EP0307125B1 - Appareil de guidage latéral d'une bande - Google Patents

Appareil de guidage latéral d'une bande Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0307125B1
EP0307125B1 EP19880307991 EP88307991A EP0307125B1 EP 0307125 B1 EP0307125 B1 EP 0307125B1 EP 19880307991 EP19880307991 EP 19880307991 EP 88307991 A EP88307991 A EP 88307991A EP 0307125 B1 EP0307125 B1 EP 0307125B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
film
web
photoelectric sensors
abutment
tracking
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 - Lifetime
Application number
EP19880307991
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0307125A2 (fr
EP0307125A3 (en
Inventor
John L. Posey
Frederic L. Grude
Dallas L. Woods
Robert T. Hughes
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.)
Baxter International Inc
Original Assignee
Baxter International Inc
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 Baxter International Inc filed Critical Baxter International Inc
Publication of EP0307125A2 publication Critical patent/EP0307125A2/fr
Publication of EP0307125A3 publication Critical patent/EP0307125A3/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0307125B1 publication Critical patent/EP0307125B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H23/00—Registering, tensioning, smoothing or guiding webs
    • B65H23/02—Registering, tensioning, smoothing or guiding webs transversely
    • B65H23/032—Controlling transverse register of web

Definitions

  • the present invention relates in general to tracking apparatus. More specifically, the present invention relates to an apparatus for automatically tracking a web of film in a packaging machine.
  • An example of a packaging machine is a form, fill, seal packaging machine.
  • form, fill, seal packaging machines are utilized to package a product in a flexible container.
  • form, fill, seal packaging machines are used to seal pharmaceuticals, dairy products, wine, food stuffs, cosmetics, and other products in flexible containers.
  • the form, fill, seal packaging machine provides an apparatus for packaging these products in an expedient manner.
  • a web of heat sealable film is passed over a former or mandrel that forms the film into a tubular shape.
  • the film is folded longitudinally and heat sealed along abutting longitudinal edges (to create the fin seal).
  • the tubular-shaped film is then passed around a tubular fill system that deposits the product to be packaged into the tubular-shaped film.
  • bags the web of film must be sealed along its width by side seals.
  • the side seals are typically created by a sealer that creates the second side seal of one bag while making the first side seal for the next bag. After the side seals are created, the web of film can then be severed between the side seals to create individual bags.
  • fitments may also be desirable, in some arts, to attach fitments to the web of film during the form, fill, seal process to create bags having fitments thereon.
  • the fitments provide a means for accessing the contents of the container.
  • An example of such a flexible bag is the VIAFLEX® container produced by Travenol Laboratories of Deerfield, Illinois.
  • Orientation of the film in the form, fill, seal packaging machine includes ensuring that the film is properly registered, i.e., is properly positioned lengthwise with respect to the form, fill, seal packaging machine and is properly tracked, i.e., is properly positioned along its width with respect to the form, fill, seal packaging machine. If the tracking of the web of film is not proper, the fitment position, side seals, and fin seal, of the resultant bag may not be proper.
  • US-A-3711011 discloses an apparatus for detecting the position of a web fed therethrough using a pair of temperature sensing elements.
  • a pair of abutment means located adjacent opposite lateral edges of the web are actuated to correct the tracking of the web in the event of web skewing being detected.
  • US-A-3232547 discloses an edge monitor device comprising a pair of photoelectric sensors for sensing the lateral position of a web fed through the device. Corrections for any deviation of the web tracking are made according to the sensed position by altering the lateral position of the web payout spool. A clamp and rod are provided for manually altering the lateral position of the sensors with respect to the web.
  • the pre-characterising part of Claim 1 is based on US-A-3711001, and the distinguishing features of the present invention are set out in the characterising part of Claim 1.
  • the present invention provides an apparatus for automatically tracking a web of film fed through a packaging machine.
  • the apparatus includes a pair of photoelectric sensors, the photoelectric sensors are located on a lateral side of the apparatus in juxtaposition to an edge of a first lateral side of the web of film that is being fed through the packaging machine.
  • the photoelectric sensors are staggered laterally with respect to each other.
  • the apparatus also includes a pair of abutment means located on opposing sides of the web of film for abutting the sides of the web of film.
  • the apparatus further includes means for moving the abutment means to cause one of the abutment means to contact a side of the web of film.
  • a control means for actuating the means for moving the abutment means is also provided.
  • the photoelectric sensors are coupled to the control means and cause the control means to actuate the means for moving the abutment means if an edge of the first side of the web of film does not pass between the pair of photoelectric sensors covering only one of the photoelectric sensors.
  • control means is a control circuit.
  • the photoelectric sensors are secured to an eye bracket.
  • the eye bracket is secured to means for moving the eye bracket laterally.
  • the means for moving the eye bracket laterally includes a rotatable handle having a threaded rod.
  • each of the abutment means includes an abutment plate, and the abutment plates are secured together by a cross bar.
  • the means for moving the abutment means includes a piston that is actuated by a hydraulic-air system actuated by the control means.
  • the present invention provides a means for automatically tracking a web of film through a form, fill, seal packaging machine.
  • a still further advantage of the present invention is that it provides a nonintrusive means for tracking film in a form, fill, seal packaging machine.
  • a still further advantage of the present invention is that it provides an accurate means for tracking film through a form, fill, seal packaging machine.
  • Still an advantage of the present invention is that it allows one to compensate for imperfections in the web of film in tracking the film through the form, fill, seal packaging machine.
  • Figure 1 illustrates a cross-sectional perspective view of a form, fill, seal packaging machine including the tracking means of the present invention.
  • Figure 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the tracking apparatus of the present invention.
  • Figure 3 illustrates a top elevational view of the tracking apparatus of the present invention with parts broken away.
  • Figure 4 illustrates a side elevational view of the tracking apparatus of the present invention.
  • Figure 5 illustrates a top elevational view of a portion of the film tracking system tracking a web of film.
  • Figure 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the photoelectric sensors and a web of film taken along lines VI-VI of Figure 5.
  • Figure 7 illustrates a schematic of the air/hydraulic system for orienting a web of film in the tracking apparatus of the present invention.
  • the present invention provides a tracking system for automatically tracking a web of film through a form, fill, seal packaging machine.
  • ⁇ form, fill, seal packaging machine refers to a machine for creating from a flexible web of film, a bag for housing a product.
  • the tracking means of the present invention can be utilized in other packaging machines or in other apparatus where it is necessary to track a web of film as it is fed through an apparatus or system.
  • a web of heat sealable film is passed over a former that forms the film into a tubular shape.
  • the film is folded longitudinally by the former and heat sealed along abutting longitudinal edges at a fin seal station (to create the fin seal).
  • a fin seal station to create the fin seal.
  • a first side seal is created in the film
  • product is introduced into the tubular-shaped film, and a second side seal is then created; the film is then severed to create a flexible package.
  • FIG. 1 a form, fill, seal packaging machine 10 is illustrated.
  • the web of film 12 is fed into the packaging machine 10 through an opening 14.
  • the web of film 12 is fed around a plurality of rollers 15, 16, 17, 18, and 20.
  • the film 12 is then fed to the tracking device 22 of the present invention.
  • the film 12 is fed to a former 24 that folds the film longitudinally so that longitudinal abutting edges of the film can be sealed at the fin seal station 26.
  • the film 12 is passed around a fill tube 28 and side seals are created at the side seal station 30. If desired, fitments can be attached to the web of film 12 at a fitment attaching station.
  • the film tracking device 22 of the present invention ensures that the web of film 12 is properly oriented at the sealing stations, i.e., the fin seal station 26, the side seal station 30, and fitment attachment station. This helps to ensure that a flexible bag having parallel side seals perpendicular to the fin seal is created. Likewise, it helps to ensure that the web of film 12 is folded longitudinally so that at the fin seal, the edges of the film are aligned. Furthermore, if fitments are attached to the web of film, the film tracking device 22 helps to ensure that the fitments extend from the bottom center of the resultant flexible container.
  • the tracking device 22 is illustrated as being located in juxtaposition to the former 24, the tracking device 22 can be located at other positions before the former in the form, fill, seal packaging machine 10. In fact, if desired, the tracking device 22 can be located outside the form, fill, seal packaging machine 10 and can orient the web of film 12 before the film enters the opening 14 of the form, fill, seal packaging machine 10. It should be noted, however, that the further away from the fin and side sealing stations 26 and 30, respectively, the film tracking device 22 is located, the more difficult it will be to ensure that the film 12 is properly oriented at the sealing stations.
  • the film tracking device 22 of the present invention is illustrated.
  • the web of film 12 enters the film tracking apparatus 22 by being received by a film guide 31.
  • the film guide 31 comprises two plates 33 and 35 that define a channel 37 through which the web of film 12 is received in the film tracking device 22.
  • the film guide 31 functions to track the web of film 12 and keep it from fluttering so that the film can be tracked from left to right in the tracking device 22.
  • the sensing device 38 is a pair of photoelectric sensors 39 and 41.
  • the photoelectric sensors 39 and 41 are located in juxtaposition to a first side 40 of the web of film 12.
  • the photoelectric sensors 39 and 41 are fiber optic eyes.
  • any photoelectric sensing means known in the art can be utilized. As discussed below, the photoelectric sensors 39 and 41 function to allow the film tracking apparatus 22 to automatically align the web of film 12.
  • abutment plates 43 and 45 As illustrated in Figures 2, 3, and 5, located on either side of the web of film 12, as it is fed through the tracking device 22, are abutment plates 43 and 45.
  • the abutment plates 43 and 45 function to track the web of film 12 through the form, fill, seal packaging machine 10. To this end, the abutment plates 43 and 45 function to trap the web of film 12 between the plates and urge the film either left or right. Accordingly, the abutment plates 43 and 45 are spaced apart from each other by a distance that is slightly greater than the width of the web of film 12.
  • the abutment plates 43 and 45 are spaced apart from each other at a width that is approximately 0.0025 mm (1/10,000 of an inch) to 6.25 mm (1/4 of an inch) greater than the width of the web of film 12.
  • the abutment plates 43 and 45 are secured together by a cross bar 47.
  • the cross bar 47 causes the abutment plates 43 and 45 to move in unison ensuring that the web of film 12 is trapped therebetween.
  • the photoelectric sensors 39 and 41 function to allow the tracking device 22 to automatically track the web of film 12.
  • the photoelectric sensors 39 and 41 are located, as illustrated in Figure 5, in a laterally staggered stacked relationship.
  • the photoelectric sensors 39 and 41 are located so that they are slightly off center with respect to each other.
  • the tracking device functions to center the first edge 48 of the web of film 12 between the photoelectric sensors 39 and 41 so that one photoelectric sensor 39 is covered by the web of film while the other photoelectric sensor 41 is not. As discussed in more detail below, if both photoelectric sensors 39 and 41 are covered, or if neither photoelectric sensor 39 and 41 is covered, the web of film12 will be moved by the film tracking device 22, and specifically the abutment plates 43 and 45, to correct the situation so that the first edge 48 of the web of film 12 will be located between the photoelectric sensors 39 and 41.
  • the photoelectric sensors 39 and 41 are secured to an eye bracket 51.
  • the eye bracket 51 is secured to a rotatable handle 53 that causes the eye bracket 51, and thereby the photoelectric sensors 39 and 41, to move laterally as the handle 53 is rotated.
  • the rotatable handle 53 includes a threaded rod 55 that is secured to the eye bracket 51 and is received within a threaded aperture in the first abutment plate 43. Accordingly, when the handle is rotated either clockwise or counterclockwise, the eye bracket 51, and thereby the photoelectric sensors 39 and 41, will move either left or right with respect to the first side of the web of film 12.
  • the rotatable handle 53 allows the operator to adjust the position of the photoelectric sensors 39 and 41. Accordingly, if one wants to move the web of film 12 to the left, the photoelectric sensors 39 and 41 can be moved so that the position of the web of film 12 will be adjusted as discussed in more detail below.
  • the rotatable handle 53 therefore provides a means for physically positioning the photoelectric sensors 39 and 41 in a desired position.
  • the photoelectric sensors 39 and 41 are coupled to a control circuit that actuates a piston 59 that causes the abutment plates 43 and 45 to move.
  • a control circuit that actuates a piston 59 that causes the abutment plates 43 and 45 to move.
  • the photoelectric sensors will cause the control circuit to actuate the piston 59 causing the piston to move the abutment plates 43 and 45 to move the film to the left.
  • the abutment plates 43 and 45 move the web of film 12 as the first abutment plate 43 is urged against the right side of the web of film 12.
  • control circuit will cause the piston 59 to move the abutment plates 43 and 45 to the right causing the second abutment plate 45 to contact the left side 50 of the web of film 12 and thereby move the web of film 12 to the right. Accordingly, the control circuit and abutment plates 43 and 45 cooperate with the photoelectric sensors 39 and 41 to center the web of film 12 between the photoelectric sensors.
  • the piston 59 can be an air cylinder.
  • the piston 59 is a hydraulic cylinder.
  • an air/hydraulic system is utilized to move the tracking device 22 and accordingly, the web of film 12.
  • air provides an economic means for actuating the abutment plates 43 and 45, to cause the web of film 12 to move, a simple air system would be too erratic.
  • a total hydraulic system is expensive. By using an air/hydraulic system, one is afforded the economics of air with the benefit of hydraulics.
  • the web of film 12, as it passes through the tracking device 22, is fed around a pair of rollers 61 and 63.
  • the shafts 65 and 67 of the rollers 61 and 63, respectively, are fixed and the rollers rotate there around.
  • the rollers 61 and 63 can be constructed of any material known in the art.
  • the rollers 61 and 63 are aluminum, stainless steel, or plastic. The construction of the rollers 61 and 63 will depend on particular requirements and whether the tracking device 22 is being used in an aseptic or nonaseptic packaging machine.
  • the film tracking system 22 of the present invention provides a means for automatically tracking the web of film 12 through the form, fill, seal packaging machine 10 so that it is properly oriented.
  • the automatic tracking device 22 will ensure that the first edge 48 of the web of film 12 is oriented between the photoelectric sensors 39 and 41 covering only one photoelectric sensor 39. Therefore, once the photoelectric sensors 39 and 41 are properly oriented by the operator, the tracking of the web of film 12 through the packaging machine 10 will proceed automatically.
  • the present invention typically, it is necessary to constantly compensate for a web of film's construction because a web of film 12 does not have perfectly parallel sides.
  • the present invention provides an automatic means for so compensating.
  • the tracking device 22 of the present invention allows the operator to manually compensate for variations of the web of film 12. If the web of film 12 is skewed to the left or right, the tracking device 22 allows the operator to compensate therefor. To this end, the operator can cause the film 12 to move the opposite way by repositioning the photoelectric sensors 39 and 41 so that by the time the web of film 12 reaches the sealing stations, i.e., fin seal, side seal, and fitment stations, the web of film is perfectly oriented.
  • the sealing stations i.e., fin seal, side seal, and fitment stations

Landscapes

  • Containers And Plastic Fillers For Packaging (AREA)
  • Registering, Tensioning, Guiding Webs, And Rollers Therefor (AREA)

Claims (8)

  1. Appareil pour le guidage automatique d'une bande de film (12) avançant à travers l'appareil, qui comprend des moyens de détection (39,41) placés en juxtaposition à un premier côté latéral (40) de la bande de film (12), deux organes de butée (43,45) adjacents aux bords latéraux opposés de la bande de film (12) pour venir en butée contre les bords latéraux opposés de la bande de film (12), des premiers moyens de déplacement pour déplacer les organes de butée (43,45) afin qu'un des organes de butée (43,45) vienne en contact avec un bord latéral de la bande de film (12), et des moyens de commande pour actionner les premiers moyens de déplacement,les moyens de détection (39,41) étant reliés aux moyens de commande, caractérisé en ce que les moyens de détection (39,41) comprennent deux capteurs photoélectriques qui ont pour effet que les moyens de commande actionnent les premiers moyens de déplacement si un bord du premier côté (40) de la bande de film (12)ne passe pas entre les deux capteurs photoélectriques (39,41) afin que le côté latéral recouvre un seul des capteurs photoélectriques (39), et caractérisé en outre par des moyens de positionnement (55) pour positionner les deux capteurs photoélectriques (39,41) par rapport à la bande de film(12) et de façon réglable pendant le fonctionnement de l'appareil, de manière à déplacer les deux capteurs photoélectriques (39,41) latéralement par rapport à la bande de film (12), et une poignée (53) fixée aux moyens de positionnement (55) pour effectuer ledit réglage.
  2. Appareil suivant la revendication 1, comprenant :
       un support à oeil (51), les capteurs photoélectriques (39,41) étant fixés au support à oeil (51) ; et
       les moyens de positionnement (55) étant reliés au support à oeil (51) pour déplacer le support à oeil (51) latéralement.
  3. Appareil suivant la revendication 2, dans lequel les moyens de positionnement (55) comprennent une poignée tournante (53) accouplée a une tige filetée (55).
  4. Appareil suivant l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel chacun des organes de butée (43,45) comprend une plaque de butée, et les plaques de butée sont fixées l'une à l'autre par une traverse (47).
  5. Appareil suivant la revendication 4, dans lequel les plaques de butée (43,55) sont mutuellement espacées d'une distance qui est plus grande que la largeur de la bande de film (12),de 0,0025 mm environ à 6,25mm environ.
  6. Appareil suivant l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel les moyens de déplacement des organes de butée comprennent un piston (59) qui est actionné par un système hydraulique-pneumatique commandé par les moyens de commande.
  7. Appareil suivant l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes,dans lequel les capteurs photoélectriques (34,41) sont superposés et décalés latéralement.
  8. Appareil suivant l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, comprenant un canal (37) défini par deux plaques (33,35) pour conduire la bande de film (12) dans le dispositif de guidage (22).
EP19880307991 1987-09-08 1988-08-30 Appareil de guidage latéral d'une bande Expired - Lifetime EP0307125B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US9538887A 1987-09-08 1987-09-08
US95388 1987-09-08

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0307125A2 EP0307125A2 (fr) 1989-03-15
EP0307125A3 EP0307125A3 (en) 1990-05-02
EP0307125B1 true EP0307125B1 (fr) 1993-02-10

Family

ID=22251745

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19880307991 Expired - Lifetime EP0307125B1 (fr) 1987-09-08 1988-08-30 Appareil de guidage latéral d'une bande

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0307125B1 (fr)
JP (1) JPH01261154A (fr)
DE (1) DE3878358T2 (fr)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN102630210A (zh) * 2009-11-30 2012-08-08 伊斯曼柯达公司 用于介质传送系统的边缘导向件
US8499535B2 (en) 2008-05-16 2013-08-06 Pmb-Uva International B.V. Device for packaging products in a foil package

Families Citing this family (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE19740222A1 (de) 1997-09-12 1999-03-25 Boewe Systec Ag Vorrichtung zum Führen einer Endlospapierbahn
DE60007064T2 (de) * 2000-01-31 2004-10-14 Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A. Vorrichtung zum Einstellen der transversalen Position einer Verpackungsmaterialbahn
EP1167206A3 (fr) * 2000-06-30 2002-10-16 O-Mega Packaging AG Dispositif de commande d'un bord d'une bande pour des machines de traitement de bande, notamment des machines d'emballage
US6668526B2 (en) * 2001-04-27 2003-12-30 Baxter International, Inc. Web centering system
US20110129279A1 (en) * 2009-11-30 2011-06-02 Muir Christopher M Edge guide having adjustable magnitude nesting force
EP2497716B1 (fr) * 2011-03-11 2014-07-23 GEA Food Solutions Weert B.V. Emballage à circulation verticale avec supports d'alimentation de film
EP4273054A1 (fr) * 2022-05-02 2023-11-08 Ulma Packaging, S.Coop. Machine de conditionnement vertical et procédé de commande associé

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3096919A (en) * 1961-08-14 1963-07-09 Goodyear Tire & Rubber Web guide
US3232547A (en) * 1962-08-03 1966-02-01 Hurletron Inc Edge monitor device
US3711001A (en) * 1971-11-08 1973-01-16 Rca Corp Web position detector using temperature sensing elements
US4090432A (en) * 1977-02-09 1978-05-23 Hobart Engineering Limited Guiding an elongate sheet of packaging material
JPS6130313A (ja) * 1984-07-21 1986-02-12 Nisshin Steel Co Ltd サイドトリミングにおける鋼帯のセンタリング制御方法及び同装置

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8499535B2 (en) 2008-05-16 2013-08-06 Pmb-Uva International B.V. Device for packaging products in a foil package
CN102630210A (zh) * 2009-11-30 2012-08-08 伊斯曼柯达公司 用于介质传送系统的边缘导向件

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0307125A2 (fr) 1989-03-15
JPH01261154A (ja) 1989-10-18
EP0307125A3 (en) 1990-05-02
DE3878358D1 (de) 1993-03-25
DE3878358T2 (de) 1993-10-21

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