EP1733968A1 - Bagging apparatus particularly for granular and/or powdery products - Google Patents
Bagging apparatus particularly for granular and/or powdery products Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP1733968A1 EP1733968A1 EP06115516A EP06115516A EP1733968A1 EP 1733968 A1 EP1733968 A1 EP 1733968A1 EP 06115516 A EP06115516 A EP 06115516A EP 06115516 A EP06115516 A EP 06115516A EP 1733968 A1 EP1733968 A1 EP 1733968A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- bag
- bell
- mouth
- product
- air
- 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.)
- Withdrawn
Links
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 17
- 238000005056 compaction Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 14
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 13
- 239000000523 sample Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 10
- 230000002457 bidirectional effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 6
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000004806 packaging method and process Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 6
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 4
- 210000003128 head Anatomy 0.000 description 3
- 229920000573 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 description 3
- 238000009461 vacuum packaging Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000006866 deterioration Effects 0.000 description 2
- 210000003027 ear inner Anatomy 0.000 description 2
- 230000000670 limiting effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000001914 filtration Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000008187 granular material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001788 irregular Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000843 powder Substances 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B31/00—Packaging articles or materials under special atmospheric or gaseous conditions; Adding propellants to aerosol containers
- B65B31/04—Evacuating, pressurising or gasifying filled containers or wrappers by means of nozzles through which air or other gas, e.g. an inert gas, is withdrawn or supplied
- B65B31/06—Evacuating, pressurising or gasifying filled containers or wrappers by means of nozzles through which air or other gas, e.g. an inert gas, is withdrawn or supplied the nozzle being arranged for insertion into, and withdrawal from, the mouth of a filled container and operating in conjunction with means for sealing the container mouth
-
- 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
- B65B1/00—Packaging fluent solid material, e.g. powders, granular or loose fibrous material, loose masses of small articles, in individual containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, or jars
- B65B1/20—Reducing volume of filled material
- B65B1/22—Reducing volume of filled material by vibration
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B31/00—Packaging articles or materials under special atmospheric or gaseous conditions; Adding propellants to aerosol containers
- B65B31/04—Evacuating, pressurising or gasifying filled containers or wrappers by means of nozzles through which air or other gas, e.g. an inert gas, is withdrawn or supplied
- B65B31/044—Evacuating, pressurising or gasifying filled containers or wrappers by means of nozzles through which air or other gas, e.g. an inert gas, is withdrawn or supplied the nozzles being combined with a filling device
- B65B31/045—Evacuating, pressurising or gasifying filled containers or wrappers by means of nozzles through which air or other gas, e.g. an inert gas, is withdrawn or supplied the nozzles being combined with a filling device of Vertical Form-Fill-Seal [VFFS] machines
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a bagging apparatus particularly for granular and/or powdery products and the like.
- the apparatus is suitable to remove air and/or gas present inside a bag filled with granular and/or powdery product and heat-seal it without the bag reacquiring air or gas from the outside, so as to obtain a vacuum which is adjustable according to the requirements of the product.
- Packaging usually occurs in bags made of an appropriately selected material, for example laminated polythene or other materials having similar characteristics; these bags are filled completely and closed at the top after vacuum has been produced inside them, so as to minimize space occupation and preserve the characteristics of the product. These bags can attain even substantial dimensions and weights, and therefore their storage is often problematic.
- Some known apparatuses insert each bag to be filled in suitable chambers from which air is aspirated; as an alternative, air is also aspirated from the inside of the bag through filtering probes, which are extracted from said bag.
- air is also aspirated from the inside of the bag through filtering probes, which are extracted from said bag.
- the apparatuses currently in use tend to leave inside the filled bags holes or labyrinths, which even if they are very small cause the loss of the air and of part of a product and further leave inside the bags an amount of air which is often not tolerable and causes product deterioration.
- the apparatuses currently in use leave inside such bags an amount of air and/or gas that does not allow to palletize them and causes the deterioration of the product inside.
- the bags made of polythene (or other similar material), are heat-sealed at the top, after filling and vacuum generation, at a portion of the bag that has been soiled by the product during filling and vacuum production: accordingly, the quality of such heat-seal is certainly not ideal.
- the aim of the present invention is to obviate the drawbacks noted above, by providing a bagging apparatus that allows to vacuum-package products in bags, even large ones, efficiently and at production rates that are distinctly higher than those that can be achieved currently with known types of apparatus.
- an object of the present invention is to provide a bagging apparatus that is suitable to package products safely and effectively, without leaving microcracks in the bags or air inside them in an unwanted amount.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide a vacuum bagging apparatus that is suitable to package the products in bags having standardized and uniform sizes, which as such are easy to store and transport.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide a bagging apparatus with a structure that is simple, relatively easy to provide in practice, safe in use, effective in operation, and has a relatively low cost.
- the present bagging apparatus particularly for granular and powdery products, of the type adapted to vacuum-package granular and/or powdery products in bags, characterized in that it comprises at least one bag compaction chamber, in which at least one of the walls is movable and is adapted to apply a given pressure to a surface of the bag, so as to expel therefrom contained air and/or gases and compact the product, and at least one bell, which is provided with at least one filter probe, which is connected to air and/or gas suction means and is adapted to produce vacuum inside the bag, said bell being associated with means for bidirectional translational motion from an inactive retracted position to a suction position, in which it is at least partially inserted in a mouth of the bag so as to adhere perimetrically to its internal surface, means being further provided for heat-sealing the mouth in the portion arranged in contact with said bell, said means being adapted to provide final closure of the mouth of the bag along the internal
- the reference numeral 1 generally designated a bagging apparatus particularly for granular and/or powdery products according to the invention.
- the bagging apparatus is in particular of the type suitable to vacuum-package granular and/or powdery products in bags of the type with an open mouth or of the type formed continuously from a reel, generally designated by the reference numeral 2, the mouth of which is designated by the reference numeral 2a.
- bags are preferably made of a material such as laminated polythene or the like, but actually can be made of any material that has suitable physical and/or mechanical characteristics.
- the bags can have any geometry or size, which are chosen in each instance in relation to the type of product to be packaged, to the storage conditions, to the methods of transport, and others.
- the vacuum bagging apparatus 1 described hereinafter has a sturdy footing, provided with dimensions which are suitable for the maximum dimensions of the bags 2 to be filled.
- the footing of the apparatus is not shown for the sake of simplicity and clarity in the accompanying drawings, but it is of a substantially traditional type.
- the apparatus comprises advantageously at least one bag compaction chamber, generally designated by the reference numeral 3, in which at least one of the walls is movable and is suitable to apply an appropriate pressure to the outer surface 4 of the bag 2, so as to expel the air contained therein and compact the product in an optimum manner; the apparatus further comprises conveniently at least one bell 5, which is provided with at least one filter probe 6 which is connected to means for aspirating air and/or gases, not shown in the figures, and is suitable to produce vacuum inside the bag 2.
- the bell 5 is in fact associated conveniently with means for bidirectional translational motion, not shown in the figures but of a substantially known type, from an inactive retracted position ( Figure 1) to a suction position, in which it is at least partially inserted within the mouth 2a of the bag 2 so as to adhere perimetrically to its internal surface 7.
- the apparatus 1 further advantageously comprises means, generally designated by the reference numeral 8, for heat-sealing the mouth 2a in the portion thereof that is arranged in contact with the bell 5: the heat-sealing means 8 are suitable to produce the final closure of the mouth 2a of the bag 2 along its internal surface 7, which conveniently has remained unsoiled by the powdery and/or granular product, since it has been placed in contact with the external surface 9 of the bell 5.
- the apparatus in fact comprises, for this purpose, clamping means, generally designated by the reference numeral 10, which are suitable to make the mouth 2a of the bag 2 adhere hermetically to the outer surface 9 of the bell 5, so as to prevent the seepage of air from the outside during the production of the vacuum and/or the escape of the product.
- the apparatus according to the invention further comprises conveniently elements, generally designated by the reference numeral 11, for temporarily closing the bag 2 substantially at the base of the mouth 2a: the temporary closure elements 11 are suitable to clamp the walls of the bag 2a against each other and thus prevent the inflow of air into the already-filled bag and the escape of the product during the final heat-sealing step.
- the bell 5 is positioned advantageously at the top of the compaction chamber 3 and is actuated so as to perform a bidirectional translational motion, first downward and then upward, at each packaging cycle, along a substantially vertical direction.
- the bell 5 can be stationary and the bag can rise vertically, but substantially the operating cycle does not change.
- the filter probe 6 is in turn fitted inside the bell 5 and is actuated by respective translational motion elements (not shown for the sake of simplicity, but of a substantially known and traditional type) from an inactive retracted upper position to a position which protrudes downward and in which the probe 6, with the bell 5 inserted in the mouth 2a of the bag 2, is substantially in contact with the product contained in the bag, so as to remove the air included in the product in an amount that depends on the type of the product.
- respective translational motion elements not shown for the sake of simplicity, but of a substantially known and traditional type
- the compaction chamber 3 comprises at least five substantially flat walls, at least one of which is movable: a first side wall 12 and a second side wall 13, which are mutually parallel and flat, a third bottom wall 14, which is substantially perpendicular to the first and second walls, a fourth upper wall 14a and a fifth upper wall 14b, which are contoured and perpendicular with respect to the side walls 12 and 13 and are flat and parallel with respect to the bottom wall 14.
- the first wall 12, the second wall 13, the third wall 14, the fourth wall 14a and the fifth wall 14b are associated with respective actuation means, for example of the electrical, pneumatic or hydraulic type, or even of another type, which allow to apply to the bag 2 the suitable pressure, such as to compact the product and at the same time cause the rapid exit of the air included in the product.
- actuation means for example of the electrical, pneumatic or hydraulic type, or even of another type, which allow to apply to the bag 2 the suitable pressure, such as to compact the product and at the same time cause the rapid exit of the air included in the product.
- the first wall 12, the second movable wall 13 and the third movable wall 14 are associated with means for generating a vibration of predefined frequency and amplitude, so as to facilitate the compaction of the product inside the bag 2 and cause the air to exit.
- the vibration generation means may be of a substantially known and traditional type.
- the heat-sealing means 8 suitable to seal each filled bag 2 comprise advantageously at least one pair of heat-sealing heads 15, which are mutually opposite and are associated with respective actuation elements; each head is actuated so as to perform a translational motion, substantially at right angles to the bell 5, from a respective inactive retracted position to a respective protruding position, in which they are pressed against the external surface of the mouth 2a of the bag 2, for a suitable time interval and at a suitable temperature, so as to produce the hermetic closure of the bag 2.
- the clamping means 10 conveniently comprise at least one pair of mutually opposite jaws 16, which are associated with respective actuation elements and are each actuated so as to perform a translational motion, in a direction which is substantially perpendicular to the bell 5, from a respective inactive retracted position to a respective protruding position, in which each presses the internal surface 7 of the mouth 2a of the bag 2 against the external surface 9 of the bell 5.
- the temporary closure elements 11 advantageously comprise a first male element 17 and a second female element 18, which are mutually opposite and are associated with respective actuation elements, not shown in the figures, each of which is actuated so as to perform a translational motion, substantially at right angles to the bell 5, from a respective inactive retracted position to a respective protruding position, in which they are engaged within each other, so as to clamp the base of the mouth 2a of the bag 2, so as to prevent the escape of the product and the inflow of air during the step for final hermetic sealing of the bag.
- the operation of the vacuum bagging apparatus is as follows.
- the bag 2 is filled with the granular and/or powdery products to be packaged, subsequently positioning it in the compaction chamber 3 ( Figure 1); filling is performed preferably from above by means of a feeder of the generally known type. Filling can occur advantageously in successive steps, i.e., in several periods separated by air suction steps.
- the bell 5 is inserted in the mouth 2a of the bag 2, moving it downward by an extent of preset length; the jaws 16 are then clamped, moving the internal surface 7 of the mouth 2a so that it adheres hermetically against the external surface 9 of the bell 5, preventing the seepage of air and the escape of the product ( Figure 2).
- the fourth wall 14a and the fifth wall 14b and then the first wall 12, the second wall 13 and the third wall 14 are actuated, together with the vibration generation means, so as to achieve the optimum compaction of the product inside the bag and the escape of the air included within said product.
- the filter probe 6, in this step is in contact with the product: by actuating the air suction means, said air is removed completely from the inside of the bag, providing the required condition of vacuum packaging, which is adjustable according to the requirements of the product ( Figure 4).
- the first male element 17 and the second female element 18 are actuated so as to perform a translational motion toward each other at right angles to the mouth 2a of the bag 2, so as to close temporarily and hermetically the compacted bag at the base of the mouth 2a ( Figure 6).
- the jaws 16 are then released from the mouth 2a of the bag, and the bell 5 is extracted completely (Figure 7).
- the heat-sealing heads 15 are actuated so as to close hermetically and permanently the bag 2 in vacuum, the first male element 17 and the second female element 18 are released, and all the walls 12, 13, 14, 14a, 14b are reopened, so as to be able to remove the bag 2 from the compaction chamber 3.
- the bag 2 has two flat and parallel regular lateral faces and two top and bottom faces, which are perpendicular to the lateral faces.
- the bag 2 advantageously has dimensions which are predefined with narrow tolerances (in particular as regards width and height) and is conveniently suitable to be stored and palletized with minimal space occupation and maximum stability and safety.
- the apparatus according to the invention allows to perform effectively, in particular by virtue of the presence of the bell, the vacuum packaging of the products with minimal air residues and with extremely short operating times. Moreover, the resulting bag has minimized space occupation and regular geometries.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Dispersion Chemistry (AREA)
- Vacuum Packaging (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to a bagging apparatus particularly for granular and/or powdery products and the like. The apparatus is suitable to remove air and/or gas present inside a bag filled with granular and/or powdery product and heat-seal it without the bag reacquiring air or gas from the outside, so as to obtain a vacuum which is adjustable according to the requirements of the product.
- Equipment and machines that provide vacuum packaging of products of various kinds in the form of granules and powders are known and widespread in the industrial field. Packaging usually occurs in bags made of an appropriately selected material, for example laminated polythene or other materials having similar characteristics; these bags are filled completely and closed at the top after vacuum has been produced inside them, so as to minimize space occupation and preserve the characteristics of the product. These bags can attain even substantial dimensions and weights, and therefore their storage is often problematic.
- Some known apparatuses insert each bag to be filled in suitable chambers from which air is aspirated; as an alternative, air is also aspirated from the inside of the bag through filtering probes, which are extracted from said bag. However, it is noted that currently this type of apparatus, as well as other types of apparatus currently in use, have objective limitations related first of all to production rates, which with current methods for producing vacuum in the bags have certainly become too slow in relation to market requirements.
- Secondly, the apparatuses currently in use tend to leave inside the filled bags holes or labyrinths, which even if they are very small cause the loss of the air and of part of a product and further leave inside the bags an amount of air which is often not tolerable and causes product deterioration. In bags filled without holes or labyrinths, the apparatuses currently in use leave inside such bags an amount of air and/or gas that does not allow to palletize them and causes the deterioration of the product inside.
- Thirdly, the shape, geometry and dimensions of the bags currently used is usually irregular, and this entails that their storage and transport are rather problematic and unsafe.
- Fourthly, finally, with the apparatuses currently in use the bags, made of polythene (or other similar material), are heat-sealed at the top, after filling and vacuum generation, at a portion of the bag that has been soiled by the product during filling and vacuum production: accordingly, the quality of such heat-seal is certainly not ideal.
- The aim of the present invention is to obviate the drawbacks noted above, by providing a bagging apparatus that allows to vacuum-package products in bags, even large ones, efficiently and at production rates that are distinctly higher than those that can be achieved currently with known types of apparatus.
- Within this aim, an object of the present invention is to provide a bagging apparatus that is suitable to package products safely and effectively, without leaving microcracks in the bags or air inside them in an unwanted amount.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide a vacuum bagging apparatus that is suitable to package the products in bags having standardized and uniform sizes, which as such are easy to store and transport.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide a bagging apparatus with a structure that is simple, relatively easy to provide in practice, safe in use, effective in operation, and has a relatively low cost.
- This aim and these and other objects that will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved by the present bagging apparatus, particularly for granular and powdery products, of the type adapted to vacuum-package granular and/or powdery products in bags, characterized in that it comprises at least one bag compaction chamber, in which at least one of the walls is movable and is adapted to apply a given pressure to a surface of the bag, so as to expel therefrom contained air and/or gases and compact the product, and at least one bell, which is provided with at least one filter probe, which is connected to air and/or gas suction means and is adapted to produce vacuum inside the bag, said bell being associated with means for bidirectional translational motion from an inactive retracted position to a suction position, in which it is at least partially inserted in a mouth of the bag so as to adhere perimetrically to its internal surface, means being further provided for heat-sealing the mouth in the portion arranged in contact with said bell, said means being adapted to provide final closure of the mouth of the bag along the internal surface, which has remained unsoiled by the product.
- Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become better apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of a bagging apparatus, particularly for granular and/or powdery products according to the invention, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:
- Figure 1 is a partially sectional schematic front view of the apparatus according to the invention in a first step of operation;
- Figure 2 is a partially sectional schematic front view of the apparatus in a second step of operation;
- Figure 3 is a partially sectional schematic top view of the apparatus in a second step of operation;
- Figure 4 is a partially sectional schematic front view of a third step of the operation of the apparatus according to the invention;
- Figure 5 is a partially sectional schematic top view of the apparatus in a third step of operation;
- Figure 6 is a schematic and partially sectional front view of the apparatus in a fourth step of operation;
- Figure 7 is a schematic and partially sectional front view of the apparatus in a fifth step of operation.
- In the exemplary embodiment that follows, individual characteristics may actually be interchanged with other different characteristics that exist in other exemplary embodiments.
- Moreover, it is noted that anything found to be already known during the patenting process is understood not to be claimed and to be the subject of a disclaimer.
- With reference to Figure 1, the reference numeral 1 generally designated a bagging apparatus particularly for granular and/or powdery products according to the invention.
- The bagging apparatus, described hereinafter in a possible non-exclusive embodiment thereof, is in particular of the type suitable to vacuum-package granular and/or powdery products in bags of the type with an open mouth or of the type formed continuously from a reel, generally designated by the
reference numeral 2, the mouth of which is designated by thereference numeral 2a. Such bags are preferably made of a material such as laminated polythene or the like, but actually can be made of any material that has suitable physical and/or mechanical characteristics. Moreover, it is noted that the bags can have any geometry or size, which are chosen in each instance in relation to the type of product to be packaged, to the storage conditions, to the methods of transport, and others. - The vacuum bagging apparatus 1 described hereinafter has a sturdy footing, provided with dimensions which are suitable for the maximum dimensions of the
bags 2 to be filled. The footing of the apparatus is not shown for the sake of simplicity and clarity in the accompanying drawings, but it is of a substantially traditional type. - According to the invention, the apparatus comprises advantageously at least one bag compaction chamber, generally designated by the reference numeral 3, in which at least one of the walls is movable and is suitable to apply an appropriate pressure to the outer surface 4 of the
bag 2, so as to expel the air contained therein and compact the product in an optimum manner; the apparatus further comprises conveniently at least onebell 5, which is provided with at least onefilter probe 6 which is connected to means for aspirating air and/or gases, not shown in the figures, and is suitable to produce vacuum inside thebag 2. Thebell 5 is in fact associated conveniently with means for bidirectional translational motion, not shown in the figures but of a substantially known type, from an inactive retracted position (Figure 1) to a suction position, in which it is at least partially inserted within themouth 2a of thebag 2 so as to adhere perimetrically to its internal surface 7. - The apparatus 1 further advantageously comprises means, generally designated by the reference numeral 8, for heat-sealing the
mouth 2a in the portion thereof that is arranged in contact with the bell 5: the heat-sealing means 8 are suitable to produce the final closure of themouth 2a of thebag 2 along its internal surface 7, which conveniently has remained unsoiled by the powdery and/or granular product, since it has been placed in contact with the external surface 9 of thebell 5. The apparatus in fact comprises, for this purpose, clamping means, generally designated by thereference numeral 10, which are suitable to make themouth 2a of thebag 2 adhere hermetically to the outer surface 9 of thebell 5, so as to prevent the seepage of air from the outside during the production of the vacuum and/or the escape of the product. - The apparatus according to the invention further comprises conveniently elements, generally designated by the
reference numeral 11, for temporarily closing thebag 2 substantially at the base of themouth 2a: thetemporary closure elements 11 are suitable to clamp the walls of thebag 2a against each other and thus prevent the inflow of air into the already-filled bag and the escape of the product during the final heat-sealing step. - The
bell 5 is positioned advantageously at the top of the compaction chamber 3 and is actuated so as to perform a bidirectional translational motion, first downward and then upward, at each packaging cycle, along a substantially vertical direction. As an alternative, thebell 5 can be stationary and the bag can rise vertically, but substantially the operating cycle does not change. Thefilter probe 6 is in turn fitted inside thebell 5 and is actuated by respective translational motion elements (not shown for the sake of simplicity, but of a substantially known and traditional type) from an inactive retracted upper position to a position which protrudes downward and in which theprobe 6, with thebell 5 inserted in themouth 2a of thebag 2, is substantially in contact with the product contained in the bag, so as to remove the air included in the product in an amount that depends on the type of the product. - In greater detail, the compaction chamber 3 comprises at least five substantially flat walls, at least one of which is movable: a
first side wall 12 and asecond side wall 13, which are mutually parallel and flat, athird bottom wall 14, which is substantially perpendicular to the first and second walls, a fourthupper wall 14a and a fifthupper wall 14b, which are contoured and perpendicular with respect to theside walls bottom wall 14. Thefirst wall 12, thesecond wall 13, thethird wall 14, thefourth wall 14a and thefifth wall 14b are associated with respective actuation means, for example of the electrical, pneumatic or hydraulic type, or even of another type, which allow to apply to thebag 2 the suitable pressure, such as to compact the product and at the same time cause the rapid exit of the air included in the product. - Advantageously, the
first wall 12, the secondmovable wall 13 and the thirdmovable wall 14 are associated with means for generating a vibration of predefined frequency and amplitude, so as to facilitate the compaction of the product inside thebag 2 and cause the air to exit. The vibration generation means, not shown for the sake of simplicity in the figures, may be of a substantially known and traditional type. - The heat-sealing means 8 suitable to seal each filled
bag 2 comprise advantageously at least one pair of heat-sealingheads 15, which are mutually opposite and are associated with respective actuation elements; each head is actuated so as to perform a translational motion, substantially at right angles to thebell 5, from a respective inactive retracted position to a respective protruding position, in which they are pressed against the external surface of themouth 2a of thebag 2, for a suitable time interval and at a suitable temperature, so as to produce the hermetic closure of thebag 2. - The clamping means 10 conveniently comprise at least one pair of mutually
opposite jaws 16, which are associated with respective actuation elements and are each actuated so as to perform a translational motion, in a direction which is substantially perpendicular to thebell 5, from a respective inactive retracted position to a respective protruding position, in which each presses the internal surface 7 of themouth 2a of thebag 2 against the external surface 9 of thebell 5. - The
temporary closure elements 11 advantageously comprise a firstmale element 17 and a secondfemale element 18, which are mutually opposite and are associated with respective actuation elements, not shown in the figures, each of which is actuated so as to perform a translational motion, substantially at right angles to thebell 5, from a respective inactive retracted position to a respective protruding position, in which they are engaged within each other, so as to clamp the base of themouth 2a of thebag 2, so as to prevent the escape of the product and the inflow of air during the step for final hermetic sealing of the bag. - The operation of the vacuum bagging apparatus is as follows.
- First of all, the
bag 2 is filled with the granular and/or powdery products to be packaged, subsequently positioning it in the compaction chamber 3 (Figure 1); filling is performed preferably from above by means of a feeder of the generally known type. Filling can occur advantageously in successive steps, i.e., in several periods separated by air suction steps. - Subsequently, once filling has been completed and after removing a first amount of air, the
bell 5 is inserted in themouth 2a of thebag 2, moving it downward by an extent of preset length; thejaws 16 are then clamped, moving the internal surface 7 of themouth 2a so that it adheres hermetically against the external surface 9 of thebell 5, preventing the seepage of air and the escape of the product (Figure 2). - At this point, the
fourth wall 14a and thefifth wall 14b and then thefirst wall 12, thesecond wall 13 and thethird wall 14 are actuated, together with the vibration generation means, so as to achieve the optimum compaction of the product inside the bag and the escape of the air included within said product. Thefilter probe 6, in this step, is in contact with the product: by actuating the air suction means, said air is removed completely from the inside of the bag, providing the required condition of vacuum packaging, which is adjustable according to the requirements of the product (Figure 4). - After the
filter probe 6 has risen, the firstmale element 17 and the secondfemale element 18 are actuated so as to perform a translational motion toward each other at right angles to themouth 2a of thebag 2, so as to close temporarily and hermetically the compacted bag at the base of themouth 2a (Figure 6). Thejaws 16 are then released from themouth 2a of the bag, and thebell 5 is extracted completely (Figure 7). - Finally, the heat-sealing
heads 15 are actuated so as to close hermetically and permanently thebag 2 in vacuum, the firstmale element 17 and the secondfemale element 18 are released, and all thewalls bag 2 from the compaction chamber 3. - Once packaging and hermetic closure have been completed, the
bag 2 has two flat and parallel regular lateral faces and two top and bottom faces, which are perpendicular to the lateral faces. Thebag 2 advantageously has dimensions which are predefined with narrow tolerances (in particular as regards width and height) and is conveniently suitable to be stored and palletized with minimal space occupation and maximum stability and safety. - It has thus been shown that the invention achieves the intended aim and objects.
- The apparatus according to the invention allows to perform effectively, in particular by virtue of the presence of the bell, the vacuum packaging of the products with minimal air residues and with extremely short operating times. Moreover, the resulting bag has minimized space occupation and regular geometries.
- The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims.
- All the details may further be replaced with other technically equivalent ones.
- In practice, the materials used, as well as the shapes and the dimensions, may be any according to requirements without thereby abandoning the scope of the protection of the appended claims.
- The disclosures in
Italian Patent Application No. BO2005A000408 - Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.
Claims (14)
- A bagging apparatus, particularly for granular and/or powdery products, of the type adapted to vacuum-package granular and/or powdery products in bags (2), characterized in that it comprises at least one compaction chamber (3) for the bag (2), in which at least one of the walls (12, 13, 14, 14a, 14b) is movable and is adapted to apply a given pressure to a surface (4) of the bag (2), so as to expel therefrom contained air and/or gases and compact the product, and at least one bell (5), which is provided with at least one filter probe (6), which is connected to air and/or gas suction means and is adapted to produce vacuum inside the bag (2), said bell (5) being associated with means for bidirectional translational motion from an inactive retracted position to a suction position, in which the bell is at least partially inserted in a mouth (2a) of the bag (2) so as to adhere perimetrically to an internal surface (7) thereof, means (8) being further provided for heat-sealing the mouth (2a) in a portion arranged in contact with said bell (5), said means being adapted to provide a final closure of the mouth (2a) of the bag (2) along said internal surface (7), which has remained unsoiled by the product.
- The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises clamping means (10), which are adapted to make the mouth (2a) of the bag (2) adhere hermetically to an external surface (9) of said bell (5), so as to prevent seepage of the air from the outside and/or escape of the product.
- The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises elements (11) for closing temporarily the bag (2) substantially at a base of the mouth (2a), said elements being adapted to clamp walls of the bag (2) against each other and prevent inflow of air into an already-filled bag (2) and escape of the product during a final heat-sealing step.
- The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said bell (5) is arranged at the top of said compaction chamber (3) and is actuated so as to perform a bidirectional translational motion along a substantially vertical direction.
- The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said filter probe (6) is arranged inside said bell (5) and is associated with respective elements for translational motion from an inactive retracted position to a protruding position, in which said filter, with said bell (5) inserted in the mouth (2a) of the bag (2), in contact with the product contained in said bag (2), so as to remove the air included within the product.
- The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said compaction chamber (3) comprises at least five walls, of which at least one is movable, said walls being substantially flat: a first side wall (12) and a second side wall (13), which are substantially mutually parallel and flat, a third bottom wall (14), a fourth upper wall (14a), and a fifth upper wall (14b), which are substantially perpendicular thereto.
- The apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that at least one of said five walls (12, 13, 14, 14a, 14b) is associated with means for generating a vibration of predefined frequency and amplitude, so as to facilitate compaction of the product inside the bag (2).
- The apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that said heat-sealing means (8) comprise at least one pair of mutually opposite heat-sealing heads (15), which are associated with respective actuation elements and are each actuated so as to perform a translational motion, substantially at right angles to the external surface (9) of said bell (5), from a respective inactive retracted position to a respective protruding position, in which they are pressed against the external surface of the mouth (2a) of the bag (2), for a time period, so as to provide the hermetic closure of said bag (2).
- The apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that said clamping means (10) comprise at least one pair of mutually opposite jaws (16), which are associated with respective actuation elements and are each actuated so as to perform a translational motion, substantially at right angles to the external surface (9) of said bell (5), from a respective inactive retracted position to a respective protruding position, in which said actuation elements each press the internal surface (7) of the mouth (2a) of the bag (2) against the external surface (9) of the bell (5).
- The apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that said temporary closure elements (11) comprise at least one first male element (17) and at least one second female element (18), which are mutually opposite and are associated with respective actuation elements and are each actuated so as to perform a translational motion, in a direction which is substantially perpendicular to the external surface (9) of said bell (5), from a respective inactive retracted position to a respective protruding position, in which they engage within each other so as to clamp the base of the mouth (2a) of the bag (2), preventing the escape of the product and the inflow of air during the final heat-sealing step.
- The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said bag (2) is of a type with an open mouth.
- The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said bag (2) is of a type formed from a continuous reel.
- A method for removing gas inside a bag (2) filled with granular and/or powdery product and for heat-sealing the bag without the bag reacquiring air or gas from the outside, so as to obtain a vacuum which is adjustable according to the requirements of the product, performed with the apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises the steps of:- filling the bag (2) with the granular and/or powdery products to be packaged;- inserting said bell (5) in the mouth (2a) of the bag (2) for an extent of predetermined length;- clamping said jaws (16) against the external surface (9) of said bell (5) so as to make the mouth (2a) of the bag (2) adhere hermetically thereto;- actuating said movable walls (12, 13, 14, 14a, 14b) and said vibration generation means so as to achieve the optimum compaction of the product inside the bag (2) and simultaneously the escape of the air and/gases;- actuating said air suction means so as to remove it from the inside of the bag (2);- actuating said first male element (17) and said second female element (18) so as to close temporarily the compacted bag (2) at the base of the mouth (2a);- releasing said jaws (16) from the mouth (2a) of the bag (2);- extracting said bell (5) from the mouth (2a) of the bag (2);- actuating said heat-sealing heads (15) so as to close hermetically and permanently the bag (2) in vacuum;- releasing said first male element (17) and said second female element (18).
- A package of granular and/or powdery products in a vacuum which is adjustable according to the requirements of said products, characterized in that it comprises at least one bag (2) which, once packaging and hermetic closure have been completed, has an external surface (4) which comprises at least two flat and parallel lateral regular faces, a bottom face and an upper face, which are perpendicular to said lateral faces, said package having predefined dimensions with narrow tolerances and being adapted to be stored and palletized with minimal space occupation and maximum stability.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
IT000408A ITBO20050408A1 (en) | 2005-06-17 | 2005-06-17 | BAGGING EQUIPMENT, PARTICULARLY FOR GRANULAR AND POWDERED PRODUCTS |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1733968A1 true EP1733968A1 (en) | 2006-12-20 |
Family
ID=36645620
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP06115516A Withdrawn EP1733968A1 (en) | 2005-06-17 | 2006-06-15 | Bagging apparatus particularly for granular and/or powdery products |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20060283149A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1733968A1 (en) |
IT (1) | ITBO20050408A1 (en) |
Cited By (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
ITMI20101152A1 (en) * | 2010-06-25 | 2011-12-26 | Saipem Spa | METHOD FOR PACKAGING WET OR DRIED SOLIDS SUITABLE FOR TRANSPORT AND / OR STORAGE |
EP2889227A4 (en) * | 2012-08-27 | 2016-03-09 | Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Co | Packaging method for granular substance and device for packaging granular substance |
CN105600017A (en) * | 2016-03-17 | 2016-05-25 | 常熟三禾精工科技有限公司 | Bag clamping device of automatic open bag filling machine |
CN109808920A (en) * | 2019-03-28 | 2019-05-28 | 什邡昊阳农业发展有限公司 | A kind of Yellow-back fungus baling press |
IT201800005181A1 (en) * | 2018-05-09 | 2019-11-09 | Process and apparatus for the realization of a package containing a product. | |
CN110667943A (en) * | 2019-10-25 | 2020-01-10 | 苏州亨利通信材料有限公司 | Packaging equipment for cable sheath material |
CN112357180A (en) * | 2020-11-25 | 2021-02-12 | 广州奇典皮件有限公司 | Fast external vacuum machine for emulsified oil |
Families Citing this family (11)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE102008006410A1 (en) * | 2008-01-28 | 2009-07-30 | Haver & Boecker Ohg | Suction device for suction of air from head area of open bag filled with pasty product in buckets, has ventilation device with lance that is arranged in resting position outside bag volume and immersed into ventilation position into area |
GB2469814B (en) * | 2009-04-28 | 2013-07-17 | Cash Dynamics Ltd | A bag and sealing method and apparatus |
US20120180435A1 (en) * | 2011-01-14 | 2012-07-19 | Anthony Stelluti | Packaging and Densitization of Micrometric Powders |
CA2901174A1 (en) | 2013-03-15 | 2014-09-25 | Designed by M.E., LLC | Method and apparatus for making a filled sachet |
MX2018005870A (en) * | 2015-11-10 | 2018-08-15 | Cryovac Inc | Apparatus and process for evacuation of packages. |
WO2019040626A1 (en) * | 2017-08-22 | 2019-02-28 | Tmt Vacuum Fillers, Llc | Vacuum apparatus for filling bulk containers |
CN107892035A (en) * | 2017-10-08 | 2018-04-10 | 刘道灵 | A kind of rice-pudding leaf fast package device |
CA3028781A1 (en) * | 2018-01-08 | 2019-07-08 | Gumpro Drilling Fluids Pvt. Ltd. | Apparatus and method for vacuum packaging solid drilling fluid additives |
CN110329564A (en) * | 2019-07-23 | 2019-10-15 | 乌兰察布市西蒙鼎新技术开发有限公司 | A kind of anti-segregation production packing method of metal smelt stuffing sand |
CN110626527B (en) * | 2019-09-10 | 2021-07-09 | 广东莞乡粮油实业有限公司 | Grain vacuum packaging production line |
EP4074610A1 (en) * | 2021-04-14 | 2022-10-19 | GREIF-VELOX Maschinenfabrik GmbH | Method for filling an at least partially gas-permeable container |
Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE1037357B (en) * | 1954-03-05 | 1958-08-21 | Hesser Ag Maschf | Mechanical method and device for evacuating and airtight sealing of filled, in particular prismatic bags made of hot-melt adhesive films, foils or the like. |
US4174599A (en) * | 1977-08-18 | 1979-11-20 | Societe Anonyme Des Imprimerie Et Papeterie De L'est | Bagging machine for packaging powdered materials |
WO1994013537A1 (en) * | 1992-12-14 | 1994-06-23 | J.R. Simplot Company | Vacuum pack machine for french fries |
EP0761544A1 (en) * | 1995-09-05 | 1997-03-12 | Goglio Luigi Milano S.P.A. | Device and method for creating a vacuum in bags |
EP0927134A1 (en) * | 1996-09-17 | 1999-07-07 | Kraft Foods, Inc. | Apparatus and method for formation of sealed packages |
Family Cites Families (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2928216A (en) * | 1956-07-20 | 1960-03-15 | Plustus Sa | Method and machine for filling bags of thermo-weldable material |
DE1177065B (en) * | 1961-06-30 | 1964-08-27 | Hesser Ag Maschf | Chamber for evacuating and gassing filled packages of all kinds |
US3299603A (en) * | 1962-03-12 | 1967-01-24 | Continental Can Co | Method of filling pouches |
US3518809A (en) * | 1968-02-07 | 1970-07-07 | Hesser Ag Maschf | Apparatus for making and filling bags |
US3939624A (en) * | 1973-05-29 | 1976-02-24 | C. V. P. Systems Inc. | Packaging apparatus |
US3939287A (en) * | 1974-06-17 | 1976-02-17 | Spicecraft, Inc. | Sterilizing apparatus and process |
DE3309531C2 (en) * | 1983-03-17 | 1986-02-27 | Haver & Boecker, 4740 Oelde | Bagging nozzle for filling dusty products into open-top bags |
US4633654A (en) * | 1984-07-10 | 1987-01-06 | Tokyo Automatic Machinery Works, Ltd. | Air extractor for bag making, filling and packaging machine |
DE4013273A1 (en) * | 1990-04-26 | 1991-10-31 | Bosch Gmbh Robert | DEVICE FOR EVACUATING AND SEALING BAG PACKS |
NL9402000A (en) * | 1994-11-29 | 1996-07-01 | Sara Lee De Nv | Method for evacuating a vacuum pack filled with granular material and device for carrying out the method. |
-
2005
- 2005-06-17 IT IT000408A patent/ITBO20050408A1/en unknown
-
2006
- 2006-06-14 US US11/452,350 patent/US20060283149A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2006-06-15 EP EP06115516A patent/EP1733968A1/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE1037357B (en) * | 1954-03-05 | 1958-08-21 | Hesser Ag Maschf | Mechanical method and device for evacuating and airtight sealing of filled, in particular prismatic bags made of hot-melt adhesive films, foils or the like. |
US4174599A (en) * | 1977-08-18 | 1979-11-20 | Societe Anonyme Des Imprimerie Et Papeterie De L'est | Bagging machine for packaging powdered materials |
WO1994013537A1 (en) * | 1992-12-14 | 1994-06-23 | J.R. Simplot Company | Vacuum pack machine for french fries |
EP0761544A1 (en) * | 1995-09-05 | 1997-03-12 | Goglio Luigi Milano S.P.A. | Device and method for creating a vacuum in bags |
EP0927134A1 (en) * | 1996-09-17 | 1999-07-07 | Kraft Foods, Inc. | Apparatus and method for formation of sealed packages |
EP1057729A1 (en) * | 1996-09-17 | 2000-12-06 | Molins Plc | Apparatus and method for formation of sealed packages |
Cited By (13)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
ITMI20101152A1 (en) * | 2010-06-25 | 2011-12-26 | Saipem Spa | METHOD FOR PACKAGING WET OR DRIED SOLIDS SUITABLE FOR TRANSPORT AND / OR STORAGE |
WO2012014027A1 (en) * | 2010-06-25 | 2012-02-02 | Saipem S.P.A. | Method for the packaging of wet or dry solids suitable for transportation and/or storage |
CN102958806A (en) * | 2010-06-25 | 2013-03-06 | 塞彭公司 | Method for the packaging of wet or dry solids suitable for transportation and/or storage |
EA022389B1 (en) * | 2010-06-25 | 2015-12-30 | САЙПЕМ С.п.А. | Method and system for the packaging of wet or dry solids |
EP2889227A4 (en) * | 2012-08-27 | 2016-03-09 | Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Co | Packaging method for granular substance and device for packaging granular substance |
CN105600017B (en) * | 2016-03-17 | 2017-09-01 | 常熟三禾精工科技有限公司 | The bag clamping device of Openmouthed bag automatic filling machine |
CN105600017A (en) * | 2016-03-17 | 2016-05-25 | 常熟三禾精工科技有限公司 | Bag clamping device of automatic open bag filling machine |
IT201800005181A1 (en) * | 2018-05-09 | 2019-11-09 | Process and apparatus for the realization of a package containing a product. | |
EP3566955A1 (en) * | 2018-05-09 | 2019-11-13 | CORAZZA S.p.A. | Process and apparatus for making a package for containing a liquid or semi-liquid product |
CN109808920A (en) * | 2019-03-28 | 2019-05-28 | 什邡昊阳农业发展有限公司 | A kind of Yellow-back fungus baling press |
CN109808920B (en) * | 2019-03-28 | 2021-10-01 | 什邡昊阳农业发展有限公司 | Yellow back fungus baling press |
CN110667943A (en) * | 2019-10-25 | 2020-01-10 | 苏州亨利通信材料有限公司 | Packaging equipment for cable sheath material |
CN112357180A (en) * | 2020-11-25 | 2021-02-12 | 广州奇典皮件有限公司 | Fast external vacuum machine for emulsified oil |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US20060283149A1 (en) | 2006-12-21 |
ITBO20050408A1 (en) | 2006-12-18 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
EP1733968A1 (en) | Bagging apparatus particularly for granular and/or powdery products | |
KR101906960B1 (en) | Packaging machine and packaging method | |
ES2682033T3 (en) | Modified atmosphere, second skin or vacuum packaging machine, and method | |
US3481100A (en) | Method and apparatus for packaging in protective atmosphere | |
US4084390A (en) | Apparatus for packaging bulk material | |
US4706441A (en) | Rotary vacuum bagging device equipped with shaping and compacting boxes | |
NZ223386A (en) | Method and apparatus for making gas flushed packages | |
EP2319766B1 (en) | Vertical packaging system and method | |
KR20130087523A (en) | Method for producing a beverage-ingredient capsule for the preparation of a beverage and apparatus | |
CN107963257A (en) | A kind of fruit vacuum packing machine | |
US3928940A (en) | Packaging machine | |
JP2008007139A (en) | Compression filling packaging method | |
JP6710681B2 (en) | Unit and method for attaching a preformed opening device to a web of packaging material | |
WO2013051950A1 (en) | Packaging apparatus | |
EP1056361B1 (en) | Method for producing and shaping food, such as meat products and sausages | |
JP4966440B2 (en) | Horizontal seal control method and apparatus for vertical bag making and filling apparatus | |
JP2926690B2 (en) | Product filling and packaging method and device | |
EP4108578B1 (en) | Device for the extraction of gas from the upper part of a bag containing a powdery material, machine and corresponding procedure | |
JPH06263117A (en) | Packaging method with inside air let out of bag in vertical bag-forming, filling and packaging method | |
USRE27136E (en) | Apparatus and techniques for evacuat- ing and sealing a semi-rigid plastic tray | |
JP6019323B2 (en) | Compressed filling method for packaged items | |
JP6713194B2 (en) | Packaging equipment | |
WO1989001440A1 (en) | Improved vacuum packaging technique and devices | |
JPH0759418B2 (en) | Decompression shaping device for packing powder granules | |
JP4639369B2 (en) | Compressed filling method for packaged items |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR |
|
AX | Request for extension of the european patent |
Extension state: AL BA HR MK YU |
|
17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 20070612 |
|
AKX | Designation fees paid |
Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR |
|
17Q | First examination report despatched |
Effective date: 20070816 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN |
|
18D | Application deemed to be withdrawn |
Effective date: 20100105 |