JP7770022B2 - packaging equipment - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a packaging device that packages agricultural produce in a packaging sheet.

Conventionally, a packaging device such as that described in Patent Document 1 below is known.

This conventional packaging device is equipped with a drawing means (drawing mechanism) that draws out the long sheet, and a cutting means that cuts the long sheet drawn out by the drawing means to obtain a packaging sheet. The cutting means also includes a receiving body, for example made of iron, that has a first receiving portion and a second receiving portion, a pressing body that presses the long sheet against both receiving portions of the receiving body, and a cutting body (cutter) that cuts the long sheet while it is pressed against both receiving portions by the pressing body to obtain a packaging sheet.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 7-315316

However, with the above-mentioned conventional packaging device, depending on the material of the packaging sheet, there is a risk that the packaging sheet may stick to the receiving body after being cut by the cutting body.

The present invention has been developed in consideration of these issues, and aims to provide a packaging device that can prevent packaging sheets from sticking.

The packaging device of the present invention is a packaging device for packaging agricultural produce in a packaging sheet, and is equipped with a drawing means for drawing out a long sheet, and a cutting means for cutting the long sheet drawn out by the drawing means to obtain a packaging sheet. The cutting means includes a receiving body having a sheet receiving portion, a pressing body for pressing the long sheet against the sheet receiving portion, and a cutting body for cutting the long sheet pressed against the sheet receiving portion to obtain a packaging sheet. The sheet receiving portion has a portion made of a material to which the packaging sheet does not stick.

This invention makes it possible to prevent packaging sheets from sticking together.

1 is a front perspective view of a packaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. FIG. FIG. 2 is a partial front view of the interior of the packaging device (with the first lifting body in the raised position). FIG. 2 is a partial front view of the interior of the packaging device (with the first lifting body in the lowered position). FIG. 3 is a side view showing a first lifting and lowering drive means of the packaging device. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a support means of the packaging device. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the drawing means of the packaging device. FIG. 2 is a front view showing the drawing means and cutting means. FIG. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a receiver of the cutting means. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 10. 4A to 4C are explanatory diagrams of the operation of the cutting means. 4A to 4D are explanatory diagrams for explaining the operation of the packaging process by the packaging device. (e) to (h) are explanatory diagrams continuing from FIG.

One embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 15.

In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a packaging device. This packaging device 1 is a lettuce packaging machine (vegetable packaging machine) that uses, for example, a rectangular packaging sheet S of a predetermined size to package a spherical agricultural product (item to be packaged) W, such as lettuce.

In other words, the packaging device 1 automatically packages agricultural produce W that has been manually supplied into the packaging device 1 through the supply port 2 by an operator with a packaging sheet S, and then automatically discharges the packaged agricultural produce W from the discharge port 3 to the outside of the packaging device 1.

The packaging sheet (packaging film) S is obtained by cutting a long sheet S0 drawn from a roll of sheet R into pieces of specified size. For example, it is a transparent stretch film made of synthetic resin that adheres to itself using static electricity. The sheet roll R is a long, continuous piece of packaging sheet S0 wound into a roll, and is rotatably supported by the support rollers 5 of the roll support means 4.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the packaging device 1 has a box-shaped device body 11 with a roughly rectangular parallelepiped outer shape. An upper plate 12 of the device body 11 is formed with a rectangular upper supply port 13. A horizontal support plate (packaging sheet support portion) 14 is provided below the upper plate 12 to support the packaging sheet S, which is unfolded flat, in a laid-on state.

A circular lower supply port 15 is formed in the support plate 14, facing the upper supply port 13. A portion (the outer peripheral portion) of the lower supply port 15 is openably and closably covered by a plurality of elastic resin plates 16, which are elastically deformable plate-like bodies arranged circumferentially around the lower supply port 15. The opposing upper supply port 13 and lower supply port 15 form a supply port 2, which allows an operator to manually supply unpackaged agricultural produce W from above into the device body 11.

A rectangular discharge opening 3 is formed on the rear panel 18 of the device body 11 for discharging the packaged agricultural produce W from the device body 11. In other words, packaged agricultural produce W, entirely wrapped in a packaging sheet S, is discharged from this discharge opening 3 to the device body 11. The agricultural produce W (packaged agricultural produce) discharged from the discharge opening 3 is transported to the next process by transport means such as a conveyor. Alternatively, the agricultural produce W discharged from the discharge opening 3 may be stored in a container, for example.

A rectangular surplus portion discharge outlet 20 is formed on the right panel 19 of the device body 11 for discharging the surplus portion S1 of the packaging sheet S after packaging out of the device body 11. In other words, the surplus portion (surplus waste, which is the excess portion of the packaging sheet) S1 cut off from the upper portion of the packaging sheet S that has wrapped the produce W is discharged out of the device body 11 from this surplus portion discharge outlet 20. The device body 11 is also provided with, for example, a manual operation switch (operation means) 21 and a setting panel (setting means) 22.

As shown in Figure 3, the packaging device 1 also includes a support means (receiving section) 25 that receives and supports the unpackaged agricultural produce W supplied from the supply port 2 of the device body 11 via the packaging sheet S, and sends the packaged agricultural produce W toward the discharge port 3 and discharges it from the discharge port 3, and a processing means (sliding section) 26 that performs a predetermined process (e.g., gathering, cutting, and heat welding) on the upper portion of the packaging sheet S that is wrapped around the agricultural produce W on the support body 33 of the support means 25.

Furthermore, the packaging device 1 is equipped with an air injection means (air injection unit) 27 that injects compressed air onto the excess portion (excess waste) S1 separated from the packaging sheet S by the processing means 26, thereby discharging the excess portion S1 from the excess portion discharge outlet 20.

The packaging device 1 also includes a pull-out means (sheet pull-out section) 28 that pulls out the long sheet S0 in the pull-out direction (leftward) from the sheet roll R on the support rollers 5 of the roll support means 4, and a cutting means (sheet cutting section) 29 that cuts the long sheet S0 pulled out by the pull-out means 28 to obtain a packaging sheet S of a predetermined dimension (predetermined length).

As such, the packaging device 1 comprises the device main body 11, roll support means 4, support means 25, processing means 26, air injection means 27, drawing means 28, and cutting means 29, etc.

As shown in Figures 4 to 6, the support means (support and sending means) 25 comprises a guide body 30 erected on the bottom 17 of the device main body 11, a first lifting body 31 that can be raised and lowered and guided by the guide body 30, a second lifting body 32 that can be raised and lowered on the first lifting body 31, a support body 33 that is rotatable on the second lifting body 32 about a left-right central rotation axis (rotation fulcrum) L1 and supports the underside of the crop W from below via the packaging sheet S, and a pair of left and right holding bodies (sandwiching bodies) 34 that are rotatable on the first lifting body 31 about a front-to-rear rotation axis (rotation fulcrum) L2 and hold (sandwich) the left and right sides of the crop W supported by the support body 33 from the left and right via the packaging sheet S.

The support means 25 also includes a first lifting/lowering drive means 36 that raises and lowers the first lifting body 31 relative to the guide body 30, a second lifting/lowering drive means 37 that raises and lowers the second lifting body 32 relative to the first lifting body 31, a first rotation drive means 38 that rotates the support body 33 about the rotation center axis L1 relative to the second lifting body 32, and a second rotation drive means 39 that rotates (opens and closes) the left and right holding bodies 34 about the rotation center axis L2 relative to the first lifting body 31.

The guide body 30 that guides the first lifting body 31 in the up-down direction has a first guide member 51 that is a vertically elongated round bar that guides the cylindrical portion 41 of the first lifting body 31, and a vertically elongated U-frame-shaped second guide member 52 that guides the roller portion 42 of the first lifting body 31.

The first lifting/lowering drive means 36 has a motor (drive source) 55 and an endless chain 56 that rotates based on the power from this motor 55. This chain 56 is stretched over upper and lower sprockets 57 that are spaced apart and facing each other, and the tension of the chain 56 can be adjusted by a tension adjustment means 58.

The tension adjustment means 58 has a tightener 60 that can rotate around a support shaft 59, and a lower sprocket 57 is attached to the tip of the tightener 60. A connecting rod 61 is connected to the base end of the tightener 60, and this connecting rod 61 is biased upward by an adjustment spring 62. In addition, an attachment plate 63 is attached midway along the chain 56, and the attachment part 43 of the first lifting body 31 is attached to this attachment plate 63.

The first lifting body 31 is raised to a raised position relative to the guide body 30 by the rotation of the chain 56 in one direction based on power from the motor 55 (see Figure 4), and is lowered to a lowered position relative to the guide body 30 according to the size (height) of the crops W by the rotation of the chain in the other direction based on power from the motor 55 (see Figure 5).

Here, the raised position is a predetermined fixed position regardless of the size of the crop W. On the other hand, the lowered position is an arbitrary position determined depending on the size of the crop W (a corresponding lowered position corresponding to the size of the crop).

That is, for example, based on information from detection means (e.g., photoelectric sensor) 49 that detects the passage of crops W supplied from the supply port 2, the control means 50 determines the lowering position according to the size of the crops W. The control means 50 also appropriately controls each drive source (e.g., motors and air cylinders) based on information from sensors, switches, etc.

The second lifting body 32 has multiple guided portions 65 that can be raised and lowered and are guided by multiple guide portions 44 (e.g., two on the left and right) of the first lifting body 31, and the upper ends of these vertically elongated, rod-shaped guided portions 65 are attached to a horizontal base plate portion 66.

The second lifting body 32 also has a U-shaped frame 67 that can move up and down relative to the base plate 66, and the support 33 is attached to this U-shaped frame 67 so that it can rotate about the central rotation axis L1. Although not shown, the U-shaped frame 67 is elastically supported by a buffer spring (not shown) that serves as a buffer means for absorbing impact on the crops W when they are placed on the support 33 (when the crops are set on the support), and the guide pin inside this buffer spring is slidably inserted into the cylindrical buffer guide.

The second lifting/lowering drive means 37 has a lifting/lowering cylinder (drive source) 71, which is an extendable and retractable fluid pressure cylinder. In other words, the second lifting/lowering drive means 37 is composed only of the lifting/lowering cylinder 71. The lifting/lowering cylinder 71 has a cylinder body 72 attached to the first lifting body 31 and a rod 73 that moves in and out of the cylinder body 72. The tip of the rod 73 is attached to the base plate portion 66 of the second lifting body 32.

The second lifting body 32 is lowered to a lower position relative to the first lifting body 31 by the retraction of the lifting cylinder 71, and is raised to an upper position relative to the first lifting body 31 by the extension of the lifting cylinder 71. In other words, to accommodate crops W of different sizes, the second lifting body 31 can be raised and lowered relative to the first lifting body 31, and the support body 33 can be raised and lowered between an upper position and a lower position relative to the holding body 34.

The holder (clamp) 34 can be placed in an open position (where no produce is clamped) or a closed position (where the produce is clamped from both sides) by rotating about the central axis of rotation L2 relative to the first lifting body 31.

In other words, the pair of holders 34 are closed by synchronous movement toward each other (closing operation) based on rotation about the central rotation axis L2, and are open by synchronous movement away from each other (opening operation) based on rotation about the central rotation axis L2.

The holder 34 has an L-shaped arm 76 rotatably mounted on the first lifting body 31 around the central rotation axis L2, a holder 77 attached to the upper tip of the arm 76 and contacting the side of the produce W via the packaging sheet S when the holder 34 is closed to hold the side, and a roller 78 attached to the base of the lower end of the arm 76 and contacting the roller contact plate 85 of the second rotation drive means 39 when the holder 34 is open.

The holding portion 77 is composed of, for example, a rectangular holding plate 79 and a cushioning material 80 such as sponge attached to the holding plate 79 so as to cover the surface of the holding plate 79 (at least the surface that comes into contact with the produce via the packaging sheet).

The second rotation drive means 39 has an open/close cylinder (drive source) 81, which is an extendable fluid pressure cylinder. The open/close cylinder 81 has a cylinder body 82 attached to the first lifting body 31 and a rod 83 that moves in and out of the cylinder body 82. A roller contact plate 85 is attached to the tip of the rod 83, and lifts the roller portion 78 against the biasing force of a closing spring 84, which serves as a biasing means. The roller contact plate 85 moves up and down while being guided by a guide pin 86 extending in the vertical direction.

The closing spring 84 for closing the holder 34 is installed between the first lifting body 31 and the holder 34. That is, one end of the closing spring 84 is attached to the spring mounting portion 45 of the first lifting body 31, and the other end is attached to the spring mounting portion 46 of the holder 34.

Then, as the opening/closing cylinder 81 extends, the holding body 34 rotates about the central axis of rotation L2 relative to the first lifting body 31, entering an open state (see Figure 4). As the opening/closing cylinder 81 contracts, it receives a biasing force (elastic restoring force) from the closing spring 84, and based on this biasing force, the holding body 34 rotates about the central axis of rotation L2 relative to the first lifting body 31, entering a closed state (see Figure 5).

As shown in Figure 5, when the holders 34 are switched from the open state to the closed state, the crops W on the support 33 are clamped from both the left and right sides by the holding portions (clamping portions) 77 of both holders 34 based on the biasing force of the closing spring 84.

The support body (mounting body) 33 rotates about the central axis of rotation L1 relative to the second lifting body 32 to enter a first state (a supporting state in which the crops are supported from below) and a second state (a sending state in which the crops are sent to the side).

In other words, the support 33 is placed in a horizontal first state (where produce is placed) when rotated in one direction (forward) around the central rotation axis L1, and is placed in a tilted, rearward-sloping second state (where produce is discharged) when rotated in the other direction (rearward) around the central rotation axis L1.

As shown in Figure 7, in the first state of the support 33, the support 33 supports the underside of the crop W from below via the packaging sheet S, while it is placed on top of the crop W. In the second state of the support 33, the support 33 has a dish-shaped support portion 91 that sends the crop W rearward (sideways) under its own weight, and a downward-projecting mounting portion 92 that protrudes downward from the support portion 91. In other words, the support 33 has the mounting portion 92 that is rotatably attached to the second lifting body 32 around the central rotation axis L1, and the support portion (receiving portion) 91 that is fixed to the upper part of the mounting portion 92 and supports the underside of the crop W.

The mounting portion 92 has a mounting plate 94 attached to the underside of the support portion 91 with fasteners 93 such as screws. A pair of opposing left and right plates 95, spaced apart and facing each other, protrude downward from both ends of the mounting plate 94. A cylindrical insertion tube 96 extending left and right is provided in the center of the front-to-rear direction of both opposing plates 95.

A bolt 97 is inserted into the insertion tube 96, and a nut 98 is threaded onto the bolt 97, thereby attaching the mounting portion 92 to the U-shaped frame portion 67 of the second lifting body 32 so that it can rotate about the central rotation axis L1. The line passing through the axis of the shaft of the bolt 97 is the central rotation axis L1.

The tip of the rod 123 of the rotation cylinder 121 of the first rotation drive means 38 is rotatably attached to the front ends of both opposing plates 95 of the mounting portion 92 via mounting means 100. The mounting means 100 is composed of, for example, a bolt 101, a nut 102, and a spacer 103.

The support section 91 supports the crops W from below when the support 33 is in the first state, and sends the crops W rearward when the support 33 is in the second state. It is composed of, for example, a dish-shaped support plate (receiving tray) 105 that is cross-shaped in plan view, and a cushioning material 106 such as sponge attached to the support plate 105 so as to cover the surface of the support plate 105 (at least the surface that comes into contact with the crops via the packaging sheet).

Here, the support portion 91 has a rectangular plate-shaped central support portion 107 that supports the center of the underside of the crop W via the packaging sheet S, and rectangular plate-shaped peripheral support portions 108a, 108b that protrude diagonally upward from the four ends (outer edges) of the central support portion 107 on the front, back, left, and right sides and support the four peripheral portions of the underside of the crop W located around the center via the packaging sheet S.

The pair of front and rear peripheral support portions 108a are larger than the pair of left and right peripheral support portions 108b. Each pair of front and rear peripheral support portions 108a is composed of an inclined portion 109 that is inclined relative to the central support portion 107, and a tip portion 110 that is parallel to the central support portion 107. The pair of left and right peripheral support portions 108b is composed only of an inclined portion 111 that is inclined relative to the central support portion 107. When the support body 33 is in the first state, the central support portion 107 is positioned along a horizontal plane. On the other hand, when the support body 33 is in the second state, the inclined portion 109 of the front peripheral support portion 108a is positioned along a vertical plane.

The first rotation drive means 38 has a rotation cylinder (drive source) 121, which is an extendable and retractable fluid pressure cylinder. In other words, the first rotation drive means 38 is composed only of the rotation cylinder 121. The rotation cylinder 121 has a cylinder body 122 attached to a cylinder mounting portion 124 of the second lifting body 32, and a rod 123 that moves in and out of the cylinder body 122. The tip of the rod 123 is attached to the mounting portion 92 of the support body 33 via the mounting means 100.

The support body 33 rotates about the central axis L1 relative to the second lifting body 32 as the rotating cylinder 121 contracts, placing it in a horizontal first state (support state), and rotates about the central axis L1 relative to the second lifting body 32 as the rotating cylinder 121 extends, placing it in an inclined second state (delivery state).

When the support 33 is in the second state, the crops W on the support section 91 are sent (discharged) onto the conveying section 127 of the conveying body 126, and the crops W are then transported by the inclined conveying section 127 toward the discharge outlet 3 and discharged from the discharge outlet 3 outside the device main body 11.

The conveying section 127 of the conveying body 126 is composed of, for example, a conveying plate 128 that is inclined downward at the rear, and a cushioning material 129 such as a sponge attached to the conveying plate 128 so as to cover the upper surface of the conveying plate 128.

Furthermore, in a side view of the support 33 in the first state, the rotation center axis (rotation fulcrum) L1 of the support 33 is located toward the anti-feed side of the center point P (center of the support) of the central support portion 107 of the support portion 91, i.e., shifted forward from the front-to-back center position of the central support portion 107 in the horizontal position. In other words, in a side view of the support 33 in the first state, the rotation center axis L1 is located forward (to the anti-feed side) of a vertical line passing through the center point (center of gravity position) O of the spherical crop W supported in a resting state by the support portion 91. Furthermore, in a plan view, the center point P of the support portion 91 and the center point O of the crop W on this support portion 91 coincide (or approximately coincide) with each other.

Note that in Figure 7, the cushion material 106 of the support body 33 and the cushion material 80 of the holder 34 are not shown. The three cylinders shown in Figure 7 (lifting cylinder 71, opening/closing cylinder 81, and rotating cylinder 121) are, for example, air cylinders. Also, in Figure 5, the packaging sheet S is not shown.

As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the pull-out means 28 comprises a pair of guide rods 131, which are longitudinal guide bodies extending from front to back in the left-right direction; a movable body 132 that can move left and right along the guide rods 131; and a pair of upper and lower holders 133 and 134 that are provided on each movable body 132 and hold (sandwich) the leading end of the long sheet S0 unwound from the sheet roll R.

The multiple upper holders 133 are fixed to predetermined locations on the movable body 132. Each upper holder 133 has an upper holder 133a on the underside of its leading end that comes into contact with the long sheet S0. The multiple lower holders 134 are mounted on the movable body 132 so as to be rotatable in the vertical direction around a shaft 135. Each lower holder 134 has a lower holder 134a on the upper side of its leading end that comes into contact with the long sheet S0, and the lower holder 134a is biased upward by a torsion spring 136, which serves as a biasing means.

Then, based on the biasing force of the torsion spring 136, the leading end of the long sheet S0 is clamped from above and below between the upper holding portion 133a of the upper holding body 133 and the lower holding portion 134a of the lower holding body 134. The multiple lower holding bodies 134, which are spaced apart from one another in the front-to-rear direction, are integrally connected by a connecting rod 137 that is elongated in the front-to-rear direction.

The drawer means 28 also includes a movement drive means 141 that moves the moving body 132 left and right relative to the guide rod 131, and a rotation drive means 142 that rotates the lower holding body 134 up and down about the shaft 135 relative to the moving body 132.

The movement drive means 141 has a motor (drive source) 143 and a pair of front and rear endless chains 144 (144a, 144b) that rotate based on the power from the motor 143. Each chain 144 is hung on left and right sprockets 145 that are spaced apart and facing each other, and the tension of the chains can be adjusted by a tension adjustment means 146. A moving body 132 is attached midway along the chain 144, and the slider portion 140 of the moving body 132 can slide along the guide rod 131 based on the rotation of the chain 144. The front chain 144a rotates based on the power from the motor 143, while the rear chain 144b rotates in conjunction with the front chain 144a based on the power from the motor 143.

Then, the moving body 132 moves rightward relative to the guide rod 131 to a holding position (a position close to the cutting means) as the pair of front and rear chains 144 (144a, 144b) rotate in one direction based on power from the motor 143, and moves leftward relative to the guide rod 131 to a holding release position (a position away from the cutting means) as the pair of front and rear chains 144 (144a, 144b) rotate in the other direction based on power from the motor 143. This movement of the moving body 132 to the holding release position causes the long sheet S0 held between the two holding bodies 133, 134 to be pulled out.

The rotation drive means 142 has a cylinder 147 (a drive source such as an air cylinder) which is an extendable and retractable fluid pressure cylinder. This cylinder 147 has a cylinder body 148 and a rod 149 which moves in and out of this cylinder body 148. An elevating member 151 is fixed to the upper end of the rod 149, and this elevating member 151 is formed with an abutment portion 152 which abuts against the connecting rod 137.

When the lifting member 151 rises due to the extension of the cylinder 147, the abutment portion 152 of the lifting member 151 lifts the connecting rod 137 against the biasing force of the torsion spring 136. As a result, the lower holding body 134 rotates around the shaft portion 135, and the lower holding portion 134a of the lower holding body 134 moves away from the upper holding portion 133a of the upper holding body 133, thereby releasing the hold of the long sheet S0 by both holding portions 133a and 134a.

As shown in Figures 10 to 13, the cutting means 29 includes a receiving body 161 fixed to the device main body 11, a pressing body 162 that presses the long sheet S0 against the sheet receiving section 160 of the receiving body 161, and a cutting blade 163, which is a plate-shaped cutting body that cuts the long sheet S0 that is pressed against the sheet receiving section 160 by the pressing body 162 and is in direct contact with the sheet receiving section 160, to obtain a packaging sheet S of a specified size.

The cutting means 29 also includes a lifting body 165 that can be raised and lowered relative to the receiving body 161 and to which a pressing body 162 and a cutting blade 163 are attached, and a lifting drive means 166 that raises and lowers the lifting body 165 relative to the receiving body 161. The cutting blade 163 is detachably attached to a blade mounting portion 168 of the lifting body 165 by a mounting fixture 167.

The pressing body 162 has multiple (e.g., two) first pressing members 171 located on the pull-out side (left side, in the pull-out direction) of the cutting blade 163, and multiple (e.g., two) second pressing members 172 located on the opposite pull-out side (right side, in the pull-out direction) of the cutting body 163, i.e., on the sheet roll R side.

The multiple first pressing members 171 are attached to the first cylindrical portion 169 of the lifting body 165 so that they can be raised and lowered. Each first pressing member 171 has a plate-shaped first longitudinal portion 173 that is elongated in the left-right direction. Rod portions 174 are provided at multiple locations (e.g., two locations) on the upper surface of this first longitudinal portion 173, and a first sheet pressing portion 175 made of a soft material such as sponge that will not damage the long sheet S0 is provided on the underside of the first longitudinal portion 173. In addition, a cylindrical coil spring 176 is provided on the outer periphery of the rod portion 174 as a biasing means that biases the first pressing member 171 downward.

The multiple second pressing members 172 are similar to the first pressing members 171 and are attached to the second cylindrical portion 170 of the lifting body 165 so that they can be raised and lowered. Each second pressing member 172 has a plate-shaped second longitudinal portion 177 that is elongated in the left-right direction. Rod portions 178 are provided at multiple locations (e.g., two locations) on the upper surface of this second longitudinal portion 177, and second sheet pressing portions 179 made of a soft material such as sponge that will not damage the long sheet S0 are provided on the underside of the second longitudinal portion 177. In addition, a cylindrical coil spring 180 is provided on the outer periphery of the rod portion 178 as a biasing means that biases the second pressing member 172 downward.

The receiving body 161 has a planar sheet receiving portion (sheet contact portion) 160 against which the middle portion of the long sheet S0 is pressed with a desired pressing force by the first and second sheet pressing portions 175, 179 of the pressing body 162, thereby coming into direct contact.The sheet receiving portion 160 has a plurality of (e.g., six) planar first receiving portions 181 positioned in a line in the front-to-back direction at intervals below the first pressing member 171 so as to face the first pressing member 171, and a plurality of (e.g., six) planar second receiving portions 182 positioned in a line in the front-to-back direction at intervals below the second pressing member 172 so as to face the second pressing member 172.

A first space 183 is formed between adjacent first receiving portions 181, and a second space 184 is formed between adjacent second receiving portions 182. When the upper holding body 133 and lower holding body 134 of the drawing means 28 hold the long sheet S0, the lower holding body 134 moves upward and passes through both spaces 183, 184. Furthermore, a cutting space 185 is formed between adjacent first receiving portion 181 and second receiving portion 182, through which the cutting blade 163 moves downward when cutting the long sheet S0.

Here, each of the multiple first receiving portions 181 of the sheet receiving section 160 of the receiving body 161 is made of a material to which the packaging sheet S does not stick, i.e., a non-metallic material (non-ferrous material, etc.), such as a relatively flexible sheet-like nonwoven fabric 186 made of synthetic resin or the like.

That is, a nonwoven fabric 186 made of a material to which the packaging sheet S, such as stretch film, will not adhere is fixedly attached (or may be detachable for replacement) to the top of the convex portion 188 of an iron receiving member (cutting frame, which is the base member) 187. The nonwoven fabric 186 has a sheet contact portion 186a that clamps the long sheet S0 between itself and the first sheet pressing portion 175 of the first pressing member 171, and sheet non-contact portions 186b that are folded downward from both sides of the sheet contact portion 186a (see Figure 12).

As shown in FIG. 12, the top surface of the non-ferrous first receiving portion 181 made of nonwoven fabric 186 is located at a lower position than the top surface of the second receiving portion 182 made of, for example, iron. The height difference H between the top surfaces of the first receiving portion 181 and the second receiving portion 182 is, for example, 1 mm to 10 mm, and preferably 3 mm. Because of this height difference H, when the long sheet S0 is pulled out by the pull-out means 28, the long sheet S0 is pulled in the pulling direction without coming into contact with the top surface of the first receiving portion 181 (the surface of the sheet-contacting portion of the nonwoven fabric).

Furthermore, of the multiple (e.g., six) nonwoven fabrics 186, the two outermost ones are larger than the four innermost ones. The outer end of the outer nonwoven fabric 186 is positioned further outward than the outer end of the first pressing member 171 (see Figure 11).

The lifting drive means 166 also has a cylinder 191 (a drive source such as an air cylinder) which is an extendable and retractable fluid pressure cylinder. This cylinder 191 has a cylinder body 192 and a rod 193 which moves in and out of this cylinder body 192. A lifting rod 195 which can move up and down along a rod guide 194 is connected to the upper end of the rod 193, and the lifting body 165 is attached to the upper end of this lifting rod 195. A slider portion 190 is attached to a frame portion 189 which is fixed to the cylinder body 192, and a guide rod 131 is inserted into this slider portion.

When the lifting rod 195 descends due to the retraction of the cylinder 191, the lifting body 165 descends toward the long sheet S0 together with the pressing body 162 and cutting blade 163. As a result, as shown in FIG. 13, the first pressing member 171 presses the long sheet S0 against the nonwoven fabric 186, which is the first receiving portion 181 of the sheet receiving section 160 of the receiving body 161, and the second pressing member 172 presses the long sheet S0 against the second receiving portion 182 of the sheet receiving section 160 of the receiving body 161. After that, the cutting blade 163 cuts the long sheet S0 in this pressed state, thereby obtaining a packaging sheet S of the specified dimensions.

Furthermore, a cutting blade guard 196 that covers the side of the cutting blade 163 is erected on the receiving body 161. A rubber plate 198, which is an elastic body, is attached to the vertical plate portion 197 of the cutting blade guard 196, and presses the long sheet S0 against the second receiving portion 182 at its lower end.

When setting a new sheet roll R and passing the long sheet S0 through, pressing the rubber plate presser member 199 against the biasing force of the spring 200 lifts the bottom end of the rubber plate 198. This allows the operator to easily pass the long sheet S0 between the bottom end of the rubber plate 198 and the second receiving portion 182.

The processing means 26 includes, for example, a clamping plate 201, a cutting blade 202, and a heater 203, as well as blades and a resin plate guide, and the air injection means 27 includes, for example, an injection nozzle 204 that injects compressed air (see Figure 15).

Next, the packaging process performed by the packaging device 1 will be described with reference to Figures 14 and 15.

First, as shown in Figures 14(a) and (b), the upper holding body 133 and the lower holding body 134 of the drawing means 28 hold the leading edge of the long sheet S0, and then the moving body 132 moves from the holding position to the holding release position, thereby drawing out the long sheet S0 from the sheet roll R.

Next, as shown in Figures 14(c) and (d), the first pressing member 171 and second pressing member 172 of the pressing body 162 of the cutting means 29 press the middle portion of the long sheet S0 against the first receiving portion 181 and second receiving portion 182 of the sheet receiving portion 160 of the receiving body 161, and then the cutting blade 163 cuts the long sheet S0 at a position between the two pressing members 171 and 172, thereby obtaining a packaging sheet S of the specified dimensions.

When the holding of the packaging sheet S by the two holders 133, 134 of the drawing means 28 is released, the packaging sheet S falls under its own weight onto the support plate 14 of the device main body 11.

At this time, the packaging sheet S is no longer attached to (does not adhere to) the first receiving portion 181 that was pressed against it by the first pressing member 171, and is smoothly released from the first receiving portion 181. This allows the operator to properly place the crop W on the support 33 via the packaging sheet S.

Next, as shown in Figure 15(e), with the packaging sheet S having fallen and resting on the support plate 14, the worker presses down on the resin plate 16 with the produce W to be packaged, which the worker is holding in his/her hand, causing it to elastically deform, and then supplies the produce W through the supply port 2 into the packaging device 1 and places it on the support 33.

As shown in Figure 15(f), the crop W is then wrapped almost entirely (except for the central portion of its top surface) in the packaging sheet S, and is placed on the support portion 91 of the support 33 of the support means 25 via the packaging sheet S. In this way, the crop W is properly set on the support portion 91 of the support 33 in the first state via the packaging sheet S.

Then, after the two holders 34 are closed to clamp the left and right sides of the crop W, the first lifting body 31, together with the second lifting body 32 and the support body 33, which rise and fall together with it, descends from the raised position to the lowered position (corresponding lowered position) and stops. As a result, the crop W placed on the support portion 91 of the support body 33 in the first state stops at a packaging position appropriate for its size.

Then, as shown in Figure 15(g), the processing means 26 moves toward the crops W on the support 33 and performs a predetermined process, such as gathering, cutting, and heat welding, on the upper portion of the packaging sheet S that is located above the crops W on the support 33.

As a result, the entire crop W on the support 33 is wrapped in the thermally sealed packaging sheet S, completing the packaging process, and the excess portion (excess waste) S1 is cut off from the sealed packaging sheet S.

Then, as shown in Figure 15(h), the cut-off excess portion S1 is blown away by compressed air injected from the air injection means 27 and discharged from the excess portion discharge port 20 to the outside of the packaging device 1. Furthermore, the opening operation causes both holders 34 of the support means 25 to return from the closed state to the open state, and the agricultural produce W is released from the clamping of the both holders 34.

Next, while the first lifting body 31 remains stopped in the lowered position (the second lifting body 32 is also stopped), the support body 33 rotates relative to the second lifting body 32 by a rotation angle (e.g., 60 degrees) around the rotation center axis L1, causing the packaged agricultural produce W to be sent out from the support part 91 of the support body 33, slide down the conveying section 127, and be discharged from the discharge outlet 3 out of the packaging device 1.

In this way, the packaging device 1 automatically packages the agricultural produce W using the packaging sheet S, so the operator simply feeds the agricultural produce W to be packaged (e.g., lettuce) W into the supply port 2 one by one.

In accordance with the packaging device 1 described above, the cutting means 29 uses the cutting blade 163 to cut the long sheet S0, which is pressed against the sheet receiving portion 160 of the receiving body 161 by the pressing body 162, to obtain the packaging sheet S. The sheet receiving portion 160 of the receiving body 161 has a first receiving portion 181 made of synthetic resin nonwoven fabric 186, a material to which the packaging sheet S does not stick. Therefore, even if a stretch film, which tends to stick to steel materials, is used, the packaging sheet S made of that stretch film will not stick to the first receiving portion 181, preventing the packaging sheet S from sticking. This prevents the packaging sheet S from sticking, allowing for proper packaging operations.

Furthermore, the upper surface of the first receiving portion 181 of the sheet receiving section 160 of the receiving body 161, in other words, the upper surface of the nonwoven fabric 186, is located at a lower position than the upper surface of the second receiving portion 182 on the opposite side from the drawing-out side, so the drawing means 28 can properly draw out the long sheet S0.

In addition, the central axis of rotation L1 of the support 33 of the support means 25 is located on the opposite side of the center point P of the support portion 91 when viewed from the side in the first state of the support 33. This means that the produce W is less likely to be subjected to impact when being delivered from the support portion 91, and damage to the produce W after packaging can be appropriately prevented.

Furthermore, when the support body 33 is in the second state, the upper end of the crops W on the support body 33 in this second state is relatively low before being sent out. Therefore, the first lifting body 31, which is stopped in the lowered position, does not need to be lowered any further, and interference between the crops W and the processing means 26 during sending out can be avoided. This makes it possible to more appropriately prevent damage to the packaged crops W, and omitting the lowering operation of the first lifting body 31 also improves the durability of the motor, etc.

Furthermore, the support portion 91 of the support body 33 has a central support portion 107 that supports the central portion of the underside of the crop W, and multiple (e.g., four) peripheral support portions 108a, 108b that support the peripheral portion of the underside of the crop W that is located around the central portion. In the first state, the central axis of rotation L1 of the support body 33 is located on the anti-feed side of the center point P of the central support portion 107 in a side view, effectively preventing damage to the crop W after packaging.

The agricultural produce to be packaged is not limited to lettuce (a spherical vegetable), but can also be, for example, cabbage, melon, apple, etc., and the shape, etc., of the product can also be arbitrary.

Furthermore, the cylinder that serves as the driving source is not limited to an air cylinder, such as a fluid pressure cylinder, but may also be, for example, a hydraulic cylinder, or a driving source such as a motor may be used instead of a cylinder.

Furthermore, it is preferable that the parts that come into contact with the crops (support parts, holding parts, transport parts, etc.) have cushioning material, which is an elastic material, to absorb impacts on the crops, but cushioning material may not be necessary depending on the type of crop, for example.

Furthermore, of the first and second receiving portions of the sheet receiving section of the receiving body (the portion with which the sheet comes into direct contact when pressed by the pressing body), only the first receiving portion is not limited to being made of a non-ferrous material (e.g., a non-metallic material such as a synthetic resin nonwoven fabric); for example, both the first and second receiving portions may be made of a non-ferrous material to which the packaging sheet does not stick.

Furthermore, as the packaging sheet (packaging film), for example, OPP film, which is made of a different material than stretch film, may also be used. In this embodiment, the range of applicable film materials (materials) is wide, and different types of film (sheets) can be used.

The material to which the packaging sheet does not stick can be, for example, a woven or knitted fabric, or a fiber-free resin or rubber sheet; the material can be anything.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Packaging device 28 Pulling means 29 Cutting means 160 Sheet receiving portion 161 Receiving body 162 Pressing body 163 Cutting blade as cutting body 171 First pressing member 172 Second pressing member 181 First receiving portion 182 Second receiving portion 186 Nonwoven fabric (non-metallic member)
S Packaging sheet S0 Long sheet W Agricultural products

Claims (7)

A packaging device for packaging agricultural produce with a packaging sheet,
A drawing means for drawing out the long sheet;
cutting means for cutting the long sheet drawn out by the drawing means to obtain a packaging sheet;
The cutting means is
a receiving body having a sheet receiving portion;
a pressing body that presses the long sheet against the sheet receiving portion;
a cutting body for cutting the long sheet pressed against the sheet receiving portion to obtain a packaging sheet,
The pressing body is
a first pressing member located on the pull-out side of the cutting body;
a second pressing member located on the opposite side to the pull-out side from the cutting body,
The sheet receiving portion is
a first receiving portion positioned opposite the first pressing member;
a second receiving portion located opposite the second pressing member,
Of the first receiving portion and the second receiving portion, only the first receiving portion is made of a non-metallic material to which a packaging sheet does not adhere,
The drawing means holds the leading end of the long sheet that is in contact with the second receiving portion and draws out the long sheet.
A packaging device characterized by: The cutting means includes an elastic body that presses the long sheet against the second receiving portion.
2. The packaging device according to claim 1. The cutting means is
a guard covering a side portion of the cutting body;
an elastic body provided on the guard and pressing the long sheet against the second receiving portion;
2. The packaging device according to claim 1. The cutting means is
an elastic body whose lower end presses the long sheet against the second receiving portion;
a pressing member for lifting the lower end of the elastic body;
2. The packaging device according to claim 1. The cutting means is
an elastic body whose lower end presses the long sheet against the second receiving portion;
a pressing member for lifting the lower end of the elastic body;
a biasing member that biases the pressing member,
When a long sheet is passed through the sheet roll, the pressing member is pushed against the biasing force of the biasing member, and the lower end of the elastic body is lifted.
2. The packaging device according to claim 1. The non-metallic member is a non-woven fabric made of synthetic resin.
2. The packaging device according to claim 1. The upper surface of the first non-ferrous receiving portion is located at a lower position than the upper surface of the second ferrous receiving portion.
2. The packaging device according to claim 1.