EP0019439A1 - Appareil pour la manutention de sacs ou d'enveloppes et procédé pour remplir un sac d'un objet à emballer ou une enveloppe de correspondence - Google Patents

Appareil pour la manutention de sacs ou d'enveloppes et procédé pour remplir un sac d'un objet à emballer ou une enveloppe de correspondence Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0019439A1
EP0019439A1 EP19800301535 EP80301535A EP0019439A1 EP 0019439 A1 EP0019439 A1 EP 0019439A1 EP 19800301535 EP19800301535 EP 19800301535 EP 80301535 A EP80301535 A EP 80301535A EP 0019439 A1 EP0019439 A1 EP 0019439A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
envelope
bag
continuous length
envelopes
bags
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.)
Ceased
Application number
EP19800301535
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Denis Burton Cole
Derek Clement Trethewy
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.)
HAZELWOOD ENTERPRISES Ltd
Original Assignee
HAZELWOOD ENTERPRISES Ltd
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 HAZELWOOD ENTERPRISES Ltd filed Critical HAZELWOOD ENTERPRISES Ltd
Publication of EP0019439A1 publication Critical patent/EP0019439A1/fr
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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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
    • B65B43/00—Forming, feeding, opening or setting-up containers or receptacles in association with packaging
    • B65B43/26—Opening or distending bags; Opening, erecting, or setting-up boxes, cartons, or carton blanks
    • B65B43/34—Opening or distending bags; Opening, erecting, or setting-up boxes, cartons, or carton blanks by internal pressure
    • B65B43/36—Opening or distending bags; Opening, erecting, or setting-up boxes, cartons, or carton blanks by internal pressure applied pneumatically
    • 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
    • B65B43/00—Forming, feeding, opening or setting-up containers or receptacles in association with packaging
    • B65B43/12—Feeding flexible bags or carton blanks in flat or collapsed state; Feeding flat bags connected to form a series or chain
    • B65B43/123—Feeding flat bags connected to form a series or chain

Definitions

  • This invention is concerned with the handling of bags or envelopes.
  • the present invention has arisen from a desire to provide a form of apparatus which may be embodied as apparatus for bagging items for sale or display, or as mailing office machinery for inserting correspondence or the like into envelopes.
  • apparatus for handling bags or envelopes comprising: means for mounting a continuous length supply of bags or envelopes comprising a series of bags or envelopes each separated from its respective neighbour(s) by a tear-line allowing detachment of the leading endmost bag or envelope from the continuous length supply, each bag or envelope being open at or adjacent one marginal edge of the continuous length supply for insertion thereinto of an item to be bagged or correspondence or the like; means for advancing the free end of the continuous length supply; suction means for holding the leading endmost bag or envelope of the supply in a predetermined position or orientation; and blowing means for directing a stream of air towards the opening of said endmost bag or envelope while held by the suction means, and into the said bag or envelope to thereby hold the same open for the insertion of an item to be bagged or correspondence or the like.
  • this invention provides a method of filling a bag with an item to be packaged or an envelope with correspondence or the like, the method comprising: drawing the leading endmost bag or envelope from a continuous length supply comprising a series of bags or envelopes each separated from its respective neighbour(s) by a tear-line allowing detachment of the leading endmost bag or envelope from the continuous length supply, each bag or envelope being open at or adjacent one marginal edge of the continuous length supply for the insertion thereinto of an item to be bagged, or correspondence or the like; holding the said leading endmost bag or envelope in a predetermined position or orientation by applying suction to one side thereof; and inserting the said item or correspondence or the like into the open mouth of said leading endmost bag or envelope as the same is held-open by blowing air thereinto while the said leading endmost bag or envelope is held by said suction.
  • a single fan means may constitute both the suction means and the blowing means and, as will be explained in more detail below, in the preferred arrangement, the apparatus may be operated semi-automatically by means of a photoelectric cell which senses the passage of so-called "eye"-marks on the bags or envelopes.
  • the endmost bag or envelope may be held in position on a conveyor belt provided with a plurality of suction apertures, the movement of which conveyor belt is controlled in sync with operation of the fan and of a solenoid-controlled clamping bar which is controlled to clamp the leading edge of the nextmost bag or envelope of the supply so that when the endmost bag or envelope is filled, it may be detached from the remainder of the supply by tearing along the tear-line adjacent the clamp.
  • The-continuous length supply may consist of a continuous roll of said bags or envelopes.
  • the continuous roll supply may comprise a stack of bags or envelopes each separated from its respective neighbours by a tear-line allowing detachment of the leading endmost bag or envelope from the free end of the supply, the stack being folded in fanfold fashion along the tear-lines.
  • the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 1 comprises a housing 1 supported from the floor or from a tabletop on four legs 2.
  • a supply 3 of preformed bags or envelopes in the form of a continuous length comprising a series of the bags or envelopes each separated from its respective neighbours by a tear-line allowing detachment of the leading endmost bag or envelope from the continuous length supply is mounted at one end of the housing.
  • the continuous length supply here consists of a continuous roll mounted for rotation about its axis with the free end of the roll passing over a location rod.4 and then along the top of the machine through the nip between a pair of rollers 5, and thence on to a flat surface 6.
  • the continuous length supply may take other forms.
  • a particularly useful form for such supply comprises (as shown in Fig. 3) a stack of bags or envelopes each separated from its respective neighbours by a tear-line allowing detachment of the leading endmost bag or envelope from the free end of the supply, the stack being folded in fanfold fashion along the tear-lines. This arrangement takes up a minimum of space and reduces the possibility of damage to the bags or envelopes since (unlike in a roll) they are not under tension.
  • the flat surface 6 comprises,- in this embodiment, a conveyor belt 7.adapted to move intermittently in the direction shown by the arrow.
  • a conveyor belt 7. adapted to move intermittently in the direction shown by the arrow.
  • the conveyor roller 8 at the end of its feed reach is visible; it is to be understood that there will be a similar roller at the beginning of the feed reach and that the conveyor belt 7 will have a similar return reach not shown. It would be feasible for the lowermost of the rollers 5 to serve as the second conveyor roller.
  • the flat surface 6 has a plurality of apertures 9.
  • a fan 100 and ducting 101 (see Fig. 4) open adjacent the underside of flat surface 6.
  • the precise specification for the fan and the form of the ducting is not of any great significance, but the arrangement must be effective such that when the fan is operative a partial vacuum is created on the underside of the flat surface 6 creating a suction effect tending to draw anything placed upon the surface 6 downward thereagainst.
  • Suction airbox 102 at the end of ducting 101 suitably extends beneath the greater part of the flat surface 6.
  • the said bag or envelope will be held firmly against the flat surface in a predetermined position. Since, in the illustrated embodiment, the flat surface 6 forms part of a conveyor belt, it would be possible (though it is not so preferred) for-the suction to be applied while the belt is still moving so that the bag or envelope 10 in this condition may be said to be held in a predetermined orientation if not in a predetermined position.
  • a table 11 which is conveniently positioned for the operator to place thereon, ready for insertion into the bag or envelope as the case may be, the item to be bagged or the correspondence or the like to be mailed.
  • Ducting 103 (see Fig. 4) from the fan opens immediately beneath the table 11 so that, at the same time as a suction is applied through the aperture 9 upon the endmost bag or envelope 10, a stream of air is blown towards the adjacent marginal edge of the bag or envelope (as shown in Fig. 1).
  • the bags or envelopes of continuous supply 3 are open at or adjacent this marginal edge so that the stream of air directed towards the marginal edge opens mouth 12 of bag or envelope 10 so that the item, or-the correspondence or the like, may be readily inserted therein by hand.
  • a photo-electric cell 13 is adjustably mounted as shown for controlling the intermittent operation of the conveyor belt 7, the rollers 5, the fan, and a solenoid controlled clamping bar 14.
  • operation of the apparatus is synchronised by means of a suitable "eye"-mark on the bags or envelopes interrupting the light path of photo-electric cell 13 so that forward feed of a bag or envelope 10 onto the moving conveyor belt 7 is halted just after the tear-line separating the bag 10 from its neighbour has passed the clamping bar.
  • the clamping bar is operated to hold the leading edge of the next following bag or envelope.
  • bag or envelope 10 when bag or envelope 10 has been filled, it may be closed if provided with a closure means such as those described in British Patent 1518506 or in British Patent 1518505 both granted to D.C. Trethewy, one of the present inventors, which closure means may apply whether the bag is a plain plastic bag or a mailing envelope in accordance with the aforesaid patents, and may then be torn away from its neighbour.
  • a closure means such as those described in British Patent 1518506 or in British Patent 1518505 both granted to D.C. Trethewy, one of the present inventors, which closure means may apply whether the bag is a plain plastic bag or a mailing envelope in accordance with the aforesaid patents, and may then be torn away from its neighbour.
  • the bags or envelopes are most suitably of the self-seal type having a pressure sensitive adhesive strip provided on the face thereof adjacent the respective openings of the bags or envelopes and protected from inadvertant adhesion to the continuous length supply by a protective strip 15.
  • the apparatus suitably incorporates an attachment generally indicated 16 in Fig. 1 which is adapted to wind the protective strip onto a spool 17 as the continuous length supply is advanced. With the adhesive exposed, a flap formed adjacent the opening of the bag or envelope may be closed into confronting sealing relation with the pressure sensitive adhesive after filling of the bag or envelope.
  • Winding spool 17 is suitably coupled to a winding motor 18 adapted to operate under restricted amperage, whereby to stall, ensuring that the protective strip 15 is held in tension and is wound onto the spool 17 as and when the continuous length supply is advanced.
  • a separate motor circuit MC and clamp circuit CC each driven directly from the mains alternating voltage are provided.
  • the alternating voltage is transformed and rectified to a 24 Volt direct current voltage for the main control circuit and for driving the winding motor 18 via a current limiting resistor R.
  • the circuits include a first includes relay controlled by a first inductor L1 which relay/three switches R1A, RIB and R1C respectively in the main control circuit, the motor circuit and the clamp circuit, and a second relay controlled by an inductor L2 and which includes two switches R2A and R2B, both of which are included in the main control circuit.
  • Three control buttons, namely an "inch” button, a "run” button and an “unclamp” button are provided for purposes to be explained.
  • the circuit includes a counter indicating how many bags or envelopes have been run through the machine and the photo-electric cell 13.
  • the circuit operates as follows: when inductor L1 is energized, its associated switches R1A, RIB and R1C are moved to the right. Movement of switch RIB to the right disconnects the motor brake and operates its clutch, so setting the motor into movement causing the belt 7, and rollers 5 to operate. Movement of switch RIC to the right energizes inductor L3 which directly controls the clamping bar 14 so as to lift the same.
  • the inch button operates in conventional fashion so that when pressed it energizes inductor L1, but as soon as it is released, the circuit is broken and each of the switches R1A, RIB and R1C is moved back to the left.
  • inductor L1 When the "run" button is operated, inductor L1 is energized to move each of the switches RIA, RIB and R1C to the right. In this.condition the circuit is completed via inductor L1, switch R1A and switch R2A so that the relay L1, R1A is latched on. With switch R1B and switch RIC over towards the right, the rollers 5 turn drawing the bags or envelopes forward off the roll 3, and the clamping bar 14 is inoperative so that the endmost bag or envelope 10 is moved forward onto the conveyor belt 7 which runs in sync with the rollers.
  • the photo-electric cell 13 When the photo-electric cell 13 senses the "eye"-mark on the next following bag or envelope, it makes the circuit through inductor L2 which is energized to cause'switches R2A and R2B to move over to the left. Movement of switch.R2A to the left disconnects the circuit through inductor L1 and when this inductor is de-energized, the several switches R1A, RIB and R1C return to the left disconnecting the drive to the motor so that the conveyor 7 and the rollers 5 are halted and also completing the clamping circuit CC energizing inductor L3 and causing the clamping bar to operate.
  • the arrangement is such that the clamping bar moves down onto the leading edge of the next following bag or envelope leaving the leading bag or envelope located on the flat surface 6. Movement of switch R2B over towards the left discharges capacitor C through the counter which increases by 1.
  • the fan may be operated by a separate fan circuit to cause the suction and airstream mentioned previously to hold the bag or envelope 10 in position on flat surface 6 and to open its mouth 12, all as described above.
  • the fan may be connected in the brake circuit portion of the motor circuit MC so that movement of the switch R1B over to the left automatically sets the fan into motion.
  • the table 11 may be arranged to slope downwardly (as shown in Fig. 5) to feed items, correspondence etc. into the open mouth 12 of a bag or envelope 10 and an automatic hopper arrangement'19 may be placed immediately above the sloping table 11 as shown.
  • Such hopper 19 is suitably linked to the control circuit to operate in sync with advancement of the supply, as by including a further inductor in series with inductor L2 to energize a switch opening a trap-door 20 or similar arrangement to release an item, correspondence or the like for passage towards the open mouth 12 of a bag or envelope when such a bag is located in position.
  • a similar arrangement may be employed for automatically switching on a separate fan circuit.
  • a yet further inductor may be included in series with inductor L2 controlling a fan circuit time switch.
  • the apparatus particularly described above is extremely versatile in that one and the same machine may be used to package various items using the same continuous length supply. Additional flexibility is provided by the possibility of interchanging say one roll of preformed plastics bags with another roll in which the bags are of different dimensions.
  • a trade mark a contents description, a price marking (either in figures or in terms of a bar code), or a "sell-by" date to be marked on the package.
  • the present apparatus may incorporate (as indicated at 21 in Fig. 1) a suitable on-line printer.
  • Suitable hot-foil printing machines are available from stock from various suppliers and can readily be incorporated in our apparatus for operation in sync with the advancement of the bags. It will be understood that in the particular position and orientation illustrated in Fig. 1, the printer 21 will print the underside of the bags as shown in that Figure. Other positions for the printer will readily occur to persons skilled in this field and are within the scope of this invention.
  • Printer 21 may be controlled to operate in sync with the advancement of the supply of bags in exactly the same way as hopper arrangement 19 described above; that is: a yet further inductor may be connected in series with inductor L2 controlling a switch for a separate printer circuit.
  • the printer may be employed to print other appropriate information onto the continuous length supply.
  • the printer may be employed to produce a pre-paid postage impression.
  • the printer enables just so many of the bags or envelopes as appropriate to a particular run of the apparatus to be printed with the information concerned.
  • the printer should be readily adaptable so that a variation of the said information may be printed on a succeeding run of the apparatus.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Supplying Of Containers To The Packaging Station (AREA)
EP19800301535 1979-05-09 1980-05-09 Appareil pour la manutention de sacs ou d'enveloppes et procédé pour remplir un sac d'un objet à emballer ou une enveloppe de correspondence Ceased EP0019439A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB7916087 1979-05-09
GB7916087 1979-05-09

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0019439A1 true EP0019439A1 (fr) 1980-11-26

Family

ID=10505041

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19800301535 Ceased EP0019439A1 (fr) 1979-05-09 1980-05-09 Appareil pour la manutention de sacs ou d'enveloppes et procédé pour remplir un sac d'un objet à emballer ou une enveloppe de correspondence

Country Status (1)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0019439A1 (fr)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2485480A1 (fr) * 1980-06-25 1981-12-31 Grace W R Ltd Procede et dispositif d'emballage
EP0476273A1 (fr) * 1990-07-27 1992-03-25 Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. Machine pour remplir et sceller des sacs
CN112533833A (zh) * 2019-06-28 2021-03-19 欧美尼公司 用于物品的自动分配和包装的设备、系统和方法

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3298580A (en) * 1963-12-18 1967-01-17 Automated Packaging Corp Container delivery apparatus
GB1075713A (en) * 1964-06-22 1967-07-12 Celloplast Ab Apparatus for separating and sealing bags
GB1240372A (en) * 1967-09-11 1971-07-21 Grace W R & Co A method of packaging imbricated bags
GB1303310A (fr) * 1969-12-08 1973-01-17

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3298580A (en) * 1963-12-18 1967-01-17 Automated Packaging Corp Container delivery apparatus
GB1075713A (en) * 1964-06-22 1967-07-12 Celloplast Ab Apparatus for separating and sealing bags
GB1240372A (en) * 1967-09-11 1971-07-21 Grace W R & Co A method of packaging imbricated bags
GB1303310A (fr) * 1969-12-08 1973-01-17

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2485480A1 (fr) * 1980-06-25 1981-12-31 Grace W R Ltd Procede et dispositif d'emballage
EP0476273A1 (fr) * 1990-07-27 1992-03-25 Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. Machine pour remplir et sceller des sacs
CN112533833A (zh) * 2019-06-28 2021-03-19 欧美尼公司 用于物品的自动分配和包装的设备、系统和方法
CN112533833B (zh) * 2019-06-28 2022-12-30 欧美尼公司 用于物品的自动分配和包装的设备、系统和方法

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PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

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Effective date: 19810518

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Effective date: 19840310

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Inventor name: TRETHEWY, DEREK CLEMENT

Inventor name: COLE, DENIS BURTON