JP6900063B2 - Manufacturing method and manufacturing equipment for bagged medium block - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for producing a bagged medium block, and more specifically, filling a mushroom cultivation bag with medium, folding a bag in an unfilled portion of the medium bag, and containerizing the folded bagged medium block. The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a bagged medium block that automates a series of operations of carrying into a bag, and a manufacturing apparatus thereof.

In recent years, mushrooms such as shiitake mushrooms, maitake mushrooms, shimeji mushrooms, and nameko mushrooms have shifted from natural collection to artificial cultivation. Of these artificial cultivations, shiitake mushrooms have been cultivated by planting shiitake mushrooms in the logs that have been cut to a predetermined length from trees such as oak, quercus crispula, and oak. there were. However, since this log cultivation is mainly outdoors, it is difficult to secure a stable harvest because it is affected by the weather conditions at that time and pests and harmful bacteria. Therefore, in recent years, an air-conditioned environment suitable for indoor cultivation of shiitake mushrooms. In preparation for this, we are shifting to fungal bed cultivation that is cultivated in this environment.

Common shiitake mushroom bed cultivation is carried out by a series of steps shown in FIG. 48. In this fungal bed cultivation 1, first, a plurality of mushroom cultivation bags and a preparation medium mixed with nutrients are prepared in advance, and a predetermined amount of this medium is filled in the cultivation bag in the bagging step 1A, and the bagging medium (hereinafter, bag). The bag folding step 1B for folding the unfilled portion of the filling medium block, the container storage step 1C for storing the folded bagged medium block in a container of a predetermined size, and the bagging medium being carried into a sterilization pot. Sterilization step 1D for sterilization, bag mouth opening step 1E, inoculation step 1F for inoculating shiitake mushrooms, bag mouth sealing step 1G, culture step 1H for culturing over a predetermined period while adjusting temperature and humidity, and then the bacterial bed from the cultivation bag. It is carried out in a series of steps such as a development / growth step 1I for generating and growing vertebrates while culturing the bacterial bed by adjusting the temperature and humidity, and a harvesting step 1J for harvesting the cultivated vertebrates.

Until now, these processes were mostly performed manually, but in recent years, some processes have been automatically mechanized, and the mechanical devices have been introduced in patent documents.

For example, the following Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Publication No. 6-24454) describes a method for producing a bag-filled formation medium and an apparatus for producing the medium. This manufacturing method involves a bag mounting step in which a bag for filling a culture medium base material (hereinafter referred to as a medium) is mounted in a predetermined position with its mouth open upward, and the bag is expanded into a hollow shape to form a shape. From the bag shaping step of preparing, the medium holding step of gradually supplying the medium into the medium holding means and cutting off the supply at the stage when the filling amount for one time is reached, and holding the above amount of medium, and from within the holding means. A medium filling step of transferring the medium into the bag, a molding step of pressing the side surface of the bag and lowering the upper surface stamp from above into the bag and pressing the upper surface of the filled medium to shape the bag into a predetermined shape. The series of steps includes a step of removing the bag and carrying it out of the device, and in these series of steps, as shown in FIG. 49, six stations are used while the rotary table rotates once, with the rotary table 2 rotating in a predetermined direction as a transfer line. It is performed in 6 ways in S1 to S6.

That is, with reference to FIG. 49, the bag A is first mounted at the position S1 position with the bag mouth open, and at the station S2, the bag opening tool 3 is lowered and the bag is expanded and expanded into a hollow shape to be shaped. , Stationion S3 drops and fills a predetermined amount of medium into the bag A. Stationion S4 is a spare. Subsequently, the pressed and fixed so as to sandwich in a medium filled with a side face sides of the pair of left and right bag A became inflated state toward the side press die 3 ₁ a station S5, top embossing die 3 from above in this state ₂ Is lowered into the bag and the medium is pressed from the upper surface to shape it into the desired shape. Then, each stamp is removed in the reverse operation of the above, the cylinder is operated by the station S6, and the molded bag is pushed out of the device and carried out.

According to this manufacturing method, the worker only needs to supply a bundle of bags on the bag mounting table, and the other medium filling and molding operations are completely unmanned, so that mass production of the bagged molding medium is efficient. It can be done mechanically well.

Further, the following Patent Document 2 (Patent No. 2592784) describes a device for producing a block for mushroom cultivation. This manufacturing apparatus is an improvement of the manufacturing apparatus of Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-24454), and can be press-molded by pressing the filled culture medium with a strong pressure without damaging the bag. , It is possible to manufacture a block for mushroom cultivation with high space efficiency by molding the whole into a prismatic shape.

Further, the following Patent Document 3 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2001-346440) describes a mushroom medium bagging device for filling a cultivation bag with a preset target amount of mushroom medium. This medium bagging device has a first measuring mechanism unit that weighs the mushroom medium in a first set amount smaller than a target amount by a predetermined amount and stores it in a cultivation bag, and the mushroom medium is housed by the first measuring mechanism part. A second measuring mechanism section is provided in which a predetermined amount of mushroom medium is additionally stored in the cultivation bag and weighed so as to reach a target amount, and these measuring mechanism sections are arranged on a rotary table. In addition, two cultivation bags are installed side by side on this table so that they can be weighed.

According to this medium bagging device, the mushroom medium to be packed in the cultivation bag can always be accurately weighed, and it is possible to surely meet the demand for high weighing accuracy.

Furthermore, the following Patent Document 4 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 6-144421) describes a bag-standing device for an unfilled portion of a packaging bag after filling with a medium. According to this bag stand device, a packaging bag in which an unfilled portion is bent is set up in a straight bag, so that it can be connected to a bag folding machine in the next process, and a series of lines can be automated.

Furthermore, the following Patent Document 5 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 5-294302) describes a packaging bag folding device. As shown in FIGS. 50A and 50B, the folding device 4 is shaped to convey the packaging bag filled with the filling in the filling portion in an upright state through a folding allowance in which the tip opens upward. Means 4A, folding allowance closing means 4B that presses the folding allowance of the packaging bag from both the left and right sides with respect to the conveying direction of the shaping means, and closes the folding allowance along the conveying direction, and filling or not filling the packaging bag. The adhesive application means 4C for applying the adhesive to either one of the outer circumferences of the filling portion in the left-right direction and the folding allowance of the packaging bag are pushed down so as to be folded downward in the direction in which the adhesive is applied. The folding means 4D for adhering the folding allowance to the outer periphery of the filling portion of the packaging bag is provided, and the folding means 4D includes a pressing means 4E for pressing the folding allowance from the adhesive application side and after pushing down the folding allowance to the adhesive application side. The folding means 4F, which is folded back so as to press the tip of the folding allowance downward, and the pressing means 4G, which presses the folding allowance tip folded by the folding means against the adhesive and adheres to the outer periphery of the filling portion of the packaging bag. It is configured.

According to this folding device, the folding allowance of the packaging bag can be automatically folded and closed, preventing foreign matter from entering from the bag mouth and improving productivity.

Furthermore, the following Patent Document 6 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 8-144413) also describes a packaging bag folding device. This device is an improvement of the device of Patent Document 5 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 5-294302), and uses a brush as a folding member of the folding means.

Furthermore, the culture container is described in the following Patent Document 7 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2015-15925). The culture container includes a bottom portion of a predetermined size, a side wall portion extending upward from the outer circumference of the bottom portion, and a fixing protrusion protruding upward from the bottom portion to regulate lateral movement of the bacterial bed. According to this culture container, the displacement of the bacterial bed is suppressed. It should be noted that, in such a container, a plurality of fungus beds are lifted one by one by hand or by machine and carried into a predetermined position.

Special Fair 6-24454 Gazette Japanese Patent No. 2592784 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2001-346440 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 6-144412 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 5-294302 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 6-144413 JP-A-2015-15925

The bagged medium before sterilization, that is, the bagged medium block before sterilization by the sterilizer, carries the bagged forming medium, the fold of the unfilled portion of the medium bagged, and the folded bagged medium block into the container. It is done in a series of work such as.

In this series of operations, the bagged medium, that is, the bagged molding medium is mechanized by the manufacturing method or apparatus described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, and already, this kind of mechanical device has been commercialized and a part of the fungal bed. It has been introduced and used in mushroom cultivation plants.

However, although the folding of the unfilled portion of the bagged medium block is introduced by the apparatus described in Patent Documents 3 to 6, it is still performed manually at the mushroom cultivation site. Further, although the container is described in Patent Document 7, such loading into the container is performed by a method of lifting the bagged medium blocks one by one from a predetermined position and carrying the container into a predetermined position. , This work is manual and not automated.

Therefore, the series of operations of forming the bagged medium block, folding the bagged medium block, and carrying in the container are only partially mechanized with the packed medium, and the rest of the folding and carrying in the container are not performed. It is not mechanized, and of course, fully automatic mechanization through all work has not been realized. Therefore, in the fungiculture plant, the work other than the bagged molding medium is a manual work, so the production efficiency of the bagged medium block is extremely low, and increasing productivity and reducing costs are major issues. ..

On the other hand, in the existing fungus bed mushroom cultivation factory, a bag-filled molding medium device has been introduced in some factories, but in such a factory, the existing device is discarded and a fully automatic mechanical device is introduced. Then, while the past capital investment is wasted, a new large amount of capital investment will be forced, and such investment will be disliked.Therefore, as a countermeasure, the existing machinery can be used as it is. There is a demand for an automatic bag folding machine and an automatic container storage machine that can be connected to. However, automatic bag folding machinery and container storage machinery that can be connected to such existing equipment have not yet been developed and commercialized.

Further, even in the manufacturing methods and devices described in Patent Documents 1 to 7, each device has various problems. For example, since the manufacturing methods and devices described in Patent Documents 1 to 3 use a rotary table and use this as a transport line, there is a limit to further increasing the productivity of the bag-filled medium block. That is, at present, the number of anthers produced per unit time is about 400, but in the future, double the number of 800 to 1000 or more is required, and such a request cannot be met.

As a countermeasure for this, for example, a method of increasing the rotation speed of the rotary table or a method of increasing the size of the rotary table (increasing the diameter) can be considered, but the former method of increasing the rotation speed of the rotary table is 6 It is extremely difficult and difficult to implement due to the work contents at each station, and if the latter rotary table is increased in size, the apparatus becomes large and expensive. In Patent Document 2 above, two cultivation bags are provided side by side, but this cannot be eliminated. Other issues include double feeding of the bag due to static electricity, tearing of the bag due to excessive force when opening the bag, and simplification of the weighing device.

Further, the devices described in Patent Documents 4 to 6 are not intended for gusset type bags, and the bag folding devices of Patent Documents 5 and 6 use an adhesive. Since the folding allowance is bonded, an adhesive and its bonding means are required, which complicates the device. If the folding allowance is adhered, it is difficult to open the bag when opening the bag mouth in the inoculation process (device) of the next work, and the bag may be torn.

Furthermore, the culture container of Patent Document 7 is a custom-made product, which is not versatile and expensive. Of course, the bagged medium block cannot be automatically carried in.

Therefore, the present inventors have problems in each of the above-mentioned conventional methods for producing a bagged medium block, a manufacturing apparatus, and the like, so that the problems can be solved and the productivity of the bagged medium block can be further improved. After repeating trial and error, we have been exploring whether or not, and to improve productivity, if the transfer line is arranged in tandem instead of the rotary table and made into a line, the expansion of this line line becomes free (avoids the increase in size of the device). (Can be done), can be manufactured in parallel, and the bag is folded (folding allowance closed) because the cultivation bag is made of plastic film instead of adhesive, and due to the nature of the film, it is habituated by a heater (hereinafter, shaping). What can be done (this eliminates the need for conventional adhesives and their equipment), and that the bagged medium blocks can be efficiently carried into the container by collectively carrying the allowable number of containers. This led to the idea that automatic mechanization is possible relatively easily, and completed the present invention.

An object of the present invention is to pick up one by one from a plurality of mushroom cultivation bags, fill each of the picked up cultivation bags with a predetermined amount of medium to form a bagged medium block having an open bag mouth, and subsequently, this Manufacturing that improves the productivity of packaged medium blocks in containers by automating a series of work processes in which the unfilled medium is folded so that foreign matter does not enter through the open bag mouth and then carried into the container. To provide a method.

Another object of the present invention is a machine that picks up one by one from a plurality of mushroom cultivation bags, fills each of the picked up cultivation bags with a predetermined amount of medium, and forms a bagged medium block with an open bag mouth. Next, a bag folding machine that folds the unfilled portion of the medium so that foreign matter does not enter from this open bag mouth, and a series of machines that carry it into the container are automatically mechanized to produce a bagged medium block in a container. It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for producing a bagged medium block having improved properties.

Another object of the present invention is that the bagging medium block forming machine, the bag folding machine, and the container loading machine for the above purpose can be used by being individually separated and connected to other known mechanical devices. The present invention is to provide a bagging medium block manufacturing apparatus for increasing the productivity of the bagged medium block in a container.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a container carrying device, a bagging medium block manufacturing device, a container carrying method, and a bagging medium block manufacturing method capable of increasing productivity.

The above object of the present invention can be achieved by the following configuration. That is, the container loading device according to the first aspect of the present invention is
A container that houses the bagged medium block and
A container supply means for supplying the container and
When the container supplied by the container supply means is viewed in a plan view, the bagged medium block is moved up and down between the lowering position in the plan view container and the ascending position in the plan view container above the lowering position. possible, and the bagged medium block lifting means bagged media block is placed on top,
When the bagged medium block elevating means is in the raised position, the bagged medium block sending means for sending the bagged medium block into the plan view container and the bagged medium block sending means.
A container transporting means for transporting the container in a state where a predetermined number of the packed medium blocks are housed in the container and the packed medium block is moved from the ascending position to the descending position by the filling medium block elevating means. When,
It is characterized by having.

Further, the container loading device of the second aspect is the container loading device of the first aspect, in which the bagging medium block elevating means has a rod member that can be lifted and lowered by being inserted through a hole provided in the bottom of the container. It is characterized by that.

Further, the container loading device of the third aspect is the container loading device of the first or second aspect, and the bagging medium block elevating means moves the bagged medium block into the container in a plan view via a receiving plate member. It is characterized by being raised and lowered with.

Further, the container loading device according to the fourth aspect is the container loading device according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the container loading device further includes a container rotating means for rotating the container, and the bagging medium block. It is characterized in that the container is rotated each time the bagged medium block is delivered to the container by the delivery means.

A fifth aspect of the container loading apparatus of the present invention, in a container loading device of the first to third one aspect, the container loading apparatus in front of the bagging medium block delivery means, a plurality of said bag A bagged medium block aligning means for aligning a bagged medium block is provided, and a plurality of the bagged medium blocks aligned by the bagged medium block aligning means are sent out to the container by the bagged medium block sending means. It is characterized by.

Further, in the container loading device of the sixth aspect, in the container loading device of the fifth aspect, the bagged medium block aligning means includes a rotating device, and by rotating each time the bagged medium block is received. , A plurality of the bagged medium blocks are aligned.

Further, the apparatus for producing the bagged medium block according to the seventh aspect is characterized by including the container loading apparatus according to any one of the first to sixth aspects.

Further, the apparatus for producing a bagging medium block according to the eighth aspect is characterized in that the apparatus for producing a bagged medium block according to the seventh aspect is further provided with a bagging medium block forming machine and a bag folding machine.

In addition, the container loading method of the ninth aspect is
With the step of supplying a container to contain the bagged medium block,
When the supplied container is viewed in a plan view, the lowering position in the plan view container and the ascending position in the plan view container above the lowering position with the bagged medium block placed on the upper portion. A step of sending the bagged medium block into the plan view container when the bagged medium block elevating means that can be raised and lowered between the two is in the ascending position.
A step of transporting the container in a state where a predetermined number of the bagged medium blocks are housed in the container and the bagged medium block is moved from the ascending position to the descending position by the bagged medium block elevating means. ,
It is characterized by having.

Further, the method for producing a bagged medium block according to a tenth aspect is characterized by including the container loading method according to the ninth aspect.

According to the container loading device, the bagging medium block manufacturing device, the container loading method, and the bagging medium block manufacturing method in the present invention, the following remarkable effects are obtained. That is, it is possible to provide a container carrying device, a bagging medium block manufacturing device, a container carrying method, and a bagging medium block manufacturing method capable of increasing productivity.

FIG. 1 is a process block diagram showing a process of a method for producing a bagged medium block according to each embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the bagging medium block showing a state in which the bag mouth is open, and FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the bagging medium block showing a state in which the bag mouth is closed. 3A to 3E are side views of the bagged medium block showing the state in the order of the manufacturing process. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an apparatus for producing a bagged medium block according to each embodiment of the present invention. It is a top view which showed the manufacturing apparatus of the bagging medium block of each embodiment. It is a side view which showed the manufacturing apparatus of the bagged culture medium block of each embodiment. 7A is a front view of the bag setting means, FIG. 7B is a side view of the first suction cup member, and FIG. 7C is a side view of the case where the first suction cup member and the second suction cup member are engaged with each other. FIG. 8A is a side view of the filling means, and FIG. 8B is a front view of the filling means. It is a perspective view of the bag folding machine which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. 10A to 10C are perspective views showing the operation of the bag mouth shaping means. 11A is a perspective view of the folding means, FIG. 11B is a partial perspective view of FIG. 11A, FIG. 11C is a front view of the folding means, and FIG. 11D is a side view of the folding means. 12A to 12D are perspective views showing the operation of the folding means. 13A to 13C are perspective views showing the operation of the folding means following from FIG. 14A is a side view of the folding means and the shaping means, FIG. 14B is a perspective view of the folding means and the shaping means, FIG. 14C is an enlarged side view of the shaping means, and FIG. 14D is a side view of the shaping means. It is an enlarged perspective view. 15A to 15F are perspective views showing the operation of the folding means and the shaping means. It is a perspective view of the container conveyor which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. 17A to 17E are front views illustrating the operation of the container setting means. 18A is a perspective view of the container feed unit, FIG. 18B is a front view of the container feed unit, and FIG. 18C is a side view of the container feed unit. 19A to 19D are side views showing the operation of the container feed unit. 20A to 20F are perspective views showing the operation of the swastika alignment unit as an arrangement means. FIG. 21A is a perspective view of the four-hand clamp unit as the carry-in means, and FIG. 21B is a side view of the four-hand clamp unit as the carry-in means. 22A to 22F are side views showing the operation of the four-hand clamp unit as the carrying-in means. It is a perspective view of the 4 hand clamp unit as the carry-in means of the container carry-in machine which concerns on a modification. It is a figure which shows the operation of the bag mouth shaping means which concerns on Embodiment 2, FIG. 24A, FIG. 24C, FIG. 24E, FIG. 24G is a front view, FIG. 24B, FIG. 24D, FIG. 24F, FIG. 24H is a side view. 25A, 25C, 25E, 25G, 25I are front views, 25B, 25D, 25F, 25H, 25J are side views. Is. FIG. 25 is a continuation of FIG. 25 showing the operation of the folding means according to the second embodiment, FIG. 26A, FIG. 26C, and FIG. 26E are front views, and FIGS. 26B, 26D, and 26F are side views. 27A-27C are subsequent side views of FIG. 26 showing the operation of the folding means according to the second embodiment. It is a continuation side view of FIG. 27 which shows the operation of the folding means and the shaping means which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a figure which showed the operation of the arrangement means of the container conveyor which concerns on Embodiment 2, FIG. 29A, FIG. 29C, FIG. 29E is a plan view, and FIG. 29B, FIG. 29D, and FIG. 29F are side views. It is a continuation view from FIG. 29 which showed the operation of the arrangement means of the container conveyor which concerns on Embodiment 2, FIG. 30A, FIG. 30C, FIG. 30E is a plan view, FIG. 30B, FIG. 30D, FIG. 30F is a side view. is there. It is a figure which showed the operation of the carry-in means of the container conveyor which concerns on Embodiment 2, FIG. 31A and FIG. 31C are plan views, and FIG. 31B and FIG. 31D are side views. It is the continuation view from FIG. 31 which showed the operation of the carry-in means of the container conveyor which concerns on Embodiment 2, FIG. 32A and FIG. 32C are the plan view, and FIG. 32B and FIG. 32D are side views. It is the continuation view from FIG. 32 which showed the operation of the carry-in means of the container conveyor which concerns on Embodiment 2, FIG. 33A, FIG. 33C, FIG. 33E is a plan view, FIG. 33B, FIG. 33D, FIG. 33F is a side view. is there. It is a figure which showed the container setting means and the container transport means of the container conveyor which concerns on Embodiment 2, FIG. 34A is a plan view, and FIG. 34B is a side view. It is a top view of the whole of the manufacturing apparatus of the bagging medium block which concerns on Embodiment 3. It is a side view of the whole of the bagging medium block manufacturing apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 3. 37A to 37C are side views illustrating the operation of the arrangement means of the container loading machine according to the third embodiment. 38A to 38C are side views continuing from FIG. 37 for explaining the operation of the arrangement means of the container loading machine according to the third embodiment. 39A to 39C are side views illustrating the operation of the loading means, the container setting means, and the container transporting means of the container loading machine according to the third embodiment. It is a side view of the whole of the bagging medium block manufacturing apparatus which concerns on the modification of Embodiment 3. 41A to 41D are side views illustrating the operation of the arrangement means of the container loading machine according to the modified example of the third embodiment. 42A to 42C are side views showing a bag folding machine when a contact member is used, and FIG. 42D is a side view showing a bag folding machine when a ceiling portion is used. 43A to 43C are perspective views showing a single-character fold bag medium block, and FIGS. 43D to 43F are front views showing an example of a single-character fold. It is a top view of the whole of the manufacturing apparatus of the bagging medium block which concerns on application example 1. FIG. It is a top view of the whole of the manufacturing apparatus of the bagging medium block which concerns on application example 2. It is a top view of the whole of the manufacturing apparatus of the bagging medium block which concerns on application example 3. It is a top view of the whole of the manufacturing apparatus of the bagging medium block which concerns on application example 4. It is a process block diagram which showed the cultivation process of general shiitake mushroom bed cultivation. It is a process explanatory drawing of the manufacturing method of the formation medium in a bag of the prior art. FIG. 50A is a perspective view showing a folding device of the prior art, and FIG. 50B is a partial side view.

Hereinafter, a method and an apparatus for producing a bagged medium block according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the embodiments shown below exemplify a method and an apparatus for manufacturing a bagged medium block for embodying the technical idea of the present invention, and do not specify the present invention to these, and claim a patent. It is equally applicable to those of other embodiments included in the scope of.

[Embodiment 1]
The method 10 for producing a bagged medium block according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. In the method 10 for producing a bagged medium block according to the first embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a bag body 11 as a plastic film mushroom cultivation bag is filled with a predetermined amount of the medium 12 and the bag mouth 11f. The block forming step 13 for forming the opened bagging medium block 17, the bag folding step 14 for folding the unfilled portion 11h so that foreign matter does not enter from the open bag mouth 11f, and the folded bagging medium block 17 Is provided with a container carry-in step 16 for carrying the bag into a container 15 having a predetermined size.

Here, the bagged medium block 17 produced by the method 10 for producing the bagged medium block according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the bagged medium block 17 is composed of a bag 11 and a medium 12 filled in the bag 11, and the upper portion of the bag 11 is folded to form a block. It is formed like this.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the bag body 11 has a rectangular bottom surface 11a having a predetermined length L and a width length W, and a large area erected at a predetermined height H from the long side side of the bottom surface 11a. It has side surfaces 11b and 11c and side surfaces 11d and 11e having a predetermined height H erected from the short side of the bottom surface 11a and has a narrow area, and has a rectangular parallelepiped shape. At this time, the upper portion facing the bottom surface 11a is opened, and this opened portion serves as a bag opening 11f, which is a portion filled with the medium 12 described later.

As the material of the bag 11, a synthetic resin film such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, a biodegradable film, or a photocatalytic film is used, and the wall thickness thereof is, for example, 10 to 100 μm. In the first embodiment, a synthetic resin film (plastic film) is used for the bag body 11, which is lightweight, easy to handle, and can be produced at low cost.

Further, since the bottom surface of the bag body 11 of the first embodiment has a rectangular shape, the side surface of the bag body 11 is composed of side surfaces 11b and 11c having a large area and side surfaces 11d and 11e having a small area. It has become. A crease is formed in the longitudinal direction at the substantially center of the side surfaces 11d and 11e having a narrow area, and the bag body 11 is a so-called gusset bag.

Further, the bag body 11 is divided into a filled portion 11g filled with the medium 12 and an unfilled portion 11h above the filled portion 11g, which serves as a space. That is, the filled portion 11g has a predetermined height H1 in which the upper surface of the medium 12 is arranged from the bottom surface 11a when the medium 12 described later is filled, and the unfilled portion 11h is the top of the filled portion 11g, that is, the medium. The height H2 from the upper surface of 12 to the bag mouth 11f.

The medium 12 to be filled in the bag 11 is formed of, for example, a mixed material containing sawdust, rice bran, bran and the like as main components, and a nutritional supplement and water mixed in a predetermined ratio. The medium 12 is packed in a bag 11 to form a certain shape.

The size of the bag 11 is not limited to the above dimensions, the bottom surface 11a may be square or circular, and the lengths of the filled portion 11g and the unfilled portion 11h are used. It may be changed depending on the amount of the medium 12.

Further, in the bagged medium block 17 of the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2B, the bag mouth 11f of the bag body 11 is closed, and the boundary portion between the filled portion 11g and the unfilled portion 11h is placed on the upper surface of the filled portion 11g. It is formed into a block shape by bending along the side surface of the filling portion 11g so that the bag mouth 11f side faces downward. The unfilled portion 11h of the bag body 11 of the bagged medium block 17 is packed in a container 15 described later in a folded block shape.

Next, the manufacturing process of the bagged medium block 17 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. In the block forming step 13, a plurality of bags 11 and a predetermined amount of medium 12 are prepared and placed in advance. Then, first, a plurality of bag bodies 11 are set in the bag setting unit 13a, and then the bag bodies 11 are picked up one by one from the bag setting unit 13a (pick up) to open the bag opening 11f. The bag body 11 is mounted on the bag mounting portion 13b (see FIG. 3A), and the mounted bag body 11 is expanded and shaped into a hollow shape by the bag shaping portion 13c. The bagged medium block 17 filled with the block molding unit 13f is filled with the predetermined amount of the medium 12 placed in the bag, and then delivered from the delivery unit 13g to the next step (see FIG. 3B).

That is, in this block forming step 13, a predetermined amount of medium 12 is filled to form a bagged medium block 17 having an open bag mouth 11f, and the block 17 is sent to the bag folding step 14 of the next step.

In the next bag folding step 14, the bag mouth shaping portion 14a shapes the vicinity of the bag mouth 11f of the bagging medium block 17, and then the folding portion 14b is unfilled so that foreign matter does not enter from the opened bag mouth 11f. The portion 11h is folded and sent from the conveying portion 14d to the next step (see FIGS. 3C to 3E).

That is, in this bag folding step 14, the unfilled portion 11h is folded, and the bagged medium block 17 that prevents foreign matter (including germs) from entering from the bag mouth 11f is sent to the next step. In the first embodiment, the corner portion of the unfilled portion 11h of the bagged medium block 17 is folded by the shaping portion 14c so that the folding allowance 11i is habituated.

Further, in the next container loading step 16, a plurality of containers 15 are set and placed in the container setting section 16b in advance, first, a plurality of bagged medium blocks 17 are arranged at predetermined positions in the array section 16a, and then the container is carried in. After the numbers arranged in the part 16c are collectively carried into the container 15, the bagged medium block 17 packed in the container 15 is carried from the container transporting part 16d to the next step (sterilization step or the like).

That is, from the container loading step 16, a plurality of bagged medium blocks 17 are packed in the container 15 and sent to the sterilizer in the next step.

According to the method 10 for producing the bagged medium block, the following remarkable effects are exhibited. One by one is picked up from a plurality of mushroom cultivation bags, and a predetermined amount of medium is filled in each of the picked up cultivation bags to form a bagged medium block with an open bag mouth, and then from this open bag mouth. Since the series of processes of folding the unfilled part so that foreign matter does not enter and bringing a plurality of them together into the container is automated, it is possible to eliminate manual work and improve the productivity of the packaged medium block in the container. it can.

More specifically, in the block forming process, by arranging the bag setting part, the bag mounting part, and the block forming part in tandem, it becomes easy to add a line, and the production is remarkably compared with the rotary table of the prior art. You can improve your sex. Further, in the bag folding process, a heating heater is installed in the shaping part, and the folding portion of the bag (made of plastic film) of the bagging medium block is pressed by this heating heater to heat and habituate the bag. As described above, the shaping is simpler than the bonding with an adhesive, and the opening of the bag mouth is simplified in the inoculation step of the next step, so that the inoculation work is facilitated. Further, in the container carry-in process, the allowable number of bagged medium blocks is arranged in the arrangement part, and the arranged number is collectively carried into the container at the carry-in part, so that the carry-in to the container can be easily and efficiently performed. ..

Next, the apparatus 20 for producing the bagged medium block of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 22. As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the bagging medium block manufacturing apparatus 20 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is a block forming machine that forms a bagging medium block 17 in which the bag mouth 11f of the bag body 11 is open. 21, a bag folding machine 22 that folds the unfilled portion 11h so that foreign matter does not enter from the opened bag mouth 11f, and a container loading machine 23 that carries the folded bagging medium block 17 into a container 15 of a predetermined size. It has.

In the block forming machine 21, the bag setting means 21a in which a plurality of bag bodies 11 prepared in advance are set, and the bag setting means 21a is picked up one by one and mounted at a predetermined position with the bag opening 11f opened. Bag mounting means 21b, bag shaping means 21c in which the mounted bag is expanded into a hollow shape and shaped, and filling means 21e in which the bag body 11 is filled with a predetermined amount of medium 12 measured by the measuring means 21d. , A molding means 21f in which the filled bagging medium block 17 is molded into a predetermined shape, and a delivery means 21g in which the molded bagging medium block 17 is sent to the next machine, and the bag mouth 11f passes through these machines. A bagged medium block 17 with an open bag is formed (see FIG. 4).

The block forming machine 21 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 8. A bundle of bag bodies 11 is housed in the automatic bag supply device 26 near the block forming machine 21, and is arranged so that its orientation can be automatically rotated 180 degrees at a predetermined cycle. The bag body 11 is picked up from the supply device 26, moved to the block forming machine 21, and the first bag setting means 21a is performed.

In the bag setting means 21a, only one bag at the top is taken out from the bundle of the bag body 11. The operation of the bag setting means 21a will be described with reference to FIGS. 7A and 7B. The first suction cup member 30 is connected to a vacuum pump or a ring blower, and can suck the bag 11 by a negative pressure. First, the first suction cup member 30 sucks a portion of the bag body 11 near the center of the bag body 11 at a predetermined distance from the bag mouth 11f. Next, as shown in FIG. 7B, the first suction cup member 30 is rotated approximately 90 degrees so that the central side of the bag body 11 is used as a fulcrum, and the open bag mouth 11f side of the bag body 11 is turned upward. Above the bag body 11 in the bundled state, a predetermined distance is provided from the bag mouth 11f of the bag body 11, and between the bag mouth 11f of the bag body 11 and the portion sucked by the first sucker member 30. A rod-shaped antistatic holding member made of a conductive metal is addressed so as to be substantially parallel to the bag opening 11f of the bag body 11. By pressing the bag mouth 11f side of the bundle of the bag body 11 by the antistatic pressing member of the first suction cup member 30, the static electricity generated in the bag body 11 is removed by the antistatic pressing member, and the first suction cup It is possible to prevent the bags from being picked up in an overlapping manner when the member 30 is rotated by approximately 90 degrees. Further, although wrinkles may be formed on the surface of the bag body 11, since the first suction cup member is provided with a suction cup, the bag can be surely sucked up even if wrinkles are formed.

The first suction cup member 30 is rotated upward by about 90 degrees and then lifted upward. In this upwardly lifted state, the second suction cup member 31 is brought into contact with the first suction cup member 30 at a portion facing the first suction cup member 30 via the bag body 11. It is also possible to lift the first suction cup member 30 upward while rotating it by approximately 90 degrees. The second suction cup member 31 is connected to a vacuum pump or a ring blower, and the bag body 11 can be sucked by a negative pressure. The bag body 11 is moved to the bag mounting means 21b in a state where the bag mouth 11f side of the bag body 11 is sandwiched between the first suction cup member 30 and the second suction cup member 31.

In the bag mounting means 21b, first, the bag opening 11f of the bag body 11 is opened by opening the distance between the first suction cup member 30 and the second suction cup member 31. At this time, since the interval at which the first suction cup member 30 and the second suction cup member 31 are opened is limited, the bag body 11 is prevented from being torn. Next, an inner frame is inserted inside the bag mouth 11f of the bag body 11 so that the bag mouth 11f of the bag body 11 is opened and held in a predetermined substantially rectangular state, and at the same time, the bag body 11 The outer frame abuts from the outside of the bag opening 11f, and the bag opening 11f of the bag body 11 is held so as to be sandwiched between the inner frame and the outer frame. By using not only the inner frame but also the outer frame, it is possible to prevent unnecessary tension from being applied to the bag in a later process, thereby preventing the bag from being torn.

In the first embodiment, in the bag setting means 21a, the second suction cup member 31 is brought into contact with the first suction cup member 30, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the first suction cup member 30 is used. After moving to the block forming machine 21, the second suction cup member 31 may be brought into contact with the first suction cup member 30. Alternatively, the bag body may be opened by using another pair of suction means after the bag is picked up by the first suction cup member 30 and moved to the block forming machine 21.

Next, the bag shaping means 21c in the block forming machine 21 is executed. In the bag shaping means 21c, in a state where a substantially rectangular frame member is arranged under the bag body 11, the bag body 11 is opened in a rectangular shape from the four corners of the bag mouth 11f toward the inside of the bag body 11. Insert four rod-shaped bag shaping members. The timing of arranging the frame members can be substantially simultaneous with the bag mouth 11f of the bag body 11 being sandwiched between the inner frame and the outer frame. The diameter of the bag shaping member is, for example, about 10 mm, and the length is set to reach the bottom of the bag body or a little shorter than that. The inside of the bag shaping member is hollow and allows air to pass through the inside, so that air can be blown out from the tip. By gradually inserting the bag shaping member from the bag mouth 11f of the bag body 11 while blowing air from the tip, the bag body can be shaped into a predetermined shape without giving unnecessary tension to the bag body. it can. When the shaping of the bag body is completed, the bag shaping member is taken out from the inside of the bag body 11. In the present embodiment, air is blown out from the tip of the bag shaping member, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, air may be blown out from around the bag shaping member, or , A means for blowing air toward the opening side of the bag body may be provided separately from the bag shaping member. When the processing by the bag shaping means 21c is completed, the filling means 21e for filling the medium 12 is performed while the bag mouth 11f is held so as to be sandwiched between the inner frame and the outer frame.

The operation in the filling means 21e will be described with reference to FIGS. 8A and 8B. A hopper 36 for supplying the medium 12 is provided above the filling means 21e. The hopper 36 contains a medium 12 prepared in advance by a medium adjusting means (not shown), and the medium 12 is taken out in a fixed amount by the measuring means 21d for measuring the medium. At this time, it is possible to have a structure in which the medium can be taken out in a fixed amount without providing a complicated means such as a means for measuring the weight of the medium 12.

The medium 12 contained in the hopper 36 is carried to the measuring means 21d by a transporting means, for example, a chain conveyor, and is charged into the measuring container portion from above. The means for transporting the medium is not limited to the chain conveyor, and any conveyor can be used.

Further, since the medium 12 taken out from the chain conveyor is in the form of lumps of various sizes, if the medium 12 is dropped toward the measuring container as it is, the density of the medium differs depending on the size of the lump, and the weight is constant. Must not be. Therefore, in the present embodiment, a loosening mechanism such as a mesh-like sieve is provided between the outlet of the chain conveyor and the measuring container portion, and a predetermined vibration is applied to the loosening mechanism to sift the lumpy medium. After loosening it into smaller pieces, the medium is dropped toward the measuring container in a state where the medium is always fine. The mesh size of the loosening means is, for example, about 5 mm to 20 mm square.

Since the medium is accumulated in the measuring container portion so as to be piled up, when the medium is taken out from the measuring container portion, a means for removing the medium in the portion accumulated in the heaping portion by cutting the edge of the upper surface of the measuring container portion is provided. ing. As a result, the measuring means 21d can supply the medium so that the medium supplied to one bag is always quantified. When the loosening means is not provided, the weight of the medium for one bag varies by 4 to 8%, but in the present embodiment provided with the sieving means, the variation can be suppressed to 2% or less. it can.

In the filling means 21e, a fixed amount of the medium 12 filled from the measuring means 21d is supplied into the bag 11, and then the medium 12 supplied into the bag 11 in the molding means 21f is molded. In the molding means 21f, first, a substantially rectangular frame-shaped lower frame member is addressed from the outside of the lower part of the bag 11 in which the medium 12 is stored, and a compression molding plate is inserted from the bag mouth 11f side of the bag 11. The medium 12 is compressed by pressing the compression molding plate toward the lower frame member, and the medium 12 is formed into a predetermined rectangular shape (substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape). At this time, a plurality of holes for inoculating the inoculum are provided on the side of the compression molding plate facing the medium, and at the same time as the compression molding of the medium, a plurality of holes are formed on the upper surface of the medium. You may do so. At this time, the number of protrusions is, for example, about 2 to 6, but the number of protrusions may be appropriately determined depending on the volume of the medium, and may be 1 or 6 or more. A coil spring is provided between the compression-molded plate and the member that presses the compression-molded plate so as to keep the pressing force of the compression-molded plate pressing the medium constant and limit the pressing force above a predetermined value. Acts on. As a result, it is possible to prevent the medium from being compacted more than necessary, and to avoid damage or failure of the device.

The compression molded plate is, for example, fluorinated so that the medium does not easily stick to it. Since the medium contains rice bran or the like, it is in a state where it easily sticks to the compression-molded plate, so that the medium may stick to the compression-molded plate to some extent. Therefore, a step is added in which air is blown onto the medium pressing surface of the compression molding plate at the timing when the compression molding plate is taken out from the bag after the compression molding is completed to remove the adhered medium. The step of removing the adhered medium is performed for each compression molding, but this step can also be performed once per a predetermined number of compression moldings. When the compression molding of the medium is completed and the compression molding plate is taken out from the bag, the formation of the packed medium block 17 is completed, and the bag is conveyed to the next bag folding machine 22 by a delivery means 21 g such as a belt conveyor. The bagged medium block 17 discharged from the block forming machine 21 is in a state in which the unfilled portion 11h is not closed (see FIG. 3B).

The bag folding machine 22 includes a bag mouth shaping means 22a for shaping the vicinity of the bag mouth of the bagging medium block 17, a folding means 22b for folding the unfilled portion 11h so that foreign matter does not enter from the open bag mouth 11f, and folding. It has a shaping means 22c for habituating the folding allowance 11i and a transporting means 22d for sending to the next machine (container carrier).

The operation of the bag folding machine 22 will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 15. The method of folding the unfilled portion 11h of the bag body 11 in the bagged medium block 17 includes folding methods such as gusset folding, single character folding, and single bundle folding, and any folding method can be adopted. However, in this embodiment, an example of gusset folding will be described. Gazette folding is a method of folding in a substantially M shape according to the crease on the side of the short side of the bag, and the opening side of the bag has 4 layers at the end on the short side and 2 layers at the center. Is. Single-character folding is a method of folding with both short sides stretched straight outward, and the opening side of the bag has two layers everywhere. Bundling is a folding method in which the openings of the bag are bundled, and the crease lines are irregularly formed.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a bag folding machine 22 for manufacturing the bagging medium block 17 according to the first embodiment. The bagged medium block 17 is conveyed from the block forming machine 21 using a chain conveyor 102 as a conveying means (in FIG. 9, it is conveyed from the left side to the right side in a plan view). That is, the bagged medium block 17 in a state where the unfilled portion 11h charged from the left end is not closed is conveyed toward the right side by the chain conveyor 102 and discharged from the right end. Appropriate guide means for guiding the bagged medium block in the straight direction may be provided on both sides of the chain conveyor 102. Although the chain conveyor 102 has been illustrated here as the transport means, the transport means of the present invention is not specified as the chain conveyor 102, and for example, a drive roller conveyor, a roller conveyor, a belt conveyor, a wheel conveyor, and a slat conveyor. , Includes various transport means such as top chain conveyors. Moreover, you may use a plastic chain as a chain.

A bag mouth shaping means 22a, a folding means 22b, a shaping means 22c, and a conveying means 22d are provided in this order from the upstream side to the downstream side along the chain conveyor 102. In the bag mouth shaping means 22a, the center of the bag mouth 11f of the bagging medium block 17 is opened. In the folding means 22b, the bag mouth 11f of the bagging medium block 17 is folded into a gusset shape or a single letter shape, and the bag mouth 11f of the bagging medium block 17 folded into a gusset shape or a single letter shape is along the long side side. Then fold it so that the bag mouth faces downward. In the shaping means 22c, a crease is made in the folding allowance 11i of the folded unfilled portion 11h so that the bag opening 11f is difficult to open. After that, it is transported to the next container loading machine 23 by the transporting means 22d.

The stopper cylinders 101A to 101D are driven on the downstream side of the chain conveyor 102 corresponding to the processing position of the bagging medium block 17 in the bag mouth shaping means 22a and the folding means 22b, and on the upstream side of the bag mouth shaping means 22a, respectively. Stoppers 100A to 100D are provided. The bagged medium block 17 can be held at a predetermined position on the chain conveyor 102 by the stoppers 100A to 100D. When the stoppers 100A to 100D are used, the chain conveyor 102 is continuously driven, but the chain conveyor 102 is intermittently driven so that the chain conveyor 102 is temporarily stopped while the medium block is being processed by each unit. When set to, the stoppers 100A to 100D can be omitted.

The block forming machine 21 can be connected to the bagging medium block inlet on the upstream side of the chain conveyor 102 via a bridging portion or directly. Further, the container loading machine 23 can be connected to the bagging medium block discharge port on the downstream side of the chain conveyor 102 via a bridging portion or directly. A roller conveyor or the like can be used as the bridging portion. As a result, the layout of the manufacturing process of the bagged medium block can be freely set, and the entire process can be automated.

10A to 10C are perspective views showing the operation of the bag mouth shaping means 22a. First, in FIG. 10A, the bagging medium block 17 is guided by the guide guide 107 and held by the stopper 100B at a predetermined position, and the bag mouth 11f of the bagging medium block 17 is positioned so as to face the adsorption plate 105. Even when a plurality of bagged medium blocks 17 are charged, the bagged medium blocks 17 can be stopped by the stopper 100A, so that the bagged medium blocks 17 are charged one by one into the bag mouth shaping means 22a.

Next, in FIG. 10B, the guide guide 107 is driven by the feed cylinder, both long sides of the filling portion 11 g of the bagged medium block 17 are sandwiched by the pair of guide guides 107, and the pair is driven by the feed cylinder 106. The adsorption plate 105 of the above sandwiches the center of the bag mouth 11f of the bagged medium block 17 on the long side side. Since a negative pressure acts on the contact surface of the suction plate 105 with the bag mouth, the bag mouth 11f can be sucked.

Further, in FIG. 10C, the feed cylinder 106 drives the pair of suction plates 105 in a direction away from each other, and the central portion of the bag mouth 11f sucked by the suction plates 105 is opened accordingly. After the central portion of the bag mouth 11f is opened, the suction plate 105 and the guide guide 107 return to the initial positions.

11A is a perspective view of the folding means 22b, FIG. 11B is a partial perspective view of FIG. 11A, FIG. 11C is a front view of the folding means 22b, and FIG. 11D is a side view of the folding means 22b. The folding means 22b is a plurality of folding means 22b that abuts on the folding allowance 11i at the corner on the inner peripheral side of the bag opening 11f to correct the shape of the bag opening 11f, here, four bag straightening arms 110, and the bag opening 11f. A pair of gusset folding arms 115 for gusset folding the bag mouth 11f by engaging with the central portion on the short side from the outside are provided. The bag straightening arm 110 and the gusset folding arm 115 move up and down separately and are driven separately. The bag straightening arm 110 is raised and lowered by the bag straightening arm elevating cylinder 113, and the gusset folding arm 115 is raised and lowered by the gusset folding arm elevating cylinder 118. At the tip of the gusset folding arm 115, a triangular member 116 having a triangular shape in a plan view corresponding to the crease of the gusset of the bag mouth 11f is provided.

At a position where the bagging medium block 17 comes into contact with the surface on the long side, an adsorption base 120 that can be bent at a predetermined height direction and that can adsorb the bag mouth 11f by negative pressure is provided. In the present embodiment, the adsorption base can be bent at two points, the upper bent portion has a mountain fold on the bagging medium block side, and the lower bent portion has a valley fold on the medium block side, whereby the fold of the bag mouth is folded. Matches with. Further, a heating heater 121 can be provided at the bent portion. In the present embodiment, the heating heater 121 is provided at the upper bent portion. The temperature of the heater 121 can be appropriately set, and can be, for example, about 50 ° C. to 200 ° C., preferably about 100 ° C. to 150 ° C. On the side of the suction base 120 opposite to the bagging medium block, a suction base slide unit 122 driven by the unit feed cylinder 123 is provided below, and a bag folding cylinder 124 is provided above. The bag folding cylinder 124 is arranged so as to push the upper part of the suction base 120 diagonally downward. Reference numeral 127 denotes a transport side roller chain.

FIG. 11B shows a spring that urges the bag straightening arm 110 in a direction that elastically opens. Reference numeral 125 denotes a spring for opening in the long side direction, and reference numeral 126 denotes a spring for opening in the short side direction. Further, FIG. 11C or FIG. 11D shows a cylinder for driving the bag straightening arm 110, 111 is a long side cylinder of the bag straightening arm, and 112 is a short side cylinder of the bag straightening arm. The bag straightening arm long-side direction cylinder 111 drives the bag straightening arm in the long-side direction, and the bag straightening arm short-side direction cylinder 112 drives the bag straightening arm in the short-side direction. In addition, 117 of FIG. 11C is a gusset folding cylinder for driving the gusset folding arm 115.

In the present embodiment, the case where the bag mouth 11f of the bagging medium block 17 is folded in a gusset is illustrated, but in the present invention, the bag mouth can be folded by one character. In this case, instead of the gusset folding arm 115, a pair of single-character folding arms for engaging with the central portion on the short side side of the bag mouth from the inside and folding the bag mouth by one character may be provided.

FIG. 12A is a first operation explanatory view of the folding means 22b. At a predetermined position of the folding means 22b on the chain conveyor 102, the bagged medium block 17 is held by the stopper 100C. A pair of adsorption bases 120 come into contact with the medium storage portion on the long side of the bagged medium block 17, and the bag straightening arm 110 and the gusset folding arm 115 descend from the opening of the bag mouth 11f of the bagged medium block 17. , The bag correction arm 110 is inserted. A predetermined distance is provided between the tip of the bag straightening arm 110 and the medium 12. In this state, since the four bag straightening arms 110 are located on the center side of the bag opening 11f, it is easy to insert the bag straightening arm 110 from the bag opening 11f.

FIG. 12B is a second operation explanatory view of the folding means 22b. The four bag correction arms 110 inserted from the bag mouth 11f open outward in the bag body 11 of the bagging medium block 17, and abut each of the four bag correction arms 110 from the inside of the bag body 11 against the corners of the bag body 11. Therefore, the shape of the bag body 11 is corrected so as to be square. At this time, the bag straightening arm 110 elastically abuts on the inner corner of the bag 11 by the spring 125 for opening in the long side direction and the spring 126 for opening in the short side direction, so that an appropriate tension is applied to the bag body 11. give. Further, the suction base 120 sucks the long side side of the bag mouth 11f by a negative pressure.

FIG. 12C is a third operation explanatory view of the folding means 22b. The bag correction arm 110 is raised.

FIG. 12D is a fourth operation explanatory view of the folding means 22b. The pair of suction bases 120 bend at the two bent portions and approach each other so as to sandwich the bag mouth 11f. Since the bag mouth 11f is attached to the suction base 120, a crease similar to the bending of the suction base 120 is formed. At the same time, the pair of gusset folding arms 115 and the triangular member 116 at the tip thereof move from the outside to the inside on the short side of the bag mouth 11f so as to form a gusset-shaped crease, and at the same time, the height thereof is increased. In the direction, it moves in the direction of descending from the position above the medium storage portion by a predetermined distance, that is, in the diagonally downward direction.

FIG. 13A is a fifth operation explanatory view of the folding means 22b. The pair of suction bases 120 are in contact with each other via the bag mouth 11f, and the bent portion is bent substantially vertically, and the bag mouth 11f is creaseed with a gusset fold. Further, the pair of gusset folding arms 115 and the triangular member 116 at the tip thereof approach the position corresponding to the fold of the gusset fold and descend to a height immediately above the medium storage portion. In this state, the pair of heating heaters 121 are in close proximity to each other, and the heat causes a crease in the bag mouth 11f along the line corresponding to the heating heater 121.

FIG. 13B is a sixth operation explanatory view of the folding means 22b. The pair of suction bases 120 remain in contact with each other via the bag mouth 11f, and the gusset folding arm 115 moves outward.

FIG. 13C is a seventh operation explanatory view of the folding means 22b. The gusset folding arm 115 rises and returns to the standby position. Further, the pair of suction bases 120 also move away and return to the standby position, but at this time, since the negative pressure of the suction base 120 is released, the bag mouth 11f is sucked by the negative pressure of the suction base 120. There is no.

In the present embodiment, an example of gusset folding is described, but the present invention is not specified thereto, and can be applied to single character folding and the like. In the case of single-character folding, instead of the gusset folding arm 115, a pair of single-character folding arms for engaging from the inside and folding the bag mouth by one character may be provided at the center of the short side of the bag mouth. .. In the state of FIGS. 12A to 12B, the one-character folding arm is inserted through the opening of the bag mouth together with the bag correction arm 110, and in the state of FIG. 12D, the pair of suction bases 120 are bent at the two bent portions while being bent. At the same time as approaching so as to sandwich the bag mouth, the one-character folding arm can be moved from the inside to the outside on the short side side of the bag mouth to make one character folding. In the state of FIG. 13A, a single character fold is made, and in the state of FIGS. 13B and 13C, the gusset folding arm 115 and the suction base 120 return to the standby position.

14A is a side view of the folding means 22b having the shaping means 22c, FIG. 14B is a perspective view, FIG. 14C is an enlarged side view of the shaping means 22c, and FIG. 14D is an enlarged perspective of the shaping means 22c. It is a figure. The heater block unit 140 and the upper return plate 132 driven by the upper return plate cylinder 133 are provided on both sides of the bagged medium block 17 so as to face each other. The heater block unit 140 driven by the heater block unit feed cylinder 141 engages with the lower side of the upper return plate 132 and is driven by the lower receiving plate cylinder 131 in the vertical direction by the lower receiving plate 130 and the heater block cylinder 137. The driven heater block 136, the return spatula 138 provided on the opposite side of the heater block 136 from the medium block 17, and the heater block 136, which are abutted from below, are moved up and down by the heater receiving cylinder 135. A heater receiving base 134 driven in the direction is provided. The heater receiving base 134 is an L-shaped plate member in a side view, and a heater receiving cylinder is connected to one end of the lower surface, and a surface that rises vertically upward and abuts on the medium block 17 is provided at the other end. At this time, in the present embodiment, the shaping means 22c is configured by the heater block 136 and the heater receiving base 134.

A pair of tapered portions 146 are provided on the tip end side of the heater block 136 constituting the shaping means 22c, and the width is narrowed toward the tip end. A press recess 145 is provided at the contacting position. On the other hand, a lower press portion 147 that abuts the press recess 145 is provided on the upper side of the surface of the heater receiving base 134 that constitutes the shaping means 22c that abuts the bagged medium block 17. The temperature of the heater block 136 can be appropriately set, and can be, for example, about 50 ° C. to 200 ° C., preferably about 100 ° C. to 150 ° C. By sandwiching the bag mouth 11f between the press recess 145 and the lower press portion 147, the heat of the heater block 136 is applied to the bag, and the height position of the medium storage portion on the long side side of the bag mouth is in the long side direction. A downward crease is formed along.

15A to 15F are perspective views of an operation explanatory view of the folding means 22b and the shaping means 22c. The bagged medium block 17 is held by the stopper 100D at the processing positions of the folding means 22b and the shaping means 22c. In FIG. 15A, the lower receiving plate 130 is advanced to the bagging medium block 17 so as to abut on the medium storage portion from the long side side to the central portion of the short side of the bag mouth 11f.

In FIG. 15B, the bag mouth is sandwiched between the upper part of the lower receiving plate 130 that has been advanced, and the upper return plate 132 is advanced toward the bagging medium block so that the bag mouth 11f is bent toward the heater block unit 140. The top return plate 132 has a floating structure due to spring pressure.

In FIG. 15C, the lower receiving plate 130 is retracted to the standby position while the upper back plate 132 is advanced toward the bagged medium block 17.

In FIG. 15D, the heater block unit 140 is advanced so as to be close to the bagged medium block 17, and the contact surface of the lower receiving plate 130 is in contact with the medium storage portion on the long side of the medium block 17.

In FIG. 15E, the lower receiving plate 130 is raised and the heater block 136 is lowered, and the bag mouth is located between the press recess 145 and the lower press portion 147 at the upper end of the medium storage portion on the long side side of the bagging medium block. By sandwiching the bag, the heat of the heater block 136 is applied to the bag, and a downward crease is formed along the long side direction at the position of the upper end of the medium storage portion on the long side side of the bag mouth. When the heater block 136 is lowered, the return spatula 138 is lowered together to correct the tip of the bag mouth downward. Further, the lower receiving plate 130 is set before the heater block 136, and the processing speed of the heater block 136 is set slowly.

In FIG. 15F, the top return plate 132 retracts and returns to the standby position. After that, the heater block 136 is raised, the lower receiving plate 130 is lowered, and the heater block unit 140 is retracted to return to the standby position. After that, the bagged medium block 17 is transported to the container loading machine 23.

The container loading machine 23 is arranged with an arranging means 23a for arranging a plurality of bagged medium blocks 17 at predetermined positions, and a container setting means 23b for taking out and setting one from a plurality of prepared containers 15. It has a carry-in means 23c for collectively carrying the number of pieces into the container 15, and a container transport means 23d for transporting the container 15 packed with the bagged medium block 17 to the next machine (sterilizer).

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the container loading machine 23 in the bagging medium block manufacturing apparatus 20 according to the first embodiment. The bagging medium blocks 17 with the bag mouth 11f temporarily fixed (formed) are taken into the direction-correcting turntable 152 one by one by the take-in member 165 driven by the take-in member lateral feed cylinder 167 through the take-in guides 150. Be done. The bagged medium block 17 is then sent by the alignment cylinder 153 to the swastika alignment unit 155 as the alignment means 23a, on a swastika alignment turntable 156 provided with a center alignment guide 94 and an auxiliary alignment guide 95. Aligned in a swastika shape. At this time, the containers 15 are taken out one by one from the container stocker unit 96 and sent to a position where the container 15 is received by the container sending unit as the container setting means 23b. The four bagged medium blocks 17 are put together in a swastika shape and mounted on the container 15 by the four-hand clamp unit 160 as the carry-in means 23c. The container 15 on which the bagged medium block 17 is mounted is carried to the carry-in cart by the discharge roller conveyor as the container transport means 23d, and is automatically carried in by a 6-stage aligned upper and lower elevator or the like as in the first embodiment. Stored in a trolley.

17A to 17E are front views showing the operation of the container stocker unit 96. In FIG. 17A, the container stopper 171 held by the plurality of containers 15 in an overlapping state is in a state of being lowered by the container elevating cylinder 174. In FIG. 17B, the container stopper 171 is driven by the stopper cylinder 172 to the container non-engagement position. In FIG. 17C, the container stopper 171 rises by the distance of one of the containers 15 overlapped by the separation cylinder 173. In FIG. 17D, the container stopper 171 is driven to the container engaging position by the stopper cylinder 172. In FIG. 17E, the container stopper 171 is raised together with the remaining containers 15 by the container elevating cylinder 174 in a state where one separated container 15 is taken out. By the above operation, the containers are taken out one by one. After that, the removed container 15 is sent to the bagging medium block storage position by the container feeding unit.

18A is a perspective view of the container feed unit, FIG. 18B is a front view of the container feed unit, and FIG. 18C is a side view of the container feed unit. The container feed cylinder 184 drives the container feed member 185 provided with the forward feed guide 180 and the post feed guide 182 between the container take-out position and the medium charge position. The forward feed guide 180 is driven by the forward feed guide cylinder 181 between the container engaging position and the container non-engaging position. Further, the post-feed guide 182 is driven by the post-feed guide cylinder 183 between the container engaged position and the container non-engaged position.

19A to 19D are side views showing the operation of the container feed unit. In FIG. 19A, the container feed member 185 is driven to the position of the container 15 taken out from the container stocker unit 96, and at this position, both the front feed guide 180 and the post feed guide 182 are driven to the container engaging position. As a result, the container 15 is engaged so as to be sandwiched between the front feed guide 180 and the back feed guide 182. In FIG. 19B, in a state where the front feed guide 180 and the back feed guide 182 are engaged with the container 15, the container feed member 185 is driven to the bagging medium block mounting position, so that the container 15 is placed in the bagging medium block mounting position. Will be sent to. In FIG. 19C, both the front feed guide 180 and the back feed guide 182 are driven to the container non-engagement position. In FIG. 19D, the container feed member 185 is returned to the container take-out position by the container feed cylinder 184.

20A to 20F are perspective views showing the operation of the swastika alignment unit 155. The bagged medium blocks 17 with the bag mouth temporarily fixed are taken into the direction correction turntable 152 one by one by the take-in member 165 driven by the take-in member lateral feed cylinder 167 through the take-in guides 150. The intake member 165 is provided with an intake member elevating cylinder 166, and is driven between the bagging medium block engaging position and the bagging medium block non-engaging position. In the direction correction turntable 152, when the bagging medium blocks 17 having different tatami directions of the bag mouths are adopted, the long side side of the bag mouths of the bagging medium blocks 17 folded downward is arranged in a bag shape. Direction toward the center side of the turntable, that is, in FIG. 20A, the long side side of the bag mouth 11f of the bagging medium block 17 is folded downward toward the bag-shaped aligned turntable 156. Can be modified. The direction correction turntable 152 is rotationally driven by a direction correction actuator 154 composed of, for example, a rotary actuator.

The bagged medium block 17 is then sent to the swastika alignment unit 155 by the alignment cylinder 153 and aligned in a swastika shape on a swastika alignment turntable 156 provided with a center alignment guide 94 and an auxiliary alignment guide 95. .. The swastika alignment turntable 156 is rotated by 90 degrees by, for example, a swastika alignment actuator 157 composed of an air index. A center alignment guide 94 is provided in the center of the swastika alignment turntable 156, and four auxiliary alignment guides 95 are provided around the center. The long side of the bagging medium block 17 with the bag mouth 11f folded downward abuts on the center alignment guide 94, and the auxiliary alignment guide 95 is bagged. The short side of the medium block 17 comes into contact with each other. As a result, the four bagged medium blocks 17 are aligned in a swastika shape on the swastika alignment turntable 156. The auxiliary alignment guide 95 is set to rise from below by a spring, and when the 4-hand clamp unit 160 is lowered, the auxiliary alignment guide 95 is pushed by the suction clamp plate 161 and descends to the standby position against the force of the spring. .. In the swastika alignment turntable 156, the bagged medium blocks 17 are loaded one by one so that the four medium blocks are aligned in a swastika shape guided by the central alignment guide 94 and the auxiliary alignment guide 95. The swastika-aligned turntable 156 rotates 90 degrees each time the bagged medium blocks 17 are charged. Then, when the four bagged medium blocks 17 are put into the swastika alignment turntable 156 and aligned in a swastika shape, the four bagged medium blocks 17 are put together by being gripped by the suction clamp plate of the four-hand clamp unit 160. Is mounted on the container 15.

At the stage where the bagged medium blocks 17 are put into the swastika-aligned turntable 156 one by one, they are aligned so as to form a predetermined space between the bagged medium blocks 17. This is for smooth alignment of the bagged medium block 17. When four bagged medium blocks 17 are put into the bag-shaped alignment turntable 156 and aligned in a bag shape and are adsorbed and gripped by the suction clamp plate of the four-hand clamp unit 160, they are sandwiched between the bagged medium blocks 17. There is no space, and each bagged medium block 17 is in contact with each other. As a result, the suction clamp plate grips the suction clamp plate with an appropriate gripping force.

In the present embodiment, an example in which four bagged medium blocks 17 are arranged in a swastika shape has been described, but the present invention is not specified thereto, and for example, nine or twelve bagged medium blocks 17 are arranged. Including those that arrange all together. When arranging the nine bagged medium blocks, the sides of the bagged medium blocks that are folded downwards are aligned in each row, and the bagged mouths of the bagged medium blocks are folded downwards. Align the sides so that they face inward. When arranging the 9 media, the 9 media may be arranged in 3 rows and 3 columns by using the 9 arranging unit instead of the swastika arranging unit. Further, for example, when arranging 12 medium blocks, they may be arranged in 3 rows and 4 columns in the same manner as described above.

In FIG. 20A, the bagged medium block 17 is incorporated between the intake guides 150. In FIG. 20B, the intake member 165 is driven to the bagging medium block engaging position by the intake member elevating cylinder 166, the intake member 165 is driven by the intake member lateral feed cylinder 167, and the bagging medium block 17 is driven from the intake position. Move to the position of the direction correction turntable 152 shown in 20C. In FIG. 20D, the intake member 165 is moved to the bagging medium block non-engaged position by the intake member elevating cylinder 166, and in FIG. 20E, the intake member 165 is driven by the intake member lateral feed cylinder 167 and returned to the standby position.

In a normal production line, the direction of the side where the bag mouth 11f of the bagging medium block 17 taken in from the bag folding machine 22 is folded downward is a bag-shaped alignment turntable. Since the bagging medium block 17 has been moved to the position of the direction correction turntable 152 because it faces the center of the 156, the bagging medium block 17 is normally oriented in the same direction, that is, the bag mouth 11f of the bagging medium block 17 is folded downward. As shown in FIG. 20F, the bag is thrown toward the bag-shaped alignment turntable 156 by the alignment cylinder 153 with the long side of the bag facing the center side of the bag-shaped alignment turntable. However, if the bagging medium block 117 is incorporated into the container loading machine 23 with the long side of the bag mouth 11f of the bagging medium block 17 folded downward in the opposite direction due to the convenience of the production line, By rotating the position of the bagging medium block 17 by, for example, 180 degrees by the direction correction turntable 152, the long side of the bag mouth of the bagging medium block 17 folded downward is the center of the bag-shaped alignment turntable 156. After modifying the orientation so that it faces sideways, the bagged medium block 17 can be thrown toward the bag-shaped alignment turntable 156. In the above-mentioned example of arranging the bagged medium blocks into 9 or 12 pieces, when the bagged medium block is rotated 180 degrees so that the side of the bagged medium block folded downward faces inward. Also, the orientation-correcting turntable 152 allows the orientation of the medium block to be rotated.

When the bagged medium block 17 is thrown toward the swastika alignment turntable 156, the bagged medium block 17 is guided by the center alignment guide 94 and the auxiliary alignment guide 95 and aligned so as to form a swastika alignment. To do. The swastika alignment turntable 156 is rotated by 90 degrees by, for example, a swastika alignment actuator 157 composed of an air index. The medium blocks 17 are put into the swastika alignment turntable 156 one by one so that the four bagged medium blocks 17 are aligned in a swastika shape guided by the central alignment guide 94 and the auxiliary alignment guide 95. The swastika-aligned turntable 156 rotates 90 degrees each time one bagged medium block 17 is charged. When the bagged medium block 17 is put into the next empty space in the same procedure as above, the swastika-aligned turntable 156 is rotated 90 degrees again. Then, when the four bagged medium blocks 17 are put into the swastika alignment turntable 156 and aligned in a swastika shape, the four bagged medium blocks 17 are adsorbed and gripped by the suction clamp plate of the four-hand clamp unit 160. Collectively, they are mounted on the container 15.

At the stage where the bagged medium blocks 17 are put into the swastika-aligned turntable 156 one by one, they are aligned so as to form a predetermined space between the bagged medium blocks 17. This is for smooth alignment of the bagged medium block 17. When four bagged medium blocks 17 are put into the bag-shaped alignment turntable 156 and aligned in a bag shape and are adsorbed and gripped by the suction clamp plate of the four-hand clamp unit 160, they are sandwiched between the bagged medium blocks 17. There is no space, and each bagged medium block 17 is in contact with each other. As a result, the suction clamp plate grips the suction clamp plate with an appropriate gripping force.

21A is a perspective view of the 4-hand clamp unit 160, and FIG. 21B is a side view of the 4-hand clamp unit 160. The four-hand clamp unit 160 includes a plurality of (here, four) suction clamp plates 161 and a negative pressure acts on the inner surface of the suction clamp plates 161, and the negative pressure causes the four to be arranged in a square shape. The individual bagged medium blocks are adsorbed and gripped together. In the state of being sucked and gripped by the suction clamp plate 161, there is no space between the bagging medium blocks 17, each bagging medium block 17 is in contact with each other, and four bags in a bag-shaped arrangement. The filling medium block 17 is sucked and gripped from the surrounding four surfaces. For each bagged medium block 17, two surfaces, one on the long side and one on the short side, are sucked by the suction clamp plate 161, whereby the four bagged medium blocks 17 are stably sucked. Can be sucked and gripped together. In addition, it is possible to prevent unnecessary pressing force from being generated in the bagged medium block 17 by suction-grasping by suction force from the surroundings using negative pressure.

The suction clamp plate 161 is driven by the clamp plate cylinder 162 to the packed medium block engaged position and the packed medium block non-engaged position. The bagging medium block 17 can be sucked and gripped from the bag-shaped alignment turntable 156 by setting the bagging medium block engaging position, and the bagging medium block 17 is mounted on the container 15 by setting it to the non-engaging position. be able to. Further, the 4-hand clamp unit 160 can be moved between the swastika-aligned turntable 156 and the bagging medium block receiving position of the container 15 by the 4-hand clamp unit lateral feed cylinder 164. Further, the 4-hand clamp unit 160 can be driven in the vertical direction by the 4-hand clamp unit elevating cylinder.

22A to 22F are side views showing the operation of the 4-hand clamp unit 160. In FIG. 22A, the 4-hand clamp unit 160 is lowered by the 4-hand clamp unit elevating cylinder while the 4-hand clamp unit 160 is moved to the position of the swastika alignment turntable 156 by the 4-hand clamp unit lateral feed cylinder 164. This is a state in which four suction clamp plates 161 are arranged around the four bagged medium blocks 17 that are arranged in a swastika shape on the swastika-aligned turntable 156. The auxiliary alignment guide 95 is set to rise from below by a spring, and in the state of FIG. 22A, that is, when the 4-hand clamp unit 160 is lowered, the auxiliary alignment guide 95 is pushed by the suction clamp plate 161 to cause the spring. It descends to the standby position against the force.

In FIG. 22B, by driving the suction clamp plate 161 to the bagged medium block engaging position by the clamp plate cylinder 162, the space between the bagged medium blocks 17 is eliminated, and the bagged medium blocks 17 come into contact with each other. By applying a negative pressure to the inside of the suction clamp plate 161, the circumferences of the four packed medium blocks 17 arranged in a square shape are collectively sucked and gripped by the suction clamp plate 161.

In FIG. 22C, the 4-hand clamp unit 160 is raised by the 4-hand clamp unit elevating cylinder in a state where the four bagged medium blocks 17 arranged in a bag are sucked and gripped by the suction clamp plate 161. Next, the 4-hand clamp unit horizontal feed cylinder 164 moves the 4-hand clamp unit 160 from the swastika alignment turntable 156 to the bagging medium block receiving position of the container.

In FIG. 22D, the 4-hand clamp unit 160 is moved from the bag-shaped alignment turntable 156 to the bagging medium block receiving position of the container, and the 4-hand clamp unit 160 is lowered by the 4-hand clamp unit elevating cylinder at this position. is there. In this state, as shown in FIG. 22E, the bagged medium block can be mounted on the container by driving the suction clamp plate 161 to the non-engaging position of the medium block by the clamp plate cylinder 162. At this time, it is also possible to prevent negative pressure from acting on the suction clamp plate 161. When the negative pressure does not act on the suction clamp plate 161, the bag of the bagged medium block is not sucked to the outside, so that it is possible to prevent the folds of the bag from being disturbed by the action of the negative pressure.

In FIG. 22F, the 4-hand clamp unit 160 is raised by the 4-hand clamp unit elevating cylinder. Next, the 4-hand clamp unit 160 is returned from the bagging medium block receiving position of the container to the standby position, that is, above the position of the swastika alignment turntable 156 by the 4-hand clamp unit lateral feed cylinder 164.

Next, the bagged medium block 17 is stored in the container 15 sent out from the container accumulation stocker 76 by the container loading machine 23. The container 15 in which the bagged medium block 17 is stored is, for example, fed from the storage container feeding unit 78 to the three-row alignment base 79. The three containers 15 aligned on a three-row alignment base are placed on the six-stage alignment upper and lower elevator 80 by a three-row push cylinder 84. After the 6-stage aligned upper and lower elevator 80 is raised and lowered so as to match the height of a predetermined stage of the 6-stage loading carriage 81, three buckets are housed in the loading carriage 81.

[Modification example]
The container loading machine 23'corresponding to the modified example of the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 23. The same reference numerals are given to the configurations common to those in the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. In the modified example, the difference from the first embodiment in the container loading machine 23'will be described in detail.

The container loading machine 23'of the modified example of the first embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the four-hand clamp unit 160 is provided with the central guide holder 168 extrapolated to the center alignment guide 94. FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the 4-hand clamp unit 160 of the container loading machine 23'of the bagging medium block manufacturing apparatus according to the modified example. The swastika alignment turntable 156 has a center alignment guide 94 in the center and an auxiliary alignment guide 95 in the periphery as in the first embodiment. 4 A suction clamp plate support member 169 is provided at the center of the hand clamp unit 160. A suction clamp plate is provided around the suction clamp plate support member 169 via four clamp plate cylinders 162, respectively. At the center of the suction clamp plate support member 169, a hollow tetragonal columnar central guide holder 168 is provided downward. When the 4-hand clamp unit is lowered at the position of the swastika alignment turntable 156, the center alignment guide 94 is configured to fit inside the center guide holder 168 with a predetermined gap. That is, by mounting the central guide holder 168 on the outside of the center alignment guide 94, the guide on the center side acts so as to be larger than the dimension of the center alignment guide 94.

At the stage where the bagged medium blocks 17 are put into the swastika-aligned turntable 156 one by one, they are aligned so as to form a predetermined space between the bagged medium blocks 17. This is for smooth alignment of the bagged medium block 17. On the other hand, when four bagged medium blocks are put into the bag-shaped alignment turntable 156 and aligned in a bag shape, and are adsorbed and gripped by the suction clamp plate of the 4-hand clamp unit 160, each bagged medium block is used. There is no space between the 17 and the bagged medium blocks 17 are in contact with each other. As a result, the suction clamp plate grips the suction clamp plate with an appropriate gripping force.

In FIG. 22B described above, by driving the suction clamp plate 161 to the bagged medium block engaging position by the clamp plate cylinder 162, the space between the bagged medium blocks is eliminated and the bagged medium blocks 17 come into contact with each other. At the same time, by applying a negative pressure to the inside of the suction clamp plate 161, the circumferences of the four packed medium blocks 17 arranged in a square shape are collectively sucked and gripped by the suction clamp plate 161. At this time, when the central guide holder acting as a large-sized guide is inserted on the central side of the four bagged medium blocks 17, the contact state of each bagged medium block 17 is maintained more appropriately, and the suction clamp plate is used. The suction gripping force of the medium can be maintained more appropriately. Further, at the stage of charging the medium one by one into the swastika alignment turntable 156, the dimensions of the center alignment guide 94 are adjusted so as to be suitable for aligning so that a predetermined space is formed between the bagged medium blocks 17. Can be designed.

Further, it is also possible to apply a negative pressure to the outside of the central guide holder so that the bagged medium block 17 is also adsorbed from the inside. As a result, the four swastika-arranged packed medium blocks can be sucked and gripped from both the outer peripheral surface side and the inner peripheral surface side, so that the suction and gripping force of the packed medium block by the 4-hand clamp unit 160 can be obtained. It will be possible to keep it more stable and more appropriate. This makes it possible to more reliably prevent the application of extra pressure to the bagged medium block 17.

Further, in the first embodiment, as the bag folding machine 22, an example in which the bag mouth is temporarily fixed by folding the bag mouth by the bag folding means has been described, but the bag folding machine 22 of the present invention is not specified thereto, for example. , Bag mouth fusion means, bag mouth heat sealing means, bag mouth suturing means, bag mouth bonding means and the like. As the bag mouth fusion means, for example, a fusion portion is provided linearly along the bag mouth. As the bag mouth heat-sealing means, for example, a heating element is used to heat-seal the opening of the bag. As the bag mouth suturing means, for example, a sutured portion is provided linearly along the opening of the bag. As the bag mouth adhesive means, for example, the bag mouth is temporarily fixed by applying or sticking the adhesive means at an appropriate position of the bag. When sterilizing the medium in the bag in the sterilization step, it is necessary to provide a discharge hole for discharging the water vapor in the bag. Therefore, when temporarily fixing the bag mouth, a gap is provided in the bag mouth. Is desirable. That is, when the bag opening is temporarily fixed by each means in the bag folding machine 22, it is desirable that the bag opening is not completely closed.

In the first embodiment, the block forming machine 21 and the bag folding machine 22 are integrated, and a separate bridging portion is not required on the receiving side of the bag folding machine 22. On the other hand, since the container loading machine 23 is directly provided after the bag folding machine 22, the bag taking-out means of the bag folding machine 22 also serves as a bridging portion. Depending on the layout, a roller conveyor or the like may be separately provided between the bag folding machine 22 and the container loading machine 23, and in this case, the separately provided roller conveyor or the like corresponds to the bridging portion.

[Embodiment 2]
The bagging medium block manufacturing apparatus 20A according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 24 to 34. In the bagging medium block manufacturing apparatus 20A according to the second embodiment, the configurations of the bag folding machine 22A and the container loading machine 23A are different from those of the bagging medium block manufacturing apparatus 20 of the first embodiment. The same reference numerals are given to the parts having the same configuration as that of the bagging medium block manufacturing apparatus 20 of the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. Further, since the method for producing the bagged medium block of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 4, the bagging medium block manufacturing apparatus 20A according to the second embodiment is the bagging medium block 17 having an open bag mouth 11f, similarly to the bagging medium block manufacturing apparatus 20 according to the first embodiment. The block forming machine 21 for forming the bag, the bag folding machine 22A for folding the unfilled portion 11h so that foreign matter does not enter from the open bag mouth 11f, and the folded bagging medium block 17 into a container 15 having a predetermined size. It is equipped with a container loading machine 23A for loading. Since the block forming machine 21 of the second embodiment is common to the first embodiment, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

First, the bag folding machine 22A of the second embodiment will be described mainly with reference to FIGS. 24 to 28. The bag folding machine 22A of the second embodiment folds the bag mouth shaping means 22Aa for shaping the vicinity of the bag mouth 11f of the bagging medium block 17 and the unfilled portion 11h so that foreign matter does not enter from the open bag mouth 11f. It has a folding means 22Ab, a shaping means 22Ac for habituating the folded folding allowance 11i, and a sending means 22Ad for sending to the next machine (container carrier) (see FIG. 4).

As shown in FIGS. 24A to 24F, the bag mouth shaping means 22Aa of the second embodiment surrounds the side surfaces 11b, 11c, 11d, 11e (see FIG. 2A) of the bagging medium block 17, for example, 4 The plates 200a, 200b, 200c, and 200d are formed of a tubular body 201 formed into a tubular shape. Then, in the pair of plates facing each other of the tubular body 201, in the second embodiment, at least one of the plates 200a and 200b arranged on the longitudinal side surfaces 11b and 11c of the bagged medium block 17 is carried out. In the second embodiment, two intake ports 202 are provided on one surface thereof, and for example, a hose or the like (not shown) connected to a suction device or the like for suction is connected to the intake ports 202. ..

Next, the operation of the bag mouth shaping means 22Aa of the second embodiment will be described. The bagging medium block 17 transported from the block forming machine 21 to the bag folding machine 22A is transported in a state where the unfilled portion 11h of the bag body 11 is opened upward and the bag opening 11f is opened.

At this time, if the bag mouth 11f is not sufficiently opened or a part of the bag mouth 11f is closed, it becomes difficult to fold the bag mouth 11f by the folding means 22Ab described later. Therefore, the bag mouth shaping means 22Aa ensures that the bag mouth 11f is in an open state.

Specifically, the tubular body 201 constituting the bag mouth shaping means 22Aa is placed below the bagging medium block 17 conveyed from the block forming machine 21, that is, from the filling portion 11g side, the bagging medium block 17 Is moved upward so as to pass through the inside (see FIGS. 24A to 24F).

Then, air is sucked from the intake ports 202 provided in the plates 200a and 200b of the tubular body 201 of the bag mouth shaping means 22Aa, so that the unfilled portion 11h of the bagging medium block 17 is outside, that is, the plate. By being sucked by the bodies 200a and 200b, the bag mouth 11f is opened. After that, the bagged medium block 17 is transported to the next folding means 22Ab.

The bag mouth shaping means 22Aa moves above the bagging medium block 17 and then moves downward again to open the bag mouth of the bagging medium block 17 to be transported next.

Further, the bag mouth shaping means 22Aa may temporarily stop the transport of the bagging medium block 17 or may carry out while transporting the bag mouth shaping means 22Aa.

Further, during transportation between the bag mouth shaping means 22Aa and the folding means 22Ab, as shown in FIGS. 24G and 24H, from the bag mouth 11f side of the moving bagging medium block 17, for example, by a blower 203 or the like. By blowing air, the opening of the bag mouth 11f can be maintained. At this time, it is preferable that the air blown from the blower 203 is evenly sent to the entire opened bag opening 11f, and if the air is blown to only a part of the bag opening, the bag opening may be closed.

Next, the folding means 22Ab and the shaping means 22Ac will be described with reference to FIGS. 25 to 28. As in the case of the first embodiment, the folding means 22Ab of the second embodiment also folds the bagged medium block in a gusset.

The folding means 22Ab of the second embodiment has a first folding means 22Ab1 and a second folding means 22Ab2 performed after the first folding means 22Ab1, and the second folding means 22Ab2 is provided with the shaping means 22c. (See FIG. 28).

First, the first folding means 22Ab1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 25 to 27. The first folding means 22Ab1 includes a support mechanism 204 that holds the shape of the bag mouth 11f of the bagging medium block 17, a pressing mechanism 206 that presses the unfilled portion 11h, and a folding mechanism 208 that folds the unfilled portion 11h. (See Fig. 25A).

As shown in FIGS. 25A and 25B, the support mechanism 204 includes a plurality of plate-shaped support pieces 205 inserted into the unfilled portion 11h from the opened bag mouth 11f of the bagging medium block 17. In the second embodiment, two of these support pieces 205 are provided on the side surfaces 11b and 11c on the longitudinal side, not on the side surfaces 11d and 11e on the short side where the gusset folds of the bagged medium block 17 are creases. Are opposed to each other, and a total of four plate-like bodies are provided. Each support piece 205 inserted into the same side surface side of the bagged medium block 17 is connected by, for example, a beam member or the like, and is configured to be movable at the same time. Further, the support piece 205 may be a single flat plate shape instead of two plate shapes.

As shown in FIGS. 25C and 25D, the pressing mechanism 206 is composed of a pair of pressing pieces 207 facing each other, and is pressed from the side surfaces 11d and 11e on the short side with the creases of the bagged medium block 17. Become so.

As shown in FIGS. 26A and 26B, the folding mechanism 208 is located on the upstream side with respect to the transport direction of the bagged medium block 17, that is, the upstream side arranged on the side opposite to the transport direction of the bagged medium block 17. It is composed of a folding member 209 and a downstream folding member 212 arranged on the downstream side, that is, on the transport direction side of the bagged medium block 17. Then, the upstream folding member 209 and the downstream folding member 212 are arranged so as to face the side surfaces 11b and 11c on the longitudinal side of the unfilled portion 11h of the bagging medium block 17.

Further, the upstream folding member 209 is rotatably attached to the plate-shaped upstream flat portion 210 arranged on the medium 12 of the bagged medium block 17 and the upstream flat portion 210, and is unfilled. It has a plate-shaped upstream movable portion 211 arranged along 11h.

The upstream movable portion 211 of the upstream folding member 209 is rotatably attached to the upstream flat portion 210 and the medium 12 side, and is at least in the direction along the unfilled portion 11h of the bagged medium block 17, that is, in the substantially vertical direction. , It is configured to move in the direction along the medium 12 on the upstream side, that is, in the substantially horizontal direction.

Further, the downstream folding member 212 is rotatably attached to the plate-shaped downstream flat portion 213 arranged on the medium 12 of the bagged medium block 17 and the downstream flat portion 213, and is unfilled. It has a plate-shaped downstream movable portion 214 arranged along 11h.

The downstream movable portion 214 of the downstream folding member 212 is rotatably attached to the downstream flat portion 213 and the medium 12 side, and is at least in the direction along the unfilled portion 11h of the bagged medium block 17, that is, in the substantially vertical direction. , It is configured to move in the direction along the medium 12 on the upstream side, that is, in the substantially horizontal direction.

Here, the operation of the first folding means 22Ab1 in the folding means 22Ab of the bag folding machine 22A will be described. In the first folding means 22Ab1, first, as shown in FIGS. 25A and 25B, each support piece 205 of the support mechanism 204 descends from above, and the unfilled portion from the opened bag mouth 11f of the bagging medium block 17 It is inserted in 11h.

After each support piece 205 is inserted into the unfilled portion 11h, the pressing mechanism 206 is moved. As shown in FIGS. 25C and 25D, the pressing mechanism 206 has a pair of pressing pieces 207 from the side surfaces 11d and 11e on the short side of the bagged medium block 17, respectively, on the short side of the unfilled portion 11h of the bagged medium block 17. It is moved so as to push in the side surfaces 11d and 11e. By pressing the side surfaces 11d and 11e on the short side of the unfilled portion 11h of the bagged medium block 17 by each of these pressing pieces 207, the side surfaces 11d and 11e on the short side are pushed along the creases. Along with this, as shown in FIGS. 25E and 25F, the side surfaces 11b and 11c on each longitudinal side of the bagged medium block 17 are moved toward the center, and the bag mouth 11f is closed.

At this time, each of the support pieces 205 of the support mechanism 204 is moved to the central side by being pushed by the side surfaces 11b and 11c on the longitudinal side, and as shown in FIGS. 25G and 25H, the bagged medium block 17 is not filled. The portion 11h is folded and put together in the central portion. The movement of each of the support pieces 205 may be mechanically moved in correspondence with the pressing of the pressing piece 207.

Then, the support pieces 205 of the support mechanism 204 and the pressing pieces 207 of the pressing mechanism 206 are gathered at the side surfaces 11d and 11e on the short side of the unfilled portion 11h, and the opposing support pieces 205 are close to each other. After that, as shown in FIGS. 25I and 25J, each support piece 205 of the support mechanism 204 is moved upward and pulled out from the unfilled portion 11h of the bagged medium block 17. At this time, the pressing piece 207 is maintained in a state where the bagged medium block 17 is pressed.

Next, after the unfilled portion 11h of the bagged medium block 17 is closed, as shown in FIGS. 26A and 26B, the upstream folding member 209 is arranged on the upstream side of the folding mechanism 208 in the transport direction, and the downstream folding member 209 is arranged on the downstream side. The downstream folding member 212 is arranged in. At this time, the upstream flat surface portion 210 of the first folding member 209 and the downstream flat surface portion 213 of the downstream folding member 212 are arranged on the upper surface side of the medium 12 of the filling portion 11 g.

After that, as shown in FIGS. 26C and 26D, the upstream folding member 209 and the downstream folding member 212 are moved so as to sandwich the closed unfilled portion 11h, respectively.

Then, after the unfilled portion 11h of the bagged medium block 17 is sandwiched between the upstream movable portion 211 and the downstream movable portion 214, the pressing piece 207 is transferred from the unfilled portion 11h as shown in FIGS. 26E and 26F. It is pulled out.

After that, as shown in FIG. 27A, the bagged medium block 17 is moved in the transport direction in a state where the unfilled portion 11h of the bagged medium block 17 is sandwiched and fixed between the upstream folding member 209 and the downstream folding member 212. Then, as shown in FIG. 27B, as the bagged medium block 17 moves, the upstream movable portion 211 of the upstream folding member 209 and the downstream movable portion 214 of the downstream folding member 212 move to the bagged medium block. The unfilled portion 11h of 17 is tilted to the upstream side, that is, the side opposite to the transport direction while sandwiching the unfilled portion 11h, and the unfilled portion 11h is bent on the upper surface side of the medium 12.

From this state, when the bagged medium block 17 is further conveyed, as shown in FIG. 27C, the unfilled portion 11h of the bagged medium block 17 is removed from the fixed upstream folding member 209 and the downstream folding member 212. By pulling out, the bagged medium block 17 is in a bent state of the unfilled portion 11h.

Then, as shown in FIG. 27C, the unfilled portion 11h of the bagged medium block 17 folded by the first folding means 22Ab1 becomes substantially parallel to the upper surface of the medium 12, and the next second folding means 22Ab2 Is moved to.

Next, the second folding means 22Ab2 will be described with reference to FIG. 28. The second folding means 22Ab2 has a pushing mechanism 215 that pushes in from above and a fixing mechanism 218 that fixes from below in order to re-bend the unfilled portion 11h that is bent substantially parallel to the medium 12. In the second embodiment, the pushing mechanism 215 of the second folding means 22Ab2 is provided with the shaping means 22Ac.

As shown in FIG. 28A, the pushing mechanism 215 of the second folding means 22Ab2 is provided so that the pushing member 216 of the plate having a predetermined width is provided along the side surface 11b of the bagged medium block 17 toward the lower side. Has been done.

Further, on the side opposite to the side of the pushing member 216 of the second folding mechanism 22Ab2 that comes into contact with the unfilled portion 11h, a base portion 217 to which the shaping means 22Ac is attached is provided, and the pushing member 216 and the base portion 217 are provided. Is connected.

The fixing mechanism 218 has a plate-shaped fixing plate 219 having a predetermined width, and enters between the bagging medium block 17 and the pushing member 216 of the pushing mechanism 215 from the lower side, and the tip portion of the fixing plate 219. Will be placed at approximately the same position as the upper surface of the medium. The fixing plate 219 is a member for performing marking by receiving the shaping means 22Ac descending from above with the bent portion of the unfilled portion 11h sandwiched between them.

As in the first embodiment, the shaping means 22Ac is composed of a heater block 136 for heating, and a pair of tapered portions are provided on the tip side of the heater block 136, and the width becomes narrower toward the tip. (See FIG. 14). A press recess is formed at a position where the heater block 136 is in contact with the fixing plate 219 (the heater receiving base 134 in the first embodiment) at the narrowed tip. The temperature of the heater block 136 can be appropriately set, and can be, for example, about 50 ° C. to 200 ° C., preferably about 100 ° C. to 150 ° C.

Next, the operation of the second folding means 22Ab2 will be described with reference to FIG. 28. In the bagged medium block 17 in which the unfilled portion 11h conveyed from the first folding means 22Ab1 is folded substantially parallel to the medium 12, the pushing member 216 of the pushing mechanism 215 in the second folding means 22Ab2 moves from above to below. When moving downward, it comes into contact with the unfilled portion 11h of the packed medium block 17 in the folded state and is bent again by pressing.

At this time, the fixing plate 219 of the fixing mechanism 218 enters between the bagging medium block 17 and the pushing member 216 of the pushing mechanism 215 from the lower side of the pushing mechanism 215, and the tip of the fixing plate 219 is substantially the same as the upper surface of the medium. It will be placed in position (see FIG. 28B).

Then, the unfilled portion 11h of the bagged medium block 17 is bent along the folding allowance 11i of the medium 12, and the bag mouth 11f side is bent so as to face downward along the side surface 11b (see FIG. 28C).

After that, the unfilled portion 11h is marked with the folding allowance 11i by the shaping means 22Ac of the pushing mechanism 215. In this trace, the heat of the heater block 136 is applied to the bag by sandwiching the unfilled portion 11h between the shaping means 22Ac and the fixing plate 219, and the height of the medium storage portion on the long side side of the bag mouth is high. A downward crease is formed at the position along the long side direction (see FIG. 28D).

Next, the container loading machine 23A will be described with reference to FIGS. 29 to 34. Similar to the container unloading machine 23 of the first embodiment, the container unloading machine 23A takes out one from the arranging means 23Aa for arranging a plurality of bagged medium blocks 17 at predetermined positions and the plurality of containers 15 prepared in advance. The container setting means 23Ab to be set, the carry-in means 23Ac to carry the arranged number into the container 15, and the container transport means 23Ad to carry the container 15 filled with the bagged medium block 17 to the next machine (sterilizer). (See FIG. 4).

The container loading machine 23A of the second embodiment is a loading means for loading and accommodating the arranging means 23Aa for aligning the bagged medium blocks 17 in a predetermined arrangement and the plurality of bagged medium blocks 17 in the aligned state into the container 15. It has 23Ac.

As shown in FIGS. 29A and 29B, the arranging means 23Aa aligns the turntable 220 for arranging the bagged medium blocks 17 in a predetermined arrangement and the bagged medium blocks 17 and carries them into the container 15. The carry-in means 23Ac has a carry-in cover member 223 and a plate-shaped receiving plate member 227 for receiving a plurality of packed medium blocks 17 aligned from the arrangement means 23Aa, and a bottom portion 15a of the container 15. It has an elevating mechanism 229 that allows a plurality of rod members 228 to be penetrated through the plurality of gaps 15b provided and accommodates the bagged medium block 17 in the container 15.

The rotary table 220 of the arrangement means 23Aa of the container loading machine 23A has a rotatable rotating member 221 and a rotating shaft portion 222 for rotating the rotating member 221 and is driven by a driving means (not shown).

Further, the carry-in cover member 223 has a flat ceiling surface 224 on the upper surface, that is, the side opposite to the side mounted on the rotary table 220, and the opposite side, that is, the rotary member 221 side is open. , It is formed of a substantially box-shaped body surrounded by a wall plate body 225.

Further, the inside of the carry-in cover member 223 is separated by a plurality of partition plates 226. The partition plate 226 of the carry-in cover member 223 has a bagging medium block 17 having a substantially swastika shape, that is, one of the other bagging medium blocks 17 adjacent to one longitudinal side of one bagging medium block 17. They are separated so that the short sides are placed close to each other.

Further, an opening 225a into which the bagging medium block 17 is inserted is formed in the wall plate body 225 around the carry-in cover member 223. In the second embodiment, the opening 225a is formed in a size such that the short side of the bagged medium block 17 can be inserted.

Further, the opening 225a is provided with a stopper for preventing the inserted bagged medium block 17 from coming out (not shown).

As shown in FIGS. 31A and 31B, the receiving plate member 227 of the carrying-in means 23Ac is formed of a plate having a size on which a plurality of aligned bagged medium blocks 17 can be placed, and is repeatedly moved, in the second embodiment. , The plurality of bagged medium blocks 17 are moved in a direction substantially orthogonal to the transport direction.

Further, the elevating mechanism 229 of the carrying-in means 23Ac is composed of a base 230 that is repeatedly moved up and down, and a plurality of rod members 228 provided on the side where the bagged medium block 17 of the base 230 is carried in. There is. The plurality of rod members 228 are arranged so as to penetrate the plurality of gaps 15b formed in the bottom portion 15a of the container 15.

Next, the operation of the container loading machine 23A of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 29 to 34. The bagged medium block 17 conveyed from the bag folding machine 22A is first sent to the arranging means 23Aa of the container loading machine 23A. At this time, in the second embodiment, the bagging medium block 17 conveyed from the bag folding machine 22A is packed in a bag because the folded unfilled portion 11h faces the upstream side as shown in FIG. 27. The orientation is adjusted by an orientation adjusting unit (not shown) that is rotated by approximately 90 ° so that the short side of the medium block 17 is conveyed first. As the orientation adjusting unit, a method such as hooking a corner portion on the packaged medium block 17 to be transported and then passing the guide rail or the like can be used. Further, by arranging the conveyors and the like to be transported at right angles instead of straight lines, the transport direction of the bagged medium block 17 can be rotated by approximately 90 °.

Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 29A and 29B, in the arrangement means 23Aa of the container loading machine 23A, the loading cover member 223 is arranged on the rotating member 221 of the rotary table 220 so that the open side faces. At this time, the carry-in cover member 223 may be placed on the rotating member 221, or a gap may be provided between the carry-in cover member 223 and the rotating member 221. Further, the opening 225a of the carry-in cover member 223 is arranged at the destination where the bagging medium block 17 is conveyed from the bag folding machine 22A.

First, as shown in FIGS. 29A to 29D, the bagged medium block 17 whose orientation is adjusted so that the short side is first conveyed is conveyed to the rotary table 220. At this time, it is inserted into the carry-in cover member 223 through the opening 225a of the carry-in cover member 223 arranged on the rotary member 221 of the rotary table 220. This insertion is performed, for example, by transporting by a conveyor or pressing from the rear side, that is, the upstream side of the bagged medium block 17.

After the bagging medium block 17 is inserted into the carry-in cover member 223 on the rotary member 221 of the rotary table 220, the rotary table is rotated by approximately 90 ° as shown in FIGS. 29E and 29F, and the next bagging medium is rotated. The block 17 is inserted inside the carry-in cover member 223. Then, this step is repeated until the four bagged medium blocks 17 are accommodated in all the carry-in cover members 223, in the second embodiment (see FIGS. 30A to 30F).

After that, the carry-in cover member 223 is moved to the carry-in means 23Ac of the container carry-in machine 23A in a state where the four bagged medium blocks 17 are housed. At this time, the carry-in cover member 223 is moved, and the bagged medium block 17 inside is moved while being housed in a swastika shape.

In the carrying-in means 23Ac, the container 15 is arranged in advance in the container arranging unit 231 by the container setting means 23Ab. In the container arranging unit 231, as shown in FIGS. 31C and 31D, a receiving plate member 227 for receiving the bagging medium block 17 moved together with the carry-in cover member 223 is arranged so as to cover the container 15. Further, a plurality of rod members 228 are raised by the elevating mechanism 229, penetrated through the gap 15b of the container 15, and arranged in a state close to the receiving plate member 227.

Then, as shown in FIGS. 32A and 32B, the plurality of bagged medium blocks 17 are moved from the rotary table 220 together with the carry-in cover member 223 onto the receiving plate member 227 of the carry-in means 23Ac and arranged.

After that, as shown in FIGS. 33A and 33B, the receiving plate member 227 is moved. In the second embodiment, the bagged medium block 17 is moved in a direction substantially orthogonal to the transport direction. When the receiving plate member 227 is moved, the bagging medium block 17 stays in the carry-in cover member 223 because the movement is hindered by the carry-in cover member 223. Then, as the receiving plate member 227 supporting the bag is removed from the bagging medium block 17, the bagging medium block 17 moves downward, that is, falls in the direction of the container 15, and is moved onto the rod member 228 of the elevating mechanism 229. Will be placed in.

From this state, as shown in FIGS. 33C and 33D, when the elevating mechanism 229 moves downward, the bagging medium block 17 placed on the rod member 228 also moves downward along with the movement of the rod member 228, and the rod As the member 228 moves below the bottom 15a of the container 15, the bagged medium block 17 is accommodated in the container 15 (see FIGS. 33E and 33F).

After that, as shown in FIG. 34, the container 15 containing the plurality of bagged medium blocks 17 is transported to the sterilizer by the later container transport means 23Ad.

Further, the carry-in cover member 223 is arranged on the rotary table 220 of the arrangement means 23Aa. A plurality of carry-in cover members 223 may be used, and these can be used in rotation.

Further, the container 15 is arranged in the container arranging unit 231 by the container setting means 23Ab. Then, the receiving plate member 227 is moved to the container arranging portion 231 and the elevating mechanism 229 raises the rod member 228 to accommodate the next bagged medium block 17.

As described above, the bagged medium block 17 of the second embodiment is automatically transported to the sterilizer.

[Embodiment 3]
Next, the bagging medium block manufacturing apparatus 20B according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 35 to 39. The bag-packed medium block manufacturing device 20B of the third embodiment is different from the bag-packed medium block manufacturing device 20A of the second embodiment in a part of the configuration of the bag folding machine 22A and the container loading machine 23A. The same reference numerals are given to the configurations common to the first and second embodiments, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. Further, since the method for producing the bagged medium block of the third embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The bagging medium block manufacturing apparatus 20B of the third embodiment is a block forming machine 21 for forming the bagging medium block 17 having the bag mouth 11f open, as shown in FIG. 4, similarly to the first and second embodiments. , A bag folding machine 22B that folds the unfilled portion 11h so that foreign matter does not enter from the opened bag mouth 11f, and a container that carries the packed medium block 17 that folds the unfilled portion 11h into a container 15 of a predetermined size. It is equipped with a carry-in machine 23B. Since the block forming machine 21 of the third embodiment is common to the block forming machine 21 of the first and second embodiments, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

First, the bag folding machine 22B of the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 35 to 37. The bag folding machine 22B of the third embodiment folds the bag mouth shaping means 22Ba for shaping the vicinity of the bag mouth of the bagging medium block 17 and the unfilled portion 11h so that foreign matter does not enter from the open bag mouth 11f. It has means 22Bb and sending means 22Bd to be sent to the next machine (container carrier). However, unlike the second embodiment, there is no shaping means for habituating the folded folding allowance 11i.

Further, since the bag mouth shaping means 22Ba of the bag folding machine 22B of the third embodiment is common to the bag mouth shaping means 22Aa of the second embodiment, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Next, the folding means 22Bb of the third embodiment will be described. Similarly to the first embodiment, the folding means 22Bb of the third embodiment also folds the bagged medium block 17 by gusset folding. Further, the folding means 22Bb of the third embodiment has only the first folding means 22Ab1 of the folding means 22Ab described in the second embodiment. That is, in the folding means 22Bb of the third embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 25 to 27, the bagged medium block 17 is folded until the unfilled portion 11h is substantially parallel to the medium 12. Become. Since the folding means 22Bb of the third embodiment has the same configuration as the first bag folding means 22Ab1 of the second embodiment, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Next, the container loading machine 23B of the third embodiment will be described. Similar to the container carry-in machines 23 and 23A of the first and second embodiments, the container carry-in machine 23B of the third embodiment includes an arrangement means 23Ba for arranging a plurality of bagged medium blocks 17 at predetermined positions and a plurality of prepared in advance. The next machine is a container setting means 23Bb in which one is taken out from the individual containers 15 and set, a carry-in means 23Bc in which the arranged number is collectively carried into the container 15, and a container 15 in which the bagging medium block 17 is packed. It has a container transporting means 23Bd for transporting to (sterilizer) (see FIG. 4).

As shown in FIGS. 35, 36, and 37A, the arranging means 23Ba of the container loading machine 23B sandwiches the side surfaces 11b and 11c on the upstream side and the downstream side of the bagging medium block 17 sent from the bag folding machine 22B. It has an arrangement mechanism 241 for arranging the containers 15 set by the container setting means 23Bb in the container arranging unit 240.

As shown in FIG. 37A, the arrangement mechanism 241 holds at least two holding pieces 242 and 242 holding both side surfaces of the bagged medium block 17 and the holding pieces 242 and 242 in the vertical direction and the front-back direction, that is, It has a moving unit 243 that moves in the transport direction.

In addition, the arrangement mechanism 241 also bends the unfilled portion 11h of the bagged medium block 17. That is, as shown in FIGS. 37A and 37B, after the bagging medium block 17 bent so that the unfilled portion 11h is substantially parallel to the medium 12 is conveyed by the bag folding machine 22B, the arrangement mechanism 241 is sandwiched. When the pieces 242 and 242 are moved from the upper side to the lower side, the unfilled portion 11h is pressed downward by the one holding piece 242, and the unfilled portion 11h is folded at the folding allowance 11i.

After that, as shown in FIG. 37C, the bagged medium block 17 is moved by the holding pieces 242 and 242 while the unfilled portion 11h is folded, and is moved onto the container arrangement portion 240 so as to be arranged. Become.

Further, as shown in FIG. 38A, the loading means 23Bc of the container loading machine 23B has a rotating mechanism 245 for rotating the rotating member 244 and a plurality of rod members 246 from a plurality of gaps 15b provided in the bottom portion 15a of the container 15. It has an elevating mechanism 247 for accommodating a plurality of bagged medium blocks 17 that have been penetrated and arranged in a container 15. Further, the rotating shaft portion 248 extending from the rotating member 244 rotated by the rotating mechanism 245 is connected to the elevating mechanism 247.

The rotation mechanism 245 rotates a rotating member 244 having a rotatable size and a plurality of rod members 246 provided on the upper surface of the rotating member 244, that is, on the side where the bagged medium block 17 is arranged. It has a rotating shaft portion 248.

Further, as shown in FIG. 39A, the elevating mechanism 247 is connected to the rotating shaft portion 248 extending from the rotating mechanism 245, and by moving the rotating shaft portion 248, the rotating mechanism 245 is moved up and down. ing.

Next, the operation of the container loading machine 23B will be described with reference to FIGS. 35 to 39. First, the bag-packed medium block 17 folded by the bag-folding machine 22B so that the unfilled portion 11h is substantially parallel to the medium 12 is conveyed to the container loading machine 23B. At this time, the unfilled portion 11h of the bagged medium block 17 is bent to the opposite side to the transport direction, that is, to the upstream side (see FIG. 36).

Then, as shown in FIGS. 37A and 37B, the bagging medium block 17 bent from the bag folding machine 22B so that the unfilled portion 11h is substantially parallel to the medium 12 is provided in the arrangement means 23Ba of the container loading machine 23B. , It is sandwiched by the sandwiching pieces 242 and 242 of the arrangement mechanism 241 descending from above to the side surfaces 11b and 11c on the upstream side and the downstream side of the bagged medium block 17. At this time, one holding piece 242 is brought into contact with the bag as it descends, and the unfilled portion 11h of the bagged medium block 17 is bent along the medium 12. That is, the portion of the unfilled portion 11h that is bent substantially parallel to the medium 12 is bent along the folding allowance 11i of the medium 12 and is folded.

Then, as shown in FIG. 37C, the bagged medium block 17 in which the unfilled portion 11h is folded is moved by the moving portion 243 in a state of being sandwiched between the sandwiching pieces 242 and 242 of the arrangement mechanism 241. It is moved to the carry-in means 23Bc of the container carry-in machine 23B.

In the carrying-in means 23Bc, the rotating mechanism 245 raised by the elevating mechanism 247 causes the rod member 246 to form from a plurality of gaps 15b formed in the bottom portion 15a of the container 15 previously placed on the container arranging portion 240 by the container setting means 23Bb. It is waiting in the inserted state (see FIG. 37C).

Then, the bagged medium block 17 moved by the arranging means 23Ba is placed on the tip end side of the rod member 246 of the rotation mechanism 245.

After that, as shown in FIG. 38A, the rotation mechanism 245 is rotated by approximately 90 ° to move the placed bagging medium block 17, and the next bagging medium block 17 is arranged by the arrangement means 23Ba by the same step. Is moved to the carry-in means 23Bc.

Next, as shown in FIGS. 38B and 38C, four bagged medium blocks 17 are arranged in a bag shape, and then, as shown in FIG. 39A, the elevating mechanism 247 moves the rotation mechanism 245 downward. The bagged medium block 17 placed on the tip of the rod member 246 is carried into the container 15.

After that, the container 15 into which the bagged medium block 17 is carried is transported to the next sterilizer by the container transport means 23Bd, and a new container 15 is set by the container set means 23Bb (see FIG. 39B). ).

Then, the elevating mechanism 247 is raised, the rod member 246 is inserted into the gap 15b of the container 15, and the next bagged medium block 17 is carried in (see FIG. 39C).

[Modification example]
Next, the bagging medium block manufacturing apparatus 20B _{1 according} to the modified example of the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 40 and 41. In the bagging medium block manufacturing apparatus 20B of the third embodiment, the folded unfilled portion 11h of the bagged medium block 17 is placed in the container 15 by the container loading machine 23B in a state of being tilted on the opposite side in the transport direction, that is, on the upstream side. However, in the modified example, the folded unfilled portion 11h of the bagged medium block 17 is carried into the container 15 by the container carry-in machine 23B so as to be in a state of being tilted toward the transport direction side, that is, the downstream side. It is supposed to be done. The same reference numerals are given to the configurations common to the first to third embodiments, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Further, the bagging medium block manufacturing apparatus 20B ₁ of the modified example of the third embodiment has a configuration in which a part of the container loading machine 23B is different from that of the bagging medium block manufacturing apparatus 20B of the third embodiment. , Other configurations are common. Therefore, detailed description of the block forming machine 21 and the bag folding machine 22B of the modified example will be omitted.

_{As shown in FIG. 40, the container loading machine 23B 1} of the modified example of the third embodiment _{has an arrangement means 23B 1} a for arranging a plurality of bagged medium blocks 17 at predetermined positions in a predetermined direction in advance. A container packed with a container setting means 23Bb in which one is taken out from a plurality of prepared containers 15 and set, a carrying means 23Bc in which the arranged number is collectively carried into the container 15, and a bagging medium block 17 are packed. It has a container transporting means 23Bd for transporting 15 to the next machine (sterilizer) (see FIG. 4).

Here, in the arranging means 23Ba of the third embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 36 and 37, the unfilled portion 11h of the bagged medium block 17 faces the opposite side to the transport direction, that is, the upstream side by the arranging mechanism 241. It is folded in the original state, moved and arranged on the container arranging unit 240, and carried into the container 15. State the other hand, in the arrangement means 23B 1 _a modification, as shown in FIG. 40, unfilled portion 11h of the bagging medium block 17 by the arrangement mechanism 241 ₁ is opposite to the conveying direction, i.e. facing upstream After being folded in, the folded unfilled portion 11h is moved and arranged on the container arranging portion 240 so as to face the transport direction side, that is, the downstream side by being rotated by approximately 180 °, and is placed in the container 15. It is supposed to be carried in.

The rotation of the arrangement mechanism 241 ₁ when, for example, as shown in FIG. 41A~ Figure 41D, is performed by a rotatable forming the mobile unit 243 ₁ constituting the array mechanism 241 _1. Then, by rotating the moving unit 243 ₁ in a state of being sandwiched holding pieces 242, 242, it is possible to rotate the packaged media block 17. The rotation direction of the bagged medium block 17 is not limited to clockwise, but may be counterclockwise.

By doing so, when the folded unfilled portion 11h of the bagged medium block 17 is arranged in the container 15, it is arranged inside, and it is suppressed to each of the arranged bagged medium blocks 17. By doing so, it becomes possible to suppress the opening of the unfilled portion 11h.

Since the container setting means 23Bb, the carry-in means 23Bc, and the container transport means 23Bd, which are the subsequent steps, are common to the third embodiment, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Further, in the folding means 22b, 22Ab, 22Bb of the bag folding machines 22, 22A, 22B in the first to third embodiments, the unfilled portion 11h of the bagging medium block 17 in which the bag mouth 11f is closed is substantially parallel to the medium 12. A folding mechanism 208 is used to fold the bag so as to be (see FIGS. 26 and 27), but the present invention is not limited to this, and the unfilled portion of the bagged medium block 17 as shown in FIGS. 42A to 42C. By installing the contact member 300 that comes into contact with the contact member 300 on the downstream side of the bagging medium block 17 in the transport direction, the unfilled portion 11h that is in contact with the contact member 300 as it moves due to transport. Can be folded.

The contact member 300 is provided so as to be in contact with the unfilled portion 11h, and for example, a rod member having a predetermined length may be provided in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction, or an upper portion may be provided. It may be provided so as to hang down so that it can come into contact with at least a part of the unfilled portion 11h, and further, a known configuration may be provided.

Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments, the shaping means 22c and 22Ac that trace the folded unfilled portion 11h so as not to return are used, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the folded portion 11h is folded as shown in FIG. 42D. It is also possible to provide the ceiling portion 400 according to the height of the unfilled portion 11h. The ceiling portion 400 can prevent the unfilled portion 11h of the bagged medium block 17 from rising. The ceiling portion 400 may be made of, for example, a resin material, a metal material, or a hard material such as wood, or may be made of a resin material or a cloth net.

Furthermore, not limited to the ceiling portion 400, in order to bring the unfilled portion 11h of the bagged medium block 17 to the opposite side to the transport direction, that is, to the upstream side, the downstream side in the transport direction or a predetermined state. The air may be blown by a blower or the like provided at an angled position to maintain the folded state by the wind pressure.

In the bagged medium block 17 of each embodiment, an example of gusset folding is described, but the present invention is not specified thereto and can be applied to single character folding and the like. As shown in FIG. 43A, the one-character fold is a method of folding the unfilled portion 11h of the bagged medium block 17 in a state where both short sides 11d and 11e are stretched straight outward when the bag mouth 11f side is closed. Therefore, the bag mouth 11f side of the bag has two layers everywhere. Even when the bag mouth 11f is folded by one character, as shown in FIGS. 43B and 43C, the unfilled portion 11h can be folded to form the bagging medium block 17.

Further, in the case of single-character folding, in addition to the case described in the first embodiment, for example, the mechanism of the folding means 22Ab of the bag folding machine 22A of the second embodiment can be partially changed. That is, as shown in FIG. 43D, from the opened bag mouth 11f side of the bagging medium block 17, the support piece 205 and the pressing mechanism 206 of the support mechanism 204 of the first bag folding means 22Ab1 of the bag folding means 22Ab1 After inserting the pressing pieces 207, respectively, as shown in FIG. 43E, the pressing pieces 207 are moved to both short sides 11d and 11e of the bagging medium block 17, respectively, and pressed outward to press the bag mouth. 11f can be closed by folding one character. Then, as shown in FIG. 43F, after pulling out each support mechanism 204 and each pressing mechanism 207, the subsequent process is performed in the state of the unfilled portion 11h in which the bag mouth 11f is folded by one character, and the bag mouth 11f is carried into the container. Become so.

In FIGS. 43D to 43F, the support piece 205 of the support mechanism 204 is shown as a single flat plate.

[Application Example 1]
The bagging medium block manufacturing apparatus 20C according to Application Example 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 44. FIG. 44 is a plan view of an apparatus for manufacturing a bagged medium block according to Application Example 1. The configurations common to the first to third embodiments are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. Further, since the method for producing the bagged medium block of Application Example 1 is the same as that of the first embodiment, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In Application Example 1, the block forming machine 21C is composed of a turntable, the bag is conveyed by the rotation of the turntable, and the bagging medium block 17 is in order of the bag setting means 21Ca, the bag mounting means 21Cb, and the bag shaping means. The bagging medium block 17 in which the medium 12 is filled in the 21Cc, the filling means 21Ce, the molding means 21Cf, and the bag body 11 is taken out from the sending means 21Cg to one end side of the first roller conveyor 287.

The bagged medium block 17 is conveyed from one end to the other by the first roller conveyor 287 and is charged into the bag folding machine 22C. In the bag folding machine 22C, the bag is folded by, for example, a bag folding device, and the bag mouth is temporarily fixed. The bag folding machine 22C has a bag mouth shaping means 22Ca, a folding means 22Cb, and a transporting means 22Cd in order, and the shaping means 22Cc can be provided depending on the usage mode. The details are described in the first to third embodiments.

The bagging medium block 17 with the bag mouth temporarily fixed is taken out from the bag folding machine 22C to one end of the second roller conveyor 288, and the bag is conveyed from one end to the other end of the second roller conveyor 288. The bagging medium block 17 at the other end of the second roller conveyor 288 is charged into the container loading machine 23C. The container loading machine 23C has an arranging means 23Ca, a container setting means 23Cb, a loading means 23Cc, and a container transporting means 23Cd, and has four bags swastika by a swastika alignment unit 293 having a center alignment guide 94 and an auxiliary alignment guide 295. They are aligned in shape and then stored in container 15. The details are described in the first to third embodiments.

The container 15 is transported by the container transport means 23Cd to a three-row alignment base (not shown), and the container 15 is housed in the loading carriage by the six-stage alignment upper and lower elevators as in the first embodiment.

Further, the first roller conveyor 287 is included in the first bridging portion 285, and the second roller conveyor 288 is included in the second bridging portion 286. The first bridging section 285 is a bridging section between the block forming machine 21C and the bag folding machine 22C, and the second bridging section 286 is a bridging section between the bag folding machine 22C and the container loading machine 23C.

In the bagging medium block manufacturing apparatus 20C of Application Example 1, a bridging portion is provided between the block forming machine 21C and the bag folding machine 22C and between the bag folding machine 22C and the container loading machine 23C, respectively. The bag folding machine 22C and the container loading machine 23C can be freely laid out with respect to the existing block forming machine 21C, whereby the layout of the bagging medium block manufacturing apparatus 20C can be freely set and all of them can be set. It is possible to automate the process.

In Application Example 1, a roller conveyor is illustrated as a bridging portion, but the bridging portion of the present invention is not specified as a roller conveyor. Further, in Application Example 1, an example in which the bag setting means 21Ca, the filling means 21Ce, the molding means 21Cf, and the delivery means 21Cg are at different positions on the turntable has been described, but the present invention is not specified thereto. For example, the filling means 21Ce and the molding means 21Cf may be at the same position, or the molding means 21Cf and the sending means 21Cg may be at the same position.

[Application example 2]
The bagging medium block manufacturing apparatus 20D according to Application Example 2 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 45. FIG. 45 is a plan view of the bagging medium block manufacturing apparatus 20D according to Application Example 2. In FIG. 45, the same reference numerals are given to the configurations common to the first to third embodiments and the first application example, and the description thereof will be omitted. Further, since the method for producing the bagged medium block of Application Example 2 is the same as that of the first embodiment, detailed description thereof will be omitted. Application Example 2 is different from Application Example 1 in that the bagged medium block is conveyed along the long side of the block forming machine 21D.

In Application Example 2, in the block forming machine 21D, the bag body 11 and the bagging medium block 17 were conveyed in the direction along the long side thereof, and were formed by the bag setting means 21Da, the bag mounting means 21Db, and the bag shaping means 21Dc. The bag body 11 is conveyed to the filling means 21 De. The filling means 21De, the molding means 21Df, and the sending means 21Dg are consistent with Application Example 1. That is, the medium 12 is supplied by the filling means 21De, the medium 12 is compression-molded by the molding means 21Df, and the bagged medium block 17 is taken out from that position to one end of the first roller conveyor 287.

The bagged medium block 17 is conveyed from one end to the other by the first roller conveyor 87 and is charged into the bag folding machine 22D. In the bag folding machine 22D, the bag is folded by, for example, a bag folding device, and the bag mouth is temporarily fixed. The bag folding machine 22D has a bag mouth shaping means 22Da, a folding means 22Db, and a transporting means 22Dd in order, and the shaping means 22Dc can be provided depending on the usage mode. The details are described in the first to third embodiments.

The bagging medium block 17 with the bag mouth temporarily fixed is taken out from the bag folding machine 22D to one end of the second roller conveyor 288, and the bag is conveyed from one end to the other end of the second roller conveyor 288. The bagging medium block 17 at the other end of the second roller conveyor 288 is charged into the container loading machine 23D. The container loading machine 23D has an arranging means 23Da, a container setting means 23Db, a loading means 23Dc, and a container transporting means 23Dd, and four bags are arranged in a swastika shape by a swastika alignment unit 293 as in the first embodiment. Then, it is stored in the container 15, and further, the container 15 is stored in the carry-in trolley 281. Details are described in Embodiment 1.

The first roller conveyor 287 is included in the first bridging portion 285, and the second roller conveyor 288 is included in the second bridging portion 286. The first bridging section 285 is a bridging section between the block forming machine 21D and the bag folding machine 22D, and the second bridging section 286 is a bridging section between the bag folding machine 22D and the container loading machine 23D.

By providing a bridge between the block forming machine 21D and the bag folding machine 22D and between the bag folding machine 22D and the container loading machine 23D, the bag folding machine can be compared with the existing block forming machine 21D. The 22D and the container loading machine 23D can be freely laid out, whereby the layout of the bagging medium block manufacturing apparatus 20D can be freely set, and the entire process can be automated.

In Application Example 2, a roller conveyor is illustrated as a bridging portion, but the bridging portion of the present invention is not specified as a roller conveyor. Further, in Application Example 2, an example in which the filling means 21De, the molding means 21Df, and the sending means 21Dg are the same has been described, but the present invention is not specified thereto, and for example, the filling means 21De and the molding means 21Dg are molded. The means 21Df may be placed at a different position, the molding means 21Df and the sending means 21Dg may be placed at different positions, or the filling means 21De, the molding means 21Df, and the sending means 21Dg may be placed at different positions.

[Application example 3]
The bagging medium block manufacturing apparatus 20E according to Application Example 3 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 46 is a plan view of the bagging medium block manufacturing apparatus 20E according to the third application example. In FIG. 46, the same reference numerals are given to the configurations common to those of the first embodiment and the first and second application examples, and the description thereof will be omitted. Further, since the method for producing the bagged medium block of Application Example 3 is the same as that of the first embodiment, detailed description thereof will be omitted. The application example 3 is different from the application examples 1 and 2 in that the culture medium block is formed while the bag is conveyed along the short side of the block forming machine 21E.

In Application Example 3, in the block forming machine 21E, the bagging medium block 17 is conveyed in the direction along the short side thereof, and the bag body 11 formed by the bag setting means 21Ea, the bag mounting means 21Eb, and the bag shaping means 21Ec is formed. , In order, sent to the filling means 21Ee and the molding means 21Ef. The forming means 21Ef and the sending means 21Eg coincide with each other, and after the medium 12 is compressed by the forming means Ef, the bagged medium block 17 is taken out from that position to one end of the first roller conveyor 287.

The bagged medium block 17 is conveyed from one end to the other by the first roller conveyor 287 and is charged into the bag folding machine 22E. In the bag folding machine 22E, the bag is folded by, for example, a bag folding device, and the bag mouth is temporarily fixed. The bag folding machine 22E is composed of the bag mouth shaping means 22Ea, the folding means 22Eb, and the transporting means 22Ed in order, and the shaping means 22Ec can be provided according to the usage mode. Details are described in Embodiment 1.

The bagging medium block 17 to which the bag mouth 11f is temporarily fixed is taken out from the bag folding machine 22E to one end of the second roller conveyor 288, and the bagging medium block 17 is directed from one end to the other end of the second roller conveyor 288. Be transported. The bagging medium block 17 at the other end of the second roller conveyor 288 is charged into the container storage unit included in the container loading machine 23E. The container loading machine 23E has an arranging means 23Ea, a container setting means 23Eb, a loading means 23Ec, and a container transporting means 23Ed, and four bags are arranged in a swastika shape by a swastika alignment unit 293 as in the first embodiment. Then, it is stored in the container 15, and further, the container 15 is stored in the carry-in cart. Details are described in the eighth embodiment.

The first roller conveyor 287 is included in the first bridging portion 285, and the second roller conveyor 288 is included in the second bridging portion 286. The first bridging section 285 is a bridging section between the block forming machine 21E and the bag folding machine 22E, and the second bridging section 286 is a bridging section between the bag folding machine 22E and the container loading machine 23E.

By providing a bridge between the block forming machine 21E and the bag folding machine 22E and between the bag folding machine 22E and the container loading machine 23E, the bag folding machine can be compared with the existing block forming machine 21E. The 22E and the container loading machine 23E can be freely laid out, whereby the layout of the bagging medium block manufacturing apparatus 20E can be freely set and the entire process can be automated.

In Application Example 3, a roller conveyor is illustrated as a bridging portion, but the bridging portion of the present invention is not specified as a roller conveyor. Further, in Application Example 3, an example in which the filling means 21Ee, the molding means 21Ef, and the sending means 21Eg are located at different positions has been described, but the present invention is not specified thereto, and for example, the filling means 21Ee and the molding means 21Ee are molded. The means 21Ef can be matched, the molding means 21Ef and the sending means 21Eg can be matched, or the filling means 21Ee, the molding means 21Ef, and the sending means 21Eg can be matched.

[Application example 4]
The bagging medium block manufacturing apparatus 20F according to Application Example 4 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 47. FIG. 47 is a plan view of the bagging medium block manufacturing apparatus 20F according to Application Example 4. The configurations common to the first to third embodiments and the first to third applications are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. Further, since the method for producing the bagged medium block of Application Example 4 is the same as that of the first embodiment, detailed description thereof will be omitted. The fourth application example is common to the first embodiment in that the bagging medium block 17 is conveyed by the self-propelled bagging machine 289 in the block forming machine 21F, but the bag folding machine 22F is the block forming machine 21F. It differs from the first embodiment in that it is separated from the first embodiment.

In Application Example 4, the bagging medium block 17 is conveyed by the self-propelled bagging machine 289 in the block forming machine 21F as in the first embodiment. After the bag body 11 is formed by the bag setting means 21Fa, the bag mounting means 21Fb, and the bag shaping means 21Fc and set in the self-propelled bagging machine 289, the self-propelled bagging machine 289 sequentially fills the filling means 21Ee, It is sent to the molding means 21Ef. The forming means 21Ff and the sending means 21Fg coincide with each other, and after the medium 12 is compressed in the forming means 21Ff, the bagged medium block 17 is taken out from that position to one end of the first roller conveyor 287. The self-propelled bagging machine 289 moves from the sending means 21Fg to the standby position, and is conveyed to the bag setting means 21F again.

The bagged medium block 17 is conveyed from one end to the other by the first roller conveyor 287 and is charged into the bag folding machine 22F. In the bag folding machine 22F, the bag is folded by, for example, a bag folding device, and the bag mouth is temporarily fixed. The bag folding machine 22F is composed of the bag mouth shaping means 22Fa, the folding means 22Fb, and the transporting means 22Fd in order, and the shaping means 22Ec can be provided according to the usage mode. Details are described in Embodiment 1.

The bagging medium block 17 with the bag mouth temporarily fixed is taken out from the bag folding machine 22F to one end of the second roller conveyor 288, and the bagging medium block 17 is conveyed from one end to the other end of the second roller conveyor 288. Will be done. The bagging medium block 17 at the other end of the second roller conveyor 288 is charged into the container storage unit included in the container loading machine 23F. The container loading machine 23F has an arranging means 23Fa, a container setting means 23Fb, a loading means 23Fc, and a container transporting means 23Fd, and four bags are arranged in a swastika shape by a swastika alignment unit 293 as in the first embodiment. Then, it is stored in the container 15, and further, the container 15 is stored in the carry-in cart. Details are described in Embodiment 1.

The first roller conveyor 287 is included in the first bridging portion 285, and the second roller conveyor 288 is included in the second bridging portion 286. The first bridging section 285 is a bridging section between the block forming machine 21F and the bag folding machine 22F, and the second bridging section 286 is a bridging section between the bag folding machine 22F and the container loading machine 23F.

By providing a bridge between the block forming machine 21F and the bag folding machine 22F and between the bag folding machine 22F and the container loading machine 23F, the bag folding machine can be compared with the existing block forming machine 21F. The 22F and the container loading machine 23F can be freely laid out, whereby the layout of the bagging medium block manufacturing apparatus 20F can be freely set, and the entire process can be automated.

In Application Example 4, a roller conveyor is illustrated as a bridging portion, but the bridging portion of the present invention is not specified as a roller conveyor. Further, in Application Example 4, an example in which the molding means 21Ff and the sending means 21Fg match has been described, but the present invention is not specified thereto, and for example, the filling means 21Fe and the molding means 21Ff are matched. Alternatively, the molding means 21Ff and the sending means 21Fg may be placed at different positions.

Further, in the above-mentioned manufacturing apparatus for each bagged medium block, the bagged medium block is carried into the container by making the block forming machine, the bag folding machine and the container carrying machine fully automatic. When only the medium block is formed, only the block forming machine and the bag folding machine can be fully automatic.

10: Manufacturing method of bagged medium block 11: Bag body 11f: Bag mouth 11h: Unfilled part 11i: Folding allowance 12: Medium 13: Block forming step 13a: Bag setting part 13b: Bag mounting part 13e: Filled part 13f : Block molding part 14: Folding process 14a: Bag mouth shaping part 14b: Folding part 14c: Shaped part 14d: Transport part 15: Container 15a: Bottom 15b: Gap 16: Container loading process 16a: Arrangement part 16b: Container set part 16c: Carrying part 16d: Container transporting part 17: Bagging medium block 20 to 20F: Bagging medium block manufacturing device 21: Block forming machine 21a: Bag setting means 21b: Bag mounting means 21c: Bag shaping means 21d: Weighing Means 21e: Filling means 21f: Molding means 21g: Sending means 22, 22A, 22B: Folding machines 22a, 22Aa, 22Ba: Bag mouth shaping means 22b, 22Ab, 22Bb: Folding means 22Ab1: First folding means 22Ab2: Second folding Means 22c, 22Ac: Shaped means 22d, 22Ad, 22Bd: Sending means 23, 23A, 23B: Container loading machine 23a, 23Aa, 23Ba: Arrangement means 23b, 23Ab, 23Bb: Container setting means 23c, 23Ac, 23Bc: Carrying means 23d, 23Ad, 23Bd: Container transport means 201: Cylindrical body 202: Intake port 203: Blower 204: Support mechanism 205: Support piece 206: Pressing mechanism 207: Pressing piece 208: Folding mechanism 209: Upstream side folding member 210: Upstream Side plane part 211: Upstream side movable part 212: Downstream side folding member 213: Downstream side flat part 214: Downstream side movable part 215: Pushing mechanism 216: Pushing member 217: Base part 218: Fixing mechanism 219: Fixing plate 220: Rotation Base 221: Rotating member 222: Rotating shaft part 223: Carry-in cover member 224: Ceiling surface 225: Wall plate body 225a: Opening 226: Partition plate 227: Receiving plate member 228: Rod member 229: Elevating mechanism 230: Base 231 : Container arrangement part 240: Container arrangement part 241: Arrangement mechanism 242: Holding piece 243: Moving part 244: Rotating member 245: Rotating mechanism 246: Rod member 247: Elevating mechanism 248: Rotating shaft part

Claims (10)

A container that houses the bagged medium block and
A container supply means for supplying the container and
When the container supplied by the container supply means is viewed in a plan view, the bagged medium block is moved up and down between the lowering position in the plan view container and the ascending position in the plan view container above the lowering position. possible, and the bagged medium block lifting means bagged media block is placed on top,
When the bagged medium block elevating means is in the raised position, the bagged medium block sending means for sending the bagged medium block into the plan view container and the bagged medium block sending means.
A container transporting means for transporting the container in a state where a predetermined number of the packed medium blocks are housed in the container and the packed medium block is moved from the ascending position to the descending position by the filling medium block elevating means. When,
A container loading device characterized by being equipped with. The container loading device according to claim 1, wherein the bagged medium block elevating means has a rod member that can be elevated and lowered. The container loading device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the bagged medium block elevating means raises and lowers the bagged medium block in a plan view container via a receiving plate member. The container loading device further includes a container rotating means for rotating the container, and rotates the container each time the bagged medium block is sent out to the container by the bagged medium block sending means. The container loading device according to any one of 1 to 3. In front of the container carrying apparatus wherein the bagging medium block delivery means includes a bagging media block alignment means for aligning a plurality of the packaged media block, a plurality of aligned state by the bagging media block alignment means The container loading device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the bagged medium blocks are sent out to the container by the bagged medium block sending means. The fifth aspect of claim 5, wherein the bagged medium block aligning means includes a rotating device, and a plurality of the bagged medium blocks are aligned by rotating each time the bagged medium block is received. Container loading device. An apparatus for producing a bagged culture medium block, which comprises the container carry-in apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6. The device for producing a bagged medium block according to claim 7, further comprising a bagged medium block forming machine and a bag folding machine. With the step of supplying a container to contain the bagged medium block,
When the supplied container is viewed in a plan view, the lowering position in the plan view container and the ascending position in the plan view container above the lowering position with the bagged medium block placed on the upper portion. A step of sending the bagged medium block into the plan view container when the bagged medium block elevating means that can be raised and lowered between the two is in the ascending position.
A step of transporting the container in a state where a predetermined number of the bagged medium blocks are housed in the container and the bagged medium block is moved from the ascending position to the descending position by the bagged medium block elevating means. ,
A container loading method characterized by being equipped with. A method for producing a bagged medium block, which comprises the container loading method according to claim 9.

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