EP0968127B1 - Apparatus for feeding a film to a machine for packaging articles - Google Patents
Apparatus for feeding a film to a machine for packaging articles Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0968127B1 EP0968127B1 EP98905567A EP98905567A EP0968127B1 EP 0968127 B1 EP0968127 B1 EP 0968127B1 EP 98905567 A EP98905567 A EP 98905567A EP 98905567 A EP98905567 A EP 98905567A EP 0968127 B1 EP0968127 B1 EP 0968127B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- film
- reel
- films
- blade
- reels
- 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
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H19/00—Changing the web roll
- B65H19/10—Changing the web roll in unwinding mechanisms or in connection with unwinding operations
- B65H19/18—Attaching, e.g. pasting, the replacement web to the expiring web
- B65H19/1857—Support arrangement of web rolls
- B65H19/1873—Support arrangement of web rolls with two stationary roll supports carrying alternately the replacement and the expiring roll
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H19/00—Changing the web roll
- B65H19/10—Changing the web roll in unwinding mechanisms or in connection with unwinding operations
- B65H19/18—Attaching, e.g. pasting, the replacement web to the expiring web
- B65H19/1842—Attaching, e.g. pasting, the replacement web to the expiring web standing splicing, i.e. the expiring web being stationary during splicing contact
- B65H19/1852—Attaching, e.g. pasting, the replacement web to the expiring web standing splicing, i.e. the expiring web being stationary during splicing contact taking place at a distance from the replacement roll
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- 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
- B65H23/04—Registering, tensioning, smoothing or guiding webs longitudinally
- B65H23/28—Registering, tensioning, smoothing or guiding webs longitudinally by longitudinally-extending strips, tubes, plates, or wires
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2301/00—Handling processes for sheets or webs
- B65H2301/40—Type of handling process
- B65H2301/46—Splicing
- B65H2301/463—Splicing splicing means, i.e. means by which a web end is bound to another web end
- B65H2301/4631—Adhesive tape
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2511/00—Dimensions; Position; Numbers; Identification; Occurrences
- B65H2511/50—Occurence
- B65H2511/51—Presence
- B65H2511/514—Particular portion of element
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2701/00—Handled material; Storage means
- B65H2701/10—Handled articles or webs
- B65H2701/17—Nature of material
- B65H2701/175—Plastic
- B65H2701/1752—Polymer film
Definitions
- the present invention relates to packaging articles into so-called blister packs, that are obtained from a film of a heat-formable material.
- the invention relates to an apparatus for feeding this heat-formable film to machines for packaging articles into blister packs.
- This film is usually produced in reels, which are mounted on suitable carriers pins of the packaging machine. The film is unwound from the reel while being fed to the machine.
- More recent packaging machines are provided with two reel carrier axles, used alternatively, so that the film is fed almost continuously.
- the operator prepares a new reel on a carrier axle, when film is unwound from the other reel, and locates the leading edge of the new reel near a splicing station, in which the trailing edge of the run out reel and the leading edge of the new, full reel are then spliced automatically.
- the two edges are joined by an adhesive tape, previously prepared by the operator.
- the adjusting operations necessary to change the size of the film of heat-formable material from which the blister packs are obtained are performed manually by the operator.
- Document EP-A-0395027 describes an apparatus which has first and second loading means. First and second rolls of a strip-like material are loaded on the first and second loading means and a detection means detects an end indication tape adhered to a trailing end portion of the strip-like material of the rolls.
- a cutting/unrolling means automatically unrolls the strip-like material from the rolls and cuts the leading and trailing end portions of the strip-like material to form the leading and trailing ends.
- the unrolled strip-like material is guided along a predetermined path by a guide means and a joining station is arranged midway along the guide path.
- One of the strip-like materials is fed through the joining station by a feeding means and the leading end portion of the other strip-like material is stopped and stands by at the joining station.
- GB-A-2181414 discloses a device for splicing webs of packaging material, in which the trailing end of a packaging strip wound off a used-up roll is spliced to the leading end of a packaging material coming from a new roll.
- the device includes means for detecting proximity of the leading edge of a new strip when fed into the guide means.
- the trailing end of the used strip is cut by means located upstream of the guide means, and timing means are used to set the operating time lapse of pressure means according to the length of the splice as established by the cutting means.
- the object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus that allows to feed, automatically and continuously, a film of heat-formable material to a machine for packaging articles in blister packs and the like.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus that can automatically set new reels of heat-formable film on the carrier axles and automatically remove the run out reel cores from the carrier axles.
- a further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus that automatically prepares the leading edge of the new film reel meanwhile locating it near the splicing station and that automatically applies the adhesive tape at the moment of splicing of the leading edge of the new film to the trailing edge of the run out film reel.
- Still another object of the invention is to provide a heat-formable film feeding apparatus which performs automatically adjusting operations required during the film size change over.
- the claimed apparatus also includes a splicing station, in which the leading edge and the trailing edge of said first and second films, fed one after the other to a packaging machine, are spliced.
- the splicing station is equipped with:
- a station 1 in which the reels 2 of heat-formable film material 20 are loaded on the apparatus 10, from which the film 20 is fed to a machine for packaging articles into blister packs.
- the reels 2 to be loaded are disposed in the station 1 arranged with vertical axis and on a pallet 3, that is located in a predetermined position in the station 1 (Fig. 1).
- the cross-bar 7 moves on longitudinal side members 8.
- the gripping head 5 is operated by suitable actuators which move it vertically to the carriage 6 and make it oscillate about a horizontal axis parallel to the side members 8.
- the gripping head 5 is equipped with expansion means 9 which engage the reel 2 to be loaded onto the apparatus ( Figures 2 and 6).
- the device 4 picks up the reels 2 from the pallet 3 and moves them to a cleaning device 11 equipped with a bell member 12 connected to known suction means ( Figure 2).
- the bell 12 is carried by an arm 13 connected crosswise to a vertical bar 14 which moves vertically and rotates about its axis. In this way, the bell is moved between a rest position and a working position coaxial with a pin 15 on which the reel 2 to be cleaned has been set.
- the pick up device 4 puts the cleaned reels 2 on a reel carrying axle 16 of the apparatus 10.
- the apparatus 10 has two reel carrying axles 16, arranged one beside the other, onto which the reels 2 to be used in sequence, are set, as will be explained in the following.
- the station 1 is also provided with a chute 17 for discharging the cores 21 of the run out reels, after they have been extracted from the relative reel carrying axle 16.
- each reel carrier axle 16 includes a hub 18 equipped with expansion means 19, which lock the reel 2 when it is loaded on the apparatus.
- the hub 18 extends from a shaft 28, rotatably supported by a tube 22, sliding through a sleeve 23 integral with a side 24 of the apparatus stationary frame ( Figure 7).
- a pusher stop 26 is fixed to the front part of the sleeve 23 for expelling the core 21 of the run out reels 2, and is substantially formed by a cup guided by bars 27 passing longitudinally through the sleeve 23.
- One of the bars 27 is fastened to the shaft of an actuator 29, e.g. a pneumatic cylinder, which makes the pusher 26 slide axially.
- an actuator 29 e.g. a pneumatic cylinder
- the friction roller 30 is supported by a swinging lever 31 pivoting on a pin 33, that is parallel to the reel carrier axles 16, and operated by an actuator 32.
- the heat-formable film 20 is pulled by a pair of rollers 34,35, one of which is driven by motor means ( Figures 8,10), so that it is unwound from the reels 2.
- the driving rollers 34,35 direct the film 20, unwinding from the reels 2, respectively to a first and to a second curved guides 36,37, arranged on a common vertical surface.
- the guides 36,37 are supported by respective adjustment groups 50, described in detail later.
- Another pair of rollers 38,39 situated in the region of the outlet of each curved guide 36,37 is driven by motor means for driving the relative film 20.
- a ripping device 40 situated upstream of the driving rollers 34,35, cuts off the portion 51 of adhesive tape, which normally keeps the leading edge of the film 20 in wound in adherence to the reel (see Figure 11a).
- the ripping device 40 seen in detail in Figures 9a,9b, features a blade 41, carried by a parallel link 42 operated by an actuator 43, so that the blade is moved along the already mentioned vertical surface ( Figure 8).
- the blade 41 is bound to the parallel link via a lever 44 pivoted on a pin 45 of a connecting rod of the link 42.
- the lever 44 has a roller 46 following the path of a cam 47.
- the lever 44 is yieldingly biased by a return spring 48 anchored to the connecting rod of the mechanism 42.
- the cam 47 is fastened to a rocking lever 49, operated by an actuator not shown in the figures, so that the cam oscillates on the already mentioned vertical surface.
- Oscillation of the cam 47 causes rotation of the blade 41 between a position raised with respect to the reel and a lowered, ripping position, skimming the reel 2 as indicated with 41a in Figure 9b.
- the rear part of the blade 41 features an extension 52 acting, together with a stationary, inclined, flat member 53, as a guide for the film 20, when the latter runs between the rollers 34,35.
- This extension 52 features a rear indentation 54, aimed at avoiding interference with the flat member 53 when the blade 41 is moving operated by the mechanism 42 (see Figures 11a, 11b).
- the film 20 At the outlet of the guides 36,37, the film 20, unwinding from the reels 2 due to the action of the respective pair of rollers 38,39, engages inlet parts of a stationary guide 55.
- the inlet parts are convergent towards the only plane on which the film is fed to the machine.
- the feeding plane is horizontal and extends along a longitudinal axis of the packaging machine.
- a first and a second sensor 56,57 are situated downstream of the two pairs of rollers 38,39 to detect the presence of a relative film 20 at the outlet of the guides 36,37.
- Another sensor 58 is situated at the outlet of the guide 55, downstream of deviation means 59 operated by a relative actuator to act on the film 20 ( Figure 8).
- the film 20 is conveyed through a series of turn-about rollers 62 to a storage device 63 for continuous feeding of the film 20 to a forming station of the packaging machine (see again Figure 8), e.g. of the type disclosed in the Patent Application BO97A 000151 of the same Applicant.
- This storage device 63 is substantially formed by a pair of side panels 93 enclosing the film 20 and situated on vertical planes longitudinal to the movement direction of the film 20. When the film 20 exits from between the panels, it turns about another turn-about roller 92.
- the side panels 93 are carried by an adjustment group 94, described in detail in the following.
- the film 20 is pulled by a further pair of rollers 64,65 situated downstream of the deviation means 59 and the sensor 58, and driven by motor means.
- the splicing station 60 illustrated in detail in Figures 14 and 15, features a cutting group 66 equipped with a circular blade 67 carried by a horizontal bar 68, which is operated by known and not shown means to move along an axis crosswise to the film 20 advancement direction.
- the circular blade 67 co-operates with a stationary counter-blade 69 situated within a slit 71 made in the lower part of a plate 70, that acts as a stop for the moving film 20 ( Figures 21a, 21b).
- First and second gripping means of the film 20, connected to the plate 70, are formed by a pair of horizontal strips 72,73, disposed crosswise to the film 20 advancement direction, respectively downstream and upstream of the slit 71 inside which the circular blade 67 runs (see again Figures 21a, 21b).
- the strips 72,73 are operated by respective pairs of actuators 74,75 to move vertically.
- deviation means 61 are carried by a plate 70 downstream of the first strip 72 gripping the film 20 along the already mentioned film advancement direction A.
- the splicing station 60 features a taping group 76 equipped with an element 77 driven to move, on a plane transversal to the film 20 advancement direction, by a pair of guiding stems 78.
- the moving element 77 carries a pin 79 supporting a roll 80 of adhesive tape, to be applied to the film 20.
- the moving element 77 carries an applying roller 81, better seen in Figure 19; this roller 81 features a series of radial channels 82, which are connected to known suction means, so as to keep on its outer surface the tape to be applied, obviously with its adhesive part turned outside.
- the roll 80 of adhesive tape and the applying roller 81 are supported, with the axis parallel to the film 20 advancement direction, on a vertical cutting plane defined by the circular blade 67.
- the applying roller 81 is carried by a rocker lever 83, which pivots on a pin 84 parallel to the axis of the roller 81 and which is moved by an actuator 85 mounted oscillating on the moving element 77.
- a roller 86 acting on the adhesive tape unwinding from the roll 80, is carried by a lever 87 which pivots on a pin 88 parallel to the axis of the roll 80.
- a not shown actuator moves the lever 87.
- the upper part of the moving element 77 carries also a blade 90, that is operated by a relative actuator 91 to severe the part of the adhesive tape necessary for splicing the film 20.
- the reel 2 is taken from the pallet 3, situated in the loading station 1, by the gripping head 5 of the picking up device 4, moved by the carriage 6 along the cross-bar 7 moving on the longitudinal side members 8 ( Figure 1).
- the reel 2 taken from the pallet 3 is brought to the cleaning device 11 and set onto the pin 15 ( Figure 2).
- the cleaning device 11 includes the bell 12, that is carried by the transversal arm 13 and is raised by the bar 14 from the rest position and moved over the reel 2 to be cleaned, as shown with broken line 12a in Figure 4. Then the bell 12 is lowered to the working position covering the reel 2 and set in suction, so as to perform the cleaning operation.
- the gripping head 5 of the pick up device 4 is moved to be lined up with the carrier axle 16 supporting the core 21 of the run out reel ( Figure 3).
- the removal of the core 21 from the hub 18 is facilitated by the pushing member 26, that is operated by the actuator 29 and slides axially through the sleeve 23, so as to push the core 21 outwards.
- the pick up device 4 discharges the core 21 onto the chute 17 and transports the reel 2 from the cleaning station 11 to the above mentioned reel carrier axle 16 ( Figure 5).
- the reel 2 is fixed on the axle 16 by the expansion means 19 of the hub 18 ( Figure 7).
- the packaging machine is fed with the film 20 unwinding from the reel 2 mounted on the other axle 16 beside, as schematically shown in Figure 8.
- the new reel 2 fixed on the reel carrier axle 16 is rotated by the friction roller 30 carried by the lever 31 set in contact with the reel 2.
- the device 40 is operated to severe the portion 51 of the adhesive tape which keeps the leading edge of the film 20 in adherence to the reel 2.
- the actuator 43 operates the parallel link 42 that carries the oscillating blade 41, so as to bring the blade 41 close to the reel 2, as seen in detail in Figure 9a; in this situation, the cam 47 acts as a track for the roller 46.
- the leading edge of the film 20 first engages the blade 41 ( Figurella) and then slides on the rear extension 52 of the blade 41, that acts as a guide for the film 20 to be introduced between the driving rollers 34,35 ( Figures 10, 11b).
- the film 20, pulled by the rollers 34,35, is introduced into the second curved guide 37, and when later it exits from the guide, it is taken between other driving rollers 38,39 and stopped in the region of the sensor 57, that detects the presence of the film.
- Another sensor 58 situated in the station 60, detects the running out of the film 20 and commands its stopping meanwhile operating the cutting group 66, whose circular blade 67 cuts a terminal part of this film, indicated with 200 ( Figure 12ab) for sake of clarity.
- the terminal part 200 is expelled by operating the rollers 64,65, that are rotated to drag this part 200 in direction C, opposite to the film 20 advancement direction.
- the deviation device 59 co-operates to this removal by acting on the part 200 at the outlet of the rollers 64,65, so as to prevent it from returning to the guide 55 ( Figure 12c).
- driving rollers 34,35; 38,39; 64,65 are made preferably as seen in the Figures 20a,20b, where the motorised roller, suitably covered with gum or similar material, is generally indicated with 97 and the contrast roller with 98.
- This contrast roller 98 is supported by an eccentric pin 99, which allows its detachment from the motorised roller 97.
- rollers 97,98 rotate in opposite directions, so as to pull the film 20 ( Figure 20a), while in a deactivated step the same rollers 97,98 are far from each other, so as to allow the film 20, pulled by the means of the packaging machine, to pass freely therebetween ( Figure 20b).
- the film 20 of the new reel 2 begins to advance, with its leading edge previously arranged in the wait position at the outlet of the driving rollers 38,39 ( Figure 12d).
- This film 20 passes through the splicing station 60 and is deviated downwards by the deviation means 61, so as not to interfere with the trailing edge of the film 20 fed previously, kept stopped in the station 60 after the terminal part 200 has been cut off.
- the taping group 76 is operated to apply, in the same station 60, a portion of adhesive tape which splices the leading and trailing edges of the first and second films 20 ( Figure 12f).
- the terminal part 200 and the beginning part 201 of the two films 20 to be spliced are cut off by the circular blade 67 of the cutting group 66, which is supported by the bar 68 and operated crosswise to the film 20 advancement direction, along the slit 71 having the stationary counter-blade 68 (see Figures 13 and 14).
- first and second gripping means formed by strips 72, 73, situated respectively downstream and upstream of the slit 71 made in the plate 70.
- the strips 72,73 are operated vertically by respective pairs of actuators 74,75 ( Figures 15 and 16).
- the leading and the trailing edges of the film 20 are spliced by the taping group 76, whose moving element 77 is operated crosswise to the film 20 advancement direction, along the guide stems 78.
- the applying roller 81 is brought to touch the edges of the film 20 being spliced because of the oscillation of the rocker lever 83, operated by the actuator 85, as seen in Figure 17.
- the adhesive tape unwinds from the roll 80, carried by the moving element 77 and is held on the applying roller 81 by the radial channels 82 connected to suction means.
- the blade 90 is operated to cut off the portion of the adhesive tape used for splicing the edges of the film 20 ( Figure 19).
- roller 86 carried by the swinging lever 87 acts on the adhesive tape unwinding from the roll 80, so as to keep the tape and avoid rewinding thereof on the roll 80 ( Figure 19).
- the described apparatus allows to feed, automatically and continuously, a film of heat-formable material to a machine packaging articles in blister packs and the like.
- the apparatus automatically substitutes the run out reel of the heat-formable material with a new one, automatically prepares the leading edge of the new film reel near the splicing station and splices the edges without the operator's intervention.
- the film 20 size is changed by an adjustment device 100, acting simultaneously on the reel carrier axles 16.
- This adjustment device 100 includes, as seen in Figures 22a,22b, a screw shaft 101 rotatably supported by a frame 102 with its axis parallel to the reel carrier axles 16.
- the screw shaft 101 is rotated by a motor 103, linked to an encoder 104, and engages a threaded bushing 105, fastened to the plate 25, guided on shafts 106 of the frame 102.
- the plate 25 supports also the tubes 22 of the two reel carrier axles 16.
- the screw shaft 101 carries also a pulley 107, connected to a toothed belt 108 transmitting motion to another pulley 109 mounted on a shaft 110 of the adjustment groups 50 of the guides 36,37, as seen in Figure 7.
- the guides 36,37 are preferably composed of a pair of central stationary section bars 111 and pairs of lateral section bars 112,113, supporting and containing bars, respectively.
- section bars are carried by relative support bodies 114 sliding on shafts 115, transversally fastened to the side 24 of the apparatus stationary frame.
- the central section bars 111 are fastened to the shafts 115.
- the support bodies 114 form respective internal threadings coupled with threaded portions 110a,110b of the adjustment shaft 110.
- the portions 110a,110b are respectively right-hand and left-hand threaded, so as to determine, when the adjustment shaft 110 rotates, symmetrical sliding of the support bodies 114 carrying the section bars 112,113, as indicated with broken lines 114a, relative to the position of minimum mutual distance between the above mentioned section bars 112,113.
- rotation of the screw shaft 101 (suitably multiplied and measured by an encoder 104) driven by the motor 103, determines translation of the plate 25, with the tubes 22 of the reel carrier axles 16 fastened thereto, so that the pushing means 26, against which the reels stop, are likewise moved.
- operation of the screw shaft 101 controls, by transmission to a toothed belt 108, the rotation of the shaft 110 of the adjustment groups 50 of the curved guides 36,37, so as to cause a corresponding translation of the lateral section bars 112,113, respectively supporting and enclosing the film 20 to be fed.
- the storage device 63 for continuous feeding of the film 20 to the forming station of the packaging machine is adjusted during the above mentioned step, in which the film 20 is stopped in the region of the splicing station 60.
- the adjustment group 94 features a screw shaft 116 rotated by an intermediate stationary support body 117 equipped with right-hand and left-hand respectively threaded portions 116a,116b, coupled with corresponding means 118 supporting the side panels 93.
- the screw shaft 116 is rotated by a motor 119, so as to determine the symmetrical sliding of the means 118 supporting the side panels 93, as indicated with broken lines 93a, relative to the position of minimum mutual distance between the above mentioned side panels 93.
- the upper parts of the support means 118 form respective spouts 96 turned inwards, aimed at guiding the edges of the film 20 pulled by the driving roller 92 on a horizontal outlet plane 95.
- Figure 24 shows a block diagram of electronic means 120 for controlling the above mentioned adjustment groups, where the numeral 121 indicates generally a motor which rotates the screw shaft 123 coupled to the member to be adjusted 124.
- the motor 121 is linked to an encoder 122.
- control means 120 includes a programmable central processing unit 125, formed substantially by a microprocessor controlling a programmable logic system 126.
- This system 126 controls the motor 121 via a relay 127, to which the limit stop sensors 128, 129 are connected, for safety.
- the programmable logic system 126 receives signals sent by the encoder 122 and the a zero sensor 130.
- the control means 120 can be operated by means of a keyboard 131, or e.g. a touch screen input device.
- the subject apparatus performs automatically adjusting operations required during the size change over for film of different dimensions to be fed to the packaging machine.
Landscapes
- Replacement Of Web Rolls (AREA)
- Auxiliary Devices For And Details Of Packaging Control (AREA)
- Containers And Plastic Fillers For Packaging (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to packaging articles into so-called blister packs, that are obtained from a film of a heat-formable material.
- In particular, the invention relates to an apparatus for feeding this heat-formable film to machines for packaging articles into blister packs.
- It is known that working stations of machines producing blister packs, e.g. for packaging pharmaceutical products, must be fed with a heat-formable film.
- This film is usually produced in reels, which are mounted on suitable carriers pins of the packaging machine. The film is unwound from the reel while being fed to the machine.
- When the reel is run out, it is necessary to substitute it with a new one, removing the empty reel core from the carrier axle and mounting a new reel.
- At present, this operation is performed manually by an operator and obviously, it requires interruption of the packaging process.
- More recent packaging machines are provided with two reel carrier axles, used alternatively, so that the film is fed almost continuously.
- In this case, the operator prepares a new reel on a carrier axle, when film is unwound from the other reel, and locates the leading edge of the new reel near a splicing station, in which the trailing edge of the run out reel and the leading edge of the new, full reel are then spliced automatically. The two edges are joined by an adhesive tape, previously prepared by the operator.
- Likewise, the adjusting operations necessary to change the size of the film of heat-formable material from which the blister packs are obtained, are performed manually by the operator.
- Document EP-A-0395027 describes an apparatus which has first and second loading means. First and second rolls of a strip-like material are loaded on the first and second loading means and a detection means detects an end indication tape adhered to a trailing end portion of the strip-like material of the rolls.
- A cutting/unrolling means automatically unrolls the strip-like material from the rolls and cuts the leading and trailing end portions of the strip-like material to form the leading and trailing ends.
- The unrolled strip-like material is guided along a predetermined path by a guide means and a joining station is arranged midway along the guide path. One of the strip-like materials is fed through the joining station by a feeding means and the leading end portion of the other strip-like material is stopped and stands by at the joining station.
- When the trailing end of one strip-like material passes through the joining station, the leading end of the other standby strip-like material is joined to the trailing end of the one strip-like material by a joining means.
- Also document GB-A-2181414 discloses a device for splicing webs of packaging material, in which the trailing end of a packaging strip wound off a used-up roll is spliced to the leading end of a packaging material coming from a new roll.
- The device includes means for detecting proximity of the leading edge of a new strip when fed into the guide means. The trailing end of the used strip is cut by means located upstream of the guide means, and timing means are used to set the operating time lapse of pressure means according to the length of the splice as established by the cutting means.
- The object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus that allows to feed, automatically and continuously, a film of heat-formable material to a machine for packaging articles in blister packs and the like.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus that can automatically set new reels of heat-formable film on the carrier axles and automatically remove the run out reel cores from the carrier axles.
- A further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus that automatically prepares the leading edge of the new film reel meanwhile locating it near the splicing station and that automatically applies the adhesive tape at the moment of splicing of the leading edge of the new film to the trailing edge of the run out film reel.
- Still another object of the invention is to provide a heat-formable film feeding apparatus which performs automatically adjusting operations required during the film size change over.
- The above mentioned objects are obtained by means of an apparatus for feeding a film of heat-formable material to a machine for packaging articles in blister packs or the like, said apparatus being characterised in that it includes:
- a first and a second curved guides, which are fed with respectively a first and a second film of a heat-formable material, to be fed one after the other to a packaging machine and unwinding from relative reels mounted on a first and a second reel carrier axles;
- driving means situated upstream and downstream of said curved guides respectively, and operated for advancing said films;
- first and second sensors situated in the region of the outlets of said curved guides respectively, downstream of said driving means, for detecting the presence of the leading edges of said films to stop said leading edges in a position, in which they are ready to be fed to said packaging machine.
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- The claimed apparatus also includes a splicing station, in which the leading edge and the trailing edge of said first and second films, fed one after the other to a packaging machine, are spliced.
- The splicing station is equipped with:
- sensor means, for detecting running out of said first film and commanding thereafter the supply of said second film;
- a cutting group, featuring a blade operated crosswise to said films, so as to cut respectively, a terminal part and a beginning part of said films;
- first and second gripping means for clamping said films against stationary stop means, respectively downstream and upstream of the cutting line of said cutting group;
- a taping group, moving crosswise to said films on the same plane as the cutting group and supporting an applying roller, fed with adhesive tape taken from a reel , said applying roller being carried in oscillating condition between a working position, in which it touches said leading and trailing edges of said films being spliced, and a rest position in which said applying roller is located far from these edges of the films;
- said taping group being also equipped with cutting means for severing the portion of adhesive tape to be applied to the films edges.
-
- Characteristics features of the invention will be pointed out in the following, with particular reference to the enclosed drawings, in which:
- Figure 1 is a plan view of a station, in which the heat-formable film reels are loaded on the machine;
- Figure 2 is a vertical section view of a particular of the loading station, taken along line II-II of Figure 1;
- Figures 3 and 4 show plan and section views of the above mentioned loading station in another working step, the section view being taken along line IV-IV of Figure 3;
- Figure 5 is the same plan view of the loading station, in a further working step;
- Figures 6 and 7 are section views of reel carriers, taken along lines VI-VI of Figure 3 and VII-VII of Figure 5, respectively;
- Figure 8 is a schematic front view of the subject apparatus;
- Figures 9a, 9b illustrate the same enlarged front view of a particular of the apparatus in two characteristic working configurations, that allow vision of means for cutting an adhesive tape which keeps the leading edge of a reel in adherence thereto;
- Figure 10 is a further front view of the apparatus in a working step different from the one of Figure 8;
- Figures 11a and 11b illustrate section plan views of a portion of the apparatus, in different working steps, taken along the section line XI-XI of Figure 10;
- Figures 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, 12e and 12f show a portion of the schematic front view of the apparatus, during subsequent splicing steps of the heat-formable films;
- Figure 13 is a section schematic view taken along a plane crosswise to the film advancement direction in the splicing station, with some parts removed and others in section;
- Figure 14 is a schematic view according to the arrow W of Figure 13, of the splicing station, with some parts removed and others in section;
- Figures 15 and 16 show the same views as in Figures 13, 14
- Figures 17 and 18 show the same view as in Figure 15 of
- Figure 19 shows an enlarged particular of Figure 18;
- Figures 20a, 20b illustrate schematic views of means for driving the above mentioned film, in different working configurations;
- Figures 21a and 21b illustrate sectional views of the particular of Figure 13 taken along the line XXI-XXI;
- Figures 22a and 22b show a plan view of the means for adjusting the apparatus in accordance with the size of the heat-formable film;
- Figure 23 is a transversal sectional view of other size adjusting means;
- Figure 24 shows a block diagram of electronic control means for the above mentioned adjusting means.
- With reference to the above mentioned figures, a
station 1, in which thereels 2 of heat-formable film material 20 are loaded on theapparatus 10, from which thefilm 20 is fed to a machine for packaging articles into blister packs. - The
reels 2 to be loaded are disposed in thestation 1 arranged with vertical axis and on apallet 3, that is located in a predetermined position in the station 1 (Fig. 1). - A
device 4, situated in theloading station 1 for picking up thereels 2, is equipped with agripping head 5 carried by acarriage 6 sliding on ahorizontal cross-bar 7. - The cross-bar 7 moves on
longitudinal side members 8. - The
gripping head 5 is operated by suitable actuators which move it vertically to thecarriage 6 and make it oscillate about a horizontal axis parallel to theside members 8. - The
gripping head 5 is equipped with expansion means 9 which engage thereel 2 to be loaded onto the apparatus (Figures 2 and 6). - The
device 4 picks up thereels 2 from thepallet 3 and moves them to acleaning device 11 equipped with abell member 12 connected to known suction means (Figure 2). - The
bell 12 is carried by anarm 13 connected crosswise to avertical bar 14 which moves vertically and rotates about its axis. In this way, the bell is moved between a rest position and a working position coaxial with apin 15 on which thereel 2 to be cleaned has been set. - Then, the pick up
device 4 puts the cleanedreels 2 on areel carrying axle 16 of theapparatus 10. - Actually, the
apparatus 10 has tworeel carrying axles 16, arranged one beside the other, onto which thereels 2 to be used in sequence, are set, as will be explained in the following. - The
station 1 is also provided with achute 17 for discharging thecores 21 of the run out reels, after they have been extracted from the relativereel carrying axle 16. - More precisely, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, each
reel carrier axle 16 includes ahub 18 equipped with expansion means 19, which lock thereel 2 when it is loaded on the apparatus. - The
hub 18 extends from ashaft 28, rotatably supported by atube 22, sliding through asleeve 23 integral with aside 24 of the apparatus stationary frame (Figure 7). - The rear ends of the
tubes 22 of the tworeel carrying axles 16 are fastened to a common plate 25 (see Figures 22a, 22b). - A
pusher stop 26 is fixed to the front part of thesleeve 23 for expelling thecore 21 of the run outreels 2, and is substantially formed by a cup guided bybars 27 passing longitudinally through thesleeve 23. - One of the
bars 27 is fastened to the shaft of anactuator 29, e.g. a pneumatic cylinder, which makes thepusher 26 slide axially. - A
friction roller 30, suitably driven by a motor, acts on the external part of eachreel 2 mounted on eachaxle 16 of the apparatus 10 (Figure 8). - The
friction roller 30 is supported by a swinginglever 31 pivoting on apin 33, that is parallel to thereel carrier axles 16, and operated by anactuator 32. - The heat-
formable film 20 is pulled by a pair ofrollers reels 2. - The driving
rollers film 20, unwinding from thereels 2, respectively to a first and to a secondcurved guides - The
guides respective adjustment groups 50, described in detail later. - Another pair of
rollers curved guide relative film 20. - A ripping
device 40, situated upstream of the drivingrollers portion 51 of adhesive tape, which normally keeps the leading edge of thefilm 20 in wound in adherence to the reel (see Figure 11a). - The ripping
device 40, seen in detail in Figures 9a,9b, features ablade 41, carried by aparallel link 42 operated by anactuator 43, so that the blade is moved along the already mentioned vertical surface (Figure 8). - The
blade 41 is bound to the parallel link via alever 44 pivoted on apin 45 of a connecting rod of thelink 42. Thelever 44 has aroller 46 following the path of acam 47. - The
lever 44 is yieldingly biased by areturn spring 48 anchored to the connecting rod of themechanism 42. - The
cam 47 is fastened to a rockinglever 49, operated by an actuator not shown in the figures, so that the cam oscillates on the already mentioned vertical surface. - Oscillation of the
cam 47, of limited width, causes rotation of theblade 41 between a position raised with respect to the reel and a lowered, ripping position, skimming thereel 2 as indicated with 41a in Figure 9b. - The rear part of the
blade 41 features anextension 52 acting, together with a stationary, inclined,flat member 53, as a guide for thefilm 20, when the latter runs between therollers - This
extension 52 features arear indentation 54, aimed at avoiding interference with theflat member 53 when theblade 41 is moving operated by the mechanism 42 (see Figures 11a, 11b). - At the outlet of the
guides film 20, unwinding from thereels 2 due to the action of the respective pair ofrollers stationary guide 55. - These inlet parts are convergent towards the only plane on which the film is fed to the machine. The feeding plane is horizontal and extends along a longitudinal axis of the packaging machine.
- A first and a
second sensor rollers relative film 20 at the outlet of theguides - Another
sensor 58 is situated at the outlet of theguide 55, downstream of deviation means 59 operated by a relative actuator to act on the film 20 (Figure 8). - The
film 20, fed to the packaging machine, passes through a splicing station, indicated with 60, in which there are also second deviation means 61. - Then, the
film 20 is conveyed through a series of turn-aboutrollers 62 to astorage device 63 for continuous feeding of thefilm 20 to a forming station of the packaging machine (see again Figure 8), e.g. of the type disclosed in the Patent Application BO97A 000151 of the same Applicant. - This
storage device 63 is substantially formed by a pair ofside panels 93 enclosing thefilm 20 and situated on vertical planes longitudinal to the movement direction of thefilm 20. When thefilm 20 exits from between the panels, it turns about another turn-aboutroller 92. - The
side panels 93 are carried by anadjustment group 94, described in detail in the following. - At the inlet of the
splicing station 60, thefilm 20 is pulled by a further pair ofrollers sensor 58, and driven by motor means. - The
splicing station 60, illustrated in detail in Figures 14 and 15, features acutting group 66 equipped with acircular blade 67 carried by ahorizontal bar 68, which is operated by known and not shown means to move along an axis crosswise to thefilm 20 advancement direction. - The
circular blade 67 co-operates with a stationary counter-blade 69 situated within aslit 71 made in the lower part of aplate 70, that acts as a stop for the moving film 20 (Figures 21a, 21b). - First and second gripping means of the
film 20, connected to theplate 70, are formed by a pair ofhorizontal strips film 20 advancement direction, respectively downstream and upstream of theslit 71 inside which thecircular blade 67 runs (see again Figures 21a, 21b). - The
strips actuators - It is to be pointed out that the above mentioned deviation means 61 are carried by a
plate 70 downstream of thefirst strip 72 gripping thefilm 20 along the already mentioned film advancement direction A. - Moreover, the
splicing station 60 features ataping group 76 equipped with anelement 77 driven to move, on a plane transversal to thefilm 20 advancement direction, by a pair of guiding stems 78. - At its side, the moving
element 77 carries apin 79 supporting aroll 80 of adhesive tape, to be applied to thefilm 20. - Over the
roll 80 of the adhesive tape, the movingelement 77 carries an applyingroller 81, better seen in Figure 19; thisroller 81 features a series ofradial channels 82, which are connected to known suction means, so as to keep on its outer surface the tape to be applied, obviously with its adhesive part turned outside. - The
roll 80 of adhesive tape and the applyingroller 81 are supported, with the axis parallel to thefilm 20 advancement direction, on a vertical cutting plane defined by thecircular blade 67. - The applying
roller 81 is carried by arocker lever 83, which pivots on apin 84 parallel to the axis of theroller 81 and which is moved by anactuator 85 mounted oscillating on the movingelement 77. - A
roller 86, acting on the adhesive tape unwinding from theroll 80, is carried by alever 87 which pivots on apin 88 parallel to the axis of theroll 80. A not shown actuator moves thelever 87. - Moreover, the upper part of the moving
element 77 carries also ablade 90, that is operated by arelative actuator 91 to severe the part of the adhesive tape necessary for splicing thefilm 20. - Now operation of the described apparatus will be explained beginning from the step, in which a
new reel 2 of heat-formable film 20 is loaded on theapparatus 10 to substitute a run out reel. - The
reel 2 is taken from thepallet 3, situated in theloading station 1, by the grippinghead 5 of the picking updevice 4, moved by thecarriage 6 along the cross-bar 7 moving on the longitudinal side members 8 (Figure 1). - The
reel 2 taken from thepallet 3 is brought to thecleaning device 11 and set onto the pin 15 (Figure 2). - The
cleaning device 11 includes thebell 12, that is carried by thetransversal arm 13 and is raised by thebar 14 from the rest position and moved over thereel 2 to be cleaned, as shown withbroken line 12a in Figure 4. Then thebell 12 is lowered to the working position covering thereel 2 and set in suction, so as to perform the cleaning operation. - During the
reel 2 cleaning operation, the grippinghead 5 of the pick updevice 4 is moved to be lined up with thecarrier axle 16 supporting thecore 21 of the run out reel (Figure 3). - The
core 21, released by the expansion means 19 of thehub 18 of thereel carrier axle 16, is locked by the expansion means 9 of thegripping head 5 axially introduced into this core 21 (Figure 6). - The removal of the core 21 from the
hub 18 is facilitated by the pushingmember 26, that is operated by theactuator 29 and slides axially through thesleeve 23, so as to push thecore 21 outwards. - The pick up
device 4 discharges the core 21 onto thechute 17 and transports thereel 2 from the cleaningstation 11 to the above mentioned reel carrier axle 16 (Figure 5). - The
reel 2 is fixed on theaxle 16 by the expansion means 19 of the hub 18 (Figure 7). - It is to be pointed out that during the above mentioned steps, the packaging machine is fed with the
film 20 unwinding from thereel 2 mounted on theother axle 16 beside, as schematically shown in Figure 8. - The
film 20, guided through the firstcurved guide 36, passes freely through thesplicing station 60 and folds between theside panels 93 of thestorage device 63 situated upstream of the forming station of the packaging machine. - The
new reel 2, fixed on thereel carrier axle 16, is rotated by thefriction roller 30 carried by thelever 31 set in contact with thereel 2. - At this moment, the
device 40 is operated to severe theportion 51 of the adhesive tape which keeps the leading edge of thefilm 20 in adherence to thereel 2. - For this purpose, the
actuator 43 operates theparallel link 42 that carries theoscillating blade 41, so as to bring theblade 41 close to thereel 2, as seen in detail in Figure 9a; in this situation, thecam 47 acts as a track for theroller 46. - Afterwards, the
cam 47 is swung so that theblade 41 rotates to reach the loweredsevering position 41a to skim the reel 2 (see Figure 9b). - In this position, the
roller 46 is moved away from thecam 47, so that it does not hinder the action of thespring 48, that yieldingly biases theblade 41 against the reel 2 (see again Figure 9b). - With the
device 40 set in this configuration, rotation of thereel 2 in direction B provokes ripping of theportion 51 of the adhesive tape and detaching of the leading edge of the film 20 (Figure 10). - In particular, the leading edge of the
film 20 first engages the blade 41 (Figurella) and then slides on therear extension 52 of theblade 41, that acts as a guide for thefilm 20 to be introduced between the drivingrollers 34,35 (Figures 10, 11b). - The
film 20, pulled by therollers curved guide 37, and when later it exits from the guide, it is taken between other drivingrollers sensor 57, that detects the presence of the film. - In this wait position, the
film 20 is ready to be fed to the packaging machine. - Inverse rotation of the
mechanism 42 and the detachment of thefriction roller 30 from thereel 2, brings the cutting offdevice 40 back to the rest position in suitable time relation with the introduction of thefilm 20 into thecurved guide 37. - When the
previous reel 2 is run out, the trailing edge of therelative film 20, moving in direction A, is removed from thecurved guide 36 and sent to the inlet of the splicing station 60 (Figure 12a). - Another
sensor 58, situated in thestation 60, detects the running out of thefilm 20 and commands its stopping meanwhile operating thecutting group 66, whosecircular blade 67 cuts a terminal part of this film, indicated with 200 (Figure 12ab) for sake of clarity. - Then, the
terminal part 200 is expelled by operating therollers part 200 in direction C, opposite to thefilm 20 advancement direction. - The
deviation device 59 co-operates to this removal by acting on thepart 200 at the outlet of therollers - It is to be noted that the above mentioned driving
rollers - This
contrast roller 98 is supported by aneccentric pin 99, which allows its detachment from themotorised roller 97. - Therefore, during an active step, the
rollers same rollers film 20, pulled by the means of the packaging machine, to pass freely therebetween (Figure 20b). - After the
terminal part 200 of the run out film has been cut off and expelled, with trailing edge of the run out film locked in thesplicing station 60, thefilm 20 of thenew reel 2 begins to advance, with its leading edge previously arranged in the wait position at the outlet of the drivingrollers 38,39 (Figure 12d). - This
film 20 passes through thesplicing station 60 and is deviated downwards by the deviation means 61, so as not to interfere with the trailing edge of thefilm 20 fed previously, kept stopped in thestation 60 after theterminal part 200 has been cut off. - Then, also the
new film 20 is stopped and thecutting group 66 is operated to cut, with thecircular blade 67, an initial part of this film, indicated with 201 (Figure 12e). - Finally, the
taping group 76 is operated to apply, in thesame station 60, a portion of adhesive tape which splices the leading and trailing edges of the first and second films 20 (Figure 12f). - More precisely, the
terminal part 200 and thebeginning part 201 of the twofilms 20 to be spliced are cut off by thecircular blade 67 of thecutting group 66, which is supported by thebar 68 and operated crosswise to thefilm 20 advancement direction, along theslit 71 having the stationary counter-blade 68 (see Figures 13 and 14). - During the cutting step, the
film 20 is clamped against thestop plate 70 by first and second gripping means, formed bystrips slit 71 made in theplate 70. - The
strips actuators 74,75 (Figures 15 and 16). - The leading and the trailing edges of the
film 20 are spliced by thetaping group 76, whose movingelement 77 is operated crosswise to thefilm 20 advancement direction, along the guide stems 78. - During the adhesive tape application stroke, the applying
roller 81 is brought to touch the edges of thefilm 20 being spliced because of the oscillation of therocker lever 83, operated by theactuator 85, as seen in Figure 17. - The adhesive tape unwinds from the
roll 80, carried by the movingelement 77 and is held on the applyingroller 81 by theradial channels 82 connected to suction means. - When the adhesive tape application stroke is completed, the applying
roller 81 is moved away from the edges of thefilm 20 being spliced by inverse oscillation of the rocker lever 83 (Figure 18). - Afterwards, the
blade 90 is operated to cut off the portion of the adhesive tape used for splicing the edges of the film 20 (Figure 19). - It is to be noted that, during the cutting action, the
roller 86 carried by the swinginglever 87 acts on the adhesive tape unwinding from theroll 80, so as to keep the tape and avoid rewinding thereof on the roll 80 (Figure 19). - The described apparatus allows to feed, automatically and continuously, a film of heat-formable material to a machine packaging articles in blister packs and the like.
- In particular, the apparatus automatically substitutes the run out reel of the heat-formable material with a new one, automatically prepares the leading edge of the new film reel near the splicing station and splices the edges without the operator's intervention.
- The
film 20 size is changed by anadjustment device 100, acting simultaneously on thereel carrier axles 16. - This
adjustment device 100 includes, as seen in Figures 22a,22b, ascrew shaft 101 rotatably supported by aframe 102 with its axis parallel to thereel carrier axles 16. - The
screw shaft 101 is rotated by amotor 103, linked to anencoder 104, and engages a threadedbushing 105, fastened to theplate 25, guided onshafts 106 of theframe 102. - The
plate 25 supports also thetubes 22 of the tworeel carrier axles 16. - The
screw shaft 101 carries also apulley 107, connected to atoothed belt 108 transmitting motion to anotherpulley 109 mounted on ashaft 110 of theadjustment groups 50 of theguides - The
guides - These section bars are carried by
relative support bodies 114 sliding onshafts 115, transversally fastened to theside 24 of the apparatus stationary frame. - The central section bars 111 are fastened to the
shafts 115. - The
support bodies 114 form respective internal threadings coupled with threadedportions 110a,110b of theadjustment shaft 110. - The
portions 110a,110b are respectively right-hand and left-hand threaded, so as to determine, when theadjustment shaft 110 rotates, symmetrical sliding of thesupport bodies 114 carrying the section bars 112,113, as indicated withbroken lines 114a, relative to the position of minimum mutual distance between the above mentioned section bars 112,113. - Therefore, rotation of the screw shaft 101 (suitably multiplied and measured by an encoder 104) driven by the
motor 103, determines translation of theplate 25, with thetubes 22 of thereel carrier axles 16 fastened thereto, so that the pushingmeans 26, against which the reels stop, are likewise moved. - This allows to maintain unmoved the median plane X of the
reels 2, during the adjustment step, as seen in Figures 7, 22a and 22b, relative respectively to the reels of maximum and minimum size used by the packaging machine. - Simultaneously, operation of the
screw shaft 101 controls, by transmission to atoothed belt 108, the rotation of theshaft 110 of theadjustment groups 50 of thecurved guides film 20 to be fed. - Likewise, the
storage device 63 for continuous feeding of thefilm 20 to the forming station of the packaging machine, is adjusted during the above mentioned step, in which thefilm 20 is stopped in the region of thesplicing station 60. - For this purpose, as seen in Figure 23, the
adjustment group 94 features ascrew shaft 116 rotated by an intermediatestationary support body 117 equipped with right-hand and left-hand respectively threadedportions 116a,116b, coupled withcorresponding means 118 supporting theside panels 93. - The
screw shaft 116 is rotated by amotor 119, so as to determine the symmetrical sliding of themeans 118 supporting theside panels 93, as indicated withbroken lines 93a, relative to the position of minimum mutual distance between the above mentionedside panels 93. - It is to be noted that, the upper parts of the support means 118 form
respective spouts 96 turned inwards, aimed at guiding the edges of thefilm 20 pulled by the drivingroller 92 on ahorizontal outlet plane 95. - Figure 24 shows a block diagram of
electronic means 120 for controlling the above mentioned adjustment groups, where the numeral 121 indicates generally a motor which rotates thescrew shaft 123 coupled to the member to be adjusted 124. Themotor 121 is linked to anencoder 122. - The above mentioned control means 120 includes a programmable
central processing unit 125, formed substantially by a microprocessor controlling aprogrammable logic system 126. - This
system 126 controls themotor 121 via arelay 127, to which thelimit stop sensors - The
programmable logic system 126 receives signals sent by theencoder 122 and the a zerosensor 130. - The control means 120 can be operated by means of a
keyboard 131, or e.g. a touch screen input device. - The above mentioned technical-functional features can be used in all similar solutions when considered with reference to the apparatus being the subject of the present invention.
- According to what has been said hereintofore, the subject apparatus performs automatically adjusting operations required during the size change over for film of different dimensions to be fed to the packaging machine.
- These adjustment operations are carried out with centralised commands sent by programmable logic means 120, and intervention of the operator is not needed to substitute parts or to perform other similar operations.
Claims (12)
- Apparatus for feeding a film of heat-formable material to a machine for packaging articles in blister packs or the like, said apparatus including:a first and a second curved guides (36,37), through which respectively a first and a second film (20) of a heat-formable material are fed, one after the other, to a packaging machine while they are unwound from relative reels (2) mounted on a first and a second reel carrier axles (16);driving means (34,35) situated upstream of said curved guides (36,37) and operated to direct the film (20) respectively to said first and second curved guides (36,37);other driving means (38,39) situated downstream of said curved guides (36,37), and operated to provoke advancement of said films (20) towards said packaging machine;first and second sensors (56,57) situated at the outlet of said curved guides (36,37) respectively, downstream of said other driving means (38, 39), for detecting the presence of the leading edges of said films (20) and for stopping said films in a position in which they are ready to be fed to said packaging machine;said apparatus being characterized in that it further includes:a splicing station (60), in which the leading edge and the trailing edge of said first and second films (20) are spliced;said splicing station (60) being equipped with:another sensor means (58), situated at the outlet of said first guide (36) for detecting running out of said first film (20) to command consequently supply of said second film (20);a cutting group (66), featuring a blade (67) operated crosswise to said films (20) movement direction (A), so as to cut respectively, a terminal part (200) and beginning part (201) of said films (20);first and second gripping means (72,73) clamping said films (20) against stationary stop means (70), respectively downstream and upstream of a cutting line of said cutting group (66);a taping group (76), moving crosswise to said films (20) movement direction (A) on the same plane as the cutting group (66) and supporting an applying roller (81), fed with adhesive tape taken from a reel (80), said applying roller (81) being carried in oscillating condition between a working position in which it touches said leading and trailing edges of said films (20) being spliced, and a rest position in which said applying roller is located far from these edges of said films (20);said taping group (76) being also equipped with cutting means (90) for severing the portion of said adhesive tape to be applied to said films (20) edges.
- Apparatus, according to claim 1, characterised in that it includes a reels (2) loading station (1), with a device (4) for picking up said reels (2) equipped with a gripping head (5) carried by a carriage (6) sliding on a horizontal cross-bar (7), said cross-bar (7) moving along a direction parallel to said film advancement direction (A), with said gripping head (5) made vertically movable with respect to said carriage (6) and swingable about an axis paralle to said film advancement direction (A), to pick up the reels (2) to be loaded from support means (3) and to set the reels (2) on related reel carrier axles (16).
- Apparatus, according to claim 2, characterised in that said loading station (1) includes a reels (2) cleaning device (11) equipped with a bell member (12) connected to suction means and carried by an arm (13) connected crosswise to a vertical bar (14), said vertical bar being moved vertically and rotated about its axis between a rest position and a working position in which it is coaxial with a pin (15) on which the reel (2) to be cleaned has to be set.
- Apparatus, according to claim 1, characterised in that it includes a ripping device (40), situated upstream of said curved guides (36,37) for ripping a portion (51) of adhesive tape which normally keeps a leading edge of the film (20) in adherence to the reel (2), with said ripping device (40) featuring a blade (41) carried by a parallel link (42) longitudinal to the movement direction (A), said blade (41) being bound to said parallel link (42) via a lever (44) pivoted to said link (42) and equipped with a roller (46) following the path of a cam (47) due to the action of elastic means (48), with said cam (47) oscillating on the already mentioned vertical surface, thus causing rotation of said blade (41) between a raised position, with respect to the reel (2), and a lowered, ripping position, in which the blade (41) skims the reel (2) and said roller(46) is separated from said cam (47) to allow said elastic means (48) to push said blade against said reel (2).
- Apparatus, according to claim 1, characterised in that said cutting group (66) is equipped with a circular blade (67) carried by a horizontal bar (68), which is operated to move crosswise to the film (20) advancement direction, with said circular blade (67) co-operating with a stationary counter-blade (69) situated within a slit (71) made in the lower part of a plate (70).
- Apparatus, according to claim 5, characterised in that first and second gripping means (72,73) of the film 20 are formed by a pair of horizontal strips (72,73), disposed crosswise to the film (20) advancement direction (A), respectively downstream and upstream of the slit (71) of said plate (70), inside which the circular blade (67) runs, and operated by respective pairs of actuators (74,75) to move vertically.
- Apparatus, according to claim 1, characterised in that said taping group (76) is equipped with a roller (86), carried by a lever (87) which oscillates parallel to the axis of said roll (80), and acting on the adhesive tape unwinding from the roll (80), so as to reduce the tension during the cutting operation.
- Apparatus, according to claim 1, characterised in that said splicing station (60) includes first and second deviation means (59,61) situated one after the other upstream of said cutting group (66) and acting respectively on said terminal part (200) and beginning part (201) of said film (20) being ejected.
- Apparatus, according to claim 1, characterised in that it includes a storage device (63), situated downstream of said splicing station (60) and aimed at continuous feeding of the film (20), with said device (63) formed by a pair of side panels (93) enclosing said film (20) and arranged on surfaces longitudinal to the film (20) advancement direction (A) and carried by a group (94) adjusting the mutual distance of said panels (93).
- Apparatus, according to claim 1, characterised in that it includes an adjustment device (100), equipped with a screw shaft (101) carried rotatably with its axis parallel to the reel carrier axles (16) and crosswise to said film (20) movement direction (A), and engaging a threaded bushing (105) joined to respective tubes (22) of the two reel carrying axles (16), which are fastened to respective means (26), against which the reels (2) stop.
- Apparatus, according to claim 10, characterised in that said stop means (26) slide axially to said tubes (22) and are operated by respective actuators (29), so as to eject cores (21) of said run out reels (2).
- Apparatus, according to claim 10, characterised in that said screw shaft (101) drives to rotate, by transmission means (108), respective shafts (110) of a first and a second adjustment group (50) of respective guides (36,37), with said guides (36,37) preferably equipped with lateral section bars (112,113), supporting and containing bars, respectively, carried by relative support bodies (114) sliding crosswise to said film (20) advancement direction (A) and forming respective internal threads coupled with portions (110a,110b) threaded in direction opposite to said shafts (110).
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
IT97BO000152A IT1292802B1 (en) | 1997-03-18 | 1997-03-18 | EQUIPMENT FOR FEEDING A FILM OF THERMOFORMABLE MATERIAL INTO PACKAGING MACHINES FOR PRODUCTS IN |
ITBO970152 | 1997-03-18 | ||
PCT/IB1998/000349 WO1998041463A2 (en) | 1997-03-18 | 1998-03-13 | Apparatus for feeding a film to a machine for packaging articles |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0968127A2 EP0968127A2 (en) | 2000-01-05 |
EP0968127B1 true EP0968127B1 (en) | 2001-07-18 |
Family
ID=11342112
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP98905567A Expired - Lifetime EP0968127B1 (en) | 1997-03-18 | 1998-03-13 | Apparatus for feeding a film to a machine for packaging articles |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0968127B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP4236703B2 (en) |
DE (1) | DE69801153T2 (en) |
IT (1) | IT1292802B1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO1998041463A2 (en) |
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FR2823190B1 (en) * | 2001-04-10 | 2003-09-05 | Cermex Ouest Conditionnement | METHOD FOR RECHARGING A WRAPPER WITH A PLASTIC FILM, AND WRAPPER IMPLEMENTING THE METHOD |
DE102004047031A1 (en) * | 2004-09-28 | 2006-06-14 | Siemens Ag | Feeding device for electrical components and method for conveying components in a feeder |
CN103112742B (en) * | 2013-02-26 | 2016-03-16 | 马勇强 | A kind of breathable composite film unwinding device placed in the middle placed in the middle and job operation thereof |
CN110422382B (en) * | 2019-08-21 | 2024-03-12 | 厚德食品股份有限公司 | Marinated egg packaging lower film forming mechanism |
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GB922898A (en) * | 1958-05-22 | 1963-04-03 | Walker Enfield Ltd | Improvements in or relating to strip splicing apparatus |
DE2361317A1 (en) * | 1973-12-08 | 1975-06-12 | Agfa Gevaert Ag | Unrolled strip joining mechanism - has adhesive tape roll with pressure roller and knife on transverse track |
GB1519524A (en) * | 1975-11-19 | 1978-08-02 | Agfa Gevaert | Butt splicer for butt-joining a fresh web to an expiring web |
GB2093808B (en) * | 1980-12-22 | 1985-05-30 | British American Tobacco Co | Splicing webs |
JPS57142815A (en) * | 1981-02-18 | 1982-09-03 | Ckd Corp | Method and device for automitically connecting film |
EP0099732B1 (en) * | 1982-07-17 | 1989-04-05 | Hurley Moate Engineering Company Limited | Apparatus and methods for joining webs |
IT1186633B (en) * | 1985-10-11 | 1987-12-04 | Gd Spa | DEVICE TO JOIN THE FINAL END OF A TAPE WRAPPED IN A REEL EXHAUST WITH THE INITIAL END OF A NEW REEL |
IT1191362B (en) * | 1986-06-23 | 1988-03-16 | Az Cost Macchine Autom Acma Sp | EQUIPMENT FOR JOINING THE INITIAL FLAP OF A NEW SPOOL TO THE TAPE OF A LOW REEL |
JPH089441B2 (en) * | 1989-04-26 | 1996-01-31 | 日本たばこ産業株式会社 | Continuous feeder for strips |
EP0606116B1 (en) * | 1990-01-26 | 1997-08-20 | Eastman Kodak Company | Apparatus and method for cutting strip of adhesive tape |
DE4112842A1 (en) * | 1991-04-19 | 1992-10-22 | Basf Ag | Mechanical bonding of blunt ends of two continuous strip materials - comprises rotating store for two rolls, cutting and bonding station and loop store for changing length of strip take=off |
-
1997
- 1997-03-18 IT IT97BO000152A patent/IT1292802B1/en active IP Right Grant
-
1998
- 1998-03-13 WO PCT/IB1998/000349 patent/WO1998041463A2/en active IP Right Grant
- 1998-03-13 EP EP98905567A patent/EP0968127B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1998-03-13 JP JP54027598A patent/JP4236703B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1998-03-13 DE DE69801153T patent/DE69801153T2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
JP2001515446A (en) | 2001-09-18 |
DE69801153T2 (en) | 2001-10-31 |
WO1998041463A3 (en) | 1998-12-23 |
DE69801153D1 (en) | 2001-08-23 |
EP0968127A2 (en) | 2000-01-05 |
IT1292802B1 (en) | 1999-02-11 |
ITBO970152A1 (en) | 1998-09-18 |
WO1998041463A2 (en) | 1998-09-24 |
ITBO970152A0 (en) | 1997-03-18 |
JP4236703B2 (en) | 2009-03-11 |
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