WO2018221386A1

WO2018221386A1 - Packaging apparatus and packaging method

Info

Publication number: WO2018221386A1
Application number: PCT/JP2018/020050
Authority: WO
Inventors: 井川　真一
Original assignee: 株式会社クリンペット・ジャパン
Priority date: 2017-06-01
Filing date: 2018-05-24
Publication date: 2018-12-06

Abstract

A packaging apparatus according to the present invention comprises: an accommodating part in which there is accommodated a stacked bundle of a plurality of sheet-form members packaged by a packaging member; a compressor that compresses the stacked bundle accommodated in the accommodating part, the stacked bundle being compressed along the stacking direction of the stacked bundle; and a suction part for suctioning air within the packaging member once the stacked bundle has been compressed by the compressor.

Description

Packaging apparatus and packaging method

The present invention relates to a packaging apparatus and a packaging method, and more particularly, to a packaging apparatus and a packaging method for packaging a laminated bundle such as a paper laminated bundle, a nonwoven fabric product laminated bundle, and a fiber product laminated bundle.

With the recent development of sanitary environment and awareness of hygiene, paper towels (hand towels) and tissue paper are used in hospital facilities, nursing homes, food production and processing factories, food stores, and kitchens and washrooms. Disposable paper products such as these are frequently used to maintain hygiene and prevent infection.

These paper products have a structure in which a large number of sheet-shaped paper members having the same shape are stacked, or a structure in which one or a plurality of sheet-shaped paper members are folded and a large number of the folded sheet-shaped paper members are stacked. Have. Therefore, it is also called a paper stack.

Such a paper laminate bundle is produced in a factory or the like, then stored in a dedicated facility or warehouse, and transported to a consumption place or a sales place using a distribution means such as a railroad or a vehicle. Paper stacks have a large external size because air is contained between sheet-like paper members, and a plurality of paper stacks are stored together in a cardboard box and stored or transported using a number of cardboard boxes. In some cases, it has been pointed out that a space corresponding to the quantity is required, and the transportation cost and the storage cost increase.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a method for packing a paper laminate bundle for reducing the transportation cost of the paper laminate bundle as described above and reducing the storage space in a warehouse or the like, and the packaging of a paper laminate bundle packed by the method. Suggest body.

International Publication No. 2015/141671

Patent Document 1 typically employs a method in which a vacuum package produced by compressing a paper stack is packed into a storage body. And the vacuum packaging machine (For example, a double chamber type vacuum packaging machine) is used at the process of producing a vacuum packaging body. Here, when vacuum packaging, the entire paper stack is placed in a vacuum packaging machine, the lid is closed, and then the paper stack is compressed by compressing the paper stack and discharging the air inside the packaging machine. It is in a state.

In this way, when a paper stack is compressed in a vacuum packaging machine that has been closed and sealed from the start of compression, there is a delay in the discharge of air from individual packaging bags that accommodate individual paper stacks. Only occurs before the air can escape. As a result, there is a problem that air is not sufficiently discharged from the individual bag, and the individual bag is damaged due to imbalance between compression and exhaust. In this case, it is conceivable to lower the compression speed and lengthen the exhaust time, but this is not possible because it leads to a delay in work, a reduction in the production efficiency of the paper stack, and the like.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and the object of the present invention is to efficiently and quickly compress a laminated bundle of sheet-like members such as paper towels accommodated in a packaging bag to obtain a total volume. It is to provide a packaging apparatus and a packaging method capable of reducing (bulk).

In order to solve the above problems, the packaging device of the present invention is:
A housing portion (for example, FIG. 3) in which a stack of a plurality of sheet-shaped members (for example, the paper stack 10 of FIG. 2, a paper diaper, etc.) packaged in a packaging member (for example, the packaging bag 20 of FIG. 2) is stored.

Storage portions

35a and 35b),
A compressing unit (for example, movable

pressing plates

38a and 38b and pressing units 45a to 45d in FIG. 3) that compresses the stacked bundle stored in the storing unit along the stacking direction of the stacked bundle;
A suction part (for example, suction part 55 in FIG. 4) for sucking a gas such as air in the packaging member in a state where the laminated bundle is compressed by the compression part.

For example, the packaging device of the present invention includes sealing portions (for example, welded

portions

39a and 39b in FIG. 3) for sealing an opening in the packaging member in which gas is sucked by the suction portion.

For example, the compression unit is a pressing plate (for example, movable

pressing plates

38a and 38b in FIG. 3) that is movable in a horizontal direction toward a vertical wall surface in the compression direction of the housing unit while abutting the laminated bundle. This can be realized by an actuator that applies an external force to the pressing plate (for example, pressing portions 45a to 45d in FIG. 3).

For example, the sealing portion seals a predetermined portion of the packaging member (for example, a portion sandwiched between the

welded portions

39a and 39b in the

packaging bags

20a and 20b in FIG. 8) by thermal welding. The laminated bundle is maintained in an airtight state.

For example, the laminated bundle is packaged by the packaging member in a state where a plurality of the laminated bundles are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the compression direction and the compression direction, or the plurality of laminated bundles. May be wrapped in the packaging member in a plurality of layers in the vertical direction.

For example, each of the plurality of stacked bundles may be accommodated in an individual bag (for example, the individual bag 11 in FIG. 1). For example, the laminated bundle may include at least paper towels, tissue paper, sheet-like toilet paper, sheet-like nonwoven products such as paper diapers, and sheet-like fiber products such as clothing.

The packaging method of the present invention comprises:
A housing step (for example, step S11 in FIG. 5) for housing a stacked bundle of a plurality of sheet-like members packaged by the packaging member;
A compression step (for example, steps S15 to S19 in FIG. 5) for compressing the laminated bundle accommodated in the accommodating step along the lamination direction of the laminated bundle;
A suction step (for example, step S25 in FIG. 5) for sucking the gas in the packaging member in a state where the laminated bundle is compressed by the compression step.

For example, the packaging method of the present invention includes a sealing step (for example, step S29 in FIG. 5) for sealing the opening of the packaging member that has sucked the gas in the suction step.

For example, the packaging method of the present invention includes a storage step of storing the sealed laminated bundle in a storage body having a predetermined tensile strength.

According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the compression efficiency of a plurality of laminated bundles accommodated in the packaging bag and perform suction without air remaining in the packaging bag.

It is a figure which shows the external appearance of the paper lamination | stacking bundle | flux which is the sealing packaging object of the sealing packaging apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows a mode that several laminated bundles which are sealed packaging objects were accommodated in the packaging bag. It is an external appearance perspective view of the sealed packaging apparatus which concerns on embodiment, Comprising: The state before accommodation of the sealed packaging object is shown. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the sealed packaging apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the sealed packaging procedure in the sealed packaging apparatus which concerns on embodiment in time series. It is a figure which shows a mode that the some lamination | stacking bundle | flux which is sealed packaging object is accommodated in the accommodating part of a sealed packaging apparatus. It is a figure which shows a mode that the 1st compression which compresses the lamination | stacking bundle | flux in an accommodating part in the state which opened the cover part of the sealing packaging apparatus. It is a figure which shows a mode that air is attracted | sucked from the packaging bag with the 2nd compression which compresses the lamination | stacking bundle | flux in the accommodating part which closed the cover part of the sealing packaging apparatus and was made into the airtight state.

Hereinafter, embodiments of a hermetic packaging apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The hermetic packaging apparatus according to the present embodiment is an apparatus that collects a plurality of paper laminate bundles configured by stacking a plurality of sheet-like paper members and reduces the overall size (bulk) of hermetic packaging. Yes, thereby reducing the space for storing and transporting paper stacks.

FIG. 1 is an external view of a laminated stack made of paper that is a target of hermetic packaging of the hermetic packaging apparatus according to this embodiment. The paper laminated bundle 10 shown in FIG. 1 has a width W of, for example, 200 sheets of sheet-like paper members that are alternately folded and packed in individual bags 11 made of polyethylene or the like. A paper towel having a length of about 90 mm, a length L of about 220 mm, and a thickness T of about 60 mm.

On the upper surface of the individual bag 11, a perforation 12 for taking out sheet-like paper members one by one at the time of use is formed. Note that a product name, a manufacturer name, or the like may be printed at an easily viewable position on the surface of the individual bag 11.

There are slight gaps and small holes in the

seal portions

11a and 11b of the individual bag 11 of the paper stack 10 as a general packaging form. These gaps and the like are the air contained between the members of the plurality of sheet-like paper members housed in the individual bag 11 when the plurality of paper laminated bundles 10 are compressed during sealed packaging. It functions as a vent for venting gas such as air.

Furthermore, a gap, an air hole, or the like having a size that is not conspicuous at a predetermined location of the individual bag 11 may be formed. In particular, the gap or the like may be set in the hermetic packaging device 30 in a mode that is on the upper side of the hermetic packaging device 30 shown in FIG.

FIG. 2 shows a state in which a plurality of paper laminated bundles 10 that are sealed and packaged are accommodated in a packaging bag (also referred to as an accommodation bag or packaging member) 20 in the sealed packaging device 30 according to the present embodiment. Yes.

Here, five rows in the vertical direction (the compression direction indicated by the white arrow in the figure) and three rows in the horizontal direction (the direction orthogonal to the compression direction) are arranged in a bag-shaped packaging bag 20 of one size opened on one side. A plurality (15 bundles) of paper laminated bundles 10 are accommodated. The packaging bag 20 may be, for example, a transparent, general-purpose bag made of polyethylene or a dedicated bag. Although the thickness of the packaging bag 20 is not limited, the packaging bag 20 may be subjected to a hole punching process after being stored by a storage body having a predetermined tensile strength such as kraft paper, In this case, it is preferable that the thickness is about several μm.

Here, the paper laminate bundles 10 are aligned with each other and accommodated in the packaging bag 20 so that the stacking directions of the plurality of sheet-like paper members stacked in each of the paper laminate bundles 10 are the same. .

In general, the number of paper laminate bundles to be put in the packaging bag and the method of arranging the paper laminate bundles in the packaging bag can be appropriately determined according to the shape, size, etc. of the paper laminate bundle. .

Therefore, although not shown in the drawing, the paper laminated bundle is arranged in a plurality of rows with the longitudinal direction vertical, and the paper laminated bundle packaged in a packaging bag in the vertical direction in a plurality of stages is stacked as a target for sealed packaging. Also good. Thereby, many paper lamination | stacking bundles can be sealed and packaged efficiently.

FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of the sealed packaging device 30 according to the present embodiment. The sealed packaging device 30 of the present embodiment includes a main body 31 having two housing portions (chambers) 35a, 35b and the like in which the paper stack 10 to be sealed and wrapped by the packaging bag 20 is housed. Is provided.

The sealed packaging device 30 is a double chamber type vacuum packaging machine having two

accommodating portions

35a and 35b, and each of the

accommodating portions

35a and 35b has a capacity capable of accommodating a plurality of paper stacks 10. Have. But the number of accommodating parts is not limited to two, and may be one or three or more.

In the case of the present embodiment, as will be described later with reference to FIG. 6 and the like, the

accommodating portions

35a and 35b and the like are movable in the stacking direction of the plurality of sheet-like paper members constituting the paper stack 10. The

press plates

38a and 38b are accommodated in the reciprocating direction. In other words, in the hermetic packaging device 30 according to the present embodiment, the bottom surfaces of the

accommodating portions

35a, 35b and the like serve as contact surfaces that are parallel to the stacking direction of the paper stack 10.

Further, the hermetic packaging apparatus 30 shown in FIG. 3 includes an openable / closable lid 33 that covers the opening on the upper surface of the main body 31. Here, the lid 33 of the sealed packaging device 30 is opened, and the sealed packaging target is not accommodated. In the sealed packaging device 30 shown in FIG. 3, one lid 33 is provided for the two

accommodating portions

35a and 35b, but one lid is provided for each of the

accommodating portions

35a and 35b. It is good also as a structure. If it does in this way, a packaging operation can be performed separately in each

storage part

35a, 35b.

In FIG. 3, the lid 33 is of a type that is hinged to the main body 31, but may be of a type that is slid through a rail (not shown) or the main body 31. It may be of a type that can be separated and covered.

When the surface of the paper laminated bundle 10 is a low-friction material, a part of the paper laminated bundle 10 is displaced so as to protrude upward in FIG. 3 during a compression process described later. It can happen. In this case, if the lid 33 is provided, it is possible to define the position in the direction orthogonal to the stacking direction of the paper stack 10, so that a part of the paper stack 10 is prevented from shifting upward. it can.

In addition, when the lid part 33 is closed, a rubber packing or the like may be attached to the facing surfaces of the lid part 33 and the

accommodating parts

35a, 35b so as to seal the openings of the

accommodating parts

35a, 35b. If it carries out like this, there exists an advantage that attraction | suction efficiency increases in the attraction | suction process mentioned later.

Also, it should be noted that the sealed packaging device 30 shown in FIG. For example, even if the lid portion 33 is not provided, it is possible to perform a suction process in which a nozzle is inserted in a state where the opening of the packaging bag 20 is depressed and the gas in the packaging bag 20 is sucked through the nozzle.

Further, the sealed packaging device 30 is provided with legs 32 having a predetermined height in consideration of the operability of the device by the operator, the workability of sealed packaging, and the like. The four legs 32 may all have the same length as shown in FIG. In this case, as described above, the bottom surfaces of the

accommodating portions

35a, 35b and the like serve as contact surfaces that receive a parallel surface with respect to the stacking direction of the paper stack 10.

Further, for example, two adjacent leg portions 32 may have the same length. In this case, as an example, in the example of FIG. 3, when the connecting side of the main body 31 and the lid 33 is defined as the back side, the two left leg portions 32 are lengthened and the right side 2 If the leg portion 32 of the book is shortened, the hermetic packaging device 30 is inclined to the right, and if these lengths are interchanged, the hermetic posture is left.

When the sealed packaging device 30 is tilted to the right, the contact surface includes not only the bottom surfaces of the

housing portions

35a and 35b and the right side surfaces of the

housing portions

35a and 35b. That is, by tilting the main body 31 of the hermetic packaging device 30, the contact surface becomes two surfaces, so that the sheet-like paper members constituting the paper laminated bundle 10 are easily aligned with each other.

Alternatively, one of the pair of legs 32 on the diagonal is lengthened and the other is shortened, and the other set of legs 32 is the same length and another set of legs 32. It may be shorter than one of them and longer than the other. In this case, as an example, if the pair of leg portions 32 on the connection side of the main body portion 31 and the lid portion 33 is lengthened and the remaining one set of leg portions 32 is shortened, the main body portion 31 becomes a short leg portion. 32 becomes an inclined posture with the lowest point. In this case, since the contact surface is further increased to three surfaces, the sheet-like paper members constituting the paper-made laminated bundle 10 can be more easily aligned with each other.

Further, movable

pressing plates

38a and 38b are provided on the back side inside the

accommodating portions

35a and 35b. The movable

pressing plates

38a and 38b compress the paper stack 10 accommodated in the

accommodating portions

35a and 35b, etc., and maintain the vertical state with respect to the bottom surfaces of the

accommodating portions

35a and 35b and the like in FIG. It reciprocates in the directions indicated by reference signs A and B.

In order to realize this, the movable pressing plate 38a is connected to

pressing portions

45a and 45b, which are pneumatic actuators including an air cylinder or the like, which are provided outside the back surface of the main body portion 31 and the like. Similarly, the movable pressing plate 38b is connected to the

pressing portions

45c and 45d. In addition, the number of the press parts 45a provided corresponding to each movable press plate 38a etc. is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 3, One may be sufficient and three or more may be sufficient.

As described above, the movable

pressing plates

38a and 38b and the pressing portions 45a to 45d in FIG. 3 are compression portions that compress the laminated bundle accommodated in the

accommodating portions

35a and 35b along the laminating direction of the laminated bundle, It functions as a compression means.

The two left and right side portions and the front portion of each of the

accommodating portions

35a and 35b are erected in a direction perpendicular to the bottom surface of the accommodating portion, and the upper edge thereof is curved outward of the accommodating portion. A guide plate or the like is provided.

Specifically, a stopper 34a for preventing the movement of the paper stack when compressed is provided on the front surface of the accommodating portion 35a.

Guide plates

34b and 34c are provided on both side surfaces of the accommodating portion 35a to facilitate sliding of the paper laminate bundle accommodated in the packaging bag during compression. Similarly, a stopper 36a and guide

plates

36b and 36c are erected in the accommodating portion 35b. Therefore, these stoppers and guide plates are also a defining part that defines the position of the laminated side surface of the plurality of paper laminated bundles and function as a defining means.

A welding portion 39a extending in the longitudinal direction is provided on the front side inside the lid portion 33. A welded part 39b extending in the longitudinal direction is provided on the upper part on the near side of the main body part 31 (on the near side of the opening part). These welded

portions

39a and 39b face each other in the longitudinal direction when the lid portion 33 is closed. The welded

portions

39a and 39b are configured to seal a specific portion of the polyethylene packaging bag sandwiched between them by heat welding.

That is, the

welding parts

39a and 39b are sealing parts that seal the opening of the packaging member in which gas is absorbed by a suction part described later, and function as sealing means. In addition, although the sealing mentioned here has demonstrated the example welded, it is not essential to make the packaging bag 20 into a sealed state by this. Therefore, for example, at the time of welding, a part of the opening may not be welded, and for example, there may be a gap of 1 mm or less in terms of diameter.

The welded

portions

39a and 39b are elongate members having a structure in which, for example, an impulse heating method is employed and a nichrome wire as a heating element is built in, and specific portions of a heating target (

packaging bags

20a and 20b described later) Are welded in a straight line and sealed. When the lid portion 33 is closed and the object to be heated is welded and sealed, the

welding portions

39a and 39b generate heat when a large current flows instantaneously. Therefore, it does not operate when the lid 33 is open, and no power is consumed.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the hermetic packaging apparatus 30 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the sealed packaging procedure in the sealed packaging apparatus 30 in time series.

The control unit 51 shown in FIG. 4 is composed of, for example, a microprocessor that controls the entire sealed packaging device 30. The control unit 51 drives and controls the pressing units 45a to 45d, the

welding units

39a and 39b, and the like according to a sequence program stored in the memory unit 63 in advance.

The operation unit 53 includes, for example, a foot switch and a push button switch. The operation unit 53 is used when the operator of the sealed packaging device 30 instructs the control unit 51 to start and stop a predetermined operation.

When the sealed packaging work 30 is started by the sealed packaging device 30 according to the present embodiment, the operator (operator) puts the

polyethylene packaging bags

20a and 20b in step S11 of FIG. 5, for example, as shown in FIG. A plurality of paper laminated

bundles

10a and 10b, which are the targets of the packaged sealed packaging, are accommodated in the

accommodating portions

35a and 35b.

At that time, the stacking direction of the plurality of sheet-like paper members constituting the paper stack is accommodated so as to coincide with the reciprocating direction of the movable pressing plate described above.

Further, when the paper laminated

bundles

10a and 10b are accommodated in the

accommodating portions

35a and 35b, the remaining

portions

22a and 22b, which are portions of the

packaging bags

20a and 20b where the paper laminated bundle is not accommodated, are formed on the welding portion 39b. Cover the top surface. The remaining

portions

22 a and 22 b are inserted into a gap 61 provided between the welded portion 39 b and the front portion of the main body 31 and extending in the longitudinal direction of the main body 31. The remaining

portions

22a and 22b inserted into the gap 61 are indicated by dotted lines in FIG.

The control unit 51 determines whether or not the operation unit 53 has been operated by the operator in step S13 (for example, whether or not a start switch has been pressed). When the control unit 51 receives a work start signal from the operation unit 53, in step S15, the control unit 51 sends a control signal to the

lid drive units

37a and 37b to open the lid 33 and open the

storage units

35a and 35b. When the lid 33 is already open, the open state of the lid 33 is maintained.

In subsequent step S17, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, the pressing portions 45a to 45d are driven to move the movable

pressing plates

38a and 38b. And the compression to the horizontal direction with respect to several paper-made

laminated bundles

10a and 10b packaged by the

packaging bags

20a and 20b is started. This compression is the first for a paper stack, and is hereinafter referred to as “first compression”.

In the above “first compression” step, the direction indicated by the white arrows in the figure (plurality of the plurality of

paper stacks

10a, 10b accommodated in the

accommodating portions

35a, 35b is indicated by the movable

pressing plates

38a, 38b. Compressing is performed by applying a compressive force to the stacking direction of the paper stack.

The paper laminated

bundles

10a and 10b are configured by stacking a large number of sheet-shaped paper members, or by folding one or a plurality of sheet-shaped paper members and stacking the folded sheet-shaped paper members. Since it is comprised, gas, such as air, is contained between sheet-like paper members.

Therefore, a part of the air around the

paper stack

10a, 10b is discharged by the “first compression” and moves into the

packaging bags

20a, 20b. At this time, since the lid portion 33 of the hermetic packaging device 30 is open, the air in the

packaging bags

20a and 20b escapes to some extent from the

openings

23a and 23b of the

packaging bags

20a and 20b. That is, simple and preliminary exhaust from the

paper stack

10a, 10b is performed by the "first compression".

In step S19, the control unit 51 determines whether or not a predetermined time T1 has elapsed since the start of the “first compression”. When the predetermined time T1 has elapsed, the control unit 51 operates the

lid drive units

37a and 37b to close the lid 33 in step S21.

In step S23, the suction unit 55 is driven in subsequent step S25 while selectively performing "second compression". The suction unit 55 functions as a suction unit that sucks a gas such as air in the packaging member after the stack is compressed by the compression unit.

Here, selectively performing “second compression” means that it is not essential to perform “second compression” itself. That is, the “first compression” may be performed, and then the “second compression” may be performed without performing the “second compression”.

FIG. 8 shows a state of the hermetically sealed packaging device 30 that is executing the “second compression” and the suction by the suction unit 55, with a part of the device broken. As shown in FIG. 8, the control unit 51 continues to operate the movable

pressing plates

38 a and 38 b in the “second compression” step subsequent to the “first compression” step, and closes the lid 33 to make it sealed. The paper stacks 10a and 10b in the

storage portions

35a and 35b are compressed by applying a compressive force, and the suction mechanism (the suction portion 55 in FIG. 4) provided in the sealed packaging device 30 is operated.

By such “second compression” and the operation of the suction part 55, the

paper stack

10 a and 10 b are further compressed, and at the same time, the air inside the sealed packaging device 30 (accommodating

parts

35 a and 35 b) is discharged. Therefore, the air in the

packaging bags

20a and 20b is also exhausted through the

openings

23a and 23b of the packaging bags.

As a result, air (residual air) that has not been discharged from the sheet-like paper members of the

paper laminate bundles

10a and 10b by the “first compression” is also exhausted, and the paper laminate bundles almost exhaust air in the packaging bag. It becomes a sealed state that does not contain. The pressing force (air pressure) by the pressing portions 45a to 45d made of an air cylinder or the like may be about 0.5 MPa, for example, but may be about half or about twice.

In step S27, the control unit 51 determines whether “second compression” and suction by the suction unit have been executed for a predetermined time T2. When the predetermined time T2 has elapsed, in step S29, power is supplied from the power supply unit (not shown) to the welded

portions

39a and 39b.

Thereby, the portions sandwiched between the welded

portions

39a and 39b of the

packaging bags

20a and 20b are melted (heat welded) by the welded

portions

39a and 39b that have generated heat at a predetermined temperature (for example, about 150 ° C.). As a result, predetermined portions of the

packaging bags

20a and 20b are sealed, and the paper laminated

bundles

10a and 10b are sealed and packaged in the

packaging bags

20a and 20b, and the paper laminated

bundles

10a and 10b are contained in the

packaging bags

20a and 20b. Is maintained in an airtight state.

When the “second compression” step is performed, the control unit 51 thermally welds the

packaging bags

20a and 20b as described above, and then controls the pressing units 45a to 45d in step S31 to move the movable pressing plate. 38a and 38b are moved in a direction opposite to that during compression, and the compressed state of the

paper stack

10a and 10b is released.

And the control part 51 operates the cover

part drive parts

37a and 37b by step S33, and opens the cover part 33 which was closed. Thereby, the paper laminated

bundles

10a and 10b sealed and packaged in the

packaging bags

20a and 20b can be taken out from the

accommodating portions

35a and 35b of the sealed packaging device 30.

In addition, after the sensor which detects opening / closing of the cover part 33 is provided in the sealing packaging apparatus 30, and the control part 51 receives the detection result by the sensor and confirms opening / closing of the cover part 33, said "1st compression" and “Second compression” may be started.

Here, the compression rate of the paper laminated bundle by the sealed packaging in the sealed packaging apparatus 30 according to the present embodiment will be described. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, assuming that the thickness in the compression direction before compression of the paper laminated

bundles

10a and 10b is L1, and the thickness after compression is L2 as shown in FIG. 8, L1 / 2≈L2. There is a relationship.

This is because the volume after compression of the plurality of paper laminated

bundles

10a and 10b accommodated in the

packaging bags

20a and 20b is reduced by about 50% by the hermetic packaging in the hermetic packaging device 30 as compared to before compression. Means that

The thickness L2 after compression varies depending on the sealed packaging target. For example, when a paper diaper is used as the sealed packaging target instead of the paper-laminated

bundles

10a and 10b, the amount of air around the paper diaper is relatively Therefore, for example, a relationship of L1 / 3 to 4≈L2 is established, and some of them have a relationship of L1 / 10≈L2.

Although not shown, the

paper laminates

10a and 10b compressed as described above are housed in a housing made of a packaging material having a predetermined tensile strength, such as kraft paper or film, Alternatively, it may be packed in a cardboard box. Here, the predetermined tensile strength generally refers to 1.0 kN / m or more, although it depends on the degree of compression of the packaging bag 20.

If a small hole is made in the

packaging bags

20a and 20b covered with such packaging material to eliminate the airtight state, air enters the

packaging bags

20a and 20b, and a gap is formed in the opening of the

packaging bags

20a and 20b. If there is, air or the like flows into the

packaging bags

20a and 20b through this gap. Strictly speaking, if the

packaging bags

20a and 20b are not so thick, fine holes that cannot be visually confirmed are formed. Then, air or the like flows into the

packaging bags

20a and 20b through them.

However, the amount of air inflow at that time is limited by the packaging material used. Moreover, when air flows into the

packaging bags

20a and 20b covered with the packaging material, the

packaging bags

20a and 20b expand as the

paper laminates

10a and 10b return to their original shapes before compression.

Therefore, the packaging material and the

packaging bags

20a and 20b are in close contact with each other. Thereafter, when the

packaging bags

20a and 20b covered with the packaging material are stored in cardboard or the like, the workability of the storage work is improved. To do.

As described above, in the sealed packaging device according to the present embodiment, a plurality of paper laminated bundles each packaged in an individual bag are collectively stored in a packaging bag (storage bag), and these are stored in the sealed packaging device. The first compression is performed by placing the paper stack in the stacking direction in the stacking direction with the lid of the apparatus being opened.

Then, following the first compression, the second compression for further compressing the paper stack in the stacking direction is performed in the storage unit that is closed and closed, and the air in the storage unit is sucked. After the packaging bag is airtight, a predetermined portion of the packaging bag is sealed and hermetically packaged.

In this way, after compressing the paper stack in the container with the lid of the hermetic packaging device opened, the paper stack is further selectively compressed in the sealed state with the cover closed. By sucking the air, the discharge of air from individual packaging bags containing individual paper stacks and the suction of air from packaging bags containing multiple paper stacks are continuous without delay. The compression efficiency for a plurality of paper stacks can be improved.

That is, since the air exhaust from the individual packaging bag and the suction of the air in the packaging bag are performed without interruption, only the compression of the paper stack is preceded and sealed before the air can not escape from the individual packaging bag. You can avoid the situation of incomplete.

As a result, the air contained in the plurality of sheet-like paper members constituting the paper laminate bundle can be almost completely exhausted, which results from an imbalance between the progress of compression and the exhaust timing of the paper laminate bundle. Occurrence of breakage of individual packaging bags can be prevented.

Furthermore, in the accommodating part, by compressing the paper laminate bundle continuously in different environments of the open state and the sealed state, air can be uniformly sucked from any part of the packaging bag, and in addition, the paper laminate is Since it can compress almost uniformly along the lamination direction, the finish of the paper laminate after compression becomes good. Therefore, it is possible to easily and smoothly store the paper laminate in a storage body made of a packaging material such as kraft paper after compression.

On the other hand, when paying attention to the point of continuously compressing the paper laminated bundle step by step, after effectively reducing the overall volume (bulk) of the paper laminated bundle, the paper laminated bundle is placed in the packaging bag. Since a highly airtight state can be maintained, a larger number of paper stacks can be stored in a packing box or the like as compared with the compression of the conventional paper stacks described above. As a result, it is possible to significantly reduce the transportation cost of the paper stack and to reduce the space required for storage in a warehouse or the like.

Furthermore, due to a significant reduction in the volume (bulk) of the paper laminate bundle, the packaging materials such as kraft paper used for the storage body for storing the compressed paper laminate will be about 1/10 on a weight basis, Sealed packaging significantly reduces the number of deliveries and greatly contributes to a significant reduction in CO2.

<Modification>
In the above embodiment, the case where the paper stack is a paper towel has been described, but the paper stack is not limited to a paper towel. This includes, for example, tissue paper, sheet-like toilet paper, kitchen paper, and the like.

In addition, as far as possible, any material containing a gas such as air can be a target for packaging by the packaging device of this embodiment. The sheet shape in this specification includes a planar shape having a thickness of about 20% as compared with the size in the surface direction. Therefore, for example, it may be a disposable diaper before use, or a textile product such as a sweater, a jumper, clothes, underwear, and clothing.

That is, in the present specification, the above-mentioned “paper member” is not limited to normal paper made from plant fibers such as pulp, but synthetic fibers (for example, rayon, nylon, vinylon, polyester, acrylonitrile, etc.), A sheet-like fiber product made from glass fiber or natural fiber (for example, silk) is also included.

In addition, the packaging target to be hermetically packaged by the above-described hermetic packaging apparatus is not limited to a paper-laminated bundle, a nonwoven fabric-laminated bundle, a fiber-laminated bundle, and the like. For example, the present invention can also be applied to plastic gloves, plastic storage bags, and the like.

Examples of products that are bulky by containing gas such as air include masks and slippers. When a plurality of laminated bundles of masks or slippers are packaged in the packaging bag 20 (see FIG. 2), the air contained in the packaging bag 20 also increases. Therefore, when the above-described sealed packaging procedure (see FIG. 5) in the sealed packaging apparatus 30 (see FIG. 3) is executed by putting a laminated bundle of masks or slippers in the packaging bag 20, the air in the packaging bag 20 is removed. It is preferable to add a step to further promote exhaust.

For example, in the case of packaging a stacked bundle of masks or slippers in the

packaging bags

20a and 20b shown in FIG. 6 and executing the above-described sealed packaging procedure (see FIG. 5) in the sealed packaging device 30, the

packaging bags

20a and 20b. Among them, a vent hole is formed in advance in a portion that becomes the lid portion 33 (see FIG. 3) side when set in the

accommodating portions

35a and 35b (see FIG. 3). The vents are preferably formed in advance in such a size that the air in the

packaging bags

20a and 20b can be easily exhausted in the “first compression” (step S17 in FIG. 5). Thus, by providing a large ventilation hole, in the “first compression”, a large amount of air in the

packaging bags

20a and 20b can be efficiently exhausted.

After the “first compression” (see step S17 in FIG. 5), some of the air holes are closed. Thereafter, the control unit 51 operates the

lid drive units

37a and 37b to close the lid 33 (step S21 in FIG. 5), and performs “second compression” (step S23 in FIG. 5) as necessary. Execute.

In this way, when a laminated bundle of products containing a large amount of air such as a mask or slippers is hermetically packaged, a relatively large air hole is formed in the packaging bag 20 to perform “first compression” (step S17 in FIG. 5). It is preferable that the exhaust gas is promoted in step (b). Then, it is preferable to close at least part of the formed air holes after “first compression” (step S17 in FIG. 5). By doing this, even when a laminated bundle such as a mask or slippers containing a lot of air is hermetically packaged, the working efficiency is not lowered as compared with the case of hermetically packaging a paper laminated bundle. The air in the packaging bag 20 can be exhausted.

In addition, although a mask and a slipper were illustrated as an example of the product which becomes bulky by including gas, such as air, the product using the said packaging method will not be specifically limited if it is a product bulky by containing gas, such as air. For example, the above packaging method can be used for a laminated bundle of cushioning materials formed of a foamed resin such as polyethylene foam. In addition, even if it is a cyclic | annular buffer material, it is laminated | stacked with the form of the crushed sheet-like member, and a lamination | stacking bundle | flux is formed.

10, 10a, 10b Paper stack 11

Individual bag

11a, 11b Seal 12

Perforation

20, 20a, 20b Packaging bag (container bag)
23a, 23b Opening 30 Sealed packaging device 31 Main body 32 Leg 33

Lid

34a,

36a Stopper

34b, 34c, 36b,

36c Guide plate

35a, 35b Housing (chamber)
37a, 37b

Cover drive units

38a, 38b Movable

pressing plates

39a, 39b Welding parts 45a-45d Pressing part 51 Control part 53 Operating part 55 Suction part 61 Clearance 63 Memory part

Claims

An accommodating portion for accommodating a stacked bundle of a plurality of sheet-like members packaged by the packaging member;
A compressing unit that compresses the stacked bundle accommodated in the accommodating unit along a stacking direction of the stacked bundle;
And a suction unit that sucks the gas in the packaging member in a state where the stacked bundle is compressed by the compression unit.
The packaging device according to claim 1, further comprising: a sealing portion that seals an opening of the packaging member from which gas has been sucked by the suction portion.
The packaging device according to claim 1, wherein the accommodating portion has an abutting surface that receives some of parallel surfaces with respect to the laminating direction in the laminated bundle.
The packaging device according to claim 1, further comprising a lid portion that positions the sheet-like member in a direction orthogonal to the stacking direction.
The packaging device according to claim 1, further comprising a lid portion that seals the opening of the housing portion.
The packaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the laminated bundle includes at least a paper towel, a tissue paper, a sheet-like toilet paper, a sheet-like nonwoven fabric product, and a sheet-like fiber product.
An accommodating step of accommodating a stack of a plurality of sheet-like members packaged by the packaging member;
A compressing step of compressing the laminated bundle accommodated in the accommodating step along the laminating direction of the laminated bundle;
A suction step of sucking the gas in the packaging member in a state where the laminated bundle is compressed by the compression step.
The packaging method according to claim 7, further comprising a sealing step of sealing an opening of the packaging member that has sucked gas by the suction step.
The packaging method according to claim 8, further comprising a storage step of storing the laminated bundle sealed by the sealing step in a storage body having a predetermined tensile strength.