EP2995560A1

EP2995560A1 - Shutter unit for a vertical flow packaging machine for short pasta

Info

Publication number: EP2995560A1
Application number: EP15184284.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Giuseppe VEZZANI
Original assignee: Altopack SpA
Current assignee: Altopack SpA
Priority date: 2014-09-11
Filing date: 2015-09-08
Publication date: 2016-03-16
Anticipated expiration: 2035-09-08
Also published as: ES2667703T3; BR102015022598A2; EP2995560B1; MA39697A; BR102015022598B1

Abstract

There is described a shutter unit (1) for a packaging machine (100) for short pasta configured to receive a dose of pasta from a weighing unit (2) of fed pasta, hold it and then discharge it into a bag being formed by means of welding units (3, 60). The shutter unit (1) comprises a diaphragm (7) with a first, a second and a third blade (4a, 4b, 4c) pivoted on a first, a second and a third pin (5a, 5b, 5c), respectively, fixed on a base plane (18). Moving means (10) are configured to rotate the blades (4a, 4b, 4c) simultaneously between a closed position of the diaphragm (7), in which the dose of short pasta is held by the shutter unit (1), and an opening position of the diaphragm (7) to let the dose of short pasta fall into the bag being formed.

Description

The present invention relates to a shutter unit for a vertical flow packaging machine for short pasta.
Vertical flow pasta packaging machines are known, in which pasta is introduced into a bag being formed. The bag consists of a flexible plastic material film, the edges of which are progressively folded, arranged side-by-side and then welded to each other by means of a longitudinal welding unit to form a tubular package. The operation of closing such a package is completed by a transversal welding unit which performs the transversal welding of the tubular package before and after the operation of introducing the pasta into the bag being formed. A sequence of bags filled with a previously calculated amount of pasta is thus obtained.
In order to define the amount of pasta, such packaging machines are provided with a weighing unit adapted to measure the weight of the pasta and configured so that, when the chosen weight is reached, the desired amount of pasta is discharged through a hopper, which puts the weighing unit into communication with a forming tube on which the film is wound during the step of forming the bag.
The packaging machine has a shutter unit vertically interposed between the weighing unit and the longitudinal and transversal welding unit for temporarily holding the previously weighed pasta before discharging it into the forming tube underneath.
"Scissor-like" type shutters are known, which comprise two blades configured so as to hold a dose of short pasta from the weighing unit when the blades are arranged side-by-side (closed shutter) and to discharge it into the forming tube when the blades are reciprocally apart (open shutter).
However, the "scissor-like" shutter units have the disadvantage of determining an extension of the flow of pasta falling into the bag being formed, so the upper level of the pasta inside the bag will never be uniform but will show a given central prominence.
In addition to influencing the conformity of the bag, the lack of uniformity of the upper level of pasta causes problems related to the upper transversal welding of the bag itself, because pasta residues may be interposed between the side edges of the tubular package which will be welded together. As a consequence, there is no guarantee of an optimal closing of the bag and thus of product quality preservation.
Furthermore, the extension of the flow of pasta falling into the bag causes a considerable delay time in the packaging process.
In view of the above problems and of the aforesaid background art, it is the object of the present invention to provide a shutter unit which allows the performance of the packaging machine for short pasta to be improved in terms of packaging quality and processing speed.
According to the invention, such an object is achieved by means of a shutter unit characterized in that it comprises a diaphragm consisting of at least a first, a second and a third blade which are radially arranged, said blades being pivoted on a first, a second and a third pin, respectively, fixed on a support plane and being moved by moving means configured to rotate the moveable blades simultaneously between a closed position of the diaphragm, in which the blades are mutually arranged side-by-side and the dose of short pasta above is held by the shutter unit, and an opening position of the diaphragm, in which the blades are departed from one another, thus creating a substantially circular opening, such as to discharge the aforesaid dose of short pasta into the bag being formed.
The features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof, shown by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

figure 1 shows a perspective view of a shutter unit according to the present invention in the closed position;
figure 2 shows a front view of a packaging machine comprising the shutter unit in figure 1;
figure 3 shows the zone of the packaging machine in which the shutter unit in figure 1 is arranged on enlarged scale;
figure 4 shows a perspective view of the shutter unit fixed to the frame of the packaging machine;
figure 5 shows a top plan view, with covering parts removed, of the shutter unit in the closed position;
figure 6 shows a section view of the aforesaid shutter unit taken along line VI-VI in figure 5;
figure 7 shows a section view of the shutter unit taken along line VII-VII in figure 6;
figure 8 shows a perspective view of the shutter unit in the opening position;
figure 9 shows a top plan view of the shutter unit in the opening position;
figure 10 shows a section view of the shutter unit taken along line X-X in figure 9;
figure 11 shows a section view of the shutter unit taken along line XI-XI in figure 10;
figure 12 shows a section view of the actuating device of the blades of the shutter unit according to the present invention taken along line XII-XII in figure 5;
figure 13 shows a section view of the same actuating device taken along line XIII-XIII in figure 9.

A shutter unit 1 for a vertical flow packaging machine for short pasta according to the present invention is shown as a whole in figure 1.
A packaging machine including a shutter unit 1, shown and indicated as a whole by reference numeral 100 in figure 2, comprises a feeding unit 39 by means of which the pasta is fed to a weighing unit 2, which weighs a dose of short pasta to be then introduced into a package being formed consisting of a plastic material film, the side edges of which are progressively folded, arranged side-by-side and then welded together by a longitudinal welding unit 60 to form a tubular package.
The operation of closing such a package is completed by a transversal welding unit 3 which performs the reciprocal transversal welding of the tubular package before and after the operation of introducing the dose of pasta into the bag being formed. Thereby, a sequence of bags filled with respective doses of pasta is formed.
The shutter unit 1 is configured to receive a dose of short pasta from a weighing unit 2 for short pasta fed by the feeding unit 39, hold it and then discharge it into a forming tube 20, on which a plastic material film 92 is wound by means of appropriate shaped guides, the plastic material film being intended to form the tubular package 93 from which the bag receiving the pasta originates by virtue of the welding units 60 and 3, as shown in figure 3.
As shown in figure 3, the shutter unit 1 is vertically interposed between the weighing unit 2 and the welding units 3, 60. In particular, the shutter unit 1 is arranged under a hopper 23, which allows the weighed pasta from the weighing unit 2 to be discharged, and the forming tube 20, which is adapted to shape the tubular package 92 while leading the pasta into the bag being formed (Fig. 3).
Hopper 23 (Figs. 3 and 4) is removably fixed by means of screw means 38 to the shutter unit 1 and consists of a flat base 35 from which a tube 36 with truncated-cone-shaped end centrally departs. In particular, the flat base 35 is inserted between appropriate side guides 40 in the shutter unit 1 and then fixed by means of said screw means 38. According to the shape of the pasta, hopper 23 can be removed and replaced with a different type of hopper to be fixed to the shutter unit 1.
The shutter unit 1 has a base plane 18 supported by a frame 24 fixable to the frame 25 of the packaging machine 100 (Fig. 4), so that the shutter unit 1 is vertically positioned between the weighing unit 2 and the welding units 3, 60. In particular, frame 24 comprises a U-shaped portion 26 supported by a pair of arms 27 which are provided with fixing means to frame 25. The shutter unit 1 is fixed to the U-shaped portion 26 by means of a pair of bent laminas 94 connected between the U-shaped portion 6 and the shutter unit 1.
All operations of the weighing unit 2, shutter unit 1 and longitudinal and transversal welding units 60, 3 in the packaging machine 100 are managed by a control unit (not shown in the figures), which is configured to coordinate the respective operating steps to one another.
As shown in figures 1, 4 and 5, the shutter unit 1 comprises a diaphragm 7 formed by at least a first, a second and a third blade 4a, 4b, 4c, which are appropriately shaped and radially arranged. The blades 4a, 4b, 4c are pivoted on a first, a second and a third pin 5a, 5b, 5c, respectively, fixed on a base plane 18 and reciprocally equidistant (by angles of about 120°) along a circumference C. The base plane 18 is further provided with at least one concentric central hole 19 (Fig. 9) of smaller diameter than said circumference C. Said central hole 19 includes a coaxial cylinder or cone 9, which is adapted to be coupled to the forming tube 20 for leading pasta into the respective bag being formed at the welding units 3, 60.
The blades 4a, 4b, 4c are actuated by moving means 10 configured to rotate the blades 4a, 4b, 4c simultaneously between a closed position of diaphragm 7, in which the blades 4a, 4b, 4c are mutually arranged side-by-side (Figs. 1, 4 and 5), and an opening position of diaphragm 7, in which the blades 4a, 4b, 4c are departed from one another, thus creating an opening coinciding with the central hole 19 (Figs. 8, 9, 10).
During operation, the weighed dose of pasta is held by the shutter unit 1 in the closed position of diaphragm 7; differently, in the opening position of diaphragm 7, such a dose is released by means of cone 9 and forming tube 20 into the bag being formed.
For example, the blades 4a, 4b, 4c may be substantially petal-shaped or in all cases have any shape suited to making the diaphragm 7; furthermore, a higher number of blades may be used.
The blades 4a, 4b, 4c are all included on a plane which is parallel to the base plane 18 and are arranged at a given height from the latter. A second plane 21 is arranged parallel to the support plane 18 and at a lower height than the plane of the blades 4a, 4b, 4c (Figs. 1, 8, 9, 13). The second plane 21 grazes the blades 4a, 4b, 4c so that dust or residues of pasta cannot be deposited between the second plane 21 and the blades 4a, 4b, 4c thus obstructing the movement thereof. Finally, the second plane 21 comprises a further central hole 22 overlapping the central hole 19 of the base plane 18 and having equal dimensions.
The moving means 10 are actuated by a device 96 comprising a brushless motor 11 driven by the control unit of the packaging machine 100. The brushless motor 11 (Figs. 12, 13) actuates a crank 6 connected to a connecting rod 12, in turn hinged by means of a metallic pin 34 to a T-handle 13 (Figs. 1, 5, 7-9, 11-13), which is integral with the first blade 4a and pivoted in said first pin 5a. T-handle 13 is then connected by means of a first and a second tie rod 14 to respective cranks 15 pivoted in said second and third pins 5b, 5c and integral with said second and third blades 4b, 4c of diaphragm 7 (Figs. 5, 7, 10, 12).
In particular, the first blade 4a is fixed to T-handle 13 by means of screws 28 passing through a cylindrical spacer element 29 interposed between the T-handle and the blade 4a; similarly, the second and third blades 4a, 4b, 4c are fixed to the respective cranks 15 by means of screws 28 passing through a similar cylindrical spacer element 29 interposed between each crank 15 and the blade 4b, 4c (Figs. 5, 7, 9, 11).
The first and second tie rods 14 have a first end hinged to the respective crank 15 by means of a further pin 16 passing through a further cylindrical spacer element interposed between each tie rod 14 and the crank 15; a second end of the first and second tie rods 14 is instead fixed to said T-handle 13 by means of threaded pins 17 inserted into slots 97 and locked therein by means of nuts 98.
The brushless motor 11 is mounted on a support structure 30 fixed over said base plane 18 of the shutter unit 1. The support structure 30 has an upper wall 31 supported by a pair of feet 42 fixed to the base plane 18 and at a higher height than that of the plane of the blades 4a, 4b, 4c. A housing for fixing said brushless motor 11 is obtained on the upper axis 31 so that said connecting rod 12 is free to translate underneath said upper wall 31.
Furthermore, said upper wall 31 comprises a guide slot 32 in which a zero sensor 33 is housed in a translatable manner (Fig. 1), connected to the control unit of the packaging machine 100 and configured to detect the time when diaphragm 7 is in the opening position (or in the closed position) to determine a complete operating cycle of diaphragm 7 and coordinate the shutter unit 1 with the weighing unit 2 and the welding units 3, 60.
In particular, the zero sensor 33 is an inductive sensor configured to detect the passage of the connection pin 34 between T-handle 13 and connecting rod 12 moved by the crank 6 and rotated by the brushless motor 11 (Figs. 14, 15). By detecting the metallic pin 34, the control unit is able to identify whether diaphragm 7 is in the opening position (or in closed position), so as to recognize the initial or final step of a complete operating cycle of diaphragm 7.
The zero sensor 33 is adjusted by translating it along the guide slot 32 thus allowing the operator to select the most suitable reference time; preferably, there are a first, a second and a third adjustment position for detecting the closed position, the opening position, and also the intermediate opening position of diaphragm 7, respectively (Fig. 1).
In a packaging cycle of the vertical flow packaging machine 100 for short pasta, the longitudinal welding unit 60 starts forming a bag from the plastic material film, the side edges of which are progressively folded, arranged side-by-side and then welded to one another by means of a longitudinal welding unit to form a tubular package. The lower closing of such a package is achieved by the transversal welding unit 3 which transversely welds the two edges, thus forming what will become the base of the bag.
At the same time, the weighing unit 2 firstly measures the weight of the fed pasta and then discharges the desired amount of pasta through the hopper 23 towards the shutter unit 1.
Once the weighed dose of pasta has been received, the shutter unit 1 holds the dose until the welding of the bag base is completed and lets the dose of pasta fall through the discharge and forming tube 20 into the bag itself. In particular, the blades 4a, 4b, 4c of diaphragm 7 are moved by the moving means 10 and simultaneously rotate going from the closed position (Figs. 1, 5) to the opening position (Figs. 9, 10) of diaphragm 7. More in particular, the brushless motor 11 moves the crank 6 which, in turn, by means of the connecting rod 12, causes a rotation of T-handle 13, and thus of the first blade 4a of diaphragm 7, about the first pin 5a. The rotation of T-handle 13 by cooperating with the tie rods 14 simultaneously also rotates the respective cranks 15 pivoted in said second and third pins 5b, 5c and thus the second and third blades 4b, 4c of diaphragm 7 (Fig. 10).
Thereby, opening 19 is created which causes the pasta to fall through the discharge and forming tube 20 into the bag being formed. The shutter unit 1 then goes to the closed position of diaphragm 7, waiting for receiving a new dose of pasta to be discharged into the next bag.
By virtue of the shutter unit 1 with diaphragm 7, the upper level of pasta inserted into the bag will be uniform because there will be no undesired tail of the flow of pasta falling from the shutter unit, thus resulting in an optimal conformity of the bag itself. Furthermore, the risk of pasta residues present between the edges of the package is considerably reduced, so that the upper transversal welding of the bag can then ensure an optimal closing of the bag and thus the product quality preservation.

Claims

Shutter unit (1) for a vertical flow packaging machine (100) for short pasta, said shutter unit (1) being configured to receive a dose of short pasta by at least one weighing unit (2) of fed short pasta, hold it and subsequently discharge it inside a bag being formed by welding units (3, 60), said shutter unit (1) being characterized in that it comprises a diaphragm (7) with at least a first, a second and a third blade (4a, 4b, 4c) which are radially arranged, said blades (4a, 4b, 4c) being pivoted respectively on a first, a second and a third pin (5a, 5b, 5c) fixed on a base plane (18) and being moved by moving means (10) configured to simultaneously rotate the blades (4a, 4b, 4c) between a closed position of the diaphragm (7), in which the blades (4a, 4b, 4c) are mutually side by side and the dose of short pasta is held by the shutter unit (1), and an opening position of the diaphragm (7), in which the blades (4a, 4b, 4c) are departed from each other, creating a substantially circular opening (22), such as to discharge the dose of short pasta inside the bag in formation.
Shutter unit (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said base plane (18) is provided with at least a central hole (19) coaxially provided to said opening (22) created by the blades (4a, 4b, 4c) in the opening position of the diaphragm (7) and also adapted to mate with a forming tube (20) for the conduction of the pasta inside a respective bag in formation.
Shutter unit (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the blades (4a, 4b, 4c) are included in a plane which is parallel to said base plane (18) at a certain height (h) from the latter.
Shutter unit (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that it comprises a second plane (21), arranged parallel with respect to said base plane (18) at a lower height with respect to the plane of the blades (4a, 4b, 4c), said second plane (21) being grazing to the blades (4a, 4b, 4c) and further comprising a central hole (22) overlapped to said central hole (19) of the base plane (18) and of equal dimensions with respect to it.
Shutter unit (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said moving means (10) comprise a brushless motor (11) driven by a control unit of the packaging machine (100) and provided with a crank (6) connected to a connecting rod (12) in turn hinged by means of a metallic pin (34) to a T-handle (13) which is integral with the first blade (4a), said T-handle (13) being pivoted in said first pin (5a) and connected via a first and a second tie rod (14) to respective cranks (15) pivoted in said second and third pivots (5b, 5c) and also integral with said second and third blades (4b, 4c) of the diaphragm (7).
Shutter unit (1) according to claims 3 and 5, characterized in that said brushless motor (11) is mounted on a support structure (30) fixed to the top of said base plane (18) of the shutter unit (1), said support structure (30) comprising an upper wall (31) on which is fixed the brushless motor (11) so that said connecting rod (12) is free to translate below said upper wall (31).
Shutter unit (1) according to claims 1 and 5, characterized in that it comprises a zero sensor (33) housed in a guide slot (32) of said upper wall (31) and connected to the control unit of the packaging machine (100), said zero sensor (33) being configured to detect the passage of the pin (34) to determine a complete cycle of operation of the diaphragm (7) and coordinate the shutter unit (1) with the weighing unit (2) and the weighing units (3, 60).
Shutter unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is supported by a frame (24) fixable to the frame (25) of the packaging machine (100) so that the shutter unit (1) is positioned vertically between the weighing unit (2) of fed short pasta and the welding unit (3), said frame (24) comprising a U-shaped portion (6) which is supported by a pair of arms (27) provided with fixing means to the frame (25).
A vertical flow packaging machine (100) for short pasta, characterized by comprising a shutter unit (1) as claimed in claims 1-8.