PACKAGING APPARATUS

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a packaging apparatus.

BACKGROUND

As a conventional packaging apparatus, an apparatus described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2001-106202, for example, is known. This packaging apparatus described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2001-106202 includes: a delivering unit configured to deliver a film from a film roll when the film roll is newly set; first and second feeder portions configured to hold the film delivered from the delivering unit with first and second clamp units, respectively, to deliver the film in a longitudinal direction; a moving unit configured to change relative distance between the first and the second feeder portions in a film-width direction; and a controller configured to cause the first and the second feeder portions to deliver the film in a film longitudinal direction while causing the moving unit to increase the relative distance between the first and the second feeder portions in the film-width direction.

SUMMARY

In the conventional packaging apparatus, the film delivered by the delivering unit is held by the first clamp unit and the second clamp unit, and the first feeder portion and the second feeder portion convey the film. At this time, for example, when the film is adhesive, the film may adhere to the feeder portions, which may result in delay in feeding of the film and formation of a bundle (heap) of films inside the feeder portions. In this case, a problem may occur in that, for example, the film jams in the feeder portions and load is accordingly applied to a component such as a drive unit configured to drive the feeder portions.

One aspect of the present disclosure aims to provide a packaging apparatus that can prevent occurrence of such a problem due to film jam.

A packaging apparatus according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a packaging apparatus configured to package an object to be packaged by covering the object to be packaged with a film that is stretched while a peripheral portion of the film is being held. The packaging apparatus includes: a delivering unit configured to deliver the film from a film roll onto which the film is wound; a first conveying unit including a first clamp unit and a first feeder portion, the first clamp unit being configured to clamp the film delivered from the delivering unit, the first feeder portion being configured to convey the film clamped by the first clamp unit in a first direction that is a direction in which the film is paid out; a second conveying unit including a second clamp unit and a second feeder portion, the second clamp unit being configured to clamp the film delivered from the delivering unit, the second feeder portion being configured to convey the film clamped by the second clamp unit in the first direction; a first moving unit configured to move the first conveying unit in a second direction that is a width direction of the film, a second moving unit configured to move the second conveying unit in the second direction; and a controller configured to control operation of the first conveying unit, the second conveying unit, the first moving unit, and the second moving unit. When the film is loaded onto the first conveying unit and the second conveying unit, the controller causes the first clamp unit to clamp the film delivered by the delivering unit and causes the first feeder portion to convey the film. Simultaneously, while causing the second clamp unit to open or the second clamp unit to intermittently clamp the film delivered by the delivering unit, the controller causes the second feeder portion to convey the film and also causes the second conveying unit to move in a direction separating from the first conveying unit and, when the second conveying unit reaches a predetermined position in the second direction, causes the second clamp unit to clamp the film.

In the packaging apparatus according to the one aspect of the present disclosure, while causing the second clamp unit to open or the second clamp unit to intermittently clamp the film delivered by the delivering unit, the controller causes the second feeder portion to convey the film and, when the second conveying unit reaches the predetermined position (predetermined position in the film-width direction) in the second direction, causes the second clamp unit to clamp the film. Accordingly, until the second conveying unit reaches the predetermined position in the second direction, the film is not clamped by the second clamp unit or is intermittently clamped by the second clamp unit. This can prevent the film from adhering to the second feeder portion at least until the predetermined position is reached, which makes it possible to prevent formation of a bundle of films inside the second feeder portion. Thus, the packaging apparatus can prevent occurrence of a problem due to film jam.

In one embodiment, the packaging apparatus may further include a cutting unit configured to cut the film between the delivering unit and the first and the second conveying units, in which the controller may cause the cutting unit to cut the film and then cause the first clamp unit and the second clamp unit to release the clamped film. This enables an operator to easily remove the cut film.

In one embodiment, the predetermined position may be a position at a length equal to or greater than one half of film width in the width direction of the film. This enables the film to be further prevented from adhering to the feeders.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, occurrence of a problem due to film jam can be prevented.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view illustrating a packaging apparatus according to one embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a schematic front view illustrating the inside of the packaging apparatus in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III, viewed in the direction of the arrows in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view of the packaging apparatus;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the packaging apparatus in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6A is a perspective view illustrating a film delivering mechanism;

FIG. 6B is a perspective view illustrating the film delivering mechanism;

FIG. 6C is a perspective view illustrating the film delivering mechanism;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a loading unit;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a film delivering mechanism, a cutter mechanism, and a film conveyance mechanism;

FIG. 9A is a diagram illustrating a first feeder unit (second feeder unit);

FIG. 9B is a diagram illustrating the first feeder unit (second feeder unit);

FIG. 9C is a diagram illustrating the first feeder unit (second feeder unit);

FIG. 10A is a diagram illustrating a loading operation;

FIG. 10B is a diagram illustrating a loading operation;

FIG. 11A is a diagram illustrating a loading operation;

FIG. 11B is a diagram illustrating a loading operation;

FIG. 12A is a diagram illustrating a loading operation; and

FIG. 12B is a diagram illustrating a loading operation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One embodiment will now be described with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, like elements are designated by like numerals, and duplicate description is omitted.

As depicted in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, a packaging apparatus 1 is an apparatus configured to film-package an object (object to be packaged) W including a product G such as a food product and a tray T on which the product G is placed. The packaging apparatus 1 packages an object W with a film F by pushing up the object W against a film F that is tensionally held and folding peripheral portions of the film F over the bottom side of the tray T. The packaging apparatus 1 includes a measuring function and a price-tagging function of affixing labels in addition to the film-packaging function.

The packaging apparatus 1 includes a measuring carrying-in mechanism 2, a packaging station 3, a roll holding mechanism 4, a film delivering mechanism (delivering unit) 5, a film conveyance mechanism 6, a cutter mechanism (cutting unit) 7, a seal mechanism 8, a label printer LP, a label issuing device LI, and a control unit 9. The respective mechanisms included in the packaging apparatus 1 are accommodated in a body 1a and a casing 1b of the packaging apparatus 1. The casing 1b is attached to a side portion of the body 1a.

In the description of the present embodiment, “right and left” mean right and left when facing the front of the body 1a of the packaging apparatus 1. The front side of the packaging apparatus 1 in the front-back direction is called “near side”, and the side opposite thereto is called “far side”. The expression “film F1, F2” means either one optionally selected from a film F1 and a film F2, and is also simply called a film F. The expression “film roll R1, R2” means either one optionally selected from a film roll R1 and a film roll R2. The terms “upstream” and “downstream” mean upstream of the film F in the conveying direction and downstream thereof in the conveying direction, respectively.

As depicted in FIG. 3, the measuring carrying-in mechanism 2 includes a measuring scale 2a, a carrying-in belt 2b, and a measuring vessel 12. The measuring scale 2a measures the weight of an object W placed on the measuring vessel 12, and outputs information on the weight of the object W to the control unit 9. The carrying-in belt 2b is looped over a pair of rollers. The carrying-in belt 2b is provided with a conveying bar 13 for conveying the object W. The conveying bar 13 moves toward the far side while being driven by the carrying-in belt 2b, and pushes the object W toward the far side. The conveying bar 13 extends along the width direction of the measuring vessel 12, and is positioned on the near side of the measuring vessel 12 in an initial position. The measuring vessel 12 is a tray having a shape of a rectangular shallow vessel on which the object W is placed.

The packaging station 3 is a space formed in the body 1a. The packaging station 3 is a space in which a series of film-packaging processes are performed on an object W the weight of which is measured by the measuring carrying-in mechanism 2. In the packaging station 3, a lifter mechanism 30 and a folding mechanism 37 are disposed.

The lifter mechanism 30 is provided in a lower portion of the packaging station 3. The lifter mechanism 30 receives the bottom surface of a tray T with a plurality of support members 33, and causes a electric ball screw mechanism 34 to move upward a support base 31 fixed to the support members 33. Consequently, the lifter mechanism 30 holds the bottom surface of the tray T and moves the object W upward. The lifter mechanism 30 pushes up the object W against a film (stretch film) F1, F2 that is tensionally held by the film conveyance mechanism 6.

The folding mechanism 37 folds the periphery of the film F1, F2 over the bottom side of the object W (i.e., the bottom side of the tray T) pushed up by the lifter mechanism 30 to cover the object W with the film F1, F2. The folding mechanism 37 folds both ends of the film F1, F2 in the film conveying direction over the bottom side of the tray T with right and left folding plates 76 and 77. The folding mechanism 37 folds a side portion of the film F1, F2 on the far side in the width direction over the bottom side of the tray T with a rear folding plate 78. When the tray T is discharged toward the seal mechanism 8 by a discharging pusher 79a, the folding mechanism 37 folds a side portion of the film F1, F2 on the near side in the width direction over the bottom side of the tray T with a front folding bar 79.

The roll holding mechanism 4 is disposed in the casing 1b as depicted in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. The roll holding mechanism 4 is configured to hold two film rolls R1 and R2 that are of the same type or of different types. On the film rolls R1 and R2, films F1 and F2 having a predetermined width are wound multiple times, respectively.

As depicted in FIG. 2, the roll holding mechanism 4 includes an upper-roll holding unit 41 configured to hold the film roll R1, a lower-roll holding unit 42 configured to hold the film roll R2, and a roll drive unit 43 configured to cause the upper-roll holding unit 41 and the lower-roll holding unit 42 to selectively rotate to pay out the film F1 or the film F2 from either one of the film rolls R1 and R2.

The film delivering mechanism 5 is a mechanism configured to transfer the film F1 pulled out from the film roll R1 or the film F2 pulled out from the film roll R2 to a pair of feeder units 61 and 62 of the film conveyance mechanism 6. The film delivering mechanism 5 is disposed in the casing 1b.

As depicted in FIG. 6A to FIG. 6C, the film delivering mechanism 5 includes a loading-unit movement frame 51, a loading unit 70, and a loading-unit drive motor 52 (see FIG. 2).

The loading-unit movement frame 51 is disposed in an upper area in the casing 1b (above the roll holding mechanism 4). The loading-unit movement frame 51 rotatably supports a loading-unit rotation shaft 70a described later. The loading-unit movement frame 51 is provided so as to be movable in the horizontal direction by a link mechanism. Specifically, the loading-unit movement frame 51 moves between a first position farthest from the film conveyance mechanism 6 and a second position closest to the film conveyance mechanism 6.

The loading unit 70 is attached to the loading-unit movement frame 51. The loading unit 70 includes a first grasping unit 71, a second grasping unit 72, and the loading-unit rotation shaft 70a.

As depicted in FIG. 7, the first grasping unit 71 and the second grasping unit 72 are attached to the loading-unit rotation shaft 70a. The first grasping unit 71 and the second grasping unit 72 are disposed at positions that are bilaterally symmetrical with respect to a reference line L. The reference line L is a straight line virtually extending from the center of the loading-unit rotation shaft 70a along the height direction of the loading-unit movement frame 51. The first grasping unit 71 and the second grasping unit 72 form a V shape.

The first grasping unit 71 includes two plate members 71a and 71b and a one-way roller 71c. One end of the plate member 71a and one end of the plate member 71b are coupled together by a hinge (not depicted). As depicted in FIG. 4, the plate member 71b is provided so as to pivot about the hinge with respect to the plate member 71a and to be openable and closable with respect to the plate member 71a. The one-way roller 71c is a roller configured to allow rotation in only one direction (arrow A1 direction in FIG. 7). The one-way roller 71c is provided in plurality along the longitudinal direction (film-width direction) of the plate member 71a. The one-way rollers 71c hold a film F1 sandwiched between the plate member 71a and the plate member 71b so that the film F1 does not fall off downward.

As depicted in FIG. 7, the second grasping unit 72 includes two plate members 72a and 72b and a one-way roller 72c. One end of the plate member 72a and one end of the plate member 72b are coupled by a hinge (not depicted). As depicted in FIG. 4, the plate member 72b is provided so as to pivot about the hinge with respect to the plate member 72a and to be openable and closable with respect to the plate member 72a. The one-way roller 72c is a roller configured to allow rotation in only one direction (arrow A1 direction in FIG. 7). The one-way roller 72c is provided in plurality along the longitudinal direction (film-width direction) of the plate member 72a. The one-way rollers 72c hold a film F2 sandwiched between the plate member 72a and the plate member 72b so that the film F2 does not fall off downward.

The first grasping unit 71 and the second grasping unit 72 are used in a switched manner depending on the type of the film (the film F1 or the film F2). The first grasping unit 71 is a unit configured to grasp the film F1. The second grasping unit 72 is a unit configured to grasp the film F2. The first grasping unit 71 and the second grasping unit 72 each have a predetermined length in the depth direction of the casing 1b so that the film F1, F2 can be delivered.

The loading-unit rotation shaft 70a is rotatably supported by the loading-unit movement frame 51. The loading-unit rotation shaft 70a is driven by the loading-unit drive motor 52 (see FIG. 2). By changing the rotation angle of the loading-unit rotation shaft 70a, the loading unit 70 changes attitudes as depicted in FIG. 6A to FIG. 6C.

As depicted in FIG. 6A, when the loading unit 70 causes the first grasping unit 71 to grasp the film F1 or causes the second grasping unit 72 to grasp the film F2, the first grasping unit 71 and the second grasping unit 72 are positioned symmetrically with respect to the reference line L (loading position).

As depicted in FIG. 6B, when the loading unit 70 causes the first grasping unit 71 to transfer (deliver) the film F1 to the film conveyance mechanism 6, the first grasping unit 71 is tilted so as to be parallel to the horizontal plane (feeding position). Accordingly, the film F1 is delivered horizontally from the distal end of the first grasping unit 71 to the film conveyance mechanism 6.

As depicted in FIG. 6C, when the loading unit 70 causes the second grasping unit 72 to transfer the film F2 to the film conveyance mechanism 6, the second grasping unit 72 is tilted so as to be parallel to the horizontal plane (feeding position). Accordingly, the film F2 is delivered horizontally from the distal end of the second grasping unit 72 to the film conveyance mechanism 6.

As depicted in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the film conveyance mechanism 6 receives the film F from the film delivering mechanism 5 and conveys the film F to the packaging station 3. The film conveyance mechanism 6 also tensionally holds the film F received from the film delivering mechanism 5 in a central area of the packaging station 3. The film conveyance mechanism 6 includes the first feeder unit (first conveying unit) 61, the second feeder unit (second conveying unit) 62, a first feeder moving unit (first moving unit) 63, a second feeder moving unit (second moving unit) 64, and a feeder driving unit 65.

As depicted in FIG. 4, the first feeder unit 61 is disposed on the near side in the front-back direction of the packaging apparatus 1. The second feeder unit 62 is disposed on the far side with respect to the first feeder unit 61 in the front-back direction of the packaging apparatus 1. The first feeder unit 61 and the second feeder unit 62 are disposed along the longitudinal direction of the film F. The first feeder unit 61 and the second feeder unit 62 are driven by the feeder driving unit 65 to convey the film F.

In both end portions of the first feeder unit 61 and the second feeder unit 62 in the longitudinal direction, as depicted in FIG. 4, slide shafts 66 and 67 extending in the width direction of the film F are provided. The slide shafts 66 and 67 support the first feeder unit 61 and the second feeder unit 62. The first feeder unit 61 and the second feeder unit 62 are respectively driven by the first feeder moving unit 63 and the second feeder moving unit 64 to move along the slide shafts 66 and 67 in the film-width direction.

The first feeder unit 61 and the second feeder unit 62 have the same configuration. The following describes the configuration of the first feeder unit 61 as one example in detail with reference to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9A to FIG. 9C.

The first feeder unit 61 includes an introducing unit (first clamp unit) 22A, a lower belt 23A, an upper belt 24A, an upstream clamp 25A, a midstream clamp 26A, and a downstream clamp 27A. These respective components are supported by a supporting frame 21. The lower belt 23A and the upper belt 24A constitute a first feeder portion configured to convey the film F.

The introducing unit 22A clamps the film F delivered from the film delivering mechanism 5 to introduce the film F between the lower belt 23A and the upper belt 24A. The introducing unit 22A is disposed upstream of the first feeder unit 61, that is, near the loading unit 70 (see FIG. 8). As depicted in FIG. 9C, the introducing unit 22A is provided in a position overlapping the lower belt 23A.

The introducing unit 22A includes a body portion 22c provided swingably about an introducing-unit pivot shaft 22b. The introducing-unit pivot shaft 22b is provided to the downstream end of the body portion 22c. The introducing-unit pivot shaft 22b is supported by the frame 21. The body portion 22c swings upon actuation of a solenoid (not depicted). Specifically, upon actuation of the solenoid, the body portion 22c swings within a range between a lower position at which the upstream end of the body portion 22c is close to the lower belt 23A and an upper position at which the upstream end of the body portion 22c is apart from the lower belt 23A. The introducing unit 22A clamps the film F when the body portion 22c is in the lower position, and does not clamp the film F when the body portion 22c is in the upper position.

To the other end (end close to the film delivering mechanism 5) of the body portion 22c, an introducing pulley 22a is rotatably provided. Over the introducing pulley 22a, the upper belt 24A is looped.

The lower belt 23A comes into contact with the film F from below. The lower belt 23A is looped over a plurality of pulleys as depicted in FIG. 9B. These pulleys include a pulley 21b and a pulley 21c. The pulley 21b is disposed upstream in the conveying direction of the film F. The pulley 21c is disposed downstream in the conveying direction of the film F. The pulley 21c is rotated by a drive motor. The pulley 21b is driven by the rotation of the pulley 21c. Driven by the pulley 21c rotated by the drive motor, the lower belt 23A of the first feeder unit 61 moves.

The upper belt 24A is looped over a plurality of pulleys as depicted in FIG. 9B. These pulleys include the introducing pulley 22a of the introducing unit 22A and a pulley 24a. The pulley 24a is disposed downstream in the conveying direction of the film F. The pulley 24a is rotated by the drive motor that rotates the pulley 21c. Thus, the upper belt 24A is driven together with the lower belt 23A. With the above-described configuration, the first feeder unit 61 draws in the film between the upper belt 24A and the lower belt 23A, and conveys the film F in the longitudinal direction (first direction) of the film F in which the film F is paid out.

As depicted in FIG. 9C, the upstream clamp 25A is disposed upstream in the conveying direction of the film. The downstream clamp 27A is disposed downstream in the conveying direction of the film. The midstream clamp 26A is disposed between the upstream clamp 25A and the downstream clamp 27A. The respective clamps 25A to 27A are disposed in positions displaced from the belts 23 and 24. Specifically, the respective clamps 25A to 27A are disposed on the inner side of the belts 23A and 24A in the width direction of the film F. Below the respective clamps 25A to 27A, a band plate 21a is disposed.

Each of the clamps 25A to 27A operates in accordance with ON/OFF switching of a solenoid (not depicted). Specifically, each of the clamps 25A to 27A clamps the film F and releases the film F in accordance with ON/OFF switching of the corresponding solenoid. Each of the clamps 25A to 27A comes into contact with the upper surface of the film F1, F2 to apply a downward force thereto when the corresponding solenoid is ON. Accordingly, the film F is clamped between the band plate 21a and each of the clamps 25A to 27A. Each of the clamps 25A to 27A releases the clamped film F when the corresponding solenoid is OFF. Each solenoid can be switched ON at a predetermined timing.

The second feeder unit 62 has the same configuration as that of the first feeder unit 61. Specifically, the second feeder unit 62 includes an introducing unit (second clamp unit) 22B, a lower belt 23B, an upper belt 24B, an upstream clamp 25B, a midstream clamp 26B, and a downstream clamp 27B. These respective components are supported by the supporting frame 21. The lower belt 23B and the upper belt 24B constitute a second feeder portion configured to convey the film F.

The first feeder moving unit 63 is attached below the first feeder unit 61. As depicted in FIG. 3, the first feeder moving unit 63 includes a drive motor 63a and a belt 63b. The second feeder moving unit 64 is attached below the second feeder unit 62. As depicted in FIG. 3, the second feeder moving unit 64 includes a drive motor 64a and a belt 64b.

The first feeder moving unit 63 causes the drive motor 63a to drive the belt 63b, thereby moving the first feeder unit 61 along the slide shafts 66 and 67 in the width direction (second direction) of the film F. The second feeder moving unit 64 causes the drive motor 64a to drive the belt 64b, thereby moving the second feeder unit 62 along the slide shafts 66 and 67 in the width direction of the film F.

As depicted in FIG. 2, after the film delivering mechanism 5 transfers the film F to the film conveyance mechanism 6, the cutter mechanism 7 cuts the film F stretched between the film delivering mechanism 5 and the film conveyance mechanism 6. After the film conveyance mechanism 6 conveys the film F of a predetermined length, the cutter mechanism 7 cuts the film F stretched between the film delivering mechanism 5 and the film conveyance mechanism 6. The cutter mechanism 7 is disposed between the film delivering mechanism 5 and the film conveyance mechanism 6, and includes a cutting blade 7a that is longer than the film width of the film F. The cutting blade 7a is moved vertically by an actuator.

The seal mechanism 8 heat-seals the film F that is folded by the folding mechanism 37. The seal mechanism 8 includes a conveying roller and heating roller, and heat-seals an object W pushed out by the discharging pusher 79a while conveying the object W by the conveying roller and the heating roller. The seal mechanism 8 discharges the object W thus packaged toward a discharge table 82.

As depicted in FIG. 1 and FIG. 5, the label printer LP prints information about goods on a label. Examples of the information about goods include a product name and price. The label issuing device LI pastes the label printed by the label printer LP on the discharged packaged product.

The control unit 9 is a computer disposed in an upper portion of the body 1a. The control unit 9 controls operation of each mechanism described above. The control unit 9 includes an input/output interface I/O configured to perform signal input and output from and to the outside, a read only memory (ROM) in which a program and information, for example, for performing processes are stored, a random access memory (RAM) configured to temporarily store therein data, a recording medium such as a hard disk drive (HDD), a central processing unit (CPU), and a communication circuit, for example. The control unit 9 implements each function, based on signals output by the CPU, by storing input data in the RAM, loading the program stored in the ROM into the RAM, and executing the program loaded in the RAM.

To the control unit 9, a display panel 16 and an operating portion 17 are connected. The display panel 16 is a touch-panel display, for example, and operation buttons are displayed on the display. With the operating portion 17, a user performs various operations and inputs.

The control unit 9 includes a storage 9a and a controller 9b. In the storage 9a, various types of data that are predetermined, are input from the display panel 16 or the operating portion 17, for example, or are transferred from an external device are stored. These various types of data include data on properties (thickness, material, film width, etc.) of a plurality of types of films F, data on unit price data and properties of a plurality of types of products data on properties (size, shape, material, tare weight, etc.) of a plurality of types of trays T.

The controller 9b controls operation of each mechanism. When the film F is loaded onto the first feeder unit 61 and the second feeder unit 62, the controller 9b causes the introducing unit 22A to clamp the film F delivered by the film delivering mechanism 5 and causes the lower belt 23A and the upper belt 24A to convey the film F. Simultaneously, while causing the introducing unit 22B to open or the introducing unit 22B to intermittently clamp the film F delivered by the film delivering mechanism 5, the controller 9b causes the lower belt 23B and the upper belt 24B to convey the film F and also causes the second feeder unit 62 to move in the direction separating from the first feeder unit 61 and, when the second feeder unit 62 reaches a predetermined position in the second direction, causes the introducing unit 22B to clamp the film F. In other words, the controller 9 is a circuit configured to, when the film F is loaded onto the first feeder unit 61 and the second feeder unit 62, cause the introducing unit 22A to clamp the film F delivered by the film delivering mechanism 5 and cause the lower belt 23A and the upper belt 24A to convey the film F, and simultaneously, while causing the introducing unit 22B to open or the introducing unit 22B to intermittently clamp the film F delivered by the film delivering mechanism 5, cause the lower belt 23B and the upper belt 24B to convey the film F and also cause the second feeder unit 62 to move in the direction separating from the first feeder unit 61 and, when the second feeder unit 62 reaches the predetermined position in the second direction, cause the introducing unit 22B to clamp the film F. Specific operation of the controller 9b will be described later.

The control unit 9 thus configured refers to various types of data in the storage 9a and, based on the weight and/or the tray size of an object W measured by the measuring carrying-in mechanism 2, calculates the price of the object W, for example. The control unit 9 controls operation of the label printer LP and the label issuing device LI, and prints the weight or the price of the object W on a label.

The following schematically describes packaging operation in the packaging apparatus 1.

In the packaging apparatus 1, when a user places an object W on the measuring vessel 12 of the measuring carrying-in mechanism 2, the weight of the object W is measured by the measuring scale 2a. The object W is pushed out onto the support members 33 of the lifter mechanism 30 by the conveying bar 13. Meanwhile, the film F is transferred to the film conveyance mechanism 6 by the film delivering mechanism 5, and the film F is cut by the cutter mechanism 7 into a sheet of rectangular film F. The film F is conveyed to above the lifter mechanism 30 by the feeder units 61 and 62, and both side portions thereof in the width direction are tensionally held.

Against the film F thus tensionally held, the object W is pushed up by the lifter mechanism 30, and the film F is stretched so as to cover the object W. The periphery of the film F is folded over the lower side of the tray T by the folding mechanism 37. The object W is pushed out toward the seal mechanism 8 by the discharging pusher 79a. Subsequently, the film F is heat-sealed by the seal mechanism 8, and is then discharged onto the discharge table 82.

When a process including label pasting is performed, the price and the weight, for example, of the product G calculated based on the measured value are printed on a label by the label printer LP, and this label is pasted on the film F by the label issuing device LI.

The following describes loading operation in the packaging apparatus 1 with reference to FIG. 10A to FIG. 12B. In the following description, operation of newly setting a film roll RI and loading a film F1 will be described as one example.

In the packaging apparatus 1, when a film set button (not depicted) is depressed by an operator, the controller 9b causes the loading-unit drive motor 52 of the film delivering mechanism 5 to drive, thereby moving the loading unit 70 to the loading position as depicted in FIG. 10A. The operator pulls out an end of the film F1 from the film roll R1, and sets the film F1 into the first grasping unit 71 of the loading unit 70. Specifically, the operator opens the plate member 71b of the first grasping unit 71 with respect to the plate member 71a to set the film F1.

Subsequently, when a film loading button (not depicted) is depressed by the operator, the controller 9b causes the loading-unit drive motor 52 to drive, thereby tilting the loading unit 70 in the arrow A2 direction as depicted in FIG. 10A and causing the loading unit 70 to move to the feeding position. Accordingly, as depicted in FIG. 10B, the first grasping unit 71 becomes parallel to the horizontal plane. The controller 9b also causes the loading-unit movement frame 51 to move in the arrow A3 direction as depicted in FIG. 10B, so that the loading-unit movement frame 51 is positioned in the second position closer to the film conveyance mechanism 6.

Subsequently, as depicted in FIG. 11A, the controller 9b causes the introducing unit 22A of the first feeder unit 61 to swing in the arrow 4A direction, so that the introducing unit 22A is positioned in the lower position. Accordingly, between the introducing unit 22A and the lower belt 23A, the film F1 grasped by the first grasping unit 71 is clamped.

Subsequently, the controller 9b causes the drive motor configured to drive the pulley 21c of the lower belt 23A to operate. Accordingly, the first feeder unit 61 introduces the film F1, and also conveys the film F1 downstream while drawing in the film F1 between the lower belt 23A and the upper belt 24A. The controller 9b also causes the loading-unit movement frame 51 to move in the arrow A5 direction as depicted in FIG. 11A, so that the loading-unit movement frame 51 is positioned in the first position farther from the film conveyance mechanism 6.

The controller 9b causes the first feeder unit 61 to convey the film F1 of the predetermined length, and then switches ON the solenoid of the midstream clamp 26A, for example. Accordingly, the film F1 is clamped between the midstream clamp 26A and the band plate 21a. The controller 9b causes the first feeder unit 61 to further convey the film F1 with the film F1 being clamped by the midstream clamp 26A. Accordingly, the film F1 stays between the lower belt 23A and the upper belt 24A.

While the introducing unit 22B of the second feeder unit 62 is positioned in the upper position, the controller 9b causes the drive motor configured to drive the pulley 21c of the lower belt 23B to operate, thereby conveying the film F1 downstream while drawing in the film F1 between the lower belt 23B and the upper belt 24B without clamping the film F1. Herein, the timing at which the second feeder unit 62 starts conveying the film F1 may be the same as the timing at which the first feeder unit 61 starts conveying the film F1, or may be after the first feeder unit 61 has started conveying the film F1.

The controller 9b causes the drive motor 64a of the second feeder moving unit 64 to drive, thereby moving the second feeder unit 62 toward the far side (direction separating from the first feeder unit 61) from the position depicted in FIG. 12A to the position depicted in FIG. 12B. At this time, when the second feeder unit 62 reaches the position at a length equal to one half of the film width as indicated by the dashed line in FIG. 12B, the controller 9b causes the introducing unit 22B to be positioned in the lower position. Accordingly, the second feeder unit 62 conveys the film F1 with the lower belt 23B and the upper belt 24B while clamping the film F1 with the introducing unit 22B from the position at a length equal to one half of the film width.

After the second feeder unit 62 is moved to the end (position depicted in FIG. 12B) in the film-width direction, when the film F1 of the predetermined length is introduced into the second feeder unit 62, the controller 9b causes the cutter mechanism 7 to operate as depicted in FIG. 11B. Consequently, the film F1 spread between the film delivering mechanism 5 and the film conveyance mechanism 6 is cut. After the film F1 is cut, the controller 9b causes the introducing unit 22A of the first feeder unit 61 and the introducing unit 22B of the second feeder unit 62 to release the clamped film F2. This ends the loading process of the film F1.

As described in the foregoing, in the packaging apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, when the film F is loaded onto the first feeder unit 61 and the second feeder unit 62, the controller 9b causes the introducing unit 22A to clamp the film F1 delivered by the film delivering mechanism 5 and causes the lower belt 23A and the upper belt 24A to convey the film F, simultaneously causes the lower belt 23B and the upper belt 24B to convey the film F with the introducing unit 22B being open (without clamping the film F) and also causes the second feeder unit 62 to move in the direction separating from the first feeder unit 61 and, when the second feeder unit 62 reaches the predetermined position in the film-width direction, causes the introducing unit 22B to clamp the film F.

Accordingly, until the second feeder unit 62 reaches the predetermined position in the film-width direction, the film F is not clamped by the introducing unit 22B. This can prevent the film F from adhering to the lower belt 23B and the upper belt 24B at least until the predetermined position is reached, which makes it possible to prevent formation of a bundle of films F inside the lower belt 23B and the upper belt 24B. Thus, the packaging apparatus 1 can prevent occurrence of a problem due to film jam.

In the present embodiment, the packaging apparatus 1 further includes the cutter mechanism 7 configured to cut the film F between the film delivering mechanism 5 and the first and the second feeder units 61 and 62. The controller 9b causes the cutter mechanism 7 to cut the film F and then causes the introducing unit 22A and the introducing unit 22B to release the clamped film F. This enables an operator to easily remove the cut film F.

In the present embodiment, when the second feeder unit 62 reaches the position at a length equal to or greater than one half of the film width in the film-width direction, the controller 9b causes the introducing unit 22B to clamp the film F. This enables the film F to be further prevented from adhering to the lower belt 23B and the upper belt 24B.

The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment. Although a measuring packaging price-tagging apparatus configured to perform measurement, packaging, and price tagging has been described as the packaging apparatus 1 in the above-described embodiment, the packaging apparatus 1 may be configured not to perform measurement and/or price tagging.

In the above-described embodiment, a mode has been described as one example in which the introducing unit 22B is caused to clamp the film F when the second feeder unit 62 reaches the predetermined position (e.g., the position at a length equal to or greater than one half of the film width) in the film-width direction. However, the controller 9b may perform control so as to cause the introducing unit 22B to intermittently clamp the film F until the second feeder unit 62 reaches the predetermined position in the film-width direction. The expression “to intermittently clamp” means to clamp the film F and release the clamped film F at a certain or uncertain timing. The period of time for which the film F is clamped may be set as appropriate. The predetermined position at which clamping of the film F is continuously started in the introducing unit 22B may be set based on the design as appropriate.

At least part of the above-described embodiment may be optionally combined.

PACKAGING APPARATUS

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