EP1428653B1 - Device for guiding and for opening bag zipper closures - Google Patents

Description

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 sachets resealable.

Classically, these bag-making machines use the "formation, filling and welding" or "form, fill and seal" process according to the Anglo-Saxon terminology generally used by the man of the job.

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

According to this technique, a plastic film 102 is scrolled along a plate 100. Such a technique is represented by JP-A-55161637 and US-A-3839128. As shown in FIG. 1, the sides of the plate having the larger area are of vertical extension. Side slices connecting two flanks are of horizontal extension. Plate 100 is usually a steel sheet of thickness approximately 101 equal to 1 mm.

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

The film 102 has, unlike the lower part 105 of the sachet, a mouth 106 located in the upper part of the bag. The mouth will subsequently allow access to the interior of the sachet.

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

Conventionally, the means of opening and closing 107 comprise two complementary sections 15 and 16 fixed on the walls 103 and 104 of the bag. In FIG. 1, the profile referenced by 16 is in connection with the wall 103 and the profile referenced by 15 is in connection with the wall 104.

The metal plate 100 allows the guiding of the sections 15 and 16, during the welding of these, on the inner surfaces of the walls 103 and 104. Indeed, the plate 100 extends in the zone referenced by 1 on the Figure 1, between solder bars. The weld bars extend longitudinally on either side of the plate 100, at the level of the mouth 106 and means for opening / closing 107. The bars of weld the means 107 on the walls 103 and 104 in coming to bear on the plate 100. The welding of the sections 15 and 16 is carried out in the zone referenced 1 in FIG.

Of course, to allow the scrolling 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 profiles 15 and 16 are joined at 110, the plate 100 comprises a slot 6, crossing in the thickness direction the plate 100, and allowing the longitudinal movement of the junction 110 between the two complementary profiles 15 and 16 in the center of the plate 100.

After welding the sails of the profiles 15 and 16 to the film 102, the sections 15 and 16 arrive in zone 2 in which stops the slot 6. The fact that the slot 6 stops allows to open the zone of junction 110 in zone 108.

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

This filling process, however, does not present any satisfaction.

Indeed, the end of the slot 6 has corners referenced by 3 and 4 in FIG. 1, and between which the edges of the plate 100 extend. 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 the film 102 on the edges, the plate 100 tends to wear out and become sharp. By therefore, the edges of the end of the slot between the corners 3 and 4, as well as the corners 3 and 4, can cut the profile 16 and create a break 20 irremediable from the junction as shown in Figure 2A. The profile 16 is separated from its fastening means 17.

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

In addition, with the classic slot 6, the profiles are not well guided, and it often follows a shift of the profiles 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 final consumer, since the side edges of the bag are going to be welded and will therefore maintain this misalignment 14.

PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

The invention proposes to overcome these disadvantages.

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

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

For this purpose, the invention proposes a guiding device, on a machine for manufacturing resealable bags, means opening / closing sachets comprising a complementary plate welding means opening / closing means on the walls of the bag, the plate having a slot adapted to guide the means opening / closing in scrolling, the slot further comprising means capable of opening the opening means after welding and means capable of facilitating the opening and the guidance of the means opening / closing, characterized in that the facilitating means have a cutout at the end of the slot to allow opening of the opening / closing means, cutting increasing the width of the slot in a direction perpendicular to the direction of extension of 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 completed by the following features, taken alone or in any of their technically possible combination:

• the cutout is rectangular in shape;
• the outer surface of the plate at the level of the facilitating means is treated to withstand wear;
• the outer surface of the plate is covered by a material allowing a better wear resistance;
• the inner surface of the facilitating means is treated to withstand wear;
• the inner surface is covered by a material allowing a better resistance to wear;
• the material comprises ceramic;
• the facilitation means comprise means comprising a groove for opening and guiding the opening / closing means on each side of the plate;
• the grooves are formed by a space left between two parts protruding from the sides of the plate;
• the axis of the grooves are parallel to the running 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, the inclination of the axes being adapted to provide a gradual spacing of the opening / closing means;
• the grooves extend in the second portion of the projections located downstream of the scroll, to guide the opening / closing means downstream of the opening device;
• the grooves are formed in means fixed in the cutout;
• the means comprise a substantially cylindrical piece of revolution which comprises grooves, adapted to allow its attachment to the plate at the cutting and adapted to constitute means for guiding the opening / closing means;
• the two lateral grooves intended to constitute guiding means extend on the sides of the workpiece, the fixing groove on the plate being centered on a plane of symmetry longitudinal to the plate when the workpiece is in position; and
• the means comprising the groove are made of material comprising ceramic.

PRESENTATION OF 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 features, objects and advantages of the invention will emerge from the description which follows, which is purely illustrative and nonlimiting, 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 commented, represent the disadvantages of the plate according to Figure 1;
• FIG. 3 diagrammatically represents a first possible embodiment of a plate according to the invention;
• FIG. 4 diagrammatically represents a second possible embodiment of a plate according to the invention;
• Figure 5 shows a longitudinal view of an opening and guiding device on the plate according to Figure 4;
• Figure 6 is a radial view of the device according to Figure 5;
• FIG. 7 diagrammatically represents the operation of the embodiment according to FIG. 4; and
• Figure 8 shows the alignment of the profiles after use of a profile opening plate according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION FIRST EMBODIMENT

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

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

Indeed, the bag 102 has walls 103 and 104 extending substantially vertically and interconnected at the bottom 105 of the bag 102, the portion 105 having a bend or a weld of walls 103 and 104.

In contrast to the closed bottom portion 105, the bag 102 comprises a mouth 106 which, following the formation of the sachet, will allow a access inside the bag by a user.

The walls 103 and 104 conventionally comprise profiles complementary elements 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 the profiles 15 and 16, are welded on the walls 103 and 104 in the zone referenced by 1. The means 107 are then opened by the end of the slot 6 in the zone 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 cut 5 at the end of the slot 6, this cutout 5 being able to facilitate the opening of the profiles 15 and 16.

The cut 5 abruptly increases the width 31 of the slot 6 according to a direction perpendicular to the direction of travel of the film 102. cutout 5 mainly comprises a rectangular elbow 8 allowing to 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 of a factor substantially equal to four.

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

Thus, in the example shown in FIG. 3, the shape cutout 5 rectangular has a width 32 substantially equal to four times the width 31 of the slot 6. The extension 33 of the cutout 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, reduces the stresses on the sections 15 and 16 when they arrive at the end The reduction of the stresses avoids sharpening the end of the slit 6, which avoids the cutting of the profiles and a stop of the production line.

Such a reduction of constraints also allows a better guiding profiles 15 and 16 after opening. It can be seen that thanks to this cut 5 the profiles always open on a straight part perpendicular to the plane of extension of the plate 100. There is more risk blocking profiles 15 and 16, neither in the corners 3 and 4, nor on the edges from the end of the slot 6.

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

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

SECOND EMBODIMENT

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

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

The plate 100 and the bag 102 comprise 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 guiding sections 15 and 16 a cutout 5 to enlarge, in one direction perpendicular to the slot 6 and parallel to the extension plane of the plate 100, the width 31 of the slot 6.

In this cutout 5, there is a device 9 allowing to improve the opening and guidance of the profiles 15 and 16.

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

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

Piece 9 is preferentially and mainly of shape cylindrical of revolution, a form in which one comes to arrange gorges 66 and 11, respectively in order to be able to arrange it on the plate 100 at cutting level 5 and to constitute means for guiding the profiles.

Piece 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 small, in order to avoid constraining sections 15 and 16 and the film 102 while scrolling through the room 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 sections 15 and 16.

The part 9 comprises a radial groove 66 of substantially rectangular, extending along the longitudinal axis of part 9. The bottom 67 of the groove 66 extends substantially in a plane confused with a diameter of the piece 9.

The width 63 of the groove 66 is adapted to the width 101 of the plate 100. Thus, the distance 63 is substantially equal to 1.25 mm for a plate 100 of thickness 101 equal to 1.2 mm. So, piece 9 can come fit into the cutout 5 and cooperate with the inner surface 30 of the 5. For example, the surface 67 may be bonded to the inner surface 30 of the cutout 5.

The depth of the groove 66 is of the order of the radius of the part 9, 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 piece 9. The grooves 11 extend symmetrically through relation to the plane of transverse 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 piece as that they can guide the profiles 15 and 16. Thus, preferably, the dimension 51 is equal to 2.5 mm.

The grooves 11 are adapted to the height of the hooks of the profiles 15 and 16. The two grooves may be identical or different, depending on the profiles to open.

The extension axis of each groove 11 is inclined relative to the plane of symmetry 68. Gorges 11 move further and further apart from each other to guide the profiles and allow them to open gradually. The grooves 11 allow the male and female profiles to be unclipped naturally, by limiting the opening angle of the profiles.

Thus, on the opposite side to the groove 66, which constitutes the side of the profiles 15 and 16 opposite piece 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 funds 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 to the Figure 6 is equal to 0.74 mm.

The grooves 11 can extend over the half circumference of the piece 9 having the slot 66, that is to say the half circumference located towards downstream of the scroll. The extension of the grooves 11 makes it possible to guarantee a guiding profiles 15 and 16 downstream of the hook opening station.

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

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

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

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

The second embodiment has been described as a improvement of the first embodiment. Of course, according to variants of the second embodiment, an effect can be obtained 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 protruding from the flanks.

Thus, according to a first variant, grooves can be formed by a patch on each side of the plate at the end of the slot. Preferably, the patch has a general shape hemicylindrical and has a radius of curvature substantially identical to that of the piece described above.

Preferably again, the guide groove of each piece is inclined as on the part of the second embodiment, so as to gradually remove the profiles, from the leading edge to the edge located towards the filling means of the bag downstream of the scroll.

According to a second variant, the grooves can be formed by the space left between two pieces, preferentially hemicylindrical, that it is reported on each side of the plate at the end of the slot. Preferably, at least one of the two parts comprises means able to give an inclination to the groove formed and open gradually the profiles.

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

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

Both variants of the second embodiment make it possible to forming guiding and separating grooves, having substantially same dimensions and properties as the second embodiment, all avoiding cutting into the plate and setting up a piece in this cut.

In the present description, an application has been described for horizontal FFS type machines, but the described means adapt easily to vertical machines.

The filling of the bags is carried out conventionally on the machine after the welding operations of the profiles, on the same site or on another site.

Claims (15)

1. Device for guiding, on a machine for manufacturing resealable bags, means (107) for opening/sealing the bags comprising a plate (100) complementing means for welding the opening/sealing means onto the walls of the bag, the plate (100) comprising a slot (6) able to guide the opening/sealing means (107) as they progress, the slot also comprising means able to open the opening means after welding and means (5, 9) able to facilitate the opening and guiding of the opening/sealing means, characterized in that the facilitating means comprise a cut-out (5) at the end of the slot (6) intended to allow the opening/sealing means to be opened, the cut-out (5) increasing the width of the slot (6) in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the slot runs and parallel to the plate.
2. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the cut-out (5) is of rectangular shape.
3. Device according to one of Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the external surface (7) of the plate in the region of the facilitating means (5) is treated in such a way as to resist wear.
4. Device according to Claim 3, characterized in that the external surface of the plate is covered with a material that provides better wear resistance.
5. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the internal surface (30) of the facilitating means (5) is treated so as to resist wear.
6. Device according to Claim 5, characterized in that the internal surface (30) is covered with a material providing better wear resistance.
7. Device according to one of Claims 4 and 6, characterized in that the material contains ceramic.
8. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the facilitating means comprise, on each flank of the plate, means comprising a groove (11) for opening and guiding the opening/sealing means (107).
9. Device according to Claim 8, characterized in that the grooves (11) are formed by a space left between two parts that protrude with respect to the flanks of the plate.
10. Device according to one of Claims 8 and 9, characterized in that the axis of each groove (11) is parallel to the progression of the opening/sealing means, the axis along which each groove extends being inclined with respect to a longitudinal plane of symmetry passing through the centre of the plate (100), the inclination of the axes being able to cause the opening/sealing means to part gradually.
11. Device according to Claim 10, characterized in that the grooves (11) extend into the second part of the projections situated downstream of the progression so as to guide the opening/sealing means downstream of the opening device.
12. Device according to one of Claims 8 to 11, characterized in that the grooves (11) are formed in means (9) fixed in the cut-out (5).
13. Device according to Claim 12, characterized in that the means (9) comprise a part mainly in the shape of a cylinder of revolution which comprises grooves (66, 11) able to allow it to be fixed to the plate (100) at the cut-out (5) and able to constitute means for guiding the opening/sealing means.
14. Device according to Claim 13, characterized in that the two lateral grooves (11) intended to constitute guide means extend along the sides of the piece (9), the groove (66) for fixing to the plate being centred on a plane of symmetry longitudinal to the plate (100) when the piece (9) is in position.
15. Device according to one of Claims 8 to 14, characterized in that the means comprising the groove are made of a material containing ceramic.

Images