JP2777015B2 - Packaging equipment - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a packaging device for agricultural products, which wraps a spherical object to be packaged (for example, vegetables such as lettuce and cabbage, or fruits such as melon and apple) in a packaging sheet.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As the above-mentioned packaging apparatus, there is one disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3-133710. In other words, a packaging table is provided with an opening into which a spherical object to be packaged falls into which the packaging sheet is placed, and the packaging sheet is placed on this packaging table and the object to be packaged is dropped into the opening from above. Thereby, the packaging sheet is squeezed at the outer edge of the opening, and the article to be packaged is supported by the lower support while being wrapped in the packaging sheet. Next, as shown in FIG. 4 of the above-mentioned publication, the support base is lowered to a predetermined position in conjunction with the dropping of the articles to be packaged, and as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. A pair of sandwiching members (12 and 16 in FIGS. 2 and 5 of the above-mentioned publication) disposed to face each other toward the article to be packaged, and the pair of sandwiching members above the packaging sheet in the article to be packaged. Perform the narrowing operation by sandwiching the part.
In this case, as shown in FIG. 1 of the above publication, an optical sensor (31 in FIG. 1 of the above publication) is provided near the holding member.
As a result, the packaged object passes through the position of the optical sensor,
When a state where there is no packaged object at the position of the optical sensor (position of the holding member) is detected, the holding member advances to sandwich the packaging sheet.

[0003] Next, the upper portion of the packaging sheet sandwiched by the pair of holding members is cut, and the packaging sheet whose upper portion has been cut is fastened and sealed so that the packaging sheet is not opened. Then, as shown in FIG. 6 of the above-mentioned publication, the packaged object in which the packaging sheet is sealed is discharged from the support base to the side, and one package is completed.

[0004]

Vegetables such as lettuce and cabbage which are targeted by the packaging apparatus of the present invention tend to have leaves that tend to open depending on the state of their growth, It may be closed and tight. Therefore, when the vegetables in such a state are packaged by the above-described packaging apparatus, those whose leaves are generally open tend to be tightly packed with the packaging sheet, and conversely, the leaves are fully tightened. In some cases, there is a demand that the packaging sheet be loosely wrapped and packed. The present invention does not equip the above-described packaging apparatus with a special mechanism, and effectively utilizes existing optical sensors and holding members so that the degree of wrapping of the packaged object by the packaging sheet can be adjusted strongly. It is intended to be composed.

[0005]

[1]

A packaging table is provided with an opening through which a spherical packaged object falls for placing a transparent packaging sheet. When the packaged object is dropped into the opening from above, the package sheet is squeezed at the outer edge of the opening. A support base configured to support the object to be packaged that has been dropped into the opening while being wrapped in the packaging sheet from below, and a lifting mechanism that moves the support base up and down. And a pair of holding members arranged on both lateral sides of the support table, and a light receiving device for detecting the presence or absence of the object to be packed at the position of the holding member in the up-down direction, and supporting the object to be packed. First operating means for operating the elevating mechanism so as to be lowered, and a second operating means for stopping the elevating mechanism based on the passage of the packaged object through the detection position of the optical sensor.
The operating means and the pair of holding members are advanced toward the packaged object with respect to the stopped support base, the upper portion of the packaging sheet in the packaged object is sandwiched by the pair of holding members, and the packaged sheet is narrowed. And an adjusting means capable of adjusting the stop position of the support base by the second operating means up and down.

[2] In the configuration of the above item [1], the second operating means stops the elevating mechanism after a set time after the packaged object has passed the detection position of the optical sensor, and the adjusting means has the set time. Is changed to a short or long term.

[3] In the configuration of the above item [1], the optical sensor is moved vertically.
A first state in which a pair of second operating means are provided so that the passage of the packaged object can be detected from different directions at the same position, and the lifting mechanism is stopped after both optical sensors detect the passage of the packaged object. And a second state in which at least one of the optical sensors detects passage of the packaged object and then stops the elevating mechanism, and the adjusting means selects the first state and the second state. A switching operation is performed.

[0008]

Operation [I] If configured as in the preceding section [1], for example, FIG.
As shown in (b) and FIG. 4, when the support base 3 is lowered, the detection light of the optical sensors 25 and 26 is blocked by the packaged object A. Then, as shown in FIG. 4, for example, when the packaged object A passes through the detection positions of the optical sensors 25 and 26, the detection light of the optical sensors 25 and 26 passes through the packaging sheet 1 and Set the detection position to A
Is detected, and the support 3 is moved to the position shown in FIG.
Stop operation is performed at the position indicated by. In this case, the packaging sheet 1
The upper end of the article A to be packaged is located slightly below the holding members 14 and 15.

Accordingly, in the state shown in FIG.
I'll move it a little down from Thus, the holding members 14,
15 and the packaged object A are separated from each other.
When the packaging sheet 1 is sandwiched by 5, the packaged object A is loosely wrapped in the packaging sheet 1. Conversely, in the state shown in FIG. 4, the stop position of the support 3 is moved upward by operating the adjusting means, and the support 3 is
Let's get closer to 5. Thus, the holding members 14, 1
5 and the packaged object A are brought close to each other,
When the packaging sheet 1 is sandwiched by the packaging sheet 15, the packaged object A is tightly wrapped in the packaging sheet 1. As described above, by adjusting the stop position of the support table, that is, the distance between the packaged object and the holding member, the degree of wrapping of the packaged object by the packaging sheet can be adjusted strongly.

[II] With the configuration as described in the above item [2], for example, when the lowering operation of the support base 3 is started as shown in FIG.
When the detection light of the optical sensors 25 and 26 is cut off by the packaged object A and then passes through the detection position of the optical sensors 25 and 26, the detection light of the optical sensors 25 and 26 passes through the packaging sheet 1. Then, when a set time elapses after the detection light of the optical sensors 25 and 26 has passed through the packaging sheet 1, the lowering operation of the support 3 is stopped at that time, and the support 3 is moved to a position as shown in FIG. Stop.

In this case, the set time until the detection light of the optical sensors 25 and 26 passes through the packaging sheet 1 and stops the support 3 is set to be slightly longer. Since the stop of the support 3 is delayed in this way, the stop position of the support 3 in FIG. 4 is a position slightly lower than the holding members 14 and 15. Therefore, when the packaging sheet 1 is sandwiched by the sandwiching members 14 and 15 in this state, the article A to be packaged is loosely wrapped in the packaging sheet 1. Conversely, if the set time is set to be slightly shorter, the support base 3 stops earlier, so the stop position of the support base 3 in FIG. Therefore, when the packaging sheet 1 is sandwiched by the sandwiching members 14 and 15 in this state, the article to be packaged A is tightly wrapped in the packaging sheet 1.

As described above, by adjusting the set time until the detection light of the optical sensor passes through the packaging sheet and stops the support table, the stop position of the support table, that is, the object to be packaged is held. The distance from the member is adjusted, and the degree of wrapping of the article to be packaged by the packaging sheet can be adjusted strongly. In the configuration of the above item [2], the support base 3 is stopped once at the position shown in FIG. 4 and then the stop position of the support base 3 is not adjusted up and down. As the stop position (set time) is adjusted, the holding members 14 and 15 are
, The packaging sheet 1 can be inserted. In addition, there is no need to provide a dedicated operation mechanism for operating the elevating mechanism for the support base for adjusting the stop position of the support base, and it is only necessary to provide a timer for counting the set time. Can be easily provided.

[0013] (III), for example, as shown in FIG. 2, the support member in the vertical direction
When the orientation of the pair of optical sensors 25 and 26 arranged at the same position in the vertical direction is set to be different from each other, for example, as shown in FIG. , 26, the detection light of one of the optical sensors 25 passes depending on the state and orientation of the upper end of the packaged object A, while the detection light of the other optical sensor 26 does not. There is a case where a state that the upper end of the object A remains blocked is generated. Therefore, unless the support base 3 is sufficiently lowered, the detection light of the optical sensors 25 and 26 does not pass.

Thus, when the first state is selected and the support base 3 is stopped when the detection light of the two optical sensors 25 and 26 passes, the support base in FIG. The stop position of No. 3 is a position slightly lower from the holding members 14 and 15. Therefore, in this state, the holding member 1
When the sandwiching of the packaging sheet 1 by 4 and 15 is performed,
This is because the article to be packaged A is loosely wrapped in the packaging sheet 1. Conversely, if the second state is selected, a pair of optical sensors 2
At least one of the detection lights 5 and 26 is the packaging sheet 1
, The lowering operation of the support base 3 is stopped.
In this case, even if the support base 3 is not sufficiently lowered as in the first state, the detection light of one of the optical sensors 25 and 26 passes, so that the stop position of the support base 3 in FIG. The position is slightly closer to the members 14 and 15. Therefore, when the packaging sheet 1 is sandwiched by the sandwiching members 14 and 15 in this state, the article to be packaged A is tightly wrapped in the packaging sheet 1.

As described above, the state where the detection lights of both optical sensors pass through the packaging sheet (first state) and the state where the detection light of one optical sensor passes through the packaging sheet (second state).
Is selected, the stop position of the support base, that is, the distance between the object to be packaged and the holding member is adjusted in two stages of length, and the degree of wrapping of the object to be packaged by the packaging sheet is adjusted in two stages. You can. In the configuration of the above item [3], the support base 3 is stopped once at the position shown in FIG. 4 and then the stop position of the support base 3 is not adjusted up and down. Since the stop position (the detection state of the two light sensors) is adjusted, the packaging sheet 1 by the holding members 14 and 15 is
Can be inserted. In addition, there is no need to provide a dedicated operation mechanism for operating the lifting mechanism for the support base to adjust the stop position of the support base, and it is only necessary to equip a simple circuit to determine the detection state of both optical sensors, The configuration of the above [3] can be easily provided.

[0016]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a packaging apparatus of a type in which a support sensor is stopped by detecting that an object to be packaged has passed a position of a holding member by an optical sensor, and a packaging sheet is held by the holding member. Then the stop position of the support,
In other words, the degree of wrapping of the wrapped object by the wrapping sheet can be adjusted strongly, so that it is possible to select the wrapping state corresponding to the state of the wrapped object (such as a state in which the leaves are opened or a state in which the leaves are tight). Performance can be improved. In this case, since a separate holding mechanism or the like for adjusting the wrapping condition is not provided, the wrapping condition can be adjusted by the existing holding member by adjusting the stop position of the support base, so that the structure can be simplified. It is advantageous.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to select a wrapping state corresponding to the state of the article to be packaged, similarly to the first aspect, and it is possible to improve the packaging performance of the packaging apparatus. Then, once the support is stopped, the stop position of the support is not adjusted up and down. Before stopping the support, the stop position (set time) is adjusted in advance, and the support is adjusted. As soon as the package is stopped, the packaging sheet is clamped by the clamping member, so that the packaging time is not lengthened and the efficiency is not reduced. Furthermore, there is no need to provide another clamping mechanism to adjust the wrapping condition or another operation mechanism to operate the elevating mechanism to adjust the stop position of the support base.It is only equipped with a timer that counts the set time. This is further advantageous in terms of simplification of the structure.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to select the wrapping condition corresponding to the state of the article to be packaged in the same manner as in the first aspect, thereby improving the packaging performance of the packaging apparatus. After stopping the support once, the stop position of the support is not adjusted up and down, but before stopping the support, the stop position (the detection state of the pair of optical sensors) is adjusted in advance. As soon as the support stand stops, the packaging sheet is sandwiched by the sandwiching member,
There is no increase in packaging time and no reduction in efficiency. Furthermore, there is no need to provide another clamping mechanism for adjusting the wrapping condition or another operating mechanism for the elevating mechanism for adjusting the stop position of the support base. Since it is only necessary to provide a circuit, it is further advantageous in terms of simplifying the structure.

[0019]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. (1) First, the overall flow of packaging in the packaging device of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. As shown in FIG. 6A, after the previous packaging is completed, one packaging sheet 1 cut to a predetermined length is placed on the packaging table 2 (Step S21). Then, when the article A is dropped into the opening 2a of the packaging table 2 (step S1), the article A falls into the lower support table 3 while being wrapped in the packaging sheet 1.

In this state, when an operator pushes a start switch (not shown) (step S2), the support base 3 is moved down to a predetermined position and stopped as shown in FIG. 6 (b) (step S3). S8) (corresponding to the first and second operation means), the packing sheet 1 is squeezed at the outer edge of the opening 2a.
In this case, the plurality of rubber plate-shaped auxiliary throttle members 11 are
The auxiliary squeezing member 11 is provided so as to further squeeze the packaging sheet 1 so as to surround the article to be packaged A below the a.

Next, a pair of first holding members 14, 15 (corresponding to a holding member of the present invention), a second holding member 12, and an auxiliary holding member 18 arranged below the packaging table 2 are shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 6 (c) and FIG. 7 (a), the sheet proceeds to the packaging sheet 1 side, and the upper portion 1a of the packaging sheet 1 is narrowed down (steps S9 to S12) (corresponding to the third operation means). Thereby, the packaged object A is almost completely wrapped in the packaging sheet 1.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 7A, a pair of disk cutters 28 advance between the first holding members 14, 15 and the auxiliary holding member 18, and the upper portion 1a of the packaging sheet 1 is cut off. (Step S13). When the disk cutter 28 passes and cuts the upper part 1a of the packaging sheet 1, compressed air is injected from the injection nozzle 17, and the upper part 1a of the packaging sheet 1 cut and adhered to the disk cutter 28 is blown off. (Step S14).

Next, as shown in FIG. 7B, the adhesive tape 4 cut to a predetermined length is attached to the upper end of the packaging sheet 1 and the ends of the first holding members 14 and 15 ( Step S15), as shown in FIG. 7C, the adhesive tape 4 is pressed from above by the sponge member 19 (step S16). Then, in a state where the adhesive tape 4 is pressed by the sponge member 19, the pair of first holding members 14 and 15 are opened as shown in FIG. 8A (step S1).
7) Then, the sponge member 19 is pressed again to the packaged object A side (step S18), so that the adhesive tape 4 is securely brought into close contact with the packaging sheet 1.

One package is thus completed. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 8 (b), the support 3 is switched to the side-down position, and the packaged object A of the support 3 is moved. It is released to the slide 20 and collected (step S19).
The state of the packaged object A whose packaging has been completed as described above,
This is shown in FIG. Then, the support table 3 is raised to the original position shown in FIG. 6A (step S20), and a new packaging sheet 1 for the next packaging is pulled out to the packaging table 2, and
It is cut to a predetermined length (step S21), and the process returns to the initial state.

(2) Next, steps S3 to S8 and S20 in FIGS.
The structure for raising and lowering the support 3 in (b) will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, the support base 3 is formed in a bowl shape by the wire and the strip, and the support base 3 is arranged below the circular opening 2 a of the packaging base 2. A support member 21 is attached to the pair of left and right guide rails 16 so as to be vertically slidable, and the support base 3 is supported by the support member 21 via a spring 22 for absorbing shock. An operation arm 23 that can swing around the horizontal axis P3 is connected to the support member 21 by a pin and a long hole structure, and an operation cylinder 24 (a lifting mechanism) that swings the operation arm 23 up and down. ) Is provided.

With the above structure, as shown in FIG. 6A, when the worker drops the package A from above into the opening 2a of the packaging table 2, the package A is Drop on the support 3 while pulling in. When the operator operates a start switch (not shown), the operation cylinder 2
When the support 4 is contracted and the support 3 is lowered (corresponding to the first operating means), the article to be packaged A is wrapped in the packaging sheet 1, and the support 3 is shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. Position (the lower position of the first holding members 14, 15 and the second holding member 12)
To stop (corresponding to the second operation means).

(3) Next, in step S8 in FIG. 9, FIG. 4 and FIG. FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, a pair of optical sensors 25 and 26 combining a light-emitting device and a light-receiving device are fixed to a frame (not shown) extended from the fixing portion. There near the upper surface of the first clamping member 14, the upper
They are arranged so as to be located at the same position in the downward direction, and are arranged so that the detection lights of both optical sensors 25 and 26 intersect near the center of the support 3 as shown in FIG.

With the above structure, the support 3 is lowered from the state shown in FIG.
When the support 3 descends to the position shown in FIG. 4, the light detected by the light sensors 25 and 26 is received. Reach the container. In this case, the optical sensors 25, 2
The detection light of the light emitting device No. 6 has at least enough energy to pass through the packaging sheet 1,
Has transparency so that the detection light can pass through.

Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 4, the operation of the start switch causes the lowering of the support 3 to be started (step S3) (corresponding to the first operating means).
When the detection lights of the light sensors 5 and 26 are cut off (step S4), and at least one of the detection lights of the two light sensors 25 and 26 reaches the light receiver (step S5), the timer starts counting (step S6). ). When the counting of the set time T1 (for example, about 1 to 2 seconds) by the timer is completed (step S7), the lowering operation of the support 3 is stopped at that time (corresponding to the second operation means), and the support 3
Stops near the lower side of the first holding members 14 and 15 as shown in FIG. 4 (step S8).

In this case, there is provided an adjusting device (not shown) (corresponding to adjusting means) capable of adjusting the set time T1 in step S7 long and short. As a result, if the set time T1 is set to be slightly longer, the stop of the support 3 is delayed, so that the stop position of the support 3 in FIG. 4 is slightly lower than the first and second holding members 14, 15, and 12. Position. Therefore, after this, the first and second holding members 14, 15, 12
When the packaging sheet 1 is sandwiched by the packaging sheet 1, the packaged object A is loosely wrapped in the packaging sheet 1. Conversely, if the set time T1 is set to be slightly shorter, the stop of the support 3 is accelerated. Therefore, the stop positions of the support 3 in FIG.
The position is slightly closer to the upper side with respect to the holding members 14, 15, 12. Therefore, after this, the first and second holding members 1
When the packaging sheet 1 is sandwiched between the packaging sheets 1, 4, 15 and 12, the packaged object A is tightly wrapped in the packaging sheet 1. As described above, the stop position of the support 3, that is, the wrapping state of the package A by the packaging sheet 1 can be adjusted steplessly and strongly by adjusting the setting time T1 in step S <b> 7 of FIG. 9. It is.

(4) Next, step S9 in FIG. 9 and FIGS. 6 (c) and 7 (a)
In the first embodiment, the packaging sheet 1 is
In the case where is sandwiched, the slide driving structure of the first sandwiching members 14 and 15 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, a round bar-shaped first guide rail 5 and a plate-shaped second guide rail 6 are provided below the packaging table 2 on both sides of the opening 2a. Then, the first holding members 14 and 15
Bosses 14a, 15a are fixed to one end of the first guide rail 5, and the bosses 14a, 15a are slidably fitted on the first guide rail 5 and the lateral sides 14b, 15b on the opposite side of the first holding members 14, 15. 15b is mounted on the second guide rail 6, and is bent below the second guide rail 6.

A bracket 7 is fixed to the boss 14a of the first holding member 14, and a double-acting air cylinder 8 is connected to the bracket 7. A balance arm 9 is swingably supported around a vertical axis P1 of the fixed portion, and a roller 9a at one end of the balance arm 9 is inserted into a concave portion of the bracket 7. Then, over the other end of the balance arm 9 and the boss 15a of the other first holding member 15,
A link rod 10 is erected and connected.

With the above structure, when the air cylinder 8 in the extended state is operated to the contracted side as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the first holding member 14 on the right side of the drawing slides to the left on the drawing. The balance arm 9
Swings clockwise in the drawing. Thereby, the link rod 1
0 is pulled to the right in the drawing, and the other first holding member 1
5 is slid rightward on the page. And FIG.
As shown in (1), the upper portion 1a of the packaging sheet 1 is narrowed down by the pair of first holding members 14 and 15.

(5) Below the pair of first holding members 14 and 15, there is provided a pair of second holding members 12 swinging in a direction orthogonal to the sliding direction of the first holding members 14 and 15. And then this second
The holding member 12 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, the vertical axis P of the lower fixing portion of the first holding members 14 and 15 is provided.
2 (see FIG. 2), a pair of second holding members 12 are swingably supported. The second holding member 12 is provided with a long hole 12a in a shape of a letter.
A pair of rollers 14c provided on the back surface of the
, And a guide plate 13 that supports the second holding member 12 so as not to face downward.

With this structure, the air cylinder 8 starts to contract from the state shown in FIG.
When the members 15 start approaching each other, the pair of opened second holding members 12 also starts approaching each other in conjunction with the advance of the roller 14c. In this case, the shape of the long hole 12a and the position of the roller 14c are set so that the second holding member 12 starts approaching faster than the first holding members 14 and 15. Thereby, the inner side of the second holding member 12 is located closer to the center than the portion where the first holding members 14 and 15 start to overlap, that is, the upper part of the packaging sheet 1 inside the second holding member 12. The upper portion 1a of the packaging sheet 1 touches a portion where the first holding members 1 and 15 start to overlap with each other, and the first holding member 1
The packaging sheet 1 is prevented from being caught between the sheets 4 and 15.

(6) As shown in FIGS. 2 and 7 (a), when the packaging sheet 1 is sandwiched by the first and second sandwiching members 14, 15, 12, near the upper end of the upper portion 1a of the packaging sheet 1. Are also held by a pair of auxiliary holding members 18, and the auxiliary holding members 18 will be described next. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the vertical axis P4 of the first holding members 14 and 15
A pair of auxiliary holding members 18 are swingably supported around the periphery. The auxiliary holding member 18 has a holding portion 18a formed at the tip, and the arm portion 1 is provided diagonally forward from the holding portion 18a.
The auxiliary holding member 18 on the right side of the drawing is urged clockwise by a spring 27, and the auxiliary holding member 18 on the left side of the drawing is urged counterclockwise. The state shown in FIG. 1 is a state in which the pin 18c of the auxiliary holding member 18 is in contact with the fixed side cam plate 29 from the upper side of the drawing, and a state in which the pair of auxiliary holding members 18 is opened below the drawing. .

From the state shown in FIG. 1, a pair of first holding members 1
When the members 4 and 15 begin to approach each other, the pin 18c of the auxiliary holding member 18 moves along the inclined surface at the tip of the cam plate 29, and the auxiliary holding member 18 swings upward in the drawing. Thereby, the first holding member 1 in the packaging sheet 1
The upper part 1a which comes out of the upper and lower parts 4 and 15 is
Is moved toward the center by the arm portion 18b. When the holding portions 18a of the auxiliary holding member 18 face each other (see FIG. 2), the pin 1 of the auxiliary holding member 18
8c comes off the cam plate 29 and comes into contact with the contact portion 30 fixed to the first holding members 14, 15, and the auxiliary holding member 18 is held at the position shown in FIG.

As described above, after the holding portions 18a of the auxiliary holding member 18 are in a state of facing each other (see FIG. 2), the pair of first holding members 14 and 15 further move in a direction approaching each other. Finally, FIGS. 2 and 7 (b)
As shown in the figure, the packaging sheet 1 is sandwiched by the first and second sandwiching members 14, 15, 12, and the upper portion 1a of the packaging sheet 1 is sandwiched by the pair of auxiliary sandwiching members 18.

Thereafter, step S13 of FIG. 10 and FIG.
As shown in (a), the disk cutter 28 advances between the first holding members 14, 15 and the auxiliary holding member 18, and the upper portion 1a of the packaging sheet 1 is cut off. As described above, when the upper portion 1a of the packaging sheet 1 is cut off while being pressed by the disk cutter 28, the lower side of the packaging sheet 1 is clamped by the first and second clamping members 14, 15, 12 and the upper side is supplementarily clamped. By sandwiching between the members 18, the cutting by the disk cutter 28 is reliably performed.

Then, as the disk cutter 28 advances, the auxiliary holding member 18 is spread and held in the posture shown in FIG. 1 by the frame (not shown) of the disk cutter 28, so that the adhesion performed thereafter is performed. The auxiliary holding member 18 does not interfere with the attachment of the tape 4 or the like.

(7) When the packaging sheet 1 is sandwiched by operating the first sandwiching members 14, 15 and the like to the closing side in step S9 of FIG.
A case where the packaged object A is sandwiched between the holding members 14 and 15 and the first holding members 14 and 15 are not completely closed will be described. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3,
A limit switch 31 is provided for detecting that the air cylinder 8 has contracted to a position where the first holding members 14 and 15 are completely closed. As a result, as shown in FIG. 9, the lowering of the support 3 is stopped (step S8), and when the first holding members 14, 15 start to be operated to the closing side (step S9), the timer starts counting (step S9). Step S1
0).

When the detection signal is transmitted from the limit switch 31 before the counting of the set time T2 is completed (steps S11 and S12), the first holding member 14,
15 is determined to be completely closed, the process proceeds to step S13, and cutting by the disk cutter 28 is performed.

Conversely, if the detection signal is not transmitted from the limit switch 31 even after the counting of the set time T2 is completed (steps S11 and S12), the first holding members 14, 1 are not detected.
5 is not completely closed, and step S12 is performed.
Then, control goes to a step S17 in FIG. Thereby, cutting by the disk cutter 28 (step S1)
3), blow off by the injection nozzle 17 (step S1)
4) and sticking of the adhesive tape 4 (Step S15)
Is not performed, the first holding members 14 and 15 are opened, and the packaged object A on the support base 3 is discharged to the slide 20. Then, the support 3 is raised to the original position, the next packaging sheet 1 is pulled out and cut, and the state returns to the initial state.

Another Embodiment In the configuration of FIG. 9, when the detection light of at least one of the pair of optical sensors 25 and 26 reaches the light receiver (step S5), the timer starts counting. (Step S6), this is
The timer may start counting after the detection light of 5, 26 reaches the light receiver. Alternatively, a set of optical sensors may be provided instead of the pair of optical sensors 25 and 26, and the timer may start counting after the light detected by the optical sensors reaches the light receiver.

Instead of stopping the support 3 by counting the timer as shown in steps S6 to S8 in FIG. 9, the pair of optical sensors 25 and 26 are used without using the timer.
The stop position of the support base 3 may be configured to be able to be adjusted up and down only by using only. In this case, as shown in FIG. 11, before the packaged object A is put in, the changeover switch (not shown) (corresponding to the adjusting means) is set to the first state (the side to loosely wrap) or the second state (tightly). To the wrapping side). In this state, when the packaged object A is inserted and the lowering operation of the support base 3 is started, if the first state is selected by the changeover switch (step S22), the pair of optical sensors 2 shown in FIG.
When the detection light passes through the wrapping sheet 1 and reaches the light receiver in both of steps 5 and 26 (steps S23 and S24), the lowering operation of the support 3 is stopped after the elapse of a set time (fixed) thereafter (steps S23 and S24). Step S27).

As shown in FIG. 2, a pair of optical sensors 25,
When the detection light beams 26 intersect, the object A in the packaging sheet 1 substantially completely passes through the detection positions of the optical sensors 25 and 26, depending on the state and orientation of the upper end of the object A. A state occurs in which the detection light of one optical sensor 25 passes, but the detection light of the other optical sensor 26 remains blocked at the upper end of the packaged object A. Therefore, unless the support 3 is sufficiently lowered, the two light sensors 25 and 26
Does not enter the state where the detection light passes. As a result, as in steps S23 and S24 in FIG. 11, when the support 3 is stopped after the detection light of the two optical sensors 25 and 26 passes, the stop position of the support 3 in FIG. It is a position slightly away from 14,15. Therefore,
In this state, the packaging sheet 1 by the first holding members 14 and 15
Is carried out, the article to be packaged A is loosely wrapped in the packaging sheet 1.

Conversely, if the second state is selected by the changeover switch (step S22), at least one of the detection lights passes through the packaging sheet 1 in both of the pair of optical sensors 25 and 26 shown in FIG. (Steps S25 and S26), the lowering operation of the support 3 is stopped after a lapse of a set time (fixed) thereafter (step S2).
7). In this case, the first state (steps S23 and S24)
Even if the support base 3 is not sufficiently lowered as in the above, the detection light of one of the optical sensors 25 and 26 passes through, so that the stop position of the support base 3 in FIG.
It is a position slightly closer to the upper side than 4,15. Therefore, when the packaging sheet 1 is sandwiched by the first sandwiching members 14 and 15 in this state, the packaged object A is tightly wrapped in the packaging sheet 1.

As described above, the state in which the detection lights of the two optical sensors 25 and 26 pass through the packaging sheet 1 (first state)
By selecting the state in which the detection light of one of the optical sensors 25 and 26 passes through the packaging sheet 1 (second state), the stop position of the support 3, that is, the packaged object A and the first holding member 14, 15 is adjusted in two steps of long and short, and the degree of wrapping of the packaged object A by the wrapping sheet 1 is adjusted to two levels.
It can be adjusted in stages. In the above-described embodiment, the sealing of the packaging sheet 1 is performed by the adhesive tape 4. However, after cutting the upper portion 1a, the packaging sheet 1 is heated and the packaging sheet 1 is welded to seal the packaging sheet 1. The present invention may be applied to a packaging device. Further, the present invention may be applied to a packaging apparatus of a type in which the upper portion 1a of the packaging sheet 1 is heated and melted without using the disk cutter 28.

Incidentally, reference numerals are written in the claims for convenience of comparison with the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the attached drawings.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the vicinity of first and second holding members and an auxiliary holding member.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a state in which first and second holding members have been closed from the state shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the vicinity of first and second holding members and an auxiliary holding member.

FIG. 4 is a front view showing a state where the support base and the article to be packaged are moved down to the lower side of the first and second holding members;

FIG. 5 is a front view showing an elevating structure and the like of a support base.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a flow of packaging from dropping of a packaged object into an opening to narrowing of a packaging sheet by a first holding member.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the flow of packaging from the cutting of the upper part of the packaging sheet to the pressing of the adhesive tape by the sponge member.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the flow of packaging from the opening operation of the first holding member to the release of the packaged object, and the state in which packaging is completed.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a flow in the first half of control of the entire packaging.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a flow in the latter half of control of the entire packaging.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a flow in the first half of control of the entire package in another embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 packaging sheet 1a upper part of packaging sheet 2 packaging table 2a opening of packaging table 3 support table 14, 15 clamping member 24 elevating mechanism 25, 26 optical sensor A packaged object T1 setting time

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A packaging table (2) having an opening (2a) into which a permeable packaging sheet (1) is placed and into which a spherical object to be packaged (A) falls, and said opening (2a) from above. ), The packaging sheet (1) is squeezed at the outer edge of the opening (2a) and the packaging object (A) is wrapped in the packaging sheet (1). Then, a support base (3) for supporting the packaged object (A) which has fallen into the opening (2a) while being wrapped in the packaging sheet (1) from below, and the support base (3) is moved up and down. An elevating mechanism (24) and a pair of holding members (14) arranged on both sides of the support table (3);
(15), the holding member (14) in the vertical direction,
Optical sensors (25) and (26) for detecting the presence or absence of the packaged object (A) at the position (15) are provided, and the support base (3) supporting the packaged object (A) is lowered. Operating means for operating the elevating mechanism (24) so that:
The elevating mechanism (24) based on the passage of the packaged object (A) through the detection positions of the optical sensors (25) and (26);
The pair of holding members (14) and (15) are advanced toward the article to be packaged (A) with respect to the second operation means for stopping the operation and the stopped support table (3), and the pair of holding members (14) are moved. ),
A third operation means for sandwiching and narrowing the upper portion (1a) of the packaging sheet (1) in the packaged object (A) by (15), and wrapping the packaged object (A) in the packaging sheet (1); A packaging device provided with an adjusting means capable of changing the stop position of the support base (3) by the second operating means up and down. 2. The optical system according to claim 2, wherein the second operating means is provided with the optical sensor (2).
5) and (26), the lifting mechanism (24) is stopped after a set time (T1) after the packaged object (A) has passed the detection position, and the adjusting means sets the set time (T
2. The packaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation of changing the length of 1) is performed. Wherein the optical sensor (25), (26),
Packaged goods (A) from different directions at the same position in the vertical direction
And a pair of the second operating means, the optical sensors (25) and (26) stopping the lifting mechanism (24) after detecting the passage of the packaged object (A). Switching between a first state in which operation is performed and a second state in which at least one of the optical sensors (25) and (26) detects passage of the packaged object (A) and then stops the lifting mechanism (24). 2. The packaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the packaging device is configured to be capable of being operated, and the adjustment means performs a selection switching operation between the first state and the second state.