EP0929445B1 - Machine for conditioning packets inside pneumatically insulated chambers - Google Patents

Machine for conditioning packets inside pneumatically insulated chambers Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0929445B1
EP0929445B1 EP97901227A EP97901227A EP0929445B1 EP 0929445 B1 EP0929445 B1 EP 0929445B1 EP 97901227 A EP97901227 A EP 97901227A EP 97901227 A EP97901227 A EP 97901227A EP 0929445 B1 EP0929445 B1 EP 0929445B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
chambers
cover
conditioning
machine
turret
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
EP97901227A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0929445A1 (en
Inventor
Gino Rapparini
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.)
ICA SpA
Original Assignee
ICA SpA
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by ICA SpA filed Critical ICA SpA
Publication of EP0929445A1 publication Critical patent/EP0929445A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0929445B1 publication Critical patent/EP0929445B1/en
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
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B31/00—Packaging articles or materials under special atmospheric or gaseous conditions; Adding propellants to aerosol containers
    • B65B31/02—Filling, closing, or filling and closing, containers or wrappers in chambers maintained under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure or containing a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas
    • B65B31/022—Filling, closing, or filling and closing, containers or wrappers in chambers maintained under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure or containing a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas the chambers moving in an endless path

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a package conditioning machine including pneumatically insulated chambers.
  • the preamble of claim 1 is based on US-A-3 545 983.
  • machines are divided into two categories: the first comprises those machines that have a big chamber inside which several packets are simultaneously conditioned; the second category includes machines that show a plurality of different small conditioning chambers, everyone conditioning a single packet.
  • the simultaneous conditioning of several packets requires highly voluminous structures, owing to the wide areas of accumulation and to the need to employ together several chambers for the loading, conditioning and unloading operations. Furthermore, inside the conditioning chamber the packets must be carefully placed in order to allow the action of multiple sealing jaws, that don't permit, even if regulated, the same precision on every single sealed packet.
  • Said machines have moreover problems related to the overall dimensions, due to the opening and closing operations of covers and doors.
  • the most pertinent prior art - USA- A-1.589.452 has a plurality of covers for the chambers of the turret ; it is therefore difficult to operate said device.
  • This invention represents an optimal solution to the specific problems of the above-described machines by designing a machine which is characterized by the features of claim 1.
  • Figure 1 schematises a perspective view of the machine, which comprises a single cover for closing and opening different conditioning chambers set up in a revolving turret. It can be noticed that the opening and closing of the conditioning chambers is achieved by the revolving of the turret and not by the lifting of the cover. This feature removes any radial or axial overall dimensions problem during the opening operation.
  • Figure 3 highlights the fact that the conditioning chambers are set up in a revolving turret with the mouths laying over the same flat surface.
  • Figure 4 highlights the fact that also the cover has the same plain surface as the turret beneath, and it can be noted that said cover is provided with a passage for the loading and unloading of the packets.
  • Figure 5 is an exploded view of the machine to highlight the configuration of the sealing strip (9) and of the elastic seal elements (10) inserted in the seat (11).
  • Figure 6 is a section of an open conditioning chamber because it is in front of the passage that allows the loading operation. It can be noticed that during this operation the adjacent chambers are pneumatically insulated.
  • Figure 7 is a section of the next conditioning chamber closed by the cover, in order to start the conditioning process.
  • FIG. 8 Figure 8, 9, 10 and 11 indicate different phases of conditioning in the following chambers.
  • Figure 12 indicates the sealing operation of the packet inside the chamber that is still pneumatically insulated. It can be noticed that the sealing device is placed on the cover and it's only one for all the conditioning chambers.
  • Figure 13 is a section of a conditioning chamber that is open because, at the end of the conditioning cycle, it is again in front of the passage that allows the unloading operation.
  • Figure 14 and 15 show in section a variation of the machine equipped with similar conditioning chambers, but presenting also a bottom mouth and its cover to allow the operation of loading from above and unloading from below.

Landscapes

  • Dispersion Chemistry (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Wrapping Of Specific Fragile Articles (AREA)
  • Processing And Handling Of Plastics And Other Materials For Molding In General (AREA)
  • Supplying Of Containers To The Packaging Station (AREA)
  • Container Filling Or Packaging Operations (AREA)
  • Greenhouses (AREA)
  • Yarns And Mechanical Finishing Of Yarns Or Ropes (AREA)
  • Air-Conditioning Room Units, And Self-Contained Units In General (AREA)
  • Manufacture Of Motors, Generators (AREA)
  • Devices For Use In Laboratory Experiments (AREA)

Abstract

Machine for conditioning packets inside pneumatically insulated chambers, comprising a single cover (1) for closing and opening separate conditioning chambers (2), set up in a turret (3), with the mouths (4) laying on the same geometric surface, in order to be simultaneously closed by a unique cover having the same opposite geometric surface (6). The cover is equipped with a passage (7) so that those chambers that are placed in front of said passage result open, while all the other chambers are closed and their opening will take place only later, when, by means of the turret rotation, they will be one after the other in front of the passage where the packets'(8) loading and unloading operations are performed.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a package conditioning machine including pneumatically insulated chambers.
STATE OF THE ART
In the state of the art several types of automatic machines that seal the packets under vacuum or in controlled atmosphere are known.
The preamble of claim 1 is based on US-A-3 545 983.
These machines are divided into two categories: the first comprises those machines that have a big chamber inside which several packets are simultaneously conditioned; the second category includes machines that show a plurality of different small conditioning chambers, everyone conditioning a single packet.
As for the first category, the simultaneous conditioning of several packets requires highly voluminous structures, owing to the wide areas of accumulation and to the need to employ together several chambers for the loading, conditioning and unloading operations. Furthermore, inside the conditioning chamber the packets must be carefully placed in order to allow the action of multiple sealing jaws, that don't permit, even if regulated, the same precision on every single sealed packet.
The opening and the closing operations of the multiple chamber are committed to the lifting of a unique big cover. In the second type machine, though, every conditioning chamber has its own cover, its own cinematic motion and its own sealing jaws, and these machines thus prove to be complicates and expensive.
Said machines have moreover problems related to the overall dimensions, due to the opening and closing operations of covers and doors. The most pertinent prior art - USA- A-1.589.452 has a plurality of covers for the chambers of the turret ; it is therefore difficult to operate said device.
This invention represents an optimal solution to the specific problems of the above-described machines by designing a machine which is characterized by the features of claim 1.
DESCRIPTION
The invention is now disclosed in the following description, with reference to the attached drawings as a not binding example.
Figure 1 schematises a perspective view of the machine, which comprises a single cover for closing and opening different conditioning chambers set up in a revolving turret. It can be noticed that the opening and closing of the conditioning chambers is achieved by the revolving of the turret and not by the lifting of the cover. This feature removes any radial or axial overall dimensions problem during the opening operation.
Figure 3 highlights the fact that the conditioning chambers are set up in a revolving turret with the mouths laying over the same flat surface.
Figure 4 highlights the fact that also the cover has the same plain surface as the turret beneath, and it can be noted that said cover is provided with a passage for the loading and unloading of the packets.
Figure 5 is an exploded view of the machine to highlight the configuration of the sealing strip (9) and of the elastic seal elements (10) inserted in the seat (11).
Figure 6 is a section of an open conditioning chamber because it is in front of the passage that allows the loading operation. It can be noticed that during this operation the adjacent chambers are pneumatically insulated.
Figure 7 is a section of the next conditioning chamber closed by the cover, in order to start the conditioning process.
Figure 8, 9, 10 and 11 indicate different phases of conditioning in the following chambers.
Figure 12 indicates the sealing operation of the packet inside the chamber that is still pneumatically insulated. It can be noticed that the sealing device is placed on the cover and it's only one for all the conditioning chambers.
Figure 13 is a section of a conditioning chamber that is open because, at the end of the conditioning cycle, it is again in front of the passage that allows the unloading operation.
Figure 14 and 15 show in section a variation of the machine equipped with similar conditioning chambers, but presenting also a bottom mouth and its cover to allow the operation of loading from above and unloading from below.
In the figures every single detail is marked as follows:
  • 1 is a flat cover.
  • 2 is a conditioning chamber.
  • 2' is a conditioning chamber as 2 but presenting a lower mouth.
  • 3 is a circular turret with a flat upper surface.
  • 4 are the mouths of the conditioning chambers laying on the flat surface.
  • 5 is the geometric surface on which the mouths of all the conditioning chambers lay.
  • 6 is the lower surface of the cover.
  • 7 is the loading and unloading passage of the upper cover
  • 7' is the loading and unloading passage of the lower cover.
  • 8 is the packet.
  • 9 is the sealing with several branches connected to each other.
  • 10 indicates the elastic seal elements inserted under the sealing.
  • 11 indicates the seat of the sealing and of the elastic elements.
  • 12 indicates the single sealing device of the packets applied to the cover.
  • 13 indicates the conduits for the chambers' conditioning.
    • The clearness of the figures proves the simplicity of the machine and its building and application economy. It can be noticed, indeed, that the conditioning conduits and the sealing device doesn't require rotating distribution members because they are fixed directly onto the cover.
    It must be also observed that the chambers, being unprovided of doors and their opening and closing mechanisms, turn out to be simpler and less obstructing.
    The invention, that has been shown and described with reference to a possible way of realization, could be changed in several manners as far as the structural proportions and the technological choices of the building materials are concerned.
    All those machines for conditioning the packets inside pneumatically insulated chambers, with the characteristics described, shown and hereinafter claimed, will be included in the basic principle of this invention.

    Claims (6)

    1. Machine for conditioning packets inside a plurality of pneumatically insulated chambers (2), circumferentially distributed on a rotatable turret (3) and with their axes extending in a vertical direction and having openings (4) at their upper ends, said openings being sealably covered in a horizontal plane and an environmental conditioning means coupled to said chambers, characterised in that said machine comprises a single flat upper cover (1) extending in a horizontal plane, said single cover having an opening section (7) corresponding to different chambers, the opening section (7) being brought into alignment with said different chambers (2) upon rotation of said turret (3).
    2. Machine according to claim 1, characterised by a sealing gasket (9) having sections that provide a seal for each chamber.
    3. Machine according to claim 2, characterised in that there is provided an elastic member (10) which is sandwiched between the turret and the sealing gasket to continuously press the sealing gasket against the surface of the cover.
    4. Machine according to claim 3, characterised in that said elastic member (10) is seated in a groove (11) of the turret (3).
    5. Machine according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that it further comprises a lower cover (1') sealingly engaging lower openings of the chambers (2'), said lower cover (1') also having an opening section (7') for different lower openings of said chambers (2').
    6. Machine according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the upper cover is equipped with a packet sealing means (12).
    EP97901227A 1996-02-26 1997-02-12 Machine for conditioning packets inside pneumatically insulated chambers Expired - Lifetime EP0929445B1 (en)

    Applications Claiming Priority (3)

    Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
    IT96BO000086A IT1285568B1 (en) 1996-02-26 1996-02-26 MACHINE FOR CONDITIONING PACKAGES INSIDE PNEUMATICLY INSULATED CHAMBERS
    ITBO960086 1996-02-26
    PCT/IB1997/000104 WO1997030896A1 (en) 1996-02-26 1997-02-12 Machine for conditioning packets inside pneumatically insulated chambers

    Publications (2)

    Publication Number Publication Date
    EP0929445A1 EP0929445A1 (en) 1999-07-21
    EP0929445B1 true EP0929445B1 (en) 2000-03-29

    Family

    ID=11341140

    Family Applications (1)

    Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
    EP97901227A Expired - Lifetime EP0929445B1 (en) 1996-02-26 1997-02-12 Machine for conditioning packets inside pneumatically insulated chambers

    Country Status (7)

    Country Link
    EP (1) EP0929445B1 (en)
    AT (1) ATE191196T1 (en)
    AU (1) AU1455197A (en)
    DE (1) DE69701579T2 (en)
    ES (1) ES2146076T3 (en)
    IT (1) IT1285568B1 (en)
    WO (1) WO1997030896A1 (en)

    Families Citing this family (2)

    * Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
    Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
    IT1311103B1 (en) 1999-10-20 2002-02-28 Ulisse Rapparini AUTOMATIC PACKAGING MACHINE FOR THE CONDITIONING OF CONTROLLED ATMOSPHERE BAGS.
    NZ541001A (en) * 2005-06-30 2008-11-28 Mercer Technologies Ltd A vacuum packing machine

    Family Cites Families (3)

    * Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
    Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
    US1589452A (en) * 1923-06-16 1926-06-22 Thermokept Corp Method of and apparatus for vacuumizing materials
    US3545983A (en) * 1968-07-15 1970-12-08 Fmc Corp Method of deoxygenating and packaging of food products
    US4658566A (en) * 1985-02-26 1987-04-21 Sanfilippo John E Apparatus and method for sealing containers in controlled environments

    Also Published As

    Publication number Publication date
    EP0929445A1 (en) 1999-07-21
    IT1285568B1 (en) 1998-06-18
    AU1455197A (en) 1997-09-10
    ATE191196T1 (en) 2000-04-15
    WO1997030896A1 (en) 1997-08-28
    DE69701579T2 (en) 2000-10-19
    DE69701579D1 (en) 2000-05-04
    ITBO960086A0 (en) 1996-02-26
    ITBO960086A1 (en) 1997-08-26
    ES2146076T3 (en) 2000-07-16

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