JPH1016914A - Packaging method and apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow agricultural products such as cucumbers to be efficiently packaged in a corrugated fiberboard box or the like. SOLUTION: A lid sheet 13 for covering an upper opening of an inner sheet (inner container 11) is fixed to an upper face of an outer flange 10 formed by opening an upper rim of a sheet put inside a rigid container 1 made of corrugated fiberboard or the like so that complete sealing can be obtained without using a lid of the rigid container 1. The sheet may be either a film-like sheet or shaped like a box in advance.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a packaging method and apparatus using a synthetic resin sheet. There are no restrictions on the items to be stored, but they have been developed especially for the purpose of packaging agricultural products.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in packaging agricultural products such as cucumbers, a packaging form in which a synthetic resin film and a synthetic resin sheet are mounted inside a cardboard box and a package is packaged in the sheet is often adopted. . At this time, conventionally, the periphery of the sheet is folded back toward the center to cover the upper part of the package,
The cardboard box is covered with a lid integrally formed thereon.

[0003]

The above-mentioned conventional packaging has the following problems. First, the mounting of the synthetic resin sheet on the cardboard box and the folding operation of the peripheral part are not automated and rely on human labor. Second, a cardboard lid is indispensable for sealing in a packaged state, and it is desired to reduce resources. Third, agricultural products are often displayed at retail stores in containers used for distribution, but the folded synthetic resin sheet is unsightly. Therefore, it is necessary to cut both the cardboard lid and the synthetic resin sheet at the retail store, and it is desired to reduce the work at the retail store.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, a cover sheet covers the upper opening of a sheet provided in a cardboard or other rigid container so that a complete seal can be obtained without using a lid of the rigid container. It is. The package according to claim 1, wherein the inner sheet is attached to a rigid container without a lid, and after storing items in the inner sheet, the upper edge of the inner sheet is opened outward to form an annular outer flange. A lid sheet is fixed to the upper surface. Here, the attachment of the interior sheet to the rigid container can be easily automated by performing suction from the outside of the rigid container. At this time, a rigid container having a suction hole is used (claim 2).

[0005] According to a third aspect of the present invention, after storing the contents in an interior container made of a synthetic resin sheet having an upper opening and having an annular outer flange around the upper edge, the lower surface of the outer flange is sealed with a seal stand. The method is characterized by performing a step of fixing the lid sheet on the upper surface of the outer flange while supporting the same, and a step of fitting the interior container into a rigid container without a lid. Here, the order of fixing the lid sheet and fitting the inner container to the rigid container does not matter. If a horizontal portion is formed at the upper edge of the peripheral wall of the rigid container, the horizontal portion can be used as a seal base. The interior container made of a synthetic resin sheet preferably has a structure in which a peripheral wall can be folded on a bottom plate, which is preferable in terms of a storage space for the interior container (claim 4).

A fifth aspect of the present invention relates to an apparatus for performing the packaging method of the second aspect. That is, a packaging station equipped with a film supply device and a suction device for mounting an interior film on a rigid container without a lid, and a box packaging device equipped with an automatic boxing machine for storing articles in the interior film. A station, a seal base that supports the lower surface of the annular flange to secure the lid sheet to the upper surface of the annular flange formed by opening the upper edge of the interior film outward, a supply device for the lid sheet, and a fixing device. And a sealing station provided with the above on a transport line.

[0007] The invention of claim 6 relates to an apparatus for carrying out the packaging method of claim 3. That is, an upper opening, a boxing station equipped with an automatic boxing machine for storing items in an interior container made of a synthetic resin sheet having an annular outer flange around the upper edge, and an upper surface of the outer flange. A sealing table for supporting the lower surface of the outer flange for fixing the lid sheet, a sealing sheet supply device, a sealing station including a fixing device, and a container for storing the inner container in a rigid container having an open top. The fitting device is arranged on a transport line.

In the above, it is conceivable to use a molded container made of a synthetic resin in addition to a cardboard box as the rigid container. The interior container and the lid sheet are preferably fixed by heat welding, but may be glued. Also,
It is preferable that the lid sheet is transparent so that the contents can be confirmed in the packaging of agricultural products.

[0009]

In the present invention, the mounting of the inner container on the rigid container and the fixing of the lid sheet can be automated. And since it is completely sealed by the lid sheet adhered to the interior container, the lid is not required for the rigid container. Also, at a retail store, merchandise can be displayed in an orderly manner only by cutting the lid sheet.

[0010]

Embodiment 1 FIGS. 1 to 6 relate to the second and fourth aspects of the present invention. An interior sheet mounting station C, a box filling station D, and a sealing station E are sequentially installed on a transport line B that is continuous from the box making device A. The mounting station C includes a sheet supply device and a suction device for mounting the synthetic resin sheet 3 serving as an inner container to the rigid container 1 made of corrugated cardboard, which is assembled by the box making device A, and has no lid.

The sheet feeding device is provided corresponding to the opening of the rigid container 1 and is made of a synthetic resin sheet (for example, made of polypropylene) 3 which is thin and not formed, and is made of a rigid container 1.
Are supplied one by one to the openings of the above. When the synthetic resin sheet 3 is stocked in various sheets, the transport arm 6 is provided with a suction device (blowing drum) 5 for sucking the stocked sheet one by one. Is supplied by a roll, a suction device 5 that sucks the roll end and transports the roll onto a rigid container
And a cutter 7 for cutting the synthetic resin sheet to a predetermined length. In any case, a holding member 8 (elevated with a plunger) for loosely holding the synthetic resin sheet 3 on the upper edge of the rigid container 1 is provided in order to enhance the suction efficiency described below.

The suction device is installed corresponding to the rigid container 1. The installation position is set in correspondence with the bottom wall of the rigid container 1, the inside of the rigid container 1 is depressurized through the through holes 9 provided in the bottom wall, the synthetic resin sheet 3 is sucked, and the synthetic resin sheet 3 is rigidized. A configuration along the inner wall of the container 1, a configuration in which it is installed on all sides corresponding to the peripheral wall of the rigid container 1 (attached to a plunger or the like so as to be freely attached and detached), and a configuration in which the synthetic resin sheet 3 is along the inner wall of the rigid container 1 And a combination of the two. At this time, it is preferable to provide the suction portion 4a for forming the outer flange so that the outer flange 10 is formed on the upper portion of the synthetic resin sheet 3 along the inner wall of the rigid container 1. The sheet feeding device and the suction device both control the timing of the movement of the rigid container 1.

The boxing station D supplies the storage items 12 to the interior container 11 formed by lining the synthetic resin sheet 3 along the inner wall of the rigid container 1. Does not matter. Depending on the type of the stored items, a device for supplying each one or a device for supplying a large number of items at a time is appropriately selected. Incidentally, when storing agricultural products such as cucumbers, it is preferable to connect them to a fruit sorting line.

The sealing station E comprises a cover sheet supply device and a fixing device. The supply device of the lid sheet supplies the lid sheet 13 onto the rigid container 1, and has the same configuration as the supply device of the synthetic resin sheet, and is an arm having the suction tool 5. The fixing device includes a seal base 15 that supports the lower surface of the outer flange 10 of the inner container 11, and a pressure heater 16 that faces and separates from the upper surface of the outer flange 10. The seal base 15 has a flat U-shaped main base 15a and an outer flange 1 in cooperation with the main base 15a.
4, and an auxiliary table 15b that supports the four sides of the rigid container 1. Each of the auxiliary tables 15b is separated from and connected to the rigid container 1 by a plunger.

Reference numeral F in the figure denotes an automatic punching machine for forming through holes 17 in the cover sheet 13. This automatic punch F is installed if necessary.

In the above embodiment, the rigid container 1 made of corrugated cardboard assembled by the box-making apparatus A has a large number of through holes 9 for suction on its peripheral wall. When the rigid container 1 reaches the sheet mounting station C for the interior sheet, first, the sheet supply station operates to supply the synthetic resin sheet 3 onto the rigid container 1. Next, the suction device is operated to suck the synthetic resin sheet 3, and the synthetic resin sheet 3 becomes the inner container 11 along the inner wall of the rigid container 1. Next, the storage item 12 is supplied into the interior container 11 to the storage station, and then reaches the sealing station E.

In the sealing station E, first, the lid sheet supply device is operated, and the lid sheet 13 is supplied onto the rigid container 1. Next, the fixing device operates. That is, the main base 15a and the auxiliary base 15b constituting the seal base 15 approach the rigid container 1, and support the lower surface of the outer flange 10 of the inner container 11 on the upper surface thereof. Next, the pressurizing heater 16 descends and pressurizes and heats the peripheral edge of the lid sheet 13 to fix the peripheral edge of the lid sheet 13 and the outer flange 10 of the inner container 11 by heat welding.

[0018]

[Embodiment 2] Next, FIGS.
According to the invention of the above. In this embodiment, the transfer line B is fitted with the automatic container manufacturing apparatus G for the synthetic resin sheet 3, the box filling station D, the sealing station E, and the rigid container 1 assembled with the box manufacturing apparatus A. Mounting stations H are sequentially installed.

The automatic box making apparatus G is an apparatus that cuts a synthetic resin sheet 3 into a predetermined shape and assembles it into an inner container 11 having a retaining shape as a box having an outer flange 10, and uses a known technique. is there.

The packing station D includes an interior container 11
, And the configuration is not limited as long as this object is achieved. The configuration of the sealing station E is the same as that of the first embodiment. The fitting station H is provided with a rigid container 1 made of corrugated cardboard, which is assembled by a box making device A, below the end of the transfer line B, and the inner container 11 sent out from the end of the transfer line B. Are automatically fitted into the rigid container 1.

In the above embodiment, the synthetic resin sheet 3
(The one having a higher retention than that used in the first embodiment) is formed into a box-shaped inner container having the outer flange 14 by the automatic box making device G. Then, the stored items 12 are supplied at the box packing station D. Thereafter, at the sealing station E, the opening of the inner container 11 is
And fitted in the rigid container 1 at the fitting station H.

In the above embodiment, the automatic box making device G is incorporated in the line, and the interior container 11 is assembled in the line. However, it is not essential that the automatic box making device G be incorporated in the line. It is also possible to stack the pre-assembled interior containers at the base end of the line and put them one by one on the line to store the storage items.

When the pre-assembled inner container is used, as shown in FIG. 9, if the inner container 11 made of a foldable synthetic resin sheet is used, the storage space of the inner container is small, and it is efficient. is there. The interior container shown in FIG. 9 has a pair of folding walls 1
9 are formed and each peripheral wall is assembled with the bottom plate 2
It is folded over to make the box flat. FIG.
Numeral 0 denotes an auxiliary piece 1a connected to the mouth of the rigid container 1,
Due to the presence of the auxiliary pieces 1a, the stability when the rigid containers 1 are stacked is improved.

[0024]

According to the present invention, the attachment of the synthetic resin sheet to the rigid container such as a cardboard box and the covering of the opening of the interior container made of the synthetic resin sheet can be performed automatically.
Further, since the package is completely sealed by the lid sheet fixed to the interior container in the packaged state, there is no need to provide a lid on the rigid container, which can contribute to resource saving. In addition, when exhibiting at a store, it is sufficient to cut only the lid sheet, so that work at a retail store and generation of waste can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the interior sheet mounting station.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the same box-packed state.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the sealing station.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the sealing station.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the same sealed state.

FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram of Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a front view of the fitting station.

FIG. 9 is a development view of an interior container used for carrying out the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of a rigid container used for carrying out the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List A Boxing machine B Transport line C Loading station D Boxing station E Sealing station F Automatic punching machine G Automatic box making machine H Fitting station 1 Rigid container 3 Synthetic resin sheet 5 Suction tool 6 Transfer arm 7 Cutter 8 Pressing tool 9 Through hole 10 Outer flange 11 Inner container 12 Stored item 13 Lid sheet 15 Seal base 16 Pressurized heater 17 Through hole 19 Groove

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An upper surface of an annular outer flange formed by mounting an interior sheet on a rigid container having an open upper side, storing articles in the interior sheet, and opening an upper edge of the interior sheet outward. Packaging method, wherein a lid sheet is fixed to the 2. The packaging according to claim 1, wherein the mounting of the interior sheet on the rigid container is performed by suction from the outside of the rigid container, and the rigid container has a suction hole. 3. After storing the contents in an interior container made of a synthetic resin sheet having an annular outer flange around the upper edge, the lower surface of the outer flange is supported by a seal table. A step of fixing a lid sheet to an upper surface of an outer flange while storing the inner container in a rigid container having an open top. 4. The packaging method according to claim 3, wherein the interior container made of a synthetic resin sheet has a structure in which a peripheral wall can be folded on a bottom plate. 5. A mounting station provided with a film supply device and a suction device for mounting an interior film on a rigid container having an open upper part, and an automatic boxing machine for storing articles in the interior film. A sealing table supporting the lower surface of the annular flange for fixing the lid sheet to the upper surface of the annular flange formed by opening the upper edge of the interior film outward, and a lid sheet feeding device And a sealing station having a fixing device on a transport line. 6. A boxing station provided with an automatic boxing machine for assembling items in an interior container made of a synthetic resin sheet and having an annular outer flange around an upper edge, the boxing station being assembled into a box having an open top. A sealing table supporting the lower surface of the outer flange for fixing the lid sheet to the upper surface of the outer flange, a supply device for the lid sheet, and a sealing station including a fixing device; A packaging device, wherein a fitting device for storing in a rigid container is disposed on a transport line.