JPH11301613A - Gas filling and hermetically packaging method and apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a gas filling and hermetically packaging apparatus wherein substitution of gas and sealing can be completely done in a short time. SOLUTION: A passage 26 having an opening 26b at an end in a space (space 54 in a tray) in the gas filling and hermetically packaging apparatus 20 surrounded by a film 52 covering the tray 50 and the tray 50 and having the other end connected via an open/close valve with a sucking machine 45 and a gas supply source 44 is provided. In addition, a second path 27 connected with the space 54 in the tray at a position opposite to the opening 26b with the other end connected with a space 24 outside the space 54 and a third path 28 for connecting the space 24 with a space 23 are formed, while a seal head and a cutter for cutting the film 52 heat-sealed to the tray 50 along an outer periphery of the heat-sealed portion are provided in the space 23.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for packing a tray filled with raw foods or the like with a film and sealing the same with a film. The present invention relates to a gas-filling / sealing method and apparatus for replacing air with a gas capable of preventing food corrosion and the like, and then heat-sealing the film on the tray to seal the tray in a gas-filled state.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in the course of raw food distribution, attention has been focused on the development of techniques for suppressing contamination by microorganisms and maintaining a higher bacteriological freshness.

[0003] Conventionally, the distribution of raw foods has been mainly performed by a combination of vacuum packaging and low-temperature preservation. However, depending on the type of bacteria, there are bacteria that can grow even if the oxygen concentration is lowered. Therefore, only the method of lowering the temperature or the oxygen concentration cannot sufficiently suppress the growth of spoilage bacteria.

In view of these problems, a method has been used in which the environment in a packaging container for packaging raw foods is artificially changed to suppress the growth of bacteria.

[0005] For example, focusing on the point that CO ₂ can inhibit the growth of bacteria, or replace it to CO ₂ by scavenging the O ₂ in the container, or N ₂ and CO ₂ which is effective in preventing oxidation A so-called “gas replacement method” that not only suppresses the growth of bacteria by mixing at a specific ratio and replacing it with air in the container but also prevents oxidation of fats and oils and discoloration of foods. Is used.

[0006] As an apparatus for packaging raw foods by such a gas replacement method, there is an apparatus shown in FIG. 8 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 56-142112).

The apparatus shown in FIG. 8 heats a substantially rectangular tray 50 containing raw foods such as raw meat in a sealed space formed in a gas-filled hermetic packaging apparatus 20 having a lid 21 and a container 22. The lid 50 is covered and sealed with a film 52 having a sealing property, and the tray 50 in which the items to be packaged are stored is continuously supplied from the left side to the right side in FIG.
The gas-filled hermetic packaging of the tray 50 storing the items to be packaged is completed by the respective steps at the respective positions indicated by 501, 502 and 503 in FIG.

[0008] The operation of the gas-filled hermetic packaging apparatus 20 will be further described below. When the container 22 rises when the tray 50 is supplied to the position 501,
One side 51b of the flange portion 51 of the tray 50 (see FIG. 9)
Together with the film 52 is sandwiched between the container 22 and the projecting portion 331 of the lid 21 heated by a heater (not shown) and heat-sealed.

Thereafter, the container is lowered, and the heat-sealed tray 50 on the one side 51b is transferred to the right side in FIG. 8, and is placed in the space formed in the container 22, that is, at the position of 502. The container 22 rises and the two sides 51 of the flange portion 51 in the short side direction of the tray 50
c, 51d are sandwiched between the lid and the container and heat-sealed, and thus the three sides 51b, 5
1 c and 51 d are heat-sealed with the film 52. In this state, the air in the tray 50 is extracted from the remaining unsecured one side 51a of the tray 50,
Air in the space formed in the lid 21 is extracted from the opening formed in the top of the lid 21, and then the tray 5 is removed.
The tray 50 is filled with a gas for keeping freshness of the raw food from one side 51a of the cover 21 and a hole formed in the top of the cover 21 is similarly filled into a space formed in the cover 21. The gas is filled.

Then, the push-up plate 125 is pushed upward in FIG.
After temporarily holding the one side 51a of the flange portion 51 between them, the container 22 descends, and the tray 50 is taken out from the space formed in the container 22.

Thereafter, the tray 50 is further transferred to a position 503 located on the right side in FIG. 8, and when the container 22 is raised at this position, the tray 50 is moved between the projecting portion 333 of the overheated lid 21 and the container 22. Flange part 5
One side 51a is sandwiched and completely heat-sealed,
The replacement of the gas and the sealing of the tray 50 are completed.

In the step 503 or in a completely separate step, an excess film is cut out of the film 52 heat-sealed to the tray 50, and the gas-filled hermetic packaging is completed.

[0013]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The aforementioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Sho 56-1
According to the packaging apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 42112, the tray 50
By replacing the air inside with the desired gas and sealing the tray 50 with the film 52, it is possible to suitably prevent corrosion of raw foods, etc. In a state where the film 52 is fixed to the sides (51b, 51c, 51d), the gas is exchanged through the remaining one side 51a where the film 52 is not fixed. 51
The gap between them is so narrow that gas replacement cannot be performed easily. For this reason, in the conventional gas-filled hermetic packaging device, one side 51a of the flange portion 51 at a position where air is extracted and gas is filled is depressed by a predetermined length as shown in FIG. Is formed, and this depression 51 'is formed.
Thus, air can be extracted from the gap formed between the film 52 and the flange portion 51 and gas can be charged.

As described above, in the conventional gas-filled hermetic packaging device 10, the recess 5 is formed in one side 51a of the flange portion 51.
Since a tray having a special shape forming 1 'is used, the tray used for gas-filled hermetically sealed packaging cannot be shared with the tray used for ordinary packaging.

Further, the tray 50 having the depression 51 'on one side 51a of the flange portion 51 needs to be conveyed to the apparatus in a predetermined direction, and the tray 50 is aligned before the tray 50 is supplied into the apparatus. The work is complicated because it is necessary.

Even when the recess 51 'is formed on one side 51a of the flange portion 51 of the tray 50 as described above, the tray is formed only from the gap formed between the one side 51a of the flange portion 51 and the film 52. It is difficult and requires a long time to completely remove the air in the interior 50.

Then, when gas injection into the tray 50 is started in a state where the air has not been sufficiently extracted,
The air remaining in the tray 50 loses an escape route and remains in the tray 50 together with the injected gas. Therefore, bacteria are propagated by the remaining air and cause the raw food filled in the tray 50 to rot.

Further, in the apparatus described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 56-142112, the gas replacement step and the sealing or cutting step of the film 52 are performed through a plurality of steps as described above. In addition, there is a problem that the linking cannot be instantaneously performed until the sealing of the tray 50 after the gas replacement is completed, and the operation takes a long time.

Further, in the conventional gas-filled hermetic packaging device 20, the space formed in the lid 21 and the space formed in the container 22 are not communicated with each other. The scavenging and the filling of each space with gas are performed separately through openings. Therefore, when a pressure difference occurs between the space formed in the lid 21 and the space formed in the container 22, the film 52 and the tray 50 are deformed, and a gap is formed in the heat-sealed portion. Packaging failure may occur.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned drawbacks in the prior art, and it is possible to completely replace the air in the tray 50 with gas in a short time. The apparatus is provided with a gas-filled hermetic packaging apparatus 20 and a gas-filled hermetic packaging apparatus 20 that can perform the process up to the cutting of the film 52 as a continuous process, and thus can perform gas replacement and sealing in a short time. It is an object of the present invention to provide a packaging device 10 that has been manufactured.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a gas-filled hermetically sealed package using an ordinary tray having no recess formed in the flange portion, and therefore, a tray used in addition to the gas-filled hermetically sealed package. It is an object of the present invention to provide a gas-filled hermetic packaging device for gas-filled hermetic packaging capable of performing gas-filled hermetic packaging with a common tray and a packaging device provided with the gas-filled hermetic packaging device.

[0022]

In order to achieve the above object, a gas-filled hermetically sealed packaging method of the present invention fills a desired gas into a tray 50 containing an article to be packaged and fills the tray with the gas. In the packaging method of sealing the closed tray 50 with the film 52, the container 24 defines the space 23 by the lid 21 and the space 24 facing the space 23 defined by the lid 21. The film 52
And a step of disposing the tray 50 in the space 24 defined by the container 22, and in this step, preferably, transferring the tray into the space, More preferably, a flange portion 51 protruding from the peripheral edge of the tray 50 is placed and arranged on a step 25 formed on the inner wall of the container 24, and the lid 21 and the container 22 are joined. The closed space (23, 24) is defined by the lid 21 and the container 22, and the closed space (2
(3, 24) a step of scavenging the inside of at least the lid 2
A desired gas is introduced into a space (tray space 54) defined by the film 52 and the tray 50 sandwiched between the container 1 and the container 22. This step may include a step of filling the gas into the closed spaces (23, 24).

Then, in the closed space, the seal head 31 disposed in the space 23 defined by the lid 21 is moved to the space 24 defined by the container 22.
A step of sealingly cutting the film 52 on the tray 50 by relatively moving one toward the other, and separating the lid 21 and the container 22 to form a space 24 defined by the container 22. And taking out the tray 50 after the seal cut disposed therein.

In the gas-filled hermetic packaging method, the scavenging may be terminated and / or the gas filling may be started and / or terminated in accordance with the pressure in the sealed space (23, 24).

The gas-filled and sealed packaging apparatus 20 of the present invention
Is a device for filling a desired gas into a tray 50 in which an article to be packaged is stored, and sealing the tray 50 filled with the gas with a film 52. Lid 21 formed detachably
And the container 22, and the film 52 is provided on the lid 21.
The container 22 is opposed to the container 22 through a space, and a space 23 is defined by the lid 21, and the lid 2 is defined by the container 22.
1 defines a space 24 opposite the space 23 defined by the tray 1, and the tray 5 is disposed in a container 22 defining the space 24.
0 is arranged. For example, a flange 5 protruding from the peripheral edge of the tray 50 is provided on the inner wall of the container 22.
1 can be placed to form a step 25 that locks the tray 50 in the space 24 defined by the container 22.

The film 52 sandwiched between the lid 21 and the container 22 in a state where the lid 21 and the container 22 are joined, and the film 52 disposed in the closed space 24 defined by the container 22. A suction device 45 and a gas supply source 44 arranged inside a space surrounded by the tray 50 (a space 54 inside the tray) and outside a closed space (23, 24) defined by the lid 21 and the container 22 communicate with each other. The first passage 26 is formed, and a seal head for sealing and cutting the film 52 on the tray 50 is provided in the space 23 defined by the lid 21.

In the gas-filled hermetic packaging device 20, the film 5 sandwiched between the lid 21 and the container 22 is provided.
2, a space 23 defined by the lid 21;
When the space 24 defined by the container 22 is isolated, one end communicates with the film 52 and a space surrounded by the tray 50 (a tray space 54), and the other end is connected to the container 2.
Second passage 27 communicating with the space 24 defined by
And a third passageway 28 having one end communicating with the space 24 defined by the container 22 and the other end communicating with the space 23 defined by the lid 21.

Further, the gas-filled hermetic packaging device 20
A cutter 32 for cutting the film 52 is arranged along the outer periphery of the seal head 31 so that the seal head 31 and the cutter 32 can be advanced (advance / retreat) in the direction of the space 24 defined by the container 22. You can also.

The seal head 31 and the cutter 3
2 is formed by forming a concave portion 74 in one of the inner walls 21a of the lid 21 and fitting the concave / convex plate 74 into an advance / retreat plate 71 disposed in the space 23 defined by the lid 21. The concave portion 74 is connected to a compressed air supply source 48 to supply the compressed air to the concave portion 74 so that the reciprocating plate 71 is moved in the direction of the space 24 defined by the container 22. The seal head 31 and the cutter 32 can be moved forward in conjunction with the advance of the advance / retreat plate 71.

The gas-filled and sealed packaging device 20 is
An on-off valve 43 (vacuum valve 432, gas valve 431) for opening and closing between the first passage 26 and the suction device 45 (pipe 63) and between the first passage 26 and the gas supply source 44 (pipe 62). The on-off valve 43 (vacuum valve 432, gas valve 4) is provided in accordance with the pressure in the closed space (23, 24) detected by the detecting means 46.
31) can be opened and closed.

[0031]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The gas-filled hermetic packaging device 20 of the present invention replaces the air in the tray 50 containing raw foods or the like with a gas useful for preventing the freshness of the food from lowering, and replaces the tray 5 with the gas.
0, the film 52 is heat-sealed to cover and seal, the gas replacement mechanism for replacing the air in the tray with gas, and the film 5 is mounted on the tray 50 after the gas replacement.
2 is provided with a heat-sealing mechanism for heat-sealing the tray 50 to seal the tray 50.

[Gas-filled hermetic packaging apparatus] The gas-filled hermetic packaging apparatus 20 of the present invention includes a lid 21 and a container 22, and the lid 21 and the container 22 are joined to form a sealed space (2).
3, 24) are formed (FIGS. 1 to 4). The arrangement of the container 22 and the lid 21 is not particularly limited, but in the present embodiment, the lid 21 is placed above the container 2.
An example in which 2 is disposed below the lid 21 will be described below.

Either one or both of the lid 21 and the container 22 is connected to an elevating means 40 for raising and lowering the lid 21 and / or the container 22 so as to be able to come and go with each other. In the embodiment, the container 22 is connected to an elevating means 40 composed of an air cylinder at the bottom of the container 22 so that the container 22 can be moved up and down. It is configured to be able to come in contact with and separate from.

The lid 21 and the container 22 each define a space (23, 24) on the inner wall, 24 is a space defined by the container 22, and 23 is defined in the lid 21. Indicates a space. An elastic material made of, for example, a silicone resin is adhered to the joint between the lid 21 and the container 22. When the lid 21 and the container 22 are joined to each other, a sealed space ( 2
3, 24) are formed.

In the space 24 defined by the container 22, a tray 50 containing raw foods and the like is disposed, and the flange portion 51 formed on the tray 50
The tray 50 is placed on a step 25 formed on the inner wall of the container 22 that defines the container 4 so that the tray 50 can be locked above the space 24 defined by the container 22.

In a space 23 defined by the lid 21, a seal head 31, a cutter 32, and the like are housed, and the seal head 31, the cutter 32, and the like are configured to be movable up and down. Make up the mechanism.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, for convenience, a gas-filled sealing and packaging apparatus 20 in which one closed space (23, 24) is defined by a set of a lid 21 and a container 22. However, a plurality of closed spaces (23, 24) may be defined by a set of the lid 21 and the container 22, and the plurality of trays 50 may be configured to be simultaneously gas-filled and sealed.

[Gas Replacement Mechanism] The gas-filled hermetic packaging device 2 having the lid 21 and the container 22 constructed as described above.
0, the gas replacement mechanism for scavenging the air in the tray 50 in which the raw foods and the like are stored and replacing the gas with gas comprises a space 2 defined by the lid 21 and the container 22 respectively.
3, the space 24, the lid 21, the passages (26, 27, 28) formed in the container 22, the gas supply source 44 connected to the passage 26, the suction device 45, and the like.

FIGS. 1 to 3 show an embodiment of a gas-filled hermetically sealed packaging device 20 in which a passage forming the gas replacement mechanism is formed.

1 to 3, the cutter 32, the seal head 31, and a heat sealing mechanism such as a structure that allows the seal head 31 to move up and down are omitted for convenience.

The container 22 of the gas-filled hermetic packaging device 20
In the space 24 defined by the inside, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a flange portion 51 formed on the peripheral edge of the tray 50 is provided.
Is locked so that the tray 50 is locked above the space 24 defined by the container 22.
5 are formed, and a tray 50 made of a material having good heat sealability is disposed in the space 24.

The step 25 can be partially formed on the inner wall of the container 22. In this embodiment, the step 25 is formed so that the gas can be reliably filled in the tray 50. Is formed over the entire inner wall of the container 22.

Preferably, a sealing material made of, for example, an elastic material such as silicone is adhered on the step portion 25 so that when the flange 51 of the tray 50 is placed on the step portion 25, The portion 25 and the flange 51 are configured to be in close contact with each other.

The lid 21 joined on the container 22 is
A space 23 is defined above the space 24 defined by the container 22 in which the tray 50 is disposed.

A film 52 for covering the tray 50 is disposed between the space 24 defined by the container 22 and the space 23 defined by the lid 21. The film 52 is sandwiched between the container 22 and the lid 21 in a state where the container 22 and the lid 21 are joined.

The film 52 includes a space 24 defined by the container 22 and a space 2 defined by the lid 21.
3 may be arranged so that the spaces 23 and 24 form independent spaces.

When the lid 21 and the container 22 are joined, the spaces 23 and 24 separated by the film 52
Are communicated via a third passage 28 formed through the lid 21 and the container 22 (see FIG. 3).
The space 24 defined by the container 22 is a first passage 26
Are connected to a suction device 45 for scavenging air in the tray 50 and a gas supply source 44 for introducing gas into the tray 50 (see FIGS. 2 and 6).

The first passage 26 communicating with the gas supply source 44 and the suction device 45 communicates with the gas supply source 44 and the suction device 45 through an opening 26a formed at the top of the lid 21, for example. A passage 261 formed downward from the top of the lid 21 through the side wall of the lid 21;
It is formed in the side wall of the container 22 in communication with the passage 261, and is formed by a passage 262 that bends its tip and communicates with the space 24 defined by the container 22.

One end of the passage 262 that communicates with the space 24 defined by the container 22 is formed by a space surrounded by the film 52 and the tray 50 when the lid 21 and the container 22 are joined. In the present embodiment, a long groove-shaped opening 30 is formed along the inner wall of the container 22 in the step portion 25 which engages with the flange portion 51 of the tray 50. The passage 262 communicates with the long groove-shaped opening 30 to communicate with the tray interior space 54.

A long groove-shaped opening 3 communicating with the passage 262
Similarly, a long groove-shaped opening 30 is formed in the step 25 at a position opposed to the step 25 where the 0 is formed, and a second passage 27 communicating with the long groove-shaped opening 30 is formed. Passage 2
One end of 7 communicates with the space 24 below the step 25. Therefore, the tray space 54 formed by being surrounded by the tray 50 and the film 52 is formed by the second passage 27.
Through the space 24.

Further, the space 24 defined by the container 22 and the space 23 defined by the lid 21
It is communicated via a passage 28.

The third passage 28 is formed by a passage 282 formed in the side wall of the container 22 and a passage 281 formed in the side wall of the lid 21 communicating with the passage 282, and one end of the passage 282 is formed. Is communicated with the space 24, and one end of the passage 281 is communicated with the space 23.

Further, the lid 21 is formed with a test tube 29 communicating with the space 23, and a detecting means such as a pressure switch for detecting the pressure in the space 23, that is, the pressure in the closed spaces (23, 24). 46 communicates with the space 23 via the test tube 29.

The gas-filled hermetic packaging device 20 having the above-described passages (26, 27, 28) connects the opening 26a of the first passage 26 to the pipe 61 as shown in FIG. The pipe 61 is branched into a pipe 62 and a pipe 63, and the pipe 62 is connected to a gas supply source 44, and the pipe 63 is connected to a suction device 45 such as a vacuum pump.

[0056] The gas supply source 44, rot raw foods to be packaged, N ₂ to help prevent discoloration, CO _2, and O ₂ or the like of the gas are mixed at a predetermined ratio of the gas filling and sealing packing machine 20
The gas supply source 44 according to the present embodiment includes a gas cylinder (441a, 441b, 441c) filled with a gas such as N ₂ , CO ₂ , O _{2, and the} like, and the gas cylinder (441a, 441b, 441c) a gas mixer 44 which mixes the gas introduced from
2 is provided.

The pipe 62 has a gas valve 431.
However, a vacuum valve 432 is provided in the conduit 63, and by opening and closing the gas valve 431 and the vacuum valve 432, scavenging of the closed space (23, 24) and injection of gas into the closed space (23, 24) are performed. It is configured to be switchable.

In the present embodiment, the gas valve 431 and the vacuum valve 432 use, for example, an electromagnetic valve, and the gas valve 431 and the vacuum valve 432 are, for example, pressure-switched by detecting the pressure in the closed space (23, 24). The gas valve 431 and the vacuum valve 432 can be opened and closed by, for example, an electric signal emitted from the detecting means 46 such as the above, so that the closed space (23, 2) can be opened and closed according to the pressure in the closed space (23, 24).
4) It is configured to automatically start, stop, and switch the scavenging of the gas in the inside and the filling of the sealed space (23, 24) with the gas.

In this embodiment, the vacuum valve 432 has three ports, one of which is connected to the suction device 45 and the other is connected to the opening 26a of the first passage 26. In addition to opening and closing the conduit connecting the space 45 and the closed space (23, 24), the remaining one port is opened to the atmosphere,
By operating the vacuum valve 432, the closed space (2
3, 24) can be opened to the atmosphere.

In the gas-filled hermetic packaging apparatus 20 configured as described above, the flange portion 51 is placed on the step portion 25 in the space 24 defined by the container 22 which has been lowered by the elevating means 40. In this state, the tray 50 accommodating the items to be packed such as raw foods is disposed, and the film 52 serving as the lid of the tray 50 is disposed between the lid 21 and the container 22. When the container 22 is joined to the lid 21 by being raised by 40, the container 22 and the lid 21 form a closed space (23, 24), and the space 23 defined by the lid 21 and the container 2
The space 24 defined by the cover 2 and the container 22
Sectioned, preferably isolated, by a film 52 sandwiched therebetween.

The space 24 separated from the space 23 by the film 52 is further divided and preferably separated by a tray 50 in which a flange 51 is placed on a step 25 formed on the inner wall of the container 22. Are formed, and a tray space 54 formed by being surrounded by the film 52 and the tray 50 is formed.

In the state where the lid 21 and the container 22 are joined to define the closed space (23, 24), the pipe 61, which connects the suction device 45 and the closed space (23, 24), is formed. When the vacuum valve 63 is opened by operating the vacuum valve 432, the closed space (23, 24) is opened by the suction device 45.
The air inside is sucked and scavenged.

That is, when the air in the tray interior space 54 is sucked through the first passage 26 connected to the suction machine 45, the space 24 communicating with the tray interior space via the second passage 27, Any air in the space 23 communicating with 24 via the third passage 28 is sucked, and the inside of the closed space (23, 24) is scavenged.

Thus, the closed space (23, 24)
Is scavenged, the space 2 defined by the lid 21
A detecting means 46 such as a pressure switch communicated with the sensor 3 via a pressure detecting tube 29 detects the pressure in the space 23, that is, the pressure in the closed spaces (23, 24), and outputs this as, for example, an electric signal. I do.

Then, based on the output of the electric signal and the like, the vacuum valve 432 provided in the pipes 62 and 63 is closed, and the suction device 45 and the closed space (23, 2) are closed.
4) Close the conduits (63, 61) communicating with each other,
The gas valve 431 is opened to open the pipes (62, 61) connecting the gas supply source 44 to the closed spaces (23, 24), and any one of N ₂ , CO ₂ , O _2, etc. In a closed space (2
3, 24).

The gas supplied from the gas supply source 44 is supplied to the flange 51 of the tray 50 through the first passage 26.
Is introduced into the tray interior space 54 through the long groove-shaped opening 30 opened between the one side 51 a and the film 52.

When the inside space 54 of the tray is filled with the introduced gas, the introduced gas flows into the long groove-shaped opening 30 opened between the one side 51 b of the flange portion 51 and the film 52, and the long groove-shaped opening 30. Is further introduced into the space 24 via the second passage 27 communicating with the opening 30.

When the space 24 is filled with the gas, the gas is introduced into the space 23 through the third passage 28, and the closed space (23, 23) defined by the lid 21 and the container 22 is formed. 24) The gas is filled entirely.

As described above, the gas replacement mechanism formed in the gas-filled hermetically sealed packaging apparatus 20 of the present invention introduces the gas from one side 51a of the flange portion 51 of the tray 50, and introduces the gas into the tray space 54. By introducing the introduced gas through the tray space 54 and discharging it from, for example, the side 51b opposite to the side 51a of the flange portion 51, the scavenging of the tray space 54 is not sufficiently performed, and the air is exhausted. When the gas remains in the tray interior space 54, the air is pushed out from the tray interior space 54 by the introduction of the gas, and the space 24 or the space 24 and the third passage 28
The air is not pushed out into the space 23 communicating with the space 23 and remains in the tray space 54.

In particular, when a sealing material made of an elastic material such as silicone resin is stuck on the step portion 25, the flange portion 51 of the tray 50 and the step portion 25 are in close contact with each other. It is preferable that the extruded air is not introduced again into the tray interior space 54 between the flange portion 51 and the step portion 25.

[Heat Sealing Mechanism] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a gas filling, sealing and packaging apparatus 20 having a heat sealing mechanism. In FIG. 4, passages (26, 27, 28) and the like are shown for convenience.
The configuration of the gas replacement mechanism described above is not shown.

As shown in FIG. 4, a seal head 31 is provided in the space 23 defined by the lid 21 to move up and down the space 23 to heat seal the film 52 to the flange portion 51 of the tray 50. Have been.

The seal head 31 has a shaft 72, which has a flange 72a formed at the lower end and is fitted into openings 34, 34 penetrating the seal head 31 in the vertical direction.
72 suspends in the space 23.

The shafts 72, 72 are connected at their upper ends to an advancing / retreating plate 71. On the upper surface of the advancing / retreating plate 71, one end of the inner wall of the lid 21 is positioned such that a columnar convex portion 73 is located above. It is formed to project toward 21a.

The convex portion 73 is fitted into a cylindrical concave portion 74 formed on the upper inner wall of the lid 21, penetrates the upper wall surface of the lid 21, and penetrates into the concave portion 74. The compressed air introduced from the compressor 48 connected to the opening 75 can be introduced into the recess 74 (see FIG. 6). Therefore, an air cylinder that moves up and down the seal head 31 is formed by the combination of the concave portion 74 and the convex portion 73.

The opening 7 formed at the top of the lid 21
An on-off valve 47 made up of, for example, an electromagnetic valve is provided in the conduit 64 communicating with the valve 5. The on-off valve 47 detects the pressure in the closed space (23, 24) after gas filling is completed. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which it can be automatically opened and closed by a detection signal of a detecting means 46 such as a pressure switch.

The seal head 31 is inserted into the opening 77 of the cutter support 76 having an opening 77 large enough to insert the seal head 31 therein. A flange 78 protruding toward the seal head 31 and locking the outer periphery of the upper end of the seal head 31 is formed on the inner periphery of the upper end of the seal head 31.

A cutter 32 projecting downward in FIG. 4 is attached to the inner periphery of the opening 77 of the cutter support 76 so as to surround the outer periphery of the seal head 31 arranged in the opening 77. The cutter 32 projects slightly below the lower end of the seal head 31.

Further, springs 79, 79 for urging the advancing / retreating plate 71 and the cutter support 76 in a direction away from each other are arranged between the advancing / retreating plate 71 and the cutter support 76. 4, the cutter support 76 is urged downward in FIG.
The cutter support 76 is locked to the outer periphery of the upper end of the seal head 31 via the seal 8, and the seal head 31 and the cutter support 76 can move up and down with the movement of the advance / retreat plate 71. It is configured as follows.

The cutter support 76 is urged by springs 80, which urge the cutter support 76 upward.

The operation of the heat seal mechanism configured as described above will be described. Detecting means such as a pressure switch for detecting the pressure in the closed space (23, 24) defined by the lid 21 and the container 22 is provided. When the open / close valve 47 is opened by the detection signal at 46 and the compressed air from the compressed air supply source 48 such as a compressor is introduced into the concave portion 74 through the opening 75, the advance / retreat plate is introduced by the introduction of the compressed air. The protruding portion 73 protruding from the rear surface of the base 71 is pressed downward in FIG. 4, and the reciprocating plate 71 moves downward in FIG.

Therefore, when the reciprocating plate 71 is lowered, the cutter support 76 disposed below the reciprocating plate 71 via the springs 79, 79 and the seal locked to the cutter support 76 via the flange 78. The head 31 also lowers in conjunction with the lowering of the advance / retreat plate 71.

The seal head 31 is formed in a U-shape in cross section with a projection 33 protruding downward at the outer periphery of the bottom surface. The seal head 31 is built in the seal head 31 when the seal head 31 is lowered. For example, the protrusion 33 heated to about 170 ° C. by the heater is connected to the step 25 formed in the container 22 by the flange 5 of the tray 50.
1 and the film 52 are simultaneously held, and the film 52 is welded to the flange portion 51 of the tray 50.

The outer periphery of the projecting portion 33 is surrounded by the cutter 32 projecting slightly below the projecting portion 33 in FIG. Step 33 in which part 33 is formed in container 22
5, the flange portion 51 of the tray 50 and the film 5
When the film 52 is welded to the flange portion 51 of the tray 50 by simultaneously sandwiching the two, the cutter 32 cuts the film 52 accurately at the outer periphery of the heat seal portion 53 (see FIG. 5), and It is configured to be covered by 52.

The protruding length of the cutter 32 is formed slightly longer than the thickness of the film 52 to be cut.
With the lowering of the seal head 31, the film 52 is cut at the same time as the heat sealing.
Has a length that is not cut by the cutter 32.

As described above, by surrounding the outer periphery of the seal head 31 with the cutter 32, the excess film 52a (see FIG. 5) formed on the outer periphery of the heat seal portion 53 of the film 52 can be made as short as possible. It is possible to preferably prevent dust and dirt, moisture and the like from accumulating between the surplus film 52a and the flange portion 51, and to proliferate bacteria and the like in the portion.
By lowering 2, the film 52 can be cut at the same time as the heat sealing, and the cutting step of the film 52, which is separately provided in this type of conventional packaging, can be omitted. In the present heat sealing mechanism, as described above, since the surplus film 52a can be shortened as much as possible, the surplus film 52a that has been generally performed after the conventional film cutting step can be cut, The step of shaping, so-called "trimming" can be omitted, and the gas-filled sealed packaging can be completed in a short time.

As described above, when the seal head 31 and the cutter 32 are lowered and the welding and cutting of the film 52 are completed, the on-off valve 47 is closed, and the introduction of the compressed air into the recess 74 is stopped. Is released to the atmosphere, and the cutter support 76 and the reciprocating plate 71 are moved upward in FIG. 4 by the urging force of the springs 79, 80; The suspended seal head 31 is simultaneously raised, and the sealing and cutting of the film 52 are completed.

[Overall Configuration of Packaging Apparatus] FIG. 7 shows an example of an overall apparatus incorporating the gas-filled hermetic packaging apparatus 20 of the present invention configured as described above.

The device shown in FIG. 7 replaces air in a tray 50 containing raw foods or the like with a desired gas, and heat-seals a film 52 on the tray 50 to cover the same. Carry-in conveyor 1 for carrying tray 50 containing raw food into seal section 11
2 and an unloading conveyor 13 for unloading the tray 50 sealed in the sealing section 11.

Then, the above-described gas-filled and sealed packaging device 20
The lid 21 and the container 22 are polymerized in the seal section 11 to perform gas replacement and heat sealing in the tray 50.

In the seal section 11, the container 22 described above is arranged, and the lid 21 of the gas-filled hermetically sealed packaging device 20 is arranged in the liner section 14 formed above the seal section 11, and The replacement of the gas in 50 and the cover of the tray 50 are performed.

In FIG. 7, reference numeral 15 denotes a delivery roller around which the film 52 covering the tray 50 is wound. The film 52 wound around the delivery roller 15 is supplied into the seal section 11. While being fed to cover the tray 50, the remaining film 52 cut when the tray 50 is covered is wound up by the winding roller 16 and collected. At this time, the winding roller 16
Winds the film 52 long enough to pull the film 52 used for the next package into the sealing section 11.

Reference numeral 17 denotes the start of the entire apparatus 10,
An operation panel on which switches for controlling stop and other operations are arranged. The operation panel 17 controls the food packaging apparatus 10.
Operate.

In the apparatus 10 configured as described above, the container 22 is lowered, and in a standby state where the container 22 is arranged at the same height as the carry-in conveyor 12, the switches 22 arranged on the operation panel 17 are operated. When the apparatus 10 is started, the carry-in conveyor 12 is started, and the tray 50 containing raw foods and the like is conveyed toward the seal section 11.

When the tray 50 containing raw foods and the like is carried in by the carry-in conveyor 12, the tray 50 is arranged in the space 24 defined by the container 22, and the tray 50 is arranged. The container 2 in the state
2 is lifted by elevating means 40 such as an air cylinder connected to the lower end of the container 22 and is joined to the lid 21 disposed above the container 22, and the closed space (23, 24) is formed by the lid 21 and the container 22. Is defined.

At this time, between the lid 21 and the container 22,
A film 52 is disposed, and the film 52 is sandwiched between the lid 21 and the container 22 by raising the container 22, and the space 23 defined by the lid 21 and the container 2
2 are separated from each other by the film 52.

Further, the tray 50 in which the flange portion 51 is placed on the step portion 25 formed in the space 24,
2, the space 24 defined by the tray 52 is partitioned by the film 52 and the tray 50.
Are formed.

In this state, the first passage 26 communicating with the space 24 defined by the container 22 is communicated with the suction device 45 through the vacuum valve 432, and the closed space (23) is suctioned by the suction device 45. , 24), when the detecting means 46 detects that the inside of the vacuum chamber has been vacuumed, the vacuum valve 432 is closed and the gas valve 431 is opened by the detection signal of the detecting means 46 which has detected the vacuum state. The injection of gas into the filling, sealing and packaging apparatus 20 starts.

This gas is injected into the opening 2 of the first passage 26.
6a, the gas injected through the first passage 26 passes through the elongated groove-shaped opening 30 to which the first passage 26 communicates, and the gas in the tray 54 between the film 52 and the flange portion 51 Introduce gas into the inside of tray 5
When the gas is filled in the space 4, the filled gas flows into the long groove-shaped opening 30 communicating with the first passage 26 and the long groove-shaped opening 30,
And, it is discharged from the tray interior space 54 through the second passage 27 communicating with the long groove-shaped opening 30.

Therefore, even if scavenging in the tray interior space 54 is not sufficiently performed in the scavenging process and air remains, the air is supplied to the tray interior space 54 by the introduced gas. It is extruded from the inside and is introduced into the space 24 through the second passage 27 or into the space 23 communicated with the space 24 through the third passage 28, and the inside of the tray space 54 is completely filled with a desired gas. Can be replaced by

In the present embodiment, as an example, the gas filling pressure is set to 1.3 atm, and the detecting means 46 detects that the pressure in the gas-filled sealing and packaging apparatus 20 has increased to this pressure. By the signal, the gas valve 4
31 is closed, supply of gas to the gas-filled hermetic packaging device 20 is stopped, and the on-off valve 47 is opened to supply compressed air from the compressor 48 to the elevating mechanism that moves the seal head 31 up and down.

By supplying the compressed air, the seal head 3
1 and the cutter support 76 are lowered together, and the seal head 31 is heated to a temperature suitable for heat-sealing the film 52 to the flange portion 51 of the tray 50 (about 170 ° C. in the present embodiment). The flange portion 51 and the film 52 are simultaneously held between the projecting portion 33 and the step portion 25 formed in the space 24 defined by the container 22, and the film 52 is welded to the flange portion 51 of the tray 50 so that the tray 52 is welded. 50 is sealed in a gas-filled state.

A cutter 32 attached to a cutter support 76 is arranged on the outer periphery of the seal head 31. The lower portion of the seal head 31 causes the film 52 to be heat-sealed almost simultaneously with heat-sealing of the film 52. The slightly outer periphery of 53 is cut along the shape of the heat seal portion 53, and the cover of the tray is completed.

As described above, when the heat sealing of the tray 50 is completed, the on-off valve 47 is closed to stop the supply of the compressed air to the elevating mechanism of the seal head 31, and the compressed air supplied to the elevating mechanism. Is released, and the seal head 31, the reciprocating plate 71 connected to the seal head 31, and the cutter support 76 are
The space 23 defined by the lid 21 by the urging force of 80
It rises inside and returns to its original position.

The first passage 26 is opened to the atmosphere by the operation of the vacuum valve 432, and the gas filled in the gas-filled sealing and packaging apparatus 20 is released to the atmosphere, and the internal pressure decreases.

Then, after the container 22 of the gas-filled hermetic packaging device 20 is lowered by the lifting / lowering means 40 such as an air cylinder connected to the lower end thereof, the sealed tray 50 is taken out from the container 22 and is taken out of the conveyer conveyor 13. It is placed on the top and sent out of the machine.

Then, in synchronism with this, the remaining film 52 cut at the time of the heat sealing is wound up by a predetermined length by a predetermined rotation of the winding roller 16, and is wound into the seal section 11 in the next step. The film 52 used in the packaging is fed, and in this state, the tray 50 to be packaged next can be supplied. Thereafter, the same operation as described above is repeated, and the packaging of raw foods and the like stored in a separate tray 50 is performed.

[0108]

According to the structure of the present invention described above, according to the gas-filled hermetically sealed packaging apparatus of the present invention, the air in the tray can be completely replaced with the desired gas in a short time, and the continuous one-way operation can be performed. In the process, the tray could be sealed with the lid filled with the gas.

Further, an on-off valve provided in a pipe communicating between the space in the gas-filled hermetic packaging apparatus, the suction device and the gas supply source is connected to a detection signal of a detecting means for detecting the pressure in the gas-filled hermetic packaging apparatus. Thus, the gas-filled sealed packaging apparatus capable of automatically performing the gas-filled sealed packaging can be provided.

Further, in the gas-filled hermetic packaging device in which a cutter is attached to the outer periphery of the seal head, the film can be cut accurately along the outer periphery of the heat seal portion simultaneously with the heat sealing. In one continuous process, gas replacement, heat sealing, and cutting of a film after heat sealing, which have been performed using a plurality of gas-filled sealing packaging devices, can be performed by one gas-filled sealing packaging device. did it.

Further, unlike the conventional gas-filled hermetic packaging apparatus, the tray to be used does not need to have a special shape, and other common trays used for other than gas-filled hermetic packaging are used in common. We were able to.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an embodiment of a gas-filled hermetically sealed packaging apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line III-III of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a gas-filled hermetic packaging device provided with a heat sealing mechanism.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a main part of the tray after heat sealing.

FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram of the gas-filled sealed packaging apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a front view of a packaging device provided with the gas-filled hermetically sealed packaging device of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a main part showing a conventional gas-filled hermetically sealed packaging apparatus.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a tray used in a conventional gas-filled hermetically sealed packaging apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 (The whole provided with the gas filling / sealing apparatus) 11 Seal section 12 Carry-in conveyor 13 Carry-out conveyor 14 Liner section 15 Outgoing roller 16 Winding roller 17 Operation panel 20 Gas filling / sealing apparatus 21 Cover 22 Container 23 Space ( 24 space (defined by container) 25 step 26 first passage 26a opening 26b opening 261 passage 262 passage 27 second passage 28 third passage 281 passage 282 passage 29 test tube 30 long groove Opening 31 Seal head 32 Cutter 33 Projecting part 34 Opening 40 Elevating means 41 Air cylinder 431 Gas valve 432 Vacuum valve 44 Gas supply source 441 Gas cylinder 442 Gas mixer 45 Suction machine 46 Detecting means 47 Open / close valve 48 Compressor 50 Tray 51 Flange part 52 Film 52a Excess film 53 Heat seal part 54 Space in tray 61, 62, 63, 64 Pipeline 71 Advance / retreat plate 72 Shaft 72a Flange (of shaft) 73 Concave part 74 Convex part 75 Opening hole 76 Cutter support 77 Opening 78 Flange 79,80 Spring

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A gas-filled, sealed packaging method for filling a desired gas into a tray containing a packaged object and sealing the tray filled with the gas with a film, wherein a space is defined by a lid. Defining a space facing the space defined by the lid by the container, and arranging the two spaces facing each other with a film interposed therebetween, and defining the tray by the container. Arranging in a closed space, joining the lid and the container, defining a sealed space with the lid and the container, and purging the enclosed space; and at least the lid and the container A step of introducing a desired gas into a space defined by the film and the tray sandwiched therebetween; and a seal disposed in the space defined by the lid in the closed space. Head or front A step of advancing at least one of the trays with respect to the other to seal-cut a film with respect to the tray and sealing a gas in the tray; and separating the lid from the container to define the container. A gas-filled hermetically sealed packaging method comprising a step of taking out a tray after the seal cut placed in a closed space. 2. The step of disposing the tray in the space defined by the container includes the step of transferring the tray to the space, wherein the step formed on the inner wall of the container has a peripheral edge of the tray. 2. The gas-filled hermetically sealed packaging method according to claim 1, further comprising a step of mounting a more protruding flange portion to lock the tray in a space defined by the container. 3. The gas-filled and sealed packaging method according to claim 1, wherein the scavenging is terminated and / or gas filling is started and / or terminated according to the pressure in the sealed space. 4. The gas-filled hermetically sealed package according to claim 1, further comprising a step of introducing a desired gas into a space defined by said film and said tray and filling said gas into said closed space. Method. 5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of: advancing a seal head disposed in a space defined by said lid toward a space defined by said container to seal gas in said tray. 2. The gas-filled hermetically sealed packaging method according to 1. 6. A gas filling and sealing apparatus for filling a desired gas into a tray in which an article to be packed is stored, and sealing the tray filled with the gas with a film. The device comprises a lid defining a space,
Providing a container that defines a space facing the space defined by the lid, at least one of the containers is opposed to the other so as to form a closed space by the lid and the container, the container being opposed to the other, A tray provided in the container; and a lid defined between the lid and the container, and a space defined by a tray disposed in a space defined by the container and the lid. Forming a first passage for communicating a suction source and a gas supply source disposed outside the body and the container, and providing a seal head for sealing and cutting a film on the tray in the lid body; Filling and sealing packaging equipment. 7. A step portion for mounting a flange portion projecting from a peripheral edge of the tray on an inner wall of a container defining the space and locking the tray in the space defined by the container. 7. The gas-filled hermetically sealed packaging device according to claim 6, wherein the tray is arranged in the container to form the tray. 8. A film sandwiched between the lid and the container isolates a space defined by the lid from a space defined by the container and is surrounded by the film and a tray. A second end communicating with the space and the other end communicating with the space defined by the container;
7. The gas-filled hermetically sealed packaging device according to claim 6, further comprising a third passage communicating one end with the space defined by the container and the other end communicating with the space defined by the lid. 9. The gas according to claim 6, wherein a cutter for cutting the film is disposed along an outer periphery of the seal head, and the seal head and the cutter can be advanced in a space direction defined by a container. Filling and sealing packaging equipment. 10. A concave portion is formed on one of inner walls of the lid, and a convex portion fitted to the concave portion is formed on an advancing / retreating plate disposed in a space defined by the lid. The recess is communicated with a supply source of compressed air, and the introduction of compressed air into the recess allows the advance / retreat plate to advance in a space direction defined by the container, and the seal head and the cutter move the advance / retreat plate. 10. The gas-filled hermetic packaging device according to claim 9, wherein the gas-filled hermetic packaging device can be advanced in conjunction with the advance of the device. 11. An on-off valve for opening and closing between the first passage and the suction device and between the first passage and the gas supply source, respectively, according to the pressure in the closed space detected by the detecting means. The gas-filled hermetic packaging apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 10, wherein the on-off valve is opened and closed by opening and closing.