ES2274545T3 - APPLIANCE TO SECURE FLEXIBLE PACKAGES TO A SAMPLE STRIP. - Google Patents

Abstract

Process for sealing flexible packages to carrier display strips by applying heat and pressure characterized in that the sealing is performed such that the flexible packages are attached to the carrier display strips as shown in Fig. 5 Position O1 and O2. <IMAGE>

Description

Apparatus for securing flexible packages to a Sample strip.

This invention relates to an apparatus of according to the preamble of claim 1 for joining packages to a sample carrier strip.

Stores such as supermarkets, markets, shops and nut shops, where snacks packages such as nuts, sunflower seeds, chips (made with potatoes, corn, tortillas), extruded snacks and nuts are sold, use some methods to expose their products. One of these methods is to hang the packages in strips arranged in a line. This method will be preferred both by sellers who have small stores because it makes them available and exposed more easily and for consumers who can easily do their
choice.

However, the present state of the art is a terrible expense for the producer and a careful procedure for the consumer Packages must be arranged so safe so that they do not fall; should be taken just by pushing down and neither the package nor the strip should be damaged in the meantime and the strip packages should not fall.

The mentioned packages are normally produced in vertical filling and sealing packing machines or horizontal. The bottom of the packages is sealed to a speed of 15-120 packages per minute using only a material like polyethylene, polypropylene, cellophane, sheet bi-oriented aluminum and polypropylene (bopp) (or several of them are laminated) and with the help of pneumatic pressure, hydraulically or mechanically selected appropriately for the material; the packages are filled, the upper parts are closed by sealing and the packages are cut and carried away from the machine with a conveyor belt that is placed just below of the packaging machine. The packages carried from the machine packing machine with a conveyor belt is unloaded into a second station where packages are lined up on strips of cardboard perforated by at least three manual workers. (Fig. 5. Pos. M1, M2).

In a medium-sized factory, with 15-25 packaging machines, the number of workers in need is 45-75 in one shift and 135-225 in three shifts. In addition to the waste of work and the difficulties that the worker brings, spending on increase is unreasonable for both the consumer and the maker.

For this reason, experts from many countries of the world have been working on this issue for
years.

US 4,422,552 and US 4,476,619 describe methods and apparatus for folding the final seal or tab of a bag in the groove of a sample card stock. The stages to fold and put the final seals of numerous packages in the sample card with slots are often performed manual and consume considerable time and expense. The technique Previous, however, includes alternative methods for joining Flexible packages to a sample card.

For example, US 2,272,623 describes a sample card with removable packages attached to She with adhesive. In US 4,003,782 bags are applied manufactured to two lines of pressure sensitive adhesive and it then stored in a cardboard or similar. It is also known to unite empty packages to a sample stand base or mounted and Then the packages are filled and sealed. See document US 3,331,182.

Several problems arise with the methods mentioned above to secure packages to a strip of sample book. A problem that often occurs when packages get bond with adhesive to the sample strip is that the packages do not can be easily removed from the strip without damaging the sealed state of the packages.

In US 3,864,895, which describes a apparatus according to the preamble of claim 1, the packages manufactured in a vertical packaging machine are stuck on the strip in a second station with empty arms over the conveyer belt.

Finally, in US 5,433,060 the system seals the packages on the strips with pressure and heat. Already that the packages are torn from the strip, there are some cases where packages, strip and hanger may be damaged, and also the other packages fall to the ground.

a) The sealing of the packages on the strip with pressure and heat as mentioned in claim 1 of the US 5,433,060, is not a recent invention, because they have made promotional announcements since then sealing strips on packages. A similar application can be seen in the case of rafts Potatoes and fruits

b) Those who know the subject well know that in the document system US 5,433,060, the loss of the parts of union and different weight could cause serious problems due to that there is mechanical damage to each package made in the jaws that are constantly heating and cooling and the parts Additional are not rigid. This will bring some disadvantages as mentioned below.

-

When Additional parts are lost, sealing the strip or package it becomes very strong and the packages can barely be separated from the strip, therefore the package, the strip and the hanging system they can be damaged; or when the seal is too loose, the Packages may fall with the wind or other effect.

c) When supplying the strip, as the US 5,433,060, a stage motor or system must be used tire; in other words, there is a system that pushes the strip by certain stages In this invention, the strip is prepared with a system that has a function of positively pushing through of screaming pitch pistons assembled in a group of jaws small. Therefore, there is no need for the stage motor or the microprocessor needed to command it, or a circuit electronic (like PLC) never again.

d) As seen in Fig. 5 Pos. N1 and N2 of US 5,433,060, there is a risk of tearing the package open as a result of pushing down. To prevent this, the strip should be held by the bottom and the package should get up, but this is not done normally. Also, a movement of agitation to tear the packages of the strip can cause that the other packages are released from the ratchet. However, in this invention, as shown in Fig. 5 Pos. O1 and O2, because the packages are rolled adversely on the strip, not They are sealed over the adhesive part but pushed down. As a result, the procedure that the consumer follows is not great but free the strip package.

Therefore, packages can be freed from Simple shape of the strip without damaging the package, the strip or the hanging system

e) The strip can be cut in certain lengths to be placed successively in a row.

In document 5,433,060, since it is not taken no measure for this operation, a worker must count the product before cutting. In this invention, however, the number of required packages is cut automatically after join on the strip and then reach the worker who places the strips in boxes and sends them to the warehouse for the purpose of distribute them to stores.

This invention provides an apparatus according with claim 1, comprising:

-

a first station adapted to produce packages by packing filling and sealing of vertical or horizontal type;

-

a second station adapted to join packages to a strip of carrier sample by means of sealing jaws;

-

two pneumatic handles connected to a group of moved armed bars up and down with pneumatic pistons that are fixed in a vertical part, holding and carrying the handles the packages from the first station to the second station; Y

-

a detector that perceives a perception plate connected to the group of armed bars to produce a signal sent to the valves that receive the signal from the detector and actuate the pistons so that move the jaws, when a package arrives, to attach the package to the sample carrier strip;

-

opening the handles when the jaws they have attached the package to the carrier sample strip and go to up quickly to the first station;

characterized in that:

-

be connect a pitching piston to one of the sealing jaws; Y

-

be provides a brake piston in the second station, opening the brake piston and allowing the carrier sample strip go under and closing the pitch piston while the sealing jaws go forward so that it is pushed towards in front a length of the strip equal to the distance of two adjacent packages, closing the brake piston and opening the pitching piston when the sealing jaws move towards back after sealing.

Additional features are described and embodiments of this invention in the following.

The device may provide for connecting the packages to a strip, produced by filling packing machines and sealing vertical or horizontal type on a sample strip carrier in a second station of the same machine using the sealant method of applying heat and pressure to join them so that the packages themselves, the sample strip and the system Hung will be damaged.

The apparatus can provide the sealing method of apply heat and pressure to the package as shown in Fig. 5. Pos. 01-02. Through this invention you can produce packages with filling and sealing packing machines of vertical or horizontal type that has the ability to adhere to more safely, and can be separated more easily than produced with other available systems and packages per se themselves, the strip or the hanging system is not damaged.

The device may provide the strip from the opposite side of the small strip sealing jaw located on the opposite side of the vertical jaw (or a disc rear sealant can do the work of the vertical jaw in horizontal type machines) in the second station for perform the condition mentioned in the previous paragraph.

It can be provided that one of the two jaws Sealants include a guide slide with bar and carrier strip pass the slide over the sealing jaw of the strip in a situation adjacent to one end of a package.

It can be provided that the strip can be push through the natural movement of the jaw with an effect  positive direct from the system in the second station in which are connected to each other strip sealing jaws Small and pitching pistons. (The type of brake piston and pitch piston - mechanical, vacuum, diaphragm, disc transmitter - does not change the essence of the system).

It can be provided that the machine can perceive signals from the normal electrical system so that the system can work without the need for an extra control system (PCL or microprocessor, etc).

It can be provided that at least a couple of sealing jaws of the strip be a set of elements joint sealants (from the strip) at station II.

It may be provided that said means that form the seal include a pair of sealing jaws to form the seals of the upper and lower parts of packages adjacent.

It can be provided that one of the jaws sealants of said means forming the seal include a slide of guide with bar through which the carrier strip is supplied and in front of a package (the front face of the package).

It can be provided that the strips are cut to certain lengths (when a certain number of packages are placed) after the packages are attached to the strips to store them in boxes

It can be provided that the strip coil is install on the side where the other main coil is located.

It can be provided that the packages in the strip be carried to the back of the machine with a tape mobile conveyor that passes under the machine. How As a result, it becomes easier to reach the heated parts than they need maintenance frequently and reaching them becomes more easy too. (However, if the conveyor belt is used for The purpose of transport, takes the packages / strips of the part front, rear, left or right of the machine, does not affect the subject matter).

The device may provide for joining the package by medium of small jaws located in the second station that It is located on the back of the seal made by the jaw vertical rear (rear sealing discs in the machines horizontal type) for the joining method in Fig. 5 Pos. O1 and O2

This invention provides a solution for following problems:

to)

A large number of workers work in the packaging area that It is quite narrow and not very comfortable.

b)

The workers working on machines repeat an action monotonous and boring thousands of times.

C)

The cardboard that is already consumed as strips is prepared first, it gets and then occurs.

d)

During the production process for distribute (download-storage-transfer-download-storage-load  etc) packages are removed from the cardboard strips (Fig. 5 Pos. M1, M2) at the point where the strips are closed by hand due to external factors such as vibration and shocks and it disperse

and)

At point where it is presented to the consumer, the package is released and falls due to external factors such as wind, crashes, hits.

F)

When packages produced in a way automatic with a procedure similar to the US document method. 5,433,060 are agitated or separated from the strips, there is a high risk of damage to the strips and the hanging system. The difference is clearly recognized in Fig. 5 Pos. N1, N2 and Fig. 6 Pos. a0, a1, a2 and a3.

g)

At US 5,433,060 (which is the most recent developed patent on this subject), since the strip produced is continuously made more great, the process of cutting packages that contain a desired number of pieces (like 10 each) is not automatic.

h)

He process of joining the packages to a strip can begin using signals in the original circuit of the bag manufacturer, of a so that there is no need for a complicated system such as one with stage motor or microprocessor (or with PLC). Therefore the Cost is low and there is no complexity.

In the following, they are described in detail Preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to The drawings by way of example only.

Fig. 1 is a side elevation view schematic of a filling and sealing packing machine vertical type of two different embodiments of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the station II of the packaging machine shown in Fig. 1 and shows the moment when the handles take the package;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the station II shown in Fig. 2 and shows the moment in which the package joins the strip;

Fig. 4 shows perspective views with more detail of several elements of station II shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 shows in pos. M1 a view on front elevation of a perforated cardboard strip special known in the prior art,

in pos. M2 a side elevation view of packages that are attached manually to the strip shown in pos. M1,

in pos. N1 a front elevation view of packages in strips made in accordance with US document 5,433,060,

in pos. N2 a side elevation view of the packages in the strips shown in pos. N1,

in pos. O1 a front elevation view of packages in strips made in accordance with this invention, and in pos. O2 a side elevation view of the packages in the strips shown in pos. O2; Y

Fig. 6 shows in pos. a0, a1, a2 and a3 the phases of detaching the packages from the strips produced from according to the present invention.

This invention generally relates to a system for joining (sticking) bags to a carrier strip, and especially, to an apparatus to detachably secure bags flexible to a sample carrier strip and simultaneously Paste it in the second season.

- The packaging machine that produces the package is illustrated in Fig. 1, but the main system of operation (there are machines that have systems of pneumatic, mechanical, hydraulic, rotary operation electro-pneumatic, electro-mechanical or electro-hydraulic) is already known in the science of packaging technology; that way, the details don't will define again when this invention is explained.

- The sealing of the upper ends and Bottom of packages in filling packing machines  and sealing horizontal and vertical type is done and cut with the same group of jaws (17). The sealing of the parts Rear is done with rear jaws (14) on the machines vertical type, and horizontal type machines are performed the same process while the package goes through the jaw groups  2-3 with rotating discs, thus the package, which has one sealed end and the other open end like a tube (16), is prepared before the product is put inside.

- It is explained below how to produce a small number of packages and meanwhile the application of the invention:

- The packaging machines (10) have strip reels (18-b) near the mechanism (11-a) in which the normal packet reel is placed (11-b).

- While the packaging material starting from the package coil passes through various rollers (transmitters) (11 d) from the center, it is controlled and printed so automatic (12) information such as code date, then the packaging material goes through an old special tube and then while this material is being wrapped around a sane tube with the sealant method is pushed with the jaw, it Applies to jaws as much as package length by means of friction and vacuum belts in some machines certain types.

to)

Be place a coil of strips in the reserve coil (18a) attached to machine. Here, a strip that has a counterweight part is used (19) to prevent the coil from being lost due to the speed of inertia that occurs during operation.

b)

On the first main and horizontal part connect the piston of braking (22), striking piston (pitching) and pistons (25, 26) a which connect the sealing jaws, the roller that drive (direct) the strip and guide slide (24). The knife (29) that cuts the strip to certain lengths (by the signal that perceives) and the piston to which it is connected is also connected to this part.

C)

In the second main and vertical part (30) (which can be installed in two different ways, see Fig. 1) - shown in Fig. 4 - se connect the pneumatic handles (33) that hold the package of which All sealing processes are completed in the jaws major major along with the group of armed bars (32) at which ones connect those pneumatic handles, and the pneumatic piston (31) which causes the armed bar system to move up and down with the signal it perceives and the detector that allows  the piston completes the cycle using the piston position tire while passing through a certain point, and the plate (35) It allows the detector to be perceived.

d)

He package (16-b) heavy, filled and sealed in the part upper, lower and rear by the packing machine will fastens with the two reciprocal pneumatic handles (33) of the system that it is the subject matter of the patent, and it is quickly taken to the second station (this is the point where packages are sealed in strip). While this is being done, the detector (34) produces a signal perceiving the plate (35) that connects to the arm (32) and by which the packet goes down, and sends this signal to the system tire that moves the sealing jaws (27). The valves that receive the signals open the sealing jaws connected to the pistons indicated by the reference number (26) and thus the Pistons are set in motion. At the end of this process, the package is ready to join the strip (see Fig. 3).

- When the jaws (27) join the package to the strip, finger-shaped clasps (33) are open and quickly  they go up to the first station with their arms open to hold a new package

- When they reach the first station the arms They are still open. The jaws in the first season perform the sealing process and during the cutting process the pneumatic closures close with the signal that comes from this process and hold the package. While sealant jaws They are open, the system takes the package to the second station. During the time the package is taken down, the detector see the part that is perceived and makes the sealing jaws move That way the cycle continues.

- While the jaws go forward, the brake piston (22) is open and allows the strip to pass through below. However, the pitch piston (23) is closed during that time. That is, the piston compresses the strip so that its position does not shift. However, the jaw (27) to which it is connected the piston has been pushed with it so much strip length (21) as distance covers while going forward. This length It is equal to the space (p) between the packages on the strip. (Is called "pitching").

- While backing after sealing, the brake piston (22) closes and the pitch piston (23) (stage) opens, so when the pitching piston goes towards the strip is pushed forward as much as a stage (p) and its position is fixed so that you can't move backwards - that way the stage remains unchanged. Meanwhile, the packages (42-b) on the strip stretch the strip and keep it stretched by gravity.

- The process continues as mentioned. During these processes the package (16) is filled with the product heavy on the electronic scale located on the machine packing machine or can be filled (supplied) by hand.

The packages (42-b) that are seal (bottom, top and back) in the first station of the packaging machine, they automatically join the strips (21) in the second station with armed closures (33), and after cutting to certain lengths, they are poured onto the tape conveyor under the packing machine, and with the help from the conveyor belt (40) the attached packages are removed for Put them in boxes. The packages in the boxes are sent by transport to supply them to the market.

List of reference numbers

Fig. one:

10

A type filling machine vertical.

11-a

The mechanism to which the roll of the package.

11-b

Package roll

11-c

The packaging material released from the roll of the package and that moves to form the package

11-d

Rollers that direct the packaging material released from the roll

12

The unit to print the date / code on the packaging material

13

The anterior tube

14

Vertical jaw

fifteen

Drive belt system that drives from regulate the packaging material until jaws

16-a

The half-made package (tube shape) of the packaging material

17

Group of main jaws of packing

18

The mechanism to which the strips are connected to the roll of the strip

18-b

Strip roll

19

The counterweight presented by the withdrawal of the roll of strip

twenty

The first main part in the station-II

40

The conveyor belt that removes the packages in strips

41

Strip naked

42-b

The package in the strip

Station-I

Station in which the process of packing

Station-II

Station in which the process of the strip.

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Fig. 2 + 3:

twenty

The first main part at the station II

twenty-one

Strip material

22

The brake piston of the strip

2. 3

The pitch piston of the strip

24

The guide part (slide) that directs the material of the strip.

25

The piston of the strip sealing jaw small rear to which the jaws that seal the Packages in the strip.

26

The piston of the strip sealing jaw small front to which the jaws that seal the packages to the strip.

27

Small front and side seal jaws later that bind the packages to the strips

28

Strip cutting piston

29

Strip cutting knife

30

The second main part at the station II.

31

The piston that carries the packages from the first Station to Station-II.

32

The split arm that carries the package from the First station to station-II.

33

Pneumatic handles

3. 4

Detector

35

The plate that perceives the detector (31)

36

The fixing profile that joins the piston (31) to the second main part (30)

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Fig. 4:

twenty

The first main part in the second station a which joins the pitch piston and other parts.

30

The second main part to which the pneumatic handles and connected arms that carry packages from the station to the station-II.

24

The guide part that causes the strip to be driven to sealing jaws.

32

The split part to which the handles are attached pneumatic

35

The perception plate for the detector.

Claims (1)

1. An apparatus, comprising:

-

A first station adapted to produce packages (42) by vertical filling and sealing packing u horizontal;

-

A second station adapted to join the packages (42) to a strip of carrier sample (21) by means of sealing jaws (27);

-

two pneumatic handles (21) connected to a group of reinforced bars (32) moved up and down with pneumatic pistons (31) that they are fixed on a vertical part (30), holding and carrying the handles packages (42) from the first station to the second station; Y

-

a detector (34) that perceives a perception plate (35) connected to the group of armed bars (32) to produce a signal sent to the valves that receive the signal from the detector (34) and pistons of actuation (25, 26) to move the sealing jaws (27) when a package (42) arrives, to join the package (42) to the strip of carrier sample (21);

-

opening the handles (33) when sealing jaws (27) have attached the package (42) to the strip of carrier sample (21) and rise quickly to the first station;

characterized in that:

-

be connect a pitching piston (23) to one of the sealing jaws (27); Y

-

be provides a brake piston (22) in the second station, opening the brake piston (22) and allowing the strip of carrier sample (21) go under and closing the piston of nodding (23) while the sealing jaws (27) go forward so that a length of the carrier sample strip (21) equal to the distance (p) of two adjacent packages (42) is pushed forward, closing the brake piston (22) and opening the pitch piston (23) when the sealing jaws (27) move backwards after sealing.