JPH0487912A - Film packaging machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To simplify the construction of a film packaging machine for easily installing it by a method wherein a sheet article is manually inserted in a feed port and held between a pair of upper and lower conveyer belts to convey the sheet article. CONSTITUTION:A sheet article is manually inserted into a feed port 11. Strip films are supplied to the feed port 11 from above and below. The front ends of upper and lower films are previously bonded together, and the article is enclosed by the films and inserted inside. When a first sensor 16 mounted near the feed port detects the front end of the article, upper and lower conveyer belts 32 and 31 are brought in operation and the article is held between them and transferred. When the first sensor 16 detects the rear end of the article, the conveyer belts are temporarily stopped after a specified time period, and a main heater 17 comes in contact with the films located behind the rear end of the article. In this state, the conveyer belts are operated again, and the films are fusion-bonded together and cut off. The article is enclosed in a film bag and delivered. When a second sensor 51, which is mounted near the terminal of the conveyer belts, detects the article, the conveyer belts are stopped.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION "Field of Industrial Application" The present invention relates to a film packaging device for sheet-shaped or plate-shaped articles such as newspapers and magazines.

``Prior Art'' Various types of devices are already in use for packaging articles by covering them with a heat-sealable film such as a polyethylene film and heat-sealing the edges of the film.

FIG. 5 shows an example of such a conventional packaging device.

This packaging device includes a supply conveyor 2 for articles to be packaged 1, and a half-folded film 3 disposed at the terminal end of this supply conveyor 2.
a supply section 4, a discharge conveyor 5 on which the article 1 whose upper and lower sides are covered with the half-folded film 3 is placed and moved, and a frame-shaped frame that fuses the rear end and both sides of the film 3 at the starting end of the discharge conveyor 5. It is composed of a heater 6.

The article to be packaged 1 is transported by a supply conveyor 2, inserted into a half-folded film 3, and then cut and moved to a discharge conveyor 5 as it is. When the article l is placed on the discharge conveyor 5,
The heater 6 rotates and comes into contact with the film 3 to fuse the rear end and both sides of the film 3. Further, the rear end portion of the film 3 is cut while being fused, and is separated into a bag body 3a that covers the article 1 and a half-folded band portion 3b continuous with the roll film 7.

``Problems to be Solved by the Invention'' However, in the conventional packaging apparatus described above, the film supply section 4 is disposed between the supply conveyor 2 and the discharge conveyor 5, so the entire apparatus becomes large and, for example, for newspaper delivery. It has been difficult to easily install such devices at locations due to space and cost considerations.

In addition, in the above-mentioned packaging device, it is possible to omit the supply conveyor 2 and insert the article l into the half-folded film 3 manually, but for light articles such as newspapers,
It is difficult to pull and move the film 3 just by placing it on the discharge conveyor 5.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a package that is suitable for packaging sheet-shaped articles such as newspapers, has a relatively simple and compact structure, and can be easily installed, for example, at newspaper delivery offices. The goal is to provide equipment.

"Means for Solving the Problems" In order to achieve the above object, the packaging device according to the present invention includes: a film supplying means for feeding a strip-shaped film from above and below so as to sandwich the product toward an insertion port for the product; A first sensor that is placed near the insertion opening and detects the article; a main heater that is supported so as to be able to come into contact with and separate from the film and fuses and cuts the front and rear ends of the film; and a main heater that is vertically opposed in the insertion direction of the article. and a pair of conveyor belts that sandwich and transfer the article, a second sensor that is placed near the end of the conveyor belt and detects the article, and a pair of side heaters that fuse both sides of the film. , when the first sensor detects the leading end of the article, the conveying belt is actuated; when the first sensor detects the trailing edge of the article, the conveying belt is temporarily stopped, and the main hip comes into contact with the film. Then, in this state, the conveyor belt operates again, and then, when the main heater leaves the film and the second sensor detects the rear end of the article, the conveyor belt stops. do.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the main heater includes a cutting blade attached to a heating element, and when the cutting blade comes into contact with the film, the cutting edge of the cutting blade is pressed against the heat-resistant cushioning material. is being used.

Further, the side heaters include a pair of plate-shaped heaters arranged so as to be able to approach and separate from the film on both sides of the conveyor belt, and when the first sensor detects the rear end of the article, the conveyor belt When paused, it contacts the film and moves away from the film before the transport belt is activated.

Further, the conveyor belt is composed of a lower conveyor belt which is disposed in a fixed vertical position, and an upper conveyor belt which is disposed so as to be able to be pushed up according to the thickness of the article.

"Function" In the packaging device of the present invention, a sheet-like article, such as a newspaper folded into quarters, is manually inserted through the insertion slot. Strip-shaped films are supplied to the insertion opening from above and below by a film supplying means, and the upper and lower films are connected in advance to form a half-folded shape. Therefore, the article is pushed into the insertion slot with the film covering the top and bottom of the article.

A first sensor is arranged near the insertion port, and a first sensor is arranged near the insertion port.
When the sensor detects the leading edge of the article, the conveyor belt is activated. As a result, the article moves while being sandwiched between the vertically opposed conveyor belts.

When the first sensor detects the rear end of the article, the conveyor belt temporarily stops at a predetermined timing, and the main heater comes into contact with the film located at the rear of the article to fuse the upper and lower films together. If the main heater is brought into contact with the conveyor belt while it is in operation, the heater and the film will become misaligned and cannot be properly fused together. Note that if the side heaters are arranged on both sides of the conveyor belt, the side heaters also come into contact with the film at this time, fuse both sides of the film, and then separate from the film before the conveyor belt operates again.

With the main heater in contact with the film, the conveyor belt is activated again to move the article. In this way, with the main heater fusing the upper and lower films,
By moving the article and applying tension to the film, the film can be effectively cut. In this case, it is difficult to cut the film by simply pressing the main part against the film.

In this way, the article is wrapped in a bag with the film and sent out by the conveyor belt. When the second sensor placed near the end of the conveyor belt detects the rear end of the article,
The conveyor belt stops working. By repeating this operation, articles can be wrapped one after another in the form of a bag with a film.

As described above, in the packaging device of the present invention, the article is manually inserted from the insertion opening without providing a supply conveyor, and the article is moved by being sandwiched between a pair of upper and lower conveyor belts arranged in the insertion direction. The structure of the device can be simplified and made compact. Therefore, it can be easily installed at newspaper delivery offices and the like.

Further, since the conveyor belt is temporarily stopped and the main hinge is brought into contact with the film, and then the conveyor belt is operated again in this state, the film can be neatly cut by applying a tensile force when the film is fused.

"Embodiment" FIGS. 1 and 2 show an embodiment of a film packaging apparatus according to the present invention.

In the figure, reference numeral 11 denotes an article insertion opening, and guide rollers 12 are arranged above and below the insertion opening 11. Further, a film holder 13 (see FIG. 2) is installed in front of the insertion opening 11, and a pair of roll films 14 are supported by this film holder 13 in a vertically opposed manner.

The strip-shaped film 15 unrolled from these roll films 14 is guided by guide rollers 12 of the insertion opening 11 and introduced into the apparatus. Note that as the film 15, any film can be used as long as it can be heat-sealed, and for example, the film 15 may have a thickness of 0. A polyethylene reinforced film having a thickness of 01 to 0.013 mm is used.

In the vicinity of the insertion opening 11, on the inside of the device, there is a first pair of light-emitting and light-receiving elements arranged on both sides of the article insertion path.
A sensor 16 is installed. The first sensor 16 detects the leading end of the article when the light is blocked from passing therethrough, and detects the rear end of the article when the light is passing from the blocked state.

A main heater 17 is installed adjacent to the first sensor 16 in the article insertion path. The main heater 17 includes a lever 19 whose one end is pivotally connected to the frame of the device by a support shaft 18, a heating element 20 attached to the other end of the lever 19, and a heating element 20 attached to the heating element 20 with the cutting edge facing downward. The cutting blade 21 is made up of a Also, lever 19
is normally urged by a spring 22 to rotate upward. Furthermore, one end of a link 23 is pivotally attached to the intermediate portion of the lever 19, and the other end of the link 23 is pivotally attached to one end of a lever 25 rotatably supported by a support shaft 24. The other end of the lever 25 is connected to the solenoid 2.
It is pivotally connected to the actuating rod 27 of No. 6.

Therefore, when the solenoid 26 is activated and the rod 27 is retracted, the lever 25 rotates downward around the support shaft 24, the link 23 is pulled downward, and the lever 19 rotates downward. The cutting blade 21 descends. A cushioning material 28 made of heat-resistant rubber or the like is installed below the cutting blade 21 across the article insertion path, and the cutting blade 21 is pressed against this cushioning material 28 . In FIG. 1, reference numeral 29 is a cover made of a flexible heat-resistant sheet, which prevents the film 15 from coming into contact with the cutting blade 21 of the main heater 17 when an article is inserted through the insertion opening 11. It is something to do.

Further, in the article insertion direction, there are conveyor belts arranged vertically, that is, a lower conveyor belt 31 and an upper conveyor belt 3.
2 are arranged.

The lower conveyor belt 31 is stretched over a pair of conveyor pulleys 33, 34 rotatably supported on the device frame.

A driven pulley 35 is attached concentrically to one of the conveyor pulleys 34, and a timing belt 38 is stretched between a drive pulley 37 attached to a drive shaft 36 that is linked to a motor (not shown). . Therefore, when the driving pulley 37 rotates due to the operation of the motor, the driven pulley 35 and the conveying pulley 34 are rotated via the timing belt 38.
rotates, and the lower conveyor belt 31 rotates.

The upper conveyor belt 32 is made of a stretchable material and is stretched around three conveyor pulleys 39, 40, and 41. The conveyance pulley 39 is rotatably mounted on a support shaft 44 provided at the intersection of the arms 42 and 43. In addition, the arm 42
．． 43 can be freely opened and closed by rotating around a support shaft 44,
A transport pulley 40 is rotatably supported at the end of the arm 42, and a transport pulley 41 is rotatably supported at the end of the arm 43. Therefore, the upper conveyor belt 32 is always in contact with the upper surface of the lower conveyor belt 31 due to its own weight, but when an article is pushed between both belts 31 and 32, it is pushed upward according to the thickness of the article. It will be done.

Further, a support shaft 45 is provided on the device frame adjacent to the support shaft 44 that supports the conveyance pulley 39, and a timing belt is provided between the pulley 46 attached to the support shaft 45 and the drive pulley 37. 47 is installed. Furthermore, a gear 48 is mounted on the support shaft 45 concentrically with the pulley 46, and this gear 48 meshes with a gear 49 that is mounted concentrically with the conveyance pulley 39. Therefore, when the drive pulley 37 is rotated by a motor (not shown), the conveyance pulley 39 rotates via the timing belt 47, pulley 46, gear 48, and gear 49, and the upper conveyance belt 32 rotates.

As shown in FIG. 2, the upper conveyor belt 32 and the lower conveyor belt 31 are each composed of three belts each supported by three rows of pulleys arranged at equal intervals in the width direction of the article. ing.

The first sensor 1 is located at the end of the conveyor belt 31, 32.
A second sensor 51 having a configuration similar to that of 6 is arranged.

On the other hand, a pair of elongated plate-shaped side heaters 52 are arranged on both sides of the conveyor belts 31 and 32. This side heater 52 is operated by a solenoid 53 arranged inside both side walls of the device frame. That is, an end of an I-shaped lever 56 whose intermediate portion is rotatably supported on the apparatus frame by a support shaft 55 is pivotally connected to the operating rod 54 of the solenoid 53, and the other end of the lever 56 is connected to a slide shaft 57. It is pivotally attached to the upper end of the . The slide shaft 57 is inserted into the kite frame 58 and supported so as to be slidable in the vertical direction, and the center portion of the side heater 52 is connected to the lower end of the slide shaft 57 in an "I" shape. The end of the lever 56 connected to the operating rod 54 of the solenoid 53 is normally urged by a spring 59 to rotate upward.

Therefore, the solenoid 53 is actuated and the actuating rod 5
4 is retracted, the other end of the lever 56 rotates downward, the slide shaft 57 slides downward, and the side heater 52 is lowered and pressed against both sides of the film 15. Although not shown, the apparatus frame is provided with a receiving plate to which the lower edge of the side heater 52 is pressed when the side heater 52 is lowered.

Next, the operation of the packaging device of the present invention having the above configuration will be explained.

Before starting the packaging work, pull out the strip-shaped films 15 from the roll films 14 arranged above and below, connect the top and bottom films with cellophane tape, etc., insert them into the insertion slot 11 using newspaper, etc., and use the main heater 17 to separate the top and bottom films. The ends of the films 15 are fused and connected. In this state, the worker inserts the sheet-shaped packaged articles such as newspapers and magazines into the insertion slot I.
Push in from I. The article is inserted so that it is sandwiched at the top and bottom by the strip-shaped film 15 (.

When the leading edge of the article passes between the first sensors 16, the first sensor 16 detects the leading edge of the article by blocking the light, and operates a motor (not shown) to rotate the drive pulley 37. , the lower conveyor belt 31 and the upper conveyor belt 32 are rotated by the interlocking mechanism described above. As the article is further pushed in, its leading end is pushed between the conveyor belts 31 and 32 together with the films 15 placed above and below. At this time, the upper conveyor belt 32 is pushed upward according to the thickness of the article by the mechanism described above. When the article is thus caught between the conveyor belts 31.32, the article is automatically moved by rotation of the conveyor belts 31.32.

When the rear end of the article passes between the first sensors 16, the first sensor 16 detects the rear end of the article by passing light again, and at a predetermined timing, starts a motor (not shown). The conveyor belts 31, 32 are temporarily stopped. At the same time, the solenoid 26 is operated to lower the main heater 17 using the interlocking mechanism described above, and the cutting blade 21 is brought into pressure contact with the cushion material 28 from above the film 15. As a result, the upper and lower films 15 that wrap the article
contacts the heated cutting blade 21 and is fused. Then, the motor (not shown) operates again at a predetermined timing, and the conveyor belts 31, 32 rotate again. Therefore, with the cutting blade 21 of the main heater 17 in pressure contact with the film 15, the article is sandwiched between the conveyor belts 31 and 32 and moved again, so a tensile force is applied to the film 15.
The film 15 is cut at the fused portion by the cutting blade 21. Thereafter, the solenoid 26 is deactivated, and the main heater 17 moves upward again and away from the film 15.

The first sensor 16 detects the rear end of the article, and the conveyor belt 3
1.32 is temporarily stopped, the solenoid 53 is also activated at the same time. That is, the solenoid 53 is activated, and the side heater 52 is lowered and pressed against both sides of the film 15 via the interlocking mechanism described above. Therefore, both sides of the upper and lower films 15 are also fused, and the article is covered by the upper and lower films 15 in a bag-like manner. After the side heater 52 is pressed against the film 15, the solenoid 53 is deactivated at a predetermined timing, and the side heater 52
Leave the film 15 again.

Thereafter, the article is sent out between the conveyor belts 31 and 32, and when the rear end of the article passes between the second sensors 51, the second sensor 51 detects this and stops a motor (not shown). , the conveyor belts 31, 32 are stopped. Then, by inserting the next article into the insertion slot 11, the above steps are repeated again, and the articles can be wrapped one after another with the film 15. Note that the rear end of the article
When passing the sensor 51, the leading end of the next article
If it passes the sensor 16, the conveyor belt 31.3
It is preferable not to stop 2.

FIG. 3 shows another example of the drive mechanism for the main heater 17 in the packaging apparatus.

In the above-described mechanism in which the main heater 17 is moved up and down by the solenoid 26, the output and movement amount of the solenoid 26 cannot be large, so it is difficult to swing the lever 19 to a large extent to open and close the main heater 17.
There is a limit to the thickness of the article that can be inserted. In this example, the drive source is a motor, and the main heater 1 is heated by a crank mechanism.
7 to open and close.

That is, a rotating shaft 61 that rotates in conjunction with a motor (not shown) is supported by a support plate 62 attached to the device frame, and a disc crank 63 is attached to the end of this rotating shaft 61. One end of the link 23 is pivotally connected to the disk crank 63, and the other end of the link 23 is connected to the lever 1.
It is pivotally attached to the middle part of 9. Therefore, when the rotary shaft 61 is rotated by a motor (not shown) and the disc crank 63 is rotated, the link 23 moves up and down, and the lever 19 is moved to the support shaft 1.
8, the main heater 17 opens and closes.

With this drive mechanism, the opening and closing of the main heater 17 can be increased, so that even relatively thick articles can be inserted.

FIG. 4 shows another example of the structure of the side heater in the packaging device.

In this example, a rotating shaft 66.67 is supported in parallel to the device frame 65, and a pair of upper and lower rollers 68, 69 that are in contact with each other are attached to this rotating shaft 66.67. The pair of rollers 68 and 69 are arranged on both sides of the film 15 in the running direction, and the film 1 wraps the top and bottom of the article S.
Pinch both sides of 5 as shown in the figure and send it out.

Furthermore, a pair of holders 71 and 72 made of plate-like members formed in a wedge shape so that the ends in the vertical direction are thin are attached to the device frame 65 by fasteners 73 at their abutting portions. . A screw 75 is attached to the vertical end of each holder 71, 72 via a spring 74.
are inserted through each screw 75, and the tip of the screw 75 is inserted into the device frame 6.
5 is screwed on. Therefore, the holders 71 and 72 are constantly biased by the elastic force of the spring 74 as shown by the arrows in the figure. A rod-shaped heater 76.77 is inserted and fixed into the holder 71.72, and a metal roller 78.7 is attached to the tip of the rod-shaped heater 76.77.
9 is rotatably attached.

As mentioned above, since the holders 71 and 72 are constantly biased by the spring 74 as shown by the arrow in the figure,
The rod-shaped heaters 76 and 77 are urged toward each other, and the rollers 78 and 79 are elastically pressed against each other. Then, both sides of the film 15 are connected to this roller 7.
It runs sandwiched between 8.79 and rod-shaped heater 76.77.
Since the rollers 78 and 79 are heated through the rollers 78 and 79, both sides of the film 15 are fused and heat-sealed. This main heater is not necessarily connected to the conveyor belt 31.
It is not necessary to arrange the film 15 on both sides of the insertion port 32; for example, the film 15 may be provided near the insertion port 11 so that when the film 15 is introduced into the insertion port 11 from above and below, both sides of the film 15 are immediately sealed.

"Effects of the Invention" As explained above, according to the present invention, an article is manually inserted from the insertion opening without providing a supply conveyor, and is moved by being sandwiched between a pair of upper and lower conveyor belts arranged in the insertion direction. As a result, the structure of the device can be simplified and made compact. Therefore, it can be easily installed at newspaper delivery offices and the like. In addition, since the conveyor belt is temporarily stopped and the main heater is brought into contact with the film, and the conveyor belt is operated again in this state, the film can be neatly cut by applying a tensile force when fusing the film.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic structure of a packaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a plan sectional view of the same packaging device, and FIG. 3 is a drive of the main heater attached to the packaging device of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view showing another example of the structure of the mechanism, FIG. 4 is a partial explanatory view showing an example of the structure of the Zide heater in the packaging device of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the conventional packaging device. be. In the figure, 11 is an insertion opening, 14 is a roll film, 15 is a film, 16 is a first sensor, 17 is a main heater, 21
is a cutting blade, 28 is a cushioning material, 31 is a lower conveyor belt, 32 is an upper conveyor belt, 33.34.39.40.4
1 is a conveyance pulley, 42 and 43 are arms, 51 is a second sensor, and 52 is a Zide heater. Patent applicant Moriyama Electric Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Agent Patent attorney Shigeru Matsui r″−″゛1

Claims (4)

[Claims] (1) A film supply means that supplies a strip-shaped film toward the article insertion opening so as to sandwich the article from above and below; a first sensor that is placed near the insertion opening and detects the article; and a first sensor that approaches and separates from the film. a main heater that fuses and cuts the front and rear ends of the film; a pair of conveyor belts that are vertically opposed in the direction of insertion of the article and that sandwich and transfer the article; and a terminal end of the conveyor belt. A second sensor arranged nearby to detect the article, and a pair of side heaters that fuse both sides of the film, and when the first sensor detects the tip of the article, the conveyor belt is activated. When the first sensor detects the rear end of the article, the conveyor belt temporarily stops, the main heater comes into contact with the film, the conveyor belt operates again in this state, and then the main heater is turned on. A film packaging device, wherein the conveyor belt stops when the second sensor detects the rear end of the article after leaving the film. (2) The main heater consists of a heating element with a cutting blade attached, and when the cutting blade comes into contact with the film,
2. The film packaging device according to claim 1, wherein the cutting edge of the cutting blade is pressed against a heat-resistant cushioning material. (3) The side heaters are composed of a pair of plate-shaped heaters arranged so as to be able to approach and separate from the film on both sides of the conveyor belt, and when the first sensor detects the rear end of the article, the conveyor belt 3. The film packaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the conveyor belt contacts the film when it is temporarily stopped and leaves the film before the conveyor belt is activated. (4) Claims 1 to 3, wherein the conveyor belt comprises a lower conveyor belt arranged in a fixed vertical position and an upper conveyor belt arranged so as to be able to be pushed up according to the thickness of the article.
The film packaging device according to any one of the above.