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
  • B65B11/00—Wrapping, e.g. partially or wholly enclosing, articles or quantities of material, in strips, sheets or blanks, of flexible material
  • B65B11/02—Wrapping articles or quantities of material, without changing their position during the wrapping operation, e.g. in moulds with hinged folders
  • B65B11/025—Wrapping articles or quantities of material, without changing their position during the wrapping operation, e.g. in moulds with hinged folders by webs revolving around stationary articles
• • 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
  • B65B51/00—Devices for, or methods of, sealing or securing package folds or closures; Devices for gathering or twisting wrappers, or necks of bags
  • B65B51/04—Applying separate sealing or securing members, e.g. clips
  • B65B51/06—Applying adhesive tape
• • 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
  • B65B2210/00—Specific aspects of the packaging machine
  • B65B2210/14—Details of wrapping machines with web dispensers for application of a continuous web in layers onto the articles
  • B65B2210/18—Details of wrapping machines with web dispensers for application of a continuous web in layers onto the articles the web dispenser being mounted on a rotary ring

Definitions

• the present invention relates to the sector for automated wrapping of products in which wrapping machines form around the products containment and protective wrappers by wrapping achieved by repeatedly wrapping a continuous strip of wrapping material around them.
• the invention relates to an apparatus for fixing an end of the strip of wrapping material to the wrapper, at the end of the wrapping and by adhesion.
• the main aims of the invention are therefore to provide a simplification of the fixing process; to provide a simplification of the apparatuses used to carry out said process; and to provide shorter operating cycles, at least as regards the fixing operations. All of this to allow savings relative to the process; savings relative to construction of the apparatuses; and to increase their level of reliability compared with prior art apparatuses, considering the possibility that such machines and apparatuses may be used in packaging lines with a high operating rate and/or continuous cycle, that is to say, under heavy duty operating conditions.
• Figure 1 is a diagram of a wrapping machine equipped with an apparatus in accordance with the present invention, shown in a non-operating condition;
• Figure 2 is a partial perspective view of a wrapping machine equipped with the apparatus in accordance with the invention, shown in a first step of transition to an operating condition;
• Figure 3 is a view of the machine in which the apparatus is extending closer to the operating condition
• Figure 4 is an enlarged view of the apparatus corresponding to that of Figure 3;
• Figure 5 is a partial view of the machine of Figure 1, with some parts cut away to better illustrate some functional aspects;
• Figure 6 is a view of the machine in which the apparatus is in the operating condition
• Figure 7 is an enlarged view of the machine corresponding to that of Figure 6;
• Figure 8 is a diagram of the operating principle of a particular component part of the apparatus.
• Figure 9 is a partial perspective view of the machine of Figure 1, showing the apparatus in a step characteristic of its operating condition;
• Figure 10 is a partial enlarged perspective view of the machine of Figure 9, seen from a different viewpoint and illustrated in its operating condition;
• FIG 11 is a detailed enlarged perspective view of a part of the apparatus in accordance with the invention.
• Figure 12 is a detailed enlarged perspective view of a part of the apparatus in accordance with the invention, seen from a different viewpoint to that of Figure 11 ;
• Figure 13 is a detailed enlarged perspective view of a part of the apparatus in accordance with the invention, during a significant operating step;
• Figure 14 is a perspective view corresponding to that of Figure 13, showing an apparatus operating condition which comes after that of Figure 13.
• the numeral 2 denotes as a whole a conventional wrapping machine for packaging products 3 - arranged, for example, in the form of a vertical stack - in a wrapper 4.
• the wrapper 4 is formed by the machine 2 directly on the products 3 by gradually and repeatedly wrapping the products 3 with a continuous strip 5 of wrapping material, consisting for example of a long film of plastic material, which can stretch elastically.
• the wrapping machine 2 has [Figure 2] a vertical frame 37 and a horizontal annular structure 8 which: is inside the frame 37; and can move in a guide longitudinally relative to the vertical part of the frame 37.
• the annular structure 8 supports means 35 for dispensing the continuous strip 5 of wrapping material, said means being movable on the annular structure 8 and powered in such a way that they describe a corresponding circular trajectory.
• the products 3 to be wrapped, resting on a horizontal platform, or on an equivalent roller table, are positioned inside the frame 37, substantially centred relative to the latter, that is to say in a substantially central position relative to the annular structure 8.
• the annular structure 8 supports an apparatus, labelled 1 as a whole, for fixing to the wrapper 4, at the end of wrapping, and using methods described below, one end 6 [ Figure 4] of the strip 5 of wrapping material, so as to definitively close the wrapper 4 on the product 3 at the end of wrapping.
• the apparatus 1 which is the specific subject matter of the present invention, basically comprises: a first elongated element, labelled 7 as a whole; an operating unit labelled 9; (and as is better illustrated in Figures 10 and 11) operating unit 9 presser means and movement means, respectively labelled 12 and 13 as a whole; and a gripper, labelled 32 as a whole.
• the first elongated element 7 is supported in such a way that it projects cantilever-style from the annular structure 8 of the machine 2 by structural elements not illustrated for the sake of greater clarity. It has the shape of a parallelepiped with a polygonal outline, quadrangular, and a hollow tubular structure.
• said first elongated element 7 preferably consists of two separate component parts 16 and 17, mounted coaxially and one guided on the other. Said parts 16 and 17 can move axially relative to one another, so that the first elongated element 7 is rendered telescopic by activating suitable actuators not shown in the drawings, for example housed in the tubular cavity.
• the first elongated element 7 has a first end 36 hinged to a fixed part of the annular structure 8 of the machine 1, and a second, opposite end 38 free to project cantilever-style from the annular structure 8.
• the hinged end 36 has an arm 39.
• the first elongated element 7 in one of said limit positions is in the non-operating condition, lying horizontal and substantially inside the vertical space occupied by the annular structure 8.
• the first elongated element 7 in the other position, is angled in such a way that it is vertical, projecting downwards cantilever-style and being located in the space in a substantially intermediate position between the products 3 and the means 35 for dispensing the strip 5 of wrapping material, the latter means in turn being supported by the annular structure 8 close to its perimeter, as shown for example in Figures 3 and 4.
• a second elongated element 27, also having the structure of a tubular parallelepiped, has a first end 40 hinged to the annular structure 8 and supports the operating unit 9 at its second free end 42.
• the second element 27 also has an arm 41 for the connection of an actuator element not illustrated in the drawings. Activation of the arm 41 allows the second elongated element 27 to rotate about its hinge point and extend at an angle and parallel with the first elongated element 7 between limit positions, substantially corresponding to those of the first elongated element 7.
• Figure 1 shows how in its non-operating condition, the second elongated element 27 is angled horizontally and lies in a vertical plane, substantially parallel with a corresponding plane containing the first elongated element 7. Then, the second elongated element 27 with a 90° rotation [Figure 7] is brought into the operating condition so that its operating unit 9 can be placed against a flat face 15 of the first elongated element 7.
• the operating unit 9 supported by the second elongated element 27 comprises in particular [ Figures 11, 12 and 13]: a flange 43, supporting a pin 44 which supports a reel 10 of adhesive tape in such a way that it projects cantilever-style.
• the operating unit 9 also has a supporting surface 18 with which vacuum means 19 are associated, the latter including a vacuum chamber 20 behind the surface 18 and communicating with the surrounding outside environment via through-holes 21, which pass through the surface 18.
• the operating unit 9 also includes a pair of rollers 22 which rotate freely about their axis of rotation, respectively positioned parallel with one another at two opposite sides of the supporting surface 18.
• the operating unit 9 also includes second cutting means 23 comprising a blade
• the blade 24 supported adjacent to the supporting surface 18, which can move on command, transversally to the surface 18 between a non-operating position, back from the surface 18 and retracted in the unit 9, and an operating position, forward relative to the surface 18.
• the blade 24 can advantageously be activated by means of a single- acting linear actuator, whose normal state keeps the blade 24 in the back position and whose activated state vice versa causes the blade 24 to come out beyond the surface 18.
• the end stretch 11 is therefore held by the operating unit 9 fiat opposite the face 15 of the first elongated element 7 when the unit 9 is in the operating condition shown in Figures 6 and 7.
• the flange 43 of the operating unit 9 is mounted on a first linear guide 25, straight and substantially at a right angle to the face 15 of the first elongated element 7. Said connection of the flange 43 and the guide 25 allows the operating unit 9 to move relative to the first elongated element 7 so that it is drawn near to or moves away from it, when suitable actuator means 45 [clearly shown in Figure 10] are activated.
• suitable actuator means 45 [clearly shown in Figure 10] are activated.
• the flange 43, the guide 25 and the relative actuator means 45 therefore form a kind of example and more specific embodiment of the pressure means 12 already defined in more general terms.
• the accompanying drawings also show how the second elongated element 27 also comprises two separate component parts 46 and 47, having a polygonal outline, which are coaxially connected, one guided on the other, so as to also render the second element 27 telescopic upon activation of an actuator, not visible in the drawings, for example housed in the second elongated element 27 itself.
• Said embodiment of the second element 27 in practice forms a second guide 26 which provides a solid and specific example embodiment of movement means 13 designed to allow the operating unit 9 to move relative to the first elongated element 7, longitudinally and parallel with its face 15.
• Figure 5 also shows means 14 for compacting the continuous strip 5 of wrapping material in the plane in which it lies by forcing the longitudinal edges 49 and 50 of the strip 5 towards one another.
• Said means 14 are preferably associated with the means 35 for dispensing the strip 5 of wrapping material and comprise: a pair of adjacent rollers 28 transversal to the opposite longitudinal edges 49 and 50 of the strip 5; a pair of female screws 29, each supporting a roller 28; and a powered shaft 30 with threads in opposite directions, on which the female screws 29 engage. Rotation of the shaft 30 therefore causes movements in opposite directions of the two female screws 29 which, when moved towards one another, cause the rollers 28 to push against the edges 49 and 50 of the strip 5 with a corresponding reduction in their distance from one another and consequently compacting the strip 5 of wrapping material in the plane in which it lies.
• the apparatus 1 has a strip 5 gripper, labelled 32 as a whole, in particular comprising two flat jaws 32a and 32b parallel and opposite one another and able to move relative to one another thanks to a linear guide 63.
• the gripper 5 also has cutting means, labelled 34 as a whole.
• Figures 11, 12 and 13 show in particular that the cutting means 34 comprise a blade 57 supported by a plate 58 mounted in such a way that it can move guided on two parallel rods 59 fixed to one of the jaws 32a.
• Two springs 60 mounted coaxially on the rods 59, interact on one side with the jaw 32a and on the other with the plate 58, pushing the blade into a position away from the jaw 32a.
• a linear actuator 61 connected to the plate 58, when activated allows the blade 57 to be pushed against the reaction of the springs 60, making it move first towards the jaw 32a and then come out of the jaws 32a and 32b through a pair of slots 62a and 62b correspondingly made in them in a position in front of the blade 57.
• Figure 7 and the diagram in Figure 8 show how the apparatus 1 may also comprise a roller 51, movable and powered.
• the roller 51 is housed in a spatial angle 55 delimited on one side by the wrapper 4 and on the other side by the end 6 of the strip 5 and having a vertex 56 substantially associated with the first elongated element 7.
• the roller 51 as described in detail below, may be moved in such a way that it is positioned parallel with the elongated elements 7 and 27 and in a suitable position relative to the trajectory of extension of the continuous strip 5 of wrapping material extending from the dispenser means 35 in such a way as to promote optimum and secure strip 5 gripping by the gripper 32.
• the first elongated element 7 is issued a command to move to a position parallel with the axis 3a [ Figure 2] and is also axially extended by a length selected according to the features of the wrapping to be produced [ Figure 3].
• the further continuation of the wrapping means that the first elongated element 7 is wrapped together with the product 3 by a predetermined number of coils.
• Figure 6 shows how the parts 16 and 17 of the first elongated element 7 slide out axially relative to one another and the second elongated element 27 is rotated 90° and moved in front of the first elongated element 7.
• Figure 7 shows how the end 6 of the strip 5 of wrapping material, for the end part wrapping the first elongated element 7, is located in an intermediate position between the two elongated elements 7 and 27.
• Figure 9 shows how afterwards the second elongated element 27 is also slid out, therefore having its component parts 46 and 47 positioned one after the other.
• the operating unit 9 is still positioned in such a way that is distant from the first elongated element 7 and holds against the face 15 of the first elongated element 7 the stretch 11 of adhesive tape, which the rollers 22 and the surface 18 extend under and which is held in a stable position in front of them by the vacuum through the holes 21 in the surface 18.
• the unit 9 [Figure 10] is then moved forward along the first guide 25, moving towards the end 6 of the strip 5 of wrapping material, until it makes contact with the face 15 of the first elongated element 7. Said forward movement brings the operating unit 9 into the conditions in Figure 11, where an initial part of the initial stretch of adhesive tape is made to adhere to the wrapper 4.
• a subsequent command issued to the second elongated element 27 causes the part 47 to move relative to the part 46 of the second elongated element 27 whilst the operating unit 9 continues to unwind the stretch 11 of adhesive tape from the reel 10 and stretch it bridge-style on the end 6 of the continuous strip 5 of wrapping material.
• the gripper 32 While said movement is performed, the gripper 32, connected to the flange 43, goes around the end 6, on three sides, with its open jaws 32a, 32b, as illustrated in Figure 11.
• the gripper 32 clamps the jaws 32a and 32b on the end 6; then the blade 57 of the relative cutting means 34 is issued the command to move forward through the slots 32a and 32b, so as to cut the strip 5 of wrapping material, of which, as shown in Figure 13, a part closest to the reel 53 of film remains held by the gripper 32, and the part furthest from it remains fixed to the wrapper 4 by the stretch 15 of adhesive tape meanwhile still connected to its dispenser reel 10.
• Figure 8 shows how for some product 3 dimensions and due to a purely geometrical problem there may be cases in which the end 6 of the strip 5 of wrapping material is too close to the final coils of the wrapper 4 which precede it.
• the gripper 32 may not be able to position its jaws 32a and 32b solely around the end 6, since it may also interfere with the coils of the wrapper 4.
• the presence of the roller 51 and its pressure against the wrapper 4 also promoted by the elasticity of the material, allow the end 6 of the strip 5 of wrapping material to be clearly diverted relative to the previous wrapping coils, widening the spatial angle 55 in which the roller 51 is housed, that is to say, guaranteeing the conditions for absolutely certain and regular wrapper 4 end 6 gripping by the gripper 32, whatever the actual dimensions of the product 3 to be wrapped.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Basic Packing Technique (AREA)
• Packaging Of Special Articles (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

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Cited By (1)

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• 2007
  • 2007-06-01 AT AT07790117T patent/ATE518758T1/de not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2007-06-01 EP EP07790117A patent/EP2167386B1/fr not_active Not-in-force
  • 2007-06-01 WO PCT/IT2007/000385 patent/WO2008146315A1/fr active Application Filing
  • 2007-06-01 ES ES07790117T patent/ES2370444T3/es active Active

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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