EP1038778B1 - Dispositif pour l'emballage automatique de marchandises dans des récipients tels que des godets et analogues - Google Patents

Dispositif pour l'emballage automatique de marchandises dans des récipients tels que des godets et analogues Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1038778B1
EP1038778B1 EP00105279A EP00105279A EP1038778B1 EP 1038778 B1 EP1038778 B1 EP 1038778B1 EP 00105279 A EP00105279 A EP 00105279A EP 00105279 A EP00105279 A EP 00105279A EP 1038778 B1 EP1038778 B1 EP 1038778B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
operating path
modular elements
stretch
modular
containers
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
EP00105279A
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German (de)
English (en)
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EP1038778A1 (fr
Inventor
Bruno Gobbi
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Siate-Soluzioni Industriali Applicazioni Tecnologi
Original Assignee
SIATE SOLUZIONI IND APPLIC TEC
SIATE-SOLUZIONI INDUSTRIALI APPLICAZIONI TECNOLOGICHE ELETTROMECCANICHE Srl
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Publication of EP1038778A1 publication Critical patent/EP1038778A1/fr
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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B43/00—Forming, feeding, opening or setting-up containers or receptacles in association with packaging
    • B65B43/42—Feeding or positioning bags, boxes, or cartons in the distended, opened, or set-up state; Feeding preformed rigid containers, e.g. tins, capsules, glass tubes, glasses, to the packaging position; Locating containers or receptacles at the filling position; Supporting containers or receptacles during the filling operation
    • 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
    • B65B59/00—Arrangements to enable machines to handle articles of different sizes, to produce packages of different sizes, to vary the contents of packages, to handle different types of packaging material, or to give access for cleaning or maintenance purposes
    • 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
    • B65B59/00—Arrangements to enable machines to handle articles of different sizes, to produce packages of different sizes, to vary the contents of packages, to handle different types of packaging material, or to give access for cleaning or maintenance purposes
    • B65B59/003—Arrangements to enable adjustments related to the packaging material
    • 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
    • B65B7/00—Closing containers or receptacles after filling
    • B65B7/16—Closing semi-rigid or rigid containers or receptacles not deformed by, or not taking-up shape of, contents, e.g. boxes or cartons
    • B65B7/162—Closing semi-rigid or rigid containers or receptacles not deformed by, or not taking-up shape of, contents, e.g. boxes or cartons by feeding web material to securing means
    • B65B7/164—Securing by heat-sealing
    • 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

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an apparatus for automatic packaging of goods in containers such as tubs and the like.
  • the concerned apparatus is intended for packaging of goods such as food items in preformed tubs although obviously the apparatus can be used for packaging of goods or items of any kind in containers of appropriate sizes.
  • packaging apparatus presently available on the market comprise a support framework intended for housing a kinematic feed mechanism typically consisting of an endless chain which has an upper stretch adapted to horizontally move a plurality of pins or bars that in turn exert a thrust action on a plurality of containers that, in this way, are made movable along a predetermined longitudinal operating path.
  • a kinematic feed mechanism typically consisting of an endless chain which has an upper stretch adapted to horizontally move a plurality of pins or bars that in turn exert a thrust action on a plurality of containers that, in this way, are made movable along a predetermined longitudinal operating path.
  • known apparatus involve a longitudinal path along which the containers are set in motion from a supply station, in which the empty tubs are admitted to the operating path, until a discharge station, in which the tubs suitably filled with the processed goods are sent to a storage station.
  • a station for closure of the containers is provided which, through known means, typically carries out the following steps:
  • the plastic film is made of a material adapted to be thermally fixed to the tub edge and subsequently to, or simultaneously with this operation, cut along the tub edges by means of a perimetral socket-punch also associated with the closure station. Downstream of the closure station therefore the tubs come out conveniently filled and suitably sealed to be then stowed in a warehouse or sent to consumers.
  • tub-thrusting bars or pins are disposed mutually spaced apart by a constant pitch so that in the gap between a pin or bar and the subsequent one, one or several tubs may be positioned.
  • a machine for sealing cups which comprises a power drive endless conveyor including a series of rigid plates flexibly connected to one another, to enable the conveyor to be trained around end sheaves. Each plate is formed with a counterbore to receive a cup.
  • a sealing station is mounted over the conveyor and comprises a sealing head movable downwardly towards the cup, in order to seal the peripheral portion of a web, advanced step by step beneath the head, to each cup.
  • FIG. 1 Another known apparatus, shown in document EP 0 257 186, which is in accordance with the preamble of claim 1, discloses a forming and filling device for cardboard package.
  • the forming and filling device comprises U-shaped cassettes, to receive the cardboard packages, and a pusher system which drives the cassettes along two longitudinal paths running parallel to one another and permits an alternating transfer from one longitudinal path to the adjacent longitudinal path.
  • the movement to be imparted to the pins by the kinematic chain mechanism must be adjusted in such a manner that step-by-step advancements of variable amounts will be carried out depending on the real distance that is each time imposed between a thrust element or pin and the subsequent one; in this connection it is pointed out that the advancement movement imparted to the tubs must necessarily be of the step-by-step type to enable, on the one hand, filling of the tubs with the concerned goods and, on the other hand, sealing of the tubs in the stations intended for this purpose.
  • a further negative aspect of the apparatus of known type is given by the in-line arrangement of the whole feed system.
  • one or more filling stations are to be arranged (for instance, in the cases in which several food items are to be inserted in a single tub), as well as one or more weight-checking stations to verify whether the amount of the goods introduced into the tub is within the provided 23 ranges, and one or more auxiliary filling stations to carry out completion of the goods-introduction step if the weighing stations signal mistakes
  • traditional apparatus have a sufficiently wide longitudinal extension that in some cases can hardly adapt itself to the available spaces.
  • a further negative aspect present in traditional packaging apparatus is represented by the difficulty in carrying out disengagement of the operating head from the closure station when the tub format is required to be modified. If should be noted in fact that in the operating head of the closure station provision is made for a socket-punch for perimetral die-cutting, a resistor system for carrying out the sealing operations and abutment members for keeping the tubs at an appropriate position. These members necessarily must be replaced each time a variation in the shapes or formats of the tubs to be processed is required. Also provided within the operating head are gas-admission ducts and air-suction ducts that, conventionally, create a system of controlled atmosphere within the tub when food items are housed therein.
  • an apparatus for packaging of goods in containers such as tubs and the like for example, has been generally identified by reference numeral 1.
  • thermoformed tubs 2 to which a sealing film 3 is subsequently applied, optionally upon removal of air from the tub and insertion of controlled atmosphere.
  • Apparatus 1 comprises a support structure or base 4 arranged to rest on the ground, by means of conventional support feet 5 for example.
  • the support structure or base 4 comprises a lower frame 6, substantially of parallelepiped shape for example, with which said rest feet are associated, and an elongated upper frame 7 on which an operating path is defined for movement of the tubs 2 to be filled and consequently closed, as better specified in the following.
  • handling means 8 Fig. 2 which is capable of moving the containers along said operating path (see arrows 7) from at least one station 9 for tub feeding to at least one unloading station 10, following a step-by-step travel.
  • the feed station can provide for use of automatic tub loaders or, alternatively, a manual loading of the tubs can be provided.
  • one or more filling stations may be provided for filling the tubs with the goods, as well as checking and weighing stations after which further filling stations for additional introduction of the goods in the tubs can be arranged.
  • a closure unit 11 Downstream of the filling station and a possible station for goods checking, by weighing for example, a closure unit 11 is then provided which is intended for associating a corresponding sealing element with each tub previously filled with an appropriate amount of goods.
  • closure unit is arranged to apply a sealing film 3 to an upper perimetral edge 2a of each tub.
  • the film is fed from reels provided close to the sealing element so that the film can be conveniently disposed over the tubs and then be engaged with them by heat seal, with subsequent perimetral die-cutting for carrying out the border of the sealing film applied to each tub.
  • the support structure or base defines, at the upper frame 7, at least one guide portion 12 identifying a substantially flat operating path.
  • the handling means 8 operates on a predetermined number of modular elements 13, disposed close to each other, as shown in Figs. 1a and 1b, along the operating path and removably in engagement with the guide portion 12 of the support structure or base 4.
  • Each modular element houses one or more tubs 2.
  • At least one handling member 14a (see Fig. 2 where the handling member consists of a rodless air member) is associated with the support structure and, at each step imposed to the tubs, it acts on a modular element causing a predetermined movement of same equal to said step.
  • the different modular elements 13 are disposed close to each other and are capable of exerting a thrust action on the following modular element, at least over a predetermined length of the operating path; following the thrust exerted by the handling member to a first one of said modular elements (denoted by 13a in Fig. 1a), a corresponding movement of a predetermined number of modular elements following the first one is obtained along the movement direction given to the first modular element itself.
  • the guide portion 12 defines an endless operating path, shaped as a quadrilateral for example (still see Figs. 1a and 1b), several handling members 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d associated with a respective stretch or side of the operating path will be provided.
  • the endless operating path involves a first longitudinal stretch 15a, a second stretch 15b following the first stretch and transverse thereto, a third stretch 15c following the second stretch and transverse thereto and finally a fourth stretch 15d following the third stretch, transverse thereto and joined to the first stretch.
  • a first actuator member 14a will be provided to be operatively associated with the support structure to move the modular elements 13 along the first stretch 15a of the operating path, as well as a second actuator member 14b to move the modular elements along the second stretch 15b of the operating path, a third actuator member 14c to move the modular elements along the third stretch 15c of the operating path and a fourth actuator member 14d to move the modular elements along the fourth stretch 15d of the operating path.
  • the different actuators 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d will be synchronized with each other so as to carry out a step-by-step movement enabling the closure unit to execute application of the film to the upper edge of each tub.
  • the different actuators impose to the modular elements a rectilinear displacement in a predetermined direction which is parallel to the stretch on which each actuator operates, of an amount equal to the extension of the modular element itself in the same direction.
  • each modular element has a plate-like shape (Fig. 6) and a rectangular conformation in a plan view, the movement step imparted to the modular elements along the first and third stretches will be equal to the longitudinal extension "1" of the modular elements, whereas the step imparted to the modular elements along the second and fourth stretches will be equal to the transverse extension "t" of the modular elements themselves.
  • the first and third stretches parallel to each other and orthogonal to the second and fourth stretches of the operating path have an extension of a length value which is a multiple of the longitudinal extension "1" of the modular elements.
  • the second and fourth stretches have an extension equal to a multiple of the transverse extension "t" of each modular element.
  • the modular elements slidably move on the guide portion 12; more specifically, said guide portion comprises opposite elements or rails 16 on which the opposite side edges of each of said modular elements slide in rest relationship.
  • the opposite elements or rails of the guide portion will be made of, or coated with antifriction material such as Teflon or another appropriate material.
  • each modular element 13 comprises a substantially plate-like main body 17 and one or more through housings 30 in which containers or tubs can be engaged; each of said through housings seen in plan view will therefore have a shape matching that of the containers or tubs to be housed therein.
  • each modular element constantly has two opposite perimetral edges slidably resting on the guide track and at least one edge close to said opposite edges and transverse to the feed direction along the operating path, which is adapted to act on the modular element in thrust relationship.
  • the operating path is divided into a plurality of stations "s" following each other, each station being set to house a single modular element.
  • the number of stations "s” and consequently the sizes of each stretch as well as of all the operating paths could be of any magnitude depending on requirements. It will be possible to select the direction of movement too, without departing from the scope of the invention.
  • each station "s" is exactly shaped as a modular element; at such stations "s” the different modular elements can be positioned in succession during their step-by-step movement (see Figs. 1a. 1b).
  • At least one of the stations into which the operating path is divided must be free: only in this way in fact, intervention of the actuator member or members intended for movement of the modular elements will involve sequential displacement of the modular elements themselves so as to occupy this free station and consequently free another station.
  • the free station is constantly located at an angled region of the operating path.
  • each actuator only intervenes on a respective stretch or side of the operating path so that it can exert a displacement along a direction parallel to this stretch only of the modular elements present therein; in this way, when an actuator intervenes on a predetermined stretch moving modular elements interlocked thereto, the guides 16 of the following stretch substantially act as end-of-stroke limits causing a precise positioning of the different modular elements.
  • apparatus 1 involves that two stations be constantly free, which stations can be sequentially occupied by said modular elements; this enables a greater automation of the step-by-step movements; these free stations are disposed, under operating conditions of the apparatus, at respective opposite angled regions of the operating path.
  • Fig. 1b is similar to Fig. 1a except for the movement direction of the modular elements along the operating path which is reversed, as well as the location of the loading station of the empty tubs and the unloading station of the filled and closed tubs, which are positioned in a different manner relative to Fig. 1a) the tubs are loaded manually in a predetermined loading station 9 of said station "s" and moved to the right along the third stretch 15 where one or more stations for introduction of the goods operate, as far as a weighing station is reached possibly followed by a further station for additional filling or dosing of the goods to be introduced into the tubs.
  • the tubs through the fourth stretch 15d come back to the first stretch 15a of the operating path moving forward to the left until the closure unit 11 is reached where application of the sealing film to the tubs takes place after previous elimination of air and controlled-atmosphere introduction, if necessary.
  • tubs still moving forward along the first stretch reach a station "s", in this case disposed in the angled region between the first and second stretches of the operating path where an extractor device 18 (Fig. 2) operates and carries out disengagement of the different containers or tubs from the respective housings provided in each modular element.
  • a station "s" in this case disposed in the angled region between the first and second stretches of the operating path where an extractor device 18 (Fig. 2) operates and carries out disengagement of the different containers or tubs from the respective housings provided in each modular element.
  • the extractor device comprises a vertical actuator member 18a and an operating portion 18b associated at the top with the actuator member and adapted to act on a lower portion or bottom of each container to cause lifting and extraction of same from the housings defined in the modular element 13 concerned with extraction.
  • the operating portion of the extractor device will be provided with projections the shape of which matches that of the housings present in the modular element so that said projections can be fitted in the latter from below and cause the necessary lifting of the tubs.
  • the auxiliary handling member 19 can be made up of a single bar that, with reference to Fig. 2, is moved by a respective actuator member 20 from right to left causing a consequent movement of the tubs from the modular element concerned with extraction to the unloading station 10.
  • the extractor device 18 may consist of a device provided with suction cups and acting on an upper side of each container or tub, picking it up. In this case too the extractor device 18 will be able to move the tubs from their housings until they reach one or more unloading regions.
  • the third actuator 14c operating at the third stretch 15c carries out a movement of the set of modular elements following each other and present on the third stretch itself so as to bring them to the condition shown in Fig. 1a; under this condition one can see that in the angled regions between the second and third stretches and between the fourth and first stretches free stations are defined, i.e. stations where there is no modular element.
  • the second and fourth actuators 14b, 14d will intervene and, by moving the modular elements present on the second and fourth stretches respectively along the directions defined by the latter, they will bring a modular element to occupy said free stations.
  • free stations will be defined at the angled regions provided between the first and second stretches and the third and fourth stretches of the operating path.
  • closure unit 11 The structure of the closure unit 11 will be now described in detail (see Figs. 6 and 7). It comprises a housing or holding body 21 within which means is housed for carrying out application of said sealing element to each container.
  • the holding body 21 is formed of a box-shaped element open at the bottom and capable of sequentially cooperating with each of the modular elements 13 that, during the operating process, reach the closure unit one after the other.
  • the means for applying the sealing element comprises a heating unit 22 capable of carry out heat-seal of the upper edges of the containers with said heat-sealable film.
  • the application means preferably also comprises a die-cutting unit or socket-punch 23 to carry out the border of the heat-sealed film. Both the cutting unit and heating unit can be moved up and down, close to and away from the modular element 13 present at the closure unit.
  • the heating unit 22 is moved close to the modular element and therefore to the upper edges of the tubs or containers, so as to heat-seal the latter to the film operatively interposed between said heating unit and the modular element.
  • both the heating unit and the cutting unit or socket-punch are operatively associated with a support member 24 also located inside the holding body and movable up and down upon the action of an actuator member 25 operatively interposed between the closure unit 11 and the support structure 4 of apparatus 1.
  • removable-interconnection means 26 enabling disengagement of the holding body 21 and the cutting and heating units 22, 23 contained therein if modification of the tub pattern on which closure is to be done is wished.
  • the removable-interconnection means comprises a lower half 27 associated with the holding body and an upper half 28 associated with the actuator member 25; the upper and lower halves are coupled with each other by bayonet coupling or the like.
  • the lower half of the interconnection means has a guide shank 29 slidably passing through an upper wall of the holding body 21 and linked at the end to the support member 24, which consists of a plate for example, which is active by thrust on the cutting unit and the heating unit 22 and 23.
  • the lower half also comprises a glass-shaped portion 31 integral with shank 29, extending on top of said guide shank and arranged to receive said upper half of the interconnection means.
  • the glass-shaped portion 31 seen in detail has an access edge 32 defining at least one undercut 33 and such shaped that it exhibits radial notches 34 to enable insertion of corresponding radially projecting portions 35 provided in the upper half (Figs. 8, 9 and 10).
  • retaining means preventing mutual rotation of said upper half and lower half once these halves are conveniently coupled with each other.
  • the holding body 21 at a lower edge 21a thereof facing the modular element present at the sealing element has a seal 21b which is necessary in case of possible suction operations and gas introduction.
  • air-suction ducts or ducts for introduction of gas or gas mixtures useful to create a controlled atmosphere if food items are to be packaged in the tubs can be connected with the holding body.
  • an electric connector for example, for power supply of said heating unit and possible other members electrically operated and not described in detail because they are not of importance with reference to the present invention.
  • a unit for automatic application of lids may be provided downstream of the closure unit, which lids are intended to be coupled by restrained fitting with the edges of the corresponding containers previously filled and provided with a sealing film.
  • the lid applicator may for example comprise an automatic lid unstacker and one or more pressure devices active on the lids conveniently positioned at the upper perimetral edge of each container.
  • the modular elements will be provided with appropriate recesses extending at a radially outer position relative to each container-holding housing.
  • the invention achieves important advantages.
  • apparatus 1 can be readily adapted to any type of tub format to be packaged, i.e. without any problems in terms of prolonged machine stops or difficulties in dismantling parts thereof due to technically unskilled staff.
  • each modular element is defined by a plate-like body of sizes adapted to contemplate all possible tub formats and since the pitch imposed to the modular elements is given by the sizes of each modular element itself, independently of the tub formats being processed, the apparatus can always operate at a constant pitch without requiring the movement systems of the modular elements themselves to be modified.
  • each tub is perfectly controlled as to its position both along the feed direction and transversely thereto.
  • a perfect control of the exact tub position can ensure high production rates in terms of speed of the movement sequences and accuracy during the filling and checking steps.
  • loop-shaped configuration of the operating path in accordance with the present invention enabling achievement of reduced longitudinal sizes while ensuring placement, along the operating path perimeter, of several stations for tub filling and/or checking, as well as devices for automatically carrying out the operations of loading empty tubs and unloading filled and closed tubs.
  • the plate-like shape of the modular elements that, in this way, conveniently cooperate with the holding body and the heating and cutting units provided in the closure unit so as to obtain an efficient, accurate and quick application of the sealing film to each container.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Closing Of Containers (AREA)
  • Auxiliary Devices For And Details Of Packaging Control (AREA)
  • Supplying Of Containers To The Packaging Station (AREA)
  • Basic Packing Technique (AREA)
  • Container Filling Or Packaging Operations (AREA)

Claims (20)

  1. Dispositif pour l'emballage de marchandises dans des récipients de type godets, comprenant:
    une structure support (4) destinée à prendre appui sur le sol et présentant, à sa partie supérieure (7), une portion de guidage (12) définissant un parcours de travail ayant de préférence un plan de disposition horizontal;
    un nombre prédéterminé d'éléments modulaires (13) engageant au moins un desdits récipients (2) et mobile pas à pas le long de ladite portion de guidage (12); lesdits éléments modulaires (13) étant disposés proches les uns des autres le long du parcours de travail et étant en engagement, de manière amovible, avec la structure support (4), chacun desdits éléments modulaires (13) présentant en plan une forme essentiellement rectangulaire et ayant deux bords périmétriques opposés et au moins un bord transversal auxdits deux bords opposés et destiné à agir par poussée sur un élément modulaire adjacent (13), au moins sur une longueur prédéterminée dudit parcours de travail;
    des moyens de manutention (8) comprenant au moins un organe de manutention (14a, 14b, 14c, 14d) associé lui aussi à la structure support (4), lequel organe (14a, 14b, 14c, 14d), à chaque pas imposé aux éléments modulaires (13), agit en exerçant un mouvement prédéterminé sur un premier desdits éléments modulaires (13), pour déplacer un nombre prédéterminé de récipients (2) le long dudit parcours de travail au moins d'un poste d'alimentation (9) à un poste de déchargement (10) suivant le mouvement pas à pas;
    une unité de fermeture (11) associée à la structure support (4) à une zone prédéterminée du parcours de travail;
    caractérisé en ce que ladite unité de fermeture (11) est destinée à effectuer l'engagement entre un élément correspondant de fermeture étanche (3) et chaque récipient (2) précédemment rempli d'une quantité prédéterminée d'au moins un type de marchandise, en ce que lesdits éléments modulaires sont éléments en forme de plaque (13) présentant un ou plusieurs logements de passage (30) dans lesquels peuvent être engagés lesdits récipients (2), et en ce que ladite portion de guidage (12) comporte des rails (16) sur lesquels prennent appui de manière coulissante les bords latéraux opposés de chacun desdits éléments modulaires (13).
  2. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce qu'au moins un organe de manutention (14) impose aux éléments modulaires (13) un déplacement rectiligne dans une direction prédéterminée, d'une quantité égale à l'extension de l'élément modulaire (13) lui même dans ladite direction.
  3. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce qu'on prévoit, entre chaque élément modulaire (13) et l'élément modulaire adjacent suivant (13), une entraxe correspondant à ou multiple du pas de mouvement imposé à chacun des éléments modulaires (13) par l'organe de manutention (14).
  4. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que ladite portion de guidage (12) définit un parcours de travail en forme d'anneau fermé.
  5. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que lesdits logements de passage (30) présentent en plan une forme épousant celle des récipients ou godets (2) qui doivent y être reçus, ledit corps en forme de plaque (17) présentant, toujours en vue en plan, des dimensions constantes indépendantes de la forme et des dimensions desdits récipients (2).
  6. Dispositif selon la revendication 4, caractérisée en ce que ladite portion de guidage (12) définit un parcours de travail en circuit fermé de préférence de conformation quadrilatérale et encore mieux de forme rectangulaire, ledit parcours de travail comprenant un premier tronçon (15a), un deuxième tronçon (15b) venant après le premier tronçon (15a) et transversal à celui-ci, un troisième tronçon (15c) venant après le deuxième tronçon (15b) et transversal à ce dernier et un quatrième tronçon (15d) venant après le troisième tronçon (15c) et transversal à ce dernier.
  7. Appareil selon la revendication 6, caractérisé en ce que lesdits moyens de manutention comportent:
    un premier organe d'entraínement (14a) pour déplacer les éléments modulaires (13) le long du premier tronçon (15a) du parcours de travail;
    un deuxième organe d'entraínement (14b) pour déplacer les éléments modulaires (13) le long du deuxième tronçon (15b) du parcours de travail;
    un troisième organe d'entraínement (14c) pour déplacer les éléments modulaires (13) le long du troisième tronçon (15d) du parcours de travail et un quatrième organe d'entraínement (14d) pour déplacer les éléments modulaires (13) le long du quatrième tronçon (15d) du parcours de travail.
  8. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que ledit parcours de travail est divisé en une pluralité de postes (s) disposés les uns à la suite des autres, dans chacun desquels peuvent être positionnés les éléments modulaires (13) pendant leur mouvement pas à pas, au moins un desdits postes (s) étant libre, de manière à permettre le déplacement séquentiel des différents éléments modulaires (13).
  9. Dispositif selon la revendication 8, caractérisé en ce que ledit poste libre (s) est disposé dans une zone d'angle du parcours de travail.
  10. Dispositif selon la revendication 9, caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte deux postes libres (s) qui peuvent être occupés en séquence par lesdits éléments modulaires (13), lesdits postes libres (s) étant disposés, aux conditions de travail du dispositif, à des zones d'angle respectives du parcours de travail.
  11. Dispositif selon la revendication 10, caractérisé en ce que lesdits premier (14a), deuxième (14b), troisième (14c) et quatrième (14d) organes d'entraínement déplacent lesdits éléments modulaires (13) en séquence et pas à pas respectivement le long desdits premier (15a), deuxième (15b), troisième (15c) et quatrième (15d) tronçons du parcours de travail, de sorte que lesdits postes libres (s) se trouvent constamment à des angles opposés du parcours de travail.
  12. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte un dispositif extracteur (18) opérant audit poste de déchargement (10) ou à proximité de ce dernier pour dégager lesdits récipients ou godets (2) des logements respectifs (30) prévus sur chaque élément modulaire (13).
  13. Dispositif selon la revendication 12, caractérisé en ce que ledit dispositif extracteur (18) comporte un organe d'entraínement vertical (18a) et une portion de travail (18b) associée à sa partie supérieure à l'organe d'entraínement vertical (18a) et destinée à agir sur une portion inférieure de chaque récipient (2) en vue de causer un mouvement de ce dernier vers le haut, ledit dispositif extracteur (18) comprenant également un organe de manutention auxiliaire (19) pour déplacer chaque récipient (2), enlevé verticalement du logement respectif (30) prévu sur l'élément modulaire (13), dans une direction parallèle au plan de disposition de l'élément modulaire (13) lui même vers le poste de déchargement (10).
  14. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que ladite unité de fermeture (11) comporte un corps de logement (21) à l'intérieur duquel sont logés des moyens pour effectuer l'application dudit élément de fermeture étanche (3) à chaque récipient (2), ledit corps de logement (21) coopérant en séquence avec chacun desdits éléments modulaires (13).
  15. Dispositif selon la revendication 14, caractérisé en ce que lesdits moyens d'application comportent:
    une unité de chauffage (22) pour effectuer le soudage à chaud sur les bords supérieurs desdits récipients (2) d'une pellicule soudable à chaud (3) alimentée à proximité de ladite unité de fermeture (11), et une unité de découpage à l'emporte-pièce (23), pour effectuer la bordure de ladite pellicule soudée à chaud (3), lesdites unité de découpage (23) et unité de chauffage (22) étant mobiles en montées et en descentes vers et loin de l'élément modulaire (13) présent à chaque unité de fermeture (11) pour l'application de la pellicule (3) à chaque récipient (2).
  16. Dispositif selon la revendication 15, caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte un organe d'entraínement additionnel (25) actif sur l'unité de chauffage (22) et sur l'unité de découpage (23) pour les déplacer toutes les deux selon une trajectoire de montées et de descentes, et également des moyens d'interconnexion amovible (26) reliés de manière opérationnelle entre ledit organe d'entraínement (25) et lesdites unités de chauffage (22) et de découpage (23).
  17. Dispositif selon la revendication 16, caractérisé en ce que lesdits moyens d'interconnexion amovible (26) comportent une moitié inférieure (27) associée audit corps de logement (21) et une moitié supérieure (28) solidaire dudit organe d'entraínement (25), ladite moitié supérieure (28) étant insérée par couplage à baïonnette ou similaire dans ladite moitié inférieure (27).
  18. Dispositif selon la revendication 17, caractérisé en ce que ladite moitié inférieure (27) a une queue de guidage (29) traversant par coulissement une paroi supérieure dudit corps de logement (21) et liée, à son extrémité, à un organe de support (24) exerçant une action de poussée sur lesdites unités de découpage (23) et de chauffage (22).
  19. Dispositif selon la revendication 18, caractérisé en ce que ladite moitié inférieure (27) comporte une portion en forme de verre (31), destinée à recevoir ladite moitié supérieure (28) et ayant un bord d'accès (32) définissant au moins un creux (33), ledit bord (32) ayant des encoches radiales (34) pour l'insertion de portions correspondantes faisant saillie en sens radial (35) prévues sur ladite moitié supérieure (28), des moyens de retenue pour empêcher la rotation réciproque entre lesdites moitiés supérieure (28) et inférieure (27) étant actifs dès que lesdites moitiés (27, 28) ont été convenablement emboítées réciproquement.
  20. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte une unité pour l'application de couvercles, disposée en aval de l'unité de fermeture (11) et destinée à accoupler un couvercle respectif à chaque récipient ou godet (2) par emboítement.
EP00105279A 1999-03-23 2000-03-15 Dispositif pour l'emballage automatique de marchandises dans des récipients tels que des godets et analogues Expired - Lifetime EP1038778B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT1999MI000583A IT1312226B1 (it) 1999-03-23 1999-03-23 Apparecchiatura per il confezionamento automatico di prodotti incontenitori quali ad esempio vaschette e simili.
ITMI990583 1999-03-23

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1038778A1 EP1038778A1 (fr) 2000-09-27
EP1038778B1 true EP1038778B1 (fr) 2003-07-02

Family

ID=11382392

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP00105279A Expired - Lifetime EP1038778B1 (fr) 1999-03-23 2000-03-15 Dispositif pour l'emballage automatique de marchandises dans des récipients tels que des godets et analogues

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1038778B1 (fr)
AT (1) ATE244185T1 (fr)
DE (1) DE60003597D1 (fr)
ES (1) ES2201961T3 (fr)
IT (1) IT1312226B1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB0605468D0 (en) 2006-03-17 2006-04-26 Ishida Europ Ltd Tray sealing machine
FR2928626B1 (fr) * 2008-03-11 2016-07-29 Guelt Ind Dispositif d'operculage etanche de contenants
ES2315208B1 (es) * 2008-07-31 2010-03-17 Xavier Miret Gayet Dispositivo y procedimiento para obtencion de envases a partir de una lamina termoconformada.
FR2950030B1 (fr) * 2009-09-17 2011-11-18 Guelt Dispositif d'operculage a tete de soudure demontable
EP2483159B1 (fr) * 2009-09-30 2014-11-12 Ross Industries, Inc. Procédé et appareil pour l'étanchéité de conteneurs

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3965656A (en) * 1974-05-16 1976-06-29 Solo Cup Company Cup filling and capping apparatus
DE3610362A1 (de) * 1986-03-27 1987-10-01 Bosch Gmbh Robert Verpackungsmaschine
DE3628952A1 (de) * 1986-08-28 1988-03-03 Icoma Packtechnik Gmbh Form- und fuelleinrichtung fuer verpackungen aus karton
US4736568A (en) * 1986-09-29 1988-04-12 Rutherford Research, Inc. Machine for sealing cups
DE8906784U1 (fr) * 1989-06-02 1990-09-27 Icoma Packtechnik Gmbh, 7590 Achern, De

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
IT1312226B1 (it) 2002-04-09
DE60003597D1 (de) 2003-08-07
ITMI990583A1 (it) 2000-09-23
ES2201961T3 (es) 2004-04-01
ATE244185T1 (de) 2003-07-15
EP1038778A1 (fr) 2000-09-27

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