NZ506715A - Packaging machine with rollers through which complementary closure strips are fed transverse to the film - Google Patents

Abstract

A form, film and seal machine having a characteristic reclose tape (300) feeding apparatus (200). Roller drive means comprising an upper roller (406) and a lower roller (408) frictionally engage the webs (310, 320) incorporating the reclose elements (312, 314). The rollers (406, 408) are disposed at an entry end of the guides (170, 180) that are disposed transversely of the film (F). The rotation of rollers (406, 408) is controlled to intermittently draw in a required length of reclose tape (300) and slide it along the guides (170, 180). Following severing and sealing of the reclose tape (300) to the film (F) the operation is repeated at bag forming intervals. The feeder apparatus (200) is in the nature of a carriage positioned over the film (F) path. The carriage incorporates adjustment means (420, 414) to set the position of the reclose tape (300) relative to the film (F).

Description

P.F. 5 Code 1050 Fee: $250 NEW ZEALAND PATENTS ACT 1953 No. 506715 Priority Date: 4 September 2000 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION MACHINE FOR FORMING PACKAGING BASED ON FILM We CHEQUER CORPORATION LIMITED, a New Zealand company of 27 Ross Reid Place, East Tamaki, Auckland, New Zealand 1701, do hereby declare the invention for which We pray that a Patent may be granted to us and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement- INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF NZ. 3 0 AUG 2001 KE(5 E3WE0 NI225nz doc 2 Field of the Invention The present invention relates to the field of bags or sachets comprising complementary closure strips adapted to enable a user to open and close successively at will. In particular, the present invention relates to feeder apparatus for feeding closure strips for attachment to 5 the film.

Background FFS machines (ie. "form, fill, and seal" machines) are known and one such machine is described in South African patent no. 9810113 (corresponding to US patent no. 6032437), the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

The machine described in ZA 9810113 requires the complementary resealable closure strips to be provided on support webs. Support webs are finished together between two longitudinal members in approximately the central portions thereof. Then two guides penetrate into the gaps between the lateral edges of support webs. The guide assembly then moves, dragging^ web therewith, into the position across the film where the closure strips 15 are to be located, places the edge of one of the support webs on the film, and bonds the support web to the film. The guides are then removed and the whole assembly moves back away from the film ready to pick up another two strips.

This machine has a number of disadvantages, the main one being that the whole assembly must move to a position away from the film (therefore taking up a lot of space), pick up the 20 closure strips, then move back into a position over the film, then release the closure strips and return back again to repeat the process. This involves a time consuming process, and is also complex. In particular, it has been found that with this form of feeding process, the N1225nz doc 3 maximum speed of operation is the production of approximately 25 bags per minute. It would be greatly desirable to increase the speed of bag production.

Summary of Invention It is an object of the present invention to provide a machine for forming packaging based on film which will at least go some way toward overcoming the foregoing disadvantage or which will at least provide the public with a useful choice.

Accordingly, in one embodiment the invention may broadly be said to consist in a machine for forming packaging based on film and including complementary closure strips, the machine having feeder apparatus for feeding transversely onto the film at least one closure strip, characterised in that the feeder apparatus includes roller means through which the closure strip is fed and a controlled drive means intermittently rotating the roller means to draw in a predetermined length of the closure strip, the predetermined length being set by controlling the period of rotation of the roller means Preferably the feeder apparatus includes two guides between which the edges of support webs of the closure strip are fed Preferably the roller means comprise two rollers which directly contact the support webs. Preferably the rollers are driven by a servo motor.

Preferably both rollers are driven.

N I225nz doc 4 Preferably the feeder apparatus includes an adjustment to adjust the position of the strip placement on the film.

Preferably the feeder apparatus includes adjustment means to adjust the position of the strip on the web longitudinally.

Preferably the apparatus includes means of closing the tube longitudinally and means suitable for generating sequentially a first transverse line of heat sealing before a product is inserted into the tube via a filler chute.

The invention may also broadly be said to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively and any or all combinations of any two or more of the said parts, elements or features, and where elements or features are mentioned herein and which have known equivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.

The invention consists of the forgoing and also envisages constructions of which the following gives examples.

Drawing Description One preferred form of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of the machine including the feeder means of the present 20 invention.

N1225nz doc Fig 2 is a diagrammatic view in cross section of preferred closure strips on supporting webs that are used in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 3 is a further diagrammatic cross section of the closure strips of figure 2 but showing longitudinal support members.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a feeder apparatus in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 5 is a plan view from above of the feeder apparatus of figure 4, and Figure 6 is an end elevation in cross section of the feeder of figures 4 and 5.

Turning to figure 1, the drawing provided is that which is also described in South African patent specification no. 9810113. As described in that specification, film F is fed by means of rollers 10 to a tube forming section 20 which preferably also has a filler 30 for the supply (^product into completed bags. Longitudinal sealing members 40 are provided to seal the longitudinal edges of folded film F and transverse sealing means 50 are provided to form the tops and bottoms of the bags to seal the web 320 to the film.

The present invention concerns the feeder apparatus which, is generally referenced 200, for feeding closure strips 300 onto the film F. Referring now in particular to figure 2, the strips 300 are shown and comprises webs 310 and 320 having edges 325, 326, 315, 316. Preferably each strip or web 310,320 incorporates two spaced apart reclose elements provided by longitudinal ribs 312, 314 and 322, 324 of any suitable form. In the "roll" that 20 is as fed into the feeder apparatus the reclose elements 312, 314 and 322, 324 are engaged.

N1225nz doc 6 Turning to figure 3, the webs 310,320 are shown with two longitudinal members 180 and 170 extending in between the edges 316, 326,and 315 and 325 respectively. As shown on figure 5 the members 180 and 170 are part of the feeder apparatus and form guides for and spacers between the lateral sections of the support webs 310 and 320.

Turning now to figure 4, the feeder apparatus in accordance with the present invention is shown, generally referenced 400. The apparatus sits as a carriage astride the film F which is carried by rollers 402. The closure strips or webs 310,320 are fed into the feeder apparatus through side entry slot 404. Considering now in particular figure 6, it will be seen that after passing through entry slot 404, the webs 310,320 are fed between upper drive roller 406 and 10 lower drive roller 408 The rollers 406, 408 are disposed at one entry end of the guides 180, 170. These rollers 406, 408 engage the outer surfaces of the webs 320 and 310 in a frictional manner and draw them into the feeder apparatus. The rollers 406 and 408 are driven by a servo motor 410 and associated control. Motor 410 has an output shaft connected to the rollers axis by a gear assembly generally referenced 412. By adjusting and 15 setting the period the rollers 406, 408 are rotated a required predetermined length of closure strip 300 is placed over the film F. As depicted in figure 3, the drawn in portions of the webs 310, 320 straddle the members 170 and 180 which sit in the correct position across the width of the film F for placement of the web 320 thereon beyond the rollers 406,408.

The position of the placement of the webs 310, 320 across the width of the film F is 20 adjusted by adjustment wheel 414 which has a thread assembly that moves the apparatus that holds the guides 170 and 180 across the width of the film F relative to support rails 416 and 418. The position of the closure strip placement along the film is governed by the NI225nz doc 7 position of calendar roller 420. A sealing jaw 422 is provided which heat seals the support web 310 of the strip to the film F after the web 310 has been placed on the film F.

Therefore, in use, strip material 300 is drawn in by feed rollers 406 and 408 and slid over and guided by members 170 and 180. The servo motor 410 and its controls intermittently rotate the rollers 406 and 408 in order to feed a predetermined length of closure strip material 300 in straddling manner along members 170 and 180 which have been pre-set in the desired position above the film F The required amount of strip material 300 drawn in is preferably measured by using the servo motor, which preferably also includes an encoder, so that the amount of strip material 300 which is being fed into the feeder apparatus is double checked. Alternatively, other back-up sensor means may be provided, for example, sensors on or adjacent to longitudinal members 170 and 180.

When the correct amount of strip material 300 has been drawn into the feeder apparatus, the strip material 300 is cut to length. The members 170 and 180 are in position holding the strip material adjacent to the film F, whereupon the sealing jaw 422 moves up to create a 15 seal between the support web 310 and the film F. The members 170 and 180 are then preferably temporarily moved out of engagement with the strip material 300 while the film F is advanced in readiness for the attachment of the next length of strip material 300.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the arrangement described provides a much quicker, simpler and therefor more efficient arrangement for supplying strip material 300 into the 20 desired position relative to the film F. It has been found that with the present invention, the closure strip material 300 can be provided at a rate whereby up to approximately 60 bags per minute may be produced. It will be seen that the drive rollers 406,408 may be used to 8 provide the measurement of the correct length of strip material 300 that is drawn into the apparatus directly, and this length can be checked by use of an encoder. It will also be seen that the length of closure material 300 is easily adjustable by settings to the feed rollers 406, 408 controls and by adjustment of the position of the whole attachment head along rails 416 and 418. Finally, the position of the webs 310, 320 up or down the film F is easily adjusted by the calendar roller 420. 4 J d v'

Claims (6)

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z. 1 6 NOV 2001 RECEIVED

1. A form, fill and seal machine for forming packaging based on film and including complementary closure strips, the machine having feeder apparatus for feeding transversely onto the film at least one closure strip, characterised in that the feeder apparatus includes 5 roller means through which the closure strip is fed and a controlled drive means intermittently rotating the roller means to draw in a predetermined length of the closure strip, the predetermined length being set by controlling the period of rotation of the roller means

2. A form, fill and seal machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein the closure strip has 10 upper and lower engaged reclose elements each mounted on an associated web with sections laterally of the reclose elements, the feeder apparatus including guides disposed transversely of the film and which are straddled by the lateral sections of the strip when driven therealong by the roller means.

3. A form, fill and seal machine as claimed in claim 2 wherein the roller means 15 comprise upper and lower driven rollers which frictionally engage the respective outer surfaces of the lateral sections of the closure strip.

4. A form, fill and seal machine as claimed in claim 3 wherein the rollers are disposed at an entry end of the guides. 20

5. A form, fill and seal machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the feeder apparatus is disposed as a carriage above the inlet film path of the machine, the carriage incorporating means to adjust the position of the closure strip on the film. Nl225nz doc 10

6. A form, fill and seal machine substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z. 3 0 AUG 2001 R E G E B ¥ E 13 Nl225nz doc 11 ABSTRACT A form, film and seal machine having a characteristic reclose tape 300 feeding apparatus 200. Roller drive means comprising an upper roller 406 and a lower roller 408 frictionally engage the webs 310,320 incorporating the reclose elements 312, 314. The rollers 406, 5 408 are disposed at an entry end of guides 170, 180 that are disposed transversely of the film F. The rotation of rollers 406, 408 is controlled to intermittently draw in a required length of reclose tape 300 and slide it along the guides 170, 180. Following severing and sealing of the reclose tape 300 to the film F the operation is repeated at bag forming intervals. The feeder apparatus 200 is in the nature of a carriage positioned over the film F 10 path The carriage incorporates adjustment means 420, 414 to set the position of the reclose tape 300 relative to the film F. fj— intellcctual property office of n.z. "" 3 0 AUG 2001 RECEIVED