Wrapping device and wrapping method using the wrapping device

Abstract

A wrapping device for manually operating to package products, particularly of cubic or cuboidal shape, includes a table, an upper side folder, a first heater, second heaters, first adjusters, second adjusters, and side interfolders. A wrapper such as a film is extended on the table and a product is placed on a recess of the table. Then, the film is folded toward the top face of the product, to which the folder is moved to fuse it by the first heater. Then, the first adjusters and the second adjusters are moved, and the table is moved downward to interfold, and fuse the film by the second heaters.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a manually operable wrapping device for packaging products each with a thin wrapper such as a film, and also to a method for packaging products each with a thin wrapper such as a film.

BACKGROUND ART

A variety of products are wrapped into packages in a thin soft wrapper such as a film to protect their external appearances. When the product is cubic or cuboidal, the Japanese commonly called “caramel packaging” wherein the “caramel” is a candy individually having a cuboidal or cubic shape. The four sides or faces (hereinafter, “faces”) of the product are covered in the other two faces free from the wrapper but finally being fully covered with the folded wrapper until the product is entirely enclosed.

In this case it may be necessary to bond the folded portion of the film, so as to secure the complete seal of the product. The bonding is effected by use of an adhesive or alternatively fusing by heat.

Under the mass-production system a large number of products of the same shape are constantly wrapped into packages, so that it is necessary to employ a single-purpose wrapping machine for each size or shape of the products. One version of the wrapping machines of such kind is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-open Specification No. 8-276905 A.

One of the problems of the known wrapping machines is in their size and mechanical complexity required to effect the electrically driven system so as to deal with a large quantity of products automatically at a relatively high speed.

More specifically, the known wrapping machine must have a means for turning products and/or for supporting the products each in a suspended position so as to enclose the four sides of the product with a wrapper. In addition, the machine must have a means for folding the protruding portion of the wrapper over the product. Furthermore, when the product is a thin plate such as a compact disk (CD), the protruding portion of wrapper tends to be short or narrow, thereby requiring a complicated folding mechanism.

Additionally, if the wrapper is elastic enough to readily restore its original shape, the wrapping machine must have a means for retaining the folded wrapper to the mating wrapper chemically or thermally.

As a result, the known wrapping machine is necessarily large in size, complicated in mechanism, and expensive in production. This will be of particular disadvantage when the quantity to be packed is small. Another disadvantage is that the known wrapping machine requires a relatively large site for installation.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a manually operable wrapping device not only simple in structure but also easy in packaging products with thin wrappers, thereby meeting the demand for dealing with products of various kinds.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One version of the wrapping device embodying the present invention includes a table for receiving the product to be placed on; a movable folder for folding the wrapper over the product; and a front face heater for fusing the wrapper at the front face of the product; the table having a front lower step; and the movable folder having a front top step and being movable to the table until its front top step takes a position facing the front lower step in the thickness direction; wherein the front face heater is movable between the front lower step and the front top step, so as to fuse the wrapper at its front end face.

According to the present invention, the wrapping device can be manually operated it is easy to wrap a product, one by one, in a relatively thin wrapper on the top and bottom end faces, the front and bottom end faces of the product, and the end portions of the wrapper are mutually fused. More specifically, the product is wrapped on its top and bottom end faces and the front and bottom end faces in the opposite ends of the wrapper at the front end face, whereupon a portion of the wrapper protruding from the front end face of the product. The protruding portion is then folded by the first step and the second step. In this state, the front face heater is moved between the first step and the second step so as to fuse the wrapper, thereby wrapping around the four faces of the product.

The device can include a side face interfolding member, and a side face heater adapted to fuse the wrapper by heat, wherein the product on the table is caused to slide and pass the side face interfolding member, where the wrapper is capable of interfolding on at least one of the right and left side faces of the product when the product passes the interfolding member, the side face heater being provided upstream of the interfolding member in the sliding direction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first version of wrapping device according to the present invention;

FIG. 2A is a side elevation of the wrapping device of FIG. 1 as viewed in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 1;

FIG. 2B is another side elevation of the wrapping device of FIG. 1 as viewed in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a front face heater provided in the wrapping device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a side face heater provided in the wrapping device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a front view illustrating a state in which a film is extended on the wrapping device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a side view illustrating a state in which a CD case is placed on a film extended on the wrapping device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a side view illustrating a state in which the film is folded over the top face of the CD case from the state shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged side view illustrating a state in which the end portion of the film is folded in the state shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9A is a front view illustrating a state in which a film is extended on the wrapping device of FIG. 1 and its end portion is folded;

FIG. 9B is an enlarged side view of the folded end portion of the film shown in FIG. 9A;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating the film mutually fused at its ends;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating the film folded at two spots by first movable adjusters in the state shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a front view illustrating the mutually fused film in the state shown in FIG. 9A;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating the process of folding the film at the top face by a second movable adjuster at the state shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view illustrating the film folded at the top face by the second adjuster in the state shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 15 is a front view illustrating the state in which the frame has been shifted toward a table in the state shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 16 is a side view illustrating the state in the process of shifting from the state shown in FIG. 12 to the state shown in FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a side view of the state shown in FIG. 15;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view illustrating the state of the film while the table is changing from the upper position to the lower position in the state shown in FIG. 14;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view illustrating the state of the film when the table has changed from the upper position to the lower position in the state shown in FIG. 14;

FIG. 20 is a side view illustrating the state of FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is a front view illustrating the state in which the frame and the first adjusters have been restored to the respective original states from the state of FIG. 15;

FIG. 22A is a front view illustrating another version of wrapping device according to the present invention;

FIG. 22B is a side view illustrating the wrapping device of FIG. 22A;

FIG. 23 is an enlarged side view illustrating the upper part of FIG. 22B;

FIG. 24 is another aspect of the side view of FIG. 22B;

FIG. 25 is a further aspect of the side view of FIG. 22B;

FIG. 26 is another aspect of the side view shown in FIG. 25;

FIG. 27 is a perspective view illustrating the state in which a CD case is being wrapped in a film;

FIG. 28A is a side view illustrating the process of wrapping a product;

FIG. 28B is a perspective view of the state of FIG. 28A;

FIG. 29A is a side view illustrating other aspect of the process of wrapping a product;

FIG. 29B is a perspective view of the state of FIG. 29A;

FIG. 30A is a side view illustrating another aspect of the process of FIG. 29A;

FIG. 30B is a perspective view illustrating the state of FIG. 30A;

FIG. 31A is a side view illustrating still another aspect of the process of wrapping a product;

FIG. 31B is a perspective view illustrating the state of FIG. 31A;

FIG. 32A is a side view illustrating another aspect of the process of wrapping a product;

FIG. 32B is a perspective view illustrating the state of FIG. 32A;

FIG. 33A is a front view illustrating a third version of wrapping device according to the present invention;

FIG. 33B is a side view of the wrapping device of FIG. 33A;

FIG. 34 is a perspective view illustrating an interfolding member;

FIG. 35 is a perspective view illustrating the process of wrapping a product by the third version of wrapping device;

FIG. 36A is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating the process of wrapping a product;

FIG. 36B is a side view of the state of FIG. 36A;

FIG. 37A is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating other aspect of the process of wrapping a product;

FIG. 37B is a fragmentary side view of the state shown in FIG. 37A;

FIG. 38A is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating another aspect of the process of wrapping a product;

FIG. 38B is a fragmentary side view of the state of FIG. 38A; and

FIG. 39 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating the process of wrapping a product.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A first version of the wrapping device embodying the present invention will be described:

In FIG. 1, the wrapping device 1 is designed to wrap a rectangular compact disk case (viz. CD case) 80 in a synthetic film 90. In FIG. 10 the case 80 and the film 90 are illustrated on a larger scale. The film 90 is extended on a table 10, and the CD case 80 is placed on the extended film 90. Then, the film 90 is folded over the case 80 until its end portions cover the four faces of the CD case 80, and film portions protruding from the uncovered two faces are interfolded over the remaining two faces. Finally, the end portions of the wrapper are fusively adhered together by heat.

For explanation's convenience, the “thickness direction” denotes a direction vertical to the top surface of the table 10, the “width direction” denotes a direction parallel to the top surface of the table 10 and vertical to the faces of the product over which the film 90 is interfolded, and a “longitudinal direction” denotes a direction vertical to both the thickness direction and the width direction. As is evident from the drawings, the top face and the bottom end face of the product are opposite in the thickness direction, the front end face and the bottom end face are opposite in the longitudinal direction, and the right side face and the left side face positioning between two sides of the top and the bottom end faces are opposite in the width direction.

In addition to the table 10, the wrapping device 1 includes a plurality of first movable adjusters 11 carried on coupling rods 21, a plurality of second movable adjusters 12 carried on a frame 22 supporting two second adjusters 12, a movable folder 17, side interfolders 13, a front face heater 15, side face heaters 16, and a base 43.

The table 10, as shown in FIG. 1, has a rectangular shape. The table 10 is provided with a first rib 18 and a second rib 19 projecting from the top surface of the table 10. The first rib 18 and the second rib 19 have substantially the same shape each having a rectangular cross section, and extending in parallel in the width direction.

The first rib 18 has an inner shoulder 18a toward the second rib 19, and the second rib 19 has an inner shoulder 19a toward the first rib 18. The first rib 18 and the second ribs 19 define a receiving place identified as a recess 10a therebetween, which allows a CD case to be placed on as described below.

Herein, the table 10 is as wide as the CD case 80, and a distance between the shoulder 18a of the first rib 18 and the shoulder 19a of the second rib 19 is as long as the CD case 80. The recess 10a dimensionally conforms to the bottom end face 84 of the CD case 80. The table 10 has a recess 10b at each edge in the width direction of the table 10 to form a space between the table 10 and side interfolders 13 described below so that a user can insert his or her fingers into the recesses 10b to raise the table 10.

The table 10, as shown in FIG. 1, is supported in a known manner such as by a pivot and supports 23. The pivot (not shown) is connected to a connecting portion 50 secured to a base 43 provided under the wrapping device 1. The table 10 is pivotably supported, parallel to the width direction, around the pivot (not shown).

The support 23 can selectively support the table 10 at an upper position or at a lower position as desired. The support 23 has a knob 25, whereby the table 10 is shifted to the lower position by its own weight. The table 10 is manually returned to the upper position.

The table 10 is pivotally rotatable, so that it takes various tilted postures, where, for example, the shoulder 19a can be higher than the shoulder 18a at the upper position, and can be virtually horizontal at the lower position.

Each of the first movable adjusters 11, as shown in FIGS. 1, 10, and 11, is preferably of reverse L-shape. The first adjusters 11 are provided at four corners, adjacent to the opposite ends of the table 10 in the width direction, adjacent to the first and the second ribs 18 and 19 in the longitudinal direction. The first adjusters 11 at the four corners are situated slightly above the table 10 at almost the same position in the thickness direction (the vertical direction).

The distal ends 11a of the first adjusters 11 project in the longitudinal direction, and those of the first adjusters 11 on the same side in the width direction project in a different direction, inwardly facing each other.

The first adjusters 11 moves over virtually the same distance as the projecting length of the distal ends 11a.

FIG. 2B shows the table 10 viewed from underneath. Referring to FIG. 2B, each of the first adjusters 11 on the same side in the longitudinal direction (the cross direction) are connected each other by means of a coupling rod 21. The wrapping device 1 has two coupling rods 21, in each of the first adjusters 11 in four places connected to one of the rods 21. The coupling rods 21 each have a sliding portion 33 that engages in a rail 31 at the bottom of the table 10 so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction. Consequently, the movement of the coupling rods 21 causes the first adjusters 11 to move in the longitudinal direction.

The sliding portions 33, as shown in FIG. 2B, are hung on the rail 31 not to fall downward, and other members such as the coupling rods 21 and the first adjusters 11 fixed to the rods 21 are also hung on the table 10 by means of the rails 31.

The wrapping device 1 has a pair of operating handles 30 engaged with the coupling rods 21. By sliding the operating handles 30 in the longitudinal direction the first adjusters 11 is moved. The operating handles 30 have ribs 35 facing each other with a spring 34 loaded therebetween. The spring 34 is a compression spring whereby the operating handles 30 are kept away from each other.

The paired operating handles 30 are arranged on the same side of the table 10, so as to be operated by one hand.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is provided two pieces of the second movable adjusters 12, which are of thin plate-like shape.

The wrapping device 1 has a frame 22, to which two pieces of the second adjusters 12 are attached. The frame 22 is journaled by a pivot 22a attached to a connecting portion 50 and extending in the width direction. The frame 22 is pivotable around the pivot 22a so as to be pivotally moved toward the table 10. The second adjusters 12 are attached so that their distal ends 12a points toward the table 10. The distal ends 12a have substantially the same length as that of the CD case 80 in the longitudinal direction and are of substantially flat shape. By moving the frame 22 toward the table 10 the second adjusters 12 is moved from top down, thereby leaving away from the table 10 in the width direction.

A movable folder 17, as shown in FIG. 1, is a plate-like member and journaled by a pivot 17a attached to the connecting portion 50 and extending in the width direction. The folder 17 is pivotable around the pivot 22a so as to be pivotally moved toward the table 10. The pivot point of the folder 17 and the pivot point of the frame 22 in the second adjusters 12 are provided at the same side relative to the table 10. The pivot axes are situated outside of the side of the table 10 adjacent to the rib 18, more particularly, adjacent to the front face 84 of the mounted CD case 80, and parallel to the side of the table 10.

The pivot 17a is connected to the folder 17 adjacent to its one edge, whereas a front top step 20 is formed adjacent to the other edge on the side opposite to the pivot 17a.

The folder 17 is pivotally moved toward the table 10 about the pivot 22a. The pivotal movement of the folder 17 toward the table 10 displaces the front top step 20 to a point above the shoulder 18a on the table 10, so as to be opposed to the shoulder 18a in the thickness direction of the table 10.

The folder 17 has a slot 17b through which a handle 40 described below attached to a retainer plate 39 of the heater 15 passes, so that the folder 17 is tilted over the table 10.

The side interfolders 13 each are composed of elongated plates and provided away from the table 10 in the width direction. The side interfolders 17 provided at opposite sides in the width direction of the table 10, as described below, are respectively located away from a left side face 85 and a right side face 86 of the CD case 80 placed on the table 10. The side interfolders 13 each have substantially the same length as that of the recess 10a.

The side interfolders 13 each have a top face 13a, which is located at a lower level than the recess 10a of the table 10 when the table 10 is at a raised position, and at a higher level than the table 10 at the lower position. The side interfolders 13 are secured to the base 43.

While the table 10 rotates downward (anti-clockwise in FIG. 1), the recess 10a becomes flush with the side interfolders 13, wherein the bottom surface of the recess 10a is tilted relative to the top faces 13a of the side interfolders 13. More specifically, the shoulder 19a is tilted so as to be higher than the shoulder 18a.

The front face heater 15 is in front of the front end face 81 of the CD case 80 placed on the table 10. As shown in FIG. 3, the heater 15 includes a tubular elastic member 37 of synthetic resin or rubber, and an electrically-heated conductor 38 embedded in the tubular member 37. The electrical conductor 38 generates heat in itself, thereby causing the fused films 90 to adhere each other, as described below. Alternatively, a thermally fusible adhesive may be previously applied to at least one of the films 90.

The heater 15 is secured, adjacent to the table 10, to the edge of the retainer plate 39 over its entire length.

The retainer plate 39 is made of heat-resistant synthetic resin, so that the heat generated by the electrically-heated conductor 38 is prevented from transferring to the retainer plate 39.

The retainer plate 39 is movable in the width direction toward the table 10, and is urged in a direction away from the table 10 by an urging member like a spring (not shown). The retainer plate 39 has a handle 40 secured thereto. Only when the handle 40 is pushed toward the table 10, the heater 15 is moved toward the table 10, and when the pushing is stopped, the handle 40 moves back in a direction away from the table 10 by the urging member.

When the handle 40 is pushed, the heater 15 is located above the shoulder 18a, adjacent to the front end face 81 of the CD case 80 placed on the table 10. Then, the heater 15 is moved toward the table 10 to press the front end face 81 of the CD case 80.

Even when the folder 17 has been moved to the table 10, the heater 15 is also movable toward the table 10. In this case, the heater 15 moves between the shoulder 18a and the step 20.

Another heaters 16 are arranged on either side in the width direction of the table 10. Each of the heaters 16 is constituted, as a cross section of that is shown in FIG. 4, similar to the heater 15.

Retainer plates 39 of the heaters 16 are located higher than the side interfolders 13 and are movable in the longitudinal direction toward the table 10. When being moved toward the table 10 at the lower position, the heaters 16 move toward the edges of either side of the table 10, and to a position above and adjacent to outside the width direction of the recess 10a.

The heaters 16 are moved away from the table 10 by an urging member (not shown). The retainer plates 39 of the heaters 16 each are provided in a handle 40. The heaters 16 are moved toward the table 10 by the handles 40. In this way, the heaters 16 are moved in the same manner as the heater 15.

Now, the operation of the wrapping device 1 will be described:

The film 90 has a width a little wider than that of the CD case 80 and a length at least twice the total amount of the length and thickness of the CD case 80. If the film is longer, it must be cut to the length described above.

The material of the film 90 can be selected from a wide range, such as ethylene, polypropylene, and a drawn film.

At first, as shown in FIG. 1, the table 10 is located at the upper position and the frame 22 and the front face folder 17 are located away from the table 10.

Referring to the FIG. 5, the film 90 is placed over the recess 10a of the table 10. More specifically, the end of the film 90 in the longitudinal direction is to be adjacent to the shoulder 18a so as to cover the entire area of the recess 10a. In this way the film 90 is extended over the recess 10a, thereby covering the shoulders 18a and 19a.

The distance between the end of the film 90 in the longitudinal direction and the shoulder 18a should be shorter than the thickness of the CD case 80.

As shown in FIG. 6, the CD case 80 is placed on the film 90 so as to fit in the recess 10a against the shoulder 18a, so that the film 90 is folded along the shoulder 18a and toward the front end face 81 of the CD case 80. Similarly, the film 90 is placed between the CD case 80 and the shoulder 19a, so that the film 90 is folded along the shoulder 19a and toward the bottom end face 82 of the CD case 80. The bottom end face 84 of the CD case 80 is covered with the film 90.

Next, the film 90 is folded over the top face 83 of the CD case 80. Referring to FIG. 7, since the film 90 is slightly longer than twice the total amount of the length and thickness of the CD case 80, its end portion covers the top face 83 of the CD case 80. Thus, the film 90 covers the bottom end face 82, the top face 83, and the bottom end face 84, and the opposite ends of the film 90 in the longitudinal direction come to the front end face 81 of the CD case 80.

Then, as shown in FIG. 7, the movable folder 17 is pivotally moved toward the table 10, thereby making the front top step 20 take its position facing the shoulder 18a in the thickness direction.

The front top step 20 of the folder 17 folds the film 90 protruding from the top face 83 toward the front end face 81, so that the film 90 partly overlaps as in the state shown in FIGS. 8 and 9B.

At this time, by slightly pulling the film 90 toward the front end face 81, the case 80 can be neatly wrapped in the film 90 with no gap between the film and the surfaces of the product.

At this moment, heat is applied to the overlapping films 90 so as to become softened through the electrically-heated conductor 38, whereby the tubular member 37 is appropriately heated, and then the handle 40 is moved in the direction indicated by arrows in FIGS. 9A and 9B to bring the tubular member 37 into contact with the overlapping film 90, thereby fusing the overlapping portions of the film 90 to adhere together. Once the film 90 has been thermally adhered, it does not return to the original state.

In this way, as shown in FIG. 10, the CD case 80 is covered in the film 90 over its front end face 81, its bottom end face 82, its top face 83 and its bottom end face 84, but the portions of film which protrude from the left side face 85 and the right side face 86 of the case 80 remain free from the adhesion.

Then, these portions of the film 90 are interfolded over the case 80. Herein, the method of interfolding the portion of film 90 protruding from the right side face 86 will be described, with the omission of the description about the one from the left side face 85.

As is evident from FIG. 10, the table 10 is upward taking the upper position, so that the recess 10a of the table 10 is located higher than the top face 13a of the side interfolder 13. Consequently, the film 90 protruding in the width direction is also located higher than the top face 13a of the side interfolder 13. Therefore, the distal ends 11a of the first adjusters 11 are located in front of the protruding film 90 and the back thereof.

In FIG. 12, when the two operating handles 30 are moved inward, the pair of adjusters 11 are moved inward, so that that portion of film 90 which protrudes toward the right side face 86 of the CD case 80 is pressed by the distal ends 11a. Thus, the state shown in FIG. 11 is achieved. Advantageously, all the first adjusters 11 are put into operation by operating the handles 30 with one hand. Alternatively, the operating handle 30 can be single so as to operate all the first adjusters 11.

When the first adjusters 11 are moved inward, a front end face protruding part 91 extending from the front end face 81 and a bottom end face protruding part 92 extending from the bottom end face 82 among the protruded film 90 are interfolded inward. Then, as shown in FIG. 11, a top face protruding part 93 extending from the top face 83 and a bottom end face protruding part 94 extending from the bottom end face 84 are slightly transformed in the thickness direction, when the front end face protruding part 91 and the bottom end face protruding part 92 are interfolded.

By continuing to move the frame 22 toward the table 10, the states shown in FIGS. 14, 15, and 17 are achieved through the process of the states shown in FIGS. 13 and 16, thereby locating the second adjuster 12 adjacent to the right side face 86 of the CD case 80.

At this moment, as shown FIG. 13, the top face protruding part 93 is interfolded downward by the second adjuster 12. Subsequently, the second adjuster 12 is moved toward the table 10, and then moved downward, in the course of which the distal end 12a of the second adjuster 12 outstretches an upper side 86a of the right side face 86 of the CD case 80. In this way, the top face protruding part 93 gradually proceeds from a front side (rightward in FIG. 13) to a rear side (leftward in FIG. 13), thereby ensuring that the part 93 is smoothly interfolded.

After the top face protruding part 93 is interfolded, the knob 25 of the support 23 is operated so as to shift the table 10 from the upper position to the lower position. Referring to FIG. 14, when the table 10 is at the upper position before the knob 25 is operated, the bottom end face protruding part 94 is located higher than the top face 13a of the side interfolder 13, and then, when the table 10 is shifted to the lower position, the bottom end face protruding part 94 is interfolded upward, so the top face protruding part 93 finds itself situated on the inner side from the bottom end face protruding part 94. Thus, as shown in FIG. 20, the state depicted in the chain line changes into that depicted in solid line.

when the table 10 is rotated with its top end positioning downward is from the upper position, the level of the top and bottom end faces of the recess 10a of the table 10 is lower than the top face 13a of the side interfolder 13. As a result, the bottom end face 84 of the CD case 80 on the table 10 moves in a tilted posture relative to the top face 13a of the side interfolder 13, so that a point where the bottom end face protruding part 97 is interfolded proceeds gradually from a front side (the right as viewed in FIGS. 18 to 20) to a rear side (the left side as viewed in FIGS. 18 to 20).

Then, the operator releases the operating handles 30 to allow the first adjusters 11 to return its original position, and also the frame 22 to take its original high position shown in FIG. 19. In this state, since the side interfolder 13 still catches the lower side of the bottom end face protruding part 94, and the front end face protruding part 91, the bottom end face protruding part 92, and the top face protruding part 93 stay inside, the film 90 is prevented from restoring to the original state before being interfolded.

The heater 16 is switched on to heat the tubular member 37, and then the handle 40 is operated to bring the heater 16 into contact with the bottom end face protruding part 94, thereby causing the protruding parts 93 and 94 to adhere each other. Thus, the interfolded part of the film 90 of the right side face 86 is prevented from restoring to the original state under its own elasticity.

In this way the packaging operation is completed.

The present invention requires no expedient for lifting the CD case 80 after it is placed on the table 10, thereby simplifying the whole structure of the device. The steps 18a and 19a, and 20 and the movable adjusters 11 and 12 principally do the folding and interfolding of the film 90 over the CD case 80, thereby ensuring a trouble-free packaging operation.

Another version of wrapping device 2 will be described by referring to FIGS. 22A, 22B, 27 to 32:

FIGS. 22A and 22B are a front view and a side view of the wrapping device provided in the second embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 23 to 26 are enlarged side views of the upper part of FIGS. 22A and 22B. FIG. 27 is a perspective view of a CD case to be wrapped and a film. FIGS. 28 to 32 are perspective views and side views illustrating a diagram on the way of wrapping.

As shown in FIGS. 22A and 22B, the second version of wrapping device 2 includes a table 110 for receiving a product, a movable folder 117, right and left side face interfolding members (viz. side face interfolding members) 130, and heating rollers (viz. side face heaters) 133.

As best shown in FIG. 22B, the table 110 has a base 137 having a declined surface 137a for directly receiving the product, and an upper mover 128 and a lower mover 129 both being movable along the surface 137a.

The base 137 is made of a rectangular plate, and is supported in a tilted posture by a support 138. There is provided a front lower step 118a at an upper part and on the surface 137a of the base 137. As best shown In FIGS. 23 and 24, the front lower step 118a extends horizontally.

The upper mover 128 and the lower mover 129 each have a rod-shaped main body 142 extending horizontally and adjusters 111 arranged on the opposite ends of the main body 142. The adjusters 111 project along the surface 137a of the base 137 and inward so that the adjusters 111 of the upper mover 128 and the adjusters 111 of the lower mover 129 are located in a face-to-face position. More specifically, the adjusters 111 of the upper mover 128 project downward and the adjusters 111 of the lower mover 129 project upward.

Herein, the main body 142 has substantially the same length as the width of the CD case 80. A distance between the lower mover 129 at its initial position and the front lower step 118a is substantially the same as the length of the CD case 80.

The upper movers 128 and the lower movers 129 are movable along the surface 137a of the base 137 grooves 141 on the surface 137a, so that adjusters 135 formed on the upper and the lower movers 128 and 129 engage in the grooves 141 (FIG. 22A), whereby the upper and the lower movers 128 and 129 are prevented from disengaging with the base 137 and being smoothly moved along the surface 137a. The grooves 141 are arranged in a direction extending vertically, so that the upper movers 128 and the lower movers 129 are vertically movable.

Herein, the upper movers 128 and the lower movers 129 are urged upward by means of an urging member (not shown). This structure allows the upper movers 128 and the lower movers 129 to move downward only when needed. The lower mover 129 also has a stopper (not shown) so as to take its initial position.

The upper mover 128 has a handle 140, whereby the upper mover 128 is vertically moved by hand. Another heater is provided as a front face heater 143 on the lower part of the upper mover 128 so as to fuse the film 90 of the front end face 81 of the CD case 80, as will be described below.

The CD case 80 is placed on the top of the lower mover 129 of the table 110 and on the surface 137a of the base 137.

The right and left side face interfolding members 130, as shown in FIGS. 22A, 22B and 31, are located in two places on each side slightly below the midline of the base 137. Each of the interfolding members 130 includes conical rollers 131 and 132, which are rotatably secured to the base 137 by means of shafts 131a and 132a. The shafts 131b and 132b are arranged horizontally and substantially parallel to the surface 137a of the base 137.

The rollers 131 and 132, as shown in FIG. 22A, are conical and tapered towards the base 137.

The heating rollers 133 positioned in two places below the interfolding members 130 are rotatably secured by means of shafts 133b fixed to the base 137. The shafts 133b are vertical to the surface 137a of the base 137 and also vertical to a moving direction of the upper and the lower movers 128 and 129. The heating rollers 133 can keep contact with the right and left side faces 86 and 85 of the CD case 80 in its outer peripheries 133a.

As best shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, the movable folder 117 is made of an L-shaped plate and located adjacent to the upper edge of the base 137. The folder 117 is journaled by a pivot 117a on the base 137, so as to pivotally move toward the table 110. The folder 117 is provided in a front top step 120.

Herein, the folder 117, as shown in FIG. 22A, has a slot 147 whereby the handle 140 of the upper mover 128 is moved.

The pivotal motion of the folder 117 toward the table 110 causes the front top step 120 to take a position facing the front lower step 118a in the thickness direction, so that the distance between the front top step 120 and the front lower step 118a can be made equal to the thickness of the CD case 80.

Another method of packaging a CD case 80 in a film 90 by employing the wrapping device 2 will be described.

First, as shown in FIG. 27, the film 90 is placed so as to cover the top face 83, the bottom end face 82, and the bottom end face 84. The film 90 is A, made of the same material, having the same size as the wrapper used for the wrapping device 1; more particularly, it is slightly wider than that of the CD case 80 and is twice as long as the total amount of the length and thickness of the CD case 80) plus an overlapping portion of the film.

Then, as shown in FIG. 22B, the film 90 and the CD case 80 are placed on the surface 137a of the base 137 of the device 2 on and above the top surface of the lower mover 129 of the table 110. At this time, the movable folder 117 is opened, as best shown in FIG. 23.

FIGS. 28A and 28B show the film 90 in this state. Herein, the bottom end face 82 of the CD case 80 is in contact with the lower mover 129, and the bottom end face protruding part 92 of the film 90 is interfolded by the adjusters 111 of the lower mover 129 which is projecting upward at this time.

The bottom end face 84 of the film 90 is sandwiched between the surface 137a of the base 137 and the CD case 80. The upper edge of the bottom end face 84 of the film 90 is folded over the front end face 81 by the front bottom shoulder 118a.

Subsequently, the folder 117 is pivotally moved toward the table 110, as shown in FIGS. 24, 29A and 29B. The front top step 120 takes its position facing the front lower step 118a in the thickness direction, thereby folding the film 90 at the top face 83 over the front end face 81.

In this way, the portions of the film 90 under the bottom end face 84 and on the top face 83 are folded along the front end face 81, thereby covering the front end face 81 of the CD case 80. The film 90 partly overlaps at the front end face 81.

By further moving the handle 140 downward the upper mover 128 is moved downward. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 25, the bottom side of the main body 142 of the upper mover 128 comes into contact with the front end face 81 of the CD case 80, and then, the heater section 143 of the upper mover 128 fuses the overlapping film 90 which were interfolded over the front end face 81.

Then, as shown in FIG. 30, the film 90 covers the top face 83, the bottom end face 82, the bottom end face 84, and the front end face 81. Each of the right and the left side faces 86 and 85 has a top face protruding part 93 and a bottom end face protruding part 94 where the film 90 protrudes. The front end face protruding part 91 and the bottom end face protruding part 92 are folded by the adjusters 111 provided on the upper mover 128 and the lower mover 129.

The handle 140 is further moved downward by a stronger force than the upward urging force acting on the upper mover 128 and the lower mover 129, as shown in FIG. 26, thereby causing the upper mover 128, the CD case 80, and the lower mover 129 to move downward. Therefore, the right side faces 86 and the left side faces 85 of the CD case 80 reach a point adjacent to the right and left side interfolding members 130 situated at both sides slightly below the midline of the base 137.

In this way, the CD case 80 is caused to slide in the same direction as the moving direction of the upper mover 128 and the lower mover 129. This sliding direction is in a direction along the surface 137a.

Referring to FIG. 31, one of the bottom end face protruding parts 94 is interfolded inward along the conical surface 131a of the roller 131 of the interfolding member 130, and one of the top face protruding parts 93 is interfolded inward along a conical surface 132a of the roller 132.

Consequently, after the CD case 80 has passed the interfolding member 130, the top face protruding part 93 and the bottom end face protruding part 94 are interfolded in an overlaid state so that the top face protruding part 93 comes outside, wherein they are interfolded from downside to upside.

As shown in FIGS. 32A and 32B, while the heating roller 133 is passing the overlapping part, its outer periphery 133a comes into contact with the top face protruding part 93, thereby fusing it and also the bottom end face protruding part 94. The heating roller 133 is arranged immediately below the interfolding member 130, thereby fusing the film 90 before the film 90 rebounds backward.

When the front end face 81 of the CD case 80 has passed the heating roller 133, and the CD case 80 itself has taken a lower position than the heating roller 133, it shows that the wrapping of the CD case 80 is finished.

Herein, FIGS. 28 to 32 illustrate only the left side face 85, but the right side face 86 is simultaneously wrapped in the same manner.

A further modified version of the embodiment will be described, using a wrapping device 3:

FIGS. 33(A) and 33(B) are respectively a front view and a side view of the wrapping device 3 used for the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 34 is a perspective view of one of right and left side face interfolding members 160. FIGS. 35 and 39 are perspective views, and FIGS. 36(A) to FIG. 36(B) to FIG. 38 are perspective views and side views each illustrating the process of wrapping.

The wrapping device 3, as shown in FIG. 33, includes a table 110, a movable folder 117, right and left side face interfolding members (viz. side face interfolding members) 160, and a pair of heating rollers 133. The wrapping device 3 has the same structure as that of the wrapping device 2, except for the right and left side face interfolding members 160:

As shown in FIG. 34, the interfolding member 160 takes a rectangular tube-like form having two slots 161 and 162 on one of the sides, hereinafter “slotted side”. Two interfolding members 160 are respectively arranged at both ends of and slightly below the midline of the base 137, as is the same with the interfolding members 130 provided in the second embodiment. The interfolding members 160 are positioned with their slotted sides 163 located inside.

The slots 161 and 162, as the name implies, pass through the slotted side 163. The slot 161 extends over the full length from an edge 165 to an edge 166, and the slot 162 extends from the edge 165 halfway toward the edge 166 in the longitudinal direction.

As shown in FIG. 33(B), the slot 161 is arranged closer to the surface 137a of the base 137 than the slot 162 is.

The slot 161 extends substantially parallel to the sliding direction of the CD case 80 in the longitudinal direction from the first edge 165 until halfway toward the second edge 166, and then it departs from the base 137. The slot 162 is tilted relative to the sliding direction so as to come close to the base 137 from the first edge 165 until halfway.

The slot 161 starts at the surface of the tilted surface 137a, and the slot 162 starts at a point away from the tilted surface 137a by a distance of the thickness of the CD case 80.

The method of wrapping a CD case 80 in a film 90 by using the wrapping device 3 will be described:

The first process is the same as that of the second embodiment, that is:

The film 90 is placed to cover the top face 83, the bottom end face 82, and the bottom end face 84. The packaging operation of the CD case 80 is finished by fusing the film 90 at the side of the front end face 81 to cover the top face 83, the bottom end face 82, the bottom end face 84, and the front end face 81.

However, the second process of interfolding the portion of film 90 protruding toward the right and left side faces 86 and 85 is different from the second embodiment, that is:

The upper mover 128 is moved downward by operating the handle′, 40, thereby causing the CD case 80 and the lower mover 129 to move downward. Therefore, the top face protruding parts 93 and the bottom end face protruding parts 94 of the film 90 take their respective position adjacent to the interfolding members 160 outside the right side face 86 and the left side face 85.

The further downward movement of the CD case 80 causes its state to change into the state shown in FIGS. 36A and 36B; that is, the bottom end face protruding part 94 is guided into the slot 161 of the interfolding member 160 and the top face protruding part 93 is guided into the slot 162.

As shown in FIG. 36B, which is a cross-sectional view illustrating the relationship among the lower edge of the CD case 80, the bottom end face protruding parts 94 and the top face protruding parts 93 at the starting point of the slots 161 and 162, which are not yet folded.

The continued downward movement of the CD case 80 causes the bottom end face protruding part 94 to advance through the slot 161, and the top face protruding part 93 to enter the slot 162. Since the slot 162 is tilted in the direction closer to the base 137, the top face protruding part 93 is gradually folded toward the base 137 in accordance in the movement of the CD case 80.

Then, when the lower edge of the CD case 80 comes halfway toward the interfolding member 160, as shown in FIGS. 37A and 37B, the top face protruding part 93 is entirely interfolded. The bottom end face protruding part 94 is not interfolded at this halfway position.

The further downward movement of the CD case 80 causes the bottom end face protruding part to advance through the slot 161. Since the slot 161 is tilted away from the base 137, the bottom end face protruding part 94 is gradually folded toward the opposite side of the base 137 in accordance in the movement of the CD case 80.

When the entire CD case 80 passes the interfolding member 160, as shown in FIG. 39, the film 90 on the left side face 85 of the CD case 80 is completely interfolded.

As is the case with the device 2, the overlapping parts of the top face protruding parts 93 and the bottom end face protruding parts 94 come to the heating roller 133, and the outer periphery 133a of the heating roller 133 comes into contact with the top face protruding part 93. Therefore, the top face protruding parts 93 and the bottom end face protruding parts 94 are fused. Herein, the heating roller 133 is arranged immediately below the interfolding member 160, thereby fusing the film 90 before the film 90 rebounds to its original posture.

It will be appreciated that the wrapping devices 2 and 3 can readily package the CD case 80 in the film 90. More specifically, the CD case 80 is roughly covered with the film 90, and set in the wrapping device in this state. Then, the movable folder 117 is pivotally moved, and the handle 140 is operated, thus finishing the wrapping of the CD case 80. No complicated process is necessary such that laypeople can use the wrapping device 1, 2 or 3, as the case may be.

The embodiments have been described about the case where the product is a CD case with the use of a film, but they can be applied to any other products with any other type of wrapper.

Claims

1. A wrapping device for packaging products in a relatively thin fusible wrapper, the products having a top surface, a bottom surface, and four sides between the two surfaces, the device comprising:

a table for receiving the product to be placed on;

a movable folder for folding the wrapper over the product; and

a front face heater for fusing the wrapper at the front face of the product;

the table having a front lower step; and

the movable folder having a front top step and being movable to the table until its front top step takes a position facing the front lower step in the thickness direction;

wherein the front face heater is movable between the front lower step and the front top step, so as to fuse the wrapper at its front end face.

2. The wrapping device as defined in claim 1, further comprising:

a side face interfolding member for interfolding the wrapper on at least one of the right and left side faces of the product when the product passes the interfolding member; and

a side face heater for fusing the wrapper at the side faces of the product.

3. The wrapping device as defined in claim 2,

wherein the receiving face of the table is tilted relative to the horizontal so as to allow the product to slide downward along the receiving face.

4. The wrapping device as defined in claim 2, wherein the table comprises a lower mover for supporting the product from the lower side, the mover being movable in a direction in which the product slides, and being kept ready to be urged upward.

5. The wrapping device as defined in claim 4, wherein the lower mover comprises an adjuster for interfolding a portion of the wrapper protruding from the bottom end face to at least one of the right and left side faces.

6. The wrapping device as defined in claim 2, wherein the table comprises an upper mover having an adjuster for side interfolders of the wrapper protruding from the front end face to at least one of the right and left side faces of the product.

7. The wrapping device as defined in claim 6, wherein the front face heater is attached to the upper mover of the table.

8. The wrapping device as defined in claim 2, wherein the side face interfolding member comprises a pair of rollers each having a conical surface, so that the wrapper protruding from the top and bottom end faces is interfolded over at least one of the right and left side faces of the product by and along the conical surfaces while the product is sliding.

9. The wrapping device as defined in claim 2, wherein the side face interfolding member comprises slots being tilted relative to the sliding direction of the product so that the wrapper protruding from the top and bottom end faces is interfolded over at least one of the right and left side faces of the product by causing the product to slide into the slots.

10. The wrapping device as defined in claim 8 or 9, further comprising a side face heater for fusing the wrapper.

11. The wrapping device as defined in claim 1, wherein the table comprises a rear lower step, and a recess formed between the front lower step and the rear lower step of the table, wherein the distance between the front lower step and the rear lower step is substantially the same as the length of the product.

12. A wrapping device for packaging products in a relatively thin fusible wrapper, the products having a top surface, a bottom surface, and four sides between the two surfaces, the device comprising:

a table comprising a place for receiving the product, the place having substantially the same width as that of the product;

a first movable adjuster;

a second movable adjuster;

an side interfolder arranged outside the width of the table; and

a side face heater for fusing the wrapper;

wherein the table is movable up and down, so that its product receiving place can be located at an upper position than the top face of the side interfolder, and can be located at a lower position than the top face of the side interfolder,

wherein a pair of the first adjusters are caused to travel respectively along the right side face and left side face of the product placed on the receiving place, so as to interfold the wrapper protruding from the front end face and bottom end face over at least one of the side faces;

wherein the second adjuster is caused to move up and down along the respective side faces of the product, and to interfold the wrapper protruding from the top face over the side faces of the product; and

wherein the side face heater is movable toward the side faces of the product placed on the table having taken a lower position.

13. The wrapping device as defined in claim 12, further comprising a support for holding the table, thereby keeping the table at an upper position, wherein the support having a knob operable by the support, thereby allowing the table to move to the lower position.

14. The wrapping device as defined in claim 12, wherein the table is tilted downward so that the product receiving place receives the product in a downwardly tilted posture, and allows the product taking this position to pass the top face of the side interfolder, thereby interfolding a portion of the wrapper protruding from the bottom end face of the product over the product.

15. The wrapping device as defined in claim 12, wherein the second adjuster comprises a flat distal end, so that when the second adjuster is moved to the table, the distal end is tilted relative to the top edge of the side face of the product placed on the table when the end passes the top edge.

16. The wrapping device as defined in claim 12, wherein the first adjuster is provided at each of the four places adjacent to opposite ends along the right side face and the left side face of the product placed on the table and have operating handles for operating the first adjusters.

17. The wrapping device as defined in claim 12, further comprising:

a movable folder; and

a front face heater for fusing the wrapper;

wherein the table has a front lower step and a rear lower step and forms a receiving place having substantially the same length as the product between the front lower step and the rear lower step;

wherein the folder is provided in a front top step and movable toward the table, so that the front top step can take its position facing the front lower step along the thickness of the product on the table when the movable folder is moved toward the table, so that the front face heater is displaceable between the front lower step and the front top step, thereby fusing the wrapper staying around the front end face of the product.

18. The wrapping device as defined in claim 17, further comprising a frame for holding the second movable adjuster, each of the frame and the movable folder being rotatable around a pivot extending outside and in parallel to the sides of the table.

19. The wrapping device as defined in claim 1 or 12, wherein at least one of the front face heater and the side face heater comprises an elastic cylindrical sleeve and a heating element embedded therein.

20. A wrapping method for using the wrapping device as defined in claim 1, wherein the wrapper is wider than the product, and is twice as long as the total amount of the length and thickness of the product; the method comprising the steps of:

extending a wrapper over the table;

placing a product on the wrapper extended on the table;

covering the top face, the bottom end face, and the bottom end face of the product with the wrapper extended over the table;

fusing the wrapper by the front face heater at the front end face of the product to seal; and

fusing the interfolded portions of the wrapper at the right and left side faces.

21. A wrapping method of using the wrapping device as defined in claim 11 or 17, wherein the wrapper is wider than that of the product, and is twice as long as the total amount of the length and thickness of the product; the method comprising the steps of:

extending the wrapper over the receiving place of the table, in a first longitudinal end of the wrapper on the front lower step;

folding the wrapper under the bottom end face of the product by the front lower step and the rear lower step after receiving the product on the wrapper on the table so as to engage in the recess of the table;

folding back the wrapper to cover the top face of the product in a second longitudinal end of the wrapper moved to the front lower step, whereupon folding the second end by the front top step in the movable folder moved; and

wrapping the top and bottom end faces and the front and bottom end faces of the product in the wrapper by bonding the first end and the second end of the wrapper by means of the front side heater.

22. A wrapping method of using the wrapping device as defined in claim 12, wherein the wrapper is wider than that of the product, and is twice as long as the total amount of the length and thickness of the product; the method comprising the steps of:

bonding one longitudinal end and the other longitudinal end of the wrapper so as to cover the top face, the bottom end face, the front end face, and bottom end face of the product with the wrapper;

interfolding the edges of the wrapper extending in the length of the product over the right side face and the left side face of the product inward by the first movable adjusters;

interfolding a top portion of the wrapper extending in the thickness of the product over the right side face and left side face of the product inward by the second movable adjuster;

interfolding a bottom portion of the wrapper extending in the thickness of the product over the right side face and left side face inward by moving the table to the lower position; and

bonding the folded portions of the wrapper by the side face heaters.