AU607457B2 - Method and apparatus for form-fill-seal packaging of articles - Google Patents

Method and apparatus for form-fill-seal packaging of articles Download PDF

Info

Publication number
AU607457B2
AU607457B2 AU10270/88A AU1027088A AU607457B2 AU 607457 B2 AU607457 B2 AU 607457B2 AU 10270/88 A AU10270/88 A AU 10270/88A AU 1027088 A AU1027088 A AU 1027088A AU 607457 B2 AU607457 B2 AU 607457B2
Authority
AU
Australia
Prior art keywords
tube
sealing
speed
tubing
members
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Fee Related
Application number
AU10270/88A
Other versions
AU1027088A (en
Inventor
Wolfgang Klinkel
Dieter Vits
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Ilapak Research and Development SA
Original Assignee
Ilapak Research and Development SA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Ilapak Research and Development SA filed Critical Ilapak Research and Development SA
Publication of AU1027088A publication Critical patent/AU1027088A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of AU607457B2 publication Critical patent/AU607457B2/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B9/00—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, e.g. liquids or semiliquids, in flat, folded, or tubular webs of flexible sheet material; Subdividing filled flexible tubes to form packages
    • B65B9/10—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, in preformed tubular webs, or in webs formed into tubes around filling nozzles, e.g. extruded tubular webs
    • B65B9/20—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, in preformed tubular webs, or in webs formed into tubes around filling nozzles, e.g. extruded tubular webs the webs being formed into tubes in situ around the filling nozzles
    • B65B9/207—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, in preformed tubular webs, or in webs formed into tubes around filling nozzles, e.g. extruded tubular webs the webs being formed into tubes in situ around the filling nozzles the web advancing continuously
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/74—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by welding and severing, or by joining and severing, the severing being performed in the area to be joined, next to the area to be joined, in the joint area or next to the joint area
    • B29C65/745—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by welding and severing, or by joining and severing, the severing being performed in the area to be joined, next to the area to be joined, in the joint area or next to the joint area using a single unit having both a severing tool and a welding tool
    • B29C65/7451—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by welding and severing, or by joining and severing, the severing being performed in the area to be joined, next to the area to be joined, in the joint area or next to the joint area using a single unit having both a severing tool and a welding tool the severing tool and the welding tool being movable with respect to one-another
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/01—General aspects dealing with the joint area or with the area to be joined
    • B29C66/03—After-treatments in the joint area
    • B29C66/034—Thermal after-treatments
    • B29C66/0342—Cooling, e.g. transporting through welding and cooling zone
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/01—General aspects dealing with the joint area or with the area to be joined
    • B29C66/05—Particular design of joint configurations
    • B29C66/10—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint cross-sections
    • B29C66/11—Joint cross-sections comprising a single joint-segment, i.e. one of the parts to be joined comprising a single joint-segment in the joint cross-section
    • B29C66/112—Single lapped joints
    • B29C66/1122—Single lap to lap joints, i.e. overlap joints
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/01—General aspects dealing with the joint area or with the area to be joined
    • B29C66/349—Cooling the welding zone on the welding spot
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/40—General aspects of joining substantially flat articles, e.g. plates, sheets or web-like materials; Making flat seams in tubular or hollow articles; Joining single elements to substantially flat surfaces
    • B29C66/41—Joining substantially flat articles ; Making flat seams in tubular or hollow articles
    • B29C66/43—Joining a relatively small portion of the surface of said articles
    • B29C66/431—Joining the articles to themselves
    • B29C66/4312—Joining the articles to themselves for making flat seams in tubular or hollow articles, e.g. transversal seams
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/81—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps
    • B29C66/814—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps
    • B29C66/8141—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the surface geometry of the part of the pressing elements, e.g. welding jaws or clamps, coming into contact with the parts to be joined
    • B29C66/81411—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the surface geometry of the part of the pressing elements, e.g. welding jaws or clamps, coming into contact with the parts to be joined characterised by its cross-section, e.g. transversal or longitudinal, being non-flat
    • B29C66/81415—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the surface geometry of the part of the pressing elements, e.g. welding jaws or clamps, coming into contact with the parts to be joined characterised by its cross-section, e.g. transversal or longitudinal, being non-flat being bevelled
    • B29C66/81419—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the surface geometry of the part of the pressing elements, e.g. welding jaws or clamps, coming into contact with the parts to be joined characterised by its cross-section, e.g. transversal or longitudinal, being non-flat being bevelled and flat
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/81—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps
    • B29C66/816—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the mounting of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps
    • B29C66/8167—Quick change joining tools or surfaces
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/81—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps
    • B29C66/818—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the cooling constructional aspects, or by the thermal or electrical insulating or conducting constructional aspects of the welding jaws or of the clamps ; comprising means for compensating for the thermal expansion of the welding jaws or of the clamps
    • B29C66/8181—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the cooling constructional aspects, or by the thermal or electrical insulating or conducting constructional aspects of the welding jaws or of the clamps ; comprising means for compensating for the thermal expansion of the welding jaws or of the clamps characterised by the cooling constructional aspects
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/83—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof characterised by the movement of the joining or pressing tools
    • B29C66/834—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof characterised by the movement of the joining or pressing tools moving with the parts to be joined
    • B29C66/8351—Jaws mounted on rollers, cylinders, drums, bands, belts or chains; Flying jaws
    • B29C66/83541—Jaws mounted on rollers, cylinders, drums, bands, belts or chains; Flying jaws flying jaws, e.g. jaws mounted on crank mechanisms or following a hand over hand movement
    • B29C66/83543—Jaws mounted on rollers, cylinders, drums, bands, belts or chains; Flying jaws flying jaws, e.g. jaws mounted on crank mechanisms or following a hand over hand movement cooperating flying jaws
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/84—Specific machine types or machines suitable for specific applications
    • B29C66/849—Packaging machines
    • B29C66/8491—Packaging machines welding through a filled container, e.g. tube or bag
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B51/00—Devices for, or methods of, sealing or securing package folds or closures; Devices for gathering or twisting wrappers, or necks of bags
    • B65B51/10—Applying or generating heat or pressure or combinations thereof
    • B65B51/26—Devices specially adapted for producing transverse or longitudinal seams in webs or tubes
    • B65B51/30—Devices, e.g. jaws, for applying pressure and heat, e.g. for subdividing filled tubes
    • B65B51/303—Devices, e.g. jaws, for applying pressure and heat, e.g. for subdividing filled tubes reciprocating along only one axis
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B51/00—Devices for, or methods of, sealing or securing package folds or closures; Devices for gathering or twisting wrappers, or necks of bags
    • B65B51/32—Cooling, or cooling and pressing, package closures after heat-sealing
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/40—General aspects of joining substantially flat articles, e.g. plates, sheets or web-like materials; Making flat seams in tubular or hollow articles; Joining single elements to substantially flat surfaces
    • B29C66/41—Joining substantially flat articles ; Making flat seams in tubular or hollow articles
    • B29C66/43—Joining a relatively small portion of the surface of said articles
    • B29C66/432—Joining a relatively small portion of the surface of said articles for making tubular articles or closed loops, e.g. by joining several sheets ; for making hollow articles or hollow preforms
    • B29C66/4322—Joining a relatively small portion of the surface of said articles for making tubular articles or closed loops, e.g. by joining several sheets ; for making hollow articles or hollow preforms by joining a single sheet to itself
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/70—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material
    • B29C66/73—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset
    • B29C66/739—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset
    • B29C66/7392—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the material of at least one of the parts being a thermoplastic
    • B29C66/73921—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the material of at least one of the parts being a thermoplastic characterised by the materials of both parts being thermoplastics
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/82—Pressure application arrangements, e.g. transmission or actuating mechanisms for joining tools or clamps
    • B29C66/822—Transmission mechanisms
    • B29C66/8225—Crank mechanisms
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/82—Pressure application arrangements, e.g. transmission or actuating mechanisms for joining tools or clamps
    • B29C66/822—Transmission mechanisms
    • B29C66/8226—Cam mechanisms; Wedges; Eccentric mechanisms
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29L—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES
    • B29L2031/00—Other particular articles
    • B29L2031/712—Containers; Packaging elements or accessories, Packages
    • B29L2031/7128—Bags, sacks, sachets
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B9/00—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, e.g. liquids or semiliquids, in flat, folded, or tubular webs of flexible sheet material; Subdividing filled flexible tubes to form packages
    • B65B9/10—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, in preformed tubular webs, or in webs formed into tubes around filling nozzles, e.g. extruded tubular webs
    • B65B9/20—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, in preformed tubular webs, or in webs formed into tubes around filling nozzles, e.g. extruded tubular webs the webs being formed into tubes in situ around the filling nozzles
    • B65B9/2007—Means for stripping or squeezing filled tubes prior to sealing to remove air or products from sealing area

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Containers And Plastic Fillers For Packaging (AREA)
  • Package Closures (AREA)
  • Auxiliary Devices For And Details Of Packaging Control (AREA)
  • Control And Other Processes For Unpacking Of Materials (AREA)
  • Making Paper Articles (AREA)

Abstract

A cylindrical tube provided with a longitudinal seam is formed in a tubular bag machine from a flexible film unwound from a roll. The filling material (15) is filled into the tube in weighed quantities. Bags (13) are formed by means of transverse seams (21). In order to compress the bag contents before forming the top seam, spring-suspended stripper jaws (7) are present, which are associated with transverse sealing jaws (3). During stripping, the stripper jaws (7) are pressed against the tube (2), which is moved downwards continuously, and moved downwards with a speed which is high in relation to the tube advance. Subsequently, the top seam is produced on the bag (13) by pressing the transverse sealing jaws (3) together. As a result of this, the bag contents - for example potato crisps - can be compressed in a particularly simple manner and thus the consumption of tube material reduced. <IMAGE>

Description

PesnlSgnature witness or legalisaton), this Ll day of 0 UT q qo eo ILAPAK d se r v1metS.A.
(Signature of Declarant) Gabriella tterlieb (Director)
-A
6^0745 FORM COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA PATENTS ACT 1952-69 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR OFFICE USE: Class Int. Class Application Number: Lodged: 0000 o ,qomplete Specification Lodged: Accepted: o Published: RrIority: Related Art: This docunient contains the ainendMeiLts miade uiIJ Section 49 and is correct fcrl printilvg.
0 ,Nar1na of Applicant: Atldr~ss of Applicant: ILAPAK RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT S.A.
Via Grancia, Zone Switzerland Industriale, CH-6911 Grancia-Lugano, Actual Inventor: WOLFGANG KLINKEL and DIETER VITS Address for Service: Sheiston Waters, JClarence Street, Sydney Complete Specification for the Invention entitled: "METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORM-FILL-SEAL PACKAGING OF ARTICLES" The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:- SW 16 1A METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORM-FILL-SEAL PACKAGING OF ARTICLES The present invention relates to packaging materials in flexible bags, typically plastic bags, which are made as the product is being filled into the bags. More particularly the present invention relates to a vertical packaging method and apparatus.
Form-fill-seal packaging of articles is known; the usual way is to provide a film of plastic material, oO passing the film around a former to wrap the film o 0 0.o longitudinally, for example about a mandrel, tube or the 0 00 ft °000 like, to form a tubular structure with a vertical seal.
o 00 0o00 The tubular structure is cross-sealed by a cross-sealing 0000 o..ooo apparatus, usually under heat, by passing the tube between a pair of heated sealing jaws.
The tube is filled and the filled tube portion is closed. The tube is severed, and the now sealed package Scan be discharged in a bin. Processes and apparatus to oo O such form-fill-seal packaging apparatus as previously known operate intermittently.
It is a first object of the invention to compress the contents within the tube which may be of light weight and high bulk, such as potato-chips or pop corn.
It is a further object to provide a form-fill-seal packaging apparatus and method which operates continuously, in other words, which permits continuous manufacture of sealed and filled packages which have higher output than previously known apparatus.
IU~~~
hl i tWtAr I 2~ j j: a; 2 00oo00 o0 0 o 0 0 o 0000 0 00 0 ooo0 0 0 0 o 0 oooto ob8 0 0 0 0 0000 0 000000 0 0 0000 o 0 0 0 0 00 00 0.000 o 0 0 0 0 00000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 00 0 .0 6 0 0 0 20~ Accordingly, the present invention provides a method for form-fill-seal packaging of articles, including the steps of: providing a continuous, flat, flexible film; passing the flat, flexible film around a former to deform and shape the flat film into tubular shape in which lateral edge portions of the film will be located adjacent each other; joining the longitudinal edge portions of the film while in tubular shape to form a closed tube with a longitudinal seal; forming two spaced apart cross seals across the closed tube by sealing or welding means; filling the tube above the cross seals; severing the tube between said two spaced apart cross seals; continuously positively feeding the flat film to the former by continuously moving feeding means, continuously positively exerting a drawing force on the closed tube by continuously drawing the closed tube over the former with a first speed, pinching the tube by stripping plate means, and moving said stripping plate means longitudinally along a straight path with respect to said tube and with the tube being pinched during said pinching operation, said stripping plate means being moved during the pinching operation with a longitudinal second speed to compress said articles within the tube, which speed is higher than the constant first feeding speed of the tube, and after the end of the stripping operation moving the stripping plate means in a straight downward direction with a speed A 1: L i~ll ICI_-l-- 3 0009 o 0 o 0 o 00 0 o0 0 0 oa 0 o 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0. a a0 0 o 0 0oooo00 0 0 0o 0 0 0 0 0o 0 0 0 0 O 0 o 0 0 0 0U 0 OU a 92 corresponding to the first speed of the tube, and after the separation of the sealed tube opening the stripping plate means and moving them back together with the sealing or welding means to the initial position at an increased speed.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus for filling and sealing packages comprising means for forming flexible packaging material into a downwardly extending tubing, means for applying a longitudinal seam on the tubing during continuous movement of the tubing, a pair of sealing members for forming transverse seals movable relative to one another between an open position and a closed sealing position in which they are engaged with the tubing, means for moving said sealing members between said open and closed position, a pair of striper members mounted for movement relative to one another from an open position to a closed position, means for moving said stripper members between an open and closed position adjacent one another on opposite sides of the tubing and in engagement with and squeezing the tube below said sealing members, cutting means for cutting the packaging after the end of the sealing operation, first drive means to drive the tubing continuously during the stripping movement and during sealing, second drive means co-operating with the transverse sealing members and stripper members, to drive the transverse sealing and stripper members in a straight line in the downwards I~p V rr I I Y 4 0000 0 0 0 0 0000 00 0 000 0 o 0 000 0 o 0 0 000oooo 0 0 00000 0 0 00000 0000 0 0 00 P 0 000000 0 0 0 o 0 0 0 00 0o 00 0 26O direction in the first stage of movement at a second speed increased with respect to the first speed of the tubing to compress fill contents within the tube and to effect a stripping operation, and third drive means for opening and closing the transverse sealing and stripper members.
A preferred embodiment will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a general side view of a form-filling and sealing packaging machine, according to the present invention.
Fig. 2 is an enlarged elevation of cross-sealing or cross-welding jaws of figure 1, in open position.
Fig. 3 is an enlarged elevation of cross-sealing jaws of figure 1, in closed position just prior to sealing.
Fig. 4 is an illustration similar to Fig. 3 during sealing.
Fig. 5 is a plan view of a cross-sealing jaw of figures 2, 3 and 4.
Fig. 6 is a sectional view of a stripper plate along the line VI-VI in Fig. The form-fill-seal packaging apparatus, see Fig. 1, is used, primarily, to fill a tubular bag formed from a flat, flexible film. The flat film 4 is, typically, a flat, flexible plastic foil web or film, for example heatsealable polypropylene, weldable polyethylene or the like. The film 4 is drawn off a supply reel 2. The
II
0 I i- i;.L.
5 o oo oe o 00 o t ooe 0 304 0 4 B o a oo 4 ooooso o
OOO
00 t 0000 00 0 0 C C 0000 00 00 Los Si c supply reel 2 is located on a machine frame, on suitable bearings, to be supplied as needed. A dancer compensating roller arm is pivotably supported on the frame to form a variable film supply loop. The film 4 is then guided over a plurality of deflection rollers to a pair of drive rollers.
The film web 4 is guided over a former 5, of known and standard construction, to be formed into a longitudinally, vertically directed tube 20 surrounding a filling tube 12 on the outside thereof. Preferably, the filling tube is cylindrical and of circular cross section. The upper end of the filing tube is in communication with a fill funnel 10. Articles to be placed into the tube, preferably food, are introduced into the funnel in the direction of the arrow B (Fig. A predetermined individual quantity, by weight, volume, number or the like, in accordance with well known proportioning apparatus, will provide the charge of the products to be filled into the respective packages.
Preferably the charge to be filled into the packages may be determined by weight. Filling arrangements other than the fill funnel 10 as shown may be used.
A longitudinal seal jaw or apparatus 6 forms a longitudinal seal or weld. The longitudinal apparatus for welding or sealing is movable vertically as a unit. The sealing operation is carried out continuously during continuous feed of the web 4 and the then formed tube 20.
The longitudinal sealing jaw or other sealing or welding a h
,-I
j -6apparatus 6 carries out a movement which is shown in Australian Patent No. 588,074. During the sealing process, in which a vertical, linear seal is generated, the sealing element 6 moves continuously and with the same linear speed as tube 20 in accordance with the downwardly directed movement. At the end of the stroke, and as the longitudinal seal has been formed at the circumference of the tube 20, the jaw 6 is lifted off the tube, and returned upwardly while keeping some radial distance from the tube. The upward movement is faster than the downward ii movement of the tube. With the jaw 6 a continuous vertical seal can be formed. The apparatus for forming, feeding and sealing of the tubing, bag or package is shown j in Australian patent application No. 74193/87.
Two draw down rollers (not shown) are located diametrically opposite each other with respect to the fill tube 20 to provide for gentle draw down2 of the tube over the former 12.
A cross-sealing apparatus is located downstream of I' 20 the longitudinal sealing apparatus. The cross-sealing apparatus is formed of two jaws 3 which, simultaneously, form a bottom seal for a new bag, as well as a top seal for an already filled upper bag (Fig. The upper top 4 seal 17 thus is formed simultaneously with the closing seal 21 foif the previously filled and still open tube, so that the initially completed open tube is sealed twice by two parallel spaced seals. As best seen in Fig. 4, a severing knife 22 is provided to separate the material of R RA, M7 M~V Ui C, 0 8
C
4 7 the tube 20 between the two seals.
Referring to Fig. 2 4 a precompression of the bag may be desirable if the fill goods 15, by example potato-chips, have a tendency to block within the bag, and thus prevent complete filling of the bag. If such fill goods are to be filled in bags, stripper elements are provided to permit compression of the bags in longitudinal direction.
Two stripper plates 7 are located below the sealing 10 or welding jaws 3 mechanically fixed to the jaws and 00..
0 0 000 spring-loaded by springs 30 positioned within the housing o 00 0 0.0 0 24. The stripper plates, thus travel both horizontally as 00o well as vertically together with the sealing jaws 3, to 0 .o0.
0.0000 compact the articles in said tubing below the level of the Q a next seal to be made.
Fig. 5 and 6 show a stripper plate with more detail.
oO'o The stripper plate 7 is movably arranged in the housing 00..
24, comprising two cover plates 23 and an intermediate 00 0 member 25 secured by bolts 26. Between the rear side of 0 0 0 0 0 the stripper plate and the intermediate member 25 a plurality of springs 30 are arranged. A bore 36 extends ou o 0 00..0 in longitudinal direction at the forward end of the 0 0 stripper plate, having a plurality of upwardly directed small openings 34. The bore 36 is connected with a tube for conducing compressed air. The movement of the spring loaded stripper plate is limited by a step 28. In accordance with a feature of the invention, the air jets are provided for cooling the bottom seal of the tube just b j 6 t 8 1
F
i i 1-
Y
I
I
8 after opening of the jaws 3. Holding elements for fixing the stripping plates to the jaws 3, well known in structure design, have been omitted for clarity from the drawing.
When the jaws 3 are open (see Fig. 3) the articles or fill goods 15, in accordance with a previously weighed quantity, are located in the tube 20 closed off by a bottom seal 21.
To start the stripping process, the sealing jaws 3 are moved towards each other (see Fig. 3) upon operation o 0 oo of a cam disk, a crank arm, or the like, the two sealing oo 0 0 00 oo o jaws 3 however, will be spaced from each other. The 0 oo 0 stripper plates 7 press slightly against the respective walls of the tube 20, so that the air can vent to the 0 0 upper part of the tube. Initially, thus, no sealing process will start. The stripper plates pinch against the 000000 tube, causing the springs 30 to be compressed. In this oooo position in which the stripper plates have engaged the I 00 tube, downward movement of the jaws 3 together with the 00 00 0 0 0 oo o stripper plates will occur. The downward movement is controlled to be considerably faster than the continuous .00. feed movement of the tube 20. This compresses the 0000i0 0" articles of goods 15 within the tube 20 downwardly over a predetermined stroke. Thereafter and under control of the cam or equivalent control the sealing jaw 3 will then close completely and the sealing or welding process to form the top sealing 17 of the bag 13 is carried out, as best seen in Fig. 4. During this operation, the two A R i M^~i u> L 1. i w' L- 'f; 9 Aj o 0 0 0 0 0 0o o ooo 00 0 oo o 0 00 0-0 0 0o 0 0000 o o 00.0 o°oo ocno°o o0 o oooo 00 o0 00 00 os 0 0001 0000
I
C
stripper plates are almost engaged against the tube The severing knife 22 is then operated by a piston. The bag, closed at the top and bottom, is severed. The sealing or welding process is carried out during the continuous movement of the tube 20, the sealing jaws 3 are moving in downward direction at the same speed as the feeding speed of the tube 20. Since, simultaneously with the top seal of a lower bag, the bottom seal of the next upper bag is formed, fill of the upper bag by fill goods 15 can be started as soon as the seal jaws 3 have completely closed.
The seal jaws 3 and with them the stripper plates 7, are opened after the knife 22 has severed the bag 13 from the upper, still open bag portion, and the entire stripper system together with the jaws 3 is raised upwardly with increased speed, so that it will be available to start the next stripping, sealing and severing cycle, that is, in the starting position shown in Fig. 2.
Differential speed in vertical downward direction of the entire system, including the jaws 3 and the stripper plates, can be easily controlled by controlling the speed of a motor 42 of the jaws 3 and with them of the stripper plates. Opening and timing of the horizontal movement is controlled by control of the associated motor 44, or by a suitable cam track or a cam disk driven by such motor 44.
Synchronized operation of the various elements of the overall feed system is controlled by an electrical control system.
V O' 10 Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made in the mechanical and structural arrangement of the apparatus, without deviating from the principle of the invention.
0004 o ooa 0O 0 o 0 o «e o 0000 0 0 0000 0 4 0041 a O c c 0 00 a 00 t 4 t t 9 t

Claims (5)

1. A method for form-fill-seal packaging of articles, including the steps of: providing a continuous, flat, flexible film; passing the flat, flexible film around a former to deform and shape the flat film into tubular shape in which lateral edge portions of the film will be 0 0 located adjacent each other; joining the longitudinal edge o portions of the film while in tubular shape to form a closed tube with a longitudinal seal; forming two spaced 00 apart cross seals across the closed tube by sealing or 0 iJ0 welding means; filling the tube above the cross seals; .0 0 severing the tube between said two spaced apart cross seals; continuously positively feeding the flat film to S the former by continuously moving feeding means, S continuously positively exerting a drawing force on the closed tube by continuously drawing the closed tube over 0 the former with a first speed, pinching the tube by stripping plate means, and moving said stripping plate 0o means longitudinally along a straight path with respect to said tube and with the tube being pinched during said pinching operation, said stripping plate means being moved during the pinching operation with a longitudinal second speed to compress said articles within the tube, which speed is higher than the constant first feeding speed of the tube, and after the end of the stripping operation moving the stripping plate means in a straight downward direction with a speed corresponding to the first speed of the tube, and after the separation of the sealed tube 1 I t 0 L_ 7- 0 11* t Z'-s r *00 0 0 000 o0 o 0 o0 or o oil 0 oa 0 0 0*I 00049 0 12 opening the stripping plate means and moving them back together with the sealing or welding means to the initial position at an increased speed.
2. A method according to claim i, wherein the totality of steps is repeated.
3. Apparatus for filling and sealing packages comprising means for forming flexible packaging material into a downwardly extending tubing, means for applying a longitudinal seam on the tubing during continuous movement of the tubing, a pair of sealing members for forming transverse seals movable relative to one another between an open position and a closed sealing position in which they are engaged with the tubing, means for moving said sealing members between said open and closed position, a pair of striper members mounted for movement relative to one another from an open position to a closed position, means for moving said stripper members between an open and closed position adjacent one another on opposite sides of the tubing and in engagement with and squeezing the tube below said sealing members, cutting means for cutting the packaging after the end of the sealing operation, first drive means to drive the tubing continuously during the stripping movement and during sealing, second drive means co-operating with the transverse sealing members and stripper members, to drive the transverse sealing and stripper members in a straight line in the downwards direction in the first stage of movement at a second speed A increased with respect to the first speed of the tubing to ?;j II o00 0 00 0 0 ooo o o0G 0 1 I tn oo j! 13 compress fill contents within the tube and to effect a stripping operation, and third drive means for opening and closing the transverse sealing and stripper members.
4. A method for form-fill-seal packaging of articles substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 to 6 of the accompanying drawings. 0000 o o o oo
5. An apparatus for filling and sealing packages oo ooo substantially as herein described with reference to 0o 0 0 o Figures 1 to 6 of the accompanying drawings. 0 0 o""oo DATED this 28th day of November, 1990 o o 00 0 ILAPAK RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT S.A. 000000 0 0 Attorney: LEON K. ALLEN Fellow Institute of Patent Attorneys of Australia o oo of SHELSTON WATERS 0100 o 00 00 0 0 000000 0 0 000000 0 0 S0 00 0 0 0 0 0 0o
AU10270/88A 1987-01-21 1988-01-14 Method and apparatus for form-fill-seal packaging of articles Expired - Fee Related AU607457B2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CH211/87A CH672767A5 (en) 1987-01-21 1987-01-21
CH211/87 1987-01-21

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
AU1027088A AU1027088A (en) 1988-07-28
AU607457B2 true AU607457B2 (en) 1991-03-07

Family

ID=4181798

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
AU10270/88A Expired - Fee Related AU607457B2 (en) 1987-01-21 1988-01-14 Method and apparatus for form-fill-seal packaging of articles

Country Status (6)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0276628B1 (en)
JP (1) JPS63191706A (en)
AT (1) ATE58689T1 (en)
AU (1) AU607457B2 (en)
CH (1) CH672767A5 (en)
DE (1) DE3766488D1 (en)

Families Citing this family (22)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
NZ234246A (en) * 1990-03-16 1992-06-26 Flexitech Consulting Services Form filling powdered material packages using interleaved plastics/paper packaging
DE9016520U1 (en) * 1990-12-05 1991-02-21 Rovema - Verpackungsmaschinen Gmbh, 6301 Fernwald, De
JP2530266B2 (en) * 1991-08-30 1996-09-04 株式会社フジキカイ Air bleeder in bag for vertical bag filling and packaging machine
JPH0620209U (en) * 1992-04-03 1994-03-15 株式会社イシダ Lateral sealing mechanism in bag making and packaging machine
JP2598879B2 (en) * 1993-12-20 1997-04-09 オリヒロ株式会社 Vertical filling and packaging machine
AU1542495A (en) * 1994-02-01 1995-08-21 David Leonard Watkins Bag sealing apparatus
EP0764580B1 (en) * 1995-09-23 2000-02-09 Rovema Verpackungsmaschinen GmbH Machine for making tubular bags
EP0995683A1 (en) * 1998-09-29 2000-04-26 Arkmount Systems Inc. Heatsealing and cutting mechanisms and container forming apparatus incorporating the same
JP2000226006A (en) 1999-02-03 2000-08-15 Ishida Co Ltd Continuous bag manufacturing and packaging method, and bag manufacturing and packaging machine
DE29911847U1 (en) * 1999-07-07 2000-11-23 Vision Verpackungstechnik Gmbh Device for producing tubular bags filled with bulk material
ES2182664B1 (en) * 2000-11-08 2004-02-01 Olaechea Rosalina Paniagua MACHINE, PROCEDURE AND BAG FOR HORTIFRUTICOLAS PRODUCT PACKAGING.
JP2003011909A (en) * 2001-07-02 2003-01-15 Ishida Co Ltd Bag manufacturing and packaging machine
JP3762383B2 (en) * 2003-04-22 2006-04-05 オリヒロエンジニアリング株式会社 Filling apparatus and filling method
JP3990680B2 (en) * 2004-04-30 2007-10-17 オリヒロエンジニアリング株式会社 Vertical filling and packaging machine
WO2008146160A2 (en) * 2007-05-31 2008-12-04 Philips Morris Products S.A. Product in seal deflection device
ES2428265T3 (en) * 2008-10-20 2013-11-06 Nestec S.A. Devices for deflating bags and procedures for deflating bags
ITVR20110098A1 (en) 2011-05-11 2012-11-12 P F M Spa VERTICAL PACKAGING MACHINE FOR FOOD PRODUCTS
US9963253B2 (en) 2011-07-11 2018-05-08 Altria Client Services Llc Air accelerator dosing tube
WO2017053418A1 (en) 2015-09-21 2017-03-30 Cryovac, Inc. Process and machine for making clipless chub package contaning viscous product
US20180361678A1 (en) * 2015-12-08 2018-12-20 Sabic Global Technologies B.V. Apparatus and methods of use for form, fill and sealing dies and packages formed thereby
CN108639454A (en) * 2018-03-30 2018-10-12 利辛县雨若信息科技有限公司 A kind of dry fruit food bag sealed in unit
IT202000004729A1 (en) * 2020-03-06 2021-09-06 Messersi Packaging Srl Station for wrapping products with inclined sides

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1065144A (en) * 1963-05-21 1967-04-12 Sperry Rand Corp Improvements in packaging machines
GB2067144A (en) * 1979-02-13 1981-07-22 Honda Motor Co Ltd Motorcycle wheel suspension
AU571335B2 (en) * 1984-06-20 1988-04-14 Taylor, A.A. Subdividing filled flexible tubes

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2659695B2 (en) * 1976-12-31 1979-09-27 Hoechst Ag, 6000 Frankfurt Process for the production and sealing of bags from tubular film with gussets
US4291520A (en) * 1979-12-26 1981-09-29 Package Machinery Company Vertical form, fill and seal packaging machine with improved end sealing and stripping means

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1065144A (en) * 1963-05-21 1967-04-12 Sperry Rand Corp Improvements in packaging machines
GB2067144A (en) * 1979-02-13 1981-07-22 Honda Motor Co Ltd Motorcycle wheel suspension
AU571335B2 (en) * 1984-06-20 1988-04-14 Taylor, A.A. Subdividing filled flexible tubes

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ATE58689T1 (en) 1990-12-15
EP0276628A1 (en) 1988-08-03
AU1027088A (en) 1988-07-28
DE3766488D1 (en) 1991-01-10
JPS63191706A (en) 1988-08-09
CH672767A5 (en) 1989-12-29
EP0276628B1 (en) 1990-11-28

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
AU607457B2 (en) Method and apparatus for form-fill-seal packaging of articles
CA1277583C (en) Method and apparatus for form-fill-seal packaging of articles
US5235794A (en) Bag making apparatus and method
EP3378793B1 (en) Bag-making and packaging machine
US20020112451A1 (en) Vertical form, fill, seal machine and methods
US5259172A (en) Packaging machine and method
US4090344A (en) Method and apparatus for automatically filling bags with particulate materials
EP0865379B1 (en) Packaging machine with forming tube
US2956383A (en) Product settling attachments for packaging machines
US5231817A (en) Pouch collapsing assembly for vertical form, fill and seal machine
WO2005105578A1 (en) Vertical filling-packaging machine and method of manufacturing packaging bag
EP0537844A1 (en) Apparatus for stretching a continuous plastics film in a packaging machine
JPS6344402A (en) Method and device for packaging article by formation-filling-sealing
WO1986000569A1 (en) Pouch maker
EP0300780A2 (en) Apparatus for placing a web of film under tension
US4924656A (en) Forming, filling and sealing bags and depositing them in cartons
US4448010A (en) Method and apparatus for making bag-type packages
CN101927841A (en) Bag-making and packaging apparatus
EP1894845A1 (en) Process for the production of a doypack-style bag
US3528214A (en) Heat-sealing apparatus
US3319539A (en) Machine for making double-wall packages
NL289820A (en)
US3173233A (en) Packaging machine for the filling of plastic foil tubing
JP2898285B2 (en) Bag making equipment
WO2005085069A1 (en) Convertible computer controlled ffs bagging machine