BRPI0601036B1 - APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PACKING AN OBJECT - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus (20) for packaging an object (P), the apparatus (20) having an adjustable infeed bed (40) to center the object (P) before a nipping operation. The packaging apparatus (20) includes a pair of opposing rollers (70,72) and an adjustable infeed bed (40). The pair of opposing rollers (70,72) pushes together sheets of packaging material against each other and the object or product (P) to be package. In order to accommodate objects of various heights, the infeed bed (40) is adjustable so as to line up the center of the object to the center of the rollers (70,72). To determine the proper adjustment to the infeed bed, the packaging apparatus (20) may also include a height detector (76) for measuring a height dimension for an object.

Description

(54) Title: APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PACKING AN OBJECT (51) Int.CI .: B65B 9/02; B65B 57/10; B65B 51/10 (30) Unionist Priority: 03/30/2005 US 11 / 094,826 (73) Holder (s): SEALED AIR CORPORATION (72) Inventor (s): LAURENCE B. SPERRY; ERIC A. ΚΑΝΕ

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Invention Patent Descriptive Report for APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PACKING AN OBJECT.

Field of the Invention [001] The present invention relates to machines and methods for packaging objects using flexible or semi-flexible sheet materials, in which an object is disposed between two portions of sheet material and the two portions are sealed together around the periphery of the object to form a package.

Background to the Invention [002] Flexible packaging has long been used to package products such as books, compact discs, cassette tapes, and a host for other types of objects to provide protection when shipping or posting objects, and in some cases to hermetically seal objects from the external environment. Strip handling machines have been developed to automate the product packaging process in flexible packaging materials. Double strip machines place a pair of strips in a confrontational relationship usually parallel to each other and feed a product, or a group of products, between the strips. Longitudinal or side seals are then made to seal the strips together along their side edges, and cross or cross seals are similarly made in front of and behind the packaged product (s), thus forming a package containing the products). The packaging is cut from the rest of the strips to complete the process. Single strip machines work similarly, except that a single strip is either supplied to the machine as a C-fold, or a flat strip is manipulated and folded in a C-fold configuration, the objects to be packed are inserted between the two opposite portions of the C-folded strip, and a longitudinal seal and two cross seals are formed.

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2/14 [003] Single strip machines typically include a longitudinal sealing device such as a pair of rollers or the like that form a narrowing through which the overlapping longitudinal edges of the opposite strip portions pass to effect a longitudinal seal in one side of the package. Double strip machines include a similar longitudinal sealing device through which the opposite longitudinal edges of the strip portions pass to effect an opposite longitudinal seal. Longitudinal sealing devices can apply pressure only where cold sealing materials are used, or they can apply pressure and heat in the case of hot-sealed materials. The longitudinal sealing devices are spaced a distance that corresponds to the width of the strip material. Typically this distance is fixed, so that the machine is able to handle only one width of material.

[004] With conventional machines, a problem that often arises is that the packaged object is not centered between the pair of rollers or the like that form the narrowing in the direction of the object's thickness, that is, in a direction normal to the surfaces of the portions of strip. If the object is offset in the direction of thickness in the direction of a roll, the frequent result is that the overlapping longitudinal edges of the strip portions are not properly aligned with each other; the edge (or both edges in the case of a double strip machine) of the strip portion in the direction from which the object is displaced tends to be pulled transversely inward towards the longitudinal centerline of the strip portion because the portion of strip should bend out more than the other portion of the strip. This results in packaging edges that are misshapen.

[005] Another problem with many types of flexible packaging machines of the type noted above is that strip materials tend to

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3/14 become wrinkled as a result of being forced to bend and curve around the outline of the object being packaged. In some cases, no attempt is made to eliminate wrinkles, and the result is that the packaging that is made is not very aesthetically pleasing. The problem tends to worsen as the height or thickness of the packaged object increases, as the strip material is forced to bend and bend to a greater extent. Furthermore, the different types of strip materials behave differently in relation to wrinkling. Therefore, conventional machines are not well suited for packaging a variety of objects of different thicknesses, sizes, and shapes, since a machine setting that can minimize wrinkling for an object configuration and / or a type of strip material can does not work well for a different object configuration and / or different strip material.

[006] In light of the above considerations, a more versatile machine and packaging method is needed, capable of handling various object configurations, including varying heights.

Brief Summary of the Invention [007] The present invention addresses the above needs and achieves other advantages by providing an apparatus for packaging an object, with an adjustable feeding bed to center the object before a narrowing operation. In general, the apparatus includes a pair of opposing rollers that form a nip, an adjustable feeding bed, and a height detector. Two opposing sheets of packaging material are passed through the narrowing with an object disposed between them, and the sheets of packaging material are sealed together around the object to form a package. The feeding bed receives an object to be packed and feeds it to the narrowing between the sheets. The feeding bed is adjustable to center the object towards its height in relation to the

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4/14 narrowing based on height detector measurement.

[008] In other aspects of the present invention, the adjustable feed bed can have an upstream end and a downstream end. In some embodiments, the downstream end is adjustable in relation to the opposite rollers, while in other embodiments, both the downstream and upstream ends are adjustable to the rollers. The apparatus may further include at least one actuator such as a pneumatic cylinder, a hydraulic cylinder, an electric motor or the like for adjusting the supply bed. The feed bed can have at least two positions to center the object between the rollers. In one embodiment, the adjustable feed bed may include a conveyor belt to advance the object in the direction of the opposing rollers. Alternatively, the adjustable feed bed may include an upper surface arranged to support one of the sheets of packaging material such that the sheet supports and advances the object in the direction of the rollers.

[009] In at least one embodiment, each roll includes a portion of a resiliently flexible roll that is deformed by the object between the sheets of packaging material. The resiliently flexible roll portion has a tendency to return to its undeformed shape. This trend puts pressure on the packaging material to conform to the object being packaged.

[0010] In another embodiment, the present invention provides an apparatus for packaging an object. The device includes a pair of opposing rollers, a strip supply system, and an adjustable feeding bed. The rollers together form a narrowing. The strip supply system supplies a pair of strip portions generally opposed to flexible packaging materials for the narrowing, so that an object placed between the strip portions passes through the narrowing. 870170057739, of 11/08/2017, p. 7/24

5/14 to together with the strip portions. The facing surfaces of the strip portions have a sealing material to seal the strip portions together as the portions pass through the narrowing and form a package around the object. The adjustable feeding bed is for advancing the object to the rollers so that the object is fed to the narrowing between the strip portions. The position of the feed bed in relation to the rollers is adjustable in order to adjust the position of the object in relation to the narrowing in a direction of the height of the object.

[0011] The feed bed has an end downstream and an end upstream. In one embodiment, the infeed bed includes at least one actuator such as a pneumatic cylinder or the like to adjust the position of the downstream end in relation to the rollers. In other embodiments, the infeed bed may further include at least one actuator, such as a pneumatic cylinder or the like to adjust the upstream end in relation to the rollers. Also, the apparatus may further comprise a height detector for measuring the height of the object to determine the appropriate fit for the feeding bed.

[0012] According to another embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for packaging an object or product. The method includes advancing a pair of sheets of packaging material along two paths that converge to and through a narrowing formed by two opposing rolls, determining a dimension of an object to be packed in a height direction, centering the object on in relation to the narrowing in the height direction, feed the object centered on the narrowing between the two sheets of packaging material, and seal the sheets together around the object. The method can also include measuring the height of the object with a height detector.

[0013] In yet another embodiment of the invention, a method for

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6/14 packing an object includes placing the object on a feeding bed, adjusting the position of the feeding bed so that a center of the object in its direction of height is substantially aligned with a narrowing formed by a pair of opposing rollers, advancing the object along the feeding bed to the opposing rolls and between two portions of a packaging material, and advancing the object and the portions by narrowing and wrapping the object between the portions to form a package. The method can also include measuring the height of the object. For example, the height can be determined with a height detector. Furthermore, the method may include a step of sending a signal from the height detector to a controller and activating one or more pneumatic cylinders or the like to adjust the feed bed based on the signal sent to the controller. [0014] The present invention has several advantages. The adjustable feeding bed allows the packaging to accommodate objects of various heights. More specifically, the feed bed aligns or centers each object in relation to the rollers based on the height of the object. Centering results in a more symmetrical and aesthetic packaging and reduces any tension variations within the packaging. Also, the height detector can provide the information needed to adjust the feed bed in an automatic mode.

Brief Description of the Various Views of the Drawing (s) [0015] Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and in which:

[0016] Figure 1 is a side view of a packaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention, partly broken to show the adjustable feeding bed;

[0017] Figure 2 is a side view of the packaging device as shown in figure 1 with the feed bed adjustable on a

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7/14 comparatively lower position for a taller object than in figure 1;

[0018] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the downstream end of the feed bed according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the feeding bed taken along line 4-4 of figure 3;

[0020] Figure 5 is another cross-sectional view of the packaging apparatus taken along line 5-5 of figure 1; and [0021] Figure 6 is yet another cross section of the packaging apparatus taken along line 6-6 of figure 1.

Detailed Description of the Invention [0022] The present invention will now be more fully described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some but not all modalities of the inventions are shown. Indeed, these inventions can be incorporated in many different forms and should not be considered as limited to the modalities presented here; on the contrary, these modalities are provided so that this description will satisfy the applicable legal specifications. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout the description.

[0023] A packaging apparatus 20 according to an embodiment of the invention is shown in figures 1 and 2. The apparatus 20 is of the double strip type to advance a first strip or higher 22 and a second strip or lower 24 in a ratio of opposition generally parallel with a product P arranged between the strips 22, 24 and to seal the strips 22, 24 together to capture the product P between them. The packaging apparatus 20 includes a main structure that has a plurality of spaced vertical support columns. More specifically, the main structure has three pairs of vertical columns

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26, 28, 30. Each pair 26, 28, 30 has a column on one side of a longitudinal geometric axis of the apparatus 20, and a corresponding support column on the opposite side of the longitudinal geometric axis. One or more cross members are rigidly connected between each pair of support columns 26, 28, 30. The upper and lower longitudinal members 32 are rigidly connected between support columns 26 and 28 on the same side of the longitudinal geometric axis. The structure also includes a pair of upper longitudinal members 48. The upper ends of the vertical support columns 26, 28, 30 on one side of the longitudinal geometric axis are rigidly connected to one of the upper longitudinal members 48, as shown in figures 1 and 2 Similarly, the upper ends of the vertical support columns 26, 28, 30 on the other side of the longitudinal geometric axis are rigidly connected to the other upper longitudinal member which is not visible in the drawings. As described in more detail below, a feed bed 40 is positioned between two pairs of the vertical support columns 28, 30.

[0024] The upstream columns 26 support the strip supports 52, 54 which respectively support the strip supply rollers 22, 24 in a rotatable mode. The upper strip 22 is pulled from its supply roll and advanced over a guide 56 supported between the two upper longitudinal members 48 then over and around a guide 57 also supported between the upper longitudinal members 48 and spaced longitudinally downstream of the first guide 56, then down to a guide 58 supported between the columns 30 and then towards a pair of rollers 70, 72 discussed in more detail below.

[0025] The lower strip 24 is pulled from its supply roll and advanced over a lower guide 60 sustained between the columns 28 then under a downstream guide and a sustained strip tensioner 61

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9/14 articulated by the columns 30 then under and around a guide 62 supported by the columns 30, then around a guide 63 also supported by the columns 30 and then in the direction of the pair of rollers 70.

[0026] In general, according to the illustrated modalities, the lower strip 24 crosses a path under the feeding bed 40 and then in the direction and into the pair of rollers 70, 72. However, in an alternative mode, not shown, the path of the lower strip 24 can proceed over, rather than under, the feed bed 40. More specifically, the lower strip 24 can advance along a generally flat top surface 66 of the feed bed 40. [0027] As shown in figures 1 and 2 and as shown above, the apparatus 20 includes a pair of rollers 70, 72 which are rotatable mounted on the main structure at one end downstream. The rolls 70, 72 form a narrowing through which the strips 22, 24 are advanced with the product P to be packaged arranged between them. As best seen in figure 6, one or both rollers 70, 72 comprise a resiliently deformable material at least over a median portion 85 of the roll length, so that the passage of product P through the narrowing deforms the roll (s) ( s) 70, 72 and the resiliently deformable material restoring force presses strips 22, 24 towards each other so that the packaging material for strips 22, 24 conforms properly to product P and helps expel air that would otherwise be trapped between the product and the material. Strips 22, 24 advantageously have a cold seal or a cohesive material on their facing surfaces so that the application of pressure by rollers 70, 72 causes strips 22, 24 to adhere to each other but not to product P. The end portions 87 of each of the rollers 70, 72 advantageously comprise a generally non-deformable material or a substantially less deformable material to firmly hold

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10/14 the opposite edge portions of the strips 22, 24. As seen in figures 1 and 2, the rollers 70, 72 are advantageously rotatable to advance the strips 22, 24 through the apparatus 20, thus comprising a drive system of strips. Alternatively, a separate strip drive system can be employed if desired. [0028] As best seen in figures 1 and 2, the apparatus 20 can also have a housing 74 to protect or cover the rollers 70, 72. The housing 74 is preferably articulated in relation to the main structure around joints (not shown) ) for access to the internal parts of the machine when required for maintenance and the like.

[0029] As mentioned above, the feed bed 40 has a generally flat top surface 66. This surface 66 supports a conveyor mechanism for advancing the product P to be packed onto rollers 70, 72. For example, the conveyor mechanism it can be a conveyor belt 89 that rotates around the feeding bed 40, as best seen in Figure 3. More specifically, the conveyor belt 89 rotates around a general perimeter of the feeding bed 40. The belt 89 is driven by a motor 91 that drives one of four belt guides 92 closest to each corner of the feed bed 40. Belt 89 may also have a series of dividers or pusher 93 that generally extend perpendicular to belt 89. Pusher 93 facilitates advancement of the product or products P along the belt 89.

[0030] Alternatively, in embodiments where the lower strip 24 runs along the upper surface 66 of the feed bed 40, the lower strip 24 will act as a conveyor and advance product P to rollers 70, 72. Product P can be placed on the conveyor mechanism either manually by an operator or automatically by another conveyor belt (not shown) leading to the

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11/14 feeding bed 40.

[0031] Preferably, the center of the product P towards you from the height is aligned with the narrowing formed by the rollers 70, 72. This facilitates a more symmetrical packaging, reduces the misalignment between the edges of the two strips 22, 24, and reduces any voltage variation within the packaging material. Advantageously, the position or orientation of the feed bed 40, and more specifically of the upper surface 66, is adjustable with respect to rollers 70, 72. The position or orientation of the upper surface 66 is adjusted so that the center of the product P in the height direction it is aligned or in line with the narrowing between the rollers 70, 72. This adjustability allows the packaging apparatus 20 to accommodate a variety of P products of different heights.

[0032] In order to determine the appropriate adjustment for the upper surface 66, the apparatus 20 may also have a height detector 76 to measure the height of the product P. Based on the height of the product P, the appropriate adjustment for the upper surface 66 can be determined. The height detector 76 can comprise several types of devices, including but not limited to an optical distance measuring device such as a laser distance measuring device. The height detector 76 is preferably mounted above the feed bed 40 and is positioned and pointed downwards over the upper surface 66, as shown in figures 1 and 2.

[0033] Adjustment of the upper surface 66 can be performed in several modes. For example purposes only, and not as a limitation, the upper surface adjustment 66 may be performed by one or more hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders controlled by suitable fluid valves. Alternatively, an electric motor that drives a suitable mechanism (for example gears, chains, etc.) can be used. A person skilled in the art will appreciate

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12/14 that various methods and structures are available for adjusting the upper surface 66, including the examples not mentioned here. [0034] In the illustrated mode, the feeding bed 40 is adjusted by two pairs of pneumatic cylinders 80 (only one is visible in figures 1 and 2) and 82 (as shown in figure 3). More specifically, a pair 80 is located at the upstream end of the feed bed 40 and the other pair 82 is located at the downstream end of the feed bed 40. Figure 1 illustrates pneumatic cylinders 80 and 82 having adjusted the feed bed 40 to an elevated position for a relatively thin product P. Alternatively, figure 2 illustrates pneumatic cylinders 80 and 82 having adjusted the feed bed 40 to a lowered position for a relatively thick product P.

[0035] Specifically, as shown in figure 5, each pneumatic cylinder 80, 82 is rigidly attached between one of the vertical columns 28, 30 of the main structure and rigidly attached to the feed bed 40. Also each cylinder 80 and 82 is slidably attached to a guide rail, for example see pair of tracks 83 in figure 5. The guide rails are supported by a corresponding vertical column for additional support. The position of the feed bed 40 is adjusted by the extension or retraction of cylinders 80 and 82.

[0036] In some embodiments, the position of the entire upper surface 66 can be adjusted according to the height of the product P. Alternatively, in other embodiments, an end upstream of the upper surface 66 can be fixed and serve as a pivot point around which the feed bed 40 rotates to adjust an end downstream of the upper surface 66.

[0037] Apparatus 20 may also include a controller 88 which comprises a microprocessor. Controller 88 is programmed to control the various motors and actuators of the device 20 which effect 870170057739, of 11/08/2017, p. 15/24

13/14 use the movement of the moving parts so that the movements are appropriately synchronized with respect to determining the height of the product P, adjusting the feed bed 40, and advancing the strips of material 22, 24 and the product P towards the e through rollers 70, 72.

[0038] The operation of the apparatus 20 is now explained with primary reference to figures 1 and 2. The upper and lower strip rollers 22, 24 are mounted on the strip supports 52, 54, respectively. The upper strip 22 is inserted through the machine advancing the strip over and around the guides 56, 57, 58 and then through the narrowly between the rollers 70, 72. The lower strip 24 is inserted by advancing the strip under and around the guides 60, 61, 62, 63 and then through narrowing. To start a packaging sequence, a product P is placed on the transport mechanism on the upper surface 66. A cycle start button is pressed, which causes the controller 88 to perform a series of operations as follows: the controller 88 causes the height detector 76 to measure the height of product P, the signal from detector 76 is transmitted back to the controller, and based on the height of product P, controller 88 activates the various motors or actuators to make that the feeding bed 40 is adjusted, if necessary, to center the product P on the narrowing between the rollers 70, 72 before the product P is advanced into the narrowing. Or simultaneously with the adjustment of the feeding bed 40 or after the adjustment is completed, controller 88 causes the various motors to drive the rollers 70, 72 to advance the strips 22, 24 and the product P upward and through the narrowing to producing a package, which is cut by the cutting device 98 and transported by an outlet feed conveyor 100 for the machine discharge. The process as described above is generally repeated for each subsequent package.

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14/14 [0039] The present invention has several advantages. The adjustable feeding bed 40 allows the packaging of objects or P products of various heights in a consistent manner. More specifically, the feed bed 40 substantially aligns or centers each object with respect to rollers 70, 72 based on the height of the object. Centering produces a more symmetrical and aesthetic package and reduces any tension variations within the package. The height detector 76 can provide the information necessary to properly adjust the feed bed 40.

[0040] Many modifications and other modalities of the inventions presented here will come to the mind of one versed in the technique to which these inventions belong, having the benefit of the teachings presented in the descriptions above and in the associated drawings. Therefore, it should be understood that inventions should not be limited to the specific modalities described and that modifications and other modalities are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are used here, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

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Claims (11)

1. An apparatus (20) for packaging an object comprising: a pair of opposing rolls (70,72) forming a nip arranged to receive a pair of opposing packaging material sheets (22,24) with an object (P) arranged between them, the rollers (70,72) exerting pressure on the sheets to adhere the sheets together around the object to form a package; a height detector (76) configured to measure a height of the object; and characterized by the fact that it still comprises: a feeding bed (40) adjustable upstream of the narrowing to adjust the object, the feeding bed (40) being adjustable in the direction of the height of the object based on the height measured by the height detector (76) so that the object is centered with the opposite rollers (70.72). 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the adjustable feed bed (40) has an upstream end and a downstream end and the downstream end is adjustable in relation to the opposite rollers (70.72 ). Apparatus according to claim 2, characterized by the fact that both the upstream and downstream ends are adjustable in relation to the opposing rollers (70.72). 4. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the adjustable feeding bed (40) includes a conveyor belt (89) to advance the object in the direction of the opposing rollers (70.72). 5. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the adjustable feeding bed (40) has at least two positions to center the object in relation to the rollers (70.72). Petition 870170057739, of 11/08/2017, p. 18/24 2/3 6. Apparatus, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the adjustable feeding bed (40) has a range of positions to center the object in relation to the rollers (70.72). 7. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the adjustable feeding bed (40) includes an upper surface (66) to support one of the sheets of packaging material and the sheet supports and advances the object in the direction of the rollers (70.72). 8. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that each of the rollers (70.72) includes a resiliently flexible roll portion that is deformed by the object between the sheets of packaging material, the roll portion resiliently flexible tending to return to its undeformed form thereby putting pressure on the sheets of packaging material to conform to the object. 9. Apparatus, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that it still comprises: a strip supply system (22, 24) for supplying a pair of generally opposite strip portions (22, 24) of packaging material. 10. Method for packing an object characterized by the fact that it comprises the steps of: placing an object (P) to be packed on a feeding bed (40); measure the height of the object with a height detector (76); send a signal from the height detector (76) to a controller (88) and activate one or more actuators (80.82) to adjust the feed bed (40) based on the signal sent to the controller (88) from so that a center of the object is aligned with a narrowing between a pair of opposing rollers (70,72); and Petition 870170057739, of 11/08/2017, p. 19/24 3/3 advance the object and two portions of packaging material (22,24) through the narrowing between the opposing rollers (70,72) and wrap the object between the portions to form a package. 11. Method, according to claim 10, characterized by the fact that it still comprises the step of: cut the packaging from the rest of the packaging material. Petition 870170057739, of 11/08/2017, p. 20/24 «! V 1/4 2/4 θ * 22. 4/4 A l-ι