FR2925036A1 - DEVICE AND METHOD FOR FOLDING CHAPELETS OF SEVERAL BAGS - Google Patents

Abstract

This folding device comprises an upstream conveyor (4) and a downstream conveyor (5) placed so that the upstream conveyor (4) can deposit the chains (3; 103) on the downstream conveyor (5). one of these upstream and downstream conveyors can be maneuvered in the direction of a movement towards and away from the downstream conveyor (5) and from an outlet end (17) of the upstream conveyor (4) with respect to the at least vertically (Z-Z ') The downstream conveyor (5) is capable of performing both forward drive (F10) and reverse drive (F6; F12) .

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the field of the packaging of products or commodities, such as grated cheese, when individual doses of such products are packaged in pouches arranged at the same time. following within rosaries. More specifically, the invention relates to a device and a method of folding such rosaries of several bags in a row.

When marketed to individuals, for example in supermarkets or other types of stores, some cheeses are already grated and are packaged in individual doses, each of which is packaged in a flexible bag, usually made of plastic. These bags can be individual or several of them can be linked to each other by being arranged in sequence so as to form together a rosary.

To reduce their size and also for their handling is easier, the strings of several packaging bags are usually folded after filling, so as to have the form of stacks in which two consecutive bags are folded against one against other and interconnected by a folded area. Glue dots may be provided between the folded bags against each other, so as to prevent the folding of the strings from stripping.

PRIOR TECHNIQUES

The folding of several packets already filled is sometimes manual. It can also be done by folders.

Folders currently used to fold rosaries of filled bags have several fingers, each of which is actuated by one or more cylinders and which rock together the sachets of each rosary relative to each other, after each positioned against the one of the two main faces of the rosary being folded. The movements of these fingers relative to each other are complex and not fast.

The complexity of a finger folder and the movements it performs favor the occurrence of breakdowns and / or require a lot of maintenance. However, breakdowns such as maintenance result in line stops which, too, reduce the rates.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The object of the invention is at least to increase the rate at which strings of packaging bags can be folded as a result.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by means of a folding device 10 of several sachets. This folding device comprises at least two endless belt conveyors, which are an upstream conveyor and a downstream conveyor placed so that the upstream conveyor can deposit the rosaries on the downstream conveyor, at least one of which can be maneuvered into the direction of a movement towards and away from the downstream conveyor and from an outlet end of the upstream conveyor relative to each other at least vertically and of which at least the downstream conveyor is capable of perform both a forward and reverse workout.

The upstream and downstream conveyors of this folding device are able to effect a combination of movements leading to the folding of a string of bags. These movements can produce the desired folding while being few, simple and fast, with little or no time between them. As a result, the use of a folding device according to the invention makes it possible to obtain folding rates that are considerably higher than those currently observable. A reduction in jams and other failures, as well as a reduction in maintenance, work in the same direction and result from the high reliability of the endless belt conveyors.

Advantageously, the upstream conveyor comprises a gripping device 30 so as to be able to drive and at the same time hold each rosary. In this way, a gripping of a rear portion of a rosary by the upstream conveyor can take place during the folding of the rosary, so as to prevent its sliding and / or unfortunate uplift. For this purpose, the upstream conveyor may comprise two synchronized endless belts which delimit between them a passage for the rosaries and which are able to grip each rosary by clamping between them in this passage.

Advantageously, the upstream conveyor is mounted pivotally about a substantially horizontal axis located opposite its outlet end.

Advantageously, the folding device comprises a device for pushing localized thrust of an intermediate portion of a string relative to two other portions of the same string. In particular, this driving device may comprise at least one blowing nozzle of a localized thrust jet.

Advantageously, the folding device comprises a remote conveyor of first and second successive chaplets from each other, by accelerating the first chain before the second chain, upstream of the upstream conveyor.

Advantageously, the folding device comprises a device 15 for applying glue on one face of a string by a slot between the upstream and downstream conveyors.

Advantageously, the folding device comprises a device for applying glue on one side facing upwards and defined by a bag resting on the downstream conveyor. Advantageously, the glue application device comprises a glue dose spray gun.

Advantageously, downstream of the upstream conveyor, the folding device 25 comprises a device for pressing adjacent portions of each string against each other.

The invention also relates to a method of folding a string of several bags, characterized in that a folding device as defined above is used in this process and performs the folding of the string.

Advantageously, the folding method comprises steps in which: a) the upstream conveyor deposits a first bag of the string on the downstream conveyor, then b) the upstream conveyor deposits a second bag of the string on said first packet of the string, by folding this rosary between his first and second sachets. Advantageously, step b) comprises two simultaneous actions that are: b1) that the output end of the upstream conveyor and the downstream conveyor move away from each other at least vertically, and b2) that at least one of the first and second bags is driven in the direction of a retreat of the first bag relative to the second bag.

Advantageously, in the action b2), at least one of the first and second bags is driven in the direction of a retreat of the first packet of the string under the second bag of this rosary.

Advantageously, in action b2), the downstream conveyor rolls back the first bag by driving in reverse.

Advantageously, the string comprises at least a third bag that the upstream conveyor holds at the end of step b).

Advantageously, in action b2), the upstream conveyor drives the second bag of the rosary forward, especially in the case where this rosary has only two bags and ends upstream by its second bag.

In this case, in particular, step b) may advantageously comprise an action that takes place after actions b1) and b2), and in which: b3) the upstream conveyor drives the second bag of the chain in the forward direction, while the downstream conveyor rolls back the first bag of the chain by a drive in reverse.

Advantageously, in step b), the upstream conveyor holds a rear portion of the rosary. To do this, the upstream conveyor can clamp this rear portion in said passage, between its two synchronized bands which define this passage.

Advantageously, in step b), a local push is exerted on the string, at an intermediate portion connecting the first and second bags to each other, so as to drive this intermediate portion relative to the first and second sachets of the rosary.

When the rosary has more than two packaging bags, in particular three sachets, the method may comprise a step which occurs after steps a) and b), and wherein: c) the upstream conveyor place a third bag of the rosary on the second packet of the rosary, folding this rosary between his second and third sachets.

Advantageously, step c) comprises two simultaneous actions which are: cl) that the output end of the upstream conveyor and the downstream conveyor approach each other at least vertically, and c2) that the at least one of the second and third bags is driven in the direction of a retreat of the second bag relative to the third bag.

Advantageously, in the action c2), at least one of the second and third bags is driven in the direction of a recoil of the second bag of the rosary under the third bag of this rosary.

Advantageously, between the beginning of step a) and the end of step b), glue is deposited on a first face turned generally upwards and defined by the first bag, a second face opposite to the first face then rests on the downstream conveyor.

Advantageously, after step b), the first and second bags of the string are pressed against each other so that these first and second bags spread said adhesive between them.

Advantageously, between the beginning of step a) and the end of step b), glue is deposited on a first face of the second bag of which a second face opposite the first face of this second bag is turned towards the first bag at the end of step b).

30 SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of example and with reference to the appended drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a simplified diagram of a folding device according to the invention and illustrates a step of a first method implemented by this device for folding a string of three packaging bags; Figures 2 to 6 are views similar to Figure 1 and illustrate further successive steps of the first folding method; FIG. 7 is a simplified diagram of a part of the device represented in FIG. 1 and illustrates a step of a second method implemented by this device for folding a string of two packaging bags; - Figures 8 to 10 are views similar to Figure 7 and illustrate other successive steps of the second folding method.

POSSIBLE WAYS OF REALIZING THE INVENTION

In FIG. 1, a folding device 1 is shown that a supply conveyor 2 feeds into strings of packaging bags in succession and which is specially adapted to automatically fold these strings. Still in FIG. 1, such a rosary is referenced 3.

In the following, and in the appended claims, the terms upstream, downstream, forward and reverse, as well as similar terms, refer to the direction of progression of the beads 3 from the input of the folding device 1, c ' that is to say from the feed conveyor 2, to a counter-thrust conveyor which is at the outlet of this device 1.

The folding device 1 comprises several endless belt conveyors, including an upstream conveyor 4 and a downstream conveyor 5 arranged directly afterwards, between a conveyor 6 for the removal of two successive chains 3, upstream of the conveyor 4, and a counter-thrust conveyor 7.

Above this counter-thrust conveyor 7 is a pressing device 8, of which a thrust cylinder 9 carries a pressing head 10 so as to be able to maneuver this head 10 in a vertical Z-Z ', in particular towards the bottom, towards the top of the counter-thrust conveyor 7.

The folding device 1 also comprises two guns 11 and 12 for projecting doses of glue, as well as a nozzle 13 for blowing an air jet suitable for exerting thrust.

The upstream conveyor 4 is a double conveyor in that it comprises two endless belts, namely a lower band 14 and an upper band 15 which are driven in a synchronized manner and which delimit between them a substantially plane passage 16 for the rosaries 3. In this passage 16, the two strips 14 and 15 of the upstream conveyor 4 are able to grasp a string 3 by clamping between them, that is to say to make a gripping, at the same time as they entail this rosary 3.

The upstream conveyor 4 is also able to tilt around a horizontal axis XX 'substantially orthogonal to the direction of progression of the strings 3 in the device 1. In this way, it is movable between two positions, namely a first position , in which its output end 17 is low, and a second position, in which this output end 17 is high, that is to say shifted at least vertically upwards relative to its location in the first position. In other words, the outlet end 17 is displaceable at least vertically above the downstream conveyor 5, where the upstream conveyor 4 is intended to deposit the strings 3.

Maneuvering means not shown for the sake of clarity are provided for actuating the upstream conveyor 4 between its two positions. They can be of any suitable type and, for example, include an electric or hydraulic actuator.

The belt 18 of the downstream conveyor 5 can be driven forward, that is to say in the normal direction of progression of the strings 3, to generate a forward movement. It can also be driven in the opposite direction, in reverse, and then generate a recoil motion.

The string 3 represented in FIG. 1 comprises a succession of three packaging bags 19, each of which contains an individual dose of grated cheese, for example a dose of Emmental or a dose of Gruyère or else a dose of another cheese. cooked and hermetically sealed so as to protect the grated cheese against external contaminations. Of course, the pouches 19 may contain other commodities or other products. In general, they also contain a gas, which may especially be an inert gas. It should be noted that the grated cheese tends to agglutinate in the packaging bags 19 which, therefore, may have a specific mechanical strength.

Like the string 3 itself, the bags 19 are flattened and have two main faces 20 and 21. The two bags 19 of each pair of consecutive bags -8- of a string 3 are connected to each other by an intermediate portion 22, which is in the form of a flexible band capable of forming a hinge.

In FIG. 1, the upstream conveyor 4 holds firmly, between its lower and upper belts 14, a string 3 which it advances at the same time forward, in the direction of the arrow F1, by means of a drive of the same speed of its two endless belts 14 and 15. In doing so, the upstream conveyor 4 deposits a front portion of the string 3 on the downstream conveyor 5, which is also driven forward.

To facilitate the removal of the front portion of the string 3 on the downstream conveyor 5, the outlet end 17 of the upstream conveyor 5 is in its lower position, that is to say in its closest position to the downstream conveyor 5 while staying above the latter. When the first two bags 19 of the string 3 have crossed the outlet end 17, the upstream conveyor 4 and the upstream conveyor 5 are stopped, in the position of FIG.

Then begins the folding of the string 3 strictly speaking. The beginning of this folding is mainly generated by a first combination of two movements of the conveyors 5 and 6, while the conveyor 5 firmly holds the last bag 19 of the string 3 between its strips 14 and 15. These two movements combined are a lift F2 of the outlet end 17 and a recess F3 of the bag 19 before the string 3, this recoil resulting from a drive in reverse of the downstream conveyor 5 on which the front bag 19 of the string 3.

At the same time that the lift F2 and the recoil F3 take place, the nozzle 13 projects an air jet J, which is directed against the intermediate portion 22 connecting the first two 30 bags 19 of the string 3 and which exerts a push on this intermediate portion 22. This thrust tends to drive the intermediate portion 22 exposed to the jet J, between the first two bags 19 of the string 3 and thereby, participates in the folding of the string 3 at this intermediate portion 22.

When the second bag 19 of the string 3 has been sufficiently rocked vertically, its face 20 receives a dose of CI glue projected by the gun 11, which is illustrated in FIG. 3. In parallel, the gun 12 projects a dose of glue C2 on the upper face 15 of the first bag 19 of the rosary 3.15 -9- Once the lifting F2 of the exit end 17 and the recoil F3 of the first bag 19 of the rosary 3 have ceased, a second combination of two movements, which are illustrated in FIG. 4 and which are a lowering F4 of the outlet end 17 of the upstream conveyor 4 towards the downstream conveyor 5 and an evacuation F5 towards the front of the last bag 19 of the rosary 3 out of of the passage 16 of the upstream conveyor 4, by the outlet end 17.

At the end of folding of the string 3, the downstream conveyor 5 is driven in reverse, so as to generate a recoil F6 of the front part of this string 3. This recoil F6 combines with the evacuation F5 and the lowering F4 as can be seen in Figure 5.

At the end of the folding, the glue dose CI is between the respective faces of the last two pouches folded against each other because of a fold at the intermediate portion 22 connecting the latter two bags between them, while the glue dose C2 is between the respective faces 21 of the two first pouches folded against each other due to a fold of the intermediate portion 22 connecting these two first sachets of the rosary 3.

The rosary 3 folded in two places is driven to the counter-thrust conveyor 7, then under the pressing device 8, to the right of which it is stopped. Then, the head 10 is lowered in the direction of the arrow F7, so that it and the counter-thrust conveyor 7 press between them the folded string 3, which results in a tightening of the bags 19 of this string 3 against each other, especially at the level of CI and C2 glue doses, and by spreading these doses of glue.

Upstream of the folding device 1, the strings 3 in a row are very close to each other. They are placed at a distance from each other before reaching the upstream conveyor 4. To do this, the conveyor 6 accelerates one by one these rosaries 3 in the order of their arrival, insofar as its endless band evolves to a substantially faster than that of the supply conveyor 2 which feeds it. In Figure 1 occurs in this way the F8 acceleration of a string 3 straddling the conveyors 2 and 3.

It follows that a string 3 driven by the conveyor 6 advances faster than another string 3 which is still on the supply conveyor 2. In Figure 3, a first string 3 driven by the conveyor 6 s This means that a second string 3 directly following it while still being on the supply conveyor 2 is moved away.

Figures 7 to 10 illustrate the folding of a string 103 by the device 1. This 5 string 103 is distinguished from the string 3 in that it comprises only two bags 19 connected to each other by a single portion intermediate 22.

In Figure 7, the string 103 is held by the upstream conveyor 4 which drives it forward, in the direction of the arrow Fio. 10 Having crossed the outlet end 17 of the upstream conveyor 4, the first bag 19 of the string 103 is deposited on the downstream conveyor 5, which is the case in FIG. 8. The outlet end 17 of the upstream conveyor 4 is in the low position when it deposits the first bag 19 of the string 103 on the downstream conveyor 5, which is then also driven forward.

When the first bag 19 of the string 103 has been deposited on the downstream conveyor 5, this downstream conveyor stops. After that, the actual folding of the string 103 can begin. At its beginning, it results from a first combination of movements, which are shown diagrammatically in FIG. 9 and which are a lift. Wire from the outlet end 17 away from the downstream conveyor 5 and a progressive discharge F12 from the second bag or backpack 19 of the rosary 103 forward, out of the passage 16 where the rear bag 19 is held firmly as it is.

At the same time, the nozzle 13 directs an air jet J on the intermediate portion 22 of the string 103. The thrust exerted by this jet J also contributes to the folding of the string 103 at its intermediate portion 22.

Before the rear bag 19 of the string 103 covers a large portion of the bag 19 before the same string 103, the gun 12 projects a dose of C3 glue on the main face 21 of the first bag 19 of the string 103, which is illustrated in Figure 9.

The combination of the lift F11 and the expulsion F12 is then replaced by a second combination of two movements, which are shown schematically in FIG. 10. These two combined movements are the same expulsion F12 of the rear bag by the exit end. 17 and the recoil F13 of the bag 19 before, which then rests on the downstream conveyor 5 and which is driven by the downstream conveyor operating back -11-. When it escapes from the passage 16, the rear end of the rear bag 19 folds on the front bag 19, so that the rosary 103 is folded at its intermediate portion 22. Like the rosary 3, the rosary 103 can then be pressed between the head 10 of the device 8 and the counter-thrust conveyor 7. It follows from the above that the device 1 has the advantage of being able to fold both rosaries 103 of two bags 19 and rosaries 3 more than two bags 19.

With an adjustment, it can also bend strings 3 or 103 which are distinguished from each other by the formats of their respective pouches 19. For example, each of these bags 19 may be filled with a portion of 100 g of grated cheese or may be smaller and contain only 70 g of such grated cheese.

When the line equipped with the folding device 1 is dealing with individual bags 19, that is to say, not grouped in strings, these individual bags can progress in the folding device 1 without being bent or slowed down, which is also advantageous.

Among the other advantages of the folding device 1, it will be noted that its bulk is very small.

The folding device 1 still has the advantage of being of low cost, compared to the currently used finger folders. 25

Claims (25)

1. Device for folding rosaries (3; 103) of several bags (19), characterized in that it comprises at least two endless belt conveyors which are an upstream conveyor (4) and a downstream conveyor (5) set in such a way that the upstream conveyor (4) can deposit the strings (3; 103) on the downstream conveyor (5), at least one of which can be operated in the direction of a movement towards and away from the downstream conveyor (5) and an outlet end (17) of the upstream conveyor (4) with respect to each other at least vertically (Z-Z ') and of which at least the downstream conveyor (5) is able to perform a forward drive (Fio) as well as a reverse drive (F6; F12). 2. Folding device according to claim 1, characterized in that the upstream conveyor (4) comprises a gripping device (15) so as to be able to drive and at the same time hold each string (3; 103). 3. Folding device according to claim 2, characterized in that the upstream conveyor (4) comprises two synchronized endless belts (14, 15) which delimit between them a passage (16) for the rosaries (3; 103) and which are able to grip each string (3; 103) by clamping them in this passage (16). 4. Folding device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upstream conveyor (4) is pivotally mounted about a substantially horizontal axis (X-X ') situated opposite its outlet end. (17). 5. Folding device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a device (13) pushing depression localized an intermediate portion (22) of a string (3; 103) by compared to two other portions (19) of this same rosary. 6. Folding device according to claim 5, characterized in that the driving device comprises at least one nozzle (13) for blowing a jet (J) localized thrust.-13- 7. Folding device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, upstream of the upstream conveyor (4), it comprises a conveyor (6) away from first and second successive strings (3; 103) l one of the other, by acceleration of the first rosary before the second rosary. 8. Folding device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a device (11) for applying glue (CI) on one face (20) of a chain (3; 103), by a slot between the upstream and downstream conveyors (4, 5). 9. Folding device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a device (12) for applying glue (C2, C3) on a face (21) facing upwards and defined by a bag (19) resting on the downstream conveyor (5). 10. Folding device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that downstream of the upstream conveyor (4), it comprises a device (7, 8) for pressing adjacent portions (19) of each strand (3). 103) against each other. 11. A method of folding a string (3; 103) of several bags (19), characterized in that a folding device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims is used in this method and performs the folding from the rosary (3; 103). 12. Folding method according to claim 11, characterized in that it comprises steps in which: a) the upstream conveyor (4) deposits a first bag (19) of the string (3; 103) on the downstream conveyor (5) then b) the upstream conveyor deposits a second bag (19) of the string (3; 103) on said first bag (19) of the string, by folding this string (3; 103) between its first and second bags (19). 13. Folding method according to claim 12, characterized in that step b) comprises two simultaneous actions which are: bl) that the outlet end (17) of the upstream conveyor (4) and the downstream conveyor (5) away from each other (F2; Fil) at least vertically (Z-Z '), and b2) that at least one of the first and second bags (19) is driven into the direction of a recoil (F6; F13) of the first bag (19) relative to the second bag (19). 14. Folding method according to claim 13, characterized in that, in the action b2), at least one of the first and second bags (19) is driven in the direction of a recoil (F6; F13) of first bag (19) of the rosary (3; 103) under the second bag (19) of this rosary. 15. Folding method according to any one of claims 13 and 14, characterized in that, in the action b2), the downstream conveyor (5) backs the first bag (19) by a drive in reverse (F6 F13). 15 16. Folding method according to claim 15, characterized in that the folding device is according to any one of claims 2 and 3, and in that the chain (3) comprises at least a third bag (19) that the upstream conveyor (4) holds at the end of step b). 20 17. Folding method according to any one of claims 13 and 14, characterized in that, in the action b2), the upstream conveyor drives the second bag (19) of the chain (103) forward (F12). 18. Folding method according to claim 17, characterized in that, after the actions b1) and b2), the step b) comprises an action in which: b3) the upstream conveyor (4) drives the second bag (19); ) of the chain (103) forward (F12), while the downstream conveyor (5) backs the first bag (19) of the chain by a reverse (F13). 30 19. Folding method according to any one of claims 17 and 18, characterized in that said chain (103) ends upstream by its second bag (19). 35 Folding method according to one of Claims 12 to 19, characterized in that the folding device (1) is according to one of Claims 2 and 3 and that in step b) the upstream conveyor (4) holds a rear portion of the chain (3; 103). 10-15- 21. Folding method according to claim 20, characterized in that the folding device is according to claim 3 and in that in step b), the upstream conveyor (4) holds the rear portion of the string (3; 103) by clamping this rear portion in said passage (16) between its two synchronized strips (14, 15) which define this passage (16). 22. Folding method according to any one of claims 12 to 21, characterized in that, in step b), a local push (J) is exerted on the string (3; intermediate portion (22) connecting the first and second bags (19) to each other, so as to drive this intermediate portion (22) relative to the first and second bags (19) of the string (3; 103). 23. Method according to any one of claims 12 to 22, characterized in that after the steps a) and b), it comprises a step in which: c) the upstream conveyor (4) deposits a third bag (19) the rosary (3) on the second bag (19) of the rosary (3), by folding this string (3) between its second and third bags (19). 24. The method as claimed in claim 23, characterized in that step c) comprises two simultaneous actions which are: cl) that the outlet end (17) of the upstream conveyor (4) and the downstream conveyor (5) are approaching each other from each other (F4) at least vertically (Z-Z '), and c2) that at least one of the second and third bags (19) is driven (F5, F6) in the direction of a retreat of the second bag (19) relative to the third bag (19). 25. Folding method according to claim 24, characterized in that, in the action c2), at least one of the second and third bags (19) is driven (F5, F6) in the direction of a decline of second bag (19) of the rosary (3) under the third bag (19) of this rosary (3).