JP-2026075936-A - Vacuum packaging machine and method of operating the vacuum packaging machine

JP2026075936AJP 2026075936 AJP2026075936 AJP 2026075936AJP-2026075936-A

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a vacuum packaging machine and a method for operating a vacuum packaging machine that can improve operability by correctly notifying the user of the timing to release the hand pressing on the lid when compressing clothing and the like. [Solution] The vacuum packaging machine of the embodiment comprises a chamber 40 having an internal space capable of accommodating a packaging bag containing an item to be packaged, to which an openable and closable lid 30 is attached; a vacuum pump 120 for reducing the pressure of the internal space; a sealing device 60 for sealing the opening of the packaging bag after the air has been removed by reducing the pressure of the internal space of the chamber 40 with the vacuum pump 120; and a determination means 400 for determining whether the lid 30 has been adsorbed based on the pressure state of the chamber 40 after the start of operation of the vacuum pump 120. When the determination means 400 determines that the lid 30 has been adsorbed, a notification means 440 notifies that the lid 30 has been adsorbed. [Selection Diagram] Figure 1

Inventors

深瀬利隆
水口健太

Assignees

株式会社TOSEI

Dates

Publication Date: 20260511
Application Date: 20241023

Claims (6)

A chamber having an openable and closable lid and an internal space capable of accommodating a packaging bag containing the packaged goods, A pressure reducing pump for reducing the pressure in the aforementioned internal space, A sealing device that seals the opening of the packaging bag after degassing by reducing the internal space of the chamber with the aforementioned depressurizing pump, The system includes a determination means for determining whether the lid has been adsorbed based on the pressure state of the chamber after the start of operation of the pressure pump, A vacuum packaging machine characterized in that, when the determination means determines that the lid has been adsorbed, the notification means notifies that the lid has been adsorbed.
The determination means comprises a pressure sensor for detecting the pressure state of the chamber and a control means for receiving pressure information detected by the pressure sensor. The vacuum packaging machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the pressure sensor is provided between a suction hole provided on the bottom surface of the chamber and the vacuum pump.
The vacuum packaging machine according to claim 2, characterized in that the control means determines the adsorption of the lid when the degree of pressure reduction included in the pressure information from the pressure sensor reaches a predetermined threshold.
The vacuum packaging machine according to claim 2, characterized in that the control means determines the adsorption of the lid when the amount of change in the signal indicating the degree of pressure reduction included in the pressure information from the pressure sensor becomes large over a minute period of time.
The vacuum packaging machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, when generating a compressed pack by requiring the user to press the lid, it notifies the user to release the pressing action on the lid according to the notification means.
A method for operating a vacuum packaging machine that generates a compressed pack by requiring a user to press the lid, comprising: a chamber having an internal space capable of accommodating a packaging bag containing the contents to be packaged, with an openable and closable lid attached; a vacuum pump for reducing the pressure in the internal space; a sealing device for sealing the opening of the packaging bag after the internal space of the chamber has been reduced in pressure by the vacuum pump; and a determination means for determining whether the lid has been adsorbed based on the pressure state of the chamber after the vacuum pump has started to operate, wherein the user is required to press the lid. The opening/closing sensor detects that the lid has been closed by the pressure applied to the lid. The pressure reducing pump is operated according to the detection signal from the opening/closing sensor. A method for operating a vacuum packaging machine, characterized in that, when the determination means determines that the lid is being adsorbed, the notification means notifies the user to release the pressing action on the lid.

Description

This invention relates to a vacuum packaging machine and a method for operating a vacuum packaging machine, which are used to compress and pack clothing and other items in various types of accommodation facilities, such as general hotels, inns, youth hostels, sports training camps, capsule hotels, and guesthouses. The applicant has been manufacturing and selling vacuum packaging machines (also known as decompression packaging machines) for accommodation facilities since 2021, which compress bulky luggage to make business trips and travel more efficient. This vacuum packaging machine is designed to compress (heat-seal) laundry and clothing placed in translucent laundry bags. Therefore, it is designed for simple, one-touch operation, requiring no complicated procedures. The vacuum packaging machine is installed in locations such as the front desk, elevator hall, and laundry room. Users can now quickly compress bulky items (clothing, etc.) using the machine, making them more compact for easier transport. The mechanism of the vacuum packaging machine is disclosed, for example, in Patent Document 1. In this vacuum packaging machine, as shown in Figures 12(a) and (b), closing the lid 510 that forms the chamber 500 activates a vacuum pump (also called a vacuum pump) (not shown), which reduces the pressure inside the chamber 500. A packing 540 is provided on the outer circumference of the lid 510 on the chamber lower 530 side in Figure 12, defining an airtight internal space in the chamber 500. When using the vacuum packaging machine, as shown in (a), the user is asked to press down on the lid 510 from above with their hand 520, and as shown in (b), when the lid 510 is attracted by the negative pressure inside the chamber 500, the user is asked to release their hand 520 from pressing down on the lid 510. However, it is difficult for the average user to accurately recognize when the lid 510 is attracted, and often the lid 510 opens when they release their hand 520 thinking it has been attracted. In other words, a packing 540 is present between the lid 510 and the lower chamber 530, and as the gap becomes smaller by pressing down on the lid 510, the force of the hand 520 pressing down on the lid 510 must be increased. Therefore, when the person closing the lid 510 has reduced the gap in the packing 540 to a certain extent, the reaction force pressing down on the lid 510 also increases, and the person closing the lid 510 may feel that the lid 510 is completely closed. However, in reality, the gap is still wider than a certain amount, and the negative pressure inside the chamber 500 cannot hold it in place. If the person releases their hand in this state, the lid 510 will open, and vacuum packaging will not be possible. Therefore, in vacuum packaging machines for clothing and other items installed in various accommodations used by the general public, users may not be able to operate them properly and may be unable to start the vacuum operation. Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-53863 These are a front view (a) and a side view (b) of a vacuum packaging machine according to an embodiment of this invention.This is a perspective view of the lid of the vacuum packaging machine according to the embodiment, with the lid open.This diagram shows the initial operation procedure of a vacuum packaging machine according to an embodiment.This diagram shows the configuration of the control circuit related to display control, which is incorporated into the control board located on the back of the display unit in a standard configuration.This is a block diagram showing the control mechanism of a vacuum packaging machine according to an embodiment.This diagram shows the internal configuration of a vacuum packaging machine according to an embodiment.This is a flowchart showing the operation method of a vacuum packaging machine according to an embodiment.This figure shows the vacuum operation inside the chamber of a vacuum packaging machine according to an embodiment.This figure shows the operation of raising the opening cylinder of the vacuum packaging machine according to the embodiment.This figure shows the chamber of the vacuum packaging machine according to the embodiment in an open-air state.This figure shows the threshold P and the region R where the lid of the vacuum packaging machine according to the embodiment is determined to be adsorbed.This figure shows an example of how to operate a vacuum packaging machine. Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Figure 1(a) is a front view of a vacuum packaging machine (with coin selector) for clothing and the like according to an embodiment, and Figure 1(b) is a side view thereof. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the vacuum packaging machine with the lid open. Note that the coin selector shown in Figure 1 is omitted in Figure 2. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the vacuum packaging machine 10 according to this embodiment comprises a cha