GB2232652A

GB2232652A - Packaging apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2232652A
Application number: GB8913648A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Balaam
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1989-06-14
Filing date: 1989-06-14
Publication date: 1990-12-19
Also published as: GB8913648D0

Abstract

Apparatus for continuously packaging pre-packed foils or sachets comprises a first conveyer 15 for conveying flat packet blanks from a feeding station 11 and through a first scoring station 21,22 at which opposed side panels are defined either side of a main panel and then through a first gluing and folding station 24 at which the side panels are folded over and glued to one another and conversion stations. Thereafter, means 33-36 redirect or reorientate the partially formed packets through 90 DEG , and a second conveyer 38 conveys the partially formed packets through the second scoring station 43, 44 at which top and bottom flaps are formed and then through a second gluing and folding station 49 to glue and fold over the flaps. Prepacked foils or sachets are deposited on the blank at station 23 between the first scoring and folding stations. Alternatively, only one packet end may be closed to produce any empty packet. A suspension opening and printing may be provided on a third conveyor (Fig.3). <IMAGE>

Description

PACKAGING APPARATUS The present invention relates to packaging apparatus, in particular to apparatus suitable for continuously packaging pre-packed foils or sachets.

It is known to package pre-packed foils or sachets of plastics or other material in an outer paper packet which itself is pre-formed. Such packaging takes place by feeding pre-packed foils or sachets to an apparatus carrying pre-formed packets and individual foils or sachets are inserted in individual packets on an indexed basis. It is also known to package pre-packed foils or sachets by forming a packet around the foils or sachets, again the operation being carried out on an indexed basis. In that known process a paper packet is formed from a blank by scoring two opposed side flaps and a bottom end flap, placing a pre-packed foil or sachet on the blank between the said flaps, folding over the bottom end flap to form the packet, and glueing and folding over the side flaps onto the end flap to secure the end flap in the packaged position.As a final operation a top end flap can be scored, glued and folded as necessary to form a closed packet.

It is traditional in the seed industry to package seeds in outer packets which are printed on one side with a good clear representation of the plant grown from the seeds. Also, the rear of the packet usually carries some detailed instructions concerning the recommended manner of growing the seeds. Such printing to the required quality cannot effectively be carried out on a surface other than that provided by paper and packets for seeds are generally paper packets even though the contents may be packed in plastics or other foils or sachets. Similar considerations also apply to the packaging of other like small articles.

The machines used to form the foil or sachet packed articles such as seeds are usually run on a continuous basis. Accordingly, it is inconvenient if the machine which completes the packaging by bringing the foils or sachets into a paper outer packet runs at a slower speed, as it must necessarily do if it is working on an indexed basis, when the packaging machine which forms the foils or sachets to be packed is working on a faster and continuous basis. There is, therefore, a need in the packaging industry to provide apparatus suitable for continuously packaging of pre-packed foils or sachets.

Accordingly, the present invention provides apparatus suitable for continuously packaging pre-packed foils or sachets, which apparatus comprises a feeding station, a first scoring station, a first conversion station constructed and arranged to convert flat blanks into partially formed packets around a pre-packed foil or sachet and a first conveyer constructed and arranged to convey flat packet blanks from the feeding station and through the first scoring and conversion stations, means to redirect or reorientate through 900 partially formed packets, a second scoring station and a second conversion station constructed and arranged to convert partially formed into formed packets, and a second conveyer constructed and arranged to convey the partially formed packets through the second scoring and conversion stations.

Preferably, the apparatus of the invention includes a foil or sachet supply means, which more preferably is disposed between the first scoring station and the first conversion station. Such supply means may be a chute or the like and may be directly connected to apparatus for forming the pre-packed foil or sachet.

Apparatus of that kind is well known and the apparatus of the invention can be directly connected to any conventional form/fill machines, for example, Bramigk, Hayssen or Omag form/fill machines.

The apparatus of the invention is designed for use on a straight run and continuous basis, although it can index if required at intervals governed by the size of the packets being made. The production rate of the apparatus is also governed by the packet size, but as an example the rate for a packet size of about 9 cm x about 15 cm would be about 150 packets per minute. Such a rate would be fully compatible with the machines mentioned above.

In the apparatus of the invention a first section comprises a feeding station. Such a station may include a reserve table on which a store of flat packet blanks may be accommodated, and the table preferably may be one which rises automatically as the flat blanks are removed The feeding station also may include a feeding mechanism, preferably one comprising a vacuum operated pick up. Preferably the feeding mechanism is a two pronged vacuum operated pick up that is controlled by a cam operated system, typically driven from the main motor and synchronised with the speed of the first conveyer. The vacuum may be supplied from a separate vacuum pump and may be controlled by the operator or electronically from the foil or sachet supply means to ensure no sachet/no feed operation.The feeding mechanism may also be fitted with an interceptor device to ensure that only one flat blank at a time passes through to the first conveyer.

Preferably, the first or second conveyer or both comprises a chain having grippers equally spaced along its length. The spacing of the grippers can be varied to suit the size of the flat blank and the chain can be disposed to bisect the length of an elongate table which can support various parts of the apparatus along its length.

Preferably, the first scoring station comprises a scoring mechanism disposed on one side of the first conveyer and arranged to score the blank to provide a fold line for a main flap and a scoring mechanism disposed on the other side of the first conveyer and arranged to score the blank to provide a fold line for a side flap. More preferably, the first scoring station may have one or both scoring mechanisms which comprise an upper blade wheel and a lower scoring wheel and each may be driven via gear boxes from a main motor with the peripheral speed of the wheel matching the linear speed of the chain to ensure straight scoring. The or each top blade wheel may be such as can be adjusted vertically to allow for varying thicknesses of paper and pressure may be applied to the wheels to allow a floating action to be achieved.All the wheels may also be adjustable horizontally to allow for different package widths.

Following on from scoring, the flat blank passes into the foil or sachet supply area where the foil or sachet can be placed on the main body portion of the flat blank automatically or by hand if required. The supply means for the foils or sachets is preferably synchronised with the main chain speed and the blank once supplied with its associated foil or sachet then passes into the first conversion station. Typically, the first conversion station may comprise means for folding, glueing and pressing the main and side flaps of the blank.

In the first conversion station the flat blank passes through a bending section where specially shaped formers lift the main flap over 1800 the remainder of the flat blank optionally then being held down by restraining means typically comprising strips of spring steel. As the main flap folds over the side of the blank adjacent the main flap crease enters a former disposed on that side of the conveyer to hold it in position and to press down the main flap. In the same station the side flap is bent downwards 900 by a former to pass and contact a glue wheel that is driven at the same speed as the main chain. After glue application the side flap is bent upwards 2700 by another former and then may be pressed down onto the main flap by means such as a series of spring weighted wheels to ensure that the glue adheres the side flap to the main flap.

After that the packet is carried to the end of the first conveyer and released by the operation of a cam on the gripper as it passes round an end sprocket.

At this stage in passing through the apparatus the partially formed packets encounter means to redirect them through 900 or to reorientate them through 900, preferably the former. Thus, two short high-speed belts may be arranged to raise and lower on a cam system to lift the packets above the first conveyer and to propel them across a skid plate so that each packet can change direction 900 to enable the two end flaps to be scored and glued. Two further short high-speed belts at right angles to the first conveyer, and synchronised with the grippers on a second conveyer, may be arranged to lift and propel the partially formed packet into grippers on the chain of the second conveyer. Again, those grippers may be opened by a cam on a boss of an end sprocket as with the first conveyer.

The apparatus preferably then includes a second scoring station comprising a scoring mechanism disposed on one side of the second conveyer and arranged to score the blank as the partially formed packet to provide a fold line for a top end flap and a scoring mechanism disposed on the other side of the second conveyer and arranged to score the blank as the partially formed packet to provide a fold line for a bottom end flap.

Again, as with the first scoring mechanism one or each second scoring mechanism may comprise an upper blade wheel and a lower scoring wheel. Furthermore, the specific details given above for the first scoring mechanism may apply equally to the second scoring mechanism.

Following on from the second scoring mechanism the partially formed and scored packet enters the second conversion station. That station again typically may comprise means for folding, glueing and pressing the end flaps of the blank.

In the second conversion station, and as the packet passes along and through it, the two end flaps are bent down in formers by 900 and glue is applied as in the first station. They are then folded back over and pressed down on the packet as in the first station.

Furthermore, either of the two glue applicators may be such as can be swung out of position so that one end of the packet may be left open if required.

The above description of the apparatus of the invention sets out the general and preferred aspects of the main features of the apparatus. However, the apparatus may include at least two additional stations, one being, for example, to print additional information on the packets and another being, for example, to provide such as by punching a hook slot for display purposes. Also, there may be, for example, a final packaging station to collate, band and box the finished packets.

In order to provide relatively compact apparatus the first and second conveyers are preferably disposed at right angles to each other. Preferably also, there is another change of direction through 900 after the second conversion station, that change of direction preferably moving the packet back in a direction at 1800 to that of the first conveyer. Thus, the apparatus may include means to redirect through 900 the formed packets, together with a third conveyer, typically comprising a chain having grippers as before, to convey the formed packets through any printing station and any slot forming station and through to any final packaging station.

Typically, the packets may be released from the second conveyer as for the first conveyer and the same principal may be used to change direction and to engage the grippers on the chain of the third conveyer. This is to enable the packets to be carried through either or both of a print mechanism that can print say letterpress of up to 4 sq. cm. on each side of each packet, and say through a slot punch so that the packet can be slotted for hook displays.

The packet may then be released from the grippers of the third conveyer as on the other conveyers allowing the packets to fall onto an indexing conveyer to collate into the required amounts and then through a banding machine to fall into a cartridge device or a stock box.

As will be appreciated, the apparatus of the invention has been designed to make up packages as packets from a pre-printed flat blank during which operation a foil or sachet may be inserted, or the packet can be made up empty with one end left open. The apparatus will also print the equivalent of 4 sq. cm. on either the front or the back of the packet or both. It will also punch a hook slot for display purposes, and if required band and box. Also, the whole operation can be fully automatic and a collating conveyer can be added if required. Furthermore, the apparatus can be made as a straight packet maker, with or without the print attachment, slotting mechanism, collating and banding.

In addition, the apparatus can be doubled up to give a doubling of the rate of packet formation, for example, up to 300 packets per minute. Thus, in a doubled up arrangement the first stations of each apparatus may be arrange.dside-by-side, with the first change of direction of the second apparatus opposite to that of the first apparatus. Also, the extra set of conveyors may be driven by the same motor as the first set of conveyers.

As will also be appreciated, the apparatus of the invention effects the packaging of pre-packed foils or sachets by a method not previously known. Accordingly, the present invention includes a method suitable for continously packaging pre-packed foils or sachets, which method comprises supplying the foils or sachets to be packaged, disposing a foil or sachet on a main body portion of a flat packet blank having a fold line for a main flap and a side flap scored thereon, folding the main flap over the foil or sachet on the main body portion of the blank, applying adhesive to the side flap, folding the side flap over onto the main flap to adhere it thereto, scoring top and bottom end flap fold lines on the partially formed packet, applying adhesive to at least one of the thus-defined top and bottom end flaps, and folding the thus-coated flap or flaps over onto the main flap to adhere the flap or flaps thereto.

In addition, since the apparatus can be used to make an empty packet the invention includes apparatus as defined above and a method as defined above for use (and when used) to prepare packets not packed with foils or sachets.

The invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:- Figure 1 is a diagrammatic representation of one section of apparatus in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a diagrammatic representation of another section of apparatus in accordance with the invention; and Figure 3 is a diagrammatic representation of a further section of an apparatus in accordance with the invention.

Referring to Figure 1, the section of apparatus in accordance with the invention there shown comprises a reserve table 11 to accommodate a store of flat packet blanks. The table 11 is constructed and arranged so that it rises automatically as blanks are removed so that the top blank is always at the same height and typically the table may have a capacity of 5000 flat blanks depending on the thickness of paper being used.

At one edge 12 of the table is a vacuum operated pick up comprising two prongs 13 and 14. The pick up is controlled by a cam operated system (not shown) driven from the main motor (again not shown) and synchronised with the speed of a first conveyer 15. Typically the first conveyer and the various operations of the section shown can be powered by a single 0.75 hp main motor.

The first conveyer 15 is disposed to bisect the length of an elongate table 16 which supports various parts of the apparatus along its length. The table 16 has a low slip coefficient surface, for example, as may be given by an upper layer of polypropylene. The conveyer 15 typically comprises a duplex chain 17 having grippers 18 spaced equally~along its length at intervals determined by the size of the packets to be formed.

Each gripper comprises two jaws (not shown) which can be opened and closed in order to grip a flat packet blank.

As the vacuum operated pick up moves the flat blank onto the first conveyer 15 it is synchronised to place the blank into the jaws of a gripper 18 which have been opened by a cam on the boss of the end sprocket (not shown) carrying the chain 17. The gripper jaws then close onto the flat blank as the grippers clear the end sprocket and the blank is carried down the table 16 to a first scoring station 19.

Thus, following on from the reserve table 11 and moving from reserve table 11 along table 16 the conveyer 15 initially passes through a first scoring station 19.

The first scoring station 19 comprises upper blade wheels 21,22 and corresponding lower scoring wheels (not shown), each driven via gear boxes from the main motor with the peripheral speed of each wheel matching the linear speed of the chain to ensure straight scoring.

The blade wheels 21,22 are adjustable vertically to allow for varying thicknesses of paper blank and pressure may be applied to the wheels (by means not shown) to allow a floating action to be achieved. All of the blade and scoring wheels are adjustable horizontally to allow for different package widths.

After the scoring station the conveyer 15 passes into a foil or sachet supply area 23 where foils and sachets are automatically supplied via a shute (not shown) and placed on each flat blank as it passes through that area. In a preferred arrangement the shute may be connected to apparatus for continuously producing the foils or sachets to be packaged.

Following on from the foil or sachet supply area there is a first conversion station 24,24'. The first conversion station comprises a former 25 constructed and arranged to bend at portion 25' the side flap of the blank downwards 900, after which the flap is held by portion 25" and coated with glue in a glue applicator 26 comprising a glue wheel.

After application of glue to the side flap the flat blank passes through a section 24' of the conversion station 24,24' where formers 27 lift the main flap over 1800, and the remainder of the flat blank may then be held down by restraining means comprising strips of spring steel (not shown). As the main flap folds over, the side of the blank adjacent the main flap crease enters a former 28 to hold the main flap in position and to press it down. At the same time the side flap is bent upwards 2700 by another former 29, which at portion 29' picks up the flap, at portion 29" turns the flap and at portion 29"' holds down the flap.

Then the flap is pressed down onto the main flap by a series of spring weighted wheels 31 to ensure that the glue adheres the side flap to the main flap.

Referring now to Figure 2, at the end of the first conveyer the jaws of each gripper are actuated by a cam (not shown) as they pass around an end sprocket (again not shown). However, adjacent that end sprocket and as the jaws are operated to release each blank as a partially formed packet there are two short high-speed belts 32 and 33. Those short belts are constructed and arranged to be raised and lowered on a cam system so as to lift the partially formed packets above the first conveyer 15 and to propel them across a skid plate 34 against a stop 34' and into contact with two other short high-speed belts 35 and 36 at right angles to the first conveyer.The belts 35 and 36 are synchronised with the grippers 37 on a second conveyer 38 and are constructed and arranged to lift and propel each partially formed packet into the jaws (not shown) of grippers 38 as they move on the conveyer past edge 39 of table 34. Again, those grippers are opened by a cam (not shown) on a boss of an end sprocket as with the first conveyer 15.

The second conveyer 38 is constructed in the same manner as the first conveyer 15. Also, the second conveyer 38 bisects a similar table 41 which again can support various parts of the apparatus along its length in the section shown in Figure 2.

Following the short belts 35 and 36, and having been gripped by the jaws of a gripper 37 on conveyer 38, each partially formed packet passes to a second scoring station 42, again comprising blade wheels 43 and 44, together with scoring wheels (not shown).

Subsequent to the second scoring station the second conveyer 38 passes through a second conversion station 49 including formers 45 and 46, one on each side of table 41, and glue applicators 47 and 48, again one on each side of table 41. As before, the formers 45 and 46 bend the end flaps of each partially formed packet downwards by 900 at portions 45' and 46' and portions 45" and 46" hold the flaps down while glue is applied.

The formers 45 and 46, together with the glue applicators 47 and 48, are part of an overall second conversion station 49 which also includes formers 51 and 52. Those latter formers are constructed and arranged to pick up the end flaps at portions 51' and 52' and to bend the end flaps over the partially formed packet by 2700, after which the flaps are held down by portions 51" and 52". Then there is once again a series of spring weighted wheels 53,54 (this time on each side of the table) to press the end flaps onto the partially formed packet to complete its formation. As will be appreciated the section described with reference to Figure 2 is very similar to the section described with reference to Figure 1, except that the treatment of the end flaps varies slightly from the treatment of the main and side flaps.

Once again at the completion of the section shown in Figure 2 the formed packet can be taken through another section as shown in Figure 3 if desired. Also, in order to make the apparatus as compact as possible in terms of its length, the packet can be subjected to another change of direction utilising two pairs of short high-speed belts 55,56 and 57,58. Then, the packet can be taken on a third conveyer 59 within the jaws of a gripper 61 (operated as before) through a printing station 62 comprising printing heads 63 and 64.

The printing heads 63 and 64 are once again associated with an elongate table 65 bisected by the conveyer 59.

Following on from printing the packets can be subjected to punching at a station 66 where a hook slot for display purposes may be punched in one end.

Thereafter, in a final packaging station 67 the completed packets may be collated, banded and boxed.

It is of course to be understood that the invention is not limited to the details of the above specific description and numerous variations of detail may be made to the specific apparatus as described within the spirit and scope of the claims which follow.

Claims

1. Apparatus suitable for continuously packaging prepacked foils or sachets, which apparatus comprises a feeding station, a first scoring station, a first conversion station constructed and arranged to convert flat blanks into partially formed packets around a prepacked foil or sachet and a first conveyer constructed and arranged to convey flat packet blanks from the feeding station and through the first scoring and conversion stations, means to redirect or reorientate through 900 partially formed packets, a second scoring station and a second conversion station constructed and arranged to convert partially formed into formed packets, and a second conveyer constructed and arranged to convey the partially formed packets through the second scoring and conversion stations.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, which includes a foil or sachet supply means between the first scoring and conversion stations.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the feeding station includes a feeding mechanism comprising a vacuum operated pick up.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the feeding mechanism is controlled by a cam operated system synchronised with the first conveyer.

5. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the feeding station includes a table which can accommodate a store of blanks.

6. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first or second conveyer or both comprises a chain having grippers equally spaced along its length.

7. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first scoring station comprises a scoring mechanism disposed on one side of the first conveyer and arranged to score the blank to provide a fold line for a main flap and a scoring mechanism disposed on the other side of the first conveyer and arranged to score the blank to provide a fold line for a side flap.

8. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second scoring station comprises a scoring mechanism disposed on one side of the second conveyer and arranged to score the blank as the partially formed packet to provide a fold line for a top end flap and a scoring mechanism disposed on the other side of the second conveyer and arranged to score the blank as the partially formed packet to provide a fold line for a bottom end flap.

9. Apparatus according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein one or a plurality of said scoring mechanisms comprise an upper blade wheel and a lower scoring wheel.

10. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first or second conversion station or both comprises means for folding, glueing and pressing flaps of the blank.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the first conversion station comprises one or more formers shaped to lift the main flap over 1 800 and restraining means to hold down the remainder of the flat blank, a former to bend the side flap downwards 900, a glue applicator, a former to bend the side flap back over the packet and optionally means to press the side flap down onto the main flap.

12. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the redirecting means comprises two short high speed belts arranged to raise and lower on a cam system to lift the packets above the first conveyer and to propel them across a skid plate and two further short high speed belts at right angles to the first conveyer and synchronised with the grippers on the second conveyer.

13. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second conversion station comprises a former on each side of the second conveyer whereby the two end flaps can be bent down 900, a glue applicator, a former on each side of the second conveyer to fold the flaps back over the packet and optionally means to press the flaps down onto the packet.

14. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims which includes a third conveyer to convey the formed packet through one or more additional stations.

15. Apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the one or more additional stations comprise a printing station and/or a slot forming station and/or a final packaging station.

16. Apparatus according to claim 14 or claim 15, wherein the third conveyer is at 900 to the second conveyer and in the reverse direction to the first conveyer, and wherein there are means to redirect the formed packet through 900.

17. Apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said redirecting means is as defined in claim 12.

18. Apparatus according to claim 1 substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

19. A method for continuously packaging pre-packed foils or sachets, which method comprises supplying the foils or sachets to be packaged, disposing a foil or sachet on a main body portion of a flat packet blank having a fold line for a main flap and a side flap scored thereon, folding the main flap over the foil or sachet on the main body portion of the blank, applying adhesive to the side flap, folding the side flap over onto the main flap to adhere it thereto, scoring top and bottom end flap fold lines on the partially formed packet, applying adhesive to at least one of the thusdefined top and bottom end flaps, and folding the thuscoated flap or flaps over onto the main flap to adhere the flap or flaps thereto.

20. A method according to claim 19, wherein the formed packet is subsequently printed.

21. A method according to claim 19 or claim 20, wherein the formed packet is treated to form a slot therein.

22. A method according to any of claims 19 to 21, wherein the formed packets are collated, banded and boxed.

23. A method according to any one of claims 19 to 22, which is carried out at a rate of about 150 packets per minute.

24. A method according to claim 19 substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

25. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 18 or a method according to any one of claims 19 to 24 for use or when used to prepare packets not packed with foils or sachets.