EP2625107B1 - Lifting apparatus - Google Patents
Lifting apparatus Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP2625107B1 EP2625107B1 EP11774088.6A EP11774088A EP2625107B1 EP 2625107 B1 EP2625107 B1 EP 2625107B1 EP 11774088 A EP11774088 A EP 11774088A EP 2625107 B1 EP2625107 B1 EP 2625107B1
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- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- lifting
- tool half
- lower tool
- lifting apparatus
- compressive force
- 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.)
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Classifications
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- 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
- B65B31/02—Filling, closing, or filling and closing, containers or wrappers in chambers maintained under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure or containing a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas
- B65B31/025—Filling, closing, or filling and closing, containers or wrappers in chambers maintained under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure or containing a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas specially adapted for rigid or semi-rigid containers
- B65B31/028—Filling, closing, or filling and closing, containers or wrappers in chambers maintained under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure or containing a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas specially adapted for rigid or semi-rigid containers closed by a lid sealed to the upper rim of the container, e.g. tray-like container
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- 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
- B65B7/00—Closing containers or receptacles after filling
- B65B7/16—Closing semi-rigid or rigid containers or receptacles not deformed by, or not taking-up shape of, contents, e.g. boxes or cartons
- B65B7/162—Closing semi-rigid or rigid containers or receptacles not deformed by, or not taking-up shape of, contents, e.g. boxes or cartons by feeding web material to securing means
- B65B7/164—Securing by heat-sealing
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- 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
- B65B31/02—Filling, closing, or filling and closing, containers or wrappers in chambers maintained under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure or containing a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas
- B65B31/021—Filling, closing, or filling and closing, containers or wrappers in chambers maintained under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure or containing a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas the containers or wrappers being interconnected
Definitions
- the invention relates to a lifting apparatus, particularly in the context of a tray sealing machine.
- tray means any container having an upwardly facing opening to which a film is to be heat sealed.
- tray sealing machine In the food industry, it is common to package food items in heat sealed trays. Conventionally, trays are transported along a conveyer and filled with the desired food items. The tray is then fed, typically with a plurality of other trays, to a tray sealing machine.
- the tray sealing machine typically comprises a lower tool half on which the tray(s) is positioned, and an upper tool half.
- the lower tool half is lifted towards the upper tool half via a lifting mechanism, and the upper and lower tool halves are clamped together to generate an air tight seal.
- the lower tool half has an ejector plate which lowers the trays into a recess as the lower tool half is lifted towards the upper tool half. The sealing process can then take place.
- Lifting mechanisms using a motor-driven spindle to lift the lower tool half are known in the art.
- a large force is placed on the lifting spindle, much larger than the load placed on the spindle during lifting of the lower tool half.
- This large force placed on the lifting spindle could cause it to buckle, having serious consequences not only for the output of the tray sealing machine, but also for safety.
- a large high power electromechanical brake may be used to reduce the forces experienced by the spindle.
- this also increases cost due to the increased complexity and power consumption.
- What is needed in the art is a lifting mechanism for a tray sealing machine that prevents the problem of the lifting mechanism buckling or being damaged under the high loads caused by the sealing process, without compromising on the efficiency, speed and cost of the tray sealing machine.
- US2009/0288365 discloses a packaging machine having a lifting unit.
- the lifting unit has preferably two spindles, each attached to a lifting plate by a spindle bearing.
- Two guiding rods are also mounted on each lifting plate, which are connected at their upper end to a lower tool half.
- brakes independently mounted to each guiding rod are actuated, thus avoiding undesired lowering of the lifting unit during operation.
- the lifting plates are mounted via the spindle bearings, the spindles are kept stationary, and are thus exclusively stressed by tension, excluding the risk of buckling.
- a lifting apparatus comprising; a first member and a second member; a lifting mechanism coupled to said first member adapted to move said first member towards said second member; a third member coupled to said first member and slideably moveable through said second member when said first member is moved towards said second member, and a latching mechanism wherein; when a predetermined compressive force is applied to said third member, the latching mechanism responds by latching said second member to said third member, such that when a further compressive force is applied to said third member, said first member and lifting mechanism are isolated from said further compressive force.
- a key advantage of this invention is that when the further compressive force is applied to the third member, this force is transferred through the latching mechanism to the second member. This isolates the first member and, importantly, the lifting mechanism, from said further compressive force. This means that the lifting mechanism does not have to be specifically designed to take into account the further force, making manufacture simpler, and reducing the amount of material required.
- the latching mechanism advantageously latches the second member to the third member automatically on application of the predetermined compressive force.
- Other automatic latching mechanisms are envisaged.
- a pressure sensor could be used to detect when the lower and upper tool halves are in contact, and an electronic system used to initiate the latches.
- the automatic nature of the latching mechanism allows the lifting mechanism of the present invention to be used without supervision.
- the latching mechanism comprises a spring mounted between said third member and said first member wherein in use said spring is compressed on application of said compressive force to said third member, and said predetermined compressive force corresponds to a predetermined point in the spring's compression.
- a compressible fluid could be used instead of a spring.
- the latching mechanism comprises a latch cam plate having a shaped portion, said latch cam plate fixedly coupled to said first member, and wherein the movement of said first member towards said second member causes said shaped portion to guide a latch so as the latch engages with a protruding potion on said third member.
- Other latching mechanisms are envisaged, for example electromagnetically actuated latches.
- the first member is a plate and said third member is elongate and coupled to said first member so as to project along the direction of movement of said first member.
- the lifting mechanism is a rotateable lifting screw coupled to the first member in such a manner that rotation of said lifting screw causes movement of said first member in a plane substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis of said lifting screw.
- the first member may be moved towards the third member by means of pistons or a pulley system.
- the lifting apparatus further comprises one or more third members.
- a second third member is also coupled to said first member via a spring, and is slideably movable through a second second member.
- the second third member provides increased support for an item to be lifted by the lifting apparatus, where the item is supported by the third members.
- the lifting screw and the or each third member are substantially parallel.
- the lifting apparatus may be included in a tool lift apparatus, the tool lift apparatus further comprising a lower tool half mounted to the distal end of the or each third member such that, in use, movement of the first member moves said lower tool half towards an upper tool half, and wherein said predetermined compressive force is due to said lower tool half and said upper tool half contacting.
- the tool lift apparatus is employed in a tray sealing machine, where the further compressive force is due to a sealing process taking place when the upper and lower tool halves are in contact and form an air-tight seal.
- the lifting apparatus may be employed in other instances apart from tray sealing machines, such as thermoformer machines and press tooling.
- such a tool lift apparatus further comprises a second lifting apparatus, wherein said lower tool half is mounted to the distal end of the or each third member of the first and second lifting apparatuses, and further wherein the first and second lifting apparatuses are operated in synchrony.
- the lower tool half of such an embodiment thus advantageously has greater support as it is supported by two lifting apparatuses.
- a tool lift apparatus may be utilised in a single lane tray sealing machine.
- the tool lift apparatus further comprises a second lifting apparatus and a second lower tool half mounted to the distal end of the or each third member of said second lifting apparatus, and wherein said first and second lifting apparatuses are operated independently. There may also be an independent upper tool half corresponding to the second lower tool half.
- This embodiment provides increased flexibility in the use of the tool lift apparatus, especially when used in a dual lane tray sealing machine for instance. For example, one lane may be used for large trays that are sealed three at a time, and the second lane used to seal small trays that are sealed four at a time and at a faster rate.
- the independent lifting apparatuses and tool halves allow for maximum flexibility in such a situation, increasing throughput and efficiency of the tray sealing machine.
- FIG. 1 there is shown a lifting apparatus comprising two pillars 1 a, 1 b attached to a lifting plate 7.
- each pillar 1 is slideably moveable through a housing structure 9 surrounding said pillar, and each housing structure 9 is mounted on a stationary upper plate 11.
- Other means of mounting the housing structures are envisaged.
- the pillars may be circular or square in cross-section. Other cross-sectional shapes may be used.
- the lifting plate 7 is raised towards the upper plate 11 by means of a lifting screw 2 rotateably mounted via bearings 2a in the upper plate 11 and received in a screw threaded bush 2b in the lifting plate 7.
- a gear 3b is fixed to the upper end of the screw and is connected to a motor 3 by tooth belt 3a.
- the lifting screw 2 is rotated by said motor 3, causing the lifting plate 7 to move upwards towards plate 11 in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation.
- FIGS. 1 and 2 show the lifting screw 2 located between the two pillars 1 a, 1 b, with the pillars and lifting screw substantially parallel, this is not necessarily the case.
- the lifting apparatus of the present invention may contain any number of pillars.
- the lifting apparatus as depicted in Figure 1 is used in a tray sealing machine.
- trays to be sealed are loaded onto a lower tool half (20 in Figure 3 ) attached to the upper end of each pillar 1 a, 1b.
- the lower tool half has an ejector plate which lowers the trays into a recess as the lower tool half is raised towards the upper tool half.
- the lower and upper tool halves come into contact and form an air tight seal.
- the upper tool half is heated so as to seal the film to the tray.
- a single lane tray sealing machine 100 comprises two modules 101, 102 in lateral proximity with a predefined pitch between the four pillars. Both modules 101, 102 are connected to a common drive motor 3 via a tooth belt, and all four pillars are driven together, raising the lower tool half 20 of the tray sealing machine towards the upper tool half (not shown).
- two modules 101, 102 may be used in a dual-lane tray sealing machine 200.
- each module has a separate drive motor 3 and separate tooth belts. This allows each module to operate independently, allowing two separate lower tool halves 20a, 20b to operate independently.
- the modules 101, 102 are the same as those seen in Figure 3 but are reversed from the single lane application. The pitch between the modules can be altered to suit the particular dual lane application due to the asymmetric design of the modules.
- the lifting apparatus of the present invention can be used in a dual lane situation with independent tray sealing machine lower tool halves 20a, 20b, this advantageously allows different tray sizes to be packaged and sealed concurrently, increasing throughput. Enabling the use of independently operable lower tool halves also allows different numbers of trays to be sealed at a time on each lane. For example, two trays can be sealed at a time on one lane, and three at a time on the other. In this way, flexibility of tray sealing is further increased.
- a lower tool half of a tray sealing machine may be supported by any number of pillars.
- one pillar may be used to support a lower tool half.
- the sealing load placed on the lifting mechanism is far greater than the lifting load caused by raising the lower tool half, as the sealing process forces the upper and lower tool halves apart.
- the lifting apparatus of the present invention allows the lifting screw 2 and motor 3 to be isolated from the sealing load, as described below. This means that the lifting screw 2 does not need to be as robust as in the prior art, and can thus have a relatively small diameter, advantageously minimising manufacturing cost and mechanism size.
- motor 3 and any electro-mechanical brake can be downsized as it does not have to drive a large lifting screw 2 or lifting mechanism designed to withstand the sealing load.
- a spring housing 13 is attached to the underside of lifting plate 7, said spring housing 13 housing two springs 6 coupled to the spring housing 13 and pillar 1 a.
- a corresponding spring housing 13 with two springs 6 is provided for pillar 1 b, however for ease of understanding the lifting apparatus is described with reference to pillar 1a in the following description.
- pillar 1a remains stationary but lifting plate 7 continues to move upwards towards plate 11, thus compressing springs 6.
- the two springs are identical and so compress at the same rate, although different springs may be used.
- a latching mechanism responds by latching the housing structure 9 to the pillar 1a.
- the latching mechanism comprises latches 4 located on the housing structure 9 which engage with each protruding portion 12 on the pillar 1a.
- the motor 3 stops at a predetermined position set in the motor control unit (not shown), but could equally be controlled by a sensor or switch attached to the mechanism.
- the spring housings 13 contain two springs each. However, this is not necessarily the case and any number of springs may be used, for example a single spring. Alternatively, a hydraulic system using a compressible fluid may be implemented instead of the use of a spring(s).
- the housing structure 9 and spring(s) 6 are not limited to their described position.
- the spring housing 13 could be mounted on the upper side of lifting plate 7, thus placing the spring(s) 6 under tension as the lifting plate 7 continues to rise when the upper and lower tool halves first come into contact.
- the latching mechanism will now be described in more detail with reference to Figures 5a, 5b , 6a and 6b .
- the latching mechanism comprises latches 4 and spring 6 as described above, as well as latch cam plate 5 and cam follower rollers 10. Its operation will be described below.
- Figures 5a, 5b , 6a and 6b are staggered cross-section diagrams taken along the axis x-x'.
- Figure 5a shows a cross section taken through a pillar 1 a
- Figure 5b shows a cross section taken through latch cam plate 5, both before the latches 4 are engaged.
- the two views are of the same pillar 1a and have been shown side by side for ease of comparison and do not represent two independent pillars.
- Figures 6a and 6b show the equivalent views when the latches 4 are engaged.
- latch cam plate 5 (hereafter referred to as latch plate) fixedly coupled to lifting plate 7 is moved towards latches 4 as the lifting plate 7 is raised.
- Latches 4 comprise two complementary structures 4a and 4b facing each other as seen in Figures 5b and 6b .
- Each complementary structure 4a, 4b contains a cam follower roller 10 (hereafter referred to as roller).
- lifting plate 7 continues to rise and compresses spring(s) 6.
- the latch plate 5, coupled to lifting plate 7, will come into contact with the rollers 10, specifically at the shaped portion 14 of the latch plate.
- the spring(s) 6 will continue to compress until, at a predetermined compression point, the spring(s) becomes compressed enough to positively drive the latch plate 5 further upwards, forcing the rollers 10 along guided portion 14 into the recessed portion 16 of the latch plate 5.
- the motor 3 is driven in the reverse direction, thus causing the lifting plate 7 to lower away from the upper plate 11.
- This places the springs 6 under tension, and at a predetermined point in the extension of the springs, the rollers 10 are released from the recessed portion 16 in the latch plate 5, and the shaped portion 14 of the latch plate positively drives the complementary structures 4a and 4b back to their original position.
- the complementary structures are retained in their original position by the proximity of the pillar passing the latches 4, as seen in Figure 5a . This releases protruding portion 12 on the pillar 1.
- latching mechanisms are envisaged.
- electronically actuated latches could be engaged at the desired time using a control unit.
- the sealed trays can be transported away from the lower tool half, for example by gripper arms and a conveyer, and unsealed trays to be sealed can be transported on to the lower tool half for the process to repeat.
- the lifting apparatus is not restricted to the described embodiment.
- the upper tool half may be moved towards a stationary lower tool half.
- the lifting mechanism of the present invention can be used in conjunction with a twin lane device, an example of which being the QX-1100 manufactured by Ishida Europe Limited of Birmingham, United Kingdom.
- the lifting apparatus of the present application can be used in other scenarios and apparatuses.
Description
- The invention relates to a lifting apparatus, particularly in the context of a tray sealing machine. Here, the term "tray" means any container having an upwardly facing opening to which a film is to be heat sealed.
- In the food industry, it is common to package food items in heat sealed trays. Conventionally, trays are transported along a conveyer and filled with the desired food items. The tray is then fed, typically with a plurality of other trays, to a tray sealing machine.
- The tray sealing machine typically comprises a lower tool half on which the tray(s) is positioned, and an upper tool half. The lower tool half is lifted towards the upper tool half via a lifting mechanism, and the upper and lower tool halves are clamped together to generate an air tight seal. The lower tool half has an ejector plate which lowers the trays into a recess as the lower tool half is lifted towards the upper tool half. The sealing process can then take place.
- Lifting mechanisms using a motor-driven spindle to lift the lower tool half are known in the art. However, when the sealing process takes place, a large force is placed on the lifting spindle, much larger than the load placed on the spindle during lifting of the lower tool half. This large force placed on the lifting spindle could cause it to buckle, having serious consequences not only for the output of the tray sealing machine, but also for safety.
- In order to overcome this problem, such a spindle is commonly manufactured with a relatively large diameter to improve its strength in order to protect against buckling. This increases cost since more material is required for the larger spindle, and a more powerful motor is needed in order to drive it.
- Alternatively or in addition, a large high power electromechanical brake may be used to reduce the forces experienced by the spindle. However, this also increases cost due to the increased complexity and power consumption.
- What is needed in the art is a lifting mechanism for a tray sealing machine that prevents the problem of the lifting mechanism buckling or being damaged under the high loads caused by the sealing process, without compromising on the efficiency, speed and cost of the tray sealing machine.
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US2009/0288365 discloses a packaging machine having a lifting unit. The lifting unit has preferably two spindles, each attached to a lifting plate by a spindle bearing. Two guiding rods are also mounted on each lifting plate, which are connected at their upper end to a lower tool half. When the lower tool half has been raised to the desired position by the spindles, brakes independently mounted to each guiding rod are actuated, thus avoiding undesired lowering of the lifting unit during operation. As the lifting plates are mounted via the spindle bearings, the spindles are kept stationary, and are thus exclusively stressed by tension, excluding the risk of buckling. - However, in the disclosure of
US2009/0288365 , the spindles are still subject to large forces, even if they are in tension. The spindle will have to be designed to account for these forces. Moreover, the spindle bearings may be damaged by being subject to said forces. - In accordance with the present invention, a lifting apparatus is provided comprising; a first member and a second member; a lifting mechanism coupled to said first member adapted to move said first member towards said second member; a third member coupled to said first member and slideably moveable through said second member when said first member is moved towards said second member, and a latching mechanism wherein; when a predetermined compressive force is applied to said third member, the latching mechanism responds by latching said second member to said third member, such that when a further compressive force is applied to said third member, said first member and lifting mechanism are isolated from said further compressive force.
- A key advantage of this invention is that when the further compressive force is applied to the third member, this force is transferred through the latching mechanism to the second member. This isolates the first member and, importantly, the lifting mechanism, from said further compressive force. This means that the lifting mechanism does not have to be specifically designed to take into account the further force, making manufacture simpler, and reducing the amount of material required.
- Further, the latching mechanism advantageously latches the second member to the third member automatically on application of the predetermined compressive force. Other automatic latching mechanisms are envisaged. For example, a pressure sensor could be used to detect when the lower and upper tool halves are in contact, and an electronic system used to initiate the latches. The automatic nature of the latching mechanism allows the lifting mechanism of the present invention to be used without supervision.
- Preferably, the latching mechanism comprises a spring mounted between said third member and said first member wherein in use said spring is compressed on application of said compressive force to said third member, and said predetermined compressive force corresponds to a predetermined point in the spring's compression. Alternatively, a compressible fluid could be used instead of a spring.
- In a preferred embodiment, the latching mechanism comprises a latch cam plate having a shaped portion, said latch cam plate fixedly coupled to said first member, and wherein the movement of said first member towards said second member causes said shaped portion to guide a latch so as the latch engages with a protruding potion on said third member. Other latching mechanisms are envisaged, for example electromagnetically actuated latches.
- In a preferred embodiment, the first member is a plate and said third member is elongate and coupled to said first member so as to project along the direction of movement of said first member.
- Preferably, the lifting mechanism is a rotateable lifting screw coupled to the first member in such a manner that rotation of said lifting screw causes movement of said first member in a plane substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis of said lifting screw.
- This advantageously means that the lifting screw remains stationary as the lifting plate is raised, allowing for increased ease of installation as movement of the lifting screw does not have to be accounted for.
- It will however be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other lifting mechanisms may be used. For example, the first member may be moved towards the third member by means of pistons or a pulley system.
- In a preferred embodiment, the lifting apparatus further comprises one or more third members. For example, in one embodiment a second third member is also coupled to said first member via a spring, and is slideably movable through a second second member. In this embodiment, the second third member provides increased support for an item to be lifted by the lifting apparatus, where the item is supported by the third members.
- In one embodiment, the lifting screw and the or each third member are substantially parallel.
- The lifting apparatus may be included in a tool lift apparatus, the tool lift apparatus further comprising a lower tool half mounted to the distal end of the or each third member such that, in use, movement of the first member moves said lower tool half towards an upper tool half, and wherein said predetermined compressive force is due to said lower tool half and said upper tool half contacting.
- In one embodiment, the tool lift apparatus is employed in a tray sealing machine, where the further compressive force is due to a sealing process taking place when the upper and lower tool halves are in contact and form an air-tight seal. However, the lifting apparatus may be employed in other instances apart from tray sealing machines, such as thermoformer machines and press tooling.
- In one embodiment, such a tool lift apparatus further comprises a second lifting apparatus, wherein said lower tool half is mounted to the distal end of the or each third member of the first and second lifting apparatuses, and further wherein the first and second lifting apparatuses are operated in synchrony.
- The lower tool half of such an embodiment thus advantageously has greater support as it is supported by two lifting apparatuses. Such a tool lift apparatus may be utilised in a single lane tray sealing machine.
- In an alternative embodiment, the tool lift apparatus further comprises a second lifting apparatus and a second lower tool half mounted to the distal end of the or each third member of said second lifting apparatus, and wherein said first and second lifting apparatuses are operated independently. There may also be an independent upper tool half corresponding to the second lower tool half.
- This embodiment provides increased flexibility in the use of the tool lift apparatus, especially when used in a dual lane tray sealing machine for instance. For example, one lane may be used for large trays that are sealed three at a time, and the second lane used to seal small trays that are sealed four at a time and at a faster rate. The independent lifting apparatuses and tool halves allow for maximum flexibility in such a situation, increasing throughput and efficiency of the tray sealing machine.
- Embodiments of the present invention will now be described and contrasted with the prior art with reference to the following drawings in which:
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Figure 1 is a schematic side view partly in section of a lifting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention with a lifting plate in a lower position; -
Figure 2 is a view similar toFigure 1 , but showing the lifting plate in an upper position; -
Figure 3 is a view of a lifting apparatus of the present invention in use in a single lane tray sealing machine; -
Figure 4 is a view of a lifting apparatus of the present invention in use in a dual lane tray sealing machine; -
Figure 5a is a staggered cross-section of the lifting apparatus ofFigures 1 and2 , showing the latching mechanism in more detail; -
Figure 5b is another staggered cross-section of the lifting apparatus ofFigures 1 and2 , showing the latching mechanism in more detail; -
Figure 6a is another staggered cross-section of the lifting apparatus ofFigures 1 and2 , showing the latching mechanism in more detail; and -
Figure 6b is a further staggered cross-section of the lifting apparatus according toFigures 1 and2 , showing the latching mechanism in more detail. - In the following description, directional terms such as "raised", "lowered", "upper", "lower" etc. are used for clarity in explaining the figures and are not intended to be limiting.
- Considering first
Figure 1 , there is shown a lifting apparatus comprising twopillars lifting plate 7. In this embodiment, each pillar 1 is slideably moveable through ahousing structure 9 surrounding said pillar, and eachhousing structure 9 is mounted on a stationaryupper plate 11. Other means of mounting the housing structures are envisaged. - The pillars may be circular or square in cross-section. Other cross-sectional shapes may be used.
- In the following description, a
single pillar 1 a will be referred to for ease of understanding. - The lifting
plate 7 is raised towards theupper plate 11 by means of a liftingscrew 2 rotateably mounted viabearings 2a in theupper plate 11 and received in a screw threadedbush 2b in thelifting plate 7. Agear 3b is fixed to the upper end of the screw and is connected to amotor 3 bytooth belt 3a. The liftingscrew 2 is rotated by saidmotor 3, causing thelifting plate 7 to move upwards towardsplate 11 in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation. - As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, although
figures 1 and2 show the liftingscrew 2 located between the twopillars - As seen in
Figure 2 , upon rotation of the liftingscrew 2, the liftingplate 7 is moved relative to the liftingscrew 2. This advantageously simplifies installation of the lifting mechanism, since the liftingscrew 2 remains stationary with respect to themotor 3 andupper plate 11, and thus the installation does not need to take into account movement of the lifting screw. Other means of raising thelifting plate 7 are envisaged, for example hydraulic pillars mounted beneath the plate in order to push it upwards towardsupper plate 11. - In an embodiment of the invention, the lifting apparatus as depicted in
Figure 1 is used in a tray sealing machine. In such an embodiment, trays to be sealed are loaded onto a lower tool half (20 inFigure 3 ) attached to the upper end of eachpillar lifting plate 7 is raised, the lower tool half is raised towards an upper tool half (not shown). The lower tool half has an ejector plate which lowers the trays into a recess as the lower tool half is raised towards the upper tool half. The lower and upper tool halves come into contact and form an air tight seal. The upper tool half is heated so as to seal the film to the tray. - The two-pillar lifting apparatus depicted in
Figures 1 and2 is referred to as a module. In one embodiment, depicted inFigure 3 , a single lanetray sealing machine 100 comprises twomodules modules common drive motor 3 via a tooth belt, and all four pillars are driven together, raising thelower tool half 20 of the tray sealing machine towards the upper tool half (not shown). - In another embodiment seen in
Figure 4 , twomodules tray sealing machine 200. In this embodiment each module has aseparate drive motor 3 and separate tooth belts. This allows each module to operate independently, allowing two separatelower tool halves lower tool halves modules Figure 3 but are reversed from the single lane application. The pitch between the modules can be altered to suit the particular dual lane application due to the asymmetric design of the modules. - As the lifting apparatus of the present invention can be used in a dual lane situation with independent tray sealing machine
lower tool halves - It is envisaged that a lower tool half of a tray sealing machine may be supported by any number of pillars. For example, one pillar may be used to support a lower tool half.
- For ease of understanding, the following description will refer to a single module.
- The sealing load placed on the lifting mechanism is far greater than the lifting load caused by raising the lower tool half, as the sealing process forces the upper and lower tool halves apart. The lifting apparatus of the present invention allows the lifting
screw 2 andmotor 3 to be isolated from the sealing load, as described below. This means that the liftingscrew 2 does not need to be as robust as in the prior art, and can thus have a relatively small diameter, advantageously minimising manufacturing cost and mechanism size. Similarly,motor 3 and any electro-mechanical brake can be downsized as it does not have to drive alarge lifting screw 2 or lifting mechanism designed to withstand the sealing load. - When the lower tool half first makes contact with the upper tool half,
motor 3 continues to rotate the liftingscrew 2, raising thelifting plate 7 upwards towards theupper plate 11. As seen inFigures 1 and2 , aspring housing 13 is attached to the underside of liftingplate 7, saidspring housing 13 housing twosprings 6 coupled to thespring housing 13 andpillar 1 a. Acorresponding spring housing 13 with twosprings 6 is provided forpillar 1 b, however for ease of understanding the lifting apparatus is described with reference topillar 1a in the following description. - As
motor 3 continues to drive liftingscrew 2 when the upper and lower tool halves are in contact,pillar 1a remains stationary but liftingplate 7 continues to move upwards towardsplate 11, thus compressing springs 6. In the present embodiment the two springs are identical and so compress at the same rate, although different springs may be used. At a predetermined point in the compression of the springs, a latching mechanism responds by latching thehousing structure 9 to thepillar 1a. The latching mechanism compriseslatches 4 located on thehousing structure 9 which engage with each protrudingportion 12 on thepillar 1a. Themotor 3 stops at a predetermined position set in the motor control unit (not shown), but could equally be controlled by a sensor or switch attached to the mechanism. - In the embodiment shown in
Figures 1 and2 , thespring housings 13 contain two springs each. However, this is not necessarily the case and any number of springs may be used, for example a single spring. Alternatively, a hydraulic system using a compressible fluid may be implemented instead of the use of a spring(s). - The
housing structure 9 and spring(s) 6 are not limited to their described position. For example, thespring housing 13 could be mounted on the upper side of liftingplate 7, thus placing the spring(s) 6 under tension as the liftingplate 7 continues to rise when the upper and lower tool halves first come into contact. - As the pillars are now coupled to the
housing structures 9 vialatches 4, the load placed on pillars 1 due to the sealing process is transferred throughlatches 4 to thehousing structures 9. This therefore advantageously isolates the liftingscrew 2 andmotor 3 from these high loads as the pillars 1 are coupled to liftingplate 7 viaspring 6. - The latching mechanism will now be described in more detail with reference to
Figures 5a, 5b ,6a and 6b . The latching mechanism compriseslatches 4 andspring 6 as described above, as well aslatch cam plate 5 andcam follower rollers 10. Its operation will be described below. -
Figures 5a, 5b ,6a and 6b are staggered cross-section diagrams taken along the axis x-x'.Figure 5a shows a cross section taken through apillar 1 a, andFigure 5b shows a cross section taken throughlatch cam plate 5, both before thelatches 4 are engaged. The two views are of thesame pillar 1a and have been shown side by side for ease of comparison and do not represent two independent pillars.Figures 6a and 6b show the equivalent views when thelatches 4 are engaged. - Considering first
Figures 5b and6b , latch cam plate 5 (hereafter referred to as latch plate) fixedly coupled to liftingplate 7 is moved towardslatches 4 as the liftingplate 7 is raised.Latches 4 comprise twocomplementary structures Figures 5b and6b . Eachcomplementary structure - When the lower tool half comes into contact with the upper tool half, as explained above, lifting
plate 7 continues to rise and compresses spring(s) 6. Thelatch plate 5, coupled to liftingplate 7, will come into contact with therollers 10, specifically at the shapedportion 14 of the latch plate. The spring(s) 6 will continue to compress until, at a predetermined compression point, the spring(s) becomes compressed enough to positively drive thelatch plate 5 further upwards, forcing therollers 10 along guidedportion 14 into the recessedportion 16 of thelatch plate 5. - This causes the
complementary structure portions 12 on the pillar 1, as seen inFigures 5a and6a . Themotor 3 is stopped on engagement of the latches with the protruding portions and thus thelifting plate 7 becomes stationary. The sealing process can then occur, transferring the high loads through thelatches 4 to thehousing structure 9, thus isolating the liftingscrew 2 andmotor 3 from said loads. - On completion of the sealing process, the
motor 3 is driven in the reverse direction, thus causing thelifting plate 7 to lower away from theupper plate 11. This places thesprings 6 under tension, and at a predetermined point in the extension of the springs, therollers 10 are released from the recessedportion 16 in thelatch plate 5, and the shapedportion 14 of the latch plate positively drives thecomplementary structures latches 4, as seen inFigure 5a . This releases protrudingportion 12 on the pillar 1. - As seen in
Figures 1 and2 , although two protrudingportions 12 are shown on opposing sides of pillar one or more protruding portions andcorresponding latches 4 could be used. Similarly, although twolatch plates 5 are shown on thelifting plate 7 on opposing sides ofpillar 1a, asingle latch plate 5 may be used, or more then two latch plates may be used. - Other latching mechanisms are envisaged. For example, electronically actuated latches could be engaged at the desired time using a control unit.
- When the
lifting plate 7 is in its lower position, the sealed trays can be transported away from the lower tool half, for example by gripper arms and a conveyer, and unsealed trays to be sealed can be transported on to the lower tool half for the process to repeat. - The lifting apparatus is not restricted to the described embodiment. For example, the upper tool half may be moved towards a stationary lower tool half. It is also envisaged that the lifting mechanism of the present invention can be used in conjunction with a twin lane device, an example of which being the QX-1100 manufactured by Ishida Europe Limited of Birmingham, United Kingdom.
- Although described with relation to a tray sealing machine, the lifting apparatus of the present application can be used in other scenarios and apparatuses.
Claims (16)
- A lifting apparatus connectable to a tray sealing tool, the lifting apparatus comprising;
a first member (7) and a second member (11);
a lifting mechanism (2) coupled to said first member (7) adapted to move said first member towards sai second member (11);
a third member (1a, 1b) coupled to said first member and slideably moveable through said second member when said first member is moved towards said second member, a distal end of the third member, with respect to the first member, being connectable to a lower tool half (20) of a tray sealing tool such that when said first member is moved towards said second member, the lower tool half is moved towards an upper tool half of the sealing tool,
the lifting apparatus further comprising a latching mechanism (4), and wherein;
when a predetermined compressive force is applied to said third member due to the lower tool half contacting the upper tool half, said predetermined compressive force actuates the latching mechanism to latch said second member to said third member, such that when a further compressive force is applied to said third member due to sealing forces in the tray sealing tool, said first member and lifting mechanism are isolated from said further compressive force. - The lifting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the latching mechanism comprises a spring mounted between said third member and said first member wherein in use said spring is compressed on application of said compressive force to said third member, and said predetermined compressive force corresponds to a predetermined point in the spring's compression.
- The lifting apparatus of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the latching mechanism comprises a latch cam plate having a shaped portion, said latch cam plate fixedly coupled to said first member, and wherein the movement of said first member towards said second member causes said shaped portion to guide a latch so as the latch engages with a protruding potion on said third member.
- The lifting apparatus of any of the preceding claims, wherein said first member is a plate.
- The lifting apparatus of any of the preceding claims, wherein said third member is elongate and coupled to said first member so as to project along the direction of movement of said first member.
- The lifting apparatus of any of the preceding claims, wherein said lifting mechanism is a rotateable lifting screw coupled to the first member in such a manner that rotation of said lifting screw causes movement of said first member in a plane substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis of said lifting screw.
- The lifting apparatus of any of the preceding claims, further comprising one or more third members.
- The lifting apparatus of claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the lifting screw and the or each third member are substantially parallel.
- A tool lift apparatus comprising the lifting apparatus of any of the preceding claims, and further comprising;
a lower tool half mounted to the distal end of the or each third member such that, in use, movement of the first member moves said lower tool half towards an upper tool half, and wherein;
said predetermined compressive force is due to said lower tool half and said upper tool half contacting. - The tool lift apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a second lifting apparatus, and wherein said lower tool half is mounted to the distal end of the or each third member of the first and second lifting apparatuses, and further wherein the first and second lifting apparatuses are operated in synchrony.
- The tool lift apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a second lifting apparatus and a second lower tool half mounted to the distal end of the or each third member of said second lifting apparatus, and wherein said first and second lifting apparatuses are operated independently.
- The tool lift apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a second upper tool half corresponding to the second lower tool half.
- The tool lift apparatus of any of claims 9 to 12, wherein said further compressive force is caused by a process performed when said lower tool half and said upper tool half are in contact.
- A traysealing machine comprising the tool lift apparatus of any of claims 9 to 13.
- The traysealing machine of claim 14, wherein the upper tool half contains a heated plate.
- The traysealing machine of claim 14 or claim 15, wherein the lower tool half is adapted to support one or more trays to be sealed.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GBGB1016930.8A GB201016930D0 (en) | 2010-10-07 | 2010-10-07 | Lifting apparatus |
PCT/GB2011/051929 WO2012046076A1 (en) | 2010-10-07 | 2011-10-07 | Lifting apparatus |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP2625107A1 EP2625107A1 (en) | 2013-08-14 |
EP2625107B1 true EP2625107B1 (en) | 2014-09-03 |
Family
ID=43304234
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP11774088.6A Active EP2625107B1 (en) | 2010-10-07 | 2011-10-07 | Lifting apparatus |
Country Status (7)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20130318919A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP2625107B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP5583286B2 (en) |
ES (1) | ES2509954T3 (en) |
GB (1) | GB201016930D0 (en) |
RU (1) | RU2541653C2 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2012046076A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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DE102011105513A1 (en) * | 2011-06-24 | 2012-12-27 | Multivac Sepp Haggenmüller Gmbh & Co. Kg | Method and sealing station for sealing packaging |
US10059473B2 (en) * | 2015-07-31 | 2018-08-28 | Belco Packaging Systems, Inc. | Ejector for seal fixture machine |
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-
2010
- 2010-10-07 GB GBGB1016930.8A patent/GB201016930D0/en not_active Ceased
-
2011
- 2011-10-07 RU RU2013120546/13A patent/RU2541653C2/en active
- 2011-10-07 US US13/877,657 patent/US20130318919A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2011-10-07 JP JP2013532275A patent/JP5583286B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2011-10-07 WO PCT/GB2011/051929 patent/WO2012046076A1/en active Application Filing
- 2011-10-07 ES ES11774088.6T patent/ES2509954T3/en active Active
- 2011-10-07 EP EP11774088.6A patent/EP2625107B1/en active Active
Also Published As
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RU2013120546A (en) | 2014-11-20 |
RU2541653C2 (en) | 2015-02-20 |
GB201016930D0 (en) | 2010-11-24 |
JP5583286B2 (en) | 2014-09-03 |
US20130318919A1 (en) | 2013-12-05 |
WO2012046076A1 (en) | 2012-04-12 |
JP2014506215A (en) | 2014-03-13 |
ES2509954T3 (en) | 2014-10-20 |
EP2625107A1 (en) | 2013-08-14 |
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