RU2581875C2 - Machine for closing flexible packages - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: packaging industry.

SUBSTANCE: machine is designed for closing flexible packages, comprising the neck which is covered with a semi-rigid or deformable tape wound on a spool. The machine comprises a support frame, a plate attached to it, having a groove for placing the neck, a moulding seat for the tape located on one end of the groove for positioning and closing the neck, a seat for cutting off a part of the tape, feeding means for feeding the tape to the seat for cutting the tape in the first direction, means for cutting and preliminary moulding for cutting the part of the tape, placed in the seat for cutting, the second means of moulding a part of the tape, drive means for the movement of the feeding means, means for cutting and preliminary moulding. At that the drive means are actuated solely by an electric motor. The means for cutting comprise an elongated slider moved along the plate in the second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction, at that the slide has the free end with a vertical blade designed to contact and cut the tape in the seat for cutting, and the second means of moulding comprise the first moulding element located in the seat for cutting and imparting to the said part of the tape the preliminary substantially U-shaped form with the concave side facing towards the moulding seat, and the second moulding element arranged in the moulding seat and having a substantially vertical thrust surface transverse to the second direction with convex transverse ends. At that the drive means are connected to the slide for its movement in the second direction for cutting off the tape, and its movement for feeding a part of the tape to the first moulding element to impart it with a U-shaped form using a pair of branches on the moulding seat and for subsequent feeding it to the thrust surface of the second moulding element so that the branches surround the neck of the package and close it.

EFFECT: simplification, cost reduction and compactness.

9 cl, 6 dwg

Description

Technical field

The present invention, in General, finds application in the field of machines for packaging products and, in particular, relates to a machine for closing flexible packaging.

State of the art

In the field of food packaging, it is known to use packages or bags made of flexible material, such as plastic or paper, which have a neck with a hole designed to insert and / or remove one or more products and re-close them using tape, tape or any other a rigid or semi-rigid sheet element.

The latter is wrapped in such a way as to allow the user to open the bag again and remove the products through the opening.

In particular, it is known to use tapes or strips, commonly referred to as clamps, which are fed from a spool and cut to size just before the closing step in order to surround the neck of the bag near the opening and reseal it.

Typically, small and medium-sized businesses, such as bakeries or gourmet shops, use bag closing machines that have a frame with a position for manually placing the neck of the bag at which the closing step takes place.

The housing for the reel with a closing tape is located next to this position, and the tape is controlledly unwound using a periodically operating friction disk to move one part of a certain length at some point in time next to the position for closing.

This part should surround the neck of the bag, and it is cut off by a knife, which moves perpendicular to the closing tape.

Then the knife pushes the cut off part into the closing position, on which the thrust wall forces it to deform and surround the neck of the bag to close it.

In machines designed for this particular area, all movements of different parts, such as a reel support, a friction disc, a knife, and any auxiliary parts, such as a stamping device for transferring text onto a tape, are usually driven by pneumatic drives.

A control unit may be provided to control the air supply to the various devices in order to coordinate their movements.

These solutions seem to be clearly flawed in that they require a special device to supply compressed air to the machine in the room where the packaging takes place, which clearly increases the overhead and imposes restrictions on the installation location of the machine.

In addition, the coordination of movements of different parts is complex and not always accurate.

Disclosure of invention

The purpose of the present invention is to eliminate the above disadvantages by providing a flexible packaging closure machine that is highly efficient and relatively economical.

One specific goal is to offer a flexible packaging closure machine that is portable and can be installed in any room without requiring a compressed air source in advance.

Another goal is to offer a machine for closing flexible packaging, which enables the synchronous movement of its parts using an accurate and inexpensive tool.

These and other objectives, which are better explained below, are achieved by the flexible packaging closure machine according to claim 1.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become more apparent upon reading the detailed description of a preferred, non-exclusive embodiment of a flexible packaging closure machine of the invention, which is described as a non-limiting example using the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a machine according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the machine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the machine of FIG. 1 with some elements not shown for a clearer view from the inside;

FIG. 4 is a top sectional view of the machine part of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a front view of the machine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 - sequence of closing the package.

Detailed Description of a Preferred Embodiment

With reference to the above figures, the machine according to the invention, generally indicated by the number 1, can be used to reseal packages or bags C made of a polymer material, paper or metal material that have a neck N with an opening A for removing products from them .

Packaging C may be designed to contain any type of food, possibly food, without any specific restrictions.

The machine 1 of the invention is portable and can be placed in any room connected to the mains or any other voltage source.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, machine 1 includes a support frame 2 that can be mounted on the floor and has a forming or closing seat 3 that allows you to manually put on it and close the neck N of the package C.

The forming seat 3 is located at the end of the groove 3 ′ provided in the frame 2 to allow the neck N of the package C to slide into the forming seat 3.

The frame 2 also has a support 4 for the reel B of the tape E or any other substantially tape-shaped covering sheet member having suitable stiffness and deformability.

Such an element may be substantially flat and made of a metal material, such as aluminum, or even a polymeric material, possibly with wire strands passing through it to increase its stiffness while maintaining its ability to deform.

Typically, the closing tape E can have a width of several millimeters, for example, from 3 mm to 10 mm.

However, it should be understood that the materials and dimensions of the cover tape E are for example only and without limitation of the present invention, and that any commercially available cover element can be used in the invention.

The frame 2 also includes an essentially horizontal base plate 5 having means 6 therein for feeding the tape E by unwinding the reel B and for guiding the portion P of the tape E of a given length I to the cutting seat 7 located on the same plate 5 wherein the portion P of the tape E to be cut will be substantially vertical.

The supply means 6 are designed for translational movement of at least one end part from the coil B in the first predetermined direction X, essentially parallel to the upper surface 8 of the plate 5. The plate 5 is preferably, but not necessarily, horizontal.

Machine 1 also includes means for cutting and preforming 9 for cutting and preforming part P of tape E.

Means for cutting and pre-molding 9 are designed to work in the second direction Y, to capture part P of the tape E located in the seat for cutting 7, cause it to separate from the coil B and enter it into the forming seat 3.

The second molding means 10 are provided in the molding seat 3 and in the plate 5 and are adapted to deform the cut and preformed portion P and wrap it around the neck N of the package C to close its opening A.

Means 6 for feeding and guiding the tape E and means for cutting 9 are driven by means of the drive 11, which are mounted directly on the frame 2 and give the corresponding movements to such means.

According to one feature of the invention, the drive means 11 are driven solely by the motor 15 and are intended to be connected to a voltage source 12, schematically shown in FIG. 2, in order to obtain a separate voltage.

Preferably, the drive means 11 are operatively connected to the feeding means 6 and the cutting means 9 by means of the first and second transmission means 13 and 14, respectively.

In a preferred, non-exclusive embodiment of the invention, the drive means 11 include an electric motor 15 mounted on the frame 2 in any position and having a power source.

In particular, the motor 15 can be designed to connect to any external voltage source 12, such as an electrical network in the room in which the machine 1 is located from time to time, with a voltage generator, possibly of a mobile type, or can also receive power from the batteries.

It is understood that the type of electric motor that is used in the present invention is in no way limited, and can be either conventional or linear.

In the configuration shown, the motor 15 has a drive shaft, not shown, the output end of which is connected to the feeding means 6 and cutting means 9 by means of the first and second transmission means 13, 14, respectively.

These means 13, 14 are designed to convert the rotational movement of the drive shaft into the corresponding movements of the supply means 6 and cutting means 9.

In another particularly preferred aspect of the invention, a kinematic coupling 16 is provided for connecting the first gear means 13 and the second gear means 14 and connecting them to an electric motor 15 for a synchronized drive.

In particular, kinematic connection 16 is intended for coordinated movement of cutting means 9 and feeding means 6.

Also, the kinematic connection 16 can be designed for at least partially simultaneous movement of the feeding means 6 and means for cutting 9.

Thus, the translational movement of the cutting means 9 in the second direction Y will occur only at least in the last part of the total travel from the cutting seat 7 to the forming seat 3, when the feeding means 6 has already delivered part P to the cutting position 7.

In the configuration shown, the means 6 for feeding and guiding include a traction member 17, which is designed to capture part P of the tape E and transport it to the cutting position 7.

For example, the traction member 17 includes a pair of friction discs 18 and 19 having respective peripheral sliding surfaces that are designed to contact opposite surfaces of the belt E to facilitate its sliding and unwinding from the reel B.

These two discs 18 and 19, which can have any diameter ratio, are adapted to rotate around the first substantially parallel rotation axes W, Z, respectively, which are essentially vertical in the configuration shown.

In particular, the first disk 18 is the drive disk, and the other disk 19 can be driven and idle or mounted by means of friction forces on its Z axis. The drive disk 18 is connected to drive means 11, for example, to the drive shaft of the engine 15, by means of the first gear means 13.

The latter may include a first transmission element 20, interacting with the drive shaft of the engine 15 by means of a kinematic connection 16 and adapted to rotate around a second axis of rotation K, essentially parallel to the first axis of rotation W, Z.

In addition, the first transmission means 13 includes a first mechanism 13 ′, for example, a traction such as a slider, a cam, a crank, or a similar mechanism, to transmit the rotational movement of the first transmission element 20 to the drive disk 18 and cause the reel B.

Means for cutting 9 may include an elongated slider 21, which is designed to slide in the second direction Y above and parallel to the upper surface 8 of the base plate 5.

Preferably, the first direction X and the second direction Y essentially lie at right angles to each other.

In particular, the slider 21 is designed to move between the first rear, inoperative limit position and the second front limit position, in which it interacts with the part P of the tape E located in the cutting position 7 to move it to the molding position 3.

The slider 21 has a substantially vertical knife 23 at its free end 22 and is connected at the other end 24 to the drive means 11 via the second transmission means 14.

Kinematic connection 16 can be adjusted for the initial segment of the stroke of the slider 21 from the first limiting position to the cutting seat 7, which occurs simultaneously with the unwinding of the tape E, thereby reducing the cycle time.

The second motion transmitting means 14 may include a second transmission element 25 adapted to rotate about a third axis of rotation R, which may, for example, be substantially parallel to the second axis of rotation K.

In addition, it includes a second mechanism 14 ′ and, possibly, a thrust that connects the second transmission element 25 to the end 24 of the slider 21 to transmit the rotational movement of the engine 15 and convert it into the reciprocating movement of the slider 21 in the second direction Y.

The transmission elements 20, 25 may consist of friction discs or gears, or more complex drive systems, such as bevel gears, according to the direction in which the drive shaft of the engine 15 passes.

The kinematic synchronizing coupling 16 may include an annular connecting element 26, such as a drive belt or chain, which partially surrounds the peripheral surfaces of the transmission elements 20, 25 to cause their coordinated movement.

In particular, one of the two transmission elements 20, 25, for example, the second 25, can be directly connected to the drive shaft, possibly via an intermediate gear or a gear motor that is not shown, while the connection of the other transmission element 25, 20 with the drive shaft is carried out through the annular connecting element 26.

The dimensions of the transmission elements 20, 25 and the connecting element 26, as well as their relative positions will allow you to coordinate the movement of cutting means 9 and means for feeding 6, according to arrangements known to the person skilled in the art, which will not be described in more detail here.

As shown in FIG. 4, the second molding means 10 may include a first forming element 27 located in the cutting seat 7 and designed to substantially substantially U-shape the pre-cut portion P of the tape E, with the concave side facing the forming seat 3.

The latter, in turn, contains a second forming element 28 having a substantially vertical abutment surface 29 transverse to the second direction Y, with convex transverse ends 30.

The frame 2 may include a closing cover 31, which can be pivotally connected to the base plate 5 or otherwise placed on it to protect the cutting means 9 and at least part of the means for feeding 6, for example, friction discs 18 and 19. On the contrary, forming the seat 3 is located outside the cover 31.

Therefore, the latter will have a side hole 32 for receiving the tape E and a front hole 33 for pushing the knife 23 of the slider 21 and so that the cut part P of the tape E can move from the cutting seat 7 to the forming and closing seat 3.

The frame 2 also includes a support column 34 for its permanent or removable installation on the floor of the room and for ease of transportation.

In one particular embodiment, the machine 1 may also include a stamping position 35 mounted on the side of the plate 5, which has means 36 for supplying a coloring material, such as ink or the like, to the transfer member 37 for transferring the coloring material to the cover tape E.

The transfer element 37 will rotate on the fourth axis of rotation between the first position of receipt of the coloring material in the second transfer position, in which it is in contact with the surface of the cover tape E to transfer text, such as a date or image.

The fourth axis of rotation, which can be essentially vertical, can be driven independently of the means for feeding 6 and / or means for cutting 9.

Preferably, it is connected to the same drive means 11, for example, the same drive shaft of a common electric motor 15, through third motion transmission means, which is not shown, possibly connected to the first and second motion transmission means 13, 14 through kinematic coupling 16.

During operation, in order to close the package C, which is filled with one or more products, after the drive means 11 are simply connected to the voltage source 12, the operator must manually insert the neck N of the package S into the forming seat 3.

Now include drive means 11, for example, using a simple switch or other control that causes the drive shaft to rotate and means for cutting 9 and means for feeding 6 to move synchronously.

In practice, when the portion P of the tape E to be cut is stretched in the first direction X to be inserted into the cutting seat 7, the slider 21 is steadily moving in the second direction Y to introduce the knife 23 into the cutting seat 7 and ensure contact with part P.

Thus, the knife 23 cuts off part P of a given length I and continues to move, pulling it first to the first forming element 27 and then to the seat for closing 7 until it touches the abutment surface 29 of the second forming element 28.

The U-shaped part P has a pair of branches that are pressed against the corresponding convex parts 30 of the abutment surface 29 to surround the neck N of the package C and close it. The stamping step, if any, can be performed before cutting.

The above description clearly shows that the invention achieves its intended objectives and, in particular, offers a machine for closing flexible packaging, which is portable and can be used in any room, without requiring a compressed air supply, but only a connection to a voltage source, such as an electric network in such a room.

Changes and variations may be made to the machine according to the invention within the scope of the inventive concept disclosed in the attached claims. All its parts can be replaced by other technically equivalent parts, and the materials can be changed depending on different needs, but without violating the scope of the invention.

Although the machine has been described with specific reference to the accompanying drawings, the numbers indicated in the disclosure and claims are used only for a better understanding of the invention and should not be intended to limit the claimed scope in any way.

Claims (9)

1. A machine for closing flexible packages, each package (C) including an opening (A) for taking out the products in it and a neck (N) next to the opening (A), which must be closed with a semi-rigid and deformable closing tape (E) ), wound on a reel (B), and moreover, the machine includes a support frame (2), a plate (5) attached to the said frame (2) and having a groove (3 ′) to place the neck (N) of the package (C) times over and over, forming the seat (3) of the closing tape (E) located at one end of said groove (3 ′) for the position of opening and closing the neck (N) of the package (S), a seat (7) for cutting off part (P) of the closing tape (E) having predetermined lengths (I), feeding means (6) for feeding the tape (E) into said landing a place for cutting (7) in the first direction (X), means for cutting and pre-molding (9) for cutting off part (P) of the tape (E) placed in the aforementioned cutting seat (7), second molding means (10) for molding the cut portion (P) of the tape (E), drive means (11) for moving said feed means (6) and said media in for cutting and pre-molding (9), characterized in that said drive means (11) are driven exclusively by an electric motor (15), said cutting means (9) including an elongated slider (21) moving along said plate ( 5) in a second direction (Y) substantially perpendicular to said first direction (X), said slider (21) having a free end (22) with a substantially vertical knife (23) which is intended to contact and cut off part (P) tapes (E) of a given length (I) in the fit the place for cutting (7), and wherein said second molding means (10) include a first forming element (27) located in said cutting seat (7) and giving said part (P) of a given length (I) preliminary according to a substantially U-shape with a concave side facing said molding seat (3) and a second molding element (28) located in said molding seat (3) and having a substantially vertical abutment surface (29) transverse to said second direction (Y) with bulge transverse ends (30), and wherein said drive means (11) are connected to said slider (21) to move it in said second direction (Y) to initially cut off said part (P) by said knife (23) and continue to move said a slider (21) to feed said part (P) to said first forming element (27) to give said part (P) a U-shape with a pair of branches at said forming seat (3) and for subsequently feeding it to said thrust surface (29) of said second forming element (28) so that said branches surround the neck (N) of the package (C) and close it. 2. Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that said electric motor (15) is mounted on said frame (2). 3. Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that said drive means (11) include first and second motion transmitting means (13, 14) for connecting said engine with said feeding means (6) and with said means for cutting (9) and said second molding means (10), said first and second means (13, 14) of transmitting movement being synchronized by a kinematic connection (16). 4. Machine according to claim 3, characterized in that the said feeding means (6) include a traction element (17) designed to interact with the closing tape (E) in order to translate it in the aforementioned first direction (X) and feed part ( P) for cutting into said cutting seat (7). 5. Machine according to claim 4, characterized in that said traction element (17) includes at least one first friction disk (18) rotating around a first axis of rotation (W) and having a peripheral outer surface intended for contact with the front surface a closing tape (E), said first friction disk (18) being mechanically connected to said first transmission means (13). 6. Machine according to claim 5, characterized in that said first means (13) for transmitting movement includes a first transmission element (20) interacting with said engine (15) and rotating about a second axis of rotation (K), and a first articulated kinematic a connection (13 ′) for connecting said first transmission element (20) with said first friction disk (18) and for transmitting motion of said engine (15) to it. 7. Machine according to claim 3, characterized in that said slider (21) can move between the rear end position and the front end position in which it interacts with the tape part (P) (E), said slider (21) having the opposite an end (24) attached to said second means (14) for transmitting motion in order to receive movement from said driving means (11). 8. Machine according to claim 7, characterized in that said second means (14) for transmitting movement includes a second transmission element (25) rotating around a third axis of rotation (R) and interacting with said engine (15), and a second articulated kinematic a connection (14 ′) for connecting said second transmission element (25) with said slider (21) to transmit movement of said engine (15) to it. 9. Machine according to claim 8, characterized in that said kinematic coupling (16) includes at least one annular connecting element (26) operatively connected to said first and said second transmission elements (20, 25).

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