EP2851305A1

EP2851305A1 - Electrical modular device for cutting and welding film for wrapping machines

Info

Publication number: EP2851305A1
Application number: EP13791009.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Sergio Llopis Soñés
Original assignee: Aranguren Comercial del Embalaje SL
Current assignee: Aranguren Comercial del Embalaje SL
Priority date: 2012-05-14
Filing date: 2013-05-13
Publication date: 2015-03-25
Anticipated expiration: 2033-05-13
Also published as: ES1077170U; WO2013171354A1; EP2851305B1; EP2851305A4; ES1077170Y; PT2851305T; ES2670681T3

Abstract

Electrical modular device with a small size, suitable for coupling to wrapping machines, which automatically performs the operations of attaching the film to start the wrapping cycle and soldering and cutting the film at the end of the wrapping cycle, comprising a mounting, a clip, a soldering and attachment group, a contrast plate group, a cutting element, a film width reducer and a controller that synchronises the action of each element.

Description

As indicated by its title, the invention relates to a modular device that is fully electrical, with a small size, suitable for being coupled to wrapping machines, which automatically performs the film attachment operations for starting the wrapping cycle and cutting and soldering the film at the end of the wrapping cycle.
It belongs to the field of wrapping machines.

BACKGROUND

There exist many wrapping machines wherein the film contained in a spool is wrapped around the packages placed on a pallet, either by the spool moving exclusively in a vertical sense with the pallet rotating, or by the pallet being static and the spool orbiting around the pallet.
Of the latter type, there exist fixed machines, in which the automated machines are installed in production lines, and other external machines known as semi-automated machines installed out of the production line and even transportable.
In semi-automated machines the entire wrapping cycle is performed automatically, although the start of the cycle, connecting the film to the pallet, and the end of the cycle, soldering and cutting the film, is performed manually with the ensuing drawbacks with regard to time and safety.
An example of this type of machines is the applicant's patent ES2341209 .
This has been solved partially by devices that require pneumatic installations and feeding, with the resulting complexity in installation and space required by this type of devices.
One example of a solution appropriate for application in threshold-type wrapping machines is that disclosed in patent ES2090944 ; however, this solution is not applicable to semi-automated machines due to the installation required.
Patent ES2171033 relates to a cutting and heat-sealing device, but as the former requires a pneumatic installation and can only be used in fixed wrapping machines.
Moreover, none of the two above-cited patents is presented in the form of a kit that can be integrated in a simple manner in pre-existing machines, nor is this versatility favoured by the dimensions of the known devices, all of which are too large to be integrated in existing machines. On the contrary, the device proposed has a small size, allowing the installation thereof in existing machines with limited space requirements.
There are no references of cutting devices of the type of that which is the subject matter of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

To overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, the invention object of the present invention relates to a device in the form of a kit that can be coupled to semi-automated wrapping machines.
For this purpose it was necessary to eliminate any external dependency requirement except the power supply, which eventually could even be provided by batteries.
The device comprises:

A modular mounting, essentially consisting in a metal plate;
An attachment element such as a clip. The term clip is used to differentiate it from the attachment element incorporated in the attachment and soldering group, although it is understood that this does not limit the possible embodiments thereof;
A soldering group comprising a contrast plate, electrical means for interposing the contrast plate between the path of the film and the package to be wrapped, attachment elements and soldering elements;
A cutting element that can be mounted on the soldering group;
Means for moving the soldering group and the cutting element;
A film-width reducer;
A controller that synchronises the action of the various elements.

The wrapping cycle starts with the film being held by the clip that retains the film since the end of the preceding cycle.
As the film is held by the clip and begins to orbit the film spool, the wrapping cycle begins when the film, under tension, starts to wrap around the package to be wrapped.
After a number of turns the friction of the plastic under tension allows the clip to open without risk of the plastic being detached from the wrapped package.
The part of the cycle corresponding to the wrapping as such is completed when the spool has described not only an orbital motion but also an upward and then a downward motion along the entire length of the object to be wrapped.
The device object of the present invention participates again at the end of the cycle as described below.
The contrast plate, initially in a horizontal position, rises until becoming vertical under the action of a spindle driven by an electric motor that acts against a three-point locking mechanism.
As the contrast plate is within the orbit of the film spool, said contrast plate is trapped by the wrapping film.
Meanwhile, the film reducer reduces the width of the film by pressure until the width thereof is reduced to a width equal to the height of the contrast plate at least at the point where the plate and film meet.
When the film width is equal to the height of the contrast plate at least at the point where the plate and film meet, the spoor stops, the clip engages the film again and the attachment and soldering group moves forward to the contrast plate, securing and soldering the various film layers by heat.
Simultaneously, the cutting element, which can be an incandescent wire for example, cuts the film at a point between the clip and the soldering element.
At the end of this operation the contrast plate returns to the horizontal position thereof and the film, by virtue of its memory, shrinks to fit the wrapped package while the attachment and soldering group retracts to the initial position thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIGURE 1 shows an exploded view of several elements of the device, revealing the mounting plate (1) that can be fitted on the platform of a machine (2), the rack guides (3) on which move the attachment and soldering group (4), which comprises the retaining element (5), the soldering element (6) and the cutting element (7), as well as the clip (9) in the open position and the contrast plate (9) in a horizontal position.
FIGURE 2 shows various elements of the device mounted and in position to act, wherein the contrast plate (9) is now vertical and the attachment and soldering group (4) is displaced forward to contact with said plate.
FIGURE 3 shows an exploded view of the contrast plate (9), the three-point locking mechanism (10) provided in the contrast plate that changes the position thereof from horizontal to vertical and vice versa, and the means for actuating the three-point locking system which comprise an electric motor (11) and a casing (12) inside which is a spindle -not shown- that is responsible for the movement of the three-point locking mechanism.
FIGURE 4 shows the spool holder carriage -not shown in the other figures- which is generally installed in a revolving arm of the wrapping machines, showing the shaft (13) in which the film spool is inserted and the retaining roller (14) that is surrounded by the film -not shown- before moving towards the package to be wrapped; at the outlet of this retaining roller is placed the stem, in fact a roller that narrows at its central part, in the form of a spindle (15) which in the downward motion thereof will compress the film and reduce the width thereof.
FIGURE 5 shows another view of the spool holder carriage where the stem (15) that reduces the width of the film is at a lower position than in FIGURE 4, also showing the elements that allow the upward and downward motion of the stem, such as a motor (16), a spindle (17) and a guide (18), all mounted on two plates (19) that act as a mounting to allow this device to be coupled in the form of a kit to many existing machines.

DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

A description is given herein of an embodiment of the invention without constituting a limitation thereof, as the same can be executed in different ways.
The invention disclosed herein comprises:

A metal plate acting as a mounting (1);
An automatically actuated clip (8);
A contrast plate group that comprises a contrast plate (9), means for interposing the contrast plate between the path of the film and the package to be wrapped (10), (11) and (12);
An attachment and soldering group that comprises an attachment element (5), a soldering element (6), and means (3), (4) for moving said elements from the initial position thereof to the point of contact with the contrast plate;
A cutting element (7) mounted on the attachment and soldering group;
A film-width reducer comprising a stem (15), a motor (16), a spindle (17), a guide (18) and two plates (19);
A controller that synchronises the action of each of the elements.

Attached to the base plate are:

The clip and the elements allowing the opening and closing thereof;
The soldering group;
The means for displacing the soldering group, which comprise a rack and a motor.

The wrapping cycle comprises the following steps:
The film is initially held by the clip and the film spool, mounted on a shaft (13) in the spool holder carriage, which in turn is mounted on the revolving arm of the machine, and begins orbiting and unwinding the film by means of the tension exerted by the retaining roller (14).
After some turns the tension of the film against the package to be wrapped allows opening the clip without the film being detached.
The wrapping cycle continues with the spool rising with the spool holder carriage, while maintaining the orbital motion around the package to be wrapped.
When the spool has completed its upward motion, the downward motion thereof begins.
While the spool descends, the contrast plate (9), until this time in a horizontal position, adopts a vertical position by means of a three-point locking device (10) actuated by a spindle that turns under the action of an electric motor (11).
The contrast plate allows having a surface that is always the same on which the soldering element operates.
If the soldering were performed on the package itself, depending on the contents of the package the consistency and dimensions thereof would change, thereby complicating the automated soldering and cutting operation.
With the contrast plate in a vertical position and within the orbit of the spool, the film catches said plate.
At the same time, in the spool holder carriage a stem (15) begins to move down, compressing the film and reducing the width thereof.
When the width of the film is the same as the height of the contrast plate, at least in the part of the film covering said plate, the spool stops the orbital motion thereof, the soldering group moves forward until meeting the contrast plate and the clip engages the film.
The soldering group moves on a guide rack (3) attached to the support plate.
The soldering group includes:

A pressure attachment element (5) that keeps the film attached to the contrast plate (9);
A heat soldering element (6) that fuses the various film layers pressure and heating thereof against the contrast plate;
A cutting element (7), in this case a resistance that cuts the film by temperature.

When the film has been cut the soldering group is retracted and the contrast plate returns to the original position thereof.

Claims

MODULAR DEVICE FOR ELECTRICAL FILM CUTTING AND SOLDERING IN WRAPPING MACHINES of the type using a cycle wherein the film is attached to the package, retaining the film in the first turns, wrapping, soldering the film against a contrast element, and cutting the film; characterised in that it comprises:
• A mounting (1);

• A clip (8);

• A soldering and attachment group comprising an attachment element, a soldering element, means for moving from an initial position to a contact position with the contract plate;

• A contrast plate group comprising a contrast plate and means for interposing the contrast plate between the film and the package to be wrapped;

• A cutting element;

• A film-width reducer;

• A controller that synchronises the action of each of the elements.
MODULAR DEVICE FOR ELECTRICAL FILM CUTTING AND SOLDERING IN WRAPPING MACHINES according to claim 1, characterised in that attached to the mounting are the clip, the attachment and soldering group, the cutting group and the contrast plate group.
MODULAR DEVICE FOR ELECTRICAL FILM CUTTING AND SOLDERING IN WRAPPING MACHINES according to claim 1, characterised in that the clip comprises automated opening and closing means.
MODULAR DEVICE FOR ELECTRICAL FILM CUTTING AND SOLDERING IN WRAPPING MACHINES according to claim 1, characterised in that the means for interposing the contrast plate between the path of the film and the package to be wrapped comprise an electric motor, a three-point locking mechanism that supports the contrast plate, and a housing driven by the motor.
MODULAR DEVICE FOR ELECTRICAL FILM CUTTING AND SOLDERING IN WRAPPING MACHINES according to claim 1, characterised in that the means for moving the attachment and soldering group comprise a rack attached to the support and a motor.
MODULAR DEVICE FOR ELECTRICAL FILM CUTTING AND SOLDERING IN WRAPPING MACHINES according to claims 4 and 5, characterised in that the motors referenced in said claims are electric motors.
MODULAR DEVICE FOR ELECTRICAL FILM CUTTING AND SOLDERING IN WRAPPING MACHINES according to claim 1, characterised in that the film-width reducer is placed in the spool holder carriage.
MODULAR DEVICE FOR ELECTRICAL FILM CUTTING AND SOLDERING IN WRAPPING MACHINES according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the film-width reducer comprises a stem that compresses the film from the top part thereof, an element that allows the displacement thereof in a vertical upward and downward direction in a manner synchronised with the cycle situation at each time, and a support.
MODULAR DEVICE FOR ELECTRICAL FILM CUTTING AND SOLDERING IN WRAPPING MACHINES according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the element that allows the stem to move is a spindle.
MODULAR DEVICE FOR ELECTRICAL FILM CUTTING AND SOLDERING IN WRAPPING MACHINES according to claim 8, characterised in that the stem comprises a roller with a central part that is narrower than the ends, thereby defining a spindle shape.