Film cassette

Abstract

 A cassette case (25) of a film cassette (21) internally houses a film roll (22) that is a wound film (24). The cassette case (25) rotatably supports the film roll (22). A protruding portion (257) of the cassette case (25) is provided, on a lower edge thereof, with a discharge opening (26). A film guide roller (23) is provided in the discharge opening (26) along an axial line direction of the film roll (22). The film (24) that is pulled out from the film roll (22) passes to a rear side of the film guide roller (23) and is discharged to the outside of the cassette case (25) from the discharge opening (26).

Description

BACKGROUND

[0001] The present invention relates to a film cassette that internally houses a packaging film.

[0002] A packaging device is known that is configured to package a product. For example, a packaging machine disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 1-111604 conveys a product on a conveyor. The packaging machine overlaps the product with a plastic film during the conveyance process. By heating the plastic film using a heat sealing member, the packaging machine packages the product with the plastic film. The packaging machine pulls out the plastic film from a film roll of the plastic film, and feeds the film while positioning the film using rollers on a feed path.

SUMMARY

[0003] When mounting the film roll in the packaging machine, it is necessary for an operator to peel off a film, which is closely attached to the film roll; from the film roll and to form a feed path via a plurality of rollers. The film that has been peeled off from the film roll by the operator may stick to the film roll. As a result, it is possible that the operator cannot efficiently perform the operation of mounting the film roll in the packaging machine.

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a film cassette that allows an operator to efficiently perform an operation of mounting a film roll in a packaging device.

[0005] A film cassette according to the present invention includes a film roll, a cassette case, and a roller portion. The film roll is a wound film for packaging. The cassette case is configured to rotatably house the film roll. The cassette case includes a discharge opening from which the film pulled out from the film roll is discharged to the outside of the cassette case. The discharge opening extends in a direction parallel to a first rotation axis. The first rotation axis is a rotation axis of the film roll. The roller portion is rotatably supported by the cassette case in the vicinity of the discharge opening. The roller portion is rotatable around a second axis. The second rotation axis extends parallel to the first rotation axis.

[0006] In this case, the film roll is disposed inside the cassette case. Then the film that is pulled out from the film roll passes beside the roller portion, and is further pulled out to the outside from the discharge opening. In other words, the leading edge of the film is located outside the cassette case. In this case, as the cassette case is positioned between the leading edge of the film and the film roll, the leading edge of the film that has once been pulled out is inhibited from sticking to the film roll. Thus, an operator can efficiently perform an operation of mounting the film roll in a packaging device.

[0007] In the film cassette, the roller portion may include a shaft portion and a plurality of cylindrical members. The shaft portion extends in a central portion of the roller portion along the second rotation axis. Each of the cylindrical members is rotatably provided around a periphery of the shaft portion, along the second rotation axis. The film may stretch and shrink. For that reason, there may be cases in which respective sections of the film in the direction of the rotation axis of the film roll (the first rotation axis) pass the roller portion at varying speeds. Even in such cases, the plurality of cylindrical members can individually rotate along with the varying speeds of the individual sections of the film. Therefore, the film cassette can achieve smooth pulling out of the film.

[0008] The film cassette may further include a first gear that protrudes from an end portion of the film roll along the first rotation axis, and that is configured to rotate around the first rotation axis in accordance with a rotation of the film roll. The cassette case may include a hole that exposes the first gear to the outside. In this case, utilizing a gear that is configured to be meshed with the first gear and that is provided to a packaging device in which the film cassette is used, for example, tension can be applied to the film by regulating a rotation speed of the film roll or a motive force to rotate the film roll can be applied.

[0009] In the film cassette, the first gear may be configured to be meshed with a second gear. The second gear may be provided on a packaging device configured to allow the film cassette to be mounted thereon, and a rotation speed of the second gear may be regulated. In this case, by regulating the rotation speed of the second gear, the rotation speed of the first gear is regulated. As a result, as the rotation speed of the film roll is also regulated, tension can be applied to the film when the film is pulled out. Thus the film can be fed in a state in which appropriate tension is applied. Accordingly, compared to a case in which no tension is applied to the film, the film is more likely to be firmly attached to a packaging target object.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a packaging device 1 on which a film cassette 21 is placed, as seen from the front;

[0012] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the packaging device 1 on which the film cassette 21 is placed, as seen from the rear;

[0013] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing internal structures of the film cassette 21 and the packaging device 1;

[0014] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the film cassette 21, as seen from the front;

[0015] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the film cassette 21, as seen from the rear;

[0016] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the film cassette 21 in a state in which a right side half of a cassette case 25 is removed;

[0017] FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of the film cassette 21;

[0018] FIG. 8 is a plan view of the film cassette 21;

[0019] FIG. 9 is a plan view of a film guide roller 23;

[0020] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a cylindrical member 232;

[0021] FIG. 11 is a first view showing a process in which the packaging device 1 packages a packaging target object 3 and a base 80;

[0022] FIG. 12 is a second view showing the process in which the packaging device 1 packages the packaging target object 3 and the base 80;

[0023] FIG. 13 is a third view showing the process in which the packaging device 1 packages the packaging target object 3 and the base 80; and

[0024] FIG. 14 is a fourth view showing the process in which the packaging device 1 packages the packaging target object 3 and the base 80.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to the drawings. In the following explanation, the lower left side, the upper right side, the upper left side, the lower right side, the upper side and the lower side of FIG. 1 respectively define the front side, the rear side, the left side, the right side, the upper side and the lower side of a packaging device 1.

[0026] An outline of the packaging device 1 that uses a film cassette 21 will be explained. The packaging device 1 is a device that, using a film 24, packages an article 3 (hereinafter referred to as a "packaging target object 3") that is placed on a base 80, along with the base 80 (refer to FIG. 14). The base 80 is, for example, a board that is rectangular in a plan view. While conveying the base 80 from the rear toward the front, the packaging device 1 packages the base 80 and the packaging target object 3 (refer to FIG. 11 to FIG. 14). In the following explanation, the front side of the packaging device 1 is also referred to as the downstream side in the conveyance direction and the rear side of the packaging device 1 is also referred to as the upstream side in the conveyance direction.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the packaging device 1 includes side plate portions 111 and 112 that stand upward, respectively, from a right side edge and a left side edge of a bottom portion that has a rectangular shape in a plan view. Hereinafter, the side plate portions 111 and 112 are collectively referred to as side plate portions 11. The side plate portions 11 each have a generally rectangular plate shape that is longer in the up-down direction. One surface (an inner surface) of the side plate portion 111 and one surface (an inner surface) of the side plate portion 112 face each other. The film cassette 21 may be supported on the upper ends of the side plate portions 111 and 112 in a section between the side plate portions 111 and 112. A slit 17 is formed in the inner surface of each of the side plate portions 11. The slit 17 extends in the up-down direction in generally the center in the front-rear direction, of each of the side plate portions 11.

[0028] Gears 113 are provided on the upper ends of the side plate portions 111 and 112, respectively (refer to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2). Only the gear 113 on the upper end of the side plate portion 111 is illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. When the film cassette 21 is disposed on the upper ends of the side plate portions 111 and 112, the gears 113 mesh with gears 273 of the film cassette 21. A clutch spring (not shown in the drawings) regulates a rotation speed of the gears 113.

[0029] The film cassette 21 internally houses a film roll 22 (refer to FIG. 7). The film cassette 21 will be explained in more detail later. The base 80 on which the packaging target object 3 is placed may be conveyed from the upstream side toward the downstream side in the conveyance direction, below the film cassette 21 and between the side plate portions 111 and 112.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 1, end portions of the side plate portions 11 on the downstream side in the conveyance direction support a first receiving tray 12. The shape of the first receiving tray 12 is a generally rectangular plate shape that is longer in the left-right direction in a plan view. Hereinafter, a top surface of the first receiving tray 12 is referred to as a first support surface 14. The first support surface 14 is positioned on the downstream side in the conveyance direction of a conveyance portion 40 (to be described later), and supports the base 80 that is conveyed by the conveyance portion 40. A pair of guide portions 16 are provided on a left edge portion and a right edge portion of the first receiving tray 12. Groove portions 164 that are recessed in the left-right direction are provided on lower ends of the guide portions 16, respectively. The base 80 is guided along the groove portions 164.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 2, end portions of the side plate portions 11 on the upstream side in the conveyance direction support a second receiving tray 13. The shape of the second receiving tray 13 is a generally rectangular plate shape that is longer in the left-right direction in a plan view. Hereinafter, a top surface of the second receiving tray 13 is referred to as a second support surface 15. The second support surface 15 is positioned on the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the conveyance portion 40, and supports the base 80 that is conveyed by the conveyance portion 40.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the first support surface 14 of the first receiving tray 12 and the second support surface 15 of the second receiving tray 13 form the same flat surface. The base 80 on which the packaging target object 3 is placed may be conveyed on the flat surface from the upstream side toward the downstream side in the conveyance direction. Hereinafter, the flat surface that is formed by the first support surface 14 of the first receiving tray 12 and the second support surface 15 of the second receiving tray 13 and that is the flat surface along which the conveyed base 80 passes is referred to as a conveyance surface.

[0033] An internal structure of the packaging device 1 will be explained with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, FIG. 11 and FIG. 13. In the packaging device 1, the side plate portions 11 includes the conveyance portion 40 shown in FIG. 3. The conveyance portion 40 includes a pair of left and right conveyance rollers 41 and a pair of left and right urging rollers 42. The conveyance rollers 41 are provided below the conveyance surface. The urging rollers 42 are provided above the conveyance surface. The conveyance rollers 41 and the urging rollers 42 are disposed in positions facing each other, with the conveyance surface located in between.

[0034] When the base 80 is conveyed between the side plate portions 111 and 112, the conveyance rollers 41 and the urging rollers 42 come into contact with a left edge portion and a right edge portion of the base 80. The conveyance rollers 41 may be geared rollers, for example. The conveyance rollers 41 may rotate in a state in which the conveyance rollers 41 are in contact with the base 80 from below. The urging rollers 42 may be wheel-shaped rubber rollers, for example. The urging rollers 42 may downwardly urge the base 80 in a state in which the urging rollers 42 are in contact with the base 80 from above. The base 80 that is held between the conveyance rollers 41 and the urging rollers 42 may be conveyed from the upstream side toward the downstream side in the conveyance direction, in accordance with rotation of the conveyance rollers 41.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, the packaging device 1 includes guide rollers 71 and 73. The guide rollers 71 and 73 are provided between the side plate portions 111 and 112 and below the conveyance surface. The guide roller 71 is positioned between the second support surface 15 and the conveyance portion 40. The guide roller 73 is positioned between the first support surface 14 and the conveyance portion 40.

[0036] The guide roller 71 includes a shaft portion 711 and a plurality of roller portions 712. The guide roller 73 includes a shaft portion 731 and a plurality of roller portions 732. The shaft portions 711 and 731 are respectively supported between the side plate portions 111 and 112. The plurality of roller portions 712 are rotatably supported on the shaft portion 711 at equal intervals in the axial direction of the shaft portion 711. The plurality of roller portions 732 are rotatably supported on the shaft portion 731 at equal intervals in the axial direction of the shaft portion 731. The guide rollers 71 and 73 may support the base 80 conveyed by the conveyance rollers 41 and the urging rollers 42, from below, between the first receiving tray 12 and the second receiving tray 13. The guide rollers 71 and 73 may guide the base 80, which is conveyed from the upstream side toward the downstream side in the conveyance direction, from the second receiving tray 13 to the first receiving tray 12.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 3, the packaging device 1 includes a column-shaped holding roller 72 that is positioned on the upstream side of the conveyance portion 40 and below the conveyance surface. The holding roller 72 extends in the left-right direction. The left and right end portions of the holding roller 72 are rotatably supported by a holding portion 61. The holding portion 61 is configured to swing. The holding portion 61 can switch between a first position and a second position. The first position is a position (refer to FIG. 12) in which the holding roller 72 is disposed close to the guide roller 71 on the downstream side of the guide roller 71 in the conveyance direction. The second position is a position (refer to FIG. 13) in which the holding roller 72 is separated, in the downward direction, from the guide roller 71. When the holding portion 61 is in the first position, the holding roller 72 and the guide roller 71 can clamp, between them, the film 24 that is pulled out of the film cassette 21.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 11, the packaging device 1 includes two guide rails 74. The guide rails 74 are mounted between the side plate portions 111 and 112, below the guide roller 73. The guide rails 74 support a cutting portion 77 such that the cutting portion 77 can move in the left-right direction. The cutting portion 77 has a blade portion 771 (refer to FIG. 11) that protrudes upward from the top surface. The blade portion 771 extends in the left-right direction. When the cutting portion 77 moves in the left-right direction along the guide rails 74, the blade portion 771 cuts the film 24.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 11, the packaging device 1 includes a guide roller 31 and an auxiliary roller 32 that each have a generally column shape. The guide roller 31 and the auxiliary roller 32 extend in the left-right direction. The left end portion and the right end portion of the guide roller 31 are supported by a pair of left and right first support portions 33, such that the guide roller 31 is rotatably and detachably supported. The left end portion and the right end portion of the auxiliary roller 32 are rotatably supported by the pair of first support portions 33.

[0040] The first support portions 33 can move in the up-down direction along the slits 17 (refer to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2) that are provided in the side plate portions 11. When the first support portions 33 move in the up-down direction along the slits 17, the guide roller 31 and the auxiliary roller 32 move in the up-down direction (refer to FIG. 12 and FIG. 13). Hereinafter, a path of the guide roller 31 that moves in the up-down direction due to the movement of the first support portions 33 is sometimes referred to as a first path.

[0041] FIG. 3 and FIG. 11 show a state in which the first support portions 33 are in a position furthest to the top. Hereinafter, the position furthest to the top in a movable range of the first support portions 33 is referred to as a topmost position. As shown in FIG. 3, when the first support portions 33 are in the topmost position, the first support portions 33 are positioned on both the right and left sides of the film cassette 21 (refer to FIG. 1). As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 11, when the first support portions 33 are in the topmost position, the guide roller 31 and the auxiliary roller 32 are positioned above the conveyance surface and below the film cassette 21.

[0042] FIG. 13 shows a state in which the first support portions 33 (refer to FIG. 3) are in a position furthest to the bottom. Hereinafter, the position furthest to the bottom in the movable range of the first support portions 33 is referred to as a lowermost position. In the packaging device 1, a second support portion 51 and the holding portion 61 (refer to FIG. 3) are positioned below the positions of the guide roller 31 and the auxiliary roller 32 when the first support portions 33 are in the lowermost position. The second support portion 51 is configured to move in the conveyance direction. The second support portion 51 is configured to support the guide roller 31 that is detached from the first support portions 33. The guide roller 31 may move in the conveyance direction (refer to FIG. 13 and FIG. 14) in accordance with the movement of the second support portion 51 in the conveyance direction. Hereinafter, a path of the guide roller 31 that moves in the conveyance direction due to the movement of the second support portion 51 is sometimes referred to as a second path. The guide roller 31 may move along the first path and the second path due to the movement of the first support portions 33 and the second support portion 51.

[0043] The film cassette 21 will be explained with reference to FIG. 3 to FIG. 10. In the following explanation, the lower left side, the upper right side, the upper left side, the lower right side, the upper side and the lower side define, respectively, the front side, the rear side, the left side, the right side, the upper side and the lower side of the film cassette 21.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 3 to FIG. 8, the film cassette 21 includes the film roll 22 (refer to FIG. 6), a cassette case 25 and a film guide roller 23. The cassette case 25 is configured to house the film roll 22 inside. The film roll 22 has a generally cylindrical shape and extends in the left-right direction. The left end portion and the right end portion of the film roll 22 are rotatably supported by the left end portion and the right end portion of the cassette case 25. In other words, a rotation axis of the film roll 22 extends in the left-right direction. In the following explanation, the left-right direction of the film cassette 21 is sometimes referred to as an axial line direction. As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 7, the film roll 22 includes a cylindrical shaped core portion 221 and the film 24 for packaging that is wound around the periphery of the core portion 221.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 6, a pair of fixing members 27 are fixed to both end portions in the axial line direction (the left-right direction) of the core portion 221. In FIG. 6, only the right side fixing member 27 is illustrated. Each of the fixing members 27 includes a wall portion 271, a cylinder portion 272 and a gear 273. The wall portion 271 has a round plate shape in a side view. The diameter of the wall portion 271 is substantially the same as the diameter of the film roll 22 when the film 24 is wound to the maximum.

[0046] The cylinder portion 272 protrudes from the wall portion 271 to a specific length. The outer diameter of the cylinder portion 272 is substantially the same as the inner diameter of the core portion 221 of the film roll 22. The fixing member 27 is fixed to the film roll 22 by the cylinder portion 272 being fitted into the inner periphery of the core portion 221 from the left or from the right of the film roll 22. The wall portion 271 is thus disposed to the right end or to the left end of the film roll 22. A column-shaped shaft portion (not shown in the drawings) protrudes from a center portion of the wall portion 271 toward the outside in the axial line direction. The shaft portion is fixed to the wall portion 271. The gear 273 is fixed around the periphery of the shaft portion. When the fixing member 27 is fixed to the left end or the right end of the film roll 22, the gear 273 is positioned on the outside in the axial line direction of the film roll 22. In other words, the gear 273 protrudes from the left end portion or the right end portion of the film roll 22, in either the left direction or the right direction, along the rotation axis of the film roll 22. The gears 273 of the pair of left and right fixing members 27 are arranged, respectively, on the inner side of left and right protruding portions 253 and 254 (to be explained later) of the cassette case 25 (refer to FIG. 8). When the film roll 22 rotates due to the film 24 being pulled out, the fixing members 27 also rotate. As a result, the gears 273 rotate around the rotation axis of the film roll 22 in accordance with the rotation of the film roll 22.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 4, the cassette case 25 includes an upper case 251 and a lower case 252. The cassette case 25 is a housing (refer to FIG. 5 and FIG. 7) that has a generally column-shaped outer form, and a rear end portion thereof protrudes in the downward direction. As shown in FIG. 8, the protruding portion 253 protrudes toward the right from the right surface of the cassette case 25. The protruding portion 254 protrudes toward the left from the left surface of the cassette case 25. A hole 255 is provided in the front surface of the protruding portion 253. A hole 256 is provided in the front surface of the protruding portion 254. The holes 255 and 256 of the protruding portions 253 and 254 expose the gears 273 to the outside on the right side and the left side, respectively.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 7, a protruding portion 257 is provided on the lower portion of the rear end portion of the cassette case 25. The protruding portion 257 protrudes in the downward direction from the left end portion to the right end portion. The protruding portion 257 includes a discharge opening 26 on the lower end thereof (refer to FIG. 7). The discharge opening 26 is a hole that extends from the left end portion to the right end portion of the protruding portion 257, in parallel to the axial line direction. The film 24 that is pulled out from the film roll 22 is discharged to the outside of the cassette case 25 from the discharge opening 26.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the film guide roller 23 is provided in the discharge opening 26, along the axial line direction. As shown in FIG. 9, the film guide roller 23 includes a shaft portion 231 and a plurality of cylindrical members 232. The shaft portion 231 is disposed in the axial line direction. As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the left and right end portions of the shaft portion 231 are supported by holes 258 that are provided, respectively, in the lower left end portion and the lower right end portion of the protruding portion 257. In the present embodiment, the shaft portion 231 does not rotate. However, the shaft portion 231 may be rotatably supported at the protruding portion 257.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 10, each of the cylindrical members 232 is formed in a cylindrical shape having a hole in the center portion thereof. As shown in FIG. 9, the plurality of cylindrical members 232 (five cylindrical members 232 in the example shown in FIG. 9) are rotatably provided around the periphery of the shaft portion 231. The cylindrical members 232 are aligned in the axial line direction. As shown in FIG. 7, the film 24 that is pulled out from the film roll 22 passes behind the film guide roller 23 and is discharged to the outside from the discharge opening 26. When the film 24 is pulled out, the cylindrical members 232 rotate in accordance with the pulling out of the film 24, due to contact resistance with the film 24.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 7, a recessed portion 259, which is recessed in the upward direction, is provided on the front of the protruding portion 257 of the cassette case 25. When the cassette case 25 is mounted in the packaging device 1, and when the first support portions 33 are in the topmost position, the auxiliary roller 32 is positioned in the recessed portion 259 (refer to FIG. 11).

[0052] Operations of the packaging device 1 when the packaging target object 3 and the base 80 are packaged using the film 24 will be explained with reference to FIG. 11 to FIG. 14.

[0053] First, an operator arranges the film cassette 21 on the upper ends of the side plate portions 11 (refer to FIG. 1 and FIG. 11). The protruding portions 253 and 254 of the film cassette 21 are supported on the upper ends of the side plate portions 11. The gears 273 that are exposed to the outside from the holes 255 and 256 of the protruding portions 253 and 254 mesh with the gears 113 provided on the upper ends of the side plate portions 11 (refer to FIG. 1).

[0054] The operator manually pulls out the film 24 that has been discharged from the discharge opening 26 of the film cassette 21. The operator arranges the leading end of the pulled out film 24 on the downstream side of the guide roller 71. The operator operates the packaging device 1 and swings the holding portion 61 to the first position. The holding roller 72 moves to a position on the downstream side of and in the vicinity of the guide roller 71. As shown in FIG. 11, the leading edge of the film 24 that is pulled out from the film cassette 21 is clamped by the guide roller 71 and the holding roller 72 from the upstream side and the downstream side in the conveyance direction.

[0055] As described above, the rotation speed of the gears 113 of the packaging device 1, which mesh with the gears 273 of the film cassette 21, is regulated. Therefore, when the film 24 is pulled out, the rotation speed of the film roll 22 that rotates along with the gears 273 is also regulated. As a result, tension is applied to the pulled out film 24. Thus, the film 24 extends in a straight manner in a direction that is generally orthogonal to the conveyance surface (namely, in the up-down direction) (refer to FIG. 11).

[0056] In FIG. 11, the first support portions 33 (refer to FIG. 3) are disposed in the topmost position. The auxiliary roller 32 is positioned in the recessed portion 259 of the film cassette 21. The second support portion 51 is disposed on the uppermost stream side in the conveyance direction. The cutting portion 77 is located on the left end. The operator places the packaging target object 3 on the base 80. The operator places the base 80 on which the packaging target object 3 is placed on the second support surface 15 of the second receiving tray 13. By sending the base 80 toward the downstream side, the operator arranges the leading edge (the downstream side edge) of the base 80 on the conveyance portion 40. At this time, the downstream side edge of the base 80 moves, sequentially, over the second receiving tray 13, the guide roller 71 and the holding roller 72. The downstream side edge of the base 80 comes into contact with the film 24.

[0057] The operator sends the base 80 further toward the downstream side. The downstream side edge of the base 80 pushes the film 24 to the downstream side. A sensor 431 (refer to FIG. 1) is provided slightly to the upstream side of the conveyance portion 40. The downstream side edge of the base 80 pushes the sensor 431 downward. The sensor 431 is thus turned to an ON state. When the sensor 431 is in the ON state, the packaging device 1 starts to rotate the conveyance rollers 41. When the downstream side edge of the base 80 is placed on the conveyance portion 40, the conveyance portion 40 clamps the base 80 from above and below. The conveyance portion 40 appropriately conveys the base 80 toward the downstream side.

[0058] When the base 80 moves to the downstream side, the downstream side edge of the base 80 and the downstream side edge of the packaging target object 3 press against the film 24. The film 24 bends at a section that comes into contact with the base 80 and at a section that comes into contact with the packaging target object 3. As the base 80 moves toward the downstream side, the film 24 is gradually pulled out from the film cassette 21. As described above, the rotation speed of the gears 113 is regulated and so tension is applied to the pulled out film 24. Therefore, the film is pushed strongly against the downstream side of the base 80 and the packaging target object 3. The film 24 is firmly attached to the base 80 and to the packaging target object 3 in a position at which the film 24 covers the downstream side of the base 80 and the packaging target object 3.

[0059] Since a force toward the downstream side is applied to the film 24, the leading edge of the film 24 is separated from the guide roller 71 and the holding roller 72. The leading edge of the film 24 moves along with the base 80 and passes through between the base 80 and the holding roller 72. The holding roller 72 presses the leading edge of the film 24 against the bottom surface of the base 80, from below. The leading edge of the film 24 is bonded to an adhesion portion that is provided on the bottom surface of and on the downstream side of the base 80.

[0060] The conveyance portion 40 continuously conveys the base 80 to the downstream side. When the base 80 passes over the sensor 431 (refer to FIG. 1), the sensor 431 is turned to an OFF state. The packaging device 1 stops the rotation of the conveyance rollers 41. As shown in FIG. 12, the film 24 is located in a position at which the film 24 covers the upper side of the base 80 and the packaging target object 3.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13, the packaging device 1 swings the holding portion 61 toward the second position (refer to an arrow 65 shown in FIG. 12). Next, the packaging device 1 moves the first support portions 33 from the topmost position to the lowermost position along the first path (refer to an arrow 66 shown in FIG. 12). The guide roller 31 comes into contact with the film 24 from the upper side, and guides the film 24 in the downward direction. The film 24 is located in the position at which the film 24 covers the upper side of the base 80 and the packaging target object 3.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 13, when the first support portions 33 move to the lowermost position, the guide roller 31 is located on the downstream side of and in the vicinity of the guide roller 71. In this position, the guide roller 31 is passed from the first support portions 33 (refer to FIG. 3) to the second support portion 51 (refer to FIG. 3). When the first support portions 33 has moved to the lowermost position, the auxiliary roller 32 is located above the guide roller 71.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14, the packaging device 1 moves the second support portion 51 from the uppermost stream side to the lowermost stream side along the second path. The guide roller 31 that is supported by the second support portion 51 moves along the bottom surface of the base 80 from the upstream side to the downstream side along the second path. As shown in FIG. 14, the film 24 extends downward from a position at which the film 24 covers the upper side of the base 80 and the packaging target object 3. The film 24 comes into contact with the edge portion on the upper side of the base 80 and bends to the downstream side along the bottom surface of the base 80. In the course of the movement of the guide roller 31 to the downstream side, the film 24 is pressed onto the bottom surface of the base 80 toward the upstream side. As a result, the film 24 is bonded to an adhesion portion that is provided on the upstream side end portion of the bottom surface of the base 80.

[0064] Next, the packaging device 1 moves the cutting portion 77 along the guide rails 74 from the left end to the right end. The blade portion 771 cuts a section of the film 24 that extends from the guide roller 31 toward the auxiliary roller 32. As described above, tension is applied to the pulled out film 24. Thus, tension is also applied to the film 24 that extends from the guide roller 31 toward the auxiliary roller 32. As a result, the blade portion 771 can appropriately cut the film 24.

[0065] The leading edge of the film 24 and the end portion that is cut by the blade portion 771 are in a state of being bonded to the bottom surface of the base 80. The packaging target object 3 is fixed on the top of the base 80 by the film 24. As the film 24 is closely attached to the packaging target object 3, the operator cannot directly touch the packaging target object 3 from the outside. The packaging target object 3 is protected by the film 24. The packaging of the base 80 and the packaging target object 3 by the film 24 is thus complete.

[0066] The packaging device 1 packages the base 80 and the packaging target object 3 in the manner described above. In the present embodiment, the film 24 passes beside (to the rear side of) the film roller 23, is discharged to the outside from the discharge opening 26 and is pulled out (refer to FIG. 7). In other words, the leading edge of the film 24 is located outside the cassette case 25. In this case, as the cassette case 25 is positioned between the leading edge of the film 24 and the film roll 22, the leading edge of the film 24 that has once been pulled out can be inhibited from sticking to the film roll 22. Thus, there is no need for the operator to search for the leading edge of the film 24 that is sticking to the film roll 22 and to peel off the film 24 from the film roll 22. Thus, the operator can efficiently perform an operation of mounting the film roll 22 in the packaging device 1.

[0067] The packaging target object 3 and the base 80 can be packaged while the film 24 is being pulled out. Because the film 24 may stretch and shrink, there may be cases in which the respective sections of the film 24 in the axial line direction (in the width direction of the film 24) pass the film guide roller 23 at varying speeds. The plurality of cylindrical members 232 (refer to FIG. 9) of the film guide roller 23 can rotate at mutually differing rotation speeds. Thus, even when the speeds of the respective sections of the film 24 in the axial line direction vary, the individual cylindrical members 232 can rotate along with the individual sections. As a result, the film cassette 21 can achieve smooth pulling out of the film 24.

[0068] Further, the film cassette 21 includes the holes 255 and 256 (refer to FIG. 8). The gears 273 that rotate in accordance with the rotation of the film roll 22 are exposed to the outside by the holes 255 and 256. Therefore, the gears 273 can mesh with the gears 113 (refer to FIG. 1) of the packaging device 1 via the holes 255 and 256. The rotation speed of the gears 113 is regulated and therefore, the rotation speed of the film roll 22, which rotates together with the rotation of the gears 273, is also regulated. As a result, tension is applied to the film 24 that is being pulled out. Thus, the packaging device 1 can feed the film 24 in a state in which appropriate tension is applied to the film 24. When the tension is applied to the film 24, compared to a case in which no tension is applied to the film 24, the film 24 is more likely to be firmly attached to the packaging target object 3.

[0069] In the above-described embodiment, the discharge opening 26 is an example of a "discharge opening" of the present invention. The gear 273 is an example of a "first gear" of the present invention. The film guide roller 23 is an example of a "roller portion" of the present invention. The gear 113 of the packaging device 1 is an example of a "second gear" of the present invention.

[0070] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and various modifications are possible. For example, the gears 113 of the packaging device 1 may be rotary drive gears. In this case, the gears 113 that mesh with the gears 273 of the film cassette 21 may apply a motive force to cause the film roll 22 to rotate. The gears 273 of the film cassette 21 are exposed to the outside by the holes 255 and 256. Thus, for example, it is possible to apply tension to the film 24 by regulating the rotation speed of the film roll 22, or to apply the motive force that causes the film roll 22 to rotate and so on.

[0071] As long as the cassette case 25 can be mounted on the packaging device 1 and the cassette case 25 can house the film roll 22 inside in a rotatable manner, the cassette case 25 may have a shape, such as a rectangular box shape, other than the shape exemplified in the above-described embodiment. The cassette case 25 need not necessarily include the protruding portion 257. The discharge opening 26 need not necessarily be provided on the protruding portion 257. It is sufficient that the discharge opening 26 extend along the axial line direction of the film roll 22 and have a length (width) that is larger than the width of the film 24.

[0072] In place of the plurality of cylindrical members 232, the film guide roller 23 may include a single cylindrical member that is long in the left-right direction and that can rotate around the periphery of the shaft portion 231. The number of the plurality of cylindrical members 232 may be a number other than five illustrated in FIG. 9. The film guide roller 23 may be, for example, a single roller that is rotatably supported by the cassette case 25. The film guide roller 23 need not necessary be provided in the discharge opening 26, and may be provided in the vicinity of the discharge opening 26. For example, the film guide roller 23 may be located in a position in the vicinity of the discharge opening 26 inside the cassette case 25, on the side of the film roll 22 with respect to the discharge opening 26. The path of the film 24 that is pulled out from the film roll 22 need not necessarily pass to the rear side of the film guide roller 23. Depending on the structure of the packaging device in which the film cassette 21 is used, the path of the film 24 may pass to the front of the film guide roller 23.

[0073] The film cassette 21 need not necessarily include the gears 273. In this case, the holes 255 and 256 need not be provided. The film cassette 21 may include the gear 273 on one side only in the axial line direction (on the left side or on the right side only). In other words, the film cassette 21 may include only one of the gears 273.

[0074] The manner of conveying the base 80 can be modified. For example, the base 80 may be mounted on a conveyance member (for example, a tray on which the base 80 can be placed, or a member that can be mounted on the left and right edge portions of the base 80). The base 80 may be conveyed by the conveyance member being conveyed by the conveyance portion 40.

Claims

1. A film cassette comprising:

a film roll that is a wound film for packaging;

a cassette case configured to rotatably house the film roll, the cassette case including a discharge opening from which the film pulled out from the film roll is discharged to the outside of the cassette case, the discharge opening extending in a direction parallel to a first rotation axis, the first rotation axis being a rotation axis of the film roll; and

a roller portion rotatably supported by the cassette case in the vicinity of the discharge opening, the roller portion being rotatable around a second axis, the second rotation axis extending parallel to the first rotation axis.

2. The film cassette according to claim 1, wherein
the roller portion includes:

a shaft portion extending in a central portion of the roller portion along the second rotation axis; and

a plurality of cylindrical members, each of the cylindrical members being rotatably provided around a periphery of the shaft portion, along the second rotation axis.

3. The film cassette according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising:

a first gear protruding from an end portion of the film roll along the first rotation axis, the first gear being configured to rotate around the first rotation axis in accordance with a rotation of the film roll,

wherein

the cassette case includes a hole that exposes the first gear to the outside.

4. The film cassette according to claim 3, wherein
the first gear is configured to be meshed with a second gear, the second gear being provided on a packaging device configured to allow the film cassette to be mounted thereon, and a rotation speed of the second gear being regulated.

Drawing