ES2481816T3 - Filling machine - Google Patents

Abstract

A multitrack filling machine (1) adapted to obtain closed bags (50) from a plurality of packing tapes (51), each of said packing tapes (51) defining a longitudinal direction (52) and a transverse direction (53) perpendicular to said longitudinal direction (52), said packing machine (1) comprising a plurality of packing stations (3), each including: forming means (4) for said packing tapes (51) adapted for folding a transverse portion of one of said packing tapes (51) along a longitudinal direction (52), in a manner adapted to superimpose two longitudinal flaps (54) of said transverse portion of said packing tape (51), sealing means (5) adapted to seal said two overlapping longitudinal flaps (54) and seal said packing tape (51) in the transverse direction (53), at given space intervals, filling means (6) to fill a bag open formed with said packing tape (51) longitudinally and transversely sealed, such that said transverse seal constitutes the bottom of said open bag, cutting means (7) for cutting said packing tape (51) in said sealing in the transverse direction, such that said sealing in the transverse direction constitutes the bottom of said open bag and the head closure of the closed bag (50) obtained in the anterior space interval of the packing tape (51), means of conduit (8) for said packing tape (51) separated from said sealing means (5), said filling machine (1) further comprising transport means (2) for said plurality of packing tapes (51) adapted to move said packing tapes (51) along a unwinding path and a feed or feed direction in a manner adapted to supply each of said packing stations (3) with one of said belt packing means (51), characterized in that said conduction means (8) include a high friction drag surface (16) adapted to interact by contact with said belt (51) and to drive it in the direction of advance, because said means of conduction (8) of said different packing stations (3) are independently adjustable as a function of the individual tension of each tape (51), and because it comprises tension sensors (19) for the individual belts (51), adapted to measure the tension of said individual tape (51).

Description

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DESCRIPTION

Filling machine

The present invention relates to a filling machine of the type indicated in the preamble of the first claim.

Currently, filling machines are known adapted to produce sealed containers that have various contents. In particular, the filling machines form a plurality of bags and sachets in succession from a packaging sheet and the loose product.

A similar machine is described in patent application US-A-6006501.

Most filling machines work as follows.

A packing sheet is placed near the machine and the bags or sachets will be made from this rolled sheet in a reel. The sheet is unwound and transported to a forming and sealing apparatus. Throughout this apparatus the sheet is wrapped in a tube that has a transverse axis with respect to the main extension direction of the sheet and a circumference slightly smaller than the width of the sheet. The advancing sheet portions wrapped along the tube are mutually joined and sealed. Therefore, it is a seal in the longitudinal direction with respect to the main extension direction of the sheet.

Subsequently, the longitudinally sealed sheet extends beyond the tube along which it is wrapped and sealed transversely. The transverse seal is cut by means so that the transverse seal acts as a head seal for a bag and a lower seal for the next bag. In addition, the bag that has received the lower seal is filled with the product in such a way that the product remains inside the bag when the sealing head has been carried out. During this process, the unwinding of the sheet is carried out by the transverse sealing device which, while holding two opposite flaps of the wrapping sheet to seal it mutually, drives them in the direction of unwinding.

Thanks to these filling machines, most objects of any size are bagged, from sachets containing a dose of condiment less than one centimeter wide, to bags containing earth more than one meter wide. In addition, in order to improve the productivity of filling machines, multitrack filling machines have been produced.

[0009] In these machines the sheet wound in a coil is divided, in the longitudinal direction, into a plurality of sheets or tapes, each of which is adapted to make a series of bags. Therefore, several bags are produced in parallel and the process is greatly accelerated.

The prior art mentioned above has some important drawbacks.

In fact, multitrack filling machines are not adapted to unwind sheets of large overall width, for example, exceeding a few tens of centimeters. This drawback is due to the fact that high stresses and frictions are created between the sheet and the sheet transport and conduction apparatus so that the tension in the different portions of the sheet cannot be maintained at a constant level. Thus, multitrack filling machines can only produce bags of a very small width, the so-called "sticks", and in addition a small number of tracks can be provided in parallel.

An additional drawback is that the sachets that run parallel to the multitrack filling machines are in close contact with each other. In this way, particular sealing or forming elements cannot be placed near multitrack filling machines precisely because of the lack of space between the bags. In this situation, the technical task underlying the present invention is to provide a multitrack filling machine capable of substantially obviating the aforementioned drawbacks.

In the field of this technical task, it is an important objective of the invention to obtain a multitrack filling machine capable of operating with large sheets and therefore adapted to produce, in parallel, either several large bags or a large quantity of bags of reduced width. Another important objective of the invention is to make available a multitrack filling machine equipped with sealing elements or formed for the bags.

The aforementioned technical task and the specified objectives are achieved by a multitrack filling machine according to the characterizing part of independent claim 1. Preferred embodiments are highlighted in independent claims 2-8. The features and advantages of the invention are hereafter clarified by the detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the

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invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1a shows a front view of a four-track filling machine according to the invention;

Figure 1b shows a top view of a four-track filling machine according to the invention; Figure 2a is a front view of a six-track filling machine according to the invention; Figure 2b is a top view of a six-track filling machine according to the invention; Figure 3 is a top view of a variant of a filling machine according to the invention; Figure 4 reproduces a detail of the filling machine according to the invention; Figure 5 schematically shows a bag obtained by using the filling machine according to the invention.

With reference to the drawings, the multitrack filling machine according to the invention is generally identified with reference number 1.

It is adapted to form closed bags 50 of a plurality of packaging tapes or strips 51 suitably formed by longitudinally cutting a single packing sheet 57 wrapped in a reel 58.

Each packing tape 51 defines a longitudinal direction 52 and a transverse direction 53 perpendicular to said longitudinal direction 52.

In particular, the filling machine 1 is adapted to make closed bags 50 formed with a transverse portion of packing tape 51 folded over itself longitudinally in direction 52 such that two longitudinal fins 54 of the transverse portion overlap each other and they are sealed and that the bottom and upper edges 56 of the bag 50 are mutually sealed, as shown in Figure 5. The filling machine 1 briefly comprises transmission means 2 and a plurality of bagging stations 3 each including : forming means 4, sealing means 5, filling means 6, cutting means 7 and conduction means 8.

In greater detail, the transport means 2 define a unwinding path for the packing tapes 51, in a form adapted to supply each packing station 3 with a packing belt 51, along a feed or feed direction.

Said means comprise a coil unwinding unit 9, preferably structurally independent of the rest of the machine. It is adapted to move the coils 58 that have large diameters and widths, diameters even greater than one meter and widths greater than 1.25 meters, for example. Therefore, unit 9 is able to provide a long period of self-government by greatly increasing the intermediate time between two coil changes, and consequently, the efficiency of the machine itself.

The coil unwinding unit 9 preferably comprises a coil shaft 9a actively driven by a servomotor, operated based on the information of the coil diameter measurement sensors 58.

The unit 9 further comprises a roller assembly 9c consisting of a plurality of mobile transport rollers and adapted to accumulate the packing sheet 57 pending processing and to adjust the tension thereof.

The coil unwinding unit 9 further comprises longitudinal cutting knives 9d adapted to longitudinally divide the packing sheet 57 into a plurality of packing tapes 51, preferably four or six tapes 51.

The coil unwinding unit 9 finally comprises a pair of rollers driven in the opposite direction 9e substantially forming a calender. Said rollers 9e preferably have a high friction surface, made of elastomer, for example, and are adapted to ensure control in the transport of the belts 51 downstream of the coil unwinding unit 9. The transport means 2 further comprise a deflection unit 10, downstream of the coil unwinding unit 9. The deflection unit 10 comprises deflection devices 10b consisting of rollers or bars oriented at 45 ° with respect to the exit direction of the tapes 51 of the unit winding coil 9 and adapted to deflect the tapes 51 through a right angle. In particular, the diversion device 10b is present for each tape 51.

In addition, next to each deflection device 10b there are mobile rollers 10a along the unwinding path of the deviated tape 51, for fine adjustment of the path length of the packing tape 51.

The transport means 2, finally comprise preferably tension rollers 11 placed in the vicinity of the stations 3. Preferably they have a high friction outer surface, in particular made of elastomer or the like. They are also capable of detecting the tension of the tape 51, as specified below.

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Arranged downstream of the means of transport are packing stations 3 preferably of the same number as the number of belts 51.

The packing stations 3 preferably extend mainly in the vertical direction. Therefore, the longitudinal direction of the tape 51 in this portion of the machine 1 is suitably coincident with the vertical direction. Each packing station 3 first comprises forming means 4 for the packing tape 51. This means it is adapted to fold a transverse portion of one of the tapes 51 along the longitudinal direction 52, such that the two Longitudinal flaps 54 of the cross section of the tape 51 are superimposed.

The forming means 4 suitably comprise a collar 12 known per se and consisting of a surface along which the tape 51 is arranged to run within a short portion of an underlying tube.

The collar 12 is followed by a shaping tube 13 around which the tape 51 is disposed, wrapping it completely in the circumferential direction, leaving the two longitudinal flaps 54 unwrapped around the circumference and mutually opposite.

Arranged downstream of the forming means 4 are sealing means 5. These means comprise a longitudinal sealing device 14 adapted to seal the two overlapping longitudinal flaps 54. This device 14 suitably carries out heat sealing. In particular, it comprises a heating portion adapted to be moved by suitable movement means, in order to come into contact with the two flaps 54. It is conveniently provided with temperature control and pneumatic movement means, independent for each individual station 3 It can also comprise pulse sealing means, that is, through electric heating.

The sealing means 5 also comprise a transverse sealing device 15 adapted to seal the tape 51 in the transverse direction 53 at intervals of given longitudinal space. This device 15 also adequately performs heat sealing. In particular, it comprises a series of opposite bars, preferably heated by independent heating, arranged after the shaping tube 13 and adapted to be moved by suitable means of movement, so as to come into contact with the two longitudinally sealed opposite portions. It is suitably arranged in a single support for all stations 3. It may further comprise pulse sealing means, that is, through electric heating.

Also arranged in the transverse sealing device 15 may be a bag forming device 50 consisting of a known device for manufacturing a square bottom or the like, for example.

The stations 3 then comprise filling means 6 (Figure 1a), which are adapted to fill an open bag with the intended products, that is, a bag that has been sent to the longitudinal and transverse seals, the latter constituting the bottom of the bag, and has the top open. The filling means 6 know themselves and introduce the products through the collar 12 and the forming tube 13.

The stations 3 also comprise cutting means 7 downstream of the sealing means 5 of the tape 51. These means preferably consist of two opposite blades and divide the bags 50 in the sealing in the transverse direction so that said sealing in the direction transverse constitutes the lower edge 55 of the open bag for later filling and the upper edge 56 of the bag 50 made in the anterior space interval of the tape 51.

Finally, each packing station 3 advantageously comprises conduction means 8 for the tape 51. These conduction means 8 are separated from the sealing means 5 and comprise a high friction drag surface 16, preferably made of elastomer or the like, adapted to interact by contacting the tape 51 and dragging the latter along the feed direction.

In particular, the conduction means 8 are disposed between the forming means 4 and cutting means 7. More in detail, this means that it is preferably arranged in the forming tube 13, such that the drag surface 16 comes into contact with the tape 51, in turn wrapped in the tube 13. The conduction means 8 is shown in Figure 4 and preferably consists of track tracks 17 driven by the wheels

18. The outer surface of the tracks therefore constitutes the drag surface 16. Tracks 17 preferably have a surface layer of elastomer and more particularly of natural rubber, and an indented inner layer of a more rigid and strong material.

The tracks 17 preferably have a width included between 1 cm and 3 cm and are wrapped around an angular portion of the forming tube 13 included between 20 ° and 30 °; its thickness is between 2 mm and 1 cm and the length is between 30 cm and 80 cm.

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The driving means 8 of each individual station 3, according to an innovative process, can also be adjusted independently depending on the tension of the individual belt 51, and each track 17 is preferably set in motion by a single servo motor . Machine 1 further comprises tension sensors 19 for individual tapes 51, adapted to check the tension of said individual tapes 51. They can be arranged on the tension rollers 11, for example, and consist of sensors adapted to check the vertical displacements of said rollers 11. Alternatively, they can consist of optical reading means or other means known per se. Next, the operation of a multitrack filling machine 1 as described above in terms of its structure follows.

Machine 1 preferably moves belt 51 with alternate pauses. First, the coil unwinding unit 9 unwinds a portion of the coil 58 and feeds the roller assembly 9c, in turn feeding the remaining part of the machine 1. The activation of the roller assembly 9c takes place through unwinding of the coil 58 by a servomotor moving the shaft 9c, taking into account the information of both the sensors placed in the roller assembly 9c and of a measuring sensor of the coil diameter 58.

The packing sheet 57 is unwound, separated into ribbons by knives 9d and driven to the traction rollers 9e. Each belt therefore corresponds to a track comprising a station 3. [0044] From the pulling rollers 9e onwards, the unwinding of the tapes 51 is adjusted in time in a manner appropriate to the operations of the stations 3. In In particular, in a movement stage, the belts 51 move towards the stations 3. In detail, the driving means 8 are activated simultaneously on all tracks 3, each track track 17 receiving movement from a single servo motor. Simultaneously, the traction rollers 9e are suitably activated by a servomotor. In particular, the pulling rollers 9e and driving means 8 are connected in an electric shaft so that the belts 51 are simultaneously pulled along the roller assembly 9c.

In the part between the driving means 8 and traction rollers 9e, the individual belts 51 are dragged, being compensated in their position by the rollers 10a and deflected by the deflection devices 10b; subsequently they pass through the tension rollers 11 and reach the stations 3. In particular, the deviation of the tapes 51 allows the stations 3 to be arranged at arbitrary mutual distances. Therefore, said stations allow the above-mentioned forming or conduction device 8 and the sealing devices 15 with said "square bottom" to be introduced. [0046] Accordingly, each tape 51 enters its own station 3. In each station 3 each tape 51 passes through the forming means 4 and takes the form required for the subsequent sealing stage through the sealing means 5 and cutting 7.

In addition, in the part in question, the tension of the packing material is controlled by adjusting the speed ratio between the driving means 8 and the pulling rollers 9e.

When the movement stage is complete a pause step begins. The tapes 51 are therefore stationary, the longitudinal sealing devices 14 are operated by pneumatic movement to come into contact with the tapes 51 and carry out the longitudinal sealing.

At the same time, the transverse sealing device 15 is driven by a servomotor to come into contact with the packing tape 51 and carry out the transverse sealing.

Also at the same time, the cutting means 7 are driven by the servomotor and carry out the longitudinal cutting simultaneously in all the stations 3. Suitably, in this step also the measurement process for the product packaging by the means of filling 6.

The invention comprises a new process for bagging materials or for the operation of multitrack filling machines 1. The process contemplates the operation described above. The invention allows important advantages to be achieved.

In fact, the machine, due to the presence of the particular driving means 8, is also able to use work sheets of significant width, greater than 1.25 m, for example, with great skill. [Therefore this machine 1 can make closed bags 50 that are very large or a large number of bags 50 in parallel, therefore, greatly improving productivity, such as productivity in the examples shown which is four and six times higher than in known machines.

The quality of the bags of 50 obtained in the individual stations 3 is ensured by the control of the tension that is independent in each track.

In addition, since the tapes are deflected, according to the two configurations shown (Figure 1b and Figure 3), the stations 3 can be separated and bulky elements introduced, as mentioned above.

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The invention is susceptible to variations that fall within the inventive idea defined by the independent claims. All the details can be replaced by equivalent elements and the materials, shapes and sizes can be of any nature and magnitude.

Claims (6)

E11195078 07-15-2014 1. A multitrack filling machine (1) adapted to obtain closed bags (50) from a plurality of 5 packing tapes (51), each of said packing tapes (51) defining a longitudinal direction (52) and a transverse direction (53) perpendicular to said longitudinal direction (52), said packaging machine (1) comprising a plurality of packing stations (3), each including: forming means (4) for said packing tapes (51) adapted to bend a transverse portion of one of said packing tapes (51) along a longitudinal direction (52), in a way adapted to overlap two 10 longitudinal flaps (54) of said transverse portion of said packing tape (51), sealing means (5) adapted to seal said two overlapping longitudinal flaps (54) and seal said packing tape (51) in the transverse direction ( 53), at given space intervals, filling means (6) for filling an open bag formed with said packaging tape (51) longitudinally and transversely sealed, such that said transverse seal constitutes the bottom of said open bag, means cutting (7) to cut said 15 packing tape (51) in said seal in the transverse direction, such that said seal in the transverse direction constitutes the bottom of said open bag and the head closure of the closed bag (50) obtained in the space interval front of the packing tape (51), conduction means (8) for said packing tape (51) separated from said sealing means (5), said filling machine (1) further comprising transport means (2) for said plurality of packing tapes (51) adapted to move 20 said packing tapes (51) along a unwinding path and a feed or feed direction in a manner adapted to supply each of said packing stations (3) with one of said packing tapes (51), characterized in that said conduction means (8) include a high friction drag surface (16) adapted to interact by contact with said belt (51) and to drive it in the forward direction, because said conduction means (8) of said different seasons Packaging 25 (3) are independently adjustable as a function of the individual tension of each tape (51), and because it comprises tension sensors (19) for individual tapes (51), adapted to measure the tension of said tape individual (51). 2. A machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said conduction means (8) 30 comprise track tracks (17) defining said drag surface (16). 3. A machine as claimed in claim 2, wherein said conduction means (8) comprises opposite track tracks (17).

A machine as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said forming device (4) comprises a forming tube (13) and is adapted to wrap said packing tape (51) around said tube forming (13), and wherein said drag surfaces (16) are provided in said forming tube (13).

A machine as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said drag surface (16) is made of elastomer.

6. A machine as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said means of transport (2) comprise a deflection unit (10) adapted to deflect said packing tapes (51) 45 at a right angle. 7. A machine as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said transport means (2) comprises traction rollers (9e) upstream of said packing stations (3), in synchronized relationship with said means of conduction (8) and adapted to drag said tapes of 50 packaging (51) at the same time. 8. A machine as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, comprising tension rollers (11) placed in the vicinity of said stations (3) and provided with a high friction outer surface. 55 7