Patent Publication Number: US-2019185193-A1

Title: Packaging apparatus

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a packaging apparatus which packages an object to be packaged in a packaging material. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     A conventional drug packaging apparatus supplies a drug to package paper and seals the package paper with heat while it sends the package paper along a transfer path. A bag which accommodates the drug is thus formed. A printer head is provided in the transfer path for the package paper. The printer head is located upstream from a position of supply of the drug to the package paper in a direction of transfer of the package paper. The printer head prints information onto the package paper. For example, Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 3-200526 (PTL 1) discloses a conventional technique involved with a drug packaging apparatus. 
     CITATION LIST 
     Patent Literature 
     PTL 1: Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 3-200526 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
     In the conventional drug packaging apparatus, as described previously, the printer head is located upstream from the position of supply of the drug to the package paper in the direction of transfer of the package paper. Therefore, information corresponding to a first bag is printed onto the package paper, a portion where this information is printed is sent to the position of supply of the drug to the package paper, and thereafter the drug for the first package is supplied to the package paper. Such a structure thus causes waste of the package paper. 
     An object of the present invention is to provide a packaging apparatus which can achieve a reduced amount of use of a packaging material. 
     Solution to Problem 
     A packaging apparatus according to the present invention includes a packaging material transportation portion which transports a packaging material in a shape of an elongated sheet in a longitudinal direction of the packaging material, an accommodation portion forming portion which forms an accommodation portion which accommodates an object to be packaged with the packaging material transported by the packaging material transportation portion, and a print portion provided upstream from the accommodation portion forming portion in a direction of transportation of the packaging material, the print portion being configured to print information relating to the object to be packaged on the packaging material transported by the packaging material transportation portion. The print portion is capable of performing printing at a normal print position and an initial print position downstream from the normal print position in the direction of transportation. The print portion prints the information for a first package at the initial print position and prints the information for second and subsequent packages at the normal print position. 
     In the packaging apparatus, the accommodation portion forming portion forms a package in which the accommodation portion is formed. The normal print position is defined with a point distant from a point of boundary formation by a distance which is an integral multiple of a width of the package in the direction of transportation upstream in the direction of transportation being defined as a base point, the point of boundary formation being a point where the accommodation portion forming portion forms a boundary between packages adjacent in the direction of transportation. The initial print position is defined as a position downstream from the normal print position in the direction of transportation by a distance shorter than the width of the package in the direction of transportation. After the print portion performs printing at the initial print position, the packaging material transportation portion transports the packaging material by a distance calculated by subtracting a distance between the initial print position and the normal print position from the width of the package in the direction of transportation. An operation by the print portion to perform printing at the normal print position and an operation by the packaging material transportation portion to transport the packaging material by the width of the package in the direction of transportation are thereafter alternately repeated. 
     In the packaging apparatus, the print portion includes a print head and a head moving portion which moves the print head in the direction of transportation of the packaging material. An area in which the print head is movable includes a print area at the normal print position and a print area at the initial print position. 
     In the packaging apparatus, the width of the package in the direction of transportation is variable. 
     In the packaging apparatus, a drug is adopted as the object to be packaged, and the drug is packaged based on a prescription. 
     Advantageous Effects of Invention 
     According to the packaging apparatus in the present invention, an amount of use of a packaging material can be reduced. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of a construction of a packaging apparatus according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic perspective view of a drug supply portion and an accommodation portion forming portion in the packaging apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram showing a general construction of a perforation forming portion in the packaging apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram of a construction of a print portion in the packaging apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the packaging apparatus according to the embodiment. 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic diagram showing an example of printing on a packaging material. 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic diagram showing arrangement of an initial print position and a normal print position in a direction of transportation. 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic diagram showing a print position when a width of the package in the direction of transportation is varied. 
         FIG. 9  is a first diagram showing a print operation by the print portion in forming a package. 
         FIG. 10  is a second diagram showing a print operation by the print portion in forming a package. 
         FIG. 11  is a third diagram showing a print operation by the print portion in forming a package. 
         FIG. 12  is a fourth diagram showing a print operation by the print portion in forming a package. 
         FIG. 13  is a fifth diagram showing a print operation by the print portion in forming a package. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     An embodiment of this invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The same or corresponding elements in the drawings below have the same reference characters allotted and description thereof will not be repeated. 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of a construction of a packaging apparatus  1  according to an embodiment. 
     Packaging apparatus  1  is used for packaging an object to be packaged. A drug is adopted as an object to be packaged and the drug is specifically a solid drug. Examples of the solid drug include powders, granules, tablets, pills, and capsules. The object to be packaged is not limited to the solid drug. The object to be packaged may be a semi-solid drug or a liquid drug. 
     Packaging apparatus  1  is a drug packaging apparatus for packaging a drug based on a prescription. The prescription is issued by a doctor to a patient. The prescription includes patient information and drug information. The patient information includes a name and an age of a patient. The drug information includes a name, a quantity, use, and a dose of a drug. Packaging apparatus  1  is used for packaging one dose of drug based on such a prescription. 
     Packaging apparatus  1  includes a packaging material transportation portion  8 . Packaging material transportation portion  8  transports a packaging material  2  by applying driving force to packaging material  2 . Packaging material  2  is in a shape of an elongated sheet. Packaging material  2  is transported in a longitudinal direction of packaging material  2 . Packaging material  2  is sent out of a packaging material roll  3 . Packaging material roll  3  is obtained by winding packaging material  2  like a roll. An arrow in  FIG. 1  indicates a direction of transportation DR of packaging material  2 . Direction of transportation DR of packaging material  2  is simply referred to as “direction of transportation DR” below. Upstream in direction of transportation DR (a side close to packaging material roll  3 ) is simply referred to as “upstream”. Downstream in direction of transportation DR (a side away from packaging material roll  3 ) is simply referred to as “downstream”. 
     Packaging apparatus  1  further includes a print portion  4 , a drug supply portion  5 , and an accommodation portion forming portion  6 . Print portion  4 , drug supply portion  5 , and accommodation portion forming portion  6  are sequentially aligned from upstream toward downstream in direction of transportation DR. Print portion  4  prints prescribed information on packaging material  2  transported by packaging material transportation portion  8 . The prescribed information is information relating to a drug. Drug supply portion  5  supplies a drug to packaging material  2  transported by packaging material transportation portion  8 . One dose of drug is supplied each time based on a prescription. Accommodation portion forming portion  6  forms an accommodation portion with packaging material  2  transported by packaging material transportation portion  8 . The drug is accommodated in the accommodation portion. Accommodation portion forming portion  6  forms a package in which the drug is accommodated by thermally fusing packaging material  2  after the drug is supplied from drug supply portion  5 . 
     Packaging apparatus  1  further includes a perforation forming portion  7 . Perforation forming portion  7  is provided in accommodation portion forming portion  6 . Perforation forming portion  7  forms perforations which extend in a direction orthogonal to direction of transportation DR in packaging material  2  transported by packaging material transportation portion  8 . The perforations are such that a plurality of small holes are successively aligned in a direction of a short side of packaging material  2 . 
     In packaging apparatus  1 , a packaging portion  9  is made up by accommodation portion forming portion  6 , perforation forming portion  7 , and packaging material transportation portion  8 . 
       FIG. 2  is a schematic perspective view of drug supply portion  5  and accommodation portion forming portion  6  in packaging apparatus  1  shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     At a drug supply position where drug supply portion  5  supplies a drug  100  to packaging material  2 , packaging material  2  is folded in two along a centerline of the short-side direction of packaging material  2 . Opposing ends  2   a  in the short-side direction of packaging material  2  are located above a central portion  2   b  in the short-side direction of packaging material  2  and are distant from each other. An opening  2   c  which opens upward is thus formed in packaging material  2 . 
     Packaging material  2  may be folded in two in advance. In this case, packaging material  2  folded in two is sent out of packaging material roll  3  obtained by winding packaging material  2  folded in two in advance like a roll. 
     Alternatively, packaging material  2  may be folded in two at some midpoint in a transportation path. In this case, packaging material  2  is wound like a roll without being folded in two. Packaging material  2  is sent out of packaging material roll  3  thus manufactured. A mechanism for folding packaging material  2  in two is provided upstream from the drug supply position. Packaging material  2  sent out of packaging material roll  3  is folded in two upstream from the drug supply position. 
     Drug supply portion  5  includes a not-shown supply portion main body and a hopper  51 . The supply portion main body supplies drug  100 . Hopper  51  guides drug  100  supplied from the supply portion main body to packaging material  2 . Hopper  51  has a drug inlet  52  at its tip end, through which drug  100  is introduced into packaging material  2 . Drug inlet  52  is arranged to be located inside packaging material  2  folded in two. Drug  100  supplied from the supply portion main body is guided by hopper  51  so that it passes through opening  2   c  in packaging material  2  and enters the inside of packaging material  2  folded in two. 
     Accommodation portion forming portion  6  includes a heating member  61 , a reception member  62 , and a pressurization motor  65 . Heating member  61  contains a heater  61   a  (see  FIG. 5  which will be described later). Reception member  62  is a member which receives heating member  61 . Heating member  61  and reception member  62  are arranged as being opposed to each other with packaging material  2  lying therebetween. Pressurization motor  65  drives heating member  61  and reception member  62 . Heating member  61  and reception member  62  driven by pressurization motor  65  apply a pressure to packaging material  2  from opposing sides or move away from packaging material  2 . 
     Heating member  61  and reception member  62  are each in a substantially T shape. Heating member  61  and reception member  62  each include a longitudinal-direction portion  63  and a short-side direction portion  64 . Longitudinal-direction portion  63  makes up a lateral bar portion of the T shape and extends in the longitudinal direction of packaging material  2 . Longitudinal-direction portion  63  extends in direction of transportation DR. Short-side direction portion  64  makes up a vertical bar portion of the T shape and extends in the direction of the short side of packaging material  2 . Short-side direction portion  64  extends in a direction orthogonal to direction of transportation DR. Longitudinal-direction portion  63  of heating member  61  and longitudinal-direction portion  63  of reception member  62  are arranged as being opposed to each other with packaging material  2  lying therebetween. Short-side direction portion  64  of heating member  61  and short-side direction portion  64  of reception member  62  are arranged as being opposed to each other with packaging material  2  lying therebetween. 
     In such accommodation portion forming portion  6 , heating member  61  is heated by heater  61   a . In this state, heating member  61  and reception member  62  apply a pressure to packaging material  2  from opposing sides. A longitudinal-direction fused portion  23  and a short-side direction fused portion  24  are thus formed in packaging material  2 . Longitudinal-direction fused portion  23  is formed as a result of thermal fusing of a part of packaging material  2  which lies between longitudinal-direction portion  63  of heating member  61  and longitudinal-direction portion  63  of reception member  62 . Longitudinal-direction fused portion  23  closes opening  2   c  in packaging material  2 . Short-side direction fused portion  24  is formed as a result of thermal fusing of a part of packaging material  2  which lies between short-side direction portion  64  of heating member  61  and short-side direction portion  64  of reception member  62 . Short-side direction fused portion  24  divides the inside of packaging material  2  into a downstream side and an upstream side. 
     Packaging material  2  is thus partitioned by a fold of packaging material  2  folded in two, longitudinal-direction fused portion  23 , and two short-side direction fused portions  24  aligned in direction of transportation DR, to thereby form a package  21 . Short-side direction fused portion  24  defines a boundary between packages  21  adjacent in the longitudinal direction of packaging material  2 . An accommodation portion  22  is formed in package  21  and drug  100  is accommodated in accommodation portion  22 . Accommodation portion  22  accommodates drug  100  representing an object to be packaged. 
       FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram showing a general construction of perforation forming portion  7  in packaging apparatus  1  shown in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 3  (A) shows arrangement of perforation forming portion  7  when perforation  25  is not formed in packaging material  2 .  FIG. 3  (B) shows arrangement of perforation forming portion  7  when perforations  25  are formed in packaging material  2 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3  (A), perforation forming portion  7  includes a perforation forming blade  71 . Perforation forming blade  71  is provided in short-side direction portion  64  of reception member  62 . Perforation forming blade  71  is located in a central portion in a direction of width of short-side direction portion  64  of reception member  62 . Perforation forming blade  71  extends in the short-side direction of packaging material  2 . In heating member  61 , a slit groove  72  as a recess in a part of a surface thereof which faces packaging material  2  is provided. Slit groove  72  extends in the short-side direction of packaging material  2 . 
     Perforation forming blade  71  is pressed against packaging material  2  when heating member  61  and reception member  62  apply a pressure to packaging material  2  from opposing sides. As a cutting edge of perforation forming blade  71  protrudes from reception member  62  and penetrates packaging material  2  in a direction of thickness, perforation  25  is provided in packaging material  2 . At this time, the cutting edge of perforation forming blade  71  has moved into slit groove  72  as shown in  FIG. 3  (B). Perforation forming blade  71  is driven by pressurization motor  65  similarly to heating member  61  and reception member  62  and moved relatively to reception member  62 . Perforations  25  are formed in the central portion in the direction of width of short-side direction fused portion  24 . By tearing packaging material  2  along perforations  25 , adjacent packages  21  are readily separated from each other. 
     Perforation forming blade  71  does not have to be provided in reception member  62 . For example, perforation forming blade  71  arranged downstream from accommodation portion forming portion  6  may provide perforations  25  in the central portion in the direction of width of already formed short-side direction fused portion  24 . In this case, perforation forming portion  7  further includes a drive portion for driving perforation forming blade  71  in addition to perforation forming blade  71 . 
     Referring back to  FIG. 2 , packaging material transportation portion  8  includes a pair of transportation rollers  81  and a transportation motor  82 . The pair of transportation rollers  81  is arranged as being opposed to each other with packaging material  2  lying therebetween. Transportation motor  82  rotationally drives the pair of transportation rollers  81 . As transportation motor  82  rotationally drives the pair of transportation rollers  81 , packaging material  2  is transported. 
     In such packaging portion  9  ( FIG. 1 ), packaging material transportation portion  8  intermittently transports packaging material  2 . While transportation of packaging material  2  is suspended, heating member  61  and reception member  62  apply a pressure to packaging material  2  from opposing sides. During this period, perforation forming blade  71  is pressed against packaging material  2 . Thus, in packaging material  2 , longitudinal-direction fused portion  23  is formed continuously in the longitudinal direction of packaging material  2 , short-side direction fused portions  24  are formed at a regular interval in the longitudinal direction of packaging material  2 , and perforations  25  are provided at a regular interval in the longitudinal direction of packaging material  2 . A plurality of packages  21  are thus formed in the longitudinal direction of packaging material  2 . 
     Package  21  is a portion between short-side direction fused portions  24  adjacent in the longitudinal direction of packaging material  2  and between perforations  25  adjacent in the longitudinal direction of packaging material  2 . Short-side direction fused portion  24  defines a boundary between packages  21  adjacent in the longitudinal direction of packaging material  2 . Short-side direction portion  64  of heating member  61  and short-side direction portion  64  of reception member  62  function as a boundary forming portion which forms a boundary between packages  21  aligned in direction of transportation DR. A point where perforation forming blade  71  is arranged in direction of transportation DR is referred to as a point of boundary formation. 
     A length between central portions in the direction of width of short-side direction fused portions  24  adjacent in direction of transportation DR is referred to as a width W of package  21  in direction of transportation DR. Width W represents a length between perforations  25  adjacent in the longitudinal direction of packaging material  2 . 
       FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram of a construction of print portion  4  in packaging apparatus  1  shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     Print portion  4  thermally transfers ink of an ink ribbon  45  onto packaging material  2  by using a thermal head  41  serving as a print head. 
     Print portion  4  includes thermal head  41  and a platen roller  44 . Thermal head  41  includes a plurality of heat generating elements. Platen roller  44  supports packaging material  2 . Thermal head  41  and platen roller  44  are arranged as being opposed to each other with ink ribbon  45  and packaging material  2  lying therebetween. 
     Print portion  4  further includes a head contact and separation motor  42  and a head moving motor  43 . Head contact and separation motor  42  has thermal head  41  carry out reciprocal motion in a direction of thickness (a vertical direction in  FIG. 4 ) of packaging material  2  and moves the thermal head to a pressure-contact position and a distant position. The pressure-contact position refers to a position where thermal head  41  is brought in pressure contact with platen roller  44  with ink ribbon  45  and packaging material  2  being interposed. The distant position refers to a position where thermal head  41  is moved away from platen roller  44 . Head moving motor  43  representing a head moving portion has thermal head  41  and platen roller  44  carry out reciprocal motion in direction of transportation DR (a lateral direction in  FIG. 4 ) of packaging material  2 . A movable range where thermal head  41  is movable includes a print area WA at a normal print position and a print area WB at an initial print position which will be described later. 
     Print portion  4  further includes a ribbon feed shaft  46 , a ribbon wind-up shaft  47 , guide rollers  48  and  49 , and a wind-up motor  47   a . Ribbon feed shaft  46  feeds ink ribbon  45 . Ribbon wind-up shaft  47  winds up ink ribbon  45 . Guide rollers  48  and  49  are provided between ribbon feed shaft  46  and ribbon wind-up shaft  47  and guides ink ribbon  45 . Wind-up motor  47   a  rotationally drives ribbon wind-up shaft  47 . As wind-up motor  47   a  rotationally drives ribbon wind-up shaft  47 , ink ribbon  45  is transported from ribbon feed shaft  46  to ribbon wind-up shaft  47 . 
     In such print portion  4 , thermal head  41  is moved to a pressure-contact position. In this state, the thermal head is moved along a transportation path for packaging material  2 . The plurality of heat generating elements in the thermal head selectively generate heat. Prescribed information relating to drug  100  representing an object to be packaged is thus printed on packaging material  2 . 
       FIG. 5  is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of packaging apparatus  1  according to the embodiment. As shown in  FIG. 5 , packaging apparatus  1  includes an operation portion  91  and an overall control unit  90 . 
     Operation portion  91  is operated by an operator who operates packaging apparatus  1 . As the operator operates operation portion  91 , information necessary for a packaging operation by packaging apparatus  1  is input to overall control unit  90 . Examples of information necessary for the packaging operation by packaging apparatus  1  include prescription data based on a prescription and various types of setting information. Examples of the setting information include a set interval and contents to be printed. A width dimension of package  21  is determined in accordance with the set interval. Information necessary for the packaging operation by packaging apparatus  1  may be input from an external computer to overall control unit  90 . 
     Overall control unit  90  controls operations by packaging apparatus  1  as a whole based on information necessary for packaging operations by packaging apparatus  1 . Overall control unit  90  controls drug supply portion  5 , packaging portion  9 , and print portion  4 . 
     Overall control unit  90  transmits a control signal to drug supply portion  5  and gives a command on a type, the number, and a quantity of drug  100  to be supplied by drug supply portion  5 . Overall control unit  90  transmits a control signal to packaging portion  9  such that width W of package  21  in direction of transportation DR is set to a prescribed value. Width W may be set, for example, to a value input through operation portion  91  or a value set by overall control unit  90  based on a type, the number, and a quantity of drug  100 . 
     Packaging portion  9  includes a packaging control unit  96 . Packaging control unit  96  controls heater  61   a , pressurization motor  65 , and transportation motor  82  based on a control signal from overall control unit  90 . As heater  61   a , pressurization motor  65 , and transportation motor  82  are driven and turned off as appropriate, packaging with packaging material  2  is performed. 
     Print portion  4  includes a print control unit  94 . Print control unit  94  controls thermal head  41 , head contact and separation motor  42 , head moving motor  43 , and wind-up motor  47   a  based on a control signal from overall control unit  90 . As the heat generating elements in thermal head  41 , head contact and separation motor  42 , head moving motor  43 , and wind-up motor  47   a  are driven and turned off as appropriate, information  110  relating to drug  100  is printed on packaging material  2 . 
       FIG. 6  is a schematic diagram showing an example of printing on packaging material  2 . 
     A print area  29  shown with a rectangle drawn with a chain double dotted line in  FIG. 6  is set in packaging material  2 . Prescribed information  110  is printed in print area  29 . Prescribed information  110  relates to drug  100  accommodated in accommodation portion  22  of package  21 . Examples of information  110  relating to drug  100  include a name of a patient and a name and use of a drug. 
     Print area  29  is set within a package formation intended portion  21   a . Package formation intended portion  21   a  is a portion which is set on packaging material  2  and will make up one package  21 . Package formation intended portion  21   a  is defined by boundary formation intended portions  25   a  adjacent in direction of transportation DR. 
     Boundary formation intended portion  25   a  shown with a chain double dotted line in  FIG. 6  is a portion set on packaging material  2  where a boundary between packages  21  adjacent in direction of transportation DR will be formed. Namely, boundary formation intended portion  25   a  is a portion which will be a central portion of short-side direction fused portion  24  in direction of transportation DR or a portion where perforations  25  formed by perforation forming portion  7  will be formed. A distance between boundary formation intended portions  25   a  adjacent in direction of transportation DR corresponds to width W of package  21  in direction of transportation DR. 
     A margin is provided around print area  29 . An upstream margin  27  is provided on an upstream side of print area  29 . Upstream margin  27  extends from boundary formation intended portion  25   a  on the upstream side of package formation intended portion  21   a  to an upstream end of print area  29 . A downstream margin  28  is provided on a downstream side of print area  29 . Downstream margin  28  extends from boundary formation intended portion  25   a  on the downstream side of package formation intended portion  21   a  to a downstream end of print area  29 . 
     A width w 1  shown in  FIG. 6  represents a width of upstream margin  27  in direction of transportation DR and a width w 2  represents a width of downstream margin  28  in direction of transportation DR. Width w 1  of upstream margin  27  may be identical to or different from width w 2  of downstream margin  28 . 
       FIG. 7  is a schematic diagram showing arrangement of an initial print position and a normal print position in direction of transportation DR. A marked straight line laterally extending in  FIG. 7  shows each point in direction of transportation DR of packaging material  2 . A point of boundary formation F shown in  FIG. 7  represents a point where accommodation portion forming portion  6  forms a boundary between packages  21  adjacent in direction of transportation DR. As described above with reference to  FIG. 3 , point of boundary formation F may be a point where perforation forming blade  71  is arranged in direction of transportation DR 
     A point distant from point of boundary formation F by a distance LA 1  which is n times as large as width W of package  21  in direction of transportation DR upstream in direction of transportation DR is defined as a first base point P 1 , where n is an integer not smaller than one. A normal print position is defined with first base point P 1  being defined as a base point. More specifically, first base point P 1  defines an upstream end of the normal print position in direction of transportation DR A point distant from first base point P 1  by width W of package  21  in direction of transportation DR downstream in direction of transportation DR is defined as a second base point P 2 . Second base point P 2  defines a downstream end of the normal print position in direction of transportation DR. Second base point P 2  is a point distant from point of boundary formation F by a distance LA 2  which is (n−1) times as large as width W of package  21  in direction of transportation DR upstream in direction of transportation DR. A distance between first base point P 1  and second base point P 2  corresponds to width W of package  21  in direction of transportation DR. 
     A relational expression of LA 1 =nW is satisfied between distance LA 1  and width W. A relational expression of LA 2 =(n−1)W is satisfied between distance LA 2  and width W. A relational expression of LA 2 =LA 1 −W is satisfied between distance LA 1  and distance LA 2 . 
     A point distant from first base point P 1  downstream in direction of transportation DR by width w 1  of upstream margin  27  ( FIG. 6 ) in direction of transportation DR is defined as an upstream end Pa 1  of print area WA at the normal print position. A point distant from second base point P 2  upstream in direction of transportation DR by width w 2  of downstream margin  28  ( FIG. 6 ) in direction of transportation DR is defined as a downstream end Pa 2  of print area WA at the normal print position. 
     The initial print position is a position downstream from the normal print position in direction of transportation DR. A point distant from first base point P 1  by a distance L shorter than width W of package  21  in direction of transportation DR downstream in direction of transportation DR is defined as a third base point P 3 . Third base point P 3  defines an upstream end of the initial print position in direction of transportation DR A point distant from second base point P 2  by distance L downstream in direction of transportation DR is defined as a fourth base point P 4 . Fourth base point P 4  defines a downstream end of the initial print position in direction of transportation DR A distance between third base point P 3  and fourth base point P 4  corresponds to width W of package  21  in direction of transportation DR 
     A point distant from third base point P 3  downstream in direction of transportation DR by width w 1  of upstream margin  27  ( FIG. 6 ) in direction of transportation DR is defined as an upstream end Pb 1  of print area WB at the initial print position. A point distant from fourth base point P 4  upstream in direction of transportation DR by width w 2  of downstream margin  28  ( FIG. 6 ) in direction of transportation DR is defined as a downstream end Pb 2  of print area WB at the initial print position. 
     Print portion  4  can perform printing at the normal print position and the initial print position which is a position downstream from the normal print position. The normal print position refers to an area between first base point P 1  and second base point P 2  in direction of transportation DR. The initial print position refers to an area between third base point P 3  and fourth base point P 4  in direction of transportation DR. The initial print position is a position downstream from the normal print position in direction of transportation DR by distance L shorter than width W of package  21  in direction of transportation DR. 
     A prescribed limit position is determined depending on a structure of packaging apparatus  1 . The limit position is determined as a position beyond which printing by print portion  4  is not allowed because print portion  4  interferes with hopper  51  or the like of drug supply portion  5  on the downstream side of the limit position in direction of transportation DR. The limit position is a position upstream from a position where accommodation portion forming portion  6  forms accommodation portion  22  in direction of transportation DR. The limit position is a position upstream from a position where drug supply portion  5  supplies drug  100  in direction of transportation DR. Print portion  4  can perform printing on the upstream side of the limit position in direction of transportation DR. 
     The initial print position is set such that the entire print area WB at the initial print position is located upstream from the limit position in direction of transportation DR. In addition, the initial print position is desirably set as downstream as possible in direction of transportation DR. Therefore, downstream end Pb 2  of print area WB at the initial print position is set at a point upstream from the limit position in direction of transportation DR and close to the limit position. Downstream end Pb 2  of print area WB at the initial print position is most desirably set at a position the same as the limit position. In this case, fourth base point P 4  is downstream from the limit position. 
     The normal print position is upstream from the initial print position. By setting downstream end Pb 2  of print area WB at the initial print position to be located upstream from the limit position in direction of transportation DR, the entire print area WA at the normal print position is set upstream from the limit position in direction of transportation DR 
       FIG. 8  is a schematic diagram showing a print position when width W of package  21  in direction of transportation DR is varied. As in  FIG. 7 , a marked straight line laterally extending in  FIG. 8  shows each point in direction of transportation DR of packaging material  2 . Width W of package  21  in direction of transportation DR is variable. By varying width W, a volume of accommodation portion  22  is variable. Width W is set as appropriate in accordance with a quantity of drug  100  accommodated in accommodation portion  22 . In the example shown in  FIG. 8 , a first width W 1 , a second width W 2 , and a third width W 3  are set. 
     A print area WA 1  at the normal print position when first width W 1  is set is defined based on the first base point distant from point of boundary formation F by a distance LA 11  which is an integral multiple of width W 1  of package  21  in direction of transportation DR upstream in direction of transportation DR A print area WA 2  at the normal print position when second width W 2  is set is defined based on the first base point distant from point of boundary formation F by a distance LA 21  which is an integral multiple of width W 2  of package  21  in direction of transportation DR upstream in direction of transportation DR A print area WA 3  at the normal print position when third width W 3  is set is defined based on the first base point distant from point of boundary formation F by a distance LA 31  which is an integral multiple of width W 3  of package  21  in direction of transportation DR upstream in direction of transportation DR 
     Regardless of widths W 1 , W 2 , and W 3  of package  21 , the initial print position is set with the limit position beyond which printing by print portion  4  is not allowed being defined as the base point. As shown in  FIG. 8 , a downstream end Pb 12  of a print area WB 1  at the initial print position when first width W 1  is set, a downstream end Pb 22  of a print area WB 2  at the initial print position when second width W 2  is set, and a downstream end Pb 32  of a print area WB 3  at the initial print position when third width W 3  is set are set at the same position in direction of transportation DR 
     When third width W 3  is set, print area WA 3  at the normal print position and print area WB 3  at the initial print position are located at the same position in direction of transportation DR. The initial print position thus does not necessarily have to be located at a position downstream from the normal print position in direction of transportation DR. Depending on width W of package  21  in direction of transportation DR, the initial print position and the normal print position may be the same. 
     An operation by print portion  4  for printing information  110  on packaging material  2  will be described below.  FIG. 9  is a first diagram showing a print operation by print portion  4  in forming package  21 . In  FIGS. 9 to 13  below, the lateral direction in the figures represent direction of transportation DR of packaging material  2 , the left side in the figures represents the upstream side in direction of transportation DR, and the right side in the figures represents the downstream side in direction of transportation DR. An Arabic figure in print area  29  schematically represents information  110  printed on packaging material  2 . A packaging operation by packaging apparatus  1  is started when information necessary for the packaging operation is input. 
     When the packaging operation is started, as shown in  FIG. 9 , initially, thermal head  41  is moved to downstream end Pb 2  of print area WB at the initial print position. Thermal head  41  is maintained at the distant position. Ink ribbon  45  is not being transported. Packaging material  2  is not being transported. Heating member  61  and reception member  62  are not applying a pressure to packaging material  2 . 
       FIG. 10  is a second diagram showing a print operation by print portion  4  in forming package  21 . Thermal head  41  which has been moved to downstream end Pb 2  of print area WB at the initial print position is moved from the distant position to the pressure-contact position. Then, as shown in  FIG. 10 , thermal head  41  is moved from downstream end Pb 2  of print area WB at the initial print position to upstream end Pb 1  of print area WB at the initial print position. 
     Thermal head  41  is maintained at the pressure-contact position. A plurality of heat generating elements in thermal head  41  selectively generate heat. Ink ribbon  45  is not being transported. Packaging material  2  is not being transported. Heating member  61  and reception member  62  are not applying a pressure to packaging material  2 . Information  110  for a first package schematically shown with an Arabic figure “1” in  FIG. 1  is printed on packaging material  2  at the initial print position. Quality of printing is improved by performing printing while packaging material  2  is not being transported. 
       FIG. 11  is a third diagram showing a print operation by print portion  4  in forming package  21 . Thermal head  41  which has been moved to upstream end Pb 1  of print area WB at the initial print position is moved from the pressure-contact position to the distant position. Then, as shown in  FIG. 11 , thermal head  41  is moved downstream from upstream end Pb 1  of print area WB at the initial print position to downstream end Pa 2  of print area WA at the normal print position. 
     Thermal head  41  is maintained at the distant position. Ink ribbon  45  is transported. A distance of transportation of ink ribbon  45  corresponds to a distance between upstream end Pb 1  of print area WB at the initial print position and downstream end Pa 2  of print area WA at the normal print position. Packaging material  2  is transported. A distance of transportation of packaging material  2  corresponds to a distance between third base point P 3  and second base point P 2 . Namely, the distance of transportation of packaging material  2  corresponds to a distance calculated by subtracting distance L between the initial print position and the normal print position from width W of package  21  in direction of transportation DR. Heating member  61  and reception member  62  are not applying a pressure to packaging material  2 . 
       FIG. 12  is a fourth diagram showing a print operation by print portion  4  in forming package  21 . Thermal head  41  which has been moved to downstream end Pa 2  of print area WA at the normal print position is moved from the distant position to the pressure-contact position. Then, as shown in  FIG. 12 , thermal head  41  is moved from downstream end Pa 2  of print area WA at the normal print position to upstream end Pa 1  of print area WA at the normal print position. 
     Thermal head  41  is maintained at the pressure-contact position. A plurality of heat generating elements in thermal head  41  selectively generate heat. Ink ribbon  45  is not being transported. Packaging material  2  is not being transported. Heating member  61  and reception member  62  are applying a pressure to packaging material  2 . Information  110  for a second package schematically shown with an Arabic figure “2” in  FIG. 12  is printed on packaging material  2  at the normal print position. By simultaneously performing printing and fusing of packaging material  2  while packaging material  2  is not being transported, a time period necessary for operations by packaging apparatus  1  is decreased. 
       FIG. 13  is a fifth diagram showing a print operation by print portion  4  in forming package  21 . Thermal head  41  which has been moved to upstream end Pa 1  of print area WA at the normal print position is moved from the pressure-contact position to the distant position. Then, as shown in  FIG. 13 , thermal head  41  is moved from upstream end Pa 1  of print area WA at the normal print position to downstream end Pa 2  of print area WA at the normal print position. 
     Thermal head  41  is maintained at the distant position. Ink ribbon  45  is transported. A distance of transportation of ink ribbon  45  corresponds to a distance between upstream end Pa 1  of print area WA at the normal print position and downstream end Pa 2  of print area WA at the normal print position. Packaging material  2  is transported. A distance of transportation of packaging material  2  corresponds to a distance between first base point P 1  and second base point P 2 . A distance of transportation of packaging material  2  corresponds to width W of package  21  in direction of transportation DR. Heating member  61  and reception member  62  are not applying a pressure to packaging material  2 . 
     Thermal head  41  is moved to downstream end Pa 2  of print area WA at the normal print position, and thereafter the operations described with reference to  FIGS. 12 and 13  are repeated. Information  110  for third and subsequent packages is thus successively printed on packaging material  2  at the normal print position. 
     A printed portion where prescribed information has been printed moves in direction of transportation DR with transportation of packaging material  2 . When the printed portion reaches the drug supply position, drug  100  is supplied to packaging material  2 . In other words, drug  100  is not supplied to packaging material  2  until the printed portion reaches the drug supply position. Therefore, an empty package is formed downstream from first package  21 . The empty package refers to package  21  in which no drug  100  is accommodated. 
     Empty packages can be reduced by allowing the print portion to perform printing at the normal print position and the initial print position downstream from the normal print position in direction of transportation DR so as to print information  110  for a first package at the initial print position and to print information  110  for second and subsequent packages at the normal print position. Therefore, since an amount of waste of packaging material  2  can be reduced, an amount of use of packaging material  2  can be reduced. 
     An example in which drug  100  is adopted as an object to be packaged by packaging apparatus  1  is described above. When drug  100  is packaged based on a prescription, waste of packaging material  2  per one prescription often occurs. With packaging apparatus  1  in the present embodiment, however, waste of packaging material  2  can be reduced. Consequently, waste of packaging material  2  can significantly be reduced. An object to be packaged is not limited to drug  100  but any article may be adopted as the object to be packaged. 
     Print portion  4  which prints information  110  is not limited to a heat transfer type print portion, but the print portion may be of an ink jet type. 
     Heating member  61  and reception member  62  which make up accommodation portion forming portion  6  do not have to be in the T shape. For example, the construction may be such that the short-side direction fused portion is arranged on the upstream side, the longitudinal-direction fused portion is arranged on the downstream side, an object to be packaged is supplied into an accommodation portion partitioned in advance, and thereafter an opening is fused. 
     Though an embodiment of the present invention has been described as above, it should be understood that the embodiment disclosed herein is illustrative and non-restrictive in every respect. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims rather than the description above and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims. 
     REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 
       1  packaging apparatus;  2  packaging material;  3  packaging material roll;  4  print portion;  5  drug supply portion;  6  accommodation portion forming portion;  7  perforation forming portion;  8  packaging material transportation portion;  9  packaging portion;  21  package;  21   a  package formation intended portion;  22  accommodation portion;  23  longitudinal-direction fused portion;  24  short-side direction fused portion;  25  perforation;  25   a  boundary formation intended portion;  27  upstream margin;  28  downstream margin;  29 , WA, WB print area;  41  thermal head;  42  head contact and separation motor;  43  head moving motor;  44  platen roller;  45  ink ribbon;  46  ribbon feed shaft;  47  ribbon wind-up shaft;  47   a  wind-up motor;  48 ,  49  guide roller;  51  hopper;  52  drug inlet;  61  heating member;  61   a  heater;  62  reception member;  63  longitudinal-direction portion;  64  short-side direction portion;  65  pressurization motor;  71  perforation forming blade;  72  slit groove;  81  transportation roller;  82  transportation motor;  90  overall control unit;  91  operation portion;  94  print control unit;  96  packaging control unit;  100  drug;  110  information; DR direction of transportation; F point of boundary formation; L, LA 1 , LA 2 , LA 11 , LA 21  distance; P 1 , P 2 , P 3 , P 4  base point; W, W 1 , W 2 , W 3 , w 1 , w 2  width