ES2630152T3 - Device for compacting and transferring groups of filter bags containing infusion substances - Google Patents

Abstract

1. Device for compacting and transferring groups of filter bags containing substances for infusion, comprising a transfer unit (19) of a group (2) of filter bags (5) from a collection station (18) Up to a packing station (20), the transfer unit (19) comprises a transfer and rotation element (22) of the group (2) of filter bags (5) and a compaction element (23) of the group ( 2) of filter bags (5), the transfer and rotation element (22) carries out the transfer and rotation in 180º of the group (2) of filter bags (5) from the collection point (18) to a release post (28) and the compaction element (23) transfers and compacts the group (2) of rotated filter bags (5), from the release post (28) to the packaging post (20); said device is characterized in that the transfer and rotation element (22) comprises a lifting device (45) of the group (2) of filter bags (5) extending on a vertical axis (V), suitable for transferring the group (2) of filter bags (5) from the first horizontal plane (P1) to a horizontal second plane (P2) at a greater height in relation to the first plane (P1), the first horizontal plane (P1) and the second plane horizontal (P2) define a specific level difference (h), on said lifting device (45) a plurality of load and retention elements (24) are arranged, each of said elements is closed to contain within it a group (2) of filter bags (5) received from said compaction station (18) to said packaging station (20) during the entire transfer and rotation movement and is opened to release said group of filter bags (5) content when rotated 180º in said packing stand or (20), said packing station (20) is placed in correspondence with the second horizontal plane (P2), each loading and holding element (24) of the group (2) of filter bags (5) has a pair of forks (25) that support the group (2) of filter bags (5) and at least one support plate (26) that allows to support said group (2).

Description

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DESCRIPTION

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[0001] The present invention relates to a device for transferring and compacting groups of filter bags containing infusion substances.

[0002] In particular, the present invention is related to compaction and transfer of groups.

10 sorted filter bags containing infusion substances, such as, for example, tea, chamomile or similar herbal products.

[0003] Generally, as illustrated in Figure 1, in a group of 100 sorted filter bags 101, each filter bag 101 is in reciprocal contact with the adjacent bag 101, in correspondence with the side which has

15 the largest dimension, defining a longitudinal load equal to the thickness "s" of each bag 101 multiplied by the number of bags 101 forming the group 100. In particular, the thickness "s" defines the lateral load of each filter bag 101 in correspondence with the lower end 103 of the closed lobes - "W", where the substance of the infusion 102 is mainly deposited.

[0004] In order to meet market demand to minimize the longitudinal load of packages 104 of groups 100 of filter bags 101, with the same number of filter bags 101 present inside, US Patent 3,815 .316 describes a packaging apparatus for groups of filter bags inside container boxes.

[0005] This apparatus comprises a transfer unit, a rotor that rotates around a rotation axis.

25 horizontal and a post packed in the container boxes. More specifically, the transfer unit forms groups of sachets and transfers said groups to the packing station in correspondence with coplanar horizontal planes.

[0006] The transfer unit comprises trays, arranged longitudinally with respect to the axis of rotation

30 of the rotor and diametrically opposed to each other. In particular, the trays house a certain number of filter bags inside, defining an ordered group of filter bags.

[0007] The rotor rotates the trays 180 °, turning the groups of filter bags arranged inside and vibration means subsequently act outside the trays to redistribute the contents within them

35 sachets

[0008] At this point, pushing devices remove the filter bags from the trays and compact them, reducing the longitudinal dimensions of the groups of bags with respect to their initial conditions.

40 [0009] In addition, at the end of the compaction action of the bag groups, the pushing devices drop the bag groups into the container boxes placed in correspondence with the packing station.

[0010] The packaging apparatus of the type described has its drawbacks.

[0011] This apparatus, in fact, does not allow the groups of the filter bags to be transferred in correspondence with a packing station arranged in correspondence with a horizontal plane that has a greater height with respect to the horizontal plane for formation and Transfer of groups of filter bags.

[0012] Application US 5,331,790 A refers to a method of conditioning the bag and an apparatus in which a conveyor with bag stops is associated with an annular tray conveyor, positioned transverse thereto. The ring tray conveyor has inclined rails that vibrate confining the bags contained in each tray during the movement of the trays along the conveyor trays.

[0013] Application DE 2440199 refers to a device for gripping the stack of stamped containers.

[0014] Application GB 2200093 A relates to a method of handling the container and an apparatus that combines suction and gripping elements to handle chips, serving as an elevator or a spider crane.

[0015] An object of the present invention is to provide a device for transferring and compacting groups of filter bags that is capable of counteracting the drawbacks described above.

[0016] The specified objective is achieved by means of a group transfer and compaction device.

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[0017] The additional features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent with the following illustrative description and therefore not limitative, of a preferred embodiment of a device as illustrated in the included drawings, in which:

-Figure 1 illustrates a front view of a group of filter bags obtained according to the known technique; FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of a group of filter bags obtained according to the present invention;

10-Figure 2a illustrates a schematic perspective view of the group of filter bags of Figure 2; FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic front view of a transfer and compaction device for groups of filter bags according to the present invention; Figure 4 illustrates a schematic plan view of the device of Figure 3; Figure 5 illustrates a front view of a detail of Figure 3 in a considerably open position;

15 - Figure 6 illustrates a front view of the detail of Figure 5 in a considerably closed position; Figure 7 illustrates a plan view of a detail of Figure 4 in a first operative position; - Figure 8 illustrates a flat view of the detail of Figure 7 in a second operative position.

[0018] In particular reference to Figures 3 and 4, 1 indicates a transfer and compaction device of 20 groups 2 of filter bags 5 containing infusion substances 3.

[0019] The device 1 transfers the groups 2 of filter bags 5 to a packaging device of the known and not illustrated type, convenient for packaging them in a collective container 4, as shown in Figure 2.

[0020] Collective package 4 refers to a rigid container of metallic material or wrapping material.

[0021] The collective package 4 can also be a flexible wrap, such as an envelope or a sachet.

[0022] Each group 2 of filter bags 5 comprises a plurality of filter bags 5 arranged in reciprocal contact 30 with each other. In particular, each filter bag 5 is in contact with the adjacent bag in correspondence with its larger side 5a.

[0023] The filter bag 5 contains the substance of the infusion 3 and consists of a sheet of filter paper of the traditional type, which has two departments or lobes 10 connected to each other; In addition, each department or 35 lobe covers the other. In particular, the filter bag 5 has, in correspondence with a lower end 11 of the lobes 10, a closed "W" shaped part suitable for containing the substance of the infusion 3.

[0024] The filter bag 5 has an upper end 11a, facing the lower end 11, which is connected to a thread 12, carrying a paper tag 13 that can be used to hold the entire filter bag 5 during use .

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[0025] The group 2 thus defined by the filter bags 5, has a considerably parallelepiped shape that extends along a longitudinal axis L and which has two longitudinal side walls 6, two transverse walls 7, an upper wall 8 and a bottom wall 9 as shown in figure 2a. In particular, the lower wall 9 is defined by the lower ends 11 of the lobes 10 of the filter bags 5, the upper wall 8

45 is defined by the upper ends 11a of the filter bags 5 and the two transverse walls 7 are respectively defined by a side having a maximum dimension 5a, of the respective filter bag 5 end of group 2.

[0026] In the preferred embodiment, the group 2 of filter bags 5 consists of 25 filter bags 5.

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[0027] The filter bags 5 are formed in the initial phase of the device 1, by means of a forming device, illustrated and described in EP1384664 which is indicated here as a reference to complete the description.

[0028] A conveyor belt 14 transports the filter bags 5 of the forming device, not illustrated, towards a forming station 15 of the groups 2 of filter bags 5, following a forward direction D.

[0029] The filter bags 5 communicate in a considerably vertical position and therefore the substance of the infusion 3 is distributed mainly in correspondence with the lower end 11 of the bags 5. The filter bags 5 therefore have a thickness initial «s».

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[0030] In particular, the conveyor belt 14 has two motorized belts 14a that carry the filter bags 5, in particular each belt 14a is in contact with the larger side 5a of each filter bag 5.

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[0032] Corresponding to training station 15 of groups 2 of filter bags 5, an arm that

5 pushes 16, moved by common cranks, remove each individual filter bag 5 from the conveyor 14 to form a group 2 of filter bags 5. In particular, the pushing arm 16 intercepts the larger side 5a of each bag 5 and the drag along a direction that is considerably orthogonal to the forward direction D. In this way, the pushing arm 16 puts the filter bags 5 in reciprocal contact with each other in correspondence with their larger side 5a, forming a group 2 of filter bags 5.

[0033] Group 2 of bags with filter 5 formed by the pushing arm 16 has an axis with a horizontal longitudinal development L. Group 2 of filter bags 5 is complete when the pushing arm 16 has set a predefined number of 5 filter bags in reciprocal contact with each other.

[0034] Once the group 2 of filter bags 5 has been formed, a displacement means 17 moves, in a known manner, the group 2 of filter bags 5 from the training station 15 to a collection station 18. In particular, the displacement means 17 is coupled to a longitudinal side wall 6 of the group 2 for transfer, keeping the longitudinal axis L in a horizontal position, parallel to it.

20 [0035] The collection station 18 is arranged in correspondence with a horizontal foreground P1.

[0036] The transfer unit 19 has a rotation and transfer element 22 of the group 2 of filter bags 5 and a compaction element 23 of the group 2 of filter bags 5.

[0037] The rotation and transfer element 22 sends the group 2 of filter bags 5 from the collection station 18 to a release position 28.

[0038] The release post 28 is placed in correspondence with a horizontal second plane P2.

[0039] The second horizontal plane P2 is at a higher height with respect to the first horizontal plane P1, in particular, the first horizontal plane P1 and horizontal second plane P2 defines a specific level difference h.

[0040] The rotation and transfer element 22 comprises a lifting device 45 which extends along a vertical axis V.

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[0041] The lifting device 45 is capable of transferring the group 2 of filter bags 5 from the first horizontal plane P1 to the horizontal second plane P2.

[0042] The lifting device 45 comprises a motorized roller 22b and a driven roller 22a, which are rotated

40 around its own V1 axes and a closed ring chain 27 wrapped around them. In particular, the axes V1 are horizontal axes, perpendicular to the vertical axis V of the lifting device 45.

[0043] The lifting device 45 has a rotary movement of the intermittent type.

[0044] The lifting device 45 comprises a plurality of loading elements 24 of group 2 of filter bags 5.

[0045] The loading elements 24 are limited to the chain 27 of the lifting device 45 and equidistant from each other.

[0046] Each retaining element 24 has a pair of forks 25 and a support plate 26 suitable for supporting said group 2.

[0047] In particular reference to Figures 5 and 6, the forks 25 are placed in correspondence with the ends 55 of the respective retaining element 24.

[0048] In particular, the forks 25 are rotatably connected with the retaining element 24 and rotate about respective horizontal axes 25a.

[0049] In addition, the forks 25 are connected to each other by means of a pair of coil springs

30. The helical springs 30 define elastic means for coupling the forks 25. [0050] More specifically, the helical springs 30 are traction springs that allow the forks 25

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[0051] The pneumatically operated devices and other types known and not illustrated are suitable for overcoming / overcoming / counteracting the retraction forces of the springs 30 to arrange the forks 25 in a considerably open configuration, as illustrated in the figure 5.

[0052] The open configuration is thus defined when the ends of the forks 25 are placed at a greater distance from each other with respect to the longitudinal dimension of a group 2, so that a group 2 of filter bags 5 is can introduce or remove the retaining element 24, without interfering with it.

[0053] The closed configuration is thus defined when the ends of the forks 25 are placed at a smaller distance from each other with respect to the longitudinal dimension of a group 2, to retain the group 2 of filter bags 5.

[0054] The forks 25 are in the considerably open configuration in correspondence with the pick-up post 18 and in correspondence with the release post 28 to allow respectively the loading and unloading operations of the retention element 24.

[0055] The forks 25 are in the considerably closed configuration from the collection station 18 to 20 the release station 28, to retain the group 2 of sachets 5 while they are being transported.

[0056] The support plate 26 of the group 2 of filter bags 5 is interposed between the forks 25 so that it supports the group 2 of filter bags 5. The support plate 26 is "L" shaped and has a first and second wall 31 and

32. The first wall 31 is a horizontal wall intended to support group 2 in correspondence with its wall

25 bottom 9 and the second wall 32 is a vertical wall intended to find a longitudinal side wall 6 of group 2.

[0057] When used, the rotation and transfer element 22 is suitable for transporting and rotating the group 2 of filter bags 5 180 ° from the collection station 18 to the release station 28.

[0058] The group 2 of filter bags 5 has, in correspondence with the collection station 18 and release station 28, the longitudinal axis L arranged in a considerably horizontal position.

[0059] In an alternative embodiment, not illustrated, group 2 of filter bags 5 has, correspondingly

35 with the pick-up position 18 and release position 28, the longitudinal axis L arranged in a considerably vertical position.

[0060] In correspondence with the collection station 18, the movement means 17 is synchronized with the lifting device 45 in order to transfer a group 2 of filter bags 5 to the respective retention element

40 24.

[0061] In order to receive the group 2 of filter bags 5, pneumatic actuators, not shown, direct the opening of the forks 25.

[0062] In this way, the displacement means 17 disposes the group 2 of filter bags 5 on the support plate 26 so that the bottom wall 9 and one of the longitudinal side walls 6 of the group 2 is in contact with the first and second wall 31 and 32 respectively.

[0063] Once the group 2 of filter bags 5 have been correctly placed in the support plate 26, the 50 forks 25 will be picked up by the action of the springs 30, arranging them in their closed configuration.

[0064] In the closed configuration, each clip 25, which is shaped like a fork, joins the respective transverse wall 7 of group 2, pressing the filter bags 5 against each other and gripping them.

[0065] The loading elements 24 not only transport the groups 2 of filter bags 5 from the collection station 18 to the release station 28, but also rotate 180 ° around an axis V1, which turns over with the same group 2 of filter bags 5.

[0066] The combined action of the forks 25 and the support plate 26 allows the group 2 of filter bags 5

60 be held firmly and supported during the movement of the retention element 24, in particular during the rotation around the axis V1.

[0067] In other words, in correspondence with the release post 28, the retention element 24 and the group

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[0068] After rotation of the retention element 24 around the axis V1, part of the substance of the infusion 5 3 deposited in the lower part 11 of each sachet 5, is distributed towards the upper end 11a.

[0069] The group 2 of filter bags 5 is released to the compaction element 23, in correspondence with the release post 28.

[0070] The compaction element 23 comprises at least one containment tray 33 of the group 2 of filter bags 5.

[0071] In particular, the drawer 33 extends mainly along a horizontal longitudinal axis L1.

[0072] Tray 33 has two larger side walls 34, two smaller side walls 35, a lower surface 36 and a free upper surface. Said walls 34, 35 and 36 define a cavity 38 suitable for housing a group 2 of filter bags 5.

[0073] The compaction element 23 comprises percussion and compaction means 39 of group 2 of sachets

20 filter 5. The percussion and compaction means 39 are arranged in correspondence with the smaller side walls 35 of the tray 33.

[0074] The percussion and compaction means 39 comprise two thrust devices 40 activated by the respective actuator 41. The actuators 41 are preferably pneumatic cylinders.

[0075] The pushing devices 40 face to face within the tray 33. In particular, each pushing device 40 has a bearing surface 40a intended to intercept the front walls 7 of group 2.

[0076] The pushing devices 40 have a fork conformation with teeth 43 interspersed with interstitial cavities 44.

[0077] The pushing devices 40 can be moved from a first to a second operative position towards each other along the longitudinal axis L1.

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[0078] In the first operating position, the pushing devices 40 are located at a greater longitudinal distance with respect to the longitudinal dimension of the group 2 of filter bags 5.

[0079] In the second operating position, the pushing devices 40 are located at a longitudinal distance less than 40 with respect to the first operating position.

[0080] A larger side wall 34 of the tray 33 has a side edge 42. The side edge 42 may move from a closed position to an open position and vice versa.

[0081] The pushing devices 40 are arranged in their first operative position in correspondence with the release post 28, in order to receive the group 2 of filter bags 5 rotated by the retaining element 24. In particular, the tray 33 receives the group 2 of filter bags 5 arranged with its longitudinal axis L parallel to the longitudinal axis L1 of the tray 33.

[0082] In order to release the group 2 of filter bags 5 in the tray 33, the forks 25 of the retention element 24 slide into the interstitial cavities 44, covering the same distance that covers the upper wall 8 of the group 2 when intercepting the lower surface 36 of the tray 33, the forks 25 then pass from the closed configuration to the open configuration, releasing the group 2 of filter bags 5.

[0083] The group 2 of filter bags 5 is held inside the cavity 38 of the tray 33 by the pushing devices 40 that are in contact with the front walls 7 of the group 2 by means of the support surface 40a.

[0084] Once the group 2 of filter bags 5 rotated in the tray 33 has been released, the compaction element 23 transfers and compacts the group 2 of filter bags 5 rotated by the release post 28 towards

60 a packing stand 20.

[0085] The packing station 20 is located in correspondence with the second horizontal plane P2.

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[0087] During the movement of the release post 28 to the packing station 20, the pushing devices 5 40 percussion and compact the group 2 of filter bags 5.

[0088] Or, the pushing devices 40 percussion and compact the group 2 of filter bags 5 in correspondence with the release post 28, so that during the movement towards the packing station 20, the group 2 has already been rotated and compacted.

[0089] Percussion is effected through an instantaneous movement of the pushing devices 40 that move along the longitudinal direction L1 and with a bidirectional movement, illustrated by the arrow F.

[0090] The percussion induced by the pushing devices 40 allows the substance of the infusion 3 in the filter bag 15 to be distributed evenly.

[0091] The substance of the infusion 3, in fact, mainly placed in correspondence with the upper end 11a and the lower end 11, is distributed almost evenly within the sachet 5.

[0092] The initial thickness "s" of each sachet 5 of group 2 is therefore reduced to a thickness "s1", less than the thickness "s".

[0093] At this point, the pushing devices 40 are moved by the pneumatic cylinders 41 along the direction of the axis L1 towards each other, compacting the group 2 of filter bags 5.

25

[0094] In this specific case, the term 'compaction' refers to a reduction in the longitudinal load of group 2 of filter bags 5.

[0095] The combined action of hammering and compacting group 2 of filter bags 5 by the devices of

30 thrust 40 continues while the latter are in correspondence with its second operative position, resulting in a reduction in the longitudinal load of group 2 equal to approximately 20 ÷ 30% less with respect to the longitudinal load of group 2 before the action of the pushing devices 40, that is to say in correspondence with its first operative position.

[0096] As a consequence of the action of the compaction element 23, in correspondence with the packing station 20, the group 2 of filter bags 5 is rotated and compacted.

[0097] In order to extract the group 2 of filter bags 5 of the compaction element 23, the side edge 42 is opened and the collection means, known and not illustrated, are coupled with the group 2, removing it.

[0098] At this point, groups 2 are transferred to the vertical bagging machine that performs a flow-pack type wrapper, wrapping the same group.

[0099] The reduction of collective container loads offers obvious advantages in terms of reducing production costs due to a decrease in transport and storage costs of products.

[0100] Said reduction of the longitudinal load of group 2 of filter bags 5 is obtained from the combined action of rotation and simultaneously the percussion and compaction of the same group 2. The 180 ° rotation of group 2 is, in fact, strategic since it allows the substance of the infusion 3 to be dispersed inside the sachet 5 from the

50 lower end 11 to upper end 11a. Subsequently, the percussion favors an additional dispersion of the substance of the infusion 3 into each sachet 5 which allows the compaction of group 2 by the percussion and compaction means 39.

[0101] The compaction and transfer device not only reduces the longitudinal loads of the groups of the

Advantageously, the filter bag also allows the feeding of a bagging machine of the known type, for example vertical, with a feeding plane P2 located at a greater height with respect to the feeding plane P1 of the device.

[0102] The compaction and transfer device advantageously has a flexible bag group format,

60 since it is capable of transferring and compacting groups of filter bags defined by a single row of bags or two rows of bags.

[0103] The conceived invention can be clearly applied on an industrial scale; you can also experience

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Claims (5)

image 1 1. Device for compacting and transferring groups of filter bags containing substances for infusion, comprising a transfer unit (19) of a group (2) of filter bags (5) from a collection point (18) ) to a packing station (20), the transfer unit (19) comprises a transfer and rotation element (22) of the group (2) of filter bags (5) and a compaction element (23) of the group (2) of filter bags (5), the transfer and rotation element (22) carries out the transfer and rotation in 180º of the group (2) of filter bags (5) from the collection point (18) to a release post (28) and the compaction element (23) transfers and compacts the group (2) of rotated filter bags (5), 10 from the release post (28) to the packaging post (20); said device is characterized in that the transfer and rotation element (22) comprises a lifting device (45) of the group (2) of filter bags (5) extending on a vertical axis (V), suitable for transferring the group (2) of filter bags (5) from the first horizontal plane (P1) to a horizontal second plane (P2) at a greater height in relation to the first plane (P1), the first horizontal plane (P1) and the second plane horizontal (P2) 15 define a specific level difference (h), on said lifting device (45) a plurality of load and retention elements (24) are arranged, each of said elements is closed to contain within it a group (2) of filter bags (5) received from said compaction station (18) to said packaging station (20) during the entire transfer and rotation movement and is opened to release said group of filter bags (5) contained when rotates 180º in said packing station (20), said packing station (20) 20 is placed in correspondence with the horizontal second plane (P2), each load and retention element (24) of the group (2) of filter bags (5) has a pair of forks (25) that support the group (2) ) of filter bags (5) and at least one support plate (26) that allows to hold said group (2). 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the longitudinal axis (L) of the group (2) of sachets The filter (5), in correspondence with the compaction post (18) and the release post (28), is arranged in a substantially horizontal position. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the lifting device (45) is a vertical conveyor comprising a plurality of loading elements (24) of the groups (2) of filter bags (5); the 30 loading elements (24) transfer the groups (2) of filter bags (5) from the compaction post (18) to the release post (28) and turn the groups (2) of filter bags (5) around an axis (V1) perpendicular to the vertical axis (V) of the conveyor (45). Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the element of Compaction (23) comprises at least one containment tray (33) of the group (2) of filter bags (5) having percussion and compaction means (39) of the group (2) of filter bags (5) ) capable of exerting a combined percussion and compaction action on the group (2) of filter bags (5). 5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the percussion and compaction means (39) 40 comprise pushing devices (40) movable towards each other from a first active position to a second active position in a direction substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of development (L1) of the tray (33); the pushing devices (40) produce at least one percussion action on the group (2) of filter bags (5) during the reciprocal movement of said pushing devices (40) towards each other. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the compaction post (18) and the release post (28) are arranged in correspondence with the first horizontal plane (P1) and the second horizontal plane (P2) respectively. 9