GB866354A - Packaging method and apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

866,354. Packaging-machines ; making bags. WARDELL, V. C. March 6,1959, No. 7883/59. Classes 94 (1) and 94(2). A machine for forming simultaneously a number of packages such as tea-bags comprises a series of hollow mandrels which are charged with the substance to be packed, a strip of sheet material then being folded to U form over the mandrels sealed at the ends, and sealed and severed between them to form a series of bags. The mandrels are inverted so that the bags become charged and are withdrawn for sealing of their open ends. The mandrels 20 are carried on a drum 22 in six rows of twelve at station A, a row is charged from funnels 19 and passes to station B where a web P of a width greater than the length of the row is fed over the mandrels, clamped against their ends by a bar 38, Figs. 9, 10, and severed. Parallel plates 40, 42, Fig. 2, then advance radially inwards to fold the strip to U form about the twelve mandrels. Clamps 48 on either side of each mandrel engage the strip against the mandrel sides and the plates 40, 42 withdraw. During advance to the sealing station C, the spacing of the mandrels in the row is reduced to give slack between them to facilitate sealing. Each mandrel is mounted on a carriage 26 slideable parallel to the drum axis on rods 28, 30. Each carriage is connected by a separate pair of rods 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, Figs. 5, 18, to cam means 60, the latter being provided at opposite ends of each row and serving six mandrels. The cam means consists of pivoted channel members 74 engaging pins 78 on extensions of the pairs of rods. A fixed ring cam, Fig. 24 (not shown), varies the angle of the members 74 to the rods and thus the spacing of the mandrels. Sealing is also facilitated by pairs of rods 55 slideable within each mandrel which are projected slightly Fig. 12, to distend the sheet material adjacent the mandrel corners. Sealing is performed by pivoted heated jaws 90. At station D, cutters 100 sever the material between each pair of mandrels to form individual bags and in passage to ejecting station E, the mandrel spacing is increased to facilitate removal. At station E the clamps 48 withdraw and the rods 55 extend fully to thrust the bags into a series of pockets 120 on a drum 105, the mandrel contents being deposited in the bags, Figs. 2, 16. The pockets close on the bag mouths leaving a portion projecting which is heat sealed by members 142, 144. At the next station, the pockets open and the bag mouth seals are gripped by jaws 162 on swinging arms 400. The arms withdraw the bags from the pockets so that they hang down in the path of a beating device 192 which destroys any faulty bags. The jaws 162 then release the packages. A known apparatus for placing the bags in cartons may be combined with the machine.