unit (B) as a packaging means for wrapping the packaged object (C) with the supplied packaging sheet (])
It consists of Further, a start switch (P,) and an interruption switch (Pl) are attached to the sideways portion of the packaging device.

The packaging work section (B) includes a holding mechanism (3) that wraps and holds the packaged object (C) placed from above the supplied packaging sheet (1) from below, and a holding mechanism (3) that wraps and holds the packaged object (C) placed from above the supplied packaging sheet (1). ), a wrapping mechanism (4) that folds each end of the packaging sheet (1), wraps and guides it, and after the wrapping operation, feeds out an adhesive tape (5) for pasting and fixing the packaging sheet (1). It is equipped with a tape feeding device (6) for feeding, a holding device (7) for preventing the object to be packaged (C) from floating during the wrapping operation, and the like. In addition, in FIG. 4, (B3) and (B4) are the air blow nozzles for ear removal, and in FIG. 5, (B1) is the air blow nozzle for separation.

As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the holding mechanism (3) includes a receiving stand (8) for receiving and supporting the packaged object (C), and a pair of holding arms (9). The holding arm (9) is configured to be swing-driven between a downwardly retracted position and an upwardly swingable operating position by an electric motor (M) which can be rotated forward and backward. In other words, electric motor (M8)
The balance swinging arm (
12), a lifting member (14) which is driven to slide up and down with respect to a support shaft (13) is interlocked and connected to each holding arm (9) for swinging drive. In addition, an electric motor (M8
) is configured to interlock and drive a press roller (15) for pressing and tensioning one end of the packaging sheet (1) via a link mechanism (16).

The receiving stand (8) is used to hold the packaged object (C) in the packaging work section (B).
A contact-type limiter (S, 5) is provided as a means for detecting whether or not ) has been supplied.

Additionally, limit switches (S, 2), (S, 3), and (S15) for timing control of the electric motor (M8) are provided. The top of these is Limit Sui Sochi (S,
Based on the detection information of □), it is detected whether the packaging sheet is being supplied to the packaging section (B).

The wrapping mechanism (4), as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7,
4. Fold and guide each end of the packaging sheet (1) onto the packaged object (C) held by the holding mechanism (3) and hold it.
first to fourth wrapping tools (17a), (17b),
(17c) and (17d), and each wrapping tool sequentially folds and guides the packaging sheet (1) along the surface of the packaged object (C) by a forward/reverse electric motor (Ml) to (M4). It is composed. Each wrapping tool has a first support arm (20
), a second support arm (21) is pivotally supported at one end of the first support arm (20), and a guide roller (22) is supported at the tip of the second support arm (21). Each of the support arms (20) and (21) is biased to rotate in the physical direction of the packaged object. In addition, the second support arm (
A cam roller (23) is supported on the other end side of 21), and this cam roller (23) is guided by a cam surface (24) as the drive arm (19) rotates, and each guide roller (22)
) is configured to be guided and driven substantially along the surface of the packaged object (C). Note that (Sl) to (B9) in the figure are limit switches for timing control of each electric motor (Ml) to (M4).

The guide roller (22) of the first wrapping device (17a) that operates first is divided into left and right halves, and between these the roller (22) and the sheet end side to be guided are placed on the wrapped object (C). )
A blower nozzle (B2) is provided which is bent and guided toward the side. This blow nozzle (B2) is connected to the first wrapping tool (1
Air is blown in conjunction with the enveloping operation of 7a), and the air blown is stopped after the second enclosing device (17b) has been operated to an intermediate position.

The presser device (7), as shown in FIGS. 9 to 11,
The presser arm (26), which is elastically biased downward, is configured to move vertically and horizontally by driving an electric motor (M,), and in accordance with the wrapping operation, the object to be packaged CC')
It is configured to operate as a presser. In detail, the presser device (7) is provided on the rear side of the second wrapper (17b), and is slidable horizontally in the direction toward the center of the working part with respect to the support frame (28) erected from the machine stand. Moving part (29)
It also supports a vertically movable part (30) so as to be vertically movable with respect to this horizontally movable part (29), and this vertically movable part (30)
Attach the presser arm (26) to 0). and,
The lateral moving part (29) is driven to move laterally by a driving pin (31) rotationally driven by an electric motor (M5) abutting and securing the vertical engaging recess (32), and the vertical moving part (30) is driven to move horizontally. , the driving pin (31) abuts and engages with the locking portion (33) and is driven. The guide hole (34) connected to the engagement recess (32) allows the drive pin (31) to rotate so as not to move laterally during vertical movement driving. The presser device (7) configured as described above has a first step in which the presser arm (26) moves laterally from a standby position at the rear and upper side to above the object to be packaged (C), and a first step in which the presser arm (26) moves laterally to above the object to be packaged (C). ), a second step in which the robot is held down, a third step in which the robot moves laterally to the rear, and a fourth step in which it moves upward toward the standby position are sequentially repeated.

In the figure, (S, .) and (S, □) are limit switches for timing control of the electric motor (M5).

Next, the sheet feeding device (2) will be explained.

As shown in Figures 4 and 5, guide rails (
35) and an endless rotating chain (36), and is provided with an adsorption transfer mechanism (37) that is guided by both guide rails (35) and slides when driven by the rotating chain (36). The suction transfer mechanism (37) spans a pair of support members (38) movably connected to each rotary chain (36), and the horizontal axis is located at approximately the same level as the sprocket axis of the rotary chain (36). (p+) A U-shaped arm (39) swingable around (p+) is constructed and connected, and suction nozzles (40) for suctioning the packaging sheet (1) are provided at two intermediate positions of this arm (39). Each rotating chain (36) is configured to be driven in forward and reverse directions by the drive of an electric motor (M6), and is equipped with a potentiometer (PM) for detecting the amount of movement of the suction transfer mechanism (37). Further, the rotation fulcrum part of the arm (37) is equipped with an electric motor (M7) that slides integrally, and the position where the suction nozzle (40) is retracted upward by the drive of this motor (M7), and the position where the suction nozzle (40) is stored. The structure is such that it can be switched and oscillated between the positions where it adsorbs the packaging sheet (1). In the figure (PM2) is a potentiometer for detecting the position of the suction nozzle (40).

In addition, the storage section (A) has three storage devices (43
) are arranged in an inclined position and one on top of the other so that their front ends are approximately at the same height.

The suction nozzle (40) is elastically retractably supported by a support bracket (44) attached to the arm (39), and is communicatively connected to a suction device (41) via a suction pipe (45).

As shown in FIG. 12, the suction nozzle (40) has a central axis (
A cylindrical member (47) is attached to the outer periphery of the shaft (46) to form an annular suction port (48) and is configured to draw suction through a suction path (1) formed within the center shaft (46). Adsorption of the packaging sheet is performed using a negative pressure switch (S15
) is detected.

At the upper center of the holding mechanism (3), there is a saucer (
50), and this receiving tray (50) has a supporting posture of receiving and supporting the packaged object (C) around the horizontal axis center (P2) at a lower position on the downstream side in the sheet feeding direction, and a supporting posture of receiving and supporting the packaged object (C), and facing outward and upward. It is configured to be able to freely switch and swing between swinging discharge positions. That is, as shown in FIG. 11, an L-shaped arm (51) integrally connected to a saucer (50) is pivotally supported on a frame (52), and a middle part of the arm (51) and a presser device (7) are provided. The drive arm (53) is interlocked and connected via a wire (54). The drive arm (53) is connected to the presser device (7).
) is brought into contact and oscillated by the movement of the drive pin (31) in the fourth step of step ), and the receiving tray (50) is quickly switched from the supporting position to the releasing position, thereby releasing the packaged object (C) that has been wrapped outside. It is configured to emit to.

Next, the mounting structure of the tape feeding device (6) will be explained. The tape feeding device (6) is configured to feed out a predetermined amount of the adhesive tape (5) for wrapping packaging for each packaging operation as described above.

It is disposed on the outer side of the fourth wrapping tool (17d), and its position is adjusted along the direction toward the center of the working section (B), that is, the place where the object to be packaged (C) is placed. It can be attached freely. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 13, four rollers (57) that are engaged and guided by a pair of left and right rails (56) formed on a fixed frame (55) are attached and supported in a slidable manner. together with a fixed frame (55)
An operating lever (59) that is elastically deformable in the direction of movement is engaged with a locking tool (58) that is connected thereto for positioning. The locking tool (58) has three engaging recesses (6
0a).

(60b) and (60c), and are set so that the position of the feeding tape (5) can be switched depending on the packaging sheet (1) of three different sizes.

Further, along with the above position adjustment of the tape feeding device (6), the suction start position and the suction end position of the sheet supply device (2) are changed and adjusted, and the left and right spacing between the left and right suction nozzles (40) is changed. It is. To explain in detail, the engaging recesses (60a) and (60c) on both end sides of the locking tool (58)
Limit switches (61a) and (61b) are installed to detect the presence of the operating lever (59), and based on the signals of these switches (61a) and (61b), the control device (H) described later or the sheet supply Supply drive motor of device (2) (
M6) to change the suction start position and suction end position. In other words, if the limit switch (61a) on the center side is in the detection state, it is determined to be the small side seat position, and if the limit switch (61b) on the opposite side is in the detection state, it is determined to be the large side seat position. If not detected, the middle seam
It is determined that this is the correct position.

Further, each suction nozzle (40) is supported so as to be slidable laterally with respect to a support shaft (62), and is supported by a balance arm (62) so as to be slidable in the horizontal direction.
3) and each rod (64) so that they slide in a contradistinct manner. The balance arm (63) has left and right suction nozzles (40) corresponding to the position of the tape feeding device (6).
) or configured to slide.

A tape support (66) for placing and supporting the adhesive tape (5) is placed below the tape feeding portion of the tape feeding device (6).
), and as shown in FIG. 14, this tape support (66) is attached to the tip of a support arm (67) which is pivotally connected to the fourth wrapper (17d), and is vertically swingable and downwardly attached. It is attached so as to be freely movable, and is positioned by engaging with the roller (68) provided at the swinging end thereof or the hook portion (69a) at the lower end of the plate-shaped guide member (69) on the tape feeding device (6) side. It is composed.

The roller (68) is formed to have a smaller diameter at the central portion in the axial direction, and is configured to be able to be positioned in the left and right direction by being engaged with the guide member (69). The tape support (66) also includes a tape holding member (70) that can be freely switched between a state in which the adhesive tape (5) and the packaging sheet (1) are held together and supported under pressure, and a state in which the pressure is released.
) is provided in a supporting action position in a spring-biased state and can be driven and released by the electric motor (M8).

As explained above, since the tape feeding device (6) is provided so that its position can be freely adjusted according to the size of the packaging sheet (1), the amount of tape feeding can be kept constant even when the size of the sheet is . It can also be supplied in an appropriate condition.

Next, a configuration for controlling the operations of the packaging section (B) and the sheet feeding device (2) will be explained.

As shown in FIG. 1, a control device (H) using a microcomputer is provided, and each limit switch (Sl) to (S15), (61a), (
61b), start switch (P,), interrupt switch (
Pl), each potentiometer (PMI), (PM2)
, and a negative pressure switch (S15). The control device (H) is configured to control the operations of the packaging section (B) and the sheet feeding device (2) based on various input information.

That is, the control device (H) is used to control the control means (100
) or configured.

Next, the operation of the control device (H) will be explained based on the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 2(a) to 2(d).

First, the packaging procedure will be explained based on FIG. 2(a).

First, the U-shaped arm (39) is moved to the initial position. Then, the seat position is determined based on the position of the operating lever (59).

Basically, each time a worker supplies a packaged object (C) to the packaging section (B), the packaging section (B) and the sheet feeding device (2) each perform one cycle of operation. After the operation is completed, the device waits until the limit switch (S, 6) for detecting the packaged object (C) is turned on again. In other words, while the packaging sheet (1) is being fed onto the receiving stand (8) (hereinafter referred to as the paper feeding state), the operator places the object to be packaged (C) on the receiving stand (8). By doing so, the packaging operation in the packaging section (B) is started. In addition, in the sheet supply device (2), - sheets of packaging sheets (
1) is performed during the above-mentioned packaging operation (hereinafter referred to as paper feeding preparation operation).

Furthermore, the packaging sheet (
The operation of feeding 1) onto the receiving table (8) of the packaging work section (B) (hereinafter referred to as paper feeding operation) is executed upon completion of the packaging operation.

However, at the time of starting work, etc., the paper is not being fed, so the packaging work cannot be performed immediately. Therefore, when the paper is not being fed as described above, the start switch (p
, ) is pressed, the sheet feeding device (2) executes a sheet feeding preparation operation and a sheet feeding operation to enter a sheet feeding state. Then, the worker places the object to be packaged (C) on the receiving stand (8).
The above-mentioned operations including the wrapping operation are performed by placing the . Here, it is determined whether or not the paper is being fed by pressing the upper limit switch (S) of the holding mechanism (3).
This is done based on the detection information in 2).

That is, it is determined that the paper is being fed when the switch (S, 2) is OFF.

Furthermore, when changing the size of the packaging sheet (1) during work, only the packaging operation can be performed by pressing the interruption switch (Pl).

When the packaging operation is completed, the packaging sheet (1) is not supplied to the packaging section (B), and the sheet supply device (
2) The packaging sheet (1) is not held. In this state, operate the operating lever (59) to
) and then restart the packaging work by pressing the start switch (Po).

You can also use the interrupt switch (P
l) can be used.

To explain the sheet feeding preparation operation, as shown in FIG. 2(0), the U-shaped arm (39) is moved to the suction start position corresponding to the specified size of the packaging sheet (1). Next, the suction nozzle (40) is lowered to activate the suction device (41). After confirming the suction, use the suction nozzle (40
) is raised, and the U-shaped arm (39) is moved a set distance in the direction away from the packaging work section (B).

Check the suction again and repeat the above operation until the suction is achieved.

After the suction is confirmed, the packaging sheets (1) are separated by blowing air with the separation air nozzle (B1) without swinging the suction nozzle (40) up and down so as not to supply multiple packaging sheets (1). ing.

Then, the suction nozzle (40) is placed on standby with the suction nozzle (40) raised to its upper limit.

To explain the paper feeding operation, as shown in FIG. 2(C), first, the adhesive tape (5) is fed out to a predetermined position with the adhesive surface facing upward. Next, the U-shaped arm (39)
to the specified suction end position. Then, the suction nozzle (40) is lowered to release the suction. Thus, the packaging sheet (1) is fed onto the receiving table (8). At this time, the adhesive tape (5) is attached to the packaging sheet (1).
Attach it to one end (ld) that is folded back at the end. In addition, while raising the suction nozzle (40), the pressing roller (15
) to fix it.

Next, the packaging operation will be explained.

As shown in Figure 2 (D) and Figure 3, one receiver (8
) is fixedly held by placing the holding mechanism (3) in the operating position.

Next, the first wrapping tool (17a) is raised until the upper limit switch (B2) is turned on, and the wrapping sheet (1) is removed.
Fold the - side end (la) back onto the top surface of the item to be packaged (C).

In addition, the second wrapping tool (17b) is activated slightly after the first wrapping tool (17a) starts rising, and the packaging sheet (17a) is activated.
) overlap the minus side edge (lb) on the minus side edge (1a). The operation of the second wrapper (17b) is performed intermittently in four steps, or the - side end (la) is not wrapped around the second wrapper (17b) when the second wrapper (17b) is raised. Activate the blower nozzle (B2).

Middle limit switch (B4) of the second wrapping tool (17b)
) is turned ON, the third wrapping tool (17c) is activated, or before its activation, it is necessary to cover the one side end (1a), (1b) along the outer circumferential surface of the object (C) without bulging. Then, activate the ear removal nozzle (B3) to blow air toward the bent area. In addition, the third wrapping tool (
17C) overlaps the negative end (lc) of the packaging sheet (1), the presser arm (26) presses the upper surface thereof.

Furthermore, after activating the ear-picking nozzle (B4), the fourth wrapping tool (17d) is activated, and the one end (1d) to which the adhesive tape (5) is pasted is folded back and folded into four layers. Glue the wrapped packaging sheet (1).

Next, the presser arm (26) is raised and the holding mechanism (3) releases the object (C) to be packaged. Then, the packaged object (C) is released from the receiving table (8).

[Another example]

In the above embodiment, a contact type switch was used as the packaged object detection means (S, S), but a photoelectric switch or a proximity switch may also be used, and the specific structure of the packaged object detection means (S, 5) can be changed in various ways.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the structure of the attached drawings by adding numerals in the claims for convenient comparison with the drawings.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

The drawings show an embodiment of the packaging apparatus according to the present invention, in which Fig. 1 is a block diagram of the control configuration, Fig. 2 (a) to (d) are flow charts of control operation, Fig. 3 is a timing chart of the same, and 4 is an overall plan view, FIG. 5 is a side view of the same, FIGS. 6 and 7 are side views of the packaging work section, FIG. 8 is a side view of the holding mechanism, FIG. 9 is a side view of the presser device, FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the same, FIG. 11 is a side view of the main parts of the holding mechanism, FIG. 12 is a side view of the suction nozzle, and FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the tape feeding device.
FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the same essential parts. (1)...Packaging sheet, (2)...Packaging sheet supply means, (100)...Control means,
(A)... Storage section, (B)... Packaging means, (C)... Item to be packaged, (S, 5)...
... Packaged object detection means.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. Packaging means (B) that wraps the packaged object (C) with the supplied packaging sheet (1) and discharges the packaged object (C) upon completion of packaging; The packaging sheet (1) is transferred from the storage section (A) of the packaging sheet (1) to the packaging means (B).
A packaging apparatus comprising: a packaging sheet supplying means (2) for supplying the packaging sheet to the packaging sheet; and a control means (100) for controlling the operation of the packaging means (B) and the packaging sheet supplying means (2), A packaged object detection means (S_1_5) is provided for detecting whether the packaged object (C) is supplied to the packaging means (B), and the control means (100) is configured to detect whether or not the packaged object detection means (S_1_5) ) is configured to start the operation of the packaging means (B) when the packaging device (C) is detected. 2. The packaging device according to claim 1, wherein the packaged object detection means (
Packaging configured such that the packaging sheet supplying means (2) supplies the packaging sheet (1) to the packaging means (B) as the packaging sheet (P) no longer detects the packaged object (C). Device.