JP7530584B2 - Packaging Equipment - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a technology for using only the packaging section of a packaging device that has an input section and a packaging section as a standalone unit.

Patent Document 1 proposes a packaging device that improves the maintainability of the packaging device that performs heat sealing while ensuring the safety of the operator.

JP 2000-168733 A

Incidentally, although there have been conventionally provided devices in which the packaging device and the conveying device are integrated, it would be convenient if the packaging device could be used independently depending on the situation.
However, since such packaging devices are designed to be used in conjunction with a conveying device, safety measures must be taken to enable them to be used independently.

Therefore, one of the objectives of the present invention is to enable safe independent use of the packaging section in a device equipped with a packaging section and an input section.

To achieve the above object, the packaging device according to the present invention has an input section that inputs packaged items to a packaging section, the packaging section that packages the packaged items input from the input section, a switching section that switches the input section and the packaging section between a linked state and a non-linked state, and a determination section that determines the linked state of the input section and the packaging section, and when the switching section switches the input section and the packaging section from a linked state to a non-linked state, the switching section disables the trigger of the packaging process by the packaging section in the linked state, and when it is determined that the input section and the packaging section are in a non-linked state, the packaging section directly packages the packaged items inserted into the packaging section.

1 is a schematic perspective view showing a packaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged perspective view showing a connection portion between a packaging unit and a conveying unit in the packaging device according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged perspective view showing a connection portion between the packaging unit and the carry-in unit in the packaging device according to the embodiment, in which the lateral width detection unit is in operation. FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged perspective view showing a connection portion between a packaging unit and a carry-in unit in the packaging device according to the embodiment, with the cover open; FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged perspective view showing a limiting portion of a carry-in portion of the packaging device according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing functions of the packaging device according to the present embodiment. 4 is a sequence diagram showing the operation and processing flow of the packaging device according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing the operation and processing flow of the packaging device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5 is a process flow diagram showing the flow of processes executed by the packaging device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5 is a process flow diagram showing the flow of processes executed by the packaging device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on an input/output unit of the packaging device according to the embodiment; FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on an input/output unit of the packaging device according to the embodiment; FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on an input/output unit of the packaging device according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on an input/output unit of the packaging device according to the embodiment; FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on an input/output unit of the packaging device according to the embodiment; FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on an input/output unit of the packaging device according to the embodiment; FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on an input/output unit of the packaging device according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on an input/output unit of the packaging device according to the embodiment; FIG.

Overview of Packaging Apparatus 1 A packaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings.
1, the packaging device 1 is composed of a packaging unit 2 and an input unit 3, and the packaging unit 2 is connected downstream of the input unit 3. The packaged items conveyed by the input unit 3 are carried into the packaging unit 2 through an opening 2a provided in the connecting portion, and are packaged by the packaging unit 2.
The packaging unit 2 and the carry-in unit 3 can be set or released in an interlocking state by appropriate operations. When set in an interlocking state, the packaged items are carried from the carry-in unit 3 to the packaging unit 2 and packaged in the packaging unit 2. On the other hand, when the interlocking state is released, the carry-in unit 3 is in a stopped state, and the packaged items are directly put into the packaging unit 2 and packaged in the packaging unit 2.

In the following description, the conveying direction of the packaged items is referred to as the +Y direction, the width direction of the packaging device 1, which is perpendicular to the conveying direction of the packaged items, is referred to as the +X direction, and the vertical direction is referred to as the +Z direction. The packaged items are also referred to as being conveyed from upstream to downstream, with the -Y direction being referred to as the upstream side and the +Y direction being referred to as the downstream side.
In addition, in the following explanation, the state in which the packaging unit 2 and the loading unit 3 are linked will be referred to as a linked state or a state in which the linkage is set, and the state in which the packaging unit 2 and the loading unit 3 are not linked will be referred to as a non-linked state or a state in which the linkage is released.

The packaged item is, for example, a product in the form of a tray with an opening at the top on which food ingredients such as meat or fish are placed, and is the object to be packaged by the packaging device 1. However, the form of the packaged item is not limited to this.

● Packaging section 2
In the packaging section 2, the items to be packaged that are brought in through the receiving section 3 or directly inserted are packaged.
The packaging unit 2 has an input/output unit 21 such as a touch panel display, an operation unit 22 consisting of physical operation buttons and operation switches, a label issuing device 23 that issues labels on which information about the packaged product is printed, a label application device that applies labels to the packaged products (not shown, but referred to as the "label application device 24" in Figure 6), a weighing unit 25 that weighs the products to be packaged, a first conveying path 26 that conveys the products to be packaged conveyed from the input unit 3 onto the weighing unit 25, a packaging mechanism that wraps the products to be packaged in stretch film or the like (not shown in Figure 1, but referred to as the "packaging mechanism 27" in Figure 6), a width detection unit 28 that detects the width of the products to be packaged, and an open/closed state detection unit that detects the open/closed state of the cover 201 (not shown in Figure 1, but referred to as the "open/closed state detection unit 29" in Figure 6).

●Operation unit (input/output unit 21, operation unit 22)
The input/output unit 21 is a touch panel display or the like, and is capable of inputting and outputting various types of information.
The operation unit 22 is a physical operation button, an operation switch, or the like, and can request the execution of a predetermined operation by directly pressing it.
Here, the input/output unit 21 constitutes an operation unit in the present invention, either alone or together with the operation unit 22, and receives a switching operation from a user to switch the packaging unit 2 and the loading unit 3 between an interlocking state and a non-interlocking state. In addition, in a screen example of the input/output unit 21 described later, the switching operation can be performed from the input/output unit 21. However, regardless of this, the operation on the input/output unit 21 and the operation by the operation unit 22 are the same. The switching operation may be accepted by both operations.

● Weighing section 25
The weighing section 25 weighs the packaged items placed on its upper surface.
As shown in Fig. 2, the weighing unit 25 includes a plurality of elongated weighing plates in the conveying direction (Y direction). Each weighing plate is supported by a pillar (not shown), and one weight sensor supporting the pillars is disposed below the pillars. With this configuration, the weight of the packaged item placed on any of the weighing plates can be measured by one weight sensor. For example, two pillars are provided for each weighing plate, one at the front and one at the back in the conveying direction. Note that each weighing plate may be supported by a different weight sensor, and the weight of the packaged item may be calculated by adding up the measured values of the multiple weight sensors. The weighing plate is also called a weighing dish.

The upper surface of the weighing plate constituting the weighing section 25 is located vertically (Z direction) above the conveying surface of the second conveying path 32. The packaged item stops once on the weighing plate, and while it is still, the width detection section 28 moves in the X-axis direction above the conveying surface of the second conveying path 32. Here, in order to detect the widths of multiple types of packaged items, particularly packaged items of various heights, it is desirable for the width detection section 28 to sense the lower part of the packaged item so that it can also handle packaged items of low height. On the other hand, if the lower end of the width detection section 28 is lowered, it will come into contact with the conveying surface of the second conveying path 32. With a configuration in which the upper surface of the weighing plate is located vertically above the conveying surface of the second conveying path 32, it is possible to detect the width of a packaged item of low height by moving the packaged item upward relative to the width detection section 28.

When the packaging unit 2 and the loading unit 3 are not linked, the weighing unit 25 can also detect that an item to be packaged has been directly placed into the packaging unit 2. That is, the packaging unit 2 detects that an item to be packaged has been placed by the weighing unit 25 detecting the weight of the item to be packaged. As a result, in the non-linked state, the packaging process for the item can be carried out in response to the weighing unit 25 detecting the weight of the item to be packaged.

A sensor that detects that an item to be packaged has been placed in the packaging unit 2 can be provided separately from the weighing unit 25 or together with the weighing unit 25. In this case, when the packaging unit 2 and the loading unit 3 are not linked, the sensor can detect that an item to be packaged has been placed on the loading section in the packaging unit 2 and start the packaging process, or when the sensor detects an item to be packaged on the loading section, the process can be controlled to request the operation unit to execute a specified operation.

The weighing plate has a generally rectangular cutout 25a at its upstream end that penetrates from the conveying surface to the underside. The cutout 25a is larger than the claw 321 provided on the second conveying path 32, and in this embodiment, the size of the cutout 25a corresponds to the claw 321. The claw 321 penetrates from the lower end of the second conveying path 32 through the cutout 25a into the underside of the conveying surface.

In addition, on the downstream side of the second conveying path 32 in the conveying direction, multiple transfer sections 261 are provided to separate the packaged items from the second conveying path 32. In this embodiment, the transfer sections 261 are flat members, and have a slope that gradually protrudes in the downstream direction on the conveying surface. The transfer sections 261 allow the packaged items to be separated upward from the second conveying path 32 and smoothly guided onto the weighing section 25 above the conveying surface of the second conveying path 32.

First conveying path 26
2, the packaging device 1 has an opening 2a that opens toward the upstream side, and a first conveying path 26 that guides the packaged items to the weighing section 25 is provided on the inner bottom surface of the opening 2a. The first conveying path 26 is composed of a plurality of belt conveyors that are arranged in parallel at regular intervals in the width direction, and is rotated by a drive roller.

Width detection unit 28
2 and 3, a pair of width detection units 28 are disposed upstream of the first conveying path 26. The width detection units 28 detect the width of the packaged items conveyed from the first conveying path 26 onto the weighing unit 25, i.e., the size in the X-axis direction.

The pair of width detection units 28 are long members that extend across the Z-axis direction of the opening 2a. Each width detection unit 28 has a detection area in the +Y direction. The width detection unit 28 detects the presence or absence of a packaged item at the irradiation point by, for example, irradiating a light beam in the +Y direction and receiving the light reflected from the packaged item.

The pair of width detection units 28 each move back and forth along the X-axis direction of the opening 2a from the outside to approximately the center, detecting the positions of both ends of the packaged item in the X-axis direction. Based on the positions of both ends of the packaged item in the X-axis direction, the size of the packaged item in the X-axis direction, i.e., the width of the packaged item, can be calculated.

In this embodiment, the width detection unit 28 detects the width of the packaged item when the packaging unit 2 and the loading unit 3 are in an interlocking state and the packaging device 1 does not store information related to the width of the packaged item in a specified memory unit, etc. On the other hand, when the packaging device 1 is in an interlocking state but the specified memory unit stores width information of the packaged item, or when the packaging device 1 is in a non-interlocking state, the width detection unit 28 does not perform the process of detecting the width of the packaged item.

Open/close state detection unit 29
The open/closed state detection unit 29 detects the open/closed state of the cover 201 described below. The specific mechanism for detecting the open/closed state of the cover 201 is not particularly limited and can be various, but can be configured, for example, by an electric circuit that is energized in response to the opening/closing of the cover 201, or a sensor for identifying whether the cover 201 is open or closed that is provided in a portion that performs the opening/closing operation.

●Cover 201
2, the packaging unit 2 has a housing 20 that covers the sides and the top of the first conveying path 26 and the weighing unit 25. The housing 20 is open at least on its upstream side, and the open portion forms an opening 2a for carrying or inserting the packaged items into the packaging unit 2.

The vicinity of the opening 2a of such a housing 20 constitutes a cover 201 that can be opened and closed above the first conveying path 26 and the upstream side of the weighing section 25, and above at least a portion of the packaged items placed on the weighing section 25.
When the cover 201 is closed, it covers the first conveying path 26 and the upper part of the weighing section 25 in the vicinity of the opening 2a. However, even in this state, the opening 2a is not blocked, and the packaged items can be carried in from the carrying-in section 3.
As described later, when the packaging unit 2 and the loading unit 3 are used in conjunction with each other, the cover 201 is kept in a closed state.

On the other hand, the cover 201 can be opened by flipping it up as shown in Fig. 4. When the cover 201 is in the open state, the first conveying path 26 and the upper part of the weighing section 25 are open, making it easy to directly insert the packaged items into the packaging section 2.
In this embodiment, the width detection unit 28 is provided on the cover 201, and when the cover 201 is flipped up, the width detection unit 28 is also lifted up.
As described below, when the interlocking state between the packaging unit 2 and the carrying-in unit 3 is released and the packaging unit 2 is used independently, the cover 201 is opened.

The packaging unit 2 configured in this manner adjusts the amount of film or the like used for packaging, the amount of folding, and the tension, based on the weight and dimensions of the packaged item carried in by the carrying-in unit 3 or directly inserted. Then, the packaged item is wrapped in film or the like by the packaging mechanism 27.
In addition, the label issuing device 23 issues a label on which information about the product (e.g., mass information of the weighed product, product name, price, expiration date, etc.) is printed, and the issued label is affixed by the label issuing device 23 to the top surface of the packaged item, etc.
This series of operations is carried out automatically by the packaging unit 2. The price is calculated according to the mass of the product.

In this embodiment, the packaging device 1 transports packaged products to a label under-appliance device (not shown) provided downstream in the transport direction by a discharge conveyor provided in front of the packaging device 1. The label under-appliance device has multiple drive rollers, and affixes an under-appliance label, on the bottom of a product transported by movable rollers, that contains information that cannot be displayed on the label affixed to the top of the product, and transports the product to a transport device provided downstream in the product transport direction.
It is not necessary to provide a label underlay device in the packaging device 1. Also, a transport device may be provided downstream of the discharge conveyor, and the products may be transported to the transport device by the discharge conveyor.

● Loading section 3
1 and 2, the carrying-in section 3 is composed of a fourth conveying path 34 provided on the upstream side, a third conveying path 33 and a second conveying path 32 provided on the downstream side, and a restricting section 31. In this embodiment, the carrying-in section 3 is disposed continuous with the first conveying path 26 of the packaging section 2, and the packaged items conveyed by the carrying-in section 3 are guided to the weighing section 25 via the first conveying path 26.
This loading section 3 operates when it is set in a linked state with the packaging section 2 and loads the packaged items into the packaging section 2, but does not operate and is stopped when the linked state is released.

Fourth conveying path 34
1, the fourth conveying path 34 is realized by a band-shaped endless circulating belt. The upper surface of the fourth conveying path 34 is a conveying surface on which the packaged items are placed, and the packaged items are conveyed toward the third conveying path 33. In this embodiment, the fourth conveying path 34 is composed of one endless circulating belt, but it may be composed of a plurality of mutually separated endless circulating belts.

Transport guides 35 are disposed on both sides of the fourth transport path 34. The transport guides 35 are long members disposed along the Y direction of the fourth transport path 34. The transport guides 35 are bent at one point, and the upstream sides of the pair of transport guides 35 are disposed so as to gradually approach each other toward the downstream side. The downstream sides of the transport guides 35 are disposed approximately parallel to the side of the fourth transport path 34.

Third conveying path 33
As shown in FIG. 2, the third conveying path 33 conveys the packaged items conveyed from the fourth conveying path 34 onto the second conveying path 32.
The third conveying path 33 is made up of a plurality of belts arranged in parallel at regular intervals in the width direction, and each of these belts is an infinite circulating belt rotated by a driving roller.

Second conveying path 32
As shown in FIG. 2 , the second conveying path 32 conveys the packaged items conveyed from the third conveying path 33 onto the first conveying path 26 of the packaging unit 2 .
The second conveying path 32, like the third conveying path 33, is made up of a plurality of belts arranged in parallel at regular intervals in the width direction, and each of these belts is an infinite circulating belt rotated by a driving roller.

The second conveying path 32 has a claw 321 on each belt that protrudes from the conveying surface. In this embodiment, the claw 321 is a triangular prism-shaped member having a height corresponding to the width of the belt that constitutes the second conveying path 32, but the shape is arbitrary. The surface of the claw 321 facing the downstream side stands up approximately perpendicular to the conveying surface. The claws 321 move as the second conveying path 32 rotates so that their positions in the Y direction are approximately equal to each other.

The conveying surface of the second conveying path 32 is located lower than the conveying surface of the first conveying path 26. On the other hand, the claws 321 protrude above the conveying surface of the first conveying path 26. In addition, the rotation speed of the second conveying path 32 is faster than that of the first conveying path 26, and when the packaged item is conveyed to the first conveying path 26, the claws 321 catch up with the packaged item from the upstream and push the packaged item downstream. The upstream end of the packaged item abuts against the multiple claws 321 and is rotated on the conveying surface, so that the packaged item can be adjusted to an orientation that is aligned with the virtual plane formed by the downstream surface of the claws 321. According to the configuration in which the orientation of the packaged item is adjusted by the second conveying path 32, the orientation of the packaged item conveyed to the packaging unit 2 can be kept constant. In addition, it is possible to reduce packaging defects caused by the packaged item being conveyed to the packaging device 1 at a large inclination. In addition, the width detection unit 28 can accurately measure the width of the packaged item, allowing appropriate packaging.

Restriction unit 31
As shown in Figures 1 and 5, the restriction section 31 is provided between the fourth conveying path 34 and the second conveying path 32 and the third conveying path 33 downstream thereof, and restricts the packaged items conveyed from the fourth conveying path 34 from reaching the second conveying path 32 and the third conveying path 33.
The limiting portion 31 is a member disposed across the width direction of the conveying surface, i.e., across the X direction, and is a plate-shaped member in this embodiment. The limiting portion 31 moves up and down by electrical control between a mode in which it protrudes upward from the conveying surface of the fourth conveying path 34 to limit the movement of the packaged items, and a mode in which it does not limit the movement of the packaged items.

In the embodiment in which the movement of the packaged items is restricted, the restricting portion 31 protrudes above the conveying surface. In this embodiment, the packaged items abut against the restricting portion 31 and are not conveyed to the second conveying path 32 and the third conveying path 33.
In a mode in which the movement of the packaged goods is not restricted, the restricting portion 31 is recessed below the conveying surface. In this mode, the packaged goods are conveyed to the second conveying path 32 and the third conveying path 33 without coming into contact with the restricting portion 31.

Here, the entrance section 3 is provided with a detection section 36 that detects packaged items on the fourth conveying path 34. The detection section 36 is composed of a light emitting section and a light receiving section that are provided, for example, opposite each other at the downstream end of the fourth conveying path 34. Then, when a packaged item is detected at the downstream end of the fourth conveying path 34 and another packaged item is detected by another sensor (which may be, for example, the width detection section 28) that is arranged downstream of the detection area of the detection section 36, the restriction section 31 is protruded upward. This configuration prevents the packaged item from flowing excessively into the packaging section 2, allowing the packaging process to be carried out smoothly.

Furthermore, when the packaging unit 2 and the carry-in unit 3 are in an interlocking state, the detection unit 36 can detect the packaged item and act as a trigger for the packaging unit 2 to execute the packaging process for the packaged item. That is, the packaging unit 2 detects that the packaged item has been carried in from upstream through detection by the detection unit 36. In the interlocking state, the detection of the packaged item by the detection unit 36 can be used as a trigger to start the packaging process for the packaged item.
If the packaging unit 2 and the carry-in unit 3 are in an interlocking state and the detection unit 36 cannot detect the packaged item, the packaging process for the packaged item cannot be started. If the detection unit 36 does not detect the packaged item but the weighing unit 25 detects the weight of the packaged item, an error is notified.

In addition, a tilt table 4 is arranged upstream of the carry-in section 3. The tilt table 4 is a table that tilts vertically downward from upstream to downstream, and slides and moves the product from upstream to downstream. A pair of guides 41 are arranged on the left and right sides of the tilt table 4 in the X direction. The guides 41 are rod-shaped members that extend in the Y direction of the tilt table 4, and prevent the product sliding down the tilt table 4 from falling and guide the product upstream of the carry-in section 3. When the worker finishes the previous process, he places the packaged product in an appropriate position on the tilt table 4. Due to the configuration of the tilt table 4, multiple packaged products to be processed in the packaging device 1 can be lined up and kept waiting. Since the tilt table 4 is tilted downstream, the waiting packaged products are transported downstream as appropriate as the processing of the packaging device 1 progresses.

●Functional configuration of the packaging device 1 As shown in Figure 6, the control unit 100 of the packaging device 1 is equipped with a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101 for executing information processing, and storage devices such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) 102 and a ROM (Read Only Memory) 103, and is connected to the input unit 3, input/output unit 21, operation unit 22, label issuing device 23, label application device 24, weighing unit 25, first conveying path 26, packaging mechanism 27, width detection unit 28, and open/closed state detection unit 29 via an interface circuit 104.
The packaging device 1 also includes, as software resources, functional blocks including at least a switching unit, a determining unit, a notifying unit, a dimension information acquiring unit, and a restricting unit.

The computer program executed by the control unit 100 can be provided by downloading via a network such as the Internet, or by recording it on various computer-readable recording media such as a CD-ROM.

The switching unit executes a process of switching the input unit 3 and the packaging unit 2 to an interlocking state or a non-interlocking state. When switching the input unit 3 and the packaging unit 2 from an interlocking state to a non-interlocking state, the switching unit invalidates a trigger for the packaging process by the packaging unit 2 in the interlocking state. That is, in the interlocking state, the detection of an item to be packaged by the detection unit 36 is used as a trigger for the packaging unit 2 to execute the packaging process, but when switching to the non-interlocking state, this trigger is invalidated, and the packaging process for the item to be packaged is executed as a trigger for the weighing unit 25 to detect the weight of the item to be packaged.
Conversely, when the loading unit 3 and the packaging unit 2 are switched from a non-interlocked state to an interlocked state, the trigger for the packaging process by the packaging unit 2 in the interlocked state is enabled. That is, the trigger based on the weight detection of the packaged item by the weighing unit 25 is disabled, while the detection of the packaged item by the detection unit 36 is used as a trigger to execute the packaging process by the packaging unit 2.
In this case, disabling a trigger based on the detection unit 36 or a trigger based on the weighing unit 25 includes both not performing the detection operation itself and performing the detection operation but not processing the detection information as a trigger.

The determination unit determines whether the packaging unit 2 and the loading unit 3 are in an interlocking state or a non-interlocking state.
Here, when the packaging section 2 and the input section 3 are linked, the packaged items are input from the input section 3 to the packaging section 2, and the packaging section 2 packages the packaged items input from the input section 3.
On the other hand, when the connection between the packaging section 2 and the intake section 3 is released, the intake section 3 is in a stopped state, the packaged items are directly fed into the packaging section 2, and the packaging section 2 packages the packaged items that have been directly fed.
In addition, whether or not the packaging unit 2 and the loading unit 3 are in a linked state can be determined, for example, when a user performs an operation to set or cancel the linked state, by setting a flag for setting or canceling the linked state in response to the operation and referring to this flag.

The notification unit is a functional unit that notifies the user of processing errors and status in the packaging device 1, requests to perform necessary operations, etc., and specifically, displays the error content, etc. via the input/output unit 21, and requests the user to perform operations to resolve the error content, etc.
In this embodiment, for example, when the packaging unit 2 and the loading unit 3 are in a linked state, when the open/closed state detection unit 29 detects that the cover 201 is open, the user is notified that the cover 201 is open and is instructed to close the cover 201.
In addition, when the packaging section 2 and the loading section 3 are not in a linked state, when the open/closed state detection section 29 detects that the cover 201 is closed, the user is notified that the cover 201 is closed and is instructed to open the cover 201.

The dimensional information acquisition unit is a functional unit that acquires dimensional information of the packaged item, in particular, the depth, height, and width.
This dimension acquisition unit requests and accepts input of information relating to the depth, height and width of the packaged item via, for example, the input/output unit 21, and acquires this information.
In this embodiment, the dimensions of the packaged item other than the width can be automatically set to a predetermined default value, etc. Therefore, at least width information is required as dimensional information for packaging the packaged item. When the width detection unit 28 can detect the width of the packaged item, the width detection unit 28 detects the width of the packaged item, but when the width detection unit 28 cannot detect the width of the packaged item, that is, when it is determined that the interlocking state between the packaging unit 2 and the carry-in unit 3 is released and the cover 201 is detected to be open, the dimension information acquisition unit acquires information related to the width as dimensional information of the packaged item.

The restricting unit restricts the packaging process of the packaged items by the packaging device 1 according to the interlocking state of the packaging unit 2 and the carry-in unit 3 and the open/closed state of the cover 201, thereby restricting the carrying-in or insertion of the packaged items into the packaging unit 2. That is, when it is determined that the packaging unit 2 and the carry-in unit 3 are in an interlocking state and the cover 201 is detected to be open, the restricting unit restricts the operation of carrying in the packaged items from the carry-in unit 3 by stopping the execution of the packaging process by the packaging device 1. Also, when the packaging unit 2 and the carry-in unit 3 are not in an interlocking state and the cover 201 is closed, the restricting unit restricts the direct insertion of the packaged items into the packaging unit 2 by stopping the execution of the packaging process by the packaging unit 2.

Switching the Interlocking State The operation and processing for switching the interlocking state between the packaging unit 2 and the loading unit 3 will be described.
FIG. 7 shows the operation and process flow when the packaging unit 2 and the loading unit 3 are switched from an interlocked state to a non-interlocked state.
The user requests the packaging device 1 to release the interlocking state (S101). Specifically, the user displays the screen shown in Fig. 11 on the input/output unit 21 and presses the switch button G1 for switching the interlocking state.
When the switching button G1 is pressed, if the state is the interlocking state, it switches to the non-interlocking state in response to being pressed, and when the state is the non-interlocking state, it switches to the interlocking state in response to being pressed.

In response to a user's request to release the interlocking state, the packaging device 1 releases the interlocking state by the switching unit (S102). That is, the operation of the loading unit 3 is stopped, and the packaging unit 2 waits to package the packaged item directly inserted into it. At this time, the trigger for executing the packaging process switches from the detection of the packaged item by the detection unit 36 to the detection of the weight of the packaged item by the weighing unit 25.

The user inputs setting information for packaging the item to be packaged in the packaging device 1 (S103).
The setting information can be input, for example, from a screen shown in Fig. 12. From this screen, setting information required for a series of packaging processes for the packaged items, such as a label or packaging mode, and the carrying-in speed of the carry-in unit 3, can be input. Note that the items that can be input may differ depending on whether the packaging unit 2 and the carry-in unit 3 are linked or not.
The input setting information is stored in the packaging device 1 and is referred to when the packaging process is executed.

The packaging device 1 displays the screen shown in FIG. 13, instructs the user to open the cover 201, and requests the user to directly insert the packaged items into the packaging section 2 (S104).
In response to this, the user opens the cover 201 (S105) and directly inserts the packaged items into the packaging unit 2 (S106).
Thereafter, when the packaging unit 2 detects that an item to be packaged has been placed by the weighing unit 25, the packaging unit 2 packages the item based on the setting information and affixes a label.

FIG. 8 shows the operation and process flow when the packaging unit 2 and the loading unit 3 are switched from a non-linked state to a linked state.
The user requests the packaging device 1 to set the interlocking state (S201). Specifically, the user causes the input/output unit 21 to display a screen shown in Fig. 14, and presses a switch button G1 for switching the interlocking state.

In response to a request from the user to set the interlocking state, the packaging device 1 sets the interlocking state by the switching unit (S202). That is, the loading unit 3 is operated, and the packaging device 1 waits for the packaged item to be transported from the loading unit 3 to the packaging unit 2. At this time, the trigger for executing the packaging process switches from the weight detection of the packaged item by the weighing unit 25 to the detection of the packaged item by the detection unit 36.

The user inputs setting information for packaging the item to be packaged in the packaging device 1 (S203).
The setting information is input in the same manner as described above with reference to FIG. 12, and the input setting information is stored in the packaging device 1 and is referred to when the packaging process is executed.

The packaging device 1 displays the screen shown in FIG. 15, instructs the user to close the cover 201, and requests that the packaged items be transported from the loading section 3 (S204).
In response to this, the user closes the cover 201 (S205) and conveys the packaged items from the receiving section 3 (S206).
Thereafter, when an item to be packaged is carried in from the carrying-in section 3, the packaging section 2 packages the item based on the set information and affixes a label.

Packaging Process Next, the process of packaging the packaged items by the packaging device 1 will be described separately for when the packaging unit 2 and the loading unit 3 are linked together and when the linked state is released.
FIG. 9 shows the flow of the packaging process when the packaging unit 2 and the carry-in unit 3 are operated in conjunction with each other.
The packaging device 1 starts the packaging process when the detection unit 36 detects an object to be packaged. First, the determination unit determines whether the device is in an interlocking state (S301), and if the device is not in an interlocking state, the device executes the process in S402 for the non-interlocking state described below.

When the cover 201 is in the interlocked state, the open/closed state detection unit 29 detects whether the cover 201 is in the open state (S302). When the cover 201 is in the open state, the notification unit notifies the user that the cover 201 is in the open state, and requests the user to close the cover 201 (S303). Note that when the cover 201 is in the open state, the restriction unit restricts the execution of the packaging process.
Here, when it is notified that the cover 201 is in an open state and a request is made to the user to close the cover 201, a screen as shown in Fig. 16 is output to the input/output unit 21. This screen displays an image of the packaging unit 2 with the cover 201 in an open state, together with a request to close the cover 201.

When the cover 201 is closed, or when the open cover 201 is closed, the packaging device 1 operates the carry-in section 3, the first conveying path 26, the width detection section 28, the weighing section 25, the label issuing device 23, and the label application device 24 normally, and conveys the packaged items placed in the carry-in section 3 to the packaging section 2 (S304).

When an item to be packaged is brought in and the item is detected on the weighing section 25 (S305), if width information of the item to be packaged is stored in a designated memory section, the packaging section 2 extracts the width information from the designated memory section (S307).
On the other hand, if the width information is not held, the width detection unit 28 measures the width of the packaged item (S308).
In addition, the weighing unit 25 weighs the packaged items (S309).

Once the information on the dimensions and weight of the packaged items is prepared, the packaged items are packaged by the packaging mechanism 27 based on the set information (S310). Furthermore, a label is issued by the label issuing device 23 (S311), and a label is affixed to the packaged items by the label application device 24 (S312).
Through the above steps, the packaging process for the packaged portion is completed.

FIG. 10 shows the flow of the packaging process when the linked state between the packaging unit 2 and the carry-in unit 3 is released and the packaging unit 2 is used alone.
The packaging device 1 starts the packaging process when the weighing unit 25 detects an object to be packaged. First, the determination unit determines whether the device is in an interlocking state (S401), and if the device is in an interlocking state, the process S302 and subsequent processes for the interlocking state described above are executed.

When the interlocking state is released, the open/closed state detection unit 29 detects whether the cover 201 is in an open state (S402), and when the cover 201 is closed, the notification unit notifies the user that the cover 201 is in a closed state, and requests the user to open the cover 201 (S403). Note that when the cover 201 is in this closed state, the restriction unit restricts the execution of the packaging process.

When the cover 201 is open, or when the closed cover 201 is opened, the weighing unit 25, label issuing device 23, and label application device 24 are operated normally, and the packaged item is directly inserted into the packaging unit 2, and the weighing unit 25 waits to be placed on the packaged item so that it can be detected.

When the packaged item is directly inserted and detected on the weighing unit 25 (S404), if the width information of the packaged item is stored in a specified memory unit, the packaging unit 2 extracts the width information from the specified memory unit (S406).

On the other hand, if the width information is not held, the dimension information acquisition unit requests the user to input the width information (S407), and accepts the input of the width information (S408).
Here, when the user is requested to input width information of the packaged item, a screen as shown in Fig. 17 is output to the input/output unit 21. From this screen, it is possible to set and input information of the tray as the packaged item. On this screen, there are provided a packaged item name window G21 that displays the identification information of the packaged item, a packaged item type window G22 that displays the type of the packaged item, a depth window G23 that displays the depth of the packaged item, a height window G24 that displays the height of the packaged item, a width window G25 that displays the width of the packaged item, a tension setting window G26 that sets the tension of the film that packages the packaged item, and the like. The display contents of each of the windows G21 to G26 can be edited by tapping or selecting the window or the corresponding area.

The weighing unit 25 weighs the packaged items (S409).
Once the information on the dimensions and weight of the packaged items is prepared, the packaged items are packaged by the packaging mechanism 27 based on the set information (S410). Furthermore, a label is issued by the label issuing device 23 (S411), and a label is affixed to the packaged items by the label application device 24 (S412).
Through the above steps, the packaging process for the packaged portion is completed.

According to the packaging device 1 according to the present embodiment described above, the linked state of the packaging unit 2 and the carry-in unit 3 can be arbitrarily set or released for use with a single operation on the input/output unit 21. This allows the packaging unit 2 to be used independently, for example, when it is difficult to carry in the packaged item through the carry-in unit 3 due to the type of tray on which the packaged item is to be packaged or the contents of the packaged item, or when the carry-in unit 3 is not in operation due to a malfunction or the like.
In addition, in the non-interlocking state, the cover 201 is flipped up, making it easy to directly insert the packaged item into the packaging section 2, the operation of the width detection section 28 provided near the opening 2a is disabled, and the input section 3 is put into a stopped state, thereby ensuring safety during user operation.

In the above embodiment, the setting or release of the interlocking state between the packaging unit 2 and the loading unit 3 is performed by the switching unit based on the operation from the input/output unit 21. However, regardless of this, the switching unit may be configured to automatically release the interlocking state when the open/closed state detection unit 29 detects that the cover 201 is open, and to automatically set the interlocking state when the cover 201 is detected to be closed.

In addition, when an operator sets the product to be packaged on the input/output unit 11, the operator may be notified to switch between linking or not linking the packaging unit 2 and the loading unit 3 depending on the selected type of contents and tray.
For example, a setting for the interlocking state or the non-interlocking state is provided in the product master or the like for each type of product or tray. Then, when a type of product or tray that is likely to spill its contents during transport on the first to fourth transport paths 26, 32, 33, and 34 is selected as a packaged item on the input/output unit 11, a message screen such as "Please switch to non-interlocking" is popped up as shown in Fig. 18. When the worker presses the "Yes" button here, the non-interlocking state is established, and the screen shown in Fig. 13 described above is displayed, instructing the user to open the cover 201 and requesting that the packaged item be directly inserted into the packaging unit 2.
In this way, by prompting the worker to switch to a non-linked state or restricting processing in a linked state, it is possible to prevent the contents from spilling during transport.

Summary of the embodiment The present invention relates to a packaging device having an entrance section and a packaging section, and relates to a technique for using only the packaging section as a standalone unit.

A packaging device has been proposed that improves the maintainability of the packaging device that performs heat sealing while ensuring the safety of the operator (JP Patent Publication No. 2000-168733).

Incidentally, although there have been conventionally provided devices in which the packaging device and the conveying device are integrated, it would be convenient if the packaging device could be used independently depending on the situation.
However, since such packaging devices are designed to be used in conjunction with a conveying device, safety measures must be taken to enable them to be used independently.

Therefore, one of the objectives of the present invention is to enable safe independent use of the packaging section in a device equipped with a packaging section and an input section.

To achieve the above object, the packaging device according to the present invention has an input section that inputs packaged items to a packaging section, the packaging section that packages the packaged items input from the input section, a switching section that switches the input section and the packaging section between a linked state and a non-linked state, and a determination section that determines the linked state of the input section and the packaging section, and when the switching section switches the input section and the packaging section from a linked state to a non-linked state, the switching section disables the trigger of the packaging process by the packaging section in the linked state, and when it is determined that the input section and the packaging section are in a non-linked state, the packaging section directly packages the packaged items inserted into the packaging section.

The device may further include an opening for carrying or inserting the packaged item into the packaging unit, an open/close cover that covers the top of the packaged item being carried in or inserted, an open/close state detection unit that detects the open/close state of the cover, and a restriction unit that restricts the carrying in of the packaged item into the packaging unit by the opening when it is determined that the carrying in unit and the packaging unit are in a linked state and the cover is detected as being open.

The device may further include a dimension information acquisition unit that requests and acquires information on the width of the packaged item when it is determined that the loading unit and the packaging unit are not linked and when it is detected that the cover is open.

The device may further include an alarm unit that, when it is determined that the loading unit and the packaging unit are in a linked state and it is detected that the cover is open, notifies the user that the cover is open.

The device may further include an operation unit that sets or releases the interlocking state between the loading unit and the packaging unit.

The system may further include a weighing section that weighs the packaged items brought into the packaging section by the carrying-in section, or the packaged items that are directly inserted into the packaging section.

According to the present invention, the linked state of the packaging unit and the carry-in unit can be set or released with a single simple operation, and the packaging unit can be used alone or in combination with the packaging unit and the carry-in unit.
Furthermore, in either the linked or non-linked state, errors and operations required of the user are notified appropriately according to the respective state, allowing the user to use the packaging device 1 safely and appropriately.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1: Packaging device 2: Packaging section 2a: Opening 20: Housing 201: Cover 21: Input/output section 22: Operation section 23: Label issuing device 24: Label application device 25: Weighing section 26: First conveying path 27: Packaging mechanism 28: Width detection section 29: Open/closed state detection section 3: Loading section 32: Second conveying path 33: Third conveying path 34: Fourth conveying path

Claims (5)

A loading section that loads the packaged item into the packaging section;
The packaging section packages the packaged item carried in from the carrying-in section;
A switching unit that switches the loading unit and the packaging unit between an interlocking state and a non-interlocking state;
A determination unit that determines an interlocking state between the loading unit and the packaging unit,
When switching the loading unit and the packaging unit from an interlocking state to a non-interlocking state, the switching unit disables a trigger for a packaging process by the packaging unit in the interlocking state,
When it is determined that the input unit and the packaging unit are not in a linked state, the packaging unit packages the packaged item directly input into the packaging unit,
An openable and closable cover that covers the upper part of the packaged item to be brought in or put into the packaging section at an opening for bringing in or putting into the packaging section;
an open/close state detection unit that detects an open/close state of the cover;
A width detection unit that detects a width of an item to be packaged in the packaging unit;
and a regulating unit that regulates the introduction of the packaged item into the packaging unit by the introduction unit when it is determined that the introduction unit and the packaging unit are in an interlocking state and when it is detected that the cover is open.
The width detection unit is provided on the cover, and detects a width of an item to be packaged in the packaging unit when the cover is in a closed state by the open/close state detection unit.
Packaging equipment. Further, a dimension information acquisition unit is provided for requesting and acquiring information on the width of the packaged item when it is determined that the loading unit and the packaging unit are not linked and the cover is detected to be open.
2. The packaging device of claim 1. The apparatus further includes an alarm unit that, when it is determined that the loading unit and the packaging unit are in an interlocking state and it is detected that the cover is open, notifies the user that the cover is open .
3. The packaging device according to claim 1 or 2 . The switching unit further includes an operation unit that switches the loading unit and the packaging unit to a linked state or a non-linked state.
A packaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 . Further comprising a weighing unit that weighs the packaged item carried into the packaging unit by the carrying-in unit or the packaged item directly put into the packaging unit;
5. A packaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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