EP2853497A1 - Securing and conveying system and device for securing and conveying flexible containers in a suspended manner in a packaging machine, and corresponding method - Google Patents
Securing and conveying system and device for securing and conveying flexible containers in a suspended manner in a packaging machine, and corresponding method Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP2853497A1 EP2853497A1 EP13382379.9A EP13382379A EP2853497A1 EP 2853497 A1 EP2853497 A1 EP 2853497A1 EP 13382379 A EP13382379 A EP 13382379A EP 2853497 A1 EP2853497 A1 EP 2853497A1
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- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- securing
- rotating element
- securing members
- track
- container
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- 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
- B65B43/00—Forming, feeding, opening or setting-up containers or receptacles in association with packaging
- B65B43/42—Feeding or positioning bags, boxes, or cartons in the distended, opened, or set-up state; Feeding preformed rigid containers, e.g. tins, capsules, glass tubes, glasses, to the packaging position; Locating containers or receptacles at the filling position; Supporting containers or receptacles during the filling operation
- B65B43/46—Feeding or positioning bags, boxes, or cartons in the distended, opened, or set-up state; Feeding preformed rigid containers, e.g. tins, capsules, glass tubes, glasses, to the packaging position; Locating containers or receptacles at the filling position; Supporting containers or receptacles during the filling operation using grippers
- B65B43/465—Feeding or positioning bags, boxes, or cartons in the distended, opened, or set-up state; Feeding preformed rigid containers, e.g. tins, capsules, glass tubes, glasses, to the packaging position; Locating containers or receptacles at the filling position; Supporting containers or receptacles during the filling operation using grippers for bags
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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
- B65B59/00—Arrangements to enable machines to handle articles of different sizes, to produce packages of different sizes, to vary the contents of packages, to handle different types of packaging material, or to give access for cleaning or maintenance purposes
- B65B59/003—Arrangements to enable adjustments related to the packaging material
Definitions
- the invention relates to a securing and conveying system for securing and conveying flexible containers in a suspended manner in a packaging machine, and to a securing device for securing containers intended for being part of a packaging machine, particularly suitable for conveying a container in a suspended manner.
- packaging machines are known to use securing devices for securing containers which, conveyed by the machine, are responsible for securing the containers in a suspended manner by means of respective clamp-type securing members each securing opposite zones of one and the same container.
- these securing devices when they secure respective containers allows in the machines with intermittent forward movement arranging the stationary containers in the work stations operating on the containers and also moving them from one work station to another. In machines with continuous forward movement, it allows moving the containers at the required speed so that the necessary operations can be performed on the containers without interrupting their movement. In another type of machines combining operations in stationary stations and operations during the movement of the containers, these securing devices conveyed by the machine and each one responsible for securing a container are also used.
- the securing members of one and the same securing device must have the capacity to mutually move closer to and further from one another, such that this maneuver can cause the upper mouth or opening of the flexible containers to open and close, respectively.
- This opening of the containers is of interest in order to perform the container filling operation.
- the wider a container the greater the separating distance of the securing members for conveying the container in its closed position and also the greater the distance the securing members of each container must travel first in the direction of mutually moving closer to one another, to cause the container to open, and then in the direction of moving further from one another, to close the container and leave it in a manner that is suitable, for example, for sealing its upper opening.
- Patent document WO 2013019712 discloses a mechanism capable of adjusting in unison the separating distance between two securing members of a securing device for securing containers, wherein said securing members are mounted in a guided manner following a straight path.
- the mechanical solution proposed in WO 2013019712 does not contemplate that the travel of these securing members must also vary when they are mutually moved closer to and further from one another to cause a container to open, depending on the distance initially separating them.
- the use of these mechanisms in a packaging machine does not prevent having to intervene individually in all the mechanisms one by one, being able to give rise to errors and to an excessive shutdown time for the machine.
- a main objective of the invention is a system that simplifies these format change operations. Another objective of the invention is a system that allows performing this format change more quickly. Another objective of the invention is a system that allows making this format change operation more precise.
- Another objective of the invention is a securing device of the type intended for being conveyed by a packaging machine, particularly suitable for carrying out the invention.
- the system of the invention comprises at least one securing device movably mounted in a packaging machine which is provided with at least a first and a second securing member with the capacity to mutually move closer to and further from one another, prepared for securing a container for conveyance by respective securing zones, said securing device comprising a control mechanism for controlling the instantaneous relative positions of the mentioned securing members.
- the system is essentially characterized in that it comprises a track or cam surface with at least a first and a second section at a different level, the track being adjustable in height with respect to the chassis of the machine, a desired height being able to be preselected depending on container format, and in that there is slidably supported on the mentioned track a tracking element transmitting the level variation between sections of the track to the control mechanism for controlling the securing members to operate them and cause the movement for moving said securing members closer to or further from one another, the control mechanism being suitable for the travel of this movement for moving the securing members closer to or further from one another to differ for one and the same level variation between the first and the second sections of the track according to the preselected height at which the track has been arranged.
- the track or cam surface on which the tracking elements of all the securing devices of the packaging machine slide instead of intervening on the securing devices conveyed by the machine, intervention is on the track or cam surface on which the tracking elements of all the securing devices of the packaging machine slide.
- the instantaneous separating distance between the pairs of securing members of all the securing devices will be modified by raising or lowering this track, preferably maintaining its profile.
- the distance or travel for moving these securing members closer to or further from one another caused by the change in level between two sections of the track on which the tracking element slides will be conditioned by the working height selected for the track.
- control mechanism for controlling the instantaneous relative positions of the securing members comprises a rotating element, operated by the tracking element, connected by means of respective first and second connecting rods to respective first and second support carriages of the respective first and second securing members, said first and second support carriages being mounted in the device in a guided manner according to respective straight paths.
- the rotating element is connected by means of a third connecting rod to the tracking element, mounted in the device in a guided manner according to a straight path.
- the tracking element is guided according to a direction that is normal to the directions followed by the straight paths of the support carriages of the first and second securing members.
- the rotating element is furthermore mounted such that it rotates about a horizontal shaft equidistant from the articulated attachments of the mentioned rotating element with the connecting rods associated with the support carriages of the first and second securing members.
- the third connecting rod moves in a plane of movement parallel to that of the first and second connecting rods, such that the third connecting rod can intersect at least one of the first or second connecting rods according to the position adopted by the rotating element.
- the system comprises power-driven means acting on the assembly of the track to vary its height with respect to the chassis of the machine.
- a securing device for securing containers for a packaging machine comprising a frame, intended for being fixed in a vertical orientation to a conveyor belt or chain of the machine, mounting a control mechanism for controlling the instantaneous relative positions of a first and a second securing member secured to the frame with the capacity to mutually move closer to and further from one another and prepared for securing a container for conveyance by respective securing zones in a suspended manner, characterized in that the device comprises, mounted on the frame
- control mechanism for controlling the instantaneous relative positions of the securing members comprising a rotating element that rotates with respect to the frame, connected by means of respective first, second and third connecting rods to the tracking element and to the support carriages of the securing members, respectively.
- the vertical movement of the tracking element will be transmitted to the support carriages of the securing members to cause them to make a linear movement a distance according to the initial position said tracking element adopted before varying its position.
- the linear movement of the securing members will vary according to the initial vertical position of the tracking element in the instant prior to its vertical movement.
- the articulated attachments of the connecting rods with the rotating element are distributed in said rotating element forming a T shape, the rotating shaft of the rotating element coinciding with the point of intersection between the imaginary line joining the articulated attachments of the connecting rods associated with the support carriages of the securing members with the imaginary line joining the articulated attachment of the connecting rod associated with the tracking element with the mentioned rotating shaft.
- the invention relates to a method for adjusting the distance separating two securing members for securing a container in a securing device for securing containers, in which said securing members are each linked by means of respective connecting rods to a rotating element provided in the mentioned securing device, adapting the separating distance to the width of a preselected container, comprising any one of the following
- Figures 1a and 1b schematically show the system 1 of the invention basically comprising a track 7 or cam surface with a predetermined profile including sections 8, 9 at a different level; and several securing devices 3 for securing containers, only one of which has been illustrated, conveyed by a packaging machine (of which machine only a conveyor belt or chain 18 conveying the mentioned securing devices 3 is shown).
- These securing devices 3 for securing containers are provided with a first and a second securing member 4, 5 prepared for securing a container for conveyance by respective securing zones.
- These securing members 4, 5 are configured in a known manner, for example in the form of clamps or the like and are not described in further detail as they are not part of the invention.
- the securing members 4, 5 are mounted in the corresponding securing device 3 with the capacity to mutually move closer to and farther from one another, and the instantaneous positions of these securing members will be determined by the instantaneous position adopted by a tracking element 10 travelling with the securing device 3 and slidably supported on the track 7.
- the track 7 has a main section 8 having a planar or essentially planar profile, such that the height at which this section 8 of the track 7 is arranged will determine the distance between the securing members 4, 5 during the conveyance of a container in the closed position.
- the track has at least one also planar or essentially planar short section 9 at a level different from the main section 8 which will determine the distance between the securing members 4, 5 during the conveyance of a container in the open position.
- this difference in level d between the main section 8 and short section 9 in the track 7 will cause, as explained in detail below, the vertical movement of the tracking element 10 and with it the movement for moving the securing members 4, 5 of the device 3 closer to or farther from one another.
- the short section 9 of the track will be connected to the main section 8 by means of respective sloped transition sections such that it will be the sliding of the tracking element 10 over such sections that will cause the securing members to move in the direction for moving closer along an upward section and in the direction for moving farther away along a downward section, the distance for moving the securing members 4, 5 as close to one another as possible being maintained while the mentioned tracking element 10 slides over the short section 9.
- the track 7 could include more than one section 9 at a level different from a main section 8 or it could alternate sections at a different level without distinguishing between main sections from short sections.
- the distance of the short section 9 will determine, together with the speed of movement of the securing device 3, the time during which the containers will remain open.
- this short section 9 it is preferable for this short section 9 to be planar, embodiments in which this short section 9 may not be planar are also envisaged, although it will then be preferable for it to be sloped or very slightly sloped.
- the track 7 is adjustable in height with respect to the chassis of the machine conveying the securing devices 3, a desired height being able to be preselected depending on container format.
- a change in height in the track 7 will cause a change in the distances of the securing members 4, 5 along the main section 8, i.e., a change in the distance between the securing members 4, 5 during the conveyance of a container in the closed position.
- Figures 1a and 1b illustrate this change when the height of the track goes from h1 in Figure 1a to height h2 in Figure 1b .
- the securing members 4, 5 go from being separated by distance d1 in Figure 1a to being separated by distance d2 in Figure 1b .
- These distances d1 and d2 are those which correspond for holding the containers 2 and 2' of Figures 4a and 4b , respectively.
- the system 1 is provided with power-driven means 7a acting on the assembly of the track 7 to vary its height with respect to the chassis of the machine, schematically illustrated in Figures 1a and 1b .
- the device 3 comprises a control mechanism 6 prepared for transmitting movement to the securing members 4, 5 for moving them closer to and farther from one another based on a vertical movement of the tracking element 10, with the special particularity that this movement for moving the securing members 4, 5 closer to or further from one another differs for one and the same level variation d between the sections 8, 9 of the track 7 according to the preselected height h1 or h2 at which the track 7 has been arranged.
- the movement will be greater when the track 7 is located at height h1, the preselected position for a container 2 having a wider format.
- the securing device 3 for securing containers comprises a frame 17 fixed in a vertical orientation to the conveyor belt, chain 18 or equivalent element of the machine, mounting the mentioned control mechanism 6 for controlling the instantaneous relative positions of the securing members 4, 5 secured to the frame 17 with the capacity to mutually move closer to and further from one another.
- the tracking element 10 provided in the example with a pair of wheels applied to each on a face of the track 7 one by one, is movably mounted in the frame 17 and guided according to a vertical reciprocating movement.
- a first and a second support carriage 14, 15 each of a respective securing member 4, 5 are also movably mounted in the frame 17 and guided according to a horizontal reciprocating movement.
- the frame 17 is provided with a pair of guiding rods that are arranged in a horizontal orientation and on which the aforementioned carriages 14, 15 slide.
- the control mechanism 6 for controlling the instantaneous relative positions of the securing members 4, 5 further comprises a rotating element 11 that rotates with respect to the frame 17, connected by means of respective first, second and third connecting rods 12, 13, 16 to the tracking element 10 and to the support carriages 14, 15 of the securing members 4 and 5, respectively.
- the articulated attachments 12a, 13a, 16a of these connecting rods 12, 13 and 16 with the rotating element 11 are distributed in said rotating element forming a T shape, the rotating shaft 11a of the rotating element 11 coinciding with the point of intersection between the imaginary line 18 joining the articulated attachments of the connecting rods associated with the support carriages of the securing members with the imaginary line 19 joining the articulated attachment of the connecting rod associated with the tracking element with the mentioned rotating shaft, as illustrated by the detail of Figures 2a and 2b .
- the horizontal shaft 11a about which the rotating element 11 rotates is equidistant from the articulated attachments 12a, 13a of the mentioned rotating element 11 with the connecting rods 12, 13 linked at one and the same level with the support carriages 14, 15 of the first and second securing members 4 and 5, such that the rotation of this rotating element 11 will be equally transmitted to the securing members 4, 5 but in opposite directions.
- this rotating element 11 and the dimensions of the connecting rods 11, 12 are selected (see Figures 1a and 2a ) such that to arrange the securing members 4, 5 at distance d1 corresponding to a container 2 having a larger format, and to move these securing members 4, 5 during the container 2 opening maneuver, the mentioned rotating element 11 rotates, arranging the aforesaid imaginary line 18 in the sector comprised between 45o to 135o angles, and preferably between 75o and 105o, with respect to the horizontal. This location allows transmitting maximum movement to the carriages 14 and 15, and therefore to the securing members 4, 5, due to the angle of rotation of the rotating element.
- This effect is determined by the cosine ratio existing between the variation of the angular position of the rotating element 11 and the movement in the horizontal direction that is transmitted to the support carriages 14 and 15.
- a suitable position of the rotating element 11 for a large container 2 format is position A illustrated in Figure 1a .
- this rotating element 11 and the dimensions of the connecting rods 11, 12 will furthermore be suitable so that (see Figures 1b and 2b ) when arranging the securing members 4, 5 at distance d2 corresponding to a container 2' having a smaller format, and to move these securing members 4, 5 during the container 2' opening maneuver, the mentioned rotating element 11 rotates, arranging the aforesaid imaginary line 18 in the sector comprised between 315o to 45o angles, and preferably between 345o and 15o with respect to the horizontal.
- This locations allows transmitting minimal movement to the carriages 14 and 15, and therefore to the securing members 4, 5, due to the angle of rotation of the rotating element 11.
- a suitable position of the rotating element 11 for a smaller container 2' format is position B illustrated in Figure 1b .
- the third connecting rod 16 moves in a plane of movement parallel to that of the first and second connecting rods 12, 13, such that the third connecting rod can intersect at least one of the first or second connecting rods according to the position adopted by the rotating element 11, for example that shown in Figure 1b .
- Figures 2a and 2b depict this described effect, according to which the distance transmitted to a support carriage of a securing member for one and the same variation d in the vertical position of the tracking element 10 operating the rotating element varies according to the sector in which the articulated attachment of this rotating element with the connecting rod linking it with the support carriage is located.
- Figures 2a and 2b illustrate that for one and the same movement d of the tracking element 10, the distance dx that the distal end of the connecting rod 12 will travel will be greater than the distance dx' that the same connecting rod 12 will travel according to the initial angular position of the rotating element 11.
- distance dx will be the optimal distance to cause the container 2 to open, as illustrated in Figure 3a ; whereas distance dx' will be the optimal distance to cause the container 2' to open, as illustrated in Figure 3b .
- the vertical movement d of the tracking element will be the same, and it corresponds with a jump in level d between sections 8 and 9 of the track 7, but in the first case the track 7 being arranged at height h1 and in the second case the track 7 being arranged at height h2, which is higher than height h1.
Abstract
Description
- The invention relates to a securing and conveying system for securing and conveying flexible containers in a suspended manner in a packaging machine, and to a securing device for securing containers intended for being part of a packaging machine, particularly suitable for conveying a container in a suspended manner.
- In the field of flexible containers, packaging machines are known to use securing devices for securing containers which, conveyed by the machine, are responsible for securing the containers in a suspended manner by means of respective clamp-type securing members each securing opposite zones of one and the same container.
- The conveyance of these securing devices when they secure respective containers allows in the machines with intermittent forward movement arranging the stationary containers in the work stations operating on the containers and also moving them from one work station to another. In machines with continuous forward movement, it allows moving the containers at the required speed so that the necessary operations can be performed on the containers without interrupting their movement. In another type of machines combining operations in stationary stations and operations during the movement of the containers, these securing devices conveyed by the machine and each one responsible for securing a container are also used.
- It sometimes happens that the securing members of one and the same securing device must have the capacity to mutually move closer to and further from one another, such that this maneuver can cause the upper mouth or opening of the flexible containers to open and close, respectively. This opening of the containers is of interest in order to perform the container filling operation.
- In such a machine there arises the drawback that when changing the format of a given container, in addition to adjusting the distance separating the securing members of all the securing devices, adapting it to the width of the new container format, it is necessary to also adjust the travel or distance that these securing members will travel when moving closer to and further from one another to perform the new container opening and closing maneuver. Conventionally, the wider a container, the greater the separating distance of the securing members for conveying the container in its closed position and also the greater the distance the securing members of each container must travel first in the direction of mutually moving closer to one another, to cause the container to open, and then in the direction of moving further from one another, to close the container and leave it in a manner that is suitable, for example, for sealing its upper opening.
- Today, this entails having to manually intervene in each securing device to place the securing members at a different distance, and to adjust the mechanism responsible for mutually moving these securing members closer to and further from one another in order to change their travel during the opening and closing maneuver for the container to be secured.
- Patent document
WO 2013019712 discloses a mechanism capable of adjusting in unison the separating distance between two securing members of a securing device for securing containers, wherein said securing members are mounted in a guided manner following a straight path. The mechanical solution proposed inWO 2013019712 , however, does not contemplate that the travel of these securing members must also vary when they are mutually moved closer to and further from one another to cause a container to open, depending on the distance initially separating them. On the other hand, the use of these mechanisms in a packaging machine does not prevent having to intervene individually in all the mechanisms one by one, being able to give rise to errors and to an excessive shutdown time for the machine. - A main objective of the invention is a system that simplifies these format change operations. Another objective of the invention is a system that allows performing this format change more quickly. Another objective of the invention is a system that allows making this format change operation more precise.
- Another objective of the invention is a securing device of the type intended for being conveyed by a packaging machine, particularly suitable for carrying out the invention.
- The system of the invention comprises at least one securing device movably mounted in a packaging machine which is provided with at least a first and a second securing member with the capacity to mutually move closer to and further from one another, prepared for securing a container for conveyance by respective securing zones, said securing device comprising a control mechanism for controlling the instantaneous relative positions of the mentioned securing members.
- The system is essentially characterized in that it comprises a track or cam surface with at least a first and a second section at a different level, the track being adjustable in height with respect to the chassis of the machine, a desired height being able to be preselected depending on container format, and in that there is slidably supported on the mentioned track a tracking element transmitting the level variation between sections of the track to the control mechanism for controlling the securing members to operate them and cause the movement for moving said securing members closer to or further from one another, the control mechanism being suitable for the travel of this movement for moving the securing members closer to or further from one another to differ for one and the same level variation between the first and the second sections of the track according to the preselected height at which the track has been arranged.
- According to the invention, instead of intervening on the securing devices conveyed by the machine, intervention is on the track or cam surface on which the tracking elements of all the securing devices of the packaging machine slide. The instantaneous separating distance between the pairs of securing members of all the securing devices will be modified by raising or lowering this track, preferably maintaining its profile. At the same time, the distance or travel for moving these securing members closer to or further from one another caused by the change in level between two sections of the track on which the tracking element slides will be conditioned by the working height selected for the track.
- In one variant, the control mechanism for controlling the instantaneous relative positions of the securing members comprises a rotating element, operated by the tracking element, connected by means of respective first and second connecting rods to respective first and second support carriages of the respective first and second securing members, said first and second support carriages being mounted in the device in a guided manner according to respective straight paths.
- In an embodiment of this variant, the rotating element is connected by means of a third connecting rod to the tracking element, mounted in the device in a guided manner according to a straight path.
- In a variant of interest, the tracking element is guided according to a direction that is normal to the directions followed by the straight paths of the support carriages of the first and second securing members.
- In a variant of interest, the rotating element is furthermore mounted such that it rotates about a horizontal shaft equidistant from the articulated attachments of the mentioned rotating element with the connecting rods associated with the support carriages of the first and second securing members.
- In a variant of interest, the third connecting rod moves in a plane of movement parallel to that of the first and second connecting rods, such that the third connecting rod can intersect at least one of the first or second connecting rods according to the position adopted by the rotating element.
- In one embodiment, the system comprises power-driven means acting on the assembly of the track to vary its height with respect to the chassis of the machine.
- According to another aspect of the invention, a securing device for securing containers for a packaging machine is disclosed, comprising a frame, intended for being fixed in a vertical orientation to a conveyor belt or chain of the machine, mounting a control mechanism for controlling the instantaneous relative positions of a first and a second securing member secured to the frame with the capacity to mutually move closer to and further from one another and prepared for securing a container for conveyance by respective securing zones in a suspended manner, characterized in that the device comprises, mounted on the frame
- a tracking element of a cam pathway, movable in a guided manner according to a vertical reciprocating movement; and
- a first and a second support carriage each of a securing member, movable in a guided manner according to a horizontal reciprocating movement,
- the control mechanism for controlling the instantaneous relative positions of the securing members comprising a rotating element that rotates with respect to the frame, connected by means of respective first, second and third connecting rods to the tracking element and to the support carriages of the securing members, respectively.
- Advantageously, the vertical movement of the tracking element will be transmitted to the support carriages of the securing members to cause them to make a linear movement a distance according to the initial position said tracking element adopted before varying its position. In other words, for one and the same vertical movement of the tracking element, the linear movement of the securing members will vary according to the initial vertical position of the tracking element in the instant prior to its vertical movement.
- In one embodiment, the articulated attachments of the connecting rods with the rotating element are distributed in said rotating element forming a T shape, the rotating shaft of the rotating element coinciding with the point of intersection between the imaginary line joining the articulated attachments of the connecting rods associated with the support carriages of the securing members with the imaginary line joining the articulated attachment of the connecting rod associated with the tracking element with the mentioned rotating shaft.
- According to another aspect of the invention, the invention relates to a method for adjusting the distance separating two securing members for securing a container in a securing device for securing containers, in which said securing members are each linked by means of respective connecting rods to a rotating element provided in the mentioned securing device, adapting the separating distance to the width of a preselected container, comprising any one of the following
- a) to go from a container format of width d1 to one of width d2, where d1>d2, rotating the rotating element from angular position A to angular position B such that in angular position B the securing members are arranged at an operating separating distance d2, and such that the movement that is transmitted to the securing members by means of the connecting rods by a rotation differential of the rotating element from this angular position B is less than that which was produced when this rotating element was in angular position A; and
- b) to go from a container format of width d2 to one of width d1, where d1>d2, rotating the rotating element from angular position B to angular position A such that in angular position A the securing members are arranged at an operating separating distance d1, and such that the movement that is transmitted to the securing members by means of the connecting rods by a rotation differential of the rotating element from this angular position A is greater than that which was produced when this rotating element was in angular position B.
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Figures 1a and1b are schematic drawings of a system according to the invention, in which the track adopts two different positions h1 and h2 in height, respectively; -
Figure 2a illustrates the movement of part of the control mechanism for controlling the securing members of the securing device for securing containers of the system depicted inFigure 1a , with the track at height h1, which would take place when the mentioned securing device moves in the direction indicated by the arrow ofFigure 1a and the tracking element slides over consecutive sections of the track at a different level; -
Figure 2b illustrates the movement of the same part of the control mechanism for controlling the securing members of the securing device for securing containers in the conditions of the system depicted inFigure 2a , with the track at height h2, which would take place when the mentioned securing device moves in the direction indicated by the arrow ofFigure 2a and the tracking element slides over the same consecutive sections of the track at a different level; -
Figures 3a and 4a schematically illustrate a container according to a large format, in plan elevational view, the distance dx each of the edges of the container moves to cause the container to open being indicated; and -
Figures 3b and 4b schematically illustrate a container according to a small format, in plan elevational view, the distance dx' each of the edges of the container moves to cause the container to open being indicated. -
Figures 1a and1b schematically show the system 1 of the invention basically comprising atrack 7 or cam surface with a predeterminedprofile including sections 8, 9 at a different level; and severalsecuring devices 3 for securing containers, only one of which has been illustrated, conveyed by a packaging machine (of which machine only a conveyor belt orchain 18 conveying the mentionedsecuring devices 3 is shown). - These
securing devices 3 for securing containers are provided with a first and a second securingmember members - In the example, the
securing members corresponding securing device 3 with the capacity to mutually move closer to and farther from one another, and the instantaneous positions of these securing members will be determined by the instantaneous position adopted by atracking element 10 travelling with thesecuring device 3 and slidably supported on thetrack 7. - In the example, the
track 7 has amain section 8 having a planar or essentially planar profile, such that the height at which thissection 8 of thetrack 7 is arranged will determine the distance between thesecuring members main section 8 which will determine the distance between the securingmembers - In fact, this difference in level d between the
main section 8 and short section 9 in thetrack 7 will cause, as explained in detail below, the vertical movement of thetracking element 10 and with it the movement for moving thesecuring members device 3 closer to or farther from one another. Specifically, the short section 9 of the track will be connected to themain section 8 by means of respective sloped transition sections such that it will be the sliding of thetracking element 10 over such sections that will cause the securing members to move in the direction for moving closer along an upward section and in the direction for moving farther away along a downward section, the distance for moving thesecuring members tracking element 10 slides over the short section 9. - Naturally, according to manufacturing needs, the
track 7 could include more than one section 9 at a level different from amain section 8 or it could alternate sections at a different level without distinguishing between main sections from short sections. - In the example, the distance of the short section 9 will determine, together with the speed of movement of the
securing device 3, the time during which the containers will remain open. Although it is preferable for this short section 9 to be planar, embodiments in which this short section 9 may not be planar are also envisaged, although it will then be preferable for it to be sloped or very slightly sloped. - In the depicted embodiment, the
track 7 is adjustable in height with respect to the chassis of the machine conveying thesecuring devices 3, a desired height being able to be preselected depending on container format. A change in height in thetrack 7 will cause a change in the distances of the securingmembers main section 8, i.e., a change in the distance between the securingmembers -
Figures 1a and1b illustrate this change when the height of the track goes from h1 inFigure 1a to height h2 inFigure 1b . The securingmembers Figure 1a to being separated by distance d2 inFigure 1b . These distances d1 and d2 are those which correspond for holding thecontainers 2 and 2' ofFigures 4a and4b , respectively. - In one embodiment, the system 1 is provided with power-driven
means 7a acting on the assembly of thetrack 7 to vary its height with respect to the chassis of the machine, schematically illustrated inFigures 1a and1b . - On the other hand, in the example of
Figures 1a and1b , thedevice 3 comprises acontrol mechanism 6 prepared for transmitting movement to the securingmembers tracking element 10, with the special particularity that this movement for moving the securingmembers sections 8, 9 of thetrack 7 according to the preselected height h1 or h2 at which thetrack 7 has been arranged. In this case, the movement will be greater when thetrack 7 is located at height h1, the preselected position for acontainer 2 having a wider format. - To achieve this effect, it is seen in
Figures 1a and1b that the securingdevice 3 for securing containers comprises a frame 17 fixed in a vertical orientation to the conveyor belt,chain 18 or equivalent element of the machine, mounting the mentionedcontrol mechanism 6 for controlling the instantaneous relative positions of the securingmembers - The tracking
element 10, provided in the example with a pair of wheels applied to each on a face of thetrack 7 one by one, is movably mounted in the frame 17 and guided according to a vertical reciprocating movement. - In turn, a first and a
second support carriage member aforementioned carriages - The
control mechanism 6 for controlling the instantaneous relative positions of the securingmembers rotating element 11 that rotates with respect to the frame 17, connected by means of respective first, second and third connectingrods tracking element 10 and to thesupport carriages members - In the depicted embodiment, the articulated
attachments rods rotating element 11 are distributed in said rotating element forming a T shape, therotating shaft 11a of therotating element 11 coinciding with the point of intersection between theimaginary line 18 joining the articulated attachments of the connecting rods associated with the support carriages of the securing members with theimaginary line 19 joining the articulated attachment of the connecting rod associated with the tracking element with the mentioned rotating shaft, as illustrated by the detail ofFigures 2a and2b . - In the example, the
horizontal shaft 11a about which therotating element 11 rotates is equidistant from the articulatedattachments element 11 with the connectingrods support carriages second securing members rotating element 11 will be equally transmitted to the securingmembers - The arrangement of this
rotating element 11 and the dimensions of the connectingrods Figures 1a and2a ) such that to arrange the securingmembers container 2 having a larger format, and to move these securingmembers container 2 opening maneuver, the mentioned rotatingelement 11 rotates, arranging the aforesaidimaginary line 18 in the sector comprised between 45º to 135º angles, and preferably between 75º and 105º, with respect to the horizontal. This location allows transmitting maximum movement to thecarriages members rotating element 11 and the movement in the horizontal direction that is transmitted to thesupport carriages rotating element 11 for alarge container 2 format is position A illustrated inFigure 1a . - In a preferred manner, the arrangement of this
rotating element 11 and the dimensions of the connectingrods Figures 1b and2b ) when arranging the securingmembers members element 11 rotates, arranging the aforesaidimaginary line 18 in the sector comprised between 315º to 45º angles, and preferably between 345º and 15º with respect to the horizontal. This locations allows transmitting minimal movement to thecarriages members rotating element 11. A suitable position of therotating element 11 for a smaller container 2' format is position B illustrated inFigure 1b . - It must be observed that in the depicted embodiment, in which the articulated
attachments rods rotating element 11 are distributed in said rotating element forming a T shape, the third connectingrod 16 moves in a plane of movement parallel to that of the first and second connectingrods element 11, for example that shown inFigure 1b . -
Figures 2a and2b depict this described effect, according to which the distance transmitted to a support carriage of a securing member for one and the same variation d in the vertical position of thetracking element 10 operating the rotating element varies according to the sector in which the articulated attachment of this rotating element with the connecting rod linking it with the support carriage is located. - More specifically,
Figures 2a and2b illustrate that for one and the same movement d of thetracking element 10, the distance dx that the distal end of the connectingrod 12 will travel will be greater than the distance dx' that the same connectingrod 12 will travel according to the initial angular position of therotating element 11. - In the first case, distance dx will be the optimal distance to cause the
container 2 to open, as illustrated inFigure 3a ; whereas distance dx' will be the optimal distance to cause the container 2' to open, as illustrated inFigure 3b . In both cases, the vertical movement d of the tracking element will be the same, and it corresponds with a jump in level d betweensections 8 and 9 of thetrack 7, but in the first case thetrack 7 being arranged at height h1 and in the second case thetrack 7 being arranged at height h2, which is higher than height h1.
Claims (10)
- A securing and conveying system (1) for securing and conveying a flexible container (2, 2') in a suspended manner in a packaging machine, comprising at least one securing device (3) movably mounted in the packaging machine and provided with at least a first and a second securing member (4, 5) with the capacity to mutually move closer to and further from one another, prepared for securing a container for conveyance by respective securing zones, said securing device comprising a control mechanism (6) for controlling the instantaneous relative positions of the mentioned securing members, characterized in that- the system comprises a track (7) or cam surface with at least a first and a second section (8, 9) at a different level, the track being adjustable in height (h1, h2) with respect to the chassis of the machine, a desired height being able to be preselected depending on container format, and in that- there is slidably supported on the mentioned track (7) a tracking element (10) transmitting the level variation (d) between sections of the track to the control mechanism (6) of the securing members to operate them and cause the movement for moving said securing members closer to or further from one another,
the control mechanism being suitable for this movement for moving the securing members closer to or further from one another to differ for one and the same level variation (d) between the first and the second sections (8, 9) of the track (7) according to the preselected height (h1 or h2) at which the track has been arranged. - The system (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the control mechanism (6) for controlling the instantaneous relative positions of the securing members comprises a rotating element (11), operated by the tracking element (10), connected by means of respective first and second connecting rods (12, 13) to respective first and second support carriages (14, 15) of the respective first and second securing members (4, 5), said first and second support carriages (14, 15) being mounted in the device (3) in a guided manner according to respective straight paths.
- The system (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the rotating element (11) is connected by means of a third connecting rod (16) to the tracking element (10), mounted in the device (3) in a guided manner according to a straight path.
- The system (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the tracking element (10) is guided according to a direction that is normal to the directions followed by the straight paths of the support carriages (14, 15) of the first and second securing members (4, 5).
- The system (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the rotating element (11) is mounted such that it rotates about a horizontal shaft (11a) equidistant from the articulated attachments (12a, 13a) of the mentioned rotating element with the connecting rods (12, 13) associated with the support carriages (14, 15) of the first and second securing members (4, 5).
- The system (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the third connecting rod (16) moves in a plane of movement parallel to that of the first and second connecting rods (12, 13), such that the third connecting rod can intersect at least one of the first or second connecting rods according to the position adopted by the rotating element (11).
- The system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises power-driven means (7a) acting on the assembly of the track (7) to vary its height (h1 or h2) with respect to the chassis of the machine.
- A securing device (3) for securing containers (2, 2') for a packaging machine, comprising a frame (17), intended for being fixed in a vertical orientation to a conveyor belt or chain (18) of the machine, mounting a control mechanism (6) for controlling the instantaneous relative positions of a first and a second securing member (4, 5) secured to the frame with the capacity to mutually move closer to and further from one another and prepared for securing a container for conveyance by respective securing zones in a suspended manner, characterized in that the device comprises, mounted on the frame- a tracking element (10) for tracking a cam pathway, movable in a guided manner according to a vertical reciprocating movement; and- a first and a second support carriage (14, 15) each of a securing member (4, 5), movable in a guided manner according to a horizontal reciprocating movement,
the control mechanism (6) for controlling the instantaneous relative positions of the securing members (4, 5) comprising a rotating element (11) that rotates with respect to the frame (17), connected by means of respective first, second and third connecting rods (12, 13, 16) to the tracking element (10) and to the support carriages (14, 15) of the securing members, respectively. - The device (3) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the articulated attachments (12a, 13a, 16a) of the connecting rods (12, 13, 16) with the rotating element (11) are distributed in said rotating element forming a T shape, the rotating shaft (11a) of the rotating element (11) coinciding with the point of intersection between the imaginary line (18) joining the articulated attachments of the connecting rods associated with the support carriages of the securing members with the imaginary line (19) joining the articulated attachment of the connecting rod associated with the tracking element with the mentioned rotating shaft.
- A method for adjusting the distance separating two securing members (4, 5) for securing a container in a securing device (3) for securing containers, wherein said securing members are each linked by means of respective connecting rods (12, 13) to a rotating element (11) provided in the mentioned securing device (3), adapting the separating distance to the width of a preselected container, comprising any one of the followinga) to go from a container format of width d1 to one of width d2, where d1>d2, rotating the rotating element (11) from angular position A to angular position B such that in angular position B the securing members (4, 5) are arranged at an operating separating distance d2, and such that the movement that is transmitted to the securing members by means of the connecting rods (12, 13) by a rotation differential of the rotating element from this angular position B is less than that which was produced when this rotating element was in angular position A; andb) to go from a container format of width d2 to one of width d1, where d1>d2, rotating the rotating element (11) from angular position B to angular position A such that in angular position A the securing members (4, 5) are arranged at an operating separating distance d1, and such that the movement that is transmitted to the securing members by means of the connecting rods (12, 13) by a rotation differential of the rotating element from this angular position A is greater than that which was produced when this rotating element was in angular position B.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP13382379.9A EP2853497A1 (en) | 2013-09-30 | 2013-09-30 | Securing and conveying system and device for securing and conveying flexible containers in a suspended manner in a packaging machine, and corresponding method |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP13382379.9A EP2853497A1 (en) | 2013-09-30 | 2013-09-30 | Securing and conveying system and device for securing and conveying flexible containers in a suspended manner in a packaging machine, and corresponding method |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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EP2853497A1 true EP2853497A1 (en) | 2015-04-01 |
Family
ID=49448079
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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EP13382379.9A Withdrawn EP2853497A1 (en) | 2013-09-30 | 2013-09-30 | Securing and conveying system and device for securing and conveying flexible containers in a suspended manner in a packaging machine, and corresponding method |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
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EP (1) | EP2853497A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP3257764A1 (en) | 2016-06-15 | 2017-12-20 | Volpak, S.A.U. | An automatic packaging machine for filling a bag made of a heat-sealable material with a dose of a loose product |
EP3395698A1 (en) | 2017-04-28 | 2018-10-31 | Volpak, S.A.U. | An automatic packaging machine for filling a bag made of a heat-sealable material with a dose of a loose product |
Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3982376A (en) * | 1974-09-04 | 1976-09-28 | Toyo Seikan Kaisha Limited | Apparatus for filling and sealing retort foods |
US4956964A (en) * | 1989-03-13 | 1990-09-18 | R. A. Jones & Co. Inc. | Adjustable pouch form, fill, seal machine |
US20070289261A1 (en) * | 2006-03-08 | 2007-12-20 | Rogers William D | Flexible pouch filling, sealing and fitment insertion system |
WO2013019712A1 (en) | 2011-07-29 | 2013-02-07 | Mamata Enterprises, Inc. | Pouch transport grippers |
-
2013
- 2013-09-30 EP EP13382379.9A patent/EP2853497A1/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3982376A (en) * | 1974-09-04 | 1976-09-28 | Toyo Seikan Kaisha Limited | Apparatus for filling and sealing retort foods |
US4956964A (en) * | 1989-03-13 | 1990-09-18 | R. A. Jones & Co. Inc. | Adjustable pouch form, fill, seal machine |
US20070289261A1 (en) * | 2006-03-08 | 2007-12-20 | Rogers William D | Flexible pouch filling, sealing and fitment insertion system |
WO2013019712A1 (en) | 2011-07-29 | 2013-02-07 | Mamata Enterprises, Inc. | Pouch transport grippers |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP3257764A1 (en) | 2016-06-15 | 2017-12-20 | Volpak, S.A.U. | An automatic packaging machine for filling a bag made of a heat-sealable material with a dose of a loose product |
EP3395698A1 (en) | 2017-04-28 | 2018-10-31 | Volpak, S.A.U. | An automatic packaging machine for filling a bag made of a heat-sealable material with a dose of a loose product |
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