Patent ID: 12240638

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT

Embodiment of the present invention is explained by the following examples. In the following example, a decompression means according to the present invention corresponds to a vacuum pump29and suction pipes27ato27c. Also, a first suction pipe according to the present invention corresponds to the suction pipe27a, and a second suction pipe corresponds to the suction pipes27b,27c. The body-side suction pipe according to the present invention relates to the suction pipe27b, and the lid-side suction pipe corresponds to the suction pipe27c. A biasing means according to the present invention corresponds to an elastic gasket17. A stopper according to the present invention corresponds to inner wall parts37a,37b.

Example 1

A degasifier1of the present example is the one that degases a plastic packing bag storing a packed material and then welds and seals a bag opening. As shown inFIGS.1,2, the degasifier1includes, a body2, and a lid4that is linked to the body2via an arm3. The lid4is convertible, by rotating the arm3, between a mount state (refer toFIG.1), in which the lid4is mounted on a front-side portion of the body2, and a released state (refer toFIG.2), in which the lid4moves apart above the body2. The arm3is biased to one direction by a spring (not shown), and the lid4is kept in the released state by biasing force of this spring. The body2is provided with a movable hook6that can engage with the lid4in the mount state. When the lid4is converted from the released state to the mount state against the biasing force of the spring, the lid4is kept in the mount state. The movable hook6, which is engaged with the lid4, can be evacuated to the place where the movable hook6and the lid4are not engaged, by operating a release button7arranged in the upper portion of the body2. The lid4kept in the mount state can be returned to the released state by operating the release button7. A display lamp12, which shows an operating condition, is arranged in a upper left portion of the body2.

As shown inFIGS.2to5, an upper surface of a front-side portion of a case8aof the body2is provided with a concave part9a, and a bottom surface of a case8bof the lid4is provided with a concave part9b, such that this pair of concave parts, which forms the degassing chamber10, faces each other vertically when the lid4is in the mount state. Openings of two concave parts9a,9bhave substantially the same horizontally long shapes. When the lid4is in the mount state, the openings of two concave parts9a,9bneatly overlap one another, and the closed degassing chamber10is formed between the body2and the lid4. As shown inFIG.5, when the lid4is in the released state, two concave parts9a,9bseparate from each other and thus the degassing chamber10is released. The case8aof the body2and the case8bof the lid4are provided with a pair of ring-shaped gasket11a,11bto surround opening edges of the concave parts9a,9b. When the lid4is in the mount state, these gaskets11a,11bpress-contact each other around the degassing chamber10such that the degassing chamber10is tightly closed.

As shown inFIG.2, the concave part9aon the body side is provided with a rib13extending in the width direction, and upper surface of the rib13is provided with an electrically-heated wire14in the longitudinal direction. The degasifier1temporarily heats the electrically-heated wire14by flowing a large electric current, thereby sealing a bag opening of the packing bag with an impulse seal method. The electrically-heated wire14may be covered with a protective tape to prevent adherence of the packing bag.

As shown inFIGS.3to5, the concave part9bon the lid side is provided with a pressing member15, which is made from silicon rubber elongating in the width direction. The pressing member15is held at the place where the pressing member15faces vertically with the electrically-heated wire14when the lid4is in the mount state. The pressing member15is held by a holding member16, which is vertically movably attached to the case8bof the case4. As shown inFIG.4, the holding member16is biased upwards by the elastic force of the elastic gasket17interposed between the case8band the holding member16. The pressing member15is normally held, by the upwardly-biased holding member16, at an evacuation position P, which separates the bottom surface from the electrically-heated wire14. However, by moving down the lid4against the elastic force of the elastic gasket17, the pressing member15can be moved down to a pressing position Q where the pressing member can press the electrically-heated wire14on the bottom surface.

As shown inFIGS.6,7, as to the gaskets11a,11bof the body2and the lid4, among surfaces23,24that press-contact each other in the mount state of the lid4, a front-side portion constitutes a sandwiching surface23that sandwiches a packing bag F, and left and right portions and a back portion do not sandwich the packing bag F but constitutes close-contact surfaces24that are brought into close contact with each other. In the center portion of the sandwiching surface23of each of the gaskets11a,11b, three round-shaped suction openings21a,21b, which open the packing bag vertically, are formed. Also, in the right and left side portions of the close-contact surface24of each of the gaskets11a,11b, round-shaped link openings22ato22d, which overlap with each other in the mount state of the lid4, are formed. As shown inFIG.7, in the case8bof the lid4, a degassing opening20that discharges air from the degassing chamber10, is formed.

The degassing opening20and the suction openings21a,21bdescribed above, are connected to an intake opening of the vacuum pump29arranged inside the case8aof the body2. Specifically, as shown inFIGS.6,7, the degassing opening20is connected, via a degassing pipe25aon the body side and a degassing pipe25bon the lid side, to the vacuum pump29. The degassing pipe25aon the body side, is formed with hard resin forming the case8aand a silicon tube arranged inside the case8a, and communicates the vacuum pump29and the link opening22a, which opens in the right side portion of the close-contact surface24of the body-side gasket11a. The degassing pipe25bon the lid side is formed with hard resin that forms the case8b, and communicates the degassing opening20and a link opening22bthat opens at the right back portion of the close-contact surface24of the lid-side gasket11b. When the lid4is in the mount state, and when the gaskets11a,11bare brought into tight contact while the link opening22aand the link opening22boverlap with each other, the degassing pipe25aon the body side and the degassing pipe25bon the lid side are connected. The degassing pipe25aon the body side is provided with a solenoid valve30aand a regulator31afor adjusting a degree of vacuum.

As shown inFIG.6, the suction opening21athat opens in the body-side gasket11ais connected to the vacuum pump29via the hard resin forming the case8aof the body2and via the suction pipe27aformed with the silicon tube inside the case8a. As shown inFIGS.6,7, the suction opening21bthat opens in the lid-side gasket11bis connected to the vacuum pump29via the suction pipe27bon the body side and via the suction pipe27con the lid side. The suction pipe27bon the body side, is formed with hard resin forming the case8aand with a silicon tube arranged inside the case8a, and communicates the vacuum pump29and the link opening22c, which opens in the left side portion of the close-contact surface24of the body-side gasket11a. The suction pipe27con the lid side is formed with hard resin that forms the case8b, and communicates the suction opening21on the lid side and a link opening22dthat opens at the left back portion of the close-contact surface24of the lid-side gasket11b. When the lid4is in the mount state, and when the gaskets11a,11bare brought into tight contact while the link opening22cand the link opening22doverlap with each other, the suction pipe27bon the body side and the suction pipe27con the lid side are connected. The suction pipes27a,27bon the body side is provided with a solenoid valve30band a regulator31bfor adjusting a degree of vacuum. The degassing pipe25aand the suction pipes27a,27bare joined in the vicinity of the vacuum pump29. However, the solenoid valve30band the regulator31barranged in the suction pipes27a,27bare different from the ones arranged in the degassing pipe25a. The degassing pipe25aand the suction pipes27a,27bare independently controlled for opening or closing, and adjusted to different degrees of vacuum. Specifically, in the present example, when the vacuum pump29is in operation, the suction openings21a,21bare adjusted to have a higher degree of vacuum than the degassing opening20(degassing chamber10).

As shown inFIGS.8,9, the body-side gasket11aand the lid-side gasket11bare made from the similarly shaped ring-shaped silicon rubber. The sandwiching surface23and the close-contact surface24of the gaskets11a,11beach have a horizontal flat surface, such that the sandwiching surface23and the close-contact surface24can be brought into close contact with each other and with the surface of the packing bag F. At the center portion of each of the sandwiching surfaces23, round-shaped through-holes35a,35b, which form the suction openings21a,21b, passes through vertically. Also, at the right and left side portions of the close-contact surface24of each of the gaskets11a,11b, round-shaped through-holes36a,36b, which form the link openings22ato22d, pass through vertically. The through-holes35a,35b,36a,36bin each of the gaskets11a,11bare formed with the same size and the same shape in the symmetry positions of the sandwiching surface23and the close-contact surface24, such that the suction openings21a,21band the link openings22ato22dformed in the opposing positions precisely overlap with each other when the lid4is in the mount state.

As shown inFIG.8, the body-side gasket11ais fit to a round-shaped groove34aformed around the concave part9aof the case8aof the body2. The groove34ais provided with the end parts of the cylindrical suction pipes27a,27band the degassing pipe25ain the protruding manner. The body-side gasket11ais fit to the groove34a, such that the through-holes35a,36a, which form the suction opening21aand the link openings22a,22c, are fit from outside to the end parts of the degassing pipe25aand the suction pipe27a, respectively. If the body-side gasket11ais fit as shown in the above configuration, the suction opening21aor the like that opens to the body-side gasket11acan easily be connected to the suction pipe27aor the like. Furthermore, positions of the suction opening21aor the like will not be displaced in the longitudinal direction of the groove34awhen the body-side gasket11ais fit to the groove34a.

As shown inFIG.9, the lid-side gasket11bis fit to a ring-shaped groove34bformed around the concave part9bof the case8bof the lid4. The groove34bis provided with the end parts of the cylindrical suction pipes27cand the degassing pipe25bin the protruding manner. The lid-side gasket11bis fit to the groove34b, such that the through-holes35b,36b, which form the suction opening21band the link openings22b,22d, are fit from outside to the end parts of the degassing pipe25band the suction pipe27c, respectively. If the lid-side gasket11bis fit as shown in the above configuration, the suction opening21bor the like that open to the lid-side gasket11bcan easily be connected to the suction pipe27c. Furthermore, positions of the suction opening21bor the like will not be displaced in the longitudinal direction of the groove34bwhen the lid-side gasket11bis fit to the groove34b.

As shown inFIGS.2,3, the inner wall parts37a,37bof the cases8a,8b, which form the inner wall of the degassing chamber10, is about 1 mm lower than the gaskets11a,11b. These inner wall parts37a,37bfunction as a stopper that prevent the gaskets11a,11bfrom coming into excessively close contact. That is, during the mount state of the lid4, when the lid4is pressed down to compress the gaskets11a,11bin the thickness direction (vertical direction), these inner wall parts37a,37babut each other, and thereby preventing the gaskets11a,11bfrom further tightly contacting each other. As to the front side of the inner wall parts37a,37b, the packing bag F is disposed between the inner wall parts37aand37b. So, the front side of the inner wall parts37a,37b, is higher than the back-surface side and the right and left sides to avoid contact between the inner wall parts37a,37band the packing bag F. In other words, the only members that function as a stopper are the right and left sides and the back surface side of the inner wall parts.

The suction openings21a,21bformed in the sandwiching surface23of the gaskets11a,11bhave negative pressure inside. And thus, the gaskets11a,11baround the suction openings21a,21battract the packing bag F, and the sandwiching surfaces23are elastically deformed in the separating direction. As shown inFIGS.4to7, the three suction openings21a,21bformed in each of the gaskets11a,11bare formed at the position where the suction openings21,21bare opposing to each other with the packing bag F interposed therebetween, while forming a pair in the vertical direction. Specifically, the suction openings21a,21beach have a round shape with a diameter about a half of the fore-and-aft width of the gaskets11a,11b. The suction openings21a,21bare formed at the center portion of the sandwiching surface23, with uniform intervals, along the center line of the fore-and-aft width of the sandwiching surface23. As shown inFIGS.8,9, into the through-holes35a,35bof the gaskets11a,11b, which form the suction openings21a,21b, the end parts of the cylindrical and hard suction pipes27a,27care fit. As shown inFIGS.4,5, the end parts of the suction pipes27a,27care only inserted to about 1 cm front of the suction openings21a,21b, and the suction openings21a,21bare only formed with easily deformable gaskets11a,11b.

FIG.10shows a control circuit of the degasifier1. A control device40of the degasifier1is configured with a microcomputer, and arranged inside the case8aof the body2. To the control device40, signals are input from an open/close position detection switch41and a pressure detection switch42. The control device40, based on these input signals, controls the display lamp12, the vacuum pump29, the solenoid valves30a,30b, and an electrically-heated wire energization switch43. The control device40may be configured with a sequence circuit instead of the microcomputer.

The open/close position detection switch41is a limit switch, which is arranged inside the case8aof the body2and detects the position of the movable hook6to detect whether the lid4is in the mount state. The pressure detection switch42is a limit switch, which is arranged inside the case8bof the lid4and detects the position of the holding member16to detect whether the bottom surface of the pressing member15presses the electrically-heated wire14. The electrically-heated wire energization switch43is a switch that changes the electrically-heated wire14between an energized state and a unenergized state. The control device40controls the energization state of the electrically-heated wire14via the electrically-heated wire energization switch43, thereby making the electrically-heated wire14generate heat at a predetermined timing. The vacuum pump29, as described above, intakes air from the degassing opening20and the suction openings21a,21b. The control device40controls the vacuum pump29and the solenoid valves30a,30bto intake air selectively from the degassing opening20and the suction openings21a,21b.

Hereinafter, description is made on how to use the degasifier of the present example.

With the degasifier1of the present example, firstly the plastic packing bag F, which stores the packed material H is set, and the lid4is brought to the mount state. Then, the degassing process, which removes gas from the packing bag F, and a sealing process, which seals the bag opening G of the packing bag F in the degassed state, are performed. Specifically, as shown inFIG.6, the packing bag F is set, when the lid4is in the released state, such that the bag opening G is placed on the electrically-heated wire14through the entire width inside the degassing chamber10and the packing bag F is overlapped on the suction opening21aof the sandwiching surface23. For the packing bag F, a generally available packing bag made with smooth plastic film is preferably used. The packing bag may be in any shape as long as one of the sides has the bag opening G. Three-side sealed bags, two-side sealed bags, and bottom-sealed bag are preferably used. When the packing bag F is set and the lid4is brought into the mount state to seal the degassing chamber10, the packing bag F is sandwiched through its entire width by the sandwiching surfaces23of the gaskets11a,11b, as shown inFIG.11a,12a,13a. Accordingly, the packing bag F is sandwiched in the state that the inside of the bag is separated to the inside and to the outside of the degassing chamber10by the gaskets11a,11b.

When the lid4is hooked onto the movable hook6in the mount state, the open/close position detection switch41detects the displacement of the movable hook6and outputs a detection signal to the control device40. Upon receiving the detection signal, the control device40starts the degassing process. Specifically, in the degassing process, firstly the vacuum pump29is operated and the solenoid valve30bof the suction openings27a,27bare released, to decompress the inside of the suction openings21a,21b. When the inside of the suction openings21a,21bis decompressed and have the negative pressure, as shown inFIGS.11b,12b,13b, the gaskets11a,11baround the suction openings21a,21bare attached to the upper side and the lower side of the packing bag F. At the same time, the sandwiching surfaces23are deformed in the separating direction so as to reduce a volume inside the decompressed suction openings21a,21b. Accordingly, around the suction openings21a,21b, front and back films F1, F2are separated vertically and a space is created inside the packing bag F. When this space reaches the front edge and the back edge of the gaskets11a,11b, an airway38, which communicates the inside and the outside of the degassing chamber10, is formed inside the packing bag F. Incidentally, around the suction openings21a,21b, the sandwiching surface23of each of the gaskets11a,11bis attached to the films F1, F2of the packing bag F. So, the outside air does not flow into the degassing chamber10from between the sandwiching surfaces23, even if the sandwiching surfaces23are separated from each other around the suction openings21a,21b.

The control device40, when the solenoid valve30bof the suction pipes27a,27bhas been released for a predetermined period, closes the solenoid valve30band holds the negative pressure state of the suction openings21a,21b. Incidentally, a length of the release time of the solenoid valve30bmay be chosen such that the length is long enough for the airway38to be formed around the suction openings21a,21b. Then, the control device40decompresses the degassing chamber10by releasing the solenoid valve30aof the degassing pipe25a. As shown inFIG.12b, at this point, the inside of the packing bag F communicates with the degassing chamber10via the airway38, and the pressing member15is separated from the electrically-heated wire14. So, the air inside the packing bag F is smoothly discharged from the bag opening G to the degassing chamber10and drawn into the vacuum pump29. Accordingly, as shown inFIG.11b, the packing bag F is degassed and tightly attached to the surface of the packed material H.

In the degassing process, when the air pressure of the degassing chamber10lowers, the lid4is pressed down by the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the degassing chamber10. As shown inFIG.14a, when the lid4is pressed down to a certain degree, the inner wall parts37a,37bof the cases8a,8b, which form the degassing chamber10, abut each other, and the lid4stops lowering. If the gaskets11a,11bbecome in excessively close contact with each other by the lowering of the lid4, the airway38formed between the gaskets11a,11bis crashed and the air in the packing bag F becomes hardly discharged. However, in the present example, the lowering of the lid4is avoided by the abutting of the inner wall parts37a,37b, such that the excessively close contact between the gaskets11a,11bis prevented, and the airway38is kept in the state where the air in the packing bag F is dischargeable. As shown inFIGS.14a,15a, by the lowering of the lid4, the pressing member15comes close to the electrically-heated wire14. At the point when the inner wall part37aof the body side and the inner wall part37bof the lid side are brought into contact with each other, the pressing member15is held at the evacuation position P and is apart from the electrically-heated wire14. Therefore, the discharge of the air inside the packing bag F is not disrupted by the electrically-heated wire14and the pressing member15.

The air pressure in the degassing chamber10is further reduced from the state where the lowering of the lid4is stopped by the abutting of the inner wall parts37a,37b, the holding member16held in the lid4is drawn downwards with more powerful force than the biasing force of the elastic gasket17by the air pressure difference between the inside and the outside of the degassing chamber10. Accordingly, the pressing member15comes close to the electrically-heated wire14. When the packing bag F is sufficiently degassed, and the air pressure of the degassing chamber10is reduced to a predetermined pressure or lower, the pressing member15lowers the bottom surface to the pressing position Q where the bottom surface and the electrically-heated wire14are abuttable, and the packing bag G arranged on the electrically-heated wire14is pressed against the electrically-heated wire14by the pressing member15.

When the pressing member15lowers to the pressing position Q, the pressure detection switch42detects the displacement of the pressing member15and outputs the detection signal to the control device40. Upon receiving this detection signal, the control device40closes the solenoid valve30aand stops the vacuum pump29, and then shifts from the degassing process to the sealing process. In the sealing process, the control device40turns on the electrically-heated wire energization switch43, and temporarily supplies a large electric current to the electrically-heated wire. Then, by the heated electrically-heated wire14, the bag opening G is heated and welded through the entire width and sealed accordingly. The control device40, after a predetermined time has passed, turns off the electrically-heated wire energization switch43and sets the electrically-heated wire14to the unenergized state. Then, after a predetermined cooling time, the control device40finishes the sealing process.

The control device40, after the sealing process is finish, releases the solenoid valves30a,30b, and flows in the outside air to the degassing chamber10and the suction openings21a,21b. At the same time, the control device40turns on the display lamp12with a predetermined aspect, and reports the finish of the degassing and sealing. Accordingly, by the operation of the release button7, the lid4is changed to the released state to make the degassed and sealed packing bag F removable.

In this way, in the degasifier1of the present example, in the state that the packing bag F is sandwiched between the gaskets11a,11b, the suction openings21a,21bformed in the sandwiching surface23are decompressed to form the airway38between the gaskets11a,11b. Therefore, the air inside the packing bag F can be discharged from the bag opening G to the degassing chamber10, even if the packing bag F has the smooth inner surface. Accordingly, in the degasifier1of the present example, degassing can suitably be performed without inserting a nozzle to the bag opening G, even if the packing bag F is made of plastic and has a smooth inner surface. With the degasifier1of the present example, the packing bag F does not have to be entirely stored in the degassing chamber10. So, there is a benefit that the degasifier10can be realized compactly in size. With the degasifier1of the present example, degassing and sealing can be performed with the same method as the packing bag having the smooth inner surface, even if the packing bag is made of plastic and has a convex-concave inner surface. So, there is a benefit that in the case where only available packing bags are the ones with a convex-concave inner surface, the packed material H can be stored in said available packing bag, and degassed and sealed. Especially, in the present example, the inner wall parts37a,37bof the cases8a,8bfunction as a stopper that prevents the gaskets11a,11bfrom contacting excessively tightly. So, there is a benefit that the airway38can easily be formed around the suction openings21a,21b.

In the present example, the degasifier1is configured that, in the degassing process, when the degassing chamber10is decompressed to the predetermined pressure or lower, the pressing member15is lowered to the pressing position Q by the pressure difference between the inside and the outside of the degassing chamber10to make the bag opening G sealed with the electrically-heated wire14. So, the air can smoothly be discharged from between the pressing member15and the electrically-heated wire14until the packing bag F becomes sufficiently degassed. Also, according to this structure, the pressing member15is displaced by the air pressure difference between the inside and the outside of the degassing chamber10. So, there is also a benefit that the driving means for displacing the pressing member15becomes not necessary.

In the present example, the link openings22c,33dare formed, in the close-contact surface24of each of the gaskets11a,11b, in the position where the gaskets11a,11bare overlapped with each other in the mount state of the lid4. And, the suction pipe27bon the body side, which communicates the vacuum pump29and the link opening22cof the body-side gasket11a, and the suction pipe27c, which communicates the suction opening21band the link opening22dof the lid-side gasket11b, are connected via the link openings22c,22din the mount state of the lid4. Because of this, with the degasifier1of the present example, the suction pipes27b,27c, which connect the suction opening21bof the lid-side gasket11bto the vacuum pump29can be simplified. Furthermore, in the released state of the lid4, the suction pipes27b,27care separated to the body side and the lid side, so the lid4can be moved relatively freely without being restrained by the suction pipes27b,27c.

Example 2

The present example is the one, in which the configuration of the example 1 is partially modified. Specifically, in the present example, the elastic gasket17according to the example 1 is formed with the material that has a higher elasticity modulus than the example 1, such that the holding member16is biased upwards stronger than the example 1, and the air pressure of the degassing chamber10, when the pressing member15lowers to the pressing position Q, is lower than the example 1. The shape of the elastic gasket17is the same as the example 1, and the other configurations are the same as the example 1. So, in the following, some description is made with reference to the same drawings as the example 1, and the same reference signs as the example 1 are used in the description and the drawings.

The degasifier1of the present example is configured, in the same way as the example 1, that when the packing bag F is set and the lid4is brought to the mount state, the degassing process and the sealing process are performed in order. The degassing process of the present example progresses in the same way as the example 1 for a certain period of time from the start. That is, firstly, the inside of the suction openings21a,21bis decompressed by the vacuum pump29, so that the gaskets11a,11baround the suction openings21a,21bbecome easily deformed by the pressure difference between the inside and the outside of the suction openings21a,21b. Accordingly, in the periphery of the suction openings21a,21b, the air inside the packing bag F becomes easily introduced to between the gaskets11a,11b. As shown inFIG.12b, in the vicinity of the suction openings21a,21b, the air inside the packing bag F becomes able to pass between the gaskets11a,11band flow out to the degassing chamber10. In this state, the suction openings21a,21bhave negative pressure, and the packing bag F is attached to each of the gaskets11a,11baround the suction openings21a,21b. Therefore, the outside air can hardly flow into the degassing chamber10from between the front and back films F1, F2of the packing bag F and the sandwiching surface23of the gaskets11a,11b.

Then, in the same way as the degassing process of the example 1, while maintaining the negative pressure in the suction openings21a,21b, the degassing chamber10is decompressed. Accordingly, as shown inFIG.12b, the air inside the packing bag F passes through the airway38formed between the gaskets11a,11bin the vicinity of the suction openings21a,21b, and is discharged from the bag opening G to the degassing chamber10, and then sucked out by the vacuum pump29. As shown inFIG.11b, the packing bag F is gradually degassed and tightly attached to the surface of the packed material H. When the degassing chamber10is decompressed, the lid4is pressed down by the air pressure difference between the inside and outside of the degassing chamber10. As shown inFIG.14a, when the inner wall parts37a,37bof the cases8a,8babut each other, the lid4stops lowering. The degassing process of the present example is performed in the same way as the example 1 to the point shown inFIG.14a.

In the degassing process of this example, from the point shown inFIG.14a, the degassing chamber10is further decompressed, and the degassing in the packing bag F progresses. Then, as the degassing in the packing bag F progresses and the air pressure inside the packing bag F lowers, the airway38shrinks narrower. Here, in the present example, as shown inFIG.16, before the pressing member15lowers to the pressing position Q, the pressure of the air, which is about to pass through the airway38, lowers the sandwiching force of the gaskets11a,11b, and then the airway38is closed. After the airway38is closed, when the air pressure of the degassing chamber10is reduced to the predetermined air pressure or lower, as shown inFIG.17, the pressing member15lowers to the pressing position Q, and then the sealing process is started. The processes after the sealing process are the same as the example 1, so the explanation will be omitted.

In this way, the degasifier1of the present example also produces the similar effects to the example 1 described above. However, in the present example, the air pressure in the degassing chamber10when the pressing member15lower to the pressing position Q is configured to be lower than the example 1. So, contrary to the example 1, in which the sealing process is started before the airway38is closed (refer toFIG.14b), in the present example, the sealing process is started after the airway38is closed. In this way, in the degassing process, if the sealing process is performed after the airway38is closed, the air discharged from the airway38before the sealing of the bag opening G is prevented from back-flowing to the inside of the packing bag F.

Hereinbefore, the examples of the present invention have been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the above aspects of the examples, and may be modified in various ways without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, in the degasifier1in the above example, the bag opening G is welded with the impulse seal method after the packing bag F is degassed. However, in the degasifier of the present invention, welding of the bag opening G may be performed with another method such as ultrasonic welding. Furthermore, the degasifier of the present invention may be the one, which only performs degassing of the packing bag F, and the sealing of the packing bag may be performed by an operator by hand using a clip. Also, the degasifier of the present invention may be the one, which, after degassing the packing bag F, fills inert gas in the bag.

In the above examples, the electrically-heated wire14is arranged in the body2, and the pressing member15is arranged in the lid4. However, the electrically-heated wire14may be arranged in the lid4, and the pressing member15may be arranged in the body2. The electrically-heated wire may also be arranged on the pressing member side so as to heat the bag opening from both sides.

The degasifier1of the present example is the one, in which the released state and the mount state is changed manually by operating the lid4. However, the degasifier of the present invention may be the one, in which the lid is opened or closed by a motor or the like. In the above example, the pressing member15is moved from the evacuation position P to the pressing position Q by the air pressure difference between the inside and the outside of the degassing chamber10. However, the pressing member15may be moved by a driving means such as a motor. In the above example, the detection signal of the pressure detection switch42is the signal of the finish of the degassing process. However, an air pressure sensor for detecting that the degassing chamber10is decompressed to the predetermined pressure may be arranged, and the degassing process may be finished upon receiving the detection signal from said air pressure sensor.

In the above example, in the degassing process, the decompression is conducted such that the degrees of vacuum in the suction openings21a,21bbecome higher than the degree of vacuum in the degassing chamber10. However, in the degassing process, the decompression may be conducted such that the degrees of vacuum in the suction opening and the degassing chamber become the same. In the above example, the degassing process10is decompressed after the suction openings21a,21bare decompressed. However, in the degassing process, the decompression of the suction openings21a,21band the degassing chamber10may be conducted at the same time by the vacuum pump29.

In the above example, the lid4is linked to the body2via the arm3. However, the lid according to the present invention may be mounted in such a manner as to directly movable in relation to the body2. Also, as shown in the degasifiers1a,1bof the modification example inFIGS.18,19, the degasifier may be configured such that the lid4is separated from the body2in the released state. Incidentally, inFIGS.18,19, for the sake of convenience, the parts, which have differences in shape but are functionally common to the above example, are denoted with the same symbols.

In the above example, the lid4is mounted on the body2in such a way as to cover from the top of the body2. However, in the present invention, like a degasifier1ashown inFIG.18, the lid4amay be fit into the body2from the front, or like a degasifier1bshown inFIG.19, the lid4bmay be attached to the body2bfrom obliquely upwards. In the present example, in relation to the nearing and separating direction (vertical direction) of the body2and the lid4, the sandwiching surface23of the gaskets11a,11bis arranged perpendicularly. However, as shown inFIGS.18,19, the sandwiching surface23may be tilted obliquely in relation to the nearing and separating direction of the bodies2a,2band the lids4a,4b.

In the above example, the center portion of the sandwiching surfaces23of the gaskets11a,11bare each provided with three suction openings21a,21b. However, the number of suction openings may be 2 or less, or may be 4 or more. Also, the position of the suction openings21a,21bdoes not have to be the center portion of sandwiching surface23. The suction openings21a,21bmay be formed on the right side or on the left side, or may be formed through the entire width of the sandwiching surface23. If the suction openings21a,21bare formed through the entire width of the sandwiching surface23, the airway38can be formed at various places in the sandwiching surface23. So, the packing bag F having a wide width can be degassed in a short period of time, and the packing bag F can be disposed relatively freely. Also, a plurality of packing bag F can be arranged side by side, and degassed and sealed at once, within the range of width of the sandwiching surface23. The intervals between the suction openings21a,21bdoes not have to be uniform. The suction openings according to the present invention does not have be the round shape. As shown in the suction openings211to213inFIGS.20ato20c, the suction openings may be long-hole shapes, rectangular shapes, or triangular shapes. In the above example, the widths of the sandwiching surfaces of the gaskets11a,11bare uniform. However, as shown inFIGS.20dto20f, the portion, where the suction openings214to216are formed, may be in the wide width shape or narrow width shape. Especially, as shown inFIG.20d, if the gaskets11a,11bare formed to be bulging out in the fore-and-aft direction, such that the suction openings214are in the round shape and the sandwiching surface23around said suction openings214is in the ring shape, the gaskets11a,11bbecome easily deformed in the front and the back of the suction opening214, so the airway38becomes easily formed. Also, the packing bag F becomes easily tightly attached to the sandwiching surface23, so the outside air can be securely prevented from flowing to the degassing chamber10from between the gaskets11a,11band the packing bag F. Furthermore, if the configuration shown inFIG.20dis chosen, as shown inFIG.20g, the gaskets11a,11bshould preferably be formed such that the diameter is gradually growing larger toward the suction opening214. In such configuration, the gaskets11a,11baround the suction opening214have the shape similar to a sucking disk. So, the gaskets11a,11bbecome further easily deformed in the vertical direction and the further easily closely contact to the packing bag F. In general, the airway becomes more easily formed as the suction opening is made larger in relation to the sandwiching surface of the gasket. So, the size of the suction opening according to the present invention may suitably be set according to the sandwiching pressure on the packing bag F by the gaskets11a,11bor according to the degree of vacuum of the degassing chamber10or the suction openings21a,21b.

Also, in the present example, the gaskets11a,11bon the body side and the lid side are formed with a single material. However, the gasket according to the present invention may be formed with different materials for each region. For example, it is suggested that the constituent region of the sandwiching surface23is formed with a softer material than the constituent region of the close-contact surface24. This is because airtightness is exclusively required for the close-contact surface24, but on the other hand, for the sandwiching surface23, flexibility for tightly contacting the surface of the packing bag F is also required. It is also suggested that the periphery of the suction openings21a,21bis formed with softer material than other regions. This is because the periphery of the suction openings21a,21bare required to deform while closely contacting the packing bag F so as to form the airway38, and more flexibility is required than other regions. In this way, the gaskets11a,11b, which are formed with different material for each region, can preferably be manufactured as an integrally molded part by multicolor molding (different material composite molding).

In the above example, the biasing means, which biases the pressing member15to the evacuation position P, is configured with the elastic gasket17. However, the biasing means according to the present invention may be configured with a coil spring or the like instead of the elastic gasket17. In the above example, when the degassing chamber10is decompressed to the predetermined pressure or lower, the pressing member15moves to the pressing position Q automatically. However, the degasifier may be provided with a holding means, which holds the pressing member15at the evacuation position P even in the state where the degassing chamber10is decompressed to the predetermined pressure or lower. And the pressing member15may be moved, after the degassing chamber10is decompressed to the predetermined pressure or lower, to the pressing position Q at any timing by manually releasing the holding means. Configuration of the holding means is not specifically limited. As specific examples, there are, a locking mechanism that locks the pressing member15or the holding member16in the evacuation position P, and an open/close valve that prevents the outside air from flowing into the space outside the elastic gasket17so as not to generate the air pressure difference, which moves the elastic gasket17to the pressing position Q.

In the above example, the close-contact surfaces24around the link openings22ato22dare flat. However, one of the close-contact surfaces24around the link openings22a,22cmay be formed in the convex shape, and the other close-contact surface24around the link openings22ato22dmay be formed in the concave shape, and the opposing close-contact surfaces24may be fit around the link openings22ato22d.

In the above example, the airway38formed between the gaskets11a,11bis shown largely for the sake of convenience. However, the airway according to the present invention may be in any size as long as it allows the gas inside the packing bag to be discharged to the degassing chamber. For example, the airway may be such a narrow gap that it is almost invisible by eye.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

1,1a,1bDegasifier2,2a,2bBody4,4a,4bLid8a,8bCase9a,9bConcave part10Degassing chamber11a,11bGasket14Electrically-heated wire15Pressing member16Holding member17Elastic gasket (Biasing means)21a,21b,211to216Suction opening22a,22b,22c,22dLink opening23Sandwiching surface24Close-contact surface27a,27b,27cSuction pipe29Vacuum pump38AirwayF Packing bagG Bag openingH Packed materialP Evacuation positionQ Pressing position