EP0114157B1 - Device for the continuous and automatic opening and emptying of bags - Google Patents

Abstract

1. Device for continuously opening and emptying bags, comprising a housing (1), whether modular or not, and placed on a frame (2), a bag movement system, usually an endless conveyor belt (4), which can be fitted at the sides with a rim or lip to prevent spillage of the product, a bag cutting system consisting of one or more rotary cutting devices (7) capable of opening bags on three edges, in the front and laterally, and a system for the removal of empty bags characterized by the fact that the system for the removal of empty bags consists, on the one hand, of oscillating guiding elements (9) and, on the other hand of a set of rollers (10) preferably shaped like small wheels, said system comprising moreover a detection system causing, in an oscillation movement, upward displacement of the guiding elements (9).

Description

The present invention relates to a continuous automatic opening and emptying device for bags, according to the preamble of claim 1 (known from document FR-A-2416182). This device is simple, reliable and universal, that is to say that it can be used for any product as soon as the bags can be opened by a rotary cutting means.

One of the aims of the invention is to ensure automatic and continuous operation by a device, machine of reduced size, preferably closed, while arriving at a higher rate while the work is less demanding. In fact, better and safer working conditions are obtained, which allows the device to treat harmful and dangerous products without entraining the usual residual dust.

The device can process all types of old and new bags made of paper, plastic, jute, etc ...; it can process bags filled with very diverse materials such as powdered products, grains, granules, fibers, compacted or not, etc. It is however, due to the high safety of the work it brings, intended more specifically to the treatment of harmful, smelly, toxic, etc. products. Furthermore, the device by its system for cutting and opening the bag wide, it will be perfectly emptied.

There are already bag opener devices comprising cutting installations as described in document FR-A-2416182 where a machine for opening and emptying bags mechanically which may contain a toxic product comprises a conveyor intended to bring each bag to a product hopper, cutting means capable of cutting three sides of the bag during the advancement of the latter and a complex gripping assembly capable of grasping the cut bag, moving it, emptying it into the hopper and bring to a discharge location, the machine can be equipped with means suitable for automatically controlling the conveyor, the cutting means and the gripping assembly according to a predetermined cycle of operations.

In certain types of known devices, the product must be separated from the fragments originating from the cutting of the bags by a sieving operation. This results in a significant dust problem and despite everything there are generally small fragments of the bag in the product.

In other types of known devices, provision is made for catching the bags by hooks or pegs of the pic type, but in order to grasp them, they must generally be pierced or held in more than one place, for example in two places or on both sides; this involves the implementation of multiple and mechanically complex means if one wishes to ensure correct operation under minimum safety conditions; This is particularly true if you want to prevent the bags from tearing too quickly or the bags from coming off.

The present invention overcomes these drawbacks by providing a new system for removing empty bags, characterized in that it consists on the one hand of oscillating guide elements and on the other hand of a set of cylinders preferably having the shape of small wheels. The device further comprises a detection system which generates in an oscillating movement the upward movement of the guide elements.

The complete device of the present invention comprises a modular box or not and placed on a chassis, a system for moving the bags, generally an endless conveyor belt, which can be fitted laterally with a rim or lip in order to avoid overflowing of the products, a bag cutting system comprising one or more rotary cutting means normally allowing the opening on the three sides of the bags, generally on the front and laterally and the device for removing empty bags as described above.

Preferably, the cutting means are mounted on pivoting arms or on an additional chassis and they are brought back to the center by springs or even air, oil, etc. pistons.

All systems work electrically or pneumatically. The device is finally provided with a means of evacuating the product leaving the cut bags.

• à la figure 2, la même vue du même dispositif qu'à la figure 1 mais en coupe horizontale selon la ligne I/I de la figure 1, et donc côté supérieur du caisson exclu;
• à la figure 3, une vue transversale du même dispositif qu'à la figure 1, côté latéral du caisson exclu, mais en variante partielle de réalisation; à la figure 4, la même vue du même dispositif qu'à la figure 3, mais en coupe horizontale selon la ligne II/II de la figure 3, et donc côté supérieur du caisson exclu.

In order to better understand the invention, it is now described by way of example and without limitation with respect to a drawing which represents: in FIG. 1, a transverse view, lateral side of the box excluded, in the direction of the length, in a embodiment of a device according to the invention;

• in Figure 2, the same view of the same device as in Figure 1 but in horizontal section along the line I / I of Figure 1, and therefore the upper side of the box excluded;
• in FIG. 3, a transverse view of the same device as in FIG. 1, lateral side of the box excluded, but in a partial variant of embodiment; in Figure 4, the same view of the same device as in Figure 3, but in horizontal section along the line II / II of Figure 3, and therefore the upper side of the box excluded.

In these different figures, 1 shows a box with walls 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, mounted on a frame 2 itself placed on legs 3; by 4 an endless conveyor belt rotating on rollers 5; by 6 Figures 1 and 2, and 6, Figures 3 and 4, a cutting installation comprising rotary cutting means 7, either Figures 1 and 2, mounted on pivoting arms 8, or, Figures 3 and 4, arms with translational movement 8 ', acting as each other under the action of springs or air or oil pistons (not shown); by 9 oscillating guide elements and by 10 wheel-shaped cylinders, these elements 9 and the set of cylinders 10 forming the empty bag removal system. By 11 there is shown the empty bags evacuation zone; par 12 a funnel provided for the exit of the products contained in the bags.

According to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the discharge zone 11 for the bags includes an archimedean screw 13, while on the other hand, according to the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4, a funnel is provided. Evacuation 14.

In FIG. 1, the rotary cutting means 7 execute an oscillating movement around two axes of rotation according to the arrows 15 and 16, whereas in FIGS. 3 and 4, they execute a rectilinear reciprocating movement according to the arrows 17 and 18.

As it is desirable that one does not have to stop the conveyor belt and therefore that it works continuously, likewise, provision is made for a continuous rotation of the cylinders.

The device is also completed by an electrical or pneumatic drive system (not shown). It is also provided (not shown) that the device is equipped with an electrical cabinet which provides automaticity, security, as well as the necessary interlocks.

The device can also be supplemented with anti-dust equipment, a filter, etc. We can plan to install the device in a ventilated working cabin and / or a dusting cabin.

The product transporter can be completed by a crusher, a shredder, an archival screw; transport can be mechanical or pneumatic; Similarly, the transport of the cut bags can be completed with an archimedes screw, a press, a crusher, etc.

We will now give below an example of operation of a device according to the invention. The filled and closed bags are brought to the conveyor belt 4 which drives them into the box 1, front face D. These bags can, in the case of the device according to the invention, be introduced almost directly one after the other. One can however provide, in order to properly control the introduction, a red and green light system; in the case of automatic insertion, an electric lock can be provided.

The bags being introduced linearly and at a regular rate thanks to a fixed and wide entry airlock, are thus held until they are opened by the cutting system 6, 6 'including the rotary cutting means 7 are located, upstream, before the bags pass, in a directional alignment along the longitudinal axis of the device.

Under the action of an adjustable pressure before the device comes into action, the rotary cutting means 7 are continuously brought back to a central position.

The rotary cutting means 7 cut the bags 20, one of which is shown diagrammatically by 19 in the different FIGS. 1 to 4, the bags moving in the direction of advance of the conveyor belt 4, according to the arrows 21.

By the provision provided for the rotary cutting means 7 upon introduction, each bag successively exerts pressure against the first cutting means, then the second.

After the bags have been cut, they are then brought continuously against the guide element system 9 which, at the time of the first impact, is at the bottom. The detection system (not shown) causes, in an oscillating movement, according to arrow 22, the upward displacement of the guide elements 9, so that the skin of the bags (cut and empty bags) is detached and separated of the product it contained, and taken over the product by the cylinders which entrain the bodies of the bags towards the evacuation part of the empty bags, while the product which they contained falls into the funnel 12.

An automatic shutdown system (not shown) is provided for cases where the bags are not being fed satisfactorily or when the cutting is poorly executed; immediate stopping having the advantage of stopping the further introduction of the bags, which could otherwise damage the various elements of the device in the event of a malfunction.

Claims (7)

1. Device for continuously opening and emptying bags, comprising a housing (1), whether modular or not, and placed on a frame (2), a bag movement system, usually an endless conveyor belt (4), which can be fitted at the sides with a rim or lip to prevent spillage of the product, a bag cutting system consisting of one or more rotary cutting devices (7) capable of opening bags on three edges, in the front and laterally, and a system for the removal of empty bags characterised by the fact that the system for the removal of empty bags consists, on the one hand, of oscillating guiding elements (9) and, on the other hand of a set of rollers (10) preferably shaped like small wheels, said system comprising moreover a detection system causing, in an oscillation movement, upward displacement of the guiding elements (9).

2. Device in accordance with claim 1 characterised by the fact that the system (9, 10) for the removal of the empty bags carries the latter towards an evacuating area comprising an Archimedean screw (13).

3. Device in accordance with claim 1 characterised by the fact that the system (9, 10) for the removal of the empty bags carries the latter towards an evacuating area comprising an escape funnel (14).

4. Device in accordance with any of the claims 1 to 3 characterised by the fact that the rotating cutting devices (7) mounted on pivoting arms (8) perform an oscillating movement (arrows 15, 16).

5. Device in accordance with any of the claims 1 to 3 characterised by the fact that the rotating cutting devices (7) mounted on pivoting arms (8') perform a rectilinear movement back and forth (arrows 17,18).

6. Device in accordance with any of the claims 1 to 5, characterised by the fact that it includes an automatic stop system for cases where onward passage of bags does not proceed satisfactorily or when cutting was badly done, immediate stopping halting the process of bag input.

7. Device in accordance with any of the claims 1 to 6 characterised by the fact that the conveyor belt (4) operates continuously and rollers (10) rotate in like manner.

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