Packaging machine with bottom-supporting device

Abstract

A packaging machine with a bottom-supporting device, which intermittently moves a packaging bag to each one of packaging stations where each packaging process is performed, fills the packaging bag with an object to be packaged, and seals a bag mouth. The bottom-supporting device capable of supporting a bottom of the packaging bag is configured to be present in all the packaging stations. The bottom-supporting device includes a bottom support which supports the bottom of the packaging bag, an elevator that raises and lowers the bottom of the packaging bag, and a pneumatic drive unit which controls the raising and lowering of the bottom support by the elevator and vibration of the bottom support.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A packaging machine with a bottom-supporting device, which intermittently moves a packaging bag to each one of packaging stations where each packaging process is performed, fills the packaging bag with an object to be packaged, and seals a bag mouth, wherein the bottom-supporting device capable of supporting a bottom of the packaging bag is provided so as to be present in all the packaging stations, the bottom-supporting device comprising:
 a bottom support which supports the bottom of the packaging bag;   an elevator that raises and lowers the bottom of the packaging bag; and   a pneumatic drive unit which controls the raising and lowering of the bottom support by the elevator and vibration of the bottom support.   
     
     
         2 . The packaging machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the bottom-supporting device is configured to be sequentially intermittently moved through the packaging stations in synchronization with the intermittent movement of the packaging bag. 
     
     
         3 . The packaging machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the packaging stations include an object filling station where the bottom-supporting device is controlled so that the bottom of the packaging bag is supported by the bottom support after the packaging bag has been filled with the object. 
     
     
         4 . The packaging machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the packaging stations include a gas filling station where the bottom-supporting device is controlled so that vibration is applied to the bottom of the packaging bag by the bottom support. 
     
     
         5 . The packaging machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the packaging stations include a sealing station where the bottom-supporting device is controlled so that the bottom of the packaging bag is lifted by the bottom support. 
     
     
         6 . The packaging machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the packaging stations include a product discharge station where the bottom-supporting device is controlled so that the bottom support is lowered to release the bottom of the packaging bag from a supported state.