EP2357139B1

EP2357139B1 - Device for transport of bag-like package blanks

Info

Publication number: EP2357139B1
Application number: EP11154840A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jan Jostler; Johan Jostler
Original assignee: Pronova AB
Current assignee: Pronova AB
Priority date: 2010-02-17
Filing date: 2011-02-17
Publication date: 2012-10-24
Anticipated expiration: 2031-02-17
Also published as: PL2357139T3; DK2357139T3; SE1050152A1; SE535008C2; EP2357139A1

Description

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a web for the transport and filling of consecutively joined bag-like package blanks, according to the preamble of claim 1 ( US 4 671 044 ).

Background of the Invention

The background of the invention is seen in several patent documents, for instance, WO 82/00129 of which discloses a package blank of consecutively joined bag-like parts, which are supported and are transported along a web for the opening, filling, sealing and separation into individual packages filled with contents. The package blank is formed with upper edge parts, which consist of tunnels. Said tunnels slide on a bar each situated in parallel in relation to each other when the package blank is transported along the bars. At a filling area, the bars curve off from each other and form a greater gap between them, the joined bag-like parts being opened and filling can take place. After the bag-like parts having passed said filling area, the distance decreases between the bars again, an after-treatment in the form of closing, separation and detachment from the bars commencing. Also these after-treatments are seen in said documents.
Also US 4,493,683 discloses a similar method for the transport and filling of consecutively joined bag-like package blanks, which are formed with similar tunnels for supporting and transport along tubular bars.
Also US 6,349,523 discloses a web and a device to supply contents to package blanks included in the web. Also in this publication, bag-like package blanks are shown the upper edge parts of which are formed with tunnels to transport the package blanks along the web in a similar way.
At the filling areas, the tunnels slide on curved web parts at a first area of curvature and at a second area of curvature after which the web parts again are parallel to each other but at a greater distance from each other. Thereby, each bag-like part is opened and filling is effected. Filling of only one or some bag parts is effected at a time in order to keep down the total length of the web, In addition, the filling weight is adapted to the maximal friction that can be accepted between the supporting web and the insides of the tunnels.

The Object of the Invention

The object of the present invention is to form an improved web for the transport of continuous bag-like package blanks, which are formed with tunnels that slide on the web.
The object is furthermore to form a web that can be formed longer both as regards the transport portions of the web and the filling portions of the web.
Furthermore, the object is to provide such a web that allows greater filling weights and also more simultaneous fillings.
In addition, the object is to be able to use curved web parts having greater radii than previously, because the webs can be made longer.
The object is in this connection to eliminate friction problems along the web.
An additional object is to keep the bag parts without wrinkles when these are to be welded together.

Summary of the Invention

By the present invention, as the same is set forth in the independent claim, the above-mentioned objects are met, wherein the mentioned disadvantages have been eliminate. Suitable embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.
The present invention relates to a web for the transport of continuous bag-like package blanks. The web is adapted to package blanks, which are arranged to be opened, filled, closed and separated along the web. The package blanks are formed with suspension members in the form of upper edge portions each one of which provided with a tunnel arranged to slide on a part of the web in order for the web, in such a way, to support the package blanks when the same are moved along the web. At least one part of the web on which the package blanks slide is provided with a first friction-reducing element arranged to decrease the sliding friction between the inside of the tunnel and the outside of the web part.
The invention involves that the first friction-reducing element is a ball bearing, a wheel or a ball that is journalled for rotation in the web part.
The invention also involves that a plurality of first friction-reducing elements are placed consecutively along the web part, which means that the tunnels of the package blanks continuously are transported over such elements.
Embodiments within the scope of the invention also involve that a second friction-reducing element is placed beside said first friction-reducing element, which means that the friction of the tunnel against the web parts may be further decreased.
One embodiment within the scope of the invention when it is formed with double-row friction-reducing elements is that said second friction-reducing element is displaced half a pitch in the longitudinal direction in relation to said first friction-reducing element, which further increases the friction-reducing surface against the inside of the tunnel.
A plurality of embodiments are feasible within the scope of the invention by the fact that said friction-reducing elements can be placed in several ways in relation to the web parts, and it is particularly advantageous that they to the main part are placed above a plane through the longitudinal axis of the web part, since the load and thereby the friction are the greatest on the upper part of the web part.
The invention also involves that at least one suspension device for the web part is formed with a support wheel, which is arranged to supportingly roll externally against the lower part of the tunnel when the package blanks are transported along the web. This friction wheel also rolls off against a corresponding wheel journalled in the web part when the package blanks are transported along the web.
Embodiments within the scope of the invention also involve that the friction wheel is rotatably journalled around a shaft, which is displaceably lockable in a slot in the suspension device. This embodiment facilitates the setting of the support of the web parts.
In this connection, embodiments within the scope of the invention involve that a knob is arranged for manual locking of the location of the friction wheel in the slot.
Embodiments within the scope of the invention involve in addition that at least one suspension device for the web part is formed with a friction support wheel, which is arranged to supportingly roll externally against the side part of the tunnel when the package blanks are transported along the web in order to supportingly separate the web parts in a filling segment of the web. Also this friction support wheel rolls off against a corresponding wheel journalled in the web part when the package blanks are transported along the web.
Also embodiments having non-movable friction-reducing elements placed along certain web segments, where transport of such package blanks are carried out, is comprised by the present invention. Such friction-reducing elements comprise sliding surfaces of a material that has a low coefficient of friction against the material of which the tunnels are manufactured.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Now, the invention will be described in more detail, reference being made in connection with the accompanying drawing figures. The drawing figures show only explanatory sketches intended to facilitate the understanding of the invention.

Figure 1: shows in perspective a web having schematically shown package blanks according to the invention.
Figure 2: shows a web according to a first embodiment of the invention.
Figure 3: shows a web according to a second embodiment of the invention.
Figure 4: shows a section A-A according to Figure 3.
Figure 4a: shows an enlargement A according to Figure 4.
Figure 4b: shows an enlargement B according to Figure 4.
Figure 5: shows a section B-B according to Figure 3.
Figure 6: shows in perspective a suspension device according to the invention.
Figure 6a: shows a vertical section through the suspension device according to Figure 6 as well as through a mounted web part.
Figure 6b: shows a horizontal section through the suspension device according to Figure 6 as well as through a mounted web part.
Figure 7: shows a part of a web part according to Figure 2.
Figure 8: shows a part of a web part according to Figure 3.
Figure 9: shows a connector for a web part according to the invention.
Figure 10: shows a part of a web part having mounted friction-reducing elements according to the first embodiment.
Figure 11: shows a part of a web part having mounted friction-reducing elements according to the second embodiment.
Figure 12: shows a part of a web part according to a third embodiment of the invention.
Figure 13: shows a section C-C according to Figure 12.

Description of the Invention

Figure 1 shows a web 11 for the transport of a continuous package blank 12, which comprises a row of bags 120, 121, 122, 123, 124 of the type that has been described by way of introduction and each one of which is provided with suspension members in the form of at least two tunnels 13, 14 situated at the upper edge portions of each bag in order to be supported and transported along the web. The package blank 12 is fed from a storage, not shown, up onto the web 11 by the tunnels 13, 14 of the package blank being directed up onto a first transport segment 15, which comprises parallel first and second web parts 16, 17 of the web 11. The package blank 12 is transported further along the web to a widening segment 18, where the first web part 16 and the second web part 17 are distanced from each other, whereby each bag starts to open. The package blank 12 is transported further to a filling segment 19 of the web, where the first and second web parts again run parallel to each other but at a distance between them. By the fact that the bags 121, 122, 123 are open in this segment, it is here the filling is effected. The package blank 12 is transported further along the web to a narrowing segment 20, where the first web part 16 and the second web part 17 again approach each other, whereby each bag starts to dose after filling. Next, the package blank 12 is transported further along the web to a second transport segment 21, where the first web part 16 and the second web part 17 again run parallel to each other with a small gap between the web parts for further transport to sealing, separation and loosening from the web parts. In order to facilitate the transport of the package blank along the web parts, these are provided with a number of friction-reducing elements 160 along the first web part 16 and a number of friction-reducing elements 170 along the second web part 17.
As is seen in Figure 1, there are three bags 121, 122, 123 in the filling segment 19 simultaneously, wherein these three bags can be filled simultaneously. If the filling segment is made even longer, even more bags can be filled simultaneously. The number of bags that can be filled simultaneously is depending on, among other things, how long this filling segment is. That is, the longer the segment is, the more bags can be filled simultaneously, In order to allow a long filling segment, the web 11 with the web parts 16, 17 thereof has to be supported in a number of places along the web. Figure 1 shows two such supports arranged with telescopically adjustable support legs 22, 23, 24, 25 formed in pairs, where each pair 22, 23 and 24, 25, respectively, can be displaced along the web and be locked in a suitable location by lockable link wheels 26. Also the distance between the support legs arranged in pairs can be adjusted by the lower part of a support leg of each pair being displaceably mounted in a stand 27 provided with a slot 28. In the upper end thereof, each support leg is provided with a web suspension 29 that is formed to support the web parts.
Figure 2 shows a web 11 according to a first embodiment of the invention as seen from above with the first web part 16 and the second web part 17. As has been described above, these web parts are suspended in the web suspensions 29. Each web suspension 29 is provided with a vertical shaft 30, which bearingly supports a friction support wheel that is arranged to supportingly roll externally against the side parts of the tunnels and accordingly also against the sides of the web parts. In the figure, said friction support wheels are placed hidden by the upper side of the web suspensions 29. The web parts are provided with the friction-reducing elements 160 mounted in different segments along the first web part 16 and with the friction-reducing elements 170 also mounted in different segments along the second web part 17. The friction-reducing elements 160, 170 according to the figure are formed as rotatably journalled wheels placed consecutively in a row centrally in each web part 16, 17. The function of these wheels is that they reduce the sliding friction between the inside of the tunnels of the bags and the outside of the web parts when the bags are transported along the web 11.
Figure 3 shows the web 11 according to a second embodiment of the invention also as seen from above with the first web part 16 and the second web part 17. In this figure, the package blank 12 is also shown with the bags thereof that partly are on their way into the filling segment 19 and on their way out from the filling segment. In the filling segment, each bag 122, 123 is filled with products 32, 33 that are transported in the bag 123 out from the filling segment and further along the web to be sealed, separated from the neighbouring bag, and loosened from the web parts. This second embodiment has a number of first friction-reducing elements 360 on the first web part and on the second web part 370 and a number of second friction-reducing elements on the first web part 361 and on the second web part 371. The first and second elements are placed beside each other in two parallel rows on each web part. As also is shown in the figure, the rows of the first elements 360, 370 and the rows of the second elements 361, 371 are displaced half a pitch in the longitudinal direction so that the bearing shaft of the first elements are right opposite the gap between two longitudinally subsequent second elements.
Figure 4 shows in a clarifying section A-A through the adjustable support legs 22, 23, each one of which is provided with a web suspension 291, 292 for the web parts 16, 17. As is seen in the figure, the web parts support the package blank with the bags, one bag 122 of which with its containing product 32 is shown in the figure.
Figure 4a shows an enlargement A encircled in Figure 4, wherein the web suspension 292 is provided with a vertical shaft 41, through which the section is taken, on which shaft a first support wheel 42 is rotatably journalled. A second rotatable support wheel 43 is journalled on a pivot pin 44 in a connection piece 45 of the web part 17 in question. As is shown in the figure, the connection piece is circularly made with somewhat smaller diameter than the corresponding circular web part. The figure also shows the bag 122 that is formed with suspension members 46 in the upper edge portions thereof, which suspension member is formed as a tunnel 47. Thus, the tunnel slides on the web part 17 and the connection piece 45. When the tunnel 47 slides over the connection piece 45, the tunnel will roll between the first support wheel 42 and the second support wheel 43, which is seen in the figure.
Figure 4b shows an enlargement B encircled in Figure 4, wherein the web suspension 291 is provided with a horizontal shaft 48, through which the section is taken, on which shaft a third support wheel 49 is rotatably journalled. A fourth support wheel 50 is rotatably journalled around a shaft pivot 51 in the connection piece 45. As is also shown in the same figure, the connection piece 45 is circularly made with somewhat smaller diameter than the corresponding circular web part 16. Naturally, the connection piece 45 and the circular web part 16 may be made with the same diameter. The figure also shows the bag 122 that is formed with suspension members 46 in the upper edge portions thereof, which suspension member is formed as a tunnel 47. As has been described above, the tunnel slides on the web part 16 and the connection piece 45. When the tunnel 47 slides over the connection piece 45, the tunnel will roll between the third support wheel 49 and the fourth support wheel 50, as is seen in the figure. Furthermore, the third support wheel 49 is provided with a flange 52 that bears against the tunnel and the web part. Also this flange may roll off against a friction-reducing element in the connection piece 45, however not shown in the figure. Furthermore, the web suspension 291 is provided with an adjusting screw 53 that allows an adjustment of the third support wheel in the vertical direction in a slot 54 in the web suspension 291.
Figure 5 shows enlarged parts taken according to the section B-B in Figure 3, where the bag 123 is shown with its containing product 33. The suspension members 46 of the bag with the tunnels 47 thereof, which slide over the first web part 16 and the second web part 17, are seen in the figure. The web parts are provided with friction-reducing elements 360, 361, 370, 371 in the form of deep-groove ball bearings. The inner ring of each deep-groove ball bearing is mounted on a separate supporting journal. Thus, said deep-groove ball bearings act as friction-reducing elements between the inside of the tunnel and the outside of the web part.
Figure 6 shows in perspective only the suspension device 292, where the first support wheel 42 is mounted on its vertical shaft 41. In the slot 54 of the suspension device, the third support wheel 49 is displaceably mounted by means of the adjusting screw 53.
Figure 6a shows a section through the third support wheel 49 of the suspension device 291 when the same rolls against the fourth support wheel 50 of the connection piece 45. The section also shows the second support wheel 43 of the connection piece 45 that is arranged to rollingly bear against the first support wheel journalled in the suspension device.
Figure 6b shows a section through the connection piece 45 in the area of the fourth support wheel 50, which is arranged to rollingly bear against the first support wheel 42 of the suspension device 291 that is discernible in the figure by the suspension device 291 partly being shown cut up.
Figure 7 shows a part of a web part according to Figure 2 having a single groove 71 provided with pin holes 72 through which pivot pins are arranged to be pressed in and support friction-reducing elements in the form of, e.g., deep-groove ball bearings. Thus, said web part shows an embodiment that is provided with single-row friction-reducing elements.
Figure 8 shows a part of a web part according to Figure 3 in the form of a double-row web part. Also this web part is provided with pin holes 82, which however are doubled since each pivot pin pressed in into the pin holes should support a friction-reducing element so that the elements of one side are displaced half a pitch in the longitudinal direction, the pivot pins of one side being placed halfway between the pivot pins of the other side.
Figure 9 shows a connection piece 45 according to Figure 6a, which connection piece is provided with a second support wheel 43 as well as a fourth support wheel 50, which support wheels 43, 50 are orientated 90° to each other.
Figure 10 shows a web part having a single groove according to Figure 7 provided with friction-reducing elements in the form of ball bearings 100 supported on pivot pins 101.
Figure 11 shows a double-row web part according to Figure 8 provided with friction-reducing elements in the form of ball bearings 110 supported on pivot pins 111.
Figure 12 shows a third embodiment of a web part 1200, which is provided with friction-reducing elements in the form of slide strips 1210 placed on the upper periphery of the web part.
Figure 13 shows a section through the web part 1200 according to Figure 12, wherein the placement of the slide strips 1210, 1220 is seen. To the main part, the placement is situated above a plane P through the longitudinal axis of the web part 1200. The figure shows the slide strips with plane top surfaces, but these may also be formed convex.
The placement in general of the different friction-reducing elements in the different embodiments is, to the main part, situated above a corresponding plane through the longitudinal axis of the web part irrespective of whether the web part has a circular cross-section or not. Thus, the friction-reducing elements are placed so that the friction between the insides of the channels and the outsides of the web parts is minimized.
Transport webs may also be formed where certain portions are provided with single-row friction-reducing elements and other portions are provided with double-row friction-reducing elements.
The design with strip-shaped friction-reducing elements may be made single rowed, double rowed or triple rowed. Also the outward facing parts of the strips may be made mushroom-shaped with a convex cap and with a stem that fixes the cap in the web part.

Claims

Web (11) for the transport of continuous bag-like package blanks (12), which are arranged to be opened, filled, closed and separated along the web, which package blanks are formed with suspension members in the form of upper edge portions each one of which provided with a tunnel (13, 14) arranged to slide on a part (16, 17) of the web (11) in order for the web, in such a way, to support the package blanks (12) when the same are moved along the web and that at least one part (16, 17) of the web (11), on which the package blanks (12) slide, is provided with a plurality of friction-reducing elements (160, 170, 360, 370) arranged to decrease the friction between the inside of the tunnel (13, 14) and the outside of the web part (16, 17), the first friction-reducing elements (160, 170, 360, 370) being ball bearings, wheels or balls that are journalled for rotation in the web part (16, 17), as well as that the first friction-reducing elements (160, 170, 360, 370) are placed consecutively in and along the web part (16, 17), characterized in that at least one web suspension (29, 291, 292) for the web part (16, 17) is formed with a support wheel (49), which is arranged to, for supporting from below of the web, roll externally against the lower part of the tunnel (13, 14) when the package blanks (12) are transported along the web (11) and that at least one support wheel (49) is arranged to roll against a corresponding support wheel (50) rotatably journalled in the web part (16).
Web according to claim 1, characterized in that a second friction-reducing element (361, 371) is placed beside said first friction-reducing element (160, 170, 360, 370).
Web according to claim 2, characterized in that said second friction-reducing element (361, 371) is displaced half a pitch in the longitudinal direction in relation to said first friction-reducing element (160, 170, 360, 370).
Web according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that said friction-reducing elements (160, 170, 360, 361, 370, 371) to the main part are placed above a plane (P) through the longitudinal axis of the web part (16, 17).
Web according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that the support wheel (49) is rotatably journalled around a shaft (48), which is displaceably lockable in a slot (54) in the web suspension (29, 291, 292).
Web according to claim 5, characterized in that a knob (53) is arranged for manual locking of the location of the support wheel (49) in the slot (54).
Web according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that at least one web suspension (29, 291, 292) for the web part is formed with a support wheel (42), which is arranged to, for supporting from the side of the web, roll externally against the side part of the tunnel (13, 14) when the package blanks (12) are transported along the web (11) in order to supportingly separate the web parts in a filling segment (19) of the web (11).
Web according to claim 7, characterized in that at least one support wheel (42) is arranged to roll against a corresponding support wheel (43) rotatably journalled in the web part (16, 17).