JP7744682B2 - Binding device for flat seaweed bundles - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a device for bundling flat nori seaweed bundles used in the nori seaweed production process. That is, it relates to a device for bundling unfolded flat nori seaweed bundles.

In the production process of nori (dried nori), after the pre-processing of picking raw nori, washing with water, papering, dehydrating, and drying, the post-processing of inspection, counting, accumulation (folding), and bundling is carried out, and the nori is produced and shipped.
In a subsequent process, the dried and inspected flat seaweed is counted and accumulated into bundles of, for example, 10 sheets, and then typically folded in half, tied, and shipped.
In contrast to this conventional example 1 (typical example, general example), conventional example 2, in which the nori seaweed is not folded or bundled, but is instead bundled and shipped as flat, is also becoming more common due to market needs. Conventional example 2, in which flat nori seaweed is bundled and shipped in bundles of 50 or 100 sheets, has also recently become more common.
That is, after production and shipping, the nori seaweed is often subjected to secondary drying and secondary processing such as roasted nori seaweed and seasoned nori seaweed. In this case, in the case of Conventional Example 1, which was folded and bound as described above, the binding is untied and the folds are straightened out again, and the nori seaweed is dried and processed as the original flat nori seaweed.
In contrast, in order to avoid the labor of stretching, conventional example 2 has become common in which flat nori is bundled and shipped as is.

Examples of conventional example 2 of the device that binds and ships flat nori seaweed without folding it are those shown in the following Patent Documents 1 and 2.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-101809 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-101810

<<Prior Art>>
The bundling device (binding device) for flat seaweed bundles in Patent Documents 1 and 2 is composed of a structure combining a predetermined elevator, support plate, compression plate, bundled paper feed device (chucker), cylinder, etc.
Furthermore, since the binding portion of the flat seaweed is not compressed by the press, the binding portion is bound in a bulged state, which may cause damage to the seaweed.Furthermore, since multiple cylinders are used as the driving source, there are concerns about the stability of the press.
Therefore, there is a strong demand for a new structure for the bundling device for flat laver bundles of Conventional Example 2. The development of a new bundling device for flat laver bundles has been an issue.

About the present invention
The flat laver bundle binding device of the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances and to solve the above problems.
The present invention aims to provide a device for bundling flat seaweed bundles that, firstly, ensures reliable and stable bundling of flat seaweed bundles without any problems, and secondly, prevents damage to the flat seaweed bundles during bundling.

<<About each claim>>
The technical means of the present invention for solving such problems are as follows, as set forth in the claims.
Regarding claim 1, the following applies:
The flat laver bundle binding device of claim 1 is used in a laver production process, and is configured to include a conveyor, a press plate,
The conveyor has a bundling machine and a push-out member. The conveyor carries the nori seaweed one bundle at a time and transports it forward.
The press plate can move up and down between a lower base position and an upper top position, and the laver bundle that has been stopped from being conveyed is transferred onto the press plate above the base position, loaded, raised, and pressed and compressed from below between the press plate and the press receiver at the top position.
The binding machine binds the compressed bundle of laver seaweed together with the press plate with a binding band. The pushing member pushes and removes the compressed, bound, and lowered bundle of laver seaweed together with the binding band from the press plate, thereby obtaining a bundle of laver seaweed bound with the binding band.

Regarding claim 2, it is as follows:
The device for binding bundles of flat nori seaweed in claim 2 is the same as claim 1, except that the conveyor is a string conveyor. The binding machine binds the compressed flat nori seaweed bundle by wrapping it with binding bands from top to bottom and left to right, and at the same time, the press plate is also bound.
Regarding claim 3, the following applies:
The binding device for flat laver bundles of claim 3 is the same as claim 1, characterized in that the press plate is divided into left and right halves, and the push-out member is capable of reciprocating within the gap between the divided press plates.

Regarding claim 4, the following applies:
The binding device for flat nori seaweed bundles of claim 4 is the same as claim 1, in that the press plate has an auxiliary press plate below the front end thereof. The auxiliary press plate is vertically displaceable between a close position and a separate position relative to the press plate.
In the close position, the press plate works in conjunction with the press plate to compress the nori seaweed bundle, while in the separated position, the gap between the press plate and the wrapper band allows the lower part of the wrapper band to be pushed out or removed from under the press plate.
Regarding claim 5, the following applies:
The fifth aspect of the device for binding flat laver bundles is the same as the first aspect, except that the press plate is made of a thin plate with a thickness of just a few millimeters. This reduces the load imposed by the press plate when the lower part of the binding band is pushed out or pulled out from under the press plate.
Regarding claim 6, the following applies:
The device for binding flat nori seaweed bundles of claim 6 is the same as claim 5, but the press plate has a width that is equal to or slightly narrower than the width of the flat nori seaweed bundle, thereby reducing the load from the press plate when the lower part of the binding band is pushed out or pulled out from under the press plate.

<About the effects>
The present invention comprises such means and is as follows:
(1) This flat seaweed bundle binding device is used in the seaweed production process.
(2) First, a bundle of flat nori seaweed is brought under the binding machine. The press plate and auxiliary press plate are in their base positions under the binding machine. The auxiliary press plate is in its separated position from the press plate. The push-out member is in its forward position.
(3) The nori bundle is then lifted towards the binding machine. That is, the press plate and the auxiliary press plate, which have been displaced to a close position, rise from the lower base position, and then lift the nori bundle.
(4) After the Nori seaweed bundle is pressed and compressed, it is bound. That is, the press plate and auxiliary press plate stop at the top position and press and compress the Nori seaweed bundle. Then the binding machine binds the compressed Nori seaweed bundle together with the press plate with binding bands.
Meanwhile, the pusher member moves from an advanced position to a retracted position.
(5) The compressed and bound nori seaweed bundle is lowered. That is, the press plate and the auxiliary press plate are lowered, and the nori seaweed bundle is also lowered. After this, the auxiliary press plate is displaced from the close position to the separated position.
(6) After that, the bundle of nori seaweed is pushed out and extracted together with the binding band from the press plate. That is, the pushing member moves from the retracted position to the advanced position, and the bundle of nori seaweed bound with the binding band is pushed out and extracted.
(7) During such pushing and pulling, the lower part of the cable tie is pushed and pulled out from under the press plate by utilizing the gap formed between the press plate and the auxiliary press plate at the separated position.
(8) By placing an auxiliary press plate under the front end of the press plate, and by making the press plate thinner and narrower than the width of the nori seaweed bundle, the load from the press plate when pushing or extracting from under the press plate is further reduced. This reduces the load on the bottom of the nori seaweed bundle and especially on the bottom of the wrapper band.
(9) As described above, the binding device of the present invention is characterized by the following features for the flat laver bundle: (a) press compression from below, (b) binding together with the press plate, and (c) pushing and extracting from the press plate.
This reduces the friction and load on the flat laver bundle and the binding band, preventing damage and injury to them.

First Effect
First, the laver bundles can be bound reliably, stably and without any problems.
The device for binding laver bundles of the present invention is characterized by the adoption of unique methods (a), (b), and (c) that have never been used before, such as (a) compressing the laver bundle entirely from below, (b) binding it together with the press plate, and then (c) pushing and extracting it from the press plate.
In addition, by adjusting the thickness and width of the auxiliary press plate and the press plate, the load on the nori bundles and the binding bands is reduced, and the nori bundles are bound reliably, stably, and smoothly without any problems.

Second Effect
Secondly, damage to the laver bundles can be avoided.
As described above, the device for binding laver bundles of the present invention achieves binding while reducing the load on the laver bundle and the binding band, thereby preventing the laver bundle from being torn, wrinkled, disordered, scattered, bent, curved, deformed, or damaged during binding.
The flat nori seaweed bundles are free from quality, handling, and appearance problems, and damage is avoided. The flat nori seaweed bundles are easily damaged because they remain flat.
Thus, the effects of the present invention are remarkable and significant.

The following description will be given of an embodiment of the device for binding flat laver bundles according to the present invention. Figure (1) is a front view, and Figure (2) is a side view. 1A and 1B are explanatory front views of the entire process for explaining the embodiment of the present invention, in which (1) shows the first step, (2) shows the second step, and (3) shows the third step. 1A and 1B are explanatory front views of the entire process for explaining the embodiment of the present invention, in which (1) shows the fourth process and (2) shows the fifth process. 1A, 1B, and 1C are explanatory side views of a bundling process using a bundling machine, illustrating the embodiment of the invention. 1A, 1B, and 1C are explanatory side views of the bundling process performed by a bundling machine, and are provided for explaining an embodiment of the present invention. 1A and 1B are explanatory side views of a binding process performed by a binding machine, illustrating an embodiment of the present invention. This document is provided to explain the mode for carrying out the invention. Figures (1) and (2) are explanatory front views, showing a bound flat nori seaweed bundle before extrusion and removal from the press plate (Figure 1), and after extrusion and removal from the press plate (Figure 2). Figures (3) and (4) are explanatory side views, showing a bound flat nori seaweed bundle before extrusion and removal from the press plate (Figure 1), and after extrusion and removal from the press plate (Figure 2). Figures (5) and (6) are explanatory perspective views, showing a flat nori seaweed bundle before binding (Figure 5) and after binding (Figure 6).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
Overview of the Invention
The outline of the present invention is as follows.
The bundling device 1 for flat laver bundles A of the present invention is used in the laver production process and includes a conveyor 2, a press plate 3, a bundling machine 4, a push-out member 5, etc.
The conveyor 2 carries the flat laver bundles A one by one and transports them forward.
The press plate 3 can move up and down between a lower base position B and an upper top position C. The laver bundle A, which has been stopped from being conveyed, is transferred onto the press plate 3 above the base position B, loaded, and then raised to the top position C, where it is pressed and compressed from below between the press plate 3 and the press receiver.
The binding machine 4 binds the compressed flat laver bundle A together with the press plate 3 with a binding band D.
The pushing member 5 pushes and removes the compressed, bound and lowered flat laver bundle A together with the binding band D from the press plate 3. In this way, the flat laver bundle A bound with the binding band D is obtained.
The outline of the present invention is as described above. The present invention will be described in detail below.

About Conveyor 2 etc.
First, the conveyor 2 and other components of the binding device 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.
The conveyor 2 carries the laver bundles A one by one and transports them forward. The laver bundles A are fed from the previous counting and stacking process in bundles of 50 or 100 sheets without folding (see also (5) in Figure 7).
A single sheet of flat seaweed is a thin, roughly rectangular sheet measuring approximately 210 mm (up to 230 mm, or even 275 mm) in length and 190 mm (up to 200 mm) in width.
The conveyor 2 is a string conveyor, and is arranged at least below the binding machine 4. The width between the two strings is narrower than the width of the nori seaweed bundle A. In Figure 1(1), 6 is a motor for the drive mechanism of the conveyor 2.
As shown in FIG. 1, the conveyor 2 is provided with an alignment unit 7 below and before the binding machine 4 .
The alignment unit 7 consists of a pair of centering plates arranged on the left and right outer sides of the conveyor 2, and aligns the center of the width of the flat nori seaweed bundle A so that it passes through the center of the press plate 3. When the sensor 8 detects the arrival of the conveyed flat nori seaweed bundle A, the conveyor 2 is temporarily stopped and the alignment unit 7 aligns the center. In Figure 1(1), 9 is a motor for the drive mechanism of the alignment unit 7.
The above is the case for Conveyor 2, etc.

<<About Press Plate 3 (Part 1)>>
Next, the press plate 3 of the binding device 1 will be outlined with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, etc.
The press plate 3 can move up and down between a lower base position B and an upper top position C. Thus, the laver bundle A, which has been stopped from being conveyed, is transferred onto the press plate 3 at a position slightly above the base position B, loaded, and then raised to the top position C where it is press-compressed.
The press plate 3 will now be described in more detail. When the sensor 10 detects that the conveyed nori bundle A has reached the binding position, the conveyor 2 stops, and the nori bundle A stops at the binding position under the binding machine 4.
The press plate 3 then rises from its lower base position B, transferring the nori seaweed bundle A onto the stopped conveyor 2. The press plate 3 then rises with the nori seaweed bundle A loaded onto it, stopping at the top position C where it is pressed and compressed. In the illustrated example, the lower plate 11 of the binding machine 4 is used as the press support.
In FIG. 1A, reference numeral 12 denotes a motor for a drive mechanism 13 for the press plate 3, and the drive mechanism 13 uses a cam 14.
With regard to the press compression by the press plate 3, for example, the top position C and the press pressure can be appropriately selected, set, stabilized, managed, and maintained by inverter control of the motor 12 based on detection control using an encoder. A servo motor or a pulse motor can also be used.
The outline of the press plate 3 is as described above.

About the binding machine 4
Next, the binding machine 4 of the binding apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 4 to 6, etc.
The binding machine 4 is installed upright above the conveyor 2 at the binding position. The binding machine 4 binds the flat laver bundle A compressed by the press plate 3 together with the press plate 3 using a binding band D.
That is, the binding machine 4 binds the compressed flat seaweed bundle A by wrapping it with a binding band D at the center of the front and back, top, bottom, left and right, and also binds the press plate 3. A wide strip of paper tape is used as the binding band D.

Further details will be given of such a bundling machine 4. As the bundling machine 4, a commercially available, well-known bundling machine for bundling bundles of banknotes, bundles of sheets, etc. is used (for example, the OB-360N bundling machine manufactured by Strapack Co., Ltd.).
4 to 6 show an example of the bundling process using the bundling machine 4. In the figures, E denotes roll paper or tape for the bundling band D, 15 denotes a roller for feeding and rewinding, and 16 denotes a welding and cutting section.
From the initial state of the process shown in Figure 4(1), the roll paper E is fed out and guided to the periphery in the process shown in Figure 4(2). Then, in the process shown in Figure 4(3), the flat laver seaweed bundle A is loaded onto the press plate 3.
Next, in the process shown in Figure 5(1), the stacked and raised nori seaweed bundle A is pressed and compressed between the press plate 3 and the lower plate 11 of the binding machine 4. Then, in the process shown in Figure 5(2), the roll paper E is unwound, and in the process shown in Figure 5(3), the roll paper E becomes a binding band D, which wraps around, tightens, and binds the nori seaweed bundle A and the press plate 3.
As a result, the wrapper band D is heat-sealed between one end and the other end at the welding and cutting portion 16, and the end is cut off.
Then, in the process shown in Figure 6 (1), the bound laver bundle A and the press plate 3 are lowered, and the next roll paper E is fed out. Then, in the process shown in Figure 6 (2), the bound laver bundle A is pushed out and removed from the press plate 3 (see also Figures 7 (1) to (4)), and the laver waits for the next laver bundle A.
The above is the description of the binding machine 4.

<<Regarding the push-out member 5>>
Next, the push-out member 5 of the binding device 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.
The push-out member 5 pushes out and removes the compressed, bound, and lowered flat nori bundle A together with the binding band D from the press plate 3. The press plate 3 is divided into left and right halves, and the push-out member 5 can reciprocate back and forth between the divided press plates 3.

The push-out member 5 will now be described in more detail. First, the press plate 3 shown in the figure is divided into three parts: a central plate ₃₁ , a side plate ₃₂ , and a side plate ₃₃ , with a gap formed between each part (see the side view in Figure 1(2)).
The two push-out members 5 can be reciprocated within the two spaces formed between an advanced position F (see FIGS. 2(1) and 2(2) and 3(2) etc.) and a retracted position G (see FIGS. 2(3) and 3(1) etc.) by a drive mechanism equipped with a motor etc.
Therefore, the push-out member 5 is in the forward position F while the nori seaweed bundle A is not yet compressed (Fig. 2 (1) and (2)). → Then, when the nori seaweed bundle A is raised, compressed, and bound, the push-out member 5 moves backward from the forward position F to the backward position G (Fig. 2 (3)).
Then, when the nori seaweed bundle A descends (Fig. 3(1)), it advances from the retreat position G to the advance position F, pushing out and extracting the nori seaweed bundle A together with the binding band D from the press plate 3 (Fig. 3(2)) (see also Fig. 7(1)→(2) and Fig. 7(3)→(4)). Thus, the nori seaweed bundle A bound with the binding band D is obtained.
The pushing member 5 is as described above.

<<About the auxiliary press plate 17>>
Next, the auxiliary press plate 17 of the binding device 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 7(1) to 7(4), and the like.
The main press plate 3 described above is provided with a sub-auxiliary press 17 below its front end. The auxiliary press plate 17 is vertically displaceable between a close position H and a separate position J relative to the press plate 3.
At the close position H, it moves together with the press plate 3. At the separated position J, the gap formed between it and the press plate 3 is used to push out and extract the lower portion D' of the wrapper strap D.

The auxiliary press plate 17 will now be described in more detail. First, as described above, the press plate 3 shown in the figure is divided into three parts: the center plate ₃₁ , the side plate ₃₂ , and the side plate ₃₃ , and three auxiliary press plates 17 are attached below the front end of each of these plates.
Each of the three auxiliary press plates 17 can be displaced up and down between a close contact position H (see FIGS. 2(2) and 2(3)) in which it is in close contact with the bottom of the press plate 3 and a separated position J (see FIG. 2(1) and FIGS. 3(1) and 3(2)) in which it is separated from the bottom of the press plate 3 and a gap is formed.
Therefore, at the close contact position H, the laver bundle A can be pressed and compressed in conjunction with the press plate 3.
In contrast, at the separation position J, the upper and lower gaps formed between the press plate 3 are utilized to push out and extract the lower portion D' of the tie band D, which had previously also tied the press plate 3, from below the press plate 3 (see (1) in Figure 3) (see also (1) → (2) and (3) → (4) in Figure 7).
In Figure 1(1), reference numeral 18 denotes a cam of a drive mechanism 19 for the auxiliary press plate 17. This drive mechanism 19 shares the motor 12 with the drive mechanism 13 for the press plate 3, and the press plate 3 and the auxiliary press plate 17 are driven in cooperation with each other by the single motor 12 via the respective cams 14, 18.
Therefore, the setting, management, and maintenance of each top position C and press pressure are similar to those described above for the press plate 3, but these can be performed more appropriately in terms of the above-mentioned cooperative drive.
The auxiliary press plate 17 is as described above.

<<About Press Plate 3 (Part 2)>>
Next, the thickness and width of the press plate 3 will be described with reference to FIG. 1 and FIGS. 7(1) to 7(4).
First, the press plate 3 is made of a thin plate having a thickness measured in millimeters, for example, 2 mm to 5 mm. As a result, the press plate 3 functions to alleviate the load when the lower portion D' of the wrapper strap D is pushed out or pulled out from under the press plate 3.
That is, when the bound laver bundle A and the wrapper band D are pushed out and removed from under the press plate 3, the load on the lower part of the laver bundle A, especially the lower part D' of the wrapper band D, is alleviated and reduced by the press plate 3. Because the press plate 3 is thin, the load is alleviated and reduced compared to when the press plate 3 is thick, making the pushing and removal easier (see also Figure 7 (1) → (2) and Figure 7 (3) → (4)).
The press plate 3 has a width that is equal to or slightly narrower than the width of the flat nori seaweed bundle A. This allows the press plate 3 to absorb the load when the lower part D' of the wrapper band D is pushed out or pulled out from the press plate 3.
That is, when the bound nori seaweed bundle A and the wrapper band D are pushed out and removed from under the press plate 3, the load on the lower part of the nori seaweed bundle A, especially the lower part D' of the wrapper band D, is alleviated and reduced. Because the press plate 3 is narrow, the load is alleviated and reduced compared to when the press plate 3 is wide, making the pushing and removal easier (see also Figure 7 (3) → (4)).
The thickness and width of the press plate 3 are as described above.

《Effect etc.》
The present invention is configured as described above, and therefore follows the following first to fifth steps.
(1) The binding device 1 for flat laver bundles A of the present invention is used in the laver production process, in which laver is shipped as flat laver without being bent.

(2) First, in the first step shown in FIG. 2(1), a flat laver bundle A is conveyed (see also FIG. 1(1) and FIG. 7(5)).
That is, a bundle of, for example, 100 sheets of flat laver sheets A that have been counted and accumulated in the previous process is carried in by the conveyor 2 and centered in the aligning section 7 (see also FIG. 1).
The press plate 3 and the auxiliary press plate 17 are located at a lower base position B below the conveyor 2 and below the binding machine A. The auxiliary press plate 17 is located at a position J away from the press plate 3. The push-out member 5 is located at an advanced position F.
When the sensor 10 detects the conveyed flat seaweed bundle A, the conveyor 2 stops and one flat seaweed bundle A stops at the binding position.

(3) Then, in the second step of FIG. 2(2), the Nori bundle A is lifted up towards the binding machine 4.
That is, the press plate 3 and the auxiliary press plate 17 displaced to the close contact position H rise from the lower base position B, load the nori bundle A, and further rise toward the upper binding machine 4 (motor 12 rotates forward). The push-out member 5 is in the forward position F.

(4) Then, in the third step shown in FIG. 2(3), the laver bundle A is pressed and compressed, and then bound.
That is, the press plate 3 and the auxiliary press plate 17 at the close contact position H are stopped at the top position C, and the loaded nori bundle A is pressed and compressed between them and the lower plate 11 of the binding machine 4, which serves as the press support (the motor 12 is temporarily stopped).
Then, the binding machine 4 is operated to bind the compressed Nori seaweed bundle A together with the press plate 3 with a binding band D (see also Figures 4 and 5). Meanwhile, the push-out member 5 moves from its forward position F to its retracted position G in the lower space formed under the press plate 3.

(5) Then, in the fourth process shown in FIG. 3(1), the compressed and bound Nori sheet bundle A is lowered (see also FIG. 6(1)).
That is, the press plate 3 and the auxiliary press plate 17 at the close contact position H are lowered from the top position C (the motor 12 rotates in the reverse direction) and stopped directly above the conveyor 2 (the motor 12 is stopped). As a result, the loaded and bound Nori seaweed bundles A are also lowered and stopped.
Thereafter, the auxiliary press plate 17 is displaced from the close position H to the separated position J, and a gap is formed between the auxiliary press plate 17 and the press plate 3 .

(6) Thus, in the fifth step of Fig. 3(2), the flat seaweed bundle A is pushed out and extracted from the press plate 3 together with the tie band D (see also Fig. 7(1) → Fig. 7(2) and Fig. 7(3) → Fig. 7(4)).
That is, as the push-out member 5 moves from the retracted position G to the advanced position F, the bundle A of laver sheets bound with the wrapper band D is pushed forward and extracted (see also Fig. 6(2) and Fig. 7(6)). Then, the bundle A is discharged onto the conveyor 2, for example.
When the pushing-out and extraction are completed, the press plate 3 and the auxiliary press plate 17 return to the base position B below the conveyor 2 (the motor 12 rotates in the reverse direction again).

(7) When pushing out and extracting the flat seaweed bundle A and the wrapper band D from the press plate 3, the lower part D' of the wrapper band D is pushed out and extracted as follows.
The lower portion D' of the cable tie D is smoothly pushed out and pulled out from under the press plate 3 by utilizing the gap formed between the press plate 3 and the auxiliary press plate 17 at the separation position J (see (1) in Figure 3) (see also (1) → (2) and (3) → (4) in Figure 7).

(8) In addition, the auxiliary press plate 17 is provided under the front end of the press plate 3, and the thickness of the press plate 3 is thin. Furthermore, the width of the press plate 3 is smaller than the width of the nori seaweed bundle A. This further reduces the load imposed by the press plate 3 when pushing or extracting the sheet from below the press plate 3 (see also Figure 7 (1) → Figure 7 (2) and Figure 7 (3) → Figure 7 (4)).
That is, the friction and load exerted by the press plate 3 on the lower part of the flat seaweed bundle A, and especially on the lower part D' of the wrapper band D, is alleviated and reduced.

(9) As described above, the binding device 1 for the flat laver bundle A of the present invention employs a distinctive and unique method, such as (a) compressing the flat laver bundle A from the bottom as a whole, (b) binding it together with the press plate 3, and then (c) pushing and extracting it from the press plate 3.
As a result, (a), (b), and (c) enable the laver bundle A to be bound reliably and stably. The load on the laver bundle and the binding band D is also reduced, preventing damage to the laver bundle A.

"others"
First, the lower press method of the present invention is as follows.
While a typical press is of the top pressing type, in which the press plate 3 presses the object from above, the press plate 3 of the binding device 1 of the present invention is characterized by adopting the bottom pressing type, in which the object, the nori seaweed bundle A, is pressed from below (see Figures 2 and 3).
After pressing, the flat laver bundle A bound together with the press plate 3 by the binding band D is pulled out and removed from the press plate 3.
In this case, in the general top press method, it is necessary to lift and hoist the flat nori bundle A with the binding band D, which places a large load on the flat nori bundle A and may cause damage or breakage.
In contrast to this, the present invention employs a lower press method, so there is no need to lift or hoist the nori seaweed bundle A when pulling out or extracting it, which reduces the load and prevents damage to the nori seaweed bundle A.

Secondly, regarding the use of multiple cable ties D, the following applies.
In the above-described embodiment, one wrapper strap D is used, but the binding device 1 of the present invention is not limited to this and can also use a plurality of wrapper straps D.
In particular, when the length of the nori seaweed is long, for example, 275 mm, it is considered to use, for example, two wrappers D to prevent the bundle of nori seaweed A from scattering or scattering. That is, it is considered to use two wrappers D and wrap them around the bundle of nori seaweed A in parallel to bind it.
The process of the second binding (second roll) by the binding device 1 is similar to that of the first binding (first roll) described above, but after the first binding is completed, the nori seaweed bundle A is pushed and moved by the push-out member 5 to a position corresponding to the second binding, and then the nori seaweed bundle A is again raised by the press plate 3. Then, the second binding is performed, and the press plate 3 and the nori seaweed bundle A are lowered, and the twice-bound nori seaweed bundle A is pushed out and extracted by the push-out member 5.

A: Flat seaweed bundle B: Base position C: Top position D: Tie band D': Lower part of tie band E: Roll paper F: Forward position G: Retracted position H: Close position J: Separated position 1: Tie device 2: Conveyor 3: Press plate 3 _1: Center plate 3 _2: Side plate 3 _3: Side plate 4: Tie machine 5: Push-out member 6: Motor 7: Alignment section 8: Sensor 9: Motor 10: Sensor 11: Bottom plate 12: Motor 13: Drive mechanism 14: Cam
15 Roller 16 Welding and cutting section 17 Auxiliary press plate 18 Cam 19 Drive mechanism

Claims (6)

A device for bundling flat nori bundles used in the nori production process, comprising a conveyor, a press plate, a bundling machine, and an extrusion member.
The conveyor carries the Nori seaweed bundles one by one and transports them forward.
The press plate can move up and down between a lower base position and an upper top position, and the laver bundle that has been stopped is transferred onto the press plate above the base position, loaded, and then raised to the top position where it is pressed and compressed from below between the press plate and the press receiver.
The binding machine binds the compressed Nori seaweed bundle together with the press plate with a binding band,
The pushing member pushes out and pulls out the compressed, bound and lowered bundle of laver together with the binding band from the press plate, thereby obtaining a laver bundle bound with the binding band. A device for binding bundles of flat nori seaweed according to claim 1, characterized in that the conveyor is a string conveyor, and the binding machine binds the compressed bundle of flat nori seaweed by wrapping it with binding bands from top to bottom and left to right, and in doing so, also binding the press plate. The binding device for flat nori seaweed bundles according to claim 1, wherein the press plate is divided into left and right halves, and the push-out member is capable of reciprocating back and forth within the space between the divided press plates. In claim 1, the press plate has an auxiliary press plate below its front end, and the auxiliary press plate is vertically displaceable between a close position and a separated position relative to the press plate,
This device for binding flat seaweed bundles is characterized in that, at the close position, the device can press and compress the flat seaweed bundle in conjunction with the press plate, and, at the separated position, the gap formed between the device and the press plate can be used to push or pull out the lower part of the binding band from under the press plate. A device for binding bundles of flat nori seaweed according to claim 1, wherein the press plate is made of a thin plate having a thickness measured in millimeters, thereby reducing the load imposed by the press plate when the lower part of the binding band is pushed out or pulled out from under the press plate. 6. The device for binding flat nori seaweed bundles according to claim 5, wherein the press plate has a width that is equal to or slightly narrower than the width of the flat nori seaweed bundle, thereby reducing the load imposed by the press plate when the lower part of the binding band is pushed out or pulled out from under the press plate.