EP1428653A1 - Device for guiding and for opening bag zipper closures - Google Patents

Abstract

The guide for reclosable sachet opening and closing profiles moving in a production machine has a plate (100) having a slot (6) to guide the profiles in their movement. The slot has a cut out (5) at its end to facilitate opening of the opening and closing heads. The cut out increases the width of the slot parallel to the plate.

Description

GENERAL TECHNICAL AREA.

The present invention relates to means guidance systems opening / closing on bag making machines resealable.

More specifically, it relates to a profile guide system closing and opening means on horizontal machines of manufacture of resealable bags.

STATE OF THE ART.

We know many machines for making bags resealable.

Conventionally, these bag making machines use the "form, fill and seal" or "form, fill and seal" process according to the English terminology generally used by the man of the job.

Figure 1 schematically represents a "form, fill" technique and seal ”or FFS according to the state of the art on a horizontal machine.

According to this technique, a film is scrolled along a plate 100 plastic 102. As shown in FIG. 1, the sides of the plate having the larger surface are of vertical extension. The lateral sections connecting two sides are of horizontal extension. The plate 100 is generally a steel sheet of thickness 101 approximately equal to 1 mm.

The film 102 has two walls 103 and 104 extending substantially vertically and connected together by a lower part 105. The walls 103 and 104 extend respectively on either side of the plate 100, thus covering a large part of the plate 100. The lower part 105 covers the lower part of the plate and connects the two walls 103 and 104 together. Part 105 consists of a fold and / or a welding of the two walls 103 and 104. Thus, the film 102 will take the form of a sachet thereafter.

The film 102 comprises, opposite the lower part 105 of the sachet, a mouthpiece 106 located in the upper part of the sachet. The mouth will then allow access to the interior of the bag.

The film 102 is intended to receive closing means and 107 at the mouth 106 of the bag 102.

Conventionally, the opening and closing means 107 have two complementary sections 15 and 16 fixed to the walls 103 and 104 of the sachet. In Figure 1, the profile referenced by 16 is in connection with the wall 103 and the profile referenced by 15 is in connection with wall 104.

The metal plate 100 allows the profiles 15 and 16 to be guided, during the welding of these, on the interior surfaces of the walls 103 and 104. Indeed, the plate 100 extends, in the zone referenced by 1 on the Figure 1, between sealing bars. Weld bars extend longitudinally on either side of the plate 100, at the mouth 106 and opening / closing means 107. The bars of welding welds the means 107 on the walls 103 and 104 in coming to bear on plate 100. Welding of sections 15 and 16 is performed in the area referenced by 1 in Figure 1.

Of course, to allow the passage of a wall 103 on one side of the plate 100, and the passage of the wall 104 on the other side of the plate 100, while the sections 15 and 16 are joined at 110, the plate 100 comprises a slot 6, passing through the plate 100 in the direction of the thickness, and allowing the longitudinal travel of the junction 110 between the two complementary profiles 15 and 16 in the center of the plate 100.

After welding of the fixing veils for profiles 15 and 16 on the film plastic 102, profiles 15 and 16 arrive in zone 2 in which the slot 6 stops. The fact that the slot 6 stops makes it possible to open the junction 110 in zone 108.

Conventionally, the sections 15 and 16 comprise a section of the type male referenced by 15 in all of the figures, and a profile of the type female referenced by 16.

However, this filling process does not present any satisfaction.

Indeed, the end of the slot 6 has corners referenced by 3 and 4 in Figure 1, and between which extend the edges of the plate 100. The edges allow the opening of complementary profiles, but can also damage the profiles as shown in the figure 2A.

Indeed, with the friction of the sections 15 and 16 and of the film 102 on the edges, the plate 100 tends to wear out and become sharp. Through Therefore, the edges of the end of the slot between the corners 3 and 4, as well as corners 3 and 4, can cut profile 16 and create a break 20 irremediable of the junction as shown in Figure 2A. The profile 16 is separated from its fixing means 17.

Such a break 20 prevents the continuation of the process of manufacture of sachets. It is indeed necessary to stop production, put back profiles in good condition, and possibly change the plate. It follows a increased production cost and an increased failure rate.

In addition, with the classic slot 6, the profiles are not well guided, and there often follows an offset of the sections 15 and 16 during the closing. The offset 14 is shown in Figure 2B. The failure alignment 14 makes the opening system impossible to use for the end consumer, since the side edges of the bag will be welded and will therefore keep this misalignment 14.

PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION.

The invention proposes to overcome these drawbacks.

An object of the invention is to provide an opening plate for profiles for horizontal machine which does not damage the profiles.

Another object of the invention is to propose an opening plate for profiles for horizontal machine that guides the profiles to provide a alignment of the profiles allowing easy opening / closing of said sections profiled by an end user.

To this end, the invention provides a guide device, on a machine for manufacturing resealable bags, means opening / closing of sachets with an additional plate welding means opening / closing means on the walls of the bag, the plate comprising a slot capable of guiding the means opening / closing while scrolling, the slot further comprising means capable of opening the opening means after welding and means capable of facilitating the opening and guiding of the means opening / closing, characterized in that the facilitating means have a cutout at the end of the slot intended to allow the opening of the opening / closing means, the cutting increasing the width of the slit in a direction perpendicular to the direction of extension from the slot and parallel to the plate.

• la découpe est de forme rectangulaire ;
• la surface externe de la plaque au niveau des moyens de facilitation est traitée de façon à résister à l'usure ;
• la surface externe de la plaque est recouverte par un matériau permettant une meilleure résistance à l'usure ;
• la surface interne des moyens de facilitation est traitée de façon à résister à l'usure ;
• la surface interne est recouverte par un matériau permettant une meilleure résistance à l'usure ;
• le matériau comporte de la céramique ;
• les moyens de facilitation comportent des moyens comportant une gorge d'ouverture et de guidage des moyens d'ouverture/fermeture sur chaque flanc de la plaque ;
• les gorges sont formées par un espace laissé entre deux parties en saillie par rapport aux flancs de la plaque ;
• l'axe des gorges sont parallèles au défilement des moyens d'ouverture/fermeture, l'axe d'extension de chaque gorge étant incliné par rapport à un plan de symétrie longitudinal passant par le centre de la plaque, l'inclinaison des axes étant apte à fournir un écartement progressif des moyens d'ouverture/fermeture ;
• les gorges se prolongent dans la deuxième partie des saillies située en aval du défilement, afin de guider les moyens d'ouverture/fermeture en aval du dispositif d'ouverture ;
• les gorges sont ménagées dans des moyens fixés dans la découpe ;
• les moyens comportent une pièce principalement de forme cylindrique de révolution qui comporte des gorges, aptes à permettre sa fixation sur la plaque au niveau de la découpe et aptes à constituer des moyens de guidage des moyens d'ouverture/fermeture ;
• les deux gorges latérales destinées à constituer des moyens de guidage s'étendent sur les côtés de la pièce, la gorge de fixation sur la plaque étant centrée sur plan de symétrie longitudinal à la plaque quand la pièce est en position ; et
• les moyens comportant la gorge sont en matériau comportant de la céramique.

The invention is advantageously supplemented by the following characteristics, taken alone or in any of their technically possible combinations:

• the cut is rectangular;
• the external surface of the plate at the level of the facilitation means is treated so as to resist wear;
• the external surface of the plate is covered with a material allowing better resistance to wear;
• the internal surface of the facilitation means is treated so as to resist wear;
• the internal surface is covered by a material allowing better resistance to wear;
• the material includes ceramic;
• the facilitation means comprise means comprising an opening groove and for guiding the opening / closing means on each side of the plate;
• the grooves are formed by a space left between two parts projecting from the sides of the plate;
• the axis of the grooves are parallel to the movement of the opening / closing means, the axis of extension of each groove being inclined relative to a longitudinal plane of symmetry passing through the center of the plate, the inclination of the axes being able to provide a progressive separation of the opening / closing means;
• the grooves extend into the second part of the projections located downstream of the scrolling, in order to guide the opening / closing means downstream of the opening device;
• the grooves are provided in means fixed in the cutout;
• the means comprise a part mainly of cylindrical shape of revolution which comprises grooves, able to allow its fixing on the plate at the level of the cutout and capable of constituting means for guiding the opening / closing means;
• the two lateral grooves intended to constitute guide means extend on the sides of the part, the fixing groove on the plate being centered on plane of symmetry longitudinal to the plate when the part is in position; and
• the means comprising the groove are made of a material comprising ceramic.

PRESENTATION OF THE FIGURES

• la figure 1, déjà commentée, représente une plaque d'ouverture de profilés pour machine horizontale selon l'art antérieur ;
• les figures 2A et 2B, déjà commentées, représentent les inconvénients de la plaque selon la figure 1 ;
• la figure 3 représente schématiquement un premier mode de réalisation possible d'une plaque selon l'invention ;
• la figure 4 représente schématiquement un second mode de réalisation possible d'une plaque selon l'invention ;
• la figure 5 représente une vue longitudinale d'un dispositif d'ouverture et de guidage se mettant sur la plaque selon la figure 4 ;
• la figure 6 est une vue radiale du dispositif selon la figure 5 ;
• la figure 7 représente schématiquement le fonctionnement du mode de réalisation selon la figure 4 ; et
• la figure 8 montre l'alignement des profilés après une utilisation d'une plaque d'ouverture de profilés selon l'invention.

Other characteristics, objects and advantages of the invention will emerge from the description which follows, which is purely illustrative and not limiting, and which should be read with reference to the appended drawings in which:

• Figure 1, already commented, shows a profile opening plate for horizontal machine according to the prior art;
• Figures 2A and 2B, already discussed, show the drawbacks of the plate according to Figure 1;
• FIG. 3 schematically represents a first possible embodiment of a plate according to the invention;
• FIG. 4 schematically represents a second possible embodiment of a plate according to the invention;
• 5 shows a longitudinal view of an opening and guiding device placed on the plate according to Figure 4;
• Figure 6 is a radial view of the device according to Figure 5;
• Figure 7 schematically shows the operation of the embodiment according to Figure 4; and
• FIG. 8 shows the alignment of the profiles after using a profile opening plate according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION FIRST EMBODIMENT

FIG. 3 schematically represents an opening plate 100 profiles 15 and 16 of a resealable bag 102 according to a first mode of possible realization of the invention.

In FIG. 3, the bag 102 has the same characteristics as the bag according to the prior art represented in FIG. 1.

Indeed, the bag 102 has walls 103 and 104 extending substantially vertically and interconnected in the lower part 105 of the bag 102, the part 105 comprising an elbow or a welding of the walls 103 and 104.

Opposite the closed lower part 105, the bag 102 comprises a mouthpiece 106 which, following the formation of the sachet, will allow a access to the interior of the bag by a user.

The walls 103 and 104 conventionally comprise profiles complementary 15 and 16 fixed on the walls 103 and 104 according to methods known to those skilled in the art.

The opening and closing means 107, comprising mainly profiles 15 and 16, are welded to the walls 103 and 104 in the zone referenced by 1. The means 107 are then opened by the end of slot 6 in the area referenced by 2. This opening of the profiles will allow filling from the top of the bag 102.

A first possible embodiment of the invention comprises a cutout 5 at the end of slot 6, this cutout 5 being able to facilitate the opening of sections 15 and 16.

The cutout 5 suddenly increases the width 31 of the slot 6 according to a direction perpendicular to the direction of travel of the film 102. The cutout 5 mainly comprises a rectangular elbow 8 allowing increase the width of the slot 6 in a direction perpendicular to the extension of the slot 6 but parallel to the plane of extension of the plate 100.

The increase is for example by a factor substantially equal to four.

The end of the slot 6 therefore has a shape of "T" oriented at 90 ° by compared to the normal reading direction. The “T” bar thus extends perpendicular to sections 15 and 16.

Thus, in the example represented in FIG. 3, the cutout 5 of shape rectangular has a width 32 substantially equal to four times the width 31 of the slot 6. The extension 33 of the cut in the direction parallel to the extension of the slot 6 is of the order of 3 millimeters. The dimension 33 of the cutout 5 is preferably between 1 and 5 mm.

Cutout 5, enlarging width 31 in one direction perpendicular to the direction of extension of the slot 6, makes it possible to reduce the stresses exerted on the sections 15 and 16 when they reach the end of slot 6. The reduction in stresses avoids accelerating the end of slot 6, which avoids cutting the profiles and stopping the production line.

Such a reduction in constraints also allows better guide profiles 15 and 16 after opening. We see that thanks to this cutout 5 the profiles always open on a straight part perpendicular to the plane of extension of the plate 100. There is no longer any risk for locking profiles 15 and 16, neither in corners 3 and 4, nor on the edges from the end of slot 6.

Advantageously, the external surface of the plate is treated referenced by 7 and / or the internal surface of the cut referenced by 30 - that is to say that which is located inside the slot between two edges - of so as to obtain better resistance to wear.

Advantageously also, the wear resistance treatment can be a coating depot, for example a deposition of material of the type ceramic. Preferably, the depot uses “Plasma” technology known to those skilled in the art.

SECOND EMBODIMENT

A second possible embodiment of an opening system and guide profiles according to the invention is shown schematically in Figure 4.

This second embodiment constitutes an improvement of the first embodiment of FIG. 3.

The plate 100 and the bag 102 have the same elements as the plate and the bag shown in Figure 3.

Thus, the plate 100 comprises at the end of the slot 6 for guiding the profiles 15 and 16 a cutout 5 allowing to enlarge, in a direction perpendicular to slot 6 and parallel to the plate extension plane 100, the width 31 of the slot 6.

In this cutout 5, there is a device 9 allowing improve the opening and guiding of sections 15 and 16.

The device 9 is shown more precisely in FIGS. 5 and 6. The 5 shows a longitudinal view of the device 9. Figure 6 represents a radial section of the device 9.

The device 9 mainly comprises a part consisting of a wear-resistant material, but at the same time allowing good sliding of the sections 15 and 16. Advantageously, the part 9 is made of ceramic type material.

The part 9 is preferably and mainly of shape cylindrical of revolution, shape in which one comes to spare grooves 66 and 11, respectively so that it can be placed on the plate 100 at level of the cutout 5 and in order to constitute means for guiding the profiles.

The part 9 has a longitudinal plane of symmetry 68 and a plane of transverse symmetry 69.

The circular base of the cylinder of the part 9 has a diameter 62 relatively weak, in order to avoid constraining the sections 15 and 16 and the film 102 during their passage in scrolling at the level of part 9. The diameter 62 is preferably of the order of 3 mm.

The length 50 of the piece 9 is adapted to the height of the sails of the profiles 15 and 16.

The piece 9 has a radial groove 66 of substantially shape rectangular, and which extends along the longitudinal axis of the part 9. The bottom 67 of groove 66 extends substantially in a plane coincident with a diameter of the piece 9.

The width 63 of the groove 66 adapts to the width 101 of the plate Thus, the distance 63 is substantially equal to 1.25 mm for a plate 100 of thickness 101 equal to 1.2 mm. So, Exhibit 9 can come fit into the cutout 5 and cooperate with the inner surface 30 of the cutout 5. One can for example glue the surface 67 on the internal surface 30 of cutout 5.

The depth of the groove 66 is of the order of the radius of the part 9, at namely 1.5 mm, since the surface 67 extends over a diameter of the part 9. The distance 60 is thus equal to 1.5 mm.

The part 9 further comprises two lateral grooves 11 formed on the sides of the part 9. The grooves 11 extend symmetrically by relation to the transverse plane of symmetry 69. Their extension is perpendicular to the extension of the groove 66.

The grooves 11 have a dimension 51 parallel to the axis of the part such that they can guide the sections 15 and 16. Thus, preferably, the dimension 51 is 2.5 mm.

The grooves 11 are adapted to the height of the hooks of the profiles 15 and 16. The two grooves may or may not be identical, depending on the profiles to open.

The extension axis of each groove 11 is inclined relative to the plane of symmetry 68. The grooves 11 deviate more and more from each other to guide the profiles and allow them to be opened gradually. The grooves 11 allow the male and female profiles to unclip naturally, by limiting the opening angle of the profiles.

Thus, on the side opposite to the groove 66, which constitutes the side of the profiles 15 and 16 with respect to part 9, the distance 61 between the bottom 111 of the grooves 11 is equal to 1 mm. At the other end, the distance 64 between the bottoms 111 of the grooves 11 is of the order of 2 mm.

The depth of the grooves 11 is such that the distance 65 visible at the Figure 6 is equal to 0.74 mm.

The grooves 11 can extend over the half circumference of the part 9 comprising the slot 66, that is to say the half circumference situated towards downstream of the scroll. The extension of the grooves 11 ensures a guiding profiles 15 and 16 downstream of the hook opening station.

Figure 7 shows the operation of the opening means 9 when they are in place on the cutout 5 of the plate 100.

The means 9 allow better opening of the profiles while limiting their angle to each other, which allows a positioning of profiles 15 and 16 opposite each other, even when are unclipped from each other.

This perfect alignment of the sections 15 and 16 facing each other is important for the following sachet manufacturing operations. Indeed, such exact alignment of the sections 15 and 16 is necessary for the successive operations. For example, an exact alignment of the profiles is necessary during step 12, which references the pre-crushing of the profiles 15 and 16 preceding the welds of the lateral edges for individualization resealable bags.

Better guidance of the sections 15 and 16 by the means 9 allows perfect alignment and clipping of the profiles at 70 as shown in the Figure 8, where the alignment 13 of sections 15 and 16 is correct.

The second embodiment has been described as a improvement of the first embodiment. Of course, according to variants of the second embodiment, one can achieve an effect substantially similar by forming on the surface of a plate according to the state of the technique of guide grooves, preferably inclined and similar to those obtained by the device of the second mode of production. Each groove on a side of the plate is then materialized by a space left between two parts projecting from the sides.

Thus, according to a first variant, it is possible to form grooves by a patch on each side of the plate at the end of the slot. Preferably, the patch has a general shape semi-cylindrical and has a radius of curvature substantially identical to that of the part described above.

Also preferably, the guide groove of each part is inclined as on the part of the second embodiment, so that gradually move the profiles apart, from the leading edge to the edge located towards the bag filling means downstream of the scrolling.

According to a second variant, the grooves can be formed by the space left between two pieces, preferably semi-cylindrical, that is reported on each side of the plate at the end of the slot. Preferably, at least one of the two parts includes means able to tilt the formed throat and open gradually the profiles.

Both variants can be made by gluing the pieces reported, and said inserts are advantageously resistant to wear. For example, their material includes ceramic.

The guide and opening groove can also be formed by means made of material on the sides of the plate.

The two variants of the second embodiment make it possible to forming guide and separation grooves, having substantially the same dimensions and properties as the second embodiment, all avoiding the cut in the plate and the establishment of a part in this cutout.

We have described in the present description an application to horizontal FFS type machines, but the means described are suitable easily to vertical machines.

The bags are filled conventionally on the machine after profile welding operations, on the same site or on another site.

Claims (15)

Guiding device, on a machine for manufacturing resealable sachets, of means (107) for opening / closing the sachets comprising a plate (100) complementary to means for welding the opening / closing means on the walls of the sachet, the plate (100) comprising a slot (6) capable of guiding the means (107) of opening / closing in movement, the slot further comprising means capable of opening the opening means after welding and means (5, 9) capable of facilitating the opening and guiding of the opening / closing means, characterized in that the facilitation means include a cutout (5) at the end of the slot (6) intended to allow the opening of opening / closing means, the cutout (5) increasing the width of the slot (6) in a direction perpendicular to the direction of extension of the slot and parallel to the plate. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the cutout (5) is of rectangular shape. Device according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the external surface (7) of the plate at the level of the facilitating means (5) is treated so as to resist wear. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the external surface of the plate is covered by a material allowing better resistance to wear. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the internal surface (30) of the facilitation means (5) is treated so as to resist wear. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the internal surface (30) is covered by a material allowing better resistance to wear. Device according to one of claims 4 or 6, characterized in that the material comprises ceramic. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the facilitation means comprise, on each side of the plate, means comprising a groove (11) for opening and guiding the means (107) for opening / closing. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the grooves (11) are formed by a space left between two parts projecting from the sides of the plate. Device according to one of Claims 8 or 9, characterized in that the axis of each groove (11) is parallel to the travel of the opening / closing means, the extension axis of each groove being inclined relative to a longitudinal plane of symmetry passing through the center of the plate (100), the inclination of the axes being able to provide a progressive spacing of the opening / closing means. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that the grooves (11) extend in the second part of the projections located downstream of the movement, in order to guide the opening / closing means downstream of the opening device. Device according to one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that the grooves (11) are provided in means (9) fixed in the cutout (5). Device according to claim 12, characterized in that the means (9) comprise a part mainly of cylindrical shape of revolution which comprises grooves (66, 11), able to allow its fixing on the plate (100) at the level of the cutout (5) and able to constitute means for guiding the opening / closing means. Device according to claim 13, characterized in that the two lateral grooves (11) intended to constitute guide means extend on the sides of the part (9), the groove (66) for fixing on the plate being centered on longitudinal plane of symmetry to the plate (100) when the part (9) is in position. Device according to one of claims 8 to 14, characterized in that the means comprising the groove are made of material comprising ceramic.

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